HK1239839B - Toner cartridge, toner supply mechanism, and shutter - Google Patents

Description

Toner cartridge, toner supply mechanism, and shutter

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a toner cartridge, a toner supply mechanism and a shutter plate for electrophotographic image formation.

Background Art

In the field of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, it is known that elements such as a photosensitive drum and/or a developing roller as rotatable members capable of image formation are incorporated into a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly (main assembly) of the image forming apparatus.

As one of such cartridges that can be detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus, there is known a toner cartridge that is replaceable and does not include a photosensitive drum or a developing roller, and contains toner (developer) that is consumed along with image formation.

With such a structure, toner (developer) is discharged from the toner cartridge through the discharge opening into a developing device including a developing roller, etc. Further, in order to prevent toner from leaking through the discharge opening, an opening/closing member such as a shutter is provided for opening and closing the discharge opening.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. Hei 7-199623 discloses a structure in which, when a cylindrical toner cartridge (developer supply container) is mounted to the main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge is rotated, thereby opening a shutter.

Summary of the Invention

[Problem to be solved]

The object of the present invention is to provide further improvements to the above conventional structures.

[Methods used to solve the problem]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge that can be detachably mounted to a receiving device, the toner cartridge comprising: a container comprising a receiving portion for receiving toner and a discharge opening for discharging the toner from the receiving portion into the receiving device; and an opening/closing member comprising a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and an engaging portion that can move relative to the closing portion, the opening/closing member being rotatable relative to the container between (a) an open position for urging the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closed position for urging the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the engaging portion is movable relative to the closing portion between (c) an engaging position for engaging with the receiving device when the toner cartridge is removed from the receiving device so as to receive a force for moving the opening/closing member from the open position to the closed position and (d) a retracted position for retracting from the engaging position, and wherein the engaging portion is movable from the retracted position to the engaging position as the opening/closing member rotates from the closed position to the open position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge that can be detachably mounted to a receiving device, the toner cartridge comprising: a container comprising a receiving portion for receiving toner and a discharge opening for discharging the toner from the receiving portion into the receiving device; and an opening/closing member comprising a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and an engaging portion that can move relative to the closing portion, the opening/closing member being rotatable relative to the container between (a) an open position for urging the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closed position for urging the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the engaging portion is movable relative to the closing portion between (c) an engaging position for engaging with the receiving device when the toner cartridge is removed from the receiving device so as to receive a force for moving the opening/closing member from the open position to the closed position and (d) a retracted position for retracting from the engaging position, and wherein the engaging portion is movable from the engaging position to the retracted position as the opening/closing member rotates from the open position to the closed position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a colorant box that can be detachably mounted to a receiving device by an installation operation including a rotation operation, the colorant box comprising: a container, the container comprising a receiving portion for receiving colorant and a discharge opening for discharging colorant from the receiving portion into the receiving device; and an opening/closing member, the opening/closing member comprising a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and a coupling portion that can be moved relative to the closing portion, the opening/closing member being movable relative to the container between (a) an open position for urging the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closed position for urging the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the coupling portion is movable relative to the closing portion between (c) an engaging position for engaging with the receiving device when the colorant box is removed from the receiving device so as to receive a force for moving the opening/closing member from the open position to the closed position and (d) a retracted position for retracting from the engaging position, and wherein the coupling portion is movable from the retracted position to the engaging position along with the rotation operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a colorant box that can be removed from a receiving device by a disassembly operation including a rotation operation, the colorant box including: a container, the container including a receiving portion for receiving colorant and a discharge opening for discharging colorant from the receiving portion into the receiving device; and an opening/closing member, the opening/closing member including a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and a coupling portion that can be moved relative to the closing portion, the opening/closing member can be moved relative to the container between (a) an open position for prompting the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closed position for prompting the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the coupling portion can be moved relative to the closing portion between (c) an engaging position for engaging with the receiving device when the colorant box is removed from the receiving device so as to receive a force for moving the opening/closing member from the open position to the closed position and (d) a retreat position for retreating from the engaging position, and wherein the coupling portion can be moved from the engaging position to the retreat position along with the rotation operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge that can be detachably mounted to a receiving device, the toner cartridge comprising: a container comprising a receiving portion for receiving toner and a discharge opening for discharging the toner from the receiving portion into the receiving device; and an opening/closing member comprising a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and a coupling portion that can be moved relative to the closing portion, the opening/closing member being movable relative to the container between (a) an open position for urging the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closed position for urging the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the coupling portion is movable relative to the closing portion between (c) an engaging position for engaging with the receiving device when the toner cartridge is removed from the receiving device so as to receive a force for moving the opening/closing member from the open position to the closed position and (d) a retracted position for retracting from the engaging position, and a retracted position moving portion for moving the coupling portion from the engaging position to the retracted position as the opening/closing member moves from the open position to the closed position.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a colorant box for electronic photographic imaging is provided, the colorant box comprising: a container, the container comprising a receiving portion for receiving the colorant and a discharge opening for discharging the colorant; and an opening/closing member, the opening/closing member comprising a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and a coupling portion capable of moving relative to the closing portion, the opening/closing member being rotatable relative to the container between an open position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening and a closed position for causing the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein as the opening/closing member rotates between the closed position and the open position, the coupling portion is capable of moving relative to the closing portion at least in the direction of the rotation axis of the opening/closing member.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a colorant box for electronic photographic imaging is provided, the colorant box comprising: a container, the container comprising a receiving portion for receiving the colorant and a discharge opening for discharging the colorant; and an opening/closing member, the opening/closing member comprising a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and a coupling portion capable of moving relative to the closing portion, the opening/closing member being rotatable relative to the container between an open position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening and a closed position for causing the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the coupling portion is exposed at least toward the outside relative to the direction of the rotation radius of the opening/closing member, and wherein as the opening/closing member rotates between the closed position and the open position, the coupling portion is capable of moving relative to the closing portion at least in the direction of the rotation radius of the opening/closing member.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a colorant box for electronic photographic imaging is provided, the colorant box comprising: a container, the container comprising a receiving portion for receiving colorant and a discharge opening for discharging colorant; and an opening/closing member, the opening/closing member comprising a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and a coupling portion capable of moving relative to the closing portion, the opening/closing member being capable of rotating relative to the container between an open position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening and a closed position for causing the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the coupling portion comprises a first protrusion protruding toward the outside relative to the direction of the rotation radius of the opening/closing member, and a second protrusion arranged on the first protrusion and protruding toward the downstream side relative to the direction in which the opening/closing member rotates from the closed position to the open position relative to the container, and wherein the coupling portion is capable of moving relative to the closing portion as the opening/closing member rotates between the closed position and the open position.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a colorant box for electronic photographic imaging is provided, the colorant box comprising: a container, the container comprising a receiving portion for receiving the colorant and a discharge opening for discharging the colorant; an opening/closing member, the opening/closing member being movable relative to the container between an open position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening and a closed position for causing the closing portion to close the discharge opening; a moving portion, which is arranged on the container for moving the engaging portion as the opening/closing member moves from the open position to the closed position.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a gate plate for use with a colorant box is provided, the gate plate including: a main body portion, the main body portion having a roughly arc-shaped structure; a first arm portion, the first arm portion being arranged at the longitudinal end of the main body portion and extending toward the lateral end of the main body portion; and a first protrusion, the first protrusion being arranged at the free end side of the first arm portion and protruding in a radially outward direction relative to the arc-shaped structure, wherein the first protrusion is at least capable of moving in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion.

[Effects of the Invention]

The conventional structure described above can be further improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side section schematically showing a state in which the developing unit is mounted to the toner cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a developing unit according to this embodiment.

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a toner cartridge according to this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the developing unit and the toner cartridge in a state before installation (insertion).

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the developing unit and the toner cartridge during installation (insertion).

FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing a modification of the structure of the insertion guided portion (portion guided for insertion).

FIG. 9 is a side view schematically illustrating the relationship of forces applied to the toner cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an abutting portion abuts against an abutted portion (abutted portion).

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram when the container frame is rotated to position the toner cartridge in place.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram when the shutter is moved to the open position to place the toner containing portion in fluid communication.

FIG13 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the imaging device according to this embodiment.

14 is a partial sectional side view of the vicinity of the opening of the developing unit and the toner cartridge.

FIG15 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a developing unit and a toner cartridge.

FIG16 is an exploded perspective view of the vicinity of the opening of the toner cartridge.

FIG17 is a perspective view illustrating the opening and closing operation of the shutter of the toner cartridge.

FIG18 is an exploded perspective view of the vicinity of the opening of the developing unit.

FIG19 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the opening and closing operation of the shutter of the developing unit.

Figure 20 is a schematic sectional side view of the toner cartridge and the developing unit.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge and the developing unit.

Figure 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing unit and the toner cartridge.

FIG23 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the vicinity of the shutter portion.

Part (a) of Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1 of Figure 16, part (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A2 of Figure 18, and part (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A3 of part (b) of Figure 20.

Figure 25 is a sectional side view of the developing unit and the toner cartridge.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of the communicating portion as viewed from the first toner containing portion.

Figure 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing unit and the toner cartridge.

FIG. 28 illustrates the opening operation of the first shutter of the developing unit and the second shutter of the toner cartridge.

Figure 29 shows the detailed structure of the vicinity of the toner cartridge receiving portion of the developing unit.

Figure 30 shows the detailed structure of the vicinity of the toner cartridge receiving portion of the developing unit.

Figure 31 shows the detailed structure of the vicinity of the toner cartridge receiving portion of the developing unit.

FIG32 shows the detailed structure of the toner cartridge.

FIG33 shows the detailed structure of the toner cartridge.

FIG34 shows the detailed structure of the toner cartridge.

FIG35 shows the detailed structure of the toner cartridge.

FIG36 shows the detailed structure of the toner cartridge.

FIG37 illustrates the opening operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

FIG38 illustrates the opening operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

FIG39 illustrates the opening operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

FIG40 illustrates the opening operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

FIG41 shows the opening operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

FIG42 shows the opening operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

FIG43 shows the opening operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

FIG44 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the second opening and the third opening as viewed from the driving side.

Figure 45 shows a toner feeding structure from the toner cartridge to the developing unit.

FIG46 shows the closing operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

FIG47 shows the closing operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

FIG48 shows the closing operation of the first shutter and the second shutter.

Figure 49 is a perspective view showing a state before the toner cartridge is mounted to the developing unit.

Figure 50 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the insertion guided portion (driving side) and the insertion guiding portion (driving side).

FIG51 is a sectional view showing the shapes of the insertion guided portion (driving side) and the insertion guiding portion (driving side).

FIG52 is a sectional view showing the shapes of the insertion guided portion (driving side) and the insertion guiding portion (driving side).

FIG53 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of the insertion guided portion (non-driving side) and the insertion guiding portion (non-driving side).

FIG. 54 shows the relationship between the insertion guided portion (driving side) and the insertion guided portion (non-driving side).

FIG. 55 shows the relationship between the insertion guided portion (driving side) and the insertion guided portion (non-driving side).

Figure 56 shows the second shutter in its closed position.

FIG57 shows a state where the second shutter is in an open position.

FIG58 shows the second shutter.

FIG59 shows the second shutter.

Figure 60 shows the second shutter in its closed position.

Figure 61 shows the state of the second shutter in its closed position.

FIG62 shows a state where the second shutter is in an open position.

Figure 63 shows the state of the second shutter in its closed position.

Figure 64 shows a toner cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an electrophotographic imaging device, a toner image forming portion, and a toner cartridge will be described. The imaging device is a device capable of forming an image on a recording material through, for example, an electrophotographic imaging process. For example, the imaging device may be an electrophotographic copier, an electrophotographic printer (such as an LED printer or a laser beam printer), or an electrophotographic printer-type facsimile machine.

In this embodiment, the imaging device is a monochrome imaging device including one toner image forming portion. However, the number of toner image forming portions provided in the imaging device is not limited to this example. For example, the imaging device may include multiple toner image forming portions to form a color image.

Similarly, for the structures, materials, arrangements, dimensions or other values disclosed in the embodiments, unless otherwise specified, they are not limited to the disclosed examples. In the following description, "upper" refers to the upward direction based on the direction of gravity when the imaging device is installed.

<Example 1>

The structure that contributes to the improvement of usability will be described in detail. More particularly, this relates to the improvement of the operational feeling when the user mounts the toner cartridge to the developing unit (developing cartridge).

First, the overall arrangement of the image forming apparatus will be described, and then the developing unit and the toner cartridge will be described in detail. The operation of mounting the toner cartridge to the developing unit is referred to as "mounting operation," and the operation of removing the toner cartridge from the developing unit is referred to as "removing operation."

§1.Electronic photographic imaging device:

FIG2 is a side sectional view of an image forming apparatus A according to this embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus A shown in FIG2 receives image information from an external device (e.g., a personal computer) to which it is communicatively connected. Based on the image information received from the external device, the image forming apparatus A forms an image (toner image) on a recording material P (recording paper, OHP sheet, fabric, etc.) using a developer (toner) through an electrophotographic imaging process.

In the image forming apparatus A, a toner image forming portion (toner image forming unit) B is detachably mountable to the main assembly. The toner image forming portion (toner image forming unit) B of this embodiment includes a drum unit (drum cartridge) C, a developing unit (developing device, developing cartridge) D, and a toner cartridge E. The toner cartridge E is detachably mountable to the developing unit D. More specifically, the developing unit D is provided with a mounting portion for mounting the toner cartridge E, and constitutes a receiving device for receiving the toner cartridge E.

The toner image forming portion (toner image forming unit) can be regarded as a unit including a photosensitive drum and one or more elements capable of acting on the photosensitive drum.

In this embodiment, the drum unit C, the developing unit D and the toner cartridge E are cartridges that can be independently and detachably mounted to the main assembly of the device. In this case, the drum unit C can be referred to as a drum cartridge, and the developing unit D can be referred to as a developing cartridge.

It is not essential that the drum unit C, the developing unit D, and the toner cartridge E each adopt such a cartridge form. For example, the photosensitive drum (or the drum unit including the photosensitive drum) may be fixed in the main assembly, while only the developing unit (developing cartridge) D and the toner cartridge E may be detachably mounted.

Alternatively, it is possible to integrate the drum unit C and the developer unit D into a single cartridge that can be detachably mounted to the main assembly. The cartridge comprising the integrated drum unit C and developer unit D may be referred to as a process cartridge. In such a case, the toner cartridge E can be mounted to and removed from the process cartridge. In such a case, the process cartridge is a receiving device. An imaging device employing a process cartridge structure will be described in conjunction with Example 4.

In addition, it is possible that the photosensitive drum and the developing unit are fixed in the main assembly, and only the toner cartridge E can be detachably mounted to the main assembly. In such a case, the main assembly of the image forming apparatus itself is a receiving device for the toner cartridge E.

The structure including the combined receiving device (developing unit D) and the toner cartridge E may be referred to as a toner supply mechanism (toner supply unit, toner supply device). In the toner supply mechanism, toner is supplied from the toner cartridge E to the receiving device.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum as the image bearing member is composed of a cylindrical body having a photosensitive layer, flanges, and the like as a unit.

The mounting and removal of the cartridge are performed by a user (operator). The main assembly (main assembly of the image forming apparatus) is a portion of the image forming apparatus A other than the cartridges (drum unit C, developing unit D, and toner cartridge E).

The drum unit C includes a photosensitive drum (image bearing member) 16, a charging roller 17, a cleaning blade 19, etc. as a unit, and in this embodiment, it is a cartridge (drum cartridge) that can be detachably mounted to the main assembly. The developing unit D includes a developing roller (developer carrying member) 24, etc. as a unit, and in this embodiment, it is a cartridge (developer cartridge) that can be detachably mounted to the main assembly. The toner cartridge E, which is a developer container, includes a toner container (developer storage container, container) 47 for storing toner t, etc. as a developer, which is integrated into the cartridge.

The photosensitive drum 16 is capable of rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow a in FIG2 . The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 16 is uniformly charged by a charging roller 17 serving as a charging device. The photosensitive drum 16 is exposed to a laser beam L supplied by a laser scanner (exposure device) 1 in accordance with image information, so that an electrostatic latent image in accordance with the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 16. The toner t carried by the developing roller 24 develops the electrostatic latent image. Thus, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 16.

3 , the development process in the toner image forming portion B will be described. A frame 35 of the developing unit D as a receiving means rotatably supports the developing roller 24. The developing roller 24 receives a driving force from a power source such as a motor (not shown) provided in the main assembly to rotate in the same direction as the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 16 (as indicated by arrow b in the figure).

The toner t in the developing chamber 31 is carried on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 24 and has a layer thickness regulated by the developing blade 25. When the layer thickness is regulated, the toner is frictionally charged. The charged toner develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 16.

In the developing unit D, the developing chamber 31 is in fluid communication with the first toner storing portion (developer storing portion) 28 through the first opening 29. The first toner feeding device 27 rotated by a driving source (not shown) feeds the toner t from the first toner storing portion 28 into the developing chamber 31.

In addition, a communication portion 58 is provided by the second opening (housing member opening, receiving port, receiving opening) 30 and the third opening (container opening, discharge port, discharge opening) 49. Through the communication portion 58, the first toner housing portion (housing member housing chamber) 28 and the second toner housing portion (container housing chamber) 47t of the toner cartridge E are in fluid communication.

The second toner storing portion 47t is a space for storing toner in the container 47. The second toner storing portion 47t is a storing portion (toner storing portion, developer storing portion) provided by the frame of the container 47 (container frame 47a).

The third opening 49 is formed in the container frame 47a and allows the toner to be discharged from the second toner containing portion 47t to the outside of the container 47 (developing unit D). The toner discharged through the third opening 49 is received by the second opening 30 of the developing unit D.

The toner t is supplied from the second toner containing portion 47 t into the first toner containing portion 28 by the second toner feeding member 46 which is rotated by the driving force applied from the main assembly via the developing unit D.

Further description will be given with reference back to FIG2 . Recording material P set in the feed cassette 2 is fed out in sheets and fed by a pickup roller 3 and a pressing member 5 in pressure contact therewith. Synchronously with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum, the recording material P is fed along a feed guide 4 to a transfer roller 6 serving as a transfer device.

The recording material P then passes through a transfer nip 11 formed between a photosensitive drum 16 and a transfer roller 6 supplied with a predetermined voltage. At this time, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 16 is transferred onto the recording material P. The recording material P with the transferred toner image is fed into a fixing device 8 along a feeding guide 7.

The fixing device 8 includes a drive roller 8a and a fixing roller 8c containing a heater 8b. The recording material P is heated and pressurized while passing through a nip 8d formed between the fixing roller 8c and the drive roller 8a. As a result, the toner image transferred onto the recording material P is fixed to the recording material P. The recording material P, bearing the fixed toner image, is then fed by a discharge roller pair 9 onto a discharge tray 10.

The cleaning blade 19 is in elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 16. Thus, the toner t (untransferred toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 16 without being transferred to the recording material P is scraped off by the cleaning blade 19. The scraped toner t is received in a removed toner receiving portion (residual toner receiving portion) 18a of the frame 18 to which the cleaning blade 19 is fixed.

As described above, the imaging device of this embodiment uses an electrophotographic imaging process and forms an image on a recording material using a developer (toner). However, any imaging device that forms an image on a recording material will suffice, and the type of imaging device is not limited to an electrophotographic copier, an electrophotographic printer (such as a laser beam printer or an LED printer), an electrophotographic printer-type facsimile machine, an electrophotographic word processor, or the like.

As described above, the toner image forming portion B includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member) as an image bearing member and a process device capable of acting on the photosensitive member. In this embodiment, the toner image forming portion can be detachably mounted to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus as a single cartridge or a plurality of cartridges.

The processing means includes a charging device (charging member, charging means), a developing device (developing device, developing unit), and a cleaning device (cleaning device, cleaning member).

The developing device is a device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member. In this embodiment, the developing device (developing unit) forms a box that can be independently and detachably mounted to the image forming device. On the other hand, a part of the process cartridge can constitute the developing device.

A toner cartridge (developer cartridge, toner bottle, developer bottle, toner container, developer container) is a cartridge that houses a developer (toner) for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member.

§2. Box (unit) structure:

A detailed structure of a cartridge (unit) detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus will be described.

(Detailed description of the vicinity of the receiving portion of the toner cartridge of the developing unit)

With reference to Figure 4, the detailed structure near the receiving portion of the colorant box E of the developing unit (developing box) D in this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the receiving portion (mounting portion) near the colorant box E of the developing unit D. Part (a) of Figure 4 shows a state in which the second opening 30 is closed (i.e., the first shutter 37 is in the closed position). Part (b) of Figure 4 shows a state in which the second opening 30 is open (i.e., the first shutter 37 is in the open position). In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the developing unit D is parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 24 of the developing unit D. When the colorant box E is installed in the developing unit, the longitudinal direction of the colorant box E is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit D.

The developing unit D is capable of receiving the toner cartridge E in a frame (developing device frame) 35 at a receiving portion. Near the receiving portion, the developing unit D is provided with a second opening (housing member opening, receiving opening) 30 and a first shutter (housing member shutter, receiving device side shutter, receiving device side opening/closing member) 37. In this embodiment, the second opening 30 is provided at the longitudinal center portion of the developing unit D. However, the position of the second opening 30 is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient as long as it is opposite to the third opening (container opening) 49 to be described below.

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 4 , the second opening 30 is closed by a first shutter 37 having a shape curved along the outer peripheral surface of the toner cartridge E. As shown in FIG.

The first shutter 37 is provided with a hole portion 37a that can engage with a protrusion (container side engaging portion, opening/closing member moving portion, container side protrusion) 47 provided on the toner cartridge E as a developer container. The hole portion 37 is arranged at a position outside the sealing range of the first shutter 37 that seals the second opening 30.

Opposite longitudinal end portions of the first shutter 37 are engageable with first shutter guide portions 34 provided at longitudinally opposite sides of the second opening 30 of the frame 35 of the developing unit D. Thus, the first shutter can slide (move) along the first shutter guide portions 34 .

Thus, the first shutter 37 can move between a closed position for closing the second opening 30 (receiving opening closed position, part (a) of FIG. 4 ) and an open position for opening the second opening 30 (receiving opening open position, part (b) of FIG. 4 ).

The frame 35 of the developing unit D is provided with a first sealing member 32 for sealing between the first shutter 37 and the second opening 30 so as to surround the second opening 30 .

The developing unit D is provided with insertion guide portions 35d, 36d at opposite longitudinal ends of the frame 35 for guiding the toner cartridge E while respectively maintaining the posture (mounting posture) of the toner cartridge E when the toner cartridge E is mounted (inserted).

In addition, the developing unit D is provided with abutted portions (abutted parts) 35a, 36a which are abutted by abutting portions 42a, 43a of the toner cartridge E when inserted, which will be described later.

The developing unit D is also provided with rotation guide portions 35 b , 36 b at opposite longitudinal ends of the frame 35 for guiding the rotation of the toner cartridge E when the first shutter 37 and the second shutter (container shutter) 53 are opened and closed.

The insertion guide portions 35d, 36d extend linearly parallel to each other along an insertion direction f (part (a) of FIG. 4 ) of the toner cartridge E. The insertion direction of the toner cartridge E is a mounting direction, and a removal direction is opposite to the mounting direction.

On the non-driven side of the developing unit D, the abutted portion 35a and the rotating guide portion 35b are arranged on the downstream side of the insertion direction f relative to the insertion guide portion 35d, and on its driven side, the abutted portion 36a and the rotating guide member 36b are arranged on the downstream side of the insertion direction f relative to the insertion guide portion 36d.

