CN107783394B - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a toner container and an image forming apparatus. The toner container of the present invention has a container main body and a rotating member. The container body contains toner. The rotating member is disposed in the container body and rotates about a rotation axis. A side wall of the container body in the rotational axis direction has a base portion, a recessed portion, and a bearing portion. The base is disposed so as to intersect the rotation axis direction. The recessed portion is recessed inward in the rotational axis direction with respect to the base portion. The bearing portion protrudes outward in the rotation axis direction from the recessed portion, and supports one end portion of the rotating member in the rotation axis direction. The bearing portion is disposed such that an outer end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction is located inward in the rotation axis direction relative to an outer surface of the base portion.

Description

Toner container and image forming apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus having the same.

Background

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine, a toner image is formed by supplying toner from a developer to an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum. The toner used to form such a toner image is generally supplied from a toner container to a developer.

For example, there is a toner container having a container body for storing toner and a rotating member disposed in the container body.

In the toner container as described above, a bearing portion of the rotating member may be provided on a side wall of the container main body. In this case, if the bearing portion of the rotating member protrudes outward, the toner container may not be easily handled when the toner container is conveyed and when the toner container is packed.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate handling of a toner container.

A toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a container body and a rotating member. The container body contains toner. The rotating member is disposed in the container body and rotates about a rotation axis. A side wall of the container body in the rotational axis direction has a base portion, a recessed portion, and a bearing portion. The base is disposed so as to intersect the rotation axis direction. The recessed portion is recessed inward in the rotational axis direction with respect to the base portion. The bearing portion protrudes outward in the rotation axis direction from the recessed portion, and supports an end portion of the rotating member in the rotation axis direction. The bearing portion is disposed such that an outer end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction is located inward in the rotation axis direction relative to an outer surface of the base portion.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the toner container and a mounting member for mounting the toner container.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a toner cartridge is located at an unlocked position in a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a toner cartridge is located at a lock position in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a container main body, a discharge gate, a paddle, a transport screw, and a rotation transmission mechanism of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear upper side.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a right side wall of a container body of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention and its periphery, as viewed from the rear right side.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the right side wall of the container body of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention and its periphery as viewed from the upper left side.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a side view showing a left side wall of a container main body of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention and its periphery.

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a left side wall of a container main body of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention and its periphery.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a left side wall of a container main body of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention and its periphery.

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front lower side.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a container main body is located at a closed position in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a container main body is located at an open position in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a cover of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention and its periphery.

Fig. 17A is a front view showing a pair of projections and their peripheries when the transport screw is positioned at a predetermined rotational position in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17B is a plan view showing a pair of projections and their peripheries when the transport screw is positioned at the predetermined rotational position in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18A is a side view showing a state in which the 1 st movement rib is covered with the cover in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18B is a side view showing a state where the 1 st moving rib is exposed through the 1 st hole in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a cover body of a cover of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing a cap member of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 21 is a schematic plan view showing a relationship between a container body and a lid member in a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is located at the unlocked position in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner cartridge is located at a lock position in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

First, the overall configuration of the printer 1 (image forming apparatus) is explained.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the left side in fig. 1 is taken as the front side of the printer 1. In the drawings, arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U, and Lo are appropriately indicated to indicate the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower sides of the printer 1, respectively.

Referring to fig. 1, the printer 1 includes a box-shaped printer main body 2 (apparatus main body). A paper feed cassette 3 for containing paper S (recording medium) is provided at a lower portion of the printer body 2. A paper discharge tray 4 is provided on the upper surface of the printer main body 2. An exposure unit 5 is housed in the upper portion of the printer main body 2 below the sheet discharge tray 4. A toner cartridge 6 (toner container) is housed in the upper portion of the printer main body 2 on the front side of the exposure unit 5.

A paper S conveyance path P is provided inside the printer main body 2. A paper feed portion 11 is provided at an upstream end of the conveyance path P. An image forming unit 7 is provided in the midstream section of the conveyance path P. The image forming portion 7 has a photosensitive drum 8 (image carrier) and a developer 10 (mounting member). A fixing device 12 is provided in a downstream portion of the conveying path P.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 configured as described above will be described.

First, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 8 by laser light (see two-dot chain line in fig. 1) from the exposure unit 5. Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 8 is developed by the developer 10, thereby forming a toner image. Accordingly, the image forming operation is ended.

In synchronization with the image forming operation, the sheet S taken out of the sheet cassette 3 by the sheet feeding unit 11 is conveyed to the image forming unit 7, and the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 8 to the sheet S in the image forming unit 7. The sheet S on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the downstream side of the conveying path P, enters the fixing device 12, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet S in the fixing device 12. The sheet S with the toner image fixed thereon is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 4 from the downstream end of the conveying path P.

Next, the toner cartridge 6 will be further described.

Note that an appropriately marked arrow I in each of fig. 2 and subsequent figures indicates a left-right direction inner side (a side closer to a left-right direction center portion of the toner cartridge 6), and an appropriately marked arrow O in each of fig. 2 and subsequent figures indicates a left-right direction outer side (a side farther from the left-right direction center portion of the toner cartridge 6).

Referring to fig. 2, 3, and the like, the toner cartridge 6 is mounted to the developer 10. Note that an arrow X appropriately marked in each of fig. 2 and subsequent figures indicates a mounting direction of the toner cartridge 6 to the developing device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "mounting direction X").

The toner cartridge 6 is configured to: in the state of being mounted on the developing device 10, the toner cartridge 6 is rotatable between an unlocked position (see fig. 2) and a locked position (see fig. 3). In the following description, the expressions of the upper side, the lower side, and the like with respect to the direction are based on the state in which the toner cartridge 6 is located at the lock position. Note that an arrow R1 appropriately given in each of fig. 2 and subsequent figures indicates a rotational direction (hereinafter referred to as "1 st rotational direction R1") when the toner cartridge 6 is rotated from the unlock position to the lock position. On the other hand, an arrow R2 appropriately shown in each of fig. 3 and subsequent figures indicates a rotational direction (hereinafter referred to as "2 nd rotational direction R2") when the toner cartridge 6 rotates from the lock position to the unlock position. The 1 st rotation direction R1 and the 2 nd rotation direction R2 are perpendicular to the left-right direction.

