Patent Publication Number: US-9411267-B2

Title: Developer storing container, and image forming apparatus provided with the same

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-172431 filed on Aug. 27, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a developer storing container that stores a developer, and an image forming apparatus provided with the same. 
     As a typical example of a developer storing container that stores a developer, that which is provided for an image forming apparatus is known. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing apparatus, and a developer storing container. When the developer is supplied from the developing apparatus to the image carrier, an electrostatic latent image that is formed on the image carrier is actualized as a developer image. The developer storing container is provided with a developer discharge port, supplying a replenishing developer to a replenishing port that is provided in the developing apparatus. 
     A developer storing container has been disclosed which is provided with a moving wall that is moved while conveying the developer toward the developer discharge port. 
     SUMMARY 
     A developer storing container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a developer storing container, including: 
     a container main body, being provided with an inner peripheral part, cylindrically extending along a first direction, and an internal space, being defined by the inner peripheral part, 
     a developer discharge port, being opened in a bottom face part of the container main body so as to be communicated with the inner peripheral part, and a developer being discharged therefrom, 
     a moving wall, being provided with an outer peripheral part, being disposed in tight contact with the inner peripheral part of the container main body, and a conveying face, defining a storing space together with the inner peripheral part of the container main body, the developer being stored therein; the moving wall being moved from an initial position on the one end side of said first direction to a final position on the other end side thereof in said internal space, while conveying said developer in said storing space toward said developer discharge port, and 
     a sealing member, forming the outer peripheral part of the moving wall, and being compressively deformed between the inner peripheral part of the container main body and the moving wall, 
     a cross-sectional area of the internal space of the container main body in a sectional view intersecting perpendicularly with the first direction being set so as to be decreased as the final position of the moving wall being approached. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in the state in which a part thereof is opened; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional view showing an internal construction of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view showing an internal construction of a developing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic sectional view showing how a developer is replenished to the developing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a developer storing container and the developing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the developer storing container and the developing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8A  is a plan view of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8B  is a front view of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing how the inside of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is constructed; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing how the inside of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is constructed; 
         FIG. 13A  is a front view of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13B  is a sectional view of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14A  is a sectional view of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14B  is an enlarged sectional view of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic sectional view showing a tapered shape of an inner peripheral part of a container main body of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic sectional view showing a tapered shape of an inner peripheral part of a container main body of the developer storing container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinbelow, referring to the drawings, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  are perspective views of a printer  100  (an image forming apparatus) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  is a sectional view schematically showing an internal construction of the printer  100  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The printer  100  shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3  as an image forming apparatus is a so-called monochrome printer. However, in another embodiment, the image forming apparatus may be a color printer, a facsimile apparatus, a Multifunctional Peripheral (MFP) equipped with such functions, or other apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet. The term that is used in the following explanation to express a direction, such as “up” or “down”, “front” or “rear”, or “right” or “left”, is used simply for clarification of the explanation, and will not make any limitation of the principle of the image forming apparatus. 
     The printer  100  is provided with a casing  101  that houses various apparatuses for forming an image on a sheet S. The casing  101  includes a top wall  102 , which defines a top face of the casing  101 , and a bottom wall  103 , which defines a bottom face of the casing  101  ( FIG. 3 ); a main body rear wall  105  between the top wall  102  and the bottom wall  103  ( FIG. 3 ); and a main body front wall  104 , which is located in front of the main body rear wall  105 . The casing  101  is provided with a main body internal space  107 , in which various apparatuses are disposed. In the main body internal space  107  in the casing  101 , there is extendedly provided a sheet carrying passage PP, with which the sheet S is conveyed in a specific conveying direction. In addition, the printer  100  is provided with an opening/closing cover  100 C, which is openably loaded onto the casing  101 . 
     The opening/closing cover  100 C is composed of a front wall upper part  104 B, which is an upper portion of the main body front wall  104 , and a top wall front part  102 B, which is a front portion of the top wall  102 . In addition, the opening/closing cover  100 C can be opened and closed in a vertical direction with a hinge shaft (not shown) as a fulcrum, which is disposed in a pair of arm parts  108 , which are provided in both end parts in a lateral direction ( FIG. 2 ). In the open state of the opening/closing cover  100 C, the top of the main body internal space  107  is opened to the outside. On the other hand, in the closed state of the opening/closing cover  100 C, the top of the main body internal space  107  is closed. 
     In the central part of the top wall  102 , a paper delivery part  102 A is disposed. The paper delivery part  102 A is formed of an inclination surface, which is inclined downward from the front portion of the top wall  102  to the rear portion thereof. To the paper delivery part  102 A, the sheet S, on which an image is formed in a below-mentioned image forming part  120 , is discharged. In addition, in the central part in a vertical direction of the main body front wall  104 , a manual feed tray  104 A is disposed. The manual feed tray  104 A can be vertically turned with the lower end as a fulcrum (in a direction of arrow DT in  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the printer  100  includes a cassette  110 , a pickup roller  112 , a first feed roller  113 , a second feed roller  114 , a conveyance roller  115 , a registration roller pair  116 , an image forming part  120 , and a fixing apparatus  130 . 
     The cassette  110  stores a sheet S in the inside thereof. The cassette  110  is provided with a lifting plate  111 . The lifting plate  111  is inclined so as to push up the leading edge of the sheet S. The cassette  110  can be drawn forward with respect to the casing  101 . 
     The pickup roller  112  is disposed on the leading edge of the sheet S, which has been pushed up by the lifting plate  111 . When the pickup roller  112  is rotated, the sheet S is pulled out from the cassette  110 . 
     The first feed roller  113  is disposed downstream of the pickup roller  112 , feeding out the sheet S further downstream. The second feed roller  114  is disposed inside of the fulcrum of the manual feed tray  104 A (behind it), pulling in the sheet S on the manual feed tray  104 A into the casing  101 . 
     The conveyance roller  115  is disposed downstream in the sheet conveying direction (which, hereinbelow, may be simply referred to as the conveying direction) of the first feed roller  113  and the second feed roller  114  (which, hereinbelow, may be simply referred to as downstream). The conveyance rollers  115  conveys further downstream the sheet S that has been fed out by the first feed roller  113  and the second feed roller  114 . 
     The registration roller pair  116  has a function to correct an oblique conveyance of the sheet S. Thereby, the position of an image that is formed on the sheet S is correctly adjusted. The registration roller pair  116  supplies the sheet S to the image forming part  120  in accordance with the timing of image formation made by the image forming part  120 . 
     The image forming part  120  includes a photosensitive drum  121  (an image carrier), an electrifier  122 , an exposure apparatus  123 , a developing apparatus  20 , a toner container  30  (a developer storing container), a transfer roller  126  (a transfer part), and a cleaning apparatus  127 . 
     The photosensitive drum  121  has a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum  121  has a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and carries a toner image (a developer image) in accordance with the electrostatic latent image on the surface. The electrifier  122 , to which a specific voltage is applied, electrifies substantially uniformly the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121 . 
     The exposure apparatus  123  irradiates a laser beam onto the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121 , which has been electrified by the electrifier  122 . The laser beam is irradiated in accordance with image data that has been outputted from an external apparatus (not shown), such as a personal computer, that is communicably connected to the printer  100 . As a result of this, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121 . 
     The developing apparatus  20  supplies toner to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121 , on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed. The toner container  30  supplies the toner (a replenishing developer) to the developing apparatus  20 . The toner container  30  is detachably disposed on the developing apparatus  20 . When the developing apparatus  20  supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum  121 , the electrostatic latent image that has been formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121  is developed (visualized). As a result of this, a toner image (a developer image) is formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121 . 