Among the opposite end sides of the developing unit D, the side where a driving portion such as a gear (eg, the first drive transmission portion 38 ) is provided is referred to as a “driving side.” The non-driving side of the developing unit is a side opposite to the driving side.

In addition, the developing unit D is provided with a first drive transmitting portion 38 at one end portion of the frame 35 with respect to the longitudinal direction for transmitting a driving force to a second toner feeding device 46 of the toner cartridge E, which will be described later.

The first drive transmission portion 38 includes a gear connected to a drive mechanism of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus in the developing unit D. The first drive transmission portion 38 is a rotational force receiving portion (driving force receiving portion) for receiving a rotational force for driving the second toner feeding member 46 from the outside of the toner cartridge E.

Furthermore, the developing unit D is provided with a hole portion 33 at each of longitudinally opposite end portions of the frame 35. The hole portion 33 is engageable with a claw portion 53b of a second shutter 53 of the toner cartridge E, which will be described later.

The claw portion 53b is an engaging portion (opening/closing member side engaging portion) provided at the free end of the arm portion 53a. Therefore, when opening and closing the third opening 49, the second shutter 53 is prevented from rotating together with the container frame 47a, which will be described below.

(Toner cartridge)

5 , the toner cartridge E according to this embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

5( a ) is a perspective view of the toner cartridge E viewed from the second drive transmission portion 48 side (driving side). FIG. 5( b ) is a perspective view of the toner cartridge E viewed from the opposite side (non-driving side) of the second drive transmission portion 48 .

5(c) is a sectional view of the toner cartridge E viewed from the side opposite to the second drive transmission portion 48. FIG5(d) is a perspective view of the toner cartridge E with the second shutter 53 in the open position (the third opening 49 open).

The toner cartridge E includes a container 47 , a second shutter (developer container shutter) 53 movable relative to the container 47 , a second toner feeding member 46 disposed in the container 47 , and a second drive transmission portion (gear) 48 mounted on the second toner feeding member 46 .

Container 47 is generally cylindrical. Thus, the frame (container frame) 47a that constitutes the main body (main portion) of container 47 is generally cylindrical. Container 47 is provided with a gripping member 44. Gripping member 44 takes the form of a U-shaped protrusion formed integrally with frame 47a. The shape of gripping member 44 is not limited to a U-shape, and gripping member 44 may not be integral with frame 47a but may be attached to frame 47a.

The container frame (cylindrical portion) 47a is hollow to constitute a second toner storage portion 47t for storing toner. The container frame 47a is provided on its peripheral surface with a third opening 49 for discharging toner from the second toner storage portion 47t.

The container frame 47 a is provided with a second sealing member 54 for sealing between the container frame 47 a and the second shutter 53 , and the second sealing member 54 surrounds the third opening 49 .

The container frame 47a is provided with two protrusions 45 on the outer periphery of the cylindrical shape that can engage with the hole portion 37a of the first shutter 37. The two protrusions 45 are protrusions that protrude in approximately the same direction. The line connecting the two protrusions 45 is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the colorant cartridge E.

In the longitudinal direction of the container 47, the two protrusions 45 are arranged on the outside of the third opening 49. More specifically, when the two protrusions 45 and the third opening 49 are projected onto an imaginary line parallel to the rotation axis of the second shutter 53, the entire third opening 49 falls within the range between the two protrusions. Inside the second toner storage portion 47t of the container frame 47a, a second toner feeding member 46 for feeding toner is rotatably provided. The position where the protrusion and the hole engage with each other is referred to as an "engaged position", and the position where the protrusion and the hole disengage from each other is referred to as a "non-engaged position" (release position).

In one end portion of the second toner feeding member 46 with respect to the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction), there is provided a second drive transmission portion (gear) 48 for receiving a driving force for rotating the second toner feeding member 46. Here, the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E is parallel to the rotational axis direction of the second toner feeding member 46.

In this embodiment, the third opening 49 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the container frame 47a at the longitudinal center portion of the toner cartridge E. The position of the third opening 49 is not limited to a specific position as long as it is opposed to the second opening 30.

The second shutter 53 is bent along the outer peripheral surface of the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E. The cross section of the second shutter 53 (cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the container frame 47a) has a curved configuration (substantially arcuate configuration) extending along the outer periphery of the container frame 47a.

The container frame 47a has a curved surface (generally cylindrical or generally arcuate) at least in the peripheral region of the third opening 49. The second shutter 53 can rotate (swivel) around the periphery of the container frame 47a along the curved surface portion (arc-shaped portion) surrounding the third opening 49. Thus, the second shutter 53 can open and close the third opening 49.

The second shutter 53 includes a shutter body portion 53m for closing the third opening 49. The second shutter 53 is provided with two snap-fit portions, each of which includes an arm portion 53a and a claw portion 53b.

More specifically, the second shutter 53 is provided with two arm portions 53a at longitudinally opposite end portions of a main portion 53m of the shutter, and is provided with two claw portions 53b provided at free end portions of the arm portions 53a, respectively. The longitudinal direction of the main portion 53m of the shutter is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E.

The claw portion 53b is an engaged portion (a portion to be engaged, a shutter side engaging portion, an opening/closing member side engaging portion) for engaging with the developing unit D. The claw portion 53b is exposed outward in the radial direction of the container 47 (container frame 47a) having a cylindrical shape. More specifically, the claw portion 53b is a protrusion that protrudes radially outward from at least the container 47 (container frame 47a).

The arm portion 53a is a support portion for supporting the claw portion 53b and is a connecting portion for connecting the claw portion 53b to the main body portion 53m of the gate. The arm portion 53a includes an elastic portion (deformable portion, movable portion) that can be elastically deformed. In other words, the arm portion 53a itself is elastically deformable.

The arm portion 53a extends from the rear side to the front side of the second shutter 53. The front side of the second shutter 53 is the downstream side along the direction in which the second shutter 53 moves relative to the container frame 47a when the second shutter 53 closes the third opening 49. The free end of the second shutter 53 is the end portion of the second shutter 53 relative to the transverse direction of the second shutter 53 (a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second shutter).

By elastic deformation of a portion of the arm portion 53a, the claw portion 53b is movable relative to the main body portion 53m of the shutter.

The opposite longitudinal ends of the second shutter 53 (the shutter main body 53m) engage with second shutter guides (opening and closing guides) 52 provided at the opposite longitudinal ends of the third opening 49 of the container frame 47a. The second shutter is slidable along the second shutter guides 52 in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the container frame 47a. Thus, the second shutter 53 is movable along the outer peripheral surface of the toner cartridge E between an open position for opening the third opening 49 (container open position, part (d) of FIG. 5 ) and a closed position for closing the third opening 49 (container closed position, part (b) of FIG. 5 ).

When the second shutter 53 is in the open position, it is desirable that the third opening 49 is fully open without being covered by the shutter main body portion 53m (closing portion), as shown in part (d) of Figure 5. However, when the second shutter 53 is in the open position, a portion of the third opening 49 may be covered by the shutter main body portion 53m (closing portion) as long as the toner can be discharged through the third opening 49. That is, when the second shutter 53 is in the open position, it is sufficient as long as the toner is allowed to be supplied from the toner cartridge E to the developing unit D even when the shutter main body portion 53m opens at least a portion of the third opening 49.

When the second shutter 53 is in the closed position, it is desirable that the entire third opening 49 is covered by the shutter main body portion 53m, as shown in part (b) of Figure 5. However, even when the third opening 49 is slightly open, it is sufficient as long as the third opening 49 is substantially closed by the shutter main body portion 53m to sufficiently prevent toner from leaking through the third opening 49. In other words, when the second shutter 53 is in the closed position, it is sufficient as long as the shutter main body portion 53m substantially closes the third opening 49.

The container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E is provided with insertion guided portions (portions to be guided, toner cartridge side guide portions) 42, 43 at each of the longitudinally opposite end portions of the toner cartridge E. By being guided by the insertion guide portions 35d, 36d of the developing unit D, the posture of the toner cartridge E when the toner cartridge E is mounted and demounted is stabilized.

The toner cartridge E is further provided with an abutting portion 42a. When the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D, the abutting portion 42a abuts against the abutted portion 35a of the developing unit D. The toner cartridge E is provided with a rotationally guided portion 42b (a portion to be guided to rotate). When the toner cartridge E rotates to open and close the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53, the rotationally guided portion 42b guides the container frame 47a. Providing the rotationally guided portion 42b enables the container 47 to rotate. The rotationally guided portion 42b is a rotation guide (toner cartridge side rotation guide) for guiding the rotation of the toner cartridge E. The rotationally guided portion 42b has a curved shape (roughly arcuate).

In addition, the insertion guided portion 42 is provided with regulated portions (a portion to be regulated, a regulated surface, a posture regulating portion, an insertion direction regulating portion) 42c1, 42c2 for regulating the insertion posture and removal posture (insertion direction and removal direction) of the toner cartridge E when inserting and removing the toner cartridge E. The insertion guided portion 42 may have a weight-reducing feature structure in a part of the external structure to change the external structure.

The insertion guided portion 43 is provided with an abutting portion 43 a so as to abut against the abutted portion 36 a of the developing unit D when the toner cartridge E is inserted. The insertion guided portion 43 also serves as a rotation guided portion (toner cartridge side rotation guide portion) for guiding the container frame 47 a when the abutting portion 43 a opens and closes the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53 .

In this embodiment, the abutment portion 42a, the rotation guided portion 42b, the regulating portion 42c1 and the regulating portion 42c2 are integrally formed with the insertion guided portion 42b on the non-driving side. However, they may be independent members as long as they can perform corresponding functions.

Similarly, on the driving side, the insertion guided portion 43b and the contact portion 43a may each be an independent member. The rotation guided portion may be a member independent of the contact portion 43a. When factors such as strength are of concern, portions of the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D that do not contact each other (non-functional portions, non-contact portions) may be omitted.

In this embodiment, the insertion guided portion 43 is provided at the end portion of the second drive transmission portion 48 of the second toner feeding portion 46. However, the insertion guided portion 43 may be provided on the container frame 47a. The container frame 47a is provided with a gripping member 44 that serves as a handle for the user to grip when the toner cartridge E is installed. The gripping member 44 is fixed to the container frame 47a at opposite longitudinal ends. The gripping member 44 may be integrally molded with the container frame 47a.

Referring back to part (a) of FIG. 1 , the position of the gripping member 44 on the container frame 47 a will be described. Part (a) of FIG. 1 is a side view of the toner cartridge E side opposite the second drive transmission portion 48, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the second toner feeding portion 46. This figure shows the positional relationship between the gripping member 44 and the abutting portion 42 with respect to the insertion direction.

As shown in part (a) of Figure 1, straight line m is a straight line (an imaginary line passing through the rotation axis S of the container frame 47a) parallel to the insertion direction f of the colorant box E controlled by the control part 42c1 and the control part 42c2 and passing through the abutment part 42a and the abutment part 43a.

The gripping member 44 is arranged on the downstream side of the straight line m with respect to the opening direction (arrow e in part (a) of Figure 1) of the third opening 49 (part (d) of Figure 5). The opening direction (direction of arrow e) of the third opening 49 is the direction (settling direction) in which the toner cartridge E is rotated to seat the toner cartridge E relative to the developing unit D.

§3. Install the toner cartridge into the developer unit:

The description will be made with respect to a process of mounting the toner cartridge E to the developing unit D. By rotating the toner cartridge E in a state where the toner cartridge E is set in the developing unit D, the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 are opened and closed.

(Inserting operation of toner cartridge into developing unit)

1 and FIG. 6 (a), FIG. 6 (b), and FIG. 7, an inserting operation of the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D is described.

Part (b) of FIG. 1 is a side view of the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D, which illustrates the positional relationship between the gripping member 44 and the abutting portion 43 a with respect to the mounting direction of the toner cartridge E. As shown in FIG.

6 is a schematic diagram showing the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D in a state before the toner cartridge E is mounted (inserted), wherein part (a) of FIG. 6 is a perspective view and part (b) of FIG. 6 is a side view.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D in a state where the toner cartridge E is in the process of being mounted (inserted).

Before the toner cartridge E is mounted to the developing unit D, the first shutter 37 is in the housing member closing position and the second shutter 53 is in the container closing position. Therefore, the second opening 30 of the developing unit D and the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E are closed.

The insertion direction of the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D is indicated by f in part (b) of Figure 6 . The direction f is along the surface of the regulating portion 42 c as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E. More specifically, the direction f is the direction along the surface of the regulating portion 42 c in which the abutting portion 42 a is downstream of the insertion guided portion 42.

As shown in part (a) of Figure 6 , the user grips the gripping member 44 and moves the toner cartridge E in the insertion direction f toward the developing unit D. At this time, the user moves the toner cartridge E so that the insertion guided portion 42 of the toner cartridge E and the insertion guide portion 35d of the developing unit D engage with each other, and the insertion guided portion 43 and the insertion guide portion 36d engage with each other.

In this embodiment, the insertion guided portions 42 , 43 and the insertion guide portions 35 d , 36 d are formed so that the insertion direction f is inclined with respect to the direction g of gravity (part (b) of FIG. 6 ).

In other words, in the direction of gravity g, the toner cartridge E is inserted while the surface of the regulating portion 42c1 of the insertion guided portion 42 is guided by the surface 35d1 of the insertion guide portion 35d. Similarly, the toner cartridge E is inserted while the surface of the regulating portion 42c2 of the insertion guided portion 42 is guided by the surface 35d2 of the insertion guide portion 35d.

The insertion guided portion 42 is positioned relative to the rotation guide portion 35b by positioning the surface of the lower regulating portion 42c1 on the surface 35d1 of the insertion guide portion 35d.

While maintaining this posture, the user further moves the toner cartridge E downward along the insertion guide portion 35d and the insertion guide portion 36d. As a result, the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D in the direction of arrow f. By further moving in the direction of arrow f, the abutting portion 42a abuts against the abutted portion 35a. Furthermore, the abutting portion 43a abuts against the abutted portion 36a. Thus, the insertion of the toner cartridge E is completed (Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b)).

(Modification of Insertion Guided Portion)

With reference to part (a) of Figure 8 , part (b) of Figure 8 , part (c) of Figure 8 , and part (d) of Figure 8 , variations of the structure of the insertion guided portion 42 will be described. Parts (a) to (d) of Figure 8 are side views of various variations of the insertion guided portion 42, the abutment portion 42a, and the control portion 42c of the colorant cartridge E. In this embodiment, as shown in part (a) of Figure 8 , the insertion guided portion 42 of the colorant cartridge E is provided by a single protrusion in the form of an oblong circle. However, other configurations and structures as shown in parts (a) to (d) may also be adopted as long as similar functions are provided. However, the configuration, number, and position of the protrusions are not limited to specific examples.

As shown in part (b) of Figure 8 , a combination of an oblong protrusion and a cylindrical protrusion can be used. With this structure, the surface 42d of the oblong protrusion is guided (contacted) by the surface 35d1 of the insertion guide portion 35d, and the surface 42c2 of the cylindrical protrusion is guided (contacted) by the surface 35d2 of the insertion guide portion 35d. This helps control the posture of the toner cartridge E during insertion. Furthermore, the contact portion 42a of the oblong protrusion contacts the contacted portion 35a, completing the insertion of the toner cartridge E.

As shown in parts (c) and (d) of Figure 8 , the insertion guided portion may be composed of a combination of multiple cylindrical protrusions. The protrusions may not be cylindrical but may be triangular prisms. In other words, any configuration is acceptable as long as the insertion guided portion is aligned with the insertion direction f of the toner cartridge E and can control the insertion posture of the toner cartridge E. The number of insertion guided portions may be one or more.

Using the structure of part (c) of Figure 8 , the cylindrical protrusions 42e and 42f arranged along the insertion direction f are guided by the surface 35d1 of the insertion guide portion 35d. Furthermore, the surface 42c2 of the cylindrical protrusion 42 is guided by the surface 35d2 of the insertion guide portion 35d. This regulates the posture of the toner cartridge E. Similarly, the cylindrical protrusion 42f positioned downstream relative to the insertion direction f has an abutting portion 42a that abuts the abutted portion 35a. This completes the insertion of the toner cartridge E into the developer unit D.

With the structure of part (d) of Figure 8 , the cylindrical projections 42e and 42f arranged along the insertion direction f are guided by the surface 35d1 of the insertion guide portion 35d. The cylindrical projections 42e and 42f are guided by the surface 35d2 of the insertion guide portion 35d. This controls the posture of the toner cartridge E. Furthermore, the cylindrical projection 42f, located downstream relative to the insertion direction f, has an abutting portion 42a that abuts the abutted portion 35a, thereby completing the insertion of the toner cartridge E into the developer unit D.

In this manner, in the case where a plurality of protrusions are provided at the longitudinal end portions of the toner cartridge E, the portions contacting the developing unit D are considered.

(Positioning of Toner Cartridge Relative to Developer Unit)

10(a), FIG10(b), FIG11(a), FIG11(b), and FIG11(c), positioning of the toner cartridge E relative to the developing unit D will be described.

Part (a) of Figure 10 is a side view of the insertion guided portion 42 of the toner cartridge E and the frame 35 of the developing unit D, with the abutting portion 42a abutting the abutted portion 35a. Part (b) of Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D, with the abutting portion 42a abutting the abutted portion 35a.

Part (a) of Figure 11 is a side view of the insertion guided portion 42 of the toner cartridge E and the frame 35 of the developing unit D, in a state in which the toner cartridge E is positioned relative to the developing unit. Part (b) of Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement relationship between the positioned toner cartridge E and the developing unit D. Part (b) of Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D, taken at the position of the second shutter 53.

Part (c) of Figure 11 is a sectional view showing another engagement state between the positioned toner cartridge E and developing unit D. Part (c) of Figure 11 is a sectional view of the toner cartridge E and developing unit D taken at the position of the claw portion 53b.

10, when the container frame 47a rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow e in the figure), the abutment portion 42a and the rotation guided portion 42b engage with the rotation guide 35b.

§4.[Opening and closing operation of the gate]

The opening and closing operations of the developing unit-side shutter and the toner cartridge-side shutter will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, the first shutter 37 on the developing unit side and the second shutter 53 on the toner cartridge side are opened (moved to the open position) during the installation of the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D. Conversely, the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53 are closed (moved to the closed position) during the removal of the toner cartridge E from the developing unit D.

The toner cartridge E is mounted by a mounting operation including at least a rotation operation relative to the developing unit D. More specifically, after being substantially linearly inserted into the developing unit D, the toner cartridge E is rotated relative to the developing unit D for mounting. In association with the rotation operation of the toner cartridge E in the mounting operation, the shutters 37, 53 are correspondingly moved from the closed position to the open position.

Similarly, the toner cartridge E is detached from the developing unit D by a detaching operation including at least a rotating operation. More specifically, after being rotated relative to the developing unit D, the toner cartridge E is pulled out substantially linearly for detachment.

The shutters 37 and 53 are moved to the open position by the rotation operation of the toner cartridge E when being removed.

(Gate opening operation)

With reference to parts (a) of FIG. 1 , (a) of FIG. 11 , (b) of FIG. 11 , (c) of FIG. 11 , (a) of FIG. 12 , and (b) of FIG. 12 , the opening operation of the first shutter 37 of the developing unit D and the second shutter 53 of the toner cartridge E will be described. Part (a) of FIG. 12 is a side view of the insertion guided portion 42 of the toner cartridge E and the frame 35 of the developing unit D in a state where the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 are open. Part (b) of FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D in a state where the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 are open.

In this embodiment, the relative position between the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 can take different relative positions in a state where the toner cartridge E is positioned relative to the developing unit D (mounted state). In other words, in a state where the toner cartridge E is set in the developing unit D, the toner cartridge E can take at least two positions (states) by rotating it.

In the first position, the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 do not overlap each other, and therefore, the first toner storage portion 28 and the second toner storage portion 47t are in a non-fluid communication state (non-communication position). In this state, the first shutter 37 is in a closed position closing the second opening 30.

In the second position, the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 are aligned with each other so that the first toner storage portion 28 and the second toner storage portion 47t are in fluid communication with each other. In this state, the first shutter 37 is in the open position to open the second opening 30.

Therefore, the first shutter 37 is an opening/closing member for opening and closing the second opening 30. The third opening 49 is formed in a curved surface portion having a substantially arcuate configuration, and the first shutter 37 moves (rotates) along the curved surface portion to open and close the third opening 49.

As shown in part (a) of Figure 1, when the colorant cartridge E is inserted into the predetermined position of the developing unit D, the protrusion 45 of the container frame 47a and the hole portion 37a of the first shutter 37 engage with each other. In addition, at this time, the front side surface 53c of the second shutter 53 (part (d) of Figure 5) and the collision surface (contact surface) 39 of the developing unit D (part (b) of Figure 4) are opposite to each other. The insertion guide portion 35d is guided by the insertion guided portion 42, and the insertion posture of the colorant cartridge E is controlled so that the protrusion 45 enters the hole portion 37a. Similarly, the insertion posture of the colorant cartridge E is controlled so that the front side surface 53c is opposite to the collision surface 39.

The user operates the grip member 44 in the direction of arrow e to rotate the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E from the mounted position shown in part (a) of FIG. 1 . As a result, the engagement state between the insertion guided portion 42 and the frame 35 changes from the state shown in part (a) of FIG. 11 to the state shown in part (a) of FIG. 12 . At this time, the rotation axis of the toner cartridge E (container frame 47a) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E.

As shown in FIG. 11( b ), during the rotation of the container frame 47 a, the front surface 53 c of the second shutter 53 ( FIG. 5( d )) and the collision surface 39 of the developer unit D ( FIG. 4( b )) come into contact with each other. This prevents the second shutter 53 from rotating integrally with the toner cartridge E.

That is, the movement of the front side surface 53c of the second shutter 53 is regulated by the collision surface 39, so that only the container frame 47a rotates. From this state, the toner cartridge E further rotates to the installation direction (arrow e in part (b) of Figure 11). Then, the third opening 49 for supplying toner to the developing unit moves in the opening direction.

In other words, the second shutter moves relative to the container frame 47a in the direction of opening the third opening 49. More specifically, the front side surface 53c of the second shutter receives the force (reaction force) from the collision surface 39, whereby the second shutter 53 rotates (swivels) along the outer periphery of the container frame 47a in the direction of opening the third opening 49.

As shown in FIG. 1 (a) and FIG. 11 (c), container frame 47a is provided with a surface (inclined surface) 47b such that the height thereof increases toward arm portion 53a in the region opposite arm portion 53a. In other words, container frame 47a is provided with a peripheral surface that protrudes radially outward and a peripheral surface that is recessed radially inward. Surface 47b is interposed between the protruding and recessed peripheral surfaces.

When the second shutter 53 moves relative to the container frame 47 a (surface 47 b ), the protruding peripheral surface of the container frame 47 a contacts the arm portion 53 a of the second shutter to guide the arm 53 a radially outward.

Here, the output of the container frame 47a is an outlet in the radial direction of the rotation of the second shutter plate 53 relative to the container frame 47a. The output direction of the container frame 47a is a direction away from the rotation axis (central axis) of the container frame 47a. The outside of the container frame 47a is away from the second toner feeding member 46 (or the rotation axis of the second toner feeding member 46) provided inside the container frame 47a.

In this embodiment, the container frame 47a is substantially cylindrical, and therefore, the surface along which the arm 53a moves is a peripheral surface protruding outward. Another configuration may be adopted as long as it can guide the arm 53a, and therefore the configuration of the guide portion of the arm 53a is not limited to the specific example described above.

When the container frame 47a rotates relative to the arm portion 53a of the second shutter plate 53, which is prevented from rotating, point Q on surface 47b moves along surface 53d of arm portion 53a. Then, point Q on surface 47b contacts surface 53e (a portion to be contacted) located behind claw portion 53b. At this time, because surface 53e receives a force from point Q in the direction indicated by arrow n, claw portion 53b of arm portion 53a deforms and is thereby pushed up by surface 47b.

