Developer storage device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developer storage device in which a developer container can be inserted or pulled out without bringing a stopper member into contact with a receiving port of the developer container, and to provide an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: The waste toner storage device 6 includes a collection container 60 and a container attachment portion 70 that supports the collection container 60. The container attachment portion 70 includes a support surface 72 that supports the bottom portion 69 of the recovery container 60, and a stopper member 74 that holds the recovery container 60 at the attachment position. The recovery container 60 has a step portion 67 on a bottom portion 69. The stepped portion 67 displaces the container body 62 downward to separate the inflow port 61 from the stopper member 74 while the inflow port 61 passes through the stopper member 74 when the recovery container 60 is inserted or pulled out.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer storage device including a developer container capable of storing used developer, and an image forming apparatus including the developer storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with a developer container that collects and stores used developer (hereinafter referred to as "waste developer") used in an imaging unit. The developer container is detachably mounted in a mounting portion provided in the image forming apparatus so as to be replaceable.

[0003] As an example of this type of developer container, there is known a developer container that, when attached, is held in a predetermined attachment position in the attachment portion by engaging with a stopper provided in the attachment portion (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-79674 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional technology, when removing a developer container from its mounting portion, the user must pull the stopper upward to disengage it. When the stopper is released during the removal process after disengagement, the stopper moves downward, causing its tip to slide along the top surface of the developer container and come into contact with the receiving opening formed on the top surface. This can result in waste developer adhering to the area around the receiving opening or to the stopper. This can lead to problems such as waste developer spilling onto the floor after removing the developer container, soiling the floor, or the user's fingers getting dirty when operating the stopper.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a developer storage device and an image forming apparatus in which a developer container can be attached or detached without contacting a stopper member with the receiving opening of the developer container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A developer storage device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a developer container capable of storing used developer recovered within an image forming apparatus, and a container support portion provided in the image forming apparatus, which holds the developer container inserted into the image forming apparatus through an opening formed in a side of the image forming apparatus in a predetermined mounting position. The container support portion has a bottom support portion that supports the bottom surface of the developer container, and a stopper member that is provided on the upper edge of the opening and is supported so as to be movable between a predetermined retracted position and a protruding position that protrudes downward from the retracted position. The developer container has a container body, a receiving port provided on the top surface of the container body near a first end on the insertion direction side of the developer container and allowing the developer to flow into the container body, an engaging portion provided on the top surface of the container body on the withdrawal direction side opposite to the insertion direction from the receiving port and engaging with the stopper member located at the protruding position to restrict movement of the developer container in the withdrawal direction, and a step portion extending from the end on the insertion direction side of the bottom surface of the container body toward the withdrawal direction and displacing the container body downward to separate the receiving port from the stopper member while the receiving port passes through the stopper member when the developer container is inserted or withdrawn.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises an apparatus main body, an image forming unit that forms a developer image made of developer on an image carrier, a cleaning unit that removes used developer remaining on the image carrier, a developer container that can store the used developer removed by the cleaning unit, and a container support unit that holds the developer container, which is inserted into the apparatus main body through an opening formed on a side thereof, in a predetermined mounting position. The container support portion has a bottom support portion that supports the bottom surface of the developer container, and a stopper member that is provided on the upper edge of the opening and is supported so as to be movable between a predetermined retracted position and a protruding position that protrudes downward from the retracted position. The developer container has a container body, a receiving port provided on the top surface of the container body near a first end on the insertion direction side of the developer container and allowing the developer to flow into the container body, an engaging portion provided on the top surface of the container body on the withdrawal direction side opposite to the insertion direction from the receiving port and engaging with the stopper member located at the protruding position to restrict movement of the developer container in the withdrawal direction, and a step portion extending from the end on the insertion direction side of the bottom surface of the container body toward the withdrawal direction and displacing the container body downward to separate the receiving port from the stopper member while the receiving port passes through the stopper member when the developer container is inserted or withdrawn. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the developer container can be attached or detached without the stopper member coming into contact with the receiving opening of the developer container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the main part III in FIG. 2, showing the configuration of the periphery of a container mounting portion provided in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the container mounting section to which the collection container is mounted. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the collection container. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the collection container. [Figure 7A]FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the attachment operation of the collection container. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the attachment operation of the collection container. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a diagram showing the attachment operation of the collection container. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the operation of removing the collection container. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a diagram showing the operation of removing the collection container. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is a diagram showing the operation of removing the collection container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, the up-down direction D1, the front-rear direction D2, and the left-right direction D3 are defined in the installation state in which the image forming apparatus 10 is usable (the state shown in FIG. 1).

