Cartridge and image formation device

Abstract

To provide a cartridge storing toner, and an image formation device comprising the same.SOLUTION: A cartridge comprises: a first container; a filter forming a first chamber with the first container; a second container forming a second chamber for storing toner with the filter; and a pipe having a first pipe opening and a second pipe opening which face each other with a gap in the facing region of the filter and are open to the facing region. The filter has a partition part and a held part. Any one of the first and second containers has an inclined plane which is inclined downward so as to be directed to the facing region in view in a third direction. The other of the first and second containers has a held plane. The held part of the filter has a first held part which extends in a second direction in view in the first direction, the first held part being held between the inclined plane and the held plane along the inclined plane.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In general, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses form images by transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum to a transfer material as a transfer medium. Known methods of supplying developer include a process cartridge method and a toner supply method. In the process cartridge method, the photosensitive drum and a developer container are integrated as a process cartridge, and when the developer runs out, the process cartridge is replaced with a new one.

[0003] On the other hand, the toner supply method is a method in which new toner is supplied to the developing container when the toner runs out. Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which the toner is supplied to the developing container by using a toner pack that is detachable from the developing container (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Also, an image forming apparatus has been proposed that includes a developing device that contains toner, a toner storage container that contains toner to be supplied to the developing device, and an air pump that sends air to the toner storage container (see Patent Document 2). This image forming apparatus is provided with an air filter that ventilates only the air out of the toner and air sent from the toner storage container to the developing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-154300 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2000-147884 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide an embodiment of a cartridge for storing toner and an image forming apparatus including the cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a cartridge comprising: a first container provided with a container opening communicating with the outside of the cartridge; a filter forming a first chamber together with the first container, the filter being configured to prevent the passage of toner and to allow the passage of air; a second container forming a second chamber for accommodating toner together with the filter; a first pipe opening facing an opposing region of the filter with a gap therebetween and opening toward the opposing region; and a second pipe opening communicating with the outside of the cartridge, the pipe being provided with the first pipe opening and the second pipe opening, the filter having a partition portion separating the first chamber and the second chamber, and a clamped portion clamped by the first container and the second container, the first direction being a direction in which the first container and the second container are aligned, and a cross section perpendicular to the first direction being a cross section perpendicular to the first direction. a direction intersecting the first direction in a plane is defined as a second direction, a direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, and when the cartridge is oriented in a predetermined orientation in which the first direction is the direction of gravity and the second chamber is above the first chamber, one of the first container and the second container, when viewed in the third direction, includes an inclined surface that inclines downward toward the opposing region of the filter in the first direction as it approaches the opposing region of the filter in the second direction, and the other of the first container and the second container has a clamping surface, and the clamped portion of the filter has a first clamped portion that extends in the second direction when viewed in the first direction, and is clamped between the inclined surface and the clamping surface so as to follow the inclined surface. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide one embodiment of a toner cartridge that supplies toner by air and an image forming apparatus including the toner cartridge. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall schematic view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus with the front door open, and FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus with the toner cartridge removed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing an image forming unit, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the image forming unit with a toner cartridge removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an optical path of a laser beam emitted from a laser scanner. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a laser scanner and an image forming unit, and FIG. [Figure 6] 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 5(b), and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 5(b). [Figure 7] 7A is a cross-sectional view showing the 7A-7A cross section in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the supply pipe. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the image forming unit is pulled out from the main body of the apparatus. [Figure 9] 1A is a front view of the toner cartridge, FIG. 1B is a plan view of the toner cartridge, FIG. 1C is a bottom view of the toner cartridge, FIG. 1D is a side view of the toner cartridge, and FIG. [Figure 10] 9(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 10A-10A cross section in FIG. 9(b), (b) is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge cut along the Y1Z1 plane, (c) is an exploded view showing the toner cartridge, and (d) is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a joint portion between the first frame body and the second frame body. [Figure 12] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the exhaust pipe, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the exhaust pipe cut along the X1Z1 plane. [Figure 13] 13A is a plan view showing a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment, FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing the 13B-13B cross section of FIG. 13A, and FIG. 13C is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge cut along the Y1Z1 plane. [Figure 14] 14A is a plan view showing a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 14B-14B of FIG. 14A. [Figure 15] 15A is a plan view showing a toner cartridge according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 15B is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge taken along the 15B-15B cross section of FIG. 15A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] <First embodiment> [Overall structure] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is an electrophotographic laser beam printer. The image forming apparatus includes printers, copiers, facsimiles, and multifunction machines, and refers to an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet used as a recording medium based on image information input from an external PC or image information read from an original. In addition, an image forming apparatus may be connected to an optional feeder, an image reader, a sheet processing device, and other auxiliary devices in addition to a main body having an image forming function, and the entire system to which such auxiliary devices are connected is also a type of image forming apparatus.

[0011] 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming section 40 that forms an image on a sheet S, a feeding unit 18, a fixing unit 21, and a pair of discharge rollers 22. The image forming section 40 has four process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK that form toner images of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively, and a laser scanner LB. The laser scanner LB is disposed above the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. Note that an LED exposure unit may be used instead of the laser scanner LB.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 excluding the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK and toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, 430K described later may be referred to as the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 or the device main body 72. In the following description, the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, 430K may be simply referred to as cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, 430K. The process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK may be supported removably in the device main body 72, or may be fixed unremovably in the device main body 72.

[0013] In this embodiment, the reference numerals of the parts corresponding to the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners are suffixed with P, Y, M, C, and K. The configurations and operations of the parts with these suffixes are substantially the same except for the toner colors. Therefore, in the following, unless a particular distinction is required, the suffixes Y to K may be omitted and a general description may be given.

[0014] In addition, in the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK and toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, 430K are in their normal posture, i.e., the posture when installed in the device main body 72, and the directions (X, Y, Z) are defined as follows.

[0015] 2(a), the front-rear direction is indicated by the X-axis, and the direction from the rear to the front of the image forming apparatus 1 is the X-direction. The X-direction may be called the front direction or the near direction. The downstream side of the image forming apparatus 1 in the X-direction may be called the front side, and the upstream side may be called the rear side.

[0016] The left-right direction is indicated by the Y axis, and the direction from left to right of the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as the Y direction. The Y direction may also be referred to as the right direction. The downstream side of the image forming apparatus 1 in the Y direction may also be referred to as the right side, and the upstream side may also be referred to as the left side.

[0017] The vertical direction is indicated by the Z axis, and the direction from the bottom to the top of the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as the Z direction. The Z direction may also be called the upward direction, height direction, or vertical direction. The downstream side of the image forming apparatus 1 in the Z direction may also be called the upper side, top side, or top surface side, and the upstream side may also be called the lower side, bottom side, or bottom surface side.

[0018] The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. For example, the X-axis is perpendicular to both the Y-axis and the Z-axis. A plane perpendicular to the X-axis is sometimes called the YZ plane, a plane perpendicular to the Y-axis is sometimes called the ZX plane, and a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis is sometimes called the XY plane. For example, the XY plane is a horizontal plane. The X and Y directions are directions along the horizontal XY plane, that is, the horizontal direction.

[0019] The process cartridge PY has a drum unit 8Y and a developing unit 9Y. The drum unit 8Y has a photosensitive drum 4Y and a charging roller 5Y. The photosensitive drum 4Y is configured by coating an organic photoconductive layer on the outer periphery of an aluminum cylinder, and is rotated by a driving motor (not shown). Note that a photosensitive belt may be used instead of the photosensitive drum 4Y. The developing unit 9Y has a developing container 3M that contains yellow toner, and a developing roller 6Y that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4Y.

[0020] Similarly, the process cartridge PM has a drum unit 8M and a developing unit 9M. The drum unit 8M has a photosensitive drum 4M and a charging roller 5M. The photosensitive drum 4M is configured by coating an organic photoconductive layer on the outer periphery of an aluminum cylinder, and is rotated by a driving motor (not shown). Note that a photosensitive belt may be used instead of the photosensitive drum 4M. The developing unit 9M has a developing container 3M that contains magenta toner, and a developing roller 6M that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4M.

[0021] The process cartridge PC also has a drum unit 8C and a developing unit 9C. The drum unit 8C has a photosensitive drum 4C and a charging roller 5C. The photosensitive drum 4C is made of an aluminum cylinder with an organic photoconductive layer applied to the outer periphery thereof, and is rotated by a driving motor (not shown). A photosensitive belt may be used instead of the photosensitive drum 4C. The developing unit 9C has a developing container 3M that contains cyan toner, and a developing roller 6C that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4C.

[0022] The process cartridge PK also has a drum unit 8K and a developing unit 9K. The drum unit 8K has a photosensitive drum 4K and a charging roller 5K. The photosensitive drum 4K is configured by coating an organic photoconductive layer on the outer periphery of an aluminum cylinder, and is rotated by a driving motor (not shown). Note that a photosensitive belt may be used instead of the photosensitive drum 4K. The developing unit 9K has a developing container 3M that contains black toner, and a developing roller 6K that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4K.

[0023] These four process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are arranged side by side in the X direction. The image forming section 40 is also provided with an intermediate transfer belt unit 11 arranged below the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. The intermediate transfer belt unit 11 has an intermediate transfer belt 12 wound around a drive roller 14, a tension roller 13, and an assist roller 15, and a secondary transfer roller 17, and the intermediate transfer belt 12 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 by the drive roller 14. Primary transfer rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are provided on the inner side of the intermediate transfer belt 12.

[0024] The primary transfer rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are in contact with the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, respectively, and form primary transfer sections 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K. The secondary transfer roller 17 is disposed so as to face the drive roller 14 via the intermediate transfer belt 12. The secondary transfer roller 17 and the intermediate transfer belt 12 are in contact with each other, and form a secondary transfer section 31.

[0025] The fixing unit 21 has a fixing film 21a heated by a heater, and a pressure roller 21b that is in pressure contact with the fixing film 21a. The feeding unit 18 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1. The feeding unit 18 has a feeding cassette 19 that can be pulled out and attached to the apparatus main body 72, and a feeding roller 20 that feeds the sheets S stored in the feeding cassette 19. The feeding unit 18 also has a manual feeding port 330 through which the sheets are manually inserted. The sheets include paper such as paper and envelopes, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets (OHP), cloth, etc.

[0026] [Image formation operation] Next, a description will be given of an image forming operation of the thus configured image forming apparatus 1. When an image signal is input to the laser scanner LB from a personal computer (not shown) or the like, the laser scanner LB irradiates the photosensitive drums 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K with laser beams LY, LM, LC, and LK corresponding to the image signal.

[0027] At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4Y is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging roller 5Y, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by irradiating the surface with a laser beam LY from the laser scanner LB. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 4Y is developed by the developing roller 6Y, and a yellow (Y) toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4Y.

