Toner container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a toner container that has reduced leakage of toner when attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A toner device 100 comprises: a first storage unit 110 that defines a first storage chamber V1; a second storage unit 120 that defines a second storage chamber V2 and is provided with a supply port 122 supplying toner to an image forming apparatus; a fixation mechanism; a communication mechanism; an opening and closing mechanism; and an interlock mechanism. The fixation mechanism is configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which a toner container 100 is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus, and the communication mechanism is configured to be switchable between a communicating state in which the first storage chamber V1 and the second storage chamber V2 communicate with each other and a cut-off state in which the storage chambers do not communicate with each other. The opening and closing mechanism switches the supply port 122 to an open state and a closed state. The interlock mechanism switches the communication mechanism from the communicating state to the cut-off state in conjunction with the switching of the fixation mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus equipped with the toner container. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, in image forming devices such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, images are formed on recording media using toner supplied from a toner container that is detachably configured for the image forming device. When the toner in the toner container runs out, the toner container is detached from the image forming device and replaced with a new toner container.

[0003] As an example of such a toner container, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-74719 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-74720 (Patent Document 2) disclose a toner container having a first storage section that defines a first storage chamber that stores toner, a second storage section that defines a second storage chamber that stores toner supplied from the first storage chamber and is provided with a supply port for replenishing toner to an image forming device, a first blocking member configured to be able to switch the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber between a connected state and a blocked state, and a second blocking member that switches the supply port between an open state and a closed state.

[0004] In this toner container, the first and second blocking members move in conjunction with the movement of the toner container relative to the image forming device when the toner container is attached to or detached from the image forming device, thereby switching the communication state between the first and second storage chambers and switching the open / close state of the supply port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-74719 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-74720 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Here, in the toner containers disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, when the toner container is attached to or detached from the image forming device, there is a process in which the toner container moves relative to the image forming device while the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are connected and the supply port is in an open state, and there is a problem in that toner leaks out from the supply port to the outside, soiling the surrounding area.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide a toner container that reduces toner leakage when attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A toner device according to a first aspect of the present invention is detachable from an image forming apparatus and includes a first storage section, a second storage section, a fixing mechanism, a communication mechanism, an opening / closing mechanism, and an interlocking mechanism. The first storage section defines a first storage chamber for storing toner. The second storage section defines a second storage chamber for storing toner supplied from the first storage chamber, and is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming apparatus. The fixing mechanism is configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus. The communication mechanism is configured to be switchable between a communication state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are connected to each other, and a cut-off state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are not connected to each other. The opening / closing mechanism switches the supply port between an open state and a closed state. The interlocking mechanism switches the communication mechanism from the communicating state to the interrupted state in association with switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

[0009] A toner device according to a second aspect of the present invention is detachable from an image forming apparatus and includes a first storage section, a second storage section, a fixing mechanism, a communication mechanism, an opening / closing mechanism, and an interlocking mechanism. The first storage section defines a first storage chamber for storing toner. The second storage section defines a second storage chamber for storing toner supplied from the first storage chamber, and is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming apparatus. The fixing mechanism is configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus. The communication mechanism is configured to be switchable between a communication state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are connected to each other, and a cut-off state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are not connected to each other. The opening / closing mechanism switches the supply port between an open state and a closed state. The interlocking mechanism switches the opening and closing mechanism from the open state to the closed state in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

[0010] A toner device according to a third aspect of the present invention is detachable from an image forming apparatus and includes a first storage section, a second storage section, a fixing mechanism, a communication mechanism, an opening / closing mechanism, and an interlocking mechanism. The first storage section defines a first storage chamber for storing toner. The second storage section defines a second storage chamber for storing toner supplied from the first storage chamber, and is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming apparatus. The fixing mechanism is configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus. The communication mechanism is configured to be switchable between a communication state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are connected to each other, and a cut-off state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are not connected to each other. The opening / closing mechanism switches the supply port between an open state and a closed state. The interlocking mechanism switches the communication mechanism from the connected state to the blocked state, and switches the opening and closing mechanism from the open state to the closed state, in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner container that reduces leakage of toner when the container is attached to or detached from an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the toner container. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and its periphery. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toner supply unit in a released state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the toner supply unit shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the receiving portion shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6]FIG. 4 is a front view of the toner supply unit in a fixed state. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the receiving portion shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner container shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the rotating body shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner container shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an image forming apparatus and a toner container to which the present invention is applied will be described by taking as an example a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) having multiple functions such as a copy function, a scan function, and a print function, and a toner container provided therein. In the following embodiment, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming section of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and its periphery. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner supply unit in a released state. FIG. 4 is a front view of the toner supply unit shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are enlarged perspective views of the vicinity of the receiving section shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the obliquely upper right front side and the obliquely upper left front side, respectively. First, a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the image forming apparatus 1 comprises an apparatus main body 2, a paper feed cassette 3 arranged below the apparatus main body 2, a scanner unit 5 arranged above the apparatus main body 2, an operation panel 6 arranged on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and a control unit 7.

