JP5544948B2 - Image forming apparatus and developer container used therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a developer container used therefor.

  In recent years, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image composed of a developer, a measure for preventing the developer from leaking unnecessarily when handling a component that contains the developer is required. For example, the following is known as an image forming apparatus taking such measures against developer leakage.

  A developer container having an opening for containing the developer and supplying the developer to the developing unit; a shutter that is movably disposed with respect to the developer container and opens and closes the opening; And a sealing member that surrounds and seals the opening when the shutter is closed and the opening is closed, and the sealing member is deformed as the shutter is placed in the closing position. An image forming apparatus having a developing device that can be eliminated is known (Patent Document 1). In this image forming apparatus, a groove is formed at a position facing the end of the seal member when the shutter of the developer device is placed at the closed position.

JP 2006-243446 A

  The present invention provides a developer container that is used in a state in which a movable lid is moved to a position where an opening of a container body is opened by removably attaching the container body structure to the container mounting structure in the image forming apparatus and rotating the container body. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a developer container used for the image forming apparatus that can reduce the possibility that the developer leaks mainly from the developer container to the container mounting structure when it is detached and causes contamination.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention (A1)
Between a container main body having an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer, an opening formed in a part of the accommodating portion and allowing the developer to pass therethrough, and a position where the outer surface of the container main body closes and opens the opening. A developer container provided with a moving lid that moves between the closing position and the opening position by rotating the container main body attached to move the container body, and opens and closes the opening.
A container holding portion in which the developer container is detachably mounted and the container main body of the developer container is held in a rotatable state, and an opening portion of the developer container formed in a part of the container holding portion A connection opening for allowing the developer to pass through in a state of being connected to and a width direction end of the moving lid that is formed in a part of the container holding portion and orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving lid. A container mounting structure including a lid fixing portion that fixes the mounting position of the movable lid;
When the container main body of the developer container is rotated to the position where the movable lid is moved to the closing position by moving the container body of the developer container to a portion excluding both ends in the width direction of the movable lid in the container holding portion of the container mounting structure. It is characterized in that a bend preventing portion is formed in which a part of the lid contacts and blocks a deformation movement so as to bend in the direction of rotation of the developer container.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (A2) is the image forming apparatus according to the above-described invention A1, wherein the moving lid has a portion excluding both ends in the width direction and a portion of the outer surface portion of the container body facing the portion. The movable lid is connected and held together so as to move in a state of following the outer surface of the container body.

  The image forming apparatus according to the invention (A3) is the image forming apparatus according to the invention A1 or A2, wherein the moving lid has an end on the side that is present in the state close to the connection opening of the container mounting structure. When the developer container is mounted on the container holding part, the gap between the moving lid and the container holding part is in contact with a part of the container holding part when the developer container is mounted on the container holding part. The film material which covers is attached.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (A4) is moved to a position where the connection opening is closed and opened inside the container holding part of the container mounting structure in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the inventions A1 to A3. A connection movement that moves between a position where the connection opening is closed and a position where the connection opening is opened in conjunction with rotation of the container body of the developer container mounted on the container holding portion to change the state. Have a lid,
The connection moving lid is configured to move in a state where a gap is formed between the container holding portion and the inner wall surface from the opening position to the closing position.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (A5) is connected to the container mounting structure when the developer container is mounted on the container mounting structure and used in the image forming apparatus according to the invention A4. It arrange | positions so that an opening part may be maintained in the state which faced the upper side or diagonally upper side of the gravitational direction.

  The image forming apparatus according to the invention (A6) is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the inventions A1 to A5, wherein the moving lid moves to and reaches the container main body or the moving lid of the developer container. In this case, an elastic gap plugging material interposed between the peripheral portion of the opening of the container body and the movable lid is attached.

  The image forming apparatus according to the invention (A7) is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the inventions A1 to A6, wherein the developer container is a developer collecting container for storing the collected developer or a developer to be replenished. It is configured as a developer supply container to be accommodated.

The developer container of this invention (B1)
A container main body having an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer and an opening formed in a part of the accommodating portion and allowing the developer to pass therethrough;
It is attached to the outer surface of the container main body so as to move between a position for closing the opening and a position for opening, and by rotating the container main body, the opening is moved between the position for closing and opening. A moving lid that opens and closes;
In a state where the container main body is detachably mounted and the container main body is held in a state where the container main body can rotate, and is formed in a part of the container holding portion and is opposed to the opening. A connection opening that allows the developer to pass therethrough and a lid that is formed in a part of the container holding portion and that fixes the mounting position of the movable lid at the end in the width direction of the movable lid perpendicular to the direction in which the movable lid moves A container mounting structure having a fixing portion;
One of the moving lids is formed at a portion of the container holding portion of the container mounting structure excluding both ends in the width direction of the moving lid, and the container body is rotated to move the moving lid to the closing position. And forming a contact portion on the movable lid that contacts the deflection preventing portion that contacts and inhibits the movement of the portion to be deformed so as to bend in the direction in which the container body rotates .
The side of the movable lid that is in the state of being close to the connection opening of the container mounting structure
When it is attached to the container holding part in a state protruding from the end part,
A cover that contacts a part of the container holding part and covers the gap at the boundary between the movable lid and the container holding part.
Film material is attached.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention A1, the movable lid is moved to a position where the opening of the container body is opened by removably mounting the container mounting structure in the image forming apparatus and rotating the container body. When the developer container used in the above is removed, it can be reduced that the developer mainly leaks from the developer container to the container mounting structure and causes contamination.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention A2, the developer is removed between the container body and the movable lid of the developer container when the developer container is removed from the container mounting structure as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided. It is possible to reduce contamination from leaking into the container mounting structure from between.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention A3, when the developer container is removed from the container mounting structure, the developer moves to the moving lid and the container holding portion of the container mounting structure as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of contamination by leaking into the gap that becomes the boundary between the two.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention A4, when the developer container is removed from the container mounting structure, the connection moving lid and the container mounting portion of the container mounting structure are compared with the case of not having the configuration of the invention. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of contamination by the developer existing in the meantime being pushed out to the container holding portion of the container mounting structure by the movement of the connection moving lid.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention A5, as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided, either when the developer container is mounted on the container mounting structure for use or when it is attached or detached. Further, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the developer existing on the other side to which the container mounting structure is connected to the outside of the container mounting structure from between the connection opening and the connection moving lid.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention A6, when the developer container is removed from the container mounting structure, the movable lid is interposed between the container main body and the image forming apparatus according to the invention A6. Even if an external force is received from the elastic gap plugging material, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of contamination by the developer leaking into the container mounting structure from between the opening of the container body and the movable lid. .

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention A7, when the developer recovery container or the developer supply container is removed from the container mounting structure, the developer opens the developer container as compared with the case where the configuration of the invention is not provided. It can reduce that it causes a contamination by leaking into a container mounting structure from between a part and a movable lid.

