Toner storage container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To easily remove a seal member from a shutter unit of a toner storage container.SOLUTION: A shutter unit is provided with a shutter member 36 that establishes and cuts off communication between a nozzle 91 installed in an image forming apparatus body 100 and a toner storage container 32Y in conjunction with attachment and detachment operations of the toner storage container 32Y to and from the image forming apparatus body 100. The shutter unit is provided with a seal member 41 that is formed to cover a peripheral surface of the shutter member 36 in a closed state not pushed and moved by the nozzle 91, and is formed to be in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the shutter member 36 in an opening operation pushed and moved by the nozzle 91 and a peripheral surface of the nozzle 91. The shutter unit is provided with a shutter holding part 35 that holds the shutter member 36 movably in an insertion direction, and a seal holding part 40 that removably holds the seal member 41 on an inner peripheral part. The shutter holding part 35 and the seal holding part 40 are integrated with each other in a disassemblable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention The shutter unit is installed. relates to a toner storage container and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers, a cylindrical toner storage container (powder storage container) that is detachably installed is widely known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Specifically, in the toner storage container (powder storage container) in Patent Document 1, a shutter member (container shutter) that is pushed by a nozzle installed in the image forming apparatus main body is installed in conjunction with the mounting operation to the image forming apparatus main body. Then, when the shutter member is pushed by the nozzle, the nozzle is inserted into the inside of the toner storage container as it is, and the nozzle and the toner storage container communicate with each other through an opening (nozzle opening) formed on the peripheral surface of the nozzle. In this way, the toner stored inside the toner storage container can be discharged to the outside through the nozzle. Such a toner storage container has a container body in which toner is stored rotatably fitted to a shutter unit (nozzle receiving member) that is held non-rotatably by the image forming apparatus main body. Further, the shutter unit has a shutter member movably held, and a donut-shaped seal member (container seal) for preventing toner from leaking from the inner peripheral portion (through hole) of the shutter unit into which the nozzle and the shutter member are inserted is adhered to the inner peripheral portion.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] ​Conventional toner cartridges presented a challenge in recycling (reusing) used cartridges collected from the market, as removing the sealing component installed in the shutter unit was difficult. Used sealing components deteriorate more severely than other parts, making them unsuitable for direct reuse; therefore, they are replaced with new ones during recycling. However, the difficulty in removing the sealing component in the shutter unit hindered the recycling process.

[0005] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and makes it possible to easily remove the sealing member. Toner storage container The objective is to provide an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In this invention Toner storage container It is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A toner storage container with a shutter unit installed on it. And, The aforementioned shutter unit is, The device comprises: a shutter member which, in conjunction with the movement of the toner storage container into the image forming apparatus body in a predetermined insertion direction, is pushed by a nozzle installed on the image forming apparatus body, causing the nozzle to be inserted into the toner storage container and enabling communication between the nozzle and the toner storage container through an opening formed on the circumferential surface of the nozzle; a shutter holding portion which holds the shutter member so as to be movable in the insertion direction; a sealing member which is formed to cover the circumferential surface of the shutter member in a closed state when not pushed by the nozzle, and is formed to slide against the circumferential surface of the shutter member and the circumferential surface of the nozzle during the opening operation when pushed by the nozzle; and a sealing holding portion which removably holds the sealing member on its inner circumference, wherein the shutter holding portion and the sealing holding portion are detachably integrated. A container body capable of storing toner is fitted into the seal holding portion with the shutter holding portion inserted inside, the seal holding portion is held non-rotatably by the image forming apparatus body, and the container body is configured to rotate in the image forming apparatus body with the insertion direction as the rotation axis, and a gear that transmits rotational drive from the image forming apparatus body is formed on its outer surface. It is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the sealing member can be easily removed. Toner storage container We can provide an image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the image-forming section. [Figure 3] This is an overall diagram showing the toner supply device and its vicinity. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the toner storage container. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of attaching the toner transport nozzle to the toner storage container. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the movement of the shutter component in the toner storage container. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the shutter unit in a toner storage container. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing the process of disassembling the toner storage container. [Figure 9] This is a schematic perspective view showing the operation of assembling the shutter unit. [Figure 10] This is a schematic perspective view showing the operation of assembling the shutter unit, as an example of modification 1. [Figure 11] This is a schematic perspective view showing the operation of assembling the shutter unit, as variation 2. [Figure 12] This is a schematic exploded view showing the shutter unit, as an example of modification 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0010] First, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be explained using Figures 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a printer as an image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing an image forming section, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the toner supply device and its vicinity. As shown in FIG. 1, on the installation section 31 (toner container cradle) above the image forming apparatus main body 100, four substantially cylindrical toner storage containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) are detachably (replaceably) placed. Further, below each toner storage container 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K, hoppers 81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K of the toner supply device are disposed respectively. Also, an intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the installation section 31. Image forming sections 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K corresponding to each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15.

[0011] Referring to FIG. 2, the image forming section 6Y corresponding to yellow is composed of a photosensitive drum 1Y (image carrier), a charging device 4Y, a developing device 5Y, a cleaning device 2Y, a discharging device, etc. disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y. And on the photosensitive drum 1Y, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process, discharging process) is performed, and a yellow image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y.

[0012] In addition, the other three image forming sections 6M, 6C, 6K have substantially the same configuration as the image forming section 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the color of the toner used is different, and images corresponding to their respective toner colors are formed. Hereinafter, the description of the other three image forming sections 6M, 6C, 6K will be appropriately omitted, and only the description of the image forming section 6Y corresponding to yellow will be made.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction of FIG. 2 by a motor. And at the position of the charging device 4Y, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged (this is the charging process). Subsequently, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 7 (writing unit), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position (this is the exposure process).

[0014] Subsequently, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches the position facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a yellow toner image (this is the developing process). Subsequently, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches the position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer roller 9Y, and the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position (this is the primary transfer process). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photoreceptor drum 1Y.

