Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that has improved toner suppliability.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus to which a toner container is removably attached comprises: a mounting part to which the toner container is removably attached, the mounting part having a receiving port for receiving toner supplied from the toner container, a passage through which the toner received from the receiving port passes, the passage provided with a through hole, and a filter part provided to cover the through hole and permitting passage of air; and a storage part that stores the toner received from the receiving port. When seen in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the gravity direction, at least part of the through hole overlaps the receiving port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. Place Regarding. [Background technology]

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

[0003] On the other hand, the toner supply method is a method in which new toner is supplied to the developing container when the toner runs out. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which toner is supplied to the developing container using a toner pack that can be attached to an attachment portion provided in the developing container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-26218 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the toner pack described in Patent Document 1, when the user squeezes the bag of the toner pack to release the toner, air is also released from the toner pack. When air is released from the toner pack into the developing container, the internal pressure of the developing container increases, which may reduce the ability to replenish toner.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus with improved toner replenishment efficiency. PlaceThe purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides Including a discharge section provided with a discharge port In an image forming apparatus in which a toner container can be attached and detached, a mounting portion in which the toner container can be attached and detached is provided, The outlet of a mounting portion having a receiving port for receiving toner supplied from a toner supplying unit, a passage configured to pass the toner received from the receiving port and having a through-hole provided therein, and a filter portion provided to cover the through-hole and to allow air to pass through; and a storage portion configured to store the toner received from the receiving port, The hole , With the toner container attached to the attachment portion, When viewed in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity, The outlet is positioned so as to be visible from the through-hole. It is characterized by the fact that [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the toner replenishment efficiency can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the blocking position. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is another exploded perspective view showing the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the blocking position. [Figure 5] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the open position. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7]1A is an exploded perspective view showing a ventilation sheet and a ventilation filter, and FIG. 1B is another exploded perspective view showing a ventilation sheet and a ventilation filter. [Figure 8] FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the mounting unit including the operating lever in the closed position, and FIG. 2B is a plan view showing the mounting unit including the operating lever in the open position. [Figure 9] FIG. 8( b ) is a cross-sectional view showing the HH cross section of FIG. 8( a ). [Figure 10] 1A is a perspective view showing how the toner pack is attached to the attachment portion, and FIG. 1B is another perspective view showing how the toner pack is attached to the attachment portion. [Figure 11] 1A is a plan view showing the toner pack and the mounting portion when the operating lever is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B is a plan view showing the toner pack and the mounting portion when the operating lever is in the open position. [Figure 12] FIG. 11( b ) is a cross-sectional view showing the JJ cross section of FIG. [Figure 13] 12. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the path E2 of the flow path E in a different form from FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a ventilation sheet and a ventilation filter. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a process unit and a toner pack. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting portion according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the periphery of a filter unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First Embodiment Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first 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.

[0012] 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 a variety of sheet materials made of different materials, such as paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic film such as sheets for overhead projectors, specially shaped sheets such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[0013] [Overall configuration] 1(a) and 1(b), the image forming apparatus 1 has an apparatus main body 2, a reading device 200 supported by the apparatus main body 2 so as to be openable and closable, and an operation unit 300 attached to the exterior surface of the apparatus main body 2. The apparatus main body 2 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrically shaped photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum 21 of this embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photosensitive member on a drum-shaped base body made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 21, which serves as an image carrier, is rotated by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the drawing) at a predetermined process speed.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 as a developer carrier 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 configured to rotate around a roller axis 31a (see FIG. 15) that serves as a rotation axis and a first rotation axis, and is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 rotatably abuts against the developing roller 31, and the toner contained in the developing container 32 as the developer is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required as long as the configuration can supply a sufficient amount of toner to the developing roller 31.

[0019] The developing device 30 of this embodiment uses a contact development method. That is, a toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in a development section (development area) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A development voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a development high-voltage power supply. Under the development voltage, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface in accordance with the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Note that this embodiment employs a reversal development method. That is, a toner image is formed by the toner adhering to the surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21, which has been charged in a charging process and then exposed in an exposure process, where the charge amount has attenuated.

[0020] In this embodiment, a toner having a particle size of 6 μm and a normal negative charge polarity is used. As an example, the toner used in this embodiment is a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. The toner used in this embodiment does not contain a magnetic component, and is a so-called non-magnetic single-component developer in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a single-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition to toner particles, a single-component developer may contain additives (e.g., wax or silica particles) to adjust the fluidity and charging performance of the toner. A two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may also be used. When a magnetic developer is used, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside is used as the developer carrier.

[0021] The developing container 32 includes a storage section 36 serving as a second storage section for storing toner, and an agitating member 34 disposed inside the storage section 36. The agitating member 34 includes a shaft member 34b that is driven by a motor (not shown) to rotate around a rotation axis 34a serving as a second rotation axis, and sheet members 34c and 34d that are fixed to the shaft member 34b (see FIG. 15). The agitating member 34, serving as a transport member, agitates the toner in the developing container 32 by rotating and transports the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. The agitating member 34 also circulates toner scraped off from the developing roller 31 and not used for development within the developing container, thereby homogenizing the toner in the developing container. The agitating member 34 is not limited to a rotating type. For example, an agitating member having an oscillating type may be employed. Furthermore, only one of the sheet members 34c and 34d may be provided, or three or more sheet members may be provided.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 1(a) and 1(b), the feeding section 60 has a front door 61 supported on the apparatus main body 2 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 on the tray section 62 so as to be able to move up and down. The tray spring 64 urges the middle plate 63 upward, and presses 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 2, and supports the recording materials P together with the tray section 62 and middle plate 63 when open relative to the apparatus main body 2.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] In parallel with the image forming process described above, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding section 60 feeds out the recording material P supported by the front door 61, the tray section 62, and the middle plate 63. The recording material P is fed by the pickup roller 65 to the pair of registration rollers 15, and any skew is corrected by the recording material P hitting the nip of the pair of registration rollers 15. The pair of registration rollers 15 is then driven in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image, and conveys the recording material P toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0027] 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 fixes 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 2. The discharge roller pair 80, which serves as discharge rollers, discharges the recording material P onto the discharge tray 81 in a discharge direction DD.

