Developer storage container, image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developer storage container and an image forming apparatus that can reduce the number of metal molds used for manufacturing of a developer storage container having an incompatible shape.SOLUTION: A toner container 30 is attached and detached with respect to any one of three installation parts provided in an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image by using toner, and comprises: a container main body 51 that has a side wall part 51A formed along an installation direction D6 to the image forming apparatus 100; and a shape forming member 56 that is installed in the side wall part 51A in an installation mode corresponding to any one installation part of the three installation parts to form a first incompatible shape 30A corresponding to the installation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer container detachable from an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including the developer container.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus that forms an image using a plurality of types of developers such as toners of a plurality of colors is known. In this type of image forming apparatus, a mounting portion to which a developer container such as a toner container for storing the developer is detachably attached is provided for each type of the developer.

[0003] Further, there is known as a related art an image forming apparatus in which non-compatible shapes different for each of the mounting portions are provided for each of the mounting portions to prevent the mounting of a developer container that does not have a shape corresponding to the non-compatible shape of the mounting portion to the mounting portion (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the image forming apparatus according to the above-described related art, the non-compatible shape on the developer container side is integrally formed on the container body of the developer container or a member attached to the container body. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a mold used for molding the non-compatible shape for each non-compatible shape on the developer container side.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a developer container and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the number of molds used for manufacturing a developer container having a non-compatible shape.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The developer container according to one aspect of the present invention is detachably attached to any one of three or more attachment parts provided in an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a developer, and includes a container body and a shape forming member. The container body has a side wall portion formed along the attachment direction to the image forming apparatus. The shape forming member is attached to the side wall portion in an attachment mode corresponding to any one of the three or more attachment parts, thereby forming a first non-compatible shape corresponding to the attachment part.

[0008] The image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the developer container and three or more of the attachment parts. The three or more attachment parts have second non-compatible shapes that are different from each other in shape. Further, the first non-compatible shape is a shape corresponding to any one of the second non-compatible shapes.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of molds used for manufacturing a developer container having non-compatible shapes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of embodying the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] [Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming unit 1.

[0013] For convenience of explanation, in the installable state (the state shown in FIG. 1) in which the image forming apparatus 100 can be used, the vertical direction is defined as the up-down direction D1. Also, with the left side surface of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 as the front (front face), the front-rear direction D2 is defined. Further, with reference to the front of the image forming apparatus 100 in the installable state, the left-right direction D3 is defined.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 100 is a color printer that forms a color image or a monochrome image based on image data on a sheet-like paper using toner (an example of the developer of the present invention). Note that the present invention may be applied to a facsimile apparatus, a copying machine, a multifunction machine, and the like.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of image forming units 1 to 4, an intermediate transfer belt 5, an optical scanning device 6, a secondary transfer roller 7, a fixing device 8, a paper feed cassette 9, a conveyance path 10, a cover member 11, a control unit 12, and a toner supply unit 13.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 100 is of a so-called tandem type. The image forming units 1 to 4 are arranged side by side along the belt rotation direction D4 (see FIG. 1) of the intermediate transfer belt 5. In the image forming unit 1, a toner image corresponding to Y (yellow), in the image forming unit 2, M (magenta), in the image forming unit 3, C (cyan), and in the image forming unit 4, K (black) is formed.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 1 includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charging device 22, a developing device 23, a primary transfer roller 24, and a cleaning device 25 provided corresponding to the photosensitive drum 21. Also, the image forming units 2 to 4 are configured in the same manner as the image forming unit 1. Hereinafter, only the configuration of the image forming unit 1 will be described.

[0018] The photosensitive drum 21 is an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image and a toner image. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotatably provided in the rotation direction D5 (see FIG. 2).

[0019] The charging device 22 has a charging roller 22A. The charging device 22 uses the charging roller 22A to charge the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined potential with electric power supplied from a power source (not shown). Laser light based on image data is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 charged by the charging device 22 by the optical scanning device 6. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0020] The developing device 23 has a developing roller 23A. The developing device 23 uses the developing roller 23A to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 with toner. In addition, for the development of the electrostatic latent image by the developing device 23, external additives such as a lubricant or an abrasive are used together with the toner.