As a result, the arm portion 53a changes from a position retracted along the recessed portion provided on the peripheral surface of the container frame 47a to a position engaged with the developer unit. More specifically, the claw portion 53b of the arm portion 53a engages with the hole portion 33 of the frame 35 of the developer unit D (thus, the second shutter 53 temporarily engages with the frame 35). The surface 47b (portion (b) of FIG. 6 ) is a movable portion (engagement position shifting portion) that pushes the claw portion 53b to move radially outward from the container frame 47a when the second shutter 53 moves to the open position (when the toner cartridge E is installed). In other words, the claw portion 53b is moved to the engagement position for engagement with the hole portion 33 via the surface 47b. The surface 47b moves the claw portion 53b outward from the container frame 47a (away from the center (rotational axis) of the container frame 47a), that is, away from the rotational axis of the second feed member 46 provided within the container frame 47a.

The surface 47b also serves as a guide portion for guiding the claw portion 53b and the arm portion 53a radially outward from the container frame 47a (to the engaged position), and also serves as a pressing portion (pressing portion) for pressing the arm portion 53a and the claw portion 53b radially outward. Furthermore, the surface 47b also serves as an engaged position retaining portion for retaining the engaging portion (claw portion 53b) in the engaged position (the position in which it engages with the hole portion 33) when the second shutter 53 is in the open position. By supporting the snap fit (the arm portion 53a or the claw portion 53b) on the surface 47b, the claw portion 53b does not move to the retracted position, where it is retracted from the hole portion 33.

When the container frame 47a rotates in the direction of arrow e in part (b) of Figure 11, the first shutter 37 is pressed in the rotation direction of the container frame 47a by the contact between the surface 45a of the protrusion 45 and the surface 37a1 of the hole portion 37a. As a result, the first shutter 37 opens the second opening 30 in conjunction with the rotation of the container frame 47a. The protrusion 45 of the container frame 47a serves as an opening force applying portion (open position moving portion, opening/closing member moving portion) for applying a force to the first shutter 37 to move it to the open position.

12(a) and 12(b), the first toner storing portion 28 and the second toner storing portion 47 are in fluid communication with each other through the third opening 49 and the second opening 30. Thus, the opening operation for opening the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 is completed.

At this time, the abutment portion 42a and the rotation guided portion 42b engage with the rotation guide portion 35b. Thus, the toner cartridge E is prevented from moving relative to the developing unit D while the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 are open.

That is, the toner cartridge E is prevented from moving in the y direction and the k direction opposite to the insertion direction f by the force received from the developing unit D. In this state, the second drive transmission portion 48 of the toner cartridge E is connected to the drive transmission portion 38 of the developing unit D. This allows the driving force for rotating the second toner feeding member 46 to be transmitted from the developing unit. With this structure, toner can be supplied from the second toner storage portion 47t of the toner cartridge E to the first toner storage portion 28 of the developing unit D. In this embodiment, the drive transmission portion 38 for transmitting the driving force to the second drive transmission portion 48 of the toner cartridge E is provided on the developing unit D side. However, the drive transmission portion 38 engaging with the second drive transmission portion 48 may be provided on the toner cartridge E side, as in the embodiment described below. The engagement between gears is referred to as meshing engagement, which also applies to the case of a belt or the like provided with projections.

(Switching from toner cartridge insertion operation to shutter opening operation)

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 (a) and FIG. 9 (b), a switching operation from the insertion operation of the toner cartridge E to the shutter opening operation, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described. FIG. 9 (a) is a side view illustrating the relationship of forces applied to the toner cartridge E when the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D. FIG. 9 (b) is a side view illustrating the relationship of forces applied to the toner cartridge E when using the abutment portion 42a having a different structure.

As shown in FIG. 9A , the user inserts the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D, causing the abutting portion 42a to abut against the abutted portion (to-be-abutted portion) 35a. As a result, the toner cartridge E receives force F1 and force F2. More specifically, the force F1 applied by the user when inserting the toner cartridge E acts on the gripping member 44, and an equivalent force F2, acting as a reaction force, is applied to the abutting portion 42a of the insertion guided portion 42.

Here, let's consider a straight line (imaginary line) m that is parallel to the installation direction of the toner cartridge E and passes through the rotation axis S of the toner cartridge E (the rotation axis of the second shutter member 53). The length of the arm from the imaginary line m to the gripping member 44 is r1, and the length of the arm from the rotation axis (rotation center) S to the abutment portion 42a is r2. At this time, the moment M about the rotation axis S of the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E (part (d) of FIG. 5 ) is as follows:

M＝F1×r1+F2×r2.

As shown in part (a) of Figure 9 , the rotational movement direction of the toner cartridge E (container frame 47a) when the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 are open is counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow e) when viewed along the axial direction of rotation of the container frame 47a. In this embodiment, the abutment portion 42a is located on a straight line (imaginary line) m that is parallel to the insertion direction (guiding direction) f and passes through the rotation axis S of the container frame 47a, and therefore r2 = 0. The gripping member 44 is arranged downstream of the straight line m with respect to the rotational movement direction e (taking a positive value in the direction of opening the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 (in the direction of arrow e)).

Therefore, F1×r1>0, and M>0.

Since F1×r1>0 and M>0, the force F1 applied by the user when inserting the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D is converted into a force effective to rotate the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 in the opening direction e. Therefore, the entire toner cartridge E is rotated by the force F1 applied to the toner cartridge E in the direction f.

The larger the moment M, the easier it is to rotate the toner cartridge E. In other words, as the moment M increases, the smoothness of the opening operation of the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 increases.

Regarding the structure for increasing the moment M, for example, a modification of the abutment portion 42a can be considered, as shown in part (b) of Figure 9. This means that the abutment portion 42a is positioned on the side opposite to the gripping member 44 relative to an imaginary line m that is parallel to the mounting direction f and passes through the rotation axis S of the container frame 47a.

When the force applied to the abutment portion 42a is F3 and the distance from the imaginary line m to the abutment portion 42a is r3, similar to the case of part (a) of FIG. 9 , the moment M about the rotation axis S is as follows:

M＝F1×r1+F3×r3.

In this case, F3×r3 is the moment in the direction of opening the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 (opening direction e). Therefore, the moment M is large, and therefore, the container frame 47a is more easily rotated in the opening direction e. The positional relationship between the abutment portion 42a and the gripping member 44 described above can be applied to the relationship between the abutment portion 43a and the gripping member 44, thereby providing a similar effect.

The positional relationship of the grip member 44 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 64. Figure 64 shows a state where the toner cartridge E is projected on a projection plane perpendicular to the rotation axis S and is divided into two regions (ie, region R1 and region R2) by an imaginary line m.

In this case, the holding member 44 is in the same region R1 as the third opening (discharge opening) 49. In this embodiment, the entire holding member 44 is in region R1. That is, the free end portion (holding portion) 44t and the base 44s of the holding member 44 are both in region R1. However, the free end portion (operating portion, holding portion) 44t directly held by the user is on the region R1 side. The base of the holding member 44 is the connecting portion between the container 47 and the holding member 44. In addition, the protrusion (container side protrusion, opening/closing member moving portion) 45 and the claw portion 53a (opening/closing member side engaging portion), the surface (engaging position moving portion) 47b are also on the region R1 side.

The projection 45, the claw portion 53a, the surface 47b, and the third opening 49 in the gripping member 44, which are related to the opening and closing operations of the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53, are all located in the region R1. Thus, the structure related to the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53a is simplified, and thus, the toner cartridge E and/or the developer cartridge D can be miniaturized.

To further illustrate the positional relationship of the gripping member 44, the toner cartridge E is divided into four sections by imaginary lines m and n. Imaginary line n is a straight line passing through the rotation axis S and perpendicular to imaginary line m. Accordingly, the toner cartridge E is divided into four regions: region R1a, region R1b, region R2a, and region R2b. Regions R1a, R1b, R2a, and R2b are arranged in the order described above, along the direction of arrow e. The direction of arrow e represents the direction of rotation of the container 47 when the toner cartridge E is installed. In other words, the direction of arrow e represents the direction of rotation of the second shutter 53 relative to the container 47 from the open position to the closed position.

The gripping member 44 (free end portion 44 t , base 44 s ), the surface (engagement position moving portion) 47 b are provided in the same region R1 a as the third opening 49 .

Protrusion 45 is arranged in region R1b, which is downstream of region R1a in the direction of arrow e. Claw portion 53a is arranged between protrusion 45 and grip member 44 relative to the direction of arrow e. Claw portion 53a is arranged adjacent to imaginary line n. Most of claw portion 53a is located on the side of region R1b, but claw portion 53a may be arranged in region R1a.

In the direction of arrow e, the gripping member 44 , the third opening 49 , the surface 47 b , the claw portion (engagement portion) 53 a , and the protrusion 45 are arranged in the order described above.

(Gate closing operation)

Referring to FIG. 10 (a), FIG. 10 (b), FIG. 11 (b), FIG. 11 (c), and FIG. 12 (b), the closing operation of the first shutter 37 of the developing unit D and the second shutter 53 of the toner cartridge E will be described. The closing operation of the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53 is the opposite of the opening operation described above. In the closing direction of the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53, the container frame 47a rotates in the clockwise direction (the direction of arrow h in FIG. 12 (b)) as viewed from the side opposite to the side where the second drive transmission portion 48 is provided.

In the state shown in part (b) of Figure 12, the user who holds the gripping member 44 rotates the container frame 47a in the closing direction (the direction of the arrow h, the closing direction). Then, the surface 45b of the protrusion 45 of the container frame 47a abuts against the surface 37a2 of the hole portion 37a of the first shutter 37. Thereby, the first shutter 37 receives the force from the surface 37a2 to rotate in association with the rotation operation of the container 47. The first shutter 37 moves to the closed position for closing the second opening 30. The surface 45b of the protrusion 45 is a closing force applying portion for applying a force to the first shutter 37 to move the first shutter 37 to the closed position.

At this time, as shown in part (c) of Figure 11, the claw portion 53b of the second shutter 53 is arranged in the engagement position by the surface 47b as described above, so that the claw portion 53b engages with the hole portion 33 of the developing unit D. Therefore, the surface 53f of the claw portion 53b abuts against the surface 33a of the hole portion 33, and therefore, the second shutter 53 does not rotate integrally with the container frame 47a. That is, through the engagement between the claw portion 53b and the hole portion 33, the surface 53f receives the force from the surface 33a, and therefore, the rotation of the second shutter 53 is controlled. In other words, the second shutter 53 does not move integrally with the container frame 47a, thereby allowing relative movement between the second shutter 53 and the container frame 47a. Therefore, the second shutter 53 moves to the closed position for closing the third opening 49 relative to the container frame 47a.

The claw portion 53b is a shutter-side engaging portion that is engageable with the hole portion (receiving device-side engaging portion) 33, thereby receiving a force for moving the second shutter 53 when the claw portion 53b is in the engaged position. In particular, a surface 53f of the claw portion 53b that contacts the hole portion 33 is a force receiving portion for receiving the force from the hole portion 33.

When the container frame 47a is further rotated in the closing direction (direction of arrow h), the toner cartridge E is detached from the developing unit D, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 10 .

That is, the claw portion 53b of the second shutter plate 53, which has been engaged with the hole portion 33 of the developing unit D, moves radially inward from the container frame 47a, so that the surface 53e moves along the surface 47b. In other words, the claw portion 53b retreats from its engagement position with the hole portion 33 and moves along the surface 47b to the retreat position. This is the state shown in part (a) of Figure 1 and part (b) of Figure 1.

More specifically, as described above, the outer periphery of containment frame 47a has a diameter that changes at the boundary of surface 47b. When surface 47b reaches the position of claw portion 53b due to rotation of containment frame 47a, the radius of containment frame 47a gradually decreases along surface 47b. Therefore, the shape of arm portion 53a, which was elastically deformed outward by containment frame 47a, is restored. In other words, the elastic deformation of arm portion 53a is released, allowing arm portion 53a to move radially inward.

As a result, the claw portion 53b moves radially inward from the container frame 47a due to the elastic force of the arm portion 53a (part (c) of Figure 11). The surface 47b is a guide portion for guiding the claw portion 53b to move inward toward the interior of the container frame 47a. In other words, when the second shutter 53 moves from the closed position to the open position (when the toner cartridge E is installed), the surface 47b guides the claw portion 53b from the retracted position to the engaged position. Conversely, when the second shutter 53 moves from the open position to the closed position (when the toner cartridge E is removed), the surface 47b guides the claw portion 53b from the engaged position to the retracted position.

The surface 47b constitutes a recessed portion radially inwardly recessed from the container frame 47a to provide a clearance space (escape portion) for allowing the claw portion 53b to move radially inwardly from the container frame 47a through the surface 47a. In other words, the surface 47b is a allowing portion for allowing the claw portion 53b to move to the retreat position.

"Radially inward from the container frame 47a" refers to the direction inward relative to the radius of rotation when the second shutter plate 53 rotates relative to the container frame 47a. In other words, "radially inward" means toward the interior of the container frame 47a or toward the rotation axis (center axis) of the container frame 47a. "Radially inward" means toward the second feeding member 46 (or its rotation axis) disposed inside the container frame 47a.

By moving the claw portion 53b of the second gate plate 53 from the engagement position (part (c) of Figure 11) to the retracted position (part (b) of Figure 1) to disengage from the hole portion 33, the colorant box E can be removed in the direction of the arrow k in part (b) of Figure 10.

The moving distance of the claw portion 53b measured along the radial direction of the container frame 47a when the claw portion 53b moves from the engaged position to the retracted position (or vice versa) is not less than 1.3 mm. Thus, switching between the engaged state between the claw portion 53b and the hole portion 33 and the disengaged state therebetween is ensured.

Although the claw portion 53b is movable in the radial direction of the container frame 47a (the rotation radial direction of the second shutter 53), the claw portion 53b is not necessarily movable in parallel with the radial direction, but may be movable in a direction intersecting the radial direction.

That is, the claw portion 53b does not necessarily need to move only in the radial direction. Instead, it is sufficient that the claw portion 53b moves at least in the radial direction relative to the main body portion 53m of the shutter. For example, as the claw portion 53b moves in the radial direction, the claw portion 53b can move in the axial direction of the container frame 47a (the direction of the rotation axis of the second shutter 53). Alternatively, as the claw portion 53b moves in the radial direction, the claw portion 53b can move relative to the main body portion 53m of the shutter in the circumferential direction of the container frame 47a (the direction of rotational movement of the second shutter 53).

When the toner cartridge E is installed in the mounting position, the gripping member 44 is positioned downstream of an imaginary line extending in the insertion direction f, passing through the rotation axis and in the direction of the rotation axis of the container frame 47a, relative to the rotation direction of the container frame 47a. In this position, the gripping member 44 receives a force applied by a user's operation to rotate the container frame 47a. This position generates a moment in the direction in which the container frame 47a rotates relative to the developing unit D when the gripping member 44 receives a force in the insertion direction f.

In other words, the toner cartridge E of this embodiment is configured so that when the container frame 47a is rotated in this position, the force applied to the gripping member 44 (arrow R in FIG. 9 ) includes a force component in the insertion direction f (arrow Rf in FIG. 9 ). Since the user applies force in the insertion direction f to the gripping member 44 during insertion, the gripping member 44 receives the force in the insertion direction f when the toner cartridge E reaches the installation position. That is, by the time the toner cartridge E reaches the installation position, a portion of the force required to rotate the container frame 47a has already been applied to the gripping member 44. Therefore, due to the pressure applied to the gripping member 44 in the insertion direction f by the user, the force in the insertion direction f continues to be applied to the gripping member 44 while the container frame 47a continues to rotate from the insertion of the toner cartridge E to the installation position.

Thus, in a series of mounting operations including inserting the toner cartridge E into the mounting position in the developing unit D and then rotating the container frame 47a by the user holding the grip member (handle) 44, the conversion of force from the insertion operation force to the rotation operation force is smooth. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform the insertion operation of inserting the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D and the opening operation for the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53, and thus, the operability is significantly improved.

In this embodiment, when the toner cartridge E is in the installed position, the gripping member (handle) 44 receives force at a position farther from the rotation axis than the abutting portion 42a, as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the container frame 47a. Thus, during rotation of the container frame 47a, the lever principle allows the container frame 47a to rotate with relatively little force, resisting the sliding resistance between the abutting portion 42a, the abutted portion 35a, and the rotation guide 35b. The same applies to the sliding resistance between the abutting portion 43a, the abutted portion 36a, and the rotation guide 36b.

In this embodiment, the second shutter 53 is rotatable around the circumference of the container 47 (container frame 47a). Thus, the second shutter 53 can be opened and closed by rotating the toner cartridge E relative to the developing unit D (receiving device). In the case where the second shutter 53 is opened and closed by rotating the toner cartridge E, the space required for opening and closing the second shutter 53 is advantageously smaller than the space required for opening and closing the second shutter 53 by linear movement of the toner cartridge E.

That is, when the toner cartridge E rotates relative to the developing unit D, the toner cartridge E only changes its posture, and the center (rotational axis) of the toner cartridge E is hardly displaced relative to the developing unit. In other words, during the opening and closing operation of the second shutter 53, the area occupied by the toner cartridge E in the developing unit D hardly changes. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a large space in the developing unit D for opening and closing the second shutter 53. By adopting the toner cartridge E of this embodiment, the receiving device (developing unit D) for receiving the toner cartridge E and/or the image forming apparatus including the receiving device can be miniaturized.

In addition, the engaging portion (claw portion 53b) of the second shutter 53 moves as the toner cartridge E rotates. That is, the engaging portion moves to an appropriate position during the rotation operation of the toner cartridge E. Therefore, the engaging portion does not interfere with the installation and removal of the toner cartridge E. The engaging portion can close the opening/closing member during the removal of the toner cartridge E.

Furthermore, the engaging portion moves by rotating the toner cartridge E. Specifically, the engaging portion moves by rotating the toner cartridge E. Consequently, a mechanism for transmitting driving force from the main assembly of the apparatus to the toner cartridge to move the engaging portion is no longer necessary. Consequently, the structures of the toner cartridge E, the developing unit D, and the image forming apparatus can be simplified.

(Variation)

In the aforementioned embodiment, the arm portion (support portion) 53c itself has an elastic portion capable of elastic deformation, and the claw portion (engagement portion) 53b moves from the engagement position to the retreat position by the elastic force of the arm portion 53c itself.

However, the elastic portion can be provided as an additional component independent of the supporting portion (arm portion 53c) and/or the engaging portion (claw portion 53b). For example, the arm portion 53c (supporting portion) is mounted on the main body portion 53m of the gate so as to be slidable and/or rotatable. Then, the arm portion 53c is pushed to the retreat position by an additional elastic portion (elastic component) independent of the arm portion 53c. With such a structure, even if the arm portion 53c itself is not elastically deformed, the same effect as that of this embodiment can be provided. Such a structure will be described in detail below for Example 7.

In addition, in this embodiment, the entire second gate 53 including the main body portion 53m of the gate, the arm portion 53a and the claw portion 53b is molded integrally from a resin material. However, the second gate 53 can be constructed by combining independent components. For example, a metal leaf spring (metal component) can be connected to the main body portion 53m of the gate of resin material to serve as a supporting portion for the gate side engaging portion. In such a case, it is preferred that the free end of the leaf spring be bent to form the gate side engaging portion (claw portion 53b), or that an independent component serving as the gate side engaging portion be fixed to the free end portion of the free end of the leaf spring.

Alternatively, the arm portion 53 a may be configured by combining a plurality of members made of a resin material and/or metal or the like.

<Example 2>

(The laser beam is deflected in the space defined by the handle)

According to this embodiment, the internal space of the imaging device can be saved.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, this embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment are given to the elements having corresponding functions in this embodiment, and their detailed description is omitted. In the accompanying drawings, some shapes or elements are omitted to simplify the description. The size, material, construction, and relative position of the elements in this embodiment can be appropriately modified according to the structure of the device and/or various conditions. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific structure in this embodiment.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted. The structure of the toner cartridge receiving portion of the developing unit D and its surroundings will be described in detail.

Part (a) of Figure 13 is a side sectional view showing the positional relationship between the gripping member 44 of the toner cartridge E placed in the image forming apparatus A and the optical path of the laser beam L in the electrostatic latent image forming operation. Part (b) of Figure 13 is a top sectional view showing the positional relationship between the gripping member 44 of the toner cartridge E placed in the image forming apparatus A and the irradiation range of the laser beam during the electrostatic latent image forming operation.

In this embodiment, the laser beam L (a light beam for forming a latent image on the photosensitive drum 16 ) passes through an opening formed between the grip member 44 and the container frame 47 a .

As shown in part (b) of Figure 13 , the gripping member 44 includes an operating portion (gripping portion) 44b, which is gripped and operated by the user, extending in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E. Its opposite longitudinal ends are fixed (integrally molded) to the container frame 47a via support portions 44a. Therefore, the toner cartridge E has a structure that provides space between the container frame 47a and the operating portion 44b, which is parallel to the rotation axis S of the gripping member 44. In the imaging device A of this embodiment, the laser beam L from the laser scanner 1 passes through the space (communication portion) between the container frame 47a and the operating portion 44b of the gripping member 44. This saves internal space in the device.

As shown in part (a) of Figure 13 , the gripping member 44 is tilted to the limit where the shutter is in the open position, thereby completing the installation operation. In this installed state, the operating portion 44b of the gripping member 44 does not interfere with the optical path of the laser beam L. As shown in part (b) of Figure 13 , the supporting portion 44a of the gripping member 44 supports the operating portion 44b at a position outside the projection range (deflection range) of the laser beam L in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the colorant cartridge E can be effectively placed in the imaging device A without reducing the user's operability. Therefore, space saving can be achieved, and the imaging device A can be miniaturized.

It is further preferred that, when the cartridge is mounted on the device, the underside surface of the operating portion 44b is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the deflected laser beam. More specifically, the underside of the grip portion is closer to being parallel to the laser beam than the plane contacting the bottle's peripheral surface at the base of the handle. In other words, when comparing the lower surface of the opening side with the lower surface of the handle located upstream relative to the mounting direction, the lower surface located downstream is further from the bottle's peripheral surface.

<Example 3>

With reference to the accompanying drawings, this embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the above-described embodiment are assigned to elements having corresponding functions in this embodiment, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. In the accompanying drawings, some shapes or elements are omitted to simplify the description. The size, material, construction, and relative position of the elements in this embodiment can be appropriately modified according to the structure of the device and/or various conditions. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific structure in this embodiment.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted. The structure of the toner cartridge receiving portion of the developing unit D and its surroundings will be described in detail.

A structure for suppressing leakage of toner t near the communicating portion 58 between the second opening (housing member opening) 30 and the third opening (container opening) 49 when the toner cartridge E is mounted to or removed from the developing unit D will be described in detail.

(Brief description of the developing unit and toner cartridge)

With reference to Figure 15 , a description will be given of a toner cartridge E and a developing unit D that are detachably mountable to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus A. Part (a) of Figure 15 is a side sectional view schematically showing a state in which the developing unit D and the toner cartridge E are separated. Part (b) of Figure 15 is a side sectional view schematically showing a state in which the toner cartridge E is mounted to the developing unit D.

The toner cartridge (developer container) E includes a container frame 47a, which includes a second toner storage portion (container storage chamber) 47t for storing toner t. The container frame 47a is provided with a third opening (container opening) 49 for communicating between the interior and exterior of the second toner storage portion 47t. Similarly, the container frame 47a is provided with a second shutter (container shutter) 53 for opening and closing the third opening 49, and the second shutter 53 is movable along the peripheral surface. In the second toner storage portion 47t of the container frame 47a, a second toner feeding member 46 is rotatably supported. The second toner feeding member 46 feeds the toner stored in the second toner storage portion toward the third opening 49 and discharges the toner through the opening 49.

