JP5769050B2 - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a substantially cylindrical toner container installed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine thereof, and an image forming apparatus in which the toner container is installed.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a cylindrical toner container (toner bottle) that is detachably installed in an image forming apparatus main body has been often used (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). .
In Patent Documents 1 and 2, a toner container (toner bottle) installed in the image forming apparatus main body in a replaceable manner mainly includes a container main body (bottle main body) and a cap portion (held portion).

  To attach / detach the toner container to / from the main body of the image forming apparatus with a small amount of action when the opening area of the toner discharge port in the cap portion or the flow area of the toner conveyance path leading to the toner discharge port is increased compared to the conventional toner container. In addition, the shutter member is configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction at the cap portion, and the shutter member opens and closes the toner discharge port in conjunction with the longitudinal attachment / detachment operation of the toner container to / from the apparatus main body. Conceivable. However, in this case, it is necessary that the toner container be smoothly attached and detached while maintaining a high sealing performance between the container body and the cap part without increasing the size of the cap part.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the toner container can be smoothly attached and detached while maintaining a high sealing performance between the container body and the cap part without increasing the size of the cap part. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus.

A toner container according to a first aspect of the present invention is a toner container that is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus in a state where the longitudinal direction is a horizontal direction, and is disposed on one end side in the longitudinal direction. An opening is formed, and a cylindrical container body configured to convey toner accommodated therein toward the opening; the opening of the container body is inserted; and the container A cap portion having a toner discharge port at the bottom for discharging toner discharged from the opening of the main body to the lower side in the vertical direction outside the container; and the cap portion being held at the bottom of the cap portion; A shutter member that opens and closes the toner discharge port by movement along the outer periphery of the container, wherein the container body is rotatably held with respect to the cap portion, A sealing material that is installed at a position facing the periphery of the opening of the main body and seals a gap between the container main body and a force in the mounting direction when the cap is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. A pressed portion projecting on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion in order to be pressed in the direction to be applied, and a large diameter portion having a sticking surface to which the sealing material is stuck, and the large diameter portion And a small-diameter portion having an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion formed on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction, and the pressed portion is the distal-end portion in the longitudinal direction and the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion to be disposed an inclined surface that is formed respectively on the side of the across the apex formed in a direction to protrude from the outer peripheral surface the longitudinal direction of the distal end side of the container body of the small-diameter portion, the distal-side The inclination of the inclined surface is gentler than the inclination of the inclined surface on the container body side. Is formed such that, the sealing material is that the disposed side of the longitudinal direction of the container body with respect to the pressed portion.

  The toner container according to a second aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to the first aspect, wherein the cap portion has an outer diameter of the tip portion where the pressed portion is formed. It is formed by integral molding so as to be smaller than the outer diameter of the portion where the surface is formed.

A toner container according to a third aspect of the present invention is a toner container that is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus in a state where the longitudinal direction is a horizontal direction, and is opened at one end side in the longitudinal direction. And a cylindrical container body configured to convey toner accommodated therein toward the opening, the opening of the container body being inserted therein, and the container body A cap portion having a toner discharge port at the bottom for discharging the toner discharged from the opening portion outside the container and vertically downward, and being held at the bottom portion of the cap portion, A shutter member that opens and closes the toner discharge port by movement along an outer periphery, and the container body is rotatably held with respect to the cap part. A sealing material that is installed at a position facing the periphery of the opening and seals the gap with the container main body, and resists force in the mounting direction when the cap is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. A pressed portion that protrudes on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion to be pressed in the direction, and the toner discharge port, the pressed portion, and a bonding surface for bonding the sealing material are formed. Two molded parts of a first member, and a second member composed of a small-diameter portion formed so as to cover a part of the first member and a large-diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than the small-diameter portion. It is formed by bonding or welding, and the pressed portion is disposed at the distal end portion in the longitudinal direction, and the distal end side in the longitudinal direction across the apex formed in the direction protruding from the outer peripheral surface And inclined surfaces respectively formed on the container body side, Serial distal inclination of the inclined surface of the side is formed to be gentler than the inclination of the inclined surface of the container body, is formed to fit within the outer diameter of the small diameter portion of the second member, The sealing material is disposed on the container body side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the pressed portion.

  A toner container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the pressed portion is a virtual horizontal plane passing through the center of the tip portion of the cap portion. It is installed on both sides on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion.

  A toner container according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the container body has a spiral protrusion on an inner peripheral surface thereof. .

  A toner container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the cap portion is formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. And a toner drop path formed in a columnar shape with a constant flow area from the peripheral surface below the cavity toward the toner discharge port.

  A toner container according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the toner container according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the cap portion is on an end surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tip portion. An electronic information storage member in which electronic information is stored is installed.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is such that the toner container according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the main body of the image forming apparatus includes a cap receiving portion that holds the cap portion of the toner container, and the toner container. A bottle receiving portion having a bottle receiving surface for sliding the toner container toward the cap portion, and the cap receiving portion is attached to and detached from the cap receiving portion. And a pressing portion that presses the pressed portion of the cap portion in a direction that resists the force in the attachment / detachment direction, and the pressed portion of the toner container is assumed to pass through the center of the tip portion of the cap portion. It is installed on both sides on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion on a horizontal plane, and the pressing portion of the cap receiving portion is on the virtual horizontal plane so as to come into contact with the pair of pressed portions, respectively. A position counter in which are installed respectively.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pair of pressing portions has a vector of force acting on each of the pressed portions, wherein the container body It is comprised so that it may become line symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein the bottle receiver is configured to attach and detach the toner container toward the cap receiver. The toner container is provided with a shutter holding mechanism that controls the posture of the shutter member at the cap receiving portion during the opening / closing operation of the shutter member in conjunction with the shutter member. After the shutter member is held by the shutter holding mechanism and the opening operation of the shutter member is started, the operation of pressing the pressed portion is started by the pressing portion from the image forming apparatus main body. When the toner container is detached, the operation of the pressing portion pressing the pressed portion is completed and the pressing portion is separated from the pressed portion. In which holding of the shutter member by the shutter clamping mechanism in a closed operation of the shutter member is opened.

  An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, wherein the pressing portion completes the operation of pressing the pressed portion. The pressed part is also pressed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

  An image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, wherein the cap receiving portion is a restriction formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cap portion. And an engaged portion that regulates the posture of the cap portion that is engaged with the portion and attached to and detached from the cap receiving portion.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the plurality of cap receiving portions are arranged in parallel, and the plurality of cap receiving portions are The adjacent cap receiving portions are arranged so that the height positions in the vertical direction are different.

  The present invention provides a sealing material installed between the container main body and the cap portion, and the cap portion because the cap portion is pressed in a direction against the force in the mounting direction when the cap portion is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The positional relationship in the longitudinal direction between the pressed portion protruding on the outer peripheral surface is optimized. Thus, it is possible to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus in which the toner container can be smoothly attached and detached while maintaining a high sealing performance between the container body and the cap part without increasing the size of the cap part.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an image formation part. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where a toner container is installed in the toner supply device. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner container storage unit. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a toner container obliquely from above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container from obliquely below. FIG. 6 is a six-side view illustrating a toner container. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a toner container from the cap side. FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a part of a toner container. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a head side in a container main body of a toner container. 3 is a perspective view showing a cap portion of a toner container. FIG. FIG. 6 is another perspective view showing a cap portion of the toner container. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a cap portion of a toner container. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a cap portion of a toner container. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a shutter member of a toner container closes a toner discharge port. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a shutter member of a toner container has a toner discharge port opened. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the cap part in the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an opening operation of a shutter member in conjunction with a mounting operation of a toner container in a toner container housing portion. It is a perspective view which shows the cap part of the state from which the shutter member was taken out. It is another perspective view which shows the cap part of the state from which the shutter member was taken out. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state where the sealing material is removed from the cap portion of FIG. 19. It is a perspective view which shows the state from which the sealing material was removed in the cap part of FIG. It is a rear view which shows a cap part from the container main body side. It is a schematic diagram which shows a part of metal mold | die which injection-molds a cap part. It is a perspective view which shows a shutter member. It is another perspective view which shows a shutter member. FIG. 4 is a front view showing different types of toner containers from the cap side. FIG. 10 is a front view showing another type of toner container from the cap side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a bottle receiving part in a toner container housing part. FIG. 10 is another perspective view showing the vicinity of the bottle receiving portion in the toner container housing portion. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a part of a toner container housing portion. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a bottle receiving part of a toner container housing part. FIG. 6 is another exploded perspective view showing a bottle receiving part of the toner container housing part. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the cap portion of the toner container is attached to the cap receiving portion of the toner container housing portion. It is a bottom view following FIG. It is a bottom view following FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the pressed portion of the toner container is fitted to the cap receiving portion while being engaged with the pressed portion of the toner container housing portion from above. It is a bottom view following FIG. It is a bottom view following FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where the cap portion of the toner container is mounted on the cap receiving portion of the toner container housing portion. It is a bottom view following FIG. It is a bottom view following FIG. FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing a state in which the toner discharge port is opened while the shutter member of the toner container is engaged with the shutter holding mechanism of the toner container housing portion. It is a bottom view following FIG. It is a bottom view following FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a cap portion of a toner container is attached to a cap receiving portion of a toner container housing portion from the side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of a toner container according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 48 is an exploded perspective view showing a cap portion in the toner container of FIG. 47. FIG. 48 is another exploded perspective view showing a cap portion in the toner container of FIG. 47. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the cap part after the 1st member and the 2nd member were welded. 48 is a perspective view showing the inside of a cap portion in the toner container of FIG. 47. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the stirring member of the toner container in Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 53 is another perspective view showing the stirring member of FIG. 52. FIG. 53 is a trihedral view showing the stirring member of FIG. 52. (A) The schematic front view which shows the state which the stirring member of FIG. 52 rotates, (B) The schematic front view which shows the state in which the stirring member in the toner container in Embodiment 1 rotates. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the cap part of the toner container in Embodiment 4 of this invention. FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a flexible member installed in the vicinity of the toner outlet of the toner container of FIG. 56. FIG. 57 is a schematic front view showing a state where the stirring member in the toner container of FIG. 56 rotates. It is a perspective view which shows the toner container in Embodiment 5 of this invention. FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view showing the toner container of FIG. 59. FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a cap portion of the toner container of FIG. 59. It is a block diagram which shows the toner container of another form.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 to 46, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are attached to and detached from the toner container housing portion 70 above the image forming apparatus main body 100. It is installed freely (changeable) (see also FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 36, etc.).
An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the toner container housing portion 70. Image forming portions 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15.
Below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are disposed, respectively. The toners stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are supplied (supplemented) into the developing devices of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, respectively. )

  Referring to FIG. 2, an image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photosensitive drum 1Y, a charging unit 4Y disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y, a developing device 5Y (developing unit), a cleaning unit 2Y, It is comprised by the static elimination part (not shown) etc. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K have substantially the same configuration as that of the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the color of the toner used is different. A corresponding image is formed. Hereinafter, description of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K will be omitted as appropriate, and only the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow will be described.

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

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 to form a yellow toner image (developing process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the first transfer bias roller 9Y, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position. (This is a primary transfer step.) At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 2Y, and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y at this position is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a (in the cleaning process). is there.).
Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is removed at this position.
Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

The image forming process described above is performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as the yellow image forming unit 6Y. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is emitted from the exposure unit 7 disposed below the image forming unit onto the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. Specifically, the exposure unit 7 emits laser light L from a light source, and irradiates the photosensitive drum through a plurality of optical elements while scanning the laser light L with a polygon mirror that is rotationally driven.
Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums through the 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, referring to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, and an intermediate transfer. It consists of a cleaning unit, 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.

The four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K respectively 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 reverse to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.
The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, the toner images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred in a superimposed manner reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a recording medium P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of an intermediate transfer cleaning unit (not shown). At this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected.
Thus, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feeding unit 26 disposed below the apparatus main body 100 via a paper feeding roller 27, a registration roller pair 28, and the like. It is a thing.
Specifically, a plurality of recording media P such as transfer paper are stored in the paper supply unit 26 in a stacked manner. When the paper feed roller 27 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the uppermost recording medium P is fed toward the rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

  The recording medium P transported to the registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 whose rotation 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 recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, a desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the color image is transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing unit 20. At this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the recording medium P by heat and pressure generated by the fixing roller and the pressure roller.
Thereafter, the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29. The transferred P discharged from the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image.
Thus, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, two conveying screws 55Y disposed in the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, and toner in the developer. Consists of a density detection sensor 56Y for detecting density. The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet, and the like. In the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, a two-component developer G composed of a carrier and a toner is accommodated. The developer accommodating portion 54Y communicates with the toner conveying tube 64Y (toner conveying path) through an opening formed above the developer accommodating portion 54Y.

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, according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y, the toner accommodated in the toner container 32Y is replenished into the developer accommodating portion 54Y via the toner replenishing device 60Y (see FIG. 3 and the like). The The configuration and operation of the toner supply device will be described in detail later.

  Thereafter, the toner replenished in the developer accommodating portion 54Y is circulated through the two developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y while being mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two conveying screws 55Y (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). Direction movement.) The toner in the developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51Y.

  The developer G carried 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. The developer G on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (development region) after the developer amount is made appropriate at this position. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer containing portion 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

Next, the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIG. 3, the toner in each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K installed in the toner container housing portion 70 of the apparatus main body 100 is different for each toner color according to the toner consumption in each color developing device. Each developing device is appropriately replenished by toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K provided on the developing device.
The four toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K and the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K have substantially the same structure except for the color of the toner used in the image forming process, and therefore correspond to yellow. Only the toner supply device 60Y and the toner container 32Y will be described, and descriptions of the toner supply devices 60M, 60C, and 60K and the toner containers 32M, 32C, and 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 attached to the toner container accommodating portion 70 of the apparatus main body 100 (movement along the arrow Q), the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are interlocked with the attaching operation. The toner discharge ports W are opened by moving the shutter members 34d of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, and the toner supply port 72w of the toner container storage unit 70 (toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K). (See FIGS. 3, 37 to 39, etc.) and the toner discharge port W communicate with each other. As a result, the toner stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is discharged from the toner discharge port W, and the toner supply port of the toner container storage unit 70 (toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K). From 72w, the toner is stored in the toner tank 61Y.
Here, referring to the schematic diagram of FIG. 3, the toner container 32 </ b> Y is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle. The toner container 32 </ b> Y mainly includes a cap part 34 </ b> Y that is non-rotatably held in the toner container housing part 70 and a gear 33 c. And an integrally formed container body 33Y (bottle body). The container main body 33Y is rotatably held relative to the cap portion 34Y, and is configured by a drive unit 91 (which includes a drive motor, a drive gear 81, and the like, and can also refer to FIG. 42 and the like). It is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow. As the container body 33Y itself rotates, the toner contained in the toner container 32Y (container body 33Y) is conveyed in the longitudinal direction by the protrusions 33b formed in a spiral shape on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33Y. Then, the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y. That is, when the container main body 33Y of the toner container 32Y is appropriately rotated by the drive unit 91, the toner is appropriately supplied to the toner tank unit 61Y. The toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are replaced with new ones when they reach the end of their lives (when almost all the toner to be stored is consumed and emptied).

Referring to FIG. 3, toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K include a toner container storage unit 70, a toner tank unit 61Y, a toner transport coil 62Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, a drive unit 91, and the like. .
The toner tank 61Y is disposed below the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y, and stores toner discharged from the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y. A bottom portion of the toner tank portion 61Y is connected to an upstream portion of the toner transport pipe 64Y.
Further, a toner end sensor 66Y that detects that the amount of toner stored in the toner tank 61Y has become a predetermined amount or less is installed on the wall surface of the toner tank 61Y (position at a predetermined height from the bottom). ing. A piezoelectric sensor or the like can be used as the toner end sensor 66Y. When the controller 90 detects that the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y has become a predetermined amount or less (toner end detection) by the toner end sensor 66Y, the controller 91 controls the drive unit 91 ( The drive gear 81) rotates the container main body 33Y of the toner container 32Y for a predetermined time to supply toner to the toner tank 61Y. Further, if the toner end detection by the toner end sensor 66Y is not canceled even after such control is repeated, it is assumed that there is no toner in the toner container 32Y and is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100. A message to prompt the user to replace the toner container 32Y is displayed.

  Although not shown, the toner transport coil 62Y is provided in the toner transport pipe 64Y and transports the toner stored in the toner tank section 61Y toward the developing device 5Y through the toner transport pipe 64Y. is there. Specifically, the toner conveyance coil 62Y conveys toner along the toner conveyance tube 64Y from the bottom (lowermost point) of the toner tank 61Y toward the upper side of the developing device 5Y. The toner transported by the toner transport coil 62Y is replenished into the developing device 5Y (developer container 54Y).

