Developer supplier, developing device including the same, image forming apparatus, and developer container included in the developer supplier

A developer supplier includes a developer container and a main unit. The main unit includes a mounting section for allowing the developer container to be mounted therein. The developer container includes a container body, a container shutter and a developer discharge port. The container shutter is supported on the container body and covers or exposes the developer discharge port. The main unit includes a housing and a guide mechanism. The housing is formed with a developer supply port. The developer container is mounted into a first position of the mounting section while being guided in a first direction by the guide mechanism, and subsequently the container body is rotated from the first position to a second position in a first rotational direction to thereby move and expose the developer discharge port away from the container shutter so that the developer discharge port communicates with the developer supply port.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-090228 filed with the Japan Patent Office on Apr. 27, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a developer supplier, a developing device including the same, an image forming apparatus, and a developer container included in the developer supplier.

Conventionally, toner supply containers are known as developer containers for containing developer. After a toner supply container is mounted in a specific apparatus body, a rotary lever is rotated to cause a shutter to slide. As a result, a discharge port of the toner supply container is exposed to allow discharge of toner.

Further, there is known a technology of allowing a toner cartridge (developer container) to push and slide a shutter member when the toner cartridge is mounted into an apparatus body in one direction.

SUMMARY

A developer supplier according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a developer container and a main unit. The developer container contains developer. The main unit includes a mounting section for allowing the developer container to be mounted therein, and receives the developer supplied from the developer container. The developer container includes a container body and a container shutter. The container body is formed with a developer discharge port. The container shutter is supported on the container body slidably with respect to the developer discharge port, and covers or exposes the developer discharge port. The main unit includes a housing having the mounting section, and a guide mechanism. The housing is formed with a developer supply port facing the developer container and communicating with an inside of the housing. The guide mechanism guides the mounting of the developer container into the mounting section. The developer container is mounted into a first position of the mounting section while being guided in a first direction by the guide mechanism, and subsequently the container body of the developer container is rotated from the first position to a second position in a first rotational direction around an axis extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction to thereby move and expose the developer discharge port away from the container shutter so that the developer discharge port communicates with the developer supply port.

A developing device according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-described developer supplier, and a developing roller having a surface for carrying the developer. The housing of the main unit stores the developer. The developing roller is rotatably supported on the housing.

An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an image carrier, the above-described developing device, and a transfer section. The image carrier has a surface for allowing an electrostatic latent image to be formed thereon, and carries a developed image. The developing device supplies the developer to the image carrier. The transfer section transfers the developed image from the image carrier onto a sheet.

A developer container according to another aspect of the present disclosure is mounted into the main unit of the above-described developer supplier. The developer container includes a mounting guide member and a shutter guide member. The mounting guide member is disposed on the container body, extends in the first direction, and is engageable with the guide mechanism. The shutter guide member is disposed on the container body and supports the container shutter in such a manner as to allow the container shutter to slide around the axis.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description along with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.FIG. 1is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a printer100(image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The printer100shown inFIG. 1, which exemplifies the image forming apparatus, is configured as a so-called monochrome printer. However, other apparatuses may alternatively be provided as the image forming apparatus in other embodiments, such as a color printer, a facsimile apparatus or a multifunctional apparatus equipped with these functions, or another type of apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet. It should be noted that hereinafter, terms indicating directions such as “top” “bottom” “forward” “backward” “left” and “right” are intended merely for descriptive purposes, and not for limiting the principle of the image forming apparatus.

The printer100includes a casing101for housing various components that are used for forming an image on a sheet S. The casing101includes a top wall102defining the top surface of the casing101, a bottom wall103defining the bottom surface of the casing101, a main body rear wall105connecting the top wall102and the bottom wall103, and a main body front wall104located in front of the main body rear wall105. The casing101includes a main body internal space107where various components are placed. A sheet conveyance passage PP extends in the main body internal space107of the casing101, and allows passage of a sheet S in a predetermined conveying direction.

A sheet discharge section102A is disposed in a central portion of the top wall102. The sheet discharge section102A includes an oblique surface sloping downward from a front end to a rear end of the top wall102. A sheet S that has been subjected to image formation in an image forming section120described later is discharged onto the sheet discharge section102A. Further, a manual feed tray104A (seeFIG. 16) is disposed in the main body front wall104. The manual feed tray104A is vertically pivotable with a lower end thereof acting as a fulcrum (as shown by the arrow DT inFIG. 1).

With reference toFIG. 1, the printer100includes a cassette110, a pickup roller112, a first sheet feeding roller113, a second sheet feeding roller114, a conveying roller115, a pair of registration rollers116, the image forming section120, and a fixing device130.

The cassette110stores sheets S. The cassette110includes a lift plate111. The lift plate111is tilted to lift the leading edges of the sheets S. The cassette110can be pulled out forwardly with respect to the casing101.

The pickup roller112is disposed above the leading edges of sheets S lifted by the lift plate111. The pickup roller112rotates to draw a sheet S from the cassette110. The first sheet feeding roller113is disposed downstream of the pickup roller112and conveys a sheet S further downstream. The second sheet feeding roller114is disposed at the inner side (rear side) of the fulcrum of the manual feed tray104A and draws a sheet placed on the manual feed tray104A into the casing101.

The conveying roller115is disposed downstream of the first sheet feeding roller113and the second sheet feeding roller114in the sheet conveying direction (hereinafter, the sheet conveying direction also being simply referred to as “conveying direction”) and conveys a sheet S further downstream. The pair of registration rollers116functions to correct the angle of a sheet S that has been obliquely conveyed. Thus, it is possible to adjust the position of an image to be formed on the sheet S. The pair of registration rollers116supplies the sheet S to the image forming section120in accordance with the timing of image formation to be performed by the image forming section120.

The image forming section120includes a photoconductive drum121(image carrier), a charger122, an exposure device123, a developing device20, a toner container30(developer container), a transferring roller126(transfer section), and a cleaning device127.

The photoconductive drum121is in the form of a cylinder. The photoconductive drum121has a surface to be formed with an electrostatic latent image, and carries a toner image (developed image) corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the surface. The charger122is applied with a predetermined voltage, and charges the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum121substantially uniformly.

The exposure device123irradiates the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum121charged by the charger122with beams of laser light. The beams of laser light are emitted in accordance with image data output from an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer which is communicably connected to the printer100. Consequently, the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum121is formed with an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data. As shown inFIG. 1, the exposure device123is supported on a support frame100H. The support frame100H is disposed in the casing101. The support frame100H includes a frame front wall100H1. The frame front wall100H1stands in a vertical position at a front end of the support frame100H.

The developing device20supplies toner to the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum121formed with an electrostatic latent image. The toner container30supplies toner to the developing device20. The toner container30is detachably mounted on the developing device20. The developing device20supplies the toner to the photoconductive drum121to develop (visualize) the electrostatic latent image formed on the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum121. Consequently, the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum121is formed with a toner image (developed image).

The transferring roller126defines a transfer nip in cooperation with the photoconductive drum121and transfers a toner image onto a sheet S. The cleaning device127removes, after a toner image is transferred onto a sheet S from the circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum121, toner remaining on the circumferential surface.

