Developer container

Abstract

To provide a developer container.SOLUTION: A developer container includes a container member constituting a storage part which stores a developer and is provided with an opening, a coupling member mounted on the opening, and a nozzle having a discharge port which is coupled to the container member through the coupling member and discharges the developer to outside, and a passage configured to pass the developer from the opening of the storage part to the discharge port, where the main components of the container member and the coupling member are paper, and the main component of a discharge passage formation member is a resin material. At a first position, a cross-section secondary polar moment of the coupling member in a first cross section vertical to an alignment direction is larger than a cross-section secondary polar moment of the container member in a second cross section vertical to the alignment direction, at a second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 37

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer container used in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a configuration is known in which a developer container replenishing pack is attached to the apparatus body and toner as developer is supplied from the replenishing pack to the developer container in the apparatus body (Patent Document 1). One known configuration of the replenishing pack is one in which a discharge path forming member that forms a discharge path for discharging toner is joined by welding or the like to the opening of a flexible container member (pouch), and a shutter that opens and closes the discharge opening of the discharge path forming member is attached. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-154300 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an embodiment of a developer container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention is a developer container comprising: a container member that contains developer and forms a storage section having an opening; a connecting member that is attached to the opening; and a nozzle that is connected to the container member via the connecting member and has an outlet for discharging developer to the outside and a passage configured to allow developer to pass from the opening of the storage section to the outlet, wherein the main components of the container member and the connecting member are paper, and the main component of the nozzle is resin.

[0006] The present invention also provides a developer container comprising: a container member that contains developer and forms a storage section having an opening; a connecting member that is attached to the opening; and a nozzle that is connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage section to the outlet; wherein the container member and the connecting member are mainly composed of paper, and the nozzle is mainly composed of resin; at a first position in an alignment direction in which the container member and the nozzle are aligned, a second polar moment of area of ​​the connecting member in a first cross section perpendicular to the alignment direction is greater than a second polar moment of area of ​​the container member in a second cross section perpendicular to the alignment direction at a second position in the alignment direction, the second position being a position where the connecting member is not included in the second cross section, and the first position being a position closer to the opening in the alignment direction than the second position.

[0007] The present invention also provides a developer container comprising: a container member that contains developer and forms a storage section having an opening; a connecting member that is attached to the opening; a nozzle that is connected to the container member via the connecting member, and that has an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside and a passage configured to allow developer to pass from the opening of the storage section to the outlet; wherein the container member has an edge where a first sheet and a second sheet are overlapped, and is formed into a bag shape by a plurality of sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet; and the edge of the container member is configured by folding the second sheet so as to wrap around one end of the first sheet, and joining the one end of the first sheet to the second sheet.

[0008] The present invention also provides a developer container comprising: a container member that contains developer and forms a storage section having an opening; a connecting member that is attached to the opening; a nozzle that is connected to the container member via the connecting member, and that has an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage section to the outlet; wherein the container member has an edge where a first sheet and a second sheet are overlapped, and is formed into a bag shape by a plurality of sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet, and the edge of the container member has a protective layer that is formed by applying to the outer surfaces of the first sheet and the second sheet that are overlapped with each other.

[0009] The present invention also provides a developer container comprising: a container member that contains developer and forms a storage section having an opening; a connecting member that is attached to the opening; a nozzle that is connected to the container member via the connecting member and has an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside; and a passage configured to allow developer to pass from the opening of the storage section to the outlet; wherein the container member has an edge where a first sheet and a second sheet are overlapped, and is formed into a bag shape by a plurality of sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet, and the edge of the container member includes a clip member that clamps the overlapped first sheet and the second sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, one embodiment of a developer container can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion seen from a different direction from that of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the closed position, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the open position. [Figure 5] FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B is a plan view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the open position. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view of the device-side shutter as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the device-side shutter from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a perspective view of the cover as seen from the downstream side in the mounting direction, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the cover as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M. FIG. [Figure 8] 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting portion, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8(a). [Figure 9] FIG. 1A is a side view of the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the open position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the blocking position. [Figure 11] 1A is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle when the pack-side shutter is in the blocking position, and FIG. 1B is a view of the toner pack as seen from the removal direction. [Figure 12] 1A is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle when the pack-side shutter is in the open position, and FIG. 1B is a view of the toner pack as viewed in the removal direction U. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] 15(a) is a front view showing the claw portion, and FIG. 15(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 15B-15B of FIG. 15(a). [Figure 16] 16(a) is a front view showing the claw portion, and FIG. 16(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 16B-16B of FIG. 16(a). [Figure 17]1A is a perspective view showing the toner pack being mounted in the mounting portion, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner pack being mounted in the mounting portion from a different angle. [Figure 18] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the toner pack is being attached to the attachment portion, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the toner pack has been attached to the attachment portion. [Figure 19] 18(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 19A-19A cross section of FIG. 18(a), and FIG. 18(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 19B-19B cross section of FIG. 18(a). [Figure 20] 18(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20A-20A of FIG. 18(b), and FIG. 20(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20B-20B of FIG. 20(a). [Figure 21] 16A is a perspective view showing the state when the toner pack is attached to the device-side shutter, and FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view showing the 16B-16B cross section of FIG. 16A when the toner pack has been completely attached to the attachment portion. [Figure 22] 1A is a perspective view showing the operation lever and the toner pack when positioned at a closed position, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the operation lever and the toner pack when positioned at an open position. [Figure 23] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack and the mounting portion when the device-side shutter and the pack-side shutter are both in the blocking position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack and the mounting portion when the device-side shutter and the pack-side shutter are both in the open position. [Figure 24] 24(a) is a perspective view of a nozzle body of a toner pack according to this embodiment, and FIG. 24(b) is a perspective view of the nozzle body of a toner pack according to this embodiment from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 24(a). [Figure 25] (a) is a diagram (plan view) of the nozzle body of the toner pack of this embodiment when viewed in the direction opposite to the insertion / removal direction relative to the connecting member, and (b) is a diagram (bottom view) of the nozzle body of the toner pack of this embodiment when viewed in the insertion / removal direction relative to the connecting member. [Figure 26] 26(a) is a perspective view of a connecting member of a toner pack according to this embodiment, and FIG. 26(b) is a perspective view of the connecting member of a toner pack according to this embodiment from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 26(a). [Figure 27] (a) is a perspective view showing the separated state before the joining member is joined to the pouch, (b) is a perspective view showing the state after the joining member is joined to the pouch, and (c) is a perspective view showing the toner filling form in which the joining member is joined to the pouch. [Figure 28] 28(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the pouch and nozzle showing the nozzle body in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member, and (b) is an enlarged perspective view of the pouch-nozzle assembly showing the nozzle body rotated from the fully inserted position shown in Figure 28(a) to the fully engaged position relative to the coupling member. [Figure 29] 29(a) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body where the discharge port is provided, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member, (c) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body opposite to the side shown in Figure 29(a), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member. [Figure 30] 1A is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of an inner engaging protrusion, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of an engaged groove. [Figure 31] 31(a) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch, illustrating only the inner engagement protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31B-31B of FIG. 31(a). (c) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch, illustrating only the inner engagement protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position relative to the coupling member. (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31D-31D of FIG. 31(c). [Figure 32]32(a) is an enlarged side view of the pouch and nozzle showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position. (b) is a bottom view of the pouch and nozzle shown in FIG. 32(a) when viewed in the insertion direction. (c) is an enlarged side view of the pouch-nozzle assembly showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position. (d) is a bottom view of the pouch-nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 32(c) when viewed in the insertion direction. [Figure 33] 1A is an enlarged perspective view showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the engagement completion position, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged side view showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the engagement completion position. [Figure 34] (a) is an oblique cross-sectional view of the nozzle area of ​​the pouch-nozzle assembly, which is a cross-sectional view taken along 34A-34A in Figure 34(b), and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the sealing member, which is a cross-sectional view taken along 34B-34B in Figure 34(a). [Figure 35] 35(a) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body where the outlet is provided in a modified first engagement configuration, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member, (c) is a side view showing the nozzle body on the opposite side to the side shown in Figure 35(a) in a modified first engagement configuration, and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member. [Figure 36]36(a) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch in a modified first engagement configuration, illustrating only the inner engagement protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. 36(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36B-36B of FIG. 36(a). 36(c) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch in a modified first engagement configuration, illustrating only the inner engagement protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position relative to the coupling member. 36(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36D-36D of FIG. 36(c). [Figure 37] FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. [Figure 39] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the connecting member, and FIG. 4B is another perspective view showing the connecting member. [Figure 40] (a) is a front view showing the connecting member, (b) is a left side view showing the connecting member, (c) is a right side view showing the connecting member, (d) is a plan view showing the connecting member, and (e) is a bottom view showing the connecting member. [Figure 41] 40(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling member, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section taken along 41B-41B in FIG. 40(a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section taken along 41C-41C in FIG. 40(a). [Figure 42] FIG. [Figure 43] 43B is a cross-sectional view showing the 43B-43B cross section of FIG. 44A. [Figure 44] 44(a) is a front view showing the toner pack, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 44B-44B in FIG. 44(a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 44C-44C in FIG. 44(a). [Figure 45] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the connecting member and the nozzle body separated from each other. [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a pouch according to a second embodiment. [Figure 47] 47A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 47A-47A in FIG. 46, and FIG. 47B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 47B-47B in FIG. [Figure 48] 10(a) is an enlarged view showing an edge portion, and FIG. 10(b) is an enlarged view showing an edge portion according to a first modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 49] 10(a) is an enlarged view showing an edge portion according to Modification 2 of Example 2, and FIG. 10(b) is an enlarged view showing an edge portion according to Modification 3 of Example 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The technology described herein may contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, such as a decarbonized / recycling-based society. The following examples illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the configurations disclosed in the following examples, such as the functions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of components, are merely examples of aspects related to the claims, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the configurations disclosed in these examples. Furthermore, the problems solved by the configurations disclosed in the following examples or the actions or effects obtained from the disclosed configurations are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0013] Example 1 An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of image forming apparatuses include copying machines, facsimile machines, printers (laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), and multifunction printers (combined machines) of these.

[0014] Fig. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 1(b) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an opening / closing member 83 and a supply port 32a.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material P based on image information input from an external device. The recording material P includes various sheet materials of different materials, such as paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic film such as sheets for overhead projectors, sheets of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[0016] [Overall configuration] 1(a) and 1(b), the image forming apparatus 1 has an apparatus main body 400, a reading device 200 supported by the apparatus main body 400 so as to be openable and closable, and an operation unit 300 attached to the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 400. The apparatus main body 400 has an image forming unit 10 that forms a toner image on a recording material, a feeding unit 60 that feeds the recording material to the image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 70 that fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 to the recording material, and a pair of discharge rollers 80.

[0017] The image forming section 10 has a scanner unit 11, an electrophotographic process unit 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 21 of the process unit 20 to a recording material. The process unit 20 has the photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22 arranged around the photosensitive drum 21, a pre-exposure device 23, and a developing device 30 including a developing roller 31.

[0018] The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrically shaped photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 21 of this embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photosensitive member on a drum-shaped base body made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotated by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the drawing) at a predetermined process speed.

[0019] The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure to form a charging portion. A desired charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 22 by a charging high-voltage power supply, thereby uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is negatively charged by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 at a position before the charging portion in order to generate a stable discharge at the charging portion.

[0020] The scanner unit 11 scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device or the reading device 200 using a polygon mirror. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Note that the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and may, for example, be an LED exposure device having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0021] The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 that carries developer, a developing container 32 that serves as a case for the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 that can supply developer to the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. The developing roller 31 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 rotatably contacts the developing roller 31, and the toner contained in the developing container 32 is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required as long as the developing roller 31 is configured to be sufficiently supplied with toner.

[0022] The developing device 30 of this embodiment uses a contact development method. That is, a toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in a development section (development area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a high-voltage development power supply. Under the development voltage, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface in accordance with the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Note that this embodiment employs a reversal development method. That is, a toner image is formed by the toner adhering to the surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21, which has been charged in a charging process and then exposed in an exposure process, where the charge amount has attenuated.

[0023] In this embodiment, a toner having a particle diameter of 6 μm and a normal negative charge polarity is used. As an example, the toner used in this embodiment is a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. The toner used in this embodiment does not contain a magnetic component, and is a so-called non-magnetic single-component developer in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a single-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, a single-component developer may also contain additives (e.g., wax or silica particles) to adjust the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. A two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may also be used. When a magnetic developer is used, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside is used as the developer carrier.

[0024] The developing container 32 is provided with a storage section 36 that stores toner, and an agitating member 34 that is disposed inside the storage section 36. The agitating member 34 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), thereby agitating the toner in the developing container 32 and sending the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. The agitating member 34 also circulates toner that has not been used for development and has been scraped off from the developing roller 31 within the developing container, thereby homogenizing the toner within the developing container. Note that the agitating member 34 is not limited to a rotating type. For example, an agitating member that swings may be used.

[0025] A developing blade 35 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 in which the developing roller 31 is disposed, to regulate the amount of toner carried by the developing roller 31. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through the area facing the developing blade 35 as the developing roller 31 rotates, whereby the toner is uniformly formed into a thin layer and is negatively charged by frictional charging.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the feeding section 60 has a front door 61 supported by the apparatus main body 400 so as to be able to open and close, a tray section 62, a middle plate 63, a tray spring 64, and a pickup roller 65. The tray section 62 forms the bottom surface of a recording material storage space that appears when the front door 61 is opened, and the middle plate 63 is supported by the tray section 62 so as to be able to move up and down. The tray spring 64 urges the middle plate 63 upward, pressing the recording materials P loaded on the middle plate 63 against the pickup roller 65. Note that the front door 61 closes the recording material storage space when closed relative to the apparatus main body 400, and supports the recording materials P together with the tray section 62 and middle plate 63 when open relative to the apparatus main body 400.

[0027] The fixing unit 70 is a thermal fixing unit that fixes an image by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 70 includes a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater that heats the fixing film 71, a thermistor that measures the temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressure roller 72 that presses against the fixing film 71.

