JP2015111211A - Developer container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer container which can be filled with developer stably.SOLUTION: A developer container 50 detachable from the body 100 of an image forming apparatus includes: a long-shaped container body 51 which stores developer; a supply port 2 arranged at a longitudinal end of the container body 51, in order to supply the developer into the container body 51; and standing-state holding means 56 which keeps the container body 51 in a standing state, so that the end with the supply port 52 is located above an opposite end.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container that contains a developer, and an image forming apparatus including the developer container.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine of these, when the developer is consumed due to image formation or the like, it is necessary to replenish the developer. In that case, there is a method to replace the developer container installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus with a new one, but a replenishment container for refilling is also provided so that the developer container can be replenished by the user or service person Has been.

  By the way, many developer containers are formed in a longitudinal shape (for example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). For such a developer container, it is common to hold the developer container in a vertical direction so that the developer is easily filled (with the longitudinal direction being the vertical direction) and to fill the developer.

  However, in the conventional method, the operator must handle the supply container with the other hand while holding the developer container vertically with one hand, so the posture of the developer container and the supply container becomes unstable. Cheap. As a result, there is a problem that the developer cannot be replenished well and the developer spills around.

  Therefore, in view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide a developer container capable of stably filling a developer, and an image forming apparatus including such a developer container.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a developer container that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and has a longitudinal container main body that can store the developer, and the container main body is filled with the developer. In order to do so, the container body in a standing state in which the filling port provided on the end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body and the end side on which the filling port is provided are positioned higher than the end side opposite to the filling port And a standing state holding means.

  According to the present invention, since the developer container includes the standing state holding means for holding the container body in the standing state, the operator does not have to hold the container body during the developer filling operation. . As a result, the operator can handle the supply container with both hands, and the filling operation can be performed stably, so that the developer is less likely to spill around. In addition, when the filling operation is interrupted, it is not necessary to attach a lid member so that the developer does not spill from the container main body or to stand the container main body against the main body of the image forming apparatus, thereby improving workability.

1 is a perspective view of a color laser printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the said color laser printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the first embodiment. 2 is a perspective view of a developer container and an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which latched the container main body to the apparatus main body. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which latched the container main body to the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which toner is filled in the first embodiment. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a simplified diagram which shows the state which latched the container main body to the apparatus main body. It is a figure which shows the state which inclined and hold | maintained the container main body with respect to the perpendicular direction. It is a figure which shows the surface which faces upwards in an upright holding state. It is a figure which shows the example which provided the filling port in the surface which inclines. It is a figure which shows the example which provided the filling port in the surface of the perpendicular direction. It is a figure which shows the example which provided the filling port in the surface which has a projection part. It is a figure which shows the example which provided the filling port in the surface currently formed in the concave shape. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developer container and an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. In 3rd Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the state which latched the container main body to the apparatus main body. It is a figure which shows the rotation direction of a container main body. It is a perspective view which shows the state which latched the container main body to the image forming apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. In 4th Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the state which latched the container main body to the apparatus main body. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a developer container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a developer container and an image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. In the said 5th Embodiment, it is a figure which shows the state which latched the container main body to the apparatus main body. It is a figure which shows the rotation direction of a container main body. It is a perspective view of the developer container which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the developer container which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view of a developer container according to the seventh embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the example which formed the locking member according to the outer surface shape of the container main body. It is a top view which shows the example which formed the locking member according to the outer surface shape of the container main body. It is a perspective view of the developer container which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view of a developer container according to the eighth embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an effect | action of the developer container which concerns on the said 8th Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the developer container which concerns on 9th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view of a developer container according to the ninth embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the developer container which concerns on the said 9th Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the developer container which concerns on 10th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the developer container according to the tenth embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the developer container which concerns on 11th Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer container according to the eleventh embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the developer container which concerns on 12th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the locking member concerning the 12th embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the developer container which concerns on 13th Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer container according to the thirteenth embodiment. It is a cross-sectional side view of the developer container according to the thirteenth embodiment. It is a perspective view of the developer container which concerns on 14th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the state which removed the latching member of the developer container concerning the 14th embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows only the locking member which concerns on the said 14th Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the example which provided the pointer in the locking member. It is a schematic block diagram of the developer container which concerns on 15th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a developer container according to the fifteenth embodiment. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the fifteenth embodiment. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the fifteenth embodiment. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the fifteenth embodiment. It is a perspective view of the developer container which concerns on 16th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the developer container according to the sixteenth embodiment. It is a perspective view of the developer container which concerns on 17th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to the seventeenth embodiment. In the said 17th Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the procedure which latches a container main body to an apparatus main body. It is a perspective view of the developer container which concerns on 18th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 38 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developer container and an image forming apparatus according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a developer container according to a twentieth embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the developer container which concerns on 21st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing how toner is replenished in the twenty-first embodiment. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the twenty-first embodiment. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the twenty-first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure by which the developer container was united with the process unit. 1 is a perspective view of a monochrome laser printer to which the present invention can be applied. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the said monochrome laser printer.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, components such as members and components having the same function or shape are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and once described, the description is omitted.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the laser printer.
In the following description, “image forming apparatus” refers to an apparatus that forms an image by attaching toner or ink as a developer to a sheet that is a recording medium for recording an image. “Image formation” not only means that an image having a meaning such as a character or a figure is given to the medium but also an image having no meaning such as a pattern is given to the medium. The “sheet” is not limited to paper (paper), but includes OHP sheets, fabrics, and the like, and means a medium or an original on which a developer or ink can be attached. In addition to plain paper, “paper” includes cardboard, postcard, envelope, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, and the like. In the following embodiment, the sheet is referred to as “paper” and the developer is referred to as “toner”, and the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like in the description of each component are examples, and are particularly specific. Unless stated otherwise, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto.

  A sheet feeding cassette 30 as a sheet container capable of stacking and storing a large number of sheets is disposed below the apparatus main body (image forming apparatus main body) 100 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The paper feed cassette 30 can be pulled out and inserted into the apparatus main body 100 in the front-rear horizontal direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure). A front cover 8 for internal inspection is disposed on the upper portion of the paper feed cassette 30. The front cover 8 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 100 in the front-rear direction (the arrow B direction in the figure). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 8 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 12 disposed in the lower part of the apparatus main body 100. A paper discharge tray 44 is disposed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 100.

  The front cover 8 includes a duplex unit 9 on its inner surface. The duplex unit 9 has a transport housing 9a, and a paper reverse transport path 41 is formed on the back side of the transport housing 9a. In addition, the inner surface side of the transport housing 9 a constitutes a part of the sheet transport path on the apparatus main body 100 side, and includes a secondary transfer roller 20 as a transfer member and one timing driving roller 142 of the timing roller pair 14. ing. The timing driving roller 142 and the timing driven roller 141 on the main body side constitute a pair of timing rollers 14.

The main part of the image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus includes four process units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C for forming an image with toners of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan corresponding to color separation components of the color image in the image forming unit. I have. The process units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C have the same configuration except that they store different color toners.

  The structure of one process unit 1K will be described as an example. The process unit 1K includes a photoconductor (photoconductor drum) 2K as an image carrier that carries an image on the surface, and a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the photoconductor 2K. A drum cleaning device 3K, a neutralization device (not shown) that neutralizes the surface of the photoconductor 2K, a charging device 4K as a charging unit that charges the surface of the photoconductor 2K, and a toner supplied on the photoconductor 2K to develop an image (development) And a developing device 5K as developing means for forming (agent image). The process unit 1K is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100 of the image forming apparatus so that consumable parts can be replaced at a time.