[0012] The configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 (an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention) will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that in Fig. 1, an original cover on the top of the image forming apparatus 10 is not shown.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction peripheral having a print function, a copy function, a scan function, a facsimile function, etc. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading device 11, an image forming unit 12, etc.

[0014] The image reading device 11 is a device that reads an image of a document placed on the document placing table 14. The image reading device 11 is provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10. The image reading device 11 includes the document placing table 14, a reading unit (not shown), a document holder (not shown), etc. The image reading device 11 performs a process of reading an image from a stationary document placed on the document placing table 14.

[0015] In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus 10 including an image reading device 11 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a printer (image forming apparatus) that has only a printing function of forming an image on a sheet using a developer.

[0016] Image forming unit 12 forms a color or monochrome image on a sheet using an electrophotographic method based on image data read by image reading device 11 or image data input from an external information processing device such as a personal computer. The sheet is a sheet-like image forming medium (transfer medium) such as paper or an envelope. The sheet on which the image has been formed is discharged to a paper discharge tray (not shown).

[0017] In this embodiment, an electrophotographic image forming unit 12 will be described as an example, but the image forming unit 12 is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming unit, and may be any recording or printing unit that forms an image using a developer such as toner.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of image forming unit 12. As shown in Fig. 2, image forming unit 12 includes a housing 19 as the device main body, a sheet storage unit 17, a sheet feeding unit 2, a sheet conveying unit 3, an image forming unit 40 (an example of an image forming unit of the present invention), an optical scanning unit 46, a fixing unit 49, a toner replenishing unit 50, and a waste toner storage device 6 (an example of a developer storage device of the present invention).

[0019] The image forming section 40 performs an image forming process to form an image on a sheet using a developer. The image forming section 40 includes an image forming unit 4, a device used for development, a device used for transporting the developer, etc. The developer is a two-component developer containing toner and a carrier.

[0020] The image forming section 40 includes a plurality of image forming units 4 corresponding to a plurality of color toners, an intermediate transfer belt 47 (an example of an image carrier of the present invention), a secondary transfer section 48, and a belt cleaning section 51 (an example of a cleaning section of the present invention). A plurality of toner supply sections 50 are also provided, one for each color of toner. In this embodiment, the image forming section 40 includes four image forming units 4.

[0021] Each image forming unit 4 includes a photosensitive drum 41 (an example of an image carrier of the present invention), a charging unit 42, a developing unit 43, a primary transfer unit 44, and a drum cleaning unit 45 (an example of a cleaning unit of the present invention). In the image forming unit 4 of the image creating unit 40, the developing unit 43 forms a toner image (an example of a developer image) on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 41. In the image creating unit 40, the primary transfer unit 44 forms the toner image on the photosensitive drum 41 onto the intermediate transfer belt 47.

[0022] The sheet storage unit 17 stores sheets to be fed by the sheet feeding unit 2. The sheet feeding unit 2 takes out a sheet from the sheet storage unit 17 and sends the sheet to the sheet conveying path 30. The sheet conveying unit 3 conveys the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit 2 downstream in the sheet feeding direction along the sheet conveying path 30. The intermediate transfer belt 47 is an endless belt-shaped member that rotates while being stretched across two rollers.

[0023] In each image forming unit 4, a drum-shaped photosensitive drum 41 rotates, and a charging unit 42 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. An optical scanning unit 46 writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 by scanning with a laser beam.

[0024] The developing unit 43 develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image using a developer containing carrier stored in advance and unused toner supplied from the toner supply unit 50. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41.

[0025] The primary transfer unit 44 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 onto the intermediate transfer belt 47. Then, a toner image is transferred from each of the multiple photosensitive drums 41 onto the intermediate transfer belt 47. As a result, a color toner image in which toner images of each color are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 47.