[0028] Similarly, magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums 4M, 4C and 4K. The toner images of each color formed on each photosensitive drum are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 12 by primary transfer rollers 16Y, 16M, 16C and 16K, and are transported to a secondary transfer roller 17 by the intermediate transfer belt 12 rotated by a drive roller 14.

[0029] The image forming process for each color is performed at a timing to overlap with an upstream toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 12. After the toner image for each color is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 12, the toner remaining on the surface of each photosensitive drum is removed by a cleaning device (not shown).

[0030] In parallel with this image forming process, the sheet S accommodated in the feeding cassette 19 of the feeding unit 18 or the sheet supplied from the manual feeding port 330 is conveyed toward the secondary transfer section 31. In the secondary transfer section 31, the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 12 is transferred onto the sheet S by a secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer roller 17. The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is applied with a predetermined heat and pressure by the fixing film 21a and pressure roller 21b of the fixing unit 21, so that the toner is melted and fixed (fixed). The sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 21 is discharged in the X direction by the discharge roller pair 22, and is stacked on the discharge tray 23 provided at the top of the device main body 72.

[0031] [Outline of toner cartridge configuration] Next, the schematic configuration of the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K will be described with reference to Figures 2(a) to 2(c). Figure 2(a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1, Figure 2(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the front door 72b open, and Figure 2(c) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the toner cartridge 430M removed.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the image forming apparatus 1 has a front door 72b that is supported openably and closably relative to the housing of the apparatus body 72. As shown in Figs. 2(a) and 2(b), the front door 72b covers an opening 72a provided at the front of the apparatus body 72, i.e., at the downstream end in the X direction, when it is located at a closed position. Also, as shown in Fig. 2(b), the front door 72b opens the opening 72a of the apparatus body 72 when it is located at an open position. The front door 72b can maintain its posture in the open position.

[0033] 2(b), when the front door 72b is opened from the closed position to the open position, the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 through the opening 72a. This allows the user to access the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K. The toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K can replenish toner to the developing containers 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K of the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK.

[0034] The toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are disposed downstream in the X direction and downstream in the Z direction of the device main body 72, i.e., on the front side and upper side of the device main body 72. In other words, the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are disposed downstream of the device main body 72 in the sheet discharge direction of the discharge roller pair 22. The toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are disposed side by side in the Y direction. That is, the X direction in which the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are disposed side by side and the Y direction in which the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are disposed side by side intersect with each other.

[0035] 2(c), the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are supported by a cartridge holder 429 provided in the apparatus main body 72 so as to be detachable in the X direction. Therefore, the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K can be replaced without removing the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK from the apparatus main body 72. The toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are disposed on the front side of the apparatus main body 72 and are exposed by opening the front door 72b, so that they can be easily replaced.

[0036] The cartridge holder 429 is disposed on the front side of the apparatus main body 72 and downstream of the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK in the X direction. Therefore, even when the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, 430K are removed from the cartridge holder 429, the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK are covered by the cartridge holder 429 and are not exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 through the opening 72a. The toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, 430K are stored in the apparatus main body 72 with the front door 72b located in the closed position.

[0037] 2A, indicators 208Y, 208M, 208C, and 208K are provided on the front surface 72c of the device main body 72. These indicators 208Y, 208M, 208C, and 208K are intended to clearly indicate to the user the color of the toner contained in the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K. The indicators 208Y, 208M, 208C, and 208K are configured with LEDs, stickers, and the like. For example, the indicator 208Y is configured with an LED that lights up or flashes yellow, or a sticker that is colored yellow. The indicators 208Y, 208M, 208C, and 208K may also have a function of displaying the remaining amount of toner contained in the corresponding process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the indicators 208Y, 208M, 208C, and 208K are provided on the front surface 72c of the apparatus body 72, and are not covered by the front door 72b positioned at the closed position. That is, the indicators 208Y, 208M, 208C, and 208K are exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1, regardless of the position of the front door 72b. However, for example, the indicators 208Y, 208M, 208C, and 208K may be arranged so as to be covered by the front door 72b positioned at the closed position, and to be exposed to the outside when the front door 72b is opened.

[0039] [Image forming unit] Next, an image forming unit 500 including a toner transport mechanism for transporting toner from the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K to the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK will be described with reference to Figures 3(a) to 8. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view showing the image forming unit 500, and Figure 3(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming unit 500 with the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K removed.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing optical paths LY1, LM1, LC1, and LK1 of laser beams LY, LM, LC, and LK irradiated from a laser scanner LB. In Fig. 4, Fig. 5(b), and Fig. 7(a), the optical paths LY1, LM1, LC1, and LK1 are visualized for convenience. Fig. 5(a) is a plan view showing the laser scanner LB and an image forming unit 500, and Fig. 5(b) is a plan view showing the image forming unit 500.

[0041] Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 6A-6A section of Fig. 5(b), and Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 6B-6B section of Fig. 5(b). Fig. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 7A-7A section of Fig. 5(a), and Fig. 7(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the supply pipes 444C and 444K. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the image forming unit 500 pulled out from the apparatus main body 72.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 4, the image forming unit 500 includes process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK, toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K, a cartridge holder 429, and pump units 80Y, 80M, 80C, and 80K. The pump units 80Y, 80M, 80C, and 80K are disposed below the cartridge holder 429 and are arranged side by side in the Y direction. The pump units 80Y, 80M, 80C, and 80K are each composed of a positive displacement pump such as a reciprocating pump or a rotary pump, but are not limited thereto. For example, the pump units 80Y, 80M, 80C, and 80K may be composed of a non-positive displacement pump such as a centrifugal pump, a propeller pump, and a viscous pump.

[0043] The reciprocating pump is a pump that performs suction and discharge by the reciprocating motion of a piston or a plunger, and includes a piston pump, a plunger pump, a diaphragm pump, etc. The rotary pump is a pump that performs suction and discharge by rotating a gear or a rotor, and includes a gear pump, a screw pump, a vane pump, etc. The four pump units 80Y, 80M, 80C, and 80K may be configured as one pump unit, or as two or three pump units. In the present embodiment, the pump units 80Y, 80M, 80C, and 80K are provided in the device main body 72, but they may be provided in the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K, respectively.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the pump units 80Y, 80M, 80C, and 80K respectively have outlets 80Ya, 80Ma, 80Ca, and 80Ka through which air is discharged, and these outlets 80Ya, 80Ma, 80Ca, and 80Ka open upward, that is, in the Z direction.

[0045] The cartridge holder 429 is provided with openings facing the discharge ports 80Ya, 80Ma, 80Ca, and 80Ka, respectively, and intake ports 429Ya, 429Ma, 429Ca, and 429Ka. The above openings are provided on the lower surface of the cartridge holder 429, and the intake ports 429Ya, 429Ma, 429Ca, and 429Ka are through holes provided on the rear surface of the cartridge holder 429. The opening direction of the intake ports 429Ya, 429Ma, 429Ca, and 429Ka is the X direction, which intersects with the Z direction which is the opening direction of the discharge ports 80Ya, 80Ma, 80Ca, and 80Ka.

[0046] When the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are attached to the cartridge holder 429, air discharged from the discharge ports 80Ya, 80Ma, 80Ca, and 80Ka is supplied into the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K. Then, the toner discharged together with the air from the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K is received by the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, and 444K via the intake ports 429Ya, 429Ma, 429Ca, and 429Ka of the cartridge holder 429.

[0047] The supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, 444K have upstream ends 444Yu, 444Mu, 444Cu, 444Ku connected to the inlets 429Ya, 429Ma, 429Ca, 429Ka, respectively, and downstream ends 444Yd, 444Md, 444Cd, 444Kd connected to the developing containers 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, respectively.

[0048] The toner discharged together with the air from the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K passes through the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, and 444K and is supplied to the developing containers 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K.

[0049] The downstream ends 444Yd, 444Md of the supply pipes 444Y, 444M are connected to the upstream ends in the Y direction of the developing containers 3Y, 3M, respectively, that is, the left ends. The downstream ends 444Cd, 444Kd of the supply pipes 444C, 444K are connected to the downstream ends in the Y direction of the developing containers 3C, 3K, respectively, that is, the right ends. In this way, the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, 444K are arranged on the left and right sides of the developing containers 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, respectively, so that the lengths of the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, 444K can be shortened. Therefore, the pressure loss in the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, 444K can be reduced, and the image forming unit 500 can be made compact.

[0050] Next, the arrangement of the toner cartridge 430Y will be described. As shown in FIG. 6B, the toner cartridge 430Y and the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK are arranged so as to overlap with the imaginary line VL1 extending in the X direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6B, the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are arranged side by side with the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK in the X direction. In other words, when viewed in the X direction, at least a part of each of the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K is arranged so as to overlap with the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK in the Z direction. Therefore, the image forming unit 500 can be made smaller in the Z direction, i.e., in the vertical direction, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be made smaller.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are arranged as described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K may be arranged above the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK in the Z direction.

[0052] Next, the arrangement of the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, and 444K will be described. The supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, and 444K are arranged so as not to interfere with the above-mentioned optical paths LY1, LM1, LC1, and LK1, as shown in Figures 4 and 5(b).

[0053] As described above, the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, and 444K are arranged on the left and right sides of the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK, respectively, and are disposed below the laser scanner LB.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5(a), at least a portion of the supply pipe 444Y does not overlap the laser scanner LB in a plan view. The entire supply pipe 444M overlaps the laser scanner LB in a plan view. The supply pipe 444Y is disposed to the left of the supply pipe 444Y, i.e., on the upstream side in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the supply pipes 444Y and 444M are disposed below the laser scanner LB and above the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. In other words, the supply pipes 444Y and 444M are disposed in the space between the laser scanner LB and the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK in the Z direction.

[0055] The width of the optical paths LY1, LM1, LC1, and LK1 in the left-right direction, i.e., in the Y direction, increases from top to bottom. The supply pipe 444M is disposed in the space between the laser scanner LB and the optical paths LM1, LC1, and LK1 in the Z direction, as shown in Fig. 5(b), Fig. 6(b), and Fig. 7(a). That is, as shown in Fig. 7(a), when viewed in the X direction, the supply pipe 444M and the optical path LK1 are disposed so as to overlap with a virtual line VL2 extending in the Z direction.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 5(a), all of the supply pipes 444C and 444K overlap with the laser scanner LB in a plan view. The supply pipe 444C is disposed to the right of the supply pipe 444K, i.e., downstream in the Y direction. As shown in Fig. 7(a), the supply pipes 444C and 444K are disposed below the laser scanner LB and above the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK. In other words, the supply pipes 444C and 444K are disposed in the space between the laser scanner LB and the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, and PK in the Z direction.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 5(b), Fig. 6(b), and Fig. 7(a), the supply pipe 444K is disposed in the space between the laser scanner LB and the optical path LK1 in the Z direction. That is, as shown in Fig. 7(a), when viewed in the X direction, the supply pipe 444K and the optical path LK1 are disposed so as to overlap with a virtual line VL3 extending in the Z direction.

