Image formation device

Abstract

To prevent leakage of a content from a container when the container is stored in an image formation device and transported and enable a state of the image formation device to be shifted to a state in which the content can be supplied from the container by an easy operation without using the driving force.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes: a slot 33 which causes a discharge port 21 to open and receives a content when a container 20 is pushed to a predetermined position; a guide part 34A which guides an inner cover 35 to a first position or a second position which is spaced apart from an outer cover 34 farther than the first position; and an engagement member 43 which shifts, in conjunction with sliding of a first link member 41, into an engagement state where the engagement member engages with the container 20 located at the front relative to the predetermined position or a non-engagement state where the engagement member is not engaged with the container 20. When the outer cover 34 is opened, the first link member 41 is pulled out to shift the engagement member 43 into the non-engagement state and move the inner cover 35 to the second position. Subsequently, when the outer cover 34 is closed, the container 20 is pushed to the predetermined position by the inner cover 35 located at the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] When an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is shipped from a factory, it is considered to package the image forming apparatus with a toner container housed inside the apparatus in order to reduce labor and costs during transportation. However, if the toner container is transported in a state where it can supply toner to the developing device, there is a risk of toner leakage. Therefore, it is desirable to disable the toner supply during transportation. However, in this case, when the image forming apparatus is installed at the delivery destination, work must be performed to enable the toner supply. The same problem occurs with ink containers and cleaning liquid containers in inkjet image forming apparatuses.

[0003] As a technology for solving similar problems, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for preventing contamination of the photosensitive drum and deformation of the transfer roller when the image forming apparatus is not used for a long period of time, improving usability when a cartridge is installed and packed, and preventing paper jams and image defects that occur when the user forgets to remove the sheet material or spacer between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller or forgets to release the separation. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is characterized in that by moving the transfer member relative to the latent image carrier, it is possible to set the transfer pressure between the latent image carrier and the transfer member to a light pressure state that is lower than the transfer pressure during image formation, and even when the transfer pressure is set to a light pressure state, the transfer member automatically moves in conjunction with the rotation of the latent image carrier or the transfer member by the drive source, so that the transfer pressure during image formation is applied between the latent image carrier and the transfer member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-113283 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the members are moved by a driving force transmitted from a driving source, which makes the configuration complicated and increases the external dimensions of the image forming apparatus.

[0006] The present invention takes into consideration the above circumstances and aims to prevent leakage of contents from a container when the container is housed in an image forming device and transported, and to transition to a state where contents can be supplied from the container with a simple operation without using a driving force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a container having an ejection port that is opened by an external force, a main housing having an opening on a side thereof, a storage section that is located deeper in the main housing than the opening and through which the container can be inserted and removed in a predetermined direction, a receiving opening that opens the ejection port to receive contents when the container is pushed to a predetermined position in the storage section, an outer cover that is located to cover the opening and can be opened and closed, an inner cover that is located inside the outer cover, a guide section that is located on the outer cover and guides the inner cover to a first position and a second position that is further away from the outer cover than the first position, and a guide section that is located on the storage section and connected to the inner cover and slides in the predetermined direction. The device comprises a slideable first link member, and an engaging member provided in the storage section that transitions between an engaged state in which it engages with the container located closer to the predetermined position and a disengaged state in which it does not engage with the container in response to the sliding of the first link member, and when the outer cover is closed with the inner cover located at the first position, the engaging member transitions to the engaged state, and when the outer cover is then opened, the first link member is pulled out, the engaging member transitions to the disengaged state, and the inner cover moves to the second position, and when the outer cover is then closed, the container is pushed to the predetermined position by the inner cover located at the second position.

[0008] The lower part of the outer cover is hingedly connected to the main body housing, and a second link member is provided that is swingably connected to the inner cover and the first link member, and the guide portion has a groove that is inclined so that the lower end is positioned closer to the storage portion than the upper end when the outer cover is closed, and when the outer cover is opened, the inner cover slides down along the groove to move from the first position to the second position.

[0009] The inner cover may include a hanging member having one end swingably connected to the inner cover, and both ends of the hanging member may have bosses protruding in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the hanging member, and the lower end of the groove may be open in the longitudinal direction of the groove. When the bosses at both ends of the hanging member are accommodated in the groove, the inner cover may be located at the first position, and when the outer cover is opened, the boss on the one end side may come out of the groove and the boss on the other end side may slide down along the groove, thereby moving the inner cover from the first position to the second position.

