RU2762822C2 - Container for powder and image generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: printing.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a container for powder designed for storing powder, such as toner, and to an image generation device that transports powder from the container for powder to a place of transportation destination. The container for powder is made with the possibility of inserting to the image generation device, and it includes an interlocking section of a main case that is made with the possibility of rotation and that protrudes to a side, which is higher along the flow in the insertion direction, in which the container for powder is inserted, wherein the image generation device includes an identifying protrusion that protrudes to the side, which is higher along the flow in the insertion direction, to identify a type of the container for powder. The container for powder includes an interlocking section of the container, a configuration of which provides the interlocking with the interlocking section of the main case, and an interlocking section, a configuration of which provides the interlocking with the identifying protrusion. The interlocking section is provided on the front – in the insertion direction – end of the container for powder. The interlocking section of the container protrudes outward from the external circular surface of the container for powder. The interlocking section of the container and the interlocking section rotate as a single whole.

EFFECT: obtaining a container for powder and an image generation device.

12 cl, 86 dwg

Description

The technical field to which the invention relates

[0001]

The present invention relates to a powder container for storing powder such as toner and an image forming apparatus that transports powder from the powder container to a transportation destination.

State of the art

[0002]

In an imaging apparatus such as a copier, printer, or facsimile machine using an electrophotographic process, a latent image formed on a photoconductor is developed into a visible image by toner in a developing device. Toner is consumed by developing latent images, and it becomes necessary to replenish the developing device with toner. Therefore, a toner replenishing device provided as a powder source in an image forming apparatus main body transports toner from a toner container as a powder container to a developing apparatus to replenish the developing apparatus with toner. With the above-described developing device replenished with toner, it becomes possible to continuously develop. The toner container is detachable to the toner replenishment unit. When the toner in the toner container runs out, the toner container is replaced with a toner container containing new toner.

[0003]

In order to reduce costs, it is envisaged to use the toner refill apparatus and the toner container of the imaging apparatus in different models in a compatible manner. Patent Document TD1 discloses a technique for providing a model-specific or color-specific identifying contour, which is a portion of a toner container that is shaped differently for different types of toner container.

[0004]

The toner container described in PD 1 has a cylindrical shape. When the toner container is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the toner container receives a rotational driving force from the main body of the image forming apparatus and rotates about a center line — as a rotation axis — of a cylindrical shape to discharge toner from the outlet. On one of the two bottom surfaces of the cylindrical shape, in particular on the end surface of the downstream side in the insertion direction, a specific identifying shaped section is provided for insertion into the main body of the imaging apparatus (in the following text, this end surface is referred to as the "front end surface" ).

The essence of the invention

Technical challenge

[0005]

The cylindrical toner container is at an arbitrary position in the rotational direction when the operator inserts the toner container into the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0006]

The toner container described in TD 1 includes a protrusion serving as an identifying contour on the front end surface. This protrusion is disposed so that the radial distance from the center of the front end surface varies depending on the type of the toner container. On the rotating member serving as the drive output portion of the imaging apparatus, on the same circle centered at a point that faces the center of the front end surface when the toner container is installed, a number of recesses are provided as identifying contoured portions the main body of the proposed device.

[0007]

In the configuration described in TD 1, if the distance to the projection of the toner container from the center and the distance to the recesses of the imaging apparatus main body from the center in the radial direction are aligned with each other, the projection may interlock with any of the recesses regardless of the position of the toner container in direction of rotation. In contrast, if the distance to the projection of the toner container from the center and the distance to the grooves of the imaging apparatus main body from the center in the radial direction are not matched with each other, the projection cannot interlock with any of the grooves. Therefore, the toner container cannot be inserted into the rear end of the main body of the imaging apparatus, and the operator can determine the erroneous setting at the time of installation.

[0008]

In the toner container described in TD 1, identifying shaped portions with protrusions at different positions on a straight line in the radial direction function as identifying features for different types of toner containers. A certain number of identifying contoured portions may be provided in the toner container in accordance with the number of protrusions, which may be located at different distances from the center of the front end surface in the radial direction.

[0009]

However, in the toner container described in TD 1, only the number of types of identifying contoured portions can be provided as well as the number of protrusions that can be located at different distances from the center of the front end surface of the toner container in the radial direction. Therefore, the number of types of the identifying shaped portion is limited, and the types of toner containers that can be used interchangeably except for the identifying shaped portions are limited. Therefore, it is difficult to adequately reduce the cost of the toner replenishing apparatus and the toner container.

[0010]

The present invention is conceived in view of the aforementioned circumstances, and there is a need for a powder container capable of taking advantage of differences in positions in a direction other than the radial direction as differences in identifying contoured regions, and a need for an imaging apparatus including said container for powder.

The solution of the problem

[0011]

The powder container according to the invention is insertable into the image forming apparatus and includes an interlocking main body portion that is rotatable and protrudes toward the upstream side in the insertion direction into which the powder container is inserted. The image forming apparatus includes an identification protrusion that projects towards the upstream side in the insertion direction for identifying the type of powder container. The powder container includes an interlocking container portion configured to interlock with the main body interlocking portion; and an interlocking portion configured to interlock with an identification protrusion. An interlocking section is provided at the front - in the direction of insertion - end of the powder container. The container interlocking portion protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the powder container. The interlocking section of the container and the interlocking section rotate as a whole.

Benefits of the invention

[0012]

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to use differences in positions in a direction other than the radial direction as differences in identifying shaped portions.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0013]

[Fig. 1]

Fig. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the downstream end of the toner container in the insertion direction according to the first embodiment when the outer cover is detached in the state shown in Fig. 4.

[Fig. 2]

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment.

[Fig. 3]

Fig. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device and a toner replenishing device according to an embodiment.

[Fig. 4]

Fig. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of the toner container according to the first embodiment, as seen from the front side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 5]

Fig. 5 is an explanatory perspective view of the toner container according to the first embodiment as seen from the side rearward in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 6]

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the toner container according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 7]

7 is a toner container according to a first embodiment: (a) is an explanatory perspective view of the toner container as viewed from the positive X-axis direction, and (b) is an explanatory perspective view of the toner container after rotation. 180 degrees around the axis of rotation from the state shown in view (a).

[Fig. 8]

8 shows a toner container according to a first embodiment: (a) is a side view of the toner container when viewed from the positive Y-axis direction, and (b) is a side view of the toner container when viewed from the negative axis direction. Y.

[Fig. 9]

Fig. 9 illustrates the toner container according to the first embodiment: (a) is a plan view of the toner container when viewed from the positive Z-axis direction, and (b) is a bottom view of the toner container when viewed from the negative direction. Z axis.

[Fig. 10]

Fig. 10 illustrates the toner container according to the first embodiment: (a) is a front view of the toner container when viewed from the positive X-axis direction, and (b) is a rear view of the toner container when viewed from the negative axis direction X.

[Fig. 11]

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container according to the first embodiment that is downstream in the insertion direction when the inner cap is detached in the state shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

[Fig. 12]

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container according to the first embodiment that is downstream in the insertion direction when viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 11. FIG.

[Fig. 13]

Fig. 13 shows a profile passing through the center line of the cylindrical shape of the toner container according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 14]

14 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the downstream end in the insertion direction of only the container body when the cover is detached from the toner container according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 15]

15 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of only that end of the toner container that is downstream in the insertion direction when the cover is detached from the toner container.

[Fig. 16]

Fig. 16 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container according to the first embodiment, which is upstream in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 17]

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the lid according to the first embodiment as seen from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction).

[Fig. 18]

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the lid according to the first embodiment as viewed from one end (upstream side in the insertion direction).

[Fig. 19]

Fig. 19 is a front view of the lid according to the first embodiment as seen from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction).

[Fig. 20]

Fig. 20 is a side view of a cover according to a first embodiment.

[Fig. 21]

Fig. 21 shows the wall surfaces of the driven section: view (a) is an explanatory side view of the wall surfaces, and view (b) is an explanatory view of the wall surfaces on an enlarged scale.

[Fig. 22]

FIG. 22 shows configuration examples where the portion to which the driving force is transmitted does not have a flat shape: view (a) shows an example in which the downstream side of the driven portion in the insertion direction serves as a portion on which driving force is transmitted; view (b) is an example in which the upstream side of the driven portion in the insertion direction serves as a portion to which the driving force is transmitted, and view (c) is an example in which a plurality of portions of the driven portion in the insertion direction serve as the part to which the driving force is transmitted.

[Fig. 23]

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the dispensing member according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 24]

24 is a perspective view of the dispensing member according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 25]

Fig. 25 is a front view of the dispensing member according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 26]

Fig. 26 is a side view of a dispensing member according to a first embodiment.

[Fig. 27]

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the inner cover according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 28]

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the inner cover according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 29]

Fig. 29 is a side view of an inner cover according to a first embodiment.

[Fig. 30]

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the outer cover according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 31]

Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the outer cover according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 32]

Fig. 32 is a side view of an outer cover according to a first embodiment.

[Fig. 33]

Fig. 33 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container according to the first embodiment, which is downstream in the insertion direction, in a state of attachment to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[Fig. 34]

Fig. 34 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container according to the first embodiment, which is downstream in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 35]

Fig. 35 is a perspective view of the container holder according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 36]

Fig. 36 is a perspective view of the container holder according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 37]

Fig. 37 is a front view of the downstream driving unit according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 38]

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of the output drive unit according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 39]

Fig. 39 is a perspective view of the output drive unit according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 40]

FIG. 40 is a side view of the output driving unit according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 41]

FIG. 41 is a side view of the output drive unit according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side opposite to the side shown in FIG. 40.

[Fig. 42]

FIG. 42 is an enlarged perspective view of the first driving protrusion according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 43]

Fig. 43 is an enlarged perspective view of the second driving protrusion according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 44]

Fig. 44 is an explanatory perspective view of the toner container according to the second embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 45]

Fig. 45 is an exploded perspective view of a toner container according to a second embodiment.

[Fig. 46]

Fig. 46 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container according to the second embodiment which is downstream in the insertion direction when the outer cover is detached in the state of Fig. 44.

[Fig. 47]

Fig. 47 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container according to the second embodiment which is downstream in the insertion direction when the outer cover is detached.

[Fig. 48]

Fig. 48 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container according to the second embodiment, which is downstream in the insertion direction when viewed from an angle at which the dispensing member can be controlled when the inner cover is detached.

[Fig. 49]

FIG. 49 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of only that end of the toner container according to the second embodiment, which is downstream in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 50]

Fig. 50 is a perspective view of a cover according to a second embodiment as seen from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction).

[Fig. 51]

Fig. 51 is a perspective view of a cover according to a second embodiment as seen from one end (upstream side in the insertion direction).

[Fig. 52]

Fig. 52 is a front view of the lid according to the second embodiment as seen from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction).

[Fig. 53]

Fig. 53 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an interlocking cover portion and an abutment protrusion interlocking with each other.

[Fig. 54]

Fig. 54 is a perspective view of an inner cover according to a second embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 55]

Fig. 55 is a perspective view of an inner cover according to a second embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 56]

Fig. 56 is a rear view of the inner cover according to the second embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 57]

Fig. 57 is a side view of an inner cover according to a second embodiment.

[Fig. 58]

Fig. 58 is a perspective view of a dispensing member according to a second embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 59]

Fig. 59 is a perspective view of a dispensing member according to a second embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 60]

Fig. 60 is a rear view of the dispensing member according to the second embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 61]

Fig. 61 is a side view of a dispensing member according to a second embodiment.

[Fig. 62]

Fig. 62 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the dispensing member and the inner cover according to the second embodiment are interlocked with each other when viewed from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 63]

Fig. 63 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the dispensing member and the inner cover according to the second embodiment are interlocked with each other when viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 64]

Fig. 64 is a rear view illustrating a state in which the dispensing member and the inner cover according to the second embodiment are interlocked with each other when viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 65]

Fig. 65 is a perspective view of the output drive unit according to the second embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 66]

Fig. 66 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the downstream end of the toner container according to the second embodiment, which is located downstream in the insertion direction, and the exit drive unit as viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 67]

Fig. 67 is a rear view of a dispensing member with a holder groove in the center of the support rod of the guide holder according to the second embodiment, as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 68]

Fig. 68 is a front view of the toner container according to the first embodiment, from which the inner cover is detached as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 69]

Fig. 69 is a perspective view of the toner container cover according to the first modification as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 70]

Fig. 70 is a front view of the toner container according to the first modification as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 71]

Fig. 71 is a front view of a toner container according to a first modification with an interlocking cover portion having a width that is larger than that shown in Fig. 70 when viewed from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 72]

Fig. 72 is a perspective view of the toner container according to the second modification as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 73]

Fig. 73 is a perspective view of a toner container cover according to a second modification as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[Fig. 74]

Fig. 74 is a side view of a cover according to a second modification providing a shape in which the outer diameter of the ring formed by the driven portions decreases linearly.

[Fig. 75]

Fig. 75 is a side view of a cover according to a second modification, providing a shape in which the diameter of the ring formed by the driven portions decreases non-linearly.

[Fig. 76]

Fig. 76 is a schematic view of the output drive unit: (a) is a front view of the output drive unit, and (b) is a side view of the output drive unit.

[Fig. 77]

Fig. 77 is a side view schematically illustrating the cover and the exit drive unit when the exit drive unit is in its normal position, in which it is not tilted with respect to the insertion direction.

[Fig. 78]

Fig. 78 shows the cover and the output drive unit when the output drive unit is tilted with respect to the insertion direction: (a) is a side view of the cover and the output drive unit spaced apart from each other, and (b) is a side view of the cover and the output drive unit, located close to each other.

[Fig. 79]

Fig. 79 is a perspective view of a cover according to a third modification as seen from the other end.

[Fig. 80]

Fig. 80 is a front view of the cover according to the third modification, as seen from the other end.

[Fig. 81]

Fig. 81 is a side view of a cover according to a third modification.

[Fig. 82]

Fig. 82 illustrates the interlocking operation of the cover and the output driving unit according to a third modification: view (a) shows the interlocking operation when the position of the positioning recess and the position of the driving protrusion in the circumferential direction are not matched with each other; view (b) shows an interlocking operation when the shapes of the identifying elements are matched with each other, and view (c) shows an interlocking operation when the shapes of the identifying elements are not matched with each other.

[Fig. 83]

Fig. 83 is a perspective view of a lid according to a fourth modification as seen from the other end.

[Fig. 84]

Fig. 84 is a front view of a lid according to a fourth modification as seen from the other end.

[Fig. 85]

Fig. 85 is a side view of a cover according to a fourth modification.

[Fig. 86]

Fig. 86 illustrates the interlocking operation of the cover and the output driving unit according to the fourth modification: view (a) shows the interlocking operation when the position of the positioning recess and the position of the driving protrusion in the circumferential direction are not coordinated with each other; view (b) shows an interlocking operation when the shapes of the identifying elements are matched with each other, and (c) shows an interlocking operation when the shapes of the identifying elements are not matched with each other.

Description of embodiments

[0014]

Possible embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015]

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a copying apparatus 500 as an imaging apparatus to which the present invention is applicable. The copier 500 includes a printer 600, a sheet feeder 700 for mounting the printer 600, a scanner 300 attached to the printer 600, and an automatic document feeder 400 attached to the scanner 300.

[0016]

The copying apparatus 500 according to the embodiment is a so-called tandem type imaging apparatus and provides for using a two-component developing system using a two-component developer formed from toner and a carrier as the developing system. The copying apparatus 500 receives image data, which is image information read from the scanner 300, or print data from an external device such as a personal computer, and forms an image on a sheet P, which is a recording medium. As shown in FIG. 2, in the printer 600, four drums 1 (Y, M, C, Bk) are arranged side by side with photoconductive layers as carriers of latent images for a variety of colors - yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan ( C) and black (Bk). Drums 1 (Y, M, C, Bk) with photoconductive layers are disposed side by side along the direction of travel of the intermediate transfer belt 5 to come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is in the form of an endless belt and is supported by a plurality of rotating rollers including a drive roller.

[0017]

Around the respective drums 1 with photoconductive layers, in the order of the processes, there are chargers 2 (Y, M, C, Bk), developing devices 9 (Y, M, C, Bk), devices 4 (Y, M, C, Bk) cleaning photoconductive layers and neutralizing lamps 3 (Y, M, C, Bk) corresponding to four colors. Above the drums 1 with photoconductive layers, an optical recording device 17 is provided. At the positions where they face the respective photoconductive layer drums 1, across the intermediate transfer belt 5, primary transfer rollers 6 (Y, M, C, Bk) are provided.

[0018]

The intermediate transfer belt 5 is wrapped around three support rollers (11, 12, 13) and a tension roller 14 and is driven in rotation simultaneously with the rotation of a drive roller 12, which is one of the support rollers rotated by a driving force source. In the position where it faces the opposite cleaning roller 13 as one of the supporting rollers across the intermediate transfer belt 5, a belt cleaning device 19 is provided that removes residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 5 after secondary transfer. As one of the supporting rollers opposed to the secondary transfer roller 7 serving as the secondary transfer means, an opposite secondary transfer roller 11 is provided, which forms a secondary transfer nip portion between itself and the secondary transfer roller 7 across the intermediate transfer belt 5.

[0019]

On the side of the secondary transfer nip portion downstream in the sheet conveying direction, there is provided a sheet conveying belt 15 extending around a pair of support rollers 16, transporting the toner image sheet P after secondary transfer to the fixing device 18. The fixing device 18 includes a pair of 8 fixing rollers configured to include a heating roller and a pinch roller, as well as applying heat and pressure to the clamping nip portion to fix the unfixed toner image onto the P sheet.

[0020]

Next, a copying operation by the copying apparatus 500 in the embodiment will be described.

[0021]

When the copier 500 according to the embodiment forms a full color image, the document is first placed on the document table 401 of the automatic document feeder 400. Alternatively, the automatic document feeder 400 is opened, the document is placed on the pressure glass 301 of the scanner 300, and the automatic document feeder 400 is closed to press the document.

[0022]

Thereafter, when the user presses the trigger while the document is placed in the automatic document feeder 400, the document is transported to the pressure glass 301. The scanner 300 is then activated, and the first scanning body 302 and the second scanning body 303 begin to move. Accordingly, light emitted from the first scanning body 302 is reflected from the document onto the pressure glass 301, and the reflected light is further reflected from the mirror of the second scanning body 303 and directed to the readout sensor 305 through the imaging lens 304. Thus, the image information on the document is read.

[0023]

When the user presses the start switch, the motor is activated to rotate the drive roller 12 so that the intermediate transfer belt 5 rotates. Here, the photoconductive layer drum driving apparatus rotates the yellow photoconductive layer drum 1Y in the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing, and uniformly charges the photoconductive layer drum 1Y through the yellow charger 2Y. Thereafter, the optical recording apparatus 17 emits a yellow light beam Ly to form an electrostatic latent image in yellow on the yellow photoconductive drum 1Y. The yellow developing device 9Y develops a yellow electrostatic latent image by using the yellow toner in the developer. During development, a predetermined transfer bias voltage is applied to the developing roller, and the yellow toner on the developing roller is electrostatically absorbed onto the electrostatic yellow latent image area on the yellow photoconductive layer drum 1Y.

[0024]

The yellow toner image formed by the above-described development is transferred to the primary transfer position in which the yellow photoconductive drum 1Y and the intermediate transfer belt 5 come into contact with each other simultaneously with the rotation of the yellow photoconductive drum 1Y. In the primary transfer position, the primary transfer roller 6Y for yellow applies a predetermined bias voltage to the reverse side of the intermediate transfer belt 5. By the primary transfer electric field, which is generated by applying a bias voltage, the yellow toner image on the yellow photoconductive drum 1Y is attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 5, and this image is initially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5. In a similar way, the primary transfer of the magenta toner image, the cyan toner image and the black toner image occurs with their sequential superposition on the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5.

[0025]

When the user presses the trigger switch, the feed roller 702 corresponding to the sheet selected by the user rotates in the sheet feed table 700 and the sheets P are fed from one of the sheet cassettes 701. The fed sheets P are peeled off one by one by the separating roller 703, and each sheet P falls on the sheet feeding path 704 and is transported by a pair of transport rollers 705 to the sheet feeding path 601 provided in the printer 600. The conveyed sheet P is temporarily stopped when it comes into contact with the pair 602 register rollers. If a sheet is to be used that is not loaded in any of the sheet cassettes 701 in the sheet feeder 700, the P sheets are placed on the manual feed tray 605 and fed through the manual feed roller 604, peeling off one by one via the manual peel roller 608 and transporting along the manual feed path 603. Similarly to the above, sheet P is stopped by contacting a pair 602 of register rollers.

[0026]

The composite toner image, which is formed by superimposing a plurality of colors on the intermediate transfer belt 5, is transported to the secondary transfer position, where it is facing the secondary transfer roller 7, simultaneously with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 5. The pair 602 of register rollers begin to rotate, transporting the sheet P to the secondary transfer position in synchronization with the timing that the composite toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5, as described above, is transferred to the secondary transfer position. In the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer roller 7 applies a predetermined bias voltage to the back of the sheet P, and the entire composite toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is re-transferred to the sheet P using the secondary transfer electric field that is generated by applying a bias voltage; and by applying pressure to the nip at the secondary transfer position. The composite toner image sheet P after secondary transfer is conveyed by the sheet conveying belt 15 to the fixing device 18 and is subjected to a fixing process by a pair of fixing rollers 8 provided in the fixing device 18. The sheet P subjected to the fixing process is discharged and stacked by a pair 606 of discharge rollers on the outlet chute 607 provided outside the proposed device.

