Mounting device for powder container, image forming apparatus, and powder container

Abstract

The present invention provides an installation device for a powder container, an image forming apparatus, and a powder container. The installation device for the powder container includes: a powder container that houses powder; and a device main body that has: a mounting portion; a receiving port; an opening / closing lid; and an engaging portion that is engaged in a state where the opening / closing lid closes the receiving port. The powder container has, at a portion where it can approach the opening / closing lid during a pressing operation, a protrusion that faces a part of the opening / closing lid and an engaging release portion that releases the engaged state of the engaging portion at a position rearward of the protrusion. The opening / closing lid has: a holding portion that houses the protrusion and holds the protrusion so as to be detachable; and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion during a pulling operation and elastically deforms when contacting the engaging release portion during a pressing operation, thereby releasing the engaged state with the engaging portion. The powder container is arranged such that the protrusion can move away from the engaging release portion during a pulling operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a powder container mounting device, an image forming device, and a powder container. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a technique for solving a problem such as leakage of a developer that occurs in connection with a replacement operation of a detachably mounted cartridge unit, a container, or the like, techniques described in, for example, the following three patent documents are known.

[0003] Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2006-91284 describes an image forming device as follows: that is, the image forming device has an image carrier, a developing device, a colorant box for supplying colorant to the developing device, and a retainer for retaining at least one of the image carrier and the developing device, and has a processing box that is arranged on the main body of the image forming device in a manner that can be freely loaded and unloaded. In addition, Patent Document 1 describes the following: that is, the retainer has a guide portion that allows the colorant box to slide approximately parallel to the length direction of the image carrier, the colorant box has a colorant supply port that is opened and closed in conjunction with the sliding movement of the colorant box and a colorant supply port cover that opens and closes the colorant supply port, the developing device has a colorant receiving port and a colorant receiving port cover that opens and closes the colorant receiving port, the colorant supply port cover and the colorant receiving port cover have an opening and closing mechanism that is opened and closed along the loading and unloading direction of the colorant box in conjunction with the loading and unloading of the colorant box relative to the developing device in the length direction, the colorant supply port cover is opened later than the colorant receiving port cover, and the colorant receiving port cover is closed later than the colorant supply port cover.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-298879 describes an image forming device as described below: that is, the image forming device comprises: a loading and unloading body mounting component, which has a main body side opening for developer to flow in, and a main body side opening and closing component for opening and closing the main body side opening, and is supported by an image forming device main body; a loading and unloading body, which can be loaded and unloaded on the loading and unloading body mounting component, and has a storage portion for storing developer inside, a loading and unloading body side opening that is connected to the main body side opening when the loading and unloading body is installed so that the developer in the storage portion flows into the main body side opening, and a loading and unloading body side opening and closing component for opening and closing the loading and unloading body side opening, and when the loading and unloading body is loaded and unloaded, the main body side opening is arranged at a height higher than the same height as the loading and unloading body side opening in the vertical direction; and a sealing portion, which, when the loading and unloading body is installed, is held in a compressed state between a front end edge of the loading and unloading body side opening in front of the loading and unloading body mounting direction and a rear end surface of the main body side opening and closing component in the loading and unloading body mounting direction, and seals between the front end edge and the main body side opening and closing component.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-98501 describes a developing device and the like, which includes a developing device main body and a developer cartridge detachably mounted on the developing device main body. Patent document 3 describes the following: that is, the developer box has a shell component for storing the developer, a supply port provided in the shell component, and a first switch for opening and closing the supply port; the developing device main body has a frame for storing the developer supplied from the developer box, a receiving port provided in the frame, and a second switch for opening and closing the receiving port by operating in conjunction with the first switch; the first switch and the second switch are constructed such that the first opening portion and the second opening portion respectively have a first opening portion and a second opening portion, and the supply port and the receiving port are opened by moving in the same moving direction as each other so that the first opening portion and the second opening portion are respectively opposite to the supply port and the receiving port, and when the supply port and the receiving port are opened, the end of the second opening portion in the moving direction is located forward of the end of the first opening portion in the moving direction, and the second switch opens the receiving port earlier than the first switch opens the supply port, and the second switch closes the receiving port later than the first switch closes the supply port. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure provides an installation device for a powder container, an image forming device having the installation device, and a powder container, which can reliably move an opening and closing cover to a position for closing a receiving port, the receiving port receiving powder supplied from the powder container, the opening and closing cover opening and closing the receiving port, and moving in a closing direction in conjunction with a pulling operation of the powder container.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a powder container mounting device, the powder container mounting device comprising:

[0008] a powder container that contains powder; and

[0009] The device body comprises: a mounting portion, on which the powder container is detachably mounted by a pressing operation and a pulling operation; a receiving port, which receives powder supplied from the powder container mounted on the mounting portion; an opening and closing cover, which moves in an opening direction and a closing direction in conjunction with the pressing operation and the pulling operation of the powder container to open and close the receiving port; and a locking portion, with which the opening and closing cover is locked when the receiving port is closed.

[0010] The powder container has a protrusion facing a part of the opening and closing cover at a position close to the opening and closing cover during the push-in operation, and an engagement release portion for releasing the engagement state of the engagement portion at a position behind the protrusion.

[0011] The opening / closing lid has: a holding portion that houses the protrusion and holds the protrusion so as to be detachable; and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion during the pulling operation and contacts the engagement releasing portion during the pressing operation to be elastically deformed, thereby releasing the engaged state with the engaging portion.

[0012] The powder container is arranged such that the protrusion can move in a direction away from the engagement releasing portion during the pulling operation.

[0013] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the protrusion is configured to move a distance during the pulling operation, and this distance ensures the length required to stay in a state of being housed in the holding portion before the engagement releasing portion separates from the engaged portion.

[0014] According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the protrusion is configured to move a distance during the pulling operation, and this distance ensures the length required to stay in a state of being housed in the holding portion before the engaged portion engages with the engaging portion.

[0015] According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the protrusion is configured to move between a housing position, which is located inside the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the powder container, and a protruding position, which protrudes outward from the end portion.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the powder container has a sliding support portion at an end portion in its longitudinal direction, and the sliding support portion supports the protrusion so as to be slidable in a direction in which the protrusion moves, and the protrusion is mounted on the sliding support portion in a slidable manner.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the protrusion is configured to be blocked at the protruding position.

[0018] According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the protrusion is provided on a moving body, and the moving body is supported so as to be slidable relative to the sliding support portion, and a locking portion is provided in the moving body, and when the moving body moves a certain distance in a direction away from the engagement releasing portion, the locking portion locks with a part of the sliding support portion to limit the movement.

[0019] According to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image forming apparatus having the above-described "powder container mounting device".

[0020] According to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a powder container for the above-described "powder container mounting device".

[0021] Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the first aspect, the open / close cover can be reliably moved to a position closing a receiving port for receiving powder supplied from a powder container, the open / close cover opening and closing the receiving port and moving in a closing direction in conjunction with a pulling operation of the powder container.

[0023] According to the second scheme, compared with a case where the protrusion is not configured to move during the pulling operation a distance required to ensure that the protrusion stays in a state of being accommodated in the retaining portion before the engagement release portion leaves the engaged portion, the opening and closing cover that moves in conjunction with the pulling operation of the powder container can be more reliably moved to the position of closing the receiving port.

[0024] According to the third scheme, compared with a case where the protrusion is not configured to move during the pulling operation to ensure that it stays in a state of being accommodated in the retaining portion before the engaged portion engages with the engaging portion, the opening and closing cover that moves in conjunction with the pulling operation of the powder container can be more reliably moved to the position of closing the receiving port.

[0025] According to the fourth aspect, the protrusion can be moved to the storage position, and it is possible to avoid the protrusion being damaged due to accidental contact during the transportation or installation of the powder container when moving to the storage position.

[0026] According to the fifth scheme, the protrusion can be movably provided with a simple structure, compared with a structure in which the powder container has a sliding support portion that supports the protrusion so as to be able to slide in the direction in which the protrusion moves, and the protrusion is mounted on the sliding support portion in a sliding manner.

[0027] According to the sixth aspect, the projection does not fall off the powder container when it moves toward the protruding position, and the openable and closable cover can be reliably moved to the position closing the receiving port during the pulling operation of the powder container.

[0028] According to the seventh aspect, the projection does not fall off from the powder container when it moves in a direction away from the engagement release portion, and the open-close cover can be reliably moved to a position closing the receiving port during the pulling operation of the powder container.