     The transfer roller  126  is disposed under the photosensitive drum  121 , being opposed thereto with the sheet carrying passage PP being sandwiched between both. The transfer roller  126  forms a transfer nip part between it and the photosensitive drum  121  to transfer the toner image onto the sheet S. 
     The cleaning apparatus  127  removes the toner remaining on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum  121  after the toner image having been transferred onto the sheet S. 
     The fixing apparatus  130  is disposed on the downstream side of the image forming part  120  in the conveying direction to fix the toner image on the sheet S. The fixing apparatus  130  includes a heating roller  131 , which fuses the toner on the sheet S, and a pressure roller  132 , which causes the sheet S to be tightly contacted with the heating roller  131 . 
     The printer  100  further includes a conveyance roller pair  133 , which is disposed downstream of the fixing apparatus  130 , and a discharge roller pair  134 , which is disposed downstream of the conveyance roller pair  133 . The sheet S is conveyed upward by the conveyance roller pair  133 , and finally discharged from the casing  101  by the discharge roller pair  134 . The sheet S, which has been discharged from the casing  101 , is stacked on the paper delivery part  102 A. 
     &lt;About Developing Apparatus&gt; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view showing an internal construction of the developing apparatus  20 . The developing apparatus  20  is provided with a developing housing  210  (a housing), which has a box shape long in one direction (the axial direction or a lateral direction of a developing roller  21 ). The developing housing  210  has a storing space  220  (a developer carrying passage). In the storing space  220 , the developing roller  21 , a first stirring screw  23  (a developer conveying member) and a second stirring screw  24 , and a toner replenishing port  25  are disposed. In the present embodiment, the one-component development system is applied, and this storing space  220  is filled with toner as a developer. On the other hand, in the case of the two-component development system, a mixture of the toner and a carrier comprised of a magnetic substance is filled in as a developer. The toner is stirred and conveyed in the storing space  220 , being successively supplied to the photosensitive drum  121  from the developing roller  21  to develop the electrostatic latent image. 
     The developing roller  21  has a cylindrical shape that is extendedly provided in a longitudinal direction of the developing housing  210 , and, on the outer periphery, has a sleeve portion which is rotationally driven. The storing space  220  of the developing housing  210  is covered with a top plate (not shown), and is partitioned into a first carrying passage  221  and a second carrying passage  222 , which are long in a lateral direction, by a partitioning plate  22 , which is extended in a lateral direction. The partitioning plate  22  is shorter than the length in the lateral direction of the developing housing  210 . At the left end and the right end of the partitioning plate  22 , there are provided a first communicating passage  223  and a second communicating passage  224 , which respectively communicate between the first carrying passage  221  and the second carrying passage  222 . Thereby, in the storing space  220 , there is formed a circulation path from the first carrying passage  221  to the first communicating passage  223  through the second communicating passage  224  and the second carrying passage  222 . The toner is conveyed in the circulation path in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 4 . 
     The toner replenishing port  25  (the developer replenishing port) is an opening part, which is opened in the top plate of the developing housing  210 , and is located upward in the vicinity of the left end of the first carrying passage  221 . The toner replenishing port  25  is disposed, being opposed to the above-mentioned circulation path. The toner replenishing port  25  has a function to receive the replenishing toner (the replenishing developer), which is replenished from the toner discharge port  377  of the toner container  30  ( FIG. 4 ) into the storing space  220 . 
     The first stirring screw  23  is disposed in the first carrying passage  221 . The first stirring screw  23  includes a first rotating shaft  23   a , and a first spiral blade  23   b , which is provided protrusively in a spiral shape on the circumference of the first rotating shaft  23   a . The first stirring screw  23  is rotationally driven around the first rotating shaft  23   a  (in a direction of arrow R 2 ), thereby conveying the toner in a direction of arrow D 1  in  FIG. 4 . The first stirring screw  23  conveys the developer such that it passes the location where the toner replenishing port  25  is opposed to the first carrying passage  221 . Thus, the first stirring screw  23  has a function of conveyance while mixing fresh toner flowing from the toner replenishing port  25  with the toner that has been conveyed from the side of the second carrying passage  222  into the first carrying passage  221 . On the downstream side of the first stirring screw  23  in the toner conveying direction (the direction of D 1 ), a first paddle  23   c  is disposed. The first paddle  23   c  is a plate-like member that is disposed on the first rotating shaft  23   a . The first paddle  23   c  is rotated together with the first rotating shaft  23   a , and passes the toner from the first carrying passage  221  to the second carrying passage  222  in a direction of arrow D 4  in  FIG. 4 . 
     The second stirring screw  24  is disposed in the second carrying passage  222 . The second stirring screw  24  includes a second rotating shaft  24   a , and a second spiral blade  24   b , which is provided protrusively in a spiral shape on the circumference of the second rotating shaft  24   a . The second stirring screw  24  is rotationally driven around the second rotating shaft  24   a  (in a direction of arrow R 1 ) to convey the toner in a direction of arrow D 2  in  FIG. 4 , thereby supplying the toner to the developing roller  21 . On the downstream side of the second stirring screw  24  in the toner conveying direction (the direction of D 2 ), a second paddle  24   c  is disposed. The second paddle  24   c  is rotated together with the second rotating shaft  24   a , and passes the toner from the second carrying passage  222  to the first carrying passage  221  in a direction of arrow D 3  in  FIG. 4 . 
     The toner container  30  ( FIG. 3 ) is disposed above the toner replenishing port  25  of the developing housing  210 . The toner container  30  is provided with the toner discharge port  377  ( FIG. 4 ). The toner discharge port  377  is disposed in a bottom part  371  ( FIG. 8B ) of the toner container  30  in correspondence to the toner replenishing port  25  in the developing apparatus  20 . The toner that has been dropped from the toner discharge port  377  is replenished to the developing apparatus  20  from the toner replenishing port  25 . 
     &lt;About Toner Replenishment&gt; 
     Next, the flow of the toner newly replenished from the toner replenishing port  25  will be explained.  FIG. 5  is a sectional view of an area in the vicinity of the toner replenishing port  25 , which is disposed in the developing apparatus  20 , and the toner discharge port  377 , which is disposed in the toner container  30 . 
     The replenished toner T 2 , which has been supplied from the toner discharge port  377  of the toner container  30 , is dropped into the first carrying passage  221  to be mixed with the existing toner T 1 , and is conveyed in the direction of arrow D 1  by the first stirring screw  23 . At this time, the toners T 1  and T 2  are stirred, and electrified. 
     The first stirring screw  23  is provided with a suppressing paddle  28  (a conveying capacity suppressing part), with which the performance of developer conveyance is partially suppressed, on the downstream side of the toner replenishing port  25  in the toner conveying direction. In the present embodiment, the suppressing paddle  28  is a plate-like member that is disposed between first spiral blades  23   b  of the first stirring screw  23  that are adjacent to each other. With the suppressing paddle  28  being rotated around the first rotating shaft  23   a , the toner that is conveyed from the upstream side of the suppressing paddle  28  starts to be retained. Then, such toner retentions are accumulated to a location that is just on the upstream side of the suppressing paddle  28 , and where the toner replenishing port  25  is opposed to the first carrying passage  221 . As a result of this, in the vicinity of the mouth of the toner replenishing port  25 , a retaining part  29  for developer (a developer retaining part) is formed. In the region where the toner replenishing port  25  is provided, the first spiral blade  23   b  is disposed ( FIG. 4 ). In addition, in another embodiment, the conveying capacity suppressing part may be formed by providing a region where the first spiral blade  23   b  of the first stirring screw  23  is partially omitted, and thus the first rotating shaft  23   a  is partially exposed along the axial direction. With such a configuration, the conveying capacity of the first stirring screw  23  is partially suppressed, thereby a developer retaining part being formed. 
