JP2006243763A - Toner supply container and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner supply container which is superior in mountability to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A toner cartridge 1 includes a container body 11 for storing toner, a shutter 16 installed so as to open/close a toner discharge opening 11a of the container body, a shutter gear 16a provided in the shutter, and a handle 15 which is provided in one end of the container body and has an engagement gear 15a for transmitting a driving force by its operation. The toner cartridge 1 is configured so that it is engaged with a driving force transmitting member 21 provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, to establish a driving force transmitting path from the handle 15 to the shutter 16 when being mounted on the apparatus. An external shape of the shutter gear is made smaller than that of the engagement gear. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner supply container and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for supplying toner to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using toner.

  Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like.

  An electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser beam printer selectively exposes a uniformly charged photosensitive drum. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner to form a toner image. Thereafter, the toner image is transferred to a recording medium to record an image. In such an apparatus, the toner must be supplied every time the toner runs out. Here, the toner supply container for supplying the toner to the image forming apparatus is a so-called supply type container that replenishes the toner stored in the toner receiving container of the image forming apparatus main body at once, and the container is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Thereafter, the container is roughly classified into a so-called stationary container in which the container is left as it is. Here, the stationary container gradually supplies the toner to the developing device until the toner is used up.

  In recent years, there is a tendency that a stationary toner supply container is used in order to make the image forming apparatus compact. Further, when the toner supply container is replaced, an opening / closing member for sealing the discharge opening is provided in order to prevent the toner remaining in the container from scattering from the discharge opening.

  For example, a mechanism described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-82268 is known in which a discharge opening can be opened and closed by turning a container after being attached to a main body.

  Further, a mechanism provided with a handle for opening and closing a discharge opening described in JP-A-7-306578 is known.

  The present invention is a further development of the prior art described below.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a toner supply container excellent in mounting operability to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus excellent in mounting operability of the toner supply container.

  The main present invention will be described below with numbers corresponding to the claims.

  A first invention according to the present application includes a toner storage portion that stores toner, an opening that is provided on a peripheral surface of the toner storage portion and discharges the toner, and a shutter member that opens and closes the opening. In a toner supply container that can be attached to and detached from a mounting unit of an image forming apparatus, a rotating member that is rotatable with respect to the toner storage unit, and a handle unit that is provided on the rotating member and that allows an operator to rotate the rotating member; A rotating member gear portion that is provided on the rotating member and engages with a first gear portion of a driving transmission member provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; and a second member of the driving transmission member provided on the shutter member. A shutter gear portion that engages with the gear portion, and in the state where the shutter is mounted on the mounting member in a direction on the downstream side in the mounting direction with respect to the rotating member. The movement of the toner storage portion in the rotation direction is restricted, and the mounting of the toner supply container to the mounting means causes the first gear portion, the rotating member gear portion, and the second gear portion to When the shutter gear portions are engaged with each other, a drive transmission path between the rotating member and the shutter member is formed, and by forming the drive transmission path, the shutter member is driven by a driving force from the rotating member. The tooth tip of the shutter gear portion is positioned closer to the toner supply container than the tooth tip of the rotating member gear portion, and the toner supply container is attached during the mounting operation. The shutter gear portion is a toner supply container that engages with the second gear portion after passing through a position facing the first gear portion.

  According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided a toner supply container having a toner storage portion that stores toner, an opening that is provided on a peripheral surface of the toner storage portion and that discharges the toner, and a shutter member that opens and closes the opening. In addition, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a mounting unit to which the toner supply container can be attached and detached, the toner supply container having a rotating member rotatable with respect to the toner storage unit, and an operation provided on the rotating member. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a grip portion for rotating the rotating member; a rotating member gear portion provided on the rotating member; and a shutter gear portion provided on the shutter member. A drive transmission member comprising a first gear portion that engages with the rotating member gear portion and a second gear portion that engages with the shutter gear portion, and the shutter is mounted on the rotating member In a state where the toner supply container is mounted on the mounting means in a direction toward the downstream side, movement of the toner storage portion in the rotation direction of the rotating member is restricted, and the toner supply container The first gear portion and the rotating member gear portion, and the second gear portion and the shutter gear portion are engaged with each other by mounting on the mounting means, so that the rotating member and the shutter member are engaged with each other. Is formed so that the shutter member can be opened and closed by the driving force from the rotating member, and the tooth tip of the shutter gear portion is formed by the rotating member gear. A position closer to the toner supply container than a tooth tip of the section, and the shutter gear section is positioned to face the first gear section when the toner supply container is mounted. After passing through, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by engaging said second gear portion.

  As described above, the present invention can improve the toner supply operability.

  Next, as a description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Embodiment 1 will be described first. Next, other embodiments will be described.

  Each embodiment described below to which the present invention is applied is a toner supply container for supplying toner to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and includes a toner storage portion for storing toner, and the toner storage portion. When mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, provided is a toner discharge opening for discharging stored toner, an opening / closing member for sealing the toner discharge opening so as to be openable, A toner supply container having a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for moving the opening / closing member to open the toner discharge opening.

[Embodiment 1]
(Electrophotographic image forming apparatus)
FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) equipped with a toner supply container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The manuscript 101 is placed on the platen glass 102 by the operator. An optical image of the original is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 by the plurality of mirrors and lenses of the optical unit 103. -Of the recording media P (for example, paper, OHP sheets, etc., hereinafter referred to as paper) loaded in the paper feeding cassettes 105 to 108, the recording media having a size based on information input by an operator from an operation unit (not shown) Select. Of the feed rollers 105A to 108A, a roller corresponding to the selected feed cassette rotates. Then, one sheet of paper P sent out from the cassette is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveyance unit 109. The registration roller 110 conveys the paper P to the photosensitive drum 104 in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred to the paper P by the transfer unit 111. Thereafter, the sheet P is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separating unit 112. Then, the paper P is transported by the transport unit 113 and reaches the fixing unit 114. The fixing unit 114 fixes the toner image on the paper P by heat and pressure. afterwards,
1) In the case of single-sided copying, the paper P passes through the reversing unit 115 and is discharged to the tray 117 by the discharge roller 116.
2) In the case of multiple copying, the paper P is transported to the transport paths 119 and 120 by the flapper 118 of the reversing unit 115. Then, it reaches the registration roller 110. Thereafter, it is discharged to the tray 117 through the image forming section, the transport section, and the fixing section in the same manner as described above.
3) In the case of double-sided copying, the paper P passes through the reversing unit 115 and is once discharged to the outside by the discharge roller 116. Thereafter, after the end of the paper P passes through the flapper 118, the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction. Then, the paper P is conveyed again into the apparatus. The sheet P is transported to the transport units 119 and 120 and reaches the registration roller 110. In the same manner as described above, the sheet passes through the image forming unit, the conveyance unit, and the fixing unit and is discharged to the tray 117.

  In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the above configuration, a developing device 201, a cleaning unit 202, and a primary charging unit 203 are disposed around the photosensitive drum 104. The developing device 201 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 using toner. A toner supply container 1 for supplying toner to the developing device 201 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 124.

  Here, the developing device 201 has a developing roller 201 a with a small gap (about 300 μm) from the photosensitive drum 104. When developing, a thin toner layer is formed on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 201a by the developing blade 201b. Then, an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is developed by applying a developing bias to the developing roller 201a.

  The charging unit 203 charges the photosensitive drum 104. The cleaning unit 202 removes toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 104. Toner that decreases due to development is sequentially supplied from the toner supply device 100.

  Here, the replacement of the toner supply container 1 will be described.

  First, the notification unit 124a is notified that the toner in the toner supply device 100 has run out. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the operator opens the opening / closing member 121 that covers the opening 122 provided in the apparatus main body 124. A holder 31 (mounting means) for detachably mounting the toner supply container 1 is provided behind the opening 122. The toner supply container 1 is inserted into the holder 31 along the longitudinal direction thereof. At this time, the container 1 is guided to a guide provided along the longitudinal direction of the holder 31 and inserted to a predetermined position. After the insertion, when the operator rotates the handle 15 of the toner supply container 1, the toner in the toner supply container 1 is supplied to the developing device 201. When the operator closes the opening / closing member 121, the power switch is turned on and the image forming apparatus can be driven.

  That is, when a sensor (not shown) issues a signal indicating that the toner t in the developing device 201 has decreased, the toner conveying member 29 shown in FIG. 19 rotates. The toner in the container 11 is gradually supplied to the developing device 201. When the amount of toner reaches a predetermined amount, the conveying member 29 stops. This operation is repeated. If the toner is not supplied even if the sensor emits the signal, a notification to replace the toner supply container 1 is displayed on the notification unit 124a. Reference numerals 201c and 201d denote developing position toner conveying members.

