Patent Publication Number: US-11392059-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus with attached developer container, cover portion, shutter output portion, and interlocking mechanism

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-100724 filed on Jun. 10, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus to which a developer container is attached. 
     An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor and a developing device, wherein an electrostatic latent image is formed on a surface of the photoconductor, and the developing device develops the electrostatic latent image. The developer is supplied from a developer container to the developing device. 
     The developer container is a consumable that stores the developer and is attached to an attachment portion provided in an apparatus main body. An opening communicating with the attachment portion is formed in the apparatus main body, and the developer container is replaced in a state where a cover portion that opens and closes the opening is open. 
     In order to prevent the developer from leaking during a replacement of the developer container, the developer container includes a shutter that is configured to open and close a feed-out opening from which the developer is fed out. 
     In addition, there is known an image forming apparatus that includes a mechanism configured to close the shutter in conjunction with an opening operation of the cover portion, and open the shutter in conjunction with a closing operation of the cover portion. This makes it possible to, without a special operation, prevent the developer from scattering when the cover portion is opened. 
     SUMMARY 
     An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an apparatus main body, a cover portion, one or more shutter output portions, and a main interlocking mechanism. In the apparatus main body, an attachment portion is provided and a main opening communicating with the attachment portion is formed. One or more developer containers are attached to the attachment portion, and each of the developer containers includes a storage portion and a shutter input portion. The storage portion stores granular developer. The shutter input portion receives an external force to open or close a shutter closing a feed-out opening from which the developer is fed out. The cover portion is supported by the apparatus main body and configured to open and close the main opening. The one or more shutter output portions are provided in the apparatus main body in correspondence with the one or more developer containers. Each of the shutter output portions is engaged with the shutter input portion of a corresponding developer container and supported in such a way as to be displaced between an opening position and a closing position. Each of the shutter output portions, when located at the opening position, opens the shutter via the shutter input portion, and when located at the closing position, closes the shutter via the shutter input portion. The main interlocking mechanism is provided in the apparatus main body and configured to cause the shutter output portions to move in conjunction with opening and closing operation of the cover portion such that the shutter output portions are displaced to the opening position when the cover portion is closed, and the shutter output portions are displaced to the closing position when the cover portion is opened. The main interlocking mechanism includes a switch mechanism configured to, in accordance with a predetermined release operation, release the shutter output portions from moving in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion, and in accordance with a predetermined enabling operation, enable the shutter output portions to move in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective diagram of a cover portion in a closed state and an attachment portion in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  a perspective diagram of the cover portion in an open state and the attachment portion in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section diagram of a main part of a main interlocking mechanism and a cover state detection mechanism in a state where the cover portion is closed in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section diagram of the main part of the main interlocking mechanism and the cover state detection mechanism in a state where the cover portion is open in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective diagram of the main interlocking mechanism when the cover portion is in the closed state in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective diagram of the main interlocking mechanism when the cover portion is in the open state in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram of a developer container. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective diagram of a temporarily fitting member in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section diagram of the main part of the main interlocking mechanism and the cover state detection mechanism in a state where the cover portion is closed and the temporarily fitting member is attached in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-section diagram of the main part of the main interlocking mechanism and the cover state detection mechanism in a state where the cover portion is open and the temporarily fitting member is attached in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-section diagram of the main part of the main interlocking mechanism and the cover state detection mechanism in a state where the cover portion is half open in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiment is an example of a specific embodiment of the present disclosure and should not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. 
     [Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus  10 ] 
     An image forming apparatus  10  according to an embodiment includes a print device  4  that executes a print process by an electrophotographic method. In the print process, an image is formed on a sheet  9 . The sheet  9  is an image formation medium such as a sheet of paper or a sheet-like resin material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus  10  includes a sheet storage portion  2 , a sheet conveying device  3 , and the print device  4 , wherein the sheet conveying device  3  and the print device  4  are provided in an apparatus main body  1 . The apparatus main body  1  is a main housing storing the print device  4 . 
     The sheet conveying device  3  includes a sheet feed device  30  and a plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers  31  that are driven by a motor (not shown). The sheet feed device  30  feeds the sheet  9  stored in the sheet storage portion  2  to a conveyance path  300  in the apparatus main body  1 . 
     The plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers  31  convey the sheet  9  along the conveyance path  300 , and discharge the sheet  9  from an exit of the conveyance path  300  onto a discharge tray  100   a.    
