Toner container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a toner container that can be easily attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A toner container 100 is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, and comprises: a housing 101; a fixing mechanism that switches between a fixed state in which the 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 a lever part 153 that operates switching between the fixed state and the released state. A first recess 103 and a second recess 104 are provided side by side in an outer surface 102 of the housing 101, and thus an overhang part 105 located between the recesses is provided on the outer surface 102. The lever part 153 is configured to be movable on the outer surface 102 along a direction in which the first recess 103, the overhang part 105, and the second recess 104 are arranged side by side, so as to be arranged at a first position on the overhang part 105 in the released state and arranged at a second position different from the first position in the fixed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

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 an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, or a facsimile, an image is formed on a recording medium using toner supplied from a toner container configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus. When the toner in the toner container is used up, the toner container is detached from the image forming apparatus and replaced with a new toner container. Examples of documents disclosing such a toner container include JP 2019-74719 A (Patent Document 1) and JP 2019-74720 A (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [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]

[0004] Here, the toner container may be provided with a fixing mechanism that switches between a fixed state in which the toner container is fixed to the image forming device and a released state in which the toner container is not fixed to the image forming device. In order to make a toner container configured in this way easily detachable from an image forming device, it is important to smoothly perform the operation of switching the toner container from the fixed state to the released state and the operation of pulling the toner container out of the image forming device.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and has an object to provide a toner container that can be easily attached and detached from an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The toner container according to the present invention is detachable from an image forming apparatus and includes a housing defining a chamber for accommodating toner, a fixing mechanism for switching 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, and a lever for operating the switching between the fixed state and the released state. A first recess and a second recess are provided side by side on the outer surface of the housing, thereby forming a protruding portion located between the first recess and the second recess on the outer surface of the housing. The lever is configured to be movable on the outer surface of the housing along the direction in which the first recess, the protruding portion, and the second recess are arranged so that in the released state, the lever is located at a first position that is a position on the protruding portion, and in the fixed state, the lever is located at a second position that is a position different from the first position. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner container that can be easily attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including the toner container. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first 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. [Figure 11] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner container shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the toner container according to the first embodiment is pulled out from the image forming apparatus. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a toner supply unit according to a second embodiment in a released state. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a toner supply unit according to a second embodiment in a fixed state. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the rotating body shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner supply unit shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner supply unit shown in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner supply unit shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 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.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first 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 this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] The paper feed cassette 3 has a paper feed tray 23 inside. The paper feed tray 23 stores 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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).

[0023] 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).

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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).

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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 configurations of the toner supply unit 50 according to this embodiment and the toner container 100 provided therein will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.

[0033] 6 to 9, the toner container 100 has a housing 101 that defines a storage chamber V that stores toner, an agitating blade 130, a conveying screw 140, and a rotating body 150. In this embodiment, the housing 101 has a first storage section 110 and a second storage section 120.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The storage chamber V includes the first storage chamber V1 and the second storage chamber V2. 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] The locked portion 152 constitutes a fixing mechanism that switches 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 .

[0045] Lever portion 153 is for operating the switching between the fixed state and the released state. More specifically, lever portion 153 is configured to be movable on outer surface 102 of housing 101 so that in the released state, lever portion 153 is disposed at a first position (see FIG. 4, etc.) which is a position on overhang portion 105 described later, and in the fixed state, lever portion 153 is disposed at a second position (see FIG. 6, etc.) which is a position different from the first position.

[0046] 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.

[0047] Rotating body 150 is configured to be rotatable between a third position and a fourth 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 third position (see FIG. 6, etc.) in the fixed state (i.e., a state in which lever portion 153 is disposed at the second position), and is disposed at the fourth position (see FIG. 4, etc.) in the released state (i.e., a state in which lever portion 153 is disposed at the first position).

[0048] Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner container taken along line XX in Fig. 4. Next, the configuration of housing 101 of toner container 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and the above-mentioned Figs. 3, 4, and 6.

[0049] 3, 4, 6, and 10, a first recess 103 and a second recess 104 are provided side by side on an outer surface 102 of a housing 101 of a toner container 100. As a result, a protruding portion 105 is provided on the outer surface 102 of the housing 101, located between the first recess 103 and the second recess 104 (see FIG. 10 in particular). A part of a side surface 103a of the first recess 103 and a side surface 104a of the second recess 104 define a part of a side surface 105a of the protruding portion 105.

