Patent Publication Number: US-8526853-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus having toner passage blocking mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-210828 filed in Japan on Sep. 11, 2009. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as a copier, a printer, and a facsimile, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that performs image formation using toner. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the area of image forming apparatuses, the size and the weight of an apparatus are being reduced, along with downsizing, functional advancements, and weight reduction of parts thereof. Along with the reductions in the size and the weight of the apparatus, it has become easier for a user to carry the apparatus. Therefore, as one way to use the image forming apparatus, many users store the apparatus in a storage place other than a place where the apparatus is used while the apparatus is not in use, and take out the apparatus from the storage place to the place where the apparatus is used when the user uses the apparatus. In addition, an increasing number of users are using the apparatus frequently changing the place where the apparatus is used. 
     Generally, because an image forming apparatus has an approximate cuboid shape, the occupied floor area and the shape thereof occupied by the image forming apparatus change depending on the orientation of the apparatus being placed. Therefore, when the apparatus is stored in the storage place while the apparatus is not in use, it is desirable for a user to be able to choose an orientation of the apparatus being placed so that the occupied floor area is minimized, or that the shape of the occupied area matches surroundings in the storage place. However, the image forming apparatus is usually expected to be placed in a predetermined orientation, in which the image forming apparatus is placed when used, or a use orientation, and an unexpected trouble might occur if the apparatus is placed in an orientation other than the use orientation. 
     In addition, an orientation of the apparatus allowing the user to easily hold it during carrying it is not necessary the same as the predetermined use orientation. If the user holds the apparatus placed in the orientation allowing the user to hold it easily (in the orientation other than the use orientation), an unexpected trouble might occur. 
     In particular, because it is important for an image forming apparatus designed to be used on a desktop (desktop machine) to have better usability for a sitting user, the desktop machine tends to have a smaller dimension in height than the width or the depth thereof when the machine is placed in the use orientation. If an image forming apparatus having such dimensions is placed in a vertical orientation, where the top surface of the apparatus in the use orientation is placed in parallel with the vertical plane, the occupied floor area can be greatly reduced and storability can be improved in comparison with when the apparatus is placed in a horizontal orientation, which is the use orientation. In addition, when a single user carries the apparatus, the user can hold the apparatus more easily by placing the apparatus in the vertical orientation, and portability is improved. Therefore, it is required especially for an image forming apparatus having such dimensions to be placed in an orientation other than the use orientation. Consequently, it is strongly desirable to solve a problem that might be caused by placing the apparatus in an orientation other than the use orientation. 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H6-19606 discloses an image forming apparatus that solves a problem that, if an operation button or the like of an apparatus being powered is pressed mistakenly while the image forming apparatus is carried or stored in an orientation other than a predetermined use orientation, the apparatus is caused to operate, and the apparatus might be damaged. More specifically, a handle held by a user upon carrying the image forming apparatus is made bendable by means of a hinge, and when the bending operation of the handle is detected while the apparatus is carried, the operation status of the apparatus is switched to and kept at an operation disabled status. 
     The image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H6-19606 can solve the problem that the apparatus might be damaged by being caused to operate when the operation button or the like of the apparatus being powered is mistakenly operated while the apparatus placed in orientation other than the use orientation. However, problems that might occur due to a change in the orientation of the apparatus from the use orientation to a different one are not limited to the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H6-19606. The inventors of the present invention focused on toner scattering, which is one of the most serious problems that might occur. 
     An image forming apparatus forming an image using toner is usually designed so as not to cause toner scattering while the apparatus is in the predetermined use orientation, but toner scattering might occur when the orientation of the apparatus is changed to an orientation other than the use orientation. In particular, if the orientation of the apparatus is changed to an orientation other than the use orientation, the toner often spills out from parts conveying or storing therein the toner, which causes toner scattering. 
     Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H6-19606, even if the apparatus is placed in an orientation other than the use orientation, any trouble would not occur as long as the apparatus is not powered. However, in most cases, the image forming apparatus is not powered while the apparatus is carried or stored. Therefore, to effectively prevent toner scattering that might occur while the apparatus is placed in an orientation other than the use orientation, it is preferable that toner scattering can be prevented even when the apparatus is not powered. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an image forming apparatus including: a toner container having a portion defining an opening through which toner contained therein are released or toner is received inside; and a toner conveying channel that is connected to the opening of the toner container to convey the toner from the inside of the toner container or into the toner container. The image forming apparatus forms an image by transferring a toner image, obtained by attaching the toner to a latent image on a latent image carrying body, onto a recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes: a handle member that is held by an operator when an orientation of the image forming apparatus is changed from a predetermined use orientation to a different orientation; and a blocking unit that is caused to block a path between the inside and the opening of the toner container, without being powered, in association with an operator operation performed to the handle member upon changing the orientation of the image forming apparatus from the use orientation to the different orientation. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an image forming apparatus including: a toner container having a portion defining an opening through which toner contained therein, is released or toner is received inside; and a toner conveying channel that is connected to the opening of the toner container to convey the toner from the inside of the toner container or into the toner container. The image forming apparatus forms an image by transferring a toner image, obtained by attaching the toner to a latent image on a latent image carrying body, onto a recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes: a displacement member that is displaced, without being powered, by a change in an orientation of the image forming apparatus; and a blocking unit that is caused to block a path between the inside and the opening of the toner container, without being powered, in association with displacement of the displacement member caused when the orientation of the image forming apparatus is changed from a use orientation to a different orientation. 