[0026] The secondary transfer unit 48 transfers the color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 47 onto the sheet. The fixing unit 49 fixes the color toner image onto the sheet by heating. Thereafter, the sheet with the fixed image is discharged onto a paper output tray (not shown).

[0027] Drum cleaning unit 45 removes toner (used toner) remaining on the surface of photosensitive drum 41 after transfer by primary transfer unit 44. Drum cleaning unit 45 has a cleaning member such as a cleaning blade or cleaning roller that comes into contact with the surface of photosensitive drum 41 to remove used toner, and a transport member such as a spiral shaft provided inside the housing of drum cleaning unit 45. When the transport member is driven by a drive unit such as a motor (not shown), the transport member transports toner accumulated at the bottom of the housing to transport path 20 (see FIG. 2) inside housing 19.

[0028] The belt cleaning unit 51 removes toner (used toner) remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 47 after transfer by the secondary transfer unit 48. The belt cleaning unit 51 has, for example, a cleaning member such as a cleaning blade or cleaning roller that comes into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 47 to remove used toner, and a conveying member such as a spiral shaft provided inside the housing of the belt cleaning unit 51. The conveying member is driven by a driving unit such as a motor (not shown), and the conveying member conveys the toner accumulated at the bottom of the housing to the conveying path 20.

[0029] The used toner transported from the drum cleaning unit 45 and the belt cleaning unit 51 to the transport path 20 is an example of the used developer of the present invention. The used toner is toner that is discarded or recycled, and is hereinafter referred to as waste toner.

[0030] A toner transport member for transporting the waste toner to the waste toner storage device 6 is provided in the transport path 20. The toner transport member is driven by a driving unit such as a motor (not shown), whereby the waste toner in the transport path 20 is transported toward the waste toner storage device 6.

[0031] The waste toner storage device 6 includes a collection container 60 (an example of a developer container of the present invention) for storing the waste toner, and a container mounting unit 70 (an example of a container support unit of the present invention) for supporting the collection container 60. The waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum 41 and the intermediate transfer belt 47 by the drum cleaning unit 45 and the belt cleaning unit 51 is transported to the waste toner storage device 6 and stored inside the collection container 60.

[0032] 3 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration around the container mounting portion 70. As shown in FIG. 3, the container mounting portion 70 is provided in the housing 19 at the left end of the lower front surface.

[0033] The housing 19 has an opening 21 at the bottom of the left end of its front surface. The opening 21 is formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape that is narrow in the left-right direction D3 and long in the up-down direction D1. A container attachment section 70 is provided rearward of the opening 21.

[0034] The container mounting part 70 has a container storage chamber that extends from the opening 21 to the interior. The container mounting part 70 holds the collection container 60 inserted into the container storage chamber from the opening 21 at a predetermined mounting position (the position shown in FIG. 4). The container mounting part 70 supports the collection container 60 in a detachable manner.

[0035] The container attachment portion 70 has a cover 71 (see FIG. 1) that is displaceable between a closed position that closes the opening 21 and an open position that opens the opening 21. The cover 71 rotates between the closed position and the open position around a hinge portion (not shown) provided on the left edge of the opening 21 as a pivot point to open and close the opening 21. When the cover 71 is opened, the collection container 60 is exposed to the outside through the opening 21. This allows the user to pull out the collection container 60 from the container attachment portion 70 by grasping a second handle 82 (see FIG. 6) provided on the front end portion of the collection container 60.

[0036] Fig. 4 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the container mounting unit 70. Fig. 4 shows a state in which the collection container 60 is mounted in the container mounting unit 70. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the collection container 60. In Figs. 5 and 6, the up-down direction D1, the front-rear direction D2, and the left-right direction D3 are defined based on the mounting posture of the collection container 60 relative to the container mounting unit 70. Figs. 7A, 7B, and 7C are views showing the mounting operation of the collection container 60. Figs. 8A, 8B, and 8C are views showing the removal operation of the collection container 60.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the container mounting portion 70 has a flat support surface 72 (an example of a bottom support portion of the present invention) that supports the bottom 69 of the collection container 60, and a stopper member 74 (an example of a stopper member of the present invention) that holds the collection container 60 mounted at the mounting position in the mounting position.