  Referring to FIG. 4, the toner container housing portion 70 mainly includes a cap receiving portion 73 for holding the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y and a bottle receiving portion for holding the container main body 33Y of the toner container 32Y. Part 72 (container body receiving part). The configuration and operation of the toner container storage unit 70 (bottle receiving unit 72, cap receiving unit 73) will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

Here, referring to FIG. 1, when the main body cover (not shown) installed above the front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) is opened, the toner container is opened. The accommodating part 70 is exposed. Then, with the longitudinal direction of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K set to the horizontal direction, the operation of attaching / detaching the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K from the upper front side of the apparatus main body 100 (the length of the toner containers) This is an attachment / detachment operation in which the direction is the attachment / detachment direction.
Specifically, when the toner container 32Y is attached to the apparatus main body 100, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are placed on the toner container accommodating portion 70 from above the apparatus main body 100 in a state where the main body cover is opened. It is pushed in the horizontal direction with the cap portion 34Y at the top (movement along the arrow Q in FIG. 4). In contrast, when the toner container 32Y is detached from the apparatus main body 100, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are operated in the reverse manner to that in the mounting.

In the first embodiment, an antenna 73e (RFID antenna) is installed in the cap receiving portion 73 of the toner container housing portion 70 in which the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are detachably arranged. (See FIGS. 30, 31 and the like.) Specifically, the antenna 73e performs wireless communication in a non-contact manner with an RFID chip 35 (see FIGS. 5 and 9) as an electronic information storage member installed on the end surface of the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y. Is for.
Necessary information is exchanged between the RFID chip 35 (electronic information storage member) of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K and the antenna 73e (RFID antenna) of the apparatus main body 100. Information communicated between the two includes information such as a toner container manufacturing number and the number of recycling, information such as toner capacity, lot number and color, and information such as usage history of the image forming apparatus main body 100. . The RFID chip 35 (electronic information storage member) stores such electronic information in advance before being installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 (or information received from the apparatus main body 100 after being installed). )

Next, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the toner container 32 </ b> Y mainly includes a container main body 33 </ b> Y (bottle main body) and a cap portion 34 </ b> Y (bottle cap) provided on the head thereof. Further, referring to FIG. 9, in addition to the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y, the toner container 32Y includes a stirring member 33f, a cap seal 37 as a sealing material, a shutter member 34d, a shutter seal 36, and an electronic information storage member. As an RFID chip 35 (RFID chip).

At the head of the container main body 33Y, a gear 33c that rotates integrally with the container main body 33Y, in other words, rotates together with the opening, and the opening A is one end in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 8). (See FIG. 9). The opening A is provided at the head of the container main body 33Y (the position that is the tip in the mounting operation), and allows the toner contained in the container main body 33Y to pass through the space in the cap 34Y (the cavity B). FIG. 14 can be referred to)).
The toner conveyance from the container main body 33Y to the cavity B in the cap part 34Y (rotational drive of the container main body 33Y) is appropriately performed so that the toner in the cap part 34Y does not fall below a predetermined water line.

  The gear 33c is for meshing with a drive gear 81 provided in the toner container accommodating portion 70 of the apparatus main body 100 to drive the container main body 33Y about the rotation axis. Specifically, the gear 33c is formed so as to make one round around the opening A, and a plurality of teeth are formed radially with respect to the rotation axis of the container body 33Y. A part of the gear 33c is exposed from a notch part 34x (see FIG. 16 and the like) formed in the cap part 34Y, and the drive gear of the apparatus main body 100 is engaged at an obliquely lower meshing position in FIG. Mesh with 81. Then, the driving force is transmitted from the driving gear 81 to the gear 33c, and the container body 33Y rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. In the first embodiment, the drive gear 81 and the gear 33c are spur gears.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the container main body 33Y (the rear end in the mounting direction) is for the user to hold when attaching / detaching the toner container 32Y. A gripping portion 33d is provided. The user attaches the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100 while grasping the grasping portion 33d (the 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 peripheral surface of the container body 33Y (a spiral groove when viewed from the outer peripheral surface side). The spiral projection 33b is for rotating and driving the container body 33Y in a predetermined direction to discharge the toner from the opening A. The container main body 33Y configured in this way can be manufactured by blow molding together with the gear 33c and the gripping portion 33d disposed on the peripheral surface thereof.

  Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in toner container 32Y in the first embodiment, stirring member 33f that rotates together with container main body 33Y is fitted in bottle opening 33a (opening A). The stirring member 33f is a pair of plate-like members extending from the cavity B in the cap portion 34Y toward the container main body 33Y (see also FIG. 14). The stirring member 33f is inclined so that the pair of plate-like members are staggered. The agitating member 33f is configured such that when the cap portion 34Y and the container main body 33Y are assembled, the tip thereof reaches above the discharge port W in the cap portion 34Y, and the rear end (the opposite end). Part) reaches the pumping part (the part surrounded by the broken line in FIGS. 9 and 10). By rotating the stirring member 33f together with the opening A of the container main body 33Y, the toner discharging performance from the opening A is improved.

9 and 10, the bottle mouth portion 33a of the container main body 33Y engages with the claw portion 34j (see FIGS. 14, 19 and the like) of the cap portion 34Y to both members. A fitting part (convex part) for connecting 33Y and 34Y is formed so as to make one round of the outer periphery. Thus, the container main body 33Y is fitted so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the cap portion 34Y. Accordingly, the gear 33c rotates relative to the cap portion 34Y.
In addition, 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 container (the position where the spiral protrusion 33b is formed) in which the toner is stored. (See also FIG. 14). And the pumping part (it is the part enclosed with the broken line of FIG. 9, FIG. 10) formed so that the internal peripheral surface may protrude toward the inside is provided in the head of the container main body 33Y. The toner conveyed toward the opening A by the spiral projection 33b with the rotation of the container body 33Y is the small diameter of the head by the pumping portion (the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIGS. 9 and 10). It is pumped up to the club. Thereafter, the toner pumped to the small diameter portion of the head is discharged from the opening A toward the cavity B of the cap portion 34Y while being stirred by the stirring member 33f.

11-14, a shutter member 34d, a shutter seal 36, a cap seal 37 (seal material), an RFID chip 35 (electronic information storage member), and the like are installed in the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y. Is done.
The opening A of the container main body 33Y is inserted into the insertion part 34z (see FIG. 17) formed so that the cap part 34Y has an inner diameter larger than the cavity B. Referring to FIG. 13, FIG. 16, etc., the bottom of the cap portion 34Y has toner for discharging the toner discharged from the opening A of the container body 33Y to the lower side in the vertical direction outside the container (falling its own weight). A discharge port W is formed. A shutter member 34d for opening and closing the toner discharge port W is slidably held at the bottom of the cap portion 34Y. Specifically, the shutter member 34Y opens the toner discharge port W by the relative movement in the longitudinal direction from the cap portion 34Y side to the container body 33Y side (movement to the left in FIG. 14). Thus, the toner discharge port W is closed by relative movement in the longitudinal direction from the container main body 33Y side to the cap portion 34Y side (movement to the right in FIG. 14). The opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d (the opening / closing operation of the toner discharge port W) is performed in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 32Y in the longitudinal direction with respect to the toner container housing portion 70 (apparatus main body 100).
15 and 16 show the operation from when the shutter member 34d starts to open the toner discharge port W until the opening is completed. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the opening operation of the shutter member 34d (shutter deforming portion 34d2) at that time.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, etc., the upper portion (ceiling portion) of the cap portion 34Y has a first hole portion 34a (main reference) extending in the longitudinal direction from the end surface of the cap portion 34Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Hole) is formed. The first hole portion 34a serves as a main positioning reference for the cap portion 34Y in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, the first hole 34a of the cap portion 34Y is connected to the main reference pin 73a of the cap receiving portion 73 (FIGS. 32 and 46) in conjunction with the operation of mounting the toner container 32Y in the toner container housing portion 70 in the longitudinal direction. Etc.).
A second hole 34b (secondary reference hole) extending in the longitudinal direction from the end surface of the cap 34Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is provided at the lower portion (bottom) of the cap 34Y. It is formed not to reach. The second hole 34b serves as a positioning reference for the cap 34Y in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Specifically, the second hole 34b of the cap portion 34Y is connected to the slave reference pin 73b of the cap receiving portion 73 (FIGS. 32 and 46) in conjunction with the operation of mounting the toner container 32Y in the toner container housing portion 70 in the longitudinal direction. Etc.). As shown in FIG. 8, the second hole 34b has a vertical direction in the longitudinal direction (this "longitudinal direction" is different from the meaning of the "longitudinal direction" of the toner container 32Y described elsewhere. ).
Positioning of the cap part 34Y in the toner container housing part 70 is performed by the two holes 34a and 34b configured as described above. Also, referring to FIG. 8, when viewed in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the virtual perpendicular passing through the center of the first hole 34a and the virtual perpendicular passing through the center of the second hole 34b are: It is the same straight line and is formed so as to pass through the center of the circle of the cap part 34Y.

Here, referring to FIG. 14 and the like, the depth of the hole of the first hole 34a (or the length of the main reference pin 73a in the longitudinal direction) is the depth of the hole of the second hole 34b ( Alternatively, it is set to be longer than the longitudinal length of the secondary reference pin 73b. Thereby, in the mounting operation in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing part 70 (cap receiving part 73), the engagement of the main reference pin 73a with the first hole 34a serving as the positioning main reference is started. After that, the engagement of the slave reference pin 73b with the second hole 34b serving as the positioning slave reference is started, and the toner container 32Y smoothly engages with the toner container housing portion 70 (cap receiving portion 73). Can be installed. In the first embodiment, the opening of the first hole 34a and the opening of the second hole 34b are formed on the same virtual plane (a virtual plane orthogonal to the mounting direction). At the same time, the root portion of the main reference pin 73a and the root portion of the sub-reference pin 73b are formed on the same virtual plane (a virtual plane orthogonal to the mounting direction). Even if they are not formed on the same imaginary plane, the distance difference in the mounting direction between the position of the front end portion of the main reference pin 73a and the position of the front end portion of the sub reference pin 73b is different from that of the first hole 34a. By forming the opening so as to be longer than the distance difference in the mounting direction between the position of the opening and the position of the opening of the second hole 34b, the first positioning main reference is formed as in the first embodiment. After the engagement of the main reference pin 73a with the hole 34a of the So that the engagement of the sub-reference pin 73b into the second hole 34b serving as a sub-reference is started.
In addition, since the first hole portion 34a that is long in the longitudinal direction is provided in the ceiling portion of the cap portion 34Y (a portion that is not buried in the toner), the toner in the cap portion 34Y. There will be no effect on the transportability (fluidity). The second hole 34b that is short in the longitudinal direction can be installed using a short space from the end surface of the cap 34Y to the position of the toner discharge port W, although it is provided at the bottom of the cap 34Y. Therefore, it fully functions as a positioning reference.

11 and 12 and the like, the ceiling portion of the cap portion 34Y is regulated in the horizontal posture perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cap portion 34Y in the image forming apparatus main body 100 (cap receiving portion 73). A first engaging portion 34e and a second engaging portion 34f are formed as restricting portions. Each of the first engaging portion 34e and the second engaging portion 34f is a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (a cross section parallel to the front view of FIG. 8). Projecting vertically upward from the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to a virtual perpendicular passing through the center of the hole and extending in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 8). . Then, the first engaging portion 34e and the second engaging portion 34f are engaged with the engaged portion 73m of the cap receiving portion 73 shown in FIG. 29 and the like, and the horizontal posture of the cap portion 34Y is regulated. However, the cap portion 34Y is attached to and detached from the cap receiving portion 73, and the posture of the cap portion 34Y in the horizontal direction when the cap portion 34Y is attached to the cap receiving portion 73 is restricted.
More specifically, the first engaging portion 34e (regulating portion) is formed immediately above the first hole portion 34a and has a substantially rectangular cross section when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The first engaging portion 34e is formed with a protruding portion 34e1 that protrudes in the longitudinal direction (mounting direction) with respect to the end surface of the first hole portion 34a. The tip of the protrusion 34e1 is formed in a taper shape as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the second engaging portion 34f (regulating portion) is formed on both sides of the first engaging portion 34e so as to sandwich the first engaging portion 34e. And it engages so that the 1st engaging part 34e and the 2nd engaging part 34f may enter into the to-be-engaged part 73m formed in the cap receiving part 73. FIG. Here, when the cap portion 34Y is attached to the cap receiving portion 73, the tapered protruding portion 34e1 in the first hole portion 34a becomes the engaged portion 73m before the second engaging portion 34f. Because of the engagement, the cap portion 34Y is smoothly attached to the cap receiving portion 73.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, shoulder portions 34q are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the portion forming the insertion portion 34z in the cap portion 34Y and on both upper sides thereof. The shoulder portion 34q is configured such that the upper surface and the side surface are flat surfaces, and the flat surfaces are substantially orthogonal to each other.
When the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container accommodating portion 70, the shoulder portion 34q is interlocked with the attaching operation, and the positioning portion 73q provided in the cap receiving portion 73 of the toner container accommodating portion 70 (see FIG. 29). Can contact.) Thereby, the shake of the cap part 34Y in the cap receiving part 73 is suppressed, and the cap part 34Y is smoothly attached to the cap receiving part 73.

  In addition, referring to FIG. 11, FIG. 12, etc., pressed portions 34 c that protrude on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34 </ b> Y are provided on both sides of the cap portion 34 </ b> Y. The pressed portion 34c is a pressing portion 73d (see FIG. 5) of the cap receiving portion 73 when the cap portion 34Y is attached to (or detached from) the cap receiving portion 73 of the toner container housing portion 70 (image forming apparatus main body 100). 29, FIGS. 37 to 39, etc.) can be pressed in a direction against the force in the mounting direction (or the detaching direction). Therefore, in the mounting operation (or detaching operation) of the toner container 32Y to the cap receiving portion 73, the user operates in the mounting direction (or detaching direction) at the position where the pressed portion 34c and the pressing portion 73d are engaged. After feeling the reaction force against the force, the operating force in the mounting direction (or the detaching direction) is further increased to complete the mounting operation (or the detaching operation) at once. Therefore, the user can obtain a high click feeling in the mounting operation (or the detaching operation) of the toner container 32Y to the cap receiving portion 73.

In addition, with reference to FIG. 8 etc., the to-be-pressed part 34c formed in the both sides of the cap part 34Y is respectively the front-end | tip part (the to-be-pressed part 34c and the incompatible shape part 34g of the cap part 34Y were formed. It is on a virtual horizontal plane passing through the center of the small-diameter portion. The pressed part 34c is a virtual horizontal line passing through the midpoint of the virtual line segment connecting the hole center of the first hole part 34a and the hole center of the second hole part 34b when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. It protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y to both sides in the horizontal direction so as to be disposed on the line, and extends in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 8).
More specifically, the pressed portion 34c is formed in a mountain shape along the longitudinal direction (mounting direction) as shown in FIGS. The angled shape of the pressed portion 34c is formed such that the inclination on the tip side is gentler than the inclination on the container body side. Thus, the user can smoothly perform the attaching / detaching operation while obtaining a high click feeling in the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 32 </ b> Y to the cap receiving portion 73.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, etc., on the end surface of the cap part 34Y, an installation part 34k (enclosed by a convex part) formed between the first hole part 34a and the second hole part 34b. The RFID chip 35 is installed as an electronic information storage member in which various electronic information is stored. The RFID chip 35 is opposed to the antenna 73e (RFID antenna) of the cap receiving portion 73 with a predetermined distance in a state where the cap portion 34Y is attached to the toner container housing portion 70 (cap receiving portion 73). It is configured as follows. The RFID chip 35 performs non-contact communication (wireless communication) with the antenna 73e in a state where the cap portion 34Y is held by the cap receiving portion 73.
Here, in the first embodiment, since the RFID chip 35 is fixed between the first hole 34a (main reference hole) and the second hole 34b (secondary reference hole), The position is determined with high accuracy with respect to the antenna 73e of the cap receiving portion 73. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a communication failure due to the positional deviation of the RFID chip 35 with respect to the antenna 73e.
The protruding portion 34e1 and the protruding portion 34m are formed so as to protrude to the front side (the right side in FIG. 14) from the convex portion (rib) formed around the installation portion 34k. . As a result, even if the toner container 32Y is about to be left stationary with the container body 33Y facing upward and the cap portion 34Y facing downward, the RFID chip 35 held in the installation portion 34k is still stationary. The trouble of directly touching the surface and taking damage will be suppressed.