     If the replenishing toner T 2  is replenished from the toner replenishing port  25 , thereby the quantity of the toner in the storing space  220  being increased, the toner retaining in this retaining part  29  blocks (seals) the toner replenishing port  25  for suppressing further replenishment of the toner. In addition, the first spiral blade  23   b  is rotated to thereby push up the developer in the storing space  220  around the toner replenishing port  25 . As a result of this, the sealing action of the toner replenishing port  25  due to the retaining part  29  is increased. Thereafter, if the toner in the storing space  220  is consumed from the developing roller  21 , the quantity of the toner retaining in the retaining part  29  being decreased, the quantity of the toner that has blocked the toner replenishing port  25  is decreased, thereby a clearance being produced between the retaining part  29  and the toner replenishing port  25 . As a result of this, the replenishing toner T 2  is caused to again flow into the storing space  220  from the toner replenishing port  25 . Thus, in the present embodiment, there has been adopted the toner replenishing form of volume replenishment type with which the quantity of the replenishing toner received is properly adjusted as the quantity of the toner retaining in the retaining part  29  is decreased. Therefore, without providing any sensor for detecting the quantity of toner in the developing housing  210  of the developing apparatus  20 , it is possible to replenish a proper quantity of toner to the developing apparatus  20 . 
     &lt;About Loading of Toner Container onto Developing Apparatus&gt; 
       FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  are perspective views of the toner container  30  and the developing apparatus  20  according to the present embodiment. The toner container  30  can be loaded onto and removed from the developing apparatus  20  in the casing  101 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , when the opening/closing cover  100 C of the casing  101  is opened upward, a container accommodating part  109 , which is provided in the developing housing  210  of the developing apparatus  20 , is exposed to the outside of the casing  101 . Referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the developing housing  210  is provided with a pair of a housing left wall  210 L and a housing right wall  210 R. The container accommodating part  109  is formed between the housing left wall  210 L and the housing right wall  210 R. In the present embodiment, the toner container  30  is loaded onto the container accommodating part  109  substantially from above (see arrow DC in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ). At this time, a below-mentioned cover  39  of the toner container  30  is located on the side of the housing right wall  210 R, while a below-mentioned lid part  31  of the toner container  30  is located on the side of the housing left wall  210 L. The developing housing  210  is provided with a pair of guide grooves  109 A ( FIG. 7 ). The guide grooves  109 A are groove portions that are formed in the housing left wall  210 L and the housing right wall  210 R. 
     Further, referring to  FIG. 7 , the developing apparatus  20  is provided with a first transmission gear  211 , a second transmission gear  212 , and a third transmission gear  213 . In addition, the printer  100  is provided with a first motor M 1 , a second motor M 2 , and a control part  500 , which are provided in the casing  101 . The first transmission gear  211 , the second transmission gear  212 , and the third transmission gear  213  are gears that are rotatably supported by the housing right wall  210 R. The first transmission gear  211  is connected to the second transmission gear  212 . In addition, the first transmission gear  211  is connected to the developing roller  21 , the first stirring screw  23 , and the second stirring screw  24  through a group of gears (not shown). When the developing apparatus  20  is loaded in the casing  101 , the first motor M 1  is connected to the third transmission gear  213 , and the second motor M 2  is connected to the first transmission gear  211 . 
     The first motor M 1  rotates a below-mentioned shaft  33  of the toner container  30  through the third transmission gear  213 , thereby moving a below-mentioned moving wall  32  of the toner container  30 . In the present embodiment, the first motor M 1  is capable of being forwardly and reversely rotated. The second motor M 2  rotates the developing roller  21 , the first stirring screw  23 , and the second stirring screw  24  of the developing apparatus  20  through the first transmission gear  211 . Further, the second motor M 2  rotates a below-mentioned stirring member  35  of the toner container  30  through the first transmission gear  211  and the second transmission gear  212 . The control part  500  controls the first motor M 1  and the second motor M 2 , respectively, in the printing operation, or the like, of the printer  100 , driving the respective members of the developing apparatus  20  and the toner container  30 . 
     &lt;About Construction of Toner Container&gt; 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 14 , the toner container  30  (the developer storing container) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained.  FIG. 8A  is a plan view of the toner container  30  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 8B  is a front view of the toner container  30  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the toner container  30 .  FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the toner container  30 .  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12  are perspective views showing how the inside of the toner container  30  according to the present embodiment is constructed.  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12  are perspective views in which a below-mentioned container main body  37  of the toner container  30  is partially omitted.  FIG. 13A  is a front view of the toner container  30  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 13B  is a sectional view of the toner container  30  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 14A  is a sectional view of the toner container  30  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 14B  is an enlarged sectional view of the toner container  30  according to the present embodiment. 
     The toner container  30  is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends in a lateral direction (a first direction, i.e., a direction of arrow DA in  FIG. 10 ). The toner container  30  stores the replenishing toner (the developer) in the inside thereof. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the toner container  30  includes a lid part  31 , a moving wall  32 , a shaft  33 , a first seal  34 , a stirring member  35 , a second seal  36 , a container main body  37  (a container main body), a filling port cap  30 K ( FIG. 13A ), a toner sensor TS ( FIG. 8B ), a first gear  381  ( FIG. 9 ), a second gear  382 , and a cover  39 . 
     The lid part  31  ( FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 ) is fixed to the container main body  37 , sealing an opening part of the container main body  37 . The lid part  31  is provided with a lid shaft hole part  31 J, an abutting part  311 , and a first guide part  312 . The lid shaft hole part  31 J is provided in the central part of the lid part  31 , pivotally supporting the shaft  33  in a rotatable manner. The lid shaft hole part  31 J is a hole part that is formed over a specific length in a leftward direction from a side face on the right side (an inner face part) of the lid part  31 . The abutting part  311  corresponds to a bottom face part of the lid shaft hole part  31 J. Against the abutting part  311 , an end face of the shaft  33  is abutted. The first guide part  312  (FIG.  11 ) is a protruding part that is formed so as to extend in a vertical direction on a side face on the left side (an outer face part) of the lid part  31 . The first guide part  312  has a function to guide the toner container  30  to be loaded onto the developing apparatus  20 . 
     The container main body  37  is a main body portion of the toner container  30 , being formed in a cylindrical shape. The container main body  37  is provided with an inner peripheral part  37 K and an internal space  37 H ( FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 ). The inner peripheral part  37 K is an inner peripheral face of the container main body  37 , cylindrically extending along a longitudinal direction of the toner container  30  (a first direction, i.e., a direction of arrow DA in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 ). 
     In addition, referring to  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B , the container main body  37  is provided with a bottom part  371 , a top plate  372 , a front wall  373 , a rear wall  374 , a right wall  375  ( FIG. 10 ) (a wall part), a main body flange part  37 F ( FIG. 9 ), and a protruding wall  376  ( FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 ). The bottom part  371  is a bottom portion of the container main body  37 , being formed in a semi-cylindrical shape protruding toward downward. In other words, when viewed from the section crossing with the first direction, the bottom part  371  is formed in a circular arc shape. The front wall  373  and the rear wall  374  are a pair of side walls that are erected toward upward from the side ends of the bottom part  371 . The top plate  372  is disposed above the bottom part  371 , covering the top of the internal space  37 H. The right wall  375  is a wall part that blocks the container main body  37 , being provided jointly with the other end side of the first direction (the right end side) of the bottom part  371 , the front wall  373 , the rear wall  374  and the top plate  372 . The internal space  37 H is a space that is defined by the inner peripheral part  37 K, which is formed by the bottom part  371 , the top plate  372 , the front wall  373 , and the rear wall  374 , and further the right wall  375  and the lid part  31 . In addition, in the internal space  37 H, the region between the right wall  375  and the moving wall  32  provides a storing space  37 S. The storing space  37 S is a space in which the toner is stored in the inside of the toner container  30 . As described below, the inner peripheral part  37 K is slightly tapered along the first direction such that the cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H in the container main body  37  is decreased along the first direction ( FIG. 15 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the container main body  37  is opened on the opposite side of the first direction of the right wall  375 . The main body flange part  37 F is a portion that forms the opening part, having an outside diameter slightly larger than that of the left end part of the container main body  37 . When the lid part  31  is fixed to the main body flange part  37 F, the lid part  31  blocks the internal space  37 H of the container main body  37 . The outer peripheral edge of the lid part  31  is ultrasonic-welded to the main body flange part  37 F. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the protruding wall  376  is a portion where the outer peripheral part of the container main body  37  is protruded to the right side from the right wall  375 . Onto the protruding wall  376 , the cover  39  is loaded. 
