Patent Publication Number: US-2015063873-A1

Title: Image forming apparatus and toner cartridge

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-177067, which was filed on Aug. 28, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     1. Field of the Technology 
     The present technology relates to an image forming apparatus and a toner cartridge. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An image forming apparatus which forms an image using electrophotography is able to form a high-quality image with a simple operation and maintenance thereof is easy, and therefore, has been used for a copier, a printer, a facsimile and the like and widely spread. A general electrophotographic image forming apparatus mainly includes an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed, a developing section which visualizes the electrostatic latent image with a toner, a transfer section which transfers the developed toner image onto recording paper, and a fixing section which fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording paper. 
     In the image forming apparatus using the toner in this manner, it is necessary to replenish the toner when the toner contained in the apparatus is consumed to be exhausted. Since the toner is an aggregate of toner particles which are extremely fine and light-weight, when the toner is replenished to the image forming apparatus, the toner particles are likely to scatter in the air, thus the apparatus itself and surroundings of the apparatus become dirty in some cases. Accordingly, in recent years, a method of replacing an entire toner cartridge using a container-shaped toner cartridge capable of containing the toner inside thereof, that is, a method of detaching the toner cartridge running out of the toner from an image forming apparatus main body and attaching a new toner cartridge filled with a toner has become the mainstream. 
     Normally, there are many cases where an unused toner cartridge is packed in a box and kept in a free space of a room or a depository until it becomes necessary to replace a toner cartridge. In addition, a posture of the toner cartridge at a time of being kept is diverse. For example, it is kept in a posture similar to a posture in a state of being attached to the image forming apparatus in some cases, or it is kept in a posture different from the posture in the state of being attached to the image forming apparatus in other cases. 
     In any case, in the case of being kept in a state of maintaining a fixed posture over a long term, a toner contained in a casing of a toner cartridge is in a compressed state by gravity acting on the toner. In addition, a toner agglomerate of aggregated toner particles is likely to be generated depending on an environment in which the toner cartridge is kept. 
     Accordingly, immediately after attaching such a toner cartridge to an image forming apparatus main body, it is necessary to impart extremely large torque for a toner stirring section in order to rotationally drive the toner stirring section buried in the toner inside the toner cartridge. That is, in order to rotationally drive the toner stirring section in such a case, a load applied to a motor is to increase. 
     Then, when the load applied to the motor increases in this manner, there is a possibility that the motor loses synchronism or is broken. Thereupon, in order to ease a compressed state of a toner, as a precautionary statement, it is conventionally added on a packing material or an instruction book of a toner cartridge that shaking the toner cartridge before attaching to an image forming apparatus main body is necessary, and the like. 
     However, the actual circumstances are that, in many cases, the precautionary statement is missed in a case where replacement of the toner cartridge is needed, and therefore the toner cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body as it is without being shaken. 
     Thereupon, in order to solve such a problem, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 8-123166 (1996) proposes that, inside a toner cartridge in which a toner to an extent that a space is formed in an upper part when being unused is contained, a blocking releasing member which rotates integrally with a toner stirring member is provided on a position close to a downstream side in a rotating direction of the toner stirring member and the toner stirring member and the blocking releasing member are disposed together in the space in the upper part inside the toner cartridge at an initial state, and by such a configuration, even when toner blocking occurs in the toner cartridge, the toner stirring member is thrust into a toner agglomerate after the blocking releasing member releases the toner blocking at a time of starting, thus making it possible to prevent applying large load to the toner stirring member. 
     However, in the configuration proposed by JP-A 8-123166 (1996), the toner to the extent that the space is formed in the upper part when being unused is contained inside the toner cartridge, and the toner stirring member and the blocking releasing member are disposed together in the space of the upper part. Accordingly, in a case where the toner cartridge is kept in a posture that a rotational axis of the toner stirring member accords with a vertical direction, the toner stirring member and the blocking releasing member are buried in the toner and an effect of loosening the toner by the blocking releasing member is not able to be attained sufficiently, resulting in that the load applied to a motor increases and there is a possibility that the motor loses synchronism or is broken. 
     SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     An object of the technology is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of disintegrating a toner in a compressed state inside a toner cartridge newly attached, without particularly paying attention or carrying out a special operation when a toner cartridge is replaced with the newly attached toner cartridge, and a toner cartridge. 
     The technology provides an image forming apparatus, comprising: 
     a toner cartridge which contains a toner; and 
     an image forming apparatus main body which has a toner cartridge attaching section for attaching the toner cartridge thereto, the toner cartridge attaching section defining a containing space in which the toner cartridge is contained in an attached state and an insertion opening which leads to the containing space for inserting the toner cartridge into the containing space therethrough, the image forming apparatus main body forming an image in accordance with image data on a recording medium using toner supplied from the toner cartridge attached to the toner cartridge attaching section, 
     the toner cartridge having a tubular outer circumferential surface extending along an inserting direction for insertion of the toner cartridge into the containing space through the insertion opening, 
     the toner cartridge attaching section having a tubular inner circumferential surface which faces the tubular outer circumferential surface of the toner cartridge in the attached state of the toner cartridge, 
     in one of the tubular outer circumferential surface of the toner cartridge and the tubular inner circumferential surface of the toner cartridge attaching section, a guide groove being engraved that extends along an axis direction thereof and zigzags along a circumferential direction thereof, and 
     in the other of the tubular outer circumferential surface of the toner cartridge and the tubular inner circumferential surface of the toner cartridge attaching section, a protrusion being provided that fits in the guide groove for insertion of the toner cartridge into the containing space through the insertion opening. 
