container

Abstract

To provide one form of a storage container.SOLUTION: A storage container is removably mounted to a mounting part of an image forming apparatus and stores a content. The storage container has: a storage part configured to store the content; a mounted part connected to the storage part and mounted to the mounting part, the mounted part having a discharge port for discharging the content to the outside of the storage container; and a cap attached to the mounted part, the cap having a cap body part covering the mounted part and a fixed part fixed to the mounted part. The cap body part is configured to be separated from the fixed part and removed from the part to be mounted by being rotated with respect to the mounted part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container that is used in an image forming apparatus and is for containing a powdery or liquid content.

Background Art

[0002] In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image by transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum to a transfer material serving as a transfer medium. As toner replenishment systems, for example, a process cartridge system and a toner replenishment system are known. The process cartridge system is a system in which the photosensitive drum and the developing container are integrated as a process cartridge, and the process cartridge is replaced with a new one when the toner runs out.

[0003] On the other hand, the toner replenishment system is a system that newly replenishes toner to the developing container when the toner runs out. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that replenishes toner to a developing container using a toner pouch that can be attached to a mounting portion provided on the developing container.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Document

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, users have demanded various usage modes for image forming apparatuses, such as the aforementioned process cartridge system and toner replenishment system.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a container for containing a powdery or liquid content.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus It can be attached to the mounting part. A container for containing powder or liquid contents, comprising: a container portion configured to contain the contents; a discharge portion having a discharge port for discharging the contents to the outside of the container and a passage configured for the contents to pass toward the discharge port; a shielding member capable of shielding the discharge port; and the tip portion Take The device comprises a cap attached to the tip, the cap having a main body that covers at least a part of the tip, and a fixing part that is fixed to the tip and connected to the main body, the main body of the cap is rotated about a rotation axis relative to the tip, With the fixing portion fixed to the tip portion Separation from the aforementioned fixing part and is removed from the tip. Structured in such a way The tip of the container is detachable from the mounting part of the image forming apparatus when the main body of the cap is separated from the fixing part and removed from the tip. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, one form of a container for containing powder or liquid contents can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] (a) is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the opening / closing mechanism and the supply port. [Figure 3] (a) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting part, and (b) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting part viewed from a different direction than (a). [Figure 4] (a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the closed position, and (b) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the open position. [Figure 5] (a) is a plan view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the closed position, and (b) is a plan view showing the appearance of the mounting part when the operating lever is in the open position. [Figure 6] (a) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction, and (b) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter from a different viewpoint than (a). [Figure 7] (a) is a perspective view of the cover seen from the downstream side in the mounting direction, and (b) is a perspective view of the cover seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction. [Figure 8] (a) is a perspective view showing the containment container, and (b) is an exploded perspective view showing the containment container. [Figure 9] (a) is a side view of the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the shielding position, and (b) is a side view of the toner pack when the pack-side shutter is in the open position. [Figure 10] (a) is a perspective view showing the mounting area when the pack-side shutter is in the shielding position, and (b) is another perspective view showing the mounting area when the pack-side shutter is in the shielding position. [Figure 11] A perspective view showing the claw portion of the nozzle. [Figure 12] (a) is a front view showing the claw portion, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 12B-12B section of Figure 12(a). [Figure 13] (a) is a front view showing the claw portion, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 13B-13B section of Figure 13(a). [Figure 14] (a) is a perspective view showing the process of attaching the toner pack to the shutter on the device side, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 13B-13B section of Figure 13(a) after the toner pack has been attached to the attachment section. [Figure 15] (a) is a perspective view showing the toner pack with the cap attached, and (b) is a perspective view showing the cap removed from the toner pack. [Figure 16] (a) is a front view showing the cap, and (b) is a perspective view showing the cap. [Figure 17] (a) is a perspective view showing the cap attached to the pack-side shutter, (b) is a perspective view showing the process of removing the cap from the pack-side shutter, and (c) is a perspective view showing the cap removed from the toner pack. [Figure 18] (a) is a perspective view showing the toner pack being installed in the mounting section, and (b) is a perspective view of the toner pack being installed in the mounting section from a different angle. [Figure 19](a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the toner pack is mounted toward the mounting portion, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the mounting of the toner pack to the mounting portion is completed. [Figure 20] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 20A-20A cross section of Fig.19(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 20B-20B cross section of Fig.19(a). [Figure 21] (a) is a perspective view showing the operation lever and the toner pack positioned at the closed position, and (b) is a perspective view showing the operation lever and the toner pack positioned at the open position. [Figure 22] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 22AB-22AB cross section of Fig.19(b) when both the apparatus-side shutter and the pack-side shutter are positioned at the shielding position. (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 22AB-22AB cross section of Fig.19(b) when both the apparatus-side shutter and the pack-side shutter are positioned at the open position. [Figure 23] A view of the toner pack as seen in the removal direction. [Figure 24] (a) is a front view showing the cap, and (b) is an enlarged view showing the region enclosed by the one-dot chain line in Fig.24(a). [Figure 25] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 25A-25A cross section of Fig.24(b), (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 25B-25B cross section of Fig.24(b), and (c) is a diagram showing the area of the flat portion. [Figure 26] A diagram showing the positional relationship between the extending portion of the opening member and the fixing tab. [Figure 27] (a) is a bottom view of the toner pack showing the positional relationship between the fixing tab and the opening of the pack-side shutter, and (b) is a bottom view of the toner pack according to a modified example. [Figure 28] (a) is a perspective view showing the mounted portion of the toner pack according to the second embodiment, and (b) is a view of the mounted portion as viewed in the removal direction. [Figure 29] (a) is a perspective view showing the cap fixing portion, and (b) is a 29B-29B cross-sectional view of Fig.29(a). [Figure 30] A view of the toner pack with the cap attached, as viewed in the removal direction U. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0010] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1(b) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the opening / closing member 83 and the supply port 32a.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material P based on image information input from an external device. The recording material P includes various sheet materials of different materials, such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets, specially shaped sheets such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[0012] [Overall structure] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body 400, a reading device 200 supported by the main body 400 so as to be openable and closable, and an operating unit 300 attached to the exterior surface of the main body 400. The main body 400 includes an image forming unit 10 for forming a toner image on a recording material, a feeding unit 60 for feeding the recording material to the image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 70 for fixing the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 onto the recording material, and a pair of discharge rollers 80.

[0013] The image forming unit 10 includes a scanner unit 11, an electrophotographic process unit 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 of the process unit 20 to a recording material. The process unit 20 includes a 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.

[0014] The photosensitive drum 21 is a photoreceptor molded into a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively charged organic photoreceptor on a drum-shaped substrate made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 21 is also rotated by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise in the figure) at a predetermined process speed.

[0015] The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure, forming a charged area. The charging roller 22 is also subjected to a desired charging voltage by a high-voltage charging power supply, 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 discharges the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 at a position just before the charged area in order to generate a stable discharge in the charged area.

[0016] The scanner unit 11 scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating it with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device or reading device 200 using a polygon mirror. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 corresponding to the image information. Note that the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device; for example, an LED exposure device having an LED array in which multiple LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21 may be used.

[0017] The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 that carries developer, a developing container 32 which serves as the case for the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 capable of supplying 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 positioned at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 is in rotatable contact with the developing roller 31, and the toner, which is the contents of the developing container 32, is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required if a configuration is in place that can supply sufficient toner to the developing roller 31.

[0018] The developing apparatus 30 of this embodiment uses a contact developing method. That is, the toner layer supported on the developing roller 31 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in the developing section (developing region) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a high-voltage developing power supply. Under the developing voltage, the toner supported on the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface according to the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, thereby developing an electrostatic latent image into a toner image. In this embodiment, an inversion developing method is employed. That is, after being charged in the charging process, the toner adheres to the surface region of the photosensitive drum 21, where the amount of charge has decreased due to exposure in the exposure process, thereby forming a toner image.

[0019] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a toner with a particle size of 6 [μm] and a normal charge polarity of negative polarity is used. As an example, the toner in this embodiment is a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. In addition, the toner in this embodiment does not contain magnetic components, and the toner is supported on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (mirror image forces), making it a so-called non-magnetic one-component developer. However, a one-component developer containing magnetic components may also be used. Furthermore, the one-component developer may contain additives (for example, wax or silica fine particles) to adjust the fluidity and charge performance of the toner in addition to the toner particles. Alternatively, a two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may be used as the developer. When a magnetic developer is used, for example, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet placed inside may be used as the developer carrier.

[0020] The developing container 32 is provided with a toner storage section 36 for storing toner and an agitator 34 positioned inside the toner storage section 36. The agitator 34 rotates, driven by a motor (not shown), to agitate the toner in the developing container 32 and to feed the toner towards the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. The agitator 34 also circulates the toner that is not used for developing and has been stripped from the developing roller 31 within the developing container, thereby homogenizing the toner in the developing container. The agitator 34 is not limited to a rotating form. For example, an oscillating agitator may be used.

[0021] Furthermore, a developing blade 35 is positioned at the opening of the developing container 32 where the developing roller 31 is located, to regulate the amount of toner carried on the developing roller 31. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through the area opposite the developing blade 35 as the developing roller 31 rotates, resulting in a uniformly thin layer and negative charge due to triboelectricity.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the feeding unit 60 includes a front door 61 that is openably and closably supported by the main body 400, 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 the recording material storage space that is revealed when the front door 61 is opened, and the middle plate 63 is supported by the tray section 62 so as to be able to move up and down. The tray spring 64 biases the middle plate 63 upward, pressing the recording material P loaded on the middle plate 63 against the pickup roller 65. The front door 61 closes the recording material storage space when closed relative to the main body 400, and supports the recording material P together with the tray section 62 and the middle plate 63 when open relative to the main body 400.

[0023] The fixing unit 70 is a thermal fixing type that performs image fixing by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing unit 70 comprises a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater for heating the fixing film 71, a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressure roller 72 that presses against the fixing film 71.