11 and 12, an incompatible shape portion 34g for ensuring incompatibility of the toner container 32Y is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y. The incompatible shape portion 34g is a fitting portion of the cap receiving portion 73 when the operation of mounting the toner container 32Y in the toner container housing portion 70 is correct (when the toner container housing portion 70 is mounted in the normal position). 73c (see FIG. 32 and the like).
Specifically, referring to FIG. 8 and FIGS. 27A to 27C, the incompatible shape portion 34g has a different shape depending on the color of the toner contained in the toner container (container body). . As shown in FIG. 27A, the incompatible shape portion 34g of the toner container 32C corresponding to cyan is shaped to engage only with the cyan fitting portion 73c of the toner container housing portion 70, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the incompatible shape portion 34g of the toner container 32M corresponding to magenta is shaped to engage only with the magenta fitting portion 73c of the toner container housing portion 70, and corresponds to yellow as shown in FIG. The non-compatible shape portion 34g of the toner container 32Y is configured to engage only with the yellow fitting portion 73c of the toner container housing portion 70, and as shown in FIG. The compatible shape portion 34g is configured to engage only with the black fitting portion 73c of the toner container housing portion 70.
With such a configuration, a toner container of a different color (for example, a yellow toner container) is set in a toner container storage section of a predetermined color (for example, a cyan toner container storage section), and A problem that a desired color image cannot be formed is suppressed. That is, erroneous setting of the toner container in the toner container housing portion is suppressed.
Note that the shape of the incompatible system upper part 34g for each different toner container is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 8 and 27A to 27C described above, for example, FIGS. 28A to 28E. The following can also be used.

Here, the cap portion 34Y in the first embodiment is formed such that the incompatible shape portion 34g extends toward the container main body 33Y with the position of the tip in the longitudinal direction as a base point. Further, the incompatible shape portion 34g has a tip portion (a tip portion in the mounting direction, which is a tip portion on the right side in FIG. 14) at least on the side in the mounting direction from the toner discharge port W (FIG. 14). It is formed so that it may be located in the right side.
With this configuration, when performing the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y as shown in FIG. 4, if the toner container has a different color, the incompatible shape portion 34g provided at the tip of the cap portion 34Y. Since the interference occurs without first engaging with the fitting portion 73c of the cap receiving portion 73, the opening operation of the shutter member 34d covered by the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y is started and the color is different. A problem that the toner is erroneously supplied from the toner discharge port W toward the image forming apparatus main body 100 is reliably suppressed.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is slid in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction) after the toner container 34Y is placed on the toner container housing portion 70 from above. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the incompatibility of the toner container at the position of the cap receiving part 73 in the toner container housing part 70. Therefore, the configuration in which the incompatible shape portion 34g is provided at the tip of the cap portion 34Y as described above is useful.

8 and 12, the incompatible shape portion 34g is two protrusions formed radially on the top end of the cap portion 34Y. Each of the two protrusions (incompatible shape portion 34g) includes a pedestal portion 34g1 and an incompatible claw portion 34g2 projecting two more from the pedestal portion 34g1. The pedestal portion 34g1 is formed in a trapezoidal shape so as to spread outward. The two incompatible claws 34g2 are formed so as to protrude radially outward from the upper surface of the pedestal 34g1.
The incompatible claw portion 34g2 is cut according to the type (color) of the toner contained in the toner container, so that an incompatible function for each color can be provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the necessary incompatible claw portions using a cutting jig such as a nipper or a cutter for the cap portion 34 </ b> Y in which four incompatible claw portions 34 g 2 are formed in total on the left and right sides. By cutting off 34g2, it is possible to form incompatible shape portions 34g having various shapes as previously described in FIGS. 27 (A) to (C) or FIGS. 28 (A) to (E).
With such a configuration, it is not necessary to manufacture the same number of molds as the types of toner containers (cap parts), and a plurality of types of incompatible cap parts can be formed with one mold. The manufacturing cost of the whole type of toner container can be reduced.
8 and 12, the two incompatible claw portions 34g2 in the incompatible shape portion 34g can be easily cut using a cutting jig such as a nipper or a cutter. The interval is set to be large to some extent.

  Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the incompatible shape portion 34g is disposed above the cap portion 34Y. Thus, even when the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34Y) is inserted into the cap receiving portion 73 with the longitudinal direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the fitting portion 73c of the cap receiving portion 73 is Since the incompatible shape portion 34g interferes with the position, the above-described determination of the incompatibility of the toner container can be made reliably.

  The incompatible shape portion 34g formed at the tip portion of the cap portion 34Y is convex along the longitudinal direction at different positions on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y for each type in order to specify the type of toner container. It has been extended. The incompatible shape portion 34g can be used for purposes other than specifying the color of the toner accommodated in the toner container. In the first embodiment, the incompatible shape portion 34g of the cap portion 34Y is formed in a convex shape, and the fitting portion 73c of the cap receiving portion 73 is formed in a concave shape, but the incompatible shape portion of the cap portion 34Y is formed. 34g may be formed in a concave shape, and the fitting portion 73c of the cap receiving portion 73 may be formed in a convex shape.

  Referring to FIG. 12 and the like, the destination of the toner container (for example, for domestic use, for North America, for Europe, and other purposes) is specified for the cap portion 34Y in the first embodiment. Therefore, an incompatible convex portion 34h is formed. The convex portion 34h is a fitting member (not shown) formed in the bottle receiving portion 72 when the image forming apparatus main body 100 itself to be set is correct (when attached to the regular apparatus main body 100). ).

  Referring to FIG. 12, a cutout portion 34x (insertion port) where a part of the gear 33c of the container body 33Y is exposed is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y. Then, in a state where the toner container 32Y is mounted in the toner container housing part 70, the gear 33c exposed from the notch part 34x of the cap part 34Y is a drive gear 81 (shown by a broken line in FIG. 29, etc.) installed in the cap receiving part 73. The container main body 33Y is rotationally driven by the drive gear 81 together with the gear 33c.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 and the like, a part of shutter member 34d (shutter deforming portion 34d2) is provided at the bottom of cap portion 34Y when shutter member 34d opens toner discharge port W. A shutter storage portion 34n (storage portion) for storage is formed. The shutter housing portion 34n is a portion where the bottom surface of the insertion portion 34z bulges downward. When viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the mounting direction (longitudinal direction) of the toner container 32Y, the inner insertion surface 34z has a substantially circular inner peripheral surface along the outer periphery of the container main body 33Y. 34n is a space in which a substantially rectangular portion protrudes downward. Further, the portion into which the container main body 33Y is inserted (the insertion portion 34z) and the shutter storage portion 34n are not particularly separated by a wall, and are a continuous space. Therefore, in a state where the container main body 33Y is inserted into the cap portion 34Y, a space having a substantially rectangular cross section is vacated below the insertion portion 34z.
The shutter storage portion 34n (storage portion) stores and holds the shutter deformation portion 34d2 after the shutter member 34d opens the toner discharge port W. Here, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, on the inner surface of the shutter housing portion 34n, the shutter rail 34t (the second rail portion, which can be referred to FIG. 20 and the like) and the shutter member 34d are provided. A slide groove 34n1 (first rail portion) that functions as a rail portion that guides the opening / closing operation is formed. The slide groove 34n1 is a groove portion extending in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the cap portion 34Y, and is extended from the front side (right side in FIG. 14) of the shutter housing portion 34n. Further, both the slide groove 34n1 and the shutter rail 34t are provided in parallel to the longitudinal direction. Further, the shutter rail 34t does not extend to the shutter storage portion 34n, and there is a gap between the shutter rail 34t and the shutter storage portion 34n. The configuration and operation of the shutter member 34d will be described in detail later.

The cap portion 34Y configured as described above communicates with the container main body 33Y through the opening A, and discharges the toner discharged from the opening A from the toner discharge port W (in the direction of the broken arrow in FIG. 3). Move.).
Here, in the first embodiment, with reference to FIG. 14, a substantially cylindrical cavity B (space) extends in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 14) inside the cap portion 34Y. ) Is formed. The inner diameter of the cavity B is smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion portion 34z (the portion into which the head of the container main body 33Y is inserted) shown in FIG. Further, a toner drop path formed in a columnar shape with a constant flow area (flow path cross-sectional area) from the lower circumferential surface of the substantially cylindrical cavity B toward the toner discharge port W inside the cap portion 34Y. C is provided. As a result, the toner discharged from the opening A of the container body 33Y into the cavity B of the cap 34Y falls by its own weight in the columnar toner dropping path C and smoothly flows out of the container (toner tank portion 61Y) from the toner discharge port W. Will be discharged.

Referring to FIGS. 21, 22, etc., the cap portion 34Y (the shutter member 34d, the shutter seal 36, the cap seal 37, and the RFID chip 35 are taken out) is welded with a plurality of molded products. It is not formed by, but formed by integral molding.
Specifically, the cap portion 34Y is provided with a claw portion 34j, an incompatible shape portion 34g, a pressed portion 34c, a toner discharge port W, a toner dropping path C, and the like, and has a complicated structure. In order to form the cap part 34Y having such a complicated structure by integral molding without using a plurality of pairs of molds, as shown in FIG. 23, the cap part 34Y is projected alone perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. When viewed on the surface (when viewed in the mold dividing direction), a plurality of claw portions 34j, a plurality of molding holes 34j1 provided in the vicinity thereof to form a plurality of claw portions 34j, It is necessary to configure each part such as 34j3, the incompatible shape part 34g, the pressed part 34c, the toner discharge port W, and the toner dropping path C so as not to overlap each other. In particular, since the plurality of claw portions 34j and the plurality of molding holes 34j1, 34j3 are arranged on the circumference when viewed on the projection plane described above, any other portion ( The incompatible shape portion 34g, the pressed portion 34c, the toner discharge port W, the toner dropping path C, etc.) must be formed so as not to overlap.
The cap portion 34Y is provided with a claw portion forming portion 34i between which the claw portion 34j is formed between the insertion portion 34z and the cavity B. The claw portion forming portion 34i is formed so that its outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 34z and larger than the outer diameter of the portion where the cavity B is provided. Similarly, the claw portion forming portion 34i is formed so that its inner peripheral diameter is smaller than the inner peripheral diameter of the insertion portion 34z and larger than the inner peripheral diameter of the portion where the cavity B is provided.

Specifically, the hook portion 34j is formed with a hook portion protruding inward at the tip of the claw portion 34j so as to be fitted into the bottle mouth portion 33a (opening portion A) of the container body 33Y. FIG. 24 shows a part of a mold 200 for injection-molding a cap part 34Y having such a claw part 34j.
The mold 200 includes an inner mold 201 and an outer mold 202. Then, as shown in FIG. 24 (A), in a state where both the molds 201 and 202 are combined, a molten resin material is poured between the both molds 201 and 2020, and then a cooling process is performed to make the nail. A portion 34j (cap portion 34Y) is formed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 24B, after the molds 201 and 202 are divided, the claw portion 34j (cap portion 34Y) is taken out. Here, an upright portion 202a is formed on the outer mold 202 in order to form a hook portion of the claw portion 34j. In order to divide both the molds 201 and 202, a first hole 34j1 for molding is provided in the vicinity of the claw member 34j in the cap part 34Y so that the standing part 202a of the outer mold 202 can be removed. Yes. Specifically, a wall is erected between the outer periphery of the claw portion forming portion 34i and the outer periphery of the cavity B, and the first hole 34j1 is provided in this wall. This is the first hole 34j1 formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the claw 34j in FIG. The first hole 34j1 formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the claw 34j is formed on the attaching surface 34v to which the cap seal 37 is attached, with reference to FIG. However, in order to satisfy the function of the cap seal 37 (sealability between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y), the position of the first hole 34j1 is removed, and most of the cap seal 37 is attached to the attachment surface 34v. It is configured to be installed on the top.
Referring to FIG. 23, the second hole 34j3 (molding hole) formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the claw portion 34j is the back surface of the claw portion 34j (the surface on which the hook portion does not protrude). To form a). Specifically, the second hole portion 34j3 is an opening formed on the wall surface provided between the claw portion forming portion 34i and the insertion portion 34z. Referring to FIG. 23, the notch 34x serves as the second hole 34j3 for the claw 34j formed at the lower right. Further, referring to FIG. 23, with respect to claw portion 34j formed at the uppermost position, concave portion 34j2 serves as second hole portion 34j3.

Thus, in this Embodiment 1, since the cap part 34Y is formed by integral molding, compared with the case where a cap part is comprised by adhere | attaching or welding two or more molded articles, it adheres or welds. Due to the variation in accuracy, there is no problem that the size of the cap part itself deviates from the intended one. Accordingly, the gap between the container main body 33Y and the cap part 34Y is also difficult to vary, and the malfunction of the seal by the cap seal 37 between the members 33Y and 34Y is reduced, and the toner discharge port W of the cap part 34Y and the image are reduced. A problem that the toner is scattered due to a shift of the position of the forming apparatus main body 100 from the toner supply port 72w is suppressed. Furthermore, since the cap portion 34Y is formed by integral molding, the cap portion 34Y itself has higher mechanical strength than the case where the cap portion is formed by bonding or welding two or more molded products. , Mold cost is relatively cheap.
In the first embodiment, the cap portion 34Y is formed by integral molding. However, even if the cap portion is formed by bonding or welding two or more molded products, one of them is molded. If the product is configured such that at least the claw portion 34j and the attaching surface 34v of the cap seal 37 are integrated, the positional accuracy between the cap seal 37 and the container main body 33Y is improved, and the container main body 33Y The problem that the toner leaks from the contact surface with the cap seal 37 (the problem that the sealing performance is lowered) is suppressed.

  In addition, with reference to FIGS. 19-22, it is on the opposing surface (The surface which opposes the bottle mouth part 33a around the opening part A of the container main body 33Y, and is the sticking surface 34v) of the cap part 34Y. Is attached with an annular cap seal 37 as a sealing material. The cap seal 37 is for sealing the gap between the opposing surfaces of the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y around the opening A, and is formed of an elastic material (foamed resin material) such as polyurethane foam. .

Here, referring to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, in the first embodiment, a recess 34v1 for separating the cap seal 37 from the cap part 34Y is formed on the attaching surface 34v of the cap part 34Y. . Further, a notch as an insertion opening into which a rod-shaped jig for separating the cap seal 37 from the cap portion 34Y is inserted at a position on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y that faces the position where the recess 34v1 is formed. A portion 34x is formed. Further, a concave portion 34x1 serving as a lever for the lever of the jig described above is formed in a part of the cutout portion 34x (insertion opening).
With such a configuration, even when the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34Y) is recycled or maintained, the cap seal 37 can be easily separated from the cap portion 34Y. Specifically, a rod-shaped jig (such as a plus driver) is inserted from the notch 34x (insertion slot), and the tip is inserted into the recess 34v1. That is, the tip of the jig is inserted into a part of the lower surface (on the sticking surface side) of the cap seal 37. Then, the cap seal 37 is separated from the sticking surface 34v with the concave portion 34x1 as a lever fulcrum while the central portion of the rod-shaped jig is engaged with the concave portion 34x1.

In addition, as for the cap seal | sticker 37 in this Embodiment 1, the film member 37a is affixed on the surface affixed on the cap part 37Y. Since this film member 37a is formed of a material such as a polyester film and is harder than the foamed resin material constituting the main body of the cap seal 37, the separation workability by the jig described above is improved. Become.
The recess 34v1 for separating the cap seal 37 is a position corresponding to the inner peripheral surface side of the cap seal 37, and is formed at a position corresponding to the outside of the region where the cap seal 37 contacts the container body 33Y. Has been. That is, the recess 34v1 is formed to face a portion of the cap seal 37 that is out of the region that actually contributes to the sealing performance. As a result, the cap seal 37 sandwiched between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y is not deformed by the recess 34v1, and a problem that the sealing performance of both the members 33Y and 34Y is reduced is suppressed.

