JP2018081227A - Waste material storage container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a waste material storage container that can be easily removably attached to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A waste material storage container 24 comprises a storage body part 25 and a fall prevention member 40. The fall prevention member 40 includes a displacement part 48 configured to be displaceable between a proximity position P2 and a distant position P1. When the container body part 25 is attached to an apparatus body, the displacement part 48 receives a pressing force from the apparatus body to be arranged at the proximity position P2. While the container body part 25 is removed from the apparatus body, the displacement part 48 is located at the distant position P1, and the container body part 25 is supported by the displacement part 48 located at the distant position P1 and a bottom surface of the container body part 25 to be prevented from falling.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste material container that stores waste material discharged from an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus in which such a waste material container is detachably attached to the apparatus body.

  From the image forming apparatus, not only a recording medium (typically a recording sheet) as a result on which an image is formed is discharged, but also various waste materials are discharged. Waste materials include, for example, a process of forming a toner image on an image carrier such as a photoconductor and an intermediate transfer belt, a process of transferring a toner image from an image carrier to a recording medium, and a post-processing (a punching process and binding) This occurs in the process of applying processing.

  A waste material storage container for storing these waste materials (so-called waste toner and punch waste) is detachably attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. The waste material is discharged from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and then stored in a waste material container. The waste material container is removed from the apparatus main body after a predetermined amount of waste material is accommodated, and is discarded or reused.

  In the image forming apparatus, a space necessary for realizing a central operation of image formation, such as an image forming unit and a sheet conveyance path, and other spaces are provided. In general, the waste material container is often arranged in the latter space. In order to secure the maximum amount of waste material in a limited space in the image forming apparatus, the waste material container often has a complicated and distorted shape. A waste material container having a distorted shape (unbalanced shape) may not be able to stand by itself with sufficient stability when it is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-058944 (Patent Document 1) discloses an image forming apparatus including a punch device and a waste box. When perforations are formed in the sheet by the punch device, sheet waste is generated. The sheet waste is discharged from the apparatus main body and accommodated in a waste box. The waste box includes a container body, a fall prevention means, and an urging means.

  The container body is formed to have a vertically long posture in a state where the waste box is mounted on the mounting body of the image forming apparatus. The fall prevention means is formed by bending a wire and attached to the container body. The biasing means biases the fall prevention means so that the fall prevention means can be displaced to a fall prevention position (a position away from the container body).

  When the waste box is removed from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, the fall prevention means is pulled out in a direction away from the container main body under the action of the urging force. When the trash box is detached from the apparatus main body and temporarily placed alone, the container main body is prevented from being overturned by the overturn prevention means displaced to the overturn prevention position. It is prevented by the said structure that a contained thing (punch waste) spills out of a waste box resulting from a fall.

JP 2010-058944 A

  The waste box disclosed in JP 2010-058944 A (Patent Document 1) is inserted into a storage chamber of an apparatus main body (specifically, a sheet post-processing apparatus) of an image forming apparatus. The inner wall of the storage chamber has a surface shape that is inclined obliquely with respect to the insertion direction of the waste box. Before the waste box is inserted into the storage chamber, the fall prevention means is located at the fall prevention position (position away from the container main body). When the trash box is inserted into the storage chamber, the fall prevention means approaches the container body so as to oppose the urging force of the urging means while receiving a pressing force from the inner wall while being in sliding contact with the inner wall of the storage chamber. Displace in the direction.

  On the other hand, when pulling out the waste box from the storage chamber, the fall prevention means is displaced toward the fall prevention position so as to move away from the container body under the biasing force of the biasing means. At this time, the fall prevention means is displaced so as to gradually move away from the container main body while being in sliding contact with the inner wall of the storage chamber. That is, since the fall prevention means (wire) disclosed in Patent Document 1 is urged so as to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction of the container body, the fall prevention means is provided in the housing chamber during attachment / detachment. It will continue to slidably contact the inner wall.

  The waste box disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the fall prevention means continues to slidably contact the inner wall of the storage chamber during insertion and removal. When inserting or removing, there is a possibility that the fall prevention means (wire) will be caught by any part of the device body and become a resistance, damage due to the catch may occur, or the attachment / detachment work itself cannot be easily performed. .

  The present invention provides a waste material container that can be easily attached to and detached from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus in which such a waste material container is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. The purpose is to provide.

  A waste material container according to the present invention is a waste material container that stores waste material discharged from a discharge port of an image forming apparatus, and has a bottom surface and a receiving port, and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. In the state attached to the apparatus main body, the receiving port is provided outside the container main body part, the container main body part communicating with the discharge port, and in the state where the container main body part is attached to the apparatus main body. A fall prevention member positioned between the container body and the apparatus body, the fall prevention member including a displacement part, the displacement part being in a proximity position, and the container body part being the apparatus body. When the container main body is attached to the apparatus main body, it is configured to be displaceable between a distant position located far from the container main body in the direction of being attached to and detached from the proximity position. The displacement portion is disposed at the proximity position by receiving a pressing force from the apparatus main body, and in the state of being disposed at the proximity position, a biasing force in a direction from the proximity position toward the far position acts on the displacement portion. In the state where the container main body is removed from the apparatus main body, the displacement portion is located at the remote position, and the container main body disposed on a predetermined placement surface is By being supported by the displacement portion located at the position and the bottom surface of the container main body portion, the fall is prevented.

