Toner container and image forming system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a toner container and an image forming system. The toner container includes a toner containing portion, a discharge portion, a baffle, a sealing member, and a guide portion. A direction from the toner containing portion toward the discharge portion in a rotational axis direction is a first direction, a direction opposite to the first direction is a second direction, and when an end portion of the sealing member on a downstream side in the first direction is a first end portion, a downstream end portion of the guide portion with respect to the first direction is located downstream of the first end portion of the sealing member. The downstream end portion of the guide portion overlaps the sealing member when viewed in the rotational axis direction, and includes an inclined surface that is inclined to approach a contact surface of the sealing member as it travels in the second direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a toner container and an image forming system in which an image is formed on a recording material. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image by transferring a toner image formed on a surface of a photosensitive drum onto a transfer material as a transfer medium. Further, as a developer supply type, for example, a process cartridge type or a toner supply (replenishment) type is known. The process cartridge type is a type in which a photosensitive drum and a developing (developer) container are integrally assembled into a process cartridge, in which when the developer (toner) is used up, the process cartridge is replaced with a new process cartridge.

[0003] On the other hand, the toner supply type is a type in which when the toner is used up, the toner is re-supplied (replenished) to the developing container. In recent years, as such a toner supply type image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus using a toner pack mountable on a mounting portion is disclosed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2021-124694).

[0004] In a case where the toner is supplied by detaching and mounting a toner container such as a toner pack, during the toner supply, it is required to minimize the leakage of the toner. SUMMARY

[0005] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a toner container including: a toner containing portion configured to contain toner; a discharge portion provided with a discharge opening through which the toner contained in the containing portion can be discharged; a shutter rotatable about a rotation axis between an open position in which the discharge opening is opened and a closed position in which the discharge opening is closed, the discharge opening being provided in an outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion extending in a direction of the rotation axis; a sealing member provided on an inner peripheral surface of the shutter pointing inward in a radial direction of a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis, wherein the sealing member is configured to seal between the inner peripheral surface of the shutter and the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion when the shutter is in the closed position, the sealing member including a contact surface that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion; and a guide portion including a downstream end portion, wherein a direction from the toner containing portion toward the discharge portion in a direction of the rotation axis is a first direction, a direction opposite to the first direction is a second direction, and in a case where an end portion of the sealing member on a downstream side of the first direction is a first end portion, the downstream end portion of the guide portion is positioned downstream of the first end portion of the sealing member with respect to the first direction, wherein the downstream end portion of the guide portion overlaps the sealing member when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and includes an inclined surface that is inclined to approach the contact surface of the sealing member as it travels in the second direction.

[0006] Other features of the present application will become apparent from the following description of example embodiments with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 Part (a) of FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, Figure 1 Part (b) of FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus.

[0008] Figure 2 Part (a) of FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus in a state in which a reading device (apparatus) is opened.

[0009] Figure 3 Part (a) of FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge.

[0010] Figure 4 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 4 are exploded perspective views showing a mounting portion.

[0011] Figure 5 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 5 are perspective views showing the mounting portion.

[0012] Figure 6 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 6 are perspective views for explaining a mounting operation of the toner cartridge on the mounting portion.

[0013] Figure 7Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 1 are perspective views showing the cover.

[0014] Figure 8 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 2 are sectional views showing the mounting portion in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted, and showing a state where the shutter is in a shielding position.

[0015] Figure 9 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 3 are sectional views showing the mounting portion in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted, and showing a state where the shutter is in an open position.

[0016] Figure 10 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 4 are schematic views for explaining an operation at the time of insertion of the shutter.

[0017] Figure 11 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 5 are perspective views showing the guide.

[0018] Figure 12 Parts (a) to (f) of FIG. 6 are schematic views showing six sides of the guide.

[0019] Figure 13 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 7 are perspective views showing the shutter main body.

[0020] Figure 14 Parts (a) to (c) of FIG. 8 are schematic views showing mounting of the guide on the rib.

[0021] Figure 15 Parts (a) to (c) of FIG. 9 are schematic views showing mounting of the guide on the rib.

[0022] Figure 16 FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the shutter.

[0023] Figure 17 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 11 are schematic views showing the shutter.

[0024] Figure 18 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 12 are perspective views showing the guide portion.

[0025] Figure 19 Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 13 are schematic views for explaining a mounting operation of the end portion of the shutter.

[0026] Figure 20 Parts (a) to (c) of FIG. 14 are schematic views for explaining a shutter insertion operation.

[0027] Figure 21 Parts (a) to (c) of FIG. 15 are schematic views for explaining a shutter insertion operation.

[0028] Figure 22This is a perspective view of the guide sheet in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 23 Parts (a) and (b) are schematic diagrams illustrating the shielding plate insertion operation in the second embodiment.

[0030] Figure 24 Parts (a) to (c) are side views showing the guide in the third embodiment.

[0031] Figure 25 Parts (a) and (b) are schematic diagrams illustrating the installation operation of the package-side seal in the third embodiment.

[0032] Figure 26 Parts (a) to (c) are schematic diagrams illustrating the insertion operation of the shielding plate.

[0033] Figure 27 Parts (a) to (c) are schematic diagrams illustrating the insertion operation of the shielding plate. Detailed Implementation

[0034] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] <First Embodiment>

[0036] Figure 1 Part (a) is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the imaging device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0037] Imaging device 1 is a monochrome printer used to form an image on recording material based on image information input from an external device. The recording material includes various sheets of different materials, including paper (such as plain paper and thick paper), plastic film (such as sheets used in overhead projectors), specially shaped sheets (such as envelopes and index paper), cloth, etc.

[0038] [Overall Structure]

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown in parts (a) and (b), the imaging device 1 includes a printer main assembly 100 as a main component of the device, a reader 200 supported and openable relative to the main assembly 2, and an operating part 300 mounted on the housing surface of the printer main assembly 100. The printer main assembly 100 includes an imaging part 10 for forming a toner image on recording material, a feed part 60 for feeding recording material to the imaging part 10, a fixing part 70 for fixing the toner image formed by the imaging part 10 onto the recording material, and an exhaust roller pair 80.

[0040] The image forming section 10 includes a scanner unit 11, an electrophotographic process cartridge 20, and a transfer roller 12 for transferring a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 to a recording material. The process cartridge 20 includes the photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22 provided at a periphery of the photosensitive drum 21, a pre-exposure device 23, and a developing device 30 including a developing roller 31.

[0041] The photosensitive drum 21 is a photosensitive member molded in a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 21 in the present embodiment includes a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photosensitive member on a drum-shaped base material molded of aluminum. Further, the photosensitive drum 21 as an image bearing member is rotationally driven by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise direction in the figure) at a predetermined process speed.

[0042] The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 at a predetermined contact pressure and forms a charging section. Further, a desired charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 22 by a high charging voltage power source, so that the charging roller 22 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined potential. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is charged to a negative polarity by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 releases (removes) the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 at a position in front of the charging section, so as to generate stable discharge at the charging section.

