JP2012203383A - Storage container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of sealing members for sealing gaps between members.SOLUTION: A storage container comprises: a housing including an insertion wall with an insertion port in which a discharge pipe for powder discharge is inserted, a counter wall facing a target insertion face located on the discharge pipe receiving side of the insertion wall, and an extension wall extending from the counter wall to the insertion wall, and having in it a storage part for storing powder discharged from the discharge pipe; and the sealing members provided on the edges of the insertion port in the target insertion face, sealing the gap between the insertion wall and the extension wall, and also sealing the gap between the discharge pipe and the insertion wall when the discharge pipe is inserted in the insertion port.

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage container and an image forming apparatus.

  In Patent Document 1, waste toner collected without being transferred onto a recording sheet is stored, and in a waste toner collection container 38 that can be removed from the color image forming apparatus 1, the waste toner collection container 38 and the collected waste toner are collected. The waste toner is prevented from spilling from the connecting portion when the waste toner is transported to the connecting portion with the toner transporting member 39 transported into the waste toner collecting container 38, and the transported waste toner is stored in a predetermined amount. A configuration is disclosed in which an airtight member 40 that seals the collection port 38a is disposed so that the waste toner does not spill out from the waste toner collection container 38 that has been removed for replacement after being released.

JP 2006-146163 A

  This invention makes it a subject to reduce the number of the sealing members which seal between members.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an insertion wall in which an insertion port into which a discharge pipe for discharging powder is inserted is formed, and an opposing wall facing an insertion surface on the insertion side of the discharge pipe in the insertion wall. And an extending wall extending from the facing wall to the insertion wall, and a housing having an accommodating portion for accommodating the powder discharged from the discharge pipe, and the insertion surface. A seal that seals between the insertion wall and the extending wall and seals between the discharge pipe and the insertion wall when inserted into the insertion port. And a container.

  Invention of Claim 2 is provided so that the circumference of the storage part may be enclosed between the insertion wall and the opposing wall, and the peripheral wall forming the outer wall of the housing with the insertion wall and the opposing wall; The extending wall in which the insertion space into which the discharge pipe is inserted and the housing portion are partitioned in the casing, and an inflow port through which powder from the discharge pipe flows into the housing portion is formed, and the insertion portion The storage container according to claim 1, further comprising: an opening / closing portion that is provided in the space so as to be able to open and close the inlet, and is sealed between the insertion wall by the sealing member in a closed state of the inlet. It is.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the container according to the first or second aspect, a transfer body for transferring an image to a transfer body, and the powder remaining on the transfer body after transfer to the transfer body are removed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a removal device; and the discharge pipe that discharges the powder removed by the removal device to the storage container.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the gap between the members is sealed as compared with the configuration in which the gap between the insertion wall and the extending wall and the gap between the discharge pipe and the insertion wall are sealed by separate sealing members. The number of sealing members to be stopped can be reduced.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the space between the insertion wall and the extending wall, the space between the discharge pipe and the insertion wall, and the space between the insertion wall and the opening / closing portion are sealed with separate sealing members. Compared with the structure which stops, the number of the sealing members which seal between members can be reduced.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, the powder removed from the transfer body can be prevented from leaking from the storage container by a small number of sealing members as compared with the configuration without this configuration.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the storage container according to the present embodiment is removed. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of container and the structure of a discharge pipe which concern on this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the discharge pipe is inserted into the storage container in the configuration shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus main body with a cover body removed. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus main body in a state where a cover body is attached. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the storage container which concerns on this embodiment. In the structure shown in FIG. 7, it is the schematic seen from the 2nd structural member side (Z direction arrow). It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the 1st structural member of the storage container which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the 2nd structural member of the storage container which concerns on this embodiment.

Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.
(Configuration of image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment)
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The following X direction, −X direction, Y direction, −Y direction, Z direction, and −Z direction are arrow directions shown in the figure. In addition, when “x” is written in “○” in the figure, it means an arrow heading from the front to the back, and “•” is written in “○” in the figure, It means an arrow from the back to the front.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 11 in which each component is provided. Inside the image forming apparatus main body 11, a storage unit 12 that stores a recording medium P such as paper, an image forming unit 14 that forms an image on the recording medium P, and a recording medium from the storage unit 12 to the image forming unit 14. A conveyance unit 16 that conveys P and a control unit 20 that controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 are provided. In addition, a discharge unit 18 for discharging the recording medium P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 14 is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 11.