[0028] Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an image formation command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming process is started by the image forming unit 10 based on image information input from an external computer or reading device 200 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The scanner unit 11 irradiates a laser beam toward the photosensitive drum 21 based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is pre-charged by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by the irradiation of the laser beam. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0029] In parallel with the image forming process described above, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding section 60 feeds out the recording material P supported by the front door 61, the tray section 62, and the middle plate 63. The recording material P is fed by the pickup roller 65 to the pair of registration rollers 15, and any skew is corrected by the recording material P hitting the nip of the pair of registration rollers 15. The pair of registration rollers 15 is then driven in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image, and conveys the recording material P toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0030] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 12 from a transfer high-voltage power supply, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the recording material P being conveyed by the registration roller pair 15. The recording material P with the transferred toner image is conveyed to the fixing unit 70, and the toner image is heated and pressurized as it passes through a nip between a fixing film 71 and a pressure roller 72 of the fixing unit 70. This melts the toner particles and then solidifies them, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material P. After passing through the fixing unit 70, the recording material P is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) by the discharge roller pair 80, and is stacked on a discharge tray 81 formed on the top of the apparatus main body 400.

[0031] The discharge tray 81 is inclined upward toward the downstream side in the discharge direction of the recording material, and the recording material discharged onto the discharge tray 81 slides down the discharge tray 81 so that its rear end is aligned by a regulating surface 84 .

[0032] The reading device 200 has a reading unit 201 that incorporates a reading section (not shown) therein, and a pressure plate 202 that is supported so as to be openable and closable by the reading unit 201. On the top surface of the reading unit 201, there is provided a document table glass 203 that transmits light emitted from the reading section and on which a document is placed.

[0033] When a user wants to have the image of a document read by the reading device 200, the user places the document on the document glass 203 with the pressure plate 202 open. Then, by closing the pressure plate 202, the document on the document glass 203 is prevented from shifting position, and a reading command is output to the image forming device 1 by operating, for example, the operation unit 300. When the reading operation is started, the reading unit in the reading unit 201 moves back and forth in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the left-right direction with the operation unit 300 of the image forming device 1 facing forward. The reading unit emits light toward the document from the light-emitting unit, receives light reflected by the document with the light-receiving unit, and reads the image of the document by photoelectrically converting the light. Note that, hereinafter, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined based on the state in which the operation unit 300 is facing forward.

[0034] A top cover 82 is provided on the top of the device main body 400, and a discharge tray 81 is formed on the upper surface of the top cover 82. As shown in Figures 1(b) and 2, an opening / closing member 83 is supported on the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable around a rotation shaft 83a extending in the front-to-rear direction. An opening 82a that opens upward is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82.

[0035] The opening / closing member 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position where it covers the supply port 32a so that the toner pack 100 cannot be attached to the developing container 32, and an open position where it exposes the supply port 32a so that the toner pack 100 can be attached to the developing container 32. With the opening / closing member 83 in the open position, the toner pack 100 as a developer container is moved in the attachment direction M towards the supply port 32a and attached to the supply port 32a.

[0036] In the closed position, the opening / closing member 83 functions as part of the discharge tray 81. The opening / closing member 83 and the opening 82a are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81. The opening / closing member 83 is opened to the left by inserting a finger into a groove 82b formed in the top cover 82. The opening / closing member 83 is formed in a substantially L-shape to fit the shape of the top cover 82.

[0037] The opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is open so as to expose the supply port 32a for toner supply formed at the top of the developing container 32, and the user can access the supply port 32a by opening the opening / closing member 83. Note that this embodiment employs a method (direct supply method) in which the user supplies toner to the developing device 30 from a toner pack 100 (see FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b)) filled with replenishment toner, while the developing device 30 remains attached to the image forming apparatus 1. At least a portion of the toner pack 100 is exposed to the outside when attached to the attachment portion 106 (see FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b)) of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0038] Therefore, when the amount of toner remaining in the process unit 20 becomes low, it is not necessary to remove the process unit 20 from the apparatus main body 400 and replace it with a new process unit, thereby improving usability. Also, toner can be replenished to the developing container 32 more cheaply than if the entire process unit 20 were replaced. Note that the direct replenishment method reduces costs compared to replacing only the developing device 30 of the process unit 20, because it does not require replacing various rollers, gears, etc. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 100 constitute an image forming system 1000.

[0039] [Installation part] Next, the configuration of the mounting portion 106 into which the toner pack 100 is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 3(a) to 8(b). In this embodiment, the mounting portion 106 is a unit for mounting the toner pack 100, including the replenishing port 32a, and is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 3(a) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 106. FIG. 3(b) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from a different direction than FIG. 3(a). FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting portion 106 when the operation lever 108 is in the closed position, and FIG. 5(a) is a view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from the mounting direction M when the operation lever 108 is in the closed position. FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting portion 106 when the operation lever 108 is in the open position, and FIG. 5(b) is a view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from the mounting direction M when the operation lever 108 is in the open position.

[0040] Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter 109 as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M. Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter 109 from a different perspective than Fig. 6(a). Fig. 7(a) is a perspective view of the cover 110 as seen from the downstream side in the mounting direction M. Fig. 7(b) is a perspective view of the cover 110 as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M. Fig. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting portion 106, and Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 8B-8B cross section of Fig. 8(a).

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 4(b), the mounting portion 106 has a main body base portion 2, which includes a first frame 107, a second frame 117, and a cover 110. The cover 110 and the second frame 117 are fixed to the first frame 107. As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the cover 110 has an engaged portion 110h that engages with the engaging portion 107b of the positioning portion 107a of the first frame 107 so as to prevent the cover 110 from rotating about the rotation axis B relative to the first frame 107. A notch 110k is provided on the downstream side of the cover 110 in the mounting direction M, i.e., on the bottom side, and the notch 110k has a first restricting surface 110c and a second restricting surface 110d. The first restricting surface 110c and the second restricting surface 110d are provided to face each other in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis B.

[0042] The first frame 107, the cover 110, and the second frame 117 may be integrally formed rather than being separate members. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the second frame 117 is provided with an apparatus-side opening 117a, which communicates with the storage section 36 of the developing container 32 (see Figure 1(a)).

[0043] The operating lever 108 and the device-side shutter 109 are each attached to the main body base 2 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis B. The first frame 107 is provided with a positioning portion 107a. The positioning portion 107a protrudes inward from an inner circumferential surface 107c of the first frame 107, the inner circumferential surface being centered on the rotation axis B, in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC, the center of which is the rotation axis B.

[0044] Further, the operating lever 108 serving as an operating unit is provided with a drive transmission unit 108a and an operating unit 108b. By operating the operating unit 108b, the user can rotate the operating lever 108 about the rotation axis B relative to the main body base unit 2. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the drive transmission unit 108a is a convex portion that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the operating lever 108 that is centered on the rotation axis B in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC that is centered on the rotation axis B.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the apparatus-side shutter 109 serving as a main body shutter has an inner circumferential surface 109h, an inlet 109a formed on the inner circumferential surface 109h for receiving toner from the toner pack 100, and a bottom surface 109b. The apparatus-side shutter 109 further has a center boss 109d, a pack contact surface 109g, and a regulated rib 109c provided on the bottom surface 109b, and a drive-receiving portion 109e provided on the inner circumferential surface 109h. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the drive-receiving portion 109e is a convex portion that protrudes inward in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis B. An apparatus-side seal 111 is affixed to the inner circumferential surface 109h so as to surround the inlet 109a (see FIG. 4(b)).

[0046] The device-side shutter 109 is configured to take a shielded position as a second shielded position and an open position as a second open position relative to the main body base 2. More specifically, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the device-side shutter 109 rotates in the direction of arrow K from the shielded position to the open position, and rotates in the direction of arrow L from the open position to the shielded position. Note that these arrow K and arrow L directions are the same as the arrow K and arrow L directions of the pack-side shutter 103 shown in Figure 11(a). In the device-side shutter 109, the receiving opening 109a is shielded by the device-side seal 111 and the cover 110 in the shielded position, and in the open position, the receiving opening 109a is open and not covered by the cover 110. In other words, when the device-side shutter 109 is positioned in the shielding position, the receiving port 109a does not communicate with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117, and when the device-side shutter 109 is positioned in the shielding position, the receiving port 109a communicates with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117.

[0047] The apparatus-side shutter 109 is located in the closed position in Figures 4(a) and 5(a), and at this time, the receiving port 109a of the apparatus-side shutter 109 does not communicate with the apparatus-side opening 117a of the second frame 117. The apparatus-side shutter 109 is located in the open position in Figures 4(b) and 5(b), and at this time, the receiving port 109a of the apparatus-side shutter 109 communicates with the apparatus-side opening 117a of the second frame 117. By moving the apparatus-side shutter 109 to the open position, toner can be replenished (supplied) from the toner pack 100 to the storage section 36 of the developing container 32 through the receiving port 109a.

[0048] Since the operating lever 108 and the device-side shutter 109 are not connected to each other, the device-side shutter 109 will not rotate even if the operating lever 108 is operated without the toner pack 100 attached.

[0049] As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the apparatus-side shutter 109 is configured to be rotatable around the center boss 109d by engaging the large-diameter portion 109d1 of the center boss 109d with the cylindrical portion 110j of the cover 110. Here, the regulated rib 109c provided on the bottom surface 109b of the apparatus-side shutter 109 is located between the first regulating surface 110c and the second regulating surface 110d of the cover 110. Therefore, the apparatus-side shutter 109 is rotatable only within the range in which the regulated rib 109c can move between the first regulating surface 110c and the second regulating surface 110d. In other words, the rotation range of the apparatus-side shutter 109 is regulated between the closed position and the open position by the first regulating surface 110c and the second regulating surface 110d of the cover 110. For example, as shown in Figure 8(b), when the regulated rib 109c is in contact with the first regulated surface 110c, the device-side shutter 109, which is positioned in the shielding position, cannot rotate in the direction of arrow L, i.e., in the opposite direction to the direction toward the open position.

[0050] [Toner pack composition] Next, the basic configuration of the toner pack 100 will be described with reference to Figures 9(a) to 10. The toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 described above. Figure 9(a) is a side view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. Figure 9(b) is a side view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position.

[0051] 9(a) to 10, the toner pack 100 has a pouch 101 that stores toner, a nozzle 102 that is connected to the pouch 101, and a pack-side shutter 103. The nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 are connected to the pouch 101 and form an attachment portion 700 that is attached to the attachment portion 106.

[0052] The pouch 101 serving as a container member is flexible and is provided at one end of the toner pack 100 in axial direction D1, which is the direction of the rotation axis A of the pack-side shutter 103. When the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106, the rotation axis A coincides with the rotation axis B of the device-side shutter 109, and therefore, hereinafter, the axial directions of the rotation axis A and the rotation axis B will both be referred to as axial direction D1. The nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 are provided at the other end of the toner pack 100 in axial direction D1. The pouch 101 has a bag shape with one end open, formed by joining the edges of multiple paper sheets.

[0053] The pouch 101 serving as a container member forms a storage section 101a that stores toner. The storage section 101a has an opening 101b. The nozzle 102 is connected to the opening 101b of the pouch 101 so that the storage section 101a of the pouch 101 communicates with the outside of the toner pack 100 only through a toner discharge path (see FIG. 23(b)) formed by the nozzle 102. The nozzle 102 is composed of a nozzle main body 121 that forms a discharge path for discharging toner from the storage section 101a of the pouch 101, and a connecting member 122 for attaching the nozzle main body 121 to the pouch 101. Note that only the nozzle main body 121 may also be referred to as the nozzle. The connecting member 122 is connected to the opening 101b of the pouch 101. The connecting method is not limited to a specific method. For example, the joining method may be a method using various adhesives such as hot melt, or a method of joining pouch 101 by heat welding to the outer periphery of joining member 122. Nozzle 102 is joined to pouch 101 by engaging nozzle main body 121 with joining member 122. The engagement structure between nozzle main body 121 and joining member 122 will be described in detail later.

[0054] The nozzle 102 has an outer surface extending along the rotation axis A and a side surface 102c as a first outer surface. The side surface 102c is provided with an outlet 102a configured to communicate with the interior of the pouch 101 and for discharging toner to the outside, and a recess 102e. The recess 102e is provided at a position different from the outlet 102a in the rotation direction of the pack-side shutter 103. The toner contained in the pouch 101 is configured to be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 100 through the outlet 102a when the user crushes the pouch 101 to reduce the volume of the pouch 101. That is, a passage 102g (see FIG. 23(b)) is formed inside the nozzle 102, which is configured to allow the toner (contents) to pass from the opening 101b of the storage section 101a to the outlet 102a.

[0055] A pack-side shutter 103 serving as a shutter is disposed outside the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102. The pack-side shutter 103 is rotatable about a rotation axis A extending in the axial direction D1 and has an opening 103a. Specifically, an inner peripheral surface 103m of the pack-side shutter 103 is slidably supported on an annular rib 102m of the nozzle 102. The pack-side shutter 103 is disposed outside the side surface 102c in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. The arc surface of the side surface 102c is a curved surface that convexly extends outward in the radial direction r. The inner surface of the pack-side shutter 103, i.e., the surface facing the side surface 102c, is a curved surface that follows the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102, and a substantially rectangular pack-side seal 105 is attached to it.

[0056] The pack-side shutter 103 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis A between a blocking position (position shown in FIG. 9(a)) in which the pack-side seal 105 blocks the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102, and an open position (position shown in FIG. 9(b)) in which the discharge outlet 102a is open. When the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position, the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102 is exposed from an opening 103a formed in the pack-side shutter 103.

[0057] When the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the shielding position (the first shielding position) shown in FIG. 9(a) , is rotated in the direction of arrow K about the rotation axis A, the pack-side shutter 103 reaches the open position (the first open position) shown in FIG. 9(b) . Conversely, when the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the open position, is rotated in the direction of arrow L, the pack-side shutter 103 reaches the shielding position. That is, the direction of arrow K, which is the first rotation direction, is the direction from the shielding position to the open position about the rotation axis A, and the direction of arrow L, which is the second rotation direction, is the direction from the open position to the shielding position about the rotation axis A. During the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103, the pack-side shutter 103 rubs against the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102 via the pack-side seal 105.

