Toner cartridges, image forming devices

Abstract

To provide a toner cartridge with which the capacity of the toner cartridge is increased, as compared with a configuration where a wall of a toner cartridge that includes two accommodation units arranged in a row in one direction, the wall facing an intersection direction, is flat overall in one direction.SOLUTION: Provided is a toner cartridge 61 comprising: a new toner accommodation unit 70 for accommodating a new toner; a waste toner accommodation unit 80 for accommodating a waste toner arranged on the -H side with respect to the new toner accommodation unit 70; a supply unit 74 provided in the new toner accommodation unit 70 for connecting the new toner accommodation unit 70 to the outside; and a hole unit 87a provided at an end 86 on the +H side of the waste toner accommodation unit 80 for connecting the waste toner accommodation unit 80 to the outside. A wall on the +W side of the waste toner accommodation unit 80 that is located at a position overlapping the hole unit 87a in the vertical device direction includes a curved surface unit 88 that at least partly protrudes to the +W side of the waste toner accommodation unit 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an attachment structure for a detachable member, which includes a main body, a detachable member that is attached to and detached from the main body, a functional member that is attached to the detachable member and has a predetermined function, a first gear that is attached to the detachable member and transmits power between the detachable member and the functional member, a second gear that is attached to the main body and meshes with the first gear when the detachable member is attached to the main body to transmit power between the first gear and the second gear, and a cover member that is attached to the main body and moves to an engageable position that allows the second gear to mesh with the first gear when the detachable member is attached to the main body, and moves from the engageable position to cover at least a portion of the second gear from the meshing side of the first gear when the detachable member is detached from the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-232399 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge having an increased volume compared to a toner cartridge having two storage sections aligned in one direction, in which the wall facing the cross direction is flat across the entire surface in one direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The toner cartridge of the first aspect comprises a first storage section that stores toner, a second storage section that is arranged on one side in one direction relative to the first storage section and stores toner, a first connection section that is provided in the first storage section and connects the first storage section to the outside, and a second connection section that is provided at an end of the second storage section on the other side in the one direction and connects the second storage section to the outside, and among the walls of the second storage section on one side in a cross direction that intersects with the one direction, a wall that is at the same position in the one direction as the second connection section has a curved portion, at least a part of which protrudes to one side in the cross direction that intersects with the one direction of the second storage section.

[0006] A toner cartridge according to a second aspect comprises a first storage section for storing toner, a second storage section for storing toner and arranged on one side of the first storage section in one direction, a first connection section provided in the first storage section for connecting the first storage section to the outside, and a second connection section provided at an end of the second storage section on the other side in the one direction for connecting the second storage section to the outside, and of the walls of the first storage section on the other side in a cross direction that intersects with the one direction, the wall of the first storage section on the other side in the one direction protrudes to the other side in the cross direction relative to the wall of the first storage section on one side in the one direction.

[0007] A toner cartridge according to a third aspect is the toner cartridge according to the second aspect, wherein the first connection portion is arranged on one side of the first storage portion in the one direction, and on the other side of the second storage portion in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on the other side in the intersecting direction, and protrudes to the other side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on the one side in the one direction on the other side of the first storage portion in the intersecting direction.

[0008] A toner cartridge according to a fourth aspect is the toner cartridge according to the first aspect, in which a first recess is formed adjacent to the wall on the other side in the intersecting direction of the first storage section, on one side in the intersecting direction of a wall on at least one of the one side or the other side in the one direction, the first recess opening to the other side in the intersecting direction, and the first recess is located in a position overlapping with the second connection section in the one direction.

[0009] A toner cartridge according to a fifth aspect is the toner cartridge according to the third aspect, wherein a second recess is formed adjacent to a wall on one side in the intersecting direction of the second storage section and on the other side in the intersecting direction of the wall on at least one of the one side or the other side in the intersecting direction, the second recess opening to one side in the intersecting direction, and the second recess is located in a position overlapping with the first connection section in the intersecting direction.

[0010] A toner cartridge according to a sixth aspect is a toner cartridge according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the first connection portion is provided at an end of one side in the one direction of the first accommodating portion, and is on the other side in the intersecting direction of the first accommodating portion, protruding toward the other side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on the other side in the one direction of the first accommodating portion, and forms a first recess that opens to the other side in the intersecting direction together with the wall on the other side in the intersecting direction of the first accommodating portion; the second connection portion protrudes toward one side from the wall on one side in the intersecting direction of the second accommodating portion at a position that overlaps with the first recess in the one direction, and forms a second recess that overlaps with the first connection portion in the one direction and opens to one side in the intersecting direction together with the wall on the one side in the intersecting direction of the second accommodating portion.

[0011] A toner cartridge according to a seventh aspect is the toner cartridge according to the sixth aspect, wherein the portion of the second connection portion that protrudes to one side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on one side in the intersecting direction of the second storage portion is curved.

[0012] A toner cartridge according to an eighth aspect is a toner cartridge according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein at least a portion of the second storage section is positioned shifted to one side in the intersecting direction relative to the first storage section, and the second connection section is positioned to the other side in the intersecting direction relative to the first connection section.

[0013] A toner cartridge according to a ninth aspect is a toner cartridge according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the second storage section is at least partially shifted to one side in the intersecting direction relative to the first storage section, and has a protrusion formed on one side in the intersecting direction of the second storage section and on a part of one side in the intersecting direction, and protruding to one side in the intersecting direction from a wall on one side in the intersecting direction of the second storage section.

[0014] A toner cartridge according to a tenth aspect is the toner cartridge according to the ninth aspect, wherein the protruding portion protrudes from the second connecting portion to one side in the intersecting direction.

[0015] An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect includes the toner cartridge according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, in which the first storage section stores unused toner and the second storage section stores used toner, and an image forming section extending in the intersecting direction, which forms an image on a recording medium using unused toner supplied from the first storage section, and which discharges toner remaining in the image forming section after image formation toward the second storage section.

