Image forming apparatus

Abstract

Further develop existing technologies. [Solution] The image forming apparatus comprises a main body, an exterior member, a toner container, and a residual toner container. The main body includes a photosensitive drum, a belt, a transfer member for transferring a toner image on the belt to a recording material, a developing means, a toner storage section, and at least one of a recovery member and a blade for collecting residual toner. The toner container stores the toner supplied to the toner storage section, and the residual toner container stores at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner collected from the belt by the recovery member, and is provided on one end side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and is configured so that the direction of removal of the toner container from the main body is upward in the direction of gravity, and a part of the exterior member is attached to the residual toner container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

Background Art

[0002] According to Patent Document 1, there is disclosed an image forming apparatus including a plurality of photosensitive drums, a primary transfer roller that transfers a toner image formed on each photosensitive drum to an intermediate transfer belt, and a secondary transfer roller that transfers a full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to a recording material. After the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt by the primary transfer roller, the waste toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is removed by a cleaning blade and conveyed to a waste toner container by an auger. The waste toner container is exposed by opening a door provided in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there remains room for further improvement in the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to further develop the conventional technology.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body; an exterior member that forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus; a toner container detachable from the apparatus body; and a residual toner container detachable from the apparatus body independently of the toner container, wherein the apparatus body comprises: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a rotation axis extending in an axial direction intersecting the direction of gravity; a belt onto which a toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred; a transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material; a developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image; a toner storage section for storing toner to be carried by the developing means; a recovery member for collecting residual toner remaining on the belt that has not been transferred to the recording material; and the photosensitive drum The image forming apparatus is characterized by having at least one of the following: a contacting blade that scrapes off residual toner remaining on the belt on the photosensitive drum that has not been transferred to it; the toner container contains toner supplied to the toner storage section; the residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off on the photosensitive drum by the blade and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member; the container is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction; the removal direction of the toner container from the main body of the apparatus is configured to be upward in the direction of gravity; and a part of the exterior member is attached to the residual toner container.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body having a mounting portion; an exterior member forming the exterior of the image forming apparatus; a toner container detachable from the mounting portion of the apparatus body; and a residual toner container detachable from the apparatus body independently of the toner container, wherein the apparatus body comprises: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a rotation axis extending in an axial direction intersecting the direction of gravity; a belt onto which a toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred; a transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material; a developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image; a toner storage portion for storing toner to be carried by the developing means; a recovery member for collecting residual toner remaining on the belt that has not been transferred to the recording material; and a blade in contact with the photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus comprises at least one of the following: a blade for scraping off residual toner that remains on the belt on the ram without being transferred; and an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position for closing the mounting portion and an open position for opening the mounting portion; the toner container contains toner supplied to the toner storage portion; the residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off on the photosensitive drum by the blade and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member; the residual toner container is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction; a part of the exterior member is attached to the residual toner container; and the residual toner container is configured to be removable from the main body of the apparatus when the opening / closing member is in the closed position.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body having a mounting portion; an exterior member that forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus; a toner container detachable from the mounting portion of the apparatus body; and a residual toner container detachable from the apparatus body independently of the toner container, wherein the apparatus body comprises: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a rotation axis extending in an axial direction intersecting the direction of gravity; a belt onto which a toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred; a transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material; a developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image; a toner storage portion for storing toner to be carried by the developing means; a recovery member for collecting residual toner remaining on the belt that has not been transferred to the recording material; and a blade that contacts the photosensitive drum, wherein the toner on the photosensitive drum is... The image forming apparatus comprises at least one of the following: a blade for scraping off residual toner that remains untransferred to the belt; and an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position for closing the mounting portion and an open position for opening the mounting portion, and is configured to rotate from the closed position to the open position by rotating downward in the direction of gravity relative to the main body of the apparatus; the toner container contains toner supplied to the toner storage portion; the residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member; the container is provided on one end side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; and a part of the exterior member is attached to the residual toner container.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body having a mounting portion; an exterior member forming the exterior of the image forming apparatus; a toner container detachable from the mounting portion of the apparatus body; and a residual toner container detachable from the apparatus body independently of the toner container, wherein the apparatus body comprises: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a rotation axis extending in an axial direction intersecting the direction of gravity; a belt onto which a toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred; a transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material; a developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum to develop a toner image; a toner storage portion for storing toner to be carried by the developing means; a recovery member for collecting residual toner remaining on the belt that has not been transferred to the recording material; and a blade in contact with the photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising: a blade for scraping off residual toner remaining on the belt on the photosensitive drum that has not been transferred to it; and an opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position for closing the mounting portion and an open position for opening the mounting portion, and is configured to be rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the direction of gravity; the toner container contains toner supplied to the toner storage portion; the residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off on the photosensitive drum by the blade and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member; the container is provided on one end side of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction; and a part of the exterior member is attached to the residual toner container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the prior art can be further developed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the toner cartridge door in the closed position, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the toner cartridge door in the open position. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the process cartridge and waste toner container removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the toner cartridge removed. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the process unit after the toner cartridge has been removed. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the back of the waste toner container. [Figure 7] (a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the waste toner container installed, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the waste toner container removed. [Figure 8] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the waste toner container attached to the main unit of the device, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the waste toner container removed from the main unit of the device. [Figure 9] (a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus in the closed position according to the second embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus in the open position. [Figure 10] (a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the waste toner container installed, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the waste toner container removed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in these embodiments should be appropriately modified depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and the multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0012] Note that the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is placed on an installation surface that is a horizontal plane as a normally assumed installation state. Therefore, the axes and directions on the paper surface in each figure are defined as follows.

[0013] The X-axis and Y-axis in the figure extend parallel to the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis extends in the vertical direction (direction of gravity). Regarding the X-axis, the direction of the arrow of the X-axis is the X direction, and the direction opposite to the X direction is the -X direction. Also, the X direction is sometimes referred to as the right direction, and the -X direction is sometimes referred to as the left direction. Regarding the Y-axis, the direction of the arrow of the Y-axis is the Y direction, and the direction opposite to the Y direction is the -Y direction. Also, the Y direction is sometimes referred to as the front direction, and the -Y direction is sometimes referred to as the rear direction. Regarding the Z-axis, the direction of the arrow of the Z-axis is the Z direction, and the direction opposite to the Z direction is the -Z direction. Also, the Z direction is sometimes referred to as the upward direction, and the -Z direction is sometimes referred to as the downward direction. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0014] <First Embodiment> 〔Overall Configuration〕 First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the toner cartridge door 21 is in the closed position, and FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the toner cartridge door 21 is in the open position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the process cartridge 4 and the waste toner container 9 are removed from the apparatus main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser beam printer using the electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 and an original document reading unit 13 provided above the apparatus main body 2. The original document reading unit 13 has an original document table on which an original document is placed and a reading unit that reads information on images and characters recorded on the original document placed on the original document table.

[0016] Note that the image forming apparatus includes a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction peripheral, and refers to an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet used as a recording medium based on image information input from an external PC or image information read from a document. In addition, the image forming apparatus may have attached devices such as an optional feeder, an image reading device, and a sheet processing device connected to a main body having an image forming function. However, the entire system to which such attached devices are connected is also a type of image forming apparatus.