(Toner supply container)
The toner supply container 1 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment is attached to the toner supply device 100 in the image forming apparatus. Then, the toner is left as it is, and is gradually supplied to the developing unit until the stored toner is used up. It is a so-called stationary type (built-in). However, the toner supply container of the present invention is not limited to a so-called stationary type, and is applied to, for example, a so-called supply type.

  2, the toner supply container 1 includes a toner container 11 that is a toner storage unit, a first flange 12 that is attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 11, a second flange 13, and the like. Have Moreover, it has the cap 14 fitted in the said 1st flange 12, and the handle | steering-wheel 15 fitted to the 1st flange 12 so that rotation is possible. A shutter 16 that opens and closes the toner discharge opening 11 a of the toner container 11 is provided. Note that a toner agitating member may be provided inside the toner container 11 as the toner conveying means (see FIG. 19).

(Configuration of toner storage)
A toner container 11 as a toner storage unit is a hollow cylindrical member. A toner discharge opening 11a is provided on the circumference. Engaging portions 11b are provided at both short ends of the toner discharge opening 11a. The engaging portion 11b engages with the shutter 16 so that the shutter 16 can be opened and closed in the circumferential direction (arrow a direction).

  In this embodiment, the shape is an integral cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited to the cylindrical shape. For example, the cross section intersecting the longitudinal direction may be an ellipse, a shape having a corner, or the like. The configuration of the toner container 11 and the number of parts are not particularly limited. The toner container 11 is filled with powder toner (hereinafter the same). As the toner, for example, black toner, color toner, -component magnetic toner, -component nonmagnetic toner, or the like is appropriately selected.

(Configuration of the first and second flanges 12 and 13)
The first flange 12 and the second flange 13 each have a hollow cylindrical shape. Then, the toner container 11 is fitted and fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction. Then, the toner container 11 is sealed. The first flange 12 is provided with an opening 12a for filling the toner. The opening 12a is sealed by fitting the cap 14 after the container 11 is filled with toner. The second flange 13 has an end plate 13b. Further, a protrusion 13 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second flange 13 along the generatrix direction. The protrusions 13a perform circumferential positioning when the container 1 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body. Further, the container 11 is prevented from rotating in the apparatus main body. In addition, erroneous mounting can be prevented by changing the position of the protrusion 13a corresponding to the toner color stored in the container 1. The protrusion 13a may be installed on the toner container 11 or the first flange 12. However, installation to the second flange 13 is preferable from the viewpoint of operability. By installing the protrusion 13a on the second flange 13, for example, the operator can easily recognize the positioning at the time of insertion. In addition, it is possible to quickly recognize erroneous mounting of a toner supply container filled with different types of toner.

  The first flange 12 and the second flange 13 may be integrated with the toner container 11 or a part of the toner container 11. If the second flange 13 is a unique non-cylindrical shape, the protrusion 13a may not be provided.

(Configuration of rotating member)
The handle 15 that is a rotating member has a cylindrical shape. At one end, a rectangular handle 15e is provided. The other end is hollow and opened in a cylindrical shape. The handle 15 is rotatably coupled to the first flange 12. The handle 15 is provided with an engaging portion 15a for transmitting a driving force along the outer peripheral portion. The engaging portion 15a has a gear 15a1. Here, the handle 15 is a member having a gear, that is, a gear member. When the toner supply container 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 124, the engaging portion 15 a is engaged with the driving force receiving side provided in the driving force transmitting member 21 (rotational force transmitting member) provided in the apparatus main body 124. It engages with a gear as the portion 21a (FIGS. 3 and 5). Here, the engaging portion 15a can be engaged with the driving force receiving side engaging portion 21a by a series of operations of attaching the toner supply container 1 to the apparatus main body 124. Therefore, it is preferable that the engaging portion 15 a is installed on the outer peripheral surface of the handle 15. The driving force transmission member 21 has a driving force receiving side engaging portion 21a and a driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21b, which are gears, at both ends of a shaft 21s rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 124, respectively. It is. The shaft 21s is attached to the apparatus main body 124 (not shown).

  The engaging portion 21a and the engaging portion 15a provided at the one end of the driving force reaching member 21 and the engaging portion 21b provided at the other end of the driving force transmitting member 21 and the driving force receiving side engaging portion 22a of the shutter 16 are provided. Are gears that can mesh with each other. The gear has a plurality of teeth along the circumferential direction of the container. Note that the present invention is not limited to gears. For example, when the rotation angle required to open and close the friction wheel, pin wheel wheel, and shutter 16 is small, a one-tooth gear (protrusion) may be used (the following embodiments) The same applies to

  Further, a lock member 15b is provided so that the handle 15 is locked to the toner container 11 side before and after the toner supply container 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 124 (FIGS. 7 and 8). ). The locking member 15b is fitted in a long groove 15c provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder of the handle 15 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. A compression coil spring 15d is provided between the end of the groove 15c and the lock member 15b. Therefore, when the toner supply container 1 is removed from the apparatus main body 124, the lock member 15b is fitted into the hole 12b of the toner container 11 by the spring force of the spring 15d (FIG. 8A). Therefore, the handle 15 cannot be rotated. The configuration of the locking mechanism is not limited as long as the handle 15 can be locked to the toner container 11 and can be released when the handle 15 is attached. The lock mechanism may be provided as necessary.

  On the other hand, the main body protrusion 23 is fixed to the toner supply device 100 of the apparatus main body 124. The main body protrusion 23 prevents the lock member 15 b from moving in the process of mounting the toner supply container 1 to the toner supply device 100. Therefore, the lock member 15b moves backward and comes out of the hole 12b. Therefore, the handle 15 can be rotated.

(Toner conveying member)
As shown in FIG. 19, a screw 25 is provided in the toner supply container 1. The screw 25 includes screw blades 25R and 25L having different twist directions. Then, as indicated by the arrows a and b in the figure, the toner in the toner container 11 is sent toward the toner discharge opening 11a. The screw 25 is rotatably supported by the end plate 13 b of the second flange 13. A gear 26 is fixed to the shaft of the screw 25 outside the end plate 13b. The gear 26 meshes with a gear (not shown) serving as a drive source for the apparatus main body 124 when the toner supply container 1 is attached to the apparatus main body 124.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19B, a conveying blade 28 may be used as a toner conveying member. The conveying blade 28 is rotatably supported by the end plate 13b of the second flange 13, and is fixed to a conveying shaft 27 fixed to the gear 26 outside the end plate 13b. The conveying blade 28 made of a flexible member such as plastic is provided with a plurality of blades having claw portions 28a inclined toward the toner discharge opening 11a as viewed from above. Therefore, as indicated by the arrows a and b in the figure, the toner in the toner container 11 can be sent toward the toner discharge opening 11a.

(Configuration of shutter 16)
The shutter 16 serving as an opening / closing member is engaged with an engaging portion 11b provided around the toner discharge opening 11a. The toner discharge opening 11a is slid along the circumferential direction so as to be opened and closed. That is, the cross section of the shutter 16 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner supply container 1 has an arc shape and a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the toner container 11.

  Further, when the toner supply container 1 is mounted on the apparatus main body 124, the shutter 16 engages with a shutter engagement member 22 provided in the apparatus main body 124 and interlocking with the engagement portion 21 b. That is, the engaging portion 21 b and the engaging member 22 are provided in the apparatus main body 124. When the container 1 is mounted on the apparatus main body 124 along the longitudinal direction, the engaging member 22 and the shutter 16 are engaged.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the shutter engaging member 22 is supported by the bearing portion 2 provided in the apparatus main body 124 so as to be rotatable and not moved in the axial direction. A driving force receiving side engaging portion 22a is provided as a rotating force receiving portion that receives the rotating force from the handle 15 at a part of the outer periphery. Further, the engaging member 22 is provided with a fitting portion 22b that fits with both side edges (driving force receiving portions) 16c of the shutter 16 in the container insertion direction. The engaging portion 22a has a plurality of teeth. The shutter 16 receives a rotational force at a contact portion 16n that contacts the fitting portion 22b. That is, 16n is a rotational force receiving part.

  FIG. 4C shows another embodiment. In the present embodiment, the engaging member 22 is provided with slide portions 22c at both ends in the axial direction so as to engage with a rail portion (not shown) provided in the toner supply device 100 and move in the circumferential direction. ing. It also serves as a shutter mechanism that opens and closes a toner replenishing opening that communicates from the toner replenishing device 100 to the developing device 201.