[0010] In a position where the outer cover is closed, the grooves may be provided at two positions, one above and one below, on the outer cover, and the hanging members may be provided at two positions, one above and one below, on the inner cover.

[0011] The guide portion may have a restricting portion that restricts movement of the hanging member at the second position.

[0012] The first link member has a male threaded portion whose axial direction is the predetermined direction, and the engaging member has a female threaded portion attached to the first link member and whose position in the predetermined direction is fixed, and a protrusion protruding radially from the female threaded portion, and when the outer cover is closed with the inner cover positioned at the first position, the protrusion engages with the container positioned forward of the predetermined position, and then, when the outer cover is opened, the male threaded portion is pulled out and the female threaded portion rotates, so that the protrusion no longer engages with the container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, leakage of contents from a container can be prevented when the container is housed in an image forming device and transported, and the container can be easily brought into a state in which contents can be supplied without using a driving force. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a side view schematically illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an outer cover according to an embodiment of the present invention when opened. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outer cover and an inner cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outer cover and an inner cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outer cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inner cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hanging member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hanging member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a right side view showing a first link member, a second link member, and an engaging member according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a first link member and an engaging member according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the configuration of the peripheral part of the container according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the configuration of the peripheral part of the container according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14]FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the configuration of the peripheral part of the container according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the configuration of the peripheral part of the container according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An image forming apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] First, the overall configuration of image forming apparatus 100 will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of image forming apparatus 100. Fig. 2 is a side view schematically showing the internal configuration of image forming apparatus 100. In the following description, the front side of the paper in Fig. 2 is the front side (front side) of image forming apparatus 100, and left and right directions will be described based on the direction when image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front. In each figure, U, Lo, L, R, Fr, and Rr represent up, down, left, right, front, and rear, respectively.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a printing device 1, a document reading device 110, and a document transport device 120. The document reading device 110 is provided above the printing device 1, and the document transport device 120 is provided above the document reading device 110. The document transport device 120 transports a document along a transport path that passes through the reading position of the document reading device 110. The document reading device 110 is a flatbed image scanner that reads a document and generates image data. The printing device 1 forms an image on a sheet S based on the image data.

[0018] The printing device 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped main body housing 3. Inside the main body housing 3, a paper feed cassette 4 that stores sheets S and a paper feed roller 5 that feeds sheets S from the paper feed cassette 4 are provided at the bottom. Above the paper feed cassette 4, an imaging device 6 that forms a toner image using an electrophotographic method is provided, and above the upper right of the imaging device 6, a fixing device 7 that fixes the toner image to the sheet S is provided. Above the fixing device 7, there are provided an ejection roller 8 that ejects the sheet S with the fixed toner image, and an ejection tray 9 on which the ejected sheet S is stacked.

[0019] Inside the main body housing 3, there is provided a conveyance path 10 that runs from the paper feed roller 5 through the image forming device 6 and the fixing device 7 to the discharge roller 8. The conveyance path 10 is mainly formed of plate-like members that face each other with a gap therebetween to allow the sheet S to pass through, and conveyance rollers 17 that sandwich and convey the sheet S are provided at multiple locations in the conveyance direction Y. A registration roller 18 is provided upstream of the image forming device 6 in the conveyance direction Y. To the right of the fixing device 7, there is provided a reversing conveyance path 10R that branches off from the conveyance path 10 downstream of the fixing device 7 in the conveyance direction Y and merges with the conveyance path 10 upstream of the registration roller 18 in the conveyance direction Y.

[0020] The image forming device 6 includes a photosensitive drum 11 whose potential changes when irradiated with light, a charging device 12 that charges the photosensitive drum 11, an exposure device 13 that emits laser light corresponding to image data, a developing device 14 that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 11, an intermediate transfer unit 15 that transfers the toner image from the photosensitive drum 11 to a sheet S, and a cleaning device 16 that removes toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11. The intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 15B wrapped around a drive roller 15D and a driven roller 15N, a primary transfer roller 151 that faces the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15B at a position corresponding to the photosensitive drum 11 and generates a primary transfer bias, and a secondary transfer roller 152 that faces the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15B at a position corresponding to the drive roller 15D and generates a secondary transfer bias. A container 20 that supplies toner to the developing device 14 is connected to the developing device 14.

