Patent Publication Number: US-11392076-B2

Title: Recovery container for recovering powder and powder application apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-056882 filed Mar. 26, 2020. 
     BACKGROUND 
     (i) Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a recovery container and a powder application apparatus. 
     (ii) Related Art 
     Japanese Patent No. 6551093 discloses a powder recovery container that is removably attached to an image forming apparatus. 
     In a known system, a powder recovery container has a discharge port, through which recovered powder is discharged, in a lower part of the powder recovery container. The discharge port is closed with an opening/closing part urged in an attachment direction. When the recovery container is attached to the apparatus body, a periphery of a recovery port of a recovery bottle of the apparatus body push-opens the opening/closing part in a direction opposite to the attachment direction, and the discharge port is connected to the recovery port of the recovery bottle. In a case where the recovery container is inclined when the recovery container is attached to the apparatus body, faulty push-opening of the opening/closing part may occur. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to, in a configuration in which an opening/closing part that closes a powder discharge port provided in a recovery container is push-opened by a periphery of a recovery port of an attachment target, suppressing faulty push-opening of the opening/closing part when the recovery container is attached to the attachment target, compared with a configuration in which the periphery of the recovery port comes into contact with the opening/closing part and then comes into contact with a portion of the attachment target to suppress inclination of a container body. 
     Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure address the above advantages and/or other advantages not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not required to address the advantages described above, and aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not address advantages described above. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a recovery container including a container body that has a recovery path through which powder is recovered and that is removably attached to an attachment target; a discharge port that is provided in the container body and through which the powder transported through the recovery path is discharged to outside; an opening/closing part that is provided in the container body, that is urged in an attachment direction of the container body to close the discharge port, and, in an attached state in which the container body is attached to the attachment target, that is push-opened by a periphery of a recovery port provided in the attachment target; a guide part that is provided on an opposite side of the opening/closing part of the container body from the discharge port and that extends in the attachment direction of the container body to guide movement of the opening/closing part; and an inclination suppressing part that is provided at the container body and that comes into contact with a portion of the attachment target before the periphery of the recovery port comes into contact with the opening/closing part to suppress inclination of the container body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  schematically shows an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which a cover is open; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus in  FIG. 2 , showing a state in which a recovery container is removed; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the recovery container of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from the front side, showing a state in which the recovery container is attached to a housing; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the recovery container in  FIG. 4 , as viewed from the rear side, showing a state in which the recovery container is locked to the housing; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the recovery container in  FIG. 4 , as viewed from the rear side, showing a state in which the recovery container is unlocked (i.e., locking is released) from the housing; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the recovery container in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a back view of the recovery container in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the relevant part of the recovery container according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the relevant part of the recovery container in  FIG. 9 , as viewed from the opposite side to that in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the relevant part of the recovery container in  FIG. 9 , as viewed from the side; 
         FIG. 12A  is an enlarged side view of the relevant part showing the operation of guiding a periphery of a recovery port in the housing with an inclined portion and a guide part of the recovery container;  FIG. 12B  is an enlarged side view of the relevant part showing the operation of push-opening an opening/closing shutter that closes an external discharge port with the periphery of the recovery port guided in  FIG. 12A ; and  FIG. 12C  is an enlarged side view of the relevant part showing a state in which the opening/closing shutter is completely push-opened in  FIG. 12B , and the external discharge port and the recovery port are connected; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged plan view of a lock part in a state in which the recovery container is being moved relative to the housing, in an attachment direction; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged plan view of a projection in a state in which the recovery container is being moved relative to the housing, in the attachment direction; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the lock part is operated in a state in which the recovery container is being moved relative to the housing, in the attachment direction; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which first inclined portions of the projection are in contact with an end of an engaging part in a state in which the recovery container is being moved relative to the housing, in the attachment direction; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the recovery container is moved relative to the housing, in the attachment direction, and the lock part is inserted into an opening; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged plan view showing a state in which the recovery container is moved relative to the housing, in the attachment direction, and the projection is engaged with the engaging part; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged perspective view of the relevant part in a storage part, showing a state in which the recovery container is attached to the housing; and 
         FIG. 20  is a front view showing the relevant part of the recovery container in the state in which the recovery container is attached to the housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A recovery container and a powder application apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. 
     First, an image forming apparatus  10 , serving as an example of a powder application apparatus according to this exemplary embodiment, will be described. Then, a recovery container  60  used in the image forming apparatus  10  will be described. 
     Overall Configuration 
     First, the image forming apparatus  10  according to this exemplary embodiment will be described. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the image forming apparatus  10  includes a housing  11 , serving as an apparatus body. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus  10  also includes, inside of the housing  11 : photoconductors  12 , serving as an example of an image carrier; charging devices  14 , serving as an example of a charging part; exposure devices  16 , serving as an example of an exposure part; developing devices  18 , serving as an example of a supply part; a controller  20 , serving as an example of a control part; a transfer device  22 , serving as an example of a transfer part; a fixing device  24 , serving as an example of a fixing part; cleaning devices  26 , serving as an example of a cleaning part; and toner cartridges  28 , serving as an example of a powder container. The photoconductors  12 , the charging devices  14 , the exposure devices  16 , and the cleaning devices  26  constitute photoconductor units  30 , serving as an example of an image carrier unit. Housings  31  of the photoconductor units  30  are removably attached to the housing  11 . 