  The image forming unit 14 includes image forming units 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K (hereinafter referred to as 22Y to 22K) that form toner images of colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). And an intermediate transfer belt 24 to which the toner images formed by the image forming units 22Y to 22K are transferred, and a first transfer roll for transferring the toner images formed by the image forming units 22Y to 22K to the intermediate transfer belt 24 26 and a second transfer roll 28 that transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 24 by the first transfer roll 26 from the intermediate transfer belt 24 to the recording medium P. The image forming unit 14 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be another configuration as long as it forms an image on the recording medium P.

  The image forming units 22Y to 22K are arranged side by side in the image forming apparatus main body 11 while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. Each of the image forming units 22Y to 22K includes a photoreceptor 32 that rotates in one direction (for example, the clockwise direction in FIG. 1). Since the image forming units 22Y to 22K have the same configuration, the reference numerals of the respective parts of the image forming units 22M, 22C, and 22K are omitted in FIG.

  Around each photoconductor 32, a charging roll 23 as an example of a charging device that charges the photoconductor 32 in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 32, and a photoconductor 32 charged by the charge roll 23, which will be described later. A developing device 38 is provided that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 32 by the exposure of the device 36 to form a toner image.

  An exposure device 36 that exposes the photoreceptor 32 charged by the charging roll 23 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 32 is provided obliquely below the image forming units 22Y to 22K. The exposure device 36 is configured to form an electrostatic latent image based on the image signal sent from the control unit 20. Examples of the image signal sent from the control unit 20 include an image signal acquired by the control unit 20 from an external device.

  The developing device 38 includes a developer supply body 38A that supplies the developer to the photoconductor 32, and a plurality of transport members 38B that transport the developer applied to the developer supply body 38A while stirring.

  The intermediate transfer belt 24 is formed in an annular shape and is disposed on the upper side (Y direction side) of the image forming units 22Y to 22K. On the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 24, winding rolls 42, 43, 44, and 45 around which the intermediate transfer belt 24 is wound are provided. The intermediate transfer belt 24 is circulated and moved in one direction (for example, counterclockwise in FIG. 1) while being in contact with the photosensitive member 32 by rotating one of the winding rolls 42, 43, 44, and 45 (for example, counterclockwise in FIG. 1). Rotate). The winding roll 42 is an opposing roll that faces the second transfer roll 28.

  The first transfer roll 26 faces the photoconductor 32 with the intermediate transfer belt 24 interposed therebetween. A space between the first transfer roll 26 and the photoconductor 32 is a first transfer position T1 at which the toner image formed on the photoconductor 32 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 24.

  The second transfer roll 28 faces the winding roll 42 with the intermediate transfer belt 24 interposed therebetween. A space between the second transfer roll 28 and the winding roll 42 is a second transfer position T2 where the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 24 is transferred to the recording medium P.

  The transport unit 16 is disposed along the transport path 48 and is transported along a transport roll 48 for transporting the recording medium P stored in the storage section 12, a transport path 48 for transporting the recording medium P transported to the transport roll 46. There are provided a plurality of transport rolls 50 for transporting the recording medium P fed by the roll 46 to the second transfer position T2.

  A fixing device 40 that fixes the toner image formed on the recording medium P by the image forming unit 14 to the recording medium P is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the second transfer position T2. A discharge roll 52 that discharges the recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed to the discharge unit 18 is provided downstream of the fixing device 40 in the transport direction.

  Further, the reverse conveyance path 37 for reversing the recording medium P on which the toner image is fixed on one side and sending it back to the second transfer position T2 is opposite to the intermediate transfer belt 24 with respect to the conveyance path 48 (X direction). Side). When images are formed on both sides of the recording medium P, the recording medium P having a toner image fixed on one side is switched back by the discharge roll 52 and guided to the reverse conveyance path 37 and sent to the second transfer position T2. It is supposed to be returned.

