JP2006126584A - Container support device, toner storage container mounting member, toner supply device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container support device in which attaching/detaching operability of a toner container is improved. <P>SOLUTION: The container support device 70 provided on the toner container mounting member 35 where a plurality of storage containers 31 to 34 which are rotated to supply toner are mounted, is equipped with a plurality of guide members 50 and 51 which lay the respective toner containers in the same direction to be attached and detached from above and support the respective toner containers rotatably. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a supporting device for supporting a toner container, a mounting member for mounting the toner container, a toner replenishing device having the mounting member, an electrophotographic copying machine using the same, a printer, a facsimile, or a combination thereof. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In a toner container in which toner to be supplied to the developing device is stored, as described in Patent Document 1, toner inside the bottle is discharged from the toner supply port to the outside by rotating the bottle itself. Some types perform actions. Such a toner container has a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the rotation axis, and has a helical protrusion protruding toward the inside of the bottle on the surface thereof, and the toner is supplied to the toner by rotating the bottle. It is transported to the mouth.

JP 2002-139905 A

  The toner container mounting member described in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the toner container is mounted / detached from the mounting member in the direction of the rotation axis, and therefore the rotation axis when the toner container is attached / detached. The operation space for the entire length of the toner is required with respect to the direction. In an image forming apparatus provided with such a mounting member, disposing the toner container close to the wall or pillar, etc., hinders the detachability of the toner container. In some cases, the installation direction and installation location are restricted.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a container support device, a toner container mounting member, a toner supply device, and an image forming apparatus that improve the detachability of the toner container.

  In a container support device provided on a toner container mounting member on which a plurality of toner containers that replenish toner by rotating itself, which is a first invention of the present invention, are mounted on each toner container. It is characterized by having a plurality of guide members which are laid in the direction and can be attached and detached from above, and each toner container is rotatably supported.

  In the container support device according to the present invention, the plurality of guide members are respectively disposed on the toner container mounting members positioned in the rotation axis direction of the toner container, one of which is a groove formed on one end side of each toner container. The other is composed of an arm member elastically pressed against the other end of each toner container. Each arm member is characterized in that a contact portion with the other end side of the toner container has a curved surface shape or a spherical shape.

  The container support device according to the present invention is characterized in that the contact portion of each arm member supports the rotation center on the other end side of each toner container. As a contact portion of each arm member, a protrusion shape inserted into a recess formed at the rotation center on the other end side of each toner container, or a protrusion formed at the rotation center on the other end side of each toner container It is the recessed part which accommodates.

  In the container support device according to the present invention, each arm member includes a base portion that is mounted on the toner container mounting member, a rotating arm portion that is rotatably supported by the base portion, and a rotating arm portion that is connected to the toner container. And an urging member that urges toward the other end side.

  The container support device according to the present invention is characterized in that each arm member is rotatably supported by the toner container mounting member and has a working end located in a region where the toner container is mounted.

  In the container support device according to the present invention, each arm member is detachable from the toner container mounting member. In this case, the arm member can be attached / detached from the inside of the wall portion of the toner container mounting member, or can be attached / detached so as to face the inside of the wall portion to which each toner container is mounted from the outside of the wall portion of the toner container mounting member. It may be possible. Each arm member has a locking portion that engages with a positioning portion formed on the toner container mounting member.

  In the container support device according to the present invention, a gap is formed between each arm member and the surface of the toner container mounting member facing the toner container, and each gap is formed on the other end side of each toner container. It is characterized in that it is set to a dimension that allows the thickness of the contoured portion.

  In the container support device according to the present invention, the other end side is rotatably supported on one side between each arm member and the other end side of the toner container, and the other side is formed by contact with each arm member. It is characterized by having a holder.

  In the container support device according to the present invention, a first holder mounted on the other end side between each arm member and the other end side of the toner container, and the first holder can be freely rotated on one side thereof. A container support device comprising: a second holder that supports and abutting the contact portion of the arm member on the other side.

  The container support device according to the present invention is characterized in that each arm member is made of a material that is more slippery than the toner container mounting member.

  The container support device according to the present invention is characterized in that a toner color display portion in each toner container is provided on a guide member corresponding to each toner container.

  In the toner container mounting member on which a plurality of toner containers that replenish toner by rotating itself are mounted according to the second invention of the present invention, the toner containers are laid in the same direction, and from above A plurality of guide members according to the first aspect of the present invention are provided as a plurality of guide members which are detachable and support each toner container rotatably.

  The toner container mounting member according to the present invention includes a support member that rotatably supports each toner container when the toner container is mounted. The support member is a protrusion that supports a mounted toner container from below, or a roller member that supports the mounted toner container from below.

  In the toner replenishing device that supplies toner from each toner container that contains a plurality of color toners to the corresponding color name developing device according to the third aspect of the present invention, each toner container is supported rotatably and detachably. A toner container mounting member, driving means for rotating each toner container mounted on the toner container mounting member, and a toner moving path for guiding the toner discharged from each toner container to each developing device. And the toner container mounting member is a toner container mounting member according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  Image formation comprising a plurality of image carriers on which latent images corresponding to the respective colors are formed and a plurality of developing devices for developing the latent images formed on the respective image carriers, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention. The apparatus is characterized by having the toner replenishing device as a toner replenishing device for supplying toner to each developing device.

  According to the present invention, each toner container is laid in the same direction on a toner container mounting member on which a plurality of toner containers that replenish toner by rotating itself are mounted, and can be detached from above. Therefore, the toner container can be attached / detached while ensuring visibility, and the toner container can be attached / detached. Further, since the operation space in the direction of the rotation axis required when the toner container is attached / detached becomes unnecessary, the installation location of the apparatus can be selected without worrying about the toner container attachment / detachment side. it can.

  According to the present invention, the plurality of guide members are respectively disposed on the toner container mounting members positioned in the rotation axis direction of the toner container, and one of the guide members is engaged with a groove formed on one end side of each toner container. The other is composed of an arm member that is elastically pressed against the other end of each toner container, so that when the toner container is attached to or detached from the toner container mounting member from above, the toner is With the arm member deformed on the other end side of the container, the groove portion of the toner container and the rib-shaped guide member can be engaged, and the detachability of the toner container is improved.

  According to the present invention, each arm member is rotatably supported by the toner container mounting member and has the working end located in the region where the toner container is mounted. When the toner cartridge is placed, the entire arm member is rotated about the rotation fulcrum and presses the other end of the toner container, so that one-touch mounting is possible and the detachability of the toner container is further improved.

  According to the present invention, the gap is formed between each arm member and the surface of the toner container mounting member facing the toner container, and each gap is formed on the other end side of each toner container. Since the thickness is set to allow the thickness of the portion, when the toner container is mounted, the contour portion on the other end side is mounted so as to slide into the gap between the opposite surface to the toner container. Thus, each arm member can be mounted without receiving an elastic resistance, and the detachability of the toner container is further improved.

  According to the present invention, the holder formed between each arm member and the other end side of the toner container so that the other end side is rotatably supported on one side and the other side is in contact with each arm member is provided. Therefore, the arm member does not directly contact the other end side of the toner container, so that problems such as wear of the toner container and holes due to the toner container are eliminated. In addition, even when the shape or the shape of the other end of the toner container is different, it can be supported by the arm member by attaching the holder, and the detachability of the toner container is further improved.