[0016] The device main body 2 has image forming sections 10 (10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K), which will be described in detail later, an intermediate transfer belt 20, a secondary transfer roller 21, a fixing device 22, and a toner supply unit 50. A door member that can be opened and closed when replacing the toner container 100 is provided on the front side of the device main body 2. Note that in FIG. 1, the door member is not shown in order to make it easier to understand the positional relationship between the device main body 2 and the toner container 100.

[0017] The paper feed cassette 3 has a paper feed tray 23 inside. The paper feed tray 23 is provided as a storage section for storing paper S as a recording medium. By pulling out the paper feed tray 23 to the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, a stack of paper S can be stored in the paper feed tray 23.

[0018] The scanner unit 5 optically reads the image of the document set by the user to generate image data. For example, when the job specified by the user is a copy job, the scanner unit 5 reads the image of the document to generate image data, and the image forming unit 10 or the like forms an image on the paper S based on this image data.

[0019] The operation panel 6 serves as a user interface when the user operates the image forming apparatus 1. The operation panel 6 displays various screens to the user and accepts operations by the user.

[0020] The control unit 7 has as its main components a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) / RAM (Random Access Memory), and a calculation unit that performs various calculations based on input information. The ROM / RAM includes a ROM that stores data in a non-volatile manner, and a RAM that stores data generated by the execution of a program by the CPU in a volatile manner. The components of the control unit 7 are mutually connected by a data bus.

[0021] The processing in the CPU is realized by each piece of hardware and software executed by the CPU. Such software is pre-stored in the ROM / RAM.

[0022] Power is supplied from an internal power source (not shown) or an external power source (not shown) to the control unit 7. For connection to the external power source, for example, an AC adapter (not shown) is used.

[0023] The control unit 7 controls the execution of image formation on the paper S by the image forming unit 10 based on detection information by a detection unit 54, which will be described later in detail.

[0024] The image forming unit 10 has a photoconductor drum 11, a charging device 12, an exposure device 13, a developing device 14, and a primary transfer roller 15. The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K form toner images having the colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20, respectively.

[0025] The toner images of the respective colors are superimposed on one another on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20. Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 20 conveys the color toner images to a secondary transfer portion between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and a secondary transfer roller 21.

[0026] The paper S stored in the paper feed tray 23 is transported by various rotating rollers to a secondary transfer section between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the secondary transfer roller 21. The color toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the surface of the paper S in the secondary transfer section. The color toner image is fixed to the surface of the paper S by the fixing device 22. The paper S on which the image has been formed by the above process is discharged to a paper discharge tray (not shown).

[0027] The toner supply unit 50 is a unit that supplies toner to the developing device 14 of the image forming section 10. The toner supply unit 50 has a receiving section 52 and toner containers 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K).

[0028] The receiving portion 52 is configured to be able to receive the toner container 100. In the present embodiment, the toner container 100 is received by the receiving portion 52 by being inserted from the front side to the rear side of the device main body 2, and is removed from the receiving portion 52 by being pulled out from the rear side to the front side.

[0029] 3 to 5, the receiving portion 52 has a recessed locking portion 53 that locks a locked portion 152 (described later) of the toner container 100, and a detection portion 54 for detecting whether the locked portion 152 is locked by the locking portion 53. The detection portion 54 is disposed adjacent to the locking portion 53.

[0030] The locking portion 53 includes a base portion 53a and a pair of wall portions 53b that are erected from the base portion 53a and positioned opposite each other. The pair of wall portions 53b are arranged side by side along the attachment / detachment direction of the toner container 100 to the receiving portion 52 (i.e., the direction connecting the front and rear surfaces of the device main body 2).