[0029] According to the image forming device of the eighth scheme, in the installation device of the powder container, the opening and closing cover can be reliably moved to the position of closing the receiving port, which receives the developer supplied from the powder container. The opening and closing cover opens and closes the receiving port and moves in the closing direction in conjunction with the pulling operation of the powder container.

[0030] According to the powder container of the 9th scheme, in the installation device for installing the powder container, the opening and closing cover can be reliably moved to the position of closing the receiving port, and the receiving port receives the developer supplied from the powder container. The opening and closing cover opens and closes the receiving port, and moves in the closing direction in conjunction with the pulling operation of the powder container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0032] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a structure of a part of an image forming apparatus.

[0033] Figure 3 It is a schematic perspective view showing a developer container and its mounting device.

[0034] Figure 4 (A) is an enlarged view showing Figure 3 A perspective view of a state of a part of the mounting device (a state in which the opening and closing cover opens the receiving port), Figure 4 (B) is an enlarged view showing Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of another state of a part of the mounting device (a state in which the opening and closing cover closes the receiving port).

[0035] Figure 5 So when you look from the bottom side Figure 3 A perspective view showing a state in which a portion of the developer container is provided.

[0036] Figure 6 (A) is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the developer container is mounted on the mounting device and the opening and closing cover opens the receiving port. Figure 6 (B) is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the opening and closing cover closes the receiving port during the operation of pulling out the developer container from the mounting device.

[0037] Figure 7 (A) is a main part perspective view showing a state in which a protrusion in the developer container moves to a storage position, Figure 7 (B) is a main part perspective view showing a state where the protrusion moves to the protruding position.

[0038] Figure 8 (A) is a main part perspective view showing the structure of the sliding support portion of the projection in the developer container, Figure 8 (B) is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the protrusion, Figure 8 (C) is observed from below Figure 8 (B) is a bottom view showing the state of the protrusion.

[0039] Figure 9 is a side view of the main part showing the structure of the protrusion of the developer container.

[0040] Figure 10 is a schematic top view showing the state when the opening / closing lid closes the receiving port during the operation of pulling out the developer container.

[0041] Figure 11 is a schematic top view showing three states during the process of pulling out the developer container from the mounting portion of the mounting device.

[0042] Figure 12 is a bottom view and a side view showing the structure of the protrusion and the engagement release portion in the developer container of the comparative example.

[0043] Figure 13 is a schematic top view showing the state of a defect related to the opening / closing lid that occurs during the operation of pulling out the developer container of the comparative example from the mounting portion of the mounting device. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0044] Hereinafter, a mode for implementing the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0045] [Embodiment 1]

[0046] Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 1 shows the overall structure of the image forming apparatus 1, Figure 2 shows the structure of a part of the image forming apparatus 1 (mainly the image forming apparatus, the mounting device for the developer container, and the supply device).

[0047] In Figure 1 and other respective drawings, the arrows indicated by the reference numerals X, Y, and Z represent the respective directions of the width, height, and depth of the three-dimensional space assumed in each drawing. Further, in each drawing, the circular mark at the intersection of the arrows in the X and Y (or Y and Z) directions indicates the case where the Z (or X) direction is vertically downward with respect to the drawing.

[0048] <Structure of the Image Forming Apparatus>

[0049] The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that forms an image composed of toner as a developer on a sheet 9 as an example of a recording medium. The image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 is configured as, for example, a printer that forms an image corresponding to image information input from an external connection device such as an information terminal.

[0050] As Figure 1As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 has a housing 10 having a desired external shape, and within the internal space of the housing 10, there are: an image forming device 2 that forms a toner image based on image information; an intermediate transfer device 3 that temporarily holds and conveys the toner image formed by the image forming device 2 and then secondarily transfers the toner image onto a sheet of paper 9; a paper feeding device 4 that accommodates and feeds out the sheet of paper 9 to be supplied to the position where the secondary transfer by the intermediate transfer device 3 is performed; and a fixing device 5 that fixes the toner image secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device 3 onto the sheet of paper 9.

[0051] Here, the image information is, for example, information related to images such as characters, graphics, photographs, patterns, etc. In addition, the housing 10 is a structure formed into a desired shape by various support members, exterior materials, etc. Figure 1 The single-dot chain line with an arrow, etc. shows the main conveyance path when conveying the sheet of paper 9 within the housing 10.

[0052] The image forming device 2 is composed of four image forming devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K that are respectively dedicated to forming toner images of the four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

[0053] All four image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) have a photosensitive drum 21, which is an example of an image holding unit, that rotates in the direction shown by arrow A, and are configured such that devices such as a charging device 22, an exposure device 23, developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K), a primary transfer device 25, and a drum cleaning device 26 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 21. In Figure 1 this, only for the black (K) image forming device 2K are all the reference numerals 21 to 26 described, and for the other color image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C), only a part of the reference numerals 21 to 26 are described.

[0054] Among them, the charging device 22 is a device that charges the outer peripheral surface (the surface on which image formation can be performed) of the photosensitive drum 21 to a desired surface potential. The exposure device 23 is a device that forms an electrostatic latent image of a desired color component (Y, M, C, K) by performing exposure based on image information on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The developing device 24 is a device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with a developer (toner) of a corresponding specified color (Y, M, C, K) according to the Y, M, C, K schemes and respectively forms toner images of the four specified colors.

[0055] In addition, the primary transfer device 25 is a device that electrostatically transfers the toner images of each color formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to the intermediate transfer device 3 (intermediate transfer belt 31). The drum cleaning device 26 is a device that removes unnecessary substances such as unnecessary toner and paper powder attached to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by scraping and cleans the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0056] In these image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K), each part where the photosensitive drum 21 (strictly speaking, the intermediate transfer belt 31 of the intermediate transfer device 3) faces the primary transfer device 25 constitutes a primary transfer position TP1 for primary transfer of the toner image.

[0057] In these four image forming devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, for example, when receiving an instruction for an image forming operation to form a multicolor image composed of toner images of the above four colors (Y, M, C, K), that is, a so-called full-color image, for each photosensitive drum 21 rotating in the direction shown by arrow A in these image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K), a charging operation based on the charging device 22, an exposure operation based on the exposure device 23, a developing operation based on the developing device 24 (Y, M, C, K), etc. are respectively performed.

[0058] Thereby, four-color toner images decomposed into four color components (Y, M, C, K) are respectively formed on the photosensitive drums 21 in the image forming devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K. Then, the four-color toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 21 are conveyed to the primary transfer position TP1 by the rotation of the photosensitive drums 21.

[0059] The intermediate transfer device 3 is configured to convey the toner image to a position where it is secondarily transferred onto the paper 9 after holding the toner images of each color formed by the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) through primary transfer. The intermediate transfer device 3 is disposed inside the frame 10 on the lower side of the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K).

[0060] In addition, the intermediate transfer device 3 has an intermediate transfer belt 31, and the toner image is primarily transferred from each photosensitive drum 21 in the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) and held on the intermediate transfer belt 31. The intermediate transfer belt 31 is supported by a plurality of support rollers 32a to 32f disposed inside it and rotates (moves around) in the direction shown by arrow B while sequentially passing through the primary transfer positions of the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K).

[0061] Among them, the support roller 32a is configured as a drive roller that receives rotational power from a drive device (not shown) and rotates, the support roller 32b is configured as a surface exposure roller (surface exposing roll) that cooperates with the support roller 32a to hold the belt position (surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 31 when passing through the primary transfer position, and the support roller 32c is configured as a tension roller.

[0062] In addition, the support roller 32d is configured as a surface exposure roller before the secondary transfer of the intermediate transfer belt 31, the support roller 32e is configured as a secondary transfer assist roller, and the support roller 32f is configured as a surface exposure roller after passing through the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer belt 31. When the support roller 32e is configured as a roller that supplies the secondary transfer voltage, the secondary transfer voltage is supplied from a power supply device (not shown).

[0063] In addition, a primary transfer device 25 in each image forming device 2 (Y, M, C, K) is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 31. The primary transfer device 25 is a component that constitutes a part of the intermediate transfer device 3. The primary transfer device 25 is composed of a primary transfer roller and the like, and a primary transfer current is supplied to the primary transfer roller from a power supply device (not shown).

[0064] In addition, a secondary transfer device 35 that allows the paper 9 to pass through and secondarily transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 onto the paper 9 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 31 supported by the support roller 32e. The secondary transfer device 35 is composed of a secondary transfer roller and the like.

[0065] Furthermore, a belt cleaning device 36 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 31 supported by the support roller 32a. The belt cleaning device 36 removes unnecessary substances such as unnecessary toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 after the secondary transfer and cleans the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31.