  According to the present invention, the first holder mounted on the other end side is supported between each arm member and the other end side of the toner container, and the first holder is rotatably supported on one side thereof. In addition, since the second holder includes the second holder with which the contact portion of the arm member is pressed against the other side, even if there is a variation in the size of the toner container in the rotation axis direction, the variation is caused by the first and second holders. Can be absorbed, and the detachability of the toner container is further improved.

  According to the present invention, since each arm member is made of a material that is more slippery than the toner container mounting member, the resistance at the time of attachment and detachment is small, and the detachability of the toner container is further improved.

  According to the present invention, the guide member corresponding to each toner container is provided with the display portion of the toner color in each toner container. The detachability of the toner container is further improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus is a color printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) that can form a full-color image by employing a tandem method. The image forming apparatus is not limited to the printer shown in FIG. 1, and may be a copier, a facsimile, a complex machine of these, or the like.

  The basic configuration and operation of the printer will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and the configuration and operation unique to this embodiment will be described thereafter. This printer has a configuration in which a paper feed unit 2 in which a sheet 29 as a recording material is stored is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 1 and an image forming unit 3 is disposed above the paper feed unit 2. The image forming unit 3 includes an image forming unit 8 including four image forming units 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K as a plurality of image forming units including an image carrier, and a plurality of rollers 4, 5, 6 As an intermediate transfer unit 7 having an intermediate transfer belt 7a as an intermediate transfer member constituted by a flexible endless belt wound around these rollers, and an optical writing unit for performing optical writing on each image carrier The optical writing unit 15 and fixing means 22 for fixing the toner image on the paper 29 are provided. A transport path 23 for transporting the paper 29 is formed between the paper feed unit 2 and the fixing unit 11. The roller 6 is arranged facing the conveyance path 23.

  The space between the rollers 4 and 5 of the intermediate transfer belt 7a corresponds to the lower side belt running side of this belt. In the intermediate transfer belt 7 a, a secondary transfer roller 20 serving as a secondary transfer device is disposed at a portion facing the roller 6 so as to face the conveyance path R, and a belt for cleaning the belt surface at a portion facing the roller 4. A cleaning device 21 is provided.

  The image forming unit 3 is disposed below the intermediate transfer belt 7a by being disposed so as to face the lower running side. Each image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum 10Y, 10C, 10M, or 10K as an image carrier in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7a. Around each photosensitive drum, a charging device 11, developing devices 12Y, 12C, 12M, and 12K, and a cleaning device 13 are arranged. Each image forming unit is provided with a transfer roller 14 as a transfer means for performing primary transfer inside the intermediate transfer belt 7a at a position where each photosensitive drum is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7a.

  The image forming units 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K basically have the same structure. In FIG. 1, the structure of the image forming unit 8K is represented by a reference symbol. Each image forming unit is different in that the color of toner as a developer stored in each developing device is different. The developing devices 12Y, 12C, 12M, and 12K of the image forming units 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K store yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toners, respectively. When the toner is reduced, each developing device is supplied with replenishment toner from toner bottles 31, 32, 33, and 34 disposed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1.

  In this embodiment, the developing devices 12Y, 12C, 12M, and 12K and the photosensitive drums 10Y, 10C, 10M, and 10K include a line O1 that connects the arrangement centers of the developing devices in the parallel direction, and the rotational centers of the photosensitive drums. Are parallel to each other, and in FIG. 1, a downward slope is formed from the back side of the apparatus, which is also the discharge direction indicated by arrow C1, toward the front side of the apparatus (also referred to as the front side of the apparatus) indicated by arrow C2. It is arranged to be.

  An opening 1 a is formed on the side surface of the apparatus main body 1. The image forming units 8Y, 8C, 8M, 8K and the intermediate transfer unit 7 are detachable from the apparatus body 1 from the opening 1a side.

  The optical writing unit 15 irradiates the surface of each photosensitive drum with the light-modulated laser light L to form a latent image for each color on the surface of the photosensitive member. In this embodiment, the optical writing unit 15 is disposed below the image forming unit 8 and is configured so that laser irradiation is performed from the lower side of the apparatus toward the upper side of the apparatus.

  When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive drums 10Y, 10C, 10M, and 10K of each image forming unit are rotationally driven clockwise by driving means (not shown), and the surface of each photosensitive drum is predetermined by each charging device 11. It is uniformly charged to the polarity. The surface of each charged photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light L from the optical writing unit 15 to form an electrostatic latent image on each surface. At this time, image information to be exposed on each photosensitive drum is single-color image information obtained by separating a desired full-color image into color information of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. The electrostatic latent image formed in this way is visualized as a toner image by the toner of each developing device when passing between each photosensitive drum and the developing devices 12Y, 12C, 12M, and 12K.

  Of the plurality of rollers 4, 5 and 6 around which the intermediate transfer belt 7a is wound, one roller is driven to rotate counterclockwise by a driving means (not shown), whereby the intermediate transfer belt 7a is counterclockwise indicated by an arrow. Driven in the clockwise direction, the other rollers are driven to rotate. A yellow toner image formed by the image forming unit 8Y including the developing device 12Y having yellow toner located on the most upstream side in the belt moving direction is transferred by the transfer roller 14 to the intermediate transfer belt 7a traveling in this way. Is done. To the transferred yellow toner image, a cyan toner image formed by the image forming units 8C, 8M, and 8K, a magenta toner image, and a black toner image are sequentially superimposed and transferred by the transfer roller 14, and thus the intermediate transfer belt 7a. Carries a full-color toner image on its surface.

  Residual toner adhering to the surface of each photosensitive drum after the toner image is transferred is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum by each cleaning device 13, and then the surface is subjected to a static eliminating action by a static eliminating device (not shown). The surface potential is initialized and prepared for the next image formation.

  On the other hand, the sheet 29 fed from the sheet feeding unit 2 is sent to the transport path 23 and the sheet feeding timing is measured by the registration roller pair 21 disposed on the sheet feeding side with respect to the secondary transfer roller 20. The roller 6 and the secondary transfer roller 20 are fed to the facing portion. At this time, a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity of the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is applied to the secondary transfer roller 20, whereby the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 a is applied onto the paper 29. Transcribed at once. The paper 29 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 22, and when passing through the fixing unit 22, heat and pressure are applied to melt and fix the toner image. The printed material 29A on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed toward a discharge unit 24 positioned at the end of the conveyance path 23, and is discharged from the discharge unit 24 to a stacking unit 25 provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1. . After the toner image is transferred to the paper 29, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 7a is removed from the cleaning device 21.

  The printer configured in this manner is provided with four image forming units 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K facing the intermediate transfer belt 7a, and sequentially transfers the toner images of the respective colors onto the intermediate transfer belt 7a. The image forming time can be greatly shortened as compared with a type in which a single image means has a four-color developing device, and a toner image is superimposed and transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt and then transferred onto a sheet. In addition, since the stacking unit 25 is configured on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1, the stacking unit 25 does not jump out from the apparatus main body 1, and the installation area and the occupied area are reduced.

  The above description is an image forming operation when a full-color image is formed on the paper 29. A single-color image is formed using any one of the image forming units of the image forming unit 8, or two colors or A three-color image can also be formed. When monochrome printing is performed using the printer of this embodiment, an electrostatic latent image is formed only on the photosensitive drum 10K of the image forming unit 8K, developed by the unit, transferred to the paper 29, and fixed. Fixing may be performed by means 22.