     The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of an overall structure of a printer placed in a use orientation according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view around image forming units with outer walls of the printer removed; 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic for explaining the printer in the use orientation; 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic for explaining the printer in a transportation/storage orientation; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic for explaining a handle pulled out of the printer body, placed in the use orientation, into a held position; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic for illustrating an example of the image forming units coming out of the printer placed in the transportation/storage orientation; 
         FIG. 6A  is a schematic for explaining a blocking mechanism when the printer, operating in the use orientation, is seen from the top; 
         FIG. 6B  is a schematic for explaining the blocking mechanism when the handle is pulled out and the orientation of the printer is changed to the transportation/storage orientation; 
         FIG. 6C  is a schematic for explaining the blocking mechanism when the handle is pushed into the printer while the printer is kept in the transportation/storage orientation; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view around a joint of a linking mechanism in the blocking mechanism; 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic for explaining a shutter mechanism when a waste toner bottle is at a use position; 
         FIG. 8B  is a schematic for explaining a shutter mechanism when the waste toner bottle is at a retracted position; 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic for explaining a locking mechanism when a movement restricting member is at an unlocking position; 
         FIG. 9B  is a schematic for explaining the locking mechanism when a movement restricting member is at a locking position; 
         FIG. 10A  is a schematic for explaining a shutter mechanism according to a variation when the waste toner bottle is at the use position; 
         FIG. 10B  is a schematic for explaining the shutter mechanism according to the variation when the waste toner bottle is at the retracted position; 
         FIG. 11A  is a schematic for explaining the blocking mechanism when the printer, operating in the use orientation, is seen from the top; and 
         FIG. 11B  is a schematic for explaining the blocking mechanism when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     An embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, the embodiment is referred to as a “first embodiment”) suitable for a laser printer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “printer”) that is an electrophotographic type image forming apparatus will now be explained. 
     Note that the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and may be applied to any image forming apparatus as long as such it forms an image using toner. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of an overall structure of the printer placed in a use orientation. 
     The printer mainly includes a writing device  1  as a latent image forming unit, four image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K, a transfer device  3  that is a transfer unit, a fixing device  4  that is a fixing unit, a paper feeding roller  5 , and a discharging roller  6 . Each of the four image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K has a photosensitive body that is a latent image carrying body, a developing device that is a developing unit, a cleaning device as a cleaning unit, etc. and forms a toner images of four different colors, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black on the photosensitive body. 
     When a command for forming a color image is received, the writing device  1  writes an electrostatic latent image, in each of the colors corresponding to the image forming command, to the surface of the photosensitive body in each of the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive bodies is then developed in the corresponding developing device using toner of each of the colors, to form a toner image on the surface of each of the photosensitive bodies in each of the colors. A single sheet of transfer paper P that is a recording medium placed in a paper feeding tray is fed into the transfer device  3  at a predetermined timing, by means of the paper feeding roller  5 . The transfer paper P, carried on a conveying belt in the transfer device  3 , passes through transfer sections facing to the surface of each of the photosensitive bodies. While passing through each of the transfer sections, a toner image of each of the colors, formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive bodies, is transferred onto the transfer paper P in a manner overlapping each other. In this manner, a color image is formed on the transfer paper P. The transfer residual toner, remaining on the photosensitive bodies without being transferred onto the transfer paper P, is cleaned by the cleaning device. The transfer paper P on which the color image is formed is sent to the fixing device  4 , has the color image fixed thereto, and is ejected out of the apparatus by the discharging roller  6  through an discharging port  7 . 
     In this printer, the writing device  1  is attached to a cover  10  as an opening and closing door. By moving the cover  10  in the direction pointed by the arrow A in  FIG. 1  to the position illustrated in a dotted line, the top opening of the printer main body is exposed, and the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K, each of which is one of replaceable components, can be taken out thorough the top opening. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view around the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K, with outer walls of the printer removed. 
     The image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K are placed between right and left side walls  8   a  and  8   b  of the structure of the main body. A waste toner bottle  9  that is a toner container is arranged below the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K, when the printer is placed in the use orientation. The transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning device in each of the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K is conveyed to the waste toner bottle  9  via toner conveying channels not illustrated. The toner conveying channels are arranged on the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K, respectively, and the outlets of the toner conveying channels are separably connected to the opening of a waste toner guide, not illustrated, included in the waste toner bottle  9 . The opening of the waste toner bottle  9  that is separably connected to the outlets of the toner conveying channels may be arranged at the mouth of the bottle body, or may be arranged at the tip of a tube extended from the mouth of the bottle body. According to the first embodiment, the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K can be replaced, leaving the waste toner bottle  9  behind in the printer body. 
