JP2020064229A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of toner containers having a holding function to hold each other in an apparatus body.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 has a plurality of toner containers 51 and a plurality of toner containers 52. The toner containers each have a body part 61H including a storage space 610, an upper engaging part 611, a lower engaging part 612, a right engaging part 613, and a left engaging part 614. The toner containers are engaged at each other's engaging parts and thereby attachment of the toner containers to an apparatus body 11 is guided, and the toner containers hold each other in the apparatus body 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers that have adopted an electrophotographic method make a photosensitive drum carrying an electrostatic latent image and toner supplied to the photosensitive drum to visualize the electrostatic latent image as a toner image. And a transfer device that transfers a toner image from the photosensitive drum onto a sheet.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of developing devices corresponding to color toners of respective colors, and two toner containers (toner containers) for supplying replenishment toner to each developing device are arranged. An image forming apparatus is disclosed. Even if one of the toner containers becomes empty, it is possible to replenish the toner from the other toner container, so that the forced stop time (print disable time) of the image forming apparatus is shortened. In particular, when a print job including a large number of printed sheets is executed, it is possible to prevent the job from being interrupted due to running out of toner.

JP, 2014-157350, A

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, toner containers of respective colors are arranged horizontally adjacent to each other. Therefore, there is a problem that the horizontal width of the main body of the image forming apparatus increases. Therefore, it is conceivable to arrange the toner containers of each color vertically adjacent to each other. However, in this case, it is necessary to hold a plurality of toner containers in the vertical and horizontal directions within the apparatus main body. Therefore, a holding member capable of holding a plurality of toner containers together is required. When the apparatus main body is provided with such a holding member, there is a problem that the component size of the holding member becomes large and the shape of the holding member becomes complicated because the holding member has a mounting opening unique to each toner container. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including a plurality of toner containers having a holding function of holding each other in the apparatus main body.

  An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is rotated around a predetermined axis with an apparatus main body, allows an electrostatic latent image to be formed, and carries a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. A plurality of photoconductor drums having a peripheral surface and a plurality of toners of different colors are accommodated, and the plurality of photoconductor drums are supplied with the toners so that the electrostatic latent image becomes a toner image. The developing device and the developing device can be attached to and detached from the device main body along a predetermined mounting direction, and are arranged horizontally adjacent to each other in the device main body to accommodate toners of different colors in the developing device. On the other hand, a plurality of first toner containers capable of supplying the toner, and a plurality of first toner containers that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body along the attachment direction and are located below the plurality of first toner containers in the apparatus body. A plurality of second toner containers that are arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction and that store toners of different colors and that can supply the toners to the developing device. One toner container included in the plurality of second toner containers is engaged with a main body portion having a storage space for storing toner, another toner container adjacent to the one toner container in the vertical direction, or the apparatus main body. Then, a first vertical engaging portion that guides the one toner container along the mounting direction, and another one adjacent to the one toner container on the opposite side of the first vertical engaging portion in the vertical direction. A second vertical engaging portion that engages with the toner container or the apparatus main body and guides the one toner container along the mounting direction, and the second front engaging portion in the horizontal direction. A first side engaging portion that engages with another toner container adjacent to one toner container or the apparatus main body and guides the one toner container along the mounting direction, and the first side engaging member. A second lateral side that engages with another toner container adjacent to the one toner container or the apparatus main body in the horizontal direction on the side opposite to the joining portion and guides the one toner container along the mounting direction. An engaging portion, and all the toner containers included in the plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers are the main body portion of the one toner container, the first vertical engaging portion, It has the 2nd vertical engaging part, the 1st side engaging part, and the 2nd side engaging part.

  According to this configuration, toner can be supplied from the two toner containers to the developing devices of each color. Therefore, even if one of the toner containers becomes empty, the toner supply from the other toner container can be continued, and the downtime (unprintable time) of the image forming apparatus can be reduced. Further, each toner container has a function of guiding attachment of another adjacent toner container and holding each other in the apparatus main body. Therefore, it is not necessary to dispose a holding member that holds all of the plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers at the same time in the apparatus main body. Further, it is not necessary to individually form a plurality of openings into which the plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers are inserted in such a holding member. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of guide members (rail members) inside the apparatus main body for guiding all the toner containers of the plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers along the mounting direction. Therefore, complication of members is suppressed, and the cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  In the above-mentioned composition, the 1st perpendicular engaging part is projected from the above-mentioned main part in the perpendicular direction, and the 2nd above-mentioned vertical engaging part is opposite to the 1st above-mentioned vertical engaging part from the above-mentioned main part. It is desirable that it has a shape protruding in the vertical direction and fitted to the first vertical engaging portion along the mounting direction.

  According to this configuration, the first vertical engaging portion is provided so as to project from the main body portion in the vertical direction, and the second vertical engaging portion is provided so as to project from the main body portion in the vertical direction on the side opposite to the first vertical engaging portion. The first vertical engaging portion has a shape that fits along the mounting direction. Therefore, each toner container can be stably attached to the apparatus main body, and each toner container can be stably held and positioned in the vertical direction in the apparatus main body.

  In the above configuration, the plurality of first vertical transport units that guide the toner discharged from the plurality of first toner containers downward, and the toner that are discharged from the plurality of second toner containers are guided downward. And a plurality of second vertical transport units, wherein the plurality of second toner containers are mounted in the apparatus main body at positions displaced toward the rear end side in the mounting direction with respect to the plurality of first toner containers. , Below the mounting direction tips of the plurality of first toner containers mounted on the apparatus body, with respect to the mounting direction tips of the plurality of second toner containers mounted on the apparatus body It is desirable that the plurality of first vertical transport units are arranged at positions facing each other in the mounting direction.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to arrange the first vertical transport unit by utilizing the stepped portion in the mounting direction of the first toner container and the second toner container. As a result, the toner can be stably supplied from the upper first toner container to the developing device via the first vertical transport unit.

