Developer supply container and developer supplying system

With a mounting operation of a supply container, a supported portion 11b of a developer receiving portion 11 is supported by a receipt supporting portion 30c of a lifting portion 30. With further mounting operation, a shutter sliding portion 30b of the lifting portion 30 slides on a shutter inclined portion 4f of a shutter 4. The developer receiving portion 11 is displaced so as to bring a receiving opening into communication with a discharge opening by operating, using the shutter 4, the lifting portion 30 supporting the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11. By this, a load required for movement of the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced to achieve smooth mounting of the supply container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a developer supply container dismountably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus and a developer supplying system.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a developer such as fine powder toner is usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. In such an image forming apparatus, the developer is consumed as the image is formed, and therefore, the developer is supplied from the developer supplying device. In the developer supplying device, a developer supply container (hereinafter, simply referred to as a supply container) containing the developer is mounted on a developer receiving apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus to supply the developer. There, a structure has been proposed (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2013-015826) in which the developer receiving portion of the developer receiving device is moved (displaced) toward the discharge opening of the supply container in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container dismountably provided in the developer receiving apparatus.

In the device described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2013-015826, the developer receiving portion is guided by a guide (engaging portion) provided in the supply container and moves so as to approach the supply container with the mounting operation of the supply container. When the mounting of the supply container is completed, the discharge opening of the supply container and the receiving opening of the developer receiving portion are in a connected state (a state in which both the openings are in communication with each other). In addition, the developer receiving portion is guided by the guide and moves so as to be separated from the supply container in accordance with the release operation of the supply container. In this manner, the discharge opening and the receiving opening are separated from each other (the two openings are not in communication).

In the apparatus described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2013-015826, in order to move the developer receiving portion to the supply container side in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container, the guide is inclined so as to be higher toward the supply container from the front side toward the upstream side in the mounting direction of the supply container. This is to move an engaged portion (portion to be engaged) of the developer receiving portion in contact with the guide by using the force applied to the supply container at the time of mounting and dismounting. However, in this case, especially when mounting supply container, a force for displacing the developer receiving portion (specifically, an engaged portion) in the mounting direction and a force for displacing the developer receiving portion in the vertical direction are applied at the same time, and therefore mounting force is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by Invention

The present invention relates to a structure in which a developer receiving portion including a receiving opening for receiving a developer is moved and the receiving opening is connected to a discharge opening of a supply container, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a smooth mounting of a supply container by reducing mounting force required by the movement of the developer receiving portion.

Means for Solving the Problem

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply container detachably mountable a developer receiving apparatus including a developer receiving portion provided with an receiving opening for receiving a developer, and a supported portion integrally displaceable with the developer receiving portion, said developer supply container comprising a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer a discharging portion provided in a bottom side thereof with a discharge opening for discharging the developer accommodated in said developer accommodating portion; a supporting portion provided at said discharging portion and capable of supporting the supported portion, said supporting portion being movable relative to said discharging portion; and a moving mechanism for moving said supporting portion upwardly relative to said discharging portion while supporting said supported portion to move the developer receiving portion toward said developer supply container so as to bring said receiving opening into communication with said discharge opening with a mounting operation of said developer supply container to the developer receiving apparatus.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, the supporting portion capable of supporting the supported portion of the developer receiving portion is moved by the moving mechanism so as to displace the developer receiving portion such that the receiving opening communicates with the discharge opening, and therefore, it is possible to reduce the load for the movement of the developer receiving portion and accomplished smooth mounting of the supply container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following, referring toFIGS. 1-18, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. First, referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, an image forming apparatus with which the present invention is usable.

InFIG. 1, the image forming apparatus100includes an original reading device103at a top of a main assembly100aof the image forming apparatus. An original101is placed on an original platen glass102. A light image corresponding to image information of the original101is imaged, using a plurality of mirrors M and the lens Ln of the original reading device103, on a photosensitive drum104which is a cylindrical photosensitive member as an image bearing member to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is visualized using toner (one component magnetic toner) as a developer (dry powder) by a dry type developing device (one-component developing device)201. Here, in this embodiment, a one-component magnetic toner is used as the developer to be supplied from the developer supply container1(also referred to as a supply device), but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and it may be of a structure as will be described hereinafter.

More specifically, in the case of using a one-component developing device which performs developing operation with one component nonmagnetic toner, one component nonmagnetic toner is supplied as a developer. In addition, non-magnetic toner is supplied as the developer when using a two-component developer which develops the image using a two component developer prepared by mixing magnetic carrier and nonmagnetic toner. In this case, as the developer, a structure may be employed in which the magnetic carrier is also supplied together with the non-magnetic toner.

As described above, a developing device201shown inFIG. 1develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum104using the toner as the developer based on the image information of the original101. In addition, a developer supplying system200is connected to developing device201, and the developer supplying system200includes a developer supply container1and a developer receiving apparatus8relative to which the developer supply container1is mountable and dismountable. Developer supplying system200will be described hereinafter.

The developing device201includes a developer hopper portion201aand a developing roller201f. In this developer hopper portion201a, a stirring member201cfor stirring the developer supplied from the supply container1is provided. The developer stirred by the stirring member201cis fed to a feeding member (201e) side by a feeding member201d. And, the developer which has been sequentially fed by the feeding members201eand201bis carried on the developing roller201fand finally supplied to a developing zone where it is opposed to the photosensitive drum104. In this embodiment, a one-component developer is used, and therefore, toner as a developer from the supply container1is supplied to the developing device201, but when using a two component developer, toner and carrier as a developer may be supplied from the supply container.

Cassettes105to108contain recording materials S such as sheets of paper. When an image is to be formed, a cassette containing an optimum recording material S among the sheets contained in these cassettes105to108is selected on the basis of the information inputted by the operator (user) on the operation portion100d(FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus100or on the basis of the size of the original101. Here, as for the recording material S, it is not limited to sheets of paper, but it may be an OHP sheet or the like as the case may be. One sheet of recording material S fed by the feeding and separating devices105A to108A is fed to registration rollers110by way of a feeding portion109. Then, the recording material S is fed in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum104and the scan timing of the original reading device103.

A transfer charging device111and a separation charging device112are provided at positions opposing the photosensitive drum104on a downstream side of the registration roller110in the recording material feeding direction. The image of the developer (toner image) formed on the photosensitive drum104is transferred onto the recording material S fed by the registration roller110, by a transfer charging device111. And, the recording material S onto which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum104by a separation charging device112. Subsequently, heat and pressure are applied to the recording material S fed by the feeding portion113in a fixing portion114, so that the toner is fixed on the recording material. Thereafter, the recording material S to which the toner image is fixed passes through a discharge/reversing portion115and is discharged to the discharge tray117by the discharge roller116, in case of single-sided copy.

On the other hand, in case of double-sided copy, the recording material S passes through the discharge/reversing portion115, and the recording material S is partly discharged to the outside of the apparatus once by the discharge roller116. After this, at the timing when a trailing end of the recording material S passes through the switching member118and is still nipped by the discharge rollers116, the position of the switching member118is switched, and the discharge roller116is rotated counterclockwise, by which the recording material S is fed again into the apparatus. Thereafter, the recording material S is fed to the registration roller110by way of the re-feeding and feeding portions119and120, and is discharged to the discharge tray117by way of the same path as in the case of single-sided copying.

In the image forming apparatus100having the above-described structure, image forming process devices such as a developing device201, a cleaner portion202, a primary charging device203and the like are provided around the photosensitive drum104. Here, the developing device201supplies the developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum104on the basis of the image information of the original101read by the original reading device103so as to develop the electrostatic latent image. In addition, the primary charging device203uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum to form a desired electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum104. Furthermore, the cleaner portion202has a function of removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum104.

As shown inFIG. 2, when the operator opens a replacement cover100bwhich is a portion of an outer cover of the apparatus main assembly100aof the image forming apparatus100, a part of the developer receiving apparatus8which will be described hereinafter can be seen. And, by inserting the supply container1into this developer receiving apparatus8, the supply container1is mounted in a state where it can supply the developer to the developer receiving apparatus8. On the other hand, when the operator exchanges the supply container1, it carries out the operation opposite to the loading operation, by which the supply container1is dismounted from the developer receiving apparatus8, and thereafter a new supply container1can be mounted. Here, the replacement cover100bis a cover exclusively for mounting/dismounting (exchanging) the supply container1, and is opened and closed only for dismounting/mounting the developer supply container1. On the other hand, the maintenance operation for the image forming apparatus100is performed by opening/closing a front cover100c. Here, the replacement cover100band the front cover100cmay be integrated. In such a case, the replacement of the supply container1and the maintenance of the image forming apparatus100are performed by opening and closing the integrated cover (not shown).

Next, referring to part (a) of part (c) ofFIG. 4toFIG. 5, the developer receiving apparatus8constituting the developer supplying system200will be described. As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 3, the developer receiving apparatus8is provided with a mounting portion (mounting space)8fto which the supply container1is dismountably mounted. The mounting portion8fis provided with an insertion guide8efor guiding the supply container1in the mounting and dismounting directions. In the case of this embodiment, the structure is such that the mounting direction of the supply container1is the direction indicated by A, and the dismounting direction B of the supply container1is opposite to the direction A of mounting the supply container1, by the insertion guide8e.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 3to part (a) ofFIG. 4, the developer receiving apparatus8has a driving gear9which functions as a driving mechanism for driving the supply container1. A rotational driving force is transmitted to the driving gear9from a driving motor500by way of a driving gear train (not shown), so that the driving gear9applies the rotational driving force to the supply container1mounted in the mounting portion8f. The operation of the driving motor500is controlled by the control device600. In addition to controlling the driving motor500, the control device600controls overall of the image forming apparatus100. The control device600has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU controls each portion while reading the program corresponding to a control procedure stored in the ROM. In addition, working data and an input data are stored in the RAM, and the CPU executes control while looking up the data stored in the RAM on the basis of the program etc.

In the mounting portion8fof the developer receiving apparatus8, there is provided a developer receiving portion11for receiving the developer discharged out of the supply container1. The developer receiving portion11is connected to a container discharge opening3a4(part (b) ofFIG. 5) of the supply container1when the supply container1is mounted, and has a receiving opening11afor receiving the developer discharged through the container discharge opening3a4. The developer receiving portion11is mounted so as to be movable (displaceable) in the direction in which the receiving opening11amoves toward and away from the container discharge opening3a4(in this embodiment, in the vertical direction relative to the developer receiving apparatus8)). In the case of this embodiment, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 3, the developer receiving portion11is urged by an urging member (e.g. coil spring)12in a direction in which the receiving opening11amoves away from the container discharge opening3a4(vertically downward). Therefore, when the receiving opening11amoves toward the container discharge opening3a4(upward in the vertical direction), the developer receiving portion11moves against the urging force of the urging member12.

In addition, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 4, a shutter stopper portions8aand8bare provided on the mounting portion8fof the developer receiving apparatus8in the upstream side, in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A), of the developer receiving portion11. In the supply container1which is moving relative to the developer receiving apparatus8during mounting and dismounting, the shutter stopper portions8aand8brestrict relative movement of the shutter4only (part (a) ofFIG. 9and the like) with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8, which will be described later. In this case, the shutter4moves relative to a portion of the supply container1other than the shutter4, such as the container body2and the like which will be described later.

As shown in part (b) ofFIG. 3and part (b) ofFIG. 4, below the developer receiving apparatus8in the vertical direction, a sub hopper8cfor temporarily storing the developer supplied from the supply container1is provided. In this sub hopper8c, a feeding screw14for feeding the developer to a developer hopper portion201a(FIG. 1) which is a portion of the developing device201, and an opening8dcommunicating with the developer hopper portion201aare provided.

As shown in part (c) ofFIG. 4, a main assembly seal13formed so as to surround the receiving opening11ais provided in the developer receiving portion11. The main assembly seal13comprises an elastic member, foam and so on. With the supply container1mounted, the main assembly seal13and an opening seal3a5(part (b) ofFIG. 5) surrounding the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1sandwich the shutter4(part (a) ofFIG. 13) in close contact therewith. By this, the developer discharged from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1through the shutter opening4jof the shutter4to the receiving opening11ais prevented from leaking out of the receiving opening11a(developer feed path).

Here, it is desirable that a diameter of the receiving opening11ais substantially the same as or slightly larger than a diameter of the shutter opening4jof the shutter4, in order to prevent the interior of the mounting portion8ffrom being contaminated by the developer. This is because if the diameter of the receiving opening11ais smaller than the diameter of the shutter opening4j, the developer discharged from the shutter opening4jis more likely to be deposited on the upper surface of the main assembly seal13. If the developer is deposited on the lower surface of the supply container1at the time of mounting/dismounting operation of the supply container1, it becomes a cause of contamination by the developer. In view of this point, it is preferable that the diameter of the receiving opening11ais roughly the same as or about 2 mm larger than the diameter of the shutter opening4j. For example, in the case that the diameter of the shutter opening4jof the shutter4is a fine hole (pinhole) of about 2 mm in diameter, it is preferable that the diameter of the receiving opening11ais about 3 mm.

In addition, as shown in part (c) ofFIG. 4, on the side surface of the developer receiving portion11, a supported portion (portion to be supported)11bprojecting toward the center side is provided. In the case of this embodiment, the supported portion11bis supported by a lifting portion30(part (a) ofFIG. 8) (which will be described herein after) at the bottom portion. Although the details will be described hereinafter, in this embodiment, the operation of the lifting portion30moves the developer receiving portion by way of the supported portion11b. The lifting portion30will be described hereinafter.

Next, referring to part (a)FIG. 5to part (b) ofFIG. 13, the supply container1constituting the developer supplying system200will be described. First, referring to parts (a) and (b) ofFIG. 5, the overall structure of the supply container1will be described. The supply container1mainly includes the container body2, a flange portion3, the shutter4, a pump portion5, a reciprocating member6, a cover7, and a lifting portion30. The supply container body2supplies the developer to the developer receiving apparatus8by rotating in the developer receiving apparatus8(part (a) ofFIG. 3) in the direction indicated by an arrow R about the rotation axis P shown in part (a) ofFIG. 5. In the following, each element constituting the supply container1will be described in detail.

