Toner container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The toner container can be manually mounted in a mounting direction horizontally with respect to a mounting portion of an image forming apparatus main body, and can be manually dismounted in a dismounting direction horizontally from the mounting portion. The toner container includes a bottom portion and a protrusion. In a posture when the toner container is attached to and detached from the attachment portion, the protrusion protrudes downward to a lowest position of the bottom portion of the toner container, and the protrusion slides on a surface of the attachment portion when the toner container is attached to and detached from the attachment portion. The length from the downstream end of the bottom portion in the mounting direction to the protrusion is in the range of 37.5-80 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a toner container for storing toner, and an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction peripheral thereof including the toner container. Background Art

[0002] In image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers, there is widely known a structure in which a toner container is attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Specifically, in Patent Document 1, the toner container generally includes a container body and a cover that are roughly cylindrical. The container body has an opening at the head, and a spiral protrusion is formed on the inner circumference of the container body. The cover has a toner discharge port (supply port) formed at the bottom thereof, into which the head of the container body is inserted. A portion of the bottom of the cover is formed to protrude downward. This toner container is manually pushed in and is arranged to slide on a track of the main body of the image forming device with the cover as the front end. In the toner container provided in the main body of the image forming device, the container body is driven to rotate, and the toner in the container body is transported toward the opening. The toner discharged from the opening of the container body is discharged to the outside of the container body via the toner discharge port of the non-rotating cover. The toner discharged from the toner container is supplied to the developing device through the toner supply device.

[0004] Citation list

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] [Patent Document 1]

[0007] Japanese Patent No. 5999479 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] When a user pulls a conventional toner container out of an image forming apparatus, the container tends to become significantly unbalanced. When the toner container becomes significantly unbalanced, the toner remaining in the container may leak to the outside. The present invention has been developed to address the aforementioned problem and aims to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus that are less likely to experience such an unfavorable condition when the user pulls the toner container out of the apparatus.

[0010] Solutions to the Problem

[0011] The toner container disclosed herein can be manually installed horizontally along an installation direction relative to a mounting portion of an image forming device body, and can be manually removed horizontally along a removal direction from the mounting portion. The toner container includes a bottom and a protrusion. When the toner container is installed or removed from the mounting portion, the protrusion protrudes downward to the lowest position of the bottom of the toner container. When the toner container is installed or removed from the mounting portion, the protrusion slides on the surface of the mounting portion. The length from the downstream end of the bottom in the installation direction to the protrusion is within a range of 37.5 to 80 mm.

[0012] Effects of the present invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus in which the posture of the toner container is less likely to become unbalanced when a user pulls the toner container out of a main body of the image forming apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] A more complete understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages and features can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015] [ Figure 1 ]

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] [ Figure 2 ]

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 sectional view of an image forming portion of an image forming apparatus.

[0019] [ Figure 3 ]

[0020] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a toner container mounted on a toner supply device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] [ Figure 4 ]

[0022] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a toner container mounted on a mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] [ Figure 5 ]

[0024] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a toner container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] [ Figure 6 ]

[0026] Figure 6 1 is a front view of a toner container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from a downstream side in a mounting direction of the toner container.

[0027] [Figure 7]

[0028] 7A to 7D 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation of pulling out a toner container from a main body of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 8]

[0030] Figures 8A to 8D It is a diagram showing an operation of pulling out a toner container from the main body of the image forming apparatus according to a comparative example.

[0031] [Figure 9]

[0032] 9A to 9D is an enlarged view of the bottom of a cap of a toner container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] The accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the scope of its applicability. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the accompanying drawings should not be considered to be drawn to scale. Furthermore, throughout the several views, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In describing the embodiments shown in the drawings, specific terms are employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it should be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have similar functions, operate in a similar manner, and achieve similar results.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] The following describes the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 100. Figure 1 As shown, the toner container housing 70 (see FIG. Figure 4) are detachably arranged (replaceably arranged) within the image forming apparatus 100, corresponding to four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, respectively, corresponding to the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. These toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are manually attached to and removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by an operator, such as a user. The intermediate transfer unit 15 is provided below the toner container housing 70. Image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, corresponding to the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, are arranged side by side so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15. Below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are provided, respectively. The toners stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are supplied (replenished) to the developing devices of the image forming sections 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by the toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, respectively.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 The yellow image forming unit 6Y includes a photoreceptor drum 1Y, and a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, a cleaning device 2Y, and a static elimination device disposed around the photoreceptor drum 1Y. The image forming process (i.e., charging, exposure, development, transfer, cleaning, and static elimination) is performed on the photoreceptor drum 1Y. This forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y.

[0038] The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K have substantially the same configuration as the yellow image forming unit 6Y, except for the toner colors used, and form magenta, cyan, and black toner images, respectively. Below, only the yellow image forming unit 6Y will be described, and descriptions of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K will be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the driving motor drives the photosensitive drum 1Y in Figure 2 The charging device 4Y uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y (charging process). When the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y is exposed to the light from the exposure device 7 (see FIG. Figure 1 ), the photoreceptor drum 1Y is scanned at the position by the laser beam L emitted from the photoreceptor drum 1Y. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed on the photoreceptor drum 1Y (exposure process).