(Toner supply operation)
Next, a toner replenishing operation using the toner supply container 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

(1) Installation of Toner Supply Container 1 The toner supply container 1 configured as described above is installed into the toner supply device 100 of the apparatus main body 124 from the direction of arrow c (FIG. 21). At this time, the protrusion 13a of the toner supply container 1 is inserted while being engaged with the engaging portion 24 of the apparatus main body 124 (FIGS. 5 and 6). First, the fitting portion 22 b of the engaging member 22 is fitted with the shutter 16. The shutter 16 advances by sliding on the fitting portion 22b. Then, the engaging portion 21a provided in the apparatus main body 124, the engaging portion 15a provided in the handle 15, and the engaging member 22 provided in the main body and the shutter 16 are respectively engaged (FIGS. 3 and 3). 5). Further, as shown in FIG. 8A → FIG. 8B, the lock member 15 b is prevented from advancing by the protrusion 23. Therefore, the lock member 15b enters the groove 15c while compressing the compression coil spring 15d, and the lock member 15b is detached from the hole 12b. As a result, the engagement between the handle 15 and the toner container 11 is released. The handle 15 can be manually rotated with respect to the toner container 11. That is, the drive connection between the handle, which is a rotating member, and the shutter member having the driving force receiving portion is performed by mounting the toner supply container 1 on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

(2) Replenishment of toner As shown in FIGS. With the toner supply container 1 mounted in the apparatus main body 124, the operator manually rotates the handle 15 counterclockwise. Then, the driving force due to the rotation is transmitted from the engagement portion 15a of the handle 15 to the transmission member 21 provided in the apparatus main body 124 via the engagement portion 21a. Further, the driving force is transmitted to the engaging member 22 via the engaging portion 22a that is interlocked with the engaging portion 21b. The shutter 16 slides in the circumferential direction of the container 11 by the driving force transmitted in this way. Then, the toner discharge opening 11a (width W) is opened, and toner can be supplied. At this time, the protrusion 13 a of the container 1 is engaged by an engaging portion 24 provided on the apparatus main body 124. Therefore, the container 11 does not interlock with the rotation of the handle 15.

(3) Removal of Toner Supply Container 1 When the operator rotates the handle 15 in the clockwise direction, a reverse driving force is transmitted to the shutter 16 in the same order as in (2). The shutter 16 closes the toner discharge opening 11a (width W). Further, the operator pulls out the container 1 from the toner supply device 100. As a result, the lock member 15b is fitted into the hole 12b of the first flange. The handle 15 is locked to the container 11 side. This completes a series of toner supply operations. With this configuration, the container 11 does not move during a series of toner supply operations. Therefore, there is no restriction on the shape of the container 11 (it may not be a cylindrical shape). Further, by using the shutter 16 as a separate member from the handle 15, there is no restriction that the position of the toner discharge opening 11a is in the vicinity of the handle, and the degree of freedom in designing the toner supply container 1 can be increased. Further, the shutter 16 can be opened by mounting the container 1 at the mounting position of the apparatus main body 124. Accordingly, the shutter 16 can be prevented from being opened carelessly when the container 1 is detached from the apparatus main body.

  Next, a toner replenishing operation will be described.

  The container 1 according to the present embodiment transmits the rotational force of the handle 15 to the shutter 16 through a plurality of engaging portions, that is, the engaging portion 15a, the engaging portion 21a, the engaging portion 21b, and the engaging portion 22a. . Therefore, it becomes possible to freely design the engagement ratio (gear ratio) of these engaging portions.

  As a result, when the slide movement distance of the shutter 16 is long, the engagement ratio (gear ratio) of the handle 15 is increased, and the operation (turning) distance of the handle 15 is shortened. Further, when the opening / closing torque of the shutter 16 is high, the engagement ratio (gear ratio) of the handle 15 can be lowered to reduce the operation (turning) torque of the handle 15.

  By setting it as such a structure, the rotation angle and operating torque of the handle | steering-wheel 15 can be selected suitably.

  The shape and configuration of the drive transmission member 21, the engagement member 22, the handle 15, and the shutter 16, and the number of parts can be selected as appropriate. Also, the direction of rotation of the handle 15 is not particularly limited (the same applies to other embodiments).

[Embodiment 2]
Next, as Embodiment 2, other examples of the shutter 16 are shown in FIGS. In addition, the part which has the same function as Embodiment 1 mentioned above attaches the same code | symbol, and uses description.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the driving force receiving side engaging portion 22 a provided in the apparatus main body 124 is provided in the toner supply container 1 in the first embodiment. That is, the shutter 16 of the toner supply container 1 is provided with the driving force receiving side engaging portion 16a. The engaging portion (driving force receiving portion) 16 a provided in the shutter 16 is engaged with the engaging portion 21 b by a series of operations for inserting the container 1 into the apparatus main body 124. Here, the engaging portion 16 a is installed on the outer surface of the shutter 16. The engaging portion 16a has a plurality of teeth that mesh with the gear of the engaging portion 21b. The number of teeth installed is not limited.

  The engaging portion 16 a is inserted into the toner replenishing device 100 of the apparatus main body 124 while engaging the protrusion 13 a of the container 1 with the engaging portion 24 of the apparatus main body 124. As a result, the engaging portion 16a engages with the driving force transmission side engaging portion 21b of the driving transmission member 21 provided in the apparatus main body 124 (FIGS. 10 and 12).

  When the operator rotates the handle 15, the driving force generated by the rotation is transmitted from the engaging portion 15a provided on the handle 15 to the transmitting member 21 via the engaging portion 21a. Further, the signal is transmitted from the engaging portion 21b to the engaging portion (driving force receiving portion) 16a provided on the shutter 16. The shutter 16 slides in the circumferential direction on the engaging portion 11b of the toner container 11 by the driving force thus transmitted. As a result, the toner discharge opening 11a (width W) is opened (FIGS. 11 and 13). Then, toner can be supplied. Further, the closing operation of the toner discharge opening 11a (width W) is performed by transmitting the driving force in the direction opposite to that described above.

  In such a series of toner supply operations, the protrusion 13 a of the container 1 is locked by the engaging portion 24 of the apparatus main body 124 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the toner container 11 is fixed by the apparatus main body 124 without being interlocked with the rotation of the handle 15.

  The container 1 is attached to the toner replenishing device 201 provided in the apparatus main body 124 by insertion in the arrow X direction from the second flange 13 side, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the engaging portion 16a passes through the engaging portion 21a of the transmission member 21, and engages with the engaging portion 21b on the back side (FIGS. 10 and 12). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15A, the outer shape of the engaging portion 16a is smaller than the outer shape of the engaging portion 15a. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15B, the angle of the engaging portion 16a and the engaging portion 15a before being attached to the device main body 124 is relatively shifted in the circumferential direction and does not overlap. This is preferable from the viewpoint of operability of mounting on the main body 124.

  According to the present embodiment, the engagement member 22 is not required, and the structure on the apparatus main body side can be simplified.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, by providing two engaging portions 16 a at both ends of the shutter 16, the shutter 16 can slide more smoothly. Of course, the engagement portion 16a may be provided at one place, or may be provided at three or more places, and can be selected as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 17, the sliding movement direction of the shutter 16 is the axial direction of the container 11. The engaging portion 16a may have a rack configuration installed along the axial direction of the container 11. In this case, the apparatus main body is provided with an engagement portion 21a that meshes with the engagement portion 15a, and a first drive transmission member 21A having a bevel gear 21c at its end. Further, a second drive transmission member 21B is provided in which the pinion 21e is rotatably supported by the shaft 21f. The pinion 21e is a bevel gear 21d that meshes with the gear 21C. As a result, the pinion 21e of the second drive transmission member 21B meshes with the back end of the engaging portion 16a. Therefore, when the operator rotates the handle 15, the pinion 21e rotates and sends the shutter 16 to the back side.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, as Embodiment 3, another example of the toner container 11 is shown in FIG. In addition, like Embodiment 2, the part which has the same function as Embodiment 1 mentioned above attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and uses description.

  In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 18, as in the second embodiment, the engaging portion 22 a of the engaging member 22 is provided as the engaging portion (driving force receiving portion) 16 a on the shutter 16 of the container 1. And the shape of the container 11 is comprised as a non-cylindrical shape. That is, the trapezoidal part 11c is connected to the circular arc part 11d whose section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container 11 is close to a semicircle. The interior is a space. The shutter 16 moves along the side surface of the trapezoidal portion 11c in the short direction (direction perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction of the container 1) (arrow Y direction). Then, the toner opening 11a is opened and closed. The transmission member 21 (FIG. 18n is not shown) is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the engaging portion 21a is engaged with the engaging portion 15a, and the engaging portion 21b is the engaging portion (driving force receiving portion). Meshes with 16a. Here, the engaging portion 16a is a rack provided on the shutter 16 along the moving direction thereof. In the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, toner can be supplied without rotating the container 11. Therefore, there is no restriction on the shape of the container. Therefore, it is possible to use the space above the toner container mounting portion, which has conventionally been a dead space, as the container 11 as shown in FIG.