The fixing device130is disposed downstream of the image forming section120in the conveying direction, and fixes a toner image on a sheet S. The fixing device130includes a heating roller131for melting toner on the sheet S, and a pressure roller132for bringing the sheet S into close contact with the heating roller131.

The printer100further includes a pair of conveying rollers133disposed downstream of the fixing device130, and a pair of discharge rollers134disposed downstream of the pair of conveying rollers133. A sheet S is conveyed upward by the pair of conveying rollers133to be finally discharged from the casing101by the pair of discharge rollers134. The sheet S discharged from the casing101is placed on the sheet discharge section102A, thereby resulting in a stack of sheets.

<Developer Container and Developing Device>

Now the toner container30(developer container) and the developing device20(main unit) according to the present embodiment will be further described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2A to 8.FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A and 3Bare perspective views of the toner container30according to the present embodiment,FIGS. 2A and 3Ashowing a toner discharge port30P covered by a container shutter32as described later, andFIGS. 2B and 3Bshowing the toner discharge port30P being exposed. Further,FIGS. 4A and 4Bare perspective views of a development housing200of the developing device20according to the present embodiment,FIG. 4Ashowing a toner supply port204covered by a main unit shutter22as described later, andFIG. 4Bshowing the toner supply port204being exposed. Further,FIGS. 5A and 5Bare perspective views of the container shutter32,FIG. 5Ashowing the container shutter32as seen from the outside of the toner container30, andFIG. 5Bshowing the container shutter32as seen from the inside of the toner container30. Further,FIGS. 6A and 6Bare perspective views of a part (a shutter stopper32B) of the container shutter32according to the present embodiment. Further,FIGS. 7A and 7Bare perspective views of the main unit shutter22according to the present embodiment,FIG. 7Ashowing the main unit shutter22as seen from the inside of the developing device20, andFIG. 7Bshowing the main unit shutter22as seen from the outside of the developing device20. Further,FIG. 8is a perspective view of the toner container30with the container shutter32detached. In the present embodiment, the toner container30and a part (such as the development housing200) of the developing device20constitute a developer supplier.

The toner container30contains toner (developer). The toner container30has a longer dimension in one direction. The toner container30is mounted into the developing device20disposed in the casing101in such a manner that the length of the toner container30extends in a right/left direction. The toner container30includes a container body31(container body), the container shutter32(container shutter), a container screw33(FIG. 2B), a container paddle30K (seeFIG. 11B), and a container seal34(FIG. 2B).

The container body31constitutes the body of the toner container30. The container body31includes a body portion31A and a lid portion31B. The body portion31A constitutes a lower portion of the container body31. The body portion31A is in the form of a cylinder having an opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the toner container30, the opening being formed by cutting off a part of the circumferential portion of the cylinder. The lid portion31B is attached to the opening of the body portion31A, and defines a storage space for containing toner in cooperation with the body portion31A. As shown inFIG. 11B, in sectional view perpendicularly intersecting the longitudinal direction of the toner container30, the body portion31A has a substantially U-shape and the lid portion31B has a substantially trapezoid shape. Further, as shown inFIGS. 2A to 3B, the toner container30includes container flanges31F at the joint between the body portion31A and the lid portion31B. The container flanges31F are respectively provided on the body portion31A and the lid portion31B and are used for securing the lid portion31B to the body portion31A. After the container screw33described later and other components are placed in the body portion31A of the toner container30, the lid portion31B is welded to the body portion31A.

The toner container30further includes the toner discharge port30P, a left guide301(mounting guide member), a paddle bearing302, a filling port cap303, a screw bearing304, a pair of container shutter pushing portions305(FIG. 2B), a pair of elastic piece pushing portions306(FIG. 2B), a pair of guide ribs307(FIG. 2A) (shutter guide member), a discharge projection308(seeFIG. 8), a pair of container shutter locking ribs309(seeFIG. 8), a transmission gear310(FIGS. 2A and 3A), a right guide311(FIG. 3A) (mounting guide member), a lock pushing portion312(FIG. 3A), a central guide piece31P, and an end contact portion31Q (FIG. 3B).

The toner discharge port30P is formed at the lower right end of the body portion31A. Specifically, the toner discharge port30P is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in an outer portion of the discharge projection308(FIGS. 8 and 11D), the discharge projection308projecting in a curve from a lower surface of the body portion31A. Toner contained in the toner container30is discharged through the toner discharge port30P and supplied to the developing device20.

The left guide301is in the form of a rectangular projection disposed on the left surface of the body portion31A and extending in a predetermined direction. The left guide301engages with a left guide groove201L of the developing device20described later to be guided therealong. Consequently, a mounting direction (first direction or the direction of the arrow DA shown in FIG.9A) in which the toner container30is mounted into the developing device20is restricted. It should be noted that the left guide301has an internal cavity. The paddle bearing302is disposed inside the left guide301. The paddle bearing302axially supports a paddle shaft30K1of the container paddle30K described later. The filling port cap303is disposed adjacent to the left guide301, and seals an unillustrated filling port formed in the left end of the body portion31A. When the toner container30is manufactured, toner is filled into the container body31through the filling port. The screw bearing304is disposed on the left surface of the body portion31A and is adjacent to the left guide301on the opposite side from the filling port cap303. The screw bearing304rotatably and axially supports the container screw33described later.

The container shutter pushing portions305(FIGS. 2B, 3B and 8) are in the form of a pair of projecting ribs, and sandwich the discharge projection308in the longitudinal direction (right/left direction) of the toner container30, the discharge projection308being formed with the toner discharge port30P. The container shutter pushing portions305are disposed downstream of the toner discharge port30P in a rotational direction (first rotational direction or the direction of the arrow DM shown inFIG. 2A) in which the toner container30is mounted. The pair of container shutter pushing portions305each extend in the rotational direction and have respective distal ends (container shutter pushing pieces305S) extending in the longitudinal direction of the toner container30(respectively extending in the right and left directions). The container shutter pushing portions305have functions to push the main unit shutter22and to be pushed by the main unit shutter22.

The elastic piece pushing portions306(FIGS. 2B, 3B, and 8) are in the form of a pair of projections extending from the body portion31A and disposed adjacent to the container shutter pushing pieces305S of the container shutter pushing portions305. The pair of elastic piece pushing portions306sandwich the pair of container shutter pushing portions305in the right/left direction. The elastic piece pushing portions306each extend in the above-mentioned rotational direction of the toner container30and have such a stepped shape that the height of projection increases in a direction away from the toner discharge port30P. The elastic piece pushing portions306have a function to push a pair of elastic pieces32B5of the shutter stopper32B described later.

The pair of guide ribs307(FIGS. 2A, 3A and 8) project from the body portion31A in a curve and respectively connect with the container shutter pushing portions305. The guide ribs307extend in the rotational direction of the container body31. The pair of guide ribs307sandwich the toner discharge port30P in the right/left direction. Further, as shown inFIG. 8, the guide ribs307extend beyond the toner discharge port30P in a direction away from the container shutter pushing pieces305S such that respective distal ends are disposed near the container flanges31F. Respective circumferential portions of the pair of guide ribs307are so bent as to have a predetermined width in the right/left direction. The guide ribs307support the container shutter32described later in such a manner as to allow the container shutter32to slide around a predetermined axis.