     In the description below, in a front view of the image forming apparatus  10  (i.e., when the image forming apparatus  10  is viewed from the side where a user (not shown) stands), the apparatus width direction, the apparatus height direction, and the apparatus depth direction will be referred to as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are perpendicular to one another. When one side and the other side in the X, Y, and Z directions need to be distinguished, in the front view of the image forming apparatus  10 , the upper side of the image forming apparatus  10  is referred to as +Y side, the lower side is referred to as −Y side, the right side is referred to as +X side, the left side is referred to as −X side, the far side is referred to as +Z side, and the front side is referred to as −Z side. The Y direction is an example of the gravity direction. The X and Z directions are an example of the horizontal direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a cover  32  capable of being pivoted to the front side in the apparatus depth direction is attached to the front side of the housing  11 . On the far side of the cover  32  in the apparatus depth direction, a recovery container  60  for developer, which serves as a colorant and which is an example of powder, is removably attached to the housing  11 , serving as an example of an attachment target. More specifically, the housing  11  has a storage part  50  having a shape corresponding to the external shape of the recovery container  60 , and the recovery container  60  is stored in the storage part  50  and thus attached to the housing  11 . The width direction, the height direction, and the thickness direction of the recovery container  60  in a state attached to the housing  11  are equal to the apparatus width direction, the apparatus height direction, and the apparatus depth direction. Accordingly, in a front view of the recovery container  60 , the upper side, the lower side, the right side, the left side, the far side, and the front side of the recovery container  60  correspond to the +Y side, −Y side, +X side, −X side, +Z side, and −Z side, respectively. 
     In  FIG. 11 , the arrow E shows an attachment direction, in which the recovery container  60  (container body  62 ) is attached to the housing  11 . The attachment direction is equal to the direction toward the far side in the apparatus depth direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an operation handle  88 , serving as an example of an operation member, is provided on a front part  62 D of the recovery container  60  (i.e., a front-side part of the container body  62  in the apparatus depth direction). By operating the operation handle  88 , the recovery container  60  locked in the housing  11  is released, and recovery ports  66  from which developer, serving as an example of powder, is recovered are closed. In association with the operation of the operation handle  88 , the first transfer rollers  34  of the transfer device  22  move away from the photoconductors  12 . Then, by removing the recovery container  60  from the housing  11 , the photoconductor units  30  corresponding to respective colors, attached to the housing  11 , are exposed to the outside (see  FIG. 3 ) and become accessible. 
     After the recovery container  60  is removed, operation levers  38  provided on the developing devices  18  are operated so as to be retracted from removal paths for the photoconductor units  30 . Then, by pulling the photoconductor units  30  toward the front side in the apparatus depth direction, the photoconductor units  30  are removed from the housing  11 . 
     Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus  10  will be described. 
     The operations of the respective components of the image forming apparatus  10  are controlled by the controller  20 . In the image forming apparatus  10 , the developing devices  18  develop latent images on the photoconductors  12  with developer, which serves as colorant and is an example of powder, transported from the toner cartridges  28  to form toner images, serving as an example of a developer image. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus  10 , after the transfer device  22  transfers the toner images to a recording medium P, the toner images are fixed to the recording medium P by the fixing device  24 . 
     The developer contains, for example: toner, serving as an example of negatively charged colorant; iron carrier, serving as an example of a positively charged magnetic material; and additives. The toner and the carrier are major ingredients of the developer. The toner is made of, for example, polyester resin. 
     Configuration of Relevant Part 
     Next, the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment will be described in detail. 
     The developer used in the developing devices  18 , the developer removed from an intermediate transfer belt  36 , and the developer removed from the photoconductors  12  are recovered in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment. Then, the recovered developer is aggregated and is discharged from an external discharge port (see  FIGS. 12A to 12C , described below) to a recovery bottle  58  (see  FIGS. 2 and 12 ) located at the lower part of the housing  11 . In the present disclosure, “recover” represents to temporarily or permanently hold the powder therein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 to 8 , the recovery container  60  includes the container body  62 . 
     The container body  62  has a box shape and has a recovery path  64  in which developer is recovered. The container body  62  is stored in the storage part  50  of the housing  11  and is attached to the housing  11 . As described above, because the storage part  50  has a shape conforming to the external shape of the recovery container  60  (container body  62 ), the container body  62  covers the photoconductors  12  and the transfer device  22 , in a state in which the container body  62  is stored in the storage part  50 . 
     The recovery path  64  is a passage in which the developer recovered from the recovery ports  66  (described below) is aggregated and is transported to the external discharge port  68 . The recovery path  64  includes branch passages (not shown) extending downward from the recovery ports  66 , and a principal passage  64 A to which the branch passages are joined. The principal passage  64 A is provided at the lower part of the container body  62  and extends from one side (right side in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) toward the other side (left side in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) in the width direction of the container body  62 . The developer recovered in the principal passage  64 A is transported from one side (left side in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) toward the other side (right side in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) in an extending direction in which the principal passage  64 A extends. More specifically, a transport auger  70 , serving as an example of a transport member, is provided in the principal passage  64 A so as to rotate about an axis along the extending direction of the principal passage  64 A. As the transport auger  70  rotates, the developer in the principal passage  64 A is transported from the other side toward one side in the width direction of the container body  62 . 
