Powder container, powder processing apparatus using the same, and powder container controlling method

A powder container includes a container body having an opening corresponding to a powder opening of a container receiver; an open/close lid that closes the opening; a first restricting portion inclined to face a contact surface, which is located upstream of the powder opening and inclined with respect to an open/close operation direction of the open/close lid, when the container body is attached to the container receiver, the first restricting portion contacting the contact surface to restrict a position of the open/close lid in the open/close operation direction; and a second restricting portion restricting a posture of the open/close lid with respect to the container receiver in a direction in which the first restricting portion is tilted down toward the contact surface, when the container body is attached to or detached from the container receiver and a press member restricts movement of the open/close lid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-260474 filed Nov. 22, 2010.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a powder container, a powder processing apparatus using the powder container, and a powder container controlling method.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a powder container that is detachably attached to a container receiver of a powder processing apparatus casing and that houses powder. The powder container includes a container body that houses the powder, the container body having an opening that is formed in a portion of the container body at a position corresponding to a powder opening that is formed in the container receiver; an open/close lid that is movable between an open position at which the opening is open and a close position at which the opening is closed; a first restricting portion that is provided at a portion of the open/close lid at a position at a forward side in an attachment operation direction of the container body, a contact surface being located upstream of the powder opening of the container receiver in the attachment operation direction of the container body and being inclined with respect to an open/close operation direction of the open/close lid such that a height of the contact surface is decreased as the contact surface extends away from the powder opening, the first restricting portion being inclined with respect to the open/close operation direction to face the contact surface, when the container body is attached to the container receiver, the first restricting portion being configured to contact the contact surface to restrict a position of the open/close lid in the open/close operation direction of the open/close lid; and a second restricting portion provided at a portion of the open/close lid at a position apart from the first restricting portion and arranged to contact the container receiver, a press member being provided at the container receiver and restricting movement of the open/close lid in a detachment direction of the container body until the open/close lid reaches the close position at which the opening is closed, when the container body is attached to or detached from the container receiver and when the press member restricts the movement of the open/close lid, the second restricting portion being configured to restrict a posture of the open/close lid with respect to the container receiver in a direction in which the first restricting portion is tilted down toward the contact surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview of Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1Ashows an overview of an exemplary embodiment of a powder container to which the present invention is applied.

As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, a powder container1is a powder container that is detachably attached to a container receiver11(seeFIG. 1B) of a powder processing apparatus casing and houses powder. The powder container1includes a container body2that houses the powder, an opening3that is formed in a portion of the container body2at a position corresponding to a powder opening12(seeFIG. 1B) that is formed in the container receiver11, and an open/close lid4that is movable between an open position at which the opening3is open and a close position at which the opening3is closed.

Particularly in this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1A to 1D, the powder container1includes a first restricting portion6that is provided at a portion of the open/close lid4at a position at a forward side in an attachment operation direction of the container body2, a contact surface13being located upstream of the powder opening12of the container receiver11in the attachment operation direction of the container body2and being inclined with respect to an open/close operation direction of the open/close lid4such that a height of the contact surface13is decreased as the contact surface13extends away from the powder opening12, the first restricting portion6being inclined with respect to the open/close operation direction to face the contact surface13, when the container body2is attached to the container receiver11, the first restricting portion6being configured to contact the contact surface13to restrict a position of the open/close lid4in the open/close operation direction of the open/close lid4; and a second restricting portion7provided at a portion of the open/close lid4at a position apart from the first restricting portion6and arranged to contact the container receiver11, a press member16abeing provided at the container receiver11and restricting movement of the open/close lid4in a detachment direction of the container body2until the open/close lid4reaches the close position at which the opening3is closed, when the container body2is detached from the container receiver11and when the press member16arestricts the movement of the open/close lid4, the second restricting portion7being configured to restrict a posture of the open/close lid4with respect to the container receiver11in a direction in which the first restricting portion6is tilted down toward the contact surface13.

In this technical measure, the powder container1may be a container that houses powder. Housing powder includes an exemplary embodiment of housing unused powder and an exemplary embodiment of housing used and recovered powder.

A powder processing apparatus may be any apparatus that includes the powder container1as a component and performs processing with powder.

Here, representative exemplary embodiments of the powder container1and the powder processing apparatus may be a developer container and an image forming apparatus that use a developer as the powder.

An attachment method of the powder container1may be representatively a method of inserting the powder container1in a direction facing a vertical wall extending in a vertical direction of the powder processing apparatus casing (not shown) (hereinafter, this direction is occasionally referred to as horizontal direction). The attachment method also includes a method of inserting the powder container1in the horizontal direction and then rotating the powder container1.

An exemplary embodiment in which the container body2is long in the attachment operation direction is representative. However, it is not limited thereto, and other shape may be properly selected.

An exemplary embodiment having therein a stirring member that is able to be driven by, for example, an external drive source is desirable to avoid a situation in which the powder (for example, the developer) housed in the container body2from locally becoming a block because of environmental change or temporal change. If the container body2having therein, for example, the stirring member or the like, the container body2may include a cylindrical container body, in which at least one of ends is open, and an end lid member that closes the end opening.

The open/close lid4is only required to be movable relative to the opening3of the container body2. The open/close operation direction of the open/close lid4represents a direction in which the powder container1(or the container body2) is operated when the open/close lid4is opened or closed to attach or detach the powder container1(or the container body2).

The container receiver11is only required to have at least the powder opening12. The open/close lid4that opens and closes the powder opening12may be provided as required. The contact surface13is required to be an inclined surface that is located upstream of the powder opening12in the attachment operation direction of the container body2and inclined with respect to the open/close operation direction of the open/close lid4such that a height of the inclined surface is decreased as the inclined surface extends away from the powder opening12. The inclined surface is not particularly limited; however, an inclined surface at an angle in a range from 30° to 60° with respect to a vertical plane may be properly selected.

An inclination angle of the first restricting portion6and an inclination angle of the contact surface13do not have to be equivalent to each other. However, with an exemplary embodiment in which these angles are equivalent to each other, a gap between the first restricting portion6and the contact surface13may be decreased.

The second restricting portion7is only required to be provided at the open/close lid4at the portion apart from at least the first restricting portion6and to restrict the posture of the open/close lid4. The second restricting portion7may be representatively a protruding portion, a bulged portion, or an extending portion, which protrudes from an outer surface of the open/close lid4.

Next, a representative exemplary embodiment or a desirable exemplary embodiment of the powder container according to this exemplary embodiment is described.

A representative exemplary embodiment of the attachment method of the powder container1is the insertion method in the horizontal direction. The insertion method in the horizontal direction is an exemplary embodiment in which the container receiver11of a powder processing apparatus casing10(seeFIG. 2) extends in the direction facing the vertical wall extending in the vertical direction of the powder processing apparatus casing10, and the attachment operation direction of the container body2to the container receiver11is a direction in which the container body2is inserted along the container receiver11.