  In the above configuration, the first vertical engaging portion is provided so as to project from the main body portion in the vertical direction, and the second vertical engaging portion is on the opposite side to the first vertical engaging portion in the vertical direction. A pair of inclined walls defining an outer peripheral surface of a main body, wherein the second toner container is 180 degrees around an axis extending in the mounting direction with respect to a posture in which the first toner container is mounted on the apparatus main body. The inclined wall of the first toner container is mounted on the apparatus main body in a rotated posture, and one inclined wall of the pair of inclined walls of the first toner container and one inclined wall of the pair of inclined walls of the second toner container face each other. Therefore, it is preferable that the plurality of second toner containers are arranged at positions horizontally displaced from the plurality of first toner containers.

  According to this configuration, the pair of inclined walls of each toner container can be used to guide the mounting of the toner containers to each other. Further, in the main body of the apparatus, the pair of inclined walls has a vertical and horizontal positioning function for each toner container. Further, since the toner containers are arranged close to each other, the space occupied by the plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers in the apparatus main body can be reduced.

  In the above configuration, the first vertical engagement portion is a pair of first inclined walls that define an outer peripheral surface of the main body portion, and the second vertical engagement portion includes the first vertical engagement portion in the vertical direction. A pair of second inclined walls that define the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion on the side opposite to the mating portion, and the second toner container has the same posture as the posture in which the first toner container is attached to the apparatus main body. And is attached to the apparatus main body by one of the pair of second inclined walls of the first toner container and the first one of the pair of first inclined walls of the second toner container. It is preferable that the plurality of second toner containers are arranged at positions horizontally displaced from the plurality of first toner containers so that the inclined walls face each other.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to guide the mounting of the toner containers to each other by utilizing the pair of inclined walls of the toner containers facing each other vertically. Further, in the main body of the apparatus, the pair of inclined walls has a vertical and horizontal positioning function for each toner container. Further, since the toner containers are arranged close to each other, the space occupied by the plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers in the apparatus main body can be reduced. Further, a plurality of inclined walls that respectively engage with the inclined walls of the plurality of first toner containers and the inclined walls of the plurality of second toner containers are formed inside the apparatus main body, so that the inclined walls of each toner container are By utilizing this, it is possible to easily perform positioning with the apparatus main body.

  In the above structure, a transfer unit that transfers the toner images carried on the plurality of photosensitive drums to a sheet, a fixing unit that performs a fixing process on the sheet on which the toner is transferred, and a fixing unit that performs the fixing process. A sheet discharging unit that discharges the sheet along a predetermined discharging direction that intersects the mounting direction, and a sheet discharging unit that is disposed above the plurality of first toner containers, and the sheets discharged by the sheet discharging unit are stacked. And a sheet discharge unit that allows the discharge of the sheet, wherein the sheet discharge unit is disposed on the front end side of the sheet discharge unit in the sheet discharge direction and extends in the horizontal direction. Of the plurality of first toner containers with respect to the plurality of second toner containers, the plurality of first toner containers being disposed on the rear end side in the discharging direction and being inclined upward in the discharging direction. Discharge method Is arranged at a position shifted to the front end side is desirable.

  According to this configuration, the upper and lower two-stage toner containers can be efficiently arranged in the space below the inclined portion where the space tends to be small.

  In the above configuration, the plurality of first vertical transport units that guide the toner discharged from the plurality of first toner containers downward, and the toner that are discharged from the plurality of second toner containers are guided downward. A plurality of second vertical transport units, wherein the plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers are mounted at the same position in the mounting direction in the apparatus body, and are mounted on the apparatus body. Below the front ends of the plurality of first toner containers that are mounted in the mounting direction, and are orthogonal to the mounting direction with respect to the front ends of the plurality of second toner containers that are mounted in the apparatus body. It is desirable that the plurality of first vertical transport units are arranged so as to face each other in the horizontal direction.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to efficiently arrange the first vertical transport unit by utilizing the stepped portion formed by the displacement in the direction intersecting the mounting direction in the first toner container and the second toner container. Become.

  In the above configuration, the first lateral engagement portion is provided to project from the main body portion in the horizontal direction, and the second lateral engagement portion is provided on the side opposite to the first lateral engagement portion. It is desirable that it has a shape that is provided so as to project from the main body portion in the horizontal direction and that fits with the first side engaging portion along the mounting direction.

  According to this configuration, each toner container can be stably attached to the apparatus main body, and each toner container can be stably positioned in the apparatus main body in the horizontal direction.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a plurality of toner containers having a holding function of holding each other in the apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of toner containers of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the toner discharge port of the toner container of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a toner container of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of toner containers of the image forming apparatus according to the first modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a toner container of the image forming apparatus according to the first modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of toner containers of the image forming apparatus according to the second modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of toner containers of an image forming apparatus according to a third modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a plurality of toner containers of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth modified embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a tandem type color printer is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may be, for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a composite machine of these. Further, the image forming apparatus may be a printer, a copying machine or the like that forms a single color (monochrome) image.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 11 having a box-shaped casing structure. In the apparatus main body 11, a sheet feeding unit 12 that feeds the sheet P, an image forming unit 13 that forms a toner image to be transferred to the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 12, and the toner image are primary. An intermediate transfer unit 14 to be transferred, a secondary transfer roller 145, a fixing section 16 for fixing the unfixed toner image formed on the sheet P to the sheet P, and a sheet discharging section 18 are incorporated. Further, at the upper part of the apparatus main body 11, there is provided a paper discharge section 171 for discharging the sheet P which has been subjected to the fixing processing by the fixing section 16.

  A sheet conveyance path 111 extending in the up-down direction is formed in the apparatus main body 11 at a position on the right side of the image forming unit 13. The sheet transport path 111 is provided with a pair of transport rollers that transport the sheet P at appropriate places. A pair of registration rollers 113 that corrects the skew of the sheet P and sends the sheet P to a nip portion for secondary transfer described later at a predetermined timing is also provided on the upstream side of the nip portion in the sheet conveyance path 111. . The sheet transport path 111 is a transport path for transporting the sheet P from the paper feed unit 12 to the paper discharge unit 171 via the image forming unit 13 (secondary transfer nip portion) and the fixing unit 16.

