Powder container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To make powder hardly adhere to an information storage medium.SOLUTION: A shutter member 36 for opening / closing the through-hole A by interlocking with the operation of attaching / detaching the toner vessel side 32Y to / from the image forming device main body 100 is installed so as to be fitted to the through-hole A of the vessel main body 33. The cap 34 covers a side of the container body 33 on which the shutter 36 is disposed. Further, the cap 34 includes an identification (ID) chip 41 serving as an information storage medium that comes into contact with a reader 130 of the main body 100 of the image forming device in a communicable manner in conjunction with an operation of attaching the side 32Y of the toner cartridge 30 to the main body 100 of the image forming device in the attachment direction. The ID chip 41 is disposed on the downstream side in the mounting direction with respect to the inlet of the through hole A on the downstream side in the mounting direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder container such as a toner container that contains powder such as toner, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the powder container, such as a copier, printer, facsimile, or a combination thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers, a generally cylindrical toner container (powder container) that is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus body has been widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Specifically, in Patent Document 1, the toner container (powder container) is primarily composed of a generally cylindrical container body and a generally cylindrical cap. The container body has a spiral protrusion formed on its inner circumferential surface, the top of which is covered by the cap. A through-hole is formed in the center of the cap. When the toner container is set in the image forming device body, the cap is held non-rotatably, and a toner transport nozzle (powder transport nozzle) of the image forming device body is inserted into the container body through the through-hole. At this time, a shutter member that was fitted to close the through-hole in the toner container is pressed by the toner transport nozzle, thereby releasing the shutter member from closing the through-hole. The shutter member opens and closes the through-hole in the cap in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the toner container to and from the image forming device body. When the toner container is set in the image forming apparatus main body, the container main body is rotated, and the toner (powder) in the container main body is transported toward the cap portion. The toner in the container main body is then discharged out of the container through the toner transport nozzle. The toner discharged from the toner container is then replenished to the developing device by the toner replenishing device.

[0004] Meanwhile, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for installing an ID chip (information storage medium) on the container's front cover (cap portion). When the toner container is attached to the image forming device main body, the ID chip on the toner container comes into contact with the main body connector of the image forming device main body, enabling the exchange (communication) of information such as toner type and toner lot between the toner container and the image forming device main body. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a conventional powder container is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus body, powder that is blown up around the through-hole in the cap portion can adhere to the information storage medium and soil the information storage medium. If the information storage medium becomes soiled in this way, there is a possibility that communication failure will occur between the information storage medium and the reading device of the image forming apparatus main body.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a powder container and an image forming apparatus in which powder is less likely to adhere to an information storage medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The powder container of this invention is a powder container that is detachable from the image forming device main body, and comprises a container main body containing powder inside, a shutter member that is installed so as to be able to fit into a through hole of the container main body and opens and closes the through hole in conjunction with the action of attaching and detaching the powder container to the image forming device main body, a cap portion that covers the side of the container main body on which the shutter member is provided, and an information storage medium that is installed in the cap portion and comes into contact with or faces the reading device of the image forming device main body so as to be able to communicate with the reading device in conjunction with the action of attaching the powder container to the image forming device main body in the attachment direction, and the information storage medium is positioned downstream in the attachment direction of the through hole from the downstream entrance in the attachment direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a powder container and an image forming apparatus in which powder is less likely to adhere to an information storage medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a toner supply device and its surroundings. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a toner container. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a head portion of the toner container. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the operation of attaching the toner container to the image forming apparatus main body. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of attaching and detaching a toner container to and from the image forming apparatus main body as a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a head portion of a toner container as a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a head portion of a toner container as a second modified example. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing a holder unit in the toner container of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing the operation of connecting the ID chip of the toner container to the reader as a third modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing a state immediately before the ID chip of the toner container is connected to the reader, according to a fourth modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a toner supply device and its vicinity as a fifth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0011] First, the overall configuration and operation of image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printer as an image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing an image forming unit, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a toner supply device and its vicinity. 1, approximately cylindrical toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K of four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are detachably (replaceably) mounted on an installation unit 31 (toner container receiving stand) located above the image forming apparatus main body 100. Also, hoppers 81Y, 81M, 81C, and 81K of toner supply devices are disposed below the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, respectively. An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the installation section 31. Opposite to the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15, image forming sections 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged side by side.

[0012] 2, the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow is made up of a photosensitive drum 1Y (image carrier), a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, a cleaning device 2Y, a static eliminator, etc., which are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1Y. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process, static eliminator process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y.

[0013] The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K are configured in a manner similar to that of the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow, except that they use different toner colors, and form images corresponding to their respective toner colors. Below, we will omit the explanation of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K as appropriate, and will only explain the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow.

[0014] 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is rotated by a motor in the clockwise direction in Fig. 2. Then, at the position of the charging device 4Y, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged (charging step). Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser light L emitted from the exposure device 7 (writing unit), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position (exposure process).