[0066] In this intermediate transfer device 3, the portion where the secondary transfer device 35 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 constitutes a secondary transfer position TP2 for secondary transfer of the toner image.

[0067] The paper feeding device 4 is a device configured to house and send out the paper 9 to be supplied to the secondary transfer position TP2 of the intermediate transfer device 3. The paper feeding device 4 is disposed inside the housing 10 at a position lower than the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K).

[0068] In addition, the paper feeding device 4 is constituted by arranging equipment such as a housing 41 for housing the paper and a sending device 43.

[0069] The housing 41 has stacking plates 42 that stack and house multiple sheets of paper 9 in a required direction, and is a housing component that is installed to be pulled out of the frame 10 to enable operations such as replenishing the paper 9. The feeding device 43 is a device that feeds the sheets of paper 9 stacked on the stacking plates 42 of the housing 41 one by one through feeding devices such as multiple rollers.

[0070] The paper 9 can be ordinary paper, coated paper, thick paper, or other recording media that can be conveyed inside the frame 10 and can be subjected to transfer and fixing of toner images, and there are no particular restrictions on its material, form, etc.

[0071] Between the paper feeding device 4 and the secondary transfer position TP2 of the intermediate transfer device 3, a paper feeding conveyance path Rt1 is provided that conveys and supplies the paper 9 located in the paper feeding device 4 to the secondary transfer position TP2. A plurality of conveying rollers 44a to 44c that clamp and convey the paper 9, and a plurality of guiding members (not shown) that ensure the conveying space of the paper 9 and guide the conveyance of the paper 9 are configured to form the paper feeding conveyance path Rt1.

[0072] In the intermediate transfer device 3, the four-color toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 21 in the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) are subjected to the primary transfer action of the primary transfer device 25, and are respectively primary transferred to be sequentially superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 that rotates in the direction shown by the arrow B, and then are conveyed to the secondary transfer position TP2. On the other hand, in accordance with the timing of the formation and conveyance of the toner images, the required paper 9 is conveyed to the secondary transfer position TP2 via the paper feeding conveyance path Rt1 after being fed out from the paper feeding device 4.

[0073] Thus, at the secondary transfer position TP2 in the intermediate transfer device 3, the toner images that are primary transferred and conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 31 are subjected to the transfer action of the secondary transfer device 35 and are secondary transferred together onto a single surface of the paper 9.

[0074] The fixing device 5 is a device configured to fix the toner images secondary transferred by the intermediate transfer device 3 onto the paper 9. The fixing device 5 is arranged inside the frame 10 at a position below the downstream side in the conveying direction of the paper 9 starting from the secondary transfer position TP2 of the intermediate transfer device 3.

[0075] In addition, devices such as a heating rotating body 51 and a pressing rotating body 52 are arranged in the internal space of the frame 50 where the paper inlet and outlet are provided to form the fixing device 5.

[0076] The rotating body 51 for heating is a rotating body formed in the shape of a roller, a belt-pad, etc. that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow, and its outer surface is heated by a heating unit (not shown) to maintain it at a required temperature. The rotating body 52 for pressing is a rotating body formed in the shape of a roller, a belt-pad, etc. that rotates in such a way as to contact the rotating body 51 for heating at a required pressure and follow the rotating body 51 for heating. The rotating body 52 for pressing can be heated by a heating unit.

[0077] In this fixing device 5, the portion where the rotating body 51 for heating contacts the rotating body 52 for pressing is configured as a nip portion (fixing processing portion) FN that performs processing such as heating and pressing for fixing the toner image of the unfixed image onto the paper 9.

[0078] Between the secondary transfer position TP2 of the intermediate transfer device 3 and the fixing device 5, there is provided a relay conveyance path Rt2 that relays and conveys the paper 9 after the secondary transfer to reach the fixing device 5. For example, an attracting type belt conveyance device 46 or the like is arranged to constitute this relay conveyance path Rt2.

[0079] In addition, between the fixing device 5 and the discharge port 13, there is provided a discharge conveyance path Rt3 that conveys the paper 9 after fixing to the discharge port 13 of the paper 9 in the frame body 10 and discharges it to a paper discharge storage portion (not shown). A pair of conveyance rollers and discharge rollers (not shown), and a plurality of guide members (not shown) that guide the conveyance of the paper 9 are arranged to constitute this discharge conveyance path Rt3.

[0080] In the fixing device 5, the paper 9 after the secondary transfer in the secondary transfer device 35 is introduced into the fixing processing portion in the fixing device 5 via the relay conveyance path Rt2.

[0081] Thereby, the paper 9 undergoes the fixing process of the fixing device 5 for fixing the toner image, and a full-color image is formed on one side thereof. Finally, the paper 9 after fixing is discharged to a paper discharge storage portion (not shown) via the discharge conveyance path Rt3.

[0082] In this image forming apparatus 1, by the above operations, one sheet of paper 9 on which a full-color image is formed is output. In addition, according to the image forming apparatus 1, for example, a monochromatic image such as a monochromatic black image can also be formed.

[0083] <Structure of the developer container and its mounting device, etc.>

[0084] In addition, as Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, in the image forming apparatus 1, a required amount of the corresponding color developer is supplied from the developer containers 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K to the respective developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K) in the image forming device 2 (Y, M, C, K). The developer containers 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K contain, by color, a developer as an example of a powder body.

[0085] According to the embodiment of the developer containers 8 (Y, M, C, K), the developer containers 8 (Y, M, C, K) are replaceable cassette-type storage containers and are used by being detachably mounted on the mounting device 6. When the developing device 24 uses a two-component developer, the developer containers 8 (Y, M, C, K) contain, by color separation, toner of any one of the four colors (Y, M, C, K) or toner containing a small amount of carrier as the developer.

[0086] The developer stored in the developer container 8 is supplied to the respective developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K) via supply devices 7 respectively arranged below the mounting device 6. Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the figure, reference numeral 75 is a supply conveyance pipe, and the supply conveyance pipe is provided to convey the developer supplied from each supply device 7 to the respective developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K).

[0087] As Figure 2 shown, the supply device 7 has a housing 71. The housing 71 has a receiving port 72 formed on the top surface portion. The receiving port 72 receives the developer supplied from the developer container 8 through the mounting device 6. Inside the housing 71, the developer is circulated by two parallelly arranged and rotating conveying members 73A and 73B, and the developer located inside the housing 71 is sent out toward the developing device 24 by a sending member 74 arranged at a position between the conveying members 73A and 73B and rotating at a required time.

[0088] In addition, as Figure 2 shown, the supply operation of the developer to the developing device 24 at this time is performed in the following manner: That is, the amount of the developer stored in the developing device 24 (for example, the amount of toner in the case of a two-component developer) is detected by the detection unit 28. When the control unit 15 sends this detection information and determines that the toner is insufficient, the control unit 15 controls the time required to drive a motor 612 or the like that rotates the sending member 74.

[0089] In addition, developer is also supplied from the developer container 8 to the supply device 7. The supply operation of the developer to the supply device 7 is performed in the following manner: that is, the amount of developer contained in the frame 71 of the supply device 7 is detected by the detection unit 78, and when the detection information is sent to the control unit 15, the control unit 15 controls the conveying unit that sends out the developer in the developer container 8, the motor 611 that rotates the container itself, etc. to drive the required time.

[0090] <Structure of developer container>

[0091] Among them, Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, each of the developer containers 8 (Y, M, C, K) is composed of a cylindrical container body 81 and an end portion holder 82 that rotatably holds the inner end portion of the container body 81 in the longitudinal direction.

[0092] A rectangular discharge port (not shown) for discharging the contained developer is provided at the inner end portion in the longitudinal direction of the container body 81 (the end portion where the end retainer 82 is mounted). Spiral grooves 81b and 81c are provided at the same pitch on the outer peripheral surface of the container body 81 in a manner that is not connected in the middle and does not interfere with each other. The spiral grooves 81b and 81c are formed to protrude in a spiral shape inside the container body 81, thereby being able to function as a conveying protrusion for conveying the contained developer toward the discharge port when the container body 81 rotates in a certain direction. A handle portion 81d is provided at the end portion near the front side in the longitudinal direction of the container body 81, which is formed to be recessed in a manner that the user can hold it with his hand.

[0093] The end holding body 82 is composed of a substantially cylindrical body with one end opened.

[0094] An opening 83 having substantially the same size and shape as those of the discharge port is provided in a portion of the container body 81 of the end retainer 82 corresponding to the discharge port (not shown).