[0038] The support surface 72 is a flat support plate that extends rearward from the lower end of the opening 21 and forms part of the bottom plate of the housing 19. The support surface 72 supports the bottom 69 of the collection container 60 so that the bottom 69 can slide in the front-rear direction D2.

[0039] The stopper member 74 is provided on the housing 19. The stopper member 74 is provided at an upper portion of the container storage chamber formed inside the housing 19. Specifically, the stopper member 74 is supported on the upper edge portion 21A of the opening 21 so as to be movable in the up-down direction D1. The stopper member 74 is supported so as to be movable between a protruding position (an example of a protruding position of the present invention) where it protrudes downward from the upper edge portion 21A and can lock the collection container 60, and a retracted position (an example of a retracted position of the present invention) where it retracts into the upper edge portion 21A and unlocks the collection container 60. Figure 4 shows a state in which the stopper member 74 is in the protruding position, locking the collection container 60 so that it cannot move forward.

[0040] In this embodiment, in a container mounted state (the state shown in FIG. 4) in which the collection container 60 is mounted in the mounted position of the container mounting portion 70, the stopper member 74 is disposed in the protruding position. When the stopper member 74 is in the protruding position in the container mounted state, a locking piece 74A at the lower end of the stopper member 74 abuts against a front surface 66A (see FIG. 5) of a regulating portion 66 (an example of an engaging portion of the present invention) of the collection container 60. This restricts the collection container 60 from moving forward from the mounted position. As a result, the collection container 60 can be stably held in the mounted position in the container mounting portion 70.

[0041] The front surface of the locking piece 74A is an inclined surface that slopes obliquely upward and forward. Therefore, when the rear end 62A (an example of the first end of the present invention) of the upper surface portion 65 that constitutes the upper surface of the container body 62 abuts against the inclined surface during the process of inserting the collection container 60 toward the attachment position of the container attachment portion 70, the stopper member 74 is lifted upward according to the principle of an inclined cam. This allows the stopper member 74 to be moved from the protruding position to the retracted position, making it possible to insert the collection container 60 into the container storage chamber inside through the opening 21. Note that the stopper member 74 can also be moved from the protruding position to the retracted position by a user manually operating the stopper member 74 to move the stopper member 74 upward.

[0042] When the collection container 60 is to be pulled forward from the mounting position of the container mounting portion 70, the user must manually operate the stopper member 74 to move the stopper member 74 upward and release the engagement of the stopper member 74 with the restricting portion 66. After the stopper member 74 is released from engagement, the container mounting portion 70 can be pulled forward from the mounting position.

[0043] When the stopper member 74 is released during the process of pulling out the container after the engagement by the stopper member 74 is released, the stopper member 74 moves downward and its tip slides along the upper surface 65 of the collection container 60, and may come into contact with an inlet 61 (an example of a receiving port of the present invention) formed in the upper surface 65, which will be described later. This causes the waste toner to adhere to the periphery of the inlet 61 or to the stopper member 74. In this case, there is a problem that the waste toner may spill onto the floor after the collection container 60 is pulled out, soiling the floor, or that the user's fingers may become dirty when operating the stopper member 74.

[0044] To solve this problem, a step portion 67 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, is provided in the collection container 60. This makes it possible to pull out the collection container 60 from the container attachment portion 70 without bringing the stopper member 74 into contact with the inlet 61 of the collection container 60.

[0045] The container mounting portion 70 has a biasing member 75 (one example of the biasing member of the present invention) that biases the stopper member 74 toward the protruding position. The biasing member 75 is, for example, an elastic member such as a coil spring, a sponge member, or a rubber member. The biasing member 75 applies an elastic force that presses the stopper member 74 downward. Because the stopper member 74 is pressed downward by this elastic force, the collection container 60 is reliably restricted at the mounting position.

[0046] 4, the container mounting unit 70 has a sensor 76 (an example of a container detection unit of the present invention) that can detect the collection container 60 mounted at the mounting position. The sensor 76 is, for example, a limit switch whose contacts make or release contact when pressed, or an optical sensor such as a transmissive photointerrupter whose output value changes when light is blocked. In this embodiment, when the collection container 60 is mounted at the mounting position, a protrusion 64 (an example of a protrusion of the present invention) provided on the collection container 60 acts on the sensor 76, causing the sensor 76 to detect the collection container 60.