  The paper feed unit 12 includes a paper feed tray 121 and a pickup roller 122. The paper feed tray 121 is removably attached to a lower position of the apparatus main body 11 and stores a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets P are stacked. The pickup roller 122 feeds the uppermost sheet P of the sheet bundle stored in the paper feed tray 121 one by one.

  The image forming unit 13 forms a toner image to be transferred onto the sheet P, and includes a plurality of image forming units that form toner images of different colors. In this embodiment, the image forming units are sequentially arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 1) in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 141, which will be described later, according to the toners of a plurality of colors. Further, a yellow unit 13Y using yellow (Y) toner, a cyan unit 13C using cyan (C) toner, a magenta unit 13M using magenta (M) toner, and a black (BK) color unit. A black unit 13BK that uses toner is provided. Each unit includes a photoconductor drum 20, and a charging device 21, a developing device 23, and a cleaning device 25 arranged around the photoconductor drum 20. Further, the exposure device 22 common to each unit is arranged below the image forming unit.

  The photosensitive drum 20 is rotationally driven around a predetermined axis extending in the front-rear direction, allows an electrostatic latent image to be formed on its peripheral surface, and carries a toner image. In the present embodiment, the plurality of photoconductor drums 20 corresponding to each color are arranged in parallel with each other at intervals in the left-right direction (horizontal direction).

  The charging device 21 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 20. The exposure device 22 has various optical system devices such as a light source, a polygon mirror, a reflection mirror, and a deflection mirror, and irradiates the peripheral surface of the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 20 with light modulated based on image data. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed. Further, the cleaning device 25 cleans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 after the toner image transfer. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 20, the charging device 21, and the cleaning device 25 are integrated with each other to form the drum unit 2 (FIG. 1).

  The developing device 23 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 20 in order to develop (visualize) the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 20 into a toner image. The developing device 23 contains magnetic one-component toner as a developer. In this embodiment, the toner has a characteristic of being charged with a positive polarity. Further, in another embodiment, the developing device 23 may employ a two-component developer system including a toner and a carrier or another developing system such as a non-magnetic one-component system. The plurality of developing devices 23 corresponding to the respective colors store toners of different colors, and supply the toners to the plurality of photoconductor drums 20 to visualize the electrostatic latent image in the toner image.

  The intermediate transfer unit 14 is arranged above the image forming unit 13. The intermediate transfer unit 14 includes an intermediate transfer belt 141, a driving roller 142, a driven roller 143, and a primary transfer roller 24.

  The intermediate transfer belt 141 is an endless belt-shaped rotating body, and is stretched over the driving roller 142 and the driven roller 143 so that the peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 141 is in contact with the peripheral surface of each photoconductor drum 20. The intermediate transfer belt 141 is driven to rotate in one direction, and carries the toner image transferred from the photoconductor drum 20 on the surface thereof.

  The drive roller 142 stretches the intermediate transfer belt 141 on the left end side of the intermediate transfer unit 14, and drives the intermediate transfer belt 141 to rotate. The drive roller 142 is a metal roller. The driven roller 143 stretches the intermediate transfer belt 141 on the right end side of the intermediate transfer unit 14. The driven roller 143 applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 141.

  The primary transfer roller 24 forms a primary transfer nip portion with the photosensitive drum 20 with the intermediate transfer belt 141 sandwiched therebetween, and primarily transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 onto the intermediate transfer belt 141. The primary transfer rollers 24 are arranged to face the photoconductor drums 20 of the respective colors.

  The secondary transfer roller 145 is arranged to face the drive roller 142 with the intermediate transfer belt 141 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roller 145 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 141 to form a secondary transfer nip portion. The toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 141 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet P supplied from the paper feeding unit 12 at the secondary transfer nip portion. The intermediate transfer unit 14 and the secondary transfer roller 145 of this embodiment form the transfer section of the present invention. The transfer unit transfers the toner image formed in the image forming unit 13 from the photosensitive drum 20 to the sheet P.

  The fixing unit 16 performs a fixing process on the sheet P on which the toner has been transferred. The sheet P supplied to the fixing unit 16 is heated and pressed by passing through the fixing nip portion. As a result, the toner image transferred to the sheet P at the secondary transfer nip portion is fixed to the sheet P.

  The paper discharge unit 171 is formed by recessing the top of the apparatus body 11. The sheet P on which the fixing process has been performed is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 171 via the sheet conveyance path 111 extending from the upper portion of the fixing unit 16. That is, the paper discharge unit 171 is disposed above a plurality of toner containers 51 and toner containers 52 described below, and allows the sheets P discharged by the sheet discharge unit 18 to be stacked. The paper discharge section 171 has a horizontal section 171A and an inclined section 171B. The horizontal portion 171A is disposed on the front end side of the sheet discharge portion 171 in the sheet P discharge direction and extends along the horizontal direction. The inclined portion 171B is arranged on the rear end side of the paper discharge portion 171 in the discharge direction, and is inclined forward along the discharge direction.

  The sheet discharging unit 18 causes the sheet P on which the fixing process has been performed in a predetermined discharging direction (left direction in FIG. 1) intersecting (orthogonal) with a mounting direction (rear direction) of a toner container 51 and a toner container 52 described later. Discharge along. The sheet discharging unit 18 includes a pair of upper and lower rollers.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the plurality of toner containers 51 and 52 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view around the toner outlet of the toner container 51 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the toner container 51 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this exemplary embodiment. The toner container 52 also has a structure similar to that shown in FIGS.

  With reference to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, two toner containers 51 and 52 for each color can be attached to the apparatus main body 11. Each toner container is mounted in the container storage portion S of FIG. 1 along the mounting direction from the front of the apparatus main body 11 to the rear. At this time, the front cover (not shown) of the apparatus body 11 is opened in advance.

  In FIG. 2, the plurality of toner containers 51 include a yellow toner container 51Y, a cyan toner container 51C, a magenta toner container 51M, and a black toner container 51BK corresponding to the developing devices 23 of the respective colors. Similarly, the plurality of toner containers 52 include a yellow toner container 52Y, a cyan toner container 52C, a magenta toner container 52M and a black toner container 52BK corresponding to the developing devices 23 of the respective colors.

