Image forming device

Abstract

To provide a powder storage container that comprises an information storage device and can protect the device from external contact and impact during storage.SOLUTION: A powder storage container 32 is removably attached to a powder conveying device and stores powder, and the powder storage container has: a storage container main body 33 that has an opening at one end and stores powder; a cover part 34 that is provided at one end of the storage container main body 33; a cap member 370 that is removably attached to the opening of the storage container main body 33; and an information storage device that is provided on an end face at one end of the cover part 34 and communicates with the powder conveying device. The cap member 370 has a flange part 371 for hiding the information storage device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 32

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides For image forming devices It is related to. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming devices using electrophotography, such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, a latent image formed on a photoreceptor is visualized using toner in a developing device. However, developing the latent image consumes toner, making it necessary to replenish the toner in the developing device. Therefore, a toner supply device, which serves as a powder supply device, is installed inside the device body and transports toner from a toner container, which serves as a powder storage container, to the developing device, thereby replenishing the toner. This developing device, which is replenishing toner in this manner, enables continuous development. Furthermore, the toner container is detachable from the toner supply device, and when the toner stored inside runs out, it is replaced with a new toner container containing new toner. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The toner container is discharged from the toner receiving port of the image forming apparatus. It is desirable to be able to effectively prevent toner leakage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides: The image forming apparatus includes a main body of an image forming apparatus having a toner receiving port that receives toner discharged from a toner container, and a shutter that moves in the attachment / detachment direction of the toner container to close or open the toner receiving port, and the toner container has an entry portion formed so that at least a part of the shutter can enter, and when the toner receiving port is closed by the shutter, at least a part of the shutter enters the entry portion, and when the shutter enters the entry portion, the shutter opens the toner receiving port. The feature of this invention is that [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] According to the present invention, The shutter prevents the toner from entering the toner receiving port of the image forming device. This has the excellent effect of effectively preventing toner leakage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the toner container and the toner supply device before the toner container is attached. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner supply device of the copier; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a toner container is installed in a toner container storage unit of the copier. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner container and the toner supply device before the toner container is attached. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner container and the toner supply device with the toner container attached; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the toner container and the toner supply device with the toner container attached. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner container with the container front cover removed. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner container with the nozzle receiver removed from the container body. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toner container with the nozzle receiver removed from the container body. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the toner container in a state where the nozzle receiver is attached to the container body from the state shown in FIG. 12; FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nozzle receiving member as seen from the tip end of a container; [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of the nozzle receiver as seen from the rear end side of the container. [Figure 16] FIG. 14 is a top cross-sectional view of the nozzle receiver in the state shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 17] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle receiver in the state shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the toner container has fallen downward with its rear end side facing downward. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the toner container having the second shutter removal prevention claw before being set in the apparatus main body. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the toner container having the second shutter removal prevention claw is set in the apparatus main body. [Figure 22] FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the nozzle shutter as viewed from the nozzle tip side. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of the nozzle shutter as viewed from the nozzle base side. [Figure 25] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vicinity of a conveying nozzle of the toner supply device. [Figure 26] FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional explanatory view of the vicinity of a nozzle opening of a conveying nozzle. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of the vicinity of the conveying nozzle with the nozzle shutter removed, viewed from the nozzle tip side. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the vicinity of the nozzle opening with the nozzle shutter removed. [Figure 29] 10 is a timing chart showing a configuration in which the toner container is rotated first, and then the conveying screw is rotated. [Figure 30] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of a drive transmission unit configured to vary the rotation timing of a toner container and a conveying screw using the same drive source, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a side cross-sectional explanatory view. [Figure 31] Schematic diagram of a toner container attached to a toner supply device, (a) is an explanatory diagram when the end face of the tip opening and the end face of the nozzle receiving member are positioned at the same position in the rotational axis direction, and (b) is an explanatory diagram when the end face of the nozzle receiving member is closer to the rear end of the container than the end face of the tip opening. [Figure 32] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the toner container during storage. [Figure 33] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vicinity of the end portion on the tip side of the toner container with the cap attached. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first example of a toner container having an adsorbent provided in a cap. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second example of a toner container having an adsorbent provided in a cap. [Figure 36] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a third example of a toner container having an adsorbent provided in a cap. [Figure 37] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first example of a toner container having a cap provided with a toner leakage prevention means. [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second example of a toner container having a cap provided with a toner leakage prevention means. [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a third example of a toner container having a cap provided with a toner leakage prevention means. [Figure 40] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth example of a toner container having a cap provided with a toner leakage prevention means. [Figure 41] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fifth example of a toner container having a cap provided with a toner leakage prevention means. [Figure 42] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container shutter support member used in a nozzle receiver fixed to a container body by screwing. [Figure 43] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis at the position of the pumping portion. [Figure 44] 10 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a configuration in which the shutter side support portions act as bridging means, taken along the E-E cross section in FIG. 9; FIG. [Figure 45] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional explanatory diagrams (schematic diagrams) taken along the E-E cross section in FIG. 9, where (a) is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the shutter side surface support portion 335a does not function as a bridging means, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the shutter side surface support portion 335a functions as a bridging means. [Figure 46] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of remaining toner in the container and the replenishment speed in an example and a comparative example. [Figure 47] An explanatory diagram of a configuration having a pumping rib as a pumping section, (a) is an oblique explanatory diagram of a nozzle receiving member, (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of the nozzle receiving member shown in (a) assembled to the container body, (c) is a side cross-sectional explanatory diagram of the entire toner container assembled with the nozzle receiving member shown in (a), and (d) is a perspective view of a container shutter provided on the toner container shown in (c). [Figure 48] 14A is a perspective view of the toner container according to the fourteenth embodiment with the nozzle receiver removed from the container body, and FIG. 14B is an enlarged view of the receiver engaging projection. [Figure 49] FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating the tip end portion of the toner container and the container mounting portion of the fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 50] 19A and 19B are cross-sectional views of a toner container according to a fourteenth embodiment, in which FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the tip end of the toner container, and FIG. 19B is an enlarged explanatory view of a region η in FIG. [Figure 51] 23A and 23B are explanatory views of a toner container according to a sixteenth embodiment, in which FIG. 23A is a perspective explanatory view of a nozzle receiver, and FIG. 23B is a perspective explanatory view of a container body. [Figure 52] 23A and 23B are explanatory views of a toner container according to a seventeenth embodiment, in which FIG. 23A is a perspective explanatory view of a nozzle receiver, and FIG. 23B is a perspective explanatory view of a container body. [Figure 53] 18. An explanatory diagram of a toner container according to embodiment 18, where (a) is an enlarged perspective view of the tip opening, (b) is an enlarged perspective view of the receiving member fixing portion, and (c) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the tip end of the toner container. [Figure 54] 20A and 20B are explanatory views of a toner container according to a nineteenth embodiment, in which FIG. 20A is an enlarged perspective view of a tip opening, and FIG. 20B is an enlarged perspective view of a receiving member fixing portion. [Figure 55] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a connector fixed to the toner supply device and a tip end of the toner container. [Figure 56] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the container front end portion of the toner container and the connector in a state where the ID tag holding mechanism is disassembled. [Figure 57] 10 is a perspective view illustrating the connector and the tip end of the toner container with the ID tag temporarily attached to the holding member. FIG. [Figure 58] Three-view diagrams of the ID tag: (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a back view. [Figure 59] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the relative positional relationship between the ID tag, the holding member, and the connector. [Figure 60] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ID tag is engaged with the connector. [Figure 61] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the electrical circuit of the ID tag and the electrical circuit of the connector. [Figure 62]1A and 1B are front views of an ID tag, in which (a) is a front view showing the ID tag held in a connector, and (b) is a front view showing the ID tag rotating around an ID tag positioning hole. [Figure 63] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an ID tag in a state where a probe of an electrical conductivity inspection device is in contact with the ID tag. [Figure 64] An explanatory diagram of a toner container in which the opening position of the nozzle receiving port in the direction of the rotation axis is the same as the end of the tip opening on the tip side of the container, (a) is an oblique explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the tip end of the container, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the tip end of the container. [Figure 65] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of a nozzle shutter having a cylindrical sealing member, where FIG. 1A is a perspective view and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view. [Figure 66] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the container opening, the inner diameter of the receiving member fixing portion, and the diameters of components such as the container setting portion of the toner supply device. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] <First Embodiment> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine (hereinafter referred to as copying machine 500) as an image forming apparatus. 2 is a schematic diagram of a copying machine 500 according to this embodiment, which is common to embodiments 1 to 20. The copying machine 500 is composed of a copying machine main body (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit 100), a paper feed table (hereinafter referred to as a paper feed unit 200), and a scanner (hereinafter referred to as a scanner unit 400) attached to the printer unit 100.

[0008] Four toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) serving as powder containers corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) are detachably (replaceably) installed in the toner container storage section 70 provided at the top of the printer section 100. An intermediate transfer unit 85 is disposed below the toner container storage section 70.

[0009] The intermediate transfer unit 85 is composed of an intermediate transfer belt 48, four primary transfer bias rollers 49 (Y, M, C, K), a secondary transfer backup roller 82, multiple tension rollers, an intermediate transfer cleaning device (not shown), etc. The intermediate transfer belt 48 is stretched and supported by multiple roller members, and moves endlessly in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 by the rotational drive of the secondary transfer backup roller 82, which is one of the multiple roller members.

[0010] In the printer unit 100, four image forming units 46 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to each color are arranged side by side so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 48. In addition, four toner supply devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to each of the four toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged below the four toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K). The toner contained in the toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) is supplied (replenished) into the developing devices (powder-using units) of the image forming units 46 (Y, M, C, K) corresponding to each color by the corresponding toner supply devices 60 (Y, M, C, K).

[0011] 2, the printer unit 100 also includes an exposure device 47, which is a latent image forming means, below the four image creating units 46. The exposure device 47 exposes the surface of a photoreceptor 41, which will be described later, based on image information of an original image read by the scanner unit 400 or image information input from an external device such as a personal computer, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41. The exposure device 47 included in the printer unit 100 uses a laser beam scanner system using a laser diode, but other configurations such as an LED array may also be used as the exposure means.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the image forming unit 46Y corresponding to yellow. The image forming unit 46Y includes a drum-shaped photoconductor 41Y that is a latent image carrier. The image forming unit 46Y also includes a charging roller 44Y that is a charging means, a developing device 50Y that is a developing means, a photoconductor cleaning device 42Y, a static eliminator (not shown), and other components that are arranged around the photoconductor 41Y. An image forming process (charging step, exposure step, development step, transfer step, and cleaning step) is then performed on the photoconductor 41Y, forming a yellow image on the photoconductor 41Y.

[0013] The other three image forming units 46 (M, C, K) have substantially the same configuration as the image forming unit 46Y corresponding to yellow, except that they use different toner colors, and form images of the colors corresponding to the respective toners on the respective photoconductors 41 (M, C, K). Below, we will omit the description of the other three image forming units 46 (M, C, K) as appropriate, and will only describe the image forming unit 46Y corresponding to yellow.

[0014] The photoreceptor 41Y is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 3 by a drive motor (not shown). The surface of the photoreceptor 41Y is then uniformly charged at a position facing the charging roller 44Y (charging process). Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches a position irradiated with laser light L emitted from the exposure device 47, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position (exposure process). Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches a position facing the developing device 50Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a yellow toner image (developing process).

[0015] The four primary transfer bias rollers 49 (Y, M, C, K) of the intermediate transfer unit 85 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 48 between themselves and the photosensitive members 41 (Y, M, C, K), forming primary transfer nips. A transfer bias opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 49 (Y, M, C, K).

[0016] The surface of the photoreceptor 41Y, on which the toner image has been formed in the development process, reaches a primary transfer nip facing the primary transfer bias roller 49Y across the intermediate transfer belt 48. The toner image on the photoreceptor 41Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 48 at this primary transfer nip (primary transfer process). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photoreceptor 41Y. The surface of the photoreceptor 41Y, which has transferred the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 48 at the primary transfer nip, reaches a position facing the photoreceptor cleaning device 42Y. At this position, the untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor 41Y is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 42a (cleaning process). Finally, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches a position facing a static eliminator (not shown), where the residual potential on the photoreceptor 41Y is removed. This completes the series of image formation processes performed on the photoreceptor 41Y.

[0017] This image formation process is also performed in the other image forming units 46 (M, C, K) in the same manner as in the yellow image forming unit 46Y. That is, laser light L based on image information is irradiated onto the photoconductors 41 (M, C, K) of each image forming unit 46 (M, C, K) from an exposure device 47 disposed below the image forming unit 46 (M, C, K). More specifically, the exposure device 47 emits laser light L from a light source, and irradiates each photoconductor 41 (M, C, K) with the laser light L via multiple optical elements while scanning with a rotationally driven polygon mirror. Thereafter, the toner images of each color formed on each photoconductor 41 (M, C, K) undergo a development process and are transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 48.

[0018] 2 and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer bias rollers 49 (Y, M, C, K). As a result, the toner images of each color on the photoconductors 41 (Y, M, C, K) are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 48 in a superimposed manner, forming a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 48.

[0019] The toner images of each color are transferred one on top of the other, and the intermediate transfer belt 48, on which the color toner images are formed, reaches a position facing a secondary transfer roller 89. At this position, a secondary transfer nip is formed by sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 48 between the secondary transfer backup roller 82 and the secondary transfer roller 89. The color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 48 are then transferred onto a recording medium P, such as transfer paper, that has been transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 48. After passing through the secondary transfer nip, the intermediate transfer belt 48 reaches the position of an intermediate transfer cleaning device (not shown), and the untransferred toner on its surface is collected, thereby completing the series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 48.

[0020] Next, the movement of the recording medium P will be described. The recording medium P transported to the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feed tray 26 of a paper feed unit 200 disposed below the printer unit 100 via a paper feed roller 27 and a pair of registration rollers 28. More specifically, a plurality of recording media P are stored in a stack in the paper feed tray 26. When the paper feed roller 27 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 2, the topmost recording medium P is transported toward the roller nip formed by the two rollers of the pair of registration rollers 28.

[0021] The recording medium P conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 stops temporarily at the roller nip position of the registration roller pair 28, which has stopped rotating. Then, in synchronization with the timing at which the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 48 reaches the secondary transfer nip, the registration roller pair 28 is rotated and the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, the desired color toner image is transferred onto the recording medium P.

[0022] The recording medium P onto which the color toner image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip is transported to the position of the fixing device 86. In the fixing device 86, the color toner image transferred onto the surface is fixed onto the recording medium P by the heat and pressure of the fixing belt and pressure roller. After passing through the fixing device 86, the recording medium P passes between the rollers of the paper discharge roller pair 29 and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus. The recording medium P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the paper discharge roller pair 29 is stacked in order on the stack unit 30 as an output image. In this way, a series of image formation processes in the copier 500 is completed.

[0023] Next, a more detailed description will be given of the configuration and operation of the developing device 50 in the image forming unit 46. Note that, although the description will be given here using the image forming unit 46Y corresponding to yellow as an example, the same applies to the image forming units 46 for the other colors (M, C, K).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the developing device 50Y is composed of a developing roller 51Y, a doctor blade 52Y, two developer transport screws 55Y, and a toner concentration detection sensor 56Y. The developing roller 51Y faces the photoconductor 41Y, and the doctor blade 52Y faces the developing roller 51Y. The two developer transport screws 55Y are disposed in two developer containers (53Y, 54Y). The developing roller 51Y is composed of a magnetic roller fixed inside and a sleeve that rotates around the magnetic roller. The first developer container 53Y and the second developer container 54Y contain two-component developer G consisting of carrier and toner. The second developer container 54Y is connected to the toner drop transport path 64Y through an opening formed above it. The toner concentration detection sensor 56Y detects the toner concentration of the developer G in the second developer container 54Y.

[0025] The developer G in the developing device 50 is circulated between the first developer storage section 53Y and the second developer storage section 54Y while being agitated by two developer transport screws 55Y. The developer G in the first developer storage section 53Y is transported by one of the developer transport screws 55Y and supplied to and carried on the sleeve surface of the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field generated by the magnet roller in the developing roller 51Y. The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3, and the developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y moves along the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates. At this time, the toner in the developer G is charged to a potential of opposite polarity to that of the carrier due to frictional charging with the carrier in the developer G and is electrostatically attracted to the carrier. The toner is then carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier, which is attracted by the magnetic field generated on the developing roller 51Y.

[0026] The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is transported in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 and reaches the doctor section where the doctor blade 52Y and the developing roller 51Y face each other. The amount of developer G on the developing roller 51Y is adjusted as it passes through the doctor section, and then it is transported to the developing area, which is the position facing the photosensitive member 41Y. In the developing area, the toner in the developer G is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive member 41Y by the developing electric field formed between the developing roller 51Y and the photosensitive member 41Y. The developer G remaining on the surface of the developing roller 51Y that has passed through the developing area reaches above the first developer container 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is separated from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

[0027] The developer G in the developing device 50Y is adjusted so that the toner concentration is within a predetermined range. Specifically, the toner contained in the toner container 32Y is replenished into the second developer accommodating unit 54Y via a toner replenishing device 60Y, which will be described later, in accordance with the amount of toner consumed by development in the developer G in the developing device 50Y. The toner supplied to the second developer storage portion 54Y is mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two developer transport screws 55Y, and circulates between the first developer storage portion 53Y and the second developer storage portion 54Y.

[0028] Next, the toner supply devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which toner container 32Y is installed in toner supply device 60Y, and FIG. 5 is a schematic oblique view showing the state in which four toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) are installed in toner container storage section 70.

[0029] The toner in each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) installed in the toner container storage unit 70 of the printer unit 100 is replenished into each developing device 50 (Y, M, C, K) as needed depending on the toner consumption in each developing device 50 (Y, M, C, K). The toner in each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) is replenished by a toner supply device 60 (Y, M, C, K) provided for each toner color. The four toner supply devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) and toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) have substantially the same structure except for the color of toner used in the image creation process. Therefore, only the toner supply device 60Y and toner container 32Y corresponding to yellow will be described below, and descriptions of the toner supply devices 60 (M, C, K) and toner containers 32 (M, C, K) corresponding to the other three colors will be omitted.

[0030] The toner supply device 60 (Y, M, C, K) is composed of a toner container storage section 70, a conveying nozzle 611 (Y, M, C, K), a conveying screw 614 (Y, M, C, K), a toner drop conveying path 64 (Y, M, C, K), a container rotation drive section 91 (Y, M, C, K), etc. When the toner container 32Y moves in the direction of arrow Q in the figure and is attached to the toner container storage unit 70 of the printer unit 100, the conveying nozzle 611Y of the toner supply device 60Y is inserted from the container tip side of the toner container 32Y in conjunction with the attachment operation. This brings the interior of the toner container 32Y and the interior of the conveying nozzle 611Y into communication. The configuration for this communication in conjunction with the attachment operation will be described in detail below.

[0031] The toner container 32Y, which is a common toner container configuration among the first to twentieth embodiments, is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle. The toner container 32Y is mainly comprised of a container front cover 34Y that is held non-rotatably in the toner container mount 70, and a container body 33Y that is integrally formed with a container gear 301Y. The container body 33Y is held rotatably relative to the container front cover 34Y.

[0032] The toner container storage unit 70 is mainly composed of a container cover receiving portion 73, a container receiving portion 72, and an insertion opening forming portion 71. The container cover receiving portion 73 is a portion for holding the container front end cover 34Y of the toner container 32Y, and the container receiving portion 72 is a portion for holding the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y. The insertion opening forming portion 71 is a portion that forms an insertion opening together with the container receiving portion 72 when the toner container 32Y is attached. When a main body cover (not shown) installed on the front side of the copier 500 (the front side in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2) is opened, the insertion opening forming portion 71 of the toner container storage unit 70 is exposed. Then, with the longitudinal direction of each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) horizontal, the attachment / detachment operation of each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) (attachment / detachment operation with the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32 as the attachment / detachment direction) is performed from the front side of the copier 500. Note that the set cover 608Y in FIG. 4 is part of the container cover receiving portion 73 of the toner container storage unit 70.

[0033] The container receiving portion 72 is formed so that its longitudinal length is approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the container body 33Y. The container cover receiving portion 73 is provided on the container front end side in the longitudinal direction (attachment / detachment direction) of the container receiving portion 72, and the insertion opening forming portion 71 is provided on one longitudinal end side of the container receiving portion 72. Therefore, as the toner container 32Y is attached, the container front end cover 34Y passes through the insertion opening forming portion 71, slides on the container receiving portion 72 for a while, and is then attached to the container cover receiving portion 73.

[0034] With the container front cover 34Y attached to the container cover receiver 73, a rotational drive force is input from the container rotation drive unit 91Y, which is composed of a drive motor, a drive gear, etc., to the container gear 301Y provided on the container body 33Y via the container drive gear 601Y. This causes the container body 33Y to rotate in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4. As the container body 33Y itself rotates, the toner contained inside the container body 33Y is transported from left to right in FIG. 4 along the longitudinal direction of the container body by the spiral protrusion 302Y formed in a spiral shape on the inner circumferential surface of the container body 33Y. As a result, the toner is supplied from the container front cover 34Y side into the transport nozzle 611Y.

[0035] A transport screw 614Y is disposed within the transport nozzle 611Y, and when a rotational drive is input from the container rotation drive unit 91Y to the transport screw gear 605Y, the transport screw 614Y rotates and transports the toner supplied into the transport nozzle 611Y. The downstream end of the transport nozzle 611Y in the transport direction is connected to a toner drop transport path 64Y, and the toner transported by the transport screw 614Y falls by gravity through the toner drop transport path 64Y to be replenished into the developing device 50Y (second developer storage unit 54Y). Each toner container 32 (Y, M, C, K) is replaced with a new one when it reaches the end of its life (when the toner contained therein is almost all consumed and empty). A handle 303 is provided on the end of the toner container 32 opposite the container tip cover 34 in the longitudinal direction, and when replacing the toner container 32, the worker can remove the installed toner container 32 by grasping the handle 303 and pulling it out.

[0036] The control unit 90 calculates the amount of toner consumption based on the image information used by the exposure device 47 and may determine that toner needs to be supplied to the developing device 50Y. Alternatively, the control unit 90 may detect a decrease in the toner concentration in the developing device 50Y based on the detection results of the toner concentration detection sensor 56Y. In these cases, the control unit 90 controls the container rotation drive unit 91Y to rotate the container body 33Y and the conveying screw 614Y of the toner container 32Y for a predetermined period of time, thereby supplying toner to the developing device 50Y. Furthermore, since toner is supplied by rotating the conveying screw 614Y disposed in the conveying nozzle 611Y, the amount of toner supplied from the toner container 32Y can be accurately calculated by detecting the rotation speed of the conveying screw 614Y. When the cumulative amount of toner supplied since the toner container 32Y was installed reaches the amount of toner in the toner container 32Y at the time of installation, it is determined that there is no toner in the toner container 32Y, and a message urging the user to replace the toner container 32Y is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the copier 500. In addition, even if the toner concentration detection sensor 56Y detects a decrease in toner concentration, executes a replenishment operation, and repeatedly determines whether the toner concentration has recovered, there may be cases where the toner concentration detection sensor 56Y does not detect that the toner concentration has recovered. In this case, it is determined that there is no toner in the toner container 32Y, and a message urging the user to replace the toner container 32Y is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the copier 500.

[0037] In the toner supply device 60Y common to Embodiments 1 to 20, the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 50Y is controlled by the rotation speed of the transport screw 614Y. Therefore, the toner that has passed through the transport nozzle 611Y is transported directly to the developing device 50Y via the toner drop transport path 64Y without the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 50Y being controlled. Even in the toner supply device 60Y in which the transport nozzle 611Y is inserted into the toner container 32Y as in this embodiment, a toner storage unit such as a toner hopper may be provided. Then, the amount of toner transported from this toner storage unit to the developing device 50Y may be controlled to control the amount of toner supplied to the developing device 50Y. Furthermore, in the toner supply device 60Y of this embodiment, the toner supplied into the conveying nozzle 611Y is conveyed by the conveying screw 614Y, but the structure for conveying the toner supplied into the conveying nozzle 611Y is not limited to a screw member. As in Patent Document 6, a structure in which a powder pump is used to generate negative pressure at the opening of the conveying nozzle 611Y may be used, in which a conveying force is applied by something other than a screw member.

[0038] In a configuration with a toner reservoir, a toner end sensor is installed to detect when the toner stored in the toner reservoir falls below a predetermined level. Based on the toner end detection by the toner end sensor, the container body 33Y and the conveying screw 614Y are rotated for a predetermined time to replenish toner to the toner reservoir. Furthermore, if the toner end detection by the toner end sensor is not canceled after repeating this control a predetermined number of times, it is determined that there is no toner in the toner container 32Y, and a display (not shown) on the copier 500 prompts the user to replace the toner container 32Y. In this configuration, where toner depletion in the toner container 32Y is detected based on the toner end detection by the toner end sensor, there is no need to cumulatively calculate the amount of toner supplied since the toner container 32Y was installed. However, a configuration without a toner reservoir, such as the toner supply device 60Y of this embodiment, allows for a smaller toner supply device 60Y and therefore a smaller overall copier 500.

[0039] Next, the toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) and toner supply devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) of this embodiment, which are common to Embodiments 1 to 20, will be described in more detail. As described above, the toner containers 32 (Y, M, C, K) and toner supply devices 60 (Y, M, C, K) have almost the same configuration except for the colors of toner they use. Therefore, the following description will omit the subscripts Y, M, C, K indicating the colors of toner used.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the toner container 32 common to embodiments 1 to 20. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the toner supply device 60 before the toner container 32 is attached and the leading end of the toner container 32, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the toner supply device 60 after the toner container 32 is attached and the leading end of the toner container 32. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the toner supply device 60 before the toner container 32 is attached and the end of the toner container 32 on the tip side of the container, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the toner supply device 60 after the toner container 32 is attached and the end of the toner container 32 on the tip side of the container.

[0041] The toner supply device 60 includes a conveying nozzle 611 equipped with a conveying screw 614 therein. The toner supply device 60 also includes a nozzle shutter 612. The nozzle shutter 612 closes a nozzle opening 610 formed in the conveying nozzle 611 when the toner container 32 is not attached (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 7), and opens the nozzle opening 610 when the toner container 32 is attached (the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). Meanwhile, a nozzle receiving opening 331 into which the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted when the toner container 32 is attached is formed in the center of the front end surface of the toner container 32, and the toner container 32 includes a container shutter 332 that closes the nozzle receiving opening 331 when the toner container 32 is not attached.

[0042] First, the toner container 32 will be described. As described above, the toner container 32 is mainly composed of the container body 33 and the container front cover 34. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the toner container 32 with the container front cover 34 removed. As shown in Fig. 10, the toner container 32 with the container front cover 34 removed is composed of the container body 33 and a nozzle receiver 330 that forms a nozzle receiving opening 331. Fig. 11 is an explanatory perspective view of the toner container 32 with the nozzle receiver 330 removed from the container body 33, and Fig. 12 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the toner container 32 with the nozzle receiver 330 removed from the container body 33. Fig. 13 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the toner container 32 with the nozzle receiver 330 attached to the container body 33 from the state shown in Fig. 12 (the toner container 32 with the container front end cover 34 removed as in Fig. 10).