[0015] Subsequently, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches the position facing the cleaning device 2Y, and the untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is recovered at this position (this is the cleaning process). Finally, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1Y reaches the position facing the charge elimination device (not shown), and the residual potential on the photoreceptor drum 1 is removed at this position. Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photoreceptor drum 1Y is completed.

[0016] Note that the above-described image forming process is also performed in the same manner as in the yellow image forming unit 6Y in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is irradiated onto the photoreceptor drums of the respective image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K from the exposure device 7 disposed below the image forming unit. Specifically, the exposure device 7 emits the laser beam L from a light source, scans the laser beam L with a polygon mirror driven to rotate, and irradiates it onto the photoreceptor drum through a plurality of optical elements. Subsequently, the toner images of each color formed on each photoreceptor drum after the developing process are transferred and overlapped onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. Thus, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0017] Here, the intermediate transfer unit 15 consists of an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer opposing roller 12, a cleaning backup roller 13, a tension roller 14, an intermediate transfer cleaning device 10, etc. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by three rollers 12 to 14, and is moved endlessly in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 by the rotational drive of one roller 12.

[0018] The four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K each sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 between them and the photoreceptor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form a primary transfer nip. A transfer bias opposite to the toner polarity is then applied to the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. The intermediate transfer belt 8 then travels in the direction of the arrow, sequentially passing through the primary transfer nips of each primary transfer roller 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, the toner images of each color on the photoreceptor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are superimposed onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 and primary transferred.

[0019] Subsequently, the intermediate transfer belt 8, on which the toner images of each color have been superimposed, reaches a position opposite the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer opposing roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 between itself and the secondary transfer roller 19, forming a secondary transfer nip. The four toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are then transferred onto a sheet P, such as paper, which has been transported to the position of this secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that has not been transferred to the sheet P.

[0020] Subsequently, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the intermediate transfer cleaning device 10. At this location, any untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected. Thus, the series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are completed.

[0021] Here, the sheet P that is transported to the secondary transfer nip position is transported from a paper feed device 26 located below the main body of the apparatus 100, via paper feed rollers 27 and a pair of registration rollers 28, etc. More specifically, the paper feeder 26 stores multiple sheets P of paper or other materials stacked together. When the paper feed roller 27 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 1, the top sheet P is fed towards the space between the registration rollers 28.

[0022] The sheet P, transported to the position of the register roller pair 28 (timing roller pair), temporarily stops at the roller nip of the register roller pair 28, where the rotational drive has been stopped. Then, in time with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, the register roller pair 28 is driven to rotate, and the sheet P is transported toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, the desired color image is transferred onto the sheet P.

[0023] Subsequently, the sheet P, on which the color image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip, is transported to the fixing device 20. At this location, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed onto the sheet P by heat and pressure from the fixing roller and pressure roller. Subsequently, the sheet P is discharged outside the device via the rollers of the paper discharge roller pair 29. The sheet P discharged outside the device by the paper discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stacking unit 30 as an output image. Thus, the series of image formation processes in the image forming apparatus are completed.

[0024] Next, Figure 2 will provide a more detailed explanation of the configuration and operation of the developing device (replenishment unit) in the image-making section. The developing device 5Y consists of a developing roller 51 facing the photoreceptor drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52 facing the developing roller 51, two transport screws 55 arranged in the developer storage sections 53 and 54, a density detection sensor 56 for detecting the toner concentration in the developer, and the like. The developing roller 51 consists of a magnet fixed inside and a sleeve that rotates around the magnet. The developer storage sections 53 and 54 contain a two-component developer consisting of a carrier and toner.

[0025] The developing apparatus 5Y, configured in this way, operates as follows: The sleeve of the developing roller 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2. The developer, which is supported on the developing roller 51 by the magnetic field formed by the magnet, moves along the developing roller 51 as the sleeve rotates. Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the proportion of toner in the developer G (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, in accordance with the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y, the toner contained in the toner storage container 32Y is replenished into the developer storage section 54 via the toner replenishment device 90, which acts as a replenishment device.

[0026] Subsequently, the toner supplied to the developer container 54 is mixed and agitated together with the developer by two transport screws 55, and circulates through the two developer containers 53 and 54 (movement in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 2). The toner in the developer is then attracted to the carrier by triboelectric charging and, together with the carrier, is supported on the developing roller 51 by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51. The developer supported on the developing roller 51 is transported in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3 to the position of the doctor blade 52. At this position, the amount of developer on the developing roller 51 is adjusted to the appropriate level, and then it is transported to the position opposite the photoreceptor drum 1Y (the developing area). Then, the toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the developing area. After that, the developer remaining on the developing roller 51 reaches above the developer storage section 53 as the sleeve rotates, and at this position it is detached from the developing roller 51.

[0027] Next, Figure 3 will briefly explain the configuration and operation of the toner replenishment device 90 (replenishment device). The toner replenishment device 90 rotates the container body 33 of the toner storage container 32Y (powder storage container) installed in the installation section 31 in a predetermined direction (the direction of the arrow in Figure 3), discharges the toner as powder stored inside the toner storage container 32Y to the outside of the container, and guides it to the developing device 5Y, which is the part to be replenished, via the sub-hopper 70, thereby forming a toner replenishment path (toner transport path). Note that Figure 3 shows the toner storage container 32Y, toner replenishment device 90, and developing device 5Y arranged in different directions for easier understanding. In reality, in Figure 3, the toner storage container 32Y and a portion of the toner replenishment device 90 are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are perpendicular to the plane of the paper (see Figure 1). Also, the orientation and arrangement of the transport pipes 95 and 96 are simplified in the illustration.