[0015] Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, where the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a yellow toner image (developing step). Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer roller 9Y, where the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 (the primary transfer step). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

[0016] Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning device 2Y, where untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y is collected (cleaning process). Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a static eliminator (not shown), where the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is removed. Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

[0017] The above-described image forming process is also performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as in the yellow image forming unit 6Y. That is, laser light L based on image information is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum of each image forming unit 6M, 6C, and 6K from an exposure device 7 disposed below the image forming units. More specifically, the exposure device 7 emits laser light L from a light source, and irradiates the laser light L onto the photosensitive drum via multiple optical elements while scanning with a rotationally driven polygon mirror. Thereafter, the toner images of each color formed on each photosensitive drum through the development process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in a superimposed manner, thereby forming a color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0018] Here, the intermediate transfer unit 15 is composed of an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer opposing roller 12, a cleaning backup roller 13, a tension roller 14, an intermediate transfer cleaning device 10, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by three rollers 12 to 14, and is moved endlessly in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the rotational drive of one roller 12.

[0019] The four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 between themselves and the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, respectively, to form primary transfer nips. A transfer bias opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. The intermediate transfer belt 8 then travels in the direction of the arrow and passes through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K in sequence. In this way, the toner images of each color on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in a superimposed manner.

[0020] Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8, onto which the toner images of each color have been transferred and superimposed, reaches a position facing a secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, a secondary transfer nip is formed between the secondary transfer opposing roller 12 and the secondary transfer roller 19, sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 8. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are then transferred onto a sheet P, such as paper, that has been transported to the position of this secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the sheet P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0021] Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning device 10. At this position, untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected. Thus, the series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

[0022] Here, the sheet P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feed device 26 arranged below the device main body 100 via a paper feed roller 27, a pair of registration rollers 28, etc. More specifically, a plurality of sheets P such as paper are stacked and stored in the paper feed device 26. When the paper feed roller 27 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the topmost sheet P is fed toward between the pair of registration rollers 28.

[0023] The sheet P conveyed to the position of the registration roller pair 28 (timing roller pair) is temporarily stopped at the roller nip position of the registration roller pair 28, which has stopped rotating. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotated in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the sheet P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, the desired color image is transferred onto the sheet P.

[0024] Thereafter, the sheet P onto which the color image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip position is transported to the position of the fixing device 20. Then, at this position, the color image transferred onto the surface is fixed onto the sheet P by heat and pressure from the fixing roller and pressure roller. Thereafter, the sheet P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29. The sheets P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 are sequentially stacked on a stack unit 30 as output images. In this way, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

[0025] Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device (replenishment receiving portion) in the image forming portion will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The developing device 5Y is composed of a developing roller 51 facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52 facing the developing roller 51, two conveying screws 55 disposed in developer containers 53 and 54, and a concentration detection sensor 56 that detects the toner concentration in the developer. The developing roller 51 is composed of a magnet fixed inside and a sleeve that rotates around the magnet. The developer containers 53 and 54 contain a two-component developer consisting of a carrier and toner.

[0026] The developing device 5Y configured in this manner operates as follows. The sleeve of the developing roller 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2. The developer carried on the developing roller 51 by the magnetic field generated by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51 as the sleeve rotates. Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner (toner concentration) in the developer G falls within a predetermined range. Specifically, in accordance with the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y, the toner contained in the toner container 32Y is replenished into the developer accommodating unit 54 via a toner replenishing device 90 serving as a replenishing device.

[0027] Thereafter, the toner supplied to the developer container 54 is circulated between the two developer containers 53 and 54 while being mixed and stirred together with the developer by the two transport screws 55 (moving in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 2). The toner in the developer is then attracted to the carrier due to frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51 together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51. The developer carried on the developing roller 51 is transported in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52. The developer on the developing roller 51 is adjusted to an appropriate amount at this position, and then transported to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (the developing area). The toner is then attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by an electric field formed in the developing area. Thereafter, the developer remaining on the developing roller 51 reaches above the developer container 53 as the sleeve rotates, and is released from the developing roller 51 at this position.

[0028] Next, the configuration and operation of the toner supply device 90 (supply device) will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The toner supply device 90 rotates the container body 33 of the toner container 32Y (powder container) installed in the installation section 31 in a predetermined direction (the direction of the arrow in Figure 3), discharging the toner powder stored inside the toner container 32Y out of the container and guiding it to the developing device 5Y as the replenished section via the sub-hopper 70, thereby forming a toner supply path (toner transport path). 3, the orientation of the toner container 32Y, the toner supply device 90, and the developing device 5Y is changed for ease of understanding. In reality, the toner container 32Y and a portion of the toner supply device 90 are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 1). The orientation and arrangement of the conveying pipes 95 and 96 are also simplified.

[0029] The toner in each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K installed in the installation section 31 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is supplied to each developing device as needed via a toner supply device provided for each toner color, depending on the toner consumption in the developing device of each color. The four toner supply devices have almost the same structure, except for the color of toner used in the image forming process. 3 (and 6), when the toner container 32Y is set in the installation portion 31 of the image forming apparatus main body 100, the shutter member 36 of the toner container 32Y is pressed by the toner transport nozzle 91 (powder transport nozzle) of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the toner transport nozzle 91 is inserted into the toner container 32Y (container main body 33) through the through-hole A. This allows the toner contained in the toner container 32Y to be discharged (discharged via the toner transport nozzle 91). The bottom of the toner container 32Y (on the left side in FIG. 3) is formed with a grip portion 33d (which has an outer diameter smaller than that of the container body 33) to facilitate the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the installation portion 31. The user sets the toner container 32Y in the installation portion 31 or removes the toner container 32Y from the installation portion 31 while holding the grip portion 33d.