[0016] The image forming apparatus of the 12th embodiment is a toner using device that is arranged in a position along one direction that intersects the depth direction and uses toner, wherein toner is supplied from a supply portion formed on one side of the toner using device in the depth direction, and a receiving device that is arranged in a position along the one direction at a position on one side of the toner using device in an intersecting direction that intersects the one direction and the depth direction and receives toner used by the toner using device, wherein the receiving device discharges toner received from an discharge portion formed on one side of the receiving device in the depth direction, and multiple device units are arranged side by side in the intersecting direction with each other overlapping in the one direction.

[0017] An image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the supply portion of the device unit overlaps in the intersecting direction with the discharge portion of another device unit arranged on the other side of the device unit in the intersecting direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the toner cartridge of the first aspect, the volume of the toner cartridge can be increased compared to a configuration in which the wall on one side of the second storage section in the intersecting direction, which is at the same position in one direction as the second connection section, is flat.

[0019] According to the toner cartridge of the second aspect, the volume of the toner cartridge can be increased compared to a configuration in which, among the walls arranged on the other side of the first storage section in the intersecting direction, the wall on the other side in one direction does not protrude to the other side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on the one side in the one direction.

[0020] According to the toner cartridge of the third aspect, in a configuration in which the connection destination of the first supply section is arranged on one side in one direction of the first supply section, the volume of the second storage section can be increased compared to a configuration in which the first connection section is provided on one side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on the other side in the intersecting direction of the first storage section.

[0021] According to the toner cartridge of the fourth aspect, when multiple toner cartridges are lined up in the intersecting direction, the first storage portion of a toner cartridge and the second connection portion of another toner cartridge lined up on the other side of the toner cartridge in the intersecting direction can be positioned close to each other in the intersecting direction, compared to when the first recess and the second connection portion are positioned so as not to overlap in one direction.

[0022] According to the toner cartridge of the fifth aspect, when multiple toner cartridges are lined up in the intersecting direction, the second storage portion of a toner cartridge and the first connection portion of another toner cartridge lined up on one side of the toner cartridge in the intersecting direction can be positioned close to each other in the intersecting direction, compared to when the second recess and the first connection portion are positioned so as not to overlap in one direction.

[0023] According to the toner cartridge of the sixth aspect, when the toner cartridges are lined up in the intersecting direction, the first connection portion of one toner cartridge can be positioned close to the second connection portion of another toner cartridge positioned on the other side of the toner cartridge in the intersecting direction, compared to when the first connection portion is positioned along the wall on the other side of the first storage portion in the intersecting direction and the second connection portion is positioned along the wall on one side of the second storage portion in the intersecting direction.

[0024] According to the toner cartridge of the seventh aspect, when the toner cartridges are lined up in the intersecting direction, the amount of overlap of the second connection portion of one toner cartridge with another toner cartridge arranged on one side of the toner cartridge in the intersecting direction can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the portion of the second connection portion that protrudes to one side relative to one wall of the second storage portion in the intersecting direction has a corner.

[0025] According to the toner cartridge of the eighth aspect, the length of the toner cartridge in one direction can be reduced while maintaining the capacity of the toner cartridge, compared to a configuration in which the first connection portion of the first storage portion is positioned on the other side in one direction relative to the second connection portion of the second storage portion.

[0026] According to the toner cartridge of the ninth aspect, the volume of the toner cartridge can be increased compared to a configuration in which the entire wall on one side of the second storage section in the intersecting direction and on one side in one direction relative to the second connection section is flat.

[0027] According to the toner cartridge of the tenth aspect, the volume of the toner cartridge can be increased compared to a configuration in which the entire wall on one side of the second storage section in the intersecting direction relative to the second connection section is provided on the other side in the intersecting direction relative to the second connection section.

[0028] According to the image forming device of the eleventh aspect, the second connection portion is provided on the other side of the wall on one side in the intersecting direction of the second storage portion, and the capacity of the toner cartridge can be increased while maintaining the size of the image forming device, compared to a configuration including a toner cartridge in which the wall on one side in the intersecting direction of the second storage portion is formed flat or concave.

[0029] According to the image forming apparatus of the twelfth aspect, the length of the image forming apparatus in the cross direction can be made shorter than in a configuration in which the positions of a plurality of device units are offset from one another in the vertical direction. Furthermore, according to the image forming device of the 12th aspect, compared to a configuration in which the supply portion of the toner using device is formed on one side in the depth direction and the discharge portion of the receiving device is formed on the other side in the depth direction, the supply portion that supplies toner to the supply portion and the recovery portion that recovers toner discharged from the discharge port can be arranged on the same side in the depth direction.

[0030] According to the image forming device of the thirteenth aspect, the length of the image forming device in the transverse direction can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the supply portion of an equipment unit is separated in the transverse direction from the discharge portion of another equipment unit located on the other side of the equipment unit in the transverse direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a group of toner cartridges is attached to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a front view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, with a toner cartridge group removed; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an image forming unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an image forming unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a toner cartridge group according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the toner cartridge group according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the developing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear view showing a part of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] An example of a container group and an image forming apparatus 10 including the container group according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0033] In the following description, the device up-down direction (height direction), device width direction (horizontal direction), and device depth direction (horizontal direction) are respectively referred to as the H direction, W direction, and D direction when viewing the image forming device 10 from the front from the side where a user (not shown) stands. Furthermore, when it is necessary to distinguish one side from the other in the device up-down direction, device width direction, and device depth direction, when viewing the image forming device 10 from the front, the upper side will be referred to as the +H side, the lower side as the -H side, the right side as the +W side, the left side as the -W side, the back side as the -D side, and the front side as the +D side. The vertical direction of the device is an example of one direction, the lower side is an example of one side in the one direction, and the upper side is an example of the other side in the one direction. The width direction of the device is an example of a cross direction that intersects with the one direction, and the left side is an example of one side in the cross direction that intersects with the one direction, and the right side is an example of the other side in the cross direction that intersects with the one direction.