[0058] 7(b), the supply pipe 444C is disposed above the supply pipe 444K. When viewed in the X direction, the supply pipe 444C overlaps with the supply pipe 444K in the Y direction by a distance ΔY. When viewed in the X direction, the supply pipe 444C overlaps with the supply pipe 444K in the Z direction by a distance ΔZ.

[0059] As described above, the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, and 444K are arranged compactly so as not to interfere with the optical paths LY1, LM1, LC1, and LK1. This allows the image forming unit 500 and the image forming apparatus 1 to be made compact. In particular, the image forming unit 500 can be made compact in the Y and Z directions. Note that the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, and 444K do not have to be arranged as described above.

[0060] In addition, the image forming unit 500 is preferably configured to be easily accessible to the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK and the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, 444K for maintenance and replacement of the process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK and the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, 444K. For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming unit 500 is configured to be able to be pulled out in the X direction from the apparatus main body 72 including the intermediate transfer belt unit 11. This can improve the maintainability of the image forming unit 500. Note that the image forming unit 500 may be configured not to be able to be pulled out in the X direction from the apparatus main body 72.

[0061] [Outline of toner cartridge configuration] Next, a schematic configuration of the toner cartridge 430Y as a cartridge will be described with reference to Figs. 9(a) to 12(b). Fig. 9(a) is a front view showing the toner cartridge 430Y, and Fig. 9(b) is a plan view showing the toner cartridge 430Y. Fig. 9(c) is a bottom view showing the toner cartridge 430Y, Fig. 9(d) is a side view showing the toner cartridge 430Y, and Fig. 9(e) is a rear view showing the toner cartridge 430Y. Fig. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 10A-10A cross section of Fig. 9(b), and Fig. 10(b) is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge 430Y cut along the Y1Z1 plane. Fig. 10(c) is an exploded view showing the toner cartridge 430Y, and Fig. 10(d) is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge 430Y. Fig. 11 is an enlarged view showing the joint between the first frame 430Ya and the second frame 430Yb. FIG. 12(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the discharge pipe 85Y, and FIG. 12(b) is a perspective view showing the discharge pipe 85Y cut along the X1Z1 plane.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3A, the toner cartridge 430K has a width La in the Y direction, which is wider than the width Lb1 of each of the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, and 430C. Therefore, the volume of the toner cartridge 430K for storing toner is larger than the volume of each of the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, and 430C. Generally, black toner is consumed in greater amounts than the toners of other colors, but as described above, the toner cartridge 430K can store more toner than the other toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, and 430C. Therefore, the number of times the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are replaced can be equalized, improving usability.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K all have the same length W in the X direction. The length W in the X direction is shorter than the widths La and Lb1 in the Y direction.

[0064] Since the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K have the same configuration except for their width in the Y direction, only the toner cartridge 430Y will be described below, and descriptions of the toner cartridges 430M, 430C, and 430K will be omitted.

[0065] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, directions (X1, Y1, Z1) are defined as shown in Fig. 9(a) to Fig. 16(c) on the premise that the toner cartridge 430Y is in the posture described below. That is, the description is based on the premise that the toner cartridge 430Y is in a posture in which the toner storage chamber 430Yc, the filter 83Y, and the air chamber 430Yd are arranged in this order from above with respect to the gravity direction G (the direction opposite to the Z1 direction; see Fig. 10(a)), and the short side direction (X1 direction) and the long side direction (Y1 direction) of the toner cartridge 430Y are parallel to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the gravity direction G. In this posture, the direction opposite to the Z1 direction is the gravity direction, and the toner cartridge 430Y is oriented in a predetermined direction in which the toner storage chamber 430Yc is above the air chamber 430Yd. At this time, the short side direction of the toner cartridge 430Y is the X1 direction, the long side direction is the Y1 direction, and the opposite direction to the gravity direction is the Z1 direction. That is, the gravity direction G as the first direction is the direction in which the second frame 430Yb and the first frame 430Ya described later are aligned. The Y1 direction as the second direction is the long side direction of the first frame 430Ya that intersects with the Z1 direction in a cross section perpendicular to the Z1 direction. The X1 direction as the third direction is the short side direction of the first frame 430Ya that intersects with both the Z1 direction and the Y1 direction.

[0066] The front-rear direction of the toner cartridge 430Y is indicated by the X1 axis, and the direction from the rear to the front is the X1 direction. The X1 direction may be called the front direction or the near direction. The downstream side of the toner cartridge 430Y in the X1 direction may be called the front side, and the upstream side may be called the rear side.

[0067] The left-right direction of the toner cartridge 430Y is indicated by the Y1 axis, and the direction from left to right of the toner cartridge 430Y is referred to as the Y1 direction. The Y1 direction may also be referred to as the right direction. The downstream side of the toner cartridge 430Y in the Y1 direction may also be referred to as the right side, and the upstream side may also be referred to as the left side.

[0068] The up-down direction of the toner cartridge 430Y is indicated by the Z1 axis, and the direction from the bottom to the top of the toner cartridge 430Y is the Z1 direction. The Z1 direction may be called the upward direction, height direction, or vertical direction. The downstream side of the toner cartridge 430Y in the Z1 direction may be called the upper side, top side, or top side, and the upstream side may be called the lower side, bottom side, or bottom side.

[0069] The X1, Y1, and Z1 axes are perpendicular to each other. For example, the X1 axis is perpendicular to the Y1 axis and also to the Z1 axis. A plane perpendicular to the X1 axis is sometimes called the Y1Z1 plane, a plane perpendicular to the Y1 axis is sometimes called the Z1X1 plane, and a plane perpendicular to the Z1 axis is sometimes called the X1Y1 plane.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 9(a) to Fig. 10(d), the toner cartridge 430Y has a first frame 430Ya as a second container, a second frame 430Yb as a first container, a filter 83Y, and a discharge pipe 85Y. In this embodiment, the first frame 430Ya and the second frame 430Yb are made of a resin material, but may be made of paper or the like. As will be described in detail later, the filter 83Y is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the first frame 430Ya and the second frame 430Yb.

[0071] The internal space SPY of the toner cartridge 430Y is partitioned by a filter 83Y into a toner storage chamber 430Yc and an air chamber 430Yd. That is, the toner storage chamber 430Yc is formed by the first frame 430Ya and the filter 83Y, and the air chamber 430Yd is formed by the second frame 430Yb and the filter 83Y. The air chamber 430Yd as the first chamber is disposed below the filter 83Y, and the toner storage chamber 430Yc is disposed above the filter 83Y.

[0072] The toner storage chamber 430Yc as the second chamber is configured to store toner T (see FIG. 12(a)), and the toner T is supported in the toner storage chamber 430Yc in the direction of gravity by the filter 83Y. No toner T is stored in the air chamber 430Yd. The filter 83Y is configured of a porous member made of, for example, resin fibers. The holes in the filter 83Y have a size and density that allows air to pass through but restricts the passage of toner T. In other words, the filter 83Y is configured to allow air to pass through but prevent toner T from passing through.

[0073] 9(e), a discharge port 430Ya1 through which the toner in the toner accommodating chamber 430Yc is discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge 430Y is provided on the rear surface 4300Ya of the first frame 430Ya. The discharge port 430Ya1 is formed of a through hole penetrating the first frame 430Ya in the X1 direction.

[0074] 9(a), (c), and (e), a convex portion 4301 is provided on a bottom surface 4300Yb of the second frame 430Yb so as to protrude downward. The convex portion 4301 is provided with an inlet 430Yb1 as a container opening constituted by a through-hole penetrating the second frame 430Yb in the Z direction. The outlet 430Ya1 and the inlet 430Yb1 communicate with the outside of the toner cartridge 430Y.

[0075] It is preferable that the discharge port 430Ya1 and the intake port 430Yb1 are provided on the side surfaces of the toner cartridge 430Y other than the left and right side surfaces. In other words, it is preferable that the discharge port 430Ya1 and the intake port 430Yb1 are provided on the side surfaces of the toner cartridge 430Y except the side surfaces facing the Y1 direction in which the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K are aligned. This makes it possible to narrow the gaps Gym, Gmc, and Gck in the Y direction (Y1 direction) between the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K as shown in FIG. 3(a). As a result, the width of the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K in the Y direction can be increased, and the toner capacity that can be accommodated in the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K can be increased.

[0076] Gap Gym is the gap in the Y direction between toner cartridge 430Y and toner cartridge 430M. Gap Gmc is the gap in the Y direction between toner cartridge 430M and toner cartridge 430C. Gap Gck is the gap in the Y direction between toner cartridge 430C and toner cartridge 430K.

[0077] 10(a), the bottom surface 4300Yb of the second frame 430Yb is inclined downward (upstream in the Z direction) toward the center in the Y1 direction. That is, the bottom surface 4300Yb has a first inclined surface 4302 that is inclined downward toward the downstream in the Y1 direction, and a second inclined surface 4303 that is inclined downward toward the upstream in the Y1 direction. The boundary portion between the first inclined surface 4302 and the second inclined surface 4303 is the bottommost surface portion 430Yb2 of the bottom surface 4300Yb.

[0078] The above-mentioned convex portion 4301 is provided so as to protrude downward from the second inclined surface 4303, and is disposed at a position shifted in the Y1 direction from the bottom surface portion 430Yb2. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the cartridge holder 429 is provided with a positioning portion 429a that engages with the convex portion 4301. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 429a is configured by a rib provided on the edge portion of the opening of the cartridge holder 429 that faces the discharge port 80Ya of the pump unit 80Y. The toner cartridge 430Y is positioned relative to the cartridge holder 429 by the convex portion 4301 engaging with the positioning portion 429a. At this time, the intake port 430Yb1 provided on the convex portion 4301 of the toner cartridge 430Y engages so as to communicate with the discharge port 80Ya of the pump unit 80Y.

[0079] As described above, the convex portion 4301 on which the intake port 430Yb1 is provided is disposed at a different position in the Y1 direction with respect to the lowermost portion 83Yb of the filter 83Y and the lowermost surface portion 430Yb2 of the second frame 430Yb. That is, the convex portion 4301 is disposed in the space between the second inclined surface 4303 and the cartridge holder 429. Therefore, the space between the second inclined surface 4303 and the cartridge holder 429 can be used efficiently, and the volume of the toner cartridge 430Y can be increased.