[0021] The primary transfer roller 24 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 developed by the developing device 23 to the intermediate transfer belt 5.

[0022] The cleaning device 25 is provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction D5 of the photosensitive drum 21 from the primary transfer roller 24 and cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The cleaning device 25 has a cleaning member 25A such as a cleaning roller or a cleaning blade.

[0023] The intermediate transfer belt 5 travels above each of the photosensitive drums 21 provided in the image forming units 1 to 4, and is a transfer member onto which the toner images of respective colors formed on each of the photosensitive drums 21 are sequentially superimposed and transferred.

[0024] The optical scanning device 6 emits laser light based on image data toward each of the photosensitive drums 21 provided in the image forming units 1 to 4.

[0025] The secondary transfer roller 7 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 to a sheet conveyed through the conveyance path 10 from the paper feed cassette 9.

[0026] The fixing device 8 fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet by the secondary transfer roller 7 onto the sheet. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 8 is discharged onto the upper surface of the cover member 11 provided at the upper part of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0027] The paper feed cassette 9 stores the paper on which the image is to be formed.

[0028] The conveyance path 10 is a movement path of the sheet from the paper feed cassette 9 to the upper surface of the cover member 11. The conveyance path 10 is formed inside the housing of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0029] The cover member 11 covers the toner supply unit 13. The cover member 11 is provided above the toner supply unit 13. The cover member 11 also serves as a paper discharge tray on which the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 3 is discharged. The front end of the cover member 11 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 11A extending in the left - right direction D3. Thereby, the user of the image forming apparatus 100 can open and close the cover member 11. The cover member 11 is opened and closed when replacing the toner containers 31 - 34 (see FIG. 1) mounted on the mounting parts 37 - 40 (see FIG. 1).

[0030] The control unit 12 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 12 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non - volatile storage device in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non - volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU. In the control unit 12, various control programs pre - stored in the ROM are executed by the CPU. Thereby, the control unit 12 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100.

[0031] [Configuration of the Toner Supply Unit 13] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the configuration of the toner supply unit 13 will be described. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the toner supply unit 13. Note that FIG. 3 shows a state in which the toner container 34 (see FIG. 1) is removed from the mounting portion 40.

[0032] The toner supply unit 13 supplies toner to each of the developing devices 23 of the image forming units 1 to 4.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the toner supply unit 13 includes toner containers 31 to 34 and a container support portion 35.

[0034] The toner container 31 stores yellow (Y) toner. The toner container 32 stores magenta (M) toner. The toner container 33 stores cyan (C) toner. The toner container 34 stores black (K) toner. As shown in FIG. 1, the toner container 34 is larger in size in the front-rear direction D2 than the toner containers 31 to 33. The toner containers 31 to 33 have a common configuration except for the difference in the color of the toner they store and the difference in the mounting mode of the shape forming member 56. Hereinafter, the toner containers 31 to 33 may be collectively referred to as the toner container 30.

[0035] The container support portion 35 supports the toner containers 31 to 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the container support portion 35 includes mounting portions 37 to 40. The toner container 31 is removably mounted on the mounting portion 37 (see FIG. 1). The toner container 32 is removably mounted on the mounting portion 38 (see FIG. 1). The toner container 33 is removably mounted on the mounting portion 39 (see FIG. 1). The toner container 34 is removably mounted on the mounting portion 40 (see FIG. 1). Hereinafter, the mounting portions 37 to 39 on which the toner container 30 is mounted may be collectively referred to as the mounting portion 36. The toner container 30 is an example of the developer container of the present invention.

[0036] Incidentally, there is a related art of an image forming apparatus that provides each mounting portion 36 with a non-compatible shape different for each mounting portion 36 to prevent the mounting of a toner container 30 that does not have a shape corresponding to the non-compatible shape of the mounting portion 36 to the mounting portion 36.

[0037] However, in the image forming apparatus according to the above related art, the non-compatible shape on the toner container 30 side is integrally formed on the container body 51 (see FIG. 4) of the toner container 30 or a member attached to the container body 51. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a mold used for molding the non-compatible shape for each non-compatible shape on the toner container 30 side.

