CN107272362B

CN107272362B - Toner container and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN107272362B
Application number: CN201610213138.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 村田耕治
Original assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2016-04-07
Filing date: 2016-04-07
Publication date: 2021-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-07
Also published as: CN107272362A; CN112596358B; CN112596358A

Abstract

The invention provides a toner container and an image forming apparatus. The toner container of the present invention includes a container main body, a cover member, and an agitating member. The container body contains toner and is rotatable. The cover member covers an opening provided in the container body, has a communicating space communicating with an internal space of the container body through the opening, and maintains a rotation stop state when the container body rotates. The stirring member rotates together with the container main body to stir the toner in the communicating space.

Description

Toner container and image forming apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus having the same.

Background

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system, a developing process is performed by supplying toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of an image carrier (e.g., a photosensitive drum) by a developing device. Toner used for such a developing process is supplied from a toner container to a developer. The toner container includes, for example, a container body that is rotatable and stores toner.

In the toner container having the above-described configuration, the opening of the container main body may be covered with a cover member that is kept in a rotation-stopped state when the container main body rotates. For example, the cover member is provided with a communicating space which communicates with the internal space of the container main body through the opening, and the toner in the container main body is discharged to the outside through the communicating space. In the case of such a structure, if the toner is aggregated and solidified in the communicating space, there is a problem that the toner in the container main body cannot be discharged to the outside through the communicating space.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent toner from solidifying in a communicating space of a cover member.

A toner container according to an aspect of the present invention includes a container main body, a cover member, and an agitating member. The container body contains toner and is rotatable. The cover member covers an opening provided in the container body, has a communicating space communicating with an internal space of the container body through the opening, and maintains a rotation stop state when the container body rotates. The stirring member rotates together with the container main body to stir the toner in the communicating space.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the toner container and a mounting portion for mounting the toner container.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view schematically showing the structure of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge for black toner and each toner replenishment mounting part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a toner cartridge for black toner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a rear portion of a toner cartridge for black toner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge for black toner according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front left.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge for black toner according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front right.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a toner cartridge for black toner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a container main body and an agitating member of a toner cartridge for black toner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a rear view showing a toner cartridge for black toner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11A is a side view showing a state where the 1 st lever is located at the 1 st position in the toner cartridge for black toner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11B is a side view showing a state where the 1 st lever is located at the 2 nd position in the toner cartridge for black toner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12A is a side view showing a state where the 2 nd operation lever is located at the 3 rd position in the toner cartridge for black toner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12B is a side view showing a state where the 2 nd operation lever is located at the 4 th position in the toner cartridge for black toner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing a toner cartridge for cyan toner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of each toner replenishment mounting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of each toner cartridge and a rear portion of each toner replenishment mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view showing a waste toner bottle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a side view showing a waste toner collecting mounting part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner cartridge for black toner is mounted on a toner replenishment mounting portion for black toner in the multifunction integrated machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view showing a state where a waste toner bottle is mounted on a waste toner collecting mounting part in the multifunction integrated machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view showing a rear portion of a toner cartridge for black toner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

A multifunction device 1 (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U, and Lo shown as appropriate in the drawings indicate the front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower sides of the multifunction integrated machine 1, respectively.

First, a general structure of the multifunction integrated machine 1 will be described.

As shown in fig. 1, the multifunction device 1 has a box-like multifunction device main body 2 (device main body). An image reading device 3 for reading an image of an original is provided at an upper end portion of the multifunction integrated machine main body 2. A paper output tray 4 is provided below the image reading device 3 on the upper portion of the multifunction integrated machine body 2.

The multifunction integrated machine main body 2 houses an intermediate transfer belt 5 at a substantially central portion thereof. A cleaning mechanism 6 is provided on the left end side of the central transfer belt 5.

In the substantially central portion of the multifunction integrated machine

main body

2, 4

image forming portions

7K, 7C, 7M, and 7Y are housed below the intermediate transfer belt 5. The 4

image forming portions

7K, 7C, 7M, and 7Y correspond to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toners, respectively. Each of the

image forming portions

7K, 7C, 7M, 7Y has a photosensitive drum 8 (image carrier), a charger 9, a developing unit 10, a primary transfer roller 11, and a cleaning device 12. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is sandwiched between the primary transfer roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 8, and a primary transfer nip N1 is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the photosensitive drum 8.

An exposure device 13 is housed below the 4

image forming units

7K, 7C, 7M, and 7Y in the lower portion of the multifunction device main body 2. A paper feed cassette 14 is housed below the exposure device 13 at the lower end of the multifunction integrated machine body 2. The paper feed cassette 14 contains sheets S (recording media).

A paper S conveyance path 15 is provided on the right side of the multifunction integrated machine body 2. A paper feed unit 16 is provided at the lower end (upstream end) of the conveyance path 15. A secondary transfer roller 17 is provided in the midstream portion of the conveyance path 15. A secondary transfer nip N2 is formed between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the intermediate transfer belt 5. A fixing device 18 is provided above (downstream of) the conveyance path 15. A paper discharge unit 19 is provided at the upper end (downstream end) of the conveyance path 15.

In the upper portion of the multifunction

integrated machine body

2, 4

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, and 21Y (toner containers) are stored below the paper discharge unit 4. The

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, and 21Y receive black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toners, respectively. The

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, and 21Y are detachably attached to the toner

supply attachment portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y, respectively. A waste toner bottle 23 (toner container) is housed in the left end portion of the multifunction integrated machine body 2. The waste toner bottle 23 contains waste toner. The waste toner bottle 23 is detachably attached to the waste toner collecting attachment 24.

Next, the operation of the multifunction integrated machine 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

When an instruction to start printing is given to the multifunction device 1, the multifunction device 1 performs an image forming operation as follows. First, the charger 9 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 8. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 by light from the exposure device 13 (see arrow P in fig. 1). Then, the developing device 10 supplies the toner replenished from each of the

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, and 21Y to the photosensitive drum 8, develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 into a toner image, and the photosensitive drum 8 carries the toner image. The toner image is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 at the primary transfer nip N1. By performing the above-described operations in the

image forming portions

7K, 7C, 7M, and 7Y, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. Further, the waste toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 after the image forming operation is finished is collected by the cleaning device 12.

The sheet S taken out of the sheet cassette 14 by the sheet feeding unit 16 is conveyed to the downstream side of the conveyance path 15, and enters the secondary transfer nip N2. In the secondary transfer nip N2, the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S. Further, the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 after the end of the secondary transfer is collected by the cleaning mechanism 6.

