Patent Publication Number: US-10324414-B2

Title: Image forming device capable of insertion and pulling-out consumable article container

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an image forming device, and particularly relates to an image forming device that forms an image by using toner on paper, for example. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An example of an image forming device in related art is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-029676. The image forming device of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-029676 includes a toner cartridge moving unit that moves a toner cartridge from a toner refilling position in a housing portion to an extraction position on the outside in the horizontal direction. In the image forming device, in a case where toner in the toner cartridge runs out, for example, the toner cartridge is moved from the toner refilling position to the extraction position by the toner cartridge moving unit. 
     The image forming device in related art is configured on an assumption that the toner cartridge is moved by the toner cartridge moving unit. Meanwhile, there may be a case where it is desired to use a toner cartridge that is only manually extractable from the housing portion after the image forming device is on sale. However, in the image forming device in related art, because the toner cartridge that is only manually extractable may not be used and flexibility of product marketing is low, there is room for improvement. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a novel image forming device. 
     It is also desirable to provide an image forming device that may enhance flexibility of product marketing of a toner cartridge. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure provides an image forming device that forms an image on paper by using a consumable article. The image forming device includes a consumable article container housing portion, a consumable article container, a pushing-out unit, a storage member, and a control unit. The consumable article container housing portion is provided to a device body of the image forming device. For example, an opening of the consumable article container housing portion is provided on a front surface side (front side) in a case where the device body is seen from a direct front. A consumable article container houses the consumable article in an internal portion of the consumable article container and is housed in the consumable article container housing portion so as to be capable of insertion and pulling-out. The consumable article is used for development and is toner, liquid toner, or ink, for example. The consumable article container is a toner container, a liquid toner container, or an ink container and is a toner cartridge, a toner bottle, an ink cartridge, an ink bottle, or the like, for example. The pushing-out unit pushes out the consumable article container from a housed position where the consumable article container is housed in the consumable article container housing portion in a direction in which the consumable article container is pulled out from the consumable article container housing portion. The storage member is provided in the consumable article container or the image forming device and stores specific information about whether a pushing-out action (ejection action) by the pushing-out unit for the consumable article container is permitted. For example, the storage member is a non-volatile memory such as a CRUM chip or an EEPROM®. The control unit acquires the specific information which is stored in the storage member and actuates the pushing-out unit in a case where the pushing-out action for the consumable article container is permitted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates an example of an outline of a general configuration of an image forming device of a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a state where all toner cartridges are housed in a device body; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective diagram that illustrates an external configuration of a toner cartridge and a driving unit; 
         FIG. 4A  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a state where the toner cartridge is in a housed position; 
         FIG. 4B  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a state where the toner cartridge is in an extractable position; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective diagram that illustrates a configuration of the driving unit; 
         FIG. 6A  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of an ejection mechanism as seen from an upper side; 
         FIG. 6B  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates the configuration of the ejection mechanism in an ejection state as seen from the upper side; 
         FIG. 7A  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of an ejection cam and an ejection lever as seen from a front side; 
         FIG. 7B  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates the configuration of the ejection cam and the ejection lever in the ejection state as seen from the front side; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram that illustrates the configuration of the driving unit in a case where an ejection action is performed; 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of an inhibiting cartridge; 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of a second permitting cartridge in a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 11A  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of the ejection cam and the ejection lever in a third embodiment as seen from the front side; and 
         FIG. 11B  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates the configuration of the ejection cam and the ejection lever in the third embodiment in the ejection state as seen from the front side. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     [First Embodiment] 
       FIG. 1  is an outline configuration diagram of a whole image forming device  10  as one embodiment of the present disclosure as seen from a direct front. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the image forming device  10  of the first embodiment is a color printer that forms an multi-colored or uni-colored image on paper (recording medium) by an electrophotographic scheme. The image forming device  10  may be a grayscale printer. Further, the image forming device  10  does not have to be limited to a printer but may be a copy machine, a facsimile, or a multi-function printer that includes functions of those. 
     First, an outline of a basic configuration of the image forming device  10  will be described. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the image forming device  10  includes components such as a photosensitive drum  12 , a developing device  14 , a charger  16 , a cleaning unit  18 , an exposure device  20 , an intermediate transfer belt unit  22 , a second transfer roller  24 , and a fixing unit  26 , forms an image on a piece of paper that is conveyed from a paper feeding tray  28 , and discharges the piece of paper on which the image is formed to a paper output tray  30 . As image data for forming an image on paper, image data that are input from an external computer are used. However, in a case where the image forming device  10  includes a scanner function, not only image data input from the outside but also image data that are read from a manuscript by the scanner may also be used. 
     Each of the above-described components is housed in a device body  10   a  of the image forming device  10 . Further, a control portion, which includes a CPU, a memory, and so forth and is not illustrated, is provided in the device body  10   a  of the image forming device  10 . The control portion transmits a control signal to each part of the image forming device  10  and causes the image forming device  10  to execute various actions. 
     Further, although not illustrated, an operating panel is provided on a front surface side of the device body  10   a . The operating panel includes a display with a touch panel (touch panel display), plural operating buttons, and so forth. Software keys, messages, and so forth for receiving various settings, a print instruction, or the like from a user are displayed on the touch panel display. Further, the operating buttons include buttons that represent numbers of zero to nine for setting a magnification, for setting the number of printed copies, and for inputting a facsimile number, buttons for starting or stopping a job, and so forth. In the first embodiment, the job means copying (including scanning of the manuscript), printing, scanning, facsimile transmission, and so forth. Note that the software keys represent keys that are reproduced on a screen in a software manner. Meanwhile, hardware keys represent keys (buttons) that are provided as physical devices. 
     Here, image data that are dealt with in the image forming device  10  correspond to a color image that is formed with four colors of black (BK), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y). Thus, four photosensitive drums  12 , four developing devices  14 , four chargers  16 , and four cleaning units  18  are provided in order to form four kinds of latent images that correspond to the colors and configure four image stations. The four image stations are arranged to be aligned in one line along a traveling direction (revolving movement direction) of a surface of an intermediate transfer belt  36 . The image stations for black, magenta, cyan, and yellow are arranged in this order from a downstream side in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt  36 , that is, from the closer side to the second transfer roller  24 . The arrangement order of the colors may appropriately be changed. 
     In each of the image stations, the charger  16 , the developing device  14 , and the cleaning unit  18  are arranged in this order with respect to the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum  12  (counterclockwise in  FIG. 1 ). The developing device  14  is arranged such that the rotational axis of a developing roller is aligned in parallel with the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum  12 . Further, the charger  16  is arranged such that the rotational axis of the charger  16  is aligned in parallel with the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum  12 . In addition, the cleaning unit  18  is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of a cleaning blade (not illustrated) matches the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum  12 . Here, in  FIG. 1 , the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum  12  is the depth direction (front-rear direction) in a case where the image forming device  10  is seen from the direct front. 