     In addition, the container main body  37  is provided with the toner discharge port  377  (the developer discharge port), a shutter  30 S, a holding part  37 L, a filling port  37 G, and a main body bearing part  37 J. The toner discharge port  377  is an opening that is opened in a bottom face part of the container main body  37 , being communicated with the inner peripheral part  37 K. As shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the toner discharge port  377  is opened in a right end part (the first direction other end part) of the container main body  37 . In other words, the toner discharge port  377  is disposed adjacent to the right wall  375  in the first direction. In addition, the toner discharge port  377  is opened in a rectangular shape, having a specific length along the first direction, and having a specific width along the circular arc shape of the bottom part  371 . In the present embodiment, the toner discharge port  377  is opened in a location that is displaced to the rear side and upward along a circumferential direction from the lower end part of the bottom part  371 . 
     The toner that has been stored in the storing space  37 S is discharged from the toner discharge port  377  toward the developing apparatus  20 . As described above, in the present embodiment, the internal space  37 H of the container main body  37  is formed by the bottom part  371 , the front wall  373 , the rear wall  374 , and the top plate  372 . Therefore, the toner in the storing space  37 S is collected by its own weight into the bottom part  371 , which is formed in a circular arc shape, whereby the toner that is conveyed by the below-mentioned moving wall  32  can be efficiently discharged from the toner discharge port  377 . 
     The shutter  30 S ( FIG. 6 ) is slidably disposed in the right end part of the container main body  37 . The shutter  30 S blocks (seals) the toner discharge port  377  from the outside of the container main body  37 , and exposes the toner discharge port  377  to the outside. The slide movement of the shutter  30 S is interlocked with the operation of loading the toner container  30  onto the developing apparatus  20 . 
     The holding part  37 L ( FIG. 9 ) is a protrusion that is provided protrusively along the lateral direction in the rear side portion of the top plate  372  of the container main body  37 . The holding part  37 L is held by a user. The filling port  37 G is formed in a cylindrical shape that is provided protrusively to the right side from the right wall  375 . The cylindrical inside of the filling port  37 G is formed so as to penetrate the right wall  375  along the first direction. The filling port  37 G communicates between the outside of the container main body  37  and the storing space  37 S. At the stage of manufacturing the toner container  30 , the toner is filled into the storing space  37 S from the filling port  37 G. 
     The main body bearing part  37 J is a bearing that is formed in the right wall  375 . The main body bearing part  37 J is formed in a cylindrical shape that is protruded rightward from the central part of the right wall  375 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the main body bearing part  37 J is provided with a larger-diameter part  37 J 1  and a smaller-diameter part  37 J 2 . The larger-diameter part  37 J 1  is a cylindrical part that is provided protrusively to the right side from the right wall  375 . The smaller-diameter part  37 J 2  is connected to the right end part of the larger-diameter part  37 J 1 , being a cylindrical part that is smaller in diameter than the larger-diameter part  37 J 1 . Into the main body bearing part  37 J, the shaft  33  is inserted. At this time, the right end side of the shaft  33  is protruded to the outside of the container main body  37 . Further, in the cylindrical inside of the main body bearing part  37 J, between the main body bearing part  37 J and the shaft  33 , a part of the stirring member  35  (a stirring bearing part  351 ) is inserted. 
     The filling port cap  30 K ( FIG. 13A ) is loaded onto the filling port  37 G of the container main body  37 , sealing the filling port  37 G. After the toner having been filled into the storing space  37 S from the filling port  37 G, the filling port cap  30 K is loaded onto the filling port  37 G, and welded thereto. As a result of this, the toner is prevented from being leaked from the filling port  37 G. 
     The moving wall  32  is a wall part that is disposed, being faced to the first direction in the inside (the internal space  37 H) of the container main body  37 . The moving wall  32  defines an end face on the one end side of the first direction (a left end face) of the storing space  37 S. An end face on the other end side of the first direction (a right end face) of the storing space  37 S is defined by the right wall  375 . In addition, the moving wall  32  has a function to move the toner in the inside of the internal space  37 H in the first direction from an initial position on the one end side to a final position on the other end side of the first direction, while conveying the toner in the storing space  37 S toward the toner discharge port  377 , from the time of starting the use of the toner container  30  to the time of ending thereof. In the present embodiment, the initial position of the moving wall  32  is located on the right side of the lid part  31  (on the first direction downstream side), while the final position is located right on the left side (the first direction upstream side) of the toner discharge port  377 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 12 , the moving wall  32  is provided with a conveying wall part  320 , an outer peripheral wall part  321 , a guide rib  320 A ( FIG. 12 ), an internal rib  320 B ( FIG. 11 ), a cylindrical part  320 C, an inner wall seal  322  (a sealing member), a shaft seal  323 , a bearing part  32 J ( FIG. 10 ), and an outer peripheral part  32 K. 
     The conveying wall part  320  is a wall part that defines the storing space  37 S together with the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37 . Particularly, the conveying wall part  320  is provided with a conveying face  320 S, which is perpendicular to the shaft  33 . The conveying face  320 S conveys the toner inside of the storing space  37 S, while pressing it, as the moving wall  32  is moved. In the present embodiment, the conveying face  320 S is provided with a tapered face  320 T ( FIG. 10  and  FIG. 12 ). 
     The bearing part  32 J is a bearing part that is formed substantially in the central part of the conveying wall part  320 . The bearing part  32 J is moved along the first direction while holding the moving wall  32 . The below-described shaft  33  is inserted into this bearing part  32 J. 
     The cylindrical part  320 C is a cylindrical portion of the conveying wall part  320  that is provided protrusively to the first direction upstream side from a face on the opposite side of the conveying face  320 S. The cylindrical part  320 C forms a part of the bearing part  32 J. The cylindrical part  320 C is provided with a female spiral part  320 D. The female spiral part  320 D is a spiral-shaped screw part that is formed on the inner circumferential face of the cylindrical part  320 C. The female spiral part  320 D has a function to move the moving wall  32  along the first direction by engaging with a below-mentioned male spiral part  333  of the shaft  33 . 
     The outer peripheral wall part  321  is a wall part that is provided protrusively from the entire outer peripheral edge of the conveying wall part  320  toward the opposite side of the storing space  37 S, i.e., the moving direction upstream side (the first direction upstream side) of the moving wall  32 . The outer peripheral wall part  321  is disposed, being opposed to the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37 . The guide rib  320 A is a rib member that is extendedly provided along the first direction on the outer peripheral wall part  321 . A plurality of guide ribs  320 A are disposed on the peripheral face of the outer peripheral wall part  321  at intervals in a circumferential direction of rotation of the shaft  33 . The guide rib  320 A has a function to slightly contact with the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37 , thus suppressing the moving wall  32  from being inclined with respect to the shaft  33  in the inside of the container main body  37 . The internal rib  320 B is a rib that connects between the outer circumferential face of the cylindrical part  320 C and the inner peripheral face of the outer peripheral wall part  321  as shown in  FIG. 11 . A plurality of internal ribs  320 B are disposed along the circumferential direction. 
