JP6597587B2 - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus including the toner container.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine has a toner container for supplying toner to a developing device.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a toner cartridge that includes a toner bottle that contains toner, a cap that covers a mouth portion of the toner bottle, and a discharge fin that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion of the toner bottle. ing.

JP 2000-310901 A

  In Patent Document 1, a discharge fin is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion of the toner bottle. Therefore, even if the toner in the toner bottle can be loosened by the discharge fin, it is difficult to loosen the toner in the cap by the discharge fin, and there is a possibility that the toner is clogged in the cap.

  In Patent Document 1, the discharge fin is provided separately from the toner bottle. For this reason, the number of parts of the toner cartridge increases, which may increase the manufacturing cost of the toner cartridge.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress clogging of toner in the communication space of the cap while suppressing an increase in the number of parts of the toner container.

  A toner container according to the present invention has a storage space for storing toner, and is introduced from a container body that rotates around a rotation shaft, a communication space that communicates with the storage space, and the communication space to the communication space. And a cap that stops rotating when the container body rotates, and is formed integrally with the container body and protrudes radially outward from the container body. And a protrusion that moves in the communication space as the container body rotates.

  The protrusion may pass directly above the discharge port when moving in the communication space as the container body rotates.

  The container body is provided with a transport unit that transports the toner in the accommodation space from one side of the rotation axis direction to the other side with the rotation of the container body. A cutout is provided at the end on the side so as to communicate the housing space and the communication space, and the protrusion is directed radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the end on the other side in the rotation axis direction of the container body. It protrudes and the position of the direction of the rotation axis may overlap with the notch.

  The protrusion may be provided on the downstream side of the notch in the rotation direction of the container body and adjacent to the notch.

  An opening may be provided at an edge of the container body on the other side in the rotation axis direction, the notch may be provided continuously with the opening, and the cap may cover the opening.

  The toner container may further include a seal member interposed between the container body and the cap, and the protrusion may be disposed on the outer side in the rotation axis direction than the seal member.

  A flange projects from the outer peripheral surface of the container body, and a step is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cap on the outer side in the rotation axis direction than the flange. The seal member is formed between the flange and the step. The end portion on the radially outer side of the protrusion may be located between the end portion on the radially outer side of the flange and on the radially inner side.

  The toner container further includes a shutter that moves along a lower surface of the cap and opens and closes the discharge port, and a part of the communication space is in a state where the shutter closes the discharge port. It may be located between the main body and the shutter.

  The rotation of the cap may be stopped during the rotation of the container body.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the toner container and a mounting portion on which the toner container is detachably mounted.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress clogging of toner in the communication space of the cap while suppressing an increase in the number of parts of the toner container.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a toner container and a mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a rear view illustrating a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is VV sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a container main body and a protrusion in the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a shutter and its periphery in the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the toner fixed in the lower region of the communication space is lifted by a protrusion in the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state immediately after the toner fixed to the lower region of the communication space is lifted by a protrusion in the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a container body and protrusions in a toner container according to another different embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a container body and protrusions in a toner container according to still another different embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an MFP 1 (an example of an image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U, Lo attached to the respective drawings respectively indicate the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side of the multifunction machine 1.

  First, the overall configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes a box-shaped multifunction machine body 2 (an example of an apparatus body). An image reading device 3 for reading a document image is provided at the upper end portion of the multifunction machine main body 2.

  A paper discharge tray 4 is provided on the upper part of the multifunction machine main body 2. An intermediate transfer belt 5 and four image forming units 6 are accommodated in a substantially central portion of the multifunction machine main body 2. Each image forming unit 6 corresponds to, for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner. Each image forming unit 6 includes a photosensitive drum 7 (an example of an image carrier) and a developing device 8. An exposure apparatus 10 is accommodated in the lower part of the multifunction machine main body 2. At the lower end of the multi-function device main body 2, a paper feed cassette 11 for storing paper S (an example of a recording medium) is stored.