  Next, an image forming operation for forming an image on the recording medium P in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the recording medium P sent out from the storage unit 12 by the sending roll 46 is sent to the second transfer position T2 by the plurality of conveying rolls 50.

  On the other hand, in the image forming units 22 </ b> Y to 22 </ b> K, the photosensitive member 32 charged by the charging roll 23 is exposed by the exposure device 36 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 32. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 38 to form a toner image on the photoreceptor 32. The toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 22Y to 22K are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 24 at the first transfer position T1, thereby forming a color image. Then, the color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 24 is transferred to the recording medium P at the second transfer position T2.

  The recording medium P on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 40, and the transferred toner image is fixed by the fixing device 40. When an image is formed only on one side of the recording medium P, the recording medium P is discharged to the discharge unit 18 by the discharge roll 52 after the toner image is fixed. When forming an image on both sides of the recording medium P, after the image is formed on one side, the recording medium P is switched back by the discharge roll 52, reversed, and sent to the reverse conveyance path 37. Further, the sheet is fed again from the reverse conveyance path 37 to the second transfer position T2, and an image is formed on the opposite surface where no image is recorded in the same manner as described above, and an image is formed on both surfaces of the recording medium P. Is discharged to the discharge unit 18. As described above, a series of image forming operations are performed.

(Removal device for removing residual toner)
Next, a removing device that removes residual toner will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming units 22 </ b> Y to 22 </ b> K each have residual toner (powder) remaining on a photoreceptor 32 as an example of a transfer body that transfers a toner image to an intermediate transfer belt 24 (an example of a transfer target). A removal device 60 for removing an example of a body is provided.

  The removing device 60 is provided on the outer periphery of the photoconductor 32 on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 32 with respect to the first transfer position T1 and on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 32 with respect to the charging roll 23.

  The removing device 60 includes a housing 62 in which each component of the removing device 60 is provided, and a removing member 64 that is provided in the housing 62 and contacts the photoconductor 32 to remove residual toner remaining on the photoconductor 32. And a conveying member 66 that conveys residual toner, which is provided in the casing 62 and removed by the removing member 64, to a storage container 80 (see FIG. 7) described later.

  The housing 62 has an opening 62 </ b> A that opens at a position facing the photoconductor 32 (on the photoconductor 32 side). A housing space S in which the residual toner removed by the removing member 64 is housed is formed inside the housing 62.

  The removal member 64 is provided in the opening 62 </ b> A of the housing 62 so that the tip portion contacts the photoconductor 32. The removing member 64 is constituted by, for example, a blade made of rubber or the like that contacts the photoreceptor 32 and scrapes off residual toner on the photoreceptor 32. The residual toner removed by the removing member 64 is accommodated in the accommodation space S inside the housing 62 due to its own weight and the like.

  Since the removing devices 60 in the image forming units 22Y to 22K are configured in the same manner, the reference numerals of the removing devices 60 in the image forming units 22Y, 22M, and 22C are omitted in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a removing device 61 that removes residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 24 as an example of a transfer body that transfers a toner image to a recording medium P (an example of a transfer target). The removing device 61 is provided on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 24 at a position facing the winding roll 43 with the intermediate transfer belt 24 interposed therebetween.

  The removing device 61 includes a housing 63 in which the components of the removing device 61 are provided, and a removing member that is provided on the housing 63 and contacts the intermediate transfer belt 24 to remove residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 24. 65, and a conveying member 66 that conveys residual toner, which is provided in the casing 63 and removed by the removing member 65, to a storage container 80 described later (see FIG. 7).

  The housing 63 has an opening 63A that opens at a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 24 (on the intermediate transfer belt 24 side (X direction side)). A housing space S in which the residual toner removed by the removing member 65 is housed is formed inside the housing 63.

  The removal member 65 is provided in the opening 63 </ b> A of the housing 63 so that the tip portion contacts the intermediate transfer belt 24. The removing member 65 is constituted by, for example, a blade made of rubber or the like that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 24 and scrapes off residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 24. The residual toner removed by the removing member 65 is accommodated in the accommodation space S inside the housing 63 due to its own weight and the like.