  That is, the plurality of toner containers 51 (first toner containers) are attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body 11 along a predetermined attachment direction, and are arranged horizontally adjacent to each other in the apparatus body 11. . The plurality of toner containers 51 contain toners of different colors and are capable of supplying the toners to the corresponding developing devices 23.

  Similarly, the plurality of toner containers 52 (second toner containers) are attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body 11 along the attachment direction, and are horizontal to each other below the plurality of toner containers 51 in the apparatus main body 11. Are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction. The plurality of toner containers 52 contain toners of different colors and can supply the toners to the corresponding developing devices 23.

  The plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 have rotatable conveying members (not shown) inside. When these toner containers are attached to the apparatus main body 11, when the driving force is transmitted to the above-mentioned conveying member via a gear mechanism (not shown), the toner contained therein moves toward the toner discharge port described later. Be transported.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the toner container 51 and the toner container 52 of each color have the same cross-sectional shape. Specifically, one toner container included in the plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 includes a main body portion 61H, an upper engaging portion 611 (first vertical engaging portion), and a lower engaging portion 612 ( A second vertical engaging portion), a right engaging portion 613 (first lateral engaging portion), and a left engaging portion 614 (second lateral engaging portion). The structure of the one toner container is common to all the toner containers 51 and 52.

  The main body 61H is a main body of each toner container. In the present embodiment, the main body 61H is a tubular member having a substantially regular octagonal shape in cross section, and has a housing space 610 in which the toner is housed.

  The upper engaging portion 611 engages with another toner container adjacent to the one toner container or the apparatus main body 10 in the vertical direction, and guides the one toner container along the mounting direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper engaging portion 611 is provided to project from the main body portion 61H in the vertical direction in a T shape and extends along the mounting direction (FIG. 4).

  The lower engagement portion 612 engages with another toner container adjacent to the one toner container or the apparatus main body 10 on the side opposite to the upper engagement portion 611 in the vertical direction, and the one toner container is attached in the mounting direction. Guide along. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower engaging portion 612 has a recess having the same shape as the upper engaging portion 611 formed therein, and is composed of a protruding portion protruding from the main body portion 61H in the vertical direction. Running along (Fig. 4). That is, the lower engaging portion 612 has a shape that fits with the upper engaging portion 611 along the mounting direction.

  The right engaging portion 613 engages with another toner container adjacent to the one toner container or the apparatus main body 10 in the horizontal direction, and guides the one toner container along the mounting direction. Further, the left engagement portion 614 engages with another toner container adjacent to the one toner container or the apparatus main body 10 in the horizontal direction on the side opposite to the right engagement portion 613 and the one toner container Guide along the mounting direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the right engaging portion 613 is projectingly provided in a T shape from the main body portion 61H in the horizontal direction and extends in the mounting direction (FIG. 4). ). In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the left engagement portion 614 is formed with a recessed portion having the same shape as the right engagement portion 613 in the inside thereof, and is formed by a protruding portion horizontally protruding from the main body portion 61H. It extends along the direction. That is, the left engagement portion 614 has a shape that fits with the right engagement portion 613 along the mounting direction.

  In FIG. 2, the upper engaging portion 611 of the yellow toner container 51Y, the cyan toner container 51C, the magenta toner container 51M, and the black toner container 51BK engages with an engaging portion (not shown) formed inside the apparatus main body 11. To meet. The engaging portion has the same shape as the lower engaging portion 612 in FIG. Similarly, the lower engagement portion 612 of the yellow toner container 52Y, the cyan toner container 52C, the magenta toner container 52M, and the black toner container 52BK engages with an engagement portion (not shown) formed inside the apparatus main body 11. The engaging portion has the same shape as the upper engaging portion 611 of FIG. Further, the right engaging portions 613 of the black toner container 51BK and the black toner container 52BK engage with an engaging portion (not shown) formed inside the apparatus main body 11. The engagement portion has the same shape as the left engagement portion 614 of FIG. The left engaging portions 614 of the yellow toner container 51Y and the yellow toner container 52Y engage with an engaging portion (not shown) formed inside the apparatus main body 11. The engaging portion has the same shape as the right engaging portion 613 in FIG. Also in each of the modified embodiments described later, the device main body 11 is provided with an engaging portion (not shown) capable of engaging with the opposing engaging portion.

  According to the configuration as shown in FIG. 2, the toner can be supplied from the two toner containers to the developing device 23 of each color. Therefore, even when one of the toner containers 51 becomes empty, the toner supply from the other toner container 52 can be continued, and the downtime (non-printable time) of the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced. . In addition, each toner container has a shape (function) that guides the mounting of another adjacent toner container and holds each other in the apparatus main body 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to dispose a holding member that holds all of the plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 in the apparatus main body 11 at the same time. Further, it is not necessary to individually form a plurality of openings into which the plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 are inserted in such a holding member. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of guide members (rail members) in the apparatus main body 11 for guiding all the toner containers 51 and 52 in the mounting direction. Therefore, complication of members is suppressed, and the cost of the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the upper engaging portion 611 is provided to project vertically from the main body portion 61H, and the lower engaging portion 612 is provided to project from the main body portion 61H in the vertical direction on the side opposite to the upper engaging portion 611. , And has a shape that fits with the upper engaging portion 611 along the mounting direction. Therefore, each toner container can be stably attached to the apparatus main body 11, and each toner container can be stably held and positioned in the apparatus main body 11 in the vertical direction.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the right engaging portion 613 is provided so as to project from the main body portion 61H in the horizontal direction (right direction), and the left engaging portion 614 is provided on the side opposite to the right engaging portion 613 from the main body portion 61H. It has a shape protruding in the horizontal direction (left direction) and fitted with the right engaging portion 613 along the mounting direction. Therefore, each toner container can be stably attached to the apparatus main body 11, and each toner container can be stably positioned in the apparatus main body 11 in the horizontal direction.