[0058] Next, the detailed configurations of the nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 will be described using Figures 11(a) to 14. Figure 11(a) is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle 102 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. Figure 11(b) is a view of the toner pack 100 viewed in the removal direction U in Figure 11(a). Figure 12(a) is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle 102 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position. Figure 12(b) is a view of the toner pack 100 viewed in the removal direction U in Figure 12(a). Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle 102. Figure 14 is a side view showing the nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103. The removal direction U is the opposite direction to the mounting direction M and is the direction in which the toner pack 100 moves when it is removed from the mounting portion 106.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the nozzle 102 includes a positioned portion 102d having surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 that are spaced apart in the direction of arrow R and extend in a direction intersecting the direction of arrow R. As shown in FIG. 11(b), in this embodiment, the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 extend perpendicular to the direction of arrow R and are parallel to each other. That is, in this embodiment, the direction of arrow R is the normal direction of the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2. The positioned portion 102d engages with a positioning portion 107a (FIG. 4(a)) of the first frame 107 when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106. This determines the position of the nozzle 102 in the direction of arrow R (the position in the rotational direction about the rotation axis A) relative to the first frame 107 (main body base portion 2). In Figure 11(b), a straight line CL1 that passes through the center of surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 in the direction of arrow R and extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow R is in a phase rotated by approximately 90° with respect to CL2 that passes through the rotation axis A and the center of discharge port 102a.

[0060] 11(a) and 14, surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 are provided downstream of surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 in the mounting direction M, respectively, in the direction of rotation axis A. As shown in FIG. 11(b), surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 extend in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on rotation axis A. However, the extending direction of surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 is not limited to this embodiment and can be set in any direction that does not interfere with positioning portion 107a of first frame 107.

[0061] 14, a side surface 102e3 is provided between the surface 102d1 and the surface 102d2 and between the surface 102e1 and the surface 102e2 in the direction of the arrow R. The side surface 102e3 is recessed inward in the radial direction r more than the side surface 102c. The surfaces 102d1, 102d2, 102e1, 102e2, and 102e3 form a recess 102e.

[0062] Note that the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 do not necessarily have to be parallel to each other as in this embodiment. For example, the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 may be surfaces extending in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. In this case, the direction of arrow R is the tangent direction to the imaginary circle VC, and the straight line CL1 perpendicular to the direction of arrow R can be set at any angle with respect to the straight line CL2.

[0063] 11(a) and 11(b), when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis A, an opening 103a is provided in the side surface 103d of the pack-side shutter 103. As shown in FIG. 11(a), when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the blocking position, at least a portion of the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 is exposed from the opening 103a. This is so that when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 with the pack-side shutter 103 in the blocking position, the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 of the recess 102e, i.e., the positioned portion 102d, are engaged with the positioning portion 107a.

[0064] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with a drive-receiving portion 103e on the opposite side of the rotation axis A from the opening 103a. The drive-receiving portion 103e is provided on the opposite side of the rotation axis A from the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. The drive-receiving portion 103e has surfaces 103b1, 103b2, and a side surface 103b3, and is engageable with a drive-receiving portion 108a of the operating lever 108 (described later). Both surfaces 103b1 and 103b2 extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow R. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the pack-side shutter 103 and its vicinity, as seen from the side where the drive-receiving portion 103e is located. Between the surfaces 103b1 and 103b2, a side surface 103b3 is provided that is recessed inward in the radial direction r relative to the side surface 103d.

[0065] 11(a) to 14, the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the toner pack 100 is oriented in a position where the second end side (the nozzle 102 side) of the toner pack 100 is below the first end side (the pouch 101 side). Alternatively, the toner pack 100 is oriented so that at least a portion of the nozzle 102 is below the pouch 101 and the rotation axis A is parallel to the vertical direction. This position is the position when the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106 of the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, in FIGS. 11(a) and 12(a), the mounting direction M is downward and the removal direction U is upward.

[0066] The pack-side shutter 103 has an end face 103c, which is a lower end face in the vertical direction VD and serves as a shutter end face constituting the bottom surface of the pack-side shutter 103. The nozzle 102 has a protrusion 102b, which serves as a first protrusion, protruding downstream, i.e., downward, from the end face 103c of the pack-side shutter 103 in the mounting direction M. As shown in FIG. 11(a), the protrusion 102b is a cylindrical portion (a portion having a cylindrical shape) centered on the rotation axis A. The protrusion 102b has a protrusion end face 102b2, which is its lower end face. The protrusion end face 102b2 has a hole having an inner circumferential surface 102b1 centered on the rotation axis A. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 102b protrudes downward from a lower end face 102j of the nozzle 102. In this embodiment, the end surface 103c of the pack-side shutter 103 and the end surface 102j of the nozzle 102 are end surfaces perpendicular to the rotation axis A, but are not limited to this. These surfaces may be surfaces that extend in a direction intersecting the rotation axis A when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A. In addition, the protrusion 102b does not necessarily have to be provided on the nozzle 102.

[0067] 15(a), the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 is provided with a claw portion 102f as a locking mechanism to prevent the pack-side shutter 103 from rotating relative to the nozzle 102 during transportation or when the toner pack 100 is handled by a user. The pack-side shutter 103 is held in the closed position by the claw portion 102f, thereby preventing the toner contained in the toner pack 100 from spilling.

[0068] Fig. 15(a) is a front view showing the claw portion 102f. Fig. 15(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 15B-15B cross section of Fig. 15(a). Fig. 16(a) is a front view showing the claw portion 102f. Fig. 16(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 16B-16B cross section of Fig. 16(a).

[0069] As shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(b), the claw portion 102f serving as the second restricting portion has an arm portion 102f3, a release slope 102f1, and an abutment portion 102f2. The arm portion 102f3 is elastically deformed, allowing the claw portion 102f to move in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. Specifically, the claw portion 102f is movable between a restricting position shown in Figure 15(b) and a non-restricting position shown in Figure 21(b), which is a position more inward in the radial direction r than the restricting position.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 15(b), when the claw portion 102f is in the restricting position, the abutting portion 102f2 faces the restricting portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the shielding position, in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A. At this time, a gap s is provided between the abutting portion 102f2 and the restricting portion 103h. When the restricting portion 103h abuts against the abutting portion 102f2, the pack-side shutter 103 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow K. Note that the size of the gap s may be set arbitrarily, and the rotation range within which the pack-side shutter 103 can rotate within the gap s is considered to be the shielding position. In other words, the pack-side shutter 103 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow K from the shielding position by the claw portion 102f, which is in the restricting position.

[0071] Furthermore, when the claw portion 102f is in the non-restricted position, the abutting portion 102f2 is located further inward in the radial direction r of the imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis A than the restricting portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103. Therefore, the pack-side shutter 103 can rotate about the rotation axis A without interfering with the abutting portion 102f2.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 21(b), the apparatus-side shutter 109 is provided with a release rib 109j extending in the axial direction D1. The release rib 109j can come into contact with the release slope 102f1 of the claw portion 102f when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106. As shown in FIGS. 11(b), 15(b), 17(b), and 21(b), the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with an opening 103j, which extends from the end face (bottom face) 103c of the pack-side shutter 103 to the side face 103d. The release rib 109j provided on the apparatus-side shutter 109 passes through the opening 103j and can come into contact with the release slope 102f1 of the claw portion 102f arranged inside the pack-side shutter 103.

[0073] The release slope 102f1 is inclined with respect to the mounting direction M (axial direction D1) so as to extend inward in the radial direction r as it moves downstream in the mounting direction M. When the toner pack 100 is mounted to the mounting portion 106, the release slope 102f1 converts the direction of the force that the claw portion 102f receives from the restriction release rib 109j to be inward in the radial direction r. As a result, the release slope 102f is pressed by the restriction release rib 109j, causing the claw portion 102f to move inward in the radial direction r from the restriction position to the non-restriction position. In other words, when the toner pack 100 is mounted to the mounting portion 106, the claw portion 102f is pressed by the mounting portion 106 and moves from the restriction position to the non-restriction position.

[0074] The abutment portion 102f2 of the claw portion 102f described above abuts against the regulating portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103, thereby regulating the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow K. Next, a configuration for regulating the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow L, which is opposite to the direction of arrow K, will be described.

[0075] 16(b), the pack-side shutter 103 has a rotation-restricting rib 103k, and the nozzle 102 has a rotation-restricting surface 102k as a first restricting portion that faces the rotation-restricting rib 103k in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis A. When the pack-side shutter 103 is located in the shielding position, the rotation-restricting rib 103k faces the rotation-restricting surface 102k with a small gap therebetween. When the pack-side shutter 103 located in the shielding position attempts to rotate in the direction of arrow L, the rotation-restricting rib 103k abuts against the rotation-restricting surface 102k, and the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow L is restricted.

[0076] 16(a) and 16(b), the claw portion 102f is disposed downstream of the rotation restriction surface 102k and the rotation restriction rib 103k in the mounting direction M. This is because the claw portion 102f is disposed in a position where it can be easily pressed by the restriction release rib 109j of the apparatus-side shutter 109 when the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the opening 103j provided in the pack-side shutter 103, ensuring the rigidity of the pack-side shutter 103 and preventing the user from accessing the claw portion 102f. Note that the arrangement of the claw portion 102f, the rotation restriction surface 102k, and the rotation restriction rib 103k is not limited to this and may be changed as desired.

[0077] As described above, when the toner pack 100 is not attached to the attachment portion 106, the pack-side shutter 103 is restricted from rotating in the directions of arrows K and L, and is easily held in the shielding position. When the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 and the claw portion 102f is positioned in the non-restricted position, the pack-side shutter 103 exposes the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 as shown in FIG. 12(a).

[0078] 11(a) and 13, three radial positioning portions 103f are provided on the pack-side shutter 103. These radial positioning portions 103f protrude outward in the radial direction r beyond the side surface 103d. Each of the radial positioning portions 103f is disposed upstream of the pack-side shutter 103 in the mounting direction M.

[0079] [Installing the toner pack into the mounting compartment] Next, the state when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 will be described with reference to Figures 17(a) to 21(b). Figures 17(a) and 17(b) are perspective views, viewed from different angles, showing the toner pack 100 being attached to the attachment portion 106. Figure 18(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the toner pack 100 is being attached toward the attachment portion 106. Figure 18(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the toner pack 100 has been completely attached to the attachment portion 106.

[0080] FIG. 19(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19A-19A in FIG. 18(a). FIG. 19(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19B-19B in FIG. 18(a). FIG. 20(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20A-20A in FIG. 18(b). FIG. 20(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20B-20B in FIG. 20(a). FIG. 21(a) is a perspective view showing the state in which the toner pack 100 is being attached to the apparatus-side shutter 109. Note that in FIG. 21(a), the pouch 101 and the pack-side shutter 103 of the toner pack 100 are omitted, and only the nozzle 102 is shown. FIG. 21(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16B-16B in FIG. 16(a) after the toner pack 100 has been attached to the attachment portion 106. For ease of viewing, the cross sections of the pack-side shutter 103 and the cover 110 are hatched in FIGS. 18(a) to 20(b), and the cross section of the nozzle 102 is hatched in FIG. 21(b).

[0081] 17(a) and 17(b), the user moves the toner pack 100, with the pack-side shutter 103 in the covering position, in the mounting direction M to mount the toner pack 100 into the mounting portion 106, with the apparatus-side shutter 109 in the covering position. At this time, the user aligns the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 and the opening 103a of the pack-side shutter 103 with the positioning portion 107a of the first frame 107. At the same time, the user also aligns the positions of the drive-receiving portion 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 and the drive-transmitting portion 108a of the operating lever 108.

[0082] After aligning the toner pack 100 with the mounting portion 106 in this way, the user moves the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction M to mount it in the mounting portion 106. Then, as shown in Figure 18(a), the small diameter portion 109d2 of the center boss 109d of the apparatus-side shutter 109 is fitted into the inner circumferential surface 102b1 of the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102. This determines the position of the nozzle 102 in the radial direction r relative to the apparatus-side shutter 109.

[0083] At this time, as shown in Figure 19(a), the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 engages with the drive transmitted part 103e of the pack-side shutter 103. At the same time, as shown in Figure 19(b), the side surfaces 110f and 110g of the cover 110 approach or engage with the surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 that form the recess 102e of the nozzle 102. Also, as shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b), the drive transmitted part 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 engages with the drive transmitted part 109e of the device-side shutter 109 and the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108. As a result, the rotation axis A of the pack-side shutter 103 and the rotation axis B of the device-side shutter 109 become approximately coaxial.

[0084] Furthermore, surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 of recess 102e of nozzle 102 engage with side surfaces 110f and 110g of cover 110, respectively, so that nozzle 102 of toner pack 100 does not rotate relative to main body base 2 including cover 110. In other words, when toner pack 100 is attached to image forming apparatus 1, recess 102e engages with cover 110 of image forming apparatus 1, thereby restricting rotation of nozzle 102 relative to image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, operation lever 108, pack-side shutter 103, and apparatus-side shutter 109 are rotatable approximately integrally with main body base 2 and nozzle 102 about rotation axis B.

[0085] Specifically, when the operating lever 108 is rotated, the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 presses the surface 103b1 or 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103, rotating the pack-side shutter 103. Thereafter, the surface 103b1 or 103b2 constituting the drive transmitted part 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 presses the drive transmitted part 109e of the device-side shutter 109, rotating the device-side shutter 109.

[0086] When the toner pack 100 has been completely attached to the attachment portion 106, the three radial positioning portions 103f (see FIGS. 11(a) and 13) of the pack-side shutter 103 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface 109h (see FIG. 6(a)) of the device-side shutter 109. This determines the position of the toner pack 100 in the radial direction r on the upstream side of the attachment direction M.