[0021] The control unit 2 includes a calculation unit and a storage unit (not shown). The calculation unit is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The calculation unit performs various processes by reading and executing control programs stored in the storage unit. Note that the control unit 2 may be realized by an integrated circuit that does not use software.

[0022] An operation panel 19 is provided on the top surface of the main body housing 3. The operation panel 19 includes a display panel, a touch panel provided on top of the display surface of the display panel, and a keypad adjacent to the display panel (not shown). The control unit 2 displays screens showing operation menus and statuses of the printing device 1 and the document reading device 110 on the display panel, and controls each part of the printing device 1 and the document reading device 110 in response to operations detected on the touch panel and the keypad.

[0023] The basic image formation operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is as follows: When a print job for single-sided printing is input to the image forming apparatus 100 from an external computer or the like, the paper feed rollers 5 feed the sheet S from the paper feed cassette 4 to the conveying path 10, the registration rollers 18, whose rotation has stopped, correct any skew in the sheet S, and the registration rollers 18 feed the sheet S to the image creating device 6 at a predetermined timing. In the image creating device 6, the charging device 12 charges the photosensitive drum 11 to a predetermined potential, the exposure device 13 writes a latent image on the photosensitive drum 11, the developing device 14 develops the latent image with toner supplied from the container 20 to form a toner image, the primary transfer roller 151 transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 15B, and the secondary transfer roller 152 transfers the toner image to the sheet S. Next, the fixing device 7 melts the toner image while nipping and conveying the sheet S to fix the toner image to the sheet S, and the discharge rollers 8 discharge the sheet S to the discharge tray 9. The cleaning device 16 removes toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11. In the case of double-sided printing, the sheet S with a toner image fixed on its first surface is sent into the conveying path 10 via the reverse conveying path 10R, where the toner image is transferred to the second surface.

[0024] Next, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the outer cover 34 when it is open. FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the outer cover 34 and the inner cover 35. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the outer cover 34. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the inner cover 35. FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views showing the hanging member 36. FIG. 10 is a right side view showing the first link member 41, the second link member 42, and the engaging member 43. FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing the first link member 41 and the engaging member 43. FIGS. 12 to 15 are right side views showing the configuration of the peripheral portion of the container 20. Note that in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the main parts of the outer cover 34 are indicated by solid lines, and other parts are indicated by chain double-dashed lines.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a container 20 having a discharge port 21 that is opened by an external force, a main housing 3 having an opening 31 on its side, a storage section 32 that is provided on the inner side of the main housing 3 relative to the opening 31 and through which the container 20 can be inserted and removed in a predetermined direction, a receiving opening 33 that opens the discharge port 21 to receive the contents when the container 20 is pushed to a predetermined position in the storage section 32, an outer cover 34 that is provided to cover the opening 31 and can be opened and closed, an inner cover 35 that is provided inside the outer cover 34, a guide section 34A that is provided on the outer cover 34 and that guides the inner cover 35 between a first position and a second position that is further away from the outer cover 34 than the first position, and a guide section 34A that is provided on the storage section 32 and is connected to the inner cover 35. and an engaging member 43 provided in the storage section 32, which transitions between an engaged state in which it engages with the container 20 located closer to the user than the predetermined position and a disengaged state in which it does not engage with the container 20 in response to the sliding of the first link member 41. When the outer cover 34 is closed with the inner cover 35 located in the first position, the engaging member 43 transitions to the engaged state, and when the outer cover 34 is subsequently opened, the first link member 41 is pulled out, the engaging member 43 transitions to the disengaged state, and the inner cover 35 moves to the second position, and when the outer cover 34 is subsequently closed, the container 20 is pushed into the predetermined position by the inner cover 35 located in the second position. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0026] [container] The container 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is a toner container that contains a developer containing toner. The developer may be a two-component developer containing non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier, or a one-component developer containing magnetic toner. The container 20 according to this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction, but the container 20 may be any shape, such as a rectangular parallelepiped. The four containers 20 contain yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developers, respectively. The container 20 containing black developer has a larger diameter than the other containers 20, but the four containers 20 have the same configuration except for the diameter. The rear of the container 20 (see FIG. 12) is provided with a discharge port 21 that opens downward. The discharge port 21 is provided with a shutter 22 that can be opened and closed in the front-to-rear direction. The shutter 22 is biased rearward by a spring (not shown) or the like to close the discharge port 21.