Here, with reference to FIG. 20 and the like, the cap portion 34Y in the first embodiment has a cap seal 37 (seal material) in the longitudinal direction with respect to the pressed portion 34c installed at the distal end portion in the longitudinal direction. It is disposed on the container body 33Y side (the left side in FIG. 14). In this way, the pressed portion 34c that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y and increases the outer diameter of the cap portion 34Y and the size of the bottle mouth portion 33a (opening portion A) of the container body 33Y to some extent. By providing the cap seal 37 that requires the sticking range (or the outer diameter of the cap portion 34Y) at different positions, the cap portion 34Y can be prevented from being enlarged (increase in diameter).
Specifically, the cap portion 34Y is formed such that the outer diameter of the tip portion where the pressed portion 34c is formed is smaller than the outer diameter of the portion where the sticking surface 34v of the cap seal 37 is formed. . Therefore, the outer diameter of the tip portion of the cap portion 34Y does not become so large even if the pressed portion 34c is formed, and the sticking surface of the cap seal 37 can be secured to some extent. That is, without increasing the size of the cap portion 34Y, high sealing performance between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y is maintained, and the toner container 32Y can be smoothly attached and detached.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, an installation portion 34k for installing the RFID chip 35 is formed on the end surface of the cap portion 34Y. The installation portion 34k is a wall portion formed so that the periphery thereof protrudes from the end surface of the cap portion 34Y. Base portions for fixing the four corners of the substantially rectangular RFID chip 35 are provided inside the installation portion 34k and at the four corners of the rectangular wall portion. By placing the RFID chip 35 on the pedestal, the electronic device formed on the back surface of the RFID chip 35 (the surface facing the first member 34Y1) is prevented from contacting the first member 34Y1. It is configured. The RFID chip 35 is fixed to the installation part 34k after the RFID chip 35 is placed on the pedestal part, melted while applying heat and pressure to a part of the pedestal part, and then cooled and solidified. This is done by joining the four corners of the RFID chip 35.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20 and the like, a shutter for guiding the shutter member 34d to move in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the bottom of the cap portion 34Y so that the shutter member 34d opens and closes the toner discharge port W. A rail 34t (second rail portion) is formed. More specifically, the shutter rail 34t has a short side direction (a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32Y and a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 14) at the edge of the bottom surface where the toner discharge port W is formed. The rib-like protruding portion that extends in the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32Y) is formed to extend. The end portion of the projecting portion functions as a vertical surface 34s described below.
The two vertical surfaces 34 s formed on both side ends of the cap portion 34 </ b> Y are continuous from the end in the closing direction of the shutter member 34 d at the position where the toner discharge port W is closed to a position protruding in the longitudinal direction (mounting direction). (See also FIG. 45). A locking projection is provided on the upper surface of the end of the shutter rail 34t so as to lock the shutter member 34d so as not to come out to the front side. In the first embodiment, the portion that functions as the shutter rail 34t is a portion that extends from the above-described locking projection to the container body 33Y side. Further, the vertical surface 34s extends further toward the front surface side from the position of the locking protrusion described above.
More specifically, the cap portion 34Y is formed with two projecting portions 34m (horn members) projecting in the longitudinal direction (mounting direction) from an end surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The two protrusions 34m are disposed in the vicinity of the lower end of the second hole 34b so as to sandwich the second hole 34b in the short direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 14). . The two vertical surfaces 34s described above are configured to include the vertical surfaces at the side ends of the two protrusions 34m, respectively. That is, the vertical surface at the outer side edge of the protrusion 34m is formed to be flush with the vertical surface 34s of the rib on which the shutter rail 34t is formed.
Here, the bases of the two protrusions 34m each extend to the same height as the rib (the edge of the hole 34b) forming the second hole 34b, and form a part of the rib. . Further, the end surface provided with the edge portion of the second hole portion 34b and the base portion of the two protrusion portions 34m is the front end surface (to be described later) of the shutter seal 36 (when the shutter member 34d is closed). It is formed so as to be on substantially the same plane with respect to the front end face. In the first embodiment, a pair of horn-shaped projections 34m are provided as the vertical surface 34s, but the tip surfaces of the pair of horn-shaped projections 34m are connected. It is also possible to form one plate-like projection and use both side surfaces of the projection as the vertical surface 34s.

The vertical surface 34s configured in this manner is a clamping surface that is clamped by the first clamping unit 72d1 in the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) of the cap receiving unit 73 (toner container housing unit 70) (FIG. 45, etc.). Can be referred to.) That is, the posture of the shutter member 34d in the cap portion 34Y set in the cap receiving portion 73 is determined by the shutter closing mechanism 72d that also functions as a shutter holding mechanism.
Then, the toner container 32Y is taken out from the toner container housing portion 70 by extending the vertical surface 34s functioning as a sandwiching surface in this manner in the mounting direction (rightward in FIG. 45) as described above. When the shutter closing mechanism 72d completely closes the shutter member 34d, the shutter closing mechanism 72d (second holding portion 72d2) releases the holding of the shutter member 34d with the vertical surface 34s as a reference. Can be delayed. As a result, the problem that the toner container 32Y is removed from the apparatus main body 100 before the shutter member 34d completely closes the toner discharge port W is suppressed. In particular, since the tip portions in the longitudinal direction (mounting direction) of the two projecting portions 34m are in positions projecting in the longitudinal direction (mounting direction) from the end face of the first hole 34a, the cap portion 34Y is connected to the cap receiving portion 73. When the shutter member 34d is released from the shutter, the shutter member 34d is released from being held by the shutter closing mechanism 72d (second holding portion 72d2), and the above-described effect of preventing the above-described poor closing of the shutter member 34d is ensured. Become a thing.
The configuration and operation of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

A shutter member 34d having a shutter seal 36 attached on the surface facing the toner discharge port W is installed at the bottom of the cap portion 34Y configured as described above. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the shutter member 34 d is for opening and closing the toner discharge port B in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 32 </ b> Y to the toner container housing portion 70.
Specifically, referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, the shutter member 34d includes a plate-like shutter main portion 34d1 and the container main body 33Y side (cap portion 34Y and container main body 33Y assembled from the shutter main portion 34d1. And a shutter deformation portion 34d2 which protrudes toward the container body side and is thinner than the shutter main portion 34d1 and has elasticity. The shutter main portion 34d1 has a pair of shutter sliders 34d12 formed on both outer sides thereof, and a pair of shutter rail engaging portions 34d15 formed on both inner sides thereof. The shutter slider 34d12 is a protrusion that extends on the side of the shutter main portion 34d1 in parallel to the insertion direction of the toner container 32Y. The shutter rail engaging portion 34d15 is a protrusion that protrudes at a predetermined interval from the shutter seal 36 on the inner side of the shutter main portion 34d1 (the side opposite to the side on which the shutter slider 34d12 protrudes).
The shutter slider 34d12 of the shutter main portion 34d1 engages with the slide groove 34n1 (first rail portion) of the cap portion 34Y, and between the shutter rail engaging portion 34d15 of the shutter main portion 34d1 and the shutter seal 36. The shutter rail 34t (second rail portion) of the cap portion 34Y is engaged so as to be sandwiched, and the shutter member 34d moves along the rail portions 34n1 and 34t, so that the shutter main portion 34d1 becomes the toner discharge port. Open and close W.
In the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 20 and the like, the length in the longitudinal direction of the slide groove 34n1 (first rail portion) formed in the shutter accommodating portion 34n (the length in the insertion direction of the toner container 32Y). Is shorter than the length of the shutter rail 34t (second rail portion) in the longitudinal direction.
Here, a shutter seal 36 as a seal member is attached to the upper surface of the shutter main portion 34d1 (the surface facing the toner discharge port W). The shutter seal 36 is for preventing the toner from leaking between the shutter main portion 34d1 and the toner discharge port W when the shutter main portion 34d1 (shutter member 34d) closes the toner discharge port W. Thus, it can be formed of a foamed resin material or the like.
As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the shutter seal 36 in the first embodiment is disposed so as to protrude in the longitudinal direction (mounting direction) from the end of the shutter member 34d in the closing direction. The tip (protruded portion) of the shutter seal 36 is a wall portion formed around the toner supply port 72w when the cap portion 34Y is attached to the cap receiving portion 73 (see FIG. 29 and the like). The toner in the toner container 32Y functions as a sealing material for preventing the toner from leaking out around the toner supply port 72w.

25 and 26, the shutter deforming portion 34d2 of the shutter member 34d is formed integrally with the shutter main portion 34d1, and is connected to the shutter main portion 34d1 (the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 18). The base point is formed so as to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction. The shutter deforming portion 34d2 is disposed on the container main body 33Y side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the shutter main portion 34d1 (see FIG. 15 and the like). The shutter deforming part 34d2 is formed with a stopper part 34d22 and a stopper releasing part 34d21. The shutter deforming portion 34d2 extends from the shutter main portion 34d1 so as to be inclined downward (downward in FIG. 14).
The stopper portion 34d22 of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is located at the extreme end (the tip of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 away from the shutter main portion 34d1) in the opening direction of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 (the left direction in FIG. 18). The formed wall portion is in contact with a contact portion 34n5 formed in the storage portion 34n of the cap portion 34Y, so that the toner discharge port W is opened from the closed state. The movement of the shutter member 34d is restricted. That is, the toner container 32Y is in a single state (in a state where it is not set in the apparatus main body 100), and since the stopper portion 34d22 of the shutter member 34d is in contact with the contact portion 34n5, the shutter member 34d is It does not occur that the toner discharge port W is opened independently by moving in the opening direction.

The stopper releasing portion 34d21 (stopper releasing protrusion) of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is formed so as to protrude downward in the vertical direction, and due to the elastic deformation upward of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 by receiving an external force from below. The stopper 34d22 is displaced upward to release the contact state with the contact portion 34n5. The stopper release portion 34d21 is formed between the stopper portion 34d22 and the connection position (the connection position between the shutter main portion 34d1 and the shutter deformation portion 34d2), and slopes are formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction. It is a mountain-shaped protrusion. The stopper release portion 34d21 is interlocked with the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing portion 70, and a stopper release biasing portion 72b formed in the bottle receiving portion 72 (see FIG. 29 and the like). The shutter deforming portion 34d2 is elastically deformed upward and the stopper portion 34d22 is also displaced upward by being pushed upward by the stopper release urging portion 72b (by receiving an external force from below). Thus, the contact state between the stopper portion 34d22 and the contact portion 34n5 is released, and the shutter member 34d can be moved in the opening direction.
In the first embodiment, since the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is inclined downward as described above, the inclination is canceled by being pushed upward by the stopper release biasing portion 72b and elastically deforming. Thus, it is linear with respect to the shutter main portion 34d1. Therefore, the amount by which the shutter deforming portion 34d2 warps upward with respect to the shutter main portion 34d1 in the shutter housing portion 34n is reduced (or the amount of warping is zero). Therefore, problems such as the shutter deforming portion 34d2 housed in the shutter housing portion 34n coming into contact with the container body 33Y are suppressed, and the space of the shutter housing portion 34n is effectively utilized.

Hereinafter, the operation of the shutter member 34d in conjunction with the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing portion 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 18 (A) to 18 (C). Note that the position of the shutter member 34d in FIGS. 18A and 18C corresponds to the position of the shutter member 34d in FIGS. 15 and 16, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 18A, the stopper formed on the bottle receiving portion 72 is started by the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the toner container housing portion 70 (the movement to the right in FIG. 18). When the stopper release portion 34d21 of the shutter member 34d does not reach the position of the release biasing portion 72b (see FIG. 29 and the like), the stopper portion 34d22 of the shutter member 34d is in contact with the contact portion 34n5, Movement of the shutter member 34d in the opening direction is restricted.
Thereafter, when the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y proceeds, as shown in FIG. 18B, the stopper release portion 34d21 is pushed up by the stopper release urging portion 72b, and the shutter deformation portion 34d2 is surrounded by a broken line (indicated by a broken line). It is elastically deformed from the base point. Thereby, the contact state between the stopper portion 34d22 and the contact portion 34n5 is released, and the shutter member 34d can be relatively moved in the opening direction.
Thereafter, the shutter member 34d comes into contact with a wall portion (see FIG. 29 and the like) formed around the toner supply port 72w of the cap receiving portion 73, and in the toner container housing portion 70 (cap receiving portion 73). The movement is restricted (the shutter member 34d will never move in the longitudinal direction). However, since the movement in the mounting direction of the toner container 32Y is advanced, the relative movement in the opening direction of the shutter member 34d is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 18C, the shutter member 34d moves relatively to the container body 33Y side, and the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is housed in the shutter housing portion 34n (housing portion). Thus, 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 34n6 (see FIG. 17 and the like) of the shutter storage portion 34n.

  As described above, in the toner container 32Y according to the first embodiment, the shutter member 34d is provided with the shutter deforming portion 34d2 that is elastically deformed based on the connection position with the shutter main portion 34d1, and the shutter deforming portion 34d2 includes the shutter member. Since the stopper portion 34d22 that restricts the movement of the opening 34d in the opening direction and the stopper release portion 34d21 that releases the stopper 34d21 are provided, the shutter member 34d opens the toner discharge port W without permission when the toner container 32Y is a single unit. The shutter member 34d opens the toner discharge port W in conjunction with the mounting operation only when the toner container 32Y is set in the image forming apparatus main body 100.

Here, the shutter rail engaging portion 34d15 (see FIG. 25) of the shutter main portion 34d1 is in contact with the second contact portion 34s10 (see FIG. 20) formed in the cap portion 34Y. It also functions as a second stopper portion that restricts the movement of the shutter member 34d in the closing direction (the direction opposite to the direction restricted by the stopper portion 34d22). That is, when the shutter member 34d shifts from the state where the toner discharge port W is opened (the state shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) to the closed state (the state shown in FIG. 15), on the near side in the closing direction. The shutter rail engaging portion 34d15 (second stopper portion) of the shutter member 34d is in contact with the second contact portion 34s10, and the stopper portion 34d22 of the shutter member 34d is in contact with the contact portion 34n5 at the back in the closing direction. Thus, the position when the shutter member 34d is closed is determined.
Referring to FIG. 20, above the shutter rail 34t, a vertical plane (or a vertical plane parallel to the virtual plane) on a virtual plane including the vertical plane 34s of the shutter rail 34t with a groove portion interposed therebetween. ) Having a rib 34p extending in the longitudinal direction. The rib 34p is formed by the first clamping member 72d1 when the vertical surface 34s of the shutter rail 34t is clamped by the first clamping member 72d1 of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) shown in FIGS. This is intended not to enter the groove above the shutter rail 34t. That is, the distance between the rib 34p and the shutter rail 34t (the distance of the groove) is set to be narrower than the height of the first clamping member 72d1 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 43). ing.
It should be noted that the rib 34p can achieve its function as long as it projects laterally (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 14) and extends in the longitudinal direction (in the left-right direction in FIG. 14). The above-described vertical plane does not necessarily have to be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 25, 26, etc., a pair of sandwiched portions 34d11 is formed at both ends of the shutter main portion 34d1 of the shutter member 34d and at the tip in the mounting direction. As shown in FIGS. 43 to 45, the clamped portion 34d11 is for being clamped by the second clamping member 72d2 of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) when the shutter member 34d is opened and closed. The sandwiched portion 34d11 includes an engagement wall 34d11a standing at the tip of the shutter main portion 34d1 in the mounting direction, a holding wall 34d11b extending in parallel to the mounting direction above the sandwiched portion 34d11, and a side wall 34d11c (shutter main portion). And also serves as a side wall of the portion 34d1).
During the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d, the clamped portion 34d11 of the shutter member 34d is clamped by the second clamping member 72d2 of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism), and the vertical surface 34s of the cap portion 34Y is the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter). By being clamped by the first clamping member 72d1 of the clamping mechanism), the postures of the shutter member 34d and the cap part 34Y at the cap receiving part 73 during the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d are determined. At this time, what is clamped by the second clamping member 72d2 of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) is the side wall 34d11c of the clamped portion 34d11 (shutter main portion 34d1), and the holding wall 34d11b is the second clamping member 72d2. On the other hand, it plays a role of suppressing the movement of the sandwiched portion 34d11 in the vertical direction. As will be described later, the engaging wall 34d11a of the sandwiched portion 34d11 engages with the second sandwiching member 72d2.

Here, in the toner container 32Y according to the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 15, the stopper release portion 34d21 of the shutter member 34d has a longitudinal direction with respect to the incompatible shape portion 34g of the cap portion 34Y. It is arranged on the side (the left side in FIG. 14). That is, the stopper release portion 34d21 is formed on the left side of FIG. 14 with respect to the position where the incompatible shape portion 34g is formed.
With this configuration, when performing the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y as shown in FIG. 4, if the toner container has a different color, the incompatible shape portion 34g provided at the tip of the cap portion 34Y. Is firstly brought into contact without engaging with the fitting portion 73c of the cap receiving portion 73, so that the shutter member 34d covering the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y is opened (stopper by the stopper releasing portion 34d21). The operation of releasing the portion 34d22) is started, and the problem that toners of different colors are erroneously supplied from the toner discharge port W toward the image forming apparatus main body 100 is reliably suppressed.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is slid in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction) after the toner container 34Y is placed on the toner container housing portion 70 from above. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the incompatibility of the toner container at the position of the cap receiving part 73 in the toner container housing part 70. Therefore, the configuration in which the incompatible shape portion 34g is provided at the tip of the cap portion 34Y as described above is useful.