  Preferably, in the waste material container, the fall prevention member has a portion made of a linear member.

  Preferably, in the waste material container, the fall prevention member has a portion made of a plate-like member.

  Preferably, in the waste material container, the fall prevention member further includes a connection part connected to the container main body part, and an intermediate part provided between the displacement part and the connection part, and the intermediate part In the state in which at least one inflection part is formed and the container main body part is attached to the apparatus main body, the intermediate part is elastically deformed so as to be folded starting from the inflection part. The urging force is generated.

  Preferably, in the waste material container, the inflection part is formed in an upper part of the intermediate part, and the container main body part has the inflection part in which the inflection part is located. A restriction part positioned above the height position of the first and second anti-falling members when the anti-tip member rotates from the connecting part so that the inflection part approaches the restriction part. The amount of rotation of the member is regulated when the inflection part contacts the regulation part.

  Preferably, in the waste material container, the container main body has a front surface that faces the device main body when the container main body is attached to the device main body, and the receiving port is provided at an upper portion of the front. The fall prevention member is provided in the lower part of the front face.

  Preferably, in the waste material storage container, the container main body is provided with a detection unit for detecting the amount of the waste material stored in the container main body, and the fall prevention member is It arrange | positions so that a detection part may be adjoined.

  Preferably, in the waste material container, the fall prevention member has a left part located on the left side of the detection unit and a right part located on the right side of the detection unit.

  Preferably, in the waste material container, the waste material containing toner discharged from the discharge port without being used for image formation of the image forming apparatus through the receiving port is stored in the container main body.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body that forms an image, and the waste material container according to the present invention.

  In the above waste material container, the displacement portion of the overturn prevention member is located far from the container main body in the proximity position and in the direction in which the container main body is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. It is configured to be displaceable between positions. At the time of attachment / detachment, the displacement portion of the fall prevention member is displaced between a proximity position and a distant position along a direction in which the container main body is attached to / detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. According to this configuration, the tipping prevention member is hardly kept in sliding contact with the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus at the time of attachment / detachment, so that attachment / detachment work can be easily performed.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an image forming apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode when the waste material container 24 grade | etc., Is seen along the II-II line | wire of FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode when the waste material storage container 24 grade | etc., Is seen along the III-III line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a waste material storage container 24 in Embodiment 1, and shows a configuration on the back surface 25A side of the container main body 25. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state when the waste material storage container 24 and the like are viewed along the arrow V in FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing along the VI-VI line of FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing along the VII-VII line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a tipping prevention member 40 provided in the waste material container 24 in the first embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the waste material container 24 in Embodiment 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus body 60). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the waste material container 24 in Embodiment 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus body 60). FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining that the overturn prevention member 40 of the waste material container 24 in Embodiment 1 is prevented from overturning. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows 40A of fall prevention members in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the fall prevention member 40B in Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the waste material container 24 in Embodiment 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus body 60). FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the waste material container 24 in Embodiment 5 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus body 60).

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
(Image forming apparatus 100)
FIG. 1 schematically shows an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 60 that can support full-color printing, and a waste material container 24 that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 60.

  The image forming apparatus 100 may be configured to have one or a plurality of functions of a copying machine, a laser beam type or an ink jet type printer, a facsimile, or the like. You may be comprised so that various functions, such as a function and a data transmission / reception function, may be provided in combination with these.

(Device main body 60)
The apparatus main body 60 of the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 1, an intermediate transfer belt 2, a paper cassette 3, a secondary transfer unit 4, a fixing roller 5, and the like. The image forming unit 1 includes image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K. Each of these image forming units includes a photoreceptor 12, a charger 13, a developing device 14, a cleaning device 15, and a charge removal device 16.

  An exposure device 17 is disposed below the image forming unit 1. The exposure device 17 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 12. By transferring the developer from the developing device 14 to the electrostatic latent image, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12. The intermediate transfer belt 2 is wound around the driving roller 8 and the driven roller 9. A primary transfer portion is formed between the photoconductor 12 and the primary transfer roller 18, and a secondary transfer portion 4 is formed between the driving roller 8 and the secondary transfer roller 10.

  The toner image on the photoreceptor 12 is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 2 at the primary transfer portion. On the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 2, one color toner image formed by superimposing the toner images of the respective colors is formed. The paper P (recording medium) is sent out from the paper cassette 3 to the secondary transfer unit 4.

  The toner image (color toner image) on the intermediate transfer belt 2 is transferred onto the paper P in the secondary transfer unit 4. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 2 without being transferred to the paper P is removed by the cleaning device 19. The fixing roller 5 heat-fixes the toner image on the paper P. The paper P on which the image is formed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 7 via the paper discharge roller 6.