[0030] 3, 4, etc., the toner container 32Y serving as a powder container is provided with a container body 33 having a spiral groove 33a formed in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3, which is the direction of the rotation axis of the container body 33). Specifically, this spiral groove 33a is formed from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33, and is intended to transport the toner in the container body 33 from left to right in FIG. 3 by driving the container body 33 to rotate. The toner transported inside the container body 33 from left to right in FIG. 3 is discharged to the outside of the container through the toner transport nozzle 91. Furthermore, a gear 33b that meshes with the drive gear 110 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the head side (the right side in FIG. 3) of the container main body 33. When the toner container 32Y is attached to the installation part 31, the gear 33b of the container main body 33 meshes with the drive gear 110 of the image forming apparatus main body 100. When the drive motor 115 is driven, the drive (rotational drive) is transmitted from the drive gear 110 attached to the motor shaft to the gear 33b, thereby rotating the container main body 33. In other words, the drive motor 115 and the drive gear 110 function as a drive mechanism that rotates the container main body 33. The configuration and operation of the toner container 32Y (powder container) will be explained in more detail later.

[0031] 3, a conveying screw 92 is provided inside the toner conveying nozzle 91. When the conveying screw 92 is rotated by a motor 93, the toner that has flowed into the toner conveying nozzle 91 from an opening 91a (an inlet, see FIG. 6) inside the toner container 32Y is conveyed from left to right in FIG. 3 by the conveying screw 92. The toner is then discharged from the outlet of the toner conveying nozzle 91 toward the hopper 81. Here, a hopper 81 is provided below the outlet of the toner conveying nozzle 91, which serves as a powder conveying nozzle, via a drop path section 82. The toner stored in the hopper 81 is conveyed by a conveying means to a developing device located downstream. The structure of the conveying means in FIG. 3 will be described below. A suction port 83 is provided at the bottom of the hopper 81, and this suction port 83 is connected to one end of a transport pipe (tube) 95. The transport pipe 95 is made of a flexible rubber material with low toner affinity, and the other end is connected to a developer pump 60 (diaphragm pump). The developer pump 60 is connected to the developing device 5Y via a sub-hopper 70 and a transport pipe 96. In the toner supply device 90 configured as described above, the container body 33 of the toner container 32Y is rotated by the drive motor 115 (drive mechanism), and the toner contained in the toner container 32Y is discharged to the outside of the container through the toner conveying nozzle 91. The toner discharged from the toner container 32Y falls through the drop path 82 and is stored in the hopper 81. When the developer pump 60 is operated, the toner stored in the hopper 81 is sucked together with air through the suction port 83 and conveyed from the developer pump 60 to the sub-hopper 70 through the conveying pipe 95. The toner conveyed to and stored in the sub-hopper 70 is then appropriately replenished into the developing device 5Y through the conveying pipe 96. That is, the toner in the toner container 32Y is conveyed in the direction of the dashed arrow in FIG. 3. The conveying means is not limited to the above, and may be configured to convey the toner stored in the hopper 81 directly to the developing device 5Y by a screw or the like provided in the hopper 81, for example.

[0032] The remaining toner amount detection sensor 86 is provided to indirectly detect whether the toner contained inside the toner container 32Y has run out (toner end state) or a state close to that (toner near end state), and is installed in a position close to the suction port 83. Based on the detection result of the remaining toner amount detection sensor 86, the toner is discharged from the toner container 32Y. Specifically, a piezoelectric sensor, a transmitted light sensor, or the like can be used as the remaining toner amount detection sensor 86. The height of the detection surface of the remaining toner amount detection sensor 86 is set so that the amount of toner accumulated above the suction port 83 (accumulation height) becomes a target value. Then, based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detection sensor 86, the drive timing and drive time of the drive motor 115 that rotates and drives the toner container 32Y (container body 33) are controlled. Specifically, if the toner remaining amount detection sensor 86 determines that there is no toner at that position, the drive motor 115 is driven for a predetermined time, and if the toner remaining amount detection sensor 86 determines that there is toner at that position, the drive motor 115 is stopped. Even if such control is performed repeatedly, if the toner remaining amount detection sensor 86 continuously detects that there is no toner at that position, it is determined that the toner contained inside the toner container 32Y is empty (toner end state) or is in a state close to that (toner near end state).

[0033] The toner container 32Y (32M, 32C, 32K) as a powder container will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 show a side cross section of toner container 32Y, but are shown from the opposite direction (left to right inverted) to the direction in which toner container 32Y is shown in Figures 3 and 5. For simplicity, gear 33b of container body 33 is not shown in Figures 4 and 6.