[0024] Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an image forming command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming process by the image forming unit 10 is started 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 the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light 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 when the laser light is irradiated. Subsequently, this electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0025] In parallel with the image formation process described above, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding unit 60 feeds out the recording material P supported by the front door 61, tray unit 62, and middle plate 63. The recording material P is fed to the registration roller pair 15 by the pickup roller 65, and its skew is corrected when it abuts against the nip of the registration roller pair 15. The registration roller pair 15 is then driven in accordance with the timing of the toner image transfer and transports the recording material P toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0026] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 12 from a transfer high-voltage power supply, and the toner image supported on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the recording material P, which is transported by the registration roller pair 15. The recording material P, on which the toner image has been transferred, is transported to the fixing unit 70, where the toner image is heated and pressurized as it passes through the nip between the fixing film 71 and the pressure roller 72 of the fixing unit 70. This causes the toner particles to melt and then solidify, fixing the toner image to the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing unit 70 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) by the discharge roller pair 80 and loaded onto the discharge tray 81 formed on the top of the main body 400 of the apparatus.

[0027] The discharge tray 81 is inclined upward toward the downstream direction in which the recording material is discharged, and the recording material discharged into the discharge tray 81 slides down the discharge tray 81 so that its rear end is aligned with the regulating surface 84.

[0028] The reading device 200 includes a reading unit 201 which has a reading section (not shown) built inside, and a pressure plate 202 which is supported by the reading unit 201 so as to be openable and closable. The upper surface of the reading unit 201 is provided with a document glass 203 which transmits light emitted from the reading section and on which the document is placed.

[0029] When the user wants the scanner 200 to read the image of a document, the user places the document on the document glass 203 with the pressure plate 202 open. Then, by closing the pressure plate 202, the user prevents the document from shifting position on the document glass 203, and outputs a reading command to the image forming apparatus 1 by, for example, operating the control unit 300. When the reading operation starts, the reading unit within the reading unit 201 moves back and forth in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the left-right direction with the control unit 300 of the image forming apparatus 1 facing forward. The reading unit emits light from the light-emitting unit towards the document, receives the light reflected by the document with the light-receiving unit, and reads the image of the document by converting it into photoelectric light. In the following, the forward-backward direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined based on the state with the control unit 300 facing forward.

[0030] A top cover 82 is provided on the upper part of the main body 400 of the device, 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 able to open and close around a pivot axis 83a that extends in the front-rear direction. An opening 82a that opens upward is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82.

[0031] The opening / closing member 83 is configured to move between a closed position that covers the refill port 32a so that the toner pack 100 cannot be installed in the developing container 32, and an open position that exposes the refill port 32a so that the toner pack 100 can be installed in the developing container 32. With the opening / closing member 83 in the open position, the toner pack 100 is moved in the installation direction M toward the refill port 32a and installed in the refill port 32a.

[0032] The opening / closing member 83 functions as part of the discharge tray 81 when in the closed position. The opening / closing member 83 and the opening 82a are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81. The opening / closing member 83 is opened to the left by placing a finger through the groove 82b provided in the top cover 82. The opening / closing member 83 is formed in a roughly L-shape, following the shape of the top cover 82.

[0033] The opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is open so as to expose the toner replenishment port 32a formed on the top of the developing container 32, and when the opening / closing member 83 is opened, the user can access the replenishment port 32a. In this embodiment, a method is adopted in which the user replenishes toner from a toner pack 100 (see Figures 1(a) and 1(b)) that is filled with replenishment toner to the developing device 30 while the developing device 30 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 (direct replenishment method). The toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting section 106 (see Figures 22(a) and 1(b)) of the image forming apparatus 1, with at least a portion of it exposed to the outside.

[0034] Therefore, when the toner level in the process unit 20 becomes low, it is no longer necessary to remove the process unit 20 from the main unit 400 and replace it with a new process unit, thus improving usability. In addition, toner can be replenished in the developing container 32 at a lower cost than replacing the entire process unit 20. Furthermore, the direct replenishment method is more cost-effective than replacing only the developing device 30 of the process unit 20, as it does not require the replacement of various rollers, gears, etc. The image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 100 constitute the image forming system 1000.

[0035] [Attachment part] Next, the configuration of the mounting section 106 on which the toner pack 100 is mounted will be described using Figures 3(a) to 7(b). In this embodiment, the mounting section 106 is a unit for mounting the toner pack 100, including a replenishment port 32a, and is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 (see Figure 2). Figure 3(a) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting section 106. Figure 3(b) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting section 106 viewed from a different direction than Figure 3(a). Figures 4(a) and 5(a) are perspective views showing the appearance of the mounting section 106 when the operating lever 108 is in the closed position and a view of the mounting section 106 from the mounting direction M, respectively. Figures 4(b) and 5(b) are perspective views showing the appearance of the mounting section 106 when the operating lever 108 is in the open position and a view of the mounting section 106 from the mounting direction M, respectively.

[0036] Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter 109 as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M. Figure 6(b) is a perspective view of the device-side shutter 109 from a different viewpoint than that of Figure 6(a). Figure 7(a) is a perspective view of the cover 110 as seen from the downstream side in the mounting direction M. Figure 7(b) is a perspective view of the cover 110 as seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction M.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3(a) to 4(b), the mounting portion 106 has a main body base portion 2, which includes a first frame 107, a second frame 117, and a cover 110. The cover 110 and the second frame 117 are fixed to the first frame 107. As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the cover 110 has an engaged portion 110h that engages with the positioning portion 107a of the first frame 107 so that it does not rotate around the rotation axis B relative to the first frame 107. In addition, a notch 110k is provided on the downstream side, i.e., the bottom side, of the cover 110 in the mounting direction M, and the notch 110k has a first restricting surface 110c and a second restricting surface 110d. The first restricting surface 110c and the second restricting surface 110d are provided so as to face each other in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis B.

[0038] Note that the first frame 107, cover 110, and second frame 117 may be formed as a single unit rather than being separate components. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the second frame 117 is provided with an apparatus-side opening 117a, which communicates with the toner storage section 36 of the developing container 32 (see Figure 1(a)).

[0039] The operating lever 108 and the device-side shutter 109 are each rotatably mounted on the main body base 2 around the rotation axis B. The first frame 107 is provided with a positioning part 107a. The positioning part 107a protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the first frame 107 around the rotation axis B in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis B.

[0040] Furthermore, the operating lever 108, which serves as the operating part, is provided with a drive transmission part 108a and an operating part 108b. By operating the operating part 108b, the user can rotate the operating lever 108 around the rotation axis B relative to the main body base part 2. As shown in Figure 3(a), the drive transmission part 108a is a convex portion that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface of the operating lever 108 centered on the rotation axis B in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis B.

[0041] The device-side shutter 109, which serves as the main shutter, has an inner circumferential surface 109h, a receiving port 109a formed on the inner circumferential surface 109h for receiving toner from the toner pack 100, and a bottom surface 109b, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b). The device-side shutter 109 further has a center boss 109d, a pack contact surface 109g, and a restricted rib 109c provided on the bottom surface 109b, and a driven transmission portion 109e provided on the inner circumferential surface 109h. The driven transmission portion 109e is a convex portion that protrudes inward in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis B, as shown in Figure 6(a). A device-side seal 111 is attached to the inner circumferential surface 109h so as to surround the receiving port 109a (see Figure 4(b)).

[0042] The device-side shutter 109 is configured to take on a shielded position and an open position relative to the main body base 2. More specifically, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the device-side shutter 109 rotates in the direction of arrow K from the shielded position to the open position, and rotates in the direction of arrow L from the open position to the shielded position. These directions of arrows K and L are the same as those of arrows K and L of the pack-side shutter 103 shown in Figure 12(b). In the shielded position, the receiving port 109a of the device-side shutter 109 is shielded by the device-side seal 111 and cover 110, and in the open position, the receiving port 109a is not covered by the cover 110 and is open. In other words, the receiving port 109a does not communicate with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117 when the device-side shutter 109 is in the shielding position, but it communicates with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117 when the device-side shutter 109 is in the shielding position.

[0043] In Figures 4(a) and 5(a), the device-side shutter 109 is in a shielded position, and in this position, the receiving port 109a of the device-side shutter 109 is not in communication with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117. Also, in Figures 4(b) and 5(b), the device-side shutter 109 is in an open position, and in this position, the receiving port 109a of the device-side shutter 109 is in communication with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117. When the device-side shutter 109 moves to the open position, toner can be supplied from the toner pack 100 to the toner storage section 36 of the developing container 32 via the receiving port 109a.

[0044] Furthermore, since the operating lever 108 and the device-side shutter 109 are not connected by a drive mechanism, the device-side shutter 109 will not rotate even if the operating lever 108 is operated without the toner pack 100 installed.

[0045] As shown in Figures 6(a) to 7(b), the device-side shutter 109 is configured to rotate around the center boss 109d by the large-diameter portion 109d1 of the center boss 109d engaging with the cylindrical portion 110j of the cover 110. Here, the restricted rib 109c provided on the bottom surface 109b of the device-side shutter 109 is located between the first restricting surface 110c and the second restricting surface 110d of the cover 110. Therefore, the device-side shutter 109 is rotatable only within the range in which the restricted rib 109c can move between the first restricting surface 110c and the second restricting surface 110d. In other words, the rotation range of the device-side shutter 109 is restricted between the shielded position and the open position by the first restricting surface 110c and the second restricting surface 110d of the cover 110. For example, when the restricted rib 109c is in contact with the first restricted surface 110c, the device-side shutter 109, which is in the shielding position, cannot rotate in the direction of arrow L, that is, in the opposite direction to the open position.

[0046] [Composition of the containment container] Next, the basic configuration of the housing container 800, including the toner pack 100, will be described using Figures 8(a) to 9(b). The toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting section 106 described above. Figure 8(a) is a perspective view showing the housing container 800. Figure 8(b) is an exploded perspective view showing the housing container 800. Figure 9(a) is a side view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the shielding position. Figure 9(b) is a side view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position.

