阅读说明：本技术 图像形成装置 (Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device ) 是由 大庭克彦 小口浩平 小石勇雄 于 2021-04-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了图像形成装置。图像形成装置包括图像承载构件、显影剂承载构件、排出单元、包括记录材料堆叠在其上的堆叠表面的堆叠托盘、补给口、能够在盖子覆盖补给口并且构成堆叠表面的至少一部分的关闭位置和盖子使补给口暴露的打开位置之间移动的盖子、以及用于显示关于用于向显影容器补给来自补给容器的显影剂的过程的信息的信息显示单元。(The invention discloses an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developer bearing member, a discharge unit, a stack tray including a stacking surface on which recording materials are stacked, a replenishment opening, a cover movable between a closed position where the cover covers the replenishment opening and constitutes at least a part of the stacking surface and an open position where the cover exposes the replenishment opening, and an information display unit for displaying information on a process for replenishing a developer from the replenishment container to the development container.)

1. An image forming apparatus includes:

an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;

a developer carrying member configured to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by carrying a developer accommodated in a developing container and supplying the developer to the image carrying member;

a discharge unit configured to discharge the recording material to which the toner image is transferred to an outside of an apparatus main body;

a stack tray including a stack surface on which the recording material discharged by the discharge unit is stacked;

a replenishment port to which a replenishment container accommodating a developer is attached, the replenishment port being configured to replenish the developer container with the developer from the replenishment container;

a lid configured to move between a closed position in which the lid covers the refill port and constitutes at least a portion of the stacking surface and an open position in which the lid exposes the refill port; and

an information display unit configured to display information on a process for replenishing the developing container with the developer from the replenishment container, the information display unit being located on a back surface of the cover corresponding to the stacking surface or a predetermined surface opposite to the back surface of the cover together with the replenishment port with the cover in a closed position,

wherein the replenishment port and the information display unit are each located within a width of the stacking surface in a width direction of the recording material, the width direction being parallel to the stacking surface and orthogonal to a discharge direction of the recording material.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information display unit is located on a back surface of the cover corresponding to the stacking surface, the information display unit being located at a position that does not overlap with the replenishment container when viewed in a horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in a discharge direction of the recording material with the cover in the open position.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information display unit is configured to display a plurality of pieces of information on the process vertically arranged in order from top to bottom when viewed in the horizontal direction with the cover in the open position.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information display unit is located on a back surface of the cover corresponding to the stacking surface, and at least a part of the information display unit is located at a position overlapping with the replenishment container when viewed in a horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in a discharge direction of the recording material with the cover in an open position.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information display unit is configured to display a plurality of pieces of information on the process in a vertical arrangement in a bottom-up order when viewed in the horizontal direction with the cover in the open position.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least any one of a remaining amount indicating unit configured to indicate a remaining amount of the developer accommodated in the developing container, a replenishment requesting unit configured to prompt replenishment of the developer from the replenishment container to the developing container, and a code display unit configured to display a code for accessing a predetermined internet site is located on the predetermined surface.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a groove for placing a portable information terminal is formed in the predetermined surface.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stacking surface contacts the recording material discharged from the discharge unit and supports the recording material.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material.

Background

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus generally forms an image by transferring a toner image formed on a surface of a photosensitive drum to a transfer material serving as a transfer medium. Examples of known developer replenishment methods include a process cartridge method and a toner replenishment method. The process cartridge method refers to a method in which a photosensitive drum and a developing container are integrated into a process cartridge and the process cartridge is replaced with a new process cartridge when developer is used up.

In contrast, the toner replenishment method refers to a method of replenishing a new toner to a developing container when the toner is used up. There has conventionally been discussed a one-component developing apparatus using a toner replenishment method in which a toner supply tank capable of toner replenishment is connected to a toner conveying path for conveying toner (see japanese patent application laid-open No. 08-30084). The toner stored in the toner supply box is conveyed to the toner conveying path by the conveying screw.

In recent years, users have demanded various uses of image forming apparatuses, including the aforementioned process cartridge method and toner replenishment method.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides a mode of an image forming apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developer carrying member configured to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by carrying a developer accommodated in a developing container and supplying the developer to the image carrying member; a discharge unit configured to discharge the recording material to which the toner image is transferred to an outside of an apparatus main body; a stack tray including a stack surface on which the recording material discharged by the discharge unit is stacked; a replenishment port to which a replenishment container accommodating a developer is attached, the replenishment port being configured to replenish the developer container with the developer from the replenishment container; a lid configured to move between a closed position in which the lid covers the refill port and constitutes at least a portion of the stacking surface and an open position in which the lid exposes the refill port; and an information display unit configured to display information on a process for replenishing the developing container with the developer from the replenishing container. The information display unit is located on a back surface of the cover corresponding to the stacking surface or a predetermined surface opposite to the back surface of the cover together with the replenishment port in a case where the cover is in the closed position. The replenishment port and the information display unit are each located within a width of the stacking surface in a width direction of the recording material, the width direction being parallel to the stacking surface and orthogonal to a discharge direction of the recording material.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3A and 3B are perspective views illustrating a toner pack (pack).

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the toner pack.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the toner pack.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the inner ring member and the replenishment base.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the outer ring member and the replenishment base.

Fig. 8A and 8B are perspective views illustrating a rotary container unit of a toner pack.

Fig. 9A is an exploded perspective view illustrating a shutter member and a sealing member. Fig. 9B is a perspective view illustrating the shutter member and the sealing member.

Fig. 10A is a sectional view illustrating the toner pack in a blocking state. Fig. 10B is a sectional view illustrating the toner pack in an open state.

Fig. 11A is a perspective view illustrating the toner pack in a shielding state. Fig. 11B is a perspective view illustrating the toner pack in an opened state.

Fig. 12A is a perspective view illustrating the toner receiving unit in a shielding state. Fig. 12B is a perspective view illustrating the toner receiving unit in an opened state.

Fig. 13A is a perspective view illustrating the toner receiving unit in a shielding state. Fig. 13B is a perspective view illustrating the toner receiving unit in an opened state.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the toner receiving unit.

Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the toner receiving unit.

Fig. 16A is an exploded perspective view illustrating the cylindrical portion and the base seal. Fig. 16B is a perspective view illustrating the cylindrical portion and the base seal.

Fig. 17A is an exploded perspective view illustrating the shutter member and the shutter sheet. Fig. 17B is a perspective view illustrating the shutter member and shutter plate.

Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the cylindrical portion and the shutter member.

Fig. 19A is a sectional view illustrating the toner receiving unit in a shielding state. Fig. 19B is a sectional view illustrating the toner receiving unit in an open state.

Fig. 20A is a perspective view illustrating the toner receiving unit and the toner pack in a shielding state. Fig. 20B is a perspective view illustrating the toner receiving unit and the toner pack in an opened state.

Fig. 21A is a sectional view illustrating a state before the toner pack is attached to the developing container. Fig. 21B is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the toner pack is attached to the developing container. Fig. 21C is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the replenishment base is rotated by a predetermined angle from the state illustrated in fig. 21B.

Fig. 22A is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the toner supply port and the toner discharge port are opened. Fig. 22B is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the replenishment base is rotated by a predetermined angle from the state illustrated in fig. 22A.

Fig. 23A is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the replenishment base is rotated by a predetermined angle from the state illustrated in fig. 22B. Fig. 23B is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the toner supply port and the toner discharge port are blocked.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view illustrating the position of a sheet (sheet) according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a diagram illustrating a description on an indication sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a front view illustrating the position of the indicator sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view illustrating the position of an indicator sheet according to the second exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 28 is a front view illustrating the position of the indicator sheet according to the second exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view illustrating the position of an indicator sheet according to the third exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 30 is a front perspective view illustrating the position of an indicator sheet according to the third exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 31A and 31B are front perspective views illustrating positions of an indicator sheet according to first and second modifications.

Fig. 32 is a diagram illustrating a description on an indicator sheet according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 33A is an exploded perspective view illustrating the shutter member and the toner pack. Fig. 33B is a perspective view illustrating the shutter member and the toner pack.

Fig. 34 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the shutter member.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 36A and 36B are a top view and a side view illustrating a configuration for preventing a user from forgetting to close the lid.

Fig. 37A and 37B are top and side views illustrating another configuration for preventing a user from forgetting to close the lid.

Fig. 38 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a sticker indicating a target position of movement of the lever (lever).

Fig. 39 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a guide groove for rod movement.

