Toner container and image forming apparatus including thereof

Apparatus main body of image forming apparatus includes first rotation portion, second rotation portion, and lever. Toner container includes opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing the toner discharge outlet, and first coupling portion that is provided rotatably with respect to the housing and configured to, when the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body, be coupled with the first rotation portion of the apparatus main body to be integrally rotatable therewith. The opening/closing mechanism includes second coupling portion configured to, when the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body, be coupled with the second rotation portion of the apparatus main body to be integrally rotatable therewith. The opening/closing mechanism is configured to open and close the toner discharge outlet as the second coupling portion is rotated. The second coupling portion and the first coupling portion are configured to rotate in conjunction with each other.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-197320 filed on Sep. 24, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus including thereof.

An image forming apparatus such as a copier, a laser printer or the like includes a toner container attached to the apparatus main body. In general, the toner container includes a housing, a toner discharge outlet, and a shutter mechanism. The housing stores the toner. The toner discharge outlet is formed on the housing. The shutter mechanism is able to open and close the toner discharge outlet. Here, in the housing of the toner container, a lever, which is able to drive the shutter mechanism, may be swingably provided.

In addition, in this kind of image forming apparatus, different types of toner are used depending on, for example, specification of image quality, destination, colors of the images, or the like. Accordingly, usually, a suitable type of toner is specified for the image forming apparatus.

When the user uses a not-specified type of toner by mistake, a mechanical failure of the image forming apparatus or an image defect may occur. To prevent this, the compatibility must be eliminated from the toner containers that stores the toner (hereinafter, it is also referred to as “the toner containers have the non-compatible function”).

As a technology proposed for this purpose, it is known, for example, that a projection is formed on the toner container at a different position or in a different shape depending on the model of the image forming apparatus, and at the same time, a concave, with which the projection is engaged, is formed on the apparatus main body to which the toner container is attached. For example, as a portion that provides the non-compatible function of the toner container, a step portion, which extends along the insertion direction to the apparatus main body, may be formed on the upper part of the toner container.

SUMMARY

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an apparatus main body and a toner container attached to the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body includes a first rotation portion, a second rotation portion, and a lever provided integrally with the first rotation portion. The first rotation portion and the second rotation portion are provided each rotatably, in alignment with each other. The toner container includes a housing for storing toner, a toner discharge outlet formed on the housing, an opening/closing mechanism provided on the housing and configured to open and close the toner discharge outlet, and a first coupling portion that is provided rotatably with respect to the housing and configured to, when the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body, be coupled with the first rotation portion of the apparatus main body to be integrally rotatable therewith. The opening/closing mechanism includes a second coupling portion configured to, when the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body, be coupled with the second rotation portion of the apparatus main body to be integrally rotatable therewith. The opening/closing mechanism is configured to open and close the toner discharge outlet as the second coupling portion is rotated. The second coupling portion and the first coupling portion are configured to rotate in conjunction with each other.

A toner container according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing, a toner discharge outlet, an opening/closing mechanism, and a first coupling portion. The housing is attached to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus and is configured to store toner. The toner discharge outlet is formed on the housing. The opening/closing mechanism is provided on the housing and opens and closes the toner discharge outlet. The first coupling portion is provided rotatably with respect to the housing. The apparatus main body includes a first rotation portion, a second rotation portion, and a lever. The first rotation portion and the second rotation portion are provided each rotatably, in alignment with each other. The lever is provided integrally with the first rotation portion. The first coupling portion is configured to, when the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body, be coupled with the first rotation portion of the apparatus main body to be integrally rotatable therewith. The opening/closing mechanism includes a second coupling portion configured to, when the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body, be coupled with the second rotation portion of the apparatus main body to be integrally rotatable therewith, the opening/closing mechanism being configured to open and close the toner discharge outlet as the second coupling portion is rotated. The second coupling portion and the first coupling portion are configured to rotate in conjunction with each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. It is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view showing an outlined configuration of an image forming apparatus1. The image forming apparatus1is, for example, a tandem color printer. As shown inFIG. 1, the image forming apparatus1includes an apparatus main body2and toner containers30that are toner containers attached to the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body2includes an intermediate transfer belt7, primary transfer portions8, a secondary transfer portion9, a fixing device11, a laser scanning unit15, and a plurality of image forming portions16.