     The photosensitive drum  12  is an image carrier in which a photosensitive layer (photoconductive layer) is formed on a surface of a base body with electric conductivity and is rotatably supported by a driving portion, which is not illustrated. The base body may employ various shapes such as a cylindrical shape, a columnar shape, and a thin-film sheet shape. The photosensitive layer is formed of a material that is irradiated with light and thereby exhibits electric conductivity. As the photosensitive drum  12  of the first embodiment, a photosensitive drum that includes a cylindrical base body formed of aluminum and a photosensitive layer which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the base body and formed of amorphous silicon (a-Si), selenium (Se), or an organic photoconductor (OPC) is used. 
     The developing device  14  visualizes (forms a toner image) an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  12  by a consumable article (toner). The developing device  14  is connected with a toner cartridge (consumable article container)  32  via a toner supply pipe  34 . The toner cartridge  32  is a container that stocks unused toner and carrier, is provided above the developing device  14 , supplies (refills) the toner to the developing device  14 , and refills the carrier. The toner supply pipe  34  couples (connects) the toner cartridge  32  with a toner refilling port (not illustrated) that is formed in the developing device  14 . Details of the toner cartridge  32  will later be described. 
     The charger  16  is a device that electrically charges the surface of the photosensitive drum  12  with prescribed polarity and electric potential. As the charger  16 , a brush type charging device, a roller type charging device, a corona discharge device, an ion generator, or the like may be used. 
     The cleaning unit  18  removes and collects remaining toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum  12  after the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum  12  to the intermediate transfer belt  36  and purifies the surface of the photosensitive drum  12 . Accordingly, for example, the cleaning unit  18  includes the cleaning blade as a plate-shaped member for scraping the toner and a collecting container for collecting the scraped toner. 
     The exposure device  20  is provided below the developing device  14 . The exposure device  20  is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) that includes a laser emitting portion, a reflection mirror, and so forth, exposes the electrically charged surface of the photosensitive drum  12  to light, and thereby forms the electrostatic latent image that corresponds to the image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum  12 . 
     The intermediate transfer belt unit  22  includes the intermediate transfer belt  36 , a driving roller  38 , a driven roller  40 , four intermediate transfer rollers (first transfer rollers)  42 , and so forth and is arranged above the photosensitive drum  12 . 
     The intermediate transfer belt  36  is an endless belt with flexibility and is formed of a synthetic resin, rubber, or the like that is appropriately combined with an electrically conductive material such as carbon black. The intermediate transfer belt  36  is stretched by plural rollers such as the driving roller  38  and the driven roller  40  and is arranged such that a surface (outer peripheral surface) of the intermediate transfer belt  36  abuts the surface of the photosensitive drum  12 . Further, the intermediate transfer belt  36  rotates (performs revolving movement) in a prescribed direction (clockwise in  FIG. 1 ) in response to rotational driving of the driving roller  38 . 
     The driving roller  38  is provided around the axial line thereof rotatably by a driving portion, which is not illustrated. The driven roller  40  rotates in response to the revolving movement of the intermediate transfer belt  36  and adds a regular tension to the intermediate transfer belt  36 , and thereby avoids loosening of the intermediate transfer belt  36 . 
     The intermediate transfer rollers  42  are arranged in positions opposed to the respective photosensitive drums  12  across the intermediate transfer belt  36 , are brought into pressure contact with an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  36 , and rotate in response to the revolving movement of the intermediate transfer belt  36 . Although not illustrated, the intermediate transfer roller  42  is connected with a transfer power source that applies a transfer bias. In a case of image formation, a voltage of the reverse polarity to the charge polarity of the toner that configures the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum  12  is applied to the intermediate transfer roller  42 . Consequently, a transfer electric field is formed between the photosensitive drum  12  and the intermediate transfer belt  36 , and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum  12  is transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  36  by work of the transfer electric field. For example, in a case where a color image is formed, the toner images in the colors that are formed on the respective photosensitive drums  12  are sequentially transferred (first transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt  36  in a superposing manner, and a multi-colored toner image is thereby formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  36 . 
     Further, the second transfer roller  24  is arranged in a position opposed to the driving roller  38  across the intermediate transfer belt  36 . The second transfer roller  24  is connected with a transfer power source, which is not illustrated. In a case of image formation, a voltage (second transfer voltage) is applied to the second transfer roller  24  by the transfer power source. Then, while a piece of paper passes through a transfer nip area between the intermediate transfer belt  36  and the second transfer roller  24 , the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt  36  is transferred (second transfer) to the piece of paper by the work of the transfer electric field formed by the second transfer roller  24  to which the voltage is applied. Subsequently, the remaining toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt  36  is removed and collected by a transfer belt cleaning unit, which is not illustrated. 
     The fixing unit  26  includes a heat roller, a pressure roller, and so forth and is arranged above the second transfer roller  24 . The heat roller is set to become a prescribed fixing temperature, a piece of paper passes through a fixing nip area between the heat roller and the pressure roller, the toner image transferred to the piece of paper is thereby melted, mixed, and brought into pressure contact, and heat fixing of the toner image to the piece of paper is performed. 
     Further, in the device body  10   a  of the image forming device  10 , a paper conveyance path for delivering a piece of paper placed on the paper feeding tray  28  to the paper output tray  30  via the second transfer roller  24  and the fixing unit  26  is formed. Paper conveyance units such as conveyance rollers  44 ,  46 , and  48  and resist rollers  50  are appropriately arranged in the paper conveyance path. 
     In a case of image formation, a piece of paper placed on the paper feeding tray  28  is piece by piece guided to the paper conveyance path by a pick-up roller, which is not illustrated, and is conveyed to the resist rollers  50  by the conveyance rollers  44 . Then, the piece of paper is conveyed to the second transfer roller  24  by the resist rollers  50  at the timing when a tip of the piece of paper corresponds with a tip of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt  36 , and the toner image is transferred onto the piece of paper. Subsequently, the piece of paper passes through the fixing unit  26 , unfixed toner on the piece of paper is melted by heat and adhered, and the piece of paper is discharged onto the paper output tray  30  via the conveyance rollers  46  and  48 . 
     Next, a description will be made about the toner cartridge  32  and a cartridge housing portion  52  of the first embodiment.  FIG. 2  illustrates a state where all the toner cartridges  32  are housed in the cartridge housing portions  52  (device body  10   a ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the device body  10   a  is provided with four consumable article container housing portions (cartridge housing portions)  52  that correspond to the four toner cartridges  32 . The corresponding toner cartridge  32  is housed (installed) in each of the four cartridge housing portions  52  so as to be capable of insertion and pulling-out. For example, an opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52  is provided on the front surface side (front side) in a case where the image forming device  10  is seen from the direct front. 
