Patent Publication Number: US-9851683-B2

Title: Storage container and image forming apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a storage container for storing toner and an image forming apparatus using electrophotography. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, such as a printer and facsimile, at times toner remains on a photosensitive drum, intermediate transfer belt or the like, because a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum, intermediate transfer belt or the like is not completely transferred to a recording medium, such as paper. The residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, intermediate transfer belt or the like is removed therefrom by cleaning means, and is transported to a toner storage container disposed inside the apparatus main unit by toner transport means. 
     When the toner storage container becomes full with residual toner, the user replaces the toner storage container with an empty toner storage container. Here the residual toner removed by the cleaning means may enter the toner storage container from an outlet disposed on the toner transport means through an inlet disposed on the toner storage container. Conventionally the user manually attaches a cover to the opening when the toner storage container is removed from the apparatus main unit, so that the residual toner does not leak from the toner storage container. 
     According to an invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-169440, a toner storage container can be attached to a cover disposed on an image forming apparatus, and an outlet disposed on toner transport means can be connected to an inlet disposed on the toner storage container in synchronization with operation of closing the cover. Thereby the residual toner can be transported into the toner storage container through the outlet. Furthermore, according to the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-169440, a shutter is disposed on the outlet and the inlet respectively. The shutters are closed when the cover is open, and the respective shutters are opened in synchronization with operation of closing the cover. Thereby toner leakage from the toner storage container can be prevented when the user replaces the toner storage container. 
     However, in the case of the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-169440, a plurality of inlets are disposed on the toner storage container, and a corresponding number of outlets are disposed on the toner transport means. Since a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets are disposed, force to open the shutters disposed on the inlets and outlets increases accordingly. In other words, a strong force is required for the user to open the cover, which makes the cover difficult to open or close. 
     Further, if the reaction force received by the cover is strong when the cover is opened or closed, and if the cover is not sufficiently rigid, then the cover may be significantly deformed and may not completely close. This may cause the user to feel unsure when the cover is closed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With the foregoing in view, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique to decrease the force that is required to open or close the cover disposed on the image forming apparatus. 
     An object of present invention is to provide a storage container that can be attached to or detached from an image forming apparatus including an apparatus main unit and an open-close member that can open or close with respect to the apparatus main unit, 
     the storage container comprising: 
     a storage portion configured to store toner; 
     an opening portion configured to move the toner between the storage portion and the image forming apparatus main unit; and 
     a shutter configured to open or close the opening portion, wherein 
     the storage container can be attached to the open-close member in an opened state with respect to the apparatus main unit, and 
     the shutter opens the opening portion in synchronization with operation of attaching the storage container to the open-close member, and closes the opening portion in synchronization with operation of detaching the storage container from the open-close member. 
     Another object of present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, comprising: 
     the storage container; and 
     an open-close door which the storage container is attached to or detached from, wherein 
     a timing when the storage container is attached to or detached from the open-close door and a timing when the open-close door is opened or closed are different. 
     Another object of present invention is to provide a storage container that can be attached to or detached from an image forming apparatus including an apparatus main unit and an open-close member that can open or close with respect to the apparatus main unit, 
     the storage container comprising: 
     a storage portion that has a first opening portion and a second opening portion for toner to enter, and stores the toner; 
     a first shutter that is disposed in the storage portion and opens the first opening portion in synchronization with operation of attaching the storage container to the open-close member; and 
     a second shutter that is disposed in the storage portion, opens the second opening portion in synchronization with operation of closing the open-close member when the open-close member is closed after the first opening portion is opened by the first shutter, and closes the second opening portion in synchronization with the operation of opening the open-close member. 
     Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to Example 1; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus in a state where an open-close door is open; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus in a state where a storage container is detached; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are enlarged views depicting a state where an inlet on the storage container and toner transport means are connected; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are diagrams depicting a state where the storage container is attached to or detected from the open-close door; 
         FIGS. 6A to 6C  are diagrams depicting an open-close mechanism in a state where attaching of the storage container begins; 
         FIGS. 7A to 7C  are diagrams depicting the open-close mechanism in a state where a shutter is rotating; 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  are diagrams depicting the open-close mechanism in a state where attaching of the storage container completes; 
         FIGS. 9A to 9C  are diagrams depicting the open-close mechanism in a state where the shutter is rotating; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are external perspective views of the open-close door and the storage container; 
         FIGS. 11A to 11C  are diagrams depicting a state where a guided portion is guided by a guiding portion; 
         FIGS. 12A to 12C  are diagrams depicting a state where the guided portion is guided by the guiding portion; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to Example 2; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus in a state where the open-close door is open; and 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view depicting a state where the storage container is detached from the open-close door. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Dimensions, materials, shapes and relative positions and the like of the components to be described in the embodiments should be changed appropriately depending on the configurations and the various conditions of the apparatus to which the invention is applied, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments. 
     Example 1 
     &lt;Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus&gt; 
     Example 1 will be described.  FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus  1  according to Example 1. The image forming apparatus  1  has a photosensitive drum  2  ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ), a charging device  3  ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ), a scanner unit  4  ( 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c ,  4   d ) and a developing assembly  5  ( 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ,  5   d ). The image forming apparatus  1  also has a drum cleaning device  6  ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ,  6   d ). In this example, the photosensitive drum  2 , the charging device  3 , the scanner unit  4 , the developing assembly  5  and the drum cleaning device  6  are integrated as a process cartridge  50  ( 50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c ,  50   d ). The configuration of each process cartridge  50  is the same except for the toner color, therefore additional indicators (a, b, c, d) are omitted unless specification is necessary. 
     The four photosensitive drums  2  are disposed side-by-side roughly in a horizontal direction in the image forming apparatus  1  (in the image forming apparatus). Each photosensitive drum  2  is rotation-driven clockwise in  FIG. 1  by driving means (not illustrated). The charging device  3  uniformly changes the surface of the photosensitive drum  2 . The scanner unit  4  forms a latent image on each photosensitive drum  2  by irradiating a laser beam onto the photosensitive drum  2  based on image information. The developing assembly  5  develops the latent image by allowing toner (toner) to attach to the latent image. The drum cleaning device  6  removes residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum  2  after the toner image on the photosensitive drum  2  is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt  8 . 
     In this example, four process cartridges  50  form different color (yellow, cyan, magenta, black) toner images by an electrophotographic recording system. Each primary transfer roller  7  ( 7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c ,  7   d ) functions as transfer means, and contacts the photosensitive drum  2  via the intermediate transfer belt  8 , so as to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum  2  to the intermediate transfer belt  8 . 
     The intermediate transfer belt  8  is stretched between a driver roller  9  and a tension roller  10 , and moves counterclockwise in  FIG. 1  by driving the driver roller  9 . A secondary transfer roller  11 , which is disposed at a position facing the driver roller  9  via the intermediate transfer belt  8 , transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt  8  to a sheet S. A cleaning blade  12 , for removing the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt  8 , and belt-side toner transport means  13 , are disposed at a position facing the tension roller  10  via the intermediate transfer belt  8 . The residual toner, which is waste toner, on the intermediate transfer belt  8  is collected by the cleaning blade  12 , and the collected residual toner is transported into the toner storage portion  15  (into the storage portion) by the belt-side toner transport means  13 . 
     Sheets S (recording media) are loaded into a paper feeding cassette  16 , which is disposed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus  1 . A paper feeding roller  17  feeds the sheets S, which are loaded into the paper feeding cassette  16 , one sheet at a time. A paper drawing roller  18  transports each sheet S, fed by the paper feeding roller  17 , to a resist roller pair  19 , and the resist roller pair  19  corrects the oblique positioning of the sheet S. Fixing means  20  heats and presses a toner image formed on the sheet S, so as to fix the toner image onto the sheet S. A double-sided flapper  21  can switch a path to which the sheet S is transported, and guides the sheet S to a discharge transport path  22  in the case of single-sided printing. A paper ejection roller pair  23  discharges the sheet S, on which the image is formed, to a paper ejection tray  24 . 
     Now an operation performed by the image forming apparatus  1  when an image is formed on a sheet S will be described. The sheets S loaded into the paper feeding cassette  16  are separated one-by-one by the paper feeding roller  17 , and are transported to the paper drawing roller  18 . Each sheet S transported to the paper drawing roller  18  is transported to the resist roller pair  19 , and is transported to a nip portion of the intermediate transfer belt  8  and the secondary transfer roller  11  by the resist roller pair  19 . 