A sheet feed cassette3is disposed at an internal lower part of the apparatus main body2of the image forming apparatus1. The sheet feed cassette3houses inside a stack of sheets (not shown) such as paper sheets before printing. On the side of the sheet feed cassette3, there is provided a first paper sheet conveying portion21extending upward. The first paper sheet conveying portion21receives a paper sheet fed from the sheet feed cassette3, and conveys the paper sheet to a secondary transfer portion9provided thereabove. Above the sheet feed cassette3, a second paper sheet conveying portion22is provided to receive a paper sheet or the like fed from a manual sheet feed portion (not shown) and conveys it to the first paper sheet conveying portion21.

The laser scanning unit15is disposed above the second paper sheet conveying portion22and emits laser light to the image forming portions16based on image data received by the image forming apparatus1. For example, two laser scanning units15, which emit laser light to two image forming portions16, are disposed in alignment. Four image forming portions16are disposed above the laser scanning units15. Above the image forming portions16, the intermediate transfer belt7of an endless shape is provided. The intermediate transfer belt7is wound around a plurality of rollers, and is driven and rotated by a driving device not shown.

As shown inFIG. 1, the four image forming portions16are aligned along the intermediate transfer belt7, and respectively form toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Each of the image forming portions16includes a photoconductor drum25and a developing device26, wherein the photoconductor drum25is a photoconductor, and the developing device26is disposed on the peripheral of the photoconductor drum25. That is, in each image forming portion16, an electrostatic latent image of a document sheet image is formed on the photoconductor drum25by the laser light emitted from the laser scanning unit15, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device26, allowing for toner images of respective colors to be formed.

The toner containers30are disposed above the intermediate transfer belt7. Specifically, toner containers30containing toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are disposed in alignment along the intermediate transfer belt7. The toner containers30are configured to supply toner of the colors to the corresponding developing devices.

The primary transfer portions8are disposed above the respective image forming portions16. The primary transfer portions8include transfer rollers for primarily transferring the toner images formed by the image forming portions16onto the intermediate transfer belt7.

Toner images of respective image forming portions16are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt7at predetermined timings while the intermediate transfer belt7is driven to be rotated so that toner images of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are overlaid with each other on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt7, thereby forming a color toner image.

The secondary transfer portion9is configured to transfer the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt7to a paper sheet by applying a transfer bias voltage of a polarity opposite to a polarity of the toner to the paper sheet conveyed from the first paper sheet conveying portion21.

The fixing device11is provided above the secondary transfer portion9. Between the fixing device11and the secondary transfer portion9, there is formed a third paper sheet conveying portion23that conveys a paper sheet, on which a toner image has been secondarily transferred, to the fixing device11. The fixing device11applies heat and pressure to the paper sheet conveyed from the third paper sheet conveying portion23, thereby fixing the toner image on the paper sheet. The paper sheet discharged from the fixing device11is discharged onto a paper sheet discharge portion28formed above the apparatus main body2.

Meanwhile, to restrict use of the types of toner which are different from the type of toner suitable for the image forming apparatus1, it is desirable that as many shape patterns as possible are provided for the portion having the non-compatible function. However, when the portion providing non-compatible function is configured to have the restricted shape of the step portion that is formed above the toner containers30and extends along the direction in which the toner containers30are inserted into the apparatus main body, it is difficult to prepare a various number of shape patterns for the portion providing the non-compatible function. In addition, there is a problem that when the lever for opening/closing the toner discharge outlet of the toner container30is operated by mistake before the toner container30is attached to the apparatus main body, the toner is leaked from the toner container30. With regard to these problems, the image forming apparatus1can appropriately restrict use of the types of toner which are different from the type of toner suitable for the image forming apparatus1.

FIGS. 2 through 7show configurations of the toner containers30in the present embodiment.

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, each toner container30includes a housing31, a toner discharge outlet32, and an opening/closing mechanism33. The housing31stores the toner, and is attached to the apparatus main body2of the image forming apparatus1. The toner discharge outlet32is formed on the housing31. The opening/closing mechanism33is provided on the housing31and opens and closes the toner discharge outlet32.