       FIG. 3A  is a schematic of the printer in the use orientation, and  FIG. 3B  is a schematic of the printer in an orientation, in which the printer is placed when transported and stored, or a transportation/storage orientation. 
     The symbols W, H, and D in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  respectively represent the width, the height, and the depth of the printer placed in the use orientation. The relationship between W (the width), H (the height), and D (the depth) in the first embodiment is as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Therefore, in the first embodiment, the floor area occupied by the printer placed in the use orientation (W×D) is larger than that occupied by the printer in the transportation/storage orientation (W×H). Therefore, the floor area occupied by the printer can be reduced if the printer is stored in the transportation/storage orientation than that in the use orientation, to achieve storage in a smaller space. In addition, when a user carries the printer with one hand, it is easier for the user to carry the printer in the transportation/storage orientation than in the use orientation. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic for explaining a handle  11  pulled out of the printer body, placed in the use orientation, into a held position. 
     The handle  11  can be pulled out or pushed in along the direction pointed by the arrow B in  FIG. 4  by an operation of a user who is an operator, and is moved between a stored position where the handle  11  is stored inside the printer and a held position where the handle  11  is exposed outside of the printer so that the user can hold it. Upon carrying the printer, the user can easily change the orientation of the printer from the use orientation to the transportation/storage orientation by pulling out the handle  11  to the held position and then holding it. The user can then carry the printer by lifting the printer, holding the handle  11 . In this manner, in the first embodiment, the user can perform a series of operations from changing the orientation of the printer to carrying it, all while holding the handle  11 . Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, to store the printer, a hook having a sufficient strength may be arranged on a wall extending in a direction approximately perpendicular to the floor, and the handle  11  may be hanged thereon. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic for illustrating an example of the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K coming out of the printer placed in the transportation/storage orientation. 
     In the first embodiment, to allow the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K to be replaced while leaving the waste toner bottle  9  behind in the printer body, the outlets of the toner conveying channels arranged on the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K are connected separably to the opening of the waste toner guide arranged on the waste toner bottle  9 . If the printer is placed in the use orientation, the toner would not leak from the separable connection. However, if the printer is changed from the use orientation to the transportation/storage orientation, the waste toner in the waste toner bottle  9  moves toward the opening of the waste toner guide. Therefore, if the separable connection is not well sealed, the toner might leak from the separable connection. 
     Furthermore, if the user moves the printer, holding the handle  11 , from the use orientation to the transportation/storage orientation more forcefully than expected, the momentum caused thereby might cause the cover  10  to open, to cause the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K to fall out of the printer. If the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K come out of the printer in the transportation/storage orientation, the outlets of the toner conveying channels on the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K are separated from the opening of the waste toner guide. Therefore, the waste toner, caused to move to the opening of the waste toner guide when the orientation of the printer is changed, flows out of the opening, resulting in toner scattering. 
     Therefore, in the first embodiment, a blocking mechanism as a blocking unit that blocks the path between the inside of the waste toner bottle  9  and the opening of the waste toner guide is provided to prevent the toner from leaking from the opening of the waste toner guide that is arranged on the waste toner bottle  9  and separably connected to the outlets of the toner conveying channels on the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K, even if the orientation of the printer is changed from the use orientation to the transportation/storage orientation. 
     A structure and an operation of the blocking mechanism will now be explained in detail. 
       FIG. 6A  is a schematic for explaining the blocking mechanism when the printer, operating in the use orientation, is seen from the top. 
       FIG. 6B  is a schematic for explaining the blocking mechanism when the handle  11  is pulled out and the orientation of the printer is changed to the transportation/storage orientation. 
       FIG. 6C  is a schematic for explaining the blocking mechanism when the handle  11  is pushed into the printer while the printer is kept in the transportation/storage orientation. 
     In the first embodiment, before changing the orientation of the printer from the use orientation illustrated in  FIG. 6A  to the transportation/storage orientation, the user (operator) pulls out the handle  11  from the printer main body. The blocking mechanism according to the first embodiment is caused to block the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  in association with such a pulling operation. More specifically, the blocking mechanism according to the first embodiment mainly includes a linking mechanism  12  that is displaced in association with a pushing or a pulling operation of the handle  11 , a retraction link  13  that is displaced in the direction in parallel with the direction of the pulling or pushing operation of the handle  11  in association with the displacement of the linking mechanism  12 , pressing springs  16  that bias the waste toner bottle  9  toward the retraction link  13 , a retraction spring  17  that biases the retraction link  13  toward the direction the handle  11  is pulled out (leftward in  FIGS. 6A to 6C ), and a shutter mechanism to be described later. 
     Protrusions  9   a  and  13   a  are arranged on facing surfaces, facing each other, of the retraction link  13  and the waste toner bottle  9 , respectively, at corresponding locations. When the printer is in use orientation illustrated in  FIG. 6A , the facing heads of the protrusions  9   a  and  13   a  are in contact with each other, because the retraction link  13  is positioned at a pressing position by the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 . In such an arrangement, the waste toner bottle  9  is positioned at a use position against the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . On the contrary, when the retraction link  13  is placed at a non-pressing position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , against the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , e.g., when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the protrusions  9   a  and  13   a  are displaced from the other, and the head of each of the protrusions  9   a  and  13   a  is brought in contact with the facing surface of the other. In this manner, the waste toner bottle  9  is positioned at a retracted position by way of the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . At this time, the shutter mechanism arranged in the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  blocks the connection. A structure and an operation of the shutter mechanism will be explained later. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged view around a joint  14  of the linking mechanism  12 . 