[0017] The apparatus main body 2 has an image forming unit 50 that forms an image on a sheet S as a recording material, a feeding unit 3, a fixing unit 10, and a pair of discharge rollers 11. The image forming unit 50 has a process unit 40, an intermediate transfer unit 7 disposed below the process unit 40, and a scanner unit 6 disposed above the process unit 40. Note that the sheet S includes papers such as paper and envelopes, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets (OHP), and sheets such as cloth.

[0018] The process unit 40 includes four process cartridges 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K that form toner images of four colors: yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). The process cartridges 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K are arranged side by side in a substantially horizontal direction (Y direction). Note that the order of the process cartridges 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K may be set arbitrarily. For example, the four process cartridges may be arranged in the order of process cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the process unit 40 is configured to be detachable from the housing of the main body 2 of the apparatus. The housing of the main body 2 includes, for example, the main frame of the main body 2. For example, the process unit 40 may include a tray (support member) that supports the four process cartridges 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K, and the process cartridges 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K move together by attaching and detaching the tray to the housing of the main body 2. Alternatively, the process cartridges 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K may each be configured to be independently detachable from the housing of the main body 2 of the apparatus.

[0020] The four process cartridges 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K have the same configuration except for the color of the image they form. Therefore, only the configuration and image formation process of process cartridge 4Y will be explained, and the descriptions of process cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4K will be omitted.

[0021] The process cartridge 4Y includes a cleaning unit 41 and a developing unit 42. The cleaning unit 41 includes a photosensitive drum 43, a charging roller 44, a cleaning blade 45 as a blade, and a waste toner screw 451 for transporting waste toner to a waste toner container 9, which will be described later. The photosensitive drum 43 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the X direction or -X direction, which is an axial direction intersecting the direction of gravity (-Z direction). The developing unit 42 includes a developing roller 46 and a developing container 49 as a toner storage section for containing the developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) T. The developing unit 42 is supported so as to be swingable relative to the cleaning unit 41. The developing unit 42 may be provided detachably from the cleaning unit 41 or integrally with the cleaning unit 41.

[0022] For example, if process cartridge 4K is considered the first process cartridge, then the photosensitive drum 43, developing roller 46, developing container 49 of process cartridge 4K, and the toner cartridge 5K, which is mounted on process cartridge 4K and will be described later, can be said to be the first photosensitive drum, first developing means, first toner storage unit, and first toner container, respectively. Similarly, if process cartridge 4M is considered the second process cartridge, then the photosensitive drum 43, developing roller 46, developing container 49 of process cartridge 4M, and the toner cartridge 5M, which is mounted on process cartridge 4M, can be said to be the second photosensitive drum, second developing means, second toner storage unit, and second toner container, respectively. The photosensitive drum 43 of process cartridge 4M carries a toner image of a different color than the photosensitive drum 43 of process cartridge 4K. The photosensitive drums 43 of process cartridge 4K and process cartridge 4M are aligned in the Y direction (crossing direction, first crossing direction, second crossing direction). Similarly, the toner cartridges 5M and 5K are aligned in the Y direction (see Figure 2(b)). In other words, the alignment direction of the photosensitive drum 43 of process cartridge 4K and the photosensitive drum 43 of process cartridge 4M is the same as the alignment direction of the toner cartridges 5M and 5K. That is, the photosensitive drum 43 of process cartridge 4K and the photosensitive drum 43 of process cartridge 4M are configured to be removable from the main unit 2 as an integrated process unit 40.

[0023] In this embodiment, each process cartridge (for example, process cartridge 4K) is provided with a photosensitive drum 43 and a developing roller 46, but this is not limited to this. For example, the process cartridge may not have a developing roller 46, and the developing roller 46 may be provided in a toner cartridge (for example, toner cartridge 5K) that is detachably attached to the process cartridge. That is, the toner cartridge may have a developing roller 46 and a toner storage section that houses the toner carried on the developing roller 46.

[0024] The intermediate transfer unit 7 includes an intermediate transfer belt 71, which is a belt wrapped around the drive roller 7a and tension roller 7b, and primary transfer rollers 72Y, 72C, 72M, and 72K, which are positioned inside the intermediate transfer belt 71. Above the drive roller 7a, a belt cleaning unit 73 is provided as a recovery member that scrapes off waste toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 71. The waste toner scraped off by the belt cleaning unit 73 is transported to the waste toner container 9 by a waste toner screw 731. In addition, a secondary transfer roller 8 is provided opposite the drive roller 7a, sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 71, and acting as a transfer member. The intermediate transfer belt 71 and the secondary transfer roller 8 form a transfer nip T2 that transfers an image onto the transported sheet S.

[0025] The feeding unit 3 is located at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1 and includes a cassette 30 for containing the sheet S and a pickup roller 31 for feeding the sheet S contained in the cassette 30. The feeding unit 3 also includes a pair of transport rollers 32 for transporting the sheet S fed by the pickup roller 31 toward the transfer nip T2. The cassette 30, which serves as a pull-out section, is pullable out in the Y direction and can be inserted into the apparatus body 2 in the -Y direction. The fixing unit 10 includes a heating unit 101 for heating the toner image on the sheet S and a pressure roller 102 that presses against the heating unit 101.

[0026] Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 configured in this way will be described. When an image signal is input to the scanner unit 6 from a personal computer (not shown) or a document reading unit 13, the scanner unit 6 irradiates a laser beam corresponding to the image signal onto the photosensitive drum 43 of the process cartridge 4Y.

[0027] At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging roller 44, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface when laser light is irradiated from the scanner unit 6. The toner in the developing container 49 is carried onto the developing roller 46 by a paddle (not shown). The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 43 is developed by the developing roller 46, which acts as a developing means, and a yellow (Y) toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 43. At this time, the developing unit 42 of the process cartridge 4Y is pressurized by a developing pressure unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the device 2.

[0028] Similarly, laser light from the scanner unit 6 is shone onto each photosensitive drum of process cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4K, forming cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) toner images on each drum. The toner images of each color formed on each drum are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 71 by the primary transfer rollers 72Y, 72C, 72M, and 72K, and transported to the transfer nip T2 by the intermediate transfer belt 71, which is rotated by the drive roller 7a. The image formation process for each color is performed at a timing that overlaps with the upstream toner image that has been primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 71.

[0029] In parallel with this image formation process, the sheet S housed in the cassette 30 of the feeding unit 3 is fed out by the pickup roller 31 and transported by the transport roller pair 32 at a predetermined transport timing in accordance with the image transfer timing at the transfer nip T2. Then, the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 71 is transferred to the sheet S at the transfer nip T2 by the secondary transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer roller 8. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 can also form a monochrome or multicolor toner image on the sheet S using only one or more desired process cartridges.

[0030] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is subjected to predetermined heat and pressure by the heating unit 101 and pressure roller 102 of the fixing unit 10, causing the toner to melt and solidify (fix) to the sheet. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 10 is discharged to the discharge tray 12 by the discharge roller pair 11.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the downstream side of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 in the X direction is provided with a toner cartridge door 21 and a waste toner container 9, which serves as a container for remaining toner. In other words, the waste toner container 9 is located on one end side in the axial direction of each photosensitive drum of the process unit 40. To put it another way, the waste toner container 9 is located downstream of each photosensitive drum of the process unit 40 in the X direction.