  With such a shape, the volume in the toner container can be increased, and a space-efficient design as a toner supply container can be realized. It should be noted that it is more preferable to provide toner conveying means inside the container 11 from the viewpoint of toner dischargeability and reduction of the remaining amount of toner.

  In the first to third embodiments, the rotation angle of the handle 15 is preferably 60 to 120 degrees in terms of operation.

[Embodiment 4]
Next, the fourth embodiment will be specifically described. Here, description will be made in the order of (1) the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus main body in which the toner supply container is mounted, (2) the configuration of the toner supply container, and (3) the toner replenishing operation method.

<Overall configuration of image forming apparatus main body to which toner supply container is attached>
FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of the full-color image forming apparatus main body 124A to which the toner supply container of the present embodiment is attached.

  Photosensitive drums 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d for forming magenta, cyan, yellow, and black toner images, and a transfer belt 125 disposed below these photosensitive drums 104a to 104d are provided. Around the photosensitive drums 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d rotated by the driving force of an ultrasonic motor (not shown), primary chargers 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d, and developing units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, respectively. , And transfer chargers 111a, 111b, 111c, and 111d. Further, exposure devices 103a, 103b, 103c, and 103d composed of LEDs or the like are disposed above the photosensitive drums 104a to 104d.

  The photosensitive drums 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d are charged by the chargers 203a, 203b, 203c, and 203d, respectively. Then, the color-separated light images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are exposed by the exposure devices 103a, 103b, 103c, and 103d. As a result, electrostatic latent images for toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on the photosensitive drums 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d. Next, the latent images are developed by the developing devices 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d. Then, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are sequentially formed on the photosensitive drums 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d.

  The sheets P are sent one by one from the cassette 105 or 106 by the pick up rollers 105A or 106A. Then, the toner is fed to the registration roller 110 through a conveyance unit 109 including a conveyance roller and a paper guide. Then, after the timing is adjusted by the roller 110, it is electrostatically attracted to the transfer belt 125 and conveyed in the direction of arrow A. The sheet P adsorbed to the transfer belt 125 is sequentially conveyed to the transfer section facing each of the photosensitive drums 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d by the rotation of the transfer belt 125. Then, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d are transferred onto the paper P in an overlapping manner by the action of the transfer chargers (transfer blades) 111a, 111b, 111c, and 111d. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the paper P.

  The sheet P on which the four color toner images are transferred is conveyed from the transfer belt 125 to the fixing unit 114. Here, the toner image is fixed on the paper P by receiving heat and pressure. As a result, a full-color print image is formed on the paper P. Thereafter, the paper is discharged out of the apparatus main body 124 </ b> A by a paper discharge conveying means 126 provided downstream of the fixing unit 114.

  Note that the belt conveyance unit 127 is obtained by suspending the transfer belt 125 around a driving roller 129 that receives a driving force from the pulse motor 128 and a plurality of support rollers 131, 132, and 133.

  The transfer belt cleaner 134 removes toner adhering to the transfer belt 125. Then, if necessary, the transfer belt 125 is contacted by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown). Then, the cleaner brush rotates to scrape off the toner on the transfer belt 125.

  The toner is supplied from the toner supply devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d to the developing devices 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d.

  When the toner runs out, the operator opens the front door (not shown) of the apparatus main body 124A toward the front. Then, the toner supply containers stored in the toner replenishing devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d are replaced. When the front door is closed, the power switch is turned on. As a result, the toner conveying members in the new replaced toner supply containers 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d start rotating upon receiving the driving force from the apparatus main body 124A, and the toner is supplied into the toner replenishing devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d. To be replenished.

<Configuration of toner supply container>
The toner supply containers 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d of the present embodiment are mounted on toner replenishing devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d provided in the color copying machine main body 124A shown in FIG. Then, the toner is gradually replenished into the toner replenishing devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d until the toner is used up. This is a so-called stationary toner supply container.

  The toner supply containers 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d have the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 23, the toner container 11 is integrated by welding the first flange 12 and the second flange 13 together. A cap 14 is fitted into one end of the toner container 11. In addition, a handle 15 is rotatably fitted to one end of the toner container 11. The toner container 11 includes a toner conveying member (not shown) and a coupling (not shown) that supports the toner conveying member and transmits driving. Further, a shutter 16 that opens and closes the toner discharge opening 11a of the toner container 11 and a seal member 35 that seals the shutter 16 and the toner discharge opening 11a are provided.

(Toner container)
As shown in FIG. 27, the toner container 11 has a shape in which a rectangular portion 11h is connected to an arc portion 11g whose cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is close to a semicircle. The inside is a hollow cylindrical member made up of a single space in which toner is stored. A toner discharge opening 11a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the arc portion 11g. Further, shutter support members 11e are provided around both sides in the longitudinal direction of the toner discharge opening 11a. The shutter 16 is supported by the support member 11e and closes the toner discharge opening 11a (FIG. 27A), and the shutter 16 retracts from the closed position to open the toner discharge opening 11a (FIG. b)). Depending on the size of the toner discharge opening 11a that intersects the longitudinal direction of the container 11, the sliding distance of the shutter 16 needs to be increased. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, the arc portion may be extended to have an arc shape with a central angle θ of approximately 270 degrees.

  A protrusion 32 is provided on the second flange 13. The protrusion 32 is used for positioning when the container 1a is mounted on the toner replenishing devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d provided on the apparatus main body 124A. In addition, the protrusion 32 has a different position corresponding to the color of the toner stored in the container, so that the toner supply container filled with the different toner cannot be attached to another attachment portion. That is, the protrusion 32 has a color identification function. The protrusions 32 are respectively formed on the outer peripheral surface of the container 11 storing toners of different colors, preferably on the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion (downstream side) of the toner supply container in the direction of insertion into the toner supply device. Are provided at different positions. As a result, the positioning at the time of insertion and the recognition when the user tries to install the toner supply container filled with the different type of toner by mistake can be performed quickly.

  Further, an opening 12a is provided at the rear end (upstream side) in the container insertion direction as a toner filling port for filling the toner. A cross-shaped rib 12c is provided inside the filling port 12a. At its center, a shaft hole 12d is provided for supporting a toner conveying member, which will be described later. Around the filling port 12a, a circular wall portion 12e for fitting with a handle described later is provided. The filling port 12a is sealed with a cap 14 after the toner is filled. The first flange 12 is joined and integrated with the toner container 11.

  The end face of the second flange 13 is provided with a hole 13c for pivotally supporting the toner conveying member from the outside of the container 11 and inserting a driving force receiving portion (for example, a coupling) for transmitting the driving force. is there. A wall portion 13d (see FIGS. 23 and 31) for supporting the outer peripheral surface of the coupling is provided around the hole 13c.

The shape of the container can be selected as appropriate, for example, a quadrangular column, a hexagonal column, or a cylindrical shape. (handle)
The handle 15 is cylindrical. One end has a single-letter-shaped handle 15e. The other end has a hollow interior and is opened in a cylindrical shape. The handle 15 is fitted to a wall 12e provided at one end of the container 11 so as to be rotatable by a manual operation. And the engaging part 15a which transmits a driving force is provided. The engaging portion 15 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the handle 15. And it has a plurality of teeth.

  The engaging portion 15a is an engaging portion of the driving force transmitting member 21 provided in the replenishing device when inserted into any of the containers 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d replenishing devices 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d. It has a segment gear shape engageable with 21a. And it can engage with the engaging part 21a by a series of operation | movement which inserts the container 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the driving force transmission member 21 has an engaging portion 21a and an engaging portion 21b at both ends of a shaft 21s that is rotatably supported by each supply device. Here, the engaging portions 21a and 21b are gears and have a plurality of teeth. In the present embodiment, the engaging portion 21a is composed of a single gear. However, as long as the driving force receiving mechanism is provided, there is no particular limitation on the configuration and the number of gears as described above. Moreover, in this Embodiment, the engaging part 21b is meshing | engaged with the gear 16d which is a segment gear via the idler gear as the driving force transmission side engaging part 21g. In the present embodiment, the transmission member 21, the engaging portions 21a and 21b, and the engaging portion 21g are provided in the apparatus main body.