(Specific configuration of the conveying member 66 and the discharge pipe 68)
Next, specific configurations of the conveying member 66 and the discharge pipe 68 will be described. In addition, since the structure of the conveyance member 66 and the discharge pipe 68 in the removal apparatus 61 is the same as that of the conveyance member 66 and the discharge pipe 68 in the removal apparatus 60, description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the image forming units 22 </ b> Y to 22 </ b> K is provided with a discharge pipe 68 that protrudes in the horizontal direction (−Z direction) from the housing 62 of the removal device 60. The inside of the discharge pipe 68 communicates with the storage space S (see FIG. 1) inside the casing 62, and the residual toner stored in the storage space S inside the casing 62 can flow into the discharge pipe 68. Has been. In the removing device 61, a discharge pipe 68 protruding in the horizontal direction (−Z direction) from the housing 63 is provided, and the inside of the discharge pipe 68 communicates with the accommodation space S (see FIG. 1) inside the housing 63. Yes.

  One end portion (−Z direction side end portion) of the conveying member 66 provided in each of the casings 62 and 63 (see FIG. 1) is provided inside the discharge pipe 68 as shown in FIG. 3. That is, the conveying member 66 is provided from the accommodation space S (see FIG. 1) of the housing 62 (the housing 63 in the removing device 61) to the inside of the discharge pipe 68.

  The conveying member 66 includes a rotatable rotating shaft 66A and a helical member 66B provided in a spiral shape around the rotating shaft 66A. One end portion (−Z direction side end portion) of the rotation shaft 66A is disposed inside the discharge pipe 68, and the other end portion (Z direction side end portion) is not shown, but the Z direction side of the housing 62 is not shown. It is rotatably supported by the side wall of this. The other end portion (Z-direction side end portion) of the rotation shaft 66A receives a rotational force from a motor (not shown) so that the rotation shaft 66A rotates. The spiral member 66B conveys residual toner from the accommodation space S (see FIG. 1) of the housing 62 to the discharge pipe 68 by the rotation of the rotation shaft 66A.

  The discharge pipe 68 includes a large-diameter portion 68A and a small-diameter portion 68B that is coaxially provided with the large-diameter portion 68A and is integrally provided at the tip portion (end in the −Z direction). A pressing surface 72 that presses a pressed surface 88C of a shutter 88, which will be described later, is annularly formed around the axis of the small diameter portion 68B on the radially outer side of the small diameter portion 68B at the distal end portion (−Z direction end portion) of the large diameter portion 68A. Is formed. The push surface 72 is directed to the distal end side (−Z direction side) of the small diameter portion 68B.

  A surface on the opposite side (Z direction side) of the push surface 72 in the discharge pipe 68 is a regulation surface 73 that abuts a regulated surface 75 of the below-described on-off pipe 74 and regulates the movement of the on-off pipe 74. The restricting surface 73 is directed to the rear end side (Z direction side) of the large diameter portion 68A.

  The small diameter portion 68B is formed with an insertion hole 70 that penetrates in the axial direction of the small diameter portion 68B and into which a later-described protrusion 87 is inserted.

  A discharge port 69 for discharging residual toner inside the large diameter portion 68A to the outside of the large diameter portion 68A is provided at the middle portion of the large diameter portion 68A in the protruding direction (−Z direction) of the discharge pipe 68. Is formed in a part of the circumferential direction on the lower side (−Y direction side) of the tube wall.

  An annular projecting surface 77 is formed on the inner wall on the rear end side (Z direction side) of the large diameter portion 68 </ b> A so as to project radially inward and face the front end side (−Z direction).

  Inside the discharge pipe 68, an open / close pipe 74 that opens and closes the discharge port 69 is provided on the same axis as the discharge pipe 68. The open / close pipe 74 is movable in the axial direction (−Z direction / Z direction) of the discharge pipe 68.

  The open / close tube 74 includes a large-diameter portion 74A and a small-diameter portion 74B that is coaxially provided with the large-diameter portion 74A and is integrally provided at the tip portion (end in the −Z direction). At the distal end portion (−Z direction end portion) of the large diameter portion 74A, a regulated surface 75 where the movement of the open / close tube 74 is regulated against the regulating surface 73 of the discharge pipe 68 is formed on the radially outer side of the small diameter portion 74B. It is formed in an annular shape around the axis of the small diameter portion 74B.