[0028] 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 .

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] A top cover 82 is provided on the top of the device main body 2, 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.

[0032] The open / close member 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position where it covers the supply port 32a so that the toner pack 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. In the closed position, the open / close member 83 functions as part of the discharge tray 81. The open / close member 83 and the opening 82a are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81. The open / close member 83 is opened to the left by inserting a finger into a groove 82b provided in the top cover 82. The open / close member 83 is formed in a substantially L-shape to fit the shape of the top cover 82.

[0033] The opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is open so as to expose the supply port 32a for toner supply formed in the upper part of the developing container 32, and the user can access the supply port 32a by opening the opening / closing member 83. Note that in this embodiment, a method (direct supply method) is adopted in which the user supplies toner from a toner pack 100 (see FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b)) filled with replenishment toner to the developing device 30 while the developing device 30 remains attached to the image forming apparatus 1. At least a portion of the toner pack 100 is exposed to the outside when attached to an attachment portion 106 (see FIG. 6) of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0034] 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 2 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 can reduce 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.

[0035] [Toner pack composition] Next, the basic structure of a toner pack 100 that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and that contains toner will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5(b). The toner pack 100, which serves as a toner container, is attached to an attachment portion 106, which will be described later. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view showing the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5(b), the toner pack 100 includes a pouch 101 for storing toner, a nozzle 102 connected to the pouch 101, and a pack-side shutter 103. The pouch 101, which serves as a first storage section, is flexible and is provided at one end of the toner pack 100 in an axial direction D1 along a rotation axis A, which is the rotation axis of the pack-side shutter 103. 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 processing a flexible polypropylene sheet into a pouch, and has a bag shape with one end open. The pouch 101 may also be a resin bottle or a container made of paper, vinyl, or the like.

[0037] The nozzle 102 as a discharge part is connected to the pouch 101 by any method, such as using various adhesives such as hot melt, or by thermally welding the pouch 101 to the outer periphery of the nozzle 102.

[0038] A side surface 102c of the nozzle 102 extending in the axial direction D1 is provided with an outlet 102a configured to communicate with the interior 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 together with air through the outlet 102a when the pouch 101 is crushed by a user to reduce the volume of the pouch 101. Note that the nozzle 102 may be composed of multiple members rather than a single member.

[0039] A pack-side shutter 103 is disposed on the outside of the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102. The pack-side shutter 103 is provided rotatably about a rotation axis A extending in a direction along the axial direction D1, and is provided on the outside of the side surface 102c in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A. 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.

[0040] The pack-side shutter 103 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis A between a blocking position in which the pack-side seal 105 blocks the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 and an open position in which the discharge port 102a is open. When the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position, the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 is exposed through an opening 103a formed in the pack-side shutter 103. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5(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 pack-side shutter 103 through the opening 103a. A driven transmission part 103b engageable with a drive transmission part 108a of an operating lever 108 (described later) is provided on the opposite side of the opening 103a of the pack-side shutter 103.

[0041] When the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the closed position shown in Figure 5(a), is rotated in the direction of arrow K about the rotation axis A, the pack-side shutter 103 reaches the open position shown in Figure 5(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 closed position. 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.

[0042] [Installation part] Next, the configuration of the mounting unit 106 to which the toner pack 100 is attached will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. In this embodiment, the mounting unit 106 is a unit for mounting the toner pack 100, and is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 (see Figure 1(a)). More specifically, the mounting unit 106 is connected to the developing container 32 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0043] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 106. Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) are exploded perspective views showing the ventilation sheet 112 and the ventilation filter 116. Fig. 8(a) is a plan view showing the mounting portion 106 including the operating lever 108 in the closed position, and Fig. 8(b) is a plan view showing the mounting portion 106 including the operating lever 108 in the open position. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the HH cross section of Fig. 8(a).

[0044] 6 to 9, the mounting portion 106 has a main body base portion 3, an operating lever 108, and an apparatus-side shutter 109. The main body base portion 3 includes a first frame 107, a second frame 117, a cover member 110, a shutter sheet 121, a ventilation sheet 112, and a ventilation filter 116. The first frame 107 and the second frame 117 form a frame 150, which is configured separately from the developing container 32 and restricts movement of the apparatus-side shutter 109 in the axial direction D2. In other words, the developing container 32 is configured separately from the mounting portion 106.

[0045] The cover member 110 and the second frame 117 are fixed to the first frame 107. The first frame 107, the cover member 110, and the second frame 117 may be integrally formed rather than being separate members. 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 FIG. 1(a)).

[0046] The operating lever 108 and the device-side shutter 109 are each attached to the main body base 3 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis B, which serves as the shutter rotation axis. A positioning portion 107a is provided on the first frame 107. The positioning portion 107a protrudes inward in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis B from the inner circumferential surface of the first frame 107, the inner circumferential surface being centered on the rotation axis B.

[0047] The operating lever 108 is provided with a supply port 32a, a drive transmission unit 108a, and an operating unit 108b. The drive transmission unit 108a of the operating lever 108 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 a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis B.

[0048] 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 3. Specifically, the operating lever 108 is configured to be rotatable between a closed position shown in FIG. 8(a) and an open position shown in FIG. 8(b). As will be described later, when the operating lever 108 is in the closed position, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 are in the shielding position. Then, by operating the operating lever 108 from the closed position to the open position, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 move to the open position.

