Powder supply apparatus and powder processing system using the same

Abstract

To minimize a change in component elements that supply powder to processing targets whose processing order is changeable when the processing order of the processing target is changed, and to achieve sharing of component elements.SOLUTION: A powder supply apparatus comprises: a plurality of pieces of supply means 3 (3a to 3e) that are provided for each of a plurality of processing targets 1 (1a to 1e) that are arranged in a processing order of multiple colors at a predetermined interval p1, and that supply powder divided into a plurality of color components to each of the processing targets 1; a plurality of pieces of storage means 4 (4a to 4e) that are arranged at an interval p2 wider than the arrangement interval p1 of the plurality of processing targets 1 and that store powder divided into the plurality of color components; and a plurality of pieces of conveying means 5 (5a to 5e) that are connected in communication between the plurality of pieces of storage means 4 and the plurality of pieces of supply means 3, and that convey the powder of each color component stored in each storage means 4 to each supply means 3. The plurality of pieces of conveying means 5 include a configuration that can be at least shared for the processing targets 1 whose processing order is changeable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder supplying device and a powder processing system using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional powder supplying device or a powder processing system using the same, those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, are already known. Patent document 1 discloses a developer supply device that supplies developer contained in a developer container to one of multiple replenished parts that are arranged in different positions, and that has multiple conveying paths formed so that they can be connected to the multiple reinforced parts, and of the multiple conveying paths, the conveying path corresponding to one replenished part is connected to that one replenished part, and the other conveying paths are not connected to any of the replenished parts, making it possible to relatively easily change the position of the multiple replenished parts. Patent document 2 discloses an image forming device that can relatively easily change the arrangement of multiple developing devices and change the order in which toner colors are layered on the surface of an intermediate transfer body by changing the arrangement of multiple developing devices in the running direction without changing the arrangement of multiple developer containers, and by changing the routing of multiple conveying paths so that the relationship between the supply source and supply destination in the multiple conveying paths does not change. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-152810 A (Form for carrying out the invention, Figure 8) [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-197766 A (Form for carrying out the invention, Figure 5) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a powder supplying device and a powder processing system using the same that, in a configuration in which powder storage means for multiple color components are arranged at intervals wider than the arrangement intervals of the objects to be processed that are arranged in the processing order of multiple colors, minimizes changes to component elements that supply powder to objects to be processed whose processing order can be changed, and enables the sharing of component elements when the processing order of the objects to be processed is changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device comprising: a plurality of supplying means provided for a plurality of objects to be processed which are arranged at predetermined intervals in a processing order of a plurality of colors, and which supply powder separated into a plurality of color components to each object to be processed; a plurality of storage means arranged at intervals wider than the arrangement interval of the plurality of objects to be processed, and which store powder separated into a plurality of color components; and a plurality of conveying means connected in communication between the plurality of storage means and the plurality of supplying means, respectively, and which transport powder of each color component stored in each storage means to each supplying means, wherein the plurality of conveying means are configured to be at least shareable for objects to be processed whose processing order can be changed.

[0006] A second technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the first technical feature, characterized in that the multiple objects to be processed are changeable between the most upstream color and the most downstream color in the processing order of multiple colors. A third technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the second technical feature, characterized in that the multiple objects to be processed can be changed between colors other than the most upstream color and the most downstream color. A fourth technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the first technical feature, characterized in that the plurality of colors includes a special color in addition to the four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. A fifth technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the fourth technical feature, characterized in that the characteristic color is clear or white. A sixth technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the first technical feature, characterized in that, for objects to be processed whose processing order can be changed, the multiple conveying means are composed of conveying path parts having equal conveying path lengths and conveying members that convey powder along the conveying path parts. A seventh technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the sixth technical feature, characterized in that the transport path components are made of flexible resin pipes. An eighth technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the sixth technical feature, characterized in that the transport path component has an expandable / contractable portion in part. A ninth technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the first technical feature, characterized in that the plurality of conveying means are connected in communication between one side of the storage means in the longitudinal direction and the opposite side of the supplying means in the longitudinal direction. A tenth technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the ninth technical feature, characterized in that the plurality of conveying means are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the arrangement order of the plurality of objects to be processed. An eleventh technical feature of the present invention is a powder supplying device having the tenth technical feature, characterized in that, in an embodiment in which the processing order of the plurality of processed objects can be changed between the most upstream color and the most downstream color, when changing between the most upstream color processed object and the most downstream color processed object, the conveying means is arranged so that the angle can be changed with a conveying drive unit provided on one end of the conveying means as a fulcrum.