[0047] The collection container 60 is removably (detachably) attached to the container attachment portion 70 via the opening 21. The collection container 60 is a container formed with a hollow interior, and stores waste toner discharged from the imaging unit 40 inside.

[0048] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the collection container 60 has a container body 62 (an example of a container body of the present invention) in which waste toner is stored, a regulating portion 66, and an inlet 61 (an example of a receiving port of the present invention) through which the waste toner is guided inside.

[0049] The container body 62 is formed by blow molding. That is, the container body 62 is formed by spraying molten resin between two molds that are mated together. One of the two molds forms the shape of one side (left side) of the container body 62 in the width direction, and the other mold forms the shape of the other side (right side) of the container body 62 in the width direction.

[0050] The container body 62 is formed in a shape such that its size in the insertion direction D21 and its size in the up-down direction D1 are larger than its size in the width direction (left-right direction D3) perpendicular to the insertion direction D21. In other words, the container body 62 is formed in a shape that is narrow in the left-right direction D3, long in the up-down direction D1 and the front-rear direction D2, and flat in the width direction (left-right direction D3). Here, the insertion direction D21 is the direction in which the collection container 60 is inserted from the opening 21 to the back of the container mounting portion 70 when mounting the collection container 60 in the container mounting portion 70.

[0051] The restricting portion 66 is provided on the upper surface portion 65 of the container body 62. The restricting portion 66 engages with the stopper member 74 located in the protruding position, and restricts the collection container 60 from moving forward from the attached position.

[0052] The restricting portion 66 is provided on the upper surface portion 65 of the container body 62, closer to the withdrawal direction D22 (forward) of the collection container 60 than the inlet 61. Specifically, the restricting portion 66 is provided at the end of the upper surface portion 65 in the withdrawal direction D22. The restricting portion 66 is formed integrally with the container body 62. A step that is one step lower than the flat upper surface portion 65 of the container body 62 is formed at the end of the upper surface portion 65 of the container body 62 in the withdrawal direction D22, and this step is the restricting portion 66.

[0053] The inlet 61 is a receiving port that allows the waste toner discharged from the imaging unit 40 via the transport path 20 to flow into the collection container 60. The inlet 61 is formed to have a size, shape, and position that allows the waste toner to flow in when the collection container 60 is attached to the container mounting part 70. In this embodiment, the inlet 61 is provided on the upper surface 65 of the container body 62, and is arranged at a position that allows communication with the outlet at the lower end of the transport path 20 in the attached state. Specifically, the inlet 61 is provided in the upper surface 65 of the container body 62 near the rear end 62A on the insertion direction D21 side.

[0054] A sheet-like sealing member 63 is attached to the upper surface 65 of the container body 62. A through hole of approximately the same size as the inlet 61 is formed in the sealing member 63, and the sealing member 63 is attached to the upper surface 65 with the through hole aligned with the inlet 61. The sealing member 63 is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric or a sponge member, and is attached to the upper surface 65 with an adhesive or the like.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 5, a protrusion 64 is formed on the rear surface of the container body 62. The protrusion 64 is formed at the upper end of the rear surface of the container body 62. The protrusion 64 is formed integrally with the container body 62. The protrusion 64 is a part that is detected by a sensor 76 (see Fig. 4) when the collection container 60 is attached to the attachment position.

[0056] In this embodiment, the protrusion 64 is formed by a cavity formed on the mating surfaces of two molds that are brought together when the container body 62 is formed by the blow molding as described above. In this way, the protrusion 64 is formed by the blow molding of the container body 62, and a rib-like protrusion 64 that is long in the up-down direction D1 is formed on the rear surface of the container body 62. This makes it possible to form the protrusion 64 on the container body 62 with high positional accuracy and dimensional accuracy even though it is blow molded, and as a result, it is possible to reliably detect the collection container 60 in the attached position.

[0057] 6, the collection container 60 has a first handle 81 and a second handle 82. The handles 81 and 82 are formed integrally with the container body 62.