  The small diameter portion 74 </ b> B has a diameter into which the insertion hole 70 of the discharge pipe 68 can be inserted. The distal end surface 76 of the small diameter portion 74B is a pressed surface that is pressed by the distal end portion 87A of the protruding portion 87 described later.

  The pipe wall of the large-diameter portion 74A penetrates the pipe wall of the large-diameter portion 74A at a part in the circumferential direction on the lower side (Y direction side) of the tube wall on the tip side (−Z direction side) of the large-diameter portion 74A An opening 75A for opening the is formed. A part of the tube wall on the rear end side (Z direction side) of the open / close pipe 74 with respect to the open port 75 </ b> A serves as a closing portion 75 </ b> B that closes the discharge port 69 of the discharge pipe 68.

  The open / close pipe 74 is in a closed position (position shown in FIG. 3) in which the closed surface 75B closes the discharge port 69 of the discharge pipe 68 in a state where the restricted surface 75 abuts on the restriction surface 73 of the discharge pipe 68 and the movement is restricted. And an open position (position shown in FIG. 4) where the discharge port 69 of the discharge pipe 68 is opened by the open port 75A.

  A compression coil spring 71 as an example of a biasing member that biases the open / close tube 74 to the closed position between the rear end of the large diameter portion 74A of the open / close tube 74 and the protruding surface 77 of the large diameter portion 68A of the discharge tube 68. Is provided.

(Configuration of storage container 80 according to the present embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the storage container 80 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the container 80 is detachably provided on the side portion on the −Z direction side of the image forming apparatus main body 11. As shown in FIG. 6, a cover body 13 that covers the storage container 80 attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11 is detachably provided on a side portion on the −Z direction side of the image forming apparatus main body 11. .

  Accordingly, the storage container 80 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 11 in a state where the cover body 13 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 11 (the state shown in FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the housing container 80 has a housing 84 having a housing portion 85 (see FIGS. 4 and 9) for housing the residual toner discharged from the discharge pipe 68 (see FIG. 4). It has. The housing 84 includes a first component member 91 having an insertion wall 93 in which an insertion port 93A into which the discharge pipe 68 is inserted, and an insertion surface 93B on the insertion side of the discharge pipe 68 in the insertion wall 93 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 9), and a second component member 82 having an opposing wall 83 that opposes it. The first component member 91 and the second component member 82 are fixed by welding such as ultrasonic welding or vibration welding, screwing, or the like.

  Five insertion openings 93A are provided at positions corresponding to the respective discharge pipes 68 along the arrangement direction H of the plurality of discharge pipes 68 (see FIG. 2). As a result, each of the five discharge pipes 68 is inserted into the respective insertion openings 93A all at once (at a time). Each insertion opening 93 </ b> A is formed of a circular hole that penetrates the insertion wall 93 in the thickness direction.

  Further, the first component member 91 has a peripheral wall 94 provided so as to surround the periphery of the accommodating portion 85 between the insertion wall 93 and the opposing wall 83 of the second component member 82. As shown in FIG. 9, the peripheral wall 94 is formed integrally with the insertion wall 93, and the first wall 94 </ b> A extending in the X direction at the −Y direction end of the insertion wall 93 and the −X direction end of the insertion wall 93. And a second wall 94B extending in the Y direction, and a third wall 94C formed in a stepped shape with an upward slope from the X direction end of the first wall 94A toward the Y direction end of the second wall 94B. It is configured.

  The peripheral wall 94 forms an outer wall of the housing 84 with the insertion wall 93 and the opposing wall 83 of the second component member 82. The peripheral wall 94 may be provided not on the first component member 91 but on the second component member 82.

  The housing portion 85 inside the housing 84 includes a first housing chamber 85A in which residual toner discharged from the discharge pipe 68 is first housed, and a second housing chamber 85B partitioned from the first housing chamber 85A by a partition wall 96. And is configured.