Referring to fig. 4, 5, and the like, the toner cartridge 6 includes a container main body 14, a discharge gate 15 disposed on the lower right side of the container main body 14, a paddle 16 (the 1 st rotating member) and a feed screw 17 (the 2 nd rotating member) disposed in the container main body 14, a rotation transmission mechanism 18 provided on the right side of the container main body 14, a cover 20 covering the rotation transmission mechanism 18, and a lid member 21 provided on the upper side of the container main body 14. In fig. 4, the cover 20 and the lid member 21 are omitted. Next, the above-described respective members constituting the toner cartridge 6 will be described in order.

First, the container body 14 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 4 and the like, the container body 14 has a box shape elongated in the left-right direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the left-right direction is the longitudinal direction of the container body 14. The container main body 14 contains black toner (not shown). An opening 22 is provided in the upper surface of the container main body 14. The container body 14 is provided with a container body side flange 23 around the opening 22.

Referring to fig. 6 and the like, a cylindrical 1 st shaft support portion 25 is provided to protrude from a central portion of an outer surface of a right side wall 24 (a side wall in the left-right direction) of the container body 14. The 1 st shaft support portion 25 communicates the inside and the outside of the container main body 14. A cylindrical 2 nd shaft support 26 is provided in a projecting manner at a lower rear corner of the outer surface of the right side wall 24 of the container body 14. The 2 nd shaft support portion 26 communicates the inside and the outside of the container main body 14. An engaging projection 27a is provided to protrude from the front end portion of the outer surface of the right side wall 24 of the container body 14, and an engaging projection 27b is provided to protrude from the lower end portion of the outer surface of the right side wall 24 of the container body 14.

Referring to fig. 7 and the like, an insertion groove 28 is provided on the inner surface of the right side wall 24 of the container body 14, and the insertion groove 28 extends from the upper side (the opening portion 22 side) to the lower side (the 1 st shaft support portion 25 side). The width of the lower portion of the insertion groove 28 in the lateral direction gradually decreases from the upper side (the opening portion 22 side) to the lower side (the 1 st shaft support portion 25 side). The upper end portion (end portion on the opening portion 22 side) of the insertion groove 28 opens into the container main body side flange 23.

Referring to fig. 5 and the like, the left side wall 30 (lateral side wall in the left-right direction) of the container body 14 includes: a base portion 31; a toner filling port 32 protruding to the left (left-right direction outer side) from the front upper portion of the base 31; a 1 st bearing portion 33 protruding to the left (the left-right direction outer side) from the rear portion of the base portion 31; a guide portion 34 provided around the 1 st bearing portion 33; a recessed portion 35 recessed to the right (inside in the left-right direction) with respect to the base portion 31; a 2 nd bearing portion 36 protruding leftward (rightward and leftward) from the recess 35; and a connecting portion 37 connecting the base portion 31 and the recess portion 35.

The base 31 of the left side wall 30 of the container body 14 has a flat plate shape. The base 31 is provided so as to intersect the left-right direction. In other words, the base 31 is provided along a surface intersecting with the left-right direction (a surface not parallel to the left-right direction).

The toner filling port 32 of the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14 is cylindrical. The toner filling port 32 communicates the inside and the outside of the container main body 14, and the toner can be filled into the container main body 14 through the toner filling port 32. The toner filling port 32 is blocked by a circular cap (cap) 38.

Referring to fig. 8 and the like, the 1 st bearing portion 33 of the left side wall 30 of the container body 14 is formed integrally with the base portion 31. The 1 st bearing part 33 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with a left end portion (an outer end portion in the left-right direction) sealed. Further, no insertion groove extending from the upper side (the opening portion 22 side) to the lower side (the 1 st shaft support portion 33 side) is provided on the inner surface of the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14.

Referring to fig. 5 and the like, the guide portion 34 of the left side wall 30 of the container body 14 protrudes leftward (outward in the left-right direction) from the base portion 31 and the connecting portion 37. The guide portion 34 is formed integrally with the base portion 31 and the connecting portion 37. The guide portion 34 is long in the mounting direction X. The guide portion 34 is provided between the toner filling port 32 and the recessed portion 35. The guide portion 34 is cylindrical and provided so as to surround the 1 st bearing portion 33. The guide portion 34 is integrated with the 1 st bearing portion 33.

Referring to fig. 9 and the like, the guide portion 34 of the left side wall 30 of the container body 14 includes a pair of front and rear opposing plates 40 that face each other, and a pair of upper and lower connecting plates 41 that connect upper and lower end portions of the pair of front and rear opposing plates 40. The upper and lower portions of the pair of front and rear opposing plates 40 are connected by a pair of upper and lower reinforcing ribs 42. The vertically central portion of the front opposing plate 40 is curved along the outer peripheral surfaces of the toner filling port 32 and the cap body 38 in an arc shape. The vertical center portion (bent portion) of the front opposing plate 40 is directly connected to the 1 st bearing 33. The rear opposing plate 40 has a flat plate shape extending in the mounting direction X. The rear opposing plate 40 is connected at its vertical center portion to the 1 st bearing portion 33 via a connecting rib 43.

The recessed portion 35 of the left side wall 30 of the container body 14 is provided at a rear lower corner portion (a corner portion on a side distant from the lid member 21) of the left side wall 30. The recess 35 is provided so as to surround the 2 nd bearing portion 36. Referring to fig. 10 and the like, the recessed portion 35 has a flat plate shape. The inner surface of the recessed portion 35 protrudes rightward (leftward and rightward inward) with respect to the inner surface of the base portion 31 by an amount corresponding to the amount by which the recessed portion 35 is recessed rightward (leftward and rightward inward) with respect to the base portion 31.