[0027] [Opening, storage, receiving section] An opening 31 (see FIG. 3) is provided on one of the side surfaces (the front surface in this embodiment) of the main housing 3. A storage section 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 12) for storing the container 20 is provided at the back of the opening 31. Multiple (four in this embodiment) containers 20 can be inserted and removed from the storage section 32 in a predetermined direction (the front-rear direction in this embodiment). A receiving port 33 (see FIG. 12) for receiving developer from the container 20 is provided at the back of the storage section 32. The receiving port 33 is provided at one end of a developer supply path (not shown) that supplies developer to the developing device 14 and opens upward. When the container 20 is stored in the storage section 32, the shutter 22 and the receiving port 33 face each other in the front-rear direction. As described above, the shutter 22 is biased rearward. However, when the container 20 is pushed to a predetermined position (see FIG. 15), the receiving port 33 opens the shutter 22, and the discharge port 21 is connected to the receiving port 33.

[0028] [Outer cover, inner cover] The configurations of the outer cover 34, inner cover 35, and hanging member 36 will be described based on the position in which the outer cover 34 is closed (see Figures 4 to 9 and 12). The opening 31 is covered by the outer cover 34. The lower part of the outer cover 34 is hingedly connected to the main body housing 3, and can be opened and closed. A rectangular inner cover 35 with smaller outer dimensions than the outer cover 34 is provided inside the outer cover 34. The inner cover 35 faces the outer cover 34 from the front to the rear. The inner cover 35 also faces the front end of the container 20.

[0029] [Hanging member] Hanging members 36 are provided at two locations, top and bottom, on each of the left and right ends of the inner cover 35 (see Figure 7). The hanging members 36 (see Figures 8 and 9) are rod-shaped members as a whole. One end 36A (the lower end in Figure 7) of the hanging members 36 is connected to the inner cover 35 so as to be swingable with the left-right direction as the axial direction. Bosses 36C protruding to the left are provided at both ends of the two left hanging members 36. Bosses 36C protruding to the right are provided at both ends of the two left hanging members 36. The four hanging members 36 may have the same shape and be used with their orientations reversed.

[0030] [Information Department] Guide portions 34A (see FIGS. 4 to 6) are provided at two locations, left and right, on the inside of the outer cover 34. The left and right guide portions 34A are formed in a plate shape and face both left and right ends of the inner cover 35. Grooves 34B are provided on the right surface of the left guide portion 34A and the left surface of the right guide portion 34A. The grooves 34B are provided at two locations, above and below, of the left and right guide portions 34A. The grooves 34B are inclined so that their lower ends are located closer to the storage section 32 than their upper ends when the outer cover 34 is in a closed position. The lower ends of the grooves 34B open in the longitudinal direction of the grooves 34B. A restricting portion 34C is provided below the lower end of the grooves 34B. The restricting portion 34C opens rearward and is recessed in an arc shape.

[0031] [First link member, engaging member, second link member] The storage section 32 is provided with a first link member 41, a second link member 42, and an engaging member 43 (see FIGS. 10 to 12). The first link member 41, the second link member 42, and the engaging member 43 are provided to the left of the leftmost container 20. The first link member 41 has a male threaded portion 41A whose axial direction is the front-to-rear direction. The engaging member 43 has a female threaded portion 43A whose axial direction is the front-to-rear direction. The female threaded portion 43A is attached to the male threaded portion 41A, and its position in the front-to-rear direction is fixed. The female threaded portion 43A is supported by the storage section 32 and is rotatable around the male threaded portion 41A as an axis. The female threaded portion 43A is provided with a protrusion 43B that protrudes radially.

[0032] The first link member 41 is connected to the inner cover 35 via the second link member 42. The second link member 42 is swingably connected to the first link member 41 and the inner cover 35. The second link member 42 is connected to one end 36A of the hanging member 36 at a connecting portion 35A at the upper left of the inner cover 35 so as to be coaxial with the connecting portion 35A.