As a more desirable exemplary embodiment, a flexible sealing member8may be provided. The sealing member8protrudes from an edge of the opening3of the open/close lid4when the open/close lid4is located at the open position at which the opening3is open, and closes a portion, which is located near the opening3, of a gap between the contact surface13and the first restricting portion6.

Since the sealing member8is flexible, when the container body2is attached, if a distal end of the sealing member8contacts the contact surface13, the sealing member8is separated from the contact surface13due to the inclined surface of the contact surface13and the flexural rigidity of the sealing member8, and moves to a position at which the sealing member8closes the gap between the contact surface13and the first restricting portion6.

Further, a desirable exemplary embodiment of the sealing member8may be an exemplary embodiment in which, when the container body2is attached to the container receiver11, the sealing member8protrudes in the direction in which the posture of the first restricting portion6is tilted down by the second restricting portion7, and a protruding free end of the sealing member8contacts an edge portion of the powder opening12in an inclined manner in a direction in which the protruding free end is pressed against the edge portion.

The sealing member8is arranged to be inclined because the open/close lid4is inclined by the second restricting portion7. The pressed state of the sealing member8to the edge portion of the powder opening12may be adjusted by properly adjusting the attachment posture of the sealing member8with respect to the open/close lid4.

Also, a desirable exemplary embodiment of the container body2may be an exemplary embodiment in which the edge of the opening3of the container body2has an elastic close-contact member (not shown) that contacts the edge portion of the powder opening12, and the protruding free end of the sealing member8is able to be inserted between the close-contact member and the edge portion of the powder opening12.

In this exemplary embodiment, when the powder container1is detached, the opening3of the container body2passes the edge portion of the powder opening12of the container receiver11while the opening3is exposed. Hence, the edge portion of the powder opening12is contaminated. At this time, with the exemplary embodiment additionally provided with the sealing member8, even if the powder is dropped from the opening3of the container body2and the edge portion of the powder opening12is contaminated, the sealing member8scrapes the powder and the close-contact member wipes the contamination on a back surface of the sealing member8.

Also, if an exemplary embodiment of the powder processing apparatus is constructed by using the powder container1according to this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, only required to be provided are the powder processing apparatus casing10including the container receiver11, and the powder container1that is detachably attached to the container receiver11and houses the powder.

Alternatively, with this powder processing apparatus, the second restricting portion7may be added not to the powder container1, but to the container receiver11.

In this exemplary embodiment, the powder container1may include a container body2that houses the powder, the container body2having an opening3that is formed in a portion of the container body2at a position corresponding to a powder opening12that is formed in the container receiver11; an open/close lid4that is movable between an open position at which the opening3is open and a close position at which the opening3is closed; and a first restricting portion6that is provided at a portion of the open/close lid4at a position at a forward side in an attachment operation direction of the container body2, a contact surface13being located upstream of the powder opening12of the container receiver11in the attachment operation direction of the container body2and being inclined with respect to an open/close operation direction of the open/close lid4such that a height of the contact surface13is decreased as the contact surface13extends away from the powder opening12, the first restricting portion6being inclined with respect to the open/close operation direction to face the contact surface13, when the container body2is attached to the container receiver11, the first restricting portion6being configured to contact the contact surface13to restrict a position of the open/close lid4in the open/close operation direction of the open/close lid4. Also, the powder processing apparatus casing10may include a press member16athat, when the container body2is detached from the container receiver11, restricts movement of the open/close lid4in a detachment direction of the container body2until the open/close lid4reaches the close position at which the opening3is closed; and a second restricting portion7provided at a portion of the container receiver11at a position apart from the first restricting portion6of the open/close lid4and arranged to contact the open/close lid4, when the container body2is detached from the container receiver11and when the press member16arestricts the movement of the open/close lid4, the second restricting portion7being configured to restrict a posture of the open/close lid4with respect to the container receiver11in a direction in which the first restricting portion6is tilted down toward the contact surface13.

In this exemplary embodiment, a sealing member8is desirably added to the open/close lid4of the powder container1.

Further, as shown inFIG. 2, a desirable exemplary embodiment of the powder processing apparatus may be an exemplary embodiment in which the container receiver11of the powder processing apparatus casing10includes a lid guide rail15that guides a moving path of the open/close lid4of the powder container1; a lid movably holding mechanism16that contacts the open/close lid4, moves the open/close lid4toward the open position, and then holds the open/close lid4when the attachment of the powder container1is completed, and also moves the open/close lid4at the open position toward the close position by pressing the open/close lid4by the press member16awhen the powder container1is detached; and a lid releasing mechanism17that releases a holding state by the lid movably holding mechanism16when the powder container1is detached and when the open/close lid4has reached the close position.

Here, the lid guide rail15may be a continuously provided rail member, or a structure implementing a rail function for guiding the open/close lid4by using a wall member or a guide block member.

Also, the lid movably holding mechanism16is only required to implement a function of moving the open/close lid4toward the open position and holds the position during the attachment operation of the powder container1, and moving the open/close lid4from the open position toward the close position during the detachment operation. Further, the lid releasing mechanism17is only required to implement a function of releasing the holding state of the open/close lid4by the lid movably holding mechanism16when the powder container1is removed.

Further, a desirable exemplary embodiment of the powder processing apparatus including the above-described lid movably holding mechanism16and the sealing member8may be an exemplary embodiment in which a>b is satisfied, where b is a gap between the open position of the open/close lid4and the open/close lid4provided by the lid movably holding mechanism16, and a is a protruding length of the sealing member8from a contact portion of the sealing member8with respect to an edge portion of the powder opening12when the first restricting portion6of the open/close lid4contacts the contact surface13.

In this exemplary embodiment, the gap generated between the contact surface13and the first restricting portion6of the open/close lid4becomes equivalent to the gap b between the open position of the open/close lid4and the open/close lid4provided by the lid movably holding mechanism16at maximum. Hence, if a>b is satisfied, the sealing member8may close the gap b between the contact surface13and the first restricting portion6.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Entire Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus

FIG. 3shows an entire configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of an image forming apparatus serving as a powder processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

Referring toFIG. 3, the image forming apparatus includes, in an image forming apparatus casing (hereinafter, referred to as apparatus casing)21, image forming units22(specifically,22ato22d) of four colors (in this exemplary embodiment, black, yellow, magenta, cyan) arranged across the inside of the apparatus casing21such that the image forming units22are slightly inclined toward an obliquely upper side with respect to the horizontal direction; an intermediate transfer belt23that is arranged above the image forming units22and that rotates and moves along an arrangement direction of the image forming units22; a recording material feed device24, in which the recording material is stacked in a feedable manner, is arranged in a lower portion of the apparatus casing21; and a recording material output receiver26at an upper portion of the apparatus casing21, a recording material after image formation being output and stacked onto the recording material output receiver26. The recording material from the recording material feed device24passes through a recording material transport path25extending along the vertical direction and is output onto the recording material output receiver26.