(Waste material container 24)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state when the waste material container 24 and the like are viewed along the line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state when the waste material container 24 and the like are viewed along the line III-III in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a toner bottle 22 is disposed above each of the image forming units 11Y to 11K (developing device 14). A toner supply unit 23 is connected to the toner bottle 22. The toner bottle 22 contains toner, and the toner in the toner bottle 22 is supplied to the developing device 14 through the toner supply unit 23.

  The waste material container 24 is disposed outside the developing device 14 (on the right side of the developing device 14 in FIG. 2 and on the front side of the developing device 14 in FIG. 3). 4 and 5 are both perspective views showing the waste material container 24. FIG. FIG. 4 shows a configuration on the back surface 25 </ b> A side of the container main body 25 of the waste material container 24. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state when the waste material container 24 and the like are viewed along the arrow V in FIG. 4, and shows a configuration of the front surface 25 </ b> B side of the container body portion 25 of the waste material container 24. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the waste material container 24 includes a container body 25 and a tipping prevention member 40 (FIG. 5).

(Container body 25)
The container main body 25 has a box shape and extends in a long shape in the direction in which the image forming units 11Y to 11K (FIG. 1) are arranged. The surface of the container body 25 includes a back surface 25A, a front surface 25B, a bottom surface 25C, a left side surface 25D, and a right side surface 25E.

  The back surface 25A is a portion located outside the image forming apparatus 100 when viewed from the waste material container 24 when the waste material container 24 is attached to the apparatus main body 60 (FIG. 9) of the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 2). reference). The front surface 25B is located on the opposite side of the back surface 25A. The front surface 25B is located inside the image forming apparatus 100 when viewed from the waste material container 24 when the waste material container 24 is attached to the apparatus main body 60 (FIG. 9) of the image forming apparatus 100 (see FIG. 2). Arranged to face the image forming units 11Y to 11K (FIG. 1).

  6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, receiving ports 26 </ b> A, 26 </ b> B, 27 </ b> A, 27 </ b> B, 28 </ b> A, 28 </ b> B, 29 </ b> A, 29 </ b> B are provided on the front surface 25 </ b> B of the container main body 25. Each of these inlets is provided with shutter means for suppressing waste toner from spilling when the waste material container 24 is turned over.

  The image forming units 11Y to 11K are provided with a total of eight discharge ports 50A and 50B that correspond one-to-one to these receiving ports (for convenience of illustration, two discharge ports 50A and 50B are shown in FIG. Only 50B is shown). In a state where the waste material container 24 (container main body 25) is attached to the apparatus main body 60 of the image forming apparatus 100, the discharge ports 50A and 50B corresponding to the image forming unit 11Y are inserted into the receiving ports 26A and 26B, respectively. And communicate with the receiving ports 26A and 26B, respectively.

  Similarly, the discharge ports 50A and 50B of the image forming unit 11M communicate with the receiving ports 27A and 27B, respectively, and the discharge ports 50A and 50B of the image forming unit 11Y communicate with the receiving ports 28A and 28B, respectively. The discharge ports 50A and 50B communicate with the receiving ports 28A and 28B, respectively. Waste materials (waste toner) generated in the image forming units 11Y to 11K (the developing device 14 and the cleaning device 15) are accommodated in the waste material container 24 through the discharge ports 50A and 50B and the receiving ports. It becomes.

  7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, an overhang portion 30 is formed on the left side 25 </ b> D side of the front surface 25 </ b> B of the container main body portion 25. The projecting portion 30 has a shape projecting from the front surface 25 </ b> B toward the cleaning device 19 (FIG. 2), and a receiving port 31 is formed on the upper surface of the projecting portion 30.

  Of the overhang portion 30, the inner wall surface 30A (FIG. 7) located on the cleaning device 19 side is inclined so as to approach the bottom surface 25C of the container body portion 25 as it goes downward. The waste toner removed from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 2 by the cleaning device 19 is accommodated in the waste material container 24 through the receiving port 31.

  A screw shaft 32 is provided inside the container body 25 (FIG. 6). The screw shaft 32 is rotatably supported by bearings 33A, 33B, and 33C. A gear 35 is attached to the end of the screw shaft 32 on the right side 25E side. Power from the motor or the like is transmitted to the screw shaft 32 through the gear 35.

  A screw blade 36 is provided around the screw shaft 32. The pitch and direction of the screw blades 36 are different from each other between the one side portion and the other side portion sandwiching the intermediate bearing 33C. Waste material (waste toner) collected inside the container body 25 is transported while being leveled by the screw blades 36, and rises at an approximately middle portion in the longitudinal direction.

(Concavity 25U / detection unit 38)
Referring to FIG. 5, a concave portion 25 </ b> U is formed at a substantially middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the front surface 25 </ b> B of the container main body portion 25. The concave portion 25U is formed such that only the lower portion of the intermediate portion is recessed toward the inner side of the container main body 25, and the detection portion 38 is provided inside the concave portion 25U.