[0032] The toner cartridge door 21, which serves as an opening and closing member, is positioned above the waste toner container 9 and is designed to open and close between a closed position (the position shown in Figure 2(a)) and an open position (the position shown in Figure 2(b)) around a pivot axis 21a.

[0033] The pivot axis 21a extends in the Y direction, and the toner cartridge door 21 is configured to rotate from a closed position to an open position by rotating downward in the direction of gravity relative to the device body 2. In the closed position, the toner cartridge door 21 covers the opening 2a of the device body 2, and in the open position, it opens the opening 2a and exposes it to the outside of the device body 2.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2(b) and 3, when removing the process unit 40 from the housing of the main unit 2, a cover (not shown) that supports the axis of the toner cartridge door 21 is removed from the main unit 2. That is, the toner cartridge door 21 is configured to be removable from the housing of the main unit 2 in the X direction. With the toner cartridge door 21 removed, the process unit 40 can be removed to the outside of the main unit 2 through the opening 2a.

[0035] The process unit 40 is equipped with removable toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K, which serve as toner containers capable of replenishing toner into the developing containers (48) of each process cartridge. The toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K contain yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) toner, respectively. When a remaining amount detection unit (not shown) located in the main body 2 detects that the toner in each developing container has fallen below a predetermined amount, toner is replenished from the toner cartridge corresponding to that developing container.

[0036] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the apparatus body 2, the exterior members 60 that constitute the exterior of the apparatus body 2, the document reading unit 13, the toner cartridges 5Y to 5K, and the waste toner container 9. In other words, the apparatus body 2 is the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the exterior members 60, the document reading unit 13, the toner cartridges 5Y to 5K, and the waste toner container 9.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the process unit 40 is provided with waste toner transfer sections 411Y, 411C, 411M, and 411K for transferring waste toner transported from the waste toner screw (451) provided in each process cartridge to the waste toner container 9. That is, the waste toner transfer sections 411Y, 411C, 411M, and 411K are in communication with the transport paths of the waste toner screws provided in each process cartridge 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K. The main body of the device 2 is also provided with a waste toner transfer section 732 for transferring waste toner scraped off by the belt cleaning unit 73 and transported by the waste toner screw 731 to the waste toner container 9. In this embodiment, the waste toner transfer section 732 is provided in the intermediate transfer unit 7.

[0038] The waste toner container 9 is detachably supported by the main body 2 and, while attached to the main body 2, receives waste toner from the waste toner transfer sections 411Y, 411C, 411M, 411K, and 732. The waste toner transfer sections 411Y, 411C, 411M, 411K, and 732 are formed in the shape of hollow pipes through which waste toner can pass.

[0039] [Removing and installing the toner cartridge] Next, the configuration for attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 5 and the operation of attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 5 will be explained using Figures 2(a)(b), 4, and 5. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the toner cartridge 5K removed. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the process unit 40 with the toner cartridge 5K removed.

[0040] First, the removal of the toner cartridge 5 will be explained. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the toner cartridge door 21 is provided with a gripping portion 211 that can be grasped by the user, and the user can access the gripping portion 211 from a recess provided in the main body of the device 2. In this embodiment, the gripping portion 211 is composed of a projection that protrudes upward when the toner cartridge door 21 is in the closed position, but the gripping portion 211 may be composed of a recess that is recessed in the -X direction or -Z direction, for example, instead of a projection. Furthermore, the position of the gripping portion 211 may be provided anywhere on the toner cartridge door 21. Moreover, there may be more than one gripping portion 211.

[0041] When any of the toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, or 5K runs out, the image forming apparatus 1 notifies the user of the timing to replace the toner cartridge 5Y, 5C, 5M, or 5K by displaying a message or image on an operation panel (not shown). When the user accesses the gripping unit 211 and rotates the toner cartridge door 21 from the closed position to the open position, a switch (not shown) on the main body of the apparatus 2 is turned off. The user can then see the toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, or 5K installed in the process unit 40 through the opening 2a of the main body of the apparatus 2.

[0042] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the process unit 40 is provided with mounting sections 47Y, 47C, 47M, and 47K for mounting toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K. The four toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K are substantially identical in configuration except for the color of the toner they contain. Similarly, the mounting sections 47Y, 47C, 47M, and 47K are also substantially identical in configuration. Therefore, only the configuration of the mounting section 47K and the operation of attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 5K to and from the mounting section 47K will be described, and the operation of attaching and detaching the toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, and 5M will be omitted.

[0043] The mounting portion 47K is formed in a box shape with an opening in the Z direction, and its outer shape is slightly larger than that of the toner cartridge 5K. The mounting portion 47K also has a side surface 48 that extends in the Z direction, and the cross-section of the side surface 48 in the XY plane is rectangular. In other words, the side surface of the mounting portion 47K extends in the direction of gravity or vertically.

[0044] Furthermore, the toner cartridge door 21 closes the mounting sections 47Y, 47C, 47M, and 47K when in the closed position, and opens the mounting sections 47Y, 47C, 47M, and 47K when in the open position.

[0045] The user can remove the toner cartridge 5K from the process unit 40 by pulling it upward in the Z direction, i.e., in the direction of gravity, so that it follows the side surface 48 of the mounting section 47K. In other words, when the toner cartridge 5K is attached to or detached from the process unit 40, the side surface 48 of the mounting section 47K guides the toner cartridge 5K. Furthermore, the direction in which the toner cartridge 5K is removed from the main body 2 is upward in the direction of gravity (Z direction).

[0046] Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 5K is pulled up in the Z direction, a locking mechanism (not shown) is automatically released, and at the same time, the toner supply port (not shown) located on the downstream end face, i.e., the bottom surface, of the toner cartridge 5K in the -Z direction is automatically closed. Therefore, even if toner remains in the toner cartridge 5K, toner leakage and scattering can be reduced.

[0047] Next, the installation of the toner cartridge 5K will be described. First, the user pushes the toner cartridge 5K in the -Z direction, i.e., vertically downward, along the side surface 48 of the mounting section 47K provided on the process unit 40. The toner cartridge 5K is guided by the side surface 48 of the mounting section 47K and is inserted into the predetermined position in the process unit 40.

[0048] A toner supply port (not shown) is provided on the downstream end face, i.e., the bottom surface, in the -Z direction of the toner cartridge 5K. When the toner cartridge 5K reaches a predetermined position, the toner supply port automatically opens and connects to a receiving port provided on the process unit 40. For example, the receiving port is provided on the developing container 49 of the developing unit 42. Simultaneously with the connection of the supply port of the toner cartridge 5K to the receiving port, a locking mechanism (not shown) automatically activates, ensuring that the toner cartridge 5K is securely mounted on the process unit 40. The supply port of the toner cartridge 5K and the receiving port of the process unit 40 are designed to maintain a sealed state to minimize toner leakage through a sealing mechanism or the like.

[0049] After the toner cartridge 5K has been installed in the mounting section 47, the user rotates the toner cartridge door 21 from the open position to the closed position. This presses a device body switch (not shown), and the image forming apparatus 1 automatically starts supplying toner from the toner cartridge 5K to the process unit 40. This completes the installation of the toner cartridge 5K, and the image forming apparatus 1 is ready to start printing.