  The accommodating portion 85 is provided with a conveying member 98 that conveys residual toner from the first accommodating chamber 85A to the second accommodating chamber 85B. The conveying member 98 includes a rotatable rotating shaft 98A and a helical member 98B provided around the rotating shaft 98A in a spiral shape. One end portion (X direction side end portion) and the other end portion (−X direction side end portion) of the rotation shaft 98A are rotatably supported by the peripheral wall 94. One end portion (X direction side end portion) of the rotation shaft 98A receives a rotational force from a motor (not shown) so that the rotation shaft 98A rotates. The spiral member 98B is configured to convey the residual toner stored in the first storage chamber 85A from the first storage chamber 85A to the second storage chamber 85B by the rotation of the rotary shaft 98A.

  Specifically, the transport member 98 is on the lower side (−Y direction side) of the plurality of insertion ports 93A and in the arrangement direction of the plurality of insertion ports 93A in the upper portion (Y direction side portion) of the accommodating portion 85. Are arranged along. As a result, the amount of residual toner in the first storage chamber 85A increases, the residual toner reaches the upper portion of the first storage chamber 85A where the conveying member 98 is located, and the residual toner in the first storage chamber 85A becomes full. The residual toner is transported from the first storage chamber 85A to the second storage chamber 85B by the transport member 98.

  The second storage chamber 85B is provided with a detection sensor 99 for detecting that the residual toner in the storage portion 85 (in the first storage chamber 85A) is full.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the second component member 82 is a cylindrical wall 86 as an example of an extending wall that extends from the facing wall 83 toward the insertion wall 93 (see FIG. 3) side of the first component member 91 (to the Z direction side). It has. The cylindrical wall 86 has a cylindrical shape (tubular shape) whose axial direction is the thickness direction (Z direction) of the opposing wall 83. The cylindrical wall 86 is formed integrally with the opposing wall 83 so as to protrude toward the insertion wall 93 side (Z direction side) on the opposing surface 83 </ b> A of the opposing wall 83 that faces the insertion wall 93.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end portion (Z-direction side end portion) 86C of the cylindrical wall 86 surrounds the outer periphery of the insertion port 93A. As a result, an insertion space 86 </ b> B into which the discharge pipe 68 is inserted is formed in the cylindrical wall 86. The insertion space 86B is partitioned from the first accommodation chamber 85A (accommodating portion 85) by a cylindrical wall 86.

  On the facing surface 83 </ b> A of the facing wall 83, a protruding portion 87 that protrudes toward the insertion wall 93 (Z direction) along the axial direction of the cylindrical wall 86 is provided inside the cylindrical wall 86. Specifically, the protrusion 87 is formed in a rod shape (columnar shape) at the axial center portion of the cylindrical wall 86. When the discharge pipe 68 is inserted into the insertion space 86B, the protruding portion 87 opposes the urging force of the compression coil spring 71 and pushes the distal end surface 76 of the small diameter portion 74B of the opening / closing tube 74 with the distal end portion 87A. It functions as a push member that moves the tube 74 to the open position.

  Further, on the facing surface 83A of the facing wall 83, a cylindrical holding portion 89 that holds a compression coil spring 81 described later surrounds the outer periphery of the protruding portion 87 around the axis of the protruding portion 87 inside the cylindrical wall 86. Is provided.

  An inflow port 86 </ b> A for allowing residual toner from the discharge pipe 68 to flow into the storage portion 85 (first storage chamber 85 </ b> A) is provided at an intermediate portion in the protruding direction (Z direction) of the cylindrical wall 86 on the lower side of the cylindrical wall 86. It is formed in a part in the circumferential direction (−Y direction side).

  Inside the cylindrical wall 86, a shutter 88 is provided as an example of an opening / closing part capable of opening and closing the inflow port 86A. The shutter 88 is constituted by a cylindrical member provided on the same axis as the cylindrical wall 86.

  The shutter 88 is between a closed position (the position shown in FIG. 3) that closes the inlet 86 </ b> A of the cylindrical wall 86 and an open position (the position shown in FIG. 4) that opens the inlet 86 </ b> A of the cylindrical wall 86. The cylindrical wall 86 is movable in the axial direction (−Z direction / Z direction).

