Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide one form of an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developer carrier, a discharger, a stacking tray including a stacking surface on which a recording material is stacked, a supply port, a cover configured to be movable between a closed position where the cover covers the supply port and an open position where the supply port is exposed, and a predetermined surface provided on a back surface of the cover or a predetermined surface facing the back surface of the cover together with the supply port in a state where the cover is at the closed position. And an information display portion on which information on a procedure for supplying the developer from the supply container to the developing container is displayed, wherein the supply port and the information display portion are each provided within a region of the stacking surface in a width direction of the recording material parallel to the stacking surface and orthogonal to a discharge direction of the recording material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 24

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material.

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 developer 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 developer is exhausted.

[0003] On the other hand, the toner replenishment system is a system that newly replenishes toner into the developing container when the toner is exhausted. Conventionally, a one-component developing device of a toner replenishment system in which a toner supply box capable of replenishing toner is connected to a toner conveyance path through which toner is conveyed has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). The toner stored in the toner supply box is conveyed to the toner conveyance path by a conveying screw.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide one embodiment of an image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a main body including (1) a transfer roller for transferring a developer image onto a recording material, (2) an ejection roller, (3) an ejection tray having a first surface and a second surface on which the recording material ejected by the ejection roller is loaded and movable between an open position and a closed position, and (4) a sheet disposed on the second surface for displaying operation information; a process unit comprising a photoreceptor capable of forming an electrostatic latent image, a storage section capable of storing a developer, and a developing roller for supplying the developer stored in the storage section to the photoreceptor; and a container for storing a developer that is detachable from the process unit located on the main body. The device comprises a toner container, the discharge roller discharges the recording material onto which the developer image has been transferred by the transfer roller to the outside of the main body, the open position is a position that allows the toner container to be mounted on the process unit located in the main body, the closed position is a position that restricts the mounting of the toner container to the process unit located in the main body, the operation information is information indicating an operation to move the toner container away from the main body, and the sheet is exposed to the outside of the main body when the discharge tray moves from the closed position to the open position. Furthermore, if the direction in which the discharge roller intersects both the discharge direction of the recording material and the vertical direction is defined as the intersecting direction, and the state of the toner container when it is mounted on the process unit arranged in the main body is defined as the mounted state, then when the toner container is in the mounted state and the discharge tray is in the open position, at least a portion of the sheet is in the same position as the toner container in the intersecting direction. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, one form of an image forming apparatus can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] (a) Perspective view showing the toner pack, (b) Perspective view showing the toner pack. [Figure 4] An exploded perspective view showing the toner pack. [Figure 5] An exploded perspective view showing the toner pack. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the inner ring component and the supply base. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing the outer ring member and the supply base. [Figure 8] (a) Perspective view showing the rotating container unit of the toner pack, (b) Perspective view showing the rotating container unit. [Figure 9] (a) Exploded perspective view showing the shutter member and sealing member, (b) Perspective view showing the shutter member and sealing member. [Figure 10] (a) Cross-sectional view showing the toner pack in a shielded state, (b) Cross-sectional view showing the toner pack in an open state. [Figure 11] (a) Perspective view showing the toner pack in a shielded state, (b) Perspective view showing the toner pack in an open state. [Figure 12] (a) Perspective view showing the toner receiving section in a shielded state, (b) Perspective view showing the toner receiving section in an open state. [Figure 13] (a) Perspective view showing the toner receiving section in a shielded state, (b) Perspective view showing the toner receiving section in an open state. [Figure 14] An exploded perspective view showing the toner receiving section. [Figure 15] An exploded perspective view showing the toner receiving section. [Figure 16] (a) Exploded perspective view showing the cylindrical section and base seal, (b) Perspective view showing the cylindrical section and base seal. [Figure 17] (a) Exploded perspective view showing the shutter member and shutter sheet, (b) Perspective view showing the shutter member and shutter sheet. [Figure 18] An exploded perspective view showing the cylindrical section and shutter member. [Figure 19] (a) Cross-sectional view showing the toner receiving section in a shielded state, (b) Cross-sectional view showing the toner receiving section in an open state. [Figure 20] (a) Perspective view showing the toner receiving section and toner pack in a shielded state, (b) Perspective view showing the toner receiving section and toner pack in an open state. [Figure 21](a) A cross-sectional view showing a state before the developing container and the toner pack are mounted, (b) A cross-sectional view showing a state where the toner pack is mounted on the developing container, (c) A cross-sectional view showing a state where the replenishment base is rotated by a predetermined angle from the state shown in Fig.21(b). [Figure 22] (a) A cross-sectional view showing a state where the toner supply port and the toner discharge port are opened, (b) A cross-sectional view showing a state where the replenishment base is rotated by a predetermined angle from the state shown in Fig.22(a). [Figure 23] (a) A cross-sectional view showing a state where the replenishment base is rotated by a predetermined angle from the state shown in Fig.22(b), (b) A cross-sectional view showing a state where the toner supply port and the toner discharge port are shielded. [Figure 24] A perspective view showing the position of the instruction sheet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 25] A diagram showing the recorded content of the instruction sheet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 26] A front view showing the position of the instruction sheet according to the first embodiment. [Figure 27] A perspective view showing the position of the instruction sheet according to the second embodiment. [Figure 28] A front view showing the position of the instruction sheet according to the second embodiment. [Figure 29] A perspective view showing the position of the instruction sheet according to the third embodiment. [Figure 30] A front perspective view showing the position of the instruction sheet according to the third embodiment. [Figure 31] A front perspective view showing the positions of the instruction sheets according to the first and second modified examples. [Figure 32] A diagram showing the recorded content of the instruction sheet according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 33] (a) An exploded perspective view showing the shutter member and the toner pack, (b) A perspective view showing the shutter member and the toner pack. [Figure 34] An enlarged perspective view showing the shutter member. [Figure 35] A perspective view showing an image forming apparatus in another embodiment. [Figure 36] A top view and a side view showing the configuration to prevent forgetting to close the cover. [Figure 37] Top and side views showing other configurations to prevent forgetting to close the cover. [Figure 38] A perspective view showing the configuration of a seal indicating the target position for lever movement. [Figure 39] A perspective view showing the configuration of the guide groove for lever movement. [Figure 40] A perspective view showing the configuration in which the entire exterior surface is formed by ribs on the cover. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <First Example> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome printer that forms an image on a recording material based on image information input from an external device. The recording material 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. Figure 1 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 21, which will be described later. The vertical direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left-right direction is parallel to the horizontal direction. The rotation axes of the developing roller 31, the discharge roller pair 80, the registration roller pair 15, and the cover 83, which will be described later, are parallel to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0012] [Overall structure] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a printer body 100 as the main body of the apparatus, and an operating unit 300 attached to the exterior surface of the printer body 100. The printer body 100 includes an image forming unit 10 for forming a toner image on a recording material (sheet) P, 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. The printer body 100 also includes a control unit 360 for controlling the image forming operation on the recording material P by the image forming unit 10.

[0013] The image forming unit 10 includes a scanner unit (not shown), an electrophotographic process cartridge 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 to a recording material. The process cartridge 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, as an image carrier, is 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 before it enters the charged area in order to generate a stable discharge in the charged area.

[0016] The scanner unit (not shown), acting as an exposure means, 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 using a polygon mirror. This exposure forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 corresponding to the image information. The scanner unit 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 as a developer carrier that holds the developer, a developing container 32 which forms the frame of 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 developer contained in the developing container 32, is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that the supply roller 33 is not necessarily required if a configuration is in place that can supply sufficient toner to the developing roller 31.

[0018] The developing apparatus 30 in 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 area) 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 area 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 used 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 is a so-called non-magnetic one-component developer in which the toner is supported on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (mirror image forces). 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 storage section 36 for storing toner supplied from a toner pack 40 (described later), and a stirring member 34 positioned inside the storage section 36 as a stirring means. The stirring member 34 rotates, driven by a motor (not shown), to stir the toner in the developing container 32 and to feed the toner towards the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. The stirring member 34 also plays a role in circulating toner that has not been 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 stirring member 34 is not limited to a rotating form. For example, a stirring member in an oscillating form 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 Figure 1, the feeding unit 60 includes a front door 61 that is openably and closably supported by the printer body 100, a tray section 62, and a vertically movable 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. The front door 61 closes the recording material storage space when it is closed relative to the printer body 100, and supports the recording material P together with the tray section 62 when it is open relative to the printer body 100.

[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 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. A scanner unit (not shown) 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 and the tray unit 62. 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, which acts as a transfer means, 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 melts the toner particles, and then they solidify, fixing the toner image to the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing unit 70 is discharged in the discharge direction DD by the discharge roller pair 80, which acts as a discharge means. The recording material P is then discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside the machine) through the discharge port 85 for discharging the recording material outside the machine, and is loaded onto the discharge tray 81 (loading tray) located on top of the printer body 100.