[0087] 20(a), the position of the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction M is determined when the protrusion end surface 102b2 of the protrusion 102b of the nozzle 102 abuts against the pack abutment surface 109g of the apparatus-side shutter 109. Note that the positioning of the protrusion 102b of the nozzle 102 may be determined by fitting the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 102b into the cylindrical portion 110j of the cover 110 (see FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b)).

[0088] 20(b), the positioned portion 102d provided on the nozzle 102 engages with the positioning portion 107a of the first frame 107. As a result, the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 is restricted from rotating relative to the first frame 107 (main body base portion 2).

[0089] 21(a) and 21(b), when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106, the claw portion 102f provided on the nozzle 102 moves from the regulated position to the non-regulated position (the position shown in FIG. 21(b)), as described above. More specifically, the release slope 102f1 is pressed by the restriction release rib 109j, causing the claw portion 102f to move inward in the radial direction r from the regulated position to the non-regulated position. This releases the restriction on rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow K.

[0090] [Operating the control lever] Fig. 22(a) is a perspective view showing the operation lever 108 and toner pack 100 in the closed position. Fig. 22(b) is a perspective view showing the operation lever 108 and toner pack 100 in the open position. Fig. 23(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack 100 and mounting portion 106 when the apparatus-side shutter 109 and pack-side shutter 103 are both in the closed position. Fig. 23(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack 100 and mounting portion 106 when the apparatus-side shutter 109 and pack-side shutter 103 are both in the open position.

[0091] As described above, when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106, the operation lever 108, the pack-side shutter 103, and the apparatus-side shutter 109 can rotate integrally with the main body base portion 2 and the nozzle 102 about the rotation axis B. When the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 and the operation lever 108 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 23(a), the discharge opening 102a is blocked by the pack-side shutter 103, the pack-side seal 105, and the apparatus-side shutter 109. For this reason, the toner in the pouch 101 cannot reach the apparatus-side opening 117a of the second frame 117.

[0092] As shown in Figures 22(a) and 22(b), when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 and the operating lever 108 is rotated in the direction of arrow Q from the closed position to the open position, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 rotate from the closed position to the open position.

[0093] More specifically, the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 presses the surface 103b1 of the pack-side shutter 103. As a result, the pack-side shutter 103 rotates together with the operating lever 108 from the closed position to the open position. In other words, the drive transmission part 108a engages with the surface 103b1, causing the pack-side shutter 103 to rotate from the closed position to the open position in conjunction with the rotation of the operating lever 108. Furthermore, the surface 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103, which is rotated from the closed position to the open position, presses the drive transmission part 109e of the device-side shutter 109. As a result, the device-side shutter 109 rotates together with the pack-side shutter 103 from the closed position to the open position. In other words, the device-side shutter 109 rotates integrally with the pack-side shutter 103 in conjunction with the rotation of the operating lever 108 due to the engagement between the surface 103b2 and the driven transmission portion 109e.

[0094] 23(b), the pack-side shutter 103, the pack-side seal 105, and the apparatus-side shutter 109 move, thereby opening the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102. That is, the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100 and the storage unit 36 ​​communicate with each other via the discharge outlet 102a, the receiving opening 109a, and the apparatus-side opening 117a. When the pouch 101 is compressed by the user, the toner in the pouch 101 is replenished to the storage unit 36 ​​of the developing container 32 together with air via the discharge outlet 102a, the receiving opening 109a, and the apparatus-side opening 117a.

[0095] When the user has completed replenishment of toner from the toner pack 100 to the developing container 32, he or she rotates the operating lever 108 from the open position to the closed position. When the operating lever 108 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 presses the surface 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103. As a result, the pack-side shutter 103 rotates together with the operating lever 108 from the open position to the closed position. In addition, the surface 103b1 of the pack-side shutter 103 rotated from the open position to the closed position presses the drive transmission part 109e of the apparatus-side shutter 109. As a result, the apparatus-side shutter 109 rotates together with the pack-side shutter 103 from the open position to the closed position.

[0096] In this state, the user pulls out the toner pack 100 from the mounting portion 106 to complete the toner supply operation.

[0097] [Toner pack details] A method for manufacturing the toner pack 100 according to this embodiment and the details of the joining structure between the nozzle body and the joining member will be described with reference to FIGS. 24(a) to 34(b).

[0098] [Toner pack manufacturing process] First, the manufacturing process of the toner pack according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 27(a) to 28(b).

[0099] Figure 27(a) is a perspective view showing the pouch and the nozzle assembly in a separated state before the coupling member is coupled to the pouch. Figure 27(b) is a perspective view showing the pouch and the nozzle assembly in a separated state after the coupling member is coupled to the pouch. Figure 27(c) is a perspective view showing the pouch and the nozzle assembly in a toner filling state after the coupling member is coupled to the pouch. Figure 28(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the pouch and the nozzle assembly, showing the nozzle body in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. Figure 28(b) is an enlarged perspective view of the pouch-nozzle assembly, showing the nozzle body rotated relative to the coupling member from the fully inserted position shown in Figure 28(a) to the fully engaged position.

[0100] As described above, the toner pack 100 according to this embodiment includes the pouch 101 as a container member for storing toner, the nozzle 102 connected to the pouch 101, and the pack-side shutter 103. In this embodiment, the nozzle 102 is made up of a nozzle body 121 and a connecting member 122. In manufacturing the toner pack 100, the above-described components are assembled and the pouch 101 is filled with toner.

[0101] Specifically, as shown in Figures 27(a) and 27(b), first, the connecting member 122 is attached to the pouch 101 (first assembly step). The attachment method is as described above. Next, as shown in Figure 27(b), in the toner filling configuration in which only the connecting member 122 is attached to the pouch 101, toner is filled into the pouch 101 through the opening (through-hole 122b) of the connecting member 122 (filling step). Then, as shown in Figures 27(a) to 28(b), the nozzle main body 121 is engaged with the connecting member 122 to form a state in which the nozzle 102 is attached to the pouch 101 (a state in which the pouch-nozzle assembly is formed) (second assembly step).

[0102] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 27(c), in assembling the nozzle main body 121 to the coupling member 122, first, the insertion portion 121a is inserted into the through-hole 122b in an insertion direction I, and the nozzle main body 121 is moved in the insertion direction I relative to the coupling member 122. The insertion direction I is parallel to the mounting direction M and opposite to the mounting direction M (parallel to the removal direction U and the same direction as the removal direction U). As shown in FIG. 28(a), the nozzle main body 121 is inserted into the coupling member 122 up to the insertion completion position where the flange 121c abuts against the opposing portion 122c, which serves as the abutted portion of the coupling member 122 (insertion step). Then, as shown in FIG. 28(b), while maintaining the state in which the flange 121c abuts against the opposing portion 122c, the nozzle main body 121 is rotated in a rotation direction S about a rotation axis C parallel to the insertion direction I relative to the coupling member 122 (rotation step). The rotation axis C is substantially coaxial with the rotation axes A and B.

[0103] Finally, the pack-side shutter 103 is attached to complete the toner pack 100 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (third assembly step).

[0104] [Toner Refill] As described above, in this embodiment, the pouch 101 is filled with toner in a state where the connecting member 122 is attached to the pouch 101 (FIG. 27(b)) before the nozzle body 121 is attached. In other words, the toner filling process is performed after the first assembling process and before the second assembling process.

[0105] The toner filling process may be performed, for example, through opening 101b of pouch 101 before attaching connecting member 122. However, pouch 101 is a flexible member, and some measure is required to maintain the shape of opening 101b during toner filling. According to this embodiment, connecting member 122 is attached to opening 101b of pouch 101, and the opening of connecting member 122 is used as the toner filling port, so no measure is required to maintain the shape of the filling port.

[0106] Another possible approach is to fill the pouch with toner using the nozzle's toner outlet while the nozzle is attached to the pouch. However, depending on the shape of the outlet, filling the toner may not be easy, and the filling operation may not be efficient. In particular, in a configuration in which the outlet 102a opens to the side when the toner pack 100 is erected in the longitudinal direction, as in the nozzle 102 of this embodiment, it may be difficult to fill the pouch with toner efficiently through the outlet 102a. In this embodiment, toner is filled using the opening of the connecting member 122, which has a larger opening area than the outlet 102a and opens straight into the storage section 101a of the pouch 101 along the longitudinal direction of the toner pack 100. This facilitates filling the pouch with toner and allows for efficient filling.

[0107] [Engagement structure between nozzle body and coupling member] The engagement structure between the nozzle body 121 and the connecting member 122 in the toner pack 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 24(a) to 34(b).

[0108] FIG. 24(a) is a perspective view of the nozzle body of the toner pack according to this embodiment. FIG. 24(b) is a perspective view of the nozzle body of the toner pack according to this embodiment from a different perspective than that of FIG. 24(a). FIG. 25(a) is a plan view of the nozzle body of the toner pack according to this embodiment when viewed in the direction opposite to the insertion / removal direction of the connecting member. FIG. 25(b) is a bottom view of the nozzle body of the toner pack according to this embodiment when viewed in the insertion / removal direction of the connecting member. FIG. 26(a) is a perspective view of the connecting member of the toner pack according to this embodiment. FIG. 26(b) is a perspective view of the connecting member of the toner pack according to this embodiment from a different perspective than that of FIG. 26(a). FIG. 29(a) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body where the discharge port is provided. FIG. 29(b) is a cross-sectional view of the connecting member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the connecting member. FIG. 29(c) is a side view of the nozzle body showing the side opposite to that shown in FIG. 29(a). FIG. 29(d) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the axis of relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member.

[0109] 26(a), 26(b), 27(a), 27(b), 29(b), and 29(d), joining member 122 is a substantially annular member attached along the inner periphery of opening 101b of pouch 101. Joining member 122 has outer peripheral portion 122a having a shape corresponding to the shape of opening 101b of pouch 101, and through-hole 122b for connecting storage portion 101a of pouch 101 to the outside when joining member 122 is joined to opening 101b of pouch 101. Joining member 122 has opposing portion 122c that is exposed to the outside of pouch 101 in mounting direction M when joined to opening 101b of pouch 101, and that faces nozzle main body 121 in mounting direction M when nozzle main body 121 is joined to joining member 122.

[0110] Opening 101b of pouch 101 opens toward mounting direction M, and when connecting member 122 is connected to opening 101b, through-hole 122b penetrates connecting member 122 along mounting direction M. This through-hole 122b serves as a filling port for filling toner into storage section 101a of pouch 101 in the toner filling step described above. Furthermore, through-hole 122b is formed by inner circumferential surface 122d of connecting member 122, whose central axis is an axis parallel to mounting direction M, and engaging groove 124, which will be described later. These components form inserted portion 122e into which inserting portion 121a of nozzle main body 121 is inserted when nozzle main body 121 is assembled (second assembly step).

[0111] As shown in Figures 24(a), 24(b), 25(a), 25(b), 29(a), and 29(c), the nozzle main body 121 has an insertion portion 121a, a mounting portion 121b, and a flange 121c. The insertion portion 121a is the portion of the nozzle main body 121 that is inserted into the through-hole 122b of the connecting member 122. The mounting portion 121b is the portion of the nozzle main body 121 that is provided on the opposite side of the flange 121c from the insertion portion 121a, and is the portion of the nozzle main body 121 that is mounted to the mounting portion 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 when the toner pack 100 is mounted to the image forming apparatus 1. The mounting portion 121b is the portion that is exposed to the outside of the pouch 101 when the nozzle main body 121 is connected to the connecting member 122 during assembly of the toner pack 100, and is provided with the discharge port 102a, the protrusion 102b, etc.

[0112] The flange 121c is provided between the insertion portion 121a and the mounted portion 121b, i.e., on the upstream side of the insertion portion 121a in the insertion direction I of the insertion portion 121a into the through hole 122b, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I. The flange 121c has an opposing surface as an abutting portion that faces the opposing portion 122c of the coupling member 122 in the insertion direction I when the insertion portion 121a is inserted into the through hole 122b. When the insertion portion 121a is inserted into the through hole 122b, the flange 121c abuts against the opposing portion 122c in the insertion direction I, thereby determining the insertion completion position of the nozzle body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122.

[0113] FIG. 34(a) is a perspective cross-sectional view of the nozzle and its surroundings of the pouch-nozzle assembly, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line 34A-34A in FIG. 34(b). FIG. 34(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the seal member, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line 34B-34B in FIG. 34(a). As shown in FIGS. 34(a) and 34(b), a seal member 127 is disposed annularly between the flange 121c of the nozzle body 121 and the opposing portion 122c of the connecting member 122 so as to surround the outer periphery of the through-hole 122b. The seal member 127 is compressed between the flange 121c and the opposing portion 122c in the insertion direction I, thereby sealing the gap between the flange 121c and the opposing portion 122c and preventing toner leakage.

[0114] The engagement structure between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 24(a) to 26(b) and 29(a) to 33(b).

[0115] Fig. 30(a) is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the inner engaging protrusion. Fig. 30(b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the engaged groove. Fig. 31(a) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch, illustrating only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. Fig. 31(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31B-31B of Fig. 31(a). Fig. 31(c) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch, illustrating only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. Fig. 31(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31D-31D of Fig. 31(c). Fig. 32(a) is an enlarged side view of the pouch and nozzle, showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position. Figure 32(b) is a view (bottom view) of the pouch and nozzle shown in Figure 32(a) when viewed in the insertion direction. Figure 32(c) is an enlarged side view of the pouch-nozzle assembly showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position. Figure 32(d) is a view (bottom view) of the pouch-nozzle assembly shown in Figure 32(c) when viewed in the insertion direction. Figure 33(a) is an enlarged perspective view showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position. Figure 33(b) is an enlarged side view showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position.

[0116] As described above, in assembling the nozzle body 121 to the coupling member 122, the nozzle body 121 is inserted into the coupling member 122 to the insertion completion position, and then the nozzle body 121 is rotated relative to the coupling member 122 in the rotation direction S about the rotation axis C. An engagement structure is provided between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122, which is configured to engage with each other through the above rotation, and this engagement structure brings the nozzle body 121 into a coupled state with the coupling member 122. As the engagement structure for achieving this coupled state, at least two types of engagement structure having different radial distances from the rotation axis C are provided between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122.