[0028] The toner in each toner storage container 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K installed in the mounting section 31 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is replenished into each developing unit as needed, according to the toner consumption in each developing unit, via toner replenishment devices provided for each toner color. The four toner replenishment devices have almost identical structures except for the different toner colors used in the image formation process. For details, please refer to Figure 3 (and Figure 5). When the toner storage container 32Y is set in the installation section 31 of the device body 100, the shutter member 36 of the toner storage container 32Y is pushed by the toner transport nozzle 91 (nozzle) of the device body 100, and the toner transport nozzle 91 is inserted into the inside of the toner storage container 32Y (container body 33) through the through hole 40a. This enables the discharge of toner contained inside the toner storage container 32Y (discharge via the toner transport nozzle 91). Furthermore, a gripping portion 33d (with a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the container body 33) is formed at the bottom of the toner storage container 32Y (the left side in Figure 3) to facilitate the operation of attaching the toner storage container 32Y to the installation portion 31. The user will grasp the gripping portion 33d while setting the toner storage container 32Y into the installation portion 31 or removing the toner storage container 32Y from the installation portion 31.

[0029] Referring to Figure 3, the toner storage container 32Y is provided with a container body 33 having a spiral groove 33a formed in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in Figure 3, which is the rotation axis direction of the container body 33). Specifically, this spiral groove 33a is formed from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface of the container body 33 and is for rotating the container body 33 to transport the toner inside the container body 33 from left to right in Figure 3. The toner transported from left to right in Figure 3 inside the container body 33 is discharged to the outside of the container via the toner transport nozzle 91. Furthermore, a gear 33b is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the top side (right side in Figure 3) of the container body 33, which meshes with the drive gear 110 of the image forming apparatus body 100. When the toner storage container 32Y is mounted on the installation section 31, the gear 33b of the container body 33 meshes with the drive gear 110 of the image forming apparatus body 100. When the drive motor 115 is driven, the drive (rotational drive) is transmitted from the drive gear 110 installed on the motor shaft to the gear 33b, causing the container body 33 to rotate. In other words, the drive motor 115 and the drive gear 110 function as a drive mechanism that rotates the container body 33. The configuration and operation of the toner storage container 32Y will be explained in more detail later.

[0030] On the other hand, referring to Figure 3, a transport screw 92 is installed inside the toner transport nozzle 91. The transport screw 92 is rotated by the motor 93, and the toner that flows into the toner transport nozzle 91 from the opening 91a (inlet, see Figure 5) inside the toner storage container 32Y is transported by the transport screw 92 from left to right in Figure 3. The toner is then discharged from the outlet of the toner transport nozzle 91 toward the hopper 81. Here, a hopper 81 is provided below the outlet of the toner transport nozzle 91 via a drop path section 82. The toner stored in the hopper 81 is transported downstream to the developing device by a transport means. The transport configuration by the transport means in Figure 3 is shown below. A suction port 83 is provided at the bottom of the hopper 81, and this suction port 83 is connected to one end of a transport pipe 95 (tube). The transport pipe 95 is made of a flexible rubber material with low toner-receptive properties, and the other end is connected to a developer pump 60 (diaphragm pump). The developer pump 60 is connected to the developing device 5Y via a sub-hopper 70 and a transport pipe 96. In the toner supply device 90 configured in this way, the container body 33 of the toner storage container 32Y is rotated by a drive motor 115 (drive mechanism), and the toner contained inside the toner storage container 32Y is discharged to the outside of the container via a toner transport nozzle 91. The toner discharged from the toner storage container 32Y falls down the drop path 82 and is stored in the hopper 81. The toner stored in the hopper 81 is sucked up through the suction port 83 along with air when the developer pump 60 is operated, and is transported from the developer pump 60 to the sub-hopper 70 via the transport pipe 95. The toner that has been transported to and stored in the sub-hopper 70 is then replenished into the developing unit 5Y as needed via the transport pipe 96. In other words, the toner in the toner storage container 32Y is transported in the direction of the dashed arrow in Figure 3. The transport means is not limited to those described above. For example, the toner stored in the hopper 81 may be directly transported to the developing device 5Y by a screw or the like provided in the hopper 81.

[0031] The toner level detection sensor 86 is used to indirectly detect when the toner stored inside the toner container 32Y is empty (toner end state) or close to that state (toner near end state), and is installed near the suction port 83. Based on the detection result of the toner level detection sensor 86, toner is discharged from the toner container 32Y. For more details, the toner level detection sensor 86 can be a piezoelectric sensor, a transmitted light sensor, or the like. The height of the detection surface of the toner level detection sensor 86 is set so that the amount of toner accumulated above the suction port 83 (accumulation height) reaches the target value. Based on the detection results of the toner level detection sensor 86, the driving timing and driving time of the drive motor 115 that rotates the toner storage container 32Y (container body 33) are controlled. Specifically, if the toner level detection sensor 86 determines that there is no toner at that position, the drive motor 115 is driven for a predetermined time, and if the toner level detection sensor 86 determines that there is toner at that position, the drive of the drive motor 115 is stopped. Even if such control is repeated, if the toner level detection sensor 86 continuously detects that there is no toner at that position, it is determined that the toner stored inside the toner storage container 32Y is empty (toner end state) or close to that state (toner near end state).

[0032] The toner storage containers 32Y (32M, 32C, 32K) will be explained in more detail below using Figures 4 to 7, etc. Figures 4 and 5 are side cross-sectional views of the toner storage container 32Y, but they are shown from the opposite direction to the direction in which the toner storage container 32Y is shown in Figure 3 (they are horizontally flipped figures).

[0033] As explained earlier using Figures 1 to 3, the toner storage container 32Y stores toner inside and is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus body 100. Referring to Figures 4 to 7, the toner storage container 32Y is composed of a container body 33 and a shutter unit 34. The shutter unit 34 is composed of a shutter holding part 35 and a seal holding part 40. The shutter holding part 35 is composed of a shutter member 36, a rod member 37, a compression spring 38, a case part 39, etc. The seal holding part 40 is a substantially cylindrical member, and a donut-shaped seal member 41 is installed in its inner circumference 40b (a hollow part including a through hole 40a). The container body 33 is a bottle-shaped member that is rotatably fitted into the seal holding part 40 and has a spiral groove 33a (see Figure 3) formed on its inner surface (inner circumference). Then, when the toner storage container 32Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100 (installation section 31), the seal holding section 40 (shutter unit 34) is held in a non-rotating position on the installation section 31, and the container body 33 is rotated by the drive motor 115 (drive mechanism) installed on the image forming apparatus main body 100, causing the toner contained inside the toner storage container 32Y to be discharged through the toner transport nozzle 91.