According to the developer container of the invention B 1, as compared to the case not having the constitution of the invention, the container mounting structure of the image forming apparatus when removing the developer container, the developer is moved lid and container mounting structure It is possible to reduce the cause of contamination by leaking into the gap that becomes the boundary portion between the body and the container holding portion.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating one state of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2 (a state in which an opening / closing part is opened). FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a belt cleaning device, a developer recovery container, and a container mounting frame thereof in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state of the developer recovery container and its container mounting frame (a state where the developer recovery container is removed). FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state when the developer recovery container of FIG. 5 is detachably mounted on a container mounting frame. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state when the developer recovery container of FIG. 6 is completely attached to the container attachment frame (attachment complete state). (A) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a developer collection container, (b) is a side view which shows a state when the developer collection container of (a) is seen from the direction of arrow M1. It is a disassembled perspective view of the container mounting frame of FIG. (A) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the developer recovery container when the opening / closing shutter is in a position closing the opening, and (b) is the appearance of the developer recovery container when the opening / closing shutter is in a position where the opening is opened. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a state when the developer recovery container is disassembled into a container body and an open / close shutter. (A) is a perspective view which shows the state when it sees from the outer surface of an opening-and-closing shutter, (b) is a perspective view which shows the state when it sees from the inner surface of the opening-and-closing shutter of (a). FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the developer recovery container along the line QQ in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a developer recovery container and a container mounting frame along the line QQ in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a developer recovery container and a container mounting frame along the line QQ in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a developer recovery container and a container mounting frame along the line QQ in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the developer main body of the developer recovery container is rotated and moved to a position where the opening / closing shutter is closed. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing, in an enlarged manner, the states of the main parts of the developer recovery container and its container mounting frame in FIG. 17. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the phenomenon when a part of opening and closing shutter is bent and deformed in the moving direction, and (b) is when a part of the opening and closing shutter is bent and deformed in the longitudinal direction (width direction). It is explanatory drawing which shows a phenomenon. It is explanatory drawing which shows the developer container and container mounting frame which concern on other embodiment, (a) shows the structure in the case of moving a developer container along the longitudinal direction, and attaching or detaching to a container mounting frame, (B) shows a state when the developer container mounted on the container mounting frame is rotated and used.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 3 show an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. It is sectional explanatory drawing which shows a state when a unit is attached or detached.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 10 composed of a support material, an exterior material, and the like. A paper supply device 40 that houses and supplies recording paper 9 as a recording medium on which an image is to be formed is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 10. On the upper part of the apparatus main body 10, there is formed a discharge storage portion 11 for discharging and storing the recording paper 9 after the image is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the like, a part of the apparatus main body constituting the discharge container 11 swings outward with the first hinge (shaft) 12 as a fulcrum, It is comprised as the upper opening / closing part 13 which can open and close a part. As will be described later, the side surface portion constituting one side surface (side surface on the front side of the device) of the device main body 10 is configured as a side portion opening / closing portion 15 that swings outward through the second hinge 14. Yes. The upper opening / closing part 13 is configured as an opening / closing cover 16 that can be opened / closed when a part of the discharge container 11 is attached / detached with a developer collection container (6) described later. The opening / closing cover 16 swings around a shaft 17 at a position slightly apart via a support arm and opens and closes. Reference numeral 19 in FIG. 1 denotes an operation panel unit on which operation buttons, a display unit, and the like are arranged.

  The paper supply device 40 includes a paper container 41 that stores a plurality of recording papers 9 in a stacked state. The paper container 41 is structured to be drawn out to the front side of the apparatus main body 10 (left side of the apparatus main body 10 in the direction of the dotted arrow in FIG. 2), and the recording paper 9 is replenished in the drawn state. Above one end of the sheet container 41, a supply roll 42 that contacts the uppermost sheet of the stacked recording sheets 9 is disposed, and a separating roll 43 is disposed opposite the supply roll 42. Yes.

  In the paper supply device 40, the uppermost paper of the paper container 41 is fed by the supply roll 42, and then the paper 9 is turned up and fed one by one by the cooperation of the supply roll 42 and the separating roll 43. The fed sheet 9 is temporarily stopped by the conveyance adjusting roll 44, and then between an intermediate transfer unit 30 and a secondary transfer device 36 (to be described later) at a required timing (a timing to match a secondary transfer process to be described later) ( (Secondary transfer position)

  An image forming device 20 as an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer unit 30, a secondary transfer device 37, a fixing device 50, and the like are disposed inside a housing constituted by the apparatus main body 10. The image forming device 20 includes four image forming devices 20Y, 20M, 20C, which respectively form developer (toner) images of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). It is configured using 20K. The image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K) in the first embodiment is in a state where the position gradually increases in the order of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow (inclination) except for the optical writing device (24) described later. Arranged).

  The image forming device 20 (Y, M, C, K) includes a photosensitive drum unit 21 (Y, M, C, K) that is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 10 and light as a latent image forming unit. The writing device 24 includes a plurality of developing devices 25 (Y, M, C, K). As shown in FIG. 3, each of the photosensitive drum units 21 (Y, M, C, and K) has a photosensitive drum 22 that rotates in a required direction and a surface (photosensitive layer) of the photosensitive drum 22 that has a required potential. And a cleaning device 29 for removing unnecessary materials such as toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 as a unit. In FIG. 2 and the like, the charging device 23 and the cleaning device 29 are representatively shown only for the black photosensitive drum unit 21K.

  In each of the photosensitive drum units 21 (Y, M, C, and K), as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the photosensitive drum 22 is rotatably mounted inside a housing-like unit main body 210 that is partially opened. It has been. In addition, a charging roll as a charging device 23 is attached inside the unit main body so as to be driven and rotated in contact with the surface (circumferential surface) of the photosensitive drum 22, and an elastic blade as a cleaning device 29. Is attached in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 22. The photosensitive drum 22 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow when rotational power is transmitted from a driving device (not shown) in a state where the drum unit 21 is mounted on the apparatus main body 10. In each photoconductor drum unit 21, the surface of the rotating photoconductor drum 22 is charged to a desired potential by the charging device 23, and the surface after the primary transfer described later of the photoconductor drum 22 is cleaned by the cleaning device 29. . The open space present in the lower portion of the unit main body 210 is used as a collection space for collecting unnecessary materials such as toner removed by the cleaning device 29. Reference numeral 229 in FIG. 3 and the like is a developer recovery container for recovering excess developer discharged from each developing device 25.

  The optical writing device 24 is disposed at a position below the four image forming devices 20 (Y, M, C, K). The optical writing device 24 is provided with a light source such as a semiconductor laser (not shown), a lens that guides and scans light emitted from the light source to the photosensitive drum 22, and optical components such as a mirror, etc. inside a light shielding housing. Yes. The optical writing device 24 irradiates the charged photosensitive drum 22 in each photosensitive unit 21 with light of each color component (an alternate long and short dash line with arrows) configured based on the image information. An electrostatic latent image is formed. On the upper surface of the housing of the optical writing device 24, a light output portion (not shown) for emitting light for forming a latent image in accordance with the irradiation position of each photosensitive drum 22 is formed.

  The developing device 25 (Y, M, C, K) is arranged between the photosensitive unit 21 (Y, M, C, K) and the optical writing device 24. Each of the developing devices 25 has a developing roll 26 that rotates in a state of facing each photosensitive drum 22 with a predetermined interval. The developing device 25 holds a developer of a required color component on the developing roll 26 and supplies the developer to a developing area facing each photosensitive drum 22, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 22 by the developer. Develop (visualize) the image. That is, it is formed as a toner image of the four colors composed of developer (toner). Each developing device 25 is replenished with a new developer from a developer replenishing device (not shown) according to the consumption of the developer.

  The intermediate transfer unit 30 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 31 on which toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 22 of the respective image forming devices 20 (Y, M, C, and K) are transferred to the outer peripheral surface, and an intermediate transfer unit 31. A plurality of support rolls 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d, and 32 e that are wound around the transfer belt 31 so as to be in contact with the respective photosensitive drums 22 and rotated in the directions indicated by the arrows, and the toner images on the respective photosensitive drums 22 are arranged. A primary transfer device 33 for primary transfer to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31;

  Of the plurality of support rolls, the support roll 32b is a drive roll, and rotational power is transmitted from a rotation drive device (not shown) to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 31 in the direction indicated by the arrow. The primary transfer device 33 is disposed in a state in which the primary transfer device 33 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 and presses the outer peripheral surface of the belt 31 against the surface of each photosensitive drum 22, and a primary transfer bias voltage is applied. A roll 33 is employed.