As shown inFIG. 6, the container body2mainly comprises a developer accommodating portion2cfor containing the developer. In addition, the container body2is provided with a helical feeding groove2a(feeding portion) for feeding the developer in the developer accommodating portion2cby rotating the container body2in the direction of the arrow R around the rotation axis P. In addition, as shown inFIG. 6, a cam groove2band a drive receiving portion (gear)2dfor receiving a driving force from the main assembly side are integrally formed over the entire periphery of the outer circumferential surface of the container body2on one end side. Here, in this embodiment, the cam groove2band the drive receiving portion (gear)2dare integrally formed with the container body2, but the cam groove2bor the drive receiving portion2dmay be formed as a separate member and may be integrally mounted to the container body2. In addition, in this embodiment, for example, a toner including a volume average particle diameter of 5 μm to 6 μm is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion2cas the developer. In addition, in this embodiment, the developer accommodating portion2cincludes not only the container body2but also the interior spaces of the flange portion3and the pump portion5which will be described hereinafter.

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 5through part (b) ofFIG. 8, the flange portion3will be described. The flange portion3is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the container body2about the rotation axis P. And, when the developer supply container1is mounted to the developer receiving apparatus8(part (a) ofFIG. 3), the flange portion3is held so as not to rotate in the arrow R direction relative to the mounting portion8f(part (a) ofFIG. 3). The flange portion3comprises an upper flange portion31and a lower flange portion32in consideration of ease of assembly, as will be described below, the pump portion5, the reciprocating member6, the shutter4, the cover7, and the lifting portion30are assembled to the flange portion.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 5, a pump portion5is threadedly joined to one end side of the upper flange portion31, and the container body2is joined to the other end side with a seal member (not shown) therebetween. In addition, the reciprocating member6is disposed with the pump portion5therebetween, and the engaging projection6b(part (a) ofFIG. 10) provided on the reciprocating member6is fitted into the cam groove2b(FIG. 6) of the container body2. Also, a shutter4is incorporated between the upper flange portion31and the lower flange portion32. In this embodiment, the flange portion3and the shutter4constitute a discharge portion700for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion2c. The surface on which the shutter4is provided is the bottom surface of the flange portion3. And, for the purpose of improving the appearance and for the purpose of protecting the reciprocating member6and the pump portion5, the cover7is integrally assembled to cover the flange portion3, the pump portion5, and the reciprocating member6as a whole, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 5. Here, as shown in part (c) ofFIG. 5, the lifting portion30described hereinafter is disposed below a plane H including the rotation axis P. This plane H including the axis of rotation P is a horizontal plane and is located below this horizontal plane.

The upper flange portion31will be described. The upper flange portion31shown in part (a) ofFIG. 7is provided with a pump joint portion3a1screwed to the pump portion5, a container main body joint portion3a2to which the container body2is connected, a container body2, and a storing portion3a3for storing the developer. In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 7, the upper flange portion31is provided with a circular container discharge opening3a4for discharging the developer of the storing portion3a3to the developer receiving apparatus8on the bottom surface, and an opening seal3a5disposed so as to surround the container discharge opening3a4. Here, the opening seal3a5is adhered to the lower surface of the upper flange portion31with a double-sided tape or the like, for example, and is sandwiched between the shutter4and the upper flange portion31which will be described hereinafter, so that leakage of the developer from the container discharge opening3a4can be prevented.

Here, as mentioned above, the diameter of the container discharge opening3a4is about 2 mm such that which the developer is unnecessarily discharged at the time of opening and closing the shutter4due to the mounting and dismounting operation of the supply container1to the developer receiving apparatus8by which the surroundings thereof are not contaminated with the developer. Here, in this embodiment, although the container discharge opening3a4is formed on the lower surface side of the supply container1, more specifically, on the bottom side of the upper flange portion31, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the container discharge opening3a4may be formed on a side other than an upstream side end surface or a downstream side end surface in the mounting direction of the supply container1to the developer receiving apparatus8. Even in such a case, the connection structure shown in this embodiment can be applied. When the container discharge opening3a4is formed on a side surface, the position thereof can be selected in consideration of individual circumstances of the product.

The lower flange portion32will be described. As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 7, the lower flange portion32is provided with a shutter insertion portion3b1into which a shutter4(part (a) ofFIG. 13) to be described hereinafter is inserted. The lower flange portion32is integrated with the upper flange portion31in a state in which the shutter4is inserted in the shutter insertion portion3b1.

In the case of this embodiment, a pair of lift holding portions3bfor holding a later-described lifting portion30(part (a) inFIG. 12) are extended from the lower side to the upper side on the respective sides of the lower flange portion32in a widthwise direction crossing with the mounting/dismounting direction of the supply container1and crossing in the vertical direction. As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 8and part (b) ofFIG. 8, a pair of lift holding portions3barranged to face each other in the mounting direction of the supply container1holds the lifting portion30so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. In the case of this embodiment, the lift holding portion3bis formed in a recess shape so as to be engageable with the fitting portion30a(part (a) ofFIG. 12) of the protrudingly formed lifting portion30. And, below the pair of lift holding portions3b, a lift stopper portion3cextending from one side to the other side is formed. The lift stopper portion3cfalls downward in the vertical direction due to its own weight and abuts to the lifting portion30when there is no force to lift the lifting portion30upward in the vertical direction is applied.

Referring to parts (a) and (b) ofFIG. 9, the pump portion5will be described. The pump portion5alternately and repeatedly changes the internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion2c, switching between a state lower than the atmospheric pressure and a state higher than atmospheric pressure by the driving force (FIG. 6) received by the drive receiving portion2dof the container body2. In this embodiment, in order to stably discharge the developer through the small container discharge opening3a4as described above, the pump portion5is provided at a portion of the supply container1. The pump portion5is a displacement type pump in which a volume is changed. More specifically, the pump portion5employed in this embodiment has a bellows-like stretchable member capable of expanding and contracting.

The pressure inside the supply container1is changed by the expansion and contracting operations of the pump portion5, and the developer is discharged by utilizing the pressure. More specifically, when the pump portion5is contracted, the interior of the supply container1is brought into a compressed state, and the developer is pushed out to discharge through the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1. In addition, when the pump portion5is expanded, the interior of the supply container1is brought into a reduced pressure state, and the air is taken in from the outside through the container discharge opening3a4. By air taken in, the developer in the container discharge opening3a4and in the neighborhood of the storing portion3a3(part (a) ofFIG. 7) that stores the developer transported from the container body2of the flange portion3is loosened and smoothly discharged. That is, in the neighborhood of the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1and the neighborhood of the storing portion3a3, the developer in the supply container1may gather due to vibrations imparted when transporting the supply container1and so on, with the possible result that the developer is caked in this portion. Therefore, as described above, the air is taken in through the container discharge opening3a4, so that it is possible to loosen the developer that has been caked. In addition, in the usual discharging operation of the developer, as air is taken in as described above, the air and the powder as the developer are mixed with the result that the flowability of the developer is enhanced, and therefore, clogging of the developer does not easily occur, as an additional advantage.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 9in the pump portion5, a joint portion5bis provided so as to be able to be joined with the upper flange portion31on the opening end side (dismounting direction B). In this embodiment, screw threads are formed as the joint portion5b. In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 9, the pump portion5has a reciprocating member engaging portion5cwhich engages with the reciprocating member6(parts (a) ofFIG. 10), which will be described hereinafter, on the other end side.

In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 9, the pump portion5has a bellows-shaped expandable portion (bellows portion, expansion and contraction member)5ain which crests and bottoms are alternately formed periodically. The expansion and contraction portion5ais capable by being folded by moving the reciprocating member engaging portion5cin the direction of the arrow B or expanded by moving it in the direction of the arrow B along the folding lines (with folding lines as the base point). Therefore, when the bellows-like pump portion5as employed in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce variations in volumetric change with respect to the expansion and contraction amount, and therefore, it is possible to accomplish the stable volumetric change.

Here, in this embodiment, polypropylene resin is used as the material of the pump portion5, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As for the material (material) of the pump portion5, any material may be used as long as it has an expansion and contraction function and is capable of changing the internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion2cby changing the volume. For example, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene, and so on are usable. Or, rubber, other stretchable materials or the like can also be used.

Referring to parts (a) and (b) ofFIG. 10, the reciprocating member6will be described. As shown in parts (a) and (b) ofFIG. 10, in order to change the volume of the pump portion5, the reciprocating member6is provided with a pump engaging portion6a(part (b) ofFIG. 9) which engages with the reciprocating member engaging portion5cprovided on the pump portion (part (b) ofFIG. 10). In addition, the reciprocating member6is provided with an engaging projection6bto be engaged with the above-described cam groove2b(FIG. 6) at the time of assembly. The engaging projection6bis provided at the free end portion of the arm6cextending in the mounting and dismounting direction (arrows A and B in the Figure) from the neighborhood of the pump engaging portion6a. In addition, the reciprocating member6is regulated in rotation around the rotation axis P (part (a) ofFIG. 5) of the arm6cby the reciprocating member holding portion7b(part (b) ofFIG. 11) of the cover7which will be described hereinafter. Therefore, when the container body2is driven by the drive receiving portion2dby the driving gear9, and the cam groove2brotates integrally, the reciprocating member6reciprocates back and forth in the directions A and B by the urging action of the engaging projection6bfitted in the cam groove2band the reciprocating member holding portion7bof the cover7. Accordingly, the pump portion5engaged with the pump engaging portion6aof the reciprocating member6by way of the reciprocating member engaging portion5cexpands and contracts in the direction B and the direction A.

Referring to parts (a) and (b) ofFIG. 11, the cover7will be described. As described above, the cover7is provided as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 5for the purpose of improving the appearance of the supply container1and protecting the reciprocating member6and the pump portion5. In more detail, the cover7is provided integrally with the upper flange portion31and the lower flange portion32and so on so as to cover the entirety of the flange portion3, the pump portion5, and the reciprocating member6. As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 11, the cover7is provided with a guide groove7ato be guided by the insertion guide8e(part (a) ofFIG. 3) of the developer receiving apparatus8. In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 11, the cover7is provided with a reciprocating member holding portion7bfor restricting rotation of the reciprocating member6about the rotation axis P (part (a) ofFIG. 5).

Referring part (a) ofFIG. 12and part (b) ofFIG. 12, the lifting portion30will be described. The lifting portion30as the support portion is provided with the fitting portion30a, a shutter sliding portion30b, a receiving support portion30c, and the lift body portion30d. The fitting portion30ais formed at each end portion of the lift main assembly portion30dwith respect to the mounting and dismounting direction of the supply container1and engages with the lift holding portion3b(part (a) ofFIG. 8) of the flange portion3. By this, the lifting portion30is held slidably in the vertical direction relative to the flange portion3.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 12, the lift main assembly portion30dis formed so that the receiving support portion30cprojects in the width direction and extends in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A) of the supply container1. The receiving support portion30ccan support the supported portion (portion to be supported)11b(part (c) ofFIG. 4) of the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction. In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 12, on the surface of the lift main assembly portion30dopposite to the receiving support portion30c, the shutter sliding portion30bas a sliding portion projects in the width direction and is extended in the mounting direction of the supply container1. However, in the mounting direction, the length of the shutter sliding portion30bis shorter than that of the receiving support portion30cand is disposed on the upstream side of the center of the lift main assembly portion30d. Here, in the case of this embodiment, the receiving support portion30cis substantially parallel to the mounting direction or the direction of the rotation axis P (part (a) ofFIG. 5), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the receiving support portion30cmay be inclined.

Furthermore, in the shutter sliding portion30b, a leading end surface30bain the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A) is formed in an inclined shape. In more detail, as will be described hereinafter, the shutter sliding portion30bslides relative to the shutter inclined portion4f(part (b) ofFIG. 13) of the shutter4when supplying container1is mounted or dismounted. Here, in order to slide smoothly relative to the shutter inclined portion4fat this time, the free end surface30baof the shutter sliding portion30bis inclined and the inclination angle thereof with respect to the mounting and dismounting direction of the supply container1is substantially the same inclination angle as that of the shutter inclined portion4f.

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 13and part (b) ofFIG. 13, the shutter4will be described. The shutter4slides on the shutter insertion portion3b1(part (a) inFIG. 7) of the lower flange portion32and is movable relative to a portion (flange portion3) of the supply container1. The shutter4has a shutter opening4jto open and close the container discharge opening3a4as the discharge opening of the supply container1, with the mounting and dismounting operation of the supply container1. As for the shutter4, the shutter opening4jand the container discharge opening3a4communicate with each other by moving relative to the supply container1in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1, and furthermore, the opening11aof the developer receiving portion11communicates with each other. By this, the developer inside the supply container1can be discharged to the receiving opening11a. That is, the discharge portion700(part (b) ofFIG. 5) for discharging the developer is constituted by the flange portion3and the shutter4, and a shutter opening4jas a discharge opening for discharging the developer is formed in the shutter4of the discharge portion700.

On the other hand, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 13and part (b) ofFIG. 13, a developer sealing portion4ais provided at a position offset from the shutter opening4jof the shutter4. As the shutter4moves relative to the supply container1in accordance with the operation of dismounting the supply container1, the developer sealing portion4acloses the container discharge opening3a4. In addition, when the supply container1is not mounted to the mounting portion8f(part (a) ofFIG. 3) of the developer receiving apparatus8, the developer sealing portion4aprevents leakage of the developer through the container discharge opening3a4. A sliding surface slidable on the shutter insertion portion3b1of the flange portion3is provided on the back surface side (the developer receiving portion11side) of the developer sealing portion4a. Here, the shutter4is engaged with the flange portion3with the developer sealing portion4afacing upward.

The shutter4includes stopper portions4b,4cheld by shutter stopper portions8a,8b(part (a) inFIG. 4) of the developer receiving apparatus8so that the supply container1can move relative to the shutter4. The first stopper portion4bof the stopper portions4band4cis engaged with the first shutter stopper portion8aof the developer receiving apparatus8to fix the position of the shutter4relative to the developer receiving apparatus8, during the mounting operation of the supply container1. The second stopper portion4cis engaged with the second shutter stopper portion8bof the developer receiving apparatus8, during the dismounting operation of the supply container1.