Fig. 40 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which a cover rib constitutes a part of the front exterior member.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first exemplary 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 apparatus. Examples of the recording material include sheets of various materials, such as paper sheets including plain paper and thick paper, plastic films including overhead projector sheets, specially shaped sheets including a cover and a labeled folder, and cloth. Fig. 1 illustrates a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 viewed in a direction of a rotation axis of a photosensitive drum 21 to be described below. The up-down 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 to be described below are parallel to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 21.

[ Overall arrangement ]

As shown in fig. 1, 2A, and 2B, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a printer main body 100 as an apparatus main body, and an operation unit 300 attached to an outer surface of the printer main body 100. The printer main body 100 includes an image forming unit 10, a feeding unit 60, a fixing unit 70, and a discharge roller pair 80. The image forming unit 10 forms a toner image on a recording material (sheet) P. The feeding unit 60 feeds the recording material P to the image forming unit 10. The fixing unit 70 fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 to the recording material P. The printer body 100 also includes a control unit 360 for controlling an image forming operation of the image forming unit 10 on the recording material P.

The image forming unit 10 includes a scanner unit, not shown, an electrophotographic process cartridge 20, and a transfer roller 12 for transferring a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum 21 of the process cartridge 20 to a recording material P. The process cartridge 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22 located around the photosensitive drum 21, a pre-exposure device 23, and a developing device 30 including a developing roller 31.

The photosensitive drum 21 is a photosensitive member formed in a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 21 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a photosensitive layer made of an organic photosensitive material having a negative charge on a drum-shaped formed aluminum substrate. The photosensitive drum 21 serving as an image bearing member is driven by a motor in a predetermined direction (clockwise direction shown in fig. 1) at a predetermined process speed.

The charging roller 22 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 at a predetermined pressure to form a charging portion. The charging high-voltage power supply applies a desired charging voltage to the charging roller 22, so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential. In the present exemplary embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is charged to the negative polarity by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 removes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before entering the charging portion, so that the charging portion generates stable discharge.

A scanner unit (not shown) serving as an exposure unit scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device using a polygon mirror. The exposure forms an electrostatic latent image based on image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The scanner unit is not limited to the laser scanner device. For example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) exposure apparatus including an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21 may be employed.

The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 serving as a developer carrying member for carrying the developer, a developing container 32 constituting a frame of the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 that can supply the 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 located in an opening of the developing container 32 and is opposed to the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 is in rotatable contact with the developing roller 31. The toner serving as a developer contained in the developing container 32 is applied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. The supply roller 33 is not necessarily required as long as the developing device 30 is configured such that sufficient toner can be supplied to the developing roller 31.

The developing apparatus 30 according to the present exemplary embodiment uses a contact developing method as its developing method. Specifically, the toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 in a developing portion (developing region) where the photosensitive drum 21 opposes the developing roller 31. The developing high-voltage power supply applies a developing voltage to the developing roller 31. At the developing voltage, based on the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface, whereby the electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image. The present exemplary embodiment uses a reversal development method. More specifically, a toner image is formed by adhering toner to the surface area of the photosensitive drum 21 that is charged in the charging process and then exposed to reduce the amount of charge in the exposure process.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a toner having a particle diameter of 6 μm and a negative normal charging polarity is used. For example, polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method is used as the toner according to the present exemplary embodiment. The toner according to the present exemplary embodiment is a non-magnetic one-component developer that does not include a magnetic component and is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by an intermolecular force or an electrostatic force (mirror force). However, a one-component developer containing a magnetic component may be used. Some one-component developers contain additives (e.g., wax and silica fine particles) for adjusting fluidity and charging performance of the toner in addition to toner particles. Alternatively, a two-component developer including a nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may be used as the developer. If a magnetic developer is used, for example, a cylindrical developing sleeve having a magnet inside is used as the developer carrying member.

The developing container 32 includes an accommodating unit 36 that accommodates toner replenished from a toner pack 40 described below, and an agitating member 34 serving as an agitating unit located inside the accommodating unit 36. The stirring member 34 is driven to rotate by a motor, not shown, so that the toner in the developing container 32 is stirred and fed toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. The stirring member 34 also has a function of circulating the toner, which is not used for development and is scraped off from the developing roller 31, within the developing container 32, so that the toner in the developing container 32 is homogenized. The stirring member 34 is not limited to a rotating configuration. For example, a stirring member disposed swingably may be employed.

A developing blade 35 for adjusting the amount of toner carried on the developing roller 31 is located in an opening of the developing container 32 where the developing roller 31 is located. As the developing roller 31 rotates, the toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through a portion of the developing roller 31 opposing the developing blade 35, so that the toner is regulated into a uniformly thin layer and is triboelectrically charged to a negative polarity.

As shown in fig. 1, the feeding unit 60 includes a front door 61 openably and closably supported by the printer main body 100, a tray unit 62, and a liftable pickup roller 65. The tray unit 62 constitutes the bottom of the recording material storage space that appears when the front door 61 is opened. The front door 61 blocks the recording material storage space when closed with respect to the printer main body 100. The front door 61 supports the recording material P together with the tray unit 62 when opened from the printer main body 100.

The fixing unit 70 uses a heat fixing method of fixing an image by thermally melting toner on the recording material P. The fixing unit 70 includes 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 pressed against the fixing film 71.

The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will now be described. When an image forming command is input to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming unit 10 starts image forming processing 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 input image information. The photosensitive drum 21 here is pre-charged by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 with the irradiation of laser light. The electrostatic latent image is then developed by the developing roller 31, thereby forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 21.

In parallel with the aforementioned image forming process, the pickup roller 65 of the feeding unit 60 feeds 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 abuts against a nip between the registration roller pair 15 for skew correction. Then, the registration roller pair 15 is driven in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image, so that the recording material P is conveyed toward the transfer nip formed between the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

The transfer high-voltage power supply applies a transfer voltage to the transfer roller 12 serving as a transfer unit, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the recording material P conveyed by the registration roller pair 15. The recording material P to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 70, and the toner image is heated and pressurized when the recording material P passes through a nip portion between the fixing film 71 and the pressure roller 72 of the fixing unit 70. This melts the toner particles, which are then solidified to fix the toner image to the recording material P. The recording material P passing through the fixing unit 70 is discharged in a discharge direction DD by a discharge roller pair 80 serving as a discharge unit. The recording material P is discharged to the outside (outside) of the image forming apparatus 1 through a discharge port 85 for discharging the recording material to the outside, and is stacked on a discharge tray 81 (stack tray) located in the top of the printer main body 100.

The discharge tray 81 is inclined upward downstream in the discharge direction DD of the recording material P. The recording material P discharged to the discharge tray 81 slides down the discharge tray 81 so that the trailing edge of the recording material P is aligned by 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 orthogonal to the discharge direction DD such that a recording material having a maximum width dimension conveyable by the image forming apparatus 1 can pass through. In the following description, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are defined with reference to a state in which the operation unit 300 is viewed from the front.

As described above, the recording material P discharged to the outside of the casing 100a through the discharge port 85 is stacked on the discharge tray 81. The casing 100a of the printer main body 100 accommodates the developing container 32 having the accommodating unit 36, and includes the discharge port 85. In the present exemplary embodiment, the casing 100a accommodates, for example, the photosensitive drum 21, the developing device 30, the fixing unit 70, and the registration roller pair 15. At the top of the housing 100a in the vertical direction, the ceiling unit 200 is fixed, and the discharge tray 81 is positioned. The ceiling unit 200 is immovably fixed to the housing 100 a.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a toner receiving unit (mounting unit) 600 having a replenishment opening (mounting opening) 32 a. As will be described below, in the present exemplary embodiment, the toner receiving unit 600 is located on the developing container 32. A part of the toner pack 40 is inserted into the replenishment port 32a of the toner receiving unit 600, and a predetermined operation is performed before the toner from the toner pack 40 can be replenished to the accommodating unit 36. The toner receiving unit 600 does not necessarily need to be located on the developing container 32, but may be located on the housing 100a of the printer main body 100.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2A, the discharge tray 81 includes an operable cover 83. The cover 83 is configured to be movable relative to the housing 100a and the ceiling unit 200. Specifically, the cover 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position where the cover 83 covers the replenishment port 32a and an open position where the cover 83 exposes the replenishment port 32a to the outside of the housing 100 a. In fig. 1, the cover 83 shown in solid lines represents the cover 83 in the open position, and the cover 83 shown in broken lines represents the cover 83 in the closed position. The cover 83 in the closed position constitutes at least a part of the stacking surface on which the recording materials P discharged from the discharge port 85 are stacked.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the discharge tray 81 includes a stacking portion 87 for stacking the recording material P discharged from the discharge port 85 together with the cover 83. The stacking portion 87 is configured not to move relative to the housing 100a or the top plate unit 200, and the stacking portion 87 constitutes a part of the stacking surface. However, the stacking portion 87 may be omitted, and the entire stacking surface of the discharge tray 81 for stacking the recording materials P may be constituted by the cover 83. As used herein, the stacking surface refers to a surface that is in contact with and supports the recording material P.

