Toner container and image forming system

Abstract

To provide one form of a toner container and an image forming system.SOLUTION: A toner container is removably attached to an image forming apparatus, and comprises: a toner storage part that stores toner; a container base part that has a discharge port communicating with the toner storage part; and a container shutter that shields the discharge port. The container base part is configured to be rotatable centered on the axis of rotation with respect to the container shutter between a shielding position at which the discharge port is shielded by the container shutter and an open position at which the discharge port is opened by the container shutter. The discharge port is provided in a side face of the container base extending along the direction of the axis of rotation. The container shutter has a part to be engaged that is engaged with an engaging part of the image forming apparatus when the toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus to regulate the rotation of the container shutter centered on the axis of rotation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner container and an image forming system for forming an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

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

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

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

[0005] In recent years, users have been demanding various ways of using image forming apparatuses, such as the above-mentioned process cartridge system, toner supply system, etc. In addition, users have also been demanding various types of toner containers that are attached to image forming apparatuses for supplying toner.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toner container and an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus having an engagement portion, the toner container comprising a toner storage portion that stores toner, and a container base that is provided with a discharge port that communicates with the interior of the toner storage portion and through which toner discharged to the exterior of the toner storage portion passes. Department and a shielding position for shielding the discharge outlet and an opening position for opening the discharge outlet, The It is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in one direction. and is provided outside the container base portion in the radial direction of an imaginary circle centered on the rotation axis. A container shutter having a cylindrical shape, No. 1 a container shutter having a peripheral surface extending in a direction, the peripheral surface being provided with a shutter opening that exposes the discharge port to the outside of the toner container when the container shutter is positioned at the open position; the toner storage unit and the container base are aligned in the first direction, and the discharge port is provided on an outer surface of the container base that extends in the first direction; The container base portion is a portion where the toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus. situation to Leave The container has an engaging portion configured to engage with the engaged portion of the image forming device, thereby restricting rotation of the container base portion relative to the image forming device around the rotation axis, and at least a portion of the engaging portion of the container base portion is exposed from the shutter opening of the container shutter when the container shutter is in the shielding position.

[0008] The present invention also provides An image forming system having an apparatus main body and a toner container attachable to the apparatus main body, wherein the toner container comprises: a first toner storage section that stores toner; a container base section that has a discharge port for discharging the toner stored in the first toner storage section to the outside of the toner container; and a first shutter that is configured to rotate about a rotation axis with respect to the container base section between a first open position that opens the discharge port and a first closed position that closes the discharge port, the first shutter having a first engaging section and a first engaged section; and the apparatus main body comprises: a main body base section to which the toner container is detachably attached and that has a receiving port for receiving toner from the toner container; a second toner storage section that stores the toner received from the receiving port; a second shutter configured to rotate about the rotation axis relative to the main body base between a second open position that opens the receiving port and a second blocking position that blocks the receiving port, the second shutter having a second engaged portion; and an operating lever configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis relative to the main body base and to be rotatable and to be operated about the rotation axis relative to the main body base, the operating lever having a second engaging portion, wherein, when the toner container is attached to the main body base, the second engaging portion of the operating lever engages with the first engaged portion of the first shutter so that the first shutter rotates together with the operating lever, and the first engaging portion of the first shutter engages with the second engaged portion of the second shutter so that the second shutter rotates together with the first shutter. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, one embodiment of a toner container and an image forming system can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with the reading device in an open state. [Figure 3] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a toner pack, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a toner pack. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 4A is a perspective view showing a rotary container unit of a toner pack, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the rotary container unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view showing a shutter member and a sealing member, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the shutter member and the sealing member. [Figure 10] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack in an open state. [Figure 11] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the toner pack in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner pack in an open state. [Figure 12] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in an open state. [Figure 13] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in an open state. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view showing the cylindrical portion and the base seal, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the cylindrical portion and the base seal. [Figure 17] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view showing a shutter member and a shutter sheet, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the shutter member and the shutter sheet. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the toner receiving portion in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the toner receiving portion in an open state. [Figure 20] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section and the toner pack in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section and the toner pack in an open state. [Figure 21] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the developing container and toner pack are attached, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the toner pack is attached to the developing container, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the supply base has rotated a predetermined angle from the state shown in Figure 21(b). [Figure 22] 22(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner supply port and the toner discharge port are open, and FIG. 22(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the supply base has been rotated a predetermined angle from the state shown in FIG. 22(a). [Figure 23] 22(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the supply base has been rotated a predetermined angle from the state shown in FIG. 22(b), and FIG. 22(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner supply port and the toner discharge port are blocked. [Figure 24] 10A is an exploded perspective view showing a shutter member and a toner pack according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing the shutter member and a toner pack according to the second embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an image forming apparatus. [Figure 28] 10A is an exploded perspective view showing a shutter member and a toner pack according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing the shutter member and a toner pack according to the third embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the peripheral configuration of the shutter member. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an image forming apparatus. [Figure 32] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the peripheral configuration of the shutter member. [Figure 33] 10A is a perspective view showing a toner pack in a closed state according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing a toner pack in an open state. [Figure 34] FIG. [Figure 35] FIG. [Figure 36] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the toner pack in a closed state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner pack in an open state. [Figure 37] FIG. 10(a) is an exploded view of a toner pack according to a fifth embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is an exploded view of the toner pack according to the fifth embodiment seen from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. [Figure 38] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner pack in a shielded state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner pack in a shielded state as viewed from a different viewpoint than that in FIG. [Figure 39] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the toner pack in an open state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner pack in an open state as seen from a different viewpoint than that shown in FIG. [Figure 40] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a shutter member, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the shutter member as seen from a different viewpoint than that shown in FIG. [Figure 41] FIG. 1( a ) is an exploded view of the toner receiving unit, and FIG. 1( b ) is an exploded view of the toner receiving unit seen from a different perspective than that of FIG. [Figure 42] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in a shielded state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in a shielded state, as viewed from a different viewpoint than that in FIG. [Figure 43] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in an open state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner receiving section in an open state, as viewed from a different viewpoint than that in FIG. [Figure 44] 1A is a perspective view showing a state immediately before the toner pack is attached to the toner receiving unit, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state after the toner pack has been attached to the toner receiving unit. [Figure 45]1A is a perspective view showing the operating lever and the shutter member when the toner pack and the toner receiving portion are in a shielded state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of FIG. [Figure 46] 1A is a perspective view showing the shutter member and the container inlet when the toner pack and the toner receiving portion are in a shielded state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of FIG. [Figure 47] 1A is a perspective view showing the operating lever and the shutter member when the toner pack and the toner receiving portion are in an open state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of FIG. [Figure 48] 1A is a perspective view showing the shutter member and the container inlet when the toner pack and the toner receiving portion are in an open state, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of FIG. [Figure 49] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration in which a toner pack does not come off from a toner receiving portion when toner is replenished. FIG. [Figure 50] 1A is a front view showing the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B is a front view showing the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the open position. [Figure 51] FIG. [Figure 52] (a) is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the nozzle when the pack-side shutter is in the blocking position, and (b) is a view of the toner pack as seen in the direction of the arrow U in (a). [Figure 53] (a) is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the nozzle when the pack-side shutter is in the open position, and (b) is a view of the toner pack as seen in the direction of the arrow U in (a). [Figure 54] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting portion, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion seen from a different direction than in FIG. [Figure 55] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the lever is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the lever is in the open position. [Figure 56] (a) is a view of the mounting part from the mounting direction when the lever is in the closed position, and (b) is a view of the mounting part from the mounting direction when the lever is in the open position. [Figure 57] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the device-side shutter, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the device-side shutter when viewed from a different direction from that shown in FIG. [Figure 58] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the cover and the shutter sheet, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the cover and the shutter sheet when viewed from a different direction from that shown in FIG. [Figure 59] (a) is a perspective view showing the toner pack being mounted in the mounting portion, and (b) is a perspective view showing the toner pack being mounted in the mounting portion when viewed from a different direction than (a). [Figure 60] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the toner pack is attached to the attachment portion. [Figure 61] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 61A-61A in FIG. 60, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 61B-61B in FIG. [Figure 62] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing the shutter sheet periphery in time series when the device-side shutter is rotated from the open position to the closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] First Embodiment 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material based on image information input from an external device. The recording material includes various sheet materials of different materials, such as paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic film such as sheets for overhead projectors, sheets of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[0015] [Overall configuration] 1(a) and 1(b), the image forming apparatus 1 has a printer main body 100 as the device main body, a reading device 200 supported by the printer main body 100 so as to be openable and closable, and an operation unit 300 attached to the exterior surface of the printer main body 100. The printer main body 100 has an image forming unit 10 that forms a toner image on a recording material, a feeding unit 60 that feeds the recording material to the image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 70 that fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 to the recording material, and a pair of discharge rollers 80.

[0016] The image forming section 10 has a scanner unit 11, an electrophotographic process cartridge 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 to a recording material. The process cartridge 20 has the photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22 arranged around the photosensitive drum 21, a pre-exposure device 23, and a developing device 30 including a developing roller 31.

[0017] The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrically shaped photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 21 of this embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photosensitive member on a drum-shaped base body made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 21, which serves as an image carrier, is rotated by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the drawing) at a predetermined process speed.

[0018] The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure to form a charging portion. A desired charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 22 by a charging high-voltage power supply, thereby uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is negatively charged by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before it enters the charging portion in order to generate a stable discharge at the charging portion.

[0019] The scanner unit 11, which serves as an exposure means, scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device or the reading device 200 using a polygon mirror. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Note that the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and may, for example, be an LED exposure device having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0020] The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 as a developer carrier that carries developer, a developing container 32 that forms the frame of the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 that can supply developer to the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. The developing roller 31 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 rotatably contacts the developing roller 31, and the toner contained in the developing container 32 as the developer is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required as long as the configuration can supply a sufficient amount of toner to the developing roller 31.