In addition, the shutter4has a support portion4dwhich displaceably supports the stopper portions4band4c. In order to displaceably support the first stopper portion4band the second stopper portion4c, the supporting portion4dis extended from the developer sealing portion4aand can be elastically deformed. Here, the first stopper portion4bis inclined, and the angle α formed by the first stopper portion4band the support portion4dis an acute angle. On the contrary, the second stopper portion4cis inclined, and the angle β formed by the second stopper portion4cand the support portion4dis an obtuse angle.

The shutter opening4jis a discharge opening for discharging the developer in the supply container1to the outside, and as the shutter4slides relative to the flange portion3, the developer in the supply container1becomes capable of being discharged to the outside only when the container discharge opening3a4and the shutter opening4jcommunicate with each other. If the container discharge opening3a4and the shutter opening4jare not communicating with each other, the developer sealing portion4acloses the container discharge opening3a4, and leakage of the developer to the outside of the supply container1is prevented.

In this embodiment, the shutter4is utilized to operate the lifting portion30. In order to achieve this, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 13, a shutter inclined portion4fas an inclined portion is provided on the shutter4so as to project from the supporting portion4d. The shutter inclined portion4fis inclined such that a length measured in the vertical direction gradually increases from the upstream side (front side) toward the downstream side (back side) in the mounting direction (arrow A direction) of the supply container1. In other words, the shutter inclined portion4fhas an inclined surface that decreases toward the developer receiving portion from the downstream side toward the upstream side in the mounting direction. In more detail, as will be described hereinafter, when the supply container1moves relative to the shutter4, the lifting portion30also moves relative to the shutter4. In that case, as the shutter sliding portion30bof the lifting portion30slides relative to the shutter inclined portion4f, the lifting portion30is vertically moved along the shutter inclined portion4fin the vertical direction.

Here, the inclined surface of the shutter inclined portion4fis not limited to a straight line as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 13. The shape of the shutter inclined portion4fmay be a curved shape, for example, as long as the lifting portion30can be moved in the vertical direction. However, from the standpoint of making constant the operating force in accordance with the mounting and dismounting operation of the supply container1, a linear inclined shape is desirable. Here, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the shutter inclined portion4frelative to the mounting/dismounting direction of the supply container1is about 10 to 50 degrees, for example. In this embodiment, the angle is about 40 degrees.

[Operation of Developer Receiving Portion]

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 12to Part (b) ofFIG. 13, parts (a) ofFIG. 14to (d) ofFIG. 15and so on, the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion11to the supply container1by the lifting portion30will be described in chronological order of the mounting operation of the supply container1to the developer receiving apparatus8. Part (a) ofFIG. 14and Part (a) ofFIG. 15show the state at the time of starting the mounting of the supply container1,

Part (b) ofFIG. 14and part (b) ofFIG. 15show the state of the rising start of the lifting portion30. Part (c) ofFIG. 14and part (c) ofFIG. 15show a state of rising of the lifting portion30, and part (d) ofFIG. 14and part (d) ofFIG. 15show the state when the mounting of the supply container1is completed. The parts (a) to (d) ofFIG. 14show the neighborhood of the connection between the supply container1and the developer receiving portion11. The parts (a) to (d) ofFIG. 15are particularly shown in the relationship between the shutter4and the lifting portion30. Here, the mounting operation is an operation until the developer can be supplied from the supply container1to the developer receiving apparatus8.

At the time of starting mounting of the supply container1as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 14, the first stopper portion4bof the shutter4is not yet in contact with the first shutter stopper portion8aof the developer receiving apparatus8, and therefore, the shutter4and the lifting portion30move integrally without moving relative to each other in the supply container1. When the shutter4and the lifting portion30move integrally, the inclined portion4fof the shutter4and the shutter sliding portion30bare maintained in a non-contact state where they are not in contact with each other, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 15. When the inclined portion4fand the shutter sliding portion30bare in a non-contact state, the lifting portion30is at the lowermost position abutting against the lift stopper portion3c, and the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30does not support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. As described in the foregoing, the developer receiving portion11is urged in a direction away from the supply container1by the urging member12(part (b) ofFIG. 3), and therefore, the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1. Here, the container discharge opening3a4is sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4.

When the supply container1is inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 14to the downstream side of the mounting direction, the state becomes as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 14. In this case, the first stopper portion4bof the shutter4and the first shutter stopper portion8aof the developer receiving apparatus8are engaged with each other. By this, the position of the shutter4with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8is fixed. In this manner, by holding the position of the shutter4with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8, the movement of the shutter4in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A) with respect to the developer receiving portion11is stopped, but the movement of the supply container1in the mounting direction with respect to the developer receiving portion11except for the shutter4is maintained. In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 15, the shutter inclined portion4fand the shutter sliding portion30bstart to contact each other. Also, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11starts to be supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30. That is, the lifting portion30is moved to a position (or a supportable position) where the receiving support portion30csupports the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. In this case, the shutter opening4jreaches upward in the vertical direction of the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11, while the container discharge opening3a4is maintained in a state sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4. However, the developer receiving portion11is not displaced from its initial position, and the receiving opening11ais in a state of being separated from the container discharge opening3a4(shutter opening4j), as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 14.

Subsequently, when the supply container1is further inserted from the state shown in part (b) ofFIG. 14to the downstream side of the mounting direction, the supply container1moves relative to the shutter4in the mounting direction, as shown in part (c) ofFIG. 14. In addition, in this case, as shown in part (c) ofFIG. 15, the shutter sliding portion30bis moved upward along the inclined portion4fwhile sliding on the shutter inclined portion4fin accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1. By this, the lifting portion30is moved substantially upward in the vertical direction. And, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11is moved upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member12.

Subsequently, when the supply container1is further inserted from the state shown in part (c) ofFIG. 14toward the downstream side the mounting direction, as in the previous case, the supply container1moves relative to the shutter4in the mounting direction, by which the supply container1reaches the mounting completion position, as shown in part (d) ofFIG. 14. The positional relationship between the container discharge opening3a4and the lifting portion30at the mounting completion position is such that a plane L passing through the container discharge opening3a4(a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passes through the lifting portion30, as shown in part (d) ofFIG. 14. In addition, a plane including the receiving support portion30c(part (a) ofFIG. 12) of the lifting portion30is disposed between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening3a4. And, as shown in part (d) ofFIG. 15, in a state in which the shutter sliding portion30breaches the top portion of the shutter inclined portion4f, the lifting portion30stops moving upward in the vertical direction. In this case, in the developer receiving portion11where the supported portion11bis supported by the lifting portion30, the receiving opening11ais connected to the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1. In this manner, a state in which developer can be supplied is established. In more detail, the developer in the developer accommodating portion2cof the container body2can be supplied from the storing portion3a3to the sub hopper8cthrough the container discharge opening3a4and the receiving opening11aby the reciprocating motion of the pump portion5described above.

Here, as shown in part (d) ofFIG. 15, when the supply container1reaches the mounting completion position with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is pressed against the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30by the urging force of the urging member12. Therefore, the position of the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction is kept in a stable state.

Next, the operation of the lifting portion30in accordance with the removal operation of the supply container1from the developer receiving apparatus8will be described. Here, the removal operation of the supply container1is performed in the reverse order of the above-described mounting operation. That is, in accordance with the order from part (d) ofFIG. 14and part (d) ofFIG. 15to part (a) ofFIG. 14and part (a) ofFIG. 15, the supply container1is dismounted from the developer receiving apparatus8. Here, the dismounting operation is an operation in which the supply container1is ready to be taken out from the developer receiving apparatus8.

At the mounting completion position shown in part (d) ofFIG. 14, when the amount of developer in the supply container1decreases, a message prompting the operator to replace the supply container1is displayed on a monitor (not shown) provided on the image forming apparatus100(FIG. 1). The operator who prepared the new supply container1opens the replacement cover100bof the image forming apparatus100shown inFIG. 2, and pulls out the supply container1from the developer receiving apparatus8in the dismounting direction (direction of arrow B). In this process, the second stopper portion4cof the shutter4is in contact with the second shutter stopper portion8bof the developer receiving apparatus8, and therefore, the shutter4does not displace in the dismounting direction in accordance with the operation of dismounting the supply container1. That is, the supply container1moves relative to the shutter4. In this embodiment, until supply container1is taken out (from part (d) ofFIG. 14to the position in part (b) inFIG. 14), the shutter4cannot be displaced relative to the developer receiving apparatus8, and the supply container1moves relative to the shutter4.

At this time, as shown in part (d) ofFIG. 15and part (b) ofFIG. 15, the developer receiving portion11moves downward in the vertical direction in accordance with the dismounting operation of the supply container1. That is, when the supply container1and the shutter4relatively move, the shutter sliding portion30bis moved downward along the shutter inclined portion4fso as to slide down the shutter inclined portion4f, by its own weight of the lifting portion30and the urging force of the urging member12. By this, the lifting portion30is substantially moved downward in the vertical direction and the developer receiving portion11supported by the supported portion11bby the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30moves downward in the vertical direction. And, along with further dismounting operation of the supply container1, the developer receiving portion11is moved downward in the vertical direction by the lifting portion30and reaches the position shown in part (a) ofFIG. 15, by which the separating operation of the developer receiving portion11from the supply container1by the lifting portion30is completed.

Thereafter, when taking the supply container1further outward in the dismounting direction, the second stopper portion4cof the shutter4abuts to the second shutter stopper portion8bof the developer receiving apparatus8. By this, the second stopper portion4cof the shutter4is elastically deformed along the inclined surface of the second shutter stopper portion8bso that the shutter4can be displaced in the dismounting direction relative to the developer receiving apparatus8together with the supplying container1. That is, the shutter4seals the container discharge opening3a4. And, when the supply container1is taken out of the developer receiving apparatus8, the shutter4is in a state in which the supply container1has returned to the position where it was not mounted to the developer receiving apparatus8. Therefore, the container discharge opening3a4is reliably sealed by the shutter4, and the developer is not scattered from the supply container1dismounted from the developer receiving apparatus8.

Conventional Example

Here, referring to part (a) ofFIG. 77to part (d) ofFIG. 77, the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion11according to the conventional example will be briefly described. As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 77to part (d) ofFIG. 77, in the conventional example, a guide portion310engaging with the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is provided on the side surface of the flange portion3. Following the mounting operation of the supply container1in the direction of the arrow A, the guide portion310guides the developer receiving portion11to displace toward the supply container1, so that the state in which they are connected to each other to enable supply of the developer from the supply container1to the developer receiving portion11is established. In addition, along with the operation of dismounting the supply container1in the direction of the arrow B, the guide portion310guides the developer receiving portion11so as to be displaced in a direction away from the supply container1, so that the state of connection between the supply container1and the developer receiving portion11is ceased. To achieve this, the guide portion310is inclined so that it gradually ascends in the vertical direction from the downstream side toward the upstream side in the mounting direction of the supply container1. By this, the developer receiving portion11(specifically, the supported portion11b) is moved along the guide portion310utilizing the force applied to the supply container1at the time of mounting and dismounting. However, in this case, especially during the mounting operation of the supply container1, the force for displacing in the mounting direction and the force for displacing in the vertical direction by the guide portion310are liable to be applied to the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11at the same time. Therefore, it became a load, tending to hinder the smooth mounting of the supply container1.

On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, along with the mounting operation of the supply container1, as described above, a force to lift the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction (the supply container side) by the lifting portion30is applied. In this case, the force displacing in the mounting direction and acting on the developer receiving portion11is extremely small as compared with that in the above-described conventional example. Therefore, when moving the developer receiving portion11in the mounting operation of the supply container1, the load required for the movement of the developer receiving portion11is reduced, and therefore the supply container can be smoothly mounted.

In Embodiment 1 described above, the shutter inclined portion4fis provided in the shutter4, the shutter sliding portion30bis provided in the lifting portion30, and the lifting portion30is operated using the shutter4relatively moving relative to the lifting portion30, but the mechanism for operating the lifting portion30is not limited to this example. For example, the shutter and the lift portion may be connected by a plurality of gears and these gears may be driven by the relative movement of the lift portion and the shutter so that the lift portion is operated.

Referring to parts (b) ofFIGS. 16 to 21, such Embodiment 2 will be described. In this embodiment, as will be described hereinafter, a second rack gear30eis provided in the lifting portion30A, a first rack gear4gis provided in the shutter4A, and a pinion gear40for connecting the gears is provided in the lower flange portion32. Other basic structures and operations are the same as those of Embodiment 1 described above, and therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the following description focuses on portions different from Embodiment 1.

FIG. 16shows the flange portion3A of Embodiment 2. As shown inFIG. 16, in the flange portion3A of this embodiment, in addition to the above-described lift holding portion3band the lift stopper portion3c, a pinion gear holding portion3gis provided on the side surface of the lower flange portion32so as to project in the widthwise direction. The pinion gear holding portion3grotatably holds the pinion gear40shown inFIG. 17. As shown inFIG. 17, the pinion gear40as a rotatable member has a first gear portion40aand a second gear portion40bhaving a diameter larger than that of the first gear portion40aand is provided with a through hole40cthrough which the pinion gear holding portion3gpasses.

The lifting portion30A of Embodiment 2 is shown in parts (a) to (b) ofFIG. 18. As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 18to part (b) ofFIG. 18, as compared with the lifting portion30of Embodiment 1, in the lifting portion30A, a second rack gear30e(lift gear) is provided, instead of the shutter sliding portion30b, on the surface of the lift main assembly portion30dopposite to the receiving support portion30c. The second rack gear30eas a conversion transmission mechanism extends in the vertical direction and is engaged with the first gear portion40aof the above-described pinion gear40.

The shutter4A of Embodiment 2 is shown inFIG. 19. As shown inFIG. 19, as compared with the shutter4A of Embodiment 1, in the shutter4A, the supporting portion4ddoes not have the shutter inclined portion4f(part (b) ofFIG. 13), but instead, the first rack gear4gis provided. The first rack gear4gserving as the rotation operating portion extends in the mounting direction of the supply container1and is engaged with the second gear portion40bof the pinion gear40.