[0043] The container body 33 is generally cylindrical and rotates around the central axis of the cylinder. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to this rotation axis will be referred to as the "rotation axis direction," and the side of the rotation axis direction where the nozzle receiving opening 331 of the toner container 32 is formed (the side where the container front-end cover 34 is located) will be referred to as the "container front-end side." The side of the toner container 32 where the handle portion 303 is located (the side opposite the container front-end side) will be referred to as the "container rear-end side." The longitudinal direction of the toner container 32 described above is the rotation axis direction, and when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the rotation axis direction is horizontal. The outer diameter of the container body 33 on the container rear end side, relative to the container gear 301, is larger than that on the container front-end side, and a spiral protrusion 302 is formed on the inner peripheral surface. When the container body 33 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the toner in the container body 33 is given a transport force from one end side (rear end side of the container) to the other end side (front end side of the container) in the direction of the rotation axis by the action of the spiral protrusion 302.

[0044] The inner wall of the container body 33 at the tip end side is formed with a pumping portion 304. The pumping portion 304 pumps up the toner, which has been conveyed to the tip end side by the spiral protrusion 302 as the container body 33 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, as the container body 33 rotates. The pumping portion 304 is composed of a protruding portion 304h and a pumping wall surface 304f. The protruding portion 304h is a portion that protrudes inward from the container body 33, forming a spiral like a ridgeline toward the center of rotation of the container body 33. The pumping wall surface 304f is the wall surface of the protruding portion that connects the protruding portion 304h (ridgeline) to the inner wall of the periphery of the container body 33, and is located downstream in the direction of container rotation. When the pumping wall surface 304f is in a downward position, the toner that has entered the internal space opposite the pumping portion 304 by the conveying force of the spiral projection 302 is pumped upward by the pumping wall surface 304f in accordance with the rotation of the container body 33. This allows the toner to be pumped up above the inserted conveying nozzle 611. As shown in Figures 1 and 10, the inner circumferential surface of the pumping portion 304 is also formed with a spiral pumping portion spiral protrusion 304a, which is spirally shaped to transport the toner inside in the same manner as the spiral protrusion 302.

[0045] A container gear 301 is formed on the container body 33 further toward the container front end than the pumping portion 304. A gear exposing opening 34a is provided in the container front end cover 34 so that a portion of the container gear 301 (the rear side in FIG. 6) is exposed when the container front end cover 34 is attached to the container body 33. When the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the container gear 301 exposed from the gear exposing opening 34a meshes with a container drive gear 601 on the toner supply device 60 side.

[0046] A cylindrical container opening 33a is formed on the container body 33 closer to the container tip than the container gear 301. Then, by press-fitting the receiver fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiver 330 into this container opening 33a, the nozzle receiver 330 can be fixed to the container body 33. The method of fixing the nozzle receiver 330 is not limited to press-fitting, and it may also be fixed with an adhesive or by screwing. The toner container 32 is configured such that the nozzle receiver 330 is fixed to the container opening 33a of the container body 33 after the toner is filled into the container body 33 through the opening of the container opening 33a.

[0047] Furthermore, a cover claw hook portion 306 is formed on the end of the container opening 33a of the container body 33 on the container gear 301 side. The container front-end cover 34 is attached to the toner container 32 (container body 33) in the state shown in FIG. 10 from the container front end side (lower left side in FIG. 10). As a result, the container body 33 penetrates the container front-end cover 34 in the rotation axis direction, and the cover claw portion 341 provided on the upper part of the container front-end cover 34 is hooked on the cover claw hook portion 306. The cover claw hook portion 306 is formed to go around the outer circumferential surface of the container opening 33a, and the hooking of the cover claw portion 341 enables the container body 33 and the container front-end cover 34 to be attached so as to be rotatable relative to each other.

[0048] The container body 33 is molded by biaxial stretch blow molding (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). This biaxial stretch blow molding method generally consists of two steps: a preform molding step and a stretch blow molding step. In the preform molding step, a test tube-shaped preform is molded by injection molding using resin. The injection molding at this time forms the container opening 33a, the cover claw hook portion 306, and the container gear 301 at the mouth of the test tube. In the stretch blow molding step, the preform is cooled after the preform molding step and removed from the mold, and then heated to soften it, and is then blow molded and stretched.

[0049] In the container body 33, the rear end side of the container from the container gear 301 is molded by the stretch blow molding process. That is, the pumping portion 304, the portion where the spiral projection 302 is formed, and the handle portion 303 are molded by the stretch blow molding process. In the container body 33, the portions from the container gear 301 to the container tip side, such as the container gear 301, the container opening 33a, and the cover claw hook portion 306, have the shape of the injection-molded preform as is, and can be molded with high precision. On the other hand, the pumping portion 304, the portion where the spiral projection 302 is formed, and the handle portion 303 are injection-molded and then stretched in a stretch blow molding process, and therefore the molding precision is inferior to that of the preform molded portion.

[0050] Next, the nozzle receiver 330 fixed to the container body 33 will be described. Fig. 14 is an explanatory perspective view of nozzle receiver 330 as seen from the front end side of the container, and Fig. 15 is an explanatory perspective view of nozzle receiver 330 as seen from the rear end side of the container. Fig. 16 is a top cross-sectional view of nozzle receiver 330 as seen from above in the state shown in Fig. 13, and Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of nozzle receiver 330 as seen from the side (the back side in Fig. 13) in the state shown in Fig. 13. Furthermore, Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of nozzle receiver 330.

[0051] The nozzle receiver 330 is composed of a container shutter support member 340, a container shutter 332, a container seal 333, a container shutter spring 336, and a receiver fixing portion 337. The container shutter support member 340 is composed of a shutter rear end support portion 335, a shutter side support portion 335a, and a receiver fixing portion 337, and the container shutter spring 336 is composed of a coil spring.

[0052] The container shutter 332 comprises a tip cylindrical portion 332c, a sliding portion 332d, a guide rod 332e, and a shutter removal prevention claw 332a. The tip cylindrical portion 332c is the portion on the tip side of the container that comes into close contact with the cylindrical opening (nozzle receiving port 331) of the container seal 333. The sliding portion 332d is formed closer to the rear end of the container than the tip cylindrical portion 332c, has a slightly larger outer diameter than the tip cylindrical portion 332c, and is a cylindrical portion that slides on the inner surfaces of a pair of shutter side support portions 335a. The guide rod 332e is a pillar that stands from the inside of the cylindrical tip cylindrical portion 332c toward the rear end of the container, and is a rod portion that is inserted into the coil of the container shutter spring 336 to guide the container shutter spring 336 to prevent it from buckling. The shutter removal prevention claws 332a are provided at the end opposite to the raised base of the guide rod 332e, and are a pair of claw portions that prevent the container shutter 332 from removing from the container shutter support member 340.

[0053] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the leading end of the container shutter spring 336 abuts against the inner wall surface of the leading cylindrical portion 332c, and the rear end of the container shutter spring 336 abuts against the wall surface of the shutter rear end support portion 335. At this time, since the container shutter spring 336 is compressed, the container shutter 332 is subjected to a biasing force in a direction away from the shutter rear end support portion 335 (to the right in Figures 16 and 17, toward the container leading end). However, the shutter removal prevention claw 332a formed on the end of the container shutter 332 on the container rear end side catches on the outer wall surface of the shutter rear end support portion 335. This prevents the container shutter 332 from moving in a direction away from the shutter rear end support portion 335 beyond the state shown in Figures 16 and 17. Positioning is achieved by the engagement of the shutter removal prevention claw 332a with the shutter rear end support portion 335 and the biasing force of the container shutter spring 336. More specifically, the tip cylindrical portion 332c of the container shutter 332, which exerts the function of preventing toner leakage, and the container seal 333 are positioned in the axial direction relative to the container shutter support member 340. The two are positioned in a tight contact relationship, which prevents toner leakage.

[0054] The receiver fixing portion 337 is cylindrical, with the diameters of the outer and inner surfaces gradually decreasing toward the rear end of the container. The diameter gradually decreases as you look from the front end of the container toward the rear end of the container. There are two outer diameter portions on the outer surface (outer diameters AA and BB, in order from the front end of the container) and five inner diameter portions on the inner surface (outer diameters CC, DD, EE, FF, and GG, in order from the front end of the container). The boundary between outer diameter portion AA and outer diameter portion BB on the outer surface is connected by a tapered surface. The boundary between the fourth inner diameter portion FF and the fifth inner diameter portion GG on the inner surface is also connected by a tapered surface. This inner diameter portion FF on the inner surface and the tapered surface connected to it correspond to the seal entrapment prevention space 337b, which will be described later, and the ridges of these surfaces correspond to the sides of a pentagonal cross section, which will be described later.

[0055] As shown in Figures 16 to 18, a pair of shutter side support portions 335a, each formed like a cylinder cut in the axial direction, protrude from the receiver fixing portion 337 toward the rear end of the container, facing each other. The ends of the two shutter side support portions 335a toward the rear end of the container are connected to the shutter rear end support portion 335, which is cup-shaped and has an oval hole in the center of its bottom. The two shutter side support portions 335a face each other, forming a cylindrical space S1 that can be recognized by their inner cylindrical wall surfaces and an imaginary cylindrical surface extending from the surface. The receiver fixing portion 337 has a fifth inner diameter portion GG from the tip, which is a cylindrical inner circumferential surface with an inner diameter equal to the diameter of the cylindrical space S1. The sliding portion 332d of the container shutter 332 slides along this cylindrical space S1 and the cylindrical inner circumferential surface GG. The third inner circumferential surface EE of the receiving member fixing portion 337 is an imaginary circumferential surface passing through the longitudinal apexes of the nozzle shutter abutment ribs 337a, which are equally spaced at 45° intervals. A cylindrical (tubular) container seal 333 having a square cross section (in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 16 and 17) is disposed corresponding to this inner circumferential surface EE. The container seal 333 is fixed with adhesive or double-sided tape to the vertical surface connecting the third inner circumferential surface EE to the fifth inner circumferential surface FF. The exposed surface on the opposite side of the container seal 333 (the right side in FIGS. 16 and 17) forms the inner bottom of the cylindrical opening of the cylindrical receiving member fixing portion 337 (container opening).

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a sealant entrapment prevention space 337b (pinch prevention space) is formed corresponding to the inner circumferential surface FF of the receiver fixing portion 337 and the tapered surface connected thereto. The sealant entrapment prevention space 337b is a ring-shaped sealed space surrounded by three different components. That is, it is a ring-shaped space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the receiver fixing portion 337 (the fourth inner circumferential surface FF and the tapered surface connected thereto), the vertical surface of the attachment side of the container seal 333, and the outer circumferential surface of the container shutter 332 from the tip cylindrical portion 332c to the sliding portion 332d. The cross section of this ring-shaped space (the cross section in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 16 and 17) is pentagonal. The angle formed between the inner circumferential surface of the receiver fixing portion 337 and the end face of the container seal 333 and the angle formed between the outer circumferential surface of the container shutter 332 and the end face of the container seal 333 are both 90°.

[0057] The function of the seal member entrapment prevention space 337b will now be described. When the container shutter 332 moves from a state in which it is covering the nozzle receiving opening 331 toward the rear end of the container, the inner circumferential surface of the container seal 333 slides against the tip cylindrical portion 332c of the container shutter 332. As a result, the inner circumferential surface of the container seal 333 is pulled by the container shutter 332 and elastically deforms so as to move toward the rear end of the container. In this case, if there were no seal entrapment prevention space 337b and the vertical surface (the surface to which container seal 333 is attached) connected from the third inner peripheral surface were connected perpendicularly to the fifth inner peripheral surface GG, the following situation could occur: That is, the elastically deformed portion of container seal 333 could become pinched and entrapped between the inner peripheral surface of receiver fixing portion 337, which slides against container shutter 332, and the outer peripheral surface of container shutter 332. If container seal 333 becomes entrapped in the sliding portion between receiver fixing portion 337 and container shutter 332, i.e., between tip cylindrical portion 332c and inner peripheral surface GG, container shutter 332 would be locked with respect to receiver fixing portion 337, and nozzle receiving opening 331 would not be able to be opened or closed.

[0058] In contrast, the nozzle receiver 330 of this embodiment has a seal member entrapment prevention space 337b formed in its inner periphery. The inner diameter of the seal member entrapment prevention space 337b (the inner diameters of the inner periphery surface EE and the tapered surfaces connected to it) is smaller than the outer diameter of the container seal 333, so the entire container seal 333 does not enter the seal member entrapment prevention space 337b. Furthermore, there is a limit to the area of ​​the container seal 333 that is elastically deformed by being pulled by the container shutter 332, and the container seal returns to its original shape due to its own elasticity before reaching the inner periphery surface GG and being entrapped. This action prevents the nozzle receiver opening 331 from being unable to open or close due to the container shutter 332 being locked to the receiver fixing portion 337.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, a plurality of nozzle shutter abutment ribs 337a are formed radially on the inner circumferential surface of the receiver fixing portion 337 adjacent to the outer periphery of the container seal 333. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the container seal 333 is fixed to the receiver fixing portion 337, the vertical surface of the container seal 333 on the container front side protrudes slightly in the direction of the rotation axis beyond the end of the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a on the container front side. As shown in FIG. 9, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the nozzle shutter flange 612a of the nozzle shutter 612 on the toner supply device 60 side is biased by the nozzle shutter spring 613 to crush the protruding portion of the container seal 333. The nozzle shutter flange 612a further extends and covers the nozzle receiving opening 331 of the container seal 333, which abuts against the container front end of the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a, thereby blocking the container from the outside. This ensures that the area around the conveying nozzle 611 in the nozzle receiving opening 331 is sealed when the nozzle receiving opening 331 is attached, thereby preventing toner leakage.

[0060] The rear side of the nozzle shutter spring receiving surface 612f of the nozzle shutter flange 612a, which is biased by the nozzle shutter spring 613, abuts against the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a, thereby determining the position of the nozzle shutter 612 in the rotational axis direction relative to the toner container 32. This determines the positional relationship in the rotational axis direction between the nozzle shutter 612 and the end face of the container seal 333 on the container front end side and the end face of the front end opening 305 (the internal space of a cylindrical receiving member fixing portion 337, which will be described later, disposed in the container opening 33a).

[0061] 9 and other figures, when toner container 32 is attached to the main body of toner supply device 60, nozzle shutter 612 as a contact member and nozzle shutter spring 613 as a biasing member are housed in tip opening 305, which is a cylindrical internal space. Here, the relationship between the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of container opening 33a, the inner diameter of receiving member fixing portion 337, and the diameters of components such as container setting portion 615 of toner supply device 60, which is required to achieve this configuration, will be described.

[0062] FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a, the inner diameter of the receiving member fixing portion 337, and the diameters of components such as the container setting portion 615 of the toner supply device 60. As will be described later, the container setting part 615 has a container setting part inner peripheral surface 615a that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a of the toner container 32 when the toner container 32 is set, and the inner diameter of this inner peripheral surface is defined as D1. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a of the toner container 32 is defined as d1. The nozzle shutter 612 provided on the transfer nozzle 611 has a nozzle shutter flange portion 612a, and the outer diameter of this nozzle shutter flange portion 612a is defined as D2. Also, the inner diameter of the receiving member fixing portion 337 that is axially outside the container seal 333 (the inner diameter of the second inner peripheral surface from the tip of the container) is defined as d2, and the outer diameter of the container seal 333 is defined as d3. Further, the nozzle shutter abutting rib 337a contacts the outer peripheral surface of the container seal 333, and a plurality of them are arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the container seal 333 and the second inner peripheral surface of the receiving member fixing portion 337 from the tip of the container. Then, the outer diameter of the nozzle shutter 612 (the outer diameter of the nozzle shutter cylindrical portion 612e described later) is defined as D3, and the inner diameter of the container seal 333 is defined as d4.

[0063] When the toner container 32 is being installed, the transfer nozzle 611 enters the nozzle receiving port 331 with the nozzle opening 610 closed by the nozzle shutter 612. Then, after the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a contacts the container seal 333, it is crushed. After that, when the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a abuts against the end portion on the container tip side of the nozzle shutter abutting rib 337a, the nozzle opening 610 is opened, and the inside of the toner container 32 and the inside of the transfer nozzle 611 communicate with each other. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the container opening portion 33a of the toner container 32 and the inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting portion are fitted together, and the container body 33 is rotatably held at this fitting location.

[0064] In order for the outer peripheral surface of the container opening portion 33a of the toner container 32 and the inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting portion to be rotatably fitted, the diameter d1 of the outer peripheral surface of the container opening portion 33a of the toner container 32 and the inner diameter D1 of the inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting portion are set to satisfy the relationship of "d1 < D1". Also, d1 and D1 are set to a fitting tolerance of about 0.01 to 0.1 [mm]. By having the relationship of "d1 < D1" in this way, the container body 33 can be rotationally driven while being held in the container setting portion 615.

[0065] The transfer nozzle 611 and the nozzle shutter 612 are configured to enter the nozzle receiving port 331 while the nozzle opening 610 of the transfer nozzle 611 is closed by the nozzle shutter 612. To enable this configuration, the outer diameter D2 of the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a and the inner diameter (the inner diameter of the second inner peripheral surface DD from the tip of the container) d2 of the receiving member fixing portion 337 that is axially outside the container seal 333 are set to satisfy the relationship of "D2 < d2". Also, after the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a contacts and crushes the container seal 333, the outer diameter D2 of the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a is set to satisfy the relationship of "D2 > d3" so as to abut against the end on the container tip side of the nozzle shutter abutting rib 337a. That is, between the outer diameter D2 of the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a, the inner diameter d2 of the receiving member fixing portion 337 that is axially outside the container seal 333, and the outer diameter d3 of the container seal 333, the relationship of "d3 < D2 < d2" is set.

[0066] By setting it in this way, the nozzle shutter 612 can be stored inside the tip opening 305 of the toner container 32 (inside the receiving member fixing portion 337). As the container body 33 rotates, the container seal 333 and the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a will slide, but deterioration of the container seal 333 due to this sliding can also be suppressed. This is because the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a is abutted against the nozzle shutter abutting rib 337a so as not to overly crush the container seal 333, and thus the sliding load can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a crushes the container seal 333 and is in a moderately adhered state, toner scattering that occurs when the toner container 32 is installed can be reduced.

[0067] Furthermore, the outer diameter D3 of the nozzle shutter 612 and the inner diameter d4 of the container seal 333 of the nozzle receiving member 330 are set to satisfy the relationship of "d4 < D3". By setting it in this way, the container seal 333 can be appropriately adhered to the nozzle shutter 612 by expanding its inner diameter as the transport nozzle 611 enters. Therefore, toner leakage from the toner container 32 to the outside in the inserted state of the transport nozzle 611 can be prevented. Summarizing the above-described relationship, each part of the toner container 32 is set so as to satisfy the diameter relationship of "d4 < D3 < d3 < D2 < d2 < d1 < D1". By setting it in this way, it is possible to achieve a configuration that has both a sealing property that does not cause toner scattering or toner leakage from the toner container 32 and an accommodation property that accommodates the nozzle shutter 612 and the nozzle shutter spring 613.

[0068] Also, as will be described later, when the toner container 32 is mounted, the nozzle opening 610 starts to open after the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a abuts against the nozzle shutter abutting rib 337a and the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the toner container 32 is fixed. On the other hand, when the toner container 32 is removed, even when the transport nozzle 611 starts to come out of the toner container 32, the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the toner container 32 does not change due to the biasing force of the nozzle shutter spring 613 while the nozzle opening 610 is open.

[0069] When the toner container 32 is pulled out, the relative position of the toner container 32 with respect to the transport nozzle 611 changes, so the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the transport nozzle 611 also changes, and the nozzle shutter 612 starts to close the nozzle opening 610. At this time, as the toner container 32 is pulled out, the distance between the toner container 32 and the container set portion 615 increases. As a result, the nozzle shutter spring 613 starts to return to its natural length by its own restoring force, and the biasing force on the nozzle shutter 612 starts to decrease.

[0070] Furthermore, when the toner container 32 is pulled out and the nozzle shutter 612 completes closing the nozzle opening 610, a part of the nozzle shutter 612 (the "shutter inner peripheral first rib 612b", described in detail later) abuts against a part of the conveying nozzle 611. This abutment fixes the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the conveying nozzle 611, and the abutment of the nozzle shutter flange 612a against the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a is released. Thereafter, when the toner container 32 is further pulled out, the nozzle shutter 612 and the conveying nozzle 611 are removed from the toner container 32 .

[0071] When the nozzle shutter flange 612a abuts against the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a, the portion of the conveying nozzle 611 where the nozzle opening 610 is formed is located sufficiently inside the toner container 32 (toward the rear end of the container, toward the back) of the inlet portion of the nozzle receiving port 331. Specifically, the nozzle opening is positioned in the rotation axis direction toward the rear end of the container, past the container gear 301, and facing the pumping unit 304. Because the nozzle opening 610 opens and closes from a state where it is located sufficiently inside the toner container 32, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking out from the nozzle opening 610.

[0072] The shutter side support portions 335a and the shutter support opening 335b are configured such that the two opposing shutter side support portions 335a form a part of a cylindrical shape, and the shutter support opening 335b has a shape in which the cylindrical shape is largely cut out at the shutter support opening 335b (two locations). This shape allows the container shutter 332 to be guided so that it moves in the direction of the rotation axis within the columnar space S1 formed inside the cylindrical shape. The nozzle receiver 330, which is fixed to the container body 33, rotates together with the container body 33 when the container body 33 rotates. At this time, the shutter side support portion 335a of the nozzle receiver 330 rotates around the conveying nozzle 611 on the toner supply device 60 side. Therefore, the rotating shutter side support portion 335a passes through the space immediately above the nozzle opening 610 formed above the conveying nozzle 611. As a result, even if toner momentarily accumulates above the nozzle opening 610, the shutter side support portion 335a moves across and breaks up the accumulated toner. This prevents the accumulated toner from coagulating during unused operation and causing toner transport problems when restarted. Meanwhile, when the shutter side support portion 335a is positioned to the side of the conveying nozzle 611 and the nozzle opening 610 and the shutter support opening 335b face each other, toner in the container body 33 is supplied into the conveying nozzle 611, as indicated by arrow β in FIG. 9 .

[0073] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the outer peripheral surface of receiver fixing portion 337 of nozzle receiver 330 has a step (a step between first outer peripheral surface AA and second outer peripheral surface BB) formed midway in the rotational axis direction, where the outer diameter becomes smaller toward the rear end of the container. Also, as shown in Figure 13, the inner peripheral surface of container opening 33a of container body 33 is shaped to conform to the outer peripheral surface of receiver fixing portion 337, and a step is formed so that the inner peripheral diameter becomes smaller toward the rear end of the container. The step on the outer peripheral surface of receiver fixing portion 337 abuts against the step on the inner peripheral surface of container opening 33a over the entire circumferential direction. This prevents axial tilt of nozzle receiver 330 relative to container body 33 (a state in which the central axis of cylindrical receiver fixing portion 337 is tilted relative to the central axis of cylindrical container opening 33a).

[0074] <Embodiment 2> Next, a toner container 32 according to a second embodiment, which is an improvement over the toner container 32 according to the first embodiment in terms of the container shutter 332, will be described. Although the toner container 32 can be freely attached to and detached from the copier 500 in the state shown in FIG. 6, the toner container 32 may be dropped during transportation of the toner container 32 alone or when the user sets it in the main body. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the toner container 32 has fallen with its rear end side facing downward, and an arrow δ1 in FIG. 19 indicates the falling direction.

[0075] As shown in Figure 19, when toner container 32 is dropped and hits the floor, the inertial force of container shutter 332 acts in the same direction as the drop, as indicated by arrow δ2 in Figure 19. The greater the impact of the drop, the greater the inertial force. When this inertial force exceeds the pressure force of container shutter spring 336, container shutter 332 moves in the direction in which the inertial force acts (the direction of arrow δ2 in Figure 19). If the amount of movement of container shutter 332 exceeds the thickness of container seal 333, a gap may momentarily form between container shutter 332 and container seal 333, causing toner to scatter. Furthermore, if container body 33 of toner container 32 is a hollow resin product made by blow molding, the impact may be converted into momentum upon impact, increasing the inertial force.

[0076] In order to reduce the amount of movement of the container shutter 332 caused by the inertial force when it is dropped, it is effective to use a container shutter spring 336 with a large pressure force. However, increasing the pressure force of the container shutter spring 336 causes the following side effects. That is, if the pressure of the container shutter spring 336 is increased, the contact pressure between the container shutter 332 and the conveying nozzle 611 increases when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60. The increased contact pressure increases the drive torque for rotating the toner container 32, requiring the drive motor 603 to have a higher output, which increases the cost of the drive motor 603. Furthermore, the increased contact pressure increases wear on the contact surfaces of both the container shutter 332 and the conveying nozzle 611, shortening their lifespans.

[0077] Furthermore, if the pressure of the container shutter spring 336 is increased, a large force is required to set the toner container 32 in the main body of the toner supply device 60, which impairs operability. Furthermore, the pressure of the container shutter spring 336 acts in a direction that pushes the toner container 32 out of the main body of the toner supply device 60. For this reason, if the pressure of the container shutter spring 336 is increased, there is a risk that the toner container 32 will fly out. More specifically, there is a risk that the toner container 32 will fly out of the main body of the toner supply device 60 the moment the mechanism that locks the toner container 32 to the toner supply device 60 (the supply device side locking member 609 and the container locking part 339) is released.

[0078] 20 and 21 are explanatory diagrams of a configuration in which a second shutter removal prevention claw 332b is provided slightly closer to the container tip than the shutter removal prevention claw 332a on the guide rod 332e of the container shutter 332. Fig. 20 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the toner supply device 60 before the toner container 32 is attached and the end of the toner container 32 on the container tip side, and Fig. 21 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the toner supply device 60 after the toner container 32 is attached and the end of the toner container 32 on the container tip side.

[0079] 20 and 21, the container shutter 332 of the toner container 32 is pressed by a container shutter spring 336 in a direction (leftward in FIG. 20) that closes the nozzle receiving opening 331. To prevent the container shutter 332 from coming off, two pairs of hook-shaped anti-detachment claws, a shutter anti-detachment claw 332a and a second shutter anti-detachment claw 332b, are provided on the rear end side of the container of the guide rod 332e.

[0080] The rear end of the guide rod 332e is bifurcated to form a pair of cantilever beams 332f. The shutter removal prevention claw 332a and the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b are disposed on the outer periphery of each beam. As shown in FIG. 20, when the container shutter 332 closes the nozzle receiving opening 331, the vertical surface of the shutter rear end support part 335 is positioned between the shutter removal prevention claw 332a and the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b. A hole smaller than the axial projected area of ​​the shutter removal prevention claw 332a is formed in the vertical surface of the shutter rear end support part 335. The guide rod 332e is passed through the container shutter spring 336, and the pair of cantilever beams 332f of the guide rod 332e are deflected toward the axial center of the guide rod 332e, allowing the shutter removal prevention claw 332a to pass through the hole in the vertical surface of the shutter rear end support part 335. In this way, the guide rod 332e is assembled to the nozzle receiver 33 as shown in Fig. 20. The guide rod 332 is molded from a resin such as polystyrene so that the cantilever beam 332f has the elasticity to bend.