[0117] As shown in Figures 24(a) to 26(b) and 29(a) to 29(d), the nozzle body 121 has an inner engaging protrusion 123 as an engaging portion and a first engaging portion provided on the inner diameter side in the radial direction relative to the rotation axis C, and an outer engaging protrusion 125 as a second engaging portion provided on the outer diameter side. Correspondingly, the coupling member 122 has an engaged groove 124 as an engaged portion and a first engaged portion, and an engaged protrusion 126 as a second engaged portion. As will be described later, the nozzle body 121 has four inner engaging protrusions (123), and when these four inner engaging protrusions are not particularly distinguished, they will be referred to as inner engaging protrusions 123. However, of the four inner engaging protrusions, three inner engaging protrusions will be referred to as inner engaging protrusions 123A and the remaining inner engaging protrusion will be referred to as inner engaging protrusion 123B, thereby distinguishing between the inner engaging protrusion 123A and the inner engaging protrusion 123B. Similarly, the coupling member 122 has four engaged grooves (124), and when these four engaged grooves are not particularly distinguished, they will be referred to as engaged grooves 124. On the other hand, of the four engaged grooves, three engaged grooves that engage with the inner engaging protrusion 123A may be referred to as engaged grooves 124A, and one engaged groove that engages with the inner engaging protrusion 123B may be referred to as engaged groove 124B. The inner engaging protrusion 123 engages with the engaged groove 124, and the outer engaging protrusion 125 engages with the engaged protrusion 126. In other words, the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 form an inner diameter side engagement configuration (first engagement configuration), and the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 form an outer diameter side engagement configuration (second engagement configuration). In either engagement configuration, the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 are configured to undergo elastic deformation during relative rotation about a predetermined rotation axis C. In this engaged state, relative movement between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 in the direction of the rotation axis is restricted.

[0118] [First engagement configuration] The engagement configuration (first engagement configuration) between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 is a so-called fixed fit configuration. After the nozzle body 121 reaches the insertion completion position with respect to the coupling member 122, when the two are rotated relative to each other, the relative rotation phases that the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 can take include a non-engagement phase, a deformation phase, and an engagement phase.

[0119] When the nozzle body 121 reaches the insertion completion position, the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 are in a disengagement phase. As the nozzle body 121 rotates in the rotation direction S relative to the coupling member 122, the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 move from the disengagement phase, through a deformation phase, and then to an engagement phase. The inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 are configured to be able to reach the engagement phase when elastic deformation occurs in at least one of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 in the deformation phase.

[0120] When the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124 are in the engaged phase, the nozzle body 121 is restricted from moving circumferentially and in the direction of the rotation center axis relative to the coupling member 122. Once the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124 reach the engaged phase, they will not return to the deformed phase or the disengaged phase even if the nozzle body 121 is subsequently rotated in the opposite direction (second direction) to the rotation direction S (first direction) relative to the coupling member 122.

[0121] 24(a) to 25(b), the inner engaging protrusion 123 protrudes radially from the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 121a of the nozzle body 121. The inner engaging protrusion 123 extends spirally relative to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 121a so as to move downstream in the insertion direction I into the through-hole 122b of the insertion portion 121a, the further downstream in the rotation direction S of the nozzle body 121 when the nozzle body 121 is coupled to the coupling member 122.

[0122] 29(a), 29(c), and 30(a), the inner engaging projection 123 has a first side surface 123d on the leading end side in the rotational direction S, a second side surface 123e on the trailing end side, and a third side surface 123f on the trailing end side in the insertion direction I. The first side surface 123d and the second side surface 123e are side surfaces that extend along the insertion direction I, and the third side surface 123f is a side surface that extends in a direction inclined with respect to both the insertion direction I and the rotational direction S, and that inclines more toward the downstream side of the insertion direction I as it moves downstream in the rotational direction S.

[0123] Furthermore, the inner engaging projection 123 has a force receiving surface 123b (first guided inclined surface) between the first side surface 123d and the third side surface 123f, which is a side surface that is inclined with respect to each side surface. The force receiving surface 123b is a surface that receives a pressing force from the engaged groove 124 in the deformation phase, which causes a deformation in at least one of the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124 that allows the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124 to move relative to each other in the engagement phase.

[0124] 26(a) and 26(b), the engaged groove 124 is a groove provided inside the through hole 122b of the coupling member 122, i.e., on the inner circumferential surface 122d that forms the through hole 122b. The engaged groove 124 is recessed radially outward relative to the inner circumferential surface 122d in the radial direction relative to the central axis of the inner circumferential surface 122d that is parallel to the insertion direction I.

[0125] As shown in Figures 29(b), 29(d), and 30(b), the engaged groove 124 generally has an insertion guide portion 124a, a deformation guide portion 124b, and an engagement holding portion 124c. As shown in Figures 31(a) to 31(d), the inner engaging protrusion 123 introduced into the engaged groove 124 is guided from the insertion guide portion 124a to the engagement holding portion 124c through contact with the force applying surface of the deformation guide portion 124b by relative rotation of the nozzle body 121 in the rotational direction S with respect to the coupling member 122.

[0126] The insertion guide portion 124a has an insertion opening that is open in a direction parallel to the insertion direction I on the end face of the opposing portion 122c that is opposite to the insertion direction I of the coupling member 122. The insertion guide portion 124a extends from the insertion opening in the insertion direction I, and pulls in and guides the inner engaging protrusion 123 in the insertion direction I when the insertion portion 121a of the nozzle body 121 is inserted into the through-hole 122b.

[0127] The engaged groove 124 extends in the rotation direction S further back (downstream in the insertion direction I) than the insertion guide portion 124a, and is provided with a deformation guide portion 124b in front of the engagement holding portion 124c. The deformation guide portion 124b is configured to protrude downstream in the insertion direction I relative to the engagement holding portion 124c, and has a first inclined surface 124b1 and a second inclined surface 124b2 as force application surfaces (first guide inclined surfaces) as part of the groove side surface of the engaged groove 124.

[0128] The first inclined surface 124b1 and the second inclined surface 124b2 are configured so that the inclination angle with respect to the circumferential direction in which the inner engaging projection 123 is guided gradually decreases. The first inclined surface 124b1 and the second inclined surface 124b2 are groove side surfaces that are inclined with respect to both the insertion direction I and the rotational direction S, respectively, and extend in an inclined direction that becomes more downstream in the insertion direction I as they move downstream in the rotational direction S. The first inclined surface 124b1 and the second inclined surface 124b2 each face the force receiving surface 123b of the inner engaging projection 123 in the deformation phase in the opposite direction to the insertion direction I and the rotational direction S. First, the first inclined surface 124b1 guides the inner engaging projection 123, and then the second inclined surface 124b2 guides it. The second inclined surface 124b2 is configured to have a smaller angle with respect to the circumferential direction than the first inclined surface 124b1.

[0129] The force receiving surface 123b of the inner engaging protrusion 123 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 124b1 due to movement in the rotational direction S caused by relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122. The pressing force generated between the force receiving surface 123b and the first inclined surface 124b1 causes deformation of at least one of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124, causing the inner engaging protrusion 123 to be displaced downstream in the insertion direction I with respect to the deformation guide portion 124b of the engaged groove 124.

[0130] As the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 continues while the force receiving surface 123b and the first inclined surface 124b1 slide against each other, the inner engaging protrusion 123 reaches a state in which it appears to be riding up onto the downstream side of the deformation guide portion 124b in the insertion direction I. That is, the third side surface 123f of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the second inclined surface 124b2 of the deformation guide portion 124b of the engaged groove 124 come into contact and slide against each other. Due to deformation of at least one of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 caused by a pressing force generated between the force receiving surface 123b and the second inclined surface 124b2, the inner engaging protrusion 123 is further displaced downstream in the insertion direction I relative to the deformation guide portion 124b of the engaged groove 124.

[0131] As the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 progresses further from this state, the inner engaging protrusion 123 moves downstream in the rotation direction S from the deformation guide portion 124b, and the pressing force is released. As a result, the inner engaging protrusion 123 is released from its deformed state and displaces relative to the engaged groove 124 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction I. That is, due to the deformation of at least one of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124, the inner engaging protrusion 123 moves relative to the engaged groove 124 in the rotation direction S so as to overcome the deformation guide portion 124b and move into the engagement holding portion 124c. As a result, the relative rotation phase between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 changes from the deformation phase to the engagement phase.

[0132] The engaging holding portion 124c is configured so that the groove width of the engaged groove 124 in the insertion direction I widens relative to the deformation guiding portion 124b in the opposite direction to the insertion direction I. The elastic deformation of the inner engaging protrusion 123 to the engaged groove 124 that occurs in the deformation phase is released when the relative rotation phase of the two transitions to the engagement phase, and the inner engaging protrusion 123 is accommodated in the engaging holding portion 124c.

[0133] The engagement holding portion 124c has a first groove side surface 124d that faces the inner engagement protrusion 123 in the engagement phase in the direction opposite to the rotational direction S along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 122d, and a second groove side surface 124e that faces the rotational direction S. The first groove side surface 124d is a groove side surface that extends along the insertion direction I, and faces the first side surface 123d of the inner engagement protrusion 123 in the direction opposite to the rotational direction S as a first circumferential direction restricting portion. The second groove side surface 124e is also a groove side surface that extends along the insertion direction I, and faces the second side surface 123e of the inner engagement protrusion 123 in the rotational direction S as a second circumferential direction restricting portion.

[0134] The circumferentially opposing surfaces between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaging holding portion 124c restrict relative circumferential rotational movement between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 in the engaged phase. Ideally, the circumferentially opposing surfaces between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaging holding portion 124c face each other without any gap, but they may be configured to face each other with a small gap. In other words, they may be configured to engage with a loose fit, as long as the range of relative rotation allowed after the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 are engaged with each other is limited to a range that does not affect the function of the toner pack 100.

[0135] Furthermore, the engagement holding portion 124c has a third groove side surface 124f that faces the inner engagement protrusion 123 in the engagement phase in the insertion direction I. The third groove side surface 124f is a groove side surface that is inclined with respect to both the insertion direction I and the rotational direction S in accordance with the third side surface 123f of the inner engagement protrusion 123, and extends in an inclined direction that approaches the downstream side of the insertion direction I as it moves downstream in the rotational direction S.

[0136] When the third groove side surface 124f, which serves as a counter-insertion direction regulating portion, abuts against the third side surface 123f of the inner engaging protrusion 123 in the engagement phase, relative movement of the nozzle body 121 away from the coupling member 122 in the counter-insertion direction, which is the opposite direction to the insertion direction I, is regulated. On the other hand, relative movement of the nozzle body 121 in the insertion direction I with respect to the coupling member 122 is regulated, as described above, by the opposing portion 122c of the coupling member 122, which serves as an insertion direction regulating portion, abutting against the flange 121c of the nozzle body 121 in the counter-insertion direction. This restricts relative movement of the nozzle body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122 in both the insertion direction I and the counter-insertion direction.

[0137] The third groove side surface 124f is inclined so that the further downstream in the rotation direction S it is, the more it pushes the inner engaging projection 123 downstream in the insertion direction I. The wedge effect of this inclined configuration further restricts relative movement between the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124, and improves the tightness of contact between the nozzle main body 121 and the coupling member 122 in the insertion direction I. In other words, dimensional errors between the nozzle main body 121 and the coupling member 122 can be absorbed, thereby achieving stable tightness of contact.

[0138] A plurality of inner engaging protrusions 123 are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 121a (at different phases around the central axis of the insertion portion 121a), and in this embodiment, four are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Four engaged grooves 124 are also provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, corresponding to the inner engaging protrusions 123. Note that the number of engagement configurations formed by the inner engaging protrusions 123 and the engaged grooves 124 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more.

[0139] In this embodiment, in order to prevent erroneous attachment of the nozzle main body 121 to the coupling member 122, the position of one of the four sets of engagement configurations in the insertion direction I is made different from the other sets. That is, the position of the inner engagement protrusion 123B, which is one of the four inner engagement protrusions 123, in the insertion direction I is shifted downstream in the insertion direction I from the positions of the other three inner engagement protrusions 123A. Correspondingly, the position in the insertion direction I of the engagement holding portion 124c in the engaged groove 124B corresponding to the inner engagement protrusion 123B is shifted downstream in the insertion direction I from the positions of the engagement holding portion 124c in the other three engaged grooves 124A. As a result, the nozzle main body 121 cannot be assembled to the coupling member 122 unless the relative phase of the nozzle main body 121 and the coupling member 122 around the insertion direction I is such that the inner engagement protrusion 123B and the engaged groove 124B are aligned. Therefore, the phase (orientation) of nozzle body 121 relative to coupling member 122 around insertion direction I when engaged with coupling member 122, i.e., the phase of nozzle body 121 relative to pouch 101 around insertion direction I, becomes constant (is fixed at one posture).

[0140] The configuration for preventing mis-attachment is not limited to the above. For example, the positional offset of the inner engaging protrusion 123A and the inner engaging protrusion 123B in the insertion direction I may be configured such that the inner engaging protrusion 123B is offset upstream of the inner engaging protrusion 123A in the insertion direction I. Furthermore, for example, the positions of two adjacent inner engaging protrusions 123 in the insertion direction I may be made different from the positions of the other two inner engaging protrusions. Furthermore, three or fewer or five or more inner engaging protrusions 123 may be provided, and in such a case, the combination of the inner engaging protrusions 123A and the inner engaging protrusions 123B may be any combination as long as the mis-attachment prevention function is obtained. Furthermore, the offset of the position of the inner engaging protrusions 123 in the insertion direction I is not limited to two stages as in this embodiment, but may be configured to be different in three or more stages.

[0141] In this embodiment, the engaging protrusion is provided on nozzle main body 121 and the engaged groove is provided on connecting member 122, but it is also possible to provide the engaging protrusion on connecting member 122 and the engaged groove on nozzle main body 121. However, in the latter configuration, the engaged groove provided on nozzle main body 121 is configured to communicate with storage section 101a of pouch 101, and therefore it may be necessary to consider the sealing configuration so that such engaging configuration does not become a path for toner leakage.