[0047] The container 800, as a container, has a toner pack 100 and a cap 120, as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b). The container 800 and the image forming apparatus 1 constitute an image forming system 1000 (see Figure 1(a)). The toner pack 100 has a pouch 101 for containing contents such as toner, an opening material 104 joined to the opening 101a of the pouch 101, and a mounting part 700 attached to the mounting part 106. The mounting part 700, as the tip, has a nozzle 102 connected to the opening material 104 and a pack-side shutter 103. The cap 120 is detachably attached to the mounting part 700, but more details will be described later.

[0048] The pouch 101, which serves as the containment section, is flexible and is provided on one end of the toner pack 100 in the axial direction D1, which is the direction of the rotation axis A of the pack-side shutter 103. When the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting section 106, the rotation axis A coincides with the rotation axis B of the device-side shutter 109; therefore, in the following, the axial direction of both rotation axis A and rotation axis B will be referred to as the axial direction D1. The nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 are provided on the other end of the toner pack 100 in the axial direction D1. The pouch 101 is formed, for example, by laminating a flexible polypropylene sheet and has a bag shape with one end open by an opening 101a. The pouch 101 may be a resin bottle or a container made of paper or vinyl.

[0049] The opening member 104, acting as an intermediate member, is an annular resin member having a through hole 104a and is fixed to the opening 101a of the pouch 101. In this embodiment, the opening member 104 is made of polypropylene resin and is thicker and more rigid than the pouch 101, which is made of a flexible sheet. In other words, the pouch 101 has a first level of rigidity, and the opening member 104 has a second level of rigidity greater than the first level. As a result, even a flexible pouch 101 can maintain an open opening 101a.

[0050] Furthermore, the opening member 104 is joined to the nozzle 102 and has a through hole 104a. In other words, the opening member 104 connects the pouch 101 and the mounting portion 700, including the pouch 101 and the nozzle 102, so that they are in communication with each other.

[0051] Furthermore, the opening member 104 has a pair of extensions 104b on its outer circumferential surface that extend away from the axis of rotation A in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC centered on the axis of rotation A. The pair of extensions 104b are positioned at 180-degree different phases from each other in the circumferential direction centered on the axis of rotation A. In this way, the outer circumferential surface of the opening member 104 is not a uniform circumferential surface centered on the axis of rotation A, so the user can stably grasp the opening member 104 by gripping the extensions 104b. In other words, the extensions 104b function as an anti-slip feature to prevent the user's hand from slipping in the rotational direction centered on the axis of rotation A.

[0052] The nozzle 102, which serves as the discharge section, is connected to the opening material 104, but any method of connection is acceptable. For example, possible methods of connection include using various adhesives such as hot melt, or heat welding the through-hole 104a of the opening material 104 to the outer circumference of the nozzle 102. Similarly, any method of connection between the pouch 101 and the opening material 104 is acceptable.

[0053] The nozzle 102 has a side surface 102c that extends along the axis of rotation A, and the side surface 102c is provided with an outlet 102a configured to communicate with the inside of the pouch 101, and a recess 102e. The recess 102e is located at a different position from the outlet 102a in the rotation direction of the pack-side shutter 103. The toner contained in the pouch 101 is discharged to the outside of the toner pack 100 through the outlet 102a when the pouch 101 is crushed by the user, reducing the volume of the pouch 101. That is, a passage 102g (see Figure 19(a)) is formed inside the nozzle 102, through which the toner (contents) passes toward the outlet 102a.

[0054] The nozzle 102 may be integrally formed with the opening material 104. Alternatively, a seal may be provided between the pouch 101 and the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102, and when the seal is removed, the pouch 101 and the discharge port 102a may be in communication.

[0055] A pack-side shutter 103, acting as a shielding member, is positioned on the outside of the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102. The pack-side shutter 103 is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis A extending in the direction along the axial direction D1, and has an opening 103a. Specifically, the inner circumferential surface 103m of the pack-side shutter 103 is slidably supported against the annular rib 104m of the opening material 104. The pack-side shutter 103 is mounted on the outside of the side surface 102c in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis A, and is capable of shielding the discharge port 102a. The arc surface of the side surface 102c is a curved surface that is convex outward in the radial direction r. The inner surface of the pack-side shutter 103, that is, the surface facing the side surface 102c, is a curved surface along the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102, and a substantially rectangular pack-side seal 105 is attached to it.

[0056] The pack-side shutter 103 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis A between a shielding position (shown in Figure 9(a)) where the pack-side seal 105 shields the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102, and an open position (shown in Figure 9(b)) where 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 the opening 103a formed in the pack-side shutter 103. In other words, the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with an opening 103a that opens the discharge port 102a when it is in the open position.

[0057] When the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the shielded position as the first shielded position shown in Figure 9(a), is rotated in the direction of arrow K around the rotation axis A, the pack-side shutter 103 moves to the open position as the first open position shown in Figure 9(b). Conversely, when the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the open position, is rotated in the direction of arrow L, the pack-side shutter 103 moves to the shielded position. That is, the direction of arrow K as the first rotation direction is the direction from the shielded position to the open position around the rotation axis A, and the direction of arrow L as the second rotation direction is the direction from the open position to the shielded position around the rotation axis A. During the rotational movement 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.

[0058] Next, the detailed configuration of the nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 will be described using Figures 8(a) to 10(b). Figure 10(a) is a perspective view showing the mounting portion 700 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the shielding position. Figure 10(b) is another perspective view showing the mounting portion 700 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the shielding position.

[0059] As shown in Figures 8 to 10(b), the nozzle 102 has a positioning portion 102d which includes surfaces facing each other in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis A. The positioning portion 102d engages with the positioning portion 107a (see Figure 4(a)) of the first frame 107 when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106. This determines the rotational position of the nozzle 102 relative to the first frame 107 (main body base portion 2) with respect to the rotation axis A.

[0060] In the direction of the rotation axis A, surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 are provided on the downstream side of the positioning portion 102d in the mounting direction M. A side surface 102e3 is provided between surfaces 102d1 and 102d2, and between surfaces 102e1 and 102e2. Side surface 102e3 is recessed inward in the radial direction r compared to side surface 102c. The positioning portion 102d, surfaces 102e1, 102e2, and side surface 102e3 form a recess 102e.

[0061] Furthermore, an opening 103a is provided on the side surface 103d of the pack-side shutter 103. The side surface 103d extends along the axis of rotation A. As shown in Figure 10(a), when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the shielded position, at least a portion of the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 is exposed through the opening 103a. This is to engage the positioning portion 102d of the recess 102e with the positioning portion 107a when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106 with the pack-side shutter 103 in the shielded position.

[0062] Furthermore, the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with a driven transmission portion 103e on the opposite side of the opening 103a, across the rotation axis A. The driven transmission portion 103e is provided on the opposite side of the recess 102e of the nozzle 102, across the rotation axis A, when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the shielding position. The driven transmission portion 103e has surfaces 103b1, 103b2 and a side surface 103b3, and is engageable with the drive transmission portion 108a of the operating lever 108, which will be described later. The side surface 103b3 is provided between surfaces 103b1 and 103b2 and is recessed radially r inward from the side surface 103d. In addition, at the upstream end of the pack-side shutter 103 in the mounting direction M, a flange portion 103i is provided extending from the side surface 103d, radially r outward from the side surface 103d, i.e., away from the rotation axis A. The flange portion 103i is provided with a cap fixing portion 103n, which will be described later as a fixed portion.

[0063] Next, the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102 will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the toner pack 100 is oriented so that the second end side (the nozzle 102 side) is below the first end side (the pouch 101 side). Alternatively, the toner pack 100 is oriented so that at least a part of the nozzle 102 is below the pouch 101 and the rotation axis A is parallel to the vertical direction VD. This orientation is the orientation in which the toner pack 100 is mounted to the mounting section 106 of the image forming apparatus 1. At this time, in Figures 9(a) to 10(b), the mounting direction M is downward and the removal direction U is upward.

[0064] The pack-side shutter 103 has an end face 103c, which is the lower end face in the vertical direction VD and constitutes the bottom face of the pack-side shutter 103. The nozzle 102 has a projection 102b that protrudes downstream, i.e., downward, in the mounting direction M from the end face 103c of the pack-side shutter 103. The projection 102b is a cylindrical part (a part having a cylindrical shape) centered on the axis of rotation A. The projection 102b has a projection end face 102b2, which is the lower end face. The projection end face 102b2 is provided with a hole having an inner circumferential surface 102b1 centered on the axis of rotation A. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the projection 102b protrudes downward from the lower end face 102j of the nozzle 102. In this embodiment, the end face 103c of the pack-side shutter 103 and the end face 102j of the nozzle 102 are end faces perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, but are not limited to this. These surfaces only need to be surfaces that extend in a direction intersecting the rotation axis A when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A. Also, the protrusion 102b does not necessarily need to be provided on the nozzle 102.

[0065] As shown in Figure 11, the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 is provided with a claw portion 102f as a locking mechanism to prevent the pack-side shutter 103 from rotating relative to the nozzle 102 during transport or when the user handles the toner pack 100 by itself. By holding the pack-side shutter 103 in a shielded position by the claw portion 102f, it is possible to prevent the toner contents of the toner pack 100 from spilling.

[0066] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the claw portion 102f provided on the nozzle 102. Figure 12(a) is a front view showing the claw portion 102f. Figure 12(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 12B-12B section of Figure 12(a). Figure 13(a) is a front view showing the claw portion 102f. Figure 13(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 13B-13B section of Figure 13(a). Figure 14(a) is a perspective view showing the toner pack 100 being mounted on the device-side shutter 109. Note that in Figure 14(a), the pouch 101 and pack-side shutter 103 of the toner pack 100 are omitted, and only the nozzle 102 and opening material 104 are shown. Figure 14(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 13B-13B section of Figure 13(a) in the state after the toner pack 100 has been mounted on the mounting portion 106.

[0067] The claw portion 102f, which serves as the second restricting part, has an arm portion 102f3, a release slope 102f1, and a stopper portion 102f2, as shown in Figures 11 to 12(b). The claw portion 102f is movable in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis A by the elastic deformation of the arm portion 102f3. Specifically, the claw portion 102f is movable between the restricting position shown in Figure 12(b) and the unrestricted position shown in Figure 14(b), which is a position inside the restricting position in the radial direction r.