[0043] By using a polygon mirror, the scanner unit 11 as an exposure device irradiates the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device or a reading device 200, so as to subject the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to scanning exposure. By this exposure, an electrostatic latent image depending on the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Incidentally, the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, but can employ, for example, an LED exposure device including an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0044] The developing device 30 includes the developing roller 31 as a developer bearing member for bearing a developer, a developing container 32 as a frame of the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 capable of supplying the developer to the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. Further, the developing roller 31 is disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 21 at an opening of the developing container 32. The supply roller 33 rotatably contacts the developing roller 31, and toner as the developer contained in the developing container 32 is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Incidentally, when a configuration capable of sufficiently supplying the toner to the developing roller 31 is employed, the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required.

[0045] The developing device 30 in this embodiment uses a contact developing type as the developing type. That is, a toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 at a developing portion (developing area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A high developing voltage power source applies a developing voltage to the developing roller 31. With the developing voltage applied, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface in accordance with the potential distribution of the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, so that the latent electrostatic image is developed into a toner image. Incidentally, in this embodiment, a reverse developing type is adopted. That is, the toner image is formed by being deposited on a surface area of the photosensitive drum 21 that has had the amount of electric charge reduced by being exposed in the exposure step after being charged in the charging step.

[0046] Further, in this embodiment, toner having a particle size of 6 micrometers and a normal charge polarity of negative polarity is used. As the toner in this embodiment, a polymerized toner formed by a polymerization method is adopted as an example. Further, the toner in this embodiment is a so-called non-magnetic single-component developer that does not include a magnetic component, and in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces or electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a single-component developer including a magnetic component can also be used. Further, in the single-component developer, in some cases, an additive (for example, a wax or a silica fine particle) for adjusting the flowability and charge performance of the toner is included in addition to the toner particles. Further, as the developer, a two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier can also be used. In the case of using a developer having magnetism, as a developer carrying member, for example, a cylindrical developing sleeve provided with a magnet inside is used.

[0047] The developing container 32 is provided with a containing portion 36 as a second toner containing portion and a stirring member 34 as a stirring device provided inside the containing portion 36. The stirring member 34, by being rotated, not only stirs the toner in the developing container 32, but also feeds the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. Further, the stirring member 34 has a function of circulating the toner in the developing container 32 that has been peeled off from the developing roller 31 without being used for development and of homogenizing the toner in the developing container 32. Incidentally, the stirring member 34 is not limited to a rotatable form. For example, a stirring member of a swingable form can also be adopted.

[0048] Further, at the opening of the developing container 32 where the developing roller 31 is provided, a developing doctor blade 35 for regulating the amount of toner carried on the developing roller 31 is provided. With the rotation of the developing roller 31, the toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through the opposite portion opposite the developing doctor blade 35, so that the toner is uniformly formed into a thin layer and is charged to negative polarity by triboelectric charge.

[0049] AsFigure 1 As shown in parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 6, the feeding portion 60 includes a front door 61, a tray portion 62, an intermediate plate 63, a tray spring 64, and a pickup roller 65, the front door 61 being supported by the printer main assembly 100 to be openable. The tray portion 62 constitutes a bottom of a recording material housing space that appears by opening the front door 61, and the intermediate plate 63 is supported by the tray portion 62 to be able to be raised and lowered. The tray spring 64 urges the intermediate plate 63 upward and presses the recording material P stacked on the intermediate plate 63 against the pickup roller 65. Incidentally, the front door 61 closes the recording material housing space in a state where the front door 61 is closed with respect to the printer main assembly 100, and supports the recording material P together with the tray portion 62 and the intermediate plate 63 in a state where the front door 61 is opened with respect to the printer main assembly 100.

[0050] The fixing portion 70 is of a heat fixing type in which an image fixing process is performed by heating and melting toner on the recording material. The fixing portion 70 includes a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater for heating the fixing film 71, a thermistor for measuring a temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressure roller 72 in pressure contact with the fixing film 71.

[0051] Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an instruction of image formation is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming process of the image forming portion 10 is started based on image information input from an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 or from the reading device 200. The scanner unit 11 emits laser light to the photosensitive drum 21 based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is preliminarily charged by the charging roller 22, and is irradiated with the laser light so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31 so that a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0052] In parallel with the above-described image forming process, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding portion 60 sends the recording material P supported by the front door 61, the tray portion 62, and the intermediate plate 63. The recording material P is fed to the registration roller pair 15 by the pickup roller 65, and is pressed against the nip of the registration roller pair 15, thereby correcting the skew movement of the recording material P. Then, the registration roller pair 15 is driven in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image, and is conveyed toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0053] The transfer voltage power is applied from the high transfer voltage power source to the transfer roller 12, so that the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the recording material P conveyed by the registration roller pair 15. The recording material P to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing portion 70, and when the recording material P passes through the nip between the fixing film 71 and the pressure roller 72 of the fixing portion 70, the toner image is heated and pressed at the fixing portion 70. Thereby, the toner particles are fused and thereafter fixed, so that the toner image is fixed on the recording material P. The recording material P passed through the fixing portion 70 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (the outside of the printer) by the discharge roller pair 80 as a discharge device, so that the discharged recording material P is stacked on the discharge tray 81 as a stacking tray formed in the upper portion of the printer main assembly 100.

[0054] The discharge tray 81 is inclined upward toward the downstream of the discharge direction of the recording material P, and the recording material P discharged onto the discharge tray 81 slides downward on the discharge tray 81, so that the trailing end of the recording material is aligned by the limiting surface 84.

[0055] The reading device 200 includes a reading unit 201 and a platen (pressure plate) 202 supported by the reading unit 201 to be openable (closeable), and a reading portion not shown is built in the reading unit 201. A document support platen glass 203 is provided on the upper surface of the reading unit 201, which allows the light emitted from the reading portion to be transmitted, and a document will be placed thereon.

[0056] In a case where the user intends to cause the reading device 200 to read a document image, the user places a document on the document support platen glass 203 in a state where the platen 202 is open. Then, the platen 202 is closed, and the position of the document on the document support platen glass 203 is prevented from deviating, so that a reading instruction is output to the image forming apparatus 1, for example, by operating the operation portion 300. When the reading operation starts, in a state where the user faces the operation portion 300 of the image forming apparatus 1 on the front (surface) side, the reading portion in the reading unit 201 reciprocates in the sub-scanning direction, i.e., the left-right direction. The reading portion receives the light reflected by the document by the light receiving portion while emitting the light from the light emitting portion toward the document, and photoelectrically converts the light, so that the reading portion reads the image of the document. Incidentally, in the following, based on the state where the user faces the operation portion 300 on the front side, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are defined.

[0057] In the upper portion of the printer main assembly 100, a top cover 82 as a stacking tray is provided, and on the upper surface of the top cover 82, the discharge tray 81 as a stacking surface is formed. As Figure 1 part (b) and Figure 2As shown, the openable member 83 is supported by the top cover 82 to be openable (closable) about a rotation axis 83a extending in the front-rear direction. On the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82, an opening 82a is formed which is open upward.

[0058] The openable member 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position in which the openable member 83 covers the mounting portion 600 so that the toner cartridge 40 cannot be mounted on the developing container 32, and an openable position in which the mounting portion 600 is exposed so that the toner cartridge 40 can be mounted on the developing container 32. The openable member 83 functions as a part of the discharge tray 81 in the closed position. The openable member 83 and the opening 82a are formed on the left (hand) side of the discharge tray 81. Further, the openable member 83 is opened in the left (hand) direction by hooking the openable member 83 with a user's finger from a groove portion 82b provided on the top cover 82. The openable member 83 is formed in a substantially L shape along the shape of the top cover 82.