The toner cartridge E including these components can be detachably mounted to the developing unit D. In a state where the toner cartridge E is placed (mounted) on the developing unit D, the container frame 47 a can rotate (relatively move) relative to the developing unit D (frame 35 ) about a rotation axis parallel to the developing roller axis direction z.

The developing unit (housing member) D includes a developing roller (developer carrying member) 24 and a developing blade (regulating member) 25 as developing means.

The frame 35 includes a first toner storage portion (storage member storage chamber) 28 for storing toner t, a developing chamber 31, a first opening 29 for communicating between the developing chamber 31 and the first toner storage portion 28, and a second opening (storage member opening) 30 for communicating between the interior and exterior of the first toner storage portion 28. The second opening 30 is provided in a position so as to oppose the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E attached to the developing unit D. The frame 35 is provided with a movable first shutter (storage member shutter) 37 capable of opening and closing the second opening 30. The first toner feeding member 27 is rotatably supported in the first toner storage portion 28 of the frame 35. The developing roller 24 is provided in the frame 35 so that a portion of its peripheral surface is exposed to the interior of the developing chamber 31.

In the installed state, the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D form a communication portion 58 via the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E and the second opening 30 of the developing unit D. Through the communication portion 58, the first toner storage portion 28 and the second toner storage portion 47t are in fluid communication with each other. In this state, the second toner feeding member 46, rotatably supported in the second toner storage portion 47t of the toner cartridge E, rotates in the direction indicated by arrow u1. As a result, the toner t contained in the second toner storage portion 47t of the toner cartridge E is supplied to the second toner storage portion 47t through the third opening 49. The toner t fed from the toner cartridge E through the third opening 49 is supplied to the first toner storage portion 28 of the developing unit D through the communication portion 58 and the second opening 30. The toner t is fed into the developing chamber 31 through the first opening 29 by the rotation of the first toner feeding member 27, rotatably supported in the first toner storage portion 28, in the direction indicated by arrow u2.

The developing chamber 31 is provided with a developing roller 24 including a magnetic roller 26. The developing roller 24 attracts the toner t in the developing chamber 31 onto the surface of the developing roller 24 through the magnetic force of the magnetic roller 26. The developing blade 25 elastically contacts the developing roller 24 with a predetermined contact pressure. By rotating the developing roller 24 in the direction indicated by the arrow b, the amount of toner t deposited on the surface of the developing roller 24 is controlled, and the toner t is triboelectrically charged. As a result, a toner layer is formed on the surface of the developing roller 24. A voltage is supplied to the developing roller 24 from the imaging device A (not shown), and the developing roller 24 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow b, thereby supplying the toner t to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 16. As a result, the toner t is transferred to the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 according to the electrostatic latent image, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image on the photosensitive drum 16. The developing roller 24, the first toner feeding member 27 and the second toner feeding member 46 are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a power source (not shown) such as a motor or the like provided in the main assembly of the apparatus.

(Shutter Structure of Developing Unit and Toner Cartridge)

With reference to Figures 16, 17, 18, 19 and part (a) of Figure 24 and part (b) of Figure 24, the structure of the shutter of the colorant box E and the developing unit D will be described. Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view near the third opening of the colorant box E. Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the opening and closing operation of the shutter of the colorant box E. Part (a) of Figure 17 shows the closed state of the shutter, and part (b) of Figure 17 shows the open state of the shutter. Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view near the second opening of the developing unit D. Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view showing the opening and closing operation of the shutter of the developing unit D. Part (a) of Figure 19 shows the closed state of the shutter, and part (b) of Figure 19 shows the open state of the shutter. Part (a) of Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view of the frame 48 of the colorant box E taken along line A1 of Figure 16. Part (b) of FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the frame 33 of the developing unit D, taken along line A2 of FIG. 18 .

The toner cartridge E includes a container frame 47a, a third opening 49 provided in the container frame 47a, and a second shutter 53 in a second sealing member 157. The container frame 47a further includes a guide portion 50a for guiding the second shutter 53, and a guide portion 50b.

The second shutter 53 is provided with a guided portion 154a and a guided portion 154b to be guided by the guide portion 50a and the guide portion 50b provided on the container frame 47a. The guided portion 154a and the guided portion 154b provided on the second shutter 53 are inserted into the outer structure portion 47a1 of the container frame 47a and the gap 50a1 and the gap 50b1 between the guide portion 50a and the guide portion 50b. With this structure, the second shutter 53 can move between an open state (container open position, part (b) of Figure 17) for opening the third opening 49 provided in the container frame 47a and a closed state (container closed position, part (a) of Figure 17) for closing the third opening 49.

As shown in Figure 18, the developing unit D includes a frame 35, a second opening 30 provided in the frame 35, a first shutter 37, and a first sealing member 32. As shown in part (b) of Figure 24, the frame 35 is provided with a guide portion 34a and an opening and closing guide portion 34b for guiding the first shutter 37. In addition, the first shutter 37 is provided with a guide portion 34a provided on the frame 35, and a guided portion 37s and a guided portion 37t to be guided by the guide portion 34a and the opening and closing guide portion 34b, respectively. The guided portion 37s and the guided portion 37t provided on the first shutter 37 are inserted into the gaps 34a1 and 34b1 between the outer structure portions 35a, 35b of the frame 35 and the opening and closing guide portions 34a, 34b. Thus, the first gate 37 is able to move between an open state (housing member open position, part (b) of Figure 19) for opening the second opening 30 set in the frame 35 and a closed state (housing member closed position, part (a) of Figure 19) for closing the second opening 30.

§2.[Opening and closing operation of the gate]

The operation of the shutter provided on the developing unit D and the toner cartridge E of this embodiment will be described in detail.

Figures 20, 21, 22, and 23 illustrate the shutter opening/closing operation of the toner cartridge E and the developer unit D. Figure 20 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the structure around the opening when the toner cartridge E is engaged with the developer unit D; part (a) of Figure 20 shows the opening closed; part (b) of Figure 20 shows the opening open. Figure 21 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge E and the developer unit D. Figure 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the hole portion 33L and the protrusion 56a, and the hole portion 33R and the protrusion 56b, when the toner cartridge E is engaged with the developer unit D. Figure 23 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the shutter portion when the toner cartridge E is engaged with the developer unit D.

Similar to the first embodiment, the second shutter member 53 includes a main body portion (closing portion) 53m for closing the third opening 39. The opposite end portions of the main body portion 53m are respectively provided with arm portions (connecting portion, supporting portion, elastic portion, deformable portion, movable portion) 56c and 56d. They are also provided with a claw portion (protrusion, projection, shutter side engaging portion, engaged portion) 56a supported by the arm portion 56c and a claw portion (protrusion, projection, shutter side engaging portion, engaged portion) 56b supported by the arm portion 56d.

The claw portions 56a, 56b correspond to the claw portion 53b of Embodiment 1, but have some differences in structure and function. Similarly, the arm portions 56c, 56d correspond to the arm portion 53a of Embodiment 1. The portions different from Embodiment 1 will be described below.

As shown in part (a) of Figure 20 , immediately after the toner cartridge E and the developer unit D are engaged (installed), the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E and the second opening 30 of the developer unit D are not facing each other. When the toner cartridge E is installed in the developer unit D, the protrusion (container engaged portion) 56a of the second shutter 53 of the toner cartridge E and the hole portion 33L of the frame 35 of the developer unit D face each other (engage). Similarly, the protrusion (container engaged portion) 56b of the second shutter 53 of the toner cartridge E and the hole portion 33R of the frame 35 of the developer unit D face each other (engage). In addition, the protrusions (container engaging portions) 45a, 45b of the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E face (engage) the hole portions 37aL, 37aR of the first shutter 37 of the developer unit D.

In Embodiment 1, when the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D, the claw portion (shutter side engagement portion) 53b of the second shutter member 53 does not enter the hole portion 33 (part (a) of FIG. 1 ). More specifically, by the rotation of the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E, the claw portion 53b enters the hole portion 33 to establish engagement (part (c) of FIG. 11 ).

In contrast, in this embodiment, before the rotation of the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E, the projections (claw portions, shutter side engaging portions) 56a, 56b of the second shutter 53 enter the hole portions 33 (33R, 33L) of the developing unit D.

The shutter side engaging portion (claw portions 56a, 56b) receives a force for moving the second shutter 53 from the closed position to the open position and a force for moving the second shutter 53 from the open position to the closed position from the developing unit D. This will be further described.

(Open Operation)

First, the toner cartridge E is moved to a predetermined installation position within the developer unit D. By rotating the toner cartridge E, the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E can be changed from a closed position (non-communication position, Figure 17(a)) to an open position (communication position, Figure 17(b)). More specifically, as shown in Figure 20, the user rotates the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E about point F in the direction indicated by arrow k1. At this point, as the container frame 47a rotates about point F in the direction of arrow k1, the downstream side surface 56a1 of the protrusion 56a of the second shutter 53, which is in the direction of arrow k1, and the downstream surface 33L1 of the hole portion 33L, which is in the direction of arrow k1, come into contact with each other. Similarly, as the container frame 47a rotates in the direction of arrow k1, the downstream side surface 56b1 of the protrusion 56b, which is in the direction of arrow k1, and the downstream surface 33R1 of the hole portion 33R, which is in the direction of arrow k1, come into contact with each other. Therefore, when the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E rotates in the direction of the arrow k1, the second shutter 53 does not move because it is regulated by the hole portion 33L and the hole portion 33R of the frame 35 of the developing unit D. As a result, the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E and the second shutter 53 move relative to each other so that the third opening 49 of the container frame 47a is not covered by the second shutter 53.

That is, the second shutter 53 moves relative to the container frame 47a by receiving the force from the hole portion 33 (33L, 33R) of the developing unit by the claw portions 56a, 56b of the second shutter 53. In other words, the second shutter 53 rotates from the open position where at least a portion of the third opening 49 is opened to the closed position where the third opening 49 is substantially closed by the force received by the claw portions 56a, 56b.

As shown in FIG23 , the container frame 47a rotates in the direction of arrow k1 about point F. With this rotation, the downstream surface 45a1 of the projection 45a of the container frame 47a, which is in the direction of arrow k1, pushes the downstream surface 37aL1 of the hole portion 37aL of the first shutter 37 in the direction of arrow k1. Similarly, the downstream surface 45b1 of the projection 45b of the container frame 47a, which is in the direction of arrow k1, pushes the downstream surface 37aR1 of the hole portion 37aR of the first shutter 37 in the direction of arrow c1. Therefore, as the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E rotates in the direction of arrow k1 about point F, the first shutter 37 of the developing unit D moves in the direction of arrow c1 relative to the frame 35, thereby opening the second opening 30 (part (b) of FIG20 ).

Therefore, as the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E rotates and shifts in the direction of arrow k1, the first shutter 37 changes the second opening 30 of the developing unit D from a closed state to an open state. As shown in part (b) of Figure 20, the first toner storage portion 28 of the developing unit D and the second toner storage portion 47t of the toner cartridge E are in fluid communication with each other via a communication portion 58 provided by a portion of the second opening 30 and the third opening 49. As a result, toner t can be supplied from the second toner storage portion 47t of the toner cartridge E to the first toner storage portion 28 of the developing unit D.

As shown in Figure 27, by the rotation of the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E, the point Q on the surface 47b of the container frame 47a contacts the claw portions 56a, 56b to push (press) them. Due to the force received by the claw portions 56a, 56b from the point Q, the arm portions 56c, 56d are deformed radially outward from the container frame 47a. Then, the protrusion 56a supported by the arm portion 56c and the protrusion 56b supported by the arm portion 56d respectively penetrate into the hole portions 33L, 33R. In this state, the claw portions 56a, 56b have moved to the engagement position where they engage with the hole portions 33L, 33R. In other words, the claw portions 56a, 56b are held in the engagement position by the surface 47b.

Part (c) of Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A3 of part (b) of Figure 20 , showing the second opening 30 of the developer unit D and the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E in fluid communication with each other. As the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E rotates in the direction indicated by arrow k1, the guide portions 50a, 50b of the container frame 47a are inserted into the gaps 34a1, 34b1 of the frame 35 of the developer unit D, as shown in part (c) of Figure 24 . Furthermore, the opening and closing guide portions 34a, 34b of the frame 35 of the developer unit D enter the gaps 50a1, 50b1 of the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E. Thus, while the second opening 30 of the developer unit D and the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E are in fluid communication with each other, the toner cartridge E is prevented from moving in the direction of arrow q1 (part (b) of Figure 20 , part (c) of Figure 24 ). In other words, in a state in which the second opening 30 of the developing unit D and the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E are in fluid communication with each other, the developing unit D and the toner cartridge E are not separated from each other.

(Close operation)

The closing operation for changing the relationship between the second opening 30 of the developing unit D and the third opening 49 of the toner cartridge E from a fluid communication state (part (b) of FIG. 20 ) to a closed state (part (a) of FIG. 20 ) is the opposite of the opening operation. That is, when the user operates in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53 are moved to the open state, the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow k2 about the point F (part (b) of FIG. 20 ). At this time, as shown in FIG. 23 , the protrusion 45a of the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E and the hole portion 37aL of the first shutter 37 of the developing unit D engage with each other. Similarly, the protrusion 45b of the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E and the hole portion 37aR of the first shutter 37 of the developing unit D engage with each other.

Therefore, as the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E rotates in the direction of arrow k2 about point F, the downstream side surface 45a2 of the protrusion 45a relative to the direction of arrow k2 pushes the downstream surface 37aL2 of the first shutter 37 relative to the direction of arrow k2 in the direction indicated by arrow c2. In addition, the downstream side surface 45b2 of the protrusion 45b relative to the direction of arrow k2 pushes the downstream surface 37aR2 of the hole portion 37aR of the first shutter 37 relative to the direction of arrow k2 in the direction indicated by arrow c2. Therefore, the first shutter 37 of the developing unit D moves in the direction of arrow c2.

In this way, the first shutter 37 of the developing unit D changes the second opening 30 from the open state to the closed state (part (d) of Figure 14, part (a) of Figure 20). In addition, at this time, the second shutter 53 of the toner cartridge E closes the third opening 49, as will be described below.

When the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E rotates in the direction of arrow k2 about point F, the protrusion 56a of the second shutter 57 engages with the hole portion 33L of the developing unit D. The protrusion 56b of the second shutter 57 engages with the hole portion 33R of the developing unit D. Due to the engagement of the protrusions 56a and 56b with the hole portions 33L and 33R, the second shutter 57 does not move when the container frame 47a rotates. Therefore, the third opening 49 of the container frame 47a moves to a position opposite to the second shutter 57 to close the third opening 49.

The protrusions 56a and 56b of the second shutter 53 are shutter-side engaging portions (force receiving portions) that engage with the hole portions 33L, 33R to receive the force used to move the second shutter 57 to the closed position. That is, the protrusions 56a, 56b engage (hook) with the hole portions 33L, 33R and receive force from the hole portions 33L, 33R, thereby regulating the movement of the second shutter 57 to move the second shutter 57 relative to the container frame 47a. In other words, by rotating the second shutter 53 along the outer periphery of the container frame 47a, the third opening 49 moves from an open position, in which the third opening 49 is at least partially open, to a closed position, in which the third opening 49 is substantially closed.

In this manner, the container frame 47a rotates relative to the second shutter 57, and when the third opening 49 is closed by the second shutter 57, point Q of the surface 47b separates from the protrusions 56a, 56b. Surface 47b forms a step at point Q, and therefore, when point Q separates from protrusion 56a, the elastic deformation of arm 56c is released from surface 47b, and as a result, a portion of protrusion 56a retracts from hole portion 33L. In other words, the elastic force of arm 56c causes protrusion 56a to move from the engaged position to the retracted position.

Even when the protrusion 56a moves to the retracted position, a portion of the protrusion 56a remains in the hole portion 33L. However, the extent to which the protrusion 56a enters the hole portion 33L is reduced. Therefore, when the user removes the toner cartridge E from the developing unit D, the protrusion 56a can be smoothly disengaged from the hole portion 33L.

Similarly, when point Q is separated from projection 56b, the elastic deformation of arm 56d by surface 47b is released, so that a portion of projection 56b retreats from hole portion 33R. That is, projection 56b moves from the engagement position to the retreat position by the elastic force of arm 56d.

Even when the claw portion 56a moves to the retracted position, a portion of the protrusion 56a remains in the hole portion 33L. However, the extent to which the protrusion 56a enters the hole portion 33L is reduced. Therefore, when the user removes the toner cartridge E from the developing unit D, the protrusion 56a can be smoothly disengaged from the hole portion 33L.

Thus, the protrusions 56a and 56b do not hinder the removal of the toner cartridge E. The protrusions 56a and 56b move between the engaged position and the retracted position along the surface 47b of the container frame 47a. In other words, when the second shutter 47 is moved to the open position, the surface 47b serves as a guide portion for guiding the protrusions 56a and 56b from the retracted position to the engaged position. Furthermore, when the second shutter 47 is moved to the closed position, the surface 47b serves to guide the protrusions 56a and 56b from the engaged position to the retracted position.

In this embodiment, even if the shutter-side engaging portion (claw portions 56a, 56b) moves from the engaging position to the retreat position, the engagement between the shutter-side engaging portion and the receiver-side engaging portion (hole portions 33L, 33R) is not completely released. However, by moving the shutter-side engaging portion to the retreat position, the disengagement operation is easily performed.

§3. [Toner leakage suppression when the shutter is closed]

The structure and relationship of the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D near the opening will be described in detail. In addition, the behavior of the toner remaining in the openings of the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D when the toner cartridge E is removed will also be described in detail.

(Toner collecting operation)

With reference to Figure 14, the collection operation of collecting the toner t into the toner storage portion in conjunction with the shutter closing operation will be described. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure around the communication portion 58 between the developing unit D and the toner cartridge E in this embodiment. Part (a) of Figure 14 shows a state in which the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 are aligned with each other. In this state, the first toner storage portion 28 of the developing unit D and the second toner storage portion 47t of the toner cartridge E are in fluid communication with each other via the communication portion 58. In this connected state, the toner t can be fed from the toner cartridge E to the developing unit D.

Part (b) of Figure 14 shows a state in which the container frame 47a has been rotated relative to the frame 35 from the state shown in part (a) of Figure 14. In this state, the area in which the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 overlap with each other is small. Part (c) of Figure 14 shows a state in which the container frame 47a has been rotated relative to the frame 35 from the state shown in part (b) of Figure 14. In this state, the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 do not overlap with each other, thereby closing the communicating portion 58. In this state, the first gate 37 does not completely close the second opening 30. Similarly, the second gate 53 does not completely close the third opening 49.

Part (d) of Figure 14 shows a state in which the container frame 47a has been rotated relative to the frame 35 from the state shown in part (c) of Figure 14. In this state, the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 53 completely close the second opening 30 and the third opening 49, respectively. In this state, the toner cartridge E can be removed from the developing unit D.

As shown in FIG. 14(a) and FIG. 26 , in this embodiment, the collecting portion 30a is positioned downstream of the first shutter 37 for the second opening 30 relative to the closing direction (arrow c2). FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication portion 58 as viewed from the first toner storage portion 28. As shown in FIG. 14(a) and FIG. 26 , the width of the third opening 49, measured in the displacement direction k2 of the container frame 47a (the movement direction c2 of the first shutter 37), is smaller than the width of the second opening 30. In the opening of the communication portion 58 shown in FIG. 14(a), the movement direction of the third opening 49 relative to the second opening 30, provided by the rotation of the container frame 47a, is referred to as the "displacement direction." The downstream end portion of the third opening 49 relative to the displacement direction is upstream of the downstream end of the second opening 30. That is, when toner t is fed and supplied through the communication portion 58, the spatial region defined by the second opening 30 in the communication portion 58 is open in the direction counter to gravity relative to the spatial region defined by the third opening 49. A space provided by expanding toward the second opening 30 side of the communication portion 58 by virtue of the size difference between the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 is the collecting portion 30 a.

Furthermore, the upstream surface (upstream side end portion) 49a below the third opening 49 of the frame of the toner cartridge E is inclined so that the second opening 30 of the developing unit D is located in a downward position. That is, the upstream surface 49a is a surface area facing the direction of arrow u1 (the rotational movement direction of the container frame 47a) among the end surfaces of the third opening 49, and the first toner storage portion 28 (second opening 30) side thereof is lower than the second toner storage portion 47 side with respect to the direction of gravity G.

As shown in FIG. 14( a ), a supply state is assumed in which, during toner supply from the second toner storage portion 47 t to the first toner storage portion 28, the toner is filled (upward relative to the direction of gravity G) to the height of the third opening 49 in the communication portion 58. The toner t supplied from the second toner storage portion 47 t to the first toner storage portion 28 through the communication portion 58 moves from the third opening 49 to the second opening 30 through the communication portion 58. Therefore, the height of the interface is controlled by the third opening 49 being lower than the second opening 30. As shown in FIG. 15( b ), upon reaching the third opening 49, the second toner feeding member 46 in the toner cartridge E, rotating in the direction indicated by arrow u1, feeds the toner t in the direction indicated by arrow ua1, which is opposite to the direction of gravity G. If the third opening 49 is not filled with toner t, the toner t fed to the third opening 49 by the second toner feeding member 46 is fed into the developing unit D along the upstream side surface 49a, which slopes downward toward the toner storage chamber 28. In other words, the second toner feeding member 46 of the toner cartridge E scoops the toner t up to the third opening 30 but does not load the toner into the developing unit D. Therefore, when the third opening 49 is filled with toner t, even if the second toner feeding member 46 rotates, the toner t is not fed from the second toner storage chamber 47t to the first toner storage chamber 28. Furthermore, the collecting portion 30a is positioned upstream (above) the third opening 49 with respect to the direction of gravity G. Therefore, no toner t remains in the collecting portion 30a.

As shown in FIG. 14(a), the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E moves in the direction of arrow k2 (the first shutter 37 moves in the direction of arrow c2) to change the state of the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 from an open state to a closed state (a non-fluid communication state). At this time, the upstream surface 49a of the third opening 49 of the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E relative to the direction of movement of the container frame 47a (arrow k2) moves upward in the direction of arrow k2 as the container frame 47a moves, collecting the toner t present in the communication portion 58. As the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E moves, the upstream surface 49a of the third opening 49 reaches the same height as the collecting portion 30a of the second opening 30, as shown in FIG. 14(b). At this time, this height is higher than the height of the toner interface controlled by the downstream surface opposite the upstream surface 49a of the third opening 49 in the fluid communication state shown in FIG. 14(a). As shown in part (b) of FIG. 14 , at this height position, the upstream surface 49 a of the third opening 49 is inclined in a direction indicated by an arrow g provided by a combination of an arrow gy parallel to the direction of gravity G and an arrow x perpendicular to the arrow gy and extending in a direction from the second toner storing portion 47 t toward the first toner storing portion 28. Therefore, by this inclination of the upstream surface 49 a, the toner t collected by the upstream surface 49 a of the third opening 49 moves through the collecting portion 30 a in the space above the toner interface provided in the second opening 30 and is stored in the first toner storing portion 28.

Before the upstream surface 49a moves above the height of the collecting portion 30a and reaches the vicinity of the first sealing member 32, the toner t collected by the upstream surface 49a of the third opening 49 enters the collecting portion 30a. The toner t is then collected in the first toner storage portion 28 (part (c) of Figure 14). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deposition of the toner t on the surface 32a of the sealing member 32. In other words, it is possible to prevent the toner t from entering between the first sealing member 32 provided on the developing unit D and the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E.