As shown in fig. 2B, when the cover 83 is opened, the cover back 83a, the top wall 93, and the supply port 32a are exposed to the outside. The top wall 93 is intended to protect the developing container 32 from above. The replenishment port 32a is attached by the toner pack 40 to replenish the developing container 32 with the developer.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2B, when the toner pack 40 is attached to the supply port 32a of the toner receiving unit 600, a part of the toner pack 40 protrudes from the housing 100a, thereby restricting the movement of the cover 83 to the closed position. In the case where the toner pack 40 is attached, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is restricted. To perform an image forming operation using the image forming apparatus 1, the toner pack 40 is removed and the cover 83 is moved to the closed position.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the cover 83 and the ceiling wall 93 are formed over the entire width of the discharge tray 81 in the width direction WD of the recording material P, which is parallel to the stacking surface and orthogonal to the discharge direction DD of the recording material P. In other words, the width of the discharge tray 81 (the width of the portion for supporting the recording material P) in the width direction WD is the same as the width of the cover 83.

The top wall 93 has an opening that exposes the toner receiving unit 600 to the outside of the housing 100 a. With the cover 83 in the closed position, the supply port 32a and the top wall 93 of the toner receiving unit 600 are covered with the cover 83. At this time, the supply port 32a and the ceiling wall 93 face the lid back surface 83 a. With the lid 83 opened, the user can use the refill port 32 a. The present exemplary embodiment uses a method in which a user supplies toner from the toner pack 40 filled with toner for supply to the developing device 30 in a state where the developing device 30 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 (direct supply method).

The use of the direct replenishment method can improve workability because when the remaining toner amount of the process cartridge 20 becomes low, it is not necessary to detach the process cartridge 20 from the printer main body 100 and to utilize a new replacement. Further, it is possible to supply the toner to the developing container 32 at a lower cost than when the entire process cartridge 20 is replaced. Even when compared with the developing device 30 in which only the process cartridge 20 is replaced, the direct replenishment method can reduce the cost because it is not necessary to replace various rollers and gears. The image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 40 constitute an image forming system 1000. The process cartridge 20 may be configured to be detachable from the printer main body 100.

[ Collection of transfer residual toner ]

The present exemplary embodiment adopts a cleanerless configuration in which transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 without being transferred to the recording material P is collected into the developing device 30 for reuse. The transfer residual toner is collected in the following steps. The transfer residual toner includes a mixture of the toner charged to the positive polarity and the toner charged to the negative polarity but insufficient in the charge amount. The photosensitive drum 21 after transfer is destaged by the pre-exposure device 23, and the charging roller 22 generates uniform discharge, so that the transfer residual toner is charged again to the negative polarity. As the photosensitive drum 21 rotates, the transfer residual toner charged to the negative polarity again in the charging portion reaches the developing portion. The scanner unit then exposes the surface area of the photosensitive drum 21 passing through the charging portion to write an electrostatic latent image with the transfer residual toner still adhering to the surface.

The behavior of the transfer residual toner reaching the developing portion will now be described separately for the exposed area and the unexposed area of the photosensitive drum 21. In the developing portion, the transfer residual toner adhering to the unexposed area of the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the developing roller 31 by a potential difference between the potential of the unexposed area of the photosensitive drum 21 (dark area potential) and the developing voltage, and is collected into the developing container 32. The reason is that when the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 has a positive polarity with respect to the potential of the unexposed area. The toner collected in the developing container 32 is stirred and dispersed by the stirring member 34 together with the toner in the developing container 32, carried on the developing roller 31, and used again in the developing process.

In contrast, the transfer residual toner adhering to the exposed 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 portion. The reason is that when the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative, the developing voltage applied to the developing roller 31 has a potential even of a negative polarity with respect to the potential of the exposed region (light region potential). The transfer residual toner remaining on the drum surface is carried on the photosensitive drum 21 together with other toner transferred from the developing roller 31 to the exposure area, moved to the transfer area, and transferred to the recording material P in the transfer area.

As described above, the present exemplary embodiment adopts the cleanerless configuration in which the transfer residual toner is collected into the developing device 30 for reuse. However, a conventional configuration of collecting the transfer residual toner by using a cleaning blade in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 may also be adopted. In such a case, the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning blade is collected into a collection container installed separately from the developing device 30. The cleanerless configuration can eliminate the need for an installation space of a collection container for collecting transfer residual toner, and can miniaturize the image forming apparatus 1. Further, reuse of the transfer residual toner can reduce printing costs.

[ arrangement of toner bag ]

The configuration of the toner pack 40, which toner pack 40 is detachable from and attachable to the image forming apparatus 1 and serves as a replenishment container that contains toner, will now be described. As shown in fig. 3A to 5, the toner pack 40 includes a shutter member 41, a seal member 504, a replenishment base 501, an outer ring member 510, an inner ring member 511, and a bag 503, which are assembled into the toner pack 40. The bag 503 is a flexible container for containing toner. A rotation axis z shown by a chain line in fig. 3A to 5 is a rotation center line of the toner pack 40.

Replenishment base 501 serving as a container base unit includes outer peripheral portion 501b as a side surface extending in axial direction D1 parallel to rotation axis Z and toner discharge port 501r formed in outer peripheral portion 501 b. The replenishment base 501 further includes a recessed portion 501f radially inward in the outer peripheral portion 501b and a protruding portion 501y radially outward from the outer peripheral portion 501 b. The toner discharge port 501r is a through hole communicating with the bag 503. The convex portion 501y is positioned at a different phase of 180 °.

As shown in fig. 4 to 7, the outer ring member 510 is a resin member having a substantially hexagonal outer periphery. An engaging portion 510y that can engage with the projection 501y of the refill base 501 is formed on the outer ring member 510. The outer ring member 510 is positioned to cover the inner ring member 511, and forms the outermost shape of the toner pack 40 to serve as a handle when holding the toner pack 40. In other words, the outer ring member 510 operates at a position radially distant from the rotation axis z. This can reduce the force with which the user operates the outer ring member 510 and improve workability.

Like the outer ring member 510, the inner ring member 511 serving as a support member is a resin member having a substantially hexagonal outer periphery. The inner coil member 511 is attached to the opening 503a of the bag 503 (see fig. 10A). The bag 503 is thus supported at the opening 503a such that the opening 503a is maintained open by the inner collar member 511. As will be described later, inner ring member 511 is fixed to replenishment base 501 so that opening 503a communicates with toner discharge port 501 r. The inner collar member 511 and the bag 503 may be connected by any method. Examples include methods using various adhesives, such as hot melt adhesives, and methods for heat welding the bag 503 to the inner loop member 511. The outer circumference of the outer ring member 510 desirably has a polygonal or other shape that prevents slippage when the user holds and rotates the outer ring member 510.

The inner ring member 511 has a concave portion 511y, and the convex portion 501y can engage with the concave portion 511 y. The concave portion 511y has a groove shape through which the convex portion 501y can pass, and the engaging portion 510y has a rib shape surrounding the convex portion 501 y.

As shown in fig. 6, inner ring member 511 is assembled with replenishment base 501 such that convex portion 501y engages with concave portion 511 y. As shown in fig. 7, the outer ring member 510 is assembled with the supply base 501 such that the projection 501y is engaged with the engaging portion 510 y. In this manner, outer ring member 510 and inner ring member 511 are supported by supply base 501, so that rotation relative to supply base 501 is restricted.

The convex portion 501y is further connected to the concave portion 511y and the engaging portion 510y in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis z and in the radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction D1. For example, the convex portion 501y may be pressed into the concave portion 511y and the engaging portion 510y, or connected thereto by welding or by using an adhesive. As shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the supplement base 501, the outer ring member 510, the inner ring member 511, and the bag 503 are thereby integrally connected. The outer ring member 510 is a cylindrical member having an outer periphery 510D located at a position farther from the rotation axis z than the replenishment base 501 in the radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction D1. The inner ring member 511 is fixed to the supply base 501 inside the outer ring member 510.

The supply base 501, the outer ring member 510, the inner ring member 511, and the bag 503 which are integrally connected will be referred to as a rotary container unit 401 hereinafter. The shutter member 41 and the sealing member 504 integrally connected as will be described below will be referred to as a container shutter unit 402. In other words, as shown in fig. 5, toner pack 40 includes container shutter unit 402 and rotary container unit 401 rotatable with respect to container shutter unit 402. As shown in fig. 8A, rotary container unit 401 is positioned to be rotatable about axis of rotation z about a direction z1 and a direction z2 opposite direction z1 with respect to container shutter unit 402.

