RU2791131C2 - Toner-cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: printing.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to a toner-cartridge. The toner-cartridge contains a case, a mixer, a screw, the first protrusion, and the second protrusion. The case contains the first toner placement section and the second toner placement section and contains the first hole. The mixer transmits toner from the first toner placement section to the second toner placement section. The screw transmits toner from the second toner placement section to the first hole in the first direction. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are at a distance from each other in the first direction and are subjected to positioning relatively to a developing unit, when the toner-cartridge is attached to the developing unit. The screw and the first hole are positioned between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The toner-cartridge can be placed relatively to the developing unit or an image generation device during installation, while toner transmitted with the mixer is transmitted in an axial direction of an axis of rotation of the mixer.

EFFECT: obtainment of a toner-cartridge.

19 cl, 27 dwg

Description

Technical field

[0001]

The present invention relates to a toner cartridge.

State of the art

[0002]

A toner cartridge is known that can be attached to and removed from an imaging device. The toner cartridge holds the toner.

[0003]

The toner cartridge described in Patent Document 1, for example, includes a toner accommodating housing, a toner discharge opening, and a toner supply agitator towards the opening. The toner cartridge further comprises a first protrusion that protrudes from one side surface of the toner cartridge in the axial direction coaxial with the agitator rotation shaft, and a second protrusion that protrudes from the other side surface of the toner cartridge in the axial direction of the agitator. When the toner cartridge is attached to or installed on the developing unit, the first and second protrusions on the toner cartridge are inserted into the grooves made in the developing unit, thereby positioning the cartridge relative to the developing unit during the attaching operation. The toner cartridge then rotates around the first and second tabs. A hole is made in the central position between the first and second protrusions. The agitator is placed between the first and second projections and conveys the toner in a direction that intersects the axial direction of the agitator shaft.

[List of Bibliographic References]

[Patent Documents]

[0004]

[Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-13367

The essence of the invention

[Solution to the problem]

[0005]

In the toner cartridge described in Patent Document 1, in some cases, it may be necessary to convey the agitator-transmitted toner in the axial direction of the agitator shaft.

[0006]

However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a toner cartridge having a structure for conveying toner in the axial direction of an agitator (eg, a screw). In addition, Patent Document 1 does not describe a structure for putting a toner cartridge having such a configuration into a developing unit or an imaging apparatus during a toner cartridge attaching operation.

[0007]

Based on the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toner cartridge that can be placed in a developing unit or imaging apparatus during an operation of attaching the toner cartridge to the developing unit or imaging apparatus while the toner is conveyed by the agitator in the axial direction of the rotation shaft. mixers.

[Problem Solving Tools]

[0008]

(1) The toner cartridge according to the present invention includes a housing, an agitator, a screw, a first projection, and a second projection.

[0009]

The body extends in the first direction. The housing includes a first toner placement section and a second toner placement section. The first toner accommodating section has a first interior space extended in a first direction. The second toner accommodating section has a second inner space extended in the first direction. The second toner accommodating section communicates with the first interior space. The second toner accommodating section is located on one side of the first toner accommodating section in the second direction. The second toner placement section has a first opening. The first hole is located on one side of the second toner placement section in the first direction. The first opening allows the toner in the second internal space to be discharged through it.

[0010]

The agitator is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction. The stirrer is configured to interchange the toner in the first internal space. The agitator transfers the toner from the first interior space to the second interior space.

[0011]

The screw is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction. The screw is configured to transfer the toner from the second interior space to the first opening.

[0012]

The first protrusion is located on one side of the second toner placement section and on one side of the first opening in the first direction. The first projection extends in the first direction.

[0013]

The second protrusion is located on the other side of the second toner placement section in the first direction. The second protrusion extends in the first direction.

[0014]

With this construction, the second toner accommodating section is located on one side of the first toner accommodating section in the second direction. This structure makes the toner cartridge more compact in the first direction while providing sufficient toner capacity in the first toner accommodating section and the second toner accommodating section in the second direction.

[0015]

In addition, when attaching the toner cartridge to the developing unit, the toner cartridge can be positioned relative to the developing unit or the imaging device with the first projection and the second projection. In this regard, the toner cartridge can be positioned relative to the developing unit or imaging apparatus in accordance with the attachment operation, while the first hole can be precisely positioned relative to the developing unit or imaging apparatus.

[0016]

After the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit or imaging device, the agitator conveys the toner in the first toner receiving section to the second toner receiving section, and the screw conveys the toner in the second toner receiving section to the first opening.

[0017]

With this configuration, the toner conveyed by the agitator can be conveyed by the screw in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the agitator, and the agitator and the screw can evenly transfer the toner from the first toner placement section to the first opening. Further, by conveying the toner by the screw, the amount of toner discharged from the first opening can be adjusted. It should be noted that since the first opening is located on one side of the second toner accommodating section in the first direction, the toner can be transferred to the first opening using a simple structure including a screw extending in the first direction. This design reduces the number of parts required to transfer the toner to the first hole.

[0018]

Thus, the first protrusion is located on one side of the second toner accommodating section in the first direction, and the second protrusion is located on the other side of the second toner accommodating section in the first direction. In addition, the screw conveys the toner to the first opening between the first projection and the second projection. In this regard, this structure can reduce the number of parts and elements, while uniformly transferring the toner to the first hole precisely located relative to the developing unit or imaging device, and can control the amount of toner discharged through the first hole.

(2) The first protrusion may protrude in a second direction determined by the connection of the first axis and the second axis. The second protrusion may protrude in a second direction.

(3) The width of the second protrusion in the third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction may be different from the width of the first protrusion in the third direction.

(4) The screw contains one end part and another end part, separated from the specified one end part in the first direction. Part of the peripheral surface of said one end part of the screw is open from the outside through the first hole.

(5) The toner cartridge may optionally include a shutter. The damper contains a closed state that closes the first hole, and an open state that opens the first hole. The shutter is located on one end of the second toner placement section in the first direction. The shutter contains the first ledge.

(6) The first protrusion may protrude from the shutter in the first direction.

(7) The shutter is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction. The damper is capable of pivoting from a closed position to an open position. The shutter closes the first opening when the shutter is in the closed position. The damper opens the first opening when the damper is in the open position.

(8) The first projection may be able to rotate with the shutter.

(9) The damper may have a second opening. At least part of the second opening overlaps with at least part of the first opening when the shutter is in the open position.

(10) One end of the screw can be opened from the outside through the first hole when the shutter is in the open position.

(11) The housing may further include a lid. The cover covers said one end portion of the second toner placement section. The lid covers the first hole.

(12) The second toner accommodating section may have a third hole. The third hole is located on said one end portion of the second toner placement section. The specified one end part of the screw is open from the outside of the second toner placement section through the third hole. The lid may cover at least a portion of said one end portion of the screw.

(13) The cover may contain a plurality of gear teeth. A plurality of gear teeth are located on the outer surface of the cover. A plurality of gear teeth are arranged side by side along the direction of rotation of the screw.

(14) The screw may include one end portion and another end portion separated from said one end portion in the first direction. The toner cartridge additionally contains an auger gear. The auger gear is mounted on the other end of the auger. The auger gear is capable of turning with the auger. The second protrusion may be located farther from the first hole than the auger gear is from the first hole.

(15) The toner cartridge may optionally include a gear cover. The gear cover covers at least a portion of the auger gear. The second protrusion is open from the outside of the gear cover in the first direction.

(16) The second toner accommodating section may have a first through hole. The first through hole is located on the other end portion of the second toner accommodating section in the first direction. The first through hole extends through the second toner placement section in the first direction. The other end of the screw in the first direction can be inserted into the first through hole. The screw gear may be placed on the outer surface of the second toner placement section.

(17) The first opening may be placed closer to said one side in the first direction than the first toner placement section to said one side in the first direction.

(18) The agitator may include an agitator shaft extending along a first axis and a squeegee capable of rotating with the agitator shaft, the squeegee being placed in the first interior space. The first hole may be placed closer to said one side in the first direction than the squeegee is to said one side in the first direction.

(19) The first protrusion and the second protrusion may be arranged to be placed on the developing unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the developing unit. After the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit, the toner cartridge can be mounted on the developing unit by rotating the housing relative to the developing unit around the first projection and the second projection.

[Beneficial Effects of the Invention]

[0019]

The toner cartridge according to the present invention can be fixed at a predetermined position on the developing unit or imaging apparatus during the operation of attaching the toner cartridge to the developing unit or imaging apparatus while the toner conveyed by the stirrer is conveyed in the axial direction. agitator rotation shaft.