  Further, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of one of the plurality of toner containers 51 and its peripheral structure will be further described. The other toner container 51, the toner container 52, and the surrounding structure are the same. The toner container 51 has a container shutter 51S, a toner discharge port 510, a spring 512, a spring fixing portion 513, and a shutter pressing portion 514. The toner discharge port 510 is opened at the tip of the toner container 51 and allows the toner to be discharged. The container shutter 51S is held by the main body of the toner container 51 so as to be slidable along the front-rear direction. The container shutter 51S opens and seals the toner discharge port 510. The container shutter 51S has an L shape in a side view. The spring 512 biases the container shutter 51S in a direction in which the container shutter 51S seals the toner discharge port 510. A base end portion of a spring 512 is fixed to a spring fixing portion 513 protruding from the main body of the toner container 51. The shutter pressing portion 514 is a protrusion that protrudes rearward from the tip of the toner container 51.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a vertical transport unit 56 (first vertical transport unit). The vertical transport unit 56 guides the toner discharged from the toner container 51 downward and supplies the toner to the developing device 23. The vertical transport unit 56 includes a toner inflow port 560, a main body side shutter 561, a spring 562, and a spring fixing unit 563. The toner inflow port 560 is an opening formed at the upper end of the vertical transport unit 56 and receives toner from the toner discharge port 510. The main body shutter 561 is supported on the upper end of the vertical transport unit 56 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The main body side shutter 561 opens and seals the toner inflow port 560. The main body side shutter 561 has an L shape in a side view. The spring 562 urges the main body side shutter 561 in the direction in which the main body side shutter 561 seals the toner inflow port 560. The base end portion of the spring 562 is fixed to the spring fixing portion 563. The shutter pressing portion 564 is a projection portion that is provided on the opposite side of the spring 562 and projects forward from the upper end portion of the vertical transport portion 56.

  When the toner container 51 is attached to the first position (FIG. 2) of the apparatus main body 11 along the direction of the arrow DM in FIG. 3, the shutter pressing portion 514 of the toner container 51 presses the main body side shutter 561 rearward ( By the arrow D31), the toner inflow port 560 is opened while the spring 562 is compressed. On the other hand, when the toner container 51 is mounted, the shutter pressing unit 564 of the vertical transport unit 56 presses the container shutter 51S backward (arrow D32). As a result, the toner outlet 510 is opened while the spring 512 is compressed. That is, the toner discharge port 510 and the toner inflow port 560 communicate with each other.

  With reference to FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, among the engaging portions that guide the mounting of the toner container 51 and the toner container 52 to the apparatus main body 11, an upper engaging portion 611, a right engaging portion 613, and a left engaging portion. 614 is formed over the entire area of the toner container in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the lower engaging portion 612 is arranged biased toward the rear end side in the mounting direction of the toner container. In other words, the lower engaging portion distal end portion 612S of the lower engaging portion 612 is arranged on the rear end side of the toner discharging outlet 510 with respect to the base end portion 510T of the toner discharging outlet. Therefore, the lower engagement portion 612 does not excessively restrict the position of the front end side of the toner container 51 (toner container 52), and the opening / closing operation of the shutter as described above is stably realized.

  The toner sensor S1 (FIG. 3) is arranged to face the lower end of the vertical transport unit 56 and detects the presence or absence of toner in the pipe of the vertical transport unit 56. Similarly, a toner sensor (not shown) is also arranged in the vertical transport unit on the toner container 52 side to detect the presence or absence of toner in the pipe of the vertical transport unit. These sensors consist of permeability sensors. When the toner is sufficiently present inside the vertical transport unit 56 or the vertical transport unit on the toner container 52 side, each sensor outputs a HIGH signal (+ 5V). On the other hand, when there is almost no toner inside the vertical transport unit 56 or the vertical transport unit on the side of the toner container 52, each sensor outputs a LOW signal (0V). Note that, in other embodiments, these sensors may be PI sensors (photo sensors). In this case, the vertical transport unit 56 and the vertical transport unit on the toner container 52 side are made of transparent pipe members, and the presence or absence of colored toner in each vertical transport unit is detected by the PI sensor. Further, the first sensor S1 and the second sensor may be other optical sensors (transmission sensor, reflection sensor), piezoelectric sensor, or the like.

  A toner container 51 having a cylindrical shape extending along a predetermined longitudinal direction is attachable to and detachable from a first position in the apparatus main body 11, and the toner container 52 having the same shape as the toner container 51 has the same shape. It is attachable to and detachable from a second position below the first inside. Further, the toner container 52 mounted in the second position is arranged immediately below the toner container 51 mounted in the first position. At this time, the toner container 51 and the toner container 52 are mounted at the first position and the second position, respectively, along the mounting direction DM that is parallel to the longitudinal direction. The toner container 51 is mounted in the main body 11 at a position displaced toward the rear end side in the mounting direction. That is, in FIG. 2, the plurality of toner containers 52 in the lower stage are located slightly in front of the sheet of paper than the plurality of toner containers 51 in the upper stage.

  Referring to FIG. 3, inside the apparatus main body 11, a toner container 52 (not shown) is arranged below the toner container 51. However, if the toner container 52 is located directly below the toner container 51, the toner container 52 and the vertical transport unit 56 interfere with each other. Therefore, as described above, the toner container 52 is arranged below the toner container 51 and at a position displaced to the front side of the toner container 51.

  The vertical transport unit 56 is located below the front end portion of the toner container 51 mounted in the apparatus main body 11 in the mounting direction, and is located above the front end portion of the toner container 52 mounted in the apparatus main body 11 in the mounting direction. They are arranged at positions facing each other in the mounting direction (rear direction). Therefore, it is possible to arrange the vertical transport unit 56 by utilizing the step portion in the front-rear direction (mounting direction) between the toner container 51 and the toner container 52. As a result, the toner can be stably supplied from the upper toner container 51 to the developing device 23 via the vertical transport unit 56. The toner discharged from the lower toner container 52 is guided downward by a vertical transport unit (not shown, second vertical transport unit) similar to the vertical transport unit 56, and is supplied to the developing device 23.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the toner container 51 is mounted in the first position in the apparatus main body 11, at least a part of the toner in the toner container 51 can flow into the vertical transport unit 56 by free fall. (Arrow D33). Similarly, when the toner container 52 is attached to the second position below the first position in the apparatus main body 11, at least a part of the toner in the toner container 52 is free-falled to be similar to the vertical transport unit 56. It is possible to flow into the vertical transport section of. Therefore, when a new toner container 51 is installed after the toner in the vertical transport unit 56 has been emptied, the toner sensor S1 detects the toner that has fallen freely, and thus the toner container 51 is replaced. It can be detected by a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10. The same applies to the toner container 52.