In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the image forming units22(22ato22d) form toner images of, for example, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan in order from an upstream side in a rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt23(the order of the arrangement is not limited to the aforementioned order). For example, the image forming units22each include a drum-shaped photoconductor31, a charging unit32that previously electrically charges the photoconductor31, an exposure unit33that writes an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor31electrically charged by the charging unit32, a developing unit34that visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor31by a toner of each color, and a cleaner35that cleans a residual toner on the photoconductor31.

The exposure unit33is commonly used for the respective image forming units22. Light from a light source, such as a semiconductor laser (not shown), of each color component is deflected by a deflection mirror332for scanning with the light in an exposure container331, and guides a light image to an exposure position on the corresponding photoconductor31through an imaging lens and a mirror (both not shown).

The intermediate transfer belt23is supported by support rollers41to44, and is rotated and moved by, for example, the support roller41as a driving roller. A first transfer unit51(for example, first transfer roller) is arranged on a back surface of the intermediate transfer belt23at a position corresponding to each photoconductor31. By applying a voltage with a polarity opposite to a charging polarity of the toner to the first transfer unit51, the toner image on the photoconductor31is electrostatically transferred to the intermediate transfer belt23.

A second transfer unit52(for example, second transfer roller) is arranged at a portion corresponding to the support roller42at a downstream side of the image forming unit22d, which is located at the most downstream in a moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt23. First transfer images on the intermediate transfer belt23are secondarily transferred (collectively transferred) on a recording material.

An intermediate cleaner53is provided at a portion corresponding to the support roller41at a downstream side of the second transfer portion of the intermediate transfer belt23. The intermediate cleaner53cleans a residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt23.

The intermediate transfer belt23is formed by adding an anti-static agent such as carbon black by a certain amount to resin, such as polyimide, polycarbonate, polyester, or polypropylene, or a kind of rubber, so as to have a volume resistivity in a range from 106to 1014Ω·cm.

In this exemplary embodiment, a recording material fed by a feeder61of the recording material feed device24is transported to a certain number of transport rollers (not shown) provided in the recording material transport path25, is registered by a registration roller62, and then passes through the second transfer portion of the second transfer unit52. An unfixed toner image is fixed to the recording material by heat and pressure by a fixing unit66, and then the recording material is output and stacked onto the recording material output receiver26through an output roller67.

InFIG. 3, reference numeral38(38ato38d) denotes a developer container that supplies a new developer (in this exemplary embodiment, toner) to the developing unit34of each of the image forming units22(22ato22d).

Image Forming Unit

Particularly in this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, the photoconductor31is configured as a process cartridge in which the charging unit32and the cleaner35are integrated. The process cartridge is removably mounted on the apparatus casing21, and defines part of the image forming unit22of each color component.

The charging unit32includes a charging container321, and a charging roller322. The charging container321has an opening portion facing the photoconductor31. The charging roller322is arranged in the charging container321, and is in contact with or is located near the surface of the photoconductor31.

The cleaner35includes a cleaning container351, a cleaning blade352, an elastic sealing member353, and a leveling transport member354. The cleaning container351has an opening portion facing the photoconductor31. The cleaning blade352is provided at an edge portion of the opening along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning container351, and is formed of an elastic scraping plate that contacts the photoconductor31. The elastic sealing member353is provided at another edge portion of the opening along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning container351, and contacts the photoconductor31. The leveling transport member354is arranged in the cleaning container351, and levels a residual matter, such as a toner scraped by the cleaning blade352, along the longitudinal direction.

Further, in this exemplary embodiment, the developing unit34is mounted on the apparatus casing21separately from the process cartridge. The developing unit34includes a developing container341that has an opening portion facing the photoconductor31, and housing a developer containing at least a toner. A developer holder342is arranged at the opening portion of the developing container341, and is capable of transporting the developer toward a developing region located at the facing portion to the photoconductor31. A pair of developer stirring and transporting members343and344is arranged in the developing container341at a rear surface side of the developer holder342, and is capable of stirring and transporting the developer while circulating the developer. A developer feed member345is provided between the developer holder342and the developer stirring and transporting member343located near the developer holder342, and is capable of feeding the stirred and transported developer toward the developer holder342. In addition, a layer thickness restricting member346restricts a layer thickness of the developer fed to the developer holder342to be a predetermined layer thickness. Then, the developer is fed to the developing region.

Developer Supply System

FIG. 5shows an example of a developer supply system used in this exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 5, the developer supply system includes a container receiver100formed at a portion of the apparatus casing21. The developer container38is detachably attached to the container receiver100. A reserve tank110is arranged below the container receiver100. The reserve tank110temporarily reserves the developer for supply. The container receiver100has a discharge port (not shown) through which the developer in the developer container38is able to be discharged when the developer container38is attached, and also has a quantitative stirring and transporting member120in the reserve tank110. The quantitative stirring and transporting member120is able to feed the reserved developer by a constant amount. The quantitative stirring and transporting member120supplies the developer by a predetermined amount into the developing container341of the developing unit34through a duct130that is coupled to a portion of the reserve tank110, in accordance with density information indicative of, for example, decrease in developing density.

Developer Container

In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 6A to 6C, and7, the developer container38includes a long cylindrical container body200with both ends being open. The container body200is formed by stretch blow molding with synthetic resin of, for example, ABS or PET. An agitator210serving as a stirring member that is capable of stirring the housed developer is arranged in the container body200. End flanges201and202are mounted on both ends of the cylindrical container body200.

One end flange201is provided with a handle203for grasping. As shown inFIG. 8A, the handle203is fitted and mounted to one end flange201. An elastic holding piece203afor preventing falling off is hooked to and held by a step portion201aof the end flange201. Also, a positioning portion201bof the end flange201is fitted to a recessed portion203bfor inhibiting rotation, and hence the handle203is positioned.

Also, as shown inFIG. 7andFIGS. 9A and 9B, the other end flange202is provided with a rotor211to which a drive shaft extending from an external drive source (not shown) is coupled. A hook portion212, to which a shaft portion of the agitator210is hooked to be supported by the hook portion212, is provided at a center portion of an inner surface of the rotor211. A sealing member213is provided between the end flange202and the container body200. Also, a ring-shaped sealing member214is provided between the rotor211and the end flange202. Also, reference numeral215denotes a rotation stopper by fitting of a protrusion with a groove provided between the other end flange202and the container body200.