The sheet S secondarily transferred with the toner image is further conveyed downstream through the conveyance path 15, and enters the fixing device 18. In the fixing device 18, the toner image is fixed on the sheet S. The sheet S on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 4 by the sheet discharge unit 19.

Next, the

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, and 21Y will be further described. Note that an appropriately marked arrow I in each of fig. 2 and subsequent drawings indicates the front-rear direction inside (inside in the front-rear direction) of each of the

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, 21Y, and an appropriately marked arrow O in each of fig. 2 and subsequent drawings indicates the front-rear direction outside (outside in the front-rear direction) of each of the

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, 21Y.

As shown in fig. 2, the

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, and 21Y are attached to the toner

replenishing attachment portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y in an attachment direction X from the front side to the rear side. In the following description, when only the "attachment direction proximal side" or the "attachment direction distal side" is described, it means the proximal side or the distal side in the attachment direction X. Further, in fig. 2, only the toner cartridge 21K is in a state during mounting, and the

toner cartridges

21C, 21M, 21Y are in a state of being mounted.

First, the toner cartridge 21K (toner cartridge for black toner) will be described.

As shown in fig. 3, 4, and the like, the toner cartridge 21K includes a container main body 25, a transmission member 26 attached to the rear portion of the container main body 25, a cover member 27 provided on the rear side of the transmission member 26, a seal member 28 housed in the substantially central portion of the cover member 27, and an agitating member 29 fixed to the rear end portion of the container main body 25. These components are explained in order below.

First, the container body 25 of the toner cartridge 21K will be described.

As shown in fig. 3 and the like, the container body 25 has a cylindrical shape that is long in the front-rear direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the longitudinal direction of the container body 25. The container body 25 is configured to rotate about a rotation axis Y extending in the front-rear direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the direction of the rotation axis of the container body 25.

A toner accommodating space P is formed inside the container body 25. Black toner (not shown) is accommodated in the toner accommodating space P. Note that an arrow Z in fig. 3 and 4 indicates a toner conveyance direction (hereinafter referred to as "toner conveyance direction Z") in the toner containing space P. In the following description, when only "the upstream side in the toner conveying direction" or "the downstream side in the toner conveying direction" is described, it means the upstream side or the downstream side in the toner conveying direction Z.

As shown in fig. 3 and the like, the container main body 25 has a handle portion 31, a large diameter (large diameter) cylindrical portion 32 provided on the rear side (downstream side in the toner conveying direction) of the handle portion 31, a middle diameter (middle diameter) cylindrical portion 33 provided on the rear side (downstream side in the toner conveying direction) of the large diameter cylindrical portion 32, and a small diameter (small diameter) cylindrical portion 34 provided on the rear side (downstream side in the toner conveying direction) of the middle diameter cylindrical portion 33.

The handle 31 of the container body 25 is provided at the front end (end on the proximal side in the mounting direction) of the container body 25. The handle portion 31 has the smallest outer diameter among the respective portions of the container main body 25. The internal space of the handle 31 communicates with the internal space of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 32, and constitutes a part of the toner accommodating space P. The handle portion 31 has a cylindrical portion 35 extending in the attachment direction X and a closing portion 36 closing a front end portion (end portion on the proximal side in the attachment direction) of the cylindrical portion 35. The cylindrical portion 35 has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis Y. The cylindrical portion 35 is enlarged in diameter toward the front side (the proximal side in the mounting direction). The closing portion 36 has a circular plate shape.

The large diameter cylindrical portion 32, the intermediate diameter cylindrical portion 33, and the small diameter cylindrical portion 34 of the container main body 25 are cylindrical about the rotation axis Y. The intermediate diameter cylinder 33 is provided between the large diameter cylinder 32 and the small diameter cylinder 34. The outer diameter R2 of the intermediate diameter tube portion 33 is smaller than the outer diameter R1 of the large diameter tube portion 32 and larger than the outer diameter R3 of the small diameter tube portion 34. The intermediate diameter tube portion 33 has a length in the front-rear direction shorter than that of the large diameter tube portion 32 and longer than that of the small diameter tube portion 34.

A 1 st step portion 37 having a substantially circular ring shape is formed between the large diameter cylindrical portion 32 and the middle diameter cylindrical portion 33 on the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 25, and a 2 nd step portion 38 having a spiral shape is formed between the middle diameter cylindrical portion 33 and the small diameter cylindrical portion 34. The height dimension in the up-down direction of the 1 st step portion 37 (i.e., the difference between the outer diameter R1 of the large diameter portion 32 and the outer diameter R2 of the middle diameter tube portion 33) is smaller than the height dimension in the up-down direction of the 2 nd step portion 38 (i.e., the difference between the outer diameter R2 of the middle diameter tube portion 33 and the outer diameter R3 of the small diameter tube portion 34).

A single spiral-shaped conveying bead 39 is continuously provided on the inner peripheral surfaces of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 32, the intermediate-diameter cylindrical portion 33, and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 34 of the container main body 25. The conveyance rib 39 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the container body 25 to the radially inner side in a substantially V-shape.

As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, the conveyance bead 39 of the container main body 25 is provided with a plurality of 1 st reinforcing portions 41 and a plurality of 2 nd reinforcing portions 42 at intervals in the spiral direction. The 1 st reinforcing parts 41 and the 2 nd reinforcing parts 42 are alternately arranged in the spiral direction of the conveying bead 39. The 1 st reinforcing portion 41 and the 2 nd reinforcing portion 42 protrude from the transfer bead 39 in a substantially V shape radially outward. Each of the 1 st reinforcing parts 41 is disposed along a 1 st reference straight line SL1, and each of the 2 nd reinforcing parts 42 is disposed along a 2 nd reference straight line SL2, wherein the 1 st reference straight line SL1 and the 2 nd reference straight line SL2 extend in the mounting direction X. As shown in fig. 7, the 2 nd reference straight line SL2 is provided on the opposite side of the 1 st reference straight line SL1 with respect to the rotation axis Y.

As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, in the front portion of the outer peripheral surface of large-diameter cylindrical portion 32 of container body 25 (the portion on the proximal side in the mounting direction of the entire outer peripheral surface of container body 25), 1 st finger rest 43 is provided along 1 st reference straight line SL1, and 2 nd finger rest 44 is provided along 2 nd reference straight line SL 2. The 1 st and 2 nd

finger placing portions

43 and 44 are portions for placing fingers of an operator who attaches the toner cartridge 21K to the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K. The 1 st and 2 nd

finger placing parts

43 and 44 are formed of circular grooves. The 1 st and 2 nd

finger placing parts

43 and 44 are arranged so as not to overlap the conveying ridge 39.