  A transport path P for the paper S is provided on the right side of the multifunction machine main body 2. A paper feed unit 12 is provided at the upstream end of the transport path P. A secondary transfer unit 13 is provided in the middle portion of the transport path P. A fixing device 14 is provided in the downstream portion of the transport path P.

  Four toner containers 15 (an example of a toner container) are accommodated below the paper discharge tray 4 in the upper part of the multifunction machine main body 2. Each toner container 15 corresponds to, for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner. The four toner containers 15 are detachably mounted on the four mounting portions 16 provided on the upper part of the multifunction machine main body 2.

  Next, an example of the operation of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.

  First, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7 of each image forming unit 6 by light from the exposure apparatus 10 (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 1). This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 8 of each image forming unit 6. As a result, the toner image is carried on the photosensitive drum 7. This toner image is primarily transferred from the photosensitive drum 7 of each image forming unit 6 to the intermediate transfer belt 5. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5.

  Further, the paper S taken out from the paper feed cassette 11 by the paper feed unit 12 is transported downstream in the transport path P and enters the secondary transfer unit 13. In the secondary transfer unit 13, the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is secondarily transferred to the paper S. The sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is further conveyed downstream along the conveyance path P and enters the fixing device 14. In the fixing device 14, the toner image is fixed on the paper S. The paper S on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 4.

  Next, the four toner containers 15 will be further described. Since the configuration of each toner container 15 is the same, only one toner container 15 will be described below, and description of the remaining three toner containers 15 will be omitted. An arrow O appropriately attached to each drawing after FIG. 2 indicates an outer side in the front-rear direction of the toner container 15, and an arrow I added appropriately in each drawing after FIG. 2 indicates an inner side in the front-rear direction of the toner container 15.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the toner container 15 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 16 along the mounting direction Z from the front side toward the rear side. The mounting direction Z is parallel to the front-rear direction. Hereinafter, in the description of each part of the toner container 15, “front side in the mounting direction” refers to the front side in the mounting direction Z, and back side in the mounting direction Z when described as “back side in the mounting direction”. Point to.

  3 to 5, the toner container 15 includes a container main body 21, a transmission member 22 mounted on the outer periphery of the rear portion of the container main body 21, a cap 23 provided on the rear side of the transmission member 22, a cap A shutter 24 provided on the lower side of the cap 23, a seal member 25 accommodated in the center of the cap 23, and a protrusion 26 accommodated in the rear portion of the cap 23.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the container body 21 of the toner container 15 has a cylindrical shape that is long in the front-rear direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the longitudinal direction of the container body 21. The container body 21 is provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis X extending in the front-rear direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the rotation axis direction of the container body 21. Hereinafter, in the description of each part of the toner container 15, “radially outer side” refers to the side away from the rotation axis X, and “radial direction inner side” refers to the side closer to the rotation axis X. Point to.

  The container body 21 is provided to be rotatable in a rotation direction RD that is clockwise when viewed from the front. Hereinafter, in the description of each part of the toner container 15, “upstream side in the rotational direction” refers to the upstream side in the rotational direction RD, and “downstream side in the rotational direction” refers to the downstream side in the rotational direction RD. Point to.

  At the front end of the container main body 21 (the end on the one side in the front-rear direction and the end on the front side in the mounting direction), a gripping portion 31 protrudes toward the front side. The grip portion 31 is a portion that is gripped when an operator such as a user or a serviceman attaches or detaches the toner container 15 to or from the mounting portion 16.

  On the outer peripheral portion of the container main body 21, a conveying portion 32 is provided so as to protrude radially inward. The conveyance unit 32 is spirally continuous from the front (portion on one side in the front-rear direction) to the rear (portion on the other side in the front-rear direction) of the container body 21.

  With reference to FIG. 5, a stepped portion 33 is provided at the rear of the container main body 21. The outer diameter of the portion on the front side of the stepped portion 33 in the container main body 21 is larger than the outer diameter of the portion on the rear side of the stepped portion 33 in the container main body 21. A first reduced diameter portion 34 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion of the container body 21 on the rear side of the step portion 33. The outer diameter of the first reduced diameter portion 34 gradually decreases toward the rear side. An annular flange 35 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion of the container body 21 on the rear side of the first reduced diameter portion 34. A second reduced diameter portion 36 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion of the container body 21 on the rear side of the flange 35. The outer diameter of the second reduced diameter portion 36 gradually decreases toward the rear side.