[0040] When the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, the electrostatic latent image is developed into a yellow toner image at this position using toner (development process). When the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y, carrying the toner image, reaches a position facing the primary transfer roller 9Y via the intermediate transfer belt 8, the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position (primary transfer process). After the primary transfer process, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photoreceptor drum 1Y.

[0041] When the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning device 2Y, the cleaning blade 2a of the cleaning device 2Y mechanically collects untransferred toner from the photoreceptor drum 1Y (cleaning process). Finally, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches a position facing the static eliminator, where the residual potential on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is removed (static eliminator). This completes the series of image forming processes performed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y.

[0042] The other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K perform the aforementioned series of image forming processes in the same manner as the image forming unit 6Y. Specifically, the exposure device 7 disposed below the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K irradiates the photoreceptor drums 1M, 1C, and 1K of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K with laser light L based on image data. The toner images formed on the photoreceptor drums 1M, 1C, and 1K by the development process are then transferred and superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8. This forms a color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 The intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer counter roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaner. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched around and supported by a plurality of rollers, and is moved along the intermediate transfer belt 8 as a roller serving as a driving roller (i.e., the secondary transfer counter roller 12) rotates. Figure 1 Rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow shown.

[0044] Each of the four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with a corresponding one of the photoreceptor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form a contact area between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the corresponding one of the photoreceptor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, which is referred to herein as a primary transfer nip. A primary transfer bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is moved along the intermediate transfer belt 8. Figure 1The photoreceptor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K travel in the direction indicated by the arrow (counterclockwise) and sequentially pass through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. As a result, the single-color toner images of the corresponding colors on the photoreceptor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred and superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8, thereby forming a multicolor toner image (primary transfer process).

[0045] Subsequently, the intermediate transfer belt 8, onto which the toner images of each color have been transferred and superimposed, reaches a position opposite the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer counter roller 12 and the secondary transfer roller 19, forming a secondary transfer nip. The four color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred to a sheet P, such as paper, conveyed to the secondary transfer nip position (secondary transfer process). At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the sheet P remains on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. The surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 then reaches a position opposite the intermediate transfer belt cleaner. At this position, the intermediate transfer belt cleaner collects the untransferred toner from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. As a result, a series of transfer processes performed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 are completed.

[0046] The sheet P is fed from the sheet feeder 26 provided below the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 to the secondary transfer nip portion via the feed roller 27 and the registration roller pair 28. Specifically, the sheet feeder 26 stacks and stores a plurality of sheets P such as paper. Figure 1 The feed roller 27 rotates counterclockwise in the sheet feeder 26 , and delivers the uppermost sheet P of the plurality of sheets P to the roller nip portion of the registration roller pair 28 .

[0047] The sheet P conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops at the roller nip between the rollers of the registration roller pair 28, which have stopped rotating. The rotation timing of the registration roller pair 28 is controlled to convey the sheet P toward the secondary transfer nip so that the sheet P aligns with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the secondary transfer nip. Thus, the desired color image is transferred to the sheet P.

[0048] Subsequently, the sheet P, to which the color toner image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip, is conveyed to the position of the fixing device 20. At this position, the color toner image transferred to the surface of the sheet P is fixed to the sheet P by the heat and pressure of the fixing belt and the pressure roller. Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed by the rollers of the output roller pair 29 and discharged to the exterior of the image forming apparatus 100. The sheets P discharged to the exterior of the image forming apparatus 100 by the output roller pair 29 are sequentially stacked on the stacking tray 30 as output images. This completes the series of image forming processes performed by the image forming apparatus 100.

[0049] Reference Figure 2The structure and operation of the developing device 5Y of the image forming unit 6Y will be described in detail. The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y positioned opposite the photoreceptor drum 1Y, a scraper 52Y positioned opposite the developing roller 51Y, two conveying screws 55Y disposed in developer housings 53Y and 54Y, and a toner concentration sensor 56Y for detecting the toner concentration in the developer G. A magnet is fixed inside the developing roller 51Y. A sleeve rotates around the magnet. The developer housings 53Y and 54Y house a two-component developer G consisting of a carrier and toner. The developer housing 54Y communicates with a downward toner conveyance path 64Y via an opening on its upper side.

[0050] The developing device 5Y operates as follows. The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y moves along Figure 2 The developer G is carried on the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field generated by the magnet. As the sleeve rotates, the developer G moves along the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 51Y.

[0051] The developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of the toner in the developer G (toner concentration) is within a specified range. More specifically, the toner supply device 60Y (see Figure 3 ) supplies toner (as powder) from the toner container 32Y to the developer housing 54Y according to toner consumption in the developing device 5Y. The configuration and operation of the toner supply device will be described in detail later.

[0052] The toner supplied to the developer housing 54Y is mixed and stirred with the developer G by the two conveying screws 55Y while circulating in the two developer housings 53Y and 54Y. Figure 2 The toner in the developer G is charged by friction with the carrier and is attracted to the carrier. Due to the magnetic force generated on the developing roller 51Y, both the toner and the carrier are carried on the developing roller 51Y.