[0034] As previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the toner container 32Y stores toner as powder therein, and is detachably installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100. As shown in FIG. 4 to 7, the toner container 32Y is made up of a container body 33, a cap portion 34, and a shutter unit 35. The shutter unit 35 is made up of a shutter member 36, a rod member 37, a compression spring 38, a case portion 39, and the like. The shutter unit 35 is integrally held by the cap portion 34 and is installed so as to fit inside the container body 33. The shutter member 36 is installed so as to be able to fit into a through-hole A of the container body 33. The container body 33 is a bottle-shaped member having a spiral groove 33a formed on its inner circumferential surface (inner periphery). The cap portion 34 is formed so as to cover the side of the container body 33 where the shutter member 36 is provided (the left side in FIG. 4). When the toner container 32Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (installation section 31), the container main body 33 is rotated by the drive motor 115 (drive mechanism) installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 while the cap section 34 (shutter unit 35) is held non-rotatably in the installation section 31, and the toner contained inside the toner container 32Y is discharged through the toner conveying nozzle 91.

[0035] 6, the shutter member 36 opens and closes the through-hole A, into which the toner conveying nozzle 91 (installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100) is inserted, in conjunction with the installation operation of the toner container 32Y into the image forming apparatus main body 100. The shutter member 36 is made of a resin material and is integrally molded together with the rod member 37. The shutter member 36 is fitted and locked to the cap portion 34 from the inside of the container relative to the through-hole A, and is configured not to be removed from the container. When the shutter member 36 closes the through-hole A, toner is not discharged from the toner container 32Y to the outside, and when the shutter member 36 opens the through-hole A, toner can be discharged from the toner container 32Y to the outside. The through-hole A is a substantially cylindrical hole centered on the rotation center of the container body 33, and is in communication with the container body 33. The shutter member 36 is a plug-like member formed to fit into the through-hole A having such a shape.

[0036] Here, the toner container 32Y is provided with a sealant 49 that seals the gap between the shutter member 36 and the through-hole A when the shutter member 36 closes the through-hole A. More specifically, the seal material 49 is made of an elastic material such as polyurethane foam or felt, and is attached so as to fit along the entire circumferential surface of the through-hole A. When the shutter member 36 closes the through-hole A, the seal material 49 seals the gap between the shutter member 36 and the through-hole A, thereby preventing the toner in the container body 33 from leaking out from the through-hole A.

[0037] The rod member 37 is provided integrally with the shutter member 36. The rod member 37 is formed to extend in the opening and closing direction of the shutter member 36 inside the toner container 32Y (the left-right direction in FIGS. 4 and 6). 4, the rod member 37 is disposed so that its axial center substantially coincides with the rotation center of the container body 33. This makes it less likely that problems such as the shutter member 36 becoming misaligned when the container body 33 is rotationally driven.

[0038] 6 and other figures, toner container 32Y in this embodiment is detachably installed in image forming apparatus main body 100 with shutter unit 35 held non-rotatably by main body side cover 120 of image forming apparatus main body 100. Then, upon receiving a rotational driving force from image forming apparatus main body 100, container main body 33 rotates around toner conveying nozzle 91.

[0039] A through hole A is formed in the shutter unit 35 of the cap portion 34, and is formed so as to extend in the direction in which the toner conveying nozzle 91 is inserted (the insertion direction, which is the left-right direction in Figures 4 and 6). In the shutter unit 35, the case portion 39 is formed inside the toner container 32Y on the opposite side (the right side in FIGS. 4 and 6) from the side where the shutter member 36 is installed so as to hold the rod member 37 movably in the opening and closing direction. The case portion 39 is formed in a substantially U-shape so as to extend in the left-right direction in FIGS. 4 and 6 inside the toner container 32Y (container body 33). A compression spring 38 serving as a biasing means is wound around the rod member 37 between the shutter member 36 and the wall of the case portion 39. The compression spring 38 biases the shutter member 36 in a direction in which the through-hole A is closed (to the left in FIGS. 4 and 6).

[0040] With this configuration, the shutter member 36 is pushed by the toner conveying nozzle 91 in conjunction with the mounting operation on the image forming apparatus main body 100 (installation section 31), and moves together with the rod member 37 into the toner container 32Y against the biasing force of the compression spring 38 (biasing means), thereby opening the through-hole A. Specifically, the shutter member 36 (and the rod member 37) operates in the order of Figures 6(A) and 6(B) when opening. In response to this, the shutter member 36 is released from the pressing of the toner conveying nozzle 91 in conjunction with the removal operation from the image forming apparatus main body 100 (installation section 31), and moves together with the rod member 37 toward the through-hole A by the biasing force of the compression spring 38, thereby closing the through-hole A. Specifically, the shutter member 36 (and the rod member 37) operates in the order of Figures 6(B) and (A) when closed. 6(B), when the toner container 32Y has been completely set in the apparatus main body 100, the shutter member 36 abuts against the wall of the case 39, and the compression spring 38 is housed in the recess of the shutter member 36. This prevents the toner inside the container from adhering to the compression spring 38 when the toner container 32Y is set in the apparatus main body 100.