For reference, FIG25 shows a developing unit D1 without a collecting portion 30a and a toner cartridge E1 usable therewith. The developing unit D1 is provided with a second opening 930 defined by a developing device frame 935, and the toner cartridge E1 is provided with a third opening 949 defined by a frame 947a. The second opening 930 and the third opening 949 are substantially identical in size and configuration. A toner storage portion 947t is provided by the frame 947a.

As shown in part (a) of Figure 25, when the container frame 947a rotates around the axis F1 in this state in which the colorant t fills the connecting portion 958, the colorant cannot pass through the connecting portion 958 and may be retained on the upstream surface 949a of the third opening 949 (part (b) of Figure 25).

In such a case, as shown in part (c) of Figure 25 , in a state where the first shutter 937 and the second shutter 953 close the corresponding openings, toner is deposited on the surface of the sealing member 932. When the toner cartridge E1 is removed from the developing unit D1, the toner TA deposited on the sealing member 932 may leak to the outside of the developing unit D1 and/or the toner cartridge E1 (part (d) of Figure 25 ).

In contrast, according to this embodiment, the collecting portion 30a is employed, and thus, such leakage of toner can be prevented. More specifically, by rotating the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E in the direction of arrow k2, the toner t moves in the direction k2. Thus, leakage of toner outside the frame 35 of the developing unit D and the container frame 47a of the toner cartridge E can be suppressed.

As shown in part (d) of FIG. 14 , after the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 become non-overlapping with each other, the third opening 49 and the second opening 30 are closed by the second shutter 53 and the first shutter 37 , respectively.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the second opening is wider than the third opening in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shutter plate, downstream relative to the direction of movement of the shutter plate. This prevents toner from leaking outside the opening when the opening is closed. This eliminates the need for a retaining portion (recess) for retaining toner in the sealing member. Consequently, a simple structure can more effectively suppress toner (developer) leakage during toner cartridge replacement without requiring additional side surfaces of the sealing member.

In the above, the collecting portion 30a has been described using this embodiment, but the collecting portion 30a may also be provided in the developing unit D of Embodiments 1 and 2 (Figure 3, part (a) of Figure 13).

(other)

In this embodiment, the sizes of the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 are implemented to be different from each other to provide the collecting portion 30a. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. For example, in the connected state shown in part (a) of Figure 1, the collecting portion 30a is provided by positioning the second opening 30 and the third opening 49 with an offset therebetween so that a connecting portion 58 is provided by a partially overlapping area. In this case, the size and/or shape of the opening is not limited to a specific size and/or shape. In the aforementioned embodiment, the shape of the opening is rectangular, but the opening may be another shape, or may have a different shape, as long as an appropriate collecting portion can be provided.

In this embodiment, the upstream surface 49a of the third opening 49 is configured to be inclined so that the inner edge of the upstream surface 49a is located downstream of the outer edge relative to the displacement direction of the third opening 49 relative to the second opening 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. When the communication portion 58 is closed, the third opening 49 is displaced relative to the second opening 30. In this case, another shape may be used as long as the upstream end portion of the third opening 49 relative to the displacement direction generates a force that pushes the toner from the third opening 49 side to the second opening 30 side.

However, it is not essential to provide the collecting portion 30a in the developing unit D. The collecting portion 30a can be omitted, as shown in FIG25 . Specifically, in FIG25 , when the toner cartridge E1 is removed from the developing unit D1, the amount of toner in the toner cartridge E1 and/or the developing unit D1 is relatively small because the toner in the toner cartridge E1 and/or the developing unit D1 is generally consumed. In this case, the amount of toner in the communicating portion 358 is not large, and therefore, even without the collecting portion 30a, toner is unlikely to leak during removal.

However, providing the collecting portion 30a as in this embodiment is preferable because it is possible to reliably suppress toner leakage with a simple structure. In addition, it is possible to suppress toner leakage when toner remains in the toner cartridge E when the toner cartridge E is disassembled.

In the following embodiment, the collecting portion of the embodiment may be provided in the developing unit D.

<Example 4>

The structure related to the opening and closing of the shutter in this embodiment will be described. More specifically, the configuration of the second shutter 253 having the snap-fit portion 271 and the structure for guiding the second shutter 253 will be described. Furthermore, the drive transmission mechanism for improving the sealing properties of the seal provided in the end portion of the container frame (frame, cylindrical portion) 247g constituting the second toner storage portion 247t will be described. Furthermore, the feeding structure for stably supplying toner t from the toner cartridge E to the developing unit D will be described.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, this embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment are given to the elements having corresponding functions in this embodiment, and their detailed description is omitted. In the accompanying drawings, some shapes or elements are omitted to simplify the description. The size, material, construction, and relative position of the elements in this embodiment can be appropriately modified according to the structure of the device and/or various conditions. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific structure in this embodiment.

In this embodiment and the subsequent embodiments, the developing unit D and the drum unit C are integrated into the cartridge, and the developing unit D is a part of the process cartridge (parts (a) and (b) of Figure 29). However, similar to the aforementioned embodiments, the developing unit D may be a separate cartridge, or the developing unit D may be fixed to the main assembly of the apparatus.

In the case where the developing unit D and the drum unit C are integrated into a process cartridge, the process cartridge is a receiving device for receiving the toner cartridge E. However, only a portion of the developing unit D as a part of the process cartridge may be referred to as a receiving device depending on circumstances.

Regarding the structure of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, description thereof will be omitted because it is similar to other embodiments, and the structure near the receiving portion of the toner cartridge E for the developing unit D will be described and then the other portions will be described.

§1. [Detailed description of the area around the toner cartridge in the developer unit]

29, 30, 31, the structure near the receiving portion of the toner cartridge E of the developing unit D according to this embodiment will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the developing unit D is the direction of the axis of the developing roller 224 of the developing unit D.

(Structure of box and unit)

Figure 29 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge E of the developing unit D as viewed from the receiving portion. Part (a) of Figure 29 shows a state in which the second opening (receiving opening) 230 is closed (the first shutter 237 is in the closed position), and part (b) of Figure 29 shows a state in which the second opening 230 is open (the first shutter 237 is in the open position). Figure 30 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the receiving portion of the developing unit D for the toner cartridge E. Part (a) of Figure 30 shows a state in which the second opening 230 is closed (the first shutter 237 is in the closed position); and part (b) of Figure 30 shows a state in which the second opening 230 is open (the first shutter 237 is in the open position).

Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view near the second opening 230 of the developing unit D. Part (a) of Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view seen from the driving side, and part (b) of Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view seen from the non-driving side.

As shown in Figure 29, the developing unit D is provided with a second opening 230 and a first shutter 237 adjacent to the toner cartridge receiving portion. The second opening 230 and the first shutter 237 are arranged approximately at the longitudinal center of the developing unit D. The position of the second opening 230 is not limited to a specific position, but it is sufficient as long as it is opposite to the third opening (discharge opening) 249, which will be described below. The position of the first shutter 237 is not limited to the central part, but it is sufficient as long as it can cover the second opening.

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 29 , the second opening 230 is sealed by a first shutter 237 configured to have a certain curvature along the outer peripheral surface of the toner cartridge E, which will be described below.

For the first shutter 237, a hole portion 237a for engaging with a protrusion (container-side protrusion, opening/closing member moving portion) 245 ( FIG. 32 ) is provided outside the sealing range for the second opening 230. The first shutter 237 is engaged with and guided by first shutter guide portions 234 provided at opposite longitudinal ends of the second opening 230. The first shutter 237 is slidable along the first shutter guide portions 234 between a closed position for closing the second opening 230 ( FIG. 29 (a) ) and an open position for opening the second opening 230 ( FIG. 29 (b) ).

A first locking arm (receiving device side locking member) 261 (part (b) of Figure 30) is provided between the first shutter guide portion 234 and the second opening 230 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit D. The first locking arm 261 prevents the first shutter 237 from being accidentally opened. As shown in Figure 31, the first locking arm 261 includes a claw portion 261a. The claw portion 261a of the first locking arm 261 is located at the same position as the hole portion 237a of the first shutter 237 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit D.

The surface 261b of the claw portion 261a abuts against the surface 237b of the hole portion 237a of the first shutter 237. Thus, the claw portion 261a suppresses the first shutter 237 from being accidentally opened. A first sealing member 232 is provided near the second opening 230 of the developing unit D for sealing between the first shutter 237 and the second opening 230. The first sealing member 232 surrounds the second opening 230.

Opposite longitudinal end portions of the developing unit D are respectively provided with an insertion guide (non-driving side) 235 d and an insertion guide (driving side) 236 d for guiding the insertion of the toner cartridge E. The developing unit D is provided with an abutted portion (non-driving side) 235 a and an abutted portion (driving side) 236 a to be abutted by the abutting portion (non-driving side) 242 a and the abutting portion (driving side) 243 a ( FIG. 32 ) of the toner cartridge E.

For the opposite longitudinal ends of the developing unit D, the end side provided with a driving portion such as a gear (e.g., the first drive transmission portion 238) is referred to as the driving side. The other end side is referred to as the non-driving side. "(driving)" represents the driving side. "(non-)" represents the non-driving side.

In addition, a rotation guide portion (non) 235b and a rotation guide portion (drive) 236b are provided for guiding the rotation of the toner cartridge E when a first shutter 237 and a second shutter (opening/closing member) 253 to be described later are opened and closed.

The insertion guides 235 and 236 are guides (receiving device-side guides) for guiding the installation and removal of the toner cartridge E. The insertion guide (non-) 235d and the insertion guide (drive) 236d are provided with planes parallel to each other along the insertion direction f (part (a) of the toner cartridge E) ( FIG. 29 ). The abutted portion (non-) 235a and the rotating guide portion (non-) 235b are arranged downstream of the insertion guide (non-) 235d with respect to the insertion direction f. Furthermore, the abutted portion 236a (drive) and the rotating guide (drive) 236b are arranged downstream of the insertion guide (drive) 236d with respect to the insertion direction f.

The developing unit D is provided with a first drive transmission portion 238 at one end portion of the developing unit D relative to the longitudinal direction. The first drive transmission portion 238 transmits the driving force to the second drive transmission portion 248 (Figure 32) and the second toner feeding device 246 (Figure 35) via an intermediate gear (rotational force receiving portion) 250 of the toner cartridge E described below. The first drive transmission portion 238 is connected to the drive mechanism of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus inside the developing unit D via a gear (not shown) as a transmission means.

The first drive transmission portion 238 is a gear, and is a rotational force transmission portion for transmitting the rotational force for driving the second toner feeding member 246 to the toner cartridge E.

The intermediate gear 250 is a rotation force receiving portion for receiving rotation force from the outside of the toner cartridge E (the first drive transmitting portion 238 of the developing unit D). The second drive transmitting portion 248 is a second rotation force receiving portion for receiving rotation force (driving force) from the intermediate gear 250 .

30, a release claw 262 for releasing the locking of the second shutter 253 and a shutter holding portion 263 are provided near the second opening 230 of the developing unit D. The shutter holding portion 263 is provided with a locking hole 263a.

The release claw 262 is used to release the second lock arm 270 ( FIG. 34 ) so as to prevent the second shutter 253 of the toner cartridge E from being accidentally opened, as will be described later.

The shutter holding portion 263 contacts the claw portion (first engaging portion) 271a or the projection (second engaging portion) 271b of the snap-fit portion 271 provided on the second shutter 253 of the toner cartridge E, as will be described later (Figure 42). Thus, when the second shutter 253 is closed, the second shutter 253 is prevented from rotating in the container (developer storage container, toner storage container) 247 to be described later due to the second shutter 253 being pulled.

The operation of the second shutter 253 when opening and closing will be described below.

(Details of toner cartridge)

32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , and 37 , the toner cartridge E according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

Figure 32 is a perspective view of the colorant box E. Part (a) of Figure 32 is a perspective view as seen from the second drive transmission part 248, and part (b) of Figure 32 is a perspective view as seen from the opposite side. Figure 33 shows the state in which the third opening 249 of the colorant box E is opened. Part (a) of Figure 33 is an enlarged view near the third opening 249, and part (b) of Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view near the third opening 249 as seen from the non-drive side of the colorant box E. Figure 34 shows the second shutter 253. Figure 35 shows the relationship between the second colorant feeding member 246 and the container 247. Part (a) of Figure 35 shows the structure of the thin sheet 246a of the second colorant feeding member 246. Part (b) of Figure 35 shows a cross-sectional view of the stirring shaft seal 264. Part (c) of Figure 35 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the second drive transmission part 248 and the stirring shaft seal 264. FIG36 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the hole portion 252a of the second shutter guide portion (opening and closing member) 252, taken from the third opening 29, in a state where the second shutter 253 is assembled with the toner cartridge E. Part (a) of FIG36 shows a state where the second shutter 253 is closed, and part (b) of FIG36 shows a state where the second shutter 253 is open. In FIG36, the second shutter guide portion 252 is depicted with a dotted line to better illustrate the second locking arm 270. FIG37 is a perspective view showing a state before the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D.

As shown in Figure 32, part (b) of Figure 35 and part (c) of Figure 35, colorant box E includes container 247, the third opening 249, the second shutter 253, the second sealing member 254, the second drive transmission part (gear) 248, the intermediate gear 250 and the stirring shaft seal 264. Here, the longitudinal direction of colorant box E is the rotation axis direction of the second toner feeding member 246. The longitudinal direction of colorant box E is also the longitudinal direction of container 247 and the second shutter 253. When rotating colorant box E, container 247 rotates. The longitudinal direction of colorant box E is the rotation axis direction of container 247. The second shutter 253 opens and closes the opening by rotating around container 247. The longitudinal direction of colorant box E is the rotation axis direction of the second shutter 253.

The container 247 is a hollow member having a generally cylindrical shape. Specifically, a frame (container frame) 247g constituting the main body (main portion) of the container 247 is generally cylindrical. Assuming that the container 247 is a cylindrical body, the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E is the direction of the generatrix of the cylinder or the direction of the central axis of the cylinder.

The container frame 247g includes a flat surface portion and a curved surface portion (arc-shaped portion) having a substantially cylindrical shape (substantially arc-shaped configuration) at least around the third opening 249 (part (b) of FIG. 33 , etc.). The second shutter 253 rotates along the curved surface portion to open and close the third opening 249.

The container frame (cylindrical portion) 247g is a hollow member, and constitutes a toner storage portion (toner storage chamber) 247t for storing toner.

The container 247 is provided with a protrusion (container-side protrusion or projection) on the outer periphery of the container frame 247g for engaging with the hole portion 237a of the first shutter 237. The container 247 (container frame 247g) is provided with an abutment surface 247c for abutting against the abutted surface 237b (Figure 30) of the first shutter 237 during the opening and closing of the first shutter 237. The abutment surface 247c is provided by a stepped portion formed on the frame (container frame) 247g of the container 247 and is a surface intersecting the rotational movement direction of the toner cartridge E (the rotational movement direction of the second shutter 252). It is an elongated surface extending in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the toner cartridge E.

The abutment surface 247c is an opening force applying portion (opening/closing member moving portion) for applying a force to open the first shutter 237 to the first shutter 237 to move the first shutter 237 to the open position, as will be described in detail below.

When the second shutter 253 is in the closed position, the abutment surface 247 c is provided near the free end of the second shutter 253 (the shutter main body portion 253 m ).

As shown in part (b) of Figure 33 , the second toner storage portion 247t is provided with a second toner feeding member 246 for feeding toner. Furthermore, one end portion of the second toner feeding member 246 is rotatably supported by the container 247, and the other end portion is rotatably supported by the second drive transmission portion 248 for driving the second toner feeding member 246. Here, the stirring shaft seal 264 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and its outer diameter d1 is slightly larger than the inner diameter d2 of the container frame 247g. The inner diameter d3 of the stirring shaft seal 264 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter d4 of the cylindrical portion 248b of the second drive transmission portion 248. The width w1 of the stirring shaft seal 264d in its natural state is greater than the distance between the sealing surface 248a of the second drive transmission portion 248 and the sealing abutment surface 247f of the container frame 247 when the second drive transmission portion 248 is positioned appropriately in the container frame 247g.

The stirring shaft seal 264 is sandwiched between the sealing surface 248 a of the second drive transmission portion 248 and the sealing abutment surface 247 a of the container 247 in the container frame 247 g of the container 247 .

As shown in Figure 32, the container 247 is provided with an intermediate gear 250 for performing drive transmission together with the second drive transmission member 248. The second drive transmission portion 248 and the intermediate gear 250 of this embodiment are helical gears, and the second drive transmission portion 248 is biased in an inward direction (the direction indicated by arrow r4 in part (c) of Figure 35) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E during drive transmission.

The second toner feeding member 246 includes a feeding shaft 246a and a flexible sheet 246b. The sheet 246b is provided with a slit (part (a) of FIG. 35 ) to move the toner contained in the second toner containing portion 247t of the container 247 toward the third opening 249. The detailed structure will be described below.

In this embodiment, as shown in part (b) of Figure 32, the third opening 249 is provided in the longitudinal center portion of the toner cartridge E on the circumference of the container 247 (container frame 247g). However, the position of the third opening 249 may be any position as long as the third opening is opposite to the second opening 230 of the developing unit D.

As shown in part (a) of Figure 32 and Figure 33, longitudinally opposite end portions of the third opening 249 of the toner cartridge E are respectively provided with second shutter guide portions 252 for guiding the movement of the second shutter 253. As shown in part (b) of Figure 32 and Figure 36, a hole portion 252a is provided in a portion of the second shutter guide portion 252.

34 , the main body portion of the second shutter 253 (the shutter main body portion 253 m ) is curved with a curvature along the outer peripheral surface of the toner cartridge E. That is, the second shutter 253 (the shutter main body portion 253 m ) has a curved surface configuration (substantially arcuate configuration) extending along the container 247 .

That is, the container 247 (container frame 247g) has a curved surface (generally cylindrical, generally arcuate) surrounding the third opening 249 (part (b) of Figure 33). The second shutter 253 is capable of reciprocating along the curved surface portion (arc-shaped portion) of the container 247 disposed around the third opening 249. In other words, the second shutter 253 rotates (swivels) on the container 247. Thus, the second shutter 253 can open and close the third opening 249.

The second gate plate 253 is provided with a second locking arm (arm portion) 270 on the outer side of the second sealing member 254 to be described below relative to the longitudinal direction, and a snap-fitting portion (arm portion) 271 is provided at the opposite end portion of the outer side of the second locking arm 270 relative to the longitudinal direction.

The second locking arm 270 is provided between the shutter body portion 253m and the snap-fit portion 271 and extends from the rear end side toward the front end side of the shutter body portion 253m. The second locking arm has an elastic portion and is elastically deformable.

The two snap-fit portions 271 are connected to opposite end portions of the main body portion (gate main body portion 253m) of the second shutter 253. Similarly, the two second locking arms 270 are connected to opposite end portions of the gate main body portion 253m.

The shutter body 253m is a portion (closing portion) for substantially closing the third opening 249. The snap-fit portion 271 is movable relative to the shutter body 253m by deformation. Similarly, the second locking arm 270 is also movable relative to the shutter body 253m by deformation.

The snap-fit portion 271 may be molded of a resin material integrally with the main body portion 253 of the shutter, or may be formed of a separate member such as a metal leaf spring.

The second locking arm 270 is provided with an abutted surface 270a to be abutted by the release claw 262 (Figure 30) of the developing unit D. The second locking arm 270 is provided with a claw portion 270b capable of engaging with the hole portion 252a (Figure 32) of the second shutter guide portion 252 of the toner cartridge E.

The second locking arm 270 is molded integrally with the main body portion 253 m of the shutter from a resin material, but the second locking arm 270 may be formed by mounting a member (eg, a metal member) different from the main body portion 253 m of the shutter.

The abutted surface 270a of the second locking arm 270 is an inclined portion (inclined surface) that inclines toward the main body portion 253m as the distance from the free end of the second locking arm 270 decreases. The claw portion 270b is a protrusion (protrusion) that protrudes at least outward with respect to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E.

The snap-fit portion 271 is provided with an arm portion 271 c that is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction of the second shutter 253 and the toner cartridge E. The snap-fit portion 271 is provided at a free end of the arm portion 271 c and includes a claw portion (protrusion, projection, engaging portion) 271 a that protrudes radially outward (radially outward) from the second shutter 253 .

The claw portion 271a and the projection 271b constitute an engaging portion (opening/closing member side engaging portion) for engaging with the developing unit D. The claw portion 271a (or projection 271b) is connected to the main body portion 253m of the shutter through the arm portion 271c of the snap-fit portion 271 (Figure 34).

The arm portion 271 c of the snap-fit portion 271 constitutes a connecting portion for connecting the claw portion 271 a and the protrusion 271 b with the main body portion 253 m of the shutter.

The arm portion 271c of the snap-fit portion 271 is a support portion for supporting the engaging portion (claw portion 271a and protrusion 271b). The arm portion 271c has an elastic portion that can be elastically deformed. In other words, the arm portion 271c can be elastically deformed.

The snap-fit portion 271 (arm portion 271c) extends from the rear end side of the gate main portion 253m toward the free end side. The free end side of the gate main portion 253m is the downstream side with respect to the rotational movement direction (movement direction) of the second gate 253 rotating from the open position to the closed position. On the other hand, the rear end side of the gate main portion 253m is the upstream side with respect to the rotational movement direction.

The claw portion 271a protrudes at least in the radially outward direction of the container 247 (radially outward from the second shutter 253). The radially outward direction of the second shutter 253 is the radially outward direction of the container 247 and outward in the rotation radius direction of the rotation trajectory of the second shutter 253.

The radially outward direction is in the outward direction of container 247 (toward the outside of container 247) and away from container 247 or the rotation axis (center axis) of container 247. The radially outward direction is away from second toner feeding member 246 or the rotation axis of second toner feeding member 246.

The protrusion 271b is a protrusion that protrudes at least in the circumferential direction of the container 247 (the rotational movement direction of the second shutter 253). More specifically, the protrusion 271b protrudes toward the downstream side in the rotational movement direction (opening direction) of the second shutter 253 from the closed position to the open position relative to the container 247.

In other words, the second shutter 253 includes a claw portion (first engaging portion) 271a and a protrusion (second engaging portion) 271b as engaging portions, and the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b protrude in directions different from each other (crossing directions relative to each other).

The snap-fit portion 271 (arm portion 271c) has a width that increases toward the free end. That is, on the longitudinal end side, the snap-fit portion 271 is provided with a first regulated surface 271d to be regulated, a second regulated surface 271e to be regulated, and a third regulated surface 271f to be rotated. The first regulated surface 271d is an inclined surface (inclined portion) that tilts outward relative to the longitudinal direction as the distance from the free end of the arm portion 271c decreases. The second and third regulated surfaces 271e, 271f extend approximately parallel to the direction in which the arm portion 271c extends. The distance between the regulated surface 271e and the regulated surface 271f is greater than the width of the rear end side (base side) of the arm portion 271c. The first and second regulated surfaces 271d, 271e contact the first regulating surface 247d of the container 247 (part (a) of Figure 33), as will be described below. The third regulated surface 271f contacts the second regulating surface 247e of the container 247 (part (a) of FIG. 33 ).

The second shutter 253 is engaged with the second shutter guide portion (opening and closing guide) of the toner cartridge E. It is slidable along the outer peripheral surface of the toner cartridge E in the circumferential direction of the container 247 between a position for closing the third opening 249 (part (a) of FIG. 32 ) and a position for opening the third opening 249 (part (b) of FIG. 32 ).

