JP6112341B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine including these.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine equipped with these, toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member such as a photosensitive drum as an image carrier by a developing unit. Thus, a system is used in which the image is visualized and transferred to a recording medium such as paper.

  Since there is a difference in the service life of the process unit, a process cartridge as a developer receiving cartridge including a developing unit and a toner cartridge as a developer supply cartridge for supplying toner are configured separately. The toner cartridge is provided with a toner discharge port that is a developer discharge opening, and the process cartridge is provided with a toner reception port that is a developer reception opening. The toner discharge port and the toner reception port are communicated with each other. Thus, the toner is supplied to the process cartridge.

  By using a cartridge with a different useful life in this way, a consumable part can be efficiently replaced. However, since the process cartridge and the toner cartridge are separated from each other, the respective cartridges are separated from each other, which causes problems such as toner scattering.

  Thus, conventionally, a shutter mechanism provided with a shutter mechanism between a process cartridge and a toner cartridge has been proposed (Patent Document 1). In this case, an inlet shutter is provided at the toner inlet of the process cartridge, and an outlet shutter is provided at the toner outlet of the toner cartridge.

  That is, when the process cartridge receiving shutter is mounted on the process cartridge apparatus main body, the receiving opening is opened, and when the process cartridge is pulled out from the apparatus main body, the receiving opening is closed. In addition, the toner outlet of the toner cartridge also has an outlet shutter. When the toner cartridge is mounted on the main body, the outlet is opened, and when the toner cartridge is pulled out of the main body, the outlet is closed. And

  Incidentally, the gear on the toner cartridge (toner bottle) side and the gear outside the toner bottle mesh with each other. For this reason, when pulling out the toner cartridge (toner bottle) from the apparatus main body, it is necessary for the user to release the load of the meshing gear mechanism.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus that includes a cover that can be opened and closed, and by rotating the cover to rotate a drive motor or the like (Patent Document 2). That is, this image forming apparatus causes a drive motor or the like to function as a damper during the opening / closing operation of the cover.

  However, even if the drive motor or the like can function as a damper during the opening / closing operation of the cover, the load of the meshing gear mechanism is required when the toner bottle is pulled out from the apparatus main body. It cannot be canceled.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing a user's operation force when a toner cartridge (toner bottle) is taken out.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a developer container that contains a developer, an image forming unit that forms an image by receiving developer replenishment from the developer container, and the developer container in a closed state. And an openable and closable upper cover that allows the developer container to be taken out in an open state, the shutter member interlocking with opening and closing of the upper cover, the movement of the shutter member, the movement of the shutter mechanism to obtain switching the communication and non-communication between the developer receiving opening of the developer supply opening of the developer container and the image forming unit, the shutter member associated with the opening operation of the upper cap by, and a receiving member for pushing up the developing agent container, the upper cover is at the closed state, and meshing gear mechanism of the developer container side and the developer cartridge out of the gear mechanism, the upper When the cover is open, Meshing of pushed up by receiving the developer container is the member and the developer container side of the gear mechanism and the developer container out of the gear mechanism is shall be released.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the upper cover is opened, the developer container can be taken out, and the developer container can be replaced. In addition, by opening the upper cover, the user can release the load of the gear mechanism without directly releasing the gear mechanism, thereby reducing the user's operating force when taking out the developer container (toner bottle). Can be planned.

FIG. 3 is a main part simplified diagram illustrating a relationship between a developer container and an image forming unit in a closed state of an upper cover of the image forming apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a main part simplified view showing a relationship between a developer container and an image forming unit in an open state of an upper cover of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a whole block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in the said FIG. FIG. 2 is a simplified view of a state in which a developer container of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be taken out. FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a state in which an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be taken out. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the image forming apparatus shown in the said FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a main part showing a relationship between a developer container in a closed state of an upper cover of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment and an image forming unit. FIG. 8 is a simplified view of a state where an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7 can be taken out.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention according to embodiments shown in the drawings will be described.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows an image forming apparatus (color image forming apparatus) according to the embodiment. This image forming apparatus includes four developer containers (toner cartridges) 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d) that store toners of different colors as developers in a machine frame (image forming apparatus main body) 11. An image forming unit (process cartridge) 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) or the like as a developer receiving cartridge including a photosensitive drum as an image carrier and developing means is mounted.