As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, the shutter member 41 serving as a container shutter is a resin member of a substantially cylindrical shape. The shutter member 41 has a cutout 41f and grooves 41g and 41 h. A notch 41f and a groove 41g are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the shutter member 41. A groove 41h is formed in the bottom of the shutter member 41. The cutout 41f has a substantially rectangular shape. The groove 41g is formed to extend circumferentially over a partial range (about 90 °) in the circumferential direction of the shutter member 41. The groove 41h is formed to extend circumferentially in the bottom part in a partial range (about 90 °) in the circumferential direction of the shutter member 41.

The sealing member 504 is made of a material such as an elastically deformable foamed urethane and a non-woven fabric, and is fixed to the inner surface of the shutter member 41 by, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape. More specifically, the seal member 504 is located at a position different from the cutout 41f of the shutter member 41. In other words, sealing member 504 and shutter member 41 are integrally connected to constitute container shutter unit 402. Container shutter unit 402 may thus prevent toner leakage at the interface between sealing member 504 and shutter member 41.

As shown in fig. 8A to 10B, when the rotary container unit 401 is assembled with the container shutter unit 402, the rib 501x protruding from the outer peripheral portion 501B of the replenishment base 501 is aligned with the recess 41x formed in the shutter member 41. Fig. 10A illustrates a state in which rotary container unit 401 and container shutter unit 402 are assembled with ribs 501x through recesses 41 x. Here, the cylindrical portion 41c of the shutter member 41 is inserted into the groove-shaped inner diameter portion 501e formed in the end portion of the refill base 501. The inner diameter portion 501e and the cylindrical portion 41c are respectively a cylindrical groove and a cylindrical protrusion concentric about the rotation axis z. The cylindrical portion 41c (annular rib) is inserted into the inner diameter portion 501e (annular groove) and thus rotatably guides the replenishment base 501 about the rotation axis z with respect to the shutter member 41.

The replenishment base 501 also has a hole 501k located radially inward of the inner diameter portion 501e (see fig. 6). The shutter member 41 includes an attachment portion 41d to be inserted into the hole 501k (see fig. 9A). A portion-to-be-engaged 41k that is open to the end side of the toner pack 40 is formed in the attaching portion 41 d. The portion to be engaged 41k defines a double D-hole. The attaching portion 41D has a protruding double D shape corresponding to the shape of the portion to be engaged 41 k. The outermost diameter of the attachment portion 41d is designed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the hole 501k so that the attachment portion 41d can freely rotate inside the hole 501 k.

A plurality of (four in the present exemplary embodiment) ribs 510b extending in the axial direction D1 are formed on the end surface 510x of the outer ring member 510 on the shutter member 41 side. As shown in fig. 10B, the base end portion 41B of the shutter member 41 is surrounded by the end surface 510x and the ribs 501x, so that the movement of the base end portion 41B of the shutter member 41 is restricted in the axial direction D1 and the radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction D1. Rotary container unit 401 including replenishment base 501 is thereby attached to container shutter unit 402 including shutter member 41 such that rotary container unit 401 is rotatable about rotation axis z with respect to container shutter unit 402 and is restricted in movement in axial direction D1 and the radial direction.

The sealing member 504 fixed to the shutter member 41 has a sliding surface 504b that slides over the outer peripheral portion 501b of the replenishment base 501. The seal member 504 is pressed and deformed by the outer peripheral portion 501b toward the shutter member 41 (i.e., outward in a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction D1), so that a surface pressure occurs between the outer peripheral portion 501b and the sliding surface 504 b. This can prevent toner leakage at the interface between sealing member 504 and replenishment base 501.

More specifically, the replenishment base 501 and the shutter member 41 are cylindrical members when viewed in the axial direction D1 of the rotation axis z. The replenishment base 501 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis z along the inner periphery of the shutter member 41 inside the shutter member 41.

Fig. 10A and 11A illustrate a state in which the toner discharge port 501r formed in the replenishment base 501 is shielded by the shutter member 41 and the sealing member 504. Here, the toner contained in bag 503 can move to toner discharge port 501r through opening 503a of bag 503, the internal space of inner ring member 511, opening 501a of replenishment base 501, and the internal space of replenishment base 501. However, in the case of the individual toner pack 40, since the toner discharge port 501r is shielded by the shutter member 41 and the sealing member 504, the toner contained in the bag 503 is sealed without leaking out. The opening 503a of the bag 503 is located at one end of the bag 503 in the axial direction D1.

Fig. 10B and 11B illustrate a state in which the toner discharge port 501r formed in the replenishment base 501 is not shielded by the shutter member 41 or the sealing member 504 but is opened. Here, the toner discharge port 501r is positioned to face the cutout 41f in the shutter member 41, and the toner contained in the bag 503 can be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40 via the toner discharge port 501r and the cutout 41 f.

For example, the state of the toner pack 40 shown in fig. 11A will be referred to as a shielding state, and the state of the toner pack 40 shown in fig. 11B will be referred to as an open state. In such a case, when the rotary container unit 401 rotates about 90 ° about the rotation axis z in the direction of the arrow z1, the toner pack 40 in the shielding state enters the open state. When the rotary container unit 401 is rotated about the rotation axis z by about 90 ° in the direction of the arrow z2, the toner pack 40 in the opened state enters the shielding state. It is possible to freely set how much the rotation container unit 401 is to be rotated to bring the toner pack 40 into the open state or the shielding state.

As shown in fig. 11A, the position of the replenishment base 501 when the toner pack 40 is in the shielding state will be referred to as a shielding position or a first shielding position. As shown in fig. 11B, the position of the replenishment base 501 when the toner pack 40 is in the open state will be referred to as the open position or the first open position.

When replenishment base 501 is at the shielding position, toner discharge port 501r is shielded by shutter member 41. With replenishment base 501 in the open position, toner discharge port 501r is opened by shutter member 41, so that toner in bag 503 is discharged to the outside of toner pack 40 via toner discharge port 501 r.

After the toner pack 40 is attached to the developing container 32, the user grips the outer periphery 510d of the outer ring member 510 and rotates the outer ring member 510 about the rotation axis z in the direction of the arrow zl. This also rotates the replenishment base 501 about the rotation axis z in the direction of the arrow z1, and the toner discharge port 501r of the replenishment base 501 is exposed through the cutout 41 f. As a result, the toner pack 40 is shifted from the shielding state to the open state, and the toner in the bag 503 can be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40. The axial direction D1 parallel to the rotation axis z is a direction along the vertical direction. The direction of attachment of the toner pack 40 to the image forming apparatus 1 is a direction along the axial direction D1. In other words, the toner pack 40 is configured to be attached to the image forming apparatus 1 such that the axial direction D1, which is the direction of the rotation axis z, coincides with the direction along the vertical direction.

Examples of the material of the bag 503 include resins such as Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and composites thereof, and composites of nonwoven fabric or paper with the aforementioned resins. If the bag 503 is made of a material that can be deformed by a user, the user can press or squeeze the bag 503 with a finger to easily discharge the toner in the bag 503.

After finishing the discharge of the toner in the bag 503 into the developing container 32, the user grips the outer periphery 510d of the outer ring member 510 and rotates the outer ring member 510 about the rotation axis z in the direction of the arrow z 2. This also rotates the replenishment base 501 about the rotation axis z in the direction of the arrow z2, and the toner discharge port 501r of the replenishment base 501 is shielded by the shutter member 41 and the sealing member 504. As a result, the toner pack 40 is shifted from the open state to the shielding state, and the toner pack 40 can be detached from the developing container 32.

[ toner receiving unit of developing container ]

The toner receiving unit 600 located on the developing container 32 will now be described. As shown in fig. 12A to 15, the toner receiving unit 600 includes a receiving base unit 602 and a receiving shutter unit 601. The receiving shutter unit 601 is supported to be rotatable about the rotation axis z with respect to the receiving base unit 602.

Fig. 12A and 13A illustrate a state in which the toner supply port 32r communicating with the accommodating unit 36 is shielded. Fig. 12B and 13B illustrate a state in which the toner supply port 32r is opened. The state of the toner receiving unit 600 in which the toner supply port 32r is shielded as shown in fig. 12A and 13A will be referred to as a shielded state hereinafter. The state of the toner receiving unit 600 in which the toner supply port 32r is open as illustrated in fig. 12B and 13B will be referred to as an open state.