As shown in FIG36 , in a state where the third opening 249 is closed, the claw portion 270 b of the second locking arm 270 engages (fits) with the hole portion 252 a provided in the second shutter guide portion 252 of the toner cartridge E. The surface 270 c of the claw portion 270 b contacts the surface 252 b of the hole portion 252 a of the second shutter guide portion 252. As a result, the movement of the second shutter 253 relative to the container 247 is regulated, thereby suppressing unintended opening of the second shutter 253.

The claw portion 270b is a locking portion for locking the second shutter 253 in the closed position. The claw portion 270b is connected to the main body portion 253m of the shutter via the second locking arm 270. In other words, the second locking arm 270 (strictly speaking, the rear end side of the second locking arm 270 beyond the claw portion 270b) is a connecting portion that connects the claw portion 270b to the main body portion 253m of the shutter and a supporting portion for supporting the claw portion 270b.

As shown in FIG32 , the toner cartridge E is provided with an insertion guided portion (non) 242 and an insertion guided portion (drive) 243 at longitudinally opposite end portions, respectively. The insertion guided portion (non) and the insertion guided portion (drive) 243 are guided by the insertion guide (non) 235 d and the insertion guide (drive) 236 d of the developing unit D, respectively. The insertion guided portions 242 and 243 guided for insertion are toner cartridge side guides.

32 and 31 , description will be given of the insertion guide (non) 235 d, the insertion guide (drive) 236 d, the insertion guided portion (non) 242, the insertion guided portion (drive) 243, and the gripping member 244 of the developing unit D. Detailed actions, operations, and functions are substantially similar to those of Embodiment 3, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

The insertion guide portion (non-) is provided with an abutting portion (non-) 242a and a rotation guided portion (non-) 242b. When the toner cartridge E is inserted, the abutting portion (non-) 242a abuts against the abutted portion (non-) 235a of the developing unit D. The portion surrounding the abutting portion (non-) 242a is formed as a rotation guided portion (toner cartridge side rotation guide) having a curved surface configuration (generally arc-shaped configuration). When the first shutter 237 and the second shutter 253 are opened and closed, the rotation guided portion slides relative to the rotation guide portion 235b of the insertion guide (non-) 235d to guide the rotation operation of the toner cartridge E.

The insertion guided portion (drive) 243 is provided with an abutting portion (drive) 243a. During the insertion of the toner cartridge E, the abutting portion (drive) 243a abuts against the abutted portion (drive) 236a of the developing unit D.

In addition, the insertion guided portion (non) 242 is provided with a regulating portion 242c1 and a regulating portion 242c2 as a posture regulating portion for regulating the insertion posture (removal posture) of the toner cartridge E when inserting the toner cartridge E. The regulating portion 242c1 and the regulating portion 242c2 are insertion direction regulating portions (mounting direction regulating portion, removal direction regulating portion, removal direction regulating portion) for regulating the insertion direction (mounting direction) and/or removal direction of the toner cartridge E.

The container 247 is provided with gripping members 244 as handles to be gripped by a user when mounting the toner cartridge E. The gripping members 244 are fixed at opposite longitudinal end portions of the container 247 in a U-shape.

More specifically, the gripping member 244 includes fixing portions 244a at opposite end portions of the operating portion 244b to be gripped by the user. The fixing portions 244a are fixed to the second toner container 247 in a U-shape at opposite longitudinal end portions of the toner cartridge E. The shape of the gripping member 244 is not limited to this example as long as the user can grip it.

§2. [Shutter opening and closing operation when installing and removing the toner cartridge relative to the developing unit]

28 and 37-43, the opening operation of the first shutter 237 of the developing unit D and the second shutter 253 of the toner cartridge E will be described.

Figure 28 illustrates the movement of the second shutter 253 until the third opening 249 is exposed, and the positional relationship near the snap-fit portion 271. Parts (a) and (d) of Figure 28 are enlarged views of the vicinity of the second shutter 253, illustrating the insertion process of the toner cartridge E into the developer unit D. Part (a) of Figure 28 is a front view of the second shutter 253, and part (d) of Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view of the third opening 249 as viewed from the non-driven side. Part (b) of Figure 28 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the second shutter 253, after the toner cartridge E has been rotated further from the position shown in part (a) of Figure 28 to expose the third opening 249, with the front surface 253c of the second shutter 253 abutting the abutting surface 239 of the developer unit D. Part (b) of Figure 28 is a front view of the second shutter 253, and part (e) of Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view of the third opening 249 as viewed from the non-driven side. Part (c) of Figure 28 and Part (f) of Figure 28 are enlarged views of the vicinity of the second shutter 253 in a state in which the second opening 230 and the third opening 249 are in fluid communication with each other and the installation of the toner cartridge E is completed by further rotating from the state shown in Part (b) of Figure 28. Part (c) of Figure 28 is a view of the second shutter 253 as seen from the front side, and Part (f) of Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view of the third opening 249 as seen from the non-driving side.

Part (a) of Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of the first locking arm 261 of the developing unit D as viewed from the non-driving side immediately before the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D. Part (b) of Figure 38 and Part (c) of Figure 38 are cross-sectional views of the first locking arm 261 of the developing unit D as viewed from the non-driving side when the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D.

FIG39 is a cross-sectional view of the second locking arm 270 of the second shutter 253 and the hole portion 252a of the second shutter guide portion 252, taken from the front side of the second shutter 253 when the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D. Part (a) of FIG39 shows a state immediately after the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D. Part (b) of FIG39 shows a state in which the toner cartridge E is rotated in a direction in which the third opening 249 is exposed when the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D.

FIG40 illustrates the positional relationship near the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 before the third opening 249 is exposed. FIG40(a) illustrates the relationship between the snap-fit portion 270 and the shutter retaining portion 263 in the state shown in FIG28(e). FIG40(c) illustrates the relationship between the snap-fit portion 270 and the shutter retaining portion 263 in the state shown in FIG28(c) and FIG28(f). FIG40(b) illustrates the relationship between the snap-fit portion 270 and the shutter retaining portion 263 between the states shown in FIG40(a) and FIG40(c). FIG40(d) illustrates the relationship between the snap-fit portion 270 and the first control portion 247d of the container 247 in the state shown in FIG40(a). FIG40(e) illustrates the relationship between the snap-fit portion 270 and the first control portion 247d of the container 247 in the state shown in FIG40(b). Part (f) of FIG. 40 shows the relationship between the snap-fit portion 270 and the first regulating portion 247 d of the container 247 in the state shown in part (c) of FIG. 40 .

Figure 41 shows a schematic diagram of the vicinity of the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 in the state shown in part (f) of Figure 28. Figure 42 shows a state in which the front side surface 253c of the second shutter 253 abuts against the abutment surface 239 of the developing unit D and the second shutter 253 is controlled by the developing unit D. Part (a) of Figure 42 shows the relationship between the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 and the lock-holding portion 263 of the developing unit D in the longitudinal direction. Part (b) of Figure 42 shows the positional relationship between the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 and the lock-holding portion 263 of the developing unit D in the rotational direction of the toner cartridge E.

Figure 43 shows the positional relationship between the first drive transmission portion 238 and the intermediate gear 250 of the developing unit D as seen from the driving side during the installation process of the toner cartridge E. Part (a) of Figure 43 shows a state in which the second shutter 253 is closed during the insertion of the toner cartridge E, and part (b) of Figure 43 shows a state in which the second shutter 253 is opened by completing the installation of the toner cartridge E.

FIG44 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the second opening 230 and the third opening 249 as viewed from the driving side in the state shown in part (b) of FIG43. In FIG39, part (a) of FIG40, part (b) of FIG40, and FIG42, portions that are obviously not related to the operation of the second locking arm 270 and/or the snap-fit portion 271 are omitted for simplicity of explanation.

The insertion process of the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D in this embodiment is similar to that in Embodiment 1. Therefore, the opening and closing of the first shutter 237 and the second shutter 253 after the toner cartridge E is positioned in the developing unit D will be described in detail.

(Operation of the First Locking Arm and the Second Locking Arm)

37 , 38 , and 39 , the state of the first locking arm 261 of the developing unit D and the state of the second locking arm 270 of the toner cartridge E when the toner cartridge E is positioned at an appropriate position in the developing unit D will be described.

As shown in Figures 37 and 38, in a state where the toner cartridge E is placed in position in the developing unit D, the protrusion 245 of the container 247 engages with the hole portion 237a of the first shutter 237.

At this time, the surface 245c of the protrusion 245 of the container 247 contacts the surface 261c of the first locking arm 261 of the developing unit D. As a result, the first locking arm 261 receives a force F11 from the protrusion 245 of the container 247 and elastically deforms in the direction of the arrow r1. The claw portion 261a of the first locking arm 261 disengages from the hole portion 237a of the first shutter 237. As a result, the control of the movement of the first shutter 237 in the direction of the arrow e, which was controlled by the contact between the surface 237a2 of the hole portion 237a and the surface 261b of the first locking arm 261, is released, allowing the first shutter 237 to move relative to the second opening 230.

The protrusion 245 is an unlocking portion for releasing the locked state of the first shutter 237 by contacting (engaging) with the hole portion 237 a .

The insertion posture and direction of the toner cartridge E are regulated so that, by inserting the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D, the protrusion 245 engages with (enters the hole portion) and contacts the first locking arm 261. That is, the posture and/or insertion direction of the toner cartridge E relative to the developing unit D are regulated by the insertion guided portion (non) 242 and the insertion guide (non) 235d.

When the toner cartridge E is detached from the developing unit D, the projection 245 is separated from the first locking arm 261. Therefore, the elastic deformation of the first locking arm 261 is released to urge the first locking arm 261 into engagement with the hole portion 237a, thereby blocking the first shutter 237 again.

After the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developer unit D, the toner cartridge E is rotated in the direction of arrow e. The front surface 253c of the second shutter 253 (Figure 34) abuts against the abutment surface 239 (Figure 30) of the developer unit D. Thus, the rotation of the second shutter 253 in the direction of arrow e is controlled. At this time, as shown in Figure 39, the release claw 262 of the developer unit D abuts against the abutted surface 270a of the second locking arm 270 of the second shutter 253, causing the second locking arm 270 to receive the force F12 from the release claw (unlocking portion) 262. Due to the component force F12x of the force F12, the second locking arm 270 is elastically deformed in the direction indicated by arrow r2 (longitudinally inward from the toner cartridge E). As a result, the claw portion 270b of the second locking arm 270 disengages from the hole portion 252a of the second shutter guide portion 252. That is, the claw portion 270b is moved from the locked position (part (a) of FIG. 39 ) for locking the second shutter 253 in the closed position to the unlocked position (part (b) of FIG. 39 ) for releasing the second shutter by the force received by the abutment surface 270a from the release claw 262. The abutment surface 270a is an unlocking force receiving portion for receiving the force for moving the claw portion 270b (locking portion) from the developing unit D by the rotation of the toner cartridge E during the mounting operation.

The abutment surface 270a is an inclined portion (inclined surface) that tilts longitudinally inward as the distance from the free end of the second shutter 253 (the free end of the second locking arm 270) decreases. Due to the inclination of the abutment surface 270a, the force (F12) received from the release claw 262 includes a longitudinal inward component (F12x).

By moving the claw portion 270b to the unlocked position by force F12x, the control in the direction of arrow e achieved by the contact between the claw portion 270b of the second locking arm 270 and the surface 252b of the hole portion 252a of the second shutter guide portion 252 is removed. Therefore, the second shutter 253 becomes movable in the direction of arrow e relative to the third opening 249 of the container 247. More specifically, the front side surface 253c of the second shutter 253 receives the force from the abutment surface (force applying portion) 239 of the developing unit D, and the second shutter 253 rotates from the closed position to the open position relative to the container 247.

The front side surface 235c of the second shutter 253 is an opening force receiving portion for receiving a force from the outside of the toner cartridge E (from the developing unit D) for moving the second shutter 253 from the closed position to the open position.

The second locking arm 270 (claw portion 270b) is substantially covered by the second shutter guide portion 252, and therefore, the lock achieved by the second locking arm 270 is not easily accidentally released by the user. The second shutter guide portion 252 also serves as a cover portion that covers the second locking arm 270 (claw portion 270b).

When the toner cartridge E is mounted to the developing unit D, the release claw 262 of the developing unit D enters between the second shutter guide portion 252 and the container frame 247 g .

(Relationship between the Shutter Holding Portion and the Snap-Fit Portion of the Toner Cartridge)

A state in which the toner cartridge E is set in the developing unit D will be described.

When the front side surface 253c and the abutment surface 239 abut each other, the claw portion 271a of the snap-fit portion 271 is located outside the gate retaining portion 263 of the developing unit D relative to the longitudinal direction of the colorant box E (part (a) of Figure 42).

The positional relationship of the claw portion 271a of the snap-fit portion 271 relative to the locking hole 263a of the shutter holding portion 263 of the developing unit D is shown in part (b) of Figure 42. When the third opening 249 is open, the claw portion 271a is located downstream of the locking hole 263a with respect to the rotational movement direction of the toner cartridge E (the direction of arrow e in part (b) of Figure 42).

(Operation of the First and Second Gates)

28 , 40 , and 42 , the operations of the first shutter 237 and the second shutter 253 when the toner cartridge E is further rotated will be described.

As the colorant cartridge E rotates further, the abutted surface 237b (Figure 30) of the first shutter 237 abuts against the abutting surface 247c (Figures 32 and 38). As shown in part (e) of Figure 28, the first shutter 237 is pressurized by the container 247 to receive the force F13 in the rotational direction of the colorant cartridge E. At this time, as described above, the first locking arm 261 that controls the movement of the first shutter 237 is released. As a result, the first shutter 237 rotates integrally with the container 247 in the direction of opening the second opening 230 (the direction of arrow e in Figure 28). Then, the first shutter 237 moves in the order of part (d) of Figure 28, part (e) of Figure 28, and part (f) of Figure 28.

At this time, as shown in part (b) of Figure 39 , the front side surface 253c of the second shutter 253 abuts against the abutment surface 239 of the developing unit D. Therefore, as the container 247 rotates, the container 247 rotates relative to the second shutter 253. Simultaneously, as shown in part (d) of Figure 40 , the first regulated surface 271d of the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 contacts a point 247h of the first regulating surface 247d of the container 247, receiving a force F14 (in the longitudinally inward direction). The arm portion 271c of the snap-fit portion 271 then elastically deforms longitudinally inward from the toner cartridge E (toward the third opening 249, in the direction of arrow r3 in parts (d) of Figures 28 and 40 ).

As the container 247 rotates further, the second regulated surface 271e of the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 abuts against the first regulating portion 247d of the container 247 (from the state in part (d) of Figure 40 to the state in part (e) of Figure 40). Part (c) of Figure 28, part (d) of Figure 40, and part (e) of Figure 40 illustrate the state in which the second regulated surface 271e of the snap-fit portion 271 and the first regulating portion 247d of the container 247 abut against each other. In this state, the positions of the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b of the snap-fit portion 271 overlap with the shutter holding portion 263 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E. In this state, the relationship between the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b is that of an engaged position.

When the third opening 249 is opened, the claw portion 271a of the snap-fit portion 271 is located downstream (in the direction of arrow e) of the shutter holding portion 263 of the developing unit D with respect to the rotational direction of the toner cartridge E. The snap-fit portion 271 elastically deforms (operates) in the order of the state of part (a) of FIG. 28 , the state of part (b) of FIG. 28 , and the state of part (c) of FIG. 28 .

The first regulating surface 247d is a moving portion (engagement position moving portion) for moving the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b longitudinally inward (inward relative to the axial direction). When the second shutter 253 is moved to the open position (when the toner cartridge E is rotated for installation), the first regulating surface 247d pushes against the first regulated surface 271d. Due to the force applied from the first regulating surface 247d to the first regulated surface 271d, the claw portion 271a moves to the engagement position for engagement with the shutter retaining portion 263, and the protrusion 271b also moves to the engagement position for engagement with the locking hole 263a.

The first regulating surface 247d is a guide portion for guiding the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b from the retracted position to the engaged position via the first regulated surface 271d. The first regulating surface 247d is a pressing portion (pressing portion) for pressing or pressurizing the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b toward the engaged position via the first regulated surface 271d.

Furthermore, when the second shutter 253 moves to the open position, the first regulating surface 247d pushes the second regulated surface 271e longitudinally inward. Thus, the first regulating surface 247d holds the engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b) in the engaged position. The first regulating surface 247d serves as the engaging position retaining portion.

The first regulating surface 247d pushes the first regulated surface 271d and the second regulated surface 271e provided on the supporting portion (arm portion 271c) supporting the engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b), thereby pushing the engaging portion through the arm portion 271c.

However, a possible alternative is that the first regulating surface 247d directly contacts the engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b) to push the engaging portion.

The engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b) of the second shutter 253 moves axially inward by not less than 2.3 mm via the first control surface 247 d. In other words, the moving distance (movement distance) measured along the axial direction (longitudinal direction) when the engaging portion moves from the retracted position to the engaged position is not less than 2.3 mm.

(Operation before the second opening is connected to the third opening)

As shown in parts (e) and (f) of Figure 28 , when the toner cartridge E further rotates in the direction of arrow e, the first shutter 237 rotates integrally with the container 247 in the direction of opening the second opening 230 (the direction of arrow e). Furthermore, the container 247 rotates relative to the second shutter 253. At this time, the second shutter guide portion 252 of the container 247 engages with the first shutter guide portion 234 and rotates in the direction of arrow e, while substantially controlling the radial movement of the cylindrical shape of the container 247. As shown in part (f) of Figure 28 , with fluid communication established between the third opening 249 and the second opening 230, the opening operation of the second opening 230 and the third opening 249 is completed.

At this time, the curved surface portion (rotation guided portion) at the opposite end portion of the insertion guided portion 242 engages with the rotation guide portion 235b. Thus, with the second opening 230 and the third opening 249 open, the movement of the toner cartridge E is regulated. The detailed structure is similar to that of Embodiment 1 and its description is omitted.

§3. [Drive transmission from the developing unit to the toner cartridge]

Hereinafter, description will be made focusing on the force when the driving force is transmitted from the developing unit D to the toner cartridge E. FIG.

(Drive Transmission Structure from Developing Unit to Toner Cartridge)

43 and 44 , a description will be given of a drive transmission structure from the developing unit D to the toner cartridge E. For drive transmission from the developing unit D to the toner cartridge E, the intermediate gear 250 and the first drive transmission portion 238 engage with each other.

In the process of mounting the toner cartridge E to the developing unit D, the intermediate gear 250 and the first drive transmission portion 238 are not connected to each other, but the intermediate gear 250 is connected only to the second drive transmission portion 248 .

During installation of the toner cartridge E, the intermediate gear 250 is positioned upstream of the first drive transmission portion 238 relative to the installation rotational direction of the toner cartridge E (the direction of arrow e in FIG. 43 ). As the toner cartridge E rotates in the installation direction (the direction of arrow e in FIG. 43 ), the intermediate gear 250 approaches the first drive transmission portion 238. After the toner cartridge E is installed in the developing unit D, the intermediate gear 250 is connected (engaged) with the first drive transmission portion 238. This enables drive transmission from the developing unit D to the second toner feeding member 246 (part (b) of FIG. 43 ). In other words, the rotation of the toner cartridge E allows the intermediate gear 250 to receive rotational force.

In this embodiment, the second drive transmission portion 248 and the intermediate gear 250 are helical gears. Therefore, due to the thrust generated during drive transmission, the second drive transmission portion 248 moves longitudinally inward from the toner cartridge E (in the direction of arrow r4 in part (c) of Figure 35 ). Therefore, during drive transmission, the positioning surface 248c of the second drive transmission portion 248 abuts against the surface 247g1 of the container frame 247g, thereby determining the position.

At this time, the stirring shaft seal 264 is sandwiched by the sealing abutment surface 247f of the container 247 and the sealing surface 248a of the second drive transmission portion 248. Therefore, the stirring shaft seal 264 is compressed in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E. The compressed stirring shaft seal 264 can enhance the sealing properties of the space between the cylindrical portion 248b of the second drive transmission portion 248 and the container frame 247g of the container 247. Therefore, it is possible to suppress toner leakage from the interior of the container 247 near the second drive transmission portion 248.

The external force applied when transmitting drive from the first drive transmission portion 238 of the developing unit D to the toner cartridge E (the rotational force received by the intermediate gear 250) generates a torque that rotates the entire toner cartridge. In this embodiment, the first drive transmission portion 238 of the developing unit D rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow q in part (b) of Figure 43. The external force F16 applied when transmitting the driving force from the first drive transmission portion 238 of the developing unit D generates a torque M1 for the toner cartridge E. The direction of the torque M1 is the same as the direction of rotation of the container 247 when the third opening 249 is opened (the direction of the arrow e).

In other words, the rotational movement direction of the intermediate gear 250 (the direction of arrow u) is the same as the rotational movement direction of the container 247 (the direction of arrow e) when the third opening 249 of the toner cartridge E is open. In other words, the rotational movement direction of the intermediate gear (the direction of arrow u) is the same as the rotational movement direction (the direction of arrow e) when the second shutter rotates from the open position to the closed position relative to the container 247.

With the above-described structure of this embodiment, when the driving force is transmitted from the developing unit D to the toner cartridge E, a force is applied to the toner cartridge E in a direction to open the third opening 249 (the direction of arrow e).

Thus, closing of the first shutter 237 and the second shutter 253 can be suppressed when the toner is discharged from the toner cartridge E. With the same structure, even when the exposure of the third opening 249 of the toner cartridge E is incomplete, the moment M1 applied to the toner cartridge E can effectively rotate the entire toner cartridge E in the direction of the arrow e to fully open the third opening 249.

From the perspective of colorant feeding, the rotation direction of the second drive transmission portion 248 and the second colorant feeding member 246 is to move the colorant upward (direction of arrow d in Figure 44) relative to the gravity direction (direction of arrow G) at the third opening 249.

(Toner feeding from toner cartridge to developing unit)

With reference to Figure 45 , the toner feeding structure for feeding toner from the toner cartridge E to the developing unit D will be described. Part (a) of Figure 45 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the relationship between the configuration of the tab 246b of the second toner feeding member 246 and the configuration of the container 247. Part (b) of Figure 45 is a sectional view illustrating the relationship between the configuration of the tab 246b of the second toner feeding member 246 near the third opening 249 and the configuration of the container 247. Part (c) of Figure 45 is an enlarged view of a portion of the tab 246b. Part (d) of Figure 45 is a sectional view illustrating the movement of the second toner feeding member 246 during rotation.

The toner in the toner cartridge E is fed into the developing unit D by the second toner feeding member 246 through the third opening 249 and the second opening 230 which are in fluid communication with each other.

Second toner feeding member 246 rotates inside toner cartridge E by a driving force received through first drive transmission portion 238 of developing unit D, intermediate gear 250, and second drive transmission portion 248.

The rotation direction of the second toner feeding member 246 is a direction that moves the toner upward at the third opening 249 (the direction of the arrow d in part (b) of Figure 45). At this time, the sheet 246b (part (a) of the second toner feeding member 246) is provided with a plurality of slits. The slits of the sheet 246b of the second toner feeding member 246 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the third opening 249.

The slit is inclined inwardly from the center in the transverse direction of the thin sheet 246b toward the free end relative to the longitudinal direction of the thin sheet 246b. More specifically, as shown in part (a) of Figure 45, point 246b2 at the free end of the thin sheet 246b is located longitudinally inside of point 246b1 at the central portion relative to the transverse direction.

Furthermore, the transverse shape of sheet 246b in the longitudinal direction is such that it slightly intrudes along the inner surface of container 247. As shown in parts (a) and (b) of Figure 45, width w3 is the distance from the rotation center S of second toner feeding member 246 of sheet 246b to the transverse free ends (246b3, 246b4). Similarly, distance w5 is the distance from the rotation center S of second toner feeding member 246 of container 247 to point 247h1 on the inner wall surface of container 247, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, width w3 is greater than distance w5.