  Since the detection unit 38 is disposed inside the recess 25U, the accommodation unit 25UL is formed on the left side (the left side 25D side) of the detection unit 38 in the recess 25U. A housing portion 25UR is formed (on the right side surface 25E side). The detection unit 38 has a hollow shape, and when the waste material accommodated in the container main body 25 becomes higher than a predetermined height, the waste material begins to be accommodated in the detection unit 38.

  The image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus body 60) is provided with a sensor 39. The sensor 39 includes a light projecting unit 39L and a light receiving unit 39R. By mounting the waste material container 24 on the apparatus main body 60, the light projecting portion 39L of the sensor 39 is disposed in the housing portion 25UL in the concave portion 25U, and the light receiving portion 39R of the sensor 39 is accommodated in the concave portion 25U. Arranged in the section 25UR. The detection unit 38 is disposed between the light projecting unit 39L and the light receiving unit 39R.

  The detection unit 38 is composed of a member that can transmit light traveling from the light projecting unit 39L to the light receiving unit 39R, and light is transmitted by the waste material 37 (shown only in FIG. 7) accommodated in the detection unit 38. Blocked. A signal based on whether the light is blocked or not blocked is sent from the sensor 39 to the main control unit of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Based on the signal received from the sensor 39, the main control unit of the image forming apparatus 100 can further accommodate the amount of waste material stored in the container body 25 and the waste material in the container body 25. Whether or not it is time to replace the waste container 24 with a new one. The image forming apparatus 100 can display a message requesting replacement of the waste material container 24 to the user as necessary.

(Fall prevention member 40)
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the fall prevention member 40 provided in the waste material container 24. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the waste material container 24 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus body 60). As shown in FIG. 9 (and FIG. 10), in a state where the container main body 25 is attached to the apparatus main body 60 of the image forming apparatus 100, the fall prevention member 40 is connected to the container main body 25 (the standing wall 25T described later) and the apparatus. It is located between the main body 60 (a standing wall 61 described later).

  Referring to FIGS. 5, 8, and 9, tipping prevention member 40 of the present embodiment is provided outside container body 25 (inside recess 25 </ b> U) and is adjacent to detector 38 (FIG. 5). Are arranged as follows. A standing wall 25T (FIGS. 5 and 9) and a restricting portion 25W (FIG. 9) are formed inside the recess 25U of the container body 25.

  The standing wall 25T is located on the front surface 25B side of the container main body 25 and has a shape extending (rises) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 25C. The restriction portion 25W is continuous with the upper end of the standing wall 25T and has a shape extending obliquely upward from the upper end of the standing wall 25T toward the outside (the side opposite to the back surface 25A side).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the fall prevention member 40 of the present embodiment includes a displacement portion 48, a left side portion 40L, and a right side portion 40R, which are a single linear member (for example, a metal thin wire). ) Is bent and deformed. In the case of one, the number of parts can be reduced. The displacement portion 48, the left side portion 40L, and the right side portion 40R may be configured by joining a plurality of linear members to each other.

(Left side 40L)
The left portion 40L is disposed in a storage portion 25UL (FIG. 5) provided in the waste material storage container 24. In a state where the overturn preventing member 40 is attached to the container main body 25, the left side portion 40L is positioned on the left side of the detection unit 38 (on the left side 25D as viewed from the detection unit 38).

  Specifically, the left side portion 40L has a connection portion 41L and an intermediate portion 42L. The connecting portion 41L has a shape extending linearly. The connection part 41L is a part connected to the container main body part 25 in the left part 40L (see the insertion hole 25H shown in FIG. 9). The intermediate portion 42L is a portion provided between the connecting portion 41L and the above-described displacement portion 48 in the left portion 40L.

  The intermediate portion 42L of the present embodiment includes a straight portion 43L, a bend portion 44L, a straight portion 45L, a bend portion 46L, and a straight portion 47L. The straight line portion 43L is continuous with the end portion of the connection portion 41L, and extends from the end portion of the connection portion 41L toward the inflection portion 44L positioned below. The inflection portion 44L has a coil shape and is provided between the straight portion 43L and the straight portion 45L.

  The straight line portion 45L is continuous with the end portion of the inflection portion 44L and extends from the end portion of the inflection portion 44L toward the inflection portion 46L located above. The inflection part 46L has a coil shape and is provided between the straight part 45L and the straight part 47L. The inflection part 46L is formed in the upper part of the intermediate part 42L.

  The restricting portion 25W (FIG. 9) provided in the container main body portion 25 changes the tipping prevention member 40 in a state where the tipping prevention member 40 is attached to the container main body portion 25 (insertion hole 25H shown in FIG. 9). It is located above the height position of the portion where the curved portion 46L is located. The straight line portion 47L is continuous with the end portion of the inflection portion 46L, and extends from the end portion of the inflection portion 46L toward the end portion of the displacement portion 48 positioned below.