  Above each process unit 1K, 1Y, 1M, 1C, an exposure device 7 is disposed as an exposure means for exposing the surface of each photoconductor 2K, 2Y, 2M, 2C. The exposure device 7 is configured to emit laser light from a laser diode based on image data.

  A transfer device 15 is disposed below each process unit 1K, 1Y, 1M, 1C. The transfer device 15 includes four primary transfer rollers 19K, 19Y, 19M, and 19C that face the photoconductors 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C, each primary transfer roller 19K, 19Y, 19M, and 19C, a driving roller 18 and a driven roller 17. The intermediate transfer belt 16 is circulated and circulated, the secondary transfer roller 20 is disposed opposite to the driving roller 18, the belt cleaning device 21, the cleaning backup roller 22, and the like. If the photoreceptors 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C are the first image carriers for the respective colors, the intermediate transfer belt 16 is a second image carrier that combines these images.

  In the lower part of the image forming apparatus, a paper feed cassette 30 that can store a large number of sheets P as sheets, and a feed roller 32 as a feed unit that feeds the paper P from the paper feed cassette 30 toward the paper feed path 31. Is provided. Near the end of the paper feed path 31, a timing roller pair 14 for temporarily stopping the paper is provided.

  The timing roller pair 14 is positioned immediately upstream of the intermediate transfer belt 16, and in order to accurately align the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 and the leading end position of the sheet, the sheet P is once slackened to perform intermediate transfer. Immediately before the toner image formed on the belt 16 is transferred to the paper P at the secondary transfer nip portion, the paper P is sent to the secondary transfer nip portion at a predetermined timing.

  In general, the secondary transfer roller 20 is often urged to the intermediate transfer belt 16 by a compression spring 25. However, in the full-front operation type image forming apparatus, the duplex unit 9 is often disposed on the front side of the intermediate transfer belt 16, and it is difficult to reduce the size around the compression spring 25. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the transfer nip portion is disposed in an oblique direction, the dead space of the duplex unit 9 can be used effectively, and the size reduction of the image forming apparatus in the front-rear direction can be achieved.

  A post-transfer conveyance path 33 is disposed above the nip portion between the secondary transfer roller 20 and the driving roller 18. A fixing device 34 is provided near the end of the post-transfer conveyance path 33. The fixing device 34 includes a fixing roller 34a containing a heat source such as a halogen lamp (not shown), and a pressure roller 34b that rotates while contacting the fixing roller 34a with a predetermined pressure.

  A post-fixing conveyance path 35 is disposed above the fixing device 34, and branches to a paper discharge path 36 and a reverse conveyance path 41 at the end of the post-fixing conveyance path 35. A switching member 42 that swings around a swing shaft 42a is disposed on the side of the post-fixing conveyance path 35. At the end of the paper discharge path 36, a paper discharge roller pair 37 is provided as a paper discharge means for discharging the paper out of the apparatus. The reverse conveyance path 41 joins the paper feed path 31 at the end thereof, and a reverse conveyance roller pair 43 is disposed in the middle of the reverse conveyance path 41. A paper discharge tray 44 having an upper cover recessed inward is disposed at the top of the image forming apparatus.

  A powder container 10 (toner container) that stores waste toner is disposed between the transfer device 15 and the paper feed cassette 30. The powder container 10 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

  In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the space from the feeding roller 32 to the secondary transfer roller 20 needs to be separated to some extent due to the transfer paper transfer relationship. For this purpose, the powder container 10 is installed in the dead space generated to reduce the size of the entire image forming apparatus.

  In addition, although the laser printer as the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is described, any one of a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, a printing machine, and an ink jet recording apparatus, or at least two or more of these. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a multi-function machine that combines the above.

Next, the basic operation of this image forming apparatus will be described.
In FIG. 2, when the feed roller 32 is rotated by a paper feed signal from a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus, only the uppermost paper P stacked on the paper feed cassette 30 is separated to the paper feed path 31. Sent out. When the leading edge of the paper P reaches the nip portion of the timing roller pair 14, the timing is synchronized with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16, and the paper P is slackened to correct the leading edge skew of the paper P. Wait in the state of forming.

  The image forming operation will be described by taking one process unit 1K as an example. First, the surface of the photoreceptor 2K is charged to a uniform high potential by the charging device 4K. Based on the image data, the surface of the photoreceptor 2K is irradiated with the laser beam L from the exposure device 7, and the potential of the irradiated portion is lowered to form an electrostatic latent image.

  The toner is transferred to the surface portion of the photoreceptor 2K on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by the developing device 5K, and a black toner image is formed (developed). Then, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 2K is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16.

  The drum cleaning device 3K removes residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor 2K after the intermediate transfer process. The removed residual toner is sent to a waste toner container in the process unit 1K and collected by a waste toner transport unit (not shown). Further, a static elimination device (not shown) neutralizes residual charges on the photoreceptor 2K after cleaning.

  In the process units 1Y, 1M, and 1C for the respective colors, toner images are similarly formed on the photoreceptors 2Y, 2M, and 2C, and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16 so that the respective color toner images are overlapped.

  When each color toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16 so as to overlap, the timing roller pair 14 and the feeding roller 32 start to drive, and take timing (synchronization) with the toner image superimposed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16. The paper P is sent to the secondary transfer roller 20. Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the fed paper P by the secondary transfer nip portion of the secondary transfer roller 20.

  The paper P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 34 through the post-transfer conveyance path 33. The paper P sent to the fixing device 34 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 34a and the pressure roller 34b, and the unfixed toner image is heated and pressed to be fixed on the paper P. The sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is sent out from the fixing device 34 to the post-fixing conveyance path 35.

  At the timing when the paper P is sent out from the fixing device 34, the switching member 42 is in the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 and opens near the end of the post-fixing conveyance path 35. The paper P sent out from the fixing device 34 passes through the post-fixing conveyance path 35, is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller pair 37, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44.

  When performing duplex printing, when the trailing edge of the paper P conveyed by the paper discharge roller pair 37 passes through the post-fixing conveyance path 35, the switching member 42 swings to the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. The vicinity of the end of the path 35 is closed. At substantially the same time, the paper discharge roller pair 37 rotates in the reverse direction, and the paper P is fed back and enters the reverse conveyance path 41.

  The sheet P transported in the reverse transport path 41 passes through the reverse transport roller pair 43, reaches the timing roller pair 14, and is sent out in synchronism with the toner image for the back surface formed on the intermediate transfer belt 16. A toner image is transferred to the back surface of the paper P when passing through the secondary transfer roller 20. After the toner image on the back surface of the paper P is fixed by the fixing device 34, the toner image is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44 through the post-fixing conveyance path 35, the paper discharge path 36, and the paper discharge roller pair 37 in order.