[0038] On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as will be described below, the number of molds used for manufacturing the toner container 30 having a non-compatible shape can be reduced.

[0039] Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 100, each mounting portion 36 is provided with a second non-compatible shape 36A (see FIG. 10) different for each mounting portion 36. Further, in the image forming apparatus 100, a first non-compatible shape 30A (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the second non-compatible shape 36A is formed by a shape forming member 56 attached to the toner container 30 in a mounting mode corresponding to the second non-compatible shape 36A.

[0040] [Configuration of Toner Container 30] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the configuration of the toner container 30 having the first non-compatible shape 30A will be described. Here, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the toner container 31. FIG. 5 is a left side view showing the configuration of the toner container 31. FIG. 6 is a right side view showing the configuration of the toner container 31. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shape forming member 56. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shutter member 57. FIG. 9 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the rear end portion of the three toner containers 30. In FIG. 8, the opening 57A is indicated by a broken line.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the toner container 30 includes a container body 51, a plurality of openings 52, a shape forming member 56, a shutter member 57, and a lever member 58.

[0042] The container body 51 stores toner. As shown in FIG. 4, the container body 51 is formed in a rectangular prism shape that is long in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction D6 of the toner container 30 to the image forming apparatus 100. The mounting direction D6 is the vertically downward direction. Inside the container body 51, a toner storage space for storing toner is formed.

[0043] The container body 51 has a side wall portion 51A formed along the mounting direction D6 to the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the container body 51 has a bottom surface portion that forms a bottom surface facing the downstream side in the mounting direction D6, and an upper surface portion that forms an upper surface facing the upstream side in the mounting direction D6. The side wall portion 51A forms the front, back, right, and left sides of the container body 51 formed in a rectangular prism shape. The toner storage space is a space surrounded by the side wall portion 51A, the bottom surface portion, and the upper surface portion.

[0044] In the container body 51, the toner stored inside is conveyed toward the rear end portion of the container body 51 along the longitudinal direction of the container body 51. Specifically, inside the container body 51, a conveying screw for conveying the toner stored inside toward the rear end portion of the container body 51 is provided. The conveying screw has a rotating shaft that is long in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction D2) of the container body 51. The rotating shaft is rotatably supported by the side wall portion 51A of the container body 51. A driving force of a motor provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100 is transmitted to the conveying screw via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). The conveying screw rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor transmitted via the power transmission mechanism. Thereby, the toner stored inside the container body 51 is conveyed toward the rear end portion of the container body 51.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, a discharge port 51B that opens downward is provided at the rear end portion of the bottom surface portion of the container body 51. The toner conveyed to the rear end portion of the container body 51 by the conveying screw is discharged from the discharge port 51B to the outside of the container body 51.

[0046] The plurality of openings 52 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the side wall portion 51A in the side wall portion 51A. Here, the circumferential direction is a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction D6 and is a direction along the outer surface of the side wall portion 51A. The number of the openings 52 is the same as the number of the mounting portions 36. That is, the toner container 30 includes three openings 52.

[0047] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the opening 53 among the three openings 52 is provided at the rear end portion on the left side surface of the side wall portion 51A. Further, the opening 54 among the three openings 52 is provided adjacent to the opening 53 on the rear side of the opening 53. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the opening 55 among the three openings 52 is provided at the rear end portion on the right side surface of the side wall portion 51A.

[0048] The opening 52 is provided to protrude from the side wall portion 51A to the outside of the container body 51 and opens in the mounting direction D6 (see FIG. 9). Thereby, compared with the configuration in which the opening 52 opens toward the outside of the container body 51, it is not necessary to provide an accommodation space inside the container body 51 for accommodating the insertion portion 61 (see FIG. 7) inserted into the opening 52. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the toner storage capacity of the container body 51 due to providing the accommodation space.

[0049] Specifically, the opening 52 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape along the outer surface of the side wall portion 51A (see FIG. 4). An opening is formed in the outer surface facing the downstream side in the mounting direction D6 of the opening 52 (see FIG. 9). The opening 52 and the outer surface of the side wall portion 51A form an accommodation space for accommodating the insertion portion 61 (see FIG. 7) of the shape forming member 56.