     The container body  62  has, in a bottom  62 A, the external discharge port  68  (see  FIGS. 12A to 12C ). More specifically, the external discharge port  68  is provided at the other end portion of the principal passage  64 A in the extending direction thereof and opens downward. The developer transported through the principal passage  64 A is discharged outside through the external discharge port  68 . In this exemplary embodiment, in a state in which the recovery container  60  is attached to the housing  11 , the external discharge port  68  is connected to a recovery port  52  provided in a bottom surface  50 A of the storage part  50 . The recovery port  52  is connected to the mouth of the recovery bottle  58  attached to the housing  11 , below the storage part  50 . Thus, the developer discharged from the external discharge port  68  is collected in the recovery bottle  58  through the recovery port  52 . 
     An opening/closing shutter  72 , serving as an example of an opening/closing part and is urged in an attachment direction E by a spring member (for example, a coil spring; not shown) to close the external discharge port  68 , is provided at a portion in the bottom  62 A of the container body  62  corresponding to the external discharge port  68 . In an attached state in which the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , the opening/closing shutter  72  is push-opened by a flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52 . More specifically, when the container body  62  is moved in the attachment direction E, relative to the housing  11 , the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  comes into contact with an end  72 A of the opening/closing shutter  72  on the attachment direction E side, as shown in  FIGS. 12A to 12C . When the container body  62  is moved further in the attachment direction E, the opening/closing shutter  72  is pushed in the direction opposite to the attachment direction E, opening the external discharge port  68 . Thus, the external discharge port  68  and the recovery port  52  are connected. 
     Guide parts  74  that guide the movement of the opening/closing shutter  72  are provided in the container body  62 , on the opposite side of the opening/closing shutter  72  from the external discharge port  68 . The guide parts  74  are flat surfaces extending in the thickness direction of the container body  62  (the attachment direction E). 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12A to 12C , the guide parts  74  have inclined portions  76  extending obliquely in a direction away from the opening/closing shutter  72 , in the attachment direction E from the ends thereof on the attachment direction E side. The inclined portions  76  are flat surfaces extending obliquely downward in the attachment direction E, when the guide parts  74  are viewed in the width direction of the container body  62 . The inclined portions  76  is capable of guiding the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  to the opening/closing shutter  72 . More specifically, when the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  comes into contact with the inclined portions  76  when the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  is guided by the inclined portions  76  to a position between the external discharge port  68  and the guide parts  74  in the height direction of the container body  62 . The thus guided flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  comes into contact with the end  72 A of the opening/closing shutter  72  and pushes the opening/closing shutter  72 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , in this exemplary embodiment, the guide parts  74  are provided on both sides of the external discharge port  68  in the width direction of the container body  62 . Because the guide parts  74  support and guide the ends of the opening/closing shutter  72  in the width direction, rattling of the opening/closing shutter  72  when moving is suppressed. Because the guide parts  74  have the inclined portions  76 , the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  is stably guided. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the container body  62  has inclination suppressing parts  78  that come into contact with a portion of the housing  11  to suppress inclination of the container body  62  before the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  comes into contact with the opening/closing shutter  72 . More specifically, a protruding part  80  protruding outward in the width direction is provided on the lower part of one side part  62 B of the container body  62  in the width direction. The protruding part  80  has, on a top surface  80 A thereof, first ridges  82  constituting the inclination suppressing parts  78  and, on a lower surface  80 B thereof, a second ridge  84  constituting the inclination suppressing part  78 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the first ridges  82  project upward from the top surface  80 A of the protruding part  80  and extend in the thickness direction of the container body (the attachment direction E). Tops  82 A of the first ridges  82  are flat surfaces extending in the attachment direction E. When the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , the tops  82 A of the first ridges  82  come into contact with a ceiling  51 A of a recess  51  in a side wall  50 B of the storage part  50  corresponding to the protruding part  80  (see  FIG. 20 ). In a state in which the recovery container  60  is attached to the housing  11 , as shown in  FIG. 20 , the ceiling  51 A and the first ridges  82  face each other. The ceiling  51 A of the recess  51  in this exemplary embodiment is an example of a first wall of a storage part of the present disclosure. 
     Furthermore, the first ridges  82  have, at ends  82 B on the attachment direction E side, inclined portions  82 C (see  FIG. 11 ) that are inclined such that the height of the first ridges  82  decreases from the tops  82 A toward the bases. 
     Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, multiple (two) first ridges  82  are provided on the top surface  80 A with a distance therebetween in the width direction of the container body  62  (see  FIG. 20 ). Note that the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the number of the first ridges  82  may be one, or three or more. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the second ridge  84  projects downward from the lower surface  80 B of the protruding part  80  and extends in the thickness direction of the container body  62  (the attachment direction E). A top  84 A of the second ridge  84  is a flat surface extending in the attachment direction E. Furthermore, when the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , the top  84 A comes into contact with a bottom surface  51 B of the recess  51  (see  FIG. 20 ). As shown in  FIG. 20 , in a state in which the recovery container  60  is attached to the housing  11 , the bottom surface  51 B and the second ridge  84  face each other. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface  51 B of the recess  51  is an example of a second wall of the storage part of the present disclosure. 
     Furthermore, the second ridge  84  has, at an end  84 B on the attachment direction E side, an inclined portion  84 C (see  FIG. 11 ) that is inclined such that the height of the second ridge  84  decreases from the top  84 A toward the base. Moreover, in this exemplary embodiment, the second ridge  84  has, at an end  84 D on the side opposite to the attachment direction E side, an inclined portion  84 E that is inclined such that the height of the second ridge  84  decreases from the top  84 A toward the base (see  FIG. 11 ). 
     Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, one second ridge  84  is provided on the lower surface  80 B (see  FIG. 20 ). Note that the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the number of the second ridge  84  may be more than one. 