  Further, the intermediate transfer unit 30 is equipped with a belt cleaning device 35 that removes unnecessary materials such as toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31. The belt cleaning device 35 is attached to an apparatus main body (housing) 350 with an elastic blade 35a that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 and scrapes off and removes unnecessary materials such as toner. The elastic blade 35a is disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface portion of the intermediate transfer belt 31 supported by the support roll 32c (strictly speaking, the entire region in the direction showing the width W1 perpendicular to the rotation direction of the belt 31).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the belt cleaning device 35 is provided with a developer recovery container 6 that recovers unnecessary materials such as toner removed by the elastic blade 35 a. For this reason, the belt cleaning device 35 has a conveying member 36 that conveys unnecessary materials such as toner removed by the elastic blade 35a so as to be delivered to the developer recovery container 6 through a discharge port 351 formed in the apparatus main body 350. Is provided. The discharge port 351 is formed as an opening having substantially the same length as the width W 1 of the intermediate transfer belt 31. For example, the conveying member 36 is formed by attaching an elastic sheet 36b to a rotating shaft 36a that rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow with one end thereof being a free end. The conveying member 36 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow about the rotation shaft 36 a to convey the unnecessary material collected by the elastic sheet 36 b toward the discharge port 351. Incidentally, the developer recovery container 6 is used by being detachably mounted on the container mounting frame 7. Details of the developer recovery container 6 and the container mounting frame 7 will be described later.

  The intermediate transfer unit 30 (including the belt cleaning device 35) is integrally attached to the back surface side of the upper opening / closing part 13 that is a part of the discharge accommodating part 11. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer unit 30 is displaced to a state where the intermediate transfer unit 30 has moved to the outside of the apparatus main body 10 by swinging around the first hinge 12 during the opening / closing operation of the upper opening / closing part 13. By moving the intermediate transfer unit 30 to the outside of the apparatus main body 10, the four photosensitive drum units 21 are exposed to the outside, so that the photosensitive drum unit 21 can be attached and detached. It has become.

  The secondary transfer device 37 secondarily transfers the toner image primarily transferred onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 onto the recording paper 9. The secondary transfer device 37 is disposed so as to be driven and rotated in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 in a portion hung on a support roll 32b as a drive roll, and a secondary transfer bias voltage is applied. A secondary transfer roll 37 is employed. At the time of image formation, a toner image in which a plurality of color toner images are superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 or a single color toner image is primarily transferred.

  The fixing device 50 fixes an unfixed toner image that has been secondarily transferred onto the recording paper 9, and is disposed at a position above the secondary transfer device 37. The fixing device 50 includes a roll-type and belt-type heating rotator 51 having a fixing surface heated to a required temperature by a heating unit, and an unfixed toner that contacts the fixing surface of the heating rotator 51 with a required pressure. It is composed of a pressure-type rotating body 52 in the form of a roll and a belt that forms a fixing unit through which a recording medium 9 (an object to be fixed) that holds an image passes. The recording medium 9 holding the unfixed toner image is heated and pressed through a fixing processing section between the heating rotator 51 and the pressure rotator 52, so that the unfixed toner image is melted. Then, it is fixed on the recording paper 9.

  Inside the apparatus main body 10, in addition to the main transport path PR1 for transporting the recording paper 9, a reverse transport path PR2 and the like are formed. Incidentally, the apparatus main body 10 includes a side opening / closing section in which a portion disposed on the outside of the reversal conveyance path PR2 and an exterior material are divided along the reversal conveyance path PR2, and swings outward via the second hinge 14 to open and close. 15 is configured. The opening / closing operation of the upper opening / closing part 13 which is a part of the discharge accommodating part 11 is performed after the side opening / closing part 15 is opened first.

  The main transport path PR1 transports the recording paper 9 supplied from the paper supply device 40 to the transfer position and fixing position of the toner image, and discharges the recording paper 9 on which the image has been formed to the discharge container 11. Used for. A discharge roll 45 is disposed between the fixing device 50 in the main transport path PR1 and a discharge port 11a formed at a position immediately before the discharge storage portion 11.

  The reverse conveyance path PR2 is a conveyance path used for conveying the recording sheet 9 on which an image is formed on one side, to the secondary transfer position which is a part of the image forming unit with the front and back surfaces reversed. is there. In the reverse conveyance path PR2, for example, two conveyance rolls 46 and 47 are arranged on a path from the discharge roll 45 to a position before the conveyance adjustment roll 44 and the position where it merges with the main conveyance path PR1. In the reverse conveyance path PR2, when the rear end portion of the recording paper 9 on which the image is formed is sandwiched between the discharge rollers 19, the discharge roller 45 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the recording paper 9 is conveyed from the rear end portion to the conveyance roller. Then, the paper is sequentially transferred to 46 and 47 and conveyed toward the upstream position of the conveyance adjustment roll 44.

  A power supply unit 55 is disposed inside the apparatus main body 10. From the power supply unit 55, for example, the charging device 23, the image writing device 24, the developing roll 26 of the developing device 25, the primary transfer roll 34, the secondary transfer roll 41, the fixing device 45, etc. Is applied.

  In this image forming apparatus 1, the work of attaching / detaching the photosensitive drum unit 21 (Y, M, C, K) is performed after the upper opening / closing part 13 is opened as shown in FIG. 3. When the upper opening / closing part 13 is opened, the side opening / closing part 15 is opened prior to the opening. Since the photosensitive drum unit 21 (Y, M, C, K) is exposed to the outside by opening the upper opening / closing part 13, the photosensitive drum unit 21 requiring maintenance, inspection, replacement, etc. It is removed so as to be lifted towards the upper side. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the work of attaching and detaching the developer recovery container 6 is performed after opening the opening / closing cover 16 that is a part of the upper opening / closing part 13.

  Next, the developer recovery container 6 and the container mounting frame 7 will be described in detail.

  5 to 7 are perspective views showing the developer recovery container 6 and the container mounting frame 7. FIG. 4 shows a state when the developer recovery container 6 is detached from the container mounting frame 7. FIG. FIG. 7 shows a state when the developer recovery container 6 is detachably attached to the container mounting frame 7, and FIG. 7 shows a state when the developer recovery container 6 is officially attached to the container mounting frame 7. Is shown. 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a side view showing the appearance and one side portion of the developer collection container 6, wherein FIG. 8A shows a state when the developer collection container is viewed from above, and FIG. ) Shows the state of the side surface when viewed from the arrow M1. FIG. 9 shows a state where the container mounting frame 7 is disassembled.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 8, 10, 11, 14, and the like, the developer collection container 6 includes an unnecessary material (mainly toner) such as the developer T that is removed and collected by the belt cleaning device 29. A container main body 61 having an accommodating portion 62 for accommodating the toner, an opening 63 for passing an unnecessary material such as developer T, and an opening / closing shutter 64 as a moving lid for moving the opening 63 of the container main body 61 to open and close, A conveying member 65 that conveys the developer T taken into the accommodating portion 62.

  The container 62 of the container body 61 includes a first container 62A having a substantially cylindrical cross section for first storing unnecessary materials such as toner conveyed from the belt cleaning device 35, and toner accommodated in the first container 62A. A second accommodating portion 62B having a substantially rectangular cross section for finally accommodating unnecessary materials such as the first accommodating portion 62A and the second accommodating portion 62B connected to each other at an upper position and connected to each other. It is configured. The accommodating portion 62 has a long box shape having substantially the same width as the device main body 350 of the belt cleaning device 35. A transparent detection container 621 that protrudes outward is provided at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the second storage portion 62B. The detection container 621 is a transparent container arranged in a state of protruding outward from the bottom surface of the second storage part 62B, and stores a part of unnecessary materials such as toner stored in the second storage part 62B. A fullness detection device (not shown) detects whether or not the amount of unnecessary substances such as the developer T accommodated in the second accommodation portion 62B is full.