[0080] Further, the discharge port 430Ya1 provided in the first frame 430Ya of the toner cartridge 430Y opens toward the upstream in the X1 direction. That is, the discharge port 430Ya1 opens in the same direction as the mounting direction of the toner cartridge 430Y to the cartridge holder 429. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 430Y is mounted toward the upstream in the X1 direction to the cartridge holder 429, the discharge port 430Ya1 can be easily engaged so as to communicate with the intake port 429Ya1 of the cartridge holder 429.

[0081] The arrangement is not limited to the above, and the discharge port 430Ya1 may be provided on the bottom surface 4300Yb or the top surface of the toner cartridge 430Y, and the intake port 430Yb1 may be provided on the back surface 4300Ya or the top surface of the toner cartridge 430Y. If there is sufficient space in the device main body 72, the discharge port 430Ya1 and the intake port 430Yb1 may be provided on both the left and right sides of each side surface of the toner cartridge 430Y.

[0082] The toner cartridge 430Y may be provided with a sealing member (not shown) that seals the discharge port 430Ya1. The sealing member is composed of a seal, a shutter, or the like. When the toner cartridge 430Y is not attached to the cartridge holder 429, the sealing member seals the discharge port 430Ya1, thereby preventing the toner in the toner storage chamber 430Yc from leaking to the outside of the toner cartridge 430Y. When the sealing member is composed of a seal, the sealing member is removed from the rear surface 4300Ya of the toner cartridge 430Y when the toner cartridge 430Y is attached to the cartridge holder 429. When the sealing member is composed of a shutter, the sealing member is moved relative to the rear surface 4300Ya of the toner cartridge 430Y to open the discharge port 430Ya1 when the toner cartridge 430Y is attached to the cartridge holder 429.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 9(a), a label 430Ys is provided on the front surface 4304 of the toner cartridge 430Y. The label 430Ys is for indicating the color of the toner contained in the toner cartridge 430Y. The label 430Ys is omitted in the drawings other than FIG. 9(a). The label 430Ys may indicate a method for mounting the toner cartridge 430Y to the cartridge holder 429 or information related to the toner cartridge 430Y. For example, the label 430Ys may indicate the capacity of the toner that can be contained in the toner cartridge 430Y, the expiration date of the toner, the method for storing the toner cartridge 430Y, the method for removing the above-mentioned sealing member, and the like.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 10(a)-(c), the discharge pipe 85Y is disposed inside the toner storage chamber 430Yc. The discharge pipe 85Y has an inlet 85Ya that opens downward in the gravity direction G, and an outlet 85Yb as a second pipe opening that opens rearward, i.e., upstream in the X1 direction, communicates with the discharge port 430Ya1 of the toner cartridge 430Y, and communicates with the outside of the toner cartridge 430Y. The outlet 85Yb is located above the inlet 85Ya. As shown in FIG. 12(a)-(b), the discharge pipe 85Y has a first pipe portion 85Y1 that is provided with the inlet 85Ya and extends in the Z1 direction or the gravity direction G, and a second pipe portion 85Y2 that is provided with the outlet 85Yb connected to the discharge port 430Ya1 and extends in the X1 direction, and is bent midway. In this way, the discharge pipe 85Y as a pipe connects the inlet 85Ya and the outlet 85Yb. The inlet 85Ya is disposed to face a lowermost portion 83Yb, which serves as a facing region of the filter 83Y, with a gap therebetween in the direction of gravity G. The facing region of the filter 83Y facing the inlet 85Ya in the direction of gravity G may be a part of the lowermost portion 83Yb. The discharge pipe 85Y in this embodiment is made of a resin material, but may be made of paper, rubber, or the like.

[0085] [Toner transport mechanism] Next, a mechanism for transporting the toner contained in the toner containing chamber 430Yc of the toner cartridge 430Y to the developing container 3Y of the process cartridge PY will be described. As shown in Fig. 6(a), air discharged upward from the discharge port 80Ya of the pump unit 80Y is taken into the air chamber 430Yd through the intake port 430Yb1 (see Fig. 10(a)) of the toner cartridge 430Y. This air fills the air chamber 430Yd and flows into the toner containing chamber 430Yc through the filter 83Y.

[0086] The air that has flowed into the toner storage chamber 430Yc penetrates between the particles of the toner T and fluidizes the toner T. The inside of the toner cartridge 430Y becomes positive pressure due to the inflow of air from the pump unit 80Y, and the air passes through the discharge pipe 85Y and attempts to exit the toner cartridge 430Y from the discharge port 430Ya1. At this time, the toner T in the toner storage chamber 430Yc is moved along with the air through the discharge pipe 85Y and is discharged from the discharge port 430Ya1 to the outside of the toner cartridge 430Y. That is, the discharge pipe 85Y guides the toner in the toner storage chamber 430Yc together with the air from the inlet 85Ya to the discharge port 430Ya1. In this embodiment, the discharge port 430Ya1 opens in the short side direction (X1 direction) of the toner cartridge 430Y.

[0087] The toner T discharged from the discharge port 430Ya1 enters the upstream end 444Yu of the supply pipe 444Y through the intake port 429Ya of the cartridge holder 429. The toner T is then transported inside the supply pipe 444Y by air that has flowed into the supply pipe 444Y together with the toner T, and is supplied to the developing container 3Y of the process cartridge PY from the downstream end 444Yd of the supply pipe 444Y. As shown in FIG. 5B, since the downstream end 444Yd of the supply pipe 444Y is connected to the upstream end of the developing container 3Y in the Y direction (Y1 direction), the toner T is supplied to the upstream end of the developing container 3Y in the Y direction.

[0088] 6(b), stirring members SY1 and SY2 for stirring the toner in the developing container 3Y are rotatably provided inside the developing container 3Y. Similarly, stirring members SY1 and SY2, stirring members SM1 and SM2, stirring members SC1 and SC2, and stirring members SK1 and SK2 are provided inside the developing containers 3M, 3C, and 3K, respectively.

[0089] The toner in the developing container 3Y is leveled by the rotation of the stirring members SY1 and SY2 and transported in the Y direction (Y1 direction). In the present embodiment, these stirring members are composed of a rotating shaft and a sheet member fixed to the rotating shaft, but are not limited to this. For example, the stirring members may be composed of screws configured to transport the toner in the developing container along the Y direction. That is, the stirring members SY1, SY2, SM1, and SM2 may be composed of screws that transport the toner downstream in the Y direction, and the stirring members SC1, SC2, SK1, and SK2 may be composed of screws that transport the toner upstream in the Y direction.

[0090] Since not only the toner T but also air flows into the developing container 3Y, the internal pressure in the developing container 3Y rises. For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 5(b), a through hole (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the developing container 3Y, and the through hole is covered by an exhaust filter PYf. The exhaust filter PYf is made of nonwoven fabric or the like, and is configured to allow air to pass through and to restrict the passage of toner. As a result, the toner that has flowed into the developing container 3Y is restricted from being discharged to the outside by the exhaust filter PYf, and remains in the developing container 3Y. On the other hand, at least a part of the air that has flowed into the developing container 3Y passes through the exhaust filter PYf and is discharged to the outside of the developing container 3Y. As a result, the internal pressure rise of the developing container 3Y is suppressed, and the toner can be smoothly replenished to the developing container 3Y.

[0091] Similarly, exhaust filters PMf, PCf, PKf and through holes (not shown) covered by the exhaust filters PMf, PCf, PKf are provided on the upper surfaces of the developing containers 3M, 3C, 3K.

[0092] The exhaust filter PYf and the through hole are provided in the center of the developing container 3Y in the Y direction. The number of exhaust filters and through holes is not limited to one, and a plurality of exhaust filters and through holes may be provided in the developing container 3Y. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 5(b), exhaust filters PYfa and PYfb may be provided in the developing container 3Y in addition to the exhaust filter PYf. The exhaust filters PYfa and PYfb cover a through hole (not shown) provided in the developing container 3Y. The exhaust filter PYfa is disposed upstream of the exhaust filter PYf in the Y direction, and the exhaust filter PYfb is disposed downstream of the exhaust filter PYf in the Y direction. In this way, by providing a plurality of exhaust filters and through holes for one developing container, the rise in the internal pressure in the developing container can be efficiently suppressed.

[0093] As described above, the toner contained in the toner cartridge 430Y is transported together with air to the developing container 3Y and replenished to the developing container 3Y. In the case of a configuration in which the direction of the transport path changes midway, or a configuration in which the transport path differs depending on the color of the toner, such as the supply pipes 444Y, 444M, 444C, and 444K in this embodiment, it is preferable to transport the toner using air. By transporting the toner using air, the design freedom of the toner transport path is improved, and since components such as screws for transporting the toner are not required, the number of parts can be reduced, leading to cost reduction.

[0094] [Toner cartridge detailed configuration] Next, the detailed configuration of the toner cartridge 430Y will be described with reference to Figs. 10(a) to 12(b). In particular, the joining of the first frame 430Ya, the second frame 430Yb, and the filter 83Y of the toner cartridge 430Y will be described in detail below. As shown in Figs. 10(a) to 12(b), the first frame 430Ya has a first box portion 4305 that forms the toner storage chamber 430Yc together with the bottom surface portion 83Yd of the filter 83Y, and a first flange portion 430Ya2 that extends from the lower end of the first box portion 4305 toward the outside of the toner storage chamber 430Yc in a substantially horizontal direction. The first box portion 4305 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first flange portion 430Ya2 is formed around the entire circumference of the lower end of the first box portion 4305.

[0095] The second frame 430Yb is formed separately from the first frame 430Ya, and has a second box portion 4306 that forms the air chamber 430Yd together with the bottom surface portion 83Yd of the filter 83Y, and a second flange portion 430Yb3 that extends substantially horizontally from the upper end portion of the second box portion 4306 toward the outside of the air chamber 430Yd. The second flange portion 430Yb3 is formed around the entire circumference of the upper end portion of the second box portion 4306.

[0096] The filter 83Y is formed in a rectangular sheet shape. The filter 83Y has a bottom surface portion 83Yd as a partition portion separating the air chamber 430d and the toner storage chamber 430c, and an outer edge portion 83Ya as a sandwiched portion sandwiched and held by the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3. The outer edge portion 83Ya is provided so as to be continuous with the bottom surface portion 83Yd. The bottom surface portion 83Yd is formed so as to approach the lowest portion 83Yb of the filter 83Y in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction) as it moves downward in the gravity direction G, and forms the bottom surface of the toner storage chamber 430Yc. In other words, when viewed in the X1 direction, the bottom surface portion 83Yd is inclined downward in the gravity direction G toward the lowest portion 83Yb of the filter 83Y in the Y1 direction. As shown in Figure 10 (c), the bottom surface 83Yd has a first inclined surface 83Yd1 that slopes downward in the Y1 direction from one end (upstream end) of the bottom surface 83Yd to the lowest portion 83Yb, and a second inclined surface 83Yd1 that slopes downward in the Y1 direction from the other end (downstream end) of the bottom surface 83Yd to the lowest portion 83Yb.