As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, in the rear portion of the outer peripheral surface of large-diameter cylindrical portion 32 of container main body 25 (substantially the central portion of the outer peripheral surface of container main body 25 as a whole), 1 st attachment direction indicator 45 is provided along 1 st reference straight line SL1, and 2 nd attachment direction indicator 46 is provided along 2 nd reference straight line SL 2. The 1 st and 2 nd mounting direction indicators 45 and 46 are formed by arrowhead-shaped grooves indicating the mounting direction X. The 1 st and 2 nd mounting direction indicating portions 45 and 46 are disposed so as not to overlap the conveying rib 39.

As shown in fig. 6 and the like, a mark 47 is provided along the 2 nd reference straight line SL2 at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 32 of the container main body 25 (a portion on the near side in the mounting direction of the entire outer peripheral surface of the container main body 25). The indicator 47 is provided between the 2 nd finger placing section 44 and the 2 nd mounting direction indicator 46. The indicator 47 is formed of a substantially rectangular groove. The indicator 47 is provided with an indicator (not shown) relating to the material of the container body 25, for example. The mark 47 is disposed so as not to overlap the conveyance bead 39.

As shown in fig. 8 and the like, the 1 st engaging projection 48 (the 1 st rotation restricting portion) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter tube portion 34 of the container body 25 (the portion on the distal side in the mounting direction of the outer peripheral surface of the entire container body 25). The 1 st engaging projection 48 is disposed so as not to overlap the conveying rib 39. As shown in fig. 9 and the like, the 2 nd engaging projection 49 (the 2 nd rotation restricting portion) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter tube portion 34 of the container main body 25 (the portion on the distal side in the attaching direction of the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 25 as a whole). The 2 nd engaging projection 49 is disposed so as to overlap the conveying rib 39. As shown in fig. 10 and the like, the 1 st and 2

nd engaging projections

48 and 49 are arranged on a plane F including the rotation axis Y and the 1 st and 2 nd reference straight lines SL1 and SL 2. The 2 nd engaging projection 49 is provided on the opposite side of the 1 st engaging projection 48 with respect to the rotation axis Y.

As shown in fig. 8, 9, and the like, the 1 st projection 51 (the 1 st movement restricting portion) and the 2 nd projection 52 (the 2 nd movement restricting portion) are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter tube portion 34 of the container main body 25 (the portion on the distal side in the attaching direction of the outer peripheral surface of the entire container main body 25). The 1 st and 2

nd projecting portions

51 and 52 are arranged so as not to overlap the conveyance bead 39. As shown in fig. 10 and the like, the 2 nd projection 52 is provided on the opposite side of the 1 st projection 51 with respect to the rotation axis Y. The 1 st and 2

nd projecting portions

51 and 52 and the 1 st and 2

nd engaging projections

48 and 49 are arranged at positions circumferentially shifted by 90 degrees from each other. That is, the 1 st and 2

nd engaging projections

48 and 49 and the 1 st and 2

nd projecting portions

51 and 52 are arranged so as not to overlap with each other in position in the circumferential direction.

As shown in fig. 9 and the like, a circular opening 53 is provided at a rear end portion (an end portion on the distal side in the mounting direction of the entire container body 25 and one end portion in the front-rear direction) of the small-diameter tube portion 34 of the container body 25. An annular flange portion 54 is provided on the outer periphery of the opening portion 53 at the rear end portion of the small-diameter tube portion 34. The flange portion 54 protrudes radially outward.

Next, the transmission member 26 of the toner cartridge 21K will be explained.

As shown in fig. 4 and the like, the transmission member 26 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter cylinder portion 34 of the container body 25. The transmission member 26 has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis Y.

The power transmission member 26 has a large diameter portion 55, an intermediate diameter portion 56 provided on the rear side (front-rear direction outer side) of the large diameter portion 55, and a small diameter portion 57 provided on the rear side (front-rear direction outer side) of the intermediate diameter portion 56. The outer diameters of the respective portions of the power transmission member 26 are reduced in the order of the large diameter portion 55, the intermediate diameter portion 56, and the small diameter portion 57. The front end of the large diameter portion 55 (the end on the inner side in the front-rear direction of the entire transmission member 26) faces the 1 st and 2

nd protrusions

51 and 52 of the container body 25. The transmission gear 61 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 55. As shown in fig. 3 and the like, the diameter Rg of the transmission gear 61 is smaller than the outer diameter R1 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 32 and the outer diameter R2 of the intermediate diameter cylindrical portion 33 of the container main body 25 and larger than the outer diameter R3 of the small diameter cylindrical portion 34 of the container main body 25.

As shown in fig. 8, a plurality of engaging ribs 62 are provided at circumferentially spaced intervals on the inner circumferential surfaces of the large diameter portion 55 and the medium diameter portion 56 of the power transmission member 26. For example, 10 to 20 engaging ribs 62 are provided at equal intervals. The plurality of engaging ribs 62 are provided over the entire inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 26. The plurality of engaging ribs 62 extend in the front-rear direction. As shown in fig. 5 and the like, the 1 st engaging projection 48 of the container main body 25 is inserted into the space between 1 set of the engaging ribs 62 among the plurality of engaging ribs 62. As shown in fig. 6 and the like, the 2 nd engaging projection 49 of the container main body 25 is inserted into the space between the engaging ribs 62 of the other group different from the 1 group of engaging ribs 62 among the plurality of engaging ribs 62. By adopting such a structure, the rotation of the transmission member 26 with respect to the container body 25 is restricted. The engagement ribs 62 other than the 2 sets of engagement ribs 62 (the engagement ribs 62 with the 1 st and 2

nd engagement projections

48 and 49 not inserted therebetween) serve as reinforcement portions for reinforcing the power transmission member 26.

Next, the cover member 27 of the toner cartridge 21K will be described.

As shown in fig. 3 and the like, the cover member 27 covers the opening 53 provided in the small-diameter tube portion 34 of the container main body 25. The length Lc of the cover member 27 in the vertical direction is shorter than the outer diameter R1 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 32 and the outer diameter R2 of the intermediate-diameter cylindrical portion 33 of the container main body 25, and longer than the outer diameter R3 of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 34 of the container main body 25.

As shown in fig. 4 to 6, etc., the cover member 27 includes: a main body portion 63; a holding portion 64 extending from the main body portion 63 to the front side (the front-rear direction inner side and the mounting direction proximal side); an engagement cylinder portion 65 that protrudes rearward (outward in the front-rear direction and distal in the mounting direction) from a rear lower portion of the main body portion 63; a cover member side regulating portion 66 provided above the engaging cylinder portion 65; a cover member-side shutter member 67 provided below the body 63, the holding portion 64, and the engagement cylinder 65; a support portion 68 extending upward from the main body portion 63 and the holding portion 64; a display portion 70 and a 1 st lever 71 (see fig. 5 and the like) provided on the left side of the support portion 68; and a 2 nd operation lever 72 (see fig. 6 and the like) provided on the right side of the support portion 68.