[0049] The apparatus-side shutter 109 as a shutter has an inner circumferential surface 109h, an inlet 109a formed on the inner circumferential surface 109h for receiving toner supplied from the toner pack 100, an outer circumferential surface 109f, and a drive-receiving portion 109e. An apparatus-side seal 111 is affixed to the inner circumferential surface 109h so as to surround the periphery of the inlet 109a. The drive-receiving portion 109e is engageable with the drive-receiving portion 103b of the pack-side shutter 103. The apparatus-side shutter 109 is supported so that the outer circumferential surface 109f is slidable on the inner circumferential surface 107c of the first frame 107.

[0050] The apparatus-side shutter 109 is configured to take a closed position and an open position with respect to the main body base part 3. When the apparatus-side shutter 109 is in the closed position, the receiving port 109a is covered by the apparatus-side seal 111 and the cover member 110, and when in the open position, the receiving port 109a is open and not covered by the cover member 110. That is, when the apparatus-side shutter 109 is in the closed position, the receiving port 109a does not communicate with the apparatus-side opening 117a of the second frame 117, but when the apparatus-side shutter 109 is in the closed position, the receiving port 109a communicates with the apparatus-side opening 117a of the second frame 117. When the apparatus-side shutter 109 is moved to the open position, toner can be replenished (supplied) from the toner pack 100 to the storage part 36 of the developing container 32 through the receiving port 109a.

[0051] 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.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 7(b), the first frame 107 is provided with a through-hole 107b as a first through-hole, a ventilation sheet seating surface 107d, and a restriction surface 107e. A ventilation sheet 112 is heat-welded to the ventilation sheet seating surface 107d, and the ventilation sheet 112 is disposed so as to cover the through-hole 107b. In this embodiment, the ventilation sheet 112 is made of nonwoven fabric, but it may be made of a material other than nonwoven fabric. The ventilation sheet 112 as the first filter may be attached to the ventilation sheet seating surface 107d by a method other than heat-welding, for example, by adhesive or the like.

[0053] In addition to the above-mentioned apparatus-side opening 117a, the second frame 117 is provided with a wall portion 117b and a restriction surface 117d. Movement of the apparatus-side shutter 109 in the axial direction D2 along the rotation axis B is restricted by the restriction surface 107e of the first frame 107 and the restriction surface 117d of the second frame 117. In other words, the first frame 107 restricts movement of the apparatus-side shutter 109 on one side in the axial direction D2, and the second frame 117 restricts movement of the apparatus-side shutter 109 on the other side in the axial direction D2.

[0054] Wall portion 117b is provided with through-hole 117c as a second through-hole, and ventilation filter 116 is attached to cover through-hole 117c. In this embodiment, ventilation filter 116 as a second filter is made of urethane foam, i.e., urethane, but may be made of a material other than urethane, and is preferably made of a material different from that of ventilation sheet 112.

[0055] A portion of the surface 116a of the ventilation filter 116 that comes into contact with toner is adhered to the wall portion 117b with double-sided tape (not shown). The ventilation sheet 112 and the ventilation filter 116 are provided so as to cover the through-holes 107b and 117c, and constitute a filter portion 140 that allows air to pass through. The through-holes 107b and 117c are configured to open upward. As shown in FIG. 14, the filter portion 140, which is made up of the ventilation sheet 112 and the ventilation filter 116, is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first frame 107 and the second frame 117. The thickness of the ventilation filter 116 is preferably 90 μm to 250 μm, and the thickness of the ventilation sheet 112 is preferably 1 mm to 20 mm.

[0056] The ventilation filter 116 has a coarser mesh than the ventilation sheet 112, and is therefore more breathable. The breathability of the ventilation sheet 112 and the ventilation filter 116 is measured, for example, by the Frazier method. The Frazier method is carried out as follows. First, five test pieces of approximately 200 mm x 200 mm are adjusted and attached to a Frazier tester. Next, the intake fan and air holes are adjusted so that the inclined barometer indicates a pressure of 125 Pa, and the pressure indicated by the vertical barometer at that time is measured. Then, from the measured pressure and the type of air hole used, the amount of air (cm3) passing through the test piece is calculated using a conversion table provided with the tester. 3 / cm 2 The more air that passes through the test piece, the better the breathability.

[0057] [Installing the toner pack into the mounting compartment] Next, the state when the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106 will be described with reference to Figures 10(a) to 11(b). Figure 10(a) is a perspective view showing the state in which the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106, and Figure 10(b) is another perspective view showing the state in which the toner pack 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 106. In Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the operating lever 108 is in the closed position, and the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 are in the closed position. Figure 11(a) is a plan view showing the toner pack 100 and the mounting portion 106 when the operating lever 108 is in the closed position, and Figure 11(b) is a plan view showing the toner pack 100 and the mounting portion 106 when the operating lever 108 is in the open position.

[0058] 10(a) and 10(b), the user moves the toner pack 100 with the pack-side shutter 103 in the covering position in the mounting direction N 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 103b of the pack-side shutter 103 and the drive-transmitting portion 108a of the operating lever 108.

[0059] After aligning the toner pack 100 with the mounting portion 106 in this manner, the user moves the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction N to mount it in the mounting portion 106. Then, the drive-receiving portion 103b of the pack-side shutter 103 engages with the drive-receiving portion 109e of the device-side shutter 109 and the drive-transmitting portion 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. In addition, because the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 engages with the end face of the cover member 110, the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 does not rotate relative to the main body base portion 3 including the cover member 110.

[0060] The operating lever 108, pack-side shutter 103, and device-side shutter 109 are rotatable approximately integrally with the main body base portion 3 and nozzle 102 about rotation axes A and B.