  The opening 63 is formed in a portion near the lower portion of the side surface portion of the first housing portion 62 </ b> A in the container main body 61. The position of the opening 63 may be a position facing the connection opening (72) of the container mounting frame 7 when the developer container 6 is rotated and completely mounted on the container mounting frame 7. The opening 63 in the first embodiment has substantially the same width as the discharge port 351 in the apparatus main body 350 of the belt cleaning device 35, and is divided into three equal parts from the necessity of forming a connection holding portion (69) described later. Thus, it is formed in a state of being divided into three (FIGS. 10b and 11). An elastic sealing material 66 made of, for example, polyurethane or the like is formed in a portion around each opening 63 of the container main body 61 in order to close a gap between the peripheral portion of the opening 63 of the container main body 61 and the opening / closing shutter 64. Affixed (FIG. 10b, FIG. 11, etc.).

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the open / close shutter 64 is a long and thin plate having a shape and size capable of closing the opening 63. The opening / closing shutter 64 in the first embodiment is a substantially rectangular plate-like member that can cover all of the three divided openings 63, and the inner side surface 64 a facing the opening 63 is formed in a curved shape. (FIG. 11b). Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, an insertion protrusion 64b having a wedge-shaped cross section is linearly formed along the longitudinal direction on the outer surface which is one end in the longitudinal direction of the opening / closing shutter 64. Is formed. The insertion protrusion 64b is fitted into a positioning groove (78), which will be described later, to which the mounting position of the open / close shutter 64 is fixed when mounted on the container mounting frame 7 (the container holding portion 71). Such an opening / closing shutter 64 is manufactured by molding using a synthetic resin such as ABS.

  Further, the opening / closing shutter 64 has a film material 67 protruding from the tip thereof at a corner portion which is an end portion in the longitudinal direction where the insertion protrusion 64b is formed, as shown in FIGS. It is attached in the state of letting it. This film material 67 comes into contact with a part of the shutter fixing portion (73) in the container holding portion (71) when the developer recovery container 6 is attached to the container mounting frame 7 (the container holding portion 71). The gap S existing at the boundary between the two is closed (FIGS. 15 and 18). As the film material 67, for example, a film made of a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) having a thickness in the range of 100 to 300 μm is used.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the opening / closing shutter 64 is attached to the container main body 61 so as to move between a position (FIG. 10a) for closing the opening 63 and a position (FIG. 10b) for opening the opening 63. . For this reason, the opening / closing shutter 64 has an end attachment portion 64c that protrudes inward and curves at the end in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the container main body 61 is provided with curved attachment guide grooves 610 for guiding the end attachment portions 64c on both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion constituting the first housing portion 62A. The open / close shutter 64 is attached by fitting the curved end attachment portion 64c into the curved attachment guide groove 610 in the container body 61 from the outside.

  Accordingly, the opening / closing shutter 64 can move in the direction indicated by the arrows J1 and J2 with the end mounting portion 64c guided by the mounting guide groove 610 (FIG. 10). As a result, the container body 61 (first housing) The opening 63 is opened and closed by moving relatively between a position where the opening 63 is closed and a position where the opening 63 is opened with respect to the outer surface portion of the portion 62A. Incidentally, in the developer collection container 6, the actual movement of the opening / closing shutter 64 is performed by rotating the container main body 61 (with the rotation axis of the conveying member 65 of the first accommodating portion 62A as a fulcrum) as will be described later. This is done by changing the state of the main body 61 (FIGS. 15 to 16). When the developer recovery container 6 is not mounted on the container mounting frame 7, the opening / closing shutter 64 is moved to a position where the opening 63 is closed (FIGS. 10a and 14).

  Reference numerals 64 d in FIGS. 8 b, 10, 12, and the like are insertion holes formed at both ends of the opening / closing shutter 64 in the longitudinal direction (direction orthogonal to the moving directions J 1 and J 2). The insertion hole 64d is used when the insertion protrusion (77) formed in the shutter fixing portion (73) of the container mounting frame 7 is inserted to fix the mounting position of the open / close shutter 64. The insertion hole 64d is used for touching a part 610a of the mounting guide groove 610 to displace the movement fixing means of the opening / closing shutter 64 (not shown) (FIG. 8b).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, 14, etc., the open / close shutter 64 is prevented from being bent in the container holding portion (71) of the mounting frame 7 on the outer surface portion which is substantially the center in the longitudinal direction. A contact surface 68 that contacts the protrusion (8) is formed. The contact surface portion 68 forms a concave portion in a state of being recessed from the periphery at the corner portion on the opposite side to the insertion projection portion 64b in the longitudinal direction of the shutter 64, and the contact surface portion 68 is inserted among the wall surfaces constituting the concave portion. A rising wall surface substantially parallel to the protrusion 64b is used.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, 14, etc., the opening / closing shutter 64 protrudes inward from a portion near the center of the longitudinal direction of the inner surface thereof and then rises to the end in the longitudinal direction. A curved connection holding portion 69 having a key portion 69a that is bent toward each other is formed. The connection holding portion 69 is hooked and connected to a curved connection guide piece 61c formed in a state of protruding in the longitudinal direction at a connection portion between the openings 63 of the container body 61. Thus, the central portion of the opening / closing shutter 64 is guided in a state of being supplementarily held during opening / closing (FIG. 10).

  The conveying member 65 is obtained by attaching a flexible film member 65b to a shaft 65a rotatably attached to both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the first accommodating portion 62A in the container body 61 (FIG. 11, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14). The conveying member 65 is driven by rotational power from a driving device (not shown) installed on the main body 10 side of the image forming apparatus with respect to the driven gear 651 fixed to the end of the shaft 65 a protruding from one side surface of the container main body 61. Is transmitted, it rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow (FIGS. 4 and 14). Thereby, the conveyance member 65 conveys unnecessary materials such as the developer taken into the first accommodation portion 62A toward the second accommodation portion 62B through the connection space portion 62C by the conveyance force of the film member 65b.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5, 8, etc., the side surfaces of the container body 61 at both ends in the longitudinal direction are provided with rotating holders (75 </ b> A, 75 </ b> B) in a container holder (71) to be described later of the container mounting frame 7. Rotating fulcrum portions 612 and 613 and mounting fixing portions 614 and 615 that are inserted and supported in the support grooves are provided.

  Among these, the side surface portion on the side where the driven gear 651 is disposed has an interval as it becomes rearward in the mounting insertion direction from the rotational fulcrum portion 612 whose section serving as the bearing of the shaft 65a of the conveying member 65 is elliptical. A mounting fixing portion 614 having a surface inclined so as to open is provided (FIG. 13). Further, on the other side surface portion, a rotary fulcrum portion 613 having an elliptical cross section that also serves as a bearing for the shaft 65a of the conveying member 65, and a surface that is inclined so as to be spaced apart toward the rear in the mounting insertion direction. A mounting fixing portion 615 having the above is provided (FIG. 13). A concave portion 616 is formed on the upper surface of the mounting fixing portions 614 and 615 to which a later-described removal preventing claw (76b) is hooked.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 9, etc., the container mounting frame 7 is a container holding portion 71 in which the developer recovery container 6 is detachably mounted and the developer recovery container 6 is held in a rotatable state. The mounting position of the connection opening 72 for allowing the developer T to pass (take in) in a state of being connected to the opening 63 of the developer recovery container 6 and the opening / closing shutter 64 of the developer recovery container 6 are fixed. A shutter fixing portion 73 and a connection shutter 74 as a moving lid that moves and opens and closes the connection opening 72 are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the container mounting frame 7 is coupled to the device main body 350 of the belt cleaning device 35 in a state in which the connection opening 72 and the discharge port 351 are connected to face each other.