[0059] The opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is opened so as to expose the mounting portion 600 formed on the upper portion of the developing container 32, and the openable member 83 is opened so that the user can access the supply port 32a. Incidentally, in this embodiment, a type (direct supply type) is adopted in which the user supplies toner to the developing device 30 held in a state where the developing device 30 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1 from the toner cartridge 40 (see Figure 1 Parts (a) and (b)) filled with toner for supply. In a state where the toner cartridge 40 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1, at least a part of the toner cartridge 100 is exposed to the outside.

[0060] For this reason, in a case where the amount of remaining toner of the process cartridge 20 becomes small, the operation of taking out the process cartridge 20 from the printer main assembly 100 and replacing it with a new process cartridge becomes unnecessary, so that the usability can be improved. Further, toner can be supplied to the developing container 32 more cheaply compared to the case of replacing the entire process cartridge 20. Incidentally, the direct supply type can reduce costs because it is not necessary to replace various rollers and gears and the like even compared to the case of replacing only the developing device 30 of the process cartridge 20. Incidentally, the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner cartridge 40 constitute an image forming system 1000.

[0061] [Structure of Toner Cartridge]

[0062] Then, the structure of the toner cartridge 40 as a toner container will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the toner cartridge 40 includes a cartridge body 41, a toner container 42, and a toner supply mechanism 43. Figure 3As shown, the toner pack 40 includes a bag 601 as a toner containing portion for containing toner, an outer ring member 620 connected to the bag 601, a nozzle 602 as a discharge portion, and a pack side damper 603. The bag 601 is formed of, for example, a flexible polypropylene sheet, and has a bag shape with one end portion open. Incidentally, the toner containing portion is not limited to the bag 601, but can also be a bottle made of a resin material or a container made of paper or a vinyl resin material.

[0063] The outer ring member 620 has a hole 620b through which toner can pass, and includes a bonding surface 620a bonded to an opening 601a of the bag 601 and a connecting portion 620c connected to the nozzle 602 on a side opposite to the bag 601 side. The bonding surface 620a is bonded to the opening 601a of the bag 601 by various adhesives such as a hot melt adhesive or welding, or the like.

[0064] Further, the nozzle 602 is mounted on the connecting portion 620c. For this purpose, when toner is filled into the bag 601, the toner is supplied through the hole 620b of the outer ring member 620 in a state where the nozzle 602 is not mounted on the connecting portion 620c. The area of the hole 620b is larger than the discharge opening 602a of the nozzle 602 described later, and thus, by doing so, a large amount of toner can be filled in a short time without the need to use a complicated device.

[0065] A passage through which the toner supplied through the hole 620b of the outer ring member 620 passes is formed inside the nozzle 602, and a side surface (outer peripheral surface) 602c of the nozzle 602 is provided with a discharge opening 602a through which the toner in the bag 601 is discharged to the outside. Further, on the side surface 602c of the nozzle 602, a recessed portion 602e is provided at a position different from that of the discharge opening 602a with respect to the circumferential direction. Further, on the bottom of the nozzle 602, a cylindrical protruding portion 602b is provided.

[0066] The pack side damper 602 includes a pack side damper main body 603a and a pack side sealing member 603b. The pack side damper main body 602a is a drum-shaped member having a closed-end cylindrical shape, and its bottom surface 603a is provided with an insertion hole 603a25. The pack side damper main body 603a is externally mounted on the nozzle 602 in a manner that the insertion hole 603a25 is inserted into the protruding portion 602b, and thus is rotatable about the rotation axis z. That is, the pack side damper main body 603a is rotatably engaged with the nozzle 602.

[0067] For this purpose, a cylindrical portion (hereinafter also referred to as a side surface) 603al of the pack side damper main body 603a is located on the outside of the side surface 602c of the nozzle 602 with respect to the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC around the rotation axis z.

[0068] On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 603al, a substantially rectangular bag side seal member (nozzle seal) 603b is installed. Further, the cylindrical portion 603al is provided with an opening 603al l. The bag side seal member 603b is formed so as to slide together with the side surface 602c of the nozzle 602, and the position at which the bag side seal member 603b shields the discharge opening 602a of the nozzle 602 with respect to the rotation direction is the shielding position of the bag side shutter 603. Further, the position at which the discharge opening 602a of the nozzle 602 is exposed and opened from the opening 602al l of the cylindrical portion 603al is the opening position of the bag side shutter 603. The bag side shutter 603 is rotatable about the rotation axis z between the shielding position and the opening position, and by rotating the bag side shutter 603 from the shielding position to the opening position, a state in which toner in the bag 601 can be discharged is formed. Incidentally, in this embodiment, as the toner containing portion, the toner bag 40 provided with the bag 601 is used as the toner container. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and for example, as the toner containing portion, a toner container provided with a fixed plastic container or the like can be used.

[0069] Incidentally, in this embodiment, the bag side shutter 603 is constituted by including the bag side shutter main body 603a and the bag side seal member 603b. However, for example, only the bag side shutter main body 603a without the bag side seal member 603b can be considered as the bag side shutter. In this case, the bag side shutter main body 603a is a shutter rotatable between an opening position at which the discharge opening 602a provided in the side surface 602c extending in the direction of the rotation axis z of the discharge portion 602 is opened, and a shielding position at which the discharge opening 602a is shielded (closed). Further, in this case, it can be said that the bag side seal member 603b is a seal member provided in the inner peripheral surface of the bag side shutter main body (bag side shutter) 603a, which points inward with respect to the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC. Further, it can be said that this bag side seal member 603b is a seal member configured to seal between the inner peripheral surface of the bag side shutter 603a and the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion 602 when the bag side shutter 603a is in the shielding position. Incidentally, hereinafter, the surface inside the bag side seal member 603b that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion 602 with respect to the radial direction r is referred to as a contact surface.

[0070] [Mounting portion]

[0071] Next, the structure of a mounting portion 700 to which the toner bag 40 is to be mounted will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting portion 700 is provided with a mounting portion main body 701 and a bag side shutter 703. The mounting portion main body 701 is a substantially rectangular member, and is provided with a bag side shutter 703. The bag side shutter 703 is a shutter rotatable about the rotation axis z between an opening position at which the discharge opening 602a provided in the side surface 602c extending in the direction of the rotation axis z of the discharge portion 602 is opened, and a shielding position at which the discharge opening 602a is shielded (closed). Further, the bag side shutter 703 is provided with a bag side seal member 703b. The bag side seal member 703b is a seal member provided in the inner peripheral surface of the bag side shutter main body (bag side shutter) 703a, which points inward with respect to the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC. Further, this bag side seal member 703b is a seal member configured to seal between the inner peripheral surface of the bag side shutter 703a and the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion 602 when the bag side shutter 703a is in the shielding position. Incidentally, hereinafter, the surface inside the bag side seal member 703b that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion 602 with respect to the radial direction r is referred to as a contact surface. Figure 4The mounting portion 700 is a unit for mounting the toner cartridge 40, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 7. The mounting portion 700 includes the main body base 2 as a fixed member, a lever 710 rotatable with respect to the main body base 2, and a device-side baffle 720.

