Patent Publication Number: US-8538290-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus with detachable constituent component and holding part

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-060967 filed on Mar. 17, 2010. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. 
     2. Related Art 
     Some of image forming apparatuses such as printers and photocopiers which form images adopt a mechanism which is linked with an opening/closing cover provided on a main body of the apparatus so as to change states of a constituent component (a detachable constituent component) which is placed in an interior of the main body in accordance with an opening or closing operation of the opening/closing cover. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a detachable constituent component, an opening/closing part, a holding part and a connection part. The apparatus main body includes an opening portion. The detachable constituent component is detachably mounted in an interior of the apparatus main body through the opening portion. The opening/closing part opens/closes the opening portion of the apparatus main body when the detachable component is attached/detached. The holding part holds the detachable constituent component so that the detachable component is displaced to a detachment operating position and primary and secondary mounting completed positions as a result of link with opening/closing operations of the opening/closing part. The holding part changes positions between the primary mounting completed position and the secondary completed position by being moved in the interior of the apparatus main body. The connection part is provided on the opening/closing part and in which a guide groove is formed which guides a projecting portion provided on the holding part when the detachable constituent component is being displaced from the detachment operating position to the primary or secondary mounting completed position. The guide groove of the connection part includes a narrow portion through which the projecting portion is caused to pass while the detachable constituent component is being displaced from the detachment operating position to the primary or secondary mounting completed position. The narrow portion has a groove width which is narrower than an outer dimension of the projecting portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic sectional view showing a main part of the image forming apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional view showing one state (a state in which an opening/closing cover is opened) of the image forming apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view showing a belt cleaner, a developer recovery container and a mounting and holding frame of the developer recovery container in the image forming apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  show explanatory diagrams showing a displacement mechanism of an intermediate transfer unit, of which  FIG. 5A  shows a state of a displacement position at the time of a full color mode, and  FIG. 5B  shows a state of a displacement position at the time of a monochrome mode; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing configurations of an opening/closing cover, the developer recovery container and the mounting and holding frame; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a state in which the configurations of the opening/closing cover, the developer recovery container and the mounting and holding frame shown in  FIG. 6  are viewed from a different direction; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a state in which the developer recovery container and a movable holder are displaced to a mounting completed position; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a state of the developer recovery container and the mounting and holding frame thereof (a state in which the developer recovery container is removed); 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  show perspective views of the developer recovery container, of which  FIG. 10A  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the developer recovery container when an opening/closing shutter is in a position where it closes opening portions, and  FIG. 10B  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the developer recovery container when the opening/closing shutter is in a position where it opens the opening portions; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the developer recovery container and the mounting and holding frame which is exploded; 
         FIG. 12  shows explanatory sectional views of the developer recovery container and the mounting and holding frame which are taken along the line Q-Q in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows explanatory sectional views of the developer recovery container and the mounting and holding frame which are taken along the line Q-Q in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 14  shows explanatory sectional views of the developer recovery container and the mounting and holding frame which are taken along the line Q-Q in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view showing a state of the opening/closing cover, the developer recovery container, the mounting and holding frame and a connection frame at the time of the full color mode; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view showing a state of the opening/closing cover, the developer recovery container, the mounting and holding frame and a connection frame at the time of the monochrome mode; 
         FIG. 17  is a front view showing a configuration of the connection frame; 
         FIG. 18  is a front view showing a connection frame having a different configuration; 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  show explanatory diagrams showing an opening operation of the opening/closing cover and a displaced state of the movable holder at the time of the full color mode, of which  FIG. 19A  shows a state of an intermediate stage of the opening operation, and  FIG. 19B  shows a state in which the opening/closing cover is opened fully and the movable holder is displaced to a detaching operation position; 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  show explanatory diagrams showing a closing operation of the opening/closing cover and a displaced state of the movable holder at the time of the full color mode, of which  FIG. 20A  shows a state of an intermediate stage of the closing operation, and  FIG. 20B  shows a state in which the opening/closing cover is closed fully and the movable holder is displaced to a first mounting completed position; 
         FIGS. 21A and 21B  show explanatory diagrams showing an opening operation of the opening/closing cover and a displaced state of the movable holder at the time of the monochrome mode, of which  FIG. 21A  shows a state of an intermediate stage of the opening operation, and  FIG. 21B  shows a state in which the opening/closing cover is opened fully and the movable holder is displaced to a detaching operation position; and 
         FIGS. 22A and 22B  show explanatory diagrams showing a closing operation of the opening/closing cover and a displaced state of the movable holder at the time of the monochrome mode, of which  FIG. 22A  shows a state of an intermediate stage of the closing operation, and  FIG. 22B  shows a state in which the opening/closing cover is closed fully and the movable holder is displaced to a second mounting completed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter, referred to simply as an “exemplary embodiment”) will be described by reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIGS. 1 to 3  show an image forming apparatus  1  according to a first exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the image thrilling apparatus  1 ,  FIG. 2  is a sectional view showing a main part of the image forming apparatus, and  FIG. 3  is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the image forming apparatus  1  (a state in which a developer recovery container is mounted or removed by opening one of opening/closing covers). 
     The image forming apparatus  1  has an apparatus main body  10  which includes a support member, an exterior covering and the like. A sheet feeding unit  40  is disposed at a lower portion of the apparatus main body  10 . This sheet feeding unit  40  stores recording sheets  9  as recording media on which images are to be formed and feeds them. A sheet discharge and accumulation part  11  is formed at an upper portion of the apparatus main body  10 . Sheets on which images have been formed are discharged and accumulated on to the sheet discharge and accumulation part  11 . 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and the like, part of the apparatus main body which configures the sheet discharge and accumulation part  11  is configured as an upper opening/closing portion  13  which swings outwards about a first hinge (shall)  12  as a fulcrum to open part of the upper portion of the apparatus main body  10 . A lateral side portion which configures one lateral side of the apparatus main body  10  (a lateral side making a front side of the apparatus) is, as will be described later, configured as a side opening/closing portion  15  which swings outwards via a second hinge  14  to open. In addition, the upper opening/closing portion  13  is configured as a plate-like opening/closing cover  16  which can be opened when a removal operation of a developer recovery container ( 6 ) is performed at the part which constitutes the sheet discharge and accumulation part  11 . As will be described later, the opening/closing cover  16  swings about a shaft  17  which is positioned slightly spaced away therefrom via a support arm  161  so as to open or close. In  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  19  denotes a control panel portion where control knobs, a display portion and the like are disposed. In  FIG. 2 , reference numeral  18  denotes an opening portion in the apparatus main body  10  which is opened or closed by the opening/closing cover  16 . 
     The sheet feeding unit  40  has a sheet storage member  41  which stores a pile of recording sheets  9  which are laid one on top of another. The sheet storage member  41  is constructed so as to be pulled out from a front side of the apparatus main body  10  (In  FIG. 2 , a left-hand side of the apparatus main body  10 : in a direction indicated by an arrow attached to a dotted line), and recording sheets  9  are refilled into the sheet storage member  41  which is pulled out of the sheet feeding unit  40 . A feed roller  42  is disposed above one end portion of the sheet storage member  41  so as to contact a topmost sheet of the pile of recording sheets  9 . A separation roller  43  is disposed opposite the feed roller  42 . 
     In the sheet feeding unit  40 , the topmost sheet of the pile of recording sheets stored in the sheet storage member  41  is fed out by the feed roller  42  and is then separated from a recording sheet lying underneath the topmost sheet by the separation roller  43  in cooperation with the feed roller  43 . Sheets  9  are sent out sheet by sheet in this way by the feed roller  42  and the separation roller  43 . The sheet  9  so sent out is temporarily stopped by a transport adjusting roller  44  and is then transported between an intermediate transfer unit  30 , which will be described later, and a secondary transfer unit  37  (a secondary transfer position) at a required timing. 
     Image forming units  20  as image forming means, the intermediate transfer unit  30 , the secondary transfer unit  37 , a fixing unit  50  and the like are disposed in an interior of a housing which is configured by the apparatus main body  10 . The image forming units  20  include four image forming units  20 Y,  20 M,  20 C,  20 K which form developer (toner) images of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K), respectively. The image forming units  20  (Y, M, C, K) in the first exemplary embodiment are disposed in such a state that their positions get higher gradually (or inclined) in the order of black, cyan, magenta and yellow, excluding an optical writing unit ( 24 ), which will be described later. 