     The print device  4  forms an image on the sheet  9  that is conveyed along the conveyance path  300 . The print device  4  includes an image creating device  4   x , an exposure device  46 , a transfer device  47 , and a fixing device  48 . The image creating device  4   x  includes a drum-like photoconductor  41 , a charging device  42 , a developing device  43 , and a drum cleaning device  45 . 
     The image forming apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is a tandem-type color image forming apparatus. As a result, the print device  4  includes four image creating devices  4   x  corresponding to four colors of toner, namely, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toner. 
     Furthermore, the transfer device  47  includes an intermediate transfer belt  471 , four first transfer portions  472  corresponding to the four image creating devices  4   x , a second transfer portion  473 , and a belt cleaning portion  474 . 
     In each of the image creating devices  4   x , the photoconductor  41  rotates, and the charging device  42  electrically charges the surface of the photoconductor  41 . Furthermore, the exposure device  46  writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor  41 . The photoconductor  41  is an example of an image carrier. 
     Furthermore, the developing device  43  develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image by supplying toner  90  to the surface of the photoconductor  41 . It is noted that the toner  90  is an example of granular developer. 
     The transfer device  47  transfers the toner image to the sheet  9  in the conveyance path  300 . The first transfer device  472  transfers the toner image from the surface of the photoconductor  41  to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt  471 . This allows a color toner image to be formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt  471 . 
     The second transfer device  473  transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt  471  to the sheet  9  in the conveyance path  300 . 
     It is noted that in a case where the image forming apparatus  10  is a monochrome image forming apparatus, the second transfer device  473  transfers the toner image from the surface of the photoconductor  41  to the sheet  9  in the conveyance path  300 . 
     The drum cleaning device  45  removes the residual waste toner from the surface of the photoconductor  41 . The belt cleaning device  474  removes the residual waste toner from the intermediate transfer belt  471 . 
     The fixing device  48  fixes the toner image that has been transferred to the sheet  9 , to the sheet  9  by applying heat and pressure to the toner image. 
     The image forming apparatus  10  further includes a control device  11  configured to control the sheet conveying device  3  and the print device  4  (see  FIG. 1 ). The control device  11  includes a processor  11   x  and a storage device fly, wherein the processor  11   x  executes a computer program, and the storage device  11   y  stores the computer program. As the processor  11   x  executes the computer program, the control device  11  executes various types of data processing and controls. 
     The toner  90  is supplied from a toner container  5  to the developing device  43 . The toner container  5  is a consumable that stores the toner  90  and is attached to the apparatus main body  1  in a detachable manner. 
     The image forming apparatus  10  further includes an attachment portion  6  to which the toner container  5  is attached. The toner container  5  is attached, in a detachable manner, to the attachment portion  6  provided in the apparatus main body  1 . A main opening  1   a  communicating with the attachment portion  6  is formed in the apparatus main body  1 . 
     In the present embodiment, the main opening  1   a  is formed in an upper portion of the apparatus main body  1 . The image forming apparatus  10  further includes a cover portion  100  configured to close the main opening  1   a . The cover portion  100  is configured to open and close the main opening  1   a . In a state where the cover portion  100  is open, the toner container  5  is replaced. 
     The cover portion  100  is supported by the apparatus main body  1  such that the cover portion  100  can pivot vertically. A rotary shaft  101  of the cover portion  100  is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body  1 . In the present embodiment, the cover portion  100  forms the discharge tray  100   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the toner container  5  includes a storage portion  50 , a shutter  51 , and a shutter input portion  52 . The storage portion  50  is a case in which the toner  90  is stored. The shutter  51  is a member that closes a feed-out opening  50   a  from which the toner  90  is fed out. 
     The feed-out opening  50   a  is an opening communicating with the inside of the storage portion  50 . The feed-out opening  50   a  is formed in a lower part of an end portion of the toner container  5  in its longitudinal direction. The shutter  51  is attached to the storage portion  50  in a state where the feed-out opening  50   a  can be opened and closed by the shutter  51 . 
     The shutter input portion  52  is a portion that receives an external force to open/close the shutter  51 . That is, the shutter  51  is opened when, upon receiving the external force, the shutter input portion  52  is displaced in a predetermined opening direction. On the other hand, the shutter  51  is closed when, upon receiving the external force, the shutter input portion  52  is displaced in a predetermined closing direction. 