     The linking mechanism  12  has a structure including two links  12   a  and  12   b  joined together at the joint  14 . The first link  12   a  is connected to the handle  11 , and the second link  12   b  is connected to the retraction link  13 . To restrict rotation of the two links  12   a  and  12   b  from the position where these links  12   a  and  12   b  are placed in an approximately linear manner to only one direction, in the linking mechanism  12 , an end of each of the links  12   a  and  12   b  is rounded out on the side thereof facing the direction in which rotation is allowed, and is restricted is formed to have an angled corner on the side thereof facing the direction in which the rotation. In this manner, rotation of one of the links  12   a  and  12   b  is restricted by the end surface of the other of the links  12   a  and  12   b , and thus the rotation is prevented. 
     An operation of the blocking mechanism will now be explained, using an example where the printer that has been used is carried by a user from a place where it has been used to a different place, and stored therein. 
     To begin with, the user pulls out the handle  11  from the printer main body, before changing the orientation of the printer from the use orientation illustrated in  FIG. 6A  to the transportation/storage orientation. In association with the pulling operation of the handle  11 , the linking mechanism  12  is rotated about the joint  14  as a fulcrum in the counter clockwise direction in  FIG. 6A , while the two links  12   a  and  12   b  are kept in an approximately linear form. By means of the rotation, the retraction link  13  is moved toward the direction in which the handle  11  is pushed in (rightward in  FIG. 6B ) against the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , and is placed at the non-pressing position. In this manner, the heads of the two protrusions  13   a  arranged on the retraction link  13  are released from, the contact with the heads of the two corresponding protrusions  9   a  arranged on the waste toner bottle  9 , and the waste toner bottle  9  is positioned at the retracted position by the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . The connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  is blocked by the shutter mechanism to prevent the toner from leaking from the opening of the waste toner guide  19 . 
     In the first embodiment, an elongated movement restricting member  15  is arranged rotatably at a pressing position side end of the retraction link  13  (the left end in  FIG. 6A ). The movement restricting member  15  is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the direction being horizontal when the printer is placed in the use orientation, and the direction perpendicular to the movement of the retraction link  13 , that is, extending in the up-and-down direction in  FIG. 6A . When the direction on which the gravity acts changes because the orientation of the printer is changed, the movement restricting member  15  is rotated so that the longitudinal direction thereof is laid in the direction of the gravity. Therefore, when the printer is placed in the use orientation, the movement restricting member  15  is at an unlocking position where the longitudinal direction thereof is laid perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the retraction link  13 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . At this time, the retraction link  13  is allowed to move to the pressing position, without being interfered by the movement restricting member  15 . On the contrary, when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the movement restricting member  15  comes to a locking position where the longitudinal direction thereof is laid along the direction of the movement of the retraction link  13 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . At this time, even if the retraction link  13  at the non-pressing position is caused to move towards the pressing position by the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , such a movement is restricted because the longitudinal end of the movement restricting member  15  comes in contact with the main body structure. Therefore, when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the retraction link  13  is not allowed to move from the non-pressing position to the pressing position, and the retraction link  13  is kept at the non-pressing position. In addition, because the movement restricting member  15  is biased in a direction in which it is brought in contact with the main body structure by the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , the retraction link  13  is kept at the non-pressing position even if the orientation of the printer is changed. 
     After pulling out the handle  11  from the printer placed in the use orientation illustrated in  FIG. 6A , the user holds the handle  11  and changes the orientation of the printer to the transportation/storage orientation illustrated in  FIG. 6B . The user then carries the printer to a storage place, holding the handle  11 , while keeping the printer in the transportation/storage orientation, and places and stores the printer in the transportation/storage orientation in the storage place. If the handle  11  is kept at the held position while the printer is stored, something might get caught at the handle  11  protruding out from the printer, and might cause the printer to fall down. In addition, if the handle  11  is kept at the held position while the printer is stored, it could be inconvenient because it would be difficult to place anything on top of the printer. Therefore, after placing the printer in the storage place in the transportation/storage orientation, the user presses the handle  11  into the stored position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6C . Because the position of the retraction link  13  is kept at the non-pressing position by means of the movement restricting member  15  even if the handle  11  is pressed into the stored position, the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  is kept closed by the shutter mechanism, and the toner is still prevented from leaking from the opening of the waste toner guide  19 . Furthermore, after the handle  11  is pressed into the stored position in the printer in the transportation/storage orientation, the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  is kept closed by the shutter mechanism as long as the handle  11  is kept at the stored position, even if the printer is changed to an orientation other than the transportation/storage orientation (e.g., to the use orientation). Therefore, the toner can be prevented from leaking. 