  A characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described. A toner replenishing device 30 that supplies toner from the inside of the toner bottles 31 to 34 to the corresponding color name developing device is disposed in the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1. The toner replenishing device 30 is shown in FIG. 2 in which the toner bottle mounting member 35 that rotatably and detachably supports the toner bottles 31, 32, 33, and 34 and the toner bottles mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35 are rotated. A driving unit 40 and a toner moving path 38 for guiding the toner discharged from each toner bottle to each developing device are provided. One driving means 40 is provided for each toner bottle and has the same basic configuration. Therefore, here, the driving means 40 (M) for driving the toner bottle 33 in FIG. 2 is used as a representative. I will explain. Each toner movement path 38 has one end 38a penetrating through an opening 351 formed in the toner bottle mounting member 35 and connected to the toner supply port 39 of each toner bottle, and the other end 38b corresponds as shown in FIG. Connected to the developing device. 2 and 3, the toner movement path 38 shows an example in which the toner bottle 33 and the developing device 12M are connected.

  The drive means 40 includes a drive motor 41, a drive gear 42 attached to the output shaft 41 a of the drive motor 41, a gear 44 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 33, and an idle gear 43 that meshes with the drive gear 42. I have. The drive motor 40 is attached to the toner bottle mounting member 35 via a bracket 45. The idle gear 43 is rotatably supported on the toner bottle mounting member 35 by a shaft 46.

  The toner bottle 33 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the direction of the rotation axis indicated by a symbol X in FIG. 3, and a rotating cylindrical portion 331 having a helical projection 330 that protrudes toward the inside of the bottle on the surface thereof, and a rotating cylindrical portion The fixed cylinder part 332 which engages with one end of 331 and rotatably supports the rotary cylinder part 331 is configured. The gear 44 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating cylinder portion 330, and the toner supply port 39 is formed in the fixed cylinder portion 332. The configuration of the toner bottles 31, 32, 34 is in accordance with the configuration of the toner bottle 33.

  Such a driving means 40 is disposed on the toner bottle mounting member 35 facing the toner bottles 31, 32, and 34, and each toner bottle is driven to rotate by being driven when each toner is supplied. Then, the toner in the rotating cylinder portion 331 is conveyed into the fixed cylinder portion 332 and replenished to each developing device via the toner supply portion 39.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toner bottle mounting member 35 is fastened to the upper portions of the side housings 1 </ b> B and 1 </ b> C provided inside the apparatus main body 1 by a fastening portion indicated by a reference numeral 352 with a screw (not shown) and integrated. Has been. In this embodiment, the side housings 1B and 1C and the toner bottle mounting member 35 are formed of heat resistant resin. The toner bottle mounting member 35 is provided with a plurality of guide members 50 and 51 that lay the toner bottles 31 to 34 shown in FIG. 1 in the same direction so that the toner bottles can be detached from above and rotatably support the toner bottles. A container support device 80 is provided.

  In this embodiment, the toner bottle mounting member 35 is mounted with each toner bottle lying in the width direction of the apparatus main body 1 when viewed from the front side of the apparatus main body 1 indicated by an arrow C2. Here, the front side of the apparatus main body is the front side of the apparatus, specifically, the apparatus main body 1 side located on the opposite side to the paper discharge direction C2, and can also be expressed as the upstream side in the paper discharge direction. That is, it can be said that each toner bottle is mounted in the width direction X1 of the apparatus main body 1 when viewed from the upstream side in the paper discharge direction.

  For this reason, the width direction of the apparatus main body 1 and the rotation axis direction X are the same direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the toner bottle mounting member 35 has a line 03 connecting the rotation center O5 of the toner bottle 31 and the rotation center O5 of the toner bottle 34 so as to be substantially parallel to the lines 01 and 02. In order to mount each toner bottle, the toner bottle is formed so as to be inclined from the apparatus back side C1 toward the apparatus front side (apparatus front side) C1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of guide members 50 are plate-like guide ribs formed on one wall portion 35 </ b> A that is on the right side when viewed from the front side that is one side in the apparatus width direction. As shown in FIG. 3, these guide ribs 50 are disposed at positions where they can be inserted into and engaged with guide grooves 333 as grooves formed at the end of the fixed cylinder portion 332 on one end side of each toner bottle. When the opening 334 of the guide groove 333 is below, the guide groove 333 is formed in such a direction that it can enter the guide groove 333 from the opening 334.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of guide members 51 serve as elastic members formed on the other wall portion 35 </ b> B on the left side when viewed from the front side which is the other side in the apparatus width direction (X direction). It is a resin arm member. As this resin material, a material that is more slippery than the toner bottle mounting member 35 is preferable in view of resistance reduction at the time of mounting, and for example, horiacetal resin can be used. In consideration of the cost, it is preferable to use a well-known ABS resin having slidability instead of the horiacetal resin.

  The inner space between the wall 35A and the wall 35B indicated by the arrow X1 in FIG. 2 is formed to be somewhat longer than the total length X2 of each toner bottle. Further, the dimension X3 from the wall portion 35A to the tip 51A of the arm member 51 when the toner bottle is not attached is determined from the bottle end surface 335 that is the other end side of each toner bottle when the toner bottle is attached to the toner bottle attachment member 35. Is also arranged from the wall portion 35A. These arm members 51 are elastically deformed and bent as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 when the fixed cylindrical portion 332 of each toner bottle is supported and attached by the guide rib 50, and end surfaces 335 of the respective toner bottles. It functions to press against the wall portion 35 </ b> A at the tip 51 </ b> A of the arm member 51. In this embodiment, the shape of the tip 51A is a flat surface in consideration of pressability. Each gear 43 is arranged from the wall portion 35A.

  A facing surface 35C of the toner bottle mounting member 35 that faces each toner bottle is formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the bottle. As shown in FIGS. 3, 7A and 7B, the curved opposing surface 35C has a plurality of support members as support members for supporting the rotating cylinder portion 331 side of the mounted toner bottle from below. A roller 53 is rotatably provided.

  In the vicinity of the wall portion 35A, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, detection sensors 55 are provided as toner bottle detection means for detecting the mounting state of each toner bottle.

  With such a configuration, in order to mount each toner bottle on the toner bottle mounting member 35, the opening 334 of the guide groove 33 is positioned below and the guide groove 333 is viewed from above the toner bottle mounting member 35 (apparatus main body 1). Each toner bottle is lowered in a state along the guide rib 50. Then, the arm member 51 is elastically deformed and bent by being pushed by the end surface 335 of each toner bottle, and the end surface 355 is pressed toward the wall portion 35A by the arm tip 51A by the reaction force. Thereby, each toner bottle is elastically attached to the toner bottle attachment member 35. Since the rotation of the fixed cylinder portion 332 is prevented by the engagement between the guide groove 333 and the guide rib 50, only the rotation cylinder portion 331 side is rotatable with respect to the fixed cylinder portion 332. Further, since the driving means 40 is disposed from the wall portion 35A, by energizing each toner bottle toward the wall portion 35A, the gear 44 and the idle gear 43 can be meshed well, and the driving loss is reduced. Can be reduced.