     At this nip portion, the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt  8  to the sheet S, and the sheet S, on which the toner image is transferred, is then transported to the fixing means  20 . The toner image formed on the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S by the fixing means  20 . The sheet S, on which the image is formed, is guided by the double-sided flapper  21  to the discharge transport path  22 , and is discharged to the paper ejection tray  24  by the paper ejection roller pair  23 . 
     &lt;How to Collect Residual Toner into Toner Storage Container&gt; 
     A method of collecting residual toner, which remains on the photosensitive drum  2  and the intermediate transfer belt  8 , into the toner storage portion  15  will be described next with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5B .  FIG. 2  shows the image forming apparatus  1  in a state where a left door  30  (open-close door), to which the storage container  100  is attached, is open.  FIG. 3  shows a state where the storage container  100  is detached from the left door  30  disposed on the image forming apparatus  1 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are enlarged views of the portion where the inlet  15 A disposed on the toner storage portion  15  and the outlet  13 A disposed on the belt-side toner transport means  13  are connected.  FIG. 4A  shows a state where the inlet  15 A and the outlet  13 A are connected.  FIG. 4B  shows a state where the inlet  15 A and the outlet  13 A are not connected.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are diagrams depicting the state where the storage container  100  is attached to or detached from the left door  30 .  FIG. 5A  shows a state where the storage container  100  is attached to the left door  30 .  FIG. 5B  shows a state where the storage container  100  is detached from the left door  30 . In  FIG. 1 , the left door  30  is an openable or closable cover where the detachable storage container  100  can be attached. The left door  30  rotates around the rotation axis  31 , and when the left door  30  is open, the inside of the image forming apparatus  1  is exposed. The detachable storage container  100  can be attached to the left door  30 , and when the left door  30  is open, the storage container  100  in the image forming apparatus  1  is exposed. Here the storage container  100  includes a toner storage portion  15  and a shutter  33 . 
     The belt-side transport toner means  13  transports the residual toner, which was removed from the intermediate transfer belt  8  by the cleaning blade  12 , to the toner storage portion  15 . The residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt  8  is removed by the cleaning blade  12 , and the removed residual toner is transported into the toner storage portion  15  by a toner transport screw (not illustrated). The inlet  15 A (see  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), into which the residual toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt  8  is transported, is disposed on the toner storage portion  15 , and an outlet  13 A (see  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), through which the residual toner is discharged, is disposed on the belt-side toner transport means  13 . When the left door  30  is closed in a state where the storage container  100  is attached to the left door  30 , the inlet  15 A and the outlet  13 A are connected, whereby the belt-side toner transport means  13  feeds the residual toner into the toner storage portion  15  through the inlet  15 A. Further, by closing the left door  30  in the state where the storage container  100  is attached to the left door  30 , the storage container  100  is attached to a predetermined attaching position inside the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     The drum-side toner transport means  14  transports the residual toner, which was removed from the photosensitive drum  2  by the drum cleaning device  6 , into the toner storage portion  15 . The residual toner on the photosensitive drum  2  is removed by the drum cleaning device  6 , and the removed residual toner is transported into the toner storage portion  15  by the toner transport screw (not illustrated). An inlet  15 B (see  FIGS. 6A to 6C ), into which the residual toner removed from the photosensitive drum  2  is transported, is disposed on the toner storage portion  15 , and an outlet (not illustrated), through which the residual toner is discharged, is disposed on the drum-side toner transport means  14 . When the left door  30  is closed in a state where the storage container  100  is attached to the left door  30 , the inlet  15 B and the outlet (not illustrated) are connected, whereby the drum-side toner transport means  14  transports the residual toner into the toner storage portion  15  through the inlet  15 B. 