  An accommodation space S <b> 1 is formed inside the container body 21. In the storage space S1, toner (developer) is stored. Note that an arrow A appropriately attached to each drawing indicates a toner conveyance direction in the accommodation space S1.

  Referring to FIG. 6, an opening 37 is provided at the rear edge (the edge on the other side in the front-rear direction) of the container body 21. The opening 37 allows the accommodation space S1 to communicate with the external space in a state where the cap 23 is not assembled to the container body 21.

  A pair of base portions 39 </ b> A and 39 </ b> B are provided at the rear end portion of the container body 21. The pair of base portions 39A and 39B are arranged at diagonal positions with the rotation axis X as the center. Each of the base portions 39A and 39B is curved in an arc shape with the rotation axis X as the center when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis X.

  A pair of notches 38A and 38B are provided at the rear end portion (end portion on the other side in the front-rear direction) of the container main body 21 at the formation interval of the pair of base portions 39A and 39B. The notches 38A and 38B are provided on the rear side of the first reduced diameter portion 34, the flange 35, and the second reduced diameter portion 36. Each notch 38 </ b> A, 38 </ b> B is provided continuously with the opening 37.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the transmission member 22 of the toner container 15 has a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis X as an axis. The rotation of the transmission member 22 relative to the container body 21 is restricted by a rotation prevention mechanism (not shown). The transmission member 22 is disposed between the step portion 33 of the container main body 21 and the cap 23, thereby restricting movement in the front-rear direction with respect to the container main body 21. A transmission gear 40 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the transmission member 22. The transmission gear 40 is connected to a drive source 41 configured by a motor or the like.

  The cap 23 of the toner container 15 is fixed to the mounting unit 16 in a state where the toner container 15 is mounted on the mounting unit 16, and the rotation is restricted. A rear end portion of the container body 21 is rotatably inserted inside the cap 23 in the radial direction.

  A communication space S <b> 2 is provided in the rear portion of the cap 23 on the rear side (front-rear direction outer side) of the seal member 25. The communication space S <b> 2 is an annular space provided on the radially outer side of the rear end portion of the container body 21. The communication space S <b> 2 communicates with the accommodation space S <b> 1 of the container main body 21 via the pair of notches 38 </ b> A and 38 </ b> B of the container main body 21. The communication space S <b> 2 includes a lower region S <b> 2 </ b> A located below the rear end portion of the container main body 21.

  The cap 23 includes a main body portion 43 and a closing portion 44 that closes a rear surface (a front surface in the front-rear direction) of the main body portion 43.

  The main body 43 of the cap 23 has a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis X as an axis. A step 46 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 43 on the rear side (front and rear direction outer side) of the flange 35 of the container main body 21. A discharge port 47 is provided in the lower rear portion of the main body 43. The discharge port 47 is provided below the lower region S2A of the communication space S2, and communicates with the communication space S2. The discharge port 47 is provided along the vertical direction (a direction orthogonal to the toner conveyance direction in the accommodation space S1).

  The closing part 44 of the cap 23 extends along the vertical direction. The closing portion 44 is opposed to the rear edge portion of the container body 21 with a slight gap. The closing part 44 covers an opening 37 provided at the rear edge of the container body 21.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the shutter 24 of the toner container 15 has a shape that is long in the front-rear direction. The shutter 24 is supported by the cap 23. Referring to FIG. 5, the shutter 24 has a position for closing the discharge port 47 of the cap 23 (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) and a position for opening the discharge port 47 of the cap 23 (see the solid line in FIG. 5). , And is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the lower surface of the main body 43 of the cap 23. The shutter 24 is located below the lower region S2A of the communication space S2 with the discharge port 47 of the cap 23 closed.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the seal member 25 of the toner container 15 has an annular shape. The seal member 25 is provided on the outer periphery of the second reduced diameter portion 36 of the container main body 21. The seal member 25 is interposed between the flange 35 of the container body 21 and the step 46 of the cap 23 in a compressed state. At least a part of the seal member 25 is made of an elastic material such as urethane foam.