[0050] [Attaching and detaching the waste toner container] Next, the configuration for attaching and detaching the waste toner container 9 and the operation of attaching and detaching the waste toner container 9 will be explained using Figures 2(a) and 2(b), and Figures 6 to 8(b). Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the back side of the waste toner container 9. Figure 7(a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the waste toner container 9 installed, and Figure 7(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 with the waste toner container 9 removed. Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the waste toner container 9 installed in the apparatus body 2, and Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the waste toner container 9 removed from the apparatus body 2.

[0051] First, let's explain the configuration of the waste toner container 9. As shown in Figures 6 to 7(b), the waste toner container 9 has a waste toner collection box 96 for collecting and storing waste toner transported from the cleaning unit 41 and the belt cleaning unit 73. The waste toner stored in the waste toner collection box 96 is discarded after the waste toner container 9 is removed from the main unit 2 of the device.

[0052] Furthermore, the waste toner container 9 includes an exterior member 95 that forms part of the exterior member 60 of the image forming apparatus 1. In other words, the exterior member 95 constitutes part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus 1. These waste toner collection box 96 and exterior member 95 are integrally constructed.

[0053] The exterior component 95 is provided with gripping portions 91a and 91b at both ends in the Y direction, which can be used by the user to grip the waste toner container 9 when attaching or detaching it. The gripping portions 91a and 91b are positioned outward from both ends 21L and 21R of the toner cartridge door 21 in the Y direction.

[0054] In this embodiment, the gripping portions 91a and 91b are composed of projections that protrude in the Y direction and -Y direction, respectively, when the waste toner container 9 is mounted on the device body 2. However, instead of such projections, the gripping portions 91a and 91b may be composed of recesses that are indented in the -Y direction or the Y direction, for example. Furthermore, the gripping portions 91a and 91b may be located anywhere on the outer casing member 95 of the waste toner container 9. Moreover, there are not limited to two gripping portions 91a and 91b; one, three, or more may be provided.

[0055] Furthermore, the waste toner collection box 96 is provided with sheet metal members 92a and 92b that serve as a locking mechanism between the device body 2 and the waste toner container 9, and waste toner receiving ports 93Y, 93C, 93M, and 93K for receiving waste toner transported from the cleaning unit 41. The sheet metal members 92a and 92b are provided on the downstream end faces in the -X direction, which is the mounting direction of the waste toner container 9. The waste toner collection box 96 is also provided with a waste toner receiving port 94 for receiving waste toner transported from the belt cleaning unit 73. The waste toner receiving ports 93Y, 93C, 93M, 93K, and 94 are configured to accommodate the aforementioned waste toner transfer sections 411Y, 411C, 411M, 411K, and 732 provided on the device body 2 (see Figures 3 and 7(b)).

[0056] As shown in Figures 6 and 7(a)(b), the outer casing member 95 extends in the Y and Z directions and has a downstream end, i.e., an upper end 9a, in the Z direction. The upper end 9a of the outer casing member 95 is positioned above the waste toner transfer sections 411Y, 411C, 411M, 411K, and 732. The waste toner transfer sections 411Y, 411C, 411M, and 411K are part of the process unit 40, as described above. Therefore, the attachment and detachment trajectory when the process unit 40 is attached to the device body 2 in the -X direction or X direction overlaps with the outer casing member 95 of the waste toner container 9 mounted on the device body 2. When the process unit 40 and the waste toner container 9 are mounted on the device body 2, the outer casing member 95 of the waste toner container 9 is positioned downstream of the process unit 40 in the X direction, which is the direction in which the process unit 40 is removed. Therefore, the process unit 40, which includes multiple photosensitive drums 43, cannot be removed from the device body 2 until the waste toner container 9 has been removed from the device body 2.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), a waste toner shutter 97 is rotatably installed inside the waste toner collection box 96 to prevent waste toner from leaking from the waste toner receptacles 93Y, 93C, 93M, 93K, and 94. One waste toner shutter 97 is provided for each of the waste toner receptacles 93Y, 93C, 93M, 93K, and 94.

[0058] As shown in Figures 3 and 7(b), the device body 2 is provided with magnetic members 212a and 212b that are responsible for the locking mechanism between the device body 2 and the waste toner container 9. The magnetic members 212a and 212b are provided on the upstream surface of the device body 2 in the -X direction, which is the mounting direction of the waste toner container 9, and are magnetically attracted to the sheet metal members 92a and 92b provided on the waste toner container 9.

[0059] In this embodiment, the sheet metal members 92a, 92b and the magnetic members 212a, 212b are provided in pairs, aligned in the Y direction, but this is not limited to this configuration. For example, the direction in which the sheet metal members 92a, 92b and the magnetic members 212a, 212b are aligned may also be the Z direction. Furthermore, the sheet metal members 92a, 92b and the magnetic members 212a, 212b may be provided in pairs, one of each, or three or more of each.

[0060] Next, the internal configuration of the waste toner transfer units 411Y, 411C, 411M, 411K, and 732 will be explained. The internal configurations of the waste toner transfer units 411Y, 411C, 411M, 411K, and 732 are almost identical. Therefore, the waste toner transfer unit 411K will be explained as a representative example, and the explanation of the internal configurations of the waste toner transfer units 411Y, 411C, 411M, and 732 will be omitted.

[0061] As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the waste toner transfer section 411K is provided with a waste toner discharge port 412. An outer member 413 is slidably supported on the outer circumferential surface of the waste toner transfer section 411K in the X direction, and the outer member 413 is biased in the X direction by a compression spring 414. A waste toner screw 451 is rotatably arranged inside the waste toner transfer section 411K.

[0062] The outer member 413 is movable in the X direction and the -X direction between a closed position that closes the waste toner outlet 412 and an open position that opens the waste toner outlet 412. As shown in Figure 8(b), when the waste toner container 9 is removed from the main body 2 of the device, the outer member 413 is in the closed position due to the compression spring 414. This prevents waste toner transported by the waste toner screw 451 from leaking out of the waste toner outlet 412 to the outside of the waste toner transfer section 411K. Furthermore, when the waste toner container 9 is removed from the main body 2 of the device, the waste toner shutter 97 rotates from the open position to the closed position due to a screw recoil spring (not shown), and the waste toner receiving port 93K is closed. This prevents waste toner in the waste toner collection box 96 from leaking out of the waste toner receiving port 93K to the outside of the waste toner container 9.

[0063] As shown in Figure 8(a), when the waste toner container 9 is mounted on the main body 2, the waste toner shutter 97 is pressed against the waste toner transfer section 411K and rotates from the closed position to the open position. This opens the waste toner receiving port 93K. In addition, the downstream end of the outer member 413 in the X direction is provided with a flange portion 413a that extends in a direction intersecting the X direction. The flange portion 413a has a larger outer diameter than the edge of the waste toner receiving port 93K and is not inserted into the waste toner receiving port 93K.

[0064] Therefore, when the waste toner container 9 is attached to the main body 2 of the device, the flange portion 413a of the outer member 413 abuts against the edge of the waste toner receiving port 93K. As a result, the outer member 413 moves in the -X direction relative to the outer surface of the waste toner transfer portion 411K, against the biasing force of the compression spring 414. This causes the outer member 413 to be in an open position that opens the waste toner discharge port 412. Thus, waste toner can be discharged from the waste toner discharge port 412 of the waste toner transfer portion 411K into the waste toner collection box 96.