[0068] As shown in Figure 12(b), when the claw portion 102f is in the restricting position, the abutment portion 102f2 faces the restricting portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103, which is in the shielding position, in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation axis A. At this time, a gap s is provided between the abutment portion 102f2 and the restricting portion 103h. The pack-side shutter 103 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow K when the restricting portion 103h abuts against the abutment portion 102f2. The size of the gap s can be set arbitrarily, and the range of rotation in which the pack-side shutter 103 can rotate within the range of the gap s is considered to be the shielding position. In other words, the pack-side shutter 103 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow K from the shielding position by the claw portion 102f located in the restricting position.

[0069] Furthermore, when the claw portion 102f is in the unrestricted position, the abutment portion 102f2 is located inward in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis A compared to the restricting portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103. Therefore, the pack-side shutter 103 can rotate around the rotation axis A without interfering with the abutment portion 102f2.

[0070] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 14(b), the device-side shutter 109 is provided with a release rib 109j extending in the axial direction D1. The release rib 109j can contact the release slope 102f1 of the claw portion 102f when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106. As shown in Figures 10(a) and 14(b), the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with an opening 103j, which extends from the end face (bottom face) 103c to the side surface 103d of the pack-side shutter 103. The release rib 109j provided on the device-side shutter 109 can pass through the opening 103j and contact the release slope 102f1 of the claw portion 102f located inside the pack-side shutter 103.

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

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

[0073] As shown in Figure 13(b), the pack-side shutter 103 has a rotation-restricting rib 103k, and the nozzle 102 has a rotation-restricting surface 102k as a first restricting part that faces the rotation-restricting rib 103k in the circumferential direction with the rotation axis A as the center. When the pack-side shutter 103 is in the shielded position, the rotation-restricting rib 103k faces the rotation-restricting surface 102k with a small gap between them. When the pack-side shutter 103 in the shielded position attempts to rotate in the direction of arrow L, the rotation-restricting rib 103k abuts against the rotation-restricting surface 102k, restricting the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow L.

[0074] As shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b), the claw portion 102f is positioned downstream in the mounting direction M from the rotation restricting surface 102k and the rotation restricting rib 103k. This is because the claw portion 102f is positioned to be easily pressed by the restriction release rib 109j of the device-side shutter 109 when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the opening 103j provided in the pack-side shutter 103, ensuring the rigidity of the pack-side shutter 103 and suppressing user access to the claw portion 102f. Note that the arrangement of the claw portion 102f, the rotation restricting surface 102k, and the rotation restricting rib 103k is not limited to this and may be changed as desired.

[0075] As described above, when the toner pack 100 is not mounted on the mounting section 106, the pack-side shutter 103 is restricted from rotating in the directions of arrows K and L, and is easily held in the shielded position. When the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated in the direction of arrow K with the toner pack 100 mounted on the mounting section 106 and the claw portion 102f in the unrestricted position, it exposes the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102, as shown in Figure 9(b).

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8(b) and 10(a)(b), the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with three radial positioning sections 103f. These radial positioning sections 103f protrude outward in the radial direction r from the side surface 103d. Each of the radial positioning sections 103f is positioned on the upstream side of the pack-side shutter 103 in the mounting direction M.

[0077] [cap] Next, the cap 120 attached to the toner pack 100 will be described using Figures 8(a) and 8(b) and Figures 15(a) to 17(c). Figure 15(a) is a perspective view showing the toner pack 100 with the cap 120 attached. Figure 15(b) is a perspective view showing the cap 120 removed from the toner pack 100. Figure 16(a) is a front view showing the cap 120. Figure 16(b) is a perspective view showing the cap 120. Figure 17(a) is a perspective view showing the cap 120 attached to the pack-side shutter 103. Figure 17(b) is a perspective view showing the process of removing the cap 120 from the pack-side shutter 103. Figure 17(c) is a perspective view showing the cap 120 removed from the toner pack 100. Note that in Figures 17(a) and 17(b), the outer shape of the cap 120 is shown by a dashed line.

[0078] As shown in Figures 8(a)(b) and 15(a) to 16(b), the cap 120 is attached to the mounting portion 700, which consists of the nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 of the toner pack 100. When the cap 120 is attached to the mounting portion 700, it covers at least a part of the mounting portion 700. More specifically, the cap body portion 120U1 of the cap 120, which will be described later, surrounds at least a part of the side surface 103d of the pack-side shutter 103. In this embodiment, the cap 120 is attached to the pack-side shutter 103 by engaging with a screw recess 103g, which is a container shutter-side screw portion provided on the side surface 103d of the pack-side shutter 103.

[0079] The cap 120 includes a cap body portion 120U1 as the main body portion, a fixing tab 120U2 as the fixing portion, and a connecting portion 120U3 that connects the cap body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2. In this embodiment, the cap body portion 120U1 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the rotation axis A, but is not limited to this. That is, the cap body portion 120U1 only needs to be configured in a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the rotation axis A, and may be configured in a polygonal cylindrical shape, for example.

[0080] The cap body portion 120U1 has a cap opening 120a, a bottom surface 120b, an inner circumferential surface 120c, an annular rib 120d, a screw projection 120e, and an outer cap surface 120f. The cap opening 120a, as an opening, is provided at one end in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis A. The annular rib 120d extends downstream, i.e., upward in the removal direction U, from the surface 120g opposite to the bottom surface 120b. Surface 120g faces the end surface 103c of the pack-side shutter 103 and the projection 102b of the nozzle 102. The screw projection 120e, as the cap-side screw portion, is provided on the inner circumferential surface 120c that extends along the rotation axis A, and protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface 120c in the radial direction r. The screw projection 120e can engage with the screw recess 103g of the pack-side shutter 103 when the cap body 120U1 is rotated in the direction of arrow K. The engagement of the screw projection 120e with the screw recess 103g allows the cap body 120U1 to be attached to the pack-side shutter 103. The inner circumferential surface 120c of the cap 120 is configured to surround at least a portion of the side surface 103d of the pack-side shutter 103; in this embodiment, it surrounds the entire side surface 103d.

[0081] Here, we consider the case where the container 800, including the toner pack 100 and the cap 120, is oriented so that the axis of rotation A is parallel to the vertical direction VD, and the nozzle 102 is below the pouch 101. This orientation of the container 800 is the same as the orientation when the toner pack 100 is attached to the mounting section 106. At this time, the annular rib 120d extends upward from the surface 120g. The bottom surface 120b is the end face of the cap 120 in the mounting direction M and is a surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, and becomes the bottom surface of the container 800 when the cap 120 is attached to the toner pack 100. The bottom surface 120b also extends horizontally in the orientation shown in Figure 16(a). Therefore, the container 800 is configured to be self-supporting by bringing the bottom surface 120b into contact with the installation surface.

[0082] The cap 120 is attached to the pack-side shutter 103 of the mounting portion 700 of the toner pack 100 so as to cover the mounting portion 700 of the toner pack 100. At this time, the annular rib 120d of the cap 120 is positioned outside the protrusion 102b of the nozzle 102 with respect to the radial direction r, and is positioned to surround the protrusion 102b. In other words, the annular rib 120d as the cap protrusion is positioned so as not to overlap the protrusion 102b when viewed in the vertical direction (removal direction U or mounting direction M).

[0083] Therefore, even if the cap 120 is subjected to an external impact during logistics or other purposes, the protruding portion 102b can be protected. As will be described later, the end face 102b2 of the protruding portion 102b abuts against the pack contact surface 109g of the device-side shutter 109 (see Figure 6(a)) when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, thereby positioning the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction M. Therefore, by protecting the end face 102b2 of the protruding portion with the cap 120, the positioning accuracy of the toner pack 100 relative to the mounting portion 106 in the mounting direction M can be improved.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8(b) and 15(a)(b), when the cap 120 is attached to the toner pack 100, the cap opening 120a is located downstream in the removal direction U from the positioning portion 102d and the driven transmission portion 103e. That is, the positioning portion 102d and the driven transmission portion 103e are covered and protected by the outer surface 120f of the cap 120. The positioning portion 102d is used for positioning the nozzle 102 in the rotational direction about the rotation axis A relative to the first frame 107 (main body base portion 2). The driven transmission portion 103e engages with the drive transmission portion 108a of the operating lever 108 and is used for rotating the pack-side shutter 103 by the operating lever 108.

[0085] Furthermore, the portion of the toner pack 100 other than the screw recess 103g of the mounting portion 700 is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 120c of the cap 120. As a result, each part of the mounting portion 700 is protected from impact by the cap 120.

[0086] Furthermore, when the cap 120 is attached to the mounting portion 700 of the toner pack 100, even if toner leaks from the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102, the cap 120 acts as a receptacle for the leaked toner. Therefore, the user can avoid direct contact with the leaked toner, reducing the likelihood of toner adhering to their hands or other parts of their body. In the case of liquid contents in the toner pack 100, any liquid that leaks onto the cap 120 will dry on the cap 120 over time. This further reduces the likelihood of the contents adhering to the user's hands or other parts of their body.

[0087] The fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 is connected to the cap opening 120a of the cap body 120U1 via a connecting part 120U3, and is located downstream of the cap body 120U1 in the removal direction U1. When the cap 120 has never been removed from the mounting part 700 and the toner pack 100 is unused, the fixing tab 120U2 is fixed to the cap fixing part 103n provided on the flange part 103i of the pack-side shutter 103. That is, the fixing tab 120U2 is fixed to only a part of the flange part 103i in the circumferential direction of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. More specifically, as shown in Figure 26, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis A, the fixing tab 120U2 is located in the region AR3 where the circumferential angle with respect to the rotation axis A is 90 degrees. Furthermore, the fixed tab 120U2 may be provided not only within region AR3, but also, for example, within regions where the inscribed angles around the rotation axis A are 60 degrees, 120 degrees, and 180 degrees, respectively.