[0081] The state shown in FIG. 20 is the state before the toner container 32 is set in the main body of the toner supply device 60 (when unused), such as at the time of shipping the toner container 32. 20 , when the toner container 32 is set in the toner supply device 60 body, the toner container 32 is pushed into the device body, and the tip of the conveying nozzle 611 pushes the container shutter 332 into the toner container 32. At this time, the shutter removal prevention claw 332a at the end of the guide rod 332e is pushed out toward the container rear end of the shutter rear end support portion 335. Then, the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b, which is the second hook, engages with a hole in the vertical surface of the shutter rear end support portion 335.

[0082] Because the hole in the vertical surface is smaller than the axial projection area of ​​the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b, the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b cannot be removed when it abuts the vertical surface. However, if the user further increases the force pushing the toner container 32, a pushing force acts on the abutting point between the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b and the vertical surface. This pushing force bends both of the pair of cantilevers 332f, which have the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b on their outer surfaces, toward the axial center of the rod 332e, causing the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b to pass through the hole in the vertical surface. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21 , the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b is positioned more inward of the toner container 32 than the shutter rear end support portion 335. Once the container shutter 332 of the toner container 32 is set, the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b thereafter functions to prevent the container shutter 332 from being removed.

[0083] As described above, the toner container 32 may be dropped during transportation of the toner container 32 alone or when the user inserts the toner container 32 into the main body. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 19 , the container shutter 332 may be subjected to a force in the direction of opening due to its own inertia. The configuration including the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 , can prevent toner scattering when the toner container 32 is dropped for the following reason. That is, when the container shutter 332 attempts to move in the opening direction, the pressure of the container shutter spring 336 and the force required to pass through the hole of the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b (i.e., the force that deflects the cantilever beam 332f) prevent the container shutter 332 from moving in the opening direction. Unlike the pushing force of the user, the inertial force generated by the impact of the drop does not increase. Therefore, the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b can prevent the container shutter 332 from opening by engaging with the hole in the vertical surface of the shutter rear end support portion 335. This can prevent the toner from scattering when the toner container 32 is dropped.

[0084] 20 and 21, the shutter movement when the toner container is dropped and hit can be suppressed without increasing the pressure of the container shutter spring 336, and toner scattering when the toner container is dropped and hit can be prevented without causing the side effects described above. Also, compared to the configuration described using Figures 1 and 9, etc., it is only necessary to add the second shutter removal prevention claw 332b to the container shutter 332, and no additional parts are required, so it is possible to prevent toner scattering when the container is dropped and hit with a low-cost modification.

[0085] Next, the configuration of the container front end cover 34 common to the first to twentieth embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. When the container front cover 34 of the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, it slides over the container receiving portion 72 (see FIG. 5). In FIG. 5, a groove extending from the insertion opening 71 to the container cover receiving portion 73 is formed directly below each of the four toner containers 32, with the longitudinal direction of the axial direction of the container body 33. A pair of slide guides 361 are provided on both sides of the lower portion of the container front cover 34 to fit into the groove and enable sliding movement. More specifically, the groove of the container receiving portion 72 has a pair of slide rails protruding from both sides. The slide guide 361 has a slide groove 361a formed parallel to the rotation axis of the container body 33, sandwiched between the pair of slide rails from above and below. Furthermore, the container front cover 34 includes a container locking portion 339 that engages with a replenishing device locking member 609 provided on the set cover 608 when attached to the toner supply device 60.

[0086] The container front cover 34 is also provided with an ID tag (ID chip) 700 that records data such as the usage status of the toner container 32. The container front cover 34 is also provided with a color incompatibility rib 34b that prevents a toner container 32 containing a different color of toner from being attached to a set cover 608 of a different color. As described above, the slide guide 361 engages with the slide rail of the container receiving portion 72 when attached, thereby determining the orientation of the container front cover 34 on the replenishment device 60. This allows for smooth alignment of the container locking portion 339 with the replenishment device locking member 609, and of the ID tag 700 with the main body connector 800, which will be described later.

[0087] Next, the toner supply device 60 common to the first to twentieth embodiments will be described. 7 and 8, the toner supply device 60 includes a nozzle holder 607 that fixes a conveying nozzle 611 to a frame 602 of the main body of the copier 500, and a set cover 608 is fixed to the nozzle holder 607. Furthermore, a toner drop conveying path 64 is fixed to the nozzle holder 607, and is arranged so as to communicate from below the conveying nozzle 611 to the inside of the conveying nozzle 611.

[0088] The toner drop transport path 64 may have a swing spring 640 disposed therein, as in the configuration shown in FIGS. One end of the swing spring 640 is engaged with the rotation shaft of the transport screw 614, and is configured to move up and down with the rotation of the transport screw 614. The swing spring 640 scrapes off toner stagnating or adhering near the inner wall surface of the tubular toner drop transport path 64 by this up and down movement. To improve the effectiveness of preventing clogging of the toner drop transport path 64, it is desirable to position the swing spring 640 close to the inner wall surface of the toner drop transport path 64. In this embodiment, since the toner drop transport path 64 is a cylindrical member, the swing spring 640 (a spring member whose diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the inner wall of the toner drop transport path 64) is used as the swing scraper. However, if the cross-sectional shape of the toner drop transport path 64 is not circular, the shape of the swing scraper can be adjusted to match the cross-sectional shape of the toner drop transport path 64.

[0089] In addition, a container rotation drive unit 91 is fixed to the frame 602. The container rotation drive unit 91 includes a drive motor 603 and a container drive gear 601, and further includes a worm gear 603a that transmits the rotational drive of the drive motor 603 to the rotation shaft of the container drive gear 601. A drive transmission gear 604 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the container drive gear 601 and is configured to mesh with a conveying screw gear 605 fixed to the rotation shaft of a conveying screw 614. With this configuration, by driving the drive motor 603 to rotate, the toner container 32 can be rotated via the container drive gear 601 and the container gear 601. In addition to rotating the toner container 32, the conveying screw 614 can be rotated via the drive transmission gear 604 and the conveying screw gear 605.

[0090] A clutch may be provided in the drive transmission path from the drive motor 603 to the container gear 301 or in the drive transmission path from the drive motor 603 to the conveying screw gear 605. By providing such a clutch, it is possible to realize a configuration in which only one of the toner container 32 and the conveying screw 614 is rotated when the drive motor 603 is driven to rotate.

[0091] Next, the conveying nozzle 611 of the toner supply device 60 will be described. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle shutter 612. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the nozzle shutter 612 as viewed from the side where the toner container 32 is attached (the nozzle tip side), and FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the nozzle shutter 612 as viewed from the toner supply device 60 side (the nozzle base side). FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the conveying nozzle 611 of the toner supply device 60, and FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the conveying nozzle 611 as viewed from the nozzle tip side with the nozzle shutter 612 removed, and FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the nozzle opening 610 with the nozzle shutter 612 removed. Note that the conveying screw 614 disposed in the conveying nozzle 611 is not shown in FIGS. 25, 26, and 28.

[0092] A container setting part 615 is formed at the base of the conveying nozzle 611, into which the container opening 33a is fitted when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60. The container setting part 615 is cylindrical, and its inner circumferential surface 615a slidably fits with the outer circumferential surface of the container opening 33a. This fitting positions the toner container 32 relative to the toner supply device 60 in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the toner container 32. When the toner container 32 rotates, the outer circumferential surface of the container opening 33a functions as a rotation axis, and the container setting part 615 functions as a bearing. The position at which the outer circumferential surface of the container opening 33a slidably contacts the container setting part 615 and positions the toner container 32 relative to the toner supply device 60 is indicated by α in FIG. 9 .

[0093] 22 and other figures, the nozzle shutter 612 is composed of a nozzle shutter flange portion 612a and a nozzle shutter cylindrical portion 612e. A shutter inner peripheral first rib 612b is formed on part of the upper part of the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle shutter cylindrical portion 612e near the end on the nozzle tip side. Meanwhile, a shutter inner peripheral second rib 612c and a shutter inner peripheral third rib 612d are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle shutter cylindrical portion 612e near the end on the nozzle base side, each extending around the inner peripheral surface. The circumferential length of the inner surface of the shutter inner peripheral first rib 612b is such that the nozzle shutter 612 can fit within the circumferential width of the nozzle opening 610 when attached to the conveying nozzle 611.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 25, the nozzle base side end of the nozzle shutter spring 613 abuts against the end surface 615b of the container setting section 615. Also, the nozzle tip side end of the nozzle shutter spring 613 abuts against the nozzle shutter spring receiving surface 612f of the nozzle shutter flange 612a. At this time, because the nozzle shutter spring 613 is in a compressed state, the nozzle shutter 612 is subjected to a biasing force in a direction in which it falls off from the nozzle tip side (to the left in FIG. 25). However, the shutter inner peripheral first rib 612b abuts against the edge of the nozzle opening 610 on the nozzle tip side, i.e., against the upper part of the inner wall surface of the nozzle tip portion 611a of the conveying nozzle 611. This prevents the nozzle shutter 612 from moving in a direction in which it falls off from the conveying nozzle 611 further than in the state shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. The nozzle shutter 612 is positioned relative to the conveying nozzle 611 in the direction of the rotation axis by the abutment of the shutter inner peripheral first rib 612b and the biasing force of the nozzle shutter spring 613.

[0095] Furthermore, an inner peripheral first rib tip 612g, which is the circumferential end of the shutter inner peripheral first rib 612b, is shaped to abut against a nozzle opening lateral edge 611s, which is the lateral edge of the nozzle opening 610. This is because when the nozzle shutter 612 tries to rotate in the direction of arrow A in Figure 26, the inner peripheral first rib tip 612g abuts against the nozzle opening lateral edge 611s. When the toner container 32 rotates, a force acts on the nozzle shutter 612, whose outer peripheral surface of the nozzle shutter cylindrical portion 612e comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container seal 333 fixed to the toner container 32, to rotate it in the direction of arrow A in Figure 26. If the nozzle shutter 612 rotates relative to the conveying nozzle 611 and the shutter inner peripheral first rib 612b moves out of alignment with the nozzle opening 610, the following problem may occur: That is, when the toner container 32 is removed from the toner supply device 60, the nozzle shutter 612 may fall off the conveying nozzle 611 due to the biasing force generated by the restoring action of the nozzle shutter spring 613.

[0096] Furthermore, depending on the elasticity of the nozzle shutter 612, the shutter inner peripheral first rib 612b that has come off the nozzle opening 610 may tightly grip the outer peripheral surface of the conveying nozzle 611, preventing the nozzle shutter 612 from moving relative to the conveying nozzle 611. In either case, when the toner container 32 is removed from the toner supply device 60, the nozzle opening 610 may remain open, causing toner leakage.

[0097] In contrast, in the toner supply device 60 of this embodiment, when the nozzle shutter 612 tries to rotate in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 26, the tip end 612g of the inner peripheral first rib abuts against the nozzle opening lateral edge 611s. This prevents the nozzle shutter 612 from rotating relative to the conveying nozzle 611 more than in the state shown in Fig. 26.

[0098] The inner diameters of the shutter inner second rib 612c and the shutter inner third rib 612d are formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical conveying nozzle 611. The shutter inner second rib 612c and the shutter inner third rib 612d, which are molded from resin, are elastically deformed, allowing the nozzle shutter 612 to be attached to the conveying nozzle 611. The two ribs (612c and 612d), whose inner diameters are smaller than the outer diameter of the conveying nozzle 611, come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the conveying nozzle 611 in an elastically deformed state, thereby improving the sealing between the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle shutter 612 and the outer circumferential surface of the conveying nozzle 611. This prevents toner leakage from between the nozzle shutter 612 and the conveying nozzle 611.

[0099] Furthermore, the toner supply device 60 of this embodiment uses a conical spring as the nozzle shutter spring 613. When the conical spring is fully compressed, adjacent coils can at least partially overlap, making it possible to shorten the length of the spring in the direction of its axis when fully compressed compared to a cylindrical spring of the same spring length. This allows for space savings in the direction of the axis of the nozzle shutter spring 613 when fully compressed.

[0100] Next, the process of mounting the toner container 32 to the toner supply device 60 will be described. 7 and 1, by moving the toner container 32 toward the toner supply device 60, the nozzle tip 611a of the conveying nozzle 611 comes into contact with the end face of the container shutter 332 on the container tip side. Furthermore, by moving the toner container 32 toward the toner supply device 60, the conveying nozzle 611 presses against the end face of the container shutter 332 on the container tip side. By pressing the container shutter 332, the container shutter spring 336 contracts, and accordingly the container shutter 332 is pushed into the interior of the toner container 32 (the rear end side of the container), and the nozzle tip side of the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted into the nozzle receiving opening 331. At this time, the nozzle shutter cylindrical portion 612e of the nozzle shutter 612 on the nozzle tip side of the nozzle shutter flange 612a is also inserted into the nozzle receiving opening 331 together with the conveying nozzle 611.

[0101] Further moving the toner container 32 toward the toner supply device 60 causes the surface of the nozzle shutter flange 612a opposite the nozzle shutter spring receiving surface to come into contact with the end surface of the container tip side of the container seal 333. Further squeezing the container seal 333 slightly causes it to come into contact with the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a. This fixes the position of the nozzle shutter 612 relative to the toner container 32 in the rotational axis direction. By further moving the toner container 32 toward the toner replenishing device 60, the conveying nozzle 611 is further inserted into the interior of the toner container 32. At this time, the nozzle shutter 612 abuts against the nozzle shutter abutment rib 337a and is pushed back toward the base of the conveying nozzle 611. This causes the nozzle shutter spring 613 to contract, and the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 to the conveying nozzle 611 moves toward the base of the nozzle. As this relative position moves, the nozzle opening 610 that was covered by the nozzle shutter 612 becomes exposed inside the container body 33, and the inside of the container body 33 and the inside of the conveying nozzle 611 communicate with each other.

[0102] When the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted into the nozzle receiving opening 331, the biasing forces of the compressed container shutter spring 336 and nozzle shutter spring 613 act to push the toner container 32 back toward the toner supply device 60 (the opposite direction of arrow Q in the figure). However, when attaching the toner container 32 to the toner supply device 60, the toner container 32 is moved toward the toner supply device 60 against this force until the container locking portion 339 engages with the toner supply device-side locking member 609. This causes the biasing forces of the container shutter spring 336 and nozzle shutter spring 613 and the engagement of the container locking portion 339 with the toner supply device-side locking member 609 to act. Due to the action of these biasing forces and engagement, the toner container 32 is positioned in the rotational axis direction relative to the toner supply device 60 in the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 .

[0103] As shown in FIG. 7 , the container locking portion 339 comprises a guide protrusion 339a, a guide groove 339b, a bridging portion 339c, and a rectangular locking hole 339d. Two pairs of these are arranged on either side of the container front cover 34, aligned with a vertical line passing through the nozzle receiving opening 331. The guide protrusion 339a is located on the vertical surface at the front end of the container front cover 34, on a horizontal line passing through the center of the nozzle receiving opening 331. The guide protrusion 339a has an inclined surface that connects to the guide groove 339b so that the replenishment device locking member 609 can abut against the guide protrusion 339a and guide it toward the guide groove 339b when the toner container 32 is installed. The guide groove 339b is a groove that is one step lower than the side peripheral surface of the container front cover 34.

[0104] The width of guide groove 339b is set slightly wider than the width of replenishing device side locking member 609 so that replenishing device side locking member 609 does not fall off the groove. The rear end of guide groove 339b does not directly connect to locking hole 339d, but terminates at the same height as the side circumferential surface of container front-end cover 34. That is, between guide groove 339b and locking hole 339d is the outer circumferential surface of container front-end cover 34, which is approximately 1 mm wide, and this corresponds to overhanging portion 339c. Replenishing device locking member 609 climbs over overhanging portion 339c and drops into locking hole 339d, thereby achieving connection between toner container 32 and toner replenishing device 60.

[0105] The toner container 32 is configured so that the container shutter 332 is located at the center of the line segment connecting the two container locking portions 339 on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. If the container shutter 332 is not located on the line segment connecting the two container locking portions 339, the following may occur: The distance from the line segment to the container shutter 332 acts as a lever, and the biasing forces of the container shutter spring 336 and the nozzle shutter spring 613 acting at the position of the container shutter 332 create a force moment that rotates the toner container 32 around the line segment. This force moment may cause the toner container 32 to tilt relative to the toner replenishing device 60. In this case, the mounting load of the toner container 32 increases, placing a load on the nozzle receiver 330 that holds and guides the container shutter 332.

[0106] In particular, when the toner container 32 is new and contains a sufficient amount of toner, a moment of force that takes into account the weight of the toner acts on the toner container 32 when the rear end of the toner container 32 is pushed in so that the conveying nozzle 611 protruding from the horizontal direction is inserted. This places a load on the nozzle receiver 330 into which the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted, and in the worst case, the nozzle receiver 330 may be deformed or damaged. In contrast, in the toner container 32 of this embodiment, the container shutter 332 is located on the line connecting the two container locking portions 339. Therefore, the biasing forces of the container shutter spring 336 and the nozzle shutter spring 613 acting at the position of the container shutter 332 prevent the toner container 32 from tilting relative to the toner replenishing device 60.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 31B, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the circular end surface of the container opening 33a of the toner container 32 does not come into contact with the end surface 615b of the container setting portion 615. This is for the following reason. If the circular end surface of the container opening 33a were to come into contact with the end surface 615b of the container setting portion 615, there is a risk that the circular end surface of the container opening 33a would abut against the end surface 615b of the container setting portion 615 before the engagement hole 339d of the container locking portion 339 engages with the supply device-side locking member 609. If this abutment occurs, the toner container 32 cannot be moved any further toward the toner supply device 60, and it becomes impossible to position the toner container 32 in the direction of the rotation axis. To prevent this, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, there is a slight gap between the circular end face of the container opening 33a and the end face 615b of the container setting portion 615.

[0108] Furthermore, with the toner container 32 positioned in the rotational axis direction in this manner, the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a is slidably fitted onto the inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting part 615. Therefore, as described above, the toner container 32 is positioned relative to the toner supply device 60 in the plane direction perpendicular to the rotational axis. This completes the installation of the toner container 32 in the toner supply device 60.

[0109] When the toner container 32 has been completely attached, the drive motor 603 is driven to rotate, thereby rotating the container body 33 of the toner container 32 and the conveying screw 614 in the conveying nozzle 611. As the container body 33 rotates, the toner in the container body 33 is transported by the spiral protrusion 302 to the container tip side of the container body 33. The toner that reaches the pumping section 304 through this transport is lifted above the nozzle opening 610 by the pumping section 304 as the container body 33 rotates. The toner that has been lifted above the nozzle opening 610 falls into the nozzle opening 610, and is supplied into the transport nozzle 611. The toner supplied into the transport nozzle 611 is transported by the transport screw 614 and replenished to the developing device 50 through the toner drop transport path 64. The flow of toner from the container body 33 to the toner drop transport path 64 at this time is indicated by arrow β in FIG.

[0110] <Third Embodiment> As a third embodiment, an improvement in the rotation timing of the toner container 32 and the like will be described. In the configurations of the first and second embodiments described above, the toner container 32 and the transport screw 614 are rotated simultaneously. The timing of their rotation may be configured such that when toner supply starts, the toner container 32 is rotated first, and the transport screw 614 is rotated after a certain time. Alternatively, when toner supply stops, the toner container 32 may be stopped first, and the transport screw 614 may be stopped after a certain time. A timing chart of such a rotation timing configuration is shown in FIG. 29.

[0111] In the rotation timing configuration shown in FIG. 29 , when toner replenishment is stopped, the rotation of the toner container 32 is stopped before the rotation of the transport screw 614 in the transport nozzle 611 is stopped. This rotation timing configuration allows the transport screw 614 to continue transporting toner while the supply of new toner to the nozzle opening 610 is stopped, and then the rotation of the transport screw 614 stops after a certain period of time. Therefore, when the rotation of the toner container 32 is stopped, the toner T present near the nozzle opening 610 of the transport nozzle 611 can be transported to the toner drop transport path 64 by the transport screw 614. This reduces the amount of toner T remaining on the transport nozzle 611 near the nozzle opening 610. When the toner container 32 is subsequently removed from the device body, the amount of toner on the transport nozzle 611 has been reduced, allowing the container seal 333 provided on the nozzle receiver 330 to easily clean the transport nozzle 611. This prevents toner from scattering and falling when the toner container 32 is attached to or detached from the device body.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above-described rotation timing configuration, when toner replenishment begins, the toner container 32 starts to rotate before the transport screw 614. Therefore, the transport screw 614 can start to rotate with the area around the nozzle opening 610 of the transport nozzle 611 filled with toner. This makes it possible to stabilize the amount of toner transported by one rotation of the transport screw 614 from the start of rotation of the transport screw 614, improving the stability of the amount of toner replenishment. In this way, the toner container 32 and the conveying screw 614 can be easily rotated at different timings by using separate drive sources to rotate them.

[0113] <Fourth Embodiment> As a fourth embodiment, an improvement will be described in which the rotation timing of the toner container 32 and the like in the third embodiment is changed using the same drive source. The configuration using the same drive source can be realized by providing a clutch. By using the same drive source, the configuration in which the rotation timings are made different as described above can be realized at low cost.

[0114] An example of a drive transmission unit configured to be able to vary the rotation timing using the same drive source is shown in Figure 30. Figure 30(a) is a front view of the drive transmission unit, and Figure 30(b) is an explanatory side cross-sectional view of the drive transmission unit taken along the HH cross section in Figure 30(a). The drive transmission unit shown in Figure 30 includes a container drive gear 601 fixed to a toner container drive shaft 650, and an idler gear 653 rotatably arranged about the toner container drive shaft 650. A gear surface hole 653a is formed in the idler gear 653 over half its circumference in the direction of rotation. The drive transmission unit also includes a drive pin 652 fixed to the container drive gear 601 and arranged to engage with the gear surface hole 653a. As shown in Figure 30(a), the drive transmission unit also includes a delayed rotation generating spring 651, one end of which is fixed to the idler gear 653 by a spring fixing pin 651a, and the other end of which is fixed to the drive pin 652.

[0115] Furthermore, on the front side of the idler gear 653, there is provided a spring guide disk 655 that is concentric with the idler gear 653, is arranged inside the gear surface hole 653a, and the delayed rotation generating spring 651 is arranged so that it extends along its outer peripheral surface. Also provided is a conveying screw gear 605 that is fixed to the rotation shaft of the conveying screw 614 , is gear-coupled with an idler gear 653 , and transmits the rotation of the idler gear 653 to the conveying screw 614 .

[0116] 30, when a drive motor (not shown) rotates the toner container drive shaft 650 in the direction of arrow I in the figure, the container drive gear 601 also rotates. Then, a drive pin 652 formed integrally with the container drive gear 601 rotates along a gear surface hole 653a provided in an idler gear 653. Then, when the container drive gear 601 rotates approximately 180° from the state in which the drive pin 652 is in the position shown by the solid line in Fig. 30(a), the drive pin 652 hits the end of the gear surface hole 653a as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 30(a). As the container drive gear 601 rotates further from the hit state, it enters a state in which it rotates the idler gear 653. As a result, the conveying screw gear 605 rotates via the idler gear 653, and the conveying screw 614 begins to rotate.

[0117] In this way, the time it takes for the drive pin 652 to move through the gear surface hole 653a after the toner container drive shaft 650 starts to rotate is the time difference between when the toner container 32 starts to rotate and when the conveying screw 614 starts to rotate. At this time, the delayed rotation generating spring 651 is stretched approximately halfway around the outer periphery of the spring guide disc 655 .

[0118] On the other hand, when the drive motor stops rotating the toner container drive shaft 650, the rotation of the drive pin 652 stops. At this time, a force acts on the delayed-rotation generating spring 651, which has one end fixed to the drive pin 652 and is extended beyond its natural length, to return it to its natural length, causing the idler gear 653 to rotate so as to bring the spring fixing pin 651a closer to the drive pin 652. The idler gear 653 then rotates by an amount equivalent to the gear surface hole 653a (approximately half a circumference). Therefore, after the rotation of the toner container 32 is stopped, the conveying screw 614 can be rotated by an amount equivalent to the rotation of the idler gear 653 caused by the delayed-rotation generating spring 651 described above. At this time, the target drive time difference can be set by appropriately setting various parameters, such as the number of teeth of the idler gear 653 and the conveying screw gear 605, the movable range of the drive pin 652 (the opening range of the gear surface hole 653a of the idler gear), the pitch of the conveying screw 614, and the width of the nozzle opening 610.

[0119] Furthermore, after the rotation of the toner container 32 is stopped, it is desirable to rotate the transport screw 614 by at least a transport amount equivalent to the longitudinal width of the nozzle opening 610 of the transport nozzle 611, and then stop the rotation of the transport screw 614. This allows the toner T present near the nozzle opening 610 of the transport nozzle 611 to be transported toward the toner drop transport path 64 rather than the position facing the nozzle opening 610. This transport makes it possible to more reliably prevent toner scattering and toner falling when the toner container 32 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body.

[0120] Furthermore, after the toner container 32 starts to be rotated, it is desirable to rotate the toner container 32 by at least the amount of toner that fills the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611 with toner T, and then start rotating the conveying screw 614. This further improves the stability of the amount of toner replenishment.

[0121] The fitting portion between the toner container 32 and the container setting portion 615 and the surrounding structure common to the first to twentieth embodiments will be described. As described above, the position where the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a comes into slidable contact with the container setting part 615 and the toner container 32 is positioned relative to the toner supply device 60 is indicated by α in Fig. 9. Here, the position α in Fig. 9 is not limited to a configuration having the functions of both a sliding part and a positioning part, but may be a configuration having the function of either a sliding part or a positioning part.

[0122] The toner container 32 of this embodiment is disposed at the opening of the container body 33 and includes a nozzle receiver 330 that forms a nozzle receiver opening 331 and a shutter support opening 335b. The nozzle receiver opening 331 is a portion into which a conveying nozzle 611 having a nozzle opening 610 serving as a powder receiving port is inserted, and the shutter support opening 335b is a supply port through which toner, which is powder inside the container body 33, is supplied to the nozzle opening 610. The toner container 32 is also supported by the nozzle receiver 330 and includes a container shutter 332 that serves as an opening / closing member that slides in the rotation axis direction to open and close the nozzle receiver opening 331 when the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted into or removed from the nozzle receiver 330. With this configuration, the nozzle receiver opening 331 of the toner container 32 remains closed until the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted, preventing toner leakage and scattering before the toner container 32 is installed in the toner supply device 60.

[0123] Furthermore, when the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted into the nozzle receiving opening 331 and the container shutter 332 is pushed by the conveying nozzle 611 and slides toward the back of the container, the toner that has accumulated near the shutter support opening 335b is pushed aside. Therefore, a space for the conveying nozzle 611 to enter the portion where the nozzle receiving opening 331 is formed can be secured around the shutter support opening 335b, and toner can be reliably supplied from the shutter support opening 335b to the nozzle receiving opening 331. In this way, the toner container 32 prevents leakage or scattering of the toner stored in the container body 33 before being attached to the toner supply device 60, and can reliably discharge the toner outside the container body 33 when attached to the toner supply device 60.

[0124] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, the nozzle receiving port 331 of the toner container 32 is formed closer to the rear end of the container than the end of the container tip side of the tip opening 305, i.e., at a position deeper into the opening formed by the cylindrical tip opening 305. Here, Fig. 64 shows an explanatory diagram of a toner container 32 as a comparative example in which the opening position of the nozzle receiving opening 331 in the rotation axis direction is the same as the end of the container on the tip side of the tip opening 305. Fig. 64(a) is an explanatory perspective view of the vicinity of the container tip side end of the toner container 32, and Fig. 64(b) is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the container tip side end of the toner container 32.

