JP2024003440A - Powder container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the occurrence of a trouble that a discharge port is opened even if an unintended force is acted on a shutter member that has closed the discharge port.

SOLUTION: Application of a force to release the contact between a contact part 34n1 of a cap part 34Y (holding member) and a contact target part 34d22 of a shutter member 34d allows the shutter member 34d having closed a toner discharge port W to move in an opening direction. The cap part 34Y is provided with a guide part 34s that is formed so that, in a direction directed to the contact part 34n1 with an edge 34r of the toner discharge port W as a starting point, the opposite distance Z2 between an edge 34r and a virtual plane R including an opposite surface 34d1a of a shutter main part 34d1 opposite to the edge part is made equal to the opposite distance Z1 between the edge 34r and the opposite surface 34d1a.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a powder container in which powder such as toner is stored, and an image forming apparatus including a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction device thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers, powder containers (toner bottles) that are removably installed in image forming apparatus bodies have often been used (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In addition, as such a powder container, one is known that is provided with a shutter member that opens and closes a discharge port (toner discharge port) formed in a holding member (cap portion) that is non-rotatably held in the main body of an image forming apparatus. (For example, see Patent Document 1.)
Specifically, in Patent Document 1 and the like, the shutter member is configured to open and close the discharge port in conjunction with the operation of attaching and detaching the powder container to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

In conventional powder containers, an unintended force may act on the shutter member with the discharge port closed, causing the discharge port to open. When the discharge port is unintentionally opened in this way, a problem arises in that the surrounding area is contaminated with powder.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and even if an unintended force is applied to the shutter member with the discharge port closed, the problem of the discharge port being opened is less likely to occur. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus.

The powder container in this invention is a powder container that is removably installed in the main body of an image forming apparatus, and includes an outlet for discharging the powder stored inside the powder container to the outside, and a predetermined outlet. a shutter member that opens and closes the discharge port by moving in the opening/closing direction of the shutter member; a contact portion that contacts a contact portion of the shutter member to limit movement in the opening direction; and a contact portion between the discharge port and the contact portion. is formed, and a holding member that holds the shutter member movably in the opening/closing direction; and when the discharge port is in a state where it is held by the shutter member or the holding member and the discharge port is closed by the shutter member. and a sealing member for sealing a gap between an edge of the discharge port and a shutter main portion of the shutter member facing the discharge port, and a seal member sealing a gap between the abutting portion and the abutted portion. By applying a force to release the contact, the shutter member with the discharge port closed becomes movable in the opening direction, and the holding member moves from the edge to the contact portion. in the direction toward the edge, so that the facing distance with a virtual plane including the facing surface of the shutter main portion facing the edge is equal to the facing distance between the edge and the facing surface, or , the guide portion is formed so as to gradually decrease.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus in which the problem of opening the discharge port is unlikely to occur even if an unintended force is applied to the shutter member with the discharge port closed. I can do it.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming section. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner replenishing device. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner container accommodating section. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the toner container from diagonally above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the toner container from diagonally below. FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a toner container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a container body of the toner container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a shutter member of the toner container closes a toner discharge port. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a shutter member of the toner container opens a toner discharge port. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a toner container is being installed in a toner container accommodating portion. (A) A bottom view showing the vicinity of the toner discharge port from below, and (B) a sectional view showing the state in which the shutter member closes the toner discharge port from the side. As a comparative example, (A) is a bottom view showing the vicinity of the toner discharge port from below, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the shutter member closes the toner discharge port from the side. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing from the side a state in which a shutter member closes a toner discharge port in a toner container as a modified example.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

First, the overall configuration and operation of image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the toner container accommodating section 70 (see FIG. 4) located above the image forming apparatus main body 100 has four powder containers corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black). Containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are removably (replaceably) installed.
An intermediate transfer unit 15 is arranged below the toner container storage section 70 . Image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged in parallel to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15.
Toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are provided below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (powder containers), respectively. The powdered toner contained in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is supplied to the developing devices of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, respectively. is supplied (supplied) to.

Referring to FIG. 2, the image forming section 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photoreceptor drum 1Y, a charging device 4Y disposed around the photoreceptor drum 1Y, a developing device 5Y, a cleaning device 2Y, and a static eliminator (not shown). ), etc. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, development process, transfer process, cleaning process, static elimination process) is performed on the photoconductor drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y. become.

Note that the other three image forming sections 6M, 6C, and 6K have almost the same configuration as the image forming section 6Y corresponding to yellow, except that the toner colors used are different. A corresponding image is formed. Hereinafter, description of the other three image forming sections 6M, 6C, and 6K will be omitted as appropriate, and only the image forming section 6Y corresponding to yellow will be explained.

Referring to FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 by a drive motor (not shown). Then, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging device 4Y (this is a charging process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 7 (see FIG. 1), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position. (This is an exposure process.)

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position, forming a yellow toner image (this is a developing process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the first transfer roller 9Y, and at this position the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 ( (This is the primary transfer process.) At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photoreceptor drum 1Y.

Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning device 2Y, and at this position, the untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a (in the cleaning process). be.).
Finally, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the static eliminator, and at this position the residual potential on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is removed (this is a static elimination process).
In this way, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y are completed.