[0034] Referring to Figures 4 and 5 (and Figures 6 and 7), the shutter member 36 opens and closes the through-hole 40a into which the toner transport nozzle 91 (installed in the image forming apparatus body 100) is inserted, in conjunction with the operation of attaching the toner storage container 32Y to the image forming apparatus body 100. The shutter member 36 is made of resin material and is formed by integral molding together with the rod member 37, which will be described later. The shutter member 36 is fitted and locked into the through-hole 40a from the inside of the container and is configured so that it cannot come off the outside of the container. When the shutter member 36 closes the through-hole 40a, toner is not discharged from the toner storage container 32Y to the outside, and when the shutter member 36 opens the through-hole 40a, toner can be discharged from the toner storage container 32Y to the outside. The through-hole portion 40a is a roughly cylindrical hole centered on the rotation center of the container body 33. The shutter member 36 is a plug-shaped member formed to fit into such a through-hole portion 40a.

[0035] Here, the toner storage container 32Y is provided with a sealing member 41 that seals the space between the shutter member 36 and the through-hole 40a when the shutter member 36 is closing the through-hole 40a. More specifically, the sealing member 41 is made of an elastic material such as foamed polyurethane or felt, and is attached to the entire circumferential surface of the inner circumference 40b, including the through-hole 40a. The sealing member 41 seals the space between the shutter member 36 and the through-hole 40a when the shutter member 36 is closed over the through-hole 40a, and seals the space between the toner transport nozzle 91 and the through-hole 40a when the shutter member 36 is open over the through-hole 40a, thereby preventing toner from leaking out of the container body 33 through the through-hole 40a. In this embodiment, the longitudinal length M of the sealing member 41 is configured to be longer than the insertion length N of the opening 91a of the toner transport nozzle 91.

[0036] The rod member 37 is integrally installed with respect to the shutter member 36. The rod member 37 is formed to extend within the toner storage container 32Y in the opening and closing direction of the shutter member 36 (the left-right direction in Figures 4 and 5). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the rod member 37 is positioned so that its axial center substantially coincides with the rotation center of the container body 33. This makes it less likely for problems such as the shutter member 36 shifting position to occur when the container body 33 is rotated.

[0037] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the toner storage container 32Y in this embodiment is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus body 100 while the shutter unit 34 is held in a non-rotating position by the image forming apparatus body 100. The container body 33 rotates around the toner transport nozzle 91 in response to rotational driving force from the image forming apparatus body 100.

[0038] The seal holding portion 40 of the shutter unit 34 has a through-hole portion 40a formed therein, and is formed to extend in the direction in which the toner transport nozzle 91 is inserted (the insertion direction, which is the left-right direction in Figures 4 and 5). The seal holding portion 40 has an inner circumference portion 40b (cavity) that opens on the front side (upstream side in the insertion direction, which is the left side in Figures 4 and 5) in the direction in which the toner transport nozzle 91 is inserted. The inner circumference portion 40b is a substantially cylindrical recess centered on the rotation center of the container body 33.

[0039] In the shutter unit 34, the case portion 39 of the shutter holding portion 35 is formed to hold the rod member 37 so that it can move in the opening and closing direction on the side opposite to the side where the shutter member 36 is installed inside the toner storage container 32Y (the right side in Figures 4 and 5). The case portion 39 is formed in a roughly U-shape so as to extend in the left-right direction in Figures 4 and 5 inside the toner storage container 32Y (container body 33). The compression spring 38, acting as a biasing means, is wound around the rod member 37 between the shutter member 36 and the wall portion of the case portion 39. The compression spring 38 biases the shutter member 36 in the direction in which the through-hole portion 40a is closed (to the left in Figures 4 and 5).

[0040] With this configuration, the shutter member 36 is pushed by the toner transport nozzle 91 in conjunction with the mounting operation to the image forming apparatus body 100 (installation section 31), and moves together with the rod member 37 into the toner storage container 32Y, resisting the biasing force of the compression spring 38 (biasing means), thereby opening the through hole 40a. Specifically, the shutter member 36 (and the rod member 37) operate in the order shown in Figures 5(A) and (B) when opening. In response to this, the shutter member 36, in conjunction with the detachment operation from the image forming apparatus body 100 (installation section 31), releases the push of the toner transport nozzle 91, and moves toward the through-hole 40a side together with the rod member 37 due to the biasing force of the compression spring 38, thereby closing the through-hole 40a. Specifically, the shutter member 36 (and the rod member 37) operate in the order shown in Figure 5(B) and (A) when closed. As shown in Figure 5(B), when the toner storage container 32Y is set into the main body 100, the shutter member 36 is in contact with the wall of the case part 39, and the compression spring 38 is housed in the recess of the shutter member 36. This prevents the toner from adhering to the compression spring 38 when the toner storage container 32Y is set into the main body 100.

[0041] Furthermore, referring to Figure 5, in this embodiment, the toner transport nozzle 91 is provided with a fitting member 94 that fits into the inner circumference 40b in conjunction with the insertion operation into the through hole 40a. More specifically, the fitting member 94 is formed with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the main part of the toner transport nozzle 91, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to be fitted into the inner circumference 40b of the seal holding part 40. The fitting member 94 is also installed so as to be slidable in the mounting direction relative to the main part of the toner transport nozzle 91. The toner transport nozzle 91 is also equipped with a compression spring 97 that biases the fitting member 94 toward the downstream side in the insertion direction (the right side in Figure 5). The fitting member 94 also functions as a cover member that covers the opening 91a of the toner transport nozzle 91. When the toner storage container 32Y is not set, it covers the opening 91a as shown in Figure 5(A), and when the toner storage container 32Y is set, the fitting member 94 slides as shown in Figure 5(B), and the main part of the toner transport nozzle 91 is inserted into the container body 33. Figure 5(A') shows the state in which the opening 91a is exposed after the fitting member 94 has been slid. With this configuration, the fitting member 94 is biased by the compression spring 97 and fits into the inner circumference 40b when the toner transport nozzle 91 is inserted into the toner storage container 32Y, in conjunction with the installation operation of the toner storage container 32Y. Conversely, the fitting member 94 is pulled out from the inner circumference 40b when the toner transport nozzle 91 is pulled out of the toner storage container 32Y, in conjunction with the detachment operation of the toner storage container 32Y.