[0072] The main body base 2 includes a first frame 730, a second frame 740, and a cover 750, between which the above-mentioned device-side baffle 720 and the cover 750 are interposed. Specifically, the first frame 730 and the second frame 740 are combined with each other to form a port portion 760 in which the toner cartridge 40 is mounted. The first frame 730 and the second frame 740 also form a toner supply passage 770 along which the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 40 mounted on the port portion 760 is guided to the containing portion 36 of the developing container 32 (see Figure 1 part (a) of FIG. 7).

[0073] The port portion 760 is constituted by a port base 741 of the second frame 740 that supports the device-side baffle 720, and a cylindrical portion 731 of the first frame 730 mounted on the port base 741 from above. Further, the toner supply passage 770 is formed in such a manner that a part of the cylindrical portion 731 of the first frame 730 is open as a toner receiving opening 732, and a cover portion of the first frame 730 is covered between the toner receiving opening 732 and an opening 742 of the second frame 740. The opening 742 of the second frame 740 communicates with the containing portion 36 of the developing container 32, and when the toner is supplied through the above-mentioned toner receiving opening 732, the toner is supplied to the containing portion 36 of the developing container 32.

[0074] The device-side baffle 720 includes a device-side baffle body 721 and a device-side sealing member 722. The device-side baffle body 721 is a drum-shaped member having a closed-end cylindrical shape, and is mounted on the part base 741 of the second frame 740 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis z. Further, a cylindrical portion 721a of the device-side baffle body 721 is provided with a communication opening 721b. Further, on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 721a, the above-mentioned device-side sealing member 722 is applied to close the periphery of the communication opening 721b. Further, on a bottom surface of the device-side baffle 720, a central boss 721c is provided which engages with the protruding portion 602b of the nozzle 602.

[0075] With respect to a radial direction r of a virtual circle VC around the rotation axis z, a side surface of the above-mentioned cylindrical portion 721a is located inside the toner receiving opening 732, and a position at which the side surface shields the toner receiving opening 732 is a shielding position of the device-side baffle 720 (see Figure 5part (a) of FIG. 21. Further, the communicating opening 721b of the cylindrical portion 721a and the toner receiving opening 732 are opposite to each other and the position at which the toner receiving opening 732 is opened is the opened position (see Figure 5 part (b) of FIG. 21. The device-side shutter 720 is rotatable about the rotation axis z between the shielding position and the opened position, and the device-side shutter 720 is rotated from the shielding position to the opened position, thereby forming a state in which toner can be supplied to the developing container 32.

[0076] The cover 750 includes a cover base 751 coaxially installed with the center boss 721c of the device-side shutter 720 and a wall portion 752 standing from the cover base 751. At an upper end portion of the wall portion 752, an engaged portion 753 is provided which engages with the positioning portion 734 of the first frame 730. By the engagement of the positioning portion 734 with the engaged portion 753, the cover 750 is prevented from rotating about the rotation axis z relative to the first frame 730. The wall portion 752 is located inside the side surface of the device-side shutter 720 in the radial direction r with respect to the virtual circle VC and is configured to slide at its outer peripheral surface together with the device-side sealing member 722. Further, when the device-side shutter 720 is in the above-described shielding position, the communicating opening 721b of the device-side shutter 720 is located in the direction of the wall portion 752 and is blocked by the wall portion 752.

[0077] The lever 710 is installed rotatable about the rotation axis z relative to the first frame 730 and includes a drive transmission portion 711 and an operation portion 712. A user can rotate the lever 710 about the rotation axis z by operating the operation portion 712. The drive transmission portion 711 of the lever 710 is constituted by a protruding portion protruding inward from the inner peripheral surface with the rotation axis z of the lever 710 as the center in the radial direction r.

[0078] Incidentally, at an upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 721a of the device-side shutter 720, a portion 723 to which a drive force from the drive transmission portion 711 of the lever 710 is transmitted is formed. However, in a state in which the toner cartridge 40 is installed on the installation portion 700, the drive transmission portion 711 of the lever 710 and the portion 723 to which the device-side shutter is drive-transmitted are not drive-connected to each other. The drive transmission portion 711 and the portion 723 to which the drive is transmitted are not connected to each other until the drive transmission portion 711 and the portion 723 are engaged with the recessed portion 603a12 (see Figure 3 ) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 603a1 of the cartridge-side shutter 603. For this reason, in a state in which the toner cartridge 40 is not installed on the installation portion 700, even when the lever 710 is rotationally operated, the device-side shutter 720 is not rotated.

[0079] [Installation of the toner pack on the mounting section]

[0080] Then, the installation of the toner pack 40 on the mounting section 700 will be described. For example... Figure 6 As shown in parts (a) and (b), with the package side baffle 603 and the device side baffle 720 in the shielded position, the toner bag 40 is mounted on the mounting portion 700. When the toner bag 40 is mounted on the mounting portion 700, the recessed portion 602e of the nozzle 602 exposed through the opening 603a11 of the package side baffle 603 is aligned with the positioning portion 734 of the first frame 730. Furthermore, the portion 603a12 to which the driving force of the package side baffle 603 is transmitted is aligned with the driving force transmission portion 711 of the rod 710. In this state, the toner bag 40 is mounted on the mounting portion 700 by inserting the toner bag 40 in the mounting direction M.

[0081] When the toner packet 40 is fully installed on the mounting portion 700, the central boss 721c of the equipment side baffle 720 (see...) Figure 5 The inner circumferential surface 602b1 of the protruding portion 602b of nozzle 602 (see) Figure 3 The nozzle 602 is then engaged. This determines not only the position of the nozzle 602 relative to the equipment side baffle 720 in the radial direction r, but also the position of the toner bag 40 in the installation direction M.

[0082] Furthermore, the recessed portion 602e of the nozzle 602 is aligned with the positioning portion 734 of the first frame 730, and the toner cartridge 40 is mounted thereon, thereby engaging the wall portion 752 of the cover 750 with the recessed portion 602e of the nozzle 602. The wall portion 752 of the cover 750 serves as a guide member for guiding the nozzle 602, allowing the nozzle 602 to be smoothly inserted along the mounting direction M. Thus, the nozzle 602 is smoothly inserted while being approximately positioned relative to the rotational direction. Additionally, the nozzle 602 includes a pair of positioning protrusions (protrusion portions) 602g (see... Figure 3 The positioning protrusion 602g protrudes towards the recess 602e at its upstream end relative to the mounting direction member of the recess 602e. The positioning protrusion 602g then engages with the positioning portion 734 of the first frame 730, thereby positioning the discharge opening 602a opposite the receiving opening 732 of the port portion 760. Furthermore, the nozzle 602 of the toner packet 40 cannot rotate relative to the port portion 760. That is, the wall portion 752 constitutes a mounting guide that engages with a portion of the nozzle 602 to guide the nozzle 602 in the direction of the rotation axis z.

[0083] Furthermore, the drive transmission portion 603a12 of the side baffle 603 engages with the drive transmission portion 711 of the rod 710 and the drive transmission portion 723 of the equipment side baffle 720. Thus, the rod 710, the side baffle 603, and the equipment side baffle 720 are driven and connected to each other, causing the side baffle 603 and the equipment side baffle 720 to move between a covered position and an open position in relation to the rotational operation of the rod 71.