  The protrusion 26 of the toner container 15 is disposed on the rear side (outside in the front-rear direction) of the seal member 25. The protrusion 26 is formed integrally with the container body 21. An end portion on the radially outer side of the protrusion 26 is located on a radially inner side with respect to an end portion on the radially outer side of the flange 35 of the container body 21. The position of the protrusion 26 in the front-rear direction entirely overlaps with the position in the front-rear direction of the notches 38A and 38B (only the notch 38B is shown in FIG. 5) of the container body 21. Specifically, the rear end portion of the protrusion 26 is positioned in front of the rear end portions of the notches 38A and 38B (inward in the front-rear direction), and the front end portion of the protrusion 26 is the front end of the notches 38A and 38B. It is located on the rear side (front-rear direction outside) from the part. A gap G <b> 1 is provided between the rear end portion of the protrusion 26 and the rear edge portion of the container body 21.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the protrusion 26 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protrusion 26 protrudes outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 39A provided at the rear end portion of the container main body 21. The circumferential length of the protrusion 26 is shorter than the circumferential length of the base portion 39A. That is, the protrusion 26 protrudes from a part of the base portion 39A in the circumferential direction. The protrusion 26 is provided downstream of the notch 38A in the rotation direction RD and adjacent to the notch 38A. A gap G2 is provided between an end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the protrusion 26 and an end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the notch 38A.

  Next, an operation of supplying toner from the toner container 15 to the developing device 8 of the image forming unit 6 in the multi-function device 1 configured as described above will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when supplying toner from the toner container 15 to the developing device 8 of the image forming unit 6, the drive source 41 is driven with the shutter 24 opening the discharge port 47 of the cap 23. When the drive source 41 is driven in this way, the rotational driving force from the drive source 41 is transmitted to the transmission member 22, and the transmission member 22 rotates. When the transmission member 22 rotates in this way, the container body 21 rotates integrally with the transmission member 22. That is, the rotational driving force from the drive source 41 is transmitted to the container body 21 by the transmission member 22. Even when the container body 21 rotates, the rotation of the cap 23 and the shutter 24 is stopped.

  When the container main body 21 rotates as described above, the protrusion 26 rotates integrally with the container main body 21 and moves in the communication space S <b> 2 of the cap 23. Each time the projection 26 passes through the lower region S2A of the communication space S2, it passes directly above the outlet 47 of the cap 23.

  Further, when the container main body 21 rotates as described above, the toner in the accommodation space S1 of the container main body 21 is moved to the front side (one side in the front-rear direction) by the transport unit 32 of the container main body 21 as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. To the rear side (the other side in the front-rear direction). The toner thus transported by the transport unit 32 is discharged from the storage space S1 through the notches 38A and 38B of the container body 21, and is introduced into the communication space S2 of the cap 23. The toner thus introduced from the accommodation space S1 into the communication space S2 is discharged to the outside of the toner container 15 through the discharge port 47 of the cap 23 as shown by an arrow B in FIG. The developing device 8 of the image forming unit 6 is replenished via a not-shown).

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the protrusion 26 protrudes radially outward from the container main body 21, and the protrusion 26 moves in the communication space S <b> 2 as the container main body 21 rotates. Therefore, the toner solidified in the communication space S2 can be loosened by the protrusions 26, and the toner can be prevented from being clogged in the communication space S2.

  Further, as described above, the protrusion 26 is formed integrally with the container body 21. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts of the toner container 15, and accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost of the toner container 15.

  Further, when the protrusion 26 moves in the communication space S <b> 2 as the container body 21 rotates, the protrusion 26 passes immediately above the discharge port 47 of the cap 23. Therefore, the toner loosened and dropped by the protrusion 26 is smoothly discharged to the outside of the toner container 15 through the discharge port 47 of the cap 23. Along with this, it becomes possible to increase the toner discharge efficiency.