[0042] The characteristic configuration and operation of the shutter unit 34 (toner storage container 32Y) in this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 8, 9, and others. As explained earlier using Figures 1 to 7, the toner storage container 32Y is detachably installed on the image forming apparatus body 100 and consists of a container body 33 and a shutter unit 34. The shutter unit 34 has a shutter holding part 35 and a seal holding part 40 integrated into one unit.

[0043] The shutter holding portion 35 is a member that holds the shutter member 36 so that it can move in the insertion direction (the opening and closing direction of the shutter member 36, which is the left-right direction in Figures 4 and 8), and in addition to the shutter member 36, it is provided with a rod member 37, a compression spring 38, a case portion 39, and the like. The shutter member 36 is a member that, in conjunction with the movement of the toner storage container 32Y in a predetermined insertion direction into the image forming apparatus body 100 (movement to the left in Figures 4 to 6), is pushed by the toner transport nozzle 91, which is a nozzle installed on the image forming apparatus body 100, causing the toner transport nozzle 91 to be inserted into the toner storage container 32Y, and connecting the toner transport nozzle 91 and the toner storage container 32Y through an opening 91a (inlet) formed on the circumferential surface of the toner transport nozzle 91. The rod member 37 is integrated with the shutter member 36 and extends in the insertion direction (the left-right direction in Figures 4 and 8). The compression spring 38 is wound around the rod member 37 and biases the shutter member 36 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction (the direction that closes the through hole 40a, which is the left direction in Figures 4 and 8). The case portion 39 circumferentially covers the rod member 37 and the compression spring 38 in the insertion direction (opening / closing direction), and an opening 39a (see Figure 7) is formed in a part of the circumferential direction in the insertion direction (opening / closing direction).

[0044] The seal holding portion 40 is a substantially cylindrical member that removably holds the seal member 41 in its inner circumference 40b (which is an internal cavity including the through-hole portion 40a), and also functions as the cap (head) of the toner storage container 32Y. The sealing member 41 is formed to cover the circumferential surface of the shutter member 36 in a closed state when not being pushed by the toner transport nozzle 91 (nozzle), and is formed to slide against the circumferential surface of the shutter member 36 and the circumferential surface of the toner transport nozzle 91 when it is being pushed by the toner transport nozzle 91 during the opening operation. Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the sealing member 41 is attached to the inner wall surface of the seal holding part 40 via double-sided tape 43. In this embodiment, the seal holding portion 40 is configured to be held in a non-rotating manner by the image forming apparatus body 100 (installation portion 31).

[0045] The container body 33 is a bottle-shaped member capable of storing toner inside, and is fitted into the seal holding part 40 with the shutter holding part 35 inserted inside. That is, as shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), the container body 33 is installed to be detachable (connectable and detachable) from the shutter unit 34. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the container body 33 is configured to be rotatable in the image forming apparatus body 100 with the insertion direction (opening / closing direction) as the rotation axis direction, and a gear 33b is formed on its outer surface to which rotational drive is transmitted from the image forming apparatus body 100 (drive motor 115).

[0046] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, in this embodiment, the shutter unit 34 has a shutter holding portion 35 and a seal holding portion 40 that are detachably integrated. In other words, the shutter holding section 35 and the seal holding section 40 are each configured as subunits. The shutter holding section 35 and the seal holding section 40 are then combined to form the shutter unit 34. Furthermore, the container body 33 is combined with the shutter unit 34 to form the toner storage container 32Y.

[0047] More specifically, the toner storage container 32Y shown in Figure 8(A) can be separated (disassembled) from the shutter unit 34 and the container body 33, as shown in Figure 8(B). Furthermore, the shutter holding part 35 and the seal holding part 40 can be separated (disassembled) from the shutter unit 34 shown in Figure 8(B).

[0048] As described above, the shutter unit 34 in this embodiment is configured to be detachable into a shutter holding portion 35 and a seal holding portion 40, making it possible to easily remove the seal member 41. In more detail, when recycling (reusing) used toner storage containers 32Y collected from the market, the used sealing material 41 is more severely deteriorated due to wear and tear compared to other parts, making it difficult to reuse as is. Therefore, during the recycling process, it is necessary to clean the shutter unit 34 with the container body 33 separated, and to remove the existing sealing material 41 of the shutter unit 34 and replace it with a new one. If the shutter unit 34 is configured in such a way that it cannot be disassembled into the shutter holding part 35 and the seal holding part 40, then the process of pulling out the shutter member 36 and rod member 37 from the shutter unit 34, followed by inserting fingers into the opening 39a and inner circumference 40b of the case part 39 to peel off the seal member 41, becomes very difficult. Similarly, attaching a new seal member 41 to the seal holding part 40 also requires inserting fingers into the opening 39a and inner circumference 40b of the case part 39, making it very difficult. In contrast, in this embodiment, the shutter unit 34 is configured to be disassembled into a shutter holding part 35 and a seal holding part 40. Therefore, after disassembly, the seal member 41 can be peeled off by inserting a finger into the through-hole 40a and inner circumference 40b that are exposed to the outside of the seal holding part 40, making the work easier. Similarly, the work of attaching a new seal member 41 to the seal holding part 40 can also be done by inserting a finger into the through-hole 40a and inner circumference 40b, making the work easier.