[0050] The container body 51 having a plurality of openings 52 is integrally formed of a resin material such as synthetic resin. In the image forming apparatus 100, the container body 51 common to the production of the toner containers 31 to 33 is used. That is, it is possible to mold the container body 51 used for the production of the toner containers 31 to 33 with one mold.

[0051] The shape forming member 56 is mounted on the side wall portion 51A in a mounting mode corresponding to any one of the plurality of mounting portions 36, thereby forming a first non-compatible shape 30A corresponding to the mounting portion 36.

[0052] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the shape forming member 56 has an insertion portion 61. The insertion portion 61 is inserted into the opening 52. The shape forming member 56 forms any one of the first non-compatible shapes 30A when the insertion portion 61 is inserted into any one of the openings 52 and a part excluding the insertion portion 61 protrudes from the opening 52. That is, the shape forming member 56 forms any one of the first non-compatible shapes 30A by being mounted in a mounting mode that protrudes from the opening 52 at the arrangement position of any one of the openings 52 in the side wall portion 51A.

[0053] For example, in the image forming apparatus 100, when the shape forming member 56 is mounted on the opening 53, the first non-compatible shape 30A corresponding to the second non-compatible shape 36A (see FIG. 10) of the mounting portion 37 is formed. That is, in the toner container 31 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the mounting portion 37, the shape forming member 56 is mounted on the opening 53 (see FIG. 9).

[0054] Further, in the image forming apparatus 100, when the shape forming member 56 is mounted on the opening 54, the first non-compatible shape 30A corresponding to the second non-compatible shape 36A (see FIG. 10) of the mounting portion 38 is formed. That is, in the toner container 32 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the mounting portion 38, the shape forming member 56 is mounted on the opening 54 (see FIG. 9).

[0055] In the image forming apparatus 100, when the shape forming member 56 is attached to the opening 55, a first non - compatible shape 30A corresponding to the second non - compatible shape 36A (see FIG. 10) of the attachment portion 39 is formed. That is, in the toner container 33 (see FIG. 3) attached to the attachment portion 39, the shape forming member 56 is attached to the opening 55 (see FIG. 9).

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, the insertion portion 61 is formed to be long along the insertion direction D7. At the tip of the insertion portion 61 in the insertion direction D7, a hook - shaped engaging portion 61A is formed. On the other hand, the opening 52 is provided with an engaged portion 64 formed so as to be engageable with the engaging portion 61A (see FIG. 5). For example, the engaged portion 64 is a window portion formed on the outer surface portion facing the outside of the container body 51 in the rectangular parallelepiped - shaped opening 52. When the insertion portion 61 is inserted into the opening 52, the engaging portion 61A engages with the engaged portion 64 by a snap - fit. Thereby, the removal of the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 52 from the opening 52 is restricted.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7, a ridge portion 61B formed along the insertion direction D7 is formed on the insertion portion 61. On the other hand, the opening 52 is provided with a guide groove portion 65 for guiding the ridge portion 61B along the insertion direction D7 (see FIG. 5). The guide groove portion 65 is formed along the attachment direction D6 on the outer surface portion of the opening 52. When the ridge portion 61B is guided by the guide groove portion 65, the movement of the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 52 in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the guide groove portion 65 is restricted.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, the shape forming member 56 has a support portion 62 and a protruding portion 63. The support portion 62 supports the rear end portion of the insertion portion 61 in the insertion direction D7 (see FIG. 7) of the insertion portion 61. For example, the support portion 62 is formed in a flat plate shape along a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction D7. The protruding portion 63 is provided at a distance from the insertion portion 61 in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction D7 in the support portion 62, and protrudes upstream in the insertion direction D7. For example, the support portion 62 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protruding portion 63 is a portion that protrudes from the opening 52 when the shape forming member 56 is attached to the opening 52.

[0059] The shape forming member 56 is integrally formed of a resin material such as synthetic resin. In the image forming apparatus 100, the shape forming member 56 common to the manufacture of the toner containers 31 to 33 is used. That is, it is possible to mold the shape forming member 56 used for the manufacture of the toner containers 31 to 33 with one mold.

[0060] The shutter member 57 is provided so as to be able to open and close the discharge port 51B (see FIG. 9).