[0041] 6, in this embodiment, the toner conveying nozzle 91 is provided with a fitting member 94 that fits into the shutter member 36 in conjunction with the insertion operation into the through-hole A. Specifically, the fitting member 94 has an outer diameter equal to that of the shutter member 36 and is formed in a generally cylindrical shape so as to fit into the shutter member 36. The fitting member 94 is slidably mounted relative to the main portion of the toner transport nozzle 91 in the mounting direction. The toner transport nozzle 91 is also provided with a compression spring 97 that biases the fitting member 94 downstream in the insertion direction (to the right in FIG. 6). The fitting member 94 also functions as a cover member that covers the opening 91a of the toner transport nozzle 91. When the toner container 32Y is not installed, it covers the opening 91a as shown in FIG. 6(A). When the toner container 32Y is installed, the fitting member 94 slides and the main portion of the toner transport nozzle 91 is inserted into the container body 33 as shown in FIG. 6(B). With this configuration, when the toner conveying nozzle 91 is inserted into the toner container 32Y in conjunction with the mounting operation of the toner container 32Y, the fitting member 94 is biased by the compression spring 97 and fits into the inner peripheral portion. On the other hand, when the toner conveying nozzle 91 is pulled out of the toner container 32Y in conjunction with the removal operation of the toner container 32Y, the fitting member 94 is pulled out from the inner peripheral portion.

[0042] Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration and operation of the toner container 32Y as a powder container in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As explained above, the toner container 32Y (powder container) in this embodiment is provided with a container body 33 containing toner as powder inside, a cap portion 34 that is held non-rotatably by the image forming device 100, a through hole A for inserting the toner conveying nozzle 91, which serves as a powder conveying nozzle of the image forming device body 100, into the container body 33, and a shutter member 36 that opens and closes the through hole A.

[0043] The cap portion 34 is formed so that the container body 33 is inserted therethrough and so that the toner conveying nozzle 91 (powder conveying nozzle) of the image forming apparatus body 100 can be inserted into the container body 33 via the through-hole A. The cap portion 34 is formed so as to cover the head portion of the container body 33 (a portion having a smaller outer diameter than the main portion of the container body 33), and the outer diameter of the cap portion is formed to be approximately equal to the outer diameter of the main portion of the container body 33 (a large-diameter portion in which the spiral groove 33a is formed). The through hole A is formed in the cap portion 34 so as to communicate with the inside of the container body 33 in order to insert the toner conveying nozzle 91 into the inside of the container body 33, but in this embodiment it is formed in the shutter unit 35. The shutter member 36 is installed so as to be able to fit into the through-hole A. The shutter member 36 opens and closes the through-hole A in conjunction with the operation of attaching or detaching the toner container 32Y (powder container) to or from the image forming apparatus main body 100.

[0044] 4 to 6, an ID chip 41 serving as an information storage medium is provided on the cap portion 34 of the toner container 32Y (powder container) in this embodiment. This ID chip 41 functions as an information storage medium that comes into communicative contact with the reading device 130 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in conjunction with the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y (powder container) to the image forming apparatus main body 100 in the attachment direction (the direction of the black arrow in Figure 6 (A)). The information exchanged between the reading device 130 installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the ID chip 41 of the toner container 32Y includes information about the toner inside the toner container (such as color, capacity, and production lot), information about whether the container itself is recycled, etc. Based on the information read by the reading device 130 from the ID chip 41, the image forming conditions in the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 100 are adjusted appropriately. Furthermore, the information exchanged between the reading device 130 and the ID chip 41 is not limited to information sent from the ID chip 41 to the reading device 130, but also includes information sent from the reading device 130 to the ID chip 41 (for example, the usage history of the toner container 32Y in the image forming device 100). Furthermore, the reader 130 may be provided with connection terminals that can be connected to a plurality of terminals (including a ground terminal) formed on the main surface of the ID chip 41.

[0045] In this embodiment, the ID chip 41 (information storage medium) is disposed downstream in the mounting direction from the entrance of the through-hole A on the downstream side in the mounting direction (on the left side in FIG. 4). That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ID chip 41 is disposed at a position separated by a predetermined distance δ from the entrance of the through-hole A downstream in the mounting direction. More specifically, the cap portion 34 is formed so that a holding portion 40 that holds an ID chip 41 (information storage medium) protrudes downstream in the attachment direction from the entrance of the through-hole A. When the cap portion 34 is viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, this holding portion 40 is located on the outer periphery of the cap portion 34, not at the top or bottom end or at the side end, but between the top end and the side end, so that the main body cover 120 (see FIG. 6) of the image forming apparatus 100 is not unnecessarily large in the vertical or horizontal directions.

[0046] In this way, in the toner container 32Y of this embodiment, the ID chip 41 is located at a position sufficiently far away from the through hole A of the cap portion 34 in the mounting direction. Therefore, compared to the toner container 132Y shown as a comparative example in Figure 7, in which the ID chip 41 is located near the through hole A of the cap portion 134, when the toner container 32Y is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100, the problem of toner that has been blown up around the through hole A adhering to the ID chip 41 is less likely to occur.