     A shutter  34  for opening or closing the outlet  13 A is disposed on the belt-side toner transport means  13 , and a shutter  32  for opening or closing the inlet  15 A is disposed on the toner storage portion  15 . When the left door  30  is closed, the shutter  32  and the shutter  34  open in synchronization with operation of closing the left door  30 , whereby the inlet  15 A and the outlet  13 A are connected. Further, a shutter  35  for opening or closing the outlet (not illustrated) is disposed on the drum-side toner transport means  14 , and a shutter  33  for opening or closing the inlet  15 B (see  FIGS. 6A to 6C ) is disposed on the toner storage portion  15 . 
     The shutter  33  closes the inlet  15 B in synchronization with operation of detaching the storage container  100  from the left door  30  (close state), and opens the inlet  15 B in synchronization with operation of detaching the storage container  100  from the left door  30  (open state). In other words, according to this example, the timing when the shutter  33  opens or closes the inlet  15 B in synchronization with operation of attaching or detaching the storage container  100  with respect to the left door  30 , and the timing when the shutter  32  opens or closes the inlet  15 A in synchronization with operation of opening or closing the left door  30 , are different. The mechanism of opening or closing of the shutter  33  will be described in detail later. In a state where the storage container  100  is attached to the left door  30 , the inlet  15 B is open, and the inlet  15 B and the outlet (not illustrated) are connected in synchronization with operation of closing the left door  30 . 
     &lt;How to Replace Toner Storage Container&gt; 
     A method for replacing the storage container  100  will be described next. When a toner amount detection sensor (not illustrated) detects that the toner storage portion  15  is full with residual toner, an indication to prompt the replacement of the storage container  100  is displayed on a display portion (not illustrated). If the replacement of the storage container  100  is prompted, the user opens the left door  30  as shown in  FIG. 2  by turning the left door  30  counterclockwise (as viewed in  FIG. 3 ) around the rotation axis  31 . At this time, the shutter  34  slides to the left with respect to the belt-side toner transport means  13 , against the biasing force of the spring (not illustrated), as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , so as to close the outlet  13 A on the belt-side toner transport means. 
     The shutter  35  for opening or closing the outlet (not illustrated) of the drum-side toner transport means  14  also slides to the left against the biasing force of the spring (not illustrated), just like the shutter  34 , so as to close the outlet (not illustrated) on the drum-side toner transport means. Then as shown in  FIG. 3 , the storage container  100  is slid in the upper left direction, whereby the storage container  100  is detached from the left door  30 , and is removed from the image forming apparatus  1 . In this step, the shutter  33  closes the inlet  15 B on the toner storage portion  15 . Thereby, in the state where the toner storage portion  15  is removed from the image forming apparatus  1 , the inlet  15 A and the inlet  15 B on the toner storage portion  15  are closed. 
     Then an empty storage container  100  is attached to the left door  30  after the storage container  100 , filled with the residual toner, is removed. The empty storage container  100  is attached to the left door by sliding the storage container  100  to the lower left direction. When the empty storage container  100  is in the unused state, the shutter  33  closes the inlet  15 B, but in this step, the shutter  33  opens the inlet  15 B. Then the shutter  34  opens the inlet  15 A in synchronization with operation of closing the left door  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     Just like shutter  34 , the shutter  35  also opens the outlet (not illustrated) on the drum-side toner transport means  14 . Ata timing when the left door  30  closes completely, a positioning boss  36  disposed on the toner storage portion  15  engages with a positioning hole (not illustrated) disposed on the main body of the image forming apparatus  1 . Thereby the storage container  100  is positioned with respect to the apparatus main unit of the image forming apparatus  1 . By the above operation, the operation of replacing the storage container  100  completes. 
     &lt;Mechanism of Closing Shutter&gt; 
     The mechanism of closing the shutter  33  in synchronization with operation of detaching the storage container  100  from the left door  30  will be described next with reference to  FIGS. 5A to 8C .  FIGS. 6A to 6C  are diagrams depicting a state of the shutter  33  where the left door  30  is open.  FIGS. 6A to 6C  are enlarged perspective views of  FIG. 5A .  FIGS. 7A to 7C  are diagrams depicting a state of the shutter  33  where detaching of the storage container  100  from the left door  30  begins.  FIGS. 8A to 8C  are diagrams depicting a state of the shutter  33  where the storage container  100  is completely removed from the left door  30 .  FIGS. 8A to 8C  are enlarged perspective views of  FIG. 5B . 