In addition, as described above, the toner container 32Y according to the first embodiment has a slide groove 34n1 (first rail) as a rail portion that guides the operation of the shutter main portion 34d1 of the shutter member 34d opening and closing the toner discharge port W. And a shutter rail 34t (second rail portion). Referring to FIG. 20, slide groove 34n1 (first rail portion) extends in the longitudinal direction so as to support the shutter deformation portion 34d2 side (left side in FIG. 14) of shutter main portion 34d1. Has been. On the other hand, the shutter rail 34t (second rail portion) extends in the longitudinal direction so as to support the side of the shutter main portion 34d1 away from the shutter deformation portion 34d2 (on the right side in FIG. 14). It is installed. That is, the shutter main portion 34d1 is supported on both sides in the longitudinal direction by the slide groove 34n1 (first rail portion) and the shutter rail 34t (second rail portion).
Referring to FIG. 20 and the like, the length in the longitudinal direction of the slide groove 34n1 (first rail portion) formed in the shutter accommodating portion 34n (the length relative to the insertion direction of the toner container 32Y). The shutter rail 34t (second rail portion) is formed to be shorter than the length in the longitudinal direction. The slide groove 34n1 is also formed to be shorter than the length of the shutter slider 34d12 of the shutter member 34d.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 20, shutter rail 34t (which is a groove portion sandwiched between vertical surface 34s and rib 34p) is formed to be relatively long in the longitudinal direction of about 15 to 20 mm. ing. On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the slide groove 34n1 (a groove portion surrounded by the upper wall, the side wall, and the lower wall, which is a portion surrounded by a broken line in the figure). The length in the longitudinal direction is as short as about 1 to 2 mm. The end of the slide groove 34n1 is flush with the other wall surface inside the cap portion 34Y. That is, the length in the longitudinal direction of the slide groove 34n1 is the thickness of the cap portion 34Y.

In other words, the cap portion 34Y in the first embodiment is supported by the portion of the shutter main portion 34d1 supported by the slide groove 34n1 and the shutter rail 34t as the shutter member 34d opens the toner discharge port W. This means that the distance from the part is shortened. That is, the distance (in the longitudinal direction) between the position of the slide groove 34n1 shown in FIG. 20 (the position where the slide groove 34n1 and the shutter slider 34d12 abut) and the position where the shutter rail 34t and the shutter slider 34d12 abut. The distance gradually decreases with the opening operation of the shutter member 34d.
Therefore, in a state where the shutter member 34d completely opens the toner discharge port W (the state shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is housed in the shutter housing portion 34n), the shutter main body. The portion 34d1 is supported by a short span between the slide groove 34n1 and the shutter rail 34t. Therefore, compared with the case where the shutter main portion 34d1 is supported with a long span (in the state shown in FIG. 15), the shutter main portion 34d1 is more likely to rattle in the vertical direction, and the end of the shutter main portion 34d1 ( The degree of elastic deformation of the shutter deformation portion 34d2 (which is elastically deformed by contact with the shutter storage portion 34n) connected to the container main body 33Y side) is reduced. When this is continuously observed in accordance with the opening operation of the shutter member 34d, the amount of elastic deformation of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is determined when the stopper releasing portion 34d22 is released by the stopper releasing portion 34d21 (with the stopper releasing of the apparatus main body 100). This is when the stopper releasing portion 34d21 is pushed up by the urging portion 72b.) After that, the amount of elastic deformation as the span of the shutter main portion 34d1 supported by the slide groove 34n1 and the shutter rail 34t gradually decreases. Decrease gradually.

  With such a configuration, the shutter member 34d opens the toner discharge port W (the state shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, and the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is housed in the shutter housing portion 34n. ) Continues for a long time, similarly to the state where the shutter member 34d closes the toner discharge port W (the state shown in FIG. 15), the problem that the plastic deformation of the shutter member 34d occurs is suppressed. . Therefore, even after the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d is performed, it is possible to prevent a problem that toner leaks from the periphery of the shutter member 34d. Further, since the elastic deformation amount of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 gradually decreases with the opening operation of the shutter member 34d, the mounting operation (opening operation of the shutter member 34d) of the toner container 32Y is performed smoothly. .

  In the above-described configuration, when the shutter member 34d completely opens the toner discharge port W (the state shown in FIGS. 16 and 17), the shutter rail 34t (second rail portion) in the shutter main portion 34d1. It is also possible to configure such that the portion that has been supported by is detached from the shutter rail 34t and the shutter main portion 34d1 is supported only by the slide groove 34n1 (first rail portion). In this case, since the shutter main portion 34d1 is supported only by the slide groove 34n1 and the backlash can be further increased in a state where the shutter member 34d completely opens the toner discharge port W, the elastic deformation of the shutter deformation portion 34d2 is possible. The amount can be further reduced, and the above-described effect can be further ensured.

Here, in the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 15, the shutter release portion 34d21 of the shutter deformable portion 34d2 passes through the shutter storage portion 34n (storage portion) as the shutter member 34d opens. A notch 34n6 is formed as a hole for reducing the contact force of the stopper release portion 34d21 with the shutter storage portion 34n. Thus, by providing the notch 34n6 (hole) in the shutter housing portion 34n, when the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is housed in the shutter housing portion 34n as the shutter member 34d is opened, the stopper releasing portion 34d21 is The upper surface of the shutter housing portion 34n is not contacted at all (it will not be pressed). Therefore, the elastic deformation of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 accompanying the opening operation of the shutter member 34d can be reduced.
In the first embodiment, the notch 34n6 (hole) is formed in order to reduce the contact force of the stopper release part 34d21 with respect to the shutter housing part 34n, but the groove is used instead of the notch 34n6 (hole). Can be provided in the same range.
In the first embodiment, the notch 34n6 (hole) is formed at the position (range) through which the stopper releasing portion 34d21 of the shutter deforming portion 34d2 passes along with the opening operation of the shutter member 34d. It is also possible to form a hole or groove at a position where the stopper release portion 34d21 stops with the end of the opening operation. In this case, the elastic deformation of the shutter deformation portion 34d2 in the state where the shutter deformation portion 34d2 is housed in the shutter housing portion 34n (the state shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) can be reduced.

  Note that the shutter storage portion 34n (storage portion) in the first embodiment is for smoothly opening and closing the shutter member 34d. That is, by providing the shutter housing portion 34n in the cap portion 34Y, the shutter member 34d can open the toner discharge port W even when the shutter member 34d opens the toner discharge port W, as in the state where the shutter member 34d closes the toner discharge port W. Since the member 34d is integrated with the cap portion 34Y without protruding downward from the cap portion 34Y, the shutter member 34d can be opened and closed smoothly.

  Here, when viewed in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the cap portion 34Y according to the first embodiment is juxtaposed in the circumferential direction to hold the container body 33Y rotatably as shown in FIG. Of the five claw portions 34j, one claw portion 34j is arranged on the upper portion facing the shutter storage portion 34n, and none of the claw portions 34j is arranged at the position of the shutter storage portion 34n. As described above, since the shutter accommodating portion 34n is a portion in which the shutter deforming portion 34d2 is accommodated, the gap between the container main body 33Y and the claw portion 34j can be formed structurally. Can not. Therefore, structurally, the force (regulatory force) for holding the container main body 33Y is reduced at the bottom of the cap portion 34Y (the portion where the shutter housing portion 34n is provided). On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since one claw portion 34j is arranged at the upper portion facing the shutter storage portion 34n, the restriction force of the cap portion 34Y on the lower side of the container main body 33Y is weak and the container Even if the main body 33Y falls down in the vertical direction, the claw portion 34j installed on the upper part facing the shutter storage portion 34n holds the container main body 33Y so as to cancel the main body 33Y. Accordingly, the container body 33Y is held in a well-balanced manner in the circumferential direction by the cap portion 34Y.

Further, referring to FIG. 14, the cap portion 34Y in the first embodiment is provided with a protruding portion H for reducing the gap with the container body 33Y at a position in the vicinity of the shutter housing portion 34n. .
With such a configuration, as described above, even if the restriction force of the cap part 34Y with respect to the lower side of the container main body 33Y is weak and the container main body 33Y is about to fall down, the operation of the protruding part H of the cap part 34Y is the container main body. It will be restricted by contacting 33Y. Accordingly, the container body 33Y is held in a well-balanced manner in the circumferential direction by the cap portion 34Y.

Here, referring to FIGS. 16 and 45, the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y that is opened and closed by the shutter member 34d configured as described above is formed in a hexagonal shape when viewed from below in the vertical direction. ing.
Specifically, the cap portion 34Y has an edge portion 34r that protrudes downward around the toner discharge port W. The edge portion 34r is formed such that tip portions 34r1 on both sides in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 45) are pointed in the longitudinal direction in the direction away from the central portion of the toner discharge port W. Yes. Specifically, the edge portion 34r is a hexagon having a parallel portion 34r2 facing each other along the longitudinal direction and two apex angle portions 34r1 positioned at the front end portions facing the longitudinal direction when viewed from below in the vertical direction. The edge of the shape. The toner discharge port W is formed in a hexagonal shape so as to follow the hexagonal shape of the edge 34r.
In this way, the tip 34r1 in the longitudinal direction (which is also the direction in which the shutter member 34d is opened and closed) of the edge 34r around the toner discharge port W is formed in a pointed shape so that it is adhered to the shutter member 34d. Since the shutter seal 36 is closed when the shutter member 34d is closed, the sliding contact area with the edge 34r1 is started in a small area by the pointed tip 34r1, and the sliding contact area gradually increases. The shutter seal 36 is less likely to be peeled off or damaged by contact with the portion 34r. Further, when the shutter member 34d is opened, the sliding contact area with the edge 34r is gradually reduced, so that damage to the shutter seal 36 due to contact with the edge 34r is reduced.
Further, referring to FIG. 46, a seal member 76 made of a foamed resin material is also adhered around the toner replenishing port 72w of the cap receiving portion 73, and the toner communicates with the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y. Toner scattering from the supply port 72w is prevented. Even if the edge portion 34r of the cap portion 34Y slides on the seal member 76 installed around the toner supply port 72w in the longitudinal mounting operation of the toner container 32Y, the sharp tip portion 34r1 Since the sliding contact between the edge 34r1 and the seal member 76 is started with a small area and the sliding contact area gradually increases, the contact with the edge 34r may cause the seal member 76 of the toner supply port 72w to peel off. Damage is less likely to occur. Further, when the toner container 32Y is removed in the longitudinal direction, the sliding contact area between the seal member 76 of the toner supply port 72w and the edge 34r is gradually narrowed, and therefore, the contact with the edge 34r is caused. Damage to the seal member 76 of the toner supply port 72w is reduced.
Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent the toner (or the remaining toner) stored in the toner container 32Y from being scattered outside as the toner container 32Y is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100.

Referring to FIG. 16, in the first embodiment, edge 34r of cap portion 34Y is a surface facing the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 45) (the surface in contact with tip portion 34r1). )) Is formed in a tapered shape so that the amount protruding downward is gradually reduced as the distance from the central portion of the toner discharge port W increases.
With such a configuration, even when the shutter seal 36 attached to the shutter member 34d rubs against the edge 34r as the toner container 32Y is attached or detached in the longitudinal direction, the shutter seal 36 is less likely to be damaged. Similarly, even when the seal member 76 (see FIG. 46) provided around the toner supply port 72w of the cap receiving portion 73 rubs against the edge 34r as the toner container 32Y is attached or detached in the longitudinal direction, The seal member 76 is less likely to be damaged.

Here, in the first embodiment, when the volume average particle diameter is Dv (μm) and the number average particle diameter is Dn (μm) as the toner accommodated in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K,
3 ≦ Dv ≦ 8 (1)
1.00 ≦ Dv / Dn ≦ 1.40 (2)
The one formed so that the relationship is established is used. As a result, the toner particles are selected according to the image pattern during the development process to maintain good image quality, and good developability is maintained even if the developing device is stirred for a long time. Furthermore, the toner is efficiently and reliably conveyed without blocking the toner supply path such as the tube 71.
The volume average particle diameter and number average particle diameter of the toner are typically measured by a coal counter type particle size distribution measuring device “Coulter Counter TA-2” (manufactured by Coulter Co.) or “Coulter Multisizer 2” (Coulter). Can be used.

Further, in the first embodiment, the toner contained in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K has a shape factor SF-1 in the range of 100 to 180 and a shape factor SF-2 in the range of 100 to 180. A substantially spherical toner formed so as to be in the range is used. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in cleaning performance while maintaining high transfer efficiency. Furthermore, the toner is efficiently and reliably conveyed without blocking the toner supply path such as the tube 71.
Here, the shape factor SF-1 indicates the sphericity of the toner particles, and is obtained by the following equation.
SF-1 = (M ² / S) × (100π / 4)
In the above equation, M is the maximum particle size (the largest particle size among sparse particle sizes) on the toner particle projection surface, and S is the area of the toner particle projection surface. Therefore, toner particles having a shape factor SF-1 of 100 are true spheres, and the sphericity decreases as the value increases from 100.

The shape factor SF-2 indicates the degree of unevenness of the toner particles, and is obtained by the following equation.
SF-2 = (N ² / S) × (100 / 4π)
In the above equation, N is the circumference of the toner particle projection surface, and S is the area of the toner particle projection surface. Therefore, the toner particles having the shape factor SF-2 of 100 have no irregularities, and the irregularities increase as the value increases from 100.
The shape factor SF-1 and the shape factor SF-2 are obtained by analyzing a toner particle photograph taken with a scanning electron microscope “S-800” (manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.) and an image analyzer “LUSEX3” (manufactured by Nireco). )

Next, the toner container housing part 70 (bottle receiving part 72, cap receiving part 73) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the toner container housing portion 70 is provided with the bottle receiving portion 72 and the cap receiving portion 73. The toner container 32Y is placed by the user on the bottle receiving surface 72a of the bottle receiving portion 72 from above with the longitudinal direction set in the horizontal direction, and then the cap portion 34Y is placed at the head with respect to the container main body 33Y. Then, it is pushed toward the cap receiving portion 73 while sliding on the bottle receiving surface 72a with the longitudinal direction as the mounting direction.
Here, with reference to FIG. 29, FIG. 30, etc., the bottle receiving surface 72a is formed for each color in the bottle receiving portion 72, and the bottle receiving portion 73 is formed for each color in the cap receiving portion 73, The corresponding toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are inserted (in the direction of white arrows), and the cap portions are held by the bottle receiving portions 72 in a non-rotating manner.
29, FIG. 30, FIG. 34 to FIG. 36, FIG. 40 to FIG. 42, etc., in order to illustrate the configuration of the bottle receiving portion 72, some cap portions of the four cap receiving portions 72 are illustrated. Omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 29 to 31, the bottle receiving portion 72 of the toner container housing portion 70 includes a bottle receiving surface 72a, a stopper release urging portion 72b, a shutter closing mechanism 72d as a shutter holding mechanism, a toner supply port 72w, A seal member 76 and the like are provided.
The bottle receiving surface 72a functions as a sliding surface of the toner container 32Y when the toner container 32Y is attached or detached, and functions as a holding portion of the container body 33Y that is rotationally driven after the toner container 32Y is set.
The stopper release urging portion 72b is a trapezoidal rib formed on the bottle receiving surface 72a on the cap receiving portion 73 side (on the downstream side in the mounting direction of the toner container 32Y). As previously described with reference to FIG. 18 and the like, the stopper release urging portion 72b pushes up the stopper release portion 34d21 of the shutter member 34Y in conjunction with the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y, and the stopper portion 34d22 and the contact portion 34n5 (This is for enabling the shutter member 34d to be opened).

