Image forming device

Abstract

An embodiment of an image forming apparatus is provided. [Solution] The device comprises an image carrier, a developer carrier, an ejection means, a loading tray including a loading surface on which recording material is loaded, a supply port, a cover configured to be movable between a closed position that covers the supply port and becomes at least a part of the loading surface, and an open position that exposes the supply port, and an information display unit that is provided on the back surface of the cover or on a predetermined surface that faces the back surface of the cover together with the supply port when the cover is in the closed position, and that displays information regarding the procedure for replenishing developer from the supply container to the developing container, and is characterized in that the supply port and the information display unit are each provided within the area of ​​the loading surface in the width direction of the recording material that is parallel to the loading surface and perpendicular to the ejection direction of the recording material.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Generally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses form images by transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum onto a transfer material as a transfer medium. Known methods for supplying developer include a process cartridge system and a toner supply system. The process cartridge system integrates the photosensitive drum and a developer container into a process cartridge, and when the developer runs out, the process cartridge is replaced with a new one.

[0003] On the other hand, the toner supply system is a system in which new toner is supplied to the developing container when the toner runs out. Conventionally, a single-component developing device of the toner supply system has been proposed in which a toner supply box capable of supplying toner is connected to a toner transport path through which the toner is transported (see Patent Document 1). The toner stored in the toner supply box is transported to the toner transport path by a transport screw. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-30084 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, users have been demanding various ways of using image forming apparatuses, such as the process cartridge system and toner supply system described above.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developer carrier that carries a developer contained in a developer container and develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image by supplying the developer to the image carrier, a discharge means that discharges the recording material onto which the toner image has been transferred to the outside of the device body, a stacking tray that includes a stacking surface on which the recording material discharged by the discharge means is stacked, a supply port to which a supply container containing developer can be attached and that supplies developer from the supply container to the developing container, and a cover that covers the supply port and has at least a part of the stacking surface. and an open position exposing the supply port; and an information display unit that is provided on the back surface of the cover or on a predetermined surface that faces the back surface of the cover together with the supply port when the cover is in the closed position, and that displays information about the procedure for replenishing developer from the supply container to the developing container, wherein the supply port and the information display unit are each provided within the area of ​​the loading surface in a width direction of the recording material that is parallel to the loading surface and perpendicular to the discharge direction of the recording material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, one embodiment of an image forming apparatus can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a toner pack, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a toner pack. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8]1A is a perspective view showing a rotary container unit of a toner pack, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the rotary container unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view showing a shutter member and a sealing member, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the shutter member and the sealing member. [Figure 10] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack in an open state. [Figure 11] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner pack in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner pack in an open state. [Figure 12] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in an open state. [Figure 13] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in an open state. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view showing a cylindrical portion and a base seal, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the cylindrical portion and a base seal. [Figure 17] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view showing a shutter member and a shutter sheet, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the shutter member and the shutter sheet. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the toner receiving portion in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the toner receiving portion in an open state. [Figure 20] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section and the toner pack in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section and the toner pack in an open state. [Figure 21] (a) A cross-sectional view showing the state before the developing container and toner pack are attached, (b) A cross-sectional view showing the state after the toner pack is attached to the developing container, and (c) A cross-sectional view showing the state after the supply base has rotated a predetermined angle from the state shown in Figure 21(b). [Figure 22]22(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner supply port and the toner discharge port are open, and FIG. 22(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the supply base has been rotated a predetermined angle from the state shown in FIG. 22(a). [Figure 23] 22(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the supply base has been rotated a predetermined angle from the state shown in FIG. 22(b), and FIG. 22(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner supply port and the toner discharge port are covered. [Figure 24] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the position of an instruction sheet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of an instruction sheet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the position of an instruction sheet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the position of an instruction sheet according to a second embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the position of an instruction sheet according to the second embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the position of an instruction sheet according to a third embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing the position of an instruction sheet according to a third embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing the position of an instruction sheet according to the first and second modified examples. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of an instruction sheet according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 33] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view showing a shutter member and a toner pack, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the shutter member and a toner pack. [Figure 34] FIG. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment. [Figure 36] 10A and 10B are a top view and a side view showing a configuration for preventing the cover from being left closed. [Figure 37] 10A and 10B are top and side views showing other configurations for preventing the cover from being left closed. [Figure 38]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a sticker that indicates the target position of the lever movement. [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a guide groove for lever movement. [Figure 40] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the entire exterior surface is formed by the ribs of the cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <First Example> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material based on image information input from an external device. Recording materials include a variety of sheet materials made of different materials, such as paper (e.g., plain paper and cardboard), plastic film (e.g., sheets for overhead projectors), specially shaped sheets (e.g., envelopes and index paper), and cloth. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed along the rotation axis of a photosensitive drum 21 (described below). The up-down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left-right direction is parallel to the horizontal direction. The rotation axes of a developing roller 31, a pair of discharge rollers 80, a pair of registration rollers 15, and a cover 83 (described below) are parallel to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0012] [Overall configuration] 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 has a printer main body 100 as the device main body, and an operation unit 300 attached to the exterior surface of the printer main body 100. The printer main body 100 has an image forming unit 10 that forms a toner image on a recording material (sheet) P, a feeding unit 60 that feeds the recording material to the image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 70 that fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 to the recording material, and a discharge roller pair 80. The printer main body 100 also has a control unit 360 that controls the image forming operation on the recording material P by the image forming unit 10.

[0013] The image forming section 10 has a scanner unit (not shown), an electrophotographic process cartridge 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 to a recording material. The process cartridge 20 has the photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22 arranged around the photosensitive drum 21, a pre-exposure device 23, and a developing device 30 including a developing roller 31.

[0014] The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrically shaped photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 21 of this embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photosensitive member on a drum-shaped substrate made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 21, which serves as an image carrier, is rotated by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the drawing) at a predetermined process speed.

[0015] The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure to form a charging portion. A desired charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 22 by a charging high-voltage power supply, thereby uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is negatively charged by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before it enters the charging portion in order to generate a stable discharge at the charging portion.

[0016] A scanner unit (not shown) serving as an exposure means uses a polygon mirror to irradiate the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device, thereby scanning and exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Note that the scanner unit is not limited to a laser scanner device, and for example, an LED exposure device having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21 may also be used.

[0017] The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 as a developer carrier that carries developer, a developing container 32 that forms the frame of the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 that can supply developer to the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. The developing roller 31 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 rotatably contacts the developing roller 31, and the toner contained in the developing container 32 as the developer is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required as long as the configuration can supply a sufficient amount of toner to the developing roller 31.

[0018] The developing device 30 of this embodiment uses a contact development method. That is, a toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in a development section (development area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a high-voltage development power supply. Under the development voltage, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface in accordance with the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Note that this embodiment employs a reversal development method. That is, a toner image is formed by the toner adhering to the surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21, which has been charged in a charging process and then exposed in an exposure process, where the charge amount has attenuated.

[0019] In this embodiment, a toner having a particle diameter of 6 μm and a normal negative charge polarity is used. As an example, the toner used in this embodiment is a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. The toner used in this embodiment does not contain a magnetic component, and is a so-called non-magnetic single-component developer in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a single-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, a single-component developer may also contain additives (e.g., wax or silica particles) to adjust the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. A two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may also be used. When a magnetic developer is used, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside is used as the developer carrier.

[0020] The developing container 32 is provided with a storage section 36 that stores toner supplied from a toner pack 40 (described later), and an agitating member 34 serving as agitating means disposed inside the storage section 36. The agitating member 34 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), thereby agitating the toner in the developing container 32 and sending the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. The agitating member 34 also circulates toner that has not been used in development and has been scraped off from the developing roller 31 within the developing container, thereby homogenizing the toner in the developing container. Note that the agitating member 34 is not limited to a rotating type. For example, an agitating member that swings may be used.

[0021] A developing blade 35 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 in which the developing roller 31 is disposed, to regulate the amount of toner carried by the developing roller 31. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through the area facing the developing blade 35 as the developing roller 31 rotates, whereby the toner is uniformly formed into a thin layer and is negatively charged by frictional charging.

[0022] 1, the feeding section 60 has a front door 61 that is supported on the printer main body 100 so as to be able to open and close, a tray section 62, and a liftable pickup roller 65. The tray section 62 forms the bottom surface of a recording material storage space that is revealed when the front door 61 is opened. Note that the front door 61 closes the recording material storage space when closed relative to the printer main body 100, and supports the recording material P together with the tray section 62 when open relative to the printer main body 100.