     The inner wall seal  322  is a sealing member that is disposed on the side of the conveying wall part  320  of the outer peripheral wall part  321  so as to cover the periphery of the conveying wall part  320 . The inner wall seal  322  is an elastic member that is formed of an urethane sponge. The inner wall seal  322  is compressively deformed between the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37  and the moving wall  32 . In addition, the inner wall seal  322  forms the outer peripheral part  32 K of the moving wall  32 . The outer peripheral part  32 K is disposed, being tightly contacted with the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37 . The inner wall seal  322  prevents the toner in the storing space  37 S from flowing out from between the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37  and the moving wall  32  to the moving direction upstream side of the moving wall  32 . The above-mentioned guide rib  320 A is disposed on the first direction upstream side of the inner wall seal  322 . 
     The shaft seal  323  is fixed on the distal end side of the moving direction of the moving wall  32  of the female spiral part  320 D in the bearing part  32 J ( FIG. 10 ). The shaft seal  323  is an elastic member that is formed of an urethane sponge. The shaft seal  323  is contacted with the male spiral part  333  earlier than the female spiral part  320 D to clean the toner that has been stuck to the male spiral part  333 . Therefore, it is suppressed that the toner is aggregated between the male spiral part  333  and the female spiral part  320 D, whereby stable movement of the moving wall  32  can be achieved. In addition, the shaft seal  323  has a ring shape, thereby being tightly contacted with the shaft  33  over the entire circumference of the shaft  33 . Therefore, it is prevented that the toner in the storing space  37 S flows out to the moving direction upstream side of the moving wall  32 , passing through the bearing part  32 J. 
     The shaft  33  is rotatably supported by the right wall  375  and the lid part  31  of the container main body  37  so as to extend in the first direction in the internal space  37 H. The shaft  33  is provided with a first shaft end part  331 , a second shaft end part  332 , a male spiral part  333 , a moving wall stopping part  334 , a moving wall supporting part  335 , and a shaft flange  336 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , the first shaft end part  331  is a distal end part of the shaft  33  that penetrates the main body bearing part  37 J, being protruded to the right side. As shown in  FIG. 9 , on the peripheral face of the first shaft end part  331 , a pair of D faces are formed. With the first shaft end part  331 , a second gear  382 , which is provided with a D-hole shape in the central part, is engaged. As a result of this, the shaft  33  and the second gear  382  are made integrally rotatable. The second shaft end part  332  is a left end part of the shaft  33 . The second shaft end part  332  is pivotally supported by the lid shaft hole part  31 J, which is formed in the lid part  31 . 
     The male spiral part  333  is a spiral-shaped screw part that is formed on the outer circumferential face of the shaft  33  in the internal space  37 H. As shown in  FIG. 10 , in the present embodiment, the male spiral part  333  is disposed from a region of the shaft  33  that is adjacent to the lid part  31  to a region that is on the upstream side of the toner discharge port  377  in the first direction (the direction of arrow DA in  FIG. 10 ). 
     The moving wall stopping part  334  is disposed consecutively to the male spiral part  333  on the first direction downstream side thereof. The moving wall stopping part  334  is a region where the male spiral part  333  is partially lost from the shaft  33  in the internal space  37 H to provide only the shaft portion. The moving wall stopping part  334  is located above the toner discharge port  377 , and on the first direction upstream side of the toner discharge port  377 . 
     The moving wall supporting part  335  is disposed on the first direction downstream side of the moving wall stopping part  334 . The moving wall supporting part  335  is a protruding part that is provided protrusively in a radial direction from the circumferential face of the shaft  33 . The moving wall supporting part  335  has a function to support the bearing part  32 J when the moving wall  32  has reached the final position, thus suppressing the conveying face  320 S of the moving wall  32  from being inclined with respect to the first direction (inclined with respect to the shaft  33 ). 
     The shaft flange  336  is disposed on the first direction downstream side of the moving wall supporting part  335  with a spacing being given therebetween. The shaft flange  336  is a disk-like flange that is provided protrusively in a radial direction from the circumferential face of the shaft  33 . Two shaft flanges  336  are disposed so as to be adjacent to each other in the first direction. The shaft flange  336  on the downstream side has a function to compress the first seal  34  ( FIG. 10 ) together with a below-mentioned stirring cylindrical part  354  of the stirring member  35  ( FIG. 11 ). On the other hand, the shaft flange  336  on the upstream side has a function to suppress the toner from getting in the inside of the stirring cylindrical part  354 . 
     The first seal  34  is a ring-shaped sealing member that is disposed, being compressed between the shaft flange  336  of the shaft  33  and a side face of the stirring cylindrical part  354  of the stirring member  35 , as described above. The first seal  34  is formed of a sponge material. The first seal  34  prevents the toner from being leaked to the outside of the container main body  37 , passing between the inner circumferential face of the stirring bearing part  351  ( FIG. 10 ) of the stirring member  35  and the circumferential face of the shaft  33 . 
     The stirring member  35  ( FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 ) is disposed above the toner discharge port  377  along the right wall  375 . The stirring member  35  stirs the toner in the storing space  37 S, and delivers the toner from the toner discharge port  377 . In the present embodiment, the stirring member  35  is rotated around the shaft  33  and relatively to the shaft  33 . In  FIG. 11 , the stirring member  35  is rotated in a direction of arrow DB. The stirring member  35  is provided with a stirring bearing part  351 , a stirring supporting part  352 , a stirring blade  353 , and a stirring cylindrical part  354  ( FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 ). 
     The stirring bearing part  351  is formed in a cylindrical shape that is fitted over the shaft  33 . The stirring bearing part  351  is inserted from the side of the storing space  37 S of the container main body  37  into the main body bearing part  37 J. As a result of this, the right end side of the stirring bearing part  351  is penetrated through the main body bearing part  37 J to be exposed to the outside of the container main body  37  beyond the right wall  375  (the main body bearing part  37 J). On the other hand, the left end side of the stirring bearing part  351  is disposed inside of the storing space  37 S. In the right end part of the stirring bearing part  351 , a first engaging part  35 K is formed ( FIG. 9 ). The first engaging part  35 K is engaged with a second engaging part  381 K, which is formed on the inner peripheral face of the first gear  381 . As a result of this, the stirring member  35  and the first gear  381  are integrally rotated. 
     The stirring supporting part  352  is a protruding piece that is provided protrusively in a radial direction of the shaft  33  from the left end side of the cylindrical stirring bearing part  351 . The stirring supporting part  352  is disposed along the right wall  375 , being faced to the first direction. The stirring supporting part  352  is rotated around the shaft  33  in the storing space  37 S. Particularly, in the present embodiment, a pair of stirring supporting parts  352  are disposed. In other words, one stirring supporting part  352  is disposed along the right wall  375  so as to extend radially toward the outside of the shaft  33 . In addition, the other stirring supporting part  352  is disposed so as to extend radially toward the outside from a location different from that of the above-mentioned one stirring supporting part  352  in a circumferential direction. In other words, the pair of stirring supporting parts  352  are disposed so as to extend toward the sides opposite to each other in a radial direction, being provided with a propeller shape in which the width in a circumferential direction is set to be increased in a radial direction toward the outside. Therefore, as compared to the case where the stirring supporting part  352  is formed in a disk shape, the toner that gets in the clearance between the stirring supporting part  352  and the right wall  375  is easy to be moved, thereby the toner being prevented from being aggregated. 
     The stirring blade  353  is a blade member that is provided protrusively from a pair of stirring supporting parts  352  toward the left side (the first direction upstream side). As shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , two stirring blades  353  are provided protrusively from each stirring supporting part  352 . The stirring blade  353  is provided with an L shape in a sectional view intersecting perpendicularly with the axial direction of the shaft  33  (see  FIG. 13B ). The stirring blade  353  orbits above the toner discharge port  377 , while stirring the toner around the toner discharge port  377 , and discharging the toner from the toner discharge port  377 . 