     The image forming units  20  (Y, M, C, K) include photosensitive drum units  21  (Y, M, C, K) which are detachably mounted in the apparatus main body  10  for use, the optical writing unit  24  as a latent image forming means and a plurality of developing units  25  (Y, M, C, K). Each of the photosensitive drum units  21  (Y, M, C, K) is configured as an easily detachable component by integrating a photosensitive drum  22  which rotates in a required direction, a charger  23  for charging a surface (a photosensitive layer) of the photosensitive drum  22  to a required potential and a cleaner  29  for removing unnecessary substances such as toner which remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum  22  into a single unit, as is shown in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 2 , the charger  23  and the cleaner  29  are shown on the black photosensitive drum unit  21 K only to represent the four photosensitive drum units  21 . 
     In any of the photosensitive drum units  21  (Y, M, C, K), the photosensitive drum  22  is mounted rotatably in an interior of a housing-like unit main body which is opened partially. In addition, in the interior of the unit main body, a charging roller as the charger  23  is mounted so as to be driven while being in contact with the surface (a circumferential surface) of the photosensitive drum  22 , and an elastic blade as the cleaner  29  is mounted so as to be in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum  22 . The photosensitive drum  22  is made to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow by a rotating force transmitted thereto from a driving unit, not shown, in such a state that the drum unit  21  is mounted in the apparatus main body  10 . 
     In each photosensitive drum unit  21 , the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum  22  is charged to a desired potential by the charger  23 , and the surface of the photosensitive drum  22  is cleaned by the cleaner  29  after a primary transfer, which will be described later, has been performed thereon. A vacant space existing below a unit main body  210  is made use of as a recovery space where to recover unnecessary substances such as toner removed by the cleaner  29 . Reference numeral  229  in  FIG. 2  denotes a developer recovery container where to recover residual developer that is discharged from each developing unit  25 . 
     The optical writing unit  24  is disposed in a position lying below the four image forming units  20  (Y, M, C, K). The optical writing unit  24  includes a light source such as a semiconductor laser and optical components such as lenses and mirrors which guide light emitted from the light source to the photosensitive drums  22  for scanning in an interior of a housing which is shielded so as not to transmit light, the light source and the optical components not being shown in the figure. In the optical writing unit  24 , light of each color component (indicated by a chain line with an arrow) that is produced based on image information is shone on to the charged photosensitive drum  22  in each photosensitive drum unit  21  to thereby form a latent image of each color. Light exit portions, not shown, are formed in an upper side of the housing of the optical writing unit  24  so as to match light shining positions of the respective photosensitive drums  22  so that light that forms latent images is emitted to the light shining positions. 
     The developing units  25  (Y, M, C, K) are disposed so that they exist between the photosensitive drum units  21  (Y, M, C, K) and the optical writing unit  24 . Each of the developing units  25  has a developing roller  26  which rotates in such a state that the developing roller  26  faces the corresponding photosensitive drum  22  with a required space provided therebetween. The developing unit  25  holds a developer of a required color component on its developing roller  26  and supplies the developer to a development zone which faces the corresponding photosensitive drum  22  to develop (visualize) an electrostatic latent image that is formed on the corresponding photosensitive drum  22  by the developer. Namely, this process is done at each developing unit to form four toner images of the respective colors which are made up of the respective developers (toners). The corresponding developer is supplied to each developing unit  25  from a corresponding developer supply unit, not shown, depending upon consumption of the developer. 
     The intermediate transfer unit  30  has an endless intermediate transfer belt  31  on to whose outer circumferential surface the toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums  22  of the image forming units  20  (Y, M, C, K) are transferred, a plurality of support rollers  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c ,  32   d ,  32   e  which extend the intermediate transfer belt  31  so as to be wound therearound in a contact state and rotate the same belt in a direction indicated by an arrow, and primary transfer units  33  which primarily transfer the toner images on the respective photosensitive drums  22  to the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt  31 . 
     In the plurality of support rollers, the support roller  32   b  is a drive roller to which a rotating force is transmitted from a rotating drive unit, not shown, so as to rotate the intermediate transfer belt  31  in the direction indicated by the arrow. The primary transfer units  33  are disposed so as to be brought into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt  31  to press the outer circumferential surface of the belt  31  against respective surfaces of the photosensitive drums  22  and are made up of primary transfer rollers  33  to which a primary transfer bias voltage is applied. 
     In addition, as is shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , a belt cleaner  35  is mounted on the intermediate transfer unit  30  for removing unnecessary substances such as toner remaining the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt  31 . The belt cleaner  35  includes an elastic blade  35   a  which is attached to its cleaner main body (a housing)  350  so as to be brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt  31  to scrape unnecessary substances such as toner thereof for removal. The elastic blade  35   a  is disposed so as to be brought into contact with an outer circumferential surface portion of the intermediate transfer belt  31  which is supported by the support roller  32   c  (strictly speaking, an overall area in a direction which indicates a width W 1  which is at right angles to the rotating direction of the belt  31 ). 
     In addition, as is shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and the like, a developer recovery container  6  is added to the belt cleaner  35  for recovering the unnecessary substances such as toner which are removed by the elastic blade  35   a . Because of this, the belt cleaner  35  includes a transport member  36  which transports the unnecessary substances such as toner which are removed by the elastic blade  35   a  to hand them over into the developer recovery container  6  through a discharge port  351  that is formed in the cleaner main body  350 . The discharge port  351  is formed as an opening portion having a length which is substantially the same as the width W 1  of the intermediate transfer belt  31 . The transport member  36  is such that an elastic sheet  36   b  is attached to a rotating shall  36   a  which rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow in such a stale that one end of the elastic sheet  36   b  constitutes a free end, for example. This transport member  36  rotates about the rotating shaft  36   a  in the direction indicated by the arrow to thereby transport the unnecessary substances such as toner that is recovered by the elastic sheet  36  towards the discharge port  351 . Incidentally, the developer recovery container  6  is detachably mounted in a mounting and holding frame  7  for use. The details of the developer recovery container  6  and the mounting and holding frame  7  will be described later. 
     The intermediate transfer unit  30  (including the belt cleaner  35 ) is integrally attached to a rear surface side of the upper opening/closing portion  13  which constitutes a part of the sheet discharge and accumulation part  11 . By adopting this configuration, the intermediate transfer unit  30  swings about the primary hinge  12  as a fulcrum so as to be displaced to a position which is shifted outwards of the apparatus main body  10  when the upper opening/closing portion  13  is operated to open. By this intermediate transfer unit  30  being shifted outwards of the apparatus main body  10 , the four photosensitive drum units  21  are exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body  10 , whereby the photosensitive drum units  21  can easily be dismounted from the apparatus main body  10  for replacement or refill of toners. 
     The secondary transfer unit  37  secondarily transfers the toner images which are primarily transferred on to the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt  31  on to a recording sheet  9 . The secondary transfer unit  37  is disposed so as to be brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of a portion of the intermediate transfer belt  31  which is wound around the support roller  32   b  that functions as the drive roller to thereby be driven to rotate and is made up of a secondary transfer roller  37  to which a secondary transfer bias voltage is applied. When forming an image, a toner image made up of the toner images of the plurality of colors which are stacked one on top of another on the intermediate transfer belt  31  or a toner image of a single color is primarily transferred to the secondary transfer roller  37 . 
     The fixing unit  50  fixes the toner image that has been secondarily transferred on to the recording sheet  9  and which has not yet been fixed to the recording sheet  9  and is disposed in a position which lies above the secondary transfer unit  37 . The fixing unit  50  includes a heating rotary member  51  that has a fixing surface which is heated to a required temperature by a heating unit and which takes a roller form or a belt form and a pressing rotary member  52  that defines a fixing part which is brought into contact with the fixing surface of the heating rotary member  51  under a required pressure to allow the passage of the recording sheet  9  having the unfixed toner image (an object to be fixed) and which takes a roller form or a belt form. The recording sheet  9  having the unfixed toner image is caused to pass through a fixing process portion defined between the heating rotary member  51  and the pressing rotary member  52  to thereby be heated and pressed, whereby the unfixed toner image is fused so as to be fixed on to the recording sheet  9 . 
     In addition to a primary transport path PR 1  along which the recording sheet  9  is transported, a reverse transport path PR 2  is formed in the interior of the apparatus main body  10 . Incidentally, in the apparatus main body  10 , a portion which is disposed outwards of the reverse transport path PR 2  and the exterior covering are divided along the reverse transport path PR 2  and a portion of the exterior covering member that is so divided is configured as a side opening/closing portion  15  which swings outwards via a secondary hinge  14  to open. In addition, the opening operation of the upper opening/closing portion  13  which constitutes part of the sheet discharge and accumulation part  11  is performed after the side opening/closing portion  15  is put in W an open state. 
     The primary transport path PR 1  is used to transport the recording sheet  9  supplied from the sheet feeding unit  40  to the transfer and fixing positions of toner images and to discharge the recording sheet  9  on to which the image is formed and fixed into the sheet discharge and accumulation part  11 . A discharge roller  45  is disposed between the fixing unit  50  on the primary transport path PR 1  and a discharge port  11   a  which is formed directly before the sheet discharge and accumulation part  11 . 