FIG. 20shows the supplying container1A of this embodiment in which the above-described lifting portion30A, the shutter4A and the pinion gear40are combined. The pinion gear40provided in the discharge portion700rotates about the pinion gear holding portion3g. The rotation of the pinion gear40occurs when the lifting portion30A and the shutter4A move relative to each other. That is, the flange portion3A (more specifically, the lower flange portion32) relatively moves relative to the shutter4A on the first rack gear4gof the shutter4A which is restricted in the movement, while rotating the pinion gear40via the second gear portion40b. Then, the rotation of the pinion gear40is transmitted to the second rack gear30eengaged with the first gear portion40a, and the lifting portion30A is moved in the vertical direction by way of the second rack gear30e. That is, the rotational motion of the pinion gear40is converted into linear motion by the second rack gear30eand transmitted to the lifting portion30A so that the lifting portion30A is operated.

[Operation of Developer Receiving Portion]

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 21and part (b) ofFIG. 21, the operation of connecting the developer receiving portion11with the supply container1by the lifting portion30A will be described. Part (a) ofFIG. 21shows the state of the lifting start of the lifting portion30A, Part (b) ofFIG. 21shows a state at the time of completion of mounting of the supply container1A. Here, in part (a) ofFIG. 21and part (b) ofFIG. 21, in order to make the illustration easier to understand, the gear which is not seen due to overlapping with the lifting portion30A is shown.

When the supply container1is inserted into the developer receiving apparatus8(part (a) inFIG. 3) in the mounting direction after the movement of the shutter4A in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A) is restricted, the lifting portion30A moves relative to the shutter4A in the mounting direction. In this case, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 21, the pinion gear40is rotated by way of the second gear portion40bby the first rack gear4gof the shutter4A in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1. And, the rotation thereof is transmitted to the second rack gear30eof the lifting portion30A by way of the first gear portion40a. By this, the lifting portion30A starts moving upward in the vertical direction. And, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30A, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11is moved upward in the vertical direction. Subsequently, when the supply container1is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 21in the mounting direction, the lifting portion30A relatively moves relative to the shutter4A in the same manner as described before, so that the supply container1is completely mounted to reach the position shown in part (b) ofFIG. 21.

As above, in Embodiment 2, in order to move the developer receiving portion11, the lifting portion30is operated by way of the gear in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1, and the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is lifted upward in the vertical direction (toward the supply container side) by the lifting portion30. According to this, the load on the movement of the developer receiving portion11is reduced, and the smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved as in Embodiment 1.

Furthermore, in the case of Embodiment 2, the lifting portion30is operated by utilizing the smooth rotation by the gear, and therefore, the operability at the time of mounting the supply container1is improved. Therefore, the operator can mount the supply container1smoothly with a lighter force than with the conventional structure.

Here, in the above-described Embodiment 2, a rack and pinion gear is used to operate the lifting portion30in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. If the linear motion (reciprocating motion) in the mounting direction to the rotary motion can be converted into a rotational motion, and then the rotational motion can be converted into the vertical motion (reciprocal motion), another mechanism such as a slider crank mechanism may be used, for example.

In Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 described above, although the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion11to the supply container is performed by using the shutter, the present invention is not limited to this and the shutter may not be used. Embodiment 3 which makes it possible to perform the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion11to the supply container1without using a shutter will be described, referring to parts (a) ofFIG. 22through part (b) ofFIG. 31. In Embodiment 3, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent portions as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and the explanation thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the portions different from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described below.

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 22and part (b) ofFIG. 22, the supply container1B of Embodiment 3 will be described. The supply container1B mainly includes a container body2, a flange portion3B, a shutter4B, a pump portion5, a reciprocating member6, a cover7, and a lift unit portion300. The lift unit portion300includes a lifting portion30B and a lift operation arm portion45the lifting portion300is disposed in the supply container1B such that the lift operation arm45projects from the cover7in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A). As shown in part (b) ofFIG. 22, the flange portion3B comprises an upper flange portion31and a lower flange portion32B, and the upper flange portion31and the lower flange portion32B are integrated in the state that the shutter4B inserted.

Referring toFIG. 23, the flange portion3B will be described. As shown inFIG. 23, each of the side walls in the width direction of the lower flange portion32B constituting the flange portion3B) is provided with a restriction rib3ia function of holding the lifting portion30B (part (a) ofFIG. 24) to restrict the moving direction of the lifting portion30B and a function of guiding the lifting portion30B. In the case of this embodiment, the restricting rib3ias the guide means extends so that the upstream side in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A) of the supply container1B is higher than in the downstream side. Here, in the restriction rib3i, the lifting portion30B is prevented from disengagement, using a snap fit structure (not shown) in order to hold the lifting portion30B so as to be obliquely slidable with respect to the vertical direction. In addition, on each of the side walls in the width direction of the lower flange portion32B, a holding member3nwhich holds the lifting operation arm portion45movably in the mounting and dismounting direction is provided at a position downstream of the restricting rib3iin the mounting direction. The holding member3nis provided with a through hole through which the lift operation arm portion45can be passed. Also, the lower flange portion32B is provided with a placing groove3kfor placing a portion of the lift operation arm portion45so as to be slidable in the dismounting direction, and a fixing portion3pfor fixing one end of an urging member41(part (a) ofFIG. 24) for urging the lift operation arm portion45in the mounting direction. The lift operation arm portion45placed in the placing groove3kis prevented from disengaging out of the supply container1B by the cover7A (FIG. 27).

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 24to part (b) ofFIG. 25, the lifting portion300will be described. As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 24, the lifting portion300includes a lifting portion30B, a lift operation arm portion45as a slide operation unit, and an urging member41. As shown in part (b) ofFIG. 24, the lifting portion30B includes a receiving support portion30Ba capable of supporting the developer receiving portion11(more specifically, supported portion11b) and a main body portion30Bb including an engaging hole30Bd engaged with the restricting rib3iof the lower flange portion32. Similarly to the restricting rib3iof the lower flange portion32B, the engaging hole30Bd as the holding portion is formed such that the upstream side in the mounting direction is higher than the downstream side, and engages with the restricting rib3ito slidably hold the lifting portion30B. On the other hand, as shown in part (c) ofFIG. 24, one end portion of the lift operation arm portion45has a shape bifurcated in the width direction. As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 24, the pair of bifurcated arms45bare passed through the through holes of the holding member3n, and their end surfaces abut the abutment surface30Bc of the lifting portion30B. Here, in the case of this embodiment, the lift operation arm portion45and the lifting portion30B are slidable, but the present invention is not limited this example, and the lift operation arm portion45and the lifting portion30B may be integrally formed. However, in such a case, the lift operation arm portion45is formed so as to be elastically deformable, by which the lifting portion30B can move along the restriction rib3i.

On the other hand, the arm45awhich is not bifurcated is partly placed on the placing groove3kand has a step provided by different diameters so as to form the abutment surface45dto be brought into contact with the cover7A. A thin side of the arm45aprojects out of the placing groove3kand projects out of the cover7A. The arm45ahas such a length that the leading end abuts the developer receiving apparatus8when the supply container1is mounted. At a branching position between the arm45aand the pair of arms45b, a mounting portion45cfor mounting the urging member41is provided. As shown in part (d) ofFIG. 24, the urging member41is a coil spring, for example. By the urging force of the urging member41, the lift motion arm portion45is maintained in a state that the abutment surface45dabuts against the cover7A when the supply container1is not mounted to the developer receiving apparatus8.

Until the leading end portion of the lift operation arm portion45abuts to the developer receiving apparatus8, a force in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A) is applied to the lift operation arm portion45by the urging force of the urging member41, when mounting the supply container1B. In that case, the lifting portion30B is not pushed in the direction opposite to the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow B) by the lift operation arm portion45, and therefore, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 25, it is held at the upper end side of the engaging hole30Bd by the restricting rib3iof the lower flange portion32B by its own weight. And, when the leading end portion of the lift operation arm portion45is brought into contact with the developer receiving apparatus8, the lift operation arm portion45and the supply container1excluding the lift operation arm portion45relatively move, and a force in the direction opposite to the mounting direction is applied against the urging force of the urging member41to the lift operation arm portion45. As a result, the lifting portion30B is pushed in the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the lift operation arm portion45, and is held at the lower end side of the engaging hole30Bd by the restriction rib3iof the lower flange portion32B, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 25. That is, the lifting portion30B rises along the restriction rib3i.

Part (a) ofFIG. 26and part (b) ofFIG. 26show the shutter4B usable with this embodiment. As compared with the shutter4(part (b) ofFIG. 13) usable with Embodiment 1 described above, the shutter4B of this embodiment is different in that it does not have the shutter inclined portion4f. In addition,FIG. 27shows a cover7A usable with this embodiment. As compared with the cover7(part (a) inFIG. 11) usable with the above-described Embodiment 1, the cover7A of this embodiment has a hole7cfor passing the lift operation arm portion45(more specifically, downstream side, in the mounting direction, of the abutment surface45dof the arm45a).

[Operation of Developer Receiving Portion]

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 28to part (b) ofFIG. 31, the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion11to the supply container1B by the lifting portion30B will be described in chronological order of the mounting operation of the supply container1B. Part (a) ofFIG. 28and Part (b) ofFIG. 28show the state at the time of starting installation of the supply container1B, part (a) ofFIG. 29and part (b) ofFIG. 29show the state at the start of ascending of the lifting portion30B. Part (a) ofFIG. 30and part (b) ofFIG. 30show a state of lifting of the lifting portion30B. Part (a) ofFIG. 31and Part (b) ofFIG. 31show the state when the mounting of the supply container1B is completed. Here, the operation of separating the developer receiving portion11from the supply container1B by the lifting portion30B in accordance with the release operation of the supply container1B is opposite to the connecting operation described below, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

When the supplying container1B starts to be mounted as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 28, the first stopper portion4bof the shutter4B and the first shutter stopper portion8aof the developer receiving apparatus8are not yet in contact with each other. At this time, in the supply container1B, the lift operation arm portion45, the lifting portion30B, and the shutter4B move integrally without relative movement therebetween. In addition, the lift operation arm portion45does not abut to the developer receiving apparatus8, and therefore, the lifting portion30B is not pushed in the direction opposite to the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow B) by the lift operation arm portion45. Therefore, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 28, the lifting portion30B is held at the upper end side of the engaging hole30Bd by the restricting rib3iof the lower flange portion32B by its own weight. At this time, the lifting portion30B is in the lowermost position, and therefore, the receiving support portion30Ba of the lifting portion30B does not support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. As described in the foregoing, the developer receiving portion11is urged in a direction away from the supply container1B by the urging member12, and therefore, the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1B. Here, the container discharge opening3a4is sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4B.

When the supply container1B is inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 28to the downstream side in the mounting direction, the first stopper portion4bof the shutter4B and the first shutter stopper portion8aof the developer receiving apparatus8are engaged with each other as mentioned above. By this, the position of the shutter4B relative to the developer receiving apparatus8is fixed so that the relative movement of the shutter4B in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A) relative to the developer receiving portion11is stopped. On the other hand, the relative movement of the supply container1B except the shutter4B to the developer receiving portion11in the mounting direction is maintained. And, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 29, the leading end portion of the lift operation arm portion45abuts to the developer receiving apparatus8and the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is engaged with and supported by the receiving support portion30Ba of the lifting portion30B. As the free end portion of the lift operation arm portion45abuts to the developer receiving apparatus8, the lift operation arm portion45starts to push the lifting portion30B in the direction opposite to the mounting direction (direction of arrow B). In this case, the shutter opening4jreaches above the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction while the container discharge opening3a4is kept sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4B. However, at the time when the lift operation arm portion45starts abutting, the developer receiving portion11is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening11aremains separated from the container discharge opening3a4(shutter opening4j).

Subsequently, when the supply container1B is inserted further into the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 29, the supply container1B moves relative to the shutter4B in the mounting direction, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 30. However, the lifting portion30B is pushed back in the direction opposite to the mounting direction (direction of arrow B) by the lift operation arm portion45with the mounting operation of the supply container1B. It is pushed back to the lift operation arm45by which the lifting portion30B is moved upward along the restriction rib3iwhile the contact surface30Bc (part (b) ofFIG. 24) is sliding on the lift operation arm portion45, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 30. By this, the lifting portion30B is substantially moved upward in the vertical direction. And, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported by the receiving support portion30Ba of the lifting portion30, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11starts to move upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member12. However, the receiving opening11ais still separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1B.

When the supply container1B is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 30to the downstream side in the mounting direction, the supply container1B moves relative to the shutter4B in the mounting direction, by which the supply container1B reaches the mounting completion position, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 31, as in the previous case. In this case, the lifting portion30B is further pushed back by the lift operation arm portion45in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, and in the state where it is held at the lower end side of the engaging hole30Bd by the restriction rib3i, the lifting portion30B in the vertical direction The upward movement is stopped, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 31. And, in the developer receiving portion11where the supported portion11bis supported by the lifting portion30B, the receiving opening11abecomes in a state of being connected to the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1B. In this manner, the developer can be supplied. At this time, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 31, the positional relationship between the container discharge opening3a4and the lifting portion30B is such that a plane L passing through the container discharge opening3a4(a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passes through the lifting portion30B. In addition, the plane including the receiving support portion30Ba of the lifting portion30B is between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening3a4.

In Embodiment 3, as described above, the developer receiving portion11is moved, and therefore, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is raised upward in the vertical direction (the supply container side) by the lifting portion30B operated by the lift operation arm portion45in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1. By this, the load required for the movement of the developer receiving portion11is reduced, thereby enabling the smooth mounting of the supply container as in Embodiment 1.

Next, Embodiment 4 will be described. In Embodiment 4, it is possible to perform a connecting operation of the developer receiving portion11to the supply container without using a shutter unlike Embodiment 3 described above. Here, in Embodiment 4, the same constituent portions as those of the above-described Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the explanation thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the following description focuses on portions different from Embodiment 1. In addition, in this example, the above-described shutter4B (part (a) ofFIG. 26), for example is used as a shutter.

Part (a) ofFIG. 32and Part (b) ofFIG. 32show the developer receiving apparatus8A of this embodiment. In the developer receiving apparatus8A of this embodiment, the pulling member50is provided rotatably on the downstream side in the mounting direction opposite to the mounting portion8facross the developer receiving portion11. The pulling member50retracts and holds the supply container1C to a predetermined mounting completion position in the mounting direction, by rotating in a state that the supply container1C is engaged in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1C.