[0058] The first handle 81 is provided on the upper part 621 of the container body 62. For example, the first handle 81 penetrates the container body 62 in the width direction (left-right direction D3) at the upper part 621 of the container body 62. Therefore, a user can easily grasp the upper part 621 of the container body 62 by, for example, hooking their fingers on the first handle 81. The shape of the first handle 81 may be any shape that allows the user to grasp it with their hand, and may be, for example, a recessed shape, a hook shape, or the like.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first handle 81 is formed on the upper portion 621 of the container body 62, approximately in the center in the front-rear direction D2.

[0060] The second handle 82 is a part that is grasped by the user when pulling out the collection container 60 positioned in the attached position, and is provided on the front end 62B of the container body 62 on the pulling-out direction D22 side.

[0061] For example, the second handle 82 is formed at the lower end of the front end 62B. As shown in Fig. 6, the second handle 82 is a recess formed in the right side surface of the container body 62 so that the user can easily hook their fingers from above.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the collection container 60 has a step portion 67 (an example of a step portion of the present invention). The step portion 67 is formed in a bottom portion 69 that constitutes the bottom surface of the collection container 60. The step portion 67 extends from a rear end portion 69A (an example of a second end portion of the present invention) of the bottom portion 69 on the insertion direction side toward the withdrawal direction D22. The step portion 67 is a step surface that is spaced one step above the flat bottom portion 69. An inclined surface 67A is formed between the step portion 67 and the bottom portion 69 to make it easier to ride up onto the support surface 72.

[0063] The step portion 67 is a portion that is supported by the support surface 72 when the collection container 60 is inserted through the opening 21. When the collection container 60 is inserted, the step portion 67 slides in the insertion direction D21 while being supported by the support surface 72, thereby displacing the container body 62 downward while the inlet 61 passes through the stopper member 74, and moving the inlet 61 downward from the tip of the stopper member 74.

[0064] Furthermore, when the collection container 60 attached to the attachment position is pulled out, the step portion 67 is also supported by the support surface 72. When the collection container 60 is pulled out, the step portion 67 slides in the pulling-out direction D22 while being supported by the support surface 72, thereby displacing the container body 62 downward while the inlet 61 passes through the stopper member 74, and moving the inlet 61 downward from the tip of the stopper member 74.

[0065] Because collection container 60 is configured in this manner, when collection container 60 is inserted into opening 21 for installation, as shown in Fig. 7A, step portion 67 is first supported by support surface 72. In this state, a gap is created between sealing member 63 of upper surface portion 65 and the tip of stopper member 74. In other words, stopper member 74 is not in contact with inlet 61 of upper surface portion 65 or sealing member 63.

[0066] In this state, when the collection container 60 is inserted in the insertion direction D21, the inclined surface 67A abuts against the front end 72A of the support surface 72, causing the bottom portion 69 to ride up onto the support surface 72 and be supported by the support surface 72 (see FIG. 7B). At this time, the collection container 60 is displaced upward by the step between the step portion 67 and the bottom portion 69, and the upper surface portion 65 is also displaced upward. As a result, the upper surface portion 65 abuts against the tip of the stopper member 74 and lifts the stopper member 74 upward. As a result, the stopper member 74 is displaced from the protruding position toward the retracted position.

[0067] When the collection container 60 is further inserted, the locking piece 74A of the stopper member 74 slides on the flat upper surface portion 65. When the collection container 60 reaches the attached position, the locking piece 74A of the stopper member 74 drops into and engages with the restricting portion 66 (see FIG. 7C). This restricts the collection container 60 from moving forward from the attached position.

[0068] As a result, when collection container 60 is inserted, even if stopper member 74 is set free during insertion of collection container 60 after disengagement by stopper member 74, stopper member 74 does not come into contact with inlet 61 of upper surface portion 65 or seal member 63. Therefore, when collection container 60 is inserted, the waste toner does not adhere to the periphery of inlet 61 or to stopper member 74. In addition, peeling of seal member 63 due to contact with stopper member 74 is prevented.