(Right part 40R)
The right side portion 40R is disposed in a storage portion 25UR (FIG. 5) provided in the waste material storage container 24. In a state where the fall prevention member 40 is attached to the container main body 25, the right portion 40R is positioned on the right side of the detection unit 38 (on the right side 25E as viewed from the detection unit 38).

  Specifically, the right portion 40R has a connection portion 41R and an intermediate portion 42R. The connecting portion 41R has a shape extending linearly. 41 R of connection parts are parts connected to the container main-body part 25 among right side parts 40R (refer insertion hole 25H shown in FIG. 9). The intermediate portion 42R is a portion provided between the connection portion 41R and the above-described displacement portion 48 in the right portion 40R.

  The intermediate portion 42R of the present embodiment includes a straight portion 43R, a bend portion 44R, a straight portion 45R, a bend portion 46R, and a straight portion 47R. The straight line portion 43R is continuous with the end portion of the connection portion 41R, and extends from the end portion of the connection portion 41R toward the inflection portion 44R positioned below. The inflection portion 44R has a coil shape and is provided between the straight portion 43R and the straight portion 45R.

  The straight line portion 45R is continuous with the end portion of the inflection portion 44R and extends from the end portion of the inflection portion 44R toward the inflection portion 46R located above. The inflection portion 46R has a coil shape and is provided between the straight portion 45R and the straight portion 47R. The inflection part 46R is formed in the upper part of the intermediate part 42R.

  The restricting portion 25W (FIG. 9) provided in the container main body portion 25 changes the tipping prevention member 40 in a state where the tipping prevention member 40 is attached to the container main body portion 25 (insertion hole 25H shown in FIG. 9). It is located above the height position of the portion where the curved portion 46R is located. The straight line portion 47R is continuous with the end portion of the inflection portion 46R and extends from the end portion of the inflection portion 46R toward the end portion of the displacement portion 48 positioned below.

(Displacement part 48)
The displacement portion 48 has a shape extending linearly between the end portion of the left portion 40L (straight portion 47L) and the end portion of the right portion 40R (straight portion 47R). When attached to the portion 25, the displacement portion 48 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container body portion 25.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the waste material container 24 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus body 60). As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the displacement portion 48 of the fall prevention member 40 is configured to be displaceable between a distant position P1 (FIG. 9) and a proximity position P2 (FIG. 10).

  FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which the displacement portion 48 is disposed at the far position P1. FIG. 10 illustrates a state in which the displacement portion 48 is disposed at the proximity position P2. The far position P1 is located farther from the container body 25 (standing wall 25T) than the proximity position P2 in the direction in which the container body 25 is attached to and detached from the apparatus body 60 of the image forming apparatus 100 (arrow D1, D2 direction). To do.

  In the present embodiment, the fall prevention member 40 is attached to the container main body 25 (insertion hole 25H) via connection portions 41L and 41R (FIG. 8). The connection parts 41L and 41R are located between the container main body part 25 (standing wall 25T) and the intermediate parts 42L and 42R. In other words, the intermediate portions 42L and 42R are positioned on the opposite side of the container main body portion 25 (standing wall 25T) with respect to the connection portions 41L and 41R. The displacement part 48 is located on the opposite side to the connection parts 41L and 41R with respect to the intermediate parts 42L and 42R. With this configuration, the displacement portion 48 of the fall prevention member 40 is configured to be displaceable between the distant position P1 (FIG. 9) and the proximity position P2 (FIG. 10).

(Attaching operation of the waste material container 24 to the apparatus main body 60)
When the container main body 25 is attached to the apparatus main body 60, the fall prevention member 40 transitions from the state shown in FIG. 9 to the state shown in FIG. The apparatus main body 60 is provided with a standing wall 61 in addition to the sensor 39 described above. A storage portion 62 for attaching the waste material storage container 24 is formed outside the standing wall 61.

  When the waste material container 24 (container main body portion 25) is attached to the apparatus main body 60, the container main body portion 25 and the overturn preventing member 40 approach the standing wall 61 in the direction indicated by the arrow D1. After the displacement part 48 comes into contact with the standing wall 61, the displacement part 48 of the fall prevention member 40 is disposed at the proximity position P2 by receiving a pressing force from the apparatus main body 60 (standing wall 61). In the state where the displacement part 48 is disposed at the proximity position P2 (the state shown in FIG. 10), the urging force in the direction (direction indicated by the arrow D1) from the proximity position P2 toward the far position P1 acts on the displacement part 48. ing.

  In the present embodiment, in a state where the waste material container 24 (container main body portion 25) is attached to the apparatus main body 60, the intermediate portions 42L and 42R (FIG. 8) replace the inflection portions 44L, 46L, 44R, and 46R. The urging force is generated by being elastically deformed so as to be folded as a starting point.

  On the other hand, when the waste material container 24 (container main body portion 25) is removed from the apparatus main body 60, the container main body portion 25 and the fall prevention member 40 are moved away from the standing wall 61 in the direction indicated by the arrow D2. After the displacement part 48 leaves | separates from the standing wall 61, the displacement part 48 of the fall prevention member 40 is arrange | positioned in the far position P1 by receiving no pressing force from the apparatus main body 60 (standing wall 61).