FIG. 33shows the pulling member50. The pulling member50is provided with a lift holding portion50a, a rotation shaft portion50b, a main body portion50c, and a fixed portion50d. The lift holding portion50aprojects from the main body portion50ctoward the upstream side in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A), and in order to lock the supply container1C, the free end portion is formed into a claw shape. The pulling member50rotates about the rotation shaft portion50b. In this embodiment, the rotation shaft portion50bis provided at the bent portion of the lift holding portion50aso that the free end portion of the lift holding portion50arotates in the opposite direction to the main body portion50cin accordance with the rotation of the main body portion50c. The pull urging member51described later is provided (for example, a coil spring, part (a) ofFIG. 37) to obtain a force to pull the pulling member50to retract the supply container1C toward the mounting direction. The fixed portion50dis provided in the main body portion50cso as to fix one end of the pull urging member51. As described below, in response to the pulling member50being pushed in the mounting direction via the cover7when the supply container1C is mounted, the pulling member50is rotated by the urging force of the urging member51so as to lift the free end of lift holding portion50a.

Referring toFIG. 34, the supply container1C of Embodiment 4 will be described. The supply container1C mainly includes a container body2, a flange portion3C, a shutter4B, a pump portion5, a reciprocating member6, a cover7, and a lifting portion30C. The flange portion3C comprises an upper flange portion31and a lower flange portion32C, and the upper flange portion31and the lower flange portion32C are integrated with each other in the state that the shutter4B inserted.

[Flange Portion and Lift Part]

Referring to part (a) through part (a) ofFIG. 35, and part (b) ofFIG. 36, the flange portion3C and the lifting portion30C will be described. Here, part (a) ofFIG. 35and part (b) ofFIG. 35show the state at the time when the mounting of the supply container1C is completed. In the flange portion3C of this embodiment, a lifting portion30C is rotatably provided on the upper surface side of the lower flange portion32C. The lifting portion30C is mounted to the lower flange portion32C so that it can move up and down on the downstream side in the mounting direction starting from the upstream side in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A) of the lower flange portion32C (the side opposite to the pulling member50of the developer receiving apparatus8A). Specifically, the lower flange portion32C is formed with a fitting portion32Ca which rotatably supports the lifting portion30C (which is fitted to the rotation shaft30Cb of the lifting portion30C).

As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 36, the lifting portion30C is provided with a pair of body arms30C1extending in the mounting direction and connecting portions30C2connecting these body arms30C1. In this embodiment, the lifting portion30C is provided on the upper surface side of the lower flange portion32C, and therefore, the pair of body arms30C1are opposed to each other with a space therebetween in the width direction so that the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1C is not closed by the lifting portion30C. The width dimension of the connecting portion30C2is selected to meet this.

A rotation shaft30Cb is formed on the body arm30C1which projects from one side to the other on the free end side of the upstream side in the mounting direction (the side opposite to the connecting portion30C2). In addition, on the body arm30C1, an locked portion30Ca as a pivotal movement portion projecting toward the opposite side to the rotation shaft30Cb is formed at the free end side (on the same side as the connecting portion30C2) in the mounting direction. As will be detailed hereinafter, the locked portion30Ca is engaged with the pulling member50(more specifically, the lift holding portion50a), and rotates about an axis of the rotation shaft30Cb in accordance with the pull-in operation of the pulling member50to operate a receiving support portion30Cc.

Furthermore, in the body arm30C1, the receiving support portion30Cc is formed so as to project toward the side opposite to the rotation shaft30Cb and extend in the mounting direction. The receiving support portion30Cc is disposed between the locked portion (portion to be locked)30Ca and the rotation shaft30Cb with respect to the mounting direction in the body arm30C1. In other words, in the body arm30C1, a length from the rotation shaft30Cb to the locked portion30Ca is larger than a length from the rotation shaft30Cb to the receiving support portion30Cc with respect to the mounting direction. In this case, a fulcrum is the rotation shaft30Cb, a force point is the receiving support portion30Cc, and an acting point is the locked portion30Ca, and a distance from the fulcrum to the force point can be made longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the action point, from the standpoint of moment. In this manner, the force required to move the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction is reduced.

The receiving support portion30Cc can support the supported portion11b(part (a) ofFIG. 32) of the developer receiving portion11from below in the vertical direction. As shown in part (b) ofFIG. 36, this receiving support30Cc is inclined relative to the body arm30C1so that the upper surface thereof is lower on the downstream side than on the upstream side in the mounting direction. However, the inclination angle of the receiving support portion30Cc with respect to the mounting direction of the supply container1C is selected so as to be in a substantially horizontal state when the mounting of the supply container1C is completed.

[Operation of Developer Receiving Portion]

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 37to part (b) ofFIG. 40, the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion11to the supply container1C by the lifting portion30C will be described in chronological order of the mounting operation of the supply container1C. Part (a) ofFIG. 37and part (b) ofFIG. 37show the state at the time of starting mounting of the supply container1C, and part (a) ofFIG. 38and part (b) ofFIG. 38show the state of the lifting portion30C at the start of movement. Part (a) ofFIG. 39and part (b) ofFIG. 39show the state during rotation of the lifting portion30C, and part (a) ofFIG. 40and part (b) ofFIG. 40show the state at the completion of mounting of the supply container1C. Here, the separating operation of the developer receiving portion11from the supply container1C by the lifting portion30C in accordance with the release operation of the supply container1C is opposite to that in the mounting operation described below, and therefore, description will be omitted.

At the time of starting the mounting of the supply container1C as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 37, a first stopper portion4bof the shutter4B and a first shutter stopper portion8aof the developer receiving apparatus8are not yet in contact with each other. In that case, in the supply container1Cm¥, the lifting portion30C and the shutter4B integrally move without relative movement therebetween. In addition, the pulling member50energized by the pull urging member51has not started pivoting, and the lifting portion30C is not lifted by the pulling member50. For this reason, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 37, the lifting portion30C is moved in the mounting direction, while it is maintained in a substantially horizontal state by its own weight. At this time, the lifting portion30C (more specifically, the receiving support portion30Cc) is in the lowermost position, and the receiving support portion30Cc of the lifting portion30C does not support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. As described in the foregoing, the developer receiving portion11is urged in a direction away from the supply container1C by the urging member12, and therefore, the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1C. Here, the container discharge opening3a4is sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4B.

When the supply container1C is inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 37toward the downstream side of the mounting direction, the relative movement of the shutter4B relative to the developer receiving portion11in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A) is stopped, as in Embodiment 3 described above. And, in the case of this embodiment, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 38, the cover7starts contacting the main body portion50cof the pulling member50. Thereafter, in response to the supply container1C being inserted further into the mounting direction, the supply container1C begins to be drawn in the mounting direction by the pulling member50. In the case of this embodiment, in addition to it, the pulling member50is pushed in the mounting direction by way of the cover7and can pivot so as to raise the free end portion of the lift holding portion50ain accordance with the urging force of the pull urging member51. In addition, at this time, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 38, the leading end portion of the lift holding portion50aof the pulling member50reaches the lower portion of the locked portion30Ca of the lifting portion30C in the vertical direction. Also, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11starts to be supported at the lower portion by the receiving support portion30Cc of the lifting portion30C. In this case, the shutter opening4jreaches above, in the vertical direction, the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11, while the container discharge opening3a4is kept in a state sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4B. However, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 38, the lifting portion30C is maintained in a substantially horizontal state, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11is not displaced from the initial position and the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1C.

Subsequently, when the supply container1C is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 38toward the downstream in the mounting direction, the supply container1C moves relative to the shutter4B in the mounting direction, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 39. In addition, the pulling member50is pushed in the mounting direction by the supply container1C by way of the cover7and rotated, by which the locked portion30Ca of the lifting portion30C is engaged and the lifting portion30C is lifted, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 39. By this, the receiving support portion30Cc of the lifting portion30C is substantially moved upward in the vertical direction. And, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported by the receiving support portion30Cc of the lifting portion30C, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11starts moving upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member12. However, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 39, the receiving opening11ais still separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1C.

When the supply container1C is inserted further into the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 39, the supply container1C moves relative to the shutter4B in the mounting direction in the same manner as described before so that the supply container1C reaches the mounting completion position, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 40. In this case, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 40, the rotation of the lifting portion30C by the pulling member50is stopped, with the receiving support portion30Cc lifted to the maximum height position. And, the developer receiving portion11supported by the supported portion11bon the receiving support portion30Cc is connected to the container discharge opening3a4of the supplying container1C at the receiving opening11a. In this manner, the developer can be supplied. At this time, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 40, the positional relationship between the container discharge opening3a4and the lifting portion30C is such that a plane L passing through the container discharge opening3a4(a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passes through the lifting portion30C. In addition, the plane including the receiving support portion30Cc (part (b) ofFIG. 36) of the lifting portion30C is between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening3a4.

In Embodiment 4, in order to move the developer receiving portion11as described above, the operation of the lifting portion30C in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1C is performed by the pulling member50, and the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is moved upward in the vertical direction (the supply container side). In the case of this embodiment, the pulling member50not only draws the supply container1C in the mounting direction but also rotates the lifting portion30C by the urging force of the pull urging member51. According to this, when the lifting portion30C moves the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction, the urging force of the pull urging member51is applied, and therefore, less force is required as compared with the conventional example described above. That is, the load required for moving the developer receiving portion11is reduced, and therefore, the smooth mounting of the supply container can be realized.

Here, in the above-described Embodiment 4, the lifting portion30C is rotated by using the pulling member50. However, it is not necessary to use the pulling member50to rotate the lifting portion30C. That is, it will suffice if the end surface of the connecting portion30C2of the lifting portion30C is brought into contact with the wall surface on the deep side in the mounting direction of the developer receiving apparatus8A to cause the lifting portion30C to slide on the wall surface of the developer receiving apparatus8A, and the lifting portion30C is rotated about the rotation shaft30Cb.

Next, referring to parts (b) ofFIGS. 41 to 45, Embodiment 5 will be described. In Embodiment 5, it is possible to connect the developer receiving portion11to the supply container without using a shutter unlike Embodiment 3 and 4 described above. Here, in Embodiment 5, the same constituent portions as those of the above-described Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted or simplified. Hereinafter, the description will focus mainly on portions different from Embodiment 1.

As shown inFIG. 41, the supply container1D of Embodiment 5 mainly includes a container body2, a flange portion3D, a shutter4D, a pump portion5, a reciprocating member6, a lifting portion30D, a cover (not shown), a restricting member60, an urging member61as urging means. The flange portion3D comprises the upper flange portion31and the lower flange portion32D, and the upper flange portion31and the lower flange portion32D are integrated with each other in the state that the shutter4D is inserted. A lifting portion30D is mounted to the lower flange portion32D of this embodiment. The lifting portion30D moves integrally with the lower flange portion32D in the mounting/dismounting direction (directions of arrows A and B). On the other hand, the lifting portion30D is mounted to the lower flange portion32D by the urging member61(for example, a coil spring). The lifting portion30D is movable in the vertical direction. The urging member61is fixed to the lower flange portion32D at one end and is fixed to the lifting portion30D at the other end. The urging member61urges the lifting portion30D in the vertical direction (that is, in the direction in which the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11communicates with the container discharge opening3a4). In this embodiment, the lifting portion30D is provided on the upper surface thereof with a supporting portion30Da which is capable of supporting the supported portion11b(part (c) inFIG. 4) of the developer receiving portion11at the bottom.

A restricting member60is slidably mounted at the ends in the width direction of the lower flange portion32D in the manner that the restricting member60can slide in the mounting/dismounting direction (directions indicated by arrows A and B), so that the lower flange portion32D can be moved relative to the lower flange portion32D To. The restricting member60is disposed on the lower flange portion32D so that the lifting portion30D can be pressed against the urging force of the urging member61from the upper side in the vertical direction. The urging member61is in a compressed state while the lifting portion30D is being pressed by the restricting member60. In this embodiment, as will be described hereinafter, the lower flange portion32D moves relative to the restricting member60in response to the mounting operation of the supply container1D, and at this time, the lifting portion30D is moved in the mounting direction while being slid on the restricting member60on the upper surface (receiving and supporting portion30Da). When the pushing state of the lifting portion30D by the restricting member60is ceased, the lifting force of the urging member61moves the lifting portion30D upward in the vertical direction. A relative movement is caused between the restricting member60and the lifting portion30, and the restricting member60is provided with a contact portion60ato be contacted to the developer receiving portion11when the supply container1D is mounted (more specifically, movement restricting portion11c(part (a) ofFIG. 42).

The shutter4D of this embodiment can also be moved relative to the flange portion3D. The position of the shutter4D of this embodiment relative to the developer receiving apparatus is fixed by the developer receiving portion11, as is different from the shutter with Embodiments 1-4 described above. As will be described hereinafter, as to the shutter4D of this embodiment, the movement in the mounting direction is restricted by the developer receiving portion11. In order to achieve this, a stopper portion4Db is formed on the shutter4D, and a movement restricting portion11c(part (a) inFIG. 42) is formed on the developer receiving portion11. The stopper portion4Db of the shutter4D is brought into contact with the movement restricting portion11cof the developer receiving portion11during the mounting operation of the supplying container1, so that the movement of the shutter4D is regulated so that the position with respect to the developer receiving device is fixed.

[Operation of the Developer Receiving Portion]

Using parts (a) to (b) ofFIG. 42and the part (b) ofFIG. 45, the operation of connecting the developer receiving portion11to the supplying container1D by the lifting portion30D will be described in the chronological order of the mounting operation of the developer supply container1D. Part (A) ofFIG. 42and part (b) ofFIG. 42show a state at the time of starting mounting of the supply container1D, and part (a) ofFIG. 43and part (b) ofFIG. 43show a state of the lifting portion30D starting to ascend. Part (a) ofFIG. 44and Part (b) ofFIG. 44show a state during ascending of the lifting portion30D, and part (a) ofFIG. 45and part (b) ofFIG. 45show a state when the mounting of the supply container1D is completed.