The pair of container shutter locking ribs309(FIG. 8) extend from the laterally opposite edges of the discharge projection308and have a shape corresponding to the circumference of the toner container30. More specifically, the pair of container shutter locking ribs309extend from the laterally opposite edges of the discharge projection308in a rotational direction (second rotational direction or the direction of the arrow DN shown inFIG. 2B) in which the toner container30is dismounted from the developing device20. The container shutter locking ribs309each have a stepped distal end (container shutter engaging portion309S) (FIG. 8). The container shutter engaging portions309S are respectively engageable with stopper locking pieces32B4of the shutter stopper32B described later.

The transmission gear310(FIG. 3A) is rotatably supported on the right surface of the toner container30. The transmission gear310has a function to transmit a torque to the container paddle30K. When the toner container30is mounted into the developing device20, a development gear group20G of the developing device20described later is connected to the transmission gear310to input a torque to the transmission gear310.

The right guide311(FIG. 3A) is in the form of a projection formed on the right surface of the body portion31A. The projecting right guide311extends in the mounting direction (first direction or the arrow DA direction shown inFIG. 9A) in which the toner container30is mounted into the developing device20. The right guide311is engageable with a right guide groove201R of the developing device20described later. It should be noted that a bearing similar to the paddle bearing302disposed in the left guide301is also disposed inside the right guide311, the bearing axially supporting the paddle shaft30K1of the container paddle30K passing through the transmission gear310.

The lock pushing portion312is disposed on the right surface of the body portion31A at an interval from the right guide311, and is in the form of a projection extending from the body portion31A. The lock pushing portion312has a substantially trapezoid shape in sectional view perpendicularly intersecting the right/left direction (seeFIG. 14B). The lock pushing portion312is engageable with a locking contact piece202S described later.

The central guide piece31P is in the form of a cuboid projection extending from a substantially lateral center of the bottom surface of the body portion31A of the toner container30. The central guide piece31P engages with a central support portion209(FIG. 4A) described later when the toner container30is mounted into the developing device20.

The end contact portion31Q (FIG. 3B) is the projection disposed at the right end of the body portion31A among a plurality of projections each extending across the boundary between the body portion31A and the lid portion31B. Each of the plurality of projections includes an unillustrated internal stud or hole, and is used to adjust the position of the lid portion31B with respect to the body portion31A. The end contact portion31Q further has a function to restrict the sliding movement of the container shutter32described later. In other words, the end contact portion31Q has a function to prevent the container shutter32from slipping off the container body31.

The container shutter32(FIG. 2A) is supported on the container body31slidably with respect to the toner discharge port30P, and covers or exposes the toner discharge port30P. At this time, the container shutter32slides along the guide ribs307(FIG. 3A) of the container body31. The container shutter32includes a shutter body32A and the shutter stopper32B. The shutter stopper32B is attached to the top of the shutter body32A.

With reference toFIGS. 5A and 5B, the shutter body32A is in the form of a substantially rectangular member having a curved surface corresponding to the circumference of the container body31. The shutter body32A includes a shutter plate portion32A1, a pair of release piece support portions32A2, a pair of stopper axial support portions32A3, a pair of elastic piece support portions32A4, a pair of shutter holes32A6, a shutter contact portion32A7, a pair of shutter engaging pieces32A8, a container shutter sheet320, a pair of guided surfaces321, and a pair of guided pieces322.

The shutter plate portion32A1constitutes the body of the shutter body32A and is in the form of a substantially rectangular plate. The release piece support portions32A2are in the form of a pair of projections extending from a longitudinally central portion (in the right/left direction shown inFIG. 2A) of the shutter plate portion32A1, as shown inFIG. 5A. A stopper release piece32B2of the shutter stopper32B described later lies between the pair of release piece support portions32A2. The stopper axial support portions32A3are in the form of a pair of bearings, and are disposed outside the pair of release piece support portions32A2in the longitudinal direction. The stopper axial support portions32A3respectively rotatably and axially support a pair of stopper support portions32B3described later. The elastic piece support portions32A4are in the form of a pair of grooves disposed outside the pair of stopper axial support portions32A3in the longitudinal direction. Each of the elastic piece support portions32A4is defined by a bottom plate flush with the shutter plate portion32A1, and a pair of side walls. The elastic pieces32B5described later are respectively placed in the elastic piece support portions32A4.

With reference toFIG. 5B, the pair of shutter holes32A6each have a long narrow shape and pass through the shutter plate portion32A1. The shutter holes32A6are formed at a front end of the shutter plate portion32A1in the second rotational direction (in the direction of the arrow DN shown inFIG. 5B). The shutter contact portion32A7is in the form of a slender projection extending between the pair of shutter holes32A6, and has longitudinally opposite ends extending downstream in the first rotational direction (in the direction of the arrow DM shown inFIG. 5B). The shutter contact portion32A7has a function to restrict the movement of the container shutter32in the second rotational direction. The shutter engaging pieces32A8are in the form of a pair of projections and are each disposed between the shutter plate portion32A1and one of the pair of elastic piece support portions32A4in the longitudinal direction. The shutter engaging pieces32A8have a substantially triangular shape. The shutter engaging pieces32A8are respectively engageable with a pair of container shutter fastening portions207of the developing device20described later.

The container shutter sheet320is adhered to the surface of the shutter body32A of the container shutter32that covers the toner discharge port30P. In the present embodiment, the container shutter sheet320is made of a resin film. As shown inFIG. 5B, a downstream front end (container shutter sheet front end320S) of the container shutter sheet320in the first rotational direction (in the arrow DM direction) slightly projects beyond the shutter plate portion32A1of the container shutter32and has a free end. Further, an upstream end of the container shutter sheet320in the first rotational direction is in contact with the shutter contact portion32A7.

With reference toFIG. 5B, the guided surfaces321are each disposed between the shutter plate portion32A1and one of the pair of elastic piece support portions32A4and at a different level from the shutter plate portion32A1and the elastic piece support portions32A4. Each of the guided pieces322consists of a pair of projections extending from the bottom surface of an elastic piece support portion32A4to upstream and downstream sides of a guided surface321in the first rotational direction, respectively. A space is defined between each of the guided surfaces321and each of the guided pieces322, the space extending in the first rotational direction. Respective one ends of the guide ribs307of the toner container30are inserted into the spaces through guide insertion openings32T shown inFIG. 5Bto thereby attach the container shutter32to the container body31. As a result, the container shutter32is slidable on the container body31.

The shutter stopper32B is attached to the surface of the shutter body32A opposite to the surface that covers the toner discharge port30P. The shutter stopper32B has a function to restrict the sliding movement of the container shutter32. With reference toFIGS. 6A and 6B, the shutter stopper32B includes a stopper plate32B1, the stopper release piece32B2, the pair of stopper support portions32B3, the pair of stopper locking pieces32B4, and the pair of elastic pieces32B5. The stopper plate32B1constitutes the body of the shutter stopper32B, and has a substantially rectangular shape. The stopper release piece32B2is in the form of a projection extending from a longitudinally central portion (in the right/left direction shown inFIG. 2A) of the stopper plate32B1. As shown inFIG. 5A, the stopper release piece32B2projects from the stopper plate32B1downstream in the first rotational direction. As mentioned above, the stopper release piece32B2lies between the pair of release piece support portions32A2of the shutter body32A. The stopper support portions32B3are in the form of a pair of projections provided near the longitudinally opposite ends of the stopper plate32B1, each of the projection including a distal end having a shaft slightly projecting therefrom. The shafts of the stopper support portions32B3are respectively inserted into the stopper axial support portions32A3of the shutter body32A mentioned above. Consequently, the shutter stopper32B is pivotable with respect to the shutter body32A around an axis connecting the pair of stopper support portions32B3.