[0033] Next, an overview of the operation of this embodiment will be described. Both Figures 12 and 15 show a state in which the container 20 is housed in the housing section 32 and the outer cover 34 is closed, but in Figure 12, the discharge outlet 21 is not connected to the receiving inlet 33, while in Figure 15, the discharge outlet 21 is connected to the receiving inlet 33. Also, in Figure 15, the container 20 is pushed into a predetermined position, whereas in Figures 12 to 14, the container 20 is positioned forward of the predetermined position. This embodiment is characterized in that the discharge outlet 21 is opened and connected to the receiving inlet 33 when the container 20 is pushed into a predetermined position by opening and closing the outer cover 34.

[0034] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail. First, the operation when the image forming apparatus 100 is shipped from the factory will be described (see FIG. 12). The worker opens the outer cover 34, inserts the container 20 into the storage section 32, and places it forward of the predetermined position. At this time, the shutter 22 is closed. Also, the protrusion 43B of the engagement member 43 engages with the rear end surface of the leftmost container 20 of the four containers 20 (engaged state).

[0035] Next, the worker closes the outer cover 34 with the upper and lower bosses 36C of all of the hanging members 36 housed in the grooves 34B. At this time, the hanging members 36 are positioned at the uppermost position and parallel to the grooves 34B. The position of the inner cover 35 at this time is referred to as the first position. In the first position, the inner cover 35 is closest to the inner surface (rear surface) of the outer cover 34 and is positioned at the uppermost position. At this time, the inner surface of the inner cover 35 may or may not be in contact with the containers 20. Because the engagement member 43 is engaged with the leftmost container 20, the rearward movement of the leftmost container 20 is restricted, and the shutter 22 does not open. Furthermore, because the rearward movement of the inner cover 35 is restricted by the leftmost container 20, the three containers 20 other than the leftmost container 20 do not move rearward, and the shutters 22 do not open.

[0036] The image forming apparatus 100 is packed and transported in the above state. Because the shutter 22 does not open, there is no risk of developer leaking during transportation.

[0037] Next, we will explain the operation of installing the image forming apparatus 100 at the delivery destination. The worker unpacks the image forming apparatus 100 and installs it at the specified location. Next, the worker opens the outer cover 34 (see FIG. 13). At this time, the inner cover 35 does not move with the outer cover 34 because a slight restraining force is applied to the inner cover 35 in the front-to-rear direction by the first link member 41 and the second link member 42. Therefore, during the process of opening the outer cover 34, the bosses 36C on the one end 36A (lower end) of all the hanging members 36 come out of the grooves 34B, and the bosses 36C on the other end 36B (upper end) slide down along the grooves 34B, causing the inner cover 35 to move from the first position to the second position. In the second position, the inner cover 35 is farthest from the inner surface of the outer cover 34 and is located at the lowest position. In the second position, the second link member 42 is displaced approximately horizontally.

[0038] Next, the worker opens the outer cover 34 nearly horizontally (see FIG. 14). This causes the second link member 42 to be pulled downward and forward, which in turn pulls the first link member 41 forward. At this time, as the male thread portion 41A advances, the female thread portion 43A of the engaging member 43 rotates, and the protrusion 43B transitions to a disengaged state in which it does not engage with the container 20.

[0039] Next, the worker closes the outer cover 34 (see FIG. 15). At this time, the boss 36C on one end 36A of the hanging member 36 fits into the restricting portion 34C, restricting movement of the hanging member 36 and the inner cover 35 relative to the outer cover 34, so that the outer cover 34 is closed with the inner cover 35 remaining in the second position. In this way, the inner cover 35 pushes the four containers 20 to predetermined positions, so that the receiving port 33 opens the shutter 22, the discharge port 21 connects to the receiving port 33, and the receiving port 33 is ready to receive the developer.

