Patent Publication Number: US-8116645-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus with multiple waste powder storing containers

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-247569 filed Sep. 26, 2008. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates an image forming apparatus such as a copy machine, a printer or the like. 
     2. Related Art 
     The following method has been proposed for image forming apparatuses in order to shorten a time during which an image forming apparatus is stopped in a case where a recovery container is filled up with a toner, for example. Specifically, a recovery container having a small capacity is provided to the image forming apparatus while a recovery container having a large capacity is provided below the recovery container having a small capacity. Then, these recovery containers are alternately used. In this case, if the image forming apparatus is equipped with the recovery container having a small capacity arranged on the front side of the main body with an exchange operation taken into consideration, a duct that guides a toner to the recovery container having a large capacity is placed on the front side of the main body, thus becoming an obstacle to dealing with jamming of paper sheets, and the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium; a first storing container that is attachably and detachably provided and that stores waste powder discarded from the image forming section; a second storing container that is attachably and detachably provided and that stores waste powder discarded from the image forming section; a first discharging part that is provided so as to be allowed to be shut off and that discharges, to the first storing container, the waste powder from the image forming section; a second discharging part that discharges, to the second storing container, the waste powder from the image forming section; a first transporting section that transports, to the first discharging part, the waste powder from the image forming section; a second transporting section that transports, toward the second discharging part, the waste powder having been transported to the first discharging part by the first transporting section, when the first discharging part is shut off; and a controller that shuts off the first discharging part and stops the first transporting section or reduces an outrut of the first transporting section, when the first storing container is removed in a state where the first discharging part is opened. 
    
    
     
       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 diagram showing a configuration of a digital color printer as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the exemplary embodiment is applied; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the transporting mechanism from the rear side of the image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a reciprocation mechanism that causes the coil spring to reciprocate; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view showing the fifth transporting mechanism; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a control block of the controller; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are flowcharts showing the processing performed by the controller when one of the storing containers is filled up; and 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show the processings performed by the controller when the respective storing containers are removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital color printer as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. 
     An image forming apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment includes a sheet feeding unit  1 A, an image formation unit  1 B, and a sheet outputting unit  1 C. 
     The sheet feeding unit  1 A includes a first sheet storage part  11  to a fourth sheet storage part  14 , each of which stores paper sheets serving as an example of a recording medium. The sheet feeding unit  1 A further includes sending rolls  15  to  18  provided respectively for the first to fourth sheet storage parts  11  to  14 . The sending rolls  15  to  18  send paper sheets stored in the respective sheet storage parts  11  to  14  to transport paths each connected to the image formation unit  1 B. 
     The image formation unit  1 B is of a so-called tandem type, and includes an image forming process part  20 , a controller  21 , and an image processing part  22 . The image forming process part  20  is an example of an image forming section that forms an image on a paper sheet. The controller  21  controls the image forming process part  20  and the like. The image processing part  22  is connected, for example, to an image reading apparatus  4  and a personal computer (PC)  5 , and performs image processing on image data received from these devices. The image formation unit  1 B further includes a user interface (UI)  23  that has a display device and the like, and that gives information to the user and receives information inputted by the user. 
     The image forming process part  20  is provided with six image forming units  30 T,  30 P,  30 Y,  30 M,  30 C, and  30 K (hereinafter, sometimes referred to simply as “image forming units  30 ”) arranged in parallel at intervals. Each image forming unit  30  includes a photoconductor drum  31 , a charging roll  32 , a developing device  33 , and a cleaning unit  34 . An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum  31  while the photoconductor drum  31  is rotating in a direction indicated by an arrow A in the figure. The charging roll  32  electrically charges a surface of the photoconductor drum  31  uniformly. The developing device  33  develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum  31 . The cleaning unit  34  removes an untransferred toner and the like on the surface of the photoconductor drum  31 . In addition, the image forming process part  20  is provided with a laser exposure device  26  that scans and exposes, with a laser beam, the photoconductor drums  31  of the respective image forming units  30 T,  30 P,  30 Y,  30 N,  30 C, and  30 K. 
     Here, all the image forming units  30  have almost the same configuration except for the toner stored in the respective developing devices  33 . Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are formed in the image forming units  30 Y,  30 M,  30 C, and  30 K, respectively. 
