Collection container with an elastic body and image-forming apparatus

A collection container includes: a first receiving unit that receives toner removed from a toner holder, via an aperture; a conveyance member that is provided in the first receiving unit to convey the received toner in a direction across a first direction in which the first receiving unit extends; a toner container that has a width extending in the first direction to receive and store the conveyed toner across the width; an elastic body that supports the toner container against a weight of the toner container so that at least one end of the toner container is movable within a range greater than that of another part of the toner container; and a moving member that moves in accordance with a movement of one end of the toner container, when the elastic body elastically deformed caused by an increase in an amount of toner stored.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-045812 filed on Mar. 2, 2010.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a collection container and an image-forming apparatus.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a collection container including: a first receiving unit that receives toner removed from a toner holder by a removing member, via an aperture; a conveyance member that is provided in the first receiving unit to convey the received toner in a direction across a first direction in which the first receiving unit extends; a toner container that has a width extending in the first direction to receive and store the toner conveyed by the conveyance member across the width; an elastic body that supports the toner container against a weight of the toner container so that at least one end of the toner container is movable within a range greater than that of another part of the toner container; and a moving member that moves in accordance with a movement of one end of the toner container, when the elastic body elastically deformed caused by an increase in an amount of toner stored in the toner container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1shows an exterior of image-forming apparatus10according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2andFIG. 3are schematic views of a cross-section of image-forming apparatus10. Image-forming apparatus10is an electrophotographic image-forming apparatus. Image-forming apparatus10forms an image on a recording medium, such as a paper and an OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet.

In the present description and drawings, directions are indicated using X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis, which are perpendicular to each other. Specifically, a frontward/rearward direction is defined as X-axial direction, a rightward/leftward direction is defined as Y-axial direction, and an upward/downward direction is defined as Z-axial direction. Also, in the drawings, a frontward direction is indicated by arrow X, and a rearward direction by arrow (−X). A rightward direction is indicated by arrow Y, and a leftward direction by arrow (−Y). An upward direction is indicated by arrow Z, and a downward direction by arrow (−Z).

Image-forming apparatus10includes device body12. Image-forming apparatus10also includes first openable member26and second openable member18. Second openable member18can be opened forward pivoting on hinge20. Second openable member18includes fourth openable member22. Fourth openable member22can be opened forward even if second openable member18is closed. On second openable member18, liquid crystal display411is disposed. Liquid crystal display411is an example of a display that displays information. Liquid crystal display411displays various messages under the control of controller410, which is described later.

First openable member26can be opened upward pivoting on hinge28as shown inFIG. 3. First openable member26is opened when photosensitive unit200Y,200M,200C, or200K is attached to or detached from image-forming apparatus10. First openable member26includes third openable member100.FIG. 4AandFIG. 4Bare schematic views of third openable member100as viewed from the right side. Third openable member100can be opened upward pivoting on hinge102as shown inFIG. 4B.

Next, description is made of an internal configuration of image-forming apparatus10. Inside image-forming apparatus10, controller410is disposed. Controller410includes a microcomputer to control components of image-forming apparatus10. Controller410also includes an interface to communicate with an external computer device. Controller410communicates with the external computer device via the interface to acquire image data that represents an image. Controller410controls liquid crystal display411to display various messages on liquid crystal display411.

Inside image-forming apparatus10, image-forming unit40is disposed. Image-forming unit40includes photosensitive units200Y,200M,200C, and200K. In the present description and drawings, components related to an image of yellow are indicated by reference numerals with a letter “Y” appended. Components related to an image of magenta are indicated by reference numerals with a letter “M” appended. Components related to an image of cyan are indicated by reference numerals with a letter “C” appended. Components related to an image of black are indicated by reference numerals with a letter “K” appended. Components indicated by identical reference numerals with a letter “Y,” “M,” “C,” or “K,” have the same configuration, although related colors are different. Accordingly, in the following description, the appended letter is omitted, except where it is otherwise necessary to distinguish between these components.