Brief description of the drawings

[0020]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 1;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the central part of the toner cartridge 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 1;

4 is an expanded perspective view of one end portion of the toner cartridge 1;

Fig. 5 is an expanded perspective view of the other end portion of the toner cartridge 1;

Fig. 6A is a side view of the toner cartridge 1 when viewed from the direction crossing the second direction, and illustrates the state where the shutter 13 is located in the closed position;

Fig. 6B is a side view of the toner cartridge 1 when viewed from a direction crossing the second direction, and illustrates a state where the shutter 13 is in the open position;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 6A;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 6A;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the developing unit 31 as viewed in the installation direction of the toner cartridge 1 on the developing unit 31;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 31 taken along the line A-A in Fig. 9 as viewed towards the groove 34 in the first direction;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 31 taken along the line B-B in Fig. 9 as viewed towards the groove 35 in the first direction;

12 is an explanatory view for describing the attachment of the toner cartridge 1 to the developing unit 31, and illustrates the state before the toner cartridge 1 is mounted to the developing unit 31;

13 is an explanatory view for describing the attachment of the toner cartridge 1 to the developing unit 31, and illustrates a state in which the toner cartridge 1 is mounted to the developing unit 31 and the case 2 is in the first position;

Fig. 14 is an explanatory view for describing the engagement between the second protrusion 6 and the groove 35 in the state shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 shown in Fig. 13 taken along the line passing through the latch 18 in the disengaged position;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 15 of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 shown in FIG. , the damper 13 is in the closed position and the developing damper 51 is in the closed position;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figs. 15 and 16, of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 shown in Fig. 13 taken along the line passing through the latch 52A, and illustrates the state in which the housing 2 is in the first position. , and the protrusion 26A of the toner cartridge 1 comes into contact with the protrusion 58 of the retainer 52A;

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 15-17 of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 shown in Fig. 13, taken along the line passing through the toothed part 54A of the developing shutter 51, and illustrates the state in which the housing 2 is in the first position, and the protrusion 53A of the developing shutter 51 is located between the protrusion 25A and the toothed part 24A of the toner cartridge 1;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 along the line passing through the second opening 13D of the shutter 13 in a situation where the body 2 is rotated with respect to the developing unit 31 from the first position towards the second position, and illustrates the state , in which the protrusion 26A of the toner cartridge 1 comes into contact with the protrusion 58 of the retainer 52A;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 shown in FIG. with projection 53A of the developing shutter 51;

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 along the line passing through the Latch 52A in a situation where the housing 2 is rotated to the second position from the first position with respect to the developing unit 31, and illustrates a state in which which the protrusion 26A of the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the protrusion 58 of the retainer 52A;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 shown in FIG. of the developing shutter 51, and the toothed part 24A of the toner cartridge 1 engages with the toothed part 54A of the developing shutter 51;

Fig. 23 is a side view of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 shown in Fig. 21;

24 is a side view of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 in a state where the case 2 is in the second position;

Fig. 25 is a view example for describing the engagement between the protrusion 6 and the groove 35 in the state of Fig. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 56 developing damper 51; And

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the developing unit 31 and the toner cartridge 1 shown in FIG. damper 51 is in the open position.

Description of the invention

[0021]

1. Basic principles of toner cartridge 1

[0022]

The following describes the basic principles of the toner cartridge 1.

The toner cartridge 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a cartridge that houses the toner. As described in more detail below, the toner cartridge 1 is attached to or installed on the developing unit 31 described below, as shown in Figs. from the state shown in Fig.13 to the state shown in Fig.24. In the connected state of the toner cartridge 1 on the developing unit 31, the toner cartridge 1 can supply toner to the developing unit 31.

[0023]

In this case, the turning action of the toner cartridge 1 assumes the turning action of the toner cartridge 1 about an axis provided on one end portion of the toner cartridge 1 itself. In particular, the axis on the toner cartridge 1 itself is the second axis A2 to be described later.

[0024]

As shown in figures 1-3, the toner cartridge 1 includes a housing 2, a stirrer 3, a screw 4, a first protrusion 5 and a second protrusion 6.

[0025]

1.1 Building 2

The body 2 is extended in the first direction. The case 2 includes a first toner accommodating section 2A and a second toner accommodating section 2B. The second toner accommodating section 2B is located on one side of the first toner accommodating section 2A in the second direction. The second direction is defined as the direction of a line connecting the first axis A1 (described below) and the second axis A2 (described below). The first toner placement section 2A is extended in the first direction. The first toner placement section 2A has the shape of a hollow cylinder. The first toner placement section 2A provides a first interior space 2D that is elongated in a first direction. The first inner space 2D may receive toner. The second toner accommodating section 2B is extended in the first direction. The second toner accommodating section 2B is shaped like a hollow cylinder and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the first toner accommodating section 2A. The second toner placement section 2B provides a second inner space 2E extended in the first direction. The first interior space 2D and the second interior space 2E are adjacent to each other in the second direction. The second interior space 2E communicates with the first interior space 2D. The second interior space 2E has a smaller interior volume than the interior volume of the first interior space 2D. Note that the first toner accommodating section 2A and the second toner accommodating section 2B may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the first toner accommodating section 2A and the second toner accommodating section 2B may be made from separate elements that are assembled together.

[0026]

The body 2 contains the first opening 2C. The first hole 2C is located on one side of the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction. In addition, the first opening 2C is located closer to said one side in the first direction than the first toner accommodating section 2A to said one side. That is, the first opening 2C is closer to said one side in the first direction than the agitator 3 is to said one side. As described in more detail below, the first opening 2C allows the toner to be discharged from the second interior space 2E. By placing the first opening 2C closer to said one side in the first direction than the first toner receiving section 2A and the agitator 3 to said one side, the toner transferred by the agitator 3 from the first interior space 2D to the second interior space 2E is not directly discharged from the first opening. 2C. The toner in the second inner space 2E can be transferred to the first opening 2C only by the screw 4. Thus, the toner in the first toner accommodation section 2A can be quantitatively transferred to the first opening 2C to be discharged therefrom.

[0027]

When the toner cartridge 1 is installed on the developing unit 31 described below, the housing 2 can be rotated relative to the developing unit 31 between the first position (see FIG. 13) and the second position (see FIG. 24).

[0028]

1.2 Agitator 3

The stirrer 3 is located in the first interior space 2D. The agitator 3 may agitate or stir the toner in the first interior space 2D and may transfer the toner from the first interior space 2D to the second interior space 2E. The agitator 3 is rotatable about a first axis A1 extending in the first direction. The agitator 3 includes an agitator shaft 3A and a squeegee 3B. The agitator shaft 3A extends along the first axis A1. The squeegee 3B extends from the agitator shaft 3A in the radial direction of the first toner placement section 2A. The squeegee 3B is capable of rotating with the agitator shaft 3A. The squeegee 3B is located in the first interior space 2D. The squeegee 3B includes a base end connected to the agitator shaft 3A and a distal end furthest away from the agitator shaft 3A. The distal end of the squeegee 3B comes into contact with the inner surface of the first toner receiving section 2A. Due to the contact of the distal end with the inner surface of the first toner receiving section 2A, the doctor blade 3B is curved so that the distal end of the doctor blade 3B is located most on the front side in the direction of rotation of the agitator 3. By rotating the doctor blade 3B, the agitator 3 can agitate the toner in the first inner space 2D and can transfer the toner from the first interior space 2D to the second interior space 2E.

[0029]

1.3 Auger 4

The screw 4 is located inside the second inner space 2E. As described in more detail below, the screw 4 is configured to transfer the toner from the second inner space 2E to the first hole 2C. The screw 4 is extended in the first direction. The screw 4 is rotatable about a second axis A2 extending in the first direction. Specifically, the screw 4 includes a shaft 4A and a helical piece 4B. The shaft 4A extends along the first axis A1. The helical piece 4B protrudes from the shaft 4A in the radial directions of the first toner placement section 2A. The helical piece 4B has a helical shape, the axis of which extends along the first direction.

[0030]

1.4 First ledge 5 and second ledge 6

The first protrusion 5 is located on one end portion of the toner cartridge 1 in the first direction. The first protrusion 5 is located opposite the second toner placement section 2B with respect to the first hole 2C in the first direction. In other words, the first protrusion 5 is located on one side of the second toner receiving section 2B in the first direction and on said one side of the first opening 2C in the first direction. The first protrusion 5 extends or extends in both the first direction and the second direction. As described in more detail below, the first protrusion 5 includes a protrusion 14 provided on the shutter 13 described below and a protrusion 16 provided on the second cover 15 described below. In this case, the protrusion 14 may consist of at least one protrusion 14 provided on the shutter 13 described below and a protrusion 16 provided on the second cover 15 described below. In particular, the protrusion 14 may consist of a protrusion 14 provided on the shutter 13 described below. In this case, the toner cartridge 1 need not be provided with a second cover 15. Alternatively, the protrusion 14 may consist of a protrusion 16 provided on the second cover 15 described below. In this case, the toner cartridge 1 need not be provided with a shutter 13.

[0031]

The second protrusion 6 is located on the other end portion of the toner cartridge 1 in the first direction. The second protrusion 6 is located opposite the first protrusion 5 with respect to the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction. That is, the second protrusion 6 is located on the other end portion of the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction. The second protrusion 6 extends in both the first direction and the second direction.

[0032]

2. Detailed description of toner cartridge 1

Next, the toner cartridge 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3-8.