  Further, after the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transferred to the paper P, residual toner adheres on the intermediate transfer belt 16. This residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 16 by the belt cleaning device 21. The toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transported to an entrance (not shown) of the powder container 10 by a waste toner transport unit (not shown) and collected in the powder container 10.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developer container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The color laser printer according to the present embodiment includes four longitudinal developer containers 50 as shown in FIG. 3 corresponding to the process units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C. The developer container 50 is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body 100, and is disposed sideways (with the longitudinal direction set to the horizontal direction) when mounted on the apparatus main body 100. The developer container 50 includes a container body 51 that can store toner. On one end side in the longitudinal direction of the container main body 51, a filling port 52 provided for filling toner is provided, and a lid member 53 is detachably attached to the filling port 52. On the other hand, a supply port 54 for supplying toner to a corresponding process unit and a shutter member 55 for opening and closing the supply port 54 are provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 51. When the developer container 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, the shutter member 55 is opened and the toner can be supplied from the supply port 54. Conversely, when the developer container 50 is removed from the apparatus main body 100, the shutter member 55 is It is supposed to close. Further, a locking member 56 as a locking means for locking the container main body 51 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided on one end portion side of the developer container 50 where the filling port 52 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the locking member 56 includes an arm portion 56 a that protrudes from the container main body 51 and a locking claw 56 b that is provided at the tip of the arm portion 51 a. Here, the arm portion 56a and the locking claw 56b are disposed so as to be orthogonal to each other, and the locking member 56 is formed in an L shape as a whole. Specifically, the arm portion 56 a is disposed in the vicinity of the filling port 52, and is provided so as to extend outward from the end surface 51 a where the filling port 52 of the container main body 51 is formed, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container main body 51. Yes. Further, the locking claw 56 b is provided so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the container main body 51 from the tip of the arm portion 56 a toward the other end of the container main body 51.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus main body 100 is provided with a holding hole 101 as a locked portion to which the locking member 56 of the developer container 50 is locked. Here, the holding hole 101 is provided in a curved corner portion 100 c between the exterior upper surface 100 a and the exterior side surface 100 b of the apparatus main body 100.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the container main body 51 can be locked to the apparatus main body 100 by inserting the locking claw 56 b of the locking member 56 into the holding hole 101. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, the container main body 51 is held in an upright state by being hung by its own weight with the locking position between the locking member 56 and the apparatus main body 100 as a support point. As described above, in the present embodiment, the locking member 56 as the locking means is locked to the holding hole 101 of the apparatus main body 100, thereby functioning as an upright state holding means for holding the container main body 51 in the upright state. To do. In this standing state, the end side where the filling port 52 is provided is located above the end side opposite to the end side. Therefore, in this state, by removing the lid member 53 and opening the filling port 52, toner is supplied from the discharge port 201 of the supply container 200 into the container main body 51 through the filling port 52 as shown in FIG. It can be filled smoothly.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the container main body 51 can be held in an upright state by locking the container main body 51 to the apparatus main body 100. As a result, the operator does not have to hold the container main body 51 during the toner filling operation, so that the replenishing container 200 can be handled with both hands, and the filling operation can be performed stably. . Further, since the container main body 51 is held upright with respect to the apparatus main body 100, a lid member 53 is attached to prevent the toner from spilling from the container main body 51 or the container main body 51 when the filling operation is interrupted. Is not required to stand against the apparatus main body 100 or the like, and the workability is improved. In addition, when the container main body 51 is held in an upright state, the container main body 51 is held in a state of being spaced upward from the installation surface on which the apparatus main body 100 is installed. Damage due to contact with can also be avoided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the center of gravity G of the container body 51 is in contact with the apparatus main body 100 while the locking member 56 is locked to the apparatus main body 100. It is in a position farther from the exterior side surface 100b of the forming apparatus main body 100 than the portion C to be operated. For this reason, the moment M that the container main body 51 tends to approach the exterior side surface 100b of the apparatus main body 100 is generated with the contact point C with the apparatus main body 100 as a fulcrum, and the locking member 56 is brought into contact with the apparatus main body 100. Is pressed against the apparatus main body 100. As a result, the attitude of the container body 51 with respect to the apparatus body 100 is stabilized, so that the toner filling operation is facilitated. Further, the attitude of the container main body 51 with respect to the apparatus main body 100 may be stabilized by configuring a part or all of the locking member 56 with a magnet or a magnetic material that can be attracted to the apparatus main body 100.

  In the present embodiment, the container main body 51 is disposed along the exterior side surface 100b of the apparatus main body 100 with the container main body 51 locked to the apparatus main body 100, and the longitudinal direction of the container main body 51 is substantially vertical. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the container body 51 may be held in an inclined state with respect to the vertical direction (vertical line Z).

  In addition, the filling port 52 is provided on a surface facing the upper side in a state in which the container main body 51 is held upright (a state in which the container main body 51 is locked to the apparatus main body 100). This makes it easier to replenish toner. For example, in the container main body 51 having a shape as shown in FIG. 11, the surface facing upward in the standing and holding state (the posture shown in FIG. 11) is a surface indicated by hatching.

  Further, the surface facing upward in the standing holding state is not limited to a surface (surface shown by hatching in FIG. 11) arranged so as to be orthogonal to the vertical direction as in the example shown in FIG. As shown, the surface may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Furthermore, by arranging the surface inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the container main body 51 faces the front in a state of being locked to the apparatus main body 100, the visibility of the filling port 52 is improved and the filling workability is improved. It is possible to improve. Here, the “front” refers to a surface disposed on the near side when the apparatus is installed, for example, a surface on which an operation unit such as a control panel is disposed.

  Further, as in the example shown in FIG. 13, the filling port 52 may be provided on the surface arranged in the vertical direction in the state where the container main body 51 is held upright. In this case, for example, by inserting the funnel 300 into the filling port 52, the toner can be easily filled from the filling port 52 via the funnel 300. Also in this case, in a standing state, the surface provided with the filling port 52 is arranged so that the front side faces the front, whereby the visibility of the filling port 52 is improved and the filling workability can be improved.

  Further, the shape of the surface provided with the filling port 52 is not particularly limited. For example, the surface provided with the filling port 52 may be a surface having a protrusion as shown in FIG. 14 or a surface formed in a concave shape as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, other embodiments of the present invention will be described mainly with respect to differences from the first embodiment of the present invention. The configuration other than that described below is basically the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, and the same operations and effects can be obtained. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developer container and an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 16, in the second embodiment of the present invention, an engagement hole 56c is provided in the locking member 56 of the developer container 50, and the apparatus main body 100 is engaged with the engagement hole 56c. A protrusion 102 is provided. In this case, by engaging the engagement hole 56c and the engagement protrusion 102, the container main body 51 can be locked to the apparatus main body 100, and the container main body 51 can be held upright in the same manner as described above. is there.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 17, in the third embodiment of the present invention, a pair of restricting protrusions 103 are provided on the exterior side surface 100 b of the apparatus main body 100 as rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the container main body 51. The restricting protrusion 103 may be configured integrally with the exterior of the apparatus main body 100 or may be configured separately.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 19, in the configuration without the restriction protrusion 103, during the toner filling operation, the container main body 51 is centered on the locking portion of the locking member 56 with respect to the apparatus main body 100. There is a possibility of turning in the D direction. In this case, the toner filling operation becomes difficult.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, when the container main body 51 is locked to the apparatus main body 100, the container main body 51 is disposed between the pair of restricting protrusions 103. Accordingly, the rotation of the container main body 51 can be restricted by the pair of restricting protrusions 103, so that the attitude of the container main body 51 can be stabilized and the toner filling operation can be easily performed. Note that only one restricting protrusion 103 may be provided to restrict only the rotation to one side.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the restriction protrusion 103 similar to that of the third embodiment of the present invention is provided on the exterior side surface 100b of the apparatus main body 100. However, in the present embodiment, unlike the third embodiment, the container main body 51 is disposed obliquely with respect to the vertical direction while being locked to the apparatus main body 100, and the regulation protrusion 103 is disposed obliquely. The rotation of the container body 51 due to its own weight is restricted. That is, the regulation protrusion 103 in this embodiment functions as a support unit that supports the container body 51 in a state inclined with respect to the vertical direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, the container main body 51 can be supported with the filling port 52 facing the front, the visibility of the filling port 52 is improved, and the filling workability is improved. In addition, by holding the container body 51 obliquely in this way, the toner can be smoothly filled along the inner surface disposed obliquely. In addition, since toner can be prevented from rising due to the toner falling into the container main body 51, it is possible to prevent the toner from scattering from the filling port 52.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 22, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, unlike the above-described embodiments, the locking member 56 is arranged on the middle side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 51. Further, in the present embodiment, a restriction protrusion 58 as a rotation restricting means for restricting the rotation of the container main body 51 is provided at a position away from the locking member 56 toward the end in the longitudinal direction of the container main body 51.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a holding hole 101 on the exterior side surface 100 b of the apparatus main body 100 in which the locking member 56 is locked. Furthermore, a restriction hole 104 into which the restriction protrusion 58 is inserted is provided on the exterior side surface 100 b of the apparatus main body 100 below the holding hole 101.