[0049] Referring to Figure 9, in this embodiment, the shutter unit 34 is first moved relative to the shutter holding portion 35 in the insertion direction (direction of the white arrow in Figure 9), and then rotated relative to it in a predetermined rotation direction (direction of the arrow in Figure 9). This causes the protrusion 39b of the shutter holding portion 35, which serves as the fitting portion, and the notch 40c of the seal holding portion 40, which serves as the fitted portion, to engage, thereby integrating the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40. More specifically, the shutter holding portion 35 has a protrusion 39b (fitting portion) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the case portion 39. On the other hand, the seal holding portion 40 has a roughly L-shaped notch 40c (fitted portion) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the side into which the shutter holding portion 35 is fitted. First, the seal holding portion 40 is moved relative to the shutter holding portion 35 in the direction of the white arrow so that the protrusion 39b fits into the opening in the notch portion 40c. After the protrusion 39b has entered the opening in the notch portion 40c, the seal holding portion 40 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, causing the protrusion 39b to elastically deform and fit into the fitting portion of the notch portion 40c (the part enclosed by the dashed line). In this way, the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40 are integrally fitted together, and the assembly of the shutter unit 34 is completed. When separating the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40, the procedure is the reverse of the fitting procedure described above.

[0050] In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the seal holding portion 40 (the rotation direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 9 for fitting the notch portion 40c and the protrusion portion 39b) is configured to be opposite to the rotation direction of the container body 33 (the rotation direction of the container body 33 during toner replenishment, as explained earlier using Figure 3, etc.). As a specific example, when viewed in the direction of a predetermined rotation axis (for example, from the left side in Figure 9), if the rotation direction of the container body 33 during toner replenishment is clockwise, the rotation direction of the seal holding part 40 during fitting will be counterclockwise. With this configuration, the direction of rotation of the container body 33 during toner replenishment is such that the engagement between the seal holding part 40 and the shutter holding part 35 is strengthened. This prevents the malfunction in which the engagement between the seal holding part 40 and the shutter holding part 35 is released due to the rotation of the container body 33 during toner replenishment.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gear 33b formed on the container body 33 (see Figures 3, 8, etc.) is a helical gear, and the component of the driving force transmitted from the image forming apparatus body 100 (helical drive gear 110) in the insertion direction (axial direction) acts in the direction in which the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40 fit together (the direction in which they approach each other, which is also the direction in which the container body 33 and the seal holding portion 40 fit together). In a drive using a helical gear, both a rotational and axial force component acts from the driving helical gear to the driven helical gear. In this embodiment, the axial force component is configured to move the shutter holding part 35 (or container body 33) and the seal holding part 40 closer together (in the fitting direction), rather than moving them apart. This prevents problems such as the seal holding part 40 (or container body 33) and the shutter holding part 35 being disengaged by the rotation of the container body 33 during toner replenishment. Furthermore, by configuring the axial component of the force that the helical gear 33b receives from the drive gear 110 to act in the direction in which the toner storage container 32Y is inserted into the image forming apparatus body 100 (installation section 31), the problem of the toner storage container 32Y coming out of the image forming apparatus body 100 (installation section 31) due to the rotation of the container body 33 is suppressed.

[0052] <Example 1> In the modified example 1, the shutter unit 34 also has the shutter holding part 35 and the seal holding part 40 integrated together in a way that allows them to be detached. Then, as shown in Figure 10, in the modified example 1, the shutter unit 34 is moved relative to the shutter holding portion 35 in the insertion direction (direction of the white arrow in Figure 10), so that the claw portion 39c of the shutter holding portion 35, which serves as the fitting portion, and the hole portion 40d of the seal holding portion 40, which serves as the fitted portion, are fitted together, and the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40 are integrated. More specifically, the shutter holding portion 35 has a claw-shaped claw portion 39c (fitting portion) that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the case portion 39. On the other hand, the seal holding portion 40 has a hole portion 40d (fitting portion) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the side into which the shutter holding portion 35 is fitted. The seal holding portion 40 is then moved in the direction of the white arrow relative to the shutter holding portion 35 so that the claw portion 39c fits into the hole portion 40d. In this way, the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40 are integrally fitted together, and the assembly of the shutter unit 34 is completed. When separating the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40, the procedure is the reverse of the fitting procedure described above. Even with this configuration, the sealing member 41 can be easily removed from the shutter unit 34 of the toner storage container 32Y. In particular, in Modification 1, since the shutter holding part 35 and the sealing holding part 40 are fitted together without rotation, problems such as the fitting between the shutter holding part 35 and the sealing holding part 40 being released by the rotation of the container body 33 are less likely to occur. Also, in Modification 1, since the shutter holding part 35 and the sealing holding part 40 are fitted together in one action (straight-line movement only), the assembly work is easier compared to the case where they are fitted together in two actions (straight-line movement and rotation) as shown in Figure 9.

[0053] <Modification 2> In the modified example 2, the shutter unit 34 also has the shutter holding part 35 and the seal holding part 40 integrated together in a way that allows them to be detached. Then, as shown in Figure 11, in the modified example 2, the shutter unit 34 is made by rotating the seal holding portion 40 relative to the shutter holding portion 35 in a predetermined rotational direction while moving it relative to the insertion direction (rotating in the direction of the arrow in Figure 11 while moving it in the direction of the white arrow), thereby screwing the male threaded portion 39d of the shutter holding portion 35 and the female threaded portion 40e of the seal holding portion 40 together, and the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40 are integrated. More specifically, the shutter holding portion 35 has a male screw portion 39d formed on the outer circumferential surface of the case portion 39 (the outer circumferential surface on the side into which the seal holding portion 40 is fitted). On the other hand, the seal holding portion 40 has a female screw portion 40e formed on the inner circumferential surface on the side into which the shutter holding portion 35 is fitted. The seal holding portion 40 rotates and moves like a screw relative to the shutter holding portion 35 so that the male screw portion 39d is screwed into the female screw portion 40e. In this way, the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40 are integrally fitted together, and the assembly of the shutter unit 34 is completed. When separating the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40, the procedure is the reverse of the fitting procedure described above. Even with this configuration, the sealing member 41 can be easily removed from the shutter unit 34 of the toner storage container 32Y. Furthermore, in the modified example 2, similar to that in Figure 9, the rotation direction (screw rotation direction) when the seal holding part 40 and the shutter holding part 35 are fitted together and the rotation direction of the container body 33 when toner is replenished are configured to be in opposite directions. This prevents the malfunction in which the fitting between the seal holding part 40 and the shutter holding part 35 is released due to the rotation of the container body 33 when toner is replenished. Furthermore, in the modified example 2, similar to that in Figure 9, the helical gear 33b formed on the container body 33 is configured so that the insertion direction (axial direction) component of the driving force transmitted from the drive gear 110 acts in the direction in which the shutter holding part 35 and the seal holding part 40 engage (the direction towards each other, which is also the direction in which the container body 33 and the seal holding part 40 engage). This prevents the malfunction in which the engagement between the seal holding part 40 (or the container body 33) and the shutter holding part 35 is released due to the rotation of the container body 33 during toner replenishment. Furthermore, by configuring the axial component of the force that the helical gear 33b receives from the drive gear 110 to be directed in the direction in which the toner storage container 32Y is inserted into the image forming apparatus body 100 (installation section 31), the problem of the toner storage container 32Y coming out of the image forming apparatus body 100 (installation section 31) due to the rotation of the container body 33 is suppressed.