  In a state where the waste material container 24 (container main body portion 25) is removed from the apparatus main body 60 (the state shown in FIG. 9), the displacement portion 48 is located at the far position P1 by the action of the urging force. In a state in which the waste material container 24 is disposed on a predetermined placement surface, the container main body 25 falls by being supported by the displacement portion 48 located at the remote position P1 and the bottom surface 25C of the container main body 25. Is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 11, even if the container body 25 is about to fall toward the side where the fall prevention member 40 is located, the container body 25 is supported by the fall prevention member 40, and the container The fall of the main body 25 can be effectively prevented by the fall prevention member 40. The rigidity of the fall prevention member 40, the spring constant of the inflection portion, and the like may be optimized in accordance with the position, such as the shape and weight of the waste material container 24 and the receiving port.

  In the present embodiment, the restricting portion 25W (FIG. 9) is formed in the container main body portion 25 as described above. The regulation portion 25W is located above the height position of the portion where the inflection portions 46L and 46R of the fall prevention member 40 are located in a state where the fall prevention member 40 is attached to the container main body portion 25. .

  When the container main body 25 is about to fall toward the side where the fall prevention member 40 is located, the fall prevention member 40 rotates around the connection portions 41L and 41R, and the inflection portion 46L of the fall prevention member 40 is turned on. 46R approaches the restricting portion 25W. The amount of rotation (maximum amount of rotation) of the fall prevention member 40 is regulated by the inflection parts 46L and 46R coming into contact with the regulation part 25W. Also with this configuration, the waste material container 24 of the present embodiment is effectively prevented from falling.

(State in which the waste material container 24 is attached to the apparatus main body 60)
4 and 5 again, the apparatus main body 60 of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a pair of engaging members 51D and 51E. The engaging members 51 </ b> D and 51 </ b> E have, for example, an L shape, and fix the waste material container 24 to the device body 60 by sandwiching the waste material container 24 attached to the device body 60 from both outsides.

  Engaged portions 25L and 25R corresponding to the engaging members 51D and 51E are provided on the container main body 25 of the waste material container 24. The engaged portion 25L is formed in a part in the height direction of the container main body 25, and the engaged portion 25R is also formed in a part in the height direction of the container main body 25.

  Referring to FIG. 5, discharge ports 50A and 50B (FIG. 5) provided in image forming units 11Y to 11K (FIG. 1) are inserted into receiving ports 27A and 27B as described above. In order to prevent waste material from leaking between the discharge port 50A and the receiving port 27A or between the discharge port 50B and the receiving port 27B, the discharge ports 50A and 50B of the image forming units 11Y to 11K are formed. The end face 50 </ b> F (FIG. 5) is pressed against the end face portion of the container main body 25 that forms the receiving ports 27 </ b> A and 27 </ b> B.

  That is, the end surface portions of the container main body 25 forming the receiving ports 27A, 27B and the like receive a pressing force in the direction of arrow D2 from the end surface 50F on the apparatus main body 60 side. In the present embodiment, the receiving ports 27 </ b> A, 27 </ b> B and the like are provided on the upper portion of the front surface 25 </ b> B of the container main body 25. The pressing force shown in the direction of the arrow D2 from the end surface 50F acts on the upper portion of the front surface 25B of the container main body 25.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the fall prevention member 40 is provided at the lower part of the front surface 25B of the container main body 25. In the state in which the waste material container 24 is attached to the apparatus main body 60, the fall prevention member 40 presses the apparatus main body 60 in the direction of the arrow D1, so that the fall prevention member 40 has a pressing force in the direction of the arrow D2 as a reaction force. Is received from the apparatus main body 60. This pressing force acts on the lower part of the front surface 25B of the container main body 25.

  In a state where the waste material storage container 24 is attached to the apparatus main body 60, the waste material storage container 24 is disposed via a part of the container main body portion 25 in the height direction (the engaging members 51D and 51E and the engaged portions 25L and 25R). Is fixed to the apparatus main body 60, but in this embodiment, a pressing force acts on the upper and lower portions of the front surface 25B of the container main body 25. Since these pressing forces (residual stresses) act on the waste material container 24, the posture of the waste material container 24 is stabilized. The upright posture of the waste material storage container 24 can be formed, and the waste material storage container 24 can be prevented from being inclined and attached.

  When the engaging members 51D and 51E are removed from the engaged portions 25L and 25R, the waste material storage container 24 moves outward from the storage portion 62 by the action of the elastic restoring force of the tipping prevention member 40. The operator can easily grip the waste material container 24 and can easily replace the waste material container 24.

(Modification of Embodiment 1)
In the first embodiment described above, the container main body 25 contains waste materials including toner discharged from the discharge ports 50A and 50B without being used for image formation of the image forming apparatus through the receiving ports 27A and 27B. The The idea disclosed in the first embodiment can also be applied to the waste material storage container 24 that stores waste materials other than waste toner.