     The stirring cylindrical part  354  is a portion of the stirring bearing part  351  that is on the left side of the stirring supporting part  352 . The outside diameter of the stirring cylindrical part  354  is set to be larger than the outside diameter of the stirring bearing part  351  on the right side of the stirring supporting part  352 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , in the inside of the stirring cylindrical part  354 , the first seal  34  is disposed, being compressed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13A  and  FIG. 13B , in the present embodiment, when the right wall  375  is viewed from the first direction upstream side (the left side, i.e., this side of a paper face on  FIG. 13B ), the stirring member  35  is provided with a shape that causes the filling port  37 G to be exposed in a specific turned position of the stirring member  35  around the shaft  33 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 13B , when the stirring member  35  is disposed in a specific turned position around the shaft  33 , the filling port  37 G is exposed between one stirring supporting part  352  and the other stirring supporting part  352  in a circumferential direction. Therefore, even if the stirring member  35  is made capable of being rotated in any position along the right wall  375 , by adjusting the turned position of the stirring member  35  as shown in  FIG. 13B , the toner can be smoothly filled into the storing space  37 S through the filling port  37 G. 
     The second seal  36  ( FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 ) is a ring-shaped sealing member that is disposed in the inside of the larger-diameter part  37 J 1  of the container main body  37 . The second seal  36  is disposed, being compressed between a stepped part between the larger-diameter part  37 J 1  and the smaller-diameter part  37 J 2  of the main body bearing part  37 J, and a ring-shaped protrusion that is formed on a right side face of the stirring supporting part  352  of the stirring member  35 . The second seal  36  is formed of a sponge material. The second seal  36  prevents the toner from being leaked to the outside of the container main body  37 , passing between the outer circumferential face of the stirring bearing part  351  of the stirring member  35  and the inner circumferential face of the main body bearing part  37 J. 
     The first gear  381  transmits a rotational driving force to the stirring member  35 . The first gear  381  is connected to the second motor M 2  through the first transmission gear  211  and the second transmission gear  212  of the developing apparatus  20  ( FIG. 7 ). In the present embodiment, the first gear  381  is rotationally driven in synchronization with the developing roller  21 , the first stirring screw  23 , and the second stirring screw  24  of the developing apparatus  20 . The first gear  381  is connected to the stirring bearing part  351  of the stirring member  35 , which has penetrated the main body bearing part  37 J. As a result of this, the first gear  381  and the stirring member  35  are integrally rotated. On the circumferential face of the first gear  381 , a plurality of gear teeth are provided. 
     The second gear  382  transmits a rotational driving force to the shaft  33 . Also on the circumferential peripheral face of the second gear  382 , a plurality of gear teeth are provided. The second gear  382  is connected to the first motor M 1  through the third transmission gear  213  ( FIG. 7 ). As shown in  FIG. 10 , the right end part of the shaft  33  is disposed so as to penetrate the stirring bearing part  351  of the stirring member  35 . The second gear  382  is connected (fixed) to the distal end part (the first shaft end part  331 ) of the shaft  33 , which has penetrated the stirring bearing part  351 . 
     The cover  39  is loaded onto the protruding wall  376  of the container main body  37 . The cover  39  has a function to expose a part of the first gear  381  and the second gear  382  in a circumferential direction to the outside, and to cover the other portion of the first gear  381  and the second gear  382  in the circumferential direction. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the cover  39  is provided with a second guide part  391  and an opening part for gear  39 K. 
     The second guide part  391  is a protruding part that is provided protrusively to the right side along a vertical direction on a side face on the right side of the cover  39 . The second guide part  391  has a function to guide the toner container  30  to be loaded onto the developing apparatus  20  together with the first guide part  312  of the lid part  31 . 
     The opening part for gear  39 K is an opening part with which a bottom face part of the cover  39  is opened in a semi-circular arc shape. With the cover  39  being loaded onto the container main body  37 , a part of the gear teeth of the first gear  381  and the second gear  382  is exposed to the outside of the toner container  30  through the opening part for gear  39 K. As a result of this, when the toner container  30  is loaded into the developing housing  210  of the developing apparatus  20 , the first gear  381  and the second gear  382  are engaged with an electromagnetic clutch that is connected to the second transmission gear  212 , and the third transmission gear  213  ( FIG. 7 ), respectively. 
     The toner sensor TS ( FIG. 8B ) is a sensor that is disposed in the bottom part  371  of the container main body  37 . The toner sensor TS is disposed adjacent to the toner discharge port  377  in a circumferential direction, and in the present embodiment, is fixed to the lowest face part of the bottom part  371 . The toner sensor TS is a sensor comprised of a magnetic permeability sensor or a piezoelectric element. In the case where the toner sensor TS is comprised of a piezoelectric element, a sensor portion of the toner sensor TS is exposed to the storing space  37 S. The toner sensor TS outputs a HIGH signal (+5V) when being pressed by the toner in the storing space  37 S. In addition, if there is practically no toner on the toner sensor TS, the toner sensor TS outputs a LOW signal (0V). The output signal of the toner sensor TS is referenced by the control part  500  ( FIG. 7 ). In the case where the toner sensor TS is a magnetic permeability sensor, the sensor need not be directly contacted with the toner. Therefore, in another embodiment, the toner sensor TS may be disposed on the side of the developing housing  210  of the developing apparatus  20  so as to be opposed to the outside wall of the container main body  37 . Further, the location of the toner sensor TS is not limited to the bottom part  371 . In another embodiment, the toner sensor may be disposed on such a part as the top plate  372 , the front wall  373 , or the rear wall  374  of the container main body  37 . 
     &lt;About Movement of Moving Wall&gt; 
     While the first guide part  312  of the lid part  31  and the second guide part  391  of the cover  39  being guided by the pair of guide grooves  109 A of the developing apparatus  20 , the toner container  30  is loaded into the container accommodating part  109  by the user ( FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ). When the toner container  30  is loaded into the container accommodating part  109 , the shutter  30 S is moved, the toner discharge port  377  being opened. As a result of this, the toner discharge port  377  is disposed above the toner replenishing port  25 , being opposed thereto ( FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 14A  is a sectional view showing the state in which the moving wall  32  has been positioned in a final position in the toner container  30 .  FIG. 14B  is an enlarged sectional view showing the state in which the moving wall  32  has been positioned in the final position in the toner container  30 .  FIG. 10 , which is given above, is a sectional view showing the state in which the moving wall  32  has been moved half way from the initial position in the first direction. The initial position of the moving wall  32  is set at a position along the lid part  31 , i.e., on the left side of the position of the moving wall  32  that is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     When a new toner container  30  is loaded onto the printer  100 , the control part  500  ( FIG. 7 ) drives the first motor M 1  to rotationally drive the shaft  33  through the second gear  382 , which is engaged with the third transmission gear  213 . As a result of this, on the basis of the engagement of the male spiral part  333  of the shaft  33  with the female spiral part  320 D of the moving wall  32 , the moving wall  32  is moved toward the toner discharge port  377  in the first direction (a direction of arrow DA in  FIG. 10 ). Then, when the moving wall  32  has been moved rightward from the initial position by a specific distance, the storing space  37 S is filled with the toner, the toner sensor TS outputting a HIGH signal according to the filled state. The control part  500  stops the moving wall  32  in response to the HIGH signal that has been outputted by the toner sensor TS. 