     Upon carrying and using the printer stored in the storage place to and in a use place, the user carries the printer in the transportation/storage orientation to the use place, holding the handle  11 , and changes the orientation of the printer from the transportation/storage orientation to the use orientation, while still holding the handle  11 . At this time, because the handle  11  is receiving a force toward the held position, the retraction link  13  receives a force toward the non-pressing position against the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 . In this manner, the biasing force of the retraction spring  17  that keeps the movement restricting member  15  in contact with the main body structure is released. Therefore, when the direction of the gravity acting on the movement restricting member  15  changes because the orientation of the printer is changed to the use orientation, the movement restricting member  15  is rotated, and the longitudinal direction thereof is laid along the direction perpendicular to the movement of the retraction link  13  as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . Therefore, if the user releases his/her hand from the handle  11  or presses the handle  11  into the stored position after changing the orientation of the printer to the use orientation, the retraction link  13  is caused to move to the pressing position by the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 . As a result, the waste toner bottle  9  is caused to move to the use position, and the shutter mechanism opens the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  to allow the waste toner to enter the waste toner bottle  9 , and to make the printer usable. 
     Even if the user presses the handle  11  into the stored position after carrying the printer to the use place but before changing the orientation of the printer from the transportation/storage orientation to the use orientation, the movement restricting member  15  can be brought to the unlocking position from the locking position, simply by pulling the handle  11  to the held position in the printer placed in the use orientation. 
     The shutter mechanism according to the first embodiment will now be explained. 
       FIG. 8A  is a schematic for explaining a shutter mechanism  20  when the waste toner bottle  9  is at the use position. 
       FIG. 8B  is a schematic for explaining the shutter mechanism  20  when the waste toner bottle  9  is at the retracted position. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the shutter mechanism  20  is disposed at the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19 . The shutter mechanism  20  is arranged at a fixed position, and is moved relatively to the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  as the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  move. When the printer is placed in the use orientation and the retraction link  13  is placed at the pressing position by the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , the waste toner bottle  9  is placed at the use position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . At this time, a mouth  9   b  of the waste toner bottle  9  is in contact with a rib  19   a  of the waste toner guide  19 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8A , pressing the waste toner guide  19  in the upward direction in  FIG. 8A  against the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . In this manner, the waste toner guide  19  is moved relatively from the shutter mechanism  20  in the upward direction in  FIG. 8A , and an outlet  19   b  of the waste toner guide  19  that has been closed by the shutter mechanism  20  is opened. Therefore, the waste toner bottle  9  can accept the waste toner conveyed from the toner conveying channels, arranged on the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K via the waste toner guide  19 . 
     On the contrary, when the retraction link  13  is placed at the non-pressing position against the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , e.g., when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the waste toner bottle  9  is positioned at the retracted position as illustrated in  FIG. 6B  or  FIG. 6C . At this time, the mouth  9   b  of the waste toner bottle  9  is separated from the rib  19   a  on the waste toner guide  19 , as illustrated in  8 B, and the waste toner guide  19  is moved in the downward direction in  FIG. 8B  by the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . In this manner, the waste toner guide  19  is moved relatively from the shutter mechanism  20  in the downward direction in  FIG. 8B , causing the shutter mechanism  20  to close the outlet  19   b  of the waste toner guide  19 . To obtain such a shutter mechanism  20 , the symbols φd 1 , φd 2 , a, and b illustrated in  FIG. 8A  have to be in a relationship φd 1 ≦φd 2  and a&lt;b. 
     In this manner, because the outlet  19   b  of the waste toner guide  19  is closed by the shutter mechanism  20 , the waste toner in the waste toner bottle  9  is prevented from flowing into the waste toner guide  19 . Therefore, the toner is prevented from leaking from the opening of the waste toner guide  19  that is separably connected to the outlets of the toner conveying channels on the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K. When the outlet  19   b  of the waste toner guide  19  is closed by the shutter mechanism  20 , the downward movement of the waste toner guide  19  in the  FIG. 8A  is restricted, which leads to the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 8B . 
     In the first embodiment, the waste toner guide  19  is caused to move relatively to the mouth  9   b  of the waste toner bottle  9 , and a sealing member  21  is arranged around the area where the relative movement occurs, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , to prevent toner scattering from this area. 
     If the cover  10  could be opened easily while the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the cover  10  might be opened by vibrations during transportation, or an impact caused by some object colliding with the printer while being stored. If the cover  10  opens, the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K might come out the printer, and the waste toner remaining in the toner conveying channels and the waste toner guide  19  might be scattered. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a locking mechanism that is a locking means for locking the cover  10  closed in association with the rotation of the movement restricting member  15  may be provided. 
       FIG. 9A  is a schematic for explaining such a locking mechanism when the movement restricting member  15  is at the unlocking position. 
       FIG. 9B  is a schematic for explaining the locking mechanism when the movement restricting member  15  is at the locking position. 
     The locking mechanism includes a cover stopper  13   c  fixed to the retraction link  13 , and has an insertion hole  10   b  through which the cover stopper  13   c  can be inserted. 
