CN109960122B

CN109960122B - Toner container and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN109960122B
Application number: CN201711428493.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 源陆
Original assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2017-12-26
Filing date: 2017-12-26
Publication date: 2021-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-26
Also published as: CN109960122A

Abstract

The invention provides a toner container and an image forming apparatus. The toner container of the present invention has a container body and an agitating member. The container body contains toner. The stirring member rotates around a rotation shaft extending in one direction, and stirs the toner contained in the container body. The container body has a curved portion and a recessed portion. The curved portion is curved in an arc shape with the rotation axis as a center. The recess is recessed from the curved portion toward a side away from the rotational axis. In a state where the stirring member is located at the first rotational position, a part of the stirring member is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the curved portion in a curved state. The portion of the stirring member is inserted into the recess in a state where the stirring member is located at a second rotational position. The invention can prevent a part of the stirring member from being always in a bending state to generate permanent deformation, and can fully stir the toner in the container main body through the stirring member.

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

An image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine forms a toner image by supplying toner (developer) to an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum by a developing device. Such toner for forming a toner image is generally supplied to the developing device from a toner container. The toner container has, for example, a container main body that contains toner and an agitating member; the stirring member rotates around the rotation shaft to stir the toner contained in the container body.

In the toner container of the above type, a part of the stirring member is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container main body in a bent state, thereby increasing the stirring force of the toner adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the container main body. On the other hand, when the toner container is left for a long time in a state in which a part of the stirring member is bent, a large load is continuously applied to a part of the stirring member, and thus a part of the stirring member is always bent and is permanently deformed. If this occurs, the rotation locus of the stirring member becomes narrow, and there is a possibility that the toner in the container main body cannot be sufficiently stirred by the stirring member.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent a part of an agitating member from being constantly bent and permanently deformed, and to sufficiently agitate toner in a container main body by the agitating member.

A toner container according to an aspect of the present invention includes a container body and an agitating member. The container body contains toner. The stirring member rotates around a rotation shaft extending in one direction, and stirs the toner contained in the container body. The container body has a curved portion and a recessed portion. The curved portion is curved in an arc shape with the rotation axis as a center. The recess is recessed from the curved portion toward a side away from the rotational axis. In a state where the stirring member is located at the first rotational position, a part of the stirring member is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the curved portion in a curved state. The portion of the stirring member is inserted into the recess in a state where the stirring member is located at a second rotational position.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the toner container and a mounting portion to which the toner container is mounted.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is located at the first mounting position in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is located at the second mounting position in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the toner cartridge is located at the first mounting position in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the toner cartridge is located at the second mounting position in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the discharge shutter is detached from the container body in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the stirring member is positioned at the first rotational position in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the stirring member is positioned at the second rotational position in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of attachment of a toner cartridge to a developing device in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15A is a side view showing a positional relationship between the moving mark and the pair of fixed marks in a state where the stirring member is located at the first rotation position in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15B is a side view showing a positional relationship between the moving mark and the pair of fixed marks in a state where the stirring member is located at the second rotation position in the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

For convenience of explanation, the left side of the paper in fig. 1 is referred to as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. Arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U, and Lo appropriately marked in the drawings indicate the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower sides of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

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

A conveyance path P for the sheet S is provided inside the apparatus main body 2. A paper feed unit 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 unit 7 includes a photosensitive drum 8 and a developing device 10 (an example of a mounting unit). A fixing device 12 is provided in a downstream portion of the conveying path P.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 having such a configuration will be described.

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

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

Next, the toner cartridge 6 will be further described.

Referring to fig. 2, the toner cartridge 6 is long in the left-right direction (an example of one direction). Arrow I, which is appropriately marked in each of fig. 2 and subsequent figures, indicates the inside of the toner cartridge 6 in the left-right direction (the side close to the center portion of the toner cartridge 6 in the left-right direction). Arrow O, which is appropriately marked in each of fig. 2 and subsequent figures, indicates the outside in the left-right direction (the side away from the center portion in the left-right direction of the toner cartridge 6). A rotation axis X extending in the left-right direction is set in the toner cartridge 6.

Referring to fig. 3, the toner cartridge 6 is mounted to the developing device 10 in a mounting direction Z that intersects perpendicularly with the left-right direction.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the toner cartridge 6 rotates between a first mounting position (see fig. 3) and a second mounting position (see fig. 4) in a state of being mounted on the developing device 10. Further, an arrow RD appropriately marked in each of fig. 3 and the following figures indicates a rotational direction (hereinafter referred to as "rotational direction RD") when the toner cartridge 6 is rotated from the first mounting position to the second mounting position. In the following, expressions relating to the upper and lower directions and the like are used with reference to the state in which the toner cartridge 6 is located at the second mounting position.

Referring to fig. 2, the toner cartridge 6 includes a container main body 21, a discharge gate 22, a seal member 23, a shaft 24 (an example of a rotating member), a moving member 25, a stirring member 26, a coupling mechanism 27, and a cover member 28, wherein the discharge gate 22 is disposed on the right rear side of the container main body 21; the sealing member 23 is disposed on the lower right side of the container body 21; the shaft 24 is housed in the container body 21; the moving member 25 is attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 24; the stirring member 26 is disposed on the right end side of the container main body 21; the connection mechanism 27 is disposed on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the container body 21; the cover member 28 covers the attachment mechanism 27. Next, the above-described components constituting the toner cartridge 6 will be described in order.

First, the container body 21 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 2, the container body 21 is formed in a box shape elongated in the left-right direction. A first space S1 and a second space S2 are formed inside the container main body 21. The first space S1 contains toner (developer). The second space S2 is disposed at the left side of the first space S1. The second space S2 contains no toner.

The container main body 21 has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 31, a side wall portion 32, and a lid portion 33, wherein the peripheral wall portion 31 extends in the left-right direction; the side wall portion 32 closes a right end portion (one end portion in the left-right direction) of the peripheral wall portion 31; the lid 33 closes a left end portion (the other end portion in the left-right direction) of the peripheral wall portion 31.