     Moreover, the technology provides an image forming apparatus, comprising: 
     a toner cartridge which contains a toner; and 
     an image forming apparatus main body which has a toner cartridge attaching section for attaching the toner cartridge thereto, the toner cartridge attaching section defining a containing space in which the toner cartridge is contained in an attached state and an insertion opening which leads to the containing space for inserting the toner cartridge into the containing space therethrough, the image forming apparatus main body forming an image in accordance with image data on a recording medium using toner supplied from the toner cartridge attached to the toner cartridge attaching section, 
     the toner cartridge having a tubular outer circumferential surface extending along an inserting direction for insertion of the toner cartridge into the containing space through the insertion opening, 
     the toner cartridge attaching section having a tubular inner circumferential surface which faces the tubular outer circumferential surface of the toner cartridge in the attached state of the toner cartridge, 
     in one of the tubular outer circumferential surface of the toner cartridge and the tubular inner circumferential surface of the toner cartridge attaching section, a concavo-convex section being provided in which a concave and a convex are formed continuously along an axis direction thereof, and 
     in the other of the tubular outer circumferential surface of the toner cartridge and the tubular inner circumferential surface of the toner cartridge attaching section, a protrusion being provided that faces the concavo-convex section for insertion of the toner cartridge into the containing space through the insertion opening. 
     Moreover, the technology provides a toner cartridge capable of being attached to a toner cartridge attaching section provided in an image forming apparatus main body which forms an image in accordance with image data on a recording medium using a toner, comprising: 
     a tubular outer circumferential surface extending along an inserting direction for insertion of the toner cartridge into a containing space formed in the toner cartridge attaching section, the tubular outer circumferential surface having a guide groove engraved therein in which a protrusion provided in an inner circumferential surface defining the containing space in the toner cartridge attaching section fits for insertion of the toner cartridge into the containing space, the guide groove extending along an axis direction thereof and zigzagging along a circumferential direction thereof. 
     Moreover, the technology provides a toner cartridge capable of being attached to a toner cartridge attaching section provided in an image forming apparatus main body which forms an image in accordance with image data on a recording medium using a toner, comprising: 
     a tubular outer circumferential surface extending along an inserting direction for insertion of the toner cartridge into a containing space formed in the toner cartridge attaching section, the tubular outer circumferential surface being provided with a protrusion which fits in a guide groove engraved in an inner circumferential surface defining the containing space in the toner cartridge attaching section for insertion of the toner cartridge into the containing space, the guide groove extending along an axis direction thereof and zigzagging along a circumferential direction thereof. 
     Moreover, the technology provides a toner cartridge capable of being attached to a toner cartridge attaching section provided in an image forming apparatus main body which forms an image in accordance with image data on a recording medium using a toner, comprising: 
     a tubular outer circumferential surface extending along an inserting direction for insertion of the toner cartridge into a containing space formed in the toner cartridge attaching section, the tubular outer circumferential surface being provided with a concavo-convex section in which a concave and a convex are formed continuously along an axis direction thereof, the concavo-convex section facing a protrusion provided in an inner circumferential surface defining the containing space in the toner cartridge attaching section for insertion of the toner cartridge into the containing space. 
     Moreover, the technology provides a toner cartridge capable of being attached to a toner cartridge attaching section provided in an image forming apparatus main body which forms an image in accordance with image data on a recording medium using a toner, comprising: 
     a tubular outer circumferential surface extending along an inserting direction for insertion of the toner cartridge into a containing space formed in the toner cartridge attaching section, the tubular outer circumferential surface being provided with a protrusion which faces a concavo-convex section provided in an inner circumferential surface defining the containing space in the toner cartridge attaching section for insertion of the toner cartridge into the containing space, the concavo-convex section having a concave and a convex formed continuously along an axis direction thereof. 
     According to the technology, it is possible to disintegrate a toner in a compressed state inside a toner cartridge newly attached, without particularly paying attention or carrying out a special operation when a toner cartridge is replaced with the newly attached toner cartridge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the technology will be more explicit from the following detailed description taken with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing an entire configuration of a multi-functional peripheral according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the multi-functional peripheral in a state where an opening/closing door is opened for attaching or replacing a toner cartridge; 
         FIGS. 3A through 3D  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a toner cartridge attaching section; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along the line V-V in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a multi-functional peripheral according to a second embodiment; 
         FIGS. 7A through 7D  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge attaching section; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in  FIG. 8B ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a multi-functional peripheral according to a third embodiment; 
         FIGS. 11A through 11C  are views schematically showing a configuration of a toner cartridge; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are views schematically showing a configuration of a toner cartridge attaching section; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in  FIGS. 12A and 12B ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a multi-functional peripheral according to a fourth embodiment; 
         FIGS. 15A through 15C  are views schematically showing a configuration of a toner cartridge; 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  are views schematically showing a configuration of a toner cartridge attaching section; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view showing a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section; 
         FIGS. 18A through 18C  are views for explaining a process that the toner cartridge is inserted into the containing space of the toner cartridge attaching section; and 
         FIG. 19A  is a view schematically showing a configuration of a toner cartridge, and  FIG. 19B  is a view schematically showing a configuration of a toner cartridge attaching section. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments are described below. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing an entire configuration of a multi-functional peripheral  100 A according to a first embodiment. The multi-functional peripheral  100 A is an apparatus which forms a multicolor or a monochromatic image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet based on image data. The multi-functional peripheral  100 A includes an apparatus main body  110 , an automatic document processing device  120 , and a toner cartridge  200 A. 
     The apparatus main body  110  has, at a vertically upper part thereof, a document platen  90  on which a document is placed and which is made of transparent glass and a reading section  92 . The automatic document processing device  120  is mounted on a vertically upper side of the document platen  90 . The automatic document processing device  120  is a device which conveys the document onto the document platen  90 . The automatic document processing device  120  is configured so as to be angularly displaceable in a direction M departing from the document platen  90 , and is configured so that the document is able to be manually placed on the document platen  90 . Image information of the document placed on the document platen  90  is read by the reading section  92 , and inputted to a not-shown control section. 