[0050] The first recess 103 and the second recess 104 are portions into which the user's fingers are inserted when the toner container 100 is pulled out of the receiving portion 52. The protruding portion 105 is a portion that is held by the user's fingers when the toner container 100 is pulled out of the receiving portion 52.

[0051] The above-mentioned lever portion 153 is configured to be movable on the outer surface 102 of the housing 101 along the direction in which the first recess 103, the protruding portion 105, and the second recess 104 are aligned.

[0052] 3 and 4, a part of the side surface 104a of the second recess 104 other than the portion that defines the overhanging portion 105 includes an inclined surface 104b that inclines toward the inside of the housing 101 as it approaches the overhanging portion 105. The inclined surface 104b functions as a guide surface for guiding the user's finger to the side surface 105a of the overhanging portion 105.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10, the protruding portion 105 includes a partition-like stopper 105b that stands from the tip surface of the protruding portion 105 toward the outside of the housing 101.

[0054] 10, space S1 inside the housing 101 at a portion located on the opposite side to the protruding portion 105 side as viewed from the first recess 103, and space S2 inside the housing 101 at a portion located on the opposite side to the protruding portion 105 side as viewed from the second recess 104, are included as part of the storage chamber V. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure the capacity of the toner container 100, which will be described in detail later.

[0055] Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner container taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 4. Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing a state in which the toner container according to the first embodiment is pulled out from the image forming apparatus. Next, the attachment and detachment operation of the toner container 100 according to the present embodiment to and from the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12 and the above-mentioned Figs. 1 to 10.

[0056] When the toner container 100 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, first, the toner container 100 with the rotating body 150 positioned in the fourth position is inserted into the receiving portion 52 of the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 5 and 11.

[0057] 5A, when the rotating body 150 is disposed in the fourth 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.

[0058] 11, when the rotor 150 is disposed in the fourth 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.

[0059] Next, the user rotates lever portion 153 in a predetermined rotation direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 4 in this embodiment), thereby moving lever portion 153 from the first position to the second position as shown in FIGS.

[0060] The rotational body 150 is rotated in the above direction in accordance with the movement of the lever portion 153. As a result, the rotational body 150 is moved from the fourth position to the third position in the rotational direction.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 8 and 9, when the rotor 150 is disposed in the third 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.

[0067] That is, by moving the rotor 150 as an interlocking mechanism from the fourth position toward the third 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] When the toner inside the toner container 100 is used up, the toner container 100 is detached from the receiving portion 52 of the image forming apparatus. To perform this detachment, the user rotates the lever portion 153 in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned predetermined rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 6 in this embodiment). As a result, the lever portion 153 is moved from the second position to the first position as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 10, and 11.

[0070] As the lever portion 153 moves, the rotating body 150 is rotationally moved in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned predetermined rotation direction, whereby the rotating body 150 is rotationally moved from the third position to the fourth position in the rotation direction.

[0071] As described above, the first position of lever portion 153 is located on overhanging portion 105 including partition-like stopper 105b (see FIG. 10 in particular). When lever portion 153 is moved from the second position to the first position, stopper 105b comes into contact with lever portion 153, thereby restricting lever portion 153 from moving beyond the first position. This configuration can improve operability when moving lever portion 153 from the second position to the first position.

[0072] 11, when the rotor 150 is disposed in the fourth 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.

[0073] That is, by moving the rotor 150 as an interlocking mechanism from the third position toward the fourth 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.

[0074] In this way, the supply path R (see FIG. 8) is blocked by realizing the blocked state and the closed state. In addition, the toner container 100 becomes movable relative to the image forming apparatus 1 by realizing the released state.

[0075] 12, the toner container 100 in the released state is pulled out from the receiving part 52 (see the arrow AR in the figure). More specifically, the user inserts his or her fingers into the first recess 103 and the second recess 104 positioned so as to sandwich the first position, and pinches both the lever part 153 and the protruding part 105 positioned thereunder. By pulling out the toner container 100 while pinching the lever part 153 and the protruding part 105 in this manner, the toner container 100 is detached from the receiving part 52.