[0047] 7A as a comparative example, when the toner container 132Y is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 100 (on which the main body cover 129 is installed) in the direction of the black arrow, the shutter member 36, which had been opening the through-hole A, forcefully closes the through-hole A, causing the toner T adhering to the inlet end face of the shutter member 36 and its surroundings to be blown out of the through-hole A in the direction of the dashed arrow and fly up. The toner T then adheres to the surface of the ID chip 41. Furthermore, when the toner container 32Y is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 100 in the direction indicated by the black arrow, the toner T adhering to the toner conveying nozzle 91 may adhere to the lower side of the main body cover 120. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B as a comparative example, when the toner container 132Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 in the direction indicated by the black arrow, if the gap between the left side surface of the cap portion 134 and the side surface of the main body cover 129 (the side surface opposite the left side surface of the cap portion 134) becomes narrow, the airflow generated by the attachment causes the toner T (the toner T leaking from the toner container 32Y) accumulated on the main body cover 129 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 to fly up in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow. The toner T then adheres to the surface of the ID chip 41 (the ID chip 41 immediately before coming into contact with the reader 130). If the toner T adheres to the ID chip 41 in this way, the information stored in the ID chip 41 cannot be properly read by the reader 130, and information cannot be properly written to the ID chip 41. In other words, there is a possibility (potential) that a communication failure will occur due to the ID chip 41. In contrast, in this embodiment, the ID chip 41 is installed at a position sufficiently far away from the through hole A (container end face) in the mounting direction. Therefore, even if toner T is blown up by the airflow caused by the narrowing of the gap between the left side surface of the cap portion 134 and the side surface of the main body side cover 129 as explained using Figure 7, the ID chip 41 comes into contact with the reading device 1130 before the toner T blows up, so the toner T is less likely to adhere to the ID chip 41.

[0048] Now, with reference to FIG. 5 etc., in this embodiment, the holding portion 40 of the cap portion 34 is formed so as to cover the lower side of the ID chip 41 (information storage medium). That is, the lower surface 40a of the holding portion 40 is formed so as to cover the lower side of the ID chip 41. This makes it difficult for the toner T that has been blown up from below the ID chip 41 to directly adhere to the ID chip 41.

[0049] 6, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a main body cover 120 that covers a part or all of the outer periphery of the cap portion 34 of the toner container 32Y (powder container) when the toner container 32Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100. The main body cover 120 is provided with a reading device 130 and a toner conveying nozzle 91 (powder conveying nozzle). The main body side cover 120 is provided with a wall portion 120a (a wall portion that stands vertically so as to face the end face of the cap portion 34) that faces the cap portion 34 of the toner container 32Y (powder container) when it is attached to the image forming device main body 100. The wall portion 120a has a hole 120a1 formed therein, through which the ID chip 41 (information storage medium) held by the cap portion 34 is inserted. The reader 130 is disposed downstream of the wall portion 120a in the mounting direction (on the left side in FIG. 6). When the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34) is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (main body-side cover 120), the ID chip 41 is inserted into the hole 120a1 of the main body-side cover 120 (wall portion 120a) and connected to the reading device 130 located outside the wall portion 120a. That is, the ID chip 41 enters the hole 120a1 before the attachment of the toner container 32Y (cap portion 34) to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (main body-side cover 120) is completed. Therefore, the problem of toner T (toner that has been stirred up inside the main body cover 120) adhering to the ID chip 41 as previously described using Figure 7 is less likely to occur, and toner T that has been stirred up inside the main body cover 120 is also less likely to adhere to the reading device 130.

[0050] <Variation 1> As shown in FIG. 8, the toner container 32Y (powder container) in variant example 1 forms a holding unit in which the entire holding portion 40 (the portion protruding downstream in the mounting direction from the cap portion 34) is removably held by the cap portion 34. As shown in Figure 8(A), the engaging portion 40b formed at the base of the holding portion 40 engages with the engaged portion 34x (see Figure 8(B)) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap portion 34, thereby attaching the holding portion 40 (which holds the ID chip 41) to the cap portion 34. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(B), by releasing the engagement between the engaging portion 40b and the engaged portion 34x, the holding portion 40 can be removed from the cap portion 34, and the ID chip 41 can be replaced or maintained. The engaging portion 40b and the engaged portion 34x may be secured by a patch, for example.