Further, in this exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG.8B, a customer replaceable unit memory (CRUM)216serving as a use history management memory is mounted on the other end flange202. When the CRUM216is mounted on the container body200, the CRUM216is connected with a control device (not shown) in a manner available for communication. The use history of the developer container38is recorded in the CRUM216. Reference numeral217denotes a holding surface of the container body200used for assembly or filling with the developer. Reference numeral218denotes a rotation stopper218used for attachment of the end flange202.

Shutter

In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 6A to 6C, a discharge opening220is formed in a peripheral wall of the cylindrical container body200at a position near one end in the longitudinal direction. A shutter230is provided at the discharge opening220. The shutter230serves as an open/close mechanism that opens and closes the opening220.

In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 10, and11A to11C, the shutter230includes an open/close lid240that closes the discharge opening220, and a lid holding frame250that holds the open/close lid240movably in an open/close operation direction.

The open/close lid240includes a substantially rectangular flat-plate lid body241having an area that is at least larger than the discharge opening220. Side walls242are formed at three sides of the lid body241excluding one direction in the open/close operation direction. A proper number of holding arms243(in this exemplary embodiment, two each with a gap therebetween in the open/close operation direction) that hold the lid holding frame250are formed on the side walls242located at both sides in a width direction intersecting with the open/close operation direction such that the holding arms243inwardly protrude from the side walls242. Further, a hook pawl244serving as a protrusion is formed at an open end of the side wall242located at one side in the width direction of the lid body241. An auxiliary protrusion248is formed at a corner at a deep side apart from the open end of the side wall242located at the other side in the width direction of the lid body241. The auxiliary protrusion248protrudes toward the lid holding frame250.

Particularly in this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 12, the hook pawl244includes a claw-like pawl244aand a tapered portion244bthat is provided at the claw-like pawl244aand is tapered toward a hook end. The hook pawl244has a structure such that the hook end of the claw-like pawl244ais easily elastically deformed.

As shown inFIG. 12, the auxiliary protrusion248has a trapezoidal cross section including a guide tapered portion248aprovided at one corner of the side wall242located in an opening direction of the open/close lid240. The guide tapered portion248ais inclined so as to protrude toward the lid holding frame250in the open/close operation direction of the open/close lid240and to become wide outward.

In this exemplary embodiment, an elastic sealing member245(seeFIG. 7), which is an example of a close-contact member that elastically contacts a surface of the lid holding frame250, is, for example, bonded to a side surface of the lid holding frame250of the lid body241. Also, holes246are formed in portions of the lid body241corresponding to the holding arm243. The open/close lid240holds each of both side edges of the lid holding frame250by the two holding arms243and the lid body241located between the holding arms243, so that the open/close lid240stably moves along both side edges of the lid holding frame250.

A dimension j between the holding arm243and the lid body241of the open/close lid240is determined with play as compared with a thickness of the side edge of the lid holding frame250.

InFIG. 11B, reference numeral249is a stopper protrusion that protrudes from a portion of the back surface of the lid body241of the open/close lid240. For example, if the lid body241of the open/close lid240is deformed in a crushed manner by an external force, the stopper protrusion249is fitted into a stopper groove259(seeFIG. 10) formed in the lid holding frame250, and prevents the open/close lid240from being unnecessarily opened.

Further, in this exemplary embodiment, the lid body241has a restricting piece410having a triangular cross section, as an example of a first restricting portion, at the open end other than the three side walls242of the open/close lid240. This restricting piece410includes an inclined surface411that is inclined to gradually protrude from an outer surface to an inner surface of the lid body241.

Also, the lid body241has an extending portion420, which is an example of a second restricting portion, at a portion of the outer surface apart from the restricting piece410. The extending portion420extends by a step c from the residual outer surface. The extending portion420restricts a posture of the open/close lid240with respect to a support surface of the container receiver100such that the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240is inclined forward and tilted down.

Lid Holding Frame

In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 10, the lid holding frame250includes a substantially rectangular flat plate frame body251, a through hole252made in the frame body251at a portion corresponding to the discharge opening220, a notch-like engagement portion253formed at one of corners of an edge of the frame body251located in a direction in which the open/close lid240is closed, and a restricting protrusion254formed at another corner of the edge of the frame body251located in the direction in which the open/close lid240is closed.

Also, in this exemplary embodiment, a dimension between both edges in the width direction of the lid holding frame250is determined to be slightly smaller than a dimension between the side walls242arranged at both sides in the width direction of the open/close lid240.

Further, in this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 10 to 12, a protruding length k of the restricting protrusion254from a reference position of both edges in the width direction of the lid holding frame250is determined to be larger than a dimension in the width direction of the engagement portion253. If the side wall242in the width direction of the open/close lid240contacts the reference position of both edges in the width direction of the lid holding frame250, the open/close lid240moves in the width direction by the protruding length k of the restricting protrusion254. Hence, the hook pawl244of the open/close lid240no longer contacts the engagement portion253, and the positional relationship in which restraint is released is maintained.

Particularly in this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 12, the restricting protrusion254is arranged at the distal end side of the lid holding frame250as compared with the hooked surface of the engagement portion253to the hook pawl244in the open/close operation direction of the open/close lid240. The restricting protrusion254has a guide tapered portion254athat guides the open/close lid240in a direction intersecting with the open/close operation direction when a distal end of one of the side walls242of the open/close lid240contacts the restricting protrusion254. The restricting protrusion254also has a curved portion254bextending from the guide tapered portion254ato the top so as to reduce frictional resistance with respect to an inner surface of the side wall242of the open/close lid240.

Regarding dimensional relationship for the open/close operation of the shutter230(open/close lid240, lid holding frame250), the dimensional relationship is as shown inFIG. 12.

w1is a maximum width of the lid holding frame from the side wall without the restricting protrusion to the distal end of the restricting protrusion;

w2is a width of the lid holding frame from the distal end of the restricting protrusion to a position in front of the engagement portion;

w3is a width of the lid holding frame between both side portions excluding the restricting protrusion;

w4is a width of the lid holding frame from one of the side walls to a position in front of the engagement portion excluding the restricting protrusion;

w5is a width of the open/close lid from an inner wall of one of the side walls in the width direction to a position in front of the hook pawl;

w6is a maximum width of the open/close lid between walls arranged at both sides in the width direction including a hook length of the hook pawl;

f is an engagement length of the engagement portion;

h is a hook length of the stopper portion (hook pawl);

k is a protruding length of the restricting protrusion; and

n is a protruding length of the auxiliary protrusion.

InFIG. 12, considering a condition that the open/close lid240is fitted to the lid holding frame250, if w2>w5and w3>w5, the open/close lid240is not fitted to the lid holding frame250, and hence (w5−w2)>0 and (w5−w3)>0 have to be satisfied.