(Toner conveying member)
One end of the transport shaft 27 that supports the toner transport member 29 is rotatably supported in the shaft hole 12d (FIG. 23). The other end is pivotally supported by the coupling 26a (FIG. 26) so that the rotational force is transmitted. The conveyance member 29 has a conveyance blade 28 made of a flexible member fixed to the shaft 27. The coupling 26a is rotatably supported by the container 11.

  The conveying blade 28 rubs against the inner peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion 11g (FIGS. 23 and 27). The blade 28 includes a plurality of blades each having a claw portion 28a whose tip side is inclined with respect to the rotation direction with respect to the toner discharge opening 11a. Therefore, the toner in the container 11 can be sent toward the opening 11a. The opening 11a is disposed on the front side (upstream side) when viewed from the insertion direction of the container 1a with respect to the apparatus main body 124A. Therefore, all the claw portions 28a face the same direction. Further, the coupling 26a meshes with a driving side coupling (not shown) provided in the replenishing device when each container 1a is mounted on each replenishing device 100a, and rotates the conveying member 29 by obtaining a driving force.

  Note that the toner conveying member is not necessarily required as long as the toner in the container 11 can be conveyed to the toner discharge opening. However, the toner can be reliably supplied by providing the toner conveying member.

  Next, FIG. 31 shows an end of the toner supply container on the side receiving the driving force. A coupling 26 a as a driving force receiving member is rotatably supported on the end surface of the container 11. Both axial ends of the coupling 26a are shaft joints. In the container 11, the container 11 is connected to one end of the conveyance shaft 27 of the conveyance member 29. A rotational force receiving portion is provided outside the container 11. This rotational force receiving portion is connected to a drive member for transmitting rotational force provided to each replenishing device when the container 1a is mounted on the apparatus main body 124A. As shown in FIG. 31, the rotational force receiving portion is a radial projection 26a1. And the convex part (not shown) of the said drive member is engaged and connected with the recessed part 26a2 between protrusion 26a1.

(Shutter)
The shutter 16 shown in FIG. 23 is provided with slide portions 16 f at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the shutter 16. The slide portion 16f engages with a shutter support member 11e as a guide member provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening 11a. The shutter 16 slides in the circumferential direction of the container 11 so that the opening 11a can be opened and closed. That is, the cross section of the shutter 16 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each container 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d is an arc shape and a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the container 11. In addition, the slide part 16f and the support member 11e are hook-shaped in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

  When the containers 16a, 1b, 1c, and 1d are attached to any of the replenishing devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d, the shutter 16 has a gear as an engaging portion 21g as shown in FIG. A driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d as an engaging driving force receiving portion is provided. The engaging portion 16d has a plurality of teeth. Then, the engaging portion 16d can be engaged with the engaging portion 21g by a series of operations of insertion into each container replenishing device. Therefore, it is preferable that the engaging portion 16d is installed on the outer surface of the shutter 16. More preferably, the segment gear-shaped tooth tip circle diameter of the engaging portion 16d is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the shutter 16 other than the engaging portion 16d. And space in the height direction is saved. For this purpose, the engaging portion 16d is provided on the outer surface near the edge of the shutter 16 on the side close to the coupling 26a. Thereby, when the shutter 16 is located at the closed position, the engagement portion 21g is disengaged from the engagement portion 21g. Further, the engaging portion 21g and the engaging portion 16d provided in the replenishing device 100a are engaged by a series of operations for inserting each container into each replenishing device. Therefore, the slide portion 16f (16f1) on the side where the coupling 26a of the shutter 16 is provided is shorter than the engaging portion 16d (A portion in FIGS. 23 and 25). That is, it is preferable that the slide portion 16f1 is arranged such that the end surface 16h on the shutter 16 side facing the engaging portion 21g becomes the engaging portion 16d when each container is inserted into each replenishing device. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a notch 16g is provided in order to shorten the slide portion 16f1. Thereby, the engaging portion 21g and the shutter 16 do not interfere with each other.

  When the thickness of the shutter 16 is large, the slide portion 16f1 is provided over the entire length along the arc of the shutter 16. And the part corresponded to the above-mentioned notch 16g is good also as a recessed part which the engaging part 21g can pass.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 28, the shutter 16 engages with a main body shutter 34 that opens and closes a toner supply opening 33 provided in the supply device 100a. The main body shutter 34 can be slid in conjunction with the sliding movement of the shutter 16 provided in the container 1a.

  Note that the engaging portions 21b and 21g in the present embodiment are configured by two gears. However, if it has a drive transmission mechanism, there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the structure and the number of gears.

  As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the toner replenishing device 100a is provided in a cartridge receiving portion having a semi-cylindrical lower portion 54a and a rectangular upper portion 54b whose longitudinal section follows the container 11, and a lower portion. The developing device 204a has a replenishing device main body 54 integrated with the frame. A guide rail 55 is provided on the inner periphery of the lower portion 54a in the circumferential direction. The guide rail 55 is engaged with the guide 34 a of the main body shutter 34. The guide rail 55 and the guide 34a have a hook-shaped cross section in the longitudinal direction and are embraced with each other. The rail 55 and the guide 34 are parallel to each other. Therefore, the main body shutter 34 is held by the replenishing device main body 54. The radius of the inner periphery of the main body shutter 34 is equal to the radius of the outer periphery of the shutter 16. The main body shutter 34 is provided with protruding edges 34b along the longitudinal direction on both sides orthogonal to the moving direction. The length between the projecting edges 34 b along the inner periphery of the main body shutter 34 is equal to the length of the arc on the outer periphery of the shutter 16. Therefore, when the container 1a is inserted into the replenishing device 100a, the edges on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the shutter 16 are fitted between the surfaces 34b1 protruding in the radial direction of the projecting edges 34b of the main body shutter 34. Therefore, when the shutter 16 is opened and closed, the main body shutter 34 is interlocked. Therefore, if the toner discharge opening 11a and the toner supply opening 33 are opposed to each other, the toner is supplied to the developing device 204a by opening the shutter 16.

(Seal member)
The sealing member 35 as a sealing member is an elastic body (FIG. 23). The sealing property between the shutter 16 and the discharge opening 11a is maintained. In addition, leakage of toner in the container 11 due to drop impact or the like is prevented. Therefore, the seal member 35 is stuck on the outer surface of the container 11 so as to surround the discharge opening 11a. Specifically, the seal member 35 is made of rubber or sponge such as silicon, urethane, or foamed polyethylene, preferably 20 ° to 70 ° in hardness, 10% or less compression set, cell size 60 to 300 μm, and a density of 0. A low foamed polyurethane of 15 to 0.50 g / is used after being compressed by 5 to 50%.

  The seal member 35 may be attached not to the periphery of the discharge opening 11a but to the surface of the shutter 16 that faces the discharge opening 11a.

  Here, another embodiment in which a seal member is used to seal the toner discharge opening will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the function of opening and closing the main body shutter provided in the apparatus main body and the function of sealing the toner discharge opening are separated.

  In the present embodiment, an opening 11 a that can face the main body opening 33 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the container 11. Further, a sealing member for sealing the opening 11 a is provided separately from the shutter 16. As the sealing member 135 as a sealing member, a flexible heat welding film 135a is used. Then, the seal member 135 is thermally welded to the seat surface 11i surrounding the discharge opening 11a. Then, the opening 11a is sealed. Then, the seal member 135 is folded back at one end side 135a1 of the opening 11a. When the container 1a is attached to the apparatus main body, the operator pulls the other end side 135a2 of the seal member 135 to open the opening 11a. Note that, at the time of toner replenishment, the film 135a is not limited to the method of peeling off from around the toner discharge opening 11a, but may be a tearing method. And the shutter 16 does not have the sealing function of the discharge opening 11a. The shutter 16 serves as an opening / closing member that opens and closes a main body shutter 34 provided in the apparatus main body. The mechanism is the same as in the previous embodiment.

  That is, the present embodiment is a toner supply container for supplying toner to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, and a toner storage for storing toner to be supplied to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body (124A, 124B). A toner discharge opening (11a) for discharging the toner stored in the toner storage section, and the toner discharge opening is provided in the toner storage section. A sealing member (sealing member 35) for sealing the toner discharge opening (11a) so as to be openable, a rotating member (handle 15) rotatable with respect to the toner storage portion, and the toner supply container (1) When the toner is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the rotating member rotates, so that the toner receiving opening provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is opened. A driving force generated by the rotation of the rotating member for opening the main body opening / closing member (main body shutter 34) sealing the (toner supply opening 33) is provided in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A toner supply container having a driving force receiving portion (driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d) for receiving via the force transmitting member 21.

<Toner replenishment operation method>
Next, a toner replenishing operation using the toner supply container 1a of the present embodiment will be described.