  A post-processing device such as a punching device (not shown) or a stapling device (not shown) can be mounted on the paper discharge tray 7 of the image forming apparatus 100. The waste material container 24 may contain the waste material discharged from the post-processing apparatus in addition to or instead of the waste toner.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a fall prevention member 40A in the second embodiment. The fall prevention member 40 in the first embodiment is different from the fall prevention member 40A in the second embodiment in the following points.

  The whole overturn prevention member 40A is composed of a plate-like member (for example, a metal thin plate). Similar to the fall prevention member 40 of the first embodiment, the fall prevention member 40A has a left side portion 40L and a right side portion 40R. On the other hand, the left portion 40L and the right portion 40R are connected to each other via the connection portion 48T.

  The left side portion 40L includes a connection portion 41L and an intermediate portion 42L, and the intermediate portion 42L includes a straight portion 43L, a bend portion 44L, a straight portion 45L, a bend portion 46L, and a straight portion 47L. Similarly, the right side portion 40R includes a connecting portion 41R and an intermediate portion 42R, and the intermediate portion 42R has a straight portion 43R, a bend portion 44R, a straight portion 45R, a bend portion 46R, and a straight portion 47R. A displacement portion 48L is provided at the end of the left portion 40L (linear portion 47L), and a displacement portion 48R is provided at the end of the right portion 40R (linear portion 47R).

  The attachment of the fall prevention member 40A to the container main body 25 (see FIG. 9 and the like) is substantially the same as in the first embodiment. Also with this configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In the first embodiment, the entire fall prevention member 40 is composed of a linear member, and in the second embodiment, the entire fall prevention member 40A is composed of a plate-like member. The fall prevention member may be configured by combining both a linear member and a plate-shaped member, or may be configured by combining a linear member and another arbitrary member. The plate-shaped member and any other member may be combined.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fall prevention member 40B in the third embodiment. The fall prevention member 40A in the second embodiment is different from the fall prevention member 40B in the third embodiment in the following points.

  Unlike the fall prevention member 40A of the second embodiment, the fall prevention member 40B does not have the left side portion 40L and the right side portion 40R. The fall prevention member 40 </ b> B includes a connection portion 41 and an intermediate portion 42, and the intermediate portion 42 includes a straight portion 43, a bend portion 44, a straight portion 45, a bend portion 46, and a straight portion 47. A displacement portion 48 is provided at the end of the linear portion 47.

  The attachment of the overturn prevention member 40B to the container body 25 (see FIG. 9 and the like) is substantially the same as in the first and second embodiments. Also with this configuration, the same operations and effects as in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the waste material container 24 in Embodiment 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus main body 60). The fall prevention member 40 in the first embodiment is different from the fall prevention member 40C in the fourth embodiment in the following points.

  The fall prevention member 40C includes a connection part 41G, a displacement part 48G, and an intermediate part 42G. The connection part 41G is a part connected to the container main body part 25 in the fall prevention member 40C. The intermediate part 42G is a part provided between the connection part 41G and the displacement part 48G in the fall prevention member 40C.

  The intermediate part 42G has an extending part 43G, an inflection part 44G, and an extending part 45G. The extending portion 43G is located between the connecting portion 41G and the inflection portion 44G, and extends in a curved shape from the connecting portion 41G toward the inflection portion 44G located above. The extending part 43G may extend linearly from the connecting part 41G toward the inflection part 44G located above.

  The restricting portion 25W provided in the container main body 25 is higher than the height position of the portion where the inflection portion 44G of the fall prevention member 40C is located in a state where the fall prevention member 40C is attached to the container main body 25. Is also located above. The extending portion 45G is positioned between the inflection portion 44G and the displacement portion 48G, and extends in a curved shape from the inflection portion 44G toward the displacement portion 48G located below. The extending portion 45G may extend linearly from the inflection portion 44G toward the displacement portion 48G located below. Also with this configuration, the same operations and effects as in the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the waste material container 24 in Embodiment 5 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus main body 60). The fall prevention member 40 in Embodiment 1 and the fall prevention member 40D in Embodiment 5 differ in the following points.

  The fall prevention member 40D includes a connection portion 41J, a displacement portion 48J, and an intermediate portion 42J. The connection part 41J is a part connected to the container main body part 25 among the fall prevention members 40D. The intermediate portion 42J is a portion provided between the connection portion 41J and the displacement portion 48J in the fall prevention member 40D.

  In the case of the present embodiment, connecting portion 41J is connected to a portion corresponding to regulating portion 25W in each of the above-described embodiments. The intermediate part 42J can rotate around the connection part 41J, and the displacement part 48J of the fall-preventing member 40D can be displaced between the distant position P1 and the proximity position P2 by this configuration.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the restricting portion 25W provided in the container body portion 25 can restrict the amount of rotation of the tipping prevention member by contacting the inflection portion of the tipping prevention member. In the present embodiment, since the inflection portion is not provided in the fall prevention member 40D, the restriction portion 25W is unlikely to function as a restriction means as in the above-described embodiment. If necessary, a part of the restricting portion 25W may be protruded downward to function as a restricting means.

