JP2007140549A - Color image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce cost and improve recycleability, by reducing the kinds of components constituting toner container mounting parts or kinds of toner containers. <P>SOLUTION: A color image forming apparatus has a plurality of image forming parts 2 for forming images of different colors and a plurality of toner container mounting parts 27 that removably mounts the toner container 26 for storing the toner supplied to the image forming parts 2. The plurality of toner container mounting parts 27 are formed into the same structure in which the toner container 26 of the same shape is mounted, and toner container mounting parts 27B for mounting a toner container 26B storing black toner among the plurality of toner container mounting parts 27 are arranged more than two. Consequently, only one kind of toner container mounting part 27 is sufficient, thereby reducing the kinds of components that constitute the toner container mounting part 27. Also, even if the consumption of black toner is increased, in comparison with other color toners, the frequency of black toner becoming out can be prevented from becoming high. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus such as a color printer or a color copying machine.

  In color image forming apparatuses such as color printers and color copiers, a plurality of image forming units for forming images of different colors are provided, and a toner container containing toner to be supplied to each image forming unit is attached and detached. A structure having a plurality of toner container mounting portions that are freely mounted is known.

  In a color image forming apparatus having a plurality of toner container mounting portions for each color, when toner of a certain color runs out, the empty toner container is removed from the toner container mounting portion and the toner of that color is stored. The new toner container may be mounted on the toner container mounting portion, and the handling is easy.

  Incidentally, the amount of toner consumed for each color in the color image forming apparatus is considerably larger for black toner than for color toner (yellow, magenta, and cyan toners). For this reason, the volume of the toner container for storing the black toner is made larger than that of the toner container for storing the color toner.

  If the volume of the toner container that stores the black toner and the toner container that stores the color toner are the same, the consumption of the black toner that consumes a large amount of toner increases, and the toner container that stores the black toner is replaced. Therefore, the frequency at which the image forming operation is interrupted increases.

  Since the toner container for storing the black toner and the toner container for storing the color toner have different volumes, two kinds of large and small toner containers have to be prepared, which increases the cost of the toner container. In addition, the recycling of the toner container is inefficient.

  Furthermore, since the toner container mounting portion on which the toner container is mounted has two types of structures, the number of parts constituting the toner container mounting portion increases, leading to high cost of the color image forming apparatus itself.

  In addition, when toner container mounting portions having different structures are formed in the color image forming apparatus, space is easily wasted at portions where the structures of adjacent toner container mounting portions are different, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the color image forming apparatus. Become.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the types of parts and the types of toner containers constituting the toner container mounting portion, thereby reducing costs and improving recyclability.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a color image forming apparatus.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of image forming portions that form images of different colors, and a plurality of toner container mounting portions to which toner containers containing toner supplied to the image forming portions are detachably mounted. A toner transport mechanism provided between the image forming unit and the toner container mounting unit, and the toner contained in the toner container mounted on the toner container mounting unit is used as the toner. In the color image forming apparatus configured to supply the image forming unit to the image forming unit by the toner conveying mechanism, the plurality of toner container mounting units are formed in the same structure in which the toner containers having the same shape are mounted and store black toner. Two or more toner container mounting portions on which the toner container is mounted are provided.

  Here, “the structure of the toner container mounting portion is the same” means that the parts constituting the toner container mounting portion are common and the shape and size of each toner container mounting portion are the same. .

  Accordingly, since a plurality of toner container mounting portions are formed in the same structure, a toner container mounting portion for mounting a toner container storing black toner and a toner container storing color toner other than black toner are mounted. It is no longer necessary to provide two types of toner container mounting portions with the toner container mounting portion, and the types of parts constituting the toner container mounting portion are reduced, and the cost of the color image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  Even if the toner container storing black toner and the toner container storing color toner have the same shape and the same amount of toner is stored in each toner container, the toner container storing black toner is mounted. Two or more toner container mounting portions are provided, so that even when the amount of black toner consumed is larger than that of color toner, the frequency of black toner becoming out of toner is increased, and black toner is It does not occur that the frequency at which the image forming operation is interrupted because of being cut out increases.