[0021] The developing device 30 of this embodiment uses a contact development method. That is, a toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in a development section (development area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a development high-voltage power supply. Under the development voltage, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface in accordance with the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Note that this embodiment employs a reversal development method. That is, a toner image is formed by the toner adhering to the surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21, which has been charged in a charging process and then exposed in an exposure process, where the charge amount has attenuated.

[0022] In this embodiment, a toner having a particle size of 6 μm and a normal negative charge polarity is used. As an example, the toner used in this embodiment is a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. The toner used in this embodiment does not contain a magnetic component, and is a so-called non-magnetic single-component developer in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a single-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, a single-component developer may contain additives (e.g., wax or silica particles) to adjust the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. A two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may also be used. When a magnetic developer is used, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside is used as the developer carrier.

[0023] The developing container 32 is provided with a storage section 36 serving as a second toner storage section for storing toner, and an agitating member 34 serving as agitating means disposed inside the storage section 36. The agitating member 34 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), thereby agitating the toner in the developing container 32 and feeding the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. The agitating member 34 also serves to circulate, within the developing container, toner that has not been used in development and has been scraped off from the developing roller 31, thereby homogenizing the toner in the developing container. Note that the agitating member 34 is not limited to a rotating type. For example, an agitating member that swings may be used.

[0024] A developing blade 35 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 in which the developing roller 31 is disposed, to regulate the amount of toner carried by the developing roller 31. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through the area facing the developing blade 35 as the developing roller 31 rotates, whereby the toner is uniformly formed into a thin layer and is negatively charged by frictional charging.

[0025] 1(a) and 1(b), the feeding section 60 has a front door 61 supported by the printer main body 100 so as to be able to open and close, a tray section 62, a middle plate 63, a tray spring 64, and a pickup roller 65. The tray section 62 forms the bottom surface of a recording material storage space that appears when the front door 61 is opened, and the middle plate 63 is supported by the tray section 62 so as to be able to move up and down. The tray spring 64 urges the middle plate 63 upward, pressing the recording material P loaded on the middle plate 63 against the pickup roller 65. Note that the front door 61 closes the recording material storage space when closed relative to the printer main body 100, and supports the recording material P together with the tray section 62 and middle plate 63 when open relative to the printer main body 100.

[0026] The fixing unit 70 is a thermal fixing unit that fixes an image by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 70 includes a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater that heats the fixing film 71, a thermistor that measures the temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressure roller 72 that presses against the fixing film 71.

[0027] Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an image formation command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming process is started by the image forming unit 10 based on image information input from an external computer or reading device 200 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The scanner unit 11 irradiates a laser beam toward the photosensitive drum 21 based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is pre-charged by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by the irradiation of the laser beam. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0028] In parallel with the image forming process described above, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding section 60 feeds out the recording material P supported by the front door 61, the tray section 62, and the middle plate 63. The recording material P is fed by the pickup roller 65 to the pair of registration rollers 15, and any skew is corrected by the recording material P hitting the nip of the pair of registration rollers 15. The pair of registration rollers 15 is then driven in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image, and conveys the recording material P toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0029] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 12 as a transfer means from a transfer high-voltage power supply, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the recording material P being conveyed by a pair of registration rollers 15. The recording material P with the transferred toner image is conveyed to a fixing section 70, where the toner image is heated and pressurized as it passes through a nip between a fixing film 71 and a pressure roller 72 of the fixing section 70. This melts the toner particles and then solidifies them, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing section 70 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) by a pair of discharge rollers 80 as a discharge means, and is stacked on a discharge tray 81 as a stacking section formed at the top of the printer main body 100.

[0030] The discharge tray 81 is inclined upward toward the downstream side in the discharge direction of the recording material, and the recording material discharged onto the discharge tray 81 slides down the discharge tray 81 so that its rear end is aligned by a regulating surface 84 .

[0031] The reading device 200 has a reading unit 201 that incorporates a reading section (not shown) therein, and a pressure plate 202 that is supported so as to be openable and closable by the reading unit 201. On the top surface of the reading unit 201, there is provided a document table glass 203 that transmits light emitted from the reading section and on which a document is placed.

[0032] When a user wants to have the image of a document read by the reading device 200, the user places the document on the document glass 203 with the pressure plate 202 open. Then, by closing the pressure plate 202, the document on the document glass 203 is prevented from shifting position, and a reading command is output to the image forming device 1 by operating, for example, the operation unit 300. When the reading operation is started, the reading unit in the reading unit 201 moves back and forth in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the left-right direction with the operation unit 300 of the image forming device 1 facing forward. The reading unit emits light toward the document from the light-emitting unit, receives light reflected by the document with the light-receiving unit, and reads the image of the document by photoelectrically converting the light. Note that, hereinafter, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined based on the state in which the operation unit 300 is facing forward.

[0033] A top cover 82 serving as a stacking tray is provided on the top of the printer main body 100, and a discharge tray 81 serving as a stacking surface is formed on the upper surface of the top cover 82. As shown in Figures 1(b) and 2, an opening / closing member 83 is supported on the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable around a pivot shaft 83a extending in the front-to-rear direction. An opening 82a that opens upward is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82.

[0034] The open / close member 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position where it covers the supply port 32a so that the toner pack 40 cannot be attached to the developing container 32, and an open position where it exposes the supply port 32a so that the toner pack 40 can be attached to the developing container 32. In the closed position, the open / close member 83 functions as part of the discharge tray 81. The open / close member 83 and the opening 82a are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81. The open / close member 83 is opened to the left by inserting a finger into a groove 82b provided in the top cover 82. The open / close member 83 is formed in a substantially L-shape to fit the shape of the top cover 82.

[0035] The opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is open so as to expose the supply port 32a for toner supply formed in the upper part of the developing container 32, and the user can access the supply port 32a by opening the opening / closing member 83. Note that in this embodiment, a method (direct supply method) is adopted in which the user supplies toner from a toner pack 40 (see FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b)) filled with replenishment toner to the developing device 30 while the developing device 30 remains attached to the image forming apparatus 1. At least a portion of the toner pack 40 is exposed to the outside when attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

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

[0037] [Recovery of residual toner after transfer] This embodiment employs a cleanerless configuration in which residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 without being transferred to the recording material P is collected in the developing device 30 and reused. The residual toner is removed through the following process. The residual toner includes a mixture of positively charged toner and negatively charged toner that does not have a sufficient charge. The pre-exposure device 23 neutralizes the photosensitive drum 21 after transfer, and the charging roller 22 uniformly discharges the toner, thereby re-charging the residual toner to a negative polarity. The residual toner, re-charged to a negative polarity in the charging section, reaches the developing section as the photosensitive drum 21 rotates. The surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21 that has passed through the charging section is then exposed by the scanner unit 11, with the residual toner still adhering to the surface, and an electrostatic latent image is written onto the surface.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0106] In the present embodiment, when the toner pack 40 is changed from the closed state to the open state, the toner discharge port 501r is reliably blocked by the seal member 504 and the tip portion 505a of the shutter sheet 505. This prevents the toner in the toner pack 40 from leaking out from the toner discharge port 501r, improving usability.

[0107] Furthermore, when the toner pack 40 is changed from the open state to the closed state, the space between the step portion 501n and the end face 507f, which corresponds to the gap δ1 shown in Figure 23(a), is reliably closed by the tip end 505a of the shutter sheet 505. This prevents toner from entering the gap δ1 and scattering in the gap δ1 when the toner pack 40 is removed, thereby improving usability.

[0108] Furthermore, the toner discharge port 501r of the toner pack 40 is formed on the outer peripheral portion 501b extending in the axial direction D1 of the supply base 501. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the toner discharge port 501r can be made larger, improving the efficiency of toner supply, compared to when the toner discharge port 501r is formed on an end portion in the axial direction D1 of the toner pack 40 (for example, an end surface perpendicular to the axial direction D1). Also, the outer diameters of the supply base 501 and the cylindrical portion 32g can be made smaller.

[0109] In this embodiment, the supply base 501 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the shutter member 41. For example, if the toner contained in the developing container 32 becomes full during toner replenishment and only a portion of the toner in the toner pack 40 can be replenished, toner (leveled toner) accumulates in the toner discharge port 501r of the supply base 501. Before being removed from the developing container 32, the toner pack 40 is rotated while attached to the developing container 32 to change from an open state to a closed state. At this time, the toner discharge port 501r is blocked from the outer peripheral surface side of the toner discharge port 501r by the shutter member 41. Therefore, the toner pack 40 is removed from the developing container 32 with the leveled toner accumulated in the toner discharge port 501r securely sealed by the shutter member 41, thereby reducing the leveled toner from scattering outside the developing container 32.

[0110] In the present embodiment, the engaged portion 41k formed on the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 engages with the engaging portion 32e of the cylindrical portion 32g, but this is not limiting. The engaged portion 41k and the engaging portion 32e each have a two-chamfered shape, but this is not limiting. For example, the engaged portion 41k may be configured as a boss shape with two chamfers, and the engaging portion 32e may be configured as a hole shape with two chamfers. Furthermore, regardless of the shapes of the engaged portion 41k and the engaging portion 32e, they may be press-fitted into each other or engaged by a snap fit.

[0111] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, in which the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving portion 600 of the first embodiment is changed to a shutter member 507B. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment will not be shown in the drawings or will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0112] As in the first embodiment, the shutter member 507 according to the second embodiment has an inner diameter portion 507h, an outer diameter portion 507k, and a protrusion 507e, as shown in Fig. 15. That is, the shutter member 507B differs from the shutter member 507 according to the first embodiment only in that it is provided with a fitting portion 513 in addition to the shutter member 507 according to the first embodiment.