[0027]

The tape cleaner 19 removes the non-transferred toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 5 after the secondary transfer.

[0028]

Next, a toner replenishing device 70, which is a powder conveying device for using a toner conveying pump to convey toner contained in a toner container 100 to a developing device 9, will be described. Toner replenishing devices 70 having the same configurations replenish the developing devices 9 ( Y, M, C, Bk) toner of the corresponding colors; therefore, in the following descriptions, the color symbols Y, M, C, and Bk will be omitted.

[0029]

3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a developing device 9 and a toner replenishing device 70.

[0030]

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner replenishing apparatus 70 includes a transfer funnel 20 for temporarily storing a replenishment mass, which is a powder, for supplying toner to the developing apparatus 9, and includes a toner tube 54 as a supply path for connecting a transition funnel 20 and a developing device 9 for transporting the replenishing mass. The replenishment mass supplied by the toner replenishing device 70 according to the embodiment is a mixture of toner and carrier.

[0031]

At the top of the transition funnel 20 is a diaphragm pump 30, which is a positive displacement piston pump for conveying powder. A tube 53 is also provided, which connects the diaphragm pump 30 and the toner reservoir 60, and through which the replenishment mass is sucked in with the air by the diaphragm pump 30. As the material of the tube 53, it is preferable to use a material such as flexible rubber having excellent toner resistance, such as such as polyurethane, nitrile, silicone rubber or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber).

[0032]

The toner container 60 includes basically a container 61 for temporarily storing and accommodating a replenishment mass, and includes a toner container 100 as a replenishment container detachably attached to a printer 600 for supplying the replenishing mass to the container 61.

[0033]

In the lower part of the container 61, a tube connector 63 is provided for the coordinated connection of the tube 53, and a communication opening 62 is provided for connecting the tube connector 63 and the container 61. On one side surface of the container 61, a loading opening 64 is provided for receiving replenishing mass from container 100 for toner.

[0034]

The toner container 100 has a cylindrical cross-section for storing the replenishment mass and is driven by a driving force source to rotate about a centerline — as an axis of rotation — of a cylindrical cross-section. The side wall of one end of the toner container 100 perpendicular to the axis of rotation is sealed, and the outlet 114 protrudes from the side wall of the other end. In a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical cross-section, a spiral transport groove 113 is provided, protruding inwardly and transporting the contained replenishment mass from the sealed side wall to the side wall with an outlet 114 simultaneously with the rotation of the toner container 100. The replenishment mass, transported to the side wall with the outlet 114, is fed into the container 61 from the loading opening 64 provided in the container 61.

[0035]

The replenishment mass supplied to the container 61 is sucked in and introduced together with the air through the diaphragm pump 30 into the working chamber 38, which is the inner space, from the toner reservoir 60 (container 61), which is the source of the replenishment mass conveyed through the tube 53. Thereafter, the replenishment mass is discharged into the transfer funnel 20, which is a transport destination connected to the bottom, so that the replenishment mass is transported from the toner reservoir 60 to the transfer funnel 20. The replenishment mass conveyed into the transfer funnel 20 is fed to developing device 9 by means of transport provided in the transition funnel 20.

[0036]

The diaphragm pump 30 includes a diaphragm 31 as an adjustable member, a casing 32, an inlet valve 36, an outlet valve 35, and the like. The diaphragm is driven by the rotational movement of the eccentric shaft 44 held by the holder 43 and directly connected to the motor 41 of the drive unit 40.

[0037]

The developing device 9, which is a destination of the replenishing mass to be replenished by the replenishing mass by the toner replenishing device 70 and which uses a two-component developing system, includes a developing roller 92 with toner carrying and transporting the developer formed by the toner and the carrier to the region development, where the developer is facing the drum 1 with the photoconductive layer. The housing 91 with the developer of the developing device 9 stores the developer inside it, includes a stirring and transport unit provided with a first stirring and conveying screw 93a, and also includes a supply and collection unit equipped with a second stirring and conveying screw 93b for supplying the developer onto the developing roller 92 and collecting the developer from it. On the baffle element that divides the mixing and conveying unit and the feeding and collecting unit, communication areas are provided in the axial direction at both end portions of both mixing and conveying screws 93a and 93b, and the developer contained circulates between the stirring and conveying unit and the conveying and collecting unit in during transport by means of mixing and conveying screws 93a and 93b. The supply and collection unit supplies the contained developer to the developing roller 92 and collects the developer not consumed for development.

[0038]

The developing roller 92 is a roller that holds the developer mixed in the supply and collection unit on the surface of the roller by the force of the magnetic field, carries and conveys the developer to the developing area, where it is facing the photoconductive layer drum 1, and develops electrostatic latent. image on drum 1 with a photoconductive layer to form a toner image. At the upper end portion of the opening provided in the developer case 91, a doctor blade 95 is provided that adjusts the thickness of the developer layer supported and transported by the developing roller 92 from the supply and collection unit to the developing area to expose the developing roller 92 (on the side below downstream in the direction of rotation of the developing roller 92).

[0039]

A transfer funnel 20 for temporary storage of the replenishment mass is provided above the stirring and conveying unit provided with the first stirring and conveying screw 93 of the developing device 9. The replenishment mass discharged from the transfer funnel 20 falls freely inside the toner tube 54 and is fed to the stirring and conveying unit of the developing device. device 9. A toner density sensor is installed in the developing device 9. When toner is consumed in the developing device 9, the toner density sensor detects a decrease in the toner density, and a replenishment mass containing the same amount of toner as the waste toner is supplied from the transfer funnel 20 to maintain a constant toner density in the developing device 9.

[0040]

The replenishment mass contained in the toner container 100 is a mixture of toner and carrier as described above. When the replenishment mass is supplied to the developing device 9, additional particles are also introduced into the developing device 9 together with the toner to be introduced into the toner and the carrier. The media in the developing unit is not consumed and the amount of media is continuously increased. However, if the amount of the carrier reaches a certain level, the carrier flows outward and is discharged from the outlet.

[0041]

The developer is a toner, carrier, or other type of powder (additional particles or similar powder) used for developing. The developer can be a mixture of the above powders.

[0042]

The toner replenishing operation will be described below.

[0043]

The transfer funnel 20 includes - in the funnel housing 21 - an upstream transport reservoir for receiving replenishment mass discharged with air from the diaphragm pump 30 and a downstream transport reservoir connected to the toner tube 54 ... In the upstream transport tank, an upstream transport screw 22a is provided as a transport means. In the downstream conveying tank, a downstream conveying screw 22b is provided as conveying means. Simultaneously with the rotation of each of the conveying screws 22a and 22b, from the downstream conveying tank to the developing device 9 via a toner tube 54 connected to the opening provided in the toner outlet 23, based on the toner density detected by the sensor density of the toner of the developing device 9, - a certain amount of replenishment mass.

[0044]

On the side wall of the funnel casing 21, where an upstream transport tank is provided in the transition funnel 20, a toner end sensor 25 is provided for detecting the amount of replenishment in the upstream transport tank. The toner empty sensor 25 is a piezoelectric level sensor that detects a lack of replenishment when the level of replenishment powder in the funnel decreases due to the consumption of toner. When the replenishment mass in the transfer funnel 20 is consumed, the toner low sensor 25 detects this consumption, and the diaphragm pump 30 connected to the top of the upstream transport tank is driven to transport and supply the replenishment mass from the container 61 of the toner tank 60 to transfer funnel 20. Then, the toner container 100 rotates and the replenishment mass is again contained in the container 61.

[0045]

First embodiment

Next, the first mode (hereinafter referred to as "first embodiment") of the toner container 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0046]

Fig. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the front side in the insertion direction (downstream side in the insertion direction). Fig. 5 is an explanatory perspective view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side rearward in the insertion direction (upstream side in the insertion direction). The direction of the arrow α in FIG. 5 is the insertion direction of the toner container 100.

[0047]

The toner container 100 includes a container body 101 and a cover (cover) 102. The container body 101 stores toner enclosed therein. The container body 101 has a cylindrical shape. One end of the cylindrical shape serves as the bottom portion 112 and is sealed. At the other end of the cylindrical shape of the container body 101, an opening is provided, serving as an outlet 114 for discharging the placed toner, which will be described later.

[0048]

The cover 102 covers the outer periphery of the front end on the other end side of the container body 101. The outer cover 103 is attached to the toner container 100 when the toner container 100 is not in use, such as when transporting or storing the toner container 100, and covers an outlet 114 from which toner is discharged into the container body 101. The container body 101 is provided with a transport groove 113 serving as a transport means along which the placed toner is transported. The container body 101 rotates in the β direction shown in the reference drawing due to a configuration that will be described later, and the toner is transported from the lower portion 112 side to the outlet 114 side by the transport groove 113. In this case, the cover 102 rotates with the container body 101 ...

[0049]

As indicated by the arrow α in FIG. 5, the toner container 100 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus so that the side of the cover 102 is at the front end.

[0050]

In the following text, the side of the cover 102 (side of the other end) of the toner container 100 is referred to as the downstream side in the insertion direction, and the side of the bottom portion 112 (side of the said one end) opposite to the side of the cover 102 in the longitudinal direction is referred to as the side, located upstream in the direction of insertion. By rotating the toner container 100, the toner contained in the container body 101 is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0051]

The upstream side in the toner conveyance direction is the upstream side in the insertion direction, and the downstream side in the toner conveyance direction is the downstream side in the insertion direction. The direction perpendicular to the center line of the cylindrical container body 101 is referred to as the radial direction. The direction towards the center line in the radial direction is referred to as the direction towards the center, and the direction extending towards the outer periphery of the container body 101 is referred to as the direction towards the outer periphery.

[0052]

The container body 101 is provided with a gripping portion 104 at an upstream end in the insertion direction in which the toner container 100 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus. The grip portion 104 is a recess provided in the end portion of the container body 101. The grip portion 104 is recessed from the outer periphery of the container body 101 toward the center. The gripping portion 104 has two recesses that are at positions opposite in the radial direction of the cylindrical container body 101.

[0053]

On the outer peripheral portion of the container body 101, a projection 105 of the container body is provided, protruding towards the outer circumference. The protrusion 105 of the container body is a rod-like protrusion, with a portion of the periphery of one end of the container body 101 protruding toward the outer periphery. The protrusion 105 of the container body includes a first inclined surface 105a that is inclined such that the amount of the protrusion increases from the downstream side to the upstream side in the direction of rotation of the container body 101, and a second inclined surface 105b that is inclined so that the amount of protrusion decreases from the downstream side to the upstream side in the direction of rotation. Of these two inclined surfaces of the projection 105 of the container body, the first inclined surface 105a located on the downstream side in the rotational direction has a smaller inclination angle than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 105b.

[0054]

The functions of the protrusion 105 of the container body will be described below.

[0055]

When the container body 101 rotates in the image forming apparatus main body, the container body 101 rotates while sliding its outer periphery along the seating surface in the image forming apparatus main body. In this case, when the projection 105 of the container body reaches the seating surface, the container body 101 is lifted upward from the seating surface by the projection 105 of the container body. In this state, when the protrusion 105 of the container body is separated from the seating surface, the container body 101 moves downward rapidly. By this movement, the toner in the container body 101 is shaken, so that toner aggregation can be prevented. As described above, the angle of inclination of the second inclined surface 105b, which is inclined such that the amount of protrusion of the projection 105 of the container body decreases from the downstream side to the upstream side in the direction of rotation of the container body 101, and its angle of inclination is steeper than due to the amount of protrusion of the first inclined surface 105a.

[0056]

With the above-described relationship between the angles of inclination, the container body 101 gradually rises due to the contact of the first inclined surface 105a with the positioning surface, and when the second inclined surface 105b reaches the positioning surface, the container body 101 moves downwardly. Therefore, it becomes possible to cause the container body 101 to move rapidly downwardly simultaneously with the rotation.

[0057]

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the lid 102, a dispensing member 107, an inner lid (stopper) 106, and an outer lid 103 are attached to the container body 101.

[0058]

Fig. 7 shows the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment when the outer cover 103 is detached in the state shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 7, orientations of the toner container 100 are represented by XYZ axes such that the downstream side of the toner container 100 in the insertion direction is the positive direction of the X-axis, the front side of the toner container 100 in the direction perpendicular to the X-axis on the sheet of the drawing in question is the Y-axis positive side, and the top side on the drawing in the drawing is the Z-positive side.

[0059]

7, (a) is a perspective view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment when viewed from the positive X-axis direction, and (b) is a perspective view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment after being rotated 180 degrees around the axis of rotation from the state shown in view (a).

[0060]

8 shows a toner container 100 according to a first embodiment. 8, (a) is a side view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment when viewed from the positive Y-axis direction, and (b) is a side view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment when viewed from the negative side. direction of the Y axis.

[0061]

Fig. 9 shows a toner container 100 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 9, (a) is a plan view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment when viewed from the positive direction of the Z-axis, and (b) is a bottom view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment when viewed from the side negative direction of the Z-axis.

[0062]

Fig. 10 shows a toner container 100 according to a first embodiment. 10, (a) is a front view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment when viewed from the positive direction of the X-axis, and (b) is a rear view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment when viewed from the negative side. direction of the X-axis.

[0063]

Fig. 1 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the downstream end of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment in the insertion direction when the outer cover 103 is detached in the state shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the downstream end of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment in the insertion direction when the inner cover 106 is detached in the state shown in Fig. 1. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the downstream end of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment in the insertion direction when viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 11. FIG.

[0064]

The container body 101 is provided with an opening portion 108 that projects towards the downstream side in the insertion direction. The front end of the opening portion 108 serves as an outlet 114 for discharging internally placed toner.

[0065]

As shown in FIG. 11, the opening portion 108 has a cylindrical shape, and a release member 107 is seated on the inner side (inner wall surface) of the opening portion 108. As shown in FIG. 1, the inner cover 106 that covers the outlet 114 is seated on section 108 of the opening before use.

[0066]

As shown in FIG. 4, the outer cover 103 is a detachable threaded cover for covering the outlet 114. As shown in FIG. 1, an outer cover stop 109 protruding in a spiral along the outer periphery of the opening portion 108 is provided along the outer periphery so that the outer cover 103 functions as a threaded cover. A helical groove cut in the inner circumferential surface of the outer cover 103 and the stop 109 of the outer cover are mated such that the outer cover 103 is attached to the opening portion 108.

[0067]

As shown in FIG. 6, the lid 102 is provided with an opening in the center in the radial direction so that the opening portion 108 of the container body 101 protrudes from the opening, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 11 and 12. On the outer periphery of the lid 102, driven portions are provided. 110. On the end surface on the downstream side in the insertion direction, identification aperture groups 111 are provided that serve as identification portions and are configured as a combination of a plurality of identification apertures (openings or recesses). The identification opening group 111 includes the external identification opening group 111a as the external opening group and the internal identification opening group 111b as the internal opening group. The term "identifying element" means a configuration for identifying in order to prevent erroneous insertion of the toner container 100, for example, depending on the differences in the colors of the placed toner, the differences in the characteristics of the placed toner, or the differences in the models of the main body of the imaging apparatus.

[0068]

Fig. 13 shows a profile passing through the cylindrical center line of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment. Arrow γ in FIG. 13 schematically denotes a flow of toner disposed in the container body 101.

[0069]

As shown in FIG. 13, scooping portions 115 on the container facing side are provided near the opening portion 108 of the container body 101 such that the outer peripheral surface extends inwardly in the radial direction. The bucket portions 115 on the container-facing side pick up toner, which is transported to the scoop portions 115 on the container-facing side simultaneously with rotation, from the bottom side to the top side, and send the lifted toner to the discharge member 107 to transport the toner to the outlet 114.

[0070]

14 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the downstream end in the insertion direction of only the container body 101 when the cover 102 is detached from the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment. 15 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the downstream end in the insertion direction of only the container body 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0071]

Between the opening portion 108 of the container body 101 and the scooping portions 115 on the side facing the container, a cylindrical base portion 120 of the opening is provided. On the outer periphery of the opening base portion 120, abutment projections 116, circumferential projections 118, axial delimiting projections 119, and circumferential delimiting projections 117 are provided.

[0072]

The abutment protrusion 116 includes an inclined surface that slopes upwardly from the downstream side to the upstream side in the insertion direction of the opening base portion 120, and a vertical surface extending inwardly in the radial direction on the upstream side. upstream in the direction of insertion. The circumferential protrusion 118 is a protrusion extending in the insertion direction and having a constant height (protrusion amount). The axial restraining protrusion 119 has a surface that extends vertically on the downstream side in the insertion direction with a gap between this surface and the end of the abutment protrusion 116 upstream in the insertion direction (said gap is a space in which is inserted by the abutment ridge of the lid 102) and has a slope extending from said surface so that the amount of protrusion decreases towards the upstream side in the insertion direction. The circumferential restraining protrusion 117 is a protrusion that has a surface in the same plane as the vertically extending surface of the axial limiting protrusion 119 and projects (extends) outwardly in the radial direction, becoming higher than the axial limiting protrusion 119.

[0073]

Fig. 16 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container body 101 according to the first embodiment, which is located upstream in the insertion direction.

[0074]

On the side of one end (upstream end surface in the insertion direction) of the container body 101, a gripping portion 104 is provided. As shown in FIG. as the center line of the cylindrical shape, increases (i.e., protrudes towards the upstream side in the insertion direction). Therefore, the lower portion 112 is tilted to prevent aggregation. With this configuration, even if the toner container 100 is installed vertically with one end side facing down, the toner container 100 cannot stay upright but falls down. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent the toner container 100 from being left upright with one end facing down. Consequently, it becomes possible to prevent toner from aggregating in the container body 101 and sticking at one end side due to the weight of the toner.

[0075]

The cover 102 will be described below.

[0076]

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the cover 102 according to the first embodiment as seen from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction). Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a cover 102 according to a first embodiment as seen from one end (upstream side in the insertion direction). Fig. 19 is a front view of the cover 102 according to the first embodiment as seen from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction).

[0077]

The lid 102 has a cylindrical shape and is provided at its center with an opening through which the opening portion 108 of the container body projects. On the inner periphery of the cover opening 102, a stop ridge 121 is provided to protrude toward the center around the entire circumference. The upstream side of the abutment ridge 121 in the insertion direction serves as the axial contact surface 122. On a portion of the axial contact surface 122 of the abutment ridge 121, circumferential limiting contact protrusions 123 are provided, protruding to the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[0078]

A plurality of tabs 124 extending in the insertion direction are provided at predetermined intervals on the inner periphery of the cylindrical cover 102.

[0079]

On the outer periphery of the cover 102, driven portions 110 are provided, each of which has a surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted (a portion to which the driving force is transferred).

[0080]

Fig. 20 is a side view of a cover 102 according to a first embodiment.

[0081]

The surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted is a wall surface extending outward from the outer periphery of the cover 102 in the radial direction.

[0082]

In addition to the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted, on the outer periphery of the lid 102, descending wall surfaces are provided, including a first guide ramp surface 126 serving as a first ramp surface of the container, a second guide ramp surface 127 serving as a second an inclined surface of the container, and an inclined surface 128 of the rear side. The driven portion 110 is configured with a set of driving force transmitting surface 125, a first guide ramp 126, a second guide ramp 127, and a rear side ramp 128. The plurality of driven portions 110 as a plurality of sets continuously disposed side-by-side in the circumferential direction.

[0083]

One of the driven portions 110 will be described below.

[0084]

Fig. 21 shows the wall surfaces of the driven portion 110. The downstream side of the toner container 100 in the insertion direction is oriented upward in Fig. 21. 21, (a) is a schematic side view of the cover 102, and (b) is an enlarged schematic view of the region κ shown in (a).

[0085]

As shown in FIG. 21, the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted is parallel to the insertion direction. On the side of the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted upstream in the insertion direction, a continuous slant surface 128 of the rear side is provided. The sloped surface 128 of the rear side extends towards the upstream side in the insertion direction and is inclined at a predetermined angle (λ1 = 30 °) with respect to the insertion direction so that this surface faces the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0086]

A continuous first guide ramp 126 is provided on the upstream side of the rear side ramp 128. An end of the first guiding ramp 126 upstream in the insertion direction is located on the border with the rear side ramp 128. The first guiding ramp surface 126 extends from the upstream end in the insertion direction to the downstream side in the insertion direction such that the surface is inclined at a predetermined angle (λ3 = 130 °) with respect to the insertion direction.

[0087]

A continuous second guide ramp 127 is provided from the end of the driving force to which the driving force is transmitted downstream in the insertion direction. the downstream side in the insertion direction and extends to the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0088]

The end of the second guide ramp 127 downstream in the insertion direction extends to the end of the first guide ramp 126 downstream in the insertion direction of the adjacent driven portion 110 (on the upper side in FIG. 20).

[0089]

The slope λ2 of the second guide ramp 127, which is an inclined surface in a direction opposite to the first guide ramp 126 with respect to the insertion direction, has an acute angle, wherein λ2 <λ3 is satisfied. This causes the entire toner container 100 to rotate even if the cover 102 cannot rotate relative to the container body 101 when the leading protrusions 212 serving as interlocking portions of the main body belonging to the main body of the image forming apparatus (described later) enter into contact with the second guiding ramp surfaces 127, and the force acts to the right in the view (b) of Fig. 21 (in the direction β in Fig. 4).