  Since each arm member 51 is made of a well-known ABS resin having slidability rather than a holiacetal resin that is more slippery than the toner bottle mounting member 35, the resistance at the time of attachment / detachment is small, and the attachment / detachability of the toner bottles 31 to 34 is further improved. Can be improved.

  The toner bottles 31 to 34 mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35 are mounted in the same direction and are detachable from above the toner bottle mounting member 35 (image forming apparatus). The operation can be performed while ensuring the visibility, and the detachability of the toner bottle is improved. Since the guide ribs 50 and the arm members 51 serving as a plurality of guide members that rotatably support the toner bottles are integrally formed with the toner bottle mounting member 35, the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where these are individually provided. Since the toner bottles 31 to 34 are detachable from above the toner bottle mounting member 35 (image forming apparatus), an operation space in the rotational axis direction which has been conventionally required becomes unnecessary, and the mounting / detaching side of the toner bottles 31 to 34 is required. The installation location of the image forming apparatus can be selected without worrying about the installation direction.

  In this embodiment, since the toner bottles 31 to 34 are mounted in the width direction (X direction) of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the front C2 side of the image forming apparatus to which the toner bottle mounting member 35 is mounted, from the front side. Visibility when viewed can be further increased. Since the toner bottles 31 to 34 are arranged so that the line 03 connecting the rotation center O5 thereof is substantially parallel to the line 01 connecting the developing devices, the toner bottles 31, 32, 33, 34 and the developing device 12Y, The lengths of the respective toner movement paths 38 that respectively connect 12C, 12M, and 12K can be made uniform, and the toner movement paths 38 can be made common parts, thereby reducing costs.

  In this embodiment, the toner bottles 31 to 34 are arranged so that the line 03 connecting the rotation centers O5 thereof is substantially parallel to the line 02 connecting the rotation centers of the photosensitive drums. By aligning, the size of the device can be reduced.

  The toner bottles 31 to 34 attached to the toner bottle attaching member 35 are supported by a plurality of rotatable rollers 53 that support the rotating cylinder portion 331 from below, so that the bottle rotating operation is stabilized and each arm member is stabilized. Can reduce the load.

  In the above embodiment, the plurality of rollers 53 are used as supporting members. However, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the toner bottle mounting member 35 is provided to support the rotating cylinder portion 311 from below. The protrusion 531 may be used. In this embodiment, the protrusion 531 is integrally formed with the toner bottle mounting member 35 as a plurality of ribs protruding upward from the opposing surface 35C of the toner bottle mounting member 35 with a space in the rotational axis direction. Of course, the protrusion 531 is not a plurality of ribs but may be a single rib or protrusion.

  In this manner, when the rotating cylinder portion 311 is supported from below by the protrusion 531 integrally formed with the toner bottle mounting member 35, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where it is supported by the roller 53.

  In this embodiment, the support member is provided on the toner bottle mounting member 35 side. However, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the toner bottle is provided on the outer peripheral surface 311a of the rotating cylinder portion 311 of each toner bottle. An annular protrusion 532 that contacts the facing surface 35C of the mounting member 35 may be formed.

  In each arm portion 51 shown in FIG. 2, the shape of the tip 51 </ b> A is a flat surface. However, when this shape is used, the friction resistance at the time of contact with the end surface 355 of each toner bottle is large, and wear of the tip 51 </ b> A and the bottle end surface 335 is caused. Concerned. Therefore, the tip 51A of each arm member 51 which is a contact portion with the end surface 335 may have a curved shape as shown in FIG. 10A, or may have a spherical shape as shown in FIG. 10B. By adopting such a shape, it is possible to reduce the frictional resistance at the time of contact between the tip 51A of each arm part 51 and the end surface 355 of each toner bottle, so that the occurrence of wear of the tip 51A and the bottle end surface 335 is suppressed. Can improve durability.

  11 and 12 show a form in which the rotation center O5 of the end surface 335 of each toner bolt is supported by the tip 51A of each arm member 51. FIG. The support structure of each toner bolt by the tip 51A of each arm member 51 shown in FIG. 11 is such that a protrusion 51D to be inserted into a recess 337 formed at the rotation center O5 of the end surface 335 is formed at the tip 51A. The support structure of each toner bolt by the tip 51A of each arm member 51 shown in FIG. 12 is formed by forming a recess 51E in the tip 51A for accommodating the projection 338 formed at the rotation center O5 of the end surface 335 of each toner bottle. is there.

  When the rotation center O5 of the end surface 335 of the toner bolts 31 to 34 is supported in this manner, each arm member 51 can function as a rotation support portion of each toner bolt, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, by supporting each toner bottle rotatably by the concavo-convex portions as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, there is no occurrence of displacement between each arm member 51 and each toner bottle when the bottle rotates, and each toner bolt Position and rotation are stable.

  FIG. 13 shows another form of the arm member that serves as a plurality of guide members. Each arm member 510 includes a base portion 511 mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35, a rotating arm portion 512 provided on the base portion 511, and a compression coil spring 513 as an urging member. The rotating arm portion 512 is supported by a shaft 514 so that the base end 512a thereof is on the upper portion of the base portion 511 and the free end 512b is in contact with and away from the end face 355. The rotating arm portion 512 is biased toward the end surface 335 of each toner bottle by the action of the compression coil spring 513, and the free end 512 b can be pressed against the end surface 355 of the toner bottle mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35. ing.

  Even in the arm member 510 having such a configuration, when each toner bottle is mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35, the rotating arm portion 512 is elastically moved toward the base portion 511 by being pushed by the end surface 335 of each toner bottle. The end surface 355 is pressed toward the wall portion 35A by the free end 512b by the spring force of the compression coil spring 513. Therefore, when the toner bolts are attached to and detached from the toner bottle mounting member 35 from above, the guide grooves 333 and the guide ribs 50 of the toner bottles are moved with the rotating arm portion displaced by the end surface 355 of each toner bottle. The toner bottles 31 to 34 can be attached and detached.

  FIG. 14 shows another form of the arm member that serves as a plurality of guide members. An arm member 611 shown in FIG. 14 has a central portion 611 </ b> A that is rotatably supported by a toner bottle mounting member 35 by a hinge portion 613. The arm member 611 has one end 611B serving as a working end at the center portion 613 as a boundary, and is disposed in a region where each toner bolt is mounted, specifically, a region C where the rotating cylinder portion 311 is mounted. The other end 611C is separated from the end surface 355 of each toner bottle, and the one end 611B is pushed down by the rotary cylinder portion 311 when each toner bolt is attached, and the other end 611C is It can be freely rotated to an upright position shown in FIG. 14 (b) in pressure contact with the end surface 355 of the toner bottle. The arm member 611 is balanced so as to occupy the fall position by its own weight during normal times.

  According to the configuration of each arm member 611 having such a configuration, when each toner bottle is lowered to be mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35, the one end 611C is pushed down by the rotary cylinder portion 311. Therefore, each arm member 611 is hinged. It occupies an upright position by rotating in the clockwise direction in FIG. At this time, the other end 611C moves toward the end surface 335 and presses the end surface 355 while being elastically deformed, so that each toner bottle is pressed toward the wall portion 35A.

  When each toner bottle is lifted upward to detach from the toner bottle mounting member 35, the force pushing the one end 611b disappears, so that the arm member 611 rotates counterclockwise in the figure by its own weight and moves to the collapsed position. Occupy.