[0031] The detection unit 54 is disposed downstream of the locking unit 53 in the insertion direction of the locked portion 152 into the locking unit 53. The detection unit 54 is an optical sensor constituted by a light-projecting unit 54a and a light-receiving unit 54b positioned side by side along the attachment / detachment direction of the toner container 100 to the receiving unit 52.

[0032] The detection unit 54 is not limited to an optical sensor, but may be changed to any known sensor capable of detecting the locked portion 152 as appropriate.

[0033] The toner container 100 is for storing toner to be replenished to the developing device 14 of the image forming unit 10. The toner container 100Y, the toner container 100M, the toner container 100C, and the toner container 100K are provided corresponding to the developing devices 14 of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, respectively. The toner container 100Y, the toner container 100M, the toner container 100C, and the toner container 100K store toner of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) colors.

[0034] The toner container 100 is configured to be detachable from the receiving part 52 of the image forming apparatus 1. When the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 100 becomes low, the toner container 100 is removed from the receiving part 52, and a new toner container 100 containing sufficient toner is attached to the receiving part 52.

[0035] Hereinafter, a state in which the toner container 100 is fixed to the receiving part 52 will be referred to as a fixed state, and a state in which the toner container is not fixed to the receiving part 52 will be referred to as a released state. A method for fixing the toner container 100 to the receiving part 52 will be described in detail later.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a front view of the toner supply unit in a fixed state. Figs. 7(A) and 7(B) are enlarged perspective views of the vicinity of the receiving portion shown in Fig. 6, as viewed from the obliquely upper right front side and the obliquely upper left front side, respectively. Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner container taken along line VIII-VIII shown in Fig. 6. Figs. 9(A) and 9(B) are perspective views of the rotating body shown in Fig. 8, as viewed from above and below, respectively. Next, the configuration of the toner container 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the toner container 100 has a first storage section 110, a second storage section 120, an agitating blade 130, a conveying screw 140, and a rotating body 150.

[0038] The first storage unit 110 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion that defines a first storage chamber V1 that stores toner. The first storage unit 110 is disposed in the upper portion of the toner container 100.

[0039] The second storage section 120 is a portion that defines a second storage chamber V2 that stores the toner supplied from the first storage chamber V1. The second storage section 120 is disposed below the first storage section 110. The second storage section 120 has a peripheral wall 121 that is substantially cylindrical.

[0040] The first storage chamber V1 and the second storage chamber V2 are separated from each other by a partition wall 160. The partition wall 160 defines a part of the peripheral wall 121 of the second storage section 120. The partition wall 160 has an opening 161 formed therein.

[0041] A supply port 122 for supplying toner to the developing device 14 of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided at a predetermined position on the lower part of the peripheral wall 121 of the second storage section 120. The opening 161 and the supply port 122 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the second storage section 120. As a result, the opening 161 and the supply port 122 are disposed at positions that do not overlap each other when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0042] An agitating blade 130 is disposed inside the first storage chamber V1. The agitating blade 130 is driven to rotate about its axis by a rotational driving force transmitted to it from a motor (not shown) or the like of the image forming apparatus 1. The rotational driving of the agitating blade 130 effectively prevents the toner contained in the first storage chamber V1 from sticking.

[0043] A transport screw 140 is disposed inside the second storage chamber V2 as a toner transport device. The transport screw 140 transports the toner supplied from the first storage chamber V1 to the second storage chamber V2 through the opening 161 toward the supply port 122. The axis of the transport screw 140 extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the second storage section 120. The toner transport device is not limited to being configured by the transport screw 140, and may be configured by a transport conveyor or the like.

[0044] The rotating body 150 has a substantially cylindrical tubular portion 151, a substantially sector-shaped engaging portion 152 protruding from one end of the tubular portion 151 in the axial direction, and a lever portion 153 protruding from the same end of the tubular portion 151.

[0045] The cylindrical portion 151 is inserted substantially coaxially into the second housing portion 120. The conveying screw 140 described above is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 151.

[0046] A first communication hole 155 and a second communication hole 156 are provided at predetermined positions of the cylindrical portion 151. The first communication hole 155 and the second communication hole 156 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 151.