[0090]

As shown, for example, in Figs. 17 and 20, the downstream end in the insertion direction of the driven portion 110, which is the portion where the first guide ramp 126 and the second guide ramp 127 (the boundary portion between the first guide inclined surface 126 and the second guiding inclined surface 127), has a sharpened shape.

[0091]

As shown in FIG. 17, in the cover 102, the downstream end of the driven portion 110 in the insertion direction is located on the upstream side in the insertion direction with respect to the front end 129 of the cover, which is the lower end of the cover 102. downstream in the direction of insertion. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of damage caused by the pointed end of the driven portion 110 downstream in the insertion direction to the toner container cover containing the toner container 100. As a result, it is possible to prevent damage to the cover of the toner container.

[0092]

The upstream end in the insertion direction and the downstream end in the insertion direction of the driving force transfer surface 125 are connected to the ramp surfaces (in the first embodiment, the rear side ramp surface 128 and the second guide ramp surface 127). In the first embodiment, the part that receives the driving force (the part to which the driving force is transmitted) has a flat surface as the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted. However, the portion to which the driving force is transmitted does not need to be a surface continuous in the insertion direction as described above. For example, this part may have, in particular, a recess in the circumferential direction, or may have irregularities.

[0093]

In this case, the portion of the driven portion 110 protruding most in the circumferential direction on the upstream side in the direction of rotation serves as a portion to which the driving force is transmitted (the portion that comes into contact with the driving force transmitting surface 214 , the driving protrusion 212 on the main body of the image forming apparatus, which will be described later).

[0094]

22 illustrates configuration examples of the driven portion 110 where the portion to which the driving force is transmitted is not in a punch shape. 22 shows a configuration example in which the downstream side of the driven portion 110 in the insertion direction serves as the driving force transmission portion 125a; (b) shows a configuration example in which the upstream side of the driven portion 110 in the insertion direction serves as the driving force transmission portion 125a, and (c) shows a configuration example in which a plurality of portions the driven portion 110 in the insertion direction serves as a portion 125a to which the driving force is transmitted.

[0095]

According to the first embodiment, from the upstream end of one of the surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted to the adjacent surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted, among the surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted, inclined surfaces (128, 126 and 127). More specifically, the upstream end of the insertion direction of one of the surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted and the end upstream of the insertion direction of the adjacent surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted are connected by inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to direction of rotation.

[0096]

In the configuration including the rear side slant surface 128, not only the guiding function of the rear side slant surface 128 is provided, but also the functions described below.

[0097]

In particular, assume that the rear side slope 128 is not provided, but the driving force transfer surface 125 extends to the upstream side in the insertion direction, parallel to the insertion direction, with the first guide slope 126 extending underneath the inclination angle is the same as the angle according to the first embodiment. In this case, the position (the rearmost portion of the follower portion 110 on the upstream side in the insertion direction) at which the driving force transfer surface 125 and the first guide ramp 126 are connected is displaced to the upstream side. flowing in the insertion direction, on the cover 102, relative to the position in the first embodiment. In this configuration, the outwardly extending portion of the cover 102 to provide the driven portion 110 is widened towards the upstream side in the insertion direction on the cover 102, and the capacity of the toner container 100 can be reduced. In contrast, if the slant surface 128 of the rear side is provided, the rearmost portion of the cover 102 on the upstream side in the insertion direction is closer to the front end of the cover 102, as in the first embodiment, as compared to the configuration without the slant surface 128 of the rear side. Therefore, it becomes possible to ensure the capacity of the toner container 100.

[0098]

In the configuration including the rear side slant surface 128, not only the guiding function of the second guiding slant surface 127 is provided, but also the functions described below.

[0099]

In particular, assume that the second guiding ramp 127 is not provided and the driving force transmitted surface 125 extends to the downstream side in the insertion direction, parallel to the insertion direction, with the first guiding ramp 126 extending below the inclination angle is the same as the angle according to the first embodiment. In this case, the position (the front end or the top of the driven portion 110 on the downstream side in the insertion direction) at which the driving force transfer surface 125 and the first guide ramp 126 are connected is displaced to the upstream side. downstream in the insertion direction of the toner container 100, on the cover 102, relative to the position in the first embodiment. In this configuration, the toner container cover may be damaged as described above. In contrast, if the second guiding ramp surface 127 is provided as in the first embodiment, it becomes possible to shift the position of the downstream end in the insertion direction to the upstream side in the insertion direction while maintaining the tilt angle the first guide ramp 126. The driven portion 110 completes surfaces parallel to or oblique to the insertion direction. The driven portion 110 also does not have any surface that is perpendicular to the insertion direction and faces the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0100]

The release member 107 will be described below.

[0101]

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the dispensing member 107 according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction. 24 is a perspective view of the dispensing member 107 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 25 is a front view of the dispensing member 107 according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 26 is a side view of a dispensing member 107 according to a first embodiment.

[0102]

The dispensing member 107 includes a cylindrical ring 130. At the downstream end of the outer wall 132 of the ring 130 in the insertion direction, a ring protrusion 136 is provided as an outwardly protruding annular protrusion. Strengthening plates 134 extend radially from the inner wall 131 of the ring 130 to its center. The reinforcing plates 134 are plate-like elements. A plurality of reinforcement plates 134 (in an embodiment, three) are provided at intervals of 120 degrees in the direction of rotation, and each of the reinforcement plates 134 extends towards the center. A cylindrical reinforcement ring 133 is provided at the center of the cylindrical rings 130. Forming plates 134 are connected to the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcement ring 133. The reinforcement ring 133 is provided for reinforcement and functions as a support member when force is applied to the reinforcement plates 134.

[0103]

From the respective reinforcement plates 134 to the upstream side in the insertion direction (to the right in FIG. 26), scoop portions 135 extend. Each of the scoop portions 135 is a plate member, has a base portion connected to the reinforcement plate 134, has an end serving as a free end and is inclined so that the end (free end) upstream in the insertion direction is oriented towards the downstream side in the direction of rotation (in the direction of arrow β in FIG. 25) of the housing 101 container.

[0104]

The inner cover 106 will be described below.

[0105]

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the inner cover 106 according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the inner cover 106 according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 29 is a side view of an inner cover 106 according to a first embodiment. The inner cover 106 is a cover that covers the outlet 114.

[0106]

The inner cover 106 includes a disc-shaped bottom plate 137, a circumferential wall 138 extending from the periphery of the bottom plate 137 to a downstream side in the insertion direction, and a handle 139 protruding from the center of the bottom plate 137 towards a downstream side in insertion direction. An opening is provided within the handle 139 in the center of the bottom plate 137, which serves as the ventilation hole 141 of the inner cover.

[0107]

Around the outer periphery in the circumferential direction, on the outer periphery of the circumferential wall 138 of the inner cover, a plurality of vertically stacked ridges (in the embodiment, three ridges (ring-shaped protrusions)) are provided, serving as a seal 140 of the inner cover. The inner lid abutment 142 as an annular projection is provided vertically above the ridges and projecting radially outward on the downstream side in the insertion direction of the circumferential wall 138. When the inner lid 106 is fitted into the outlet 114, the inner lid abut 142 is caught on end section 108 of the opening, preventing further insertion. To prevent toner from leaking from the gap between the outer periphery of the circumferential wall 138 of the inner cover 106 and the inner periphery of the opening portion 108, an inner cover seal 140 is provided, and this inner cover seal 140 prevents toner from leaking. When the inner lid 106 is pushed inward, the inner lid seal 140 is clamped between the inner wall periphery of the opening portion 108 and the circumferential wall 138 of the inner lid so that the inner lid 106 and the opening portion 108 are tightly fitted together.

[0108]

The handle 139 is held by a mechanism included in the refill container holder 200 located in the main body of the imaging apparatus described later and used to remove the inner cover 106 in connection with the insertion and installation operation of the toner container 100. As the mechanism for holding the handle 139 of the inner cover 106 and removing the inner cover 106, a collet-type mechanism described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-112884 can be used; but this is not restrictive. In an embodiment, to cause the collet to hold the handle 139 and remove the inner cover 106, the motor enclosed in the container opening 209 and described below is activated.

[0109]

The inner cover vent 141 is an opening communicating with the space outside of the bottom plate 137 of the inner cover through the space inside the handle 139, serves as a communication opening, and is provided to ensure communication between the inside space and the outside space of the toner container 100 when the inner cover 106 as a cover is attached to the toner container 100. However, in this state, the placed toner may leak through the vent 141 of the inner cover. Therefore, the vent 141 of the inner cover in the handle 139 is filled with a filter element (cotton, foam, or the like) that allows air to pass through without letting in toner to trap toner. By providing the ventilation hole 141 of the inner cover, it is possible to prevent the inner cover 106 from falling out due to the pressure difference between the space inside and the space outside the toner container 100.

[0110]

The outer cover 103 will be described below.

[0111]

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the outer cover 103 according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the outer cover 103 according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction. 32 is a side view of the outer cover 103 according to the first embodiment.

[0112]

The outer cover 103 is fixed when the toner container 100 is transported or stored, and is detached by the operator before inserting the toner container 100 into the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0113]

The outer cover 103 includes an outer cover corrugated surface 144 and an outer periphery 143, and is also cylindrical in shape. The outer cover 103 is provided to prevent the inner cover 106 from being unintentionally detached, and is attached as a screw cover to the toner container 100 when the outer cover stop 109 of the opening portion 108 of the container body 101 and the outer cover screw portion 145 interlock with each other.

[0114]

On the inner side of the cover portion belonging to the outer cover 103, an inner protrusion 146 is provided to come into contact with the front end of the opening portion 108 on the downstream side in the insertion direction when the outer cover 103 is attached to the toner container 100. The inner lip 146 of the outer cover extends in the circumferential direction. A portion of the inner lip 146 is cut and serves as an air hole 147 which is provided in the inner lip of the outer cover so that not all of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cover 103 completely comes into contact with the front end of the opening portion 108.

[0115]

When the outer cover 103 is attached to the toner container 100, an air hole 147 which is provided in the inner protrusion of the outer cover ensures communication — for ventilation — between the space inside and the outside of the toner container 100.

[0116]

At an edge of the outer cover 103 downstream in the insertion direction, a curved top cover surface 148 is provided. Curved top cover surface 148 tilts to prevent aggregation. Therefore, the toner container 100 with the outer cover 103 can hardly be stably positioned when the outer cover 103 is facing downward. With this function, it is difficult to store the toner container 100 with the outer cover 103 in an upright position when the outer cover 103 is facing downward. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent toner from aggregating near the outlet 114 due to the weight of the toner when the toner container 100 is in an upright position with its outer cover 103 facing downward.

[0117]

The release of the toner contained in the toner container 100 will be described below.

[0118]

Fig. 33 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, which is located downstream in the insertion direction, in the state of attachment to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The arrows γ and δ in FIG. 33 indicate the toner flow.

[0119]

When the toner container 100 rotates, the transport groove 113 (transport means) conveys the toner inside the container body 101 to the downstream side in the insertion direction. Toner conveyed to the scoop portions 115 on the container-facing side rises from the bottom side to the upper side by the scoop portions 115 on the container-facing side. With further rotation, toner lifted to a certain height flows down from the scoop portions 115 on the container facing side and is received by the scoop portions 135 of the dispensing member 107. The scooping portions 135 of the ejection member 107 extend to positions where the scoop portions 115 are provided on the container facing side side to ensure that toner is delivered as described above.

[0120]

The toner sent to the scoop portions 135 of the dispensing member 107 rises upward again as it rotates. Meanwhile, each of the scooping portions 135 of the dispensing member 107 is inclined so that the upstream end in the insertion direction is oriented toward the downstream side in the rotational direction of the container body 101. Therefore, the toner is transported to the outlet 114 simultaneously with the rotation. Finally, the toner is discharged from the outlet 114 by the above-described transportation. There are two scoop portions 115 on the container-facing side and three scoop portions 135 of the dispensing member 107 are provided, that is, the number of scoop portions 135 of the release member 107 is greater than the number of scoop portions 115 on the container side. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently discharge the toner scooped up by the scoop portions 115 on the container facing side.

[0121]

The interlocking of the cover 102 and the container body 101 in the toner container 100 will be described below.

[0122]

34 is an enlarged profile of the vicinity of that end of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, which is downstream in the insertion direction.

[0123]

As described above with reference to FIG. 14, in the opening base portion 120 of the container body 101, stop projections 116 are provided. Therefore, when the lid 102 is attached to the container body 101, the abutment ridge 121 of the lid 102 engages with the abutment projections 116, preventing the lid 102 from falling out.

[0124]

Thereafter, as described above with reference to Fig. 14, axial restraining protrusions 119 are provided in the opening base portion 120 of the container body 101. Therefore, when the lid 102 is attached to the container body 101, the axial contact surface 122 of the abutment ridge 121 of the lid 102 comes into contact with axial restraining protrusions 119. This prevents the lid 102 from being seated further into the container body 101. Likewise, the axial contact surface 122 of the lid 102 comes into contact with the circumferential limiting protrusions 117 of the container body 101 shown in FIG. 14 to restrict the movement of the lid 102.

[0125]

As shown in FIG. 34, by causing the abutment ridge 121 of the lid 102 to fit between the abutment projections 116 and the axial restraining projections 119, it is possible to restrict the forward and backward movement of the lid 102 in the axial direction.

[0126]

The circumferential limiting protrusions 117 are provided to extend outwardly relative to the axial limiting protrusions 119 in the axial direction of the container body 101. The circumferential limiting protrusions 117 engage the circumferential limiting tabs 123 of the lid 102 so that the container body 101 rotates simultaneously with the rotation of the lid 102. The lid 102 can be rotated relative to the container body 101 within a predetermined angular range until the circumferential limiting tabs engage 123 cover 102.

[0127]

Therefore, it is possible to carry out the pushing operation such that the driving protrusions 212, which serve as interlocking portions of the imaging apparatus main body described later, and the driven portions 110 are interlocked with each other, so that transmission of the driving force is possible.

[0128]

Next, the container holder 200 of the toner refilling apparatus 70 of the main body of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment into which the toner container 100 will be inserted will be described.

[0129]

Fig. 35 is a perspective view of the container holder 200 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 36 is a perspective view of the container holder 200 according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0130]

The rear side where the toner container 100 is inserted towards the rear of the main body of the image forming apparatus (towards the output drive unit 205 or the direction of the arrow α in FIG. 35) is the downstream side in the insertion direction and the opposite side side is the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[0131]

The toner container 100 is placed in the container holder 200 in the container mounting section 201 and inserted in the insertion direction guiding it along the container support 207. When the opening portion 108 of the toner container 100 is inserted and installed in the container inserter 204, the inner cover 106 is opened. At the periphery of the container inserter 204, a rotationally output drive unit 205 is provided, which outputs a driving force from the main body side of the image forming apparatus. The output drive unit 205 is rotated by the container drive motor 208.

[0132]

The output drive unit 205 and the driven portions 110 of the toner container 100 are interlocked with each other so that the rotational driving force of the output drive unit 205 is transferred to the toner container 100 and the toner container 100 rotates.

[0133]

The container mounting section 201 is provided with a container stop 202 and a container detector 203, which are offset from the bottom side to the upper side, protruding relative to the upper surface of the container mounting section 201 in front of the toner container 100 fixing and restricting its discharge downward by the weight of the toner container 100 when a toner container 100 is installed in this section.

[0134]

When the toner container 100 is inserted from the upstream side of the container mounting section 201 in the insertion direction, the container stop 202 and the container detector 203 are gripped and retracted by the cover 102 of the toner container 100. Thereafter, as the toner container 100 moves further inward and reaches the rear of the device, the rear end of the cover 102 (the upstream end in the insertion direction) extends over the container stop 202. Consequently, the container stop 202 is no longer gripped by any component, and this container stop 202 projects upward again due to the biasing force. In this state, the wall surface of the container abutment 202 on the downstream side in the insertion direction comes into contact with and engages with the rear end of the cover 102, preventing the toner container 100 from falling out.

[0135]

When the toner container 100 reaches the back, the cover 102 is on the upper side of the container detector 203, and this container detector 203 is pulled down by the weight of the cover 102. In a state in which the container detector 203 is pulled down, it is possible to detect whether the container is installed 100 for toner in the container holder 200.

[0136]

If the container release lever 210 is pushed towards the downstream side in the insertion direction, the container stop 202 moves downward and the toner container 100 can be pulled out.

[0137]

The output master unit 205 will be described below.

[0138]

Fig. 37 is a front view of the exit leading unit 205 according to the first embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 38 is a perspective view of the output driving unit 205 according to the first embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction. FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the output drive unit 205 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction. FIG. 40 is a side view of the output driving unit 205 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 41 is a side view of the output drive unit 205 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side opposite to the side shown in FIG. 40.

[0139]

The output drive unit 205 is a disc-shaped member and includes a ring gear 211 around its entire periphery, as shown in the region ψ in FIGS. 37 to 39. The ring gear 211 is engaged with the driving force transmitting gears 206 of the container drive motor 208 and is rotated by transmitting the driving force simultaneously with the rotation of the container drive motor 208. At the center of the disc-shaped main body 205a of the output drive unit 205, a circular opening is provided, which serves as the insertion opening 213. The opening portion 108 of the toner container 100 is inserted into the insertion opening 213.

[0140]

The downstream driving unit 205 is provided with leading protrusions 212 extending to the side upstream in the insertion direction with respect to the main body 205a of the downstream driving unit. The driving protrusions 212 serve as the first driving protrusion 212a and the second driving protrusion 212b.

[0141]

As outgoing identification portions on the inner side in the radial direction with respect to the first driving protrusion 212a and the second driving protrusion 212b, identification protrusion groups 215 are provided on the main body 205a of the output drive unit, each of which serves as a protrusion group of the main body or a group of identifying protrusions in as a combination of a plurality of identification protrusions. The identification protrusion group 215 includes the outer identification protrusion group 215a serving as the outer protrusion group and the inner identification protrusion group 215b serving as the inner protrusion group.

[0142]

The identification protrusion group 215 includes a plurality of protrusions protruding to the upstream side in the insertion direction. Each of the protrusions is inclined so that the amount of protrusion increases from the upstream side of the downstream driving unit 205 to the downstream side in the rotational direction of the downstream driving unit 205, reaching the top. A flat surface is provided on the downstream side of the top in the direction of rotation. Specifically, the flat surface is a surface extending vertically from the surface of the main body 205a of the output drive unit on the upstream side in the insertion direction. The identification protrusion group 215 includes the outer identification protrusion group 215a and the inner identification protrusion group 215b, each of which is configured as a combination of two protrusions, and a plurality of such combinations are provided in the circumferential direction (four combinations in the first embodiment). As shown in FIG. 37, for example, the first driving protrusion 212a and the second driving protrusion 212b are located at 180 degree intervals facing each other.

[0143]

Next, the first driving protrusion 212a will be described.

[0144]

FIG. 42 is an enlarged view of the first driving protrusion 212a according to the first embodiment.

[0145]

The first driving protrusion 212a projects toward the upstream side in the insertion direction with respect to the main body 205a of the exit driving unit, and includes the first guide surface 216 as the first inclined surface of the main body that is inclined so that the protrusion amount decreases to the upstream side in the direction of rotation. On the side surface on the downstream side in the direction of rotation, a driving force transmitting surface 214 is provided as a wall surface extending along the insertion direction. The driving force transmitting surface 214 presses against the driving force transmitting surface 125 of the driven portion 110 and functions as a driving force transmitting unit.

[0146]

On the opposite side of the first guide surface 216 across the front end of the first driving protrusion 212 on the upstream side in the insertion direction, a slope is provided, which serves as a second guide surface 217, which is an inclined surface of the main body. The first guide surface 216 and the second guide surface 217 have the function of guides for guiding the driven portion 110 so that the driving force transfer surface 125 comes into contact with the driving force transmitting surface 214 upon contact with the driven portion 110 of the lid. 102.

[0147]

The second guide surface 217 is inclined so that the amount of protrusion decreases towards the downstream side in the direction of rotation. The end of the second guide surface 217 downstream in the insertion direction extends to the end of the driving force transmitting surface 214 upstream in the insertion direction.

[0148]

Next, the second driving protrusion 212b will be described.

[0149]

43 is an enlarged view of the second driving protrusion 212b according to the first embodiment.

[0150]

Similar to the first driving protrusion 212a, the second driving protrusion 212b protrudes toward the upstream side in the insertion direction with respect to the main body 205a of the output driving unit, and includes a first guide surface 216 that is inclined so that the protrusion amount decreases to the upstream side in the direction of rotation. The driving force transmitting surface 214 as a wall surface extending along the insertion direction is provided on the side surface on the downstream side in the rotational direction. The driving force transmitting surface 214 presses against the driving force transmitting surface 125 of the driven portion 110 and functions as a driving force transmitting unit.

[0151]

The second driving protrusion 212b is shaped such that the front end between the first guide surface 216 and the second guide surface 217 of the first driving protrusion 212a is sheared, and the shearing surface serves as the third guide surface 218, which is the third inclined surface of the main body. The first guide surface 216, the second guide surface 217 and the third guide surface 218 have the function of guides for guiding the driven portion 110 so that the driving force transfer surface 125 comes into contact with the driving force transmitting surface 214 upon contact with the driven section 110 of the cover 102.

[0152]

In the exit drive block 205, the second drive protrusion 212b is shaped such that the front end of the first drive protrusion 212a is sheared off. Therefore, the protrusion amount of the first driving protrusion 212a is larger than the protrusion amount of the second driving protrusion 212b.