  The container holding portion 71 is a rectangular box-shaped structure portion having an opening at the top and having a storage space in which the lower half of the container main body 61 of the developer recovery container 6 and the open / close shutter 64 can be stored. Specifically, from a rectangular bottom surface portion 71a, a slope portion 71b that rises at a predetermined angle from one edge portion in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface portion 71a, and the other edge portion in the longitudinal direction. It is composed of a vertical surface portion 71c that rises substantially vertically and two side surface portions 71d and 71e that rise substantially vertically at both longitudinal ends. A connection opening 72 is formed in the slope portion 71b.

  Further, the container holding unit 71 is configured by using rotating holders 75A and 75B that actually hold the developer recovery container 6 and rotatably support it.

  Each of the rotation holders 75A and 75B has V-shaped support grooves 76A and 76B that receive and support the rotation fulcrum portions 612 and 613 and the mounting fixing portions 614 and 615 formed at both ends of the developer recovery container 6. It is a formed member. The support grooves 76A and 76B support the rotation fulcrum portions 612 and 613 at the end (back) portions 76Ac and 76Bc, and hold the mounting fixing portions 614 and 615 at the front side portions 76Ad and 76Bd of the grooves. It is formed in a shape that can be supported. On the upper side of the front side portions 76Ad and 76Bd of the support grooves 76A and 76B, there are formed elastic hook-shaped removal preventing claws 76b that are hooked by the concave portions 616 in the upper surface portions of the mounting fixing portions 614 and 615 of the developer recovery container 6. ing.

  The rotary holders 75A and 75B are attached to the inside of the side surface parts 71d and 71e of the container holding part 71 so as to swing in the directions indicated by arrows K1 and K2 (FIG. 5). Therefore, rotation supports 761 and 762 that rotate with respect to the side surface portions 71d and 71e are provided at positions near the inclined surface portion 71b inside the side surface portions 71d and 71e of the container holding portion 71. The rotation holders 75A and 75B are attached by holding the peripheral portions of the back portions 76Ac and 76Bc of the mounting grooves 76A and 76B on the rotation support tools 761 and 762 of the container holding portion 71. As a result, the rotary holders 75A and 75B are swung in the directions indicated by the arrows K1 and K2 via the rotary supports 761 and 762, and are stored in the container holder 71 (developer collection container). 6) and a state in which one end portion is exposed to the outside of the container holding portion 81 (corresponding to an attaching / detaching position of the developer recovery container 6. FIG. 5). can do.

  The connection opening 72 is connected to face the opening 63 of the developer recovery container 6 and is connected to face the discharge port 351 of the belt cleaning device 29 (FIG. 4). The connection opening 72 in the first embodiment is formed in a shape and size corresponding to the opening 63 of the developer recovery container 6. Further, the connection opening 72 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape having substantially the same width as the width W1 of the intermediate transfer belt 31 as in the case of the opening 63 and the discharge port 351. Further, the connection opening 72 is formed in a curved shape so that the inner side thereof corresponds to the rotation of the developer recovery container 6 (rotational movement in the directions of arrows K1 and K2 via the rotation holders 75A and 75B). ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 9, 14, and the like, the shutter fixing portion 73 is formed in a portion near the inclined surface portion 71 b of the bottom surface portion 71 a of the container housing portion 71. That is, the shutter fixing portion 73 includes an insertion projection 77 that fixes the mounting position of the opening / closing shutter 64 of the developer recovery container 6 and a positioning groove portion 78 that positions the mounting position of the opening / closing shutter 64.

  The insertion protrusion 77 protrudes toward the opening / closing shutter 64 (the insertion hole 64d) of the developer recovery container 6 attached to the shutter fixing portion 73 at the longitudinal end portion of the bottom surface portion 71a. Is formed. The insertion protrusion 77 is inserted into the insertion hole 64 d of the opening / closing shutter 64, so that the mounting position of the opening / closing shutter 64 is fixed by the insertion protrusion 77. That is, the open / close shutter 64 is held in a state of being fixed by the insertion protrusions 77 at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

  The positioning groove 78 has a stepped portion 78a between the bottom surface portion 71a of the container housing portion 71 and the slope portion 71b located below the connection opening 72, and a state protruding from the stepped portion 78a to the bottom surface portion 71a. It is formed as a space sandwiched between the protrusion 78b having a wedge-shaped cross section. The insertion position of the opening / closing shutter 64 is determined by inserting the insertion protrusion 64b of the opening / closing shutter 64 into the positioning groove 78. That is, the opening / closing shutter 64 is mounted at a correct position with respect to the shutter fixing portion 73 of the container mounting frame 7.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 9, 14, and the like, the connection shutter 74 is a long and narrow plate having a shape and size that can close the connection opening 72. The connection opening / closing shutter 64 in the first embodiment is a substantially rectangular plate-like member having a curved cross section. The opening / closing shutter 64 is manufactured by molding using a synthetic resin such as ABS.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the connection shutter 74 is located at a position (FIGS. 5 and 15) for closing the connection opening 72 with respect to the container mounting frame 7 (the inclined surface portion 71b) and a position for opening the connection opening 72. (FIG. 16) mounted to move between. For this reason, the connection shutter 74 is formed with connection portions 74a and 74b at the ends in the longitudinal direction (FIG. 9). The connecting portions 74a and 74b are connected in a state of being hooked opposite to the portions on the rotation fulcrum side of the rotation holders 75A and 75B in the container holding portion 71 (FIG. 15). In addition, a plurality of curved hook connection portions 74c are formed at the central position in the longitudinal direction of the open / close shutter 64 (FIG. 9). The hook connection portion 74 c is for hooking on a curved hook guide portion 71 f formed between the connection openings 72 of the slope portion 71 b of the container housing portion 71.

  Further, a plurality of projecting portions 74d projecting toward the developer collecting container 6 are formed on the upper end portion of the connection shutter 74 (FIG. 9). The protrusions 74d are inserted into a plurality of insertion holes 614 (FIGS. 10 and 14) formed at corners of the outer surface of the container body 61 of the developer recovery container 6 above the opening / closing shutter 64. Thus, the opening / closing shutter 74 is coupled to the collection container 6 (FIG. 15). In addition, the connection shutter 74 is provided on a curved slope portion 71g formed on the inner surface of the slope portion 71b of the container housing portion 71 outside the connection opening 72 (FIG. 9), and the connection portions 74a and 74b are curved. It installs in the state which made the outside surface contacted.

  The connection shutter 74 is installed inside the inclined surface portion 71b of the container housing portion 71 in a state of closing the connection opening 72, and the connection portions 74a and 74b at both end portions thereof are part of the rotary holding tools 75A and 75B. The hook connecting portion 74c on the center side is attached so as to be hooked and connected to the hook guide portion 71f on the slope portion 71b of the container housing portion 71.

  As a result, the connection shutter 74 is guided by the curved inclined surface portion 71g at the outer surfaces of the connection portions 74a and 74b, and the hook connection portion 74c is guided by the curved hook guide portion 71f, thereby causing the arrow N1. , N2 (FIGS. 9 and 15). As a result, the position where the connection opening 72 is closed with respect to the container mounting frame 7 (the inclined surface 71b of the container housing portion 71) and the opening are opened. The connection opening 72 is opened and closed by relatively moving between the positions. Actually, the connection shutter 74 is moved by rotating the container main body 61 of the developer recovery container 6 (in the directions of arrows K1 and K2 via the rotary holders 75A and 75B) as described later. This is done by changing the state (FIGS. 14 to 16).

  Further, in the container mounting frame 7, as shown in FIGS. 5, 9, 14, etc., the container main body 61 of the developer recovery container 6 is rotated substantially at the center of the bottom surface 71 a of the container mounting part 71. When the opening / closing shutter 64 is moved to the position where the opening 63 is closed, the deflection preventing protrusion for preventing the opening / closing shutter 64 from touching and deforming so that the central portion mainly bends in the rotating direction K2 of the container body 61. 80 is provided.