[0023] The fixing unit 70 is a thermal fixing unit that fixes an image by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 70 includes a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater that heats the fixing film 71, a thermistor that measures the temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressure roller 72 that presses against the fixing film 71.

[0024] Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an image formation command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming process is started by the image forming unit 10 based on image information input from an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1. A scanner unit (not shown) irradiates the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is pre-charged by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by the irradiation of the laser light. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0025] In parallel with the image forming process described above, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding section 60 feeds out the recording material P supported by the front door 61 and the tray section 62. The recording material P is fed by the pickup roller 65 to the pair of registration rollers 15, and any skew is corrected by the recording material P hitting the nip of the pair of registration rollers 15. The pair of registration rollers 15 is then driven in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image, and conveys the recording material P toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0026] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 12 as a transfer means from a transfer high-voltage power supply, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the recording material P being conveyed by a pair of registration rollers 15. The recording material P with the transferred toner image is conveyed to a fixing section 70, where the toner image is heated and pressurized as it passes through a nip between a fixing film 71 and a pressure roller 72 of the fixing section 70. This melts the toner particles and then fixes them, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material P. After passing through the fixing section 70, the recording material P is discharged in a discharge direction DD by a pair of discharge rollers 80 as a discharge means. The recording material P is then discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) through a discharge port 85 for discharging the recording material out of the machine, and is stacked on a discharge tray 81 (stacking tray) located at the top of the printer main body 100.

[0027] The discharge tray 81 is inclined upward toward the downstream side in the discharge direction DD of the recording material, and the recording material P discharged onto the discharge tray 81 slides down the discharge tray 81, and its trailing edge is aligned by the regulating surface 84. The discharge opening 85 is an opening formed in the regulating surface 84, and has a width in the width direction WD perpendicular to the discharge direction DD that is sufficient to allow a recording material of the maximum width that can be conveyed by the image forming apparatus 1 to pass through. Note that, hereinafter, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined based on the state in which the operation unit 300 is viewed from the front.

[0028] As described above, the recording material P discharged from the housing 100a through the discharge port 85 to the outside is stacked on the discharge tray 81. The housing 100a of the printer main body 100 houses the developing container 32 having the container portion 36, and is provided with the discharge port 85. In this embodiment, the housing 100a houses the photosensitive drum 21, the developing device 30, the fixing portion 70, the registration roller pair 15, etc. Furthermore, a top surface portion 200 is fixed to the upper part of the housing 100a in the vertical direction, and the discharge tray 81 is disposed thereon. The top surface portion 200 is fixed so as not to move relative to the housing 100a.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 1 has a toner receiving section (mounting section) 600 equipped with a supply port (mounting opening) 32a. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the toner receiving section 600 is provided in the developing container 32. After a portion of the toner pack 40 is inserted into the supply port 32a of the toner receiving section 600 and a predetermined operation is performed, toner is permitted to be replenished from the toner pack 40 to the storage section 36. Note that the toner receiving section 600 does not necessarily have to be provided in the developing container 32, and may be provided in the housing 100a of the printer main body 100.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a), the discharge tray 81 is provided with an openable and closable cover 83. The cover 83 is configured to be movable relative to the housing 100a and the top surface 200. Specifically, the cover 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position that covers the supply port 32a and an open position that exposes the supply port 32a to the outside of the housing 100a. In FIG. 1, the cover 83 drawn with a solid line indicates the cover 83 in the open position, and the cover 83 drawn with a dashed line indicates the cover 83 in the closed position. The cover 83 in the closed position forms at least a part of the stacking surface on which the recording material P discharged from the discharge port 85 is stacked.

[0031] In this embodiment, the discharge tray 81 also includes a loading section 87 for loading the recording material P discharged from the discharge port 85 together with the cover 83. The loading section 87 is configured so as not to move relative to the housing 100a or the top surface 200, and forms part of the loading surface. However, the loading section 87 may be omitted, and the entire loading surface of the discharge tray 81 on which the recording material P is loaded may be formed by the cover 83. Here, the loading surface is the surface that actually comes into contact with the recording material P and supports it.

[0032] 2(b), when the cover 83 is opened, the cover rear surface 83a, the upper wall 93, and the supply port 32a are exposed to the outside. The upper wall 93 is for protecting the developing container 32 from above, and the supply port 32a is for attaching the toner pack 40 to supply the developer to the developing container 32.

[0033] 1 and 2(b), when the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 32a of the toner receiving unit 600, a portion of the toner pack 40 protrudes toward the outside of the housing 100a, restricting the movement of the cover 83 to the closed position. When the toner pack 40 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming operation is restricted. When using the image forming apparatus 1 to perform an image forming operation, it is necessary to remove the toner pack 40 and move the cover 83 to the closed position.

[0034] In this embodiment, in the width direction WD of the recording material P, which is parallel to the stacking surface and perpendicular to the discharge direction DD of the recording material P, the cover 83 and the upper wall 93 are formed across the entire width of the discharge tray 81. In other words, in the width direction WD, the width of the discharge tray 81 (the width of the portion for supporting the recording material P) is equal to the width of the cover 83.

[0035] An opening is formed in the upper wall 93, exposing the toner receiving portion 600 to the outside of the housing 100a. When the cover 83 is in the closed position, the supply port 32a and the upper wall 93 of the toner receiving portion 600 are covered by the cover 83. At this time, the supply port 32a and the upper wall 93 face the cover rear surface 83a. When the cover 83 is opened, the user can access the supply port 32a. Note that this embodiment employs a method (direct supply method) in which the user supplies toner from a toner pack 40 filled with replenishment toner to the developing device 30 while the developing device 30 remains attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0036] Therefore, when the amount of toner remaining in the process cartridge 20 becomes low, it is not necessary to remove the process cartridge 20 from the printer main body 100 and replace it with a new process cartridge, thereby improving usability. Also, toner can be replenished to the developing container 32 more cheaply than if the entire process cartridge 20 were replaced. Note that the direct replenishment method eliminates the need to replace various rollers, gears, etc., and therefore reduces costs, even compared to replacing only the developing device 30 of the process cartridge 20. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 40 constitute an image forming system 1000. Note that the process cartridge 20 may be configured to be removable from the printer main body 100.

[0037] [Recovery of residual toner after transfer] This embodiment employs a cleanerless configuration in which residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 without being transferred to the recording material P is collected in the developing device 30 and reused. The residual toner is removed through the following process. The residual toner includes a mixture of positively charged toner and negatively charged toner that does not have a sufficient charge. The pre-exposure device 23 neutralizes the photosensitive drum 21 after transfer, and the charging roller 22 uniformly discharges the toner, thereby re-charging it to a negative polarity. The residual toner, re-charged to a negative polarity in the charging section, reaches the developing section as the photosensitive drum 21 rotates. The surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21 that has passed through the charging section is then exposed by the scanner unit, with the residual toner still adhering to the surface, and an electrostatic latent image is written onto it.

[0038] Here, the behavior of the transfer residual toner that has reached the development unit will be explained separately for the exposed and non-exposed areas of the photosensitive drum 21. The transfer residual toner adhering to the non-exposed area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the development roller 31 in the development unit due to the potential difference between the potential of the non-exposed area (dark area potential) of the photosensitive drum 21 and the development voltage, and is then collected in the development container 32. This is because the normal charge polarity of the toner is negative, and the development voltage applied to the development roller 31 is positive relative to the potential of the non-exposed area. The toner collected in the development container 32 is stirred and dispersed with the toner in the development container by the stirring member 34, and is then carried by the development roller 31 and used again in the development process.

[0039] On the other hand, the transfer residual toner adhering to the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 21 does not transfer from the photosensitive drum 21 to the developing roller 31 at the developing portion, but remains on the drum surface. This is because the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, and the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 has a potential that is more negative than the potential of the exposed portion (light portion potential). The transfer residual toner remaining on the drum surface is carried by the photosensitive drum 21 together with other toner transferred from the developing roller 31 to the exposed portion, and moves to the transfer portion, where it is transferred to the recording material S.

[0040] As described above, this embodiment employs a cleanerless configuration in which the transfer residual toner is collected in the developing device 30 and reused, but a conventionally known configuration in which the transfer residual toner is collected using a cleaning blade that contacts the photosensitive drum 21 may also be used. In this case, the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning blade is collected in a collection container that is installed separately from the developing device 30. However, by adopting a cleanerless configuration, installation space for a collection container for collecting transfer residual toner and the like is not required, making it possible to further reduce the size of the image forming apparatus 1, and also reducing printing costs by reusing the transfer residual toner.