  In this embodiment, when the container main body 51 is locked to the apparatus main body 100, the locking member 56 is inserted into the holding hole 101 as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, the locking member 56 is hooked on the edge of the holding hole 101 so that the locking claw 56 b of the locking member 56 is dropped below the holding hole 101. Thereby, the container main body 51 is locked to the apparatus main body 100 by the locking member 56.

  Further, the restriction protrusion 58 is inserted into the restriction hole 104. In this manner, by inserting the restricting protrusion 58 into the restricting hole 104, the container body 51 is rotated around the engaging portion of the engaging member 56 with respect to the apparatus main body 100 (the rotation in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 26). ) Is regulated. Thereby, the attitude of the container body 51 can be stabilized, and the toner filling workability can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the restricting protrusion 58 is formed of a thin piece arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the container body 51. However, the restricting protrusion 58 is not limited to this, and is formed in an L shape like the locking member 56. May be. Further, as the rotation restricting means, a magnet or a magnetic material that can be attracted to the apparatus main body 100 can be used instead of the restricting protrusion 58.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the locking member 56 is configured integrally with the container main body 51. However, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 51 and a separate body. Here, the locking member 56 is fixed to the container body 51 with screws 57. Therefore, even if the locking member 56 is damaged, it is possible to easily replace the locking member 56 by removing the screw 57. Moreover, it is also possible to select a different material from the container main body 51 as a material of the locking member 56 by comprising the locking member 56 separately. For example, the locking member 56 can be made of an elastic body such as rubber or a leaf spring, and the locking member 56 can be made less likely to be damaged during an engagement / disengagement operation.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 28, in the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the locking member 56 is configured separately from the container main body 51, and the locking member 56 is provided by a pair of holding portions 59 provided on the container main body 51. keeping. The locking member 56 is held by the holding portion 59 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow F in FIG. More specifically, the locking member 56 is moved to the outside protruding direction with respect to the container body 51 (state shown by a solid line in FIG. 28) and the retracted position moved in the opposite direction to the protruding direction (see FIG. 28). 28) (state indicated by a two-dot chain line). In the use position, the locking claw 56 b of the locking member 56 is disposed at a position away from the outer surface of the container main body 51, and can be locked in the holding hole 101 of the apparatus main body 100. On the other hand, in the retracted position, the locking claw 56 b is disposed at a position approaching or contacting the outer surface of the container main body 51.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 29, stopper portions 56 d and 59 a are provided at the rear end of the arm portion 56 a of the locking member 56 and the front end of the holding portion 59, respectively. When the locking member 56 is advanced in the projecting direction, the stopper portions 56d and 59a come into contact with each other, thereby restricting the forward movement of the locking member 56 and positioning the locking member 56 at the use position. The member 56 is prevented from falling off.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the locking member 56 is configured to be movable between the use position and the retracted position. Therefore, when the developer container 50 is filled with toner, the lock member 56 is used. The container body 51 can be locked to the apparatus main body 100 via the locking member 56. On the other hand, when the developer container 50 is not filled with toner, or when the developer container 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, that is, when the locking member 56 is not used, the locking member 56 is moved to the retracted position. Thus, since the protruding amount of the locking member 56 with respect to the container main body 51 can be reduced, the developer container 50 can be made compact and space can be saved.

  By the way, when an excessive load is applied during the engaging / disengaging operation of the locking member 56, the locking member 56 and / or the holding portion 59 may be damaged. When the locking member 56 configured separately from the container main body 51 is damaged, the replacement operation is relatively easy. However, when the holding portion 59 configured integrally with the container main body 51 is damaged, The replacement work is difficult. Therefore, the strength of the holding portion 59 may be higher than the strength of the locking member 56 so as to suppress the breakage of the holding portion 59 which is difficult to replace than the replaceable locking member 56. In order to make the strength of the holding portion 59 higher than the strength of the locking member 56, for example, the thickness of the holding portion 59 is increased, or a material having excellent durability is used. Further, by providing a slit in the locking member 56 and relatively reducing the strength of the locking member 56, the locking member 56 may be broken before the holding portion 59 when a load is applied. Good.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the shape of the locking claw 56 b may be formed in a convex curved surface shape following the outer surface shape of the container main body 51. By forming the locking claws 56b in this manner, the protruding amount of the locking member 56 with respect to the container main body 51 can be further reduced, so that further downsizing can be achieved.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
The eighth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the configuration of the seventh embodiment of the present invention. However, as shown in FIG. 32, the stopper portion 56d provided on the locking member 56 has a cylindrical shaft. It is formed in the part 56e. For this reason, in this embodiment, the locking member 56 is rotatable in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 32 about the shaft portion 56e. Similarly to the seventh embodiment, the locking member 56 is configured to be slidable between the use position and the retracted position. As shown in FIG. 33, the shaft portion 56e is provided in the holding portion 59. It also functions as a stopper portion that abuts against the stopper portion 59 a and restricts the advancement of the locking member 56.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the locking member 56 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the container main body 51, the locking member 56 is locked to the apparatus main body 100 as shown in FIG. In this state, the container main body 51 can take a posture of rotating so that the lower part of the figure is separated from the exterior side surface 100b of the apparatus main body 100. As a result, the container main body 51 can be easily detached, and it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the locking member 56 and the holding portion 59 and to prevent them from being damaged.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 35, in the ninth embodiment of the present invention, a hinge portion 56f is provided on the arm portion 56a of the locking member 56, and the locking claw 56b rotates around the hinge portion 56f in the direction of arrow H in the figure. It is possible. In this embodiment as well, as in the seventh and eighth embodiments, the locking member 56 is configured to be movable between the use position and the retracted position, and the stopper portion provided in the holding portion 59. It has a stopper portion 56d that comes into contact with 59a (see FIG. 36).

  In the case of the present embodiment, the locking claw 56b of the locking member 56 is rotatable with respect to the container main body 51, so that the locking member 56 is locked to the apparatus main body 100 as shown in FIG. In this state, the container main body 51 can take a posture rotated with respect to the exterior side surface 100b of the apparatus main body 100 so that the lower part of the figure is separated. As a result, as in the eighth embodiment, the container main body 51 can be easily detached, and an excessive load is applied to the locking member 56 and the holding portion 59 to prevent them from being damaged. Can do.

38 and 39 are perspective views of a developer container according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
The locking member 56 according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention functions as shutter means that can open and close the filling port 52. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the container body 51 is not provided with the lid member 53 as described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 39, a covering portion 56 g capable of covering the filling port 52 is provided on the rear end side of the arm portion 56 a of the locking member 56. The covering portion 56g is configured to be disposed above the filling port 52 and cover the filling port 52 when the locking member 56 moves to the above-described retracted position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 38, when the locking member 56 is moved to the above-described use position, the covering portion 56g is retracted from above the filling port 52, and the filling port 52 is opened.