[0061] 11(a) and 11(b), when the operating lever 108 is rotated in the direction of arrow D from the closed position to the open position, the drive transmission portion 108a of the operating lever 108 presses the drive transmission receiving portion 103b 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 addition, the drive transmission receiving portion 103b of the pack-side shutter 103, which is rotated from the closed position to the open position, presses the drive transmission receiving 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 closed position to the open position. Therefore, the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100 and the storage portion 36 communicate with each other via the discharge port 102a, the receiving port 109a, and the apparatus-side opening 117a.

[0062] Conversely, when the operating lever 108 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 presses the drive transmission part 103b of the pack-side shutter 103. As a result, the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated from the open position to the closed position together with the operating lever 108. Also, the drive transmission part 103b of the pack-side shutter 103, which is rotated from the open position to the closed position, presses the drive transmission part 109e of the device-side shutter 109. As a result, the device-side shutter 109 is rotated from the open position to the closed position together with the pack-side shutter 103.

[0063] In this way, by operating the operating lever 108, the pack-side shutter 103 and the apparatus-side shutter 109 can be rotated between the closed position and the open position, and toner can be replenished from the toner pack 100 to the developing container 32. When the replenishment of toner from the toner pack 100 to the developing container 32 is complete, the user rotates the operating lever 108 from the open position to the closed position and pulls out the toner pack 100 from the mounting portion 106.

[0064] [Toner Refill] Next, the replenishment of toner from the toner pack 100 to the developing container 32 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the JJ cross section of FIG. 11(b). That is, in FIG. 12, the operating lever 108 is in the open position, and the pack-side shutter 103 and the apparatus-side shutter 109 are in the open position. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the path E2 of the flow path E in a form different from that shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the ventilation sheet 112 and the ventilation filter 116. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the process unit 20 and the toner pack 100. Note that FIGS. 12 to 15 are views viewed in the axial direction D4 (see FIG. 15) of the roller axis 31a of the developing roller 31 and in the horizontal direction.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 12, the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100 and the storage section 36 of the developing container 32 are in communication with each other via the discharge port 102a, the receiving port 109a, and the apparatus-side opening 117a. In this state, when the user crushes the pouch 101, the toner stored in the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100 is supplied to the storage section 36. A hollow passage 400 is formed in the mounting section 106 to allow toner and air to pass through, and in Fig. 12, a flow path E indicates the flow of toner from the toner pack 100 to the storage section 36. The passage 400 is formed mainly by the inner walls of the first frame 107 and the second frame 117.

[0066] To explain flow path E in more detail, the toner travels from pouch 101 into nozzle 102 in the direction of gravity G (path E1), is guided by guide surface 102f, which is the inner wall of nozzle 102, and travels to discharge outlet 102a and receiving port 109a (path E2). Guide surface 102f extends at an angle with respect to the direction of gravity G so that the guide surface 102f approaches receiving port 109a in the horizontal direction as it extends downward. The toner then collides with surface 116a of ventilation filter 116 and travels in the direction of gravity G (path E3) and is supplied to storage unit 36.

[0067] When toner is replenished from the toner pack 100 to the storage unit 36, the pouch 101 is crushed and deformed so that the internal volume decreases. As a result, the air inside the toner pack 100 flows through the flow path E toward the storage unit 36 ​​along with the toner stored in the toner pack 100. That is, part of the air mixed with the toner travels along the paths E1 and E2 that constitute the flow path E and is discharged into the mounting unit 106 from the outlet 102a and the inlet 109a. The air then passes through the through-hole 117c and reaches the ventilation filter 116.

[0068] At this time, the toner is captured by the ventilation filter 116, and some of the remaining air passes through the ventilation filter 116 and the ventilation sheet 112. Then, as shown by flow path F, the air passes through the through-hole 107b and is discharged to the outside of the mounting portion 106. By discharging some of the air from the through-hole 107b to the outside of the mounting portion 106, the amount of air discharged into the storage portion 36 is reduced, and an increase in the internal pressure of the storage portion 36 can be suppressed. This makes it easier for the user to crush the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100, improving the ease of replenishing toner into the storage portion 36.

[0069] Here, in the axial direction D2, the region where the receiving port 109a exists is referred to as region X, the region where the through-hole 107b exists is referred to as region Y, and the region where region X and region Y overlap is referred to as region Z. When the toner pack 100 is attached to the attachment portion 106, the axial direction D2 is approximately parallel to the direction of gravity G. That is, the rotation axes A and B extend in the direction of gravity G. As described above, due to the pressure generated when the user deforms the pouch 101, some of the air mixed with toner passes through the receiving port 109a. That is, the air passes through region X. Furthermore, some of the air that passes through the receiving port 109a passes through the through-hole 107b and is discharged to the outside of the attachment portion 106, as shown by flow path F. That is, the air passes through region Y.

[0070] In this embodiment, the regions X and Y overlap in the region Z in the axial direction D2. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 15 , at least a portion of the through hole 107b overlaps with the receiving opening 109a when viewed horizontally, e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity G and the axial direction D4 of the roller axis 31a of the developing roller 31. The direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity G and the axial direction D4 of the roller axis 31a of the developing roller 31 corresponds to the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 1. Similar to the through hole 107b, at least a portion of the through hole 117c overlaps with the receiving opening 109a when viewed horizontally. Furthermore, the through holes 107b and 117c are located above a connecting portion 117e between the mounting portion 106 and the developing container 32. The connecting portion 117e is a portion where the second frame 117 and the developing container 32 are connected by a screw or the like.