     The shutter  51  is provided in order to prevent leakage of the toner  90  from the feed-out opening  50   a  during replacement of the toner container  5 . 
     The toner container  5  further includes an internal rotary body  53  and a rotation input portion  54 , wherein the internal rotary body  53  is disposed in the storage portion  50 , and the rotation input portion  54  is configured to receive an external force to rotate the internal rotary body  53 . The internal rotary body  53  is, for example, a conveyance screw that stirs and conveys the toner  90  in the storage portion  50 . The internal rotary body  53  rotates in conjunction with the rotation input portion  54  when the rotation input portion  54  is rotationally driven. 
     As described below, the attachment portion  6  of the image forming apparatus  10  includes four shutter output portions  6   x  and a main interlocking mechanism  6   y  (see  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 ). Furthermore, the attachment portion  6  includes four rotation output portions  6   z  (see  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7 ). The four shutter output portions  6   x  and the four rotation output portions  6   z  respectively correspond to the four toner containers  5 . 
     Each of the shutter output portions  6   x  is engaged with the shutter input portion  52  of a corresponding toner container  5 . Each of the rotation output portions  6   z  is engaged with the rotation input portion  54  of a corresponding toner container  5 . 
     The shutter output portions  6   x  are supported by a support plate  60  in such a way as to be displaced between a closing position and an opening position. The main interlocking mechanism  6   y , in conjunction with the opening operation and closing operation of the cover portion  100 , displaces the shutter output portions  6   x  between the closing position and the opening position. 
       FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6  show a state where the shutter output portions  6   x  are located at the opening position, and  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 7  show a state where the shutter output portions  6   x  are located at the closing position. When being displaced to the opening position, the shutter output portion  6   x  opens the shutter  51  via the shutter input portion  52 . In addition, when being displaced to the closing position, the shutter output portion  6   x  closes the shutter  51  via the shutter input portion  52 . 
     Specifically, the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  displaces the shutter output portions  6   x  to the closing position in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover portion  100 . This causes the shutters  51  of the toner containers  5  to be closed. 
     Furthermore, the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  displaces the shutter output portions  6   x  to the opening position in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . This causes the shutters  51  to be opened. The shutter output portions  6   x  and the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  are described in detail below. 
     The shutter output portions  6   x  and the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  act, without a special operation, to prevent scattering of the toner  90  when the cover portion  100  is opened. 
     In addition, the attachment portion  6  includes four holders  66 . The four holders  66  are rotatably supported by the support plate  60  in a state where the holders  66  are inserted in four circular support holes  60   a  formed in the support plate  60 . The rotation output portions  6   z  are rotatably supported by the holders  66 , respectively. 
     In addition, the rotation output portions  6   z  are rotationally driven by a drive device (not shown). The holders  66  are coupled with the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  by a coupling member  67 , and are displaced in a direction to approach the toner containers  5  in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . At this time, together with the holders  66 , the rotation output portions  6   z  are displaced in the direction to approach the toner containers  5  and are engaged with the rotation input portions  54  of the toner containers  5 . 
     That is, in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 , the rotation output portions  6   z  are displaced to positions where the rotation output portions  6   z  are engaged with the rotation input portions  54  of the toner containers  5 . This allows rotational forces to be transmitted from the rotation output portions  6   z  to the internal rotary bodies  53  via the rotation input portions  54 . The drive device includes a motor and a gear mechanism that are not shown. 
     Meanwhile, in a specific case where, for example, the image forming apparatus  10  is transported, it is necessary to prevent the toner  90  from leaking in a state where the cover portion  100  is closed. For example, the feed-out opening  50   a  of the toner container  5  may be closed with a closing member such as adhesive seal. 
     However, attachment and detachment of the closing member are a troublesome work that requires detaching the toner container  5  from the apparatus main body  1 . In addition, when the specific case occurs after the closing member is detached, toner leakage may occur when the closing member is attached again. 
     In addition, in a case where, as is the case with the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus  10  can perform color printing, the work of attaching and detaching the closing member to/from the plurality of toner containers  5  is more troublesome. 