[0047] The position of the first communication hole 155 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 151 (i.e., the axial direction of the second accommodating portion 120) coincides with the position of the opening 161 of the partition wall 160 in the axial direction. Moreover, the position of the second communication hole 156 in the axial direction coincides with the position of the supply port 122 of the peripheral wall 121 in the axial direction.

[0048] The locked portion 152 constitutes a fixing mechanism that is switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container 100 is fixed to the receiving portion 52 and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the receiving portion 52. The lever portion 153 constitutes an operating mechanism that operates to switch between the fixed state and the released state.

[0049] Both the locked portion 152 and the lever portion 153 are exposed toward the front side of the toner container 100 (see FIG. 3, etc.). When viewed along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 151, the locked portion 152 and the lever portion 153 are disposed at positions where they do not overlap each other.

[0050] Rotating body 150 is configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in the rotation direction about the axis of cylindrical portion 151 as the center of rotation when a user grasps and moves lever portion 153. Rotating body 150 is disposed at the first position in the fixed state (see FIG. 6, etc.), and is disposed at the second position in the released state (see FIG. 4, etc.).

[0051] Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner container taken along line XX in Fig. 4. Next, the operation of attaching and detaching the toner container 100 according to the present embodiment to and from the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and the above-mentioned Figs. 3 to 9.

[0052] When the toner container 100 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, first, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 and 10, the toner container 100 with the rotating body 150 disposed in the second position is inserted into the receiving portion 52 of the image forming apparatus 1 (see Figure 1).

[0053] 5A, when the rotating body 150 is disposed in the second position, the locked portion 152 of the rotating body 150 is not locked by the locking portion 53 of the receiving portion 52. This realizes a released state in which the toner container 100 is not fixed to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0054] 10, when the rotor 150 is disposed in the second position, the cylindrical portion 151 of the rotor 150 faces the opening 161 of the partition wall 160. This realizes a blocked state in which the first storage chamber V1 and the second storage chamber V2 are not in communication with each other. Furthermore, in this state, the cylindrical portion 151 faces the supply port 122 of the peripheral wall 121. This realizes a closed state of the supply port 122.

[0055] Next, the user rotates lever portion 153 in a predetermined rotation direction (in this embodiment, the clockwise direction in FIG. 4), whereby rotating body 150 is rotated in that direction. As a result, rotating body 150 is moved from the second position to the first position in the rotation direction, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0056] 7A, the locked portion 152 of the toner container 100 is inserted into the recessed locking portion 53 and locked by the locking portion 53. As a result, the toner container 100 is switched from the released state to the fixed state.

[0057] Here, when switching from the released state to the fixed state, the locked portion 152 is inserted into the locking portion 53 and is also inserted between the light-projecting portion 54a and the light-receiving portion 54b arranged adjacent to the locking portion 53 (see FIG. 7(B) in particular). In this way, the light-projecting portion 54a and the light-receiving portion 54b are blocked by the locked portion 152, so that the amount of light received by the light-receiving portion 54b decreases.

[0058] The control unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 1 described above acquires information on the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit 54b of the detection unit 54. If the amount of light is less than a predetermined value, the control unit 7 determines that the toner container 100 is in a fixed state. If the control unit 7 determines that the toner container 100 is in a fixed state and receives a job such as printing from a user, the control unit 7 causes the image forming unit 10 to form an image on the paper S.

[0059] On the other hand, if the amount of light is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control unit 7 determines that the toner container 100 is in the released state. If the control unit 7 determines that the toner container 100 is in the released state and receives a job such as printing from a user, the control unit 7 does not allow the image forming unit 10 to form an image on the paper S, and displays a warning on the operation panel 6 as necessary.

[0060] When image formation is performed in the released state, there is a risk that toner may leak to the outside from an opening provided in the developing device 14. Therefore, by using the detection unit 54 and the control unit 7 as described above to prevent image formation from being performed in the released state, it is possible to effectively suppress the leakage of toner to the outside.

[0061] 8 and 9, when the rotor 150 is disposed in the first position, the first communication hole 155 of the cylindrical portion 151 faces the opening 161 of the partition wall 160. This realizes a communication state in which the first storage chamber V1 and the second storage chamber V2 communicate with each other. Furthermore, in this state, the second communication hole 156 of the cylindrical portion 151 faces the supply port 122 of the peripheral wall 121. This realizes an open state of the supply port 122.