[0153]

The first guiding surface 216 and the third guiding surface 218 of the second driving protrusion 212b may be the same as described above so that the third guiding surface 218 extends to the upstream end of the first guiding surface 216 in the insertion direction. The angle of inclination of the third guide surface 218 with respect to a straight line parallel to the insertion direction is greater than the angle of inclination of the first guide surface 216.

[0154]

The end of the third guide surface 218 upstream in the insertion direction serves as the top of the second driving protrusion 212b, and a second guide surface 217 of the second driving protrusion 212b is provided transversely to this top. Similar to the first driving protrusion 212a, the second guiding surface 217 extends to the end of the driving force transmitting surface 214 located upstream in the insertion direction.

[0155]

As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, each of the leading protrusions 212 is provided with stiffeners 219 extending inwardly in the radial direction on the upstream side in the rotational direction and the downstream side in the rotational direction. Stiffeners 219 reinforce the driving protrusions 212. The stiffeners 219 reduce the radial clearance between the first driving protrusion 212a and the second driving protrusion 212b. This prevents the toner container 100 from oscillating between the two driving protrusions 212 and prevents interlock failure.

[0156]

Operations at the time of insertion of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0157]

When the toner container 100 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the position of the driving force transmitting surface 125 of the driven portion 110 of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment and the driving force transmitting surface 214 of the output driving unit 205 are not matched. with each other, carry out the following actions. Specifically, in this case, the front end of the first drive protrusion 212a of the output drive unit 205 is first brought into contact with either the first guide ramp 126 or the second guide ramp 127 of the driven portion 110 of the toner container 100. Here, by tilting the guide (first guide surface 216 or second guide surface 217) of the first driving protrusion 212a and tilting the guide ramp (first guide ramp 126 or second guide ramp 127), a rotational force is applied to the cover 102.

[0158]

As described above, the lid 102 can be rotated relative to the container body 101 within a predetermined angular range. Therefore, when the container body 101 is pushed towards the downstream side in the insertion direction, the lid 102 is pivotally inserted into the container body 101.

[0159]

When the container body 101 is inserted into the position where the second driving protrusion 212b comes into contact with the driven portion 110, the second driving protrusion 212b starts to contact the driven portion 110 opposite said driven portion 110 and comes into contact with the first driving portion 212a across the center line. Meanwhile, if the first driving protrusion 212a is in contact with the first guide ramp 126, which is the surface of the driven portion 110, the second driving protrusion 212b is also in contact with the first driving ramp 126. If the first driving protrusion 212a is in contact with the second guide ramp 127, the second guide ramp 212b is also in contact with the second guide ramp 127. The toner container 100 is inserted while the cover 102 is rotated by one of the first guide ramp 126 and the second guide ramp 127 and both of the driving protrusions 212.

[0160]

More specifically, as a mode of contact between the driven portion 110 and the driving protrusion 212, a mode in which the position of the driving force transmitting surface 125 and the driving force transmitting surface 214 in the circumferential direction are matched with each other will be described first. In this case, the toner container 100 is inserted as it is, and then fully inserted if the identifying elements are matched with each other. If the positions of the identifying elements are not aligned with each other, the identifying protrusion group 215 is not inserted into the identifying aperture group 111, but comes into contact with a surface in which no openings are provided on the cover 102 on the downstream side in the insertion direction. Therefore, the toner container 100 is not fully inserted.

[0161]

A second mode will now be described in which the second guide ramp surface 127 of the toner container 100 first comes into contact with the second guide surface 217 of the driving protrusion 212 (specifically, the first driving protrusion 212a). In this case, the second guide slant surface 127 is pressed by the second guide surface 217, so that the cover 102 of the toner container 100 is inserted by rotating towards the downstream side in the rotational direction (arrow β direction) of the toner container 100 (or leading protrusion 212). In other words, insertion is performed while allowing the guide ramp to slide into sliding contact with the driving protrusion. If the identifying elements are matched with each other, the identifying aperture group 111 is guided to a position where the identifying protrusion group 215 can be inserted simultaneously with rotation. Therefore, the identification protrusion group 215 interlocks with the identification aperture group 111, and the toner container 100 is fully inserted. In contrast, if the identifying elements are not aligned with each other, the cover 102 is turned towards the downstream side in the rotational direction (arrow β direction) of the toner container 100, and the identification protrusion group 215 is not inserted into the identification protrusion group 111. openings during insertion. Consequently, the group 215 of identification protrusions comes into contact with a surface in which no openings are provided on the cover 102 on the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0162]

A third mode will now be described in which the first guide ramp surface 126 of the toner container 100 first comes into contact with the first guide surface 216 of the driving protrusion 212. In this case, the first guide ramp surface 126 is pressed by the first guide surface 216, so that that the cover 102 of the toner container 100 is inserted by rotating towards the upstream side in the rotating direction of the toner container 100 (or the leading projection 212) (in the opposite direction to the direction of arrow β). If the identifying elements are matched with each other, the identifying aperture group 111 is guided to a position where the identifying protrusion group 215 can be inserted simultaneously with rotation. Therefore, the identification protrusion group 215 interlocks with the identification aperture group 111, and the toner container 100 is fully inserted. In contrast, if the identifying elements are not aligned with each other, the cover 102 is turned towards the upstream side in the rotational direction of the toner container 100 (in the opposite direction of the arrow β), and the identification protrusion group 215 is not inserted. into a group of 111 identifying openings at the time of insertion. Therefore, the group 215 of the identification protrusions comes into contact with a surface in which no holes are provided on the cover 102 on the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0163]

As an example in which the identification elements are not matched with each other as described above, a case will be described in which the positional relationship of the openings of the identification hole group 111 and the positional relationship of the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 are different from each other. In this case, at least a part of the identification protrusion group 215 comes into contact with the front end surface of the cover 102, regardless of whether the positional relationship of the identification aperture group 111 is matched with each other with respect to the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted, and the positional relationship of the identification protrusion group 215 with respect to the driving force transmitting surface 214.

[0164]

As another example, note that if the positional relationship of the openings of the identifying aperture group 111 and the positional relationship of the protrusions of the identifying protrusion group 215 are matched with each other (a positional relationship that can interlock), then the following actions can be taken. Specifically, at a certain moment of insertion, the identification protrusion group 215 on the side facing the main body begins to fit into the identification aperture group 111 of the container 100 on the toner facing side. However, the vertical surface (surface parallel to the insertion direction) of each of the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 on the side facing the main body comes into contact with a contact portion that is the peripheral wall of each of the apertures of the identification aperture group 111 on the upstream side. downstream in the direction of rotation, and prevents further rotation of the cover 102. In this case, the contact portion of each of the openings of the identification opening group 111 also functions as a limited pivot cover 102. The cover 102 cannot be fully inserted until the cover 102 is pivoted behind the account of the pressure exerted by the leading protrusion on any of the inclined surfaces. However, since the rotation of the cover 102 is limited, the toner container 100 cannot be fully inserted.

[0165]

In the last example, as described above, the identifying protrusion group 215 falls into the identifying aperture group 111 when, the difference between the positional relationship of the identifying aperture group 111 with respect to the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted, and the positional relationship of the identifying protrusion group 215 of the surface 214, transmitting the driving force is less than the opening width of the identification aperture group 111.

[0166]

If the driving force transmitting surfaces 214 of the first driving protrusion 212a and the second driving protrusion 212b come into contact with the driving force transmitting surfaces 125 of the driven portions 110 of the cover 102, any further rotation of the cover 102 is prevented. Thereafter, if the container body 101 is pushed further towards the downstream side in the insertion direction, the lid 102 is inserted straight without pivoting.

[0167]

Specifically, the position of the cover 102 in the circumferential direction is determined by the first driving protrusion 212a and the second driving protrusion 212b. In the state where the position is determined, if the toner container 100 is further inserted, the identification protrusion group 215 is inserted into the identification hole group 111 provided on the surface of the cover 102 on the downstream side in the insertion direction (on the front surface side of the container 100 for toner).

[0168]

If the positional relationship of the protrusions of the identifying protrusion group 215 with respect to the driving force transmitting surfaces 212 of both driving protrusions 212 and the positional relationship of the openings of the identifying aperture group 111 with respect to the surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted, the covers 102 are matched with each other, then you can take the following actions. Specifically, the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 are inserted into corresponding openings of the identification aperture group 111. Therefore, the toner container 100 is inserted into the normal fitting position (where the inner cover 106 can be detached).

[0169]

In contrast, if the positional relationship of the protrusions of the identifying protrusion group 215 with respect to the driving force transmitting surfaces 214 and the positional relationship of the openings of the identifying aperture group 111 with respect to the surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted are not matched with each other, then you can take the following actions. Specifically, the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 do not fit into the openings of the identification aperture group 111. The front ends of the protrusions of the identifying protrusion group 215 on the upstream side in the insertion direction are brought into contact with portions where the identifying aperture group 111 is not provided on the front end surface of the cover 102, which is the downstream side surface in the direction of insertion. Therefore, the toner container 100 cannot be inserted any further.

[0170]

In this state, the upstream end of the toner container 100 in the insertion direction protrudes from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body (the upstream side in the insertion direction), and therefore the operator can recognize that the toner container 100 not inserted with the correct combination of components. In addition, in this state, the inner cover 106 of the toner container 100 is not opened, so that it is possible to prevent mixing of different types of toners (eg, different colors of toners) inside the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0171]

Second embodiment

Next, a second mode (hereinafter referred to as "second embodiment) of the toner container 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described." Basically, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same explanation will not be repeated accordingly.

[0172]

Fig. 44 is an explanatory perspective view of the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 45 is an exploded perspective view of a toner container 100 according to a second embodiment.

[0173]

As shown in FIG. 45, the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment includes an O-ring 149 on the inner cover 106.

[0174]

FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment which is downstream in the insertion direction when the outer cover 103 is detached in the state of FIG. 44. Fig. 47 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment that is downstream in the insertion direction when the outer cover 103 is detached.

[0175]

Fig. 48 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of that end of the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment which is downstream in the insertion direction when viewed at an angle from which the dispensing member 107 can be controlled when the inner cover 106 is detached. Fig. 49 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of only that end of the toner container body 101 according to the second embodiment, which is downstream in the insertion direction, in which the downstream side in the insertion direction is oriented upward.

[0176]

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a cover 102 according to a second embodiment as viewed from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction). Fig. 51 is a perspective view of a cover 102 according to a second embodiment as viewed from one end (upstream side in the insertion direction). Fig. 52 is a front view of the cover 102 according to the second embodiment as seen from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction).

[0177]

The cover 102 according to the second embodiment includes an inner peripheral rib 152 on the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical shape for reinforcing the outer cylindrical shape.

[0178]

The lid 102 according to the second embodiment includes lid interlocking portions 151 that are recesses on the surface of the inner wall of a cylindrical shape. FIG. 53 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an interlocking portion 151 of the cover 102 and an abutment protrusion 116 interlocking with each other. The arrow ε in FIG. 53 denotes the attachment direction in which the cover 102 is attached to the container body 101. Fig. 53: view (a) illustrates the state before the deadlock; view (b) illustrates the state during a deadlock, and view (c) illustrates the state after a deadlock.

[0179]

When the lid 102 is attached to the container body 101, the abutment protrusion 116 of the container body 101 enters the lid interlocking portion 151, and the movement of the lid 102 relative to the container body 101 in the circumferential direction is limited. Due to the limitation of movement in the circumferential direction, the cover 102 does not rotate relative to the container body 101 in all cases, but rotates with the container body 101 as a whole.

[0180]

In the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment, the cover 102 includes V-shaped projections 159, and the container body 101 includes V-shaped recesses 158. When the V-shaped projections 159 and V-shaped notches 158 interlock with each other, on the other hand, the position of the lid 102 in the rotational direction with respect to the container body 101 is fixed, which causes the lid 102 and the container body 101 to rotate as a whole.

[0181]

As view (c) in FIG. 53 shows, when the abutment protrusion 116 enters the lid interlocking portion 151, the edge of the lid interlocking portion 151 engages with the abutting protrusion 116, preventing the lid 102 from falling out. In addition, the axial contact surface 122 of the lid 102 comes into contact with axial restraining protrusions 119 of the container body 101, preventing the lid 102 from further entering towards the container body 101. Due to the interlocking of the protrusion stops 116 and contact with the axial limiting protrusions 119, the position of the cover 102 relative to the container body 101 in the insertion direction (pulling direction with respect to the direction of rotation) is fixed. If the positions in the rotational direction and the thrust direction with respect to the rotational direction are fixed, the positional relationship between the container body 101 and the lid 102 also becomes fixed.

[0182]

The driven portion 110 of the lid 102 according to the second embodiment includes a surface 125 to which a driving force is transmitted extending in the insertion direction, and a guiding ramp surface 150 as an inclined surface or a guide extending obliquely with respect to the insertion direction from the upstream end the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted to the downstream side in the insertion direction. An end of the guide ramp 150 downstream in the insertion direction is connected to an end downstream in the insertion direction of an adjacent surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted.

[0183]

The driven portion 110 of the cover 102 according to the second embodiment has a different shape from that of the driven portion 110 according to the first embodiment, and the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted has the same transmittable driving force receiving function. The guiding ramp 150 has a function of applying a rotational force to the cover 102, similar to the first guiding ramp 126 and the second guiding ramp 127 according to the first embodiment. The driven section 110 also has the function of determining the position of the identification aperture group 111 relative to the output driving block 205 in the circumferential direction.

[0184]

Fig. 54 is a perspective view of an inner cover 106 according to a second embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 55 is a perspective view of an inner cover 106 according to a second embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction. FIG. 56 is a rear view of the inner cover 106 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 57 is a side view of an inner cover 106 according to a second embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the inner cover 106 is a cover that covers the outlet 114.

[0185]

The inner lid 106 according to the second embodiment includes an inner lid guide portion 153 protruding from the center of the bottom plate 137 of the inner lid to the upstream side in the insertion direction (into the space inside the container body 101). The guide portion 153 of the inner cover is a rod-like protrusion and is shaped so that it projects radially on three sides in the radial direction. The inner lid guide portion 153 is provided with an inner lid guide 154 that projects outward in the radial direction. The inner cover guide 154 is provided at least on the downstream side in the insertion direction with respect to the center of the inner cover guide portion 153 in the insertion direction.

[0186]

Fig. 58 is a perspective view of a dispensing member 107 according to a second embodiment as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 59 is a perspective view of a dispensing member 107 according to a second embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 60 is a rear view of the dispensing member 107 according to the second embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 61 is a side view of a dispensing member 107 according to a second embodiment.

[0187]

In the center of the dispensing member 107 according to the second embodiment, a guide holder 155 is provided. Inside the guide holder 155, holder projections 156 are provided. A portion of the guide holder 155 is circumferentially cut to provide the holder groove 157.

[0188]

FIG. 62 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the dispensing member 107 and the inner cover 106 according to the second embodiment are interlocked with each other when viewed from the downstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 63 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the dispensing member 107 and the inner cover 106 according to the second embodiment are interlocked with each other when viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 64 is a rear view illustrating a state in which the dispensing member 107 and the inner cover 106 according to the second embodiment are interlocked with each other when viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[0189]

As shown in FIGS. 62 and 63, the guide portion 153 of the inner cover is inserted into the guide holder 155 of the dispensing member 107. Here, the recesses 153a of the guide portion 153 of the inner cover interlock with the projections 156 of the holder.

[0190]

In the second embodiment, if the toner container 100 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus when the handle 139 of the inner cover 106 is pulled and when the inner cover 106 is pulled out of the toner container 100, the guide portion 153 of the inner cover remains interlocked with the guide holder 155. B In this state, when the toner container 100 rotates, the rotation of the toner container 100 is transmitted to the inner cover guide portion 153 through the guide holder 155, and the inner cover 106 rotates at the same time.

[0191]

When the inner lid guide 154 provided on the inner lid guide portion 153 passes through the guide holder 155 while attaching the inner lid 106 to the toner container 100, a clicking sensation is generated.

[0192]

In the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment, when the inner cover 106 covers the outlet 114, the O-ring 149 is pressed and the function of the seal prevents toner from leaking. The amount of pressure on the O-ring 149 is determined by the position in which the guide projection 154 of the inner cover passes through the guide holder 155 when the guide portion 153 of the inner cover is inserted into the guide holder 155. The O-ring 149 is made of an elastic material and is compressed and deformed when the inner cover 106 covers the outlet 114 so that the force opening the inner lid 106 acts due to said elasticity. In this case, the inner lid 106 does not open until the guide projection 154 of the inner lid comes into contact with the guide holder 155 and a force is exerted to cause the guide projection 154 of the inner lid to pass through the guide holder 155. Therefore, it becomes possible to maintain the sealed the state in which the O-ring 149 is pressed.

[0193]

Fig. 65 is a perspective view of the output drive unit 205 according to the second embodiment as seen from the upstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 66 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the downstream end of the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment, which is located downstream in the insertion direction, and the exit drive unit 205, as viewed from the upstream side in the insertion direction. The outlet drive unit 205 according to the second embodiment includes said two drive protrusions 212 that have the same shapes and project towards the upstream side in the insertion direction with respect to the main body 205a of the outlet drive unit. The container holder 200 is the same as the holder according to the first embodiment except for the shape of the output drive unit 205.

[0194]

The driving protrusion 212 according to the second embodiment projects toward the upstream side in the insertion direction with respect to the main body 205a of the output driving unit, and includes an output guide surface 220 inclined so that the amount of the protrusion decreases to the side upstream downstream in the direction of rotation. On the side surface of the driving protrusion 212 on the downstream side in the rotational direction, a driving force transmitting surface 214 is provided as a wall surface extending along the insertion direction. The driving force transmitting surface 214 presses against the driving force transmitting surface 125 of the driven portion 110 and functions as a driving force transmitting unit.

[0195]

The downstream guide surface 220 has the function of a guide for guiding the driven portion 110 so that the driving force transmitting surface 125 comes into contact with the driving force transmitting surface 214 upon contact with the driven portion 110 of the cover 102.

[0196]

Operations at the time of inserting the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment will be described below.

[0197]

When the toner container 100 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the position of the driving force transmitting surface 125 of the driven portion 110 of the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment and the driving force transmitting surface 214 of the output driving unit 205 is not coordinated with each other, take the following actions. Specifically, in this case, the leading end of the driving protrusion 212 of the output driving unit 205 comes into contact with the guide ramp 150 of the driven portion 110 of the toner container 100. In this case, by tilting the guide portion (outlet guide surface 220) of the driving protrusion 212 and tilting the guide ramp 150, a rotational force is applied to the cover 102.

[0198]

As described above, in the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment, the positional relationship between the container body 101 and the cover 102 is fixed. Therefore, when force is applied to rotate the cover 102, the container body 101 rotates with the cover 102. Specifically, the entire toner container 100 is inserted by rotating it.

[0199]

If the driving force transmitting surface 214 of the driving protrusion 212 comes into contact with the driving force transmitting surface 125 of the driven portion 110 of the cover 102, then any further rotation of the toner container 100 is prevented. If thereafter, the toner container 100 is pushed further towards the downstream side in the insertion direction, the toner container 100 is inserted straight without rotating.

[0200]

Specifically, the position of the toner container 100 in the circumferential direction is determined by the leading protrusion 212. In a state in which this position is determined, if the toner container 100 is further inserted, the identification protrusion group 215 is inserted into the identification aperture group 111 provided on the surface of the cover 102 on the downstream side in the insertion direction (on the front surface side of the toner container 100).

[0201]

If the positional relationship of the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 with respect to the driving force transmitting surfaces 212 of both driving protrusions 212 and the positional relationship of the openings of the identification aperture group 111 with respect to the surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted, the covers 102 are matched with each other, then you can take the following actions. Specifically, the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 are inserted into corresponding openings of the identification aperture group 111. Therefore, the toner container 100 is inserted into the normal fitting position (where the inner cover 106 can be detached).

[0202]

In contrast, if the positional relationship of the protrusions of the identifying protrusion group 215 with respect to the driving force transmitting surfaces 214 and the positional relationship of the openings of the identifying aperture group 111 with respect to the surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted are not matched with each other, then you can take the following actions. Specifically, the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 do not fit into the openings of the identification aperture group 111. The front ends of the protrusions of the identifying protrusion group 215 on the upstream side in the insertion direction are brought into contact with portions where the identifying aperture group 111 is not provided on the front end surface of the cover 102, which is the downstream side surface in the direction of insertion. Therefore, no further insertion of the toner container 100 occurs.

[0203]

In this state, the upstream end of the toner container 100 in the insertion direction protrudes from the front side of the image forming apparatus main body (the upstream side in the insertion direction), and therefore the operator can recognize that the toner container 100 not inserted with the correct combination of components. In addition, in this state, the inner cover 106 of the toner container 100 is not opened, so that it is possible to prevent mixing of different types of toners (eg, different colors of toners) inside the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0204]

The toner container 100 according to the second embodiment includes a discharge opening 114 as an opening provided in the toner discharge container body 101 and an inner cover 106 as a cover that can open and close the discharge opening 114. The inner cover 106 is provided with a guide portion 153 of the inner lid as a protrusion protruding into the space inside the container body 101 in the insertion direction representing the opening-closing direction of the inner lid 106. The container body 101 is provided with a release member 107 including a guide holder 155 as a supporting member that surrounds and supports the peripheral surface of the inner cover guide portion 153. The inner lid guide portion 153 is provided with the inner lid guide 154 as a projection protruding in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The guide projection 154 of the inner lid is disposed to come into contact with the guide holder 155. When the inner lid 106 is opened or closed, the guide projection 154 of the inner lid passes through a holding position in which the guide holder 155 holds the guide portion 153 of the inner lid to come into contact with guide holder 155.