Each of photosensitive units200includes photosensitive drum210. Each of photosensitive units200also includes a charging unit that uniformly charges the surface of corresponding photosensitive drum210, and a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on corresponding photosensitive drum210, although these components are not shown.

Below photosensitive units200, exposure device44is disposed. At the rear of each photosensitive unit200, developing device46is disposed. Exposure device44is controlled by controller410. Exposure device44irradiates photosensitive drums210on the basis of an image of image data that is acquired by controller410, to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photosensitive drum210. Electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of photosensitive drums210are developed with toner supplied from developing devices46Y,46M,46C, and46K, respectively. Specifically, developing device46Y develops an electrostatic latent image formed on photosensitive drum210Y with toner of yellow. Developing device46M develops an electrostatic latent image formed on photosensitive drum210M with toner of magenta. Developing device46C develops an electrostatic latent image formed on photosensitive drum210C with toner of cyan. Developing device46K develops an electrostatic latent image formed on photosensitive drum210K with toner of black.

When first openable member26is closed, intermediate transfer unit60is located above photosensitive units200. Intermediate transfer unit60includes endless shaped intermediate transfer belt62. Intermediate transfer unit60also includes primary transfer rollers80Y,80M,80C, and80K. Primary transfer rollers80are an example of a first transfer unit that transfers a toner image onto an intermediate transfer belt. Intermediate transfer unit60also includes supporting rollers64,66,68,70, and72. After toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on photosensitive drums210Y,210M,210C, and210K, the toner images are transferred onto intermediate transfer belt62by primary transfer rollers80Y,80M,80C, and80K, respectively.

Intermediate transfer belt62is an example of an intermediate transfer medium onto which a toner image is transferred, and also is an example of a holder that holds toner. Intermediate transfer belt62is supported by supporting rollers64,66,68,70, and72. Supporting roller72is caused to rotate by a motor (not shown). Upon rotation of supporting roller72, intermediate transfer belt62is caused to rotate in a direction of arrow A shown inFIG. 2. Intermediate transfer unit60is attached to first openable member26. Thus, when first openable member26is opened, intermediate transfer unit60moves together with first openable member26as shown inFIG. 3.

When first openable member26is closed, secondary transfer roller86faces supporting roller70via intermediate transfer belt62. Secondary transfer roller86is an example of a second transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed on intermediate transfer belt62onto a recording medium. After a toner image of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, is formed on intermediate transfer belt62, the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium by secondary transfer roller86that is pressed against supporting roller70.

The toner image transferred onto the recording medium is fixed by fixing device50. Fixing device50includes heat roller51A and pressure roller51B. Heat roller51A contains heating unit51. Pressure roller51B faces heat roller51A. When the recording medium is conveyed and is held between heat roller51A and pressure roller51B, heat is applied to the recording medium by heat roller51A, which is heated from heating unit51; also, pressure is applied by pressure roller51B. The toner image formed on the recording medium is fixed by this application of heat and pressure.

Recording mediums are stored in a layered fashion in storage container512that is located below exposure device44. Each recording medium stored in storage container512is conveyed to conveyance path532, conveyance path534, and conveyance path530by plural rollers disposed inside image-forming apparatus10.

Rollers514and516serve to send a recording medium stored in storage container512to a conveyance path. Roller542serves to send a recording medium, which has been conveyed from storage container512, to secondary transfer roller86. Roller542causes the recording medium to stop temporarily, and conveys the recording medium so that a toner image formed on intermediate transfer belt62is transferred onto the recording medium at a position where secondary transfer roller86is located.