[0113] As shown in Figures 24(a) to 25, the fitting portion 513 of the shutter member 507B has an approximately hexagonal opening 513a into which the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 engages, and a lever portion 513b that can be rotated by the user.

[0114] Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 27 is a plan view showing the image forming apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment. Image forming apparatus 1B has basically the same configuration and function as image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figs. 26 and 27, an opening 82a is formed in discharge tray 81 of image forming apparatus 1B, and opening 82a is located on the right side of the apparatus.

[0115] The fitting portion 513 of the shutter member 507B is exposed to the outside through the opening 82a, and when replenishing toner in the developing container 32 (see FIG. 1(a)), the user fits the toner pack 40 into the fitting portion 513. More specifically, the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 is fitted into the fitting portion 513.

[0116] Then, the user operates the lever portion 513b exposed from the opening 82a to rotate the lever portion 513b about the rotation axis z (see FIG. 24(b)). This rotates the shutter member 507B and the rotating container unit 401 (see FIG. 5) of the toner pack 40, and the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600B change from the closed state to the open state. As a result, the toner in the toner pack 40 can be replenished to the developing container 32.

[0117] As described above, in this embodiment, the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600B can be changed from a closed state to an open state by operating the lever portion 513b of the shutter member 507B, rather than operating the outer ring member 510 as in the first embodiment.

[0118] Since the space required to grip lever portion 513b is smaller than the space required to grip outer ring member 510, lever portion 513b is easy to operate and usability can be improved even if opening 82a is small, for example. Note that a smaller opening 82a is advantageous in terms of the strength of the housing of image forming apparatus 1B and in preventing foreign matter from entering the interior of image forming apparatus 1B.

[0119] Furthermore, since the lever portion 513b is positioned at a position radially farther from the rotation axis z than the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40, the force required for the user to operate the lever portion 513b is reduced, thereby improving usability.

[0120] In the present embodiment, the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 is fitted into the fitting portion 513 of the shutter member 507B, but this is not limiting. For example, instead of the outer ring member 510, at least one of the supply base 501, the inner ring member 511, and the pouch 503 may be fixed to the shutter member 507B.

[0121] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described, in which the shutter member 507B of the first embodiment is replaced with a shutter member 507C. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment will not be shown in the drawings or will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0122] 28(a) to 29, the fitting portion 515 has a substantially hexagonal opening 515a with which the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 engages, and a gear portion 515b. The gear portion 515b is formed on the outer periphery of the fitting portion 515, and has a plurality of teeth arranged in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis z.

[0123] A guide member 516 is fixed to an internal frame (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1C (see FIG. 30) or to the developing container 32 (see FIG. 1(a)), and a lever member 514 is supported by the guide member 516 so as to be slidable in the w1 and w2 directions. The lever member 514 has a lever portion 514a that can be gripped by the user, and a rack portion 514b that meshes with a gear portion 515b.

[0124] Fig. 30 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment, and Fig. 31 is a plan view showing the image forming apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment. Fig. 32 is an enlarged plan view showing the peripheral configuration of the toner pack 40 and the shutter member 507C. The image forming apparatus 1C has basically the same configuration and function as the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figs. 30 and 31, an opening 82a is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the image forming apparatus 1C, and the opening 82a is located on the right side of the apparatus.

[0125] The fitting portion 515 of the shutter member 507C is exposed to the outside through the opening 82a, and when replenishing toner in the developing container 32 (see FIG. 1(a)), the user fits the toner pack 40 into the fitting portion 515. More specifically, the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 is fitted into the fitting portion 515.

[0126] Then, the user operates the lever portion 514a exposed from the opening 82a to slide the lever member 514, for example, in the w2 direction, as shown in FIGS. 30 to 32. The sliding movement of the lever member 514 in the w2 direction rotates the gear portion 515b meshing with the rack portion 514b of the lever member 514. This rotates the shutter member 507C and the rotating container unit 401 (see FIG. 5) of the toner pack 40, and the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600C change from the closed state to the open state. As a result, the toner in the toner pack 40 can be replenished to the developing container 32.

[0127] As described above, in this embodiment, the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving portion 600C can be changed from a closed state to an open state by operating the lever portion 514a of the lever member 514, rather than operating the outer ring member 510 as in the first embodiment.

[0128] Since the space required to grip lever portion 514a is smaller than the space required to grip outer ring member 510, lever portion 514a is easy to operate and usability can be improved even if opening 82a is small, for example. Note that a smaller opening 82a is advantageous in terms of the strength of the housing of image forming apparatus 1C and in preventing foreign matter from entering the interior of image forming apparatus 1C.

[0129] Furthermore, since the lever portion 514a is positioned at a position radially farther from the rotation axis z than the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40, the force required for the user to operate the lever portion 514a is reduced, thereby improving usability.

[0130] In the present embodiment, the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 is fitted into the fitting portion 515 of the shutter member 507C, but this is not limiting. For example, instead of the outer ring member 510, at least one of the supply base 501, the inner ring member 511, and the pouch 503 may be fixed to the shutter member 507C.

[0131] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is a modification of the first embodiment in terms of the configuration of the toner pack 40. Therefore, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the illustrations or will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0132] The following describes the configuration of a toner pack 40 as a toner container that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1(a)) and stores toner. As shown in FIGS. 33(a) to 36(b), a toner pack 40D as a toner container includes a shutter member 41D, a sealing member 504D, a supply base 501D, an inner ring member 511, and a pouch 503, and is configured by assembling these members.

[0133] An inner ring member 511 is coupled to the supply base 501D, and a pouch 503 is coupled to the inner ring member 511. Toner is stored inside the pouch 503. As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the supply base 501D has a toner discharge port 501r formed on a fixing surface 501s.

[0134] A sealing member 504D is fixed to the fixing surface 501s with double-sided tape or the like, and an opening 504h is formed in the sealing member 504D at a position corresponding to the toner discharge port 501r. The sealing member 504D is made of an elastically deformable material such as urethane foam or nonwoven fabric.

[0135] The supply base 501D is formed with a sliding surface 501t that is flush with a sliding surface 504t of the seal member 504D fixed to the fixed surface 501s. That is, a step is provided between the sliding surface 501t and the fixed surface 501s.

[0136] FIG. 36(a) shows a state in which the toner discharge port 501r and the opening 504h are covered by the shutter member 41D, and FIG. 36(b) shows a state in which the toner discharge port 501r and the opening 504h are open. The toner pack 40D is attached to the developing container 32 along the moving direction MD (described later). The toner discharge port 501r is formed on a fixed surface 501s extending along the moving direction MD. As shown in FIGS. 36(a) and 36(b), the shutter member 41D is supported on the supply base 501D so as to be slidable in the moving direction MD. The shutter member 41D is configured to be slidable along the sliding surfaces 501t and 504t and is biased to the position shown in FIG. 36(a) by a spring (not shown). This reduces toner leakage from the toner discharge port 501r. A protrusion 41w protrudes from a side surface 41v of the shutter member 41D.

[0137] 33(a), when replenishing toner in the developing container 32, the user attaches the toner pack 40D to the developing container 32. At this time, the protrusion 41w of the shutter member 41D engages with a regulating member 901 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1(a)), and the movement of the shutter member 41D is regulated by the regulating member 901 in the attachment direction of the toner pack 40D, i.e., in the movement direction MD.

[0138] When the user further grasps the inner ring member 511 and moves the toner pack 40D in the mounting direction parallel to the movement direction MD, the shutter member 41D is regulated by the regulating member 901 and stops, and the supply base 501D and the pouch 503 move downward together with the inner ring member 511. As a result, the opening 504h and the toner discharge port 501r are exposed from the shutter member 41D, and the toner contained in the toner pack 40D is replenished to the developing container 32 through the opening 504h and the toner discharge port 501r.

[0139] As described above, in this embodiment, the opening 504h and the toner discharge port 501r are opened and toner can be replenished simply by moving the toner pack 40D in the mounting direction relative to the developing container 32. This makes it easy to perform the replenishment work and improves usability.

[0140] <Fifth embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is a modification of the first embodiment of the toner pack 40. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment will not be illustrated or described, or will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0141] [Toner pack composition] The following describes the configuration of a toner pack 400, which is a toner container that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 1 serving as the apparatus main body and that stores toner. As shown in FIGS. 37(a) to 40(b), the toner pack 400 is composed of a shutter member 410, a sealing member 5040, a supply base 5010, an outer ring member 5020, and a pouch 5030. The views of (a) and (b) in FIGS. 37(a) to 40(b) are different. The axis of rotation z indicated by the dashed-dotted line is the center line of rotation of the toner pack 400.

[0142] First, the shape of each member of the toner pack 400 and the relationship between the components will be described with reference to Figures 37(a) and 37(b). As shown in Figures 37(a) and 37(b), the pouch 5030 serving as the toner storage section and the first toner storage section is a flexible container that stores toner, similar to the first embodiment. The pouch 5030 has an opening 5030a.

[0143] The outer ring member 5020 has an engagement surface 5020a that engages with the pouch 5030, a hole 5020b, and a pair of recesses 5020c. The opening 5030a of the pouch 5030 and the engagement surface 5020a of the outer ring member 5020 are joined, but any joining method may be used. For example, joining methods include a method using various adhesives such as hot melt, or a method of joining the pouch 5030 to the outer periphery of the outer ring member 5020 by heat welding.