  Further, the position of the protrusion 26 in the front-rear direction entirely overlaps with the position of the notches 38A, 38B of the container body 21 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the toner introduced from the accommodation space S1 to the communication space S2 through the notches 38A and 38B can be easily loosened by the protrusions 26.

  The protrusion 26 is provided on the downstream side of the notch 38A in the rotation direction RD and adjacent to the notch 38A. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, immediately after the solidified toner (refer to the reference symbol Ta) in the lower region S2A of the communication space S2 is lifted by the protrusion 26, the toner (refer to the reference symbol Tb) in the accommodation space S1. It will be introduced into the lower region S2A of the communication space S2 through the notch 38A. Therefore, the toner in the storage space S1 can be smoothly introduced into the lower region S2A of the communication space S2, and the toner discharge efficiency can be further increased.

  Further, an opening 37 is provided at the rear edge portion (the edge portion on the other side in the front-rear direction) of the container body 21, and the notches 38 </ b> A and 38 </ b> B are provided continuously with the opening 37. Therefore, the notches 38A and 38B can be easily formed. Further, since the closing portion 44 of the cap 23 covers the opening 37 of the container main body 21, a large amount of toner is introduced from the accommodation space S1 to the communication space S2 through the opening 37 of the container main body 21 at a time. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the clogging of the toner in the communication space S2.

  Further, the protrusion 26 is disposed on the rear side (front-rear direction outer side) of the seal member 25. Therefore, the shape and size of the protrusion 26 are not easily restricted by the seal member 25, and the degree of freedom of the shape and size of the protrusion 26 can be increased.

  Further, the seal member 25 is interposed between the flange 35 of the container body 21 and the step 46 of the cap 23. Therefore, the seal member 25 can be positioned with a simple configuration. Further, the end portion on the radially outer side of the protrusion 26 is located on the radially inner side with respect to the end portion on the radially outer side of the flange 35. Therefore, when the operator assembles the cap 23 on the container main body 21, the protrusion 26 can be prevented from interfering with the inner peripheral surface of the main body 43 of the cap 23.

  Further, the shutter 24 moves along the lower surface of the main body 43 of the cap 23 and opens and closes the discharge port 47 of the cap 23. Therefore, toner leakage from the discharge port 47 of the cap 23 can be suppressed.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, when the shutter 24 closes the discharge port 47 of the cap 23 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5), the lower region S2A of the communication space S2 is connected to the rear end portion of the container body 21 and the shutter. 24. Therefore, the toner stored in the lower region S2A of the communication space S2 is sandwiched between the rear end portion of the container body 21 and the shutter 24, and accordingly, is stored in the lower region S2A of the communication space S2. There is a risk that the toner may be hardened. However, in this embodiment, even if the toner accommodated in the lower region S2A of the communication space S2 is somewhat solidified, the solidified toner can be loosened by the protrusions 26, so that the toner in the lower region S2A of the communication space S2 Can be prevented from clogging.

  Further, the rotation of the cap 23 is stopped when the container body 21 is rotated. By adopting such a configuration, the projection 26 can be moved relative to the cap 23 as the container body 21 rotates. Accordingly, the toner in the communication space S2 can be effectively loosened by the protrusions 26.

  In addition, the multifunction machine 1 includes a toner container 15 and a mounting portion 16 to which the toner container 15 is detachably mounted. By adopting such a configuration, the toner container 15 can be easily replaced.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion 26 is provided adjacent to the notch 38A on the downstream side of the notch 38A in the rotation direction RD. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a protrusion 26 may be provided on the upstream side of the notch 38A in the rotation direction RD and adjacent to the notch 38A. In still another different embodiment, the protrusion 26 may be provided at a position not adjacent to the notches 38A and 38B.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion 26 protrudes from the base portion 39 </ b> A of the container body 21, and the protrusion 26 does not protrude from the base portion 39 </ b> B of the container body 21. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the protrusions 26 may protrude from the plurality of base portions 39A and 39B, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, one protrusion 26 protrudes from one base portion 39A. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, a plurality of protrusions 26 may protrude from one base portion 39A.