Referring to FIGS. 29 to 31 and FIGS. 43 to 45, the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) is a position on the bottle receiving portion 72 covered with the cap receiving portion 73, and has a toner supply port 72w. The toner container 32Y is disposed upstream of the mounting direction of the toner container 32Y. The shutter closing mechanism 72d is a pair of substantially horseshoe-shaped members disposed so as to oppose each other in the vertical direction of FIG. 43, and is rotatable about a support shaft portion 72d3 provided with a torsion coil spring. It is configured. The shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) has a first clamping part 72d1 formed on one end side and a second clamping part 72d2 formed on the other end side. As described above, during the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d in the toner container 32Y, the clamped portion 34d11 of the shutter member 34d is clamped by the second clamp member 72d2, and the vertical surface 34s of the cap portion 34Y is clamped by the first clamp. By being sandwiched by the member 72d1, the posture of the shutter member 34d and the cap portion 34Y at the cap receiving portion 73 during the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d is determined, and a smooth opening / closing operation is possible.
The operation of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) accompanying the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

29 to 33, the main reference pin 73a, the secondary reference pin 73b, the fitting portion 73c, the pressing portion 73d, the engaged portion 73m, and the antenna 73e are provided in the cap receiving portion 73 of the toner container accommodating portion 70. (RFID antenna), drive gear 81, bearing 73k, and the like are provided.
As described above with reference to FIG. 11 and the like, the main reference pin 73a and the secondary reference pin 73b engage with the first hole 34a and the second hole 34b of the cap portion 34Y, respectively. Then, the cap portion 34Y is positioned in the cap receiving portion 73.
Here, referring to FIG. 32, FIG. 46, etc., the main reference pin 73a is formed longer in the longitudinal direction than the sub-reference pin 73b (the position of the reference surface serving as the root portion is formed on the same plane. ing.). The main reference pin 73a and the sub reference pin 73b are both extended in the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the toner container 32Y is attached / detached). The main reference pin 73a has a tapered tip. As a result, the toner container 32Y can be smoothly attached to the cap receiving portion 73 in the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the cap receiving portion 73 in the longitudinal direction.
Further, the engaged portion 73m is engaged with a first engaging portion 34e and a second engaging portion 34f (regulating portion) formed in the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y. Accordingly, the cap portion 34Y is attached to and detached from the cap receiving portion 73 while the posture of the cap portion 34Y is restricted, and the posture of the cap portion 34Y in a state where the cap portion 34Y is attached to the cap receiving portion 73 is restricted. Is done.

Further, the fitting portion 73c engages with an incompatible shape portion 34g formed at the tip portion of the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y. As described above, by providing the cap receiving portion 73 with the fitting portion 73c corresponding to the incompatible shape portion 34g of the toner container 32Y, a toner container housing portion of a predetermined color (for example, a cyan toner container housing portion). ) Is prevented from erroneously setting different color toner containers (for example, yellow toner containers).
Here, with reference to FIG. 32 etc., this fitting part 73c is provided in the cap receiving part 73 in the side close | similar to the bottle receiving part 72 of a longitudinal direction. As a result, the incompatible shape portion 34g provided at the tip of the cap portion 34Y interferes without first engaging with the fitting portion 73c of the cap receiving portion 73, so that the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y is covered. The opening operation of the provided shutter member 34d is started, and a problem that toners of different colors are erroneously supplied from the toner discharge port W toward the image forming apparatus main body 100 is reliably suppressed.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is slid in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction) after the toner container 34Y is placed on the toner container housing portion 70 from above. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the incompatibility of the toner container at a position close to the bottle receiving unit 73 in the cap receiving unit 73. Therefore, the structure which provides the fitting part 73c in the side close | similar to the bottle receiving part 72 as mentioned above becomes useful.

In addition, in the toner container housing portion 70 according to the first exemplary embodiment, the stopper release portion of the cap portion 34Y is inserted after the incompatible shape portion 34g of the cap portion 34Y is fitted into the fitting portion 73c in the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y. The positional relationship between the stopper release biasing portion 72b and the fitting portion 73c is set so that the stopper release biasing portion 72b engages with 34d21.
As a result, the shutter member 45d is opened after the incompatibility is determined, so that the above-described erroneous setting of the toner container is prevented and the problem of supplying the toner of different colors is suppressed. But it will be more certain.

Referring to FIGS. 31 to 33 and 40, bearing 73 k is for rotatably supporting the drive shaft of drive gear 81 in drive portion 91 on cap receiving portion 73.
An antenna 73e is installed on the back end face of the cap receiver 73. The antenna 73e is used for non-contact wireless communication with the RFID chip 35 (see FIGS. 5 and 9) installed on the end surface of the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y.

Referring to FIGS. 31 to 33 and the like, the pressing portion 73d of the cap receiving portion 73 is disposed on the both side walls of the bottle receiving portion 73 on the downstream side in the mounting direction of the toner container 32Y.
With reference to FIGS. 31 to 33, the pressing portion 73d includes a slider 73d1, a torsion spring 73d2, and the like. The tip of the slider 73d1 is formed in a mountain shape. In detail, referring to FIG. 33, the mountain shape of the slider 73d1 is such that the slope 73d11 on the bottle receiving part 72 side is gentler than the slope 73d12 on the back side (back side in the mounting direction). Is formed. Thus, the user can smoothly perform the attaching / detaching operation while obtaining a high click feeling in the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 32 </ b> Y to the cap receiving portion 73.
One end of the torsion spring 73d2 is held in the concave portion (recessed portion) 73d13 of the slider 73d1. Further, the slider 73d1 is inserted into the slide insertion port 73d6 of the cap receiving portion 73, and the coil portion of the torsion spring 73d2 is inserted into the shaft portion 73d5 of the cap receiving portion 73. Further, the other end of the torsion spring 73d2 is held by the protrusion 73d7 of the cap receiving portion 73. With such a configuration, the pair of sliders 73d1 is biased in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 37 (the direction facing the toner container 32Y) by the spring force of the torsion spring 73d2.

  Then, when the toner container 32Y (cap part 34Y) is attached to (or detached from) the toner container housing part 70 (cap receiving part 73) by the pair of pressing parts 73d (slider 73d1) configured as described above. In addition, the pressed portion 34c of the cap portion 34Y is pressed in a direction against the force in the mounting direction (or the detaching direction). Therefore, in the mounting operation (or detaching operation) of the toner container 32Y to the cap receiving portion 73, the user operates in the mounting direction (or detaching direction) at the position where the pressed portion 34c and the pressing portion 73d are engaged. After feeling the reaction force against the force, the operating force in the mounting direction (or the detaching direction) is further increased to complete the mounting operation (or the detaching operation) at once. Therefore, the user can obtain a high click feeling in the mounting operation (or the detaching operation) of the toner container 32Y to the cap receiving portion 73.

34 to 36 are perspective views sequentially showing the state in which the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y is attached to the cap receiving portion 73 of the toner container housing portion 70. FIG. 37 to 39 are cross-sectional top views sequentially showing a state in which the pressed portion 34c of the toner container 32Y is engaged with the pressing portion 73d of the cap receiving portion 73 and is attached to the cap receiving portion 73. . 40 to 42 are cross-sectional perspective views sequentially showing a state in which the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y is attached to the cap receiving portion 73. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 34, 37, and 40, after the toner container 32Y is placed on the bottle receiving portion 72, it is pushed toward the cap receiving portion 73 and slides.
Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 35, 38, and 41, in the toner container 32Y, the pressed portion 34c comes into contact with the pressing portion 73d (the inclined surface 73d11 of the slider 73d1). Further, when the toner container 32Y is further pushed in, the pressing portion 73d (slider 73d1) slides against the inclined surface of the pressed portion 34c and moves away from the cap portion 34Y so as to resist the spring force of the torsion spring 34d2 (see FIG. The direction is reverse to the arrow direction 37).
Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 36, 39, and 42, when the slider 73d1 exceeds the apex of the inclined surface of the pressed portion 34c, the inclined surface 73d12 on the back side of the slider 73d1 is moved to the container body 33Y of the pressed portion 34c. Abutting against the inclined surface on the side. At this time, since the slider 73d1 is urged by the torsion spring 34d2, the inclined surface on the container body 33Y side of the pressed portion 34c is pushed out to the inclined surface 73d12 on the back side of the slider 73d1, and the cap portion 34Y receives the cap receiving portion. It moves at a stretch toward the back side of the portion 73. Thus, the cap portion 34Y reaches the position where the toner discharge port W matches the toner supply port 72w (regular mounting position).
When the slider 73d1 is in contact with the apex of the inclined surface of the pressed part 34c, the slider 73d1 presses the pressed part 34c in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

In such a series of mounting operations of the toner container 32Y, the user inserts the toner container 32Y toward the cap receiving portion 73 while feeling a small resistance immediately after the operation is started, and the slider 34d1 presses the pressed portion 34c. When this is done, a slightly large resistance is felt, and after that, when the slider 34d1 crosses the apex of the pressed portion 34c, the toner container 32Y is quickly and firmly fitted into the back. As described above, in the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y, by giving a certain click feeling to the user, it is possible to suppress a setting failure in which the cap portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y is not mounted at the proper mounting position of the cap receiving portion 73. it can.
Note that the operation when the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34Y) is detached from the toner container housing portion 70 (cap receiving portion 73) is the reverse of the above-described operation during mounting.
Here, the inclined surface on the container body 33Y side of the pressed portion 34c of the cap portion 34Y is formed so as to be steeper than the inclined surface on the distal end side (close to a vertical inclination). In accordance with this, the inclination of the inclined surface 73d12 of the slider 73d1 of the cap receiving portion 73 is also steep. Thus, the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34Y) that has been attached to the cap receiving portion 73 is not easily pulled out.

Here, in the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 8 and the like, the pressed parts 34c formed on both sides of the cap part 34Y are respectively the tip parts (the pressed part 34c and the non-pressed part 34c) of the cap part 34Y. This is a small-diameter portion in which the compatible shape portion 34g is formed. Similarly, the pressing portion 73d of the cap receiving portion 73 is also installed at the opposing position on the virtual horizontal plane described above so as to abut against the pair of pressed portions 34c.
With such a configuration, referring to FIG. 38, when the pair of pressing portions 73d abut against the pair of pressed portions 34c, the force of the pair of pressing portions 73d acting on each pressed portion 34c. (The force vector indicated by the arrow in FIG. 38) is axisymmetric with respect to the rotation axis of the container body 33Y. For this reason, when the pair of pressed portions 34c are pressed by the pair of pressing portions 73d when the toner container 32Y is attached or detached, the cap portion 34Y is pressed evenly in the vertical direction of FIG. . Accordingly, the cap portion 34Y is pressed unevenly, and the cap seal 37 installed between the cap portion 34Y and the container body 33Y is twisted, and the sealing performance between the members 33Y and 34Y is reduced. Such a problem as to be suppressed. Further, the toner container 32Y can be easily attached and detached with good balance.

In the first embodiment, referring to FIG. 46 and the like, in the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y, the main reference pin 73a of the cap receiving portion 73 starts engaging with the main reference hole 34a of the cap portion 34Y. The timing is configured to be earlier than the timing at which the pressing portion 73d of the cap receiving portion 73 starts the engagement of the cap portion 34Y with the pressed portion 34c. Specifically, in the cap part 34Y, the opening of the main reference hole 34a is formed on the tip side from the apex of the pressed part 34c, and the main reference pin is located in the cap receiving part 73 more than the position where the slider 34d1 is installed. 73a is extended to the bottle receiving part 72 side.
With such a configuration, the pressing of the pressed portion 34c by the pressing portion 73d is started after the position of the cap portion 34Y in the cap receiving portion 73 is determined. Therefore, when the toner container 32Y is attached / detached, a pair of When the pair of pressed parts 34c are pressed by the pressing part 73d, the cap part 34Y is pressed evenly in the vertical direction of FIG.

43 to 45 are diagrams showing the operation of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) and the operation of the pressing portion 73d in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the shutter member 34d.
In the opening operation of the shutter member 34d, first, as shown in FIG. 43, the first clamping member 72d1 comes into contact with the protrusion 34m and the second clamping member 72d2 comes into contact with the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y in the white arrow direction. It abuts on the sandwiched portion 34d11 of the shutter member 34d.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 44, when the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y in the direction of the white arrow proceeds, the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) rotates about the support shaft 72d3, and the first clamping member 72d1 The second main clamping member 72d2 is engaged with the engagement wall 34d11a of the sandwiched portion 34d11 of the shutter member 34d while sandwiching the vertical surface 34s of the projection 34m of the cap portion 34Y, and the shutter main portion 34d1 (the sandwiched portion 34d11). The side wall 34d11c (shutter member 34d) is sandwiched.
Thereafter, the shutter member 34d comes into contact with a wall portion (see FIG. 29 and the like) formed around the toner supply port 72w of the cap receiving portion 73, and is sandwiched between the wall portion and the second holding portion 72d2. In this way, the movement of the shutter member 34d in the cap receiving portion 73 is restricted (the shutter member 34d will never move in the longitudinal direction). However, since the movement in the mounting direction of the toner container 32Y is advanced, the relative movement in the opening direction of the shutter member 34d is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 45, the shutter member 34d moves relatively to the container body 33Y side, and the toner discharge port W is opened. At this time, as shown in FIG. 45, the first clamping member 72d1 clamps the vertical surface 34s of the cap portion 34Y, and the second clamping member 72d2 engages with the clamped portion 34d11 of the shutter member 34d while shutter member 34d. Since the opening operation of the shutter member 34d is performed in a state in which the shutter member 34 is held, the postures of the shutter member 34d and the cap portion 34Y at the cap receiving portion 73 are determined, and the shutter member 34d can be smoothly opened.

On the other hand, when the toner container 32Y is taken out (detached) from the toner container housing part 70 (cap receiving part 73), the operation is performed in the reverse order of the above-described procedure at the time of mounting. That is, the operation of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) accompanying the closing operation of the shutter member 34d is performed in the order of FIG. 45, FIG. 44, and FIG.
Here, with reference to FIG. 45, in the first embodiment, the vertical surface 34s functioning as a sandwiching surface sandwiched by the first sandwiching portion 72d1 extends long in the mounting direction (rightward in FIG. 45). Therefore, when the toner container 32Y is taken out from the toner container housing portion 70, the shutter closing mechanism 72d completely closes the shutter member 34d. It is possible to delay the timing at which the closing mechanism 72d (second holding portion 72d2) releases the holding of the shutter member 34d (held portion 34d11) with respect to the vertical surface 34s. That is, when the shutter member 34d is closed (relative movement of the shutter member 34d from the state shown in FIG. 45 to the state shown in FIG. 44), the vertical surface 34s (projection 34m) is shown in FIG. Since it is formed so as to protrude rightward, the first sandwiching portion 72d1 sandwiches the vertical surface 34s of the projection 34m, and the second sandwiching portion 72d2 holds the sandwiched portion 34d11 of the shutter member 34d. In this state, the closing operation of the shutter member 34d can be completed without the shutter closing mechanism 72d rotating as shown in FIG. In other words, when the vertical surface 34s is not formed so long as to protrude rightward in FIG. 45, the first clamping portion 72d1 releases the clamping of the vertical surface 34s and the shutter closing mechanism 72d is as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the second clamping part 72d2 also releases the clamping of the clamped part 34d11 of the shutter member 34d, and the closing operation of the shutter member 34d is not completely completed.
As described above, in the first embodiment, since the protrusion 34m is provided on the cap portion 34Y, the toner container 32Y is taken out from the apparatus main body 100 before the shutter member 34d completely closes the toner discharge port W. Will be suppressed.

43 to 45, in the first embodiment, in the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 32Y, the timing at which the force with which the pressing portion 73d presses the cap portion 34Y is maximized (the slider 73d1 is the pressed portion). And the timing at which the stopper release urging portion 72b engages with the stopper release portion 34d21 (the timing at which the elastic deformation of the stopper deformation portion 34d2 is maximized) does not match. It is configured as follows.
As a result, the amount of force received by the cap portion 34Y when the stopper release biasing portion 72b is engaged with the stopper release portion 34d21 is added, and the pressing force of the pressing portion 73d that presses the pressed portion 34c is set to be so large. Even if it is not, it is possible to obtain a click feeling during the attaching / detaching operation by the pressed portion 34c described above.

43 to 45, in the first embodiment, when the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34Y) is attached to the toner container housing portion 70, the shutter member by the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism). After the opening operation of the shutter member 34d is started together with the holding operation of 34d, the operation in which the pressing portion 73d presses the pressed portion 34c is started. Further, when the toner container 32Y (cap part 34Y) is detached from the toner container housing part 70, after the operation of the pressing part 73d pressing the pressed part 34c is finished and the pressing part 73d is separated from the pressed part 34c, The shutter member 34d is opened by the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter holding mechanism) in the closing operation of the shutter member 34d.
Thus, when the toner container 32Y is mounted, the cap portion 34Y does not receive the pressing force from the pressing portion 73d when the holding operation of the shutter member 34d by the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter holding mechanism) is started. Thus, the opening operation of the shutter member 34d accompanying the holding operation of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter holding mechanism) described above is performed smoothly (the opening failure of the shutter member 34d does not occur). Further, when the toner container 32Y is detached, when the holding operation of the shutter member 34d by the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter holding mechanism) ends, the cap portion 34Y does not receive the pressing force from the pressing portion 73d. The closing operation of the shutter member 34d accompanying the holding operation of the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter holding mechanism) described above is performed smoothly (the closing failure of the shutter member 34d does not occur).