  For this reason, when each toner bolt is mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35 from above, the other end 611C does not press against the end surface 355 unless each toner bottle is mounted, so that resistance during mounting is small. Further, when each of the attached toner bottles is detached, the other end 611C is tilted away from the end surface 355 by its own weight in conjunction with the separation operation, and therefore the resistance at the time of separation is reduced. The detachability of .about.34 is improved.

  In FIG. 15, the arm member can be attached to and detached from the toner bottle mounting member 35.

  The arm member 710 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B is detachably attached to the mounting portion 720 formed on the wall portion 35B of the toner bottle mounting member 35 from the inside. The arm member 710 includes a base portion 711 and an arm portion 712 that is integrally formed with the base portion 711 and elastically deforms and press-contacts the end surface 355 of each toner bottle. On the surface of the base portion 711 facing the wall portion 35B, a hook portion 713 having an L-shaped cross section hooked from above on the upper portion of the stepped portion 721 formed in the mounting portion 720, and a circular positioning hole formed in the stepped portion 721 Positioning pins 714 and 715 that engage / disengage from the 722 and the T-shaped opening 723 are formed from top to bottom. The hook portion 713 and the positioning pins 714 and 715 constitute a locking portion that engages with the mounting portion 720. The positioning pin 715 has a shape with its axis set in a horizontal direction, and is configured to descend along the long side portion extending vertically when inserted into the short side portion of the T-shaped opening 723. The hook portion 713 and the positioning pin 714 are arranged and formed to engage with the stepped portion 721 and the circular positioning hole 722, respectively, when the positioning pin 715 is inserted into the T-shaped opening 723 and descends. The positioning pin 714 has a screw hole for fastening the fixing screw 724.

  Since the arm member 710 having such a configuration is detachable from the toner bottle mounting member 35, the arm member 710 can be individually replaced when the arm member 710 is damaged. Further, when the positioning pin 715 is inserted into the T-shaped opening 723 of the mounting portion 720 formed on the wall portion 35B, the entire arm member 710 is lowered downward, and the positioning pin 714 is inserted into the positioning hole 722 at the lowered position. Then, the hook portion 713 is caught on the upper portion of the stepped portion 721, and the fixing screw 724 is fastened to the positioning pin 714 in this state, so that the attachment position of the arm member 710 can be changed by attaching / detaching each toner bottle while maintaining the attachment / detachment. Displacement and detachment can be prevented, and the positional relationship between the arm portion 712 and the end surface 355 is kept constant, so that there is little variation in the force of pressing the toner bottles 31 to 34, and detachability is improved.

  The arm member 810 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B faces the inside of the wall portion 35B where the toner bottle is attached from the outside to the attachment portion 730 formed on the wall portion 35B of the toner bottle attachment member 35. It is attached so that attachment or detachment is possible.

  The arm member 810 is integrally formed with the base portion 811 standing from the pedestal portion 813 and the base portion 811. When the arm member 810 is mounted, the arm member 810 faces the inside of the wall portion 35B and elastically deforms and press-contacts the end surface 355 of each toner bottle. Arm portion 812. A mounting hole 814 that penetrates in the vertical direction and a positioning projection 815 that serves as a locking portion that protrudes downward are formed in the base portion 813.

  The mounting portion 730 provided on the wall portion 35B is disposed on both sides of the opening 731 that allows the arm portion 812 to face the inside of the wall portion 35B and the opening portion 731. And a pair of holding plates 732 and 732 sandwiched between the two. A mounting screw hole 733 that faces the mounting hole 814 when the arm member 810 is mounted on the mounting portion 730 and a positioning opening hole 734 that engages by receiving the positioning protrusion 815 are formed in the facing surface 35C. Has been.

  Since the arm member 810 having such a configuration is detachable from the toner bottle mounting member 35, it can be individually replaced when the arm member 810 is damaged. When the arm member 810 is mounted on the mounting portion 730, the pedestal portion 813 is introduced between the lower surface of each holding plate 732 and the opposing surface 35C, and the positioning protrusion 815 is stored (inserted) in the opening hole 734 and fixed. Since the screw 724 is tightened from the mounting hole 814 to the mounting screw hole 733, the vertical position of the arm member 810 and the position of the arm portion 812 inside the wall portion 35B can be kept constant in FIG. For this reason, the attachment and detachment operation of each toner bottle can prevent the displacement and detachment of the attachment position of the arm member 810 while maintaining the detachability, and the detachability is improved with little variation in the force of pressing the toner bottles 31 to 34. To do.

  In FIG. 17, a gap 860 is formed between each arm member 51 and the facing surface 35 </ b> C of the toner bottle mounting member 34. The end structure of the toner bottles 31 to 34 is not a flat surface as in the toner bottle shown in FIG. 2, but the center of the end surface 355 is recessed inside the bottle as shown in FIG. In this case, the contour portion 336 is formed. This ensures the rigidity of the toner bottle. Therefore, by setting the dimension h of the gap 860 to a dimension that allows the thickness h1 of the contour portion 336, the tip 51A of the arm member 54 comes into contact with the contour portion 336 and moves when each toner bottle is mounted. It is no longer obstructed and no excessive force is applied to the arm member 51. For this reason, the durability of the arm member 51 is enhanced, and when the toner bottles 31 to 34 are mounted obliquely from the upper right side in the drawing, each toner bottle can be mounted while sliding on the opposing surface 35C. The width in the mounting direction can be increased, and the detachability is improved.

  In the form shown in FIG. 18, between the arm member 51 and the end surface 355 of each toner bottle, the end of the rotating cylinder portion 311 is rotatably supported on one side, and the other side is the tip 51A of each arm member 51. And a holder 400 formed by contact. Each holder 400 is a resin excellent in wear resistance, and is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be put on each toner bottle.

When each toner bottle is rotatably supported through such a holder 400, the tip 51A of the arm member 51 does not directly press against the end surface 355 of each toner bottle, so that wear of each toner bottle can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to prevent the end surface 355 from being pierced due to wear, and to prevent unexpected toner leakage from the inside of each toner bottle. Further, even when there is a variation in the length of the toner bottle in the rotation axis direction or a variation in the position of the tip 51A of the arm member 51, it can be absorbed by the thickness of the holder 400. In the form shown in FIG. 19, the first holder 410 mounted on the rotary cylinder portion 331 is provided between each arm member 51 and the end surface 355 of each toner bottle. The first holder 410 is rotatably supported on the side 411A, and the second holder 411 on which the tip 51A of the arm member 51 is pressed against the other side 411B is provided.

  The holder 410 is made of resin and is formed in a cylindrical shape having the same center as the rotation center O5 of each toner bottle so as to be put on each toner bottle. The holder 411 is supported by the shaft portion 412 so that the rotation center of the holder 410 is rotatable.

When each toner bottle is rotatably supported through the holders 410 and 411, the tip 51A of the arm member 51 does not directly press the end surface 355 of each toner bottle, so that wear of each toner bottle is prevented. In addition, it is possible to prevent the end surface 355 from being pierced due to wear, and to prevent unexpected toner leakage from within each toner bottle. Further, since each holder 411 rotatably supports the holder 410 attached to each toner bottle, it is possible to give a degree of freedom to the press contact position by the tip 51A of each arm member 51. Further, even when there is a variation in the length of the toner bottle in the rotation axis direction or a variation in the position of the tip 51A of the arm member 51, it can be absorbed by the thickness of the holders 410 and 411. In FIG. 20, the arm member 51 serving as a guide member corresponding to each toner bottle is provided with a display unit 420 corresponding to the toner color in each toner bottle. It is a thing. The display unit 420 is formed on the side surface of each arm member 51.