[0097] In other words, when viewed in the X1 direction, if both ends of the toner cartridge 430Y in the Y1 direction are the first end and the second end, the bottom 83Yb of the filter 83Y is disposed between the first end and the second end in the Y1 direction. The first slope 83Yd1 as the first portion is configured to slope downward from the first end toward the bottom 83Yb in the Y1 direction, and the second slope 83Yd2 as the second portion is configured to slope downward from the second end toward the bottom 83Yb in the Y1 direction.

[0098] The bottom surface portion 83Yd has an intermediate portion 457 that is provided between the first inclined surface 83Yd1 and the second inclined surface 83Yd2 in the Y1 direction and where the lowest portion 83Yb is located. The intermediate portion 457 is curved so as to smoothly connect the first inclined surface 83Yd1 and the second inclined surface 83Yd2. The intermediate portion 457 may be omitted and the first inclined surface 83Yd1 and the second inclined surface 83Yd2 may be directly connected.

[0099] 10(d), the first flange portion 430Ya2 of the first frame 430Ya has a first bonding surface 431, a second bonding surface 432, a third bonding surface 433, and a fourth bonding surface 434. The second flange portion 430Yb3 of the second frame 430Yb has a first bonding surface 441, a second bonding surface 442, a third bonding surface 443, and a fourth bonding surface 445. The outer edge portion 83Ya of the filter 83Y has a first edge portion 451, a second edge portion 452, a third edge portion 453, and a fourth edge portion 454.

[0100] The first and second bonding surfaces 431 and 432 of the first flange portion 430Ya2 are formed in a planar shape extending in the X1 direction. The first and second bonding surfaces 431 and 432 are formed continuously with the third and fourth bonding surfaces 433 and 434, respectively. The first bonding surface 431 is provided on the left end side of the first flange portion 430Ya2, and the second bonding surface 432 is provided on the right end side of the first flange portion 430Ya2. The third bonding surface 433 is provided on the front end side of the first flange portion 430Ya2, and the fourth bonding surface 434 is provided on the rear end side of the first flange portion 430Ya2. The third and fourth bonding surfaces 433 and 434 are configured in the same way, so the third bonding surface 433 will be mainly described.

[0101] The third joint surface 433 has a first inclined surface 433a as an inclined surface inclined downward toward the downstream in the Y1 direction, a second inclined surface 433b inclined downward toward the upstream in the Y1 direction, and an intermediate surface 433c. When viewed in the X1 direction, the first inclined surface 433a is inclined downward toward the lowest part 83Yb in the gravity direction G as it approaches the lowest part 83Yb in the Y1 direction. When viewed in the X1 direction, the second inclined surface 433b is disposed on the opposite side of the first inclined surface 433a with respect to the lowest part 83Yb in the Y1 direction, and is inclined downward toward the lowest part 83Yb in the gravity direction G as it approaches the lowest part 83Yb. When viewed in the X1 direction, the intermediate surface 433c is provided between the first inclined surface 433a and the second inclined surface 433b in the Y1 direction, and is curved so as to smoothly connect the first inclined surface 433a and the second inclined surface 433b. Alternatively, the intermediate surface 433c may be omitted, and the first inclined surface 433a and the second inclined surface 433b may be directly connected, or the intermediate surface 433c may be configured as a flat surface. Also, not limited to the entirety of the first inclined surface 433a, a part of the first inclined surface 433a may configure the inclined surface or the clamping surface.

[0102] The first and second bonding surfaces 441 and 442 of the second flange portion 430Yb3 are each formed in a flat shape extending in the X1 direction. The first bonding surface 441 is provided on the left end side of the second flange portion 430Yb3, and the second bonding surface 442 is provided on the right end side of the second flange portion 430Yb3. The third bonding surface 443 is provided on the front end side of the second flange portion 430Yb3, and the fourth bonding surface 445 is provided on the rear end side of the second flange portion 430Yb3. Since the third bonding surface 443 and the fourth bonding surface 445 are configured in the same way, the third bonding surface 443 will be mainly described.

[0103] The third joint surface 443 has a first inclined surface 443a as a clamping surface and a first clamping surface that inclines downward toward the downstream in the Y1 direction, a second inclined surface 443b as a second clamping surface that inclines downward toward the upstream in the Y1 direction, and an intermediate surface 443c as an intermediate clamping surface. The first inclined surface 443a, the second inclined surface 443b, and the intermediate surface 443c face the first inclined surface 433a, the second inclined surface 433b, and the intermediate surface 433c, respectively, in the gravity direction G. In other words, the first inclined surface 443a, the second inclined surface 443b, and the intermediate surface 443c are arranged at positions that overlap the first inclined surface 433a, the second inclined surface 433b, and the intermediate surface 433c, respectively, in the gravity direction G. The intermediate surface 443c is provided between the first inclined surface 443a and the second inclined surface 443b in the Y1 direction when viewed in the X1 direction, and is curved so as to smoothly connect the first inclined surface 443a and the second inclined surface 443b. When viewed in the X1 direction, the first inclined surface 443a and the second inclined surface 443b are inclined downward in the Y1 direction along the first inclined surface 433a and the second inclined surface 433b as they approach the bottom 83Yb of the filter 83Y. The intermediate surface 443c may be omitted, and the first inclined surface 443a and the second inclined surface 443b may be directly connected, or the intermediate surface 443c may be configured as a flat surface. In addition, not limited to the entire first inclined surface 443a, a part of the first inclined surface 443a may constitute a clamping surface or an inclined surface.

[0104] The first edge 451 and the second edge 452 of the outer edge 83Ya of the filter 83Y are each formed in a flat shape extending in the X1 direction. The first edge 451 is provided on the left end side of the outer edge 83Ya, and the second edge 452 is provided on the right end side of the outer edge 83Ya. The third edge 453 is provided on the front end side of the outer edge 83Ya, and the fourth edge 454 is provided on the rear end side of the outer edge 83Ya. Since the third edge 453 and the fourth edge 454 are configured in the same way, the third edge 453 will be mainly described.

[0105] The third edge portion 453 has a first inclined surface portion 453a that is inclined downward toward the downstream in the Y1 direction, a second inclined surface portion 453b that is inclined downward toward the upstream in the Y1 direction, and an intermediate portion 453c. When viewed in the X1 direction, the intermediate portion 453c is provided between the first inclined surface portion 453a and the second inclined surface portion 453b in the Y1 direction, and is curved so as to smoothly connect the first inclined surface portion 453a and the second inclined surface portion 453b. When viewed in the X1 direction, the first inclined surface portion 453a and the second inclined surface portion 453b are inclined downward toward the bottom portion 83Yb of the filter 83Y in the Y1 direction. Moreover, the first inclined surface portion 453a, the second inclined surface portion 453b, and the intermediate portion 453c extend in the Y1 direction when viewed in the gravity direction G. Alternatively, the first inclined surface portion 453a and the second inclined surface portion 453b may be directly connected to each other without the intermediate portion 453c, or the intermediate portion 453c may be formed of a flat surface.

[0106] The first edge portion 451 of the filter 83Y is sandwiched between the first joint surface 431 of the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the first joint surface 441 of the second flange portion 430Yb3. The second edge portion 452 of the filter 83Y is sandwiched between the second joint surface 432 of the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second joint surface 442 of the second flange portion 430Yb3. The third edge portion 453 of the filter 83Y is sandwiched between the third joint surface 433 of the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the third joint surface 443 of the second flange portion 430Yb3. The fourth edge portion 454 of the filter 83Y is sandwiched between the fourth joint surface 434 of the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the fourth joint surface 445 of the second flange portion 430Yb3.

[0107] More specifically, the first inclined surface portion 453a as the first clamped portion is clamped between the first inclined surfaces 433a and 443a so as to follow the first inclined surface 433a. The second inclined surface portion 453b as the second clamped portion is clamped between the second inclined surfaces 433b and 443b so as to follow the second inclined surface 433b. The middle portion 453c as the middle clamped portion is clamped between the middle surfaces 433c and 443c so as to follow the middle surface 433c. The first edge portion 451 as the third clamped portion extends in the X1 direction when viewed in the gravity direction G, and is clamped between the first joint surfaces 431 and 441 so as to follow the first joint surface 431.

[0108] The first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3 are joined by ultrasonically welding the first joint surfaces 431, 441, the second joint surfaces 432, 442, the third joint surfaces 433, 443, and the fourth joint surfaces 434, 445 to each other. At this time, the third joint surfaces 433, 443 and the fourth joint surfaces 434, 445 are arranged so as to overlap with the bottom surface portion 83Yd of the filter 83Y when viewed in the short side direction (X1 direction). The first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3 may be fixed to each other by not only ultrasonic welding but also heat welding, adhesive such as double-sided tape or hot melt, or screws.

[0109] The first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3 are joined together to hold the filter 83Y sandwiched between the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3. If the holding force of the filter 83Y is insufficient, the entire circumference of the outer edge portion 83Ya of the filter 83Y may be bonded to at least one of the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3. This allows the filter 83Y to be held with high holding force.

[0110] Moreover, since the filter 83Y is sandwiched between the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3, the filter 83Y is held in a position along the respective bonding surfaces of the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3. In particular, since the third edge portion 453 of the filter 83Y is sandwiched between the third bonding surfaces 433, 443 formed in a substantially V-shape, and the fourth edge portion 454 of the filter 83Y is sandwiched between the fourth bonding surfaces 434, 445 formed in a substantially V-shape, the filter 83Y is held in a substantially V-shape with the lowermost portion 83Yb as the lower end.

[0111] The bottom portion 83Yb of the filter 83Y extends in the short-side direction (X1 direction), and the bottom surface portion 83Yd of the filter 83Y extends parallel to the short-side direction (X1 direction) over the entire area of ​​the short-side direction (X1 direction). In other words, in a predetermined cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction), the bottom surface portion 83Yd has the same distance in the gravity direction G or Z1 direction to the outlet 85Yb over the entire area of ​​the short-side direction (X1 direction). That is, as shown in FIG. 12(a), in the X1Z1 plane, the distance GD in the Z1 direction between the center 430Ya5 of the outlet 430Ya1 and the bottom surface portion 83Yd is the same over the entire area of ​​the short-side direction (X1 direction). Further, the first joint surface 431 as a flat surface of the first flange portion 430Ya2 extends in the X1 direction so that the distance to the inlet 85Ya in the gravity direction G does not change when viewed in the Y1 direction. Similarly, the first joint surface 441 as a third clamping surface of the second flange portion 430Yb3 extends in the X1 direction so that the distance to the inlet 85Ya in the gravity direction G does not change when viewed in the Y1 direction. The first joint surface 441 faces the first joint surface 431 in the gravity direction G. In other words, the first joint surface 441 is disposed at a position overlapping the first joint surface 431 in the gravity direction G. Note that, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the first joint surfaces 431, 441 are located above the inlet 85Ya in the gravity direction G.