     On the other hand, the attachment portion  6  of the image forming apparatus  10  has a structure to, without requiring a troublesome work, prevent leakage of the toner  90  from the toner container  5  in a case where the cover portion  100  closing the main opening  1   a  of the apparatus main body  1  is opened, and in specific cases. The following describes the structure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 7 , the attachment portion  6  includes the support plate  60 , the four shutter output portions  6   x  corresponding to the four toner containers  5 , and the main interlocking mechanism  6   y . The attachment portion  6  further includes a temporarily fitting member  65  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     The support plate  60  is disposed to stand by a side of a space inside the apparatus main body  1  in which the four toner containers  5  are disposed, and the support plate  60  supports components of the main interlocking mechanism  6   y.    
     As described above, the shutter output portions  6   x  are provided in correspondence with the toner containers  5 , and are engaged with the shutter input portions  52  of the toner containers  5 , respectively. The shutter output portions  6   x  are supported in such a way as to be displaced between the opening position and the closing position. 
     In the present embodiment, the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  includes a first pinion gear  61 , a rack gear set  62 , four second pinion gears corresponding to the four toner containers  5 , and an auxiliary interlocking mechanism  64 . 
     The rack gear set  62  includes a first rack gear  621  and a second rack gear  622 . The auxiliary interlocking mechanism  64  includes an engaging member  641  and an engaging spring  642  that are unitized with the second rack gear  622 . The engaging spring  642  applies an elastic force to the engaging member  641 . The engaging spring  642  is an example of an engaging elastic member. 
     The first pinion gear  61  includes gear teeth arranged to form an arc shape. The first pinion gear  61  is integrally provided with the rotary shaft  101  of the cover portion  100  that is rotatably supported. As a result, the first pinion gear  61  swings along an arc around the rotary shaft  101  in conjunction with the rotary shaft  101 . 
     The first rack gear  621  is supported by the support plate  60  in such a way as to be displaceable. The first rack gear  621  meshes with the first pinion gear  61  and is displaced in a straight-line direction in conjunction with the first pinion gear  61 . 
     The second rack gear  622  is disposed along a displacement direction of the first rack gear  621 . In other words, the second rack gear  622  is disposed on an extension line of the first rack gear  621  in its longitudinal direction, or disposed in parallel to the first rack gear  621 . 
     The second rack gear  622  is supported by the support plate  60  in such a way as to be displaced between a predetermined first position and a predetermined second position.  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 6  show a state where the second rack gear  622  is located at the first position, and  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11  show a state where the second rack gear  622  is located at the second position. 
     Each of the four second pinion gears  63  includes gear teeth arranged to form an arc shape, and is integrally formed with a gear shaft  630  that is rotatably supported by the support plate  60  (see  FIG. 2 ). As a result, each of the second pinion gears  63  can swing along an arc around the gear shaft  630 . 
     The four second pinion gears  63  meshes with one second rack gear  622 . Accordingly, the four second pinion gears  63  swing in conjunction with the second rack gear  622 . 
     Each of the second pinion gears  63  is integrally formed with a corresponding one of the shutter output portions  6   x  (see  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 ). The four second pinion gears  63  move in conjunction with the second rack gear  622  to respectively displace the four shutter output portions  6   x  between the opening position and the closing position. 
     The engaging member  641  is swingably supported by a swing shaft  6410  supported by the support plate  60 . The engaging member  641  includes a projection portion  641   a  configured to be engaged with an engaged portion  621   b  of the first rack gear  621  that moves in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . 
     The engaging member  641  is supported in such a way as to swing between an engaging attitude and a released attitude. In a case where the engaging member  641  is in the engaging attitude, the projection portion  641   a  of the engaging member  641  is engaged with the engaged portion  621   b  when the first rack gear  621  moves in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . In a case where the engaging member  641  is in the released attitude, the projection portion  641   a  is held at a position where the projection portion  641   a  is not engaged with the engaged portion  621   b.    
     That is, in a case where the engaging member  641  is in the engaging attitude, the projection portion  641   a  is located inside a movement path of the engaged portion  621   b  when the first rack gear  621  is displaced in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . On the other hand, in a case where the engaging member  641  is in the released attitude, the projection portion  641   a  is located outside the movement path of the engaged portion  621   b  when the first rack gear  621  is displaced in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . 
     The engaging spring  642  applies an elastic force to the engaging member  641  to hold the engaging member  641  in the engaging attitude. That is, the engaging spring  642  elastically biases the engaging member  641  in a direction from the released attitude to the engaging attitude. 
       FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  show a state where the engaging member  641  is in the engaging attitude, and  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  show a state where the engaging member  641  is in the released attitude. 