[0041] [Toner pack composition] Next, the configuration of the toner pack 40, which is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and serves as a supply container for storing toner, will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the toner pack 40 includes a shutter member 41, a seal member 504, a supply base 501, an outer ring member 510, an inner ring member 511, and a pouch 503, and is configured by assembling these members. The pouch 503 is a flexible container for storing toner. A rotation axis z indicated by a dashed line in FIGS. 3 to 5 is the rotation center line of the toner pack 40.

[0042] The replenishing base 501, which serves as a container base, has an outer peripheral portion 501b as a side surface extending along an axial direction D1 parallel to the rotation axis z, and a toner discharge port 501r formed in the outer peripheral portion 501b. The replenishing base 501 also has a recessed portion 501f recessed radially inward relative to the outer peripheral portion 501b, and protruding portions 501y, 501y protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral portion 501b. The toner discharge port 501r is a through-hole that leads to the pouch 503. The protruding portions 501y, 501y are positioned 180 degrees out of phase with each other.

[0043] 4 to 7, the outer ring member 510 is a resin member having an outer peripheral surface formed into a substantially hexagonal shape, and the outer ring member 510 is formed with engagement portions 510y, 510y that can engage with the protrusions 501y, 501y of the supply base 501. The outer ring member 510 is disposed so as to cover the inner ring member 511, and forms the outermost shape of the toner pack 40 so as to function as a handle when gripping the toner pack 40. In other words, the outer ring member 510 is operated at a position radially farther away from the rotation axis z, thereby reducing the force required when the user operates the outer ring member 510 and improving usability.

[0044] The inner ring member 511 as a support member is a resin member having an outer peripheral surface formed in a substantially hexagonal shape, similar to the outer ring member 510, and is joined to the opening 503a of the pouch 503 (see FIG. 10(a)). This allows the inner ring member 511 to support the opening 503a of the pouch 503 so that the opening 503a is maintained in an open state. The inner ring member 511 is then fixed to the supply base 501 so that the opening 503a and the toner discharge port 501r communicate with each other, as will be described later. The inner ring member 511 and the pouch 503 may be joined by any method, including, for example, a method using various adhesives such as hot melt, or a method of joining the pouch 503 to the inner ring member 511 by thermal welding. It should be noted that the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring member 510 is preferably polygonal or similar in shape to prevent slipping when a user grips and rotates the outer ring member 510.

[0045] Furthermore, recesses 511y, 511y with which the protrusions 501y, 501y can be engaged are formed in the inner ring member 511. The recesses 511y, 511y have a groove shape that allows the protrusions 501y, 501y to pass through, and the engaging portions 510y, 510y have a rib shape that surrounds the protrusions 501y, 501y.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 6, the inner ring member 511 is assembled to the supply base 501 so that the convex portion 501y engages with the concave portion 511y. Then, as shown in Fig. 7, the outer ring member 510 is assembled so that the convex portion 501y engages with the engaging portion 510y. As a result, the outer ring member 510 and the inner ring member 511 are supported by the supply base 501 so that relative rotation with respect to the supply base 501 is restricted.

[0047] Furthermore, the protrusion 501y is connected to the recess 511y and the engagement portion 510y in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis z and in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. For example, the protrusion 501y may be press-fitted into the recess 511y and the engagement portion 510y, or may be connected using welding or an adhesive. As a result, the supply base 501, the outer ring member 510, the inner ring member 511, and the pouch 503 are integrally connected as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b). The outer ring member 510 is a cylindrical member having an outer peripheral surface 510d located farther from the rotation axis z than the supply base 501 in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. The inner ring member 511 is fixed to the supply base 501 inside the outer ring member 510.

[0048] Hereinafter, the integrally joined replenishing base 501, outer ring member 510, inner ring member 511, and pouch 503 will be referred to as the rotatable container unit 401, and the integrally joined shutter member 41 and seal member 504, as will be described later, will be referred to as the container shutter unit 402. That is, as shown in Fig. 5, the toner pack 40 includes the container shutter unit 402 and the rotatable container unit 401 that is rotatable relative to the container shutter unit 402. As shown in Fig. 8(a), the rotatable container unit 401 is provided rotatable about a rotation axis z relative to the container shutter unit 402 in the z1 direction and the z2 direction opposite to the z1 direction.

[0049] 9(a) and 9(b), the shutter member 41 serving as a container shutter is made of a substantially cylindrical resin member, and has a notch 41f and grooves 41g and 41h formed therein. The notch 41f and groove 41g are formed on the outer periphery of the shutter member 41, and the groove 41h is formed on the bottom surface of the shutter member 41. The notch 41f is substantially rectangular, and the groove 41g is formed to extend in the circumferential direction of the shutter member 41 over a partial range (approximately 90°) in the circumferential direction. The groove 41h is formed on the bottom surface of the shutter member 41 so as to extend in the circumferential direction over a partial range (approximately 90°) in the circumferential direction.

[0050] The seal member 504 is made of an elastically deformable material such as urethane foam or nonwoven fabric, and is fixed to the inner surface of the shutter member 41 with double-sided tape or the like. More specifically, the seal member 504 is disposed at a position different from the notch 41f of the shutter member 41. In other words, the seal member 504 and the shutter member 41 are integrally joined to each other to form the container shutter unit 402. This enables the container shutter unit 402 to prevent toner leakage from the interface between the seal member 504 and the shutter member 41.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, when assembling the rotary container unit 401 to the container shutter unit 402, the rib 501x ​​protruding from the outer circumferential portion 501b of the supply base 501 is aligned with the recess 41x formed in the shutter member 41. The assembled state, in which the rib 501x ​​penetrates the recess 41x, is shown in FIG. 10(a). At this time, the cylindrical portion 41c of the shutter member 41 is inserted into the groove-shaped inner diameter portion 501e formed at the end of the supply base 501. The inner diameter portion 501e and the cylindrical portion 41c are, respectively, a cylindrical groove and a protrusion concentric with the rotation axis z. Therefore, by inserting the cylindrical portion 41c (annular rib) into the inner diameter portion 501e (annular groove), the supply base 501 is guided to be rotatable about the rotation axis z relative to the shutter member 41.

[0052] Furthermore, the supply base 501 is provided with a hole 501k located radially inside the inner diameter portion 501e (see FIG. 6). The shutter member 41 is provided with a mounting portion 41d (see FIG. 9(a)) that is inserted into the hole 501k. The mounting portion 41d is formed with an engaged portion 41k that opens toward the tip side of the toner pack 40, and the engaged portion 41k defines a hole with two chamfered edges. Therefore, the mounting portion 41d has a two-chamfered convex shape to match the shape of the engaged portion 41k. The outermost diameter of the mounting portion 41d is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the hole 501k, and the mounting portion 41d is able to rotate freely inside the hole 501k.

[0053] Furthermore, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) ribs 510b extending in the axial direction D1 are formed on an end surface 510x of the outer ring member 510 on the shutter member 41 side. As shown in Fig. 10(b), the base end portion 41b of the shutter member 41 is surrounded by the end surface 510x and the ribs 501x, restricting movement in the axial direction D1 and in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. As a result, the rotating container unit 401 including the supply base 501 is attached to the container shutter unit 402 including the shutter member 41 so as to be rotatable relative to the container shutter unit 402 about the rotation axis z and so as to restrict movement in the axial direction D1 and in the radial direction.

[0054] The seal member 504 fixed to the shutter member 41 has a sliding surface 504b that slides against the outer circumferential portion 501b of the supply base 501. The seal member 504 is pressed by the outer circumferential portion 501b in a direction approaching the shutter member 41, i.e., outward in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and is deformed, generating a surface pressure between the outer circumferential portion 501b and the sliding surface 504b. This makes it possible to prevent toner leakage from the interface between the seal member 504 and the supply base 501.

[0055] More specifically, when viewed in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis z, the supply base 501 and the shutter member 41 are cylindrical members. The supply base 501 is configured to rotate inside the shutter member 41 along the inner circumferential surface 41j of the shutter member 41 around the rotation axis z.