     The apparatus main body  110  includes an exposure unit  1 , a developing device  2 , a photoreceptor drum  3 , a cleaner unit  4 , a charging device  5 , an intermediate transfer unit  6 , a secondary transfer roller  10 , a fixing unit  7 , an inner paper feed cassette  81 , a paper feed tray  82 , a catch tray  91 , a recording medium conveying section U, and a toner cartridge attaching section  130 A to which the toner cartridge  200 A is attached so as to be attachable/detachable. In this embodiment, the photoreceptor drum  3 , the cleaner unit  4  and the charging device  5  are provided in a process cartridge  300  which is attachable/detachable to/from the apparatus main body  110 . 
     Image data which is dealt with in the multi-functional peripheral  100 A corresponds to a color image which uses each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Therefore, the developing device  2 , the process cartridge  300  and the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A are provided by fours according to each color, and the toner cartridge  200 A in which a toner of a corresponding color is contained is attached to each toner cartridge attaching section  130 A. 
     The photoreceptor drum  3  is a cylindrical member which is supported by a not-shown driving section so as to be rotatable around an axis thereof. The photoreceptor drum  3  includes a not-shown conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on a surface of the conductive substrate. The photosensitive layer is a member which shows electric conductivity by being irradiated with light. An electric image called an electrostatic latent image is formed on a surface of the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor drum  3  by charging by the charging device  5  and exposure by the exposure unit  1 . 
     The charging device  5  is a device which charges a surface of the photoreceptor drum  3  to a predetermined electrode and potential by a corona discharge. The charging device  5  is disposed in a vertically downward direction of the photoreceptor drum  3  and the cleaner unit  4  along a longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum  3  at a position facing the photoreceptor drum  3 . 
     The exposure unit  1  is a device which irradiates the photoreceptor drum  3  with light. The exposure unit  1  forms an electrostatic latent image in accordance with image data on the surface of the photoreceptor drum  3  by exposing the charged photoreceptor drum  3  in accordance with the image data. 
     A laser scanning unit (LSU) is usable as the exposure unit  1 . The LSU includes a laser light emitting section that emits laser light which is modulated in accordance with image data, a polygon mirror that deflects the laser light which is emitted from the laser light emitting section, a convergent lens that converges the laser light which is deflected by the polygon mirror, and a reflection mirror which reflects the laser light which is converged by the convergent lens. Note that, the exposure unit  1  is not limited to the LSU, and may be an EL (Electro Luminescence) or LED (Light Emitting Diode) writing head in which light emitting elements are arranged in an array, and the like. 
     The developing device  2  is a member which visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum  3  by the toner of each color of four colors (CMYK). The developing device  2  forms a toner image on the photoreceptor drum  3  by supplying the toner on the photoreceptor drum  3  in a state where the electrostatic latent image is formed. 
     The cleaner unit  4  is a member which collects the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum  3  after transferring the toner image onto an intermediate transfer belt  61  described below. 
     The intermediate transfer unit  6  is disposed in a vertically upward direction of the photoreceptor drum  3  and provided with the intermediate transfer belt  61 , an intermediate transfer belt driving roller  62 , an intermediate transfer belt driven roller  63 , a primary transfer roller  64 , and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit  65 . 
     The intermediate transfer belt  61  is supported around the intermediate transfer belt driving roller  62 , the intermediate transfer belt driven roller  63  and the primary transfer roller  64  with tension so as to come in contact with each photoreceptor drum  3 . The intermediate transfer belt  61  is formed to be endless, using a film whose thickness is approximately 100 μm to 150 μm, for example. The intermediate transfer belt driving roller  62  and the intermediate transfer belt driven roller  63  are members which cause the intermediate transfer belt  61  to rotate in a predetermined direction. 
     The respective toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photoreceptor drums  3  are successively overlaid and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  61 , and a color toner image (multicolor toner image) is formed. The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt  61  is conveyed to a position facing a secondary transfer roller  10  by rotation of the intermediate transfer belt  61 . 
     Four of the primary transfer rollers  64  are provided corresponding to each color of CMYK. The primary transfer roller  64  applies transfer bias which is a voltage for transferring each toner image on each photoreceptor drum  3  onto the intermediate transfer belt  61  to the intermediate transfer belt  61 . The primary transfer roller  64  is a roller-shaped member which includes a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm and a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM (ethylene-propylene copolymerization rubber), urethane foam, and the like) which covers a surface of the metal shaft. The primary transfer roller  64  is able to apply the transfer bias uniformly to the intermediate transfer belt  61  by the conductive elastic material. 
     The secondary transfer roller  10  is a member which transfers the color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt  61  as described above onto a recording medium. The secondary transfer roller  10  is disposed so as to sandwich the intermediate transfer belt  61  together with the intermediate transfer belt driving roller  62 . A voltage for transferring the color toner image onto the recording medium is applied to the secondary transfer roller  10 . In order to form a nip by the secondary transfer roller  10  and the intermediate transfer belt driving roller  62 , it is preferable that one of the secondary transfer roller  10  and the intermediate transfer belt driving roller  62  is formed of a hard material (metal or the like) and the other is formed of a soft material (elastic rubber, formed resin, or the like). 
     The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit  65  is a member which collects a toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt  61  after the color toner image is transferred onto the recording medium. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit  65  is provided with a cleaning blade which comes in contact with the intermediate transfer belt  61  and the cleaning blade sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt  61  together with the intermediate transfer belt driven roller  63 . 