[0034] (Image forming device) The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet member P as a recording medium using toner T. The toner T is an example of powder. As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a housing 12, a medium storage unit 14, a conveying unit 16, an image forming unit 30, a fixing unit 18, and a medium discharge unit 19. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 further includes a toner cartridge group 60.

[0035] 1 and 10, the housing 12 houses the various components that make up the image forming apparatus 10. The medium storage unit 14 is provided on the bottom side of the housing 12 and includes a drawer tray that can be pulled out to the -W side of the housing 12, and has the function of storing sheet materials P. The transport unit 16 includes a plurality of transport rolls 16a and has the function of transporting the sheet materials P stored in the medium storage unit 14 to the image forming unit 30.

[0036] (Image forming section) The image forming section 30 is accommodated in the space above the medium containing section 14 in the housing 12, and is configured to include a photosensitive unit group 31 and a transfer section 20.

[0037] (Photosensitive unit group) The photoconductor unit group 31 includes four photoconductor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K and a holder 34 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that holds these photoconductor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. The photoconductor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K have the same configuration except for the toner color of the toner T used. The photoconductor units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are held in the holder 34 in order from the -W side in the device width direction and overlap in the device vertical direction. Here, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are examples of toner colors. When there is no particular distinction between toner colors, the final alphabet will be omitted. The photoconductor unit 32 is an example of an equipment unit. The photoconductor unit group 31 is also an example of an equipment unit group.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the holding portion 34 is a frame-shaped member including a plate portion 34a extending along the HW surface and arranged to cover a portion of the four photosensitive units 32 from the +D side.

[0039] In describing the photosensitive units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, the structure of the photosensitive unit 32M will be described as a representative.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 10 , the photosensitive unit 32M includes a photosensitive drum 36, a charging device 38, an exposure device (not shown), a developing device 40, and a removing device 50. The photosensitive drum 36 is rotatable in the device depth direction and rotates clockwise when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 10 by a motor (not shown). The photosensitive drum extends in the device depth direction. The photosensitive drum 36 has a function of holding an electrostatic latent image on its outer circumferential surface. The charging device 38 has a function of charging the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 36 to a predetermined potential. The exposure device (not shown) has a function of forming an electrostatic latent image by focusing light on the charged photosensitive drum 36.

[0041] The developing device 40 has a function of developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 36 using unused toner T supplied from a toner cartridge group 60 (described later) to form a toner image. The developing device 40 is an example of a toner-using device. As shown in FIG. 10 , the developing device 40 is disposed on the −W side of the photosensitive drum 36.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 11 , the developing device 40 includes a housing 41, a developing roll 42, a supply auger 43, and an agitating auger 44. The housing 41 accommodates unused toner T supplied from a toner cartridge 61 via a supply receiving portion 45 formed in the housing 41. The housing 41 has a supply path 41a in which the supply auger 43 (described later) is disposed, and an agitating path 41b in which the agitating auger 44 (described later) is disposed. The supply path 41a is a flow path extending in the device depth direction and formed on the opposite side of the developing roll 42 (described later) from the photosensitive drum 36. The agitating path 41b is a flow path extending in the device depth direction and formed on the opposite side of the supply path 41a from the developing roll 42. The agitating path 41b and the supply path 41a are connected to each other at both ends in the device depth direction to form a circulation path.

[0043] 10 and 11, the developing roll 42 is a roll-shaped member extending in the device depth direction and disposed on the -W side of the photosensitive drum 36. The developing roll 42 has a function of adhering the toner T in the housing 41 to the surface of the developing roll 42, and rotating in the device depth direction, thereby adhering the toner T to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 36, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image.

[0044] The supply auger 43 is disposed in the supply path 41a of the housing 41 and has a rotation shaft extending in the depth direction of the device. The supply auger 43 rotates around the rotation shaft to supply the toner T in the housing 41 to the developing roll 42.

[0045] The agitating auger 44 is disposed in the agitating path 41b of the housing 41 and has a rotation shaft extending in the depth direction of the device. The agitating auger 48 has a function of agitating the toner T in the housing 41 by rotating around the rotation shaft.

[0046] The supply auger 43 and the agitating auger 44 are configured to rotate around their respective rotation axes, thereby circulating the toner T within a circulation path formed by the supply path 41a and the agitating path 41b.

[0047] When viewed from the depth direction of the device, the developing roll 42 is arranged so as to overlap with an imaginary line CT that connects the centers of the rotation shafts of the supply auger 43 and the agitating auger 44. That is, the developing device 40 extends in a direction along the imaginary line CT within the HW plane. The angle formed by the imaginary line CT and a vertical line extending in the vertical direction of the device is 45° or less. That is, the developing device 40 is arranged in a position that follows the vertical direction of the device.

[0048] The supplied portion 45 is connected to the +D side end of the agitation path 41b and is a portion that extends and protrudes from the +D side end of the agitation path 41b to the +D side. That is, the supplied portion 45 is formed on the +D side of the developing device 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the supplied portion 45 protrudes to the +D side relative to the plate portion 34a of the holding portion 34. The supplied portion 45 is connected to a supply portion 74 (described in detail below) of the toner cartridge 61 that corresponds to the toner color of the photosensitive unit 32 (see FIG. 4), and has the function of supplying unused toner T supplied from the toner cartridge 61 via the supply portion 74 to the agitation path 41b.

[0049] The removal device 50 has a function of removing, from the photosensitive drum 36, a toner image remaining on the photosensitive drum 36 after the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 36 by the developing device 40 is transferred to the transfer unit 20 (described later). As shown in FIG. 10 , the removal device 50 includes a blade 52, a housing 54, and a discharge unit 56. The blade 52 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 36 and removes the toner T from the photosensitive drum 36 by scraping the toner T from the toner image remaining on the rotating photosensitive drum 36. The housing 54 has a function of storing the toner T scraped by the blade 52. In other words, the removal device 50 has a function of receiving, in the housing 54, the used toner T that was used in the developing device 40 and removed from the photosensitive drum 36 by the blade 52. The removal device 50 is an example of a receiving device.