Referring to fig. 11 and the like, the 2 nd bearing portion 36 of the left side wall 30 of the container body 14 is formed integrally with the recessed portion 35. The 2 nd bearing portion 36 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with a left end portion (an outer end portion in the left-right direction) sealed. The left end portion (the end portion on the left-right outer side) of the 2 nd bearing portion 36 is disposed on the right side (the left-right inner side) of the outer surface of the base portion 31.

The connecting portion 37 of the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14 is inclined so as to be away from the 2 nd bearing portion 36 to the left (outward in the left-right direction). The inner surface of the connecting portion 37 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

Referring to fig. 12 and the like, a toner discharge port 45 is provided in a bottom wall 44 of the container main body 14. A seal member 46 is fixed to an outer surface of the bottom wall 44 of the container main body 14, and the seal member 46 surrounds the toner discharge port 45.

A pair of support ribs 54 are provided on the outer surfaces of the bottom wall 44 and the rear side wall 53 (side wall in the width direction) of the container body 14 so as to protrude at intervals in the left-right direction. A pair of engaging ribs 55 are provided on the outer surfaces of the bottom wall 44 and the rear wall 53 of the container body 14 so as to project between the pair of support ribs 54, and the pair of engaging ribs 55 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. An opposing rib 56 is provided on the outer surface of the rear wall 53 of the container body 14 so as to protrude between the pair of support ribs 54 and the pair of engagement ribs 55. The opposing rib 56 is provided upstream of the toner discharge port 45 in the 1 st rotation direction R1.

The opposing rib 56 of the rear side wall 53 of the container main body 14 has a plurality (e.g., 5) of the 1 st plate portions 57 and the 2 nd plate portion 58 connecting the upper portions (portions on the side away from the toner discharge port 45) of the plurality of 1 st plate portions 57. The 1 st plate portions 57 are provided along the 1 st rotational direction R1 and the 2 nd rotational direction R2. The lower end (the end on the downstream side in the 1 st rotational direction R1) of each of the 1 st plate portions 57 is tapered toward the lower (the downstream side in the 1 st rotational direction R1) tip. The 2 nd plate portion 58 is provided along the left-right direction.

Referring to fig. 13 and the like, the front side wall 50 of the container body 14 is flat and does not have ribs and the like. The container body 14 has a 1 st recess 51 and a 2 nd recess 52 on the outer surface of the bottom wall 44. The 1 st recess 51 and the 2 nd recess 52 are provided downstream of the toner discharge port 45 in the 1 st rotation direction R1. The 1 st recess 51 and the 2 nd recess 52 are planar. The 2 nd concave portion 52 is provided downstream of the 1 st concave portion 51 in the 1 st rotational direction R1, and is connected to the 1 st concave portion 51. The lower end portion (the end portion on the upstream side in the 1 st rotation direction R1) of the 2 nd recessed portion 52 enters the front end portion (the end portion on the downstream side in the 1 st rotation direction R1) of the 1 st recessed portion 51. The width of the 2 nd recess 52 in the left-right direction is narrower than the width of the 1 st recess 51 in the left-right direction. The 2 nd concave portion 52 is inclined with respect to the 1 st concave portion 51 and is not provided on the same plane as the 1 st concave portion 51.

Next, the discharge shutter 15 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

The discharge gate 15 is provided along the outer surface of the container body 14. The discharge gate 15 is configured to: the toner discharge port 45 is opened and closed from below (the outer surface side of the container main body 14).

Referring to fig. 12 and the like, the discharge shutter 15 has a shutter main body 59 and a stopper 60 attached to an outer surface of the shutter main body 59.

The shutter main body 59 of the discharge shutter 15 is curved in an arc shape along the outer surface of the container main body 14. The shutter body 59 is supported by a pair of support ribs 54 provided to protrude from the outer surfaces of the bottom wall 44 and the rear side wall 53 of the container body 14, and the shutter body 59 is rotatable. Accordingly, the container body 14 rotates between a closed position (see fig. 14) and an open position (see fig. 15) with respect to the discharge shutter 15, and when the container body 14 is located at the closed position, the shutter body 59 closes the toner discharge port 45, and when the container body 14 is located at the open position, the shutter body 59 opens the toner discharge port 45. Note that, the 1 st rotation direction R1 is a rotation direction when container body 14 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, and the 2 nd rotation direction R2 is a rotation direction when container body 14 is rotated from the open position to the closed position. Referring to fig. 14, 15, and the like, an inner rib 61 is provided to protrude from an upper portion (an upstream portion in the 1 st rotation direction R1) of the inner surface of the shutter main body 59.

Referring to fig. 12 and the like, a pair of left and right fulcrum portions 62 are provided on the stopper 60 of the discharge shutter 15, and the stopper 60 rotates with respect to the shutter main body 59 about the pair of left and right fulcrum portions 62. The stopper 60 is provided with a pair of left and right engaging portions 63, and the pair of engaging portions 63 is positioned upstream of the pair of left and right fulcrum portions 62 in the 1 st rotation direction R1. In a state where the toner cartridge 6 is not mounted on the developing device 10, the pair of left and right engaging portions 63 engage with the pair of left and right engaging ribs 55 of the container main body 14, and the container main body 14 is restricted from rotating from the closed position to the open position.

Next, the paddle 16 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 4 and the like, the paddle 16 is configured to: rotates about the 1 st rotation axis Y1 extending in the left-right direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the left-right direction is the rotation axis direction of the paddle 16.

The paddle 16 has: a stirring shaft 65 extending in the left-right direction; an agitating blade 66 attached to the agitating shaft 65; and a detected piece 67 attached to the right side portion of the stirring blade 66.

Referring to fig. 8 and the like, the right end (one end in the left-right direction) of the stirring shaft 65 of the stirring paddle 16 is rotatably supported by the 1 st shaft support portion 25 provided on the right side wall 24 of the container main body 14. The left end portion (the other end portion in the left-right direction) of the stirring shaft 65 is rotatably supported by the 1 st bearing portion 33 provided in the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14.