[0051] <Variation 2> As shown in FIG. 9, a toner container 32Y (powder container) in Modification 2 has a holding unit 42 in which a part (the tip portion) of a holding portion 40 is detachably held by a cap portion . As shown in Figure 9(A), the engaging portion 42a (see Figure 10(B)) formed on the holding unit 42 (which holds the ID chip 41) engages with the engaged portion 40d (see Figure 9(B)) formed at the tip of the fixed portion of the holding portion 40 protruding from the cap portion 34, thereby attaching the holding unit 42 to the cap portion 34 (the fixed portion of the holding portion 40). Then, as shown in Figure 9(B), by releasing the engagement between the engaging portion 42a and the engaged portion 40d, the holding unit 42 can be removed from the cap portion 34 (the fixed portion of the holding portion 40), making it possible to replace or perform maintenance on the ID chip 41. 10, in Modification 2, a holding unit 42 (holding section 40) detachably holds an ID chip 41 (information storage medium). The holding unit 42 (holding section 40) is formed with elastically deformable locking sections 42b, 42c that lock the ID chip 41 to prevent it from falling off. The three locking sections 42b, 42c are each formed to protrude into the main surface from an edge that surrounds the ID chip 41 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the ID chip 41. When attaching the ID chip 41 to the holding unit 42, the worker sets the ID chip 41 in the holding unit 42 with the locking portions 42b and 42c elastically deformed, and then releases the elastically deformed state to prevent the ID chip 41 from falling out of the holding unit 42. On the other hand, when removing the ID chip 41 from the holding unit 42, the worker removes the ID chip 41 from the holding unit 42 with the locking portions 42b and 42c elastically deformed. By configuring the ID chip 41 to be detachable from the holding unit 42 (holding portion 40) in this way, replacement and maintenance of the ID chip 41 can be easily performed.

[0052] <Variation 3> As shown in FIG. 11, the image forming apparatus 100 in the third modification is provided with an opening / closing member 140 that opens and closes the hole 120a1 in the main body cover 120 (wall portion 120a) in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the toner container 32Y (powder container) to the image forming apparatus main body 100. More specifically, a photosensor 145 is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100 (main body cover 120) to optically detect the approach of the ID chip 41 (holding portion 40) to the hole 120a1. When the photosensor 145 detects the approach of the ID chip 41 to the hole 120a1 during installation of the toner container 32Y, a motor that rotates the pinion gear 141 (engaged with a rack gear formed on the opening / closing member 140) is driven, and the opening / closing member 140, which was in a closed state as shown in FIG. 11(A), changes to an open state as shown in FIG. 11(B) (moves upward). Then, the ID chip 41 and the reader 130 are connected via the hole 120a1. On the other hand, when the toner container 32Y is removed, the operation is reversed from that when the toner container 32Y is attached, and the open / close member 140 transitions from the open state to the closed state. The opening and closing mechanism of the opening and closing member 140 is not limited to the one described above, and for example, it is also possible to use one that opens and closes using only a mechanical mechanism without using the photosensor 145 or a motor. In this way, in the third modification, the opening and closing member 140 is provided to open and close the hole 120a1 in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the toner container 32Y, thereby further reducing the problem of toner adhering to the ID chip 41 and the reading device 130.

[0053] <Variation 4> As shown in FIG. 12, in image forming apparatus 100 in Modification 4, the lower part of wall 120a of body cover 120 protrudes further upstream in the mounting direction (to the right in FIG. 12) than the upper part of hole 120a1. In detail, in the example of Figure 12(A), the wall portion 120a above the hole portion 120a1 extends straight in the vertical direction, while the wall portion 120a' below the hole portion 120a1 has a portion corresponding to the edge of the hole portion 120a1 that protrudes taperedly upstream in the mounting direction. In the example of FIG. 12(B), a wall portion 120a' below the hole portion 120a1 is formed so as to be shifted upstream in the mounting direction compared to the wall portion 120a above the hole portion 120a1. In this way, by protruding the lower part of the hole 120a1 in the wall portion 120a upstream in the mounting direction, it becomes difficult for the toner that has been stirred up below the hole 120a1 to enter the hole 120a1 directly, thereby further reducing the problem of toner adhering to the ID chip 41 and the reading device 130.

[0054] <Variation 5> As shown in FIG. 13, the toner supply device 90 in variant 5 does not use the developer pump 60 shown in FIG. 3, but instead supplies the toner discharged from the toner container 32Y directly to the developing device 5Y via a conveying pipe 96. Furthermore, even in the case of a toner container 32Y that is detachably installed in a toner supply device 90 (image forming apparatus main body 100) configured in this manner, by arranging the ID chip 41 (information storage medium) downstream in the installation direction from the downstream entrance of the through hole A in the installation direction, toner is less likely to adhere to the ID chip 41.

[0055] As described above, the toner container 32Y in this embodiment is a powder container that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 100, and includes a container main body 33 that contains toner (powder). A shutter member 36 that opens and closes the through-hole A in response to the operation of attaching or detaching the toner container 32Y to or from the image forming apparatus main body 100 is provided so as to be engageable with the through-hole A of the container main body 33. A cap portion 34 that covers the side of the container main body 33 on which the shutter member 36 is provided is provided. An ID chip 41 (information storage medium) that communicably contacts the reader 130 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in response to the operation of attaching the toner container 32Y to the image forming apparatus main body 100 in the attachment direction is provided in the cap portion 34. The ID chip 41 is located downstream in the attachment direction of the through-hole A from the downstream entrance in the attachment direction. This makes it difficult for toner (powder) to adhere to the ID chip 41 (information storage medium).