[0069] Furthermore, when the collection container 60 is to be pulled out from the container attachment portion 70, the user manually moves the stopper member 74 upward to release the lock on the restricting portion 66 (see FIG. 8A). In this state, the user grasps the second handle 82 of the collection container 60 and pulls the collection container 60 out in the pulling-out direction D22, thereby pulling the collection container 60 forward.

[0070] In this state, the collection container 60 is pulled out in the pulling-out direction D22. At this time, if the user releases the stopper member 74, the locking piece 74A of the stopper member 74 comes into contact with the flat upper surface portion 65, and in this state, the collection container 60 moves in the pulling-out direction D22 (see FIG. 8B).

[0071] When the collection container 60 is further pulled out in the pulling-out direction D22 and the inclined surface 67A reaches the front end 72A of the support surface 72, the bottom portion 69 is no longer supported by the support surface 72, and the step portion 67 is supported by the support surface 72 (see FIG. 8C ). At this time, the collection container 60 is displaced downward by the step between the step portion 67 and the bottom portion 69, and the top surface portion 65 is also displaced downward. As a result, the top surface portion 65 no longer abuts against the tip of the stopper member 74, and a gap is created between the stopper member 74 and the top surface portion 65. In this state, the inlet 61 and the seal member 63 have not yet passed through the stopper member 74, so the inlet 61 and the seal member 63 do not come into contact with the stopper member 74. When the collection container 60 is further pulled out, the collection container 60 is detached from the container attachment portion 70.

[0072] As a result, when collection container 60 is pulled out, even if stopper member 74 is released after disengagement by stopper member 74, stopper member 74 does not come into contact with inlet 61 of upper surface portion 65 or seal member 63. Therefore, when collection container 60 is pulled out, the waste toner does not adhere to the periphery of inlet 61 or to stopper member 74, and the waste toner does not spill onto the floor and soil the floor, or get on the user's fingers when operating stopper member 74. Peeling of seal member 63 is also prevented.

[0073] [Notes on the Invention] The following is a summary of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0074] <Appendix 1> a developer container capable of accommodating used developer collected within the image forming apparatus; a container support portion provided in the image forming apparatus, the container support portion holding the developer container inserted into the image forming apparatus through an opening formed in a side surface of the image forming apparatus at a predetermined mounting position; The container support portion is a bottom support portion that supports a bottom surface of the developer container; a stopper member provided at an upper edge of the opening and supported movably between a predetermined retracted position and a protruding position protruding downward from the retracted position, The developer container is A container body; a receiving port provided on an upper surface of the container body near a first end on an insertion direction side of the developer container, the receiving port allowing the developer to flow into the container body; an engaging portion that is provided on the top surface of the container body on the side of the receiving opening in the pulling-out direction opposite to the insertion direction, and that engages with the stopper member located at the protruding position to restrict movement of the developer container in the pulling-out direction; a step portion extending from a second end portion on the insertion direction side of the bottom surface of the container body toward the withdrawal direction, and displacing the container body downward to separate the receiving port from the stopper member while the receiving port passes through the stopper member when the developer container is inserted or pulled out.

[0075] <Appendix 2> The container support portion is 2. The developer accommodating device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that biases the stopper member toward the protruding position.

[0076] <Appendix 3> The developer accommodating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container body is formed in a shape such that its size in the insertion direction and its size in the up-down direction are larger than its size in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0077] <Appendix 4> The container support portion is a container detection unit capable of detecting the developer container at the mounting position; the container body has a protrusion that is detected by the container detection unit when the developer container is attached to the attachment position, The container body is formed by blow molding using a molten resin between two molds that are fitted together, 4. The developer accommodating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protrusion is formed by a cavity formed on mating surfaces of the two molds.