[0071] Furthermore, at least a portion of the through holes 107b and 117c is located between the receiving opening 109a and the roller axis 31a of the developing roller 31 in the direction of gravity G. Also, at least a portion of the through holes 107b and 117c is located between the receiving opening 109a and the rotation axis 34a of the agitating member 34 in the direction of gravity G. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A (axial direction D4 of the developing roller 31), the through holes 107b and 117c are located below the supply opening 32a through which the toner pack 100 is inserted and above the roller axis 31a of the developing roller 31. Also, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A (axial direction D4 of the developing roller 31), the through holes 107b and 117c are located below the supply opening 32a through which the toner pack 100 is inserted and above the rotation axis 34a of the agitating member 34.

[0072] 15, a line passing through the supply port 32a and extending horizontally is designated as line L1, a line passing through the roller axis 31a and extending horizontally is designated as line L2, and a line passing through the rotation axis 34a and extending horizontally is designated as line L3. Furthermore, a line passing through the lower end of the receiving port 109a and extending horizontally is designated as line L4, and a line passing through the receiving port 109a and extending in the direction of gravity G (vertical direction) is designated as line L5. A line passing through the roller axis 31a and extending in the direction of gravity G is designated as line L6, and a line passing through the rotation axis 34a and extending in the direction of gravity G is designated as line L7.

[0073] At least a portion of the through holes 107b, 117c (for example, the area other than area Z in area Y in FIG. 12) is located between line L4 and line L2 and between line L4 and line L3. The through holes 107b, 117c are located below line L1 and above lines L2, L3. Note that it is not necessary for all of the through holes 107b, 117c to be located, as long as at least a portion of the through holes 107b, 117c is located below the supply port 32a and above the roller axis 31a of the developing roller 31 and the rotation axis 34a of the agitating member 34.

[0074] Furthermore, the through holes 107b and 117c are located between the receiving opening 109a and the roller axis 31a in the horizontal direction. That is, the through holes 107b and 117c are located between the lines L5 and L6. Furthermore, the through holes 107b and 117c are located between the receiving opening 109a and the rotation axis 34a in the horizontal direction. That is, the through holes 107b and 117c are located between the lines L5 and L7. It is to be noted that not all of the through holes 107b and 117c, but at least some of the through holes 107b and 117c, are located between the receiving opening 109a and the roller axis 31a or between the receiving opening 109a and the rotation axis 34a in the horizontal direction. In between It just needs to be located.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 15, the roller axis 31a of the developing roller 31, the rotation axis 34a of the stirring member 34, the through holes 107b, 117c, and the receiving port 109a are aligned in this order in the discharge direction DD.

[0076] By arranging the through holes 107b and 117c in the positions described above, it is possible to efficiently discharge a portion of the air mixed with toner to the outside of the mounting portion 106, and to suppress an increase in the internal pressure of the containing portion 36. This improves the ease of toner replenishment. Furthermore, because the through hole 107b is located above the connecting portion 117e, it is possible to reduce the backflow of toner once contained in the developing container 32 into the through hole 107b.

[0077] Furthermore, the air mixed with toner impinges on the surface 116a of the ventilation filter 116. The surface 116a faces the receiving port 109a and is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity G so that the surface 116a is horizontally farther from the receiving port 109a as it extends downward. Similarly, the wall 400a (see FIG. 15 ) of the passage 400 in which the through-holes 107b and 117c are provided is inclined downward in the direction of gravity G as it extends from the receiving port 109a toward the developing roller 31. This allows the ventilation filter 116 to easily drop the toner in the direction of gravity G, i.e., toward the container 36, after collecting the toner. This prevents clogging of the ventilation filter 116 and maintains its performance. Reducing the frequency of replacement of the ventilation filter 116 reduces maintenance costs and part replacement costs.

[0078] 14, the ventilation filter 116 and the ventilation sheet 112 are attached to the second frame 117 and the first frame 107, respectively, without any seals or the like. The ventilation sheet 112 has finer mesh than the ventilation filter 116, and is disposed on the opposite side of the ventilation filter 116 from the passage 400. Therefore, even if the toner passes through the ventilation filter 116, it is collected by the ventilation sheet 112, and the toner can be prevented from scattering outside the mounting portion 106 through the through-holes 117c and 107b.

[0079] Incidentally, in FIG. 12, the path E2 of the flow path E is depicted schematically, as if the path E2 were to change direction at one point. FIG. 13 depicts the path E2 of the flow path E more smoothly, with the guide surface 102f of the nozzle 102 guiding the toner and air along the path E2. On the path E2, the air advances in the air entry direction D3 at the receiving port 109a. That is, the air is guided in the air entry direction D3 by the guide surface 102f at the receiving port 109a.

[0080] At this time, at least a portion of the through-hole 107b faces the receiving port 109a in the air entry direction D3, so that a portion of the air mixed with toner can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the mounting portion 106 through the through-hole 107b, and an increase in the internal pressure of the storage portion 36 can be suppressed.

[0081] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is a modification of the first embodiment in terms of the configuration of the filter section 140. Therefore, configurations similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted from the drawings or will be described by using the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0082] Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting portion 2106 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting portion 2106. The cross-section of Fig. 17 is the same as the HH cross-section of Fig. 8(a). Fig. 18 is a plan view showing the mounting portion 2106. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the filter portion 2140. Fig. 20 is a schematic view showing the configuration around the filter portion 2140.

[0083] 16 and 17, filter unit 2140 according to the present embodiment has breathable sheet 112 as a third filter, shatterproof sheet 2113 as a fourth filter, double-sided tape 2114, and shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115. Other configurations of mounting unit 2106 other than filter unit 2140 are the same as mounting unit 106 according to the first embodiment.