     A connector  86  (see  FIG. 10 ), serving as an example of a force transmission part for rotating the transport auger  70 , is provided near the external discharge port  68  in the container body  62 . More specifically, the connector  86  is provided at the lower part of the side part  62 B of the container body  62 . In a state in which the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , the connector  86  is connected to a rotary drive part (not shown) provided on the housing  11  and converts the rotational force from the rotary drive part to the rotational force for the transport auger  70 . In a state in which the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , the rotational force from the rotary drive part is converted to the rotational force for the transport auger  70  via the connector  86 , and the developer recovered in the principal passage  64 A is transported to the external discharge port  68  as the transport auger  70  rotates. 
     Furthermore, the container body  62  has multiple recovery ports  66 , through which the developer is recovered from the housing  11  side, in a rear part  62 E (rear-side portion in the apparatus depth direction). The recovery ports  66  are provided on the recovery path  64  in the container body  62 . The recovery ports  66  is connectable to developer discharge units  40 , serving as an example of a powder discharge unit, on the housing  11  side. In a state in which the recovery ports  66  and the developer discharge units  40  are connected, the developer discharged from the developer discharge units  40  is recovered through the recovery ports  66  and is directed to the recovery path  64  (from the branch passages to the principal passage  64 A). More specifically, in this exemplary embodiment, the developer used in the developing devices  18 , the developer removed from the intermediate transfer belt  36 , and the developer removed from the photoconductors  12  are recovered through the recovery ports  66 . Recovery ports through which the developer discharged from the developer discharge units  40  in the developing devices  18  is recovered are denoted by reference sign  66 A (see  FIG. 5 ), recovery ports through which the developer removed from the photoconductors  12  by the cleaning devices  26  is recovered are denoted by reference sign  66 B (see  FIG. 5 ), and a recovery port through which the developer removed from the intermediate transfer belt  36  by a belt cleaning member (not shown) is recovered is denoted by reference sign  66 C (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The recovery ports  66 A are openable and closable by opening/closing shutters  67  urged in the attachment direction E by coil springs, serving as an example of an urging member (not shown). In an attached state in which the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , the opening/closing shutters  67  are pushed in the direction opposite to the attachment direction E by peripheries of the developer discharge units  40  and open the recovery ports  66 A (see  FIG. 6 ). In a removed state in which the container body  62  is removed from the housing  11 , the opening/closing shutters  67  close the recovery ports  66 A (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 16 , a projection  90  is provided at a distance from the container body  62  in a direction intersecting with the attachment direction E. More specifically, the projection  90  is provided at a distance from and on the outer side of the upper part of the side part  62 B of the container body  62  in the width direction. More specifically, the projection  90  is provided on a surface  100 A of an attachment/detachment handle  100 , which will be described in detail below, and projects outward from the surface  100 A in the width direction of the container body  62 . The projection  90  is configured to be engaged with an engaging part  54 A formed on the side wall  50 B on one side (right side in  FIGS. 14 and 19 ) of the storage part  50  in the apparatus width direction. Herein, the engaging part  54 A is a wall portion located in front of an opening  54  provided in the side wall  50 B in the apparatus depth direction. Furthermore, an end  54 B of the engaging part  54 A, which will be described below, is a corner located at the boundary between the side wall  50 B and the engaging part  54 A. Furthermore, the opening  54  is provided above the recess  51  in the side wall  50 B. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the projection  90  has a slip-off preventing portion  92  formed at a portion on the side opposite to the attachment direction E side. When the slip-off preventing portion  92  is engaged with the engaging part  54 A, detachment of the projection  90  from the engaging part  54 A (releasing of engagement) is prevented (see  FIG. 18 ). The slip-off preventing portion  92  of the projection  90  is a flat surface extending in the width direction of the container body  62 . 
     Furthermore, the projection  90  has first inclined portions  94  inclined so as to be gradually separated from the container body  62 , in the attachment direction E from the slip-off preventing portion  92 . When viewed from above, the first inclined portions  94  are flat surfaces extending at an angle to the attachment direction E. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the projection  90  has second inclined portions  96  formed on the attachment direction E side of the first inclined portions  94 . The second inclined portions  96  are inclined so as to gradually approach the container body  62 , in the attachment direction E. When viewed from above, the second inclined portions  96  are flat surfaces extending at an angle to the attachment direction E, in the direction opposite to the direction in which the first inclined portions  94  are inclined. 
     Furthermore, the projection  90  has curved portions  98 , which is curved in an arc shape, between the first inclined portions  94  and the second inclined portions  96 . The curved portions  98  connect the first inclined portions  94  and the second inclined portions  96 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the attachment/detachment handle  100 , serving as an example of an urging member, that urges the projection  90  away from the container body  62  is provided between the container body  62  and the projection  90 . More specifically, the attachment/detachment handle  100  is provided at the upper part of the side part  62 B of the container body  62 . More specifically, the attachment/detachment handle  100  is provided above the protruding part  80  on the side part  62 B. The attachment/detachment handle  100  is a plate-shaped spring member whose one end  100 B is supported by the side part  62 B of the container body  62 , and whose other end  100 C is located farther from the attachment direction E side than the one end  100 B is. In a state in which the recovery container  60  is removed, the other end  100 C of the attachment/detachment handle  100  is in a free state. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 18 , when viewed from above, the attachment/detachment handle  100  includes: an inclined plate portion  100 D extending from the one end  100 B toward the side away from the side part  62 B, that is, in the direction opposite to the attachment direction E (i.e., toward the outside in the width direction of the container body  62 ); and a grip plate portion  100 E extending from the end of the inclined plate portion  100 D in the direction opposite to the attachment direction E. The inclined plate portion  100 D is longer than the grip plate portion  100 E. The other end  100 C of the attachment/detachment handle  100  protrudes from a front side  62 DA of the container body  62  toward the other side in the thickness direction of the container body  62  (front side in the apparatus depth direction). Because the grip plate portion  100 E partially protrudes from the front side  62 DA toward the front side in the apparatus depth direction, it is easy to operate the attachment/detachment handle  100  when the recovery container  60  is removed from the housing  11 . 