[0076] As described above, in toner container 100 according to the present embodiment, protruding portion 105 is provided on outer surface 102 of housing 101. Lever portion 153 is configured to be located at a first position, which is a position on protruding portion 105, in the released state.

[0077] With this configuration, it is possible to successively perform the operation of moving lever portion 153 from the second position to the first position, which is the operation of switching from the fixed state to the released state using lever portion 153, and the operation of pulling toner container 100 out of receiving portion 52 while pinching lever portion 153 and protruding portion 105. As a result, toner container 100 can be easily attached to and detached from receiving portion 52.

[0078] Furthermore, lever portion 153 is configured to be movable between a first position and a second position. Therefore, there is a risk that lever portion 153 may wobble during the above-mentioned pulling-out operation. In this regard, in the present embodiment, since both lever portion 153 and overhanging portion 105 can be pinched, such wobbling of lever portion 153 can be suppressed.

[0079] Therefore, by configuring in this way, it is possible to provide toner container 100 that can be easily attached to and detached from image forming apparatus 1.

[0080] In the present embodiment, as described above, the space S1 inside the portion of the housing 101 located on the opposite side to the protruding portion 105 side as viewed from the first recess 103, and the space S2 inside the portion of the housing 101 located on the opposite side to the protruding portion 105 side as viewed from the second recess 104 are included as part of the storage chamber V. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure the capacity of the toner container 100.

[0081] That is, in general, there is a certain restriction on the size of the space provided in the image forming apparatus for storing the toner container (for example, in the present embodiment, the length dimension of the space in the direction of inserting and removing the toner container). In view of this, if a protruding portion is simply provided on the outer surface of the housing, the position of the outer surface of the housing that defines the storage chamber will be set back by the amount that this protruding portion protrudes, and as a result, the size of the storage chamber will be reduced.

[0082] In this regard, as in the toner container 100 of the present embodiment, by providing a protrusion 105 by arranging a first recess 103 and a second recess 104 side by side on the outer surface 102 of the housing 101, the above-mentioned space S1 and space S2 can be included as part of the storage chamber V.

[0083] Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to provide toner container 100 that is not only easily detachable from image forming apparatus 1 as described above, but also ensures a sufficient capacity.

[0084] Furthermore, by configuring toner container 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a toner container that reduces toner leakage when the toner container is attached to or detached from image forming apparatus 1.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] In other words, in the case of 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. Therefore, by configuring in this way, it is possible to provide the toner container 100 in which leakage of toner is reduced when the toner container 100 is mounted or removed from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] As described above, in the toner container 100 of this embodiment, an example has been given in which only the side surface 104a of the second recess 104 other than the portion defining the protruding portion 105 includes the inclined surface 104b; however, only the side surface 103a of the first recess 103 other than the portion defining the protruding portion 105 may include an inclined surface, or both the side surface 103a of the first recess 103 and the side surface 104a of the second recess 104 may include an inclined surface.

[0093] In addition, as described above, in toner container 100 of this embodiment, 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 and switch the supply port 122 from an open state to a closed state by the opening and closing mechanism in conjunction with the switching of the fixing mechanism from a fixed state to a released state. However, the communication mechanism may be 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] (Embodiment 2) 13 and 14 are perspective views of the toner supply unit according to the second embodiment in the released state and the fixed state, respectively. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the rotating body shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner supply unit taken along the line XVI-XVI shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner supply unit taken along the line XVII-XVII shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner supply unit taken along the line XVIII-XVIII shown in FIG. 14. Hereinafter, the toner supply unit 50A according to the present embodiment and the toner container 200 provided therein will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 18.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 18, a toner supply unit 50A according to the present embodiment is different from the toner supply unit 50 according to the above-described first embodiment in the configuration of a toner container 200.

[0097] More specifically, the housing 201 of the toner container 200 has an upper housing 201a having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a lower housing 201b having a substantially cylindrical shape protruding downward from the bottom surface of the upper housing 201a. The inner space of the upper housing 201a and the inner space of the lower housing 201b are mutually connected. As a result, the housing 201 defines a single storage chamber VA.