[0084] The first frame body 107 and the second frame body 117 of the frame body 150 are provided with through holes 107b and 117c, respectively. As in the first embodiment, the breathable sheet 112 is fixed by heat welding to a breathable sheet seating surface 107d provided on the inner surface of the first frame body 107. The shatterproof sheet 2113 is fixed to a shatterproof sheet seating surface 107g provided on the outer surface of the first frame body 107 with double-sided tape or adhesive (not shown). A hole 2113h, which is a through hole, is provided in the center of the shatterproof sheet 2113.

[0085] A shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 is fixed integrally onto the shatterproof sheet 2113 with a U-shaped double-sided tape 2114. The double-sided tape 2114 is attached to the shatterproof sheet 2113 so as not to overlap the holes 2113h of the shatterproof sheet 2113. In this embodiment, the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 uses a filter material similar to that of the breathable sheet 112, and its air permeability is 2 to 80 (cc / cm 2 ·sec). The shatterproof sheet 2113 is, for example, a film or sheet material with a thickness in the range of 25 μm to 3.0 mm, and allows less toner to pass through than the breathable sheet 112 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115. In other words, toner that hits parts of the shatterproof sheet 2113 other than the holes 2113h hardly passes through the shatterproof sheet 2113.

[0086] The breathable sheet 112, the shatterproof sheet 2113, and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 have an area larger than the through-hole 107b and are arranged to cover the through-hole 107b. The shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115, which serves as a fifth filter, is arranged on the opposite side of the shatterproof sheet 2113 from the breathable sheet 112 and the passage 400. That is, the breathable sheet 112, the shatterproof sheet 2113, and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 are arranged to overlap the through-hole 107b when viewed from the front. The breathable sheet 112 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 also cover the hole 2113h, which serves as an opening in the shatterproof sheet 2113.

[0087] Furthermore, the double-sided tape 2114 serving as the adhesive portion has a first linear portion 2114a, a second linear portion 2114b, and a third linear portion 2115c connecting the first linear portion 2114a and the second linear portion 2114b, and is formed in a U-shape. That is, by being formed in a U-shape, the double-sided tape 2114 is positioned only on a portion of the periphery of the hole 2113h, and is not positioned around the entire periphery of the hole 2113h. In other words, one side of the double-sided tape 2114 is open, forming an open portion 2114f.

[0088] Thus, the shatterproof sheet 2113 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 are bonded together in the areas where the double-sided tape 2114 is present, but are not bonded together in the opening 2114f. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18 , air can easily escape in the direction of arrow K from a small gap between the shatterproof sheet 2113 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 at the position corresponding to the opening 2114f. In other words, the double-sided tape 2114 is configured so that air that has escaped through the hole 2113h passes between the shatterproof sheet 2113 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 from the opening 2114f, which is the area where the double-sided tape 2114 is not located. The direction of arrow K is from the hole 2113h toward the opening 2114f.

[0089] As described above, when toner is replenished, a small amount of toner may pass through the ventilation sheet 112 along with the air. At this time, as shown in FIG. 19 , toner T that passes through the ventilation sheet 112 from a position that does not face the hole 2113h collides with the scatter prevention sheet 2113 and accumulates in the gap 107f formed between the ventilation sheet 112 and the scatter prevention auxiliary sheet 2115. The scatter prevention sheet 2113 and the scatter prevention auxiliary sheet 2115 are arranged to sandwich the through hole 107b, and the gap 107f is part of the space formed by the through hole 107b. In other words, the ventilation sheet 112 and the shatter prevention sheet 2113 are arranged so that the gap 107f is between the ventilation sheet 112 and the shatter prevention sheet 2113 and below the hole 2113h.

[0090] On the other hand, the amount of toner that passes through the ventilation sheet 112 from the portion opposite the hole 2113h is very small, and passes through the hole 2113h and adheres to the scattering prevention auxiliary sheet 2115. This reduces the amount of toner that passes through the through holes 117c and 107b that scatters outside the mounting portion 2106. In particular, when the image forming apparatus 1 is moved during logistics or when toner is replenished from the toner pack 100 to the developing container 32, the toner in the developing container 32 tends to float, but the filter portion 2140 reduces the amount of toner that scatters outside the mounting portion 2106. Note that the above-described toner flow is merely an example. For example, toner that passes through the ventilation sheet 112 from the portion opposite the hole 2113h may hit the scattering prevention sheet 2113 and accumulate in the gap 107f.

[0091] Most of the air that passes through the ventilation sheet 112 passes through the holes 2113h of the shatterproof sheet 2113. Because the holes 2113h are formed in the shatterproof sheet 2113, the sheet has good breathability and can effectively reduce the internal pressure of the storage section 18. The shape and size of the holes 2113h are not limited as long as they can sufficiently pass air through them, but circular holes with a diameter of 2 mm to 15 mm are preferable. The holes 2113h may also be polygonal holes such as rectangular holes.

[0092] Air that passes through shatterproof sheet 2113 and hits shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 is discharged in the direction of arrow K from opening 2114f of double-sided tape 2114. More specifically, this air is discharged in the direction of arrow K from between shatterproof sheet 2113 and shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 at opening 2114f. This air contains almost no toner. Note that if a breathable filter material is used for shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115, some of the air may pass through shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 and be discharged to the outside of attachment portion 2106.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 20 , in a plan view of the image forming apparatus 1 viewed from above, the photosensitive drum 21 is disposed behind the filter unit 2140, and a supply port 32a for attaching the toner pack 100 is disposed in front of the filter unit 2140. The scanner unit 11, which serves as an exposure unit, is disposed to the right of the filter unit 2140, and a left side plate 401 of the device main body 2 is disposed to the left of the filter unit 2140. The left side plate 401 is part of the frame of the device main body 2. In other words, the first linear portion 2114a of the double-sided tape 2114 is disposed between the hole 2113h of the shatterproof sheet 2113 and the photosensitive drum 21. The second linear portion 2114b is disposed between the hole 2113h and the supply port 32a. The third linear portion 2114c is disposed between the hole 2113h and the scanner unit 11.