As shown inFIG. 2, the apparatus main body2includes a plate-like attachment portion18to which the housings31are attached. In a surface of one side of the attachment portion18, a plurality of container guides19are formed which are groove-like and extend diagonally upward. Each housing31is guided diagonally downward by a container guide19and is attached to the attachment portion18.

The housing31is made of a resin material and formed in the shape of a box extending in the front-rear direction. Here, the front-rear direction is defined as a longitudinal direction of the housing31. In addition, it is assumed that inFIG. 3, the right side is the front side and the left side is the rear side.

As shown inFIG. 3, the housing31includes a container main body35and a lid36. The upper part of the container main body35is opened, and the container main body35has a bottom. The lid36closes the opening part of the container main body35. As shown inFIG. 4, a stirring paddle37and a screw portion38are provided inside the container main body35. The stirring paddle37is configured to stir the toner. The screw portion38is configured to convey the toner to the toner discharge outlet32.

As shown inFIG. 5, a toner filling opening39is provided on a side wall of the front part of the container main body35. The toner filling opening39enables the toner to be filled into the housing31. The toner filling opening39is closed by a plug40.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 5, the toner discharge outlet32is formed on the front-end side-bottom part of the container main body35. That is, an approximately cylindrical protruding portion35aprotruding in the front direction is formed on the front-end part of the container main body35. The toner discharge outlet32is formed such that it passes through a peripheral wall of the protruding portion35adownward.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the opening/closing mechanism33includes a shutter cylinder41, an opening42, and a seal member43. The shutter cylinder41is inserted through the protruding portion35aof the container main body35and its front end is closed. The opening42is formed in a side surface of the shutter cylinder41. The seal member43is provided at the inner wall surface of the protruding portion35aon the peripheral of the toner discharge outlet32.

On the inner side of the front-end part of the shutter cylinder41, a bearing44is formed to rotatably support the screw portion38. The seal member43is able to prevent the toner from scattering.

The shutter cylinder41is rotatably attached to the protruding portion35a. During the rotation of the shutter cylinder41, when the opening42of the shutter cylinder41overlaps with the toner discharge outlet32, the toner discharge outlet32is opened and the toner in the housing31can be discharged to the developing device26via the toner discharge outlet32. On the other hand, when the peripheral wall of the shutter cylinder41, where the opening42is not formed, overlaps with the toner discharge outlet32, the toner discharge outlet32is closed. That is, as the shutter cylinder41is rotated, the toner discharge outlet32is opened and closed.

As shown inFIG. 7, a shaft portion46is provided rotatably in the front-end part of the container main body35. The shaft portion46has an axis that extends in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIG. 4, the front end of the stirring paddle37is rotatably supported by the inside of the shaft portion46. On the other hand, the rear end of the stirring paddle37is coupled with a stirring gear48. In addition, the rear end of the screw portion38is coupled with a driving gear49. As shown inFIG. 2, the stirring gear48and the driving gear49are disposed in the rear-end part of the container main body35.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 6, a cover member52is attached to the front-end part of the container main body35. The cover member52includes a positioning projection53that is block-like and protrudes in the front direction. The positioning projection53has a slit52athat extends in the up-down direction and is opened downward.

The width of the positioning projection53is approximately the same as the groove width of the container guide19. As shown inFIG. 2, when the positioning projection53is fitted in the container guide19and guided by the container guide19diagonally downward, the housing31is attached to the attachment portion18.

FIGS. 8 through 10show outer appearances of the attachment portion18.FIGS. 11 and 12show enlargements of a first rotation portion54and a second rotation portion55.FIGS. 13 and 14show a toner container30attached to the attachment portion18.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 11, in the attachment portion18, the lower portion of the container guide19is branched into a first groove portion19aand a second groove portion19bso that the two branched portions of the cover member52are attached thereto. Between the first groove portion19aand the second groove portion19b, a projection strip20is formed to extend along the first groove portion19aand the second groove portion19b. When the cover member52is guided by the container guide19diagonally downward to the attachment position, the projection strip20is inserted into a slit52aof the cover member52.

As shown inFIGS. 8 through 12, the first rotation portion54and the second rotation portion55are provided, each rotatably, in alignment with each other in the attachment portion18. The attachment portion18includes four pairs of first rotation portion54and second rotation portion55in correspondence with the four toner containers30, respectively.