[0056] 10(a) and 11(a) show a state in which the toner discharge port 501r formed in the supply base 501 is blocked by the shutter member 41 and the seal member 504. At this time, the toner contained in the pouch 503 can move to the toner discharge port 501r by passing through the opening 503a of the pouch 503, the inner space of the inner ring member 511, the opening 501a of the supply base 501, and the inner space of the supply base 501. However, because the toner discharge port 501r is blocked by the shutter member 41 and the seal member 504, the toner contained in the pouch 503 is sealed so as not to leak out when the toner pack 40 is in a stand-alone state. The opening 503a of the pouch 503 is provided at one end of the pouch 503 in the axial direction D1.

[0057] 10(b) and 11(b) show a state in which the toner discharge port 501r formed in the supply base 501 is open and not covered by the shutter member 41 and the seal member 504. At this time, the toner discharge port 501r is positioned facing the notch portion 41f of the shutter member 41, and the toner contained in the pouch 503 can be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40 through the toner discharge port 501r and the notch portion 41f.

[0058] For example, the state of the toner pack 40 shown in Figure 11(a) is the closed state, and the state of the toner pack 40 shown in Figure 11(b) is the open state. In this case, the toner pack 40 changes from the closed state to the open state when the rotating container unit 401 is rotated approximately 90 degrees in the direction of arrow z1 around the rotation axis z. Also, the toner pack 40 changes from the open state to the closed state when the rotating container unit 401 is rotated approximately 90 degrees in the direction of arrow z2 around the rotation axis z. Note that the amount of rotation of the rotating container unit 401 required to transition the toner pack 40 between the open state and the closed state may be freely set.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11(a), the positions of the supply base 501 when the toner pack 40 is in the closed state are the closed position and the first closed position, and as shown in Figure 11(b), the positions of the supply base 501 when the toner pack 40 is in the open state are the open position and the first open position.

[0060] When the supply base 501 is in the closed position, the toner discharge port 501r is closed by the shutter member 41. When the supply base 501 is in the open position, the toner discharge port 501r is opened by the shutter member 41 so that the toner in the pouch 503 is discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40 through the toner discharge port 501r.

[0061] After installing the toner pack 40 in the developing container 32, the user grips the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring member 510 and rotates the outer ring member 510 in the direction of arrow z1 around the rotation axis z. This causes the supply base 501 to also rotate in the direction of arrow z1 around the rotation axis z, and the toner discharge port 501r of the supply base 501 is exposed through the notch 41f. As a result, the toner pack 40 changes from a closed state to an open state, allowing the toner in the pouch 503 to be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40. Here, an axial direction D1 parallel to the rotation axis z is a direction along the vertical direction, and the installation direction of the toner pack 40 with respect to the image forming apparatus 1 is a direction along the axial direction D1. In other words, the toner pack 40 is configured to be installed in the image forming apparatus 1 so that the axial direction D, which is the direction of the rotation axis z, is a direction along the vertical direction.

[0062] Pouch 503 is made of a material such as a resin sheet of PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or a composite material thereof, or a composite material of nonwoven fabric, paper, and a resin thereof. If pouch 503 is made of a material that can be elastically deformed by the user, the user can easily expel the toner in pouch 503 by pressing or squeezing pouch 503 with their fingers.

[0063] When the user has finished discharging the toner in the pouch 503 into the developing container 32, he or she grips the outer peripheral surface 510d of the outer ring member 510 and rotates the outer ring member 510 in the direction of arrow z2 around the rotation axis z. This causes the supply base 501 to also rotate in the direction of arrow z2 around the rotation axis z, and the toner discharge port 501r of the supply base 501 is covered by the shutter member 41 and the seal member 504. As a result, the toner pack 40 changes from an open state to a covered state, making it possible to remove the toner pack 40 from the developing container 32.

[0064] [Toner receiving section of the developing container] Next, we will explain the toner receiving part 600 provided in the developing container 32. As shown in Figures 12 to 15, the toner receiving part 600 has a receiving base unit 602 and a receiving shutter unit 601 that is supported rotatably around a rotation axis z relative to the receiving base unit 602.

[0065] 12(a) and 13(a) show a state in which toner supply port 32r leading to storage section 36 is blocked, and FIGS. 12(b) and 13(b) show a state in which toner supply port 32r is open. Hereinafter, the state of toner receiving section 600 in which toner supply port 32r is blocked as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 13(a) will be referred to as a blocked state, and the state of toner receiving section 600 in which toner supply port 32r is open as shown in FIGS. 12(b) and 13(b) will be referred to as an open state.

[0066] The receiving base unit 602 has a cylindrical portion 32g serving as a substantially cylindrical main body base portion, a base seal 506, and a shutter retaining member 512. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 32g is formed integrally with the developing container 32 (see FIG. 1(a)), but is not limited to this. For example, the cylindrical portion 32g may be formed as a separate member from the developing container 32 and fixed to the developing container 32. Alternatively, the cylindrical portion 32g may be provided in a part of the printer main body 100 other than the developing container 32, and toner may be replenished to the developing container 32 via the cylindrical portion 32g.

[0067] The cylindrical portion 32g has a supply port 32a through which toner is supplied from the toner pack 40 to the storage portion 36 of the developing container 32 (see FIG. 1(a)), an outer circumferential portion 32b as a side surface extending along the axial direction D1, and a toner supply port 32r formed in the outer circumferential portion 32b. The cylindrical portion 32g also has an engaging portion 32e that protrudes upward in the axial direction D1 from a bottom surface 32h (see FIG. 19(a)) thereof. The engaging portion 32e engages with an engaged portion 41k of the shutter member 41, as will be described later. That is, the engaging portion 32e has a boss shape with two chamfered surfaces corresponding to the engaged portion 41k with a hole shape with two chamfered surfaces.

[0068] The engaging portion 32e is press-fitted into the hole 512e of the shutter press member 512. For this reason, the hole 512e has a hole shape with two chamfered surfaces, similar to the engaging portion 32e. The shutter press member 512 is attached to the engaging portion 32e of the cylindrical portion 32g after the shutter member 507 of the receiving shutter unit 601 is assembled to the cylindrical portion 32g. In this embodiment, the shutter press member 512 is press-fitted and fixed into the engaging portion 32e of the cylindrical portion 32g, but this is not limiting. For example, the shutter press member 512 may be fixed to the cylindrical portion 32g by welding, using an adhesive, or the like.

[0069] 16(a) and 16(b), the base seal 506 is made of an elastically deformable material such as urethane foam or nonwoven fabric, and is fixed to the cylindrical portion 32g with double-sided tape or the like. This allows the base seal 506 to prevent toner leakage at the interface between the base seal 506 and the cylindrical portion 32g. The base seal 506 also has an opening 506a at a position corresponding to the toner supply port 32r, and the toner that passes through the opening 506a is supplied to the storage portion 36 of the developing container 32 through the toner supply port 32r (see FIG. 1(a)).

[0070] 12(a) to 15 and 17, the receiving shutter unit 601 has a shutter member 507 and a shutter sheet 505. The developing container 32 (see FIG. 1(a)) includes the containing portion 36, the cylindrical portion 32g, and the shutter member 507, and rotatably supports the developing roller 31. The toner pack 40 is configured to be attachable to the developing container 32.

[0071] The shutter member 507 has an inner diameter portion 507h, an outer diameter portion 507k, and a protruding portion 507e connecting the inner diameter portion 507h and the outer diameter portion 507k. The protruding portion 507e protrudes radially inward from the outer diameter portion 507k, and as shown in FIG. 13, has a substantially fan-shaped horizontal portion 507x and a rising portion 507s extending in the axial direction D1. The horizontal portion 507x is configured to be able to pass through the groove portion 41g (see 9(a)) of the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40. The rising portion 507s is also configured to be able to pass through the groove portion 41h (see 9(a)) of the shutter member 41.

[0072] 17(a) and 17(b), a shutter sheet 505 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rising portion 507s with double-sided tape or the like. The shutter sheet 505 is a film with a thickness of about 100 μm, and is arranged so that a tip portion 505a of the shutter sheet 505 protrudes from an edge portion 507a of the rising portion 507s. A sliding surface 505k of the shutter sheet 505 is configured to be slidable against a sliding surface 506d of the base seal 506 (see FIG. 16(a)).