  Therefore, when the container main body 51 is locked to the apparatus main body 100, the filling port 52 can be simultaneously opened by moving the locking member 56 to the use position. When the toner is not filled, the filling member 52 can be closed at the same time by moving the locking member 56 to the retracted position, and toner leakage from the filling port 52 can be prevented. . Thus, in this embodiment, since the locking member 56 also functions as a shutter unit that opens and closes the filling port 52, the operability is improved.

FIG. 40 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developer container according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 40, in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the tenth embodiment of the present invention, as an urging means that urges the locking member 56 to move to the retracted position. A spring 60 is provided. As shown in FIG. 41, the spring 60 is disposed between the inner surface 59b of the holding portion 59 and the convex portion 56h of the locking member 56. In addition to the coil spring, a spring spring or other elastic member may be used as the biasing means.

  In the case of this embodiment, when the locked state of the container main body 51 with respect to the apparatus main body 100 is released, the locking member 56 is moved to the retracted position by the biasing force of the spring 60, and the filling port 52 is closed. Thus, in this embodiment, since the locking member 56 is automatically moved to the retracted position by the biasing force of the spring 60, the operator does not need to perform an operation of moving the locking member 56 to the retracted position. Operability is improved. Further, since the filling port 52 is automatically closed, there is no possibility of toner leakage due to forgetting to close the filling port 52. On the other hand, when the container main body 51 is locked to the apparatus main body 100, the locking member 56 is moved with respect to the apparatus main body 100 by moving the locking member 56 to the use position against the biasing force of the spring 60. It is possible to lock. Further, in a state where the locking member 56 is locked to the apparatus main body 100, the container main body 51 is pressed against the apparatus main body 100 by the urging force of the spring 60, so that the locked state is stabilized.

FIG. 42 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developer container according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 42, in the twelfth embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the tenth embodiment of the present invention, a sealing member made of a sponge or the like that closes between the locking member 56 and the filling port 52 is used. 61 is provided. As a result, the filling port 52 is sealed by the seal member 61 in a state where the filling port 52 is covered by the locking member 56, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent toner leakage from the filling port 52. As shown in FIG. 43, the seal member 61 in the present embodiment is provided on the locking member 56 side (the back surface of the covering portion 56g), but is provided on the container body 51 side (around the filling port 52). Also good.

FIG. 44 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developer container according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 44, in the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the tenth embodiment of the present invention, a pressing protrusion 62 that functions as a pressing portion that presses the locking member 56 against the filling port 52 is provided. ing. The pressing protrusion 62 is provided on the lower surface of the holding portion 59 located near the upper portion of the filling port 52. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 45, a plurality of pressing protrusions 62 are arranged in the width direction with respect to one holding portion 59. One pressing protrusion 62 may be provided for each holding portion 59.

  As shown in FIG. 46, the interval W between the pressing protrusion 62 and the end surface 51a of the container body 51 facing the pressing protrusion 62 is set smaller than the thickness t of the covering portion 56g of the locking member 56. Therefore, when the locking member 56 moves in the direction toward the retracted position (the direction of arrow J in FIG. 46), the covering portion 56g of the locking member 56 interferes with the pressing protrusion 62, and the covering portion 56g presses against the filling port 52. It is supposed to be. As a result, the filling port 52 is sealed by the covering portion 56g, so that toner leakage from the filling port 52 can be more reliably prevented. Further, in the present embodiment, by providing the inclined surface 62a at the distal end portion of the pressing projection 62 where contact with the locking member 56 is started, the locking member 56 is less likely to be caught on the distal end portion of the pressing projection 62, It can be moved smoothly to the retreat position.

47 is a perspective view of a developer container according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the developer container according to the present embodiment with the locking member removed, and FIG. 49 is the present embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows only the locking member which concerns on a form.
As shown in FIG. 48, in the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, the container body 51 is provided with a marking 63 as an index for confirming the position of the locking member 56. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 49, the arm portion 56 a of the locking member 56 has a hole portion 56 i for visually recognizing the marking 63.
Is provided. 47, when the locking member 56 is disposed at the retracted position with the locking member 56 attached to the container body 51, the hole 56i coincides with the marking 63 so that the marking 63 can be visually recognized. It can be done. On the contrary, when the locking member 56 is disposed at the use position, the hole 56i is displaced from the marking 63, and the marking 63 cannot be visually recognized (not shown).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the movement of the locking member 56 switches between the state in which the marking 63 can be visually recognized and the state in which the marking 63 cannot be visually recognized. It is possible to grasp. This also makes it possible to confirm whether or not the locking member 56 is positioned at the correct position, and thus prevents toner leakage from the filling port 52 when the locking member 56 is not positioned at the correct retracted position. Is possible. In addition, the marking 63 may be a three-dimensional object such as an unevenness in addition to a planar object such as a mark of a color different from that of the container body 51. 50, the locking member 56 is provided with a pointer 56j, and the pointer 56j points to one of the markings 63a and 63b provided on the container body 51, so that the locking member 56 is used. You may comprise so that it can grasp | ascertain whether it has arrange | positioned in a position or a retracted position.

FIG. 51 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developer container according to the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 51, in the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, a spring 64 is provided as an urging means for urging the locking member 56 to move to the use position. Further, in the present embodiment, the lock claw 65 as a lock unit that holds the locking member 56 in the retracted position against the urging force of the spring 64, and the lock that releases the holding of the locking member 56 by the lock claw 65. A release operation unit 66 as release means is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 52, the spring 64 is disposed between the inner surface 59 c of the holding portion 59 and the convex portion 56 h of the locking member 56. The lock claw 65 and the release operation unit 66 are provided integrally with a rotating member 67 provided on the container main body 51. The rotation member 67 is rotatable about the rotation shaft 67a in the direction of the arrow K in FIG. 52, and the lock claw 65 and the release operation portion 66 are opposite ends with respect to the rotation shaft 67a. It is arranged in the part. Further, on the rear end side of the locking member 56, a hook hole 56k is provided as a locked portion to which the lock claw 65 is locked. The release operation unit 66 is urged upward in FIG. 52 by a spring 69 as urging means. Further, on both sides of the release operation portion 66, an erroneous operation prevention wall 69 provided so as to protrude from the container main body 51 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 53, when the release operation unit 66 is pushed in the direction of arrow N in the figure, the rotation member 67 is rotated and the lock claw 65 is retracted upward in the figure. As a result, the lock claw 65 is detached from the hook hole 56k of the locking member 56, and the locked state is released. When the locked state is released, as shown in FIG. 54, the locking member 56 moves in a direction protruding from the container main body 51 by the urging force of the spring 64 and is disposed at the use position. At the same time, the filling port 52 is opened.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 55, when the locking member 56 is moved toward the retracted position, the filling port 52 is closed by the locking member 56. Further, the lock claw 65 enters and is locked into the hook hole 56k by the biasing force of the spring 68, and the locking member 56 is held in the retracted position.

  As described above, in this embodiment, by operating the release operation portion 66, the lock claw 65 is unlocked, and the lock member 56 is automatically moved to the use position by the biasing force of the spring 64. There is no need for the operator to move the locking member 56 to the use position, and the operability is improved. Further, in this embodiment, since the erroneous operation prevention walls 69 are provided on both sides of the release operation part 66, it is possible to prevent the filling port 52 from being opened by accidentally touching the release operation part 66.