[0007] A twelfth technical feature of the present invention is a powder processing system comprising a plurality of objects to be processed arranged at predetermined intervals in a processing order of a plurality of colors, and a plurality of powder supply devices that supply powder of a plurality of color components to the plurality of objects to be processed, wherein the powder supply devices are each a powder supply device having any of the first to eleventh technical features. A thirteenth technical feature of the present invention is a powder processing system having the twelfth technical feature, characterized in that the powder is an image-forming material, the powder supply device is composed of a developing means as the supply means for developing with the image-forming material, a storage means for storing the image-forming material, and a transport means for transporting the image-forming material, and the object to be processed is an image holding means for holding an image created by the image-forming material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the first technical feature of the present invention, in an embodiment in which powder storage means for multiple color components are arranged at intervals wider than the intervals between the objects to be processed that are arranged in the processing order of the multiple colors, when the processing order of the objects to be processed is changed, changes to the component elements that supply powder to the objects to be processed whose processing order can be changed can be minimized, thereby enabling the sharing of component elements. The second technical feature of the present invention is effective in changing the processing target of the most upstream color and the processing target of the most downstream color. The third technical feature of the present invention is also effective in changing the processing target of a color other than the most upstream color and the most downstream color. According to a fourth technical feature of the present invention, in a processing target that includes spot colors other than the four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black in the plurality of colors, the arrangement of the spot color processing targets can be changed. According to the fifth technical feature of the present invention, in a processing target having a special color including a clear color or a white color, the arrangement of the processing target of the special color can be changed. According to a sixth technical feature of the present invention, the conveying means can be easily shared. According to the seventh technical feature of the present invention, it is possible to finely adjust the transport path trajectory of the shared transport means. According to the eighth technical feature of the present invention, the length of the transport path of the shared transport means can be finely adjusted. According to the ninth technical feature of the present invention, compared to other aspects of the present configuration, a wider installation space for the conveying means can be secured, and the conveying means can be effectively utilized as a guide member for cooling air. According to the tenth technical feature of the present invention, the arrangement angle of the transport means can be made smaller than in other aspects of the present configuration, and trajectory interference when replacing the object to be processed can be suppressed. According to the 11th technical feature of the present invention, when changing between the most upstream color processed object and the most downstream color processed object, the arrangement angle of the conveying means can be easily changed, thereby simplifying the work of changing the processed object. According to the 12th technical feature of the present invention, in an embodiment in which powder storage means for multiple color components are arranged at intervals wider than the intervals between the objects to be processed that are arranged in the processing order of multiple colors, when the processing order of the objects to be processed is changed, it is possible to construct a powder processing system that includes a powder supply device that minimizes changes to component elements that supply powder to objects to be processed whose processing order can be changed, thereby enabling the sharing of component elements. According to the thirteenth technical feature of the present invention, the powder processing system can be effectively applied as an image forming system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of an embodiment of a powder processing system including a powder supply device to which the present invention is applied, (b) is a plan view of (a) seen from above, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of application of the powder supply device when the processing order is changed between the most upstream color processed object and the most downstream color processed object. [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system as a powder processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic configuration of a toner supply system of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a mounting device for a toner cartridge of a toner supply system according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transport path component as a transport means connecting a toner cartridge and a developing unit in a toner supply system, and FIG. 1(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the relative positions of the toner cartridge, the transport path component, and the developing unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 1(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transport path component used in this embodiment, FIG. 1(b) is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which the transport path component shown in FIG. 1(a) is made of an elastic pipe, and FIG. 1(c) is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment in which the transport path component shown in FIG. 1(a) has an expandable portion. [Figure 7] 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the arrangement relationship between a plurality of image forming units for each color component and each toner cartridge containing each color toner in the image forming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory plan view in which the toner cartridges for each color are omitted from FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the configuration of transport path components when the processing order of the most upstream color image forming unit and the most downstream color image forming unit is changed. [Figure 10] (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of an image forming unit whose most upstream color is white and whose most downstream color is black; (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the overlapping state between the white image portion and the colored image portion on the intermediate transfer body and the overlapping state between the white image portion and the colored image portion on the medium in the arrangement of the image forming units shown in (a); (c) is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of an image forming unit whose most upstream color is black and whose most downstream color is white; (d) is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the overlapping state between the white image portion and the colored image portion on the intermediate transfer body and the overlapping state between the white image portion and the colored image portion on the medium in the arrangement of the image forming units shown in (c). [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of cooling structures around transport path components for each color in the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a toner supply system of an image forming system according to a first comparative example. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of a toner supply system of an image forming system according to a first modified embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of transport path components when the processing order of the most upstream color image forming unit and the most downstream color image forming unit is changed in the image forming system according to the first modified embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of a toner supply system of an image forming system according to a second modified embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Overview of the implementation form FIG. 1(a) shows an outline of an embodiment of a powder processing system using a powder supplying device to which the present invention is applied. In the same figure, the powder processing system includes a plurality of objects 1 (e.g., 1a to 1e) arranged at predetermined intervals in the processing order of a plurality of colors, and a plurality of powder supply devices 2 (e.g., 2a to 2e) that supply powder of a plurality of color components to the plurality of objects 1. In this example, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the powder supplying device 2 (2a to 2e) is provided for each of a plurality of objects 1 (1a to 1e) to be processed, which are arranged at predetermined intervals p1 in the order of processing of a plurality of colors, and includes a plurality of supplying means 3 (e.g., 3a to 3e) for supplying powder separated into a plurality of color components to each of the objects 1 (1a to 1e), and a plurality of supplying means 3 (e.g., 3a to 3e) for storing powder separated into a plurality of color components, which are arranged at intervals p2 wider than the arrangement intervals p1 of the plurality of objects 1 to be processed. The system comprises a plurality of storage means 4 (e.g., 4a to 4e), and a plurality of conveying means 5 (e.g., 5a to 5e) that are connected in communication between the plurality of storage means 4 (4a to 4e) and the plurality of supplying means 3 (3a to 3e), respectively, and that convey the powder of each color component stored in each storage means 4 (4a to 4e) to each supplying means 3 (3a to 3e), and the plurality of conveying means 5 (e.g., 5a to 5e) are configured to be at least shareable for objects 1 to be processed whose processing order can be changed. In FIG. 1(b), reference numeral 6 denotes a connection port between the supply means 3 and the conveying means 5, and reference numeral 7 denotes a connection port between the storage means 4 and the conveying means 5.

[0011] In this technical means, the "powder processing system" in this example broadly includes a system that supplies powder to the object to be processed 1 and processes it using the powder. A typical example of a powder processing system is an image forming system. In this case, the powder is an image-forming material, and the powder supply device 2 is composed of a developing means (supply means 3) that develops with the image-forming material, a storage means 4 that stores the image-forming material, and a transport means (transport means 5) that transports the image-forming material, and the object to be processed 1 is an image-holding means that holds the image created by the image-forming material. The image-holding means here refers to a part of the image-forming unit, such as a photosensitive member or a dielectric. However, the powder processing system is not limited to the image forming system described above, but can also be applied to a powder spraying system that sprays powder onto the object 1 to be processed, a powder coating system that applies powder, etc.

[0012] This example is based on the premise that the arrangement interval p1 of the plurality of objects 1 to be treated is wider than the arrangement interval p2 of the plurality of storage means 4. This is intended to increase the amount of powder that can be stored in the plurality of storage means 4 and lengthen the time for which the powder is supplied to the objects 1 to be treated. In this example, the multiple colors may be selected as appropriate, but examples include the four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, or a color that includes a special color in addition to the four colors mentioned above. The "special color" here includes, but is not limited to, clear color and white, as well as gold, silver, and even special colors such as a company's image color. Furthermore, the objects 1 are not limited to being arranged horizontally, but may also be arranged vertically. If the objects 1 are arranged horizontally, the multiple storage means 4 of the powder supplying device 2 will generally be arranged horizontally. If the objects 1 are arranged vertically, the multiple storage means 4 of the powder supplying device 2 will generally be arranged vertically.

[0013] Furthermore, the multiple conveying means 5 are not limited to a form in which one longitudinal side of the storage means 4 is connected to the opposite longitudinal side of the supply means 3, but may also be configured to connect one longitudinal side to another or opposite longitudinal sides to another. Furthermore, the multiple transport means 5 (e.g., 5a to 5e) only need to have a structure that can be shared for at least the objects 1 to be processed whose processing order is changeable. In other words, the multiple transport means 5 that have a structure that can be shared only need to be compatible with the objects 1 to be processed whose processing order is changeable. Therefore, for multiple objects 1 to be processed whose processing order is fixed and cannot be changed, the corresponding transport means 5 does not need to have a structure that can be shared. However, they may have a structure that can be shared.

[0014] Next, a representative or preferred embodiment of the powder supplying device 2 according to this embodiment will be described. First, a typical embodiment of this example is one in which the most upstream color and the most downstream color in the processing order of the plurality of colors can be changed for the plurality of processing targets 1. Generally, if the arrangement interval p1 of the plurality of objects 1 to be treated differs from the arrangement interval p2 of the plurality of storage means 4, the arrangement angle and conveyance length of the plurality of conveyance means that connect them in communication will differ, for example, in an embodiment in which they extend in the longitudinal direction of the objects to be treated. In particular, in an embodiment in which the objects 1 to be treated are arranged based on the most upstream or most downstream color object to be treated 1, when changing the most upstream or most downstream color object to be treated 1, the arrangement angle and conveyance length of the conveyance means will differ significantly, so when changing the arrangement, it is necessary to replace the conveyance means with a separate part.