[0095] The end retaining body 82 is provided with a container opening and closing cover 84 for opening and closing the opening portion 83. The container opening and closing cover 84 is a rectangular plate-shaped member, and is slidably mounted on the end retaining body 82 so as to open and close the opening portion 83 by moving in the opening direction E1 and the closing direction E2 in conjunction with the pushing operation and the pulling operation of the developer container 8. Figure 5 The reference numeral 82f in the figure denotes a bottom surface portion constituted by a substantially flat surface of the end retaining body 82, is a portion where the above-mentioned opening portion 83 is formed, and constitutes an area to which the container opening and closing cover 84 moves when opening the opening portion 83.

[0096] On both sides of the end holding body 82 across the container opening / closing lid 84, there are provided guide protrusions 82d and 82e for guiding the movement during the loading and unloading of the developing agent container 8. The guide protrusions 82d and 82e are formed as protrusions that extend linearly along the movement direction during the loading and unloading of the developing agent container 8. Figure 5 The reference numeral 82g in Figure 5 is a fixing piece portion for fixing the end holding body 82 to the container main body 81. The fixing piece portion 82g is formed as a snap-fit type piece portion having a shape that is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the end portion inside the container main body 81 and is engaged with the mounting groove 81e provided along the circumferential direction thereof.

[0097] In addition, as Figure 3 , Figure 5 and so on show, according to the scheme of the developing agent container 8 (Y, M, C, K), during the press-fitting operation when installed in the installation device 6, it can approach the portion of the opening / closing lid 63 in the installation device 6, and has protrusions 86 facing a part of the opening / closing lid 63 (the holding portion 66 described later), and engaging release portions 87A and 87B for releasing the engaged state of the engaged portions (67A, 67B) of the opening / closing lid 63 described later at a position behind the protrusion 86.

[0098] The protrusion 86 achieves the following effect: It functions to mainly move the opening / closing lid 63 in the installation device 6 in the closing direction D2.

[0099] As Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 and so on show, the protrusion 86 is provided to protrude a predetermined length downward (for example, in the direction of gravity) near the bottom of the inner end portion 82b of the end holding body 82 in the developing agent container 8 when the developing agent container 8 is installed and used. In addition, the protrusion 86 is formed as a cylindrical protrusion, for example.

[0100] As Figures 5 to 7 and so on show, the engaging release portions 87A and 87B are provided as tabs that protrude a required length along the movement directions C1 and C2 during the loading and unloading of the developing agent container 8 from the inner end corners of the container opening / closing lid 84 in the developing agent container 8.

[0101] The engaging release portions 87A and 87B are configured to be able to elastically deform so that the front end portions of the protrusions contact the engaged portions (67A, 67B) in the opening / closing lid 63, and form a state in which the engaged portions (67A, 67B) are bent in opposite directions to the left and right (refer to the state shown in Figure 13 ).

[0102] <Structure of the Installation Device for the Developing Agent Container>

[0103] As for the mounting devices 6 for the developer containers 8, the mounting devices 6 for the four colors are configured in substantially the same manner.

[0104] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown in the figures, the mounting device 6 includes a device body 60, which has: a mounting portion 61, on which the developer container 8 can be detachably mounted by a pressing operation and a pulling operation; a receiving port 62, which receives the developer supplied from the developer container 8 mounted on the mounting portion 61; an opening and closing cover 63, which moves in an opening direction D1 and a closing direction D2 in conjunction with the pressing operation and the pulling operation of the developer container 8 to open and close the receiving port 62; and a locking portion 65, which locks when the opening and closing cover 63 opens the receiving port 62.

[0105] Figure 3 The arrow C1 in the figure indicates the moving direction of the developer container 8 during the pushing operation, and the arrow C2 indicates the moving direction of the developer container 8 during the pulling operation.

[0106] Among them, the mounting portion 61 is the following structural part: a flat base 61a that is longer in one direction, a mounting frame 61b arranged on the base 61a and composed of a groove shape with a cross-section roughly bent downward, and a side wall portion 61c near the front side and a side wall portion 61d on the inner side arranged at both ends of the base 61a and the mounting frame 61b in the length direction (roughly along the direction indicated by the arrow Z).

[0107] like Figure 4 As shown in (A), a receiving port 62 consisting of a rectangular opening is provided near the end of the base 61a and the mounting frame 61b in the longitudinal direction (the direction indicated by the arrow Z). The receiving port 62 is formed in a state of penetrating both the base 61a and the mounting frame 61b.

[0108] The side wall portion 61c on the front side in the longitudinal direction (the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow Z) is provided with a mounting guide opening 61e for passing the developer container 8 when the developer container 8 is mounted or removed. A concave passage recess 61f is formed on the side wall portion 61c and the bottom of the mounting frame 61b and extends continuously in a straight line in the longitudinal direction, so that the container opening and closing cover 84 of the developer container 8 can pass through without contact.

[0109] On the left and right side surfaces of the mounting frame 61b above the passage recess 61f, there are provided linear guide steps (guide rails) 61g for guiding the moving direction of the developer container 8 during the push-in operation and the pull-out operation. The guided protrusions 82d and 82e of the end retainer 82 of the developer container 8 are respectively placed on the guide steps 61g and are guided by the guide steps 61g in a sliding manner.

[0110] Near the upper ends of the left and right side faces of the mounting frame 61b, a plurality of dot-shaped support portions 61j are provided at prescribed intervals on the left and right side portions above the passage recess 61f. The plurality of dot-shaped support portions 61j are configured to be contacted and passed by the guide protrusions 82d and 82e during the movement at the time of loading and unloading of the developer container 8, thereby maintaining the posture and position of the developer container 8 (the positional relationship with respect to the up, down, left, and right of the mounting device 6 with respect to the moving directions C1 and C2) in a required state. Further, a rotary support portion 61h is provided at the end of the side wall portion 61c near the front side of the mounting frame 61b, and a rotary roller for rotatably supporting the container body 81 in the developer container 8 is disposed on the rotary support portion 61h.

[0111] A coupling 61K is provided on the inner side wall portion 61d, and the coupling 61K is detachably connected to an unillustrated coupling at the inner end of the container body 81 in the developer container 8 to transmit rotational power.

[0112] Figure 3 And Figure 4 In the like, reference numeral 611 is a motor that generates rotational power to be transmitted to the coupling 61K, reference numeral 61m is a fixing and holding portion that holds the end body 82 in the developer container 8 when installed in a fixed state, and reference numeral 61n is a connection terminal portion (connector portion) that is coupled and connected to a storage unit such as a memory of the end body 82 equipped in the developer container 8.

[0113] Further, as Figure 4 , Figure 6 and the like show, a pair of left and right guide and support members 64A and 64B for guiding and supporting the movement of the opening and closing cover 63 and the container opening and closing cover 84 are provided at the bottom inside the mounting frame 61b. The guide and support members 64A and 64B are disposed on the left and right sides of the receiving port 62 and form a part of the inside of the passage recess 61f.

[0114] The guide and support members 64A and 64B are provided with an introduction guide portion 64C at the front end portion, and the introduction guide portion 64C has surfaces that are inclined so as to approach each other toward the inside thereof.

[0115] In addition, the guide support members 64A and 64B are provided with housing and holding portions 64d in the portion that is continuous from the introduction guide portion 64C to the inner side. When the container opening / closing lid 84 closes the discharge port in the developer container 8, the housing and holding portions 64d house and hold the left and right end portions of the container opening / closing lid 84 in the stopped state respectively. The housing and holding portions 64d are provided in a form that is recessed toward the left and right sides. The front-end portion of the housing and holding portion 64d is configured as an end portion locking portion 64e, and the front-end corners 89A and 89B of the container opening / closing lid 84 are detachably locked to the end portion locking portion 64e.

[0116] The guide support members 64A and 64B are provided with a pair of left and right support portions 64f in the portion that forms the inner side of the housing and holding portion 64d. When the opening / closing lid 63 moves in the opening direction D1 and the closing direction D2, the pair of left and right support portions 64f support and guide the left and right end portions of the opening / closing lid 63.

[0117] The pair of left and right support portions 64f are respectively composed of a lower support portion that supports and guides the lower portions of the left and right end portions of the opening / closing lid 63, and an upper support portion 64m that supports and guides the upper portions of the left and right end portions of the opening / closing lid 63.