Note that the above-described image forming process is performed in the other image forming sections 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as in the yellow image forming section 6Y. That is, from the exposure device 7 disposed below the image forming section, laser light L based on image information is irradiated onto the photoreceptor drums of each of the image forming sections 6M, 6C, and 6K.
Thereafter, the toner images of each color formed on each photoreceptor drum through a developing process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in an overlapping manner. In this way, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Here, with reference to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, an intermediate transfer cleaning It consists of equipment, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is endlessly moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the rotation of one roller member 12.

The four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K each sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form a primary transfer nip. Then, a transfer bias opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.
The intermediate transfer belt 8 then travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of the four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, the toner images of each color on the photoreceptor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in an overlapping manner.

Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8, onto which the toner images of each color have been superimposed and transferred, reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer opposing roller 12 and the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. Then, the four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a sheet P such as paper that is conveyed to the position of this secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the sheet P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.
Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning device. At this position, untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected.
In this way, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are completed.

Here, the sheet P to be conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed from a sheet feeding device 26 disposed below the apparatus main body 100 via a sheet feeding roller 27, a pair of registration rollers 28, etc. It is something.
Specifically, the paper feeding device 26 stores a plurality of sheets P, such as paper, stacked one on top of the other. Then, when the paper feed roller 27 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the uppermost sheet P is fed toward between the rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

The sheet P conveyed to the pair of registration rollers 28 temporarily stops at the roller nip position of the pair of registration rollers 28 whose rotational drive has been stopped. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the sheet P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, a desired color image is transferred onto the sheet P.

Thereafter, the sheet P onto which the color image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip position is conveyed to the fixing device 20 position. Then, at this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed onto the sheet P by heat and pressure from the fixing belt and the pressure roller.
Thereafter, the sheet P passes between the rollers of the paper ejection roller pair 29 and is ejected out of the apparatus. The sheets P discharged from the apparatus by the pair of paper discharge rollers 29 are sequentially stacked on the stack section 30 as an output image.
In this way, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus are completed.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming section will be described in more detail.
The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y facing the photoreceptor drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, two transport screws 55Y disposed in developer storage sections 53Y and 54Y, and toner in the developer. It is composed of a concentration detection sensor 56Y that detects concentration, and the like. The developing roller 51Y is composed of a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet, and the like. A two-component developer G consisting of carrier and toner is stored in the developer storage portions 53Y and 54Y. The developer storage section 54Y communicates with the toner fall conveyance path 64Y via an opening formed above.

The developing device 5Y configured as described above operates as follows.
The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates.

Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, in accordance with the consumption of toner in the developing device 5Y, the toner contained in the toner container 32Y is replenished into the developer storage portion 54Y via the toner replenishing device 60Y (see FIG. 3). Note that the configuration and operation of the toner replenishing device will be explained in detail later.

Thereafter, the toner replenished into the developer storage section 54Y is mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two conveyance screws 55Y, and circulates through the two developer storage sections 53Y and 54Y (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. ). The toner in the developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier, and is supported on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51Y.

The developer G supported on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52Y. After the developer G on the developing roller 51Y is adjusted to an appropriate amount at this position, it is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (which is a developing area). Then, the toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, as the sleeve rotates, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer accommodating portion 53Y, and is separated from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

Next, the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
Referring to FIG. 3, the toner in each toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K installed in the toner container accommodating portion 70 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is changed depending on the toner consumption in the developing device of each color. Toner is appropriately replenished into each developing device by toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K provided for each color.
Note that the four toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K and the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K have almost the same structure except for the color of toner used in the image forming process, so they are compatible with yellow. Only the toner replenishing device 60Y and toner container 32Y will be described, and the description of the toner replenishing devices 60M, 60C, 60K and toner containers 32M, 32C, 32K corresponding to the other three colors will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are installed in the toner container accommodating section 70 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 (movement in the direction of arrow Q), the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K move in conjunction with the installation operation. Then, the shutter members 34d of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K move to open the toner discharge ports W (discharge ports), and the toner replenishment ports 73w of the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K (see FIG. 3) and the toner discharge port W communicate with each other. As a result, the toner contained in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is discharged from the toner discharge port W, and is discharged from the toner supply port 73w of the toner supply device 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K into the toner tank portion 61Y. will be stored in.
Here, with reference to FIG. 3, the toner container 32Y is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle, and mainly includes a cap portion 34Y as a holding member non-rotatably held in the toner container accommodating portion 70, and a gear 33c. It is composed of a container body 33Y (bottle body) integrally formed with a container body 33Y (bottle body). The container body 33Y is rotatably held relative to the cap part 34Y, and is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 by a drive part 91 (consisting of a drive motor, a drive gear 81, etc.). Ru. As the container body 33Y itself rotates, the toner contained in the toner container 32Y (container body 33Y) is transported in the longitudinal direction by the protrusion 33b spirally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33Y. (transport from the left to the right in FIG. 3), and the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y. That is, by appropriately rotating and driving the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y by the driving section 91, toner is appropriately supplied to the toner tank section 61Y. Note that each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is replaced with a new one when the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K reach the end of their service life (when almost all of the toner they contain is consumed and the containers are empty).