[0027] The discharge tray 81 is inclined upward toward the downstream direction DD of the recording material, and the recording material P discharged into the discharge tray 81 slides down the discharge tray 81, with its rear end aligned with the regulating surface 84. The discharge port 85 is an opening formed in the regulating surface 84 and has a width in the width direction WD perpendicular to the discharge direction DD that is sufficient to allow the maximum width of recording material that the image forming apparatus 1 can transport to pass through. In the following, the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-and-down directions are defined based on the state with the operating section 300 facing forward.

[0028] As described above, the recording material P discharged from the discharge port 85 to the outside of the housing 100a is loaded onto the discharge tray 81. The housing 100a of the printer body 100 houses a developing container 32 having a storage section 36 and is equipped with a discharge port 85. In this embodiment, the housing 100a houses a photosensitive drum 21, a developing device 30, a fixing unit 70, a pair of registration rollers 15, etc. A top surface 200 is fixed to the upper part of the housing 100a in the vertical direction, and the discharge tray 81 is positioned on it. The top surface 200 is fixed so as not to move relative to the housing 100a.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 1 has a toner receiving section (mounting section) 600 equipped with a replenishment port (mounting opening) 32a. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the toner receiving section 600 is provided in the developing container 32. A portion of the toner pack 40 is inserted into the replenishment port 32a of the toner receiving section 600, and after a predetermined operation is performed, toner is allowed to be replenished from the toner pack 40 to the storage section 36. Note that the toner receiving section 600 does not necessarily have to be provided in the developing container 32, but may also be provided in the housing 100a of the printer body 100.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2(a), the discharge tray 81 is equipped with an openable and closable cover 83. The cover 83 is configured to be movable relative to the housing 100a and the top surface 200. Specifically, the cover 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position that covers the supply port 32a and an open position that exposes the supply port 32a to the outside of the housing 100a. In Figure 1, the cover 83 drawn with a solid line indicates the cover 83 in the open position, and the cover 83 drawn with a dashed line indicates the cover 83 in the closed position. The cover 83 in the closed position constitutes at least a part of the loading surface on which the recording material P discharged from the discharge port 85 is loaded.

[0031] In this embodiment, the discharge tray 81 is equipped with a loading section 87 for loading the recording material P discharged from the discharge port 85 together with the cover 83. The loading section 87 is configured not to move relative to the housing 100a or the top surface 200 and constitutes a part of the loading surface. However, the loading section 87 may be omitted, and the entire loading surface of the discharge tray 81 on which the recording material P is loaded may be composed of the cover 83. Here, the loading surface is the surface that actually contacts the recording material P and supports the recording material P.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2(b), when the cover 83 is opened, the back surface 83a of the cover, the top wall 93, and the replenishment port 32a are exposed to the outside. The top wall 93 is for protecting the developing container 32 from above, and the replenishment port 32a is for attaching the toner pack 40 and replenishing the developer into the developing container 32.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2(b), when the toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishment port 32a of the toner receiving section 600, a portion of the toner pack 40 protrudes outward from the housing 100a, restricting the movement of the cover 83 to the closed position. The image forming apparatus 1 is restricted from performing image forming operations when the toner pack 40 is attached. When performing image forming operations using the image forming apparatus 1, it is necessary to remove the toner pack 40 and move the cover 83 to the closed position.

[0034] In this embodiment, the cover 83 and the upper wall 93 are formed across the entire width of the discharge tray 81 in the width direction WD of the recording material P, which is parallel to the loading surface and perpendicular to the discharge direction DD of the recording material P. In other words, in the width direction WD, the width of the discharge tray 81 (the width of the portion for supporting the recording material P) is equal to the width of the cover 83.

[0035] An opening is formed in the upper wall 93, and the toner receiving section 600 is exposed to the outside of the housing 100a. When the cover 83 is in the closed position, the replenishment port 32a of the toner receiving section 600 and the upper wall 93 are covered by the cover 83. At this time, the replenishment port 32a and the upper wall 93 face the back surface 83a of the cover. When the cover 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 40 filled with replenishment toner to the developing device 30 while the developing device 30 is still attached to the image forming apparatus 1 (direct replenishment method).

[0036] Therefore, when the toner level in the process cartridge 20 becomes low, it is no longer necessary to remove the process cartridge 20 from the printer body 100 and replace it with a new process cartridge, thus improving usability. In addition, toner can be replenished in the developing container 32 at a lower cost than replacing the entire process cartridge 20. Furthermore, the direct replenishment method is more cost-effective than replacing only the developing device 30 of the process cartridge 20, as it does not require the replacement of various rollers, gears, etc. The image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 40 constitute the image forming system 1000. The process cartridge 20 may be configured to be removable from the printer body 100.

[0037] [Collection of leftover toner] This embodiment employs a cleanerless configuration in which residual toner that remains on the photosensitive drum 21 without being transferred to the recording material P is collected in the developing unit 30 and reused. The residual toner is removed in the following steps. The residual toner contains a mixture of positively charged toner and negatively charged toner that does not have sufficient charge. The photosensitive drum 21 after transfer is discharged by the pre-exposure unit 23, and a uniform discharge is generated by the charging roller 22, causing the residual toner to be negatively charged again. The residual toner, which has been negatively charged again in the charging section, reaches the developing section as the photosensitive drum 21 rotates. The surface area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21 that has passed through the charging section is then exposed by the scanner unit with the residual toner still attached to the surface, and an electrostatic latent image is written.

[0038] Here, the behavior of the transfer residue toner that reaches the developing section will be explained separately for the exposed and unexposed sections of the photosensitive drum 21. The transfer residue toner adhering to the unexposed section of the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the developing roller 31 in the developing section due to the potential difference between the potential of the unexposed section (dark area potential) and the developing voltage, and is collected in the developing container 32. This is because, assuming that the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 is positive relative to the potential of the unexposed section. The toner collected in the developing container 32 is then mixed and dispersed with the toner in the developing container by the stirring member 34, and is then carried on the developing roller 31 for use in the developing process again.

[0039] On the other hand, the residual toner adhering to the exposure area of ​​the photosensitive drum 21 remains on the drum surface without being transferred from the photosensitive drum 21 to the developing roller 31 in the developing section. This is because, assuming that the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 is at a potential that is even more negative than the potential of the exposure area (bright area potential). The residual toner remaining on the drum surface, along with other toner transferred from the developing roller 31 to the exposure area, is carried on the photosensitive drum 21 and moves to the transfer section, where it is transferred to the recording material S.

[0040] As described above, this embodiment employs a cleanerless configuration in which the transfer residue toner is collected and reused in the developing unit 30. However, a conventional configuration in which the transfer residue toner is collected using a cleaning blade that contacts the photosensitive drum 21 may also be used. In that case, the transfer residue toner collected by the cleaning blade is collected in a collection container installed separately from the developing unit 30. However, by adopting a cleanerless configuration, the installation space for a collection container for collecting the transfer residue toner, etc., is not required, making it possible to further miniaturize the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, printing costs can be reduced by reusing the transfer residue toner.

[0041] [Toner Pack Configuration] Next, the configuration of the toner pack 40, which is detachable from the image forming apparatus 1 and serves as a replenishment container for toner, will be described. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the toner pack 40 has a shutter member 41, a sealing member 504, a replenishment base 501, an outer ring member 510, an inner ring member 511, and a pouch 503, and these members are assembled together to form the toner pack 40. The pouch 503 is a flexible container for containing toner. The rotation axis z shown by a dashed line in Figures 3 to 5 is the rotation center line of the toner pack 40.

[0042] The replenishment base 501, which serves as the container base, has an outer periphery 501b as a side surface extending along an axial direction D1 parallel to the rotation axis z, and a toner discharge port 501r formed on the outer periphery 501b. The replenishment base 501 also has a recess 501f recessed radially inward relative to the outer periphery 501b, and protrusions 501y, 501y projecting radially outward from the outer periphery 501b. The toner discharge port 501r is a through hole leading to the pouch 503. The protrusions 501y, 501y are arranged with a 180-degree phase difference from each other.

[0043] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the outer ring member 510 is a resin member whose outer circumferential surface is formed in a substantially hexagonal shape, and the outer ring member 510 has engaging portions 510y, 510y formed on it that can engage with the protrusions 501y, 501y of the replenishment base 501. The outer ring member 510 is positioned to cover the inner ring member 511 and forms the outermost shape of the toner pack 40 so as to function as a handle when gripping the toner pack 40. In other words, since the outer ring member 510 is operated at a position further radially away from the rotation axis z, the force required when the user operates the outer ring member 510 can be reduced, improving usability.