[0142] [Second engagement configuration] The engagement configuration (second engagement configuration) between the outer engaging protrusion 125 (third protrusion) and the engaged protrusion 126 (second protrusion) is also a so-called fixed fit configuration. After the nozzle body 121 reaches the insertion completion position with respect to the coupling member 122, when the two are rotated relative to each other, the relative rotation phases that the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 can take include a non-engagement phase, a deformation phase, and an engagement phase.

[0143] When the nozzle body 121 reaches the insertion completion position, the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 are in a disengagement phase. As the nozzle body 121 rotates in the rotation direction S relative to the coupling member 122, the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 move from the disengagement phase, through a deformation phase, and then to an engagement phase. The outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 are configured to be able to reach the engagement phase when elastic deformation occurs in at least one of the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 in the deformation phase.

[0144] When the outer engaging projection 125 and the engaged projection 126 are in the engaged phase, the nozzle body 121 is restricted from moving circumferentially and in the direction of the rotation center axis relative to the coupling member 122. Once the outer engaging projection 125 and the engaged projection 126 reach the engaged phase, they will not return to the deformed phase or the disengaged phase, even if the nozzle body 121 is subsequently rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation direction S relative to the coupling member 122, unless some external force that deforms the outer engaging projection 125 or the engaged projection 126 is applied.

[0145] 24(a) to 25(b) and 32(a) to 32(d), the outer engaging projection 125 is a projection having a generally triangular wing shape that projects radially outward from the outer peripheral end of the flange 121c of the nozzle main body 121. Specifically, the outer engaging projection 125 projects in a rotational direction S, which is the relative rotational direction of the nozzle main body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122, so that the radial projection height increases in the opposite direction to the rotational direction S.

[0146] As shown in Figures 33(a) and 33(b), the outer engaging projection 125 has a force receiving surface 125a, a sliding surface 125b, and an engaging surface 125c. The force receiving surface 125a (second guided inclined surface) is the leading end surface of the outer engaging projection 125 in the rotational direction S, and is an inclined surface that extends in a direction that inclines toward the outer diameter as it approaches the upstream side in the rotational direction S, and along the insertion direction I. The sliding surface 125b is the downstream end surface of the outer engaging projection 125 in the insertion direction I, and is a surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I. The engaging surface 125c is the rear end surface of the outer engaging projection 125 in the rotational direction S, and is a surface that extends in the insertion direction I and the radial direction.

[0147] 24(a) to 25(b) and 32(a) to 32(d), the engaged projection 126 is a projection having a generally triangular rib shape that protrudes from the opposing portion 122c of the coupling member 122 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction I. Specifically, it is disposed radially outward from the outer periphery of the flange 121c of the nozzle main body 121, and protrudes so that the height of the projection in the counter-insertion direction opposite to the insertion direction I increases as it moves toward the rotation direction S, which is the relative rotation direction of the nozzle main body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122.

[0148] As shown in Figures 33(a) and 33(b), the engaged projection 126 has a force applying surface 126a, a sliding surface 126b, and an engaged surface 126c. The force applying surface 126a (second inclined guide surface) is an inclined surface on the upstream side of the engaged projection 126 in the rotational direction S, and is an inclined surface that extends in an inclined direction and radially so that the height of the projection from the opposing part 122c in the counter-insertion direction increases toward the downstream side in the rotational direction S. The sliding surface 126b is an upstream end surface of the engaged projection 126 in the insertion direction I, and is a surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I. The engaged surface 126c is a downstream end surface of the engaged projection 126 in the rotational direction S, and is a surface that extends in the insertion direction I and radially.

[0149] The force receiving surface 125a of the outer engaging protrusion 125 comes into contact with the force applying surface 126a due to movement in the rotational direction S caused by the relative rotation of the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122. The pressing force generated between the force receiving surface 125a and the force applying surface 126a causes deformation of at least one of the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126, causing the outer engaging protrusion 125 to be displaced downstream in the insertion direction I with respect to the engaged protrusion 126.

[0150] As the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 continues while the force receiving surface 125a and the force applying surface 126a slide against each other, the outer engaging projection 125 reaches a state in which it appears as if it has climbed up onto the downstream side of the engaged projection 126 in the insertion direction I. In other words, the sliding surface 125b of the outer engaging projection 125 faces, comes into contact with, and slides against the sliding surface 126b of the engaged projection 126 in the insertion direction I.

[0151] As the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 progresses further from this state, the outer engaging protrusion 125 moves downstream in the rotational direction S relative to the engaged protrusion 126, and the pressing force is released. As a result, the outer engaging protrusion 125 is released from its deformed state and displaces relative to the engaged protrusion 126 in the insertion direction I. That is, due to the deformation of at least one of the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126, the outer engaging protrusion 125 moves downstream in the rotational direction S relative to the engaged protrusion 126, climbing over the engaged protrusion 126. As a result, the engaging surface 125c of the outer engaging protrusion 125, which serves as the fourth circumferential direction restricting portion, faces the engaged surface 126c of the engaged protrusion 126, which serves as the third circumferential direction restricting portion, in the direction opposite to the rotational direction S. Therefore, the relative rotation of the nozzle body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122 in the direction opposite to the rotational direction S is restricted. That is, the relative rotation phase between the outer engaging projection 125 and the engaged projection 126 changes from the deformation phase to the engagement phase.

[0152] A plurality of second engagement structures each consisting of the outer engagement protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 are provided at different positions (different phases around the central axis of the insertion portion 121a) in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis C of the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122. In this embodiment, they are provided at two locations in the circumferential direction. Note that the number of second engagement structures provided is not limited to two, and may be one location or three or more locations.

[0153] The first engagement configuration described above makes it possible to restrict relative movement of nozzle body 121 relative to coupling member 122 in both the insertion direction I and the opposite direction, that is, the counter-insertion direction (removal direction). It is also possible to restrict relative rotational movement between nozzle body 121 and coupling member 122 about the rotation axis along the insertion direction I. Restriction of relative rotation is also achieved by the second engagement configuration, and this restriction of relative rotation ultimately restricts relative movement of nozzle body 121 relative to coupling member 122 in the insertion / removal direction.

[0154] Furthermore, the first engagement configuration, which restricts both the relative movement in the insertion / removal direction and the relative rotational movement, is disposed radially inward relative to the second engagement configuration in the direction of the rotation axis of the relative rotation. This allows the rotational torque required to establish the engagement state to be relatively smaller than in other arrangements (for example, when the radial arrangements of the first and second engagement configurations are reversed). In particular, the force required to cause the inner engagement protrusion 123 to deform and overcome the deformation guide portion 124b of the engagement groove 124 can be reduced, making the assembly process easier.

[0155] The first engagement configuration, consisting of the inner engagement protrusion 123 and the engagement groove 124, is not exposed to the outside after the nozzle body 121 is assembled. That is, the first engagement configuration is disposed inside the through-hole 122b of the insertion portion 122e of the coupling member 122. Furthermore, the insertion portion 121a and flange 121c of the coupling member 122 function as a cover that covers the engagement portion between the inner engagement protrusion 123 and the engagement groove 124 from the outside. This prevents contact with the first engagement configuration from the outside, and the engagement state of the first engagement configuration can be permanently maintained unless it is destroyed. Note that as long as access to the first engagement configuration can be restricted, external visibility of the first engagement configuration is not an issue. That is, for example, even if the engagement portion of the first engagement configuration is visible through a small gap, the effect of the present invention is not affected as long as the size of the gap is large enough to prevent a user from contacting the first engagement configuration.

[0156] In this embodiment, the timing at which the first engagement configuration, i.e., the inner engagement protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124, enter an engaged state is configured to coincide with the timing at which the second engagement configuration, i.e., the outer engagement protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 enter an engaged state. While the first engagement configuration is not exposed to the outside, the second engagement configuration is provided outside the inserted portion 122e of the coupling member 122 and is exposed to the outside. Therefore, by checking the engagement state of the second engagement configuration, it is possible to indirectly check the engagement state of the first engagement configuration, which is not visible from the outside.

[0157] [Modification of the first engagement configuration] A modified example of the first engagement configuration will be described with reference to Figures 35(a) to 36(d). Note that in the modified example of the first engagement configuration, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment.

[0158] Fig. 35(a) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body where the discharge port is provided, in a modified first engagement configuration. Fig. 35(b) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member. Fig. 35(c) is a side view of the nozzle body opposite the side shown in Fig. 35(a) in a modified first engagement configuration. Fig. 35(d) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member. Fig. 36(a) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch, in a modified first engagement configuration, illustrating only the inner engagement protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. Fig. 36(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along 36B-36B of Fig. 36(a). Figure 36(c) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch in a modification of the first coupling configuration, illustrating only the inner coupling protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position with the coupling member. Figure 36(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36D-36D of Figure 36(c).

[0159] In the above embodiment, the inner engaging projection 123 is an inclined projection that extends spirally, but the shape of the inner engaging projection 123 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the third side surface 123f2 may be a surface that extends perpendicular to the rotation axis in the rotation direction S, rather than an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to both the insertion direction I and the rotation direction S like the third side surface 123f in the above embodiment. In other words, the entire shape of the inner engaging projection 1232 may be a surface that extends circumferentially. In this case, the third groove side surface 124f2 that faces the third side surface 123f2 in the engagement holding portion 124c of the engaged groove 1242 may also be a surface that extends perpendicular to the rotation axis in the rotation direction S, corresponding to the third side surface 123f2.

[0160] [Materials used in toner packs] Next, the materials of each member of the toner pack 100 will be described with reference to Figures 37 and 38. Figure 37 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner pack 100. Figure 38 is an exploded front view showing the toner pack 100.

[0161] 37 and 38, the toner pack 100 is mainly composed of a pouch 101, a connecting member 122, a sealing member 127, a nozzle body 121, and a pack-side shutter 103. Note that the sealing member 127 is not shown in FIG.

[0162] The nozzle body 121 and the pack-side shutter 103 are mainly made of resin, and are formed by injection molding or the like. The seal member 127 is made of urethane foam, which is made by foaming polyurethane. As a result, the seal member 127 is flexible and elastic, and when compressed between the nozzle body 121 and the connecting member 122, it seals the gap between the nozzle body 121 and the connecting member 122.

[0163] The main component of pouch 101 and joining member 122 is paper. For example, even if pouch 101 and joining member 122 contain materials other than paper, if the main component (e.g., 50% or more of the total mass) of pouch 101 and joining member 122 is paper, it can be said that the main component of pouch 101 and joining member 122 is paper. In other words, the main material of pouch 101 and joining member 122 is paper, and pouch 101 and joining member 122 include multiple pieces of paper and an adhesive layer for adhering these multiple pieces of paper together. The adhesive layer may include a component other than paper. Pouch 101 is formed into a pouch shape by, for example, joining multiple sheets of paper together by heat welding.

[0164] In this way, the toner pack 100 is divided into the pouch 101 and connecting member 122, which are paper parts made mainly of paper, and the sealing member 127, nozzle body 121, and pack-side shutter 103, which are resin parts made mainly of resin, with the dashed line BL1 shown in Figures 37 and 38 as the dividing line.

[0165] In recent years, there has been a demand for products with a low environmental impact, and improving recyclability has become a challenge as part of this. In particular, highly recyclable products are desired for consumables such as the toner pack 100. Generally, paper can be recycled using a relatively simple process. For example, used paper products can be turned back into pulp, which can then be used to manufacture recycled paper. On the other hand, recycling resin materials is more complicated than recycling paper. Therefore, increasing the number of paper components can improve the recyclability of the toner pack 100. Therefore, in this embodiment, the recyclability of the toner pack 100 is improved by using paper as the main component of the pouch 101 and the connecting member 122.

[0166] [Detailed configuration of connecting members] Next, the detailed configuration of the coupling member 122 will be described with reference to FIGS. 39(a) to 42. FIG. 39(a) is a perspective view showing the coupling member 122, and FIG. 39(b) is another perspective view showing the coupling member 122. FIG. 40(a) is a front view showing the coupling member 122, FIG. 40(b) is a left side view showing the coupling member 122, and FIG. 40(c) is a right side view showing the coupling member 122. FIG. 40(d) is a plan view showing the coupling member 122, and FIG. 40(e) is a bottom view showing the coupling member 122. FIG. 41(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling member 122, FIG. 41(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-section 41B-41B of FIG. 40(a), and FIG. 41(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-section 41C-41C of FIG. 40(a). FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view showing the coupling member 122.

[0167] 39(a) to 42, the connecting member 122 is formed by stacking a plurality of sheets of paper. More specifically, when the connecting member 122 is attached to the opening 101b of the pouch 101, the connecting member 122 is formed by stacking a plurality of sheets of paper in the longitudinal direction of the toner pack 100, that is, in the axial direction D1 which is the direction of the rotation axis A (see FIG. 10) of the pack-side shutter 103. In this embodiment, the connecting member 122 is formed by stacking four sheets of paper S1 to S4.

[0168] 37 to 45, the joining member 122 made up of stacked papers S1 to S4 also has the aforementioned engaged grooves 124 and engaged protrusions 126, and these engaged grooves 124 and engaged protrusions 126 engage with the inner engaging protrusions 123 and outer engaging protrusions 125, respectively, of the nozzle main body 121. In other words, the structure for assembling the joining member 122 shown in Figures 37 to 45 to the pouch 101 and the nozzle main body 121 is as described above.

[0169] 37 to 45, the engaging member 122 does not include the engaged protrusion 126 that engages with the outer engaging protrusion 125 provided on the nozzle body 121. In the following description, the engaging configuration between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124, i.e., the first engaging configuration, will be mentioned, but the engaging configuration between the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126, i.e., the second engaging configuration will not be mentioned. Furthermore, the nozzle body 121 and the engaging member 122 do not have to be provided with the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the outer engaging protrusion 125, respectively.