[0053] The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is Figure 2 The toner is transported in the direction indicated by the arrow in the middle, arriving at a position opposite the scraper 52Y. At this position, the scraper 52Y adjusts the amount of developer G on the developing roller 51Y to an appropriate level. The developer G on the developing roller 51Y is then transported to a position opposite the photoreceptor drum 1Y (i.e., the development area). The toner is attracted to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1Y by the electric field generated in the development area. As the sleeve rotates, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer housing 53Y and separates from the developing roller 51Y.

[0054] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4The toner supply devices 60Y, 60M, 60C and 60K are described in detail below. Figure 3 As shown, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K in the toner container housing 70 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 are supplied to the respective developing devices via the toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K provided for the respective color toners, based on the amount of toner consumed in the respective developing devices. The four toner replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K have similar structures, and the four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K have similar structures, except for the colors of the toners used in the image forming process. Therefore, only the toner replenishing device 60Y and toner container 32Y for yellow will be described below as a representative example, and the description of the toner replenishing devices 60M, 60C, and 60K for the other three colors and the toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K will be omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, when the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are mounted (moved in the direction of arrow Q) to the toner container housing 70 (provided with a guide rail 72 as a mounting portion) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the shutters 34d of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are moved in conjunction with the mounting action to open the toner container discharge ports W, and the toner container replenishing ports 73w (see FIG. 1 ) of the toner container replenishing devices 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K are opened. Figure 3 ) is connected to the toner container discharge port W. As a result, the toner stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is discharged from the toner discharge port W, passes through the toner supply port 73w of the toner supply device 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K, and is stored in the toner tanks 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K of the toner supply device 60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K. Figure 3 The toner container 32Y is a generally cylindrical toner bottle, generally including a cap 34Y and a gear 33c (see FIG. Figure 6 ) is formed integrally with the container body 33Y (i.e., the bottle body). The cap 34Y is held by the toner container housing 70 so as not to rotate. The container body 33Y is held rotatable relative to the cap 34Y by a driver 91 (including a drive motor and a drive gear 81). Figure 3 When the container body 33Y rotates, the toner stored in the toner container 32Y (i.e., the container body 33Y) is transported in the longitudinal direction (i.e., in the longitudinal direction) by the protrusions 33b spirally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33Y. Figure 3Toner is discharged from the toner discharge port W of the cover 34Y. In other words, the driver 91 drives to rotate the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y as needed, thereby supplying toner to the toner tank 61Y. When the service life of each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K expires, that is, when almost all the toner stored in the corresponding toner container 32 has been consumed, it is replaced with a new toner container.

[0056] Reference Figure 3 The toner replenishing device 60Y includes a toner container housing 70, a toner tank 61Y, a toner conveying screw 62Y, a stirring member 65Y, a toner end sensor 66Y, and a driver 91. The toner tank 61Y is positioned below the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y to store the toner discharged through the toner discharge port W of the toner container 32Y. The bottom of the toner tank 61Y is connected to the upstream portion of the toner conveying screw 62Y in the toner conveying direction. The toner end sensor 66Y is positioned at a predetermined height from the bottom of the wall of the toner tank 61Y to detect whether the amount of toner stored in the toner tank 61Y has fallen below a predetermined amount. For example, a piezoelectric sensor can be used as the toner end sensor 66Y. When the controller 90 detects that the amount of toner stored in the toner tank 61Y is a specified amount or less through the toner end sensor 66Y, the controller 90 controls the driver 91 (e.g., the drive gear 81) to rotate the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y for a specified time, thereby supplying toner to the toner tank 61Y. If the toner end sensor 66Y continues to detect "toner end" even when this action is repeated a specified number of times, the controller 90 controls the display panel of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 to display that the toner container 32Y is empty (toner end), thereby prompting the user to replace the toner container 32Y.

[0057] The stirring member 65Y is provided at the center of the toner tank 61Y (near the toner end sensor 66Y) to prevent the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y from agglomerating. The stirring member 65Y includes a shaft and a flexible member provided on the shaft. Figure 3 The toner tank 61Y rotates clockwise during rotation to stir the toner in the toner tank 61Y. The tip of the flexible member of the stirring member 65Y slides in contact with the surface detected by the toner-end sensor 66Y during the rotation cycle. As a result, toner does not adhere to the surface detected by the toner-end sensor 66Y, preventing degradation in detection accuracy.

[0058] The toner conveying screw 62Y conveys the toner stored in the toner tank 61Y obliquely upward. Specifically, the toner conveying screw 62Y linearly conveys the toner from the bottom (i.e., the lowest point) of the toner tank 61Y toward the upper side of the developing device 5Y. Then, the toner conveyed by the toner conveying screw 62Y passes through the downward toner conveying path 64Y (see FIG. 1 ) due to its own weight. Figure 2 ) falls and is supplied to the developing device 5Y (developer housing 54Y).

[0059] Reference Figure 4 The colorant container housing 70 generally includes a cover receiving portion 73 for holding the cover 34Y of the colorant container 32Y, a rail 72 as a mounting portion (loading portion) of the container body 33Y for holding the colorant container 32Y, and an insertion port 71 as an insertion port through which the colorant container 32Y is installed.