Roller544serves to output a recording medium to the outside of image-forming apparatus10. Roller544outputs the recording medium, on which a toner image is fixed by fixing device50, to the outside of image-forming apparatus10. However, if images are to be formed on both sides of the recording medium, roller544conveys the recording medium to roller548such that a front side, on which an image is firstly formed, faces fixing device50. Roller548serves to convey to roller542a recording medium that has been sent from roller544. After an image is formed on the front side, the recording medium is conveyed from roller542to secondary transfer roller86. As a result, a reverse side of the recording medium faces intermediate transfer belt62. Roller522and roller554serve to convey a recording medium to roller542. When fourth openable member22is opened and a user feeds a recording medium to roller552and roller554, roller552and roller554convey the recording medium to roller542.

When first openable member26is closed, removing device350is located above intermediate transfer unit60. Removing device350is an example of a removing unit that removes toner remaining on intermediate transfer belt62that is not transferred onto a recording medium passed between supporting roller70and secondary transfer roller86. Removing device350is attached to first openable member26. Thus, when first openable member26is opened, removing device350moves together with first openable member26as shown inFIG. 3.

Removing device350includes scraper358. Scraper358serves as a member for scraping toner remaining on intermediate transfer belt62. Scraper358contacts intermediate transfer belt62, and has a width in a rightward/leftward direction greater than that of intermediate transfer belt62. Removing device350also includes conveyance member362. Conveyance member362serves to convey toner scraped by scraper358. Conveyance member362is caused to rotate by a motor (not shown) to convey toner scraped by scraper358to collecting container250.

The toner removed by removing device350is stored in collection container250. Collection container250is an example of a container in which toner is stored. In the present exemplary embodiment, if third openable member100is opened, collection container250can be detached from or reattached to removing device350even if first openable member26is closed. At a time for replacement of collection container250, a user of image-forming apparatus10removes collection container250from removing device350, and attaches to removing device350empty collection container250in which no toner is contained.

FIG. 5shows an exterior of collection container250.FIG. 6is an exploded perspective view of collection container250. Collection container250is composed of cover295, toner container279, spring290, and body260. Cover295is put on body260and toner container279. In collection container250, spring290is disposed between body260and toner container279, and toner container279is placed in body260. After toner container279is placed in body260, cover295is put on body260and toner container279to seal the inside of collection container250. Cover295has partition plate296that protrudes downward.

Body260has apertures251through which toner received from removing device350passes to the inside of body260. Body260also includes shutters261for opening and closing apertures251. When collection container250is removed from removing device350, shutters261close apertures251. On the other hand, when collection container250is attached to removing device350, shutters261open apertures251.

FIG. 7is a top view of collection container250from which cover295and toner container279is removed.FIG. 8is a top view of collection container250from which cover295is removed.FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view of collection container250taken along line A-A ofFIG. 7.

Body260includes first concave portion267in which toner that is sent from removing device350is stored, and second concave portion266in which toner container279is received. First concave portion267is an example of a first receiving unit in which a toner passed through aperture251is stored. Second concave portion266is an example of a second receiving unit in which toner container279is accommodated. First concave portion267and second concave portion266have a greater width in a rightward/leftward direction. First concave portion267is located at the rear side of second concave portion266in alignment with second concave portion266.

Between a rear top of second concave portion266and a front top of first concave portion267, passing portion270(an example of a passing area) is provided. Passing portion270extends from the rear top of second concave portion266to the front top of first concave portion267. When toner is sent from first concave portion267to second concave portion266, the toner passes through the surface of passing portion270.

First concave portion267is an arc-shape in a cross-section as viewed in the rightward/leftward direction. Second concave portion266has a raised portion that extends in the rightward/leftward direction as viewed in the frontward/rearward direction. Raised portion268is located on the left side of second concave portion266. Raised portion268is higher than the lowermost surface of second concave portion266. In raised portion268, a hole that penetrates to the undersurface of toner container279is provided. To the hole, transmitting portion269, which is made of transmissive synthetic resin, is fitted. Transmitting portion269is formed in a hollow angular tube one end of which is closed. Light passes through transmitting portion269. On an opening side of transmitting portion269, a protruding flange-shaped portion is provided. The flange-shaped portion is adhered to raised portion268, whereby transmitting portion269is fixed to raised portion268.