[0044] The inner ring member 511, acting as a support member, is a resin member whose outer surface is formed in a substantially hexagonal shape, similar to the outer ring member 510, and is coupled to the opening 503a of the pouch 503 (see Figure 10(a)). This allows the pouch 503 to be supported so that the opening 503a remains open. The inner ring member 511 is then fixed to the replenishment base 501 so that the opening 503a and the toner discharge port 501r are connected, as will be described later. The coupling between the inner ring member 511 and the pouch 503 can be by any method, such as using various adhesives like hot melt, or by heat welding the pouch 503 to the inner ring member 511. The outer surface of the outer ring member 510 is preferably a polygon or other shape that prevents slippage when the user grasps and rotates it.

[0045] Furthermore, the inner ring member 511 has recesses 511y, 511y into which the protrusions 501y, 501y can engage. The recesses 511y, 511y have a groove shape through which the protrusions 501y, 501y can pass, and the engaging portions 510y, 510y have a rib shape that surrounds the protrusions 501y, 501y.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, the inner ring member 511 is assembled to the supply base 501 such that the protrusion 501y and the recess 511y engage with each other. Then, as shown in Figure 7, the outer ring member 510 is assembled such that the protrusion 501y and the engaging portion 510y engage with each other. As a result, the outer ring member 510 and the inner ring member 511 are supported by the supply base 501 such that their relative rotation with respect to the supply base 501 is restricted.

[0047] Furthermore, the protrusion 501y is coupled to the recess 511y and the engaging portion 510y in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis z and in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. For example, the protrusion 501y may be press-fitted into the recess 511y and the engaging portion 510y, or it may be coupled using welding or adhesive. As a result, the replenishment base 501, the outer ring member 510, the inner ring member 511 and the pouch 503 are integrally coupled as shown in Figures 8(a) and (b). The outer ring member 510 is a cylindrical member having an outer circumferential surface 510d located further from the rotation axis z than the replenishment base 501 in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. The inner ring member 511 is fixed to the replenishment base 501 inside the outer ring member 510.

[0048] Hereinafter, the integrally coupled supply base 501, outer ring member 510, inner ring member 511, and pouch 503 are referred to as the rotating container unit 401, and the integrally coupled shutter member 41 and sealing member 504, as described later, are referred to as the container shutter unit 402. That is, as shown in Figure 5, the toner pack 40 includes the container shutter unit 402 and the rotating container unit 401 which is rotatable relative to the container shutter unit 402. As shown in Figure 8(a), the rotating container unit 401 is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the container shutter unit 402 about the rotation axis z, in the z1 direction and in the z2 direction opposite to the z1 direction.

[0049] As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the shutter member 41, which serves as a container shutter, is made of a substantially cylindrical resin member, and the shutter member 41 has a notch 41f and grooves 41g and 41h formed therein. The notch 41f and groove 41g are formed on the outer circumference of the shutter member 41, and the groove 41h is formed on the bottom surface of the shutter member 41. The notch 41f is substantially rectangular, and the groove 41g is formed to extend circumferentially over a portion of the circumferential direction of the shutter member 41 (approximately 90°). The groove 41h is also formed on the bottom surface to extend circumferentially over a portion of the circumferential direction of the shutter member 41 (approximately 90°).

[0050] The sealing member 504 is made of a material such as elastically deformable foamed urethane or nonwoven fabric and is fixed to the inner surface of the shutter member 41 with double-sided tape or the like. More specifically, the sealing member 504 is positioned at a different location from the notch 41f of the shutter member 41. That is, the sealing member 504 and the shutter member 41 are integrally connected to each other, forming a container shutter unit 402. As a result, the container shutter unit 402 can suppress toner leakage at the interface between the sealing member 504 and the shutter member 41.

[0051] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, when assembling the rotating container unit 401 to the container shutter unit 402, the rib 501x ​​protruding from the outer circumference 501b of the supply base 501 is aligned with the recess 41x formed in the shutter member 41. The assembled state with the rib 501x ​​passing through the recess 41x is shown in Figure 10(a). At this time, the cylindrical portion 41c of the shutter member 41 is inserted into the groove-shaped inner diameter portion 501e formed at the end of the supply base 501. The inner diameter portion 501e and the cylindrical portion 41c are cylindrical grooves and projections, respectively, that are concentric with the rotation axis z. Therefore, when the cylindrical portion 41c (annular rib) is inserted into the inner diameter portion 501e (annular groove), the supply base 501 is guided to rotate around the rotation axis z relative to the shutter member 41.

[0052] Furthermore, the replenishment base 501 is provided with a hole 501k located radially inward of the inner diameter portion 501e (see Figure 6). The shutter member 41 is provided with a mounting portion 41d (see Figure 9(a)) that is inserted into the hole 501k. The mounting portion 41d has an engaging portion 41k that opens towards the front end of the toner pack 40, and the engaging portion 41k defines a hole with a two-sided shape. For this reason, the mounting portion 41d has a two-sided convex shape to match the shape of the engaging portion 41k. The outermost diameter of the mounting portion 41d is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the hole 501k, and the mounting portion 41d can rotate freely inside the hole 501k.

[0053] Furthermore, multiple (four in this embodiment) ribs 510b extending in the axial direction D1 are formed on the end face 510x of the outer ring member 510 on the shutter member 41 side. As shown in Figure 10(b), the base end 41b of the shutter member 41 is surrounded by the end face 510x and the ribs 501x, restricting movement in the axial direction D1 and the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. As a result, the rotating container unit 401 including the replenishment base 501 is mounted to the container shutter unit 402 including the shutter member 41 so that it can rotate relative to the rotation axis z and so that movement in the axial direction D1 and the radial direction is restricted.

[0054] The sealing member 504, fixed to the shutter member 41, has a sliding surface 504b that slides against the outer periphery 501b of the replenishment base 501. The sealing member 504 is pressed and deformed by the outer periphery 501b in the direction approaching the shutter member 41, i.e., outward in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction, generating surface pressure between the outer periphery 501b and the sliding surface 504b. This suppresses toner leakage at the interface between the sealing member 504 and the replenishment base 501.

[0055] More specifically, when viewed in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis z, the supply base 501 and the shutter member 41 are cylindrical members. The supply base 501 is configured to rotate inside the shutter member 41 along the inner circumferential surface 41j of the shutter member 41 about the rotation axis z.

[0056] Figures 10(a) and 11(a) show the state in which the toner outlet 501r formed in the replenishment base 501 is shielded by the shutter member 41 and the sealing member 504. At this time, the toner contained in the pouch 503 can move to the toner outlet 501r by passing through the opening 503a of the pouch 503, the inner space of the inner ring member 511, the opening 501a of the replenishment base 501, and the inner space of the replenishment base 501. However, since the toner outlet 501r is shielded by the shutter member 41 and the sealing member 504, the toner contained in the pouch 503 is sealed so that it does not leak out to the outside when the toner pack 40 is in its standalone state. The opening 503a of the pouch 503 is provided at one end in the axial direction D1 of the pouch 503.

[0057] Figures 10(b) and 11(b) show the state in which the toner discharge port 501r formed in the replenishment base 501 is open and not obstructed by the shutter member 41 and the sealing member 504. At this time, the toner discharge port 501r is positioned facing the notch 41f of the shutter member 41, and the toner contained in the pouch 503 can be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40 through the toner discharge port 501r and the notch 41f.

[0058] For example, the state of the toner pack 40 shown in Figure 11(a) is the shielded state, and the state of the toner pack 40 shown in Figure 11(b) is the open state. In this case, the toner pack 40 will be in the open state when the rotating container unit 401 is rotated approximately 90° around the rotation axis z in the direction of arrow z1 from the shielded state. Also, the toner pack 40 will be in the shielded state when the rotating container unit 401 is rotated approximately 90° around the rotation axis z in the direction of arrow z2 from the open state. Note that the degree to which the rotating container unit 401 is rotated to transition the toner pack 40 between the open and shielded states can be freely set.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11(a), the positions of the replenishment base 501 when the toner pack 40 is in a shielded state are defined as the shielded position and the first shielded position, and as shown in Figure 11(b), the positions of the replenishment base 501 when the toner pack 40 is in an open state are defined as the open position and the first open position.

[0060] In the shielded position, the toner outlet 501r of the replenishment base 501 is shielded by the shutter member 41. In the open position, the toner outlet 501r of the replenishment base 501 is opened by the shutter member 41 so that the toner from the pouch 503 is discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40 through the toner outlet 501r.