Referring to fig. 4 and the like, the stirring blade 66 of the stirring paddle 16 is a sheet shape long in the left-right direction. The stirring blade 66 is formed of a resin Film such as a PET Film (Polyethylene Terephthalate Film), and has flexibility. The stirring blade 66 is divided into a plurality of blades 70 by a plurality of slits 68, wherein the plurality of slits 68 extend in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction. A fixing piece 71 is provided so as to protrude from the 2 nd blade body 70 of the stirring blade 66 from the right side, and the fixing piece 71 protrudes to the side away from the stirring shaft 65. Referring to fig. 15 and the like, the stirring blade 66 is provided with: and contacts and separates from the inner surface of the container main body 14 as the paddle 16 rotates.

Referring to fig. 10 and the like, the left end (the end on the outer side in the left-right direction) of the stirring blade 66 of the stirring paddle 16 is disposed on the left side (the outer side in the left-right direction) of the inner surface of the recessed portion 35 provided in the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14. The left end of the stirring blade 66 is provided with an inclined portion 72. The inclined portion 72 is inclined so as to be away from the stirring shaft 65 to the left (the left-right direction outer side).

Referring to fig. 4 and the like, the detection target piece 67 of the paddle 16 is fixed to the fixing piece 71 of the stirring blade 66.

Next, the transport screw 17 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 4 and the like, the conveyance screw 17 is configured to: rotates about the 2 nd rotation axis Y2 extending in the left-right direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the left-right direction is the rotational axis direction of the conveyor screw 17. The 2 nd rotation axis Y2 is disposed on an axis different from the 1 st rotation axis Y1 and is parallel to the 1 st rotation axis Y1. In the following description of the respective portions of the conveyor screw 17, the "radially outer side" indicates a side distant from the 2 nd rotation axis Y2, and the "radially inner side" indicates a side close to the 2 nd rotation axis Y2.

Referring to fig. 16 and the like, the conveyance screw 17 includes: a conveyance shaft 73 extending in the left-right direction; a conveying blade 74 spirally protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the conveying shaft 73; and a projection 75 projecting radially outward from a right side portion of the conveying shaft 73.

Referring to fig. 6 and the like, a right end portion (one end portion in the left-right direction) of the conveyance shaft 73 of the conveyance screw 17 extends toward the 2 nd shaft support portion 26 of the right side wall 24 of the container body 14. Referring to fig. 11 and the like, the left end portion (the other end portion in the left-right direction) of the conveying shaft 73 is rotatably supported by the 2 nd bearing portion 36 of the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14.

Referring to fig. 16, 17A, 17B, and the like, a pedestal portion 76 is provided on the right side portion of the conveyance shaft 73 of the conveyance screw 17, and the pedestal portion 76 overlaps the toner discharge port 45 in the left-right direction. The pedestal portion 76 is flat and recessed radially inward from the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance shaft 73. A projecting piece 77 is provided on the right side of the conveying shaft 73, and the projecting piece 77 overlaps the toner discharge port 45 in the left-right direction. The protruding piece 77 protrudes from one side of the pedestal portion 76 in a direction perpendicular to (intersecting) the protruding direction of the pair of protruding portions 75.

The conveying blade 74 of the conveying screw 17 is provided so as to avoid the pedestal portion 76 of the conveying shaft 73. That is, the conveying blade 74 is not provided on the pedestal portion 76. The conveyance blade 74 has: a one-side spiral portion 78 provided on the left side (one side in the left-right direction) of the pair of projecting portions 75; and a second spiral portion 79 provided on the right side (the other side in the left-right direction) of the pair of protrusions 75. The one-side spiral part 78 and the other-side spiral part 79 are not connected to each other. The other-side spiral part 79 is formed in a manner facing opposite to the one-side spiral part 78.

The pair of protrusions 75 of the conveyance screw 17 are provided so as to overlap the toner discharge port 45 at positions in the left-right direction, and are positioned directly above the toner discharge port 45. The pair of projections 75 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction. Each of the projections 75 has a cylindrical shape extending along a straight line. Each projection 75 projects radially outward from the base 76 of the conveying shaft 73. The projecting end portion of each projecting portion 75 is arranged: the outer peripheral surface of the conveying shaft 73 is positioned radially outward, and the projecting ends of the first spiral portion 78 and the second spiral portion 79 of the conveying blade 74 are positioned radially inward.

Next, the rotation transmission mechanism 18 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 6 and the like, the rotation transmission mechanism 18 includes a 1 st transmission member 81, a 2 nd transmission member 82 provided on the rear lower side of the 1 st transmission member 81, and a connection member 83 provided between the 1 st transmission member 81 and the 2 nd transmission member 82.

The 1 st transmission member 81 of the rotation transmission mechanism 18 is configured to: rotates about the 1 st rotation axis Y1 along the outer surface of the right side wall 24 of the container body 14. In the following description of each part of the 1 st transmission member 81, "radially outer" means a side distant from the 1 st rotation axis Y1, and "radially inner" means a side close to the 1 st rotation axis Y1.

Referring to fig. 8 and the like, the 1 st transmission member 81 includes a body portion 84 and a joint portion 85 protruding leftward (leftward and rightward) from the body portion 84.

An outer gear 86 and an inner gear 87 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 84 of the 1 st transmission member 81. The outer gear 86 is provided on the right side (left-right direction outer side) of the inner gear 87, and has a larger outer diameter than the inner gear 87.

Referring to fig. 6 and the like, a pair of cylindrical portions 88 and 89 (inner cylindrical portion 88 and outer cylindrical portion 89) are provided to protrude from the outer surface of the body portion 84 of the 1 st transmission member 81. The pair of cylindrical portions 88 and 89 are formed in concentric cylindrical shapes with the 1 st rotation axis Y1 as the center. The outer cylinder portion 89 is provided radially outward of the inner cylinder portion 88. The 1 st movement rib 91 protrudes from the outer surface of the main body 84. The 1 st moving rib 91 extends in a radial direction centered on the 1 st rotation axis Y1. The 1 st moving rib 91 is housed in an annular groove 92, and the annular groove 92 is formed between the outer gear 86 and the outer cylinder portion 89. Referring to fig. 18A, 18B, and the like, the 1 st moving rib 91 is configured to: moves with the rotation of the 1 st transmission member 81.