     The fixing unit  7  is provided with a heat roller  71  and a pressure roller  72 . The heat roller  71  and the pressure roller  72  are provided so as to be rotatable with the recording medium nipped. The heat roller  71  is set to reach a predetermined temperature by the not-shown control section based on a signal from a not-shown temperature detector. By thermally bonding the toner configuring the color toner image on the recording medium, the heat roller  71  and the pressure roller  72  fuse the toner for fixing on the recording medium. 
     The inner paper feed cassette  81  and the paper feed tray  82  are members which stock a recording medium such as a recording sheet used for image formation. The catch tray  91  is a tray for accumulating the recording medium on which an image is formed in a face-down manner. 
     The recording medium conveying section U is a member which sends the recording medium from the inner paper feed cassette  81  and the paper feed tray  82  to the catch tray  91  through the secondary transfer roller  10  and the fixing unit  7 . The recording medium conveying section U is provided with pickup rollers  11   a  and  11   b , conveying rollers  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  and  12   d , and a registration roller  13 . 
     The pickup roller  11   a  is a member which is provided in a vicinity of an end part of the inner paper feed cassette  81  and takes out the recording medium one by one from the inner paper feed cassette  81 . The pickup roller  11   b  is a member which is provided in a vicinity of an end part of the paper feed tray  82  and takes out the recording medium one by one from the paper feed tray  82 . 
     The conveying rollers  12   a  through  12   d  are small-sized rollers for conveying the recording medium. The registration roller  13  is a member which keeps a conveyed sheet temporally and conveys the recording medium to the secondary transfer roller  10  at a timing when the recording medium meets the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt  61 . 
     In the multi-functional peripheral  100 A, the recording medium taken out from the inner paper feed cassette  81  or the paper feed tray  82  is conveyed to the registration roller  13  and, by the registration roller  13 , conveyed to the secondary transfer roller  10  at a predetermined timing, and, when passing between the secondary transfer roller  10  and the intermediate transfer belt  61 , the toner image is transferred. The recording medium onto which the toner image is transferred passes through the fixing unit  7  to thereby cause the toner image to be fixed, and discharged on the catch tray  91  through the conveying roller  12   b.    
     Note that, in the multi-functional peripheral  100 A, in the case of duplex printing that an image is formed on both sides of a recording medium, the recording medium on which fixation of a toner image on one side is finished and which is then discharged from the fixing unit  7  is held by a back end thereof by the conveying roller  12   b  to be guided to the conveying rollers  12   c  and  12   d  by the conveying roller  12   b . The recording medium guided to the conveying rollers  12   c  and  12   d  passes through the registration roller  13 , the secondary transfer roller  10  and the fixing unit  7  again to perform printing on a back side of the recording medium and is discharged to the catch tray  91 . 
     Description will be given hereinafter for a configuration of the multi-functional peripheral  100 A for attaching or replacing the toner cartridge  200 A.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the multi-functional peripheral  100 A in a state where an opening/closing door  111  is opened for attaching or replacing the toner cartridge  200 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the apparatus main body  110 , four toner cartridge attaching sections  130 A to which toner cartridges  200 A of each color are attached respectively are provided, and, when the opening/closing door  111  provided on a front surface part of the apparatus main body  110  is opened, these toner cartridge attaching sections  130 A are exposed to an external space. 
     Thereby, a user is able to detach a toner cartridge  200 A running out of the toner from the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A and attach a new toner cartridge  200 A filled with a toner to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A. Note that, in  FIG. 2 , an inserting direction for insertion of the toner cartridge  200 A into a containing space S described below in order to attach to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A is shown with an arrow X. 
       FIGS. 3A through 3D  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge  200 A, and  FIG. 3A  is a top view of the toner cartridge  200 A,  FIG. 3B  is a front view of the toner cartridge  200 A,  FIG. 3C  is a left-side view of the toner cartridge  200 A, and  FIG. 3D  is a right-side view of the toner cartridge  200 A. 
     In this embodiment, the toner cartridge  200 A is a hollow cylindrical container whose both ends are blocked, and includes a toner bottle  210  having a toner, which is a developer, contained inside and a coupling section  220  which protrudes outside from the toner bottle  210 . 
     Here, assuming that a direction in which a central axis J1 of the toner bottle  210  extends is referred to as a “bottle axis direction”, the bottle axis direction is a direction parallel to the inserting direction X for insertion of the toner cartridge  200 A into the containing space S described below. 
     The coupling section  220  is a portion with which, when the toner cartridge  200 A is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, a driving shaft which transfers driving force of a not-shown motor provided in the apparatus main body  110  is coupled, and, in this embodiment, provided so as to protrude outside from a downstream side end part of the inserting direction X in the toner bottle  210 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3D . 
     Moreover, in the toner bottle  210 , a toner discharging port is formed at a portion which is in a vicinity of the downstream side end part of the inserting direction X and which is in a downward side when the toner cartridge  200 A is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, and a shutter member  230  capable of opening/closing this toner discharging port is provided. 
     In a state where the toner cartridge  200 A is not attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, the shutter member  230  is disposed in a position to block the toner discharging port, and mechanically displaced to a position to open the toner discharging port as the toner cartridge  200 A is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, thus making it possible to discharge a toner which is contained inside the toner bottle  210  outside from the toner discharging port. In this manner, the toner discharged outside from the toner discharging port is supplied to the developing device  2  through a not-shown supplying path. 
     Moreover, inside the toner bottle  210 , a not-shown conveying screw which conveys the contained toner along the inserting direction X while stirring is pivotally supported in both end parts of the toner bottle  210  so as to rotate freely, and the end part of a downstream side of the inserting direction X of the conveying screw is fixed at the coupling section  220 . Accordingly, when the toner cartridge  200 A is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, the conveying screw is rotated around the central axis J1 by the driving force of the motor which is transferred from the driving shaft to the coupling section  220 , and thereby conveys the contained toner along the inserting direction X while stirring. 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3D , a guide groove  212  which extends along the bottle axis direction and zigzags in a circumferential direction C1 around the central axis J1 is engraved in a right cylindrical outer circumferential surface  211  in the toner bottle  210  of the toner cartridge  200 A. 