[0205]

As shown in FIG. 55, the rod-shaped guide portion 153 of the inner lid protrudes into the space inside the container body 101 from the bottom surface of the bottom plate 137 of the inner lid 106 on the upstream side in the insertion direction. As shown in FIGS. 62 to 64, the guide portion 153 of the inner lid is supported while being surrounded by a guide holder 155 provided in the dispensing member 107, which is fitted inside the opening portion 108 of the container body 101. The toner container 100 according to the second embodiment includes an inner cover guide 154 on the outer periphery of the inner cover guide portion 153. Therefore, the guide projection 154 of the inner cover passes through the guide holder 155 when the inner cover 106 is opened or closed, and when the guide projection 154 of the inner cover passes over the guide holder 155, there is a click feeling.

[0206]

As described above, the inner cover guide 154 is provided at least on the downstream side in the insertion direction with respect to the center of the inner cover guide portion 153 in the insertion direction. As shown, for example, in Fig. 57, in the second embodiment, the inner cover guide 154 is provided near the base of the inner cover guide portion 153. Due to the presence of the guide protrusion 154 of the inner cover near the base of the guide portion 153 of the inner cover, the guide holder 155 is located on the side close to the outlet 114, so that it becomes possible to bring the scooping portions 135 of the outlet 107 to this side close to the outlet 114 Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the toner discharge performance.

[0207]

After the guide portion 153 of the inner cover as a guide enters the guide holder 155, the guide projection 154 of the inner cover must pass along the guide holder 155. Therefore, if the guide projection 154 of the inner cover is provided on the side close to the front end and not to to the side close to the base of the guide portion 153 of the inner lid, and if a click is to be felt when pulling out and opening the inner lid 16, the pulling distance of the inner lid 106 increases. In this case, the length of the inner cover guide portion 153 extending from the guide holder 155 increases, and the amount of movement (oscillation) of the inner cover 106 around the guide holder 155 increases. When a certain external force is applied and the inner cover 106 undergoes significant movement and tilt with respect to the toner container 100, while the inner cover 106 is pushed against the toner container 100 to close it, the longitudinal direction of the inner cover guide portion 153 and the pushing direction are not consistent with each other. Therefore, when the toner container 100 is detached from the apparatus main body, the inner cover 106 cannot normally be closed even if the inner cover 106 is pushed into the toner container 100. In the second embodiment, by having the inner lid guide 154 near the base of the inner lid guide portion 153, it is possible to prevent the inner lid 106 from tilting significantly with respect to the toner container 100, ensuring that the situation in which the inner lid 106 cannot normally be closed is prevented.

[0208]

If the load applied to the interlocking portion between the guide holder 155 of the discharging member 107 and the inner cover guide portion 153 belonging to the inner cover 106 increases, it becomes possible to compress and aggregate the toner accumulated in the interlocking portion. As shown in Fig. 60, in the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment, a holder groove 157 is provided on the supporting shaft portion of the guide holder 155. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the diameter of the interlocking portion between the guide holder 155 and the guide portion 153 of the inner cover, so that accumulation of toner becomes less likely and the load applied to the toner is reduced. As a consequence, it becomes possible to implement a configuration in which aggregation is less likely to occur.

[0209]

If the guide holder 155 does not have a groove, it is difficult to deform the guide holder 155 when passing the guide projection 154 of the inner cover. If the guide holder 155 is shaped so that the clearance for passing the guide portion 153 of the inner cover is increased and the guide holder 155 is not deformed when the guide projection 154 of the inner cover is passed, it is difficult to generate a click feeling. In contrast, if the clearance for the passage of the inner cover guide portion 153 is reduced so that a click feeling is produced, the click feeling may occur. However, if deformation of the guide holder 155 when passing the guide projection 154 of the inner cover is impeded, the force required to pass the guide projection 154 of the inner cover increases.

[0210]

In contrast, if a groove is provided in the guide holder 155, the deformation of the guide holder 155 when the guide projection 154 of the inner cover is passed is simplified. Therefore, even if the force to move the inner cover 106 is relatively small, it is possible to cause the guide projection 154 of the inner cover to pass through the guide holder 155 and create a click feeling.

[0211]

The guide holder 155 of the release member 107 is provided with holder projections 156 serving as anti-rotation stops of the inner cover 106. If the inner cover 106 is rotatable relative to the guide holder 155, the guide portion 153 of the inner cover slides against the guide holder 155, and the toner held on the sliding section, can be aggregated. As shown in FIG. 64, the holder protrusions 156 sit radially in the gaps between the three radially extending portions of the inner cover guide portion 153 so that rotation of the inner cover 106 relative to the guide holder 155 is prevented. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent the guide portion 153 of the inner cover from sliding over the guide holder 155, while ensuring that toner aggregation is prevented.

[0212]

By positioning the holder groove 157 shown in FIG. 67, the holder groove 157 can be provided in the center of the support rod of the guide holder 155. However, in a configuration in which the holder groove 157 is provided in the center of the support rod of the guide holder 155, one of three radially extending portions of the inner lid guide portion 153 belonging to the inner lid 106 may fall into the holder groove 157 when the inner lid 106 is attached. In addition, since the holder groove 157 is located in the center of the support rod of the guide holder 155, the holder projections 156 serving as anti-rotation stops are provided in only two positions, so that it may be difficult to ensure adequate unimpeded rotation of the inner cover 106.

[0213]

In contrast, as shown in Fig. 60, if the position of the holder groove 157 is displaced from the center of the support rod, it becomes possible to adjust the insertion direction of the inner cover 106 at a specific position and increase the number of anti-rotation stops. As a consequence, it becomes possible to increase the likelihood of achieving unimpeded rotation.

[0214]

The toner container 100 according to the above-described first embodiment includes a container body 101 for storing toner and an outer cover 103 as a cover for covering an outlet 114 that is an opening for discharging toner from the container body 101. At a specific position on the outer cover 103, where the front end of the opening portion 108 serving as the outlet 114 faces the covering portion of the outer cover 103 covering the outlet 114, an inner protrusion 146 is provided as a protrusion protruding towards the front end of the opening portion 108 from the covering portion of the outer cover 103. The outer cover 103 is also provided with an air opening 147, which is a recess of a lower height than the inner lip 146 of the outer cover.

[0215]

If there is no gap between the outer cover 103 and the front end of the opening portion 108, it is impossible to introduce gas into and out of the container body 101. If gas is not introduced into and out of the container body 101, a pressure difference arises between the space inside the container body 101 and the atmosphere at a high altitude location where the atmospheric pressure is low. The inner lid 106 does not fall off before the outer lid 103 is opened, because the inner lid 106 is pressed against the outer lid 103. However, if the outer lid 103 is removed, the inner lid 106 may fall out and the toner may be scattered due to pressure difference. with the atmosphere. Even in a place other than a place of high altitude, if the temperature range from a low temperature to a high temperature is large, the gas inside the container body 101 expands, so that when the outer cover 103 is removed, the inner cover 106 may fall out, and it becomes possible for toner to scatter from for internal pressure.

[0216]

In the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, an air hole 147 is provided to ensure the passage of air between the outer cover 103 and the front end of the opening portion 108. The inner cover 106 is provided with a vent 141 of the inner cover. Thus, by allowing the air to pass between the outer cover 103 and the inner cover 106, air intake and discharge occurs moderately, and the pressure difference with the atmosphere between the inside and outside of the container body 101 is reduced. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent the inner cover 106 from falling out and prevent toner from scattering due to the internal pressure in the container body 101.

[0217]

The same configuration is applicable to the outer cover 103 and the inner cover 106 according to the second embodiment.

[0218]

The toner container 100 according to the first embodiment includes a container body 101 for storing toner and a cover 102 as a follower unit provided with a follower portion 110 serving as a driving unit that receives a driving force issued from an imaging apparatus main body for rotation container body 101. The cover 102 is rotatable relative to the container body 101 about the axis of rotation of the container body 101. On the container body 101, circumferential limiting protrusions 117 are provided to act as rotation stops for limiting the rotation of the lid 102 to an angle of a certain amount or more.

[0219]

If the lid 102 is fixed to the container body 101, the operator needs to rotate the container body 101 to interlock the slave portion 110 of the lid 102 with the output drive unit 205 serving as the drive unit of the imaging apparatus main body. In contrast, if the cover 102 is freely rotatable relative to the container body 101, it is difficult to transmit the driving force from the output drive unit 205 to the container body 101 through the cover 102. Therefore, in the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, as restraints that allow rotation of the cover within a certain range, but restrict its rotation outside this certain range, circumferential limiting protrusions 117 are provided. As a result, it becomes possible to ensure the transmission of driving force and to simplify the work of the operator.

[0220]

The toner container 100 according to the first embodiment is provided with abutment projections 116 serving as members that prevent movement in a direction parallel to the insertion direction to prevent falling out, and provided at four positions in the circumferential direction on the container body 101. The circumferential rotation limiting limiting protrusions 117 are provided at two positions in the circumferential direction to separate the anti-drop function and the anti-rotation function.

[0221]

In order to prevent erroneous installation by using the function of the group 111 identifying openings of the lid 102, it is important to stabilize the position of the lid 102 relative to the container body 101. Therefore, in order to restrict the relative movement in the thrust direction (direction parallel to the insertion direction), at least three restraining portions are needed, and more preferably four or more bounding portions.

[0222]

However, if the restricting member (protruding profile or the like) in the thrust direction also has a rotation limiting function, the angle of rotation of the cover 102 is reduced. Specifically, if the limiting members are provided at four positions in the circumferential direction, the angle of rotation of the lid 102 is set to “90 ° - {(width of the limiting member of the lid 102) + (width of the limiting member of the container body 101)}”.

[0223]

When the toner container 100 is transported, even if the position of the cover 102 relative to the container body 101 in the rotational direction is close to the peel-off side position where the rotation range is maximized during insertion of the toner container 100, the position in the rotational direction may be shifted before installation. For example, due to oscillation during transport or operator contact with the cover 102 during installation of the toner container 100, the position of the cover 102 relative to the container body 101 in the rotational direction may be displaced.

[0224]

When limiting members with a rotation limiting function are provided at four positions, even if the position of the cover 102 in the rotational direction is close to that on the peel-off side during transport of the toner container 100, the likelihood of realizing the rotation range during installation is reduced if said position is shifted before installation. ...

[0225]

In contrast, in the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, the drop prevention function and the rotation prevention function are separated.

[0226]

By providing the stop projections 116 with an anti-fall function in four positions in the circumferential direction, it is possible to ensure the stability of the position of the lid 102 relative to the container body 101. The configuration of the abutment protrusions 116 provides an engagement with an annular abutment ridge 121 provided on the inner periphery of the cover 102 rather than a restriction function in the direction of rotation.

[0227]

By providing the circumferential limiting protrusions 117 with the anti-rotation function at two positions in the circumferential direction, the rotation angle of the lid 102 is set to "180 ° - {(width of the rotation limiting member of the lid 102) + (width of the rotation limiting member of the container body 101)}". Therefore, the range of rotation of the cover 102 relative to the container body 101 increases, and the likelihood of realizing the range of rotation during installation increases.

[0228]

In the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, the circumferential limiting contact protrusions 123 serve as the “rotation limiting member of the cover 102”, and the circumferential limiting protrusions 117 serve as the “rotation limiting member of the container body 101”.

[0229]

The toner container 100 according to the first embodiment is a toner container attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus and including an output drive unit 205. The output drive unit 205 serves as a drive unit for transmitting a driving force to the toner container 100 and protrudes to the toner container 100. The toner container 100 includes a toner container body 101 and a driven portion 110 as a driven unit that receives a driving force from an image forming apparatus main body.

[0230]

The driven portion 110 includes a surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted as a portion to which the driving force is transmitted and which projects in the radial direction of the toner container 100 and which receives the driving force upon contact with the output driving unit 205. The driven portion 110 further includes a first guide ramp surface 126 as a first ramp surface that faces a surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted and is inclined toward the output drive unit 205 with respect to the protruding direction of the output drive unit 205. The driven portion 110 further includes into the second guide ramp 127 as a second ramp that is inclined to the first guide ramp 126 with respect to the protruding direction of the driven portion 110 on the front side of the driven portion 110 in the protruding direction (the end downstream in the upstream direction pressure) relative to the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted.

[0231]

As shown, for example, in FIG. 20, the driven portion 110 of the cover 102 according to the first embodiment includes a first guide ramp 126 with a relatively long slope and a second guide ramp 127 with a slope that is shorter than the first guide ramp 126. across the downstream end in the insertion direction. The first guide ramp 126 and the second guide ramp 127 are inclined in opposite directions across the driven portion 110. Therefore, the rotation direction of the cover 102 changes depending on which of the guide ramps comes into contact with the front end of the first driving protrusion 212a of the output driving unit 205 at the time of insertion. Specifically, when the first guide ramp 126 comes into contact with the front end of the first driving protrusion 212 and the toner container 100 is pushed further, the cover 102 rotates in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation in the driving force imparting operation (direction of arrow β in the drawing) ... In contrast, when the second guide ramp 127 comes into contact with the front end of the first driving protrusion 212a while the toner container 100 is pushed further, the cover 102 rotates in the same direction as the direction of rotation in the driving force imparting operation (direction arrows β in the drawing).

[0232]

If the slope of the guide ramp (first guide ramp 126 and second guide ramp 127) that guides the position of the front end of the driving protrusion 212 with respect to the driven portion 110 becomes steeper with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to the center line, the effect of a rotational force in contact with the front end of the driving protrusion 212 is simplified. In other words, with a smaller acute angle of the guide ramp with respect to the insertion direction, the amount of rotation with respect to the insertion amount decreases. Therefore, the insertion force of the cover 102 through rotation can be reduced, and the operator's work can be simplified.

[0233]

In a configuration in which the contact portion between the main body of the image forming apparatus and the toner container 100 is on the rear side, that is, on the downstream side in the insertion direction, it is preferable that the driven portion 110 does not protrude as a profile of the connecting portion from the outer profile of the container body 101 to ensure the function of maintaining the position of the toner container 100. In order to ensure a large capacity of the container body 101 for storing toner, in the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, the driving force transfer surface 125 of the driven portion 110 is shaped radially to the center side with respect to the front side surface (outer the periphery of the cover 102).

[0234]

In order to smoothly rotate the cover 102 during the installation operation (to enable installation with a low labor force), it is preferable that the guide ramp is inclined at the smallest possible angle with respect to the center line of the toner container 100.

[0235]

However, if in the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment, the single driven portion 110 has only one guide ramp surface, the following problem may arise.

[0236]

Specifically, if the number of equal spaces in the corner direction of the cover 102 (the number of driven portions 110) is reduced to ensure that the identification hole group 111 can be positioned on the front-in-insertion direction-end face of the cover 102, the length of the guide ramp in the insertion direction increases. Therefore, when positioning the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted of the driven portion 110, it becomes necessary to increase the length of the portion where the outer diameter of the front end of the toner container 100 decreases. As a result, the toner storage capacity decreases.

[0237]

In contrast, if the number of equal spaces in the corner direction of the cover 102 (the number of driven portions 110) is increased to ensure the toner storage capacity, the following problem may occur. Specifically, it becomes difficult to provide the identifying aperture group 111 as the only identifying recess group formed from the plurality of apertures, and it becomes difficult to ensure that the identifying portions having the function of identifying elements can be arranged on the toner container 100 side. If the location of the identifying areas is not guaranteed, design should be considered to reduce the number of types of identifying elements in order to ensure the function of preventing erroneous installation.

[0238]

As a configuration that satisfies the three needs of obtaining an acute angle as the inclination angle of the guide ramp, reducing the number of equal spacings in the angular direction, and guaranteeing the storage capacity of toner in the container body 101, the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment includes a first guide ramp 126 and a second guide ramp 127, which are inclined in different directions.

[0239]

The angle of inclination of the first guide ramp 126 with respect to the center line of the toner container 100 is greater than the angle of inclination of the second guide ramp 127.

[0240]

Before installing the toner container 100, the position of the cover 102 relative to the container body 101 in the rotational direction may correspond to a release position in which the cover 102 is fully rotated in the opposite direction of the rotational direction assessed at the time of installation to ensure rotation during installation.

[0241]

The direction of rotation judged at the time of installation is the direction in which a rotational force acts on the cover 102 when pushing the toner container 100 in the insertion direction while the driving protrusion 212 contacts the first guide ramp 126. Specifically, as shown in FIG. when the container body 101 does not move, the direction of rotation judged at the time of installation is the direction opposite to the direction of arrow β in FIG. 4. Therefore, in the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, the release position of the cover 102 is a state where the cover 102 is fully rotated in the direction of the arrow β in FIG. 4 when the container body 101 does not move.

[0242]

When the toner container 100 is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus and the cover 102 is in the release position, if the driving protrusion 212 comes into contact with the first guide ramp 126, the cover 102 rotates in the opposite direction to the direction of arrow β in FIG. 4. In contrast, when the driving protrusion 212 comes into contact with the second guide ramp surface 127 and the cover 102 is in the release position, a rotational force is applied to the cover 102 to rotate in the direction of arrow β in FIG. 4. However, the lid 102 is already fully rotated in the direction of arrow β relative to the container body 101, and rotation relative to the container body 101 in this direction is prohibited. Therefore, the lid 102 cannot be rotated independently with respect to the container body 101. Consequently, when the cover 102 is rotated to adjust the position of the driving force transmitting surface 214 of the image forming apparatus main body and the position of the driving force transmitting surface 125 of the toner container 100, the container body 101 rotates with it.

[0243]

The angle of inclination of the second guide ramp 127 with respect to the center line is set as a minor angle. Therefore, the cover 102 and the container body 101 can be rotated integrally and set at predetermined positions by guiding the slant surface 127 through the second guide with a working force to push the toner container 100.

[0244]

The toner container 100 according to the first embodiment includes a first guide ramp 126 with the largest guide ramp, and a second guide ramp 127 provided at the front-in the insertion direction-end of the driven portion 110. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily guide the surface 214 , transmitting the driving force, of the output drive unit 205 to the surface 125, to which the driving force is transmitted, of the driven section 110.

[0245]

On the main body of the imaging apparatus provided with an output driving unit 205 serving as a driving force transmitting unit for transmitting driving force to the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, the output driving unit 205 includes two driving protrusions 212 as two or more protrusions protruding towards the upstream side in the insertion direction. The protrusion amount of the first driving protrusion 212a, which is one of the two protrusions, is greater than the protrusion amount of the second driving protrusion 212b, which is the other of the two protrusions. Specifically, the configuration of the driving protrusions 212 of the output driving unit 205 provides different amounts of protrusion.

[0246]

When the driven portion 110 as the narrow joint and the driving protrusion 212 as the driving protruding portion of the image forming apparatus main body begin to come into contact with each other in the insertion operation of the toner container 100, the contact position may accidentally be near the end of the driven portion 110. downstream in the insertion direction. In this case, in particular, when - as in the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment - there are provided two guide ramp surfaces inclined in different directions across that end of the driven portion 110 which is downstream in the insertion direction, and two or more driving protrusions 212 simultaneously begin to come into contact with the guide ramps, the rotational forces can act in different directions. This is because if the center on the side of the toner container 100 and the center on the side of the output drive unit 205 are not perfectly aligned with each other, the two drive protrusions 212 may come into contact with different types of guide ramps. Specifically, one of the two driving protrusions 212 can come into contact with the first guide ramp surface 126 and the other can come into contact with the second guide ramp surface 127.

[0247]

The first guide ramp 126 and the second guide ramp 127 generate a rotating force in opposite directions when the toner container 100 is inserted further after the ramp surfaces come into contact with the driving protrusions 212. Therefore, if further insertion is carried out, the two driving protrusions The 212 are thus in contact with the first guide ramp 126 and the second guide ramp 127, respectively, the rotational forces act in opposite directions, which causes an engaging state leading to installation failure.

[0248]

As a configuration for preventing the above-described installation failure, the configuration of the main body of the image forming apparatus in which the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment is to be installed enables the rotation direction of the cover 102 to be determined by the first driving protrusion 212a, which is one of the two driving protrusions 212, the first to contact.

[0249]

After pivoting through a predetermined angle of the cover 102, when it is guided by the first driving protrusion 212a as one of the protrusions, the first driving protrusion 212a also comes into contact with the cover 102 as the other of the protrusions. the same type of guide ramp surfaces of the two driven portions 110, and both driven portions 110 come into contact with the same type of guide surfaces (first guide surfaces 216 or second guide surfaces 217) of both driving protrusions 212.

[0250]

The configuration of the main body of the image forming apparatus for mounting the toner container according to the first embodiment makes contact with the driven portions 110 by means of the first guide surfaces 216 or the second guide surfaces 217, which are the inclined surfaces of the two driving protrusions 212, for guiding and rotating the cover 102. including driven portions 110. Therefore, the first guide surfaces 216 and the second guide surfaces 217, which are inclined surfaces in two directions of both driving protrusions 212, are arranged to be 180 degrees symmetrical with respect to the center point. The second driving protrusion 212b, which is a protrusion with a smaller amount of protrusion, has a shape including a third guide surface 218 as a third slope surface, which is a front shear profile with an angle other than those inherent in the inclinations in the two directions (the first guide surface 216 and second guide surface 217).