[0084] When the toner pack 40 is installed on the mounting section 700, the user operates the lever 710, causing the pack side baffle 603 and the equipment side baffle 700 to rotate from the shielded position to the open position, thereby supplying toner from the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32. When the toner supply from the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32 is complete, the user rotates the lever 710 from the open position to the closed position and then pulls the toner pack 40 out of the mounting section 700.

[0085] [Blocking film]

[0086] Next, based on Figure 7 to Figure 9 Describes the 800mm masking panel. Incidentally, Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the cover 750. Figure 8 and 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the mounting portion 700 with the toner pack 40 installed on the mounting portion 700. Figure 8 Parts (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views showing the baffles 603 and 720 in the shielded position. Figure 9 Parts (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views showing baffles 603 and 720 in the open position. Incidentally, Figure 8 and 9 This is a sectional view taken at the location where the wall portion 752 is cut.

[0087] like Figure 7 As shown in parts (a) and (b), a shielding sheet 800, for example, in the form of a film with a thickness of approximately 100 [micrometers], is fixed to the outer periphery of the wall portion 752 of the cover 750 using double-sided tape or the like. Figure 8 and 9 As shown, the shielding plate 800 is formed such that its end 801 on the toner receiving opening 732 side protrudes beyond the end face 7521 of the wall portion 752. Furthermore, the shielding plate 800 shields an area such that the portion protruding from the wall portion 752 covers the gap (boundary) G between the nozzle 602 and the wall portion 752 relative to the radial direction inside the package-side sealing member 603b and the device-side sealing member 722. That is, the shielding plate 800 extends over the gap G between the nozzle 602 and the wall portion 752.

[0088] When the cartridge side shutter 603 and the device side shutter 720 are moved between the shielding position and the open position, the communication opening 721b of the device side shutter 720 passes outside the gap G with respect to the radial direction.

[0089] That is, the boundary portion G between the wall portion 752 and the nozzle 602 is located at a position where the device side shutter 720 is opposite to the communication opening 721b with respect to the radial direction r during rotation of the device side shutter 720 from the open position to the shielding position. When the supply of toner from the toner cartridge 40 is performed, residual toner exists inside the device side sealing member 722 that closes the communication opening 721b. In this state, in the case where the shutters 603 and 720 are moved from the open position to the shielding position to detach the toner cartridge 40, there is a tendency that the toner remaining inside the device side sealing member 722 leaks from the gap G. In particular, unlike between the positioning protrusion 602g for performing the above-described positioning and the positioning portion 734 of the first frame 730, the wall portion 752 and the recessed portion 602e are configured to guide the nozzle 602 in the mounting direction while substantially determining the relative position therebetween with respect to the rotation direction. Therefore, the gap G between the wall portion 752 and the nozzle 602 is larger than the above-described portion where the above-described positioning is performed, and thus toner easily enters the gap G.

[0090] In this embodiment, as described above, the shutter 800 covers the gap G on the radially inner side of the cartridge side sealing member 603b and on the radially inner side of the device side sealing member 722, and thus leakage of toner from this gap G is prevented. Incidentally, in the state where the toner cartridge 40 is mounted on the mounting portion 700, the end faces of the cartridge side sealing member 603b and the device side sealing member 722 overlap each other with respect to the circumferential direction and are in press contact with each other. For this reason, the sealing performance is improved, and thus the degree of leakage of toner between the cartridge side sealing member 603b and the device side sealing member 722 is reduced.

[0091] [Guide portion]

[0092] Then, the guide portion 900 for guiding the shutter 800 will be described. As Figure 10As shown in parts (a) and (b), the bottom surface (bottom) 603a2 of the package side baffle body 603a is provided with an opening 603a21 to allow the insertion and engagement of the shielding sheet 800. When the toner pack 40 is mounted on the mounting part 700, the shielding sheet 800 passes through the opening 603a21 and is inserted and engaged between the package side sealing member 603b and the nozzle 602. However, as described above, the shielding sheet 800 is a film with a thickness of approximately 10 [micrometers]. Furthermore, a predetermined distance exists from the bottom surface (bottom) 603a2 of the package side baffle body 603a to the downstream end 603b1 of the package side sealing member 603b relative to the mounting direction M of the toner pack 40. Therefore, depending on the position and orientation of the toner pack 40 during installation, there is a tendency for the shielding sheet 800 to contact the end face of the end 603b1 of the package side sealing member 603b and cause it to fold.

[0093] Therefore, in this embodiment, a guide portion 900 for introducing the shielding sheet 800 between the bottom surface 603a2 of the package side baffle body 603a and the end 603b1 of the package side sealing member 603b is provided. The guide portion 900 is constructed by including a guide 910, a rib 920, the package side sealing member 603b, and the inner side 602f of the nozzle 602. First, the guide 910 and the inner side 602f of the nozzle 602 that first guide the shielding sheet 800 during the installation of the toner pack 40 will be described below.

[0094] like Figure 20 As shown in part (a), the opening 603a21 of the side baffle body 603a opens in such a way that the opening 603a21 widens towards the downstream side in the mounting direction M. Specifically, viewed along the mounting direction M, the radially outer end face 603a22 overlaps with the radially outer side sealing member 603b of the contact surface CF, such that the contact surface CF between the side surface of the nozzle 602 and the side sealing member 603b exists within the width of the opening 603a21. Viewed along the mounting direction M, the radially inner end face 603a23 overlaps with the nozzle 602 radially inner side of the contact surface CF.

[0095] Therefore, such as Figure 20 As shown in part (a), viewed along the installation direction M, in some cases, the toner bag 40 is mounted on the mounting portion 700 such that the shielding plate 800 and the bag-side sealing member 603b overlap each other in the radial direction. Furthermore, when the toner bag 40 is tilted, in some cases the toner bag 40 is mounted on the mounting portion 700 in a tilted manner, causing the bag-side sealing member 603b to move toward the shielding plate 800.

[0096] In the above case, the shutter 800 is guided along the inclined surface 911a of the guide 910 to the contact surface CF between the side surface of the nozzle 602 and the bag side seal member 603b. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11 and 12 The guide 910 is roughly divided into three portions (first to third portions) 911 to 913. The first portion 911 is a portion in which the above-mentioned inclined surface 911a is formed. In this first portion 911, the inclined surface 911a is formed in such a manner that a part of an end surface (a direction with respect to the rotation axis z opposite to the bag 601) facing the bottom surface 603a2 of the bag side shutter body 603a is cut away.

[0097] As shown in part (a) of FIG. 10, Figure 18 The guide 910 is formed along the surface 603a2 and the side surface 603a1 of the bag side shutter body 603a formed in a drum shape.

[0098] Further, the inclined surface 911a is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z and the circumferential direction of the bag side shutter body 603a. That is, the inclined surface 911a is inclined outward in the radial direction from the bag 601 side toward the bottom surface 603a2 in the direction of the rotation axis z.