The first rotation portion54is disposed at the lower end of the first groove portion19aof each container guide19and is supported rotatably by the attachment portion18. On the other hand, the second rotation portion55is disposed at the lower end of the second groove portion19band is supported rotatably by the attachment portion18.

In addition, the attachment portion18includes a lever47provided integrally with the first rotation portion54. The lever47is configured to be swung around the axis of the first rotation portion54when the first rotation portion54is rotated.

On the other hand, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 14, each toner container30includes a first coupling portion58. The first coupling portion58is provided rotatably with respect to the housing31, and when the toner container30is attached to the apparatus main body2, the first coupling portion58is coupled with the first rotation portion54of the apparatus main body2to be integrally rotatable therewith.

The first coupling portion58is formed integrally with the front end of the shaft portion46and formed in the shape of a plate protruding in the front direction. The first coupling portion58extends linearly in the attachment direction in which, when the housing31is attached to the attachment portion18, the cover member52is guided by the container guide19(i.e., extends diagonally downward).

As shown inFIG. 11, the first rotation portion54of the apparatus main body2has a first coupling groove54awith which the first coupling portion58of the toner container30is coupled. The first coupling groove54aextends linearly at least in part. On the other hand, the first coupling portion58is shaped such that it is fitted in the first coupling groove54a. That is, the groove width of the first coupling groove54ais approximately the same as the plate thickness of the first coupling portion58. With this configuration, when the housing31is attached to the apparatus main body2, the first coupling portion58is inserted into the first coupling groove54aand is coupled with the first rotation portion54to be integrally rotatable therewith.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 7, the opening/closing mechanism33of the toner containers30includes a second coupling portion59that integrally rotates with the shutter cylinder41. The second coupling portion59is formed integrally with the front end of the shutter cylinder41and protrudes in the front direction. The second coupling portion59is formed in the shape of a hook in a cross section perpendicular to the axis direction of the shutter cylinder41.

Specifically, the second coupling portion59includes a first portion59aand a second portion59b. The first portion59aextends linearly in the attachment direction in which, when the housing31is attached to the attachment portion18, the cover member52is guided by the container guide19(i.e., extends diagonally downward). The second portion59bextends from the upper end part of the first portion59ain one of the rotational directions of the shutter cylinder41. The first portion59ais greater than the first coupling portion58in plate thickness.

As shown inFIG. 11, the second rotation portion55of the apparatus main body2has a second coupling groove55aformed to be coupled with the second coupling portion59of the toner container30. The second coupling groove55aextends linearly at least in part. On the other hand, the second coupling portion59is shaped such that it is fitted in the second coupling groove55a. That is, the groove width of the second coupling groove55ais approximately the same as the plate thickness of the first portion59aof the second coupling portion59. As a result, the second coupling groove55ais different from the first coupling groove54ain groove width.

When the toner containers30is attached to the attachment portion18, the second coupling portion59is inserted into the second coupling groove55aand is coupled with the second rotation portion55to be integrally rotatable therewith. The opening/closing mechanism33is configured to open and close the toner discharge outlet32as the second coupling portion59rotates.

As shown inFIG. 12, each second rotation portion55includes an arm55bprovided on a side of the attachment portion18opposite to the side on which the container guides19are formed. The arm55bis formed integrally with the second rotation portion55to extend in one of the rotational directions of the second rotation portion55. The arm55bhas an outer circumferential side surface that is in a circular arc shape.

The first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59are configured in the non-compatible shape which is a shape that allows for attachment of the housing31to the apparatus main body2of a predetermined model, while not allowing for attachment of the housing31to the apparatus main body2of the other models. For example, depending on the model or the like of the image forming apparatus1, the first coupling portion58, the second coupling portion59, the first coupling groove54aof the first rotation portion54, and the second coupling groove55aof the second rotation portion55are provided at different positions, in different shapes, or the like.

In addition, the first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59are configured to rotate in conjunction with each other. That is, as shown inFIG. 7, each toner container30includes a first gear71that integrally rotates with the first coupling portion58. Furthermore, the opening/closing mechanism33includes a second gear72that meshes with the first gear71and integrally rotates with the second coupling portion59.