     The reverse transport path PR 2  is a transport path that is used to transport again the recording sheet  9  on one side of which the image is formed to a secondary transfer position which is part of the image forming part in such a state that the recording sheet  9  is turned inside out. For example, two transport rollers  46 ,  47  are disposed on a portion of the reverse transport path PR 2  which extends from the discharge roller  45  to a position which lies directly before the transport adjusting roller  44  and where the reverse transport path PR 2  merges into the primary transport path PR 1 . In this reverse transport path PR 2 , the discharge roller  45  is caused to rotate reversely at a point in time when a rear end portion of the recording sheet  9  on which the image is formed is pinched by the discharge roller  45 , so that the recording sheet  9  is transported so as to be handed over to the transport rollers  46 ,  47  sequentially and is eventually transported to an upstream position of the transport adjusting roller  44 . 
     A power supply unit  55  is disposed in the interior of the apparatus main body. A required voltage (current) is applied from the power supply unit  55  to objects to be electrically fed such as the charger  23 , the image writing unit  24 , the developing rollers  26  of the developing units  25 , the primary transfer rollers  33 , the secondary roller  37  and the fixing unit  50 . 
     In this image forming apparatus  1 , the photosensitive drum units  21  (Y, M, C, K) are mounted or removed therefrom with the upper opening/closing portion  13  kept opened. The side opening/closing portion  15  is opened before the upper opening/closing portion  13  is opened. With the upper opening/closing portion  13  kept opened, the photosensitive drum units  21  (Y, M, C, K) are exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus  1 , whereby the photosensitive drum units  21  are lifted upwards to be removed therefrom for maintenance or replacement. In addition, the developer recovery unit  6  is mounted or removed from the image forming apparatus  1  after the opening/closing cover  16 , which constitutes part of the upper opening/closing portion  13 , is put in an opened state as will be described later ( FIG. 3 ). 
     The image forming apparatus  1  can form a full color image by use of the developers (toners) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K), as well as a black and white image by use of the developer of black (K). 
     Here, in the case of an image forming operation for forming a full color image (a full color mode), all the respective photosensitive drums  22  (Y, M, C, K) of the photosensitive drum units  21  (Y, M, C, K) are caused to rotate, and toner images of the respective colors are formed on the corresponding photosensitive drum units  21 . Thereafter, the respective toner images are primarily transferred on to the intermediate transfer belt  31  which passes by the photosensitive drums  21  in such a state that the intermediate transfer belt  31  is in contact with the surfaces of the drums  21  by being pressed thereagainst from the inside thereof by the primary transfer rollers  33  so that the toner images are superimposed one on top of another, and the resulting toner image which is made up of the plurality of colors is then secondarily transferred on to the recording sheet  9 . On the other hand, in the case of an image forming operation for forming a black and white image (a monochrome mode), the photosensitive drum  22  of black (K) is caused to rotate, and a toner image of black (K) is formed and primarily transferred on to the intermediate transfer belt  31  and the resulting toner image is finally secondarily transferred on to the recording sheet  9 . However, in the monochrome mode, the other photosensitive drums  22  (Y, M, C) than the photosensitive drum  22  (K) which are not involved in forming the monochrome toner image are not caused to rotated. Because of this, in the image forming apparatus  1 , a withdrawal mechanism is adopted which keeps the intermediate transfer belt  31  spaced apart from the surfaces of the photosensitive drums  21  (Y, M, C) which are kept stationary without rotating in the monochrome mode. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 A and  5 B, in this withdrawal mechanism, the support rollers  32   c ,  32   d ,  32   e  which support the intermediate transfer belt  31  which is part of the constituent components of the intermediate transfer unit  30  and the primary transfer rollers  33  (Y, M, C) of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) are disposed on a movable frame  38  which swings in directions indicated by arrows B 1 , B 2  about a pivot shaft  38   a  which is fixed to the apparatus main body  10 . The movable frame  38  is supported by a cam  39  at its free end  38   b  and swings in the directions indicated by the arrows B 1 , B 2  about the pivot shaft  38   a  by the cam  39  rotating by a predetermined angle about a pivot shall  39   a.    
     Consequently, when the full color mode is selected, the withdrawal mechanism keeps the movable frame  38  in such a state that the same frame  38  is not swung in the direction indicated by the arrow B 1  by the cam  39  as is shown in  FIG. 5A , whereby the intermediate transfer belt  31  is kept in such a state that the same belt  31  is in contact with all the surfaces of the photosensitive drums  22  (Y, M, C, K). On the other hand, when the monochrome mode is selected, the withdrawal mechanism keeps the movable frame  38  in such a state that the same frame  38  is swung in the direction indicated by the arrow B 1  by the cam  39  being rotated through a required angle as is shown in  FIG. 5B , whereby the intermediate transfer belt  31  is kept from being brought into contact with any of the surfaces of the photosensitive drums  22  (Y, M, C, K) (or is kept in a withdrawn state). 
     Incidentally, this withdrawal mechanism keeps the intermediate transfer belt  31  in the mode (the full color mode or the monochrome mode) that was selected directly before the following image forming operation is performed, provided that no switching between the modes occurs in the following image forming operation. In addition, in the image forming apparatus  1 , the belt cleaner  35 , the developer recovery container  6  and the mounting and holding frame  7  of the same container  6  are placed on the movable frame  38 . Because of this, as is shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , when the movable frame  38  is displaced in the directions indicated by the arrows B 1 , B 2 , there are produced the mounting completed positions which are different from each other depending upon the position of the movable frame  38 ; the mounting completed position (a primary mounting completed position) when the full color mode is selected and the mounting completed position (a secondary mounting completed position) when the monochrome mode is selected ( FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  15 ,  16 ). 
     Next, the developer recovery container  6  and the mounting and holding frame  7  thereof will be described. 
       FIGS. 6 to 11  are perspective views showing the developer recovery container  6  and the mounting and holding frame  7  thereof.  FIG. 6  shows a state in which the developer recovery container  6  is displaced to a detachable position where the developer recovery container  6  detaches as a result of link with an opening operation of the opening/closing cover  16 .  FIG. 7  shows a state in which the state in  FIG. 6  is seen from a different angle or viewpoint.  FIG. 8  shows a state of the developer recovery container  6  and the mounting and holding frame  7  which results when the opening/closing cover  16  is closed.  FIG. 9  shows a state in which the developer recovery container  6  is removed from the mounting and holding frame  7 .  FIGS. 10A and 10B  show states in which a shutter of the developer recovery container  6  is opened and closed.  FIG. 11  shows a state of the developer recovery container  6  and the mounting and holding frame  7  with the later exploded. 
     The developer recovery container  6  is held so as to be displaced between a detachment operating position where the developer recovery container  6  is detached from the mounting and holding frame  7  ( FIGS. 6 ,  13 ,  19 B,  21 B) and a mounting completed position where the developer recovery container  6  is completely mounted on the mounting and holding frame  7  ( FIGS. 8 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ) with respect to the mounting and holding frame  7 . In this image forming apparatus  1 , as is shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  15 , the opening/closing cover  16  and part of the mounting and holding frame  7  are connected by a connecting frame  8 . By adopting this configuration, the mounting and holding frame  7  which holds the developer recovery container  6  is displaced between the detachment operating position and the mounting completed position as a result of link with an opening or closing operation of the opening/closing cover  16  ( FIGS. 19A to 22B ). The connecting frame  8  and the operation of the mounting and holding frame  7  linked with the operation of the opening/closing cover  16  will be described in detail later. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  12  to  14 , the developer recovery container  6  has a container main body  61  which includes an accommodating portion  62  which accommodates unnecessary substances (mainly toner) such as developers T that are removed by the belt cleaner  35  for recovery and opening portions  63  which allow the passage of unnecessary substances such as developers T, an opening/closing shutter  64  functioning as a lid which moves over the opening portions to open or close the opening portions  63  and a transport member  65  which transports developers T which are taken into the accommodating portion  62 . 
     The accommodating portion  62  of the container main body  61  includes a primary accommodating portion  62 A having a substantially circular section which first accommodates unnecessary substances such as toner that are transported from the belt cleaner  35 , a secondary accommodating portion  62 B having a substantially rectangular section which finally accommodates the unnecessary substances such as toner that are accommodated in the primary accommodating portion  62 A and a connecting space portion  62 C which connects the primary accommodating portion  62 A and the secondary connecting portion  62 B to each other in a position lying thereabove. The accommodating portion  62 A has a long box-like shape which has a width that is almost the same as that of the cleaner main body  350 . A transparent detection container  621  is provided at a longitudinal end portion of the secondary accommodating portion  62 B so as to project outwards. As is shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  9 , the detection container  621  is a transparent container which is disposed so as to project outwards from a bottom side of the secondary accommodating portion  62 B. Part of the unnecessary substances such as toner that is accommodated in the secondary accommodating portion  62 B is accommodated in the detection container  621  to detect whether or not the secondary accommodating portion  62 B is filled with unnecessary substances such as toners T by a fullness detector, not shown. 
