JP2018017749A - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus which can reduce time and effort of a user for replacing the toner container and also stabilize a supply amount of toner from the toner container.SOLUTION: A toner container 21 comprises a toner storing part 211, an agitating member 212 for agitating the toner stored in the toner storing part 211, a toner conveyance path 213 formed along an axial direction of a rotational axis 212A of the agitating member 212 in the toner storing part 211, a conveyance member 214 for conveying the toner along the toner conveyance path 213, a discharging outlet 215 from which the toner conveyed by the conveyance member 214 is discharged, and a sealing member 216 which is provided at a sealing position P1 to seal the discharging outlet 215 and moved and removed from the sealing position P1 according to a rotation of the agitating member 212.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, and a toner container provided in the image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus such as a printer capable of forming an image by an electrophotographic method includes a toner container that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The toner container accommodates toner used for image formation. The toner container includes a conveyance member such as a conveyance screw. The toner accommodated in the toner container is transported to the discharge port by the transport member, and discharged from the discharge port to the outside. The toner discharged from the discharge port is supplied to the developing device. Further, the toner container is replaced when the toner accommodated therein becomes empty.

  By the way, in the toner container, a seal member may be provided at the discharge port in order to prevent the toner from leaking from the discharge port until the toner container is mounted on the image forming apparatus. Here, the structure which winds up the sealing member provided in the discharge port with the rotating shaft of the conveyance member located above the discharge port is known as a prior art (refer patent document 2). According to this prior art, when the toner container is replaced, the user's trouble of removing the seal member provided at the discharge port is saved.

JP 2000-187378 A JP-A-6-202467

  However, in the prior art, the end of the seal member wound around the rotation shaft of the conveying member may be rotated along with the rotation of the conveying member, thereby obstructing toner conveyance by the conveying member. In this case, the amount of toner supplied to the developing device becomes unstable, and the density of the image formed by the image forming apparatus may become uneven.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the labor of a user when replacing a toner container and stabilizing the amount of toner supplied from the toner container.

  A toner container according to one aspect of the present invention includes a toner storage portion, a stirring member, a toner transport path, a transport member, a discharge port, and a seal member. The toner storage unit stores toner. The agitating member is rotatably provided in the toner accommodating portion, and agitates the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion. The toner conveyance path is formed along the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the stirring member in the toner storage portion. The conveyance member is rotatably provided in the toner conveyance path, and conveys toner along the toner conveyance path. The discharge port is formed in the toner transport path, and the toner transported by the transport member is discharged. The seal member is provided at a closed position that closes the discharge port, and is moved in accordance with the rotation of the stirring member to be removed from the closed position.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the toner container.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the labor of the user when replacing the toner container and to stabilize the amount of toner supplied from the toner container.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner container in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner container in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the guide portion of the toner container in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the protruding portion of the toner container in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the protruding portion of the toner container in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the mounting portion in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an opening / closing mechanism in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the seal member is moved in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the seal member is moved in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner container in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 10]
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming unit 1.