An opening 35 is provided at the left end of the peripheral wall 31 of the container main body 21. An annular flange 36 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the left end of the peripheral wall 31 around the opening 35. Engaging projections 37 are projected from the front upper portion and the rear upper portion of the outer surface (left surface) of the flange portion 36.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, a bent portion 39 and a recessed portion 40 are provided at the right end of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21. The curved portion 39 is curved in an arc shape around the rotation axis X. A discharge port 42 is provided at a rear lower portion of the curved portion 39, and the discharge port 42 is used to discharge toner from the first space S1 of the container body 21. The concave portion 40 is provided continuously with the curved portion 39, and the concave portion 40 is recessed from the curved portion 39 toward the front upper side (the side away from the rotation axis X). The concave portion 40 is curved in an arc shape. The radius of curvature of the recess 40 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the curved portion 39. Referring to fig. 3 and 4, a recessed portion 43 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the right end of the peripheral wall 31 on the rear side (downstream side in the rotation direction RD) of the recessed portion 40.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, a pair of support ribs 45 protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container body 21 at intervals in the left-right direction. The pair of support ribs 45 are disposed on both sides of the discharge port 42 in the left-right direction. Each support rib 45 is curved in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31. On the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31, a pair of engagement ribs 46 protrude with a spacing in the left-right direction. Each of the engagement ribs 46 is disposed between the pair of support ribs 45.

A display rib 47 that indicates the position where the sealing member 23 is attached protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21. The display rib 47 is disposed between the pair of support ribs 45 and between the pair of engagement ribs 46. The indicating rib 47 extends linearly in the left-right direction. The indicating rib 47 is disposed on the rear upper side (upstream side in the rotation direction RD) of the discharge port 42, and the position in the left-right direction thereof overlaps the discharge port 42.

A pedestal portion 48 protrudes around the discharge port 42 on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21. The pedestal portion 48 has a rectangular outline. A plurality of grooves are provided on the outer surface of the pedestal portion 48. An auxiliary rib 49 protrudes on the opposite side of the display rib 47 through the discharge port 42 at the front end portion of the outer surface of the pedestal portion 48. The auxiliary rib 49 extends linearly in the left-right direction. The auxiliary rib 49 is disposed on the front lower side (downstream side in the rotation direction RD) of the discharge port 42, and the position in the left-right direction thereof overlaps the discharge port 42.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, a first projection 51 and a second projection 52 are projected on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21 so as to overlap each other at positions in the left-right direction. The first projection 51 and the second projection 52 are provided at the center in the left-right direction of the entire toner cartridge 6. The first projection 51 and the second projection 52 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction (direction intersecting perpendicularly with the left-right direction). The first projection 51 has a longer length in the left-right direction than the second projection 52, and the first projection 51 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 31 to a lower height than the second projection 52.

The first projection 51 of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container body 21 has a pair of

base pieces

54L, 54R, a connecting piece 55, and a covering piece 56, wherein the pair of

base pieces

54L, 54R project from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 at an interval in the left-right direction; the connecting piece 55 extends in the left-right direction, connecting the protruding end portions of the pair of

base pieces

54L, 54R; the cover sheet 56 covers a space surrounded by the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31, the pair of

base sheets

54L, 54R, and the connecting sheet 55 from the rear side (the side away from the second projection 52). The right substrate 54R protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 by a length longer than the left substrate 54L.

The second projection 52 of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container body 21 has 4 flat plates 59, a connecting plate 60, a first reinforcing plate 61, a second reinforcing plate 62, and a pair of third reinforcing plates 63, wherein the 4 flat plates 59 project from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 at intervals in the left-right direction; the connecting plate 60 extends in the left-right direction and connects the front end portions (end portions on the side away from the first protrusions 51) of the 4 flat plates 59; the first reinforcing plate 61 connects the central portions in the front-rear direction of the 2 flat plates 59 on the inner side in the left-right direction of the 4 flat plates 59; the second reinforcing plate 62 connects the central portion of the first reinforcing plate 61 in the left-right direction and the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31; the pair of third reinforcing plates 63 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction, and connect the connecting plate 60 and the first reinforcing plate 61. The upper end of each third reinforcing plate 63 is recessed downward in a V shape.

Referring to fig. 2, 9, and 10, the side wall portion 32 of the container main body 21 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21. The side wall portion 32 is disposed along a plane perpendicularly intersecting the rotation axis X. A bearing portion 65 projects from a central portion of an outer surface (right surface) of the side wall portion 32. The bearing portion 65 is cylindrical about the rotation axis X and extends in the left-right direction. A filling port 66 protrudes from a front upper corner portion (a corner portion on a side away from the rotation axis X) of an outer surface of the side wall portion 32, and the filling port 66 is used for filling the container main body 21 with toner. The filling port 66 is cylindrical and extends in the left-right direction. The right end of the filling port 66 is closed by an end cap 67. The upper portion of the filling port 66 overlaps the recess 40 of the peripheral wall portion 31 as viewed in the left-right direction.

Referring to fig. 2, 11, and 12, the lid 33 of the container main body 21 is formed separately from the peripheral wall 31 and the side wall 32 of the container main body 21. The cover 33 is disposed along a plane perpendicularly intersecting the rotation axis X.

A step 69 protrudes from the center of the outer surface (left surface) of the lid 33 of the container main body 21. The step portion 69 has a perfect circular shape as viewed in the left-right direction. A projecting piece 70 projects from the center of the outer surface (left surface) of the step portion 69. The projecting piece 70 extends in the mounting direction Z. The center portion of the projecting piece 70 in the vertical direction is recessed to the right side (inside in the left-right direction). A parallel portion 71 and an inclined portion 72 are provided around the projecting piece 70 on the outer surface of the step portion 69. The parallel portion 71 is provided on the upper half (the front half in the mounting direction Z) of the outer surface of the step portion 69. The parallel portion 71 is provided in parallel with the outer surface of the cover portion 33. The inclined portion 72 is provided in a lower half (a deep half in the mounting direction Z) of the outer surface of the step portion 69. The inclined portion 72 is inclined from the upper side (the front side in the mounting direction Z) to the lower side (the depth side in the mounting direction Z) such that the height of projection from the outer surface of the lid portion 33 becomes lower.