As shown in fig. 4 and the like, a communicating space Q is provided in the body portion 63 of the cover member 27, and the communicating space Q communicates with the toner accommodating space P of the container main body 25 through the opening 53 of the container main body 25. The communication space Q extends in the up-down direction. The main body 63 has a toner inlet 73 at an upper front side of the communicating space Q. The main body 63 is provided with an annular base portion 74 around the toner inlet 73. The main body 63 is provided with an inclined wall 75 on the rear side (the front-rear direction outer side) of the toner introduction port 73. The inclined wall portion 75 is inclined rearward (outward in the front-rear direction) and downward. The main body 63 is provided with a toner discharge port 76 at the lower end side of the communication space Q.

The holding portion 64 of the cover member 27 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis Y. The retaining portion 64 and the 1 st and 2

nd projecting portions

51 and 52 of the container main body 25 sandwich the transmission member 26 therebetween. With this structure, the movement of the transmission member 26 in the front-rear direction with respect to the container body 25 is restricted, and the transmission member 26 can be prevented from falling off from the container body 25.

The holding portion 64 of the cover member 27 includes a large diameter frame portion 78 and a small diameter frame portion 79 provided on the rear side (the front-rear direction outer side) of the large diameter frame portion 78. The large diameter frame portion 78 has an outer diameter larger than that of the small diameter frame portion 79. The small diameter portion 57 of the transmission member 26 is inserted radially inward of the large diameter frame portion 78. The front end of the large diameter frame portion 78 faces the rear end of the intermediate diameter portion 56 of the transmission member 26, and the front end of the small diameter frame portion 79 faces the rear end of the small diameter portion 57 of the transmission member 26.

As shown in fig. 8, a total of 4 locking portions 82 are provided on the left and right upper and lower portions of the small-diameter frame portion 79 of the holding portion 64 of the cover member 27. As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, each locking portion 82 locks the flange portion 54 (the end portion on the distal side in the mounting direction and one end portion in the front-rear direction) of the container body 25. Thus, the flange portion 54 of the container main body 25 is held by the holding portion 64. A window 83 is provided on the rear side (front-rear direction outer side) of each locking portion 82 in the small diameter frame portion 79.

As shown in fig. 10 and the like, the engagement tube portion 65 of the cover member 27 includes: a pair of left and right side wall portions 84; an upper wall portion 85 connecting upper end portions of the pair of left and right side wall portions 84; and a lower wall portion 86 connecting lower end portions of the pair of left and right side wall portions 84. The pair of left and right side wall portions 84 are substantially flat plate-shaped in the vertical direction and face each other. The upper wall 85 is curved upward in an arc shape. The lower wall portion 86 has a substantially flat plate shape in the horizontal direction.

A recess 87 (cover member side engagement portion) is provided inside the engagement tube portion 65 of the cover member 27. As shown in fig. 4 and the like, the recess 87 is provided on the rear surface (the surface on the far side in the mounting direction and the surface on the outer side in the front-rear direction) of the cover member 27. The recess 87 extends in the mounting direction X and the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 10 and the like, the cover member-side regulating portion 66 of the cover member 27 includes a fitting projection 88, a plurality of (8 in the present embodiment) base portions 89 provided on the outer periphery of the fitting projection 88, and a plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) regulating plates 90 provided on a part of the base portions 89 of the plurality of base portions 89. The fitting projection 88 is provided on the rotation axis Y. Each base portion 89 is disposed on a circumference G centered on the fitting projection 88, and a lower end portion of the circumference G overlaps the recess 87 of the engagement cylinder portion 65. In the toner cartridge 21K of the present embodiment, the regulating plate 90 is provided on 4 base portions 89 on the right side out of the 8 base portions 89. In contrast, in the toner cartridge 21K sold differently from the toner cartridge 21K of the present embodiment, the combination of the base portions 89 provided with the regulating plates 90 is different from that of the present embodiment. Further, as a method of providing the restricting plate 90 on a part of the plurality of base portions 89, after providing the restricting plates 90 on all of the plurality of base portions 89, a part of the restricting plates 90 may be removed, or the restricting plates 90 may be fixed only on a part of the plurality of base portions 89.

As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, the cover member-side shutter member 67 has a long shape in the front-rear direction. The cover member-side shutter member 67 includes a fixing piece 91 and a movable piece 92 supported by the fixing piece 91. In fig. 4, the fixing piece 91 is omitted, and the movable piece 92 is only schematically shown. The movable piece 92 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction between an open position (see solid lines in fig. 4) at which the toner discharge port 76 of the main body 63 is opened and a closed position (see two-dot chain lines in fig. 4) at which the toner discharge port 76 of the main body 63 is closed.

As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, the support portion 68 of the cover member 27 includes a pair of left and right support plates 93 and a coupling plate 94 that couples upper end portions of the pair of left and right support plates 93. The pair of left and right support plates 93 face each other. The lower end of each support plate 93 is connected to the body portion 63 of the cover member 27 and to the holding portion 64. The right front corner portion of the connecting plate 94 is provided with a through hole 95.

As shown in fig. 11A, 11B, and the like, the display portion 70 of the cover member 27 is formed of a rectangular label. The rear surface of the display portion 70 is bonded to the left side surface of the left support plate 93 of the support portion 68. The surface of the display portion 70 is colored in a color different from the colors of the members (for example, the main body portion 63, the holding portion 64, the supporting portion 68, and the 1 st lever 71 of the cover member 27) around the display portion 70. In the present embodiment, the surface of the display portion 70 is colored red, and the members around the display portion 70 are colored black.

The 1 st lever 71 of the cover member 27 has a 1 st base plate 96 and a 1 st projecting piece 97 projecting leftward (outward in the left-right direction) from the rear portion of the 1 st base plate 96. The 1 st lever 71 is supported by the left support plate 93 of the support portion 68 so as to be movable along the left surface of the left support plate 93. The 1 st lever 71 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction between a 1 st position (see fig. 11A) and a 2 nd position (see fig. 11B) located on the front side of the 1 st position.

As shown in fig. 12A, 12B, and the like, the 2 nd operation handle 72 of the cover member 27 includes a 2 nd base plate 100 and a 2 nd projecting piece 101 projecting rightward (outward in the left-right direction) from the rear portion of the 2 nd base plate 100. The 2 nd operation lever 72 is supported by the right support plate 93 of the support portion 68 so as to be movable along the right surface of the right support plate 93. The 2 nd lever 72 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction between a 3 rd position (see fig. 12A) and a 4 th position (see fig. 12B) located on the front side of the 3 rd position.