[0033]

2.1 Second toner placement section 2B

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second toner placement section 2B includes a third hole 11. The third hole 11 is located at one end portion of the second toner placement section 2B. Said one end portion of the second toner accommodating section 2B protrudes further in the first direction than said one end portion of the first toner accommodating section 2A. That is, the length of the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction is longer than the length of the first toner accommodating section 2A in the first direction. Therefore, the length of the first interior space 2D in the first direction is less than the length of the second interior space 2E in the first direction. Said one end portion of the second toner accommodating section 2B is shaped like a hollow cylinder. The third hole 11 passes through said one end portion of the second toner placement section 2B in the first direction. The third hole 11 communicates with the second inner space 2E, thereby allowing the toner in the second inner space 2E to be discharged from the third hole 11. In addition, the screw 4 is inserted through the third hole 11. The screw 4 includes one end part 4C in the first direction and the other end part 4D spaced from said one end portion 4C in the first direction. Said one end portion 4C of the screw 4 protrudes from the third hole 11 in the first direction. That is, said one end portion 4C of the screw 4 extends outside the second toner receiving section 2B through the third hole 11. With this configuration, the screw 4 can transfer toner from the second inner space 2E to the third hole 11.

[0034]

2.2 Lid 12

As shown in figures 3 and 4, the housing 2 further includes a cover 12.

[0035]

The cover 12 is located on one end portion of the second toner receiving section 2B. Specifically, the cover 12 is assembled on said one end portion of the second toner accommodating section 2B. Because of this, the cover 12 is able to move with the body 2. The cover 12 covers said one end portion of the second toner receiving section 2B. The cover 12 also closes the third opening 11. The cover 12 also closes the said one end part 4C of the screw 4. In particular, the cover 12 closes the peripheral surface of the said one end part 4C of the screw 4. The cover 12 extends along the peripheral surface of the said one end part 4C of the screw 4. In particular, the lid 12 has the shape of a hollow cylinder and is elongated in the first direction. Cover 12 contains the first opening 2C described above.

[0036]

The first opening 2C is formed at a position at some distance from the second toner placement section 2B in the first direction. In particular, the first hole 2C is located at some distance from the third hole 11 in the first direction. The first hole 2C passes through the peripheral surface of the cover 12, thereby allowing the toner to be discharged from the cover 12. The first hole 2C has a smaller area than the area of the third hole 11. In this case, the screw 4 passes into the first hole 2C in the first direction, thereby allowing the screw 4 to transfer the toner from the second inner space 2E to the first hole 2C.

[0037]

2.3 Gate 13

As shown in figures 3 and 4, the toner cartridge 1 further comprises a shutter 13.

[0038]

The shutter 13 is located at one end portion of the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction. Specifically, the shutter 13 is inserted into the cover 12 and said one end portion of the second toner receiving section 2B. Thus, the shutter 13 is assembled on said one end portion of the second toner receiving section 2B. The damper 13 is rotatable from a closed position (see FIG. 6A) to an open position (see FIG. 6B). When the shutter 13 is in the closed position, the shutter 13 closes the first opening 2C. When the shutter 13 is in the open position, the shutter 13 opens the first opening 2C. Because of this, the shutter 13 provides a closed state, closing the first hole 2C (see Fig.6A), and an open state, opening the first hole 2C (see Fig.6B).

[0039]

More specifically, the shutter 13 is extended in the first direction. The shutter 13 contains one end part and the other end. The other end portion is located farther from the second toner accommodating section 2B than said one end portion from the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction. The shutter 13 includes an insertion part 13A and a cover part 13B. An insert 13A is located at one end of the shutter 13. An insert 13A is inserted into the third hole 11. The insert 13A includes an opening 13C. The opening 13C extends through the insertion part 13A in the first direction, thereby allowing the toner in the second interior space 2E to be introduced into the interior of the shutter 13. The cover part 13B is located next to the insertion part 13A in the first direction. The cover piece 13B is located between the insertion piece 13A and the protrusion 14 to be described later in the first direction. The cover piece 13B protrudes through the third opening 11 in the first direction. The closure part 13B covers the outer peripheral surface of said one end part 4C of the screw 4. The closure part 13B extends along the peripheral surface of the said one end part 4C of the screw 4. The closure part 13B also extends along the inner peripheral surface of the cover 12. In other words, the cover 12 extends along the outer the peripheral surface of the cover part 13B and covers the outer peripheral surface of the cover part 13B. Specifically, the cover piece 13B is shaped like a hollow cylinder and is elongated in the first direction. Closing piece 13B includes a second opening 13D (see FIG. 6B). That is, the shutter 13 includes the second opening 13D. The second opening 13D passes through the peripheral surface of the cover part 13B. When the shutter 13 is in the open position, at least a portion of the second opening 13D overlaps at least a portion of the first opening 2C. Thus, the second opening 13D allows the toner in the interior of the shutter 13 to be discharged through the first opening 2C. In addition, since at least a part of the second hole 13D overlaps at least a part of the first hole 2C, when the shutter 13 is in the open position, the one end part 4C of the screw 4 comes out through the first hole 2C. That is, a part of the peripheral surface of said one end portion 4C of the screw 4 in the first direction comes out through the first hole 2C. This provides a seal S (see Fig.16) around the second hole 13D. The seal S is located between the inner circumferential surface of the cover 12 and the cover part 13B. With this configuration, the seal S prevents the introduction of toner between the inner surface of the cover 12 and the cover part 13B.

[0040]

As shown in figure 4, the damper 13 is provided with a protrusion 14.

[0041]

The protrusion 14 is further away from said one end portion of the second toner placement section 2B in the first direction than the cover 12 is from said one end portion. The protrusion 14 is located opposite the insertion part 13A with respect to the cover part 13B in the first direction. The protrusion 14 is fixed relative to the developing unit 31 described below (see Fig. 9) when the toner cartridge 1 is installed on the developing unit 31. The protrusion 14 is extended in the first direction. The protrusion 14 extends in a first direction from the shutter 13. In particular, the protrusion 14 extends from the cover part 13B. In this regard, the protrusion 14 is able to rotate with the shutter 13 relative to the body 2 and the cover 12. The protrusion 14 includes a base end and a distal end in the first direction. The base end is connected to the closing piece 13B. The distal end is located opposite the closure piece 13B with respect to the base end in the first direction. Specifically, the protrusion 14 includes a shaft-type part 14A, a plate-like part 14B, and a protrusion 14C. A shaft type piece 14A is located at the base end of the protrusion 14. The shaft type piece 14A extends in the first direction from the cover piece 13B and is connected to the plate piece 14B. The plate part 14B is located opposite the cover part 13B with respect to the shaft type part 14A in the first direction. The plate member 14B extends in the second direction when the shutter 13 is in the closed position. In other words, the protrusion 14 extends in the second direction when the shutter 13 is in the closed position. The plate piece 14B is longer than the shaft type piece 14A in the second direction. The protrusion 14C is located at the distal end of the protrusion 14. That is, the protrusion 14C is located opposite the shaft-type part 14A with respect to the plate part 14B in the first direction. The protrusion 14C extends in the first direction from the plate part 14B. The protrusion 14C is extended along the third axis A3. It should be noted that the third axis A3 may be coaxial with the second axis A2. In addition, the protrusion 14C has a cylindrical shape.

[0042]

2.4 Second cover 15.

As shown in figure 4, the toner cartridge 1 includes a second cover 15.

[0043]

The second cover 15 is extended in the first direction. The second cover 15 includes one end and another end. The other end part is farther from the body 2 than said one end part is from the body in the first direction. Said one end portion of the second cover 15 is attached to the first toner placement section 2A. With this configuration, the second cover 15 is able to move with the housing 2 and the cover 12 relative to the shutter 13. The second cover 15 includes a protrusion 16.

[0044]

The protrusion 16 is located on the other end of the second cover 15. The protrusion 16 protrudes in the first direction from the other end of the second cover 15. The protrusion 16 extends in the second direction. The protrusion 16 includes a fourth hole 17. The fourth hole 17 extends through the protrusion 16 in a direction orthogonal to the first and second directions. The protrusion 16 includes a first frame member 16A, a second frame member 16B, and a third frame member 16C. The first frame member 16A is separated from the second frame member 16B in the second direction. The fourth hole 17 is located between the first frame member 16A and the second frame member 16B. The third frame member 16C is located opposite the housing 2 with respect to the fourth opening 17 in the first direction. The third frame member 16C extends in the second direction. The third frame member 16C is connected to the first frame member 16A and the second frame member 16B. The third frame member 16C includes a through hole 16D. The through hole 16D extends through the third frame member 16C in the first direction.

[0045]

As shown in figures 1 and 4, the protrusion 14 is inserted into the protrusion 16. This insertion results in the fact that the plate part 14B of the protrusion 14 is placed between the first frame element 16A and the second frame element 16B. Through the fourth hole 17, the plate part 14B of the protrusion 14 comes out. With this configuration, the first frame member 16A and the second frame member 16B cover the edges of the plate member 14B when the shutter 13 is in the closed position. In addition, the third frame member 16C is positioned against the plate member 14B in the first direction. In this regard, the third frame member 16C covers at least a portion of the distal end of the projection 14 in the first direction. Because of this, the second cover 15 covers at least a portion of the distal end of the protrusion 14. In addition, the protrusion 14C of the protrusion 14 is inserted through the through hole 16D. Thus, the second cover 15 rotatably supports the distal end portion of the projection 14. In this regard, the shutter 13 is rotatable about the third axis A3 extending in the first direction.

[0046]

As shown in Fig.7, the second cover 15 also contains a latch 18 and a stopper 19.