[0050] The discharge portion 56 is a portion that extends and protrudes toward the +D side from the end portion on the +D side of the housing 54. That is, the discharge portion 56 is formed on the +D side of the removal device 50. The discharge portion 56 also protrudes toward the +D side from an opening formed in the plate portion 34a of the holding portion 34. The discharge portion 56 is connected to a collection portion 87 (described in detail later) of the toner cartridge 61 that corresponds to the toner color of the photosensitive unit 32, and has the function of discharging used toner T inside the housing 54 to the toner cartridge 61 via the collection portion 87.

[0051] 4 and 10 , the discharge portion 56 is disposed on the +H side of the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 in the up-down direction of the device. The discharge portion 56 is disposed on the +W side of the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40. A portion of the +W side of the discharge portion 56 of the photosensitive unit 32M overlaps with the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 of the photosensitive unit 32C, which is disposed on the +W side of the photosensitive unit 32M, in the width direction of the device. In other words, the discharge portion 56 of one photosensitive unit 32 overlaps with the supplied portion 45 of another photosensitive unit 32, which is disposed on the +W side of the photosensitive unit 32, in the width direction of the device.

[0052] (Transfer section) As shown in FIG. 10, the transfer section 20 includes a transfer belt 21, a primary transfer roll 22 corresponding to four photosensitive units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, a secondary transfer roll 23, a backup roll 24, and a support roll 28.

[0053] The transfer belt 21 is disposed above (on the +H side of) the photosensitive unit group 31, and is an endless belt that extends in a flattened manner in the width direction of the device and rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the front (on the +D side). The inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt 21 is supported by a primary transfer roll 22, a backup roll 24, and a support roll 28.

[0054] The outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 21, at a portion supported by the primary transfer roll 22, is in contact with the photosensitive drums 36 of the photosensitive units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 36 are primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 21 while the transfer belt 21 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the +D side.

[0055] The support roll 28 is disposed inside the transfer belt 21 at the folded-back portion on the -W side of the transfer belt 21, which is in a flattened position.

[0056] The backup roll 24 is disposed inside the transfer belt 21 at the folded portion on the +W side of the transfer belt 21, which is in a flattened position.

[0057] The secondary transfer roll 23 is disposed opposite the backup roll 24 with the transfer belt 21 sandwiched therebetween. The secondary transfer roll 23 secondarily transfers the toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the outer circumferential surface of the transfer belt 21 onto the sheet member P that has been transported to a position where it faces the backup roll 24 with the transfer belt 21 sandwiched therebetween. Furthermore, the secondary transfer roll 23 transports the sheet member P onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred to the fixing unit 18.

[0058] (fixing part) The fixing unit 18 heats and presses the sheet material P conveyed from the image forming unit 30, thereby fixing the image transferred to the sheet material P by the image forming unit 30 to the sheet material P. The fixing unit 18 also conveys the sheet material P with the fixed image to the medium discharge unit 19.

[0059] (Media discharge section) The medium discharge unit 19 includes a discharge opening 19a formed in the housing 12 and a pair of discharge rolls 19b arranged at the discharge opening 19a. The medium discharge unit 19 discharges the sheet material P transported from the fixing unit 18 from the discharge opening 19a by the pair of discharge rolls 19b.

[0060] (Toner cartridges) The toner cartridge group 60 is composed of four toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K corresponding to the respective toner colors. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toner cartridge group 60 is arranged so as to be detachable from the +D side of the image forming device 10. Specifically, the four toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K are arranged so as to be individually detachable from the +D side of the photosensitive unit 32 corresponding to each toner color. That is, the four toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K are arranged in order from the -W side in the device width direction. Furthermore, the four toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K contain toner T corresponding to each toner color.

[0061] Next, the structures of the four toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, 61C, and 61K will be described. The toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, and 61C have the same structure except for the toner color of the toner T they contain. In describing the structures of the toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, and 61C, the structure of the toner cartridge 61M will be described as a representative. Furthermore, the reference symbol M will be omitted from the description of the elements that make up the toner cartridge 61M. The structure of the toner cartridge 61K will be described later.

[0062] 8 and 9, the toner cartridge 61M is configured to include a new toner storage section 70, a waste toner storage section 80 that is located below (on the -H side of) the new toner storage section 70, and a connecting section 64. The connecting section 64 is a plate-shaped member that is located on the +D side of the new toner storage section 70 and the waste toner storage section 80 and integrally connects the new toner storage section 70 and the waste toner storage section 80. The connecting section 64 may also constitute a wall on the +D side of the new toner storage section 70 or the waste toner storage section 80.

[0063] (New toner storage compartment) The new toner storage section 70 is a box-shaped member that stores unused toner T (new toner) to be supplied to the developing device 40. The new toner storage section 70 is an example of a first storage section. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , the new toner storage section 70 has a rectangular top plate 77 that extends along the DW surface, a wall 78 that extends from the -W-side edge of the top plate 77 toward the -H side and along the DH surface, and a wall 79 that extends from the +W-side edge of the top plate 77 toward the -H side and along the DH surface. The new toner storage section 70 also has an inclined portion 71 that slopes from the -H-side edge of the +W-side wall 79 toward the -W side and the -H side. The new toner storage section 70 also has an inclined portion 75 that slopes from the -H-side edge of the -W-side wall 78 toward the +W side and the -H side. Furthermore, when viewed from the -D side, the new toner accommodating section 70 has a substantially semicircular bottom 72 that connects the lower end of the inclined section 71 and the lower end of the inclined section 75. The bottom 72 has a wall 72a at its -W side end that follows the DH plane. The wall 72a is the -H side wall of the walls arranged on the -W side of the new toner accommodating section 70. The wall 78 is the +H side wall of the walls arranged on the -W side of the new toner accommodating section 70 with respect to the wall 72a. The wall 78 also protrudes toward the -W side with respect to the wall 72a.