[0088] As shown in Figure 17(a), the threaded projection 120e of the cap 120 engages (screws) into the threaded recess 103g of the pack-side shutter 103. The cap fixing portion 103n has a flat portion 103n1 and two projections 103n2 and 103n3 that protrude from the flat portion 103n1 along the axis of rotation A toward the mounting direction M, as shown in Figure 10(a). The projections 103n2 and 103n3, which serve as the second engaging portion, are arranged side by side with a gap between them in the circumferential direction of a virtual circle VC centered on the axis of rotation A. The flat portion 103n1 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A.

[0089] As shown in Figure 16(b), the fixing tab 120U2 has a flat portion 120U2a as an adhesive surface that extends along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis A, and two holes 120U2b and 120U2c provided in the flat portion 120Ua. The holes 120U2b and 120U2c, which serve as the first engaging portions, extend along the rotation axis A and may be through holes or closed holes with a bottom at the downstream end in the mounting direction M. The projections 103n2 and 103n3 of the cap fixing portion 103n can engage with the holes 120U2b and 120U2c. Furthermore, since the fixing tab 120U2 is connected to the cap body portion 120U1 via the connecting portion 120U3, the cap 120 is fixed so as not to move relative to the pack-side shutter 103. The method of fixing the fixing tab 120U2 to the cap fixing portion 103n will be described later.

[0090] When removing the cap 120 from the toner pack 100, as shown in Figure 17(b), the user rotates the cap 120 attached to the toner pack 100 in the direction of arrow L. As a result, the cap 120 is guided by the screw recess 103g and screw projection 120e and moves axially D1, or more specifically downstream in the mounting direction M, relative to the mounting portion 700.

[0091] Then, as the cap 120 moves downstream in the mounting direction M, the connecting portion 120U3 that connects the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap body portion 120U1 breaks. The breaking of the connecting portion 120U3 occurs while the fixing tab 120U2 is fixed to the cap fixing portion 103n, thereby separating the cap body portion 120U1 from the fixing tab 120U2.

[0092] Then, as shown in Figure 17(c), by further rotating the cap body 120U1 in the direction of arrow L, the engagement between the screw recess 103g and the screw projection 120e is released, and the cap body 120U1 is removed from the mounting portion 700 of the toner pack 100. At this time, due to friction between the screw recess 103g and the screw projection 120e, even if the pack-side shutter 103 rotates together with the cap 120 in the direction of arrow L, the rotation restricting rib 103k and the rotation restricting surface 102k come into contact (see Figure 13(b)). As a result, the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow L is restricted, and only the cap body 120U1 can be rotated in the direction of arrow L relative to the stopped pack-side shutter 103.

[0093] [Installing the toner pack into the mounting area] Next, the state when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting section 106 will be explained using Figures 18(a) to 20(b). Figures 18(a) and 18(b) are perspective views from different angles showing the toner pack 100 in the process of being mounted on the mounting section 106. Figure 19(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the toner pack 100 is mounted toward the mounting section 106. Figure 19(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the toner pack 100 has been mounted on the mounting section 106.

[0094] Figure 20(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 20A-20A section of Figure 19(a). Figure 20(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 20B-20B section of Figure 19(a). For clarity, hatching has been applied to the cut surfaces of the pack-side shutter 103 and cover 110 in Figures 19(a) to 20(b).

[0095] When mounting the toner pack 100 to the mounting section 106, the user first removes the cap body 120U1 from the mounting section 700 of the toner pack 100 using the procedure described above. This exposes the driven transmission section 103e, the protruding section 102b, and the positioning section 102d (see Figures 10(a) and 10(b)) of the mounting section 700. With the cap body 120U1 removed, the mounting section 700 of the toner pack 100 can then be mounted to the mounting section 106 of the image forming apparatus 1. The cap body 120U1 can be reattached to the mounting section 700 of the toner pack 100.

[0096] Then, as shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b), the user moves the toner pack 100, with the pack-side shutter 103 in the shielding position, to the mounting section 106, with the device-side shutter 109 in the shielding position, in the mounting direction M to mount it. 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 section 107a of the first frame 107. Simultaneously, the user also aligns the driven transmission section 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 with the drive transmission section 108a of the operating lever 108.

[0097] After aligning the toner pack 100 with the mounting section 106, the user moves the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction M and mounts it onto the mounting section 106. Then, as shown in Figure 19(a), the small diameter portion 109d2 of the center boss 109d of the device-side shutter 109 fits into the inner circumferential surface 102b1 of the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102. This determines the position of the nozzle 102 in the radial direction r relative to the device-side shutter 109.

[0098] At this time, as shown in Figure 20(a), the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 engages with the driven transmission part 103e of the pack-side shutter 103. Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 20(b), the sides 110f and 110g of the cover 110 approach or engage with the surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 that form the recess 102e of the nozzle 102. Also, as shown in Figures 20(a) and (b), the driven transmission part 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 engages with the driven transmission part 109e of the device-side shutter 109 and the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108. As a result, the rotation axis A of the pack-side shutter 103 and the rotation axis B of the device-side shutter 109 become approximately coaxial.

[0099] Furthermore, since the surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 of the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 engage with the sides 110f and 110g of the cover 110, respectively, the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 does not rotate relative to the main body base 2 including the cover 110. In other words, when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the recess 102e engages with the cover 110 of the image forming apparatus 1, thereby restricting the rotation of the nozzle 102 relative to the image forming apparatus 1. The operating lever 108, the pack-side shutter 103, and the apparatus-side shutter 109 can then rotate substantially as a single unit with respect to the main body base 2 and the nozzle 102 around the rotation axis B.

[0100] Specifically, when the operating lever 108 is rotated, the drive transmission part 108a of the operating lever 108 presses against the surface 103b1 or 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103, causing the pack-side shutter 103 to rotate. Subsequently, the surface 103b1 or 103b2 constituting the driven transmission part 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 presses against the driven transmission part 109e of the device-side shutter 109, causing the device-side shutter 109 to rotate.

[0101] When the toner pack 100 is installed in the mounting section 106, the three radial positioning sections 103f of the pack-side shutter 103 (see Figures 8(b) and 10(a)(b)) are in contact with the inner circumferential surface 109h of the device-side shutter 109 (see Figure 6(a)). This determines the position of the toner pack 100 in the radial direction r on the upstream side of the mounting direction M.

[0102] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19(b), the position of the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction M is determined when the end face 102b2 of the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102 abuts against the pack contact surface 109g of the device-side shutter 109. Note that the positioning of the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102 may also be configured such that the outer circumferential surface of the protruding portion 102b is fitted into the cylindrical portion 110j of the cover 110 (see Figures 7(a) and 7(b)).

[0103] Furthermore, the positioning portion 102d provided on the nozzle 102 engages with the positioning portion 107a of the first frame 107. As a result, the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 is restricted from rotating relative to the first frame 107 (main body base portion 2).

[0104] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 14(a) and 14(b), when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting section 106, the claw portion 102f provided on the nozzle 102 moves from the restricted position to the unrestricted position (the position shown in Figure 14(b)), as described above. More specifically, the claw portion 102f moves inward in the radial direction r from the restricted position to the unrestricted position as the release slope 102f1 is pressed by the restriction release rib 109j. This releases the rotation restriction of the pack-side shutter 103 in the direction of arrow K.

[0105] [Operation of the control lever] Figure 21(a) is a perspective view showing the operating lever 108 and toner pack 100 in the closed position. Figure 21(b) is a perspective view showing the operating lever 108 and toner pack 100 in the open position. Figure 22(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 22AB-22AB section of Figure 19(b) when both the device-side shutter 109 and the pack-side shutter 103 are in the shielded position. Figure 22(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 22AB-22AB section of Figure 19(b) when both the device-side shutter 109 and the pack-side shutter 103 are in the open position.

[0106] As mentioned above, when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting section 106, the operating lever 108, the pack-side shutter 103, and the device-side shutter 109 can rotate integrally with respect to the main body base 2 and the nozzle 102 around the rotation axis B. When the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting section 106 and the operating lever 108 is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 22(a), the discharge port 102a is shielded by the pack-side shutter 103 and pack-side seal 105 and the device-side shutter 109. Therefore, the toner inside the pouch 101 is configured not to reach the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117.

[0107] As shown in Figures 21(a) and 21(b), when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting section 106 and the operating lever 108 is rotated from the closed position to the open position in the direction of arrow Q, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 rotate from the shielded position to the open position.

[0108] More specifically, the drive transmission unit 108a of the operating lever 108 presses against the surface 103b1 of the pack-side shutter 103. As a result, the pack-side shutter 103 rotates together with the operating lever 108 from the shielded position to the open position. In other words, the pack-side shutter 103 rotates from the shielded position to the open position in conjunction with the rotation of the operating lever 108 due to the engagement of the drive transmission unit 108a and the surface 103b1. Furthermore, the surface 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103, which is rotated from the shielded position to the open position, presses against the driven transmission unit 109e of the device-side shutter 109. As a result, the device-side shutter 109 rotates together with the pack-side shutter 103 from the shielded position to the open position. In other words, the device-side shutter 109 rotates integrally with the pack-side shutter 103 in conjunction with the rotation of the operating lever 108, due to the engagement of the surface 103b2 and the driven transmission part 109e.

[0109] Then, as shown in Figure 22(b), the pack-side shutter 103 and pack-side seal 105 and the device-side shutter 109 move, opening the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102. In other words, the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100 and the toner storage section 36 are in communication via the discharge port 102a, the receiving port 109a, and the device-side opening 117a. The toner in the pouch 101 is supplied to the toner storage section 36 of the developing container 32 along with air via the discharge port 102a, the receiving port 109a, and the device-side opening 117a when the pouch 101 is compressed by the user.

[0110] Once the toner supply 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. 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 against the surface 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103. As a result, the pack-side shutter 103 rotates together with the operating lever 108 from the open position to the shielded position. Also, the surface 103b1 of the pack-side shutter 103, which is rotated from the open position to the shielded position, presses against the driven transmission part 109e of the device-side shutter 109. As a result, the device-side shutter 109 rotates together with the pack-side shutter 103 from the open position to the shielded position.

[0111] In this state, the user completes the toner replenishment process by pulling the toner pack 100 out of the mounting section 106. After the replenishment process is complete, the user may attach the cap body 120U1 to the toner pack 100, or they may dispose of the cap body 120U1 and the toner pack 100 separately.