Body260includes conveyance member262. Conveyance member262is disposed along the greater width of first concave portion267. Conveyance member262is composed of rotating shaft263and synthetic resin sheet264. Synthetic resin sheet264is attached to rotating shaft263along the axial direction of rotating shaft263. Ends of rotating shaft263are inserted into holes that are respectively formed on the right side and the left side of body260, whereby rotating shaft263is supported. One end of rotating shaft263is exposed to the outside through one of the holes. To the exposed end, gear265is attached. Gear265is caused to rotate by a motor (not shown). Upon rotation of gear265, conveyance member262rotates inside collection container250, whereby toner is sent to toner container279by sheet264. In other words, conveyance member262is an example of a conveyance member that conveys toner in a direction across a direction in which a first concave portion extends.

Body260includes plate271L and plate271R. Plate271L guides toner that has been conveyed from second concave portion266to the left end of passing portion270, rightward from the left end. Plate271R guides toner that has been conveyed from second concave portion266to the right end of passing portion270, leftward from the right end. Plate271L and plate271R are provided on passing portion270. Plate271L and plate271R protrude from passing portion270in the upward direction. Plate271L also protrudes from a surface of a left end wall of body260in a diagonally forward right direction as viewed from above. Plate271R protrudes from a surface of a right end wall of body260in a diagonally forward left direction as viewed from above. By employing this configuration, when toner is conveyed from second concave portion266to passing portion270by conveyance member262, the toner is sent by plate271L and271R to the center of passing portion270in the rightward/leftward direction. In other words, plate271L and plate271R are an example of a guide portion that guides a toner located at both ends on the surface of passing portion270to the center of passing portion270in the rightward/leftward direction. In the drawings, each of plate271R and plate271L has a plate shape as viewed from above, but it may be of a triangular shape that protrudes from either end of body260to the center in the rightward/leftward direction as viewed from above.

Body260also includes plate272on second concave portion266. Plate272protrudes from the bottom of second concave portion266in the upward direction. Plate272extends in the frontward/rearward direction as viewed from above. Plate272partitions the bottom of second concave portion266. Plate272prevents toner from moving to the center of second concave portion266if toner enters the left end of second concave portion266from a gap between toner container279and second concave portion266.

Toner container279is a container in which toner that has been conveyed by conveyance member262is collected. In toner container279, a front sidewall is higher than a rear sidewall. The bottom of toner container279has a raised portion to enable it to fit on second concave portion266. Raised portion280is provided on the left side of the bottom of toner container279. When toner container279is accommodated in second concave portion266, raised portion280is located above raised portion268. On the under side of raised portion280, protrusion281that protrudes in the downward direction is provided. When toner container279is accommodated in second concave portion266, protrusion281moves into transmitting portion269.

On the rear side of toner container279, synthetic resin sheet282is attached along the rightward/leftward direction. When toner container279is accommodated in second concave portion266, sheet282deflects and contacts the rear wall of second concave portion266. In contact with the rear wall of second concave portion266, sheet282prevents toner from entering a gap between the rear wall of second concave portion266and toner container279.

Spring290is a coiled spring disposed between body260and toner container279. Spring290is an example of a supporting member that supports toner container279. Spring290is also an example of an elastic body that has resistance to a weight of toner container279. Spring290is disposed on second concave portion266to support toner container279from underneath. Spring290has a height greater than a height from the bottom of second concave portion266to the top of raised portion280. Spring290supports toner container279at non-central position in the rightward/leftward direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, spring290supports toner container279at the right side of raised portion268.