  Further, since toner containers having the same shape are mounted on the plurality of toner container mounting portions, one type of toner container is used in the color image forming apparatus, and the cost of the toner container can be reduced. The recyclability of the container is increased.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the color image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of toner container mounting portions are arranged in a horizontal row.

  Accordingly, a plurality of toner container mounting portions formed in the same structure are arranged in a horizontal row, so that a wasteful space is provided between adjacent toner container mounting portions as compared to a case where toner container mounting portions having different structures are arranged. Thus, the toner container mounting portions can be arranged without causing the color image forming apparatus, whereby the color image forming apparatus can be reduced in size, and in particular, the height dimension can be suppressed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the two or more toner container mounting portions on which the toner containers containing black toner are mounted are arranged adjacent to each other. It is characterized by that.

  Therefore, even when the number of toner container mounting portions increases and the number of toner containers to be used increases, it is possible to prevent the wrong toner container mounting portion for mounting the toner container containing black toner.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the black toner is stored and the toner container is mounted on the toner container mounting portion. The black toner can be switched from one to the other, and when the black toner in one of the toner containers to which black toner has been supplied is exhausted, the black toner is stored and the other toner is stored. It has a switching means for supplying black toner from the other toner container mounted on the container mounting portion.

  Therefore, when there is no black toner in one toner container, black toner can be supplied from another toner container, and even when there is no black toner in one toner container, the image forming operation is not interrupted. It is possible to continue the operation, and when the black toner is being supplied from another toner container, the toner container in which the black toner disappears can be replaced with a new one.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the detecting means for detecting that the toner in the toner container mounted on the toner container mounting portion has run out. And a notifying means for notifying the toner container mounting portion in which the toner container having run out of toner is mounted.

  Accordingly, the detection means detects that the toner in the toner container mounted on each toner container mounting portion is exhausted, and the notification means notifies that the toner has been exhausted. It becomes possible to quickly replace the toner container with a new toner container.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the opening area faces only the toner container mounting portion on which the toner container storing black toner is mounted. And an opening having an opening area that allows the toner container to be attached to and detached from the toner container mounting portion.

  Accordingly, the toner container containing the black toner can be attached to and detached from the toner container mounting portion through the opening, and this opening is an opening facing only the toner container mounting portion where the toner container containing black toner is mounted. Since it has an area, it can be prevented that the toner container, the operator's hand, etc. touch the mechanism around the toner container mounting portion when the toner container is attached or detached. Therefore, the toner container containing the black toner can be attached to and detached from the toner container mounting portion without interrupting the image forming operation while maintaining safety. The “exterior cover” means a cover that covers the outside of the color image forming apparatus.

  According to the color image forming apparatus of the first aspect, since the plurality of toner container mounting portions are formed in the same structure in which the same shape toner container is mounted, the toner container containing the black toner is mounted. It is not necessary to provide two types of toner container mounting parts, ie, a toner container mounting part for mounting a toner container for storing a color toner other than black toner, and constitutes a toner container mounting part. By reducing the number of parts, the cost of the color image forming apparatus can be reduced. Even if the toner container storing black toner and the toner container storing color toner have the same shape and the same amount of toner is stored in each toner container, the toner container storing black toner is mounted. Two or more toner container mounting portions are provided, so that even when the amount of black toner consumed is larger than that of color toner, the frequency of black toner becoming out of toner is increased, and black toner is It is possible to prevent the frequency at which the image forming operation is interrupted due to being cut out.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, since the plurality of toner container mounting portions are arranged in a horizontal row, toner container mounting portions having different structures are arranged. In comparison with the toner container mounting portion, it is possible to arrange the toner container mounting portions without generating a useless space, thereby reducing the size of the color image forming apparatus. The size can be suppressed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the two or more toner container mounting portions on which the toner containers containing black toner are mounted are arranged adjacent to each other. Therefore, even if the number of toner container mounting portions increases and the number of toner containers to be used increases, it is possible to prevent the toner container mounting portion for mounting the toner container storing black toner from being mistaken.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, two or more of the toner containers that store black toner and are mounted on the toner container mounting portion. One of the toner containers can be switched to supply black toner, and when the black toner in one of the toner containers to which black toner has been supplied runs out, the black toner is stored and another toner is stored. Since there is a switching means for supplying black toner from the other toner container mounted on the toner container mounting portion, when the black toner in one toner container is exhausted, the black toner is discharged from the other toner container. The image forming operation can be continued without interruption even when the black toner in one toner container is exhausted.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, it is detected that the toner in the toner container mounted on the toner container mounting portion has run out. Since there is provided a detecting means and a notifying means for notifying the toner container mounting portion in which the toner container having no toner is mounted, the toner in the toner container mounted in each toner container mounting portion is detected. The detection means detects that the toner has run out, and the notification means notifies that the toner has run out. Therefore, it is possible to quickly replace the toner container that has run out of stored toner with a new toner container. Become.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, an opening area facing only the toner container mounting portion on which the toner container storing black toner is mounted. In addition, since the exterior cover has an opening having an opening area that allows the toner container mounted on the toner container mounting portion to be detachable, the toner container containing the black toner is attached to the toner container mounting portion. The attachment / detachment can be performed from the opening without interrupting the image forming operation while maintaining safety.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic structure of a color image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the color image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a detachable structure of a toner container containing black toner.