[0251]

In the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, the first driving protrusion 212a as one of the two driving protrusions 212 first comes into contact with and guided by the trailing portion 110. The first driving protrusion 212a acts as one of the two protrusions of the main body relative to the other, the second driving protrusion 212b. Therefore, in the insertion operation of the toner container 100, the first driving protrusion 212a — with a larger protruding amount — comes into contact with the driven portion 110, guiding the cover 102 and determining the rotation direction. Thereafter, the second driving protrusion 212b - with a smaller amount of protrusion - comes into contact with the trailing portion 110 so that the cover 102 is enclosed between the two driving protrusions 212. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent unnecessary force from being applied between the driving protrusion 212 and the driven portion 110 ...

[0252]

The toner container 100 according to the first and second embodiments includes an outlet 114 as an opening provided in the container body 101, an inner cover 106 as a cover that can open and close the outlet 114, and a discharge member 107 provided inside an opening portion 108 belonging to the outlet 114. The inner cover 106 according to the second embodiment is provided with an inner cover guide portion 153 as a protrusion protruding into the space inside the container body 101. The dispensing member 107 functions as a supporting member that surrounds and supports the peripheral surface of the guide portion 153 of the inner cover.

[0253]

The discharging member 107 according to the second embodiment includes a guide holder 155 as a support member that surrounds and supports the peripheral surface of the inner cover guide portion 153, and reinforcement plates 134 extending from the guide holder 155 in the radial direction of the outlet 114. As plate-like elements extending from the reinforcement plate 134 towards the space inside the container body 101 (towards the upstream side in the insertion direction), scoop portions 135 are provided.

[0254]

The discharge member 107 according to the first embodiment includes a reinforcement ring 133 located in the center and reinforcement plates 134 extending from the reinforcement ring 133 in the radial direction of the outlet 114. As plate members extending from the reinforcement plates 134 towards the inner space of the container body 101 (towards the upstream side in the insertion direction), scoop portions 135 are provided.

[0255]

The scooping portions 135 provided in the dispensing member 107 according to the first and second embodiments scoop up toner from the bottom side to the top side while rotating the toner container 100.

[0256]

To scoop and transport the toner to the outlet 114 of the toner container 100, it is necessary to provide a scoop member at the outlet 114.

[0257]

To provide the scoop member, in the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment, the scoop portions 135 serving as scoop members protrude from the reinforcement plates 134 that extend towards the guide holder 155 serving as a supporting member for supporting the guide portion 153 of the inner cover belonging to the inner cover 106. With this configuration, it is possible to strengthen the guide holder 155, firmly support the guide portion 153 of the inner cover, and improve the toner conveying performance.

[0258]

In the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, a reinforcement ring 133 and reinforcement plates 134 are provided near the outlet 114. The scoop portions 135 serving as scoop members protrude from the reinforcement plates 134. With this configuration, it is possible to scoop toner with the scoop portions 135 in the vicinity of the outlet 114, making it possible to improve the toner transport performance.

[0259]

The scoop portions 135 have the function of scooping up the nearby toner while rotating the toner container 100. In addition to this function, the scoop portions 135 have the function of receiving toner that falls from the scoop portions 115 (which can be called the "shoulders" of the container body 101) on the container-facing side simultaneously with the rotation of the toner container 100, and the function of transporting toner to outlet 114. By increasing the number of the scoop portions 135 relative to the number of "shoulders" of the container body 101, it is possible to intensify the toner receiving effect that falls off the "shoulders" regardless of the angles of the plate-like scoop portions 135.

[0260]

Fig. 68 is a front view of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, from which the inner cover 106 is detached when viewed from the downstream side in the insertion direction. The portions corresponding to the regions κ shown in dashed lines in FIG. 68 are portions referred to as the "shoulders" of the toner container 100. The "shoulders" function to raise the toner to the height of the outlet 114 while rotating the toner container 100. The plate scoop portions 135 have the function of receiving toner that falls off the "shoulders" and directing this toner towards the outlet 114.

[0261]

First modification

Next, a first modified example (hereinafter referred to as "first modification") of a possible toner container 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described. Fig. 69 is a perspective view of the cover 102 of the toner container 100 according to the first modification as viewed from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0262]

The contemplated configuration is the same as the configuration according to the above-described second embodiment, except for the shapes of the lid interlocking portions 151 and the presence or absence of V-shaped protrusions 159 and V-shaped recesses 158 of the container body 101.

[0263]

The width of the lid interlocking portion 151 according to the second embodiment in the circumferential direction is approximately the same as the width of the abutment protrusion 116 in the circumferential direction. When the abutment protrusion 116 interlocks with the lid interlocking portion 151, the position of the lid 102 relative to the container body 101 is fixed.

[0264]

In contrast, the width (“W1” in FIG. 69) of the lid interlocking portion 151 according to the first modification in the circumferential direction is large enough with respect to the width of the abutment protrusion 116 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the abutment protrusion 116 interlocks with the lid interlocking portion 151, the abutment protrusion 116 can move relative to the lid interlocking portion 151 in a circumferential direction within the lid interlocking portion 151. Therefore, even after the lid 102 is attached to the container body 101, it is possible for the lid 102 to move relative to the container body 101 in the circumferential direction within a certain range.

[0265]

The toner container 100 in the main body of the image forming apparatus is configured to prevent erroneous installation. There is a known technique for providing the shape of the identifying member so as to prevent a different type of toner container 100 or a different color from being inserted into a certain type of container holder 200. It is necessary to control the position of the cartridge so that the identification molding of the main body and the identification molding of the toner cartridge can interlock with each other in order for the identification elements to perform their functions.

[0266]

The toner container 100 according to the second embodiment includes a container body 101 and a cover 102. The container body 101 includes a toner discharge port 114 and a grip portion 104 for an operator to grip. The cover 102 has the function of an identifying member, includes a plurality of driven portions 110 that are provided on the outer peripheral portion and form a position adjusting ring for interlocking with the main body of the image forming apparatus, and has the function of a cartridge position control part.

[0267]

When the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus, the position adjustment function is implemented by the interlocking shapes of the driving protrusions 212 provided on the output driving unit 205 of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the guide ramp surfaces 150 of the driven portions 110 of the cover 102. With this function, the cover 102 is rotated and the groups 111 of the toner container 100 identification openings move relative to the group 215 of the identification protrusions of the output drive unit 205 in the direction of rotation. In this movement, even when the toner container 100 is inserted in an arbitrary orientation in the rotational direction, the identification protrusion group 215 of the output drive unit 205 and the identification aperture group 111 of the toner container 100 are adjusted to have a predetermined positional relationship (positional relationship, when where the driving force transmitting surfaces 214 and the driving force transmitting surfaces 125 come into contact with each other). Therefore, the shape in the circumferential direction can function as an identifying area.

[0268]

When the output drive unit 205, which creates the interlocking shape of the main body of the image forming apparatus, is rotated, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the driven portions 110, which are the interlocking portions of the toner container 100, so that the toner container 100 rotates. During this rotational movement, the toner in the container body 101 is transported to the spiral transport groove 113 provided in the container body 101 and discharged from the outlet 114.

[0269]

However, in the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment, the positional relationship between the container body 101 and the cover 102 is fixed. Therefore, when the toner container 100 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the entire toner container 100 rotates. Therefore, when the operator sets the toner container 100, the operator needs to push the toner container 100 in the insertion direction while rotating the toner container 100, which may reduce usability.

[0270]

During installation, torque is applied to the driven portions 110 of the position control ring. Therefore, the cover 102 is fixed such that it does not fall out of the container body 101 or rotate, and the relative positions of the interlocking portions of the container body 101 and the cover 102 in the circumferential direction are fixed. Therefore, in the assembly process, higher accuracy may be required to determine the position of the cover 102 relative to the container body 101, and the assembly cost may increase.

[0271]

In the lid 102 according to the first modification shown in Fig. 69, the width of the lid groove interlocking portion 151 increases in the circumferential direction along the circumference, so that the abutment protrusion 116 of the container body 101 can move within the lid interlocking portion 151. Consequently, the lid 102 rotates relative to the container body 101. When the toner container 100 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the indicator cover 102 moves independently relative to the container body 101, and therefore the operator does not need to rotate the toner container 100.

[0272]

In addition, in the range of motion of the abutment protrusion 116 indicated by the symbol “W1” in FIG. 69, the abutment protrusion 116 of the container body 101 may interlock with the lid interlocking portion 151. Therefore, the assembly precision of the components in the circumferential direction is not required, and the assembly can be simplified.

[0273]

The toner container 100 according to the first modification includes a container body 101 as a toner reservoir for storing toner, and a cover 102 as a cartridge position control portion provided with driven portions 110 that function as an identifying member and which are given a concave convex shape with slopes in the outer peripheral region. The toner container 100 according to the first modification has a function of adjusting the identification protrusion groups 215 and identification opening groups 111 to have a predetermined positional relationship by forcing the driven portions 110 to be influenced and rotated relative to the output drive unit 205 serving as an interlocking portion of the main body in installation time in the main body of the imaging apparatus. The toner container 100 according to the first modification also has a function of forcing transmission, by the driven portions 110, which serve as interlocking portions of the toner container 100, a rotational driving force outputted from the main body of the image forming apparatus with respect to the output driving unit 205. to rotate the toner container 100 in this manner. The toner container 100 according to the first modification also has the function of forcing the lid 102 and the container body 101 to interlock with each other by means of concave portions and convex portions such as lid interlocking portions 151 and abutment projections 116, so that the lid 102 rotates while sliding relative to the body 101 container.

[0274]

In the toner container 100 according to the first modification, abutment protrusions 116 as raised portions are provided on the container body 101, and lid interlocking portions 151 as wide grooves are provided along the inner periphery of the lid 102 to interlock with each other. The abutment protrusions 116 of the container body 101 slide in the rotational direction within the interlocking lid portions 151. Therefore, when the operator installs the toner container 100 into the main body of the imaging apparatus, the cover 102 can be rotated independently even if the output drive unit 205 serving as a position controlling part of the main body of the imaging apparatus applies a torque to the toner container 100. Therefore, the operator can insert the toner container 100 into the main body of the image forming apparatus without rotating the container body 101 that the operator is holding. In addition, the width within which the abutment projections 116 interlock with the lid interlocking portions 151 increases. Therefore, when the lid 102 is assembled with the container body 101, the assembly precision in the rotational direction is not required, and the assembly cost can be reduced.

[0275]

Compared with the configuration according to the second embodiment, in the configuration according to the first modification, the operator can easily install the toner container 100 into the main body of the imaging apparatus without rotating the toner container 100, and the required component assembly precision can be reduced.

[0276]

Fig. 70 is a front view of the toner container 100 according to the first modification as viewed from the downstream side in the insertion direction. The arrow η in FIG. 70 denotes the direction of rotation of the cover 102 in which it is to be rotated by the torque generated when the toner container 100 is pushed further in the insertion direction while the driving protrusion 212 of the output driving unit 205 is in contact with the guide ramp 150.

[0277]

In Fig. 70, the angular range of the lid interlocking portion 151 with respect to the rotation stopping edge 160 is indicated by “θ1”, and the angular range of the abutment protrusion 116 is indicated by “θ2”. As shown in Fig. 70, the value of θ1 is large enough with respect to the value of θ2. Thus, in the toner container 100 according to the first modification, the concave shape of the interlocking portion (lid interlocking portion 151) between the container body 101 and the lid 102 has a certain width in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the lid 102 is assembled with the container body 101, positioning accuracy in the circumferential direction is not required, and the assembly can be simplified.

[0278]

Fig. 71 is a front view of the toner container 100 according to the first modification with interlocking lid portions 151 each having a width that is larger than that shown in Fig. 70 when viewed from the downstream side in the insertion direction. In the configuration shown in FIG. 70, the stop projections 116 and the lid interlocking portions 151 are provided in four positions. In the configuration shown in FIG. 71, the stop projections 116 and the lid interlocking portions 151 are provided in three positions.

[0279]

In the toner container 100 according to the first modification, the rotation width of the cover 102 relative to the container body 101 is set to be larger than the angular range ("θ3" in FIG. 71) of one of the driven portions 110 of the position adjusting ring provided on the outer circumferential portion of the cover 102. Assuming that the maximum angle of rotation of the cover 102 with respect to the container body 101 is denoted by the symbol “θ0”, we have “θ0 = θ1 - θ2”.

[0280]

Therefore, the angular range “θ3” of one of the driven portions 110 in FIG. 71 and the angle “θ0” are set such that “θ0> θ3”.

[0281]

When the toner container 100 is installed, the maximum rotation angle corresponds to the angular range "θ3" of one of the driven portions 110, where the maximum rotation angle is the angle available before the installation is completed by pushing the toner container 100 in the insertion direction after the driving protrusion 212 comes into contact. with a guiding inclined surface 150. In the toner container 100 according to the first modification, the rotation angle of the cover 102 when the cover 102 is rotated relative to the container body 101 is set larger than the rotation angle of the cover 102 when the cover 102 is rotated by the operator when the toner container 100 is inserted. Therefore, the operator can install the toner container 100 in the main body of the image forming apparatus without measuring the orientation of the container body 101 having a grip portion 104 that the operator must hold.

[0282]

Second modification

Next, a second modified example (hereinafter referred to as "second modification") of the toner container 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described. Fig. 72 is a perspective view of the toner container 100 according to the second modification as seen from the downstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 73 is a perspective view of the cover 102 of the toner container 100 according to the second modification as viewed from the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0283]

The contemplated configuration is the same as the configuration according to the above-described second embodiment, except for the shapes of the driven portions 110 of the cover 102.

[0284]

As shown in FIGS. 72 and 73, the widths of the guide ramp 150 and the driving force transfer surface 125 of the driven portion 110 decrease towards the downstream side in the insertion direction. Therefore, the tip 110a as that end of the follower portion 110 that is downstream in the insertion direction is on the center side in the radial direction as compared with the configuration according to the second embodiment.

[0285]

The toner container 100 includes a cover 102 provided with driven portions 110 as interlocking molds in the outer peripheral portion, and a container body 101. At the time of insertion into the image forming apparatus main body, the output drive unit 205 as an interlocking mold provided on the image forming apparatus main body and the driven portions 110 as interlocking molds provided on the toner container 100 are interlocked with each other. When the output drive unit 205 rotates, a rotational driving force is transmitted to the toner container 100, and the toner container 100 rotates at the same angular speed as the output drive unit 205. The toner container 100 includes an outlet 114 as an opening on one end of container. When the toner container 100 rotates, the toner container 100 itself or a transport member provided inside the toner container 100 rotates to convey the toner to the outlet 114, and the toner is discharged through the outlet 114. In the toner container 100 according to the second modification, the configuration the cover 102 with the driven portions 110 and the toner storage container body 101 are provided as separate components. The functions of the cover 102 and the functions of the toner container 101 can be provided in a single component.

[0286]

In the toner container 100 according to the above-described second embodiment, the diameter of the portion in which the cover 102 has a maximum diameter and the diameter of the ring formed by the driven portions 110 are the same. Therefore, with this shape, the tips 110a of the driven portions 110 as interlocking shapes provided in the outer peripheral portion of the cover 102 can come into contact with the ground when the toner container 100 falls downward. Therefore, the shock load is applied directly to the tips 110a of the driven portions, and the tips 110a of the driven portions may be damaged. To prevent toner deterioration due to moisture, the toner container 100 is housed in a waterproof case during storage. However, since the tips 110a of the driven portions have sharp corners, a concentration of load is possible at a certain point of the waterproof cover, and the waterproof cover may break during a fall.

[0287]

The toner container 100 according to the second modification includes driven portions 110 on the outer peripheral portion of the cover 102. To prevent the tips 110a of the driven portions 110 from coming into contact with the ground when the toner container 100 falls downward, a gradient is provided such that the outer diameter of the ring, formed by the driven portions 110 decreases towards the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0288]

As described above, in the toner container 100 according to the second modification, by providing a gradient on the outer periphery of the driven portions 110 of the cover 102, it is possible to prevent the tips 110a, which are the ends of the driven portions 110 downstream in the insertion direction, from entering into contact with the ground during a fall. In addition, by contacting portions of the tips 110a of the driven portions, it is possible to increase the ground contact area during a fall. Therefore, it is possible to distribute the shock load applied to the cover 102 and prevent the cover 102 from breaking. The force applied to the packaging material, such as a moisture-proof cover, is also distributed so that it is possible to prevent the packaging material from breaking.

[0289]

In the toner container 100 according to the second modification, it is possible to prevent the cover 102 from breaking when dropped, and to prevent the packaging material such as a moisture-proof cover used for storage from breaking.

[0290]

Fig. 74 is a side view of a cover 102 according to a second modification with a shape such that the outer diameter of the ring formed by the driven portions 110 decreases linearly from the upstream side to the downstream side in the insertion direction. Fig. 75 is a side view of a cover 102 according to a second modification providing a shape in which the outer diameter of the ring formed by the driven portions 110 decreases non-linearly from the upstream side to the downstream side in the insertion direction.

[0291]

The angle θ4 in FIG. 74 is the angle formed by the reference plane and the straight line that connects the outer front portion 102a, which is the outermost portion of the downstream end of the cover 102 in the insertion direction, and the tip 110a of the trailing portion. The reference plane is the plane perpendicular to the center line of the cylindrical cover 102.

[0292]

The angle θ5 in FIG. 74 is the angle formed by the reference plane and the straight line that connects the outer front portion 102a and the maximum diameter portion 110b, which is the downstream end of the outer peripheral portion of the driven portions 110 in the insertion direction on which diameter is maximized.

[0293]

The angle θ6 in FIG. 75 is the angle formed by the reference plane and the straight line that connects the outer front portion 102a, which is the outermost portion of the downstream end of the cover 102 in the insertion direction, and the tip 110a of the trailing portion. Angle θ7 in FIG. 75 is an angle formed by a reference plane and a tangent line extending to the outer front portion 102a from the curved outer periphery of the trailing portion 110.

[0294]

The cover 102 includes driven portions 110 as interlocking shapes in the outer peripheral portion, and tips 110 at the ends of the driven portions 110 downstream in the insertion direction. The inclination is provided such that the outer diameter of the ring formed by the driven portions 110 decreases towards the downstream side relative to the upstream side in the insertion direction. It is sufficient to set the angle of inclination so that when the cover 102 comes into contact with a plane, the tips 110a of the trailing portions do not come into contact with this plane. Specifically, the angle θ4 and the angle θ5 in Fig. 74 are set such that “θ4 θ5”, and the angle θ6 and the angle θ7 in Fig. 75 are set such that “θ6 θ7”.

[0295]

If the toner container 100 is configured according to the second modification, the ends 110a of the trailing portions do not come into contact with the waterproof case when the toner container 100 model uses the waterproof packaging during storage. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent rupture of the waterproof cover. The outer periphery of the driven portions 110 need not be linearly inclined, as shown in FIG. 74, but may be curvilinearly inclined, as shown in FIG.

[0296]

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 47, in the first and second embodiments, the ends of the driven portions 110 downstream in the insertion direction are located on the upstream side in the insertion direction with respect to the lid front end 129 being the end of the lid 102 which is downstream in the insertion direction and on which a group 111 of identification openings is provided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the corner portions of the ends of the driven portions 110 downstream in the insertion direction from coming into contact with the container cover when storing the toner container 100. As a consequence, it becomes possible to reduce the likelihood that the container cover is torn, and it becomes possible to prevent damage to the container cover.

[0297]

In the imaging apparatus using the toner container 100 according to the embodiment, the toner container 100 is rotated by rotating the driving protrusions 212. The driving protrusions 212 of the image forming apparatus main body serve as driving force transmission units. In addition, the identification aperture group 111 and identification protrusion group 215 function as special shapes of identification elements only when the driving protrusions 212 reach positions in which they function as driving force transmission units.

[0298]

The driven portions 110 and the identification aperture groups 111 are part of the cover 102, and their positional relationship is fixed. Therefore, by determining the positions of the slave portions 110 with respect to the output drive unit 205, the positions of the identification aperture groups 111 relative to the identification protrusion group 215 of the output drive unit 205 can be determined.

[0299]

In an embodiment, the position where the driving force transmitting surface 214 of the driving protrusion 212 comes into contact with the driving force transmitting surface 125 of the driven portion 110 is the position where the driving force transmitting surface 214 functions in as a driving force transmission unit. In this case, the surface 125, to which the driving force is transmitted, of the driven portion 110 comes into contact with the driving force transmitting surface 214 of the driving protrusion 212, and the position of the driven portion 110 relative to the output driving unit 205 including the driving protrusion 212 is determined in direction of rotation. Therefore, the position of the identifying opening group 111 relative to the identifying projection group 215 can be determined, and the identifying projection group 215 and the identifying opening group 111 function as forms of specific identifying elements.

[0300]

When the drive protrusion 212 is guided by the first guide ramp 126 or the guide ramp 150, the cover 102 rotates relative to the exit drive block 205 after the front ends of the ID set 215 protrusions begin to enter the openings of the ID group 111. Consequently, the relative positions of the identification protrusion group 215 and the identification protrusion group 111 in the rotational direction change between the state where the front ends of the identification protrusion group 215 begin to fall into the identification protrusion group 111 and the state where the front ends of the identification protrusion group 215 are completely within the group 111. identifying openings. Therefore, each of the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 is inclined such that the protrusion amount decreases towards the downstream side in the direction of rotation, while the cover 102 rotates with the inclined surfaces. In addition, the length of the base portion of each of the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 in the rotational direction and the length of each of the openings of the identification protrusion group 111 in the rotational direction are approximately the same if the shapes of the identifying elements are matched with each other, and the configuration of the protrusions and openings provides them interlocking with each other.