The stopper locking pieces32B4are in the form of a pair of projections extending from the longitudinally opposite ends of the stopper plate32B1. As shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the stopper locking pieces32B4have a substantially triangular shape. The stopper locking pieces32B4connect with the stopper support portions32B3in the first rotational direction (FIG. 6B). The elastic pieces32B5are in the form of a pair of slender projections provided on longitudinally both sides of the shutter stopper32B. Each of the elastic pieces32B5extends in the first rotational direction and has a free distal end.

When the pair of stopper support portions32B3are inserted into the pair of stopper axial support portions32A3so that the shutter body32A and the shutter stopper32B constitute an integral structure, the pair of stopper locking pieces32B4enter the shutter holes32A6(FIG. 5B). Further, the pair of elastic pieces32B5are placed into the elastic piece support portions32A4. At this time, respective distal ends of the elastic pieces32B5are exposed on the backside of the container shutter32, as shown inFIG. 5B.

The container screw33(FIG. 2B) is disposed in the container body31and extends in the right/left direction. One end of the container screw33is supported on the above-mentioned screw bearing304. The container screw33conveys the toner in the container body31from the left side to the right side and discharges the toner through the toner discharge port30P.

The container paddle30K (seeFIG. 11B) is pivotably disposed in the container body31. The container paddle30K has a function to stir the toner in the container body31. The container paddle30K includes the paddle shaft30K1and a blade portion30K2. The paddle shaft30K1defines the pivotal axis of the container paddle30K. The paddle shaft30K1is disposed in the container body31and extends in the right/left direction, the paddle shaft30K1being axially supported on the above-mentioned paddle bearing302(FIG. 2B). Further, the paddle shaft30K1is connected to the transmission gear310(FIG. 3B) at the right end of the toner container30. The blade portion30K2is in the form of a plate extending from the paddle shaft30K1, and pivots on the paddle shaft30K1in the container body31.

The container seal34(FIGS. 2B and 3B) is made of an elastic material and disposed on the discharge projection308in such a manner as to surround the toner discharge port30P. In the present embodiment, the container seal34is made of urethane sponge (elastic material). The container seal34is resiliently compressed by the container shutter sheet320(FIG. 5B) of the container shutter32to thereby prevent leakage of toner through the toner discharge port30P in the closed state of the container shutter32.

The developing device20receives toner supplied from the toner container30. The developing device20includes a container mounting section20H (mounting section), the development housing200(housing), a developing roller21A, a first screw21B, and a second screw21C.

The development housing200contains toner. The container mounting section20H is defined by the top surface of the development housing200(FIG. 4B). The toner container30is mounted in the container mounting section20H. The developing roller21A (FIG. 1) is rotatably supported on the development housing200. The developing roller21A carries toner on its circumferential surface. Further, the developing roller21A supplies the toner to the photoconductive drum121. The first screw21B and the second screw21B are rotatably supported on the development housing200. The first screw21B and the second screw21B are rotationally driven to circularly convey the toner in the development housing200. As a result, the toner is charged to have a predetermined polarity. Further, the first screw21B supplies toner to the developing roller21A.

The development housing200includes a housing right wall200R, a housing left wall200L, a housing ceiling plate200U, the left guide groove201L (guide mechanism), the right guide groove201R (guide mechanism), a lock button202, a main unit shutter guide portion203, the toner supply port204(developer supply port), a main unit seal205(main unit seal), a stopper pushing portion206, the pair of container shutter fastening portions207(fastening portion), a pair of shutter springs208(biasing member), the central support portion209, and the development gear group20G.

The housing right wall200R is a side wall standing at the right end of the development housing200. Similarly, the housing left wall200L is a side wall standing at the left end of the development housing200. The above-mentioned container mounting section20H is defined between the housing right wall200R and the housing left wall200L. The housing ceiling plate200U is a ceiling plate of the development housing200and extends between the housing right wall200R and the housing left wall200L. The housing ceiling plate200U includes a front end having a curved surface corresponding to the circumference of the toner container30.

The left guide groove201L and the right guide groove201R are respectively formed in the housing left wall200L and the housing right wall200R. The left guide groove201L and the right guide groove201R guide the mounting of the toner container30into the container mounting section20H. Therefore, respective inlet portions of the left guide groove201L and the right guide groove201R are so formed as to extend in the mounting direction (first direction or the arrow DA direction shown inFIG. 9A). On the other hand, respective furthest end portions of the left guide groove201L and the right guide groove201R are in the form of a sector to permit rotation of the left guide301and the right guide311as described later.

The lock button202is in the form of a pushing button and slidably supported on the housing right wall200R. The lock button202has functions to lock the orientation of the toner container30mounted in the container mounting section20H and release the locking. The operation of the lock button202will be described in detail later.

The main unit shutter guide portion203is defined by a portion of the housing ceiling plate200U that is slightly raised. The main unit shutter guide portion203extends in the forward/backward direction and has a predetermined width in the right/left direction. The main unit shutter guide portion203includes a left guide rail203L and a right guide rail203R. The left guide rail203L and the right guide rail203R are formed at the left and right ends of the main unit shutter guide portion203, respectively. The left guide rail203L and the right guide rail203R have a function to guide sliding movement of the main unit shutter22described later.

The toner supply port204is formed in the main unit shutter guide portion203in a substantially rectangular shape. The toner supply port204communicates with the inside of the development housing200. Further, the toner supply port204faces the toner container30mounted in the container mounting section20H. Toner having been discharged through the toner discharge port30P of the toner container30flows into the development housing200through the toner supply port204.

The main unit seal205(FIG. 4B) is an elastic seal disposed on the main unit shutter guide portion203in such a manner as to surround the toner supply port204. In the present embodiment, the main unit seal205is made of urethane sponge (elastic material). The main unit seal205is resiliently compressed by the main shutter22(FIG. 4A) described later to thereby prevent leakage of toner (developer) through the toner supply port204in the closed state of the main unit shutter22.

The stopper pushing portion206is in the form of a projection extending from the housing ceiling plate200U of the development housing200and disposed behind and adjacent to the toner supply port204. The stopper pushing portion206has a function to push the stopper release piece32B2of the container shutter32of the toner container30when the toner container30is mounted into the container mounting section20H. In other words, the stopper pushing portion206allows the sliding movement of the container shutter32.

The container shutter fastening portions207are in the form of a pair of projections extending from the housing ceiling plate200U and sandwich the stopper pushing portion206in the right/left direction. The container shutter fastening portions207have a substantially trapezoid shape in sectional view perpendicularly intersecting the right/left direction. Each of the container shutter fastening portions207has a wedge-shaped cutout formed in a front side portion thereof. The shutter engaging pieces32A8(FIG. 5A) of the container shutter32of the toner container30respectively engage with the cutouts when the toner container30is mounted into the container mounting section20H. As a result, the container shutter fastening portions207secure the container shutter32to thereby restrain the container shutter32from moving.