     Furthermore, the attachment/detachment handle  100  has, on the surface  100 A of the other end  100 C, the projection  90 . More specifically, the projection  90  is provided at an end of the inclined plate portion  100 D near the grip plate portion  100 E. As shown in  FIG. 14 , when the recovery container  60  (container body  62 ) is attached to the housing  11 , the attachment/detachment handle  100  is subjected to a force toward the inside in the width direction of the container body  62  from the projection  90 , which is in contact with the side wall  50 B of the storage part  50 . As a result, the one end  100 B is deflected, and the other end  100 C moves toward the inside in the width direction of the container body  62 . When the projection  90  reaches the opening  54  in the storage part  50 , as shown in  FIG. 18 , the slip-off preventing portion  92  of the projection  90  is engaged with the engaging part  54 A. In this exemplary embodiment, although the projection  90  has a groove (recess) extending in the attachment direction E in the middle in the height direction of the container body  62 , the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 15 , the attachment/detachment handle  100  has an opening  101  through which a lock part  102 A of a lock member  102  (described below) passes. More specifically, the opening  101  is in the inclined plate portion  100 D and the grip plate portion  100 E of the attachment/detachment handle  100 . The projection  90  is located below the opening  101  in the inclined plate portion  100 D. More specifically, the projection  90  is located near the lower end of the inclined plate portion  100 D. 
     Furthermore, an attachment/detachment handle  104  is provided at the lower part of a side part  62 C of the container body  62 , which is on the other side (left side in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) in the width direction. The attachment/detachment handle  104  is a plate-shaped spring member whose one end  104 B is supported by the lower part of the side part  62 C of the container body  62 , and whose other end  104 C is located farther from the attachment direction E side than the one end  104 B is. In the state in which the recovery container  60  is removed, the other end  104 C of the attachment/detachment handle  104  is in a free state. The attachment/detachment handle  104  includes: an inclined plate portion  104 D extending from the one end  104 B toward the side away from the side part  62 B, that is, in the direction opposite to the attachment direction E (i.e., toward the outside in the width direction of the container body  62 ); and a grip plate portion  104 E extending from the end of the inclined plate portion  104 D in the direction opposite to the attachment direction E. The inclined plate portion  104 D is longer than the grip plate portion  104 E. Note that the other end  104 C of the attachment/detachment handle  104  protrudes from the front side  62 DA of the container body  62  toward the other side in the thickness direction of the container body  62  (front side in the apparatus depth direction). Because the grip plate portion  104 E partially protrudes from the front side  62 DA toward the front side in the apparatus depth direction, it is easy to operate the attachment/detachment handle  104  when the recovery container  60  is removed from the housing  11 . 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the attachment/detachment handle  104  has, on a surface  104 A near the other end  104 C, projections  106 . More specifically, the projections  106  are provided at an end of the inclined plate portion  104 D near the grip plate portion  104 E. In this exemplary embodiment, although the projections  106  have a groove (recess) extending in the attachment direction E in the middle in the height direction of the container body  62 , the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Furthermore, the projections  106  are configured to be engaged with engaging parts (not shown) formed in a side wall  50 C (left side wall in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) of the storage part  50 . When the recovery container  60  (container body  62 ) is attached to the housing  11 , the attachment/detachment handle  104  is subjected to a force toward the inside in the width direction of the container body  62  from the projections  106 , which are in contact with the side wall  50 C of the storage part  50 . As a result, the one end  104 B is deflected, and the other end  104 C moves toward the inside in the width direction of the container body  62 . When the projections  106  reach the engaging parts in the side wall  50 C, the projections  106  are engaged with the engaging parts. In this exemplary embodiment, two projections  106  are provided at a distance from each other in the height direction of the container body  62 . 