It should be noted that when the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y is advanced with respect to the toner container housing part 70, the procedure related to each part of the bottle receiving part 72 and the cap receiving part 73 with respect to the cap part 34Y is as follows.
First, the cap portion 34Y slides on the bottle receiving surface 72a, and the incompatible shape portion 34g engages with the fitting portion 73c of the cap receiving portion 73. Thereafter, the first engaging portion 34e and the second engaging portion 34f of the cap portion 34Y are engaged with the engaged portion 73m of the cap receiving portion 73, and the posture of the cap portion 34Y in the cap receiving portion 73 is regulated. . Then, the first hole portion 34a of the cap portion 34Y engages with the main reference pin 73a of the cap receiving portion 73 to perform the main reference positioning, and then the second hole portion 34b of the cap portion 34Y is the cap receiving portion. The positioning of the master and slave is completed by engaging with the slave reference pin 73b of 73. In addition, until the positioning is completed, the shutter closing mechanism 72d (shutter clamping mechanism) starts the opening operation of the shutter member 34d while the postures of the shutter member 34d and the cap portion 34Y in the cap receiving portion 73 are determined. Then, the operation in which the pressing portion 73d presses the pressed portion 34c is started. Further, the contact state between the stopper portion 34d22 of the shutter member 34d of the cap portion 34Y and the contact portion 34n5 is shifted by the stopper release biasing portion 72b so that the timing of the pressing portion 73d pressing the pressed portion 34c is shifted. Canceled. Then, the toner discharge port W opened in the cap portion 34Y and the toner supply port 72w of the cap receiving portion 73 communicate with each other, and the cap portion 34Y (toner container 32Y) in the cap receiving portion 73 (toner container housing portion 70) is communicated. ) Is completed. At this time, the gear 33c of the container main body 33Y and the drive gear 81 of the apparatus main body 100 mesh with each other, and the RFID chip 35 of the cap portion 34Y comes to an optimal position where wireless communication can be performed with respect to the antenna 73e of the apparatus main body 100. .

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the shutter member is interlocked with the operation with few actions that the user moves the toner container 32Y in the horizontal direction after placing it on the bottle receiver 72. The opening / closing operation of the toner discharge port W by 34d is also performed, and the mounting operation and the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y are completed.
Further, in the toner container 32Y of the first embodiment, a toner discharge port W having a relatively large opening area is disposed downward in the vertical direction, and toner is discharged directly from the toner discharge port W by its own weight fall. Can be performed efficiently.
Further, since the toner container 32Y is installed in the apparatus main body 100 with the longitudinal direction as the horizontal direction, the toner capacity of the toner container 32Y is increased without affecting the layout in the height direction of the entire image forming apparatus 100. Thus, the replacement frequency can be reduced.

Further, referring to FIG. 30 and the like, the toner container housing portion 70 according to the first exemplary embodiment has an adjacent cap receiving surface 72a (cap receiving surface) among the four cap receiving surfaces 72a (cap receiving portions 72) for the respective colors. The portions 72) are arranged so that the height positions in the vertical direction are different from each other. Specifically, the vertical height positions of the yellow cap receiving surface 72a, the magenta cap receiving surface 72a, the cyan cap receiving surface 72a, and the black cap receiving surface 72a are sequentially decreased in this order ( Four cap receiving surfaces 72a are arranged in a step shape).
With such a configuration, the four cap receivers 73 are juxtaposed without causing the adjacent cap receivers 73 to protrude in the horizontal direction (mainly the part where the pressing part 73d is installed). can do. Therefore, the apparatus main body 100 (toner container housing part 70) can be downsized in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

  As described above, in the toner container 32Y according to the first embodiment, the cap seal 37 (sealing material) installed between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y and the cap portion 34Y are connected to the image forming apparatus main body 100. The longitudinal positional relationship with the pressed portion 34c protruding on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y is optimized in order to be pressed in a direction against the force in the mounting direction when being mounted. Accordingly, the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 34Y can be smoothly performed while maintaining high sealing performance between the container main body 33Y and the cap part 34Y without increasing the size of the cap part 34Y.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
47 to 51, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 47 is a perspective view showing a part of the toner container 32Y in the second embodiment. 48 and 49 are exploded perspective views showing the cap portion 34Y, respectively. FIG. 50 is a perspective view showing the cap portion 34Y after the first member 34Y1 and the second member 34Y2 are welded. FIG. 51 is a perspective view showing the inside of the cap portion 34Y in the toner container 32Y.
The toner container in the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment in which the cap portion is formed by integral molding in that the cap portion is formed by welding or bonding two molded parts. Is different.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the toner container 32Y in the second embodiment also includes a container main body 33Y (bottle main body) and a cap portion 34Y provided on the head. Further, in addition to the container main body 33Y and the cap part 34Y, the toner container 32Y is provided with a stirring member 33f, a cap seal 37, a shutter member 34d, a shutter seal 36, an RFID 35, and the like.

47 to 51, the toner container 32Y in the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment in that the cap portion 34Y (cap seal 37, shutter member 34d, shutter seal 36) is different. , RFID 35 and the like are taken out.) Is formed by welding (or adhering) two molded parts 34Y1 and 34Y2.
Specifically, the cap portion 34Y includes a first member 34Y1 and a second member 34Y2. The first member 34Y1 is formed with a toner discharge port W, a pressed portion 34c, and an attaching surface 34v to which the cap seal 37 is attached. The second member 34Y2 includes a small-diameter portion 34Y2d formed so as to cover a part of the first member 34Y1, and a large-diameter portion having a larger outer diameter than the small-diameter portion 34Y2d (the portion where the insertion portion 34z is formed). Is formed). Then, the upper part of the first member 34Y1 (the part where the main reference hole 34a and the like are formed) and the side part 34Y1b (the pressed part 34c are formed) in the notches 34Y2a, 34Y2b, 34Y2c of the second member 34Y2. And the bottom portion (the portion where the toner discharge port W and the like are formed) are inserted, and the small diameter portion 34Y2d of the second member 34Y2 is joined (welded) to the joining portion 34Y1a of the first member 34Y1. .

47 and 50, the pressed portion 34c of the first member 34Y1 is formed to be within the range of the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 34Y2d of the second member 34Y2. That is, the pressed portion 34c of the first member 34Y1 is configured not to protrude from the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 34Y2d of the second member 34Y2 when the cap portion 34Y is viewed on a projection plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The sticking surface 34v of the first member 34Y1 is formed so as to fit within the range of the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 34Y2d of the second member 34Y2.
Thus, by configuring the pressed portion 34c that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y and increases the outer diameter of the cap portion 34Y so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 34Y2d of the second member 34Y2, The cap part 34Y can be prevented from becoming large (larger diameter).

  In addition, since the cap part 34Y in the second embodiment is configured by two molded parts 34Y1 and 34Y2, the claw part 34j is compared with the one in the first embodiment configured by one molded part. Further, the degree of freedom of arrangement of each part such as the incompatible shape portion 34g, the pressed portion 34c, the toner discharge port W, the toner dropping path C, and the like becomes relatively high.

  As described above, the toner container 32Y according to the second embodiment also has a cap seal 37 (sealing material) installed between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y, as in the first embodiment. When the cap part 34Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the pressed part 34c protruding on the outer peripheral surface of the cap part 34Y in order to be pressed in a direction against the force in the attaching direction, in the longitudinal direction. The positional relationship is optimized. Accordingly, the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container 34Y can be smoothly performed while maintaining high sealing performance between the container main body 33Y and the cap part 34Y without increasing the size of the cap part 34Y.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The toner container according to the third embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the stirring member 33f.

  As in the first embodiment, the toner container 32Y in the third embodiment is mainly composed of a container main body 33Y (bottle main body) and a cap portion 34Y (bottle cap) provided on the head. Composed. In addition, the toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment also includes a stirring member 33f, a cap seal 37, a shutter member 34d, a shutter seal 36 as a seal member, and an electronic information storage member, in addition to the container body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y. The RFID chip 35 is disassembled (see FIG. 9).

Further, in the toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a stirring member 33f that rotates together with the container main body 33Y is fitted into the bottle mouth portion 33a (opening portion A). Specifically, referring to FIGS. 52 to 54, fitting portion 33f2 of stirring member 33f is press-fitted into bottle mouth portion 33a (opening portion A) shown in FIG.
Also, as shown in FIGS. 52 to 54, a pair of plate-like members 33f1 extending from the cavity B in the cap portion 34Y toward the inside of the container main body 33Y also in the stirring member 33f in the third embodiment. Is provided. And the plate-shaped member 33f1 of this stirring member 33f is inclined so as to be staggered in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Further, when the cap portion 34Y and the container main body 33Y are assembled, the agitating member 33f reaches its upper end (on the side where the extrusion plate 33f10 is formed) above the toner discharge port W in the cap portion 34Y. The rear end (the end on the opposite side) reaches the pumping portion (the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIGS. 9 and 10). By rotating the stirring member 33f together with the opening A of the container main body 33Y, the toner discharging performance from the opening A is improved.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 52 to 54, the stirring member 33f in the third embodiment differs from that in the first embodiment in that the tip of the plate-like member 33f1 (on the side toward the cap portion 34Y). Extrusion plate 33f10 is provided. The extruded plate 33f10 is a plate material that stands substantially perpendicular to the main body of the plate-like member 33f1, and has a tapered portion 34f100 formed on the outer periphery thereof.
Thus, by providing the extrusion plate 33f10 at the tip of the plate-like member 33f1 in the stirring member 33f, the extrusion plate 33f10 presses the toner toward the toner discharge port W in the cap portion 34Y as the stirring member 33f rotates. Thus, even when the toner is clogged in the vicinity of the toner discharge port W (toner dropping path C), the toner can be smoothly discharged from the toner discharge port W.

55A1 to 55A4, the agitating member 33f rotates in the toner container 32Y provided with the agitating member 33f provided with the push-out plate 33f10 (this is the third embodiment). It is a schematic front view which shows a state. On the other hand, FIGS. 55B1 to 55B4 show the stirring member in the toner container 32Y in which the stirring member 33f (the one in the first embodiment) not provided with the extrusion plate 33f10 is installed. It is a schematic front view which shows the state which 33f rotates.
In FIGS. 55A1 and 55B, black arrows indicate the transport direction of the toner transported by the stirring member 33f toward the toner discharge port W (toner supply port 73w).
As shown in FIG. 55 (B1), when the pushing plate 33f10 is not provided at the tip of the plate-like member 33f1 in the stirring member 33f, the toner is removed from the inner periphery of the cap portion 34Y by the pushing plate 33f10 as the stirring member 33f rotates. It turns out that it is conveyed in the circumferential direction along a part. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 55A1, by providing an extrusion plate 33f10 at the tip of the plate-like member 33f1 in the stirring member 33f, the toner is discharged from the toner by the extrusion plate 33f10 as the stirring member 33f rotates. It turns out that it is conveyed toward W (it is conveyance of a substantially normal direction with respect to the inner peripheral part of the cap part 34Y).

Here, the toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment also has a cap seal 37 (sealing material) disposed between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y, and the cap portion, as in the first embodiment. The longitudinal positional relationship between the pressed portion 34c that protrudes on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y in order to be pressed in a direction against the force in the mounting direction when the 34Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100. Optimized.
As a result, also in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the cap portion 34Y does not increase in size, and the high sealing performance between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y is maintained and the toner container 34Y is maintained. The attachment / detachment operation can be performed smoothly.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
56 to 58, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
The toner container in the fourth embodiment is different from that in the third embodiment in that a flexible member 34u is installed in the vicinity of the toner discharge port W in the cap portion 34Y.

  Similarly to the third embodiment, the toner container 32Y in the fourth embodiment is mainly composed of a container main body 33Y (bottle main body) and a cap portion 34Y (bottle cap) provided on the head. Composed. The toner container 32Y according to the fourth embodiment also includes a stirring member 33f, a cap seal 37, a shutter member 34d, a shutter seal 36 as a seal member, and an electronic information storage member, in addition to the container body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y. The RFID chip 35 is disassembled (see FIG. 9).

Further, in the toner container 32Y in the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, a stirring member 33f that rotates together with the container body 33Y is fitted in the bottle mouth portion 33a (opening portion A).
As shown in FIG. 56, the stirrer 33f in the fourth embodiment also has a pair of plate-like members 33f1 extending from the cavity B in the cap portion 34Y toward the container main body 33Y (respectively different from each other). It is inclined so as to become). Furthermore, the stirring member 33f in the fourth embodiment is also provided with an extrusion plate 33f10 at the tip of the plate-like member 33f1 (on the side toward the cap portion 34Y) as in the third embodiment. Yes.

  Here, referring to FIGS. 56 and 58, the cap portion 34Y in the fourth embodiment differs from that in the third embodiment in that a mylar having a thickness of about 0.188 to 0.5 mm or the like. A flexible member 34u made of a flexible material is installed from the toner dropping path C to the cavity B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 57, the flexible member 34u is formed in a shape in which one portion is bent, and the fixing portion 34u2 (formed wider than the flexible portion 34u1) is pasted. It is attached to (fixed to) the inner wall of the toner dropping path C (the inner wall closer to the toner discharge port W and the inner wall on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stirring member 33f). In addition, the fixing portion 34u2 is attached to the inner wall of the toner dropping path C so that the bent portion of the flexible member 34u is positioned in the toner dropping path C. Further, the flexible portion 34u1 of the flexible member 34u extends from the toner dropping path C into the cavity B as a free end. Then, the tip of the flexible portion 34u1 comes into contact with the extrusion plate 33f10 as the stirring member 33f rotates, so that the toner is clogged in the vicinity of the toner discharge port W (toner dropping path C). In addition, the toner can be discharged more smoothly from the toner discharge port W.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 58A to 58D, as the stirring member 33f rotates, the flexible member 34u (flexible portion 34u1) is gradually arcuately pressed by the pushing plate 33f10. It will bend. At this time, even if the toner is clogged between the inner wall of the toner dropping path C and the flexible member 34u in the state of FIG. 58 (A), the flexible member 34u is greatly bowed in the state of FIG. 58 (D). Since the space between the inner wall of the toner dropping path C and the flexible member 34u is increased, the toner clogged in the toner dropping path C is broken.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 58 (E), the flat surface portion of the extrusion plate 33f10 and the flat surface portion of the flexible member 34u overlap each other, and the flexible member 34u is substantially planar from the fixed portion 34u2 to the flexible portion 34u1. Transforms into At this time, the space between the flexible member 34u and the toner gradually expands and the toner collapses, and the toner is supplied while being pushed into the space by the extrusion plate 33f10 (in the state of FIG. 56). is there.). This promotes toner discharge and toner collapse at the toner discharge port W (toner dropping path C). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 58 (F), the flexible member 34u is completely warped, and thereafter the contact with the extrusion plate 33f10 is released. As shown in FIG. 58 (G), the flexible member 34u is restored to the initial state by the elastic force of the flexible member 34u. At this time, the return force due to the elasticity of the flexible member 34u acts on the toner, and the collapse of the toner and the toner discharge in the toner dropping path C are promoted.
The shape of the flexible member 34u is not limited to that of the fourth embodiment. For example, a flexible member having a shape that does not have a bent portion or a shape that has a different shape of the fixing portion 34u2 can be used. It can also be used as a sex member.

Here, the toner container 32Y according to the fourth embodiment also has a cap seal 37 (sealing material) installed between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y, and the cap portion, as in the above embodiments. The longitudinal positional relationship between the pressed portion 34c that protrudes on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y in order to be pressed in a direction against the force in the mounting direction when the 34Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100. Optimized.
As a result, also in the fourth embodiment, the cap portion 34Y does not increase in size as in the above-described embodiments, and the toner container 34Y is maintained while maintaining high sealing performance between the container body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y. The attachment / detachment operation can be performed smoothly.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
59 to 61, Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described in detail.
In the toner container according to the fifth embodiment, the container main body 33Y is rotatably held by the toner container accommodating portion 70 in that the container main body 33Y is held by the toner container accommodating portion 70 together with the cap portion 34Y. It differs from that of each embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 59, toner container 32Y in the fifth embodiment is also mainly composed of container main body 33Y (bottle main body) and cap portion 34Y provided on the head thereof, as in the above-described embodiments. (Bottle cap).
Here, the toner container 32Y in the fifth embodiment is different from those in the above embodiments, and the container body 33Y (bottle body) is bonded or fused to the cap portion 34Y (bottle cap). It is fixed by a fixing method such as locking. That is, the container body 33Y is not connected to the cap portion 34Y so as to be relatively rotatable, but is fixed so as not to rotate relative to the cap portion 34Y.