  For convenience of explanation, the vertical direction is defined as the vertical direction D1 in the installation state in which the image forming apparatus 10 can be used (the state shown in FIG. 1). Also, the front-rear direction D2 is defined with the left side of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. Further, the left-right direction D3 is defined with reference to the front of the image forming apparatus 10 in the installed state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a plurality of image forming units 1 to 4, an intermediate transfer belt 5, an optical scanning device 6, a secondary transfer roller 7, a fixing device 8, toner containers 21 to 24, and mounting. Parts 25 to 28, a cover member 29, a paper feed cassette 31, and a conveyance path 32. The image forming apparatus 10 is a color printer that forms a color image or a monochrome image based on image data input from an information processing apparatus on a sheet-like sheet supplied from a sheet feeding cassette 31 along a conveyance path 32. A facsimile, a copier, a multifunction machine, and the like are also examples of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a so-called tandem type. The image forming units 1 to 4 are arranged in parallel along the belt rotation direction D <b> 4 of the intermediate transfer belt 5. A toner image corresponding to Y (yellow) in the image forming unit 1, M (magenta) in the image forming unit 2, C (cyan) in the image forming unit 3, and K (black) in the image forming unit 4 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 1 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging unit 12 provided corresponding to the photosensitive drum 11, a developing unit 13, a primary transfer roller 14, and a cleaning device 15. . Since the image forming units 2 to 4 are configured in the same manner, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Each of the photosensitive drums 11 is arranged along the belt rotation direction D4 of the intermediate transfer belt 5. The photosensitive drum 11 is an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image and a toner image. The photosensitive drum 11 is provided to be rotatable in the rotation direction D5. Each charging unit 12 includes a charging roller 121. The charging unit 12 uses the charging roller 121 to charge the photosensitive drum 11 to a predetermined potential with electric power supplied from a power source (not shown). The photosensitive drum 11 charged by the charging unit 12 is irradiated with laser light by the optical scanning device 6, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Each developing unit 13 includes a developing roller 131. The developing unit 13 uses the developing roller 131 to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 with toner (developer). For developing the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit 13, an external additive such as a lubricant or an abrasive is used together with the toner. Each developing unit 13 is supplied with toner from removable toner containers 21 to 24 corresponding to the respective colors.

  Each primary transfer roller 14 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 developed by the developing unit 13 to the intermediate transfer belt 5. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is a member to be transferred that travels above the photosensitive drums 11 of the image forming units 1 to 4 and to which toner images of respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 11 are sequentially superimposed and transferred. . The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is transferred by the secondary transfer roller 7 to a sheet conveyed from the paper feed cassette 31 via the conveyance path 32. Thereafter, the toner image transferred to the paper is heated by the fixing device 8 and fixed on the paper. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 8 is discharged onto the upper surface of a cover member 29 provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus 10. Each of the cleaning devices 15 is provided downstream of the primary transfer roller 14 in the rotation direction D5 of the photosensitive drum 11, and cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Each of the cleaning devices 15 includes a cleaning member 151 such as a cleaning roller or a cleaning blade.

[Configuration of Toner Container 21]
Next, the toner container 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 11. Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the toner container 21. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the guide portion 219 of the toner container 21. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow VI-VI in FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the shutter member 220 in FIG. 6 is rotated. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the right side surface of the image forming apparatus 10. In FIGS. 4, 10, and 11, the connecting member 217 is indicated by a broken line. 6 and 7, the spiral wings of the conveying member 214 are not shown.

  The toner container 21 supplies toner to the developing unit 13 of the image forming unit 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner container 21 includes a toner container 211, a stirring member 212, a toner transport path 213, a transport member 214, a discharge port 215, and a seal member 216. Here, the toner container 21 is an example of a toner container in the present invention. Since the toner containers 22 to 24 are configured in the same manner, description thereof is omitted here.

  The toner storage unit 211 stores toner used for image formation. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner storage portion 211 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that is long along the left-right direction D <b> 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the toner container 211 has a protruding portion 211B that protrudes in the right direction D31 from the end portion 211A on the right direction D31 side. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the protruding portion 211B is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.

  The toner container 21 is detachably provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, mounting portions 25 to 28 are provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus 10. The mounting portions 25 to 28 are provided corresponding to the toner containers 21 to 24, and the toner containers 21 to 24 are mounted thereon. As shown in FIG. 8, insertion portions 25 </ b> A to 28 </ b> A that are recessed in the right direction are provided at the right end portions of the mounting portions 25 to 28. The toner container 21 is attached to the attachment portion 25 with the protruding portion 211B being inserted into the insertion portion 25A. The toner containers 22 to 24 are also mounted on the mounting portions 26 to 28 in the same manner as the toner container 21.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cover member 29 that covers the mounting portions 25 to 28 is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus 10. The front end of the cover member 29 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 29A extending in the left-right direction D3. Thereby, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can open and close the cover member 29 (see FIG. 9). Specifically, the cover member 29 is opened and closed when the toner containers 21 to 24 mounted on the mounting portions 25 to 28 are replaced. The cover member 29 also serves as a paper discharge tray for discharging the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 3.