     As a result of the projection  90  and the projections  106  on the recovery container  60  being engaged with the engaging part  54 A and engaging parts (not shown), respectively, the recovery container  60  is held by (attached to) the housing  11 . Furthermore, by gripping the other end  100 C of the attachment/detachment handle  100  and the other end  104 C of the attachment/detachment handle  104 , which are located on both sides of the recovery container  60 , and pushing them inward in the width direction, the projection  90  and the projections  106  are detached (disengaged) from the engaging part  54 A and the engaging parts (not shown). By pulling out the recovery container  60  in this state from the housing  11  in the direction opposite to the attachment direction E, the recovery container  60  is removed from the housing  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , it is desirable that, when the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11  and in a state in which the first inclined portions  94  of the projection  90  are in contact with the end  54 B of the engaging part  54 A, an inclination angle θ (see  FIG. 18 ) of the first inclined portions  94  of the projection  90  with respect to the attachment direction E be set such that a force F 1 , which is converted from a repulsive force (urging force) F of the attachment/detachment handle  100  and which moves the container body  62  in the attachment direction, is greater than a repulsive force (total repulsive force) R applied to the container body  62  from the coil spring that urges the opening/closing shutters  67 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the container body  62  has a pushing part  110 . More specifically, the pushing part  110  is provided on the side part  62 B of the container body  62  so as to be movable from the inside toward the outside in the width direction of the container body  62 . More specifically, the pushing part  110  is movable from a first position shown in  FIG. 14  to a second position shown in  FIG. 18 , which is located further on the outer side of the first position in the width direction of the container body  62 . When moved from the first position to the second position, the pushing part  110  is capable of pushing the other end  100 C of the attachment/detachment handle  100  to be away from the container body  62  (toward the outside in the width direction) (see  FIG. 16 ). More specifically, in attaching the recovery container  60  to the housing  11 , when the pushing part  110  is moved from the first position to the second position with the attachment/detachment handle  100  being elastically deformed toward the inside in the width direction of the container body  62  (loaded state), the pushing part  110  pushes the other end  100 C of the attachment/detachment handle  100  (more specifically, the grip plate portion  100 E) toward the outside in the width direction. The pushing part  110  moves in association with the lock member  102  (described below). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the container body  62  has the lock member  102  that maintains the recovery container  60  attached to the housing  11  by the operation of the operation handle  88 . The lock member  102  includes the lock part  102 A projecting from the side part  62 B of the container body  62  outward in the width direction of the container body  62  and a lock part  102 B projecting from the side part  62 C outward in the width direction of the container body  62 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 13 , the lock part  102 A has a substantially rectangular-parallelepiped shape and has an inclined surface  102 AC extending from an end surface  102 AA toward a side surface  102 AB on the other side in the thickness direction of the container body  62  (front side in the apparatus depth direction). The lock part  102 A caused to project outward in the width direction of the container body  62  by the operation of the operation handle  88  passes through the opening  101  in the attachment/detachment handle  100  and is inserted into an opening  55  provided in the side wall  50 B of the storage part  50 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the lock part  102 B projects from the upper part of the side part  62 C of the container body  62  outward in the width direction of the container body  62 . More specifically, the lock part  102 B projects from above the attachment/detachment handle  104  on the side part  62 C of the container body  62  outward in the width direction of the container body  62 . The lock part  102 B has a substantially rectangular-parallelepiped shape. The lock part  102 B caused to project outward in the width direction of the container body  62  by the operation of the operation handle  88  is inserted into an opening (not shown) provided in the side wall  50 C of the storage part  50 . The lock part  102 A and the lock part  102 B project outward in the width direction by the operation of the operation handle  88  in an associated manner. 
     The lock member  102  also includes a lock part  102 C projecting from a top  62 F of the container body  62 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the lock part  102 C projects upward from the top  62 F of the container body  62 . More specifically, the lock part  102 C projects upward from a portion of the top  62 F of the container body  62  near the side part  62 C. The lock part  102 C has a substantially rectangular-parallelepiped shape. The lock part  102 C caused to project upward by the operation of the operation handle  88  is engaged with an engaging part (not shown) provided on a ceiling  50 D of the storage part  50 . The lock part  102 C projects upward in association with the lock part  102 A and the lock part  102 B by the operation of the operation handle  88 . 
     The lock part  102 A may be configured to move linearly in the width direction of the container body  62  and project to the outside from the side part  62 B in the width direction by the operation of the operation handle  88  or may be configured to project to the outside from the side part  62 B in the width direction by rotational movement. The lock part  102 B and the lock part  102 C may have the same configuration as the lock part  102 A. 
     The lock member  102  and the pushing part  110  are formed as an integral part. More specifically, the pushing part  110  is formed integrally with the periphery of the lock part  102 A of the lock member  102 . Hence, in association with the operation of the lock part  102 A projecting from the side part  62 B outward in the width direction of the container body  62 , the pushing part  110  moves outward in the width direction of the container body  62 . 
     Furthermore, the operation handle  88  is provided on the front part  62 D of the container body  62 . The operation handle  88  is connected to the lock member  102 . By operating the operation handle  88 , locking (maintaining the attached state) and unlocking (releasing the maintaining of the attached state) of the recovery container  60  with the lock member  102  is capable of being switched. More specifically, when the operation handle  88  is rotated clockwise in a state in which the recovery container  60  is attached to the housing  11 , the lock member  102  is operated by the operation force of the operation handle  88 , and the lock part  102 A, the lock part  102 B, and the lock part  102 C project from the container body  62 . Thus, the recovery container  60  is locked to the housing  11 . At this time, an opening/closing mechanism (not shown) is operated by the operation of the operation handle  88 , and the recovery ports  66 A are opened. Furthermore, the first transfer rollers  34  separated from the photoconductors  12  by a moving mechanism (not shown) move toward the photoconductors  12 . In contrast, when the operation handle  88  is rotated counterclockwise, the lock member  102  is operated by the operation force of the operation handle  88 , and the recovery container  60  is unlocked from the housing  11 . At this time, the opening/closing mechanism (not shown) is operated by the operation of the operation handle  88 , and the recovery ports  66 A are closed. Furthermore, the moving mechanism (not shown) moves the first transfer rollers  34  away from the photoconductors  12 . 
     Next, the effects of this exemplary embodiment will be described. 
     In the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, as a result of the slip-off preventing portion  92  of the projection  90  provided on the container body  62  being engaged with the engaging part  54 A provided on the housing  11 , the container body  62  is held by (attached to) the housing  11 . 