     Meanwhile, in addition to the commonly-used four colors (normal colors), that is, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, another image forming material is sometimes desired to be used in the forming of an image on a paper sheet. Specifically, there is a case where an image is desired to be formed on a paper sheet by using an image forming material, such as a spot color, that is difficult or impossible to be expressed with the commonly-used four colors. For example, an image is sometimes desired to be formed on a paper sheet by using a toner, such as a toner of a corporate color dedicated to a specific user, a foam toner for Braille, a fluorescent toner, a toner that improves a gloss, a ferromagnetic toner, an invisible toner having sensitivity to the infrared region, or the like. For this reason, the image formation unit  1 B of the present exemplary embodiment is provided with image forming units  30 T and  30 P that achieve image formation using a spot color and the like, in addition to the generally-mounted image forming units  30 Y,  30 M,  30 C, and  30 K. 
     Moreover, the image forming process part  20  includes an intermediate transfer belt  41 , primary transfer rolls  42 , a secondary transfer roll  40 , a belt cleaner  45 , and a fixing device  80 . Onto the intermediate transfer belt  41 , various color toner images formed by the photoconductor drums  31  of the respective image forming units  30  are superimposedly transferred. The primary transfer rolls  42  sequentially transfer (primarily transfer) the various color toner images of the respective image forming units  30  onto the intermediate transfer belt  41  at primary transfer portions T 1 . The secondary transfer roll  40  transfers (secondarily transfers) the superimposed toner images, which have been transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  41 , together onto a paper sheet at a secondary transfer portion T 2 . The belt cleaner  45  removes an untransferred toner and the like on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt  41 . The fixing device  80  fixes a secondarily transferred image onto the paper sheet. 
     The image forming process part  20  performs an image forming operation on the basis of control signals sent from the controller  21 . First, image data inputted through the image reading apparatus  4  or the PC  5  are subjected to image processing by the image processing part  22 , and then supplied to the laser exposure device  26 . Then, for example, in the magenta (M) image forming unit  30 M, after the surface of the photoconductor drum  31  is uniformly charged with a potential set in advance, by the charging roll  32 , the photoconductor drum  31  is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure device  26  with a laser beam modulated according to the image data acquired from the image processing part  22 . In this way, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum  31 . The electrostatic latent image thus formed is developed by the developing device  33 , so that a magenta toner image is formed on the photoconductor drum  31 . In the same manner, yellow, cyan, and black toner images are formed in the respective image forming units  30 Y,  30 C, and  30 K, and also, toner images of spot colors or the like are formed in the respective image forming units  30 T and  30 P. 
     These color toner images having been formed in the respective image forming units  30  are electrostatically transferred (primarily transferred) in sequence by the corresponding primary transfer rolls  42  onto the intermediate transfer belt  41  rotating in a direction indicated by an arrow C in  FIG. 1 , so that superimposed toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt  41 . 
     On the other hand, the untransferred toner and the like remaining on each photoconductor drum  31  at the primary transfer are removed by the cleaning unit  34  disposed downstream of the primary transfer roll  42 . Each cleaning unit  34  includes a transporting member  341  provided along an axial direction of the photoconductor drum  31 . The transporting member  341  transports the removed untransferred toner and the like to a rear side (back part side) of the image formation unit  1 B. The untransferred toner and the like (waste powder) transported by the transporting member  341  to the rear side of the image formation unit  1 B are then transported by a transporting mechanism  100  to a first storing container  210  or a second storing container  220 . Here, the transporting mechanism  100  is provided also in the rear side of the image formation unit  1 B, while the first and second storing containers  210  and  220  are both detachably and attachably provided in the sheet outputting unit  1 C. 
     Here, in the present exemplary embodiment, two storing containers are provided. Specifically, the two storing containers are the first storing container  210  and the second storing container  220 . Accordingly, for example, even if any one of the storing containers is filled up, this configuration allows an image forming operation to be continuously performed by transporting the untransferred toner and the like to the other one of the storing containers. Moreover, for example, this configuration also allows a reduction in weight of the storing container that contains the untransferred toner and the like therein when the storing container is detached, as compared with a configuration in which the untransferred toner and the like are stored in a single storing container having a large capacity. 