[0061] After the user installs the toner pack 40 into the developing container 32, they grasp the outer circumferential surface of the outer ring member 510 and rotate the outer ring member 510 in the direction of arrow z1 around the rotation axis z. As a result, the replenishment base 501 also rotates in the direction of arrow z1 around the rotation axis z, and the toner discharge port 501r of the replenishment base 501 is exposed through the notch 41f. Consequently, the toner pack 40 moves from a shielded state to an open state, making it possible to discharge the toner in the pouch 503 to the outside of the toner pack 40. Here, the axial direction D1 parallel to the rotation axis z is the direction along the vertical, and the mounting direction of the toner pack 40 to the image forming apparatus 1 is the direction along the axial direction D1. That is, the toner pack 40 is configured to be mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 such that the axial direction D, which is the direction of the rotation axis z, is the direction along the vertical.

[0062] The material of pouch 503 is composed of resin sheets such as PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or composite materials thereof, as well as nonwoven fabrics, paper, and composite materials of these materials with resins. If pouch 503 is made of a material that can be elastically deformed by the user, the toner inside pouch 503 can be easily ejected by the user pressing or squeezing pouch 503 with their fingers.

[0063] Once the user has finished discharging the toner from the pouch 503 into the developing container 32, they grasp the outer circumferential surface 510d of the outer ring member 510 and rotate the outer ring member 510 in the direction of arrow z2 around the rotation axis z. As a result, the replenishment base 501 also rotates in the direction of arrow z2 around the rotation axis z, and the toner discharge port 501r of the replenishment base 501 is shielded by the shutter member 41 and the sealing member 504. Consequently, the toner pack 40 changes from an open state to a shielded state, making it possible to remove the toner pack 40 from the developing container 32.

[0064] [Toner receiving section of the developing container] Next, the toner receiving section 600 provided in the developing container 32 will be described. As shown in Figures 12 to 15, the toner receiving section 600 includes a receiving base unit 602 and a receiving shutter unit 601 that is rotatably supported by the receiving base unit 602 around a rotation axis z.

[0065] Figures 12(a) and 13(a) show the state in which the toner supply port 32r leading to the storage section 36 is shielded, while Figures 12(b) and 13(b) show the state in which the toner supply port 32r is open. Hereinafter, the state in which the toner receiving section 600 is shielded, as shown in Figures 12(a) and 13(a), will be referred to as the shielded state, and the state in which the toner receiving section 600 is open, as shown in Figures 12(b) and 13(b), will be referred to as the open state.

[0066] The receiving base unit 602 includes a cylindrical portion 32g as a roughly cylindrical main body base, a base seal 506, and a shutter retaining member 512. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 32g is integrally formed with the developing container 32 (see Figure 1(a)), but is not limited to this. For example, the cylindrical portion 32g may be made of a separate component from the developing container 32 and fixed to the developing container 32. Alternatively, the cylindrical portion 32g may be provided on a part of the printer body 100 other than the developing container 32, and toner may be supplied to the developing container 32 via the cylindrical portion 32g.

[0067] The cylindrical portion 32g has a supply port 32a for supplying toner from the toner pack 40 to the housing portion 36 of the developing container 32 (see Figure 1(a)), an outer peripheral portion 32b as a side surface extending along the axial direction D1, and a toner supply port 32r formed on the outer peripheral portion 32b. The cylindrical portion 32g also has an engaging portion 32e that protrudes upward in the axial direction D1 from its bottom surface 32h (see Figure 19(a)). The engaging portion 32e engages with the engaged portion 41k of the shutter member 41, as will be described later. That is, the engaging portion 32e has a double-chamfered boss shape corresponding to the double-chamfered hole shape of the engaged portion 41k.

[0068] Furthermore, the engaging portion 32e is press-fitted into the hole 512e of the shutter retaining member 512. For this reason, the hole 512e has a two-sided chamfered shape, similar to the engaging portion 32e. The shutter retaining member 512 is attached to the engaging portion 32e of the cylindrical portion 32g after the shutter member 507 of the receiving shutter unit 601 has been assembled to the cylindrical portion 32g. In this embodiment, the shutter retaining member 512 is fixed by press-fitting into the engaging portion 32e of the cylindrical portion 32g, but this is not the only way. For example, the shutter retaining member 512 may be fixed to the cylindrical portion 32g by welding, adhesive, or other methods.

[0069] As shown in Figures 16(a) and 16(b), the base seal 506 is made of a material such as elastically deformable foamed urethane or nonwoven fabric and is fixed to the cylindrical part 32g with double-sided tape or the like. This allows the base seal 506 to suppress toner leakage at the interface between the base seal 506 and the cylindrical part 32g. In addition, the base seal 506 is provided with an opening 506a at a position corresponding to the toner supply port 32r, and toner that passes through the opening 506a is supplied to the housing part 36 of the developing container 32 (see Figure 1(a)) through the toner supply port 32r.

[0070] As shown in Figures 12(a) to 15 and 17, the receiving shutter unit 601 includes a shutter member 507 and a shutter sheet 505. The developing container 32 (see Figure 1(a)) includes a housing section 36, a cylindrical section 32g, and the shutter member 507, and also rotatably supports the developing roller 31. The toner pack 40 is configured to be mounted in the developing container 32.

[0071] The shutter member 507 has an inner diameter portion 507h, an outer diameter portion 507k, and a protrusion 507e connecting the inner diameter portion 507h and the outer diameter portion 507k. The protrusion 507e protrudes radially inward from the outer diameter portion 507k and, as shown in Figure 13, has a substantially fan-shaped horizontal portion 507x and a rising portion 507s extending in the axial direction D1. The horizontal portion 507x is configured to pass through the groove portion 41g (see 9(a)) of the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40. The rising portion 507s is also configured to pass through the groove portion 41h (see 9(a)) of the shutter member 41.

[0072] As shown in Figures 17(a) and 17(b), a shutter sheet 505 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the rising portion 507s with double-sided tape or the like. The shutter sheet 505 is a film with a thickness of approximately 100 [μm], and is positioned so that its leading edge 505a protrudes from the edge portion 507a of the rising portion 507s. The sliding surface 505k of the shutter sheet 505 is configured to slide against the sliding surface 506d of the base seal 506 (see Figure 16(a)).

[0073] The outer diameter portion 507k of the shutter member 507 has grooves 507p, 507p formed therein, into which the ribs 510b (see Figure 8(a)) formed on the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 can engage. These grooves 507p, 507p are arranged facing each other in the radial direction and are formed to extend circumferentially over a certain range (approximately 90°) of the outer diameter portion 507k. As a result, the upper part of the outer diameter portion 507k is divided into four sections by the grooves 507p, 507p, and the four ribs 510b of the outer ring member 510 engage with these four sections. This configures the toner pack 40 to be rotatable only within a range of approximately 90° when mounted in the toner receiving section 600. Therefore, when replenishing toner from the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32, the range in which the rotating container unit 401 of the toner pack 40 is rotated becomes clear, improving usability.

[0074] As shown in Figure 18, a guide groove 507c is formed in the inner diameter portion 507h of the shutter member 507, and a guide rib 32k of the cylindrical portion 32g is inserted into the guide groove 507c. As shown in Figures 18(a) to 19(b), the guide groove 507c and the guide rib 32k are cylindrical grooves and projections, respectively, that are concentric with the axis of rotation z. Therefore, by inserting the guide rib 32k into the guide groove 507c, the shutter member 507 is guided to rotate around the axis of rotation z relative to the cylindrical portion 32g.

[0075] Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface 507d of the shutter member 507 is provided so as to be able to slide against the rib 32m of the cylindrical portion 32g. In this way, the shutter member 507 is supported so as to be able to rotate with respect to the cylindrical portion 32g about the rotation axis z.

[0076] Furthermore, a hole 507q is formed in the inner diameter portion 507h of the shutter member 507, positioned radially inward from the guide groove portion 507c. The engaging portion 32e passes through the hole 507q, but the outer diameter of the hole 507q is set to be larger than the outermost diameter of the engaging portion 32e, allowing the shutter member 507 to rotate freely without interfering with the engaging portion 32e.

[0077] Then, after the shutter member 507 is assembled to the cylindrical portion 32g, the shutter retaining member 512 is press-fitted into the engaging portion 32e. As a result, the rib 507j of the shutter member 507 is sandwiched between the bottom surface 32h of the cylindrical portion 32g and the shutter retaining member 512 in the axial direction D1. Consequently, the movement of the shutter member 507 in the axial direction D1 is restricted. In other words, the receiving shutter unit 601, including the shutter member 507, is mounted to the receiving base unit 602, including the cylindrical portion 32g and the shutter retaining member 512, so that it can rotate relative to the rotation axis z and cannot move in the axial direction D1 or radial direction.