[0065] Next, we will describe the operation of transporting and storing the waste toner collected by the cleaning unit 41 and the belt cleaning unit 73 in the waste toner collection box 96. The transport operation of the waste toner collected by the cleaning unit 41 and the transport operation of the waste toner collected by the belt cleaning unit 73 are both substantially the same. Therefore, below we will only describe the transport and storage operation of the waste toner in the cleaning unit 41 of the process cartridge 4K.

[0066] As shown in Figure 1, the waste toner (primary transfer waste toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 43 of the process cartridge 4K after the primary transfer process is removed by the cleaning blade 45. The cleaning blade 45 scrapes off the waste toner by contacting the photosensitive drum 43. The waste toner screw 451 of the process cartridge 4K is rotated by a driving means (not shown), and in accordance with the rotation of the screw, the removed waste toner is transported in the X direction through the inside of the waste toner transfer section 411K. When the waste toner container 9 is mounted on the main body 2 of the device, as shown in Figure 8(a), the waste toner transported by the waste toner screw 451 passes through the waste toner discharge port 412 by its own weight and is stored in the waste toner collection box 96.

[0067] Finally, the operation of attaching and detaching the waste toner container 9 will be explained using Figures 2, 7, and 8. Regarding the operation of the waste toner transfer unit 411K and the intermediate transfer waste toner transfer unit 732 related to the attachment and detachment of the waste toner container 9, since the operation of the two transfer units is substantially the same, the operation of the waste toner transfer unit 411K will be explained as a representative example.

[0068] First, let's explain the operation of removing the waste toner container 9. As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the waste toner container 9 is provided with gripping parts 91a and 91b on the left and right sides. When the user looks at the image forming apparatus 1 in the -X direction, they can easily confirm the position of the gripping parts 91a and 91b, and can access the gripping parts 91a and 91b directly from the recess provided in the main body of the apparatus 2 without any difficulty.

[0069] Then, by applying force in the X direction to the gripping parts 91a and 91b, the waste toner container 9 can be pulled out of the device body 2 in the X direction, as shown in Figure 8(b). In other words, the waste toner container 9 can be removed from the device body 2 along the X direction, which is one direction in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 43.

[0070] When the waste toner container 9 is attached to the main unit 2, the magnetic members 212a and 212b on the main unit 2 and the sheet metal members 92a and 92b on the waste toner collection box 96 are attracted to each other by magnetic force and held in place. Therefore, when the force with which the user pulls the waste toner container 9 in the X direction exceeds the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic members 212a and 212b and the sheet metal members 92a and 92b, the waste toner container 9 can be removed from the main unit 2.

[0071] Furthermore, when the waste toner container 9 is removed from the main body 2, as shown in Figure 8(b), the outer member 413 moves to a closed position that closes the waste toner discharge port 412, and the waste toner shutter 97 moves to a closed position that closes the waste toner receiving port 93K. This prevents waste toner from leaking out of the waste toner discharge port 412 to the outside of the waste toner transfer section 411K, and also prevents waste toner in the waste toner collection box 96 from leaking out of the waste toner receiving port 93K to the outside of the waste toner container 9.

[0072] Next, the installation operation of the waste toner container 9 will be described. As shown in Figure 7(b), when installing the waste toner container 9, the user holds the gripping parts 91a and 91b and applies force in the -X axis direction to move the waste toner container 9 into the device body 2. The gripping parts 91a and 91b are positioned so that they can be gripped when the toner cartridge door 21 is in the closed position. Once the waste toner container 9 is installed in the device body 2, the magnetic members 212a and 212b provided on the device body 2 and the sheet metal members 92a and 92b provided on the waste toner collection box 96 are attracted by magnetic force, and the waste toner container 9 is positioned.

[0073] Furthermore, when the waste toner container 9 is attached to the main body 2, as shown in Figure 8(a), the outer member 413 moves to an open position that opens the waste toner discharge port 412, and the waste toner shutter 97 moves to an open position that opens the waste toner receiving port 93K. As a result, while the waste toner container 9 is being installed, the waste toner transported by the waste toner screw 451 is ready to be stored in the waste toner collection box 96.

[0074] In the above description, the attachment and detachment of the waste toner container 9 was described when the toner cartridge door 21 is closed. However, the waste toner container 9 can also be attached to and detached from the device body 2 when the toner cartridge door 21 is open, as shown in Figure 2(b). The rotational trajectory of the toner cartridge door 21 may be designed so as not to overlap with the positions of the gripping parts 91a and 91b of the waste toner container 9, or with the attachment and detachment trajectory of the waste toner container 9 including the exterior member 95. In other words, in the closed position, the toner cartridge door 21 is positioned so as not to overlap with either the waste toner collection box 96 or the exterior member 95 of the waste toner container 9 when viewed in the X direction, which is the rotational axis direction (axial direction) of the photosensitive drum 43. To put it another way, the waste toner container 9 is configured to be removable from the device body 2 regardless of whether the toner cartridge door 21 is in the closed or open position. That is, the waste toner container 9 can be attached to and detached from the device body 2 independently of the toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K. Furthermore, the gripping parts 91a and 91b are positioned so that the user can grip them regardless of whether the toner cartridge door 21 is in the closed or open position. In addition, the toner cartridge door 21 may also serve as a guide when removing (pulling out) the waste toner container 9 from the main body of the device.

[0075] [Effects of the first embodiment] As described above, the waste toner container 9 is constructed as an integrated unit with the waste toner collection box 96 and the exterior member 95. This improves space efficiency and allows for an increase in the amount of waste toner that can be stored in the waste toner container 9 without increasing the size of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0076] Furthermore, when replacing the waste toner container 9, there is no need for unnecessary work such as opening and closing the outer cover (including the toner cartridge door 21), and the waste toner container 9 can be directly attached to and detached from the main unit 2, thus improving the ease of attaching and detaching the waste toner container 9. In addition, since there is no outer cover that needs to be opened and closed to attach and detach the waste toner container 9, a locking mechanism for the outer cover is also unnecessary, allowing the image forming apparatus 1 to have a simpler configuration and reducing costs.

[0077] Furthermore, since the toner cartridge door 21 rotates downward from the closed position to the open position, even if toner attached to each toner cartridge falls when replacing the toner cartridge, it can be caught on the inner surface of the toner cartridge door 21. This reduces contamination of the exterior surface of the outer material 95 of the waste toner container 9 and the surrounding area of ​​the image forming apparatus 1, such as the installation surface of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0078] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is configured by changing the opening and closing direction of the toner cartridge door 21 of the first embodiment. For this reason, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the illustration or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0079] Figure 9(a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 200 with the toner cartridge door 210 in the closed position according to the second embodiment, and Figure 9(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 200 with the toner cartridge door 210 in the open position. Figure 10(a) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 200 with the waste toner container 9 installed, and Figure 10(b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 200 with the waste toner container 9 removed.

[0080] As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), a toner cartridge door 210 and a waste toner container 9 are provided on the downstream side in the X direction of the main body 202 of the image forming apparatus 200. The toner cartridge door 210, which acts as an opening and closing member, is positioned above the waste toner container 9 and is provided to be able to open and close between a closed position (the position shown in Figure 9(a)) and an open position (the position shown in Figure 9(b)) around a pivot axis 210a.