[0073] Grooves 507p, 507p are formed in the outer diameter portion 507k of the shutter member 507, with which the ribs 510b (see FIG. 8A) formed on the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 can engage. These grooves 507p, 507p are arranged radially opposite each other and are formed to extend circumferentially within a partial range (approximately 90°) in the circumferential direction of the outer diameter portion 507k. Therefore, the grooves 507p, 507p divide the upper portion of the outer diameter portion 507k into four sections, and the four ribs 510b of the outer ring member 510 engage with these four sections. As a result, the toner pack 40 is configured to be rotatable only within a range of approximately 90° when attached to the toner receiving portion 600. Therefore, when replenishing toner from the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32, the range in which the rotatable container unit 401 of the toner pack 40 can be rotated is made clear, improving usability.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 18, a guide groove 507c is formed in an inner diameter portion 507h of the shutter member 507, and a guide rib 32k of the cylindrical portion 32g is inserted into the guide groove 507c. As shown in Figs. 18(a) to 19(b), the guide groove 507c and the guide rib 32k are respectively a cylindrical groove and a protrusion that are concentric with the rotation axis z. Therefore, by inserting the guide rib 32k into the guide groove 507c, the shutter member 507 is guided to be rotatable about the rotation axis z with respect to the cylindrical portion 32g.

[0075] An inner peripheral surface 507d of the shutter member 507 is provided so as to be able to slide on the rib 32m of the cylindrical portion 32g. In this manner, the shutter member 507 is supported so as to be able to rotate about the rotation axis z relative to the cylindrical portion 32g.

[0076] Furthermore, a hole 507q disposed radially inside the guide groove 507c is formed in the inner diameter portion 507h of the shutter member 507. The engaging portion 32e passes through the hole 507q, but the outer diameter of the hole 507q is set to be larger than the outermost diameter of the engaging portion 32e, so that the shutter member 507 can rotate freely without interfering with the engaging portion 32e.

[0077] Then, after the shutter member 507 is assembled to the cylindrical portion 32g, the shutter retaining member 512 is press-fitted into the engaging portion 32e. As a result, the rib 507j of the shutter member 507 is sandwiched between the bottom surface 32h of the cylindrical portion 32g and the shutter retaining member 512 in the axial direction D1. As a result, movement of the shutter member 507 in the axial direction D1 is restricted. In other words, the receiving shutter unit 601 including the shutter member 507 is attached to the receiving base unit 602 including the cylindrical portion 32g and the shutter retaining member 512 so as to be relatively rotatable about the rotation axis z but immovable in the axial direction D1 and radial directions.

[0078] The base seal 506 fixed to the cylindrical portion 32g is pressed and deformed by the shutter sheet 505 fixed to the shutter member 507 in a direction approaching the cylindrical portion 32g, i.e., outward in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. This generates a surface pressure between the sliding surface 506d of the base seal 506 and the sliding surface 505k of the shutter sheet 505 (see FIG. 17(a)). Therefore, even if toner is contained in the developer container 32 alone, toner leakage at the interface between the base seal 506 and the shutter sheet 505 can be suppressed.

[0079] [Connection between the toner pack and the cylindrical part of the developing container] Next, the coupling and detachment operations of the toner pack 40 and the developing container 32, and the opening and closing operations of the toner discharge port 501r and the toner supply port 32r will be described. Figures 3(a) and 11(a) show a shielded state of the toner pack 40, in which the toner discharge port 501r is shielded by a seal member 504 attached to the shutter member 41. Figures 12(a) and 13(a) show a shielded state of the toner receiving section 600, in which the toner supply port 32r is shielded by a shutter sheet 505 attached to the shutter member 507.

[0080] Normally, both the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600 are in a shielded state when starting to replenish toner to the developing container 32. In other words, when the supply base 501 is in the first shielding position, the toner discharge port 501r is in a position that does not overlap with the toner supply port 32r of the cylindrical portion 32g when viewed from a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1, and the shutter member 507 is in the second shielding position.

[0081] 20(a), the user fits the toner pack 40 into the toner receiving portion 600. At this time, the engaged portion 41k (see FIG. 3(a)) formed on the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 engages with the engaging portion 32e formed on the cylindrical portion 32g of the toner receiving portion 600.

[0082] The engaged portion 41k and the engaging portion 32e each have a two-chamfered shape, and because they engage with each other, the shutter member 41 is attached to the cylindrical portion 32g so as not to be rotatable around the rotation axis z. In other words, when the toner pack 40 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the engaged portion 41k is configured to engage with the engaging portion 32e of the image forming apparatus 1, thereby restricting the rotation of the shutter member 41 around the rotation axis z.

[0083] In other words, the toner pack 40 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 so that rotation of the shutter member 507 around the rotation axis z relative to the cylindrical portion 32g is restricted, and so that the supply base 501 rotates together with the shutter member 507.

[0084] Furthermore, a convex portion 507e (see FIG. 13(a)) formed on the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving portion 600 passes through the notch portion 41f of the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 and engages with a concave portion 501f (see FIG. 8(a)) formed on the supply base 501. When both the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600 are in the closed state, when the toner pack 40 is fitted into the toner receiving portion 600, the engagement between the engaged portion 41k and the engaging portion 32e and the engagement between the convex portion 507e and the concave portion 501f can be performed simultaneously.

[0085] Now, consider a case where a user rotates the outer peripheral surface 510d of the outer ring member 510 in the direction of arrow z1 around the rotation axis z from the state shown in Figure 20(a) to supply toner from the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32. When the outer ring member 510 is rotated in the direction of arrow z1, the supply base 501 also rotates in the direction of arrow z1 in conjunction with the rotation. At this time, the step portion 501n (see Figure 8(a)) of the recessed portion 501f of the supply base 501 presses the end surface 507f (see Figure 13(a)) serving as the contact portion of the protruding portion 507e of the shutter member 507.

[0086] In other words, the step portion 501n as the abutting portion abuts against the end surface 507f so that the shutter member 507 rotates together with the shutter member 42 about the rotation axis z when the toner pack 40 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. As a result, the shutter member 507 as the main body shutter rotates together with the supply base 501 in the direction of arrow z1 about the rotation axis z.

[0087] On the other hand, the cylindrical portion 32g of the toner receiving portion 600 and the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 do not rotate because their rotation is restricted as described above. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11(b), the supply base 501 of the toner pack 40 rotates relative to the shutter member 41 in the direction of arrow z1, and the toner discharge port 501r faces the notch 41f of the shutter member 41. In other words, the toner pack 40 is in an open state, allowing the toner contained in the toner pack 40 to be discharged.

[0088] 13(b), the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving portion 600 rotates in the direction of arrow z1 relative to the cylindrical portion 32g, and the shutter sheet 505 fixed to the shutter member 507 moves away from the toner supply port 32r. That is, the toner receiving portion 600 is in an open state and can receive toner discharged from the toner pack 40. In other words, the shutter member 507 is located at a second open position that opens the toner supply port 32r so that the toner supplied from the toner pack 40 can be received into the storage portion 36 of the developing container 32 through the toner supply port 32r. Furthermore, when the supply base 501 is located at the first open position, the toner discharge port 501r is located at a position overlapping the toner supply port 32r of the cylindrical portion 32g when viewed from a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1, and the shutter member 507 is located at the second open position.

[0089] 20(b), the toner contained in the toner pack 40 is replenished to the developing container 32 through the toner supply port 32r and the toner discharge port 501r. The rotation angle of the outer ring member 510 is restricted to approximately 90° by the engagement between the convex portion 507e of the shutter member 507 and the groove portions 41g and 41h of the shutter member 41, and the engagement between the rib 510b of the outer ring member 510 and the groove portion 507p of the shutter member 507. The rotation angle of the outer ring member 510 is not limited to approximately 90°, and may be less than 90° or greater than 90°.

[0090] Furthermore, by engaging the convex portion 507e of the shutter member 507 with the groove portion 41g of the shutter member 41, the toner pack 40 cannot move in the axial direction D1 relative to the toner receiving portion 600, and the toner pack 40 can be locked to the toner receiving portion 600. This reduces the possibility of the toner pack 40 being unintentionally detached from the toner receiving portion 600 during toner replenishment, causing the toner to scatter inside the image forming apparatus 1, and improves the workability of the toner replenishment operation.

[0091] Next, consider a case where a user rotates the outer peripheral surface 510d of the outer ring member 510 in the direction of arrow z2 around the rotation axis z from the state shown in FIG. 20(b) to remove the toner pack 40 from the cylindrical portion 32g of the developing container 32. When the outer ring member 510 is rotated in the direction of arrow z2, the supply base 501 also rotates in the direction of arrow z2 in conjunction with the rotation axis z. At this time, the step portion 501m (see FIG. 8(a)) of the recessed portion 501f of the supply base 501 presses the end surface 507g (see FIG. 13(b)) of the protruding portion 507e of the shutter member 507. As a result, the shutter member 507 rotates in the direction of arrow z2 together with the supply base 501 around the rotation axis z.