[0061] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the shutter member 57 is a member formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The shutter member 57 is provided inside the container body 51 so as to face the discharge port 51B.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter member 57 has an opening 57A and a shaft hole 57B. The opening 57A is provided at a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the shutter member 57 that faces the discharge port 51B. The opening 57A is formed in substantially the same shape as the discharge port 51B. The shaft hole 57B is formed so as to allow the rotation shaft of the transport screw to pass therethrough. The shutter member 57 is rotatably supported about the rotation shaft by the rotation shaft inserted through the shaft hole 57B. By rotating about the rotation shaft, the shutter member 57 changes its state between an open state in which the opening 57A faces the discharge port 51B, that is, the discharge port 51B is open, and a closed state in which the opening 57A does not face the discharge port 51B, that is, the discharge port 51B is closed. Note that FIG. 8 shows the shutter member 57 in the closed state.

[0063] The shutter member 57 is biased in a biasing direction D8 (see FIG. 8) in which the state changes from the closed state to the open state by a biasing member (not shown). As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter member 57 has a protruding portion 57C protruding from the outer peripheral portion.

[0064] The lever member 58 restricts the state change of the shutter member 57 from the closed state to the open state, which receives the biasing force of the biasing member. Specifically, the lever member 58 has a locking portion 58A shown in FIG. 8. The locking portion 58A comes into contact with the protruding portion 57C of the shutter member 57 and restricts the state change of the shutter member 57 from the closed state to the open state.

[0065] Further, the lever member 58 is provided so as to be operable in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D6, and in response to an operation in this direction, the restriction on the state change of the shutter member 57 is released. Specifically, the lever member 58 has a contacted portion 58B shown in FIG. 8. The contacted portion 58B is integrally formed with the locking portion 58A. When the contacted portion 58B is pushed upward in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D6, the locking portion 58A is retracted upward from the contact position with the protruding portion 57C. Thereby, the restriction on the state change of the shutter member 57 by the locking portion 58A is released.

[0066] [Configuration of the mounting parts 37 to 39] Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14, the configuration of the mounting parts 37 to 39 will be described. Here, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the container support part 35. Further, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the container support part 35 from a perspective different from that shown in FIG. 10. Further, FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of the container support part 35. Further, FIG. 13 is a view showing the mounting state of the toner container 31 in the mounting part 37. Further, FIG. 14 is a view showing a state (non-mounting state) in which the mounting of the toner container 32 to the mounting part 37 is prevented by the contact between the contact part 73 and the shape forming member 56.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the mounting part 37 includes an operation part 71, an opposing part 72, a contact part 73, and a contact part 74.

[0068] The operation part 71 operates the lever member 58 of the toner container 30 in response to the mounting of the toner container 30 to the mounting part 37. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operation part 71 is provided so as to protrude from the bottom of the mounting part 37 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction D6. The operation part 71 is provided at a position facing the contacted part 58B of the lever member 58 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is mounted on the mounting part 37.

[0069] In the process of mounting the toner container 30 to the mounting part 37, the operation part 71 and the contacted part 58B come into contact with each other, and the lever member 58 is pushed upward in the direction opposite to the mounting direction D6 (see FIG. 13). As a result, in response to the mounting of the toner container 30 to the mounting part 37, the shutter member 57 of the toner container 30 changes its state from the closed state to the open state. Hereinafter, the state in which the shutter member 57 changes its state from the closed state to the open state by the mounting operation of the toner container 30 to the mounting part 36 by the user will be referred to as the mounted state of the toner container 30.

[0070] When the toner container 30 (toner container 32) with the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 54 is attached to the attachment portion 37, the contact portion 73 contacts the shape forming member 56 before the toner container 30 reaches the attached state, thereby preventing the attachment of the toner container 30 to the attachment portion 37 (see FIG. 14). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the contact portion 73 is provided to protrude from the bottom of the attachment portion 37 in a direction opposite to the attachment direction D6. The contact portion 73 is provided at a position facing the opening 54 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is attached to the attachment portion 37. The contact portion 73 is formed to protrude from the bottom of the attachment portion 37 with a length that allows it to contact the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 54 before the operation portion 71 and the lever member 58 come into contact (see FIG. 14).