Referring to FIG. 3, the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K include a toner container accommodating section 70, a toner tank section 61Y, a toner conveying screw 62Y, a stirring member 65Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, a driving section 91, and the like. It is configured.
The toner tank portion 61Y is disposed below the toner outlet W of the toner container 32Y, and stores the toner discharged from the toner outlet W of the toner container 32Y. The bottom of the toner tank portion 61Y is connected to the upstream portion of the toner conveying screw 62Y.
Further, a toner end sensor 66Y is installed on the wall surface of the toner tank portion 61Y (located at a predetermined height from the bottom) to detect when the amount of toner stored in the toner tank portion 61Y has fallen below a predetermined amount. ing. A piezoelectric sensor or the like can be used as the toner end sensor 66Y. When the control section 90 detects that the toner stored in the toner tank section 61Y has become less than a predetermined amount by the toner end sensor 66Y (toner end detection), the drive section 91 ( The driving gear 81) rotates the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y for a predetermined period of time to supply toner to the toner tank portion 61Y. Furthermore, if the toner end detection by the toner end sensor 66Y is not canceled even after repeating such control, it is assumed that there is no toner in the toner container 32Y, and the display panel of the apparatus main body 100 prompts to replace the toner container 32Y. Display the following information.

Further, a stirring member 65Y is installed at the center of the toner tank section 61Y (near the toner end sensor 66Y) to prevent agglomeration of the toner stored in the toner tank section 61Y. The stirring member 65Y has a flexible member installed on its shaft, and rotates clockwise in FIG. 3 to stir the toner in the toner tank portion 61Y. Furthermore, the tip of the flexible member of the stirring member 65Y slides into contact with the detection surface of the toner end sensor 66Y during the rotation period, which causes toner to stick to the detection surface of the toner end sensor 66Y, reducing detection accuracy. It's suppressed.

The toner conveyance screw 62Y conveys the toner stored in the toner tank portion 61Y diagonally upward. Specifically, the toner conveying screw 62Y linearly conveys toner from the bottom (lowest point) of the toner tank portion 61Y toward the upper side of the developing device 5Y. The toner conveyed by the toner conveyance screw 62Y falls under its own weight along the toner fall conveyance path 64Y (see FIG. 2) and is replenished into the developing device 5Y (developer storage section 54Y).

Further, with reference to FIG. 4, the toner container storage section 70 mainly includes a cap receiving section 73 for holding the cap section 34Y of the toner container 32Y, and a bottle receiving section 73 for holding the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y. 72 (container main body receiving part), and an insertion opening 71 that serves as an insertion opening during the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y.

Here, referring to FIG. 1, when the main body cover installed on the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1) is opened, the toner container storage section 70 (insertion opening section 71) is opened. is exposed. Then, with the longitudinal direction of each toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K set horizontally, attach/detach each toner container 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K from the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (with the longitudinal direction of the toner container This is an attachment/detachment operation in the attachment/detachment direction.) is performed.
Here, the bottle receiving portion 72 is formed so that its length in the longitudinal direction is approximately equal to the length in the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y. Further, the cap receiver 73 is provided at one end of the bottle receiver 72 in the longitudinal direction (installation direction), and the insertion port 71 is provided at the other end of the bottle receiver 72 in the longitudinal direction (installation direction). . Therefore, as the toner container 32Y is attached, the cap portion 34Y slides on the bottle receiving portion 72 for a while after passing through the insertion opening portion 71, and is then set in the cap receiving portion 73.
Note that the bottle receiving portion 72 is formed with a protruding portion 72a (FIG. 11) that assists in the opening operation of the shutter member 34d of the toner container 32Y, which will be described in detail later using FIG. 11.

Next, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K as powder containers will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the toner container 32Y mainly includes a substantially cylindrical container body 33Y (bottle body) and a cap portion 34Y (bottle cap) as a holding member into which the head portion is inserted. , consists of. Furthermore, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the toner container 32Y includes, in addition to the container body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y (holding member), a stirring member 33f, a shutter member 34d, a shutter seal 36 as a sealing member, and an RFID 35. , cover 37, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the head of the substantially cylindrical container body 33Y has a gear 33c that rotates integrally with the container body 33Y and an opening A in the longitudinal direction (FIGS. 3 and 11). (in the left-right direction). The opening A is provided at the head of the container body 33Y (the position at the front in the mounting operation), and allows the toner contained in the container body 33Y to be transferred to the space (a hollow space) in the cap portion 34Y. , see Figure 11).
Note that toner conveyance from the inside of the container body 33Y to the cavity in the cap portion 34Y (rotation drive of the container body 33Y) is appropriately performed to the extent that the toner in the cap portion 34Y does not fall below a predetermined water line.

The gear 33c meshes with a drive gear 81 (see FIG. 3) provided in the toner container accommodating portion 70 of the apparatus main body 100 to drive the container main body 33Y to rotate about the central axis with the longitudinal direction as the rotation axis direction. belongs to.
Specifically, the gear 33c is formed so as to go around the opening A once, and has a plurality of teeth formed radially with respect to the rotation center of the container body 33Y. A portion of the gear 33c is exposed from a notch formed in the cap portion 34Y, and meshes with the drive gear 81 of the device main body 100 at a diagonally downward meshing position. Then, the driving force is transmitted from the drive gear 81 to the gear 33c, and the container body 33Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3. Note that in this embodiment, drive gear 81 and gear 33c are spur gears.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y (the rear end in the mounting direction) has a handle for the user to grasp when attaching and detaching the toner container 32Y. A grip portion 33d is provided. The user attaches the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100 while gripping the gripping portion 33d (this is a movement of the toner container 32Y in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5).