     In this example, the toner storage portion  15 , the shutter  33  and the tension spring  37  constitute an biasing mechanism. One end of the tension spring  37  is fixed to a part of the toner storage portion  15 , and the other end thereof is fixed to a part of the shutter  33 . In this example, the tension spring  37  bias the toner storage portion  15  and the shutter  33  in such directions that a position where the tension spring  37  is attached in the shutter  33  and a position where the tension spring  37  is attached in the toner storage portion  15  are pulled toward each other. The tension spring  37  can change the state of the shutter  33  between the state of biasing the shutter  33  so that the shutter  33  moves from the open position to the close position, and the state of biasing the shutter  33  so that the shutter  33  moves from the close position to the open position. In this example, the state of biasing the shutter  33  can be switched by a boss  39  (first force receiving portion) and a boss  43  (second force receiving portion) receiving force from a shutter open-close rib  40  (force applying portion). 
     The boss  39  is a protruding portion disposed on the shutter  33 , and is a portion that contacts a shutter closing surface  41  of the shutter open-close rub  40 . The boss  39  can receive force for moving the shutter  33  from the position where the inlet  15 B is opened to a position where the inlet  15 A is closed. The boss  43  is a protruding portion disposed on the shutter  33 , and is a portion that contacts a shutter opening surface  42  of the shutter open-close rib  40 . The boss  43  can receive force for moving the shutter  33  from the close position to the open position when the storage container  100  is attached to the left door  30 . 
     The shutter open-close rib  40  is a portion that contacts the boss  39  and the boss  43 , and is integrated with the left door  30 . When the storage container  100  is detached from the left door  30 , the shutter open-close rib  40  can apply force to the boss  39  to move the shutter  33  from the open position to the close position. Further, when the storage container  100  is attached to the left door  30 , the shutter open-close rib  40  can apply force to the boss  43  to move the shutter  33  from the close position to the open position. 
     First as shown in  FIGS. 6A to 6C , in the state where the storage container  100  is attached to the left door  30 , moment (moment force) is generated in the direction to open the shutter  33  (G direction). This moment is generated by the biasing force of the tension spring  37  centering around the rotation center  38  of the shutter  33 . Although the moment in the G direction is generated in the shutter  33 , rotation of the shutter  33  is limited to a predetermined position because of a rotation stopper (not illustrated) disposed on the toner storage portion  15 . The rotation stopper is a part of the toner storage portion  15 , and rotation of the shutter  33  is limited to within a predetermined range by a part of the shutter  33  contacting the rotation stopper. If an impact absorber, such as a sponge, is disposed on a portion where the shutter  33  contacts the rotation stopper, the impact sound that is generated when the shutter  33  contacts the rotation stopper can be reduced. 
     Then as shown in  FIGS. 7A to 7C , in the state where detaching of the storage container  100  from the left door  30  begins, the storage container  100  is moved in the detaching direction, whereby the boss  39  contacts the shutter closing surface  41  of the shutter open-close rib  40 . Then the shutter  33  starts to rotate in the direction to close the shutter  33  (F direction). If the storage container  100  is removed from the left door  30  in this state, the direction of the moment that acts on the shutter  33  is switched at a predetermined timing. In concrete terms, the direction of moment that acts on the shutter  33  changes from the G direction to the direction to close the shutter (F direction). 
     Here it is assumed that a position in the toner storage portion  15  where the tension spring  37  is installed is an installation position  37 A, and a position in the shutter  33  where the tension spring  37  is installed is an installation position  37 B. Then as shown in  FIG. 8A  (left side view), the direction of movement that acts on the shutter  33  changes when the virtual line  37 C connecting the installation position  37 A (one end) and the installation position  37 B (other end) passes the rotation center axis line of the shutter  33 . 
     If the direction of the moment is switched, the shutter  33  closes the inlet  15 B, and the engagement of the boss  39  and the shutter closing surface  41  is released at this timing. Thereby in the state where the storage container  100  is completely removed from the left door  30 , the moment is constantly active in the direction to close the shutter  33  (F direction) by the biasing force of the tension spring  37 . In this way, the shutter  33  closes the inlet  15 B in synchronization with operation of removing the storage container  100  from the left door  30 . 