  The image forming units 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, and 4 d are arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch in the lower part to the middle part of the image forming apparatus main body 11. In the image forming unit 4a and the like, a casing 21 includes a photosensitive unit 20 having a photosensitive drum (photosensitive member) and a developing unit (not shown) having a developing roller.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a developer receiving port 22 that receives the developer from the developer container 3 is formed in the casing 21. The receiving port 22 is configured with a through-hole portion of a protruding portion 24 protruding from the casing body 23. In FIGS. 1 and 2, one developer container 3 and one image forming unit 4 are also drawn for simplification of the drawings.

  The developing unit forms (develops) a toner image by transferring toner (developer). The photoreceptor unit 20 rotates and conveys the toner image and transfers it to an intermediate transfer belt (not shown). The developing unit converts the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor into a toner image (development), and the photoconductor rotates and conveys the toner image and superimposes and transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt. That is, a plurality of color toner images are formed by superimposing single color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt.

  A recording medium (not shown) such as paper or an OHP sheet is supplied from a paper feed tray to a second transfer device (secondary transfer roller) (not shown) at a timing. The single color or color toner image formed on the surface of the transfer belt provides a potential difference between the transfer belt and the second transfer device by applying a high potential to the second transfer device. As a result, the toner image formed on the surface of the transfer belt is transferred onto the recording medium.

  The recording medium onto which the toner image has been transferred is peeled off from the transfer belt, the toner image is melted and fixed on the recording medium by a fixing device (not shown), and is discharged to a paper discharge tray of the apparatus main body 11 by a paper discharge device (not shown). The

  Meanwhile, the four developer containers 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are held by a holding cover 2 that can be freely opened and closed. The holding cover 2 includes a bottom wall 2a, a rising wall 2b rising from the edge of the bottom wall 2a, and an outer flange portion 2c from the upper edge of the rising wall 2b on the developer container 3d side. A pivot shaft 13 supported by the image forming apparatus main body 11 is disposed on the outer casing 2c. For this reason, the holding cover 2 is swingable about the pivot shaft 13 in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 as shown in FIG.

  In this case, when the bottom wall 2a of the holding cover 2 is in a horizontal state as shown in FIG. 3, it is called a closed state, and as shown in FIG. A state where the image forming apparatus main body 11 can be taken out is called an open state. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus main body 11 is provided with a receiving member (not shown) that receives the cover 2 when the holding cover 2 is closed.

  Further, the developer container 3 is juxtaposed with the holding cover 2 at a predetermined pitch. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, when the holding cover 2 is closed, the developer containers 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are opposed to the image forming units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, respectively. .

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, through holes 25 are provided in the bottom wall 29 of the developer container 3, and through holes 26 facing the through holes 25 are provided in the bottom wall 2 a of the holding cover 2. Yes. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 24 constituting the receiving port 22 of the image forming unit 4 has a rush shape. Further, a seal member 28 having a through hole 27 is disposed between the through hole 25 and the through hole 26. The seal member 28 is made of urethane foam or felt, and is attached to the bottom wall 29 of the developer container 3.

  By the way, the through hole 26 in the bottom wall 2a of the holding cover 2 is in a state in which the protrusion 24 is fitted in the through hole 26 as shown in FIG. 6 in order to avoid interference with the protrusion 24 constituting the through hole 25. The size of the gap δ is defined.