[0040] The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment described above includes the container 20 having the discharge outlet 21 that is opened by an external force, the main housing 3 having the opening 31 on its side, the storage section 32 that is provided on the inner side of the main housing 3 relative to the opening 31 and through which the container 20 can be inserted and removed in a predetermined direction, the receiving opening 33 that opens the discharge outlet 21 to receive the contents when the container 20 is pushed to a predetermined position in the storage section 32, the outer cover 34 that is provided to cover the opening 31 and can be opened and closed, the inner cover 35 that is provided inside the outer cover 34, the guide section 34A that is provided on the outer cover 34 and that guides the inner cover 35 between a first position and a second position that is further away from the outer cover 34 than the first position, and the inner cover 35 that is provided on the storage section 32. and an engaging member 43 provided in the storage section 32, which transitions between an engaged state in which it engages with the container 20 located closer to the container 20 than the predetermined position and a disengaged state in which it does not engage with the container 20 in response to the sliding of the first link member 41. When the outer cover 34 is closed with the inner cover 35 located in the first position, the engaging member 43 transitions to the engaged state, and when the outer cover 34 is subsequently opened, the first link member 41 is pulled out, the engaging member 43 transitions to the disengaged state, and the inner cover 35 moves to the second position, and when the outer cover 34 is subsequently closed, the container 20 is pushed to the predetermined position by the inner cover 35 located in the second position.

[0041] According to this embodiment, when the outer cover 34 is closed with the inner cover 35 in the first position, the engaging member 43 is engaged, so the container 20 is positioned closer to the user than the predetermined position. Therefore, the outlet 21 is not open, and the contents do not leak from the container 20. Thereafter, by opening and closing the outer cover 34, the inner cover 35, which is in the second position, pushes the container 20 to the predetermined position, opening the outlet 21 and allowing the contents to be received by the receiving opening 33. Therefore, according to this embodiment, leakage of the contents from the container 20 is prevented when the container 20 is housed in the image forming apparatus 100 and transported, and the container 20 can be easily brought into a state where the contents can be supplied from the container 20 without using a driving force.

[0042] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the lower portion of the outer cover 34 is hinged to the main housing 3, and the second link member 42 is pivotally connected to the inner cover 35 and the first link member 41. The guide portion 34A has a groove 34B that is inclined so that the lower end is located closer to the storage portion 32 than the upper end when the outer cover 34 is closed. When the outer cover 34 is opened, the inner cover 35 slides down along the groove 34B, moving from the first position to the second position. According to this embodiment, the inner cover 35 is moved from the first position to the second position, and the first link member 41 can be slid in a predetermined direction.

[0043] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the inner cover 35 includes a hanging member 36 having one end 36A pivotally connected to the inner cover 35, bosses 36C protruding from both ends of the hanging member 36 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the hanging member 36, and grooves 34B whose lower ends open in the longitudinal direction of the grooves 34B. When the bosses 36C at both ends of the hanging member 36 are accommodated in the grooves 34B, the inner cover 35 is located in a first position. When the outer cover 34 is opened, the boss 36C on the one end 36A side comes out of the groove 34B and the boss 36C on the other end 36B side slides down along the grooves 34B, moving the inner cover 35 from the first position to the second position. According to this embodiment, the operation of the inner cover 35 can be optimized by adjusting the length of the hanging member 36 and the direction and length of the grooves 34B.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, when the outer cover 34 is in a closed position, grooves 34B are provided at two positions, one above and one below, on the outer cover 34, and hanging members 36 are provided at two positions, one above and one below, on the inner cover 35. According to this embodiment, the position of the inner cover 35 can be optimized.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the guide portion 34A has the restricting portion 34C that restricts the movement of the hanging member 36 at the second position. When the outer cover 34 is closed, the inner cover 35 can be prevented from returning from the second position to the first position.

[0046] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the first link member 41 has a male thread portion 41A whose axial direction is a predetermined direction, and the engaging member 43 has a female thread portion 43A attached to the first link member 41 and whose position in the predetermined direction is fixed, and a protrusion portion 43B protruding radially from the female thread portion 43A, such that when the outer cover 34 is closed with the inner cover 35 in the first position, the protrusion portion 43B engages with the container 20 located forward of the predetermined position, and when the outer cover 34 is subsequently opened, the male thread portion 41A is pulled out and the female thread portion 43A rotates, causing the protrusion portion 43B to disengage from the container 20. According to this embodiment, the engaging member 43 can be switched between an engaged state and a disengaged state with a simple configuration.