Referring to fig. 8 and the like, the joint portion 85 of the 1 st transmission member 81 is fixed to the right end portion of the agitating shaft 65 of the agitating paddle 16 through the 1 st shaft supporting portion 25 provided on the right side wall 24 of the container main body 14. Accordingly, the 1 st transmission member 81 rotates integrally with the paddle 16.

Referring to fig. 6 and the like, the 2 nd transmission member 82 of the rotation transmission mechanism 18 is configured to: rotates about the 2 nd rotation axis Y2 along the outer surface of the right side wall 24 of the container body 14.

The 2 nd transmission member 82 includes a transmission piece 93, an engagement piece 94 projecting leftward (leftward and rightward) from the transmission piece 93, and a supported piece 95 projecting rightward (leftward and rightward) from the transmission piece 93.

A transmission gear 96 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the transmission piece 93 of the 2 nd transmission member 82. The engaging piece 94 of the 2 nd transmission member 82 is fixed to the right end portion of the conveyance shaft 73 of the conveyance screw 17 through the 2 nd shaft supporting portion 26 provided on the right side wall 24 of the container body 14. Accordingly, the 2 nd transmission member 82 rotates integrally with the conveyance screw 17.

A 2 nd moving rib 97 is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the supported piece 95 of the 2 nd transmission member 82 in a protruding manner. The 2 nd moving rib 97 extends in a radial direction centered on the 2 nd rotation axis Y2. Referring to fig. 18A, 18B, and the like, the 2 nd moving rib 97 is configured to: moves with the rotation of the 2 nd transmission member 82.

Referring to fig. 6 and the like, a small-diameter gear 98 and a large-diameter gear 99 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 83 of the rotation transmission mechanism 18. The small-diameter gear 98 is provided on the right side (the outer side in the left-right direction) of the large-diameter gear 99, and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter gear 99. The small-diameter gear 98 is connected to the inner gear 87 of the 1 st transmission member 81, and the large-diameter gear 99 is connected to the transmission gear 96 of the 2 nd transmission member 82. With this structure, the 1 st transmission member 81 and the 2 nd transmission member 82 are connected by the connection member 83.

Next, the cover 20 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 16 and the like, the cover 20 includes a cover main body 100 and a display piece 101 fixed to the front upper portion of the cover main body 100.

Referring to fig. 8 and the like, the cover body 100 of the cover 20 covers (covers) at least a part of the right side wall 24 of the container body 14 and at least a part of each member 81 to 83 (only the 1 st transmission member 81 is shown in fig. 8) constituting the rotation transmission mechanism 18.

Referring to fig. 8, 13, and the like, the cover main body 100 includes: a main wall portion 102; a guide wall portion 103 that protrudes rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from the center portion of the main wall portion 102; a support wall portion 104 that protrudes leftward (inward in the left-right direction) from the guide wall portion 103; a projecting wall portion 105 projecting rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from an upper front corner of the main wall portion 102; and an extended wall portion 106 extending leftward (inward in the left-right direction) from the outer periphery of the main wall portion 102.

Referring to fig. 8 and the like, the main wall portion 102 of the cover main body 100 faces the outer surface of the right wall 24 of the container main body 14 and faces the outer surfaces of the members 81 to 83 (only the 1 st transmission member 81 is shown in fig. 8) constituting the rotation transmission mechanism 18. A cutout 110 is provided in a lower portion of the main wall portion 102, and a lower portion of the outer gear 86 of the 1 st transmission member 81 is exposed through the cutout 110.

Referring to fig. 13 and the like, cover main body 110 is provided with rectangular 1 st hole 111 at the rear of main wall 102, and circular 2 nd hole 112 at the rear lower portion of main wall 102. Since there is a step 113 between 1 st hole 111 and 2 nd hole 112, 1 st hole 111 is provided on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of 2 nd hole 112. Referring to fig. 18A, 18B, and the like, the 1 st hole portion 111 is provided with: the 1 st moving rib 91 of the 1 st transmission member 81 can be switched between a covered state (invisible state) and an exposed state (visible state) in accordance with the rotational position of the 1 st transmission member 81. On the other hand, 2 nd hole 112 is provided with: the 2 nd movement rib 97 of the 2 nd transmission member 82 is always exposed (visible) regardless of the rotational position of the 2 nd transmission member 82. The supported piece 95 of the 2 nd transmission member 82 is inserted into the 2 nd hole 112. Accordingly, the outer peripheral surface of the supported piece 95 is supported by the 2 nd hole 112.

An engagement hole 115a is provided at the front end of the main wall portion 102 of the cover main body 100, and an engagement hole 115b is provided at the lower end of the main wall portion 102 of the cover main body 100. The engaging projections 27a, 27b provided on the right side wall 24 of the container main body 14 are engaged with the engaging holes 115a, 115 b. Downstream end portions (lower end portions of the engagement holes 115a, rear end portions of the engagement holes 115 b) in the 2 nd rotation direction R2 of the engagement holes 115a, 115b abut against downstream end portions (lower end portions of the engagement projections 27a, rear end portions of the engagement projections 27 b) in the 2 nd rotation direction R2 of the engagement projections 27a, 27 b. The upstream end portions (the upper end portion of the engagement hole 115a, the front end portion of the engagement hole 115 b) of the engagement holes 115a, 115b in the 2 nd rotation direction R2 are opposed to the upstream end portions (the upper end portion of the engagement projection 27a, the front end portion of the engagement projection 27 b) of the engagement projections 27a, 27b in the 2 nd rotation direction R2 with a gap therebetween.

Referring to fig. 13 and the like, the guide wall portion 103 of the cover main body 100 is long in the mounting direction X. The guide wall portion 103 has: a cylindrical portion 116 protruding rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from the main wall portion 102; and a plate-like portion 117 that closes a right end portion (an outer end portion in the left-right direction) of the cylindrical portion 116.