     &lt;Mechanism of Opening Shutter&gt; 
     The mechanism of opening the shutter  33  in synchronization with operation of attaching the storage container  100  to the left door  30  will be described next with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 8C  and  FIGS. 9A to 9C .  FIGS. 9A to 9C  are diagrams depicting a state where the shutter  33  opens in synchronization with operation of attaching the storage container  100  to the left door  30 . First as shown in  FIG. 8A  (left side view), the shutter  33  is closing the inlet  15 B in the state where the storage container  100  is detached from the left door  30 . 
     The moment generated by the biasing force of the tension spring  37  is acting on the shutter  33  in the direction to close the shutter  33  (F direction). In this state, the rotation of the shutter  33  is limited to a predetermined position because of the rotation stopper (not illustrated) disposed on the toner storage portion  15 . When the storage container  100  is being attached to the left door  30 , the shutter  33  starts to rotate in the direction to open the shutter  33  (G direction) because the boss  43  contacts the shutter opening surface  42  on the shutter open-close rib  40 . 
     If the storage container  100  is inserted further to the left door  30 , the virtual line  37 C connecting the installation position  37 A and the installation position  37 B moves above the rotation center axis line of the shutter  33 , as shown in  FIG. 9C  (right side view). The direction of moment that acts on the shutter  33  is switched from the F direction to the G direction at this timing. By this change of moment, the shutter  33  opens the inlet  15 B, and the engagement of the boss  43  and the shutter opening surface  42  is released at this timing. Thereby in the state where the storage container  100  is completely attached to the left door  30 , the moment is constantly active in the direction to open the shutter  33  (G direction) by the biasing force of the tension spring  37 . In this way, the shutter  33  opens the inlet  15 B in synchronization with operation of attaching the storage container  100  to the left door  30 . 
     &lt;Structure to Guide the Toner Storage Container to Left Door&gt; 
     A structure to guide the storage container  100  to the left door  30  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 10A, 10B and 11A to 11C .  FIGS. 10A and 10B  are perspective views of the left door  30  and the storage container  100 .  FIGS. 11A to 11C  are diagrams depicting a state where insertion control bosses  44  (guided portion) disposed on the left door  30  are guided to an insertion control groove  45  (guiding portion) disposed on the toner storage portion  15 . As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , two insertion control bosses  44  are disposed on the left door  30  on the side where the storage container  100  is attached. The insertion control groove  45 , for guiding the insertion control bosses  44 , is disposed on the toner storage portion  15 . 
     To attach the storage container  100  to the left door  30 , the insertion control bosses  44  disposed on the left door  30  are inserted into the insertion control groove  45  disposed on the storage container  100 .  FIG. 11A  shows a state of the insertion control groove  45  where insertion of the storage container  100  into the left door  30  begins, and  FIG. 11B  shows a state of the insertion control groove  45  where the shutter  33  is rotating.  FIG. 11C  shows a state of the insertion control groove  45  where the storage container  100  is completely attached to the left door  30 . 
     By guiding the insertion control bosses  44  using the insertion control grooves  45 , the storage container  100  can be guided to the left door  30  such that the boss  39  and the boss  43  contact the shutter open-close rib  40 . The insertion control groove  45  has guiding surfaces which extend in the direction where the toner storage portion  15  moves with respect to the left door  30 . The guiding surfaces face each other so as to guide both sides of the insertion control boss  44  along the moving direction of the toner storage portion  15  with respect to the left door  30 . The pair of guiding surfaces are constituted so that the facing distance decreases in a predetermined range before and after the direction of the moment that acts on the shutter  33  is switched by the tension spring  37 . Thereby the boss  39  and the boss  43  can accurately contact the shutter open-close rib  40 . In other words, an accurate positional relationship between the shutter  33  and the shutter open-close rib  40  can be guaranteed in the step of inserting the storage container  100  into the left door  30 . 