[0118] The lower support portion is formed as a stepped portion that is linearly continuous from the front-end portion to the inner side end portion of the entire area that forms the support portion 64f. The upper support portion 64m is formed as a facing surface that faces at an interval and in parallel at a required distance above the lower support portion in the section from the front-end portion to the middle position on the inner side of the support portion 64f.

[0119] The front-end portion of the upper support portion is configured as the above-mentioned engaging portion 65 that engages in the state when the opening / closing lid 63 closes the receiving port 62. In Embodiment 1, as Figure 4 、 Figure 6 etc. show, they are respectively configured as a pair of left and right engaging portions 65A and 65B. The engaging portions 65A and 65B are configured as surfaces for hooking the hook portions of the engaged portion (67) described later in the opening / closing lid 63.

[0120] In addition, the inner side end portion 64h of the upper support portion is configured to function as a stopper for stopping the movement (blocking the movement of the stopping projection 63d described later) at a required position when the opening / closing lid 63 closes the receiving port 62.

[0121] As Figure 4 shown in (B) of, the bottom portion sandwiched by the front-end portions of the pair of left and right guide support members 64A and 64B of the mounting frame 61b is configured as a stopping area 61p for stopping the container opening / closing lid 84 at the position when the discharge port of the developer container 8 is closed. In addition, as Figure 4As shown in (B) of , the bottom portion sandwiched between the inner portions of the pair of left and right guiding and supporting members 64A and 64B of the mounting frame 61b is configured as a stopping region 61q for stopping the opening / closing cover 63 at the position when the receiving port 62 in the device main body 60 is opened.

[0122] Next, as shown in Figure 4 , Figure 6 and the like, the opening / closing cover 63 is formed of a plate-like member having a substantially rectangular planar shape, and the size of the substantially rectangular planar shape can cover the hidden receiving port 62.

[0123] As shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 and the like, the opening / closing cover 63 is mounted such that in a state where its left and right end portions are supported by a pair of left and right supporting portions 64g in the guiding and supporting members 64A and 64B, it can be guided to move in the direction D1 of opening the receiving port 62 and the direction D2 of closing the receiving port 62.

[0124] In addition, the opening / closing cover 63 has: a holding portion 66 that houses the protrusion 86 in the developing agent container 8 and holds the protrusion so as to be detachable; and an engaged portion 67 that engages with the engaging portion 65 (65A, 65B) during the pulling operation of the developing agent container 8 and contacts the engaging release portion 87 (87A, 87B) in the developing agent container 8 during the pressing operation of the developing agent container 8 and elastically deforms to release the engagement with the engaging portion 65.

[0125] The holding portion 66 has a holding frame formed with a housing space 66a, and the housing space 66a is formed of a substantially elliptical planar space that is longer in the directions D1 and D2 in which the opening / closing cover 63 moves when opening and closing, and the front-end portion of the housing space 66a is discontinuously formed as an access gap 66b for the protrusion 86 to enter and exit. For example, consider the case where the position relationship where the holding portion 66 does not contact the protrusion 86 when the movement relative to the mounting device 6 is completed is formed during the pressing operation of the developing agent container 8, etc., to set the length in the longitudinal direction of the housing space 66a. The access gap 66b is set to a gap slightly narrower than the width (diameter, etc.) dimension of the protrusion 86.

[0126] In addition, the front-end portion of the holding portion 66 provided with the access gap 66b expands left and right due to elastic deformation when the protrusion 86 passes through, and thus is formed in a shape that floats away from the surface of the opening / closing cover 63 (refer to Figure 4 and the like). In addition, a pair of tentacles 66c that extend linearly in a manner of opening to the left and right toward the front side of the holding portion 66 are provided at the front-end portion of the holding portion 66 provided with the access gap 66b.

[0127] The pair of tentacles 66c are configured to be in a free state without contacting other parts when the opening / closing lid 63 is in the position closing the receiving port 62. Thus, the access gap 66b is not inhibited from deforming by the tentacles 66c, and is easily elastically deformed so as to expand outward in the left and right directions, facilitating the access of the projection 86 to and from the accommodation space 66a. On the other hand, when the tentacles 66c move in the direction D1 in which the opening / closing lid 63 opens the receiving port 62, or during the process of moving in the direction D2 of closing the receiving port 62, they are in a state of approaching or contacting the inner side wall surfaces of the guiding and supporting members 64A and 64B.

[0128] Thus, the deformation of the access gap 66b is inhibited by the tentacles 66c, and the situation of elastically deforming so as to expand outward in the left and right directions is restricted, inhibiting the access of the projection 86 to and from the accommodation space 66a.

[0129] As Figure 4 , Figure 6 shown in (B) of etc., the engaged portions 67 in the opening / closing lid 63 are configured as a pair of left and right engaged portions 67A and 67B, and the pair of left and right engaged portions 67A and 67B are provided to project forward (in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow Z) from the left and right ends of the opening / closing lid 63 with a required length while leaving a gap.

[0130] The front end portions of the engaged portions 67A and 67B that project are formed into hook shapes for hooking that are bent outward to the left and right respectively.

[0131] In addition, the engaged portions 67A and 67B are configured to be elastically deformable inwardly respectively when the projecting portions thereof are subjected to the releasing action of the later-described releasing portion (87) of the developer container 8 (refer to Figure 10 the dotted-line arrow in Figure 13 ).

[0132] In addition, as Figure 4 shown in (A) of Figure 6 etc., the opening / closing lid 63 is provided with stop projections 63d that project upward with a required length at the left and right corner portions on its inner side respectively.

[0133] As Figure 6 shown in (B), the stop projection 63d is configured to contact the end portion 64h of the inner stopper of the upper support portion 64m among the guiding and supporting members 64A and 64B when moving in the direction D2 of closing the receiving port 62 by the opening / closing lid 63, thereby blocking the further movement in the closing direction D2.

[0134] And when closing the receiving port 62, as Figure 4 shown in (B) of Figure 6As shown in (B), the opening / closing lid 63 moves to a position above the receiving port 62 (accompanying the pulling operation of the developer container 8) and stops, and remains in a state where the engaged portions 67A and 67B at the left and right end portions on the front side thereof are engaged with the inner end portions 64h of the upper support portions 64m of the guide support members 64A and 64B.

[0135] Thereby, the opening / closing lid 63 is in a state where movement in the direction D1 to open the receiving port 62 is blocked, and thus the receiving port 62 remains closed.

[0136] On the other hand, when opening the receiving port 62, as shown in (A) of Figure 4 , Figure 6 the opening / closing lid 63 moves away from above the receiving port 62 and moves to a position of a pair of left and right support portions 64g inside the guide support members 64A and 64B (accompanying the pressing operation of the developer container 8) and remains stopped. In addition, at the stage where the installation of the developer container 8 is completed, the two protruding end portions 85b inside the bottom surface portion 85 forming the discharge port of the developer container 8 come into contact with the front end portion of the opening / closing lid 63 and remain in a staying state.

[0137] Thereby, the opening / closing lid 63 is in a state where movement in the direction D2 to close the receiving port 62 is blocked, and thus the receiving port 62 remains open.

[0138] <Action of installing the developer container into the installation device>

[0139] The installation of the developer container 8 into the installation device 6 is performed by a pressing operation starting from the inner end portion (end holding body 82) of the developer container 8 and moving in the direction shown by the arrow C1 from the installation guide port 61e of the front side wall portion 61c in the installation portion 61 of the device main body 60.

[0140] In this pressing operation, the developer container 8 is set in the following state: the container opening / closing lid 84 at the inner end portion thereof faces downward and passes through the passage recess 61f, and the guided protrusions 82d and 82e in the end holding body 82 are placed on the guide step portions (guide rails) 61g in the installation frame 61b of the installation portion 61 and are supported by the guide step portions (guide rails) in a guided manner, and on this basis, the developer container 8 is pressed into the inside of the installation frame 61b.

[0141] Next, during the middle of this pressing operation, the engagement release portions 87A and 87B of the container opening / closing lid 84 of the developer container 8 come into contact with the engaged portions 67A and 67B of the opening / closing lid 63 of the installation device 6 (refer to Figure 10 ).

[0142] At this time, when the developer container 8 is further moved in the moving direction C1 by a pressing operation, the protruding front end portions of the engagement release portions 87A and 87B are in a state of being elastically deformed so as to be bent inward respectively, and the engagement with the engagement portions 65A and 65B is released (see Figure 10 Or Figure 13 ).

[0143] In addition, at this time, the protrusion 86 of the end holding body 82 of the developer container 8 is in a state of being elastically deformed so as to expand the access gap 66b in the holding portion 66 of the opening / closing lid 63 to the left and right, and enters the accommodation space 66a in the holding portion 66 and is accommodated (see Figure 10 ).