Further, a spiral protrusion 33b is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the container body 33Y (it becomes a spiral groove when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side). This spiral protrusion 33b rotates the container body 33Y with the longitudinal direction as the rotation axis direction, and conveys the toner contained inside the container body 33Y toward the opening A and discharges it from the opening A. belongs to.
The container main body 33Y configured in this way is made of a resin material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and is integrally manufactured by blow molding together with the gear 33c and the grip portion 33d disposed on the circumferential surface of the container main body 33Y. can do.

7 and 8, in the toner container 32Y of this embodiment, a stirring member 33f that rotates together with the container body 33Y is fitted into the bottle mouth 33a (opening A).
The stirring member 33f is provided with a pair of substantially rod-shaped blade portions 33f1 extending from the cavity in the cap portion 34Y into the container body 33Y at distant positions in the circumferential direction. By rotating the stirring member 33 (blade portion 33f1) together with the opening A of the container body 33Y, toner discharge performance from the opening A is improved.

Further, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottle mouth portion 33a of the container body 33Y is formed with a claw portion in the circumferential direction that can be fitted into the cap portion 34Y. Then, the container main body 33Y is rotatably fitted to the cap portion 34Y. Therefore, the gear 33c rotates relative to the cap portion 34Y.
Further, the inner diameter of the head of the container body 33Y (near the position where the gear 33c is formed) is larger than the inner diameter of the accommodating portion in which the toner is stored (the position where the spiral protrusion 33b is formed). It is also designed to be smaller. The head of the container body 33Y is provided with a pumping part (the part surrounded by the broken line in FIGS. 7 and 8) whose inner peripheral surface is formed to protrude toward the inside. Then, as the container main body 33Y rotates, the toner transported toward the opening A by the spiral protrusion 33b is transported to the small diameter of the head by the pumping part (the part surrounded by the broken line in FIGS. 7 and 8). pumped into the department. Thereafter, the toner pumped up into the small diameter portion of the head is discharged from the opening A toward the cavity of the cap portion 34Y while being stirred by the stirring member 33f.

Referring to FIG. 7, a shutter member 34d, a shutter seal 36 (sealing member), an RFID 35, a cover 37, and the like are installed in the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y.
The opening A of the container body 33Y is inserted into the cap portion 34Y as a holding member. A toner discharge port W (discharge port) is formed at the bottom of the cap portion 34Y for discharging the toner discharged from the opening A of the container body 33Y vertically downward (falling under its own weight) outside the container. There is. A shutter member 34d (see FIG. 6, etc.) for opening and closing the toner discharge port W is slidably held at the bottom of the cap portion 34Y. Specifically, the shutter member 34d closes the toner outlet W by relative movement in the longitudinal direction from the side of the cap portion 34Y to the side of the container body 33Y (movement in the opposite direction of the arrow direction in FIG. 6). is opened, and the toner discharge port W is closed by relative movement in the longitudinal direction from the side of the container body 33Y to the side of the cap portion 34Y (movement in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6). The opening/closing operation of the shutter member 34d (this is the opening/closing operation of the toner discharge port W) is performed in conjunction with the longitudinal attachment/detachment of the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container accommodating portion 70 (apparatus main body 100).

The cap portion 34Y configured in this manner communicates with the container body 33Y via the opening A, and discharges the toner discharged from the opening A from the toner discharge port W (in the direction of the broken line arrow in FIG. 3). ).
Here, in this embodiment, a substantially cylindrical cavity (space) is formed inside the cap portion 34Y so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, inside the cap portion 34Y, there is a toner falling path formed in a columnar shape with a constant flow path area (flow path cross-sectional area) from the lower peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical cavity toward the toner discharge port W. It is provided. As a result, the toner discharged from the opening A of the container body 33Y into the cavity of the cap portion 34Y falls under its own weight along the columnar toner fall path and is smoothly discharged from the toner outlet W to the outside of the container (toner tank portion 61Y). will be done.

In addition, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 11, an annular cap seal is provided on the inner facing surface of the cap portion 34Y (the surface facing the bottle mouth portion 33a around the opening A of the container body 33Y). 38 (see FIG. 11) is attached. The cap seal 38 is for sealing the gap between the opposing surfaces of the container body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y around the opening A, and is made of an elastic material (foamed resin material) such as foamed polyurethane. .
Further, referring to FIG. 7, an RFID 35 is installed on the end surface of the cap portion 34Y so as to be covered by a cover 37. The RFID 35 stores information such as the serial number of the toner container and the number of times it has been recycled, as well as information such as the capacity, lot number, and color of the toner, and these pieces of information are exchanged with the image forming apparatus main body 100. It turns out.

Further, at the bottom of the cap portion 34Y, a shutter seal 36 (seal A shutter member 34d to which a member) is attached is installed. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (and FIG. 11), the shutter member 34d opens the toner outlet W in conjunction with the operation of attaching and detaching the toner container 32Y to and from the toner container accommodating section 70 (image forming apparatus main body 100). It is for opening and closing.
Specifically, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, the shutter member 34d includes a plate-shaped shutter main portion 34d1, and a container body 33Y side (where the cap portion 34Y and container main body 33Y are assembled). In this state, the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is thinner and more elastic than the shutter main portion 34d1 and protrudes toward the container body side. Further, a stopper release portion 34d21 that protrudes downward is formed at the end of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 (the end on the downstream side in the opening direction (the left side in FIGS. 11 and 12)).
Further, the shutter member 34d is located at the bottom of the cap portion 34Y in the left-right direction in FIGS. 11 and 12 (this is the opening/closing direction with respect to the toner discharge port W, and the attachment/detachment direction of the toner container 32Y with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100). It is kept movable. Then, as the shutter member 34d moves, the shutter main portion 34d1 opens and closes the toner discharge port W.