[0098] A replenishing port 222 for replenishing the developing device 14 of the image forming apparatus 1 with toner is provided on the bottom surface of the lower housing 201b.

[0099] 13, 14, and 18, a first recess 203 and a second recess 204 are provided side by side on an outer surface 202 of a lower housing 201b. As a result, an overhang 205 is provided on an outer surface 202 of a lower housing 201b, the overhang 205 being located between the first recess 203 and the second recess 204. A part of a side surface 203a of the first recess 203 and a side surface 204a of the second recess 204 define a part of a side surface 205a of the overhang 205.

[0100] A part of the side surface 204a of the second recess 204 other than the portion that defines the overhanging portion 205 includes an inclined surface 204b that slopes toward the inside of the lower housing 201b as it approaches the overhanging portion 205. The overhanging portion 205 includes a partition-like stopper 205b that stands from its tip surface toward the outside of the lower housing 201b.

[0101] 13 to 18, the rotating body 250 of the toner container 200 has a substantially flat shielding portion 251 having a through hole 251a, and a peripheral wall portion 252 standing upright from the periphery of the shielding portion 251. The peripheral wall portion 252 includes an upper peripheral wall portion 253 standing upright from a part of the periphery of the shielding portion 251, and a lower peripheral wall portion 254 standing upright from a part of the periphery of the shielding portion 251.

[0102] A part of the upper peripheral wall portion 253 constitutes a lever portion 255. A part of the lower peripheral wall portion 254 constitutes a locked portion 256.

[0103] The rotating body 250 configured in this manner is assembled to the lower housing 201b so that the upper surface of the shielding portion 251 is placed against the bottom surface of the lower housing 201b and the inner surface of the upper peripheral wall portion 253 faces the outer surface of the lower housing 201b.

[0104] Rotating body 250 is configured to be rotatable about the axis of peripheral wall portion 252 as the center of rotation when a user grips and moves lever portion 255. As a result, lever portion 255 is configured to be movable on outer surface 202 of lower housing 201b along the direction in which first recess 203, protruding portion 205, and second recess 204 are aligned so that lever portion 255 is located at a first position (see FIG. 13, etc.) on protruding portion 205 in the released state, and is located at a second position (see FIG. 14, FIG. 18, etc.) different from the first position in the fixed state.

[0105] More specifically, the rotating body 250 is configured to be movable on the outer surface 202 of the lower housing 201b along the direction in which the first recess 203, the protruding portion 205 and the second recess 204 are aligned so that the rotating body 250 is positioned at the fifth position (see Figure 14, etc.) in a fixed state (i.e., a state in which the lever portion 255 is positioned at the second position) and at the sixth position (see Figure 13, etc.) in a released state (i.e., a state in which the lever portion 255 is positioned at the first position).

[0106] 14 and 17, when the rotating body 250 is arranged in the fifth position, the through hole 251a of the shielding portion 251 faces the supply port 222 of the lower housing 201b. This realizes the open state of the supply port 222.

[0107] That is, by moving the rotor 250 as an interlocking mechanism from the sixth position toward the fifth position, the fixing mechanism constituted by the locked portion 256 of the rotor 250 is moved, thereby executing switching from the released state to the fixed state. Also, by moving the rotor 250 in this way, the opening / closing mechanism constituted by the shielding portion 251 of the rotor 250 and the through hole 251a provided therein is moved, and the supply port 222 is switched from the closed state to the open state.

[0108] By realizing the open state in this manner, a supply path R1 (see FIG. 17) is opened for supplying the toner contained in the storage chamber VA to the developing device 14 of the image forming unit 10. This allows the toner to be supplied from the toner container 200 to the developing device 14.

[0109] 13 and 16, when the rotating body 250 is arranged in the sixth position, the shielding portion 251 faces the supply port 222 of the lower housing 201b. This realizes a closed state of the supply port 222.

[0110] That is, by moving the rotor 250 as an interlocking mechanism from the fifth position to the sixth position, the fixing mechanism constituted by the locked portion 256 of the rotor 250 is moved, thereby executing switching from the fixed state to the released state. Also, by moving the rotor 250 in this way, the opening / closing mechanism constituted by the shielding portion 251 of the rotor 250 and the through hole 251a provided therein is moved, and the supply port 222 is switched from the open state to the closed state.