Next, the sealing member 28 of the toner cartridge 21K will be described.

As shown in fig. 4 and the like, the seal member 28 is disposed on the front side (the front-rear direction inner side) of the body portion 63 of the cover member 27 and on the radial inner side of the holding portion 64 of the cover member 27. The sealing member 28 has a circular ring shape. The seal member 28 is mounted in a compressed state between the flange portion 54 of the container body 25 and the pedestal portion 74 of the body portion 63 of the cover member 27. The seal member 28 is fixed to the front surface (the surface on the front-rear direction inner side) of the base portion 74.

As shown in fig. 4, 8, and the like, the seal member 28 includes: an elastic layer 103; a 1 st adhesive layer 104 provided on the rear side (the front-rear direction outer side) of the elastic layer 103; a base material layer 105 provided on the rear side (the front-rear direction outer side) of the 1 st adhesive layer 104; and a 2 nd adhesive layer 106 provided on the rear side (the front-rear direction outer side) of the base material layer 105. The elastic layer 103 is made of, for example, polyurethane foam as an elastic material. The 1 st adhesive layer 104 is made of, for example, a double-sided tape, and bonds the elastic layer 103 and the base material layer 105. The base material layer 105 is made of a material having higher rigidity than the urethane foam constituting the elastic layer 103. The base layer 105 is made of a resin film, for example. The 2 nd adhesive layer 106 is made of, for example, a double-sided tape, and bonds the base material layer 105 and the base part 74 of the main body 63 of the cover member 27.

As shown in fig. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, and the like, a part of the seal member 28 is exposed to the outside through a window portion 83 provided in the holding portion 64 of the cover member 27. Therefore, a part of the seal member 28 can be seen from the outside.

Next, the stirring member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K will be described.

As shown in fig. 4, 9, and the like, the stirring member 29 is disposed on the rear side (front-rear direction outer side) of the container main body 25. The stirring member 29 is made of a material having a lower friction coefficient than the container main body 25. The stirring member 29 is made of a resin film, for example.

The stirring member 29 includes: a fixed portion 107; an extension portion 108 extending radially inward from the fixing portion 107; and an insertion portion 109 extending rearward (rearward and outward in the front-rear direction and toward the communication space Q) from an end portion on the radially inner side of the extension portion 108.

The fixing portion 107 of the stirring member 29 has a circular ring shape. The front surface (the surface on the inner side in the front-rear direction) of the fixing portion 107 is fixed to the rear end portion (one end portion in the front-rear direction of the entire container body 25) of the small-diameter tube portion 34 of the container body 25. The rear end of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 34 of the container body 25 and the fixing surface H of the fixing portion 107 are perpendicular to the rotation axis Y. The rear surface (the surface on the front-rear direction outer side) of the fixing portion 107 abuts against the front surface (the surface on the front-rear direction inner side) of the elastic layer 103 of the seal member 28. In this way, the fixing portion 107 is attached between the rear end portion of the small-diameter tube portion 34 of the container body 25 and the elastic layer 103 of the seal member 28.

The insertion portion 109 of the stirring member 29 protrudes toward the rear side (the front-rear direction outer side and the communication space Q side) of the fixing portion 107 and the extending portion 108. The proximal end of the insertion portion 109 is bent at an obtuse angle from the radially inner end of the extension portion 108 toward the rear side (the front-rear direction outer side and the communication space Q side), and penetrates through the seal member 28. The distal end of the insertion portion 109 is inserted into the communication space Q of the body 63 of the cover member 27. The distal end of the insertion portion 109 is positioned directly above the toner discharge port 76 provided in the body portion 63 of the cover member 27. The tip end portion of the insertion portion 109 is curved in a circular arc shape.

Next, the toner cartridges 21C (toner cartridge for cyan toner), 21M (toner cartridge for magenta toner), and 21Y (toner cartridge for yellow toner) will be described. Since the

toner cartridges

21C, 21M, and 21Y have the same configuration, only the toner cartridge 21C will be described below, and the

toner cartridges

21M and 21Y will not be described.

As shown in fig. 13 and the like, the toner cartridge 21C includes: a container main body 111; a transmission member 112 attached to the rear portion of the container main body 111; a cover member 113 provided on the rear side of the transmission member 112; a sealing member 114 housed in a substantially central portion of the cover member 113; and a stirring member 115 fixed to a rear end portion of the container main body 111.

The transmission member 112, the sealing member 114, and the stirring member 115 of the toner cartridge 21C have the same configurations as those of the transmission member 26, the sealing member 28, and the stirring member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K, and therefore, descriptions thereof are omitted. The structure of the cover member 113 of the toner cartridge 21C is the same as that of the cover member 27 of the toner cartridge 21K, except that the 1 st and 2 nd operation levers 71 and 72 are not provided, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted. Therefore, only the container body 111 of the toner cartridge 21C will be described below.

The container main body 111 includes a grip portion 116, a large diameter cylindrical portion 117 provided on the rear side (downstream side in the toner conveying direction) of the grip portion 116, and a small diameter cylindrical portion 118 provided on the rear side (downstream side in the toner conveying direction) of the large diameter cylindrical portion 117. The outer diameter R4 of the large-diameter cylinder 117 is larger than the outer diameter R5 of the small-diameter cylinder 118.

As shown in fig. 13 and the like, a step portion 119 (movement restricting portion) is formed between the large diameter cylindrical portion 117 and the small diameter cylindrical portion 118 on the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 111. The step portion 119 has a spiral portion 121 and a flat portion 122 provided on the rear side (downstream side in the toner conveying direction) of the spiral portion 121. The spiral portion 121 has a spiral shape inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. The flat surface portion 122 has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The transmission member 112 is held between a part (upper part in the paper of fig. 13) of the flat surface portion 122 and the holding portion 64 of the cover member 113. With this structure, the movement of the transmission member 112 in the front-rear direction with respect to the container body 111 is restricted, and the transmission member 112 can be prevented from falling off from the container body 111. The structure of the container main body 111 other than the above is the same as that of the container main body 25 of the toner cartridge 21K, and thus, a description thereof is omitted.

Next, the toner

replenishing mounting portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y will be described.

As shown in fig. 2 and the like, the toner

replenishment mounting portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y are arranged in the left-right direction. The toner

supply mounting portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y are cylindrical and extend in the front-rear direction. The toner replenishment mount 22K has an inner diameter larger than that of the toner replenishment mounts 22C, 22M, and 22Y.