[0071] When the toner container 30 (toner container 33) with the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 55 is attached to the attachment portion 37, the contact portion 74 contacts the shape forming member 56 before the toner container 30 reaches the attached state, thereby preventing the attachment of the toner container 30 to the attachment portion 37. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the contact portion 74 is provided to protrude from the bottom of the attachment portion 37 in a direction opposite to the attachment direction D6. The contact portion 74 is provided at a position facing the opening 55 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is attached to the attachment portion 37. The contact portion 74 is provided at the same height as the contact portion 73.

[0072] When the toner container 30 (toner container 31) with the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 53 is attached to the attachment portion 37, the opposing portion 72 faces the shape forming member 56 of the toner container 30 attached to the attachment portion 37 (see FIG. 13). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the opposing portion 72 is provided at a height lower than that of the contact portion 73. The opposing portion 72 is provided at a position facing the opening 53 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is attached to the attachment portion 37. The opposing portion 72 is formed so as not to contact the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 53 before the operation portion 71 and the lever member 58 come into contact.

[0073] In the mounting portion 37, a second non-compatible shape 36A is formed by the opposing portion 72, the contact portion 73, and the contact portion 74. In the mounting portion 37 having the second non-compatible shape 36A, the mounting of the toner container 30 having the first non-compatible shape 30A corresponding to the second non-compatible shape 36A is allowed, but the mounting of the toner container 30 not having the first non-compatible shape 30A corresponding to the second non-compatible shape 36A is blocked.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the mounting portion 38 includes an operation portion 81, a contact portion 82, an opposing portion 83, and a contact portion 84.

[0075] The operation portion 81 operates the lever member 58 of the toner container 30 in response to the mounting of the toner container 30 to the mounting portion 38. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operation portion 81 is provided to protrude from the bottom of the mounting portion 38 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D6. The operation portion 81 is provided at a position facing the contacted portion 58B of the lever member 58 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is mounted to the mounting portion 38. The operation portion 81 is provided at the same height as the operation portion 71.

[0076] The contact portion 82 contacts the shape forming member 56 before the toner container 30 (toner container 31) with the shape forming member 56 mounted in the opening 53 is mounted to the mounting portion 38, and blocks the mounting of the toner container 30 to the mounting portion 38. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the contact portion 82 is provided to protrude from the bottom of the mounting portion 38 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D6. The contact portion 82 is provided at a position facing the opening 53 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is mounted to the mounting portion 38. The contact portion 82 is provided at the same height as the contact portion 73.

[0077] When the toner container 30 (toner container 33) with the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 55 is attached to the attachment portion 38, the contact portion 84 contacts the shape forming member 56 before the toner container 30 reaches the attached state, preventing the attachment of the toner container 30 to the attachment portion 38. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the contact portion 84 protrudes from the bottom of the attachment portion 38 in the direction opposite to the attachment direction D6. The contact portion 84 is provided at a position facing the opening 55 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is attached to the attachment portion 38. The contact portion 84 is provided at the same height as the contact portion 73.

[0078] When the toner container 30 (toner container 32) with the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 54 is attached to the attachment portion 38, the opposing portion 83 opposes the shape forming member 56 of the toner container 30 attached to the attachment portion 38. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the opposing portion 83 is provided at a height lower than that of the contact portion 73. The opposing portion 83 is provided at a position facing the opening 54 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is attached to the attachment portion 38. The opposing portion 83 is formed so as not to contact the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 54 before the operation portion 81 and the lever member 58 come into contact.

[0079] In the attachment portion 38, the contact portion 82, the opposing portion 83, and the contact portion 84 form the second non - compatible shape 36A. In the attachment portion 38 having the second non - compatible shape 36A, the attachment of the toner container 30 having the first non - compatible shape 30A corresponding to the second non - compatible shape 36A is allowed, but the attachment of the toner container 30 not having the first non - compatible shape 30A corresponding to the second non - compatible shape 36A is blocked.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the attachment portion 39 includes an operation portion 91, a contact portion 92, a contact portion 93, and an opposing portion 94.