[0054] <Variation 3> In the modified example 3, the toner storage container 32Y differs from those shown in Figures 3 to 9, etc., in that the container body 33 is configured to rotate together with the shutter unit 34 in the image forming apparatus body 100 with the insertion direction (opening and closing direction, which is the left-right direction in Figure 3) as the rotation axis. In other words, in the modified example 3, the toner storage container 32Y is configured to rotate as a whole when the toner transport nozzle 91 of the image forming apparatus body 100 is inserted into it. Therefore, instead of forming gear 33b on the outer circumferential surface of container body 33 as a gear to which drive (rotational drive) is transmitted from image forming apparatus body 100 (drive motor 115), gear 40x can be formed on the outer circumferential surface of seal holding portion 40 of shutter unit 34, as shown in Figure 12(A), or gear 39x can be formed on the outer circumferential surface of shutter holding portion 35 of shutter unit 34, as shown in Figure 12(B). Furthermore, when gears 40x and 39x are formed on the seal holding portion 40 and the shutter holding portion 35 in this manner, the gears 40x and 39x are configured as helical gears, and the component of the driving force transmitted from the image forming apparatus body 100 (drive gear 110) in the insertion direction (axial direction) acts in the direction in which the shutter holding portion 35 and the seal holding portion 40 engage (the direction toward each other). This prevents the malfunction in which the engagement between the seal holding portion 40 and the shutter holding portion 35 is released due to the rotation of the toner storage container 32Y during toner replenishment. Furthermore, by configuring the axial component of the force that the helical gears 39x and 40x receive from the drive gear 110 to be directed in the direction of insertion into the toner storage container 32Y in the image forming apparatus body 100 (installation section 31), the problem of the toner storage container 32Y (shutter unit 34) coming out of the image forming apparatus body 100 (installation section 31) due to the rotation of the toner storage container 32Y is suppressed.

[0055] As described above, the shutter unit 34 in this embodiment is a shutter unit installed in a toner storage container 32Y that is detachable from the image forming apparatus body 100. The shutter unit is provided with a shutter member 36 that is pushed by a nozzle 91 (toner transport nozzle) installed in the image forming apparatus body 100 in conjunction with the movement of the toner storage container 32Y in a predetermined insertion direction into the image forming apparatus body 100, causing the nozzle 91 to be inserted into the toner storage container 32Y, and connecting the nozzle 91 and the toner storage container 32Y through an opening 91a formed on the circumferential surface of the nozzle 91. A sealing member 41 is also provided, which is formed to cover the circumferential surface of the shutter member 36 in a closed state when not pushed by the nozzle 91, and which is formed to slide against the circumferential surface of the shutter member 36 and the circumferential surface of the nozzle 91 during the opening operation when pushed by the nozzle 91. A shutter holding part 35 is provided to hold the shutter member 36 so as to be movable in the insertion direction, and a sealing holding part 40 is provided to hold the sealing member 41 on its inner circumference in a removable manner. Furthermore, the shutter holding part 35 and the seal holding part 40 are integrated in a way that allows them to be detached. This allows the sealing member 41 to be easily removed from the shutter unit 34 of the toner storage container 32Y.

[0056] In this embodiment, the present invention was applied to a shutter unit 34 installed in a toner storage container 32Y that stores toner (one-component developer). However, the toner storage container to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a shutter unit installed in a toner storage container that stores a two-component developer consisting of toner and a carrier. Furthermore, even in such cases, it is possible to obtain effects that are almost the same as those of this embodiment.

[0057] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, this embodiment can be modified as appropriate in ways other than those suggested here. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the above-mentioned components are not limited to this embodiment, and can be set to a number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for carrying out the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 5Y developing device (supplied section), 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K Toner storage container (powder storage container), 33 Container body, 34 Shutter unit (nozzle receiver), 35 Shutter holding part, 36 Shutter members, 37 Rod members, 38 compression springs, 39 Case section, 39a opening, 39b Protrusion (fitting part), 39c Claw part (fitting part), 39d Male threaded section, 40 Seal retaining part, 40a Through hole section, 40c Notch (mated part), 40d hole (mated part), 40e Female thread section, 41 sealing member, 90 Toner replenishment device (replenishment device), 91 Toner transport nozzle (nozzle), 91a aperture, 100 Image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus main unit).