     In the right cylindrical outer circumferential surface  211 , the guide groove  212  is engraved at a portion which constitutes an upper half thereof when the toner cartridge  200 A is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, and linearly extends along the bottle axis direction with both end parts  212   a  and  212   b  thereof disposed in portions which constitute the most upper ends in the right cylindrical outer circumferential surface  211  when attached as described above. 
     The end part  212   a  which is disposed in the downstream side of the inserting direction X is formed so as to open in the downstream side of the inserting direction X in an end surface  213  in the downstream side of the inserting direction X in the toner bottle  210 , and an opening portion  212   c  thereof is formed so that a groove width thereof becomes wider as heading toward the downstream side of the inserting direction X. 
     On the other hand, the end part  212   b  which is disposed in the upstream side of the inserting direction X extends so as to stop at a position which is in slightly more downstream side of the inserting direction X from an end surface  214  in the upstream side of the inserting direction X in the toner bottle  210 . Note that, the guide groove  212  is formed so as to have a same groove depth through the both end parts  212   a  and  212   b  thereof and so as to have a same width in a remaining portion excluding the opening portion  212   c.    
     A middle part  212   d  between the both end parts  212   a  and  212   b  of the guide groove  212  includes, when viewed from above of the toner cartridge  200 A (refer to  FIG. 3A ), a first linear portion  212   e  which linearly heads to one side of the circumferential direction C1 as heading to the upstream side of the inserting direction X, a second linear portion  212   f  which linearly heads to the other side of the circumferential direction C1 as heading to the upstream side of the inserting direction X, and a coupling portion  212   g  with which the first linear portion  212   e  and the second linear portion  212   f  are coupled, and the coupling portion  212   g  is smoothly coupled with the first linear portion  212   e  and the second linear portion  212   f  while drawing an arc. In addition, the middle part  212   d  is also smoothly coupled with each end part of  212   a  and  212   b  while drawing an arc. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A and showing a cross-section when being cut along a virtual plane which includes a central axis J2 of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A and is parallel to a vertical direction. 
     The toner cartridge attaching section  130 A is a portion to which the toner cartridge  200 A is attached in the apparatus main body  110 , and defines the containing space S in which the toner cartridge  200 A is contained in an attached state, and an insertion opening K which leads to the containing space S for inserting the toner cartridge  200 A into the containing space S. The toner cartridge attaching section  130 A includes a right cylindrical inner circumferential surface  131  having an inner diameter which is slightly larger than an outer diameter of the toner bottle  210 . 
     Here, assuming that a direction in which the central axis J2 of the inner circumferential surface  131  in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A extends is referred to as an “attaching section axis direction”, the attaching section axis direction is a direction parallel to the inserting direction X for insertion of the toner cartridge  200 A into the containing space S. 
     In this embodiment, in the inner circumferential surface  131  in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, a protrusion  140  which is provided so as to protrude toward inside in a radial direction at an upper end part in a vicinity of the insertion opening K. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along the line V-V in  FIG. 4 , and shows the toner cartridge  200 A in a process of insertion into the containing space S together. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the protrusion  140  is formed so as to have a size to fit in the guide groove  212  which is engraved in the outer circumferential surface  211  of the toner bottle  210  for insertion of the toner cartridge  200 A into the containing space S. 
     In the multi-functional peripheral  100 A according to this embodiment, with the configuration described above, when the toner cartridge  200 A is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, the toner cartridge  200 A is first inserted into the containing space S so that the protrusion  140  fits in the opening portion  212   c  of the guide groove  212 . 
     While the protrusion  140  is guided by the guide groove  212 , the toner cartridge  200 A is then to be inserted into the containing space S as being rotated toward one side and the other side of the circumferential direction C1 around the central axis J1 thereof so as to move toward the upstream side of the inserting direction X relatively with respect to the toner cartridge  200 A. 
     As described above, according to this embodiment, when the toner cartridge  200 A is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, the toner cartridge  200 A is to be inserted into the containing space S while being shaken toward one side and the other side of the circumferential direction C1. 
     Accordingly, even in a case where a toner is contained in a compressed state inside the toner bottle  210 , by this shaking movement in the circumferential direction C1, the toner in the compressed state is disintegrated, making it possible to ease the compressed state. In this manner, in this embodiment, force applied by a user in order to insert the toner cartridge  200 A into the containing space S is able to be converted to force for disintegrating the toner. 
     This makes it possible to prevent applying large load to the conveying screw provided inside the toner bottle  210 , and thus to prevent a motor for rotationally driving the conveying screw from losing synchronism or being broken. 
     Moreover, according to this embodiment, every time when the toner cartridge  200 A is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, the toner cartridge  200 A is to be shaken toward one side and the other side of the circumferential direction C1, so that the user is able to ease the compressed state of the toner in the toner bottle  210  without particularly paying attention or carrying out a special operation. 
     Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the opening portion  212   c  in the guide groove  212  is formed so that a groove width thereof becomes wider as heading toward the downstream side of the inserting direction X, making it possible that the protrusion  140  provided in the inner circumferential surface  131  in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A easily fits to the opening portion  212   c  when the toner cartridge  200 A is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A. 