     The opening portions  63  are formed in portions of a lateral side portion of the primary accommodating portion  62 A of the container main body  61  which are located closer to a lower portion of the lateral side portion. The opening portions  63  may only have to be located in any position, provided that the opening portions  63  face connecting opening portions ( 72 ) of the mounting and holding frame  7  in a stage in which the developer recovery container  6  is rotated for complete mounting in the mounting and holding frame  7 . The opening portions  63  in the first exemplary embodiment have substantially the same width as that of the discharge port  351  of the cleaner main body  350  of the bell cleaner  35  and are formed so as to divide a whole opening of the container main body  61  into three equally ( FIG. 10B ). Elastic seal materials  66  are affixed to respective peripheral portions of the opening portions  63  of the container main body  61  for closing gaps defined between circumferential portions of the opening portions  63  of the container main body  61  and the opening/closing shutter  64  ( FIG. 10B ). 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  12 , the opening/closing shutter  64  has a narrow elongated plate-like shape which is shaped and sized so as to close the opening portions  63 . In the first exemplary embodiment, the opening/closing shutter  64  is a substantially rectangular plate-like member which can cover all the three equally divided opening portions. An inner side of the opening/closing shutter  64  which faces the opening portions  63  has a curved shape ( FIG. 12 ). As is shown in  FIGS. 10A to 12 , an insertion projecting portion  64   b  having a wedge-shaped section is formed at a longitudinal end portion of the opening/closing shutter  64  so as to extend in a straight line along its longitudinal direction. This insertion projecting portion  64   b  is fitted in a positioning groove portion ( 78 ) which fixes a mounting position of the opening/closing shutter  64  when the developer recovery container  6  is mounted in (a container holding portion  71  of) the mounting and holding frame  7 . The positioning groove portion ( 78 ) will be described later. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the opening/closing shutter  64  is mounted so as to move with respect to the container main body  61  between a position where the opening/closing shutter  64  closes the opening portions  63  ( FIG. 10A ) and a position where the same shutter  64  opens the opening portions  63  ( FIG. 10B ). Because of this, the opening/closing shutter  64  includes end portion attachment portions  64   c  which are formed at longitudinal end portions thereof so as not only to project inwards but also to be curved. On the other hand, curved attachment guide grooves  610  are formed on lateral side portions at both longitudinal ends of a main body portion which constitutes the primary accommodating portion  62 A of the container main body  61  for guiding the end portion attachment portions  64   c . The opening/closing shutter  64  is attached to the container main body  61  by the curved end portion guide grooves  610  on the container main body  61  from the outside. 
     By adopting this configuration, the opening/closing shutter  64  can move in directions indicated by arrows J 1 , J 2  by the end portion attachment portions  64   c  thereof being guided by the attachment guide grooves ( FIGS. 10A and 10B ). As a result of this, the opening/closing shutter  64  opens and closes the opening portions  63  by moving with respect to the container main body  61  (an external side portion of the primary accommodating portion  62 A) between the position where the opening/closing shutter  64  closes the opening portions  63  and the position where the same shutter  64  opens the opening portions  63 . Incidentally, in the developer recovery container  6 , the actual movement of the opening/closing shutter  64  is implemented by rotating the container main body  61  (about a rotating shall  65   a  of the transport member  65  of the primary accommodating portion  62 A as a fulcrum) so as to change the condition of the container main body  61  as will be described later (FIGS.  13 &lt;-&gt; 14 ). In addition, the opening/closing shutter  64  is moved to the position where the shutter  64  closes the opening portions  63  in a dismounting state in which the developer recovery container  6  is not mounted in the mounting and holding frame  7  ( FIGS. 10A ,  12 ). 
     Further, as is shown in  FIG. 10A , the opening/closing shutter  64  includes insertion holes  64   d  which are formed at both longitudinal end portions thereof (a direction which is at right angles to the moving directions J 1 , J 2 ). As one of their functions, the insertion holes  64   d  are used when fixing the mounting position of the opening/closing shutter  64  by insertion projections ( 77 ) which are formed on a bottom side portion ( 71   a ) of the container holding portion ( 71 ) of the mounting and holding frame  7  being inserted into the insertion holes  64   d.    
     The transport member  65  is such that a flexible film member  65   b  is attached to the shaft  65   a  which is attached rotatably to lateral side portions at longitudinal ends of the primary accommodating portion  62 A of the container main body  61  ( FIG. 12 ). This transport member  65  rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow ( FIG. 14 ) by a rotating force from a drive unit, not shown, which is placed on the main body  10  side of the image forming apparatus being transmitted to a driven gear  651  which is fixed to an end portion of the shaft  65   a  which projects from one lateral side of the container main body  61 . By adopting this configuration, the transport member  65  transports unnecessary substances such as toner which are taken into the primary accommodating portion  62 A towards the secondary accommodating portion  62 B through the connecting space portion  62   c  by virtue of a transporting force of the film member  65   b.    
     As is shown in  FIGS. 7 to 11 , rotation support portions  612 ,  613  which are inserted into support grooves of a movable holder ( 75 ) of the container holding portion ( 71 ) for support and mounting fixing portions  614 ,  615  are provided at the lateral side portions at both the longitudinal ends of the container main body  61 . 
     The rotation support portion  612  having an oval section which doubles as a bearing for the shaft  65   a  of the transport member  65  and the mounting fixing portion  614  which has a plane which is inclined so as to increase a space as it extends to the rear in a mounting insertion direction are provided on one of the lateral side portions which lies on the side where the driven gear  651  is disposed ( FIG. 11 ). In addition, the rotation support portion  613  having an oval section which doubles as a bearing for the shaft  65   a  of the transport member  65  and the mounting fixing portion  615  which has a plane which is inclined so as to increase a space as it extends to the rear in the mounting insertion direction are provided on the other of the lateral side portions ( FIG. 9 ). A recess portion  616  is formed on an upper side portion of each of the mounting fixing portions  614 ,  615  in which a dislocation prevention claw ( 76   b ), which will be described later, is caught. 
     On the other hand, as is shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  9 ,  11 , the mounting and holding frame  7  includes the container holding portion  71  in which the developer recovery container  6  is detachably mounted and is held rotatably, the connecting opening portions  72  which face the opening portions  63  of the developer recovery container  6  for connection with the developer recovery container  6  so as to allow the developers T to pass (to be taken) therethrough into the developer recovery container  6 , a shutter fixing portion  73  which fixes the mounting position of the opening/closing shutter  64  of the developer recovery container  6  and a connection shutter  74  functioning as a movable lid which moves over the connecting opening portions  72  to open or close the same opening portions  72 . As is shown in  FIG. 4 , this mounting and holding frame  7  is connected to the cleaner main body  350  of the belt cleaner  35  with the connecting opening portions  72  and the discharge port  351  caused to face each other for establishment a communication between the mounting and holding frame  7  and the cleaner main body  350 . 
     The container holding portion  71  is a rectangular parallelepiped structure portion which is opened in an upper side and which has a housing space which can house a substantially lower portion of the container main body  61  of the developer recovery container  6  and the opening/closing shutter  64 . Specifically speaking, the container holding portion  71  is made up of a rectangular bottom side portion  71   a , an inclined side portion  71   b  which rises from a longitudinal edge portion of the bottom side portion  71   a  while being inclined at a required angle, a vertical side portion  71   c  which rises substantially vertically from the other longitudinal edge portion of the bottom side portion  71   a  and two lateral side portions  71   d ,  71   e  which rise substantially vertically at both longitudinal end portions. The connecting opening portions  72  are formed in the inclined side portion  71   b.    
     In addition, as is shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  11 , the container holding portion  71  also includes movable holders  75 A,  75 B which actually hold the developer recovery container  6  to support them rotatably. 
     Both the movable holders  75 A,  75 B are members which have V-shaped support grooves  76 A,  76 B which are formed so as to receive the rotation support portions  612 ,  613  and the mounting fixing portions  614 ,  615  which are formed at both the end portions of the developer recovery container  6  for support thereof. The support grooves  76 A,  76 B are shaped so as not only to support the corresponding rotation support portions  612 ,  613  in such a way as to hold them at terminal end (deeper side) portions  76 Ac,  76 Bc of the support grooves  76 A,  76 B but also to support the mounting fixing portions  614 ,  615  in such a way as to hold them at near side portions  76 Ad,  76 Bd of the support grooves  76 A,  76 B. The elastic hook-like dislocation prevention claws  76   b  are formed on upper portions of the near side portions  76 Ad,  76 Bd of the support grooves  76 A,  76 B so as to be caught in the recess portions  616  on the upper side portions of the mounting fixing portions  614 ,  615  of the developer recovery container  6 . 