       FIGS. 12A to 12C  are diagrams depicting a state where the guiding control rib  46  is guided by the insertion control groove  47 .  FIG. 12A  shows a state of the insertion control groove  47  where insertion of the storage container  100  into the left door  30  begins, and  FIG. 12B  shows a state of the insertion control groove  47  when the shutter  33  is rotating.  FIG. 12C  shows a state of the insertion control groove  47  when the storage container  100  is completely attached to the left door  30 . In this example, the cylindrical insertion control bosses  44  are guided by the insertion control groove  45 , but the shape of the portion guided by the guiding groove is not limited to this. For example, the portion guided by the guiding control groove  45  may be the insertion control rib  46  which extends in the guiding direction by the insertion control groove  45 , as shown in  FIGS. 12A to 12C . The shape of the insertion control groove  45  is not limited to the shape shown in  FIGS. 11A to 11C  either. 
     For example, the insertion control groove  47  may have the shapes shown in  FIGS. 12A to 12C . The configurations of the insertion control bosses  44  and the insertion control groove  45  are not limited to specific configurations as long as the boss  39  and the boss  43  can accurately contact the shutter open-close rib  40 . It is preferable that the insertion control bosses  44  are guided by the insertion control groove  45  at a position close to the shutter  33 , since the accuracy of the positional relationship of the shutter  33  with respect to the shutter open-close rib  40  is guaranteed. 
     As described above, according to Example 1, the shutter disposed on the storage portion opens in synchronization with operation of attaching the storage container to the open-close door, and the shutter disposed on the storage position closes in synchronization with operation of detaching the storage container from the open-close door. In a conventional configuration, the shutter opens in synchronization with operation of closing the open-close door and the shutter closes in synchronization with operation of opening the open-close door. In the case of this configuration, however, a force to open or close the shutter is required in addition to a force to open or close the open-close door, hence the user is subject to a heavy load to open or close the open-close door. Therefore in this example, the shutter opens or closes in synchronization with operation of attaching or detaching the storage container, whereby the load applied to the user can be reduced. 
     Further, in Example 1, the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion receive force from the force applying portion, whereby the biasing state that is generated in the shutter by the biasing member is switched. Therefore the force for rotating the shutter at a timing of switching the biasing state of the shutter is not required. Also the user experiences a clicking sensation indicating a complete closure of the shutter. 
     Further, in Example 1, the guided portion disposed on the storage portion is guided by the guiding portion disposed in the open-close door, whereby the movement of the storage container with respect to the open-close door is guided when the storage container is attached to or detached from the open-close door. By the guided portion being guided to the guiding portion, the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion are accurately engaged with the force applying portion. Thereby the shutter can be accurately closed in synchronization with operation of removing the collection container. Further, in Example 1, the inlet and the outlet can be connected in synchronization with operation of closing the open-close door. This makes it unnecessary to independently perform the operation of connecting the inlet and the outlet and the operation of closing the open-close door, and improves the operation efficiency for the user. 
     Example 2 
     Example 2 will be described next with reference to  FIGS. 13 to 15 . In Example 2, a portion having a same function as Example 1 is denoted with a same reference symbol, and description thereof is omitted.  FIG. 13  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus  200  according to Example 2.  FIG. 14  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus in a state where the left door  30  is open.  FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the toner storage portion  15  is removed from the left door  30 . A difference between Example 2 and Example 1 is that in Example 2 the process cartridge  50  is disposed above the intermediate transfer belt  8 . The rest is the same as Example 1. 
     Even if the process cartridge  50  is disposed above the intermediate transfer belt  8  as in the case of Example 2, the force required for opening or closing the open-close door can be reduced, just like Example 1. 
     In each example, the guiding portion is disposed on the storage portion, and the guided portion is disposed on the open-close door, but the present invention is not limited to this. The only requirement is that one of the guiding portion and the guided portion is disposed on the storage portion, and the other of the guiding portion and the guided portion is disposed on the open-close door. The configurations of the guiding portion and the guided portion are not limited as long as the storage container is guided with respect to the open-close door. 
     In each example, the open-close door is configured to open vertically with the rotation axis locating at the bottom, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the open-close door may open horizontally. 
     In each example, the attaching or detaching direction of the storage container is diagonally upward or diagonally downward, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the attaching or detaching direction of the storage container may be horizontal. 
     According to the present invention, the force required for opening or closing the cover disposed on the image forming apparatus can be reduced. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-110472, filed May 29, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.