At the time of starting the mounting of the supply container1D as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 42, the stopper portion4Db of the shutter4D and the movement restricting portion11cof the developer receiving portion11are not yet in contact with each other. In the case of this embodiment, in the developer receiving portion11, a movement restricting portion11cis provided which is in the form of a L-shaped arm which extends in a substantially L-shape from a substantial center of a substantially cylindrical base body portion11dincluding the receiving opening11a, and is provided with a supported portion11bon the free end side in the vertically upward direction. When the stopper portion4Db and the movement restricting portion11care not in contact with each other, the lifting portion30D and the shutter4D integrally move without relative movement in the supply container1D. In addition, the lifting portion30D also moves integrally without moving relative to the restricting member60, while partly overlapping the restricting member60as viewed from the vertical direction, that is, while being kept pressed by the restricting member60. At this time, the lifting portion30D is in the lowermost position, and it does not support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. As described in the foregoing, the developer receiving portion11is urged in a direction away from the supplying container1D by the urging member12, and therefore, the receiving opening11ais spaced from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1D. Here, the container discharge opening3a4is sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4D.

When the supply container1D is inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 42toward the downstream side of the mounting direction (direction of arrow A), the stopper portion4Db of the shutter4D and the movement restricting portion11cof the developer receiving portion11come into contact with each other, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 43and part (b) ofFIG. 43. However, the contact portion60aof the restricting member60and the movement restricting portion11care not yet in contact with each other. That is, the contact portion60aof the restricting member60comes into contact with the stopper portion4Db of the shutter4D later than the stopper portion4Db to the movement restricting portion11cof the developer receiving portion11. After this, in response to the supply container1D being inserted toward the downstream side of the mounting direction, the relative movement of the shutter4D in the mounting direction with respect to the developer receiving portion11is stopped, but the relative movement of the restricting member60in the mounting direction with respect to the developer receiving portion11is not stopped. In addition, at this time, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 43, the lifting portion30D reaches a lower portion of the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction, and the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11starts to be supported from below in the vertical direction by the lifting portion30D. In this case, the shutter opening4jreaches upward in the vertical direction of the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11the container discharge opening3a4is kept in a state sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4D. However, the lifting portion30D is maintained in a state pressed by the restricting member60, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11is not displaced from the initial position and the receiving opening11ais spaced from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1.

Subsequently, when the supply container1D is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 43toward the downstream side of the mounting direction, the contact portion60aof the restricting member60and the movement restricting portion11cof the developer receiving portion11abut to each other, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 44and part (b) ofFIG. 44. Thereafter, as the supply container1D is inserted further into the mounting direction, the relative movement of the restricting member60in the mounting direction relative to the developer receiving portion11is stopped, but the movement of the lifting portion30D in the mounting direction relative to the developer receiving portion11is continued. That is, the lifting portion30D relatively moves relative to the restricting member60while supporting the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. Then, the pressed state of the lifting portion30D by the restricting member60is released (that is, the restricting member60and the lifting portion30D are not overlapped as viewed from the vertical direction), and the urging force of the urging member61allows the lifting portion30D to move upward in the vertical direction. The supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported by the lifting portion30D, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11starts to move upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member12in accordance with the upward movement of the lifting portion30D in the vertical direction.

Part (a) ofFIG. 45and part (b) ofFIG. 45show the state at the time when the mounting of the supply container1D is completed. As described in the foregoing, the lifting portion30D released from the pressed state by the restricting member60moves upward in the vertical direction. With that operation, the developer receiving portion11supported by the supported portion11bin the lifting portion30D is in a state in which the receiving opening11ais connected to the container discharge opening3a4of the supplying container1, that is, it is in a state that the developer supply is enabled. Here, in this embodiment, the upward movement of the lifting portion30D in the vertical direction by the urging member61at the completion of mounting of the supply container1D is restricted by the restricting member60.

As described above, also in Embodiment 5, in order to move the developer receiving portion11, the lifting portion30D is operated, and therefore, the load imposed on the movement of the developer receiving portion11is reduced, thereby enabling the smooth mounting of the supply container.

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, the sealability between the receiving opening11aand the container discharge opening3a4can be improved by the urging force of the urging member61. Also, when the receiving opening11ais connected to the container discharge opening3a4, the receiving opening11aapplies a certain degree of impact to the container discharge opening3a4by the urging force of the urging member61, and therefore, the developer in the neighborhood of the container discharge opening3a4can be loosened.

In Embodiment 5 described above, the restricting member60which moves independently of the shutter4D presses the lifting portion30D. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the restricting member60may be moved together with the shutter to operate the lifting portion30D. Referring to part (b) ofFIG. 46to part (b) ofFIG. 52, such Embodiment 6 will be described. Here, in Embodiment 6, the same components as those in Embodiment 5 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified. Hereinafter, the description will focus mainly on portions different from Embodiment 5.

Part (a) ofFIG. 46and Part (b) ofFIG. 46show the supply container1E of Embodiment 6. In the supply container1E of this embodiment, a portion of a restricting member60E (FIG. 48) to be described hereinafter, is provided so as to project from the cover7E in the width direction. The restricting member60E is slidably mounted to the lower flange portion in the mounting and dismounting direction (direction of arrows A, b), and therefore, a through holes7Ea for passing a portion of the restricting member60E is formed on each of the side walls in the width direction of the cover7E along the mounting direction.

As shown inFIG. 47, in the developer receiving apparatus8E, a restricting portion8Ea for regulating the movement of the restricting member60E in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A) during the mounting operation of the supply container1E is formed, on the upstream side of the developer receiving portion11in the mounting direction. The restricting member60E abuts to the restricting portion8Ea so that the movement in the mounting direction is restricted by which the position of the restricting member60E with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8E is fixed. In this manner, the position of the restricting member60E is held with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8E, and the movement of the restricting member60E in the mounting direction with respect to the developer receiving portion11is stopped, but the movement of the supply container1E except for the restricting member60E in the mounting direction with respect to the developer receiving portion11is maintained. Here, in this embodiment, as will be described hereinafter (FIG. 48), a restricting member60E is provided on the shutter4E, and therefore, when the movement of the restricting member60E is restricted by the restricting portion8Ea, the position of the shutter4E with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8E is fixed.

That is, the restricting member60E regulates the relative movement of the shutter4E with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8E.

FIG. 48shows the restricting member60E and the shutter4E. As shown inFIG. 48, the shutter4E is provided with a shutter opening4jfor discharging the developer and a developer sealing portion4aat a position offset from the shutter opening4jof the shutter4. In addition, in the case of this embodiment, in order to integrally move the shutter4E with the restricting member60E, a fixing hole4Ea for fixing the restricting member60E is provided.

The restricting member60E is provided with a pair of lift operation arm portions60Eb extending in the mounting direction and a connecting portion60Ec connecting these lift operation arm portions60Eb with each other. In this embodiment, the restricting member60E and the shutter4E are integrally formed, and therefore, the connecting portion60Ec is formed with a fixing portion60Ed to be fixed to the fixing hole4Ea of the shutter4E. In addition, the pair of lift operation arm portions60Eb are arranged to face each other with a space in the width direction so that the shutter opening4jof the shutter4E is not blocked by the restricting member60E. In order to achieve this, the width direction dimension of the connecting portion60Ec is selected.

A stopper portion60Ea is formed at the free end side of the lift operation arm portion60Eb on the upstream side in the mounting direction (the opposite side to the connecting portion60Ec). This stopper portion60Ea projects from the through hole7Ea (part (b) inFIG. 46) of the cover7E so as to be in contact with the restricting portion8Ea (FIG. 47) of the developer receiving apparatus8E during the mounting operation of the supply container1E in the widthwisely opposite directions. In addition, the lift operation arm portion60Eb has a shape shown in the drawing, and includes a pressing portion601for generating a pressing state of the lifting portion30D and a releasing portion602for releasing the pressing state of the lifting portion30D. As shown inFIG. 48, the pressing portion601is provided on the upstream side, in the mounting direction, of the releasing portion602, and width direction dimension thereof is longer than the releasing portion602. In other words, the releasing portion602is a recess provided between the pressing portion601and the connecting portion60Ec in the mounting direction.

[Operation of Developer Receiving Portion]

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 49to part (b) ofFIG. 52, the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion11to the supply container1E by the lifting portion30D will be described in chronological order of the mounting operation of the supply container1E. Part (a) ofFIG. 49and Part (b) ofFIG. 49show the state at the time of starting the mounting operation of the supply container1E, and part (a) ofFIG. 50and part (b) ofFIG. 50show the state during the movement of the lifting portion30D. Part (a) ofFIG. 51and Part (b) ofFIG. 51show the state at the time of the start of ascending of the lifting portion30D, and part (a) ofFIG. 52and part (b) ofFIG. 52show the state of the completion of mounting of the supply container1E It shows the state of time. Here, the dismounting operation of the developer receiving portion11from the supply container1E by the lifting portion30D corresponding to the dismounting operation of the supply container1E is opposite to the mounting operation described below, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted here.

At the time of starting the mounting operation of the supply container1E as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 49, the stopper portion60Ea of the restricting member60E and the restricting portion8Ea of the developer receiving apparatus8E are not yet in contact with each other. In that case, in the supply container1E, the lifting portion30D integrally moves together with the restricting member60E while keeping overlapping with the pressing portion601of the restricting member60E as viewed from the vertical direction, that is, while maintaining the pressed state by the restricting member60E. At this time, the lifting portion30D is in the lowermost position, and the lifting portion30D does not support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. As described in the foregoing, the developer receiving portion11is urged in a direction away from the supply container1E by the urging member12, and therefore, the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1E. Here, the container discharge opening3a4is sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4E.

When the supply container1E is inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 49toward the downstream side of the mounting direction (direction of arrow A), the stopper portion60Ea of the restricting member60E and the restricting portion8Ea of the developer receiving apparatus8E is brought into contact to each other, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 50and part (b) ofFIG. 50. After this, in response to further insertion of the supply container1E toward the downstream side of the mounting direction, the relative movement of the restricting member60E and the shutter4E in the mounting direction relative to the developer receiving portion11is stopped. On the other hand, in the supply container1E, the lifting portion30D moves relative to the restricting member60E in the mounting direction. In this case, while the container discharge opening3a4is kept in a state sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4E, the shutter opening4jreaches above, in the vertical direction, the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11. However, the lifting portion30D overlaps the pressing portion601of the restricting member60E as viewed in the vertical direction. That is, the lifting portion30D is maintained in a state pressed by the restricting member60E, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening11ais spaced from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1.

Subsequently, when the supply container1E is inserted further into the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 50, the lifting portion30D making the relative movement reaches the releasing portion602of the restricting member60E, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 51and part (b) ofFIG. 51. Then, the pressing state of the lifting portion30D by the restricting member60E is released and the lifting portion30D can move upward in the vertical direction by the urging force of the urging member61. In addition, at this time, the lifting portion30D reaches a lower portion of the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction and the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11starts to be supported at the bottom by the lifting portion30D. By this, by the upward movement of the lifting portion30D, the developer receiving portion11starts to move upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member12.

Part (a) ofFIG. 52and part (b) ofFIG. 52show the state at the time of the completion of the mounting operation of the supply container1E. As described in the foregoing, the lifting portion30D which is released from the pressing state by the restricting member60E moves upward in the vertical direction by the urging force of the urging member61. With that, in the developer receiving portion11where the supported portion11bis supported by the lifting portion30D, the receiving opening11ais in a state of being connected to the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1, that is, in a state in which developer can be supplied.

In the manner described above, also in Embodiment 6, the lifting portion30D is operated to move the developer receiving portion11, and therefore, the load required for the movement of the developer receiving portion11is reduced, so that the smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

In Embodiments 1-6 described above, the lift is operated to accomplish the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion to the supplying container by the lift portion using the force applied by the operator at the time of mounting the supply container to the developer receiving apparatus8, but the method of operating the lift portion is not limited to this example. For example, the lift portion may be operated by the driving force of the motor, the magnetic force of the magnet, or the like. Referring to parts (a) ofFIG. 53throughFIG. 55Embodiment 7 in which the lift portion is operated using a motor will first be described. Here, in Embodiment 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent portions as those of the above-described Embodiment 1, and the explanation thereof will be omitted or simplified, and hereinafter the portions different from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described. In addition, in this example, the above-described shutter4B (part (a) ofFIG. 26), for example is used as a shutter. Also, in part (a) ofFIG. 53and part (b) ofFIG. 53, for convenience of illustration, a part of the developer receiving apparatus is omitted.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 53and part (b) ofFIG. 53, the supply container1F of Embodiment 7 mainly comprises a container body2, a flange portion3F, a shutter4B, a pump portion5, a reciprocating member6, a cover7F, a lifting portion30F, and a lifting mechanism K. Supply container1F is dismountably mounted to a developer receiving apparatus8apart of which part is not shown, and when the supply container1is mounted, the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11is connected to the container discharge opening3a4(part (b) ofFIG. 5) of the supply container1. The developer receiving portion11is movable in a direction (vertical direction) in which the receiving opening11amoves toward and away from the container discharge opening3a4. A sub hopper8C for temporarily storing the developer supplied from the supplying container1is provided below the developer receiving apparatus8. In this sub hopper8c, a feeding screw14for feeding the developer is provided. In the cover7F, a hole7Fa through which a projection (not shown) provided on the developer receiving apparatus8passes is formed. The lifting mechanism K as the driving means is disposed on the downstream side of the upper flange portion31in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A), and is covered with the cover7F together with the flange portion3F, the pump portion5, the reciprocating member6and so on.

Referring to parts (a) ofFIG. 54toFIG. 55, the lifting mechanism K will be described. Part (a) ofFIG. 54shows a state before lifting of the lifting portion30F by the lifting mechanism K, and part (b) ofFIG. 54shows a state after the lifting portion30F has been moved by the lifting mechanism K. In addition,FIG. 55shows the neighborhood of a second switch83of the lifting mechanism K in an enlarged manner.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG. 54and part (b) ofFIG. 54, the lifting mechanism K includes a driving motor80, a power source81, a first switch82, a second switch83, a motor gear84, a driving gear85, and an elevation gear86. In this embodiment, the driving motor80, the power source81, the first switch82, and the second switch83are connected in series by electric wires such as enameled wires. The driving motor80is held by a substantially L-shaped motor holding portion Ka standing from the lower flange portion32F. In addition to the driving motor80, the power source81for supplying electric power for driving the driving motor80, the first switch82for starting driving the driving motor80, a second switch83for stopping driving of the driving motor80. The second switch83is formed by two oppositely disposed elastically deformable conductive metal plates, and the two metal plates are displaceable between a position where they are in contact with each other and a position where they are separated from each other. The motor gear84is mounted to a motor shaft of the driving motor80and is rotated by the rotation of the driving motor80. The driving gear85is engaged with the motor gear84and is rotated by the rotation of the motor gear84. In addition, the driving gear85is provided with a cylindrical elevation gear86provided with a helical groove around the rotation axis, and the elevation gear86extends upward in the vertical direction and rotates together with the driving gear85in the direction of the arrow V. That is, to the elevation gear86, the rotational force of the driving motor80is transmitted by way of the motor gear84and the driving gear85.