     These movable holders  75 A,  75 B are, as is shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  9 , attached to inner sides of the lateral side portions  71   d ,  71   e  of the container holding portion  71  so as to swing in directions indicated by arrows K 1 , K 2 . Because of this, rotatable support devices  761 ,  762  which rotate with respect to the lateral side portions  71   d ,  71   e  are provided in positions on the inner sides of the lateral side portions  71   d ,  71   e  of the container holding portion  71  which lie closer to the inclined side portion  71   b . In addition, the movable holders  75 A,  75 B are attached to the container holding portion  71  by circumferential portions of the deeper side portions  76 Ac,  76 Bc of the mounting grooves  76 A,  76 B being held on the rotatable support devices  761 ,  762  of the container holding portion  71 . By doing so, the movable holders  75 A,  75 B are allowed to swing in the directions indicated by the arrows K 1 , K 2  via the rotatable support devices  761 ,  762 , so that the movable holders  75 A,  75 B can take either a state in which the movable holders  75 A,  75 B are housed in an interior of the container holding portion  71  (corresponding to the mounting completed position of the developer recovery container  6 ,  FIGS. 8 ,  14 ) or a state in which one end portions of the movable holders  75 A,  75 B are exposed to the outside of the container holding portion  71  (corresponding to the detachable position of the developer recovery container  6 ,  FIGS. 6 ,  13 ). 
     The connecting opening portions  72  face the opening portions  63  of the developer recovery container  6  so as to establish a communication between the container holding portion  71  and the container main body portion  61  and also face the discharge port  351  of the belt cleaner  35  so as to establish a communication between the container holding portion  71  and the belt cleaner  35  ( FIG. 4 ). In the first exemplary embodiment, the connecting opening portions  72  have a substantially rectangular shape which has substantially the same width of the intermediate transfer belt  31  as with the opening portions  63  and the discharge port  351 . Further, inner sides of the connecting opening portions  72  are curved so as to enable the rotation of the developer recovery container  6  (the rotating motions in the directions indicated by the arrows K 1 , K 2  via the movable holders  75 A,  75 B). 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  11 ,  12 , the shutter fixing portion is formed at a portion on the bottom side portion  71   a  of the container holding portion  71  which lies closer to the inclined side portion  71   b . Namely, the shutter fixing portion  73  includes the insertion projections  77  which fix the mounting position of the opening/closing shutter  64  of the developer recovery container  6  and the positioning groove portions  78  which position the mounting position of the opening/closing shutter  64 . 
     The insertion projection  77  is formed at the longitudinal end portion of the bottom side portion  71   a  so as to project towards (the insertion hole  64   d  of) the opening/closing shutter  64  of the developer recovery container  6  which is mounted in the shutter fixing portion  73 . By the insertion projection  77  being inserted into the insertion hole  64   d  of the opening/closing shutter  64 , the mounting position of the opening/closing shutter  64  is fixed by the insertion projection  77 . Namely, the opening/closing shutter  64  is held in such a state that the same shutter is fixed by the insertion projections  77  at both the longitudinal end portions thereof. 
     The positioning groove portion  78  is formed as a space which is held between a step portion  78   a  between the bottom side portion  71   a  of the container holding portion  71  and the inclined side portion  71   b  which is positioned below the connecting opening portion  72  and a projecting portion  78   b  having a wedge-shaped section which is formed on the bottom side portion  71   a  so as to project therefrom while being spaced apart from the step portion  78   a . By the insertion projecting portions  64   b  of the opening/closing shutter  64  being inserted into the positioning groove portions  78 , the mounting position of the opening/closing shutter  64  is determined. Namely, the opening/closing shutter  64  is mounted in the right position with respect to the shutter fixing portion  73  of the mounting and holding frame  7 . 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  11 ,  12 , the connection shutter  74  is a narrow elongated plate-like shape which is shaped and sized so as to close the connecting opening portions  72 . In the first exemplary embodiment, the connection shutter  74  is a substantially rectangular plate-like member having a curved section. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 12 to 15 , the connection shutter  74  is attached so as to move with respect to (the inclined side portion  71   b  of) the mounting and holding frame  7  between a position where the connection shutter  74  closes the connecting opening portions  72  ( FIGS. 9 ,  12 ) and a position where the connection shutter  74  opens the connecting opening portions  72 . Because of this, connecting portions  74   a ,  74   b  are formed at longitudinal end portions of the connection shutter  74  ( FIG. 11 ). These connecting portions  74   a ,  74   b  face the rotation support point side portions of the corresponding movable holders  75 A,  75 B of the container holding portion  71  and are then connected thereto in such a state that the connecting portions  74   a ,  74   b  are caught in the rotation support point side portions, respectively ( FIG. 12 ). 
     Further, a plurality of projecting portions  74   d  are formed at an upper end portion of the connection shutter  74  so as to project towards the developer recovery container  6  side ( FIGS. 9 ,  11 ,  12 ). These projecting portions  74   d  are inserted in to a plurality of insertion holes  614  ( FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  12 ) which are formed at a corner portion of the external side portion of the container main body  61  of the developer recovery container  6  which lies upper than the opening/closing shutter  64  so as to connect the connection shutter  74  to the developer recovery container  6  ( FIG. 13 ). In addition to this, the connection shutter  74  is placed so that curved external surfaces of the connecting portions  74   a ,  74   b  are brought into contact with curved inclined portions  71   g  which are formed at portions on an inner surface of the inclined side portion  71   b  of the container holding portion  71  which lie outwards of the connecting opening portions  72  ( FIG. 11 ). 
     The connection shutter  74  is placed inside the inclined side portion  71   b  of the container holding portion  71  so as to close the connecting opening portions  72  and is attached so that the connecting portions  74   a ,  74   b  which are provided at both the end portions are brought into contact with part of the movable holders  75 A,  75 B. 
     By doing so, the connection shutter  74  can move in directions indicated by arrows N 1 , N 2  by the external surfaces of the connecting portions  74   a ,  74   b  being guided by the curved inclined portions  71   g  ( FIGS. 9 ,  13 ). As a result of this, the connection shutter  74  opens or closes the connecting opening portions by moving relatively to the mounting and holding frame  7  (the inclined side portion  71   b  of the container holding portion  71 ) between the position where it closes the connecting opening portions  72  and the position where it opens the connecting opening portions  72 . In reality, as will be described later, the movement of the connection shutter  74  is implemented by rotating the container main body  61  of the developer recovery container  6  (in the directions indicated by the arrows K 1 , K 2  via the movable holders  75 A,  75 B) so as change the state of the container main body  61  ( FIGS. 12 to 14 ). 
     Next, the operations, of the developer recovery container  6  will be described which are performed when the same container is dismounted and mounted. 
     Firstly, the developer recovery container  6  is mounted in the mounting and holding frame  7 . In mounting the developer recovery container  6  in this way, as is shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  9 ,  13 , the developer recovery container  6  is moved so as to be attached to the movable holders  75 A,  75 B of the container holding portion  71  of the mounting and holding frame  7  with the opening/closing shutter  64  leading the attachment. 
     By doing so, as is shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  15 , the developer recovery container  6  is supported by the rotation support point portions  612 ,  613  and the mounting fixing portions  614 ,  615  which are provided on the lateral side portions at both the end portions of the container main body  61  being fitted in the support grooves  76 A,  76 B of the movable holders  75 A,  75 B, respectively. In addition, the developer recovery container  6  is held by the movable holders  75 A,  75 B in an ensured fashion by the elastic catch or dislocation prevention claws  76   b  on the movable holders  75 A,  75 B being fitted in the recess portions  616  of the mounting fixing portions  614 ,  615  to thereby be caught therein. 
     In mounting the developer recovery container  6  in the mounting and holding frame  7 , the opening/closing shutter  64  of the developer recovery container  6  has moved to the position where it closes the opening portions  63 . In addition, the movable holders  75 A,  75 B have been rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow K 2  so that their free end portions are allowed to project from the interior to the exterior of the container holding portion  71  (the detachment operating position) (in reality, the movable holders  75 A,  75 B are displaced to the detachment operating position as a result of link with opening the opening/closing cover  16 ), and the developer recovery container  6  is moved towards the support grooves  76 A,  76 B in that state (along a direction indicated by an arrow H 1 . In  FIG. 12  and the like, the reason that the mounting and holding frame  7  is shown as being inclined obliquely is that the mounting and holding frame is attached so as to extend along the intermediate transfer unit  30  which is disposed in the inclined state ( FIG. 2 ). In addition, also in the mounting and holding frame  7 , the connection shutter  74  has moved to the position where it closes the connecting opening portions  72  as a result of the rotation of the movable holders  75 A,  75 B in the direction indicated by the arrow K 2 . 