     In the present embodiment, when viewed from the section crossing with the first direction, the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37  and the outer peripheral part  32 K of the moving wall  32  are in a non-complete round shape. In addition, the outer peripheral part  32 K of the moving wall  32 , which is tightly contacted with the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37 , is provided with a shape analogous to the inner peripheral part  37 K. Therefore, even in the case where, on the basis of the engagement of the male spiral part  333  with the female spiral part  370 D, the moving wall  32  is provided with a rotational force around the shaft  33 , it is prevented that the moving wall  32  is rotated (co-rotated) around the shaft  33 . As a result of this, with the rotational driving force of the first motor M 1 , the moving wall  32  can be moved in a stable manner in the first direction. 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the toner replenishing form of volume replenishment type has been adopted. Therefore, in the case where the retaining part  29  ( FIG. 5 ) on the side of the developing apparatus  20  seals the toner replenishing port  25  from under, the replenishing toner will not be dropped from the toner container  30 . On the other hand, when the toner is supplied from the developing roller  21  to the photosensitive drum  121  of the developing apparatus  20 , thereby the quantity of the toner in the retaining part  29  being decreased, the toner will flow into the developing apparatus  20  from the toner discharge port  377  through the toner replenishing port  25 . As a result of this, in the storing space  37 S of the toner container  30 , the toner around the toner sensor TS is lost, thereby the toner sensor TS outputting a LOW signal. In response to the signal, the control part  500  drives the first motor M 1  to further move the moving wall  32  toward the toner discharge port  377  until the toner sensor TS outputs a HIGH signal. 
     In accordance with the developing operation in the developing apparatus  20 , the control part  500  drives the second motor M 2  to rotationally drive the developing roller  21 , and the like. In interlocking with this rotational operation, the stirring member  35  is rotated through the first gear  381 , which is engaged with the second transmission gear  212 . As a result of this, the stirring member  35 , which is disposed on the right end side of the storing space  37 S is rotated around the shaft  33 , thereby the toner above the toner discharge port  377  being stirred in a stable manner. Therefore, the fluidity of the toner is increased, and thus the toner is dropped from the toner discharge port  377  in a stable manner. Particularly, in the present embodiment, the stirring blade  353  is provided protrusively from the stirring supporting part  352  of the stirring member  35 . Therefore, by the orbiting motion of the stirring blade  353 , the toner around the toner discharge port  377  is positively stirred. 
     When the printing operation is repeated, thereby the toner in the storing space  37 S in the toner container  30  being continued to be used, the moving wall  32  will eventually reach the final position shown in  FIG. 14A . In this way, with the moving wall  32  being gradually moved in the first direction, the toner in the storing space  37 S is conveyed to the toner discharge port  377 , while being pressed by the moving wall  32 . At this time, until the moving wall  32  reaches the final position, the storing space  37 S is gradually reduced. Therefore, in the inside of the toner container  30 , the space itself in which the toner remains is gradually lost. As a result of this, in comparison with a typical toner container with which the volume of the storing space will not be changed, the quantity of toner that remains in the storing space  37 S in the container main body  37  at the time of termination of the use is reduced. 
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 14A , the final position of the moving wall  32  where the moving wall  32  is stopped is set slightly on the first direction upstream side of the toner discharge port  377 . More specifically, referring to  FIG. 14B , when, with the moving wall  32  being moved, the bearing part  32 J of the moving wall  32  reaches the moving wall stopping part  334 , the engagement of the male spiral part  333  with the female spiral part  320 D is released. As a result of this, transmission of the moving force from the shaft  33  to the moving wall  32  is interrupted, the moving wall  32  being stopped in the final position. At this time, there is left a space above the toner discharge port  377 , a slight quantity of toner remains in that space. However, in the present embodiment, with the stirring member  35  being rotationally driven, the toner can be discharged from the toner discharge port  377  in a stable manner to the last. The toner discharge port  377  is opened in a location that is displaced slightly upward from the lower end part of the container main body  37 . Even in such a case, the toner remaining in the lowest end part of the container main body  37  will be scooped up by the stirring blade  353  ( FIG. 11 ), and then discharged from the toner discharge port  377  in a stable manner. 
     Further, referring to  FIG. 14A , in the final position of the moving wall  32 , the conveying face  320 S of the moving wall  32  is located with a spacing being provided on the first direction upstream side with respect to the stirring blade  353  of the stirring member  35 . Therefore, it is prevented that there occurs an interference between the conveying face  320 S of the moving wall  32 , which has reached the final position, and the stirring member  35 . In addition, in the final position of the moving wall  32  that is shown in  FIG. 14A , the inner wall seal  322  of the moving wall  32  urges the inner peripheral part  37 K of the toner container  30  in the radial direction from the inside with an elastic force. Therefore, the moving wall  32  is locked in the final position in a stable manner, thus the moving wall  32  being prevented from approaching the side of the stirring member  35 . In another embodiment, the stirring member  35  may not be provided with the stirring blade  353 , and the final position of the moving wall  32  may be set such that the moving wall  32  blocks the toner discharge port  377  from the inside. 
     Further,  FIG. 15  is a schematic sectional view for explaining the tapered shape of the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37  of the toner container  30  according to the present embodiment. In  FIG. 15 , a part of the toner container  30  and that of the developing apparatus  20  are shown. In addition, in order to simplify the explanation, in  FIG. 15 , the shape of a cross section orthogonal to the first direction of the moving wall  32  is assumed to be circular. Actually, the cross sectional shape of the moving wall  32  is substantially a polygonal shape as shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . In addition, in  FIG. 15 , the initial position of the moving wall  32  is indicated with a symbol  32 P 1 , and it is shown that, with the moving wall  32  being moved in the first direction, the moving wall  32  is sequentially moved to the positions indicated with symbols  32 P 2  and  32 P 3 . In addition, in  FIG. 15 , the conveying capacity suppressing part in the developing apparatus  20  is formed by the first spiral blade  23   b  of the first stirring screw  23  being partially reduced in size (a size-reduction part  28 A). Even in this case, as with the suppressing paddle  28  ( FIG. 5 ), the retaining part  29  for toner is formed around the toner replenishing port  25 . The size-reduction part  28 A may be formed by partially removing the first spiral blade  23   b.    
     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H of the container main body  37  in a sectional view intersecting perpendicularly with the first direction (see the arrow in  FIG. 15 ) is set so as to be decreased as the final position of the moving wall  32  is approached. Particularly, the cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H is set so as to be decreased along the first direction from the initial position to the final position of the moving wall  32 . For this change in cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H, the outer peripheral part of the container main body  37  and the inner peripheral part  37 K thereof are slightly tapered from the left end part to the right end part of the container main body  37 . 
     When, with the use of the toner container  30 , the moving wall  32  is moved in the first direction, the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37  and the inner wall seal  322  of the moving wall  32  rub each other. Therefore, there is the possibility that the sealability of the inner wall seal  322  may be gradually lowered. Even in such a case, according to the configuration as described above, the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37  is disposed such that the distance between it and the axis of the shaft  33  is gradually reduced along the first direction. As a result of this, as the moving wall  32  is moved from the side of the lid part  31  to that of the right wall  375 , the amount of compression of the inner wall seal  322  is increased along the first direction, thereby the sealability of the inner wall seal  322  being maintained in a stable manner. Therefore, the toner in the storing space  37 S is suppressed from being leaked from between the inner peripheral part  37 K and the inner wall seal  322  to the internal space  37 H on the first direction upstream side of the moving wall  32 . Particularly, in the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H is set so as to be decreased from the initial position to the final position of the moving wall  32  along the first direction. Therefore, the amount of compression of the inner wall seal  322  can be gradually (continuously) increased as the moving wall  32  is moved. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , it is desirable that the taper angle θ 1  of the inner peripheral part  37 K be set in the range of 0.5 degrees to 10 degrees, and more desirably, the taper angle θ 1  is set in the range of 1 degree to 5 degrees. If the taper angle θ 1  exceeds 10 degrees, the amount of compression of the inner wall seal  322  is large, thereby the frictional force between the inner peripheral part  37 K and the inner wall seal  322  being increased. In this case, the rotating torque for rotating the shaft  33  to move the moving wall  32  is excessively increased, thereby the first motor M 1  ( FIG. 7 ) being required to have a large driving torque. In addition, in the case where the taper angle θ 1  is under 0.5 degrees, the amount of compression of the inner wall seal  322  becomes difficult to be increased along the first direction. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the toner replenishment technique of volume replenishment type has been adopted. In other words, in accordance with the quantity of toner in the retaining part  29  ( FIG. 5 ) of the developing apparatus  20 , the toner is replenished from the toner container  30  to the developing housing  210  of the developing apparatus  20 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , in the case where the moving wall  32  is located in the initial position  32 P 1  or the moving position  32 P 2 , a sufficient quantity of toner is stored in the storing space  37 S, thereby the space above the toner discharge port  377  being filled with toner with the moving wall  32  being moved. However, when the moving wall  32  is located in the moving position  32 P 3  or the final position, the quantity of toner that is stored above the toner discharge port  377  is small in comparison to that which is provided when the moving wall  32  is in the initial position. 