  In the present embodiment, the circumferential length of the protrusion 26 is shorter than the circumferential length of the base portion 39A. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the circumferential length of the protrusion 26 may be the same as the circumferential length of the base portion 39A. That is, the protrusion 26 may protrude from the entire circumferential direction of the base portion 39A.

  In the present embodiment, a gap G <b> 1 is provided between the rear end portion of the protrusion 26 and the rear edge portion of the container main body 21. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the interval may not be provided between the rear end portion of the protrusion 26 and the rear edge portion of the container body 21.

  In the present embodiment, a gap G2 is provided between the end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the protrusion 26 and the end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the notch 38A. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the gap G2 may not be provided between the end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the protrusion 26 and the end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the notch 38A.

  In the present embodiment, the position in the front-rear direction of the protrusion 26 entirely overlaps with the position in the front-rear direction of each notch 38A, 38B of the container body 21. On the other hand, in other different embodiments, the position of the protrusion 26 in the front-rear direction may partially overlap with the position of the notches 38A and 38B of the container body 21 in the front-rear direction, or the protrusion 26 may extend in the front-rear direction. The position does not have to overlap with the positions in the front-rear direction of the notches 38A and 38B of the container body 21.

  In the present embodiment, when the protrusion 26 moves in the communication space S <b> 2 with the rotation of the container body 21, the protrusion 26 passes directly above the discharge port 47 of the cap 23. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, when the protrusion 26 moves in the communication space S2 as the container body 21 rotates, the protrusion 26 may pass obliquely above the discharge port 47 of the cap 23, or the like. .

  In the present embodiment, the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine 1 has been described. On the other hand, in another different embodiment, the configuration of the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus other than the multifunction machine 1 such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile.

1 MFP (an example of an image forming device)
15 Toner container (example of toner container)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 Mounting part 21 Container body 23 Cap 24 Shutter 25 Seal member 26 Protrusion 32 Conveying part 35 Flange 37 Opening 38A, 38B Notch 46 Step 47 Discharge port S1 Housing space S2 Communication space X Rotating shaft

Claims (7)

A container body having a storage space for storing toner and rotating around a rotation axis;
A cap that has a communication space that communicates with the storage space, and a discharge port that discharges toner introduced from the storage space into the communication space, and that stops rotating when the container body rotates.
Formed integrally with the container body, protrudes radially outward from the container body, and includes a protrusion that moves in the communication space as the container body rotates .
When the protrusion moves in the communication space with the rotation of the container body, the protrusion passes directly above the discharge port,
The container body is provided with a transport unit that transports the toner in the accommodation space from one side to the other side in the rotation axis direction as the container body rotates.
At the end of the container body on the other side in the rotational axis direction, a notch for communicating the accommodation space and the communication space is provided,
The protrusion protrudes radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the other end of the container body in the rotation axis direction, and the position in the rotation axis direction overlaps the notch. Toner container. The toner container according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is provided on the downstream side of the notch in the rotation direction of the container main body and adjacent to the notch. An opening is provided in an edge of the container body on the other side in the rotational axis direction,
The notch is provided continuously with the opening;
The cap, the toner container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it covers the opening. A seal member interposed between the container body and the cap;
The projection, the toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is arranged in the rotation axis direction outside than the sealing member. A flange is protruded from the outer peripheral surface of the container body,
On the inner peripheral surface of the cap, a step is provided on the outer side in the rotation axis direction than the flange,
The seal member is interposed between the flange and the step;
5. The toner container according to claim 4 , wherein an end portion on the radially outer side of the protrusion is located on a radially inner side with respect to an end portion on the radially outer side of the flange. A shutter that moves along a lower surface of the cap and opens and closes the discharge port;
Some of the communication space in a state where the shutter is closed the discharge opening, any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that positioned between said container body and the shutter The toner container according to 1. A toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting portion on which the toner container is detachably mounted.

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