Next, if w1<w5, the hook pawl244and the engagement portion253do not overlap with each other in the open/close direction even if the open/close lid240moves along the distal end position of the restricting protrusion254, and hence the hook pawl244and the engagement portion253may not function as a movement restraining member. Therefore, (w1−w5)>0 has to be satisfied.

Considering the stop length f (w1−w2) of the engagement portion253, f has to be larger than the gap of w5−w2, i.e., {f−(w5−w2)}>0 or f>(w5−w2) has to be satisfied.

Similarly, considering the protruding length k (w1−w3) of the restricting protrusion254, k has to be larger than the gap of w5−w3, i.e., {k−(w5−w3)}>0 or k>(w5−w3) has to be satisfied.

Further, if the hook length h (w6−w5) of the hook pawl244is small, this results in w1>w6and fitting is not provided, and hence (w6−w1)>0 has to be satisfied.

At this time, h has to be larger than the gap of w6−w1, i.e., {h−(w6−w1)}>0 or h>(w6−w1) has to be satisfied.

Shutter Operation Process

In this exemplary embodiment, the shutter230undergoes operation processes shown inFIGS. 13A to 16B.

This is a state in which the open/close lid240is located at a close position A at which the discharge opening220is completely closed.

At this time, as shown inFIG. 17A, the side wall242located in the open/close operation direction of the open/close lid240contacts one end in the open/close operation direction of the lid holding frame250. The side wall242in the width direction of the open/close lid240is located at the position at which the side wall242contacts the distal end of the restricting protrusion254of the lid holding frame250.

Particularly in this exemplary embodiment, since the auxiliary protrusion248of the open/close lid240contacts the lid holding frame250, the posture of the open/close lid240at the close position A is maintained straight along the open/close operation direction.

When the open/close lid240moves in an opening direction from the state shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B, as shown inFIGS. 14A and 14B, the open/close lid240moves while the state in which the position of the open/close lid240is restricted by the restricting protrusion254is maintained, and the hook pawl244of the open/close lid240contacts the engagement portion253(seeFIG. 17B).

At this time, the movement of the open/close lid240is restrained at a position B in front of a position at which the open/close lid240is started to be opened, and hence the shutter230is locked in the open/close operation direction.

Accordingly, for example, even if the developer container38is unintentionally dropped during attachment, or if a cushioning material such as a Styrofoam material is not stuffed in both side spaces of the developer container38during transportation, the shutter230is hardly accidentally opened.

As described in (2), in the shutter lock state, the side wall242in the width direction of the open/close lid240moves to a position beyond the restricting protrusion254of the lid holding frame250. Accordingly, the open/close lid240is allowed to move in the direction intersecting with the open/close operation direction toward the edges in the width direction of the lid holding frame250.

At this time, as shown inFIG. 18A, the hook pawl244of the open/close lid240moves from a position at which the hook pawl244is deeply hooked to the engagement portion253of the lid holding frame250, to a position at which the hook pawl244is lightly hooked to the engagement portion253. Hence, in this state, the hook pawl244is allowed to be disengaged from the engagement portion253by elastic deformation of the hook pawl244. Accordingly, the open/close lid240becomes movable relative to the open position in the open/close operation direction. The restraint state of the open/close lid240by the engagement portion253and the hook pawl244is released. That is, the shutter230that is locked in the open/close operation direction is unlocked, and becomes movable in the open/close operation direction.

As written in (3), if the shutter230is unlocked, the movement of the open/close lid240in the open/close operation direction is allowed. Hence, the open/close lid240moves to an open position D and completely opens the discharge opening220as shown inFIGS. 16aand16b.

At this time, as shown inFIG. 18B, the hook pawl244of the open/close lid240moves while the hook pawl244elastically contacts the edge in the width direction of the lid holding frame250. Hence, the open/close lid240moves to an end position (open position D) without the open operation of the open/close lid240being disturbed.

In this state, in this exemplary embodiment, since an urging force does not have to be applied by, for example, a spring, to the open/close lid240and the lid holding frame250, the open/close lid240moves in the open/close operation direction without necessity of a large operation force.

For example, in a comparative exemplary embodiment in which an open/close lid is elastically held by a lid holding frame using an urging force of, for example, a spring, sliding resistance due to the spring urging force acts on the open/close lid and the lid holding frame. Hence, the operation force in the open/close operation direction is required by a certain degree.

In a comparative exemplary embodiment without a member for restraining the movement, to properly maintain the closing performance by the open/close mechanism when a dropping accident occurs or an impact is applied during transportation, the movement of the open/close lid has to be intentionally interrupted, for example, by increasing the thickness of the elastic sealing member, to prevent the open/close lid from moving because of the impact of the drop. Owing to this, the open/close lid is resistant to the impact of the drop; however, the operation force in the open/close operation direction increases.

Container Receiver

In this exemplary embodiment, the container receiver100includes a function portion that performs the open/close operation of the shutter230through the above-described shutter lock and shutter unlock when the developer container38is inserted and removed.

In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 19, the container receiver100includes a lid guide rail260, a lid movably holding mechanism270, and a lid releasing mechanism280(seeFIGS. 13A and 13B). The lid guide rail260guides the moving path of the open/close lid240of the developer container38. The lid movably holding mechanism270contacts and moves the open/close lid240toward the open position D and then holds the open/close lid240when the insertion of the developer container38is completed, and also moves the open/close lid240at the open position D toward the close position A when the developer container38is removed. The lid releasing mechanism280releases the holding state of the open/close lid240by the lid movably holding mechanism270when the developer container38is removed and when the open/close lid240has reached the close position A. InFIG. 19, reference numeral101is a through hole communicating with the reserve tank110.FIG. 19is a schematic illustration showing the container receiver100and the developer container38when viewed from the through hole101side.

Lid Guide Rail

An example of the lid guide rail260includes a first guide surface m1that restricts the position of the side walls242arranged on both sides in the width direction of the open/close lid240when the shutter230of the container receiver100is located at the close position A. The lid guide rail260also includes a first lid guide rail261that releases the restriction by the first guide surfaces m1at a middle position; and a second lid guide rail262that is provided at the deeper side than the first lid guide rail261and shifts to a second guide surface m2that guides the shutter230to move from the lock position to the unlock position.

Particularly in this exemplary embodiment, the first lid guide rail261has a guide surface s1that is inclined to become wide outward from a terminal end of the first guide surface m1. The second lid guide rail262has a guide surface s2that is inclined in substantially the same direction as the guide surface s1from a position at which the restriction of the open/close lid240of the shutter230by the first guide surface m1is completely released. The second lid guide rail262shifts to the second guide surface m2via the guide surface s2.