(1) Mounting of toner supply container 1a A front door (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body 124A is opened in the direction of 90 ° toward the front. Next, the protrusion 32a of the container 1a is engaged with the groove 24a (see FIG. 28) of the replenishing device 100a. Then, the container 1a is inserted into the replenishing device 100a with the side where the coupling 26a is provided at the top. Then, first, the shutter 16 of the container 1a is engaged with the main body shutter 34 in the replenishing device 100a (FIG. 28). Then, the engaging portion 21g and the engaging portion 16d of the shutter 16 are engaged. Finally, the engaging portion 21a and the engaging portion 15a of the handle 15 are engaged.

(2) Installation of toner supply container / toner replenishment With the container 1a mounted on the replenishing device 100a, the operator manually rotates the handle 15 90 degrees clockwise. Then, the driving force by rotation is transmitted from the engaging part 15a to the transmission member 21 via the engaging part 21a. Further, it is transmitted from the engaging portion 21g to the engaging portion 16d of the shutter 16. Due to the driving force transmitted in this way, the shutter 16 slides in the circumferential direction while engaging the support member 11e of the container 11. At that time, the main body shutter 34 is interlocked with the sliding movement of the shutter 16. Therefore, the discharge opening 11a of the container 1a and the supply opening 33 in the supply device 100a are opened simultaneously. Then, the toner replenishment is started by rotating the toner conveying member 29 by the coupling 26a receiving the driving force from the apparatus main body 124A.

  During these operations, the container 11 does not rotate. Therefore, the container 1a is not interlocked with the rotation of the handle 15, and is fixed in the replenishing device 100a.

(3) Removal of toner supply container The operator rotates the handle 15 by 90 ° counterclockwise. As a result, the reverse driving force is transmitted in the same order as in (2). The shutter 16 closes the discharge opening 11a, and the main body shutter 34 closes the supply opening 33. Then, a series of toner supply operations are completed.

  The container 1a is attached to the replenishing device 100a with the coupling 26a side at the top. Therefore, the engaging portion 16d passes through the engaging portion 21a and engages with the rear engaging portion 21g. Therefore, it is more preferable that the tooth tip circle diameter of the segment gear-like engagement portion 16d is smaller than the tooth root circle diameter of the segment gear-like engagement portion 15a.

  With this configuration, the container does not move during a series of toner supply operations. Therefore, there is no restriction on the shape of the container. Therefore, a container shape with higher space efficiency can be adopted. Further, since the shutter is a separate member from the handle, there is no restriction on the position of the toner discharge opening near the handle. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the toner supply container can be increased.

  In addition, the toner supply container according to the present embodiment is configured to drive the rotation of the handle through a plurality of engaging portions such as an engaging portion of the handle, an engaging portion of the drive transmission member, and an engaging portion of the shutter. I tell the force receiving part. Therefore, it becomes possible to freely design the engagement ratio (gear ratio) of these engaging portions.

  Thus, when the slide movement distance for opening and closing the shutter is long, the handle engagement ratio (gear ratio) is increased to shorten the handle operation (turning) distance. Further, when the shutter opening / closing torque is high, the handle engagement ratio (gear ratio) can be lowered to lower the handle operation (rotation) torque.

  For example, the rotation angle of the handle for opening and closing the shutter is 90 degrees. When the toner supply container is inserted into the replenishing device, the handle 15e is positioned in the vertical direction. Further, when the handle is rotated 90 degrees clockwise and the toner is discharged, the handle 15e is positioned in the horizontal direction. In this way, the operator can easily operate, and the operator can easily recognize the state of the container 1a. The rotation angle for opening and closing the shutter of the handle 15e is preferably in the range of 60 to 120 degrees in terms of operation.

[Embodiment 5]
Next, the fifth embodiment will be specifically described. In this embodiment, when the toner supply container is attached to the apparatus main body, the toner supply container is attached from a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the container. Further, the shutter is slid in conjunction with opening and closing of the door of the apparatus main body.

  FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the toner replenishing device 100A and the developing device 201. FIG. The replenishing device 100A includes a toner supply container 1A and a cartridge receiver 41. The cartridge receiving unit 41 includes a buffer unit 42 that temporarily stores the toner supplied from the container 1A, a conveying screw 43 that conveys the toner in the buffer unit 42 to the developing device 201, and a buffer shutter that covers the toner receiving opening of the buffer unit 42. (Not shown).

  When the toner in the replenishing device 100A runs out, the toner supply container 1A and the cartridge receiving portion 41 are exposed by opening the front door 44 (see FIG. 39) provided in the device main body 124A.

  The container 1A is inserted into the cartridge receiving portion 41 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (arrow A shown in FIGS. 32 and 39).

<Configuration of toner supply container>
The toner supply container 1A of this embodiment is a so-called stationary toner supply container.

  As shown in FIG. 33, the container 1A has a toner container 11 in which a flange 45 is fitted in an opening 11g. Further, the toner container 11 includes a cap 14 fitted into one end of the toner container 11, a handle 15 </ b> A rotatably fitted to one end of the toner container 11, and a toner transport member 29 provided inside the toner container 11. Then, one end of the toner conveying member 29 is pivotally supported from the outside of the container 11. Further, the container 1A includes a coupling 46 as a power receiving member, a shutter 16 that opens and closes the toner discharge opening 11a, and a seal member 35.

(Toner container)
The toner container 11 is composed of a hollow cylindrical member. A cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner discharge opening 11a of the container 11 has an arc portion 11i having a central angle θ of 270 degrees and a rectangular portion 11j, as shown in FIGS. The arc portion 11i is provided with a toner discharge opening 11a. Further, around the toner discharge opening 11a, a shutter support member that supports a shutter 16 capable of taking a closed position for closing the toner discharge opening 11a and an open position for retracting from the closed position to open the toner discharge opening. 11e is provided. With the above configuration, the size of the toner discharge opening 11a can be increased in the circumferential direction of the toner container 11, and the sliding distance of the shutter 16 can be increased. The shape of the toner container 11 may be the same as in the first to fourth embodiments.

  Then, when inserting the container 1A into the toner replenishing device 100A provided in the apparatus main body 124B, the rib 11f is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the arc portion 11i of the container 11 so that the toner supply container filled with different types of toner cannot be attached. Are provided along the insertion direction of the container 1A (FIG. 32). The identification rib 11 f is in a relationship of engaging with the groove portion 151 on the back surface of the front door 44. The rib 11f determines whether the toner type is suitable by changing the position of the container 11 in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, you may provide the groove part 152 which the rib 11f fits in the receiving part 41 (FIG. 32).

  Furthermore, an opening 12a is provided on one end face as a filling port for filling the toner. A cross-shaped rib 12c is provided inside the filling port. A shaft hole 12d for pivotally supporting the toner conveying member 29 is provided at the center. The filling port 12a is sealed with a cap 14 after the toner is filled.

  A fitting portion 45b of the flange 45 is fitted and fixed to the opening 11g provided on the other end surface. The flange 45 has a hole 45a for supporting the toner conveying member 29 on the container and rotatably supporting the coupling 46 for transmitting the driving force. Around the hole 45a, a wall 45a1 of the hole 45a for supporting the outer peripheral surface 46a of the coupling 46 and a wall 45d for fitting with a handle 15A described later are provided. In the present embodiment, the handle 15A is fitted on the coupling 46 side, but may be fitted on the side provided with the opening 12a.

(handle)
The handle 15A is cylindrical. And one end has the wall surface 15g which has the opening 15f facing the coupling 46 in the center. The other end has a hollow cylindrical shape. A handle 15e is provided on the outer peripheral surface 15k of the handle 15A. The handle 15A is fitted to a wall 45d provided at one end of the container 11 so as to be manually rotatable. Further, the handle 15A is provided with an engaging portion 15a (gear) for transmitting a driving force. Instead of the handle 15e, as will be described later, the wall surface 15g has a protrusion that interlocks with the opening and closing of the front door 44, whereby the rotation of the handle can be interlocked with the opening and closing of the front door.

  The engaging portion 15a has a segment gear shape that can be engaged with the driving force receiving side engaging portion 21a of the driving force transmitting member 21 provided in the replenishing device 100A when the container 1A is inserted into the replenishing device 100A. Have. Further, in order to be able to engage with the engaging portion 21a through a series of insertion operations, it is installed on the outer peripheral surface 15k of the handle 15A.

  As shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, the transmission member 21 whose part is not visible is indicated by a two-dot chain line, at one end of the shaft 21s rotatably supported by the replenishing device 100A, at the driving force receiving side engaging portion 21a. The other end has driving force engaging portions 21b and 21i.