[0062] That is, by moving the rotor 150 as an interlocking mechanism from the second position toward the first position, the fixing mechanism constituted by the locked portion 152 of the rotor 150 is moved, thereby executing switching from the released state to the fixed state. Also, by moving the rotor 150 in this way, the communication mechanism constituted by the cylindrical portion 151 of the rotor 150 and the first communication hole 155 provided therein is moved, thereby executing switching from the blocked state to the communicating state. Furthermore, by moving the rotor 150 in this way, the opening / closing mechanism constituted by the cylindrical portion 151 of the rotor 150 and the second communication hole 156 provided therein is moved, thereby switching the supply port 122 from the closed state to the open state.

[0063] By thus realizing the connected state and the open state, a supply path R (see FIG. 8) is opened for supplying the toner contained in the first storage chamber V1 to the developing device 14 of the image forming unit 10. This makes it possible to supply the toner to the developing device 14 in the image forming apparatus 1 equipped with the toner container 100.

[0064] When the toner inside toner container 100 is used up, toner container 100 is detached from receiving portion 52 of the image forming apparatus. When this detachment is performed, the user rotates lever portion 153 in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned predetermined rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 in this embodiment), whereby rotating body 150 is rotated in that direction. As a result, rotating body 150 is rotated from a first position to a second position in the rotation direction.

[0065] 10, when the rotor 150 is disposed in the second position, the cylindrical portion 151 faces the opening 161 of the partition wall 160. This realizes a blocked state in which the first storage chamber V1 and the second storage chamber V2 are not in communication with each other. Furthermore, in this state, the cylindrical portion 151 faces the supply port 122 of the peripheral wall 121. This realizes a closed state of the supply port 122.

[0066] That is, by moving the rotor 150 as an interlocking mechanism from the first position toward the second position, the fixing mechanism constituted by the locked portion 152 of the rotor 150 is moved, thereby executing switching from the fixed state to the released state. Also, by moving the rotor 150 in this way, the communication mechanism constituted by the cylindrical portion 151 of the rotor 150 and the first communication hole 155 provided therein is moved, thereby executing switching from the connected state to the cut-off state. Furthermore, by moving the rotor 150 in this way, the opening / closing mechanism constituted by the cylindrical portion 151 of the rotor 150 and the second communication hole 156 provided therein is moved, thereby switching the supply port 122 from the open state to the closed state.

[0067] In this way, the supply path R (see FIG. 8) is blocked by realizing the blocked state and the closed state. Also, the toner container 100 becomes movable relative to the image forming apparatus 1 by realizing the released state.

[0068] By configuring as described above, it is possible to provide toner container 100 that reduces toner leakage when it is attached to or detached from image forming apparatus 1.

[0069] That is, as described above, toner container 100 according to the present embodiment includes a fixing mechanism that can be switched between a fixed state and a released state, a communication mechanism that can be switched between a connected state and a cut-off state, and an opening / closing mechanism that switches between an open state and a closed state. Toner container 100 further includes a linking mechanism that switches the communication mechanism from the connected state to the cut-off state in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

[0070] In this way, when the switching from the connected state to the cut-off state is performed in conjunction with the switching operation from the fixed state to the released state, when the toner container 100 is attached or detached, the switching from the connected state to the cut-off state is completed before the toner container 100 starts to move relative to the receiving portion 52 in the attachment / detachment direction.

[0071] In other words, in this configuration, when the first storage chamber V1 and the second storage chamber V2 are in communication with each other, the toner container 100 is not moved in the mounting / removal direction. Therefore, when the toner container 100 is mounted or removed, it is possible to prevent the toner remaining in the first storage chamber V1 from leaking out of the replenishing port 122 via the second storage chamber V2.

[0072] Therefore, when toner container 100 according to the present embodiment is configured, it is possible to provide toner container 100 that reduces toner leakage when it is attached to or detached from image forming apparatus 1.

[0073] Furthermore, in the toner container 100 according to this embodiment, as described above, the interlocking mechanism switches the supply port 122 from an open state to a closed state by the opening / closing mechanism in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism from a fixed state to a released state.

[0074] In this way, when the supply port 122 is configured to be switched from the open state to the closed state in conjunction with the switching operation from the fixed state to the released state, when the toner container 100 is attached or detached, the switching of the supply port 122 from the open state to the closed state is completed before the toner container 100 starts to move relative to the receiving portion 52 in the attachment / detachment direction.