Note that the shutter seal 36 functions as a sealing member that seals the gap between the edge 34r of the toner discharge port W serving as a discharge port and the shutter main portion 34d1 facing the toner discharge port W. For example, it is made of an elastic material such as "Poron" (manufactured by Rogers INOAC).
Furthermore, the edge 34r of the toner discharge port W protrudes downward in a rib shape from the surrounding bottom surface, as shown in FIG. 10 and the like. By causing only the edge 34r to protrude in a rib shape in this way, the close contact between the shutter seal 36 and the edge 34r is increased, so that the sealing performance of the shutter seal 36 is improved.

The operation of the shutter member 34d in conjunction with the attachment operation of the toner container 32Y to the toner container storage section 70 (image forming apparatus main body 100) will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 11 and the like.
As shown in FIG. 11, the operation of mounting the toner container 32Y onto the toner container storage section 70 (movement to the right in FIG. 11) is started. At this time, the toner outlet W of the toner container 32Y is closed by the shutter member 34d. Further, the abutted portion 34d22 (the end face on the downstream side in the opening direction (the left side in FIGS. 11 and 12(B))) of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is the shutter storage portion 34n formed at the bottom of the cap portion 34Y. (See FIGS. 9, 10, etc.), and the movement of the shutter member 34d in the opening direction is restricted (the toner discharge port W is not opened).
Then, as the toner container 32Y moves in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11) from the state shown in FIG. The position of the protruding portion 72a (stopper release biasing portion) formed on the portion 72 is reached. Then, the stopper release portion 34d21 is pushed up in the direction of the white arrow by the protruding portion 72a, and the shutter deformation portion 34d2 is elastically deformed from the connection portion (the connection portion with the shutter main portion 34d1). As a result, the abutting state between the abutted portion 34d22 and the abutting portion 34n1 is released, allowing relative movement of the shutter member 34d in the opening direction.
Thereafter, the shutter member 34d comes into contact with a wall (not shown) formed around the toner supply port 73w of the cap receiving portion 73, and movement in the toner container storage portion 70 (cap receiving portion 73) is restricted. (The shutter member 34d will absolutely not move in the longitudinal direction.) However, since the toner container 32Y continues to move in the mounting direction, relative movement of the shutter member 34d in the opening direction is performed. Then, the shutter member 34d moves relatively toward the container body 33Y, and its shutter deformed portion 34d2 is stored in the shutter storage portion 34n (storage portion) (as shown in FIG. 10). In this way, the opening of the toner discharge port W by the movement of the shutter member 34d in the opening direction is completely completed. At this time, the stopper release portion 34d21 of the shutter member 34d is stored in the notch of the shutter storage portion 34n, as shown in FIG.

Although not shown in the drawings, when the toner container 32Y (cap section 34Y) is attached to the toner container storage section 70, both ends (both ends in the direction orthogonal to the opening/closing direction) of the shutter member 34d are inserted into the toner container storage section 70. A shutter clamping mechanism is provided to clamp the shutter. The shutter clamping mechanism is configured to release the clamping of the shutter member 34d after the closing operation of the shutter member 34d is completed when the toner container 32Y (cap part 34Y) is removed from the toner container storage section 70. There is.
Note that as such a shutter clamping mechanism, for example, one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5660378 can be used.

The characteristic configuration and operation of the toner container 32Y (32M, 32C, 32K) as a powder container in this embodiment will be described below.
As described above, the toner container 32Y in this embodiment functions as a powder container that is removably installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100.
The toner container 32Y in this embodiment is provided with a toner discharge port W as a discharge port, a shutter member 34d, a contact portion 34n1, a cap portion 34Y as a holding member, a shutter seal 36 as a sealing member, and the like. It is being

The toner discharge port W (discharge port) of the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34Y) is an opening for discharging toner in the form of powder stored inside the toner container 32Y to the outside.
The shutter member 34d opens and closes the discharge port W by moving in a predetermined opening/closing direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 11 and 12).
The abutting portion 34n1 abuts against the abutted portion 34d22 (shutter deforming portion 34d2) of the shutter member 34d to limit movement in the opening direction (leftward in FIGS. 11 and 12). In this embodiment, the end surface (the end surface on the upstream side in the opening direction) of the shutter housing portion 34n functions as the contact portion 34n1.
The cap portion 34Y as a holding member has a discharge port W and a contact portion 34n1 formed at its bottom, and is movable in the opening/closing direction of the shutter member 34d (the left-right direction in FIGS. 11 and 12). It is held in
The shutter seal 36 provides a gap between an edge 34r of the toner outlet W and a shutter main portion 34d1 of the shutter member 34d facing the toner outlet W when the outlet W is closed by the shutter member 34d. It functions as a sealing member for sealing. In this embodiment, the shutter seal 36 is held (adhered) to the shutter member 34d (shutter main portion 34d1).