As shown in fig. 14, etc., mounting portion side regulating portions 132 are provided at the rear end portions of the toner

supply mounting portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y. The mounting portion-side regulating portion 132 includes a cylindrical fitting receiving portion 133 and a plurality of (for example, 4) regulating pieces 134 provided on the outer periphery of the fitting receiving portion 133. In each of the toner

replenishment mounting units

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y of the present embodiment, 4 regulating pieces 134 are provided on the left side of the center of the fitting receiving portion 133. In contrast, the toner

supply mounting portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y of the multifunction integrated machine body 2, which are different from the place where the multifunction integrated machine body 2 of the present embodiment is sold, are different from the present embodiment in the positions where the plurality of regulating pieces 134 are provided.

Toner supply ports 135 are provided at the rear portions of the lower surfaces of the toner

supply mounting portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y. The toner supply ports 135 of the toner

supply mounting portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y communicate with the internal space of the developing unit 10 of the

image forming portions

7K, 7C, 7M, and 7Y via supply pipes 136 extending in the vertical direction.

A mounting-side shutter member 137 is provided at the rear of each of the toner

replenishment mounting units

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y. The mounting-side shutter member 137 has a shutter member main body 138 and a projection 139 (mounting-side engaging portion) provided on the front side (mounting-direction proximal side) of the shutter member main body 138.

The mount-side shutter member 137 of each of the toner supply mounts 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction between an open position and a closed position, and the shutter member main body 138 opens the toner supply opening 135 when the mount-side shutter member 137 is in the open position, and the shutter member main body 138 closes the toner supply opening 135 when the mount-side shutter member 137 is in the closed position.

As shown in fig. 15, a driving source 146, such as a motor, is provided behind the toner

replenishment mounting portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y. A 1 st drive gear 147 is provided between the toner supply mounting portion 22K and the toner supply mounting portion 22C. The 1 st drive gear 147 is connected to the drive source 146 through a gear train 148 and a 1 st drive shaft 149. A 2 nd drive gear 151 is provided between the toner replenishment mount 22M and the toner replenishment mount 22Y. The 2 nd driving gear 151 is connected to the driving source 146 through the gear train 148 and the 2 nd driving shaft 152. An intermediate gear 153 is provided between the toner supply mounting portion 22C and the toner supply mounting portion 22M.

Next, the waste toner bottle 23 will be explained.

As shown in fig. 16 and the like, the waste toner bottle 23 is a member obtained by turning the toner cartridge 21K upside down. The configuration of the waste toner bottle 23 is the same as that of the toner cartridge 21K, and thus, a description thereof is omitted.

Next, the waste toner collecting attachment 24 will be described.

As shown in fig. 17 and the like, the waste toner collecting mount 24 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. A waste pipe 154 extending in the vertical direction is provided at the rear upper side of the waste toner collecting attachment portion 24.

Next, an operation of mounting the

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, and 21Y to the toner

supply mounting portions

22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y in the multifunction integrated machine 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. Since the mounting operations of the

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, and 21Y are the same, only the operation of mounting the toner cartridge 21K on the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K will be described below, and the description of the operation of mounting the

toner cartridges

21C, 21M, and 21Y on the toner

replenishment mounting portions

22C, 22M, and 22Y will be omitted.

When the toner cartridge 21K is mounted on the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K, the toner cartridge 21K is gradually inserted into the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K from the front side to the rear side as shown in fig. 2 and the like.

When the toner cartridge 21K is inserted into the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K from this state and the toner cartridge 21K is mounted on the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K, as shown in fig. 18, the main body portion 63 of the cover member 27 presses the projection 139 in a state where the recess 87 provided in the engagement cylindrical portion 65 of the cover member 27 of the toner cartridge 21K is engaged with the projection 139 of the mounting portion-side shutter member 137 of the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K. By this pressing, the mounting-side shutter member 137 moves from the closed position to the open position, and the toner supply port 135 of the toner supply mounting portion 22K is opened.

When the toner cartridge 21K is mounted on the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K as described above, the movable piece 92 of the cover member side shutter member 67 provided on the cover member 27 of the toner cartridge 21K moves from the closed position to the open position, and the toner discharge port 76 of the main body portion 63 of the cover member 27 is opened. Therefore, the communication space Q of the body 63 communicates with the internal space of the supply pipe 136.

When the toner cartridge 21K is mounted on the toner supply mounting portion 22K as described above, the fitting projection 88 provided on the cover member side regulating portion 66 of the cover member 27 of the toner cartridge 21K is fitted in the fitting receiving portion 133 provided on the mounting member side regulating portion 132 of the toner supply mounting portion 22K. When the selling location of the multifunction device main body 2 coincides with the selling location of the toner cartridge 21K, the regulating plates 90 provided on the cover member-side regulating portion 66 of the cover member 27 and the regulating pieces 134 provided on the mounting portion-side regulating portion 132 of the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K (see fig. 14 and the like) do not interfere with each other, and the toner cartridge 21K is allowed to be mounted on the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K. When the selling location of the multifunction device main body 2 does not coincide with the selling location of the toner cartridge 21K, the regulating plates 90 provided on the cover member-side regulating portion 66 of the cover member 27 and the regulating pieces 134 provided on the mounting portion-side regulating portion 132 of the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K interfere with each other, and the mounting of the toner cartridge 21K to the toner replenishment mounting portion 22K is regulated.

When the toner cartridge 21K is mounted on the toner supply mounting portion 22K as described above, the transmission gear 61 of the transmission member 26 of the toner cartridge 21K is directly connected to the 1 st drive gear 147 as shown in fig. 15 and the like.

When the

toner cartridges

21C, 21M, and 21Y are mounted on the toner

supply mounting portions

22C, 22M, and 22Y, the transmission gears 61 of the transmission members 112 of the

toner cartridges

21M and 21Y are directly connected to the 2 nd drive gear 151, as shown in fig. 15 and the like. Further, the transmission gear 61 of the transmission member 112 of the

toner cartridges

21C, 21M is connected to the intermediate gear 153. Thereby, the transmission gear 61 of the transmission member 112 of the toner cartridge 21C is connected to the 2 nd drive gear 151 through the transmission gear 61 of the transmission member 112 of the toner cartridge 21M and the intermediate gear 153.

Next, an operation of supplying toner from the toner cartridge 21K to the developing unit 10 of the image forming unit 7K in the multifunction integrated machine 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

When toner is replenished from the toner cartridge 21K to the developing device 10 of the image forming unit 7K, as shown in fig. 15 and the like, the driving source 146 is driven in a state where the toner cartridge 21K is mounted on the toner replenishing mounting unit 22K. When the drive source 146 is driven in this manner, the rotational driving force of the drive source 146 is transmitted to the 1 st drive gear 147 via the gear train 148 and the 1 st drive shaft 149, and the 1 st drive gear 147 is rotated. That is, the 1 st drive gear 147 is rotated by the rotational driving force of the driving source 146.