[0047] The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0048] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which first link member 41 has male thread portion 41A and engaging member 43 has female thread portion 43A, but for example, first link member 41 may have a rack, engaging member 43 may have a pinion, and both may form a rack-and-pinion mechanism. In short, it is sufficient that first link member 41 according to the present invention is provided in storage section 32, connected to inner cover 35, and slidable in a predetermined direction, and engaging member 43 according to the present invention is provided in storage section 32, and configured to transition, in conjunction with sliding of first link member 41, between an engaged state in which it engages with container 20 located forward of a predetermined position and a disengaged state in which it does not engage with container 20.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the container 20 is a toner container that contains a developer including toner. However, the present invention may also be applied to, for example, an ink container that contains ink for an inkjet recording device, or a cleaning liquid container that contains cleaning liquid for cleaning an inkjet head. In this case, the container 20 is provided with a spout with a built-in valve, and the valve is configured to open when the spout is connected to the receiving port 33. In short, the container 20 according to the present invention has a discharge port 21 that opens when an external force is applied, and the receiving port 33 according to the present invention is configured to open the discharge port 21 to receive the contents when the container 20 is pushed to a predetermined position in the storage section 32.

[0050] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the outer cover 34 is hinged to the main body housing 3, but the outer cover 34 may be configured to be connected to the main body housing 3 via a slide rail and to slide in the front-to-rear direction. In short, the outer cover 34 according to the present invention may be configured to cover the opening 31 and be openable and closable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 3 Main body housing 20 containers 21 Outlet 31 Opening 32 Storage section 33 Inlet 34 Outer cover 34A Information Department 34B Groove 34C Regulatory Department 35 Inner cover 36 Hanging member 36A One end 36B Other end 36C Boss 41 first link member 41A male thread 42 second link member 43 Engagement member 43A female thread 43B Protrusion 100 Image forming device

Claims

1. a container having a discharge port that is opened by an external force; a main body housing having an opening on a side surface; a receiving portion that is provided on the inner side of the main body housing relative to the opening and into which the container can be inserted and removed in a predetermined direction; a receiving port that opens the discharge port to receive the contents when the container is pushed to a predetermined position in the storage portion; an outer cover that is provided to cover the opening and is openable and closable; an inner cover provided inside the outer cover; a guide portion provided on the outer cover to guide the inner cover to a first position and a second position that is farther away from the outer cover than the first position; a first link member provided in the housing portion, connected to the inner cover, and slidable in the predetermined direction; an engaging member provided in the storage section, which transitions between an engaged state in which the engaging member engages with the container located in front of the predetermined position and a disengaged state in which the engaging member does not engage with the container in response to sliding of the first link member; When the outer cover is closed with the inner cover positioned at the first position, the engaging member transitions to the engaged state, When the outer cover is then opened, the first link member is pulled out, the engaging member transitions to the disengaged state, and the inner cover moves to the second position, When the outer cover is then closed, the container is pushed to the predetermined position by the inner cover positioned at the second position.

2. a lower portion of the outer cover is hinged to the main body housing; a second link member pivotably connected to the inner cover and the first link member; the guide portion has a groove that is inclined so that a lower end portion thereof is located closer to the storage portion than an upper end portion thereof when the outer cover is in a closed position; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the outer cover is opened, the inner cover slides down along the groove to move from the first position to the second position.

3. the inner cover includes a hanging member whose one end is swingably connected to the inner cover, The hanging member has bosses at both ends thereof that protrude in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the hanging member, a lower end of the groove is open in the longitudinal direction of the groove, When the bosses at both ends of the hanging member are housed in the grooves, the inner cover is located at the first position, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the outer cover is opened, the boss on the one end side comes out of the groove and the boss on the other end side slides down along the groove, thereby moving the inner cover from the first position to the second position.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when the outer cover is in a closed position, the grooves are provided at two positions, one above and one below, of the outer cover, and the hanging members are provided at two positions, one above and one below, of the inner cover.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the guide portion has a restricting portion that restricts movement of the hanging member at the second position.

6. the first link member has a male thread portion whose axial direction is the predetermined direction, The engaging member is a female thread portion attached to the first link member and having a fixed position in the predetermined direction; a protrusion protruding radially from the female thread portion, When the outer cover is closed with the inner cover positioned at the first position, the protrusion engages with the container positioned forward of the predetermined position, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the outer cover is subsequently opened, the male screw portion is pulled out and the female screw portion rotates, so that the protrusion no longer engages with the container.

Images