     The toner cartridge  32  is inserted in the cartridge housing portion  52  from the opening  52   a  toward a back surface side (rear side). Further, the toner cartridge  32  is pulled out (extracted) to the front side in a case of removal. 
     Further, the device body  10   a  has a lid  10   b  that is provided to be capable of opening and closing. The lid  10   b  is provided to cover a front surface side of the four cartridge housing portions  52  in a closed state. Further, in a state where the lid  10   b  is opened, the openings  52   a  of the cartridge housing portions  52  and the housed toner cartridges  32  are exposed to the outside. A front cover  62  that is provided in an end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  is exposed from the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . 
     In the description made below, in a case where directions are described herein, the front surface side in a case where the image forming device  10  is seen from the direct front will be referred to “front side”, the back surface side will be referred to “rear side”, a left surface side will be referred to as “left side”, a right surface side will be referred to as “right side”, an upper surface (top surface) side will be referred to as “upper side”, and a lower surface (bottom surface) side will be referred to as “lower side”. Further, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is described, the directions in the state where the toner cartridge  32  is inserted in the image forming device  10  will be used. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective diagram that illustrates an external configuration of the toner cartridge  32  and a driving unit  70  which is provided in an internal portion of the image forming device  10 .  FIG. 4A  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a state where the toner cartridge  32  is in a housed position.  FIG. 4B  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a state where the toner cartridge  32  is in an extractable position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the toner cartridge  32  includes a container body  60 , the front cover  62 , and a connector  64 . 
     The container body  60  is a longitudinally tubular container that has a rectangular cross section and extends in the front-rear direction, and the toner is housed in an internal portion of the container body  60 . Although not illustrated, in the internal portion of the container body  60 , an auger screw that functions as a toner conveyance member, a stirring member that stirs the toner in the container body  60  so as to cause the toner to be dissolved and supplies the toner to the auger screw, and so forth are provided. 
     Further, although not illustrated, a discharge port is formed in a rear side end portion of the container body  60 . Note that the container body  60  may be in another shape such as a cylindrical shape. 
     As described above, the front cover  62  is provided in the end portion on the front side of the container body  60  (toner cartridge  32 ). The front cover  62  functions as a lid portion that blocks an opening on the front side of the container body  60 . Further, the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  that includes the front cover  62  functions as a gripping portion to be gripped by the user in a case where the user extracts the toner cartridge  32  from the cartridge housing portion  52 . 
     Further, the connector (hereinafter referred to as “cartridge side connector”)  64  is provided in the rear side end portion of the container body  60 . Although not illustrated, the cartridge side connector  64  is provided with a terminal to electrically connect with the control portion of the image forming device  10 , and the terminal is electrically connected with a CRUM chip (storage member) that is provided to the toner cartridge  32 . For example, the CRUM chip is provided in an internal portion or the like of a socket of the cartridge side connector  64 . 
     Further, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is housed in the cartridge housing portion  52 , the cartridge side connector  64  is connected with a connector (hereinafter referred to as “body side connector”) that is provided in the device body  10   a  (cartridge housing portion  52 ). The body side connector is provided with a terminal that is electrically connected with the control portion. The cartridge side connector  64  is connected with the body side connector, and the terminals thereby contact with each other. Accordingly, the CRUM chip is electrically connected with the control portion of the image forming device  10 . 
     The CRUM chip stores device type information that indicates the device type of the image forming device  10  which employs the toner cartridge  32 , identification information of the toner cartridge  32 , information for managing toner refilling, and so forth. The device type information of the image forming device  10 , the identification information of the toner cartridge  32 , and so forth that are stored in the CRUM chip are stored when the toner cartridge  32  is manufactured. 
     Note that in the first embodiment, a description is made about a case where the CRUM chip is used as one example of the storage member. However, embodiments do not have to be limited to this. As the storage member, another non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM® may be used. 
     Further, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in the housed position, the discharge port formed in the container body  60  is coupled with the toner supply pipe  34 , and the toner discharged from the discharge port is refilled in the developing device  14  via the toner supply pipe  34 . That is, the toner cartridge  32  becomes a usable state. Here, the housed position is a position where the toner cartridge  32  is on the rearmost side in a state where the toner cartridge  32  is inserted in the cartridge housing portion  52  and a position where the toner cartridge  32  may not further be moved to the rear side. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in the housed position, the position of a front surface of the front cover  62  is the same as the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52  in the front-rear direction or on the rear side of the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . Thus, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in the housed position, the user may not grip the toner cartridge  32  or the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32 . Accordingly, the toner cartridge  32  in the housed position is not extracted from the cartridge housing portion  52 , or extraction is difficult. 
     Meanwhile, as illustrated in  FIG. 4B , in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is on the front side of the housed position, the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  protrudes to the front side of the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . In this case, the user may grip the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32 . The position of the toner cartridge  32  in this case will be referred to as an extractable position. For example, the extractable position is a position where the toner cartridge  32  moves to the front side by approximately 15 to 20 mm from the housed position. That is, the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  protrudes to the front side by approximately 15 to 20 mm from the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . 
     The driving unit  70  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is provided in the internal portion of the image forming device  10  and on a deep side (rear side) of the cartridge housing portion  52 . The toner cartridge  32  and the driving unit  70  are coupled together in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is moved to the housed position. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective diagram that illustrates a configuration of the driving unit  70 . However, in  FIG. 5 , a part of a cover on an upper side of the driving unit  70  is not illustrated. The driving unit  70  includes a motor  72 , a drive transmission member  74 , a drive transmission member  76 , and an ejection mechanism (corresponding to a pushing-out unit)  80 . 
     The motor  72  is capable of being switched between forward rotation (for example, clockwise rotation) and reverse rotation (for example, counterclockwise rotation). The rotational direction of the motor  72  is switched by an instruction by the control portion (CPU) of the image forming device  10 . 
     Each of the drive transmission member  74  and the drive transmission member  76  is a member that transmits a rotational driving force of the motor  72  as a drive source to the auger screw and the stirring member which are provided in the internal portion of the toner cartridge  32 . The drive transmission member  74  and the drive transmission member  76  are provided on a front side of the motor  72 . The rotational axis directions of the drive transmission member  74  and the drive transmission member  76  are the front-rear direction. 
     In a case where the toner cartridge  32  and the driving unit  70  are coupled together, the drive transmission member  74  is coupled with the auger screw of the toner cartridge  32 . Further, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  and the driving unit  70  are coupled together, the drive transmission member  76  is coupled with the stirring member of the toner cartridge  32 . 