The pair of shutter springs208are disposed outside the pair of container shutter fastening portions207in the right/left direction. The shutter springs208extend in the forward/backward direction. Respective one ends of the shutter springs208are respectively engaged with main body spring locking portions200T (FIG. 4A) provided in the housing ceiling plate200U. Further, the respective other ends of the shutter springs208are respectively engaged with shutter spring locking portions222(FIG. 4A) of the main body shutter22described later.

The central support portion209is in the form of a projection extending upward from a substantially central portion of the housing ceiling plate200U in the right/left direction. The central support portion209has a curved upper edge corresponding to the circumference of the toner container30. Further, the central support portion209has an internal cavity into which the central guide piece31P (FIG. 3A) of the toner container30can be inserted. In the rotation of the toner container30in the container mounting section20H, the central guide piece31P moves in the forward/backward direction in the central support portion209, as described later. Further, the central support portion209has a function to support the laterally central portion of the toner container30.

The development gear group20G includes a plurality of gears disposed at the inner side of the housing right wall200R and rotatably supported on the development housing200. The development gear group20G transmits a torque to the developing roller21A (FIG. 1), the first screw21B, the second screw21B, and the container screw33(FIG. 2B) and the container paddle30K (FIG. 11B) of the toner container30.

Further, the developing device20includes the main unit shutter22(main unit shutter). The main unit shutter22is supported on the development housing200slidably with respect to the toner supply port204. The main unit shutter22covers or exposes the toner supply port204. With reference toFIGS. 7A and 7B, the main unit shutter22includes a main unit shutter plate220, a pair of side pieces221, the pair of shutter spring locking portions222, a pair of main unit shutter pushing portions223, a pair of shutter ribs224, and a main unit sheet22F.

The main unit shutter plate220constitutes the body of the main unit shutter22, and is in the form of a rectangular plate having a predetermined curved surface. The main unit shutter plate220has a main unit covering surface220S shown inFIG. 7Awhich covers the toner supply port204. The side pieces221are in the form of a pair of substantially triangular plates which respectively join the laterally opposite ends of the main unit shutter plate220. The shutter spring locking portions222are in the form of a pair of openings respectively formed in outer ends of the pair of side pieces221. As mentioned above, the other ends of the shutter springs208are engaged with the shutter spring locking portions222. The main unit shutter pushing portions223are defined by respective surfaces of the pair of side pieces221that serve as pushing surfaces. The main unit shutter pushing portions223are engageable with the container shutter pushing pieces305S of the toner container30. The main unit shutter pushing portions223have functions to push the container shutter pushing pieces305S and to be pushed by the container shutter pushing pieces305S. Each of the pair of shutter ribs224stands on the opposite end of a side piece221from a main unit shutter pushing portion223. The shutter ribs224maintain the rigidity of the side pieces221.

The main unit sheet22F is adhered to the surface of the main unit shutter22opposite to the main unit covering surface220S, the surface facing the toner container30mounted in the container mounting section20H. In the present embodiment, the main unit sheet22F is made of a film seal. As shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the main unit sheet22F has a main unit sheet distal end22F1(the upstream end in the first rotational direction (in the direction of the arrow DM) or the downstream end in the second rotational direction (in the direction of the arrow DN)) slightly projecting beyond the main unit shutter plate220and having a free end. Further, the main unit sheet22F has a proximal end opposite to the main unit sheet distal end22F1, the proximal end being placed in a substantially central portion of the main unit shutter plate220.

The above-mentioned shutter springs208bias the main unit shutter22in the direction to cover the toner supply port204(FIG. 4B). As shown inFIG. 4A, when the toner container30is dismounted from the developing device20, the main unit shutter22covers the toner supply port204owing to a biasing force of the shutter springs208. At this time, the main unit shutter pushing portions223of the main unit shutter22are in contact with a pair of main unit shutter restricting portions203S (seeFIGS. 4B and 12), whereby the position of the main unit shutter22is regulated (seeFIG. 15D). In addition, a pair of main unit shutter guide portions22G of the main unit shutter22shown inFIG. 7Aare respectively engaged with the curved left guide rail203L and right guide rail203R (FIG. 4A). This allows the shutter springs208to bias the main unit shutter22in the second rotational direction (in the arrow DN direction shown inFIG. 7A). The main unit shutter22slides around the axis of the paddle shaft30K1(FIG. 11B) of the toner container30, the axis extending in the right/left direction.

When the toner container30is mounted in the container mounting section20H, the main unit shutter pushing portions223(FIG. 7B) of the main unit shutter22face the container shutter pushing portions305(FIG. 8) of the toner container30. This allows the shutter springs208to bias, via the main unit shutter22, the toner container30mounted in the container mounting section20H around the above-mentioned axis in the second rotational direction (seeFIGS. 15B and 15C).

Now, the mounting of the toner container30into the developing device20will be described with reference toFIGS. 9A to 11D.FIGS. 9A to 9Care perspective views illustrating the mounting of the toner container30into the developing device20in the present embodiment.FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate the course of mounting of the toner container30, andFIG. 9Cshows the state that the toner container30is mounted on the developing device20. Further,FIGS. 10A and 10Bare perspective views of the developing device20with the container shutter32of the toner container30mounted thereon.FIG. 10Ashows the state that the toner supply port204is covered by the main unit shutter22, andFIG. 10Bshows the state that the toner supply port204is exposed from the main unit shutter22. Further,FIG. 11Ais an enlarged plan view of the developing device20and the toner container30.FIGS. 11B to 11Dare sectional views illustrating the mounting of the toner container30into the developing device20.FIGS. 11B and 11Cillustrate the course of mounting of the toner container30, andFIG. 11Dshows the state that the toner container30is mounted on the developing device20,FIGS. 11B to 11Dbeing the sectional views taken along the dashed line V1-V1inFIG. 11A.

If the container shutter32is accidentally moved from the position at which the container shutter32has covered the toner discharge port30P in the course of mounting of the toner container30into the developing device20, toner would leak through the toner discharge port30P. In the present embodiment, the container shutter32is prevented from sliding away from the toner discharge port30P when the toner container30is independent. Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 3A, when the container shutter32covers the toner discharge port30P, the stopper locking pieces32B4(FIG. 5B) passing through the shutter holes32A6are engaged with the container shutter engaging portions309S of the container shutter locking ribs309of the container body31. Further, the distal ends of the elastic pieces32B5(FIG. 5B), which are exposed from the elastic piece support portions32A4on the backside of the container shutter32, are biased radially outward of the toner container30by the elastic piece pushing portions306(FIG. 8). Because the distal ends of the elastic pieces32B5are thus biased, a moment acts on the shutter stopper32B (FIG. 6A) in the direction that brings the stopper locking pieces32B4into strong engagement with the container shutter engaging portions309S (FIG. 8), with the pair of stopper support portions32B3acting as a fulcrum. Therefore, the container shutter32is prevented from sliding along the guide ribs307when the toner container30is stored or transported independently. As a result, the toner discharge port30P is reliably covered by the container shutter32b(FIG. 5B).