[0015] In contrast, in this example, as shown in Figure 1(c), when changing the processing order of the most upstream color processed object 1a(1) and the most downstream color processed object 1e(1), it is possible to share the conveying means 5a(5) and the conveying means 5e(5). 1(a) and 1(b), the most downstream color object to be processed 1a(1) and the most downstream color object to be processed 1e(1) are arranged with the greatest spacing between them. However, in this example, if a line passing through the center of the arrangement direction of the middle color object to be processed 1c(1) is taken as the reference line Q, the spacing (2×p1) between the reference line Q and the most upstream color object to be processed 1a(1) becomes equal to the spacing (2×p1) between the reference line Q and the most downstream color object to be processed 1e(1).

[0016] Assume that the conveying means 5c(5) for the middle-colored object 1c(1) is positioned approximately parallel to the reference line Q. In this case, the most upstream-colored object 1a(1) and the most downstream-colored object 1e(1) are positioned symmetrically about the reference line Q. The angle of inclination of the conveying means 5a(5) for the most upstream-colored object 1a(1) relative to a reference parallel line parallel to the reference line Q is approximately equal to the angle of inclination of the conveying means 5e(5) for the most downstream-colored object 1e(1) relative to a reference parallel line parallel to the reference line Q. Therefore, the conveying means 5a(5) and the conveying means 5e(5) only need to have approximately equal conveying path lengths, and their angles of inclination relative to the parallel reference lines are also approximately equal. Therefore, in this example, the conveying means 5a(5) for the most upstream-colored object 1a(1) and the conveying means 5e(5) for the most downstream-colored object 1e(1) can be configured to be interchangeable.

[0017] Furthermore, the colors of the plurality of objects 1 may be changeable between colors other than the most upstream color and the most downstream color. In this case, if the objects 1 can be changed between colors other than the most upstream color and the most downstream color, the corresponding conveying means 5 may be configured to be shareable. Furthermore, in this example, the multiple colors may be only cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), but it is preferable to include a special color in addition to these. When a special color is included, it is preferable to place the special color (e.g., clear, white, etc.) at the most upstream or most downstream color, since changing the processing order of the object 1 to be processed has a greater effect on the processing results of the powder than when only four colors are used for full-color printing.

[0018] Furthermore, a typical embodiment of the multiple conveying means 5 is one in which the conveying means 5 is configured with conveying path parts having equal conveying path lengths for the object 1 whose processing order can be changed, and a conveying member that conveys powder along the conveying path parts. Here, in order to configure the conveying means 5 so that it can be shared, it is preferable that the conveying path components are made of flexible resin pipes, even if there is a subtle change in the conveying path trajectory of the conveying means 5. In this case, the flexibility of the conveying path components makes it easier to absorb subtle changes in the conveying path trajectory of the conveying means 5. Furthermore, when configuring the conveying means 5 to be shareable, it is preferable that the conveying path components have an expandable portion that can be expanded or contracted in part, even if the conveying path length of the conveying means 5 is slightly different. In this case, the conveying path length of the conveying means 5 can be adjusted by the expandable portion of the conveying path components.

[0019] In addition, a preferred embodiment of the plurality of conveying means 5 is one in which one longitudinal side of the storage means 4 is connected to the opposite longitudinal side of the supply means 3. In this embodiment, it is possible to ensure a sufficiently long conveying path length for the conveying means 5. Therefore, when the conveying means 5 is configured to be shareable, this is preferable in that it is easier to accommodate subtle changes in the conveying path length compared to when the conveying path length of the conveying means 5 is short. A preferred embodiment of the plurality of transport means 5 is that they are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the arrangement order of the plurality of objects to be processed 1. In this case, in a mode in which the most upstream color and the most downstream color of the multiple processed objects 1 can be changed in the processing order, when changing the most upstream color processed object 1a(1) and the most downstream color processed object 1e(1), as shown in Figure 1(c), the conveying means 5 (5a, 5e) can be arranged so that the angle can be changed with a conveying drive unit (not shown) provided on one end side of the conveying means 5 (5a, 5e) as a fulcrum.

[0020] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of an image forming system as a powder processing system according to the first embodiment. -Overall configuration of image formation system- In the figure, an image forming system 20 has a device housing 21 having a required external shape. The internal space of this device housing 21 houses main elements such as an image forming engine 22, a medium transport system 23, and a fixing device 24.

[0021] -Imaging engine- In Figure 3, the image creation engine 22 includes a plurality of (five in this example) image forming units 30 (specifically, 30a to 30e) that form images of a plurality of (five in this example) color components, an intermediate transfer body 40 that sequentially transfers and holds the images of each color component formed by the plurality of image forming units 30 to a position where they are transferred to a medium, and a transfer device 50 that secondarily (collectively) transfers the images of each color component held on the intermediate transfer body 40 to the medium. In this example, each image forming unit 30 (30a-30e) forms an image of each color component, including white (W) as a special color and the four colors used for full-color printing: cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). In this example, the image forming units 30 (30a-30e) are arranged such that white (W) is the most upstream color, yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are arranged downstream, with black (K) being the most downstream color. However, the arrangement of the image forming units 30 (30a-30e) may be modified as appropriate. For example, white (W) may be the most downstream color, and black (K) may instead be the most upstream color. Of course, the multiple image forming units 30 may also include units that form images of other color components (e.g., transparent (clear), special special color components, etc.). Furthermore, in this example, the image creation engine 22 forms an image on a medium via the intermediate transfer body 40, but it may also form an image directly on a medium without using the intermediate transfer body 40.

[0022] <Image forming section> In the figure, each image forming unit 30 (30a to 30e) employs an electrophotographic system. In this example, each image forming unit 30 (30a to 30e) has a photoconductor 31 that rotates in a predetermined direction. Around the photoconductor 31, devices such as a charger 32, an exposure unit 33, a developing unit 34, and a cleaning unit 35 are sequentially arranged. Here, the photoreceptor 31 is configured, for example, in the shape of a drum, and has a photosensitive layer on its surface that serves as an image forming surface and an image bearing surface. The charger 32 charges the outer surface of the photoreceptor 31 to a desired surface potential. The charger 32 may be a non-contact charging system using corona discharge or a contact charging system using a charging roll, for example. Furthermore, the exposure unit 33 irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 31 with light according to image information to form electrostatic latent images for each color component image. A light irradiation device such as a laser scanner or an LED array is used as the exposure unit 33. In this example, the exposure unit 33 is provided individually for each image forming unit 30 (30a to 30e), but some or all of the exposure units may be shared.

[0023] The developing devices 34 (34a to 34e in this example) use developers containing toner of each color component as an example of an image-forming material, and develop each electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 31 into an image using toner of each color component. Furthermore, a toner supply mechanism 36 is provided in the space above the developing devices 34 of each image forming unit 30, and is connected to and communicates with each developing device 34. A toner cartridge 37 containing toner for supply is detachably provided in each toner supply mechanism 36. The cleaner 35 is provided on the photoreceptor 31 downstream in the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 31 from the primary transfer position onto the intermediate transfer body 40. The cleaner 35 cleans off toner and other residues remaining on the photoreceptor 31 after the primary transfer. In this example, an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive member 31 and an exposure device 33 is adopted, but this is not limited to this, and it is of course also possible to adopt an electrostatic recording method using a dielectric and an ion flow writer.