Furthermore, width w4 is the distance from the rotation center S of the second toner feeding member 246 of the sheet 246b to the free end 246b7 in the transverse direction. Distance w6 is the distance measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction from the rotation center S of the second toner feeding member 246 of the container 247 to a point 247h2 on the inner wall surface of the container 247. In this embodiment, width w4 is greater than distance w6.

With this structure of second toner feeding member 246, second toner feeding member 246 contacts the toner inside container 247 or the inner wall of container 247. Then, longitudinally inner point 246b4 at the free end deforms more in the direction of arrow d (Figure 45) than point 246b3 at the free end of sheet 246b. This will be further explained with reference to part (c) of Figure 45. Points 246b3 and 246b4 are located on the free end of sheet 246b relative to the transverse direction of sheet 246b. Point 246b4 is closer to third opening 249 (part (a) of Figure 45) in the longitudinal direction than point 246b3. When a force in a downward direction perpendicular to the paper is applied to point 246b3 of sheet 246b, support point 246b5 is the closest force-receiving support point, and distance r10 is the distance between point 246b3 and support point 246b5. When a force is applied to point 246b4 of sheet 246b, support point 246b6 is the closest support point receiving the force, and distance r11 is the distance between point 246b4 and support point 246b6. Point 246b3 is a specific point in region w30, where point 246b3 and support point 246b5 are located on the same segment divided by adjacent slits with respect to the longitudinal direction of sheet member 246b. Point 246b4 is a specific point in region w30, where point 246b4 and point 246b6 are not located on the same segment divided by adjacent slits with respect to the longitudinal direction of sheet member 246b.

The slits are inclined so that they move toward the longitudinal center of sheet member 246b as the distance from the center of rotation increases. Therefore, when the same force is applied to point 246b3 and point 246b4, point 246b4, which is farther from the support point, deforms (bends) more. As a result, sheet 246b of second toner feeding member 246 can feed toner toward the longitudinal center (toward third opening 249). Furthermore, by shifting the second toner feeding member 246 upward, the amount of toner that remains in toner cartridge E and cannot be discharged can be reduced.

No slit is provided in the longitudinal direction of the sheet 246b near the third opening 249 within a range longer than the third opening 249. More specifically, as shown in part (a) of FIG45 , a width w7 of the sheet 246b near the third opening 249 measured in the longitudinal direction is greater than a width w8 of the third opening 249 measured in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the sheet 246b is prevented from entering the second opening 230 from the third opening 249 (part (b) of FIG45 ).

As a result, the toner near the third opening 249 is scraped off by the inner wall of the container 247. Thus, it is possible to avoid the sheet 246b pushing the toner into the developing unit D to cause aggregation of the toner in the developing unit D and thus deterioration.

In this embodiment, the angle θ2 of the one or more slits of the sheet 246b (part (a) of FIG. 45 ) is 70 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction of the sheet 246b.

The configuration of the sheet 246b is not limited to that in the above-described example, but it is sufficient as long as the toner can be stably supplied from the toner cartridge E to the developing unit D.

The above-described structure of second toner feeding member 246 allows toner to be stably discharged into developing unit D even when the opening for toner discharge is narrow. Since the width of third opening 249, measured along the longitudinal direction, is sufficient to cover the central portion, the size of first sealing member 232 can be reduced. Consequently, the amount of material used for the seal can be reduced, saving costs. By reducing third opening 249, toner leakage during installation and removal of toner cartridge E can be reduced.

In this embodiment, container 247 is generally cylindrical, and its diameter (inner and outer diameters) varies depending on the position, as can be understood from part (a) of Figure 45 , where w5 > w6. More specifically, the diameter at the longitudinal ends of container 247 is larger than the diameter at the center (i.e., near third opening 249). Accordingly, the diameter at the center is smaller to provide space for second shutter 253. On the other hand, container 247 is larger at the end portions to provide a larger volume for storing toner.

The diameter of the second toner feeding member 246 (sheet 246b) differs depending on the position, similar to the container 247. As described above, the diameter of the second toner feeding member 246 at the end side in the axial direction is larger than the diameter at the center portion of the second toner feeding member 246 (near the third opening 249).

(Gate closing operation)

46 , 47 , and 48 , the closing operation of the first shutter 237 of the developing unit D and the second shutter 253 of the toner cartridge E will be described.

Figure 46 shows the vicinity of the protrusion 245 of the container 247 when the second gate 253 of the colorant box E is closed, part (a) of Figure 46 is a cross-sectional view seen from the non-driven side, and part (b) of Figure 46 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the protrusion 245 of the container 247.

Figure 47 shows the state of the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 when the second shutter 253 of the colorant cartridge E is closed. Part (a) of Figure 47 is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 and the shutter retaining portion 263 with respect to the longitudinal direction. Part (b) of Figure 47 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the non-driven side, which shows the positional relationship between the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 and the shutter retaining portion 263 with respect to the rotational direction of the colorant cartridge E. Part (c) of Figure 47 is an enlarged view showing the protrusion 71b of the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 and the locking hole of the shutter retaining portion 263.

Figure 48 illustrates the closing process of the second shutter 253 of the toner cartridge E. Part (a) of Figure 48 illustrates a schematic diagram of the vicinity of the snap-fit portion 271 in a state where the second shutter 253 of the toner cartridge E is open. Part (b) of Figure 48 illustrates a schematic diagram of the vicinity of the snap-fit portion 271 in a state where the second shutter 253 of the toner cartridge E is closed. Part (c) of Figure 48 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the non-driven side in the state shown in part (a) of Figure 48, and part (d) of Figure 48 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the non-driven side in the state shown in part (b) of Figure 48.

The closing operation of the first shutter 37 and the second shutter 253 is opposite to the opening operation. The closing direction of the first shutter 237 and the second shutter 253 is opposite to the rotation direction when the second colorant feeding member 246 is driven (the direction of arrow h in part (a) of Figure 46, part (b) of Figure 47, part (c) of Figure 48, and part (d) of Figure 48).

First, in the state shown in FIG46 , the user grips the grip member 244 and rotates the container 247 in the closing direction (the direction of the arrow h). The surface 245b of the protrusion 245 of the container 247 then abuts against the surface 237a2 of the hole portion 237a of the first shutter 237. As a result, the first shutter 237 receives a force F18 from the surface 237a2 to rotate in conjunction with the container 247, thereby closing the second opening 230.

At this time, as shown in part (a) of Figure 47 , the positions of the projection 271b and the claw portion 271a of the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 overlap with the shutter holding portion 263 of the developing unit D in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E. As shown in part (b) of Figure 47 , the claw portion 271a of the snap-fit portion 271 is located downstream of the shutter holding portion 263 of the developing unit D with respect to the opening direction of the third opening 249 of the toner cartridge E (in the direction of arrow e in Figure 47 ).

Therefore, when the container 247 rotates in the closing direction (the direction of arrow h), the claw portion 271a of the snap-fit portion 271 of the second gate plate 237 and the gate plate retaining portion 263 contact each other in the closing direction (the direction of arrow h) of the container 247 (part (c) of Figure 47).

In addition, the protrusion 271b of the second shutter 253 engages with the locking hole 263a of the shutter holding portion 263 (part (c) of Figure 47). Therefore, the second shutter 253 is controlled by the locking holding portion 262 in the closing direction of the container 247 (the direction of arrow h). As the colorant cartridge E rotates in the direction of arrow h, the second shutter 253 moves relative to the container 247. As a result, the second shutter 253 closes the third opening 249 (Figure 38 (from part (c) of Figure 48 to part (d) of Figure 48)).

More specifically, the claw portion 271a protrudes at least in the radially outward direction of the second shutter 253 (outward relative to the direction of the rotation radius). Thus, when the container 247 rotates, the claw portion 271a contacts (engages) with the shutter retaining portion 263. The claw portion 271a is an engagement portion (closing force receiving portion) for receiving the force for moving the second shutter 253 from the shutter retaining portion 263 to the closed position. When the container 247 rotates by the force received by the claw portion 271a from the shutter retaining portion 263, the movement of the second shutter 253 is controlled. In other words, by the force received by the claw portion 271a, the second shutter 253 rotates from the open position to the closed position relative to the container 247.

Furthermore, the projection 271b projects upstream at least in the direction of arrow e (the direction of rotational movement of the second shutter 253 from the open position to the closed position relative to the container 247). Thus, when the second shutter 253 rotates from the open position to the closed position, the projection 271b can remain engaged with the locking hole 263a. By engaging the projection 271b with the locking hole 263a, the engagement (contact) between the claw portion 271a and the shutter retaining portion 263 is maintained.

That is, protrusion 271b is an engaging portion (second engaging portion) that can engage with locking hole 263a and is an engaging and maintaining portion for maintaining the engagement between claw portion 271a and shutter retaining portion 263. Protrusion 271b is smaller than claw portion 271a. More specifically, the height of protrusion 271b (measured along the direction in which protrusion 271b protrudes) is smaller than the height of claw portion 271a (measured along the direction in which claw portion 271a protrudes). In this embodiment, the height of claw portion 271a is 5.6 mm, and the height of protrusion 271b is 0.3 mm. The height of protrusion 271b is preferably not less than 0.1 mm and not more than 0.5 mm.

As shown in parts (a) and (b) of Figure 48, the first regulated surface 271d or the second regulated surface 271e of the second shutter 253 contacts the corner portion 247h of the container 247 and the first regulating surface 247d until the third opening 249 is closed. As a result, the position of the first regulated surface 271d or the second regulated surface 271e of the second shutter 253 relative to the longitudinal direction of the snap-fit portion 271 is maintained. The first regulating surface 247d is an engagement position maintaining portion for maintaining the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b in the engaged position.

When the toner cartridge E rotates further after closing the third opening 249, the third regulated surface 271f of the snap-fit portion 271 abuts the second regulating surface 247e. The third regulated surface 271f of the snap-fit portion 271 receives a longitudinally outward force F17 from the second regulating surface 247e of the container 247. At this point, the second regulated surface 271e is no longer in contact with the first regulating surface 247d of the container 247. The claw portion 271a and protrusion 271b of the snap-fit portion 271 are disengaged longitudinally outward from the shutter retaining portion 263 by the force F17 (arrow r6 in part (b) of Figure 48). As a result, the claw portion 271a and protrusion 271b of the snap-fit portion 271 of the second shutter 253 are positioned relative to the shutter retaining portion 263 of the developing unit D in the same position as before installation (the state shown in Figure 42). In this state, the positioning of the toner cartridge E to the developing unit D is released, so that the toner cartridge E becomes detachable.

The second regulating surface 247e is a moving portion (retracted position moving portion) for moving the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b in the longitudinally outward direction (axially outward direction). When the second shutter 253 is moved to the closed position (when the toner cartridge E is rotated to remove it), the second regulating surface 247e pushes against the third regulated surface 271f. The force applied from the second regulating surface 247e to the third regulated surface 271f causes the claw portion 271a to move to the retracted position, where it is released from the shutter retaining portion 263. Similarly, the protrusion 271b moves to the retracted position for release from the locking hole 263a.

The second regulating surface 247e, which serves as a guide portion for guiding the engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b) from the engaging position to the retracted position, is a pushing portion (pressing portion) for pushing or pressing the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b toward the retracted position through the third regulated surface 271f.

The second regulating surface 247b pushes the engaging portion by making the arm portion 271c supporting the engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b) contact the third regulated surface 271f. However, the second regulating surface 247b may directly contact the engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b).

The engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b) moves axially outward from the second control surface 247b by no less than 1.3 mm. In other words, the moving distance (movement distance) of the engaging portion when it moves from the second control surface 247b to the retracted position is no less than 1.3 mm measured in the axial direction. As a result, the protrusion 271b is reliably disengaged from the locking hole 263a.

The second regulating surface 247e is a retracted position retaining portion for retaining the engaging portion in the retracted position. The second regulating surface 247e regulates the movement of the engaging portion (271a, protrusion 271b) to the engaged position. When the toner cartridge E is substantially linearly inserted into or removed from the developing unit D, the engaging portion is retained in the retracted position, and therefore, the engaging portion does not hinder the operation of such a toner cartridge.

When the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b move to the retracted position, the elastic force of the snap-fit portion 271 (arm portion 271c) is also utilized. Specifically, as the second gate 253 moves from the open position to the closed position, the snap-fit portion 271 moves away from the first control surface 247d. The elastically deformed snap-fit portion 271 (arm portion 271c) then tends to recover. The movement (elastic force) of the snap-fit portion 271 at this point causes the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b to move to the retracted position.

That is, without the second regulating surface 247 e , the claw portion 271 a and the projection 271 b can be movable to the retreat position by the elastic force of the snap-fit portion 271 (arm portion 271 c ).

However, if the second shutter 253 is in the open position and the snap-fit portion 271 is deformed by the first control surface 247d for a long time, the snap-fit portion 271 may be plastically deformed. In such a case, the elastic force of the snap-fit portion 271 is small, so that the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b cannot move to the retracted position. In view of this, in this embodiment, the retracted position moving portion (second control surface 247e) is used to move the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b to the retracted position by acting on the snap-fit portion 271, so that the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b can be reliably moved to the retracted position.

However, the retreat position moving portion (second regulating surface 247e) may be omitted as long as the elastic force of the arm portion 271c (supporting portion, connecting portion) supporting the claw portion 271a and/or the protrusion 271b can be ensured.

For example, if a metal leaf spring or the like is used for the arm portion 271c, the arm portion 271c is not easily plastically deformed and can maintain elastic force. Thus, without the retreat position moving portion (second control surface 247e), the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b can be moved to the retreat position.

Alternatively, an additional elastic member (elastic portion) can be provided instead of providing a support portion (arm portion 271c) that is elastic in itself. For example, the support portion (arm portion) is rotatably mounted on the main body portion 253m of the gate using an axis. Then, it is considered to provide a torsion spring (elastic member, elastic portion) on the axis to push the support portion to the retreat position. Without deforming the support portion itself, the engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b) can be moved by rotating the supporting portion, and further, the engaging portion can be moved from the engaging position to the retreat position by the elastic force of the torsion spring.

With the above-described structure of second shutter 253, although the toner cartridge is mounted to the developing unit through mounting and demounting operations including rotation, their shutters can be reliably opened and closed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the second shutter is opened and closed, causing the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b to move in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction, central axis direction) of the container frame 247g relative to the main body portion 253m of the shutter. Thus, the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b are able to move between the engaged position and the retracted position. However, this does not mean that the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b move only in the longitudinal direction of the container frame. In other words, the movement direction of the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b is not limited to a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction.

When the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b move in the longitudinal direction, they may also move in the radial direction of the container frame 247g and/or the circumferential direction of the container frame.

In this embodiment, when the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b move between the retracted position and the engaged position, they also move in the circumferential direction relative to the main body of the gate. More specifically, when the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b move from the retracted position to the engaged position, they move toward the rear end of the second gate 253.

In this embodiment, the engaging position moving portion (first regulating surface 247d) for moving the engaging portion (claw portion 271a and protrusion 271b) of the second shutter 253 to the engaging position is a surface formed by a protrusion (protrusion) of the container 274. Similarly, the retracted position moving portion (second regulating surface 247e) for moving the engaging portion (claw portion 271a and protrusion 271b) to the retracted position is a protrusion (protrusion) of the container 274.

However, the engaging position moving portion (first regulating surface 247d) and/or the retracted position moving portion (second regulating surface 247e) may be a recess (groove) provided on the container 274. For example, it is conceivable that the snap-fit portion 271 is provided in a recess (recess) formed on the container 247, and the engaging portion (claw portion 271a and/or protrusion 271b) moves along the recess to the retracted position and/or the engaging position.

<Example 5>

In this embodiment, a structure for improving the reliability of opening and closing of the shutter provided on the developing unit D is adopted.

In the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the above-described embodiment are assigned to elements having corresponding functions in this embodiment, and their detailed description is omitted for simplicity. In the accompanying drawings, some shapes or elements are omitted for simplicity of description. The size, material, construction, and relative position of the elements in this embodiment can be appropriately modified according to the structure of the device and/or various conditions. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific structure in this embodiment.

§1.[Introduction]

In this embodiment, the side of the toner cartridge E on which the second drive transmission portion 348 is provided is referred to as the drive side, and the other side is referred to as the non-drive side. The insertion guided portion provided on the drive side is referred to as the insertion guided portion (drive) 343. The insertion guided portion provided on the non-drive side is referred to as the insertion guided portion (non) 342.

In addition, the insertion guide portion provided on the driving side is referred to as an insertion guide portion (driving) 336d, and the insertion guide portion provided on the non-driving side is referred to as an insertion guide portion (non-) 335d.

With reference to Figures 49, 50, and 51, the main parts will be described. Figure 49 is a perspective view before the colorant box E is installed on the developing unit D in this embodiment. Figure 50 is a sectional view near the second opening 330 of the developing unit D. Part (a) of Figure 50 is a sectional view seen from the drive side, and part (b) of Figure 50 is a sectional view seen from the non-drive side. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the developing unit D is a direction parallel to the axial direction of the developing roller 324 of the developing unit D. Figure 51 is a perspective view of the colorant box E, part (a) of Figure 51 is a perspective view seen from the second drive transmission part 348, and part (b) of Figure 51 is a perspective view seen from the opposite side.

As shown in Figures 49, 50, and 51, in this embodiment, the insertion direction f of the toner cartridge E into the developer unit D is along the straight line between the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d and the insertion guide portion (non-) 335d. The insertion direction f in this embodiment is substantially the same as the direction in which the protrusion 345 provided on the container 347 of the toner cartridge E protrudes from the container 347 when viewed in a cross-sectional direction (direction J in Figure 51). This is because when the toner cartridge E is inserted into the developer unit D to a predetermined installation position, the protrusion 345 of the container 347 must engage with the hole portion 337a of the first shutter 337.

Regarding the detailed structure of the protrusion 345 of the container 347, the description contents in the aforementioned embodiment are applicable, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

However, it is to be reiterated that the insertion guided portion (non) 342 is provided with an abutting portion 342a that abuts against the abutted portion 335a of the developing unit D (part (b) of Figure 50) when the colorant cartridge E is inserted. The insertion guided portion (non) 342 includes a rotating guided portion 342b for guiding the container frame 347a when the first shutter 337 (Figure 49) and the second shutter 353 (part (a) of Figure 51) are opened and closed. The insertion guided portion (non) 342 includes regulated portions (to be regulated) (regulated surfaces) 342c1, 342c2 for regulating the insertion posture and movement direction of the colorant cartridge E during the insertion operation.

The insertion guided portion (drive) 343 is provided at an end portion of the second drive transmitting portion 348 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge E, but it may be provided on the container 347. Further, the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 is provided with an abutting portion 343a that abuts against the abutted portion 336a of the developing unit D when the toner cartridge E is inserted. The insertion guided portion (drive) 343 also serves as a rotation guided portion for guiding the rotation of the container frame 347a when the abutting portion 343a opens and closes the first shutter 337 and the second shutter 353.

In this embodiment, the abutment portion 342a, the rotation guided portion 342b, the control portion 342c1, and the control portion 342c2 are integrated with the insertion guided portion (non) 342b in the insertion guided portion (non) 342b. However, they may be independent components as long as they can perform their functions.

(Relationship between Insertion Guided Portion (Drive) and Insertion Guide Portion (Drive))

First, the relationship between the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 and the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 52 and 53. Figure 52 is a longitudinal sectional view of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 and the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d in this embodiment.

FIG53 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another type of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 and the insertion guiding portion (drive) 336d.

In this embodiment, the insertion guide portion (drive) 343 is cylindrical. The insertion guide portion (drive) 343 has a diameter D1. The width of the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d (measured in a direction intersecting the insertion direction f of the toner cartridge E) is as follows. While the toner cartridge E is being inserted into the developing unit D, the width of the insertion guide portion (drive) is w9. After the toner cartridge E is installed, the width of the insertion guide portion (drive) is w10.

The insertion guided portion (drive) is used to guide the insertion of the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D. The insertion guided portion (drive) 343 is integral with the second drive transmission portion 348, and when drive transmission is performed after the insertion of the toner cartridge E is completed, the insertion guide portion (drive) 343 rotates integrally with the second drive transmission portion 348. Therefore, it is necessary that the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 cooperates with the insertion guide portion (drive) to serve as an insertion guide during the insertion of the toner cartridge E, and is able to rotate when the driving force is transmitted to the second drive transmission portion 348 after the insertion is completed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d is constructed so that the width w9 during the insertion of the toner cartridge E into the developing unit D and the width w10 after the installation are completed are the same, and D1<w9=w10 is satisfied.

In this embodiment, the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 is cylindrical in shape, but this is not restrictive, and the configuration shown in FIG53 is also applicable. The configuration of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 shown in FIG53 is such that the size of the toner cartridge E in the insertion direction f (the direction in which the protrusion 345 protrudes from the container 347, FIG50 ) is smaller than the size in the lateral direction of the insertion guide portion (drive) 336 d. The width of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 in the insertion direction f is w12, and the width of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 in the lateral direction of the insertion guided portion (drive) 336 d is w13, with w12 < w13 being satisfied accordingly. With this configuration, the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 cooperates with the insertion guide portion (drive) 336 d during the insertion of the toner cartridge E to serve as an insertion guide, and can rotate after the insertion is complete when the driving force is transmitted to the second drive transmission portion 348.

(Relationship between the inserted guided portion (non-) and the inserted guiding portion (non-))

The relationship between the insertion guided portion (non) 342 and the insertion guide portion (non) 335d will be described with reference to Figure 54. Figure 54 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of the insertion guided portion (non) 342 and the insertion guide portion (non) 335d in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the insertion guide portion (non) 342 has a long side in the installation direction f. The length of the long side of the insertion guide portion (non) 342 in the installation direction f is w16, and the width of the insertion guide portion (non) 342 in the transverse direction of the insertion guide portion (non) 355d is w17, and accordingly, w16>w17 is satisfied. The width of the insertion guide (non) 335d when the colorant cartridge E is inserted into the developing unit D is w14, and accordingly, w17<w14 is satisfied. In addition, the width of the rotation guide portion (non) 335b for guiding the rotation of the colorant cartridge E when the first shutter 337 (Figure 49) and the second shutter 353 (Figure 51) are opened and closed is w15, and accordingly, w16<w15 is satisfied. By satisfying these conditions, the regulated portions (regulated surfaces) 342c1, 342c2, which are the long side portions of the insertion guide portion (non) 342 extending in the installation direction f, regulate the insertion posture and movement direction of the toner cartridge E along the width of the insertion guide (non) 335d. Similarly to the above-described embodiment, the installation operation of the toner cartridge E can be performed.

§2. [Guiding Structure of the End Portion of the Toner Cartridge]

There will be described in detail the protrusion (guided portion) provided at the end portion of the toner cartridge E. The protrusion (unlocking protrusion) protruding from the peripheral surface of the toner cartridge E in the same direction as the mounting direction will also be described.

(Relationship between Insertion Guided Portion (Drive) 343 and Insertion Guided Portion (Non) 342)

The relationship between the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 and the insertion guided portion (non) 342 will be described with reference to Figure 55. Figure 55 shows a state in which the positions of the toner cartridge E and the developing unit D in the longitudinal direction are correct.

The protruding length of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 measured from the driving side end surface of the second drive transmission portion 348 in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge is w18 (the length w18 of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343). The depth of the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d measured in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge is w19 (the depth w19 of the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d).