     The projection  90  has the first inclined portions  94  that are inclined from the slip-off preventing portion  92 , so as to be gradually separated from the container body  62  in the attachment direction E. Hence, even when the container body  62  is not sufficiently pushed into the housing  11  in the attachment direction E, and thus, the projection  90  does not reach a position where the slip-off preventing portion  92  is engaged with the engaging part  54 A, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the end  54 B of the engaging part  54 A comes into contact with the first inclined portions  94  of the projection  90 , the urging force (repulsive force) F of the attachment/detachment handle  100  is converted to the moving force F 1  in the attachment direction E by the first inclined portions  94 , and the container body  62  is moved in the attachment direction E, together with the projection  90 , by the moving force F 1 . When the end  54 B of the engaging part  54 A has moved from the first inclined portions  94  of the projection  90  to the slip-off preventing portion  92 , the slip-off preventing portion  92  of the projection  90  is engaged with the engaging part  54 A of the housing  11 , and the container body  62  is attached to (held by) the housing (see  FIG. 18 ). 
     As described above, with the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, faulty engagement of the projection  90  with the engaging part  54 A may be suppressed, compared with a case where the projection  90  has a flat portion extending from the slip-off preventing portion  92  in the attachment direction E. Note that “faulty engagement” as used herein represents a state in which the slip-off preventing portion  92  of the projection  90  is not in contact with the engaging part  54 A. 
     Moreover, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, when the first inclined portions  94  of the projection  90  come into contact with the end  54 B of the engaging part  54 A in a state in which the container body  62  is not sufficiently pushed into the housing  11  in the attachment direction E, the urging force F of the attachment/detachment handle  100  is converted to the force F 1  for moving the container body  62  in the attachment direction E by the first inclined portions  94 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , in the recovery container  60 , because the moving force F 1  in the attachment direction E of the container body  62  is greater than the urging force (repulsive force) R applied to the container body  62  from a coil spring that urges the opening/closing shutters  67 , faulty engagement of the projection  90  with the engaging part  54 A may be suppressed, compared with a configuration in which the moving force F 1  in the attachment direction E of the container body  62  and the repulsive force (total repulsive force) R applied to the container body  62  from the opening/closing shutters  67  are equal. 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, the second inclined portions  96  are formed on the projection  90 . Hence, when the second inclined portions  96  come into contact with the side wall  50 B of the storage part  50  when the recovery container  60  is attached to the housing  11 , the moving force in the attachment direction E is converted to a force, by the second inclined portions  96 , that pushes the projection  90  in the direction opposite to the urging direction exerted by the attachment/detachment handle  100 . As described above, when the recovery container  60  is attached to the housing  11 , the side wall  50 B of the storage part  50  and the second inclined portions  96  come into contact with each other, and the projection  90  is pushed in the direction opposite to the urging direction exerted by the attachment/detachment handle  100 . Hence, compared with a configuration in which portions extending toward the container body  62 , in a direction (width direction of the container body  62 ) perpendicular to the attachment direction E, is provided on a further attachment direction side than the first inclined portions  94  of the projection  90  are, the projection  90  may be smoothly moved to the position of the engaging part  54 A. 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, because the first inclined portions  94  and the second inclined portions  96  of the projection  90  are connected to each other by the arc-shaped curved portions  98 , when the recovery container  60  is attached to the housing  11 , the contact portion with respect to the side wall  50 B of the storage part  50  smoothly moves from the second inclined portions  96  toward the first inclined portions  94  through the curved portions  98 . As described above, in the recovery container  60 , the first inclined portions  94  and the second inclined portions  96  of the projection  90  are connected to each other by the curved portions  98 . Hence, compared with a configuration in which the first inclined portions  94  and the second inclined portions  96  are connected to each other by an angular portion, the contact portion with respect to the housing  11  may be smoothly moved from the second inclined portions  96  to the first inclined portions  94  via the curved portions  98 . 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, a plate-shaped spring member having the projection  90  is used as the attachment/detachment handle  100 . Hence, compared with a configuration in which the projection  90  is urged by using a coil spring, it is possible to apply an urging force to the projection  90  with a simple structure. 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 16 , when the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , even when the projection  90  does not reach a position where the slip-off preventing portion  92  is engaged with the engaging part  54 A, by moving the pushing part  110  from the first position to the second position, the other end (free end)  100 C side of the attachment/detachment handle  100  is pushed toward the side away from the container body  62 , and the slip-off preventing portion  92  of the projection  90  is forcedly engaged with the engaging part  54 A. As a result, the container body  62  is fitted to the housing  11 . 
     As described above, in the recovery container  60 , compared with a configuration in which the slip-off preventing portion  92  of the projection  90  is engaged with the engaging part  54 A only by the urging force of the attachment/detachment handle  100 , faulty engagement of the projection  90  with the engaging part  54 A may be suppressed. 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, when the lock member  102  is moved by the operation of the operation handle  88 , the pushing part  110  moves in conjunction with the lock member  102 . Hence, it is possible to engage the projection  90  with the engaging part  54 A and to lock the container body  62  to the housing  11  by a single operation. As described above, in the recovery container  60 , compared with a configuration in which the pushing part  110  and the lock member  102  operate separately, the operation may be simplified. 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, because the pushing part  110  and the lock member  102  are formed as an integral part, compared with a configuration in which the pushing part  110  and the lock member  102  are formed as separate members, the component count may be reduced. 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, the container body  62  has the opening/closing shutter  72  for closing the external discharge port  68 . Hence, when the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , the opening/closing shutter  72  is pushed in the direction opposite to the attachment direction E, and the external discharge port  68  is opened. At this time, a repulsive force in the direction opposite to the direction in which the opening/closing shutter  72  is urged is applied to the lower part of the side part  62 B of the container body  62 . However, in the recovery container  60 , the projection  90  having the first inclined portions  94  is formed at the upper part of the side part  62 B of the container body  62 . Hence, compared with a configuration in which the projection  90  having no first inclined portions  94  is provided at the upper part of the side part  62 B of the container body  62 , faulty engagement of the projection  90  with the engaging part  54 A may be suppressed, and inclination of the orientation of the container body  62  may be suppressed. 