[0024] <Intermediate transfer body> In this example, the intermediate transfer body 40 is an endless belt member made of, for example, polyimide resin. The intermediate transfer body 40 is stretched over multiple (six in this example) tension rolls 41 (specifically, 41a to 41f). In this example, of the multiple tension rolls 41, for example, tension roll 41a is used as a drive roll, and the other tension rolls 41b to 41f are used as driven rolls. In this example, the photosensitive elements 31 of each image forming unit 30 are arranged at predetermined intervals facing the horizontal portion of the intermediate transfer body 40 stretched between tension rolls 41a and 41b. A primary transfer device 42 is provided on the rear surface of the horizontal portion of the intermediate transfer body 40, facing the photoconductor 31 of each image forming unit 30. Each primary transfer device 42 electrostatically transfers an image formed in each image forming unit 30 onto the intermediate transfer body 40. Any primary transfer device 42 may be selected as long as it generates a transfer electric field that attracts the image on the photoconductor 31 toward the intermediate transfer body 40. For example, a transfer member (such as a transfer roll or a discharge wire for generating corona discharge) may be provided facing the photoconductor 31, and a transfer voltage for primary transfer may be applied to this transfer member. Furthermore, an intermediate transfer body cleaner 45 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body 40 that is stretched over the tension roll 41a. This intermediate transfer body cleaner 45 cleans off any toner, paper dust, and other residues remaining on the intermediate transfer body 40 after the image has been transferred to the medium.

[0025] <Transfer device> In this example, the transfer device 50 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body 40, stretched over the tension roll 41e. This transfer device 50 electrostatically transfers the image held on the intermediate transfer body 40 to the medium. Any suitable transfer device 50 may be used as long as it generates a transfer electric field that attracts the image on the intermediate transfer body toward the medium. For example, a transfer member 51 may be placed opposite the tension roll 41e of the intermediate transfer body 40, and a transfer voltage for secondary transfer may be applied to the transfer member 51 or the tension roll 41e to form a transfer electric field for secondary (collective) transfer between the transfer member 51 and the tension roll 41e. In this example, a transfer belt module 52 is used as the transfer member 51. This transfer belt module 52 has a transfer belt 52c stretched between a transfer roll 52a and a peel roll 52b. In this example, a transfer electric field is formed between the transfer roll 52a and the tension roll 41e, and the area of ​​effect of this transfer electric field serves as the transfer zone TR. Then, the medium S undergoes an image transfer operation in the transfer area TR, and after passing through the transfer area TR, is guided along the transfer belt 52c and is peeled off by the peeling roll 52b. The transfer member 51 is not limited to the transfer belt module 52, but may be any suitable member such as a transfer roll alone or a discharge wire utilizing corona discharge.

[0026] -Media transport system- In this example, the medium transport system 23 is equipped with a medium supply device 60 that supplies the medium S. In this example, the medium S is in the form of sheets cut to a predetermined size. This medium supply device 60 stores the medium S in a storage container 61, and feeds the medium S one by one using a feeder 62. Note that in this example, one storage container 61 is provided, but multiple storage containers 61 may be provided. Also provided within the device housing 21 is a vertical transport path 63 that transports the medium S supplied from the medium supply device 60 in a substantially vertical direction. Above this vertical transport path 63 is a horizontal transport path 64 that transports the medium S in a substantially horizontal direction. Here, the horizontal transport path 64 extends to a discharge outlet 21a opened in a side wall of the device housing 21. Then, outside the discharge outlet 21a of the device housing 21, a discharge receiver (not shown) that receives the discharged medium S is provided. Also, an appropriate number of transport rolls 65 (specifically 65a to 65e) are provided on the vertical transport path 63 and the horizontal transport path 64. Note that the transport roll 65e provided immediately before the discharge outlet 21a functions as a discharge roll that discharges the medium S to the discharge receiver. Furthermore, an alignment roll 66 is provided on the horizontal transport path 64 upstream of the transfer zone TR of the transfer device 50 in the transport direction of the medium S. This alignment roll 66 aligns the leading edge of the medium S supplied from the medium supply device 60, and then sends the medium S toward the transfer zone TR at an appropriate timing. A guide member 67 is provided between the alignment roll 66 and the transfer zone TR to guide the medium S toward the transfer zone TR.

[0027] A conveyor belt 68 is provided on the horizontal conveyance path 64 downstream of the transfer device 50 in the conveyance direction of the medium S. The conveyor belt 68 stably holds and conveys the medium S carrying an unfixed image in a state of electrostatic attraction. Furthermore, a fixing device 24 is provided on the horizontal conveyance path 64 downstream of the conveyance belt 68 in the conveyance direction of the medium S. In this example, the medium transport system 23 includes only the vertical transport path 63 and the horizontal transport path 64, but is not limited to this. For example, a reversible branch transport path (not shown) that branches downward from the horizontal transport path 64 between the fixing device 24 and the post-processing device 25 may be provided. In an embodiment with such a branch transport path, the medium inverted on the branch transport path may be returned from the vertical transport path 63 to the horizontal transport path 64 via a return transport path. In this case, an image can be transferred to the reverse side of the inverted medium in the transfer zone TR. Alternatively, a branch return transport path that branches off from the branch transport path may be provided so that the inverted medium is discharged to a medium discharge receptacle outside the device housing 21.

[0028] - Fixing device - In this example, as shown in FIG. 4( a), the fixing device 24 fixes an image on the medium S by applying heat and pressure. The fixing device 24 includes a heating roll 71 as a fixing member for heating, and a pressure roll 72 as a fixing member for applying pressure. The heating roll 71 is disposed in contact with the image bearing surface of the medium S, and rotates by receiving a driving force from a driving source (not shown). On the other hand, the pressure roll 72 is disposed opposite and pressurized to the heating roll 71, and rotates following the heating roll 71. Therefore, the fixing device 24 passes the toner image G held on the medium S through a fixing zone FR between the heating roll 71 and the pressure roll 72, and fixes the image G by applying heat and pressure.

[0029] In this example, the heating roll 71 is configured to have a heater (not shown) built into a roll body (not shown) made of metal with good thermal conductivity. However, the heating method of the heating roll 71 is not limited to this, and the roll body may be heated by bringing an external heater (not shown) into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roll body. On the other hand, the pressure roll 72 is made by laminating a heat-resistant elastic layer around a metal core and covering the surface of the elastic layer with a protective layer. A heater may be added to the pressure roll 72 as needed. In this example, the medium S passes through the fixing zone FR between the heating roll 71 and the pressure roll 72 while being sandwiched by the elastic deformation of the pressure roll 72, and the image G on the medium S is heated and pressurized. In this example, the fixing device 24 is configured as a pair of rolls, but is not limited to this, and instead of the heating roll 71, it may be configured as an appropriate device, such as a heating belt that uses an electromagnetic induction heating method.