[0078] The base seal 506, fixed to the cylindrical portion 32g, is pressed and deformed by the shutter sheet 505, fixed to the shutter member 507, in the direction approaching the cylindrical portion 32g, i.e., outward in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1. This generates surface pressure between the sliding surface 506d of the base seal 506 and the sliding surface 505k of the shutter sheet 505 (see Figure 17(a)). Therefore, even when the developing container 32 is alone and toner is contained within the developing container 32, toner leakage at the interface between the base seal 506 and the shutter sheet 505 can be suppressed.

[0079] [Connection between the toner pack and the cylindrical part of the developing container] Next, the coupling and detachment operations between the toner pack 40 and the developing container 32, and the opening and closing operations of the toner discharge port 501r and the toner supply port 32r will be described. Figures 3(a) and 11(a) show the shielded state of the toner pack 40, where the toner discharge port 501r is shielded by a sealing member 504 attached to the shutter member 41. Figures 12(a) and 13(a) show the shielded state of the toner receiving section 600, where the toner supply port 32r is shielded by a shutter sheet 505 attached to the shutter member 507.

[0080] Normally, when replenishing toner to the developing container 32 begins, both the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving section 600 are in a shielded state. In other words, when the replenishment base 501 is in the first shielded position, the toner discharge port 501r is in a position that does not overlap with the toner supply port 32r of the cylindrical section 32g when viewed from the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1, and the shutter member 507 is in the second shielded position.

[0081] Then, as shown in Figure 20(a), the user fits the toner pack 40 into the toner receiving section 600. At this time, the engaged portion 41k (see Figure 3(a)) formed on the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 engages with the engaged portion 32e formed on the cylindrical portion 32g of the toner receiving section 600.

[0082] The engaged portion 41k and the engaging portion 32e each have a two-chamfered shape, and because they engage with each other, the shutter member 41 is mounted to the cylindrical portion 32g so as not to rotate around the rotation axis z. In other words, when the toner pack 40 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1, the engaged portion 41k engages with the engaging portion 32e of the image forming apparatus 1, thereby restricting the rotation of the shutter member 41 around the rotation axis z.

[0083] In other words, the toner pack 40 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 such that the rotation of the shutter member 507 around the rotation axis z relative to the cylindrical portion 32g is restricted, and the replenishment base 501 rotates together with the shutter member 507.

[0084] Furthermore, the protrusion 507e (see Figure 13(a)) formed on the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving section 600 penetrates the notch 41f of the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 and engages with the recess 501f (see Figure 8(a)) formed on the replenishment base 501. When both the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving section 600 are shielded, the engagement of the engaged portion 41k and the engaging portion 32e, and the engagement of the protrusion 507e and the recess 501f can be performed simultaneously when the toner pack 40 is fitted into the toner receiving section 600.

[0085] Here, we consider the case where the user rotates the outer circumferential surface 510d of the outer ring member 510 in the direction of arrow z1 around the rotation axis z, from the state shown in Figure 20(a), to replenish the toner from the toner pack 40 into the developing container 32. When the outer ring member 510 is rotated in the direction of arrow z1, the replenishment base 501 also rotates in conjunction in the direction of arrow z1. At this time, the stepped portion 501n of the recess 501f of the replenishment base 501 (see Figure 8(a)) presses against the end face 507f (see Figure 13(a)) of the convex portion 507e of the shutter member 507, which is the contacting portion.

[0086] In other words, the stepped portion 501n, which acts as a contact portion, contacts the end face 507f so that when the toner pack 40 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the shutter member 507 rotates together with the shutter member 42 about the rotation axis z. As a result, the shutter member 507, which acts as the main shutter, rotates together with the replenishment base 501 about the rotation axis z in the direction of arrow z1.

[0087] On the other hand, the cylindrical portion 32g of the toner receiving section 600 and the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 are restricted from rotating as described above and therefore do not rotate. As a result, as shown in Figure 11(b), the replenishment base 501 of the toner pack 40 rotates relative to the shutter member 41 in the direction of arrow z1, and the toner discharge port 501r faces the notch 41f of the shutter member 41. In other words, the toner pack 40 becomes open, and the toner contained inside the toner pack 40 can be discharged.

[0088] Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 13(b), the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving section 600 rotates relative to the cylindrical section 32g in the direction of arrow z1, and the shutter sheet 505 fixed to the shutter member 507 moves away from the toner supply port 32r. That is, the toner receiving section 600 becomes open, and can receive toner discharged from the toner pack 40. In other words, the shutter member 507 is in a second open position that opens the toner supply port 32r so that toner supplied from the toner pack 40 can be received into the housing section 36 of the developing container 32 via the toner supply port 32r. Furthermore, when the replenishment base 501 is in the first open position, the toner discharge port 501r is in a position that overlaps with the toner supply port 32r of the cylindrical section 32g when viewed from the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1, and the shutter member 507 is in the second open position.

[0089] As a result, as shown in Figure 20(b), the toner contained in the toner pack 40 is supplied to the developing container 32 through the toner supply port 32r and the toner discharge port 501r. The rotation angle of the outer ring member 510 is restricted to approximately 90° by the engagement of the protrusion 507e of the shutter member 507 with the grooves 41g and 41h of the shutter member 41, and the engagement of the rib 510b of the outer ring member 510 with the groove 507p of the shutter member 507. The rotation angle of the outer ring member 510 is not limited to approximately 90°, but may be less than 90° or greater than 90°.

[0090] Furthermore, the protrusion 507e of the shutter member 507 engages with the groove 41g of the shutter member 41, preventing the toner pack 40 from moving in the axial direction D1 relative to the toner receiving section 600, thereby locking the toner pack 40 to the toner receiving section 600. This reduces the risk of the toner pack 40 unintentionally detaching from the toner receiving section 600 during toner replenishment, causing toner to scatter inside the image forming apparatus 1, and improves the efficiency of the toner replenishment process.

[0091] Next, consider the case where the user rotates the outer circumferential surface 510d of the outer ring member 510 in the direction of arrow z2 around the rotation axis z, from the state shown in Figure 20(b), to detach the toner pack 40 from the cylindrical portion 32g of the developing container 32. When the outer ring member 510 is rotated in the direction of arrow z2, the replenishment base 501 also rotates in conjunction in the direction of arrow z2. At this time, the stepped portion 501m of the recess 501f of the replenishment base 501 (see Figure 8(a)) presses against the end face 507g of the convex portion 507e of the shutter member 507 (see Figure 13(b)). As a result, the shutter member 507 rotates together with the replenishment base 501 in the direction of arrow z2 around the rotation axis z.

[0092] On the other hand, the cylindrical portion 32g of the toner receiving section 600 and the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 are restricted from rotating as described above and therefore do not rotate. As a result, as shown in Figure 11(a), the replenishment base 501 of the toner pack 40 rotates relative to the shutter member 41 in the direction of arrow z2, and the toner discharge port 501r faces the sealing member 504 (see Figure 10(a)) fixed to the shutter member 41. In other words, the toner pack 40 becomes shielded, and the toner contained within the toner pack 40 cannot be discharged.

[0093] Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 13(a), the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving section 600 rotates relative to the cylindrical section 32g in the direction of arrow z2, and the shutter sheet 505 fixed to the shutter member 507 covers the toner supply port 32r. In other words, the toner receiving section 600 becomes shielded and is unable to receive toner discharged from the toner pack 40. At this time, the shutter member 507 is in a second shielding position that shields the toner supply port 32r.

[0094] In this state, the protrusion 507e of the shutter member 507 detaches from the grooves 41g and 41h of the shutter member 41, allowing the toner pack 40 to be removed from the toner receiving unit 600. Furthermore, since both the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600 are shielded, the toner pack 40 can be removed from the toner receiving unit 600 without scattering toner.

[0095] [Toner leakage suppression configuration] Next, the configuration for suppressing toner leakage between the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving section 600 will be described with reference to Figures 21(a) to 23(b). Figures 21(a) to 23(b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the arrangement relationship between the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving section 600 of the developing container 32. The sealing member 504 and the base seal 506 are arranged on cylindrical curved surfaces, but are schematically shown here as planar surfaces.

[0096] Figures 21(a) to 23(b) show the toner pack 40 and toner receiving section 600 viewed in the axial direction D1. When the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 (see Figure 20(a)) is rotated in the direction of arrow z1, the replenishment base 501 moves to the left of the paper in Figures 21(a) to 23(b).

[0097] Figure 21(a) shows the state before the developing container 32 and the toner pack 40 are joined together. Figure 21(b) shows the state after the toner pack 40 has been attached to the developing container 32, from the state shown in Figure 21(a), and before the replenishment base 501 of the toner pack 40 and the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving section 600 rotate. In the state shown in Figure 21(b), the toner supply port 32r and the toner discharge port 501r are shielded, and the toner contained in the pouch 503 (see Figure 3(a)) is not discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40.