[0064] The new toner storage section 70 also has an extension 73 that protrudes further downward (toward the -H side) from a part of the bottom 72 on the connecting section 64 side. The new toner storage section 70 also has a cylindrical supply section 74 that protrudes toward the -D side from the -D side end face of the extension 73. In other words, the supply section 74 is provided at the end of the new toner storage section 70 on the lower side (the -H side).

[0065] The supply unit 74 is disposed so as to protrude toward the W side relative to the wall 72a of the bottom 72 of the new toner storage unit 70 in the device width direction. That is, the supply unit 74 protrudes toward the -W side relative to the wall 72a of the new toner storage unit 70. The supply unit 74 also protrudes toward the -W side relative to the waste toner storage unit 80, which will be described later.

[0066] When the toner cartridge 61 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, the supply unit 74 is connected to the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 of the photosensitive unit 32. Specifically, when the toner cartridge 61 is attached from the +D side of the photosensitive unit 32, the supply unit 74 is disposed above (on the +H side of) the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40, and a shutter (not shown) opens accordingly, thereby connecting the supply unit 74 to the supplied portion 45 (see FIG. 3 ). This shutter (not shown) is provided on the supply unit 74 or the supplied portion 45. In other words, when the toner cartridge 61 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, the supplied portion 45 of the developing device 40 is connected to the supply unit 74 while being disposed below (on the -H side of) the supply unit 74 of the new toner storage unit 70. When the supply unit 74 is connected to the supplied unit 45, the unused toner T contained in the new toner container 70 is supplied to the supply path 41a of the developing device 40 via the supply unit 74 and the supplied unit 45. In other words, the supply unit 74 has the function of connecting the new toner container 70 to the outside. The supply unit 74 is an example of a first connecting unit. The first connecting unit may have any specific shape or structure as long as it is a part that connects to the outside.

[0067] The new toner storage section 70 has a recess 76 between the supply section 74 and the inclined section 75, which is recessed relative to the wall 78 on the -W side when viewed from the -D side. In other words, the supply section 74 forms the recess 76 with the wall 78 connected to the inclined section 75. The recess 76 is an example of a first recess. The recess 76 opens to the -W side. The recess 76 also forms a space 76a sandwiched between the supply section 74 and the wall 78 connected to the inclined section 75 in the vertical direction of the device. Note that the portion of the connecting section 64 that overlaps with the recess 76 in the depth direction of the device is recessed to fit along the recess 76.

[0068] (Waste toner storage compartment) The waste toner storage unit 80 is a box-shaped member that stores used toner T (waste toner) scraped from the photosensitive drum 36 by the removal device 50 and discharged from the discharge unit 56. The waste toner storage unit 80 is an example of a second storage unit. The waste toner storage unit 80 has a rectangular bottom 81 that conforms to the DW surface, a wall 82 that extends from the -W-side edge of the bottom 81 toward the +H surface and conforms to the DH surface, and a wall 83 that extends from the +W-side edge of the bottom 81 toward the +H surface and conforms to the DH surface. The waste toner storage unit 80 also has an inclined portion 84 that slopes from the +H-side edge of the +W-side wall 83 toward the -W side and the +H surface, and a wall 85 that extends from the +H-side edge of the inclined portion 84 toward the +H surface and conforms to the DH surface. The portion of the waste toner storage unit 80 on the +H side of the wall 85 is an end portion 86. Wall 85 is disposed between wall 83 and wall 82 in the device width direction. In other words, wall 83 and inclined portion 84 protrude on the +W side relative to wall 85. Bottom 81 straddles wall 85 in the device width direction, and a portion of bottom 81 protrudes on the +W side relative to wall 85. Bottom 81, the portions of both walls of waste toner storage section 80 in the device depth direction that are on the +W side relative to wall 85, wall 83, and inclined portion 84 are examples of protruding portions. Wall 83 is formed on the +W side and the -H side of waste toner storage section 80.

[0069] Further, waste toner storage unit 80 has a collection portion 87 formed at end 86 on the +H side. Collection portion 87 is formed so as to protrude on the +W side from wall 85 of waste toner storage unit 80 and to be on the W side from wall 83. In other words, wall 83 of waste toner storage unit 80 protrudes on the +W side from collection portion 87.

[0070] The waste toner storage section 80 is positioned offset to the +W side with respect to the new toner storage section 70. Specifically, the wall 85 of the waste toner storage section 80 is positioned on the +W side of the +W-side wall 79 of the new toner storage section 70. The wall 82 of the waste toner storage section 80 is positioned on the +W side of the -W-side wall 78 of the new toner storage section 70. The wall 82 of the waste toner storage section 80 is positioned on the +W side of the wall 72a of the bottom 72 of the new toner storage section 70, and is positioned on the +W side of the entire supply section 74. The wall 82 of the waste toner storage section 80 is positioned so as to overlap the bottom 72 of the new toner storage section 70 in the device width direction. The end 86 of the waste toner storage section 80 is positioned on the +W side of the bottom 72 of the new toner storage section 70, and partially overlaps the bottom 72 in the device up-down direction. The end 86 also partially overlaps the inclined portion 71 of the new toner storage section 70 in the device width direction.

[0071] The collection portion 87 of the toner cartridge 61M has a convexly curved shape to fit the recessed portion 76 of the toner cartridge 61C disposed on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61M. Thus, the collection portion 87 protrudes toward the +W side relative to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 at a position overlapping with the recessed portion 76 in the vertical direction of the device. The portion of the -W side wall of the waste toner storage portion 80 that is convexly curved at the same position in the vertical direction of the device as the hole 87a (described later) of the collection portion 87 is called a curved portion 88 (see FIG. 12). The curved portion 88 has an arc-shaped curved surface. That is, the portion of the collection portion 87 that protrudes toward the +W side relative to the wall 85 of the waste toner storage portion 80 is curved.