     When the developer recovery container  6  is mounted in the way described above, as is shown in  FIG. 13 , the opening/closing shutter  64  of the developer recovery container  6  is fixed at the shutter fixing portion  73  of the container holding portion  71 . Namely, the mounting position of the opening/closing shutter  64  is fixed by the insertion projections  77  being inserted to be fitted in the insertion holes  64   b  at both the longitudinal end portions thereof, whereby the opening/closing shutter  64  is in such a state that the shutter  64  is prevented from moving relatively to the container main body  61  in the moving directions J 1 , J 2  in which the opening/closing shutter  64  closes and opens the opening portions  63 . In addition, the mounting position of the opening/closing shutter  64  is determined formally by the insertion projection  64   b  which is formed to extend along its longitudinal direction being inserted in the positioning groove  78 . Further, as is shown in  FIG. 13 , the connection shutter  74  of the mounting and holding frame  7  is connected to the container main body  61  so as to be integrated therewith by the projecting portions  74   d  being inserted into the insertion holes  614  in the container main body  61  of the developer recovery container  6 . 
     Following this, in the developer recovery container  6 , as is shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  14 , the container main body  61  is caused to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow K 1 , so that the container main body  61  (actually, the side thereof where the secondary accommodating portion  62 B exits) is housed in the space within the container holding portion  71  (the mounting completed position). 
     When the developer recovery container  6  is caused to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow K 1 , the container main body  61  moves (swings) in the direction indicated by the arrow K 1  about the shaft  65   a  of the transport member  65  in the primary accommodating portion  62 A as a fulcrum in such a state that the container main body  61  is held by the movable holders  75 A,  75 B. The opening portions  63  in the container main body  61  move towards the connecting opening portions  72  in the mounting and holding frame  7  by the rotation of the container main body  61  and finally come to face the connecting opening portions  72  to establish a communication between the mounting and holding frame  7  and the container main body  61 . At the same time as this occurs, the connection shutter  74  moves together with the container main body  61  (including the movable holder  75 ) and finally comes to open the connecting opening portions  72 . In this event, the connection shutter  74  moves relatively to the container holding portion  71  in the direction indicated by the arrow N 2 . 
     As this occurs, since the opening/closing shutter  64  of the developer recovery container  6  is fixed to the shutter fixing portion  73 , the opening/closing shutter  64  is kept stationary without rotating together with the container main body  61 . Because of this, the opening portions  63  are moved away from the opening/closing shutter  64  which is kept stationary as a result of the rotation of the container main body  61 , whereby the opening/closing shutter  64  keeps the opening portions  63  open. In this event, the opening/closing shutter  64  moves relatively to the container main body  61  in the direction indicated by the arrow J 2  when viewed from the container main body  61  side. In addition, specifically speaking, the opening/closing shutter  64  moves while the end portion attachment portions  64   c  which are provided at the longitudinal end portions thereof are being guided by the guide grooves  610  on the container main body  61 . 
     As a result of this, as is shown in  FIG. 14 , the opening portions  63  of the developer recovery container  6  move to the position where the connection shutter  74  opens so as to face the connecting opening portions  72  of the mounting and holding frame  7  which are kept opened for establishment of a communication between the developer recovery container  6  and the mounting and holding frame  7 . By doing so, the developer recovery container  6  is mounted completely in the mounting and holding frame  7 . Incidentally, the next occasion when the developer recovery container  6  is mounted in the mounting and holding frame  7  will come as a result of link with a closing operation of the opening/closing cover  16 . In addition, the developer recovery container  6  gets ready for use when it is mounted in the mounting completed position. 
     When in use, in the developer recovery container  6 , as is shown in  FIG. 4 , unnecessary substances such as developers which are removed by the belt cleaner  35  are sent into the primary accommodating portion  62 A of the container main body  61  from the opening portion  63  through the connecting opening portions  72  (by being transported by the secondary transport unit  37 ). The unnecessary substances such as developers which are sent into the primary accommodating portion  62 A are then sent into the secondary accommodating portion  62 B by virtue of the transporting force of the transport member  65  which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow. 
     Then, the unnecessary substances such as developers which are accommodated in the secondary accommodating portion  62 B are accumulated and increased. Then, when the secondary accommodating portion  62 B is filled with the unnecessary substances such as developers, the fullness of the secondary accommodating portion  62 B is detected by the detector, not shown. When the secondary accommodating portion  62 B is filled to its capacity, the developer recovery container  6  is removed from the mounting and holding frame  7  for replacement with a new developer recovery container  6  or the unnecessary substances such as developers that are accommodated in the removed developer recovery container  6  is disposed of so that the same container is mounted back in the mounting and holding frame  7  for reuse. 
     Next, operations will be described which are performed when the developer recovery container  6  is removed from the mounting and holding frame  7 . 
     In removing the developer recovery container  6  from the mounting and holding frame  7 , in the developer recovery container  6 , first of all, the container main body  61  thereof is caused to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow K 2 . Finally, the container main body  61  (in reality, the side thereof where the secondary accommodating portion  62 B is provided) is caused to project from the interior to the exterior of the space within the container holding portion  71 . Namely, (the movable holder  75  of) the mounting and holding frame  7  which holds the developer recovery container  6  is displaced to the detachment operating position. 
     When the developer recovery container  6  is caused to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow K 2 , the container main body  61  moves (swings) in the direction indicated by the arrow K 2  about the shaft  65   a  of the transport member  65  within the primary accommodating portion  62 A as the fulcrum in such a state that the container main body  61  is held by the movable holders  75 A,  75 B. The opening portions  63  of the container main body  61  are moved away from the connecting opening portions  72  of the mounting and holding frame  7  by the rotation of the container main body  61  and finally come to the position where they do not face the connecting opening portions  72 , whereby the communication between the container main body  61  and the mounting and holding frame  7  is interrupted. At the same time as this occurs, the connection shutter  74  moves together with the container main body  61  and finally come to close the connecting opening portions  72 . In this event, the connection shutter  74  moves relatively to the container holding portion  71  in the direction indicated by the arrow N 1 . 
     In this event, due to the opening/closing shutter  64  of the developer recovery container  6  being fixed to the shutter fixing portion  73 , the opening/closing shutter  64  remains stationary without rotating together with the container main body  61 . By doing so, the opening portions  63  move to approach the stationary opening/closing shutter  64  by the rotation of the container main body  61 , whereby the opening/closing shutter  64  come to close the opening portions  63 . In this event, the opening/closing shutter  64  moves relatively to the container main body  61  in the direction indicated by the arrow  11  when viewed from the container main body  61  side. 
     Following this, in the developer recovery container  6 , as is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 13 , the container main body  61  is caused to project from the interior to the exterior of the space within the container holding portion  71 . Thereafter, the container main body  61  is moved so as to be pulled out in the direction H 2  in which the container main body  61  is removed from the container holding portion  71  of the mounting and holding frame  7 . By doing so, as is shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  12 , the rotation support point portions  612 ,  613  and the mounting fixing portions  614 ,  615  which are provided on the lateral side portions at both the end portions of the container main body  61  are pulled out of the support grooves  76 A,  76 B of the movable holders  75 A,  75 B, respectively. 
     As a result of this, the developer recovery container  6  is removed from the mounting and holding frame  7 . In the developer recovery container  6  which is being removed from the mounting and holding frame  7 , the opening portions  63  are closed by the opening/closing shutter  64  ( FIG. 12 ). In addition, in the mounting and holding frame  7  from which the developer recovery container  6  has been removed, the connecting openings  72  are closed by the connection shutter  74  ( FIGS. 9 ,  12 ). 