[0112] [Detailed configuration of connection parts and fixing tabs] Next, the detailed configuration of the connecting portion 120U3 and the fixing tab 120U2 will be described using Figures 23 to 27(b). Figure 23 is a view of the toner pack 100 in the removal direction U. Figure 24(a) is a front view showing the cap 120. Figure 24(b) is an enlarged view showing the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 24(a). Figure 25(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the 25A-25A section of Figure 24(b). Figure 25(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the 25B-25B section of Figure 24(b). Figure 25(c) is a diagram showing the area of ​​the planar portion 120U2a. Figure 26 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the extension portion 104b of the opening material 104 and the fixing tab 120U2. Figure 27(a) is a bottom view of the toner pack 100 showing the positional relationship between the fixing tab 120U2 and the opening 103a of the pack-side shutter 103. Figure 27(b) is a bottom view of the toner pack 100 according to a modified example.

[0113] As shown in Figure 23, the fixing tab 120U2 is positioned further from the axis of rotation A than the outer surface 120f of the cap body 120U1 with respect to the radial direction r. The fixing tab 120U2 is also fixed by adhesive to the cap fixing part 103n provided on the flange part 103i of the pack-side shutter 103. At this time, the protrusions 103n2 and 103n3 of the cap fixing part 103n engage with the holes 120U2b and 120U2c of the fixing tab 120U2. In addition, the flat part 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 is bonded to the flat part 103n1 of the cap fixing part 103n. Note that the relationship between the holes 120U2b and 120U2c and the protrusions 103n2 and 103n3 may be reversed, and there are no limitations on their number, size, or shape. Here, it is preferable that the fixing tab 120U2 is fixed with a strength that prevents it from easily peeling off the cap fixing portion 103n, and furthermore, it is desirable that the fixing strength be stronger than the strength of the material of the cap 120.

[0114] In other words, when removing the cap body 120U1 from the toner pack 100, it is desirable that the cap body 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2 separate before the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 103n become detached. To this end, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 24(a) and (b), a connecting part 120U3 is provided that is configured to break before the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 103n become detached. In this embodiment, three connecting parts 120U3 are provided, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and one to two or four or more may be provided.

[0115] The three connecting parts 120U3 are substantially identical in shape and are positioned at different locations in the circumferential direction centered on the axis of rotation A. The three connecting parts 120U3 extend along the axis of rotation A and are columnar ribs connecting the cap body 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2, respectively. In a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, the cross-sectional area of ​​each connecting part 120U3 is configured to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the planar portion 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2. Furthermore, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the three connecting parts 120U3 is also configured to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the fixing tab 120U2. In Figure 25(c), the area S3 of the planar portion 120U2a, excluding the holes 120U2b and 120U2c, is the area S3 of the fixing tab 120U2 as its cross-sectional area. Area S3 is larger than the first area S1 and the second area S2, which will be described later.

[0116] Furthermore, each connecting portion 120U3 has a shape in which the cross-sectional area is not uniform between the cap body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2 in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis A, but changes intermittently. For example, as shown in Figures 24(b) and 25(a)(b), the cross-sectional area of ​​the 25A-25A section, which is the first cross-section of the connecting portion 120U3, is defined as the first area S1. The cross-sectional area of ​​the 25B-25B section, which is the second cross-section of the connecting portion 120U3, is defined as the second area S2. In this case, the second area S2 is smaller than the first area S1. Note that in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis A, the portion of the connecting portion 120U3 having the first area S1 is longer than the portion of the connecting portion 120U3 having the second area S2. The 25A-25A section and the 25B-25B section are cross-sections perpendicular to the rotation axis A. The 25B-25B section is located in a different position in the axial direction D1 than the 25A-25A section, and more specifically, it is located closer to the cap body 120U1 than the 25A-25A section. Thus, the cross-sectional area of ​​the connection portion 120U3 in this embodiment is larger on the side closer to the fixing tab 120U2 and smaller on the side closer to the cap body 120U1.

[0117] Furthermore, the connecting portion 120U3 has an upstream corner T1 and a downstream corner T2 at the end that connects to the fixed tab 120U2, in the direction of arrow L. Corner T1 is smoothly connected to the fixed tab 120U2 with a smaller curvature than corner T2. In other words, corner T1 is connected to the fixed tab 120U2 over a larger area than corner T2.

[0118] Thus, the cross-sectional area of ​​the connection portion 120U3 is smaller on the side closer to the cap body portion 120U1, making the connection portion 120U3 more prone to breaking on the side closer to the cap body portion 120U1. Furthermore, because the corner portion T1 is formed with a smaller curvature than the corner portion T2, when the cap body portion 120U1 is rotated in the direction of arrow L1, the corner portion T2 side bends more easily than the corner portion T1 side, and the corner portion T1 is stronger against bending stress than the corner portion T2. ​​For this reason, the portion of the connection portion 120U3 closer to the cap body portion 120U1 breaks before the portion of the connection portion 120U3 closer to the fixing tab 120U2, including the corner portions T1 and T2 connected to the fixing tab 120U2, breaks. As a result, the remaining fragments of the broken connection portion 120U3 on the cap body portion 120U1 side can be reduced, and when the user manages the removed cap body portion 120U1, these fragments are less likely to get caught, improving usability.

[0119] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion 120U3 was configured to be larger on the side closer to the fixing tab 120U2 and smaller on the side closer to the cap body portion 120U1, but it is not limited to this configuration. It is preferable that the connecting portion 120U3 has a section with a smaller cross-sectional area at any point between the cap body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2 to facilitate breakage.

[0120] Furthermore, in this embodiment, polypropylene resin is used as the material for the cap 120 and the pack-side shutter 103. The fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 103n are bonded together by applying a primer mainly composed of hexane and an amine compound to their respective flat surfaces 120U2a and 103n1, and then applying a cyanoacrylate-based instant adhesive. The adhesive strength of the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 103n bonded in this manner is higher than the strength of the connecting part 120U3. Because the flat surfaces 120U2a and 103n1 are bonded together in this way, the fixing tab 120U2 is restricted from moving relative to the pack-side shutter 103 in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis A. Also, because the projections 103n2 and 103n3 engage with the holes 120U2b and 120U2c, the fixing tab 120U2 is restricted from moving relative to the pack-side shutter 103 in the rotational direction of the cap body 120U1. In other words, the fixing tab 120U2 is fixed to the mounting portion 700, including the pack-side shutter 103, in both the axial direction D1 and the rotational direction of the cap body portion 120U1.

[0121] Therefore, when removing the cap body 120U1 of the cap 120 from the toner pack 100, the adhesive between the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 103n does not break, and the connecting part 120U3 breaks. As a result, the cap body 120U1 separates from the fixing tab 120U2, and the cap body 120U1 can be removed from the toner pack 100.

[0122] In this way, a cap 120 with a broken connection part 120U3 can be identified from its appearance as having already been used, reducing the need to replenish toner using a used toner pack 100. This improves the efficiency of toner replenishment.

[0123] Next, the positional relationship between the extension portion 104b of the opening material 104 and the fixing tab 120U2 will be explained using Figure 26. Figure 26 is a view of the toner pack 100 and cap 120 in the removal direction U (axial direction D1). In Figure 26, the outer shape of the opening material 104 is shown by a dashed line.

[0124] As shown in Figure 26, the fixing tab 120U2 is positioned such that, when viewed in the axial direction D1, at least a portion of it overlaps with the extension portion 104b of the opening material 104. The extension portion 104b protrudes radially r outward from the outer surface 120f of the cap body portion 120U1.

[0125] When removing the cap body 120U1 from the toner pack 100, the user applies rotational force to the cap body 120U1. At this time, the user can easily apply force to the cap body 120U1 by gripping the extension portion 104b of the opening material 104 with the hand opposite to the hand rotating the cap body 120U1. In other words, the extension portion 104b functions as an anti-slip feature to prevent the user's hand from slipping in the rotational direction around the rotation axis A, thereby improving operability.

[0126] Since the fixing tab 120U2 that secures the cap 120 to the toner pack 100 in the rotational direction and the extension portion 104b are positioned to overlap when viewed in the axial direction D1, the user can easily check the status of the fixing tab 120U2 and the connection portion U3. This makes it easier for the user to determine whether the toner pack 100 is unused or used, thereby improving usability.

[0127] Next, the positional relationship between the fixing tab 120U2 and the opening 103a of the pack-side shutter 103 will be explained using Figures 10(a), 26, and 27(a). Figures 27(a) and 27(b) show the toner pack 100 viewed in the removal direction U (see Figure 15(b)) along the rotation axis A.

[0128] As shown in Figures 10(a) and 27(a), the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n are provided in the same phase as the opening 103a in the circumferential direction of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. The cap fixing portion 103n may be provided in other locations on the flange portion 103i, but the position in this embodiment, which is in the same phase as the opening 103a, allows for easy installation of the cap fixing portion 103n and facilitates the manufacture of the pack-side shutter 103. Alternatively, as shown in the modified example in Figure 27(b), the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n may be provided in the same phase as the concave driven transmission portion 103e.

[0129] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(a) and 27(a), when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis A (axial direction D1), the line passing through one edge 103a1 of the opening 103a and the rotation axis A in the circumferential direction of a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis A is defined as the first line W1. The line passing through the other edge 103a2 of the opening 103a and the rotation axis A is defined as the second line W2. In this case, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis A (axial direction D1), the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 103n are located between the first line W1 and the second line W2, in the region AR1 that includes the opening 103a. Note that the edges 103a1 and 103a2 through which the first line W1 and the second line W2 pass are connection parts with the flange part 103i and are located at the upstream end in the mounting direction M of the side surface 103d of the pack-side shutter 103. Furthermore, in the modified example shown in Figure 27(b), when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis A, the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n are positioned between the first straight line W1 and the second straight line W2, in region AR2, which is opposite to region AR1 containing the opening 103a.