As shown inFIG. 10toFIG. 14, when cover295is attached to body260, partition plate296enters toner container279. When partition plate296enters toner container279, a front sidewall of toner container279is held between partition plate296and a rear inner surface of second concave portion266, where partition plate296contacts the inner side of toner container279. Contact between partition plate296and the inner side of toner container279prevents toner from entering a gap between a wall surface of second concave portion266and toner container279.

InFIG. 10andFIG. 11, sensor unit370, which is provided in image-forming apparatus10, is shown. Sensor unit370includes light-emitting unit371and light-receiving unit372. Light-emitting unit371includes a light-emitting diode. When light is emitted from light-emitting unit371by the light-emitting diode, the light passes through transmitting portion269, and is received at light-receiving unit372. Light-receiving unit372includes a photodiode. When the photodiode receives light, light-receiving unit372outputs to controller410a signal that represents receipt of the light.

Operation in Exemplary Embodiment

Next, description is made of an operation of collection container250in the present exemplary embodiment. Immediately after a user replaces collection container250, toner container279is located at a position in which a weight of empty toner container279and an elastic force of spring290are balanced as shown inFIG. 11. Spring290is located at the left side of the center of second concave portion266in the rightward/leftward direction. Thus, toner container279contacts the bottom of second concave portion266at the right undersurface of toner container279. As a result, toner container279is inclined upward to the right as shown inFIG. 11as viewed from the rear side.

In a state shown inFIG. 11, due to an inclination of toner container279, protrusion281does not reach a position between light-emitting unit371and light-receiving unit372. Therefore, light emitted from light-emitting unit371is not intercepted. The light emitted from light-emitting unit371passes through transmitting portion269, and the light is received by light-receiving unit372. Upon receipt of the light, light-receiving unit372outputs to controller410a signal that represents the receipt of the light. While receiving this signal, controller410determines that collection container250does not need to be replaced.

After this, in image-forming apparatus10, when an image is formed onto a recording medium, toner remaining on intermediate transfer belt62is removed by removing device350. Namely, the toner is scraped by scraper358. The scraped toner is conveyed to collection container250, and moves into first concave portion267. After moving into first concave portion267, the toner is sent to passing portion270by conveyance member262, and moves into toner container279. When the toner moves into toner container279via the surface of passing portion270, spring290is compressed depending due to a total weight of toner contained in toner container279, whereby toner container279moves downward. When toner container279moves downward, protrusion281also moves downward inside transmitting portion269.

In addition, plate271L is provided at the left end of passing portion270, and plate271R is provided at the right end of passing portion270; thus after toner is conveyed from second concave portion266to passing portion270by conveyance member262, the toner is sent to the center of passing portion270in the rightward/leftward direction by plates271L and271R. In this case, toner is not directly sent to a space between right and left outer surfaces of toner container279, and right and left ends of second concave portion266. In other words, plates271L and271R prevent toner from entering a gap between toner container279and second concave portion266.

Further, toner container279includes sheet282. Sheet282contacts the rear wall of second concave portion266when toner container279is attached to second concave portion266, to prevent toner from entering into a space between toner container279and second concave portion266through a gap between the rear wall of second concave portion266and toner container279. Since toner is prevented from entering the space between toner container279and second concave portion266, toner is also prevented from entering transmitting portion269. The right end of sheet282may be located on the right side of the end of plate271R. The left end of sheet282may be located on the left side of the end of plate271L.

When an amount of toner stored in toner container279increases, protrusion281moves downward inside transmitting portion269to an extent determined by a total weight of stored toner, and protrusion281intercepts light, which is emitted from light emitting unit371and is to be received by light receiving unit372. Upon interception of the light, a signal that represents a receipt of the light is no longer output from light-receiving unit372. In this case, controller410cannot acquire a signal that has been output from light-receiving unit372, and determines that collection container250should be replaced. Upon determining that collection container250should be replaced, controller410displays on liquid crystal display411a message, thus prompting a user to replace collection container250.