[0099] Specifically, for example, a direction from the bag 601 as the toner containing portion toward the nozzle 602 as the discharge portion with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z is regarded as a first direction, and a direction opposite to the first direction is regarded as a second direction. A downstream end portion of the bag side seal member 603b with respect to the first direction is a first end portion 603b1. In this case, the guide 910 as the guide portion includes a downstream end portion positioned downstream of the first end portion 603b1 of the bag side seal member 603b with respect to the first direction and overlapping the bag side seal member 603b when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis z. Further, the inclined surface 911a is formed at this downstream end portion. As shown in part (a) of FIG. 10 and part (a) of FIG. 11, the inclined surface 911a is inclined so as to approach the contact surface of the bag side seal member 603b toward the second direction when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis z. In other words, it can be said that the inclined surface 911a is inclined downward toward the downstream side of the mounting direction M in part (a) of FIG. 10 and part (a) of FIG. 11. Figure 10 Figure 18 Figure 10 Figure 18

[0100] ​​​​Further, the inclined surface 911a is inclined outward with respect to the radial direction toward the opening 603a of the bag side baffle body 603a (counterclockwise when viewed in a direction from the side opposite to the bag 601 toward the bottom surface 603a2) with respect to the circumferential direction. That is, the inclined surface 911a is inclined toward the first direction with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z toward the direction from the shielding position to the opening position of the bag side baffle 603.

[0101] To this end, as shown in Figure 10 , the inclined surface 911a is configured so that the distance between the inclined surface 911a and the nozzle 602 increases on the side downstream in the mounting direction M. That is, the inclined surface 911a is inclined so that it is spaced apart from the nozzle 602 (rotation axis z) at the second position, the second position being farther from the bag side sealing member 603b than the first position with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z.

[0102] The second portion 912 of the guide 910 is an extension portion extending from Figure 11 the upper end (inner side end of a circle around the rotation axis z with respect to the radial direction) in the bag side baffle body 603a to the upstream side of the mounting direction M, that is, toward the bag side sealing member 603b with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z. Figure 11 The upper surface (inner surface with respect to the radial direction, hereinafter, this surface is referred to as a connection surface) 912a of the second portion 912 in the bag side baffle body 603a is a surface continuous with the inclined surface 911a on the downstream side of the mounting direction M. Further, the connection surface 912a is connected to the inner peripheral surface (contact surface) of the bag side sealing member 603b.

[0103] The third portion 913 of the guide 910 is a portion extending in the circumferential direction, which sandwiches the recessed mounting portion 914 between the first portion 911 and itself. This third portion 913 is positioned with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z of the guide 910 by the contact of the end portion 913a on the downstream side of the mounting direction M with the bottom surface 603a of the bag side baffle body 603a.

[0104] As shown in Figure 13 , the rib 920 is a rectangular rib formed from the bottom surface 603a2 of the bag side baffle body 603a along the side surface (inner peripheral surface) 603a1 in the direction of the rotation axis z on the edge portion of the opening 603a11 of the bag side baffle body 603a on one end side. As shown in Figure 14 and 15As shown, the recessed mounting portion 914 of the guide 910 is mounted on the rib 920 while sliding in the direction along the rotation axis z, whereby the guide 910 is mounted on the bag side baffle body 603a. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the guide 910 is formed as a member separate from the bag side baffle body 603a, but can be integrally formed with the bag side baffle body 603a together with the rib 920. Further, by the guide 910 and the rib 920, a guide portion 950 (see Figure 18 part (a) thereof) for guiding the shutter 800 is formed.

[0105] On the other hand, the inclined surface 602f of the nozzle 602 is formed opposite to the guide 910 at the downstream end portion of the nozzle 602 with respect to the mounting direction M. Specifically, the inclined surface 602f is formed inclined with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z and the circumferential direction of the bag side baffle body 603a. That is, with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z, the inclined surface 602f is inclined inward with respect to the radial direction from the bag 601 side toward the bottom surface 603a2 side. In other words, in Figure 10 part (a) thereof, the inclined surface 602f is inclined upward toward the downstream side of the mounting direction M. Further, with respect to the circumferential direction, as the inclined surface 602f is spaced apart from the opening 603al l of the bag side baffle body 603a (counterclockwise when viewed from the side opposite to the bag 601 toward the bottom surface 603a2), the inclined surface 602f is inclined inward with respect to the radial direction. Further, with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z, the inclined surface 602f is opposite to the guide 910 over the entire length of the guide 910. For this reason, the inclined surface 602f is formed so that its downstream end portion with respect to the mounting direction M contacts the bottom surface 603a2, and the upstream end portion with respect to the mounting direction M is aligned with the connecting surface.

[0106] In this embodiment, as described above, the inclined surface 911a of the guide 910 and the inclined surface 602f of the nozzle 602 are formed. For this reason, as shown in Figure 20 part (a) thereof, even in the case where the shutter 800 is inserted from the guide 910 side, the shutter 800 is guided by the inclined surface 911a without being folded, as shown in Figure 20 part (b) thereof.

[0107] Further, as shown in Figure 21 part (a) thereof, even in the case where the shutter 800 is inserted from the nozzle 602 side, the shutter is guided by the inclined surface 602f without being folded, as shown in Figure 21 part (b) thereof.

[0108] Next, the configuration of the connecting portion between the guide 910 and the bag side sealing member 603b will be described. From Figure 20the state of part (b) of FIG. 8 moves to Figure 20 During the process of the state of part (c) of FIG. 8, one end of the shield piece 800 passes through the connecting portion between the guide 910 and the bag side seal member 603b. At this time, in the case where a large step portion is formed between the guide 910 and the bag side seal member 603b, there is a tendency for the end portion of the shield piece 800 to be caught by the step portion. For this reason, in this embodiment, the corner portion 603b12 (see FIG. 9) of the downstream end surface 603b11 of the bag side seal member 603b with respect to the mounting direction M hooks on the rib 920. By this, the connecting portion 603b1 of the bag side seal member 603b with the guide 910 is bent outward with respect to the radial direction. In the following, this configuration will be described in detail. Figure 19 ) is bent outward with respect to the radial direction. In the following, this configuration will be described in detail.

[0109] As shown in Figure 16 , the bag side seal member 603b is composed of an elastic layer 6031, a sliding contact layer 6033, and an adhesive portion 6032 that bonds the elastic layer 6031 and the sliding contact layer 6033 together. The elastic layer 6031 is composed of a member with a high elastic limit, thereby imparting a predetermined elasticity to the bag side seal member 603b. By this elasticity, the bag side seal member 603b is able to slide while deforming with the side surface (outer peripheral surface) of the nozzle 602, thereby being able to enhance the adhesion between itself and the side surface of the nozzle 602. Further, the sliding contact layer 6033 is formed of a low-friction coefficient material, so that the bag side seal member 603b has high sliding properties.

[0110] Incidentally, in this embodiment, the elastic layer 6031 is formed of a polyurethane layer of about 3 [mm] in thickness, the sliding contact layer 6033 is formed of a polyester and nylon layer of about 0.34 [mm] in thickness, and the adhesive portion 6032 is formed of a double-sided tape. Further, as shown in Figure 17 , in this embodiment, the bag side seal member 603b is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the bag side baffle body 603a in the range of 101°. Incidentally, the longitudinal modulus of elasticity of each of the guide portions 910 and 920 is greater than the longitudinal modulus of elasticity of the bag side seal member 603b.

[0111] As shown in Figure 18 , the downstream end portion (connecting portion) 603b1 of the bag side seal member 603b with the guide 910 is bent outward with respect to the radial direction in a form such that the downstream end portion 603b1 goes under the guide 910. As shown in Figure 19 , the downstream end surface 603b11 of the bag side seal member 603b with respect to the mounting direction M has a shape such that the downstream end portion 603b11 is substantially vertical. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 19As shown in part (b) of the same, the edge portion 603b12 on the radially inner side of the end face 603b11 is gripped with tweezers or the like, and then hooked with the rib 920. Then, the elastic layer 6031 of the bag side seal member 603b elastically deforms, whereby the end portion 603b1 of the bag side seal member 603b is bent outward with respect to the radial direction.