  As described above, since the toner color display section 420 in each toner bottle is provided on the arm member 51 corresponding to each toner bolt, the toner bottle to be attached / detached at the time of attachment / detachment can be visually confirmed. The detachability of the bottle is further improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 21, a cover member 36 that covers the attached toner bottles 31 to 34 is provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1. This cover member is a resin molded product and constitutes the stacking portion 25. One end 36a of the cover member 36 located on the back side of the apparatus is rotatably supported by the end of the toner bottle mounting member 35 by a support shaft 37 extending in the width direction X1. For this reason, the cover member 36 is opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 1 from the apparatus front side to the apparatus back side with respect to the apparatus main body 1 when the cover member 36 is viewed from the apparatus front side. It is supposed to be free. In this embodiment, the toner bottles 31 to 34 are mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35 such that the rotation axis 05 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis 04 of the cover member 36.

  According to such a configuration, since the cover member 36 that covers the toner bottles 31 to 34 mounted on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1 is rotatably supported by the toner bottle mounting member 35, the toner bottle is closed by closing the cover member 36. 31 to 34 can be hidden in the apparatus main body 1 and the appearance can be improved. Further, since the toner bottles 31 to 34 are exposed to the outside in the upper part of the apparatus main body 1 by opening the cover member 36, the detachability of the toner bottle can be improved. Furthermore, since the rotation axis 05 of the toner bottles 31 to 34 and the rotation axis 04 of the cover member 36 are substantially parallel, the toner bottles 31 to 34 are not caught by the cover member 36 when being attached or detached. Good operability. Since the cover member 36 is opened and closed around the rotation shaft 37 on the back side of the apparatus, all the toner bottles can be looked over from the front side of the apparatus when the cover member 36 is open, and visibility and operability are improved. Can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the rotation shaft 37 extending in the apparatus width direction is disposed on the back side of the apparatus and the cover member 36 is supported so as to be freely opened and closed. For example, the wall 34A or the wall positioned at the rotation direction 37 in the width direction X The cover member 36 may be arranged to be openable and closable on the side of the apparatus by disposing it in the part 35B so that its axial direction is positioned in the apparatus longitudinal direction indicated by arrows C1 and C2. In this case, the toner bottles 31 to 34 are mounted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis 04 of the cover member 36.

  FIG. 22 shows a position on the right side of the apparatus main body 1 on one end side in the width direction X that is the rotation axis direction of the toner bottles 31 to 34, and FIG. 23 shows a position in the width direction X of the toner bottles 31 to 34. A handle portion 60 is provided at a position located on the left side of the apparatus main body 1 on one end side. FIG. 24 shows a configuration in which a handle portion 60 is provided at the center portion of the toner bottles 31 to 34 positioned in the width direction X, and FIG. Each is shown. For example, when each bottle is mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35 such that the fixed barrel portion 332 of the toner bottles 31 to 34 is positioned on the right side when viewed from the front side of the apparatus, the fixed barrel portion 332 and the rotating barrel portion What is necessary is just to attach the handle part 60 to the end surface 335 of 331, or the center of the rotating cylinder part 331, which is formed integrally or individually.

  When such a handle portion 60 is provided on one end side of the toner bottles 31 to 34 located on the right side of the apparatus main body 1, the attachment / detachment performance for a right-handed user can be improved. When the handle portion 60 is provided on one end side of the toner bottles 31 to 34 located on the left side of the apparatus main body 1, the attachment / detachment performance for a left-handed user can be improved. When the handle part 60 is provided at the center part or both ends of the toner bottles 31 to 34, the attachment / detachment performance for both right-handed and left-handed users can be improved.

  In the form shown in FIG. 26, the end portions of the toner bottles are arranged on the guide grooves 333 which are both ends of the bottle located in the width direction X which is the rotation axis direction of each toner bottle and the walls 35A and 35B facing the end surface 335. The inflatable portions 70 and 71 are formed so that the distance between them is widened.

  When such inflatable portions 70 and 71 are formed on the tony bottle mounting member 35, a wide space is secured between each toner bottle and the toner bottle mounting member 35, and each toner bottle is easily held during the attaching / detaching operation. This improves detachability. That is, since the expanding portions 70 and 71 are provided in the wall portion 35A located on the right side of the device main body 1 and the wall portion 35B located on the left side of the device main body 1, respectively, right-handed and left-handed users, or one user Makes it easier to hold a toner bottle with both hands.

  In the form of FIG. 26, the expansion portions 70 and 71 are formed and arranged on the wall portions 35A and 35B, respectively, by integral molding. However, the expansion portion 70 or the expansion portion 71 is integrated only on either the wall portion 35A or the wall portion 35B. It may be formed by molding. When the expanding portion 70 is formed on the wall portion 35A, a right-handed user can easily grasp each toner bottle when the expanding portion 71 is formed on the wall portion 35B, so that the operability is improved.

  The location of the expansion portions 70 and 71 is not limited to the wall portions 35A and 35B, but may be formed on the toner bottle mounting member 35 that faces the central portion of each toner bottle.

  FIG. 27 shows inflating portions 72 and 73 formed in a direction orthogonal to the width direction X, which is the rotational axis direction of each toner bottle, and in the vicinity of each toner bottle so as to widen the distance from each toner bottle. It is formed and arranged by integral molding. In FIG. 27, the expanding portions 72 and 73 are formed on the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction of each toner bottle on the facing surface 35C of the toner bottle mounting member 35 facing each toner bottle. That is, the inflating portion 72 is formed on each of the opposing surfaces 35C located on both the back side C1 and the near side C2 of the toner bottle mounting member 35 with each toner bottle as a boundary.

  For this reason, when attaching or detaching each toner bottle, the user can insert his / her hand downward from the expansion unit 73 on the front side of the apparatus or the expansion unit 72 on the back side of the apparatus, so that the toner bottle can be easily grasped. Will improve. When the expansion part 73 is formed and arranged near the toner bottle on the front side of the apparatus, each toner bottle can be easily lifted from below. When the expansion part 72 is formed and arranged near the toner bottle on the back side of the apparatus, each toner bottle is attached. It becomes easy to grasp from above.

  In FIG. 27, the expansion portions 72 and 73 are formed on the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction of each toner bottle, but the expansion portion 72 or the expansion portion 73 is formed on either the upstream side or the downstream side. It may be. The upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction of each toner bottle are such that the mounting direction of each toner bottle with respect to the toner bottle mounting member 35 is opposite to the left and right directions, so that the expansion portion 72 is downstream and the expansion portion 73 is upstream. In some cases, they are formed and arranged.

  The inflating portions 72 and 73 may be formed on the facing surface 35C long in the rotation axis direction so as to cover the entire length of each toner bottle, or facing surfaces facing the rotating tube portion 331 or the fixed tube portion 332 side. 35C, or a configuration in which the toner bottle is partially formed and arranged on the facing surface 35C facing the central portion of each toner bottle may be used.