[0030] -Toner supply system- In this example, a toner supply system is provided as a powder supply device, which includes a developing unit 34, a toner cartridge 37, a toner replenishing mechanism 36, and a transport path component 110. <Example of developing unit configuration> In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing devices 34 (34a to 34e) of each image forming unit 30 employ a two-component development system using a two-component developer containing toner and carrier. Each developing device 34 includes a developing housing 341 that accommodates the developer. The developing housing 341 has an opening facing the photoconductor 31, and a developing roll 342 is disposed facing the opening, facing the photoconductor 31. The developing roll 342 is a magnetic roll with magnets arranged in the circumferential direction, and a rotatable sleeve is disposed around the magnetic roll. A layer thickness regulating member 343 is also provided facing the developing roll 342. The developing roll 342 rotates while holding the developer on the surface of the sleeve. The developer is then regulated to an appropriate layer thickness by the layer thickness regulating member 343 before being transported to the development zone facing the photoconductor 31. Furthermore, a pair of developer stirring members 344, 345 extending along the axial direction of the developing roll 342 are provided within the developing housing 341. These developer stirring members 344 and 345 have spiral blade members arranged around the rotation shaft, and charge and transport the developer while stirring it.

[0031] <Toner cartridge structure> In this example, each toner cartridge 37 (specifically, 37a to 37e) is a replaceable cartridge-type toner container, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. This toner cartridge 37 contains toner of one of the colors, or toner containing a small amount of carrier, as an example of powder, for the developing device 34 (34a to 34e) of each image forming unit 30. This toner cartridge 37 is detachably mounted to the mounting device 80. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the toner cartridge 37 is composed of a cylindrical container body 371 and an end holding frame 372 that rotatably holds the rear end of the container body 371 in the longitudinal direction. In this example, an openable / closable discharge port 375 is provided at the rear end of the container body 371 in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a spiral groove 373 is provided at an appropriate pitch on the outer circumferential surface of the container body 371. This spiral groove 373 has a shape that protrudes spirally from the inside of the container body 371. Therefore, when the container body 371 rotates in a certain direction, it functions as a conveying protrusion that conveys the contained toner toward the discharge port 375. Furthermore, a handle portion 374 is provided at the front end of the container body 371 in the longitudinal direction. The toner contained in the toner cartridge 37 is supplied to each of the developing devices 34 (34a to 34e) via a toner supply mechanism 36 disposed below the mounting device 80. In this example, a transport path part 110 is provided between each toner supply mechanism 36 and each developing unit 34 as a toner transport means.

[0032] <Example of cartridge mounting structure> 3 and 4, the mounting device 80 has a mounting portion 81 to which the toner cartridge 37 is detachably mounted by pushing in and pulling out the toner cartridge 37. The mounting portion 81 is provided with a receiving port (not shown) for receiving toner supplied from the toner cartridge. The mounting portion 81 is also provided with an opening / closing lid 83 that opens and closes the receiving port in conjunction with the pushing in and pulling out of the toner cartridge 37. The mounting portion 81 also has a base 85 that supports the toner cartridge 37, and this base 85 is provided with rotating rollers 86 that rotatably support the toner cartridge 37. A holding portion 87 that holds an end holding frame 372 of the toner cartridge 37 is provided at the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 81. A coupling 89 that transmits the rotational driving force from the motor 100 to the container body 371 of the toner cartridge 37 is provided at this holding portion 87.

[0033] <Toner supply mechanism> 3 and 4, the toner supply mechanism 36 has a supply housing 91 having an inlet (not shown) formed on the top surface thereof for receiving toner supplied from the toner cartridge 37 through the mounting device 80. A pair of transport members 93, 94 are arranged in parallel inside the supply housing 91. These transport members 93, 94 circulate and transport the toner within the supply housing 91. A sending member 95 is provided between the transport members 93, 94, facing a connection port 131 with the transport path component 110, and rotates at the required time. The sending member 95 sends the toner in the supply housing 91 toward each of the developing units 34.

[0034] <Toner supply control to developing unit> The toner supply control by the toner cartridge 37 and the toner supply mechanism 36 is carried out as follows. 3, the amount of developer (the amount of toner in the case of a two-component developer) contained in each developing device 34 is detected by a detection sensor 96. A control device 97 detects the detection information from the detection sensor 96 and determines whether or not there is a shortage of toner in the developing device 34. Then, the control device 97 drives a motor 98 that rotates a delivery member 95 and the like for a required time. Toner is also supplied from the toner cartridge 37 to the toner supply mechanism 36. In this example, a sensor 99 is provided to detect the amount of toner in the supply housing 91. When this sensor 99 detects that the amount of toner in the supply housing 91 is insufficient, the control device 97 receives the detection information from the sensor 99 and drives a conveying member that feeds toner from the toner cartridge 37, a motor 100 that rotates the toner cartridge 37, and the like for the required time.

[0035] -Transportation route parts- 5(a), 5(b) and 6(a), the transport path part 110 includes a first connecting pipe 111 that is connected to a connection port 131 of the supply housing 91 of the toner supply mechanism 36, a second connecting pipe 112 that is connected to a connection port 132 provided in the development housing 341 of the developing unit 34, and a transport path pipe 113 that is connected to the first connecting pipe 111 and the second connecting pipe 112. In FIG. 5(b), the symbol Fr denotes the front side of the device housing 21 in the operation direction by the user, and the symbol Rr denotes the rear side. Here, the first connecting pipe 111 and the second connecting pipe 112 may be formed as separate parts from the transport path pipe 113, or may be formed integrally with the transport path pipe 113 in advance. In this example, the first connecting pipe 111 and the second connecting pipe 112 are fixedly connected to the supply housing 91 and the developing housing 341 with fasteners such as screws. In this example, the first connecting pipe 111 and the second connecting pipe 112 extend in a substantially vertical direction. The first connecting pipe 111 causes the toner in the toner supply mechanism 36 to fall in a substantially vertical direction by its own weight. In addition, the second connecting pipe 112 causes the toner in the transport path pipe 113 to fall in a substantially vertical direction by its own weight.

[0036] In this example, the first connecting pipe 111 is connected to the front side in the longitudinal direction of the supply housing 91, and the second connecting pipe 112 is connected to the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the developing housing 341. Therefore, the transport path pipe 113 is stretched between the first connecting pipe 111 and the second connecting pipe 112, and is arranged to extend from the front side to the rear side along the longitudinal direction of the developing housing 341. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the transport path pipe 113 includes a cylindrical transport pipe 114 that defines the transport path, and a transport member 115 that extends along the longitudinal direction of the transport pipe 114. In this example, the conveying pipe 114 is made of a pipe member made of, for example, synthetic resin. The conveying pipe 114 is held by a support plate 120 provided in a part of the device housing 21 via a holding bracket 121. Furthermore, the conveying member 115 has a spiral blade member 117 provided around a rotation shaft 116 extending in the longitudinal direction of the conveying pipe 114. Both ends of the conveying pipe 114 are closed, and both ends of the conveying member 115 are rotatably supported via bearings 118 and 119. Furthermore, a rotation drive unit 122 that rotates and drives the conveying member 115 is provided on one end of the rotation shaft 116 of the conveying member 115. In this example, the rotation drive unit 122 is provided on the support plate 120. This rotation drive unit 122 includes a motor and a drive transmission mechanism that transmits driving force from the motor. Reference numeral 125 denotes a holder that holds the conveying path pipe 113 midway and is fixed to a support frame (not shown) or the like within the device housing 21.