[0112] Accordingly, the connecting portion 603b1 of the bag side seal member 603b to which the guide 910 is connected is bent in a form such that the connecting portion 603b1 goes under (radially outward with respect to) the second portion 912 of the guide 910. To this end, in the connecting portion between the guide 910 and the bag side seal member 603b, a step portion is prevented from being formed as much as possible. Accordingly, for example, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 9, the bag side seal member 603b is bent in a form such that the connecting portion 603b1 goes under the second portion 912 of the guide 910. Figure 20 Figure 20 As shown in part (b) of the same, even after the inclined surface 911a of the guide 910, the shield 800 guided by the connecting surface 912a approaches the connecting portion, the shield 800 is not caught between the connecting surface 912a and the bag side seal member 603b. Then, as shown in part (c) of the same, the shield 800 is smoothly inserted between the side surface of the nozzle 602 and the bag side seal member 603b. Figure 21

[0113] Incidentally, in the above-described embodiment, the guide portion 910 and the rib 920 contact the first end portion 603b1 of the bag side seal member 603b, but are not necessarily limited thereto. That is, the guide portion 910 and the rib 920 do not necessarily contact the first end portion 603b1 of the bag side seal member 603b.

[0114] As described above, in this embodiment, the guide 910 constituting the guide portion 950 is filled between the opening 603a21 of the bag side baffle body 603a, which is the insertion opening of the shield 800, and the bag side seal member 603b. This guide 910 includes an inclined surface 911a inclined so as to be spaced apart from the nozzle 602 at a second position farther from the bag side seal member 603b than the first position in the direction with respect to the rotation axis z. To this end, even when the shield 800 is inserted from the guide 910 side, the shield 800 is guided by the inclined surface 911a, so that it is possible to prevent the shield 800 from being folded during the insertion of the shield 800. Thus, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking along the folded portion of the shield 800 from the above-described gap G.

[0115] ​​Furthermore, the connection portion 603b1 between the side-sealing member 603b and the guide 910 is bent outward relative to the radial direction to separate it from the nozzle 602. Additionally, at least a portion of the nozzle 602 overlaps with the aforementioned guide portion in the direction relative to the rotation axis z, and this overlapping portion is located on the opposite side of the nozzle 602 relative to the second portion 912 of the guide 910. Therefore, the side-sealing member 603b can be restrained from above by the guide 910, thereby preventing the formation of a stepped portion in the connection portion between the guide 910 and the side-sealing member 603b.

[0116] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the engaging portion engages with the end face 603b11 of the side-sealing member 603b on the guide portion side (guide member 910 side) relative to the rotation axis direction via the rib 920. For this purpose, the side-sealing member 603b elastically deforms, causing the edge portion 603b12 of the aforementioned end face 603b11 on the nozzle side to engage with the rib 620, thereby allowing the connecting portion 603b1 to bend. Incidentally, the connecting portion 603b1 could initially be molded into a bent shape, but by utilizing the elastic deformation of the side-sealing member 603b as in this embodiment, the connecting portion 603b1 can be constructed inexpensively.

[0117] Furthermore, the nozzle 602 includes an inclined surface 602f, which is formed opposite to the inclined surface 911a of the guide 910. This inclined surface 602f is inclined to a fourth position, further away from the side-sealing member 603b in the direction relative to the rotation axis z, which is also farther from the third position. Therefore, even when the baffle 800 is inserted from the nozzle 602 side, the baffle 800 is guided by the inclined surface 602f, thereby preventing the baffle 800 from folding during insertion.

[0118] <Second Embodiment>

[0119] Next, a second embodiment will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the shielding sheet 800 is guided by the guide sheet 940, rather than by the guide member 910 and the rib 920. Therefore, in the following description, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted.

[0120] like Figure 22 As shown, the guide sheet 940 is a sheet-like component made of a resin material such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), and in this embodiment, its thickness is approximately 60 micrometers. Figure 23 As shown, the guide piece 940 is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the side baffle body 603a with double-sided tape 943 or the like at one end face to form a fixing portion 941. Furthermore, the end of the guide piece 940 on the fixing portion 941 side is clamped between the inner circumferential surface of the side baffle body 603a and the side sealing member 603b.

[0121] The fixed portion 941 extends from the end portion thereof sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the bag side baffle body 603a and the bag side seal member 603b, and beyond the downstream end portion of the bag side seal member 603b. Specifically, the fixed portion 941 extends to a position where the fixed portion 941 contacts the bottom surface 603a2 of the bag side baffle body 603a.

[0122] The downstream end portion of the fixed portion 941 with respect to the mounting direction is a turning point of the guide piece 940, and the guide piece 940 turns in a manner such that the downstream end portion of the bag side seal member 603b with respect to the mounting direction is wrapped. In addition, the guide piece 940 is sandwiched between the bag side seal member 603b and the nozzle 602 at the other end portion thereof. Incidentally, as shown in Figure 22 the guide piece 940 has a tapered shape at the other end portion thereof such that the guide piece 940 is easily inserted between the bag side seal member 603b and the nozzle 602.

[0123] The turning portion 942 of the guide piece 940 forms a curved surface inclined outward with respect to the radial direction toward the downstream side of the mounting direction M. That is, the turning portion 942, which is a guide portion, turns from the fixed portion 941, and through the curved portion thereof, an inclined surface 942a for guiding the shield piece 800 is formed. In other words, the turning portion 942 is a sandwiching portion that extends from the downstream end portion in the second direction and sandwiches the first end portion 603b1 of the seal member 603b in cooperation with the inner peripheral surface of the bag side baffle 603a.

[0124] Thus, as shown in part (a) of Figure 23 even in the case where the shield piece 800 is inserted from the guide piece 940 side, the shield piece is guided by the inclined surface 942a without being folded, as shown in part (b) of Figure 23

[0125] <Third Embodiment>

[0126] Next, a third embodiment will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the rib 920 and the method of arranging the seal member in the guide and bending. For this reason, in the following description, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted.

[0127] The rib 3920 in this embodiment is similar to the rib in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 24 ​As shown, it is a rectangular rib formed from the bottom surface 603a2 of the side baffle body 603a at one end near the edge portion of the opening 603a11 of the side baffle body 603a along the rotation axis z direction along the side surface (inner circumferential surface) 603a1. This rib 3920 is shorter than the rib 920 in the first embodiment in the direction of the rotation axis z. Therefore, the upstream end of the rib 3920 relative to the first direction (mounting direction M) is located downstream of the first end 603b1 of the sealing member 603b and does not contact the first end 603b1 of the sealing member 603b. Similar to the first embodiment, the recessed mounting portion 914 of the guide 910 slides in the direction of the rotation axis z while being mounted on the rib 3920, thereby mounting the guide 910 on the side baffle body 603a.