     In the first embodiment described above, though the guide groove  212  is engraved in the toner cartridge  200 A and the protrusion  140  which fits in the guide groove  212  is formed in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A, on the contrary, a guide groove may be engraved in a toner cartridge attaching section and a protrusion which fits to the guide groove may be provided in a toner cartridge. Hereinafter, description will be given for this embodiment using  FIG. 6 ,  FIGS. 7A through 7D ,  FIGS. 8A and 8B , and  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a multi-functional peripheral  100 B according to a second embodiment, and shows a state where an opening/closing door  111  is opened for attaching or replacing a toner cartridge  200 B. As to remaining portions excluding the toner cartridge  200 B and a toner cartridge attaching section  130 B, the multi-functional peripheral  100 B according to this embodiment is configured similarly to the multi-functional peripheral  100 A according to the first embodiment, so that the same reference numerals are given for the same components and repeated description is omitted. 
       FIGS. 7A through 7D  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge  200 B, and  FIG. 7A  is a top view of the toner cartridge  200 B,  FIG. 7B  is a front view of the toner cartridge  200 B,  FIG. 7C  is a left-side view of the toner cartridge  200 B, and  FIG. 7D  is a right-side view of the toner cartridge  200 B. Note that, in the toner cartridge  200 B according to this embodiment, for portions configured similarly to the toner cartridge  200 A according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and repeated description is omitted. 
     In the toner cartridge  200 B according to this embodiment, instead of a guide groove, a protrusion  215  is provided. In detail, protrusions  215  which protrude toward outside in a radial direction are provided respectively in portions which are in vicinities of end parts of an upstream side and a downstream side of an inserting direction X and which are the most upper ends when the toner cartridge  200 B is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B, in the outer circumferential surface  211  of the toner bottle  210 . 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B, and  FIG. 8A  is a top view of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B and  FIG. 8B  is a front view of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B. Note that, in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B according to this embodiment, for portions configured similarly to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and repeated description is omitted. In addition, in  FIG. 8A , a driving shaft  160  which is coupled with a coupling section  220  of the toner cartridge  200 B when the toner cartridge  200 B is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B is illustrated together. 
     In the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B according to this embodiment, instead of a protrusion, a guide groove  150  which extends along the attaching section axis direction and zigzags in a circumferential direction C2 around the central axis J2 is engraved in a right cylindrical inner circumferential surface  131 . 
     The guide groove  150  is engraved in an area which constitutes an upper half thereof in the right cylindrical inner circumferential surface  131 , and linearly extends along the attaching section axis direction with both end parts  150   a  and  150   b  thereof disposed in portions which constitute the most upper ends in the right cylindrical inner circumferential surface  131 . 
     The end part  150   a  which is disposed in the upstream side of the inserting direction X is formed so as to open in the upstream side of the inserting direction X in the insertion opening K, and an opening portion  150   c  thereof is formed so that a groove width thereof becomes wider as heading toward the upstream side of the inserting direction X. 
     On the other hand, the end part  150   b  which is disposed in the downstream side of the inserting direction X extends so as to stop at a position which is in slightly more upstream side of the inserting direction X from an end part in the downstream side of the inserting direction X in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B. Note that, the guide groove  150  is formed so as to have a same groove depth through the both end parts  150   a  and  150   b  thereof and so as to have a same width in a remaining portion excluding the opening portion  150   c.    
     Moreover, a middle part  150   d  between the both end parts  150   a  and  150   b  in the guide groove  150  includes, when viewed from above of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B (refer to  FIG. 8A ), a first linear portion  150   e  which linearly heads to one side of the circumferential direction C2 as heading to the upstream side of the inserting direction X, a second linear portion  150   f  which linearly heads to the other side of the circumferential direction C2 as heading to the upstream side of the inserting direction X, and a coupling portion  150   g  with which the first linear portion  150   e  and the second linear portion  150   f  are coupled, and the coupling portion  150   g  is smoothly coupled with the first linear portion  150   e  and the second linear portion  150   f  while drawing an arc. In addition, the middle part  150   d  is also smoothly coupled with each end part of  150   a  and  150   b  while drawing an arc. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in  FIG. 8B , and shows the toner cartridge  200 B in a process of insertion into the containing space S together. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the protrusion  215  is formed so as to have a size to fit in the guide groove  150  which is engraved in the inner circumferential surface  131  in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B for insertion of the toner cartridge  200 B into the containing space S. 
     In the multi-functional peripheral  100 B according to this embodiment, with the configuration described above, when the toner cartridge  200 B is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B, the toner cartridge  200 B is first inserted into the containing space S so that the protrusion  215  fits in the opening portion  150   c  of the guide groove  150 . 
     The toner cartridge  200 B is then to be inserted into the containing space S as being rotated toward one side and the other side of the circumferential direction C1 around the central axis J1 thereof, so that the protrusion  215  moves toward the downstream side of the inserting direction X while being guided by the guide groove  150 . 
     As described above, according to this embodiment, when the toner cartridge  200 B is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B, the toner cartridge  200 B is to be inserted into the containing space S while being shaken toward one side and the other side of the circumferential direction C1. 
     Accordingly, even in a case where a toner is contained in a compressed state inside a toner bottle  210 , by this shaking movement in the circumferential direction C1, the toner in the compressed state is disintegrated, making it possible to ease the compressed state. In this manner, in this embodiment, force applied by a user in order to insert the toner cartridge  200 B into the containing space S is able to be converted to force for disintegrating the toner. 
     This makes it possible to prevent applying large load to the conveying screw provided inside the toner bottle  210 , and thus to prevent a motor for rotationally driving the conveying screw from losing synchronism or being broken. 
     Moreover, according to this embodiment, every time when the toner cartridge  200 B is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B, the toner cartridge  200 B is to be shaken toward one side and the other side of the circumferential direction C1, so that the user is able to ease the compressed state of the toner in the toner bottle  210  without particularly paying attention or carrying out a special operation. 
     Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the opening portion  150   c  in the guide groove  150  is formed so that a groove width thereof becomes wider as heading toward the upstream side of the inserting direction X, making it possible that the protrusion  215  provided in the outer circumferential surface  211  of the toner cartridge  200 B easily fits to the opening portion  150   c  when the toner cartridge  200 B is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B. 