[0130] As described above, this embodiment provides a form of a storage container 800 that can be attached to an image forming apparatus 1. In particular, when removing the cap 120 from the toner pack 100, the cap body portion 120U1 separates from the fixing tab 120U2, making it easier to determine whether the toner pack 100 is unused or used, thereby improving usability. Furthermore, by attaching the cap 120 to the mounting portion 700 of the toner pack 100, the mounting portion 700 can be protected. Specifically, the cap 120 can protect the driven transmission portion 103e, the protruding portion 102b, and the positioning portion 102d of the mounting portion 700. These driven transmission portion 103e, the protruding portion 102b, and the positioning portion 102d are used for positioning the toner pack 100 (nozzle 102) to the mounting portion 106 and for rotating the pack-side shutter 103 by the operating lever 108. Therefore, the driven transmission part 103e, the protruding part 102b, and the positioning part 102d are prevented from being damaged by external impacts before toner is replenished, and toner can be properly replenished from the toner pack 100 to the developing container 32.

[0131] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is constructed by modifying the cap fixing portion 103n of the first embodiment. For this reason, components similar to those of the first embodiment will not be shown in the figures, or will be described using the same reference numerals.

[0132] Figure 28(a) is a perspective view showing the mounting portion 1700 of the toner pack 1100 according to the second embodiment. Figure 28(b) is a view of the mounting portion 1700 in the removal direction U (see Figure 28(a)). Figure 29(a) is a perspective view showing the cap fixing portion 303n. Figure 29(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 29B-29B in Figure 29(a). Figure 30 is a view of the toner pack 1100 with the cap 120 attached, in the removal direction U.

[0133] As shown in Figures 28(a) and 28(b), the mounting portion 1700 of the toner pack 1100 according to the second embodiment includes a nozzle 102 and a pack-side shutter 303. The pack-side shutter 303 has the same configuration as the pack-side shutter 103 of the first embodiment, except for the cap fixing portion 303n, which will be described later. The pack-side shutter 303 has a flange portion 103i, and the cap fixing portion 303n is provided on the surface 103p of the flange portion 103i. The surface 103p extends in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction M of the toner pack 1100, that is, along the radial direction r.

[0134] The cap fixing portion 303n has a flat portion 303n1 and two projections 103n2 and 103n3 that protrude from the flat portion 303n1 along the axis of rotation A toward the mounting direction M. The projections 103n2 and 103n3 are bosses formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The flat portion 303n1 is positioned recessed in the removal direction U from the surface 103p of the flange portion 103i. As a result, as shown in Figures 29(b) and 30, when the fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 is fixed to the cap fixing portion 303n, the fixing tab 120U2 is contained within the cap fixing portion 303n. That is, the fixing tab 120U2 is located downstream of the surface 103p of the flange portion 103i in the removal direction U.

[0135] Incidentally, when the mounting portion 1700 of the toner pack 1100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, as shown in Figure 19(b), the protruding end face 102b2 of the nozzle 102 abuts against the pack contact surface 109g of the device-side shutter 109. This determines the position of the toner pack 1100 in the mounting direction M. For this reason, the flange portion 103i surface 103p and the fixing tab 120U2 with the connection portion 120U3 broken must not come into contact with the upper surface of the operating lever 108 before the protruding end face 102b2 abuts against the pack contact surface 109g.

[0136] In this embodiment, as described above, the flat portion 303n1 is recessed in the removal direction U compared to the surface 103p, and the fixing tab 120U2 is located downstream of the surface 103p of the flange portion 103i in the removal direction U. Therefore, when mounting the mounting portion 1700 of the toner pack 1100 onto the mounting portion 106, the fixing tab 120U2 fixed to the flange portion 103i does not come into contact with the upper surface of the operating lever 108, allowing for accurate positioning of the toner pack 1100 in the mounting direction M. Thus, it is possible to suppress toner scattering caused by improper mounting of the toner pack 1100 onto the mounting portion 106.

[0137] As shown in Figure 29(a), the flat portion 303n1 of the cap fixing portion 303n is provided with a groove 500 and a storage portion 506 capable of storing adhesive. The groove 500 has a first groove 501, a second groove 502, a third groove 503, a fourth groove 504, and a fifth groove 505, and is recessed downstream of the flat portion 303n1 in the removal direction U. The storage portion 506 is also recessed downstream of the flat portion 303n1 in the removal direction U, similar to the groove 500. The storage portion 506 is provided at one end of the flat portion 303n1 in the circumferential direction CD centered on the rotation axis A (see Figure 28(a)), and extends in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC (see Figure 8(b)) centered on the rotation axis A.

[0138] The second groove 502 is formed in a circular shape along the outer circumferential surface of the projection 103n2, and the fourth groove 504 is formed in a circular shape along the outer circumferential surface of the projection 103n3. The first groove 501 extends along the circumferential direction CD of the cap fixing portion 303n from the end 507 opposite to the storage portion 506 in the circumferential direction CD to the second groove 502. The third groove 503 extends along the circumferential direction CD to connect the second groove 502 and the fourth groove 504. The fifth groove 505 extends along the circumferential direction CD to connect the fourth groove 504 and the storage portion 506. In this way, the first groove 501, second groove 502, third groove 503, fourth groove 504 and fifth groove 505 and the storage portion 506 of the groove 500 are formed continuously. Furthermore, the groove 500 is formed along the entire length of the flat portion 303n1 in the circumferential direction CD.

[0139] [Cap assembly] Next, the procedure for assembling the cap 120 onto the toner pack 1100 will be described. When assembling a new cap 120, i.e., one in which the connection part 120U3 is not broken, onto the toner pack 1100, the worker rotates the cap 120 in the direction of arrow K (see Figure 17(a)) while the cap 120 is attached to the toner pack 1100. This causes the threaded projection 120e of the cap 120 to engage with the threaded recess 103g of the pack-side shutter 103.

[0140] In this state, the worker fixes the fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 to the cap fixing part 303n, as shown in Figures 29(a)(b) and 30. Specifically, the worker first applies a primer mainly composed of hexane and an amine compound to the flat parts 120U2a and 303n1. The primer is applied to improve the adhesion between the flat parts 120U2a and 303n1. The primer may also be applied before attaching the cap 120 to the toner pack 1100 or before engaging the screw projection 120e with the screw recess 103g. Furthermore, the primer may be applied not only to the flat parts 120U2a and 303n1, but also to the entire area of ​​the joint between the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 303n, including, for example, the protrusions 103n2 and 103n3 and the holes 120U2b and 120U2c.

[0141] Next, the worker engages the projections 103n2 and 103n3 of the cap fixing portion 303n with the holes 120U2b and 120U2c of the fixing tab 120U2, respectively. At this time, the flat portion 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 comes into contact with the flat portion 303n1 of the cap fixing portion 303n. Also, as shown in Figure 30, the projected area of ​​the fixing tab 120U2 when viewed in the removal direction U is smaller than the area of ​​the flat portion 303n1 of the cap fixing portion 303n. For this reason, a portion of the flat portion 303n1, a portion 501a of the first groove 501, a portion 505a of the fifth groove 505, and the storage portion 506 are not covered by the flat portion 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 and are exposed to the outside. A portion 501a of the first groove 501, which is one end, is connected to the storage portion 506, and a portion 505a of the fifth groove 505 is provided on the opposite side in the circumferential direction from the portion 501a of the other end of the first groove 501.

[0142] Next, the worker injects a fixed amount of adhesive, for example, a cyanoacrylate-based adhesive, into a portion 501a of the first groove 501. When the flat portion 120U2a and the flat portion 303n1 are in contact, a flow path 510 is formed by the flat portion 120U2a and the first groove 501, second groove 502, third groove 503, fourth groove 504, and fifth groove 505, as shown in Figure 29(b). The flow path 510 has a sufficiently small cross-sectional area, and the adhesive injected into the portion 501a of the first groove 501 is drawn into the flow path 510 by capillary action. In other words, the flow path is configured so that the adhesive injected into the groove 500 flows through it by capillary action. The adhesive may also be injected from a portion 505a of the fifth groove 505.

[0143] As a result, the adhesive flows sequentially through the first groove 501, the second groove 502, the third groove 503, the fourth groove 504, and the fifth groove 505. Furthermore, the groove 500 is formed along the entire length of the flat portion 303n1 in the circumferential direction CD. Therefore, the adhesive that has flowed through the first groove 501, the second groove 502, the third groove 503, the fourth groove 504, and the fifth groove 505 seeps out over the entire flat portion 303n1. Consequently, the flat portion 303n1 of the cap fixing portion 303n and the flat portion 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 can also be firmly bonded together by the adhesive. Furthermore, since the adhesive also spreads to the second groove 502 and the fourth groove 504 formed around the projection 103n2 and projection 103n3, respectively, the holes 120U2b and 120U2c and the projections 103n2 and 103n3 can also be bonded together with the adhesive.

[0144] As described above, the worker can easily apply adhesive to the first groove 501, the second groove 502, the third groove 503, the fourth groove 504, and the fifth groove 505 by, for example, injecting the adhesive into a part 501a of the first groove 501. This allows the cap fixing part 303n and the fixing tab 120U2 to be firmly bonded together.

[0145] Furthermore, the worker can proceed to the first groove 501, second groove 502, third groove 503, fourth groove 504, and fifth groove 505, and by observing the adhesive that has flowed out into a portion 505a of the fifth groove 505, it can be confirmed that the adhesive has flowed throughout the entire groove 505. Since a portion 505a of the fifth groove 505 is connected to the storage portion 506, the adhesive that has flowed out from a portion 505a of the fifth groove 505 can be stored in the storage portion 506. This reduces the amount of adhesive that overflows outside the cap fixing portion 303n. It should be noted that it is not necessarily required to store adhesive in the storage portion 506; it is more preferable to distribute the adhesive throughout the entire groove 500 without the adhesive flowing out into the storage portion 506.

[0146] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the adhesive is injected into the storage section 506 after the fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 is engaged with the cap fixing section 303n. If the adhesive is applied to the cap fixing section 303n or the fixing tab 120U2 before engaging the fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 with the cap fixing section 303n, it may become difficult to assemble the cap 120 to the toner pack 1100. For example, during the process of rotating the cap 120 and engaging the fixing tab 120U2 with the cap fixing section 303n, the adhesive that has been pre-applied to the cap fixing section 303n may adhere to places other than the flat surface 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 or to the hands of the worker.