The receiving base unit 602 includes a cylindrical portion 32g serving as a main body base portion of a substantially cylindrical shape, a base seal 506, and a shutter holding member 512. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical portion 32g is integrally formed on the developing container 32 (see fig. 1). However, this is not restrictive. For example, the cylindrical portion 32g may be made of a member separate from the developing container 32 and fixed to the developing container 32. The cylindrical portion 32g may be located on a portion of the printer body 100 other than the developing container 32, and is configured such that the developing container 32 is replenished with toner via the cylindrical portion 32 g.

The cylindrical portion 32g includes a supply port 32a, an outer peripheral portion 32b, and a toner supply port 32 r. The replenishment port 32a is intended to replenish the accommodating unit 36 (see fig. 1) of the developing container 32 with toner from the toner pack 40. The outer peripheral portion 32b is a side surface extending in the axial direction D1. The toner supply port 32r is formed in the outer peripheral portion 32 b. The cylindrical portion 32g further includes an engaging portion 32e protruding upward in the axial direction D1 from the bottom surface 32h (see fig. 19A). As will be described below, the engaging portion 32e is engaged with the portion to be engaged 41k of the shutter member 41. Specifically, the engaging portion 32e has a double D boss shape corresponding to the double D hole-shaped portion to be engaged 41 k.

The engaging portion 32e is pressed into the hole 512e of the shutter holding member 512. The hole 512e is thus given a double D-hole shape similar to the engaging portion 32 e. After shutter member 507 receiving shutter unit 601 is assembled with cylindrical portion 32g, shutter holding member 512 is attached to engagement portion 32e of cylindrical portion 32 g. Although the shutter holding member 512 is pressed in and thereby fixed to the engagement portion 32e of the cylindrical portion 32g in the present exemplary embodiment, this is not restrictive. For example, the shutter holding member 512 may be fixed to the cylindrical portion 32g by a method using welding or an adhesive.

As shown in fig. 16A and 16B, the base seal 506 is made of a material such as an elastically deformable foamed polyurethane and a non-woven fabric, and is fixed to the cylindrical portion 32g by, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape. The base seal 506 can thereby prevent toner leakage at the interface between the base seal 506 and the cylindrical portion 32 g. The base seal 506 has an opening 506a at a position corresponding to the toner supply port 32 r. The toner passing through the opening 506a is supplied to the accommodating unit 36 of the developing container 32 through the toner supply port 32r (see fig. 1).

As shown in fig. 12A to 15, 17A, and 17B, receiving shutter unit 601 includes shutter member 507 and shutter sheet 505. The developing container 32 (see fig. 1) includes an accommodating unit 36, a cylindrical portion 32g, and a shutter member 507, and rotatably supports the developing roller 31. The toner pack 40 is configured to be attachable to the developing container 32.

The shroud member 507 includes 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 507 k. The convex portion 507e protrudes radially inward from the outer diameter portion 507 k. As shown in fig. 17A, the convex portion 507e includes a horizontal portion 507x of a substantially fan shape and an extending portion 507s extending in the axial direction D1. The horizontal portion 507x is configured to be able to pass through a groove 41g (see fig. 9A) in the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40. The extension portion 507s is configured to be able to pass through a groove 41h in the shutter member 41 (see fig. 9A).

As shown in fig. 17A and 17B, a masking sheet 505 is fixed to the outer periphery of the extension portion 507s by, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape. The louver sheet 505 is a film having a thickness of about 100 μm. The shutter sheet 505 is positioned such that an end 505a of the shutter sheet 505 protrudes from an edge portion 507a of the extension portion 507 s. The sliding surface 505k of the shutter sheet 505 is configured to be slidable over a sliding surface 506d (see fig. 16A) of the base seal 506.

The outer diameter portion 507k of the shutter member 507 has grooves 507p with which ribs 510b (see fig. 8A) formed on the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 can be engaged. The grooves 507p are diametrically opposed to each other, and are formed to extend circumferentially in a partial region (about 90 °) in the circumferential direction of the outer diameter portion 507 k. The top of the outer diameter portion 507k is thus divided into four sections by the groove 507p, and four ribs 510b on the outer ring member 510 engage with the four sections. The toner pack 40 is thus configured to be rotatable only within a range of about 90 ° when attached to the toner receiving unit 600. This clearly defines the range of the rotating operation on the rotating container unit 401 of the toner pack 40 when replenishing the toner from the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32, and can improve workability.

As shown in fig. 18, an inner diameter portion 507h of the shutter member 507 has a guide groove 507 c. The guide rib 32k of the cylindrical portion 32g is inserted into the guide groove 507 c. As shown in fig. 18 to 19B, the guide groove 507c and the guide rib 32k are a cylindrical groove and a cylindrical protrusion, respectively, concentric about the rotation axis z. The guide rib 32k is inserted into the guide groove 507c to rotatably guide the shutter member 507 about the rotation axis z with respect to the cylindrical portion 32 g.

An inner periphery 507d of the shutter member 507 is positioned slidably over the rib 32m of the cylindrical portion 32 g. The shutter member 507 is thus supported rotatably about the rotation axis z with respect to the cylindrical portion 32 g.

The inner diameter portion 507h of the shutter member 507 has a hole 507q, which is located radially inside of the guide groove 507 c. The engaging portion 32e is inserted through the hole 507 q. The inner diameter of hole 507q is larger than the outermost diameter of engagement portion 32e, and shutter member 507 may rotate freely without interfering with engagement portion 32 e.

After the shutter member 507 is assembled with the cylindrical portion 32g, the shutter holding (retain) member 512 is pressed onto the engagement portion 32 e. Ribs 507j of shutter member 507 are thereby sandwiched between bottom surface 32h of cylindrical portion 32g and shutter retaining member 512 in axial direction D1. As a result, movement of shutter member 507 in axial direction D1 is restricted. In other words, receiving shutter unit 601 including shutter member 507 is attached to receiving base unit 602 including cylindrical portion 32g and shutter holding member 512 to be relatively rotatable about rotation axis z and immovable in axial direction D1 or radially.

The base seal 506 fixed to the cylindrical portion 32g is pressed and deformed toward the cylindrical portion 32g (i.e., outward in a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction D1) by the shutter sheet 505 fixed to the shutter member 507. This generates surface pressure between the sliding surface 506d of the base seal 506 and the sliding surface 505k (see fig. 17A) of the shutter plate 505. In the case of the developing container 32 alone, it is therefore possible to prevent toner contained in the developing container 32 from leaking through the interface between the substrate seal 506 and the shutter sheet 505.

[ coupling of toner bag to cylindrical portion of developing container ]

The coupling and decoupling operation of the toner pack 40 and the developing container 32 and the opening and closing operation of the toner discharge port 501r and the toner supply port 32r will now be described. Fig. 3A and 11A illustrate a shielding state of the toner pack 40 in which the toner discharge port 501r is shielded by the sealing member 504 attached to the shutter member 41. Fig. 12A and 13A illustrate a shielding state of the toner receiving unit 600 in which the toner supply port 32r is shielded by the shutter sheet 505 attached to the shutter member 507.

When the developing container 32 starts to be replenished with toner, both the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600 are in a shielded state. In other words, when replenishment base 501 is at the first shielding position, toner discharge port 501r is located at a position not overlapping with toner supply port 32r of cylindrical portion 32g when viewed in the radial direction orthogonal to axial direction D1, and shutter member 507 is located at the second shielding position.

The user then fits the toner pack 40 to the toner receiving unit 600 as shown in fig. 20A. Here, the portion to be engaged 41k (see fig. 3A) formed in the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 is engaged with the engaging portion 32e formed on the cylindrical portion 32g of the toner receiving unit 600.

The portion to be engaged 41k and the engaging portion 32e have respective double D shapes, and by the engagement of the double D shapes, the shutter member 41 is attached to the cylindrical portion 32g so as not to be rotatable about the rotation axis z. More specifically, the portion-to-be-engaged 41k is configured such that when the toner pack 40 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the portion-to-be-engaged 41k engages with the engaging portion 32e of the image forming apparatus 1, thereby restricting rotation of the shutter member 41 about the rotation axis z.

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

The convex portion 507e (see fig. 13A) formed on the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving unit 600 passes through the cutout 41f in the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40, and engages with the concave portion 501f (see fig. 8A) formed in the replenishment base 501. If both the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600 are in the shielding state, when the toner pack 40 is fitted to the toner receiving unit 600, the portion-to-be-engaged 41k can be engaged with the engaging portion 32e and at the same time the convex portion 507e can be engaged with the concave portion 501 f.