[0047]

The latch 18 is movable between a locked position (see FIG. 7) and a disengaged position (see FIG. 15). In particular, the latch 18 is pivotally movable between a locked position and a disengaged position. The detent 18 is pushed towards the detent position by the spring 18C.

[0048]

The latch 18 includes a shaft 18A and a ledge 18B. The shaft 18A is rotatably supported by the second cover 15. As such, the latch 18 is rotatably movable relative to the second cover 15. The lug 18B extends from the shaft 18A towards the lug 14. The lug 18B is positioned opposite one end portion of the plate piece 14B when the latch 18 is in the locked position. Said one end portion of the plate member 14B is the end portion facing the first frame member 16A (see FIG. 1) in the second direction when the shutter 13 is in the closed position. The protrusion 18B contacts said one end portion of the protrusion 14. Here, when the latch 18 is in the locked position, the latch 18 can lock the protrusion 14 on the second cover 15. In this case, "fixing the protrusion 14 on the second cover 15" implies that the latch prevents rotation of the protrusion 14 relative to the second cover 15. By fixing the protrusion 14 on the second cover 15 in the state that the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the developing unit 31 described below, the latch 18 prevents the shutter 13 from moving from the closed position to the open position. In addition, when the latch 18 is in the disengaged position, the protrusion 18B cannot come into contact with said one end portion of the plate piece 14B. In this regard, the protrusion 14 is no longer fixed on the second cover 15 when the latch 18 is in the disengaged position.

[0049]

Spring 18C is a coil spring. In particular, the spring 18C includes one end part and another end part located at some distance from the specified one end part, as well as a spiral part located between the specified one end part and the other end part. Said one end of the spring 18C contacts the second cap 15 while the other end contacts the lug 18B of the latch 18. With this configuration, the spring 18C presses the latch 18 towards the locked position.

[0050]

The stopper 19 is located on the inner surface of the second frame member 16B. The stopper 19 protrudes towards the first frame member 16A from the inner surface of the second frame member 16B. The stopper 19 faces the other end portion of the plate part 14B when the shutter 13 is in the closed position. The other end portion of the plate member 14B is an end portion facing the second frame member 16B in the second direction when the shutter 13 is in the closed position. The other end portion of the plate part 14B includes an engaging part 14D. The engaging part 14D protrudes in the second direction from the other end portion of the plate part 14B when the shutter 13 is in the closed position. The stopper 19 is located opposite the engaging part 14D. The stopper 19 comes into contact with the engaging piece 14D. Therefore, when the shutter 13 is in the closed position, the stopper 19 prevents the projection 14 from rotating in a direction opposite to the direction in which the projection 14 rotates when the shutter 13 rotates from the closed position to the open position. If the protrusion 14 rotates in the opposite direction when the shutter 13 is in the closed position, the engaging part 14D of the protrusion 14 comes into contact with the stopper 19.

[0051]

2.5 Gear mechanism and cover 21 gears

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the toner cartridge 1 also includes a screw gear 23, an agitator gear 22, an intermediate gear 61, and a gear cover 21.

[0052]

2.5.1 Gear 23 augers

The screw gear 23 is mounted on the other end portion 4D of the screw 4. The screw gear 23 is rotatable together with the screw 4 about the second axis A2. Specifically, the second toner placement section 2B includes the first through hole 20A. The first through hole 20A is located on the other end portion of the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction. The first through hole 20A extends through the second toner placement section 2B in the first direction. The other end portion 4D of the screw 4 is inserted through the first through hole 20A in the first direction. Thus, the other end portion 4D of the screw 4 passes through the housing 2 in the first direction. The screw gear 23 is located on the outer surface of the second toner placement section 2B.

[0053]

2.5.2 Agitator gear 22

The stirrer gear 22 is mounted on the stirrer 3. The stirrer gear 22 is rotatable together with the stirrer 3 around the first axis A1. Specifically, the stirrer shaft 3A includes a first end portion 3C and a second end portion 3D at some distance from the first end portion 3C in the first direction. The first toner placement section 2A includes a second through hole 20B. The second through hole 20B is located on the other end portion of the first toner accommodating section 2A in the first direction. The second through hole 20B extends through the first toner placement section 2A in the first direction. The second end portion 3D is inserted through the second through hole 20B. Thus, the second end portion 3D extends through the housing 2 in the first direction. The stirrer gear 22 is assembled on the second end portion of the 3D stirrer 3. The stirrer gear 22 is located on the outer surface of the first toner placement section 2A. Gear 22 of the mixer is located at some distance from the gear 23 of the screw. The agitator gear 22 has a larger diameter than the screw gear 23. In addition, the diameter of the agitator gear 22 is larger than the diameter of the intermediate gear 61. In this regard, the agitator 3 can rotate at a lower circumferential speed than the screw 4.

[0054]

2.5.3 Intermediate gear 61

The intermediate gear 61 is located between the mixer gear 22 and the screw gear 23. The intermediate gear 61 is engaged with the screw gear 23 and the agitator gear 22. Here, the screw gear 23 can transmit driving force to the agitator gear 22 via the intermediate gear 61. In particular, the intermediate gear 61 is engaged with one end portion of the screw gear 23. It should be noted that the other end portion of the screw gear 23 extends outside the gear cover 21 through a hole 21A (described below) provided in the gear cover 21. Because of this, the intermediate gear 61 is located opposite the other end part with respect to the specified one end part of the screw gear 23. In this case, the other end portion of the screw gear 23 is engaged with the developing unit 31 gear 30 described below when the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the developing unit 31 and the housing 2 is in the second position with respect to the developing unit 31. That is, when the toner the cartridge 1 is attached to the developing unit 31, and the housing 2 is in the second position relative to the developing unit 31, the intermediate gear 61 is located opposite the other end part of the screw gear 23. Thus, the intermediate gear 61 can stably receive the moment applied to the other end portion of the screw gear 23 from the gear 30 of the developing unit 31 at the end portion opposite the other end portion of the screw gear 23. The intermediate gear 61 is rotatable about a projection 62 provided on the housing 2. The projection 62 is located between the agitator gear 22 and the screw gear 23. The protrusion 62 is located opposite the other end part of the screw gear 23 with respect to the specified one end part of the screw gear 23. The protrusion 62 protrudes in a first direction from the outer surface of the first toner receiving section 2A. That is, the protrusion 62 extends in a first direction from the housing 2. The protrusion 62 is a solid cylindrical. The intermediate gear 61 includes a through hole 61A through which the projection 62 is inserted. By inserting the projection 62 through the through hole 61A, the intermediate gear 61 is able to rotate around the projection 62. In this case, the projection 62 may pass through the intermediate gear 61 through the through hole 61A or may not be completely pass through the intermediate gear 61.

[0055]

The protrusion 62 includes a distal end portion and a base end portion. The base end portion of the protrusion 62 is connected to the housing 2. Specifically, the base end portion is connected to the outer surface of the first toner receiving section 2A. The distal end portion of the protrusion 62 is located opposite the body 2 with respect to the base end portion in the first direction. The distal end portion of the protrusion 62 is provided with an opening 62A. Hole 62A is cut towards the base end portion from the distal end.

[0056]

2.5.4 Gear cover 21

The gear cover 21 is located opposite the cover 12 with respect to the housing 2 in the first direction. The gear cover 21 covers the agitator gear 22, the intermediate gear 61 and said one end portion of the screw gear 23. That is, the gear cover 21 covers at least part of the screw gear 23. The gear cover 21 includes a hole 21A and a through hole 21B. Through the hole 21A, the other end portion of the gear 23 of the auger comes out. The opening 21A is located between the second protrusion 6 and the second toner placement section 2B. The hole 21A passes through the gear cover 21 in the third direction. The through hole 21B is located at a position facing the protrusion 62 in the first direction. The through hole 21B is located opposite the hole 21A with respect to the second protrusion 6. The through hole 21B extends through the gear cover 21 in the first direction. The distal end portion of the protrusion 62 is inserted into the through hole 21B. At the same time, through the through hole 21B, the distal end portion of the protrusion 62 comes out. In addition, inserting the protrusion 62 into the through hole 21B can secure the gear cover 21 with respect to the protrusion 62, thereby stably fixing the gear cover 21 to the housing 2.

[0057]

In addition, the toner cartridge 1 includes a bolt 63. The bolt 63 includes a stem 63A extending in the first direction and a head 63B disposed at one end of the stem 63A. The stem 63A has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the through hole 21B. The head 63B has a larger diameter than the diameter of the through hole 21B. The rod 63A is inserted through the through hole 21B into the hole 62A of the protrusion 62. While the head 63B is located against the edge of the through hole 21B. As a consequence, the bolt 63 secures the gear cover 21 to the ledge 62.

[0058]

2.5.5 Second projection 6

The gear cover 21 is also provided with the second projection 6 described above.

[0059]

The second protrusion 6 is located opposite the second toner placement section 2B with respect to the screw gear 23 in the first direction. The second protrusion 6 is further from the first hole 2C than the screw gear 23 is from the first hole 2C in the first direction. The second protrusion 6 extends from the gear cover 21 in the first direction.