Projections 73 are projected from the front upper portion and the rear upper portion of the outer surface of the lid portion 33 of the container main body 21 at intervals from the step portion 69. The height of each projection 73 projecting from the outer surface of the lid portion 33 is equal to or less than the height of the step portion 69 projecting from the outer surface of the lid portion 33.

A support portion 75 protrudes on the back side of the stepped portion 69 at the center portion of the inner surface (right surface) of the lid portion 33 of the container main body 21. The support portion 75 is cylindrical about the rotation axis X, and extends in the left-right direction. The left end (the outer end in the left-right direction) of the support portion 75 is closed by the center in the up-down direction (the portion recessed to the right) of the protruding piece 70.

A first annular portion 76, a second annular portion 77, a third

annular portion

78, 4 inner peripheral side connecting portions 79, 8 first outer peripheral side connecting portions 80, and 8 second outer peripheral side connecting portions 81, wherein the first annular portion 76 covers the outer periphery of the supporting portion 75, protrude from the inner surface of the lid portion 33 of the container main body 21; the second annular portion 77 covers the outer periphery of the first annular portion 76; the third annular portion 78 covers the outer periphery of the second annular portion 77; 4 inner peripheral side connecting portions 79 connect the support portion 75 and the first annular portion 76 (the annular portion on the innermost side); 8 first outer peripheral side connecting portions 80 connect the first annular portion 76 and the second annular portion 77; the 8 second outer peripheral side connecting portions 81 connect the second annular portion 77 and the third annular portion 78. The first annular portion 76 and the second annular portion 77 are circular when viewed in the left-right direction. The third annular portion 78 is non-circular when viewed in the left-right direction. Each inner circumferential connecting portion 79 and each outer

circumferential connecting portion

80, 81 are provided radially about the support portion 75.

An engagement hole 82 is provided on the back side of each boss 73 on the inner surface of the lid portion 33 of the container main body 21. Each engagement hole 82 is provided on the outer peripheral side (the side away from the rotation axis X) of the third annular portion 78. The engaging projections 37 of the peripheral wall 31 engage with the engaging holes 82. Accordingly, the lid 33 is positioned on the peripheral wall 31. The inner surface of the lid 33 is welded to the outer surface of the flange 36 of the peripheral wall 31 on the outer peripheral side of the third annular portion 78. Thereby, the lid 33 is fixed to the peripheral wall 31.

Next, the discharge shutter 22 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the discharge gate 22 is provided along the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21. The discharge gate 22 rotates along the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31, and opens and closes the discharge port 42 of the peripheral wall portion 31 from the outer peripheral side.

Referring to fig. 7, the discharge shutter 22 has a shutter main body 83 and a stopper member 84 attached to an outer surface of the shutter main body 83.

The shutter main body 83 of the discharge shutter 22 is curved in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21. The shutter main body 83 is rotatably supported by the pair of support ribs 45 of the peripheral wall portion 31.

The stopper member 84 of the discharge shutter 22 has a pair of fulcrum portions 85. The pair of fulcrum portions 85 engage with the shutter main body 83. Accordingly, the stopper member 84 is rotatable with respect to the shutter main body 83 about the pair of fulcrum portions 85. The stopper member 84 has a pair of engaging plates 86. When the toner cartridge 6 is detached from the developing device 10, the pair of engagement plates 86 are engaged with the pair of engagement ribs 46 of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21. Thereby, the rotation of the discharge gate 22 with respect to the container main body 21 is restricted.

Next, the sealing member 23 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the sealing member 23 is disposed between the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container body 21 and the shutter body 83 of the discharge shutter 22 in a compressed state. The sealing member 23 is formed of, for example, an elastic material.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the seal member 23 includes a first seal portion 91 and a second seal portion 92 provided on the rear upper side (upstream side in the rotation direction RD) of the first seal portion 91. The boundary 93 between the first seal portion 91 and the second seal portion 92 is stepped.

The first seal portion 91 of the seal member 23 is attached to the outer surface of the pedestal portion 48 of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21, and covers the entire outer surface of the pedestal portion 48. A communication port 94 is provided in the center of the first seal portion 91. The communication port 94 communicates with the discharge port 42 of the peripheral wall portion 31.

The second seal portion 92 of the seal member 23 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 between the display rib 47 of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21 and the base portion 48. The upper end portion (the upstream end portion in the rotation direction RD) of the second seal portion 92 abuts against the indicating rib 47 in the left-right direction.

Next, the shaft 24 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 2, shaft 24 extends in the left-right direction and penetrates peripheral wall 31 of container main body 21. The shaft 24 is provided rotatably about a rotation axis X. The right side portion of the shaft 24 penetrates the bearing portion 65 of the side wall portion 32 of the container main body 21. The right end (one end in the left-right direction) of the shaft 24 is disposed outside the container body 21. A spiral portion 96 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the central portion of the shaft 24 in the lateral direction. The left end portion (the other end portion in the left-right direction) of the shaft 24 is inserted into the support portion 75 of the lid portion 33 of the container main body 21, and is rotatably supported by the support portion 75.

Next, the moving member 25 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 2, moving member 25 divides first space S1 and second space S2 of container body 21 in the left-right direction. The moving member 25 is attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 24 in a state of being movable in the left-right direction.