Lid Movably Holding Mechanism

An example of the lid movably holding mechanism270includes an elastic holding piece271, as an example of an elastically deformable press member that extends in the open/close operation direction of the open/close lid240. The elastic holding piece271includes an elastic plate member272that is elastically deformable, and a claw-like holding protrusion273that is located at a distal end of the elastic plate member272and integrally formed with the elastic plate member272. A guide portion274may be provided at the distal end of the holding protrusion273such that the guide portion274is elastically deformable outward when the open/close lid240contacts the guide portion274. The elastic holding piece271thus configured contacts the open/close lid240and moves the open/close lid240to the open position D when the developer container38is inserted. Also, the elastic holding piece271is elastically deformed outward to be separated from the open/close lid240and then holds the open/close lid240when the open/close lid240has reached the open position D.

Lid Releasing Mechanism

An example of the lid releasing mechanism280(seeFIGS. 13A and 13B) may include a releasing protruding piece281(seeFIGS. 22A and 22B) that is elastically deformed in a direction in which the elastic holding piece271is separated from the open/close lid240when the open/close lid240has reached the close position A. The releasing protruding piece281releases the holding state of the open/close lid240by the elastic holding piece271.

In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 13Ato16B, the releasing protruding piece281is provided at the shutter230at a position near the lid holding frame250, acts on the elastic holding piece271of the lid movably holding mechanism270when the developer container38is removed from the container receiver100, and releases the holding state of the open/close lid240by the elastic holding piece271.

Insertion and Removal Operation Processes of Developer Container

Next, the insertion operation process and the removal operation process of the developer container are described with reference toFIGS. 19 to 22B. InFIGS. 19 to 22B, the developer container38is illustrated in a perspective manner to show the relative positional relationship between the container receiver100and the developer container38.

(1) Insertion Operation Process of Developer Container (FIGS. 19,20A and20B)

When the developer container38is inserted into the container receiver100, the shutter230is operated as follows.

The open/close lid240located at the close position A moves while being guided by the lid guide rail260(261,262), and as shown inFIGS. 20A and 20B, and21A, the state becomes the lock state and then becomes the unlock state when the open/close lid240has reached the position B (seeFIG. 15B) in front of the position at which the open/close lid240is started to be opened. Then as shown inFIGS. 21A and 21B, the open/close lid240is moved to the open position D by the elastic holding piece271of the lid movably holding mechanism270, and then the open/close lid240is moved while pressing the elastic holding piece271outward until the open/close lid240is held by the elastic holding piece271.

Meanwhile, a user may insert the developer container38in an insertion/removal operation direction (corresponding to attachment/detachment operation direction) in which the developer container38is operated when the user inserts or removes the developer container38to and from the container receiver100. Particularly in this exemplary embodiment, since the insertion/removal operation direction of the developer container38substantially corresponds to the open/close operation direction of the shutter230, the shutter230is set at the open position D merely by completing the insertion of the developer container38to the container receiver100regardless of the open/close operation of the shutter230. The developer from the discharge opening220of the developer container38is successively fed to the reserve tank110.

(2) Removal Operation Process of Developer Container (FIGS. 22A and 22B)

When the developer container38attached to the container receiver100is removed, the shutter230is operated as follows.

As shown inFIGS. 22A and 22B, the open/close lid240is moved to the close position A by the elastic holding piece271, and then the holding state of the open/close lid240by the elastic holding piece271is released by the releasing protruding piece281. In this state, the developer container38is removed from the container receiver100while the shutter230is located at the close position A.

Shutter Operation Processes of Developer Container Attachment of Developer Container

As shown inFIGS. 23A and 23B, it is assumed that the developer container38is inserted along a support surface of the container receiver100, and the open/close lid240of the shutter230has reached a position near the through hole101of the container receiver100. In this state, if the developer container38is further inserted, as shown inFIGS. 23B,24A, and24B, the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240of the shutter230contacts an edge portion of the container receiver100located in front of the through hole101.

FIGS. 23B,24A, and24B each illustrate the open/close lid240and the lid holding frame250in a separated manner to show the motions of the open/close lid240and the lid holding frame250.

At this time, the edge portion of the container receiver100located in front of the through hole101has a contact surface150formed to be inclined with respect to the open/close operation direction of the open/close lid240such that a height of the contact surface150is decreased as the contact surface150extends away from the through hole101. Also, the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240has the inclined surface411inclined with respect to the open/close operation direction so as to face the contact surface150. Hence, the inclined surface411of the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240contacts the contact surface150.

If the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240contacts the contact surface150, the movement of the open/close lid240is restrained. If the developer container38is further pushed, the discharge opening220becomes open with respect to the open/close lid240of the shutter230by the movement of the container body200. When the discharge opening220has reached the position of the through hole101of the container receiver100, the discharge opening220of the developer container38is connected with the through hole101of the container receiver100to the reserve tank110. The developer is fed from the developer container38to the reserve tank110.

At this time, the open/close lid240of the shutter230has the extending portion420as shown inFIGS. 25A and 25B. Thus, as shown inFIGS. 23B and 25B, the open/close lid240moves while an end of the extending portion420in the moving direction and a proximal end of the restricting piece410respectively serve as support points p1and p2. The restricting piece410contacts the contact surface150at the edge portion of the through hole101while the posture of the restricting piece410is adjusted to be inclined forward.

Then, as shown inFIG. 26A, a protruding end of the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240contacts the contact surface150. If the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240is further pressed against the contact surface150, as shown inFIG. 26B, the restricting piece410is pushed up along the contact surface150as shown inFIG. 26B. Then, the inclined surface411of the restricting piece410contacts an inclined surface151of the contact surface150.

At this time, as shown inFIG. 23A, since the open/close lid240is held by the elastic holding piece271of the lid movably holding mechanism270, the open/close lid240is not unnecessarily retracted from the contact surface150. If the shutter230of the developer container38is opened, the developer in the developer container38is fed to the reserve tank110through the through hole101of the container receiver100without leaking through the shutter230.

Detachment of Developer Container

Assuming that the developer container38during use is replaced or temporarily removed for maintenance and inspection, as shown inFIG. 23A, since there is the slight play (gap) b between the elastic holding piece271of the lid movably holding mechanism270and the open/close lid240due to manufacturing tolerance etc., when the developer container38is to be removed, the open/close lid240may be retracted from the contact surface150by the amount of the play b.

However, if the open/close lid240is retracted for the play b, as indicated by two-dotted chain line inFIG. 27A, the posture of the open/close lid240is changed to the forward inclined posture toward the restricting piece410because of the presence of the extending portion420of the open/close lid240. The protruding end of the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240contacts the inclined surface151of the contact surface150. A gap g between the contact surface150and the restricting piece410is closed by the restricting piece410.