[0075] In other words, in this configuration, when the supply port 122 is open and the second storage chamber V2 is connected to the outside space, the toner container 100 is not moved in the mounting / removal direction. Therefore, when the toner container 100 is mounted or removed, it is possible to prevent the toner remaining in the first storage chamber V1 and the second storage chamber V2 from leaking out through the supply port 122 to the outside.

[0076] Therefore, as in toner container 100 of the present embodiment, when the interlocking mechanism is configured to perform at least one of switching the communication mechanism from a connected state to a blocked state and switching the supply port 122 from an open state to a closed state by the opening and closing mechanism in conjunction with switching of the fixing mechanism from a fixed state to a released state, it is possible to create a toner container in which toner leakage is reduced when the container is attached to and detached from an image forming device.

[0077] In the toner container 100 of this embodiment, as described above, an example has been given in which the interlocking mechanism is configured to both switch the communication mechanism from a connected state to a blocked state in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism from a fixed state to a released state, and to switch the supply port 122 from an open state to a closed state by the opening and closing mechanism, but it is sufficient that the communication mechanism is configured to perform at least one of switching the communication mechanism and switching the opening and closing mechanism from the open state to a closed state in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism.

[0078] For example, the cylindrical portion 151 of the rotating body 150 may be located only in a portion facing the opening 161 of the partition wall 160, and only the first communication hole 155 may be provided in the cylindrical portion 151. In this case, the communication mechanism is configured to execute only the switching of the communication mechanism in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism. Also, the cylindrical portion 151 of the rotating body 150 may be located only in a portion facing the supply port 122 of the peripheral wall 121, and only the second communication hole 156 may be provided in the cylindrical portion 151. In this case, the communication mechanism is configured to execute only the switching by the opening and closing mechanism from the open state to the closed state in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism. In these cases, it is also possible to provide a toner container that reduces the leakage of toner when it is attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus.

[0079] (Additional Note) The characteristic configurations of the toner container and the image forming apparatus disclosed in the above-described embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0080] [Appendix 1] A toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, a first container defining a first container chamber for containing toner; a second container defining a second container chamber for containing the toner supplied from the first container chamber and having a supply port for supplying the toner to the image forming device; a fixing mechanism configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus; a communication mechanism configured to be switchable between a communication state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are in communication with each other and a cut-off state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are not in communication with each other; an opening / closing mechanism for switching the supply port between an open state and a closed state; a linking mechanism for switching the communication mechanism from the communicating state to the interrupted state in conjunction with switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

[0081] [Appendix 2] a partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion provided with a first communication hole and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The second storage portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, the partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall; The partition wall has an opening, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, The toner container of claim 1, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the communication mechanism and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is disposed at the first position, the fixed state is realized by the locked portion being locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the communication state is realized by the first communication hole facing the opening, and when the rotating body is disposed at the second position, the released state is realized by the locked portion not being locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the blocked state is realized by the cylindrical portion facing the opening.

[0082] [Appendix 3] A toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, a first container defining a first container chamber for containing toner; a second container defining a second container chamber for containing the toner supplied from the first container chamber and having a supply port for supplying the toner to the image forming device; a fixing mechanism configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus; a communication mechanism configured to be switchable between a communication state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are in communication with each other and a cut-off state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are not in communication with each other; an opening / closing mechanism for switching the supply port between an open state and a closed state; a linkage mechanism that switches the opening / closing mechanism from the open state to the closed state in linkage with switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

[0083] [Appendix 4] a partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion provided with a second communication hole and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The second storage portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, the partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall; The supply port is provided in the peripheral wall, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, A toner container as described in Appendix 3, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is disposed at the first position, the fixed state is realized by the locked portion being locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the open state is realized by the second communication hole facing the supply port, and when the rotating body is disposed at the second position, the released state is realized by the locked portion not being locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the closed state is realized by the cylindrical portion facing the supply port.

[0084] [Appendix 5] A toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, a first container defining a first container chamber for containing toner; a second container defining a second container chamber for containing the toner supplied from the first container chamber and having a supply port for supplying the toner to the image forming device; a fixing mechanism configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus; a communication mechanism configured to be switchable between a communication state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are in communication with each other and a cut-off state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are not in communication with each other; an opening / closing mechanism for switching the supply port between an open state and a closed state; a linkage mechanism which switches the communication mechanism from the connected state to the blocked state in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state, and which switches the opening / closing mechanism from the open state to the closed state.