[0081] The operation unit 91 operates the lever member 58 of the toner container 30 in response to the mounting of the toner container 30 on the mounting unit 39. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operation unit 91 is provided so as to protrude from the bottom of the mounting unit 39 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D6. The operation unit 91 is provided at a position facing the contacted portion 58B of the lever member 58 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is mounted on the mounting unit 39. The operation unit 91 is provided at the same height as the operation unit 71.

[0082] When the toner container 30 (toner container 31) with the shape forming member 56 mounted on the opening 53 is mounted on the mounting unit 39, the contact portion 92 contacts the shape forming member 56 before the toner container 30 reaches the mounted state, and prevents the toner container 30 from being mounted on the mounting unit 39. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the contact portion 92 is provided so as to protrude from the bottom of the mounting unit 39 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D6. The contact portion 92 is provided at a position facing the opening 53 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is mounted on the mounting unit 39. The contact portion 92 is provided at the same height as the contact portion 73.

[0083] When the toner container 30 (toner container 32) with the shape forming member 56 mounted on the opening 54 is mounted on the mounting unit 39, the contact portion 93 contacts the shape forming member 56 before the toner container 30 reaches the mounted state, and prevents the toner container 30 from being mounted on the mounting unit 39. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the contact portion 93 is provided so as to protrude from the bottom of the mounting unit 39 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D6. The contact portion 93 is provided at a position facing the opening 54 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is mounted on the mounting unit 39. The contact portion 93 is provided at the same height as the contact portion 73.

[0084] When the toner container 30 (toner container 33) with the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 55 is attached to the attachment portion 39, the opposing portion 94 opposes the shape forming member 56 of the toner container 30 attached to the attachment portion 39. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the opposing portion 94 is provided at a height lower than that of the contact portion 73. The opposing portion 94 is provided at a position opposing the opening 55 of the toner container 30 when the toner container 30 is attached to the attachment portion 39. The opposing portion 94 is formed so as not to contact the shape forming member 56 attached to the opening 55 before the operation portion 91 and the lever member 58 come into contact with each other.

[0085] In the attachment portion 39, the second non - compatible shape 36A is formed by the contact portion 92, the contact portion 93, and the opposing portion 94. In the attachment portion 39 having the second non - compatible shape 36A, the attachment of the toner container 30 having the first non - compatible shape 30A corresponding to the second non - compatible shape 36A is allowed, but the attachment of the toner container 30 not having the first non - compatible shape 30A corresponding to the second non - compatible shape 36A is blocked.

[0086] In this way, in the image forming apparatus 100, when the shape forming member 56 is attached to the side wall portion 51A in a mounting mode corresponding to one of the three mounting portions 37, the first non - compatible shape 30A corresponding to the mounting portion 37 is formed. Thus, two members, the container body 51 and the shape forming member 56, can realize three or more first non - compatible shapes 30A. Therefore, in a configuration including three or more mounting portions 37, the number of molds used for manufacturing the toner container 30 having non - compatible shapes can be reduced.

[0087] Note that the shape forming member 56 may be configured to form any one of the first non - compatible shapes 30A when the insertion portion 61 is inserted into any one of the openings 52 in the first posture, and to form a first non - compatible shape 30A different from the first non - compatible shape 30A when inserted in the second posture which is inverted about an axis along the insertion direction D7 from the first posture. For example, assuming that the insertion posture of the insertion portion 61 of the shape forming member 56 shown in FIG. 5 is the first posture, as shown in FIG. 15, when the insertion portion 61 is inserted into the opening 53 in the second posture, a first non - compatible shape 30A corresponding to the mounting portion 38 or the mounting portion 39 may be formed. In this case, the opening 54 or the opening 55 may not be provided.

[0088] Alternatively, the shape forming member 56 may be configured to form any one of the first non - compatible shapes 30A when the insertion portion 61 is inserted into any one of the openings 52 in the first posture, and to form a first non - compatible shape 30A in an image forming apparatus of a different model from the image forming apparatus 100 when inserted in the second posture.