     When the first rack gear  621  moves in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover portion  100 , an end  621   a  of the first rack gear  621  abuts on an end  622   a  of the second rack gear  622 , thereby the first rack gear  621  displaces the second rack gear  622  to the second position. Furthermore, in conjunction with the displacement of the second rack gear  622  to the second position, the shutter output portions  6   x  are displaced from the opening position to the closing position (see  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 7 ). This causes the shutters  51  of the four toner containers  5  to be closed. 
     In addition, in a case where the engaging member  641  is in the engaging attitude, when the first rack gear  621  moves in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 , the projection portion  641   a  is engaged with the engaged portion  621   b , thereby the first rack gear  621  displaces the second rack gear  622  to the first position. Furthermore, in conjunction with the displacement of the second rack gear  622  to the first position, the shutter output portions  6   x  are displaced from the closing position to the opening position (see  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 6 ). This causes the shutters  51  of the four toner containers  5  to be opened. 
     The temporarily fitting member  65  is configured to be attached to and detached from the support plate  60 . The temporarily fitting member  65  is attached to the support plate  60  only in specific cases where, for example, the image forming apparatus  10  is transported, and the temporarily fitting member  65  is detached from the support plate  60  prior to use of the image forming apparatus  10 . For example, the temporarily fitting member  65  is attached to the support plate  60  before shipment of the image forming apparatus  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the temporarily fitting member  65  includes a first projection  65   a , a second projection  65   b , and a handle portion  65   c . The first projection  65   a  and the second projection  65   b  are configured to grip a part of the support plate  60 . 
     The first projection  65   a  and the second projection  65   b  are pressed against the support plate  60  at a predetermined position so that they grip a specific part of the support plate  60 . This allows the temporarily fitting member  65  to be attached to the support plate  60 . In addition, when the handle portion  65   c  is pulled, the temporarily fitting member  65  is removed from the support plate  60 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in a state where the temporarily fitting member  65  has been attached to the support plate  60 , the first projection  65   a  locks the engaging member  641  in the released attitude against the elastic force of the engaging spring  642 . 
     Specifically, a locked portion  641   b  of the engaging member  641  is locked by the first projection  65   a  of the temporarily fitting member  65  attached to the support plate  60 . This causes the engaging member  641  to be held in the released attitude. 
     On the other hand, when the temporarily fitting member  65  is removed from the support plate  60 , the lock of the engaging member  641  by the first projection  65   a  is released. In this case, the engaging member  641  is held in the engaging attitude by the elastic force of the engaging spring  642 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the cover portion  100  is closed in a state where the engaging member  641  is held in the released attitude, the first rack gear  621  moves in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 , but the second rack gear  622  and the four second pinion gears  63  do not move in conjunction therewith. This allows the four shutter output portions  6   x  to be held at the closing position, and the shutters  51  of the four toner containers  5  to be held in the closed state. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 11 , in a case where the cover portion  100  is open, the end  621   a  of the first rack gear  621  that moves in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 , abuts on the end  622   a  of the second rack gear  622 , regardless of the attitude of the engaging member  641 . This allows the four shutter output portions  6   x  to be held at the closing position, and the shutters  51  of the four toner containers  5  are held in the closed state. 
     As described above, in a case where the temporarily fitting member  65  has not been attached, the auxiliary interlocking mechanism  64  causes the second rack gear  622  to move in conjunction with a displacement of the first rack gear  621  interlocked with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . 
     In addition, when the temporarily fitting member  65  has been attached, the auxiliary interlocking mechanism  64  releases the second rack gear  622  from moving in conjunction with the displacement of the first rack gear  621  interlocked with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . 
     In the main interlocking mechanism  6   y , the first pinion gear  61 , the rack gear set  62 , the auxiliary interlocking mechanism  64 , and the temporarily fitting member  65  constitute a first interlocking mechanism. The first interlocking mechanism causes the second rack gear  622  to be displaced to the second position in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover portion  100 , and causes the second rack gear  622  to be displaced to the first position in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . 
     In addition, in the main interlocking mechanism  6   y , the second pinion gears  63  constitute a second interlocking mechanism. The second interlocking mechanism causes the shutter output portions  6   x  to be displaced to the closing position in conjunction with the displacement of the second rack gear  622  to the second position, and causes the shutter output portions  6   x  to be displaced to the opening position in conjunction with the displacement of the second rack gear  622  to the first position. 