[0125] 1 to 21, etc., the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 64 maintains the nozzle receiving opening 331 closed until the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted. This prevents toner leakage and scattering before the container is attached to the toner supply device 60. Furthermore, when the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted into the nozzle receiving opening 331 and the container shutter 332 is pressed by the conveying nozzle 611 and slides toward the back of the container, the toner accumulated near the shutter support opening 335b is pushed aside. This ensures that toner can be reliably discharged outside the container body 33 when the container is attached to the toner supply device 60. The toner container 32 shown in Fig. 64 is configured to supply toner from the container body 33 to a nozzle opening 610 provided at the portion of the conveying nozzle 611 inserted into the container body 33. In this configuration, the contact portion between the conveying nozzle 611 and the container seal 333, which is the sealing portion of the container body 33 at which toner leakage is likely to occur, is spaced apart from the nozzle opening 610 that supplies toner from inside the container body 33 to the conveying nozzle 611. Therefore, even in the comparative example toner container 32 shown in Fig. 64, toner leakage from the contact portion between the container seal 333 and the conveying nozzle 611, which is spaced apart from the nozzle opening 610, can be prevented during toner supply operation when the toner container 32 is fully attached to the toner supply device 60.

[0126] However, when the transport nozzle 611 is inserted into the container body 33, the outer circumferential surface of the transport nozzle 611 comes into contact with the toner in the container body 33 due to the toner supply operation. Some of the toner that has come into contact remains attached to the transport nozzle 611 even when the transport nozzle 611 is removed from the toner container 32 (when it is removed from the toner supply device 60). Most of the toner that remains attached to the transport nozzle 611 is scraped off by the container seal 333 when the transport nozzle 611 passes through the contact area with the container seal 333. However, a small amount of toner may pass through the contact area with the container seal 333 along with the transport nozzle 611, resulting in toner leakage. This leaked toner may wrap around the outer circumferential surface of the container opening 33a of the toner container 32 or adhere to the inner circumferential surface 615a of the container setting portion 615. This may result in improper installation when the toner container 32 is reattached for replacement or other reasons, or may result in image defects due to the development of aggregated adhered toner.

[0127] 1 and the like, in toner containers 32 according to the first to twentieth embodiments, the end face of container body 33 on the container front side protrudes in the rotation axis direction further than the end face on the container front side where nozzle receiving opening 331 of nozzle receiver 330 opens. That is, in toner container 32, the opening position of nozzle receiving opening 331 is provided closer to the rear end of the container than the end on the container front side of front opening 305, which is the opening position of container body 33.

[0128] As described above, the nozzle receiving opening 331 is recessed from the opening of the container body 33, which prevents toner from adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a. This is because, even if toner leaks when the conveying nozzle 611 is removed from the toner container 32, the toner leaking from the nozzle receiving opening 331 and floating around is unlikely to wrap around the end of the container opening 33a on the container front side. Furthermore, the toner leaking from the nozzle receiving opening 331 and falling is caught on the inner peripheral surface below the front opening 305, which prevents toner from adhering to the inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting portion 615. As described above, the toner leaking from the nozzle receiving opening 331 can be contained within the area surrounded by the inner peripheral surface on the rear end side of the container opening 33a rather than the end face on the container front side, which prevents toner from scattering outside the toner container 32.

[0129] 1 and 9, in the first to 20th embodiments, the container setting part 615, which serves both as a positioning part and a rotational bearing for the toner container 32, is spaced farther from the nozzle opening 610, where toner scattering may occur, than when the toner container 32 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 64 is attached. Furthermore, the tip-side end of the container opening 33a on the toner container 32 side, which serves both as a positioning part and a rotational shaft for the toner container 32, protrudes from the nozzle opening 610, where toner scattering may occur. The nozzle shutter flange 612a and the nozzle shutter spring 613 are located in the space between the container setting part 615 and the nozzle receiving opening 331. This effectively prevents toner from adhering to the inner circumferential surface 615b of the container setting part 615 and the tip-side end of the container opening 33a, even during attachment and detachment.

[0130] Container shutter 332, which seals nozzle receiving opening 331, which is the toner discharge portion of toner container 32, is located closer to the rear end (backward) of the container than the container front end of tip opening 305 of container body 33. By locating it in this manner, a certain distance can be secured between container shutter 332 and the container front end of tip opening 305. This prevents toner from traveling from nozzle receiving opening 331, which is located further back than the opening position of container body 33, around the opening position of container body 33, and reaching the outer circumferential surface of container opening 33a, thereby preventing toner from scattering.

[0131] As described above, the toner container 32 is positioned relative to the toner supply device 60 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis by the fit between the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting part 615. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a of the container body 33, which is a powder storage member, is the positioning part with respect to the toner supply device 60, which is a powder conveying device. Therefore, if toner stains the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a, the fit with the inner peripheral surface of the container setting part 615 may change, and the positioning accuracy may decrease. In contrast, the toner container 32 of this embodiment can prevent toner from reaching the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a, thereby stabilizing the positioning accuracy of the toner container 32 relative to the toner supply device 60.

[0132] Furthermore, the contact portion between the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a and the inner peripheral surface of the container setting part 615 is in a sliding relationship when the toner container 32 rotates. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a of the container body 33, which is a powder storage member, is the sliding portion with the toner supply device 60, which is a powder conveying device. If toner enters this sliding portion, the sliding load increases, which may increase the rotational torque of the toner container 32. In contrast, the toner container 32 of this embodiment can prevent toner from reaching the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a and from entering the contact portion with the inner peripheral surface of the container setting part 615. This prevents an increase in the sliding load and stabilizes the sliding properties, thereby preventing an increase in the rotational torque of the toner container 32. Furthermore, because toner can be prevented from entering the sliding portion, the generation of toner aggregates due to toner being compacted at the sliding portion can be suppressed.

[0133] Furthermore, as described above, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the container seal 333 is crushed by the nozzle shutter flange 612a. As a result, the nozzle shutter flange 612a is in close contact with and pressurized by the container seal 333, more reliably preventing toner leakage. By arranging the container shutter 332 longitudinally inward from the opening position (toward the rear end of the container), a cylindrical space is formed between the front end of the toner container 32 and the end faces of the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333 on the container front end side.

[0134] The toner container common to the first to twentieth embodiments shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 31A and 31B are explanatory diagrams comparing a case where the position of the container front end end face 330f of the nozzle receiver 330 relative to the container front end end face 305f of the container opening 33a in the rotational axis direction is the same as that in the rear end of the container. Here, the container front end end face 330f of the nozzle receiver 330 is the end face where the nozzle receiving opening 331 opens. FIG. 31A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where the position of the container front end end face 330f of the nozzle receiver 330 relative to the container opening 33a in the rotational axis direction is the same as that in the end face 305f of the container opening 33a. FIG. 31B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where the position of the container front end end face 330f of the nozzle receiver 330 relative to the container opening 33a in the rotational axis direction is the rear end of the container.

[0135] 31(a) and 31(b), before conveying nozzle 611 is inserted into nozzle receiving opening 331 of nozzle receiver 330, nozzle shutter 612 is urged in the tube insertion direction (toward the right in the figure) by nozzle shutter spring 613. As a result, nozzle shutter 612 is positioned near the tip end of conveying nozzle 611 and closes nozzle opening 610. At this time, one end of nozzle shutter spring 613 abuts against the back side of nozzle shutter flange 612a, which is the abutment portion of nozzle shutter 612, and the other end of nozzle shutter spring 613 abuts against end face 615b of toner supply device 60.

[0136] The toner container 32, which is a powder storage container, is attached to the toner supply device 60 shown in FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b) by sliding it in the direction of arrow Q in FIG. 31 (container attachment direction). As the toner container 32 is attached in this manner, the nozzle shutter 612, which is biased in the direction opposite to the Q direction by the nozzle shutter spring 613, abuts against the end surface 330f of the container body 33 at the tip end of the container, where the nozzle receiving opening 331 of the nozzle receiver 330 is open. Thereafter, as the toner container 32 is further slid in the Q direction, the nozzle shutter 612 moves in the Q direction relative to the conveying nozzle 611 being inserted into the toner container 32. As a result, the nozzle shutter 612 moves toward the base of the conveying nozzle 611, opening the nozzle opening 610. Then, as shown in FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b), after the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the nozzle opening 610 is fully opened.

[0137] As the nozzle shutter 612 moves toward the base of the conveying nozzle 611, the nozzle shutter spring 613 is compressed. Then, as shown in FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b), after the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the length of the nozzle shutter spring 613 in the rotational axis direction is shortest, but at this time, the nozzle shutter spring 613 also has a certain amount of contact length in the rotational axis direction. For this reason, a retraction space (length W in the rotational axis direction) is required between the end surface 330f of the nozzle receiver 330 and the end surface 615b of the toner supply device 60. Here, the retraction space (length W in the rotational axis direction) is a space that can accommodate the nozzle shutter spring 613 and the portion of the nozzle shutter 612 that is closer to the container tip than the nozzle shutter flange 612a.

[0138] Furthermore, nozzle opening 610 needs to reach a position where it can receive the toner powder in container body 33, which is a powder storage member, and the optimal position of nozzle opening 610 is determined by the shape of container body 33. For this reason, if the shape of container body 33 is the same, the distance in the rotation axis direction from end surface 305f on the container tip side of container opening 33a in container body 33 to the optimal position of nozzle opening 610 is constant.

[0139] In such a configuration, if toner container 32 has the structure shown in Fig. 31(a), the following problem occurs: In the structure shown in Fig. 31(a), the position in the rotational axis direction of end face 305f on the container tip side of container opening 33a is the same as the position in the rotational axis direction of end face 330f on the container tip side where nozzle receiving opening 331 of nozzle receiver 330 opens.

[0140] Therefore, the distance (L1) from end surface 615b of toner supply device 60 to fitting portion 615s becomes longer than the length (W) of the retraction space in the rotation axis direction, which leads to an increase in the size of toner supply device 60. Furthermore, if the shape of container body 33 is the same, the distance in the rotational axis direction from end face 305f on the container tip side of container opening 33a in container body 33 to the optimal position of nozzle opening 610 is constant. Furthermore, the position of end face 305f on the container tip side of container opening 33a, which serves as the starting point for determining the position of nozzle opening 610 in the rotational axis direction, is located at a position that is at least the length (W) of the evacuation space in the rotational axis direction from end face 615b of toner supply device 60. Therefore, the distance (L2) from end face 615b of toner supply device 60 to the tip of conveying nozzle 611 becomes longer, leading to an increase in the size of toner supply device 60. Furthermore, the position of end face 305f on the container tip side of container opening 33a, which is the end on the container tip side of toner container 32, is located at a position that is at least length W of the rotation axis direction of the evacuation space from end face 615b of toner supply device 60. Therefore, the distance (L3) from end face 615b of toner supply device 60 to one end side edge of toner container 32 becomes long, which leads to an increase in the size of toner supply device 60 that holds toner container 32.

[0141] On the other hand, in the configuration shown in FIG. 31(b), the container front end side end surface 330f, where the nozzle receiving opening 331 of the nozzle receiver 330 opens, is provided closer to the rear end of the container (right side in FIG. 31) than the container front end side end 305f of the container opening 33a. Therefore, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the nozzle shutter flange portion 612a of the nozzle shutter 612 abuts at a position closer to the front end of the conveying nozzle 611 than the container front end side end surface 305f of the container opening 33a in the rotational axis direction. As a result, at least a portion of the evacuation space is located closer to the rear end of the container (the front end side of the conveying nozzle 611) than the container front end side end surface 305f of the container opening 33a. Therefore, the distance (L1) from the end surface 615b of the toner supply device 60 to the fitting portion 615s can be shortened (by La in FIG. 31) compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 31(a). Also, the distance (L2) from end surface 615b of toner supply device 60 to the tip of conveying nozzle 611 can be made shorter (by La in FIG. 31) than in the configuration shown in FIG. 31(a). Furthermore, the distance (L3) from end surface 615b of toner supply device 60 to one end of toner container 32 can be made shorter (by La in FIG. 31) than in the configuration shown in FIG. 31(a). Therefore, it is possible to prevent toner supply device 60, which is a powder conveying device, from becoming larger in size in the rotation axis direction.

[0142] In the configuration shown in FIG. 31(b), the end face of the nozzle receiver 330 on the container front side, where the nozzle receiving opening 331 is open, is located closer to the rear end of the container (to the right in FIG. 31) than the end face of the container opening 33a on the container front side (305f in FIG. 31). Here, the end face of the nozzle receiver 330 on the container front side where the nozzle receiving opening 331 is open is 330f in FIG. 31, which in the embodiment is the end face of the container seal 333 on the container front side or the container front end end of the nozzle shutter abutting rib 337a. Therefore, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the nozzle shutter flange 612a of the nozzle shutter 612 abuts at a position closer to the rear end of the container than the container front end end of the container opening 33a in the rotational axis direction. As a result, at least a portion of the evacuation space is within a cylindrical space formed between the opening position of the tip opening 305 (the container front end end) and the container front end end face of the container seal 333. 31(a) (by La in FIG. 31), which prevents the toner supply device 60 from becoming larger in size in the rotational axis direction. Here, L1 is the distance from the end surface 615b of the toner supply device 60 to the fitting portion 615s, and L2 is the distance from the end surface 615b of the toner supply device 60 to the tip of the conveying nozzle 611. Furthermore, L3 is the distance from the end surface 615b of the toner supply device 60 to the rear end of the toner container 32. If the toner supply device 60 is not to be made smaller, the container body 33 can be made longer in the rotation axis direction by La, and the amount of toner that can be stored in the toner container 32 can be increased.

[0143] When the toner container 32 is not attached to the toner supply device 60, the nozzle shutter 612 closes the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611. When the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the nozzle shutter 612 must be opened to allow the toner to be received. In toner supply device 60, a cylindrical space (tip opening 305) is formed between the container tip end of container opening 33a and the container tip end faces of container shutter 332 and container seal 333. A retraction space is configured within this space to accommodate all or part of the retraction space for nozzle shutter 612 when nozzle shutter 612 is open. This retraction space also accommodates all or part of nozzle shutter spring 613 for closing nozzle shutter 612. This configuration makes it possible to save space for arranging nozzle shutter 612 and nozzle shutter spring 613.

[0144] 9, in this embodiment, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the retracted position of the nozzle shutter 612 is such that the nozzle tip side of the nozzle shutter flange 612a is located inside the container seal 333. The nozzle base side of the nozzle shutter flange 612a is approximately contained within the cylindrical space formed between the opening position of the tip opening 305 (the container tip end) and the container tip end face of the container seal 333. Furthermore, the nozzle shutter spring 613 in a compressed state is also approximately contained within this cylindrical space. This configuration makes it possible to shorten the distance from the opening position of the tip opening 305, which is the most distal end of the toner container 32, to the toner dropping portion of the toner supply device 60 (the position where the toner dropping conveying path 64 is connected to the conveying nozzle 611), thereby enabling the device body to be made more compact.

[0145] As described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 28, when the nozzle shutter 612 is closed, the shutter inner circumferential first rib 612b abuts against the edge of the nozzle opening 610 on the nozzle tip side, i.e., against the upper part of the inner wall surface of the nozzle tip portion 611a of the conveying nozzle 611. This provides a function of preventing the nozzle shutter 612 from coming off. Furthermore, the shutter inner circumferential first rib 612b has an inner circumferential first rib tip portion 612g, which is its circumferential end, abuts against the nozzle opening lateral edge portion 611s, which is the lateral edge of the nozzle opening 610, providing a function of preventing rotation of the nozzle shutter 612. This function of preventing rotation of the nozzle shutter 612 also functions when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60.

[0146] As described above, the inner diameters of the shutter inner second rib 612c and the shutter inner third rib 612d are formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the conveying nozzle 611. For example, if the outer diameter of the conveying nozzle 611 is φ15 mm, the inner diameters of the shutter inner second rib 612c and the shutter inner third rib 612d should be set to approximately φ14.8 mm to φ14.9 mm. In this manner, the shutter inner second rib 612c and the shutter inner third rib 612d are formed on the inner surface of the nozzle shutter 612 in a circular shape with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the conveying nozzle 611. This seals the gap between the inner surface of the nozzle shutter 612 and the outer surface of the conveying nozzle 611, achieving a toner sealing function without a sealing member, eliminating the need for a sealing member such as sponge or rubber. Because there is no need to use a sealing member separate from the nozzle shutter 612, toner leakage can be prevented while reducing costs. To prevent toner leakage, an annular seal member may be placed instead of the shutter inner peripheral second rib 612c and the shutter inner peripheral third rib 612d. However, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle shutter 612 and the outer peripheral surface of the conveying nozzle 611 is too narrow for an annular seal member to fit. Therefore, when placing an annular seal member, an annular nozzle shutter seal member 612h is placed as shown in Figure 65. In this case, the outer diameter of the nozzle shutter seal receiving portion 612j is set smaller than the diameter of the nozzle shutter spring 613 so that the nozzle shutter spring 613 abuts against the nozzle shutter spring receiving surface 612f.

[0147] In order to assemble the nozzle shutter 612 to the conveying nozzle 611, the nozzle shutter 612 must be temporarily deformed, and therefore must be able to undergo a certain degree of elastic deformation. If a hard material that is difficult to elastically deform is used, the shutter will not elastically deform and may break during assembly. The nozzle shutter 612 is made of a material with appropriate elasticity. For example, if the outer shape of the conveying nozzle 611 is cylindrical, the nozzle shutter 612 will be cylindrical with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter. A first shutter inner rib 612b, which is a protrusion facing inward, is formed on the inner diameter of the nozzle shutter 612. By arranging this first shutter inner rib 612b facing the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611, it can function as a stopper for preventing the nozzle shutter 612 from coming off and rotating. The portion of the conveying nozzle 611 with which the protrusion of the nozzle shutter 612 engages is not limited to the nozzle opening 610, but may be any portion of the conveying nozzle 611 as long as the protrusion can provide a function of preventing the nozzle from coming off or rotating. According to experiments by the inventors, it is preferable to select a resin material with a tensile elastic modulus of 500 MPa to 2000 MPa as the material for the nozzle shutter 612. When assembling the nozzle shutter 612 to the conveying nozzle 611, three ribs (612b to 612d) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle shutter 612 provide resistance when inserting the conveying nozzle 611 into the nozzle shutter 612. This resistance becomes particularly large when the shutter inner peripheral first rib 612b passes over the nozzle tip portion 611a and enters the nozzle opening 610.

[0148] At this time, if the nozzle shutter 612 is made of a material with a certain degree of elasticity, the nozzle shutter 612 can be deformed and easily assembled. Another advantage is that the sliding load caused by the shutter inner circumferential second rib 612c and the shutter inner circumferential third rib 612d fastening the conveying nozzle 611 is not increased. Furthermore, if the nozzle shutter 612 is too easily deformed, the functions of the first inner circumferential rib 612b of the shutter to prevent it from coming off and to prevent it from rotating will be lost. The above-mentioned advantages can be stably obtained by selecting polyethylene or polypropylene as a material with a certain degree of elasticity to be used for such nozzle shutter 612. Furthermore, it is preferable that the thickness of nozzle shutter cylindrical portion 612e of nozzle shutter 612 be 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. By providing the nozzle shutter 612 with the above-described material properties and shape, the cost of the shutter mechanism that opens and closes the nozzle opening 610 can be reduced.

[0149] Next, the cap 370 common to the first to fourth embodiments will be described in relation to the toner container 32 during storage. Fig. 32 is a perspective view of toner container 32 during storage, with cap 370 attached as a sealing member that seals the tip opening 305 of toner container 32 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the tip end of toner container 32 with cap 370 attached.

[0150] The toner container 32 shown in FIG. 32 incorporates the following invention. Specifically, the toner container 32 is a powder storage container that stores toner as a powder developer therein and has a cap 370 attached to the container opening 33a as a sealing member that seals the nozzle receiving opening 331, which serves as a developer discharge port. As described above, the container opening 33a is part of the container body 33, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the container body 33 has the container opening 33a formed therein so as to penetrate the container front cover 34, which is necessary when fixing the toner container 32 to the toner supply device 60. This allows the container opening 33a of the container body 33 to be exposed through the container front cover 34. Furthermore, because the container opening 33a, which is part of the container body 33 where the toner is stored, can be directly sealed with the cap 370, the sealing effect is improved, making it possible to more reliably prevent toner leakage.

[0151] In the toner container 32 common to the first to twentieth embodiments, a cap flange 371 is provided on the cap 370. When the cap 370 is attached to the toner container 32, as shown in Fig. 32, the cap flange 371 is configured to hide the ID tag 700 provided on the container front cover 34. This makes it possible to prevent external contact and impact on the ID tag 700 while the toner container 32 is being stored, thereby protecting the ID tag 700. In the toner container 32 of the first to fourth embodiments, the cap flange 371 of the cap 370 is larger in outer diameter than the container front cover 34 and the container body 33. This prevents the toner container 32 from being damaged when dropped, etc., and protects the toner container 32.

[0152] Furthermore, the container opening 33a, which is part of the container body 33, is directly sealed by the cap 370, which provides a higher sealing effect than a configuration in which the container opening 33a is sealed via a member (for example, the container front cover 34) that is separate from the container body 33. The configuration in which the container opening 33a is directly sealed also makes it possible to hermetically seal the container body 33, which prevents air and moisture from entering the container body 33 and reduces the amount of packaging material used for the toner container 32 during storage.

[0153] When using the toner container 32 (attaching it to the toner replenishing device 60), the cap 370 is removed before use. The method for attaching the cap 370 to the toner container 32 may be any method, such as a screw method or a hook method, as long as it can be fixed. In this case, a fixing portion on the toner container 32, such as a thread for a screw method or a hook for a hook method, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a exposed from the container front cover 34. In the toner container 32 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, a cap fixing thread 309 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a, and a screw method is used as a method for fixing the sealing member. The configuration for sealing the opening formed by the tip opening 305 is not limited to fixing the cap 370 using a screw method, but the opening may also be sealed by pressing a film member against the tip end of the container opening 33a.

[0154] <Fifth Embodiment> As a fifth embodiment, a cap 370 provided with an adsorbent will be described. First, we will explain the toner container 32 that uses an adsorbent such as a desiccant during storage. Note that an adsorbent is not limited to moisture but can adsorb various substances (gases, etc.). Therefore, a desiccant is included in the adsorbent category. Examples of adsorbents include silica gel, aluminum oxide, and zeolite, but any material with adsorption properties will do.

[0155] If the container body 33 is completely sealed with the cap 370, the intrusion of air and moisture can be prevented, making the adsorbent unnecessary, and therefore packaging material also unnecessary. This method reduces the amount of packaging material, such as bags, cushioning materials, and individual boxes used to package the toner container 32, and also reduces the size of the packaging, thereby reducing the environmental impact through the reduction in materials used. However, the inventors have confirmed that the toner, which is a powder, generates gas and forms small clumps of toner, although the gas does not go as far as coagulating or solidifying. These agglomerates can lead to abnormal images, such as white spots and spots of various colors, and so their generation must be suppressed. If the toner does not generate gas itself, it may be configured to be sealed without an adsorbent, as shown in FIG. 33. However, it is desirable for the toner container 32, which contains toner that generates gas itself, to be equipped with an adsorbent that adsorbs this gas.

[0156] Figure 34 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a first example of a toner container 32 in which an adsorbent 372 is provided in a cap 370. The toner container 32 shown in Figure 34 incorporates the following invention. That is, the toner container 32 shown in Figure 34 differs from the toner container 32 shown in Figure 33 in that an adsorbent 372 is provided in a cap 370. When using the toner container 32 shown in Figure 34, operability is improved because the adsorbent 372 can be removed along with the cap 370 by removing the cap 370. However, in the configuration shown in FIG. 34, the adsorbent 372 is exposed to the outside air around the toner container 32, and therefore a packaging material is required.

[0157] <Sixth Embodiment> As a sixth embodiment, a second example of a cap 370 provided with an adsorbent will be described. FIG. 35 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a second example of a toner container 32 in which an adsorbent 372 is provided in a cap 370. The toner container 32 shown in FIG. 35 incorporates the following invention. Specifically, the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 35 stores toner as a powder developer inside. The toner container 32 is a powder storage container in which a cap 370 serving as a sealing member for sealing a nozzle receiving port 331, which serves as a developer discharge port, can be attached to a container opening 33a that forms a front opening so that the inside of the container body 33 is sealed. Furthermore, the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 35 has an adsorbent 372 provided inside the cap 370 that seals the front opening.

[0158] The toner container 32 shown in Figure 35 has an adsorbent 372 attached to the cap 370, which improves operability by allowing the adsorbent 372 to be removed along with the cap 370 by removing the cap 370 when in use, similar to the toner container 32 shown in Figure 34. Furthermore, the space that stores toner (the internal space of the container body 33) is completely sealed with the cap 370, which prevents air and moisture from entering the space that stores toner. Furthermore, since the adsorbent 372 is provided inside the sealed space, it can also adsorb gas generated from the toner itself, improving adsorption performance compared to the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 34. Furthermore, since the space that stores toner (the internal space of the container body 33) is sealed and the adsorbent 372 is provided in this sealed space, both the toner and the adsorbent 372 are not affected by the outside air around the toner container 32. This eliminates the need for packaging materials.

[0159] <Seventh Embodiment> As a seventh embodiment, a third example of a cap 370 provided with an adsorbent will be described. FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a third example of a toner container 32 in which an adsorbent 372 is provided in a cap 370. The toner container 32 shown in FIG. 36 incorporates the following invention. Specifically, the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 36 contains toner as a powder developer. The toner container 32 is a powder storage container in which a cap 370, serving as a sealing member for sealing a nozzle receiving port 331 serving as a developer discharge port, can be attached to a container opening 33a that forms a tip opening so that the interior of the container body 33 is sealed. The toner container 32 shown in FIG. 36 also contains an adsorbent 372 inside the cap 370 that seals the tip opening. Furthermore, the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 36 is arranged so that at least a portion of the adsorbent 372 fits within a recess at the tip of the toner container 32. Here, the recess at the tip of the toner container 32 refers to a cylindrical space formed between the opening of the tip opening 305 and the tip end surface of the container seal 333.

[0160] 36 has an adsorbent 372 attached to a cap 370. As with the toner container 32 shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, this improves operability because the adsorbent 372 can be removed together with the cap 370 by removing the cap 370 when using the toner container 32. 35, the space that stores toner (the internal space of the container body 33) is completely sealed with the cap 370, thereby preventing air and moisture from entering the space that stores toner. Furthermore, since the adsorbent 372 is provided inside the sealed space, gas generated from the toner itself can also be adsorbed, improving adsorption performance compared to the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 34. Furthermore, since the space that stores toner (the internal space of the container body 33) is sealed and the adsorbent 372 is provided in this sealed space, both the toner and the adsorbent 372 are not affected by the outside air around the toner container 32. This eliminates the need for packaging materials.

[0161] 36 has the same effect as the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 35, and in addition, at least a portion of the adsorbent 372 is disposed so as to fit within the recess at the tip of the toner container 32, thereby shortening the length in the rotational axis direction of the cap 370. This allows the toner container 32 to be made smaller during storage.