  Since the holding cover 2 swings around the pivot shaft 13 in the directions of arrows A1 and A2, the through-hole 26 is sequentially moved from the one close to the pivot shaft 13 to the counter pivot shaft side. The opening size is reduced. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the opening dimension of the through hole 26 of the developer container 3a is E, the opening dimension of the through hole 26 of the developer container 3 is F, and the developer container 3c. E <F <G <H, where G is the opening dimension of the third through hole 26 and H is the opening dimension of the through hole 26 of the 3d developer container.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the radius from the pivot shaft 13 to the inner opening edge of the through hole 25 on the pivot shaft 13 side is R1, the pivot of the through hole 26 is on the locus of this radius. When the outer opening edge on the support shaft 13 side is located and the radius from the support shaft 13 to the anti-support support shaft side edge of the seal member 28 is R1 ′, on the trajectory of this radius, Set so that the inner opening edge on the pivot axis side is located. For this reason, an opening dimension can be set small sequentially from the thing close to the pivot shaft 13 to the anti-pivot shaft side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an openable / closable upper cover 1 that covers the upper portion of the developer container 3 in the closed state is disposed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 11. The upper cover 1 is pivotally supported on the pivot shaft 13. Therefore, the upper cover 1 swings in the directions of arrows B1 and B2 around the pivot shaft 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the apparatus main body 11 is covered, that is, in a closed state, and covers the upper portion of the developer container 3 held by the holding cover 2. Further, the developer container 3 held by the holding cover 2 is moved from the apparatus main body 11 by swinging the upper cover 1 in the arrow B1 direction from the state shown in FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. It can be taken out. 3 and 4, the upper cover 1 includes an upper wall 1 a and a peripheral wall 1 b that is suspended from the edge of the upper wall 1 a. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper cover 1 is simplified. I'm drawing it.

  In the developer container 3, a replenishment shutter 41 having a hole constituting a developer replenishing port 40 is arranged corresponding to the through hole 25 of the developer container 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the state where the developer supply port 40 corresponds to the receiving port 22 constitutes a communication state between the developer supplying port 40 of the developer container 3 and the developer receiving port 22 of the image forming unit 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the state where the developer supply port 40 does not correspond to the receiving port 22 constitutes a non-communication state between the developer supply port of the developer container and the developer receiving port 22 of the image forming unit 4.

  The image forming apparatus includes an opening / closing means 50 that switches between communication and non-communication between the developer supply port 40 of the developer container 3 and the developer receiving port 22 of the image forming unit 4. The opening / closing means 50 can be configured by a shutter mechanism S having a shutter member 51 interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the upper cover 1 and a front supply shutter 41.

  The shutter member 51 includes a main body portion 52, a bulging portion 53 that bulges on the upper surface of the main body portion 52, and a stopper 54 that hangs down on the lower surface of the main body portion 52. The shutter member 51 is connected to the upper cover 1 via the interlocking mechanism 55. In this case, the shutter member 51 can reciprocate in the horizontal plane in the directions of arrows C1 and C2 by a guide mechanism (not shown). The interlocking mechanism 55 includes a linear body 56 such as a wire rope, and a hook portion 57 that hooks the linear body 56. In this case, one end portion 56 a of the linear body 56 is connected to the main body portion 52 of the shutter member 51, and the other end portion 56 b is connected to the upper cover 1 by being hooked by the hook portion 57. The upper cover 1 and the other end portion 56b are connected in the vicinity of the pivot portion of the upper cover 1.

  A receiving member 58 for receiving the stopper 54 of the shutter member 51 is provided on the holding cover 2 side, and an elastic member 59 made of a coil spring or the like is disposed on the side of the stopper 54 opposite to the receiving member. Therefore, in the free state, the shutter member 51 is elastically pressed in the direction of the arrow C1 and the stopper 54 is in contact with the receiving member 58. In this state, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper cover 1 is in a closed state.