Referring to fig. 8 and the like, the support wall portion 104 of the cover main body 100 protrudes leftward (inward in the left-right direction) from the inner surface of the plate-shaped portion 117 of the guide wall portion 103. The support wall portion 104 is formed integrally with the main wall portion 102 and the guide wall portion 103. The support wall 104 is cylindrical and centered on the 1 st rotation axis Y1. The support wall portion 104 is inserted between the pair of cylindrical portions 88 and 89 provided on the outer surface of the body portion 84 of the 1 st transmission member 81. With this structure, the 1 st transmission member 81 is supported by the support wall portion 104.

Referring to fig. 19 and the like, the outer peripheral surface of the support wall portion 104 of the cover main body 100 is connected to the inner surface of the main wall portion 102 by a plurality of (e.g., 4) reinforcing wall portions 118. The plurality of reinforcing wall portions 118 are provided radially about the 1 st rotation axis Y1. The plurality of reinforcing wall portions 118 are disposed at equal angular intervals (e.g., 90-degree intervals). A rectangular fixing groove 120 (fixing portion) is provided in the front upper portion of the cover main body 100, and the fixing groove 120 extends across the projecting wall portion 105 and the extending wall portion 106.

Referring to fig. 16 and the like, the display piece 101 of the cover 20 is fixed to the fixing groove 120 of the cover main body 100. The indicating sheet 101 is provided independently of the cover main body 100. The indicating sheet 101 is painted in a different color from the cover main body 100. An outward arrow 121 facing to the right side (outward in the left-right direction) is marked on the outer surface of the display sheet 101. Outward arrow 121 is formed by a hole penetrating from the outer surface to the inner surface of indicator sheet 101.

Next, the lid member 21 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 8 and the like, lid member 21 closes opening 22 of container main body 14 from above. A lid member side flange 122 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lid member 21. Lid member-side flange 122 is fixed to container body-side flange 23 of container body 14.

Referring to fig. 20, 21, and the like, a right end portion of the lid member-side flange 122 of the lid member 21 is provided with a projecting plate 123 projecting rightward. An insertion projection 124 is provided on the inner surface of the lid member-side flange 122 at a position corresponding to the projection plate 123. The insertion projection 124 is inserted into the insertion groove 28 provided on the inner surface of the right side wall 24 of the container main body 14.

An abutment protrusion 125 is provided to protrude from the inner surface of the left end portion of the cover member 21. The abutment projection 125 abuts against the inner surface of the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14. The abutment projection 125 is configured to: the contact projection 125 is not centrosymmetric with respect to the insertion groove 28 and the insertion projection 124 with respect to the center point C of the opening 22 of the container body 14.

A plurality of positioning projections 126 are provided on the inner surfaces of the front and rear side portions of the cover member 21 in a protruding manner. The plurality of positioning projections 126 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction. The positioning projections 126 abut against the inner surfaces of the front and rear side walls 50, 53 (both side walls in the width direction) of the container body 14.

Next, the developing device 10 will be further described.

Referring to fig. 14, 15, and the like, the developing device 10 includes: a case-like housing 130; a replenishment gate 131 provided on the upper surface side of the case 130; a pair of front and rear agitators 132 housed in the casing 130; a developing roller 133 (toner carrier) provided on the rear side of the agitator 132 on the rear side.

Referring to fig. 22 and the like, a toner supply port 134 is provided on an upper surface of the housing 130 of the developing device 10. A seal 135 is fixed to the upper surface of the housing 130, and the seal 135 surrounds the toner supply port 134. A detection unit 136 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 130 in front of the toner supply port 134.

A pair of right and left guide frames 138R, 138L protrude from the upper surface of the casing 130 of the developing device 10. A guide groove 140R is provided on the inner surface of the right guide frame 138R, and a guide groove 140L is provided on the inner surface of the left guide frame 138L. The guide grooves 140R and 140L extend in the mounting direction X.

On the guide frame 138R on the right side of the housing 130 of the developing device 10, a lock member 141 is attached in a movable state in the front-rear direction. The lock member 141 is urged forward by a coil spring 149 (urging body). A locking portion 142 is provided at the rear of the lock member 141.

A mounting groove 143 is provided in the right guide frame 138R of the housing 130 of the developing device 10 above the lock member 141. The display body 144 is mounted in the mounting groove 143. The indicating body 144 is provided independently of the housing 130. The indicating body 144 is colored differently from the housing 130. An inward arrow 145 is marked on the outer surface of the indicator 144 and faces to the left (inward in the left-right direction).

A rotation sensor 146 is provided on the right side of the upper surface of the casing 130 of the developing device 10. A drive gear train 147 (drive unit) is provided at the right end of the upper surface of the housing 130. The drive gear train 147 is connected to an outer gear 86 (see fig. 8 and the like) provided in the body portion 84 of the 1 st transmission member 81.

The replenishment shutter 131 of the developing device 10 is configured to: when the toner supply shutter 131 is rotated between the closed position (see the two-dot chain line in fig. 22) and the open position (see the solid line in fig. 22), the toner supply port 134 of the housing 130 is closed when the supply shutter 131 is at the closed position, and the toner supply port 134 of the housing 130 is opened when the supply shutter 131 is at the open position. The replenishment shutter 131 is biased to the closed position by a pair of left and right coil springs 139 (biasing members) provided on the upper surface of the housing 130. Contact pieces 150 are provided at both left and right ends of the replenishment gate 131.

Referring to fig. 14, 15, and the like, a pair of front and rear agitators 132 of the developing device 10 are rotatably supported by the casing 130. The front and rear pair of agitators 132 are configured to: the toner introduced into the housing 130 through the toner supply port 134 is stirred and conveyed toward the developing roller 133.

The developing roller 133 of the developing device 10 is rotatably supported by the casing 130. The developing roller 133 is constituted by: the toner stirred by the pair of front and rear stirrers 132 is carried in close proximity to or in contact with the photosensitive drum 8, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 8.