[0037] -Arrangement and Positional Relationship of Toner Cartridges 37 and Photoconductors 31 (Developing Units 34)- In this example, if the arrangement distance between the centers of the photosensitive elements 31 of each image forming unit 30 (30a to 30e: arranged in order from the most upstream side, #1 to #5) is p1 and the arrangement distance between the centers of the toner cartridges 37 is p2, as shown in Figure 7, as the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 37 increases, the relationship p2>p1 is satisfied. In this example, the toner cartridges 37 are each detachably mounted in the mounting device 80. In this example, the image forming units 30 and the toner cartridges 37 are arranged based on the image forming unit 30c of the color (magenta M:#3 in this example) located in the middle between the image forming unit 30a of the most upstream color (white W:#1 in this example) and the image forming unit 30e of the most downstream color (black K:#5 in this example). In this example, the relative arrangement of the image forming units 30 (30a to 30e) and the toner cartridges 37 is selected based on the position of the developing device .

[0038] In this example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, first, the image forming units 30 (30a to 30e) are arranged at an arrangement interval p1 between the centers of the photosensitive members 31. On the other hand, the toner cartridges 37 (37a to 37e) are arranged at an arrangement interval p2 between the centers of the toner cartridges 37. However, the reference line Q passing through the center of the magenta toner cartridge 37c (37) is selected to match the position of the developing device 34c of the magenta image forming unit 30c. Therefore, in this example, the transport path components 110 leading from each toner cartridge 37 (37a to 37e) to each image forming unit 30 (30a to 30e) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the reference line Q of the magenta (M:#3) image forming unit 30c, as shown in Figure 8.

[0039] That is, the transport path component 110c toward the magenta (M:#3) image forming unit 30c is disposed in a direction along the reference line Q. Therefore, the angle θc between the installation posture of the magenta (M) transport path component 110c and the reference line Q is approximately 0. Furthermore, the transport path part 110a leading to the image forming unit 30a for the most upstream color white (W:#1) and the transport path part 110e leading to the image forming unit 30e for the most downstream color black (K:#5) are disposed symmetrically with respect to the reference line Q. Therefore, the transport path part 110a for the most upstream color and the transport path part 110e for the most downstream color amber are disposed symmetrically with inclination angles θa and θe, respectively, relative to a parallel reference line that is parallel to the reference line Q. Therefore, in this example, the transport path part 110a for the most upstream color (mainly the transport path pipe 113) and the transport path part 110e for the most downstream color (mainly the transport path pipe 113) have in common that they are parts with the same transport path length L.

[0040] Furthermore, the transport path component 110b leading to the yellow (Y:#2) image forming component 30b adjacent to the magenta image forming component 30c and the transport path component 110d leading to the cyan (C:#4) image forming component 30d are disposed symmetrically with respect to the reference line Q. Therefore, the yellow (Y:#2) transport path component 110b and the cyan (C:#4) transport path component 110d are disposed symmetrically at angles θb and θd, respectively, with respect to a parallel reference line that is parallel to the reference line Q. Therefore, in this example, the yellow (Y:#2) transport path component 110b (mainly the transport path pipe 113) and the cyan (C:#4) transport path component 110d (mainly the transport path pipe 113) have in common that they are components with the same transport path length L1.

[0041] Thus, in this example, although the transport path part 110a of the most upstream color white (W:#1) and the transport path part 110e of the most downstream color black (K:#5) are different in that they are symmetrically positioned, the configuration of the individual parts can be made as shared parts with the same transport path length L. Furthermore, in this example, although the yellow (Y:#2) transport path component 110b and the cyan (C:#4) transport path component 110d differ in that their arrangements are symmetrical, the components as individual components can be fabricated as shared components with the same transport path length L1.

[0042] -How to change the processing order between the top and bottom colors- In this example, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the most upstream color is the image forming unit 30a for white (W), and the most downstream color is the image forming unit 30e for black (K). In this state, if the image forming units 30a to 30e form toner images of each color, as shown in FIG. 10(b), a white image portion G W Above the color image area G YMCK Therefore, when the image G on the intermediate transfer body 40 is transferred to the medium S in a lump in the transfer device 50, the color image portion G YMCK White image area G on top WA multiple image is obtained by stacking the

[0043] On the other hand, if you want to change the processing order of the most upstream color image forming unit 30a and the most downstream color image forming unit 30, you can use black (K) toner in the most upstream color image forming unit 30s and white (W) toner in the most downstream color image forming unit 30e, as shown in Figure 10(c). 9, to use white (W) toner in the image forming unit 30a for the most upstream color, the image forming unit 30e or the developing unit 34e used in the image forming unit 30e for the most downstream color can be installed in the image forming unit 30a for the most upstream color. Furthermore, the toner cartridge 37e, the toner supply mechanism 36, and the transport path part 110e for the most downstream color can be used as the toner cartridge 37a, the toner supply mechanism 36, and the transport path part 110a for the most upstream color.

[0044] Conversely, the image forming unit 30a or the developing unit 34a used in the image forming unit 30a for the most upstream color may be installed in the image forming unit 30e for the most downstream color. Furthermore, the toner cartridge 37a, the toner supply mechanism 36, and the transport path part 110a for the most upstream color may be used as the toner cartridge 37e, the toner supply mechanism 36, and the transport path part 110e for the most downstream color. In this case, the transport path components 110a and 110e are shareable components with the same transport path length L, and as shown in Figure 9, the transport path components 110a and 110e can be installed by changing the placement angle with the rotation drive unit 122 serving as a fulcrum 123.

[0045] When the processing order of the most upstream color and the most downstream color is exchanged, if the toner images of each color are formed in the image forming units 30a to 30e as shown in FIG. 10(c), the color image area G on the intermediate transfer body 40 will be as shown in FIG. 10(d). YMCK White image area G on top W Therefore, when the image G on the intermediate transfer body 40 is transferred to the medium S in a lump in the transfer device 50, the white image portion G is formed on the medium S. W Color image area G on top YMCKTherefore, when the order of processing the most upstream color and the most downstream color is changed as in this example, a white image portion G is formed on the medium S. W Therefore, it is possible to create a white image portion G on a black medium or the like. W It is also possible to draw

[0046] -Cooling structure for toner supply system- In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, transport path components 110 (110a to 110e) that connect each image forming unit 30 (30a to 30e) and the toner cartridges 37 (37a to 37e) are arranged between the front and rear sides of the device housing 21. For this reason, in this example, an air duct 140 extending in the left-right width direction of the device housing 21 is formed, for example, on the outer side of the front frame 21f of the device housing 21. An inlet opening 141 for air circulation is opened in the air duct 140 facing the hollow area between the transport path components 110. Also, an outlet opening 142 for air circulation is provided in the rear frame 21r of the device housing 21 facing the hollow area between the transport path components 110. A fan 143 is provided in a part of the side frame (not shown) of the device housing 21, and air blown out from the fan 143 is made to flow into the air duct 140. According to this example, air from the fan 143 passes through the air duct 140 and enters the device housing 21 from the inlet opening 141. The air that has entered travels along each transport path component 110 toward the rear frame 21r and is discharged from the outlet opening 142. In this state, the air cools the ambient temperature around the transport path part 110 in the device housing 21. Therefore, there is no concern that the temperature around the transport path part 110 in the device housing 21 will rise abnormally.