With reference toFIGS. 9A and 11B, a user of the printer100mounts the toner container30into the developing device20. At this time, the user can easily hold the toner container30by placing the index-fingers and the middle fingers on an upper portion of the container flanges31F and the thumbs on a lower portion of the container flanges31F of the toner container30shown inFIG. 11B. The user inserts the left guide301and the right guide311into the left guide groove201L and the right guide groove201R to thereby mount the toner container30into a first position (FIGS. 9B and 11C) of the container mounting section20H while being guided in the first direction (in the arrow DA direction shown inFIGS. 9A and 11B) by the left guide groove201L and the right guide groove201R. The orientation of the toner container30shown inFIGS. 9B and 11Cis defined as a first orientation.

At this time, as shown inFIG. 9B, the stopper pushing portion206of the development housing200pushes the stopper release piece32B2(FIGS. 5A and 6A) disposed between the pair of release piece support portions32A2. Consequently, the shutter stopper32B pivots on the pair of stopper support portions32B3, so that the pair of stopper locking pieces32B4disengage from the container shutter engaging portions309S (FIG. 8). As a result, the container shutter32is released from the shutter stopper32B to become slidable.

On the other hand, when the toner container30is mounted in the container mounting section20H in the first orientation, the pair of shutter engaging pieces32A8(FIGS. 5A and 9B) of the container shutter32engage with the wedge-shaped cutouts of the container shutter fastening portions207. As a result, the container shutter32is secured to the container shutter fastening portions207. Thereafter, the user rotates the container body31of the toner container30from the first position in the first rotational direction (in the arrow DM direction shown inFIGS. 9B and 11C) around an axis extending in a second direction (right/left direction) intersecting the first direction. At this time, the container body31moves to a second position with the toner discharge port30P moving away from the container shutter32. At the second position, the exposed toner discharge port30P communicates with the toner supply port204of the developing device20(FIGS. 9C and 11D). In other words, the toner discharge port30P moves with the container body31in the first rotational direction. Thus, the toner discharge port30P slides out of the secured container shutter32to be exposed and to lie above and communicate with the toner supply port204(FIG. 11D). The orientation of the toner container30shown inFIGS. 9C and 11Dis defined as a second orientation.

In the rotation of the toner container30from the first orientation in the first rotational direction, the elastic piece pushing portions306of the container body31having pushed the distal ends (FIG. 5B) of the elastic pieces32B5of the shutter stopper32B move away from the elastic pieces32B5. Therefore, when the toner discharge port30P is exposed, the elastic pieces32B5are prevented from continuously receiving a strong force and thus prevented from plastic deformation.

Further, when the toner container30is not mounted in the container mounting section20H, the main unit shutter22covers the toner supply port204. As shown inFIGS. 9B and 11C, when the toner container30is mounted in the container mounting section20H in the first orientation, the container shutter pushing pieces305S (FIG. 8) of the toner container30face the main unit shutter pushing portions223of the main unit shutter22(seeFIG. 15C). Thereafter, the toner container30is rotated in the first rotational direction to change from the first orientation to the second orientation as mentioned above to thereby allow the container shutter pushing pieces305S to push the main unit shutter pushing portions223in the first rotational direction against the biasing force of the shutter springs208(FIG. 4A). Consequently, the main unit shutter22slides in the first rotational direction with the rotation of the container body31of the toner container30, so that the toner supply port204is exposed as shown inFIG. 4B. This allows the toner discharge port30P and the toner supply port204to vertically communicate with each other (FIG. 11D).

With reference toFIGS. 9B and 10A, when the toner container30is mounted into the container mounting section20H in the first orientation, the container shutter sheet front end320S (FIG. 5B) of the container shutter sheet320of the toner container30comes to rest opposite to the main unit sheet distal end22F1(FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the main unit sheet22F of the main unit shutter22at a small distance therefrom. At this time, the container shutter sheet front end320S comes into contact with a portion of the main unit seal205that lies above the toner supply port204(FIG. 11C). Therefore, when the toner container30is rotated in the first rotational direction to change from the state shown inFIG. 11Cto the state shown inFIG. 11D, the discharge projection308(FIG. 11D) of the toner container30slides smoothly from the container shutter sheet320to the main unit seal205. This allows smooth rotation of the toner container30. Further, because the container shutter sheet front end320S covers the upper portion of the main unit seal205, toner is prevented from leaking backward through the space between the container shutter32and the portion of the main unit seal205that lies above the toner supply port204.

Further, when the toner container30is mounted into the container mounting section20H in the first orientation, the main unit sheet distal end22F1comes into contact with a portion of the container seal34that lies below the toner discharge port30P (FIG. 11C). Thereafter, the toner container30and the main unit shutter22are moved in the first rotational direction so that the toner discharge port30P communicates with the toner supply port204, with the main unit sheet distal end22F1being in contact with the container seal34. Therefore, in the rotation of the toner container30, toner is unlikely to leak out through the toner discharge port30P to stain the top surface of the main unit shutter22. In particular, in the present embodiment, the rotation of the toner container30is immediately transmitted to the main unit shutter22via the container shutter pushing portions305and the main unit shutter pushing portions223. Therefore, the container body31and the main unit shutter22are allowed to integrally rotate in the first rotational direction in the change of orientation of the toner container30from the first orientation to the second orientation. This allows the main unit sheet distal end22F1to substantially come into contact with the container seal34at a fixed position. Consequently, a shift of the main unit sheet distal end22F1is prevented and, in turn, leakage of toner is further prevented.

Further, locking and release of the toner container30in the developing device20will be described with reference toFIGS. 12 to 15D.FIG. 12is an exploded perspective view of the developing device20according to the present embodiment, with the lock button202and a lock biasing spring201U separated from the development housing200.FIGS. 13A and 13Bare enlarged perspective views of a part (a portion around the housing right wall200R of the development housing200) of the developing device20.FIG. 14Ais an enlarged plan view of the developing device20and the toner container30.FIGS. 14B to 14Eare sectional views illustrating dismounting of the toner container30from the developing device20,FIGS. 14B to 14Ebeing the sectional views taken along the dashed line V2-V2inFIG. 14A. Similarly,FIG. 15Ais an enlarged plan view of the developing device20and the toner container30.FIGS. 15B to 15Dare sectional views illustrating the dismounting of the toner container30from the developing device20,FIGS. 15B to 15Dbeing the sectional views taken along the dashed lined V3-V3inFIG. 15A.

With reference toFIG. 12, the housing right wall200R of the development housing200includes a lock guide groove201S and a pair of lock engaging pieces201T. The lock guide groove201S is formed in a portion of the housing right wall200R that is in front of the right guide groove201R. The lock engaging pieces201T are in the form of a pair of projections formed at a front side portion of the housing right wall200R and extending into the lock guide groove201S. Further, the developing device20includes the lock biasing spring201U. The lock biasing spring201U is configured by a coil spring disposed in the lock guide groove201S for biasing the lock button202forward. Further, the above-mentioned lock button202includes the locking contact piece202S. The locking contact piece202S is in the form of a projection extending leftward in the lock button202. The locking contact piece202S has a function to lock the toner container30in the second orientation. Further, the lock button202including the locking contact piece202S has a function to release the locking of the toner container30.