[0111] In this manner, the supply path R1 is blocked by realizing the closed state, and the toner container 200 becomes movable relative to the image forming apparatus 1 by realizing the released state.

[0112] Even when toner container 200 is configured as described above, effects similar to those described in the above-mentioned first embodiment can be obtained, and the toner container can be easily attached and detached from the image forming apparatus.

[0113] 18, in this embodiment, neither the inner space of the lower housing 201b located on the opposite side of the protruding portion 205 as viewed from the first recess 203 nor the inner space of the lower housing 201b located on the opposite side of the protruding portion 205 as viewed from the second recess 204 is included as part of the storage chamber VA. However, the toner container 200 may be configured so that these spaces are included as part of the storage chamber VA. In this case, it is possible to ensure the capacity of the toner container 200, similar to the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0114] (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.

[0115] [Appendix 1] A toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, a housing defining a chamber for containing toner; a fixing mechanism for switching the toner container 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 lever portion for switching between the fixed state and the released state, a first recess and a second recess are provided side by side on an outer surface of the housing, whereby a protruding portion is provided on the outer surface of the housing and positioned between the first recess and the second recess; The toner container is configured to be movable on the outer surface of the housing along a direction in which the first recess, the protrusion, and the second recess are aligned so that in the released state, the lever portion is positioned at a first position, which is a position on the protrusion, and in the fixed state, the lever portion is positioned at a second position, which is a position different from the first position.

[0116] [Appendix 2] The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising a space inside the housing at a portion located on the opposite side of the protruding portion from the first recess, and a space inside the housing at a portion located on the opposite side of the protruding portion from the second recess, which are included as part of the storage chamber.

[0117] [Appendix 3] A toner container as described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein a partition-shaped stopper is erected from the protruding portion toward the outside of the housing to abut against the lever portion when the lever portion is moved from the second position to the first position, thereby limiting the movement of the lever portion beyond the first position.

[0118] [Appendix 4] A toner container described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein at least one of a side surface of the first recess other than the portion defining the protrusion and a side surface of the second recess other than the portion defining the protrusion includes an inclined surface that slopes toward the inside of the housing as it approaches the protrusion.

[0119] [Appendix 5] the housing has a first storage section that defines the first storage chamber and a second storage section that defines the second storage chamber, such that the storage chamber includes a first storage chamber that stores toner and a second storage chamber that stores toner supplied from the first storage chamber; the second container is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming device; 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 toner container as described in any one of appendix 1 to 4, further comprising a linkage mechanism that switches the communication mechanism from the communicating state to the blocked state in conjunction with switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

[0120] [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 third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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 rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the communication mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus, thereby realizing the fixed state, and the first communication hole faces the opening, thereby realizing the communication state, A toner container as described in Appendix 5, wherein, when the rotating body is disposed in the fourth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the blocked state is realized when the cylindrical portion faces the opening.

[0121] [Appendix 7] the housing has a first storage section that defines the first storage chamber and a second storage section that defines the second storage chamber, such that the storage chamber includes a first storage chamber that stores toner and a second storage chamber that stores toner supplied from the first storage chamber; the second container is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming device; 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 toner container as described in any one of appendix 1 to 4, further comprising a linkage mechanism that switches the opening / closing mechanism from the open state to the closed state in conjunction with switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

[0122] [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 provided with a second communication hole and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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 rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, and the second communication hole faces the supply port to realize the open state, The toner container according to claim 7, wherein, when the rotating body is disposed in the fourth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with a locking portion provided in the image forming device, and the closed state is realized when the cylindrical portion faces the supply port.

[0123] [Appendix 9] the housing has a first storage section that defines the first storage chamber and a second storage section that defines the second storage chamber, such that the storage chamber includes a first storage chamber that stores toner and a second storage chamber that stores toner supplied from the first storage chamber; the second container is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming device; 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 toner container as described in any one of appendixes 1 to 4, further comprising 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 switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

[0124] [Appendix 10] 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 third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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 rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the communication mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus, thereby realizing the fixed state, and the first communication hole faces the opening, thereby realizing the communication state, The toner container according to claim 9, wherein, when the rotating body is disposed in the fourth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with a locking portion provided in the image forming device, and the blocked state is realized when the cylindrical portion faces the opening.