[0144] Next, when the developer container 8 is further moved in the moving direction C1 by a pressing operation, the left and right end portions of the container opening / closing lid 84 are accommodated in a pair of left and right accommodation holding portions 64d on the front side of the guide support members 64A and 64B in the mounting frame 61b of the mounting portion 61, and the movement accompanying the pressing operation of the container opening / closing lid 84 is stopped (see Figure 10 ).

[0145] Then, when the developer container 8 is further moved in the moving direction C1 by a pressing operation, with the container opening / closing lid 84 remaining, the end holding body 82 and the bottom surface portion 85 in the developer container 8 move in the moving direction C1.

[0146] During this movement, a state is formed in which the two protruding end portions 85b inside the bottom surface portion 85 of the developer container 8 contact the front end portion of the opening / closing lid 63, and the opening / closing lid 63 having the engaged portions 67A and 67B whose engagement with the engaging portions 65A and 65B is released moves into a pair of left and right support portions 64f inside the guide support members 64A and 64B and is accommodated.

[0147] As Figure 6 shown in (A) of, the engaged portions 67A and 67B in the opening / closing lid 63 when moving into the support portion 64f are maintained in a state where the protruding front end portions are elastically deformed inward and bent and move in a state of contacting the side wall portions in the support portion 64f of the guide support members 64A and 64B.

[0148] At this time, as Figure 6 shown in (A) etc. of, the opening / closing lid 63 comes into contact with the inner side wall portion 61d in the accommodating portion 61 and stops. In addition, at this time, the opening / closing lid 63 is in a state of being pressed by the two protruding end portions 85b of the bottom surface portion 85 in the developer container 8 contacting the front end portion thereof.

[0149] In addition, at this time, as shown in (A) of Figure 6 the projection 86 in the developer container 8 is held in a state of being received in the accommodation space 66a in the opening / closing lid 63.

[0150] Furthermore, at this time, the developer container 8 is in a state where a coupling (not shown) in the end holding body 82 thereof is connected to the coupling 61K of the inner side wall portion 61d in the accommodating portion 61. In addition, it is in a state where a storage unit such as a memory (not shown) in the end holding body 82 is connected to the connection terminal portion 61n located on the side wall portion 61d. Furthermore, it is in a state where the upper single side of the end holding body 82 is held by the fixing holding portion 61m located on the side wall portion 61d.

[0151] Thus, the developer container 8 is installed in the installation portion 61 of the installation device 6.

[0152] At this time, in the developer container 8, as shown in (A) of Figure 6 the container opening / closing lid 84 is in a state of moving in the direction E1 and stopping, and thus is in a state of opening a discharge port (not shown) in the developer container 8. The direction E1 is opposite to the moving direction C1 based on the pressing operation of the developer container 8 and is the front side with respect to the container main body 81 or the end holding body 82.

[0153] In addition, in the installation device 6 at this time, as shown in (A) of Figure 6 the opening / closing lid 63 is in a state of moving in the direction D1 in the installation portion 61 and stopping, and thus is in a state of opening the receiving port 62 in the installation portion 61. The direction D1 is the same direction as the moving direction C1 based on the pressing operation of the developer container 8.

[0154] <Action of Removing the Developer Container from the Installation Device>

[0155] In addition, place a finger on the handle portion 81d at the front end portion of the container main body 81 of the developer container 8, and perform a pulling operation of moving in the direction shown by the arrow C2 from the installation guide port 61e of the side wall portion 61c in the installation portion 61 of the device main body 60, thereby removing the developer container 8 from the installation device 6.

[0156] When starting this pulling operation, the two protruding end portions 85b located on the bottom surface portion 85 of the developer container 8 are in a state of moving away from the front end portion of the opening / closing lid 63.

[0157] Thus, the opening / closing lid 63 is in a state where it can move in the direction D2 of closing the receiving port 62 within the support portions 64f of the guide support members 64A and 64B.

[0158] Next, when the developer container 8 starts to move in the direction shown by the arrow C2 by a pulling operation, the container opening / closing lid 84 remains stationary, and the end holding body 82 and the bottom surface portion 85 in the developer container 8 start to move in the moving direction C2.

[0159] At this time, the protrusion 86 in the developer container 8 that is received in the accommodation space 66a of the holding portion 66 moves toward the access gap 66b side and comes into contact with the opening / closing lid 63 (refer to Figure 10 ), so the opening / closing lid 63 is subjected to a pulling action based on the pulling operation of the developer container 8 by the protrusion 86, and thus starts to move in the direction D2 of closing the receiving port 62.

[0160] Next, a state is formed in which the bottom surface portion 85 in the developer container 8 is engaged with a part of the container opening / closing lid 84.

[0161] Specifically, protrusions 85c (refer to Figure 6 (B) of Figure 8 (A) of Figure 10 ) that are provided to protrude outward from the left and right end portions on the inner side of the bottom surface portion 85 come into contact with tabs 84c that protrude inward from the left and right end portions on the inner side of the container opening / closing lid 84 respectively during the movement of the pulling operation of the developer container 8 and are engaged.

[0162] At this stage, the container opening / closing lid 84 becomes a state in which an unillustrated discharge port in the developer container 8 is closed.

[0163] As a result, in the developer container 8, a state is formed after the bottom surface portion 85 and the container opening / closing lid 84 are integrated. Therefore, when the developer container 8 is further moved in the moving direction C2 by a pulling operation in this state, the left and right end portions of the container opening / closing lid 84 come out of the left and right pair of accommodation holding portions 64d on the near front side of the guide support members 64A and 64B in the mounting portion 61 and move in the moving direction C2 along with the movement of the developer container 8.

[0164] Next, when the engaged portions 67A and 67B in the opening / closing lid 63 pass through the near front end portions of the support portions 64f of the guide support members 64A and 64B, the engaged portions 67A and 67B become the following state: the state of elastic deformation is restored, and the protruding front end portions thereof are hooked on the engaging portions 65A and 65B at the near front end portions of the support portion 64f located near the upper support portion 64m and are engaged (refer to Figure 6 (B) of

[0165] At this stage, the opening / closing lid 63 becomes a state in which the receiving port 62 in the mounting portion 61 is opened.

[0166] At this time, the corners 89A and 89B of the container opening / closing lid 84 change from the state of being engaged with the end engaging portion 64e to a state in which the end engaging portion 64e is elastically deformed and bent so as to open toward the outer sides in the left and right directions, and the engaged state is released (see Figure 6 etc. of (B)). The end engaging portion 64e is provided in a hook shape at the front end portion in the housing and holding portion 64d of the guide and support members 64A and 64B. As a result, the corners 89A and 89B of the container opening / closing lid 84 are in a state where they can be pulled out from the housing and holding portion 64d of the guide and support members 64A and 64B.

[0167] The inclined surface of the mountain-shaped deformation guide tab 82h provided by protruding from the bottom of the end holding body 82 of the developer container 8 contacts the deformation assisting projection 64f provided on the upper surface of the end engaging portion 64e, and a part of the end engaging portion 64e is elastically deformed and bent so as to open toward the outer sides in the left and right directions (the direction indicated by the solid arrow), thereby releasing the engagement of the end engaging portion 64e at this time (see Figure 10 ).

[0168] Then, when the developer container 8 is further moved in the moving direction C2 by a pulling operation, the developer container 8 is pulled out toward the front side of the mounting frame 61b while the guided protrusions 82d and 82e in the end holding body 82 are supported and guided while being placed on the guide step portion 61g in the mounting portion 61.

[0169] At this time, when the protrusion 86 in the developer container 8 enters the accommodation space 66a of the holding portion 66 of the opening / closing lid 63 and is accommodated, the protrusion 86 functions to move the opening / closing lid 63 further in the direction D2 of closing the receiving port 62. However, in this case, the stop protrusions 63d at the left and right corners on the inner side of the opening / closing lid 63 contact the inner end portion 64h of the upper support portion 64m in the support portion 64g of the guide and support members 64A and 64B, thereby suppressing the movement. As a result, even if the developer container 8 is further moved in the moving direction C2 by a pulling action, the opening / closing lid 63 remains in the support portion 64g of the guide and support members 64A and 64B and does not move.

[0170] Finally, the end holding body 82 passes through the mounting guide port 61e of the front side wall portion 61c in the mounting portion 61, and the developer container 8 is completely pulled out.

[0171] Through the above operations, the developer container 8 is removed from the mounting portion 61 of the mounting device 6.