[0072] The recovery section 87 has a cylindrical hole 87a that is connected to the discharge section 56 of the removal device 50 when the toner cartridge 61 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, when the toner cartridge 61 is attached from the +D side of the photosensitive unit 32, removal device 50The discharge portion 56 of the waste toner storage unit 80 is inserted into the hole 87a, which opens a shutter (not shown) and connects the waste toner storage unit 80 to the collection unit 87. This shutter (not shown) is provided in the hole 87a or the discharge portion 56. The hole 87a of the collection portion 87 is located on the +H side of the supply portion 74 of the new toner storage unit 70. When the toner cartridge 61 is attached to the photosensitive unit 32, the waste toner storage unit 80 collects and stores the used toner T stored in the removal device 50 via the discharge portion 56 and the hole 87a of the collection portion 87. In other words, the hole 87a of the collection portion 87 functions to connect the waste toner storage unit 80 to the outside. The hole 87a is an example of a second connection portion. The second connection portion may have any shape or structure as long as it is a portion that connects to the outside.

[0073] The waste toner storage unit 80 has a recess 89 between the collection unit 87 and the inclined portion 84, which is recessed relative to the collection unit 87 and the wall 83 on the +W side when viewed from the -D side. In other words, the collection unit 87 and the wall 85 connected to the inclined portion 84 form the recess 89. The recess 89 is an example of a second recess. The recess 89 opens to the +W side. The recess 89 also forms a space 89a sandwiched between the collection unit 87 and the wall 83 connected to the inclined portion 84 in the vertical direction of the device. Note that the portion of the connecting portion 64 that overlaps with the recess 89 in the device depth direction is recessed to fit along the recess 89.

[0074] The new toner accommodating section 70K of the toner cartridge 61K has a configuration similar to that of the new toner accommodating sections 70Y, M, and C, except that its volume is larger than that of the new toner accommodating sections 70Y, M, and C of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C. Specifically, the length in the device width direction between the walls 78K and 79K facing the device width direction of the new toner accommodating section 70K is larger than the length in the device width direction between the walls 78Y, M, and C and the walls 79Y, M, and C facing the device width direction of the new toner accommodating sections 70Y, M, and C. In addition, the length in the device up-down direction between the bottom 72K and the top plate 77K of the new toner accommodating section 70K is larger than the length in the device up-down direction between the bottom 72Y, M, and C and the top plate 77Y, M, and C of the new toner accommodating sections 70Y, M, and C. The position of the recess 76 relative to the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridge 61K in the vertical direction of the device is the same as the position of the recess 76 relative to the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C.

[0075] The waste toner storage compartment 80K of the toner cartridge 61K has an extension 81a in which a portion of the bottom 81 on the +W side extends to the -H side. The waste toner storage compartment 80K has a collection compartment 87K located on the W side relative to the wall 79K of the new toner storage compartment 70K. The waste toner storage compartment 80K also has a wall 83K extending from the collection compartment 87K to the extension 81a along the vertical direction of the device, instead of the +W side walls 83 and 85 and inclined portion 84 of the waste toner storage compartments 80Y, M, and C. In other words, the collection compartment 87K does not protrude in the device width direction relative to the wall 83K. Thus, the toner cartridge 61K does not have the recess 89 of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C. Except for the above points, the waste toner storage compartment 80K has the same configuration as the waste toner storage compartments 80Y, M, and C.

[0076] (others) When the toner cartridge group 60 is attached to the main body of the image forming device 10, the curved surface portion 88 of the toner cartridge 61M is disposed so as to fit into the recessed portion 76 of the toner cartridge 61C that is disposed on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61M. In other words, when the toner cartridge group 60 is attached to the main body of the image forming device 10, the curved surface portion 88 of the toner cartridge 61 is disposed so as to fit into the recessed portion 76 of the other toner cartridge 61 that is disposed on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61. In other words, when the toner cartridge group 60 is attached to the main body of the image forming device 10, the curved surface portion 88 of the toner cartridge 61 is disposed so as to fit into the space 76a of the other toner cartridge 61 that is disposed on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61.

[0077] When the toner cartridge group 60 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10 main body, the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridge 61M is positioned so as to fit into the recess 89 of the toner cartridge 61Y that is arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61M. In other words, when the toner cartridge group 60 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10 main body, the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridge 61 is positioned so as to fit into the recess 89 of the other toner cartridge 61 that is arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61. In other words, the wall 83 and the inclined portion 84 of the toner cartridge 61 are positioned below the supply portion 74 of the other toner cartridge 61 that is arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61. In other words, when the toner cartridge group 60 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10 main body, the supply portion 74 of the toner cartridge 61 is positioned so as to fit into the space 89a of the other toner cartridge 61 that is arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61.

[0078] <Action and effect> Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described. In this description, when describing a comparative example of the present embodiment, if the same components as those in the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment are used, the reference numerals and names of those components will be used as they are.

[0079] In the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment, the wall on the +W side of the waste toner storage section 80, which is located at a position overlapping with the hole 87a in the device width direction, has a curved portion 88 that protrudes to the +W side. Therefore, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment can increase the volume of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C compared to a configuration in which the wall on the +W side of the waste toner storage section 80, which is located at a position overlapping with the hole 87a in the device width direction, is flat.

[0080] Furthermore, the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment has a configuration in which the wall 78 of the new toner accommodating section 70 protrudes toward the W side relative to the wall 72a of the bottom 72. Therefore, the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment can increase the volume of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C compared to a configuration in which the -W-side wall 78 of the new toner accommodating section 70 does not protrude toward the W side relative to the wall 72a.