[0059] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention can also be, for example, combinations of appendices 1 to 11 as follows. (Note 1) A shutter unit installed in a toner storage container that is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus, A shutter member is provided that, in conjunction with the movement of the toner storage container into the image forming apparatus body in a predetermined insertion direction, is pushed by a nozzle installed on the image forming apparatus body, causing the nozzle to be inserted into the toner storage container, and connecting the nozzle and the toner storage container through an opening formed on the circumferential surface of the nozzle. A shutter holding portion that holds the shutter member so as to be movable in the insertion direction, A sealing member is formed to cover the circumferential surface of the shutter member in a closed state when not pressed by the nozzle, and is formed to slide against the circumferential surface of the shutter member and the circumferential surface of the nozzle during the opening operation when pressed by the nozzle, A seal holding portion that removably holds the seal member on the inner circumference, Equipped with, A shutter unit characterized in that the shutter holding portion and the seal holding portion are integrated in a detachable manner. (Note 2) The shutter unit according to Appendix 1, characterized in that the seal holding portion is moved relative to the shutter holding portion in the insertion direction, and then rotated relative to it in a predetermined rotation direction, thereby fitting the fitting portion of the shutter holding portion with the fitted portion of the seal holding portion, and integrating the shutter holding portion and the seal holding portion. (Note 3) The shutter unit according to Appendix 1, characterized in that the seal holding portion is moved relative to the insertion direction while being rotated relative to the shutter holding portion in a predetermined rotational direction, thereby screwing the male threaded portion of the shutter holding portion and the female threaded portion of the seal holding portion together to integrate the shutter holding portion and the seal holding portion. (Note 4) In the image forming apparatus body, the container body, which is rotatable with the insertion direction as the rotation axis, is configured to be fitted into the seal holding portion with the shutter holding portion inserted inside. The shutter unit according to Appendix 2 or Appendix 3, characterized in that the rotation direction is configured to be opposite to the rotation direction of the container body. (Note 5) The shutter unit according to Appendix 1, characterized in that the seal holding portion is moved relative to the shutter holding portion in the insertion direction, and the fitting portion of the shutter holding portion and the fitted portion of the seal holding portion are fitted together to integrate the shutter holding portion and the seal holding portion. (Note 6) The shutter holding part is, A rod member integrated with the shutter member and extending in the insertion direction, A compression spring is wound around the rod member and biases the shutter member in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, A case portion that circumferentially covers the rod member and the compression spring in the insertion direction, and has an opening formed in a part of the circumferential direction in the insertion direction, A shutter unit as described in any of Appendix 1 to Appendix 5, characterized by comprising the above. (Note 7) A toner storage container equipped with a shutter unit as described in any of Appendix 1 to Appendix 6, which is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus, A toner storage container characterized in that a container body capable of storing toner inside is fitted into the seal holding portion with the shutter holding portion inserted inside. (Note 8) The seal holding portion is held in a non-rotating manner by the image forming apparatus body. The toner storage container according to Appendix 7, characterized in that the container body is configured to be rotatable in the image forming apparatus body with the insertion direction as the rotation axis, and a gear is formed on its outer surface to transmit rotational drive from the image forming apparatus body. (Note 9) The container body is configured to be rotatable together with the shutter unit in the image forming apparatus body with the insertion direction as the rotation axis, The toner storage container according to Appendix 7, characterized in that a gear, which transmits rotational drive from the main body of the image forming apparatus, is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the seal holding portion or the shutter holding portion. (Note 10) The toner storage container according to Appendix 8 or Appendix 9, characterized in that the gear is a helical gear, and the component of the driving force transmitted from the image forming apparatus body in the insertion direction acts in the direction in which the shutter holding portion and the seal holding portion are fitted together. (Note 11) An image forming apparatus characterized in that a toner storage container described in any of Appendix 7 to Appendix 10 is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0060] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5435380

Claims

1. A toner storage container that is detachably attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus and has a shutter unit installed on it, The aforementioned shutter unit is, A shutter member is provided that, in conjunction with the movement of the toner storage container into the image forming apparatus body in a predetermined insertion direction, is pushed by a nozzle installed on the image forming apparatus body, causing the nozzle to be inserted into the toner storage container, and connecting the nozzle and the toner storage container through an opening formed on the circumferential surface of the nozzle. A shutter holding portion that holds the shutter member so as to be movable in the insertion direction, A sealing member is formed to cover the circumferential surface of the shutter member in a closed state when not pressed by the nozzle, and is formed to slide against the circumferential surface of the shutter member and the circumferential surface of the nozzle during the opening operation when pressed by the nozzle, A seal holding portion that removably holds the seal member on the inner circumference, Equipped with, The shutter holding portion and the seal holding portion are integrated in a way that allows them to be detached. A container body capable of storing toner inside is fitted into the seal holding part with the shutter holding part inserted inside, The seal holding portion is held in a non-rotating manner by the image forming apparatus body. The container body is configured to be rotatable in the image forming apparatus body with the insertion direction as the rotation axis, and a gear is formed on its outer surface to transmit rotational drive from the image forming apparatus body.

2. The toner storage container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the shutter unit is moved relative to the shutter holding portion by moving the seal holding portion relative to the shutter holding portion in the insertion direction and then rotating it relative to the shutter holding portion in a predetermined rotation direction, thereby fitting the fitting portion of the shutter holding portion with the fitted portion of the seal holding portion and integrating the shutter holding portion and the seal holding portion.

3. The toner storage container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the shutter unit is integrated by rotating the seal holding portion relative to the shutter holding portion in a predetermined rotational direction while moving it relative to the insertion direction, thereby screwing the male threaded portion of the shutter holding portion and the female threaded portion of the seal holding portion together.

4. The shutter unit is In the image forming apparatus body, the container body, which is rotatable with the insertion direction as the rotation axis, is configured to be fitted into the seal holding portion with the shutter holding portion inserted inside. The toner storage container according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rotation direction is configured to be opposite to the rotation direction of the container body.

5. The toner storage container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the shutter unit is integrated by moving the seal holding portion relative to the shutter holding portion in the insertion direction, thereby fitting the fitting portion of the shutter holding portion with the fitted portion of the seal holding portion.

6. The shutter holding part is, A rod member integrated with the shutter member and extending in the insertion direction, A compression spring is wound around the rod member and biases the shutter member in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, A case portion that circumferentially covers the rod member and the compression spring in the insertion direction, and has an opening formed in a part of the circumferential direction in the insertion direction, A toner storage container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising the above.

7. The toner storage container according to claim 1, wherein the gear is a helical gear, and the component of the driving force transmitted from the image forming apparatus body in the insertion direction acts in the direction in which the shutter holding portion and the seal holding portion are fitted together.

8. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the toner storage container according to claim 1 or claim 2 is detachably installed on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images