The first gear71is integrally formed with the shaft portion46, and the second gear72is integrally formed with the shutter cylinder41. The second coupling portion59is configured to rotate in a direction that is opposite to the rotational direction of the first coupling portion58.

As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, a detection mechanism60is provided on the attachment portion18. The detection mechanism60detects that the toner discharge outlets32of the toner containers30attached to the apparatus main body2are in the open state. The detection mechanism60of the present embodiment detects that all of the toner discharge outlets32of the plurality of toner containers30attached to the attachment portion18are in the open state by detecting that all of the second rotation portions55were rotated.

The detection mechanism60includes the second rotation portions55, a detection bar61, and a sensor62. The detection bar61extends along the surface of the attachment portion18in the alignment direction of the four second rotation portions55. The sensor62is provided at one end of the detection bar61and is able to detect that the second rotation portions55rotated. The other end of the detection bar61is connected to a tension spring63.

The detection bar61includes locking portions61athat are respectively locked to the arms55bof the second rotation portions55. Four locking portions61aare provided in correspondence with the four arms55b. As shown inFIG. 12, when the toner discharge outlet32is closed, the locking portions61aare locked to the arms55b, thereby restricting the detection bar61from moving toward the tension spring63(the right side inFIG. 12). On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 15, when the toner discharge outlet32is opened, the second rotation portions55are rotated anticlockwise and the locking portions61aare not locked to the circular-arc outer circumferential side surfaces of the arms55b.

As shown inFIG. 10, when all of the toner discharge outlets32are opened, all of the locking portions61aare not locked to the outer circumferential side surfaces of the arms55b, and the detection bar61is pulled rightward inFIG. 10by the tension spring63and moved away from the sensor62.

When the detection bar61is close to the sensor62as shown inFIG. 9, the sensor62detects the ON state where at least one toner discharge outlet32is closed. On the other hand, when the detection bar61has moved away from the sensor62as shown inFIG. 10, the sensor62detects the OFF state where all of the toner discharge outlets32are opened. In this way, the detection mechanism60detects, based on the detection result of the sensor62, that the toner discharge outlets32of the toner containers30attached to the apparatus main body2are in the open state.

Next, the attachment/detachment operation of the toner containers30to/from the apparatus main body2is explained.

Before the toner container30is attached to the apparatus main body2, the toner discharge outlet32is closed by the shutter cylinder41. Here, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the first coupling portion58and the first portion59aof the second coupling portion59respectively extend in the attachment direction in which the cover member52is guided by the container guide19(i.e., extend diagonally downward).

In addition, as shown inFIG. 11, before the toner container30is attached to the apparatus main body2, the first coupling groove54aof the first rotation portion54and the second coupling groove55aof the second rotation portion55extend in the direction in which the container guides19extend (i.e., the attachment direction in which the cover member52is guided).

When the toner container30is attached to the attachment portion18, the cover member52is inserted into the container guide19of the attachment portion18. The cover member52is then guided by the container guide19diagonally downward. Furthermore, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, the first coupling portion58of the toner container30is guided by the first groove portion19a, and the second coupling portion59is guided by the second groove portion19b. This leads to the first coupling portion58being coupled with the first coupling groove54aof the first rotation portion54, and the second coupling portion59being coupled with the second coupling groove55aof the second rotation portion55.

Next, the toner discharge outlet32is opened by swinging the lever47of the attachment portion18. Here,FIGS. 15 through 17show the state where the lever47has been swung.

When the lever47is swung in the state where the toner container30has been attached to the attachment portion18, the first rotation portion54is integrally rotated with the lever47clockwise as shown inFIGS. 14 through 16. Since the first rotation portion54is coupled with the first coupling portion58, the first rotation portion54integrally rotates with the first coupling portion58and the shaft portion46.

Here, the first gear71, which integrally rotates with the first coupling portion58, meshes with the second gear72. In addition, the second gear72integrally rotates with the second coupling portion59. Therefore, as the first coupling portion58rotates, the second coupling portion59rotates in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the first coupling portion58.

Furthermore, as a second coupling portion59rotates, the shutter cylinder41integrally rotates with the second coupling portion59.