  Four image forming portions 2 for forming images of different colors (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, black B) are arranged at a substantially central portion in the main body case 1 of the color image forming apparatus. These image forming units 2 are different in the color of the image formed because the color of the toner used is different, and the structure is the same. In the description of the image forming unit 2, when referring to the color of an image to be formed, “Y” is used for the image forming unit 2 that forms a yellow image, and the image forming unit that forms a magenta image. In the following description, “M” is attached to “2”, “C” is attached to the image forming unit 2 that forms a cyan image, and “B” is attached to the image forming unit 2 that forms a black image.

  Each image forming unit 2 includes a photosensitive drum 3 that is rotationally driven in the direction of an arrow, a cleaning device 4, a charger 5, a developing device 6 and the like disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the photosensitive drum 3. The cleaning device 4 cleans residual toner adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 3, the charging device 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 3, and the developing device 6 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. A toner image is formed by adhering toner to the written electrostatic latent image. An exposure device 7 that emits a laser beam for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3 of each image forming unit 2 is provided in the vicinity of the image forming unit 2 and emitted from the exposure device 7. Irradiation slits for irradiating the surface of each photoconductive drum 3 with the laser beam are secured between the charger 5 and the developing unit 6 in each image forming unit 2.

  The photosensitive drum 3 is formed of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of about 30 to 100 mm and an organic semiconductor layer that is a photoconductive material provided on the surface of the cylinder.

  The four image forming units 2 are arranged at equal intervals in a horizontal row, and an intermediate transfer belt 8 is arranged so as to be in contact with a part of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 3 of each image forming unit 2.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is a loop belt formed with a resin film or rubber having a thickness of 50 to 600 μm as a base, and has a resistance value that enables transfer of a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3. Yes. This intermediate transfer belt 8 is supported by rollers 9, 10, 11 and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow. On the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 8 (inside the loop), four transfer units 12 for transferring the toner images on the photosensitive drums 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 8 are arranged. On the front side of the intermediate transfer belt 8 (outside of the loop), a cleaning device 13 for cleaning residual toner, paper dust, and the like attached to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is disposed.

  Below the four image forming units 2 in the main body case 1, paper feed cassettes 14 in which recording media (paper sheets) S are stacked and held are arranged in two upper and lower stages. The recording media S stacked and held in each paper feed cassette 14 are separated and fed in order from the highest one.

  In the main body case 1, a transport path 15 is formed through which the recording medium S separated and fed from the paper feed cassette 14 is transported. On this conveyance path 15, a registration roller 16, a transfer belt 17, a fixing device 18, a paper discharge roller 19, and the like are arranged.

  The registration roller 16 is a roller that is rotationally driven intermittently at a predetermined timing. When the registration roller 16 is driven to rotate intermittently, the recording medium S that has been transported to the position of the registration roller 16 and stopped is sent to the transfer position.