  The bending prevention protrusion 80 is a protrusion having a wedge-shaped cross section that protrudes upward at a position away from the protrusion 78b constituting the positioning groove 78 of the bottom surface 71a. The deflection preventing projection 8 has a surface (opposing contact surface) 81 facing the projection 78b of the positioning groove 78 when the developer collection container 6 is mounted on the shutter fixing portion 73 of the container holding unit 71. The opening / closing shutter 64 is set to be in a state where it can come into contact with the contact surface portion 68 (FIG. 15).

  Next, an attaching / detaching operation and the like of the developer recovery container 6 will be described.

  First, the developer recovery container 6 is mounted on the container mounting frame 7. In this mounting, as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 14, etc., the developer collection container 6 is attached to the rotation holders 75A and 75B in the container holding portion 71 of the container mounting frame 7 with the opening / closing shutter 64 at the head. Move to attach. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 15, the developer collection container 6 includes the rotation supporting points 612 and 613 and the mounting fixing parts 614 and 615 on the side surfaces of the both ends of the container body 61. The support grooves 76A and 76B of 75A and 75B are respectively fitted and supported. Further, the developer collection container 6 is securely held by the rotary holders 75A and 75B by the elastic hook claws 75e of the rotary holders 75A and 75B entering the recesses 616 of the mounting fixing parts 614 and 615 and being hooked. It becomes a state.

  At the time of mounting, the opening / closing shutter 64 of the developer recovery container 6 is moved to a position where the opening 63 is closed. Further, the rotary holders 75A and 75B are rotated in the direction of the arrow K2 so that their free ends protrude from the inside of the container holding part 71 to the outside, and toward the support grooves 76A and 76B in that state. The developer recovery container 6 is moved along the direction indicated by the arrow H1. In FIG. 14 and the like, the container mounting frame 7 is shown in an oblique state because it is attached along the intermediate transfer unit 30 arranged in the oblique state (FIG. 2). ). In the container mounting frame 7 as well, the connection shutter 74 is moved to a position where the connection opening 72 is blocked by the rotation of the rotation holders 75A and 75B in the direction of the arrow K2.

  When mounted, the developer collection container 6 has its open / close shutter 64 fixed at the shutter fixing portion 73 of the container holding portion 71 as shown in FIG. That is, the opening / closing shutter 64 is fitted with the insertion protrusions 77 inserted into the insertion holes 64 b at both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof, whereby the mounting position is fixed, and the opening 63 is formed with respect to the container body 61. It is placed in a state where it cannot move relative to the moving directions J1 and J2 for opening and closing. In the opening / closing shutter 64, an insertion protrusion 64b formed along the longitudinal direction thereof is inserted into the positioning groove 78, whereby the mounting position is formally determined.

  Further, when mounted, the opening / closing shutter 64 is placed in a state in which the contact surface portion 68 faces the opposing contact surface 81 of the deflection preventing projection 80 in the bottom surface portion 71a of the container housing portion 71, as shown in FIG. . The mounting position of the open / close shutter 64 is also determined when the contact surface portion 68 of the open / close shutter 64 faces the opposing contact surface 81 of the deflection preventing projection portion 80.

  In addition to this, when mounted, the protruding portion of the film material 67 attached to the end of the opening / closing shutter 64 is placed so as to fit in the film material installation recess 71 h formed on the upper surface of the stepped portion 78 a of the positioning groove 78. (FIG. 18). Accordingly, the gap S existing between the opening / closing shutter 64 and the container housing portion 71 (the slope portion 71b constituting the stepped portion 78a) is covered with the film material 67 (FIG. 18). Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the connection shutter 74 of the container mounting frame 7 is in a state in which the protruding portion 64 d is inserted into the insertion hole 614 in the container main body 61 of the developer recovery container 6. Combined and integrated.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 16, etc., the developer recovery container 6 rotates its container body 61 in the direction of the arrow K1, so that the container body 61 (actually the side on which the second storage portion 62B is located). ) In the space of the container accommodating portion 71.

  When the developer collection container 6 is rotated in the direction of the arrow K1, the container main body 61 is held by the rotary holders 75A and 75B and the shaft 65a of the transport member 65 in the first housing portion 72A is used as a fulcrum. It moves (swings) in the direction of arrow K1 in the state. By the rotation of the container main body 61, the opening 63 moves toward the connection opening 72 of the container mounting frame 7 and is finally connected to face the connection opening 72. At the same time, the connection shutter 74 moves together with the container body 61 (including the rotation holder 75), and finally opens the connection opening 72. At this time, the connection shutter 74 moves in the direction of the arrow N2 relative to the container housing portion 71. In detail, the connection shutter 74 moves while being hooked and guided by the hook guide portion 71 f on the slope portion 71 b of the container housing portion 71.

  At this time, since the opening / closing shutter 64 of the developer recovery container 6 is fixed to the shutter fixing portion 73, it is placed in a stationary state without rotating together with the container main body 61. Thereby, the opening / closing shutter 64 opens the opening 63 by moving the opening 63 away from the opening / closing shutter 64 in a stationary state by the rotation of the container body 61. At this time, the opening / closing shutter 64 moves relative to the container main body 61 in the direction indicated by the arrow J2 with reference to the container main body 61. In detail, the opening / closing shutter 64 moves while the end attachment portions 64 c at both ends in the longitudinal direction are guided by the guide portions 610 of the container body 61. In addition, the opening / closing shutter 64 is in a state in which the connection holding portion 69 located near the center in the longitudinal direction is hooked and connected to the curved connection guide piece 61c between the openings 63 of the container body 61. It moves while being guided.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, the opening 63 of the developer collection container 6 is opposed to the connection opening 72 of the container mounting frame 7 in a state where the connection shutter 74 is moved to the open position and opened. Connected. As a result, the developer recovery container 6 is completely mounted on the container mounting frame 7. Incidentally, after that, by closing the open / close cover 16 in the upper opening 13 of the image forming apparatus 1, the mounted developer recovery container 6 can be used.

  When the developer collecting container 6 is used, unnecessary materials such as developer removed by the belt cleaning device 35 are opened through the connection opening 72 (conveyed by the conveying member 37) as shown in FIG. The portion 73 is fed into the first accommodating portion 72 </ b> A of the container main body 61. Unnecessary substances such as developer sent to the first storage portion 72A are sent to the second storage portion 72B by the transport force of the transport member 65 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow.

  Then, when an unnecessary object such as a developer stored in the second storage portion 72B is accumulated and increased and becomes full, the full state is detected by the detection device (not shown). When this state is full, the developer recovery container 6 is removed from the container mounting frame 7 and replaced with a new developer recovery container 6 or unnecessary materials such as developer accommodated in the removed developer recovery container 7 are removed. After disposal, use it again.

  Next, an operation when the developer recovery container 6 is removed from the container mounting frame 7 will be described.

  In this removal, first, as shown in FIG. 17 and the like, the developer collection container 6 rotates its container body 61 in the direction of the arrow K2, and finally the container body 61 (actually as shown in FIG. 15). The side on which the second housing portion 62B is located is projected from the space of the container housing portion 71 to the outside. Prior to this removal, the open / close cover 16 is left open.

  When the developer recovery container 6 is rotated in the direction of the arrow K2, the container main body 61 is held by the rotation holders 75A and 75B, and the shaft 65a of the transport member 65 in the first accommodating portion 72A is used as a fulcrum. In this state, it moves (swings) in the direction of arrow K2. Due to the rotation of the container body 61, the opening 63 moves in a direction away from the connection opening 72 of the container mounting frame 7, and finally, the opening 63 does not face the connection opening 72 and is not connected. At the same time, the connection shutter 74 moves together with the container main body 61 and finally closes the connection opening 72. At this time, the connection shutter 74 moves in the direction of the arrow N1 relative to the container housing portion 71.