     Next, the connection frame  8  and the linked configuration will be described. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 15 ,  16 , the connection frame  8  connects between the opening/closing cover  16  and part (the movable holder  75 ) of the mounting and holding frame  7 . By so providing the connection frame  8 , when the opening/closing cover  16  is opened or closed, (the movable holder  75  of) the mounting and holding frame  7  is displaced to the detachment operating position or to the mounting completed position as a result of link with the opening or closing operation of the opening/closing cover  16 . 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the connection frame  8  is made up of a plate-like member  80 . One end portion  80   a  of the plate-like member  80  is attached to the opening/closing cover  16  by a fixing device such as screws  163 . A guide groove  81  is formed at the other end portion  80   b  so as to penetrate therethrough. As is shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  11 , a round rod-like projecting pin  79  is provided at part (a free end portion side) of the movable holder  75  so as to project outwards therefrom, and the projecting pin  79  is inserted through a space within the guide groove  81 . Incidentally, the connection frame  8  illustrated in this exemplary embodiment is configured as being integrated with an arm member  161 B which is provided at one side of the opening/closing cover  16 . However, the connection frame  8  may be configured as a connecting portion which constitutes a single independent constituent component which is separated from the arm member  161 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 17  and the like, the guide groove  81  is shaped to have at least a primary guide portion  81   a  which is a portion shaped to guide the projecting pin  79  so that a force generated when the opening/closing cover  16 , which swings about a shaft  17 , is operated to be opened (when the opening/closing cover  16  swings in a direction indicated by an arrow D 1 ) is applied to the movable holder  75 A and a secondary guide portion  81   b  which is a portion shaped to guide the projecting pin  79  so that a force generated when the opening/closing cover  16  is operated to be closed is applied to the movable holder  75 A. In the first exemplary embodiment, the primary guide portion  81   a  and the secondary guide portion  81   b  are formed as planes (or end face portions of the plate member) which face each other in a substantially parallel fashion and extend in a straight line. 
     In  FIG. 17  and the like, reference numeral  81   a  denotes a groove constituent portion which is a portion connecting the primary guide portion  81   a  and the secondary guide portion  81   b  and which forms a U-shaped space  82 . This space  82  is formed so as to be made use of as a space (a primary waiting space portion) for the projecting pin  79  to reside and wait when the opening/closing cover  16  is opened completely. In addition, reference numerals  81   d ,  81   e ,  81   f  denote groove constituent portions which form a space (a secondary waiting space portion) for the projecting pin  79  to reside and wait when the opening/closing cover  16  is closed completely. Reference numeral  81   h  denotes a boundary portion between the groove constituent portion  81   d  and the primary guide portion  81   a . Further, reference numeral  86  denotes a shaft hole through which the shaft  17  passes which constitutes a fulcrum of the opening/closing cover  16 . Reference numeral  87  denotes holes through which the screws  163  pass by which the connection frame  8  is attached to the opening/closing cover  16 . Here, the primary guide portion  81   a  also functions to guide the projecting pin  79  so that the projecting pin  79  moves out of the secondary waiting space portion  83 . Because of this, the primary guide portion  81   a  can also include as a constituent portion the groove constituent portion  81   d  which constitutes the secondary waiting space portion  83  and which passes through a narrow portion  85 . 
     In addition, the guide groove  81  is formed as a groove in which the primary guide portion  81   a , the secondary guide portion  81   b , the primary waiting space portion  82  and the secondary waiting space portion  83  are connected into a single groove. However, the configuration of the groove has the portion (the narrow portion  85  which will be described later) which is configured in consideration of the following situations. 
     Namely, in this image forming apparatus  1 , as has been described before, the intermediate transfer unit  30  is displaced via the movable frame  38  by a retracting mechanism depending upon the selection of the full color mode or the monochrome mode ( FIGS. 5A and 5B ). Because of this, the mounting and holding frame  7  (including the movable holder  75 ) which is supported integrally on the movable frame  38  of the intermediate transfer unit  30  is also displaced in the same fashion. As a result of this, there occur situations in which its mounting completed position is located in different positions.  FIG. 15  shows a state in which the mounting and holding frame  7  resides in its mounting completed position (a primary mounting completed position) when the full color mode is selected.  FIG. 16  shows a state in which the mounting and holding frame  7  resides in its mounting completed position (a secondary mounting completed position) when the monochrome mode is selected. 
     Due to the mounting completed position of the mounting and holding frame  7  differing between the full color mode and the monochrome mode, as is shown in  FIGS. 15 to 18 , the position (indicated by a white circle) P of the projecting pin  79  at the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  and the position (indicated by a white square) E of the rotation support point at the movable holders  75 A,  75 B are changed to different positions relative to the connection frame  8  whose position is fixed with the opening/closing cover  16  closed. In  FIG. 18 , reference characters Pc, Ec denote positions when the full color is selected, and reference characters Pm, Em denote positions when the monochrome mode is selected. Namely, both the rotation support point E about which the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  which is an object to be linked with the opening or closing operation of the movable cover  16  swings and the position P of the projecting pin  79  change. 
     Because of this, the opening/closing cover  16  and the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  cannot be connected by a known link mechanism, for example. 
     in addition, as is shown in  FIG. 18 , a spaced-away distance L 1  between a position Pk of the projecting pin  79  in the primary mounting completed position when the monochrome mode is selected and the shaft  17  which constitutes the fulcrum or support point of the opening/closing cover  16  becomes relatively longer than a spaced-away distance L 2  (&gt;L 1 ) between a position Pc of the projecting pin  79  in the secondary mounting completed position when the full color mode is selected and the shaft  17 . As a result, a required guiding distance of the secondary guide portion  81   b  of the guide groove  81  which is used when the opening/closing cover  16  is closed (K: a length from a required position M of a turning portion  81   c  to a boundary portion  81   g  with the secondary waiting space portion  83 ) differs. Namely, a required guiding distance (K 1 ) when the mounting and holding frame  7  is located in the primary mounting completed position becomes longer than a required guiding distance (K 2 ) when the mounting and holding frame  7  is located in the secondary mounting completed position. In this case, in the event that the guiding distance K of the secondary guide portion  81   b  of the guide groove  18  is set to the shorter guiding distance (K 1 ); the force generated when the opening/closing cover  16  is closed cannot be applied to the projecting pin  79  sufficiently throughout the operation in the secondary mounting completed position which requires the longer guiding distance (K 2 ) (the projecting pin  79  falls in the secondary waiting space portion  83  halfway). On the contrary, in the event that the guiding distance K of the secondary guide portion  81   b  is set to the longer guiding distance (K 2 ), the force generated when the opening/closing cover  16  is closed is applied to the projecting pin  79  more than required (excessively) in the primary mounting completed position which requires the shorter guiding distance (K 1 ). 
     Then, in the first exemplary embodiment, as is shown in  FIG. 17  and the like, the guiding distance K of the secondary guide portion  81   b  of the guide groove  81  is set to the relatively shorter guiding distance K 1  which is required when the mounting and holding frame  7  is located in the primary mounting completed position ( FIG. 18 ). Then, the narrow portion  85  is formed at the boundary portion  81   g  between the secondary guide portion  81   b  and the secondary waiting space portion  83  (a final point of the secondary guide portion  81   b ). In the narrow portion  85 , the groove width W of the guide groove  81  is narrower than an outer dimension (in this exemplary embodiment, a diameter) S of a portion of the projecting pin  79  which contacts the guide groove  81 . The narrow portion  85  is formed by shaping the open guide portion  81   d  which constitutes the secondary waiting space portion  83  so as to approach the boundary portion  81   g . The groove width W of the narrow portion  85  is set to take a narrower value than the outer dimension S of the projecting pin  79  in consideration of a load generated when the opening/closing cover  16  is closed and a force required for an ensured displace of the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  to the mounting completed position. 
     In addition, in the first exemplary embodiment, as is shown in  FIGS. 15 ,  16 ,  17  and the like, the size and configuration of the space within the secondary waiting space portion  83  are set so that the projecting pin  79  does not contact any (groove constituent portions  81   d ,  81   e ,  81   f ) of the secondary waiting space portion  83  even in the event that the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  is located either in the primary mounting completed position or the secondary mounting completed position. However, in case the projecting pin  79  continues to be in the waiting state, the projecting pin  79  may be configures so as to be brought into contact with part of the secondary waiting space portion  83 . 
     Next, operations of the movable cover  16  and the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  which are connected together by the connection frame  8  will be described. 
     First of all,  FIGS. 19A and 19B  show a state in which the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  is displaced from the primary mounting completed position to the detachment operating position in association with the opening operation of the opening/closing cover  16  in the full color mode.  FIG. 19A  shows a state occurring in a halfway stage of the displacement, and  FIG. 19B  shows a state occurring when the opening/closing cover  16  is opened completely and the movable holder  75 A is displaced to the detachment operating position. 
     As this occurs, when the opening/closing cover  16  is caused to swing about the shaft  17  as the fulcrum in a direction indicated by an arrow D 1  to be opened, as is shown in  FIG. 19A , the projecting pin  79  moves out of the secondary waiting space portion  83  of the guide groove  81  and is then guided into the primary guide portion  81   a . Then, the projecting pin  79  receives a force (F 1 ) generated by the opening operation of the opening/closing cover  16  and directed upwards while the projecting pin  79  is brought into contact with the primary guide portion  81   a  and moves by a required guiding distance. By doing so, the movable holder  75 A swings about a rotation support device  762  which constitutes a rotation support point (Ec) thereof in a direction indicated by an arrow K 2 . 