[0144] The replenishing base 5010, which serves as a container base, has an outer peripheral portion 5010b as a side surface and outer surface extending along an axial direction D1 parallel to the rotation axis z, and a toner discharge port 5010r formed in the outer peripheral portion 5010b. The replenishing base 5010 also has a shaft portion 5010a that engages with the hole 5020b of the outer ring member 5020, a pair of protrusions 5010m, protrusions 5010x and 5010y, a shaft portion 5010d, and a recess 5010f. The recess 5010f is recessed radially inward from the outer peripheral portion 5010b and has side end surfaces 5010s and 5010t that serve as third engagement portions. The recess 5010f is located at a different position from the toner discharge port 5010r in the rotation direction of the shutter member 410.

[0145] The supply base 5010 is supported by the outer ring member 5020 such that movement in the axial direction D1 and in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1 relative to the outer ring member 5020 is restricted by engagement between the hole 5020b and the shaft 5010a. The supply base 5010 is supported by the outer ring member 5020 such that relative rotation about the rotation axis z relative to the outer ring member 5020 is restricted by engagement between the pair of recesses 5020c and the pair of protrusions 5010m. The toner discharge port 5010r serving as a discharge port is a through-hole that leads to the inside of the pouch 5030. The protrusions 5010x and 5010y are arranged out of phase with each other.

[0146] As shown in FIGS. 37(a) and 37(b) and 40(a) and 40(b), the shutter member 410 serving as the first shutter is made of a substantially cylindrical resin member. The shutter member 410 also has notches 410f and 410g, holes 410b and 410d that rotatably engage with the shaft 5010d of the supply base 5010, recesses 410x and 410y, a groove 410z1, and a surface 410z2. The recess 410x and the groove 410z1 form a continuous groove. The notch 410f is substantially rectangular, and the notch 410g is formed to extend circumferentially over a partial range (approximately 90°) in the circumferential direction of the shutter member 410. The bottom surface of the shutter member 410 also has a notch 410h that extends circumferentially over a partial range in the circumferential direction of the shutter member 410. As shown in Figure 38(b) and Figures 40(a) and (b), when the shutter member 410 is in the blocking position, at least a portion of the recess 5010f of the supply base 5010 is exposed from the shutter member 410 via the cutout portion 410f.

[0147] The sealing member 5040 has a fixed surface 5040a and a sliding surface 5040b, and is made of an elastically deformable material such as urethane foam or nonwoven fabric. The fixed surface 5040a of the sealing member 5040 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface 410j of the shutter member 410 with double-sided tape or the like. This makes it possible to prevent toner leakage from the interface between the sealing member 5040 and the shutter member 410.

[0148] Hereinafter, the integrally joined replenishing base 5010, outer ring member 5020, and pouch 5030 will be referred to as the container unit 4010, and the integrally joined shutter member 410 and seal member 5040 will be referred to as the shutter unit 4020. When assembling the shutter unit 4020 to the container unit 4010, the outer circumferential portion 5010b of the replenishing base 5010 fits into the hole portion 410b of the shutter member 410, and the convex portions 5010x, 5010y of the replenishing base 5010 fit into the concave portions 410x, 410y.

[0149] As a result, the convex portions 5010x and 5010y of the supply base 5010 are rotatable along the groove portion 410z1 and the surface 410z2. That is, as shown in Figures 38(a) to 39(b), the toner pack 400 is configured such that the container unit 4010 and the shutter unit 4020 are rotatable relative to each other. The shutter unit 4020 is rotatable relative to the container unit 4010 about the rotation axis z in the direction of arrow z1 and in the direction of arrow z2 opposite to the direction of arrow z1.

[0150] Hereinafter, the state of the toner pack 400 shown in FIGS. 38(a) and 38(b) will be referred to as the closed state, and the state of the toner pack 400 shown in FIGS. 39(a) and 39(b) will be referred to as the open state. Furthermore, the positions of the supply base 5010 when the toner pack 400 is in the closed state will be referred to as the closed position and the first closed position, and the positions of the supply base 5010 when the toner pack 400 is in the open state will be referred to as the open position and the first open position. In this case, the toner pack 400 changes from the closed state to the open state by rotating the shutter unit 4020 90 degrees in the direction of arrow z1. Furthermore, the toner pack 400 changes from the open state to the closed state by rotating the shutter unit 4020 90 degrees in the direction of arrow z2. The degree to which the shutter unit 4020 must be rotated to transition the toner pack 400 between the open state and the closed state may be freely set.

[0151] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 38(a) and 38(b), a hole 410m of the shutter member 410 and a flexible claw 5010p provided on the supply base 5010 are engageable. The engagement between the hole 410m and the claw 5010p restricts the shutter member 410 from rotating about the rotation axis z relative to the supply base 5010. In other words, this restricts the user from changing the toner pack 400 from the closed state to the open state when the toner pack 400 is in a stand-alone state before being inserted into the image forming apparatus main body. When the toner pack 400 is actually inserted into the image forming apparatus main body to replenish toner, the claw 5010p comes into contact with a pressing portion 320f (see FIG. 42(b)) of a toner receiving portion 6000, which will be described later. Then, by retracting the claw portions 5010p radially inward, the shutter unit 4020 becomes rotatable, and the user can easily transition the toner pack 400 from the closed state to the open state.

[0152] The seal member 5040 fixed to the shutter member 410 has a sliding surface 5040b that slides against the outer circumferential portion 5010b of the supply base 5010. The seal member 5040 is pressed by the outer circumferential portion 5010b in a direction toward the shutter member 410, i.e., outward in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1, and deforms, generating surface pressure between the outer circumferential portion 5010b and the sliding surface 5040b. This makes it possible to prevent toner leakage from the interface between the seal member 5040 and the supply base 5010.

[0153] Furthermore, when the toner pack 400 is in the closed state, as shown in Figures 38(a) and 38(b), the toner contained in the pouch 5030 can move as follows: The toner can pass through the opening 5030a of the pouch 5030, the inner space of the inner ring member 511, the shaft portion 5010a of the supply base 5010, and the inner space of the supply base 5010, and move to the toner discharge port 5010r. However, because the toner discharge port 5010r is blocked by the shutter member 410 and the seal member 5040, the toner contained in the pouch 5030 is sealed so as not to leak out when the toner pack 400 is in the closed state. The opening 5030a of the pouch 5030 is provided at one end of the pouch 5030 in the axial direction D1.

[0154] 39(a) and 39(b), when the toner pack 400 is in the open state, the toner discharge port 5010r formed in the supply base 5010 is open and not blocked by the shutter member 410 and the seal member 5040. At this time, the toner discharge port 5010r is positioned facing the notch portion 410f of the shutter member 410, and the toner contained in the pouch 5030 can be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 400 through the toner discharge port 5010r and the notch portion 410f.

[0155] [Toner receiving section of the developing container] Next, using Figures 41(a) to 43(b), the toner receiving portion 6000 as an attachment portion provided in the developing container 32 will be described. As shown in Figures 41(a) to 43(b), the toner receiving portion 6000 has an operating lever 310, an inlet 5070, an inflow prevention seal 5100, and an inlet member 5080. The toner receiving portion 6000 also has a shutter sheet 5050, an inlet seal 5060, a container inlet 320, a container bottom 5090, and a bottom seal 5110. The views (a) and (b) of Figures 41(a) to 43(b) are different. The axis of rotation z indicated by the dashed-dotted line is the axis of rotation of rotatable components, which will be described later. This axis of rotation z coincides with the axis of rotation of the toner pack 400.

[0156] The operating lever 310 as a lever has a grip portion 310a operated by the user, a cylindrical portion 310b that engages with the inlet 5070, a hole 310c, and a groove 310d. The inlet 5070 has a protrusion 5070b and a receiving port 5070c, and the protrusion 5070b passes through the hole 310c of the operating lever 310 and engages with the groove 310d. This allows the operating lever 310 and the inlet 5070 to rotate relative to each other. The receiving port 5070c receives toner flowing in from the toner pack 400. The toner received through the receiving port 5070c is stored in the developing container 32, which serves as a second toner storage section.

[0157] Furthermore, surface 5070a of inlet 5070 contacts surface 5100a of inlet prevention seal 5100, and surface 5100b of inlet prevention seal 5100 contacts surface 5090b of container bottom 5090. When inlet 5070 and container bottom 5090 are fastened together with screws, inlet prevention seal 5100 is sandwiched between inlet 5070 and container bottom 5090, preventing toner from leaking out.

[0158] The inlet member 5080 has a protrusion 5080m at its upper end, which engages with a hole 5070m formed at the upper end of the inlet 5070. This allows the inlet member 5080 to be assembled integrally with the inlet 5070. The inlet member 5080 is also configured to engage with a recess 5010f (see FIG. 38(b)) of the supply base 5010. The inlet member 5080 has side end surfaces 5080c and 5080d as third engaged portions which are engageable with side end surfaces 5010s and 5010t, respectively, of the recess 5010f.

[0159] The shutter sheet 5050 is a film with a thickness of about 100 μm, and a fixing surface 5050a of the shutter sheet 5050 is fixed to an outer peripheral surface 5080a of the entrance member 5080 with double-sided tape or the like. Similarly, the entrance seal 5060 has a fixing surface 5060b of the entrance seal 5060 fixed to an inner peripheral surface 320a of the container entrance 320 with double-sided tape or the like. The bottom seal 5110 has a fixing surface 5110a, and the fixing surface 5110a is fixed to a surface 5090a of the container bottom 5090 with double-sided tape or the like.

[0160] Container inlet 320, which serves as a second shutter, has surface 320b that contacts surface 5090c of container bottom 5090. Container inlet 320 is sandwiched between inlet 5070 and container bottom 5090, and is configured to be rotatable only about rotation axis z relative to inlet 5070. Toner receiver 6000 is configured such that operation lever 310 and container inlet 320, to which inlet seal 5060 is attached, are each rotatable about rotation axis z relative to inlet 5070. Inlet 5070, inlet prevention seal 5100, inlet member 5080, and inlet seal 5060 form main body base 5300 to which toner pack 400 is detachably attached. Operation lever 310 is configured to be rotatable independently of container inlet 320.