[0112] That is, the filter 83Y has a shape like a single rectangular sheet folded at the lowermost portion 83Yb, and does not have a three-dimensional complex uneven shape. Therefore, the filter 83Y can be formed, for example, from a sheet-like nonwoven fabric made of resin fibers, and does not need to be three-dimensionally molded by heat pressing or the like. In other words, the filter 83Y is a flat sheet when the outer edge portion 83Ya is not sandwiched between the first frame body 430Ya and the second frame body 430Yb. Therefore, the filter 83Y can be inexpensively constructed and can be held in a substantially V-shaped position. Compared to a molded member by heat pressing or the like, the sheet-like filter 83Y can be made thinner, and the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 430Y can be increased.

[0113] As described above, the inlet 85Ya as the first pipe opening of the discharge pipe 85Y is disposed to face the bottommost part 83Yb of the filter 83Y with a gap therebetween. The filter 83Y is held in a substantially V-shaped position with the bottommost part 83Yb at the bottom end, so that when the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 430Yc is low, the toner fluidized by the air moves along the inclination of the filter 83Y and collects at the bottommost part 83Yb. That is, the toner in the toner storage chamber 430Yc can be guided toward the inlet 85Ya of the discharge pipe 85Y. The bottom part 83Yd of the filter 83Y extends parallel to the short side direction (X1 direction) and is inclined only in the long side direction (Y1 direction). Therefore, the filter 83Y can be simply configured while efficiently collecting the toner at the bottommost part 83Yb of the filter 83Y.

[0114] Therefore, even when the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 430Yc becomes small, the toner collected at the lowermost portion 83Yb can be efficiently discharged from the inlet 85Ya of the discharge pipe 85Y through the discharge port 430Ya1 to the outside of the toner cartridge 430Y. Although the discharge port 430Ya1 is disposed above the inlet 85Ya and the bottom surface portion 83Yd of the filter 83Y, the toner is transported from the inlet 85Ya to the discharge port 430Ya1 by air. Therefore, the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 430Yc that cannot be replenished can be reduced.

[0115] Normally, in order to move the toner along the inclined surface by its own weight alone, the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface with respect to the horizontal surface needs to be set to about 70 degrees. However, in this embodiment, the toner on the filter 83Y in the toner storage chamber 430Yc is fluidized by air, so that the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the filter 83Y with respect to the horizontal surface may be set to about 10 to 20 degrees as shown in FIG. 10(a). This allows the volume of the toner cartridge 430Y to be increased, and the amount of toner that can be stored in the toner cartridge 430Y to be increased.

[0116] In the present embodiment, both the first frame body 430Ya and the second frame body 430Yb are provided with the third bonding surfaces 433, 443 that contact the third edge portion 453 of the outer edge portion 83Ya of the filter 83Y and are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction) and the gravity direction G, but this is not limited thereto. That is, at least one of the first frame body 430Ya and the second frame body 430Yb may be provided with the third bonding surface 433, and at least the other of the first frame body 430Ya and the second frame body 430Yb may be provided with a clamping surface that clamps the third edge portion 453 together with the third bonding surface 433. For example, of the first frame body 430Ya and the second frame body 430Yb, only the first frame body 430Ya may be provided with the third bonding surface 433 that contacts the third edge portion 453 and is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction) and the gravity direction G. In this case, the third bonding surface 443 serving as the clamping surface of the second frame body 430Yb may be formed parallel to the Y1Z1 plane, and a seal member (not shown) may be provided between the third bonding surface 433 and the third bonding surface 443.

[0117] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, in which the joining surfaces of the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3 of the first embodiment are configured to be arc-shaped. Therefore, the same configuration as the first embodiment will be described by omitting illustrations or by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0118] Fig. 13(a) is a plan view showing the toner cartridge 530Y, Fig. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 13B-13B cross section of Fig. 13(a), and Fig. 13(c) is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge 530Y in a state cut along the Y1Z1 plane.

[0119] 13(a)-(c), the toner cartridge 530Y as a cartridge is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and has a first frame 530Ya as a second container, a second frame 530Yb as a first container, a filter 583Y, and a discharge pipe 85Y. The internal space of the toner cartridge 530Y is partitioned by the filter 583Y into a toner storage chamber 530Yc as a second chamber and an air chamber 530Yd as a first chamber. The air chamber 530Yd is disposed below the filter 583Y, and the toner storage chamber 530Yc is disposed above the filter 583Y.

[0120] The first frame 530Ya has a first flange portion 530Ya2, and the second frame 530Yb has a second flange portion 530Yb3. The first flange portion 530Ya2 and the second flange portion 530Yb3 are formed around the entire circumference of the toner cartridge 530Y. The filter 583Y is formed in a circular sheet shape, and has an outer edge portion 583Ya that is sandwiched and held by the first flange portion 530Ya2 and the second flange portion 530Yb3.

[0121] The first flange portion 530Ya2 has a joint surface 531 formed in an arc shape in the Y1Z1 cross section, and the second flange portion 530Yb3 has a joint surface 541 formed in an arc shape facing the joint surface 531. In other words, the joint surface 541 is disposed at a position overlapping the joint surface 531 in the gravity direction G.

[0122] The filter 583Y also has a bottom surface portion 583Yd as a partition portion separating the air chamber 530Yd and the toner storage chamber 530Yc, and an outer edge portion 583Ya sandwiched and held by the first flange portion 530Ya2 and the second flange portion 530Yb3. The bottom surface portion 583Yd is curved so as to approach the lowermost portion 583Yb as the opposing region of the filter 83Y in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction) as it approaches downward in the gravity direction G. The bottom surface portion 583Yd extends parallel to the lateral direction (X1 direction) over the entire area of ​​the lateral direction (X1 direction). In other words, the distance of the bottom surface portion 583Yd from the outlet 85Yb in the gravity direction G or Z1 direction is equal over the entire area of ​​the lateral direction (X1 direction) in a predetermined cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction). In addition, like the bottom surface portion 583Yd, the joint surface 531 of the first flange portion 530Ya2 and the joint surface 541 of the second flange portion 530Yb3 are curved so as to approach the lowermost portion 583Yb of the filter 83Y in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction) as they extend downward in the direction of gravity G.

[0123] More specifically, the joint surface 531 has a first curved surface 531a formed so as to be downward as it approaches the lowest part 583Yb in the Y1 direction when viewed in the X1 direction, and a second curved surface 531b arranged on the opposite side of the first curved surface 531a with respect to the lowest part 583Yb in the Y1 direction and formed so as to be downward as it approaches the lowest part 583Yb when viewed in the X1 direction. In addition, the joint surface 541 has a first curved surface 541a formed so as to be along the first curved surface 531a, and a second curved surface 541b formed so as to be along the second curved surface 531b when viewed in the X1 direction. Note that the first curved surface 531a constitutes an inclined surface and a first inclined surface, and the first curved surface 541a constitutes a clamping surface and a first clamping surface. The second curved surface 531b constitutes a second inclined surface, and the second curved surface 541b constitutes a second clamping surface. The first curved surfaces 531a, 541a and the second curved surfaces 531b, 541b are made up of curved surfaces, which are included in the inclined surfaces.

[0124] An outer edge portion 583Ya of the filter 583Y is sandwiched between the joining surface 531 of the first flange portion 530Ya2 and the joining surface 541 of the second flange portion 530Yb3. That is, the outer edge portion 583Ya has a first curved portion 551a as a first clamped portion sandwiched between the first curved surfaces 531a, 541a so as to follow the first curved surface 531a, and a second curved portion 551b as a second clamped portion sandwiched between the second curved surfaces 531b, 541b so as to follow the second curved surface 531b.

[0125] The first flange portion 530Ya2 and the second flange portion 530Yb3 are joined together by ultrasonically welding the joining surfaces 531, 541. The first flange portion 530Ya2 and the second flange portion 530Yb3 may be fixed to each other by means of not only ultrasonic welding but also heat welding, adhesive such as double-sided tape or hot melt, or screws.

[0126] The first flange portion 530Ya2 and the second flange portion 530Yb3 are joined together, whereby the filter 583Y sandwiched between the first flange portion 530Ya2 and the second flange portion 530Yb3 is held. Since the filter 583Y is sandwiched between the first flange portion 530Ya2 and the second flange portion 530Yb3, the filter 583Y is held in a position along the joining surfaces 531, 532 of the first flange portion 530Ya2 and the second flange portion 530Yb3.

[0127] That is, the filter 583Y is shaped like a single circular sheet curved into an arc shape with the lowest part 583Yb as the bottom part, and does not have a three-dimensional complex uneven shape. Therefore, the filter 583Y can be formed, for example, from a sheet-like nonwoven fabric made of resin fibers, and does not need to be three-dimensionally molded by heat pressing or the like. Therefore, the filter 583Y can be inexpensively constructed and the filter 583Y can be held in a curved position. Compared to a molded member by heat pressing or the like, the sheet-like filter 583Y can be made thinner, and the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 530Y can be increased.

[0128] In addition, the inlet 85Ya of the discharge pipe 85Y is disposed to face the lowest part 583Yb of the filter 583Y with a gap therebetween. Since the filter 583Y is held in a curved position with the lowest part 583Yb as the lower end, when the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 530Yc becomes small, the toner fluidized by the air moves along the arc surface of the filter 583Y and collects at the lowest part 583Yb. In other words, the toner in the toner storage chamber 530Yc can be guided toward the inlet 85Ya of the discharge pipe 85Y.

[0129] Therefore, even when the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 530Yc becomes small, the toner collected at the lowermost portion 583Yb can be efficiently discharged from the inlet 85Ya of the discharge pipe 85Y to the outside of the toner cartridge 530Y. This reduces the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 530Yc that cannot be replenished.