  At this time, the opening / closing shutter 64 of the developer recovery container 6 is kept fixed to the shutter fixing portion 73, and thus is kept stationary without rotating together with the container main body 61. As a result, the opening / closing shutter 64 closes the opening 63 by moving the opening 63 closer to the opening / closing shutter 64 in a stationary state by the rotation of the container body 61. The opening / closing shutter 64 at this time moves relative to the container main body 61 in the direction indicated by the arrow J <b> 1 when viewed from the container main body 61.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 15, the developer recovery container 6 is configured such that the container main body 61 is projected from the space of the container housing portion 71 to the outside, and then the container main body 61 is moved to the container mounting frame. 7 in the state of pulling out in the direction H2 to be taken out from the container holding portion 71. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, etc., the developer recovery container 6 has the rotation supporting points 612 and 613 and the mounting fixing parts 614 and 615 on the side surfaces of the both ends of the container main body 61. It will be in the state extracted from support grooves 76A and 76B of 75A and 75B, respectively.

  As a result, the developer recovery container 6 is removed from the container mounting frame 7. The developer collection container 6 when removed is in a state in which the opening 63 is closed by the opening / closing shutter 64 (FIG. 14). Further, the container mounting frame 7 after the developer recovery container 6 is removed has the connection opening 72 closed by the connection shutter 74 (FIGS. 5 and 14).

  In the developer collection container 6 and the container mounting frame 7, when the developer collection container 6 is removed, the container body 61 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow K2 so that the opening / closing shutter 64 is closed by the opening 63. When moving, as shown in FIG. 17, the elastic sealing material 66 passes with the container body 61 in a state of rubbing the inner surface 64 a of the open / close shutter 64. Further, the mounting position of the open / close shutter 64 is only firmly fixed by the insertion protrusions 77 of the shutter fixing portion 73 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Note that the opening / closing shutter 64 is also in a state in which the insertion protrusion 64 b formed along the longitudinal direction thereof is inserted into the positioning groove 78. However, the positioning groove 78 only positions the device position of the open / close shutter 64 and does not hold the shutter 64 so strongly that the mounting position of the shutter 64 is fixed.

  For this reason, the opening / closing shutter 64 receives the frictional resistance and pressure of the elastic sealing material 66 simultaneously with the rotation of the container body 61 on the inner surface 64a. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 19a, the opening / closing shutter 64 is in a state indicated by an arrow J2 in a state in which, for example, the central portion of the longitudinal direction follows the rotation of the container body 61 in the direction of the arrow K2. There is a possibility that a phenomenon of deformation occurs so as to be displaced and bent. In the opening / closing shutter 64B that is bent and deformed in such a state, a gap SP1 may be generated between the opening 63 and the opening shutter 63 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In this case, the developer or the like present in the first storage portion 71A of the container body 61 may leak to the container mounting portion 71 side (shutter fixing portion 73) through the gap SP1. If there is such a leaked developer, it floats and contaminates the inside of the image forming apparatus 1.

  On the other hand, in the developer recovery container 6 and the container mounting frame 7 according to the first embodiment, when the container main body 61 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow K2 and moved to the position where the opening / closing shutter 64 is closed, FIG. As shown, the contact surface portion 68 formed on the opening / closing shutter 64 comes into contact with the opposing contact surface 81 of the deflection preventing projection portion 80 formed substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface portion 71a of the container holding portion 71. .

  For this reason, even if the opening / closing shutter 64 receives the frictional resistance or pressure of the elastic seal material 66 during the rotation of the container body 61, the central portion of the longitudinal direction follows the rotation of the container body 61. It is possible to prevent the movement of being deformed so as to be bent in the direction indicated by the arrow J2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a phenomenon in which the developer leaks from the gap SP1 (FIG. 19a) formed between the opening / closing shutter 64 and the opening 63 due to the bending deformation.

  In addition, the opening / closing shutter 64 in the developer recovery container 6 has a connection holding portion 69 located near the center in the longitudinal direction of the shutter 64 even when the container body 61 rotates in the direction of the arrow K2. It moves in the state where it is hooked and connected to the curved connection guide piece 61c between the openings 63. That is, the opening / closing shutter 64 moves in a state where the central portion and the peripheral portion thereof in the longitudinal direction are substantially constant on the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 61. Thereby, the central part and its peripheral part in the longitudinal direction of the open / close shutter 64 are prevented from being bent and deformed in a direction away from the opening 63 and its peripheral part of the container main body 61 during movement.

  On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 19B, when a portion such as a central portion or its peripheral portion in the longitudinal direction of the opening / closing shutter 64 is deformed so as to bend away from the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 61, An unnecessary gap SP2 is generated between the peripheral portion and the developer or the like existing in the first housing portion 71A of the container body 61 through the gap SP2 toward the container mounting portion 71 (shutter fixing portion 73). There is a risk of leakage.

  Therefore, in the opening / closing shutter 64 according to the first embodiment, even when the container main body 61 rotates in the direction of the arrow K2, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the opening / closing shutter 64 and its peripheral portion substantially lie on the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 61. Since it moves in a constant state, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of leakage of the developer or the like from the gap SP2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18 and the like, when the developer recovery container 6 is mounted on the container mounting frame 7, the film material 67 attached to the opening / closing shutter 64 has a gap at the boundary with the container housing portion 71. S will be kept hidden.

  Therefore, when the container main body 61 is rotated in the direction of the arrow K2, even if the opening 63 and the elastic sealing material 66 pass over the gap S, the developer and the like enter the gap S through the opening 63. Even if an attempt is made to enter, the sealing material 67 prevents the entry. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer or the like that has entered the gap S from remaining in the container holding portion 71 when the developer collection container 6 is taken out from the container holding portion 71.

  Further, in this container mounting frame 7, as shown in FIG. 18, the inner wall surface (inner surface of the inclined surface portion) 71b from the position where the connection shutter 74 is opened to the position where the connection opening 72 of the container holding portion 71 is closed. It is comprised so that it may move in the state which formed the clearance gap E between. Specifically, the connection shutter 74 is formed in a state where the attachment position of the container housing portion 71 is loose, and is formed in a state where the thickness is relatively thinner than the attachment portions (connection portions 74a, 74b, etc.). By doing so, the gap E moves in a state where it exists (exists).

  As a result, even if the developer enters the gap E between the connection shutter 74 and the inclined surface portion 71b of the container holding portion 71, the connection shutter 74 is moved to the container when the developer rotates the container body 61 in the direction of the arrow K2. When moving together with the main body 61, it drops toward the connection opening 72 through the gap E. From this, for example, the developer adhering to or existing on the inclined surface portion 71b of the container holding portion through which the connection shutter 74 passes is pushed out or dragged by the connection shutter 74 that moves in the direction of the arrow N1 by the rotation of the container body 61. As a result, it is possible to prevent the moved developer from leaking to the bottom surface portion 71a of the container holding portion.

  Further, in this image forming apparatus 1, when the developer recovery container 6 is used by being completely mounted on the container mounting frame 7 (FIG. 4), or when it is attached to or detached from the container mounting frame 7 (FIGS. 14, FIG. 15), the connection opening 72 of the container mounting frame 7 is arranged so as to be maintained obliquely upward in the gravity direction G with respect to the belt cleaning device 35 (FIG. 4). 14 and 15).

  For this reason, the container mounting frame 7 is connected regardless of whether the developer recovery container 6 is completely mounted on the container mounting frame 7 or used. The developer present in the belt cleaning device 35 is located below the connection opening 72 and the connection shutter 74 in the gravity direction G. As a result, there is no possibility that the developer present in the belt cleaning device 35 leaks to the bottom surface portion 71 a of the container holding portion 71 through the space between the connection opening 72 and the connection shutter 74 of the container mounting frame 7.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, for example, when the photosensitive drum unit 21 is replaced, the upper opening / closing part 13 is opened with the first hinge 12 as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. Even in the opened state, the connection opening 72 of the container mounting frame 7 is arranged so as to be kept facing the upper side of the gravity direction G or the diagonally upper side with respect to the belt cleaning device 35. Thereby, there is no possibility that the developer existing in the belt cleaning device 35 leaks to the bottom surface portion 71 a of the container holding portion 71 through the space between the connection opening 72 and the connection shutter 74 of the container mounting frame 7.