[0172] At this time, in the developer container 8, as Figure 6As shown in (B) etc., the container opening / closing lid 84 is in a state of moving in the direction E2 and then stopping, and thus the discharge port (not shown) in the developer container 8 is in an open state. The direction E2 is opposite to the moving direction C2 of the developer container 8 based on the pulling operation, and is the inner side with respect to the container main body 81 or the end holding body 82.

[0173] In addition, in the mounting device 6 at this time, as Figure 6 shown in (B) etc., the opening / closing lid 63 is in a state of moving in the direction D2 in the mounting portion 61 and then stopping, and thus the receiving port 62 in the mounting portion 61 is in an open state. The direction D2 is the same as the moving direction C2 of the developer container 8 based on the pulling operation.

[0174] <Regarding the occurrence of malfunctions and countermeasures>

[0175] However, as the developer container 8, as Figure 12 shown, in the case of using the developer container 800 of the comparative example, the following malfunctions sometimes occur. The developer container 800 of the comparative example has the following structure: that is, a protrusion 860 is provided in a state of being fixed to the bottom of the end holding body 82, and the separation distance L between the protrusion 860 and the engagement release portion 87 (87A) in the container opening / closing lid 84 is set to be constant (L1).

[0176] That is, when the developer container 800 is removed from the mounting device 6, as Figure 13 illustrated, in the state where the front side corners 89 (89A) of the left and right ends of the container opening / closing lid 64 in the developer container 800 moving in the direction of the arrow C2 by the pulling operation are received in the receiving and holding portions 64d of the guide support members 64A, 64B, the protrusion 860 in the developer container 800 is pulled out from the receiving space 66a of the holding portion 66 in the opening / closing lid 63, and the engagement release portions 87A, 87B in the container opening / closing lid 64 come into contact with the engaged portions 67A, 67B in the opening / closing lid 63, and the engagement between the engaged portions 67A, 67B and the engaging portions 65A, 65B is released.

[0177] In addition, even in this state, the developer container 800 can move in the direction of the arrow C2 by continuing the pulling operation, and thus is finally removed from the mounting device 6.

[0178] Therefore, when this state occurs, the opening / closing lid 63 in the mounting device 6 is in a state where the engaged portions 67A, 67B are not engaged with the engaging portions 65A, 65, and thus is pushed back in the direction D1 for opening the receiving port 62. As a result, as Figure 13As illustrated by the single-dot dash line, it sometimes causes to stop in a state where the opening / closing lid 63 has opened at least a part 62x of the receiving port 62.

[0179] Therefore, in the first embodiment, as Figure 5 , 7 and the like show, as the developer container 8, a case where the protrusion 86 is movably provided in a direction away from the engagement release portion 87 during its drawing operation is applied.

[0180] As Figure 5 , Figures 7 to 9 and the like show, a sliding support portion 91 is provided at an end holding body 82 constituting one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 8, and the sliding support portion 91 supports the protrusion 86 so as to be slidable along directions G1 and G2 in which the protrusion 86 moves, and the developer container 8 is installed so that the protrusion 86 moves slidably along the sliding support portion 91. The direction G1 indicated by the arrow G1 is the direction when the protrusion 86 moves in a direction away from the engagement release portion 87. Figure 5 , Figure 9 The reference numeral 82j in

[0181] is an identification module key for preventing misinstallation provided in different modes for each color of the developer container 8. Figure 7 , Figure 8 As

[0182] and the like show, the protrusion 86 is constituted by providing a cylindrical portion 86a protruding toward the lower side thereof on a plate-shaped moving body 86c slidably supported with respect to the sliding support portion 91.

[0183] A support portion that also serves as reinforcement for the cylindrical portion 86a is provided on the root side of the cylindrical portion 86a. Figure 8 As

[0184] and the like show, the moving body 86c is formed of a flat plate-shaped member having a substantially rectangular planar shape. Figure 8 In addition, as Figure 8 in (B) of Figure 8 and the like show, the moving body 86c is provided, on the left and right end sides (one of the ends constituting the front side of the mounting device 6) supported by the sliding support portion 91, with engaging piece portions 86d, 86d that extend in a rod shape with a gap therebetween and whose free end sides can be elastically deformed in the left and right directions ( Figure 8 the directions of the two arrows shown in (C) of

[0185] As Figure 7 and the like show, the engaging piece portions 86d, 86d are formed with engaging protrusions 86e, 86e having a hook shape at their free ends, and the hook shapes protrude outward from the left and right sides beyond the width when the moving body 86c moves.Figure 8 As shown in (A), the sliding support portion 91 is configured as a box-shaped structure with one end open, and at the inner part of the bottom of the end portion 82b on the inner side of the end retaining body 82 (the bottom of the inner side of the flange portion), the one end of the structure supports the movable body 86c in a manner that enables the movable body 86c to move in the moving directions G1 and G2 of the protrusion 86.

[0186] The sliding support part 91 is a box-shaped structure mainly provided with a housing space as described below. The housing space is surrounded by a top plate part 91a, a bottom surface part 91c, etc., and can accommodate the entire moving body 86c. The top plate part 91a and the bottom surface part 91c support the moving body 86c from top to bottom so that it can slide. Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown in the figures, at the bottom of the end portion 82b on the inner side of the end retaining body 82, a notch portion 82k is provided with the aid of a portion of the bottom surface portion 91C of the sliding support portion 91, and the notch portion 82k is used to ensure a space for accommodating a cylindrical portion 86a, which constitutes a protrusion 86 provided on the lower surface of the movable body 86c.

[0187] Furthermore, the slide support portion 91 is provided with an opening 91 d through which the moving body 86 c passes in an emerging and retracting manner when moving, on a side surface portion corresponding to the end portion 82 on the inner side of the end holding body 82 .

[0188] Furthermore, the sliding support portion 91 is symmetrically provided with sliding openings 91e and 91e on the left and right side portions thereof for determining the sliding range of the locking projections 86e and 86e in the locking pieces 86d and 86d of the moving body 86c. Columnar stop corners 91f and 96f are provided at the ends of the sliding openings 91e and 91e corresponding to the inner end 82b of the end holding body 82, respectively. The columnar stop corners 91f and 96f determine the range of the projection 86 moving in the direction G1 away from the engagement release portion 87 and restrict the movement of the locking projections 86e and 86e.

[0189] like Figure 7 As shown, the projection 86 enters the accommodation space of the slide support portion 91 in such a manner that the moving body 86 c is inserted into the accommodation space, and the locking projections 86 e and 86 e are fitted into the slide openings 91 e and 91 e, so that the projection 86 is attached to the slide support portion 91 .

[0190] Thus, the protrusion 86 is supported so as to slide relative to the slide support portion 91 in the directions indicated by arrows G1 and G2 .

[0191] In addition, if Figure 7As shown, the protrusion 86 is installed to move between the accommodation position P1 and the protruding position P2. The accommodation position P1 is located at a position closer to the inside than one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 8 (in this example, the inner end 82b of the end holding body 82), and the protruding position P2 is located at a position protruding outward from the end 82b.

[0192] The movement range between the accommodation position P1 and the protruding position P2 is set to the movable range of the locking protrusions 86e, 86e in the sliding openings 91e, 91e.

[0193] As Figure 5 , Figure 7 As shown in (A) of

[0194] As Figure 5 , Figure 9 indicated by the double-dashed line in Figure 7 or as shown in (B) of Figure 11 when the protrusion 86 is at the protruding position P2, a part including the moving body 86c protrudes from the accommodation space of the sliding support portion 91. For example, when pulling out the developer container 8 from the mounting device 6 to remove the developer container 8, the protrusion 86 moves to the protruding position P2 during the pulling operation (see

[0195] Furthermore, as shown in (B) of Figure 7 , the protrusion 86 is configured such that the locking protrusions 86e, 86e of the locking piece portions 86d, 86d of the moving body 86c come into contact with the stop corner portion 91f and the movement is restricted, so that the protrusion 86 is blocked at the protruding position P2.

[0196] And, as shown in Figure 9 , Figure 10 , the protrusion 86 in Embodiment 1 is configured to be able to move a distance L1 in the direction G1 away from the engagement release portion 87 during the pulling operation of the developer container 8. The distance L1 ensures the length required to stay in the state of being accommodated in the holding portion 66 (inside the accommodation space 66a) of the opening / closing lid 63 before the engagement release portions 87A, 87B in the developer container 8 leave the engaged portions 67A, 67B in the opening / closing lid 63.