[0130] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described, in which the joining surfaces of the first flange portion 430Ya2 and the second flange portion 430Yb3 of the first embodiment are configured with uniformly inclined surfaces. Therefore, the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted from the illustrations or will be described by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0131] FIG. 14(a) is a plan view showing the toner cartridge 630Y, and FIG. 14(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 14B-14B cross section of FIG. 14(a). As shown in FIG. 14(a) and (b), the toner cartridge 630Y as a cartridge has a first frame 630Ya as a second container, a second frame 630Yb as a first container, a filter 683Y, and a discharge pipe 685Y as a pipe. The internal space of the toner cartridge 630Y is partitioned by the filter 683Y into a toner storage chamber 630Yc as a second chamber and an air chamber 630Yd as a first chamber. The air chamber 630Yd is disposed below the filter 683Y, and the toner storage chamber 630Yc is disposed above the filter 683Y.

[0132] The first frame 630Ya has a first flange portion 630Ya2, and the second frame 630Yb has a second flange portion 630Yb3. The first flange portion 630Ya2 and the second flange portion 630Yb3 are formed over the entire circumference of the toner cartridge 630Y. The filter 683Y is formed in a rectangular sheet shape, and has an outer edge portion 683Ya that is sandwiched and held by the first flange portion 630Ya2 and the second flange portion 630Yb3.

[0133] The first flange portion 630Ya2 has a joint surface 631 that is a uniformly inclined surface that slopes downward as it approaches the left, and the second flange portion 630Yb3 also has a joint surface 641 that is a uniformly inclined surface that slopes downward as it approaches the left. That is, the joint surfaces 631, 641 are inclined surfaces that extend in the Y1 direction as they approach the Z1 direction.

[0134] The filter 683Y also has a bottom surface portion 683Yd as a partition portion separating the air chamber 630Yd and the toner storage chamber 630Yc, and an outer edge portion 683Ya that is sandwiched and held by the first flange portion 630Ya2 and the second flange portion 630Yb3. The bottom surface portion 683Yd extends parallel to the short side direction (X1 direction) over the entire area in the short side direction (X1 direction). In other words, in a predetermined cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction), the bottom surface portion 683Yd has the same distance in the gravity direction G or Z1 direction to the outlet 685Yb as the second pipe opening of the discharge pipe 685Y over the entire area in the short side direction (X1 direction).

[0135] In this embodiment, the lowermost portion 683Yb as the opposing region of the filter 683Y is located at the upstream end (one end, left end) of the bottom surface portion 683Yd in the Y1 direction. The bottom surface portion 683Yd is formed so as to approach the lowermost portion 683Yb in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction) as it moves downward in the gravity direction G, and constitutes the bottom surface of the toner storage chamber 630Yc. As shown in FIG. 14(b), the bottom surface portion 683Yd has an inclined surface 683Yd1 that inclines downward as it approaches the lowermost portion 683Yb from the downstream end (the other end, right end) of the bottom surface portion 683Yd in the Y1 direction.

[0136] In other words, when viewed in the X1 direction, if both ends of the toner cartridge 630Y in the Y1 direction are a first end and a second end, the bottom 683Yb of the filter 683Y is disposed at the second end in the Y1 direction. Also, the inclined surface 683Yd1 as a part is configured to be inclined downward from the first end toward the bottom 683Yb in the Y1 direction.

[0137] The joint surface 631 of the first flange portion 630Ya2 is an inclined surface that inclines downward from the other end of the joint surface 631 toward one end in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction). The joint surface 641 of the second flange portion 630Yb3 has a configuration similar to that of the joint surface 631. That is, the joint surface 641 as a clamping surface faces the joint surface 631 as an inclined surface in the gravity direction G and is inclined along the joint surface 631. In other words, the joint surface 641 is disposed at a position overlapping the joint surface 631 in the gravity direction G.

[0138] The outer edge portion 683Ya of the filter 683Y is sandwiched between the joining surface 631 of the first flange portion 630Ya2 and the joining surface 641 of the second flange portion 630Yb3. That is, the outer edge portion 683Ya has an inclined portion 651 as a first sandwiched portion sandwiched between the joining surfaces 631, 641 along the joining surface 631. The joining surfaces 631, 641 are ultrasonically welded to each other, thereby joining the first flange portion 630Ya2 and the second flange portion 630Yb3. The first flange portion 630Ya2 and the second flange portion 630Yb3 may be fixed to each other by not only ultrasonic welding but also heat welding, adhesive such as double-sided tape or hot melt, or screws.

[0139] The filter 683Y sandwiched between the first flange portion 630Ya2 and the second flange portion 630Yb3 is held by joining the first flange portion 630Ya2 and the second flange portion 630Yb3. Since the filter 683Y is sandwiched between the first flange portion 630Ya2 and the second flange portion 630Yb3, the filter 683Y is held in a position along the joining surfaces 631, 632 of the first flange portion 630Ya2 and the second flange portion 630Yb3.

[0140] That is, the filter 683Y is in a linear position with the left end being the lowest in the Z1 direction and the right end being the highest in the Z1 direction, and does not have a three-dimensional complex uneven shape. Therefore, the filter 683Y can be formed, for example, from a sheet-like nonwoven fabric made of resin fibers, and does not need to be three-dimensionally molded by heat pressing or the like. Therefore, the filter 683Y can be inexpensively constructed and the filter 683Y can be held in a linear position. Compared to a molded member by heat pressing or the like, the sheet-like filter 683Y can be made thinner, and the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 630Y can be increased.

[0141] Further, the inlet 685Ya as a first pipe opening of the discharge pipe 685Y is disposed to face the lowest part 683Yb of the filter 683Y with a gap therebetween. The lowest part 683Yb is located at the lowest part in the area of ​​the filter 683Y in the toner storage chamber 630Yc. When the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 630Yc becomes small, the toner fluidized by the air moves along the inclined surface of the filter 683Y and gathers at the lowest part 683Yb. That is, the toner in the toner storage chamber 630Yc can be guided toward the inlet 685Ya of the discharge pipe 685Y.

[0142] Therefore, even when the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 630Yc becomes small, the toner collected at the lowermost portion 683Yb can be efficiently discharged from the inlet 685Ya of the discharge pipe 685Y to the outside of the toner cartridge 630Y. This reduces the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 630Yc that cannot be replenished.

[0143] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described, in which the width Lb2 in the Y direction of each toner cartridge is shorter than the length W2 in the X direction. Therefore, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the illustrations or will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0144] In the first embodiment, the width of the toner cartridges 430Y, 430M, 430C, and 430K in the Y direction (or Y1 direction) is longer than the length in the X direction (or X1 direction). Therefore, the third joint surfaces 433 and 443 and the fourth joint surfaces 434 and 445 extending in the Y1 direction are inclined in a substantially V-shape.

[0145] However, in this embodiment, the width Lb2 of the toner cartridge 730Y in the Y direction is configured to be shorter than the length W2 in the X direction. For this reason, the joint surface of the toner cartridge 730Y extending in the X direction is configured to be inclined in a substantially V-shape.

[0146] FIG. 15(a) is a plan view showing the toner cartridge 730Y, and FIG. 15(b) is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridge 730Y cut along the 15B-15B cross section of FIG. 15(a). As shown in FIG. 15(a) and (b), the toner cartridge 730Y as a cartridge has a first frame 730Ya as a second container, a second frame 730Yb as a first container, a filter 783Y, and a discharge pipe 785Y as a pipe. The internal space of the toner cartridge 730Y is partitioned by the filter 783Y into a toner storage chamber 730Yc as a second chamber and an air chamber 730Yd as a first chamber. The air chamber 730Yd is disposed below the filter 783Y, and the toner storage chamber 730Yc is disposed above the filter 783Y.

[0147] The first frame 730Ya has a first flange portion 730Ya2, and the second frame 730Yb has a second flange portion 730Yb3. The first flange portion 730Ya2 and the second flange portion 730Yb3 are formed over the entire circumference of the toner cartridge 730Y. The filter 783Y is formed in a rectangular sheet shape, and has an outer edge portion 783Ya that is sandwiched and held by the first flange portion 730Ya2 and the second flange portion 730Yb3.

[0148] The toner cartridge 730Y of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, which is configured by rotating the first frame 430Ya, the second frame 430Yb, and the filter 483Y by 90 degrees around an axis extending in the Z1 direction. In this embodiment, the discharge pipe 785Y has a third pipe portion 785Y1 having an inlet 85Ya and extending in the Z1 direction or the gravity direction G, and a fourth pipe portion 785Y2 having an outlet connected to the discharge port 430Ya1 and extending in the Y1 direction, and is bent midway. In addition, the discharge port 430Ya1 opens in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction) of the toner cartridge 730Y. The filter 783Y has a bottom surface portion 783Yd as a partition portion separating the air chamber 730Yd and the toner storage chamber 730Yc, and an outer edge portion 783Ya sandwiched and held by the first flange portion 730Ya2 and the second flange portion 730Yb3. The bottom surface portion 783Yd extends parallel to the short side direction (X1 direction) over the entire area in the short side direction (X1 direction).

[0149] Therefore, the outer edge portion 783Ya of the filter 783Y is sandwiched between the joint surface of the first flange portion 730Ya2 and the joint surface of the second flange portion 730Yb3. Then, these joint surfaces are ultrasonically welded to each other, thereby joining the first flange portion 730Ya2 and the second flange portion 730Yb3. Note that the first flange portion 730Ya2 and the second flange portion 730Yb3 may be fixed to each other by not only ultrasonic welding, but also heat welding, adhesive such as double-sided tape or hot melt, or screws.

[0150] The first flange portion 730Ya2 and the second flange portion 730Yb3 are joined together, whereby the filter 783Y sandwiched between the first flange portion 730Ya2 and the second flange portion 730Yb3 is held. Since the filter 783Y is sandwiched between the first flange portion 730Ya2 and the second flange portion 730Yb3, the filter 783Y is held in a position along the joining surfaces of the first flange portion 730Ya2 and the second flange portion 730Yb3.

[0151] That is, the filter 783Y is shaped like a single rectangular sheet folded at the bottom portion 783Yb as the facing region, and does not have a complex three-dimensional uneven shape. Therefore, the filter 783Y can be formed from a sheet-like nonwoven fabric made of resin fibers, for example, and does not need to be molded three-dimensionally by heat pressing or the like.

[0152] The filter 783Y has an inclined surface that inclines downward toward the upstream or downstream in the Y1 direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 730Y. The inlet 85Ya of the discharge pipe 85Y is disposed to face the lowest part 783Yb of the filter 683Y with a gap therebetween. When the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage chamber 730Yc is low, the toner fluidized by the air moves along the inclined surface of the filter 783Y and collects at the lowest part 783Yb. That is, the toner in the toner storage chamber 730Yc can be guided toward the inlet 85Ya of the discharge pipe 85Y. In this way, by inclining the filter 783Y in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction) of the toner cartridge 730Y, the toner can be efficiently collected at the lowest part 783Yb.