Next, an operation of the printer 1 having the above-described configuration in which the toner cartridge 6 is mounted to the developing unit 10 will be described.

First, the operator such as a user inserts the guide wall portion 103 of the cover 20 into the guide groove 140R of the right guide frame 138R, inserts the guide portion 34 of the container body 14 into the guide groove 140L of the left guide frame 138L, and slides the toner cartridge 6 in the mounting direction X. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 23, the toner cartridge 6 is mounted to the developer 10 in the unlocked position. In this state, the toner cartridge 6 is allowed to be detached from the developer 10.

As described above, in a state where the toner cartridge 6 is attached to the developing device 10 at the unlocked position, the container body 14 is located at the closed position, and the shutter body 59 of the discharge shutter 15 closes the toner discharge port 45 of the container body 14, as shown in fig. 14 and the like. Further, the supply shutter 131 is located at the closed position, and the supply shutter 131 closes the toner supply port 134 of the housing 130.

When the toner cartridge 6 is mounted on the developing device 10 at the unlocked position as described above, the pair of contact pieces 150 (see fig. 22 and the like) of the replenishment shutter 131 come into contact with the pair of support ribs 54 (see fig. 12 and the like) of the container main body 14. In response to this, the biasing force of the pair of coil springs 139 (see fig. 22 and the like) acts on the toner cartridge 6 via the supply shutter 131, and the toner cartridge 6 is biased to the unlock position.

Next, the operator rotates the toner cartridge 6 from the unlocked position to the locked position in the 1 st rotation direction R1 about the guide wall portion 103 of the cover 20 and the guide portion 34 of the container body 14 against the biasing force of the pair of coil springs 139. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 24, the guide wall portion 103 of the cover 20 rotates in one direction with respect to the guide groove 140R of the right guide frame 138R. Similarly, the guide portion 34 of the container body 14 rotates in one direction with respect to the guide groove 140L of the left guide frame 138L. Along with this, the toner cartridge 6 is restricted from being removed from the developer 10. Further, the protruding wall portion 105 of the cover 20 is locked by the locking portion 142 of the lock member 141. Accordingly, the toner cartridge 6 is held in the lock position against the urging force of the pair of coil springs 139.

When the toner cartridge 6 is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position as described above, the container body 14 is rotated from the closed position to the open position with respect to the discharge shutter 15 as shown in fig. 15 and the like. Along with this, the shutter body 59 of the discharge shutter 15 opens the toner discharge port 45 of the container body 14. Further, the pair of support ribs 54 of the container main body 14 presses the pair of contact pieces 150 of the replenishment shutter 131, and the replenishment shutter 131 rotates from the closed position to the open position against the biasing force of the pair of coil springs 139. In response to this, supply shutter 131 opens toner supply port 134 of case 130, and toner discharge port 45 of container main body 14 and toner supply port 134 of case 130 communicate with each other. Accordingly, the operation of assembling the toner cartridge 6 to the developing device 10 is completed.

Next, an operation of detaching the toner cartridge 6 from the developing unit 10 in the printer 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

First, the operator presses the lock member 141 (see fig. 22 and the like) to the rear side against the biasing force of the coil spring 149 (see fig. 22 and the like). In response to this, the locking of the protruding wall portion 105 of the cover 20 by the locking portion 142 of the locking member 141 is released, and the toner cartridge 6 rotates from the locked position to the unlocked position in the 2 nd rotation direction R2 around the guide wall portion 103 of the cover 20 and the guide portion 34 of the container body 14 by the biasing force of the pair of coil springs 139. In response to this, as shown in fig. 14 and the like, the container main body 14 rotates from the open position to the closed position with respect to the discharge shutter 15, and the shutter main body 59 of the discharge shutter 15 closes the toner discharge port 45 of the container main body 14. Further, the supply shutter 131 rotates from the open position to the closed position by the biasing force of the pair of coil springs 139, and the supply shutter 131 closes the toner supply port 134 of the housing 130.

As described above, when the toner cartridge 6 rotates from the lock position to the unlock position, the guide wall portion 103 of the cover 20 rotates in the direction opposite to the one direction with respect to the guide groove 140R of the right guide frame 138R as shown in fig. 23 and the like. Similarly, the guide portion 34 of the container body 14 rotates in the direction opposite to the one direction with respect to the guide groove 140L of the left guide frame 138L. Along with this, the toner cartridge 6 is allowed to be detached from the developer 10.

Next, the operator separates the guide wall portion 103 of the cover 20 from the guide groove 140R of the right guide frame 138R, separates the guide portion 34 of the container body 14 from the guide groove 140L of the left guide frame 138L, and slides the toner cartridge 6 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction X. In response to this, the toner cartridge 6 is separated from the developer 10. Accordingly, the operation of detaching the toner cartridge 6 from the developer 10 is completed.

Next, an operation of replenishing toner from the toner cartridge 6 to the developing device 10 (hereinafter referred to as a "toner replenishing operation") in the printer 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

When the toner replenishing operation is performed, the driving gear train 147 is rotated by a driving motor (not shown). When the driving gear train 147 is thus rotated, the rotation is transmitted to the paddle 16 through the 1 st transmission member 81, and the paddle 16 rotates integrally with the 1 st transmission member 81. Along with this, the toner contained in the container main body 14 is stirred by the stirring paddle 16. When the paddle 16 is rotated in this manner, the detection portion 136 provided on the upper surface of the housing 130 detects the detection target piece 67 of the paddle 16.

When the drive gear train 147 is rotated as described above, the rotation is transmitted to the conveyor screw 17 via the 1 st transmission member 81, the connection member 83, and the 2 nd transmission member 82, and the conveyor screw 17 and the 2 nd transmission member 82 rotate integrally. Accordingly, the toner contained in the container main body 14 is conveyed to the toner discharge port 45 by the conveying screw 17, and is discharged from the toner discharge port 45. The toner discharged from toner discharge port 45 is introduced into housing 130 through toner supply port 134. Accordingly, the toner replenishing operation is ended.