  A cylindrical inner tube portion 88 </ b> A is provided integrally with the shutter 88 inside the shutter 88. A holding groove 88 </ b> B for holding the compression coil spring 71 is formed between the inner cylinder portion 88 </ b> A and the shutter 88 on the opposing wall 83 side (−Z direction side).

  On the insertion wall 93 side (Z direction side) of the inner cylindrical portion 88A, a pressed surface 88C that is pressed by the pressing surface 72 of the discharge pipe 68 is formed.

  A compression coil spring 81 as an example of a biasing member that biases the shutter 88 to the closed position is provided between the cylindrical inner tube portion 88A and the facing wall 83, and the holding groove 88B of the inner tube portion 88A and the facing wall 83. Are held by the holding portion 89.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a handle 80 </ b> A that is used when the image forming apparatus main body 11 is attached to or detached from the opposite surface 83 </ b> B of the opposing wall 83 of the second component member 82, which is opposite to the opposing surface 83 </ b> A. ing. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 7, the opposing wall 83 of the second component member 82 is provided with two latches 80 </ b> B as fixing members that are detachably fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 11. Yes. With this latch 80 </ b> B, the container 80 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 11.

(Configuration of sealing member according to this embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the sealing member according to this embodiment will be described.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the sealing member 90 that seals between the insertion wall 93 and the cylindrical wall 86 is the insertion surface 93B of the insertion wall 93 at the edge of each insertion port 93A. (See FIGS. 7 and 9). The sealing member 90 is formed in a disk shape (see FIG. 9). An insertion hole 90 </ b> A into which the discharge pipe 68 is inserted is formed coaxially with the insertion port 93 </ b> A of the insertion wall 93 in the central portion of the sealing member 90. The insertion hole 90 </ b> A penetrates the sealing member 90 in the thickness direction, and is configured as a circular hole having a smaller diameter than the insertion port 93 </ b> A of the insertion wall 93.

  The sealing member 90 is made of, for example, a urethane sponge. The sealing member 90 is not limited to urethane sponge, and may be an elastic member such as rubber.

  In the sealing member 90, as shown in FIG. 3, the front surface (surface on the Z direction side) contacts the inserted surface 93 </ b> B of the insertion wall 93 and the back surface (surface on the −Z direction side) is the surface of the cylindrical wall 86. The space between the insertion wall 93 and the cylindrical wall 86 is sealed by contacting the tip end (Z-direction side end) 86C on the entire circumference thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sealing member 90 is discharged when the inner wall of the insertion hole 90 </ b> A contacts the outer surface of the tube wall of the discharge tube 68 when inserted into the insertion port 93 </ b> A of the insertion wall 93. It also functions as a sealing member that seals between the tube 68 and the insertion wall 93.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the sealing member 90 has a back surface (surface on the −Z direction side) at a radially inner side than a contact portion with the tip end portion (Z direction side end portion) 86 </ b> C of the cylindrical wall 86. By contacting the Z-direction side end of the shutter 88 in the closed position, it also functions as a sealing member that seals between the shutter 88 and the insertion wall 93.

(Operation according to this embodiment)
Next, the operation according to this embodiment will be described.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the storage container 80 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11, the discharge pipe 68 is inserted into the insertion port 93 </ b> A of the insertion wall 93 and the sealing member 90 as shown in FIG. 4. It is inserted into the insertion space 86B in the cylindrical wall 86 through the hole 90A. Thereby, the pushing surface 72 of the discharge pipe 68 opposes the urging force of the compression coil spring 81, pushes the pushed surface 88C of the shutter 88, and moves the shutter 88 to the open position. Further, the distal end portion 87A of the protruding portion 87 opposes the urging force of the compression coil spring 71, pushes the distal end surface 76 of the opening / closing tube 74, and moves the opening / closing tube 74 to the open position.

  As a result, the opening 75A of the open / close pipe 74 opens the discharge port 69 of the discharge pipe 68, and the shutter 88 opens the inlet 86A of the cylindrical wall 86. The residual toner can flow into the first storage chamber 85A). Then, the residual toner in the storage space S (see FIG. 1) of the housing 62 (housing 63) is transported by the transport member 66 to the storage portion 85 (first storage chamber 85A) of the storage container 80 through the discharge pipe 68. Is done.