     In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, a first sensor S 1  and a second sensor S 2  are provided. The first sensor S 1  performs detection on the first storing container  210 , while the second sensor S 2  performs detection on the second storing container  220 . In addition, a third sensor S 3  is provided. The third sensor S 3  outputs a signal set in advance, when the untransferred toner and the like reach an upper portion of the first storing container  210  (when the first storing container  210  is filled up with the untransferred toner and the like). Furthermore, a fourth sensor S 4  is provided. The fourth sensor S 4  outputs a signal set in advance, when the untransferred toner and the like reach an upper portion of the second storing container  220  (when the second storing container  220  is filled up with the untransferred toner and the like). 
     Note that, although the first storing container  210  and the second storing container  220  are provided in the sheet outputting unit  1 C in the present exemplary embodiment, these storing containers may be provided alternatively in the image formation unit  1 B. 
     On the other hand, the superimposed toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt  41  are transferred, according to the movement of the intermediate transfer belt  41 , toward the secondary transfer portion T 2  in which the secondary transfer roll  40  and a backup roll  49  are disposed. Meanwhile, the paper sheet is transferred to a position of a registration roll  74  after being taken out of, for example, the first sheet storage part  11  by the sending roll  15  and then passing through the transport path. 
     At the timing when the superimposed toner images are transported to the secondary transfer portion T 2 , the paper sheet is fed to the secondary transfer portion T 2  from the registration roll  74 . Then, the superimposed toner images are electrostatically transferred (secondarily transferred together onto the paper sheet by the action of a transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roll  40  and the backup roll  49  at the secondary transfer portion T 2 . 
     Thereafter, the paper sheet having the superimposed toner images electrostatically transferred thereon is peeled from the intermediate transfer belt  41 , and then, is transported to the fixing device  80 . The unfixed toner images on the paper sheet having been transported to the fixing device  80  are subjected to a fixing process with heat and pressure by the fixing device  80  so as to be fixed onto the paper sheet. Then, the paper sheet having a fixed image formed thereon passes through a curl correcting part  81  provided in the sheet outputting unit  1 C, and then, is transported to an outputted-sheet stacking unit (not shown in the figure). 
     On the other hand, the untransferred toner and the like remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt  41  after the secondary transfer are removed by the belt cleaner  45 , which is disposed in contact with the intermediate transfer belt  41 , after the completion of the secondary transfer. The belt cleaner  45  includes a transporting member  451  that is provided to extend from the front side to the rear side of the image formation unit  1 B, and that transports the untransferred toner and the like thus removed to the rear side of the image formation unit  1 B. Then, the untransferred toner and the like transported to the rear side of the image formation unit  1 B by the transporting member  451  are transported to the first storing container  210  or the second storing container  220  by the transporting mechanism  100 . Note that, in the specification, the untransferred toner and the like transported from the cleaning unit  34  and the belt cleaner  45  to the transporting mechanism  100  are hereinafter referred to as a waste toner. 
     Subsequently, the transporting mechanism  100  will be described in detail. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the transporting mechanism  100  from the rear side of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the transporting mechanism  100  includes first transporting mechanisms  110  that are provided corresponding to the respective image forming units  30 , and that transport the waste toner from the cleaning units  34 . In addition, the transporting mechanism  100  includes a discharging part  170  to which the waste toner from the belt cleaner  45  is discharged. Moreover, the transporting mechanism  100  includes a second transporting mechanism  120 , a third transporting mechanism  130 , a fourth transporting mechanism  140 , and a fifth transporting mechanism  150 . The second transporting mechanism  120  transports the waste toner having been transported by the first transporting mechanisms  110  and the waste toner having been discharged from the discharging part  170 . The third transporting mechanism  130  transports the waste toner having been transported by the second transporting mechanism  120 . The fourth transporting mechanism  140  transports the waste toner having been transported by the third transporting mechanism  130 , and the fifth transporting mechanism  150  transports, to the first storing container  210  or the second storing container  220 , the waste toner having been transported by the fourth transporting mechanism  140 . 