[0081] Furthermore, the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment has a configuration in which the supply unit 74 protrudes on the -W side relative to the wall 72a of the new toner storage unit 70, and the entire supply unit 74 is disposed on the -W side relative to the wall 82 of the waste toner storage unit 80. Therefore, the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment can increase the volume of the waste toner storage unit 80 compared to a configuration in which the supply unit 74 is provided on the +W side relative to the wall 82 of the waste toner storage unit 80. Furthermore, in the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment, when the supplied section 45 of the image forming device 10 is arranged on the -H side of the supply section 74 of the new toner storage section 70, the volume of the waste toner storage section 80 can be further increased compared to a configuration in which the supply section 74 is arranged on the +W side of the wall 82 of the waste toner storage section 80.

[0082] Furthermore, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment have a configuration in which the recess 76 formed by the supply portion 74 and the wall 78 connected to the inclined portion 75 of the new toner storage portion 70 is positioned to overlap with the hole 87a of the waste toner storage portion 80 in the device width direction. Therefore, compared to a case in which the recess 76 and the hole 87a are positioned not to overlap in the device width direction, the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment has a configuration in which the new toner storage portion 70 of the toner cartridge 61 and the hole 87a of another toner cartridge 61 arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61 are positioned to overlap with each other in the device width direction. 87a and can be arranged close to each other in the width direction of the device.

[0083] In the toner cartridges 61Y, 61M, and 61C of the embodiment, the recess 89 formed by the wall 85 connected to the inclined portion 84 of the waste toner storage portion 80 and the hole 87a of the collection portion 87 is Supply section 74 Therefore, in the toner cartridge group 60, the waste toner storage section 80 of one toner cartridge 61 and the supply section 74 of another toner cartridge 61 arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61 can be arranged close to each other in the device width direction, compared to when the recessed section 89 and the supply section 74 are positioned so as not to overlap each other in the device width direction.

[0084] Furthermore, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment have a configuration in which the supply section 74 and the wall 78 connected to the inclined section 75 form a recess 76, and the collection section 87 and the wall 85 connected to the inclined section 84 form a recess 89. Therefore, in the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment, the supply section 74 of a toner cartridge 61 and the collection section 87 of another toner cartridge 61 arranged on the -W side of the toner cartridge 61 can be arranged closer to each other in the toner cartridge group 60, compared to a case in which the supply section 74 is arranged along the wall 72a of the new toner storage section 70 and the collection section 87 is arranged along the wall 85 of the waste toner storage section 80.

[0085] Furthermore, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment have a configuration in which the portion of the collection section 87 that protrudes toward the +W side from the wall 85 of the waste toner storage section 80 is curved. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the portion of the collection section 87 that protrudes toward the +W side from the wall 85 of the waste toner storage section 80 has a corner, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment can reduce the amount of overlap of the collection section 87 of one toner cartridge 61 with another toner cartridge 61 arranged on the +W side of the toner cartridge 61 in the toner cartridge group 60.

[0086] Furthermore, the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment has a configuration in which the waste toner storage section 80 is offset to the +W side relative to the new toner storage section 70, and the recovery section 87 is located on the +H side relative to the supply section 74. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the supply section 74 is located on the +H side relative to the recovery section 87, the toner cartridge 61 of the embodiment can reduce the length of the toner cartridge 61 in the vertical direction of the device while maintaining the capacity of the toner cartridge 61.

[0087] Furthermore, in the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment, the waste toner storage compartment 80 has a wall 83 that protrudes toward the +W side relative to the wall 85, and an inclined portion 84. Therefore, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment can increase the volume of the toner cartridge 61 compared to a configuration in which the entire wall on the +W side of the waste toner storage compartment 80, which is on the H side relative to the collection compartment 87, is flat.

[0088] Furthermore, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment have a configuration in which the wall 83 protrudes toward the +W side relative to the collection section 87. Therefore, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment can increase the volume of the toner cartridge 61 compared to a configuration in which the entire wall on the H side relative to the collection section 87 on the +W side of the waste toner storage section 80 is provided on the W side relative to the collection section 87.

[0089] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment includes toner cartridges 61Y, M, C, and K. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment can increase the volume of the toner cartridges 61 while maintaining the size of the image forming apparatus 10, compared to a configuration including toner cartridges in which the collection section 87 is provided on the -W side of the wall 85 of the waste toner storage section 80.

[0090] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment has a configuration in which the photosensitive units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are stacked in the vertical direction of the apparatus, which allows the image forming apparatus 10 to have a shorter width than a configuration in which the photosensitive units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are offset from one another in the vertical direction of the apparatus.

[0091] Furthermore, image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment has a configuration in which supply portion 45 of developing device 40 and discharge portion 56 of removing device 50 are each formed on the +D side. Therefore, image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment can arrange both the connection destination of supply portion 45 and the connection destination of discharge portion 56 on the +D side, compared to a case in which supply portion 45 of developing device 40 is formed on the -D side and discharge portion 56 of removing device 50 is formed on the +D side.

[0092] In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, the discharge section 56 of the photosensitive unit 32 is disposed on the +W side of the photosensitive unit 32, and the discharge section 56 of the photosensitive unit 32 is disposed on the +W side of the photosensitive unit 32. of The image forming device 10 has a configuration in which the discharge section 56 of the photosensitive unit 32 overlaps with the supplied section 45 in the device width direction. Therefore, the length of the image forming device 10 in the device width direction can be made smaller than in a configuration in which the discharge section 56 of the photosensitive unit 32 is separated in the device width direction from the supplied section 45 of another photosensitive unit 32 arranged on the +W side of the photosensitive unit 32.

[0093] Furthermore, in the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment, the wall on the -W side of the waste toner storage unit 80, which is at the same position as the hole 87a in the vertical direction of the device, is configured as a curved surface 88 that includes a surface facing the -H direction and the +W side. Therefore, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment can increase the volume of the waste toner storage unit 80 compared to a configuration in which the wall on the -W side of the waste toner storage unit 80, which is at the same position as the hole 87a in the vertical direction of the device, faces only the +W side. In addition, the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C of the embodiment can increase the volume of the waste toner storage section 80 compared to a configuration in which the wall on the -W side of the waste toner storage section 80 that is at the same position in the vertical direction of the device as the hole portion 87a is flat.