[0060]

As shown in FIG. 8, the second protrusion 6 has a width L1 in the third direction intersecting the first and second directions, which is different from the width L2 of the first protrusion 5 in the third direction. In this case, the width of the projection 14 in the third direction is equal to the width of the projection 16 in the third direction. In particular, the width L1 of the second projection 6 in the third direction is larger than the width L2 of the first projection 5 in the third direction. Therefore, the second protrusion 6 cannot be joined with the groove 34 (described below) which corresponds to the width L2 of the first protrusion 5. Therefore, the user cannot install the toner cartridge 1 into the developing unit 31 when the user tries to install the toner -cartridge 1 into the developing unit 31 in its inverted position. In this case, the width L1 of the second projection 6 in the third direction may be smaller than the width L2 of the first projection 5 instead in the third direction.

[0061]

2.6 Gears and projections

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the toner cartridge 1 further includes teeth 24A and 24B and projections 25A, 25B, 26A and 26B. The toothed parts 24A and 24B and the protrusions 25A, 25B, 26A and 26B are adapted to move the developing gate 51 of the developing unit 31 described below.

[0062]

The cover 12 is further provided with serrations 24A and 24B. The toothed piece 24A is located at some distance from the toothed piece 24B in the first direction. The first hole 2C is located between the gear parts 24A and 24B. Each of the gear parts 24A and 24B includes a plurality of gear teeth. As a result, the cover 12 contains a plurality of gear teeth. The gear teeth of the gear part 24A and the gear teeth of the gear part 24B are located on the outer peripheral surface of the cover 12. In particular, the gear teeth of the gear parts 24A and 24B are located on the peripheral surface of the cover 12 along the direction of rotation of the cover 12 with respect to the shutter 13. The gear teeth of the gear part 24A and 24B, respectively, are aligned in the direction of rotation of the cover 12 with respect to the shutter 13. In addition, the gear teeth of gear 24A and the gear teeth of gear 24B, respectively, are aligned in the direction of rotation of the screw 4.

[0063]

Cover 12 is further provided with protrusions 25A and 25B. The protrusion 25A is located at some distance from the protrusion 25B in the first direction. The protrusion 25A is in line with the gear teeth of the gear part 24A in the direction of rotation of the cover 12 relative to the shutter 13. The protrusion 25A is located on the front side of the gear teeth of the gear part 24A in the rotation direction R of the cover 12 when the housing 2 is rotated relative to the developing unit 31 of the second position (see Fig.24) to the first position (see Fig.13). The protrusion 25A is in the same row with the gear teeth of the gear part 24A and is spaced from the gear teeth of the gear part 24A by a gap greater than the gap between adjacent gear teeth of the gear part 24A in the rotation direction R of the cover 12. In particular, the gap between the protrusion 25A and the gear part 24A in the rotation direction R of the cover 12 is the gear tooth pitch of the gear piece 24A. The protrusion 25B is located on the front side of the gear teeth of the gear part 24B in the rotation direction R of the cover 12 when the body 2 is rotated with respect to the developing unit 31 from the second position to the first position. The protrusion 25B is spaced from the gear teeth of gear 24B by a clearance larger than the gap between adjacent gear teeth of gear 24B. Specifically, the gap between the projection 25B and the gear 24B in the rotation direction R of the cover 12 is the pitch of the gear of the gear 24B. The protrusions 25A and 25B protrude in the direction from the first toner accommodating section 2A with respect to the second toner accommodating section 2B in the second direction.

[0064]

The protrusion 26A is located opposite the first hole 2C with respect to the protrusion 25A in the first direction. The protrusion 26B is located opposite the first hole 2C with respect to the protrusion 25B in the first direction. The protrusion 26A is located on one end portion of the second toner placement section 2B. The protrusion 26B is located on the other end portion of the second cover 15. The protrusions 26A and 26B protrude in the direction from the first toner accommodating section 2A in the second direction with respect to the second toner accommodating section 2B.

[0065]

3. Detailed description of the developing unit 31

Fig.9-11 illustrate the developing unit 31, which is configured to receive toner supplied from the toner cartridge 1. The developing unit 31 is configured to develop images using toner, for example, supplied from the toner cartridge 1. In this embodiment, embodiment, the developing unit 31 includes a developing roller 32. The developing unit 31 may also be provided with a photosensitive element. The developing unit 31 may be a cartridge type developing unit which is attached to and detached from the imaging apparatus. The developing roller 32 is extended in the first direction. The developing roller 32 is capable of contacting the photosensitive element. The developing unit 31 also includes a toner placement section 33 . The toner placement section 33 can accommodate toner.

[0066]

The developing unit 31 includes grooves 34 and 35 as well as a hole 36 for the developer.

[0067]

The groove 34 is located on one end of the developing unit 31 in the first direction, while the groove 35 is located on the other end of the developing unit 31 in the first direction. The groove 35 is located at some distance from the groove 34 in the first direction. Grooves 34 and 35 are described in more detail below.

[0068]

3.1 Groove 34

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, the groove 34 extends in the installation direction in which the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, i. the direction shown by the arrow in Fig.12. The groove 34 has one end portion in the mounting direction and another end portion opposite said one end portion in the mounting direction. Said one end part of the groove 34 is further away from the developer hole 36 than the other end part from the developer hole 36 in the installation direction. In addition, the groove 34 has a sufficient width in the direction crossing the installation direction to receive the first protrusion 5 of the toner cartridge 1 (see Fig. 1). Specifically, the groove 34 has the same width as the width of the first protrusion 5 of the toner cartridge 1 (see FIG. 1) in a direction crossing the installation direction. Groove 34 includes flat surfaces 38A and 38B, recesses 39A and 39B, and projections 41A and 41B.

[0069]

3.1.1 Flat face 38A and flat face 38B

A flat surface 38A is located on one end of the groove 34 and a flat surface 38B is located on the other end of the groove 34. Both the flat surfaces 38A and 38B extend in the installation direction. When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the flat surface 38A is placed against the first frame member 16A of the protrusion 16 (see FIG. 1). When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the flat surface 38B is located opposite the second frame member 16B of the protrusion 16. When the housing 2 rotates relative to the developing unit 31 from the second position (see FIG. 13), at least one of the flat surfaces 38A and 38B is in contact with the protrusion 16 to hold the housing 2 in the first position.

[0070]

3.1.2 Recessed parts 39A and 39B

As shown in FIGS. 10, 13, 23, and 24, recessed piece 39A is recessed at some distance from flat surface 38A in the width direction of groove 34, and recessed member 39B is recessed at some distance from flat surface 38B in the width direction of groove 34. The recessed part 39A includes an arcuate surface 42A and a flat surface 40A. The recessed part 39B includes an arcuate surface 42B and a flat surface 40B. The arcuate surface 42A extends relative to the flat surface 38A in the moving direction of the first frame member 16A when the body 2 rotates relative to the developing unit 31 from the first position to the second position. The arcuate surface 42B extends relative to the flat surface 38B in the moving direction of the second frame member 16B when the body 2 rotates relative to the developing unit 31 from the first position to the second position. The flat surface 40A is disposed behind the end portion of the arcuate surface 42A in the moving direction of the first frame member 16A when the body 2 rotates relative to the developing unit 31 from the first position to the second position. The flat surface 40B is disposed behind the end portion of the arcuate surface 42B in the moving direction of the second frame member 16B when the body 2 rotates relative to the developing unit 31 from the first position to the second position. Both flat surfaces 40A and 40B extend in a direction crossing the installation direction. In particular, the flat surfaces 40A and 40B extend in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction. When the body 2 rotates from the second position to the first position relative to the developing unit 31, at least one of the flat surfaces 40A and 40B comes into contact with the protrusion 16 to lock the body 2 in the second position.

[0071]

3.1.3 Tabs 41A and 41B

The protrusions 41A and 41B are located between the arcuate surfaces 42A and 42B in the width direction of the groove 34. The protrusion 41A is located between the arcuate surface 42A and the protrusion 41B in the width direction of the groove 34, and the protrusion 41B is located between the arcuate surface 42B and the protrusion 41A in the width direction groove 34. The protrusion 41B is spaced from the protrusion 41A in the width direction of the groove 34. Both protrusions 41A and 41B extend in the installation direction. When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the plate part 14B (see FIG. 15) is located between the protrusions 41A and 41B. When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the protrusions 41A and 41B come into contact with the plate part 14B. Here, the protrusions 41A and 41B prevent the protrusion 14 from rotating when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31. As a result, the shutter 13 is fixed relative to the developing unit 31.

[0072]

On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the protrusions 41A and 41B do not come into contact with the first frame member 16A, the second frame member 16B, and the third frame member 16C (see FIG. 1) in the width direction of the groove 34. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the first frame member 16A, the second frame member 16B, and the third frame member 16C are able to rotate relative to the shutter 13 while the shutter 13 is fixedly fixed relative to the developing unit 31. Thus, the housing 2 is capable of pivoting together with the cover 12 and the second cover 15 relative to the developing unit 31, while the shutter 13 is fixed relative to the developing unit 31. to the second position (see Fig.24) relative to the developing unit 31 allows the shutter 13 to move to the open position relative to the housing 2. When the shutter 13 is in the open ohm position (see 27), at least part of the second hole 13D overlaps at least part of the first hole 2C, thereby exposing the first hole 2C.