At this time, when the developer container38is to be removed from the container receiver100for the detachment of the developer container38, the discharge opening220of the developer container38is moved while being open until the discharge opening220is closed with the open/close lid240. Hence, the developer T in the developer container38may be dropped on the periphery of the through hole101of the container receiver100. However, the developer T rarely leaks to the container receiver100through the gap g between the contact surface150and the restricting piece410.

Regarding this point, in a comparative exemplary embodiment (in which the configuration of the extending portion420is removed from the shutter according to the exemplary embodiment) shown inFIG. 27B, the moving path of the open/close lid240is along the support surface of the container receiver100. Hence, if the open/close lid240is retracted by the play b, as indicated by an imaginary line inFIG. 27B, the inclined surface411of the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240is retracted from the contact surface150while the posture of the inclined surface411is maintained. Hence, a gap g may be formed between the contact surface150and the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240. Accordingly, if the developer T in the developer container38is dropped on the periphery of the through hole101of the container receiver100, the developer T may leak to the container receiver100through the gap g between the contact surface150and the restricting piece410.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIGS. 28A and 28Billustrate a developer container according to a second exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 28A and 28B, a developer container38has a basic configuration similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment, except that a sealing member430for sealing is added to the open/close lid240. Like numerals refer like components as in the first exemplary embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

An example of the sealing member430is formed of a flexible film made of, for example, PET. The sealing member430protrudes from an edge of the opening220of the open/close lid240when the open/close lid240is located at the open position at which the opening220is open. The sealing member430closes the gap g between the contact surface150at the edge portion of the through hole101of the reserve tank110and the restricting piece410.

In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 28B, and29A to29C, the sealing member430is bonded to an inner surface of the open/close lid240by an adhesive (not shown). The sealing member430protrudes outward with respect to the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240. As shown inFIG. 28B, the sealing member430has a larger width than the discharge opening220. InFIG. 28B, the opening220is moved as indicated by dotted-chain lines inFIG. 28Bwhen the shutter230is opened and closed.

Next, referring toFIGS. 30 and 31, the operation state in the periphery of the shutter230when the developer container38is attached and detached is described with reference toFIGS. 30A to 31B.FIGS. 30A,30B, and31A each illustrate the open/close lid240and the lid holding frame250in a separated manner to show the motions of the open/close lid240and the lid holding frame250.

As shown inFIGS. 30A,30B,31A, and31B, when the developer container38is to be attached to the container receiver100, the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240of the shutter230contacts the contact surface150at the edge portion of the through hole101of the container receiver100, the shutter230becomes open, and the opening220of the developer container38is connected with the through hole101of the container receiver100.

At this time, the open/close lid240of the shutter230opens the opening220through an operation process that is substantially similar to the first exemplary embodiment.

Also, the forward inclined posture of the sealing member430of the open/close lid240is maintained by the presence of the extending portion420of the open/close lid240. Hence, the sealing member430contacts the contact surface150, then rises along the contact surface150, and is pressed against an edge portion152of the through hole101of the container receiver100.

In this exemplary embodiment, when the developer container38is attached to the container receiver100, the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240contacts the contact surface150. Also, the sealing member430is pressed against the edge portion152of the through hole101of the container receiver100, and closes the gap between the contact surface150and the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240.

Accordingly, when the developer container38is attached to the container receiver100, the developer is fed from the developer container38to the reserve tank110through the through hole101of the container receiver100. The developer does not leak from the periphery of the through hole101.

Also, in this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 31B, if it is assumed that a is a protruding length of the sealing member430from the edge portion152of the through hole101, the dimension of the sealing member430is determined to satisfy the relationship of a>b, with respect to the play b between the elastic holding piece271of the lid movably holding mechanism270and the open/close lid240.

Accordingly, in this exemplary embodiment, when the developer container38during use is replaced or temporarily detached for maintenance and inspection, if the developer container38is to be detached, the open/close lid240may be retracted from the contact surface150by the play b.

However, even if the open/close lid240is retracted, the forward inclined posture of the open/close lid240is maintained by the presence of the extending portion420. The state in which the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240is tilted down toward and contacts the contact surface150is maintained, and in addition, the state in which the sealing member430is pressed against the edge portion152of the through hole101is maintained. When the developer container38is to be removed from the container receiver100, the discharge opening220of the developer container38is moved while being open until the discharge opening220is closed with the open/close lid240. Hence, the developer in the developer container38may be dropped on the periphery of the through hole101of the container receiver100. However, the developer is effectively prevented from leaking to the container receiver100through the gap between the contact surface150and the restricting piece410.

In this exemplary embodiment, the sealing member430is pressed against the edge portion152of the through hole101while the forward inclined posture is maintained by the presence of the extending portion420of the open/close lid240. However, if it is required to further strongly press the sealing member430, for example, as shown inFIG. 29D, an inclined portion241athat is inclined forward toward the through hole101may be provided at a portion of the lid body241of the open/close lid240. By bonding the sealing member430to the inclined portion241a, the forward inclined posture of the sealing member430may be enhanced.

Shutter Structure with Sealing Member

As shown inFIGS. 32A and 32B, in an exemplary embodiment in which an elastic sealing member450(for example, made of silicon rubber) is bonded to a peripheral edge of the opening220of the lid holding frame250, the shutter230may be closed with the sealing member450arranged between the lid holding frame250and the open/close lid240. Sealing performance of the developer container38becomes high.

In this exemplary embodiment, the sealing member430of the open/close lid240extends so as to be pressed against the edge portion152of the through hole101of the container receiver100when the open/close lid240becomes the forward inclined posture. When the open/close lid240is located at the open position, as shown inFIG. 32C, a distal end430fof the sealing member430is removed from an end450rof the sealing member450located near the open/close lid240.

In this exemplary embodiment, when the developer container38is temporarily detached from the container receiver100, the opening220of the developer container38passes the peripheral edge portion of the through hole101of the container receiver100while the opening220is exposed in the process of removing the developer container38from the container receiver100. Hence, the developer may be dropped on the edge portion152of the through hole101.

In this situation, a distal end of the sealing member430of the open/close lid240scrapes the developer dropped on the edge portion152of the through hole101before the open/close lid240of the shutter230closes the opening220. In this case, a back surface of the distal end of the sealing member430may be contaminated with the developer; however, in this exemplary embodiment, the distal end of the sealing member430is inserted between the edge portion152of the through hole101and the sealing member450and the sealing member450wipes the back surface of the distal end of the sealing member430during the process in which the open/close lid240moves toward the close position.