[0161] As container inlet 320 rotates relative to inlet 5070, toner receiving unit 6000 transitions between a closed state in which toner receiving opening 320c of container inlet 320 is closed by shutter sheet 5050, and an open state in which toner receiving opening 320c is open. The position of container inlet 320 when toner receiving unit 6000 is in the closed state is referred to as a second closed position, and the position of container inlet 320 when toner receiving unit 6000 is in the open state is referred to as a second open position.

[0162] [Toner pack and toner receiving unit connection] Next, the operation when the toner pack 400 and the toner receiving portion 6000 are connected and the user replenishes the toner in the toner pack 400 to the developing container 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 44(a) to 49. FIG.

[0163] Figures 44(a) and (b) are perspective views showing how toner pack 400 is attached to toner receiving section 6000. Figure 45(a) is a perspective view showing the relationship between operating lever 310 and shutter member 410 when toner pack 400 transitions from the closed state to the open state, and Figure 45(b) is a perspective view taken along a predetermined cross section of Figure 45(a). Figure 46(a) is a perspective view showing the relationship between shutter member 410 and container inlet 320 when toner pack 400 transitions from the closed state to the open state, and Figure 46(b) is a perspective view taken along a predetermined cross section of Figure 46(a).

[0164] Figure 47(a) is a perspective view showing the relationship between the operating lever 310 and the shutter member 410 when the toner pack 400 transitions from the open state to the closed state, and Figure 47(b) is a perspective view taken along a specified cross section of Figure 47(a). Figure 48(a) is a diagram showing the relationship between the shutter member 410 and the container inlet 320 when the toner pack 400 transitions from the open state to the closed state, and Figure 48(b) is a perspective view taken along a specified cross section of Figure 48(a). Figure 49 is a perspective view showing the shutter member 410 when the toner pack 400 is attached to the toner receiving section 6000 and is in the open state.

[0165] When replenishing the toner in the toner pack 400 to the developing container 32, the user first mounts the toner pack 400 in the toner receiving portion 6000 in the mounting direction F1 along the rotation axis z, as shown in FIGS. 44(a) and 44(b). When mounting the toner pack 400 in the toner receiving portion 6000, the user mounts the toner pack 400 while aligning the recess 5010f of the supply base 5010 of the toner pack 400 so that it engages with the inlet member 5080 of the toner receiving portion 6000. This positions the toner pack 400 and the toner receiving portion 6000 appropriately in terms of phase in the rotational direction. Furthermore, because the side end surfaces 5010s and 5010t of the recess 5010f of the supply base 5010 engage with the side end surfaces 5080c and 5080d of the inlet member 5080, respectively, the supply base 5010 of the toner pack 400 does not rotate relative to the main body base portion 5300. In other words, when the toner pack 400 is attached to the image forming device 1, the recess 5010f as an engaging portion engages with the entrance member 5080 as an engaged portion of the image forming device 1, thereby regulating the rotation of the supply base 5010 relative to the image forming device 1.

[0166] At this time, the hole 410d (see FIG. 37(b)) of the shutter member 410 engages with the cylindrical portion 320e (see FIG. 42(a)) of the container inlet 320. Thereafter, the user grips the grip portion 310a of the operating lever 310 and rotates the operating lever 310 in the direction of arrow z1 around the rotation axis z.

[0167] 45(a) and 45(b), a surface 310m1 serving as a second engaging portion of the operating lever 310 engages with a surface 410m1 serving as a first engaged portion of the shutter member 410 on the toner pack 400 side. Also, a surface 310n1 of the operating lever 310 engages with a surface 410n1 of the shutter member 410 on the toner pack 400 side. Due to the engagement of these surfaces, as the operating lever 310 rotates in the direction of arrow z1, the shutter member 410 also rotates in the direction of arrow z1.

[0168] 46(a) and 46(b), surface 410p1 serving as a first engaging portion of shutter member 410 engages with surface 320p1 serving as a second engaged portion of container inlet 320 on the toner receiving portion 6000 side. Furthermore, surface 410q1 of shutter member 410 engages with surface 320q1 of container inlet 320 on the toner receiving portion 6000 side. Due to the engagement of these surfaces, as shutter member 410 rotates in the direction of arrow z1, container inlet 320 also rotates in the direction of arrow z1. As a result, toner pack 400 changes from the closed state to the open state, and at the same time toner receiving portion 6000 also changes from the closed state to the open state, so that toner can be replenished into developer container 32.

[0169] Conversely, when the user moves the toner pack 400 from the closed state to the open state, the user rotates the operating lever 310 in the direction of arrow z2 around the rotation axis z. As a result, as shown in Figures 47(a) and 47(b), a surface 310m2 serving as a second engaging portion of the operating lever 310 engages with a first engaged portion surface 410m2 of the shutter member 410 on the toner pack 400 side. Also, a surface 310n2 of the operating lever 310 engages with a surface 410n2 of the shutter member 410 on the toner pack 400 side. Due to the engagement of these surfaces, the shutter member 410 also rotates in the direction of arrow z2 as the operating lever 310 rotates in the direction of arrow z2.

[0170] 48(a) and 48(b), surface 410p2 serving as a first engaging portion of shutter member 410 engages with second engaged portion surface 320p2 of container inlet 320 on the toner receiving portion 6000 side. Furthermore, surface 410q2 of shutter member 410 engages with surface 320q2 of container inlet 320 on the toner receiving portion 6000 side. Due to the engagement of these surfaces, container inlet 320 also rotates in the direction of arrow z2 as shutter member 410 rotates in the direction of arrow z2. As a result, toner pack 400 changes from the open state to the closed state, and at the same time toner receiving portion 6000 also changes from the open state to the closed state.

[0171] To prevent the toner pack 400 from accidentally coming out of the toner receiving portion 6000 when the toner pack 400 transitions from the closed state to the open state, the groove 410g of the shutter member 410 fits into the surface 5070x of the inlet 5070 as shown in Figure 49. Therefore, when the toner pack 400 begins to transition to the open state, the toner pack 400 is prevented from moving in the direction opposite to the mounting direction F1 from the toner receiving portion 6000. In other words, the toner pack 400 is configured not to come out of the toner receiving portion 6000.

[0172] As described above, in this embodiment, toner pack 400 is attached to toner receiving portion 6000, and operation lever 310 on the toner receiving portion 6000 side is rotated. Then, as operation lever 310 rotates, shutter member 410 on the toner pack 400 side rotates (turns), and as shutter member 410 rotates, container inlet 320 on the toner receiving portion 6000 side rotates. This causes toner pack 400 and toner receiving portion 6000 to transition between a closed state and an open state, making it easy to attach / detach toner pack 400 and replenish toner.

[0173] Furthermore, because the user operates the operating lever 310 on the toner receiving section 6000 side, the container unit 4010 including the pouch 5030 of the toner pack 400 does not rotate. Therefore, the pouch 5030 does not need to be very rigid, and can be made of a highly flexible material, making it easy to dispense all the toner from the pouch 5030. In particular, because the pouch 5030 is not operated in a twisting direction around the rotation axis z, no large shear force is applied to the pouch 5030.

[0174] Furthermore, in the configuration of this embodiment, the user replenishes toner by operating the operating lever 310, which is part of the developing container 32 attached to the image forming apparatus 1, so the lever ratio of the grip portion 310a of the operating lever can be increased. This reduces the operational burden on the user, enabling a replenishment configuration with good usability.

[0175] In addition, the configuration may be such that usability is improved by providing a clicking sensation when inserting the toner pack 400 into the toner receiving section 6000, or by providing a clicking sensation when the toner pack 400 transitions between the closed state and the open state.

[0176] Furthermore, the colors of the outer ring member 5020, the supply base 5010, and the shutter member 410 of the toner pack 400 may be matched with the colors of the operation lever 310 and the inlet 5070. This allows the user to easily recognize the supply location, improving usability.

[0177] Furthermore, the configuration for preventing toner leakage between the toner pack 400 and the toner receiving portion 6000 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0178] In addition, in the present embodiment, the operating lever 310, the shutter member 410, and the container inlet 320 are each configured to engage with two surfaces to move in conjunction with each other, but this is not limiting. For example, the operating lever 310, the shutter member 410, and the container inlet 320 may be configured to engage with one surface or three or more surfaces to move in conjunction with each other.

[0179] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is a modification of the fifth embodiment in terms of the configuration of the toner pack 460. Therefore, the same configuration as in the fifth embodiment will not be illustrated or described, or will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0180] [Toner pack composition] First, using Figures 50(a) to 53(b), the basic configuration of a toner pack 460 that is detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus 1 (as the apparatus main body) and that contains toner will be described. More specifically, the toner pack 460 as a toner container is attached to a mounting portion 606, which will be described later. Figure 50(a) is a front view of the toner pack 460 when the pack-side shutter 603 is in the closed position. Figure 50(b) is a front view of the toner pack 460 when the pack-side shutter 603 is in the open position. Figure 51 is an exploded perspective view of the toner pack 460. Figure 52(a) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the nozzle 6502 when the pack-side shutter 603 is in the closed position. Figure 52(b) is a view of the toner pack 460 as viewed in the direction of arrow U in Figure 52(a). Figure 53(a) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the nozzle 6502 when the pack-side shutter 603 is in the open position. FIG. 53(b) is a view of the toner pack 460 viewed in the direction of the arrow U in FIG. 53(a).