In the toner container 32Y according to the present embodiment, the shutter member 34d in a state where the toner discharge port W is closed is moved in the opening direction by applying a force to release the contact between the contact portion 34n1 and the contacted portion 34d22. Configured to be movable.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the shutter member 34d has the abutted portion 34d22 disposed on the downstream side in the opening direction (left side in FIGS. 11 and 12) with respect to the shutter main portion 34d1. In addition, the shutter member 34d is attached to a protrusion 72a installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 (bottle receiving part 72) in conjunction with the attachment operation of the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (stopper release part 72). 34d21) is pushed, and the contact between the abutted part 34d22 and the abutting part 34n1 is released. Further, the shutter member 34d opens and closes the toner discharge port W in conjunction with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y to/from the image forming apparatus main body 100, with the attachment/detachment direction as the opening/closing direction.

Here, as shown in FIG. 12(B), in the toner container 32Y according to the present embodiment, the cap portion 34Y as a holding member is moved in a direction toward the contact portion 34n1 from the edge 34r of the toner discharge port W as a starting point. (in the left direction in FIG. 12), the opposing distance Z2 between the shutter main portion 34d1 facing the edge 34r and the virtual plane R including the opposing surface 34d1a is the opposing distance Z1 between the edge 34r and the opposing surface 34d1a. A guide portion 34s formed to be equivalent to the guide portion 34s is provided.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12(B), the guide portion 34s, like the edge 34r of the toner discharge port W, protrudes downward from the surrounding bottom surface in a rib shape. The guide portion 34s and the edge portion 34r are located at substantially the same position in the height direction. In other words, the lower surface of the guide portion 34s and the lower surface of the edge 34r are located within the same plane.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 12(A), the guide portion 34s connects both end portions of the edge portion 34r in the lateral direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 12(A)) to the downstream side in the opening direction (the vertical direction in FIG. This is the left side of 12(A).)

As described above, the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y in this embodiment is provided with the guide portion 34s so as to extend in the direction (opening direction) toward the contact portion 34n1 with respect to the edge 34r of the toner discharge port W. Therefore, even if an unintended force is applied to the shutter member 34d (as shown in FIG. 12(B)) with the toner outlet W closed, the toner outlet W will be opened. Problems are less likely to occur.
When the cap portion 134Y shown as a comparative example in FIG. 13 is not provided with the guide portion 34s, the stopper release portion 34d21 is attached to the protruding portion 72a (stopper release biasing portion) during the attachment operation to the image forming apparatus main body 100. ), or if an external force in the direction of the white arrow acts unintentionally due to a falling impact while the toner container 32Y is being transported alone. When the main shutter portion 34d1 is closed, the shutter main portion 34d1 may rotate in the direction of the black arrow using the edge portion 34r near the contact portion 34n1 (the portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 13) as a fulcrum. be. Then, when the shutter main portion 34d1 rotates in this way and the toner discharge port W is opened (if a gap is created between the toner discharge port W and the shutter seal 36), the toner discharge port W is opened from the toner discharge port W. The toner will leak out and stain the surrounding area with toner. Moreover, if the shutter member 34d slides at the same time as such rotation and the contact between the abutted part 34d22 and the abutting part 34n1 is released, another impact may occur afterwards, or the user may If the shutter member 34d unintentionally comes into contact with the shutter member 34d, the stopper function between the abutted portion 34d22 and the abutting portion 34n1 will be lost.
In contrast, in the present embodiment, the guide portion 34s is provided on the side of the contact portion 34n1 with respect to the edge portion 34r, so that when the above-mentioned unintended external force is applied, the shutter main This makes it difficult to form a fulcrum around which the portion 34d1 can rotate. Therefore, even if an unintended external force as described above is applied, the problem of toner leaking to the outside from the toner discharge port W is less likely to occur.

Here, with reference to FIG. 12(B), in the present embodiment, the shutter member 34d is configured such that when the toner discharge port W is closed, the opposing surface 34d1a of the shutter main portion 34d1 is located at the edge of the toner discharge port W. A pressurizing force (this is the repulsive force of the shutter seal 36 compressed between the shutter member 34d and the edge 34r) is applied so as to be parallel to the abutted part 34d22. The above-mentioned pressing force (seal repulsion force) is applied in the direction in which the area facing the portion 34n1 increases.
With this configuration, when the shutter member 34d is in the closed state, even if an unintended external force as described above acts on the shutter member 34d, the abutted portion 34d22 and the abutted portion 34n1 It becomes difficult for the toner discharge port W to be released from contact with the shutter member 34d, and it also becomes difficult for the toner discharge port W to open due to the rotation of the shutter member 34d.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12A, in this embodiment, the length M of the guide portion 34s in the opening and closing direction is the moving distance of the shutter member 34d in the opening and closing direction (the length of the shutter main portion 34d1 indicated by a broken line). The moving distance from the position to the position of the shutter main portion 34d' indicated by the dashed line is equal to or greater than the moving distance.
As a result, when the shutter member 34d moves in the opening/closing direction, the shutter main part 34d1 moves smoothly in the horizontal direction without fluctuation in the posture of the shutter main part 34d1, and the opening/closing operation of the shutter member 34d is stabilized. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 12(A), in this embodiment, the length M of the guide portion 34s in the opening/closing direction is equal to or greater than the length N of the shutter seal 36 (sealing member) in the opening/closing direction. (M≧N).
This reduces fluctuations in the seal repulsion force of the shutter seal 36 compressed between the cap portion 34Y (edge portion 34r, guide portion 34s) and the shutter main portion 34d1 when the shutter member 34d moves in the opening/closing direction. can do. Therefore, the posture of the shutter main portion 34d1 does not vary, the shutter main portion 34d1 moves smoothly, and the opening/closing operation of the shutter member 34d is stabilized.