[0170] The sheets S1 to S4 forming the joining member 122 each have a different shape. In particular, the sheets S1 to S4 have different shapes for the portion forming the inner circumferential surface 122d. This is because the inner circumferential surface 122d of the joining member 122 has the aforementioned engaged groove 124 formed therein. In this embodiment, the engaged groove 124 is formed by the differently shaped portions of the sheets S1 to S4. In other words, at least a portion of the engaged groove 124 is formed by the differently shaped portions of the sheet S1 as a first sheet having a first shape and the sheet S2 as a second sheet having a second shape different from the first shape. An engaged protrusion 126 (see FIG. 26(b)) may be formed on the end surface of the sheet S4 on the nozzle body 121 side.

[0171] 42, the joining member 122 has sheets of paper S1 to S4 and adhesive layers AD1 to AD3 for bonding adjacent sheets of paper S1 to S4 together. More specifically, adhesive layer AD1 bonds adjacent sheets of paper S1 and S2 together. Adhesive layer AD2 bonds adjacent sheets of paper S2 and S3 together. Adhesive layer AD3 bonds adjacent sheets of paper S3 and S4 together.

[0172] The adhesive layers AD1-AD3 also have different shapes to match the shapes of the two sheets of paper to be bonded. The adhesive layers AD-AD3 are made of, for example, double-sided tape, adhesive such as hot melt, or thermoplastic resin used for thermal welding. In any case, the volume of the adhesive layers AD1-AD3 is sufficiently small compared to the volume of the sheets of paper S1-S4, and the main component of the joining member 122 is paper.

[0173] In this embodiment, the papers S1 to S4 have different shapes, but this is not limiting. For example, some of the papers constituting the joining member 122 may have the same shape. Furthermore, the adhesive layers that bond the papers together may also include some that have the same shape.

[0174] [Torsional rigidity of connecting member and pouch] Next, the torsional rigidity of the connecting member 122 and the pouch 101 will be described with reference to Figures 43(a) to 44(c). Figure 43(a) is a perspective view showing the connecting member 122, and Figure 43(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 44B-44B in Figure 44(a). Figure 44(a) is a front view showing the toner pack 100, Figure 44(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 44B-44B in Figure 44(a), and Figure 44(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 44C-44C in Figure 44(a).

[0175] Generally, the polar moment of inertia is known as a parameter related to torsional rigidity. Below, we will explain the polar moment of inertia of pouch 101 and the polar moment of inertia of connecting member 122. Both pouch 101 and connecting member 122 are parts whose main component is paper, and it can be said that the higher the polar moment of inertia, the higher the torsional rigidity. If the cross-sectional shape is not circular, the polar moment of area I of the XY cross section (a cross section parallel to the X and Y axes that are perpendicular to each other) p is expressed by the following equation (1). I p =I x +I y ···(1) I x is the second moment of area about the X axis, and I y is the second moment of area about the Y axis.

[0176] Figure 43(b) is a cross section of the connecting member 122 perpendicular to the axial direction D1, and is assumed to be the cross section having the smallest polar moment of inertia of the connecting member 122. The axial direction D1 is the alignment direction in which the pouch 101 and the nozzle body 121 are aligned. At this time, the polar moment of inertia I in the 43B-43B cross section of the connecting member 122 shown in Figure 43(b) is p is expressed by the following equation (2). I p =1.66×10^5 [mm 4 ] ···(2)

[0177] As shown in Figures 44(a) and 44(b), cross section 44B-44B does not include connecting member 122 and is a cross section close to opening 101b of pouch 101. The polar moment of inertia I p is expressed by the following equation (3). I p =9.9×10^3 [mm 4 ] ···(3)

[0178] 44(a) and 44(c), cross section 44C-44C is a cross section at a position 20 mm away from end surface 122p of joining member 122 on the opposite side of opening 101b of pouch 101. The polar moment of inertia I of containing section 101a of pouch 101 at the cross section is p is expressed by the following equation (4). I p =1.2×10^4 [mm 4 ] ···(4)

[0179] The polar moments of area expressed by equations (3) and (4) are both the polar moments of area of ​​the pouch 101 in the vicinity of the opening 101b. That is, the position 20 mm away from the end face 122p of the connecting member 122 toward the front end 101t of the pouch 101 can be considered to be the vicinity of the opening 101b. In other words, the region within 20 mm from the end face 122p of the connecting member 122 toward the front end 101t can be considered the vicinity of the opening 101b. For example, the region within X mm from the end face 122p toward the front end 101t can also be considered the vicinity of the opening 101b, where X mm can be 1 / 5 of the total length of the pouch 101 in the axial direction D1. In addition, in the axial direction D1, the position of the cross section 43B-43B as the first cross section is defined as the first position, and the position of the cross section 44C-44C as the second cross section is defined as the second position. The first position is a position closer to opening 101b than the second position in axial direction D1. For example, the second position is a position 20 mm away from end face 122p toward tip end 101t, or 1 / 5 of the total length of pouch 101. At this time, the polar moment of inertia of joining member 122 at the first position is greater than the polar moment of inertia of pouch 101 at the second position.

[0180] As can be seen from the above formulas (2) to (4), in this embodiment, in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction D1, the minimum polar moment of inertia of the joining member 122 is greater than the polar moment of inertia of the pouch 101 in the vicinity of the opening 101b. In other words, the torsional rigidity of the joining member 122 is greater than the torsional rigidity of the pouch 101 in the vicinity of the opening 101b. This is because the joining member 122 is formed by stacking multiple papers S1 to S4 in the axial direction D1, and therefore the joining member 122 is thick in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1, resulting in high rigidity.

[0181] [Separation of the connecting member and the nozzle body] Next, separation of the coupling member 122 and the nozzle main body 121 will be described with reference to Figure 45. Figure 45 is an exploded perspective view showing the state in which the coupling member 122 and the nozzle main body 121 are separated. When the toner pack 100 is in use, the coupling member 122 and the nozzle main body 121 are engaged with each other by the first engagement configuration and the second engagement configuration described above. These first engagement configuration and the second engagement configuration are so-called fixed engagement configurations, and the coupling member 122 and the nozzle main body 121 are not separated during normal use.

[0182] On the other hand, for recycling purposes, it is desirable that the toner pack 100, after the developer contained therein has been used up, be separated along the dashed line BL1 shown in Figures 37 and 38. This is because, as described above, the toner pack 100 is divided at the dashed line BL1 into the paper parts of the pouch 101 and the connecting member 122 and the resin parts of the sealing member 127, the nozzle main body 121, and the pack-side shutter 103.

[0183] As described with reference to FIGS. 28(a) and 28(b), the nozzle body 121 is coupled to the coupling member 122 by being inserted into the coupling member 122 in the insertion direction I and then rotated in the rotation direction S about the rotation axis C. To separate the nozzle body 121 from the coupling member 122, for example, an operator (including a user or a service technician) holds the nozzle body 121 or the pack-side shutter 103 with one hand and the periphery of the opening 101b with the other hand. The operator then rotates the nozzle body 121 relative to the coupling member 122 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction S about the rotation axis C (relative rotation). This deforms at least one of the engagement groove 124 of the coupling member 122 and the inner engagement protrusion 123 of the nozzle body 121, disengaging the engagement groove 124 from the inner engagement protrusion 123. Similarly, the second engagement configuration is also disengaged. This allows the coupling member 122 and the nozzle body 121 to be separated from each other.

[0184] Note that deformation of at least one of the engaged groove 124 and the inner engaging protrusion 123 includes elastic deformation, plastic deformation, and fracture. That is, the operator needs to rotate the nozzle body 121 relative to the coupling member 122 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction S with a strong force so as to deform at least one of the engaged groove 124 and the inner engaging protrusion 123. As described above, the torsional rigidity of the coupling member 122 is greater than the torsional rigidity of the pouch 101 near the opening 101b. Therefore, when holding the periphery of the opening 101b, the operator can apply a strong force to the coupling member 122 by grasping the pouch 101 from above the coupling member 122. This allows the force of the operator's hand to be firmly transmitted to the coupling member 122, improving the operability when rotating the nozzle body 121 relative to the coupling member 122 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction S. Furthermore, the pouch 101 and the connecting member 122 are joined with a sufficiently strong joining force so that they do not come apart when the nozzle body 121 and the connecting member 122 are separated.

[0185] In the above example, the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 are separated by rotating the nozzle body 121 relative to the coupling member 122 in the direction opposite to the rotational direction S, but this is not limiting. For example, the nozzle body 121 may be rotated relative to the coupling member 122 in the rotational direction S. Furthermore, the coupling member 122 may be rotated relative to the nozzle body 121 around the rotational axis C in the rotational direction S or the opposite direction.

[0186] Furthermore, for example, if an operator holds the nozzle body 121 or the pack-side shutter 103 with one hand and holds the pouch 101 at a position closer to the tip 101t than the connecting member 122 with the other hand, even if the nozzle body 121 and the connecting member 122 are rotated relative to each other around the rotation axis C, the flexible pouch 101 will twist, and the force of the operator's hand will not be transmitted well to the connecting member 122. This is because the torsional rigidity of the pouch 101 near the opening 101b is lower than the torsional rigidity of the connecting member 122. Therefore, when separating the nozzle body 121 and the connecting member 122, it is preferable for the operator to grip the pouch 101 from above the connecting member 122 with one hand.

[0187] As described above, by separating the connecting member 122 and the nozzle body 121, it is possible to separate the pouch 101 and connecting member 122, which are paper components, from the sealing member 127, nozzle body 121, and pack-side shutter 103, which are resin components. This improves recyclability. Note that by separating the connecting member 122 and the nozzle body 121, the sealing member 127 will stick to either the connecting member 122 or the nozzle body 121, but even if the sealing member 127 sticks to the connecting member 122, it can be easily separated from the connecting member 122.

[0188] Furthermore, by forming the joining member 122 by stacking the papers S1 to S4, it is possible to easily form complex shapes such as the engaged groove 124, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the joining member 122. Furthermore, since the joining member 122 is thicker than the pouch 101, it is possible to improve the torsional rigidity (polar moment of inertia) of the joining member 122, and it is possible to improve the workability when separating the joining member 122 and the nozzle body 121.

[0189] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since pouch 101 is made of paper, the surface of pouch 101 can be easily engraved with a general-purpose laser. Therefore, there is no need to manufacture pouches 101 with different designs depending on the delivery destination, and by engraving the surface of pouch 101 with a general-purpose laser in a post-process, it is possible to accommodate multiple delivery destinations. This makes it possible to reduce the number of component types, and thereby reduce component costs and production management costs.

[0190] <Example 2> Next, Example 2 of the present invention will be described, and Example 2 is obtained by changing the configuration of edge portions 131 to 134 of pouch 101 in Example 1. Therefore, configurations similar to those in Example 1 will be omitted from the illustrations or will be described by using the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0191] Fig. 46 is a perspective view showing a pouch 2101 according to Example 2. Fig. 47(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 47A-47A cross section of Fig. 46, and Fig. 47(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 47B-47B cross section of Fig. 46. Fig. 48(a) is an enlarged view showing the edge portion 132.

[0192] In the pouch 101 of Example 1, the edge of the pouch 101 is formed by joining two overlapping sheets of paper by heat welding or the like. However, paper is weaker than, for example, a polypropylene sheet, and there is a risk that the edge of the pouch 101 may tear when the toner (developer) is discharged from the discharge port 102a while the pouch 101 is crushed and deformed, or when the nozzle main body 121 and the connecting member 122 are separated.

[0193] Therefore, in this embodiment, the strength of the edge portions 131 to 134 of the pouch 2101 is improved. As shown in Figures 46 to 47(b), the pouch 2101 is formed into a bag shape using a plurality of (three in this embodiment) paper sheets SH1 to SH3. The pouch 2101 has edge portions 131 to 134 where two or three of the sheets SH1 to SH3 are overlapped, and only the opening 101b is open.

[0194] At edges 131 and 132, sheet SH1 as a first sheet and sheet SH2 as a second sheet are overlapped. At edge 133, sheets SH1 and SH3 are overlapped. At edge 134, sheets SH2 and SH3 are overlapped. The configurations and manufacturing methods of these edge portions 131 to 134 are all similar, so only edge 132 will be described.

[0195] As shown in Figures 47(a) and 48(a), the edge portion 132 is formed by folding the sheet SH2 so as to wrap around one end 141 of the sheet SH1, and joining the one end 141 of the sheet SH1 and the sheet SH2. More specifically, as shown in Figure 47(a), a surface 142 of the sheet SH1 that contacts the internal space SP1 of the storage section 101a is coated with a resin layer 143 made of a thermoplastic resin. Similarly, a surface 144 of the sheet SH2 that contacts the internal space SP1 is coated with a resin layer 145 made of a thermoplastic resin. These resin layers 143, 145 have a thickness of, for example, several microns to 50 microns.

[0196] Then, as shown in FIG. 48(a), one end 146 of sheet SH2 is folded back to encase one end 141 of sheet SH1. In this state, by heating the one ends 141, 146, the resin layers 143, 145 melt and the one ends 141, 146 are thermally welded. In this way, the edge portion 132 is formed. Note that the edge portion 132 may also be configured such that one end 141 of sheet SH1 is folded back to encase one end 146 of sheet SH2.

[0197] Here, when the thickness of the sheet SH1 is thickness T1, the thickness of the sheet SH2 is thickness T2, and the thickness of the edge portion 132 is thickness T3, the following formula (5) is satisfied. T3≧T1+T2×2 (5) In this embodiment, the thickness (T3) of the edge 132 is the thickness (T1) of one end 141 of the sheet SH1 plus the thickness of two sheets SH2 (T2×2) because the sheet SH2 is folded back.

[0198] In this embodiment, the sheets SH1 to SH3 each have a uniform thickness and are equal to one another. Therefore, T1=T2, and the thickness of the edges 131 to 134 is equal to or greater than T1×3. The sheets SH1 to SH3 may have different thicknesses. The pouch 2101 may also be made of two or four or more paper sheets. The sheets that make up the pouch 2101 are not limited to being made of paper, and may be made of resin such as polypropylene sheets. However, from the viewpoint of recyclability, it is preferable that the sheets that make up the pouch 2101 are made of paper.