[0081] The pivot axis 210a extends in the Z and -Z directions (direction of gravity) and is located at the downstream end, i.e., the left end, of the toner cartridge door 210 in the Y direction. In other words, the pivot axis 210a is located downstream of the toner cartridge door 210 in the Y direction, which is the direction in which the cassette 30 is pulled out. The toner cartridge door 210 rotates to the left from the closed position to the open position. In the closed position, the toner cartridge door 210 covers the opening 2a of the device body 202, and in the open position, it opens the opening 2a and exposes it to the outside of the device body 202.

[0082] [Removing and installing the toner cartridge] Regarding the insertion and removal of toner cartridges 5Y to 5K, the procedure is the same as in the first embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted and only a general overview will be provided.

[0083] First, we will explain how to remove the toner cartridge 5. As shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the toner cartridge door 210 is provided with a gripping portion 213 that can be grasped by the user, and the user can access the gripping portion 213 from a recess provided in the main body of the device 202.

[0084] In this embodiment, the gripping portion 213 is composed of a projection that protrudes to the left when the toner cartridge door 210 is in the closed position. However, the gripping portion 213 may be composed of a recess that is indented in the -X or -Y direction instead of a projection. Furthermore, the gripping portion 213 may be located anywhere on the toner cartridge door 210. Moreover, there may be more than one gripping portion 213.

[0085] If any of the toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, or 5K runs out, the image forming apparatus 200 notifies the user of the timing to replace the toner cartridge 5Y, 5C, 5M, or 5K by displaying a message or image on an operation panel (not shown). When the user accesses the gripping unit 213 and rotates the toner cartridge door 210 from the closed position to the open position, a switch (not shown) on the main body of the apparatus 202 is turned off. The user can then see the toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, or 5K installed in the process unit 40 through the opening 2a of the main body of the apparatus 202.

[0086] For example, a user can remove the toner cartridge 5K from the process unit 40 by pulling it upward in the Z direction, i.e., in the direction of gravity, so that it follows the side surface 48 of the mounting section 47K. In other words, when the toner cartridge 5K is attached to or detached from the process unit 40, the side surface 48 of the mounting section 47K guides the toner cartridge 5K.

[0087] Next, the installation of the toner cartridge 5K will be described. First, the user pushes the toner cartridge 5K in the -Z direction, i.e., vertically downward, along the side surface 48 of the mounting section 47K provided on the process unit 40. The toner cartridge 5K is guided by the side surface 48 of the mounting section 47K and is inserted into the predetermined position in the process unit 40.

[0088] After the toner cartridge 5K has been installed in the mounting section 47, the user rotates the toner cartridge door 210 from the open position to the closed position. This presses a device body switch (not shown), and the image forming apparatus 200 automatically starts supplying toner from the toner cartridge 5K to the process unit 40. This prepares the image forming apparatus 200 for normal printing, and the installation of the toner cartridge 5K is complete.

[0089] [Attaching and detaching the waste toner container] Next, the operation of attaching and detaching the waste toner container 9 will be explained using Figures 10(a) and 10(b). Note that the configuration and attachment / detachment operation of the waste toner container 9 are the same as in the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation will be omitted, and only a general overview will be provided.

[0090] First, let's explain the operation of removing the waste toner container 9. As shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the waste toner container 9 is provided with gripping parts 91a and 91b on the left and right sides. When the user looks at the image forming apparatus 1 in the -X direction, they can easily confirm the positions of the gripping parts 91a and 91b, and can access the gripping parts 91a and 91b directly from the recess provided in the main body of the apparatus 2 without any difficulty. In addition, one of the gripping parts 91a, 91b, the gripping part 91a, is positioned downstream of the rotation axis 210a in the Y direction, which is the direction in which the cassette 30 is pulled out.

[0091] Then, by applying force in the X direction to the gripping parts 91a and 91b, the user can pull the waste toner container 9 out of the device body 2 in the X direction, as shown in Figure 10(b). In this embodiment, the toner cartridge door 210 rotates substantially horizontally around a pivot axis 210a extending in the Z direction. Therefore, the rotational trajectory of the toner cartridge door 210 does not overlap with the positions of the gripping parts 91a and 91b of the waste toner container 9 or the attachment / detachment trajectory of the waste toner container 9. Thus, when the user looks at the image forming apparatus 200 in the -X direction, they can easily confirm the positions of the gripping parts 91a and 91b, and can access the gripping parts 91a and 91b directly from the recess provided in the device body 202 without any difficulty. In addition, the user can easily remove the waste toner container 9.

[0092] Similarly, in the installation operation for attaching the waste toner container 9 to the main unit 202, the rotational trajectory of the toner cartridge door 210 does not overlap with the positions of the gripping parts 91a and 91b of the waste toner container 9 or the attachment / detachment trajectory of the waste toner container 9.

[0093] Therefore, the toner cartridge door 210 is positioned so that, in both the closed and open positions, it does not overlap with either the waste toner collection box 96 or the exterior member 95 of the waste toner container 9 when viewed in the X direction, which is the rotation axis direction (axial direction) of the photosensitive drum 43. Furthermore, the waste toner container 9 is configured to be removable from the device body 2 regardless of whether the toner cartridge door 210 is in the closed or open position. In other words, the waste toner container 9 can be attached to and detached from the device body 202 independently of the toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K. In addition, the gripping part 213 is provided in a position that allows the user to grip it regardless of whether the toner cartridge door 21 is in the closed or open position.

[0094] [Effects of the second embodiment] As described above, the toner cartridge door 210 rotates approximately horizontally around a pivot axis 210a extending in the Z direction. Therefore, the user can attach and detach the waste toner container 9 to the device body 202 regardless of the open or closed state of the toner cartridge door 210, thereby improving the ease of attaching and detaching the waste toner container 9. Furthermore, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0095] <Other Embodiments> In all of the embodiments described above, the image forming apparatus 1,200 was equipped with a cleaning blade 45 and a belt cleaning unit 73, but it is not limited to these. For example, the image forming apparatus 1,200 only needs to be equipped with at least one of the cleaning blade 45 and the belt cleaning unit 73.

[0096] Furthermore, in all of the above-described configurations, the locking mechanism between the device body and the waste toner container 9 was explained using a sheet metal member 92 and a magnetic member 212, but a configuration using other locking mechanisms such as hooks is also acceptable.

[0097] Furthermore, although the image forming apparatus described above includes a document reading unit 13, an image forming apparatus without a document reading unit 13 is also acceptable.

[0098] Furthermore, in all of the above-described configurations, the toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K were configured to be mounted in the -Z direction and detached in the Z direction relative to the mounting sections 47Y, 47C, 47M, and 47K, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the toner cartridges 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K may be configured to be attached to and detached from the mounting sections 47Y, 47C, 47M, and 47K while rotating.

[0099] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the toner cartridge door 21 was configured to rotate downward relative to the device body 2, thereby rotating from a closed position to an open position, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the toner cartridge door 21 may be configured to rotate upward relative to the device body 2, thereby rotating from a closed position to an open position.

[0100] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the pivot axis 210a of the toner cartridge door 210 was located at the downstream end of the toner cartridge door 210 in the Y direction, but is not limited to this. For example, the pivot axis 210a of the toner cartridge door 210 may be located at the upstream end of the toner cartridge door 210 in the Y direction.