[0128] Next, the construction of the connection between the guide 910 and the side sealing member 603b will be described. From... Figure 26 The state of part (b) moves to Figure 26 During the process of state (c), one end of the shielding piece 800 passes through the connection between the guide 910 and the side-sealing member 603b. At this time, if a large step is formed between the guide 910 and the side-sealing member 603b, there is a tendency for the end of the shielding piece 800 to be stuck by this step. Therefore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 25 As shown, the downstream end face 603b11 of the side sealing member 603b relative to the installation direction M enters the guide 910. Furthermore, the bottom surface 603b13 of the side sealing member 603b entering the guide 910 is fixed to double-sided adhesive tape 3701, which is applied to the side surface (inner circumferential surface) of the side baffle body 603a. As a result, the elastic layer 6031 of the side sealing member 603b elastically deforms, and the connecting portion 603b1 connecting the side sealing member 603b to the guide 910 bends outward relative to the radial direction.

[0129] Therefore, the connecting portion 603b1 where the side-sealing member 603b connects to the guide 910 is bent such that the connecting portion 603b1 extends below the second portion 912 of the guide 910 (relative to radial outward). For this purpose, step portions are prevented as much as possible from forming in the connecting portion between the guide 910 and the side-sealing member 603b. Therefore, for example, as... Figure 26 As shown in part (b), even after the inclined surface 911a of the guide 910, when the shield 800 guided by the connecting surface 912a approaches the connecting portion, the shield 800 will not be stuck between the connecting surface 912a and the side sealing member 603b. Then, as Figure 26As shown in parts (b) and (c) of FIG. 8, even in the case where the shutter 800 is inserted from the nozzle 602 side, the shutter 800 is smoothly inserted between the side surface of the nozzle 602 and the bag side sealing member 603b, similarly. Figure 27

[0130] As described above, in this embodiment, the guide 910 fills between the opening 603a21 of the bag side baffle body 603a, which is the insertion opening of the shutter 800, and the bag side sealing member 603b. Further, in this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, even when the shutter 800 is inserted from the guide 910 side, the shutter 800 is guided by the inclined surface 911a, so that it is possible to prevent the shutter 800 from being folded during the insertion of the shutter 800. Thus, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from the above-described gap G along the folded portion of the shutter 800.

[0131] Further, the connection portion 603b1 of the bag side sealing member 603b, which is connected with the guide 910, is curved with respect to the radial direction outward, so as to be spaced apart from the nozzle 602. Further, at least a portion of the nozzle 602, which overlaps with the above-described guide portion with respect to the direction of the rotation axis z, is located on the side opposite to the nozzle 602 with respect to the second portion 912 of the guide 910. For this reason, the bag side sealing member 603b can be suppressed from above by the guide 910, so that it is possible to prevent a step portion from being formed in the connection portion between the guide 910 and the bag side sealing member 603b.

[0132] Further, in this embodiment, the connection portion 603b1 of the bag side sealing member 603b is made to enter the guide 910, and the bottom surface 603b13 of the connection portion 603b1 is fixed with a double-sided tape 3701 so as to be bendable. The connection portion 603b1 can be initially molded in a bent shape, but by utilizing the elastic deformation of the bag side sealing member 603b as in this embodiment, it is possible to inexpensively constitute the connection portion 603b1.

[0133] Incidentally, the configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0134] While the present application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the application is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be construed in accordance with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.​

Claims

1. A toner container comprising: a toner containing portion configured to contain toner; a discharge portion provided with a discharge opening through which the toner contained in the containing portion can be discharged; a shutter rotatable about a rotation axis between an open position in which the discharge opening is opened and a closed position in which the discharge opening is closed, the discharge opening being provided in an outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion extending in a direction along the rotation axis; a seal member provided on an inner peripheral surface of the shutter directed inward in a radial direction of a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis, wherein the seal member is configured to seal between the inner peripheral surface of the shutter and the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion when the shutter is in the closed position, the seal member including a contact surface that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion; and a guide portion including a downstream end portion, wherein a direction along the rotation axis from the toner containing portion toward the discharge portion is a first direction, a direction opposite to the first direction is a second direction, and an end portion of the seal member on a downstream side of the first direction is a first end portion, wherein the downstream end portion of the guide portion is positioned downstream of the first end portion of the seal member with respect to the first direction, wherein the downstream end portion of the guide portion overlaps the seal member when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and includes an inclined surface inclined so as to approach the contact surface of the seal member as it travels in the second direction. The guide portion contacts the first end portion of the seal member.

2. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein 3. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal modulus of elasticity of the guide portion is greater than the seal member. The inclined surface of the downstream end portion of the guide portion is inclined so as to travel in the first direction as it travels in a direction from the closed position of the shutter toward the open position with respect to a direction of rotation of the shutter.

4. The toner container of claim 1, wherein The first end portion of the seal member overlaps the guide portion with respect to the direction of the rotation axis, and 5. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein wherein the first end portion of the seal member is positioned outward of the guide portion with respect to the radial direction. The first end portion of the seal member is curved outward with respect to the radial direction.

6. The toner container of claim 1, wherein The guide portion includes an engaging portion that engages with an end surface of the first end portion of the seal member, and 7. The toner container of claim 1, wherein wherein the first end portion of the seal member is curved by elastic deformation such that an inner edge portion of the end surface with respect to the radial direction engages with the engaging portion of the guide portion. The guide portion includes a guide member provided separately from the shutter, and the inclined surface is formed on the guide member, and 8. The toner container according to claim 7, wherein wherein the engaging portion is a rib formed integrally with the shutter, and the guide member is mounted on the rib. The guide portion includes a clamping portion that extends from the downstream end portion in the second direction and clamps the first end portion of the seal member in cooperation with the inner peripheral surface of the shutter.

9. The toner container of claim 1, wherein The first end portion of the seal member is bonded to the inner peripheral surface of the shutter.

10. The toner container of claim 1, wherein The guide portion includes:

11. The toner container according to claim 10, wherein a guide member provided separately from the shutter, and on which the inclined surface is formed; and a rib formed integrally with the shutter, and on which the guide member is mounted, and ​ The rib is not in contact with the first end portion of the seal member at an upstream end portion thereof with respect to the first direction.

12. The toner container of claim 1, wherein The discharge portion includes an inclined surface formed inside the discharge portion with respect to a radial direction opposite to the inclined surface of the guide portion, and the inclined surface of the discharge portion is inclined to approach the rotation axis toward a downstream side of the first direction.

13. An image forming system comprising: the toner container according to claim 1; an image forming apparatus including a mounting portion that mounts the toner container, the mounting portion including: a mounting guide configured to engage with a portion of the discharge portion to guide the discharge portion in a mounting direction of the toner container; and a shutter mounted on the mounting guide; and a device-side shutter provided with a communication opening that communicates with a toner-receiving opening through which toner from the toner container is supplied, wherein the device-side shutter is rotatable between an open position in which the communication opening is opposite to the toner-receiving opening with respect to a radial direction and a shielding position in which the communication opening is located outside the mounting guide with respect to the radial direction and shields the toner-receiving opening, wherein, during rotation of the device-side shutter from the open position to the shielding position, a boundary portion between the mounting guide and the discharge portion is located opposite to the communication opening with respect to the radial direction, and wherein, in a case where the toner container with the device-side shutter in the closed position is mounted on the mounting portion, the shutter extends over the boundary portion between the mounting guide and the discharge portion with respect to a rotation direction of the device-side shutter, and is interposed between an outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion and the seal member.

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