  The transfer belt 17 is a loop belt formed with a resin film or rubber having a thickness of 50 to 600 μm as a base, is supported by rollers 20, 21, and 22 and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow. A transfer device 23 is disposed on the back side of the transfer belt 17 (inside the loop), and a cleaning device 24 for cleaning residual toner, paper dust, and the like attached to the surface of the transfer belt 17 is disposed on the front side of the transfer belt 17. Yes. The portion of the intermediate transfer belt 8 that is supported by the roller 10 on its back side is pressed against the portion of the surface of the transfer belt 17 that is supported by the roller 21 and the transfer unit 23, and this portion is pressed. The transfer position is where the toner image is transferred to the recording medium S.

  The fixing device 18 is a portion that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium S to the recording medium S by applying heat and pressure. The recording medium S on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 18 is discharged onto a discharge tray portion 25 formed on the upper surface portion of the main body case 1 by a discharge roller 19.

  Above the four image forming units 2 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the main body case 1, five toner container mounting units to which toner containers 26 storing toner supplied to the image forming unit 2 are detachably mounted. 27 is provided. In the description of the toner container 26 and the toner container mounting portion 27, when it is desired to refer to the color of the toner, "Y" for yellow toner, "M" for magenta toner, "C" for cyan toner, black The toner will be described with the suffix “B”.

  Each toner container mounting portion 27 is formed in the same structure in which the toner container 26 having the same shape is mounted, that is, in the same shape and the same size by using a common part, and one stores yellow toner. A toner container mounting portion 27Y in which the toner container 26Y is mounted, one is a toner container mounting portion 27M in which a toner container 26 storing magenta toner is mounted, and one is a toner in which a toner container 26C storing cyan toner is mounted. Two container mounting portions 27C are toner container mounting portions 27B to which toner containers 26B containing black toner are mounted. Each toner container mounting portion 27 is provided with a toner transport mechanism (not shown) that supplies toner to image forming portions 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2B that form images of the same color as the respective toner colors. .

  The five toner container mounting portions 27 are arranged at equal intervals in a horizontal row, and the two toner container mounting portions 27B to which the toner container 26B storing black toner is mounted are arranged next to each other.

  In each toner container mounting portion 27, a slidable mounting plate 28 on which the mounted toner container 26 is mounted, and the toner is dropped from the toner container 26 by applying vibration to the mounting plate 28. A vibrating mechanism (not shown), a toner storage part (not shown) in which toner dropped from the attached toner container 26 is temporarily stored, and a toner storage part that is disposed in the toner storage part and attached to the toner container mounting part 27 A sensor (not shown) or the like for detecting that the toner in the toner container 26 is exhausted is provided.

  The mounting plate 28 is slidable to the front side (the front side of the main body case 1) and the back side, and the toner container 26 is mounted sideways on the mounting plate 28 slid to the front side as shown in FIG. Then, the mounting plate 28 on which the toner container 26 is mounted is pushed into the back side of the main body case 1, thereby completing the mounting of the toner container 26 on the toner container mounting portion 27.

  The side surface of the toner container 26 (the surface facing the mounting plate 28 when mounted on the mounting plate 28) is closed by a seal during storage, and the seal is peeled off after being mounted on the mounting plate 28. Thus, a toner supply port (not shown) that is opened is formed. An opening (not shown) is formed in the mounting plate 28 at a position facing the toner supply port of the toner container 26 mounted on the mounting plate 28, and an openable / closable shutter 29 is formed at the position of the opening. Is provided. The shutter 29 is urged in the closing direction by a spring, and the opening is closed when the mounting plate 28 is pulled out to the near side, and the opening is opened when the mounting plate 28 is pushed inward. Yes. The placement plate 28 on which the toner container 26 is placed is pushed inward to open the shutter 29, and then the vibration is applied to the placement plate 28 and the toner container 26, so that the toner in the toner container 26 is removed. The toner drops and passes through the toner supply port and the opening, once stored in the toner storage unit, and then supplied to each of the image forming units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2B corresponding to the color of the toner by the toner transport mechanism.