[0092] On the other hand, the cylindrical portion 32g of the toner receiving portion 600 and the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 do not rotate because their rotation is restricted as described above. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11(a), the supply base 501 of the toner pack 40 rotates relative to the shutter member 41 in the direction of arrow z2, and the toner discharge port 501r faces the seal member 504 (see Figure 10(a)) fixed to the shutter member 41. In other words, the toner pack 40 is in a closed state, and the toner contained in the toner pack 40 cannot be discharged.

[0093] 13(a), shutter member 507 of toner receiving portion 600 rotates in the direction of arrow z2 relative to cylindrical portion 32g, and shutter sheet 505 fixed to shutter member 507 covers toner supply port 32r. That is, toner receiving portion 600 is in a shielding state and cannot receive toner discharged from toner pack 40. At this time, shutter member 507 is located at the second shielding position where it shields toner supply port 32r.

[0094] In this state, the convex portion 507e of the shutter member 507 is released from the groove portions 41g and 41h of the shutter member 41, so that the toner pack 40 can be removed from the toner receiving portion 600. Moreover, since both the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600 are in the shielded state, the toner pack 40 can be removed from the toner receiving portion 600 without causing the toner to scatter.

[0095] [Toner leakage prevention configuration] Next, a configuration for preventing toner leakage between the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600 will be described with reference to Figures 21(a) to 23(b). Figures 21(a) to 23(b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the positional relationship between the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600 of the developing container 32. The sealing member 504 and the base seal 506 are each arranged on a cylindrical curved surface, but are shown here as being flat.

[0096] 21(a) to 23(b) show the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving part 600 viewed in the axial direction D1. When the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 (see FIG. 20(a)) is rotated in the direction of arrow z1, the supply base 501 moves leftward on the paper in FIGS. 21(a) to 23(b).

[0097] Figure 21(a) shows the state before the developing container 32 and the toner pack 40 are connected. Figure 21(b) shows the state after the toner pack 40 is attached to the developing container 32 from the state shown in Figure 21(a), and is the state before the replenishing base 501 of the toner pack 40 and the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving portion 600 rotate. In the state shown in Figure 21(b), the toner supply port 32r and the toner discharge port 501r are covered, and the toner contained in the pouch 503 (see Figure 3(a)) is not discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40.

[0098] 21(c) shows a state in which the supply base 501 and the shutter member 507 have rotated by an angle Θ1 (0°<Θ1<90°) in the direction of arrow z1 (see FIG. 20(a)) from the state shown in FIG. 21(b). FIG. 22(a) shows a state in which the supply base 501 and the shutter member 507 have rotated by 90° in the direction of arrow z1 (see FIG. 20(a)) from the state shown in FIG. 21(b), and the toner supply opening 32r and the toner discharge opening 501r are open.

[0099] 21(b), when the toner pack 40 in the shielded state is attached to the toner receiving portion 600 in the shielded state, the tip portion 505a of the shutter sheet 505 is positioned so as to contact the outer circumferential portion 501b of the supply base 501. Furthermore, the step portion 501n of the supply base 501 is positioned with a gap δ1 between it and the end face 507f of the shutter member 507 in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis z. The step portion 501m of the supply base 501 is positioned with a gap δ2 between it and the end face 507g of the shutter member 507 in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis z.

[0100] These gaps δ1 and δ2 correspond to the gaps (play) when the user attaches the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32. The presence of the gaps δ1 and δ2 makes it possible to easily attach the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32, thereby improving the ease of attachment of the toner pack 40.

[0101] After the toner pack 40 is attached to the toner receiving portion 600 of the developing container 32, the user rotates the supply base 501 in the direction of the arrow z1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21(c), the gap δ1 that existed in FIG. 21(b) disappears, and the step 501n of the supply base 501 comes into contact with the end surface 507f of the shutter member 507. The end surface 507f is then pressed by the step 501n, and the supply base 501 and the shutter member 507 rotate together in the direction of the arrow z1. At this time, the gap δ2 becomes wider than in the initial state. The leading end 505a of the shutter sheet 505 is configured to abut against the outer periphery 501b of the supply base 501 without separating from the outer periphery 501b.

[0102] Furthermore, when the user rotates the supply base 501 in the direction of the arrow z1, the toner discharge port 501r and the toner supply port 32r are opened without being covered by the shutter sheet 505 and the shutter member 507, as shown in FIG. 22(a). Then, the toner contained in the toner pack 40 is supplied into the developing container 32 through the toner discharge port 501r and the toner supply port 32r. During this toner supply, the base seal 506 prevents the toner from entering the interface with the supply base 501.

[0103] Next, when the user has finished discharging toner from the toner pack 40 and wishes to remove the toner pack 40, as shown in FIG. 22(b), he or she rotates the supply base 501 from the state shown in FIG. 22(a) in the direction of arrow z2 (to the right on the paper) by an angle Θ3 (0°<Θ3<90°). This causes the step 501m of the supply base 501 to contact the end surface 507g of the shutter member 507, eliminating the gap δ2 that existed in FIG. 22(a). The end surface 507g is then pressed by the step 501m, and the supply base 501 and the shutter member 507 rotate together in the direction of arrow z2. At this time, the gap δ1 becomes wider than in the initial state.

[0104] Furthermore, when the user rotates the supply base 501 in the direction of the arrow z2, the gap δ1 formed between the step 501n of the supply base 501 and the end face 507f of the shutter member 507 is positioned above the toner supply opening 32r, as shown in Figure 23(a). At this time, the tip 505a of the shutter sheet 505 abuts against the outer circumferential portion 501b of the supply base 501, thereby preventing toner from entering the gap δ1.

[0105] When the user further rotates the supply base 501 in the direction of the arrow z2, as shown in Figure 23(b), the toner discharge port 501r is covered by the seal member 504, and the toner supply port 32r is covered by the shutter sheet 505 and the shutter member 507. In this state, the toner pack 40 can be removed from the cylindrical portion 32g of the developing container 32, and when the toner pack 40 is removed from the cylindrical portion 32g, the state returns to that shown in Figure 21(a).

[0106] [Instruction sheet layout] In this embodiment, to make it easier for the user to replenish toner, an instruction sheet 89 (information display section) is attached to the rear surface 83a of the cover as shown in Fig. 24. The instruction sheet 89 describes the procedure for replenishing toner using the toner pack 40.

[0107] 25 shows an example of information that may be written on the instruction sheet 89 in this embodiment. The instruction sheet 89 contains text and illustrations to explain four steps, and the numbers indicate the order in which the steps should be performed.

[0108] Step 1 shows how to set the toner pack 40 in the supply port 32a. Step 2 shows how to rotate the toner pack 40 180 degrees clockwise relative to the housing 100a and open the shutter to supply the developer. Step 3 shows how to release the toner pack 40 to supply the developer to the developing container 32. Step 4 shows how to rotate the toner pack 40 180 degrees counterclockwise relative to the housing 100a and then remove the toner pack 40 from the supply port 32a.

[0109] By attaching the instruction sheet 89 to the rear surface 83a of the cover, the user can easily notice the presence of the instruction sheet 89 when inserting his / her finger into the hole 88 to open the cover 83. Furthermore, since the instruction sheet 89 is attached in the access direction to the supply port 32a, there is an advantage that it is highly visible to the user.

[0110] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 24, the instruction sheet 89 is attached to the same side as the supply port 32a, on the left side. This reduces the need to move your eyes when replenishing toner, allows you to easily replenishing toner while checking the toner replenishing procedure, improves operability, and enhances usability. Also, if the supply port 32a is in the center of the cover back surface 83a, it is desirable to attach the instruction sheet 89 in the center as well. If the supply port 32a is on the right side, it is desirable to attach the instruction sheet 89 on the right side as well. In other words, it is desirable to attach the instruction sheet 89 in a position corresponding to the supply port 32a.

[0111] 26 is a diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 with the toner pack 40 attached to the supply port 32a, viewed horizontally from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD of the recording material P. In the configuration of this embodiment, the instruction sheet 89 is attached to the cover rear surface 83a so that the position of the supply port 32a and the position of the instruction sheet 89 in the width direction WD are aligned. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, when viewed horizontally from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD, at least a portion of the toner pack 40 and the instruction sheet 89 overlap.