[0060] Reference Figure 1 , when the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 (ie, perpendicular to the Figure 1 When the toner container housing 70 (e.g., the insertion port 71 and rails 72) is opened and closed (front side in the paper direction), the toner container housing 70 is exposed. The toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are mounted to and removed from the front upper side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 with the longitudinal directions (rotational axis directions) of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K held horizontally. In other words, the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are mounted or removed with the longitudinal directions (rotational axis directions) of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K as the mounting or removal direction. The guide rails 72 (serving as the mounting portion) are formed so that the longitudinal length is substantially equal to (or slightly longer than) the longitudinal length of the container body 33Y. The cover receiving portion 73 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the rail 72 (on the downstream side in the installation direction), and the insertion port 71 is provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the rail 72 (on the upstream side in the installation direction). Therefore, during the installation operation of the toner container 32Y into the toner container housing 70, the cover 34Y passes through the insertion port 71, slides a certain distance on the guide rail 72, and then is placed on the cover receiving portion 73.

[0061] Reference Figure 5 , the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are described in detail. Figure 5 As shown, the toner container 32Y generally includes a cylindrical container body (bottle body) 33Y and a cap (bottle cap) 34Y into which the head of the container body 33Y is inserted. The generally cylindrical container body 33Y rotates in a rotation axis direction, which is the direction in which the toner container 32Y is mounted and removed ( Figure 3The lid 34Y is provided with a toner outlet W at the bottom 34Y1 for discharging the toner discharged from the opening A to the outside of the container body 33Y.

[0062] Reference Figure 3 At the head of the substantially cylindrical container body 33Y, a gear 33c and an opening A that rotate integrally with the container body 33Y are provided in the direction of the rotation axis ( Figure 3 left and right directions, and Figure 6 An opening A is formed at the head of the container body 33Y (i.e., the front side when the toner container 32Y is inserted into the toner container housing 70). The toner stored in the container body 33Y is discharged into the space (cavity) inside the lid 34Y through the opening A. Toner transport from the interior of the container body 33Y to the cavity inside the lid 34Y (i.e., rotational drive by the container body 33Y) is appropriately performed so that the toner inside the lid 34Y does not fall below a specified water level.

[0063] The gear 33c of the container body 33Y meshes with a driving gear 81 provided in the toner container housing 70 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 to drive the container body 33Y in the direction of rotation. Figure 3 The container body 33Y rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in the middle, with the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y as the direction of the rotation axis. Specifically, the gear 33c is formed around the opening A, and a plurality of teeth are formed radially relative to the rotation center of the container body 33Y. A portion of the gear 33c is formed from a cutout (see FIG. 1 ) formed in the cover 34Y. Figure 6 ) is exposed, and the gear 33c meshes with the drive gear 81 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 at a meshing position located obliquely below the gear 33c. The driving force is transmitted from the drive gear 81 to the gear 33c, and the container body 33Y rotates in a predetermined direction.

[0064] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The grip portion 33d that the user grips when mounting and removing the toner container 32Y is provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y (i.e., at the rear end in the mounting direction). The user grips the grip 33d to mount the toner container 32Y to the main body (rail 72) of the image forming apparatus 100, which is along the Figure 5 The arrows shown indicate the direction of movement.

[0065] A spiral protrusion 33b ( Figure 5 In other words, Figure 5As shown, when viewed from the outside, a spiral groove is formed on the outer circumference of the container body 33Y. The spiral protrusion 33b is used to discharge the toner stored in the container body 33Y through the opening A. When the container body 33Y rotates in the longitudinal direction as the rotation axis, the spiral protrusion 33b conveys the toner toward the opening A, and the toner is discharged from the opening A. The container body 33Y having this structure is formed from a resin material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and can be manufactured integrally with the gear 33c and handle 33d provided on its circumference by blow molding.

[0066] Reference Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 The lid 34Y of the toner container 32Y is provided with, for example, a shutter 34d and a protrusion 34Y10 at its bottom 34Y1. The opening A of the container body 33Y is inserted into the lid 34Y. A toner discharge port W is formed at the bottom 34Y1 of the lid 34Y for discharging the toner discharged from the opening A of the container body 33Y vertically downward (by its own weight) to the outside of the container body 33Y. The shutter 34d (see FIG. 1 ) for opening and closing the toner discharge port W is provided. Figure 2 and Figure 6 ) is slidably held on the bottom 34Y1 of the cover 34Y. Specifically, the shutter 34d is moved relative to the container body 33Y in the longitudinal direction from the cover 34Y (ie, in the direction of the container body 33Y). Figure 5 The shutter 34d opens the toner discharge port W by relatively moving from the container body 33Y toward the cover 34Y in the longitudinal direction (i.e., in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG). Figure 5 The shutter 34 d opens and closes the toner discharge outlet W. The shutter 34 d opens and closes the toner discharge outlet W. The shutter 34 d opens and closes the toner discharge outlet W in conjunction with the mounting and removal operations of the toner container 32Y relative to the toner container housing 70 (guide rails 72 ) in the longitudinal direction (rotation axis direction).