     Each first transporting mechanism  110  includes a tubular member  111 , a coil spring  112 , and a first motor M 1 . The tubular member  111  forms a transport path for the waste toner having been transported by the transporting member  341  (see  FIG. 1 ) provided to the cleaning unit  34 . The coil spring  112 , which is an example of a breaking member, is provided inside the tubular member  111  and breaks down the waste toner adhering to an inner wall surface of the tubular member  111  by reciprocating along the tubular member  111 . The first motor M 1  rotationally drives the transporting member  341  and causes the coil spring  112  to reciprocate. 
     Each tubular member  111  is provided to extend in the up and down direction (the approximately vertical direction). Accordingly, the waste toner having been transported by the transporting member  341  falls down inside this tubular member  111 . 
     Each coil spring  112  is formed of a wire, and has a helical (coil) shape. Specifically, each coil spring  112  does not have a rotational shaft unlike a transporting member  152  (see  FIG. 4 ) having a rotational shaft  152 A, which will be described later, and has a shape allowing the waste toner to pass through the center portion thereof. In other words, the shape of each coil spring  112  allows the waste toner to fall down in the tubular member  111 . Each coil spring  112  is caused to reciprocate inside the tubular member  111  by the first motor M 1  so as to break down the waste toner having agglomerated inside the tubular member  111  or to remove the waste toner from the inner wall of the tubular member  111 . 
     The second transporting mechanism  120  includes a tubular member  121 . The tubular member  121  is disposed to extend in an arrangement direction of the image forming units  30 T,  30 P,  30 Y,  30 M,  30 C, and  30 K (in the horizontal direction, approximately), is connected to the tubular members  111  and the discharging part  170 , and forms a transport path for the waste toner. In addition, the second transporting mechanism  120  further includes the transporting member  122  and a second motor M 2 . The transporting member  122  is disposed inside the tubular member  121 , and transports the waste toner having been transported from the first transporting mechanisms  110  and the waste toner having been discharged from the discharging part  170 . The second motor M 2  rotationally drives the transporting member  122 . Note that the transporting member  122  is similarly configured to the transporting member  152  described later (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The third transporting mechanism  130  includes a tubular member  131 . The tubular member  131  is disposed to extend in the up and down direction (in the vertical direction, approximately), is connected to the tubular member  121 , and forms a transport path for the waste toner. In addition, the third transporting mechanism  130  further includes a coil spring  132  and a third motor M 3 . The coil spring  132  is provided inside the tubular member  131  and is reciprocatable along the tubular member  131 . The third motor M 3  drives to reciprocate coil spring  132 . 
     The tubular member  131  is provided to extend in the up and down direction (the approximately vertical direction). Accordingly, the waste toner having been transported by the second transporting mechanism  120  falls down inside this tubular member  131 . 
     The coil spring  132  is formed of a wire, and has a helical (coil) shape, similarly to the above-mentioned coil springs  112 . Specifically, the coil spring  132  does not have a rotational shaft, and has a shape allowing the waste toner to pass through the center portion thereof, similarly to the above-mentioned configuration. In other words, the shape of the coil spring  132  allows the waste toner to fall down in the tubular member  131 . The coil spring  132  is caused to reciprocate inside the tubular member  131  by the third motor M 3  so as to break down the waste toner having agglomerated inside the tubular member  131  or to remove the waste toner from the inner wall of the tubular member  131 . 
     Note that, the reciprocation of the coil spring  132  is achieved by, for example, a configuration shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Here,  FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a reciprocation mechanism that causes the coil spring  132  to reciprocate. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the third transporting mechanism  130  includes a rotating member  133  and a driving member  134 . The rotating member  133  is rotated by the third motor M 3  (see  FIG. 2 ). One end portion of the driving member  134  is attached to the rotating member  133 , while an upper end portion of the coil spring  132  is attached to the driving member  134 . The driving member  134  is formed in a crank shape. In addition, the driving member  134  is configured so that an attachment portion thereof to which the coil spring  132  is attached passes a position eccentric to the center of the axis of the rotating member  133  when the third motor M 3  is driven. Accordingly, once the third motor M 3  is started to be driven, the coil spring  132  is caused to reciprocate along the tubular member  131  (see an arrow D) by the driving member  134 . Note that, although a description has been omitted above, each of the coil springs  112  in the first transporting mechanisms  110  (see  FIG. 2 ) is also caused to reciprocate by the same mechanism as that shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2  again, the transporting mechanism  100  will be further described. 