[0047] Comparison form 1 FIG. 12 shows a toner supply system of an image forming system according to a comparative example. In the same figure, if the arrangement distance between the centers of each photosensitive element 31 of each image forming unit 30 (30a to 30e) is p1 and the arrangement distance between the centers of each toner cartridge 37 is p2 (not shown in Figure 12), as the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 37 increases, the relationship p2>p1 is satisfied. In this example, the image forming units 30a of the most upstream color (white W in this example) are used as the reference, and each image forming unit 30 is arranged at an arrangement interval p1, and further, each toner cartridge 37 is also arranged with the most upstream color as the reference. In this example, as shown in FIG. 12, the arrangement angle of each transport path component 210 (210a-210e) between the toner cartridge (not shown) and the developing device 34 (34a-34e), in other words, the inclination angle θ (θa-θe) relative to the reference line Q or a parallel reference line parallel to the reference line Q, increases toward the most downstream color. In other words, the inclination angle θ (θa<θb<θc<θd<θe) corresponding to the arrangement angle of each transport path component 210 (210a-210e) and the transport path length are different from each other. In particular, when changing the image forming units 30 (30a, 30e) for the most downstream color and the most upstream color, the arrangement angle and transport path length of the transport path component 210 are significantly different, so that the transport path component 210 needs to be replaced with a different component when changing the arrangement.

[0048] ◎Transformation form 1 FIG. 13 shows a main part of a toner supply system of an image forming system according to the first modified embodiment. In the figure, the arrangement interval p1 between the centers of the photosensitive members 31 of each image forming unit 30 (30a to 30e) and the arrangement interval p2 between the centers of the toner cartridges 37 satisfy the relationship p2>p1. In this example, unlike embodiment 1, each image forming unit 30 is arranged at an arrangement interval p1 with the yellow (Y:#2) image forming unit 30b as the reference, and further, each toner cartridge 37 is also arranged with the yellow (Y) as the reference. In this example, the transport path part 110a of the most upstream color and the transport path part 110e of the most downstream color are not arranged symmetrically with respect to the reference line Q of the yellow (Y:#2) image forming unit 30b. However, although the inclination angle θa of the most upstream color transport path part 110a relative to a parallel reference line parallel to the reference line Q and the inclination angle θe of the most downstream color transport path part 110e relative to a parallel reference line parallel to the reference line Q are different, they are kept small compared to the case of comparative form 1.

[0049] In this example, when changing the processing order of the most upstream color and image forming unit 30a and the most downstream color image forming unit 30e, it is possible to share the transport path components 110 (110a, 110e) for the most upstream color and the most downstream color by doing the following. One method is to configure the conveying pipe 114, which is a component of the conveying path pipe 113 of the conveying path part 110, with a flexible resin pipe 150, as shown in Fig. 6(b). In this example, even if the conveying path length L differs due to differences in the inclination angle, the difference ΔL in the conveying path length is effectively absorbed by the elasticity of the conveying pipe 114, as shown in Fig. 14. This makes it possible to share the conveying path parts 110 (110a, 110e) for the most upstream color and the most downstream color. As another method, as shown in Fig. 6(c), an expandable / contractible section 151 may be provided in a portion of the conveying pipe 114 of the conveying path component 110. In this example, as shown in Fig. 14, even if the conveying path length L differs, the expandable section 151 can effectively absorb the difference ΔL in the conveying path length. This makes it possible to share the conveying path components 110 (110a, 110e) for the most upstream color and the most downstream color.

[0050] ◎Transformation form 2 FIG. 15 shows a main part of a toner supply system of an image forming system according to the second modified embodiment. In the figure, the image forming system differs from that of the first embodiment in that one element of the plurality of image forming units 30 is added. In this example, the image forming units 30 (30a to 30f) are, for example, image forming unit 30a for the most upstream color, clear (CL), and image forming units 30b to 30f for the second to most downstream colors, white (W), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In this example, the fourth magenta (M:#4) image forming unit 30d is used as the reference and each image forming unit 30 is arranged at an arrangement interval p1, and similarly, the magenta (M) toner cartridges 37 (37a-37f) are arranged at an arrangement interval p2. In this example, the transport path part 110a of the most upstream color and the transport path part 110f of the most downstream color are not arranged symmetrically with respect to the reference line Q of the magenta (M:#4) image forming unit 30d. However, the second white (W:#2) conveying path part 110b and the most downstream black (K:#6) conveying path part 110f are arranged symmetrically with respect to the reference line Q of the magenta (M:#4) image forming unit 30d. Therefore, when changing the processing order between the second white (W:#2) image forming unit 30b and the most downstream black (K:#6) image forming unit 30f, it is possible to configure the transport path parts 110b and 110f so that they can be shared.