     Accordingly, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  and the driving unit  70  are coupled together, the rotational driving force of the motor  72  is transmitted to the auger screw via the drive transmission member  74  and is transmitted to the stirring member via the drive transmission member  76 . Thus, the auger screw is rotated by the rotational driving force that is transmitted from the drive transmission member  74 . Further, the stirring member is rotated by the rotational driving force that is transmitted from the drive transmission member  76 . 
     Further, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the drive transmission member  74  and the drive transmission member  76  regardless of the rotational direction of the motor  72 . However, the auger screw conveys developer in a prescribed conveyance direction in a case where the motor  72  is rotated forward. That is, a usual toner conveyance action is performed. 
     In a case where the usual toner conveyance action is performed, the motor  72  is rotated forward. In a case where the auger screw and the stirring member are rotated, the toner in the container body  60  is conveyed toward the rear side while being stirred. Accordingly, the toner is conveyed toward the discharge port formed in the rear side end portion in the container body  60  and is supplied to the developing device  14  via the toner supply pipe  34 . 
     Meanwhile, only in a case where the motor  72  rotates reversely, an ejection mechanism  80  is actuated, and an ejection action is performed. The ejection mechanism  80  and the ejection action will specifically be described below. 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are explanatory diagrams that illustrate a configuration of the ejection mechanism  80  as seen from the upper side. The ejection mechanism  80  is a mechanism for pushing out the toner cartridge  32  from the housed position to the extractable position. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6A , and  FIG. 6B , the ejection mechanism  80  includes a drive transmission member  82 , a one-way clutch  84 , an ejection cam  86 , an ejection lever  88 , an ejection arm  90 , and a journal member  92 , and a spring  94 . Note that in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6A , and  FIG. 6B , for easy understanding of illustration, the ejection lever  88  and the ejection arm  90  are hatched. The same applies to  FIG. 8 . Further, although it is not very clear in  FIG. 5 , the ejection arm  90  is arranged on a lower side of a coupling gear of the drive transmission member  76 . 
     The drive transmission member  82  is a member for transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor  72  to the ejection cam  86  and is coupled with the ejection cam  86  via the one-way clutch  84 . Further, the drive transmission member  82  is provided on the front side of the motor  72 . The rotational axis direction of the drive transmission member  82  is the front-rear direction. Further, the drive transmission member  82  rotates in the clockwise direction as seen from the front side in a case where the motor  72  of the driving unit  70  rotates forward. The drive transmission member  82  rotates in the counterclockwise direction as seen from the front side in a case where the motor  72  of the driving unit  70  rotates reversely. In addition, the rotational axis directions of the one-way clutch  84  and the ejection cam  86 , which will be described later, are the front-rear direction. Further, the rotational axes of the drive transmission member  82 , the one-way clutch  84 , and the ejection cam  86  are coaxial with each other. 
     The one-way clutch  84  is provided between the drive transmission member  82  and the ejection cam  86 . In the first embodiment, the one-way clutch  84  is arranged on a front side of the drive transmission member  82  and on a rear side of the ejection cam  86 . The one-way clutch  84  transmits the rotational driving force transmitted from the drive transmission member  82  to the ejection cam  86  only in the case of a prescribed rotational direction. For example, in a case where the drive transmission member  82  is rotated in the clockwise direction as seen from the front side, the one-way clutch  84  does not transmit the rotational driving force to the ejection cam  86 . That is, in a case where the motor  72  of the driving unit  70  is rotated forward, the one-way clutch  84  does not transmit the rotational driving force to the ejection cam  86 . On the other hand, in a case where the drive transmission member  82  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as seen from the front side, the one-way clutch  84  transmits the rotational driving force to the ejection cam  86 . That is, in a case where the motor  72  of the driving unit  70  is rotated reversely, the one-way clutch  84  transmits the rotational driving force to the ejection cam  86 . 
       FIG. 7A  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of the ejection cam  86  and the ejection lever  88 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the ejection cam  86  is arranged on a front side of the one-way clutch  84 . Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the ejection cam  86  is a plane cam and is rotatably supported by a shaft member  80   a . In addition, as described above, the ejection cam  86  is rotated by the rotational driving force that is transmitted from the one-way clutch  84 . Furthermore, the ejection cam  86  includes a columnar base portion  86   a  and a protrusion portion  86   b  that protrudes in the tangential direction of an outer peripheral surface of the base portion  86   a  (a direction separating from the rotational axis of the ejection cam  86 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6A , the ejection lever  88  is arranged between the ejection cam  86  and the ejection arm  90 . More specifically, the ejection lever  88  is arranged on a front side of the ejection cam  86  and on a rear side of the ejection arm  90 . The ejection lever  88  includes a shaft portion  88   a , an arm portion  88   b , and a gear  88   c.    
     The shaft portion  88   a  is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the up-down direction. Further, the shaft portion  88   a  is pivotably supported by a columnar shaft  92   a  that is formed in the journal member  92  and extends in the up-down direction. Accordingly, the ejection lever  88  is provided to be pivotable around the axial line of the shaft  92   a  as the center in the horizontal plane. 
     The arm portion  88   b  is formed into a plate shape or a rod shape that extends to the rear side from the shaft portion  88   a . An abutting portion  88   d  that abuts the ejection cam  86  is formed in an end portion (tip portion) on a rear side of the arm portion  88   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6A , and  FIG. 7A , the abutting portion  88   d  is arranged on a left side of the ejection cam  86 . Further, because the abutting portion  88   d  is present on a rear side when seen from the shaft portion  88   a , the abutting portion  88   d  moves to the right side in a case where the ejection lever  88  pivots in the clockwise direction as seen from the upper side and moves to the left side in a case where the ejection lever  88  pivots in the counterclockwise direction as seen from the upper side. 
     The gear  88   c  is formed to swell out to the front side from a side peripheral surface of the shaft portion  88   a . Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , the gear  88   c  is formed in an arc shape as seen from the upper side. The gear  88   c  is an externally toothed gear and meshes with a gear  90   d  of the ejection arm  90 , which will be described later. However, in  FIG. 5  and  FIGS. 6A and 6B  (similarly in  FIG. 8 ), the shapes of teeth of the gear  88   c  (similarly for the gear  90   d ) are not illustrated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6A , the ejection arm  90  is arranged on a front side of the ejection lever  88 . The ejection arm  90  includes a shaft portion  90   a , an arm portion  90   b , and the gear  90   d.    
     The shaft portion  90   a  is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in the up-down direction. Further, the shaft portion  90   a  is pivotably supported by a columnar shaft  92   b  that extends in the up-down direction of the journal member  92 . Accordingly, the ejection arm  90  is provided to be pivotable around the axial line of the shaft  92   b  as the center in the horizontal plane. That is, the pivoting axis of the shaft portion  90   a  of the ejection arm  90  is parallel with the pivoting axis of the above-described shaft portion  88   a  of the ejection lever  88 . 