  When each toner bottle is mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35, visibility is enhanced if it protrudes from the mounted toner bottle facing surface 35C. The protruding amount may be formed in an arc shape so that the surface 35C facing each toner bottle is along the outer peripheral surface of the bottle so that half or more of the outer periphery of each toner bottle is exposed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toner bottle mounting member 35 is inclined downward from the back of the apparatus toward the front of the apparatus, so that a step is generated on the surface 35C facing each toner bottle, and the toner bottles 31 to 34 are connected. It is formed to be attached in steps. Thus, when the toner bottles 31 to 34 are mounted and held in a staircase shape from the back side of the apparatus to the front side of the apparatus, the amount of overlap of the toner bottles when viewed from the front side of the apparatus is reduced, and the toner bottle is more visually recognized. Can be improved.

  In FIG. 28, the toner bottle mounting member 35 is provided with an index portion 76 indicating the mounting position of each toner bottle. In the example of FIG. 28, the indicator portion 76 is formed integrally with the wall portion 35A, and a mark 77 corresponding to the indicator portion 76 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder portion 322 of each toner bottle. For this reason, each toner bottle can be attached / detached using each index portion 77 as a mark, so that the detachability can be further improved.

  29 and 30 show a configuration in which the toner bottles 31 to 34 are mounted in the vertical direction from the front side (front side) of the apparatus as viewed from the front side of the apparatus toward the back side of the apparatus. 29 and 30, the toner bottle mounting member 35 is inclined downward from the apparatus back side C2 toward the apparatus front side C2. In this embodiment, the opening 351 and the plurality of guide ribs 50 serving as guide members are disposed at the end of the toner bottle mounting member 35 positioned on the front side of the apparatus, and the plurality of arm members 51 serving as guide members are disposed on the toner bottle toward the back of the apparatus. The end portions of the mounting member 35 are integrally molded and disposed. A gear 43 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening 351, and a roller 53 is disposed in the vicinity of the arm member 51 corresponding to each toner bottle.

  In this embodiment, the toner bottles 31 to 34 are arranged on substantially the same plane as viewed from the side of the apparatus, and the rotation axis 05 of each toner bottle is connected to a line 01 connecting the arrangement centers of the plurality of developing devices. The toner bottle mounting member 35 is mounted so as to be rotatable and detachable from above so as to be substantially parallel to the surface. Of course, also in this embodiment, the rotation axis 05 is substantially parallel to the line 02 connecting a plurality of image carriers. That is, the toner bottles 31 to 34 are arranged in the width direction X, and are mounted so that the rotation axis 05 is substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis 04 of the cover member 36. In this embodiment, each toner bottle is mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35 such that the toner supply port 39 provided in the fixed cylinder portion 332 is positioned below.

  As described above, the toner bottles 31 to 34 are mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35 in the vertical direction from the front side of the apparatus toward the back side, thereby improving the visibility and the toner bottles 31 to 31. Since 34 are arranged in the width direction X, the occupation area in the width direction X can be reduced.

  Since the toner bottles 31 to 34 are arranged so that the rotation center line 05 is substantially parallel to the line 01 connecting the developing devices, the toner bottles 31, 32, 33, 34 and the developing devices 12Y, 12C, 12M are arranged. , 12K can be made uniform in length, and the toner moving paths 38 can be made common parts and the cost can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, the toner bottles 31 to 34 are arranged so that the rotation center line 05 is substantially parallel to the line 02 connecting the rotation centers of the photosensitive drums, so that the layout of the image forming unit 8 is aligned. The size of the apparatus can be reduced. Since the surface facing each toner bottle is an inclined surface so that the toner supply port 39 provided in each toner bottle is positioned downward when mounted, the toner in the bottle easily moves to the toner supply port 39 by its own weight. Thus, the remaining amount of the stored toner can be reduced.

  29 and 30 also, since the cover member 36 that covers the toner bottles 31 to 34 mounted on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1 is rotatably supported by the toner bottle mounting member 35, the cover member 36 is closed. Thus, the toner bottles 31 to 34 can be hidden in the apparatus main body 1 and the appearance can be improved. By opening the cover member 36, the toner bottles 31 to 34 are exposed to the outside at the upper part of the apparatus main body 1, so that the detachability of the toner bottle can be improved. Since the cover member 36 is opened and closed around the rotation shaft 37 on the back side of the apparatus, all the toner bottles can be seen from the front side of the apparatus in the open state of the cover member 36, and visibility and operability are improved. Can be improved.

  29 and 30, the part located in front of the apparatus main body 1 on one end side in the rotation axis direction of the toner bottles 31 to 34 and the rotation axis direction of the toner bottles 31 to 34 are also located. The handle portion 60 shown in FIGS. 22 to 25 is provided at a position located on the far side of the apparatus main body 1 on one end side, or at both ends and the central portion located on the near side or the far side of the apparatus main body 1. May be. When such a handle 60 is provided on one end side of the toner bottles 31 to 34 located on the front side of the apparatus main body 1, each toner bottle is attached and detached while confirming the positions of the toner supply port 39 and the opening 351. Therefore, the operability at the time of attachment / detachment can be improved. When the handle portion 60 is provided on one end side of the toner bottles 31 to 34 located on the Okugawa side of the apparatus main body 1, the toner is moved by its own weight, and the fixed barrel portion 332 side that is the center of gravity side is used as a fulcrum. Detachable and easy to operate. When the handle part 60 is provided at the center part or both ends of the toner bottles 31 to 34, the attachment / detachment performance for both right-handed and left-handed users can be improved.

  If the expanding portions 70 and 71 shown in FIG. 26 are formed on the front side and the back side of the toner bottle mounting member 35, the space between each toner bottle and the toner bottle mounting member 35 is widely secured. Each toner bottle is easily held during the attaching / detaching operation, and the attaching / detaching property is improved.

  In the form shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, when the expansion part 72 or the expansion part 73 shown in FIG. 27 or the expansion parts 72 and 73 are formed integrally with the toner bottle mounting member 35, when each toner bottle is attached or detached, Since the user can insert his / her hand from the right side of the apparatus, the left side of the apparatus, or both sides of the apparatus to the lower side of the bottle, the toner bottle is easily grasped and the operability is improved.

  29 and 30, the expanding portions 72 and 73 may be formed on the opposing surface 35C long in the rotation axis direction so as to cover the entire length of each toner bottle, or the rotating cylinder portion 331. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a portion is formed and disposed on the facing surface 35C facing the fixed cylinder portion 332 side or the facing surface 35C facing the center portion of each toner bottle.

  Even when each toner bottle is mounted on the toner bottle mounting member 35 in the vertical direction, visibility is improved if the mounted toner bottle protrudes from the facing surface 35C. The surface 35C facing each toner bottle is preferably formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the bottle so that the toner is exposed.

  29 and 30, the toner bottles are arranged on the same plane and mounted without providing a height difference in the width direction X, but from the right side of the apparatus to the left or from the left side of the apparatus to the right side. The toner bottle mounting member 35 may be formed to have a stepped shape. With this formation, the amount of overlap of each toner bottle when the toner bottle is viewed from the right or left side of the apparatus is reduced, and the visibility of the toner bottle can be further improved.