[0162] Furthermore, in the case where the toner container 32 is sealed with the cap 370, a packing material or the like may be used to improve the degree of adhesion between the container opening 33a of the toner container 32 and the cap 370. Furthermore, the configuration in which the adsorbent 372 is provided on the cap 370 may be such that the adsorbent 372 is provided integrally with the cap 370 (fixed to the cap 370) or provided separately (not fixed to the cap 370). However, providing the adsorbent 372 integrally by fixing it to the cap 370 allows the cap 370 and the adsorbent 372 to be removed together, which prevents forgetting to remove the adsorbent 372 and improves operability.

[0163] Here, a problem with conventional toner containers, in which the space (container body) that contains the toner cannot be directly sealed with a sealing member, will be described. In recent years, the toner used in image forming devices has tended to have poor heat resistance due to the trend toward lower temperature fixation and smaller particle size. Therefore, if the toner is exposed to a high temperature during transportation, it may aggregate and, in the worst case, solidify, potentially making it impossible to supply the toner from the toner container to the image forming device. It is known that this aggregation and solidification of toner is significantly more likely to occur in higher humidity environments, given the same temperature. Toner containers are delivered to users via various routes, and the environment cannot be controlled. For example, transport can be by land, air, or sea, but controlling the temperature and humidity of these routes is difficult.

[0164] One solution to this problem is to use a container that controls the transport environment, but this is impossible to implement for all transport routes and is costly. To address this issue, the toner container 32 of the first to seventh embodiments can directly seal the container opening 33a, which is part of the container body 33 where the toner is stored, with the cap 370, improving the sealing effect and more reliably preventing toner leakage. Furthermore, because of the improved sealing effect, the toner container 32 is less susceptible to the effects of the external environment during storage.

[0165] Furthermore, by removing the cap 370 from the toner container 32, it becomes possible to attach the toner container to the toner supply device 60, so that a powder storage container that is easy to use can be provided. Furthermore, because the cap 370 is shaped to protect the ID tag 700 and the toner container 32, the amount of cushioning material and individual packaging boxes used to package the toner container 32 can be reduced, and the size of the packaging can also be made smaller, thereby reducing the environmental impact by reducing the amount of materials used.

[0166] <Embodiment 8> As the eighth embodiment, a first example of a toner container 32 having a cap 370 equipped with a toner leakage prevention means will be described. After the toner container 32, which is a powder storage container, is supplied to a user, it is often handled by the user, and since there is no particular way to regulate how it is handled, it may be handled roughly. For this reason, the toner container 32 needs to have sufficient measures in place to prevent vibration and dropping so that toner leakage does not occur even if it is handled roughly. It is necessary to prevent toner leakage from nozzle receiving opening 331. To prevent this leakage, it is necessary to prevent toner from leaking out when a gap occurs between container seal 333 that forms nozzle receiving opening 331 and container shutter 332 that closes nozzle receiving opening 331.

[0167] FIG. 37 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a first example of a toner container 32 according to an eighth embodiment, in which a toner leakage prevention means is provided in the cap. The toner container 32 shown in FIG. 37 incorporates the following invention. Specifically, the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 37 is a powder storage member having a container body 33, a container seal 333, a container shutter 332, and a cap 370, in which a cylindrical member 373 is attached to the cap 370. Here, the container body 33 is a powder storage member that stores toner powder therein, and the container seal 333 forms a nozzle receiving opening 331, which is a tube receiving opening, provided at an opening on the front end of the container body 33. The container shutter 332 is an opening / closing member for the nozzle receiving opening 331, the cap 370 is a sealing member for the opening on the front end of the container body 33, which is the powder discharge side, and the cylindrical member 373 is a toner leakage prevention means.

[0168] In the toner container 32 shown in Fig. 37, the columnar member 373 is formed from a material different from that of the cap 370, and the container tip side in the rotational axis direction of the toner container 32 (left side in Fig. 37) is fixed to the cap 370 with an adhesive or the like. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 37, when the cap 370 is attached, the columnar member 373 is configured so that the end face on one end side in the rotational axis direction of the toner container 32 (right side in Fig. 37) comes into contact with the container tip side end face of the container shutter 332. The end face on one end side of the columnar member 373 is circular, and has a diameter larger than the container tip side end face of the container shutter 332 and a diameter smaller than the outer periphery of the annular end face of the container tip side of the container seal 333.

[0169] With this configuration, when the cap 370 is attached to the toner container 32, one end face of the cylindrical member 373 simultaneously contacts the end faces of the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333 at the forward end of the container. At this time, the end face of the cylindrical member 373 at the rear end of the container contacts the boundary between the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333 so as to straddle the boundary. This directly seals the nozzle receiving opening 331, preventing toner leakage even if a gap occurs between the container seal 333 and the container shutter 332 due to impact from vibration or dropping. In this way, the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 37 can prevent toner leakage and is advantageous in terms of resistance to vibration and dropping, and can prevent toner leakage even if the toner container 32 is handled roughly during transportation, etc.

[0170] 37, the columnar member 373 is formed from a different material from the cap 370. This allows the cap 370 to be made from an inexpensive resin such as polystyrene resin, and the columnar member 373 to be made from a flexible material such as rubber or sponge. By making the columnar member 373 from a flexible material, the columnar member 373 adheres better to the end faces of the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333 on the container front end side when it comes into contact with these members. This is therefore even more effective in preventing toner leakage caused by vibration or impact due to a drop. Furthermore, by making the cap 370 from a cheaper resin such as polystyrene resin, which is a different material from the columnar member 373, it is possible to reduce costs while maintaining the toner leakage prevention function provided by the columnar member 373.

[0171] <Ninth Embodiment> As a ninth embodiment, a second example of a toner container 32 having a cap 370 equipped with a toner leakage prevention means will be described. Figure 38 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a second example of a toner container 32 in which a toner leakage prevention means is provided in the cap. The toner container 32 shown in Figure 38 includes the following invention. That is, the toner container 32 shown in Figure 38 is a powder storage member having a container body 33, a container seal 333, a container shutter 332, and a cap 370, in which a cylindrical portion 374 is formed integrally with the cap 370. Here, the cylindrical portion 374 is the toner leakage prevention means.

[0172] 38, when the cap 370 is attached, the columnar portion 374 formed as part of the cap 370 comes into contact with the container shutter 332. At this time, the end face of the columnar portion 374 on one end side (right side in FIG. 38) in the rotation axis direction of the toner container 32 comes into contact with the end face of the container front end side (left side in FIG. 38) of the container shutter 332. The end face on one end side of the columnar portion 374 has a circular shape, and its diameter is larger than that of the end face of the container front end side of the container shutter 332 and smaller than that of the annular outer periphery of the end face of the container front end side of the container seal 333.

[0173] With this configuration, when the cap 370 is attached to the toner container 32, one end face of the cylindrical portion 374 simultaneously contacts the container shutter 332 and the container tip-side end faces of the container seal 333. At this time, the one end face of the cylindrical portion 374 contacts the boundary between the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333 so as to straddle the boundary. This directly seals the nozzle receiving opening 331, preventing toner leakage even if a gap occurs between the container seal 333 and the container shutter 332 due to impact from vibration or dropping. Thus, the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 38 can prevent toner leakage, is advantageous against vibration and dropping, and can prevent toner leakage even if the toner container 32 is handled roughly during transportation, etc. Furthermore, because the cylindrical portion 374 can be integrally formed (integrally molded) as part of the cap 370, costs can be reduced.

[0174] <Tenth Embodiment> As a tenth embodiment, a third example of the toner container 32 having a cap 370 equipped with a toner leakage prevention means will be described. Figure 39 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a third example of a toner container 32 in which a toner leakage prevention means is provided in the cap. The toner container 32 shown in Figure 39 incorporates the following invention. That is, the toner container 32 shown in Figure 39 is a powder storage container having a container body 33, a container seal 333, a container shutter 332, and a cap 370, in which a cylindrical portion 374 is formed integrally with the cap 370. Furthermore, this powder storage member is provided with a cylindrical tip elastic member 375 on the end surface of the cylindrical portion 374 that comes into contact with the nozzle receiving opening 331. The cylindrical tip elastic member 375 is made of a highly flexible material such as rubber or sponge.

[0175] 39, when the cap 370 is attached, the cylindrical tip elastic member 375 of the cylindrical portion 374 comes into contact with the end face of the container shutter 332 on the container tip side (left side in FIG. 39). Here, the cylindrical portion 374 is formed as part of the cap 370, and the cylindrical tip elastic member 375 is provided on the end face of the cylindrical portion 374 on one end side in the rotational axis direction of the toner container 32 (right side in FIG. 39). The end face on the one end side of the cylindrical tip elastic member 375 is circular, and has a diameter larger than the end face of the container shutter 332 on the container tip side and smaller than the outer periphery of the annular end face of the container seal 333 on the container tip side.

[0176] With this configuration, when the cap 370 is attached to the toner container 32, one end face of the cylindrical tip elastic member 375 simultaneously contacts the container shutter 332 and the container tip-side end faces of the container seal 333. At this time, the one end face of the cylindrical tip elastic member 375 contacts the boundary between the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333 so as to straddle the boundary. This directly seals the nozzle receiving opening 331, preventing toner leakage even if a gap occurs between the container seal 333 and the container shutter 332 due to impact from vibration or dropping. Thus, the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 39 can prevent toner leakage, is advantageous in terms of resistance to vibration and dropping, and can prevent toner leakage even if the toner container 32 is roughly handled during transportation, etc. In particular, in the configuration shown in FIG. 39, the cap 370 is attached by providing the cylindrical tip elastic member 375 at the tip of the cylindrical portion 374. As a result, when the cylindrical tip elastic member 375 comes into contact with the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333, the adhesion to these members is improved compared to the toner container 32 shown in Figure 38. This is more effective in preventing toner leakage caused by vibration or impact due to dropping.

[0177] <Embodiment 11> As an eleventh embodiment, a fourth example of the toner container 32 having a cap 370 equipped with a toner leakage prevention means will be described. Figure 40 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a fourth example of a toner container 32 in which a toner leakage prevention means is provided in the cap. The toner container 32 shown in Figure 40 includes the following invention. That is, the toner container 32 shown in Figure 40 is a powder storage container having a container body 33, a container seal 333, a container shutter 332, and a cap 370, and a cylindrical portion 374 is provided in the cap 370. Furthermore, an adsorbent 372 is provided inside this cylindrical portion 374 in a form that is open to the outside, i.e., exposed to the outside air.

[0178] The toner container 32 shown in Fig. 40 has a configuration in which an adsorbent 372 is added to the toner container 32 shown in Fig. 38, and therefore has an advantage over the toner container 32 shown in Fig. 38 in terms of resistance to vibration and dropping. This makes it possible to prevent toner leakage even if the toner container 32 is roughly handled during transportation, etc. Also, since the columnar portion 374 can be made integrally with the cap 370 (integrally molded), costs can be reduced. 40 is provided with adsorbent 372, which can prevent air and moisture from entering the interior of toner container 32. Also, adsorbent 372 is provided in columnar portion 374 formed in cap 370, so that when cap 370 is removed for use, adsorbent 372 can be removed along with cap 370, improving operability.

[0179] However, in the configuration shown in Figure 40, the adsorbent 372 is exposed to the outside air around the toner container 32, and since the adsorbent 372 is provided to absorb moisture around the toner container 32, packaging material such as a storage bag is required. Normally, cap 370 is sufficient, but if cap 370 is not required to have a sealing property (for example, when used to absorb shock), a configuration having a cylindrical portion 374 and an adsorbent 372 as shown in Figure 40 is effective.

[0180] <Embodiment 12> As a twelfth embodiment, a fifth example of the toner container 32 having a cap 370 equipped with a toner leakage prevention means will be described. Figure 41 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a fifth example of a toner container 32 in which a toner leakage prevention means is provided in the cap. The toner container 32 shown in Figure 41 incorporates the following invention. That is, the toner container 32 shown in Figure 41 is a powder storage container having a container body 33, a container seal 333, a container shutter 332, and a cap 370, and a cylindrical portion 374 is provided in the cap 370. The cap 370 can be attached to the container opening 33a that forms the tip opening so that the inside of the container body 33 is sealed. Furthermore, an adsorbent 372 is arranged inside the cylindrical portion 374 so as to adsorb objects to be adsorbed in the space sealed by the cap 370. 41, in order to allow the adsorbent to adsorb gases and the like generated from the toner itself, suction holes 374a are provided as openings on the side surfaces of the cylindrical portion 374. The space sealed by the cap 370 and the space in which the suction holes 374a are arranged are configured to be in a state of communication with each other.

[0181] The toner container 32 shown in Fig. 41 has a configuration in which the end face on the container tip side of the cylindrical portion 374 of the toner container 32 shown in Fig. 38 is blocked and an adsorbent 372 is added thereto. Therefore, like the toner container 32 shown in Fig. 38, this has an advantage over the toner container 32 shown in Fig. 38 in terms of resistance to vibration and dropping, and toner leakage can be prevented even if the toner container 32 is handled roughly during transportation, etc. 41 is provided with adsorbent 372, which can prevent air and moisture from entering the interior of toner container 32. In addition, adsorbent 372 is provided in columnar portion 374 formed in cap 370, so that when cap 370 is removed for use, adsorbent 372 can be removed along with cap 370, improving operability.

[0182] In the toner container 32 shown in FIG. 41, the space that stores toner (the internal space of the container body 33) is completely sealed with the cap 370, thereby preventing air and moisture from entering the space that stores toner. Furthermore, the space sealed by the cap 370 is in communication with the space in which the adsorption holes 374a are arranged, so that gas generated from the toner itself can also be adsorbed, improving adsorption performance compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 40. Furthermore, because the space that stores toner (the internal space of the container body 33) is sealed and the adsorbent 372 is provided in this sealed space, both the toner and the adsorbent 372 are not affected by the outside air around the toner container 32. This eliminates the need for packaging materials.

[0183] 40 and 41, the toner container 32 has been described as having the adsorbent 372 provided in the columnar portion 374 formed integrally with the cap 370. However, the toner leakage prevention means for providing the adsorbent 372 may be a columnar member 373 provided separately from the cap 370, as shown in FIG. 37 to 41, a screw system is used as a method for fixing the cap 370, which is a sealing member. However, as with the configuration described in FIG. 33 etc., any method for attaching the cap 370 to the toner container 32 may be used as long as it can be fixed, such as a screw system or a hook system.

[0184] 37 to 41 (embodiments 8 to 12), the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333 are held down by a columnar member 373, a columnar portion 374, or a columnar tip elastic member 375. This provides an advantage over the container in terms of resistance to vibrations and shocks from being dropped, and prevents toner leakage even if the container is handled roughly during transportation. Furthermore, the cylindrical member 373, the cylindrical portion 374, or the cylindrical tip elastic member 375 presses the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333, so movement of the container shutter 332 is restricted even when the toner container 32 is vibrated or dropped. In addition, the container shutter 332 is in contact with the container seal 333 with some degree of compression, so no gaps are created and toner leakage does not occur. 36 to 41 (Embodiments 7 to 12) all utilize the space between the end of the container opening 33a and the container shutter 332. This space was originally intended to house the nozzle shutter 612 and the nozzle shutter spring 613 in close contact when attached to the toner supply device 60, thereby suppressing toner scattering and reducing size. The inventions of FIGS. 36 to 41 are also advantageous in that the space is utilized even when the toner container 32 is engaged with the cap 370 when stored alone.

[0185] <Embodiment 13> The fixing of the nozzle receiver 330 to the container body 33 by screwing will be described. The toner container 32 of embodiments 1 to 12 described using Figure 11 etc. is configured so that after toner is filled into the container body 33 through the opening of the container opening 33a at a toner filling factory etc., the nozzle receiving member 330 is press-fitted into the container opening 33a of the container body 33. Therefore, each component can be reused by releasing this press-fitting, removing nozzle receiver 330 from container body 33, and refilling toner into container body 33. Furthermore, removing nozzle receiver 330 from container body 33 facilitates disassembly and sorting, enabling material recycling.

[0186] Next, a configuration example in which the nozzle receiver 330 is fixed to the container body 33 by screwing will be described. Fig. 42 is a perspective view of a container shutter support member 340 used in a nozzle receiver 330 that is fixed to the container body 33 by screwing. The container shutter support member 340 shown in Fig. 42 has a screw thread 337c formed on the outer peripheral surface of the receiver fixing portion 337. Although not shown, a thread groove used for screwing with the screw thread 337c is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the container opening 33a of the container body 33 of the toner container 32 that uses the container shutter support member 340 shown in Fig. 42. In the nozzle receiver 330 using the container shutter support member 340 shown in Fig. 42, the container shutter 332 is held by the container shutter support member 340 together with the container seal 333, and is then screwed to the container body 33. The toner container 32 including the container shutter support member 340 shown in Fig. 42 has the same configuration as the toner container 32 described using Fig. 11 etc., except that the nozzle receiver 330 is fixed to the container body 33 by screws.

[0187] In the toner container 32 described above with reference to Figure 11 and other figures, the opening of the container opening 33a, through which toner is filled, is blocked by the press-fitted nozzle receiver 330. This makes it difficult to remove the nozzle receiver 330 from the container body 33 after use, which can make recycling difficult. Recycling here includes refilling, in which the toner container 32 is refilled with toner and reused, and material recycling, in which the toner container 32 is disassembled and the materials are sorted.

[0188] To address this problem, in a toner container 32 using the container shutter support member 340 shown in FIG. 42, the nozzle receiver 330 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 42 while the toner container 32 is fixed. Alternatively, the toner container 32 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. 42 while the nozzle receiver 330 is fixed. This rotation releases the nozzle receiver 330 from the container body 33, making it easy to remove the nozzle receiver 330 from the container body 33 after use. This allows the nozzle receiver 330, which blocks the opening of the container opening 33a (the toner filling port), to be easily removed from the container body. Therefore, a toner container 32 using the container shutter support member 340 shown in FIG. 42 can be easily refilled with toner after use and reused as a toner container 32.

[0189] The nozzle receiver 330 is composed of a container shutter support member 340, a container shutter 332, a container seal 333, a container shutter spring 336, and other components. The container shutter support member 340 and the container shutter 332 are made of resin materials such as ABS, PS, and POM. The container seal 333 is made of sponge or other materials, and the container shutter spring 336 is made of SW-C (hard steel wire), SWP-A (piano wire), SUS304 (stainless steel wire for springs), and other materials. In this way, the nozzle receiver 330 is composed of different materials. Therefore, the nozzle receiver 330 can be easily removed from the container body 33 made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), etc., facilitating material recycling by disassembling the toner container 32 and sorting the materials.

[0190] This embodiment also includes the following invention. That is, in the toner container 32 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6 etc., the spiral protrusion 302 on the side surface of the container body 33 on the right side as viewed from the container tip is wound in a direction that inclines so that the upper part is closer to the container tip. Therefore, the container body 33 rotates so that the side surface of the container body 33 on the right side as viewed from the container tip moves from top to bottom (rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure), thereby conveying the toner in the container body 33 to the container tip side. The nozzle receiver 330 rotates in the direction A in the figure together with the container body 33, but because the container seal 333 slides against the conveying nozzle 611, a frictional force acts from the conveying nozzle 611 in a direction that stops the rotation. Here, we will discuss a case where the winding direction of the thread 337c is different from that shown in Figure 42. In such a case, the winding direction of the thread 337c is the same as that of the spiral protrusion 302, that is, the winding direction of the thread 337c on the side surface of the receiver fixing part 337, which is on the right side as viewed from the tip of the container, is inclined upward toward the tip of the container (right-handed screw direction). In this way, when the winding direction of the thread 337c is different from that shown in Figure 42, when the container body 33 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the rotation direction of the container body 33 is a direction that loosens the screw connection with the receiver fixing part 337.

[0191] In contrast, in the toner container 32 using the container shutter support member 340 shown in Fig. 42, the winding direction of the screw thread 337c is set to be opposite to the winding direction of the spiral protrusion 302. That is, in the toner container 32 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 42, the screw thread 337c is formed so that the nozzle receiver 330 has a left-handed thread. This prevents rotation of the container body 33 in the direction of arrow A from loosening the screws that secure the nozzle receiver 330 to the container body 33.

[0192] Next, the positional relationship between the pumping wall surface 304f and the shutter side surface support portion 335, which are components inside the container body 33, will be described. First, let us discuss the problem. When there is a sufficient amount of toner in the container body 33, such as immediately after the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, toner continues to be supplied to the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611, to the extent that it overflows. For this reason, the shutter side support portion 335a rotates across the top of the nozzle opening 610 to break up the overflowing toner, and the rotation amount of the conveying screw 614 is controlled by intermittent rotation, so that the target amount of toner can be replenished to the developing device 50.

[0193] On the other hand, as the amount of toner in the container body 33 decreases over time, the ratio of the amount of toner that slips through the gap between the end of the pumping wall surface 304f on the rotation center side and the conveying nozzle 611 to the amount of toner that flows from the pumping portion 304 toward the nozzle opening 610 increases. This reduces the amount of toner that can be replenished to the developing device 50. When the amount of toner that can be replenished to the developing device 50 decreases, the toner concentration of the developer G in the developing device 50 becomes unstable, and the toner container 32 must be replaced. In this state, a large amount of toner remains in the container body 33, which results in a problem of a large amount of toner remaining in the toner container 32 when it is replaced.

[0194] FIG. 43 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis of container body 33 to which nozzle receiver 330 is fixed, where the position in the rotation axis direction is the position of pumping section 304. This embodiment includes the following invention. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 43 , in the toner container 32, when the nozzle receiver 330 is fixed to the container body 33, the outer peripheral surface of the shutter side support portion 335a is set to face the inner wall surface of the container body 33 upstream of the protrusion 304h. Specifically, of the inner wall surfaces separated by the protrusion 304h, which corresponds to the ridge line of the protrusion that protrudes inward from the container body 33, the inner wall surface upstream in the rotation direction of the container body 33 faces the outer peripheral surface of the shutter side support portion 335a. This setting has the following advantage. Specifically, when viewed from a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, the pumping wall surface 304f, which is the inner wall surface downstream in the rotation direction of the container body 33, of the inner wall surfaces separated by the protrusion 304h of the container body 33, can be positioned relatively above the shutter support opening 335b as the container body 33 rotates. The nozzle opening 610 always faces upward. Therefore, when the rotation of the toner container 32 causes the pumping section 304 to move upward, the shutter support opening 335b also moves upward, and the toner pumped up by the pumping section 304 passes through the shutter support opening 335b and is supplied to the nozzle opening 610.

[0195] 43, the downstream end surface 335c of the shutter side surface support portion 335a in the direction of rotation is positioned close to the protrusion 304h that protrudes toward the rotation center of the container body 33. As a result, the toner that flows downward along the pumping wall surface 304f falls onto the downstream end surface 335c in the direction of rotation and is repelled, and is supplied to the nozzle opening 610. In other words, the downstream end surface 335c in the direction of rotation has the function of bridging the toner received from the pumping wall surface 304f to the nozzle opening 610.

[0196] The bridging function of the shutter side surface support portion 335a common to the first to twentieth embodiments will be described. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the pumping section 304 and the nozzle receiving port 331 of the container body 33 common to embodiments 1 to 20. Fig. 44 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the container body 33 in the E-E cross section taken at the tip side of the conveying nozzle 611 in Fig. 9 and at the end face of the bearing of the conveying screw 614. Also, Figure 45 is a schematic diagram functionally representing the cross section in the E-E cross section. Figure 45(a) is a schematic diagram of a functional comparison example, and is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the shutter side surface support portion 335a does not function as a bridging means. Figure 45(b) is a schematic diagram functionally representing Figure 44, and is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the shutter side surface support portion 335a functions as a bridging means.

[0197] First, let us consider the problems. In a configuration capable of controlling the amount of toner transported in a toner transport tube, as in Patent Document 6, stable toner transport is possible as long as there is sufficient toner near the opening of the transport tube. However, when the amount of toner in the toner container decreases, the amount of toner transported decreases, and stable toner transport becomes impossible. This occurs because, even though the spiral protrusions inside the toner container can move the toner to the entrance, the toner slips off before reaching the opening of the transport tube, reducing the amount of toner entering the transport tube. When the amount of toner transported decreases and stable toner transport becomes impossible, the toner concentration in the developer in the developing device becomes unstable, requiring the toner container to be replaced. In this state, a large amount of toner remains in the container body, resulting in the problem of a large amount of toner remaining in the toner container when it is replaced.

[0198] 9, conveying nozzle (conveying tube) 611 is inserted into nozzle receiver (tube insertion member) 330 in container body 33. Nozzle opening (powder receiving port) 610 of conveying nozzle 611 inserted into nozzle receiver 330 is open, and toner can be conveyed to the toner supply device. The pumping portion 304 partially overlaps with the nozzle opening 610 in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32, and partially corresponds to the inner wall surface of the container body 33 on the rear end side of the container from the nozzle opening 610. In detail, the pumping portion 304 is formed by the inner wall of the container body 33 protruding in the rotation axis direction, and is composed of a convex portion 304h corresponding to the ridgeline of the protruding portion, and a pumping wall surface 304f which is the wall surface on the downstream side in the container rotation direction of the inner wall surface separated by the ridgeline (see FIG. 44).

[0199] As shown in Figure 44, the ridge of the protrusion 304h is a gentle mountain-like shape due to the fact that the container body 33 is formed by blow molding. In Figure 9 and other figures, the protrusion 304h is conveniently represented by a curved line to distinguish the pumping portion 304f. The pumping wall surface 304f is a lattice region as shown in Figure 9, and as shown in Figure 44, it is composed of a pair of slopes connecting the protrusion 304h and the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33, with the rotation axis of the container body 33 as the reference point of point symmetry. In the E-E cross section, the wall surface upstream of the container rotation direction among the inner wall surfaces separated by the ridge line appears thick as shown in Figure 44 because the cutting direction of the E-E cross section and the extending direction of the wall surface generally coincide. The protrusion 304h is also located in a region that appears thick at first glance.

[0200] In Figure 44, a tubular conveying nozzle 611 has a nozzle opening 610 that is open upward. Between the conveying nozzle 611 and the protrusion 304h, a pair of shutter side support portions 335a fixed to the container body 33 are located, and rotate integrally with the pumping wall surface 304f as the container body 33 rotates. At the EE cross section (the tip side of the conveying nozzle 611, at the end face of the bearing of the conveying screw 614), the protrusion 304h and the shutter side support portions 335a are positioned opposite each other. When viewed from the downstream side in the container rotation direction, there are the pumping wall surface 304f, the downstream end face 335c of the shutter side support portion 335a in the rotation direction, and the lateral edge portion 611s of the nozzle opening 610 on the upstream side in the rotation direction.

[0201] Similar to the pumping action described above with reference to Fig. 43, the pumping portion 304 formed by the pumping wall surface 304f of the container body 33 in Fig. 44 also moves the toner as indicated by the arrow T1 toward the nozzle opening 610, which is the opening of the transport nozzle 611, which is the transport pipe. At this time, the outer peripheral surface and the downstream end surface 335c of the shutter side surface support portion 335a in the rotation direction function as a toner bridging portion that bridges the toner from the pumping portion 304 to the nozzle opening 610.

[0202] As shown in FIG. 44, the inner diameter of the shutter side support portion 335a is larger than the outer diameter of the conveying nozzle 611. This prevents the conveying nozzle 611, which has passed through the area in contact with the container seal 333, from coming into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the shutter side support portion 335a, reducing the load applied when inserting the conveying nozzle 611 into the container body. The nozzle receiver 330 is formed with a container seal 333 whose inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the conveying nozzle 611, preventing toner in the container body 33 from leaking out along the outer circumferential surface of the conveying nozzle 611 to the outside of the container body 33. This prevents toner from flowing out of any route other than the toner transport path from the container body 33 through the conveying nozzle 611 toward the developing device 50.