[0094] The direction of the arrow K is from the filter portion 2140 toward the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, i.e., toward the left side plate 401. The air discharged from the opening 2114f in the direction of the arrow K contains almost no toner, but it may contain a trace amount of toner. If toner adheres to the photosensitive drum 21 and the scanner unit 11, which are located at the back and right sides of the filter portion 2140, respectively, image formation may be impaired.

[0095] Furthermore, if toner adheres to the supply port 32a located on the front side of the filter portion 2140, there is a possibility that the toner will adhere to the user when toner is replenished. For this reason, in this embodiment, the air is discharged in the direction of arrow K from the open portion 2114f toward the left side plate 401. Since there is no configuration between the left side plate 401 and the open portion 2114f that could cause poor image formation or toner adhesion to the user, poor image formation or toner adhesion to the user can be suppressed. Note that it is preferable to appropriately provide an opening in the left side plate 401 to allow air to escape.

[0096] As described above, in this embodiment, through holes 107b and 117c are provided in frame 150 that constitutes passage 400 through which toner passes during toner replenishment, and through hole 107b is covered by filter portion 2140. When toner is replenished, pouch 101 of toner pack 100 is crushed, causing air to pass through passage 400 together with the toner. This air passes through through holes 107b and 117c and filter portion 2140 and is discharged to the outside of mounting portion 2106, thereby suppressing an increase in the internal pressure of storage portion 36 and improving toner replenishment efficiency.

[0097] The filter unit 2140 is made up of a breathable sheet 112, a scattering prevention sheet 2113, double-sided tape 2114, and a scattering prevention auxiliary sheet 2115. The toner contained in the air is successively collected by the breathable sheet 112, the scattering prevention sheet 2113, and the scattering prevention auxiliary sheet 2115, thereby reducing the scattering of the toner outside the attachment unit 2106.

[0098] Furthermore, because the double-sided tape 2114 that adheres the shatterproof sheet 2113 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 is formed in a U-shape, most of the air that passes through the shatterproof sheet 2113 is discharged in the direction of arrow K from the opening 2114f of the double-sided tape 2114. Furthermore, the shatterproof sheet 2113 is provided with holes 2113h, which provides good breathability. This improves the breathability of the filter section 2140 and effectively suppresses an increase in the internal pressure of the storage section 36. Furthermore, the air discharged from the opening 2114f in the direction of the arrow K travels toward the left side plate 401, thereby preventing poor image formation and toner from adhering to the user.

[0099] <Other embodiments> In the first embodiment, the region where the inlet 109a is located in the axial direction D2 is defined as region X, but the region where the outlet 102a is located may also be defined as region X. That is, by arranging the outlet 102a and the through-hole 107b so that they overlap in the axial direction D2, air can be efficiently discharged from the mounting portion 106.

[0100] In the first embodiment, the breathable sheet 112 and the breathable filter 116 are arranged so as to be sandwiched between the first frame 107 and the second frame 117, but this is not limiting. That is, the breathable sheet 112 and the breathable filter 116 only need to be arranged so as to cover at least one of the through-holes 107b and 117c, and for example, the breathable filter 116 may be arranged closer to the flow path E than the through-hole 117c.

[0101] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the filter section 140 is configured by two ventilation filters, the ventilation sheet 112 and the ventilation filter 116, but it may be configured by one ventilation filter or three or more ventilation filters.

[0102] In the second embodiment, the shatter prevention auxiliary sheet 2115 has an air permeability of 2 to 80 (cc / cm 2 sec) filter material, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in consideration of the amount of toner passing through the breathable sheet 112 and the increase in the internal pressure of the storage section 36, the scattering prevention auxiliary sheet 2115 may be made of a non-breathable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) sheet or PO (polyolefin) sheet.

[0103] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the shatterproof sheet 2113 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 are configured as separate members from the first frame 107, but they may be molded integrally with the first frame 107. In this case, however, the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 is made of the same material as the first frame 107, which increases the internal pressure more than when a breathable filter material is used. For this reason, for example, a more breathable sheet may be used for the breathable sheet 112.

[0104] In the second embodiment, the breathable sheet 112 is disposed on the passage 400 side of the through-hole 107b, and the shatterproof sheet 2113 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 are disposed on the opposite side of the passage 400, but this is not limiting. For example, the shatterproof sheet 2113 may be disposed on the passage 400 side of the through-hole 107b. In this case, the U-shaped double-sided tape 2114 may bond the shatterproof sheet seating surface 107g of the first frame 107 to the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115. Alternatively, the breathable sheet 112, the shatterproof sheet 2113, and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 may all be provided on the shatterproof sheet seating surface 107g side of the first frame 107.

[0105] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the shatterproof sheet 2113 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 are adhered to each other using U-shaped double-sided tape 2114, but this is not limiting. For example, instead of using double-sided tape, the shatterproof sheet 2113 and the shatterproof auxiliary sheet 2115 may be adhered to each other using an adhesive or the like. Furthermore, the shape of the double-sided tape 2114 is not limited to U-shape, and may be, for example, L-shaped or V-shaped.

[0106] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, the frame 150 is configured by the first frame 107 and the second frame 117, but is not limited to this. For example, the frame 150 may be configured by one member, or may be configured by three or more members.

[0107] Furthermore, in all of the above-described embodiments, the first frame 107 and the second frame 117 are provided with the through-holes 107b and 117c, respectively, but this is not limiting. For example, the second frame 117 may not be provided with the through-hole 117c, and only the first frame 107 may be provided with the through-hole 107b. That is, the through-hole 107b may be provided anywhere in the frame 150. In this case, the wall 117b of the second frame 117 may be omitted.