[0112] 26, the supply port 32a and the instruction sheet 89 are provided within the area of ​​the stacking surface of the discharge tray 81 in the width direction WD. In other words, since the supply port 32a and the instruction sheet 89 are provided in relatively close positions, the user can easily understand the work content by looking at the instruction sheet 89 while performing the toner supply work.

[0113] 26, when the toner pack 40 is attached to the developing container 32, the toner pack 40 is attached in the direction of arrow X with the phase of the triangular mark 102a on the toner pack 40 aligned with the phase of the triangular mark 102b on the toner receiving section 600. In this way, the rotational phase of the toner pack 40 can be understood and it can be easily attached, which improves operability and usability.

[0114] <Second Example> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 27 and 28. In this embodiment, only the position where the instruction sheet 89 is attached differs from the first embodiment, and therefore, a description of the other configurations will be omitted.

[0115] Figure 27 shows a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the cover 83 open. In this embodiment, the supply port 32a is provided on the left side, while the instruction sheet 89 is provided on the right side of the cover rear surface 83a. In other words, unlike the first embodiment, the instruction sheet 89 is attached in a position opposite to the position where the supply port 32a is provided. Therefore, when the supply port 32a is provided on the right side in Figure 27, it is preferable to provide the instruction sheet 89 on the left side.

[0116] 28 is a diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 with the toner pack 40 attached to the supply port 32a, viewed horizontally from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction of the recording material P. In the configuration of this embodiment, the instruction sheet 89 is attached to the cover rear surface 83a so that the position of the supply port 32a and the position of the instruction sheet 89 are misaligned in the width direction WD. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, the toner pack 40 and the instruction sheet 89 do not overlap when viewed horizontally from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD.

[0117] This makes it possible to avoid a situation where, for example, when a large toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishing port 32a, most of the area of ​​the instruction sheet 89 is blocked by the toner pack 40. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where the user has difficulty checking the information written on the instruction sheet 89 while performing the replenishing operation.

[0118] 28, the supply port 32a and the instruction sheet 89 are provided within the area of ​​the stacking surface of the discharge tray 81 in the width direction WD. In other words, since the supply port 32a and the instruction sheet 89 are provided in relatively close positions, the user can easily understand the work content by looking at the instruction sheet 89 while performing the toner supply work.

[0119] <Third Example> Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 29 and 30. In this embodiment, only the position where the instruction sheet 89 is attached is different from the first embodiment, and therefore, a description of the other configurations will be omitted.

[0120] FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of image forming apparatus 1 with cover 83 open. In FIG. 29, extension tray 86 is attached to discharge tray 81. In such a configuration, instruction sheet 89 may be attached to upper wall 93 rather than to back surface 83a of cover. This configuration makes it easier for the user to notice when they insert their finger into hole 88 to open discharge tray 81, and has the advantage of good visibility because instruction sheet 89 is attached in the same direction as the installation direction of toner pack 40. Furthermore, since toner can be replenished while easily checking the toner replenishment operation method, operability is improved, resulting in improved usability.

[0121] The extension tray 86 may be configured to be movably supported relative to the discharge tray 81 and movable between a use position where it can support the recording material P and a storage position where it is located when not in use. The extension tray 86 may also be configured to be detachable from the discharge tray 81. An instruction sheet 89 may be attached to the upper wall 93 regardless of whether the extension tray 86 is present or not.

[0122] 30, the upper wall 93 may be provided with not only the instruction sheet 89 but also a remaining amount display unit 94, a replenishment request unit 96, and a code display unit 97. The remaining amount display unit 94 uses three LEDs to indicate the remaining amount of toner contained in the developer container 32 in stages. The replenishment request unit 96 prompts the user to replenish toner by lighting or flashing the LED when the toner contained in the developer container 32 is running low. The code display unit 97 may display, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), and it is desirable to configure the device so that by scanning this QR code with a camera such as a smartphone, the user is automatically connected to an internet site that contains a video explaining the toner replenishment procedure.

[0123] Note that the configuration of the third embodiment is not limited to providing the instruction sheet 89 on the upper wall 93, and the remaining amount display unit 94, replenishment request unit 96, and code display unit 97 may also be provided in the configuration of the first or second embodiment. In Figure 31(a), the instruction sheet 89 is attached to the back surface 83a of the cover, and the remaining amount display unit 94, replenishment request unit 96, and code display unit 97 are provided on the upper wall 93.

[0124] Furthermore, a recess 93a may be formed in the upper wall 93, allowing a smartphone or a mobile information terminal for changing device settings to be installed and communicate with the image forming apparatus 1 and change or confirm device settings. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 31(b), a code display unit 97 may be provided on the bottom surface of the recess 93a. With this configuration, a user notices the existence of the code display unit 97 before placing the smartphone in the recess 93a, reads the QR code with the camera, and connects to an Internet site. Then, with the smartphone placed in the recess 93a, a video explaining the toner replenishment procedure is played on the smartphone screen. This allows the user to perform the toner replenishment procedure while watching the video.

[0125] In this embodiment, several arrangements are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these. Various other arrangements are possible, such as arranging the recess 93a and the remaining amount display unit 94 on the upper wall 93, or arranging the instruction sheet 89 on the upper wall 93 and the code display unit 97 on the back surface 83a of the cover.

[0126] <Fourth Example> Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 32. In this embodiment, only the information written on the instruction sheet 89 is different from the first embodiment, and therefore, description of the other configurations will be omitted.

[0127] In this embodiment, the position of the instruction sheet 89 is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the instruction sheet 89 is provided on the cover rear surface 83a shown in Figures 24 and 26. Here, if a large toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishing port 32a, for example, most of the area of ​​the instruction sheet 89 may be blocked by the toner pack 40. As a result, it may be difficult for the user to check the information written on the instruction sheet 89 while performing the replenishing operation.

[0128] Figure 32 shows an example of information written on an instruction sheet 89 in this embodiment. The instruction sheet 89 contains text and illustrations to explain four procedures, and the numbers indicate the order in which the procedures should be carried out. Compared to Figure 25, the display positions of each procedure written on the instruction sheet 89 are different.

[0129] In Figure 32, steps 1 and 2 are displayed vertically downwards, and steps 3 and 4 are displayed vertically upwards. The crucial difference between group 1 consisting of steps 1 and 2 and group 2 consisting of steps 3 and 4 is as follows: the tasks in group 1 are completed by the time the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 32a, whereas the tasks in group 2 are started after the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 32a. Taking these factors into consideration, in this embodiment, the display positions of the information for steps 3 and 4 are moved vertically upwards so that the user can easily see the information for these steps even after the toner pack 40 has been attached to the supply port 32a.

[0130] In this embodiment, the position of the instruction sheet 89 has been described as being the same as that of the first embodiment, but this is not limiting. The instruction sheet 89 described in this embodiment may be applied to the configuration of the second or third embodiment.

[0131] In the first to fourth embodiments, the instruction sheet 89 explains four procedures for toner replenishment. However, this is not limited to this. It is not necessary to explain all four procedures, and it is acceptable to explain at least one of the procedures. Furthermore, it is not necessary to include both text and illustrations, and it is acceptable to include only text or only illustrations.

[0132] In the first to fourth embodiments, the instruction sheet 89 is attached to the rear cover surface 83a or the upper wall 93. However, this is not limiting. Instead of a sheet, text or illustrations may be engraved or embossed directly on the rear cover surface 83a or the upper wall 93.

[0133] <Modification> [Lever configuration] Next, other modified examples will be described. In this embodiment, the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving unit 600 in the first embodiment is replaced with a shutter member 507B. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment will not be shown in the drawings or will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0134] As in the first embodiment, the shutter member 507 according to this embodiment has an inner diameter portion 507h, an outer diameter portion 507k, and a protrusion 507e, as shown in Fig. 15. That is, the shutter member 507B differs from the shutter member 507 of the first embodiment only in that it is provided with a fitting portion 513 in addition to the shutter member 507 of the first embodiment.

[0135] As shown in Figures 33(a) to 34, the fitting portion 513 of the shutter member 507B has an approximately hexagonal opening 513a into which the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 engages, and a lever portion 513b that can be rotated by the user.

[0136] Fig. 35 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus 1B according to this embodiment. Image forming apparatus 1B has basically the same configuration and functions as image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 35, an opening 82a is formed in discharge tray 81 of image forming apparatus 1B, and opening 82a is located on the right side of the apparatus.