In the toner cartridge 6 of the present embodiment, the 2 nd bearing portion 36 is provided on the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14, and the 2 nd bearing portion 36 rotatably supports the left end portion of the conveying shaft 73 of the conveyor screw 17. If the 2 nd bearing portion 36 protrudes further to the left (the left-right direction outer side) than the outer surface of the base portion 31 of the left side wall 30, there is a possibility that: when the toner cartridge 6 is conveyed, when the toner cartridge 6 is packed, or the like, the 2 nd bearing portion 36 easily scrapes an object (for example, a packing material of the toner cartridge 6) located around the toner cartridge 6, and thus the toner cartridge 6 is not easily handled. Further, when the toner cartridge 6 is mounted, when the toner cartridge 6 rotates, or the like, a member (for example, the left guide frame 138L) constituting the developing unit 10 and the 2 nd bearing portion 36 may interfere with each other, and the mounting or rotation of the toner cartridge 6 may not be smoothly performed.

However, in the present embodiment, the 2 nd bearing portion 36 is protruded from the recessed portion 35 provided in the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14, and thus the left end portion (the end portion on the outer side in the left-right direction) of the 2 nd bearing portion 36 is disposed on the right side (the inner side in the left-right direction) of the outer surface of the base portion 31. With this configuration, the 2 nd bearing portion 36 is less likely to scrape objects located around the toner cartridge 6 when the toner cartridge 6 is conveyed and when the toner cartridge 6 is packed, and the handling of the toner cartridge 6 becomes easier. Further, since the components constituting the developing unit 10 and the 2 nd bearing portion 36 can be prevented from interfering with each other, the toner cartridge 6 can be smoothly mounted and rotated.

Further, since the 2 nd bearing portion 36 is formed integrally with the recess 35, the strength of the 2 nd bearing portion 36 can be increased.

Further, a connecting portion 37 connecting the base portion 31 and the recessed portion 35 is provided on the left side wall 30 of the container main body 14, and the connecting portion 37 is inclined so as to be away from the 2 nd bearing portion 36 toward the left side (the left-right direction outer side). With this structure, toner can be prevented from remaining on the inner surface of the connecting portion 37.

Further, the left end portion (the end portion on the outer side in the left-right direction) of the stirring blade 66 of the stirring paddle 16 is configured to: the left end portion is disposed on the left side (the left-right direction outer side) of the inner surface of the recessed portion 35, and the left end portion of the stirring blade 66 contacts the inner surface of the recessed portion 35 when the stirring paddle 16 rotates (see the two-dot chain line in fig. 10). With this structure, toner can be prevented from remaining on the inner surface of the recessed portion 35.

Further, an inclined portion 72 is provided at the left end portion of the stirring blade 66, and the inclined portion 72 is inclined so as to be away from the stirring shaft 65 toward the left side (the left-right direction outer side). By adopting such a structure, the toner adhering to the inner surface of the recessed portion 35 can be easily scraped off by the left end portion of the stirring blade 66.

Further, the recessed portion 35 is provided at a rear lower corner portion (a corner portion on a side away from the cover member 21) of the left side wall 30. By adopting such a configuration, there is no need to change the shape of the lid member 21 in accordance with the shape of the recessed portion 35, and complication of the shape of the lid member 21 can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, a case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the 2 nd bearing unit 36 that rotatably supports the left end portion of the conveying shaft 73 of the conveying screw 17 has been described. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the structure of the present invention may be applied to a bearing portion that supports a rotary member other than the conveyance screw 17, such as the paddle 16.

In the present embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the printer 1, but in other embodiments, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine.

Claims (7)

1. A toner container is characterized by comprising:

a container main body that stores toner;

a rotating member disposed in the container body and rotating about a rotation axis;

a stirring paddle that rotates around another rotation axis provided on an axis different from the rotation axis and stirs the toner contained in the container main body,

a side wall in the rotational axis direction of the container body has:

a base portion provided so as to intersect the rotation axis direction;

a recessed portion recessed inward in the rotation axis direction with respect to the base portion; and

a bearing portion that protrudes outward in the rotation axis direction from the recessed portion and supports one end portion of the rotating member in the rotation axis direction,

an outer end portion of the bearing portion in the rotation axis direction is disposed inward of an outer surface of the base portion in the rotation axis direction,

the recessed portion is formed in a flat plate shape so as to surround the bearing portion, an inner surface of the recessed portion protrudes inward with respect to an inner surface of the base portion by an amount corresponding to an amount by which the recessed portion is recessed inward with respect to the base portion,

the stirring paddle has:

a stirring shaft extending in the direction of the rotation axis; and

a stirring blade formed of a resin film and having flexibility, and attached to the stirring shaft,

an end portion of an outer side of the stirring blade in the rotational axis direction is in contact with an inner surface of the recessed portion when the stirring paddle rotates,

an inclined portion is provided at an outer end portion of the stirring blade in the rotation axis direction, and the inclined portion is inclined so as to be away from the stirring shaft to the outer side in the rotation axis direction.

2. The toner container according to claim 1,

the bearing portion is formed integrally with the recessed portion.

3. The toner container according to claim 1 or 2,

a side wall in the rotational axis direction of the container main body further has a connecting portion that connects the base portion and the recessed portion,

the connecting portion is inclined so as to be away from the bearing portion to the outside in the rotation axis direction.

4. The toner container according to claim 1 or 2,

further comprising a lid member for closing an opening provided in the container body,

the recessed portion is provided at a corner portion of one side wall of the container main body in the rotational axis direction on a side away from the lid member.

5. The toner container according to claim 1 or 2,

the container body has a toner discharge port,

the rotating member is a transport screw that transports the toner contained in the container body to the toner discharge port.

6. The toner container according to claim 1 or 2,

one side wall of the container body in the rotational axis direction further has a toner filling port protruding outward from the base in the rotational axis direction.

7. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that,

the toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a mounting member for mounting the toner container.

Images