[0094] As described above, a specific embodiment has been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0095] For example, in the embodiment, the portion of the collection section 87 of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C that protrudes toward the +W side from the wall 85 of the waste toner storage section 80 is curved. However, the portion of the collection section 87 of the toner cartridges 61Y, M, and C according to the present invention that protrudes toward the +W side from the wall 85 of the waste toner storage section 80 may be configured to have a corner.

[0096] In the embodiment, waste toner storage unit 80 has wall 83 protruding toward the +W side from wall 85, inclined portion 84, and bottom portion 81. However, waste toner storage unit 80 according to the present invention may not have a configuration in which the portion on the -H side of wall 85 protrudes toward the +W side from wall 85. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Image forming device 32 Photosensitive unit (an example of a device unit) 40 Developing device (an example of a toner-using device) 45 Supplied part 50 Removal device (an example of a receiving device) 56 Discharge section 61 Toner cartridge 70 New toner storage section (an example of the first storage section) 72a Wall 74 supply section (example of first connection section) 76 Recess (an example of a first recess) 78 Wall 80 waste toner storage section (an example of a second storage section) 83 Wall (an example of a protruding part) 84 Inclined portion (example of protruding portion) 85 Wall 86 End 87 Recovery Department 87a Hole portion (an example of a second connection portion) 88 Curved part 89 Recess (an example of a second recess) T Toner

Claims

1. a first container for containing toner; a second container disposed on one side of the first container in one direction and configured to contain toner; a first connection portion provided in the first housing portion and connecting the first housing portion to an outside; a second connection portion provided at the other end of the second housing portion in the one direction and connecting the second housing portion to an outside; Equipped with Among walls of the second accommodating portion on one side in a cross direction crossing the one direction, a wall that is located at a position overlapping with the second connection portion in the one direction has a curved portion, at least a part of which protrudes to one side in the cross direction crossing the one direction of the second accommodating portion, an end portion on the other side in the one direction of the first connection portion is disposed on one side in the one direction of an end portion on one side in the one direction of the second connection portion, the first connection portion is provided at an end portion on one side in the one direction of the first accommodating portion, and is on the other side in the intersecting direction of the first accommodating portion, protruding toward the other side in the intersecting direction from a wall on the other side in the one direction of the first accommodating portion, and forming a first recess that opens to the other side in the intersecting direction together with the wall on the other side in the intersecting direction of the first accommodating portion, When a plurality of the curved surface portions are arranged in the intersecting direction, the curved surface portions fit into the first recesses. A toner cartridge characterized by:

2. a first container for containing toner; a second container disposed on one side of the first container in one direction and configured to contain toner; a first connection portion provided in the first housing portion and connecting the first housing portion to an outside; a second connection portion provided at the other end of the second housing portion in the one direction and connecting the second housing portion to an outside; Equipped with Among the walls of the first housing part on the other side in an intersecting direction intersecting with the one direction, the wall of the first housing part on the other side in the one direction protrudes toward the other side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall of the first housing part on the one side in the one direction, an end portion on the other side in the one direction of the first connection portion is disposed on one side in the one direction of an end portion on one side in the one direction of the second connection portion, the second connection portion protrudes toward one side in the intersecting direction relative to a wall on one side of the second accommodating portion in the intersecting direction, and forms a second recess, together with the wall on the one side in the intersecting direction of the second accommodating portion, that overlaps with the first connection portion in the one direction and opens to one side in the intersecting direction; When a plurality of the first storage portions are arranged in the intersecting direction, a portion of a wall of the first storage portion on the other side in the intersecting direction that protrudes to the other side in the intersecting direction fits into the second recess. A toner cartridge characterized by:

3. A toner cartridge as described in claim 2, wherein the first connection portion is arranged on one side in the one direction of the first storage portion, and on the other side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on the other side in the intersecting direction of the second storage portion, and protrudes to the other side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on the one side in the one direction on the other side of the first storage portion in the intersecting direction.

4. A toner cartridge as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first recess is located in a position that overlaps with the second connection portion in the one direction.

5. A toner cartridge as described in Claim 3, characterized in that the second recess is located in a position that overlaps with the first connection portion in the one direction.

6. A toner cartridge described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portion of the second connection portion that protrudes to one side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on one side in the intersecting direction of the second storage portion is curved.

7. The second storage section is at least partially shifted to one side in the cross direction relative to the first storage section, 4. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting portion is disposed on the other side in the one direction relative to the first connecting portion.

8. A toner cartridge described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a portion of the second storage portion is positioned offset to one side in the intersecting direction relative to the first storage portion, and has a protrusion formed on one side of the second storage portion in the intersecting direction and on part of one side in the one direction, and protruding to one side in the intersecting direction relative to the wall on one side of the second storage portion in the intersecting direction.

9. A toner cartridge as described in Claim 8, wherein the protrusion protrudes to one side in the intersecting direction relative to the second connection portion.

10. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first storage section stores unused toner and the second storage section stores used toner; an image forming unit extending in the intersecting direction, which forms an image on a recording medium using unused toner supplied from the first storage unit, and which discharges toner remaining in the image forming unit toward the second storage unit after image formation; An image forming apparatus comprising:

11. A toner using device that uses toner and is arranged in a direction that intersects with a depth direction, wherein toner is supplied from a supply portion formed on one side of the toner using device in the depth direction; a receiving device disposed in a position on one side of the toner using device in a direction intersecting the one direction and the depth direction, the receiving device receiving the toner used by the toner using device and discharging the toner received from a discharge portion formed on one side of the receiving device in the depth direction; A plurality of device units each including the above are arranged side by side in the intersecting direction while overlapping in the one direction, An image forming apparatus in which the supplied portion of the equipment unit overlaps in the intersecting direction with the discharge portion of another equipment unit that is arranged on the other side of the equipment unit in the intersecting direction.

Images