[0089] Further, when the shape forming member 56 that forms the first non - compatible shape 30A corresponding to the mounting portion 36 is not mounted on the toner container 30 mounted on the mounting portion 36, the control unit 12 may restrict the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the control unit 12 may prohibit the execution of the printing process. For example, the control unit 12 can determine the presence or absence of the mounting of the shape forming member 56 based on the on - off state of a mechanical switch that is operated by the shape forming member 56 of the toner container 30 in response to the mounting of the toner container 30 on the mounting portion 37 provided in the opposing portion 72. Also, the control unit 12 can determine the presence or absence of the mounting of the shape forming member 56 using a reflective or transmissive optical sensor that can detect the shape forming member 56 facing the opposing portion 72.

[0090] Also, the developer of the present invention may be ink. That is, the present invention is not limited to electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, and may be applied to ink - jet image forming apparatuses.

Explanation of Signs

[0091] 1 Image forming unit 2 Image forming unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Image forming unit 5 Intermediate transfer belt 6 Optical scanning device 7 Secondary transfer roller 8 Fixing device 9 Paper feed cassette 10 Conveyor path 11 Cover member 12 Control unit 13 Toner supply unit 30 Toner container 30A First non-compatible shape 35 Container support part 36 Mounting part 36A Second non-compatible shape 51 Container body 51A Side wall part 52 Opening 56 Shape forming member 61 Insertion part 62 Support part 63 Protrusion 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims

1. A developer container that is detachably attached to any one of three or more attachment parts provided in an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a developer, comprising a container body having a side wall portion formed along the attachment direction to the image forming apparatus, a shape forming member that forms a first non-compatible shape corresponding to the attachment part by being attached to the side wall portion in an attachment mode corresponding to any one of the three or more attachment parts, and the same number of openings as the attachment parts arranged along the circumferential direction of the side wall portion in the side wall portion, wherein the shape forming member has an insertion part to be inserted into the opening, and by inserting the insertion part into any one of the openings and a part other than the insertion part protruding from the opening, any one of the first non-compatible shapes is formed, and the opening protrudes from the side wall portion to the outside of the container body and opens in the attachment direction, the developer container.

2. The shape forming member has a support portion that supports a rear end portion of the insertion portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion, and a protruding portion that is provided at a distance from the insertion portion in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction in the support portion and protrudes upstream in the insertion direction, The developer container according to claim 1.

3. A developer container that is detachably attached to any one of three or more attachment parts provided in an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a developer, comprising a container body having a side wall portion formed along the attachment direction to the image forming apparatus, a shape forming member that forms a first non-compatible shape corresponding to the attachment part by being attached to the side wall portion in an attachment mode corresponding to any one of the three or more attachment parts, and a plurality of openings arranged along the circumferential direction of the side wall portion in the side wall portion, wherein the shape forming member has an insertion part to be inserted into the opening, a support portion that supports a rear end portion of the insertion portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion, and a protruding portion that is provided at a distance from the insertion portion in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction in the support portion and protrudes upstream in the insertion direction, and by inserting the insertion part into any one of the openings in a first posture, any one of the first non-compatible shapes is formed, and by inserting in a second posture that is inverted about an axis along the insertion direction from the first posture, a first non-compatible shape different from the first non-compatible shape is formed, The developer container.

4. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and three or more of the mounting portions having second non-compatible shapes that are different from each other in shape, comprising: The first non-compatible shape is a shape corresponding to any of the second non-compatible shapes, an image forming apparatus.

5. When the shape forming member that forms the first non-compatible shape corresponding to the mounting portion is not mounted on the developer container mounted on the mounting portion, a control unit that restricts the operation of the image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. Three or more mounting portions having second non-compatible shapes that are different from each other in shape, a developer container that is attachable to and detachable from any one of the three or more mounting portions, comprising an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a developer, The developer container has a container body having a side wall portion formed along the mounting direction to the image forming apparatus, and a shape forming member that forms a first non-compatible shape corresponding to the mounting portion by being mounted on the side wall portion in a mounting mode corresponding to any one of the three or more mounting portions, comprising: The first non-compatible shape is a shape corresponding to any of the second non-compatible shapes, The image forming apparatus has a control unit that restricts the operation of the image forming apparatus when the shape forming member that forms the first non-compatible shape corresponding to the mounting portion is not mounted on the developer container mounted on the mounting portion. an image forming apparatus.

Images