Further, with reference toFIG. 13A, a guide opening201V is formed in a left portion of the housing right wall200R. The guide opening201V is a long hole extending in a direction slightly intersecting the mounting direction (in the direction of the arrow DA shown inFIG. 13A) of the toner container30. The lock button202is inserted into the lock guide groove201S while resiliently compressing the lock biasing spring201U, with the locking contact piece202S going into the guide opening201V. At this time, the lock button202stops with a front end thereof slightly projecting frontward out of the housing right wall200R owing to a biasing force of the lock biasing spring201U. The lock button202is prevented from disengagement owing to the lock engaging pieces201T. The user pushes the lock button202against the biasing force of the lock biasing spring201U so that the locking contact piece202S moves from the front end to the rear end of the guide opening201V, as shown inFIG. 13B.

As shown inFIGS. 9B and 11C, when the user rotates the toner container30in the first rotational direction (FIGS. 9C and 11D) after mounting the toner container30in the container mounting section20H in the first orientation, the lock pushing portion312(FIGS. 3A and 3B) of the toner container30engages with the locking contact piece202S (FIG. 13A) (FIG. 14B). As a result, the locking contact piece202S locks the toner container30in the second orientation. In this locked state, the locking contact piece202S lies below the lock pushing portion312, as shown inFIG. 14B. Therefore, even though the biasing force of the shutter springs208(FIG. 4A) acts on the container shutter pushing portions305of the toner container30via the main unit shutter22, the toner container30is prevented from rotating in the second rotational direction, i.e. changing from the second orientation to the first orientation. Further, at this time, as shown inFIG. 14B, the right guide311of the toner container30intersects the inlet portion of the right guide groove201R extending in the first direction. The left guide301on the left side of the toner container30is similarly disposed. In the above-described manner, the present embodiment makes it possible to bring the toner discharge port30P into communication with the toner supply port204and lock the toner container30in the second orientation by allowing a user to mount the toner container30into the developing device20in the first direction and subsequently rotate the toner container30in the first rotational direction. Consequently, it is possible to stably supply toner from the toner container30to the developing device20in accordance with an image formation operation in the printer100.

On the other hand, when an unillustrated sensor detects that the toner container30is empty of toner, an indication for replacement of the toner container30is shown on an unillustrated display of the printer100. When a user pushes the lock button202(FIG. 13A), the locking contact piece202S moves backward along the guide opening201V (FIG. 13B). As a result, the locking contact piece202S moves backward away from the lock pushing portion312as shown by the arrow DH inFIG. 14Cto disengage from the lock pushing portion312. Thus, the restraining force having been exerted on the lock pushing portion312is lost, and the locking of the toner container30is released. Because the main unit shutter22receives the biasing force of the shutter springs208, the main unit shutter pushing portions223of the main unit shutter22move in the second rotational direction (in the direction of the arrow DI shown inFIG. 15C) while pushing the container shutter pushing portions305of the toner container30in the second rotational direction. As a result, the toner container30rotates from the second position in the second rotational direction (in the direction of the arrow DN shown inFIGS. 14C and 15C) around the paddle bearing302disposed coaxially with the paddle shaft30K1(FIG. 11B). In other words, the toner container30automatically changes its orientation from the second orientation to the first orientation owing to the biasing force of the shutter springs208, thereby returning to the first orientation. In the rotation of the toner container30in the second rotational direction, the locking contact piece202S is biased by an oblique surface312A of the lock pushing portion312owing to the biasing force of the lock biasing spring201U. When the lock pushing portion312moves away from the locking contact piece202S, the locking contact piece202S returns to the position shown inFIG. 13A.

In the change of orientation of the toner container30, the toner discharge port30P moves in the second rotational direction to be covered again by the container shutter32at the first position. In addition, the main unit shutter22slides owing to the biasing force of the shutter springs208, thereby changing its state from the state shown inFIG. 4Bto the state shown inFIG. 4A. As a result, the toner supply port204is covered again by the main unit shutter22.

The toner container30returned to the first orientation is detached from the first position of the container mounting section20H in a third direction (in the direction of the arrow DB shown inFIGS. 14E and 15D) opposite to the first direction to be thereby dismounted from the developing device20. In this manner, in the present embodiment, a user only needs to push the lock button202to release the locking of the toner container30so that the toner container30changes into the first orientation in which the toner container30can be easily detached. At this time, the toner discharge port30P and the toner supply port204are covered by the container shutter32and the main unit shutter22, respectively. This makes it possible to prevent the area around the developing device20and the toner container30from getting stained with toner when the user dismounts the toner container30from the developing device20.

In addition, when the toner container30is rotated from the second orientation in the second rotational direction to be dismounted, the elastic piece pushing portions306of the container body31push the distal ends (FIG. 5B) of the elastic pieces32B5of the shutter stopper32B again, immediately before the stopper locking pieces32B4(FIG. 5B) engage with the container shutter engaging portions309S (FIG. 8) again. As a result, owing to the resilient force of the elastic pieces32B5, the shutter stopper32B is biased around the stopper support portions32B3in the direction that brings the stopper locking pieces32B4into strong engagement with the container shutter engaging portions309S. Therefore, in the dismounted toner container30, the container shutter32is prevented from accidentally sliding to expose the toner discharge port30P. Thus, in the present embodiment, the container shutter32of the toner container30includes itself a stopper mechanism. The shutter stopper32B including the stopper mechanism permits rotation of the toner container30when the toner container30is mounted in the container mounting section20H. Further, when the toner container30is stored independently, sliding movement of the container shutter32is stably restrained.

Now, the mounting and dismounting of the toner container30into and from the developing device20will be further described with reference to their relative positions in the printer100, with reference toFIG. 1andFIGS. 16 to 17C.FIG. 16is a perspective view of the printer100according to the present embodiment.FIG. 16shows the printer100with a part of the casing101being opened.FIGS. 17A to 17Care sectional views illustrating the mounting of the toner container30into the developing device20in the printer100.

With reference toFIG. 17A, the toner container30is mounted into the printer100with a container side wall31J defined by the body portion31A and the lid portion31B facing substantially upward. The container side wall31J constitutes a side wall of the container30that is long in the right/left direction (seeFIG. 9A).

Further, as described above, the manual feed tray104A is disposed in the main body front wall104(FIG. 1) of the casing101. The manual feed tray104A is vertically pivotable (as shown by the arrow DT1inFIG. 16) with a lower end thereof acting as a fulcrum. On the other hand, a front end of the top wall102of the casing101is openable as a cover102B. When the cover102B is opened in addition to the manual feed tray104A (as shown by the arrow DU inFIG. 16), the toner container30is exposed (FIG. 16). Therefore, a user is allowed to mount and dismount the toner container30into and from the developing device20in the casing101.

The support frame100H supporting the exposure device123is disposed under the sheet discharge section102A in the casing101. The frame front wall100H1(wall portion) (FIGS. 16 and 17A) faces the container side wall31J of the toner container30mounted in the container mounting section20H of the developing device20in the forward/backward direction (in the horizontal direction). Further, the developing device20is disposed below the support frame100H. In particular, the housing left wall200L (the housing right wall200R) defining the container mounting section20H of the developing device20lies forward of the frame front wall100H1(on the upstream side of the frame front wall100H1in the mounting direction of the toner container30) (FIG. 17A). Further, the developing roller21A is disposed at the rearmost end of the developing device20that is opposite to the housing left wall200L.