  Next, each modified embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a plurality of toner containers 51 and 52 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the toner container 51 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this modified embodiment. In the following modified embodiments, the structure of the engaging portion of each toner container is different from that in the previous embodiment, and therefore the description will be centered on the difference and the description of other common points will be omitted. To do.

  Referring to FIG. 5, also in the present modified embodiment, a plurality of toner containers 51 and a plurality of toner containers 52 are attached to the apparatus main body 11. Each toner container has almost the same structure. As an example, the black toner container 51BK of FIG. 5 includes a main body portion 62H, a vertical engaging portion 621 (first vertical engaging portion), an engaging inclined portion 622 (second vertical engaging portion, inclined wall), It has a first side engaging portion 623 and a second side engaging portion 624. The main body portion 62H is a main body portion of the toner container 51 (toner container 52), and has a pentagonal shape when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the mounting direction. In other words, the main body portion 62H includes a pair of opposing walls extending in the up-down direction and opposing each other, one connecting wall connecting the upper ends of the pair of opposing walls to each other, and the one connecting wall. And a pair of inclined walls (622) connecting the lower ends of the pair of opposing walls on the opposite side. An accommodation space 620 for accommodating toner is formed inside the main body portion 62H.

  The vertical engaging portion 621 is provided so as to project in the vertical direction from the main body portion 62H. The vertical engaging portion 621 has the same shape as the lower engaging portion 612 of the previous embodiment.

  The engaging inclined portions 622 are a pair of triangular inclined walls that define the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 62H on the side opposite to the vertical engaging portion 621 in the vertical direction.

  Further, the first side engaging part 623 has the same shape as the left engaging part 614 of the previous embodiment, and the second side engaging part 624 is the same as the right engaging part 613 of the previous embodiment. It has the same shape.

  In the present modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the toner container 52 is rotated 180 degrees around an axis extending in the mounting direction (front-back direction) with respect to the position in which the toner container 51 is mounted in the apparatus main body 11. It is attached to the apparatus main body 11 with. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the toner container 51 (52) has a toner discharge port 511 formed on the opposite side of the toner discharge port 510. Therefore, in the toner container 52 in which the toner container 51 is in the inverted posture, the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port 511. A shutter similar to that shown in FIG. 3 is also arranged at a position where the toner discharge port 511 faces.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, one engagement inclined portion 622 of the pair of engagement inclined portions 622 of the toner container 51 and one engagement inclined portion 622 of the pair of engagement inclined portions 622 of the toner container 52. The plurality of second toner containers 52 are arranged at positions displaced in the horizontal direction (right direction) with respect to the plurality of toner containers 51 so that and are opposed to each other.

  According to such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment is exhibited, and the pair of inclined walls of each toner container can be used to guide the mutual attachment to the apparatus main body 11. Become. In addition, in the apparatus main body 11, the pair of inclined walls has a vertical and horizontal positioning function for each toner container. Further, since the toner containers are arranged close to each other, the space occupied by the plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 in the apparatus main body 11 can be reduced.

  Further, in the present modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of toner containers 51 are arranged at positions displaced from the plurality of toner containers 52 toward the leading end side in the sheet P discharge direction (left direction). Then, at least a part of the black toner container 51BK and the black toner container 52BK of FIG. 5 is arranged immediately below the inclined portion 171B of the paper discharge unit 171 of FIG. Therefore, the upper and lower two-stage toner containers can be efficiently arranged in the space below the inclined portion 171B where the space tends to be small.

  Further, in this modified embodiment, the two toner containers of each color are arranged so as to be displaced in the left-right direction, so that the arrangement space of the above-described vertical transport unit 56 (FIG. 3) is efficiently secured. That is, in this modified embodiment, the plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 are mounted at the same position in the mounting direction in the apparatus main body 11. Further, the mounting direction is below the mounting direction end portions of the plurality of toner containers 51 mounted on the apparatus main body 11, and is the mounting direction with respect to the mounting direction front end portions of the plurality of toner containers 52 mounted on the apparatus main body 11. A plurality of vertical transport units 56 (first vertical transport unit in FIG. 3) are arranged so as to face each other in the horizontal direction orthogonal to. In other words, in the present modified embodiment, the toner container 52 is arranged on the front side of the paper surface of the vertical transport unit 56 in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently dispose the vertical transport unit 56 by utilizing the stepped portion formed by the shift in the direction intersecting with the mounting direction in the toner container 51 and the toner container 52. Further, since the plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 are arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction, it is possible to prevent the size of the apparatus main body 11 from increasing in the front-rear direction.

  FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a plurality of toner containers 51 and 52 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second modified embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, also in the present modified embodiment, a plurality of toner containers 51 and a plurality of toner containers 52 are attached to the apparatus main body 11. Each toner container has almost the same structure. As an example, the black toner container 51BK of FIG. 7 includes a main body portion 63H, a vertical engagement portion 631 (first vertical engagement portion), an engagement inclined portion 632 (second vertical engagement portion, inclined wall), It has a first side engaging portion 633 and a second side engaging portion 634. The main body portion 63H is a main body portion of the toner container 51 (toner container 52), and has a heptagonal shape when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the mounting direction. In other words, the main body portion 63H includes a pair of opposing walls extending in the vertical direction and opposing each other in the horizontal direction, three connecting walls connecting the upper ends of the pair of opposing walls to each other, and the three connecting walls. And a pair of inclined walls (632) connecting the lower ends of the pair of opposing walls on the side opposite to the connecting wall. An accommodation space 630 for accommodating toner is formed inside the main body 63H.

  The vertical engaging portion 631 is provided so as to project in the vertical direction from the main body portion 63H. The vertical engaging portion 631 has the same shape as the lower engaging portion 612 of the previous embodiment.