[0153] As described above, the black toner cartridge may be configured to have a greater width in the Y direction than the other color toner cartridges (see FIG. 3(a)). In this case, if the width of the black toner cartridge in the Y direction is greater than its length in the X direction, the filter and joint surface in the black toner cartridge may be configured to be inclined in the Y direction as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, if the width of the yellow, cyan, and magenta toner cartridges in the Y direction is shorter than their lengths in the X direction, the filter and joint surface in the yellow, cyan, and magenta toner cartridges may be configured to be inclined in the X direction as in the fourth embodiment. In this way, the toner cartridges of each color may be combined with the configuration of the first embodiment and the configuration of the fourth embodiment.

[0154] <Other embodiments> In any of the above-described embodiments, the filter is configured not to protrude from the first and second frames of the toner cartridge, but this is not limiting. For example, the filter may protrude from the first and second frames of the toner cartridge to the outside of the toner cartridge.

[0155] The disclosure of the present embodiment also includes the following configuration examples and method examples. (Configuration 1) A cartridge comprising: a first container having a container opening communicating with the outside of the cartridge; a filter forming a first chamber with the first container, the filter being configured to prevent the passage of toner and to allow the passage of air; a second container that, together with the filter, constitutes a second chamber for accommodating toner; a first pipe opening that faces the opposing region of the filter with a gap therebetween and opens toward the opposing region, and a second pipe opening that communicates with the outside of the cartridge; and a pipe that connects the first pipe opening and the second pipe opening; Equipped with the filter has a partition portion that separates the first chamber and the second chamber, and a clamped portion that is clamped by the first container and the second container, A direction in which the first container and the second container are aligned is defined as a first direction, a direction intersecting the first direction in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, and a direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, and when the cartridge is oriented in a predetermined direction in which the first direction is the direction of gravity and the second chamber is above the first chamber, When viewed in the third direction, one of the first container and the second container includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the opposing region of the filter in the first direction as it approaches the opposing region of the filter in the second direction, The other of the first container and the second container has a clamping surface, The clamped portion of the filter has a first clamped portion extending in the second direction when viewed in the first direction, and the first clamped portion is clamped between the inclined surface and the clamping surface so as to be aligned with the inclined surface. A cartridge characterized by: (Configuration 2) When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, When viewed in the third direction, the clamping surface is inclined along the inclined surface in the second direction. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, (Configuration 3) the inclined surface and the clamping surface are a first inclined surface and a first clamping surface, respectively; When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, When viewed in the third direction, one of the first container and the second container has a second inclined surface that is disposed on an opposite side of the facing region in the second direction from the first inclined surface and is inclined downward as it approaches the facing region, the other of the first container and the second container has a second clamping surface, The clamped portion of the filter has a second clamped portion extending in the second direction when viewed in the first direction, and is clamped between the second inclined surface and the second clamping surface so as to be aligned with the second inclined surface. 3. A cartridge according to claim 1 or 2. (Configuration 4) When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, When viewed in the third direction, the second clamping surface is inclined along the second inclined surface in the second direction. 4. The cartridge according to claim 3. (Configuration 5) When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, When viewed in the third direction, one of the first container and the second container has an intermediate surface that is provided between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface in the second direction, The other of the first container and the second container has an intermediate clamping surface, The clamped portion of the filter has an intermediate clamping portion that extends in the second direction when viewed in the first direction and is clamped between the intermediate surface and the intermediate clamping surface so as to be along the intermediate surface. 5. The cartridge according to claim 3 or 4. (Configuration 6) The longitudinal direction of the second container is the second direction. 6. The cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 7) When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, When viewed in the second direction, one of the first container and the second container has a flat surface that extends in the third direction so that a distance from the first pipe opening in the first direction does not change, The other of the first container and the second container has a third clamping surface, The clamped portion of the filter has a third clamped portion extending in the third direction when viewed in the first direction, and is clamped between the flat surface and the third clamping surface so as to be aligned with the flat surface. 7. The cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 6. (Configuration 8) When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined direction, the flat surface is located above the first pipe opening. 8. The cartridge according to claim 7. (Configuration 9) When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined direction, the first pipe opening opens downward, and the second pipe opening is located above the first pipe opening. 9. The cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 8. (Configuration 10) When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined direction, the partition portion of the filter extends parallel to the third direction over the entire area in the third direction. 10. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9. (Configuration 11) The clamped portion is provided so as to be continuous with the partition portion. 11. The cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. (Configuration 12) The container opening is disposed at a different position relative to the opposing region of the filter in the second direction. 12. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11. (Configuration 13) When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined direction, the facing region is located at the bottom of the filter. 13. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12. (Configuration 14) The filter is a flat sheet when the clamped portion is not clamped between the first container and the second container. 14. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13. (Configuration 15) The filter is made of a sheet-like nonwoven fabric. 15. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14. (Configuration 16) A device body, A cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, which is detachably supported by the device body; a process cartridge to which the toner is supplied from the cartridge; 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 83Y, 583Y, 683Y, 783Y, 883Y: Felt / 83Ya, 583Ya, 683Ya, 783Ya, 883Ya: Clamped part (outer edge) / 83Yb, 583Yb, 683Yb, 783Yb, 883Yb: Directional area (lowermost part) / 83Yd, 583Yd, 683Yd, 783Yd, 883Yd: Cutting part (bottom part) / 83Yd1: First slope / 83Yd2: Second slope / 85Y, 685Y, 785Y: Pipe (discharge pipe) / 85Ya, 685Ya: Suction port (inlet) / 85Yb, 685Yb: 2nd port opening (exit) / 430Y, 530Y, 630Y, 730Y, 730Y: portカートリッジ / 430Ya,530Ya,630Ya,730Ya,830Ya: 2nd container (1st frame) / 430Y a1: Discharge port / 430Yb, 530Yb, 630Yb, 730Yb, 830Yb: 1st container (2nd frame) / 430Yb1: Container opening (inlet) / 430Yc, 530Yc, 630Yc, 730Yc, 830Yc: 2nd room (Tower Containment Room) ) / 430Yd,530Yd,630Yd,730Yd,830Yd:1st chamber (air chamber) / 431:flat surface (1st joint surface) / 433a,531a,631:inclined surface,1st inclined surface (1st curved surface, joint surface) / 433b,531b:2nd inclined surface (2nd curved surface) / 433c:intermediate surface / 441:3rd clamping surface (1st joint surface) / 443a,541a,641:clamping surface,1st clamping surface (1st inclined surface,2nd curved surface, joint surface) / 443b,541b:2nd clamping surface (2nd inclined surface,2nd curved surface) / 443c: Middle clamping surface (middle surface) / 451: Third clamping portion (first edge) / 453a, 551a, 651: First clamped portion (first inclined portion, first curved portion, inclined portion) / 453b, 551b: Second clamped portion (second inclined portion, second curved portion) / 453c: Middle clamping portion (middle portion) / 531, 631: Inclined portion, inclined surface (joining surface) / 683Yd1: Inclined surface / 883Ye: Joint portion / G: First direction, gravity direction / GD: Distance / PY: Projection curve / X1: Third direction / Y1: Second direction

Claims

1. A cartridge comprising: a first container having a container opening communicating with the outside of the cartridge; a filter forming a first chamber with the first container, the filter being configured to prevent the passage of toner and to allow the passage of air; a second container forming a second chamber for accommodating toner together with the filter; a first pipe opening that faces the opposing region of the filter with a gap therebetween and opens toward the opposing region, and a second pipe opening that communicates with the outside of the cartridge; a pipe that connects the first pipe opening and the second pipe opening; Equipped with the filter has a partition portion that separates the first chamber and the second chamber, and a clamped portion that is clamped by the first container and the second container, A direction in which the first container and the second container are aligned is defined as a first direction, a direction intersecting the first direction in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, and a direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, and when the cartridge is oriented in a predetermined orientation in which the first direction is the direction of gravity and the second chamber is above the first chamber, When viewed in the third direction, one of the first container and the second container includes an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the opposing region of the filter in the first direction as it approaches the opposing region of the filter in the second direction, The other of the first container and the second container has a clamping surface, The clamped portion of the filter has a first clamped portion extending in the second direction when viewed in the first direction, and the first clamped portion is clamped between the inclined surface and the clamping surface so as to be along the inclined surface. A cartridge characterized by:

2. When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, When viewed in the third direction, the clamping surface is inclined along the inclined surface in the second direction.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

3. the inclined surface and the clamping surface are a first inclined surface and a first clamping surface, respectively; When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, When viewed in the third direction, one of the first container and the second container has a second inclined surface that is disposed on an opposite side of the opposing region in the second direction from the first inclined surface and is inclined downward as it approaches the opposing region, The other of the first container and the second container has a second clamping surface, The clamped portion of the filter has a second clamped portion extending in the second direction when viewed in the first direction, and is clamped between the second inclined surface and the second clamping surface so as to be along the second inclined surface.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

4. When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, The second clamping surface is inclined along the second inclined surface in the second direction when viewed in the third direction.

4. A cartridge according to claim 3.

5. When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, When viewed in the third direction, one of the first container and the second container has an intermediate surface that is provided between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface in the second direction, The other of the first container and the second container has an intermediate clamping surface, The clamped portion of the filter has an intermediate clamping portion that extends in the second direction when viewed in the first direction and is clamped between the intermediate surface and the intermediate clamping surface so as to be along the intermediate surface.

4. A cartridge according to claim 3.

6. The longitudinal direction of the second container is the second direction.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

7. When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined orientation, When viewed in the second direction, one of the first container and the second container has a flat surface that extends in the third direction so that a distance between the flat surface and the first pipe opening in the first direction does not change, The other of the first container and the second container has a third clamping surface, The clamped portion of the filter has a third clamped portion extending in the third direction when viewed in the first direction, and is clamped between the flat surface and the third clamping surface so as to be aligned with the flat surface.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

8. When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined direction, the flat surface is located above the first pipe opening.

8. A cartridge according to claim 7.

9. When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined direction, the first pipe opening opens downward, and the second pipe opening is located above the first pipe opening.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

10. When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined direction, the partition portion of the filter extends parallel to the third direction over the entire area in the third direction.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

11. The clamped portion is provided so as to be continuous with the partition portion.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

12. The container opening is disposed at a different position relative to the opposing region of the filter in the second direction.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

13. When the cartridge is oriented in the predetermined direction, the facing region is located at the bottom of the filter.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

14. The filter is a flat sheet when the clamped portion is not clamped between the first container and the second container.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

15. The filter is made of a sheet-like nonwoven fabric.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

16. A device body, A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which is detachably supported by the main body of the apparatus; a process cartridge to which the toner is supplied from the cartridge; 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images