     The arm portion  90   b  is integrally formed with the shaft portion  90   a  and extends to the right side from the shaft portion  90   a . Further, an abutting portion  90   c  that protrudes to the front side is formed in an end portion (tip portion) on the right side of the arm portion  90   b . The abutting portion  90   c  abuts an end portion on a rear side of the toner cartridge  32  from the rear side toward the front side. Further, because the abutting portion  90   c  is present on the right side when seen from the shaft portion  90   a , the abutting portion  90   c  moves to the front side in a case where the ejection arm  90  pivots in the clockwise direction as seen from the upper side and moves to the rear side in a case where the ejection arm  90  pivots in the counterclockwise direction as seen from the upper side. 
     The gear  90   d  is formed to swell out to the rear side from a side peripheral surface of the shaft portion  90   a . Further, the gear  90   d  is formed in an arc shape as seen from the upper side. The gear  90   d  is an externally toothed gear and meshes with the gear  88   c  of the ejection lever  88  as described above. Accordingly, a rotational force is transmitted from the ejection lever  88  to the ejection arm  90 . The pivoting direction of the ejection arm  90  in a case where the rotational force is transmitted from the ejection lever  88  is an opposite direction to the pivoting direction of the ejection lever  88 . 
     The journal member  92  includes the shaft  92   a , the shaft  92   b , a base portion  92   c , and a support pillar  92   d . Although not illustrated, the journal member  92  is fixed to the device body  10   a.    
     The base portion  92   c  is a tabular member that is arranged on a lower side of the ejection cam  86 , the ejection lever  88 , the ejection arm  90 , and so forth. Further, the base portion  92   c  is provided with the support pillar  92   d  in addition to the above-described shaft  92   a  and shaft  92   b.    
     The support pillar  92   d  is a prism that extends in the up-down direction and is provided on a left side of the shaft portion  88   a  of the ejection lever  88  and the shaft portion  90   a  of the ejection arm  90 . 
     The spring  94  is a torsion spring that is wound around the shaft portion  88   a  of the ejection lever  88  and has a first arm  94   a  and a second arm  94   b . The first arm  94   a  abuts (elastically contacts with) a rear side surface of the support pillar  92   d  from the rear side toward the front side. The second arm  94   b  abuts (elastically contacts with) a left side surface or a front surface of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  from the left side toward the right side. Accordingly, a restoring force of the spring  94  is exerted on the support pillar  92   d  and the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88 . Here, as described above, although the support pillar  92   d  is fixed to the device body  10   a  via the base portion  92   c , the ejection lever  88  is pivotably provided. Accordingly, the restoring force of the spring  94  urges the ejection lever  88  (abutting portion  88   d ) in the clockwise direction as seen from the upper side. Thus, the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  receives the urging force of the spring  94  and abuts the ejection cam  86 . The abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  abuts the ejection cam  86 , and the pivoting of the ejection lever  88  in the clockwise direction as seen from the upper side is thereby regulated. 
     Further, as described above, because the rotational direction of the ejection arm  90  is opposite to the rotational direction of the ejection lever  88 , the urging force of the spring  94  is exerted on the ejection arm  90  in the counterclockwise direction as seen from the upper side. That is, the ejection arm  90  is urged by the spring  94  in a direction in which the abutting portion  90   c  separates from the toner cartridge  32 . 
     The configuration of the ejection mechanism  80  has been described above.  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6A , and  FIG. 7A  illustrate a case where the ejection lever  88  and the ejection arm  90  are in reference states. Here, the reference state is a state where the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  is in the position to abut the base portion  86   a  of the ejection cam  86 . Further, the reference state is a state where the abutting portion  90   c  of the ejection arm  90  is in the position not to push out the toner cartridge  32  in the housed position. That is, the abutting portion  90   c  of the ejection arm  90  is positioned on the rear side of the end portion on the rear side of the toner cartridge  32  in the housed position. 
     Next, the ejection (pushing-out) action of the ejection mechanism  80  will be described. Here, the ejection action is an action in which the toner cartridge  32  is pushed out from the housed position to the extractable position (in the direction in which the toner cartridge  32  is extracted from the cartridge housing portion  52 ) by the ejection mechanism  80 . 
     The ejection action is performed by an instruction by the CPU of the control portion. The ejection action is performed only in the case where it is determined that the toner cartridge  32  has to be replaced. A case where the toner cartridge  32  has to be replaced is a case where the toner in the toner cartridge  32  becomes less than a prescribed amount, a case where refilling failure of the toner occurs in the toner cartridge  32 , a case where an incorrect toner cartridge is inserted in the cartridge housing portion  52 , or the like, for example. 
     Accordingly, the ejection action is not performed in a case where the toner cartridge  32  does not have to be replaced. In such a situation, the usual toner conveyance action is performed. As described above, in a case where the usual toner conveyance action is performed, the motor  72  of the driving unit  70  is rotated forward. In this case, as described above, the rotational driving force of the motor  72  is transmitted to the auger screw via the drive transmission member  74  and is transmitted to the stirring member via the drive transmission member  76 . Accordingly, the toner in the toner cartridge  32  is conveyed and stirred. In this case, the rotational driving force of the motor  72  is also transmitted to the one-way clutch  84  via the drive transmission member  82 . However, as described above, the one-way clutch  84  does not transmit the rotational driving force to the ejection cam  86  in a case where the motor  72  is rotated forward. Accordingly, in the usual toner conveyance action, the ejection cam  86  does not rotate, and the ejection lever  88  or the ejection arm  90  thus does not move. That is, the reference states are maintained. 
     On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the toner cartridge  32  has to be replaced, the ejection action is performed. In a case where the ejection action is performed, the motor  72  of the driving unit  70  is rotated reversely. In a case where the motor  72  is rotated reversely, as described above, the one-way clutch  84  transmits the rotational driving force of the motor  72  to the ejection cam  86 . Here, the rotational angle of the motor  72  of the driving unit  70  in the ejection action is set such that the ejection cam  86  performs one rotation. 
       FIG. 7B  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates the configuration of the ejection cam  86  in an ejection state. As illustrated in  FIG. 7B , in a case where the rotational driving force is transmitted, the ejection cam  86  performs one rotation in the counterclockwise direction as seen from the front side. Here, in the middle of one rotation of the ejection cam  86 , the left side surface of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  moves up on the protrusion portion  86   b . In a case where the left side surface of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  moves up on the protrusion portion  86   b , the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  is moved to the left side. 
       FIG. 6B  is the explanatory diagram that illustrates the configuration of the ejection mechanism  80  in the ejection state as seen from the upper side.  FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram that illustrates the configuration of the driving unit  70  in a case where the ejection action is performed. As illustrated in  FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 8 , in a case where the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  is moved to the left side, the ejection lever  88  pivots in the counterclockwise direction as seen from the upper side against the urging force of the spring  94 . In a case where the ejection lever  88  pivots in the counterclockwise direction as seen from the upper side, the rotational force in the opposite direction (clockwise direction) is transmitted to the ejection arm  90 . Accordingly, the ejection arm  90  pivots in the clockwise direction as seen from the upper side. 