  Next, the engaging portion between the shutter 16 and the main body shutter 34 which are opening / closing members will be described. As shown in FIG. 38, the engaging portions 21b and 21i which are gears fixed to the other end of the shaft 21s are engaged with the engaging portions 21g and 21j which are gears, respectively. The engaging portion 21g can mesh with the engaging portion 16a, which is a segment gear, from the radial direction. The engaging portion 21 i is fixed to a rotating shaft 21 u that is rotatably supported by the cartridge receiving portion 41. The engaging portion 21k, which is a gear fixed to the rotating shaft 21u, is always meshed with an engaging portion 34c, which is a segment gear provided on the outer periphery of the main body shutter 34 (FIG. 42).

  The main body shutter 34 opens and closes the toner supply opening 33 provided in the shutter installation portion 41 e of the cartridge receiving portion 41. Therefore, it is provided on the outer periphery of the shutter installation portion 41e so as to open in the direction of arrow Y (FIG. 42). The guide member of the shutter 34 is a rail (not shown) like the shutter 16.

  The transmission member 21 is disposed outside the receiving portion 41. And the engaging part which meshes | engages from the radial direction with containers 1A, such as the engaging part 21a and the engaging part 21g, has located the tooth | gear part in the receiving part 41. FIG. Therefore, an opening is provided in the receiving portion 41. In this example, an opening 41d is provided so that the engaging portions 21b, 21g, 21i, and 21j are positioned in the receiving portion 41. Further, an opening 41c is provided for positioning the engaging portion 21a in the receiving portion 41 (FIG. 38).

(Toner conveying member)
One end of the transport shaft 27 is rotatably supported by a shaft hole 12 d having a cross-shaped rib 12 c provided in the opening 12 a of the container 11. The other end is fitted to a convex shaft 46 a of the coupling 46. The toner conveying member 29 has a conveying blade 28 made of a flexible member fixed to the conveying shaft 27.

  The conveying blade 28 rubs against the inner peripheral surface of the container 11. And it has the some nail | claw part 28a which is inclined in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the toner in the container 11 can be conveyed toward the discharge opening 11a.

  Further, when the cartridge 1A is mounted on the replenishing device 100A, the coupling 46 can mesh with the coupling provided in the replenishing device 100A to obtain a driving force.

(Shutter)
The shutter 16 as an opening / closing member is engaged with a support member 11e provided around the discharge opening 11a. Then, it slides in the circumferential direction to open and close the discharge opening 11a.

  When the container 1A is mounted on the replenishing device 100A, the shutter 16 is a segment gear-like engaging portion (driving force receiving portion) 16d that can engage with the engaging portion 21g provided on the replenishing device 100A (see FIG. 36). Further, the engaging portion 16d can be engaged with the engaging portion 21g by a series of operations for mounting the container 1A to the replenishing device 100A. Therefore, it is preferable that the engaging portion 16d is installed on the outer surface of the shutter 16.

(Toner replenishment operation method)
Next, a toner replenishing operation using the toner supply container 1A of the present invention will be described.

(1) Mounting of toner supply container As shown in FIG. 39, the front door 44 is opened to the front. Then, the container 1A is inserted in the direction of the arrow A while the rib 11f of the container 11 is along the groove portion 15l provided on the back surface of the front door 44. And the engaging part 21g and the engaging part 16d, and the engaging part 21a and the engaging part 15a each engage.

(2) Toner replenishment With the container 1A mounted in the replenishing device 100A, the operator manually rotates the handle 15e in the rearward direction. And the driving force by rotation is transmitted to the transmission member 21 from the engaging part 15a via the engaging part 21a. Further, it is transmitted from the engaging portion 21g to the engaging portion 16d. The shutter 16 slides along the support member 11e by the driving force transmitted in this way. At that time, the engaging portion 34c of the replenishment main body shutter 34 receives a driving force from the engaging portion 21k interlocked with the engaging portion 21b. Therefore, the discharge opening 11a and the supply opening 33 are opened simultaneously (FIG. 42). Then, the toner conveying member 29 rotates through the coupling 46 that receives the driving force from the apparatus main body 124B. Thereby, toner replenishment is started. The main body shutter 34 may be configured to open in conjunction with the movement of the shutter 16 of the container 1A. The rotation angle of the handle 15A required for opening and closing the shutter 16 is preferably 60 to 120 degrees.

  In addition, it has the handle | steering-wheel holding | maintenance part 47 (refer FIG.32, FIG.40, FIG.41) linked with opening and closing of the front door 44 in the wall surface 41a of the receiving part 41. FIG. When the container 1A is attached to the replenishing device 100A, the two-surface width portion 15h1 of the protrusion 15h (FIG. 40) is fitted to the holding portion 47. Thereby, the rotation of the handle 15 </ b> A can be interlocked with the opening / closing of the front door 44. That is, the handle 15A rotates by closing the front door 44 after mounting the container 1A in the replenishing device 100A. Then, the drive is transmitted to the shutters 16 and 34 in the same order as described above. Therefore, the discharge opening 11a and the supply opening 33 can be opened simultaneously. That is, the handle 15e is unnecessary.

  During these operations, the toner container 11 is fixed in the replenishing device 100A.

(3) Removal of toner supply container By rotating the handle 15A toward the front side or opening the front door 44 of the apparatus main body 124B, reverse driving is transmitted in the same order as in (2). The shutter 16 closes the discharge opening 11a, and the main body shutter 34 closes the replenishment opening 33, and the series of toner replenishment operations is completed.

  With such a configuration, the toner container does not move during a series of toner supply operations. Therefore, there is no restriction on the shape of the toner container. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a toner container shape with higher space efficiency. Further, since the shutter is a separate member from the handle, there is no restriction on the position of the toner discharge opening near the handle. Furthermore, the operation process at the time of toner replenishment can be reduced by linking the handle to the opening and closing of the front door.

  Each of the engaging portions 15a, 16a, 16d, 21a, 21b, 21g, and 22a has a plurality of teeth 15a1, 16a1, 16d1, 21a1, 21b1, 21g1, and 22a1, respectively.

[Other embodiments]
In the fifth embodiment described above, the toner supply container is attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus from the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the toner supply container. Further, the shutter of the toner supply container is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door. Further, the main body shutter is opened and closed. Here, another embodiment is shown.

  First, as shown in FIG. 43, in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments, when the toner supply container is attached to and detached from the apparatus main bodies 124 and 124A from the longitudinal direction, the door 124f and the shutter of the toner supply container 1 are opened and closed in an interlocked manner. To do. FIG. 44 shows another embodiment. First, the apparatus main body of the present embodiment opens and closes the upper frame 124c with respect to the lower frame 124d around the hinge 124e. When the toner supply containers 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d are attached to and detached from the upper frame 124c (or the lower frame 124d) from the longitudinal direction or from the direction crossing the longitudinal direction, the upper frame 124c is opened and closed. And opening and closing of the shutters of the toner supply containers 1a to 1d may be interlocked.

  Needless to say, the mechanism for locking the handle described in the first embodiment may be applied to other embodiments. Further, the toner supply container described in this embodiment can be used as appropriate in the apparatus main body described in this embodiment.

  In the second to fifth embodiments described above, a toner storage unit (toner container 11) that stores toner, an opening 11a that is provided on the peripheral surface of the toner storage unit and discharges toner, and opens and closes the opening 11a. In the toner supply container (1, 1A, 1a to 1d) that is detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the shutter member moves to a position for opening the opening. When the toner supply container is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the gear section is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and the gear. A drive transmission path is formed with a gear member (driving force transmission member 21 (gear 21a)) provided on the front side in the mounting direction of the toner supply container to receive the driving force from the gear member. A toner supply container becomes possible.

  Further, a toner storage portion for storing toner, an opening provided on a peripheral surface of the toner storage portion for discharging the toner, and a gear portion for receiving a driving force for moving the opening to a position for opening the opening are provided. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that receives supply of toner from a toner supply container having a shutter member that opens and closes, a mounting means (holder 31, supply devices 100a to 100d) for detachably mounting the toner supply container; A gear member (driving force transmission member 21) provided on the front side in the mounting direction of the toner supply container, and when the toner supply container is mounted on the mounting means, the gear portion is connected to the gear member. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a drive transmission path is formed between the gear members and a driving force can be received from the gear member.