When the 1 st drive gear 147 rotates in this manner, the rotation of the 1 st drive gear 147 is transmitted to the transmission member 26 of the toner cartridge 21K, and the transmission member 26 rotates. The transmission member 26 thus rotates, and the container body 25 of the toner cartridge 21K rotates together with the transmission member 26 as the transmission member 26 rotates. That is, the rotational driving force of the driving source 146 is transmitted to the container body 25 through the transmission member 26.

As described above, when the container main body 25 of the toner cartridge 21K rotates, the stirring member 29 (see fig. 18 and the like) of the toner cartridge 21K rotates together with the container main body 25. The cover member 27 and the seal member 28 of the toner cartridge 21K do not rotate when the container main body 25 rotates, and the rotation stop state is maintained. Therefore, the container body 25 and the stirring member 29 rotate relative to the cover member 27 and the sealing member 28, and the fixing portion 107 of the stirring member 29 slides relative to the elastic layer 103 of the sealing member 28.

As described above, when the container main body 25 of the toner cartridge 21K rotates, the toner in the container main body 25 is conveyed from the front side to the rear side by the conveyance ridge 39 of the container main body 25 as shown by the arrow a in fig. 18, and is discharged from the container main body 25 through the opening 53. The toner discharged from the container main body 25 through the opening 53 in this manner is introduced into the communicating space Q of the main body 63 of the cover member 27 through the toner inlet 73. The toner thus introduced into the communicating space Q is agitated by the insertion portion 109 of the agitating member 29 rotating together with the container main body 25, and is discharged from the communicating space Q through the toner discharge port 76 of the main body 63 as indicated by an arrow B in fig. 18. The toner thus discharged from communicating space Q through toner discharge port 76 is introduced into supply pipe 136 through toner supply port 135 of toner supply mounting unit 22K, and supplied from supply pipe 136 to developing unit 10 of image forming unit 7K.

Next, an operation of supplying toner from the

toner cartridges

21C, 21M, and 21Y to the developing devices 10 of the

image forming units

7C, 7M, and 7Y in the multifunction integrated machine 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

When toner is supplied from the

toner cartridges

21C, 21M, and 21Y to the developing devices 10 of the

image forming units

7C, 7M, and 7Y, as shown in fig. 15 and the like, the driving source 146 is driven in a state where the

toner cartridges

21C, 21M, and 21Y are attached to the toner

supply attachment portions

22C, 22M, and 22Y. When the driving source 146 is driven in this manner, the rotational driving force of the driving source 146 is transmitted to the 2 nd driving gear 151 via the gear train 148 and the 2 nd driving shaft 152, and the 2 nd driving gear 151 is rotated. That is, the 2 nd drive gear 151 is rotated by the rotational driving force of the driving source 146.

When the 2 nd drive gear 151 rotates in this manner, the rotation of the 2 nd drive gear 151 is transmitted to the transmission member 112 of the

toner cartridge

21M, 21Y, and the transmission member 112 of the

toner cartridge

21M, 21Y rotates. Further, the rotation of the 2 nd drive gear 151 is transmitted to the transmission member 112 of the toner cartridge 21C via the transmission member 112 of the toner cartridge 21M and the intermediate gear 153, and rotates the transmission member 112 of the toner cartridge 21C. The other operations are the same as the operations for replenishing toner from the toner cartridge 21K to the developing device 10 of the image forming unit 7K, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, an operation of collecting the waste toner from the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the photoconductive drums 8 of the

image forming units

7K, 7C, 7M, and 7Y into the waste toner bottle 23 in the multifunction integrated machine 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

When the waste toner is collected, as shown in fig. 19, the transmission member 26 of the waste toner bottle 23 is rotated in a state where the waste toner bottle 23 is attached to the waste toner collecting attachment 24. Thus, rotating the transmission member 26, the container main body 25 of the waste toner bottle 23 rotates together with the transmission member 26, and the stirring member 29 of the waste toner bottle 23 rotates together with the container main body 25.

In addition, when the waste toner is collected, the waste toner is collected from the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the cleaning mechanism 6, and the waste toner is collected from the photosensitive drum 8 by the cleaning devices 12 of the respective

image forming portions

7K, 7C, 7M, and 7Y. The waste toner thus recovered by the cleaning mechanism 6 and the cleaning device 12 is conveyed to the waste pipe 154 via a waste conduit (not shown). The waste toner conveyed to the waste pipe 154 in this manner is introduced from the waste pipe 154 into the communicating space Q of the cover member 27 of the waste toner bottle 23 as indicated by an arrow C in fig. 19. The waste toner thus introduced into the communicating space Q of the cover member 27 is agitated by the agitating member 29 rotating together with the container main body 25, and is introduced into the toner accommodating space P of the container main body 25 from the communicating space Q of the cover member 27. The waste toner thus introduced into the toner containing space P of the container main body 25 is conveyed from the rear side to the front side by the conveyance ridge 39 of the container main body 25 as shown by an arrow D in fig. 19, and is contained in the container main body 25.

In the present embodiment, after the toner of black color stored in the toner storage space P of the container main body 25 of the toner cartridge 21K is used up, the toner cartridge 21K is turned upside down, and the toner cartridge 21K is used as the waste toner bottle 23.

Next, the effects exhibited by the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment and modifications of the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. Note that, regarding the effect and the modification common to the

toner cartridges

21K, 21C, 21M, and 21Y, only the toner cartridge 21K will be described, and the description of the

toner cartridges

21C, 21M, and 21Y will be omitted.

The toner cartridge 21K of the present embodiment includes the stirring member 29, and the stirring member 29 rotates together with the container main body 25 to stir the toner in the communicating space Q of the cover member 27. With this configuration, the toner in the communicating space Q of the cover member 27 is stirred by the stirring member 29, and the toner can be prevented from solidifying in the communicating space Q of the cover member 27.

In particular, in the present embodiment, since the toner in the toner containing space P of the container main body 25 is conveyed by the conveying rib 39 as the container main body 25 of the toner cartridge 21K rotates, the toner is not easily solidified in the toner containing space P of the container main body 25. Further, since the cover member 27 of the toner cartridge 21K is kept in a rotation stopped state when the container main body 25 rotates, the toner is easily solidified in the communicating space Q of the cover member 27. Therefore, as described above, it is important to prevent the toner from solidifying in the communicating space Q of the cover member 27 by stirring the toner in the communicating space Q of the cover member 27 with the stirring member 29.