[0085] [Appendix 6] a partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion provided with a first communication hole and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The second storage portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, the partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall; The partition wall has an opening, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, The toner container according to claim 5, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the communication mechanism and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is disposed at the first position, the fixed state is realized by the locked portion being locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the communication state is realized by the first communication hole facing the opening, and when the rotating body is disposed at the second position, the released state is realized by the locked portion not being locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the blocked state is realized by the cylindrical portion facing the opening.

[0086] [Appendix 7] a partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion provided with a second communication hole and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The second storage portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, the partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall; The supply port is provided in the peripheral wall, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, The toner container described in Appendix 5, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is arranged at the first position, the fixed state is realized by the locked portion being locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the open state is realized by the second communication hole facing the supply port, and when the rotating body is arranged at the second position, the released state is realized by the locked portion not being locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the closed state is realized by the cylindrical portion facing the supply port.

[0087] [Appendix 8] a partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion in which a first communication hole and a second communication hole are provided and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center; The second storage portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, the partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall; The partition wall has an opening, The supply port is provided in the peripheral wall, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, A toner container as described in Appendix 5, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the communication mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is disposed at the first position, the fixed state is realized when the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, the communicating state is realized when the first communication hole faces the opening, and the open state is realized when the second communication hole faces the supply port, and further, when the rotating body is disposed at the second position, the released state is realized when the locked portion is not locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the blocked state and the closed state are realized when the cylindrical portion faces both the opening and the supply port.

[0088] [Appendix 9] An operating mechanism for switching between the fixed state and the released state is further provided, The rotating body further includes a lever portion protruding from the cylindrical portion, The toner container according to any one of claims 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8, wherein the lever portion constitutes the operating mechanism.

[0089] [Appendix 10] A toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a toner transport device disposed inside the second storage chamber, the toner transport device transporting the toner supplied from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber toward the supply port.

[0090] [Appendix 11] A toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and an image forming unit.

[0091] [Appendix 12] A detection unit that detects a state of the fixing mechanism; A control unit that controls image formation on a recording medium by the image forming unit, The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein when the control unit determines that the fixing mechanism is in the fixed state based on detection information detected by the detection unit, the control unit causes the image forming unit to form an image on a recording medium.

[0092] (Other forms, etc.) The shape, configuration, size, number, material, and the like of each part shown in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0093] Furthermore, the characteristic configurations shown in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention can naturally be combined with each other without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0094] As such, the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 image forming apparatus, 2 apparatus main body, 3 paper feed cassette, 5 scanner unit, 6 operation panel, 7 control unit, 10, 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K image forming unit, 11 photosensitive drum, 12 charging device, 13 exposure device, 14 developing device, 15 primary transfer roller, 20 intermediate transfer belt, 21 secondary transfer roller, 22 fixing device, 23 paper feed tray, 50 toner supply unit, 52 receiving unit, 53 engaging unit, 53a base unit, 53b wall unit, 54 detection unit, 54a light projecting unit, 54b light receiving unit, 100, 100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K toner container, 110 first storage unit, 120 second storage unit, 121 peripheral wall, 122 supply port, 130 stirring blade, 140 Conveying screw, 150 rotating body, 151 cylindrical portion, 152 engaged portion, 153 lever portion, 155 first communication hole, 156 second communication hole, 160 partition wall, 161 opening, R supply path, S paper, V1 first storage chamber, V2 second storage chamber.

Claims

1. A toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, a first container defining a first container chamber for containing toner; a second storage section defining a second storage chamber for storing the toner supplied from the first storage chamber and having a supply port for supplying the toner to the image forming apparatus; a fixing mechanism configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus; a communication mechanism configured to be switchable between a communication state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are in communication with each other and a cut-off state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are not in communication with each other; an opening / closing mechanism that switches the supply port between an open state and a closed state; a linking mechanism that switches the communication mechanism from the communicating state to the blocking state in conjunction with switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

2. A partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion provided with a first communication hole and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The second housing portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, The partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall, The partition wall has an opening, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, 2. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the communication mechanism and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is disposed at the first position, the fixed state is realized by the engaged portion being engaged with a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the communication state is realized by the first communication hole facing the opening, and when the rotating body is disposed at the second position, the released state is realized by the engaged portion not being engaged with a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the blocked state is realized by the cylindrical portion facing the opening.