[0067] The cover 34Y having such a structure is connected to the container body 33Y via the opening A, and the toner discharged from the opening A is discharged through the toner discharge port W (i.e., along the Figure 3(The toner moves in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow shown in the figure). In this embodiment, a generally cylindrical cavity (space) extending in the longitudinal direction is formed inside the cap 34Y. Furthermore, a cylindrical toner drop path is provided inside the cap 34Y. This path has a certain flow path area (flow path cross-sectional area) and extends from the lower circumference of the generally cylindrical cavity to the toner discharge port W of the cap 34Y. With this structure, the toner discharged from the opening A of the container body 33Y into the cavity of the cap 34Y falls along the cylindrical toner drop path due to its own weight and is smoothly discharged from the toner discharge port W to the outside of the container (toner tank 61Y).

[0068] The following describes the structure and operation of the toner container 32Y (32M, 32C, 32K) according to this embodiment. Figures 1 to 5 As described above, the toner container 32Y according to the present embodiment is formed so as to be manually mounted or removed horizontally in the mounting or removal direction to or from the guide rail 72 as the mounting portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, when the toner container 32Y set in the main body (rail 72) of the image forming apparatus 100 is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, first, as shown in FIG. Figure 7A As shown, the opening and closing door 110 is opened. In a state where the opening and closing door 110 is opened and the toner container 32Y placed on the track 72 is exposed, the user holds the handle 33d (see FIG. 33d ) with one hand. Figure 5 ) state, the toner container 32Y is pulled out in the direction indicated by the arrow. Figures 7B to 7D Specifically, while the cover 34Y (protrusion 34Y10) slides on the rail 72, the toner container 32Y is removed. When the toner container 32Y is manually mounted to the main body (rail 72) of the image forming apparatus 100, the toner container 32Y is manually mounted to the main body (rail 72) of the image forming apparatus 100. Figures 7A to 7D The process is the reverse of performing the operation manually.

[0069] Reference Figure 6 (as well as Figures 5 to 7D ), in the toner container 32Y according to the present embodiment, the protrusion 34Y10 is formed in a posture ( Figures 3 to 7DIn the posture shown (see figure), the protrusion 34Y10 protrudes downward to the lowest position of the bottom 34Y1 of the toner container 32Y. When the toner container 32Y is attached to and detached from the guide rail 72 (mounting portion), the protrusion 34Y10 slides on the surface of the guide rail 72. This allows the toner container 32Y to be attached and detached while only the protrusion 34Y10 slides on the guide rail 72. This allows for smoother attachment and detachment operations with less resistance than would be possible if the entire bottom 34Y1 of the cap 34Y (or the entire bottom of the toner container 32Y) were to slide on the guide rail 72. To further enhance this effect, the bottom surface of the protrusion 34Y10 can be formed from a low-friction material.

[0070] Specifically, when the toner container 32Y is manually mounted on the guide rail 72 (mounting portion) with the cover 34Y as the leading end relative to the container body 33Y, the protrusion 34Y10 protruding downward from the bottom 34Y1 of the cover 34Y slides on the guide rail 72. Figure 6 As shown, at the bottom 34Y1 of the cover 34Y, in the short side direction (direction perpendicular to the long side direction, for example Figure 6 The protrusions 34Y10 are formed on both sides (in the left and right directions). The bottom surface of the protrusion 34Y10 is formed horizontally. Figure 6 As shown, when viewed along the rotation axis direction of the toner container 32Y, the protrusion 34Y10 is formed so as to sandwich the shutter 34d and protrude downward relative to the shutter 34d. 7A to 7D As shown, the protrusion 34Y10 is formed on the upstream side (in the direction of installation) of the bottom 34Y1 of the cover 34Y. 7A to 7D 7 , also near the container body 33Y). In the bottom portion 34Y1 of the cover 34Y, the range (which is the range of the length X) from the protrusion 34Y10 to the downstream side (left side in FIG. 7 ) in the mounting direction of the bottom portion 34Y1 is parallel to the bottom surface of the protrusion 34Y10, forming a horizontal plane.

[0071] Reference Figure 5 、 Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B 、 Figure 7C and Figure 7D In this embodiment, the bottom 34Y1 of the cover 34Y is formed so that the mounting direction ( Figure 5 The distance X from the end portion on the downstream side (left side in FIG. 7 ) of the toner container 32Y to the protrusion 34Y10 is within a range of 37.5 mm to 80 mm. In other words, when the toner container 32Y is viewed in the longitudinal direction, the distance X from the front end of the bottom portion 34Y1 of the cap 34Y (the end surface on the downstream side in the mounting direction) to the protrusion 34Y10 is within a range of 37.5 mm to 80 mm.

[0072] With this configuration, when the user (operator) pulls the toner container 32Y out of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, even if the protrusion 34Y10 falls off the guide rail 72 (the guide rail-shaped mounting portion), it is unlikely that the toner container 32Y will become significantly unbalanced. Therefore, it is unlikely that the toner container 32Y (protrusion 34Y10) will fall off the guide rail 72, causing the toner container 32Y to become unbalanced, or that the toner remaining in the toner container 32Y will leak to the outside.