[0181] The toner pack 460 includes a pouch 6503 as a first toner storage portion for storing toner, an outer ring member 620 coupled to the pouch 6503, a nozzle 6502, and a pack-side shutter 603. The outer ring member 620 and the nozzle 6502 form a container base 6010 connected to the pouch 6503. As shown in FIGS. 50(a) and 50(b), the pouch 6503 is provided at one end of the toner pack 460 in the axial direction D1, which is the first direction and the direction of the rotation axis. The outer ring member 620, the nozzle 6502, and the pack-side shutter 603 are provided at the other end of the toner pack 460 in the axial direction D1. The pouch 6503 is formed, for example, from a flexible polypropylene sheet and has a bag shape with one end open. The pouch 6503 is not limited to a pouch, and may be a resin bottle or a container made of paper, vinyl, or the like.

[0182] 51 , the outer ring member 620 has a joining surface 620a joined (fixed) to one end of the pouch 6503, and a connecting portion 620c connected to the nozzle 6502. The opening 601a of the pouch 6503 and the joining surface 620a of the outer ring member 620 are joined, but any joining method may be used. For example, joining methods include using various adhesives such as hot melt, and heat welding the pouch 6503 to the outer periphery of the outer ring member 620.

[0183] The nozzle 6502, which serves as a base member, is detachably connected to a connecting portion 620c of the outer ring member 620, which serves as a cylindrical member. In other words, the outer ring member 620 and the nozzle 6502 are configured to be separable from each other. The connecting portion 620c has a hole 620b, through which toner can pass. This allows toner to be easily filled into the pouch 6503 via the hole 620b and the connecting surface 620a of the outer ring member 620. For example, the pouch 6503 may be connected to the lower portion of the outer ring member 620, and the pouch 6503 may be filled with toner. Then, the nozzle 6502 may be connected to the outer ring member 620. This configuration allows for a larger amount of toner to be filled in a shorter time without using a complex device. This is because the hole 620b of the outer ring member 620 has a larger area than the outlet 602a of the nozzle 6502, making toner filling easier and simplifying the toner flow path.

[0184] A side surface 602c serving as the outer surface of the nozzle 6502 extending in the axial direction D1 is provided with a discharge port 602a configured to communicate with the interior of the pouch 6503, and a recess 602e. The recess 602e is provided at a position different from the discharge port 602a in the rotation direction of the pack-side shutter 603. The toner stored in the pouch 6503 is configured to be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 460 through the discharge port 602a. The nozzle 6502 may be configured integrally with the outer ring member 620 and the pouch 6503.

[0185] A pack-side shutter 603 serving as a container shutter and a first shutter is disposed outside the side surface 602c of the nozzle 6502. The pack-side shutter 603 is rotatable about a rotation axis z extending in the axial direction D1 and is disposed outside the side surface 602c in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis z. The side surface 602c of the nozzle 6502 is a curved surface that convexly extends outward in the radial direction r of the imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis z. The inner surface of the pack-side shutter 603, i.e., the surface facing the side surface 602c, is a curved surface that conforms to the side surface 602c of the nozzle 6502, and a pack-side seal 605 having a substantially rectangular shape and serving as a first sealing member is attached thereto. As shown in FIGS. 52(a) and 52(b), an end surface 603g forming an opening 603a of the pack-side shutter 603 and an end surface 605a of the pack-side seal 605 are inclined with respect to the rotation axis z. An end face 605a of the pack-side seal 605 is attached at a position that protrudes further toward the opening 603a than an end face 603g of the pack-side shutter 603.

[0186] The pack-side shutter 603 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis z between a blocking position, which is a first blocking position in which the pack-side seal 605 blocks the discharge port 602a of the nozzle 6502, and an open position, which is a first open position in which the discharge port 602a is open. When the pack-side shutter 603 is in the open position, the discharge port 602a of the nozzle 6502 is exposed through the opening 603a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 52(a), when the pack-side shutter 603 is in the blocking position, at least a portion of the recess 602e of the nozzle 6502 is exposed from the pack-side shutter 603 through the opening 603a.

[0187] 50(a) and 52(a) show the pack-side shutter 603 in the blocking position. 50(b) and 53(a) show the pack-side shutter 603 in the open position. As shown in FIGS. 50(a) and 52(a), when the pack-side shutter 603 in the blocking position is rotated in the direction of arrow K around the rotation axis z, the pack-side shutter 603 reaches the open position shown in FIGS. 50(b) and 53(a). Conversely, when the pack-side shutter 603 in the open position is rotated in the direction of arrow L, the pack-side shutter 603 reaches the blocking position. During the rotation of the pack-side shutter 603, the pack-side shutter 603 rubs against the side surface 602c of the nozzle 6502 via the pack-side seal 605.

[0188] [Installation part] Next, the configuration of the mounting portion 606 into which the toner pack 460 is mounted will be described using Figures 54(a) to 58(b). In this embodiment, the mounting portion 606 is a unit for mounting the toner pack 460 and is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 (see Figure 2). Figure 54(a) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 606. Figure 54(b) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 606 seen from a different direction than Figure 54(a). Figures 55(a) and 56(a) are respectively a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting portion 606 when the lever 608 is in the closed position and a view of the mounting portion 606 seen from the mounting direction M. Figures 55(b) and 56(b) are respectively a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting portion 606 when the lever 608 is in the open position and a view of the mounting portion 606 seen from the mounting direction M.

[0189] Figure 57(a) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter 609 seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M. Figure 57(b) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter 609 from a different perspective than Figure 57(a). Figure 58(a) is a perspective view of the cover 610 and shutter sheet 621 seen from the downstream side in the mounting direction M. Figure 58(b) is a perspective view of the cover 610 seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M.

[0190] As shown in FIGS. 54(a) to 55(b), the mounting portion 606 has a main body base portion 2, which includes a first frame 607, a second frame 617, a cover 610, and a shutter sheet 621. The cover 610 and the second frame 617 are fixed to the first frame 607. As shown in FIGS. 58(a) and 58(b), the cover 610 has an engaged portion 610h that engages with a positioning portion 607a (see FIG. 54(a)) of the first frame 607 so as to prevent the cover 610 from rotating about the rotation axis z relative to the first frame 607. Note that the first frame 607, the cover 610, and the second frame 617 may be integrally formed rather than being separate members. As shown in FIGS. 54(a) and 54(b), the second frame 617 has an apparatus-side opening 617a as a receiving port, which communicates with the storage portion 36 (see FIG. 1(a)) of the developing container 32.

[0191] The lever 608 and the apparatus-side shutter 609 are each attached to the main body base 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis z. A positioning portion 607a is provided on the first frame 607. The positioning portion 607a protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the first frame 607 that is centered on the rotation axis z, in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC that is centered on the rotation axis z.

[0192] Furthermore, the lever 608 is provided with a drive transmission unit 608a and an operation unit 608b. By operating the operation unit 608b, the user can rotate the lever 608 around the rotation axis z relative to the main body base unit 2. As shown in Fig. 54(a), the drive transmission unit 608a of the lever 608 is a convex portion that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the lever 608 that is centered on the rotation axis z, in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC that is centered on the rotation axis z.

[0193] As shown in FIGS. 57(a) and 57(b), the apparatus-side shutter 609, which serves as the main body shutter and the second shutter, has an inner circumferential surface 609h, a communication opening 609a formed in the inner circumferential surface 609h for receiving toner from the toner pack 460, and a bottom surface 609b. The apparatus-side shutter 609 also has a center boss 609d, a drive-receiving portion 609e, and a pack contact surface 609g. As shown in FIG. 57(a), the drive-receiving portion 609e is a convex portion that protrudes inward in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis z. An apparatus-side seal 611, which serves as a second seal member, is affixed to the inner circumferential surface 609h so as to surround the periphery of the communication opening 609a (see FIG. 55(b)).

[0194] The device-side shutter 609 is configured to take a shielded position as a second shielded position and an open position as a second open position relative to the main body base 2. More specifically, as shown in Figures 57(a) and 57(b), the device-side shutter 609 rotates in the direction of arrow K from the shielded position to the open position, and rotates in the direction of arrow L from the open position to the shielded position. Note that these arrow K and arrow L directions are the same as the arrow K and arrow L directions as the rotation directions of the pack-side shutter 603 shown in Figure 52(a). In the device-side shutter 609, the communication opening 609a is not covered by the device-side seal 611 and the cover 610 in the shielded position, and the communication opening 609a is not covered by the cover 610 and is open in the open position. In other words, when the device-side shutter 609 is positioned in the shielding position, the communication port 609a does not communicate with the device-side opening 617a of the second frame body 617, but when the device-side shutter 609 is positioned in the shielding position, the communication port 609a communicates with the device-side opening 617a of the second frame body 617.

[0195] As shown in Fig. 55(b), an end face 611a of the device-side seal 611 is disposed so as to protrude in the circumferential direction from an end face 609i (see Fig. 57(b)) around the communication port 609a, which is the attachment seat. In addition, the end face 611a is an inclined surface.

[0196] The apparatus-side shutter 609 is located in the closed position in Figures 55(a) and 56(a), and at this time, the communication port 609a of the apparatus-side shutter 609 does not communicate with the apparatus-side opening 617a of the second frame 617. The apparatus-side shutter 609 is located in the open position in Figures 55(b) and 56(b), and at this time, the communication port 609a of the apparatus-side shutter 609 communicates with the apparatus-side opening 617a of the second frame 617. By moving the apparatus-side shutter 609 to the open position, toner can be replenished (supplied) from the toner pack 460 to the storage section 36 of the developing container 32 through the communication port 609a.

[0197] Since the lever 608 and the apparatus-side shutter 609 are not connected in drive, the apparatus-side shutter 609 will not rotate even if the lever 608 is operated without the toner pack 460 attached.