As described above, swinging the lever47in the state where the toner container30has been attached to the apparatus main body2causes the shutter cylinder41to rotate, and the toner discharge outlet32is opened.

In addition, since the second coupling portion59is coupled with the second rotation portion55, when the second coupling portion59rotates, the second rotation portion55integrally rotates with the second coupling portion59. Therefore, as the second coupling portion59rotates, the arm55bof the second rotation portion55integrally rotates with the shutter cylinder41. Furthermore, when the arm55bis rotated, the locking portion61aof the detection bar61is locked to the outer circumferential side surface of the arm55b, or is removed from and is not locked to the outer circumferential side surface of the arm55b. As a result, when the second rotation portions55is rotated integrally with the shutter cylinders41and all of the toner discharge outlets32are opened, the open state thereof is detected by the detection mechanism60.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59allow for attachment of the toner containers30to the apparatus main body2of a predetermined model, while not allowing for attachment thereof to the apparatus main bodies of the other models. It is thus possible to cause the toner containers30to be used by the image forming apparatus1of the predetermined model.

It is noted here that the first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59are such portions that provide the non-compatible function of the toner containers30, and that, by combining the shapes of the first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59, it is possible to prepare a various number of shape patterns for the portion that provides the non-compatible function. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately restrict a plurality of types of toner, which are different from the type of toner suitable for the image forming apparatus1, from being used in the image forming apparatus1.

Furthermore, the lever47, which is used to open and close the toner discharge outlet32, is provided on the apparatus main body2, not on the toner container30. This prevents the toner discharge outlet32from being opened even if the lever47is operated before the toner container30is attached to the apparatus main body2. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suitably restrict the toner from being leaked from the toner container30before the toner container30is attached to the apparatus main body2.

Furthermore, in the state where the first coupling groove54aand the second coupling groove55aare disposed parallel to each other, it is possible, by sliding and moving the toner container30in the groove length direction of the first coupling groove54aand the second coupling groove55a, for the first coupling portion58to be inserted and fitted in the first coupling groove54a, and for the second coupling portion59to be inserted and fitted in the second coupling groove55a. In such a manner, the toner containers30can be attached to the apparatus main body2.

Furthermore, when the lever is swung, the first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59are respectively rotated, and portions of the first portion59aof the first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59, which extend linearly, are not disposed parallel to each other. This makes it possible to use the first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59as a mechanism for preventing the toner containers30from being removed from the apparatus main body2.

Furthermore, the first coupling groove54aand the second coupling groove55aare configured to be different in groove width. This makes it possible to increase the number of combinations of the shapes of the first coupling groove54aand the second coupling groove55a. Thus it is possible to further increase the non-compatible shape patterns that are shapes capable of providing the non-compatible function of the toner containers30.

Here, when the first coupling portion58is appropriately coupled with the first rotation portion54, and the second coupling portion59is appropriately coupled with the second rotation portion55, the sensor62can detect that the second rotation portion55was rotated. This enables the detection mechanism60to detect the open state of the toner discharge outlet32. However, if the first coupling portion58or the second coupling portion59is removed, the second rotation portion55is not rotated even if the lever47is swung. In that case, the detection mechanism60cannot detect the open state of the toner discharge outlet32, and the image forming apparatus1may not be used appropriately.

For example, suppose that the first coupling portion58was not removed, but the second coupling portion59was removed. In that case, when the lever47is swung, the shutter cylinder41is rotated and the toner discharge outlet32is opened, but the second rotation portion55is not rotated. As a result, the detection mechanism60cannot detect the open state of the toner discharge outlet32.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to restrict the toner container30from being used inappropriately in the state where the first coupling portion58or the second coupling portion59has been removed.

In the present embodiment, the first gear71and the second gear72are provided such that the first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59rotate in conjunction with each other. However, not limited to this configuration, for example, a transmission belt or the like may be used for the first coupling portion58and the second coupling portion59to rotate in conjunction with each other.

In the present embodiment, a laser printer is described as an example of the image forming apparatus1. However, not limited to this, the image forming apparatus1of the present disclosure may be another image forming apparatus such as a copier, a scanner device, a multifunction peripheral, or the like.

As described above, the present disclosure is useful as a toner container and an image forming apparatus including thereof.