[0073] The above configuration is described in more detail below. Generally speaking, the reflex time of an average person (the time required for a person with average reflex nerves to perform an action after grasping a phenomenon of at least one of the five senses) is 0.2 to 0.25 seconds. The inventors conducted an experiment to measure the pulling speed when a user who is not familiar with the operation of removing the colorant container 32Y takes out the colorant container 32Y from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, and found that the pulling speed of many users was 150 mm / s or less. According to the results, during the pulling operation of the colorant container 32Y, the colorant container 32Y is only pulled out a distance of approximately 37.5 mm (= 0.25 seconds × 150 mm) before the user stops the pulling operation after feeling any abnormality. For example, in accordance with Figures 8A to 8D In the case of the toner container 132Y of the comparative example shown, the distance W from the front end to the protrusion 134Y10 at the bottom 134Y1 of the cover 134Y is set to be less than 37.5 mm. In this case, when the user holds the handle 33d (see FIG. 134) with one hand, the user can Figures 3 to 5 ) and pull out the toner container 134Y, at the moment when the protrusion 132Y10 completely comes out of the guide rail 72, the support on the cover 134Y side is lost, and the toner container 132Y becomes unbalanced. As a result, the user misses the opportunity to support the toner container 132Y (the portion near the cover 134Y) that has fallen off the guide rail 72 with the other hand (the hand that is not holding the handle 33d). In other words, immediately after the toner container 132Y (protrusion 134Y10) has fallen off the rail 72, Figure 8D As shown in FIG. 1 , the posture of the toner container 132Y is largely unbalanced as a whole (the toner container 132Y cannot be maintained in a horizontal posture and becomes a largely tilted posture), and the toner remaining in the toner container 132Y may leak to the outside of the toner container 132Y. In particular, if the toner container 132Y with an unbalanced posture falls to the ground, the toner leakage may be noticeable. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figures 7A to 7D As shown in FIG. 1 , the distance X from the front end of the cover 34Y to the protrusion 34Y10 of the bottom 34Y1 of the cover 34Y is set to be 37.5 mm or more. Therefore, even when the user holds the handle 33d with one hand (see FIG. Figures 3 to 5) When the toner container 32Y is pulled out, at the moment when the protrusion 34Y10 completely comes out of the guide rail 72, the support of the protrusion 34Y10 is lost, and the portion of the cover 34Y extending from the protrusion 34Y10 to the front end of the cover 34Y (the portion represented by the distance X) is also placed on the guide rail 72. Therefore, when the horizontal posture of the colorant container 32Y is not significantly unbalanced, the time required to support the colorant container 32Y (the side close to the cover 34Y) with the other hand (the hand that is not holding the handle 33d) is fully ensured. As a result, even if the toner container 32Y (protrusion 34Y10) falls from the guide rail 72, at this time, Figure 7D As shown, the posture is not significantly unbalanced (maintaining a horizontal posture). Therefore, the toner remaining in the toner container 32Y is less likely to leak to the outside of the toner container 32Y.

[0074] The inventors of the present disclosure have discovered that when a user senses an abnormality during the operation of removing the toner container 32Y from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the user grips the handle 33d with one hand and operates the already pulled toner container 32Y with the other hand. Furthermore, the inventors have discovered that even after the user senses an abnormality, the user pulls the toner container 32Y out by approximately 80 mm, and nothing happens. The user then removes the other hand placed on the toner container 32Y from the toner container 32Y. Therefore, in this embodiment, the upper limit value of the distance X from the front end (end surface on the downstream side in the mounting direction) of the bottom portion 34Y1 of the cap 34Y to the protrusion 34Y10 is set to 80 mm or less.

[0075] Reference Figures 7A to 7D (as well as Figure 4 ), in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the toner container 32Y is mounted on and removed from the guide rail 72 (mounting portion), the opening and closing door 110 is provided to be rotatable about a support axis. When the opening and closing door 110 is opened, a step is formed between the guide rail 72 (mounting portion) exposed to the inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and the opening and closing door 110 ( Figure 7B The opening and closing door 110 is located below the guide rail 72. Figure 8D As shown, when a step is formed in this manner, the posture of the toner container 132Y is more likely to be significantly unbalanced when the protrusion 134Y10 of the toner container 32Y passes through the guide rail 72, compared to a case where no step is formed. As a result, the above-mentioned effect of the present disclosure (the effect achieved by lengthening the distance X from the front end of the bottom portion 34Y1 of the cover 34Y to the protrusion 34Y10) is more easily exerted.

[0076] Reference Figure 6In this embodiment, when the toner container 32Y is in the position when the toner container 32Y is mounted on and removed from the guide rail 72 (mounting portion), the lower end of the protrusion 34Y10 on the bottom 34Y1 of the cover 34Y is located below the container body 33Y. This structure facilitates smooth sliding of the protrusion 34Y10 on the guide rail 72 when the toner container 32Y is mounted on and removed from the guide rail 72.