[0051] (Addendum) (((1))) a plurality of supply means provided for each of a plurality of objects to be processed arranged at predetermined intervals in a processing order of a plurality of colors, and for supplying powders separated into a plurality of color components to each of the objects to be processed; a plurality of containers arranged at intervals wider than the intervals at which the plurality of treatment objects are arranged, and which contain powders divided into a plurality of color components; a plurality of conveying means connected in communication between the plurality of storage means and the plurality of supplying means, respectively, for conveying the powder of each color component stored in each storage means to each supplying means; Equipped with The powder supplying device is characterized in that the plurality of conveying means are configured to be able to be shared at least for objects to be processed whose processing order can be changed. (((2))) In the powder supplying device described in (((1))), The powder supplying device is characterized in that the plurality of objects to be processed can be changed between the most upstream color and the most downstream color in the processing order of the plurality of colors. (((3))) In the powder supplying device described in (((2))), A powder supplying device characterized in that the plurality of objects to be processed can be changed between colors other than the most upstream color and the most downstream color. (((4))) In the powder supplying device according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), A powder supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of colors includes a special color in addition to the four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. (((5))) In the powder supplying device described in (((4))), A powder supplying device characterized in that the characteristic color is clear or white. (((6))) In the powder supplying device according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), A powder supply device characterized in that the multiple conveying means, for objects whose processing order can be changed, are composed of conveying path parts with equal conveying path lengths and conveying members that convey powder along the conveying path parts. (((7))) In the powder supplying device described in (((6))), 10. A powder supplying device, wherein the transport path components are made of flexible resin pipes. (((8))) In the powder supplying device described in (((6))), The powder supplying device is characterized in that the transport path component has an expandable portion that can be expanded and contracted at a part thereof. (((9))) In the powder supplying device according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))), The powder supplying device is characterized in that the plurality of conveying means are connected in communication between one side of the storage means in the longitudinal direction and the opposite side of the supplying means in the longitudinal direction. (((10))) In the powder supplying device described in (((9))), The powder supplying device is characterized in that the plurality of conveying means are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the arrangement order of the plurality of objects to be processed. (((11))) In the powder supplying device described in (((10))), in an aspect in which the most upstream color and the most downstream color in the processing order of the plurality of objects to be processed can be changed, A powder supply device characterized in that, when changing the object to be processed of the most upstream color and the most downstream color, the conveying means is arranged so that the angle can be changed with a conveying drive unit provided on one end side of the conveying means as a fulcrum. (((12))) a plurality of objects to be processed arranged at predetermined intervals in a processing order of a plurality of colors; a plurality of powder supply devices for supplying powders of a plurality of color components to the plurality of objects to be processed; Equipped with A powder processing system using the powder supplying device according to any one of (((1))) to (((11))) as the powder supplying device. (((13))) In the powder processing system according to (((12))), the powder is an imaging material, the powder supplying device is comprised of a developing means as the supplying means for developing with the image-forming material, a containing means for containing the image-forming material, and a conveying means for conveying the image-forming material, A powder processing system, wherein the object to be processed is an image holding means for holding an image formed by the image forming material.

[0052] According to the powder supply device of (((1))), in an embodiment in which the storage means for powder of multiple color components are arranged at intervals wider than the intervals at which the objects to be processed are arranged in the processing order of the multiple colors, when the processing order of the objects to be processed is changed, changes to the component elements that supply powder to the objects to be processed whose processing order can be changed can be minimized, thereby enabling the sharing of component elements. The powder supplying device according to (((2))) is effective in changing the object to be processed of the most upstream color and the most downstream color. The powder supplying device according to (((3))) is also effective in changing the object to be processed of a color other than the most upstream color and the most downstream color. According to the powder supply device of (((4))), when the plurality of colors of the processed object includes a spot color other than the four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, the arrangement of the spot color processed objects can be changed. According to the powder supplying device of (((5))), the arrangement of the target objects of special colors can be changed for target objects of special colors including clear and white. According to the powder supplying device of (((6))), the conveying means can be easily shared. According to the powder supplying device of (((7))), it is possible to finely adjust the transport path trajectory of the shared transport means. According to the powder supplying device of (((8))), the length of the conveying path of the shared conveying means can be finely adjusted. According to the powder supplying device of (((9))), compared to other configurations, a larger space can be secured for arranging the conveying means, and this can be effectively used as a guide member for cooling air. According to the powder supplying device of (((10))), the arrangement angle of the conveying means can be made smaller than in other configurations, and trajectory interference can be suppressed when replacing the object to be treated. According to the powder supply device of (((11))), when changing between the object to be processed of the most upstream color and the object to be processed of the most downstream color, the arrangement angle of the conveying means can be easily changed, and the work of changing the object to be processed can be simplified. According to the powder processing system of (((12))), in an embodiment in which powder storage means for multiple color components are arranged at intervals wider than the intervals at which the objects to be processed are arranged in the processing order of multiple colors, when the processing order of the objects to be processed is changed, it is possible to construct a powder processing system including a powder supply device that minimizes changes to component elements that supply powder to objects to be processed whose processing order can be changed, thereby enabling the sharing of component elements. According to the powder processing system according to (((13))), the powder processing system can be effectively applied as an image forming system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 (1a to 1e)... object to be treated, 2 (2a to 2e)... powder supply device, 3 (3a to 3e)... supply means, 4 (4a to 4e)... storage means, 5 (5a to 5e)... conveying means, 6... connection port, 7... connection port, p1... arrangement interval of object to be treated, p2... arrangement interval of object to be treated

Claims

1. a plurality of supply means provided for each of a plurality of objects to be processed arranged at predetermined intervals in a processing order of a plurality of colors, and for supplying powders separated into a plurality of color components to each of the objects to be processed; a plurality of containers arranged at intervals wider than the intervals at which the plurality of treatment objects are arranged, and which contain powders divided into a plurality of color components; a plurality of conveying means connected in communication between the plurality of storage means and the plurality of supplying means, respectively, for conveying the powder of each color component stored in each storage means to each supplying means; Equipped with The powder supplying device is characterized in that the plurality of conveying means are configured to be able to be shared at least for objects to be processed whose processing order can be changed.

2. 2. The powder supplying device according to claim 1, The powder supplying device is characterized in that the plurality of objects to be processed can be changed between the most upstream color and the most downstream color in the processing order of the plurality of colors.

3. 3. The powder supplying device according to claim 2, A powder supplying device characterized in that the plurality of objects to be processed can be changed between colors other than the most upstream color and the most downstream color.

4. 2. The powder supplying device according to claim 1, A powder supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of colors includes a special color in addition to the four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

5. 5. The powder supplying device according to claim 4, A powder supplying device characterized in that the characteristic color is clear or white.

6. 2. The powder supplying device according to claim 1, A powder supply device characterized in that the multiple conveying means, for objects whose processing order can be changed, are composed of conveying path parts with equal conveying path lengths and conveying members that convey powder along the conveying path parts.

7. 7. The powder supplying device according to claim 6, 10. A powder supplying device, wherein the transport path components are made of flexible resin pipes.

8. 7. The powder supplying device according to claim 6, The powder supplying device is characterized in that the transport path component has an expandable portion that can be expanded and contracted at a part thereof.

9. 2. The powder supplying device according to claim 1, The powder supplying device is characterized in that the plurality of conveying means are connected in communication between one side of the storage means in the longitudinal direction and the opposite side of the supplying means in the longitudinal direction.

10. 10. The powder supplying device according to claim 9, The powder supplying device is characterized in that the plurality of conveying means are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the arrangement order of the plurality of objects to be processed.

11. In the powder supplying device according to claim 10, in an aspect in which the most upstream color and the most downstream color in the processing order of the plurality of objects to be processed can be changed, A powder supply device characterized in that, when changing the object to be processed of the most upstream color and the most downstream color, the conveying means is arranged so that the angle can be changed with a conveying drive unit provided on one end side of the conveying means as a fulcrum.

12. a plurality of objects to be processed arranged at predetermined intervals in a processing order of a plurality of colors; a plurality of powder supply devices for supplying powders of a plurality of color components to the plurality of objects to be processed; Equipped with A powder processing system, comprising the powder supplying device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 as the powder supplying device.

13. 13. The powder processing system of claim 12, the powder is an imaging material, the powder supplying device is comprised of a developing means as the supplying means for developing with the image-forming material, a containing means for containing the image-forming material, and a conveying means for conveying the image-forming material, A powder processing system, wherein the object to be processed is an image holding means for holding an image formed by the image forming material.

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