[0125] [Appendix 11] 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 third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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 rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, and the second communication hole faces the supply port to realize the open state, A toner container as described in Appendix 9, wherein, when the rotating body is disposed in the fourth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with a locking portion provided in the image forming device, and the closed state is realized when the cylindrical portion faces the supply port.

[0126] [Appendix 12] 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 third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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, the rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the communication mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, the first communication hole faces the opening to realize the communicated state, and the second communication hole faces the supply port to realize the open state, A toner container as described in Appendix 9, wherein, when the rotating body is disposed in the fourth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with a locking portion provided in 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.

[0127] [Appendix 13] a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming device, an opening / closing mechanism for switching the supply port between an open state and a closed state; A toner container as described in any one of appendix 1 to 4, further comprising a linkage mechanism that switches the opening and closing mechanism from the open state to the closed state in conjunction with switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

[0128] [Appendix 14] The rotor further includes a substantially flat shielding portion having a through hole and a peripheral wall portion erected from the shielding portion, and is configured to be rotatable between a fifth position and a sixth position in a rotation direction with an axis of the peripheral wall portion as a rotation center, the lever portion is formed by a part of the peripheral wall portion, the peripheral wall portion includes a locked portion in a part of the peripheral wall portion other than a portion constituting the lever portion, The shielding portion is disposed so as to be faced to the supply port, the rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the fifth position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, and the through hole faces the supply port to realize the open state, A toner container as described in Appendix 13, wherein, when the rotating body is disposed at the sixth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with a locking portion provided in the image forming device, and the closed state is realized when the covering portion faces the supply port.

[0129] [Appendix 15] A toner container according to any one of appendixes 5 to 12, 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.

[0130] [Appendix 16] A toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and an image forming unit.

[0131] (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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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]

[0134] 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, 21 secondary transfer roller, 20 intermediate transfer belt, 22 fixing device, 23 paper feed tray, 50, 50A toner supply unit, 52 receiving portion, 53 engaging portion, 53a base portion, 53b wall portion, 54 detection portion, 54a light projecting portion, 54b light receiving portion, 100, 100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K toner container, 101 housing, 102 outer surface, 103 first recess, 103a side surface, 104 second recess, 104a side surface, 104b inclined surface, 105 overhanging portion, 105a side surface, 105b stopper, 110 first storage portion, 120 second storage portion, 121 peripheral wall, 122 supply port, 130 stirring blade, 140 conveying screw, 150 rotor, 151 cylindrical portion, 152 latched portion, 153 lever portion, 155 first communication hole, 156 second communication hole, 160 partition wall, 161 opening, 200 toner container, 201 housing, 201a upper housing, 201b lower housing, 202 outer surface, 203 first recess, 203a side surface, 204 second recess, 204a side surface, 204b inclined surface, 205 overhanging portion, 205a side surface, 205b stopper, 222 Supply port, 250 rotating body, 251 shielding part, 251a through hole, 252 peripheral wall part, 253 upper peripheral wall part, 254 lower peripheral wall part, 255 lever part, 256 locked part, R, R1 supply route, S paper, S1, S2 space, V, VA storage chamber, V1 first storage chamber, V2 second storage chamber.

Claims

1. A toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus, a housing defining a chamber for containing toner; a fixing mechanism that switches the toner container 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 lever portion for switching between the fixed state and the released state, a first recess and a second recess are provided side by side on an outer surface of the housing, whereby a protruding portion is provided on the outer surface of the housing and positioned between the first recess and the second recess; The toner container is configured to be movable on the outer surface of the housing along a direction in which the first recess, the protrusion, and the second recess are aligned so that in the released state, the lever portion is positioned at a first position that is a position on the protrusion, and in the fixed state, the lever portion is positioned at a second position that is different from the first position.

2. 2. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein a space inside the housing at a portion located on an opposite side to the protruding portion as seen from the first recess, and a space inside the housing at a portion located on an opposite side to the protruding portion as seen from the second recess, are included as part of the storage chamber.