[0077] In this embodiment, the bottom portion 34Y1 of the cover 34Y is provided with a fitting portion 34Y10a as a non-interchangeable shape portion, which is formed in a different shape according to at least one of the color of the toner stored in the toner container 32Y and the model of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. Figure 9A As shown, in the yellow toner container 32Y storing yellow toner, substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped engaging portions 34Y10a (non-interchangeable shape portions) are formed at the two outermost ends of the upper region of the protrusion 34Y10 in the bottom 34Y1 of the cover 34Y. An engaged portion 72a is formed on the guide rail 72 provided for the yellow toner container 32Y to engage with the engaging portion 34Y10a (non-interchangeable shape portion) for yellow. In contrast, as shown in FIG. Figure 9B As shown, in the magenta toner container 32M storing magenta toner, in the bottom 34M1 of the cover 34M, approximately rectangular parallelepiped-shaped engaging portions 34M10a (non-interchangeable shape portion) are formed at positions offset toward the center portion at the two outermost ends of the upper region of the protrusion 34M10. An engaged portion 72b (non-interchangeable shape portion on the mounting portion side) that engages with the engaging portion 34M10a (non-interchangeable shape portion) for magenta is formed on the guide rail 72 provided on the toner container 32M for magenta. As shown in FIG. Figure 9C As shown, in the cyan toner container 32C storing cyan toner, in the bottom 34C1 of the cover 34C, approximately rectangular parallelepiped-shaped engaging portions 34C10a (non-interchangeable shape portion) are formed at positions offset toward the center at the two outermost ends of the upper region of the protrusion 34C10. An engaged portion 72c (non-interchangeable shape portion on the mounting portion side) that engages with the engaging portion 34C10a (non-interchangeable shape portion) for cyan is formed on the guide rail 72 provided for the cyan toner container 32C. Figure 9DAs shown, in the black toner container 32K storing black toner, substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped engaging portions 34K10a (non-interchangeable portions) are formed on the bottom 34K1 of the lid 34K at positions offset toward the center at both outermost ends of the upper region of the protrusion 34K10. An engaging portion 72d (non-interchangeable portion on the mounting portion side) is formed on the guide rail 72 provided for the black toner container 32K to engage with the engaging portions 34K10a (non-interchangeable portions).

[0078] By such a structure, the four color toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K cannot be installed on the guide rails for different colors, ensuring non-interchangeability. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from mistakenly installing the colorant container on the guide rails for the colorant container of a different color. Since the protrusions 34Y10, 34M10, 34C10 and 34K10 are provided at an appropriate distance X on the four color toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K, when the colorant containers 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K are pulled out of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem in which the postures of the colorant containers 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K are unbalanced. The non-interchangeable shape portion formed on the protrusions 34Y10, 34M10, 34C10, 34K10 is not limited to Figures 9A to 9D The shapes shown can be used in various shapes and quantities. Figures 9A to 9D In the example shown in FIG, the non-interchangeable shape portion is formed to have different shapes depending on the color of the toner stored in the toner container. The non-interchangeable shape portion may be formed to have different shapes depending on the model of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 (e.g., the destination, the presence or absence of original equipment manufacturing (OEM), or the version), or the non-interchangeable shape portion may be formed to have different shapes depending on both the color of the toner and the model of the main body.

[0079] As described above, the toner container 32Y according to this embodiment can be manually attached to and detached from the guide rail 72 (mounting portion) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The toner container 32Y is provided with a protrusion 34Y10. This protrusion 34Y10 is formed so that, when attached or detached from the guide rail 72, it protrudes downward to the lowest position of the bottom 34Y1 of the toner container 32Y. This protrusion 34Y10 slides on the surface of the guide rail 72 during attachment or detachment. The bottom 34Y1 is formed so that the distance X from the end on the downstream side of the attachment direction to the protrusion 34Y10 is within a range of 37.5 mm to 80 mm. This makes it less likely that the toner container 32Y will become unbalanced when the user pulls it out of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0080] In this embodiment, only toner is stored in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. However, in some embodiments, the toner containers may contain a two-component developer comprising toner and a carrier, which is to be used in an image forming device, and the two-component developer is suitably supplied to the developing device. In this embodiment, although the present invention is applied to a generally cylindrical (bottle-shaped) toner container 32Y, the toner container to which the present invention is applied is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a box-shaped toner container as long as a protrusion is provided on the bottom. Even in this case, similar effects to those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0081] In this embodiment, at least one of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K can function as a process cartridge. Even in this case, similar effects to those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved. The term "process cartridge" as used in this disclosure defines a unit comprising: a charging device for charging an image carrier; a developing device for developing a latent image on the image carrier; and at least one of a cleaning device for cleaning the image carrier; and the image carrier. This unit is integrated and can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0082] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments. Obviously, in addition to the contents of the above-described embodiments, the above-described embodiments may be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure. In addition, the number, position, shape, etc. of components are not limited to the number, position, shape, etc. of the present embodiment and its variations, and may be any number, position, shape, etc. suitable for implementing the present disclosure.

[0083] In the description of the present disclosure, the term "horizontal" is defined to include a state close to horizontal (substantially horizontal).

[0084] Aspects of the present disclosure may be combinations of, for example, the following first to seventh aspects.

[0085] First aspect

[0086] A toner container (e.g., toner container 32Y) can be manually installed horizontally in an installation direction relative to a mounting portion of the main body of an image forming device (e.g., image forming device 100) and can be manually removed horizontally in a removal direction from the mounting portion (e.g., guide rail 72). The toner container includes: a bottom portion (e.g., bottom portion 34Y1) and a protrusion (e.g., protrusion 34Y10). When the toner container is installed or removed from the mounting portion, the protrusion protrudes downward to the lowest position of the bottom portion of the toner container. When the toner container is installed or removed from the mounting portion, the protrusion slides on the surface of the mounting portion. The length from the downstream end of the bottom portion in the installation direction to the protrusion is within a range of 37.5 to 80 mm.