[0098] Furthermore, Figure 21(c) shows the state in which the supply base 501 and shutter member 507 have been rotated by an angle Θ1 (0° < Θ1 < 90°) around the rotation axis z in the direction of arrow z1 (see Figure 20(a)) from the state shown in Figure 21(b). Figure 22(a) shows the state in which the supply base 501 and shutter member 507 have been rotated by 90° in the direction of arrow z1 (see Figure 20a) from the state shown in Figure 21(b), and the toner supply port 32r and toner discharge port 501r are open.

[0099] As shown in Figure 21(b), when the shielded toner pack 40 is mounted in the shielded toner receiving section 600, the leading edge 505a of the shutter sheet 505 is positioned to contact the outer periphery 501b of the replenishment base 501. The stepped portion 501n of the replenishment base 501 is positioned with a gap δ1 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis z relative to the end face 507f of the shutter member 507. The stepped portion 501m of the replenishment base 501 is positioned with a gap δ2 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis z relative to the end face 507g of the shutter member 507.

[0100] These gaps δ1 and δ2 correspond to the gap (play) when the user installs the toner pack 40 into the developing container 32. The presence of gaps δ1 and δ2 allows the toner pack 40 to be easily installed into the developing container 32, thereby improving the ease of installation of the toner pack 40.

[0101] After the toner pack 40 is mounted in the toner receiving section 600 of the developing container 32, the user rotates the replenishment base 501 in the direction of arrow z1. As shown in Figure 21(c), the gap δ1 that existed in Figure 21(b) disappears, and the stepped portion 501n of the replenishment base 501 comes into contact with the end face 507f of the shutter member 507. The end face 507f is then pressed by the stepped portion 501n, and the replenishment base 501 and the shutter member 507 rotate together in the direction of arrow z1. At this time, the gap δ2 becomes wider than in the initial state. Furthermore, the leading edge 505a of the shutter sheet 505 is configured to contact the outer periphery 501b of the replenishment base 501 without separating from it.

[0102] Furthermore, when the user rotates the replenishment base 501 in the direction of arrow z1, the toner discharge port 501r and the toner supply port 32r are opened without being covered by the shutter sheet 505 and the shutter member 507, as shown in Figure 22(a). Then, the toner contained in the toner pack 40 is supplied into the developing container 32 through the toner discharge port 501r and the toner supply port 32r. During this toner supply, the base seal 506 prevents toner from entering the interface with the replenishment base 501.

[0103] Next, when the toner discharge from the toner pack 40 is finished and the toner pack 40 is removed, as shown in Figure 22(b), the user rotates the replenishment base 501 by an angle Θ3 (0° < Θ3 < 90°) in the direction of arrow z2 (to the right on the page) from the state shown in Figure 22(a). As a result, the stepped portion 501m of the replenishment base 501 comes into contact with the end face 507g of the shutter member 507, and the gap δ2 that existed in Figure 22(a) disappears. The end face 507g is then pressed by the stepped portion 501m, and the replenishment base 501 and the shutter member 507 rotate together in the direction of arrow z2. At this time, the gap δ1 will have a wider space than in the initial state.

[0104] Furthermore, when the user rotates the replenishment base 501 in the direction of arrow z2, as shown in Figure 23(a), the gap δ1 formed between the stepped portion 501n of the replenishment base 501 and the end face 507f of the shutter member 507 is positioned above the toner supply port 32r. At this time, the leading edge 505a of the shutter sheet 505 is in contact with the outer peripheral portion 501b of the replenishment base 501, thus preventing toner from entering the gap δ1.

[0105] When the user further rotates the replenishment base 501 in the direction of arrow z2, the toner discharge port 501r is shielded by the sealing member 504, and the toner supply port 32r is shielded by the shutter sheet 505 and the shutter member 507, as shown in Figure 23(b). In this state, the toner pack 40 can be detached from the cylindrical portion 32g of the developing container 32, and when the toner pack 40 is detached from the cylindrical portion 32g, it returns to the state shown in Figure 21(a).

[0106] [Layout and configuration of instruction sheets] In this embodiment, in order to facilitate toner replenishment by the user, an instruction sheet 89 (information display section) is attached to the back surface 83a of the cover, as shown in Figure 24. The instruction sheet 89 describes the procedure for replenishing toner using the toner pack 40.

[0107] Figure 25 shows an example of the information included in the instruction sheet 89 in this embodiment. The instruction sheet 89 contains text and illustrations to explain four steps, and the numbers indicate the order in which the steps should be performed.

[0108] Step 1 shows setting the toner pack 40 into the refill port 32a. Step 2 shows rotating the toner pack 40 180 degrees clockwise relative to the housing 100a and opening the shutter for replenishing the developer. Step 3 shows unpacking the toner pack 40 to replenish the developer into the developer container 32. Step 4 shows rotating the toner pack 40 180 degrees counterclockwise relative to the housing 100a and then removing the toner pack 40 from the refill port 32a.

[0109] The instruction sheet 89 is attached to the back surface 83a of the cover, making it easy for the user to notice the instruction sheet 89 when they insert their finger into the hole 88 and open the cover 83. Furthermore, since it is attached in the direction of access to the supply port 32a, it has the advantage of being easily visible to the user.

[0110] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 24, the instruction sheet 89 is attached to the left side, the same side as the toner refill port 32a. This reduces the need to move the eyes when refilling toner, making it easy to check the toner refilling procedure while refilling, improving operability and usability. Furthermore, if the toner refill port 32a is in the center of the back surface 83a of the cover, it is desirable to attach the instruction sheet 89 in the center as well. If the toner refill port 32a is on the right side, it is desirable to attach the instruction sheet 89 on the right side as well. In other words, it is desirable to attach the instruction sheet 89 in a position corresponding to the toner refill port 32a.

[0111] Figure 26 shows the image forming apparatus 1 with the toner pack 40 installed in the refill port 32a, viewed from a horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD of the recording material P. In this embodiment, the instruction sheet 89 is attached to the back surface 83a of the cover so that the position of the refill port 32a and the position of the instruction sheet 89 are aligned in the width direction WD. Therefore, as shown in Figure 26, when viewed from a horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD, at least a portion of the toner pack 40 and the instruction sheet 89 overlap.

[0112] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26, the toner refill port 32a and the instruction sheet 89 are located within the loading surface area of ​​the discharge tray 81 in the width direction WD. In other words, because the toner refill port 32a and the instruction sheet 89 are located relatively close to each other, the user can easily understand the procedure by looking at the instruction sheet 89 while performing the toner refilling work.

[0113] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26, when installing the toner pack 40 into the developing container 32, the toner pack 40 is installed in the direction of arrow X with the phases of the triangular mark 102a on the toner pack 40 and the triangular mark 102b on the toner receiving section 600 aligned. By doing so, the phase of the rotation direction of the toner pack 40 can be easily determined and installed, resulting in improved operability and usability.

[0114] <Second Example> Next, a second embodiment will be described using Figures 27 and 28. In this embodiment, only the position where the instruction sheet 89 is attached differs from the first embodiment, so the description of the other components will be omitted.

[0115] Figure 27 shows a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1, with the cover 83 open. In this embodiment, the supply port 32a is located on the left side, while the instruction sheet 89 is located on the right side of the back surface 83a of the cover. In other words, unlike the first embodiment, the instruction sheet 89 is attached in the opposite direction from where the supply port 32a is located. Therefore, if the supply port 32a is located on the right side in Figure 27, it is preferable to place the instruction sheet 89 on the left side.

[0116] Figure 28 shows the image forming apparatus 1 with the toner pack 40 installed in the refill port 32a, viewed from a horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction of the recording material P. In this embodiment, the instruction sheet 89 is attached to the back surface 83a of the cover such that the position of the refill port 32a and the position of the instruction sheet 89 are offset in the width direction WD. Therefore, as shown in Figure 27, when viewed from a horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD, the toner pack 40 and the instruction sheet 89 do not overlap.

[0117] This prevents situations where, for example, a large toner pack 40 is installed in the refill port 32a, causing a large portion of the instruction sheet 89 to be obscured by the toner pack 40. As a result, it prevents situations where the user has difficulty checking the information on the instruction sheet 89 while performing the refill operation.

[0118] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 28, the toner refill port 32a and the instruction sheet 89 are located within the loading surface area of ​​the discharge tray 81 in the width direction WD. In other words, because the toner refill port 32a and the instruction sheet 89 are located relatively close to each other, the user can easily understand the procedure by looking at the instruction sheet 89 while performing the toner refilling work.