     In this case, the pressing force with which the replenishing toner remaining in the storing space  37 S of the toner container  30  presses the toner in the retaining part  29  in the developing housing  210  from upward to downward tends to be weakened. As a result of this, the dropped quantity of replenishing toner is decreased. According to the above configuration, the cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H is set so as to be decreased toward the final position of the moving wall  32 . Therefore, the rate of decrease in volume of the storing space  37 S is enhanced in the vicinity of the toner discharge port  377 , the density of toner in the storing space  37 S being increased. In other words, due to the moving wall  32  being moved in the first direction, the toner density in the storing space  37 S is maintained substantially constantly. Therefore, even in the case where the moving wall  32  approaches the final position, the pressing force with which the replenishing toner presses downward the toner in the retaining part  29  of the developing housing  210  is kept unchanged, thereby the replenishing toner flowing into the side of the developing housing  210  in a stable manner in accordance with the decrease in the quantity of toner in the retaining part  29 . As a result of this, the toner in the toner container  30  is supplied to the developing apparatus  20  in a stable manner to the last. 
     As described above, when the moving wall  32  is moved from the side of the lid part  31  toward the side of the right wall  375 , the inner peripheral part  37 K is gradually reduced in diameter from the opening part on the left side of the container main body  37  toward the right wall  375 , and on the basis of such reduction, the cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H is set. In the present embodiment, the container main body  37  is formed of a resin material, and is produced by the mold molding technique, thereby the cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H being efficiently set. Specifically, the mold to mold the container main body  37  includes a cylindrical first mold (not shown) that is provided with a recessed part to form the outer peripheral face of the container main body  37 , and a columnar second mold (not shown) that is inserted into the recessed part of the first mold in the first direction to form the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37 . After a resin material being filled between the first mold and the second mold, and cured, the second mold is drawn out from the recessed part toward a direction opposite to the first direction. The inner peripheral face of the first mold is provided with a draft angle that is known. In drawing out the second mold, a taper along the first direction is formed in the inner peripheral part  37 K of the container main body  37 , thereby the cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H of the container main body  37  being set so as to be decreased as the final position of the moving wall  32  is approached. Thus, at the time of resin molding of the container main body  37 , the change in cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H along the first direction can be set. The inner peripheral face of the first mold may be provided with an inclination angle larger than the draft angle. 
     Herein above, the printer  100  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been explained. According to such a configuration, in the printer  100 , it is suppressed that, with the moving wall  32  being moved, the toner is leaked to the moving direction upstream side of the moving wall  32 . On the other hand, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and, for example, a modified embodiment as described below can be adopted. 
     (1) In the above embodiment, the printer  100  has been explained by using a monochrome printer, however, the present disclosure is not limited to this. Particularly, in the case where the printer  100  is a tandem type color printer, after the opening/closing cover  100 C ( FIG. 2 ) of the printer  100  having been opened, the respective toner containers  30  corresponding to a plurality of colors of toner may be loaded into the casing  101  from above so as to be adjacent to one another. 
     (2) In addition, in the above embodiment, explanation has been made with an aspect in which the cross-sectional area of the internal space  37 H is set so as to be decreased from the initial position of the moving wall  32  to the final position along the first direction, however, the present disclosure is not limited to this.  FIG. 16  is a schematic sectional view showing a taper of an inner peripheral part  37 KA of a container main body  37 A of a toner container  30 A according to the modified embodiment of the present disclosure. Also in  FIG. 16 , for simplifying the explanation, the sectional shapes of the inner peripheral part  37 KA and the moving wall  32 A are shown as a circular one. Actually, like the embodiment as previously described, the sectional shape of the inner peripheral part  37 KA and the moving wall  32 A are non-circular. 
     On the outer peripheral part of the moving wall  32 A, an inner wall seal  322 A is disposed. Into the bearing part  32 J of the moving wall  32 A, a shaft  33 A is inserted. The moving wall  32 A is sequentially moved from an initial position  32 Q 1  on the side of a lid part  31 A to moving positions  32 Q 2  and  32 Q 3  in the first direction, reaching a final position on the side of a right wall  375 A, where a toner discharge port  377 A is opened. In the present modified embodiment, the internal space of the container main body  37 A is provided with a first region and a second region. The first region corresponds to a region from the initial position  32 Q 1  of the moving wall  32 A to the moving position  32 Q 3  in the container main body  37 A in  FIG. 16 . In the first region, the cross-sectional area of the internal space along the first direction is set to be uniform. On the other hand, the second region is a region on the first direction downstream side of the moving position  32 Q 3  in the container main body  37 A in  FIG. 16 . The second region is provided jointly with the first region on the first direction downstream side thereof, being set such that the cross-sectional area of the internal space is decreased at least to the final position of the moving wall  32 A along the first direction. In other words, as shown in  FIG. 16 , in the second region, the inner peripheral part  37 KA is tapered, being provided with a taper angle of θ 2 . 
     According to such a configuration, in the first region, the amount of compression of the inner wall seal  322 A is set to be substantially constant, and in the second region, the amount of compression of the inner wall seal  322 A can be gradually increased. Therefore, at the final stage of movement of the moving wall  32 A, the amount of compression of the  322 A can be greatly increased. Therefore, to the last, backflow of the toner to the first direction upstream side can be prevented. In addition, the filling rate of the toner in the storing space of the container main body  37 A can be enhanced in the vicinity of the toner discharge port  377 A, thereby the dropped quantity of toner from the toner discharge port  377 A being maintained in a stable manner. Referring to  FIG. 16 , it is desirable that the taper angle θ 2  of the inner peripheral part  37 KA be set in the range of 0.5 degrees to 20 degrees, and more desirably, the taper angle θ 2  is set in the range of 1 degree to 10 degrees. 
     (3) In addition, in the above embodiment, explanation has been made with an aspect in which the moving wall  32  is moved from the side of the lid part  31  to the side of the right wall  375 , however, the present disclosure is not limited to this. There may be provided an aspect in which the toner discharge port  377  is opened on the side of the lid part  31 , and the moving wall  32  is moved from the side of the right wall  375  to the side of the lid part  31 . Further, the opening location of the toner discharge port  377  is not limited to the above-mentioned location. The toner discharge port  377  may be opened in the lowest end part of the bottom part  371 , or may be opened in still another location. 
     (4) In addition, in the above embodiment, explanation has been made with the toner replenishing form of volume replenishment type, the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the developing housing  210  of the developing apparatus  20 , a toner sensor (not shown) may be provided, and, in accordance with the output of the toner sensor, the moving wall  32  may be moved to replenish the toner from the toner container  30  to the developing apparatus  20 . In addition, the developing apparatus  20  is not limited to the one-component development system, and may be that which has adopted the two-component development system.