In the present embodiment, in order to mount the toner container30using as small a space as possible in the casing101of the printer100, the mounting of the toner container30is performed by the steps of inserting the toner container30in the first direction (in the direction of the arrow DA shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B) and rotating the toner container30in the first rotational direction (in the direction of the arrow DM shown inFIG. 17C). In the insertion step, the toner container30is guided in the first direction by the right guide groove201R and the left guide groove201L (FIG. 4A). In the present embodiment, the first direction (the direction shown by the dashed line inFIG. 17B) refers to a direction extending obliquely downward to a vertical plane at a first angle θ1. For example, the first angle θ1is set to 45 degrees. When the toner container30is mounted in the container mounting section20H in the first orientation (FIG. 17B), the container side wall31J is oblique to the vertical plane at an angle θJ. For example, the angle θJ is set to 60 degrees.

The first rotational direction (the arrow DM direction shown inFIG. 17C) in which the toner container30is rotated refers to a direction in which the container side wall31J of the toner container30rotates upward around the axis (the paddle shaft30K1or the paddle bearing302). When the toner container30is mounted in the container mounting section20H in the second orientation (FIG. 17C), the container side wall31J is oblique to the vertical plane at a second angle θ2. In other words, the container side wall31J is oblique to the vertical plane at a second angle θ2smaller than the first angle θ1. For example, the angle θ2is set to 30 degrees.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the toner container30is mounted in the container mounting section20H in the second orientation, i.e. when the toner discharge port30P and the toner supply port204communicate with each other (FIG. 17C), a predetermined gap H (FIGS. 16 and 17C) is defined between the container side wall31J of the toner container30and the frame front wall100H1of the casing101. This allows a user to smoothly mount the toner container30without touching the frame front wall100H1with the fingers that hold the portion of the container flanges31F lying on the container side wall31J. Further, a user is allowed to easily insert his/her fingers into the gap H to hold the container flanges31F in order to dismount the toner container30. In this manner, in the present embodiment, the container flanges31F provided for joining the body portion31A and the lid portion31B can be used as a holder.

Further, in the present embodiment, in order to locate the toner discharge port30P of the toner container30above the toner supply port204when the toner container30is mounted in the container mounting section20H in the second orientation, the toner discharge port30P is formed between the lowest portion of the toner container30and the container side wall31J, and above the lowest portion. If the toner discharge port30P is formed in the lowest portion of the toner container30inFIG. 17C, the toner container30would need to be mounted further back (inside the casing101) in order to locate the toner discharge port30P above the toner supply port204. In this case, almost no gap would be left between the toner container30and the frame front wall100H1. Further, it would be difficult to locate the toner container30below the top wall102because the toner container30would be mounted at a position higher than the mounting position shown inFIG. 17C. In the present embodiment, in order to realize a stable supply of toner from the toner container30to the developing device20while reducing the size of the casing101, the toner container30is mounted in the above-described two steps of having the first orientation and the second orientation. It should be noted that, with reference toFIG. 17C, in order to stably discharge toner accumulating at the lowest portion of the toner container30through the toner discharge port30P, the container paddle30K (FIG. 11B) that is rotated in the toner container30is preferred to be rotated in the direction that allows the container paddle30K to pass through the lowest portion of the toner container30e before reaching the toner discharge port30P. In this case, the toner existing in the lowest portion is reliably raised by the container paddle30K, so that the amount of toner remaining in the toner container30can be reduced.

The toner container30and the developer supplier including the same, the developing device20, and the printer100according to the embodiment of the present disclosure have been described.

According to the above-described developer supplier, the toner container30is mounted into the container mounting section20H of the developing device20while being guided in the first direction by the left guide groove201L and the right guide groove201R, and is subsequently rotated in the first rotational direction around the axis extending in the second direction. In the rotation of the toner container30, the toner discharge port30P moves away from the container shutter32to be exposed and communicate with the toner supply port204. Thus, a user can mount the toner container30and expose the toner discharge port30P by performing the two successive operations. This makes it possible to prevent opening failure of the toner discharge port30P and stably supply toner from the toner container30to the developing device20.

In addition, because the development housing200includes the container shutter fastening portions207configured to secure the container shutter32, it is possible to reliably open the toner discharge port30P based on a user's operation without providing a complex mechanism for moving the container shutter32.

Further, the above-described developing device20allows a user to mount the toner container30into the developing device20and expose the toner discharge port30P by performing the two successive operations. This makes it possible to prevent opening failure of the toner discharge port30P and stably supply toner from the toner container30to the development housing200supporting the developing roller21A.

Further, the above-described printer100makes it possible to prevent opening failure of the toner discharge port30P and stably form an image on a sheet.

It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and, for example, the following modified embodiments may be adopted.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the printer100is illustrated as a monochrome printer. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. In particular, in the case where the printer100is provided as a tandem color printer, after the cover102B (FIG. 16) of the printer100is opened, toner containers30respectively corresponding to a plurality of colors may be mounted in the casing101from above so as to be adjacent to one another.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the toner container30is so mounted in the printer100as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the developing device20. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. It may be configured such that the toner container30is so mounted as to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the developing device20.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the container screw33and the container paddle30K are provided in the toner container30. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Alternatively, a movable wall may be disposed in the toner container30which moves toward the toner discharge port while conveying toner.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is illustrated as the printer100. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration.FIG. 18is a sectional view illustrating mounting of the toner container30into a multifunctional apparatus100Z (image forming apparatus) in a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. The multifunctional apparatus100Z includes a reading section500disposed on the casing101of the above-described embodiment. The reading section500reads an image of a predetermined original document. The image forming section120disposed in the casing101forms an image on a sheet in accordance with the original image read by the reading section500. In this modified embodiment, the reading section500extends to a position above a front end of the casing101. The sheet is discharged into a sheet discharge space HA defined between the casing101and the reading section500. In this case where the reading section500extends over the casing101, the space that is accessible by a user in the mounting of the toner container30is limited. However, even in this case, the toner container30is mounted into the developing device20in the first direction (in the direction of the arrow DA shown inFIG. 18) extending obliquely to the vertical plane, in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. Thereafter, the toner container30is rotated in the first rotational direction, thereby changing from the first orientation to the second orientation. Thus, it is possible for a user to mount the toner container30into the final position by the mounting operation of holding the toner container30in the front end side of the casing101.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the shutter springs208which bias the main unit shutter22in the direction to cover the toner supply port204are used to bias the toner container30in the second rotational direction. The present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The development housing200may be configured to include a dedicated biasing member for biasing the toner container30in the second rotational direction, independently of the shutter springs208for biasing the main unit shutter22.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, a lock release portion configured to release the locking of the toner container30resting in the second orientation is illustrated as the lock button202. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Alternatively, an unillustrated lever may be pivotally provided in the development housing200to allow it to be pivoted to move the locking contact piece202S so that the locking of the toner container30is released.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, when the locking contact piece202S is moved so that the locking of the toner container30is released, the toner container30automatically rotates in the second rotational direction owing to the biasing force of the shutter springs208, thereby returning to the first orientation. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. It may be configured such that the toner container30is rotated in the second rotational direction manually by a user after the locking of the toner container30by the locking contact piece202S is released. In this case, the lock button202would have a function to release the locking of the toner container30resting in the second orientation to permit rotation of the toner container30in the second rotational direction.