[0198] [Shutter sheet] Next, the shutter sheet 621 will be described with reference to Figures 55(a)(b), 58(a)(b), and 62. Figure 62 is a time-series diagram showing the area around the shutter sheet 621 when the device-side shutter 609 (not shown in Figure 62) is rotated from the open position to the closed position. The shutter sheet 621 as a sheet member is a film with a thickness of about 100 [µm], and is fixed to the cover 610 with double-sided tape or the like. When the device-side shutter 609 rotates between the closed position and the open position, the shutter sheet 621 rubs against the device-side seal 611 attached to the device-side shutter 609.

[0199] Furthermore, the shutter sheet 621 has a tip 621a, which is the end in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis z, i.e., in the rotation direction of the device-side shutter 609 (for example, the direction of arrow K in FIGS. 57(a) and 57(b)), protruding in the circumferential direction beyond the end face 610g of the cover 610a. The tip 621a of the shutter sheet 621 has an inclined surface 621b and a vertical surface 621c. The inclined surface 621b is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction (the direction of arrows K and L) and to the axial direction D1, which is parallel to the rotation axis z. In other words, the inclined surface 621b extends toward the rotation direction of the device-side shutter 609 (the direction of arrows K and L) as it approaches the direction of the rotation axis z (axial direction D1). Furthermore, the vertical surface 621c as a surface extends along the mounting direction M and the axial direction D1, preferably parallel to the mounting direction M and the axial direction D1.

[0200] As shown in Figure 62, when the device-side shutter 609 (see Figures 55(b)(a)) is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the device-side seal 611 moves in the direction of arrow Q. Next, the tip 621a of the shutter sheet 621 comes into contact with the edge of the device-side seal 611, for example, the edge of the opening of the device-side seal 611. At this time, if the tip 621a of the shutter sheet 621 gets caught on the edge of the device-side seal 611, the shutter sheet 621 or the device-side seal 611 may bend and deform, which may impair sealing properties.

[0201] Therefore, by forming the slope 621b on the tip 621a, it is possible to prevent the shutter sheet 621 from getting caught on the device-side seal 611. Furthermore, even if a force of catching from the device-side seal 611 acts on the shutter sheet 621, a force is generated in a direction that pushes the shutter sheet 621 outward (in the direction of arrow T). Therefore, it is possible to prevent deformation of the shutter sheet 621 and maintain the sealing performance.

[0202] Furthermore, at the tip 621a, a vertical surface 621c is also formed continuous with the inclined surface 621b. Therefore, even if toner is caught by the inclined surface 621b when the apparatus-side shutter 609 rotates from the open position to the closed position, the toner moves along the inclined surface 621b and is scraped off at the vertical surface 621c. This prevents toner from adhering to the tip 621a of the shutter sheet 621, and prevents toner from falling when the toner pack 460 is removed. Furthermore, since the inclined surface 621b receives a force obliquely with respect to the rotation direction (direction of arrow Q) of the apparatus-side seal 611, resistance when operating the lever 608 (described later) can be reduced, improving operability.

[0203] [Installing the toner pack into the mounting compartment] Next, the state when the toner pack 460 is mounted in the mounting portion 606 will be described using Figures 59(a) to 61(b). Figures 59(a) and 59(b) are perspective views of the toner pack 460 being mounted in the mounting portion 606, viewed from different angles. Figure 60 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the rotation axis z in a state in which the toner pack 460 has been further moved in the mounting direction from the state shown in Figures 59(a) and 59(b). Figure 61(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 61A-61A in Figure 60. Figure 61(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 61B-61B in Figure 60. Note that in Figures 60 to 61(b), for ease of viewing, the cross sections of the pack-side shutter 603 and the cover 610 are shaded.

[0204] 59(a) and 59(b), the user moves the toner pack 460, with the pack-side shutter 603 in the covering position, in the mounting direction M to mount the toner pack 460 into the mounting portion 606, with the apparatus-side shutter 609 in the covering position. At this time, the end face 611a of the apparatus-side seal 611 and the end face 605a of the pack-side seal 605 come into contact while overlapping in the circumferential direction, and slide while being deformed in the mounting direction M. That is, when the toner pack 460 is mounted on the main body base portion 2, the end face 605a of the pack-side seal 605 comes into contact with the end face 611a of the apparatus-side seal 611.

[0205] Because the end face 605a of the pack-side seal 605 protrudes into the opening 603a of the pack-side shutter 603, when the toner pack 460 is attached to the main body base portion 2, the end faces 605a, 611a are pressed against each other. This allows the pack-side seal 605 and the device-side seal 611 to closely contact each other, improving sealing performance and reducing toner leakage. Furthermore, because the end faces 605a, 611a extend toward the rotation direction (directions of arrows K and L) of the pack-side shutter 603 as they move toward the rotation axis z (axial direction D1), resistance during attachment of the toner pack 460 to the attachment portion 606 can be reduced. This allows the toner pack 460 to be attached smoothly to the attachment portion 606, improving operability.

[0206] The user aligns the recess 602e of the nozzle 6502 and the opening 603a of the pack-side shutter 603 with the positioning portion 607a of the first frame 607. At the same time, the user also aligns the drive-receiving portion 603b of the pack-side shutter 603 with the drive transmitting portion 608a of the lever 608.

[0207] After aligning the toner pack 460 with the mounting portion 606 in this way, the user moves the toner pack 460 in the mounting direction M to mount it in the mounting portion 606. Then, as shown in FIG. 60 , the inner circumferential surface 602b1 of the protruding portion 602b of the nozzle 6502 is engaged with the small diameter portion 609d2 of the center boss 609d of the apparatus-side shutter 609. This determines the position of the nozzle 6502 in the radial direction relative to the apparatus-side shutter 609. Furthermore, the tip of the protruding portion 602b of the nozzle 6502 abuts against the pack abutment surface 609g of the apparatus-side shutter 609, thereby determining the position of the toner pack 460 in the mounting direction M.

[0208] At this time, as shown in Figure 61(b), end faces 610f and 610g of the cover 610 approach or engage with surfaces 602e1 and 602e2 that form the recess 602e of the nozzle 6502. Also, as shown in Figures 61(a) and 61(b), the drive-receiving portion 603b of the pack-side shutter 603 engages with the drive-receiving portion 609e of the device-side shutter 609 and the drive transmitting portion 608a of the lever 608. As a result, the rotation axis z of the pack-side shutter 603 and the rotation axis z of the device-side shutter 609 become approximately coaxial. Also, because surfaces 602e1 and 602e2 of the recess 602e of the nozzle 6502 engage with end faces 610f and 610g of the cover 610, respectively, the nozzle 6502 of the toner pack 460 does not rotate relative to the main body base part 2 including the cover 610. In other words, when the toner pack 460 is attached to the image forming device 1, the recess 602e as an engaging portion engages with the cover 610 as an engaged portion of the image forming device 1, thereby regulating the rotation of the nozzle 6502 relative to the image forming device 1.

[0209] The lever 608, the pack-side shutter 603, and the device-side shutter 609 are rotatable approximately integrally with the main body base portion 2 and the nozzle 6502 about the rotation axis z.

[0210] For example, when the lever 608 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the drive transmission part 608a serving as the second engaging part of the lever 608 presses the surface 603b1 serving as the first engaged part of the pack-side shutter 603. As a result, the pack-side shutter 603 is rotated together with the lever 608 from the closed position to the open position. Furthermore, the surface 603b2 serving as the first engaging part of the pack-side shutter 603 rotated from the closed position to the open position presses the surface 609e2 serving as the second engaged part of the device-side shutter 609. As a result, the device-side shutter 609 is rotated together with the pack-side shutter 603 from the closed position to the open position.

[0211] Conversely, when the lever 608 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the drive transmission part 608a of the lever 608 presses the surface 603b2 of the pack-side shutter 603. As a result, the pack-side shutter 603 is rotated from the open position to the closed position together with the lever 608. Furthermore, the surface 603b1 of the pack-side shutter 603 rotated from the open position to the closed position presses the surface 609e1 of the drive transmission part 609e of the device-side shutter 609. As a result, the device-side shutter 609 is rotated from the open position to the closed position together with the pack-side shutter 603.

[0212] In this way, by operating the lever 608, the pack-side shutter 603 and the apparatus-side shutter 609 can be rotated between the closed position and the open position, and toner can be replenished from the toner pack 460 to the developing container 32. When the replenishment of toner from the toner pack 460 to the developing container 32 is complete, the user rotates the lever 608 from the open position to the closed position and pulls out the toner pack 460 from the mounting portion 606.

[0213] When the pack-side shutter 603 and the device-side shutter 609 rotate, the end face 611a of the device-side seal 611 and the end face 605a of the pack-side seal 605 are in close contact with each other, and no gap is formed, thereby preventing toner from entering.

[0214] [Groove on pack side shutter] As shown in Figure 53(a), the pack-side shutter 603 is formed with a groove 603h that extends in the circumferential direction, i.e., in the rotation direction of the pack-side shutter 603 (the direction of arrows K and L (see Figure 52(a))). As described above, when the toner pack 460 is attached to the attachment portion 606 and the lever 608 is rotated from the closed position shown in Figure 55(a) to the open position shown in Figure 55(b), the drive transmission portion 608a of the lever 608 enters the groove 603h of the pack-side shutter 603. With the drive transmission portion 608a in the groove 603h, it gets caught on the toner pack 460, preventing the toner pack 460 from being pulled out of the attachment portion 606.

[0215] Therefore, when toner supply from the toner pack 460 to the developing container 32 begins, the toner pack 460 is prevented from moving in the direction opposite to the mounting direction M from the mounting portion 606, thereby preventing toner from leaking outside the image forming apparatus 1.