Assume that the user rotates the outer periphery 510d of the outer ring member 510 about the rotation axis z in the direction of the arrow z1 in the state shown in fig. 20A to replenish the developing container 32 with toner in the toner pack 40. Rotation of the outer race member 510 in the direction of arrow z1 also causes the refill base 501 to rotate in an interlocking manner in the direction of arrow z 1. Here, the step 501n (see fig. 8A) of the recess 501f in the replenishment base 501 presses the end surface 507f (see fig. 13A) serving as the portion to be contacted of the projection 507e on the shutter member 507.

In other words, when the toner pack 40 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the step 501n serving as a contact portion is brought into contact with the end surface 507f, so that the shutter member 507 rotates about the rotation axis z together with the shutter member 41. Shutter member 507 serving as a body shutter thus rotates together with replenishment base 501 about rotation axis Z in the direction of arrow Z1.

Meanwhile, due to the aforementioned rotation restriction, the cylindrical portion 32g of the toner receiving unit 600 and the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 do not rotate. As shown in fig. 11B, the replenishment base 501 of the toner pack 40 is thereby rotated in the direction of arrow z1 with respect to the shutter member 41, and the toner discharge port 501r faces the cutout 41f of the shutter member 41. In other words, the toner pack 40 enters the open state and becomes able to discharge the toner contained in the toner pack 40.

Meanwhile, as shown in fig. 13B, the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving unit 600 rotates in the direction of arrow z1 with respect to the cylindrical portion 32g, and the shutter piece 505 fixed to the shutter member 507 is separated from the toner supply port 32 r. That is, the toner receiving unit 600 enters the open state and becomes able to receive the toner discharged from the toner pack 40. In other words, the shutter member 507 is located at the second open position at which the toner supply port 32r is opened so that the accommodating unit 36 of the developing container 32 can receive the toner supplied from the toner pack 40 via the toner supply port 32 r. When replenishment base 501 is in the first open position, toner discharge port 501r is located at a position overlapping toner supply port 32r of cylindrical portion 32g as viewed in the radial direction orthogonal to axial direction D1, and shutter member 507 is located at the second open position.

As shown in fig. 20B, the developing container 32 is replenished with toner contained in the toner pack 40 through the toner supply port 32r and the toner discharge port 501 r. The rotation angle of the outer ring member 510 is limited to about 90 ° by the engagement of the protrusions 507e of the shutter member 507 with the grooves 41g and 41h of the shutter member 41 and the engagement of the ribs 510b of the outer ring member 510 with the grooves 507p of the shutter member 507. The rotation angle of the outer ring member 510 is not limited to about 90 °, and may be less than 90 ° or greater than or equal to 90 °.

The engagement of the protrusions 507e of the shutter member 507 with the grooves 41g of the shutter member 41 makes the toner pack 40 immovable in the axial direction D1 with respect to the toner receiving unit 600, so that the toner pack 40 can be locked to the toner receiving unit 600. This can reduce the chance that the toner pack 40 is unintentionally detached from the toner receiving unit 600 and toner inside the image forming apparatus 1 scatters during toner replenishment, thereby improving workability during toner replenishment operation.

Next, assume that the user rotates the outer periphery 510d of the outer ring member 510 about the rotation axis z in the direction of the arrow z2 in the state shown in fig. 20B, and detaches the toner pack 40 from the cylindrical portion 32g of the developing container 32. Rotation of the outer race member 510 in the direction of arrow z2 also causes the refill base 501 to rotate in an interlocking manner in the direction of arrow z 2. Here, the step 501m (see fig. 8A) of the recess 501f in the replenishment base 501 presses the end surface 507g (see fig. 13B) of the projection 507e of the shutter member 507. Shutter member 507 thus rotates together with replenishment base 501 about rotation axis z in the direction of arrow z 2.

Meanwhile, due to the aforementioned rotation restriction, the cylindrical portion 32g of the toner receiving unit 600 and the shutter member 41 of the toner pack 40 do not rotate. As shown in fig. 11A, the replenishment base 501 of the toner pack 40 is rotated in the direction of arrow z2 with respect to the shutter member 41, and the toner discharge port 501r faces the sealing member 504 fixed to the shutter member 41 (see fig. 10A). In other words, the toner pack 40 enters the shielding state and becomes unable to discharge the toner contained in the toner pack 40.

Meanwhile, as shown in fig. 13A, shutter member 507 of toner receiving unit 600 rotates in the direction of arrow z2 with respect to cylindrical portion 32g, and shutter sheet 505 fixed to shutter member 507 covers toner supply port 32 r. That is, the toner receiving unit 600 enters the shielding state and becomes unable to receive the toner discharged from the toner pack 40. Here, the shutter member 507 is located at a second shielding position where the toner supply port 32r is shielded.

In such a state, the convex portion 507e of the shutter member 507 is separated from the grooves 41g and 41h of the shutter member 41, and the toner pack 40 can be detached from the toner receiving unit 600. Since both the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600 are in the shielded state, the toner pack 40 can be detached from the toner receiving unit 600 without scattering the toner.

[ arrangement for preventing toner leakage ]

A configuration for preventing toner leakage between the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600 will now be described with reference to fig. 21A to 23B. Fig. 21A to 23B are schematic sectional views illustrating a layout relationship between the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600 of the developing container 32. The sealing member 504 and the base seal 506, each on a cylindrical surface, are schematically illustrated here as planar members.

Fig. 21A to 23B are views of the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600 in the axial direction Dl. If the outer ring member 510 (see fig. 20A) of the toner pack 40 rotates in the direction of the arrow z1, the replenishment base 501 moves leftward in fig. 21A to 23B.

Fig. 21A illustrates a state before the developing container 32 is coupled with the toner pack 40. Fig. 21B illustrates a state in which the toner pack 40 in the state illustrated in fig. 21A is attached to the developing container 32, and the replenishment base 501 of the toner pack 40 and the shutter member 507 of the toner receiving unit 600 are to be rotated. In the state shown in fig. 21B, the toner supply port 32r and the toner discharge port 501r are shielded, and the toner contained in the bag 503 (see fig. 3A) will not be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 40.

Fig. 21C illustrates a state in which the replenishment base 501 and the shutter member 507 are rotated by an angle Θ 1(0 ° < Θ 1<90 °) about the rotation axis z in the direction of an arrow z1 (see fig. 20A) from the state illustrated in fig. 21B. Fig. 22A illustrates a state in which replenishment base 501 and shutter member 507 are rotated by 90 ° in the direction of arrow z1 (see fig. 20A) from the state illustrated in fig. 21B, and toner supply port 32r and toner discharge port 501r are opened.

As shown in fig. 21B, when the toner pack 40 in the shielding state is attached to the toner receiving unit 600 in the shielding state, the end 505a of the shielding sheet 505 is positioned in contact with the outer peripheral portion 501B of the replenishment base 501. The step 501n of the replenishment base 501 is positioned with a gap δ 1 from the end surface 507f of the shutter member 507 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis z. The step 501m of the replenishment base 501 is positioned with a gap δ 2 from the end surface 507g of the shutter member 507 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis z.

The gaps δ 1 and δ 2 correspond to a clearance (slack) when the user attaches the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32. The presence of the gaps δ 1 and δ 2 may facilitate attachment of the toner pack 40 to the developing container 32 and improve attachability of the toner pack 40.

After the toner pack 40 is attached to the toner receiving unit 600 of the developing container 32, the user rotates the replenishment base 501 in the direction of arrow z 1. As shown in fig. 21C, this eliminates the gap δ 1 existing in fig. 21B and brings the step 501n of the replenishment base 501 into contact with the end surface 507f of the shutter member 507. End surface 507f is pressed by step 501n, and replenishment base 501 and shutter member 507 rotate together in the direction of arrow z 1. Here, the gap δ 2 has a wider space than the initial state. The end 505a of the shutter piece 505 is arranged not to be separated from the outer peripheral portion 501b of the replenishment base 501 but to be maintained in contact with the outer peripheral portion 501 b.

If the user further rotates the refill base 501 in the direction of arrow z1, as shown in fig. 22A, the toner discharge port 501r and the toner supply port 32r are opened instead of being covered with the shutter sheet 505 and the shutter member 507. 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 32 r. During toner supply, base seal 506 prevents toner from entering the interface with replenishment base 501.

When the toner pack 40 is detached after the end of discharging toner from the toner pack 40, as shown in fig. 22B, the user rotates the replenishment base 501 in the state of fig. 22A by an angle Θ 3 in the direction of an arrow z2 (rightward in the drawing) (0 ° < Θ 3<90 °). This brings step 501m of replenishment base 501 into contact with end surface 507g of shutter member 507, and gap δ 2 existing in fig. 22A disappears. End surface 507g is pressed by step 501m, and replenishment base 501 and shutter member 507 rotate together in the direction of arrow z 2. Here, the gap δ 1 has a wider space than the initial state.