At this time, since the posture of the open/close lid240is the forward inclined posture, the edge portion152of the through hole101is inclined such that the distal end of the sealing member430is pressed against thereto. When the open/close lid240moves to the close position, the distal end of the sealing member430is inserted between the edge portion152of the through hole101and the sealing member450without the distal end of the sealing member430being rolled up inversely.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 33Ashows a specific area of a container receiver and a structure in the periphery of a shutter of a developer container provided in an image forming apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment.

InFIG. 33A, a basic configuration of a shutter230of a developer container38is substantially similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment except for a configuration of an open/close lid240of the shutter230and a configuration of a container receiver100. Like numerals refer like components as in the first exemplary embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 34A to 34C, the open/close lid240of the shutter230is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment except that a lid body241does not include an extending portion420(seeFIGS. 11A to 11C) and an outer surface of the lid body241is a flat plane without a step.

As shown inFIGS. 33A and 33B, the container receiver100is integrally or separately formed with a step portion460as an example of a second restricting portion on a support surface of the developer container38at a position in front of the through hole101.

This step portion460is provided at a position such that the step portion460contacts an outer surface of the lid body241of the open/close lid240at a side apart from the through hole101of the container receiver100when the open/close lid240of the shutter230is located at the open position. The step portion460is bulged from the residual support surface by a step s (in this exemplary embodiment, substantially corresponding to an extending length c of the extending portion420of the first exemplary embodiment) that restricts the posture of the open/close lid240to become the forward inclined posture when the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240contacts the contact surface150of the edge portion152of the through hole101of the container receiver100.

A rising corner portion461of the step portion460located at a side opposite to the through hole101serves as a curved surface portion so that the open/close lid240is easily put on the step portion460when the developer container38is inserted along the support surface of the container receiver100in the process of attaching the developer container38.

Hence, with this exemplary embodiment, an advantage similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment is attained when the developer container is attached or detached.

In this exemplary embodiment, the open/close lid240of the shutter230does not include the sealing member430in the second exemplary embodiment. However, of course, the sealing member430in the second exemplary embodiment may be added to the open/close lid240of this exemplary embodiment.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 35Ashows a specific area of a developer supply system provided in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 35A, similarly to the first exemplary embodiment, the developer supply system is formed at a portion of an apparatus casing21, and includes a container receiver100to which a developer container38is detachably attached. A reserve tank110that temporarily reserves a developer for supply is arranged below the container receiver100, so that the developer is supplied to the reserve tank110through a through hole101of the container receiver100.

In this exemplary embodiment, when the developer container38is attached to the container receiver100, the developer container38is inserted to a housing position that is predetermined with respect to the container receiver100, and then is set at a set position by rotating the developer container38in a predetermined arrow direction indicated by a solid line. When the developer container38is detached from the container receiver100, the developer container38is rotated in an arrow direction indicated by a dotted line from the set position and then is removed.

Particularly in this exemplary embodiment, a shutter230of the developer container38includes an open/close lid240that closes a discharge opening220of a cylindrical container body200, and a lid holding frame250that holds the open/close lid240movably in an open/close operation direction (in this exemplary embodiment, corresponding to a rotation direction of the cylindrical container body200).

Also,FIG. 35Bschematically shows a peripheral structure of the through hole101of the container receiver100and the shutter230of the developer container38.FIG. 35Billustrates the open/close lid240and the lid holding frame250in a separated manner to show the motions of the open/close lid240and the lid holding frame250.

In this exemplary embodiment, a contact surface150is formed at a portion, to which the open/close lid240of the shutter230contacts, of the edge portion152of the through hole101of the container receiver100. The contact surface150is inclined with respect to the open/close operation direction (in this exemplary embodiment, the rotation operation direction) of the open/close lid240such that a height of the contact surface150is decreased as the contact surface150extends away from the through hole101. A basic configuration of the shutter230is substantially similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment except that the rotation operation direction of the open/close lid240is different from that of the first exemplary embodiment. A restricting piece410is provided at a portion, which contacts the contact surface150, of the open/close lid240of the shutter230to face the contact surface150. The restricting piece410is inclined with respect to the open/close operation direction (in this exemplary embodiment, the rotation operation direction) of the open/close lid240. An extending portion420is provided at a portion on an outer surface of the lid body241of the open/close lid240at a position apart from the restricting piece410. The extending portion420extends from the residual outer surface by a step. The container receiver100includes a lid guide rail (not shown) that causes the developer container38to be inserted to the housing position and to be rotated at the housing position. Also, the container receiver100includes a lid movably holding mechanism (not shown) that holds the open/close lid240of the shutter230at the open position, and a lid releasing mechanism (not shown) that releases the lid movably holding mechanism.

Like numerals refer like components as in the first exemplary embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, an operation state in the periphery of the shutter when the developer container38is attached or detached according to this exemplary embodiment will be described.

When the developer container38is attached to the container receiver100, if the developer container38is inserted to the housing position in the container receiver100and then is rotated in the direction indicated by the solid line, as shown inFIGS. 35A and 35B, the open/close lid240moves in the forward inclined posture while an end of the extending portion420in the moving direction and a proximal end of the restricting piece410respectively serve as support points p1and p2.

Thereafter, if the restricting piece410of the open/close lid240contacts the contact surface150of the edge portion152of the through hole101, the movement of the open/close lid240is restricted. Then, if the developer container38is further rotated, the open/close lid240relatively moves from the close position to the open position, the opening220of the developer container38reaches the position corresponding to the through hole101, and the opening220and the through hole101are connected with each other. In this state, the developer container38is set at the set position of the container receiver100.

Also, when the developer container38is detached from the container receiver100, the developer container38is rotated to cause the shutter230to become the closed state, and then is removed.

When the developer container38is rotated, the open/close lid240is held at the open position by the lid movably holding mechanism (not shown). At this time, a gap g due to manufacturing tolerance etc. is present between the holding position by the lid movably holding mechanism and the open/close lid240. Hence, the open/close lid240may be slightly retracted from the contact surface150. However, as descried in the first exemplary embodiment for example, since the open/close lid240is configured such that the forward inclined posture is maintained by the presence of the extending portion420, the state in which the distal end of the restricting piece410contacts the contact surface150is maintained, and the gap g between the contact surface150and the restricting piece410is closed (seeFIG. 27A). Accordingly, when the shutter230is closed, even if the opening220of the developer container38passes the edge portion152of the through hole101of the container receiver100while the opening220is exposed and the developer is dropped, the developer T rarely leaks from the gap g between the contact surface150and the restricting piece410and hence rarely stays on the periphery of the through hole101of the container receiver100.

In this exemplary embodiment, the sealing member430in the second exemplary embodiment may be added to the open/close lid240of the shutter230. Alternatively/additionally, the design may be appropriately changed, for example, by providing the step portion460in the third exemplary embodiment instead of the extending portion420in this exemplary embodiment.