[0087] Second aspect

[0088] According to the first aspect, the colorant container (for example, the colorant container 32Y) includes: a roughly cylindrical container body (for example, the container body 33Y), which rotates with the installation direction as the rotation axis direction of the container body to transport the colorant stored in the container body toward the opening portion of the container body (for example, the opening portion A); and a cover (for example, the cover 34Y), into which the head of the container body provided with the opening portion is inserted, and the cover includes a colorant discharge port (for example, the colorant discharge port W), and the colorant discharged from the opening portion is discharged to the outside of the colorant container through the colorant discharge port.

[0089] The third aspect

[0090] The toner container according to the second aspect (e.g., the toner container 32Y) is mounted to the mounting portion (e.g., the guide rail 72) with the cover (e.g., the cover 34Y) positioned at the front of the container body (e.g., the container body 33Y) in the mounting direction. The bottom portion (e.g., the bottom portion 34Y1) is formed on the cover.

[0091] The fourth aspect

[0092] In the colorant container (e.g., colorant container 32Y) according to either the second or third aspect, in the posture when the colorant container is loaded and unloaded relative to the mounting portion (e.g., guide rail 72), the lower end of the protrusion (e.g., protrusion 34Y10) of the bottom portion (e.g., bottom portion 34Y1) of the cover is located below the container body (e.g., container body 33Y).

[0093] The fifth aspect

[0094] In the colorant container (e.g., the colorant container 32Y) according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the bottom (e.g., the bottom 34Y1) includes a non-interchangeable shape portion (e.g., the fitting portion 34Y10a), and the non-interchangeable shape portion has a different shape depending on at least one of the color of the colorant stored in the colorant container and the model of the main body of the image forming device (e.g., the image forming device 100).

[0095] The sixth aspect

[0096] An image forming apparatus (e.g., image forming apparatus 100) includes a toner container (e.g., toner container 32Y) according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. The toner container is detachably mounted to the mounting portion (e.g., guide rail 72) of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0097] Seventh aspect

[0098] The image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect (e.g., image forming apparatus 100) includes an opening and closing door (e.g., opening and closing door 110) that is opened and closed when the toner container (e.g., toner container 32Y) is attached to and detached from the mounting portion (e.g., guide rail 72). When the opening and closing door is open, a step is formed between the opening and closing door and the mounting portion exposed to the interior of the main body of the image forming apparatus, so that the opening and closing door is positioned lower than the mounting portion.

[0099] The above embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Therefore, based on the above teachings, many additional modifications and variations are possible. For example, within the scope of the present invention, the elements and / or features of different illustrative embodiments can be combined with each other and / or replaced with each other.

[0100] This patent application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2023-009351 filed in the Japan Patent Office on January 25, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0101] Reference Signs List

[0102] 5Y developing device

[0103] 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner containers (powder containers)

[0104] 33Y container body

[0105] 34Y cover

[0106] 34Y1 bottom

[0107] 34Y10 protrusion

[0108] 34Y10a Fitting part (non-interchangeable shape part)

[0109] 60Y, 60M, 60C, 60K toner replenishing device

[0110] 70 Toner container housing

[0111] 72 guide rail (installation part)

[0112] 72a: Fitted portion (non-interchangeable shape portion near the mounting portion)

[0113] 100 Image forming device (image forming device main body)

[0114] 110 Open and Close Doors

Claims

1. A toner container that can be manually mounted horizontally along a mounting direction relative to a mounting portion of an image forming apparatus body and can be manually removed horizontally along a removal direction from the mounting portion, the toner container comprising: bottom; as well as The protrusion protrudes downward to the lowest position of the bottom of the toner container when the toner container is mounted or removed from the mounting portion, and the protrusion slides on the surface of the mounting portion when the toner container is mounted or removed from the mounting portion. Wherein, the length from the downstream end of the bottom in the installation direction to the protrusion is in the range of 37.5 to 80 mm.

2. The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising: A generally cylindrical container body for: Rotating the container body with the installation direction as the rotation axis direction; as well as conveying the toner contained in the container body toward the opening of the container body; as well as A cap is inserted into the head portion of the container body having the opening, and includes a toner discharge port through which the toner discharged from the opening is discharged to the outside of the toner container.

3. The toner container according to claim 2, in, The toner container is mounted to the mounting portion with the cap positioned at the front of the container body in the mounting direction, and Wherein, the bottom is formed on the cover.

4. The toner container according to claim 2 or 3, in, In a posture when the toner container is attached to or detached from the mounting portion, a lower end of the protrusion of the bottom portion of the cover is located below the container body.

5. The toner container according to claim 1 or 2, in, The bottom portion includes a non-interchangeable shape portion having a different shape according to at least one of a color of toner stored in the toner container and a model of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

6. An image forming apparatus comprising the toner container according to claim 1 or 2, in, The toner container is detachably mounted on the mounting portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an opening and closing door that opens and closes when the toner container is attached to and detached from the mounting portion, in, When the opening and closing door is open, a step is formed between the opening and closing door and the mounting portion exposed to the inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus so that the opening and closing door is located lower than the mounting portion.

Images