     The fourth transporting mechanism  140  includes a tubular member  141  that forms a transport path for the waste toner. The tubular member  141  is disposed to intersect (to be orthogonal to) the tubular member  131  in the third transporting mechanism  130 . In other words, the tubular member  141  is arranged to extend in the approximately horizontal direction. Moreover, although not illustrated, the fourth transporting mechanism  140  includes a transporting member that is disposed inside the tubular member  141 , and that transports the waste toner from the third transporting mechanism  130 . Further, the fourth transporting mechanism  140  includes a fourth motor M 4  that rotationally drives this transporting member. Here, the transporting member disposed inside the tubular member  141  has a similar configuration to that of the transporting member  152  described later (see  FIG. 4 ). Note that the fourth transporting mechanism  140  may be etaken as a feeding unit that feeds the waste toner (waste powder) to the transporting member  152  (described later). 
     The fifth transporting mechanism  150  includes a tubular member  151  that forms a transport path for the waste toner. The tubular member  151  is disposed below the tubular member  141  in the fourth transporting mechanism  140 , and also is arranged parallel to the tubular member  141 . The fifth transporting mechanism  150  further includes a transporting member  152  and a fifth motor M 5 . The transporting member  152  is disposed inside the tubular member  151 , and transports the waste toner from the fourth transporting mechanism  140 . The fifth motor M 5  rotationally drives the transporting member  152 . 
     Here,  FIG. 4  is an enlarged view showing the fifth transporting mechanism  150 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the fifth transporting mechanism  150  will be further described. 
     As described above, the fifth transporting mechanism  150  includes the tubular member  151  that forms the transport path for the waste toner. In addition, the fifth transporting mechanism  150  includes the transporting member  152  that is disposed inside the tubular member  151 , and that transports the waste toner from the fourth transporting mechanism  140 . 
     The transporting member  152  includes a rotational shaft  152 A, and ridge portions  152 B that are provided to protrude from the rotational shaft  152 A. The ridge portions  152 B are provided on the periphery of the rotational shaft  152 A in a fin form, and are also provided in a helical shape (screw shape) along the axis of the rotational shaft  152 A. In the present exemplary embodiment, a portion of the transporting member  152  between a first discharge outlet  151 A (described later) and a receiving port  151 C (described later) corresponds to a first transporting section, and a portion of the transporting member  152  between the first discharge outlet  151 A and a second discharge outlet  151 B (described later) corresponds to a second transporting section. 
     The tubular member  151  includes the receiving port  151 C that receives the waste toner having been transported by the fourth transporting mechanism  140 . The tubular member  151  also includes the first discharge outlet  151 A (a first discharging part). Through the first discharge outlet  151 A, the waste toner having been received by the receiving port  151 C and then transported by the transporting member  152  is discharged to the first storing container  210 . In addition, the tubular member  151  includes the second discharge outlet  151 B (a second discharging part). Through the second discharge outlet  151 B, the waste toner having been received by the receiving port  151 C and then transported by the transporting member  152  is discharged to the second storing container  220 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the receiving port  151 C is provided at an upper portion in one end portion of the tubular member  151 . Moreover, the second discharge outlet  151 B is provided at a lower portion in the other end portion of the tubular member  151 . Further, the first discharge outlet  151 A is provided at a lower portion of the tubular member  151  between the second discharge outlet  151 B and the receiving port  151 C. In other words, the first discharge outlet  151 A, the second discharge outlet  151 B, and the receiving port  151 C are provided in the following order: the receiving port  151 C, the first discharge outlet  151 A, and the second discharge outlet  151 B, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transporting direction of the waste toner. 
     In addition the fifth transporting mechanism  150  includes a first through path  155 A below the first discharge outlet  151 A. The waste toner having been discharged from the first discharge outlet  151 A falls down and passes through the first through path  155 A. Moreover, the fifth transporting mechanism  150  includes a second through path  155 B below the second discharge outlet  151 B. The waste toner having been discharged from the second discharge outlet  151 B falls down and passes through the second through path  155 B. 