  If the upper cover 1 is swung in the direction of arrow B1 from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the open state as shown in FIG. 2, the linear body is moved along with the swinging of the upper cover 1 in the opening direction. One end portion 56a of 56 is sequentially drawn toward the hook portion 57 in the direction of arrow C2. Accordingly, the shutter member 51 slides in the direction of the arrow C2 against the elastic force of the elastic member 59.

  Further, by pulling the upper cover 1 in the arrow B2 direction from the open state of the upper cover 1 shown in FIG. 2, the pulling force in the arrow C2 direction toward the hook portion 57 side of the one end portion 56a of the linear body 56 is obtained. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the shutter member 51 slides in the direction of arrow C <b> 1 by the elastic force of the elastic member 59. Then, it slides until the stopper 54 comes into contact with the receiving member 58.

  By the way, the replenishment shutter 41 is pressed in the direction of the arrow C4 by an elastic material 60 such as a coil spring, and in the free state, the axis of the developer replenishment port 40 of the developer container 3 and the developer of the image forming unit 4. The axial center of the receiving port 22 is shifted.

  Further, the bulging portion 53 has a pressing surface 61 that presses the supply shutter 41 and a tapered surface 62 that inclines so as to become lower from the upper end of the pressing surface toward the anti-supply shutter side. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, when the upper cover 1 is closed, the supply shutter 41 is pressed in the direction of the arrow C3 by the pressing surface 61 of the bulging portion 53, and the developer is accommodated by this pressing. The state where the axis of the developer supply port 40 of the device 3 and the axis of the developer receiving port 22 of the image forming unit 4 coincide, that is, the developer supply port 40 and the developer receiving port 22 are in communication.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the upper cover 1 is in the open state, the shutter member 51 slides in the direction of the arrow C <b> 2 and the pressing surface 61 of the bulging portion 53 is separated from the replenishment shutter 41. As a result, the replenishment shutter 41 slides in the direction of the arrow C4 due to the elastic force of the elastic member 60, and the developer replenishing port 40 and the developer receiving port 22 are brought out of communication. Thus, when the non-communication state is established, the replenishment shutter 41 closes the through hole 25 of the bottom wall 29 of the developer container 3.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper cover 1 is provided with a pressing member 65 that elastically presses the developer container 3 in the closed state. The pressing member 65 includes a pressing element 65 a and an elastic material 65 b such as a coil spring interposed between the pressing element 65 a and the upper cover 1. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, in the closed state, the pressing member 65a of the pressing member 65 can press the image agent container 3 downward.

  Further, the developer container 3 is provided with a stopper 66, and the holding cover 2 is provided with a receiving portion 67. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, when the upper cover 1 is closed, the stopper 66 of the developer container 3 comes into contact with the receiving portion 67 of the holding cover 2 so that the developer container 3 is positioned in the vertical direction. Made.

  In the closed state shown in FIG. 1, the gear mechanism M1 on the developer container side and the gear mechanism M2 outside the developer container are engaged with each other. That is, the gear 70 of the gear mechanism M1 on the developer container 3 side is engaged with the gear 71 of the gear mechanism M2 on the holding cover 2 side. A motor gear 73 of the rotor 72 is connected to the gear 71.

  However, as shown in FIG. 2, when the upper cover 1 is in the open state, the meshing state between the gear mechanism M1 on the developer container side and the gear mechanism M2 outside the developer container is released. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when the upper cover 1 is opened and the shutter member 51 slides in the direction of the arrow C2, the developer container 3 is raised, and the gear mechanisms M1 and M2 are engaged. Canceled.

  In this case, a receiving member 74 is provided in the developer container 3, and when the shutter member 51 slides in the direction of the arrow C <b> 2, the tapered surface 62 that is a sliding contact portion of the bulging portion 53 of the shutter member 51 is received by this receiving member 74. The member 74 is slidably contacted (slided), and along with this sliding, the receiving member 74 extends and the developer container 3 is pushed up. At this time, the pressing of the developer container 3 by the pressing member 65 is released, and the stopper 66 is positioned above the receiving portion 67, so that the pushing-up of the developer container 3 is not restricted.