In the case of this embodiment, in response to pressing of the first switch82when the metal plates of the second switch83are in contact with each other, the driving motor80is powered from the power source81and energization is started by which the rotation is started. And, in response to the displacement of the metal plate of the second switch83to the position where the metal plate of the second switch83is separated after the power is supplied from the power source81, the power supply from the power source81is stopped and the driving motor80stops.

The lifting portion30F will be described. The lifting portion30F is provided with a receiving support portion30Fa, a rotation regulating projecting portion30Fb, a releasing project portion30Fc, and a gear fitting hole30Fd. The receiving support portion30Fa is formed on each side of the lifting portion30F in the width direction so as to project in the widthwise direction and extend in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A). The receiving support portion30Fa can support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11from below in the vertical direction. The elevation gear86is mounted to the gear fitting hole30Fd so as to mesh with the helical groove of the elevation gear86. And, the rotation regulating projection30Fb is sandwiched between of opposing rotation regulating portions87constituting a pair and erected upward in the vertical direction on the lower flange portion32F. By doing so, the lifting portion30F can relatively move upward in the vertical direction with respect to the ascending and descending gear86without rotating due to the rotation of the ascending and descending gear86. By this, the lifting portion30F is moved upward in the vertical direction. And, in the case where the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion30Fa of the lifting portion30F, the developer receiving portion11is moved upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member12.

[Operation of Developer Receiving Portion]

Next, the operation of connecting the developer receiving portion11to the supply container1F by the lifting portion30F will be described. The lifting mechanism K is not operating at the start of the mounting of the supply container1F, and the lifting portion30F is in the lowermost position, and the receiving support portion30Fa of the lifting portion30F does not support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. As described in the foregoing, the developer receiving portion11is urged in a direction away from the supply container1by the urging member12, and therefore, the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1.

Thereafter, when the supply container1F is further inserted toward the downstream side of the mounting direction, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11starts to be supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion30Fa of the lifting portion30F, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 54. However, at this time as well, the lifting mechanism K has not been operated yet. That is, the developer receiving portion11is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1F. Here, the container discharge opening3a4remains sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4B.

When the supply container1F reaches the mounting completion position, the projection (not shown) of the developer receiving apparatus8intrudes into the cover7F through the hole7Fa of the cover7F and pushes the first switch82. In addition, the shutter opening4jand the container discharge opening3a4communicate with each other. And, by pressing the first switch82, the driving motor80is supplied with electric power from the power source81and starts rotating, so that the elevation gear86rotates by way of the motor gear84and the driving gear85, by which the lifting portion30F moves upward in the vertical direction, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 54. And, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion30Fa of the lifting portion30F, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11is moved upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member12. Here, the operation of the first switch82is not limited to being performed by the projecting portion of the developer receiving apparatus8but may be performed by the operator after completion of mounting of the supply container1.

And, as shown inFIG. 55, in the lifting portion30F, the releasing project portion30Fc pushes, upward in the vertical direction, one of the metal plates constituting the second switch83(here, the metal plate83barranged in the upper direction in the vertical direction). When the metal plate83belastically deforms by pushing up by the lifting portion30F, the metal plate83band the metal plate83aare changed from the contact state to the separated state. By this, power supply from the power source81to the driving motor80is shut off, and therefore, the driving motor80stops rotating. When the driving motor80stops rotating, the rotation of the motor gear84, the elevation gear86rotating by way of the driving gear85also stops, and therefore, the movement of the lifting portion30F is stopped.

As the lifting portion30F is moved as described above, the developer receiving portion11is moved to a position where the receiving opening11ais connected to the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1F. Here, in that case, the container discharge opening3a4is exposed from the shutter4B, and the container discharge opening3a4and the receiving opening11acommunicate with each other. In this manner, the developer can be supplied.

Here, when the supplying container1F is dismounted in the dismounting direction (direction of arrow B), the support of the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11by the receiving support portion30Fa of the lifting portion30F is ceased. Then, the developer receiving portion11is moved downward in the vertical direction by the urging force of the urging member12.

In the manner described above, in Embodiment 7, in order to move the developer receiving portion11, the operation of the lifting portion30F is performed by the driving motor80to lift the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction (the supply container side). According to this, when the lifting portion30F moves the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction, the driving force of the driving motor80is added, and therefore, less force is required as compared with the conventional example described above. That is, the load required for the movement of the developer receiving portion11is reduced, and therefore, the smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

Next, referring to parts (a) to62inFIG. 56, Embodiment 8 in which the lift portion is operated by using magnetic force will be described. Here, in Embodiment 8, the same constituent portions as those of the above-described Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted or simplified. Hereinafter, the description will focus mainly on portions different from Embodiment 1.

Compared with Embodiment 1, the present embodiment is largely different in the following points.

The shutter4G is provided with a first magnet70in place of the shutter inclined portion4f; and a second magnet71is provided on the lifting portion30G supported at one end by the lift holding portion3b.

In the case of this embodiment, the first magnet70and the second magnet71are provided so that opposing surfaces opposed to each other have the same polarity, when facing each other at the time of mounting the supply container1G, as will be described hereinafter. That is, the first magnet70is arranged so that the lifting portion30G side (support portion side) of the shutter4G has a predetermined polarity, and the second magnet71is disposed so that the shutter4G side (the shutter side) of the lifting portion30G has the same polarity. By this, when the first magnet70and the second magnet71face each other, the first magnet70and the second magnet71repel each other. As shown in part (b) ofFIG. 56, the second magnet71is provided on the lower side of the receiving support portion30cin the vertical direction. On the contrary, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 57and part (b) ofFIG. 57, the first magnet70is provided on a support portion4dwhich displaceably supports the stopper portions4band4cof the shutter4G. Here, the shutter4G is provided with a shutter opening4jfor discharging the developer, and the developer sealing portion4ais provided at a position offset from the shutter opening4jof the shutter4.

[Operation of Developer Receiving Portion]

Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 58to part (b) ofFIG. 61, the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion11to the supply container1G by the lifting portion30G will be described in chronological order of the mounting operation of the supply container1G. Part (a) ofFIG. 58and Part (b) ofFIG. 58show a state at the time of starting of the mounting of the supply container1G, and part (a) ofFIG. 59and part (b) ofFIG. 59show a state at the start of lifting by the lifting portion30G. Part (a) ofFIG. 60and Part (b) ofFIG. 60show a state during lifting by the lifting portion30G, part (a) ofFIG. 61and part (b) ofFIG. 61show a state at the time when the mounting of the supply container1G is completed. Here, the operation of separating the developer receiving portion11from the supply container1G by the lifting portion30G according to the release operation of the supply container1G is opposite to that of the connecting operation which will be described below, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

When starting to mount the supply container1G as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 58, the shutter4G and the lifting portion30G move integrally without moving relative to each other in the supply container1G. When shutter4G and lifting portion30G move together, the distance between the first magnet70of the shutter4G and the second magnet71of the lifting portion30G in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A) is maintained. In that case, the first magnet70and the second magnet71do not face each other, and therefore, they are hardly affected by mutual magnetic force therebetween, and for this reason, they never repel each other. Therefore, the lifting portion30G is located at the lowest position a lift stopper portion3c, and the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30G does not support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. As described in the foregoing, the developer receiving portion11is urged in a direction away from the supply container1by the urging member12, and therefore, the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1G. Here, the container discharge opening3a4is sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4G.

When the supply container1G is inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 58toward the downstream side of the mounting direction, the first stopper portion4bof the shutter4G is brought into engagement with the first shutter stopper portion8aof the developer receiving apparatus8, as mentioned above. By this, the position of the shutter4G with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8is fixed. As the position of the shutter4G is held relative to the developer receiving apparatus8, the movement of the shutter4G in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow A) relative to the developer receiving portion11is stopped, but the movement of the supply container1G in the mounting direction relative to the developer receiving portion11except for the shutter4G is maintained. In addition, in this case, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 59, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11starts to be supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30G. In this case, while the container discharge opening3a4is kept in a state sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4G, and the shutter opening4jreaches above the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11. However, the first magnet70and the second magnet71are not opposed to each other, and their influences are weak, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1G.

Subsequently, when the supply container1G is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 59Toward the downstream side of the mounting direction, the supply container1G moves relative to the shutter4G in the mounting direction, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 60. At this time, the container discharge opening3a4is not exposed from the shutter4G and remains sealed by the developer sealing portion4a. In addition, in this case, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 60, the first magnet70and the second magnet71face each other, and therefore, the first magnet70and the second magnet71including the same polarity repel each other. By this, the lifting portion30G is moved upward in the vertical direction. And, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30G, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11is moved upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member12. Here, the first magnet70and the second magnet71repel each other, and therefore, a downward force is also applied to the shutter4G in the vertical direction. However, the shutter4G is held by the mounting portion8fof the developer receiving apparatus8, and therefore, even though the shutter4G is affected by the magnetic force, the position in the vertical direction is maintained.

When the supply container1G is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 60toward the downstream side of the mounting direction, the supply container1G moves relative to the shutter4G in the mounting direction and reaches the mounting completion position in the same manner as described before, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 61. In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 60, the first magnet70reaches substantially the center in the vertical direction of the second magnet71, and the repulsive force between the first magnet70and the second magnet71is maximized, and therefore, the movement of the lifting portion30G is stopped at the maximum reachable position in the vertical direction. In this case, the developer receiving portion11, where the supported portion11bis supported by the lifting portion30G, is in a state of being connected to the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1G at the receiving opening11a. So, a state capable of supplying the developer is established.

As described above, in Embodiment 8, the movement of the lifting portion30G for moving the developer receiving portion11is performed by the first magnet70and the second magnet71so that the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is lifted upward in the vertical direction (the supply container side). According to this, when the lifting portion30G moves the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction, a repulsive force of the magnetic force emitted from the first magnet70and the second magnet71is added, and therefore, the necessary force is small as compared with the conventional example described above. That is, the load required and four the movement of the developer receiving portion11is reduced, and therefore, the smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, the supported portion11bsupported by the receiving support portion30cmoves on the upper surface (substantially horizontal surface) of the receiving support portion30c. As compared with the case where the supported portion11bas in the conventional example described above slides on the inclined guide portion310, in the case where the supported portion11bslides on the horizontal plane as in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the load applied in the horizontal direction (mounting direction) when mounting the supply container1G. By this, it is possible to accomplish a smoother mounting of the supply container.

In the above-described Embodiment 8, the first magnet70is integrally formed with the shutter4G. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a magnet member separate from the shutter may be provided in order to easily add the first magnet70to the existing shutter. Referring to part (a) ofFIG. 62to part (c) ofFIG. 63, such Embodiment 9 will be described. Here, in Embodiment 9, the same components as those in Embodiment 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the differences from Embodiment 8 will be mainly described below.

Part (a) ofFIG. 62and part (b) ofFIG. 62show the mounting member72of this embodiment. The mounting member72is used by being overlapped with the shutter4B (part (a) ofFIG. 26) described above, which includes stopper portions72b,72cincluding the same shape as the stopper portions4b,4cof the shutter4B, and the support portion72bhaving the same shape as the support portion4d. That is, it is formed to substantially coincide with the shutter4B as viewed from above in the vertical direction in appearance in a state that the mounting member72is superimposed on the shutter4B. By this, similarly to the shutter4B, the mounting member72is held in the shutter stopper portions8a,8b(part (a) ofFIG. 4) of the developer receiving apparatus8so as to be movable relative to a portion of the supply container1G along with the shutter4B. That is, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 63to part (c) ofFIG. 63, in the supply container1G, the mounting member72is mounted to the shutter4B in a state of being superposed on the vertical direction of the shutter4B. And, upon mounting to and dismounting from the developer receiving apparatus8, the stopper portions72b,72cof the mounting member72are engaged with the shutter stopper portions8a,8bof the developer receiving apparatus8, and the position of the mounting member72with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8is fixed. At this time, the stopper portions4band4cof the shutter4B also engage with the shutter stopper portions8aand8b, and the shutter4B is also fixed to the developer receiving apparatus8.

The first magnet70is provided on the stopper portions72band72c. In this embodiment, when the mounting member72is superimposed on the shutter4B, the first magnet70is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the arrangement position of the first magnet70in the shutter4G described above. By doing so, the positional relationship between the first magnet70and the second magnet71of the lifting portion30G is the same as that in the above-described Embodiment 8 in a state where the mounting member72is fixed to the developer receiving apparatus8. According to this, when mounting the supply container1G, it is possible to move the lifting portion30G upward in the vertical direction using magnetic force so that the developer receiving portion11is in a state where the receiving opening11ais connected to the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1G.

Here, the mounting member72of this embodiment can be applied to the structure, in which the shutter is not provided, and the container discharge opening3a4(part (b) ofFIG. 5) of the supply container1G is sealed with a film-like sealing member (not shown) which turns into a shutter.

In this case, the seal member is pulled out by the operator after the supply container1G is mounted to the developer receiving apparatus8, by which the developer in the supply container1G can be supplied. Also with such a structure, by providing the mounting member72described above, it is possible to operate the lifting portion30G using the magnetic force and connect the developer receiving portion11to the supply container1G. As described above, the above-described Embodiment 9 can be applied irrespective of the presence or absence of a shutter.

Furthermore, the lift portion may be operated by using gravity. Referring toFIGS. 64 to 74, such Embodiment 10 will be described. Here, in Embodiment 10, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same constituent portions as those in the above-described Embodiment 1, and the explanation thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the portions different from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described below.

FIG. 64shows the supply container1H of Embodiment 10. The supply container1H mainly comprises a container body2, a flange portion3H, a shutter4H, a pump portion5, a reciprocating member6, a cover7, a lifting portion30H, and a weight90. The weight90is disposed on the downstream side of the upper flange portion31in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A) and above the shutter4H in the vertical direction, and it is covered with the cover7together with the flange portion3H, the pump portion5, the reciprocating member6, and so on. As will be described later the weight90is provided movably in the vertical direction within the cover7, and is supported by the shutter4H.