[0203] The details of the bridging function will be explained using the schematic diagrams of Figures 45(a) and (b). 45(a) shows the flow of toner inside the container body 33 when the shutter side support portion 335a is configured not to perform the bridging function. When the container body 33 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the toner is pumped up along the circumferential direction of the container body by the pumping wall surface 304f and flows toward the nozzle opening 610 due to gravity (arrow T1 in the figure). However, some toner flows out from the gap between the transport nozzle 611 and the protrusion 304h (the protrusion protruding toward the rotation center of the pumping wall surface 304f) (arrow T2 in the figure).

[0204] More specifically, the state shown in Figure 45(a) represents the moment when the pumping wall surface 304f is not yet sufficiently elevated and the protrusion 304h is located at around the 9 o'clock position. At this moment, as viewed from downstream in the rotational direction of the container body 33, the upstream nozzle opening lateral edge 611s, the protrusion 304h of the pumping wall surface 304f, and the downstream end face of the shutter side support portion 335a are located in this order. In this state, the end face of the intermediate shutter side support portion 335a is always lagging behind the protrusion 304h of the pumping wall surface 304f, which is attempting to transfer the toner, and is therefore unable to function as a toner bridge. As a result, some toner leaks from the gaps between the conveying nozzle 611, the protrusion 304h, and the shutter side support portion 335a. This can cause problems such as unstable replenishment speed and an increased amount of toner remaining in the container body 33 when replacing the toner container 32.

[0205] FIG. 45(b) shows the flow of toner inside the container body 33 having the shutter side support portion 335a that functions as a bridge means. As the container body 33 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, the toner is pumped up by the pumping wall surface 304f along the circumferential direction of the container body, and flows by gravity toward the nozzle opening 610 (arrow T1 in the figure), which is the same as the configuration shown in Figure 45(a). However, in the configuration shown in Figure 45(b), the shutter side support portion 335a is arranged to close the gap between the conveying nozzle 611 and the convex portion 304h (the convex portion protruding toward the rotation center of the pumping wall surface 304f). To achieve this, the downstream end surface 335c of the shutter side support portion 335a in the rotation direction and the convex portion 304h of the pumping portion 304 are arranged in this order when viewed from the downstream side in the rotation direction of the container body 33.

[0206] This arrangement suppresses the toner flow as indicated by arrow T2 in Figure 45(a), and the pumped toner efficiently enters nozzle opening 610. This stabilizes the replenishment speed even when the amount of toner in container body 33 is low, and also reduces the amount of toner remaining in container body 33 when replacing toner container 32. Furthermore, because the amount of toner remaining in container body 33 can be reduced upon replacement, running costs can be reduced, improving economy, and the amount of residual toner to be discarded can be reduced, thereby reducing the impact on the environment.

[0207] To close the gap between the conveying nozzle 611 and the protrusion 304h, it is best to have the shutter side support portion 335a and the protrusion 304h tightly contact each other. However, as long as it is possible to prevent toner from flowing off as in T2, a small gap (approximately 0.3 mm to 1 mm) between the shutter side support portion 335a and the protrusion 304h, as shown in the lower protrusion 304h in Figure 45(b), is acceptable. This is because a small gap acts as a seal, as toner clogs the gap when a large amount of toner is present at the start of replenishment. Furthermore, because the pumping wall surface 304f is formed by blow molding, which does not have the same dimensional precision as injection molding, it is difficult to achieve perfect contact, and therefore, from the perspective of mass production, it is preferable to leave a small gap.

[0208] Figure 46 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of toner remaining in the container and the replenishment speed (amount of toner replenished per unit time) for the embodiment (configuration shown in Figures 44 and 45(b)) and the comparative example (configuration shown in Figure 45(a)). 46 shows that in the example, the replenishment speed remains stable even when the amount of toner remaining in the container becomes low, but in the comparative example, the replenishment speed decreases as the amount of toner remaining in the container becomes low. This is because in the comparative example, which does not have a bridging member, toner passes through (slips away from) the gap that forms between the end of the pumping wall surface 304f, which is part of the container body 33, on the rotation center side and the conveying nozzle 611. For this reason, when the amount of toner remaining becomes low, a sufficient amount of toner cannot reach the nozzle opening 610, and the amount of toner supplied to the nozzle opening 610 cannot be maintained, resulting in a decrease in the replenishment speed.

[0209] The toner container 32 of the example shown in Figures 9, 44, and 45(b) incorporates the following invention. Specifically, pumping wall surfaces 304f are provided in two locations on the container body, and bridging members (shutter side support portions 335a) are provided in two locations corresponding to the pumping wall surfaces 304f. It is effective to provide the same number of pumping portions 304 and bridging members, such as providing three bridging members when the container body 33 has three pumping wall surfaces 304f. Similarly, when the container body 33 has four or more pumping portions, it is effective to provide the same number of bridging members as the pumping portions 304.

[0210] Of course, there are multiple shutter side support portions 335a, but it is also possible to use fewer, limited locations as bridging members to correspond to the pumping wall surface 304f. For example, it is conceivable to use only one of the two shutter side support portions 335a as a bridging member, and form only one pumping wall surface 304f on the container body 33 to correspond to it. In addition, although the parts cost will be higher than that of the toner container 32 in Figure 1, we will consider a configuration in which the container body 33 is a cylindrical member made of resin (for convenience, we will refer to it as the container body 1033 to distinguish it from the container bodies of other embodiments), and part of the internal conveying member has a pumping function.

[0211] Fig. 47(a) is a perspective view of a nozzle receiver 330 integrated with a pumping rib 304g corresponding to the pumping wall surface 304f (hereinafter referred to as a nozzle receiver 1330). Fig. 47(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the nozzle receiver 1330 of Fig. 47(a) disposed inside a container body 1033, illustrating its relationship with the conveying nozzle 611. Fig. 47(c) is an explanatory side cross-sectional view of the entire toner container 1032 equipped with the nozzle receiver 1330 shown in Fig. 47(a), and Fig. 47(d) is a perspective view of a container shutter 1332, which is a part of the toner container 1032.

[0212] The nozzle receiving member 1330 shown in Figure 47 is equipped with the pumping rib 304g as described above, and is integrally formed with a conveying blade holding portion 1330b to which a conveying blade 1302 made of a flexible material such as a resin film is fixed. 47 includes a container seal 1333, a nozzle receiving opening 1331, a container shutter 1332, and a container shutter spring 1336. The container seal 1333 is a sealing member that has an abutment surface that faces and abuts against the nozzle shutter flange 612a of the nozzle shutter 612 held by the conveying nozzle 611 when the toner container 1032 is attached to the main body of the copier 500. The nozzle receiving opening 1331 is an opening through which the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted, and the container shutter 1332 is a shutter member that opens and closes the nozzle receiving opening 1331. The container shutter spring 1336 is a biasing member that biases the container shutter 1332 toward a position that closes the nozzle receiving opening 1331.

[0213] 47, the nozzle receiver 1330 has a nozzle receiver outer peripheral surface 1330a that slidably fits with the container setting section inner peripheral surface 615a of the copier 500 main body. As shown in FIG. 47(d), the container shutter 1332 has a contact portion 1332a that contacts the conveying nozzle 611 and a shutter support portion 1332b. The shutter support portion 1332b extends from the contact portion 1332a in the longitudinal direction of the container body 1033 and has a hook portion 1332c that prevents the container shutter 1332 from falling off the nozzle receiver 1330 due to the biasing force of the container shutter spring 1336. The toner container 1032 has a container gear 1301, which is configured separately, fixed to the nozzle receiver 1330 so as to be capable of transmitting drive force. In this way, the structure for pumping the toner from the inner wall surface, the bridging portion, and the shutter support opening 1335b into the nozzle opening 610 can be integrated.

[0214] Next, the toner container 1032 having the pumping ribs 304g will be described in detail. 47(c), the toner container 1032 is composed of a container front cover 1034, a container body 1033, a bottom lid 1035, a nozzle receiver 1330, etc. The container front cover 1034 is provided on the front side of the toner container 1032 in the mounting direction relative to the main body of the copier 500, and the container body 1033 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The bottom lid 1035 is provided on the rear end side of the toner container 1032 in the mounting direction, and the nozzle receiver 1330 is rotatably held by the above-mentioned substantially cylindrical container body 1033.

[0215] The container front cover 1034 is provided with a gear exposing opening 1034a (similar to the gear exposing opening 34a) (not shown) for exposing the container gear 1301 fixed to the nozzle receiver 1330. The substantially cylindrical container body 1033 rotatably holds the nozzle receiver 1330, and the container front cover 1034 and the bottom lid 1035 are fixed (by a known method such as thermal welding or adhesive). The bottom lid 1035 has a rear end bearing 1035a that supports one end of the transport blade holder 1330b described above, and has a handle 1303 that the user can grip when attaching or detaching the toner container 1032 to or from the copier 500 body.

[0216] Next, a method for assembling the container front end cover 1034, the bottom lid 1035, and the nozzle receiver 1330 to the container body 1033 will be described. First, the nozzle receiver 1330 is inserted into the container body 1033 from the rear end side of the container, and is positioned so that the nozzle receiver 1330 is rotatably supported by the front end bearing 1036 on the front end side of the container body 1033. Next, the rear end bearing 1035a provided on the bottom lid 1035 is positioned so that it rotatably supports one end of the conveying blade holding portion 1330b of the nozzle receiver 1330, and the bottom lid 1035 is fixed to the container body 1033. Thereafter, the container gear 1301 is fixed to the nozzle receiver 1330 from the front end side of the container. After the container gear 1301 is fixed, the container front end cover 1034 is fixed to the container body 1033 so as to cover the container gear 1301 from the front end side of the container. In addition, any known method (e.g., thermal welding, adhesive, etc.) can be used to fix the container body 1033 to the container tip side cover 1034, the container body 1033 to the bottom lid 1035, and the nozzle receiving member 1330 to the container gear 1301.

[0217] Next, a configuration for transporting toner from the toner container 1032 to the nozzle opening 610 will be described. The pumping rib 304g extends from the downstream end 1335c of the shutter side support portion 1335a in the rotational direction to the vicinity of the inner circumferential surface of the container body 1033, connecting its rib surface. The rib surface is bent at one point midway to form a nearly curved surface, but this configuration is not necessary depending on the compatibility with the toner. A simple, flat rib without bends may also be used. This configuration eliminates the need for a raised portion on the container body 1033. Furthermore, because the pumping rib 304g extends integrally from the shutter support opening 1335b, it can provide a bridging effect similar to that achieved by closely contacting the shutter side support portion 335a and the protrusion 304h. Specifically, when the nozzle receiver 1330 rotates while the toner container 1032 is installed in the image forming apparatus body, the conveying blade rotates, transporting the toner contained inside the toner container 1032 from the rear end toward the front end where the nozzle receiver 1330 is provided. The toner conveyed by the conveying blade 1302 is received by the lift-up rib 304g, which rotates to lift it from below upward, allowing the toner to flow up to the nozzle opening 610 using the rib surface as a slide.

[0218] Next, configurations for fixing the nozzle receiver 330 to the container body 33 in the toner container 32 will be described as embodiments 14 to 19. Note that the container gear 301 shown in Figures 48, 49, 51(b), and 52(b) is shown in a roller-like form with the gear teeth omitted.

[0219] <Embodiment 14> 48 to 50 are explanatory diagrams of a toner container 32 according to the fourteenth embodiment. FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the toner container 32 according to the fourteenth embodiment with the nozzle receiver 330 removed from the container body 33, and FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the tip end of the toner container 32 according to the fourteenth embodiment and a container set part 615. FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of the toner container 32 according to the fourteenth embodiment, with FIG. 50(a) being a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the tip end of the toner container 32, and FIG. 50(b) being an enlarged explanatory diagram of region η in FIG. 50(a). The container tip cover 34 is not shown in FIGS. 48 to 50, and the container shutter 332 is not shown in FIGS. 48 and 49. The nozzle shutter 612 is not shown in FIG. 50.

[0220] As described in the previous embodiments, the container body 33 of the toner container 32 of the fourteenth embodiment is formed by blow molding, but this blow molding tends to have lower accuracy than injection molding, which is generally used for resin molding. As a result, the circularity of the cylindrical cross section of the container opening 33a, which is part of the container body 33 formed by blow molding, may be poor. As described above, the container opening 33a (the container outer peripheral surface in the radial direction of the tip opening 305) is slidably fitted to the inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting part 615. This positions the toner container 32 relative to the toner supply device 60 in a plane direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. If the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a, which contributes to positioning, is not round enough, there is a risk that the position of the toner container 32 relative to the toner supply device 60 will change when the toner container is rotated.

[0221] On the other hand, since the nozzle receiving member 330 is a typical resin molded product made by injection molding, it can be molded with higher precision than the container body 33, and the receiving member fixing portion 337, which is part of the nozzle receiving member 330, can be molded into a cylindrical shape with good roundness. In the fourteenth embodiment, the outer diameter of receiver fixing portion 337 of nozzle receiver 330 is larger than the inner diameter of container opening 33a. With this configuration, when nozzle receiver 330 is attached to container body 33, the outer peripheral surface of container opening 33a is corrected to follow receiver fixing portion 337, improving the roundness. By improving the roundness of the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a, the positioning accuracy of the toner container 32 relative to the toner supply device 60 is improved.

[0222] Furthermore, if the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a is not round enough, it is necessary to set the inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting portion 615 larger in size to account for variations in shape. However, setting the inner peripheral surface 615a larger increases the degree of freedom of displacement of the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a relative to the inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting portion 615 in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, resulting in increased backlash. On the other hand, in the fourteenth embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the container opening 33a is better round, eliminating the need to set the inner peripheral surface 615a of the container setting portion 615 larger, thereby reducing backlash. This reduced backlash improves the positioning accuracy of the toner container 32 relative to the toner supply device 60.

[0223] As shown in Figures 48(a) and 50, the nozzle receiver 330 has two receiver engagement protrusions 3301 on the outer peripheral surface of the receiver fixing portion 337. The two receiver engagement protrusions 3301 are positioned 180° apart in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface, i.e., positioned on opposite sides of the receiver fixing portion 337. Their shape is a rectangle extending in the circumferential direction when viewed from the radial direction of the cylindrical receiver fixing portion 337. As shown in Figure 48(b), they are trapezoidal when viewed from the axial direction of the receiver fixing portion 337. Their protrusion (height) is approximately 0.5 mm from the peripheral surface of the receiver fixing portion 337. The slope of the trapezoid is located downstream in the rotational direction of the container body 33. The surface opposite the slope is upright in the radial direction and located upstream in the rotational direction of the container body 33.

[0224] Meanwhile, two tip opening engagement holes 3051 are provided in the container opening 33a of the container body 33. The two tip opening engagement holes 3051 are provided at positions offset by 180° in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the container opening 33a, i.e., at opposing positions on the inner peripheral surface of the container opening 33a, so as to communicate between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface. The tip opening engagement holes 3051 are elongated holes extending circumferentially when viewed from the radial direction of the receiver fixing portion 337.

[0225] With this configuration, when nozzle receiver 330 is attached to container body 33, two receiver engaging protrusions 3301 engage with two tip opening engaging holes 3051, respectively. This engagement prevents nozzle receiver 330 from coming off or rotating relative to container body 33. This rotation stopper is effective in maintaining the relative positional relationship between the above-mentioned pumping inner circumferential surface 304f, its protrusion 304h, and the shutter side surface support portion 335a, which is a bridging member, so as to perform the toner bridging function. The reason why the receiving member engaging protrusion 3301 is formed into a trapezoidal shape in the axial direction is as follows.

[0226] Next, a detailed explanation will be given based on Figure 48(b). Rotating the receiver fixing portion 337 toward the inclined surface allows the nozzle receiver 330 to be easily removed from the container body 33, facilitating the draining and refilling of toner from the container body 33. When the container body 33 is mounted in a toner supply device and driven, the surface facing the radial direction opposite the inclined surface is located upstream of the rotational direction of the container body 33, and therefore receives the rotational force transmitted from the container gear 301 via the abutment with the leading-end opening engagement hole 3051. In other words, the vertical surface opposite the inclined surface of the receiver engaging projection 3301 rotates so that it is always engaged with the leading-end opening engagement hole 3051. This prevents the nozzle receiver 330 from rotating relative to the container body 33 during the supply operation and causing misalignment. If the inclined surface of the trapezoid were located downstream of the rotational direction, the inclined surface would receive the rotational force, potentially causing misalignment.

[0227] Additionally, a circular receiving member outer circumferential seal 3302 is provided at a step where the outer diameter of receiving member fixing portion 337 of nozzle receiving member 330 becomes smaller. This step faces a step where the inner circumference of container opening 33a becomes smaller, and when nozzle receiving member 330 is attached to container body 33, receiving member outer circumferential seal 3302 is sandwiched between the two step portions. This prevents toner inside container body 33 from leaking out through a gap between the outer peripheral surface of receiving member fixing portion 337 and the inner peripheral surface of container opening 33a.

[0228] Furthermore, receiving member outer circumferential seal 3302 is compressed by two stepped portions. Therefore, when nozzle receiving member 330 is attached to container body 33, the restoring force of compressed receiving member outer circumferential seal 3302 acts to push nozzle receiving member 330 back against container body 33. This restoring force is received by the abutment (engagement) between the vertical surface of receiving member engaging protrusion 3301 and the inner surface of tip opening engaging hole 3051.

[0229] As described above, in the fourteenth embodiment, the container opening 33a is corrected to follow the receiving member fixing portion 337, improving the circularity. Container body 33 including container opening 33a is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and cylindrical container opening 33a has a wall thickness W1 of 1.1 mm. Nozzle receiver 330 including receiver fixing portion 337 is made of PS (polystyrene), and cylindrical receiver fixing portion 337 has a wall thickness W2 of 2 mm. When the press-fit margin (the difference between the outer diameter of receiver fixing portion 337 and the inner diameter of container opening 33a) is set to 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm, good results are obtained in terms of the positioning accuracy of toner container 32 relative to toner supply device 60 and the prevention of toner leakage.

[0230] Generally, press-fitting is used to secure parts together, but the mechanism according to the fourteenth embodiment allows for larger part tolerances. This ensures mass productivity, and the engagement by the receiving member engaging protrusion 3301 absorbs the restoring force of the receiving member outer circumferential seal 3302 so that the press-fitting can be achieved even with a very small value of at least 0.01 mm. Furthermore, the receiving member engaging protrusion 3301 serves as a rotation stopper. The press-fitting portion is configured to correct the shape of the container opening 33a, separating the functions of fixing the axial position of the parts together and correcting the shape of the container opening 33a.

[0231] In the fourteenth embodiment, the nozzle receiver 330 is fixed to the container body 33 using the receiver engaging protrusion 3301. However, if the nozzle receiver 330 is fixed to the container body 33 only by engaging the receiver engaging protrusion 3301, there is a risk that the nozzle receiver 330 will be misaligned with respect to the container body 33 in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the toner container 32. In contrast, in the fourteenth embodiment, the nozzle receiver 330 is press-fitted while correcting the container opening 33a, which prevents the nozzle receiver 330 from being misaligned with respect to the container body 33 in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the toner container 32.

[0232] As described above, in the fourteenth embodiment, the container body 33 and the nozzle receiver 330 are fixed together by both engagement using the receiver engaging protrusion 3301 and press-fitting. The engagement of the receiver engaging protrusion 3301 determines the amount of compression of the receiver outer seal 3302, which is made of rubber packing or the like, and contributes to positioning of the toner container 32 in the direction of the rotational axis. Meanwhile, the more the shape of the container opening 33a is corrected to match the shape of the receiver fixing portion 337 by press-fitting, the closer the outer surface of the receiver fixing portion 337 and the inner surface of the container opening 33a are to each other. This press-fitting contributes to positioning of the toner container 32 in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis.

[0233] <Embodiment 15> Like embodiment 14, embodiment 15 has a configuration that can be shown in Figures 48 to 50, but differs from embodiment 14 in that the outer diameter of the receiving member fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiving member 330 is smaller than the inner diameter of the container opening 33a. The container opening 33a and the receiving member fixing portion 337 are made of a hard material because dimensional accuracy is required for fitting with the toner supply device 60. Specifically, the nozzle receiver 330 having the receiving member fixing portion 337 is made of PS (polystyrene), and the container body 33 having the container opening 33a is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). When the container opening 33a and the receiving member fixing portion 337 are fixed to each other by press-fitting, the inner circumferential surface of the container opening 33a tightly seals the outer circumferential surface of the receiving member fixing portion 337. To improve the tightness of contact between the inner circumferential surface of the container opening 33a and the outer circumferential surface of the receiving member fixing portion 337, it is possible to increase the outer diameter of the receiving member fixing portion 337 relative to the inner diameter of the container opening 33a. While increasing the outer diameter of the receiving member fixing portion 337 can correct the container opening 33a, as in the toner container 32 of the fourteenth embodiment, it also requires a large press-fit force during assembly. If the press-fitting force is too large, there is a risk that the container opening 33a and the receiving member fixing portion 337 may be deformed or damaged, so the dimensional tolerances of the fitting portions of both must be set small and must be strictly controlled during the process.

[0234] On the other hand, simply making the outer diameter of receiver fixing portion 337 smaller than the inner diameter of container opening 33a causes the following problem: Even if an engagement portion is provided to prevent disengagement and positioning is performed in the rotation axis direction, receiver fixing portion 337 of nozzle receiver 330 moves up and down within container opening 33a within the component tolerances. This makes it difficult to seal the gap between container opening 33a and receiver fixing portion 337.

[0235] Therefore, in the fifteenth embodiment, the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the container opening 33a and the outer circumferential surface of the receiver fixing portion 337 is sealed by a ring-shaped receiver outer seal 3302, which is a sealing member made of an elastic material. Specifically, the receiver outer seal 3302 is sandwiched between the container opening 33a and the receiver fixing portion 337, causing the receiver outer seal 3302 to be elastically deformed and compressed, thereby forming a seal. Because the receiver outer seal 3302 is elastically deformed, a restoring force acts in a direction that causes the receiver fixing portion 337 to slip out of the container opening 33a. However, in the fifteenth embodiment, the engagement between the receiver engaging protrusion 3301 and the tip opening engaging hole 3051 prevents the receiver fixing portion 337 from moving in a direction that causes it to slip out of the container opening 33a. This positions the nozzle receiver 330 relative to the container body 33 in the rotational axis direction.

[0236] Furthermore, because receiver outer circumferential seal 3302 seals the gap between the inner circumferential surface of container opening 33a and the outer circumferential surface of receiver fixing portion 337 in an elastically deformed state, a restoring force to the deformation acts over the entire circumferential area between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface. The action of this restoring force determines the position of receiver fixing portion 337 in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis inside container opening 33a, thereby positioning nozzle receiver 330 relative to container body 33 in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. This positioning is effective in maintaining the relative positional relationship between pumping inner circumferential surface 304f, its protrusion 304h, and shutter side support portion 335a, which serves as a bridging member, that allows for toner bridging.

[0237] In the fifteenth embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of container opening 33a and the outer peripheral surface of receiver fixing portion 337 are not sealed, which allows for a larger dimensional tolerance of the parts. By increasing the dimensional tolerance, mass productivity can be improved. Furthermore, even if receiver fixing portion 337 of nozzle receiver 330 moves up and down within container opening 33a within the dimensional tolerance, receiver outer peripheral seal 3302 elastically deforms to form a seal, thereby preventing toner leakage.

[0238] In the fifteenth embodiment, sealing is achieved by compressing receiver outer circumferential seal 3302, which is a sealing member, between the inner circumferential surface of container opening 33a, which is the seal receiving surface, and the outer circumferential surface of receiver fixing portion 337, which is the seal receiving surface. Receiver engaging protrusion 3301, which is an engaging portion on the outer circumferential surface of receiver fixing portion 337, fits into and engages with tip opening engaging hole 3051, which is an engaged portion of container opening 33a. This engagement absorbs the repulsive force (restoring force) from compressed receiver outer circumferential seal 3302, preventing it from coming off. The repulsive force from receiver outer circumferential seal 3302 and the prevention of coming off due to the engagement determine the axial position of toner container 32, preventing nozzle receiver 330 from coming off from container body 33 due to impact caused by external force, etc.

[0239] Furthermore, the tip opening engagement hole 3051 in the container opening 33a requires a certain degree of strength because the restoring force of the receiving member peripheral seal 3302 acts upon the engagement of the receiving member engagement protrusion 3301. For this reason, it is desirable for the tip opening engagement hole 3051 to utilize the strength of the thick portion of the container opening 33a. In the fifteenth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 50, the cap fixing thread 309 is located closer to the container tip than the tip opening engagement hole 3051 (upper side in FIG. 50), and is thicker than other portions of the container opening 33a. By utilizing the strength of such a thick portion, it is possible to prevent damage to the container opening 33a due to the restoring force of the receiving member peripheral seal 3302. In the fifteenth embodiment, a configuration was described in which the receiving member outer seal 3302, which is a sealing member, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving member fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiving member 330, but the sealing member may also be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the container opening 33a of the container body 33.

[0240] <Embodiment 16> Next, we will explain a first modified example (hereinafter referred to as embodiment 16) of a configuration in which, similar to embodiment 15, the nozzle receiving member 330 is positioned relative to the container body 33 by utilizing elastic deformation of a sealing member that seals the gap between the container body 33 and the nozzle receiving member 330. 51A and 51B are explanatory diagrams of a toner container 32 according to a sixteenth embodiment, in which FIG. 51A is an explanatory perspective view of a nozzle receiver 330, and FIG. 51B is an explanatory perspective view of a container body 33. In FIG.

[0241] 51 includes the following invention: The toner container 32 of the sixteenth embodiment shown in Fig. 51 has an insertion position restricting portion at the rear end of each of the receiving member engaging protrusion 3301 (the engaging portion) and the leading end opening engaging hole 3051 (the engaged portion) that restricts the insertion position in the rotational direction when the nozzle receiving member 330 is inserted into the container body 33. The shape of the sixteenth embodiment shown in Figure 51 will be described. The receiver engagement protrusion 3301 is pentagonal when viewed from the radial direction of the nozzle receiver 330. Its protrusion (height) is approximately 0.5 mm from the peripheral surface of the receiver fixing portion 337. An apex 3301a of the engagement protrusion is formed on the rear end of the container as a portion for restricting the insertion position of the receiver engagement protrusion 3301. The tip opening engagement hole 3051 is a through hole formed by overlapping an oval hole extending in the circumferential direction of the container opening 33a with the above-mentioned pentagonal hole at the center of the oval hole. An engagement hole apex 3051a (apex of the pentagonal hole) is formed on the rear end of the container as a portion for restricting the insertion of the tip opening engagement hole 3051.