The moving member 25 includes a sealing sheet 100, a pair of clamping sheets 101 and an engaging sheet 102, wherein the sealing sheet 100 is clamped between the pair of clamping sheets 101 from the left and right sides; the engaging piece 102 is disposed on the left side of the left holding piece 101. The outer peripheral surface of the seal fin 100 is in contact with the entire circumferential area of the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container body 21. A spiral groove 103 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the engaging piece 102. The spiral groove 103 engages with the spiral portion 96 of the shaft 24. Accordingly, the rotation of the shaft 24 can be converted into the movement of the moving member 25 in the left-right direction.

Next, the stirring member 26 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 2, 9, and 10, the stirring member 26 is attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 24 so as to be relatively rotatable, and is provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis X. Note that an arrow B appropriately marked in each drawing indicates the rotation direction of the stirring member 26.

The stirring member 26 has a holding piece 105, an insertion piece 106, and a membrane piece 107, wherein the insertion piece 106 protrudes rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from the inner peripheral portion of the holding piece 105; the diaphragm 107 protrudes leftward (inward in the left-right direction) from the outer periphery of the holding piece 105.

The holding piece 105 of the stirring member 26 is housed in the right end portion of the 1 st space S1 of the container main body 21. The holding piece 105 is provided at a distance from the bent portion 39 of the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container main body 21. The outer peripheral surface of the holding piece 105 is curved in an arc shape. A notch 108 is provided in the outer periphery of the holding piece 105. An attachment portion 109 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the inner surface (left surface) of the holding piece 105. The mounting portion 109 is provided upstream of the notch portion 108 in the rotation direction of the stirring member 26.

The insertion piece 106 of the stirring member 26 is cylindrical about the rotation axis X and extends in the left-right direction. Insertion piece 106 is inserted into bearing portion 65 of side wall portion 32 of container main body 21. Accordingly, the stirring member 26 is rotatably supported by the container main body 21. The right side portion of the shaft 24 penetrates the insertion piece 106. Accordingly, the right side portion of the shaft 24 is rotatably supported by the stirring member 26.

The diaphragm 107 of the stirring member 26 is formed of a resin Film such as a PET Film (Polyethylene Terephthalate Film), and has flexibility. The base end portion of the diaphragm 107 is attached to the attachment portion 109 of the holding piece 105. Accordingly, the membrane 107 is held by the holding piece 105. The distal end portion of the membrane piece 107 protrudes outward (away from the rotation axis X) from the outer peripheral surface of the holding piece 105. The position of the diaphragm 107 in the left-right direction partially overlaps the position of the discharge port 42 of the container body 21 in the left-right direction.

Next, the connection mechanism 27 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 2, 7, and 8, the connecting mechanism 27 includes a first gear member 111, a second gear member 112, and a ratchet mechanism 113, wherein the second gear member 112 is disposed on the right side (outer side in the left-right direction) of the first gear member 111, and the ratchet mechanism 113 is disposed on the inner peripheral side (side close to the rotation axis X) of the first gear member 111.

The first gear member 111 of the connection mechanism 27 has a first cylindrical portion 115 and a first driven gear 117 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 115. The first cylindrical portion 115 is cylindrical about the rotation axis X and extends in the left-right direction. The left end (the inner end in the left-right direction) of the first cylindrical portion 115 is fitted to the right end (the outer end in the left-right direction) of the insertion piece 106 of the stirring member 26. Accordingly, the first gear member 111 can rotate integrally with the stirring member 26. The first driven gear 117 is annular around the rotation axis X. A movement mark 118 that moves along with the rotation of the first gear member 111 protrudes from the outer peripheral portion of the right surface (outer surface) of the first driven gear 117.

The second gear member 112 of the coupling mechanism 27 has a second cylindrical portion 120 and a second driven gear 122 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 120. The second cylindrical portion 120 is cylindrical about the rotation axis X, and extends in the left-right direction. The second driven gear 122 is annular and centered on the rotation axis X.

Referring to fig. 2, the ratchet mechanism 113 of the coupling mechanism 27 has a ratchet shaft 124 and a ratchet gear 125 mounted on the outer periphery of the ratchet shaft 124. The ratchet mechanism 113 connects the shaft 24 and the second gear member 112. When the second gear member 112 rotates in one direction, the ratchet mechanism 113 transmits the rotation of the second gear member 112 to the shaft 24, and rotates the second gear member 112 integrally with the shaft 24. When the second gear member 112 rotates in the direction opposite to the above direction, the ratchet mechanism 113 does not transmit the rotation of the second gear member 112 to the shaft 24, and causes the second gear member 112 to idly rotate with respect to the shaft 24.

Next, the cover member 28 of the toner cartridge 6 will be described.

Referring to fig. 2, 7, and 8, the cover member 28 is attached to the right end (one end in the left-right direction) of the container body 21. The cover member 28 covers the right side (outer side in the left-right direction) of the side wall portion 32 of the container main body 21.

The cover member 28 has an outer peripheral wall 127, a closing wall 128 and a projecting wall 129, wherein the closing wall 128 closes a right end portion (an outer end portion in the left-right direction) of the outer peripheral wall 127; the protruding wall 129 protrudes from the outer surface (right surface) of the closing wall 128.

The outer peripheral wall 127 of the cover member 28 is cylindrical about the rotation axis X and extends in the left-right direction. The outer peripheral wall 127 covers the upper portions of the driven

gears

117 and 122 of the

gear members

111 and 112. A window 131 is opened in a lower portion of the outer peripheral wall 127, and lower portions of the driven

gears

117 and 122 of the

gear members

111 and 112 are exposed to the outside of the toner cartridge 6 through the window 131. The outer peripheral wall 127 has a step 132 provided on the left side (inside in the left-right direction) of the window 131. A pair of fixing marks 133 is projected on the right surface (outer surface) of the step 132 at positions visible from the outside of the toner cartridge 6.

The closing wall 128 of the cover member 28 is disposed along a plane that perpendicularly intersects the axis of rotation X. The closing wall 128 covers the right side (outer side in the left-right direction) of the driven gears 117, 122 of the

gear members

111, 112.