[0073]

In this case, the protrusion 41A is separated from the arcuate surface 42A in the radial direction of the arcuate surface 42A. The gap between the protrusion 41A and the arcuate surface 42A is larger than the dimension of the first frame member 16A (see FIG. 1) in the installation direction. Meanwhile, the first frame member 16A can pass through the gap between the protrusion 41A and the arcuate surface 42A when the body 2 rotates relative to the developing unit 31. Similarly, the protrusion 41B is separated from the arcuate surface 42B in the radial direction of the arcuate surface 42B. The gap between the protrusion 41B and the arcuate surface 42B is larger than the dimension of the second frame member 16B (see FIG. 1) in the installation direction. Meanwhile, the second frame member 16B can pass through the gap between the protrusion 41B and the arcuate surface 42B when the body 2 rotates relative to the developing unit 31.

[0074]

3.2 Groove 35

As shown in Fig. 11, the groove 35 is extended in the installation direction. The groove 35 has one end part and the other end part in the installation direction. Said one end portion of the groove 35 is located farther from the toner accommodating section 33 than the other end portion from the toner accommodating section 33 in the installation direction. The groove 35 is wide enough in the direction crossing the installation direction to receive the second protrusion 6 of the toner cartridge 1 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the groove 35 has a width equal to the width of the second protrusion 6 of the toner cartridge 1 in a direction crossing the installation direction. Groove 35 contains flat surfaces 43A and 43B and recessed parts 44A and 44B.

[0075]

3.2.1 Flat surface 43A and 43B

A flat surface 43A is located on one end portion of the groove 35. A flat surface 43B is located on the other end portion of the groove 35. Both flat surfaces 43A and 43B extend in the installation direction. When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the flat surface 43A faces one end portion which is located in front of the second protrusion 6 in the installation direction. When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the flat surface 43B is located opposite the other end portion which is located behind the second protrusion 6 in the installation direction. When the body 2 pivotally moves from the second position to the first position relative to the developing unit 31, at least one of the flat surfaces 43A and 43B comes into contact with the second protrusion 6 to hold the body 2 in the first position.

[0076]

3.2.2 Recessed parts 44A and 44B

The recessed piece 44A is recessed at some distance from the flat surface 43A in the width direction of the groove 35. The recessed member 44B is recessed at some distance from the flat surface 43B in the width direction of the groove 35. The recessed member 44A includes an arcuate surface 46A and a flat surface 45A. The recessed part 44B includes an arcuate surface 46B and a flat surface 45B. The arcuate surface 46A extends relative to the flat surface 43A in the direction of movement of said one end portion of the second protrusion 6 when the body 2 pivotally moves from the first position to the second position relative to the developing unit 31. The arcuate surface 46B extends relative to the flat surface 45B in the direction of movement of the other end portion of the second projection 6 when the body 2 rotates from the first position to the second position relative to the developing unit 31. The flat surface 45A is located behind the end portion of the arcuate surface 46A in the direction of movement of said one end portion of the second projection 6 when the body 2 rotates from the first position to the second position relative to the developing unit 31. The flat surface 45B is located behind the end portion of the arcuate surface 46B in the direction of movement of the other end portion of the second protrusion 6 when the body 2 pivotally moves from the first position to a second position relative to the developing unit 31. The flat surfaces 45A and 45B extend in a direction that intersects with the installation direction. In particular, the flat surfaces 45A and 45B extend in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction. When the body 2 pivotally moves from the first position to the second position relative to the developing unit 31, at least one of the flat surfaces 45A and 45B comes into contact with the second projection 6 to lock the body 2 in the second position.

[0077]

3.3 Hole 36 for developer

As shown in FIG. 9, the developer hole 36 is located between the grooves 34 and 35 in the first direction. The developer hole 36 is located closer to the groove 34 than to the center of the developing unit 31 in the first direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the developer hole 36 passes through the outer surface of the toner accommodating section 33 in the installation direction. The developer hole 36 has one end 36A that is open on the outer surface of the toner accommodating section 33 and another end 36B that communicates with the inside of the toner accommodating section 33.

[0078]

3.4 Developing flap 51

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the developing unit 31 also includes a developing shutter 51.

[0079]

The developing shutter 51 is disposed between one end portion 36A and the other end portion 36B of the developer opening 36 in the installation direction. The developing shutter 51 includes one surface 51B and another surface 51C. Said one surface 51B is closer to said one end portion 36A of the developer port 36 than to the other end portion 36B of the developer port 36 in the installation direction. The other surface 51C is located closer to the other end portion 36B of the developer opening 36 than to said one surface 51B in the installation direction. The developing shutter 51 is movable between a closed position (see FIG. 16) to close the developer port 36 and an open position (see FIG. 27) to open the developer port 36. The developing shutter 51 includes an opening 51A. The opening 51A passes through the developing shutter 51 in the installation direction. When the developing shutter 51 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 27, the opening 51A covers at least a portion of the developer opening 36. Incidentally, when the developing shutter 51 is in the open position, the opening 51A allows the toner in the toner cartridge 1 to enter the toner accommodating section 33 through the developer opening 36 and the opening 51A.

[0080]

As shown in Figs. 9 and 18, the developing shutter 51 further includes protrusions 53A and 53B and gear parts 54A and 54B.

[0081]

The protrusion 53A is configured to contact the toothed part 24A (see FIG. 19) when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31 and the housing 2 is rotated from the first position to the second position relative to the developing unit 31. The protrusion 53B is configured to contact with the toothed part 24B (see FIG. 1), when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, and the housing 2 is rotated from the first position to the second position relative to the developing unit 31. When the housing 2 is rotated from the first position to the second position relative to the developing block 31, the pinion tooth of the plurality of gear teeth of the gear portion 24A presses the protrusion 53A, while the pinion tooth of the plurality of gear teeth of the gear portion 24B presses the protrusion 53B, causing the developing shutter 51 to start moving from the closed position to the open position. Then, the remaining gear teeth of gear 24A engage with gear 54A while the remaining gear teeth of gear 24B engage with gear 54B. In addition, the protrusion 53A is configured to contact the protrusion 25A (see Fig.18) when the body 2 is rotated from the second position to the first position relative to the developing unit 31. The protrusion 53B is configured to contact the protrusion 25B (see Fig.1 ) when the body 2 is rotated from the second position to the first position relative to the developing unit 31. When the body 2 is rotated from the second position to the first position relative to the developing unit 31, the gear 24A is separated from the gear 54A, and the gear 24B is separated from the gear 54B . Then, the projection 25A presses the projection 53A, and the projection 25B presses the projection 53B, placing the developing shutter 51 in the closed position. In addition, when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the toothed part 54A is engaged with the toothed part 24A of the toner cartridge 1 (see Fig. 22). In addition, when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the gear part 54B is engaged with the gear part 24B of the toner cartridge 1 (see Fig. 1).

[0082]

The protrusion 53A is located opposite the groove 34 with respect to the developer hole 36 in the first direction. The protrusion 53B is located between the developer hole 36 and the groove 34 in the first direction. The protrusions 53A and 53B are located on said one surface 51B of the developing shutter 51 and protrude from said one surface 51B. When the developing shutter 51 is in the closed position, the protrusions 53A and 53B come out on the outer surface of the toner placement section 33 .

[0083]

The toothed piece 54A is disposed on the front side of the protrusion 53A in the moving direction M of the developing shutter 51. In this case, the moving direction M of the developing shutter 51 is the direction in which the developing shutter 51 moves from the closed position to the open position. The gear piece 54A is located at some distance from the protrusion 53A in the moving direction M of the developing gate 51. The gear piece 54B is located on the front side of the protrusion 53B in the moving direction M of the developing gate 51. The gear piece 54B is located at some distance from the protrusion 53B in the moving direction M. Both gear parts 54A and 54B comprise a plurality of gear teeth aligned in the moving direction M of the developing shutter 51.

[0084]

As shown in FIGS. 18, 20, 22, and 26, the developing shutter 51 further comprises recessed parts 55 and 56 and a protrusion 57. The recessed part 55 is configured to receive a protrusion 59, described below, when the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the developer. block 31, and the developing shutter 51 is in the closed position. The protrusion 57 is adapted to contact with the protrusion 59 inserted into the recessed part 55 when the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the developing unit 31, and the developing shutter 51 in the closed position is forced to move towards the open position, thereby preventing the developing shutter 51 from moving. from the closed position to the open position. The recessed part 56 is adapted to be inserted into the protrusion 59 when the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the developing unit 31 and the developing shutter 51 is in the open position. The recessed part 55, the recessed part 56 and the protrusion 57 are located on the other surface 51C of the developing shutter 51. The recessed part 56 is located on the front side of the recessed part 55 in the moving direction M of the developing shutter 51, i. the direction in which the developing shutter 51 moves from the closed position to the open position. The protrusion 57 is located between the recessed part 55 and the recessed part 56 in the direction M of movement of the developing shutter 51. The recessed part 55 is recessed in the direction from the other surface 51C to the specified one surface 51B of the developing shutter 51. said one surface 51B of the developing shutter 51. The protrusion 57 protrudes in the direction from said one surface 51B to the other surface 51C. The protrusion 57 includes an inclined surface 57A. The inclined surface 57A is inclined towards said one surface 51B of the developing shutter 51 in the direction from the recessed part 55 to the recessed part 56.