     In the second embodiment described above, though one guide groove  150  is engraved in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B, the number of guide grooves engraved in the toner cartridge attaching section may be more than one. Hereinafter, description will be given for this embodiment using  FIG. 10 ,  FIGS. 11A through 11C , and  FIGS. 12A and 12B . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a multi-functional peripheral  100 C according to a third embodiment, and shows a state where an opening/closing door  111  is opened for attaching or replacing a toner cartridge  200 C. As to remaining portions excluding the toner cartridge  200 C and a toner cartridge attaching section  130 C, the multi-functional peripheral  100 C according to this embodiment is configured similarly to the multi-functional peripheral  100 A according to the first embodiment, so that the same reference numerals are given for the same components and repeated description is omitted. 
       FIGS. 11A through 11C  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge  200 C, and  FIG. 11A  is a front view of the toner cartridge  200 C,  FIG. 11B  is a left-side view of the toner cartridge  200 C, and  FIG. 11C  is a right-side view of the toner cartridge  200 C. Note that, in the toner cartridge  200 C according to this embodiment, for portions configured similarly to the toner cartridge  200 B according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and repeated description is omitted. 
     In the toner cartridge  200 C according to this embodiment, protrusions  215  which protrude toward outside in a radial direction are provided respectively in portions which are in vicinities of end parts of an upstream side and a downstream side of an inserting direction X and which are in a center part of a perpendicular direction when the toner cartridge  200 C is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C, in an outer circumferential surface  211  of a toner bottle  210 . 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C, and  FIG. 12A  is a front view of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C and  FIG. 12B  is a rear view of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C. Note that, in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C according to this embodiment, for portions configured similarly to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 B according to the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and repeated description is omitted. In addition, in  FIG. 12A , a driving shaft  160  which is coupled with a coupling section  220  of the toner cartridge  200 C when the toner cartridge  200 C is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C is illustrated together. 
     In the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C according to this embodiment, in a right cylindrical inner circumferential surface  131 , guide grooves  150  which extend along an attaching section axis direction and zigzags in a circumferential direction C2 around a central axis J2 are engraved on both sides of one side and the other side with respect to a virtual plane which includes the central axis J2 of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C and is parallel to a vertical direction. That is, two guide grooves  150  are engraved in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C. 
     Then, one of the guide grooves  150  is engraved so as to be rotationally symmetric to the other guide groove  150  with respect to the central axis J2.  FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , and shows the toner cartridge  200 C in a process of insertion into the containing space S together. 
     As above, even in a case where the number of the guide grooves  150  engraved in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 C is more than one, an effect similar to an effect which is able to be attained in the second embodiment is able to be attained. 
     Note that, in each of the embodiments described above, a middle part in a guide groove is configured with a first linear portion which linearly heads to one side of a circumferential direction as heading to an upstream side of an inserting direction X, a second linear portion which linearly heads to the other side of the circumferential direction as heading to the upstream side of the inserting direction X, and a coupling portion with which the first linear portion and the second linear portion are smoothly coupled while drawing an arc, however, the configuration is not limited thereto and may be made in a rectangular wave shape with a portion which extends in parallel to the circumferential direction and a portion which extends in parallel to an axis direction. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a multi-functional peripheral  100 D according to a fourth embodiment, and shows a state where an opening/closing door  111  is opened for attaching or replacing a toner cartridge  200 D. As to remaining portions excluding the toner cartridge  200 D and a toner cartridge attaching section  130 D, the multi-functional peripheral  100 D according to this embodiment is configured similarly to the multi-functional peripheral  100 A according to the first embodiment, so that the same reference numerals are given for the same components and repeated description is omitted. 
       FIGS. 15A through 15C  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge  200 D, and  FIG. 15A  is a front view of the toner cartridge  200 C,  FIG. 15B  is a left-side view of the toner cartridge  200 D, and  FIG. 15C  is a right-side view of the toner cartridge  200 D. Note that, in the toner cartridge  200 D according to this embodiment, for portions configured similarly to the toner cartridge  200 A according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and repeated description is omitted. 
     In this embodiment, the toner cartridge  200 D is an angular hollow cylindrical container whose both ends are blocked, and includes a toner bottle  240  having a toner, which is a developer, contained inside and a coupling section  220  which protrudes outside from the toner bottle  240 . 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 15A through 15C , a concavo-convex section  242  in which a concave and a convex are formed continuously along a bottle axis direction is provided in an angular cylindrical outer circumferential surface  241  in the toner bottle  240  of the toner cartridge  200 D. 
     In the angular cylindrical outer circumferential surface  241 , the concavo-convex section  242  is provided so as to protrude from a bottom part  241   a  which is a portion constituting a lower end when the toner cartridge  200 D is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D, and the concavo-convex section  242  is configured by a pair of concavo-convex rails  243  which extends along the bottle axis direction in this embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15A , the concavo-convex rail  243  is formed so that concaves and convexes, which are in a serrated shape, continue along the bottle axis direction. When focusing on a unit  244  constituting a concave and a convex in the serrated shape, a first inclined portion  244   a  which is inclined in a direction separating from the bottom part  241   a  as heading to an upstream side of an inserting direction X, a second inclined portion  244   b  which is positioned in the upstream side of the inserting direction X from the first inclined portion  244   a  and is inclined in a direction approaching to the bottom part  241   a  as heading to the upstream side of the inserting direction X, and a coupling portion  244   c  with which the first inclined portion  244   a  and the second inclined portion  244   b  are smoothly coupled in a carved manner are included, and the second inclined portion  244   b  is formed so as to be inclined at a sharper angle than the first inclined portion  244   a.    