If the user further rotates the replenishment base 501 in the direction of arrow z2, as shown in fig. 23A, a gap δ 1 formed between the step 501n of the replenishment base 501 and the end surface 507f of the shutter member 507 appears above the toner supply port 32 r. Here, the contact between the end 505a of the shutter piece 505 and the outer peripheral portion 501b of the replenishment base 501 can prevent toner from entering the gap δ 1.

If the user further rotates the refill base 501 in the direction of the arrow z2, as shown in fig. 23B, 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. In such a state, the toner pack 40 can be detached from the cylindrical portion 32g of the developing container 32. Detaching the toner pack 40 from the cylindrical portion 32g restores the state shown in fig. 21A.

[ layout arrangement of indicator pieces ]

In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 24, an indication sheet 89 (information display portion) is attached to the cover back surface 83a to facilitate toner replenishment performed by the user. The indicator sheet 89 describes the operation procedure of toner replenishment using the toner pack 40.

Fig. 25 illustrates an example of information described in the indication sheet 89 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The indicator piece 89 includes text and graphics describing the four steps of the process, with numbers indicating the order of steps to be taken.

Step 1 shows how the toner pack 40 is set to the supply port 32 a. Step 2 shows how the shutter for supplying the developer is opened by rotating the toner pack 40 clockwise by 180 ° with respect to the housing 100 a. Step 3 shows how the developer is replenished to the developing vessel 32 by loosening the toner pack 40. Step 4 shows how the toner pack 40 is rotated counterclockwise by 180 ° with respect to the housing 100a and the toner pack 40 is removed from the replenishment port 32 a.

Since the indicating piece 89 is attached to the cover back surface 83a, the user may notice the presence of the indicating piece 89 when the cover 83 is opened with a finger in the hole portion 88. The attachment of the indicator piece 89 in the direction of use of the refill port 32a also has the advantage of high visibility to the user.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 24, the indicator sheet 89 is attached to the same left side as the refill port 32 a. This can reduce the movement of the line of sight during toner replenishment, and facilitate the user to perform toner replenishment while checking the operation procedure for toner replenishment, with high operability and improved workability. If the supply port 32a is located at the center of the top wall 93, the indicator piece 89 is also desirably attached to the center of the lid back 83 a. If the supply port 32a is located on the right side, then the indicator piece 89 is also desirably attached to the right side. In other words, the indicator piece 89 is desirably attached to a position corresponding to the position of the replenishment port 32 a.

Fig. 26 is a view of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishment port 32a, viewed in a horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD of the recording material P. In the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, the indicating sheet 89 is attached to the cover back surface 83a such that the position of the replenishment inlet 32a in the width direction WD coincides with the position of the indicating sheet 89. As shown in fig. 26, the toner pack 40 and the indicator sheet 89 thus at least partially overlap when viewed in the horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD.

As shown in fig. 26, the replenishment opening 32a and the indication piece 89 are located within a range (width) of the stacking surface of the discharge tray 81 in the width direction WD. In other words, the replenishment port 32a and the indicator piece 89 are located at relatively close positions, which facilitates the user to observe the indicator piece 89 while performing the toner replenishment operation to clarify the details of the operation.

As shown in fig. 26, the toner pack 40 is attached to the developing container 32 in the direction of arrow X, with the triangular mark 102a on the toner pack 40 and the triangular mark 102b on the toner receiving unit 600 being in phase. This can provide high operability and improve workability because the phase of the toner pack 40 in the rotational direction can be recognized and the toner pack 40 can be easily attached.

Next, a second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 27 and 28. The present exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment only in the position where the indicator piece 89 is attached. Therefore, description of other configurations will be omitted.

Fig. 27 illustrates a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the cover 83 is opened. In the present exemplary embodiment, the replenishment port 32a is located on the left and the indicator piece 89 is located on the right of the lid back surface 83 a. That is, unlike the first exemplary embodiment, the indicator sheet 89 is attached to a position on the opposite side where the replenishment port 32a is located. If the supply port 32a is located on the right in FIG. 27, the indicator piece 89 may be located on the left.

Fig. 28 is a view of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishment port 32a, viewed in a horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD of the recording material P. In the present exemplary embodiment, the indicating sheet 89 is attached to the cover back surface 83a such that the position of the replenishment opening 32a in the width direction WD is different from the position of the indicating sheet 89. As shown in fig. 27, the toner pack 40 and the indicator sheet 89 therefore do not overlap when viewed in the horizontal direction from downstream to upstream in the discharge direction DD.

Such a configuration can avoid a situation where a major portion of the indicator piece 89 is blocked by the toner pack 40 if, for example, the size of the toner pack 40 attached to the supply port 32a is large. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which it is difficult for the user to observe the information described in the indicator piece 89 when performing the replenishment operation.

As shown in fig. 28, the replenishment opening 32a and the indicating sheet 89 are located within the range of the stacking surface of the discharge tray 81 in the width direction WD. Since the replenishment port 32a and the indicator piece 89 are located at relatively close positions, the user can easily observe the indicator piece 89 while performing the toner replenishment operation to clarify the details of the operation.

Next, a third exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 29 and 30. The present exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment only in the position where the indicator piece 89 is attached. Therefore, description of other configurations will be omitted.

Fig. 29 illustrates a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the cover 83 is opened. In fig. 29, an extension tray 86 is attached to the discharge tray 81. In such a configuration, the indicator tab 89 may be attached to the top wall 93 instead of the lid back 83 a. This configuration provides the following effects: when the discharge tray 81 is opened with a finger in the hole portion 88, the user is more likely to notice the presence of the indicator piece 89, and the indicator piece 89 attached in the same direction as the attaching direction of the toner pack 40 has high visibility. This can also provide high operability and improve workability because the user can easily perform toner replenishment while observing the operation method for toner replenishment.

The extension tray 86 may be supported to be movable relative to the discharge tray 81, and is configured to be movable to a use position where the extension tray 86 can support the recording material P and a retracted position where the extension tray 86 is located when not used. The extension tray 86 may also be configured to be detachably attached to the discharge tray 81. Regardless of the presence of the extension tray 86, the indicator tab 89 may also be attached to the top wall 93.

As shown in fig. 30, not only the indicating sheet 89 but also a remaining amount indicating unit 94, a replenishment requesting unit 96, and a code display unit 97 may be provided on the top wall 93. The remaining amount indicating unit 94 indicates the remaining amount of toner contained in the developing container 32 in gradation by using three LEDs. The replenishment requesting unit 96 prompts the user to perform toner replenishment by turning on or blinking an LED if the remaining amount of toner accommodated in the developing container 32 becomes low. The code display unit 97 is desirably configured to display, for example, a quick responseSo as to read by using a smart phone cameraAn internet site that issues a moving image describing a toner replenishment process is automatically accessed.

The remaining amount indicating unit 94, replenishment requesting unit 96, and code display unit 97 are not limited to the configuration of the third exemplary embodiment in which the indicating sheet 89 is located on the top wall 93, and may also be included in the configuration of the first or second exemplary embodiment. In fig. 31A, an indicating sheet 89 is attached to the cover back surface 83a, and a remaining amount indicating unit 94, a replenishment requesting unit 96, and a code display unit 97 are located on the top wall 93.

A recess 93a may be formed on the top wall 93, and a smartphone for communicating with the image forming apparatus 1 to change and complete the setting of the main body or a portable information terminal for changing the setting of the main body may be placed in the recess 93 a. As shown in fig. 31B, the code display unit 97 may be located at the bottom of the concave portion 93 a. In such a configuration, the user can notice the code display unit before placing the smartphone in the recess 93a97 and read with a cameraTo access internet sites. With the smartphone placed in the recess 93a, the user then plays back a moving image describing the toner replenishment process on the screen of the smartphone. The user can thereby perform the toner replenishment operation while viewing the moving image.

Although several layout configurations have been described, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. Other layout configurations may be implemented in various combinations. For example, the recess 93a and the remaining amount indicating unit 94 may be located on the top wall 93, or the indicating sheet 89 may be located on the top wall 93, and the code display unit 97 is located on the cover back 83 a.