[0216] As shown in FIG. 53(a), a tapered portion 603i is formed at the entrance of the groove 603h, and the tapered portion 603i is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction and the axial direction D1. In other words, the tapered portion 603i extends toward the rotational direction (the direction of arrows K and L) of the pack-side shutter 603 as it approaches the direction of rotation axis z (axial direction D1). The tapered portion 603i allows the drive transmission portion 608a to be easily inserted into the groove 603h even if the toner pack 460 is slightly misaligned in the mounting direction M when the toner pack 460 is mounted in the mounting portion 606. Furthermore, if the lever 608 is not rotated sufficiently to the closed position when the toner pack 460 is removed from the mounting portion 606, the drive transmission portion 608a of the lever 608 will abut against the tapered portion 603i. In this state, when the toner pack 460 is pulled out of the mounting portion 606, the drive transmission portion 608a is pressed against the tapered portion 603i, causing the lever 608 to rotate to the closed position, and the lever 608 can be returned to the correct position.

[0217] In this way, by providing the groove portion 603h and the tapered portion 603i on the pack-side shutter 603, it is possible to prevent the toner pack 460 from coming off, to facilitate the rotation operation of the lever 608, and to return the lever 608 to the correct shielding position. Furthermore, when re-attaching the toner pack 460 to the attachment portion 606, interference between parts and the like does not occur, improving operability.

[0218] The first to sixth embodiments described above may be combined in any manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0219] 1, 1B, 1C: image forming apparatus, apparatus main body / 2: main body base part / 31: developing roller / 32: developing container (second toner storage part) / 32b: side surface (outer periphery) / 32e: engaging part / 32g: main body base part (cylindrical part) / 32r: second opening (toner supply port) / 36: second toner storage part (storage part) / 40, 40D, 400, 460: toner container (toner pack) / 41, 410, 603: container shutter, first shutter (shutter member, pack side shutter) / 41j: inner periphery / 41k: engaged part / 310: lever (operating lever) / 310m 1,310m2,608a: second engagement part (surface, drive transmission part) / 320,609: main body shutter, second shutter (container inlet, device side shutter) / 320p1,320p2,609e2: second engaged part (surface) / 410m1,410m2,603b1: first engaged part (surface) / 410p1,410p2,603b2: first engaging part (surface) / 501,5010,6010: container base part (supply base) / 501b,602c,5010b: side, outer surface (periphery) / 501n: abutment part (step part) / 501r,602a,5010r: discharge port , first opening (toner discharge port) / 503, 6503: toner storage section, flexible container, first toner storage section (pouch) / 503a: opening / 507: main body shutter (shutter member) / 507f: contact portion (end surface) / 510: cylindrical member (outer ring member) / 510d: outer peripheral surface / 511: support member (inner ring member) / 603h: groove portion / 603i: tapered portion / 605: first seal member (pack side seal) / 605a: end surface / 609a: communication port / 611: second seal member (device side seal) / 611a: end surface / 620: cylindrical member (outer ring member) / 620b: Hole / 621: sheet member (shutter sheet) / 621a: end (tip) / 621b: inclined surface / 621c: surface (vertical surface) / 1000: image forming system / 602e, 5010f: engagement portion, recess / 5010s, 5010t: third engagement portion (side end surface) / 5070c, 617a: receiving port (device side opening) / 610, 5080: engaged portion (cover, entrance member) / 5080c, 5080d: third engaged portion (side end surface) / 5300: main body base portion / 6502: base member (nozzle) / D1: direction of rotation axis, first direction (axial direction) / z: rotation axis

Claims

1. A toner container detachably attached to an image forming apparatus having an engaged portion, a toner storage unit that stores toner; a container base portion having a discharge port communicating with the inside of the toner storage portion and through which the toner discharged to the outside of the toner storage portion passes; a container shutter configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a first direction relative to the container base between a blocking position where the discharge outlet is blocked and an opening position where the discharge outlet is open, the container shutter being disposed outside the container base in a radial direction of an imaginary circle centered on the rotation axis, the container shutter having a cylindrical shape and a peripheral surface extending in the first direction, the peripheral surface having a shutter opening that exposes the discharge outlet to the outside of the toner container when the container shutter is positioned at the opening position; the toner storage portion and the container base portion are aligned in the first direction; the outlet is provided on an outer surface of the container base portion extending in the first direction, the container base portion has an engaging portion configured to engage with the engaged portion of the image forming apparatus when the toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus, thereby restricting rotation of the container base portion about the rotation axis relative to the image forming apparatus, At least a part of the engagement portion of the container base portion is exposed from the shutter opening of the container shutter when the container shutter is in the shielding position. A toner container characterized by:

2. The engaging portion of the container base portion is provided at a position different from the discharge outlet in the rotation direction of the container shutter and closer to the rotation axis in the radial direction than the outer surface of the container base portion.

2. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the toner container is a toner container.

3. The rotation axis is configured to be attached to the image forming apparatus in a direction parallel to the direction of gravity.

3. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the toner container is a toner container having a toner container body.

4. a seal member provided on the container shutter to seal between the container shutter and the container base when the container shutter is in the shielding position; The sealing member is provided so that an end surface of the sealing member in the rotation direction of the container shutter is exposed from the shutter opening.

4. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the toner container is a toner container having a toner container body.

5. the toner storage unit is a bag; 5. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the toner container is a toner container having a toner container body.

6. An image forming system having an apparatus main body and a toner container attachable to the apparatus main body, The toner container is a first toner storage unit that stores toner; a container base portion having a discharge port for discharging the toner contained in the first toner container portion to the outside of the toner container; a first shutter configured to rotate about a rotation axis relative to the container base between a first open position that opens the discharge outlet and a first shielding position that shields the discharge outlet, the first shutter having a first engaging portion and a first engaged portion; The device body includes: a main body base portion configured to allow the toner container to be detachably attached and having a receiving port for receiving toner from the toner container; a second toner storage section that stores the toner received through the receiving port; a second shutter configured to rotate about the rotation axis relative to the main body base between a second open position that opens the receiving port and a second blocking position that blocks the receiving port, and having a second engaged portion; an operating lever configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis relative to the main body base and to be rotatable, and having a second engaging portion; When the toner container is attached to the main body base, the second engaging portion of the operating lever engages with the first engaged portion of the first shutter so that the first shutter rotates together with the operating lever; the first engaging portion of the first shutter engages with the second engaged portion of the second shutter so that the second shutter rotates together with the first shutter; An image forming system comprising:

7. the container base portion of the toner container has a third engagement portion, the main body base portion has a third engaged portion that engages with the third engaging portion so as to restrict rotation of the container base portion relative to the main body base portion when the toner container is attached to the main body base portion.

7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein:

8. The outlet is provided on the outer surface of the container base and extends along the rotation axis.

8. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein:

9. the first shutter is provided on the outer side of the container base in a radial direction of an imaginary circle centered on the rotation axis, the third engagement portion of the container base portion is provided at a position different from the discharge port in the rotation direction of the first shutter and closer to the discharge port in the radial direction than the rotation axis; 9. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

10. the first shutter has a cylindrical shape and a peripheral surface extending in the direction of the rotation axis, the peripheral surface having a shutter opening that exposes the discharge port to the outside of the toner container when the first shutter is positioned at the first open position; At least a part of the third engagement portion of the container base portion is exposed from the shutter opening of the first shutter when the first shutter is in the first closing position.

10. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

11. the toner container has a first seal member provided on the first shutter, the first seal member sealing between the first shutter and the container base when the toner container is in the first closing position; the second shutter has a communication port that does not communicate with the receiving port in the second blocking position and that communicates with the receiving port in the second opening position; the device body has a second seal member that is provided on the second shutter so as to surround the periphery of the communication port and that seals between the second shutter and the body base when the device body is in the second open position; an end surface of the first seal member in a rotation direction of the first shutter contacts an end surface of the second seal member in the rotation direction when the toner container is attached to the main body base portion; 11. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer.

12. the first shutter has a cylindrical shape and a peripheral surface extending in the direction of the rotation axis, the peripheral surface being provided with a shutter opening that exposes the discharge port to the outside of the toner container so as to allow toner to be discharged from the toner container to the device main body when the first shutter is positioned at the first open position; the first seal member is provided such that the end surface of the first seal member is exposed from the shutter opening; 12. The image forming system according to claim 11.

13. the end surface of the first seal member and the end surface of the second seal member each extend in the direction of the rotation axis and in the direction of the rotation, and are in pressure contact with each other when the toner container is attached to the main body base portion; 13. The image forming system according to claim 11 or 12.

14. the main body base portion further includes a sheet member that rubs against the second seal member when the second shutter rotates between the second open position and the second closed position, the seat member has an inclined surface at an end in the rotation direction, the inclined surface extending in the rotation direction as it approaches the rotation axis; 14. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein the image forming system is a printer.

15. the end of the seat member has a surface formed to be continuous with the inclined surface and extending in the direction of the rotation axis; 15. The image forming system according to claim 14.

16. the first shutter has a groove portion extending in a rotation direction of the first shutter, When the toner container is attached to the main body base and the operation lever is rotated, the second engagement portion of the operation lever fits into the groove portion, thereby preventing the toner container from being pulled out from the main body base portion.

16. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the image forming system is a printer.

17. the groove portion has a tapered portion that can come into contact with the second engaging portion when the toner container is pulled out from the main body base portion, and that extends in the rotation direction as it approaches the rotation axis.

17. The image forming system according to claim 16.

18. the first toner storage section is a flexible bag with one end open, the container base portion includes a cylindrical member fixed to the one end of the first toner storage portion and formed in a cylindrical shape, and a base member detachably connected to the cylindrical member and having the discharge port; 18. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the image forming system includes: a first image forming unit;

19. The connecting portion of the cylindrical member connected to the base member has a hole having an area larger than that of the outlet.

20. The image forming system according to claim 18.

20. The first shutter is configured to rotate from the first closing position to the first opening position, and the second shutter is configured to rotate from the second closing position to the second opening position, by rotation of the operating lever.

20. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the image forming system is a printer.

Images