[0242] Tip opening engagement hole 3051, which is the engaged portion, is located inside (toward the portion that stores toner) the tip (opening end) of cylindrical tip opening 305. Therefore, when nozzle receiver 330 is attached to container body 33, if receiver fixing portion 337 is inserted into container opening 33a, receiver engaging protrusion 3301 becomes hidden by container opening 33a and cannot be seen. This makes it difficult to attach nozzle receiver 330 to the container body 33 at the predetermined position where receiver engaging protrusion 3301 engages with tip opening engagement hole 3051. In contrast, if the shape has a tip shape for regulating the insertion position as in embodiment 16, it is possible to guide the receiving member engaging protrusion 3301 to the predetermined insertion position even if the insertion position in the rotational direction varies by a small range. The presence of the circumferentially extending oblong hole makes it easy to visually recognize the receiving member engaging protrusion 3301 that is in a misaligned position.

[0243] Providing an insertion position restricting portion also has the following advantage: When a rotational drive is input and container body 33 rotates, the insertion position restricting portion of one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion catches on a part of the other, allowing nozzle receiver 330 to rotate integrally with container body 33. This prevents nozzle receiver 330 from rotating and becoming misaligned relative to container body 33 when toner container 32 rotates.

[0244] <Embodiment 17> Next, we will explain a second variant (hereinafter referred to as embodiment 17) of a configuration in which, similar to embodiment 15, the nozzle receiving member 330 is positioned relative to the container body 33 by utilizing elastic deformation of a sealing member that seals the gap between the container body 33 and the nozzle receiving member 330. 52A and 52B are explanatory diagrams of the toner container 32 according to the seventeenth embodiment, in which FIG. 52A is an explanatory perspective view of the nozzle receiver 330, and FIG.

[0245] 52 shows a toner container 32 according to a seventeenth embodiment, which includes the following invention: Namely, the toner container 32 has a pair of insertion positioning portions that position the nozzle receiver 330 in the rotational direction when the nozzle receiver 330 is inserted into the container body 33 so that the positioning portions overlap with at least one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion. In the seventeenth embodiment shown in Figure 52, first, the engaging portion of receiver-member fixing portion 337 includes receiver-member engaging protrusion 3301, which is a protrusion extending in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, as one insertion positioning portion that regulates the insertion position of the engaging portion into the engaged portion, there is receiver-member-side positioning groove 3303, which overlaps with the circumferential center of receiver-member engaging protrusion 3301 and is formed to extend in the direction of the rotation axis of container body 33. Furthermore, as the engaged portion of container opening 33a, there is tip-opening engaging hole 3051, which is an oval hole extending in the circumferential direction of tip opening 305. Furthermore, as the other insertion positioning portion that regulates the insertion position of the engaging portion into the engaged portion, there is tip-opening-side positioning rib 3052, which overlaps with the circumferential center of tip-opening engaging hole 3051 and is formed to extend in the direction of the rotation axis of container body 33.

[0246] When nozzle receiver 330 is attached to container body 33, inserting receiver fixing portion 337 into container opening 33a causes container opening 33a to expand around receiver engaging protrusion 3301 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of receiver fixing portion 337. For this reason, if an insertion positioning portion such as a rib or groove is provided near the engaging portion or engaged portion but in a position that does not overlap with the engaging portion or engaged portion, container opening 33a must be expanded by both the engaging portion and the insertion positioning portion, which increases the press-fit load. On the other hand, in the seventeenth embodiment, a pair of insertion positioning portions (3303, 3052) consisting of a rib and a groove are formed at positions overlapping with the receiving member engaging protrusion 3301, which is the engaging portion, and the leading end opening engaging hole 3051, which is the engaged portion, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the container body 33. By forming the insertion positioning portions in this manner, the leading end opening side positioning rib 3052 and the receiving member side positioning groove 3303 fit together on the engaging portion (receiving member engaging protrusion 3301), which comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container opening 33a when attached. This minimizes the area where the container opening 33a is widened to only the engaging portion, while enabling positioning in the rotational direction when fitted together and preventing the nozzle receiving member 330 from rotating relative to the container body 33 when the toner container 32 rotates.

[0247] <Embodiment 18> Next, we will explain a third variant (hereinafter referred to as embodiment 18) of a configuration in which, similar to embodiment 15, the nozzle receiving member 330 is positioned relative to the container body 33 by utilizing elastic deformation of a sealing member that seals the gap between the container body 33 and the nozzle receiving member 330. Figure 53 is an explanatory diagram of a toner container 32 according to embodiment 18, in which Figure 53(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the container opening 33a, Figure 53(b) is an enlarged perspective view of the receiving member fixing portion 337, and Figure 53(c) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the tip end of the toner container 32.

[0248] In the eighteenth embodiment, the receiving member outer seal 3302, which is a sealing member, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the receiving member fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiving member 330, but the sealing member may also be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the container opening 33a of the container body 33.

[0249] As in the fifteenth embodiment, the toner container 32 according to the eighteenth embodiment is configured such that the nozzle receiver 330 is provided with an engagement portion and the container opening 33a is provided with an engagement hole that engages with the engagement portion. To more reliably prevent the nozzle receiver 330 from coming loose, it is conceivable to enlarge the engagement portion to increase the engagement with the engagement hole. However, if the engagement portion provided on the nozzle receiver 330 is enlarged, the insertion load becomes too large, which may result in deformation or damage to the container opening 33a. In response to this, in the eighteenth embodiment, in addition to the receiver engagement protrusion 3301 on the nozzle receiver 330, an engagement protrusion 3053 is also provided on the container body 33. Furthermore, in addition to the tip opening engagement hole 3051 on the container opening 33a, a receiver engagement hole 3304 is also provided on the nozzle receiver 330. This allows for an increased overall engagement even if the engagement amount is small.

[0250] <Embodiment 19> Next, we will explain a fourth variant (hereinafter referred to as embodiment 19) of a configuration in which, similar to embodiment 15, the nozzle receiving member 330 is positioned relative to the container body 33 by utilizing elastic deformation of a sealing member that seals the gap between the container body 33 and the nozzle receiving member 330. 54A and 54B are explanatory diagrams of the toner container 32 according to the nineteenth embodiment, in which FIG. 54A is an enlarged perspective view of the container opening 33a, and FIG. 54B is an enlarged perspective view of the receiving member fixing portion 337. FIG.

[0251] 54 shows a toner container 32 according to a nineteenth embodiment, which includes the following invention: In other words, the toner container 32 according to the eighteenth embodiment has an insertion positioning portion that positions the nozzle receiver 330 in the rotational direction when the nozzle receiver 330 is inserted into the container body 33 so that the insertion positioning portion overlaps with at least one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion.

[0252] When nozzle receiver 330 is attached to container body 33, inserting receiver fixing portion 337 into container opening 33a causes container opening 33a to expand around receiver engaging protrusion 3301 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of receiver fixing portion 337. For this reason, if an insertion positioning portion such as a rib or groove is provided near the engaging portion or engaged portion but in a position that does not overlap with the engaging portion or engaged portion, container opening 33a must be expanded by both the engaging portion and the insertion positioning portion, which increases the press-fit load.

[0253] On the other hand, in the nineteenth embodiment, a pair of insertion positioning portions (3052, 3303) consisting of a rib and a groove are formed at positions overlapping with the engaging protrusion 3053, which is the engaging portion, and the receiving member engaging hole 3304, which is the engaged portion, when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the container body 33. By forming the insertion positioning portions in this manner, the tip opening side positioning rib 3052 and the receiving member side positioning groove 3303 are fitted together on the engaging portion (receiving member engaging protrusion 3301), which comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the container opening 33a when fitted together. This minimizes the area where the container opening 33a is widened to just the engaging portion, while enabling positioning in the rotational direction when fitted together and preventing the nozzle receiving member 330 from rotating relative to the container body 33 when the toner container 32 rotates.

[0254] The toner container 32 of the fourteenth to nineteenth embodiments all include the following invention. Specifically, the toner container 32 includes a container body 33, which is a powder storage member that stores toner, which is powder to be supplied to a toner supply device 60, which is a powder transport device. The container body 33 rotates to transport the toner stored therein from the rear end of the container in the direction of the rotation axis to the front end of the container, where the opening is provided. The container body 33 further includes a nozzle receiving opening 331, which is a tube receiving opening for inserting a transport nozzle 611, which is a transport tube fixed to the toner supply device 60. The container body 33 also includes a nozzle receiving member 330, which is a tube insertion member attached to the opening of the container body 33. In this toner container 32, the nozzle receiving member 330 has a receiving member engaging protrusion 3301, which is an engaging portion that engages with a front end opening engaging hole 3051, which is an engaged portion provided in a container opening 33a that forms the opening. Furthermore, when the receiving member engagement protrusion 3301 is engaged with the tip opening engagement hole 3051, there is provided a receiving member outer peripheral seal 3302 which is a sealing member that is interposed between the nozzle receiving member 330 and the container body 33 and seals the gap between the nozzle receiving member 330 and the container body 33.

[0255] <Twentyth Embodiment> Next, a twentieth embodiment of the toner container 32 will be described. In the toner container 32 of the twentieth embodiment, the location where the nozzle receiver 330 is press-fitted into the container body 33 is devised. 13 was used in the explanation of the previous embodiment, but it can also be used to explain the press-fitting location of the nozzle receiver 330 into the container body 33 in this embodiment 20, so it will be reused. Either area γ1 or γ2 in the figure is the press-fitting location. Area γ1 is the inner circumferential surface of the container body 33 at the position where the container gear 301 is provided, and area γ2 is the inner circumferential surface of the container body 33 at the position where the cover claw hook portion 306 is provided.

[0256] 13 incorporates the following invention. Specifically, it is a powder storage container that stores powder toner as a developer therein and has a container shutter 332 and a nozzle receiver 330. The container shutter 332 is a nozzle receiver opening / closing member that opens or closes a nozzle receiver opening 331, which serves as a powder discharge port through which toner discharged from the container body 33 passes, and the nozzle receiver 330 is an opening / closing member holding member that holds the container shutter 332. The toner container 32 has a cylindrical container opening 33a formed at its tip end, and the outer peripheral surface of this container opening 33a (corresponding to the rotation shaft of the container body 33) is fitted so as to slide against the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 615a (bearing portion) of the container setting portion 615. Furthermore, the nozzle receiving member 330 is press-fitted and fixed against the inner surface of the container body 33, and the position of this press-fitted and fixed point in the rotational axis direction is closer to the rear end of the container than the position where the outer surface of the container opening 33a slides against the cylindrical inner surface of the container setting portion 615.

[0257] As shown in FIG. 13 and other figures, the container tip end of the nozzle receiver 330 and the container tip end of the container opening 33a are aligned in the rotational axis direction. Therefore, one possible configuration is to press-fit the nozzle receiver 330 against the inner circumferential surface of the container opening 33a near the container tip end. However, the container opening 33a near the container tip end is fitted against the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 615a of the container setting part 615. Therefore, if the press-fitting of the nozzle receiver 330 causes the press-fit portion of the container opening 33a to bulge, increasing the outer diameter of the container opening 33a, it may become impossible to fit the container into the container setting part 615, and the toner container 32 may not be able to be attached to the toner replenishing device 60. Even if the toner container 32 can be attached, this may increase the rotational torque of the toner container 32.

[0258] To prevent such problems, it is conceivable to estimate the amount of expansion of the container opening 33a due to press-fitting and set the outer diameter of the container opening 33a when manufacturing the toner container 32. However, setting the outer diameter of the container opening 33a taking into account the amount of expansion due to press-fitting can cause the following problem. That is, it is necessary to set a large tolerance for the outer diameter. If the amount of expansion is small within the tolerance range, the difference between the outer diameter of the container opening 33a and the inner diameter of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 615a of the container setting portion 615 will be large, and there is a risk of insufficient positioning.

[0259] To prevent this problem, in the toner container 32 of the twentieth embodiment, the outer diameter of the receiver fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiver 330 near the container front end is slightly smaller than the inner circumferential surface of the container opening 33a, allowing for a loose fit rather than a press fit. The press-fit location is not at the container front end, but at a location closer to the container rear end that is unrelated to the attachment of the container setting portion 615 to the container body 33 (a location that does not affect attachment). Furthermore, the outer diameter of the receiver fixing portion 337 at this location is large enough to allow for a sufficient press fit relative to the container inner diameter. Examples of unrelated locations include a location corresponding to the thickness of the container gear 301 (region γ1 in FIG. 13 ) or a location where the inner diameter of the container opening 33a narrows and then becomes thicker (region γ2 in FIG. 13 ). This location of the change in inner diameter (region γ2 in FIG. 13 ) also includes the cover hook portion 306, which is a ring-shaped rib, on the outer periphery.

[0260] By forming a portion with a larger outer diameter, which serves as the press-fit portion, closer to the rear end of the container than to the tip end of receiver fixing portion 337 of nozzle receiver 330, it is possible to prevent bulging of container opening 33a at the portion where it fits into container setting portion 615. This makes it possible to prevent toner container 32 from becoming unable to be attached to toner replenishing device 60 and to prevent an increase in the rotational torque of toner container 32. Furthermore, container opening 33a can be molded with high precision because it retains the shape of the injection-molded preform. This position does not expand when nozzle receiver 330 is pressed into it, and can be used as a positioning or sliding part, so the precision of the injection molding can be maintained, and high-precision positioning and good sliding can be achieved.

[0261] Furthermore, the toner container 32 formed by press-fitting in region γ1 incorporates the following invention. Specifically, the press-fit location in receiver fixing portion 337 of resin nozzle receiver 330 corresponds to the inner circumferential surface of container body 33 at the location where container gear 301 is provided. The location where container gear 301 is provided has a gear structure along the entire circumference perpendicular to the rotation axis, making it stronger than other parts of container body 33 and less likely to deform due to press-fitting. Furthermore, because receiver fixing portion 337 is tightly fastened, nozzle receiver 330 is less likely to come loose over time, making this an appropriate press-fit location.

[0262] Furthermore, the toner container 32 formed by press-fitting in region γ2 incorporates the following invention. Specifically, the press-fit portion of receiver fixing portion 337 of nozzle receiver 330 is a portion where the inner diameter of container opening 33a is one step smaller and the wall thickness is increased. The portion where the inner diameter of container opening 33a is one step smaller is thick around the entire circumference in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, making it stronger than other portions of container body 33 and less likely to deform due to press-fitting. Furthermore, because receiver fixing portion 337 is tightly fastened, nozzle receiver 330 is less likely to come loose over time, making this an appropriate press-fit position.

[0263] Furthermore, the toner container 32 formed by press-fitting in region γ2 incorporates the following invention. Specifically, the press-fit location of receiver fixing portion 337 of nozzle receiver 330 corresponds to the inner circumferential surface of the container body 33 at the location where cover hook 306 is provided. The location where cover hook 306 is provided has a rib structure along the entire circumference perpendicular to the rotation axis, making it stronger than other parts of container body 33 and less likely to deform due to press-fitting. Furthermore, because receiver fixing portion 337 is tightly fastened, nozzle receiver 330 is less likely to come loose over time, making this an appropriate press-fit location.

[0264] Next, a holding mechanism for the ID tag (ID chip) 700 provided in the toner container 32, which is a common configuration among the first to 20th embodiments, will be described. Fig. 55 is a perspective view of a connector 800 fixed to a toner supply device 60 and the container front end of a toner container 32. As shown in Fig. 55, the toner container 32 includes a container body 33 and a container front cover 34 attached to the container body 33 in a manner exposing a container opening 33a provided with a nozzle receiving opening 331 serving as a toner discharge port formed in the container body 33. The toner container 32 further includes an ID tag 700 serving as an information storage device attached to the front end of the container front cover 34, and an ID tag holding mechanism 345 that holds the ID tag 700.

[0265] The communication method of the ID tag 700 in this embodiment is contact type. Therefore, the connector 800 is disposed at a position facing the container front end surface of the container front end cover 34 on the main body side of the toner supply device 60. Figure 56 is a perspective explanatory view of the container front end portion of toner container 32 with ID tag holding mechanism 345 disassembled, and connector 800. As shown in Figure 56, ID tag 700 has an ID tag hole 701 for positioning, and when toner container 32 is attached to toner supply device 60, a positioning pin 801 of connector 800 is inserted into this ID tag hole 701.

[0266] The ID tag holding mechanism 345 includes a holding portion 343 having a base 358 for holding the ID tag 700, and a holding member 344, which holds the ID tag 700 movably in the X and Z directions in the figure and serves as a cover member that detachably fits onto the holding portion 343. The ID tag 700 and its holding mechanism 345 are located in the space diagonally above and to the right of the container front cover 34 when the toner container 32 is viewed from the container front end along the rotation axis. This arrangement allows the holding mechanism 345 to be located on the container front cover 34, utilizing the space diagonally above and to the right that would otherwise be dead space when installing toner containers 32 of different colors side by side. This arrangement provides a compact toner replenishing device that allows cylindrical toner containers 32 to be placed close to each other. The space diagonally above and to the left of the container front cover 34 is where the container gear 301 and the container drive gear 601 on the main body are located. To prevent adjacent toner supply systems from interfering with each other, the ID tag 700, the holding mechanism 345, and the main body side terminal 804 are arranged so as not to interfere with the container drive gear 601 on the main body side.

[0267] FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the container front end of the toner container 32 and the connector 800 with the ID tag 700 temporarily attached to the holding member 344. As shown in FIG. 57, the holding portion 343 is formed on the ID tag attachment surface 357 at the container front end of the container front cover 34 and includes a base 358 consisting of four rectangular pillars that supports the wiring-free back surface of the ID tag 700. The holding member 344 also includes a frame 352 and a holding member protrusion 353. The frame 352 is formed to surround the base 358 from the outside when the ID tag 700 is fitted into the holding portion 343, preventing the ID tag 700 from coming off. The holding member protrusion 353 protrudes from the inner wall surface of the frame 352 so as to cover the area of ​​the surface of the ID tag 700 that does not have terminals. The frame 352 provided on the holding member 344 is large enough to accommodate an ID tag with a rectangular outer shape inside the frame, and when the ID tag 700 is set inside it, it holds the ID tag 700 so that it can move to some extent in the XZ directions.

[0268] The retention mechanism 345 will now be described in more detail. The frame 352 provided on the holding member 344 is formed to be longer than the length of the base 358 in the Y-axis direction in the figure (height from the ID tag mounting surface 357). Therefore, when the ID tag 700 is attached to the base 358, the ID tag 700 is not fixed to the container front-end cover 34. Furthermore, the ID tag 700 is attached with a gap between it and the frame 352 that surrounds the outside of the ID tag 700 in the XZ directions. Also, since there is a slight gap between the ID tag 700 and the holding member protrusion 353 of the holding member 344, the ID tag 700 is not fixed to the container front-end cover 34 but will not come off. The ID tag 700 is held in the holding member 344 to the extent that it rattles and moves when the toner container 32 is gently shaken.

[0269] When assembling the ID tag 700, as shown in Figure 57, the ID tag 700 is hooked onto the inner wall ribs 351 (see Figure 56) of the holding member 344 and assembled in a temporarily fixed state to the base 358 of the holding part 343. At this time, the exterior of the base 358 consisting of four rectangular pillars acts as a guide for the holding member 344, and the ID tag 700 after assembly to the base is separated from the inner wall ribs 351 and placed on the end faces of the four bases 358 on the tip side of the container.

[0270] Next, the attachment of the holding member 344 will be described in detail. In the toner container 32 of this embodiment, the holding member 344 is not fixed to the container front cover 34 by processing such as thermal caulking or by fastening with a fastening member, but is fixed by a fitting method using a claw member. As shown in FIG. 56, the holding member 344 has an upper holding member claw 355, a lower holding member claw 354 and a right side holding member claw 356 on an upper holding member 350, a lower holding member 348 and a right side holding member 349, respectively. Three hooks are formed around ID tag mounting surface 357 on container tip cover 34 at positions facing the three claws: retaining member upper claw 355, retaining member lower claw 354, and retaining member right side claw 356. More specifically, mounting surface upper hook 359a is formed around ID tag mounting surface 357 at a position facing retaining member upper claw 355. Furthermore, mounting surface lower hook 359b is formed around ID tag mounting surface 357 at a position facing retaining member lower claw 354, and mounting surface lateral hook 360 is formed at a position facing retaining member right side claw 356.

[0271] When the holding member 344 is set on the container tip side cover 34, the three claw portions (355, 354, and 356) on the holding member 344 side engage with and are fixed to the three hook portions (359a, 359b, and 360) on the container tip side cover 34 side. Of the three hook portions, two of the hook portions, the upper mounting surface hook portion 359a and the lower mounting surface hook portion 359b, are hole-shaped, and one of the hook portions, the lateral mounting surface hook portion 360, is claw-shaped. The hole-shaped upper mounting surface hook portion 359a and lower mounting surface hook portion 359b are set by utilizing the inclination of the tip of the two claw portions of holding member upper claw 355 and holding member lower claw 354 and the elasticity of the claw portions. Also, the claw-shaped horizontal mounting surface hook portion 360 is set by utilizing the inclination of the tip of holding member right side claw 356 and horizontal mounting surface hook portion inclined surface 360a of horizontal mounting surface hook portion 360.

[0272] 57, the ID tag 700 is temporarily set inside the frame 352 of the holding member 344, and the holding member 344 is then moved along the base 358 on the container tip side cover 34 side. As a result, the claws (355, 354, and 356) formed on the holding member 344 side engage with the hooks (359a, 359b, and 360) formed on the container tip side cover 34 side, and the fitting of these engages to fix the holding member 344 to the container tip side cover 34. 55 to 57, the claw portions (355, 354, and 356) and the hook portions (359a, 359b, and 360) are fitted to each other at two positions on the top and bottom and one position on the right of the holding member 344. The fitting positions of the holding member 344 are not limited to a combination of the top and bottom and the right, and may be only the top and bottom, or only the left and right, or the top, bottom, left, and right of the holding member 344, and the fitting positions and the number of fitting positions are not limited to this embodiment.

[0273] As described above, in this embodiment, the fitting method using the claw members has been described, but in some cases, the holding member 344 can be fixed to the container front end cover 34 by processing such as thermal caulking or by tightening with a fastening member. Furthermore, there may be cases where it is desired to attach the ID tag holding member 344 more firmly, or where there is a tool that allows the ID tag to be rewritten without removing it from the container front end cover 34 when recycling.

[0274] Next, the ID tag 700 as an information storage device provided in the toner container 32 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the term "substantially rectangular metal plate" is defined to include not only rectangular but also substantially rectangular shapes. Therefore, rectangular metal plates with all or part of the corners chamfered or rounded are also included in the term "substantially rectangular metal plate."

[0275] Figure 58 is a three-view diagram of the ID tag 700. Figure 58(a) is a front view of the ID tag 700 as seen from the connector 800 side, and Figure 58(b) is a side view of the ID tag 700 as seen in a direction perpendicular to the attachment direction (diagonally upward to the right in Figure 55). Figure 58(c) is a back view of the ID tag 700 as seen from the container tip cover 34 side. Fig. 59 is a perspective view showing the ID tag 700, the holding member 344, and the connector 800, and is a perspective view showing the relative positional relationship of the three members (700, 344, and 800). Note that in Fig. 59, the holding member upper claws 355 and the holding member lower claws 354 shown in Figs. 56 and 57 are omitted. 60 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ID tag 700 is engaged with the connector 800. Also, FIG. 61 is a circuit diagram showing the electric circuit of the ID tag 700 and the electric circuit of the connector 800.

[0276] Fig. 62(a) is a front view showing a state in which the ID tag 700 is held by the connector 800, and Fig. 62(b) is a front view showing a state in which the ID tag 700 is rotated around the positioning ID tag hole 701. Fig. 63 is a diagram showing the ID tag 700 in a state in which a probe 901 of an electrical conductivity inspection device 900 is abutted against it during the inspection process at the time of factory manufacturing. The ID tag 700 of this embodiment has only one ID tag hole 701 formed in a substrate 702, and the ID tag hole 701 is arranged between a plurality of metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c) made of rectangular metal plates.

[0277] 55, in the toner container 32 of this embodiment, the long sides of the rectangular ID tag 700 are not parallel to the vertical direction, but are arranged so that the long sides are at an angle. Therefore, the up-down direction when the ID tag 700 is arranged in the toner container 32 does not coincide with the longitudinal direction of the ID tag 700. However, in the following description, for convenience, the direction parallel to the long sides of the ID tag 700 (Z'-axis direction in FIG. 58) will be referred to as the chip up-down direction, and the direction parallel to the short sides of the ID tag 700 (X'-axis direction in FIG. 58) will be referred to as the chip left-right direction. The same applies to the connector 800 arranged at an angle to the toner supply device 60.

[0278] As shown in Fig. 58, an ID tag 700 serving as an information storage device in this embodiment has an ID tag hole 701 formed at a position vertically above the center of gravity of a substrate 702 in the up-down direction of the chip. An earth terminal 703 made of a metal terminal is installed in the inner diameter portion and around this ID tag hole 701. As shown in Fig. 58, the earth terminal 703 formed on the surface of the substrate 702 in this embodiment is formed so that two earth terminal protrusions 705 extend in the left-right direction of the chip from the annular portion. Also, one rectangular metal pad 710 (first metal pad 710a) is provided at a position above the ID tag hole 701 in the vertical direction of the chip. Furthermore, two metal pads 710 (second metal pad 710b and third metal pad 710c) are provided at positions below the chip in the vertical direction.

[0279] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 58(c), a protective member 720 made of a semispherical resin material such as epoxy is provided on the back surface of the substrate 702 to cover and protect an information storage unit (not shown). The ID tag 700 has an information storage unit such as an IC (integrated circuit) inside, and therefore the ID tag hole 701 is arranged above the protective member 720, which is the largest and heaviest component arranged on the back surface, in the chip vertical direction. This achieves the positional relationship described above in which the ID tag hole 701 is located vertically above the center of gravity of the ID tag 700 in the chip vertical direction. The arrangement of the ID tag hole 701 depends on the shape of the substrate 702 and the configuration and arrangement of the back surface of the protective member 720, etc. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 62(a), the ID tag 700 of this embodiment is formed so that the center position of the ID tag hole 701 is a distance Za above the center of gravity of the ID tag 700 in the chip vertical direction.

[0280] As shown in FIG. 59, connector 800 has connector body 805, which is a hollow resin box. Connector body 805 is provided with a positioning pin 801 (positioning protrusion), which is a hollow cylinder with a tapered tip, standing upright in the horizontal direction. Grounding body terminal 802 is attached to positioning pin 801. Grounding body terminal 802 is a plate-shaped (or wire-shaped) metal member, a portion of which is housed in the hollow portion of positioning pin 801, which is integrally formed with connector body 805. The curved portion of grounding body terminal 802 is exposed through a slit-shaped opening formed in part of the circumferential surface of the hollow cylinder, protruding from the cylindrical outer surface of positioning pin 801. One body terminal 804 is attached vertically above positioning pin 801 (grounding body terminal 802) in the chip up-down direction, and two body terminals 804 are attached vertically below positioning pin 801 in the chip up-down direction. These main body side terminals 804 are plate-shaped (or wire-shaped) metal members.

[0281] Also, below the connector body 805, a pair of ribs are formed so that the tapered surfaces on the inner ends of each rib are line-symmetrical at positions on both sides in the left-right direction of the chip sandwiching the positioning pin 801. Furthermore, anti-vibration members 803 are provided as a pair of restricting members that face each other on both end faces of the ID tag 700 at positions lower than the center of the ID tag hole 701 in the up-down direction of the chip.