     Moreover, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, when the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , the inclination suppressing parts  78  come into contact with the recess  51  in the storage part  50  to suppress inclination of the container body  62 , before the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  in the housing  11  comes into contact with the opening/closing shutter  72  for the external discharge port  68  (see  FIGS. 12A to 12C ). Hence, in the recovery container  60 , compared with a configuration in which the container body  62  is inclined when attached to the housing  11 , the external discharge port  68  may be more reliably push-opened by the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52 . 
     More specifically, when the container body  62  is stored in the storage part  50 , the tops  82 A of the first ridges  82  come into contact with the ceiling  51 A of the recess  51 , and the top  84 A of the second ridge  84  comes into contact with the bottom surface  51 B of the recess  51 , to suppress inclination of the orientation of the container body  62 . Moreover, because the first ridges  82  and the second ridge  84  extend in the attachment direction, the container body  62  continues to be prevented from being inclined in the orientation thereof until the container body  62  is stored in the storage part  50 . In addition, because the tops  82 A of the first ridges  82  and the top  84 A of the second ridge  84  come into contact with the corresponding ceiling  51 A and bottom surface  51 B of the storage part  50 , the container body  62  may be smoothly stored in the storage part  50 , compared with a configuration in which the top surface  80 A and the lower surface  80 B of the protruding part  80  of the container body  62  are brought into contact with the overall ceiling  51 A and bottom surface  51 B of the storage part  50 . 
     Moreover, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, by providing the inclined portions  82 C and the inclined portion  84 C on the first ridges  82  and the second ridge  84 , respectively, the first ridges  82  and the second ridge  84  serve as guides and allow the container body  62  to be easily stored in the storage part  50 . As described above, in the recovery container  60 , the container body  62  may be easily stored in the storage part  50 , compared with a configuration in which the ends of the first ridges  82  and the second ridge  84  on the attachment direction E side are angular. 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, when the container body  62  is attached to the housing  11 , as shown in  FIGS. 12A to 12C , the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  is guided by the inclined portions  76  and comes into contact with the opening/closing shutter  72  between the guide parts  74  and the external discharge port  68 , thus push-opening the opening/closing shutter  72 . In this way, in the recovery container  60 , compared with a configuration in which the guide parts  74  are extended in the attachment direction E, the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  may be guided toward the opening/closing shutter  72  located between the guide parts  74  and the external discharge port  68  by the inclined portions  76 . Hence, the flange portion  52 A may be brought into contact with the opening/closing shutter  72 . 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, the guide parts  74  are provided on both sides of the external discharge port  68  in the width direction of the container body  62 . Hence, compared with a configuration in which the guide part  74  is provided on one side of the external discharge port  68  in the width direction of the container body  62 , the flange portion  52 A of the recovery port  52  may be stably guided to the position between the guide parts  74  and the external discharge port  68 . 
     Furthermore, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, the inclination of the recovery container  60  when attached to the housing  11  is suppressed. Hence, compared with a configuration in which the recovery container  60  is attached to the housing  11  in an inclined manner, the developer discharged from the developing devices  18 , serving as an example of a supply part, may be more reliably recovered in the recovery container  60 . 
     Moreover, in the recovery container  60  according to this exemplary embodiment, when pushing the recovery container  60  into the housing  11  in the attachment direction is far insufficient, the other end  100 C of the attachment/detachment handle  100  is not pushed by the pushing part  110 , and the lock part  102 A comes into contact with the periphery of the opening  55  in the storage part  50 . In this case, because the operation handle  88  does not rotate beyond a certain level, a user may recognize that pushing-in of the recovery container  60  is insufficient. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the developer recovered in the recovery container  60  is discharged through the external discharge port  68  to the recovery bottle  58 , via the recovery port  52 , attached to the housing  11 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and it is possible to use a recovery container  60  with no external discharge port  68  and to replace the recovery container  60  with a new one when the developer recovered in the recovery container  60  has reached a predetermined amount. 
     Furthermore, in the above-described exemplary embodiment, although the recovery container of the present disclosure is used in the image forming apparatus  10 , the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The recovery container in the present disclosure may be used in an apparatus that forms images by using a method different from the method used in the image forming apparatus  10 , as long as the recovery container is used for recovery of powder. Furthermore, the recovery container in the present disclosure does not necessarily have to be used in the image forming apparatus  10  and may be used in, for example, an apparatus for coating or applying powder (powder foodstuff, food additives, etc.) to food. 
     In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the curved portions  98  connect the first inclined portions  94  and the second inclined portions  96  of the projection  90 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, inclined portions extending at an angle with respect to the attachment direction E may connect the first inclined portions  94  and the second inclined portions  96  of the projection  90 . 
     Although a specific exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to this exemplary embodiment and various other exemplary embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.