[0078] <Appendix 5> A device body, an image forming unit that forms a developer image made of developer on an image carrier; a cleaning unit that removes used developer remaining on the image carrier; a developer container capable of accommodating used developer removed by the cleaning unit; a container support portion that holds the developer container, which is inserted into the device through an opening formed in a side surface of the device body, at a predetermined mounting position; The container support portion is a bottom support portion that supports a bottom surface of the developer container; a stopper member provided at an upper edge of the opening and supported movably between a predetermined retracted position and a protruding position protruding downward from the retracted position, The developer container is A container body; a receiving port provided on an upper surface of the container body near a first end on an insertion direction side of the developer container, the receiving port allowing the developer to flow into the container body; an engaging portion that is provided on the top surface of the container body on the side of the receiving opening in the pulling-out direction opposite to the insertion direction, and that engages with the stopper member located at the protruding position to restrict movement of the developer container in the pulling-out direction; an insertion direction side of the developer container, and a step portion extending from a second end portion of the bottom surface of the container body on the insertion direction side toward the withdrawal direction, the step portion displacing the container body downward and separating the receiving port from the stopper member while the receiving port passes through the stopper member when the developer container is inserted or withdrawn. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 2: Sheet feeding section 3: Sheet transport section 4: Image forming unit 6: Waste toner collection device 10: Image forming device 11: Image reader 12: Image forming unit 14: Document stand 17: Sheet storage area 19: Housing 21 :Aperture 21A: Upper edge 51: Belt cleaning section 60: Collection container 61:Inlet 62: Container body 62A: Rear end 62B: Front end 63: Sealing material 64: Protrusion 65:Top part 66: Regulation Department 66A: Front part 67: Step 67A: Inclined surface 69: Bottom 69A: Rear end 70: Container attachment part 71: Cover 72: Support surface 72A: Front end 74: Stopper member 74A: Lock piece 75: biasing member 76: Sensor 81: First handle 82: Second handle 621: Upper

Claims

1. a developer container capable of accommodating used developer collected within the image forming apparatus; a container support portion provided in the image forming apparatus, the container support portion holding the developer container inserted into the image forming apparatus through an opening formed in a side surface of the image forming apparatus at a predetermined mounting position; The container support portion is a bottom support portion that supports a bottom surface of the developer container; a stopper member provided at an upper edge of the opening and supported movably between a predetermined retracted position and a protruding position protruding downward from the retracted position, The developer container is A container body; a receiving port provided on an upper surface of the container body near a first end portion on an insertion direction side of the developer container, the receiving port allowing the developer to flow into the container body; an engaging portion that is provided on the top surface of the container body on the side of the receiving opening in the pulling-out direction opposite to the insertion direction, and that engages with the stopper member located at the protruding position to restrict movement of the developer container in the pulling-out direction; a step portion extending from a second end portion on the bottom surface of the container body on the insertion direction side toward the withdrawal direction, and displacing the container body downward to separate the receiving port from the stopper member while the receiving port passes through the stopper member when the developer container is inserted or pulled out.

2. The container support portion is The developer accommodating device according to claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member that biases the stopper member toward the protruding position.

3. 3. The developer accommodating device according to claim 1, wherein the container body is formed in a shape such that a size in the insertion direction and a size in the up-down direction are larger than a size in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

4. The container support portion is a container detection unit capable of detecting the developer container at the mounting position; the container body has a protrusion that is detected by the container detection unit when the developer container is attached to the attachment position, The container body is formed by blow molding using a molten resin between two molds that are fitted together, 3. The developer accommodating device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed by a cavity formed on mating surfaces of the two molds.

5. A device body, an image forming unit that forms a developer image made of developer on an image carrier; a cleaning unit that removes used developer remaining on the image carrier; a developer container capable of accommodating used developer removed by the cleaning unit; a container support portion that holds the developer container, which is inserted into the device through an opening formed in a side surface of the device body, at a predetermined mounting position; The container support portion is a bottom support portion that supports a bottom surface of the developer container; a stopper member provided at an upper edge of the opening and supported movably between a predetermined retracted position and a protruding position protruding downward from the retracted position, The developer container is A container body; a receiving port provided on an upper surface of the container body near a first end portion on an insertion direction side of the developer container, the receiving port allowing the developer to flow into the container body; an engaging portion that is provided on the top surface of the container body on the side of the receiving opening in the pulling-out direction opposite to the insertion direction, and that engages with the stopper member located at the protruding position to restrict movement of the developer container in the pulling-out direction; an insertion direction side of the developer container, and a step portion extending from a second end portion of the bottom surface of the container body on the insertion direction side toward the withdrawal direction, the step portion displacing the container body downward and separating the receiving port from the stopper member while the receiving port passes through the stopper member when the developer container is inserted or withdrawn.

Images