In the present exemplary embodiment, protrusion281moves downward if toner is stored on either the right or the left side of toner container279. Therefore, it is possible to prompt a user to replace collection container250in a timely manner, as compared with a configuration in which a time for replacement of a collection container is determined using toner that is stored in one part on the right or left side of toner container279.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, since toner is prevented from entering a gap between toner container279and second concave portion266, toner is also prevented from entering transmitting portion269. In this case, light to be incident on light receiving unit372is not intercepted by toner. As a result, it is possible to prompt a user to replace collection container250in a timely manner.

Modification

The foregoing description is made of the exemplary embodiment of the prevent invention, but the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above. The present invention may be practiced in various other embodiments. For example, the foregoing exemplary embodiment may be modified as described below. Also, the foregoing exemplary embodiment and the following modifications may be combined with each other.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, body260includes plate271L and plate271R, but body260need not include plate271L and plate271R.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, body260includes plates272, but body260need not include plate272.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, toner container279includes sheet282, but toner container279need not include sheet282.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, spring290is a coiled spring, but a spring that supports toner container279may be a spring other than the coiled spring. In addition, in the present invention, a supporting member that supports toner container279is not limited to a spring if it is an elastic member.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, transmitting portion269is fitted to the hole of second concave portion266, but transmitting portion269need not be fitted to the hole.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, light-receiving unit372includes a photodiode, but light-receiving unit372may include a cadmium sulfide (CdS) cell instead of the photodiode. In a configuration with the CdS cell, as protrusion281moves downward, a change is made in an amount of light that is emitted from light emitting unit371and is to be received at the CdS cell, where a resistance of the CdS cell is also changed. Controller410may measure the resistance of the CdS cell to measure an amount of downward movement of toner container279. Controller410may change a message to be displayed on the liquid crystal display411based on the measured amount of downward movement.

In body260, ribs may be provided on rear and front inner surfaces of second concave portion266along the upward/downward direction, to hold between the ribs toner container279that is accommodated in second concave portion266. The ribs may be located at a position between transmitting portion269and the left end of second concave portion266as viewed from above. According to this configuration, the ribs prevent toner from moving to the center of second concave portion266even if toner enters the left end of second concave portion266from a gap between toner container279and second concave portion266.

In addition, when ribs are provided at the rear and front inner surfaces of second concave portion266in body260, the ribs extending in the rightward/leftward direction may be provided.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, only one spring290is provided, but an additional spring290may be disposed on the right side of the center of second concave portion266in the rightward/leftward direction, to provide support for toner container279by two springs.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, collection container250stores toner that is removed from intermediate transfer belt62, but toner stored in collection container250is not limited to toner that is removed from intermediate transfer belt62.

In an electrophotographic image-forming apparatus, toner remaining on a cylindrical photosensitive drum, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, is removed and collected; however, toner removed from a photosensitive drum, which serves as a holder for holding toner, may be conveyed to collection container250, and the conveyed toner may be stored in collection container250.

In an electrophotographic image-forming apparatus, toner may adhere to a belt for conveying to a photosensitive drum a sheet, on which an image is to be formed. Some image-forming apparatuses remove toner adhering to a belt, which serves as a holder for holding toner. In this case, the removed toner may be conveyed to collection container250, and be stored in collection container250.

In other words, collection container250according to the present exemplary embodiment may store unnecessary toner that is not transferred onto a sheet and is collected from a component other than an intermediate transfer belt.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, toner removed from intermediate transfer belt62, which serves as a holder, is conveyed in a direction that intersects with a width direction of intermediate transfer belt62, and is stored in collection container250; however the direction in which toner that is removed from intermediate transfer belt62is conveyed is not limited to the direction described in the exemplary embodiment.

For example, toner removed from intermediate transfer belt62may be conveyed in the width direction of intermediate transfer belt62, and the toner may be sent to collection container250that is located at the send destination.