     When the printer is placed in the use orientation and the retraction link  13  is kept at the pressing position by the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , the cover stopper  13   c  fixed to the retraction link  13  comes to an unlocking position retracted from the insertion hole  10   b  on the cover  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9A . At this time, the cover  10  can be opened and closed. On the contrary, when the retraction link  13  is at the non-pressing position against the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , e.g., when the printer is in the transportation/storage orientation, the cover stopper  13   c  is brought to a locking position where the cover stopper  13   c  is inserted in the insertion hole  10   b  of the cover  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9B . Even if the user attempts to open the cover  10  in this arrangement, the cover stopper  13   c  inserted in the insertion hole  10   b  of the cover  10  prevents the cover  10  from being opened. Therefore, the cover  10  is locked at the closed position. 
     The cover stopper  13   c  may be formed integrally to the retraction link  13 , or as a separate part. 
     If the printer is powered while the printer is in the transportation/storage orientation that is not the use orientation, an unexpected trouble is likely to occur. Therefore, in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a micro switch  18  that is an interlocking mechanism is shut off by a rib  13   b  arranged on the retraction link  13 , in association with the movement of the retraction link  13 . In such a structure, when the printer is placed in the use orientation and the retraction link  13  is kept at the pressing position by the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , the micro switch  18  is turned on, allowing the printer to be powered on. On the contrary, when the retraction link  13  is at the non-pressing position against the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , e.g., when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the micro switch  18  is turned off, preventing the printer from being powered on. 
     As another measure that prevents the printer to be powered on while the printer is in the transportation/storage orientation that is not the use orientation, for example, a power inlet that is an attachment unit to which a power cable is attached may be placed on an outer wall of the printer that serves as the bottom when the printer is in the transportation/storage orientation (the outer wall that is on the opposite side of the outer wall having the handle  11 ). In this example, because the printer cannot be placed in the transportation/storage orientation unless the power cable is pulled out of the power inlet, the printer can be prevented from being carried or stored, with the power cable connected to the power inlet. 
     Variation 
     A variation of the shutter mechanism will now be explained. 
       FIG. 10A  is a schematic for explaining a shutter mechanism  120  according to the variation when the waste toner bottle  9  is at the use position. 
       FIG. 10B  is a schematic for explaining the shutter mechanism  120  according to the variation when the waste toner bottle  9  is at the retracted position. 
     In this variation, the shutter mechanism  120  is allowed to move in the up-and-down direction in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , and a waste toner guide  119  is arranged at a fixed position. The pressing springs  16  are arranged to bias the shutter mechanism  120  in the downward direction in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . When the printer is placed in the use orientation and the retraction link  13  is kept at the pressing position by the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , the waste toner bottle  9  comes to the use position as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . At this time, an inner rib  9   c  arranged inside of the waste toner bottle  9  is brought in contact with the bottom end of the shutter mechanism  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10A , pressing out the shutter mechanism  120  in the upward direction in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  against the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . In this manner, an outlet  119   b  of the waste toner guide  119 , closed by the shutter mechanism  120 , is opened. Therefore, the waste toner bottle  9  can accept the waste toner conveyed from the toner conveying channels, arranged on the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K via the waste toner guide  119 . 
     On the contrary, when the retraction link  13  is kept at a non-pressing position against the biasing force of the retraction spring  17 , e.g., when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the waste toner bottle  9  is positioned at the retracted position as illustrated in  FIG. 6B  or  FIG. 6C . At this time, the inner rib  9   c  of the waste toner bottle  9  is separated from the bottom end of the shutter mechanism  120  as illustrated in  FIG. 10B , and the shutter mechanism  120  is moved in the downward direction in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  by the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . In this manner, the outlet  119   b  of the waste toner guide  119  is closed by the shutter mechanism  120 . To obtain such a shutter mechanism  120 , the symbols φd 1 , φd 2 , a, and b illustrated in  FIG. 10A  have to be in a relationship φd 1 ≦φd 2  and a&lt;b. 
     In this manner, the outlet  119   b  of the waste toner guide  119  is closed by the shutter mechanism  120  to prevent the waste toner in the waste toner bottle  9  from flowing into the waste toner guide  119 . Therefore, the toner is prevented from leaking from the opening of the waste toner guide  119  that is separably connected to the outlets of the toner conveying channels on the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Another embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as a “second embodiment”) applied to a printer, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, will now be explained. 
     In the second embodiment, when the orientation of the printer is changed from the use orientation to the transportation/storage orientation, the shutter mechanism  20  or  120  is caused to close the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19 . The basic structure and the operation of the printer according to the second embodiment are the same as those according to the first embodiment. Therefore, explanations will be given below only on portions that are different from the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 11A  is a schematic for explaining the blocking mechanism when the printer, operating in the use orientation, is seen from the top. 
       FIG. 11B  is a schematic for explaining the blocking mechanism when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation. 
     In the second embodiment, the retraction link  13  is associated with a movement of a weight  23 , instead of the pulling and the pushing operations of the handle  11 . More specifically, at one end of the retraction link  13  near the handle, that is, the upper end of the retraction link  13  when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the weight  23  is connected using a string-like connecting member  25  via a pulley  24 . The weight  23  is allowed to move in the direction of the movement of the retraction link  13 , but the movement in any other directions is restricted by a weight guide  26 . Furthermore, a retraction spring  22  is attached to the other end of the retraction link  13  to bias the retraction link  13  in the direction toward the pressing position thereof, that is, in the downward direction when the printer is in the transportation/storage orientation. 