  The engaging inclined portions 632 are a pair of the inclined walls that define the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 63H on the side opposite to the vertical engaging portion 631 in the vertical direction.

  Further, the first side engaging part 633 has the same shape as the left engaging part 614 of the previous embodiment, and the second side engaging part 634 is the same as the right engaging part 613 of the previous embodiment. It has the same shape.

  Also in the present modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the toner container 52 is rotated 180 degrees around an axis extending in the mounting direction (front-back direction) with respect to the posture in which the toner container 51 is mounted in the apparatus main body 11. It is attached to the apparatus main body 11 in a posture. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, one of the pair of engaging inclined portions 632 of the toner container 51 and the other of the pair of engaging inclined portions 632 of the toner container 52 have an engaging inclined portion 632. The plurality of second toner containers 52 are arranged at positions displaced in the horizontal direction (left direction) with respect to the plurality of toner containers 51 so that and are opposed to each other.

  With such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment is exhibited, and the pair of inclined walls of each toner container can be used to guide the mounting of the toner container to the apparatus main body 11. . In addition, in the apparatus main body 11, the pair of inclined walls has a vertical and horizontal positioning function for each toner container. Further, since the toner containers are arranged close to each other, the space occupied by the plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 in the apparatus main body 11 can be reduced.

  FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a plurality of toner containers 51 and 52 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third modified embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, also in the present modified embodiment, a plurality of toner containers 51 and a plurality of toner containers 52 are attached to the apparatus main body 11. Each toner container has almost the same structure. As an example, the black toner container 51BK of FIG. 8 includes a main body portion 64H, a vertical engagement portion 641 (first vertical engagement portion), an engagement inclined portion 642 (second vertical engagement portion, inclined wall), It has a first side engaging portion 643 and a second side engaging portion 644.

  In the present modified embodiment, the arrangement of the plurality of toner containers 52 in the horizontal direction with respect to the plurality of toner containers 51 is reversed as compared with the second modified embodiment. Even in such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment is exhibited, and the pair of inclined walls of each toner container can be used to guide the mounting of the toner container to the apparatus body 11. In addition, in the apparatus main body 11, the pair of inclined walls has a vertical and horizontal positioning function for each toner container. Further, since the toner containers are arranged close to each other, the space occupied by the plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 in the apparatus main body 11 can be reduced.

  Also in this modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of toner containers 51 are arranged at positions displaced from the plurality of toner containers 52 toward the leading end side in the sheet P discharge direction (left direction). . Then, at least a part of the black toner container 51BK and the black toner container 52BK of FIG. 8 is arranged immediately below the inclined portion 171B of the paper discharge unit 171 of FIG. Therefore, the upper and lower two-stage toner containers can be efficiently arranged in the space below the inclined portion 171B where the space tends to be small.

  FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a plurality of toner containers 51, 52 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the fourth modified embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, also in the present modified embodiment, a plurality of toner containers 51 and a plurality of toner containers 52 are attached to the apparatus main body 11. Each toner container has almost the same structure. As an example, the black toner container 51BK of FIG. 9 has a main body portion 65H, a first engaging inclined portion 651 (first vertical engaging portion, first inclined wall), and a second engaging inclined portion 652 (second vertical inclined portion 652). The engaging portion, the second inclined wall), the first side engaging portion 653, and the second side engaging portion 654.

  The main body portion 65H is a main body portion of the toner container 51 (toner container 52), and has a regular hexagonal shape when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the mounting direction. In other words, the main body portion 65H includes a pair of opposing walls extending in the vertical direction and opposing each other in the horizontal direction, and a pair of connecting walls (651) connecting the upper end portions of the pair of opposing walls to each other. And a pair of inclined walls (652) connecting the lower ends of the pair of opposing walls on the side opposite to the pair of connecting walls. An accommodation space 650 for accommodating toner is formed inside the main body 65H.

  The first engagement sloped portion 651 is a pair of first sloped walls that define the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 65H, and the second engagement sloped portion 652 is different from the first engagement sloped portion 651 in the vertical direction. It is a pair of 2nd inclined walls which define the outer peripheral surface of the main-body part 65H on the opposite side.

  Further, in the present modified embodiment, the toner container 52 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 in the same posture as the toner container 51 is attached to the apparatus main body 11.

  Even in such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment is exhibited, and the pair of inclined walls of the toner containers facing each other vertically are used to guide the mounting of the toner containers to the apparatus main body 11. It becomes possible. In addition, in the apparatus main body 11, the pair of inclined walls has a vertical and horizontal positioning function for each toner container. Moreover, since the toner containers are closely arranged, the space occupied by the plurality of toner containers 51 and the plurality of toner containers 52 in the apparatus main body 11 can be reduced. Further, a plurality of inclined walls that engage with the first engaging inclined portions 651 of the plurality of toner containers 51 and the second engaging inclined portions 652 of the plurality of toner containers 52 are formed inside the apparatus main body 11. By using the inclined wall of each toner container, the positioning with respect to the apparatus main body 11 can be easily performed.

  Also in this modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of toner containers 51 are arranged at positions displaced from the plurality of toner containers 52 toward the leading end side in the sheet P discharge direction (left direction). . Then, at least a part of the black toner container 51BK and the black toner container 52BK of FIG. 9 is arranged immediately below the inclined portion 171B of the paper discharge unit 171 of FIG. Therefore, the upper and lower two-stage toner containers can be efficiently arranged in the space below the inclined portion 171B where the space tends to be small.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail. According to such a configuration, the image forming apparatus 10 including the plurality of toner containers 51 and 52 having a holding function for holding each other in the apparatus main body 11 is provided. The present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can take the following modified embodiments, for example.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the toner replenishing unit 5 and the developing device 23 are arranged according to the four color toners, respectively, but the number of the developing device 23 and the toner containers is not limited to this. Not something.