The projecting wall 129 of the cover member 28 extends in the mounting direction Z. The center portion in the up-down direction of the protruding wall 129 is recessed to the left side (inside in the left-right direction). The right end (the outer end in the left-right direction) of the ratchet shaft 124 is rotatably supported by the protruding wall 129.

Next, the developing device 10 will be further described.

Referring to fig. 5, 6, and 13, the developing device 10 includes a casing 141, a replenishment shutter 142, a driving mechanism 143, a pair of agitators 144, and a developing roller 145, wherein the replenishment shutter 142 and the driving mechanism 143 are provided on an upper surface side of the casing 141; a pair of agitators 144 housed in the case 141; the developing roller 145 is provided on the rear side of the pair of agitators 144. Next, the above-described components constituting the developing device 10 will be described in order.

The casing 141 of the developing device 10 contains toner. A supply port 147 is provided on the upper surface of the casing 141, and the supply port 147 supplies toner to the inside of the casing 141. A seal 148 is fixed to the upper surface of the case 141 around the supply port 147.

Guide frames 150L and 150R protrude from both left and right end portions of the upper surface of the case 141. Guide grooves 151 are provided on inner surfaces of the guide frames 150L and 150R (a right surface of the left guide frame 150L and a left surface of the right guide frame 150R). The width of the guide groove 151 in the front-rear direction is narrowed from the upper side (the near side in the mounting direction Z) to the lower side (the deep side in the mounting direction Z). An introduction groove 152 is provided on the inner surface of each of the guide frames 150L and 150R below (on the deep side in the mounting direction Z) the guide groove 151. The width of the introduction groove 152 in the front-rear direction is fixed. On the inner surfaces of the guide frames 150L and 150R, a lock groove 153 is provided below the guide groove 152 (on the deep side in the mounting direction Z). The width of the lock groove 153 in the front-rear direction is wider than the width of the introduction groove 152 in the front-rear direction.

The supply shutter 142 of the developing device 10 is provided along the upper surface of the casing 141. The supply gate 142 moves along the upper surface of the case 141, and opens and closes the supply port 147 of the case 141 from above.

The driving mechanism 143 of the developing device 10 has a first drive gear 161 and a second drive gear 162. The first drive gear 161 is connected to a first drive source 163 composed of a motor or the like. The second drive gear 162 is connected to a second drive source 164 constituted by a motor or the like.

The pair of agitators 144 of the developing device 10 are rotatably supported by the casing 141. The pair of agitators 144 rotate around their axes, and agitate the toner supplied into the casing 141 through the supply port 147.

The developing roller 145 of the developing device 10 is rotatably supported by the casing 141. The developing roller 145 rotates around a shaft, and supplies the toner stirred by the pair of stirrers 144 to the photosensitive drum 8 (see fig. 1).

Next, an operation of the user, an operator such as an after-sales person, or the like to set the toner cartridge 6 in the developing device 10 will be described.

First, the operator lowers the toner cartridge 6 toward the developing device 10 in the mounting direction Z. Accordingly, the projecting piece 70 of the lid portion 33 of the container main body 21 is inserted into the guide groove 151 of the left guide frame 150L, and the projecting wall 129 of the cover member 28 is inserted into the guide groove 151 of the right guide frame 150R. At this time, as shown in fig. 14, the inclined portion 72 of the step portion 69 of the lid portion 33 contacts the edge of the guide groove 151 of the left guide frame 150L, thereby suppressing the step portion 69 of the lid portion 33 from being caught between the guide groove 151 of the left guide frame 150L.

Next, the operator further lowers the toner cartridge 6 in the mounting direction Z toward the developing device 10. Accordingly, the projecting piece 70 of the lid portion 33 of the container main body 21 is inserted into the lock groove 153 of the left guide frame 150L through the guide groove 151 and the guide groove 152 of the left guide frame 150L. The projecting wall 129 of the cover member 28 is inserted into the locking groove 153 of the right guide frame 150R through the guide groove 151 and the guide groove 152 of the right guide frame 150R. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 3 and 5, the toner cartridge 6 is mounted to the developing device 10 at the first mounting position.

As described above, in the state where the toner cartridge 6 is mounted on the developing device 10 at the first mounting position, the toner cartridge 6 is allowed to be detached from the developing device 10. The discharge gate 22 closes the discharge port 42 of the container body 21 and the communication port 94 of the seal member 23, and the supply gate 142 closes the supply port 147 of the case 141.

Next, as shown in fig. 4 and 6, the operator rotates the toner cartridge 6 from the first mounting position to the second mounting position. Accordingly, the operation of setting the toner cartridge 6 in the developing device 10 is completed.

When the toner cartridge 6 is rotated from the first mounting position to the second mounting position as described above, the projecting piece 70 of the lid portion 33 of the container main body 21 rotates with respect to the lock groove 153 of the left guide frame 150L, and the projecting wall 129 of the cover member 28 rotates with respect to the lock groove 153 of the right guide frame 150R. Accordingly, the toner cartridge 6 is restricted from being detached from the developing device 10. When the toner cartridge 6 is rotated from the first mounting position to the second mounting position as described above, the first driven gear 117 of the first gear member 111 meshes with the first drive gear 161, and the second driven gear 122 of the second gear member 112 meshes with the second drive gear 162.

When the toner cartridge 6 is rotated from the first mounting position to the second mounting position as described above, the container main body 21 is rotated relative to the discharge shutter 22. Accordingly, the discharge gate 22 opens the discharge port 42 of the container body 21 and the communication port 94 of the sealing member 23. When toner cartridge 6 is rotated from the first mounting position to the second mounting position as described above, pair of support ribs 45 of container main body 21 presses supply shutter 142. Accordingly, the supply gate 142 moves along the upper surface of the case 141, and opens the supply port 147 of the case 141.