  An exterior cover 30 is provided on the front side of the main body case 1. The exterior cover 30 has a closed position that covers the image forming unit 2, the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the toner container mounting unit 27, and an opening that exposes the image forming unit 2, the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the toner container mounting unit 27. It can be opened and closed freely.

  An opening 31 is formed in a part of the exterior cover 30, and an opening cover 32 that can be opened and closed is provided in the opening 31. The opening 31 has an opening area facing only the toner container mounting portion 27B to which the toner container 26B containing black toner is mounted, and the toner container 26 mounted on the toner container mounting portion 27B can be attached and detached. It has an open area. Therefore, when the opening cover 32 is opened and the toner container 26B containing black toner is attached to or detached from the opening 31 to the toner container mounting portion 27B, the toner container 26B, the operator's hand, or the like is attached to the toner container mounting portion 27B. Touching the surrounding mechanism can be prevented.

  Further, the color image forming apparatus includes an image forming operation in the image forming unit 2, a paper feeding operation from the paper feeding cassette 14, and a toner supplying operation from each toner container 26, detection results of various sensors, and an operation panel. There is provided a control unit (not shown) having a microcomputer configuration for controlling in accordance with an input result of an operation key provided in (not shown). The color image forming apparatus is provided with various means as processing executed by the control unit. As these various means, a detection means, a notification means, a switching means, and the like are provided.

  The detecting means is a process for detecting that the toner in the toner container 26 mounted on the toner container mounting portion 27 is exhausted. When it is detected that the toner in a certain image forming unit 2 has decreased to a predetermined amount, the vibration mechanism of the toner container mounting unit 27 in which the toner container 26 storing the toner of that color is mounted is driven. The toner in the toner container 26 falls into the toner storage unit, but the sensor in the toner storage unit detects that the toner amount in the toner storage unit does not reach the predetermined amount even if the vibration mechanism is driven for a predetermined time. Executed.

  The notification means is a process of notifying the toner container mounting portion 27 in which the toner container 26 that has run out of toner is mounted. When the detection unit detects that the toner in a certain toner container 26 has run out, a display for notifying the toner container mounting portion 27 in which the toner container 26 is mounted is displayed on the operation panel, or each toner container It is executed by turning on an LED (not shown) provided corresponding to the mounting portion 27.

  When the black toner in one toner container 26 to which black toner has been supplied runs out, the switching means stores the black toner from the toner container 26 mounted on the other toner container mounting portion 27. The black toner is supplied. When it is detected by the detecting means that the black toner in the toner container 26 that has supplied the black toner has disappeared, the other toner container mounting portion 27 in which the other toner container 26 storing the black toner is mounted. This is executed by driving the vibration mechanism.

  In such a configuration, the toner in the toner container 26 attached to each toner container attachment part 27 is dropped into the toner storage part by driving the vibration mechanism, and an image of the color of the toner is formed from the toner storage part. Then, the toner is transported by the toner transport mechanism toward the image forming unit 2 where the toner image is formed.

  When the toner in the toner container 26 mounted on each toner mounting portion 27 runs out, it is detected by the detecting means and notified by the notifying means according to the detection result. Therefore, the operation of replacing the toner container 26 that has run out of toner with a new toner container 26 can be quickly performed.

  When the toner containers 26Y, 26M, and 26C that store the color toner are replaced, the exterior cover is opened. When the exterior cover 30 is opened, a mechanism located around the toner container mounting portion 27, for example, the intermediate transfer belt 8 is exposed, so that the image forming operation is performed in consideration of safety and the like. Suspended.

  On the other hand, when replacing the toner container 26B containing black toner, the opening cover 32 is opened to open the opening 31, and the opening 31 is opened. The opening 31 has an opening area that faces only the toner container mounting portion 27B to which the toner container 26B is mounted and has an opening area that allows the toner container 26B to be attached / detached. And the operator's hand or the like can be prevented from touching the mechanism around the toner container mounting portion 27B, and the image forming operation is interrupted while maintaining the safety of the toner container 26 being attached to and detached from the toner container mounting portion 27B. Can be done without.