     In addition, in the main interlocking mechanism  6   y , the auxiliary interlocking mechanism  64  and the temporarily fitting member  65  are an example of a switch mechanism that switches the interlocking state of the main interlocking mechanism  6   y . The switch mechanism is configured to, in accordance with a predetermined release operation, release the shutter output portions  6   x  from moving in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 , and in accordance with a predetermined enabling operation, enable the shutter output portions  6   x  to move in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion  100 . 
     In the main interlocking mechanism  6   y , the release operation is an operation to attach the temporarily fitting member  65  to the support plate  60  of the attachment portion  6 . In addition, the enabling operation is an operation to remove the temporarily fitting member  65  from the support plate  60 . 
     As a result, in a case where the temporarily fitting member  65  has not been attached, the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  causes the shutter output portions  6   x  to move in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the cover portion  100  such that the shutter output portions  6   x  are displaced to the opening position when the cover portion  100  is closed, and the shutter output portions  6   x  are displaced to the closing position when the cover portion  100  is opened. 
     On the other hand, in a case where the temporarily fitting member  65  has been attached, the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  releases the shutter output portions  6   x  from moving in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the cover portion  100  such that the shutter output portions  6   x  are held at the closing position. 
     As a result, in specific cases where, for example, the image forming apparatus  10  is transported, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the toner  90  while closing the cover portion  100  only by attaching the temporarily fitting member  65  to the support plate  60 . The attachment of the temporarily fitting member  65  is an extremely simple work. 
     In addition, when the cover portion  100  is opened, the shutter  51  of the toner container  5  is closed without a special operation, and leakage of the toner  90  is prevented. 
     In addition, the image forming apparatus  10  further includes a cover state detection mechanism  7  (see  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ). The cover state detection mechanism  7  is configured to detect whether the cover portion  100  is in the open state or the closed state. 
     The cover state detection mechanism  7  includes an object sensor  70 , a detection target member  71 , and a return spring  72 . The return spring  72  is an example of a return elastic member. 
     The object sensor  70  is disposed in the apparatus main body  1  and configured to detect an object that is located at a predetermined detection position. For example, a contact-type sensor, such as a limit switch, may be adopted as the object sensor  70 . In addition, a non-contact type sensor, such as a photo sensor, may be adopted as the object sensor  70 . 
     The detection target member  71  is displaceably supported in the apparatus main body  1 . Specifically, the detection target member  71  is supported by a support shaft  710  fixed to the support plate  60  in such a way as to be displaced vertically and swing around the support shaft  710 . 
     The detection target member  71  includes a first contact portion  71   a , a second contact portion  71   b , and a detected portion  71   c . In the present embodiment, an upper end portion of the detection target member  71  that is formed to be vertically long is the first contact portion  71   a , and a lower end portion of the detection target member  71  is the second contact portion  71   b.    
     The first contact portion  71   a  is configured to abut on an abutting portion  100   b  formed on the cover portion  100  when the cover portion  100  is closed (see  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 10 ). The abutting portion  100   b  is formed to project from an inner surface of the cover portion  100 . 
     The second contact portion  71   b  is configured to abut on the second rack gear  622  interlocking with the cover portion  100  when the cover portion  100  is opened (see  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 11 ). 
     The detected portion  71   c  is configured to proceed to the detection position. The object sensor  70  detects the detected portion  71   c  that has proceeded to the detection position. 
     The detection target member  71  is configured to be displaced among predetermined standard position, actuation position, and retreat position.  FIG. 12  shows a state where the detection target member  71  is located at the standard position,  FIG. 4  shows a state where the detection target member  71  is located at the actuation position, and  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11  show a state where the detection target member  71  is located at the retreat position. 
     In the state where the detection target member  71  is located at the standard position, the first contact portion  71   a  is located at a position where the first contact portion  71   a  is in contact with the abutting portion  100   b  of the cover portion  100 , and the detected portion  71   c  is located outside the detection position (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     In the state where the detection target member  71  is located at the actuation position, the detected portion  71   c  is located at the detection position (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     In the state where the detection target member  71  is located at the retreat position, the first contact portion  71   a  is located at a position where the first contact portion  71   a  is not in contact with the abutting portion  100   b  of the cover portion  100 , and the detected portion  71   c  is located outside the detection position (see  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ). 