A fourth exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference to fig. 32. The present exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment only in the information described in the indication sheet 89. Therefore, description of other configurations will be omitted.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the indicator piece 89 is located at the same position as in the first exemplary embodiment. Specifically, the indicator piece 89 is located at a position on the cover back surface 83a shown in fig. 24 and 26. If, for example, the toner pack 40 attached to the supply port 32a has a large size, a major portion of the indicator piece 89 is caught by the toner pack 40. As a result, it may be difficult for the user to observe the information described in the indicator piece 89 when performing the replenishment operation.

Fig. 32 illustrates an example of information described in the indication sheet 89 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The indicator piece 89 includes text and graphics describing the four steps of the process, with numbers indicating the order of steps to be taken. The indicator piece 89 is different from the indicator piece of fig. 25 in the display position of each step.

In fig. 32, steps 1 and 2 are shown vertically below, while steps 3 and 4 are shown vertically above. The significant difference between the group 1 including steps 1 and 2 and the group 2 including steps 3 and 4 is that the operation included in the group 1 is completed before the toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishment port 32a, while the operation included in the group 2 is started after the toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishment port 32 a. In view of this, in the present exemplary embodiment, the display position of the information on steps 3 and 4 is shifted upward in the vertical direction, so that the information is easier for the user to observe even after the toner pack 40 is attached to the replenishment port 32 a.

In the foregoing description of the present exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the layout bits of the indicator sheet 89 are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment. However, this is not restrictive. The indicator piece 89 described in the present exemplary embodiment can be applied to the configuration of the second or third exemplary embodiment.

In the foregoing first to fourth exemplary embodiments, the indicator sheet 89 describes four steps of the process relating to toner replenishment. However, this is not restrictive. All four steps need not be described, and the indicator sheet 89 may be configured to describe at least any one of the steps. Also, both text and graphics need not be included, and the indicator sheet 89 may be configured to include only either text or graphics.

In the foregoing first to fourth exemplary embodiments, the indicator sheet 89 is attached to the lid back surface 83a or the top wall 93. However, such a configuration is not limiting. Text and graphics may be engraved or stamped directly on the lid back 83a or top wall 93, rather than on the attachment tabs.

[ arrangement of the rod part ]

Next, another modification will be described. This exemplary embodiment is configured by replacing shutter member 507 of toner receiving unit 600 according to the first exemplary embodiment with shutter member 507B (see fig. 33A to 34). Components similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment will be omitted from the drawings or illustrated and described with the same reference numerals.

Similar to the first exemplary embodiment, the shutter member 507B according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an inner diameter portion 507h, an outer diameter portion 507k, and a convex portion 507e as shown in fig. 15. In other words, shutter member 507B differs only in that engagement unit 513 is added to shutter member 507 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

As shown in fig. 33A to 34, the engaging unit 513 of the shutter member 507B includes a substantially hexagonal opening 513A that engages with the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40, and a lever portion 513B that a user can operate to rotate.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatus 1B according to the present exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1B has substantially the same configuration and function as those of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 35, the discharge tray 81 of the image forming apparatus 1B has an opening 82 a. The opening 82a is located in the right portion of the image forming apparatus 1B.

The engagement unit 513 of the shutter member 507B is exposed to the outside via the opening 82 a. When replenishing the toner to the developing container 32 (see fig. 1), the user engages the toner pack 40 with the engaging unit 513. More specifically, the outer ring member 510 of the toner pack 40 is engaged with the engaging unit 513.

The user then operates the lever portion 513B exposed in the opening 82a to rotate the lever portion 513B about the rotation axis z (see fig. 33B). The shutter member 507B and the rotary container unit 401 (see fig. 5) including the toner pack 40 are thereby rotated to shift the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600B from the shielding state to the open state. This enables the toner in the toner pack 40 to be replenished to the developing container 32.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the toner pack 40 and the toner receiving unit 600B can be transitioned from the shielding state to the open state by operating the lever portion 513B of the shutter member 507B, instead of operating the outer ring member as in the first exemplary embodiment.

Since the space for gripping the lever portion 513b is smaller than the space for gripping the outer ring member 510, the lever portion 513b has high operability even with, for example, a small opening 82 a. This can therefore improve workability.

[ arrangement for preventing user from forgetting to close lid ]

As shown in fig. 36A and 36B, the present exemplary embodiment further includes a projection 83B on the cover back surface 83 a. The upper half of fig. 36A and 36B illustrate adjacent top views of the bonding unit 513. The lower half of fig. 36A and 36B illustrate adjacent side views of the engaging unit 513.

The top views of fig. 36A and 36B correspond to the sectional views of the image forming apparatus 1 taken along the line a-a shown in the sectional views of fig. 36A and 36B. Assume that the user rotates the engagement unit 513 from the closed position (fig. 36A) to the open position (fig. 36B) during toner replenishment, and forgets to return the engagement unit 513 to the closed position after toner replenishment ends. If the user tries to close the cover 83 in such a situation, the projection 83b interferes with the lever portion 513b and the cover 83 cannot be closed.

The foregoing configuration will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. A top view in the upper half of fig. 36A illustrates a case where the projection 83b and the lever portion 513b do not overlap. The top view in the upper half of fig. 36B illustrates a case where the projection 83B and the lever portion 513B overlap. In the case of fig. 36A, the cover 83 can thus be closed (moved to the closed position) without the projection 83b and the lever portion 513b interfering with each other. In contrast, in the case of fig. 36B, the cover 83 cannot be closed due to interference between the projection 83B and the lever portion 513B. As can be seen from the side view of fig. 36B, the cover 83 stops at a position vertically higher than in the side view of fig. 36A. Such a configuration may prompt the user to open the cover 83 again and rotate the engagement unit 513 to the closed position, whereby the user may be prevented from forgetting to close the engagement unit 513.

The image forming apparatus 1 may further include a cover open/close detection sensor, not shown. The cover open/close detection sensor can detect whether the cover 83 on the printer main body 100 is closed. If the cover open/close detection sensor detects that the cover 83 is not closed, the control unit 360 will not start image formation. Such a configuration can prevent toner from leaking out of the replenishment port 32a because image formation is inadvertently started with the lever portion 513b in a position other than the closed position.

In the configuration of fig. 36A and 36B, it is described that the lever portion 513B to be operated by the user interferes with the projection 83B when the cover 83 is closed. However, this is not restrictive. Fig. 37A and 37B illustrate a configuration in which a protrusion 520 that interferes with the protrusion 83B when the cover 83 is closed is provided in addition to the lever portion 513B to be operated by the user. If the rod portion 513b is moved, the protrusions 520 are also moved by the same amount in the same direction.

The top view in the upper half of fig. 37A illustrates a case where the projections 83b and 520 do not overlap. The top view in the upper half of fig. 37B illustrates a case where the projections 83B and 520 overlap. In the case of fig. 37A, the cover 83 can thus be closed (moved to the closed position) without the projections 83b and 520 interfering with each other. In contrast, in the case of fig. 37B, the cover 83 cannot be closed due to interference between the projections 83B and 520. As can be seen from the side view of fig. 37B, the cover 83 stops at a position vertically higher than in the side view of fig. 37A. Such a configuration may prompt the user to open the cover 83 again and rotate the engagement unit 513 to the closed position, whereby the user may be prevented from forgetting to close the engagement unit 513.

[ target position of movement of the rod ]

As shown in fig. 38, stickers 99a and 99b may be attached to respective points corresponding to the open position and the closed position of the lever portion 513b as movement guides. This enables the user to check that the engagement unit 513 is rotated to the open position during toner replenishment and to check that the engagement unit 513 is rotated back to the closed position when the engagement unit 513 is returned after toner replenishment, so that it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to close the engagement unit 513.

The movement guide does not necessarily need to be the stickers 99a and 99 b. For example, the indicia may be directly engraved or embossed.

As shown in fig. 38, an indicator piece 89 may be located near the joining unit 513. Positioning the indicating sheet 89 near the joining unit 513 reduces movement of the line of sight, and therefore can provide high operability and improved workability.

[ guide groove for rod movement ]

As shown in fig. 39, a guide groove 530 may be formed in the top wall 93 so that the lever portion 513b may be more easily moved between the open position and the closed position, and a user may intuitively understand in which direction to rotate the lever portion 513 b. The guide groove 530 is an arc-shaped groove formed along the rotation locus of the lever portion 513 b.

[ part of the cover constitutes the front outer portion ]

As shown in fig. 40A and 40B, the rib 83c on the cover 83 may constitute a part of the front exterior member 103 of the image forming apparatus 1. The exterior member 103 refers to an exterior member of the casing 100a located downstream in the discharge direction DD of the recording material P. With such a configuration, when the cover 83 is opened, an open space appears in front of the refill port 32 a. This can provide high operability during toner replenishment and improve workability.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.