[Other embodiments]
In the first embodiment, the film material 67 attached to the opening / closing shutter 64 of the developer recovery container 6 may be omitted. Further, the connection holding portion 69 formed on the opening / closing shutter 64 may be omitted if there is no risk of bending deformation (FIG. 19 b) in the longitudinal direction of the shutter 64.

  In the first embodiment, the elastic sealing material 66 attached to the container main body 61 may be configured to be attached to the opening / closing shutter 64 instead of the container main body 61. Further, the elastic sealing material 66 may not be attached to either the container main body 61 or the open / close shutter 64 if there is no risk of developer leakage. The container mounting frame 7 may be installed in a state of being fixed to the apparatus main body 10.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the case where the developer collection container 6 is moved in the directions H1 and H2 intersecting with the longitudinal direction and is attached to and detached from the container holding portion 71 of the container mounting frame 7 is illustrated, but FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the developer recovery container 6B and its container mounting frame 7B may be configured. That is, it can also be configured to move along the longitudinal direction C of the developer recovery container 6B so as to be attached to and detached from the container holding portion 71 of the container mounting frame 7B (FIG. 20a).

  In this case, the developer recovery container 6B mounted on the container holding portion 71 of the container mounting frame 7B is moved to arrows K1 and K2 around the longitudinal direction C of the developer recovery container 6B as shown in FIG. 20b. As a result, the opening 63 of the developer recovery container 6B can be connected to face the connection opening 72 of the container mounting frame 7B, or can be disconnected without facing. In this case, the opening 63 of the collection container 6B and the connection opening 72 of the container mounting frame 7B have a relatively long length (dimension) along the longitudinal direction C of the collection container 6B. Since the length in the longitudinal direction C also tends to be longer, the above-described effect by providing the deflection preventing projection 80 corresponding to the opening / closing shutter 64 can be obtained more strongly. The term “relatively long” refers to, for example, a length corresponding to the maximum width of an image to be formed or a length close to the length of the collection container 6B in the longitudinal direction of the container body 61.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, the developer recovery container 6 that stores the recovered developer is illustrated, but instead of the developer recovery container 6, a new developer is stored and replenished to the developing device 25 and the like. It is also possible to configure as a developer supply container 60. In this case, the connection opening 72 of the container mounting frame 7 to which the developer supply container 60 is mounted does not need to be provided with the connection shutter 74 that moves the opening 72 to open and close.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is an image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image, a system that does not use an intermediate transfer device (so-called recording paper P is transferred to each primary transfer unit in each image forming unit). A direct transfer format in which the toner image is directly transferred onto a recording sheet by being conveyed so as to pass through the position may be adopted. The image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is represented by, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile, a print function, a copy function, a facsimile function (image input / output transmission / reception function), and the like. An image forming apparatus in which each function is combined is exemplified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 6 ... Developer collection container (developer container)
7 ... Container mounting frame (container mounting structure)
60 ... Developer supply container (developer container)
61 ... Container main body 62A ... First housing part (housing part)
62B ... Second accommodating part (accommodating part)
63 ... Opening 64 ... Opening / closing shutter (moving lid)
66 ... Elastic sealing material (elastic gap closing material)
67 ... Film material 68 ... Contact surface part (contact part)
69 ... Connection holding part 71 ... Container holding part 72 ... Connection opening 73 ... Shutter fixing part (lid fixing part)
74 ... Connection shutter (connection moving lid)
80 ... Deflection prevention protrusion (bending prevention part)
81 ... Opposing contact surface C ... Longitudinal direction E ... Gap G at the boundary part ... Gravitational direction S ... Gap K1, K2 ... Rotating directions J1, J2 ... Opening and closing shutter moving directions N1, N2 ... Connecting shutter moving direction

Claims (8)

Between a container main body having an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer, an opening formed in a part of the accommodating portion and allowing the developer to pass therethrough, and a position where the outer surface of the container main body closes and opens the opening. A developer container provided with a moving lid that moves between the closing position and the opening position by rotating the container main body attached to move the container body, and opens and closes the opening.
A container holding portion in which the developer container is detachably mounted and the container main body of the developer container is held in a rotatable state, and an opening portion of the developer container formed in a part of the container holding portion A connection opening for allowing the developer to pass through in a state of being connected to and a width direction end of the moving lid that is formed in a part of the container holding portion and orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving lid. A container mounting structure including a lid fixing portion that fixes the mounting position of the movable lid;
In a portion excluding both ends in the width direction of the movable lid in the container holding part of the container mounting structure,
When the container body of the developer container is rotated to move the movable lid to the closing position,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a bending prevention unit configured to contact and block movement of a part of the moving lid so as to bend in a direction in which the developer container is rotated. The movable lid is connected to a portion of the movable lid excluding both ends in the width direction and a portion of the outer surface portion of the container body facing the portion so that the movable lid follows the outer surface portion of the container body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a connection holding portion is formed to be held. The developer container is mounted on the container holding portion in a state of protruding from the end portion on the side that is present in the state close to the connection opening of the container mounting structure in the movable lid. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a film material is attached to cover a gap at a boundary portion between the movable lid and the container holding part, sometimes contacting a part of the container holding part. A state where the container main body of the developer container mounted on the container holding part is rotated and attached to the inside of the container holding part of the container mounting structure so as to move to a position for closing and opening the connection opening. A connection moving lid that moves between a position for closing and opening the connection opening in conjunction with changing
The said connection movement lid is comprised so that it may move in the state which formed the clearance gap between the inner wall surfaces from the said opening position of the said container holding part to the said closing position. The image forming apparatus described. When the developer container is attached to the container mounting structure and used, or when the developer container is attached to or detached from the container mounting structure, the connection opening of the container mounting structure is maintained in a state of facing upward or obliquely upward in the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed. The elastic gap interposed between the peripheral portion of the opening of the container body and the movable lid when the movable lid is moved to and reached the closing position on the container main body or the movable lid of the developer container. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a material is attached. A container main body having an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer and an opening formed in a part of the accommodating portion and allowing the developer to pass therethrough;
It is attached to the outer surface of the container main body so as to move between a position for closing the opening and a position for opening, and by rotating the container main body, the opening is moved between the position for closing and opening. A moving lid that opens and closes;
In a state where the container main body is detachably mounted and the container main body is held in a state where the container main body can rotate, and is formed in a part of the container holding portion and is opposed to the opening. A connection opening that allows the developer to pass therethrough and a lid that is formed in a part of the container holding portion and that fixes the mounting position of the movable lid at the end in the width direction of the movable lid perpendicular to the direction in which the movable lid moves Removably attached to the container mounting structure of the image forming apparatus having the fixing portion,
One of the moving lids is formed at a portion of the container holding portion of the container mounting structure excluding both ends in the width direction of the moving lid, and the container body is rotated to move the moving lid to the closing position. And forming a contact portion on the movable lid that contacts the deflection preventing portion that contacts and inhibits the movement of the portion to be deformed so as to bend in the direction in which the container body rotates .
The side of the movable lid that is in the state of being close to the connection opening of the container mounting structure
When it is attached to the container holding part in a state protruding from the end part,
A cover that contacts a part of the container holding part and covers the gap at the boundary between the movable lid and the container holding part.
Developer container with film material. The developer container is a developer recovery container for storing a recovered developer or a developer to be replenished.
The image according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image is configured as a developer supply container containing
Forming equipment.

Images