[0119] <Third Example> Next, a third embodiment will be described using Figures 29 and 30. In this embodiment, only the position where the instruction sheet 89 is attached differs from the first embodiment, so the description of the other components will be omitted.

[0120] Figure 29 shows a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1, with the cover 83 open. In Figure 29, an extension tray 86 is attached to the output tray 81. In this configuration, the instruction sheet 89 may be attached to the upper wall 93 instead of the back surface 83a of the cover. This configuration makes it easier for the user to notice when they insert their finger into the hole 88 to open the output tray 81, and the instruction sheet 89 is attached in the same direction as the toner pack 40 is installed, resulting in good visibility. Furthermore, toner can be easily replenished while checking the toner replenishment procedure, improving operability and usability.

[0121] The extension tray 86 may be movably supported relative to the discharge tray 81 and configured to move between a usage position capable of supporting the recording material P and a storage position when not in use. The extension tray 86 may also be configured to be detachable from the discharge tray 81. Furthermore, the instruction sheet 89 may be attached to the upper wall 93 regardless of whether the extension tray 86 is present or not.

[0122] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 30, the upper wall 93 may be provided not only with an instruction sheet 89, but also with a remaining toner indicator 94, a replenishment request unit 96, and a code display unit 97. The remaining toner indicator 94 shows the remaining amount of toner stored in the developing container 32 in stages using three LEDs. The replenishment request unit 96 prompts the user to replenish the toner by lighting / flashing the LEDs when the amount of toner in the developing container 32 is running low. The code display unit 97 should ideally display, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), and be configured so that scanning this QR code with a smartphone camera automatically connects the user to an internet site containing a video explaining the toner replenishment procedure.

[0123] In addition, the configuration of the third embodiment, in which the instruction sheet 89 is provided on the upper wall 93, is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, but the remaining amount indicator 94, replenishment request unit 96, and code indicator 97 may also be provided in the same manner. In Figure 31(a), the instruction sheet 89 is attached to the back surface 83a of the cover, and the remaining amount indicator 94, replenishment request unit 96, and code indicator 97 are provided on the upper wall 93.

[0124] Furthermore, a recess 93a may be formed in the upper wall 93, which can accommodate a smartphone or a portable information terminal for changing main unit settings, for communicating with the image forming apparatus 1 and changing and confirming the main unit settings. In addition, as shown in Figure 31(b), a code display unit 97 may be provided on the bottom surface of the recess 93a. With this configuration, the user will notice the presence of the code display unit 97 before placing the smartphone in the recess 93a, and will scan the QR code with the camera to connect to the internet site. Then, with the smartphone placed in the recess 93a, a video explaining the toner replenishment procedure will be played on the smartphone screen. This allows the user to perform the toner replenishment work while watching the video.

[0125] In this embodiment, several arrangement configurations have been illustrated, but the invention is not limited to these. Various other arrangement configurations are possible, such as arranging the recess 93a and the remaining amount indicator 94 on the upper wall 93, or arranging the instruction sheet 89 on the upper wall 93 and the code indicator 97 on the back surface 83a of the cover.

[0126] <Fourth Example> Next, a fourth embodiment will be described using Figure 32. In this embodiment, only the information described in the instruction sheet 89 differs from the first embodiment, so the description of the other components will be omitted.

[0127] In this embodiment, the placement of the instruction sheet 89 is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the instruction sheet 89 is provided on the back surface 83a of the cover as shown in Figures 24 and 26. However, if, for example, a large toner pack 40 is attached to the refill port 32a, a large area of ​​the instruction sheet 89 may be obscured by the toner pack 40. As a result, it becomes difficult for the user to check the information written on the instruction sheet 89 while performing the refill operation.

[0128] Figure 32 shows an example of the information included in the instruction sheet 89 in this embodiment. The instruction sheet 89 contains text and illustrations to explain four steps, and the numbers indicate the order in which the steps should be performed. Compared to Figure 25, the position of each step in the instruction sheet 89 is different.

[0129] In Figure 32, steps 1 and 2 are displayed at the bottom in the vertical direction, while steps 3 and 4 are displayed at the top in the vertical direction. The key difference between Group 1, consisting of steps 1 and 2, and Group 2, consisting of steps 3 and 4, is as follows: The work in Group 1 is completed before the toner pack 40 is attached to the toner port 32a, whereas the work in Group 2 is started after the toner pack 40 has been attached to the toner port 32a. Taking these factors into consideration, in this embodiment, even after the toner pack 40 has been attached to the toner port 32a, the display position of the information in steps 3 and 4 has been moved to the top in the vertical direction so that it is as easy for the user to see as possible.

[0130] In this embodiment, the explanation was based on the assumption that the placement of the instruction sheet 89 is the same as in the first embodiment, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The instruction sheet 89 described in this embodiment may also be applied to the configuration of the second or third embodiment.

[0131] In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the instruction sheet 89 explained four steps related to toner replenishment. However, it is not limited to this. It is not necessary to explain all four steps; it may be sufficient to explain at least one of them. Furthermore, it is not necessary to include both text and illustrations; it may contain only text or only illustrations.

[0132] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the instruction sheet 89 was attached to the back surface 83a of the cover or the upper wall 93. However, it is not limited to this. Instead of a sheet, the text or illustrations may be directly engraved or embossed onto the back surface 83a of the cover or the upper wall 93.

[0133] <Variation> [Configuration of the lever section] Next, other modifications will be described. This embodiment is constructed by changing the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving section 600 in the first embodiment to a shutter member 507B. For this reason, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the illustration or will be described using the same reference numerals in the illustration.

[0134] The shutter member 507 in this embodiment, like the first embodiment, has an inner diameter portion 507h, an outer diameter portion 507k, and a protrusion portion 507e, as shown in Figure 15. In other words, the shutter member 507B differs from the shutter member 507 in the first embodiment only in that it is provided with a fitting portion 513 in addition to the shutter member 507 in the first embodiment.

[0135] As shown in Figures 33(a) to 34, the fitting portion 513 of the shutter member 507B has a substantially hexagonal opening 513a into which the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 engages, and a lever portion 513b that can be rotated by the user.

[0136] Figure 35 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus 1B according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1B has basically the same configuration and functions as the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 35, the discharge tray 81 of the image forming apparatus 1B has an opening 82a, which is located on the right side of the apparatus.

[0137] The fitting portion 513 of the shutter member 507B is exposed to the outside through the opening 82a, and when the user replenishes toner in the developing container 32 (see Figure 1), the user fits the toner pack 40 into the fitting portion 513. More specifically, the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 is fitted into the fitting portion 513.

[0138] The user then operates the lever portion 513b, which is exposed through the opening 82a, to rotate the lever portion 513b around the rotation axis z (see Figure 33(b)). This causes the shutter member 507B and the rotating container unit 401 of the toner pack 40 (see Figure 5) to rotate, and the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving section 600B are opened from a shielded state. As a result, the toner in the toner pack 40 can be replenished to the developing container 32.

[0139] As described above, in this embodiment, instead of operating the outer ring member 510 as in the first embodiment, the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600B can be opened from a shielded state by operating the lever portion 513b of the shutter member 507B.

[0140] Since the space required to grip the lever portion 513b is smaller than the space required to grip the outer ring member 510, the operability of the lever portion 513b is improved even when the opening 82a is small, thus improving usability.

[0141] [Features to prevent forgetting to close the cover] In this embodiment, a protrusion 83b is further provided on the back surface 83a of the cover, as shown in Figure 36. Here, the upper part of Figure 36 is a top view of the vicinity of the fitting portion 513, and the lower part of Figure 36 is a side view of the vicinity of the fitting portion 513 (the top view of Figure 36 corresponds to a cross-sectional view when the image forming apparatus 1 is cut along surface A shown in the side view of Figure 36). Consider a situation in which, when a user replenishes toner, they rotate the fitting portion 513 from the closed position ((a) in the same figure) to the open position ((b) in the same figure), and after the toner replenishment is complete, they forget to return the fitting portion 513 to the closed position. In this situation, when closing the discharge tray 81, the protrusion 83b interferes with the lever portion 513b, and the discharge tray 81 does not close.

[0142] This configuration will be explained in more detail using diagrams. As shown in the top view of Figure 36, in case (a), the protrusion 83b and the lever portion 513b do not overlap. On the other hand, in case (b), the protrusion 83b and the lever portion 513b overlap. Therefore, in case (a), the protrusion 83b and the lever portion 513b do not interfere with each other, and the cover 83 can be closed (moved to the closed position). On the other hand, in case (b), the protrusion 83b and the lever portion 513b interfere with each other, so the cover 83 cannot be closed. Looking at the side view of Figure 36, it can be seen that in case (b), the cover 83 stops in a higher position in the vertical direction compared to case (a). With this configuration, the user can prevent forgetting to close the fitting portion 513 by opening the cover 83 again and rotating the fitting portion 513 to the closed position.