When detaching the toner cartridge 6 from the developing device 10, the worker may pull out the toner cartridge 6 from the developing device 10 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction Z after rotating the toner cartridge 6 from the second mounting position to the first mounting position.

Next, an operation of supplying toner from the toner cartridge 6 to the developing device 10 (hereinafter referred to as a "toner supply operation") will be described.

When the toner replenishing operation is performed, the first driving source 163 rotates the first driving gear 161. Thus, when the first driving gear 161 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the stirring member 26 via the first gear member 111, and the stirring member 26 is rotated about the rotation axis X. Accordingly, the diaphragm 107 of the stirring member 26 conveys the toner toward the discharge port 42 while stirring the toner in the first space S1 of the container main body 21. The toner thus conveyed to the discharge port 42 is discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge 6 through the discharge port 42, and is replenished to the inside of the casing 141 of the developing device 10 through the replenishment port 147. Accordingly, the toner replenishing operation is completed.

When such a toner replenishing operation as described above is performed, the toner in the vicinity of the discharge port 42 decreases in the first space S1. Accordingly, when a toner sensor (not shown) detects that the toner near the discharge port 42 has not reached a predetermined threshold value, the second drive source 164 rotates the second drive gear 162. Thus, when the second drive gear 162 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the shaft 24 via the second gear member 112 and the ratchet mechanism 113, thereby rotating the shaft 24 about the rotation axis X. In this way, when the shaft 24 rotates, the moving member 25 attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 24 moves to the right side (the discharge port 42 side) in the left-right direction as shown by an arrow a in fig. 2. Accordingly, the toner capacity of the first space S1 of the container main body 21 decreases, and the toner in the first space S1 is pushed by the moving member 25 and moves to the right side (the discharge port 42 side). Therefore, the vicinity of the discharge port 42 is filled with toner again, and a sufficient amount of toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge 6 to the developing device 10 by the next toner supply operation.

Next, the permanent deformation of the diaphragm 107 of the stirring member 26 and a method for suppressing the permanent deformation will be described.

When the stirring member 26 rotates around the rotation axis X during the toner replenishment operation, the rotation position of the stirring member 26 changes.

As shown in fig. 9, in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at a certain rotational position, the tip end portion of the membrane 107 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the curved portion 39 of the container main body 21. Accordingly, the diaphragm 107 is curved in an arc shape, and the load acting on the diaphragm 107 increases. Hereinafter, the rotational position of the stirring member 26 is referred to as a "first rotational position".

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 10, in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at a rotational position different from the first rotational position, the tip end portion of the membrane 107 is inserted into the recess 40 of the container main body 21 and is separated from the inner circumferential surface of the container main body 21. Accordingly, the diaphragm 107 is extended in a flat plate shape, and the load acting on the diaphragm 107 is reduced. Hereinafter, the rotational position of the stirring member 26 is referred to as a "second rotational position".

When the toner cartridge 6 is kept in storage, when the toner cartridge 6 is conveyed, or the like, if the toner cartridge 6 is left for a long time with the stirring member 26 in the first rotational position, a large load continues to act on the diaphragm 107, and the diaphragm 107 is permanently deformed by being constantly in a bent state. If this occurs, the rotation locus of the film 107 becomes narrow when the toner cartridge 6 is used, and the toner in the first space S1 of the container main body 21 may not be sufficiently stirred and conveyed by the film 107. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the permanent deformation of the diaphragm 107 is suppressed as follows.

As described above, since the stirring member 26 and the first gear member 111 rotate integrally, the rotational position of the stirring member 26 and the rotational position of the first gear member 111 always coincide with each other. Therefore, when the stirring member 26 is located at the predetermined rotational position, the first gear member 111 is also located at the predetermined rotational position, and the movement mark 118 of the first gear member 111 is arranged in the predetermined area.

For example, in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the first rotational position (see fig. 9), as shown in fig. 7 and 15A, the moving mark 118 of the first gear member 111 is disposed in a region outside the pair of fixed marks 133 of the cover member 28 in the circumferential direction (a region not sandwiched between the pair of fixed marks 133 of the cover member 28 and the pair of straight lines P, Q connecting the rotation axis X) as viewed in the left-right direction.

On the other hand, in the state where the stirring member 26 is located at the second rotational position (see fig. 10), as shown in fig. 8 and 15B, the moving mark 118 of the first gear member 111 is disposed in a region inside the pair of fixed marks 133 of the cover member 28 in the circumferential direction (a region sandwiched between the pair of fixed marks 133 of the cover member 28 and the pair of straight lines P, Q connecting the rotation axis X) as viewed in the left-right direction. At this time, the movement mark 118 of the first gear member 111 is exposed to the outside of the toner cartridge 6 through the window portion 131 of the cover member 28, and is visible from the outside of the toner cartridge 6.

Therefore, when the toner cartridge 6 is first shipped, the operator adjusts the rotational position of the first gear member 111 such that the movement mark 118 of the first gear member 111 is arranged in the circumferential direction inside the pair of fixing marks 133 of the cover member 28 when viewed in the left-right direction, and then packs the toner cartridge 6. Accordingly, the toner cartridge 6 can be stored and transported with the stirring member 26 in the second rotational position (with the distal end portion of the diaphragm 107 inserted into the recess 40 of the container main body 21). Accordingly, the load acting on the diaphragm 107 can be reduced, and the permanent deformation of the diaphragm 107 caused by the constant bending state can be suppressed. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 6 is used, the toner in the first space S1 of the container main body 21 can be sufficiently stirred and conveyed by the film 107.

In the present embodiment, in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the first rotational position, the diaphragm 107 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the curved portion 39 in a curved state, and thus the stirring force of the toner adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the curved portion 39 can be increased. On the other hand, when the stirring member 26 is in the second rotational position, the diaphragm 107 is inserted into the recess 40, so that the load acting on the diaphragm 107 is reduced, and the diaphragm 107 is prevented from being permanently deformed by being constantly bent.