[0301]

When the toner container 100 according to the embodiment is inserted, the contact position of the driving protrusion 212 with the first guide ramp 126, the second guide ramp 127, or the guide ramp 150 is tilted to define relative positions in the rotational direction. If the driving protrusion 212 comes into contact with the first guiding ramp 126 or the guiding ramp 150, the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215 fall into the openings of the identification aperture group 111, and the relative positions are determined by the said slopes. Therefore, as described above, a tilt is provided on each of the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215.

[0302]

In an embodiment, when the guide ramp (126, 127, or 150) of the driven portion 110 determines the position of the identification protrusion group 111 relative to the identification protrusion group 215 in the rotational direction, the identification protrusion group 111 reaches the identification protrusion group 215. Therefore, even if the toner container 100 is at an arbitrary position in the rotational direction, the position of the identifying aperture group 111 in the rotational direction can be adjusted to a position where it becomes possible to determine whether the identifying aperture group 111 and the identifying aperture group 215 can interlock with each other. protrusions.

[0303]

In the toner container 100 according to the embodiment, the specific shape of the identifying member is achieved by changing the shape of the identifying aperture group 111 in the circumferential direction with respect to the driven portion 110 depending on the type of toner to be stored or the like. The position of the identifying aperture group 111 with respect to the output driving unit 205 of the imaging apparatus main body is determined by the driven portion 110. Therefore, the shape differences in the circumferential direction can be used as specific shapes of the identifying members. In the toner container 100 described in TD 1, the function of the special shape of the identifying member is obtained only based on differences in the distances from the axis of rotation of the toner container in the radial direction. In contrast, in the toner container 100 according to the embodiment, position differences with respect to the reference position for positioning in the rotational direction can be used as special shapes of the identifying members. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a large number of specific shapes of identifying elements. Consequently, it becomes possible to align the configurations according to the number of types of the toner container 100 more than in conventional technology, except for the shape of the identifying aperture group 111.

[0304]

In the toner container 100 according to the embodiment, the cover 102 with the identification opening groups 111 is separate from the container body 101 where the toner is stored. Therefore, by changing the shapes of the identification aperture groups 111 of the cover 102 depending on the types of the placed toner, it becomes possible to share the container body 101 regardless of the types of the placed toner. As a consequence, it becomes possible to reduce costs such as manufacturing costs.

[0305]

In the toner container 100 according to the embodiment, identification aperture groups 111 and driven portions 110 are provided on one component, and these identification opening groups 111 and driven portions rotate integrally. Therefore, the driven portions 110 can be used as members for positioning the identification aperture groups 111 in the rotational direction.

[0306]

Incidentally, interlocking portions such as identification aperture groups 111 as identifying contoured portions of a toner container 100 and interlocking portions of a container such as trailing portions 110 may not be separated from a toner storage means such as a container body 101 ... The said interlocking portions and the container interlocking portions may be provided on a portion of the toner storage means.

[0307]

Examples of differences in the positions of the identifying aperture group 111 and identifying protrusion group 215 with respect to the driven portion 110 and the driving protrusion 212 in the direction of rotation include the following: combinations of an inner peripheral shape and an outer peripheral shape with the apertures of the identifying aperture group 111 and the identifying protrusion group 215 protrusions. protrusions at different angular positions in the direction of rotation, at different pitches or at different positions in the radial direction; and a positional deviation between the inner peripheral shape and the outer peripheral shape in the direction of rotation. However, the above deviations are not limited to the above examples.

[0308]

In PD 1, it is indicated that a protrusion as a shape of the identifying element is provided on the end surface of the toner container so that the distance from the axis of rotation in the radial direction varies depending on the types, and a plurality of recesses, each of which serves as an interlocking portion of the identifying element of the main the housings of the image forming apparatus are provided on the same circumference so that the distances from the axis of rotation in the radial direction vary depending on the types. With this configuration, even when the toner container is at any position within a range of 360 degrees in the rotational direction with respect to the interlocking portions of the identification members of the imaging apparatus main body, it is possible to determine whether the shapes of the identification members can interlock with each other. However, in the main body of the image forming apparatus, a plurality of recesses with the same shapes on the same circumference with respect to the single projection of the toner container are provided. Therefore, even if the position of the projection in the rotational direction with respect to a certain reference point on the toner container side is changed, identification is not possible, and if interlocking on one side is possible, then interlocking on the other side is also possible. Namely, the positional difference in the direction of rotation is not used to obtain the shapes of the identifying elements.

[0309]

The toner container 100 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of surfaces 125 to which a driving force is transmitted and a driving force is applied thereto in a circumferential direction from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The first guide ramp 126, the second guide ramp 127, and the guide ramp 150 are provided as container guide portions that guide the driving protrusion 212 of the imaging apparatus main body into the gap between adjacent surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted. The container guide portions are inclined surfaces that are inclined from the downstream side to the upstream side in the insertion direction of the toner container 100 with respect to the circumferential direction and which are configured to come into contact with the leading protrusion 212 of the main of the image forming apparatus body and causes the driven portion 110 provided with the driving force transmitting surface 125 to rotate and move in the circumferential direction. The inclined surfaces serving as guide portions of the container are provided continuous from the end of the surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted downstream in the insertion direction to the end of the adjacent surfaces 125 to which the driving force is transmitted to the upstream of the insertion direction ...

[0310]

When the toner container 100 according to the embodiment is inserted, the relative positions of the shape of the identifying member of the toner container 100 and the shape of the identifying member of the image forming apparatus main body in the rotational direction are adjusted so that the driving force transmitting surface 214 of the driving protrusion 212 and the surface 125 is on which the driving force is transmitted, the driven portion 110 come into contact with each other. If the relative positions deviate from the positions at which the driving force transmitting surface 214 and the driving force transmitting surface 125 come into contact with each other, then the driving protrusion 212 comes into contact with the guiding ramp surface of the driven portion 110 and regulation occurs. relative positional relationship.

[0311]

If, in the case of adjusting the relative positional relationship in the rotational direction, the toner container 100 is inserted further, it is determined whether the shape of the identifying member (identification opening group 111) of the toner container 100 and the shape of the identifying member (identifying protrusion group 215 ) the main body of the imaging apparatus. Therefore, it becomes possible to change the shapes - in relation to the shapes of the identifying elements - in the direction of rotation, using the differences in the shapes in the direction of rotation as the shapes of the identifying elements, and also to provide a large number of shapes of the identifying elements.

[0312]

In the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment, as the driven portions 110, ten driven portions 110 with the same shape are disposed at intervals of 36 degrees on the outer periphery of the cover 102. As the identifying aperture groups 111, in the example shown in FIG. , four openings are provided constituting a single set of recesses serving as the identification aperture group 111, and ten identification aperture groups 111 each having the same combination of openings. Incidentally, the output driving unit 205 includes two driving protrusions 212 and four identification protrusion groups 215. In the example shown in FIG. 37, each of the identification protrusion groups 215 includes four protrusions.

[0313]

As described above, the number of identifying aperture groups 111 each having the same shape is the same as the number of driven portions 110, and identifying aperture groups 111 may implement the function of an identifying member whenever any of the ten driven portions 110 interlocks with the driving lug 212.

[0314]

When the shape of the identifying member of the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment is matched to the shape of the identifying member of the main body of the imaging apparatus, four of the ten identifying aperture groups 111 are interlocked with the identifying protrusion groups 215. Interlocking for identification in only one single position functions at least as a form of identification element. However, if the shape of the identifying element is provided in only one position, and the toner container 100 is tilted with respect to the output drive unit 205, then, for example, the protrusion of the group of identification protrusions 215 may fall into the opening of the group 111 of identifying openings when the shapes the identifying elements are not consistent with each other, but there is little difference between them. In contrast, due to interlocking in four positions, even when the toner container 100 is tilted and the group 215 of identifying protrusions with a different shape is oriented at a certain angle at which this group falls into the group 111 of identifying openings in one single position, the ability to prevent the groups 215 identifying protrusions in the groups 111 identifying openings in other positions.

[0315]

The identification opening group 111 serving as an identifying element interlocking portion of the toner container 100 includes a combination of openings corresponding to the protrusion combination of the identification protrusion group 215 serving as an identifying element interlocking portion of the imaging apparatus main body. Specifically, the identification hole group 111 includes a plurality of openings corresponding to the number and positions of the protrusions of the identification protrusion group 215. The number of identification aperture groups 111 is the same as the number of trailing portions 110.

[0316]

The driving protrusions 212 serving as a driving force transmission unit of the output driving unit 205 are provided at two positions at 180 degree intervals in the circumferential direction. Groups 215 of identification protrusions serving as interlocking portions of identification elements of the output driving unit 205 are provided at four positions in the circumferential direction.

[0317]

Fig. 76 is a schematic diagram of an output drive unit 205 serving as a driving force transmission unit of an image forming apparatus main body. 76, (a) is a front view of the output drive unit 205, and (b) is a side view of the output drive unit 205.

[0318]

As depicted in view (a) of FIG. 76, the output drive unit 205 includes two groups 215 of identification protrusions located at four positions at intervals of approximately 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0319]

In the output driving unit 205 shown in FIG. 76, two identification protrusion groups 215 (215 (d) and 215 (e)) among the four identification protrusion groups 215 (215 (c), 215 (d), 215 (e), and 215 (f)) are arranged horizontally.

[0320]

Fig. 77 is a side view schematically illustrating the lid 102 and the output drive unit 205 of the toner container 100 when the output drive unit 205 shown in Fig. 76 is in the normal position in which it is not tilted with respect to the insertion direction of the toner container 100. toner. As shown in FIG. 77, when the output drive unit 205 is in the normal position, all four identification protrusion groups 215 function as identification element shapes.

[0321]

78 is a side view of the cover 102 and the exit drive unit 205 when the exit drive unit 205 is tilted with respect to the insertion direction of the toner container 100, and two (215 (d) and 215 (e)) of the four identification protrusion groups 215 are horizontally disposed. ... 78, view (a) shows a state where the cover 102 and the output drive unit 205 are spaced apart, and view (b) shows a state where the toner container 100 is inserted in the direction of the arrow shown in (a), and the cover 102 and the exit drive unit 205 are located close to each other. In the state shown in FIG. 78, the exit drive unit 205 is tilted so that its top portion approaches the upstream side of the toner container 100 in the insertion direction.

[0322]

As shown in FIG. 78, when the exit drive unit 205 is tilted, both horizontally disposed identification protrusion groups 215 (215 (d) and 215 (e)) are spaced apart from the identification hole group 111 even when the cover 102 and the exit drive unit block 205 are located close to each other, as shown in view (b) of Fig. 78. Therefore, the functions of these two horizontally positioned identification protrusion groups 215 (215 (d) and 215 (e)) as shapes of identification elements are narrowed.

[0323]

Of the other two identification protrusion groups 215 (215 (c) and 215 (f)), the identification protrusion group 215 (f) on the underside is located at some distance from the identification aperture group 111 - similar to both horizontally located identification protrusion groups 215. Therefore, the identification protrusion group 215 (f) on the underside cannot function as a form of the identification element. However, the identification protrusion group 215 (c) on the upper side moves towards the upstream side of the toner container 100 in the insertion direction, that is, the identification aperture group 111, so that it can function as a form of identification element. As described above, by providing the identification protrusion groups 215 in four positions, it is possible to ensure the minimum function of the identification elements.

[0324]

To solve this problem, it is preferable to provide the identification aperture groups 111 in at least four positions on the cover 102 of the toner container 100.

[0325]

In the example shown in FIG. 78, a case is described where the output drive unit 205 (the drive unit of the imaging apparatus main body) is tilted. The same reasoning applies when the toner container 100 is tilted.

[0326]

The identifying aperture group 111 serving as the shape of the identifying member on the side of the toner container 100 is an identifying recess that forms the shape of the identifying member in which the positions of the apertures in the circumferential direction are measured with respect to the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted, serving as the driving force transmission unit on the side of the toner container.

[0327]

In the toner container 100 according to the embodiment, the diameter of the outer cover 103 is larger than the diameter of the container insertion opening 213, which is the opening of the image forming apparatus main body for inserting the opening portion 108 with the outlet 114. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the likelihood erroneously fastening the toner container 100 with the outer cover 103 closed.

[0328]

In the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment, as the driven portions 110, six driven portions 110 with the same shape are disposed at 60-degree intervals on the outer periphery of the cover 102. As the identifying aperture groups 111, in the example shown in FIG. 52 , a set of four openings, one of which is longer than the other three in the direction of rotation, is provided, which serves as a group 111 of identifying openings, and six groups 111 of identifying openings are provided with the same shapes. Incidentally, the output driving unit 205 includes two driving protrusions 212 and two identifying protrusion groups 215. In the example shown in FIG. 65, each of the identification protrusion groups 215 includes three protrusions. The groups 111 of identifying openings of the cover 102 shown in Fig. 52 and the groups 215 of identifying protrusions of the output drive unit 205 shown in Fig. 61 have different forms of identifying elements so that they cannot interlock with each other.

[0329]

In the configuration according to the above-described embodiment, the driving protrusion 212 serving as an interlocking portion on the output driving unit 205 interlocks with the driven portion 110, which is on the outer — radially — side with respect to the end surface of the toner container 100, downstream in the direction of insertion. By interlocking in a position some distance from the axis of rotation in the radial direction, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the driving lug 212 and the driven portion 110 to transfer the driving force when the rotational driving force is applied. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the necessary strength of the driving force transmitting unit including the driving projection 212 and the driven portion 110 and prevent damage to the driving force transmitting unit.

[0330]

As described above, in the toner container 100, the cover 102 including the driven portions 110 to which the rotational driving force is supplied from the main body of the image forming apparatus is separated from the container body 101 in which the toner is stored.

[0331]

If driven portions 110 are provided on the container body 101, it is necessary to modify the outer peripheral shape of the vicinity of that end of the container body 101 that is downstream in the insertion direction to a shape that will serve as the driven portions 110. However, about that the end of the container body 101 that is downstream in the insertion direction, it is necessary to provide scooping portions 115 on the container facing side for scooping toner from the vicinity of the inner wall surface of a specific container portion to the height of the outlet 114 where the defined portion has a large inner diameter. In order to provide a shape that serves as the driven portions 110 on the outer periphery of the container body 101 and also to provide a shape that functions as the scoop portions 115 of the container facing side on the inner side, it is necessary to give priority to the supply of rotational driving force. Consequently, the degree of freedom in choosing the shape of the scoop portions 115 on the container side is reduced.

[0332]

In this case, it is difficult to shape the scooping portions 115 on the container-facing side into shapes that can effectively scoop up the toner. Consequently, toner transported to the downstream side in the insertion direction while rotating the container body 101 may accumulate near the downstream end of the container body 101 that is downstream in the insertion direction. If toner accumulates, toner aggregation is possible, and the aggregated toner can be supplied to the developing device 9.

[0333]

In contrast, in the toner container 100 according to the embodiment, the cover 102 with the driven portions 110 is separated from the container body 101. Therefore, it is possible to provide the shape necessary to supply the rotational driving force to the lid 102 and to provide the scooping portions 115 on the container-facing side with shapes that prioritize scooping as the shape of the vicinity of that end of the container body 101 below downstream in the direction of insertion. For example, as shown in FIG. 34, it is possible to realize a shape that is very radially cut inward. Therefore, it is possible to sense the applied rotational driving force and effectively scoop up toner with the scoop portions 115 on the container facing side, which can improve toner discharge performance and prevent toner from aggregating inside the container body 101.

[0334]

In the above-described embodiments, two of the driven portions 110 and the two driving protrusions 212 interlock with each other and transmit driving force. By providing two or more driving force transmission portions, the driven portions 110 and the entire toner container 100 that rotates with the driven portions 110 are not tilted with respect to the main body of the imaging apparatus, so that the rotational driving force can be transmitted smoothly.

[0335]

In the above-described embodiments, the identifying aperture group 111 including a plurality of apertures serves as an interlocking portion as an identifying contour on the side of the toner container 100, and an identifying protrusion group 215 including a plurality of protrusions serves as an identifying contour. the main building. Specifically, on the side of the toner container 100, a recess capable of interlocking for identification is provided, and a projection is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus main body, and the function of the identifying member is implemented based on whether the projection and the recess are interlocked with each other. As a combination of shapes of the identifying members, it is possible to provide a protrusion on the side of the toner container 100 and provide a notch on the side of the image forming apparatus. In addition, it may be possible to have the protrusions on both sides and implement the function of the identifying element based on whether the shapes of the protrusions overlap with each other in a desired state.

[0336]

In the above-described embodiments, the identification protrusion group 215, which is a combination of a plurality of identification protrusions, serves as a shape of the identification member on the main body side of the image forming apparatus. However, only one protrusion can implement the function of the identifying element based on the difference in positional relationship with respect to the driving force transmitting surface 214. In addition, the identifying aperture group 111, which is a combination of a plurality of identifying apertures, serves as a shape of an identifying member on the side of the toner container 100. However, the achievement of the function of the identifying element, which is triggered based on the difference in positional relationship with respect to the surface 125, to which the driving force is transmitted, is possible with only a single opening.

[0337]

In the above-described embodiments, by having the group 111a of the external identification openings and the group 111b of the internal identification openings in different positions in the radial direction, it becomes possible to realize more combinations of the shapes of the identification elements than in a configuration in which the identification openings are provided on the same circles.

[0338]

If the identification protrusion is provided on the side of the toner container 100, the packaging cover of the toner container 100 may be torn or the protrusion may be damaged when the toner container 100 hits other objects and the operation of the identifying member may be impaired. In contrast, by providing the notch as a shape of the identifying member on the side of the toner container 100, the above-described defects can be prevented.

[0339]

It may be possible to realize the function of the identifying member by interlocking between the driving protrusion 212 and the driven portion 110. For example, the shapes of the driving protrusion 212 and the driven portion 110 are different between the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the driving protrusion 212 cannot interlock in one embodiment. with a driven portion 110 according to another embodiment. Therefore, it is impossible to install the toner container 100 according to the second embodiment in the main body of the image forming apparatus using the toner container 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent erroneous installation.

[0340]

Third modification

Next, a third modified example (hereinafter referred to as "third modification") of the toner container 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described. Fig. 79 is a perspective view of the cover 102 of the toner container 100 according to the third modification as viewed from the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction). Fig. 80 is a front view of the cover 102 according to the third modification as viewed from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction). Fig. 81 is a side view of a cover 102 according to a third modification.

[0341]

As shown in FIGS. 79 to 81, the cover 102 functions as a holder to which a driving force is transmitted, the driving force being transferred thereto in the toner container 100 according to a third modification, and the cover is provided with positioning recesses 170 at two positions in the circumferential direction. The positioning recesses 170 are configured to interlock with the driving protrusions 212 serving as the positioning protrusions of the main body.

[0342]

Fig. 82 illustrates an interlocking operation of the cover 102 of the toner container 100 according to the third modification and the output drive unit 205 of the main body of the apparatus. Referring to Fig. 82, view (a) shows a case in which the position of the positioning recess 170 of the cover 102 and the position of the driving protrusion 212 of the output driving unit 205 in the circumferential direction are not matched with each other; view (b) shows a case in which the positions of the positioning recess 170 and the driving protrusion 212 in the circumferential direction are matched with each other and the shapes of the identifying elements are matched with each other, and view (c) shows a case in which the positions of the positioning recess 170 and of the leading protrusion 212 in the circumferential direction are matched with each other, but the shapes of the identifying elements are not matched with each other.

[0343]

In FIGS. 79 to 81, the identification aperture group 111 serves as the container identification portion 161. However, for the convenience of explaining the schematic side views, FIG. 82 shows that the container identification portion 161 formed by the combination of the concave portions and the convex portions is used as the container identification portion 161.

[0344]

If the positions of the positioning recess 170 and the driving protrusion 212 in the circumferential direction are not aligned with each other when the toner container 100 is inserted as shown in view (a) of FIG. 82, the driven end surface 171 that is the end of the driven cover portion 110 102 downstream in the insertion direction comes into contact with the front end of the driving protrusion 212. In this state, if the operator rotates the toner container 100 by pushing it in the insertion direction, the positions of the positioning recess 170 and the driving protrusion 212 in the circumferential direction are adjusted so that they match with each other, and the driving protrusion 212 falls into the positioning recess 170. Moreover, if the shapes of the identifying elements are aligned with each other, as shown in view (b) of FIG. 82, then the toner container 100 can be fully inserted. In contrast, if the shapes of the identifying elements are not matched with each other, as shown in view (c) of FIG. 82, the toner container 100 cannot be inserted completely. Therefore, the operator can recognize that the toner container 100 is not inserted with the correct combination of components, and can prevent containers of different types or colors of the toner from being mistakenly installed.

[0345]

Fourth modification

A fourth modified example (hereinafter referred to as "fourth modification") of the toner container 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described below. Fig. 83 is a perspective view of the cover 102 of the toner container 100 according to the fourth modification as viewed from the other end side (downstream side in the insertion direction). Fig. 84 is a front view of the cover 102 according to the fourth modification as viewed from the side of the other end (downstream side in the insertion direction). Fig. 85 is a side view of a cover 102 according to a fourth modification.