[0143] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 may be equipped with a cover opening / closing detection sensor (not shown). This sensor can detect whether or not the cover 83 is closed relative to the printer body 100. If the sensor detects that the cover 83 is not closed, the control unit 360 will not start image forming. This configuration prevents image forming from being started incorrectly when the lever portion 513b is in a position other than the closed position, which could cause toner to leak out from the supply port 32a or other parts.

[0144] Furthermore, Figure 36 describes a configuration in which the lever portion 513b operated by the user interferes with the protrusion 83b when closing the cover 83. However, the configuration is not limited to this. Figure 37 shows a configuration in which a projection 520 is provided separately from the lever portion 513b operated by the user, which interferes with the protrusion 83b when closing the cover 83. When the lever portion 513b is moved, the projection 520 also moves in the same direction by the same amount.

[0145] As shown in the top view of Figure 37, in case (a), the convex portion 83b and the projection portion 520 do not overlap. On the other hand, in case (b), the convex portion 83b and the projection portion 520 overlap. Therefore, in case (a), the convex portion 83b and the projection portion 520 do not interfere with each other, and the cover 83 can be closed (moved to the closed position). On the other hand, in case (b), the convex portion 83b and the projection portion 520 interfere with each other, so the cover 83 cannot be closed. Looking at the side view of Figure 37, it can be seen that in case (b), the cover 83 stops in a higher position in the vertical direction compared to case (a). With this configuration, the user can prevent forgetting to close the fitting portion 513 by opening the cover 83 again and rotating the fitting portion 513 to the closed position.

[0146] [Target position for lever movement] As shown in Figure 38, seals 99a and 99b may be attached to the locations corresponding to the open and closed positions of the lever portion 513b as a guide for movement. In this way, the user can confirm that the fitting portion 513 has rotated to the open position when refilling toner, and when the fitting portion 513 is returned after refilling toner, they can confirm that the fitting portion 513 has rotated to the closed position, thus preventing forgetting to close it.

[0147] Furthermore, since the only requirement is to indicate the direction of movement, it is not necessarily required to use stickers 99a and 99b; for example, the mark could be directly engraved or embossed.

[0148] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 38, the instruction sheet 89 may be placed near the mating portion 513. Placing it near the mating portion 513 reduces the need for eye movement, improving visibility and usability.

[0149] [Guide groove for lever movement] As shown in Figure 39, a guide groove 530 may be provided on the upper wall 93 to facilitate movement of the lever portion 513b between the open and closed positions, and to make it intuitively easier for the user to understand which direction to rotate the lever portion 513b. Here, the guide groove 530 is a fan-shaped groove formed to match the rotation trajectory of the lever portion 513n.

[0150] [Part of the cover is the front of the exterior] As shown in Figure 40, a portion of the exterior member 103 on the front of the image forming apparatus 1 may be made up of the ribs 83c of the cover 83. Here, the exterior member 103 is the exterior member located on the downstream side of the recording material P discharge direction DD within the housing 100a. With this configuration, when the cover 83 is opened, the space in front of the supply port 32a is opened up, improving operability during toner replenishment and enhancing usability. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0151] 1. Image forming apparatus 21 Photosensitive drum 31 Developing roller 32a Supply port 80 Discharge Roller Pair 81 Discharge Tray 83 Cover 89 Instruction Sheet 100 Printer body

Claims

1. (1) a transfer roller for transferring a developer image onto a recording material; (2) an ejection roller; (3) an ejection tray having a first surface and a second surface on which the recording material ejected by the ejection roller is loaded, and which is movable between an open position and a closed position; and (4) a sheet placed on the second surface for displaying operation information, the main body comprising A process unit comprising a photoreceptor capable of forming an electrostatic latent image, a storage section capable of containing a developer, and a developing roller for supplying the developer contained in the storage section to the photoreceptor, A toner container that contains a developer and is detachable from the process unit located on the main body, Equipped with, The discharge roller discharges the recording material onto which the developer image has been transferred by the transfer roller to the outside of the main body. The open position is a position that allows the toner container to be mounted on the process unit located in the main body. The closed position is a position that restricts the mounting of the toner container to the process unit located in the main body. The aforementioned operation information is information indicating an operation to move the toner container in a direction away from the main unit. The sheet is exposed to the outside of the main body when the discharge tray moves from the closed position to the open position. When the direction of the discharge roller that intersects both the discharge direction and the vertical direction of the recording material is defined as the intersecting direction, and the state of the toner container when it is mounted on the process unit arranged in the main body is defined as the mounted state, when the toner container is in the mounted state and the discharge tray is in the open position, at least a portion of the sheet is in the same position as the toner container in the intersecting direction, An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The process unit is provided with a receiving opening for receiving the developer from the toner container. When the toner container is in the installed state and the discharge tray is in the open position, the receiving opening and at least a portion of the sheet are in the same position in the intersecting direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. It further includes a movable lever section, The toner container has an outlet opening through which the developer contained in the toner container is discharged, and the toner container is provided with a shielding portion that covers the outlet opening. When the toner container is in the installed state, the lever portion moves, allowing the toner container to transition between a first state in which the discharge opening is covered by the shielding portion and a second state in which the discharge opening is exposed to the outside of the toner container. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

4. When the discharge tray is in the open position, the lever portion is positioned below the seat. The image forming apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The lever portion is further provided with a guide groove indicating the direction of movement of the lever portion. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The main body includes a top surface on which an operating section is provided. The discharge tray is configured to be movable relative to the top surface, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that when the discharge tray is in the open position, the operating unit is located above the lever unit.

7. When the discharge tray is in the open position, the sheet is above the operating section. The image forming apparatus according to feature 6.

8. The process unit includes a mounting portion to which the toner container is attached, The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, when the process unit is arranged in the main body, the mounting portion is located below the operating portion.

9. The process unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The aforementioned operation information indicates an operation to move the toner container upwards. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A main body comprising: (1) a transfer roller for transferring a developer image onto a recording material; (2) an ejection roller; (3) an ejection tray having a first surface and a second surface on which the recording material ejected by the ejection roller is loaded, and which is movable between an open position and a closed position; and (4) a sheet disposed on the second surface for displaying operation information. A process unit comprising a photoreceptor capable of forming an electrostatic latent image, a storage section capable of containing a developer, and a developing roller for supplying the developer contained in the storage section to the photoreceptor, A toner container that contains a developer and is detachable from the process unit located on the main body, Equipped with, The discharge roller discharges the recording material onto which the developer image has been transferred by the transfer roller to the outside of the main body. The open position is a position that allows the toner container to be mounted on the process unit located in the main body. The closed position is a position that restricts the mounting of the toner container to the process unit located in the main body. The aforementioned operation information is information indicating an operation to move the toner container in a direction away from the main unit. The sheet is exposed to the outside of the main body when the discharge tray moves from the closed position to the open position. The process unit is configured to be detachably attached to the main body. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

12. The process unit is provided with a receiving opening for receiving the developer from the toner container, When the direction of the discharge roller that intersects both the discharge direction and the vertical direction of the recording material is defined as the intersecting direction, and the state of the toner container when the toner container is mounted on the process unit arranged in the main body is defined as the mounted state, when the toner container is in the mounted state and the discharge tray is in the open position, the receiving opening and at least a part of the sheet are in the same position in the intersecting direction, The image forming apparatus according to feature 11.

13. Further comprising a lever portion configured to be movable, The toner container has an outlet opening through which the developer contained in the toner container is discharged, and the toner container is provided with a shielding portion that covers the outlet opening. When the state of the toner container when it is mounted on the process unit arranged in the main body is defined as the mounted state, the toner container can transition between a first state in which the discharge opening is covered by the shielding portion and a second state in which the discharge opening is exposed to the outside of the toner container by the movement of the lever portion. The image forming apparatus according to feature 11.

14. When the discharge tray is in the open position, the lever portion is positioned below the seat. The image forming apparatus according to feature 13.

15. The lever portion further comprises a guide groove indicating the direction of movement, The image forming apparatus according to feature 14.

16. The main body includes a top surface on which an operating section is provided, The discharge tray is configured to be movable relative to the top surface, The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that when the discharge tray is in the open position, the operating section is located above the lever section.

17. When the discharge tray is in the open position, the sheet is above the operating section. The image forming apparatus according to feature 16.

18. The process unit includes a mounting portion to which the toner container is attached, The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that, when the process unit is arranged in the main body, the mounting portion is located below the operating portion.

19. The operation information indicates an operation to move the toner container upwards. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

Images