Here, the container main body 33Y according to the fifth embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that no spiral protrusion is formed on the peripheral surface thereof. Further, the gear 33c is not integrally formed in the container main body 33Y as in the above-described embodiments, and the gear member 42Y (see FIG. 61) can be used together with the stirring member 33f and the container main body 33Y and the cap portion. It is installed to be rotatable relative to 34Y. Further, in the container main body 33Y, unlike the above-described embodiments, a conveying member 41Y (see FIG. 60) for conveying the toner accommodated in the container main body 33Y toward the opening A. .) Is installed.
The cap portion 34Y can be configured in substantially the same manner as in each of the embodiments described above, except that the container body 33Y is attached (fixed).
Further, the stirring member 33f can also be configured in substantially the same manner as in each of the above embodiments except that the stirring member 33f is not fixed to the container body 33Y.

Hereinafter, a more detailed description will be given with reference to FIGS. 60 and 61. FIG.
Referring to FIG. 60, also in the fifth embodiment, the other end in the longitudinal direction of container body 33Y (the opposite side to the one end in the longitudinal direction where cap portion 34Y is installed, and the mounting direction to apparatus main body 100) Is provided with a gripping portion 33d for the user to grip when attaching / detaching the toner container 32Y. The grip portion 33d is formed with a through hole that communicates with the inside and outside of the container body 33Y, and a lid member 49Y is detachably installed in the through hole. The lid member 49Y is for filling (or cleaning) the toner in the toner container 32Y (container body 33Y) at the time of manufacturing, recycling, etc., and when filling (or cleaning) the toner. Then, after the toner is completely charged and removed from the container main body 33Y, it is attached to the container main body 33Y.

  Referring to FIG. 60, a conveyance member 41Y installed in the container body 33Y is obtained by attaching a thin flexible stirring member 41Yb formed of a material such as Mylar to a shaft portion 41Ya. The shaft portion 41Ya of the transport member 41Y has an end portion 41Ya1 (refer to FIG. 61) on one end side in the longitudinal direction engaged with a connecting portion 33f20 installed at the position of the rotation center of the stirring member 33f. The end on the other end side is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 33d1 (formed at the base portion of the gripping portion 33d and in the container main body 33Y). Then, in a state where the container main body 33Y and the cap part 34Y are held in the toner container housing part 70 in a non-rotating manner, the agitating member 33f is rotated together with the gear member 42Y by receiving a driving force from the driving part 91, so At this position, the conveying member 41Y connected to the stirring member 33f also rotates. Thus, the toner stored in the container main body 33Y is transported toward the cap portion 34Y by the transport force of the flexible stirring member 41Yb installed on the transport member 41Y.

The flexible stirring member 41Yb of the conveying member 41Y has cuts 41Yb1 formed at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction (6 locations in the fifth embodiment). Thereby, with the rotation of the conveying member 41Y, the tip of the flexible stirring member 41Yb (the free end not supported by the shaft portion 41Ya) is slidably contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 33Y to be flexible. The toner contained in the container body 33Y is agitated and conveyed toward the right side of FIG. 60 while rotating in a state where the elastic stirring member 41Yb is twisted and bent appropriately.
Thus, in the toner container 32Y according to the fifth embodiment, toner is discharged from the toner discharge port W of the cap portion 34Y as in the case of the above-described embodiments.

Here, referring to FIG. 61, gear member 42Y is rotatably attached to container body 33Y.
Specifically, the gear member 42Y is rotatably held on the container body 33Y by the gear locking part 42Yb formed on the gear member 42Y being hooked on the protrusion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bottle mouth part 33a of the container body 33Y. Will be. A gear portion 42Ya (spur gear) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the gear member 42Y. When the toner container 32Y is set in the apparatus main body 100, the gear section 42Ya meshes with the drive gear 81 of the apparatus main body 100. Will do.
Further, a seal member 40Y is provided between the gear member 42Y and the end surface of the bottle mouth portion 33a in order to prevent the toner from leaking out of the toner container 32Y. This sealing material 40Y is made of a foamed elastic material such as foamed polyurethane, is formed in an annular shape along the end surface of the bottle mouth portion 33a, and is adhered to the gear member 42Y. When the gear member 42Y is set on the container main body 32Y, the sealing material 40Y is pressed against the end face of the bottle mouth portion 33a, and the sealing performance between the members 33Y and 42Y is secured.

Further, the gear member 42Y is not fixed to the cap portion 34Y, and is held rotatably with respect to the claw portion 34j of the cap portion 34Y. In addition, the holding method of the gear member 42Y with respect to the cap part 34Y is the same as the holding method of the cap part 34Y with respect to the bottle mouth part 33a of the container main body 33Y described in the above embodiments. That is, the claw portion 34j of the cap portion 34Y is engaged with the hook-shaped fitting portion provided on the gear member 42Y, and the gear member 42Y is rotatably supported by the cap portion 34Y. Further, a cap seal 43Y made of a foamed elastic material is attached to a portion where the end surface of the gear member 42Y (the end surface opposite to the container main body 33Y) is pressed onto the cap portion 34Y. Thereby, the leakage of toner from between the gear member 42Y and the cap portion 34Y can be prevented.
A stirring member 33f is attached to the inner diameter portion of the gear member 42Y. Further, as described above, the shaft portion 41Ya (the end portion 41Ya1 on one end side) of the transport member 41Y is connected to the connecting portion 33f20 of the stirring member 33f.

  In the fifth embodiment, the toner dropping paths C1 and C2 formed in the cap portion 34Y have a flow area (from the upstream side (below the substantially cylindrical cavity B) to the downstream side (toner discharge port W) ( The channel cross-sectional area) is gradually increased. That is, as shown in FIG. 61, the flow area of the toner falling path C2 in the lower vertical direction is set to be larger than the flow area of the toner falling path C1 in the upper vertical direction (C1 <C2). Is). As a result, the problem of toner clogging in the toner dropping path is further reduced, and the toner can be discharged more smoothly from the toner discharge port W.

Here, the toner container 32Y according to the fifth embodiment also has a cap seal 37 (sealing material) disposed between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y, and the cap portion, as in the above embodiments. The longitudinal positional relationship between the pressed portion 34c that protrudes on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34Y in order to be pressed in a direction against the force in the mounting direction when the 34Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100. Optimized.
As a result, also in the fifth embodiment, the cap portion 34Y is not enlarged, and the toner container 34Y is kept high while maintaining high sealing performance between the container main body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y. The attachment / detachment operation can be performed smoothly.

  In each of the above embodiments, only the toner is accommodated in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. However, the image forming apparatus appropriately supplies the two-component developer composed of the toner and the carrier to the developing device. In other words, the two-component developer can be accommodated in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. Even in that case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, part or all of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K may be a process cartridge. Even in that case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the container main body 33Y is configured to be rotatable so that the toner accommodated in the container main body 33Y is conveyed toward the opening A. On the other hand, the container main body 33Y is configured to be held in the toner container storage unit 70 in a non-rotating manner together with the cap part 34Y, and a conveying member (for example, a toner conveying member) toward the opening A in the container main body 33Y (for example, , A conveying member that is provided with a conveying coil and a plurality of conveying blades in the shape of a shaft, and that rotates in a predetermined direction by a gear independent of the container main body. May be transported toward the opening A (see FIG. 62).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 62, the toner container 32Y mainly includes a container body 33Y, a gear 44Y, and a cap portion 34Y (bottle cap). An opening A is provided in the head of the container body 33Y, and a gear 44Y is rotatably installed on the outer periphery of the opening A. The gear 44Y meshes with the drive gear of the apparatus main body 100 to rotate the coil 46Y around the rotation center axis. The opening A is for discharging the toner stored in the container body 33Y toward the space in the cap portion 34Y. The gear 44Y is integrally provided with a rotating shaft 45Y, and a helical coil 46Y (conveying coil) is connected to the rotating shaft 45Y. One end of the rotating shaft 45Y is supported by the bearing portion 34Ya of the cap portion 34Y. The coil 46Y extends from the opening A inside the container body 33Y to the bottom. Then, when the gear 44Y rotates around the container body 33Y, the rotation shaft 45Y and the coil 46Y are also rotationally driven. As a result, the toner accommodated in the container main body 33Y is conveyed to the opening A side by the toner conveying force of the coil 46Y. The gear 44Y is inserted into the outer peripheral portion of the opening A so as to be sandwiched between the container body 33Y and the cap portion 34Y. Of both end faces of the gear 44Y, a rubber member 47Y is provided between the one end face and the container body 33Y, and a seal member 48Y is provided between the cap 44Y and the other end face. With such a configuration, the sealing performance of the entire toner container 32Y is secured. That is, a problem that toner leaks from among the gear 44Y, the container main body 33Y, and the cap portion 34Y is suppressed.
Further, by applying the present invention to such a toner container 32Y as in the above-described embodiments, the same effects as in the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the toner dropping path C in the cap portion 34Y has a constant flow area (flow) from the upstream side (below the substantially cylindrical cavity B) to the downstream side (toner discharge port W). (Road cross-sectional area). On the other hand, the toner dropping path C in the first to fourth embodiments is arranged on the upstream side (substantially cylindrical shape) like the toner dropping paths C1 and C2 (see FIG. 61) in the fifth embodiment. The channel area (channel cross-sectional area) can be gradually increased from the lower side of the cavity B) to the downstream side (toner discharge port W). In such a case, the problem of toner clogging in the toner dropping path C is further reduced, and smoother toner discharge from the toner discharge port W becomes possible.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to each of the above embodiments, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, the present embodiment can be modified as appropriate in addition to those suggested in the above embodiments. it is obvious. Further, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.

5Y developing device,
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner containers,
33Y container body,
33b protrusion (spiral protrusion), 33c gear, 33f stirring member,
34Y cap part,
34a First hole (main reference hole),
34b Second hole (secondary reference hole),
34c pressed part,
34d shutter member,
34d1 shutter main part,
34d11 sandwiched portion,
34d15 shutter rail engaging portion,
34d2 shutter deformation part,
34d21 stopper release part, 34d22 stopper part,
34e 1st engagement part (regulation part),
34f 2nd engagement part (regulation part),
34g non-compatible shape part,
34j nails,
34j1 hole for molding,
34m protrusion,
34n shutter storage unit (storage unit),
34n1 slide groove (first rail part),
34n6 notch (hole),
34t shutter rail (second rail part),
34v sticking surface, 34v1 depression,
34x notch (insertion), 34x1 recess,
35 RFID chip (electronic information storage member),
36 Shutter seal,
37 Cap seal (seal material),
37a film member,
60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K toner supply device,
70 toner container housing,
72 bottle receiver,
72a Bottle receiving surface,
72b Stopper release biasing part,
72d shutter closing mechanism (shutter clamping mechanism),
72w Toner supply port,
73 cap receiving part,
73a Main reference pin, 73b Secondary reference pin,
73c fitting part,
73d pressing part,
73d1 slider,
73m engaged part,
100 Image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
A opening, B cavity, C toner dropping path, W toner discharge port.

JP-A-4-1681 JP 2002-268344 A

Claims (14)

A toner container which is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the longitudinal direction is a horizontal direction,
A cylindrical container body configured such that an opening is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction and toner accommodated therein is conveyed toward the opening;
A cap having an opening at the bottom of the container main body, and a toner discharge port for discharging the toner discharged from the opening of the container main body out of the container and vertically downward; ,
A shutter member that is held at the bottom of the cap portion and opens and closes the toner discharge port by movement along the outer periphery of the cap portion;
With
The container body is rotatably held with respect to the cap part,
The cap part is
A sealing material that is installed at a position facing the periphery of the opening of the container main body and seals a gap between the container main body and a force in the mounting direction when the cap is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. A pressed portion protruding on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion in order to be pressed in a direction against
A large-diameter portion having a sticking surface to which the sealing material is stuck, and a small-diameter portion provided on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction than the large-diameter portion and having a smaller outer diameter than the large-diameter portion are formed. And
The pressed portion is
It is a distal end portion in the longitudinal direction and is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion ,
A sloped surface formed respectively across the apex formed in a direction to protrude from the outer peripheral surface and the longitudinal direction of the distal end side and the side of the container body of the small-diameter portion, the inclination of the inclined surface of the distal-side Is formed so as to be gentler than the inclination of the inclined surface on the container body side,
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the seal material is disposed on the container body side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the pressed portion.   The cap part is formed by integral molding so that the outer diameter of the tip part where the pressed part is formed is smaller than the outer diameter of the part where the sticking surface of the sealing material is formed. The toner container according to claim 1. A toner container which is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the longitudinal direction is a horizontal direction,
A cylindrical container body configured such that an opening is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction and toner accommodated therein is conveyed toward the opening;
A cap having an opening at the bottom of the container main body, and a toner discharge port for discharging the toner discharged from the opening of the container main body out of the container and vertically downward; ,
A shutter member that is held at the bottom of the cap portion and opens and closes the toner discharge port by movement along the outer periphery of the cap portion;
With
The container body is rotatably held with respect to the cap part,
The cap part is
A sealing material that is installed at a position facing the periphery of the opening of the container main body and seals a gap between the container main body and a force in the mounting direction when the cap is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. A pressed portion protruding on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion in order to be pressed in a direction against
A first member on which the toner discharge port, the pressed portion, and a sticking surface for sticking the sealing material are formed; a small-diameter portion formed so as to cover a part of the first member; and the small-diameter portion A second member composed of a large-diameter part having a larger outer diameter, and two molded parts formed by bonding or welding,
The pressed portion is
Arranged at the longitudinal tip,
Inclined surfaces respectively formed on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction and the container body side across a vertex formed in a direction protruding from the outer peripheral surface, and the inclination of the inclined surface on the distal end side is the container It is formed so as to be gentler than the inclination of the inclined surface on the main body side,
Formed so as to be within the range of the outer diameter of the small diameter portion of the second member ,
The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the seal material is disposed on the container body side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the pressed portion.   The said to-be-pressed part is installed on the both sides on the virtual horizontal surface which passes along the center of the said front-end | tip part of the said cap part, and the outer peripheral surface of the said front-end | tip part, respectively. The toner container according to any one of the above.   The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the container body has a spiral protrusion on an inner peripheral surface thereof. The cap part is
A cylindrical cavity formed to extend in the longitudinal direction in the interior;
A toner dropping path formed in a column shape with a constant flow path area from the lower peripheral surface of the cavity toward the toner outlet;
The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising:   The said cap part has the electronic information storage member in which electronic information was stored on the end surface orthogonal to the said longitudinal direction in the said front-end | tip part, The Claim 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Toner container.   8. An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner container according to claim 1 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus main body includes:
A cap receiving part for holding the cap part of the toner container;
A bottle receiving portion having a bottle receiving surface for holding the container main body of the toner container and sliding the toner container toward the cap portion;
With
The cap receiving portion includes a pressing portion that presses the pressed portion of the cap portion in a direction against a force in an attaching / detaching direction when the cap portion is attached / detached,
The pressed parts of the toner container are installed on both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the tip part on a virtual horizontal plane passing through the center of the tip part of the cap part,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressing portion of the cap receiving portion is installed at an opposing position on the virtual horizontal plane so as to be in contact with the pair of pressed portions, respectively. .   The pair of pressing portions are configured such that force vectors acting on the pressed portions are symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis of the container body. Image forming apparatus. The bottle receiving portion sandwiches the shutter member in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner container toward the cap receiving portion, and the shutter member at the cap receiving portion at the time of the opening / closing operation of the shutter member. A shutter holding mechanism that regulates the posture;
An operation in which the pressing portion presses the pressed portion after the opening operation of the shutter member is started together with the holding operation of the shutter member by the shutter holding mechanism when the toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Is started,
In the closing operation of the shutter member after the operation of the pressing portion pressing the pressed portion is completed and the pressing portion is separated from the pressed portion when the toner container is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein nipping of the shutter member by the shutter nipping mechanism is released.   The said pressing part is comprised so that the said to-be-pressed part may be pressed also to the direction orthogonal to the said longitudinal direction by the time the operation | movement which presses the said to-be-pressed part is completed. Item 12. The image forming apparatus according to Item 11.   The cap receiving portion includes an engaged portion that engages with a restricting portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cap portion and restricts a posture of the cap portion that is attached to and detached from the cap receiving portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9. A plurality of the cap receiving portions are arranged in parallel,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of cap receiving portions are arranged such that adjacent cap receiving portions have different vertical height positions. .

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