[0085]

3.5 Retainer

As shown in FIG. 9, the developing unit 31 is also provided with latches 52A and 52B.

[0086]

The latches 52A and 52B are configured to lock the developing shutter 51 in the closed position when the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the developing unit 31. In this case, fixing the developing shutter 51 in the closed position means that the developing shutter 51 is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position. The latch 52A engages with the end portion of the developing shutter 51 in the first direction when the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the developing unit 31 and the developing shutter 51 is located in the closed position. The latch 52B engages with the other end portion of the developing shutter 51 in the first direction when the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the developing unit 31 and the developing shutter 51 is located in the closed position. The other end part of the developing shutter 51 is located closer to the groove 34 than the specified one end part to the groove 34 in the first direction.

[0087]

The latch 52A is located opposite the groove 34 with respect to the developing shutter 51 in the first direction. The latch 52B is located between the developing shutter 51 and the groove 34 in the first direction. The latch 52B is located at some distance from the latch 52A in the first direction. The developing shutter 51 is located between the latches 52A and 52B in the first direction. The latches 52A and 52B extend to the outer surface of the toner placement section 33 . The latches 52A and 52B extend in the moving direction M of the developing shutter 51.

[0088]

As shown in Fig.17, 19 and 21, each of the clamps 52A and 52B contains the base end E1 and the far end E2 at some distance from the base end E1 in the direction M of movement of the developing shutter 51. The far end E2 is located on the front side of the base end E1 in the moving direction M of the developing shutter 51, i. e. the direction in which the developing shutter 51 moves from the closed position to the open position. The base end E1 of the latch 52A and the base end E1 of the latch 52B are fixed to the developing unit 31. The latch 52A and 52B are located at some distance from the toner placement section 33 in the mounting direction. With this configuration, the latches 52A and 52B are able to flex in the installation direction. Each of the latches 52A and 52B is provided with a lip 58 and a lip 59 (see also FIG. 18).

[0089]

The protrusion 58 of the latch 52A protrudes from the latch 52A in the installation direction, and in particular in the direction away from the toner placement section 33 . The protrusion 58 of the latch 52B (see FIG. 9) protrudes from the latch 52B in the installation direction, and in particular in the direction away from the toner placement section 33 . The protrusion 58 of the latch 52A comes into contact with the protrusion 26A when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31. The protrusion 58 of the latch 52B comes into contact with the protrusion 26B (see Fig. 1) when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31.

[0090]

As shown in FIGS. 18, 20, 22 and 26, lug 59 of latch 52A is located at the distal end E2 of latch 52A, and lug 59 of latch 52B is located at the far end E2 of latch 52B. The protrusion 59 extends in the first direction. It should be noted that the protrusion 59 is inserted into the recessed part 55 provided in the developing shutter 51 when the developing shutter 51 is located in the closed position, in the state that the toner cartridge 1 is removed from the developing unit 31. The protrusion 59 comes into contact with the protrusion 57 of the developing shutter 51 when the developing shutter 51 is moved from the closed position to the open position in the state that the protrusion 59 is inserted into the recessed part 55. Such contact prevents further movement of the developing shutter 51.

[0091]

4. Attaching and detaching the toner cartridge 1 to the developing unit 31

Next, with reference to Fig.12-27, the operations of attaching the toner cartridge 1 to the developing unit 31 and detaching the toner cartridge 1 from the developing unit 31 will be described.

[0092]

4.1 Attaching Toner Cartridge 1 to Developing Unit 31

To attach the toner cartridge 1 to the developing unit 31, the toner cartridge 1 is first installed on the developing unit 31 by inserting the first protrusion 5 into the groove 34 and the second protrusion 6 into the groove 35, as shown in Fig.12, 13 and 14. When In this case, the first protrusion 5 is fixed relative to the developing unit 31 when inserted into the groove 34, and the second protrusion 6 is fixed relative to the developing unit 31 when inserted into the groove 35. in Fig.1. The shutter 13 is located in a closed position with respect to the cover 12 to cover the first opening 2C. In other words, the shutter 13 closes the first opening 2C when the body 2 is in the first position.

[0093]

With this operation, the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, as shown in Fig.13 and 14. In this case, the first protrusion 5 is inserted into the groove 34, and the second protrusion 6 is inserted into the groove 35. In this case, the protrusion 14 is positioned in position between projections 41A and 41B as shown in FIG. As a result, the protrusion 14 is fixed relative to the developing unit 31 when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31.

[0094]

In addition, due to the contact of the protrusion 41B with the protrusion 18B of the latch 18, the latch 18 moves from the locked position to the disengaged position against the pressing force of the spring 18C. In other words, when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, the latch 18 comes into contact with the part of the developing unit 31 and moves from the locked position to the release position. Therefore, the latch 18 releases the latch on the lug 14 when the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the development unit 31. That is, by moving the latch 18 from the locked position to the disengagement position, the lug 14 becomes rotatable relative to the second cover 15. In other words, the second cover 15 acquires the ability to rotate relative to the protrusion 14 due to the movement of the latch 18 from the locked position to the disengaged position. In this regard, the body 2 acquires the ability to rotate along with the cover 12 and the second cover 15 relative to the damper 13.

[0095]

In addition, while the developing shutter 51 is located in the closed position, as shown in Fig.16. In addition, the protrusion 26A of the toner cartridge 1 comes into contact with the protrusion 58 of the retainer 52A as shown in FIG. Through this contact, the latch 52A is bent such that the distal end E2 of the latch 52A is removed from the developing gate 51. Therefore, the protrusion 59 of the latch 52A is retracted from the recessed part 55 of the developing gate 51, as shown in FIG. In addition, while the protrusion 53A of the developing shutter 51 is located between the protrusion 25A and the gear part 24A of the toner cartridge 1.

[0096]

Next, the user pivotally moves the housing 2 relative to the developing unit 31 from the first position towards the second position.

[0097]

By this operation, the body 2 is pivotally moved around the first protrusion 5 and the second protrusion 6 from the first position towards the second position with respect to the developing unit 31, and the toothed part 24A applies pressure to the protrusion 53A while the protrusion 26A of the toner cartridge 1 comes into contact with lug 58 of latch 52A as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Accordingly, the developing shutter 51 moves from the closed position towards the open position while the lug 59 is disengaged from the recessed part 55.

[0098]

Further, in accordance with the subsequent rotary movement of the housing 2 from the first position towards the second position relative to the developing unit 31, the developing shutter 51 continues to move from the closed position towards the open position, and the protrusion 57 moves past the area opposite the toner placement section 33 with respect to the protrusion 59.

[0099]

In addition, the protrusion 26A of the toner cartridge 1 is separated from the protrusion 58 of the retainer 52A, as shown in FIG. As a result, the latch 52A returns from its bent state such that the distal end E2 of the latch 52A approaches the developing shutter 51. As a result, the protrusion 59 comes into contact with the inclined surface 57A of the protrusion 57, as shown in FIG. In addition, the gear teeth of gear 24A engage with the gear teeth of gear 54A. In other words, when the toner cartridge 1 is able to rotate with respect to the developing unit 31, at least one of the gear teeth of the toothed part 24A is engaged with the developing shutter 51 to open and close the developer hole 36 provided in the developing unit 31. In addition, wherein the first frame member 16A of the protrusion 16 is located inside the recessed part 39A of the groove 34, while the second frame member 16B of the protrusion 16 is located inside the recessed part 39b of the groove 34, as shown in FIG.

[0100]

Further, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, at least one of the first frame member 16A and the second frame member 16B of the projection 16 is in contact with the flat surface 40A or 40B of the groove 34, and at least one of said one end portion and the other end part of the second protrusion 6 comes into contact with the corresponding flat surface 45A or 45B of the groove 35, thereby positioning the body 2 in the second position relative to the shutter 13. In this case, the developing shutter 51 is in the open position, and the protrusion 59 is located inside the recessed part 56, as shown in Fig. .26. In addition, the shutter 13 is in an open position with respect to the housing 2, and at least part of the second opening 13D overlaps at least part of the first opening 2C, as shown in Fig.27. Thereby, the second opening 13D allows the toner in the toner cartridge 1 to be discharged from the toner cartridge 1 through the first opening 2C.

[0101]

This completes the operations of attaching the toner cartridge 1 to the developing unit 31.

[0102]

4.2 Removing the toner cartridge 1 from the development unit 31

To remove the toner cartridge 1 from the developing unit 31, the user rotates the housing 2 relative to the developing unit 31 from the second position shown in Figs. 24 and 25 to the first position shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

[0103]

With this operation, the developing shutter 51 is moved from the open position towards the closed position by engaging the gear part 24A in the toner cartridge 1 and the gear part 54A, and engaging the gear part 24B in the toner cartridge 1 and the gear part 54B as shown in Fig. 22 .

[0104]

At the same time, the protrusion 59 moves along the inclined surface 57A of the protrusion 57 to move in the direction away from the developing shutter 51 in the installation direction.

[0105]

Further, as the body 2 continues to approach the first position, as shown in FIG. 19, the protrusion 26A of the toner cartridge 1 comes into contact with the protrusion 58 of the retainer 52A. In addition, at the same time, as shown in Fig. 20, the tooth portion 24A of the toner cartridge 1 moves away from the tooth portion 54A, and the tooth portion 24B of the toner cartridge 1 moves away from the tooth portion 54B, thereby temporarily stopping the movement of the developing shutter 51 .