     Then, when the opening/closing cover  16  swings to a restricting position where the opening/closing cover  16  is opened completely, as is shown in  FIG. 19B , the projecting pin  79  moves as far as the primary waiting space portion  82  of the guide groove  81  and stops thereat. In this case, the projecting pin  79  comes into contact with the turning portion  81   c . As a result of this, the movable holder  75 A is displaced to the detachment operating position ( FIGS. 6 ,  12 ). Then, a detaching operation of the developer recovery container  6  can be performed on the movable holder  75 A which is now in the detachment operating position ( FIG. 12 ). In  FIG. 19B  and the like, a state is shown in which the developer recovery container  6  is removed. 
     Next,  FIGS. 20A and 20B  show states in which the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  is displaced from the detachment operating position to the primary mounting completed position in association with the closing operation of the opening/closing cover  16  in the full color mode.  FIG. 20A  shows a state occurring in a halfway stage of the displacement, and  FIG. 20B  shows a state occurring when the opening/closing cover  16  is closed completely and the movable holder  75 A is displaced to the primary mounting completed position. 
     As this occurs, when the opening/closing cover  16  is caused to swing about the shaft  17  as the fulcrum in a direction indicated by an arrow D 2  to be closed, as is shown in  FIG. 20A , the projecting pin  79  moves away from the primary waiting space portion  82  of the guide groove  81  and is then guided so as to be brought into contact with the secondary guide portion  81   b . Then, the projecting pin  79  receives a force (F 2 ) generated by the closing operation of the opening/closing cover  16  and directed downwards while the projecting pin  79  is brought into contact with the secondary guide portion  81   b  and moves by a required guiding distance K 1 . By doing so, the movable holder  75 A swings about the rotation support device  762  which constitutes the rotation support point (Ec) thereof in a direction indicated by an arrow K 1 . 
     Then, when the opening/closing cover  16  swings to a restricting position where the opening/closing cover  16  is closed completely, as is shown in  FIG. 20B , the projecting pin  79  moves as far as the boundary portion  81   g  which constitutes a termination point of the secondary guide portion  81   b  of the guide groove  81 , then moves so as to pass through the narrow portion  85  to fall in the secondary waiting space portion  83  and stops thereat. The projecting pin  79  receives a force (F 3 &gt;F 2 ) to which a force resulting from frictional resistance produced when the projecting pin  79  passes through the narrow portion  85  is added as a result of the closing operation of the opening/closing cover  16 . As a result, the movable holder  75 A is displaced to the primary mounting completed position ( FIGS. 8 ,  14 ,  15 ). The developer recovery container  6  which is held in the movable holder  75 A which is now located in the primary mounting completed position can perform a recovery operation of unnecessary substances such as developers which are removed by the belt cleaner  35  ( FIGS. 4 ,  14 ). 
     On the other hand,  FIGS. 21A and 21B  show states in which the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  is displaced from the secondary mounting completed position to the detachment operating position in association with the opening operation of the opening/closing cover  16  in the monochrome mode.  FIG. 21A  shows a state occurring in a halfway stage of the displacement, and  FIG. 21B  shows a state occurring when the opening/closing cover  16  is opened completely and the movable holder  75 A is displaced to the detachment operating position. 
     As this occurs, when the opening/closing cover  16  is caused to swing in a direction indicated by an arrow D 1  to be opened, as with the full color mode, the projecting pin  79  moves out of the secondary waiting space portion  83  of the guide groove  81  and is then guided into the primary guide portion  81   a , as is shown in  FIG. 21A . Then the projecting pin  79  receives a force (F 1 ) generated by the opening operation of the opening/closing cover  16  and directed upwards while the projecting pin  79  is brought into contact with the primary guide portion  81   a  and moves by a required guiding distance. By doing so, the movable holder  75 A swings about the rotation support device  762  which constitutes the rotation support point (Ec) thereof in a direction indicated by an arrow K 2 . 
     Then, when the opening/closing cover  16  swings to the restricting position where the opening/closing cover  16  is opened completely, as is shown in  FIG. 21B , the projecting pin  79  moves as far as the primary waiting space portion  82  of the guide groove  81  and stops thereat. In this case, the projecting pin  79  comes to a stop directly before the turning portion  81   c  and hence, the projecting pin  79  does not come into contact with the turning portion  81   c . As a result of this, the movable holder  75 A is displaced to the detachment operating position ( FIGS. 6 ,  12 ). As this occurs, too, as with when the full color mode is selected, a detaching operation of the developer recovery container  6  can be performed on the movable holder  75 A which is now in the detachment operating position ( FIG. 12 ). In  FIG. 21B , too, a state is shown in which the developer recovery container  6  is removed. 
     Next,  FIGS. 22A and 22B  shows states in which the movable holder  75 A of the mounting and holding frame  7  is displaced from the detachment operating position to the primary mounting completed position in association with the closing operation of the opening/closing cover  16  in the full color mode.  FIG. 22A  shows a state occurring in a halfway stage of the displacement, and  FIG. 22B  shows a state occurring when the opening/closing cover  16  is closed completely and the movable holder  75 A is displaced to the secondary mounting completed position. 
     As this occurs, when the opening/closing cover  16  is caused to swing in a direction indicated by an arrow D 2  to be closed, as is shown in  FIG. 22A , the projecting pin  79  moves away from the primary waiting space portion  82  of the guide groove  81  and is then guided so as to be brought into contact with the secondary guide portion  81   b . Thereafter, the projecting pin  79  comes into contact with the secondary guide space portion  81   b  and moves by the required guiding distance K 1 , receiving a force (F 2 ) generated by the opening operation of the opening/closing cover  16  and directed upwards. By doing so, the movable holder  75 A swings about the rotation support device  762  which constitutes the rotation support point (Ec) thereof in a direction indicated by an arrow K 1 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 22B , when the opening/closing cover  16  is closed further, the projecting pin  79  moves as far as the boundary portion  81   g  which constitutes the termination point of the secondary guide portion  81   b  of the guide groove  81  and then reaches the narrow portion  85 . In this stage, the opening/closing cover  16  has not yet reached the restricting position where the opening/closing cover  16  is closed completely. The projecting pin  79  receives a force (F 3 &gt;F 2 ) to which a force resulting from frictional resistance produced when the projecting pin  79  passes through the narrow portion  85  is added as a result of the closing operation of the opening/closing cover  16 . By receiving the force F 3 , the projecting pin  79  moves so as to pass through the narrow portion  85  to fall in the secondary waiting space portion  83  and comes to a stop. In this stage, the opening/closing cover  16  has not yet reached the restricting position where the opening/closing cover  16  is closed completely. 
     As a result, the movable holder  75 A can be displaced to the secondary mounting completed position in an ensured fashion ( FIGS. 8 ,  14 ,  15 ). The developer recovery container  6  which is held in the movable holder  75 A which is now located in the secondary mounting completed position can perform a recovery operation of unnecessary substances such as developers which are removed by the belt cleaner  35  ( FIGS. 4 ,  14 ). 
     Other Exemplary Embodiments 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the constituent components of the developer recovery container  6  which are involved in the detachment thereof are illustrated as the objects that are linked together by use of the connection frame  8 . However, other constituent components than those which are involved in the detachment of the developer recovery container  6  can be taken as the objects that are linked together by the connection frame  8 . For example, a detachment unit  21  can also be adopted which includes a photosensitive drum  22  which is supported so that its mounting completed position can be changed between the full color mode and the monochrome mode. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the groove configured by the single continuous groove is illustrated as the guide groove  81  of the connection frame  8 . However, the configuration of the groove can also be modified. For example, a configuration can be adopted in which a primary guide portion  81   a  and a secondary guide portion  81   b  are formed into independent grooves (passages), and the two passages are connected by a primary waiting space portion  82  and a secondary waiting space portion  83 . In addition, the guide groove  81  does not have to be the one which penetrates through the connection frame  8  as illustrated in the first exemplary embodiment. Therefore, a guide groove may be adopted which does not penetrate the connection frame  8 . 
     In addition to those exemplary embodiments that have been described above, according to the invention, there can be provided a type of image forming apparatus which does not use an intermediate transfer unit (a so-called image forming apparatus adopting a direct transfer approach in which a recording sheet P is transported so as to pass through a primary transfer position of each image forming unit so that a toner image is directly transferred on to the recording sheet). In addition, as image forming apparatus to which the invention is to be applied, there can be taken image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a photocopier and a facsimile machine, as well as image forming apparatuses in which various functions are combined which are represented by a printing function, a photocopying function and a facsimileling function (a function to input, output, transmit and receive an image). 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.