  29 and 30, an index portion 76 indicating the mounting position of each toner bottle is provided in the vicinity of the guide rib 50 and the arm member 51, so that each toner bottle can be attached and detached with the index portion 76 as a mark. It is possible to improve detachability.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating configurations of a container support device, a toner supply device, and a toner container mounting member. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a configuration of a toner container mounting member and a toner container. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an attached state of a toner container mounting member. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toner container mounting member as viewed from the upper left. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a toner container mounting member as viewed from the upper right. It is a figure which shows the structure of the support member comprised from the roller member, and the support state of a toner container. It is a figure which shows the structure of the support member comprised from the protrusion member, and the support state of a toner container. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a support member provided in the toner container and a support state of the toner container. It is an enlarged view explaining the tip shape of an arm member. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an embodiment in which an arm member supports a rotation center of a toner container. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing another form in which the arm member supports the rotation center of the toner container. It is an enlarged view which shows the structure of the arm member which has the rotation arm part rotatably supported by the base. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the configuration and operation of an arm member rotatably supported by a toner container mounting member. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the attachment part of an arm member, and one form of the arm member with which it is mounted | worn. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the attachment part of an arm member, and the other form of the arm member with which it is mounted | worn. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a toner container having a contour portion and a formation in which a gap is formed between a toner container mounting member and an arm member. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a configuration having a holder between an arm member and a toner container. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a configuration having first and second holders between an arm member and a toner container. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the arm member provided with the display part. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a relationship of a toner container of a cover member. 3 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus in which a toner container having a handle on one end side is mounted. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus in which a toner container having a handle on the other end side is mounted. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus in which a toner container having a handle portion at the center is mounted. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus in which a toner container having handle portions at both ends is mounted. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a toner container mounting member having an expansion portion in a rotation axis direction. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a toner container mounting member having an inflating portion on both sides in the rotation axis direction. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration in the vicinity of an index portion provided on a toner container mounting member. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus in which a toner container is mounted vertically from the front side to the back side of the apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a toner container mounting member that mounts the toner container vertically from the front side to the back side of the apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 (Y, C, M, K) Plural image carriers 12 (Y, C, M, K) Plural developing devices 30 Toner replenishing devices 31, 32, 33, 34 Toner container 35 Toner container mounting member 35B Wall 35C Opposing surface 50. ・ Guide rib (plural guide members)
51 .. Arm member (plural guide members)
51A Abutting portion of arm member 51D Projection shape of arm member 51E Recessed portion of arm member 53 Roller member (supporting member)
70 Container support device 333 One end side of toner container 334 Groove portion 335 Other end side of toner container 336 Contour portion 337 Concavity of toner container 338 Convex portion of toner container 400 Holder 401 One side of holder 402 The other side of holder 410 First holder 411 Second holder 411A One side of the second holder 411B The other side of the second holder 430 Display unit 510 Arm member 511 Base portion 512 Rotating arm portion 513 Energizing member 531 Protruding portion (supporting member)
610 Rotating arm member 611B Working end 710, 810 Detachable arm member 713, 714, 715 Locking portion 721, 722, 723 Positioning portion 732, 733, 734 Positioning portion 813, 814, 815 Locking portion 860 Clearance C region h Clearance dimension h1 Contour thickness O5 Center of rotation

Claims (24)

A container support device provided on a toner container mounting member to which a plurality of toner containers that replenish toner by rotating itself are mounted,
A container support device, comprising: a plurality of guide members for laying each toner container in the same direction, making the toner container detachable from above, and rotatably supporting each toner container. The container support device according to claim 1,
The plurality of guide members are respectively disposed on toner container mounting members positioned in the rotation axis direction of the toner containers, and one of the guide members is a rib shape that engages with a groove formed on one end side of each toner container. And the other comprises an arm member that is elastically pressed against the other end of each toner container. The container support device according to claim 2,
The container support device, wherein a contact portion of each arm member with the other end side has a curved shape. The container support device according to claim 2,
A container support device, wherein a contact portion of each arm member with the other end side has a spherical shape. The container support device according to claim 3 or 4,
The container support device, wherein the contact portion of each arm member supports the rotation center on the other end side of each toner container. The container support device according to claim 5, wherein
The container support device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion of each arm member has a protrusion shape that is inserted into a recess formed at the rotation center on the other end side of each toner container. The container support device according to claim 5, wherein
The container support device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion of each arm member is a concave portion for accommodating a convex portion formed at the rotation center on the other end side of each toner container. In the container support device according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
Each of the arm members includes a base that is mounted on the toner container mounting member, a rotating arm that is rotatably supported by the base, and the rotating arm that is connected to the other end of each toner container. And a biasing member biasing toward the container. In the container support device according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
Each of the arm members is rotatably supported by the toner container mounting member, and has a working end located in a region where the toner container is mounted. In the container support device according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
Each of the arm members is detachable from the toner container mounting member. The container support device according to claim 10, wherein
Each of the arm members is detachable from the inside of the wall portion of the toner container mounting member. The container support device according to claim 10, wherein
Each of the arm members is detachable from the outside of the wall portion of the toner container mounting member so as to face the inside of the wall portion on which the toner container is mounted. The container support device according to claim 10, 11 or 12,
Each of the arm members has a locking portion that engages with a positioning portion formed on the toner container mounting member. The container support device according to any one of claims 2 to 13,
Each arm member is formed with a gap between a surface of the toner container mounting member facing the toner container, and a thickness of a contour portion where each gap is formed on the other end side of each toner container. The container support device is set to a dimension that allows the thickness. The container support device according to claim 2,
Between each arm member and the other end side of each toner container, there is a holder that rotatably supports the other end side on one side, and the other side is in contact with each arm member. A container support device. The container support device according to claim 2,
A first holder mounted on the other end side between each arm member and the other end side of each toner container, and a first holder rotatably supported on one side thereof, and the other And a second holder against which the contact portion of the arm member comes into pressure contact. The container support device according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
Each of the arm members is made of a material that is more slippery than the toner container mounting member. The container support device according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
A container support device, wherein a guide member corresponding to each of the toner containers is provided with a toner color display portion in each toner container. In the toner container mounting member to which a plurality of toner containers that replenish toner by rotating itself are mounted,
The plurality of guide members according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the plurality of guide members are laid in the same direction and are detachable from above and support the toner containers rotatably. A toner container mounting member characterized by comprising: The toner container mounting member according to claim 19,
A toner container mounting member, comprising: a support member that rotatably supports each toner container when the toner container is mounted. The toner container mounting member according to claim 20,
The toner container mounting member, wherein the support member is a protrusion that supports the mounted toner container from below. The toner container mounting member according to claim 20,
The toner container mounting member, wherein the support member is a roller member that supports the toner container to be mounted from below. In a toner replenishing device that supplies toner from a toner container that contains a plurality of color toners to a developing device of a corresponding color,
A toner container mounting member that rotatably and detachably supports each toner container;
Drive means for rotating each toner container mounted on the toner container mounting member;
A toner moving path for guiding the toner discharged from each toner container to each developing device;
23. A toner replenishing device according to claim 19, wherein the toner container mounting member is one according to any one of claims 19 to 22. In an image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of image carriers on which latent images corresponding to the respective colors are formed, and a plurality of developing devices for developing the latent images formed on the image carriers,
24. An image forming apparatus comprising the toner replenishing device according to claim 23, wherein the toner replenishing device supplies toner to each of the developing devices.

Images