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  are views schematically showing a configuration of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D, and  FIG. 16A  is a front view of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D and  FIG. 16B  is a cross sectional view taken along the line B-B in  FIG. 16A .  FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view showing a state where the toner cartridge  200 D is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D. Note that, in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D according to this embodiment, for portions configured similarly to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 A according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and repeated description is omitted. 
     The toner cartridge attaching section  130 D is a portion to which the toner cartridge  200 D is attached in the apparatus main body  110 , and defines the containing space S in which the toner cartridge  200 D is contained in an attached state and the insertion opening K which leads to the containing space S for inserting the toner cartridge  200 D into the containing space S. The toner cartridge attaching section  130 D is configured by including an angular cylindrical inner circumferential surface  161  which is larger than the outer circumferential surface  241  of the toner bottle  240 . 
     The inner circumferential surface  161  includes an upper wall part  161   a  and a bottom wall part  161   b  which are provided so as to be perpendicular with respect to the vertical direction and side wall parts  161   c  which are provided so as to be parallel to the vertical direction, and formed so that a distance H2 between the upper wall part  161   a  and the bottom wall part  161   b  is larger than a height dimension H1 of the toner cartridge  200 D (refer to  FIG. 15A ). 
     As sown in  FIG. 17 , the bottom wall part  161   b  is a portion on which the bottom part  241   a  of the toner bottle  240  is placed when the toner cartridge  200 D is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D, that is, a portion which is in surface contact with the bottom part  241   a  of the toner bottle  240 , and a grooved part  161   d  to which each of the concavo-convex rails  243  provided so as to protrude in the bottom part  241   a  of the toner bottle  240  fits when the toner cartridge  200 D is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D is formed respectively on both sides of the bottom wall part  161   b  when viewed in an attaching section axis direction. 
     These two grooved parts  161   d  are provided so that a distance W2 therebetween is smaller than a distance W1 between the pair of the concavo-convex rails  243  in the toner cartridge  200 D (refer to  FIG. 15B ). 
     Moreover, in each grooved part  161   d , a kick-up rib  162  is provided at a position in a vicinity of the insertion opening K. The kick-up rib  162  is a protrusion which protrudes upward from a bottom part of the grooved part  161   d  and formed so that an upper end part thereof is flush with the bottom wall part  161   b.    
       FIGS. 18A through 18C  are views for explaining a process that the toner cartridge  200 D is inserted into the containing space S of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D. In the multi-functional peripheral  100 D according to this embodiment, with the configuration described above, when the toner cartridge  200 D is inserted into the containing space S of the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D, the insertion is to be performed such that the upper end part of the kick-up rib  162  provided in the grooved part  161   d  traces a lower surface of the concavo-convex rail  243  provided so as to protrude in the bottom part  241   a  of the toner bottle  240 . 
     That is, when the toner cartridge  200 D is inserted more in the inserting direction X from a state where the upper end part of the kick-up rib  162  is in contact with a lower surface of the coupling portion  244   c  in the concavo-convex rail  243 , the upper end part of the kick-up rib  162  fits between the second inclined portion  244   b  and the first inclined portion  244   a  as shown in  FIG. 18B . 
     In this process, the toner cartridge  200 D falls downward by a height of the concavo-convex rail  243  (a distance between the bottom part  241   a  of the toner bottle  240  and the coupling portion  244   c ) and collides with the upper end part of the kick-up rib  162 , resulting in that an impact is applied. 
     Then, when the toner cartridge  200 D is inserted more in the inserting direction X from a state where the upper end part of the kick-up rib  162  fits between the second inclined portion  244   b  and the first inclined portion  244   a , the upper end part of the kick-up rib  162  is guided to a lower surface of the first inclined portion  244   a  to be in contact with a lower surface of the next coupling portion  244   c  as shown in  FIG. 18C . 
     As above, according to this embodiment, when the toner cartridge  200 D is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D, the toner cartridge  200 D is to be inserted into the containing space S while being applied with a continuous impact by the kick-up rib  162 . 
     Accordingly, even in a case where a toner is contained in a compressed state inside the toner bottle  240 , due to the impact applied by the kick-up rib  162 , the toner in the compressed state is disintegrated, making it possible to ease the compressed state. In this manner, in this embodiment, force applied by a user in order to insert the toner cartridge  200 D into the containing space S is able to be converted to force for disintegrating the toner. 
     This makes it possible to prevent applying large load to the conveying screw provided inside the toner bottle  240 , and thus to prevent a motor for rotationally driving the conveying screw from losing synchronism or being broken. 
     Moreover, according to this embodiment, every time when the toner cartridge  200 D is attached to the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D, the toner cartridge  200 D is to be applied an impact by the kick-up rib  162 , so that the user is able to ease the compressed state of the toner in the toner bottle  240  without particularly paying attention or carrying out a special operation. 
     In the fourth embodiment described above, though the concavo-convex section  242  is provided in the toner cartridge  200 D and the kick-up rib  162  is formed in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D, on the contrary, as shown in  FIG. 19A  and  FIG. 19B , a concavo-convex section  242  may be provided in a toner cartridge attaching section  130 E and a kick-up rib  162  may be formed in a toner cartridge  200 E. 
     Moreover, in the fourth embodiment, two grooved parts  161   d  are formed in both sides of the bottom wall part  161   b  in the toner cartridge attaching section  130 D and the pair of the concavo-convex rails  243  are correspondingly provided so as to protrude in the bottom part  241   a  of the toner bottle  240  in the toner cartridge  200 D, however, not being limited thereto, a configuration may be made so that one grooved part is formed in a center of a bottom wall part in a toner cartridge attaching section and one concavo-convex rail is correspondingly provided so as to protrude in a bottom part of a toner bottle in a toner cartridge. 
     The technology may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the technology being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.