  A coil spring 43J is provided between the intermediate portion 42J and the standing wall 25T. With the urging force of the coil spring 43J, in a state where the displacement portion 48J is disposed at the proximity position P2, the urging force in the direction from the proximity position P2 to the far position P1 (the direction indicated by the arrow D1) acts on the displacement portion 48J. . Also with this configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the above disclosure is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is industrially applicable to a waste material container that stores waste material discharged from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which such a waste material container is detachably attached to the apparatus main body.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image formation part, 2 Intermediate transfer belt, 3 Paper cassette, 4 Secondary transfer part, 5 Fixing roller, 6 Paper discharge roller, 7 Paper discharge tray, 8 Drive roller, 9 Driven roller, 10 Secondary transfer roller, 11C, 11K, 11M, 11Y Image forming unit, 12 photoconductor, 13 charger, 14 developing device, 15, 19 cleaning device, 16 discharging device, 17 exposure device, 18 primary transfer roller, 22 toner bottle, 23 toner supply unit, 24 Waste material container, 25 container body, 25A rear surface, 25B front surface, 25C bottom surface, 25D left side surface, 25E right side surface, 25H insertion hole, 25L, 25R engaged portion, 25T, 61 standing wall, 25U recess, 25UL, 25UR 62 Housing part, 25W regulating part, 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B, 28A, 2 B, 29A, 29B, 31 Receptor, 30 Overhang, 30A Inner wall surface, 32 Screw shaft, 33A, 33B, 33C Bearing, 35 Gear, 36 Screw blade, 37 Waste material, 38 Detector, 39 Sensor, 39L Projector , 39R light receiving part, 40, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D fall prevention member, 40L left side part, 40R right side part, 41, 41G, 41J, 41L, 41R, 48T connection part, 42, 42G, 42J, 42L, 42R intermediate Part, 43, 43L, 43R, 45, 45L, 45R, 47, 47L, 47R linear part, 43G, 45G extension part, 43J coil spring, 44, 44G, 44L, 44R, 46, 46L, 46R inflection part, 48 48G, 48J, 48L, 48R Displacement part, 50A, 50B Discharge port, 50F End face, 51 , 51E engaging member 60 apparatus main body, 100 an image forming apparatus, D1, D2, V arrow, P paper, P1 distant position, P2 close position.

Claims (10)

A waste material storage container for storing waste material discharged from a discharge port of an image forming apparatus,
A container main body having a bottom surface and a receiving port, detachably attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, and the receiving port communicating with the discharge port in a state of being attached to the apparatus main body;
A fall prevention member provided outside the container main body portion and positioned between the container main body portion and the apparatus main body when the container main body section is attached to the apparatus main body,
The overturn prevention member includes a displacement portion, and the displacement portion is located far from the container main body in the proximity position and in the direction in which the container main body is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body compared to the proximity position. Configured to be displaceable between positions,
When the container main body is attached to the device main body, the displacement portion is disposed at the proximity position by receiving a pressing force from the device main body, and in the state of being disposed at the proximity position, the displacement portion includes the displacement portion. The biasing force in the direction from the proximity position toward the far position is acting,
In a state where the container main body is detached from the apparatus main body, the displacement portion is located at the far position, and the container main body disposed on a predetermined placement surface is located at the far position. It is prevented from falling by being supported by the displacement part and the bottom surface of the container body part.
Waste material container. The fall prevention member has a portion composed of a linear member.
The waste material container according to claim 1. The fall prevention member has a portion made of a plate-shaped member.
The waste material container according to claim 1 or 2. The fall prevention member is
A connecting portion connected to the container body,
An intermediate part provided between the displacement part and the connection part,
At least one inflection part is formed in the intermediate part,
In the state where the container main body is attached to the apparatus main body, the biasing force is generated by elastically deforming the intermediate portion so as to be folded starting from the inflection portion.
The waste material container according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The inflection part is formed in an upper part of the intermediate part,
The container main body is provided with a restricting portion positioned above the height position of the portion where the inflection portion of the fall prevention member is located,
When the fall prevention member is rotated with the connection portion as a starting point so that the inflection portion approaches the restriction portion, the amount of rotation of the fall prevention member is that the inflection portion contacts the restriction portion. Regulated by
The waste material container according to claim 4. The container body has a front surface that faces the device body when the container body is attached to the device body,
The receiving port is provided in the upper part of the front,
The fall prevention member is provided at the lower part of the front surface,
The waste material container according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The container main body is provided with a detection unit for detecting the amount of the waste material accommodated in the container main body,
The fall prevention member is disposed adjacent to the detection unit,
The waste material container according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The fall prevention member has a left side portion located on the left side of the detection unit, and a right side portion located on the right side of the detection unit,
The waste material container according to claim 7. The waste material containing toner discharged from the discharge port without being used for image formation of the image forming apparatus through the receiving port is stored in the container main body.
The waste material container according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An apparatus body for forming an image;
A waste material container according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Image forming apparatus.