In particular, in the present embodiment, when the stirring member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K rotates, the insertion portion 109 of the stirring member 29 contacts the inclined wall portion 75 of the body portion 63 of the cover member 27 (see the two-dot chain line in fig. 18). Therefore, the toner adhering to the inclined wall portion 75 can be scraped off by the insertion portion 109 of the stirring member 29, and the toner can be more effectively prevented from solidifying in the communicating space Q of the cover member 27.

Further, the opening 53 of the container main body 25 of the toner cartridge 21K is provided at the rear end portion of the container main body 25, and the stirring member 29 includes: a fixing portion 107 fixed to the rear end portion of the container main body 25; and an insertion portion 109 that protrudes to the rear side (the communication space Q side) of the fixing portion 107 and has a distal end portion inserted into the communication space Q. With this configuration, the toner in the communicating space Q of the cover member 27 can be efficiently stirred.

The stirring member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K is made of a material having a lower friction coefficient than the container body 25, and the fixing portion 107 of the stirring member 29 is attached between the rear end portion of the container body 25 and the sealing member 28. By adopting such a configuration, the sliding performance of the container body 25 can be improved and the abrasion of the seal member 28 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the container body 25 and the seal member 28 are in direct contact.

The stirring member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K includes an extending portion 108, the extending portion 108 extends radially inward from the fixing portion 107, and the insertion portion 109 extends rearward (toward the communication space Q) from a radially inward end of the extending portion 108. With this configuration, the insertion portion 109 can be disposed radially inward of the case where the insertion portion 109 extends rearward (toward the communication space Q) from the fixing portion 107. With this, the rubbing between the insertion portion 109 and the cover member 27 can be suppressed.

Further, the rear end portion of the container body 25 of the toner cartridge 21K and the fixing surface H of the fixing portion 107 are perpendicular to the rotation axis Y. With this configuration, the fixing portion 107 can be easily fixed to the rear end portion of the container main body 25.

The tip of the insertion portion 109 provided in the stirring member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K is positioned directly above the toner discharge port 76 provided in the main body portion 63 of the cover member 27. With this configuration, the toner in the communicating space Q stirred by the stirring member 29 drops by its own weight and is discharged from the toner discharge port 76. Therefore, the toner in the communicating space Q can be discharged more efficiently.

In the present embodiment, a case where the insertion portion 109 of the stirring member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K extends from the radially inner end of the extending portion 108 to the rear side (the communication space Q side) is explained. In addition, in other different embodiments, as shown in fig. 20, the insertion portion 109 of the agitating member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K may extend from the fixing portion 107 to the rear side (the communicating space Q side). By adopting such a configuration, the configuration of the stirring member 29 can be made simpler than the case where the extending portion 108 is provided between the fixing portion 107 and the insertion portion 109.

In the present embodiment, a case where the insertion portion 109 is bent at an obtuse angle from the extension portion 108 is described. In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 20, the insertion portion 109 may be bent at a right angle from the fixing portion 107 or the extension portion 108. In still another embodiment, the insertion portion 109 may be bent at an acute angle from the fixing portion 107 or the extending portion 108.

In the present embodiment, a case where the insertion portion 109 of the stirring member 29 contacts the inclined wall portion 75 of the main body portion 63 of the cover member 27 when the stirring member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K rotates is described. In another embodiment, when the stirring member 29 of the toner cartridge 21K rotates, the insertion portion 109 of the stirring member 29 may not contact the inclined wall portion 75 of the main body portion 63 of the cover member 27. By adopting such a structure, the insertion portion 109 of the stirring member 29 is less likely to scrape against the inclined wall portion 75.

In the present embodiment, the case where only 1 insertion portion 109 is provided in the stirring member 29 is described. In other embodiments, a plurality of insertion portions 109 may be provided in the stirring member 29.

In the present embodiment, a case where the stirring member 29 has the insertion portion 109 at least partially inserted into the communicating space Q is described. In other different embodiments, the stirring member 29 may have both an insertion portion 109 at least a part of which is inserted into the communicating space Q and an insertion portion (not shown) at least a part of which is inserted into the toner accommodating space P.

In the present embodiment, the case where the regulating plate 90 is provided on the right 4 base portions 89 out of the 8 base portions 89 of the toner cartridge 21K is explained. However, as described above, the combination of the base portions 89 provided with the regulating plates 90 differs depending on the place of sale of the toner cartridge 21K. Therefore, in other different embodiments, for example, the regulating plate 90 may be provided on the left 4 base portions 89 out of the 8 base portions 89, or the regulating plate 90 may be provided on the upper 4 base portions 89 out of the 8 base portions 89. In other embodiments, the number of the limiting plates 90 may be different from 4. In this way, the combination of the base portions 89 provided with the regulating plates 90 or the number of the regulating plates 90 can be freely determined in accordance with the place of sale of the toner cartridge 21K.

In the present embodiment, the configuration of the present invention is applied to the multifunction integrated machine 1, but in other embodiments, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus other than the multifunction integrated machine 1, such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine.

Claims

1. A toner container is characterized by comprising:

a container body that is provided so as to rotate about a rotation axis, and that has an internal space that contains toner and an opening that is provided at one end in the rotation axis direction and opens the internal space;

a cover member that is provided so as to cover the opening, has a toner introduction port that communicates with the opening, and a communication space into which toner is introduced through the toner introduction port, and is kept in a rotation-stopped state when the container body rotates;

a stirring member that rotates together with the container main body and stirs the toner in the communicating space;

an annular sealing member disposed between the container body and the cover member,

the stirring member is made of a material having a lower friction coefficient than the container body,

the stirring member has:

a ring-shaped fixing portion fixed to an end surface around the opening portion along a fixing surface perpendicular to the rotation axis;

an insertion portion protruding from the fixing portion toward the communication space and at least partially inserted into the communication space,

the sealing member is fixed to an end surface around the toner introduction port,

the fixing portion of the stirring member slides with respect to the sealing member when the container body rotates.

2. The toner container according to claim 1,

the stirring member further has an extending portion extending radially inward from the fixing portion,

the insertion portion extends from an end portion of the radially inner side of the extension portion toward the communication space side.

3. The toner container according to claim 1 or 2,

the cover member has a toner discharge port for discharging toner from the communicating space,

the stirring member has a tip end portion positioned directly above the toner discharge port.

4. The toner container according to claim 1 or 2,

the top end of the stirring member is curved in a circular arc shape.

5. The toner container according to claim 1 or 2,

the stirring member is formed of a resin film.

6. An image forming apparatus comprising the toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a mounting portion for mounting the toner container.