In addition, the filling port 66 overlaps the recess 40 as viewed in the left-right direction. With this configuration, the diameter of the filling port 66 can be increased by the concave portion 40, and the efficiency of filling the first space S1 of the container main body 21 with toner can be improved.

As shown in fig. 9, when the stirring member 26 is at the first rotational position, the notch 108 of the holding piece 105 of the stirring member 26 is positioned on the left side (inside in the left-right direction) of the filling port 66, and thus the stirring member 26 opens the left side of the filling port 66. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 10, in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the second rotational position, the holding piece 105 of the stirring member 26 is located on the left side (inside in the left-right direction) of the filling port 66 of the container body 21, and thus the stirring member 26 partially covers the left side of the filling port 66. Therefore, when the toner filling operation is performed with the stirring member 26 positioned at the first rotational position, a large amount of toner can be filled into the first space S1 of the container main body 21 at a time through the filling port 66, and the toner filling efficiency can be further improved.

Further, in the first gear member 111 that rotates integrally with the stirring member 26, a movement mark 118 that moves along with the rotation of the first gear member 111 is provided at a position that is visible from the outside in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the second rotational position. With this configuration, the rotational position of the stirring member 26 can be easily confirmed from the position of the movement mark 118.

In addition, in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the second rotational position, the moving mark 118 is disposed in a circumferential inner region of the pair of fixed marks 133 as viewed in the left-right direction. With this configuration, it can be easily confirmed that the stirring member 26 is located at the second rotation position from the positions of the movement mark 118 and the pair of fixed marks 133.

Further, the discharge port 42 for discharging the toner from the first space S1 of the container main body 21 is provided in the curved portion 39, and the diaphragm 107 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the curved portion 39 in a curved state in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the first rotational position, and the diaphragm 107 is inserted into the recess 40 in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the second rotational position. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably suppress permanent deformation of the diaphragm 107 while efficiently discharging toner from the discharge port 42.

In addition, in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the second rotational position, the film 107 is separated from the inner circumferential surface of the container main body 21. With such a configuration, permanent deformation of the diaphragm 107 can be suppressed more reliably.

In the present embodiment, a step portion 69 protrudes from the outer surface of the lid portion 33, and a support portion 75 that rotatably supports the left end portion (the other end portion in the left-right direction) of the shaft 24 is provided on the back side of the step portion 69 on the inner surface of the lid portion 33. By providing the support portion 75 on the back side of the step portion 69 in this way, the length of the support portion 75 in the left-right direction can be increased. Accordingly, the left end of the shaft 24 can be prevented from coming off the support portion 75.

Further, the projections 73 are projected from the outer surface of the lid 33 at intervals from the step portion 69, and the height of the projection 73 projected from the outer surface of the lid 33 is equal to or less than the height of the projection of the step portion 69 from the outer surface of the lid 33. With this configuration, when the toner cartridge 6 is mounted on the developing device 10, the guide frame 150L on the left side can be prevented from being caught by the respective bosses 73.

Further, a projecting piece 70 projects from the outer surface of the step portion 69. With this configuration, the toner cartridge 6 can be smoothly mounted to the developing device 10 while the projecting piece 70 is inserted into each of the grooves 151 to 153 of the left guide frame 150L.

In addition, an inclined portion 72 is provided around the projecting piece 70 on the outer surface of the stepped portion 69, and the inclined portion 72 is inclined with respect to the outer surface of the lid portion 33. With this configuration, the step portion 69 can be prevented from being caught by the developing device 10 side member, as compared with the case where the entire outer surface of the step portion 69 is parallel to the outer surface of the lid portion 33. Therefore, the toner cartridge 6 can be smoothly mounted on the developing device 10.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the inclined portion 72 is inclined from the upper side (the front side in the mounting direction Z) to the lower side (the depth side in the mounting direction Z) so that the height of the portion protruding from the outer surface of the lid portion 33 is reduced. With this configuration, the step portion 69 can be prevented from being caught by the guide groove 151 of the left guide frame 150L. Therefore, the toner cartridge 6 can be mounted on the developing device 10 more smoothly.

Further, a plurality of annular portions 76 to 78 covering the outer periphery of the support portion 75, a plurality of inner peripheral side connecting portions 79 connecting the support portion 75 and the first annular portion 76 (the annular portion on the innermost side), and a plurality of outer peripheral

side connecting portions

80 and 81 connecting the plurality of annular portions 76 to 78 are provided on the inner surface of the cover portion 33. With this structure, the strength of the lid 33 can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the first projection 51 and the second projection 52 are projected on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 so as to overlap each other at positions in the left-right direction. With this configuration, the operator can easily grasp the container main body 21 by hooking the fingers on the first projection 51 and the second projection 52. Therefore, the toner cartridge 6 can be easily attached to and detached from the developing device 10, and the toner cartridge 6 can be easily rotated between the first mounting position and the second mounting position.

The first projection 51 includes a pair of

base pieces

54L and 54R projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 at a distance in the left-right direction, and a connecting piece 55 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the projecting end portions of the pair of

base pieces

54L and 54R. With such a structure, the strength of the first protrusion 51 can be increased.

The second projection 52 includes a plurality of flat plates 59 projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31 at intervals in the left-right direction, and a connection plate 60 extending in the left-right direction and connecting front end portions (end portions on the side away from the first projection 51) of the plurality of flat plates 59. With such a structure, the strength of the second protrusion 52 can be increased.

The first projection 51 and the second projection 52 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the left-right direction). With this configuration, the operator can easily catch the first projection 51 and the second projection 52 with fingers, and the operator can easily grasp the toner cartridge 6.

The first projection 51 is longer in the left-right direction than the second projection 52, and the first projection 51 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 31 to a height lower than the second projection 52. With this configuration, the operator can hook 4 fingers other than the thumb on the first projection 51 and the thumb on the second projection 52. Therefore, the operator can more easily grasp the toner cartridge 6.