     When the printer is placed in the use orientation as illustrated in  FIG. 11A , the retraction link  13  is kept at the pressing position by the biasing force of the retraction spring  22 , and the waste toner bottle  9  is positioned at the use position against the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . At this time, the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  is released from a closure by the shutter mechanism  20  or  120 , and is opened. On the contrary, when the retraction link  13  is placed at the non-pressing position as illustrated in  FIG. 11B  against the biasing force of the retraction spring  22 , e.g., when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the waste toner bottle  9  is kept at the retracted position by the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . At this time, the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  is closed by the shutter mechanism  20  or  120 . 
     An operation of the blocking mechanism will now be explained, using an example where the printer that has been used is carried by a user from where it has been used to a different place, and stored therein, as in the first embodiment. 
     To begin with, the user changes the orientation of the printer from the use orientation illustrated in  FIG. 11A  to the transportation/storage orientation illustrated in  FIG. 11B , holding the handle  11 . In this time, the gravity acts on the weight  23  to cause the weight  23  to fall in the direction of the gravity, that is, the downward direction in  FIG. 11B . By means of this movement of the weight  23 , the retraction link  13  is lifted in the upward direction according to the gravity direction, that is, the upward direction in  FIG. 11B , against the biasing force of the retraction spring  22 , and is positioned at the non-pressing position. In this manner, the heads of the two protrusions  13   a  arranged on the retraction link  13  are released from the contact with the heads of the two corresponding protrusions  9   a  arranged on the waste toner bottle  9 , and the waste toner bottle is brought to the retracted position by the biasing force of the pressing springs  16 . The connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19  is closed by the shutter mechanism  20  or  120 , preventing the toner from leaking from the opening of the waste toner guide  19 . 
     In the second embodiment, the micro switch  18  is shut off by the retraction link  13  moving to the non-pressing position. Therefore, when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation, the printer is prevented from being powered on. 
     On the contrary, when the printer stored in the storage place is carried to and used in the use place, the user carries the printer in the transportation/storage orientation to the use place, holding the handle  11 , and changes the orientation of the printer from the transportation/storage orientation to the use orientation, while still holding the handle  11 . In this manner, the direction of the gravity acting on the weight  23  changes to a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the weight  23  is allowed to move, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the retraction link  13 . As a result, the retraction link  13  is moved to the pressing position by the biasing force of the retraction spring  22 . Thereby, the waste toner bottle  9  is moved to the use position, and the shutter mechanism  20  or  120  opens the connection between the waste toner bottle  9  and the waste toner guide  19 , allowing the waste toner to be accepted into the waste toner bottle  9 , and allowing the printer to be used. 
     In addition, because the micro switch  18  is turned on by the displacement of the retraction link  13  to the pressing position, the printer can be powered on. 
     To achieve the operation according to the second embodiment, a relationship between the weight  23 , the retraction spring  22 , and the pressing springs  16  has to satisfy in equation (1) below representing a condition for allowing the retraction link  13  to be displaced to the non-pressing position, and in equation (2) below representing a condition for allowing the retraction link  13  to be displaced to the pressing position:
 
 M×g&gt;F 0+ k 1× x 1+μ w×n×k 2× x 2  (1)
 
μ m×M×g+μw×n×k 2× x 2 &lt;F 0  (2)
 
     where the parameters used in formulas (1) and (2) are as follows: 
     M: The mass of the weight  23  [kilogram] 
     k1: The spring constant of the retraction spring  22  [N/mm] 
     k2: The spring constant of the pressing springs  16  [N/mm] 
     x1: The distance of the displacement of the weight  23  [mm] 
     x2: The distance of the displacement of the waste toner bottle  9  [mm] 
     F0: The initial tension of the retraction spring  22  [N] 
     n: The number of the pressing springs  16   
     μw: The friction coefficient between the retraction link  13  and the waste toner bottle  9   
     μm: The friction coefficient between the weight  23  and the weight guide  26   
     g: The gravity acceleration [m/s 2 ] 
     As describe above, the printers according to the first and the second embodiment each include the waste toner bottle  9  that is a toner container having the opening for accepting the waste toner, and the toner conveying channels that are connected to the opening of the waste toner bottle  9  so as to convey the toner into the waste toner bottle  9 , and form an image by transferring a toner image, obtained by attaching a toner to a latent image on the photosensitive bodies, onto the transfer paper P as a recording medium. 
     In the first embodiment, the printer includes the handle  11  that is a handle member that is held by the user who is an operator when the orientation of the printer is changed from the predetermined use orientation to the transportation/storage orientation that is different form the use orientation, and a blocking mechanism as a blocking unit that blocks the path between the inside and the opening of the waste toner bottle  9 , operating, without being powered on, in association with a user operation performed to the handle  11  (an operation of pulling out of the handle  11  from the printer main body) before changing the printer from the use orientation to the transportation/storage orientation. Such a structure prevents the toner from leaking from the opening while the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation. Furthermore, because the blocking operation of the blocking mechanism is associated with the operation without being powered, even if the printer is not powered on, the path between the inside of the waste toner bottle  9  and the opening of the waste toner guide can be blocked before the orientation of the printer is changed to the transportation/storage orientation. Therefore, toner scattering can be prevented. 