3. A toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, a first container defining a first container chamber for containing toner; a second storage section defining a second storage chamber for storing the toner supplied from the first storage chamber and having a supply port for supplying the toner to the image forming apparatus; a fixing mechanism configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus; a communication mechanism configured to be switchable between a communication state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are in communication with each other and a cut-off state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are not in communication with each other; an opening / closing mechanism that switches the supply port between an open state and a closed state; a linkage mechanism that switches the opening / closing mechanism from the open state to the closed state in linkage with switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

4. A partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion in which a second communication hole is provided and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The second housing portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, The partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall, The supply port is provided in the peripheral wall, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, 4. The toner container according to claim 3, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is disposed at the first position, the fixed state is realized by the engaged portion being engaged with a engaging portion provided on the image forming device, and the open state is realized by the second communication hole facing the supply port, and when the rotating body is disposed at the second position, the released state is realized by the engaged portion not being engaged with a engaging portion provided on the image forming device, and the closed state is realized by the cylindrical portion facing the supply port.

5. A toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, a first container defining a first container chamber for containing toner; a second storage section defining a second storage chamber for storing the toner supplied from the first storage chamber and having a supply port for supplying the toner to the image forming apparatus; a fixing mechanism configured to be switchable between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming apparatus and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming apparatus; a communication mechanism configured to be switchable between a communication state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are in communication with each other and a cut-off state in which the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are not in communication with each other; an opening / closing mechanism that switches the supply port between an open state and a closed state; a linkage mechanism that switches the communication mechanism from the connected state to the blocked state and switches the opening / closing mechanism from the open state to the closed state in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state, and the linkage mechanism that switches the communication mechanism from the connected state to the blocked state in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

6. A partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion provided with a first communication hole and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The second housing portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, The partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall, The partition wall has an opening, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, 6. The toner container according to claim 5, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the communication mechanism and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is disposed at the first position, the fixed state is realized by the engaged portion being engaged with a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the communication state is realized by the first communication hole facing the opening, and when the rotating body is disposed at the second position, the released state is realized by the engaged portion not being engaged with a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the blocked state is realized by the cylindrical portion facing the opening.

7. A partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion in which a second communication hole is provided and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The second housing portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, The partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall, The supply port is provided in the peripheral wall, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, 6. A toner container as described in claim 5, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is arranged at the first position, the fixed state is realized by the engaged portion being engaged with a engaging portion provided on the image forming device, and the open state is realized by the second communication hole facing the supply port, and when the rotating body is arranged at the second position, the released state is realized by the engaged portion not being engaged with a engaging portion provided on the image forming device, and the closed state is realized by the cylindrical portion facing the supply port.

8. A partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber from each other; a rotor having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion in which a first communication hole and a second communication hole are provided and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The second housing portion has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall, The partition defines a portion of the peripheral wall, The partition wall has an opening, The supply port is provided in the peripheral wall, The cylindrical portion is inserted into the second housing portion substantially coaxially, 6. A toner container as described in claim 5, wherein the rotating body constitutes the fixed mechanism, the communicating mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism and the interlocking mechanism, and when the rotating body is arranged at the first position, the fixed state is realized by the engaged portion being engaged with a engaging portion provided on an image forming device, the communicating state is realized by the first communicating hole facing the opening, and the open state is realized by the second communicating hole facing the supply port, and further, when the rotating body is arranged at the second position, the released state is realized by the engaged portion not being engaged with a engaging portion provided on an image forming device, and the blocked state and the closed state are realized by the cylindrical portion facing both the opening and the supply port.

9. The locking mechanism further includes an operating mechanism for switching between the fixed state and the released state, The rotating body further includes a lever portion protruding from the cylindrical portion, 9. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein the lever portion constitutes the operating mechanism.

10. 6. The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising a toner transport device disposed inside the second storage chamber, the toner transport device transporting the toner supplied from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber toward the refill port.

11. A toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and an image forming unit.

12. A detection unit that detects a state of the fixing mechanism; A control unit that controls image formation on a recording medium by the image forming unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the control unit, when determining that the fixing mechanism is in the fixed state based on the detection information detected by the detection unit, causes the image forming unit to perform image formation on the recording medium.

Images