Further, the toner cartridge 6 is rotated between a first mounting position where it is allowed to be detached from the developing device 10 and a second mounting position where it is restricted from being detached from the developing device 10 in a state of being mounted on the developing device 10. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reliably suppress the toner cartridge 6 from being inadvertently detached from the developing device 10.

In the present embodiment, a display rib 47 that indicates the attachment position of the sealing member 23 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 31. With this configuration, the sealing member 23 can be attached at a correct position, and leakage of toner from the discharge port 42 can be reliably prevented.

The rib 47 extends linearly in the left-right direction. By adopting such a structure, the sealing member 23 is easily stuck along the indicating rib 47.

The display rib 47 is disposed between the pair of support ribs 45 that support the discharge gate 22. With this configuration, the arrangement space of the display rib 47 can be easily secured.

The seal member 23 includes a first seal portion 91 that covers the outer surface of the pedestal portion 48, and a second seal portion 92 that is disposed between the display rib 47 and the pedestal portion 48. With this configuration, the positional displacement of the seal member 23 can be suppressed.

An auxiliary rib 49 projects on the outer surface of the pedestal portion 48 on the opposite side of the display rib 47 with the discharge port 42 interposed therebetween. With this configuration, the close contact between the sealing member 23 and the discharge shutter 22 can be improved, and toner leakage from the discharge port 42 can be more reliably prevented.

Further, the toner cartridge 6 is rotated between a first mounting position where the discharge shutter 22 closes the discharge port 42 and a second mounting position where the discharge shutter 22 opens the discharge port 42 in a state of being mounted on the developing device 10. With this configuration, the discharge gate 22 can open and close the discharge port 42 without moving the discharge gate 22.

In the present embodiment, the diaphragm 107 is separated from the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 21 in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the second rotational position. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the diaphragm 107 may slightly contact the inner peripheral surface of the recess 40 in a state where the stirring member 26 is located at the second rotational position.

In the present embodiment, the side wall portion 32 of the container body 21 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container body 21. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the side wall portion 32 of the container body 21 may be formed separately from the peripheral wall portion 31 of the container body 21.

In the present embodiment, the lid portion 33 of the container body 21 is formed separately from the peripheral wall portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 of the container body 21. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the lid portion 33 of the container main body 21 may be formed integrally with the peripheral wall portion 31 and the side wall portion 32 of the container main body 21.

In the present embodiment, the shaft 24 is a rotating member. On the other hand, in other embodiments, for example, a member other than the stirring blade for stirring the toner in the container main body 21 and the conveyance screw 24 for conveying the toner in the container main body 21 may be a rotary member.

In the present embodiment, the configuration of the present invention is applied to the toner cartridge 6 of the type in which the toner capacity of the first space S1 of the container main body 21 changes as the moving member 25 moves in the left-right direction. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to a type of toner cartridge 6 in which the toner capacity of the container main body 21 does not change.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is a printer. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine (an image forming apparatus having a combination of a printing function, a copying function, a facsimile function, and the like) or the like.

Claims

1. A toner container characterized in that,

comprises a container body, a stirring member, a gear member and a cover member, wherein,

the container main body contains toner;

the stirring member rotates around a rotating shaft extending along one direction and stirs the toner contained in the container main body;

the gear member rotates integrally with the stirring member;

the cover member is mounted to the container body and partially covers the gear member,

the container body has a curved portion and a recessed portion, wherein,

the bending part is bent in an arc shape with the rotating shaft as a center;

the recess is recessed from the curved portion toward a side away from the rotational axis,

the stirring member has a holding piece, a mounting portion and a membrane piece, wherein,

the holding piece is arranged at a distance from the bending part;

the mounting portion is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the holding piece,

the diaphragm is mounted on the mounting portion and protrudes to a side away from the rotation axis than an outer peripheral surface of the holding piece,

a part of the diaphragm is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the curved portion in a curved state in a state where the stirring member is located at a first rotational position, and the part of the diaphragm is inserted into the recess in a state where the stirring member is located at a second rotational position,

a movement mark is provided on the gear member at a position visible from the outside in a state where the stirring member is located at the second rotational position,

a pair of fixed marks are provided on the cover member at positions visible from the outside,

in the state where the stirring member is located at the second rotational position, the moving mark is arranged in a circumferential inner region of the pair of fixed marks, and therefore, a user can visually confirm whether or not the stirring member is located at the second rotational position.

2. The toner container according to claim 1,

the container body has a peripheral wall portion and a side wall portion, wherein,

the peripheral wall portion is cylindrical and extends in the one direction;

the side wall portion closes an end portion in the one direction of the peripheral wall portion,

the curved portion and the recessed portion are provided at the end portion of the peripheral wall portion in the one direction,

a filling port for filling the container main body with toner is provided in the side wall portion,

the filling opening overlaps with the recess as viewed in the direction.

3. The toner container according to claim 2,

the stirring member opens the inside of the filling port in the one direction in a state where the stirring member is located at the first rotational position, and partially covers the inside of the filling port in the one direction in a state where the stirring member is located at the second rotational position.

4. The toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the curved portion is provided with a discharge port for discharging toner from the container body.

5. The toner container according to claim 4,

the diaphragm is separated from the inner peripheral surface of the container body in a state where the stirring member is located at the second rotational position.

6. The toner container according to claim 4,

the diaphragm protrudes from the holding piece toward the inside in the one direction,

the position of the one direction of the diaphragm partially overlaps with the position of the one direction of the discharge port.

7. The toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

and a rotating member and a moving member, wherein,

the rotating member is housed in the container body and rotates around the rotating shaft;

the moving member is attached to an outer periphery of the rotating member, and moves in the one direction with rotation of the rotating member to change a toner capacity of the container main body.

8. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that,

a toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a mounting portion to which the toner container is mounted.