  Here, in such a color image forming apparatus, the consumption amount of black toner is larger than the consumption amount of color toner. However, there is one toner container mounting portion 27Y, 27M, and 27C in which toner containers 26Y, 26M, and 26C that store color toner are mounted, whereas toner in which a toner container 26B that stores black toner is mounted. Two container mounting portions 27 are provided. For this reason, even when the amount of black toner consumed is larger than that of color toner, the frequency of black toner becoming out of toner increases, and the image forming operation is interrupted because the toner of black toner is out of toner. The frequency does not increase.

  Further, when the black toner in one toner container 26B runs out, switching is performed by the switching means so that the black toner in the other toner container 26B is supplied, so the black toner in one toner container 26B is changed. Even when the toner runs out, the image forming operation can be continued without interruption.

  Since the toner containers 26 for storing the toners of the respective colors are all formed in the same shape, two types of toner containers are prepared: a small toner container for storing color toner and a large toner container for storing black toner. Therefore, the cost of the toner container 26 can be reduced and the recyclability of the toner container 26 can be improved.

  Furthermore, since all the toner container mounting portions 27 to which the toner containers 26 for storing the respective color toners are mounted are formed in the same structure, the types of parts constituting the toner container mounting portion 27 can be reduced, and the color The cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  Since the five toner container mounting portions 27 having the same structure are arranged in a horizontal row, there is a wasteful space between adjacent toner container mounting portions 27 as compared to the case where toner container mounting portions having different structures are arranged. The color image forming apparatus can be reduced in size. In particular, the height can be reduced in size.

  Of the five toner container mounting portions 27, the two toner container mounting portions 27B to which the toner containers 26B containing black toner are mounted are arranged next to each other, so that the color toner is applied to the toner container mounting portions 27B. It is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of mounting other stored toner containers 26Y, 26M, and 26C.

  In the present embodiment, after the black toner in the toner container 26B attached to one toner container attachment portion 27B runs out, the black toner in the toner container 26B attached to the other toner container attachment portion 27B is supplied. In the above description, the switching means is provided as an example, but the two toner containers 26B mounted on the two toner container mounting portions 27B are driven by simultaneously driving the vibration mechanisms of the two toner container mounting portions 27B. Alternatively, black toner may be supplied simultaneously.

  In addition, the toner conveyance mechanism provided between the two toner container mounting portions 27B and the image forming portion 2B may be provided separately or shared.

1 is a front view showing a schematic structure of a color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a color image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a structure for attaching and detaching a toner container that contains black toner.

Explanation of symbols

2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2B) image forming section 26 (26Y, 26M, 26C, 26B) toner container 27 (27Y, 27M, 27C, 27B) toner container mounting section 30 exterior cover 31 opening

Claims (6)

  A plurality of image forming units that form images of different colors, a plurality of toner container mounting units in which toner containers containing toner supplied to the image forming units are detachably mounted, the image forming units, and the toner A toner conveying mechanism provided between the toner container and the toner container. The toner contained in the toner container mounted on the toner container mounting part is transferred to the image forming unit using the toner. In the color image forming apparatus supplied by the transport mechanism, the plurality of toner container mounting portions are formed in the same structure in which the toner containers having the same shape are mounted, and the toner containers containing black toner are mounted. 2. A color image forming apparatus, comprising two or more toner container mounting portions.   The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of toner container mounting portions are arranged in a horizontal row.   3. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two or more toner container mounting portions on which the toner containers containing black toner are mounted are arranged adjacent to each other.   The black toner can be switched so that black toner can be supplied from one of the two or more toner containers mounted on the toner container mounting portion. And switching means for storing black toner and supplying black toner from the other toner container mounted on the other toner container mounting portion when the black toner in one toner container is exhausted. 4. A color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color image forming apparatus is a color image forming apparatus.   Detecting means for detecting that the toner in the toner container attached to the toner container attaching portion is exhausted, and notifying means for notifying the toner container attaching portion in which the toner container out of toner is attached. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color image forming apparatus is provided.   An opening having an opening area that faces only the toner container mounting portion on which the toner container containing black toner is mounted and that allows the toner container mounted on the toner container mounting portion to be detachable. 6. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color image forming apparatus is formed on an exterior cover.

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