<Modified example>
As shown in FIG. 14, in the toner container 32Y in the modified example, the cap portion 34Y (holding member) is moved in the direction toward the contact portion 34n1 from the edge 34r of the toner discharge port W (the left direction in FIG. 14). ), the facing distance Z2 between the shutter main portion 34d1 facing the edge 34r and the virtual plane R including the facing surface 34d1a gradually decreases with respect to the facing distance Z1 between the edge 34r and the facing surface 34d1a. A formed guide portion 34s is provided.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the guide portion 34s, like the edge 34r of the toner discharge port W, protrudes downward from the surrounding bottom surface in a rib shape. However, although the connecting portion of the guide portion 34s with the edge portion 34r is at the same height, the height position of the guide portion 34s gradually becomes lower as it moves away from the edge portion 34r toward the downstream side in the opening direction. There is. That is, the lower surface of the guide portion 34s is an inclined surface 34s1 that slopes downward from the upstream side in the opening direction to the downstream side in the opening direction.
Even when the guide portion 34s is configured in this way, even if an unintended force is applied to the shutter member 34d (as shown in FIG. 14) when the toner discharge port W is closed, the shutter main portion Since a fulcrum on which the toner discharge port W can be rotated is less likely to be formed, the problem that the toner discharge port W is opened is less likely to occur.

As described above, the toner container 32Y in this embodiment is a powder container that is removably installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100, and is used to store the toner (powder) contained inside the toner container 32Y. A toner discharge port W (discharge port) for discharging the toner to the outside, a shutter member 34d that opens and closes the toner discharge port W by moving in a predetermined opening/closing direction, and a shutter member 34d that contacts a contact portion 34d22 of the shutter member 34d and opens. A contact portion 34n1 that restricts movement in the direction is provided. Further, a toner discharge port W and a contact portion 34n1 are formed, and a cap portion 34Y (holding member) that holds the shutter member 34d movably in the opening and closing direction is provided. Further, when the shutter member 34d (or the cap portion 34Y) holds the toner outlet W, and the toner outlet W is closed by the shutter member 34d, the edge 34r of the toner outlet W and the toner outlet W are connected to each other. A shutter seal 36 (sealing member) is provided to seal the gap between the shutter main portion 34d1 of the opposing shutter member 34d. Further, the shutter member 34d is configured to be able to move in the opening direction when the toner discharge port W is closed by applying a force to release the contact between the contact portion 34n1 and the contacted portion 34d22. . The cap portion 34Y has an opposing distance Z2 from the edge 34r to the virtual plane R including the facing surface 34d1a of the shutter main portion 34d1 facing the edge 34r in the direction toward the contact portion 34n1 from the edge 34r. A guide portion 34s is provided so that the distance Z1 between the guide portion 34r and the opposing surface 34d1a is equal (or gradually decreases).
Thereby, even if an unintended force is applied to the shutter member 34d in a state where the toner discharge port W is closed, the problem that the toner discharge port W is opened is less likely to occur.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K as powder containers in which only toner (one-component developer) is accommodated as powder. The powder container to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this, but the present invention may also be applied to a powder container containing a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier as powder, for example. I can do it.
Further, in this embodiment, the shutter seal 36 (sealing member) is configured to be held by the shutter member 34d, but the shutter seal 36 (sealing member) is configured to be held by the cap portion 34Y (holding member). It can also be configured.
Further, in this embodiment, the shutter member 34d (shutter deforming portion 34d2) is configured to elastically deform upward, but if the shutter member 34d (shutter deforming portion 34d2) is deformed in other directions (for example, downward or sideways .) It can also be configured to be elastically deformed.
Further, in this embodiment, in conjunction with the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the shutter member 34d (shutter deforming portion 34d2) is pushed up by the protruding portion 72a and is brought into contact with the abutting portion 34n1. The structure is such that the contact with the portion 34d22 is released. However, the method of releasing the contact between the contact portion 34n1 and the contact portion 34d22 is not limited to this, and for example, after the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100 is completed, a lever or the like can be used. It may be configured such that the contact portion 34n1 and the contacted portion 34d22 are released from contact and the shutter member 34d is opened by operating the shutter member 34d.
Further, in the present embodiment, the abutted portion 34d22 (shutter deformed portion 34d2) of the shutter member 34d is provided on the downstream side in the opening direction (the tip end in the opening direction), but the abutted portion 34d22 (shutter deformed portion 34d2) can also be provided at other positions.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the pressing force applied in the direction in which the opposing area between the abutted portion 34d22 and the abutting portion 34n1 increases in the shutter member 34d is applied between the shutter member 34d and the edge 34r. Although the repulsive force of the compressed shutter seal 36 (sealing member) is used, the pressing force is not limited to this, for example, the direction in which the facing area of the abutted part 34d22 and the abutting part 34n1 increases A biasing member for biasing the shutter member 34d may be separately provided.
Even in such cases, substantially the same effects as those of the present embodiment described above can be obtained.

Note that it is clear that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and that this embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention in addition to what is suggested in this embodiment. be. Further, the number, position, shape, etc. of the constituent members are not limited to those in this embodiment, and can be set to a number, position, shape, etc. suitable for implementing the present invention.