     In a case where the ejection arm  90  pivots in the clockwise direction as seen from the upper side, the abutting portion  90   c  moves from the rear side to the front side (for example, 15 to 20 mm). In this case, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in the housed position, the abutting portion  90   c  pushes out the toner cartridge  32  to the front side. In a case where the toner cartridge  32  is pushed out to the front side, the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  protrudes to the front side of the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . That is, the toner cartridge  32  is moved to the extractable position. 
     Such a state of the ejection mechanism  80  in a case where the abutting portion  90   c  moves to the front side will be referred to as the ejection state. Further, the distance in which the toner cartridge  32  is pushed out to the front side by the abutting portion  90   c  will be referred to as an ejection amount. 
     Further, the ejection amount is set shorter than the distance (gap) between the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  in the housed state (the front surface of the front cover  62 ) and the lid  10   b  of the device body  10   a  in the closed state. This setting is made so that the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  that is pushed out to the front side by the ejection action does not collide with the lid  10   b  of the device body  10   a.    
     In addition, in a case where the ejection cam  86  performs one rotation, the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  moves over the protrusion portion  86   b  and is thereafter moved to the right side by the urging force of the spring  94 . That is, the reference states are recovered. In a case where the reference states are recovered, the abutting portion  90   c  of the ejection arm  90  moves from the front side to the rear side. Here, because the abutting portion  90   c  is not coupled with the toner cartridge  32 , the toner cartridge  32  is maintained in the extractable position. Accordingly, after the ejection action is performed, the user may extract the toner cartridge  32 . 
     In the image forming device  10  in such a configuration, in a case where the toner in the toner cartridge  32  runs out, the ejection mechanism  80  acts automatically or in accordance with an operation by the user or the like, and the toner cartridge  32  is pushed out to the front side as described above. That is, in the image forming device  10 , in a case where replacement or the like of the toner cartridge  32  is performed, it is assumed that the toner cartridge  32  is pushed out to the front side by the ejection mechanism  80 . 
     Thus, there is a problem that the toner cartridge  32  that is only manually extractable may not be used and flexibility of product marketing is low after the image forming device  10  is on sale. A simple expression of “manually” herein means an action that is performed by a hand of the user or the like without using the ejection mechanism  80 . 
     Accordingly, in the first embodiment, a configuration is made such that whether the toner cartridge  32  is extractable by the ejection mechanism  80  may be distinguished. In accordance with a distinction result, the action of the ejection mechanism  80  is controlled. 
     The image forming device  10  of the first embodiment will specifically be described below. In the first embodiment, the CRUM chip stores specific information (ejection permission information) about whether the ejection action by the ejection mechanism  80  for the toner cartridge  32  is possible (whether permitted). The ejection permission information is stored when the toner cartridge  32  is manufactured. 
     That is, the toner cartridge  32  that is used for the image forming device  10  of the first embodiment may be categorized into a toner cartridge (hereinafter referred to as “permitting cartridge”) that permits the ejection action and a toner cartridge (hereinafter referred to as “inhibiting cartridge”) that inhibits the ejection action. 
     Here, the permitting cartridge is in the same configuration as the toner cartridge  32  that is used for the above-described image forming device  10  in related art. Accordingly, in a case where the permitting cartridge is in the housed position, the user may not grip an end portion on a front side of the permitting cartridge. Thus, the permitting cartridge in the housed position is not extracted from the cartridge housing portion  52 , or extraction is difficult. That is, the permitting cartridge is moved from the housed position to the extractable position only by the ejection action. 
       FIG. 9  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of the inhibiting cartridge. The length of the inhibiting cartridge in the front-rear direction is set longer than the permitting cartridge. Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in a case where the inhibiting cartridge is in the housed position, an end portion on a front side of the inhibiting cartridge protrudes to the front side (outside in the horizontal direction) of the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . For example, the length of the inhibiting cartridge in the front-rear direction is set such that the position of the end portion on the front side of the inhibiting cartridge in the housed position becomes the same as the position of the end portion on the front side of the permitting cartridge that is moved to the extractable position. That is, in a case where the inhibiting cartridge is in the housed position, the end portion on the front side of the inhibiting cartridge protrudes to the front side by approximately 15 to 20 mm from the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . 
     Accordingly, even in a case where the inhibiting cartridge is in the housed position, the user may grip the end portion on the front side of the inhibiting cartridge. That is, the inhibiting cartridge even in the housed position is extractable. 
     Further, in the first embodiment, whether or not the ejection action is possible is determined in accordance with the ejection permission information stored in the CRUM chip of the toner cartridge  32 . 
     In a case where the toner cartridge  32  is housed in the cartridge housing portion  52 , the CPU of the control portion reads out the ejection permission information stored in the CRUM chip of the toner cartridge  32 . Then, a determination is made whether the toner cartridge  32  is the permitting cartridge (or the inhibiting cartridge). 
     For example, in a case where it is determined that the toner cartridge  32  housed in the cartridge housing portion  52  is the permitting cartridge, the ejection action in related art is performed. On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the toner cartridge  32  housed in the cartridge housing portion  52  is the inhibiting cartridge (a case where it is determined that the toner cartridge  32  is not the permitting cartridge), the ejection action is not performed for the toner cartridge  32 . That is, the ejection action is inhibited. 
     As described above, in the first embodiment, the ejection action by the ejection mechanism  80  is permitted for the permitting cartridge, and the ejection action is inhibited for the inhibiting cartridge. Thus, both of the permitting cartridge and the inhibiting cartridge may be used. Therefore, usable kinds of the toner cartridges  32  may be increased, and the flexibility of product marketing of the toner cartridge  32  at a time after the image forming device  10  is on sale may be enhanced. 
     [Second Embodiment] 
     The image forming device  10  of a second embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment in a point that the image forming device  10  of the second embodiment includes two kinds of permitting cartridges and either one of two kinds of ejection modes in which ejection action is executed in different conditions is set for each of the permitting cartridges. Because the other configurations are similar, the same reference characters are given to the common portions to the above-described first embodiment, and repeated descriptions will not be made or will be simplified. 
     The image forming device  10  of the second embodiment includes two kinds of permitting cartridges. Specifically, in the image forming device  10  of the second embodiment, the two kinds of permitting cartridges include a first permitting cartridge and a second permitting cartridge. 
     Here, the first permitting cartridge is in the same configuration as the permitting cartridge that is described in the first embodiment. Thus, the first permitting cartridge is moved from the housed position to the extractable position only by the ejection action. 