[0147] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the adhesive is injected into the groove 500 after the fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 is engaged with the cap fixing portion 303n, so the adhesive is less likely to adhere to places other than the flat portion 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 or to the hands of the worker. Therefore, the workability in the bonding process can be improved.

[0148] <Other Embodiments> In all of the embodiments described above, the cap 120 was attached to the pack-side shutter 103, but this is not limited to that. For example, the cap 120 may be attached to the nozzle 102. Also, the cap may be attached to any component of the toner pack, not limited to the nozzle or pack-side shutter, as long as it can protect the part of the toner pack that is to be mounted.

[0149] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 103n are bonded together with a primer and instant adhesive, but are not limited to this. For example, the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 103n may be fixed by heat welding, double-sided tape, or the like. Also, the materials of the cap 120 and the part to be attached 700, and the shape of the connecting part 120U3 may be changed as desired.

[0150] Furthermore, in all of the above-described forms, the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100 contained toner, but is not limited to this. For example, the contents contained in the pouch 101 may be ink, powder, or liquid, in addition to toner. Also, the powder that can be contained in the pouch 101 is not limited to toner. When the pouch 101 contains ink, the toner pack 100 may be mounted on an inkjet image forming apparatus.

[0151] Furthermore, in all of the embodiments described above, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 were configured to be rotatable between a shielded position and an open position about rotation axes A and B, but are not limited to this. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 may be configured to be movable between a shielded position and an open position by moving linearly parallel to the mounting direction M.

[0152] Furthermore, in all of the above-described configurations, the pack-side shutter 103 was configured to open the nozzle 102a only when in the open position, but is not limited to this. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 may be a rotating body that opens the nozzle 102a regardless of its rotation position. In this case, the nozzle 102a may be sealed when the toner pack 100 is not mounted on the mounting unit 106, and the seal may be removed by the mounting operation on the mounting unit 106 or after it has been mounted. Alternatively, the pack-side shutter 103 of the toner pack 100 may be omitted.

[0153] Furthermore, in all of the embodiments described above, the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with a female screw recess 103g and the cap 120 is provided with a male screw projection 120e, but the invention is not limited to these. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 may be provided with a male screw and the cap 120 with a female screw.

[0154] In all of the above-described configurations, the cap body 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2 were connected by the connecting part 120U3, but this is not limited to this configuration. For example, the fixing tab 120U2 may be directly fixed to the cap body 120U1 by adhesive, snap-fit, magnet, etc. In this case, it is preferable that the fixing strength of the cap body 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U be set weaker than the adhesive strength of the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing part 103n. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0155] 1: Image forming apparatus / 25A-25A: First cross-section (cross-section) / 25B-25B: Second cross-section (cross-section) / 101: Storage section (pouch) / 102: Discharge section (nozzle) / 102a: Discharge port / 102c: Outer surface (side) / 102f: Second regulating section (claw section) / 102g: Passageway / 102k: First regulating section (rotation regulating surface) / 103: Shielding member (pack-side shutter) / 103a :Opening / 103a1,103a2:Edge / 103d:Outer surface (side) / 103n,303n:Fixed part (cap fixing part) / 103n2,103n3:Second engaging part, projection / 103p:Surface / 104:Intermediate member (opening material) / 104b:Extension part / 106:Mounting part / 120:Cap / 120a:Opening (cap opening) / 120f:Outer surface (outer cap) (Surface) / 120U1: Main body (cap body) / 120U2: Fixing part (fixing tab) / 120U2a: Adhesive surface (flat surface) / 120U2b,120U2c: First engaging part (hole) / 120U3: Connection part / 303n1: Flat surface / 500: Groove / 501a: Other end (part) / 505a: One end (part) / 506: Storage part / 510: Flow path / 700,1700: End End (mounted part) / 800: Container (container) / 1000: Image forming system / A: Rotation axis / AR1, AR3: Region / CD: Circumferential direction / D1: Axial direction / K: First rotation direction (arrow direction) / L: Second rotation direction (arrow direction) / r: Radial direction / S1: First area / S2: Second area / S3: Cross-sectional area (area) / VC: Virtual circle / W1: First straight line / W2: Second straight line

Claims

1. A container that can be attached to the mounting part of an image forming apparatus and is for containing powder or liquid contents, A storage section configured to contain the contents, A tip portion having a discharge section having a discharge port for discharging the contents to the outside of the container and a passage configured for the contents to pass through toward the discharge port, and a shielding member capable of shielding the discharge port, The tip portion is fitted with a cap, The cap has a main body that covers at least a part of the tip, and a fixing part that is fixed to the tip and connected to the main body. The main body of the cap is configured to be rotated about a rotation axis relative to the tip, thereby separating the fixing part from the tip while the fixing part remains fixed to the tip, and being removed from the tip. The tip of the container is detachable from the mounting part of the image forming apparatus when the main body of the cap is separated from the fixing part and removed from the tip. A container characterized by the following features.

2. The fixing portion is fixed to the tip portion so as to restrict the movement of the main body relative to the tip portion in both the direction of the rotation axis and the rotation direction of the main body portion. The container according to feature 1.

3. The discharge section extends along the axis of rotation and has an outer surface on which the discharge port is provided. The container according to feature 1 or 2.

4. The cap has a connecting portion that connects the main body portion and the fixing portion, The main body is configured to separate from the fixed part by the connection part breaking when it is rotated relative to the tip part. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The connecting portion is provided between the main body and the fixing portion in the direction of the rotation axis and extends along the rotation axis. The container according to feature 4.

6. The fixing portion has an adhesive surface that is fixed by being bonded to the tip portion, The main body is rotated relative to the tip about the axis of rotation, thereby moving relative to the tip in the direction of the axis of rotation. With respect to a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the cross-sectional area of ​​the connection portion is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the adhesive surface. The container according to feature 4 or 5.

7. The cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion has a first area in a first cross-section perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and a second area smaller than the first area in a second cross-section perpendicular to the axis of rotation, at a different position from the first cross-section in the direction of the axis of rotation. The second cross-section is closer to the main body than the first cross-section in the direction of the rotation axis. The container according to claim 6.

8. The fixing portion is positioned at a location further from the rotation axis than the outer surface of the main body, with respect to the radial direction of a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The aforementioned housing portion has a first rigidity, An intermediate member having a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity, further comprising an intermediate member connecting the housing portion and the tip portion so that the housing portion and the tip portion are in communication with each other, The intermediate member has an extension that extends away from the axis of rotation in the radial direction of a virtual circle centered on the axis of rotation, The fixed portion is positioned such that, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, at least a part of it overlaps the extended portion. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The aforementioned storage section has a bag shape with one end open. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The aforementioned housing is made of polypropylene and is flexible. The container according to feature 10.

12. The shielding member is configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis relative to the discharge section between a shielding position that shields the discharge port and an open position that opens the discharge port. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The shielding member has an outer surface extending along the axis of rotation and at least a portion of which is enclosed by the main body of the cap, and a flange portion extending from the outer surface in the radial direction of a virtual circle centered on the axis of rotation and away from the axis of rotation. The flange portion has a fixed portion to which the fixing portion of the cap is fixed. The container according to feature 12.

14. The fixing portion has a first engaging portion extending along the axis of rotation, The fixed portion extends along the axis of rotation and has a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion. The container according to feature 13.

15. The flange portion has a surface extending in the radial direction, The fixed portion has a flat portion that is positioned recessed from the surface in the direction of the rotation axis and contacts the fixed portion, and a groove formed in the flat portion. The groove and the fixing portion constitute a flow path for the adhesive when the fixing portion is in contact with the flat surface. The container according to feature 14.

16. The groove is formed along the entire length of the planar portion with respect to the circumferential direction of a virtual circle centered on the axis of rotation. The container according to feature 15.

17. The second engaging portion is a projection that protrudes from the flat portion along the axis of rotation, At least a portion of the groove is formed along the periphery of the projection. The container according to feature 15 or 16.

18. The fixed portion has a storage portion formed continuously with the groove portion and capable of storing adhesive. The container according to any one of claims 16 or 17.

19. The groove has one end connected to the storage section and another end provided on the opposite side of the first end with respect to the circumferential direction of a virtual circle centered on the axis of rotation. The other end is exposed to the outside with the fixing portion in contact with the flat surface. The container according to feature 18.

20. The aforementioned flow path is configured such that the adhesive injected into the groove flows through it by capillary action. The container according to any one of claims 15 to 19.

21. The fixed portion is provided within a region where the inscribed angle around the rotation axis is 90 degrees, as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. The container according to any one of claims 13 to 20.

22. The shielding member has an opening that is provided to open the discharge port when it is in the open position, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, if the line passing through one edge of the opening and the rotation axis is defined as the first straight line in the circumferential direction of a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis, and the line passing through the other edge of the opening and the rotation axis is defined as the second straight line, The fixing portion is positioned in the region between the first straight line and the second straight line, and including the opening, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. The container according to any one of claims 12 to 21.

23. The main body of the cap is configured in a cylindrical shape extending in the direction of the axis of rotation, and has an opening at one end. The aforementioned fixing part is connected to the opening. The container according to any one of claims 12 to 22.

24. The shielding member is rotatable in a first rotational direction from the shielding position to the open position about the axis of rotation, and in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The discharge section has a first restricting section that restricts the shielding member located in the shielding position from rotating in the second rotational direction, The main body is attached to the shielding member and is configured to be removed from the shielding member by rotating in a second rotational direction about the rotation axis relative to the shielding member. The container according to any one of claims 12 to 23.

25. The discharge unit has a second restricting unit that is movable between a restricting position that restricts the shielding member located in the shielding position from rotating in the first rotational direction, and an unrestricted position that does not restrict the rotation of the shielding member. The container according to feature 24.

26. The second restricting portion moves from the restricted position to the unrestricted position when the container is mounted on the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus and is pressed by the mounting portion. The container according to feature 25.

27. The shielding member has a fixed portion to which the fixing portion of the cap is fixed. The container according to feature 12.

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