[0106]

As the body 2 continues to approach the first position, the projection 25A of the toner cartridge 1 comes into contact with the projection 53A of the developing gate 51, and the projection 25B of the toner cartridge 1 contacts the projection 53B of the developing gate 51. The projection 25A of the toner cartridge 1 applies pressure to the protrusion 53A of the developing shutter 51, while the protrusion 25B of the toner cartridge 1 applies pressure to the protrusion 53B of the developing shutter 51. At the same time, the developing shutter 51 again moves towards the closed position.

[0107]

Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, at least one of the first frame member 16A and the second frame member 16B of the protrusion 16 is in contact with the respective flat surface 38A or 38B of the groove 34, and at least one of said one end portion and the other the end portion of the second protrusion 6 comes into contact with the corresponding flat surface 43A or 43B of the groove 35, thereby stopping the body 2 in the first position. At the same time, the developing shutter 51 is in the closed position, as shown in Fig.18. In addition, while the shutter 13 is in a closed position relative to the cover 12, closing the first hole 2C, as shown in Fig.16.

[0108]

Next, the user pulls out the toner cartridge 1 from the developing unit 31 in the second direction, as shown in Fig.12.

[0109]

This completes the operations of detaching the toner cartridge 1 from the developing unit 31.

[0110]

5. Operation of transferring toner from the development unit to the toner cartridge

When the toner cartridge 1 is installed in the developing unit 31, and the case 2 is placed in the second position, the gear 23 of the screw of the toner cartridge 1 is engaged with the gear 30 of the developing unit 31 (see Fig. 9).

[0111]

When the imaging apparatus then performs an imaging operation, a driving force is input to the toner cartridge 1 screw gear 23 from the developing unit 31 gear 30. This driving force rotates the screw 4 as shown in FIG. This driving force is also introduced from the screw gear 23 into the agitator 3 through a gear mechanism (not shown) to rotate the agitator 3.

[0112]

The rotation of the agitator 3 transfers the toner from the first interior space 2D to the second interior space 2E.

[0113]

Next, the screw 4 conveys the toner in the second interior space 2E to the interior of the shutter 13, as shown in FIG.

[0114]

The toner in the interior of the shutter 13 is then supplied to the toner accommodating section 33 of the developing unit 31 through the opening formed by the overlap of the second opening 13D and the first opening 2C, and through the opening formed by the overlapping of the opening 51A of the developing shutter 51 and the developer opening 36, as shown in FIG. .27. Because of this, the first opening 2C allows the toner to be discharged from the second interior space 2E.

[0115]

7. Technical effect

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second toner accommodating section 2B is located on one side of the first toner accommodating section 2A in the second direction. This arrangement allows the toner cartridge 1 to be more compact in the first direction while providing sufficient toner capacity in the first toner accommodating section 2A and the second toner accommodating section 2B in the second direction.

[0116]

By attaching the toner cartridge 1 to the developing unit 31 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the toner cartridge 1 can be fixed at a predetermined position relative to the developing unit 31 by the first projection 5 and the second projection 6. In this regard, the first hole 2C can be accurately fixed in a predetermined position relative to the developing unit 31.

[0117]

After the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the developing unit 31, the agitator 3 transfers the toner in the first toner placement section 2A to the second toner placement section 2B, as shown in FIG. Here, the screw 4 conveys the toner in the second toner placement section 2B to the first opening 2C, as shown in FIG.

[0118]

With this configuration, the agitator 3 and the screw 4 can transfer the toner uniformly from the first toner placement section 2A to the first hole 2C. In addition, by transferring the toner using the screw 4, the amount of toner discharged from the first opening 2C can be controlled. It should be noted that since the first hole 2C is located on one side of the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction, the toner can be transferred to the first hole using a simple structure including the screw 4 extending in the first direction. This design can reduce the number of parts required to transfer the toner to the first hole 2C.

[0119]

Thus, the first protrusion 5 is located on one side of the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction, and the second protrusion 6 is located on the other side of the second toner accommodating section 2B in the first direction, as shown in FIG. In addition, the screw 4 conveys the toner to the first hole 2C between the first protrusion 5 and the second protrusion 6. In this regard, this structure can reduce the number of parts and elements, while uniformly transferring the toner to the first hole 2C precisely fixed in a predetermined position relative to the developing unit 31, and allows you to adjust the amount of toner discharged through the first hole 2C.

[0120]

Thus, the toner cartridge 1 allows the toner to be uniformly transferred and allows the amount of toner to be discharged to be adjusted.

[List of reference items]

1 Toner cartridge

2 Corps

2A First toner placement section

2B Second toner placement section

2C First hole

2D First interior space

2E Second inner space

3 Stirrer

4 Auger

4C One end piece

4D Other End

5 First ledge

6 Second ledge

11 Third hole

12 Lid

13 damper

13D Second hole

20 First through hole

21 Gear cover

23 Auger gear

24A Gear part

24B Gear part

31 Developing unit

A1 First axle

A2 Second axle

A3 Third axle

L1 Width

L2 Width.

Claims (43)

1. Toner cartridge, containing: - a body extending in a first direction, the body comprising: a first toner accommodating section having a first interior space extended in a first direction; a second toner accommodating section having a second interior space extending in a first direction and communicating with the first interior space, the second toner accommodating section being located on one side of the first toner accommodating section in a second direction; And a first opening located on one side of the second toner accommodating section in a first direction, the first opening allowing toner in the second internal space to be discharged therethrough; a stirrer rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, the stirrer being configured to stir the toner in the first interior space and transfer the toner from the first interior space to the second interior space; a screw rotatable about a second axis extending in a first direction, the screw being capable of transferring toner from the second interior space to the first opening; a first protrusion located on said one side of the second toner placement section and on one side of the first opening in the first direction, the first protrusion extending in the first direction; And a second protrusion located on the other side of the second toner placement section in the first direction, the second protrusion extending in the first direction. 2. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second direction is determined by connecting the first axis and the second axis, and wherein the first protrusion protrudes in the second direction, and the second protrusion protrudes in the second direction. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the width of the second protrusion in the third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is different from the width of the first protrusion in the third direction. 4. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screw has one end and the other end is separated from said one end in a first direction, wherein a portion of the peripheral surface of said one end of the screw is exposed to the outside through the first opening. . 5. Toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a shutter having a closed state closing the first opening, and an open state opening the first opening, the shutter being located at one end of the second toner placement section in the first direction, and the shutter including the first protrusion. 6. The toner cartridge of claim 5, wherein the first protrusion protrudes from the shutter in a first direction. 7. The toner cartridge according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the shutter is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and is rotatable from a closed position to an open position, the shutter closes the first opening when the shutter is in the closed position, and the damper opens the first opening when the damper is in the open position. 8. The toner cartridge of claim 7, wherein the first protrusion is rotatable with the shutter. 9. Toner cartridge according to claim 7 or 8, in which the shutter has a second hole, and at the same time at least a portion of the second opening overlaps with at least a portion of the first opening when the shutter is in the open position. 10. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the screw has one end portion and the other end portion separated from said one end portion in the first direction, wherein a portion of the peripheral surface of said one portion of the screw in the first direction is open to the outside through a first opening, and said one end portion of the screw is exposed to the outside through the first opening when the shutter is in the open position. 11. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second toner accommodating section has a third hole located at said one end portion of the second toner accommodating section, and the housing further includes a cover covering said one end portion of the second toner placement section and covering the third opening. 12. The toner cartridge of claim 11, wherein the second toner accommodating section has a third hole located at said one end portion of the second toner accommodating section, wherein the screw has one end part and another end part separated from said one end part in the first direction, said one end portion of the screw is open from the outside of the second toner placement section through the third hole, and the cover covers at least a part of said one end part of the screw. 13. The toner cartridge of claim 11 or 12, wherein the lid includes a plurality of gear teeth disposed on an outer surface of the lid, said plurality of gear teeth adjacent along the direction of rotation of the screw. 14. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the screw has one end and the other end is separated from said one end in the first direction, and the toner cartridge further comprises an auger gear mounted on said other end portion of the auger, the auger gear being able to rotate with the auger, wherein the second protrusion is further from the first hole than the auger gear is from the first hole. 15. The toner cartridge of claim 14, further comprising a gear cover covering at least a portion of the screw gear, wherein the second protrusion protrudes from the gear cover in the first direction. 16. The toner cartridge according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the second toner accommodating section has a first through hole located at the other end portion of the second toner accommodating section in the first direction, the first through hole extending through the second toner accommodating section in the first direction, wherein said other end portion of the screw in the first direction is inserted into the first through hole, and the screw gear is located on the outer surface of the second toner placement section. 17. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first opening is closer to said one side in the first direction than the first toner receiving section is to said one side in the first direction. 18. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the agitator comprises an agitator shaft extending along a first axis and a squeegee rotatable with the agitator shaft, the squeegee being positioned in a first interior space, and wherein the first hole is closer to said one side in the first direction than the squeegee is to said one side in the first direction. 19. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured to be placed on the developing unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the developing unit, and at the same time after the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit, the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit by rotating the housing relative to the developing unit around the first projection and the second projection.

Images