  In this manner, the shutter member 51 and the receiving member 74 can constitute the push-up mechanism 75 of the developer container 3, and the gear mechanism is formed by opening the upper cover 1 as shown in FIG. The mesh release of M1 and M2 can be performed. When the upper cover 1 is closed from the state shown in FIG. 2, the shutter member 51 slides in the direction of the arrow C <b> 1, and the tapered surface 62 that is the sliding contact portion of the bulging portion 53 of the shutter member 51 is received. The push-up force to the developer container 3 is released away from the member 74, the developer container 3 descends, returns to the state shown in FIG. 1, and the gear mechanisms M1 and M2 mesh.

  By the way, since the rotor 23 has a relatively large weight, it requires a meshing force between the gear 70 of the gear mechanism M1 on the developer container 3 side and the gear 71 of the gear mechanism M2 on the holding cover 2 side. In this case, this force is supplemented by the pressing force of the pressing member 65. That is, when the pressing force of the pressing member 65 is f1 and the meshing force is f2, f1> f2.

  In the image forming apparatus, when the upper cover 1 is opened, the developer container 3 can be taken out, and the developer container 3 can be replaced. Further, when the upper cover is in the closed state, the communication state between the developer supply port 40 of the developer container 3 and the developer receiving port 22 of the image forming unit 4 is ensured, and the developer in the developer container 3 is removed. It can be supplied to the image forming unit 4. When the upper cover 1 is in the open state, a non-communication state between the developer replenishing port 40 of the developer container 3 and the developer receiving port 22 of the image forming unit 4 is secured, and the developer in the developer container 3 is produced. Supply to the image unit 4 is stopped.

  When the upper cover is closed and the communication state between the developer supply port 40 of the developer container 3 and the developer receiving port 22 of the image forming unit 4 is secured, the gear on the developer container 3 side is secured. The state in which the mechanism M1 and the gear mechanism M2 outside the developer container 3 are meshed can be maintained, and the developer in the developer container 3 can be stirred and transported.

  As described above, when the upper cover 1 is changed from the closed state to the open state, the meshing with the gear mechanisms M1 and M2 is released, and the user who releases the load of the gear mechanisms M1 and M2 directly performs. There is no need. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the user's operation force when the developer container (toner bottle) 3 is taken out.

  By providing the push-up mechanism 75, the gear mechanisms M1 and M2 can be stably disengaged when the upper cover 1 is opened. Further, when the push-up mechanism 75 is configured by the shutter member 51 of the shutter mechanism S and the receiving member 74, the configuration can be simplified and the reliability of the mesh release operation can be improved. . That is, the receiving member 74 is disposed on the operating locus of the shutter member 51 and is moved (moved up and down) by the action of the shaft member 51 when the shutter member 51 is operated (moved). For this reason, as the push-up mechanism 75, the number of parts can be reduced and the arrangement space can be made compact, the enlargement of the image device can be prevented, and the cost can be reduced.

  Since the sliding contact portion of the bulging portion 53 is the tapered surface 62, the shutter member 51 can be smoothly slid and the operability can be improved.

  The apparatus having the replenishment shutter 41 can stably switch between the communication state and the non-communication state. Moreover, in the non-communication state, the developer supply port 40 can be closed (the supply shutter 41 closes the through hole 25 of the bottom wall 29 of the developer container 3), and the developer container 3 Can be stably performed.