56 and 57 are perspective views of a developer container according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 56 and 57, in the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, an information recording medium 70 is provided on the end surface 51 a of the container body 51. The information recording medium 70 is composed of an IC chip (IC tag) that is an electronic information recording element, and records at least information on the container main body 51 or toner in the container main body 51. In the present embodiment, the locking member 56 is provided with a covering portion 56 g that covers the information recording medium 70 and a hole portion 56 m that exposes the information recording medium 70.

  As shown in FIG. 56, when the locking member 56 is moved to the use position, the covering portion 56g is disposed above the information recording medium 70, and the information recording medium 70 is covered with the covering portion 56g. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 57, when the locking member 56 is moved to the retracted position, the hole 56m is disposed above the information recording medium 70, and the information recording medium 70 is exposed through the hole 56m. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the information recording medium 70 can be covered with the covering portion 56g by moving the locking member 56 to the use position. Therefore, during the toner filling operation, the information recording medium 70 is made of toner. It is possible to prevent false detection due to contamination. Further, since the locking member 56 also serves as a means for covering the information recording medium 70, the operability is improved. On the other hand, since the information recording medium 70 can be exposed by moving the locking member 56 to the retracted position, contact with the terminal on the apparatus main body 100 side when the developer container 50 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100 is prevented. It becomes possible.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 58, in the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the locking member 56 provided in the container main body 51 is different from that of the above embodiment. Specifically, the locking member 56 according to the present embodiment is formed in a shape having a circular portion 56n and a rectangular convex portion 56p protruding in the outer diameter direction from the 180 ° symmetrical position of the circular portion 56n. .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 59, a holding hole 101 as an engaged portion is formed on the exterior side surface 100b of the apparatus main body 100, which is also different in shape from the above embodiment. In the present embodiment, the holding hole 101 is formed in a shape having a circular portion 101a and a rectangular concave portion 101b that is recessed in the outer diameter direction from a 180 ° symmetrical position of the circular portion 101a. That is, the holding hole 101 is formed in a shape having the same contour as the locking member 56. Further, as shown in FIG. 58, the phase of each convex portion 56p with respect to the vertical line Z and the phase of each concave portion 101b with respect to the vertical line Z shown in FIG. Is different. In the present embodiment, the convex portions 56p are arranged so as to be shifted from the vertical line Z by a predetermined angle θ, while the concave portions 101b are arranged so as to be aligned on the vertical line Z.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, in order to insert the locking member 56 into the holding hole 101, first, the longitudinal direction of the container body 51 is set to the vertical line Z as shown in FIG. The posture is inclined by a predetermined angle θ, and the position of the convex portion 56p is matched with the position of the concave portion 101b. Then, the locking member 56 is inserted into the holding hole 101. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 60B, the container main body 51 is rotated so that the longitudinal direction thereof is directed to the vertical line Z, or the container main body 51 is rotated by its own weight, so that the protrusion 56p The phase with respect to the recess 101 b is shifted, and the container body 51 is locked to the apparatus body 100. Further, when removing the container main body 51 from the apparatus main body 100, the longitudinal direction of the container main body 51 is again inclined by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the vertical line Z, and the position of the convex portion 56p is made to coincide with the position of the concave portion 101b. Thus, the locking member 56 can be detached from the holding hole 101.

  In this way, by rotating the container body 51, the engagement member 56 is configured to be switchable between an insertion / removal position where the engagement member 56 can be inserted into and removed from the holding hole 101 and a locking position where the engagement member 56 cannot be removed. It is also possible to use stop means. Note that the shapes of the locking member 56 and the holding hole 101 are not limited to those having the same contour as in this embodiment. For example, the holding hole 101 may have a contour different from the shape of the locking member 56, such as a shape in which four concave portions 101b are provided every 90 °.

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 61, in the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention, the container body 51 is provided with a gripping portion 71, and this gripping portion 71 also functions as the locking member 56. In this case, the container main body 51 can be locked to the apparatus main body 100 without newly providing the locking member 56 separately.

FIG. 62 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developer container and an image forming apparatus according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.
As in the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 62, the container main body 51 may be held inside the apparatus main body 100. In this case, the cover 110 provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 100 is opened by rotating around the support shaft 111, and the locking member 56 is inserted into the holding hole 101 provided on the upper edge or the inner surface of the apparatus main body 100. Then, the container body 51 is locked to the apparatus body 100. As described above, when the container main body 51 is held inside the apparatus main body 100, even if toner spills during the toner filling operation, the area where the toner spills remains in the apparatus main body 100. Can be prevented.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of a developer container according to the twentieth embodiment of the present invention.
In the twentieth embodiment of the present invention, the above-described locking member 56 is not provided as the standing state holding means for holding the container body 51 in the standing state. Here, as shown in FIG. 63, the container main body 51 is provided with a magnet 72 as a magnetic attraction means for attracting the apparatus main body 100 by magnetic force. In this case, the container main body 51 can be held upright with respect to the apparatus main body 100 by attracting the magnet 72 to the apparatus main body 100. In addition, a magnet may be provided on the apparatus main body 100 side, and a magnetic body capable of adsorbing the magnet may be provided in the container main body 51. In the case of this embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide the above locking members 56, the container main body 51 can be made compact.

FIG. 64 is a side view of a developer container according to the twenty-first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 64, in the twenty-first embodiment of the present invention, a leg member 73 is provided as a stand-up means for holding the container body 51 in a stand-up state. When the leg member 73 and one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the container main body 51 are in contact with the installation surface 400, the container main body 51 is held in an upright state. Then, as shown in FIG. 65, it is possible to replenish toner from the replenishing container 200 through the filling port 52 disposed at the upper part with the container main body 51 standing upright.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 66, the leg member 73 in the present embodiment is slidable in the longitudinal direction indicated by the arrow Q in the figure with respect to the container body 51 and is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow R in the figure. It is configured to be possible. Thereby, the leg member 73 is in the retracted state arranged along the outer surface of the container main body 51 shown in FIG. 67 from the use state in which the leg member 73 is opened from the container main body 51 and functions as a self-supporting means. It is possible to switch to Therefore, when the leg member 73 is not used, the protruding amount of the leg member 73 with respect to the container body 51 can be reduced by switching the leg member 73 to the retracted state. Thereby, the developer container 50 can be made compact, and it becomes easy to handle and space saving can be achieved.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of this invention was described, it is also possible to select two or more configurations of each embodiment and combine them appropriately. Further, the present invention is not limited to the developer container configured separately from the process unit, and as shown in FIG. 68, a process unit including the photosensitive member 2, the drum cleaning device 3, the charging device 4, the developing device 5, and the like. It is also applicable to the developer container 50 integrated with the above.

Further, the configuration according to the present invention can be applied to a monochrome laser printer in addition to the color laser printer.
Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of a monochrome laser printer to which the present invention can be applied will be described.

FIG. 69 is an external perspective view of a monochrome laser printer to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 70 is a schematic sectional view of the laser printer.
As shown in FIG. 69, a sheet feeding tray 26 as a sheet placing section on which a large number of sheets can be stacked and placed is arranged at the lower part of the apparatus main body (image forming apparatus main body) 100 of the monochrome laser printer. Yes. The paper feed tray 26 is configured to be rotatable in the front-rear direction (in the direction of the arrow X in the figure) about a rotation shaft (not shown) disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 100. A paper discharge tray 44 is disposed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 100.