[0197] In addition, asFigure 9 , Figure 10 As shown, it can also be said that the protrusion 86 is configured to be able to move a distance L2 in the direction G1 away from the engagement release portion 87 during the pulling operation of the developer container 8, and this distance L2 ensures the length required to stay in the state of being accommodated in the holding portion 66 in the opening / closing lid 63 before the engaged portions 67A, 67B in the opening / closing lid 63 are engaged with the engaging portions 65A, 65B in the mounting device 6.

[0198] In addition, as Figure 9 , Figure 10 shown, regarding the distance that the protrusion 86 can move in the direction G1 away from the engagement release portion 87, as long as it can ensure the above-mentioned distance L2 which is set as the required minimum, it can also be set to a distance L3 (>L2) longer than this distance L2.

[0199] After the developer container 8 having the protrusion 86 movably provided is mounted on the mounting portion 61 of the mounting device 6 and used, when the developer container 8 is pulled out and removed from the mounting portion 61, the mounting device 6 and the developer container 8 operate as follows.

[0200] That is, in the process of pulling out and removing the developer container 8 from the mounting portion 61 of the mounting device 6 in the direction shown by the arrow C2, as Figure 10 , Figure 11 shown in (B), when the engagement release portions 87A, 87B in the developer container 8 leave the engaged portions 67A, 67B in the opening / closing lid 63, the protrusion 86 in the developer container 8 remains at least in the state of being accommodated in the accommodation space 66a of the holding portion 66 in the opening / closing lid 63.

[0201] In addition, in the process of this removal, as Figure 10 , Figure 11 shown in (B), when the engagement release portions 87A, 87B in the developer container 8 are engaged with the engaging portions 65A, 65B in the mounting device 6, the protrusion 86 in the developer container 8 remains at least in the state of being accommodated in the accommodation space 66a of the holding portion 66 in the opening / closing lid 63.

[0202] Therefore, in the mounting device 6 at this time, if the pulling operation of the developer container 8 is continued, as Figure 10 shown, during the period when the protrusion 86 is accommodated and held in the accommodation space 66a of the holding portion 66, a state is formed in which the force in the direction shown by the arrow C2 due to the pulling operation of the developer container 8 is transmitted to the holding portion 66 of the opening / closing lid 63 via the protrusion 86, and the opening / closing lid 63 moves in the direction shown by the arrow D2. Therefore, the state in which the engaged portions 67A, 67B of the opening / closing lid 63 are engaged with the engaging portions 65A, 65B in the mounting portion 61 is maintained.

[0203] As a result, the opening / closing lid 63 is maintained in a state where it reliably moves to the position of the closing receiving port 62.

[0204] In addition, as shown in (B) of Figure 6 and (C) of Figure 11 , at this time, the developing agent container 8 is in a state where the front side corner portions 89 (89A) at the left and right ends of the container opening / closing lid 64 are pulled out from the housing and holding portions 64d of the guide support members 64A and 64B. And at this time, as shown in (C) of Figure 11 , the developing agent container 8 is in a state where it is pulled out from the housing space 66a of the holding portion 66 in the opening / closing lid 63 while the protrusion 86 moves to the protruding position P2, but it is also in a state where the engagement release portions 87A and 87B in the container opening / closing lid 64 move away from the engaged portions 67A and 67B in the opening / closing lid 63 and are not in contact.

[0205] As a result, the developing agent container 8 is in a state where the opening / closing lid 63 in the mounting device 6 reliably moves to the position of the closing receiving port 62 to close the closing receiving port 62, and on this basis, it is normally removed from the mounting portion 61 of the mounting device 6.

[0206] According to the mounting device 6 and the image forming apparatus 1 having the mounting device 6, as described above, when the developing agent container 8 is removed from the mounting device 6 by a pulling operation, the opening / closing lid 63 in the mounting portion 61 of the mounting device 6 can reliably move to the position of the closing receiving port 62 located in the mounting portion 61.

[0207] In addition, in the mounting device 6 and the developing agent container 8, the protrusion 86 can be moved to the accommodation position P1, and it is possible to avoid accidental contact and breakage of the protrusion 86 when it moves to the accommodation position P1 during the handling and mounting operations of the developing agent container 8.

[0208] [Modification Example]

[0209] The present disclosure is not limited to any of the contents exemplified in the above-described Embodiment 1, and for example, it also includes the following modification examples.

[0210] The moving structure of the protrusion 86 in the developing agent container 8 is not limited to the sliding support structure in Embodiment 1, and other moving structures can also be applied.

[0211] The present disclosure can also be applied to a powder container that houses other powders, instead of the developing agent container 8.

[0212] In addition, the powder container applicable to the installation device (6) for powder containers typified by the developer container 8 or the like only needs to have at least the following structure. That is, the powder container has a protrusion 86 facing a part of the opening / closing lid 63 at a position where it can approach the opening / closing lid 63 during the pressing operation, and an engagement release portion 87 that releases the engaged state in the engagement release portion 65 at a position rearward of the protrusion 86. In addition, during the pulling operation, the protrusion 86 may be movably provided in a direction G1 away from the engagement release portion 87.

[0213] Regarding the image forming apparatus 1, other forms and types of apparatuses can also be adopted. In addition, regarding the installation device 6, it may be an installation device for installing a powder container that stores powder other than the developer.

Claims

1. An installation device for a powder container, wherein, The installation device of the powder container has: A powder container for containing powder; as well as The device body comprises: a mounting portion, on which the powder container is detachably mounted by a pressing operation and a pulling operation; a receiving port, which receives powder supplied from the powder container mounted on the mounting portion; an opening and closing cover, which moves in an opening direction and a closing direction in conjunction with the pressing operation and the pulling operation of the powder container to open and close the receiving port; and a locking portion, with which the opening and closing cover is locked when the receiving port is closed. The powder container has a protrusion facing a part of the opening and closing cover at a position close to the opening and closing cover during the push-in operation, and an engagement release portion for releasing the engagement state of the engagement portion at a position behind the protrusion. The opening and closing cover comprises: a holding portion that receives the protrusion and holds the protrusion so as to be detachable; and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion during the pulling operation and contacts the engaging release portion to be elastically deformed during the pressing operation, thereby releasing the engagement state with the engaging portion. The powder container is configured such that the protrusion can move in a direction away from the engagement release portion during the pulling operation. The projection is configured to move during the pulling operation by a distance required to ensure a length required for the engagement release portion to remain in a state of being accommodated in the holding portion before the engagement release portion leaves the engaged portion.

2. An installation device for a powder container, wherein, The installation device of the powder container has: A powder container for containing powder; as well as The device body comprises: a mounting portion, on which the powder container is detachably mounted by a pressing operation and a pulling operation; a receiving port, which receives powder supplied from the powder container mounted on the mounting portion; an opening and closing cover, which moves in an opening direction and a closing direction in conjunction with the pressing operation and the pulling operation of the powder container to open and close the receiving port; and a locking portion, with which the opening and closing cover is locked when the receiving port is closed. The powder container has a protrusion facing a part of the opening and closing cover at a position close to the opening and closing cover during the push-in operation, and an engagement release portion for releasing the engagement state of the engagement portion at a position behind the protrusion. The opening and closing cover comprises: a holding portion that receives the protrusion and holds the protrusion so as to be detachable; and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion during the pulling operation and contacts the engaging release portion to be elastically deformed during the pressing operation, thereby releasing the engagement state with the engaging portion. The powder container is configured such that the protrusion can move in a direction away from the engagement release portion during the pulling operation. The projection is configured to move during the pulling operation by a distance required to ensure a length required for the projection to remain in a state of being accommodated in the holding portion before the engaged portion is engaged with the engaging portion.

3. The powder container mounting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The protrusion is configured to move between a receiving position, which is located inward of an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the powder container, and a protruding position, which protrudes outward from the end portion.

4. The mounting device for a powder container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the powder container has a sliding support portion at an end portion in its longitudinal direction, and the sliding support portion supports the protrusion so as to be slidable in a direction in which the protrusion moves, the protrusion is mounted on the sliding support portion so as to move slidably.

5. The mounting device for a powder container according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion is configured to be blocked at the protruding position.

6. The mounting device for a powder container according to claim 4, wherein the protrusion is provided on a moving body, which is supported so as to be slidable relative to the sliding support portion, a locking portion is provided in the moving body, and when the moving body moves a certain distance in a direction away from the engagement release portion, the locking portion is locked to a part of the sliding support portion to be restricted from moving.

7. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus has the mounting device for a powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A powder container, wherein the powder container is used for the mounting device for a powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images