Similarly, the protruding length of the insertion guided portion (non) 342 measured from the non-driving side end portion of the container 347 in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge is the length w20 (length w20) of the insertion guided portion (non) 342. The depth of the insertion guide portion (driving) 336d measured in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge is the depth w21 (depth w21) of the insertion guide portion (non) 335d.

In this embodiment, the length w18 of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 allows it to fit within the tolerance range of the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d, which has a depth w19. More specifically, the length w18 of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 is slightly less than the depth w19 of the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d. The length w20 of the insertion guided portion (non-) 342 allows it to fit within the tolerance range of the insertion guide portion (non-) 335d, which has a depth w21. More specifically, the length w20 of the insertion guided portion (non-) 342 is slightly less than the depth w21 of the insertion guide portion (non-) 335d. The length w18 of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 and the length w20 of the insertion guided portion (non-) 342 are different from each other. Accordingly, the depth w19 of the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d and the depth w21 of the insertion guide portion (non-drive) 335d are designed to be different from each other. This is to prevent the user from installing the toner cartridge E into the developer unit D with the drive side and the non-drive side incorrectly oriented. In this embodiment, the length w18 of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343 is greater than the length w20 of the insertion guided portion (non-drive) 342. Accordingly, the depth w19 of the insertion guide portion (drive) 336d is greater than the depth w21 of the insertion guide portion (non-drive) 335d.

The configurations and mutual relationships of the insertion guided portion (drive) 343, the insertion guiding portion (drive) 336d, the insertion guided portion (non) 342, and the insertion guiding portion (non) 335d are adjusted in this manner. Thus, the installation performance of the toner cartridge E in the developing unit D can be improved.

<Example 6>

In this embodiment, the structures of the second shutter 253 and the like in Embodiment 4 are partially changed in the toner cartridge E. In the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 4 are given to elements having corresponding functions in this embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted for simplicity.

Regarding another structure of the toner cartridge E, descriptions of components similar to those of the aforementioned embodiment may be omitted by using the same component terms.

Parts (a), (b), and (c) of Figure 56 illustrate a state where the second shutter is in a closed position. Parts (a), (b), and (c) of Figure 57 illustrate a state where the second shutter is in an open position.

In this embodiment, the third opening 249 can be opened and closed by moving the second shutter 553 relative to the container 547. For the second shutter 553, a snap-fit portion (support portion, connecting portion, and elastic portion) 571 is connected to the main body portion 553m of the shutter. The snap-fit portion 571 is provided with a claw portion (first engaging portion, first protrusion) 571a at the free end, and the claw portion 571a is provided with a protrusion (second engaging portion, second protrusion) 571b. The claw portion 571a and the protrusion 571b constitute an engaging portion for engaging with the receiving device (developing unit D).

In this embodiment, when the engaging portion (claw portion 571a and protrusion 571b) is in the retreat position, the arm portion of the snap-fit portion 571 is deformed. That is, as shown in parts (a), (b), and (c) of Figure 56, when the second gate 553 moves from the open position to the closed position, the controlled surface 571f of the snap-fit portion 571 contacts the control surface 547e. As a result, the snap-fit portion 571 receives the force from the control surface 547e to deform outward relative to the axial direction. As a result, the engaging portion (claw portion 571a and protrusion 571b) moves to the retreat position. When the second gate 553 is in the open position, the engaging portion (claw portion 571a and protrusion 571b) is maintained in the retreat position by the contact between the control surface 571j (retreat position holding portion) and the snap-fit portion 571.

On the other hand, when the second shutter is opened as shown in parts (a), (b), and (c) of Figure 57, the snap-fit portion 571 moves away from the control surface 547e to return to its natural state. As a result, the engaging portion (claw portion 571a and protrusion 571b) moves to the engaged position. In other words, the engaging portion moves inward relative to the axial direction due to the elastic force of the snap-fit portion 571. As a result, the claw portion 571a engages with the shutter retaining portion 263, and the protrusion 571b engages with the locking hole 263a.

In this embodiment, a joining position moving portion for moving the joining portion to the joining position and/or a joining position retaining portion for retaining the joining portion at the joining position may also be provided on the container 547 (the first control portion surface 247d of Example 4).

In this embodiment, the support portion (the arm portion of the snap-fit portion 571) that supports the engaging portion has an elastic portion. In other words, the engaging portion (claw portion 571a, protrusion 571b) is moved by the elastic force of the support portion (snap-fit portion 571) itself. However, it is not essential that the support portion itself has an elastic portion.

For example, a support portion (support member, arm portion) for supporting the engaging portion (claw portion 571a, protrusion 571b) is rotatably mounted on the main body portion 553m of the gate plate using an axis. It is conceivable to provide a torsion spring (elastic member, elastic portion) on the axis, and to push the supporting portion to the engaging position by the force of the torsion spring. With such a structure, even if the supporting portion itself is not deformed, the engaging portion (claw portion 571a, protrusion 571b) can be moved by the rotation of the supporting portion. The engaging portion can be moved from the retreat position to the engaging position by the elastic force of the torsion spring.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that the support portion can slide relative to the main body portion 553 of the gate, and that the support portion is pushed to the engagement position by a coil spring (elastic member). Utilizing such a structure, even if the support portion itself does not deform, the engagement portion can move by the sliding of the support portion.

In Embodiment 7, a structure in which a movable supporting portion (supporting member) is urged by an elastic portion (elastic member) will be described.

<Example 7>

In this embodiment, the structure of the second shutter 253 and the like of the fourth embodiment is partially modified in the toner cartridge E. In the fourth embodiment and the like, the supporting portion (arm portion 271c) supporting the engaging portion (claw portion 271a, protrusion 271b, etc.) of the second shutter is itself an elastic portion. In this embodiment, an independent elastic member (elastic portion) is provided in addition to the supporting portion (supporting part). The supporting portion is movably supported.

The structure of the components other than the toner cartridge E is similar to that of embodiment 4, and therefore its description is omitted. With regard to another structure of the toner cartridge E, the description of the components similar to those of the previous embodiment can be omitted by using the same component terms. In the accompanying drawings, the shapes or components of a portion are omitted for simplicity of description. The size, material, construction, and relative position of the components in this embodiment can be appropriately modified according to the structure of the device and/or various conditions. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific structure in this embodiment.

Parts (a), (b), and (c) of Figure 58 are diagrams of the second shutter in this embodiment. Figure 59 is a diagram of an engaging portion (engageable member) provided on the second shutter.

Parts (a) and (b) of Figure 60 and parts (a) and (b) of Figure 61 show the state in which the second shutter is in the closed position. Parts (a) and (b) of Figure 62 and parts (a) and (b) of Figure 63 show the state in which the second shutter is in the open position.

In this embodiment, the third opening 249 is opened and closed by moving the second shutter (opening/closing member) 653 relative to the container 647 .

The second gate 653 includes a main body portion (closing portion) 653m, an engageable member (support portion, support member) 671, an arm portion 672, a coil spring 675, etc. The arm portion 672 extends upward from the lower end side of the main body portion 653m of the gate toward the free end side, and the free end side of the arm portion 672 is provided with the engageable member 671 and the coil spring (pressurizing spring) 675 mounted thereto.

As shown in Figure 59, the engageable member 671 includes a claw portion (first engaging portion) 671a and a protrusion (second engaging portion) 671b. The claw portion 671a and the protrusion 671b constitute the engaging portion (opening/closing member side engaging portion) provided on the second gate 653 and have the same structure as the claw portion 271a and the protrusion 271b in Example 4. The claw portion 671a protrudes at least radially outward relative to the rotation radius of the second gate 653. The protrusion 671b protrudes at least downstream relative to the direction of movement of the second gate 653 from the closed position to the open position.

The part other than the engaging portion (claw portion 671a, protrusion 671b) in the engageable member 671 is a supporting portion that supports the engaging portion. The engageable member 671 also serves as a movable member (slidable member) that can slide relative to the main body portion 653m of the gate. The coil spring (elastic member, elastic portion) 675 is a pushing portion for pushing the engageable member 671. The coil spring 675 is mounted on a boss 671h provided on the engageable member 671 and is pressurized to the surface (pushed portion) 671e of the engageable member 671 to push the engageable member 671 in a predetermined direction. In this embodiment, the engageable member 671 (claw portion 671a, protrusion 671b) is pushed axially inward by the coil spring (elastic member, elastic portion) 675. In other words, the engaging portion (claw portion 671a, 671b) is pushed toward the engaging position by the coil spring 675.

The pressing portion may be an elastic member (elastic portion) other than a coil spring. For example, a leaf spring may be used. In this embodiment, the pressing portion is a compression spring, and may be a tension spring having a different arrangement of the pressing portion relative to the engageable member 671. In other words, the engaging portion can be urged to the engaging position by utilizing the tension of the coil spring applied to the engageable member 671.

As shown in parts (a) and (b) of Figure 60 and parts (a) and (b) of Figure 61, when the second shutter 653 is in the closed position, the engageable member 671 contacts the control surface so that the movement is controlled. That is, the engaging portion (claw portion 671a, protrusion 671b) is urged toward the engaged position by the coil spring 675, but is held in the retracted position by the control surface 647j provided on the container 647. The control surface 647j is a retracted position retaining portion for resisting the coil spring 675 and holding the engaging portion in the retracted position.

When the second shutter 653 is in the closed position, the claw portion 671 a is not engaged with the shutter holding portion, and the protrusion 671 b is not engaged with the locking hole.

In this state, the container 647 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow e in part (b) of Figure 61. Then, the second shutter 653 rotates in the direction of the arrow h relative to the container 647. As a result, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of Figure 62 and parts (a) and (b) of Figure 63, the second shutter 653 is in the open position, so that the third opening (discharge opening) is opened.

As the second shutter 653 moves from the closed position to the open position, the control surfaces 647j and 647e separate from the engageable member 671 (control surfaces 671f, 671k). The engageable member 671 (claw portion 671a, protrusion 671b) then moves axially inwardly to the engaged position by the force of the coil spring 675. That is, the claw portion 671a is in a position to engage with the shutter retaining portion 263, and the protrusion 671b is in a position to engage with the locking hole 263a.

The coil spring 675 is an engaging position moving portion provided on the second shutter 653 for moving the claw portion 671 a and the protrusion 671 b to the engaging position.

Assume that the container 647 starts to rotate in the direction of arrow e shown in part (b) of Figure 63 from the state where the second shutter 653 is in the open position. At this time, the claw portion 671a in the engaged position engages with the shutter retaining portion 263, and the protrusion 671b in the engaged position engages with the locking hole 263a. As a result, the movement of the second shutter 653 is controlled, and therefore, only the container 647 rotates in the direction of arrow e. In other words, the second shutter 653 rotates relative to the container 647 in the direction of arrow h. That is, the second shutter 653 uses the force received from the shutter retaining portion 263a by the claw portion 671a and the protrusion 671b to move to the closed position.

As the second shutter 653 moves to the open position, the control surface 647e provided on the container contacts the controlled surface 671f provided on the engageable member 671 (claw portion 671a). The control surface 647e is a surface (inclined portion) that is inclined relative to the moving direction (rotational movement direction) of the second shutter 653. Therefore, the engageable member 671 contacts the control surface 647e to move axially outward on the control surface 647e. In other words, by receiving the force from the control surface 647e, the engageable member 671 (claw portion 671a, protrusion 671b) moves toward the retreat position against the elastic force of the coil spring 675.

As a result, the projection 671 b is disengaged from the locking hole 263 a , and the claw portion 671 a thereof is disengaged from the shutter holding portion 263 .

The control surface 647e is a retracted position moving portion for moving the engaging portion (claw portion 671a, protrusion 671b) provided on the second shutter 653 toward the retracted position. The control surface 647e is a surface provided by a protrusion (protrusion) provided on the container 647. On the other hand, the container 647 may be provided with a recessed portion (e.g., a groove), and the control surface 647e is provided by the recessed portion.

In addition, in this embodiment, the engaging portion is moved toward the engaging position by an elastic portion (coil spring, elastic member) provided on the second gate plate 653, and the engaging portion is moved to the retracted position by a control surface (retracted position moving portion) provided on the container.

However, conversely, the engaging portion may be moved to the retracted position by an elastic member (coil spring, etc.) provided on the second shutter plate 653, and the engaging portion may be moved to the engaged position by a control surface (engagement position moving portion) provided on the container. In other words, the elastic member (coil spring, etc.) of this embodiment may be applied to the aforementioned embodiment 6.

[Industrial Applicability]

According to the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge that is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus.

[reference numerals]

30: Second opening

43: Insert the guided part

43a: abutment portion

43: Rotating guided part

44: Grip component

44a: Fixed part

44b: Operation part

53: Second gate

53a: snap-fit portion

53b: Claw part

53c: front surface

54: Second sealing member

58: Connected part

61: First locking arm

61a: Claw part

62: Release Claw

63: Gate retaining part

64: Stirring shaft seal

Claims (74)

1. A toner cartridge that can be detachably mounted to a receiving device, the toner cartridge comprising: A container, the container including a receiving portion for containing toner and a discharge opening for discharging toner from the receiving portion into a receiving device; and An opening/closing member comprising a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and an engaging portion, the opening/closing member being rotatable relative to the container between (a) an open position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closed position for causing the closing portion to close the discharge opening. The engaging portion is movable relative to the closing portion between (c) an engaging position for engaging with the receiving device when removing the toner cartridge from the receiving device to receive a force for moving the opening/closing member from an open position to a closed position, and (d) a retracting position from the engaging position. As the opening/closing member rotates from the closed position to the open position, the engaging portion can move from the retracted position to the engaging position. 2. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion moves from the retracted position to the engaging position by rotation of the opening/closing member from the closed position to the open position. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising an engagement position moving portion disposed on the container, the engagement position moving portion being configured to move the engagement portion from a retracted position to an engagement position as the opening/closing member rotates from a closed position to an open position. 4. The toner cartridge of claim 3, wherein the engagement position moving portion includes a pushing portion for pushing the engagement portion toward the engagement position. 5. The toner cartridge of claim 3, wherein the engagement position movement portion is provided by a protrusion disposed on the container. 6. The toner cartridge of claim 3, wherein the engagement position movement portion is provided by a recess provided on the container. 7. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an engagement position retaining portion disposed on the container, the engagement position retaining portion for retaining the engagement portion in an engagement position when the opening/closing member is in an open position. 8. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a resilient portion for moving the engaging portion from a retracted position to an engaged position as the opening/closing member rotates from a closed position to an open position. 9. The toner cartridge of claim 8, wherein the opening/closing member includes a support portion supporting the engagement portion, and the support portion includes the resilient portion. 10. The toner cartridge of claim 8, wherein the opening/closing member includes a support portion that supports the engagement portion and is movable relative to the closing portion, and the resilient portion is a resilient member for pressing the support portion. 11. The toner cartridge of claim 8, wherein the elastic portion is made of metal. 12. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein as the opening/closing member rotates from the open position to the closed position, the engaging portion moves from the engaging position to the retracted position. 13. The toner cartridge of claim 12, further comprising a retractable position moving portion disposed on the container, the retractable position moving portion being configured to move the engaging portion from an engaging position to a retractable position as the opening/closing member rotates from an open position to a closed position. 14. The toner cartridge of claim 13, wherein the retraction position moving portion includes a pressing portion for pressing the engagement portion toward the retraction position. 15. The toner cartridge of claim 13, wherein the retraction position movement portion is provided by a protrusion disposed on the container. 16. The toner cartridge of claim 13, wherein the retraction position movement portion is provided by a recess provided on the container. 17. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a retractable position retaining portion disposed on the container, the retractable position retaining portion for retaining the engagement portion in a retractable position when the opening/closing member is in a closed position. 18. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a second resilient portion for moving the engaging portion from an engaging position to a retracted position as the opening/closing member rotates from an open position to a closed position. 19. The toner cartridge of claim 18, wherein the opening/closing member is provided with a support portion for supporting the engagement portion, and the support portion includes the second elastic portion. 20. The toner cartridge of claim 18, wherein the opening/closing member is provided with a support portion that supports the engaging portion and is movable relative to the closing portion, and the second resilient portion includes a resilient member for supporting the support portion. 21. The toner cartridge of claim 18, wherein the second resilient portion is made of metal. 22. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion moves from a retracted position to an engaged position by movement of the opening/closing member at least in the direction of the rotation axis. 23. The toner cartridge of claim 22, wherein the engaging portion moves from a retracted position to an engaged position by inward movement relative to the axis of rotation. 24. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion moves from the retracted position to the engaging position at least in the direction of the rotation radius. 25. The toner cartridge of claim 24, wherein the engaging portion moves from the retracted position to the engaging position by outward movement relative to the direction of rotation radius. 26. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is provided with a first protrusion projecting outward in at least the direction of rotation radius of the opening/closing member. 27. The toner cartridge of claim 26, wherein the engaging portion is provided with a second protrusion projecting downstream relative to the rotational direction of the opening/closing member from the closed position to the open position. 28. The toner cartridge of claim 27, wherein the second protrusion is disposed on the first protrusion. 29. The toner cartridge of claim 27, wherein the height of the second protrusion is less than the height of the first protrusion. 30. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the opening/closing member is provided with a support portion for supporting the engagement portion. 31. The toner cartridge of claim 30, wherein the engaging portion is movable between a retracted position and an engaged position by deformation of the supporting portion. 32. The toner cartridge of claim 30, wherein the engaging portion is movable between a retracted position and an engaged position by sliding movement of the supporting portion. 33. The toner cartridge of claim 30, wherein the engaging portion is movable between a retracted position and an engaged position by rotation of the supporting portion. 34. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the opening/closing member is provided with an arm portion extending toward the free end side of the closing portion, and the engaging portion is provided at the free end side of the arm portion. 35. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the opening/closing member is provided with a locking portion for locking the opening/closing member by engaging with the container. 36. The toner cartridge of claim 35, wherein the locking portion is movable relative to the closing portion between a locked position for locking the opening/closing member and an unlocked position for releasing the lock. 37. The toner cartridge of claim 36, wherein the opening/closing member includes an unlocking force receiving portion for receiving a force for moving the locking portion from a locked position to an unlocked position. 38. The toner cartridge of claim 37, wherein as the toner cartridge is mounted to the receiving device, the unlocking force receiving portion receives a force from the receiving device. 39. The toner cartridge of claim 35, further comprising a covering portion for covering the locking portion. 40. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the receiving device includes a receiving opening for receiving toner discharged through the discharge opening and a receiving device-side opening/closing member for opening and closing the receiving opening, and wherein the toner cartridge includes a closing force applying portion for applying a force to the receiving device-side opening/closing member to cause the receiving opening to close as the toner cartridge is removed from the receiving device. 41. The toner cartridge of claim 40, wherein the closing force application portion includes a protrusion capable of engaging with an opening/closing member on the receiving device side. 42. The toner cartridge of claim 40, wherein the closing force application portion is capable of engaging with a hole provided in the opening/closing member on the receiving device side. 43. The toner cartridge of claim 40, further comprising a posture control portion for controlling the posture of the toner cartridge when inserted into the receiving device, the posture control portion controlling the posture of the toner cartridge such that the closing force application portion can engage with the opening/closing member on the receiving device side. 44. The toner cartridge of claim 40, wherein the receiving device-side opening/closing member is locked in a position for closing the receiving opening, and wherein the closing force application portion releases the receiving device-side opening/closing member by engaging with the receiving device-side opening/closing member. 45. The toner cartridge of claim 40, wherein when the opening/closing member is in the closed position, the engaging portion is arranged downstream of the discharge opening and upstream of the closing force application portion relative to the direction of rotation of the opening/closing member relative to the container from the open position to the closed position. 46. The toner cartridge of claim 40, wherein as the toner cartridge is mounted to the receiving device, the closing force application portion causes the receiving device-side opening/closing member to open the receiving opening. 47. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the receiving device is provided with a receiving opening for receiving toner discharged through the discharge opening and a receiving device-side opening/closing member for opening and closing the receiving opening, and wherein the toner cartridge includes an opening force applying portion for applying a force to the receiving device-side opening/closing member to open the receiving opening as the toner cartridge is installed in the receiving device. 48. The toner cartridge of claim 47, wherein the opening force application portion includes a stepped portion disposed on the container. 49. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device is provided with a receiving opening for receiving toner discharged through the discharge opening, a receiving device-side opening/closing member for opening and closing the receiving opening, and a receiving device-side locking member for locking the receiving device-side opening/closing member, and wherein the toner cartridge is provided with an unlocking portion for releasing the lock of the receiving device-side locking member. 50. The toner cartridge of claim 49, wherein the unlocking portion includes a protrusion capable of contacting the locking member on the receiving device side. 51. The toner cartridge of claim 49, wherein the unlocking portion is accessible to a hole provided in the opening/closing member on the receiving device side. 52. The toner cartridge of claim 49, further comprising a posture control portion for controlling the insertion posture of the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is inserted into the receiving device, wherein the posture control portion controls the insertion posture of the toner cartridge such that the unlocking portion contacts the locking member on the receiving device side. 53. The toner cartridge of claim 49, wherein as the toner cartridge is removed from the receiving device, the unlocking portion allows the receiving device-side locking member to lock the receiving device-side opening/closing member. 54. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the opening/closing member is provided with an opening force receiving portion, wherein as the toner cartridge is installed on the receiving device, the opening force receiving portion is capable of receiving a force for moving the opening/closing member from a closed position to an open position. 55. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is mounted to the receiving device by an installation operation including a rotational operation. 56. The toner cartridge of claim 55, wherein the opening/closing member rotates from an open position to a closed position with the rotation operation. 57. The toner cartridge of claim 55, wherein the toner cartridge is mounted to the receiving device by being inserted substantially linearly into the receiving device and subsequently rotated. 58. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a guide portion for guiding the toner cartridge to the receiving device for installation. 59. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the container is provided with an opening/closing guide for guiding the rotation of the opening/closing member. 60. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a feeding member for feeding the toner in the receiving portion toward the discharge opening. 61. The toner cartridge of claim 60, further comprising a rotational force receiving portion for receiving rotational force from outside the toner cartridge for driving the feeding member. 62. The toner cartridge of claim 61, wherein the rotational movement direction of the rotational force receiving portion is the same as the rotational movement direction of the opening/closing member relative to the rotational force receiving portion from the open position to the closed position. 63. The toner cartridge of claim 62, wherein the axis of rotation of the force receiving portion and the axis of rotation of the opening/closing member are positioned at different locations from each other. 64. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the container includes a generally arcuate portion, and the discharge opening is disposed in the arcuate portion, and wherein the opening/closing member rotates along the arcuate portion. 65. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a generally cylindrical portion. 66. The toner cartridge of claim 65, wherein the opening/closing member rotates along the curved surface of the cylindrical portion. 67. The toner cartridge of claim 65, wherein the diameter of the container at its longitudinal end is greater than the diameter of the container near the discharge opening of the container. 68. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the closing portion has a generally arcuate configuration. 69. The toner cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a grip portion for holding the toner cartridge. 70. The toner cartridge of claim 69, further comprising a guide portion disposed on the container for guiding the toner cartridge in a predetermined insertion direction, wherein, in a projection plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the opening/closing member, the grip portion and the discharge opening are on the same side relative to an imaginary line passing through the axis of rotation and parallel to the insertion direction. 71. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the opening/closing member includes a second engagement portion, one of the engagement portion and the second engagement portion being disposed on one side of the opening/closing member, and the other of the engagement portion and the second engagement portion being disposed on the other side of the opening/closing member. 72. The toner cartridge of claim 71, wherein the engaging portion and the second engaging portion move closer to each other in response to rotation of the opening/closing member from the closed position to the open position. 73. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the opening/closing member is rotatable about the container along the outer surface of the container. 74. A toner supply mechanism comprising a toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1-73 and a receiving device having a mounting portion for mounting the toner cartridge.