[0101] Summary of this disclosure This disclosure includes at least the following: (Composition 1) An image forming apparatus, The main body of the device, An exterior member which forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus, The device body includes a detachable toner container, The main body of the device is equipped with a residual toner container that is detachable independently of the toner container, Equipped with, The main body of the aforementioned device is A photosensitive drum that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the direction of an axis intersecting the direction of gravity, A belt onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred, A transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material, A developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image, A toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing means, A collection member for collecting residual toner that remains on the belt without being transferred to the recording material, and a blade that contacts the photosensitive drum and scrapes off residual toner that remains on the belt on the photosensitive drum without being transferred, at least one of these two, It has, The toner container contains the toner supplied to the toner storage section, The residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member, and is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. The device is configured such that the removal direction of the toner container from the main body is upward in the direction of gravity. A part of the exterior component is attached to the remaining toner container. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Configuration 2) The remaining toner container is removable from the main body of the device in the direction along the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a picture forming apparatus. (Composition 3) The photosensitive drum, the developing means, the toner storage unit, and the toner container are, respectively, the first photosensitive drum, the first developing means, the first toner storage unit, and the first toner container. The apparatus body comprises a second photosensitive drum carrying a toner image of a different color from the first photosensitive drum, a second developing means for supplying toner to the second photosensitive drum and developing the toner image, and a second toner storage section for storing toner to be carried by the second developing means. The device further comprises a second toner container that houses the toner supplied to the second toner storage section and is detachable from the main body of the device. An image forming apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized by the above. (Composition 4) The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are arranged in a first intersecting direction that intersects both the direction of gravity and the axial direction, The first toner container and the second toner container are arranged in a second intersecting direction that intersects both the direction of gravity and the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3, characterized in that it is a picture forming apparatus. (Composition 5) The first intersecting direction and the second intersecting direction are in the same direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that... (Composition 6) The apparatus body includes a process unit which comprises the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum and is configured to be removable from the housing of the apparatus body. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 3 to 5, characterized by the above. (Composition 7) The photosensitive drum cannot be removed from the casing of the device body until the remaining toner container has been removed from the device body. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6 characterized by the above. (Composition 8) The toner container is located above the remaining toner container. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized by the above. (Composition 9) An image forming apparatus, A device body having a mounting part, An exterior member which forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus, A toner container that can be attached to the mounting portion of the main body of the device, The main body of the device is equipped with a residual toner container that is detachable independently of the toner container, Equipped with, The main body of the aforementioned device is A photosensitive drum that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the direction of an axis intersecting the direction of gravity, A belt onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred, A transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material, A developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image, A toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing means, A collection member for collecting residual toner that remains on the belt without being transferred to the recording material, and a blade that contacts the photosensitive drum and scrapes off residual toner that remains on the belt on the photosensitive drum without being transferred, at least one of these two, An opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the mounting portion and an open position that opens the mounting portion, It has, The toner container contains the toner supplied to the toner storage section, The residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member, and is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. A part of the exterior component is attached to the remaining toner container. The remaining toner container is configured to be removable from the main body of the device when the opening / closing member is in the closed position. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 10) The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9, characterized by the features described therein. (Composition 11) The aforementioned part of the exterior member has a gripping portion, The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 9 or 10, characterized by the above. (Composition 12) The gripping portion is provided at both ends of the exterior member in a direction that intersects both the direction of gravity and the direction of the axis. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 11, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 13) The remaining toner container is removable from the main body of the device in the direction along the axial direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 9 to 12, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 14) The device is configured such that the removal direction of the toner container from the main body of the device is upward in the direction of gravity. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 9 to 13, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 15) An image forming apparatus, A device body having a mounting part, An exterior member which forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus, A toner container that can be attached to the mounting portion of the main body of the device, The main body of the device is equipped with a residual toner container that is detachable independently of the toner container, Equipped with, The main body of the aforementioned device is A photosensitive drum that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the direction of an axis intersecting the direction of gravity, A belt onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred, A transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material, A developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image, A toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing means, A collection member for collecting residual toner that remains on the belt without being transferred to the recording material, and a blade that contacts the photosensitive drum and scrapes off residual toner that remains on the belt on the photosensitive drum without being transferred, at least one of these two, An opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the mounting portion and an open position that opens the mounting portion, and is configured to rotate from the closed position to the open position by rotating downward in the direction of gravity relative to the device body, It has, The toner container contains the toner supplied to the toner storage section, The residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member, and is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. A part of the exterior component is attached to the remaining toner container. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 16) The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 15, characterized in that... (Composition 17) The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the open position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 15 or 16, characterized by the above. (Composition 18) The aforementioned part of the exterior member has a gripping portion, The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the closed position. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 15 to 17, characterized by the above. (Composition 19) The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 18, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 20) The gripping portion is provided outside both ends of the opening / closing member with respect to a direction that intersects both the direction of gravity and the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 18 or 19, characterized by the above. (Composition 21) The remaining toner container is removable from the main body of the device in the direction along the axial direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 17 to 20, characterized by the above. (Composition 22) An image forming apparatus, A device body having a mounting part, An exterior member which forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus, A toner container that can be attached to the mounting portion of the main body of the device, The main body of the device is equipped with a residual toner container that is detachable independently of the toner container, Equipped with, The main body of the aforementioned device is A photosensitive drum that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the direction of an axis intersecting the direction of gravity, A belt onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred, A transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material, A developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image, A toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing means, A collection member for collecting residual toner that remains on the belt without being transferred to the recording material, and a blade that contacts the photosensitive drum and scrapes off residual toner that remains on the belt on the photosensitive drum without being transferred, at least one of these two, An opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the mounting portion and an open position that opens the mounting portion, and is configured to be rotatable about a pivot axis that extends in the direction of gravity, It has, The toner container contains the toner supplied to the toner storage section, The residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member, and is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. A part of the exterior component is attached to the remaining toner container. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 23) The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 22, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 24) The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the open position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 22 or 23, characterized by the above. (Composition 25) The remaining toner container is removable from the main body of the device in the direction along the axial direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 22 to 24, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 26) The aforementioned part of the exterior member has a gripping portion, The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the closed position. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 22 to 25, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 27) The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the open position. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 26, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 28) The apparatus body houses a recording material on which a toner image is transferred by the transfer member, and has a pull-out section that is provided to be pullable in the pull-out direction relative to the housing of the apparatus body. At least a portion of the gripping portion is positioned downstream of the rotation axis of the opening / closing member in the pulling direction. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 26 or 27, characterized by the above. (Composition 29) The apparatus body houses a recording material on which a toner image is transferred by the transfer member, and has a pull-out section that is provided to be pullable in the pull-out direction relative to the housing of the apparatus body. The pivot axis is located downstream of the opening / closing member in the pulling direction. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 22 to 28, characterized by the above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 1,200: Image forming apparatus / 2,202: Apparatus body / 5M: Second toner container (toner cartridge) / 5K: Toner container, first toner container (toner cartridge) / 8: Transfer member (secondary transfer roller) / 9: Residual toner container (waste toner container) / 21,210: Opening / closing member (toner cartridge door) / 21L,21R: Both ends / 30: Pull-out section (cassette) / 40: Process unit / 43: Photosensitive drum, first photosensitive drum, second photosensitive drum / 45: Blade (cleaning blade) / 46: Current Image means, first developing means, second developing means (developing roller) / 47K: Mounting part / 49: Toner storage part, first toner storage part, second toner storage part (developing container) / 60: Outer material / 71: Belt (intermediate transfer belt) / 73: Recovery member (belt cleaning unit) / 91a, 91b, 213: Gripping part / 95: Part (outer material) / 210a: Rotation axis / S: Recording material (sheet) / X, -X: Axial direction (direction) / Y: Intersecting direction, first intersecting direction, second intersecting direction (direction) / Z: Upward direction (direction) / -Z: Gravity direction