  (2) Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the right engaging portion 613 has a T-shape extending in the vertical direction, and the left engaging portion 614 can include the T-shape. Although the right engaging portion 613 has an L-shape extending only downward, the left engaging portion 614 may have a shape capable of including the L-shape. Good. Similarly, also in the modified embodiment of FIG. 9, the first side engaging portion 653 has only an L-shaped portion extending downward, and the second side engaging portion 654 has a lower L-shaped portion. It may have only a portion. The same applies to other modified embodiments.

10 Image Forming Device 11 Device Main Body 20 Photosensitive Drum 23 Developing Device 51 Toner Container 52 Toner Container 610 Storage Space 611 Upper Engagement Part 612 Lower Engagement Part 613 Right Engagement Part 614 Left Engagement Part 61H Main Body Part 620 Storage Space 621 Vertical engaging portion 622 Engaging inclined portion 623 First lateral engaging portion 624 Second lateral engaging portion 62H Main body portion

Claims (8)

The device body,
A plurality of photoconductor drums, which are rotated around a predetermined axis and have a peripheral surface that allows the formation of an electrostatic latent image and also carries a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image,
A plurality of developing devices that store toners of different colors and supply the toners to the plurality of photosensitive drums to visualize the electrostatic latent image in the toner image;
The toner is detachably attached to the main body of the apparatus along a predetermined mounting direction and arranged horizontally adjacent to each other in the main body of the apparatus. A plurality of first toner containers capable of supplying
The toner is detachably attached to the apparatus main body along the mounting direction and is horizontally adjacent to each other below the plurality of first toner containers in the apparatus main body to accommodate toners of different colors. A plurality of second toner containers capable of supplying the toner to the developing device;
Equipped with
One toner container included in the plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers,
A main body having a storage space for storing toner;
A first vertical engagement portion that engages with another toner container adjacent to the one toner container in the vertical direction or the apparatus main body, and guides the one toner container along the mounting direction;
Engages with another toner container adjacent to the one toner container on the side opposite to the first vertical engagement portion in the vertical direction or with the apparatus main body, and guides the one toner container along the mounting direction. A second vertical engaging portion,
A first lateral engagement portion that engages with another toner container adjacent to the one toner container in the horizontal direction or the apparatus main body, and guides the one toner container along the mounting direction;
The toner container is engaged with another toner container adjacent to the one toner container or the apparatus main body in the horizontal direction on the side opposite to the first side engaging portion, and guides the one toner container along the mounting direction. And a second side engaging portion,
Have
All the toner containers included in the plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers are the main body portion of the one toner container, the first vertical engagement portion, the second vertical engagement portion, and An image forming apparatus having a first side engaging portion and the second side engaging portion. The first vertical engagement portion is provided to project from the main body portion in the vertical direction,
The second vertical engaging portion is provided on the opposite side of the first vertical engaging portion in the vertical direction from the main body, and has a shape fitting with the first vertical engaging portion along the mounting direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of first vertical transport units that respectively guide toner discharged from the plurality of first toner containers downward;
A plurality of second vertical transport units which respectively guide the toner discharged from the plurality of second toner containers downward,
Further equipped with,
The plurality of second toner containers are mounted in the apparatus main body at positions displaced toward the rear end side in the mounting direction with respect to the plurality of first toner containers,
Below the mounting direction tip portions of the plurality of first toner containers mounted on the apparatus body, and with respect to the mounting direction tip portions of the plurality of second toner containers mounted on the apparatus body, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of first vertical transport units are arranged at positions facing each other in the mounting direction. The first vertical engagement portion is provided to project from the main body portion in the vertical direction,
The second vertical engagement portion is a pair of inclined walls that define an outer peripheral surface of the main body portion on the side opposite to the first vertical engagement portion in the vertical direction,
The second toner container is attached to the apparatus main body in a posture in which the first toner container is rotated 180 degrees around an axis extending in the attachment direction with respect to the posture in which the first toner container is attached to the apparatus main body,
The plurality of first toner containers such that one of the pair of inclined walls of the first toner container and one of the pair of inclined walls of the second toner container face each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second toner containers are arranged at positions horizontally displaced from each other. The first vertical engagement portion is a pair of first inclined walls that define an outer peripheral surface of the main body portion,
The second vertical engagement portion is a pair of second inclined walls that define an outer peripheral surface of the main body portion on the side opposite to the first vertical engagement portion in the vertical direction,
The second toner container is attached to the apparatus main body in the same posture as the first toner container is attached to the apparatus main body,
One second inclined wall of the pair of second inclined walls of the first toner container and one first inclined wall of the pair of first inclined walls of the second toner container face each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second toner containers are arranged at positions horizontally displaced from the plurality of first toner containers. A transfer unit for transferring the toner images carried on the plurality of photosensitive drums to a sheet,
A fixing unit that performs a fixing process on the sheet onto which the toner has been transferred;
A sheet discharge unit that discharges the sheet that has been subjected to the fixing process along a predetermined discharge direction that intersects the mounting direction;
A sheet discharge unit that is disposed above the plurality of first toner containers and that allows the sheets discharged by the sheet discharge unit to be stacked.
Further equipped with,
The paper output section is
A horizontal portion that is disposed on the tip side in the discharge direction of the paper discharge portion and extends along the horizontal direction;
An inclined portion that is disposed on the rear end side of the paper ejection portion in the ejection direction and that is inclined forward along the ejection direction;
Have
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of first toner containers are arranged at positions displaced from the plurality of second toner containers toward a front end side in the discharge direction. A plurality of first vertical transport units that respectively guide toner discharged from the plurality of first toner containers downward;
A plurality of second vertical transport units which respectively guide the toner discharged from the plurality of second toner containers downward,
Further equipped with,
The plurality of first toner containers and the plurality of second toner containers are mounted at the same position in the mounting direction in the apparatus main body,
Below the mounting direction tip portions of the plurality of first toner containers mounted on the apparatus body, and with respect to the mounting direction tip portions of the plurality of second toner containers mounted on the apparatus body, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of first vertical transport units are arranged so as to face each other in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the mounting direction. The first lateral engagement portion is provided to project from the main body portion in the horizontal direction,
The second side engaging portion is provided on the opposite side of the first side engaging portion in a horizontal direction from the main body, and is fitted to the first side engaging portion along the mounting direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which has a matching shape.