[0282] The holding member 344 is fixed to the container front end cover 34 of the toner container 32, and is located between the connector 800 and the ID tag 700 when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60. The holding member 344 holds the ID tag 700 movably (with some play). 59, the holding member 344 has holding member protrusions 353 provided on each of the holding member lower part 348, the holding member left side part 342, and the holding member right side part 349. The three holding member protrusions 353 provided on each of the holding member lower part 348, the holding member left side part 342, and the holding member right side part 349 prevent the ID tag 700 from falling off toward the connector 800 side of the holding member 344. Furthermore, a holding member opening 347 is formed in the end of the holding member 344 on the connector 800 side (the wall surface including the holding member protrusion 353). This holding member opening 347 is shaped so that it opens over most of the end of the holding member 344 on the connector 800 side, including the area facing the four terminals on the connector 800 side (the three main body side terminals 804 and the one grounding main body side terminal 802). Furthermore, the holding member opening 347 of the holding member 344 is shaped so that it opens up to a portion corresponding to the anti-vibration member 803 provided on the connector 800. When the toner container 32 is attached, the positioning pin 801 passes through the opening position of the holding member opening 347, and then the anti-vibration member 803 also passes through the opening position of the holding member opening 347 and enters the inside of the holding member 344.

[0283] The four pedestals 358 facing the back side (the side of the protective member 720) of the ID tag 700 are part of the container tip-side cover 34, and are members extending from the holding portion 343 toward the connector 800. The four pedestals 358 are configured to press the vicinity of the four corners of the rectangular substrate 702, and are shaped to avoid interference with the protective member 720 fixed to the ID tag 700 and the vibration prevention member 803 that enters when connecting to the connector 800. On the other hand, when the positioning pin 801 is inserted into the ID tag hole 701 of the ID tag 700, the ID tag 700 is pressed toward the rear end of the container by the grounding main body side terminal 802 and the main body side terminal 804 of the positioning pin 801. At this time, the four pedestals 358 support the substrate 702 from the rear surface, so that the terminals can be maintained in contact with each other.

[0284] Figure 60 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60 (copier 500 main body) and the connector 800 on the toner supply device 60 side and the ID tag 700 have been positioned. The state shown in Figure 60 shows the state in which the terminals on the main body side (main body terminal 804 and grounding main body terminal 802) are connected to the terminals on the ID tag 700 side (metal pad 710 and earth terminal 703). For ease of understanding, the holding member 344 and the three metal pads 710 between the connector 800 and the ID tag 700 are not shown in Figure 60.

[0285] In the present embodiment, the toner container 32 has a container opening 33a that protrudes beyond the container front cover 34. When the toner container 32 is moved from an unattached state in the direction of arrow Q in the figure to be attached to the toner supply device 60, the outer circumferential surface of the container opening 33a is first fitted into the container setting portion 615. Then, the position of the toner container 32 relative to the toner supply device 60 in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction is determined. Thereafter, by further moving the toner container 32 in the direction of arrow Q in the figure, the connection between the ID tag 700 and the connector 800 begins. After the toner container 32 is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction and the container front cover 34 is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction, the ID tag 700 is positioned in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction. More specifically, after the container front cover 34 is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction, the ID tag hole 701 of the ID tag 700 is fitted onto the positioning pin 801 of the connector 800 so that it is picked up by the tapered tip of the positioning pin 801. This fitting simultaneously determines the chip vertical and horizontal positions of the ID tag 700. That is, the ID tag 700 is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction.

[0286] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 62(a), the anti-vibration members 803 of the connector 800 enter the lower edge portions on both the left and right sides of the substrate 702 in the left-right direction of the chip, below the center of the ID tag hole 701 in the up-down direction of the chip. At this time, even if the posture of the ID tag 700 is misaligned as shown in FIG. 62(b), when the tapered surface at the tip of the rib-shaped anti-vibration member 803 comes into contact with one of the above-mentioned edges, the part below the ID tag hole 701 rotates so as to face away from the tapered surface that has come into contact. Then, the rotation stops at a position where it comes into even contact with the two tapered surfaces, correcting the misalignment in the rotation direction (the direction of the double arrows shown in FIG. 62(b)) (returning to the state shown in FIG. 62(a)). This completes the positioning of the ID tag 700.

[0287] At this time, a part of the ground terminal 703 of the ID tag 700 (the part corresponding to the inner diameter part of the ID tag hole 701) comes into contact with the grounding main body side terminal 802 of the positioning pin 801 shown in Fig. 60, thereby grounding (continuity) the ID tag 700. Furthermore, after this grounding is achieved, the three metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c) of the ID tag 700 also come into contact with the three main body side terminals 804 of the connector 800, respectively, as shown in Fig. 61(a). This then enables information to be transmitted between the ID tag 700 and a control unit (control unit 90 of the copier 500) on the toner supply device 60 side that is equipped with the connector 800.

[0288] In this manner, in this embodiment, a highly accurate positioning mechanism is realized with an inexpensive configuration by incorporating the following various ideas (1) to (5).

[0289] (1) There is only one ID tag hole 701. This makes it possible to reduce the processing costs of the substrate 702.

[0290] (2) The grounding body-side terminal 802 is integrally installed on the side peripheral surface of the positioning pin 801. This makes it possible to make the distance between the positioning pin 801 and the grounding body-side terminal 802 essentially zero, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the earth terminal 703 relative to the grounding body-side terminal 802.

[0291] (3) In the fully attached state shown in Figure 60, the positional relationship between the ID tag hole 701 and the curved portions of the body-side terminals 804 is adjusted so that the center of the ID tag hole 701 is aligned with the line connecting the vertices of the curved portions (contact portions) of the three body-side terminals 804 on the connector 800 side. This reduces the distance in the left-right direction of the chip from the ID tag hole 701, which serves as the positioning portion, to the contact portion between the terminals (body-side terminals 804 and metal pads 710), making it possible to reduce it to nearly 0 mm. As a result, the positional accuracy when the three metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c) and the three body-side terminals 804 come into contact is improved.

[0292] (4) The ID tag hole 701 is positioned in one of the gaps that are created when multiple metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c) are lined up. This shortens the distance from the center of the ID tag hole 701 to the third metal pad 710c, which is located furthest from the center of the ID tag hole 701 (corresponding to the arm length of the pendulum). This is compared to a case in which positioning holes (or notches) are located above or below the outside of the arrangement of multiple metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c) in the chip vertical direction. Specifically, if positioning holes (or notches) are located outside the arrangement of three metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c), the longest arm length is the distance from the center of the hole (or the center of the notch) to three metal pads 710. On the other hand, in the ID tag 700 of this embodiment, the longest arm length can be shortened to the distance of two metal pads 710. By shortening the arm length of the swing, even if the parallelism of the farthest third metal pad 710c relative to the main body side terminal 804 is deviated due to mass production variations or the like, the deviation can be kept to a minimum.

[0293] (5) When storing the toner container 32 individually, there is a risk that foreign matter may enter the holding member 344 and become trapped between the ID tag 700 and the holding member protrusion 353 or base 358, causing it to become misaligned. To address this issue, in this embodiment, the ID tag hole 701 of the ID tag 700 is positioned above the center of gravity in the vertical direction of the chip. This allows the ID tag 700 to rotate when the anti-vibration member 803, consisting of a pair of ribs, enters a position below the ID tag hole 701, which serves as the center of rotation, in the vertical direction of the chip. Specifically, the ID tag 700 can be rotated so that the anti-vibration member 803 (ribs) abuts against the tapered surfaces of the anti-vibration member 803 and is positioned so that it evenly contacts the two tapered surfaces. This prevents misalignment and corrects its posture. As a result, even with a single ID tag hole 701, the positional accuracy of the multiple metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c) relative to the multiple main body terminals 804 can be improved.

[0294] As described above in (1) to (5), each of the five innovations exerts its respective function and effect. Even if an inexpensive configuration is adopted in which the area of ​​the metal pad 710 is minimized, it is possible to achieve extremely high accuracy in positioning between the multiple terminals (703, 710) on the ID tag 700 side, including the ground terminal 703, and the multiple main body side terminals (802, 804).

[0295] Furthermore, the inventions and effects of this embodiment other than those described above will be described. First, we will describe each of the three metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c) in detail. The topmost first metal pad 710a receives a clock signal for communication control. A low-cost serial communication method is used for sequential communication, and I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is used as the serial bus. When connected to the connector 800 on the toner supply device 60, it forms a signal line for receiving a serial clock (SCL). The first metal pad 710a corresponds to the terminal on the clock signal input side. However, because the clock signal flows in one direction, it is predicted that the possibility of damage to the ID tag 700 due to a short circuit with Vcc (power supply, third metal pad 710c), which will be described later, is higher than with other terminals. Therefore, to prevent damage to the ID tag 700, it is located away from Vcc. This is because the possibility of damage is low even if the ID tag 700 is shorted to GND (ground terminal 703).

[0296] The second metal pad 710b also employs a serial communication method, employs I2C as the serial bus, and forms a signal line for inputting and outputting serial data (SDA) when connected to the connector 800 on the toner supply device 60. Because the second metal pad 710b is bidirectional for input and output, the possibility of the ID tag 700 being destroyed by a short circuit is smaller than that of the first metal pad 710a, which is unidirectional for input.

[0297] The third metal pad 710c is a power supply input (Vcc) and receives a voltage of 5 V or 3.3 V when connected to the connector 800 on the toner supply device 60 side. To reduce the risk of a short circuit between the power supply and GND, which could cause damage to the entire device, the serial data input terminal (second metal pad 710b) is sandwiched between the GND (earth terminal 703) and the serial clock input terminal (first metal pad 710a). As shown in FIG. 58, the third metal pad 710c, which is Vcc, overlaps the protective member 720 on the back side of the ID tag via the substrate 702, and is also close to the IC drive circuit (not shown) inside the protective member 720. This allows the power supply line to be short and thick, stabilizing power supply operation (reducing noise malfunctions).

[0298] Next, we will discuss the grounding mechanism. During the installation of the toner container 32, the ground terminal 703 of the ID tag 700 comes into contact with the grounding terminal 802 of the positioning pin 801 (connector 800). After this contact, the three metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c) of the ID tag 700 begin to contact the three main body terminals 804 of the connector 800. In other words, during the removal of the toner container 32, the three metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c) of the ID tag 700 are released from contact with the three main body terminals 804 of the connector 800. After this contact is released, the ground terminal 703 of the ID tag 700 is released from contact with (moves away from) the grounding terminal 802 of the positioning pin 801 (connector 800). Specifically, as shown in Figure 61(a), the connector 800 is configured so that the contact start position of the grounding body side terminal 802 is closer to the ID tag 700 than the three body side terminals 804.

[0299] With this configuration, when the toner container 32 is attached, the connection between the metal pad 710 and the main body terminal 804 begins with the ID tag 700 always being grounded. When the toner container 32 is removed, the separation (disconnection) between the metal pad 710 and the main body terminal 804 begins with the ID tag 700 always being grounded. This prevents the electric circuit on the ID tag 700 from being grounded and becoming electrically floating, making the ID tag 700 less likely to be electrically damaged. Specifically, when the electric circuit of the ID tag 700 is not grounded and is in an electrically floating state, the electric circuit is grounded with a very large impedance. In this state, if even a small amount of static electricity generated when the three metal pads 710 and the three main body terminals 804 make contact with or separate from each other flows into the electric circuit, a high voltage equivalent to the current multiplied by the impedance is generated. This high voltage then causes dielectric breakdown inside the IC in the ID tag 700, destroying the IC.

[0300] Such a defect is likely to occur when, as shown in Figure 61(b), in the connector 800, the contact start positions of the three main body side terminals 804 and the grounding main body side terminal 802 with the ID tag 700 are formed at the same position. In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the terminals are arranged as follows: That is, the curved portion of the grounding main body terminal 802 exposed from the slit-shaped opening of the positioning pin 801 is arranged closer to the ID tag 700 than the curved portion of the main body terminal 804, which is the portion that protrudes most toward the ID tag 700. This allows the circuit to be grounded first upon contact and last upon separation, so that the impedance is always theoretically zero, and it is possible to prevent insulation breakdown inside the IC even if static electricity flows into the electrical circuit.

[0301] Furthermore, as previously described with reference to FIG. 58, the ID tag 700 of this embodiment has two ground terminal protrusions 705 provided on a part of the outer periphery of the ground terminal 703. By providing the ground terminal protrusion 705 on the front surface of the substrate 702 of the ID tag 700 in this manner, it is possible to easily contact a probe for an electrical conductivity test during the inspection process (a process for inspecting whether the ID tag 700 is good or bad) during manufacturing at a factory. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 63 , the tips of multiple probes 901 provided in an electrical conductivity test device 900 are pressed from above against the metal pad 710 and the ground terminal 703 of the ID tag 700 placed on an inspection table. At this time, the ground terminal protrusion 705 of the ground terminal 703 has an area sufficient for the tips of the probes 901 to contact, thereby preventing electrical conductivity test failures due to poor contact of the probes 901. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity test is performed by contacting the tips of the probes 901 with the ground terminal 703 (ground terminal protrusion 705) from above. This improves the durability of the probe 901 itself, which is repeatedly used for each test, compared to when an electrical test is performed by inserting the probe 901 into the ID tag hole 701. Furthermore, it also prevents the ID tag hole 701 of the ID tag 700 from becoming worn due to an electrical test.

[0302] The wedge-shaped excess space between the circular ring of the ground terminal 703 and the rectangular metal pad 710 is arranged as follows: That is, the ground terminal protrusion 705 is arranged so that its boundary (boundary line) in the left-right direction of the chip is in contact with the outer periphery of the ring and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the metal pads 710 (710a, 710b, 710c). This prevents the ground terminal protrusion 705 from protruding in the up-down direction of the chip, and prevents the ground terminal protrusion 705 from protruding in the left-right direction of the chip into the left-right sliding area of ​​the substrate 702 that slides with the holding member protrusion 353. As a result, it is possible to maximize the number of substrates 702 obtained from a substrate material with a fixed manufacturing dimension without increasing the size of the substrate 702, thereby suppressing an increase in the cost of the ID tag 700.

[0303] The three main body side terminals 804 of the connector 800 are plate-shaped (or wire-shaped) metal members, and are fixedly supported by the connector main body 805 with one end as a fixed end and the container tip end as a free end. The three main body side terminals 804 have curved portions formed on the container tip end side that curve toward the ID tag 700 (toner container 32) side. In other words, the main body side terminals 804 are bent like a knee (or a boomerang) toward the ID tag 700. The curved portions of the main body side terminals 804 are the portions that become contact points with the metal pads 710. Then, as the toner container 32 is attached to the toner supply device 60, the curved portions of the main body terminals 804 come into contact with approximately the center of the metal pad 710 in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction of the chip). As the attachment of the toner container 32 progresses further, the ID tag 700 approaches the connector 800, and the main body terminals 804 are pressed against the metal pad 710, elastically deforming (similar to a bent knee straightening), displacing the curved portions of the main body terminals 804 toward the free end. In other words, as the toner container 32 is attached, the curved portions of the main body terminals 804 gradually increase their contact pressure with the metal pad 710, sliding from the center in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction of the chip) toward the free end.

[0304] This configuration can reliably prevent poor contact between the body-side terminals 804 and the metal pads 710. More specifically, depending on the dimensional accuracy and assembly accuracy (dimensional variation) of related parts, the position of the container front-end cover 34 (metal pads 710) relative to the connector 800 (body-side terminals 804) in the longitudinal direction (chip left-right direction) may shift. However, with the above-described configuration, even if the position of the container front-end cover 34 relative to the connector 800 in the longitudinal direction shifts, poor contact between the body-side terminals 804 and the metal pads 710 can be reliably prevented.

[0305] As described above, in the toner container 32 of this embodiment, the contact-type ID tag 700 (information storage device) is held by the holding mechanism 345, such as the holding member 344. More specifically, the ID tag 700 is held by the holding mechanism 345, such as the holding member 344, so that it can move on an imaginary plane that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement (the direction of arrow Q) when the metal pad 710, which is the container-side terminal, approaches and contacts the main body-side terminal 804. This makes it less likely that poor contact will occur due to improper positioning between the metal pad 710 of the ID tag 700 and the main body-side terminal 804 of the connector 800 provided in the toner supply device 60, even in the following cases. In other words, even when the contact-type ID tag 700 is installed in the toner container 32 that is detachably installed in the toner supply device 60 (the main body of the copier 500), the above-mentioned poor contact will be less likely to occur.

[0306] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even when a contact-type ID tag 700 is attached to the toner container 32 that is detachably attached to the toner supply device 60, electrical damage to the ID tag 700 is unlikely to occur. This is because an earth terminal 703 that engages with a grounding main body terminal 802 formed on a positioning pin 801 of the connector 800 is formed in one ID tag hole 701 formed in the substrate 702 of the ID tag 700.

[0307] If the toner has high fluidity, the toner is likely to scatter when the toner supply container is attached or detached, which is a problem addressed by this embodiment. As an index of toner fluidity, the accelerated cohesion degree [%] and the loose apparent density [g / cm 3 The toner contained in the toner container 32 of this embodiment has a volume average particle size of about 5.5 μm, an accelerated cohesion degree of about 13%, and a loose apparent density of 0.36 g / cm 3 This toner can be fixed at a heat of about 120°C, and is known to have excellent low-temperature fixing properties. Other toners have a volume average particle size of about 4.5 μm, an accelerated cohesion rate of about 18%, and a loose apparent density of 0.38 g / cm3 It is also possible to use a toner in which about 2.3 parts by weight of silica and about 0.7 parts by weight of titanium are added to a toner of about 1.0 parts by weight. Of course, it is also possible to use a toner other than those exemplified.

[0308] The toner can be produced using known polymerization and pulverization methods. The particle size distribution of toner particles can be measured by the Coulter counter method. Examples of measuring devices used in this method include the Coulter Counter TA-II and the Coulter Multisizer II (both manufactured by Coulter). The accelerated cohesion of the toner was measured using a powder tester (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation) under an environment of 24°C temperature and 72% humidity. Other conditions are as shown in Table 1.

[0309] [Table 1]

[0310] After the measurement, the degree of cohesion of the toner is calculated using the following formula. Weight % of powder remaining on the upper sieve × 1 (a) Weight % of powder remaining on the middle sieve × 0.6 (b) Weight % of powder remaining on the lower sieve × 0.2 (c) Cohesion (%) = (a) + (b) + (c). The measurement results are shown in Table 2. (Unit: [%])

[0311] [Table 2]

[0312] From the results in Table 2, the toners of toner types D and E were evaluated as having low fluidity. The loose apparent density is a value calculated by loosely filling a container with toner, thinning it, and dividing the content weight by the container volume. Toner with high fluidity is prone to scattering, but the toner container and toner supply device to which the present invention is applied are configured so that toner is supplied to the toner supply device from within the toner container. Therefore, while this configuration is of course effective for toner with less fluidity, it can be said that it is even more effective for toner with such high fluidity in terms of preventing toner scattering.

[0313] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention provides unique effects for each of the following aspects. (Aspect A) a container body such as container body 33 that is mounted on a powder conveying device such as toner supply device 60 with its lengthwise direction extending horizontally and that stores powder such as toner for image formation to be supplied to the powder conveying device; conveying means such as spiral protrusion 302 that is arranged inside the container body and conveys the powder from one longitudinal end side to the other end side where a container opening such as a cylindrical tip opening 305 is provided; a tube receiving port such as nozzle receiving port 331 that is arranged at the container opening and receives an inserted conveying tube such as conveying nozzle 611 fixed to the powder conveying device; a tube inserting member such as nozzle receiving member 330 that is arranged at the container opening and communicates with the tube receiving port to guide the conveying tube into the container body; In a powder storage container such as toner container 32 that has a pumping section such as pumping section 304 that moves powder to the powder receiving inlet, the powder conveying device has a powder receiving inlet that receives powder from the container body, a conveying tube opening / closing member such as nozzle shutter 612 that opens and closes the powder receiving inlet, a biasing member such as nozzle shutter spring 613 that biases the conveying tube opening / closing member to close the powder receiving inlet, and an abutting member such as nozzle shutter flange 612a that abuts against the cylindrical inner bottom of the container opening, such as the end face of the container tip side of container seal 333, and moves the conveying tube opening / closing member to open the powder receiving inlet, and the container opening has a tube receiving inlet located at the inner bottom, and the abutting member and biasing member are stored in the cylindrical internal space of the container opening when the powder storage container is attached to the powder conveying device. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, because the tube receiving port is located on the cylindrical inner bottom of the container opening, the other end face of the container opening, such as the tip end, has a portion that protrudes in the rotation axis direction beyond the other end face where the tube receiving port of the tube insertion member opens. This protruding portion prevents powder leaking from the tube receiving port from scattering when the transfer tube is removed from the powder storage container, thereby suppressing powder scattering. Furthermore, when the powder storage container is attached to the powder transfer device, the internal space of the cylindrical container opening houses the abutment member and the biasing member, thereby suppressing an increase in the longitudinal size of the powder transfer device when the powder storage container is attached to the powder transfer device. (Mode B) In (Aspect A), the outer peripheral surface of the container opening such as tip opening 305 of container body 33 and tip end faces such as end face 305f are positioned with a powder conveying device such as toner supply device 60. As described in the above embodiment, this prevents powder such as toner from reaching the outer peripheral surface of the container opening, thereby stabilizing the positioning accuracy of the powder container relative to the powder conveying device. (Aspect C) In (Mode A), a container body such as container body 33 is held by a powder conveying device such as toner supply device 60 so that it can rotate relative to a conveying tube such as conveying nozzle 611, with the longitudinal direction as the rotation axis when conveying powder, and the cylindrical outer surface of a container opening such as tip opening 305 of the container body has a rotating shaft portion that is inserted into a rotary bearing portion such as container setting portion 615 of the powder conveying device. As explained in the above embodiment, if powder enters the gap between the rotary bearing and the rotary shaft, which are the sliding parts, the sliding load during rotation increases, which may result in an increase in the rotational torque of the container body. However, in this aspect, it is possible to prevent powder from reaching the outer peripheral surface of the container opening. This prevents powder from entering the sliding part, prevents an increase in the sliding load, stabilizes sliding properties, and prevents an increase in the rotational torque of the container body. (Aspect D) In (Aspect C), the outer circumferential surface and tip end surface of the container opening such as tip opening 305 of the container body such as container body 33 are the positioning portion with respect to the powder conveying device such as toner supply device 60. According to this, as explained in the above embodiment, the powder container can be positioned with stable accuracy relative to the powder conveying device. (Aspect E) In aspect C or D, a tube insertion member such as nozzle receiver 330 has a fixing portion such as cylindrical receiver fixing portion 337 that is fixed to a container opening such as tip opening 305 of a container body such as container body 33, and the fixing portion is fixed to the container opening of the container body by screwing with threads 337c or the like, and the tightening direction of the screwing coincides with the direction in which a powder storage container such as toner container 32 rotates within a powder supply device such as toner supply device 60. This makes it possible to prevent the rotational drive of the container body from loosening the screws of the tube insertion member on the container body, as explained in the thirteenth embodiment above. (Aspect F) In aspect C or D, a tube insertion member such as nozzle receiving member 330 has a fixing portion such as cylindrical receiving member fixing portion 337 that is fixed to a container opening such as tip opening 305 of a container body such as container body 33, and the cylindrical outer diameter of the fixing portion is larger than the cylindrical inner diameter of the container opening of the container body, and a protrusion such as receiving member engaging protrusion 3301 is formed on either the cylindrical outer periphery of the fixing portion or the cylindrical inner periphery of the container opening of the container body, and an engaging hole such as tip opening engaging hole 3051 that engages with the protrusion is formed on the other, and the fixing portion is press-fitted into the container opening at a position where the protrusion and the engaging hole engage. As described in the fourteenth embodiment, this prevents the tube insertion member from slipping out and rotating relative to the container body through the engagement between the protrusion and the engagement hole. Furthermore, because the cylindrical outer diameter of the fastening portion is larger than the cylindrical inner diameter of the container opening, when the tube insertion member is attached to the container body, the container opening is corrected to conform to the fastening portion, improving its roundness. The improved roundness of the container opening improves the positioning accuracy of a powder storage container, such as toner container 32, relative to a powder conveying device, such as toner replenishing device 60. (Aspect G) In aspect C or D, a tube insertion member such as nozzle receiving member 330 has a fixing part such as cylindrical receiving member fixing part 337 that is fixed to a container opening such as tip opening 305 of a container body such as container body 33, and the cylindrical outer diameter of the fixing part is smaller than the cylindrical inner diameter of the container opening of the container body, and a protrusion such as receiving member engaging protrusion 3301 is formed on either the cylindrical outer periphery of the fixing part or the cylindrical inner periphery of the container opening of the container body, and an engaging hole such as tip opening engaging hole 3051 that engages with the protrusion is formed on the other, and a seal such as outer periphery seal 3302 is arranged in the gap between the fixing part and the container body, and the tube insertion member is fitted into the container opening so that the seal is sandwiched between the fixing part and the container body and compressed at the position where the protrusion and the engaging hole engage. As explained in the fifteenth embodiment, this prevents the tube insertion member from slipping out and rotating relative to the container body through the engagement between the protrusion and the engagement hole. Furthermore, the axial position of the powder container, such as the toner container 32, is determined by the repulsive force from the seal and the prevention of slipping out due to the engagement, preventing the tube insertion member from slipping out of the container body due to an impact caused by an external force. Furthermore, since the seal is compressed to seal, it is possible to prevent the leakage of powder, such as toner. (Aspect H) In aspect C or D, a tube insertion member such as nozzle receiving member 330 has a fixing portion such as cylindrical receiving member fixing portion 337 that is fixed to a container opening such as tip opening 305 of a container body such as container body 33, and the outer diameter of the cylinder of at least the region of the fixing portion that coincides with the rotation axis portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the container opening of the container body, and the fixing portion has a portion on the outer periphery of the cylinder outside the above region such as γ1 that is larger than the inner diameter of the container opening of the container body, and the fixing portion is press-fitted into the container opening. As explained in the 20th embodiment above, this prevents the part that becomes the rotation axis of the container opening from expanding when the fixing part is pressed in, and it can be used as a positioning part or sliding part, so that the precision of the molding of the container opening can be maintained, and precise positioning and good sliding can be achieved. (Aspect I) In aspect H, the outer periphery of the cylinder outside the above-mentioned area, which is the press-fit point such as γ1, is the position of a gear such as container gear 301 formed in a conta...

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus body having a toner receiving port that receives toner discharged from a toner container, and a shutter that moves in a direction in which the toner container is attached or detached to close or open the toner receiving port; the toner container having an entry portion formed so that at least a part of the shutter can enter, An image forming apparatus characterized in that when the toner receiving port is closed by the shutter, at least a portion of the shutter enters the receiving portion, and when the shutter enters the receiving portion, the shutter opens the toner receiving port.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the receiving portion is provided on a leading end side of the toner container in an installation direction, and has an opening facing the installation direction.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, an image forming apparatus including a sponge that is sandwiched between the shutter and the toner container when the toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body;

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, In a state where the toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, an upstream end of the shutter in the mounting direction of the toner container is located upstream of the sponge in the mounting direction;

5. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the shutter is biased by a spring in a direction to close the toner receiving opening.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, the toner container has a container locking portion for resisting the urging force, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the image forming apparatus main body has an image forming apparatus side locking portion that is caught on the container locking portion.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, The container locking portion has a crossover portion, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus main body by the image forming apparatus side locking portion climbing over the climbing portion.

8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the container locking portions are formed in pairs on both sides of the toner container.

Images