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, The main body of the device, An exterior member which forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus, The device body includes a detachable toner container, The main body of the device is equipped with a residual toner container that is detachable independently of the toner container, Equipped with, The main body of the aforementioned device is A photosensitive drum that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the direction of an axis intersecting the direction of gravity, A belt onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred, A transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material, A developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image, A toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing means, A collection member for collecting residual toner that remains on the belt without being transferred to the recording material, and a blade that contacts the photosensitive drum and scrapes off residual toner that remains on the belt on the photosensitive drum without being transferred, at least one of these two, It has, The toner container contains the toner supplied to the toner storage section, The residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member, and is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. The device is configured such that the removal direction of the toner container from the main body is upward in the direction of gravity. A part of the exterior component is attached to the remaining toner container. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The remaining toner container is removable from the main body of the device in the direction along the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The photosensitive drum, the developing means, the toner storage unit, and the toner container are, respectively, the first photosensitive drum, the first developing means, the first toner storage unit, and the first toner container. The apparatus body comprises a second photosensitive drum carrying a toner image of a different color from the first photosensitive drum, a second developing means for supplying toner to the second photosensitive drum and developing the toner image, and a second toner storage section for storing toner to be carried by the second developing means. The device further comprises a second toner container that houses the toner supplied to the second toner storage section and is detachable from the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are arranged in a first intersecting direction that intersects both the direction of gravity and the axial direction, The first toner container and the second toner container are arranged in a second intersecting direction that intersects both the direction of gravity and the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The first intersecting direction and the second intersecting direction are the same direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The apparatus body includes a process unit which comprises the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum and is configured to be removable from the housing of the apparatus body. The image forming apparatus according to feature 3.

7. The photosensitive drum cannot be removed from the casing of the device body until the remaining toner container has been removed from the device body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The toner container is located above the remaining toner container. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. An image forming apparatus, A device body having a mounting part, An exterior member which forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus, A toner container that can be attached to the mounting portion of the main body of the device, The main body of the device is equipped with a residual toner container that is detachable independently of the toner container, Equipped with, The main body of the aforementioned device is A photosensitive drum that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the direction of an axis intersecting the direction of gravity, A belt onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred, A transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material, A developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image, A toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing means, A collection member for collecting residual toner that remains on the belt without being transferred to the recording material, and a blade that contacts the photosensitive drum and scrapes off residual toner that remains on the belt on the photosensitive drum without being transferred, at least one of these two, An opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the mounting portion and an open position that opens the mounting portion, It has, The toner container contains the toner supplied to the toner storage section, The residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member, and is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. A part of the exterior component is attached to the remaining toner container. The remaining toner container is configured to be removable from the main body of the device when the opening / closing member is in the closed position. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

10. The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 9.

11. The aforementioned part of the exterior member has a gripping portion, The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 9.

12. The gripping portion is provided at both ends of the exterior member in a direction that intersects both the direction of gravity and the direction of the axis. The image forming apparatus according to feature 11.

13. The remaining toner container is removable from the main body of the device in the direction along the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. The device is configured such that the removal direction of the toner container from the main body of the device is upward in the direction of gravity. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

15. An image forming apparatus, A device body having a mounting part, An exterior member which forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus, A toner container that can be attached to the mounting portion of the main body of the device, The main body of the device is equipped with a residual toner container that is detachable independently of the toner container, Equipped with, The main body of the aforementioned device is A photosensitive drum that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the direction of an axis intersecting the direction of gravity, A belt onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred, A transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material, A developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image, A toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing means, A collection member for collecting residual toner that remains on the belt without being transferred to the recording material, and a blade that contacts the photosensitive drum and scrapes off residual toner that remains on the belt on the photosensitive drum without being transferred, at least one of these two, An opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the mounting portion and an open position that opens the mounting portion, and is configured to rotate from the closed position to the open position by rotating downward in the direction of gravity relative to the device body, It has, The toner container contains the toner supplied to the toner storage section, The residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member, and is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. A part of the exterior component is attached to the remaining toner container. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

16. The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 15.

17. The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the open position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 15.

18. The aforementioned part of the exterior member has a gripping portion, The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 15.

19. The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 18.

20. The gripping portion is provided outside both ends of the opening / closing member with respect to a direction that intersects both the direction of gravity and the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 18.

21. The remaining toner container is removable from the main body of the device in the direction along the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

22. An image forming apparatus, A device body having a mounting part, An exterior member which forms the exterior of the image forming apparatus, A toner container that can be attached to the mounting portion of the main body of the device, The main body of the device is equipped with a residual toner container that is detachable independently of the toner container, Equipped with, The main body of the aforementioned device is A photosensitive drum that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the direction of an axis intersecting the direction of gravity, A belt onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred, A transfer member for transferring the toner image on the belt to a recording material, A developing means for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum and developing a toner image, A toner storage section for storing toner to be carried on the developing means, A collection member for collecting residual toner that remains on the belt without being transferred to the recording material, and a blade that contacts the photosensitive drum and scrapes off residual toner that remains on the belt on the photosensitive drum without being transferred, at least one of these two, An opening / closing member that is movable between a closed position that closes the mounting portion and an open position that opens the mounting portion, and is configured to be rotatable about a pivot axis that extends in the direction of gravity, It has, The toner container contains the toner supplied to the toner storage section, The residual toner container contains at least one of the residual toner scraped off by the blade on the photosensitive drum and the residual toner recovered from the belt by the recovery member, and is provided on one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. A part of the exterior component is attached to the remaining toner container. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

23. The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the closed position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 22.

24. The opening / closing member is positioned such that, when the opening / closing member is in the open position, it does not overlap with either the remaining toner container or the part of the outer casing member when viewed in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 22.

25. The remaining toner container is removable from the main body of the device in the direction along the axial direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 22.

26. The aforementioned part of the exterior member has a gripping portion, The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 22.

27. The gripping portion is positioned so as to be able to grip the opening / closing member when it is in the open position. The image forming apparatus according to feature 26.

28. The apparatus body houses a recording material on which a toner image is transferred by the transfer member, and has a pull-out section that is provided to be pullable in the pull-out direction relative to the housing of the apparatus body. At least a portion of the gripping portion is positioned downstream of the rotation axis of the opening / closing member in the pulling direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 26.

29. The apparatus body houses a recording material on which a toner image is transferred by the transfer member, and has a pull-out section that is provided to be pullable in the pull-out direction relative to the housing of the apparatus body. The pivot axis is located downstream of the opening / closing member in the pulling direction. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 28.

Images