32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner container (powder container),
33Y container body,
34Y cap part (holding member),
34d shutter member,
34d1 Shutter main part,
34da Opposite side,
34d2 Shutter deformation part,
34d21 Stopper release part,
34d22 Abutted part,
34n shutter storage section,
34n1 contact part,
34r edge,
34s guide part,
36 shutter seal (seal member),
72 Bottle receiving part,
72a protruding part (stopper release biasing part),
100 Image forming device (image forming device main body),
W Toner discharge port (discharge port),
R Virtual plane.

Note that the aspects of the present invention can also have dependent relationships, for example, as in Supplementary Notes 1 to 7 below.
(Additional note 1)
A powder container removably installed in an image forming apparatus main body,
an outlet for discharging the powder contained inside the powder container to the outside;
a shutter member that opens and closes the discharge port by moving in a predetermined opening and closing direction;
an abutting portion that abuts the abutted portion of the shutter member to limit movement in the opening direction;
a holding member in which the discharge port and the contact portion are formed and which holds the shutter member movably in the opening/closing direction;
an edge of the discharge port and a shutter main portion of the shutter member facing the discharge port when the discharge port is held by the shutter member or the holding member and is closed by the shutter member; a sealing member for sealing the gap between and;
Equipped with
The shutter member is configured to be able to move in the opening direction when the discharge port is closed by applying a force to release the contact between the contact portion and the contacted portion,
The holding member is arranged such that, in a direction from the edge toward the contact portion, an opposing distance between the edge and a virtual plane including an opposing surface of the shutter main portion opposite to the edge is such that the edge and the opposing surface are opposite to each other. 1. A powder container comprising a guide portion formed to be equal to or gradually decrease with respect to the facing distance.
(Additional note 2)
With the discharge port closed, the shutter member is applied with a pressing force so that the opposing surface is parallel to the edge, and the abutted part and the abutting part are opposed to each other. The powder container according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the pressing force is applied in a direction in which the area increases.
(Additional note 3)
The powder container according to appendix 2, wherein the pressurizing force is a repulsive force of the seal member compressed between the shutter member and the edge.
(Additional note 4)
The shutter member is
The abutted part is arranged downstream in the opening direction with respect to the shutter main part,
In conjunction with the mounting operation of the powder container on the image forming apparatus main body, the shutter member is pushed by a protrusion installed on the image forming apparatus main body, and the abutted part and the abutting part are brought into contact with each other. The contact between the
The powder according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the discharge port is opened and closed in conjunction with the attachment/detachment operation of the powder container to/from the image forming apparatus main body, with the attachment/detachment direction being the opening/closing direction. container.
(Appendix 5)
According to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the guide portion is formed such that a length in the opening/closing direction is equal to or greater than a moving distance of the shutter member in the opening/closing direction. powder container.
(Appendix 6)
According to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the guide portion is formed such that a length in the opening/closing direction is equal to or greater than a length of the sealing member in the opening/closing direction. powder container.
(Appendix 7)
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the powder container according to any one of appendices 1 to 6 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body.

Patent No. 5935245

Claims (7)

A powder container removably installed in an image forming apparatus main body,
an outlet for discharging the powder contained inside the powder container to the outside;
a shutter member that opens and closes the discharge port by moving in a predetermined opening and closing direction;
an abutting portion that abuts the abutted portion of the shutter member to limit movement in the opening direction;
a holding member in which the discharge port and the contact portion are formed and which holds the shutter member movably in the opening/closing direction;
an edge of the discharge port and a shutter main portion of the shutter member facing the discharge port when the discharge port is held by the shutter member or the holding member and is closed by the shutter member; a sealing member for sealing the gap between and;
Equipped with
The shutter member is configured to be able to move in the opening direction when the discharge port is closed by applying a force to release the contact between the contact portion and the contacted portion,
The holding member is arranged such that, in a direction from the edge toward the contact portion, an opposing distance between the edge and a virtual plane including an opposing surface of the shutter main portion opposite to the edge is such that the edge and the opposing surface are opposite to each other. 1. A powder container comprising a guide portion formed to be equal to or gradually decrease with respect to the facing distance. With the discharge port closed, the shutter member is applied with a pressing force so that the opposing surface is parallel to the edge, and the abutted part and the abutting part are opposed to each other. The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the pressing force is applied in a direction in which the area increases. The powder container according to claim 2, wherein the pressurizing force is a repulsive force of the seal member compressed between the shutter member and the edge. The shutter member is
The abutted part is arranged downstream in the opening direction with respect to the shutter main part,
In conjunction with the mounting operation of the powder container on the image forming apparatus main body, the shutter member is pushed by a protrusion installed on the image forming apparatus main body, and the abutted part and the abutting part are brought into contact with each other. The contact between the
The powder container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge port is opened and closed in conjunction with the attachment/detachment operation of the powder container to/from the image forming apparatus main body, with the attachment/detachment direction being the opening/closing direction. . 5. The powder container according to claim 4, wherein the guide portion is formed such that a length in the opening/closing direction is equal to or greater than a moving distance of the shutter member in the opening/closing direction. 6. The guide portion is formed such that a length in the opening/closing direction is equal to or greater than a length of the sealing member in the opening/closing direction. powder container. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the powder container according to claim 1 or 2 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body.

Images