[0108] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, the receiving opening 109a is provided in the apparatus-side shutter 109, but this is not limiting. For example, the receiving opening 109a may be provided in a member different from the apparatus-side shutter 109, or the receiving opening 109a may be closed or opened by the apparatus-side shutter 109.

[0109] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, the frame 150 and the developing container 32 are configured as separate bodies, but this is not limiting. In other words, the frame 150 and the developing container 32 may be formed integrally.

[0110] In addition, in all of the above-described embodiments, the process unit 20 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 in a non-replaceable manner, but this is not limiting. In other words, the process unit 20 may be attached to the apparatus main body 2 in a detachable manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1: image forming apparatus / 11: exposure unit (scanner unit) / 21: image carrier (photosensitive drum) / 31: developing roller / 31a: rotation axis, first rotation axis (roller axis) / 32a: supply port / 34: conveying member (stirring member) / 34a: second rotation axis (rotation axis) / 36: storage section, second storage section / 80: discharge roller (discharge roller pair) / 81: discharge tray / 100: toner container (toner pack) / 101: first storage section (pouch) / 102: discharge section (nozzle) / 102a: discharge port / 106: mounting section / 107b: through hole, first through hole / 107f: gap / 109: shutter (device side shutter 109a: receiving port / 112: first filter, third filter (ventilation sheet) / 116: second filter (ventilation filter) / 117c: through hole, second through hole / 140, 2140: filter section / 400: passage / 400a: wall / 2113: fourth filter (shatterproof sheet) / 2113h: opening (hole) / 2114: adhesive section (double-sided tape) / 2114a: first straight section / 2114b: second straight section / 2114c: third straight section / 2115: fifth filter (shatterproof auxiliary sheet) / B: shutter rotation axis (rotation axis) / D2, D4: axial direction / DD: discharge direction / G: gravity direction

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus to which a toner container including a discharge section provided with a discharge port can be attached and detached, a mounting portion configured to allow the toner container to be detachably mounted, the mounting portion having a receiving port for receiving toner supplied from the discharge port of the toner container, a passage configured to allow the toner received from the receiving port to pass through and having a through-hole, and a filter portion provided to cover the through-hole and to allow air to pass through; a storage section configured to store the toner received through the receiving port, the through-hole is positioned such that the discharge outlet is visible through the through-hole when viewed in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity in a state in which the toner container is attached to the attachment portion. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. a developing roller configured to convey the toner contained in the container and rotate around a rotation axis, and when the toner container is attached to the attachment portion, at least a portion of the through hole is located between the outlet of the toner container and the rotation axis in the direction of gravity.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. at least a portion of the through hole is located between the discharge port of the toner container and the rotation axis in the horizontal direction when the toner container is attached to the attachment portion; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. the rotation axis is a first rotation axis, a supply member configured to supply toner toward the developing roller and to be rotatable about a second rotation axis; at least a portion of the through hole is located between the discharge outlet of the toner container and the second rotation axis in the gravity direction when the toner container is attached to the attachment portion; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. at least a portion of the through hole is located between the discharge outlet of the toner container and the second rotation axis in the horizontal direction when the toner container is attached to the attachment portion; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. a discharge tray on which recording materials are stacked; a discharge roller that discharges the recording material onto the discharge tray in a discharge direction, the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis, the through hole, and the discharge port of the toner container are aligned in this order in the discharge direction when the toner container is attached to the attachment portion.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. a wall of the passage in which the through hole is formed is inclined downward in the horizontal direction from the discharge port of the toner container toward the developing roller when the toner container is attached to the attachment portion; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. The filter unit includes a first filter and a second filter having higher breathability than the first filter.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

9. The first filter is disposed on the opposite side of the second filter from the passage.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

10. the first filter is made of a nonwoven fabric, The second filter is made of urethane.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

11. the filter unit includes a third filter, a fourth filter having an opening, and a fifth filter arranged on the opposite side of the fourth filter from the third filter and the passage, the third filter and the fifth filter cover the opening of the fourth filter; 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

12. the third filter and the fourth filter are arranged such that there is a gap between the third filter and the fourth filter and below the opening.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

13. the fourth filter and the fifth filter are disposed on opposite sides of the passage with the through hole interposed therebetween, the fifth filter is fixed integrally to the fourth filter; 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 or 12.

14. the filter unit has an adhesive portion that adheres the fourth filter and the fifth filter to each other, the adhesive portion is located only in a part of the periphery of the opening, and the air that has passed through the opening passes between the fourth filter and the fifth filter from a part where the adhesive portion is not located.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

15. the adhesive portion has a first linear portion, a second linear portion, and a third linear portion connecting the first linear portion and the second linear portion, and is provided in a U-shape; an image carrier that carries a toner image; an exposure unit that exposes the image carrier to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, the mounting portion has a supply port that allows the toner container to be mounted; In a plan view, the first linear portion is disposed between the opening and the image carrier, the second linear portion is disposed between the opening and the supply port, and the third linear portion is disposed between the opening and the exposure portion.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14.

16. The adhesive part is a double-sided tape.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

17. The through hole is configured to open upward.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

18. The mounting portion has a shutter that is movable between a blocking position that blocks the receiving opening and an opening position that opens the receiving opening.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

19. the shutter is configured to be rotatable between the blocking position and the opening position around a shutter rotation axis; The shutter rotation axis extends in the direction of gravity.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18.

20. The through hole opens in the horizontal direction.

20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

21. The mounting portion is configured so that the discharge port opens in the horizontal direction when the toner container is mounted on the mounting portion.

21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

Images