[0137] The fitting portion 513 of the shutter member 507B is exposed to the outside through the opening 82a, and when replenishing toner in the developing container 32 (see FIG. 1), the user fits the toner pack 40 into the fitting portion 513. More specifically, the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 is fitted into the fitting portion 513.

[0138] Then, the user operates the lever portion 513b exposed from the opening 82a to rotate the lever portion 513b about the rotation axis z (see FIG. 33(b)). This rotates the shutter member 507B and the rotating container unit 401 (see FIG. 5) of the toner pack 40, and the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600B change from the closed state to the open state. As a result, the toner in the toner pack 40 can be replenished to the developing container 32.

[0139] As described above, in this embodiment, the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600B can be changed from a closed state to an open state by operating the lever portion 513b of the shutter member 507B, rather than operating the outer ring member 510 as in the first embodiment.

[0140] The space required to grip the lever portion 513b is smaller than the space required to grip the outer ring member 510, so that even if the opening 82a is small, for example, the lever portion 513b is easy to operate, improving usability.

[0141] [Cover closing prevention configuration] In this embodiment, a protrusion 83b is further provided on the cover rear surface 83a as shown in FIG. 36. Here, the upper side of FIG. 36 is a top view of the vicinity of the fitting portion 513, and the lower side of FIG. 36 is a side view of the vicinity of the fitting portion 513 (the top view of FIG. 36 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 cut along plane A shown in the side view of FIG. 36). Consider a situation in which a user rotates the fitting portion 513 from the closed position ((a) in FIG. 36) to the open position ((b) in FIG. 36) when replenishing toner, and then forgets to return the fitting portion 513 to the closed position after completing the toner replenishing. In this situation, when closing the discharge tray 81, the protrusion 83b interferes with the lever portion 513b, preventing the discharge tray 81 from closing.

[0142] This configuration will be explained in more detail using the drawings. As shown in the top view of FIG. 36, in (a), the protrusion 83b and the lever portion 513b do not overlap. On the other hand, in (b), the protrusion 83b and the lever portion 513b overlap. Therefore, in (a), the protrusion 83b and the lever portion 513b do not interfere with each other, and the cover 83 can be closed (moved to the closed position). On the other hand, in (b), the protrusion 83b and the lever portion 513b interfere with each other, and the cover 83 cannot be closed. Looking at the side view of FIG. 36, it can be seen that in (b), the cover 83 stops at a higher position in the vertical direction than in (a). With this configuration, the user can open the cover 83 again and rotate the fitting portion 513 to the closed position, preventing the user from forgetting to close the fitting portion 513.

[0143] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with a cover open / close detection sensor (not shown). This sensor can detect whether the cover 83 is closed relative to the printer body 100. If this sensor detects that the cover 83 is not closed, the control unit 360 will not start image formation. This configuration can prevent image formation from being started by mistake with the lever portion 513b in a position other than the closed position, which could result in toner leaking to the outside from the supply port 32a, etc.

[0144] 36 has been described as a configuration in which lever portion 513b operated by the user interferes with protrusion portion 83b when closing cover 83. However, this is not limiting. FIG. 37 shows a configuration in which protrusion portion 520 is provided separately from lever portion 513b operated by the user, and interferes with protrusion portion 83b when closing cover 83. When lever portion 513b is moved, protrusion portion 520 also moves in the same direction by the same amount.

[0145] As shown in the top view of FIG. 37 (a), the convex portion 83b and the protrusion 520 do not overlap. On the other hand, in the case of (b), the convex portion 83b and the protrusion 520 overlap. Therefore, in the case of (a), the convex portion 83b and the protrusion 520 do not interfere with each other, and the cover 83 can be closed (moved to the closed position). On the other hand, in the case of (b), the convex portion 83b and the protrusion 520 interfere with each other, and the cover 83 cannot be closed. Looking at the side view of FIG. 37 (b), it can be seen that the cover 83 stops at a higher position in the vertical direction compared to the case of (a). With this configuration, the user can open the cover 83 again and rotate the fitting portion 513 to the closed position, preventing the user from forgetting to close the fitting portion 513.

[0146] [Target position of lever movement] 38, stickers 99a and 99b may be attached to the positions of lever portion 513b corresponding to the open and closed positions as guides for movement. This allows the user to confirm that fitting portion 513 has rotated to the open position when refilling toner, and to confirm that fitting portion 513 has rotated to the closed position when returning fitting portion 513 to its original position after refilling toner, thereby preventing the user from forgetting to close the fitting portion.

[0147] Furthermore, since it is sufficient to indicate the guide for movement, it is not necessarily necessary to use the stickers 99a and 99b, and for example, a mark may be directly engraved or embossed.

[0148] 38, the instruction sheet 89 may be placed near the fitting portion 513. By placing it near the fitting portion 513, the movement of the line of sight is reduced, visibility is improved, and usability can be improved.

[0149] [Guide groove for lever movement] 39, to make it easier for lever portion 513b to move between the open position and the closed position and to make it easier for the user to intuitively know in which direction to rotate lever portion 513b, guide groove 530 may be provided in upper wall 93. Here, guide groove 530 is a fan-shaped groove formed to match the rotation trajectory of lever portion 513n.

[0150] [Part of the cover is the front of the exterior] 40, a part of the exterior member 103 on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 may be formed of the rib 83c of the cover 83. Here, the exterior member 103 is the exterior member located on the downstream side of the housing 100a in the discharge direction DD of the recording material P. With this configuration, when the cover 83 is opened, the space on the front side of the supply port 32a is released, improving operability when supplying toner and improving usability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 1. Image forming device 21 Photosensitive drum 31 Developing roller 32a Supply port 80 Discharge roller pair 81 Output tray 83 Cover 89 Instruction Sheet 100 Printer body

Claims

1. A main body comprising: (1) a transfer roller for transferring a developer image onto a recording material; (2) an ejection roller; (3) an ejection tray having a first surface and a second surface on which the recording material ejected by the ejection roller is loaded, and which is movable between an open position and a closed position; and (4) a sheet disposed on the second surface for displaying operation information. A process unit comprising a photoreceptor capable of forming an electrostatic latent image, a storage section capable of containing a developer, and a developing roller for supplying the developer contained in the storage section to the photoreceptor, A toner container that contains a developer and is detachable from the process unit located on the main body, Equipped with, The discharge roller discharges the recording material onto which the developer image has been transferred by the transfer roller to the outside of the main body. The open position is a position that allows the toner container to be mounted on the process unit located in the main body. The closed position is a position that restricts the mounting of the toner container to the process unit located in the main body. The aforementioned operation information is information indicating an operation to move the toner container in a direction away from the main unit. The sheet is exposed to the outside of the main body when the discharge tray moves from the closed position to the open position. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. When the direction of the discharge roller that intersects both the discharge direction of the recording material and the vertical direction is defined as the intersecting direction, and the state of the toner container when the toner container is mounted on the process unit on the main body is defined as the mounted state, when the toner container is in the mounted state and the discharge tray is in the open position, at least a portion of the sheet is in the same position as the toner container in the intersecting direction, The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The process unit is provided with a receiving opening for receiving the developer from the toner container, When the toner container is in the installed state and the discharge tray is in the open position, the receiving opening and at least a portion of the sheet are in the same position in the intersecting direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

4. Further comprising a lever portion configured to be movable, The toner container has an outlet opening through which the developer contained in the toner container is discharged, and the toner container is provided with a shielding portion that covers the outlet opening. When the toner container is in the installed state, the lever portion moves, allowing the toner container to transition between a first state in which the discharge opening is covered by the shielding portion and a second state in which the discharge opening is exposed to the outside of the toner container. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

5. When the discharge tray is in the open position, the lever portion is positioned below the seat. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The lever portion further comprises a guide groove indicating the direction of movement, The image forming apparatus according to feature 5.

7. The main body includes a top surface on which an operating section is provided, The discharge tray is configured to be movable relative to the top surface, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that when the discharge tray is in the open position, the operating unit is located above the lever unit.

8. When the discharge tray is in the open position, the sheet is above the operating section. The image forming apparatus according to feature 7.

9. The process unit includes a mounting portion to which the toner container is attached, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, when the process unit is arranged in the main body, the mounting portion is located below the operating portion.

10. The process unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The operation information indicates an operation to move the toner container upwards. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images