       FIG. 10  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of the second permitting cartridge in the second embodiment. The length of the second permitting cartridge in the front-rear direction is set longer than the first permitting cartridge. Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in a case where the second permitting cartridge is in the housed position, an end portion on a front side of the second permitting cartridge protrudes to the front side of the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . Accordingly, even in a case where the second permitting cartridge is in the housed position, the user may grip the end portion on the front side of the second permitting cartridge. 
     Here, the length of the second permitting cartridge in the front-rear direction is set shorter than the above-described inhibiting cartridge. Further a gap in the front-rear direction between the end portion on the front side of the second permitting cartridge in a case where the second permitting cartridge is in the housed position and the lid  10   b  of the device body  10   a  is set longer (for example, 20 mm) than the ejection amount of the ejection action. This setting is made so that the end portion on the front side of the second permitting cartridge does not collide with the lid  10   b  of the device body  10   a  in a case where the ejection action is performed. 
     For example, the length of the second permitting cartridge in the front-rear direction is set approximately 5 mm longer than the first permitting cartridge and is set approximately 10 mm shorter than the inhibiting cartridge. In this case, in a case where the second permitting cartridge is in the housed position, the end portion on the front side of the second permitting cartridge protrudes to the front side of the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52  by approximately 5 mm. A protrusion amount of the end portion on the front side of the second permitting cartridge is shorter (approximately 15 to 20 mm) than the protrusion amount of the end portion on the front side of the inhibiting cartridge. Thus, even in a case where the second permitting cartridge is in the housed position, the user may grip the end portion on the front side of the second permitting cartridge. However, it is more difficult to grip the second permitting cartridge than the inhibiting cartridge. 
     Next, the ejection action in the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, an automatic ejection mode and a manual ejection mode are set. The automatic ejection mode and the manual ejection mode are modes that execute ejection actions (actuate the ejection mechanism  80 ) in respective different conditions. 
     In a case where the automatic ejection mode is set and where it is determined that the toner cartridge  32  has to be replaced, the ejection action is performed by an instruction by the CPU of the control portion. That is, the ejection action is automatically performed without involvement of the user. 
     On the other hand, in the manual ejection mode, the ejection action is performed in a case where the manual ejection mode is set. Specifically, the manual ejection mode is set in a case where the user who uses the image forming device  10  operates the operating panel and inputs an instruction of the ejection action. Although not illustrated, in the second embodiment, the operating panel is provided with software keys or hardware keys for performing the instruction of the ejection action. 
     In a case where the manual ejection mode is set, the ejection action is performed even in a case where the toner cartridge  32  does not have to be replaced. That is, in the manual ejection mode, the ejection action is performed in accordance with an operation by the user regardless of other conditions such as whether or not the toner cartridge  32  has to be replaced. That is, the user may manually perform the instruction of the ejection action. 
     Further, in the second embodiment, the ejection permission information stored in the CRUM chip of the permitting cartridge includes either one of first ejection permission information that indicates that the ejection action is permitted under a prescribed condition and second ejection permission information that indicates the ejection action is permitted under a different condition from the condition of the first ejection permission information. 
     Here, the first ejection permission information is information that indicates that setting of the automatic ejection mode and the manual ejection mode is permitted. Meanwhile, the second ejection permission information is information that indicates that setting of the automatic ejection mode is inhibited and setting of the manual ejection mode is permitted. 
     In the second embodiment, the CRUM chip provided to the first permitting cartridge stores the first ejection permission information. Accordingly, the first permitting cartridge permits setting of the automatic ejection mode and the manual ejection mode. 
     Meanwhile, the CRUM chip provided to the second permitting cartridge stores the second ejection permission information. Accordingly, the second permitting cartridge inhibits setting of the automatic ejection mode and permits setting of the manual ejection mode. 
     In the second embodiment, the two kinds of permitting cartridges may be used. Thus, usable kinds of the toner cartridges  32  for the image forming device  10  may further be increased, and the flexibility of product marketing of the toner cartridge  32  at a time after the image forming device  10  is on sale may be enhanced. 
     Further, because the second permitting cartridge even in the housed position may be extracted from the cartridge housing portion  52  by the user, the toner cartridge  32  may be extracted at a timing when the user desires to replace the toner cartridge  32 . In addition, because it is more difficult to grip the second permitting cartridge in the housed position than the inhibiting cartridge, extraction of the toner cartridge  32  by accident may be avoided. 
     In addition, the manual ejection mode is set, and the ejection action is thereby performed in accordance with an operation by the user regardless of whether or not the toner cartridge  32  has to be replaced. Thus, the toner cartridge  32  may be moved to the extractable position at a timing when the user desires to replace the toner cartridge  32  and is highly convenient. 
     [Third Embodiment] 
     The image forming device  10  of a third embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment in a point that two kinds of ejection actions in which the ejection amounts are different are set. Because configurations of the other portions are similar, the same reference characters are given to the common portions to the above-described first embodiment, and repeated descriptions will not be made or will be simplified. 
       FIG. 11A  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a configuration of the ejection cam  86  and the ejection lever  88  in the third embodiment as seen from the front side.  FIG. 11B  is an explanatory diagram that illustrates the configuration of the ejection cam  86  and the ejection lever  88  in a first ejection action in the third embodiment as seen from the front side. 
     In the third embodiment, the ejection cam  86  is provided with a protrusion portion  86   c  (corresponding to a second pushing-out member) that is different from the protrusion portion  86   b  (corresponding to a first pushing-out member). Similarly to the protrusion portion  86   b , the protrusion portion  86   c  protrudes in the tangential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion  86   a.    
     When seen from the front side, the protrusion portion  86   b  and the protrusion portion  86   c  are provided in separate positions in the circumferential direction. In the third embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 11A , the protrusion portion  86   b  and the protrusion portion  86   c  are provided in point-symmetric positions with respect to the axial line of the shaft member  80   a  as the center. The protrusion portion  86   b  is provided in the same position as the first embodiment. 
     Further, the protrusion height (protrusion amount) of the protrusion portion  86   c  from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion  86   a  is set lower than the protrusion height of the protrusion portion  86   b . For example, the protrusion height of the protrusion portion  86   c  is set to approximately half the height of the protrusion height of the protrusion portion  86   b . Note that it is sufficient that the protrusion height of the protrusion portion  86   c  is lower than the height of the protrusion height of the protrusion portion  86   b , and the protrusion height may appropriately be changed. 
     In the third embodiment, in a case where the ejection action is performed and where the ejection cam  86  is rotated counterclockwise, the left side surface of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  moves up on the protrusion portion  86   c  earlier than the protrusion portion  86   b . For example, until the ejection cam  86  rotates counterclockwise by 180° (half a rotation), the left side surface of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  moves up on the protrusion portion  86   c . Here, the action in which the left side surface of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  moves up on the protrusion portion  86   c  will be referred to as the first ejection action. 