FIG. 15schematically shows this configuration. InFIG. 15, cover295of collection container250is not shown. InFIG. 15, the inside of collection container250is schematically shown. In this configuration, conveyance member600for conveying toner removed from intermediate transfer belt62by scraper358is located above scraper358. Toner removed from intermediate transfer belt62is sent to collection container250by rotation of spiral conveyance member600.

On collection container250, aperture252is provided through which toner conveyed by conveyance member600passes. The toner conveyed by conveyance member600moves into collection container250through aperture252. In first concave portion267of collection container250, spiral conveyance member601may be provided to convey toner conveyed by conveyance member600in the longer direction of collection container250.

According to this configuration, toner moved through aperture252into first concave portion267is conveyed in the longer direction of first concave portion267. Then the toner spreads in the longer direction of first concave portion267, and the toner is sent to toner container279by rotation of conveyance member262. According to this configuration as well, collection container250can store toner that is no longer needed.

In the configuration shown inFIG. 15, toner conveyed by conveyance member600may fall in the vertical direction at the end of conveyance member600. In this configuration, the fallen toner moves into collection container250.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, spring290supports toner container279, but toner container279may be hung on spring290from cover295. According to this configuration, toner container279moves downward as an increasing amount of toner is stored in toner container279, and protrusion281also moves downward. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the time for replacement of collection container250in a manner similar to that of the foregoing exemplary embodiment.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, ends of toner container279in the longer direction contact second concave portion266at the undersurface of toner container279. However, supporting member800that protrudes from body260may support the center of the undersurface of toner container279in the longer direction, and either one of the ends of toner container279may be supported by spring290, or may be hung on spring290.

FIG. 16schematically shows an example of a configuration in this modification. In this configuration, when an amount of toner stored in toner container279increases, a protrusion281side moves downward against an elastic force of spring290. Accordingly, protrusion281also moves downward, thus it is possible to detect a time for replacement of collection container250by light-emitting unit371and light-receiving unit372in a manner similar to that of the foregoing exemplary embodiment.

In this configuration, protrusion281may be provided on a side opposite to spring290via the center of toner container279. In this case, when protrusion281intercepts light that is emitted from light-emitting unit371, controller100determines that toner does not need to be replaced. On the other hand, if a spring290side moves downward caused by a weight of toner, and a protrusion281side moves upward, protrusion281does not intercept light that is emitted from light-emitting unit371. When light-receiving unit372detects the light, controller100may determine collection container250should be replaced.

In the configuration shown inFIG. 16as well, either one of the ends of toner container279may be hung on spring290.

In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, protrusion281provided on the undersurface of toner container279intercepts light that is to be incident on light-receiving unit372; however, a configuration for interception of light that is to be incident on light-receiving unit372is not limited to the configuration described in the foregoing exemplary embodiment. For example, a configuration shown in a schematic view ofFIG. 17may be employed.

InFIG. 17, moving member700is composed of a shaft on which two plate members are combined inclined relative to each other. On one plate member, protrusion281is provided. The other plate member, on which protrusion281is not provided, is, for example, supported by a torsion spring that is provided on the shaft. The other plate member supports toner container279from underneath.

In this configuration, when toner container279moves downward caused by a weight of toner stored in toner container279, moving member700rotates against an elastic force of the torsion spring, and protrusion281moves upward. When protrusion281moves upward, protrusion281does not intercept light that is emitted from light-emitting unit371. When light-receiving unit372detects the light, controller100may determine that collection container250should be replaced.

In the configuration in which moving member700is used, when toner container279moves downward, protrusion281may also move downward. In this case, if protrusion281intercepts light that is emitted from light-emitting unit371, and light-receiving unit372does not receive the light, controller100may determine that collection container250should be replaced.

In a configuration in which the center of the undersurface of toner container279is supported, the torsion spring may support the center, and either one of ends of toner container279may move downward caused by a weight of toner.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments have been chosen and described so that the principles of the invention and its practical applications are best explained, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for use with various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to a particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.