  In each of the embodiments, a toner storage unit that stores toner, an opening provided in the toner storage unit for discharging the toner, a shutter member that opens and closes the opening, and rotatable with respect to the toner storage unit A toner supply container that is attachable to and detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the shutter member moves to a position for opening the opening, so that a driving force generated by the rotation of the rotating member is obtained. A driving force receiving portion (both side edges 16c of the shutter 16 in the container insertion direction, driving force receiving side engaging portions 16a and 16d), and the driving connection between the rotating member and the driving force receiving portion is the toner supply container; Is a toner supply container which is made by mounting the toner image on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  The driving connection between the rotating member and the driving force receiving portion is made through a driving force transmitting member 21 provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toner supply container shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the toner supply container shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement relationship between the toner supply container and the apparatus main body illustrated in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view at the time of toner replenishment operation of the toner supply container shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, (b) is a sectional view of the engaging member in (a), and (c) is the other part of the engaging member. It is a perspective view of an example. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an engagement relationship between the toner supply container and the apparatus main body shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an engagement relationship with the apparatus main body during toner replenishment operation of the toner supply container shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a handle and a toner container locking mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A), (b) is sectional drawing which shows the handle and the lock mechanism of a toner container which are shown in Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toner supply container shown in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an engagement relationship between a toner supply container and an apparatus main body shown in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an engagement relationship with the apparatus main body during a toner replenishment operation of the toner supply container shown in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an engagement relationship between a toner supply container and an apparatus main body shown in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an engagement relationship with a main body of a toner supply container according to a second embodiment of the present invention during a toner supply operation. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the direction of the toner supply container toward the apparatus main body according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the engaging part of a handle | steering-wheel and a shutter, respectively. It is a perspective view of the other example of the shutter shown in Embodiment 2 of this invention. (A) is a perspective view which shows the other example of a shutter engaging part, (b) is a drive system figure. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toner supply container shown in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a toner feeding device, in which (a) shows a screw system (b) shows a flexible wing system. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is an external appearance perspective view of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with which Embodiment 4 of this invention is applied. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a toner supply container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the toner supply container of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an engagement relationship between a toner supply container and an apparatus main body according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a flexible wing type toner feeding device. (A), (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a toner supply container. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an engagement relationship between a toner supply container and an apparatus main body according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an engagement relationship with the apparatus main body during a toner replenishment operation of a toner supply container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment in which a seal member is used to seal a toner discharge opening. FIG. 10 is a front view of a rear end in the longitudinal direction of a toner supply container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toner replenishing device and a developing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a toner supply container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a toner supply container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a toner supply container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an engagement relationship between a toner supply container and an apparatus main body according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an engagement relationship between a toner supply container and an apparatus main body according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toner replenishing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 5 of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a driving side of a toner supply device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a driving side of a toner supply device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a non-driving side of a toner supply device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus for explaining the interlocking between a shutter of a toner supply container and a front door. 1 is a side view of an image forming apparatus having a clam shell type image forming apparatus main body.

Explanation of symbols

1 Toner supply container 1A Toner supply container (horizontal type)
1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Toner supply container 2 Bearing part 11 Toner container 11a Toner discharge opening 11b Engagement part 11c Trapezoid part 11d Arc part 11e Support member 11f Identification rib 11g Opening 11i Arc part 11j Rectangular part 12 First flange 12a Opening 12b Hole portion 12c Rib 12d Shaft hole 12e Circular peripheral wall portion 13 Second flange 13a Protrusion 13b End plate 13c Hole 13d Circular peripheral wall portion 14 Cap 15 Handle 15a Drive transmission side engaging portion 15a1 Teeth 15b Lock member 15c Groove 15d Compression coil Spring 15e Handle 15f Opening 15g Wall surface 15h Projection portion 15h1 Two-surface width portion 15i Projection 15j End surface cam 15k Outer peripheral surface 15A Handle 16 Shutter 16a Driving force receiving side engaging portion (driving force receiving portion)
16a1 Teeth 16c Container insertion direction both edges (driving force receiving part)
16d1 tooth 16d driving force receiving side engaging portion (driving force receiving portion)
16f, 16f1 Slide part 16g Notch 16n Contact part (driving force receiving part)
21 driving force transmitting member 21a driving force receiving side engaging portion 21a1, 21b1, 21g1 tooth 21b, 21g, 21h, 21i, 21j, 21k driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21c, 21d bevel gear 21e pinion 21f shaft 21s shaft 21u rotation Shaft 21A 1st drive transmission member 21B 2nd drive transmission member 22 Cartridge shutter engagement member 22a Drive force receiving side engagement part 22a1 tooth 22b Fitting part 21b1 tooth 23 Main body side protrusion 24 Engagement part 24a Groove part 25 Screw 25R, 25L Twist blade 26 Gear 26a Coupling 26a1 Projection 26a2 Concave 27 Transport shaft 28 Transport blade 28a Claw 29 Toner transport member 31 Holder 32 Projection 32a Projection 33 Toner supply opening 34 Main body shutter 34a Guide 34b Projection edge 34b1 Surface 34c Driving force receiving side engagement 34c Joint part 4 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cartridge receiving part 41a Drive side wall 41b Counter drive side wall 41b1 Wall hole 41c, 41d Opening 41e Shutter installation part 42 Buffer part 43 Conveying screw 44 Front door 44a Pin shaft 45 Flange 45a Hole 45a1 Circumferential wall part 45b Fitting part 45d Wall part 46 Coupling 46a Protruding shaft 46b Recessed part 46c Positioning hole 46d Cylindrical part 46e Large diameter part 47 Handle holding part 135 Seal member (sealing member)

Claims (6)

A toner storage section for storing toner, an opening provided on a peripheral surface of the toner storage section for discharging the toner, and a shutter member for opening and closing the opening are detachable from the mounting means of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus In the toner supply container
A rotating member rotatable with respect to the toner storage unit;
A handle provided on the rotating member for allowing the operator to rotate the rotating member;
A rotating member gear portion that is provided on the rotating member and engages with a first gear portion of a drive transmission member provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus;
A shutter gear portion provided on the shutter member and engaged with a second gear portion of the drive transmission member,
In the state where the shutter is mounted on the mounting member in a direction on the downstream side in the mounting direction with respect to the rotating member, movement of the toner storage portion in the rotating direction of the rotating member is restricted, and ,
When the toner supply container is mounted on the mounting means, the first gear portion and the rotating member gear portion, and the second gear portion and the shutter gear portion are engaged with each other, A drive transmission path is formed between the shutter member, and the shutter member can be opened and closed by a driving force from the rotating member by forming the drive transmission path.
The tooth tip of the shutter gear portion is positioned closer to the toner supply container than the tooth tip of the rotating member gear portion. During the mounting operation of the toner supply container, the shutter gear portion is A toner supply container that engages with the second gear portion after passing through a position facing the gear portion.   2. The toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein an outer shape of a tooth tip circle at a gear tip of the shutter gear portion is smaller than an outer shape of a tooth tip circle at a gear tip of the rotating member gear portion.   3. The toner supply container according to claim 2, wherein the shutter gear portion and the rotation member gear portion are disposed so as to have an overlapping region when viewed from a mounting direction of the toner supply container. . A toner supply container having a toner storage section for storing toner, an opening provided on a peripheral surface of the toner storage section for discharging toner, and a shutter member for opening and closing the opening;
Mounting means to which the toner supply container is detachable;
In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:
The toner supply container includes a rotating member that is rotatable with respect to the toner storage unit, a handle that is provided on the rotating member and allows an operator to rotate the rotating member, and a rotating member that is provided on the rotating member. A gear portion, and a shutter gear portion provided on the shutter member,
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes:
A drive transmission member comprising: a first gear portion that engages with the rotating member gear portion; and a second gear portion that engages with the shutter gear portion;
In a state where the toner supply container is mounted on the mounting unit in a direction such that the shutter is on the downstream side in the mounting direction with respect to the rotating member, movement of the toner storage portion in the rotating direction of the rotating member is restricted. And
When the toner supply container is mounted on the mounting means, the first gear portion and the rotating member gear portion, and the second gear portion and the shutter gear portion are engaged with each other, A drive transmission path is formed between the shutter member, and the shutter member can be opened and closed by a driving force from the rotating member by forming the drive transmission path.
The tooth tip of the shutter gear portion is positioned closer to the toner supply container than the tooth tip of the rotating member gear portion. During the mounting operation of the toner supply container, the shutter gear portion is An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the electrophotographic image forming apparatus engages with the second gear portion after passing through a position facing the gear portion.   5. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an outer shape of a tooth tip circle at a gear tip of the shutter gear portion is smaller than an outer shape of a tooth tip circle at a gear tip of the rotating member gear portion.   The electrophotographic image according to claim 5, wherein the shutter gear portion and the rotating member gear portion are disposed so as to have regions overlapping each other when viewed from the mounting direction of the toner supply container. Forming equipment.

Images