3. 2. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein a partition-shaped stopper is erected from the protruding portion toward the outside of the housing so as to abut against the lever portion when the lever portion is moved from the second position to the first position, thereby limiting the movement of the lever portion beyond the first position.

4. 2. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a side surface of the first recess other than a portion defining the protruding portion and a side surface of the second recess other than a portion defining the protruding portion includes an inclined surface that slopes toward the inside of the housing as it approaches the protruding portion.

5. the housing has a first storage section that defines the first storage chamber and a second storage section that defines the second storage chamber, such that the storage chamber includes a first storage chamber that stores toner and a second storage chamber that stores toner supplied from the first storage chamber; the second container is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming device; 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; 2. The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising a linking mechanism for switching the communication mechanism from the communicating state to the blocking state in linkage with 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 third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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, the rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the communication mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, and the first communication hole faces the opening to realize the communication state, 6. The toner container according to claim 5, wherein when the rotating body is disposed at the fourth position, the release state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with an engaging portion provided on the image forming device, and the blocked state is realized when the cylindrical portion faces the opening.

7. the housing has a first storage section that defines the first storage chamber and a second storage section that defines the second storage chamber, such that the storage chamber includes a first storage chamber that stores toner and a second storage chamber that stores toner supplied from the first storage chamber; the second container is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming device; 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; 2. The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising: 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.

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 provided with a second communication hole and a locked portion protruding from the tubular portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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, the rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, and the second communication hole faces the supply port to realize the open state, 8. The toner container according to claim 7, wherein when the rotating body is disposed at the fourth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the closed state is realized when the cylindrical portion faces the supply port.

9. the housing has a first storage section that defines the first storage chamber and a second storage section that defines the second storage chamber, such that the storage chamber includes a first storage chamber that stores toner and a second storage chamber that stores toner supplied from the first storage chamber; the second container is provided with a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming device; 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; 2. The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising 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 switching of the fixing mechanism from the fixed state to the released state.

10. 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 third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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, the rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the communication mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, and the first communication hole faces the opening to realize the communication state, 10. The toner container according to claim 9, wherein when the rotating body is disposed at the fourth position, the release state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the blocked state is realized when the cylindrical portion faces the opening.

11. 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 third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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, the rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, and the second communication hole faces the supply port to realize the open state, 10. The toner container according to claim 9, wherein when the rotating body is disposed at the fourth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with a locking portion provided on the image forming device, and the closed state is realized when the cylindrical portion faces the supply port.

12. 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 third position and a fourth position in a rotation direction with the axis of the tubular portion as a rotation center, The lever portion protrudes from the cylindrical portion, 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, the rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the communication mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the third position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, the first communication hole faces the opening to realize the communicated state, and the second communication hole faces the supply port to realize the open state, 10. The toner container according to claim 9, wherein when the rotating body is disposed at the fourth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with an engaging portion provided on an 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.

13. a supply port for supplying toner to the image forming apparatus is provided in the housing; an opening / closing mechanism that switches the supply port between an open state and a closed state; 2. The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising: 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.

14. a rotor having a substantially flat shielding portion having a through hole and a peripheral wall portion erected from the shielding portion, the rotor being configured to be rotatable between a fifth position and a sixth position in a rotation direction about an axis of the peripheral wall portion; The lever portion is formed by a part of the peripheral wall portion, the peripheral wall portion includes a locked portion in a part of the peripheral wall portion other than a portion constituting the lever portion, The shielding portion is disposed so as to be faced to the supply port, the rotating body constitutes the fixing mechanism, the opening / closing mechanism, and the interlocking mechanism, When the rotating body is disposed at the fifth position, the locked portion is locked by a locking portion provided on the image forming apparatus to realize the fixed state, and the through hole faces the supply port to realize the open state, 14. The toner container according to claim 13, wherein when the rotating body is disposed at the sixth position, the released state is realized when the engaged portion is not engaged with an engaging portion provided in an image forming device, and the closed state is realized when the covering portion faces the supply port.

15. 10. The toner container according to claim 5, 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.

16. A toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and an image forming unit.

Images