  The stirring member 212 is rotatably provided in the toner storage unit 211 and stirs the toner stored in the toner storage unit 211. As shown in FIG. 4, the stirring member 212 is a stirring paddle having stirring blades formed along the rotation shaft 212A.

  The toner conveyance path 213 is formed along the axial direction (left-right direction D3) of the rotation shaft 212A of the stirring member 212 in the toner storage unit 211. As shown in FIG. 3, the toner conveyance path 213 is formed at the bottom of the toner storage unit 211. Further, the toner conveyance path 213 is formed toward the protruding portion 211B.

  The conveyance member 214 is rotatably provided in the toner conveyance path 213 and conveys toner along the toner conveyance path 213. As shown in FIG. 4, the conveying member 214 is a conveying screw having spiral wings formed along the rotating shaft 214 </ b> A. As shown in FIG. 3, the conveying member 214 is provided behind the stirring member 212 and at a lower position.

  The conveying member 214 is supplied with a driving force from a driving source (not shown) such as a motor provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 10. As a result, the conveying member 214 rotates, and the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 211 is conveyed in the right direction D31 along the toner conveying path 213 by the spiral blade. Here, the right direction D31 is an example of the first direction in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a gear 214 </ b> B is provided on the rotation shaft 214 </ b> A of the conveying member 214. In addition, the rotation shaft 212A of the stirring member 212 is provided with a gear 212B that can mesh with the gear 214B. The stirring member 212 is supplied with driving force from the driving source via the gear 214B and the gear 212B. As a result, the stirring member 212 rotates and the toner stored in the toner storage portion 211 is stirred by the stirring blade.

  The discharge port 215 is formed in the toner transport path 213, and the toner transported by the transport member 214 is discharged. As shown in FIG. 4, the discharge port 215 is formed at the bottom of the protrusion 211B. The toner discharged from the discharge port 215 is supplied to the developing unit 13 of the image forming unit 1 through an opening (not shown) provided in the insertion unit 25A. The discharge port 215 may be formed on the side surface of the protruding portion 211B.

  The seal member 216 is provided at a closing position P1 (see FIG. 4) that closes the discharge port 215. The closing position P <b> 1 is a position inside the toner storage unit 211. For example, the seal member 216 is a film member formed of synthetic resin or the like. The seal member 216 is affixed to the bottom surface of the toner conveyance path 213 and closes the discharge port 215. Accordingly, the toner is prevented from leaking from the discharge port 215 until the toner container 21 is mounted on the mounting unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  By the way, the structure which winds up the sealing member 216 provided in the discharge port 215 with the rotating shaft 214A of the conveyance member 214 located above the discharge port 215 is known as a prior art. According to this prior art, when the toner container 21 is replaced, the user's trouble of removing the seal member 216 provided at the discharge port 215 is saved.

  However, in the prior art, the end of the seal member 216 wound around the rotation shaft 214 </ b> A of the conveying member 214 is rotated with the rotation of the conveying member 214, thereby hindering the toner conveyance by the conveying member 214. There are things to do. In this case, the amount of toner supplied to the developing unit 13 becomes unstable, and the density of an image formed by the image forming apparatus 10 may be uneven. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described below, the trouble of the user when replacing the toner container 21 is reduced and the amount of toner supplied by the toner container 21 is stabilized. It is possible.

  Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 10, the seal member 216 is moved in accordance with the rotation of the stirring member 212 and removed from the closing position P1.