The main part of the monochrome laser printer will be described below with reference to FIG.
The monochrome laser printer includes a process unit 1 for forming an image with black toner in the image forming unit. The process unit 1 includes a photoreceptor (photoreceptor drum) 2 as an image carrier that carries an image on the surface, a drum cleaning device (not shown) as a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the photoreceptor 2, and the surface of the photoreceptor 2 A neutralizing device (not shown) for neutralizing the toner, a charging device 4 as a charging unit for charging the surface of the photosensitive member 2, and a developing unit for supplying toner onto the photosensitive member 2 to form an image (developer image). The apparatus 5 is included. Further, unused toner T is accommodated in the developing device 5. The process unit 1 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 100 so that consumable parts can be replaced at a time.

  An exposure unit 7 that exposes the surface of the photoreceptor 2 is disposed on the left side of the drawing with respect to the process unit 1. The exposure device 7 is configured to emit laser light L from the laser diode to the surface of the photoreceptor 2 based on the image data. Further, on the right side of the drawing with respect to the process unit 1, a transfer roller 23 is disposed as a transfer unit that transfers an image on the photosensitive member 2 to a sheet. The transfer roller 23 is disposed at a position where the transfer roller 23 can come into contact with the photoreceptor 2, and a transfer nip is formed at the contact portion between the two.

  A feeding roller 32 serving as a feeding unit that feeds the paper P placed on the paper feed tray 26 is disposed below the apparatus main body 100. In addition, a timing roller that is downstream of the feeding roller 32 in the sheet conveyance direction and upstream of the transfer nip, temporarily stops the sheet fed by the feeding roller 32 and then conveys the sheet at a predetermined timing. Pair 14 is arranged.

  Further, a fixing device 34 for fixing the image transferred to the paper is disposed downstream of the transfer nip in the paper transport direction, and further, on the downstream side, paper discharge as discharge means for discharging the paper out of the device. A roller pair 37 is arranged. The fixing device 34 includes a fixing roller 34a containing a heat source such as a halogen lamp (not shown), and a pressure roller 34b that rotates while contacting the fixing roller 34a with a predetermined pressure.

Subsequently, the basic operation of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
When the feed roller 32 is rotated by a paper feed signal from a control unit (not shown), only the uppermost paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 26 is separated and sent to the paper feed path 31. When the leading edge of the sheet P reaches the nip portion of the timing roller pair 14, a slack is formed on the sheet P in order to synchronize with the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 2 and to correct the leading edge skew of the sheet P. Wait in the state.

  The image forming operation will be described. First, the charging device 4 charges the surface of the photoreceptor 2 to a uniform high potential. Based on image information from a reading device or a computer (not shown), the exposure device 7 irradiates the surface of the photoreceptor 2 with the laser beam L, and the potential of the irradiated portion is lowered to form an electrostatic latent image. . The electrostatic latent image is supplied with toner T by the developing device 5 to form (develop) a toner image (developer image).

  When the toner image is formed on the photosensitive member 2, the timing roller pair 14 and the feeding roller 32 start to drive, and the paper P is fed to the transfer nip in synchronism with the toner image on the photosensitive member 2. Then, the transfer roller 23 transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor 2 to the fed paper P. The residual toner on the photosensitive member 2 that could not be transferred onto the paper P is removed by the drum cleaning device 3, and then the surface of the photosensitive member 2 is neutralized by a neutralizing device (not shown).

  The paper P on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 34 through the post-transfer conveyance path 33. The paper P sent to the fixing device 34 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 34a and the pressure roller 34b, and the unfixed toner image is heated and pressed to be fixed on the paper P. Then, the paper P on which the toner image is fixed is sent out from the fixing device 34 to the post-fixing conveyance path 35 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 44 by the paper discharge roller pair 37.

  Even in the monochrome laser printer configured as described above, the process unit 1 can be held in an upright state by applying the configuration of the present invention when the toner is replenished into the process unit 1. It becomes possible to fill the toner.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the developer container holds the container main body in an upright state (a state in which the end portion side where the filling port is provided is positioned above the end portion side opposite thereto). Since the standing state holding means is provided, the operator does not have to hold the container body during the developer filling operation. As a result, the operator can handle the supply container with both hands, and the filling operation can be performed stably, so that the developer is less likely to spill around. In addition, when the filling operation is interrupted, it is not necessary to attach a lid member so that the developer does not spill from the container main body or to stand the container main body against the main body of the image forming apparatus, thereby improving workability.

  Further, as a second configuration of the present invention, for example, the standing state holding unit can be a locking unit that locks the container body in the standing state with respect to the image forming apparatus body.

  In this case, the container main body can be held upright by locking the container main body to the image forming apparatus main body.

  As a third configuration of the present invention, the center of gravity of the container main body is in contact with the image forming apparatus main body when the locking means is locked to the image forming apparatus main body. You may make it exist in the position away from the said image forming apparatus main body rather than the location to perform.

  With this configuration, a moment that the container main body approaches the image forming apparatus main body side occurs with the contact point between the image forming apparatus main body and the locking means as a fulcrum, and the attitude of the container main body with respect to the image forming apparatus main body Becomes stable, and it becomes easy to perform the filling operation of the developer.

  As a fourth configuration of the present invention, it is desirable that the filling port is provided on a surface facing the upper side of the container main body in a state where the locking means is locked to the image forming apparatus main body.

  By disposing the filling port so as to face upward, it becomes easy to fill the developer.

  As a fifth configuration of the present invention, the filling port may be provided on a surface facing the front of the container main body in a state where the locking means is locked to the image forming apparatus main body.

  By disposing the filling port so as to face the front, the developer filling operation becomes easier.

  Further, as a sixth configuration of the present invention, rotation that restricts rotation of the container main body with respect to the image forming apparatus main body around a locking portion of the locking means with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. You may provide a control means.

  Thereby, the attitude | position of a container main body can be stabilized and it becomes easy to perform the filling operation | work of a developer.

  Further, as a seventh configuration of the present invention, the image forming apparatus main body may be provided with support means for supporting the container main body in a posture in which the filling port faces the front.

  In this case, when the filling port faces the front, the developer filling operation can be easily performed as described above.

  Further, as an eighth configuration of the present invention, the locking means may be configured integrally with the container body.

  By constituting the locking means integrally with the container body, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Further, as a ninth configuration of the present invention, the locking means may be configured separately from the container main body, and a holding portion for holding the locking means may be provided on the container main body.

  By configuring the locking means separately from the container body, the locking means can be easily replaced even if the locking means is damaged. It is also possible to select a material different from that of the container body as the material of the locking means.

  Further, as a tenth configuration of the present invention, the locking means can be moved in a direction protruding outward with respect to the container main body and locked to the image forming apparatus main body, and the protrusion You may comprise so that it can move to the retreating position which moves in the direction opposite to the direction to do and the protrusion amount with respect to the said container main body decreases.

  Accordingly, when the locking means is not used, the protruding amount of the locking means relative to the container body can be reduced by moving the locking means to the retracted position, and the developer container can be made compact, saving space. Can be realized.

  As an eleventh configuration of the present invention, the locking means may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the container body.

  By configuring the locking means to be rotatable with respect to the container body, the locking means is less likely to be damaged during the engagement / disengagement operation.

  Further, as a twelfth configuration of the present invention, the locking means may be formed of an elastic body.

  By configuring the locking means with an elastic body, it is possible to make it difficult to cause breakage of the locking means during the engagement / disengagement operation.

  Further, as a thirteenth configuration of the present invention, the locking means may be configured by a leaf spring.

  Also in this case, since the locking means is elastically deformed, the locking means is not easily damaged during the engagement / disengagement operation.

  As a fourteenth configuration of the present invention, the strength of the holding portion may be higher than the strength of the locking means.

  In this case, if an excessive load is applied to the locking means and the holding portion, the locking means is broken before the holding portion, so that the holding portion can be prevented from being damaged.

  Further, as a fifteenth configuration of the present invention, when the locking means is in the retracted position, the filling port may be covered by the locking means.

  With this configuration, when the developer is not filled, the filling means can be covered at the same time by moving the locking means to the retracted position, thereby preventing developer leakage from the filling opening. Is possible. Further, in this case, since the locking means also functions as the shutter means, the operability is improved.

  Further, as a sixteenth configuration of the present invention, an urging unit that urges the locking unit to move to the retracted position may be provided.

  In this case, the locking means is automatically moved to the retracted position by the biasing force of the biasing means and covers the filling port, so that the operator does not need to perform an operation to move the locking means to the retracted position. Will improve. Further, since the filling port is automatically covered, there is no risk of developer leakage due to forgetting to close the filling port.

  As a seventeenth configuration of the present invention, a seal member may be provided that closes between the locking means and the filling port in a state where the filling port is covered by the locking means.

  In this case, since the gap between the locking means and the filling port is closed by the seal member, the developer leakage from the filling port can be more reliably prevented.

  As an eighteenth configuration of the present invention, there may be provided a pressing portion that presses the locking means against the filling port when the locking means is moved to the retracted position.

  In this case, since the locking means is pressed against the filling port by the pressing portion, the filling port is sealed by the locking means, so that the developer leakage from the filling port can be prevented more reliably.

  Further, as a nineteenth configuration of the present invention, an urging means for urging the locking means to move to the use position, and the retracting means against the urging force of the urging means are retracted. You may provide the lock means hold | maintained in a position, and the lock release means which cancels | releases the holding | maintenance by the said lock means.

  In this case, by operating the lock release means to release the holding of the lock means by the lock means, the lock means can be automatically moved to the use position by the urging force of the urging means. Will improve.

  As a twentieth configuration of the present invention, the container main body is provided with an information recording medium on which information on at least the container main body or the developer contained in the container main body is recorded, and the locking means is in the use position. In this case, the information recording medium may be covered by the locking means.

  In this case, since the information recording medium can be covered by moving the locking means to the use position, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to the information recording medium being contaminated with the developer during the developer filling operation. . In addition, the operability is improved because the locking means also serves as a means for covering the information recording medium.

  Further, as a twenty-first configuration of the present invention, an indicator for confirming the position of the locking means may be provided.

  Thereby, it becomes easy to confirm the position of a latching means, and operativity improves.

  As a twenty-second configuration of the present invention, at least a part of the locking means may be configured by a magnet or a magnetic material that can be attracted to the image forming apparatus main body.

  By configuring at least a part of the locking means with a magnet or a magnetic material that can be attracted to the image forming apparatus main body, the attitude of the container main body with respect to the image forming apparatus main body can be stabilized.

  As the twenty-third structure of the present invention, the locking means may be formed following the shape of the container body.

  By forming the locking means following the shape of the container main body, the amount of protrusion of the locking means with respect to the container main body can be reduced, so that compactness can be achieved.

  According to a twenty-fourth configuration of the present invention, the locking means is provided at an arm portion protruding from the container main body and a tip of the arm portion, and a locking claw that is locked to the image forming apparatus main body. It is possible to have a configuration comprising:

  In this case, the container main body can be held in an upright state by locking the locking claw to the image forming apparatus main body.

  Further, as a twenty-fifth configuration of the present invention, the locking claw may be arranged in a direction orthogonal to the arm portion.

  By disposing the locking claw in a direction orthogonal to the arm portion, the locked posture can be stabilized.

  As a twenty-sixth configuration of the present invention, the container body may be disposed along a side surface of the image forming apparatus in a state where the locking means is locked to the image forming apparatus body. .

  Thereby, the attitude | position of a latching state can be stabilized.

  As a twenty-seventh configuration of the present invention, the container main body may be arranged in the image forming apparatus in a state where the locking means is locked to the image forming apparatus main body.

  In this case, even if the developer is spilled during the developer filling operation, the spilled area can be kept in the image forming apparatus main body and the surroundings (outside view) can be prevented from being stained.

  According to a twenty-eighth configuration of the present invention, the locking means can be inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body by rotating the container main body, and the non-removable locking. You may comprise so that switching to a position is possible.

  In this case, the locking means can be engaged and disengaged by rotating the container body.

  As a twenty-ninth configuration of the present invention, a grip portion may be provided in the container body, and the grip portion may also serve as the locking means.

  Since the grip portion also serves as the locking means, the container main body can be locked to the image forming apparatus main body without newly providing a locking means.

  As a thirtieth configuration of the present invention, the standing state holding unit may be a magnetic force holding unit that holds the container body in the standing state by sucking the main body of the image forming apparatus by a magnetic force.

  In this case, the container main body can be held upright with respect to the image forming apparatus main body by adsorbing the magnetic force adsorption means to the image forming apparatus main body.

  Further, as a thirty-first configuration of the present invention, the standing state holding unit may be a self-standing unit that causes the container body to stand independently in the standing state.

  In this case, the container body can be held upright by the self-standing means.

  As a thirty-second configuration of the present invention, an image carrier for carrying an image on the surface may be integrally provided on the container body.

  The present invention can also be applied to a container body integrally provided with an image carrier.

50 Developer container 51 Container body 52 Filling port 56 Locking member (locking means, standing state holding means)
60 Spring (biasing means)
64 Spring (biasing means)
65 Locking claw (locking means)
66 Release operation part (lock release means)
72 Magnet (Magnetic force adsorption means)
73 Leg member (self-supporting means)
100 Image forming apparatus main body

JP 2006-235046 A JP 2008-241771 A

Claims (10)

A developer container detachable from the image forming apparatus body,
A longitudinal container body capable of containing a developer;
A filling port provided on an end side in the longitudinal direction of the container body in order to fill the container body with a developer;
A developer container comprising: an upright state holding means for holding the container main body in an upright state in which an end portion provided with the filling port is positioned above an end portion opposite to the end portion.   The developer container according to claim 1, further comprising: a locking unit that locks the container main body with respect to the image forming apparatus main body in the standing state as the standing state holding unit.   The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the filling port is provided on a surface facing the upper side of the container main body in a state where the locking unit is locked to the image forming apparatus main body.   The locking means moves in a direction protruding outward with respect to the container main body and can be locked with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, and moves in a direction opposite to the protruding direction. The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the developer container is configured to be switchable to a retracted position where a protruding amount with respect to the container body is reduced.   5. The developer container according to claim 4, wherein when the locking unit is in the retracted position, the locking unit covers the filling port.   The developer container according to claim 4, further comprising an urging unit that urges the locking unit to move to the retracted position.   An urging means for urging the locking means to move to the use position; a locking means for holding the locking means at the retracted position against the urging force of the urging means; and the locking means The developer container according to claim 4, further comprising: a lock release unit that releases the holding of the developer.   The developer container according to claim 1, further comprising: a magnetic force adsorbing unit that adsorbs the image forming apparatus main body by a magnetic force and holds the container main body in the upright state as the upright state holding unit.   The developer container according to claim 1, further comprising a self-standing unit that causes the container body to be self-standing in the standing state as the standing state holding unit.   An image forming apparatus comprising the developer container according to claim 1.