     In particular, in the first embodiment, by means of a user operation, the handle  11  can be moved between the stored position where the handle  11  is stored inside the printer and the held position where the handle  11  is exposed outside of the printer so that the user can hold it. The operation mentioned above is the pulling operation performed by the user, moving the handle  11  from the stored position to the held position. In this manner, the user can simply perform a normal operation of pulling out and holding the handle  11 , without performing any special operation, to block the opening before the orientation of the printer is changed to the transportation/storage orientation, to prevent toner scattering. 
     Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the blocking mechanism keeps the opening closed even when the handle  11  is moved to the stored position, and opens the opening when the handle  11  is positioned at the held position while the printer is placed in the use orientation. Such a structure can prevent toner scattering even if the handle  11  is moved to the stored position when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation. 
     In the second embodiment, the printer includes the weight  23  that is a displacement member that is displaced without being powered when the orientation of the printer is changed from the use orientation to the transportation/storage orientation, and the blocking mechanism as a blocking means that blocks the path between the inside and the opening of the waste toner bottle  9  in association with the displacement of the weight  23 , without being powered. Such a structure prevents the toner from leaking from the opening when the printer is placed in the transportation/storage orientation. Furthermore, because the displacement of the weight  23  and the blocking operation of the blocking mechanism are performed without being powered, even if the printer is not powered, toner scattering can be prevented in the printer placed in the transportation/storage orientation. 
     In the explanations of the first and the second embodiments, the waste toner in the waste toner bottle  9  is prevented from being scattered from the opening of the waste toner bottle  9 . However, the present invention may also be applied, in the same manner, to prevent a supplementary toner from being scattered from an opening of a toner bottle having such an opening for releasing the supplementary toner stored therein. 
     Furthermore, the printers according to the first and the second embodiments each include the cover  10  as an opening-and-closing door that opens and closes the opening of the main body to allow replaceable parts (e.g., the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y; and  2 K) in the printer main body to be inserted to or removed from the printer may body, and the locking mechanism of  13   c  and  10   b  that is a locking unit that locks the cover  10  closed, without being powered, in associating with the pulling operation of the handle  11  or the displacement of the weight  23 . Such a structure prevents the cover  10  from being opened by vibrations during transportation or an impact caused by some object colliding with the printer while being stored, so that the image forming units  2 C,  2 M,  2 Y, and  2 K would not come out of the printer, and the waste toner remaining in the toner conveying channels and the waste toner guide  19  would not be scattered. 
     Furthermore, if the power inlet that is an attachment unit to which a power cable is attached may be placed on the outer wall of the printer that serves as the bottom when the printer is in the transportation/storage orientation, because the printer cannot be placed in the transportation/storage orientation unless the power cable is pulled out of the power inlet, the printer can be prevented from being carried or stored with the power cable connected to the power inlet. According to a first aspect of the present invention, when the operator changes the orientation of the image forming apparatus to an orientation other than the use orientation upon carrying or storing the image forming apparatus, the operator performs the operation to the handle, and then changes the orientation of the apparatus while holding the handle. According to this aspect of the present invention, the opening of the toner container is closed in association with the operation performed by the operator to the handle. Therefore, before the orientation of the image forming apparatus is changed from the use orientation to a different one, the path between the inside and the opening of the toner container is blocked by the blocking unit. Therefore, even if the orientation of the image forming apparatus is changed from the use orientation to a different one, the toner in the toner container can be prevented from leaking from the opening, thus toner scattering can be prevented. Furthermore, according to this aspect of the present invention, the blocking operation of the blocking unit is associated with the operation of the operator without being powered. Therefore, even when the image forming apparatus is not powered, the path between the inside and the opening of the toner container can be blocked before changing the orientation of the image forming apparatus and toner scattering can be prevented. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, when the operator changes the orientation of the image forming apparatus to an orientation other than the use orientation upon carrying or storing the image forming apparatus, the displacement member is displaced, and the opening of the toner container is closed in association with the displacement. Therefore, when the orientation of the image forming apparatus is changed from the use orientation to a different orientation, the path between the inside and the opening of the toner container is blocked by the blocking unit. Therefore, even if the orientation of the image forming apparatus is changed from the use orientation to a different orientation, the toner in the toner container can be prevented from leaking from the opening, and toner scattering can be prevented. Furthermore, according to this aspect of the present invention, because the displacement of the displacement member and the blocking operation of the blocking unit are performed while the power is not supplied, the path between the inside and the opening of the toner container can be blocked and toner scattering can be prevented upon changing the orientation of the image forming apparatus, even when the image forming apparatus is not powered. Advantageously, according to the present invention, toner scattering that could occur when the apparatus is placed in an orientation other than the use orientation can be effectively prevented. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.