     The return spring  72  applies an elastic force to the detection target member  71 , thereby holding the detection target member  71  at the standard position. With this configuration, the detection target member  71  is held at the standard position by the elastic force of the return spring  72  when the detection target member  71  is in contact with neither the abutting portion  100   b  nor the second rack gear  622  (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     When the cover portion  100  is closed in a state where the detection target member  71  is located at the standard position, the abutting portion  100   b  of the cover portion  100  abuts on the first contact portion  71   a , and thereby displaces the detection target member  71  from the standard position to the actuation position (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     When the detection target member  71  is displaced to the actuation position, the detected portion  71   c  proceeds to the detection position, and the object sensor  70  detects the detected portion  71   c . Upon detection of the detected portion  71   c , the object sensor  70  detects that the cover portion  100  is closed. 
     The control device  11  permits an execution of the print process on condition that the object sensor  70  has detected an object. Here, the object detected by the object sensor  70  is the detected portion  71   c.    
     That is, the control device  11  permits an execution of the print process by the print device  4  on condition that the cover portion  100  is closed. In a case where the temporarily fitting member  65  has not been attached to the support plate  60  and the cover portion  100  is closed, the shutters  51  of the toner containers  5  are open. 
     On the other hand, the control device  11  prohibits the execution of the print process in a case where the object sensor  70  does not detect an object. That is, in a case where the cover portion  100  is open, upon receiving a request to execute the print process, the control device  11  does not allow the print device  4  to execute the print process. It is noted that the control on the print process by the control device  11  is executed by the processor  11   x.    
     In a case where the temporarily fitting member  65  has not been attached to the support plate  60  and the cover portion  100  is open, the shutters  51  of the toner containers  5  are closed. That is, the control device  11  does not allow the print device  4  to execute the print process when the shutters  51  of the toner containers  5  are closed. 
     When the second rack gear  622  moves in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover portion  100  in a state where the detection target member  71  is located at the standard position, the second rack gear  622  abuts on the second contact portion  71   b  and thereby displaces the detection target member  71  from the standard position to the retreat position (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     In addition, in a case where the temporarily fitting member  65  has been attached to the support plate  60 , the second rack gear  622  does not move in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the cover portion  100 . As a result, the second rack gear  622  is held at a position where it abuts on the second contact portion  71   b , regardless of the state of the cover portion  100  (see  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ). 
     That is, in a case where the temporarily fitting member  65  has been attached to the support plate  60 , the state where the second rack gear  622  abuts on the second contact portion  71   b  is maintained, and the detection target member  71  is held at the retreat position (see  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ). 
     As a result, in a case where the temporarily fitting member  65  has been attached to the support plate  60 , if the cover portion  100  is closed, the abutting portion  100   b  does not abut on the first contact portion  71   a , and the object sensor  70  does not detect the detected portion  71   c.    
     That is, in a case where the temporarily fitting member  65  has been attached to the support plate  60 , the state where the control device  11  prohibits an execution of the print process is maintained regardless of the opening/closing of the cover portion  100 . This makes it possible to prevent an execution of the print process while the shutters  51  of the toner containers  5  are closed. 
     It is noted that in a case where the image forming apparatus  10  is a monochrome image forming apparatus, the attachment portion  6  is configured such that only one toner container  5  is attached to the attachment portion  6 . In this case, the attachment portion  6  includes one shutter output portion  6   x , one second pinion gear  63 , one rotation output portion  6   z , and one holder  66 . 
     Application Example 
     Next, an application example of the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  applicable to the image forming apparatus  10  is described. 
     In the main interlocking mechanism of the present application example, the temporarily fitting member  65  of the main interlocking mechanism  6   y  is replaced with a switch attached to the support plate  60 . For example, the switch may be a slide switch. In this case, the switch is configured to be slide-displaced between a position to lock the locked portion  641   b  of the engaging member  641 , and a position separated from the engaging member  641 . 
     When the switch is turned ON, the switch causes the engaging member  641  to be locked to the released attitude against the elastic force of the engaging spring  642 . In addition, when the switch is turned OFF, the switch is separated from the engaging member  641 . 
     In the present application example, the auxiliary interlocking mechanism  64  and the switch are an example of the switch mechanism. In addition, the operation to turn ON the switch is an example of the release operation, and the operation to turn OFF the switch is an example of the enabling operation. 
     It is to be understood that the embodiments herein are illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.