  More specifically, in the image forming apparatus 10, the seal member 216 is moved from the closed position P1 to the left direction D32 in accordance with the rotation of the stirring member 212 as shown in FIG. It is moved in a moving direction D6 (see FIG. 3) perpendicular to the axis 212A. Accordingly, even when the discharge port 215 is formed in the protruding portion 211 </ b> B as in the image forming apparatus 10, the seal member 216 can be moved according to the rotation of the stirring member 212. Here, the left direction D32 is an example of the second direction in the present invention. The moving direction D6 is an example of the third direction in the present invention.

  For example, the toner container 21 includes a connecting member 217 as shown in FIG. The connecting member 217 connects the rotating shaft 212A of the stirring member 212 and the seal member 216, and is wound around the rotating shaft 212A of the stirring member 212 when the stirring member 212 rotates. The connecting member 217 is a filament yarn that is formed in a yarn shape from a chemical fiber made of a synthetic resin such as polyester or nylon. As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the connecting member 217 is fixed to the center of the left end of the seal member 216. As shown in FIG. 4, the other end of the connecting member 217 is fixed to the end of the stirring member 212 on the rotation shaft 212 </ b> A on the left direction D <b> 32 side.

  In this embodiment, a filament yarn is illustrated as a specific example of the connecting member 217. However, the connecting member 217 may be a thread-like member such as a natural material yarn or a metal wire. In addition, the connecting member 217 can be connected to the rotating shaft 212A of the stirring member 212 and the seal member 216 and can be wound around the rotating shaft 212A of the stirring member 212. I can't. For example, the sheet may be long and narrow in the left-right direction D3.

  Further, the toner container 21 includes a switching unit 218 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The switching unit 218 is provided in the toner conveyance path 213, and changes the moving direction of the connecting member 217 that moves by being wound around the rotation shaft 212A of the stirring member 212 in contact with the connecting member 217 from the left direction D32 to the moving direction D6 (FIG. 3). For example, the switching unit 218 is provided in an arch shape through which the seal member 216 and the connecting member 217 can be inserted. For example, the switching unit 218 is provided at the left end portion of the guide unit 219 described below. As a result, the seal member 216 moves in the left direction D32 along the bottom surface of the toner conveyance path 213. Note that the switching unit 218 may be a separate member from the guide unit 219.

  Here, the switching unit 218 is provided at the end of the toner conveyance path 213 on the left direction D32 side. Accordingly, the seal member 216 is moved in the movement direction D6 (see FIG. 3) from the end portion on the left direction D32 side in the toner conveyance path 213. Therefore, it is possible to move the seal member 216 in the movement direction D6 without hindering the toner conveyance by the conveyance member 214.

  Further, the toner container 21 includes a guide part 219 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The guide part 219 guides the movement of the seal member 216 in the left direction D32 from the closing position P1. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide portion 219 is provided to extend in the left-right direction D <b> 3 on the bottom surface of the toner conveyance path 213. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide portion 219 is a pair of hook-shaped restricting pieces that restrict the movement of both end portions of the seal member 216 in the front-rear direction D2.

  As a result, the movement posture of the seal member 216 in the left direction D32 is stabilized, and the contact between the seal member 216 and the conveying member 214 can be avoided. When the seal member 216 and the transport member 214 come into contact with each other, the seal member 216 and the connection member 217 may be disconnected and the seal member 216 may remain in the toner transport path 213. In this case, the remaining seal member 216 may hinder the toner conveyance by the conveyance member 214. In addition, the driving torque of the motor that rotates the conveying member 214 may increase, causing an abnormality in the motor.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 10, the seal member 216 is moved inside the toner storage unit 211. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the seal member 216 is held on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft 212 </ b> A of the stirring member 212 by the connecting member 217 wound around the rotation shaft 212 </ b> A of the stirring member 212. Is done. Thereby, the seal member 216 after being removed from the closing position P <b> 1 can function as the stirring blade of the stirring member 212. The size and material of the seal member 216 may be set in consideration of the function as the stirring blade.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the discharge port 215 may be formed at a position other than the protruding portion 211 </ b> B in the toner conveyance path 213. In this case, the seal member 216 may be moved in the movement direction D6 from the closed position where the discharge port 215 is blocked. Further, in this case, the seal member 216 may be directly fixed to the rotating shaft 212A of the stirring member 212 and wound around the rotating shaft 212A of the stirring member 212 when the stirring member 212 rotates.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the switching unit 218 may be provided at a position between the closing position P <b> 1 and the end of the toner conveyance path 213 on the left direction D <b> 32 side. In the image forming apparatus 10, the guide unit 219 may not be provided. In the image forming apparatus 10, instead of the switching unit 218 and the guide unit 219, a moving path in which the seal member 216 can move may be provided below the bottom surface of the toner conveyance path 213.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the seal member 216 may be provided at the closing position P <b> 4 that is outside the toner storage unit 211. In this case, the guide part 219 is provided on the outer surface of the toner storage part 211 as shown in FIG. Further, the seal member 216 is held on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft 212A of the stirring member 212 outside the toner storage portion 211 by the connecting member 217 wound around the rotation shaft 212A of the stirring member 212.

  Incidentally, the toner container 21 includes a shutter member 220 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

  The shutter member 220 can open and close the discharge port 215. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the shutter member 220 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with one side open, and has an opening 220 </ b> A. The shutter member 220 is provided so as to be rotatable along the inner periphery of the protrusion 211B inside the protrusion 211B. The shutter member 220 rotates along the inner periphery of the protruding portion 211B and moves the opening 220A between the open position P2 (see FIG. 6) and the closed position P3 (see FIG. 7). The outlet 215 can be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 4, the shutter member 220 has an engagement portion 220 </ b> B that is provided with the right end portion exposed to the outside of the protruding portion 211 </ b> B and protruding in the right direction D <b> 31 at the right end portion.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an opening / closing mechanism 30 as shown in FIG.

  The opening / closing mechanism 30 can switch the opening / closing state of the shutter member 220 in the toner containers 21 to 24 mounted on the mounting portions 25 to 28 in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the cover member 29. Specifically, when the cover member 29 is opened, the opening / closing mechanism 30 moves the opening 220A of the shutter member 220 to the closing position P3 (see FIG. 7) in conjunction with the operation of the cover member 29. Further, the opening / closing mechanism 30 moves the opening 220A of the shutter member 220 to the open position P2 (see FIG. 6) in conjunction with the operation of the cover member 29 when the cover member 29 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the opening / closing mechanism 30 includes a sector gear 30A, a gear 30B, a gear 30C, a rack 30D, and connection gears 30E to 30H.

  The sector gear 30 </ b> A is provided on the rotation shaft 29 </ b> A of the cover member 29. The gear 30B meshes with the sector gear 30A and is rotatably provided. The gear 30C meshes with the gear 30B and is rotatably provided. The rack 30D meshes with the gear 30C and is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction D3. The coupling gears 30E to 30H are rotatably provided in mesh with the rack 30D. Moreover, as FIG. 8 shows, the connection gears 30E-30H are provided corresponding to the insertion parts 25A-28A of the mounting parts 25-28. The left end portions of the coupling gears 30E to 30H are formed so as to be engageable with the engaging portions 220B of the shutter members 220 of the toner containers 21 to 24 inserted into the inserting portions 25A to 28A.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the cover member 29 is rotated along the rotation direction D7, the sector gear 30A provided on the rotation shaft 29A of the cover member 29 rotates, and the gear 30B and the gear 30C are rotated. It is rotated. When the gear 30C is rotated, the rack 30D is moved along the left-right direction D3, and the connecting gears 30E to 30H are rotated. When the connection gears 30E to 30H are rotated, the shutter member 220 having the engaging portion 220B that engages with the connection gears 30E to 30H rotates along the inner periphery of the protruding portion 211B. Accordingly, the open / close state of the shutter member 220 in the toner containers 21 to 24 is switched in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the cover member 29.