[0056] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a toner container 32Y (powder container) that stores toner (single-component developer) as a powder, but the toner container to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a powder container that stores a two-component developer as a powder consisting of toner and carrier. In addition, in this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a toner container 32Y (powder container) equipped with a contact-type ID chip 41 (information storage medium) that is in communicative contact with the reading device 130 of the image forming device main body 100, but the present invention can also be applied to a powder container equipped with a non-contact-type information storage medium that is communicatively opposed to the reading device 130. Even in such cases, substantially the same effects as those of this embodiment can be obtained.

[0057] It is clear that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and that within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, the present embodiment may be modified as appropriate in addition to the modifications suggested in the present embodiment. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the above-mentioned components are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, etc. of the components may be any number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 5Y developing device (supplied section), 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner container (powder container), 33 Container body, 34 Cap part (non-rotating part), 36 shutter member, 40 holding part, 40a bottom surface, 41 ID chip (information storage medium), 42 holding units, 42a engaging part, 42b, 42c locking part, 90 Toner supply device (supply device), 91 Toner transport nozzle (powder transport nozzle), 100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main body), 120 Main body cover, 120a Wall part (opposite surface part), 120a1 hole, 130 reading device, 140 Opening and closing members, A through hole.

[0059] The present invention can also be embodied in a combination of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, as follows. (Appendix 1) A powder container detachable from the image forming apparatus body, a container body containing powder therein; a shutter member that is installed so as to be able to fit into the through-hole of the container body and that opens and closes the through-hole in conjunction with an operation of attaching or detaching the powder container to or from the image forming apparatus body; a cap portion that covers the side of the container body on which the shutter member is provided; an information storage medium that is installed in the cap portion and that is brought into communicable contact with or faces a reading device of the image forming apparatus body in response to an operation of mounting the powder container in a mounting direction relative to the image forming apparatus body; Equipped with The powder container is characterized in that the information storage medium is disposed downstream in the installation direction of the through-hole from an inlet on the downstream side in the installation direction. (Appendix 2) The powder container described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the cap portion is formed so that the holding portion that holds the information storage medium protrudes downstream in the mounting direction beyond the entrance of the through hole. (Appendix 3) The powder container described in Appendix 2 is characterized in that the holding portion is formed with an elastically deformable locking portion that detachably holds the information storage medium and locks the information storage medium to prevent it from falling off. (Appendix 4) 4. The powder container according to claim 2, wherein the holding portion is a holding unit that is detachably held by the cap portion. (Appendix 5) 10. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a powder container according to claim 1; a powder container for powder particles; a powder container for powder particles; (Appendix 6) The image forming apparatus described in Appendix 5 is characterized in that it is provided with a main body side cover that covers part or all of the outer periphery of the cap portion of the powder container when attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and in which the reading device and the powder conveying nozzle are installed. (Appendix 7) the main body cover includes a wall portion facing the cap portion of the powder container when the main body cover is attached to the image forming apparatus main body; the wall portion has a hole formed therein through which the information storage medium held by the cap portion is inserted; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reading device is disposed downstream of the wall portion in the mounting direction. (Appendix 8) 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an opening / closing member that opens and closes the hole in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the powder container to the image forming apparatus main body. (Appendix 9) The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the wall portion protrudes further upstream in the mounting direction than the hole portion at a lower portion thereof. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0060] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5435380

Claims

1. A powder container detachable from the image forming apparatus body, a container body containing powder therein; a shutter member that is installed so as to be able to fit into the through-hole of the container body and that opens and closes the through-hole in conjunction with an operation of attaching or detaching the powder container to or from the image forming apparatus body; a cap portion that covers the side of the container body on which the shutter member is provided; an information storage medium that is installed in the cap portion and that is brought into communicative contact with or faces a reading device of the image forming apparatus body in response to an operation of mounting the powder container in a mounting direction to the image forming apparatus body; Equipped with The powder container is characterized in that the information storage medium is disposed downstream in the installation direction of the through-hole from an inlet on the downstream side in the installation direction.

2. 2. The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the cap portion is formed so that a holding portion that holds the information storage medium protrudes downstream in the mounting direction beyond the entrance of the through hole.

3. 3. The powder container according to claim 2, wherein the holding portion is formed with an elastically deformable locking portion that detachably holds the information storage medium and locks the information storage medium to prevent it from falling off.

4. 3. The powder container according to claim 2, wherein the holding portion is a holding unit that is detachably held by the cap portion.

5. 3. An image forming apparatus, wherein the powder container according to claim 1 or 2 is detachably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

6. a powder conveying nozzle that is inserted into and removed from the container body through the through hole in conjunction with attachment and detachment of the powder container to and from the image forming apparatus body; The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a main body side cover that covers part or all of the outer periphery of the cap portion of the powder container when attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and in which the reading device and the powder conveying nozzle are installed.

7. the main body cover includes a wall portion facing the cap portion of the powder container when the main body cover is attached to the image forming apparatus main body; the wall portion has a hole formed therein through which the information storage medium held by the cap portion is inserted; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reading device is disposed downstream of the wall portion in the mounting direction.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an opening / closing member that opens and closes the hole in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the powder container to and from the image forming apparatus main body.

9. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a lower portion of the wall portion protrudes more toward the upstream side in the mounting direction than an upper portion of the hole.

Images