[0199] As described above, in this embodiment, when forming the edge portion 132 of the pouch 2101, the sheet SH2 is folded back, thereby increasing the thickness of the edge portion 132 relative to the thickness of the portions other than the edges 131 to 134 of the pouch 2101. Similarly, the thicknesses of the edges 131, 133, and 134 are also increased. This increases the strength of the edges 131 to 134 and reduces the likelihood of the edges 131 to 134 being torn and damaged. Furthermore, by not increasing the thickness of the portions other than the edges 131 to 134 of the pouch 2101 and leaving them flexible, the workability is maintained when discharging the toner (developer) from the discharge port 102a while crushing and deforming the pouch 2101. This allows for both improved toner discharging and reduced damage to the edges 131 to 134.

[0200] <Modification 1 of Example 2> 48(b) is an enlarged view showing the edge portion 132B according to Modification 1 of Example 2. As described in Example 2, the thickness of the edge portion of the pouch 2101 can be increased by folding back the sheets, and the thickness can be adjusted by changing the number of sheets to be folded back.

[0201] 48(b), edge portion 132B is formed by folding back both one end portion 141 of sheet SH1 and one end portion 146 of sheet SH2 and joining these one end portions 141, 146 by thermal welding. Here, if the thickness of sheet SH1 is thickness T1, the thickness of sheet SH2 is thickness T2, and the thickness of edge portion 132B is thickness T4, the following formula (6) is satisfied. T4≧T1×2+T2×2 (6)

[0202] When T1=T2, the thickness of edge 132B is equal to or greater than T1×4. In this way, the thickness of the edge can be easily adjusted by changing the number of sheets folded back at the edge of the pouch. Also, the thickness of each edge of pouch 2101 does not have to be the same. For example, two sheets may be folded back at one edge, and one sheet may be folded back at another edge.

[0203] <Modification 2 of Example 2> 49(a) is an enlarged view showing an edge portion 132C according to Modification 2 of Example 2. The edge portion 132C of the pouch of this modification has a protective layer 147 formed by applying it to the outer surfaces of the sheets SH1 and SH2 that are stacked together. The protective layer 147 is formed from a polymer such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyamide (PA), or a UV-curable material that is cured by ultraviolet light. The protective layer 147 can improve the strength of the edge portion 132C without having to fold back the sheets SH1 and SH2.

[0204] <Modification 3 of Example 2> FIG. 49(b) is an enlarged view showing an edge portion 132D according to Modification 3 of Example 2. The edge portion 132D of the pouch of this modification has a clip member 148 that clamps the overlapping sheets SH1 and SH2. The clip member 148 can improve the strength of the edge portion 132C without folding back the sheets SH1 and SH2. From the viewpoint of recyclability, it is desirable that the clip member 148 be made of paper. Furthermore, in this modification, since the sheets SH1 and SH2 are joined by the clip member 148, the resin layers 143 and 145 may be omitted.

[0205] [Other forms] In all of the above-described embodiments, the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100 contains toner, but this is not limiting. For example, the contents contained in the pouch 101 may be ink other than toner, and the pouch 101 can contain powder or liquid. Furthermore, the powder that can be contained in the pouch 101 is not limited to toner. When the pouch 101 contains ink, the toner pack 100 may be attached to an inkjet image forming apparatus.

[0206] Furthermore, in all of the above-described embodiments, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 are configured to be rotatable between the closed position and the open position around the rotation axes A and B. However, this is not limiting. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 may be configured to be movable between the closed position and the open position by linearly moving parallel to the mounting direction M.

[0207] Furthermore, in all of the above-described embodiments, the pack-side shutter 103 is configured to open the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102 only when it is in the open position, but this is not limiting. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 may be a rotating body that opens the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102 regardless of the rotational position. In this case, the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102 may be closed with a seal when the toner pack 100 is not attached to the attachment portion 106, and the seal may be removed during or after the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106. Furthermore, the pack-side shutter 103 of the toner pack 100 may be omitted.

[0208] In the first embodiment described above, the minimum polar moment of inertia of the connecting member 122 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction D1 is configured to be larger than the polar moment of inertia of the pouch 101 in the vicinity of the opening 101b, but this is not limiting. For example, the minimum polar moment of inertia of the connecting member 122 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction D1 may be smaller than the polar moment of inertia of the pouch 101 in the vicinity of the opening 101b. Even with this configuration, by using paper as the main component of the connecting member 122, the proportion of paper parts in the toner pack 100 can be increased, thereby improving recyclability.

[0209] The disclosure of the present embodiment also includes the following configuration examples and method examples. (Configuration 1) A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member and the binding member are mainly composed of paper; The main component of the nozzle is resin. A developer container characterized by: (Configuration 2) The joining member is formed by stacking a plurality of sheets of paper. 2. The developer container according to claim 1, (Configuration 3) The plurality of papers are stacked in an alignment direction in which the container member and the nozzle are aligned. 3. The developer container according to configuration 2. (Configuration 4) The joining member has an adhesive layer for adhering the plurality of sheets of paper adjacent to each other. 4. The developer container according to configuration 2 or 3. (Configuration 5) The plurality of papers include a first paper having a first shape and a second paper having a second shape different from the first shape. 5. The developer container according to any one of configurations 2 to 4. (Configuration 6) the coupling member has an inserted portion having a through hole and an engaged portion, the nozzle has an insertion portion that is inserted into the through hole of the insertion portion and an engagement portion that engages with the engagement portion, The coupling member and the nozzle are coupled to each other by the engagement of the engaged portion and the engaging portion. 6. The developer container according to any one of configurations 2 to 5. (Configuration 7) The coupling member and the nozzle are configured to be separable from each other by relative rotation about a rotation axis extending in an alignment direction in which the container member and the nozzle are aligned, whereby at least one of the engaged portion and the engaging portion is deformed, and the engagement between the engaged portion and the engaging portion is released. 7. The developer container according to configuration 6. (Configuration 8) the plurality of papers include a first paper having a first shape and a second paper having a second shape different from the first shape; At least a part of the engaged portion is formed by the portions of the first paper and the second paper that have different shapes. 7. The developer container according to configuration 6. (Configuration 9) a sealing member that seals a gap between the connecting member and the nozzle; the sealing member is separable from the coupling member and the nozzle by separating the coupling member and the nozzle from each other. 9. The developer container according to any one of configurations 1 to 8. (Configuration 10) The sealing member is made of polyurethane. 10. The developer container according to configuration 9. (Configuration 11) a shutter configured to be movable relative to the nozzle between a blocking position that blocks the discharge port and an opening position that opens the discharge port, The main component of the shutter is resin. 11. The developer container according to any one of Configurations 1 to 10. (Configuration 12) A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member and the binding member are mainly composed of paper; The nozzle is mainly made of resin, At a first position in an alignment direction in which the container member and the nozzle are aligned, the polar moment of area of ​​the coupling member in a first cross section perpendicular to the alignment direction is: at a second position in the alignment direction, is greater than the polar moment of inertia of the container member in a second cross section perpendicular to the alignment direction; The second position is a position where the second cross section does not include the coupling member, the first position is closer to the opening than the second position in the alignment direction; A developer container characterized by: (Configuration 13) the second position is a position spaced apart from an end face of the connecting member in the alignment direction by a distance of 1 / 5 of the total length of the container member in the alignment direction; 13. The developer container according to claim 12, (Configuration 14) The second position is a position 20 mm away from an end face of the coupling member in the alignment direction. 13. The developer container according to claim 12, (Configuration 15) A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member has an edge where a first sheet and a second sheet are overlapped, and is formed into a bag shape by a plurality of sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet; The edge portion of the container member is configured by folding the second sheet so as to wrap around one end portion of the first sheet, and joining the one end portion of the first sheet and the second sheet. A developer container characterized by: (Configuration 16) When the thickness of the first sheet is T1, the thickness of the second sheet is T2, and the thickness of the edge portion is T3, T3≧T1+T2×2 fulfill, 16. The developer container according to claim 15, (Configuration 17) The thickness of the first sheet is equal to the thickness of the second sheet. 17. The developer container according to claim 16, (Configuration 18) The one end of the first sheet and the second sheet are joined to each other by thermal welding. 18. The developer container according to any one of Configurations 15 to 17. (Configuration 19) A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member has an edge where a first sheet and a second sheet are overlapped, and is formed into a bag shape by a plurality of sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet; The edge of the container member has a protective layer formed by applying it to the outer surfaces of the first sheet and the second sheet that are superimposed on each other. A developer container characterized by: (Configuration 20) A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member has an edge where a first sheet and a second sheet are overlapped, and is formed into a bag shape by a plurality of sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet; The edge of the container member includes a clip member that clamps the first sheet and the second sheet that are superimposed on each other. A developer container characterized by: (Configuration 21) The main component of the first sheet and the second sheet is paper. 21. The developer container according to any one of Configurations 15 to 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0210] 100: developer container (toner pack) / 101, 2101: container member (pouch) / 101a: storage section / 101b: opening / 102a: discharge port / 102g: passage / 103: shutter (pack-side shutter) / 121: nozzle (nozzle body) / 121a: insertion section / 122: connecting member / 122b: through hole / 122e: inserted section / 123: engagement section (inner engagement protrusion) / 124 : Engaged portion (engaged groove) / 127: Sealing member / 132, 132B, 132C, 132D: Edge portion / 141: One end portion / 147: Protective layer / 148: Clip member / AD1 to AD3: Adhesive layer / C: Rotation axis / D1: Alignment direction (axial direction) / SH1: First sheet (sheet) / SH2: Second sheet (sheet) / S1: First paper / S2: Second paper / T1, T2, T3: Thickness

Claims

1. A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member and the binding member are mainly composed of paper; The main component of the nozzle is resin. A developer container characterized by:

2. The joining member is formed by stacking a plurality of sheets of paper.

2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a container for developer.

3. The plurality of papers are stacked in an alignment direction in which the container member and the nozzle are aligned.

3. The developer container according to claim 2.

4. The joining member has an adhesive layer for adhering the plurality of sheets of paper adjacent to each other.

3. The developer container according to claim 2.

5. The plurality of papers include a first paper having a first shape and a second paper having a second shape different from the first shape.

3. The developer container according to claim 2.

6. the coupling member has an inserted portion having a through hole and an engaged portion, the nozzle has an insertion portion that is inserted into the through hole of the insertion portion and an engagement portion that engages with the engagement portion, The coupling member and the nozzle are coupled to each other by the engagement of the engaged portion and the engaging portion.

3. The developer container according to claim 2.

7. The coupling member and the nozzle are configured to be separable from each other by relative rotation about a rotation axis extending in an alignment direction in which the container member and the nozzle are aligned, whereby at least one of the engaged portion and the engaging portion is deformed, and the engagement between the engaged portion and the engaging portion is released.

7. The developer container according to claim 6, wherein the developer container is a container for developer.

8. the plurality of papers include a first paper having a first shape and a second paper having a second shape different from the first shape; At least a part of the engaged portion is formed by portions of the first paper and the second paper that have different shapes.

7. The developer container according to claim 6, wherein the developer container is a container for developer.

9. a sealing member that seals a gap between the connecting member and the nozzle; the sealing member is separable from the coupling member and the nozzle by separating the coupling member and the nozzle from each other.

2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a container for developer.

10. The sealing member is made of polyurethane.

10. The developer container according to claim 9.

11. a shutter configured to be movable relative to the nozzle between a blocking position that blocks the discharge port and an opening position that opens the discharge port, The main component of the shutter is resin.

11. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a container for developer.

12. A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member and the binding member are mainly composed of paper; The nozzle is mainly made of resin, At a first position in an alignment direction in which the container member and the nozzle are aligned, the polar moment of area of ​​the coupling member in a first cross section perpendicular to the alignment direction is: at a second position in the alignment direction, the moment of inertia is greater than the polar moment of inertia of the container member in a second cross section perpendicular to the alignment direction; The second position is a position where the second cross section does not include the coupling member, the first position is closer to the opening than the second position in the alignment direction; A developer container characterized by:

13. the second position is a position spaced apart from an end surface of the connecting member in the alignment direction by a distance of 1 / 5 of the total length of the container member in the alignment direction; 13. The developer container according to claim 12.

14. the second position is a position 20 mm away from an end surface of the coupling member in the alignment direction; 13. The developer container according to claim 12.

15. A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member has an edge where a first sheet and a second sheet are overlapped, and is formed into a bag shape by a plurality of sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet; the edge of the container member is configured by folding the second sheet so as to wrap around one end of the first sheet, and joining the one end of the first sheet and the second sheet. A developer container characterized by:

16. When the thickness of the first sheet is T1, the thickness of the second sheet is T2, and the thickness of the edge portion is T3, T3 ≧ T1 + T2 × 2 fulfill, 16. The developer container according to claim 15.

17. The thickness of the first sheet is equal to the thickness of the second sheet.

17. The developer container according to claim 16.

18. the one end of the first sheet and the second sheet are joined to each other by thermal welding; 16. The developer container according to claim 15.

19. A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member has an edge where a first sheet and a second sheet are overlapped, and is formed into a bag shape by a plurality of sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet; The edge of the container member has a protective layer formed by applying it to the outer surfaces of the first sheet and the second sheet that are superimposed on each other. A developer container characterized by:

20. A developer container, a container member that contains a developer and that forms a container portion having an opening; a coupling member attached to the opening; a nozzle connected to the container member via the connecting member, the nozzle having an outlet for discharging the developer to the outside, and a passage configured to allow the developer to pass from the opening of the storage portion to the outlet, the container member has an edge where a first sheet and a second sheet are overlapped, and is formed into a bag shape by a plurality of sheets including the first sheet and the second sheet; the edge of the container member includes a clip member that clamps the first sheet and the second sheet that are superimposed on each other; A developer container characterized by:

21. The first sheet and the second sheet are mainly composed of paper.

21. The developer container according to claim 15, wherein the developer container is a container for developer.

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