     Further, in a case where the ejection cam  86  performs one counterclockwise rotation, the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  moves over the protrusion portion  86   c  and thereafter moves up on the protrusion portion  86   b . Here, the action in which the left side surface of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  moves up on the protrusion portion  86   b  will be referred to as the second ejection action. 
     As described above, because the protrusion height of the protrusion portion  86   c  is set lower than the protrusion height of the protrusion portion  86   b , the leftward movement amount of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  in the first ejection action is smaller than the leftward movement amount of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  in the action (second ejection action) in a case where the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  moves up on the protrusion portion  86   b.    
     As the leftward movement amount of the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  is smaller, the rotational angle of the ejection lever  88  in the counterclockwise direction as seen from the upper side also becomes smaller. In this case, the rotational angle of the ejection arm  90  in the clockwise direction as seen from the upper side also becomes smaller. As the rotational angle of the ejection arm  90  in the clockwise direction as seen from the upper side becomes smaller, the movement amount of the abutting portion  90   c  from the rear side to the front side becomes smaller. 
     Accordingly, the ejection amount of the first ejection action is smaller than the ejection amount of the second ejection action. That is, the different in the ejection amount is decided in accordance with the protrusion heights of the protrusion portion  86   b  and the protrusion portion  86   c . As the protrusion heights of the protrusion portion  86   b  and the protrusion portion  86   c  are lower, the ejection amounts become smaller. As the protrusion heights of the protrusion portion  86   b  and the protrusion portion  86   c  are higher, the ejection amounts become larger. In the third embodiment, because the protrusion height of the protrusion portion  86   c  is approximately half the height of the protrusion height of the protrusion portion  86   b , the ejection amount of the first ejection action is approximately half the ejection amount of the second ejection action. 
     Here, the position of the toner cartridge  32  that is moved in the first ejection action will be referred to as a first extractable position. Further, the position of the toner cartridge  32  that is moved in the second ejection action will be referred to as a second extractable position. For example, in the first extractable position, the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  protrudes to the front side by approximately 10 mm from the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . Further, for example, in the second extractable position, the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  protrudes to the front side by approximately 20 mm from the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . That is, the second extractable position is set on a front side (a distant position from the housed position) of the first extractable position. 
     As described above, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in either one of the first extractable position and the second extractable position, the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  protrudes to the front side of the opening  52   a  of the cartridge housing portion  52 . Accordingly, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in the first extractable position or the second extractable position, the user may grip the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32 . Here, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in the first extractable position, it is difficult to grip the end portion because the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  does not protrude more than a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in the second extractable position. In other words, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in the second extractable position, it is easy to grip the end portion because the end portion on the front side of the toner cartridge  32  protrudes more than a case where the toner cartridge  32  is in the first extractable position. 
     As described above, in the third embodiment, the two kinds of ejection actions in which the ejection amounts are different are set. That is, in the ejection action, whether performing the first ejection action in which the toner cartridge  32  is moved to the first extractable position or the second ejection action in which the toner cartridge  32  is moved to the second extractable position may be selected. 
     For example, in a case where the specific information stored in the CRUM chip includes information about the length of the toner cartridge  32  in the front-rear direction, the ejection amount may be set in accordance with the length of the toner cartridge  32 . In this case, in a case where the toner cartridge  32  is comparatively long and it is determined that the toner cartridge  32  collides with the lid  10   b  when moved to the second extractable position, the ejection amount is set such that the toner cartridge  32  is moved to the first extractable position. Further, a setting (selecting) screen or the like of the ejection amount is presented to the user, and the user may thereby be enabled to set (select) the ejection amount. 
     Further, in the third embodiment, after the first ejection action is performed, in order to return the ejection lever  88  and the ejection arm  90  to the reference states without performing the second ejection action, a two-way clutch is used instead of the one-way clutch  84 . Using the two-way clutch enables the ejection cam  86  to rotate in the opposite direction (clockwise) by 180° after the ejection cam  86  is rotated counterclockwise by 180°. In this case, after the first ejection action is performed, the reference states are recovered without causing the abutting portion  88   d  of the ejection lever  88  to moves up on the protrusion portion  86   b . Accordingly, the toner cartridge  32  is maintained in the first extractable position. In a case where the usual toner conveyance action is performed, the two-way clutch is set not to transmit the rotational driving force of the motor  72  to the ejection cam  86 . 
     In the third embodiment, because the two kinds of ejection actions in which the ejection amounts are different are set, the toner cartridges  32  with different lengths in the front-rear direction may be used in combination. Therefore, usable kinds of the toner cartridges  32  may be increased, and the flexibility of product marketing of the toner cartridge  32  at a time after the image forming device  10  is on sale may be enhanced. 
     Note that the modes described in the third embodiment may be employed while being combined with the second embodiment. For example, because the second permitting cartridge is longer than the first permitting cartridge in the front-rear direction, it may be considered that setting is made to perform the first ejection action with the small ejection amount for the second permitting cartridge. 
     Further, in the above-described embodiments, a description is made in which the toner cartridge is raised as an example of the consumable article container. However, the consumable article container is not limited to the toner cartridge but may be a toner bottle. In addition, as the toner that is the consumable article, liquid toner may also be used. In this case, the consumable article container is a liquid toner container. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, a description is made in which the image forming device  10  of an electrophotographic scheme is raised as an example. However, embodiments do not have to be limited to this. In a case of the image forming device  10  of an ink-jet type, the consumable article is ink. Thus, the consumable article container that houses the ink as the consumable article is an ink cartridge or an ink bottle. 
     In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the toner cartridge  32  is provided with the storage member that stores the specific information (ejection permission information) about whether the ejection action by the ejection mechanism  80  for the toner cartridge  32  is possible. However, embodiments do not have to be limited to this. The storage member that stores the ejection permission information may be provided to the image forming device  10 . In this case, the memory of the control portion of the image forming device  10  stores table data in which the identification information of the toner cartridge  32  is associated with the ejection permission information. Thus, the CPU of the control portion of the image forming device  10  refers to the table data and thereby determines whether or not the ejection action is possible in accordance with the ejection permission information that is associated with the identification information of the toner cartridge  32 . The table data may be updated periodically. For example, in a case where the image forming device  10  includes a communication portion for communicating with the outside, the table data are updated via the Internet and so forth. Further, in a case where the image forming device  10  includes a connection portion (socket) for connection with a recording medium such as a USB, the table data are updated by using data in the recording medium in a case of maintenance or the like. 
     Furthermore, the techniques of the present disclosure have been described based on the specific embodiments. However, the techniques of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments. Any of the specific embodiments raised above is merely one example, and embodiments may appropriately be changed in accordance with requests such as specifications of products. 
     The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2016-114349 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Jun. 8, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.