  7 and 8, the push-up mechanism 75 is provided with a tapered surface 80 on the receiving member side. That is, the receiving member 74 is arranged to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane without making the upper surface of the bulging portion 53 of the shutter member 51 a tapered surface. Thus, the lower surface of the receiving member 74 is a tapered surface 80.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper cover 1 is closed (the supply shutter 41 is pressed against the pressing surface 61 of the bulging portion 53 of the shutter member 51, and the developer supply port 40 of the developer container 3. In the state where the developer receiving port 22 of the image forming unit 4 is in communication and the gear mechanisms M1 and M2 are engaged), the upper cover 1 is swung in the direction of the arrow B1 to open it. The shutter member 51 slides in the direction of arrow C2. By this sliding, the sliding contact portion of the bulging portion 53 of the shutter member 51 (in this case, the upper end edge on the anti-replenishment shutter side of the bulging portion 53) slidably contacts (slids) the tapered surface 80 of the receiving member 74, As a result, the developer container 3 is pushed up, and the meshing of the gear mechanisms M1 and M2 is released.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the upper cover 1 is in the open state and is swung in the direction of the arrow B2 so as to close the upper cover 1, the shutter member 51 is caused by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 59. , Slide in the direction of arrow C1. With this slide, the bulging portion 53 moves in the direction of the arrow C1, the push-up force of the developer container 3 is released, and the state shown in FIG. 1 is restored.

  Other configurations of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are the same as those of the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. For this reason, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the same members as those in the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  For this reason, the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has the same effect as the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the lower surface is formed on the tapered surface 80 by inclining the receiving member 74 with respect to the horizontal plane, but directly on the lower surface of the receiving member 74 without being inclined. A taper surface may be formed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, Of course, a various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. Examples of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention include an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, and a facsimile machine.

  In the embodiment, one of the sliding contact portion and the receiving member is a tapered surface, but the sliding portion of both may be a tape surface. Moreover, it is good also as R shape instead of such a taper surface. Even with this R shape, the shutter member 51 can be smoothly slid, and the operability can be improved. In the case of this R shape, only one of them can be an R shape, or both can be an R shape. The inclination angle and formation range of the taper surface, the radius of curvature of the R shape, the formation range, and the like are also smoothly slid (slided) to the other side as the shaft member 51 slides, so that the developer container. As long as 3 can be moved up and down smoothly, it can be varied.

  The pressing member 65 may be composed of an elastic material such as rubber or resin, without being composed of the pressing element 65a and the elastic material 65b. Further, the elastic member 59, the elastic material 60, and the like are not limited to the coil spring, and other various elastic materials can be used.

1 Upper cover 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d Developer container 4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d Image forming unit 22 Developer receiving port 40 Developer supplying port 41 Supply shutter 50 Opening / closing means 51 Shutter member 62 Tapered surface 74 Receiving member 75 Push-up mechanism 80 Tapered surfaces M1, M2 Gear mechanism S Shutter mechanism

JP 2001-222160 A JP 2003-140528 A

Claims (4)

A developer container that contains the developer, an image forming unit that forms an image by receiving developer replenishment from the developer container, and covers the top of the developer container in the closed state, and is in an open state An image forming apparatus provided with an openable and closable upper cover that allows the developer container to be taken out at
A shutter member interlocked with the opening and closing of the upper cover, the movement of said shutter member, and a shutter mechanism to obtain switching the communication and non-communication between the developer receiving opening of the developer supply opening and the image forming unit of the developer container, A receiving member that pushes up the developer container by the movement of the shutter member accompanying the opening operation of the upper cover, and a gear mechanism and developer on the developer container side when the upper cover is in a closed state When the gear mechanism outside the container is engaged and the upper cover is in the open state, the developer container is pushed up by the receiving member, and the gear mechanism on the developer container side and the gear outside the developer container an image forming apparatus comprising Rukoto engagement between mechanism is released. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member has a sliding contact portion that is in sliding contact with the receiving member, and at least one of the sliding contact portion and the receiving member has a tapered surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member has a sliding contact portion that is in sliding contact with the receiving member, and at least one of the sliding contact portion and the receiving member has an R shape. A replenishment shutter that constitutes a developer replenishing port; the replenishment shutter is restricted by the shutter member in the communication state to ensure a communication state; and the restriction is released to the shutter member in the non-communication state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a non-communication state is ensured.

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