  When the shutter member 220 is provided in the toner container 21, leakage of toner from the discharge port 215 until the toner container 21 is mounted on the mounting portion 25 is prevented by the shutter member 220. Further, when the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with the opening / closing mechanism 30, the shutter member 220 is manually opened / closed when the toner container 21 is replaced because the opening / closing state of the shutter member 220 is switched in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the cover member 29. The trouble of the user who does is saved.

  On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped with the toner container 21 mounted on the mounting unit 25, the cover member 29 may be half-opened due to vibration during transportation of the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the toner container 21 moves in the vertical direction D1, and the protruding portion 211B is detached from the insertion portion 25A, and the toner may leak from the discharge port 215 in a state where the shutter member 220 is not completely closed. On the other hand, when the seal member 216 is provided in the toner container 21, leakage of the toner from the discharge port 215 during transportation of the image forming apparatus 10 is prevented. In the image forming apparatus 10, the seal member 216 is removed from the closing position P <b> 1 by rotating the stirring member 212 when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated. Therefore, the user's trouble of removing the sealing member 216 provided at the discharge port 215 is saved.

1-4: Image forming unit 5: Intermediate transfer belt 6: Optical scanning device 7: Secondary transfer roller 8: Fixing device 10: Image forming device 11: Photoconductor drum 12: Charging unit 13: Developing unit 14: Primary transfer roller 15: Cleaning devices 21 to 24: Toner containers 25 to 28: Mounting portion 29: Cover member 30: Opening / closing mechanism 31: Paper feed cassette 32: Transport path 211: Toner storage portion 211B: Protruding portion 212: Stirring member 213: Toner transport Path 214: Conveying member 215: Discharge port 216: Seal member 217: Connection member 218: Switching portion 219: Guide portion 220: Shutter member

Claims (7)

A toner container for containing toner;
A stirring member that is rotatably provided in the toner storage portion and stirs the toner stored in the toner storage portion;
A toner conveyance path formed along the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the stirring member in the toner accommodating portion;
A conveyance member that is rotatably provided in the toner conveyance path and conveys toner along the toner conveyance path;
A discharge port formed in the toner conveyance path and from which toner conveyed by the conveyance member is discharged;
A sealing member that is provided at a closed position that closes the discharge port and is moved in accordance with the rotation of the stirring member and removed from the closed position;
A toner container. The rotating shaft of the stirring member and the seal member are connected, and further provided with a connecting member wound around the rotating shaft of the stirring member when the stirring member rotates,
The toner container has a protruding portion that protrudes in the first direction from an end portion on the first direction side along the toner conveyance path,
The toner conveyance path is formed toward the protrusion,
The discharge port is formed in the protrusion,
The seal member is moved from the closed position to a second direction opposite to the first direction according to the rotation of the stirring member, and then moved to a third direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the stirring member. The toner container according to claim 1. The closing position is inside the toner container,
The toner container is provided in the toner conveyance path, and the moving direction of the connecting member that moves by being wound around the rotating shaft of the stirring member in contact with the connecting member is changed from the second direction to the third direction. The toner container according to claim 2, further comprising a switching unit for switching.   The toner container according to claim 3, wherein the switching unit is provided at an end of the toner transport path on the second direction side.   The toner container according to claim 2, further comprising a guide portion that guides movement of the seal member in the second direction.   An image forming apparatus comprising the toner container according to claim 1. A shutter member provided in the toner container and capable of opening and closing the discharge port;
A mounting portion to which the toner container is mounted;
A cover member that is opened and closed when the toner container mounted on the mounting portion is replaced;
An opening / closing mechanism capable of switching an opening / closing state of the shutter member in the toner container mounted on the mounting portion in conjunction with an opening / closing operation of the cover member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

Images