Part (a) ofFIG. 65and part (b) ofFIG. 65show the weight90. The weight90has projections90aon each of the end sides in the width direction. The projection90ais formed in a vertically elongated shape. One end of a wire described later is fixed to the projection90a. In addition, the weight90is provided with a shutter supported portion90bprojecting downward in the vertical direction from the bottom surface on the upstream side at a position on the downstream side from the center portion with respect to the mounting direction (direction of arrow A). By the shutter4H abutting to the shutter supported portion90b, the weight90is supported by the shutter4H. In addition, the widthwise direction dimension of the weight90in the vertically lower side including the shutter supported portion90bis shorter than the width direction size on the upper side in the vertical direction. This is to secure a space through which wires and the like to be described hereinafter are to be passed on both widthwise ends of the weight90.

Referring toFIG. 66, the flange portion3H will be described. The lower flange portion32H includes a shutter insertion portion3b1into which a shutter4H which will be described hereinafter is inserted. The lower flange portion32H is integrated with the upper flange portion31in the state that the shutter4H is inserted in the shutter insertion portion3b1. On each side in the width direction of the lower flange portion32H, a lift holding portion92which slidably holds a later-described lifting portion30H (FIG. 67) so as to be slidable in the vertical direction is formed in a slit shape. On the downstream side of the lift holding portion92in the mounting direction, a weight holding portion93which holds the projection90aof the weight90so as to be slidable in the vertical direction is formed in a slit shape. That is, the movement of the lifting portion30H in the mounting/dismounting direction (the directions of the arrows A and B) is restricted by the lift holding portion92, and the movement of the weight90in the same direction is restricted by the weight holding portion93, respectively. In addition, on each side in the width direction of the upper flange portion31, a wire holding portion91for holding a wire to be described hereinafter is provided.

FIG. 67shows the lifting portion30H. The lifting portion30H has a fitting portion30Ha, a wire connecting portion30Hb, a receiving support portion30c, and a lift main assembly portion30d. In the lift main assembly portion30d, a receiving support portion30ccapable of supporting the supported portion11b(part (c) ofFIG. 4) of the developer receiving portion11from below in the vertical direction is formed. On the opposite side of the lift main assembly portion30dfrom the receiving support portion30c, a wire connecting portion30Hb for fixing one end of a wire to be described hereinafter is provided. The fitting portion30Ha projects from the side opposite to the receiving support portion30cof the lift main assembly portion30dand connects the lift main assembly portion30dand the wire connecting portion30Hb to each other. As shown, in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A), the fitting portion30Ha is shorter than the length of the lift main assembly portion30dand the wire connecting portion30Hb. In the case of this embodiment, by fitting this fitting portion30Ha to the lift holding portion92of the lower flange portion32H, the lifting portion30H is slidable in the vertical direction relative to the flange portion3H.

FIG. 68shows the shutter4H. In this embodiment, the shutter4H is used to operate the lifting portion30H by the weight90moving by the gravity. In other words, a weight support4H1is provided on the shutter4H. As shown inFIG. 68, in the case of this embodiment, the weight supporting portion4H1as the moving member is formed so as to project toward the supply container side over the entire region in the width direction at the downstream end portion in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A). In addition, the weight supporting portion4H1is inclined so that the length in the vertical direction gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the mounting direction. In other words, the weight supporting portion4H1has an inclined surface which is inclined toward the developer receiving portion side from the upstream side to the downstream side in the mounting direction. In more detail, as will be described hereinafter, when the supply container1H moves relative to the shutter4H, the weight90also moves relative to the shutter4H. In such a case, the weight90moves while sliding on the weight supporting portion4H1by the gravity, so that the lifting portion30H connected by the wire to the weight90is moved in the vertical direction.

In this embodiment, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 69and part (b) ofFIG. 69, the weight90and the lifting portion30H are connected by a wire95. One end of a wire95which is a moving member and is a string member is fixed to the projection90aof the weight90, and the other end is fixed to the wire connecting portion30Hb (FIG. 67) of the lifting portion30H. In addition, the wire95is extending through the first wire holding portion91of the upper flange portion31and the second wire holding portion94formed in the weight holding portion93of the lower flange portion32H so that it is does not sag. By this, the displacement amount of the weight90and the displacement amount of the lifting portion30H are substantially the same. Here, the length of the wire95is such that when the weight90is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction, the lifting portion30H is positioned at the lowest position in the vertical direction, and when the weight90is located at the lowest position in the vertical direction, the lifting portion30H is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction.

[Operation of Developer Receiving Portion]

Referring to parts (a) to74ofFIG. 70, the operation of connecting the developer receiving portion11to the supply container1H by the lifting portion30H will be described in the chronological order of the mounting operation of the supply container1H to the developer receiving apparatus8. Part (a) ofFIG. 70and the part (b) ofFIG. 70show the state at the time of starting the mounting of the supply container1H. Part (a) ofFIG. 71and part (b) ofFIG. 71show the state after start of lifting of the lifting portion30H. In addition, part (a) ofFIG. 72and part (b) ofFIG. 72show the state of lifting of the lifting portion30H,

Part (a) ofFIG. 73and part (b) ofFIG. 73show the state at the completion of lifting of the lifting portion30H,

FIG. 74shows the state at the time when the mounting of the supply container1H is completed.

At the time of starting mounting of the supply container1H as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 70, the shutter4H and the lifting portion30H move integrally without moving relative to each other in the supply container1H. When shutter4H and lifting portion30H move together the weight90is supported by the shutter4H on the uppermost surface of the weight supporting portion4H1. In this case, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 70, the weight90is positioned at the uppermost position in the vertical direction, and therefore, the lifting portion30H is located at the lowest position against the lift stopper portion3c. In addition, the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30H does not support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. As described in the foregoing, the developer receiving portion11is urged in a direction away from the supply container1by the urging member12(part (b) ofFIG. 3), and therefore, the receiving opening11ais separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1. Here, the container discharge opening3a4is sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4H.

When the supply container1H is inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 70toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the position of the shutter4H relative to the developer receiving apparatus8is fixed, as has already been mentioned. By this, the relative movement of the supply container1H except the shutter4H in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A) relative to the developer receiving portion11is maintained. Therefore, the container discharge opening3a4is kept sealed by the developer sealing portion4aof the shutter4H. And, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 71, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported by the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30H. However, the weight90is maintained in a state of being positioned at the uppermost position in the vertical direction supported by the uppermost surface of the weight supporting portion4H1. Therefore, the lifting portion30H remains positioned at the lowest position in the vertical direction, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11has not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening11aremains separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1H.

Subsequently, when the supply container1H is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 71toward the downstream side of the mounting direction, the supply container1H moves relative to the shutter4H in the mounting direction, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 72. At this time, the container discharge opening3a4is not exposed from the shutter4H and is still sealed by the developer sealing portion4a. In addition, in this case, in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1H, the weight90moves downward in the vertical direction while sliding on the weight supporting portion4H1by the gravity. Then, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 72, the lifting portion30H is pulled by the weight90by way of the wire95and is moved upward in the vertical direction. And, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30H, and therefore, the developer receiving portion11is moved upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member12. At this time, as the weight90moves downward in the vertical direction along the weight supporting portion4H1, the lifting portion30H moves upward in the vertical direction by a displacement equal to the displacement amount of the weight90. However, the receiving opening11ais still separated from the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1H. Here, in this case, the container discharge opening3a4is not exposed from the shutter4H and is still sealed by the developer sealing portion4a.

As an example, the weight90is made of brass to have a volume of 43 cm{circumflex over ( )}3, for example. In that case, the mass of the weight90is 360 g. And, the urging force of the urging member12for urging the developer receiving portion11in a direction away from the supply container1H is 300 g, for example. The urging force of the urging member12is lower than the sum of the mass of the weight90and the mass (for example, 10 g) of the lifting portion30H. Therefore, as the weight90moves, the lifting portion30H can be moved by the wire95. Here, the volume and the material of the weight90are not limited to these examples and any weight may be used as long as the added value of the weight and the weight of the lifting portion30H exceeds the urging force of the urging member12.

When the supply container1H is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 72toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the supply container1H moves relative to the shutter4H in the mounting direction, and therefore, the weight90moves downward in the vertical direction by the gravity, as shown in part (a) ofFIG. 73. So, when the weight90moves to the lowest position in the vertical direction in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1H, the portion30H moves to the uppermost position in the vertical direction and stops there. In the case of this embodiment, in the developer receiving portion11where the supported portion11bis supported by the lifting portion30H, the receiving opening11ais in a state of being connected to the shutter opening4j, but the container discharge opening3a4is not exposed from the shutter4H and remains sealed by the developer sealing portion4a.

And, as the supply container1H is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) ofFIG. 73toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the supply container1H moves relative to the shutter4H in the mounting direction, so that the supply container1H reaches the mounting completion position. In this embodiment, at this time, as shown inFIG. 74, the container discharge opening3a4is exposed from the shutter4H, and the container discharge opening3a4and the receiving opening11acommunicate with each other. In this manner, the developer can be supplied. At this time, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 73, the positional relationship between the container discharge opening3a4and the lifting portion30H is such that a plane L passing through the container discharge opening3a4(a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passes through the lifting portion30H. In addition, the plane including the receiving support portion30cof the lifting portion30H is between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening3a4.

On the contrary, when the supply container1H is dismounted, weight90moves upward in the vertical direction so that the weight90is lifted by the shutter4H, with the dismounting operation of the supply container1H. As the weight90moves upward in the vertical direction, the lifting portion30H moves downward in the vertical direction by its own weight and the urging force of the urging member12urging the developer receiving portion11. In this manner, the developer receiving portion11moves to the side opposite to the supply container1H, that is, it separates.

As described above, in Embodiment 10, in order to move the developer receiving portion11, the operation of the lifting portion30H is performed by the movement of the weight90and lifts the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction (the supply container side). According to this, when the lifting portion30H moves the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction, a tensile force by the weight90is added, and therefore, less force is required as compared with the conventional example described above. That is, the load required for the movement of the developer receiving portion11is reduced, and therefore, the smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

In addition, by changing the inclination angle of the weight supporting portion4H1of the shutter4H and the arrangement position of the weight supporting portion4H1in the mounting direction, lifting timing and lifting speed can be changed, and therefore, the latitude in the design is high.

Here, in this embodiment, the weight supporting portion4H1which holds the weight90is integrally formed on the shutter4H has been described, but the present invention is not limited such an example. The above-described weight supporting portion4H1may be provided on a member separate from the shutter4H,

For example, the member may be mounted to the shutter4B (part (a) ofFIG. 26) which does not have the weight supporting portion4H1.

In the above-described Embodiment 10, the displacement of the weight90is transmitted to the lifting portion30H using the wire95in order to operate the lift portion using gravity, but the present invention is not limited such an example. For example, it may have a structure in which the displacement of the weight90is transmitted to the lift portion using the rotating member without using the wire95. Referring toFIGS. 75 and 76, such Embodiment 11 will be described.FIG. 75shows the state at the time of starting mounting of the supply container1J of this embodiment,

FIG. 76shows a state at the time of completion of mounting of the supply container1J of this embodiment. Here, in Embodiment 11, the same components as those in the above-described Embodiment 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the differences from Embodiment 10 will be mainly described below.

As shown inFIG. 75, in the flange portion3J of the supply container1J according to this embodiment, the lifting portion30J is rotatably provided to each of the rotation shaft32Ja provided at each of the end portions in the width direction of the lower flange portion32J. In the lifting portion30J of this embodiment, the receiving support portion30Ja which can support the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11from below in the vertical direction is formed on the lifting body30Jb which is rotatable around the rotation shaft32Ja.

In the case of this embodiment, the receiving support portion30Ja is provided integrally with the lifting body30Jb as the rotation operating portion on the upstream side in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A). The lifting body30Jb is formed in an elongated shape and is disposed in the lower flange portion32J such that on the downstream side in the mounting direction, it can come into contact with the projection90aof the weight90, and on the upstream side, the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11can be supported by the receiving support portion30Ja.

In this embodiment, when the weight90moves downward in the vertical direction along the weight supporting portion4H1(FIG. 68) of the shutter4H by the gravity in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container1J, one end side of the lifting body30Jb where the receiving support portion30Ja is not formed is pushed down by the projection90a. Then, as shown inFIG. 76, the lifting body30Jb rotates about the rotation shaft32Ja to lift the receiving support portion30Ja which has already supported the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11. And, when the weight90moves to the lowermost position in the vertical direction according to the mounting operation of the supply container1J, the receiving support portion30Ja moves to the uppermost position in the vertical direction. By this, the developer receiving portion11is moved upward in the vertical direction toward the supply container1J side, and therefore, the container discharge opening3a4of the supply container1J and the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11can be brought into a connected state relative to each other. In this manner, the developer can be supplied. At this time, as shown inFIG. 76, the positional relationship between the container discharge opening3a4and the lifting portion30J is such that a plane L passing through the container discharge opening3a4(a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passes through the lifting portion30J. In addition, the plane including the receiving support portion30Ja of the lifting portion30J is between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening3a4.

Conversely, when the supplying container1J is dismounted, the weight90moves upward in the vertical direction by being lifted by the shutter4H, with the dismounting operation of the supply container1J. When the weight90moves upward in the vertical direction, the other end side of the lifting body30Jb on which the receiving support portion30Ja is formed is lowered downward by the weight of the receiving support portion30Ja and the urging force of the urging member12urging the developer receiving portion11. In this manner, the developer receiving portion11moves to the side opposite to the supply container1J, that is, moves away.

In the above-described the manner, also in Embodiment 11, the operation of the lifting portion30J is performed by the movement of the weight90to lift the supported portion11bof the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction (the supply container side). By this, the load required for the movement of the developer receiving portion11is reduced, and therefore, the smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

In addition, in this embodiment, the principle of leverage is used, and therefore, it is easy to change such as lowering the mass of the weight90to increase the displacement amount, or on the contrary, the weight90is made heavier to reduce the displacement amount or the like, by changing the position of the fulcrum, that is, the pivot center.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, a developer supply container and a developer supply system suitable for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and so on are provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS