Developer container and method of manufacturing the developer container

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of improving the assemblability of a developer container while suppressing developer leakage from the developer container.SOLUTION: A developer container includes: a container member; a coupling member attached to an opening of the container member; and an exhaust passage formation member coupled to the container member through the coupling member and forming an exhaust passage for exhausting a developer from a storage part of the container member. The coupling member includes a part to be inserted having an open hole and a part to be engaged. The exhaust passage formation member includes an insertion part inserted into the open hole of the part to be inserted and an engagement part provided in correspondence with the part to be engaged. In a state in which the insertion part is inserted into the part to be inserted, relative rotation with a predetermined rotation axis as a central axis between the coupling member and the exhaust passage formation member brings the part to be engaged and the engagement part into an engagement state with each other through a process in which at least one of the coupling member and the exhaust passage formation member is elastically deformed. In the engagement state, the developer container regulates relative displacement between the coupling member and the exhaust passage formation member in the rotation axis direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 31

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a configuration is known in which a developer container replenishing pack is attached to the apparatus body and toner as developer is supplied from the replenishing pack to the developer container in the apparatus body (Patent Document 1). One known configuration of the replenishing pack is one in which a discharge path forming member that forms a discharge path for discharging toner is joined by welding or the like to the opening of a flexible container member (pouch), and a shutter that opens and closes the discharge opening of the discharge path forming member is attached. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-154300 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In manufacturing a refill pack having the above configuration, it is conceivable that the pouch can be filled with toner, for example, through the discharge path formed by the discharge path forming member after welding the discharge path forming member to the pouch opening. However, depending on the structure of the discharge path (e.g., the opening width), it may be difficult to fill the pouch with toner, making it difficult to ensure the ease of filling the pouch. In other words, there is room for improvement in the ease of filling the pouch with toner while maintaining the airtightness of the pouch containing the toner.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can improve the assembly efficiency of a developer container while suppressing developer leakage from the developer container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the developer container of the present invention comprises: a container member having a storage portion for storing a developer and an opening portion for opening the storage portion; a coupling member attached to the opening; a discharge path forming member connected to the container member via the connecting member and forming a discharge path for discharging the developer from the containing portion; A developer container comprising: The coupling member has an inserted portion having a through hole passing therethrough and an engaged portion, the discharge path forming member has an insertion portion inserted into the through hole of the insertion portion and an engagement portion provided corresponding to the engagement portion, The engaged portion and the engaging portion are When the insertion portion is inserted into the insertion receiving portion, relative rotation between the coupling member and the discharge path forming member about a predetermined rotation axis causes at least one of the coupling member and the discharge path forming member to undergo elastic deformation and enter an engaged state in which they are engaged with each other, In the engaged state, the coupling member and the discharge passage forming member are configured to restrict relative movement in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the method for manufacturing a developer container of the present invention comprises the steps of: A manufacturing method of a developer container that contains developer to be replenished to the main body of an image forming apparatus. So, The developer container is a container member having a storage portion for storing a developer and an opening portion for opening the storage portion; a coupling member attached to the opening; a discharge path forming member connected to the container member via the connecting member and forming a discharge path for discharging the developer from the containing portion; Equipped with The coupling member has an inserted portion having a through hole passing therethrough and an engaged portion, the discharge path forming member has an insertion portion inserted into the through hole of the insertion portion and an engagement portion provided corresponding to the engagement portion, The engaged portion and the engaging portion are When the insertion portion is inserted into the insertion receiving portion, relative rotation between the coupling member and the discharge path forming member about a predetermined rotation axis causes at least one of the coupling member and the discharge path forming member to undergo elastic deformation and enter an engaged state in which they are engaged with each other, In the manufacturing method of the developer container, the engaging member and the discharge path forming member are configured to restrict relative movement in the rotation axis direction in the engaged state, a first assembling step of attaching the connecting member to the container member; a filling step of filling the developer into the container; a second assembling step of connecting the discharge path forming member to the container member via the connecting member; The present invention is characterized by comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the assembly efficiency of the developer container while suppressing developer leakage from the developer container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion, and FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion seen from a different direction from that of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the closed position, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the open position. [Figure 5]FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B is a plan view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the open position. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view of the device-side shutter as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the device-side shutter from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a perspective view of the cover as seen from the downstream side in the mounting direction, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the cover as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M. FIG. [Figure 8] 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting portion, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8(a). [Figure 9] FIG. 1A is a side view of the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the open position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the blocking position. [Figure 11] 1A is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle when the pack-side shutter is in the blocking position, and FIG. 1B is a view of the toner pack as seen from the removal direction. [Figure 12] 1A is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle when the pack-side shutter is in the open position, and FIG. 1B is a view of the toner pack as viewed in the removal direction U. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] 15(a) is a front view showing the claw portion, and FIG. 15(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 15B-15B of FIG. 15(a). [Figure 16] 16(a) is a front view showing the claw portion, and FIG. 16(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section taken along line 16B-16B of FIG. 16(a). [Figure 17] 10A is a perspective view showing the toner pack being mounted in the mounting portion, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing the toner pack being mounted in the mounting portion from a different angle. [Figure 18]1A is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the toner pack is being attached to the attachment portion, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the toner pack has been attached to the attachment portion. [Figure 19] 18(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 19A-19A cross section of FIG. 18(a), and FIG. 18(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 19B-19B cross section of FIG. 18(a). [Figure 20] 18(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20A-20A of FIG. 18(b), and FIG. 20(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20B-20B of FIG. 20(a). [Figure 21] 16A is a perspective view showing the state when the toner pack is attached to the device-side shutter, and FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view showing the 16B-16B cross section of FIG. 16A when the toner pack has been completely attached to the attachment portion. [Figure 22] 1A is a perspective view showing the operation lever and the toner pack when positioned at a closed position, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the operation lever and the toner pack when positioned at an open position. [Figure 23] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack and the mounting portion when the device-side shutter and the pack-side shutter are both in the blocking position, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack and the mounting portion when the device-side shutter and the pack-side shutter are both in the open position. [Figure 24] 24(a) is a perspective view of a nozzle body of a toner pack according to this embodiment, and FIG. 24(b) is a perspective view of the nozzle body of a toner pack according to this embodiment from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 24(a). [Figure 25] (a) is a diagram (plan view) of the nozzle body of the toner pack of this embodiment when viewed in the direction opposite to the insertion / removal direction relative to the connecting member, and (b) is a diagram (bottom view) of the nozzle body of the toner pack of this embodiment when viewed in the insertion / removal direction relative to the connecting member. [Figure 26] 26(a) is a perspective view of a connecting member of a toner pack according to this embodiment, and FIG. 26(b) is a perspective view of the connecting member of a toner pack according to this embodiment from a different viewpoint than that of FIG. 26(a). [Figure 27](a) is a perspective view showing the separated state before the joining member is joined to the pouch, (b) is a perspective view showing the state after the joining member is joined to the pouch, and (c) is a perspective view showing the toner filling form in which the joining member is joined to the pouch. [Figure 28] 28(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the pouch and nozzle showing the nozzle body in the fully inserted position relative to the connecting member, and FIG. 28(b) is an enlarged perspective view of the pouch-nozzle assembly showing the nozzle body rotated relative to the connecting member from the fully inserted position shown in FIG. 28(a) to the fully engaged position. [Figure 29] 29(a) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body where the discharge port is provided, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the axis of rotation of the nozzle body and the coupling member relative to each other, (c) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body opposite to the side shown in Figure 29(a), and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the axis of rotation of the nozzle body and the coupling member relative to each other. [Figure 30] 1A is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of an inner engaging protrusion, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of an engaged groove. [Figure 31] 31(a) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the state inside the opening of the connecting member attached to the pouch, illustrating only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body, and is a diagram showing the state when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position with respect to the connecting member; (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31B-31B of FIG. 31(a); (c) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the state inside the opening of the connecting member attached to the pouch, illustrating only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body, and is a diagram showing the state when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position with respect to the connecting member; and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31D-31D of FIG. 31(c). [Figure 32]32(a) is an enlarged side view of the pouch and nozzle showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position, (b) is a view (bottom view) of the pouch and nozzle shown in Figure 32(a) when viewed in the insertion direction, (c) is an enlarged side view of the pouch-nozzle assembly showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position, and (d) is a view (bottom view) of the pouch-nozzle assembly shown in Figure 32(c) when viewed in the insertion direction. [Figure 33] (a) is an enlarged oblique view showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engagement protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the engagement completion position, and (b) is an enlarged side view showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engagement protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the engagement completion position. [Figure 34] (a) is an oblique cross-sectional view of the nozzle area of ​​the pouch-nozzle assembly, which is a cross-sectional view taken along 34A-34A in Figure 34(b), and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the sealing member, which is a cross-sectional view taken along 34B-34B in Figure 34(a). [Figure 35] 35(a) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body where the outlet is provided in a modified example; (b) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member; (c) is a side view showing the opposite side of the nozzle body to the side shown in Figure 35(a) in a modified example; and (d) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member. [Figure 36] 36(a) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the state inside the opening of a connecting member attached to a pouch in a modified example, with only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body shown, and showing the state when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position relative to the connecting member; (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36B-36B of FIG. 36(a); (c) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the state inside the opening of a connecting member attached to a pouch in a modified example, with only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body shown, and showing the state when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position relative to the connecting member; and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36D-36D of FIG. 36(c). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following examples will exemplarily illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the configurations disclosed in the following examples, such as the functions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of components, are merely examples of embodiments related to the claims, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the configurations disclosed in these examples. Furthermore, the problems solved by the configurations disclosed in the following examples or the actions or effects obtained from the disclosed configurations are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0011] Example 1 An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of image forming apparatuses include copying machines, facsimile machines, printers (laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), and multifunction printers (combined machines) of these.

[0012] Fig. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 1(b) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an opening / closing member 83 and a supply port 32a.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material P based on image information input from an external device. The recording material P includes various sheet materials of different materials, such as paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic film such as sheets for overhead projectors, sheets of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[0014] [Overall configuration] 1(a) and 1(b), the image forming apparatus 1 has an apparatus main body 400, a reading device 200 supported by the apparatus main body 400 so as to be openable and closable, and an operation unit 300 attached to the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 400. The apparatus main body 400 has an image forming unit 10 that forms a toner image on a recording material, a feeding unit 60 that feeds the recording material to the image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 70 that fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 to the recording material, and a pair of discharge rollers 80.

[0015] The image forming section 10 has a scanner unit 11, an electrophotographic process unit 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 21 of the process unit 20 to a recording material. The process unit 20 has the photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22 arranged around the photosensitive drum 21, a pre-exposure device 23, and a developing device 30 including a developing roller 31.

[0016] The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrically shaped photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 21 of this embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photosensitive member on a drum-shaped base body made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotated by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the drawing) at a predetermined process speed.

[0017] The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure to form a charging portion. A desired charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 22 by a charging high-voltage power supply, thereby uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is negatively charged by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 at a position before the charging portion in order to generate a stable discharge at the charging portion.

[0018] The scanner unit 11 scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device or the reading device 200 using a polygon mirror. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Note that the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, and may, for example, be an LED exposure device having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0019] The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 that carries developer, a developing container 32 that serves as a case for the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 that can supply developer to the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. The developing roller 31 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 rotatably contacts the developing roller 31, and the toner contained in the developing container 32 is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required as long as the developing roller 31 is configured to be sufficiently supplied with toner.

[0020] The developing device 30 of this embodiment uses a contact development method. That is, a toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in a development section (development area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a high-voltage development power supply. Under the development voltage, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface in accordance with the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Note that this embodiment employs a reversal development method. That is, a toner image is formed by the toner adhering to the surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21, which has been charged in a charging process and then exposed in an exposure process, where the charge amount has attenuated.

[0021] In this embodiment, a toner having a particle diameter of 6 μm and a normal negative charge polarity is used. As an example, the toner used in this embodiment is a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. The toner used in this embodiment does not contain a magnetic component, and is a so-called non-magnetic single-component developer in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a single-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, a single-component developer may also contain additives (e.g., wax or silica particles) to adjust the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. A two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may also be used. When a magnetic developer is used, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside is used as the developer carrier.

[0022] The developing container 32 is provided with a storage section 36 that stores toner, and an agitating member 34 that is disposed inside the storage section 36. The agitating member 34 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), thereby agitating the toner in the developing container 32 and sending the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. The agitating member 34 also circulates toner that has not been used for development and has been scraped off from the developing roller 31 within the developing container, thereby homogenizing the toner within the developing container. Note that the agitating member 34 is not limited to a rotating type. For example, an agitating member that swings may be used.

[0023] A developing blade 35 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 in which the developing roller 31 is disposed, to regulate the amount of toner carried by the developing roller 31. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through the area facing the developing blade 35 as the developing roller 31 rotates, whereby the toner is uniformly formed into a thin layer and is negatively charged by frictional charging.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the feeding section 60 has a front door 61 supported by the apparatus main body 400 so as to be able to open and close, a tray section 62, a middle plate 63, a tray spring 64, and a pickup roller 65. The tray section 62 forms the bottom surface of a recording material storage space that appears when the front door 61 is opened, and the middle plate 63 is supported by the tray section 62 so as to be able to move up and down. The tray spring 64 urges the middle plate 63 upward, pressing the recording materials P loaded on the middle plate 63 against the pickup roller 65. Note that the front door 61 closes the recording material storage space when closed relative to the apparatus main body 400, and supports the recording materials P together with the tray section 62 and middle plate 63 when open relative to the apparatus main body 400.

[0025] The fixing unit 70 is a thermal fixing unit that fixes an image by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 70 includes a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater that heats the fixing film 71, a thermistor that measures the temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressure roller 72 that presses against the fixing film 71.

[0026] Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an image formation command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming process is started by the image forming unit 10 based on image information input from an external computer or reading device 200 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The scanner unit 11 irradiates a laser beam toward the photosensitive drum 21 based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is pre-charged by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by the irradiation of the laser beam. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0027] In parallel with the above-described image forming process, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding section 60 feeds out the recording material P supported by the front door 61, the tray section 62, and the middle plate 63. The recording material P is fed by the pickup roller 65 to the pair of registration rollers 15, and the registration The skew is corrected by the recording material P hitting the nip between the registration roller pair 15. The registration roller pair 15 is driven in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image, and transports the recording material P toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0028] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 12 from a transfer high-voltage power supply, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the recording material P being conveyed by the registration roller pair 15. The recording material P with the transferred toner image is conveyed to the fixing unit 70, and the toner image is heated and pressurized as it passes through a nip between a fixing film 71 and a pressure roller 72 of the fixing unit 70. This melts the toner particles and then solidifies them, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material P. After passing through the fixing unit 70, the recording material P is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) by the discharge roller pair 80, and is stacked on a discharge tray 81 formed on the top of the apparatus main body 400.

[0029] The discharge tray 81 is inclined upward toward the downstream side in the discharge direction of the recording material, and the recording material discharged onto the discharge tray 81 slides down the discharge tray 81 so that its rear end is aligned by a regulating surface 84 .

[0030] The reading device 200 has a reading unit 201 that incorporates a reading section (not shown) therein, and a pressure plate 202 that is supported so as to be openable and closable by the reading unit 201. On the top surface of the reading unit 201, there is provided a document table glass 203 that transmits light emitted from the reading section and on which a document is placed.

[0031] When a user wants to have the image of a document read by the reading device 200, the user places the document on the document glass 203 with the pressure plate 202 open. Then, by closing the pressure plate 202, the document on the document glass 203 is prevented from shifting position, and a reading command is output to the image forming device 1 by operating, for example, the operation unit 300. When the reading operation is started, the reading unit in the reading unit 201 moves back and forth in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the left-right direction with the operation unit 300 of the image forming device 1 facing forward. The reading unit emits light toward the document from the light-emitting unit, receives light reflected by the document with the light-receiving unit, and reads the image of the document by photoelectrically converting the light. Note that, hereinafter, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined based on the state in which the operation unit 300 is facing forward.

[0032] A top cover 82 is provided on the top of the device main body 400, and a discharge tray 81 is formed on the upper surface of the top cover 82. As shown in Figures 1(b) and 2, an opening / closing member 83 is supported on the top cover 82 so as to be openable and closable around a rotation shaft 83a extending in the front-to-rear direction. An opening 82a that opens upward is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82.

[0033] The opening / closing member 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position where it covers the supply port 32a so that the toner pack 100 cannot be attached to the developing container 32, and an open position where it exposes the supply port 32a so that the toner pack 100 can be attached to the developing container 32. With the opening / closing member 83 in the open position, the toner pack 100 is moved in the attachment direction M towards the supply port 32a and attached to the supply port 32a.

[0034] In the closed position, the opening / closing member 83 functions as part of the discharge tray 81. The opening / closing member 83 and the opening 82a are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81. The opening / closing member 83 is opened to the left by inserting a finger into a groove 82b formed in the top cover 82. The opening / closing member 83 is formed in a substantially L-shape to fit the shape of the top cover 82.

[0035] The opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is formed at the top of the developing container 32 for toner supply. The opening 83 is open to expose the supply port 32a, and the user can access the supply port 32a by opening the opening / closing member 83. In this embodiment, a method (direct supply method) is adopted in which the user supplies toner to the developing device 30 from a toner pack 100 (see FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b)) filled with replenishment toner, while the developing device 30 remains attached to the image forming apparatus 1. At least a portion of the toner pack 100 is exposed to the outside when attached to the attachment portion 106 (see FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b)) of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0036] Therefore, when the amount of toner remaining in the process unit 20 becomes low, it is not necessary to remove the process unit 20 from the apparatus main body 400 and replace it with a new process unit, thereby improving usability. Also, toner can be replenished to the developing container 32 more cheaply than if the entire process unit 20 were replaced. Note that the direct replenishment method reduces costs compared to replacing only the developing device 30 of the process unit 20, because it does not require replacing various rollers, gears, etc. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 100 constitute an image forming system 1000.

[0037] [Installation part] Next, the configuration of the mounting portion 106 into which the toner pack 100 is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 3(a) to 8(b). In this embodiment, the mounting portion 106 is a unit for mounting the toner pack 100, including the replenishing port 32a, and is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 3(a) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 106. FIG. 3(b) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from a different direction than FIG. 3(a). FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting portion 106 when the operation lever 108 is in the closed position, and FIG. 5(a) is a view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from the mounting direction M when the operation lever 108 is in the closed position. FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting portion 106 when the operation lever 108 is in the open position, and FIG. 5(b) is a view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from the mounting direction M when the operation lever 108 is in the open position.

[0038] Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter 109 as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M. Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter 109 from a different perspective than Fig. 6(a). Fig. 7(a) is a perspective view of the cover 110 as seen from the downstream side in the mounting direction M. Fig. 7(b) is a perspective view of the cover 110 as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M. Fig. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting portion 106, and Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 8B-8B cross section of Fig. 8(a).

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 4(b), the mounting portion 106 has a main body base portion 2, which includes a first frame 107, a second frame 117, and a cover 110. The cover 110 and the second frame 117 are fixed to the first frame 107. As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the cover 110 has an engaged portion 110h that engages with the engaging portion 107b of the positioning portion 107a of the first frame 107 so as to prevent the cover 110 from rotating about the rotation axis B relative to the first frame 107. A notch 110k is provided on the downstream side of the cover 110 in the mounting direction M, i.e., on the bottom side, and the notch 110k has a first restricting surface 110c and a second restricting surface 110d. The first restricting surface 110c and the second restricting surface 110d are provided to face each other in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis B.

[0040] The first frame 107, the cover 110, and the second frame 117 may be integrally formed rather than being separate members. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the second frame 117 is provided with an apparatus-side opening 117a, which communicates with the storage section 36 of the developing container 32 (see Figure 1(a)).

[0041] The operating lever 108 and the device-side shutter 109 are each attached to the main body base 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis B. The first frame 107 has a positioning portion 107 The positioning portion 107a protrudes inward from an inner peripheral surface 107c of the first frame 107 that is centered on the rotation axis B in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC that is centered on the rotation axis B.

[0042] Further, the operating lever 108 serving as an operating unit is provided with a drive transmission unit 108a and an operating unit 108b. By operating the operating unit 108b, the user can rotate the operating lever 108 around the rotation axis B relative to the main body base unit 2. The drive transmission unit 108a serving as the engaged unit and the first engaged unit is a convex portion that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the operating lever 108 that is centered on the rotation axis B in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC that is centered on the rotation axis B, as shown in FIG. 3(a).

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the apparatus-side shutter 109 serving as a main body shutter has an inner circumferential surface 109h, an inlet 109a formed on the inner circumferential surface 109h for receiving toner from the toner pack 100, and a bottom surface 109b. The apparatus-side shutter 109 further has a center boss 109d, a pack contact surface 109g, and a regulated rib 109c provided on the bottom surface 109b, and a drive-receiving portion 109e provided on the inner circumferential surface 109h. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the drive-receiving portion 109e serving as a second engaged portion is a convex portion that protrudes inward in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis B. An apparatus-side seal 111 is affixed to the inner circumferential surface 109h so as to surround the inlet 109a (see FIG. 4(b)).

[0044] The device-side shutter 109 is configured to take a shielded position as a second shielded position and an open position as a second open position relative to the main body base 2. More specifically, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the device-side shutter 109 rotates in the direction of arrow K from the shielded position to the open position, and rotates in the direction of arrow L from the open position to the shielded position. Note that these arrow K and arrow L directions are the same as the arrow K and arrow L directions of the pack-side shutter 103 shown in Figure 11(a). In the device-side shutter 109, the receiving opening 109a is shielded by the device-side seal 111 and the cover 110 in the shielded position, and in the open position, the receiving opening 109a is open and not covered by the cover 110. In other words, when the device-side shutter 109 is positioned in the shielding position, the receiving port 109a does not communicate with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117, and when the device-side shutter 109 is positioned in the shielding position, the receiving port 109a communicates with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117.

[0045] The apparatus-side shutter 109 is located in the closed position in Figures 4(a) and 5(a), and at this time, the receiving port 109a of the apparatus-side shutter 109 does not communicate with the apparatus-side opening 117a of the second frame 117. The apparatus-side shutter 109 is located in the open position in Figures 4(b) and 5(b), and at this time, the receiving port 109a of the apparatus-side shutter 109 communicates with the apparatus-side opening 117a of the second frame 117. By moving the apparatus-side shutter 109 to the open position, toner can be replenished (supplied) from the toner pack 100 to the storage section 36 of the developing container 32 through the receiving port 109a.

[0046] Since the operating lever 108 and the device-side shutter 109 are not connected to each other, the device-side shutter 109 will not rotate even if the operating lever 108 is operated without the toner pack 100 attached.

[0047] As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the apparatus-side shutter 109 is configured to be rotatable around the center boss 109d by engaging the large diameter portion 109d1 of the center boss 109d with the cylindrical portion 110j of the cover 110. Here, the regulated rib 109c provided on the bottom surface 109b of the apparatus-side shutter 109 is located between the first regulating surface 110c and the second regulating surface 110d of the cover 110. For this reason, the apparatus-side shutter 109 is configured such that the regulated rib 109c is engaged with the first regulating surface 110c of the cover 110. The apparatus-side shutter 109 is rotatable only within the range of movement between the restricting surface 110c and the second restricting surface 110d. In other words, the rotation range of the apparatus-side shutter 109 is restricted between the closed position and the open position by the first restricting surface 110c and the second restricting surface 110d of the cover 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(b), when the restricted rib 109c is in contact with the first restricting surface 110c, the apparatus-side shutter 109 located at the closed position cannot rotate in the direction of arrow L, i.e., in the direction opposite to the direction toward the open position.

[0048] [Toner pack composition] Next, the basic configuration of the toner pack 100 will be described with reference to Figures 9(a) to 10. The toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 described above. Figure 9(a) is a side view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. Figure 9(b) is a side view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position.

[0049] 9(a) to 10, the toner pack 100 has a pouch 101 that stores toner, a nozzle 102 that is connected to the pouch 101, and a pack-side shutter 103. The nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 are connected to the pouch 101 and form an attachment portion 700 that is attached to the attachment portion 106.

[0050] The pouch 101 serving as a container member is flexible and is provided at one end of the toner pack 100 in the axial direction D1, which is the direction of the rotation axis A of the pack-side shutter 103. When the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106, the rotation axis A coincides with the rotation axis B of the device-side shutter 109. Therefore, hereinafter, the axial directions of the rotation axis A and the rotation axis B are both referred to as the axial direction D1. The nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 are provided at the other end of the toner pack 100 in the axial direction D1. The pouch 101 is formed, for example, by pouch processing a flexible polypropylene sheet, and has a bag shape with one end open. The pouch 101 may be a resin bottle or a container made of paper, vinyl, or the like.

[0051] The pouch 101 serving as a container member has a storage section 101a for storing toner and an opening 101b that opens the storage section 101a. The nozzle 102 is connected to the opening 101b of the pouch 101 so that the storage section 101a of the pouch 101 communicates with the outside of the toner pack 100 only through a toner discharge path (see FIG. 23(b)) formed by the nozzle 102. The nozzle 102 is composed of a nozzle main body 121, which is a discharge path forming member that forms a discharge path for discharging toner from the storage section 101a of the pouch 101, and a connecting member 122 for attaching the nozzle main body 121 to the pouch 101. The connecting member 122 is connected to the opening 101b of the pouch 101. The connecting method is not limited to a specific method. For example, the connecting method may use various adhesives such as hot melt, or may be a method of thermally welding the pouch 101 to the outer periphery of the connecting member 122. Nozzle 102 is connected to pouch 101 by engaging nozzle body 121 with connecting member 122. The engagement structure between nozzle body 121 and connecting member 122 will be described in detail later.

[0052] The nozzle 102 has an outer surface extending along the rotation axis A and a side surface 102c as a first outer surface, and the side surface 102c is provided with an outlet 102a configured to communicate with the inside of the pouch 101, and a recess 102e. The recess 102e is provided at a position different from the outlet 102a in the rotation direction of the pack-side shutter 103. The toner contained in the pouch 101 is configured to be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 100 through the outlet 102a when the pouch 101 is crushed by the user to reduce the volume of the pouch 101. That is, inside the nozzle 102, there is a toner discharge port 102a. A passage 102g (see FIG. 23(b)) is formed as a discharge path configured to allow the toner (contents) to pass through.

[0053] A pack-side shutter 103 serving as a shutter is disposed outside the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102. The pack-side shutter 103 is rotatable about a rotation axis A extending in the axial direction D1 and has an opening 103a. Specifically, an inner peripheral surface 103m of the pack-side shutter 103 is slidably supported on an annular rib 102m of the nozzle 102. The pack-side shutter 103 is disposed outside the side surface 102c in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. The arc surface of the side surface 102c is a curved surface that convexly extends outward in the radial direction r. The inner surface of the pack-side shutter 103, i.e., the surface facing the side surface 102c, is a curved surface that follows the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102, and a substantially rectangular pack-side seal 105 is attached to it.

[0054] The pack-side shutter 103 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis A between a blocking position (position shown in FIG. 9(a)) in which the pack-side seal 105 blocks the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102, and an open position (position shown in FIG. 9(b)) in which the discharge outlet 102a is open. When the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position, the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102 is exposed from an opening 103a formed in the pack-side shutter 103.

[0055] When the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the shielding position (the first shielding position) shown in FIG. 9(a) , is rotated in the direction of arrow K about the rotation axis A, the pack-side shutter 103 reaches the open position (the first open position) shown in FIG. 9(b) . Conversely, when the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the open position, is rotated in the direction of arrow L, the pack-side shutter 103 reaches the shielding position. That is, the direction of arrow K, which is the first rotation direction, is the direction from the shielding position to the open position about the rotation axis A, and the direction of arrow L, which is the second rotation direction, is the direction from the open position to the shielding position about the rotation axis A. During the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103, the pack-side shutter 103 rubs against the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102 via the pack-side seal 105.

[0056] Next, the detailed configurations of the nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 will be described using Figures 11(a) to 14. Figure 11(a) is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle 102 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. Figure 11(b) is a view of the toner pack 100 viewed in the removal direction U in Figure 11(a). Figure 12(a) is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle 102 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position. Figure 12(b) is a view of the toner pack 100 viewed in the removal direction U in Figure 12(a). Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the nozzle 102. Figure 14 is a side view showing the nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103. The removal direction U is the opposite direction to the mounting direction M and is the direction in which the toner pack 100 moves when it is removed from the mounting portion 106.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the nozzle 102 includes a positioned portion 102d having surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 that are spaced apart in the direction of arrow R and extend in a direction intersecting the direction of arrow R. As shown in FIG. 11(b), in this embodiment, the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 extend perpendicular to the direction of arrow R and are parallel to each other. That is, in this embodiment, the direction of arrow R is the normal direction of the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2. The positioned portion 102d engages with a positioning portion 107a (FIG. 4(a)) of the first frame 107 when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106. This determines the position of the nozzle 102 in the direction of arrow R (the position in the rotational direction about the rotation axis A) relative to the first frame 107 (main body base portion 2). In FIG. 11(b), a straight line CL1 passing through the center of the surface 102d1 and the surface 102d2 in the direction of the arrow R and extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the arrow R is a rotation axis. A and CL2, which passes through the center of the outlet 102a, are in a phase rotated by approximately 90°.

[0058] 11(a) and 14, surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 are provided downstream of surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 in the mounting direction M, respectively, in the direction of rotation axis A. As shown in FIG. 11(b), surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 extend in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on rotation axis A. However, the extending direction of surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 is not limited to this embodiment and can be set in any direction that does not interfere with positioning portion 107a of first frame 107.

[0059] 14, a side surface 102e3 is provided between the surface 102d1 and the surface 102d2 and between the surface 102e1 and the surface 102e2 in the direction of the arrow R. The side surface 102e3 is recessed inward in the radial direction r more than the side surface 102c. The surfaces 102d1, 102d2, 102e1, 102e2, and 102e3 form a recess 102e.

[0060] Note that the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 do not necessarily have to be parallel to each other as in this embodiment. For example, the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 may be surfaces extending in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. In this case, the direction of arrow R is the tangent direction to the imaginary circle VC, and the straight line CL1 perpendicular to the direction of arrow R can be set at any angle with respect to the straight line CL2.

[0061] 11(a) and 11(b), when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis A, an opening 103a is provided in the side surface 103d of the pack-side shutter 103. As shown in FIG. 11(a), when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the blocking position, at least a portion of the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 is exposed from the opening 103a. This is so that when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 with the pack-side shutter 103 in the blocking position, the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 of the recess 102e, i.e., the positioned portion 102d, are engaged with the positioning portion 107a.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with a drive-receiving portion 103e on the opposite side of the rotation axis A from the opening 103a. The drive-receiving portion 103e is provided on the opposite side of the rotation axis A from the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. The drive-receiving portion 103e has surfaces 103b1, 103b2, and a side surface 103b3, and is engageable with a drive-receiving portion 108a of the operating lever 108 (described later). Both surfaces 103b1 and 103b2 extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow R. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the pack-side shutter 103 and its vicinity, as seen from the side where the drive-receiving portion 103e is located. Between the surfaces 103b1 and 103b2, a side surface 103b3 is provided that is recessed inward in the radial direction r relative to the side surface 103d.

[0063] 11(a) to 14, the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the toner pack 100 is oriented in a position where the second end side (the nozzle 102 side) of the toner pack 100 is below the first end side (the pouch 101 side). Alternatively, the toner pack 100 is oriented so that at least a portion of the nozzle 102 is below the pouch 101 and the rotation axis A is parallel to the vertical direction. This position is the position when the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106 of the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, in FIGS. 11(a) and 12(a), the mounting direction M is downward and the removal direction U is upward.

[0064] The pack-side shutter 103 has an end face 103c as a shutter end face that is a lower end face in the vertical direction VD and forms the bottom face of the pack-side shutter 103. The nozzle 102 has a protrusion 102b as a first protrusion that protrudes downstream, i.e., downward, from the end face 103c of the pack-side shutter 103 in the mounting direction M. The protrusion 102b is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10(a), the protrusion 102b is a cylindrical portion (a portion having a cylindrical shape) centered on the rotation axis A. The protrusion 102b has a protrusion end face 102b2, which is its lower end face. The protrusion end face 102b2 is provided with a hole having an inner circumferential surface 102b1 centered on the rotation axis A. As shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 102b protrudes downward beyond the lower end face 102j of the nozzle 102. In this embodiment, the end face 103c of the pack-side shutter 103 and the end face 102j of the nozzle 102 are end faces perpendicular to the rotation axis A, but this is not limiting. These faces may be faces that extend in a direction intersecting the rotation axis A when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A. The protrusion 102b does not necessarily have to be provided on the nozzle 102.

[0065] 15(a), the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 is provided with a claw portion 102f as a locking mechanism to prevent the pack-side shutter 103 from rotating relative to the nozzle 102 during transportation or when the toner pack 100 is handled by a user. The pack-side shutter 103 is held in the closed position by the claw portion 102f, thereby preventing the toner contained in the toner pack 100 from spilling.

[0066] Fig. 15(a) is a front view showing the claw portion 102f. Fig. 15(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 15B-15B cross section of Fig. 15(a). Fig. 16(a) is a front view showing the claw portion 102f. Fig. 16(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 16B-16B cross section of Fig. 16(a).

[0067] As shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(b), the claw portion 102f serving as the second restricting portion has an arm portion 102f3, a release slope 102f1, and an abutment portion 102f2. The arm portion 102f3 is elastically deformed, allowing the claw portion 102f to move in the radial direction r of an imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. Specifically, the claw portion 102f is movable between a restricting position shown in Figure 15(b) and a non-restricting position shown in Figure 21(b), which is a position more inward in the radial direction r than the restricting position.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 15(b), when the claw portion 102f is in the restricting position, the abutting portion 102f2 faces the restricting portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the shielding position, in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis A. At this time, a gap s is provided between the abutting portion 102f2 and the restricting portion 103h. When the restricting portion 103h abuts against the abutting portion 102f2, the pack-side shutter 103 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow K. Note that the size of the gap s may be set arbitrarily, and the rotation range within which the pack-side shutter 103 can rotate within the gap s is considered to be the shielding position. In other words, the pack-side shutter 103 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow K from the shielding position by the claw portion 102f, which is in the restricting position.

[0069] Furthermore, when the claw portion 102f is in the non-restricted position, the abutting portion 102f2 is located further inward in the radial direction r of the imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis A than the restricting portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103. Therefore, the pack-side shutter 103 can rotate about the rotation axis A without interfering with the abutting portion 102f2.

[0070] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 21(b), the device-side shutter 109 is provided with a restriction release rib 109j extending in the axial direction D1. The restriction release rib 109j can come into contact with the release slope 102f1 of the claw portion 102f when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106. As shown in Figures 11(b), 15(b), 17(b), and 21(b), the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with an opening 103j, which extends from the end face (bottom face) 103c of the pack-side shutter 103 to the side face 103d. The restriction release rib 109j provided on the device-side shutter 109 passes through the opening 103j and comes into contact with the release slope 102f1 of the claw portion 102f arranged inside the pack-side shutter 103. It can abut.

[0071] The release slope 102f1 is inclined with respect to the mounting direction M (axial direction D1) so as to extend inward in the radial direction r as it moves downstream in the mounting direction M. When the toner pack 100 is mounted to the mounting portion 106, the release slope 102f1 converts the direction of the force that the claw portion 102f receives from the restriction release rib 109j to be inward in the radial direction r. As a result, the release slope 102f is pressed by the restriction release rib 109j, causing the claw portion 102f to move inward in the radial direction r from the restriction position to the non-restriction position. In other words, when the toner pack 100 is mounted to the mounting portion 106, the claw portion 102f is pressed by the mounting portion 106 and moves from the restriction position to the non-restriction position.

[0072] The abutment portion 102f2 of the claw portion 102f described above abuts against the regulating portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103, thereby regulating the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow K. Next, a configuration for regulating the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow L, which is opposite to the direction of arrow K, will be described.

[0073] 16(b), the pack-side shutter 103 has a rotation-restricting rib 103k, and the nozzle 102 has a rotation-restricting surface 102k as a first restricting portion that faces the rotation-restricting rib 103k in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis A. When the pack-side shutter 103 is located in the shielding position, the rotation-restricting rib 103k faces the rotation-restricting surface 102k with a small gap therebetween. When the pack-side shutter 103 located in the shielding position attempts to rotate in the direction of arrow L, the rotation-restricting rib 103k abuts against the rotation-restricting surface 102k, and the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow L is restricted.

[0074] 16(a) and 16(b), the claw portion 102f is disposed downstream of the rotation restriction surface 102k and the rotation restriction rib 103k in the mounting direction M. This is because the claw portion 102f is disposed in a position where it can be easily pressed by the restriction release rib 109j of the apparatus-side shutter 109 when the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the opening 103j provided in the pack-side shutter 103, ensuring the rigidity of the pack-side shutter 103 and preventing the user from accessing the claw portion 102f. Note that the arrangement of the claw portion 102f, the rotation restriction surface 102k, and the rotation restriction rib 103k is not limited to this and may be changed as desired.

[0075] As described above, when the toner pack 100 is not attached to the attachment portion 106, the pack-side shutter 103 is restricted from rotating in the directions of arrows K and L, and is easily held in the shielding position. When the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 and the claw portion 102f is positioned in the non-restricted position, the pack-side shutter 103 exposes the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 as shown in FIG. 12(a).

[0076] 11(a) and 13, three radial positioning portions 103f are provided on the pack-side shutter 103. These radial positioning portions 103f protrude outward in the radial direction r beyond the side surface 103d. Each of the radial positioning portions 103f is disposed upstream of the pack-side shutter 103 in the mounting direction M.

[0077] [Installing the toner pack into the mounting compartment] Next, the state when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 will be described with reference to Figs. 17(a) to 21(b). Figs. 17(a) and 17(b) are perspective views of the toner pack 100 being attached to the attachment portion 106, viewed from different angles. Fig. 18(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the toner pack 100 is attached toward the attachment portion 106. Fig. 18(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the toner pack 100 has been attached to the attachment portion 106. is.

[0078] FIG. 19(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19A-19A in FIG. 18(a). FIG. 19(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19B-19B in FIG. 18(a). FIG. 20(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20A-20A in FIG. 18(b). FIG. 20(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20B-20B in FIG. 20(a). FIG. 21(a) is a perspective view showing the state in which the toner pack 100 is being attached to the apparatus-side shutter 109. Note that in FIG. 21(a), the pouch 101 and the pack-side shutter 103 of the toner pack 100 are omitted, and only the nozzle 102 is shown. FIG. 21(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16B-16B in FIG. 16(a) after the toner pack 100 has been attached to the attachment portion 106. For ease of viewing, the cross sections of the pack-side shutter 103 and the cover 110 are hatched in FIGS. 18(a) to 20(b), and the cross section of the nozzle 102 is hatched in FIG. 21(b).

[0079] 17(a) and 17(b), the user moves the toner pack 100, with the pack-side shutter 103 in the covering position, in the mounting direction M to mount the toner pack 100 into the mounting portion 106, with the apparatus-side shutter 109 in the covering position. At this time, the user aligns the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 and the opening 103a of the pack-side shutter 103 with the positioning portion 107a of the first frame 107. At the same time, the user also aligns the positions of the drive-receiving portion 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 and the drive-transmitting portion 108a of the operating lever 108.

[0080] After aligning the toner pack 100 with the mounting portion 106 in this way, the user moves the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction M to mount it in the mounting portion 106. Then, as shown in Figure 18(a), the small diameter portion 109d2 of the center boss 109d of the apparatus-side shutter 109 is fitted into the inner circumferential surface 102b1 of the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102. This determines the position of the nozzle 102 in the radial direction r relative to the apparatus-side shutter 109.

[0081] At this time, as shown in Figure 19(a), the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 engages with the drive transmitted part 103e of the pack-side shutter 103. At the same time, as shown in Figure 19(b), the side surfaces 110f and 110g of the cover 110 approach or engage with the surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 that form the recess 102e of the nozzle 102. Also, as shown in Figures 19(a) and 19(b), the drive transmitted part 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 engages with the drive transmitted part 109e of the device-side shutter 109 and the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108. As a result, the rotation axis A of the pack-side shutter 103 and the rotation axis B of the device-side shutter 109 become approximately coaxial.

[0082] Furthermore, surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 of recess 102e of nozzle 102 engage with side surfaces 110f and 110g of cover 110, respectively, so that nozzle 102 of toner pack 100 does not rotate relative to main body base 2 including cover 110. In other words, when toner pack 100 is attached to image forming apparatus 1, recess 102e engages with cover 110 of image forming apparatus 1, thereby restricting rotation of nozzle 102 relative to image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, operation lever 108, pack-side shutter 103, and apparatus-side shutter 109 are rotatable approximately integrally with main body base 2 and nozzle 102 about rotation axis B.

[0083] Specifically, when the operating lever 108 is rotated, the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 presses the surface 103b1 or 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103, rotating the pack-side shutter 103. Thereafter, the surface 103b1 or 103b2 constituting the drive transmitted part 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 presses the drive transmitted part 109e of the device-side shutter 109, rotating the device-side shutter 109.

[0084] When the toner pack 100 has been completely attached to the attachment portion 106, the three radial positioning portions 103f (see FIGS. 11(a) and 13) of the pack-side shutter 103 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface 109h (see FIG. 6(a)) of the device-side shutter 109. This determines the position of the toner pack 100 in the radial direction r on the upstream side of the attachment direction M.

[0085] 20(a), the position of the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction M is determined when the protrusion end surface 102b2 of the protrusion 102b of the nozzle 102 abuts against the pack abutment surface 109g of the apparatus-side shutter 109. Note that the positioning of the protrusion 102b of the nozzle 102 may be determined by fitting the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 102b into the cylindrical portion 110j of the cover 110 (see FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b)).

[0086] 20(b), the positioned portion 102d provided on the nozzle 102 engages with the positioning portion 107a of the first frame 107. As a result, the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 is restricted from rotating relative to the first frame 107 (main body base portion 2).

[0087] 21(a) and 21(b), when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106, the claw portion 102f provided on the nozzle 102 moves from the regulated position to the non-regulated position (the position shown in FIG. 21(b)), as described above. More specifically, the release slope 102f1 is pressed by the restriction release rib 109j, causing the claw portion 102f to move inward in the radial direction r from the regulated position to the non-regulated position. This releases the restriction on rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow K.

[0088] [Operating the control lever] Fig. 22(a) is a perspective view showing the operation lever 108 and toner pack 100 in the closed position. Fig. 22(b) is a perspective view showing the operation lever 108 and toner pack 100 in the open position. Fig. 23(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack 100 and mounting portion 106 when the apparatus-side shutter 109 and pack-side shutter 103 are both in the closed position. Fig. 23(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the toner pack 100 and mounting portion 106 when the apparatus-side shutter 109 and pack-side shutter 103 are both in the open position.

[0089] As described above, when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106, the operation lever 108, the pack-side shutter 103, and the apparatus-side shutter 109 can rotate integrally with the main body base portion 2 and the nozzle 102 about the rotation axis B. When the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 and the operation lever 108 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 23(a), the discharge opening 102a is blocked by the pack-side shutter 103, the pack-side seal 105, and the apparatus-side shutter 109. For this reason, the toner in the pouch 101 cannot reach the apparatus-side opening 117a of the second frame 117.

[0090] As shown in Figures 22(a) and 22(b), when the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106 and the operating lever 108 is rotated in the direction of arrow Q from the closed position to the open position, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 rotate from the closed position to the open position.

[0091] More specifically, the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 presses the surface 103b1 of the pack-side shutter 103. As a result, the pack-side shutter 103 rotates together with the operating lever 108 from the closed position to the open position. In other words, the drive transmission part 108a engages with the surface 103b1, which serves as the engagement part and the first engagement part, and the pack-side shutter 103 rotates from the closed position to the open position in conjunction with the rotation of the operating lever 108. In addition, the surface 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103, which is rotated from the closed position to the open position, presses against the surface 103b1 of the device-side shutter 103. The second engaging portion 103b2 of the device-side shutter 109 is pressed against the drive-receiving portion 109e of the pack-side shutter 103. As a result, the device-side shutter 109 rotates from the closed position to the open position together with the pack-side shutter 103. In other words, the device-side shutter 109 rotates integrally with the pack-side shutter 103 in conjunction with the rotation of the operating lever 108 as a result of the engagement between the surface 103b2 serving as the second engaging portion and the drive-receiving portion 109e.

[0092] 23(b), the pack-side shutter 103, the pack-side seal 105, and the apparatus-side shutter 109 move, thereby opening the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102. That is, the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100 and the storage unit 36 ​​communicate with each other via the discharge outlet 102a, the receiving opening 109a, and the apparatus-side opening 117a. When the pouch 101 is compressed by the user, the toner in the pouch 101 is replenished to the storage unit 36 ​​of the developing container 32 together with air via the discharge outlet 102a, the receiving opening 109a, and the apparatus-side opening 117a.

[0093] When the user has completed replenishment of toner from the toner pack 100 to the developing container 32, he or she rotates the operating lever 108 from the open position to the closed position. When the operating lever 108 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the drive transmission portion 108a of the operating lever 108 presses the surface 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103. As a result, the pack-side shutter 103 rotates together with the operating lever 108 from the open position to the closed position. Furthermore, the surface 103b1 of the pack-side shutter 103 rotated from the open position to the closed position presses the drive transmission portion 109e of the apparatus-side shutter 109. As a result, the apparatus-side shutter 109 rotates together with the pack-side shutter 103 from the open position to the closed position. In this way, when the operating lever 108 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the surface 103b2 forms the engaging portion, and the surface 103b1 forms the second engaging portion.

[0094] In this state, the user pulls out the toner pack 100 from the mounting portion 106 to complete the toner supply operation.

[0095] [Toner pack details] A method for manufacturing the toner pack 100 according to this embodiment and the details of the joining structure between the nozzle body and the joining member will be described with reference to FIGS. 24(a) to 34(b).

[0096] [Toner pack manufacturing process] First, the manufacturing process of the toner pack according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 27(a) to 28(b).

[0097] Figure 27(a) is a perspective view showing the pouch and the nozzle assembly in a separated state before the coupling member is coupled to the pouch. Figure 27(b) is a perspective view showing the pouch and the nozzle assembly in a separated state after the coupling member is coupled to the pouch. Figure 27(c) is a perspective view showing the pouch and the nozzle assembly in a toner filling state after the coupling member is coupled to the pouch. Figure 28(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the pouch and the nozzle assembly, showing the nozzle body in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. Figure 28(b) is an enlarged perspective view of the pouch-nozzle assembly, showing the nozzle body rotated relative to the coupling member from the fully inserted position shown in Figure 28(a) to the fully engaged position.

[0098] As described above, the toner pack 100 according to this embodiment includes the pouch 101 as a container member for storing toner, the nozzle 102 connected to the pouch 101, and the pack-side shutter 103. In this embodiment, the nozzle 102 is made up of a nozzle body 121 and a connecting member 122. In manufacturing the toner pack 100, the above-described components are assembled and the pouch 101 is filled with toner.

[0099] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 27(a) and FIG. 27(b), first, a joining portion is attached to the pouch 101. The joining member 122 is attached to the pouch 101 (first assembly step). The assembly method is as described above. Next, as shown in FIG. 27(b), in the toner filling configuration in which only the joining member 122 is joined to the pouch 101, toner is filled into the pouch 101 through the opening of the joining member 122 (filling step). Then, as shown in FIGS. 27(a) to 28(b), the nozzle main body 121 is engaged with the joining member 122 to bring about a state in which the nozzle 102 is joined to the pouch 101 (a state in which the pouch-nozzle assembly is formed) (second assembly step).

[0100] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 27(a), in assembling the nozzle main body 121 to the coupling member 122, first, the insertion portion 121a is inserted into the through-hole 122b in an insertion direction I, and the nozzle main body 121 is moved in the insertion direction I relative to the coupling member 122. The insertion direction I is parallel to the mounting direction M and opposite to the mounting direction M (parallel to the removal direction U and the same direction as the removal direction U). As shown in FIG. 28(a), the nozzle main body 121 is inserted into the coupling member 122 up to an insertion completion position where the flange 121c abuts against the opposing portion 122c, which serves as an abutted portion of the coupling member 122 (insertion step). Then, as shown in FIG. 28(b), while maintaining the state in which the flange 121c abuts against the opposing portion 122c, the nozzle main body 121 is rotated in a rotation direction S about a rotation axis C parallel to the insertion direction I relative to the coupling member 122 (rotation step). The rotation axis C is substantially coaxial with the rotation axes A and B.

[0101] Finally, the pack-side shutter 103 is attached to complete the toner pack 100 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (third assembly step).

[0102] [Toner Refill] As described above, in this embodiment, the pouch 101 is filled with toner in a state where the connecting member 122 is attached to the pouch 101 (FIG. 27(b)) before the nozzle body 121 is attached. In other words, the toner filling process is performed after the first assembling process and before the second assembling process.

[0103] The toner filling process may be performed, for example, through opening 101b of pouch 101 before attaching connecting member 122. However, pouch 101 is a flexible member, and some measure is required to maintain the shape of opening 101b during toner filling. According to this embodiment, connecting member 122, which is a resin part, is attached and the opening of connecting member 122 is used as the toner filling port, so no measure is required to maintain the shape of the filling port.

[0104] Another possible approach is to fill the pouch with toner using the nozzle's toner outlet while the nozzle is attached to the pouch. However, depending on the shape of the outlet, filling the toner may not be easy, and the filling operation may not be efficient. In particular, in a configuration in which the outlet 102a opens to the side in the longitudinal direction of the toner pack 100, as in the nozzle 102 of this embodiment, it may be difficult to fill the pouch with toner efficiently through the outlet 102a. In this embodiment, toner is filled using the opening of the connecting member 122, which has a larger opening area than the outlet 102a and opens straight into the storage section 101a of the pouch 101 along the longitudinal direction of the toner pack 100. This makes filling the pouch with toner easier and allows for efficient filling.

[0105] [Engagement structure between nozzle body and coupling member] The engagement structure between the nozzle body 121 and the connecting member 122 in the toner pack 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 24(a) to 34(b).

[0106] Fig. 24(a) is a perspective view of the nozzle body of the toner pack according to this embodiment, and Fig. 24(b) is a perspective view of the nozzle body of the toner pack according to this embodiment from a different viewpoint than Fig. 24(a). 25(a) is a diagram (plan view) of the nozzle body of the toner pack according to this embodiment when viewed in the direction opposite to the insertion / removal direction of the connecting member. FIG. 25(b) is a diagram (bottom view) of the nozzle body of the toner pack according to this embodiment when viewed in the insertion / removal direction of the connecting member. FIG. 26(a) is a perspective view of the connecting member of the toner pack according to this embodiment. FIG. 26(b) is a perspective view of the connecting member of the toner pack according to this embodiment from a different perspective than that of FIG. 26(a). FIG. 29(a) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body where the discharge port is provided. FIG. 29(b) is a cross-sectional view of the connecting member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the connecting member. FIG. 29(c) is a side view of the nozzle body opposite to the side shown in FIG. 29(a). FIG. 29(d) is a cross-sectional view of the connecting member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the connecting member.

[0107] 26(a), 26(b), 27(a), 27(b), 29(b), and 29(d), joining member 122 is a substantially annular member attached along the inner periphery of opening 101b of pouch 101. Joining member 122 has outer peripheral portion 122a having a shape corresponding to the shape of opening 101b of pouch 101, and through-hole 122b for connecting storage portion 101a of pouch 101 to the outside when joining member 122 is joined to opening 101b of pouch 101. Joining member 122 has opposing portion 122c that is exposed to the outside of pouch 101 in mounting direction M when joined to opening 101b of pouch 101, and that faces nozzle main body 121 in mounting direction M when nozzle main body 121 is joined to joining member 122.

[0108] Opening 101b of pouch 101 opens toward mounting direction M, and when connecting member 122 is connected to opening 101b, through-hole 122b penetrates connecting member 122 along mounting direction M. This through-hole 122b serves as a filling port for filling toner into storage section 101a of pouch 101 in the toner filling step described above. Furthermore, through-hole 122b is formed by inner circumferential surface 122d of connecting member 122, whose central axis is an axis parallel to mounting direction M, and engaging groove 124, which will be described later. These components form inserted portion 122e into which inserting portion 121a of nozzle main body 121 is inserted when nozzle main body 121 is assembled (second assembly step).

[0109] As shown in Figures 24(a), 24(b), 25(a), 25(b), 29(a), and 29(c), the nozzle main body 121 has an insertion portion 121a, a mounting portion 121b, and a flange 121c. The insertion portion 121a is the portion of the nozzle main body 121 that is inserted into the through-hole 122b of the connecting member 122. The mounting portion 121b is the portion of the nozzle main body 121 that is provided on the opposite side of the flange 121c from the insertion portion 121a, and is the portion of the nozzle main body 121 that is mounted to the mounting portion 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 when the toner pack 100 is mounted to the image forming apparatus 1. The mounting portion 121b is the portion that is exposed to the outside of the pouch 101 when the nozzle main body 121 is connected to the connecting member 122 during assembly of the toner pack 100, and is provided with the discharge port 102a, the protrusion 102b, etc.

[0110] The flange 121c is provided between the insertion portion 121a and the mounted portion 121b, i.e., on the upstream side of the insertion portion 121a in the insertion direction I of the insertion portion 121a into the through hole 122b, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I. The flange 121c has an opposing surface as an abutting portion that faces the opposing portion 122c of the coupling member 122 in the insertion direction I when the insertion portion 121a is inserted into the through hole 122b. When the insertion portion 121a is inserted into the through hole 122b, the flange 121c abuts against the opposing portion 122c in the insertion direction I, thereby determining the insertion completion position of the nozzle body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122.

[0111] 34(a) is a perspective cross-sectional view of the nozzle and its surroundings of the pouch-nozzle assembly, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line 34A-34A in FIG. 34(b). FIG. 34(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the sealing member. 34(a) along 34B-34B. As shown in Fig. 34, a seal member 127 is disposed in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the through-hole 122a between the flange 121c of the nozzle main body 121 and the facing portion 122c of the coupling member 122. The seal member 127 is compressed in the insertion direction I between the flange 121c and the facing portion 122c to seal the gap between the flange 121c and the facing portion 122c and prevent toner leakage.

[0112] The engagement structure between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 24(a) to 26(b) and 29(a) to 33(b).

[0113] Fig. 30(a) is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the inner engaging protrusion. Fig. 30(b) is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the engaged groove. Fig. 31(a) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch, illustrating only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. Fig. 31(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31B-31B of Fig. 31(a). Fig. 31(c) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch, illustrating only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. Fig. 31(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 31D-31D of Fig. 31(c). Fig. 32(a) is an enlarged side view of the pouch and nozzle, showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position. Figure 32(b) is a view (bottom view) of the pouch and nozzle shown in Figure 32(a) when viewed in the insertion direction. Figure 32(c) is an enlarged side view of the pouch-nozzle assembly showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position. Figure 32(d) is a view (bottom view) of the pouch-nozzle assembly shown in Figure 32(c) when viewed in the insertion direction. Figure 33(a) is an enlarged perspective view showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position. Figure 33(b) is an enlarged side view showing the second engagement configuration (the outer engaging protrusion of the nozzle body and the engaged protrusion of the coupling member) when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position.

[0114] As described above, when assembling the nozzle body 121 to the coupling member 122, the nozzle body 121 is inserted into the coupling member 122 to the insertion completion position, and then the nozzle body 121 is rotated relative to the coupling member 122 in the rotation direction S about the rotation axis C. An engagement structure is provided between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122, which is configured to engage with each other through the above rotation, and this engagement structure brings the nozzle member 121 into a coupled state with the coupling member 122. As the engagement structure for achieving this coupled state, at least two types of engagement structure having different radial distances from the rotation axis C are provided between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122.

[0115] 24(a) to 26(b) and 29(a) to 29(d), the nozzle body 121 has an inner engaging protrusion 123 as a first engaging portion provided on the inner diameter side in the radial direction relative to the rotation axis C, and an outer engaging protrusion 125 as a second engaging portion provided on the outer diameter side. Correspondingly, the coupling member 122 has an engaged groove 124 as a first engaged portion, and an engaged protrusion 126 as a second engaged portion. The inner engaging protrusion 123 engages with the engaged groove 124, and the outer engaging protrusion 125 engages with the engaged protrusion 126. In other words, the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 form an engaging configuration on the inner diameter side (first engaging configuration), and the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 form an engaging configuration on the outer diameter side (second engaging configuration). In either engagement configuration, the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 are configured to undergo elastic deformation during relative rotation about a predetermined rotation axis C. In this engaged state, relative movement between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 in the direction of the rotation axis is restricted.

[0116] [First engagement configuration] The engagement configuration (first engagement configuration) between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 is a so-called fixed fit configuration. After the nozzle body 121 reaches the insertion completion position with respect to the coupling member 122, when the two are rotated relative to each other, the relative rotation phases that the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 can take include a non-engagement phase, a deformation phase, and an engagement phase.

[0117] When the nozzle body 121 reaches the insertion completion position, the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 are in a disengagement phase. As the nozzle body 121 rotates in the rotation direction S relative to the coupling member 122, the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 move from the disengagement phase, through a deformation phase, and then to an engagement phase. The inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 are configured to be able to reach the engagement phase when elastic deformation occurs in at least one of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 in the deformation phase.

[0118] When the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124 are in the engaged phase, the nozzle body 121 is restricted from moving circumferentially and in the direction of the rotation center axis relative to the coupling member 122. Once the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124 reach the engaged phase, they will not return to the deformed phase or the disengaged phase even if the nozzle body 121 is subsequently rotated in the opposite direction (second direction) to the rotation direction S (first direction) relative to the coupling member 122.

[0119] 24(a) to 25(b), the inner engaging protrusion 123 protrudes radially from the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 121a of the nozzle body 121. The inner engaging protrusion 123 extends spirally relative to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 121a so as to move downstream in the insertion direction I into the through-hole 122b of the insertion portion 121a, the further downstream in the rotation direction S of the nozzle body 121 when the nozzle body 121 is coupled to the coupling member 122.

[0120] 29(a), 29(c), and 30(a), the inner engaging projection 123 has a first side surface 123d on the leading end side in the rotational direction S, a second side surface 123e on the trailing end side, and a third side surface 123f on the trailing end side in the insertion direction I. The first side surface 123d and the second side surface 123e are side surfaces that extend along the insertion direction I, and the third side surface 123f is a side surface that extends in a direction inclined with respect to both the insertion direction I and the rotational direction S, and that inclines more toward the downstream side of the insertion direction I as it moves downstream in the rotational direction S.

[0121] Furthermore, the inner engaging projection 123 has a force receiving surface 123b (first guided inclined surface) between the first side surface 123c and the third side surface 123f, which is a side surface that is inclined with respect to each side surface. The force receiving surface 123b is a surface that receives a pressing force from the engaged groove 124 in the deformation phase, which causes a deformation in at least one of the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124 that allows the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124 to move relative to each other in the engagement phase.

[0122] 26(a) and 26(b), the engaged groove 124 is a groove provided inside the through hole 122b of the coupling member 122, i.e., on the inner circumferential surface 122d that forms the through hole 122b. The engaged groove 124 is recessed radially outward relative to the inner circumferential surface 122d in the radial direction relative to the central axis of the inner circumferential surface 122d that is parallel to the insertion direction I.

[0123] As shown in Figures 29(b), 29(d), and 30(b), the engaged groove 124 generally has an insertion guide portion 124a, a deformation guide portion 124b, and an engagement holding portion 124c. As shown in Figures 31(a) to 31(d), the inner engaging protrusion 123 introduced into the engaged groove 124 moves from the insertion guide portion 124a through contact with the force applying surface of the deformation guide portion 124b by relative rotation of the nozzle body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122 in the rotation direction S, and then moves to the engaging groove 124c. The guided portion is guided to the joint holding portion 124c.

[0124] The insertion guide portion 124a has an insertion opening that is open in a direction parallel to the insertion direction I on the end face of the opposing portion 122c that is opposite to the insertion direction I of the coupling member 122. The insertion guide portion 124a extends from the insertion opening in the insertion direction I, and pulls in and guides the inner engaging protrusion 123 in the insertion direction I when the insertion portion 121a of the nozzle body 121 is inserted into the through-hole 122b.

[0125] The engaged groove 124 extends in the rotation direction S further back (downstream in the insertion direction I) than the insertion guide portion 124a, and is provided with a deformation guide portion 124b in front of the engagement holding portion 124c. The deformation guide portion 124b is configured to protrude downstream in the insertion direction I relative to the engagement holding portion 124c, and has a first inclined surface 124b1 and a second inclined surface 124b2 as force application surfaces (first guide inclined surfaces) as part of the groove side surface of the engaged groove 124.

[0126] The first inclined surface 124b1 and the second inclined surface 124b2 are configured so that the inclination angle with respect to the circumferential direction in which the inner engaging projection 123 is guided gradually decreases. The first inclined surface 124b1 and the second inclined surface 124b2 are groove side surfaces that are inclined with respect to both the insertion direction I and the rotational direction S, respectively, and extend in an inclined direction that becomes more downstream in the insertion direction I as they move downstream in the rotational direction S. The first inclined surface 124b1 and the second inclined surface 124b2 each face the force receiving surface 123b of the inner engaging projection 123 in the deformation phase in the opposite direction to the insertion direction I and the rotational direction S. First, the first inclined surface 124b1 guides the inner engaging projection 123, and then the second inclined surface 124b2 guides it. The second inclined surface 124b2 is configured to have a smaller angle with respect to the circumferential direction than the first inclined surface 124b1.

[0127] The force receiving surface 123b of the inner engaging protrusion 123 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 124b1 due to movement in the rotational direction S caused by relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122. The pressing force generated between the force receiving surface 123b and the first inclined surface 124b1 causes deformation of at least one of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124, causing the inner engaging protrusion 123 to be displaced downstream in the insertion direction I with respect to the deformation guide portion 124b of the engaged groove 124.

[0128] As the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 continues while the force receiving surface 123b and the first inclined surface 124b1 slide against each other, the inner engaging protrusion 123 reaches a state in which it appears to be riding up onto the downstream side of the deformation guide portion 124b in the insertion direction I. That is, the third side surface 123f of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the second inclined surface 124b2 of the deformation guide portion 124b of the engaged groove 124 come into contact and slide against each other. Due to deformation of at least one of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 caused by a pressing force generated between the force receiving surface 123b and the second inclined surface 124b2, the inner engaging protrusion 123 is further displaced downstream in the insertion direction I relative to the deformation guide portion 124b of the engaged groove 124.

[0129] As the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 progresses further from this state, the inner engaging protrusion 123 moves downstream in the rotation direction S from the deformation guide portion 124b, and the pressing force is released. As a result, the inner engaging protrusion 123 is released from its deformed state and displaces relative to the engaged groove 124 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction I. That is, due to the deformation of at least one of the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124, the inner engaging protrusion 123 moves relative to the engaged groove 124 in the rotation direction S so as to overcome the deformation guide portion 124b and move into the engagement holding portion 124c. As a result, the relative rotation phase between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 changes from the deformation phase to the engagement phase.

[0130] The engagement holding portion 124c is configured so that the groove width of the engaged groove 124 in the insertion direction I is wider than the deformation guide portion 124b in the opposite direction to the insertion direction I. The elastic deformation of the inner engaging protrusion 123 to the engaged groove 124 that occurs in the deformation phase is The inner engaging projection 123 is accommodated in the engaging holding portion 124c by the transition to the second phase.

[0131] The engagement holding portion 124c has a first groove side surface 124d that faces the inner engagement protrusion 123 in the engagement phase in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 122d in the direction opposite to the rotational direction S (first direction), and a second groove side surface 124e that faces the rotational direction S (second direction). The first groove side surface 124d is a groove side surface that extends along the insertion direction I, and faces the first side surface 123d of the inner engagement protrusion 123 in the direction opposite to the rotational direction S as a first circumferential direction restricting portion. The second groove side surface 124e is also a groove side surface that extends along the insertion direction I, and faces the second side surface 123e of the inner engagement protrusion 123 in the rotational direction S as a second circumferential direction restricting portion.

[0132] The circumferentially opposing surfaces between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaging holding portion 124c restrict relative circumferential rotational movement between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124 in the engaged phase. Ideally, the circumferentially opposing surfaces between the inner engaging protrusion 123 and the engaging holding portion 124c face each other without any gap, but they may be configured to face each other with a small gap. In other words, they may be configured to engage with a loose fit, as long as the range of relative rotation allowed after the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 are engaged with each other is limited to a range that does not affect the function of the toner pack 100.

[0133] Furthermore, the engagement holding portion 124c has a third groove side surface 124f that faces the inner engagement protrusion 123 in the engagement phase in the insertion direction I. The third groove side surface 124f is a groove side surface that is inclined with respect to both the insertion direction I and the rotational direction S in accordance with the third side surface 123f of the inner engagement protrusion 123, and extends in an inclined direction that approaches the downstream side of the insertion direction I as it moves downstream in the rotational direction S.

[0134] When the third groove side surface 124f, which serves as a counter-insertion direction regulating portion, abuts against the third side surface 123f of the inner engaging protrusion 123 in the engagement phase, relative movement of the nozzle body 121 away from the coupling member 122 in the counter-insertion direction, which is the opposite direction to the insertion direction I, is regulated. On the other hand, relative movement of the nozzle body 121 in the insertion direction I with respect to the coupling member 122 is regulated, as described above, by the opposing portion 122c of the coupling member 122, which serves as an insertion direction regulating portion, abutting against the flange 121c of the nozzle body 121 in the counter-insertion direction. This restricts relative movement of the nozzle body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122 in both the insertion direction I and the counter-insertion direction.

[0135] The third groove side surface 124f is inclined so that the further downstream in the rotation direction S it is, the more it pushes the inner engaging projection 123 downstream in the insertion direction I. The wedge effect of this inclined configuration further restricts relative movement between the inner engaging projection 123 and the engaged groove 124, and improves the tightness of contact between the nozzle main body 121 and the coupling member 122 in the insertion direction I. In other words, dimensional errors between the nozzle main body 121 and the coupling member 122 can be absorbed, thereby achieving stable tightness of contact.

[0136] A plurality of inner engaging protrusions 123 are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 121a (at different phases around the central axis of the insertion portion 121a), and in this embodiment, four are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The engaged grooves 124 are also provided at four positions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, corresponding to the first engaging protrusions 123. Note that the number of engagement configurations formed by the inner engaging protrusions 123 and the engaged grooves 124 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more.

[0137] In this embodiment, in order to prevent erroneous attachment of the nozzle body 121 to the connecting member 122, one of the four sets of engagement structures is positioned differently in the insertion direction I from the other sets. That is, the position in the insertion direction I of one of the four inner engaging protrusions 123, inner engaging protrusion 123B, is shifted downstream in the insertion direction I relative to the positions of the other three inner engaging protrusions 123A. Correspondingly, the position in the insertion direction I of the engagement holding portion 124c in the engaged groove 124B corresponding to the inner engaging protrusion 123B is shifted downstream in the insertion direction I relative to the positions of the engagement holding portion 124c in the other three engaged grooves 124A. As a result, the nozzle main body 121 cannot be assembled to the coupling member 122 unless the relative phase of the nozzle main body 121 and the coupling member 122 around the insertion direction I is such that the inner engaging protrusion 123B and the engaged groove 124B are in the same phase. Therefore, the phase (orientation) of nozzle body 121 relative to coupling member 122 around insertion direction I when engaged with coupling member 122, i.e., the phase of nozzle body 121 relative to pouch 101 around insertion direction I, becomes constant (is fixed at one posture).

[0138] The configuration for preventing mis-attachment is not limited to the above. For example, the positional offset of the inner engaging protrusion 123A and the inner engaging protrusion 123B in the insertion direction I may be configured such that the inner engaging protrusion 123B is offset upstream of the inner engaging protrusion 123A in the insertion direction I. Furthermore, for example, the positions of two adjacent inner engaging protrusions 123 in the insertion direction I may be made different from the positions of the other two inner engaging protrusions. Furthermore, three or fewer or five or more inner engaging protrusions 123 may be provided, and in such a case, the combination of the inner engaging protrusions 123A and the inner engaging protrusions 123B may be any combination as long as the mis-attachment prevention function is obtained. Furthermore, the offset of the position of the inner engaging protrusions 123 in the insertion direction I is not limited to two stages as in this embodiment, but may be configured to be different in three or more stages.

[0139] In this embodiment, the engaging protrusion is provided on nozzle main body 121 and the engaged groove is provided on connecting member 122, but it is also possible to provide the engaging protrusion on connecting member 122 and the engaged groove on nozzle main body 121. However, in the latter configuration, the engaged groove provided on nozzle main body 121 is configured to communicate with storage section 101a of pouch 101, and therefore it may be necessary to consider the sealing configuration so that such engaging configuration does not become a path for toner leakage.

[0140] [Second engagement configuration] The engagement configuration (second engagement configuration) between the outer engaging protrusion 125 (third protrusion) and the engaged protrusion 126 (second protrusion) is also a so-called fixed fit configuration. After the nozzle body 121 reaches the insertion completion position with respect to the coupling member 122, when the two are rotated relative to each other, the relative rotation phases that the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 can take include a non-engagement phase, a deformation phase, and an engagement phase.

[0141] When the nozzle body 121 reaches the insertion completion position, the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 are in a disengagement phase. As the nozzle body 121 rotates in the rotation direction S relative to the coupling member 122, the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 move from the disengagement phase, through a deformation phase, and then to an engagement phase. The outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 are configured to be able to reach the engagement phase when elastic deformation occurs in at least one of the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 in the deformation phase.

[0142] When the outer engaging projection 125 and the engaged projection 126 are in the engaged phase, the nozzle body 121 is restricted from moving circumferentially and in the direction of the rotation center axis relative to the coupling member 122. Once the outer engaging projection 125 and the engaged projection 126 reach the engaged phase, they will not return to the deformed phase or the disengaged phase, even if the nozzle body 121 is subsequently rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation direction S relative to the coupling member 122, unless some external force that deforms the outer engaging projection 125 or the engaged projection 126 is applied.

[0143] The outer engaging projection 125 is shown in FIGS. 24(a) to 25(b) and 32(a) to 32(d). 1, the outer engaging projection 125 is a protrusion having a generally triangular wing shape that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral end of the flange 121c of the nozzle main body 121. Specifically, the outer engaging projection 125 protrudes in a rotational direction S, which is the relative rotational direction of the nozzle main body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122, so that the radial protrusion height increases in the opposite direction from the rotational direction S.

[0144] As shown in Figures 33(a) and 33(b), the outer engaging projection 125 has a force receiving surface 125a, a sliding surface 125b, and an engaging surface 125c. The force receiving surface 125a (second guided inclined surface) is the leading end surface of the outer engaging projection 125 in the rotational direction S, and is an inclined surface that extends in a direction that inclines toward the outer diameter as it approaches the upstream side in the rotational direction S, and along the insertion direction I. The sliding surface 125b is the downstream end surface of the outer engaging projection 125 in the insertion direction I, and is a surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I. The engaging surface 125c is the rear end surface of the outer engaging projection 125 in the rotational direction S, and is a surface that extends in the insertion direction I and the radial direction.

[0145] 24(a) to 25(b) and 32(a) to 32(d), the engaged projection 126 is a projection having a generally triangular rib shape that protrudes from the opposing portion 122c of the coupling member 122 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction I. Specifically, it is disposed radially outward from the outer periphery of the flange 121c of the nozzle main body 121, and protrudes so that the height of the projection in the counter-insertion direction opposite to the insertion direction I increases as it moves toward the rotation direction S, which is the relative rotation direction of the nozzle main body 121 with respect to the coupling member 122.

[0146] As shown in Figures 33(a) and 33(b), the engaged projection 126 has a force applying surface 126a, a sliding surface 126b, and an engaged surface 126c. The force applying surface 126a (second inclined guide surface) is an inclined surface on the upstream side of the engaged projection 126 in the rotational direction S, and is an inclined surface that extends in an inclined direction and radially so that the height of the projection from the opposing part 122c in the counter-insertion direction increases toward the downstream side in the rotational direction S. The sliding surface 126b is an upstream end surface of the engaged projection 126 in the insertion direction I, and is a surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I. The engaged surface 126c is a downstream end surface of the engaged projection 126 in the rotational direction S, and is a surface that extends in the insertion direction I and radially.

[0147] The force receiving surface 125a of the outer engaging protrusion 125 comes into contact with the force applying surface 126a due to movement in the rotational direction S caused by the relative rotation of the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122. The pressing force generated between the force receiving surface 125a and the force applying surface 126a causes deformation of at least one of the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126, causing the outer engaging protrusion 125 to be displaced downstream in the insertion direction I with respect to the engaged protrusion 126.

[0148] As the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 continues while the force receiving surface 125a and the force applying surface 126a slide against each other, the outer engaging projection 125 reaches a state in which it appears as if it has climbed up onto the downstream side of the engaged projection 126 in the insertion direction I. In other words, the sliding surface 125b of the outer engaging projection 125 faces, comes into contact with, and slides against the sliding surface 126 of the engaged projection 126 in the insertion direction I.

[0149] As the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122 progresses further from this state, the outer engaging protrusion 125 moves downstream in the rotation direction S relative to the engaged protrusion 126, and the pressing force is released. As a result, the outer engaging protrusion 125 is released from its deformed state and displaces relative to the engaged protrusion 126 in the insertion direction I. That is, due to the deformation of at least one of the outer engaging protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126, the outer engaging protrusion 125 moves relatively downstream in the rotation direction S relative to the engaged protrusion 126, climbing over the engaged protrusion 126. As a result, the engaging surface 125c of the outer engaging protrusion 125, which serves as the fourth circumferential direction restricting portion, faces the engaged surface 126c of the engaged protrusion 126, which serves as the third circumferential direction restricting portion, in the direction opposite to the rotation direction S. Therefore, the rotation direction S of the nozzle body 121 relative to the coupling member 122 is That is, the relative rotation phase between the outer mating projection 125 and the engaged groove 126 changes from the deformation phase to the engagement phase.

[0150] A plurality of second engagement structures each consisting of the outer engagement protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 are provided at different positions (different phases around the central axis of the insertion portion 121a) in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis C of the relative rotation between the nozzle body 121 and the coupling member 122. In this embodiment, they are provided at two locations in the circumferential direction. Note that the number of second engagement structures provided is not limited to two, and may be one location or three or more locations.

[0151] The first engagement configuration described above makes it possible to restrict relative movement of nozzle body 121 relative to coupling member 122 in both the insertion direction I and the opposite direction, that is, the counter-insertion direction (removal direction). It is also possible to restrict relative rotational movement between nozzle body 121 and coupling member 122 about the rotation axis along the insertion direction I. Restriction of relative rotation is also achieved by the second engagement configuration, and this restriction of relative rotation ultimately restricts relative movement of nozzle body 121 relative to coupling member 122 in the insertion / removal direction.

[0152] Furthermore, the first engagement configuration, which restricts both the relative movement in the insertion / removal direction and the relative rotational movement, is disposed radially inward relative to the second engagement configuration in the direction of the rotation axis of the relative rotation. This allows the rotational torque required to establish the engagement state to be relatively smaller than in other arrangements (for example, when the radial arrangements of the first and second engagement configurations are reversed). In particular, the force required to cause the inner engagement protrusion 123 to deform and overcome the deformation guide portion 124b of the engagement groove 124 can be reduced, making the assembly process easier.

[0153] The first engagement configuration, consisting of the inner engagement protrusion 123 and the engagement groove 124, is not exposed to the outside after the nozzle body 121 is assembled. That is, the first engagement configuration is disposed inside the through-hole 122b of the insertion portion 122e of the coupling member 122. Furthermore, the outer peripheral portion 121a and flange 121c of the coupling member 121 function as a cover that covers the engagement portion between the inner engagement protrusion 123 and the engagement groove 124 from the outside. This prevents contact with the first engagement configuration from the outside, and the engagement state of the first engagement configuration can be permanently maintained unless it is destroyed. Note that as long as access to the first engagement configuration can be restricted, external visibility of the first engagement configuration is not an issue. That is, for example, even if the engagement portion of the first engagement configuration is visible through a small gap, the effect of the present invention is not affected as long as the size of the gap is large enough to prevent a user from contacting the first engagement configuration.

[0154] In this embodiment, the timing at which the first engagement configuration, i.e., the inner engagement protrusion 123 and the engaged groove 124, enter an engaged state is configured to coincide with the timing at which the second engagement configuration, i.e., the outer engagement protrusion 125 and the engaged protrusion 126 enter an engaged state. While the first engagement configuration is not exposed to the outside, the second engagement configuration is provided outside the inserted portion 122e of the coupling member 122 and is exposed to the outside. Therefore, by checking the engagement state of the second engagement configuration, it is possible to indirectly check the engagement state of the first engagement configuration, which is not visible from the outside.

[0155] [Variations] A modified example of the first engagement configuration will be described with reference to Figures 35(a) to 36(d). Note that in the modified example, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment.

[0156] FIG. 35(a) is a side view showing the side of the nozzle body where the outlet is provided in the modified example. FIG. 35(b) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member. FIG. 35(c) is a side view of the nozzle body in a modified example, showing the side opposite to the side shown in FIG. 35(a) of the nozzle body. FIG. 35(d) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member including the rotation axis of the relative rotation between the nozzle body and the coupling member. FIG. 36(a) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch in a modified example, illustrating only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully inserted position relative to the coupling member. FIG. 36(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36B-36B of FIG. 36(a). FIG. 36(c) is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the inside of the opening of the coupling member attached to the pouch in a modified example, illustrating only the inner engaging protrusion of the nozzle body, when the nozzle body is in the fully engaged position relative to the coupling member. FIG. 36(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36D-36D of FIG. 36(c).

[0157] In the above embodiment, the inner engaging projection 123 is an inclined projection that extends spirally, but the shape of the inner engaging projection 123 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the third side surface 123f2 may be a surface that extends perpendicular to the rotation axis in the rotation direction S, rather than an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to both the insertion direction I and the rotation direction S like the third side surface 123f in the above embodiment. In other words, the entire shape of the inner engaging projection 1232 may be a surface that extends circumferentially. In this case, the third groove side surface 124f2 that faces the third side surface 123f2 in the engagement holding portion 124c of the engaged groove 1242 may also be a surface that extends perpendicular to the rotation axis in the rotation direction S, corresponding to the third side surface 123f2.

[0158] [Other forms] In all of the above-described embodiments, the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100 contains toner, but this is not limiting. For example, the contents contained in the pouch 101 may be ink other than toner, and the pouch 101 can contain powder or liquid. Furthermore, the powder that can be contained in the pouch 101 is not limited to toner. When the pouch 101 contains ink, the toner pack 100 may be attached to an inkjet image forming apparatus.

[0159] Furthermore, in all of the above-described embodiments, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 are configured to be rotatable between the closed position and the open position around the rotation axes A and B. However, this is not limiting. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 may be configured to be movable between the closed position and the open position by linearly moving parallel to the mounting direction M.

[0160] Furthermore, in all of the above-described embodiments, the pack-side shutter 103 is configured to open the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102 only when it is in the open position, but this is not limiting. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 may be a rotating body that opens the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102 regardless of the rotational position. In this case, the discharge outlet 102a of the nozzle 102 may be closed with a seal when the toner pack 100 is not attached to the attachment portion 106, and the seal may be removed during or after the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106. Furthermore, the pack-side shutter 103 of the toner pack 100 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 100... toner pack, 101... pouch, 102... nozzle, 121... nozzle body, 122... connecting member, 123... inner engaging protrusion, 124... engaged groove, 125... outer engaging protrusion, 126... engaged protrusion

Claims

1. a container member having a storage portion for storing a developer and an opening portion for opening the storage portion; a coupling member attached to the opening; a discharge path forming member connected to the container member via the connecting member and forming a discharge path for discharging the developer from the containing portion; A developer container comprising: The coupling member has an inserted portion having a through hole passing therethrough and an engaged portion, the discharge path forming member has an insertion portion inserted into the through hole of the insertion portion and an engagement portion provided corresponding to the engagement portion, The engaged portion and the engaging portion are When the insertion portion is inserted into the insertion receiving portion, relative rotation between the coupling member and the discharge path forming member about a predetermined rotation axis causes at least one of the coupling member and the discharge path forming member to undergo elastic deformation and enter an engaged state in which they are engaged with each other, In the engaged state, the developer container is configured to restrict relative movement between the connecting member and the discharge path forming member in the direction of the rotation axis.

2. The engaged portion is a first engaged portion provided inside the through hole of the inserted portion; a second engaged portion provided on the outer side of the inserted portion; Including, The engagement portion is a first engaging portion provided corresponding to the first engaged portion; a second engaging portion provided corresponding to the second engaged portion; 2. The developer container according to claim 1, comprising:

3. a relative movement between the coupling member and the discharge path forming member when the engaged portion and the engaging portion are engaged with each other is a relative rotation about an axis extending in a direction along an insertion direction in which the discharge path forming member is inserted into the coupling member, 3. The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the engaged state is formed by the discharge path forming member rotating in a first direction relative to the connecting member, and the engaged portion and the engaging portion, when engaged with each other, restrict rotation of the discharge path forming member in a direction opposite to the first direction relative to the connecting member between the connecting member and the discharge path forming member.

4. the coupling member has an abutted portion that faces the discharge path forming member in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the insertion portion into the inserted portion, the discharge path forming member has an abutting portion that faces the abutted portion in the insertion direction, the abutted portion and the abutting portion abut against each other in the insertion direction at least when the engaged portion and the engaging portion are engaged with each other, 4. The developer container according to claim 3, wherein at least the first engaged portion and the first engaging portion, when engaged with each other, restrict relative movement of the discharge path forming member away from the connecting member in a counter-insertion direction opposite to the insertion direction.

5. 5. The developer container according to claim 4, further comprising a sealing member that is compressed in the insertion direction between the abutted portion and the abutting portion to seal a gap between the abutted portion and the abutting portion.

6. The second engaged portion is larger than the first engaged portion in a direction perpendicular to the central axis. Located at a position away from the central axis, The developer container according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second engagement portion is provided at a position farther from the central axis than the first engagement portion in a direction perpendicular to the central axis.

7. As the relative rotation phase that the engaged portion and the engaging portion can take while the coupling member and the discharge path forming member rotate relative to each other, a non-engagement phase in which the insertion portion is inserted into the insertion portion and the engagement portion is not engaged with the engagement portion; a deformation phase in which the engaged portion and the engaging portion are not engaged with each other and at least one of the connecting member and the discharge path forming member is elastically deformed; an engagement phase in which the elastic deformation is released and the engaged portion and the engaging portion are engaged with each other; Including, the coupling member has a first guide inclined surface that is located upstream of the first engagement portion in the insertion direction and that contacts the first engagement portion when the relative rotation phase is in the deformation phase, the first guide inclined surface extending in directions inclined with respect to both the insertion direction and a circumferential direction about the central axis such that the relative rotation phase approaches the engagement phase and moves toward the insertion direction, The developer container according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that when the relative rotation phase is in the deformation phase, the first guide inclined surface contacts the first engagement portion so that a pressing force that causes the elastic deformation is generated between the first engagement portion and the first engagement portion while guiding the first engagement portion to the engagement phase.

8. The developer container according to claim 7, characterized in that the first engagement portion has a first guided inclined surface that contacts the first guide inclined surface when the relative rotation phase is in the deformation phase, and the first guided inclined surface extends in a direction inclined with respect to both the insertion direction and a circumferential direction relative to the central axis so that the closer the relative rotation phase is to the engagement phase, the more it moves toward the insertion direction.

9. the insertion portion has an outer circumferential surface facing an inner circumferential surface of the through hole of the inserted portion, the first engaged portion is a groove portion provided on the inner circumferential surface and recessed in a radial direction relative to the central axis, the first engaging portion is a protrusion provided on the outer circumferential surface and protruding in the radial direction, The groove portion is an insertion guide portion having an insertion opening that opens at an end face of the coupling member in a direction opposite to the insertion direction so that the protrusion can be inserted when the insertion portion is inserted into the insertion receiving portion, the insertion guide portion extending from the insertion opening in the insertion direction and guiding the protrusion in the insertion direction; a deformation guide portion that has the first guide inclined surface, extends in the circumferential direction from a downstream side of the insertion guide portion in the insertion direction, and guides movement of the protrusion when the relative rotation phase is in the deformation phase; an engagement holding portion provided downstream of the deformation guide portion, the engagement holding portion having a first circumferential direction restricting portion opposed to the protrusion in the engagement phase in a first direction along the circumferential direction, a second circumferential direction restricting portion opposed to the protrusion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a counter-insertion direction restricting portion opposed to the insertion direction; 9. The developer container according to claim 7, further comprising:

10. a plurality of pairs of the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are provided at intervals in a circumferential direction about the central axis, At least one of the plurality of sets is located at a different position from the other sets in the insertion direction.

10. The developer container according to claim 7, wherein the developer container is provided in a position corresponding to the developer container.

11. the coupling member has a second guide inclined surface that is located downstream of the second engagement portion in the insertion direction and that contacts the first engagement portion when the relative rotation phase is in the deformation phase, the second guide inclined surface extending in a direction inclined with respect to both the insertion direction and the circumferential direction so as to move in a counter-insertion direction that is opposite to the insertion direction as the relative rotation phase approaches the engagement phase, A developer container according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that when the relative rotation phase is in the deformation phase, the second guide inclined surface contacts the second engagement portion so that a pressing force that causes the elastic deformation is generated between the second engagement portion and the second engagement portion while guiding the second engagement portion to the engagement phase.

12. the discharge path forming member has a second guided inclined surface that is located closer to the central axis than the second engaged portion in a direction perpendicular to the central axis when the relative rotation phase is in the deformation phase, and that contacts the second engaged portion, the second guided inclined surface extending perpendicular to the insertion direction and inclined with respect to both the radial direction and the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis so that the second guided inclined surface moves in a direction away from the central axis as the relative rotation phase approaches the engagement phase, When the relative rotation phase is in the deformation phase, the second guided inclined surface guides the second engaged portion to the engagement phase, and contacts the second engaged portion so that a pressing force that causes the elastic deformation is generated between the second engaged portion and the second guided inclined surface.

12. The developer container according to claim 11, wherein:

13. the second engaged portion is a second protrusion that protrudes in a counter-insertion direction that is opposite to the insertion direction of the insertion portion into the inserted portion, the second engagement portion is a third protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the central axis and away from the central axis, The second protrusion is the second guide inclined surface; a third circumferential direction restricting portion that faces the third protrusion in the engagement phase in a first direction along the circumferential direction; and The third protrusion is the second guided inclined surface; a fourth circumferential direction restricting portion that faces the second protrusion in the engagement phase in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; have 13. The developer container according to claim 12.

14. 14. The developer container according to claim 1, further comprising a shutter that is movably provided relative to the discharge path forming member and that can open and close a discharge opening of the discharge path of the discharge path forming member.

15. A method for manufacturing a developer container that contains a developer to be replenished to a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: The developer container is a container member having a storage portion for storing a developer and an opening portion for opening the storage portion; a coupling member attached to the opening; a discharge path forming member connected to the container member via the connecting member and forming a discharge path for discharging the developer from the containing portion; Equipped with The coupling member has an inserted portion having a through hole passing therethrough and an engaged portion, the discharge path forming member has an insertion portion inserted into the through hole of the insertion portion and an engagement portion provided corresponding to the engagement portion, The engaged portion and the engaging portion are When the insertion portion is inserted into the insertion receiving portion, relative rotation between the coupling member and the discharge path forming member about a predetermined rotation axis causes at least one of the coupling member and the discharge path forming member to undergo elastic deformation and enter an engaged state in which they are engaged with each other, In the manufacturing method of the developer container, the engaging member and the discharge path forming member are configured to restrict relative movement in the rotation axis direction in the engaged state, a first assembling step of attaching the connecting member to the container member; a filling step of filling the developer into the container; a second assembling step of connecting the discharge path forming member to the container member via the connecting member; A manufacturing method of a developer container, comprising:

16. the connecting member attached to the container member in the first assembling step forms a filling port for filling the developer in the filling step; 16. The method for manufacturing a developer container according to claim 15, wherein in the second assembling step, the discharge path forming member is attached to the filling port formed by the connecting member in the filling step, thereby forming the discharge path.

Images