  In a state where the storage container 80 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 11, the sealing member 90 that seals between the insertion wall 93 and the cylindrical wall 86 seals between the discharge pipe 68 and the insertion wall 93. . Accordingly, the residual toner stored in the storage portion 85 inside the storage container 80 is suppressed from passing between the insertion wall 93 and the cylindrical wall 86 and between the discharge pipe 68 and the insertion wall 93.

  When the container 80 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 11, as shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing pipe 74 is moved to the closed position by the compression coil spring 71, and the closing portion 75 </ b> B of the opening / closing pipe 74 is the discharge port 69 of the discharge pipe 68. Close. Further, the shutter 88 is moved to the closed position by the compression coil spring 81, and the shutter 88 closes the inlet 86 </ b> A of the cylindrical wall 86.

  In a detached state in which the container 80 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 11, the sealing member 90 that seals between the insertion wall 93 and the cylindrical wall 86 seals between the shutter 88 and the insertion wall 93. To do. Accordingly, the residual toner accommodated in the accommodating portion 85 inside the accommodating container 80 is suppressed from passing between the insertion wall 93 and the cylindrical wall 86, and more in the Z direction than the inlet 86A of the cylindrical wall 86. Even when there is a gap between the side portion and the shutter 88, the residual toner stored in the storage portion 85 inside the storage container 80 is suppressed from passing between the shutter 88 and the insertion wall 93.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a single sealing member 90 seals the members at a plurality of locations. Thereby, the number of the sealing members 90 is reduced.

  In this embodiment, since the sealing member 90 is attached to the insertion surface 93 </ b> B constituted by the flat surface of the insertion wall 93, the sealing member 90 is attached to the outer and inner surfaces constituted by the curved surfaces of the discharge pipe 68 and the shutter 88. Compared with the configuration, the number of steps of attaching the sealing member 90 is reduced, and the workability of the attaching operation is improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made. For example, the modification examples described above may be appropriately combined.
Further, the container 80, which is an embodiment of the container according to the present invention, is exemplified by the container that stores residual toner in the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a new toner or a mixture of toner and carrier is used. It can be applied to various forms such as powder.

10 Image forming apparatus 24 Intermediate transfer belt (an example of a transfer object, an example of a transfer object)
32 Photoconductor (an example of a transfer member)
60 removing device 61 removing device 68 discharge pipe 80 accommodating container 83 opposing wall 84 housing 85 accommodating portion 86 cylindrical wall (an example of an extending wall)
86A Inflow port 86B Inserted space 88 Shutter (an example of an opening / closing part)
90 Sealing member 93 Insertion wall 93A Insertion port 93B Insertion surface 94 Perimeter wall P Recording medium (an example of a transfer target)

Claims (3)

An insertion wall in which an insertion port into which a discharge pipe from which powder is discharged is inserted is formed, an opposing wall facing an insertion surface on the insertion side of the discharge pipe in the insertion wall, and An extending wall extending to the insertion wall, and a housing having an accommodating portion for accommodating the powder discharged from the discharge pipe,
The insertion surface is provided at the edge of the insertion port, seals between the insertion wall and the extending wall, and is inserted between the discharge pipe and the insertion wall when inserted into the insertion port. A sealing member for sealing
A storage container. A peripheral wall provided between the insertion wall and the opposing wall so as to surround the periphery of the housing portion, and forming the outer wall of the housing with the insertion wall and the opposing wall;
The extending wall in which the insertion space into which the discharge pipe is inserted and the housing portion are partitioned in the housing, and an inflow port through which powder from the discharge pipe flows into the housing portion is formed,
An opening / closing portion provided in the insertion space so as to be able to open and close the inlet, and being sealed between the insertion wall by the sealing member in a closed state of the inlet;
A storage container according to claim 1. The container of claim 1 or 2, and
A transfer body for transferring an image to the transfer body;
A removal device for removing the powder remaining on the transfer body after transfer to the transfer body;
The discharge pipe for discharging the powder removed by the removing device to the container;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images