[0346]

As shown in FIGS. 83 to 85, the cover 102, which functions as a holder to which the driving force is transmitted, the driving force being transferred thereto in the toner container 100 according to the fourth modification, is provided with positioning recesses 170 at two positions in the circumferential direction similarly third modification. The positioning recesses 170 are configured to interlock with the driving protrusions 212 serving as the positioning protrusions of the main body. The positioning recesses 170 of the cover 102 of the fourth modification differ from the positioning recesses of the third modification in that a portion of the wall surface of each of the recesses (a wall surface other than the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted) functions as a guide ramp 150 that serves as a position guide. Due to the presence of the guide ramp 150, even when the positions of the positioning recess 170 and the driving protrusion 212 in the circumferential direction are not fully aligned with each other, if the outlet guide surface 220 of the driving protrusion 212 and the guide ramp 150 come into contact with each other, then the cover 102 is guided in such a way that said positions in the circumferential direction are aligned with each other.

[0347]

Fig. 86 illustrates the interlocking operation of the cover 102 of the toner container 100 according to the fourth modification and the output drive unit 205 of the main body of the apparatus. Referring to Fig. 86, view (a) illustrates a case in which the position of the positioning recess 170 of the cover 102 and the position of the driving protrusion 212 of the output driving unit 205 in the circumferential direction are not matched with each other; view (b) shows a case in which the positions of the positioning recess 170 and the driving protrusion 212 in the circumferential direction are matched with each other and the shapes of the identifying elements are matched with each other, and view (c) shows a case in which the guide ramp 150 of the positioning the recesses 170 and the downstream guide surface 220 of the driving protrusion 212 are positioned to come into contact with each other, but the shapes of the identifying elements are not aligned with each other.

[0348]

In FIGS. 83 to 85, the identification aperture group 111 serves as the container identification portion 161. However, in FIG. 86, for the convenience of explaining schematic side views, a container identification portion 161 formed by a combination of concave portions and convex portions is used as the container identification portion 161.

[0349]

If the positions of the positioning recess 170 and the driving protrusion 212 in the circumferential direction are not aligned with each other when the toner container 100 is inserted as shown in view (a) of FIG. 86, the driven end surface 171 that is the end of the driven cover portion 110 102 downstream in the insertion direction comes into contact with the front end of the driving protrusion 212. In this state, if the operator rotates the toner container 100 by pushing it in the insertion direction, the positions of the positioning recess 170 and the driving protrusion 212 in the circumferential direction are adjusted so that the downstream guide surface 220 of the driving protrusion 212 and the guide ramp 150 of the positioning recess 170 come into contact with each other. In this state, if the operator pushes the toner container 100, the cover 102 rotates along the inclination of the exit guide surface 220, and the driving protrusion 212 falls into the positioning recess 170.

[0350]

Here, if the shapes of the identifying members are matched with each other, as shown in view (b) of FIG. 86, the toner container 100 can be inserted completely. In contrast, if the shapes of the identifying elements are not matched with each other, as shown in the form (c) of Fig. 86, the toner container 100 cannot be inserted completely. Therefore, the operator can recognize that the toner container 100 is not inserted with the correct combination of components, and can prevent containers of different types or colors of the toner from being mistakenly installed.

[0351]

A positioning recess 170 according to the third and fourth modifications is provided on a portion of the cover 102 in the circumferential direction such that the other portion serves as a driven end surface 171; however, it is not a limiting feature of a quadrangular shape, as in the third modification, or a shape with a positioning guide, as in the fourth modification. For example, the positioning recess 170 can be U-shaped.

[0352]

Even in a configuration such as those described in the third and fourth modifications, in which the driven end surface 171 is provided at the downstream end of the driven portion 110 in the insertion direction, and the force in the circumferential direction does not act only by pushing in the insertion direction, and therefore, it becomes possible to adjust the positions of the shapes of the identifying members of the toner container 100 and the main body of the apparatus. In the configurations according to these modifications, even when the operator inserts the toner container 100 in an arbitrary orientation in the circumferential direction and the driven end surface 171 comes into contact with the upstream end of the driving protrusion 212 in the insertion direction, the operator can rotate the toner container 100 ... This rotation makes it possible to adjust the position of the toner container 100 relative to the apparatus main body in the circumferential direction to realize a positional relationship in which the driving protrusion 212 and the positioning recess 170 can interlock with each other. Therefore, the positional difference of the positioning recess 170 with respect to the surface 125 to which the driving force is transmitted in the circumferential direction of the container identification portion 161 can be used as an identification function.

[0353]

In the third and fourth modifications, the driving protrusion 212 as the positioning protrusion of the main body and the positioning recess 170 as the portion to which the driving force of the toner container 100 is interlocked with each other only in the case of proper positional relationship, and the trailing portion 110 perceives force from the driving lug 212 to enable the drive. In addition, the positional relationship between the leading protrusion 212 and the driven portion 110 in the circumferential direction is determined such that it functions as the main body identification portion 295 and the container identification portion 161.

[0354]

In the third and fourth modifications, positioning recesses 170, each of which includes a surface 125 to which a driving force is transmitted, this driving force being supplied thereto from the driving protrusion 212, are provided at two positions in the circumferential direction. The positioning recess 170 including the driving force transmitting surface 125 serving as the driving force transmitting unit may be provided in one position in the circumferential direction. But in this case, it is difficult to provide a recess that is large enough than the driving protrusion 212 in a position other than the positioning recess 170 in the circumferential direction in order to avoid the driving protrusion 212.

[0355]

The above description is given by way of example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following aspects.

[0356]

Aspect A

A powder container, such as a toner container 100, is configured to be attached to an imaging apparatus such as a copier 500. The imaging apparatus includes an interlocking main body portion, such as a rotatable drive protrusion 212, which is configured with rotatable and protrudes towards the upstream side in the attachment direction (insertion direction) to which the powder container is attached, and includes an identification protrusion such as a group 215 of identification protrusions that protrude towards the upstream side in the direction of attachment, to identify the type of powder container. The powder container includes an interlocking container portion, such as a trailing portion 110, configured to interlock with an interlocking portion of the main body; and an interlocking portion, such as the identification opening group 111, configured to interlock with the identification protrusion. An interlocking portion is provided at an end of the powder container that is forward in the attachment direction (the end face of the powder container in the insertion direction). The container interlocking portion protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the powder container. The interlocking section of the container and the interlocking section rotate as a whole.

[0357]

In this configuration, as described in the aforementioned embodiments, the container interlocking portion that interlocks with the main body interlocking portion and rotates integrally with the interlocking portion can determine the position of the interlocking portion with respect to the imaging apparatus main body in the rotational direction. This positioning leads to the fact that it is possible to identify the interlocking portion in a different position - in the direction of rotation - relative to the interlocking portion of the container depending on the type of powder container, thereby providing the function of an identifying element based on the difference in the position of the interlocking portion relative to the interlocking portion of the container in the direction rotation. Therefore, it becomes possible to use the differences in positions in directions other than those in the radial direction as differences in identifying shaped portions.

[0358]

The main body of the image forming apparatus is provided with an identification protrusion, such as the identification protrusion group 215. The identification protrusion interlocks with the interlocking portion when their shapes are matched with each other. If the shapes of the interlocking portion and the identifying protrusion are not matched with each other, then the interlocking portion and the identifying protrusion do not interlock with each other. Therefore, the front - in the attachment direction - end surface of the powder container, where the interlocking portion is provided, cannot reach the rear - in the attachment direction - end. Therefore, the insertion amount of the powder container is different from the insertion amount in the case where the shapes of the identifying shaped portions are matched with each other. This allows the operator to recognize a faulty installation during installation.

[0359]

As described above, in aspect A, it becomes possible to use the differences in positions in a direction other than the radial direction as differences in identifying shaped portions.

[0360]

Aspect B

In aspect A, the container interlocking portion such as the driven portion 110 includes a guide such as a first guide ramp 126, a second guide ramp 127, or a guide ramp 150 that guides the main body interlocking portion such as the driving protrusion 212, to achieve a positional relationship between the main body interlocking portion and the container interlocking portion (and such a position is obtained that the driving force transfer surface 125 comes into contact with the output guiding surface 220) for the purpose of interlocking with the container interlocking portion.

[0361]

Therefore, as described in the aforementioned embodiments, even when the relative positions between the container interlocking portion and the main body interlocking portion deviate in the rotational direction from the proper interlocking positions, it becomes possible to adjust them to achieve a positional relationship in which interlocking is possible by the guide. Accordingly, even if the direction of insertion of the powder container into the main body of the image forming apparatus in the rotational direction is arbitrary, the relative positions between the container interlocking portion and the main body interlocking portion in the rotational direction are adjusted to achieve proper interlocking positions. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the position of the interlocking portion to be properly positioned together with the container interlocking portion with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus, thereby allowing the powder container to be inserted in any position in the rotational direction.

[0362]

Aspect C

In aspect A or B, a plurality of interlocking container portions are provided, such as the trailing portions 110, and a plurality of interlocking portions are provided, such as identification aperture groups 111 with the same shape, the number of interlocking portions being the same as the number of interlocking container portions.

[0363]

Therefore, as described in the aforementioned embodiments, no matter how many container interlocking portions are interlocked with an imaging apparatus main body interlocking portion such as the driving protrusion 212, it becomes possible to provide an identifying function for the interlocking portion.

[0364]

Aspect D

In any of aspects A-C, an interlocking portion, such as a group of identifying openings, rotates when interlocked with an identifying protrusion, such as an identifying protrusion group 215.

[0365]

Therefore, as described in the above embodiments, the powder container may be configured to rotate with respect to the imaging apparatus and the shape of the identifying member.

[0366]

Aspect E

In any of aspects A-D, a plurality of container interlocking portions, such as driven portions, interlocking with a main body interlocking portion, such as a driving protrusion 212, are provided at respective positions at 180 degree intervals in the direction of rotation to receive a rotational driving force.

[0367]

Therefore, as described in the above embodiments, the container interlocking portion rotates without being tilted with respect to the main body of an imaging apparatus such as the copying apparatus 500, so that the rotating driving force can be smoothly transmitted.

[0368]

Aspect F

In any of the aspects of AE, a plurality of interlocking portions including the outer identification opening group 111a and the inner identification opening group 111b are provided at respective positions in which the container interlocking portion such as the trailing portion and the interlocking portions such as the group identifying openings have different - in the radial direction - distances from the axis of rotation.

[0369]

Therefore, as described in the aforementioned embodiments, the interlocking portions are located at different positions in the radial direction, so that different deflections of the interlocking portions can be envisaged corresponding to different types of shapes of the identifying elements.

[0370]

Aspect G

In any aspect of DF, a plurality of container interlocking portions are provided, such as driven portions 110, and one of the container interlocking portions is connected to the other container interlocking portion by an inclined surface such as a first guide ramp 126, a second guide ramp 127, or a guide ramp 150. This other interlocking container portion is circumferentially adjacent to said one of the container interlocking portions.

[0371]

Therefore, as described in the above embodiments, it is possible to guide the main body interlocking portion, such as the driving protrusion 212, to a position where the main body interlocking portion and the container interlocking portion are interlocked.

[0372]

Aspect H

In any of aspects A-G, the container interlocking portion, such as the trailing portion 110, has an outer periphery that is inclined such that the thickness of the outer periphery in the radial direction decreases towards the downstream side in the attachment direction, such as the insertion direction.

[0373]

Therefore, as described in the aforementioned second modification, the tip of the container interlocking portion such as the tip 110a of the trailing portion 110 is prevented from contacting the packaging material such as a waterproof cover, so that it becomes possible to prevent the packaging material from breaking.

[374]

Aspect I

In any aspect of AH, the downstream end of the container interlocking portion, such as the trailing portion 110, in the attachment direction is on the upstream side in the attachment direction with respect to the forward end, such as an end surface in which the interlocking portion is provided. a plot such as a group of 111 identifying openings.

[0375]

Therefore, as described in the above-mentioned embodiments, it is possible to reduce the likelihood that the container cover for storing the powder container such as the toner container 100 breaks, and it becomes possible to prevent damage to the container cover.

[0376]

Aspect J

In any of the aspects AI, about the axis of rotation of the container interlocking portion, such as the driven portion 110, is provided an outlet, such as the outlet 114, which allows the discharge of the powder placed in the powder container, and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, an interlocking section is provided, such as identification aperture group 111.

[0377]

Therefore, as described in the above embodiments, it is possible to provide a configuration that allows powder to be discharged from a powder container, such as a toner container 100, by rotating the powder container.

[0378]

Aspect K

In any of aspects A-J, an interlocking portion is provided, such as identification aperture array 111, surrounding an outlet such as outlet 114.

[0379]

Therefore, as described in the aforementioned embodiments, it is possible to provide an interlocking portion having a shape in the rotational direction that is different with respect to the container interlocking portion such as the driven portion 110, depending on the type of powder container to be identified, such as the container 100. for toner.

[0380]

Aspect L

In either aspect A through K, the toner is stored as a powder.

[0381]

Therefore, as described in the aforementioned embodiments, it becomes possible to use differences in positions of a powder container such as toner container 100 storing toner in a direction other than the radial direction as differences in identifying contours.

[0382]

Aspect M

An imaging apparatus such as a copier 500 includes: an imaging unit such as a printer 600 that forms an image on an image medium such as a photoconductive drum 1 by using a powder such as toner , to form an image; a powder conveying unit such as a toner replenishing device 70 that conveys powder to an imaging unit; and a powder container that is removably held by the powder transport unit. As the powder container, a powder container such as the toner container 100 in accordance with any of aspects A to L is used.

[0383]

Therefore, as described in the aforementioned embodiments, it is possible to detect the erroneous setting during the setting of the powder container and provide a number of identifying shaped portions. Due to the presence of a number of identifying shaped sections, it becomes possible to use components such as a powder transport unit and a powder container within a certain combination of modes, which makes it possible to further reduce the cost.

List of reference positions

[0384]

1 Drum with photoconductive layer

1y Drum with yellow photoconductive layer

2 Charger

2y Charger for yellow

3 Neutralizing lamp

4 Photoconductive layer cleaning device

6y Primary Transfer Roller for Yellow

5 Intermediate transfer belt

6 Primary transfer roller

7 Secondary transfer roller

8 Pair of fixing rollers

9 Developing device

9y Development device for yellow color

11 Opposite roller

12 Secondary transfer drive roller

13 Opposite wiper roller

14 Tension roller

15 Sheet transport belt

16 Pair of support rollers

17 Optical recorder

18 Locking device

19 Belt cleaner

20 Transition funnel

21 Funnel cover

22 Conveyor auger

22a Upstream transport auger

22b Downstream conveyor auger

23 Toner outlet

25 Toner Low Sensor

30 Diaphragm pump

31 Aperture

32 Shroud

35 Outlet valve

36 Inlet valve

38 Working chamber

40 Master unit

41 Electric motor

43 Holder

44 Eccentric shaft

53 Handset

54 Toner tube

60 Toner box

61 Container

62 Message opening

63 Tube connector

64 Loading hole

70 Toner refill unit

91 Developer cover

92 Developing roller

93 Stirring and conveying auger

93a First mixing and conveying auger

93b Second mixing and conveying auger

95 Squeegee knife

100 Toner container

101 Container body

102 Cover

103 Outer cover

104 Area to be taken

105 Projection of the container body

106 Inner cover

107 Outlet element

108 Section of the opening

109 Outer cover stop

110 Slave section - container interlocking section

111 Identification Openings Group - Container Openings Group - Interlocked Section - Second Interlocked Container Section

111a Outside Identification Openings Group - Outside Identification Openings Group

111b Internal Identification Openings Group - Internal Identification Openings Group

112 Lower section

113 Transport groove

114 Outlet

115 The scoop area on the side facing the container

116 Stop protrusion

117 Circular limiting protrusion

118 Protrusion defining a circle

119 Axial limiting lip

120 Section of the base of the opening

121 Stop comb

122 Axial contact surface

123 Circular limiting contact lip

124 Tab

125 Surface to which the driving force is transmitted

125a The part to which the driving force is transmitted,

126 First guide ramp - first ramp of container

127 Second guide ramp - second ramp of container

128 Inclined surface of the rear side

129 Front end of the cover

130 Ring

131 Inner wall of the ring

132 Outer wall of the ring

133 Reinforcement ring

134 Reinforcement plate

135 Scoop area

136 Ring protrusion

137 Bottom plate of the inner cover

138 Circular wall of the inner cover

139 Handle

140 Seal inner cover

141 Inner cover vent

142 Stop for inner cover

143 Outer periphery of the outer cover

144 Corrugated surface of the outer cover

145 Threaded part of the outer cover

146 Inner ledge of the outer cover

147 Air hole in the inner lip of the outer cover

148 Curved surface of the outer cover

149 O-ring

150 Guide ramp - ramp - track

151 Interlocking cover section

152 Inner peripheral rib

153 Guide section of the inner cover

153a Notch

154 Inner cover guide

155 Guide holder

156 Holder protrusion

157 Holder groove

158 V-notch

159 V-shaped ledge

160 Anti-rotation edge

161 Container identification section - container protrusion - second interlocking container section

161a Outer container identification - outer container protrusion

161b Inner Container Identification Area - Inner Container Overhang

170 Positioning recess

171 Driven end face

190 Container Positioning Tab - First Container Interlocking Section

191 Container positioning surface

192 Guiding Container Slope - Container Slope

200 Container holder

201 Container installation section

202 Container stop

203 Container detector

204 Container inserter

205 Output drive unit

206 Driving force transmission gear

207 Container support

208 Container drive motor

209 Opening for container electric motor

210 Container release lever

211 Ring gear

212 Drive lug - main body interlocking section

212a First leading lip

212b Second leading lug

213 Opening for container insertion

214 Motive force transmission surface

215 Identification tab group - Main body tab group - Identification tab group

215a Outside Identifying Rim Group - Outer Rim Group

215b Internal identification tabs - Internal identification tabs

216 First guiding surface is the first inclined surface of the main body

217 Second guiding surface - second ramping surface of the main body

218 Third guide surface - third ramp of main body

219 Reinforcing rib

220 Output guide surface

290 Interlocking element of the main body

291 Main body positioning lug - main body first interlocking portion

292 Positioning surface of the main body

293 Guide surface of the main body

295 Main body identification section - second main body interlocking section

295a Outside identification section of the main body

295b Main body internal identification section

300 Scanner

301 Pressure glass

302 First scan body

303 Second scan body

304 Imaging lens

305 Sensor readout

400 Automatic document feeder

401 Document table

500 Copier

600 Printer

601 Trajectory of feeding sheets in the printer

602 Pair of register rollers

603 Manual feed path

604 Manual feed roller

605 Manual Feed Tray

606 A pair of discharge rollers

607 Outlet Tray

608 Peel-off roller

700 Feeding table

701 Sheet cassette

702 Feed roller

703 Peel-off roller

704 Sheet feed path

705 Pair of transport rollers

Ly ray of light for yellow

P Sheet

Λ Center corner

List of cited literature

Patent Literature

Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 7-168430.

Claims (26)

1. A powder container for use by an image forming apparatus, where the image forming apparatus includes a driving protrusion that is rotatable and projects toward a side upstream in the insertion direction into which the powder container is inserted, while powder container contains: container body for containing the powder; a lid attached to the body of the container; and a part to which the driving force is transmitted, provided on the cover and made with the possibility of contact with the said driving protrusion, while the part to which the driving force is transmitted protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the powder container and the cover is made with the possibility of rotation relative to the container body in a predetermined angular range. 2. A powder container according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the lid through said predetermined angle is limited so that the container body rotates simultaneously with rotation of the lid. 3. A powder container according to claim 1, wherein the lid includes a cover that covers a portion of the container body. 4. The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the lid has an opening into which a protrusion provided in the image forming apparatus is to be inserted, the opening being provided at the front end of the powder container in the insertion direction. 5. A powder container according to claim 1, further comprising a guide that guides said driving protrusion so that the driving protrusion contacts the portion to which the driving force is transmitted. 6. A powder container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of portions are provided to which the driving force is transmitted, and a plurality of groups of holes are provided, each of which has a similar arrangement of the plurality of holes, the number of groups of holes being the same as the number of parts to which the driving force is transmitted. 7. A container for powder according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of parts are provided to which the driving force is transmitted and which contact the said driving protrusion of the image forming apparatus at respective positions at intervals of 180 degrees in the direction of rotation to receive the rotating driving force. 8. A container for powder according to claim 1, wherein many holes are provided and the holes are provided at respective positions having different distances from the axis of rotation of the portion to which the driving force is transmitted and the holes in the radial direction. 9. A powder container according to claim 1, wherein there are many parts to which the driving force is transmitted, and one of the parts to which the driving force is transmitted is connected to the other of the parts to which the driving force is transmitted by means of an inclined surface, said other of the parts to which the driving force is transmitted is adjacent to said one of the parts to which the driving force is transmitted power. 10. A powder container according to claim 4, wherein an outlet is provided in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis near the axis of rotation of the portion to which the driving force is transmitted and said opening in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, which discharges the powder contained in the powder container. 11. A powder container according to claim 1, wherein the powder container contains toner as a powder. 12. An imaging device comprising: an imaging unit that forms an image on an image medium by using an image forming powder; a powder conveying unit that conveys the powder to the imaging unit; and a powder container according to claim 1, removably held by the powder transport unit.

Images