     Further, the fifth transporting mechanism  150  includes a first shutter member  153 A below the first through path  155 A, and a second shutter member  153 B below the second through path  155 B. 
     The first shutter member  153 A slides in conjunction with the mounting and removing of the first storing container  210 . When the first storing container  210  is mounted, the first shutter member  153 A opens an opening that is formed above the first storing container  210 . On the other hand, when the first storing container  210  is removed, the first shutter member  153 A closes the opening. The second shutter member  153 B slides in conjunction with the mounting and removing of the second storing container  220 . When the second storing container  220  is mounted, the second shutter member  153 B opens an opening that is formed above the second storing container  220 . On the other hand, when the second storing container  220  is removed, the second shutter member  153 B closes the opening. 
     In addition, the fifth transporting mechanism  150  includes a third shutter member  153 C that is slidably provided below the first discharge outlet  151 A. Moreover, the fifth transporting mechanism  150  includes a sixth motor M 6  that causes the third shutter member  153 C to slide. When located at a position below the first discharge outlet  151 A, the third shutter member  153 C shuts off (closes) the first discharge outlet  151 A. Then, when caused to slide from the position by the sixth motor M 6 , the third shutter member  153 C opens the first discharge outlet  151 A. 
     When the first discharge outlet  151 A is shut off by the third shutter member  153 C, the transporting member  152  transports the waste toner having been received by the receiving port  151 C to the second discharge outlet  151 B while causing the waste toner to pass over the first discharge outlet  151 A. On the other hand, when the first discharge outlet  151 A is opened, the waste toner falls down through the first discharge outlet  151 A. Accordingly, the transporting member  152  transports the waste toner having been received by the receiving port  151 C to the first discharge outlet  151 A. 
     Here,  FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a control block of the controller  21 . Note that,  FIG. 5  shows only the block concerning the transportation of the waste toner. 
     The controller  21  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  211 , a read only memory (ROM)  212 , and a random access memory (RAM)  213 . The CPU  211  of the controller  21  performs processing for the transportation of the waste toner while exchanging data with the RAM  213 , in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  212 . 
     Here, the controller  21  receives outputs from first to fourth sensors S 1  to S 4  via an input/output interface  214 . In addition, the controller  21  controls the first to sixth motors M 1  to M 6 , and the UI  23  via the input/output interface  214 . 
     Here,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are flowcharts showing the processing performed by the controller  21  when one of the storing containers is filled up. Note that,  FIG. 6A  shows processing performed by the controller  21  when the first storing container  210  is filled up, while  FIG. 6B  shows processing performed by the controller  21  when the second storing container  220  is filled up. 
     First, with reference to  FIG. 6A , the processing performed by the controller  21  when the first storing container  210  has been filled up will be described. 
     While the waste toner is being transported to the first storing container  210  with the first discharge outlet  151 A being opened, upon detecting that the first storing container  210  is filled up (Step  101 ), the controller  21  drives the sixth motor M 6  to slide the third shutter member  153 C, thereby shutting off the first discharge outlet  151 A (Step  102 ). Accordingly, the waste toner having been received by the receiving port  151 C does not fall down through the first discharge outlet  151 A but is transported to the second discharge outlet  151 B. Then, the waste toner having been transported to the second discharge outlet  151 B is stored in the second storing container  220 . Note that, the detection that the first storing container  210  is filled up in Step  101  is performed on the basis of the output from the third sensor S 3 . 
     Thereafter, the controller  21  causes the UI  23  to display information that the first storing container  210  has been filled up, and the like, after a time T 1  passes from the start of the driving of the sixth motor M 6 , for example (Step  103 ). Note that, the time T 1  may be set to be not less than a time required for the shutting off of the first discharge outlet  151 A. In other words, the information that the first storing container  210  has been filled up, and the like, may be displayed after the first discharge outlet  151 A is shut off by the third shutter member  153 C. 
     If the information that the first storing container  210  has been filled up, and the like, is displayed before the first discharge outlet  151 A is shut off, the first storing container  210  may possibly be removed before the first discharge outlet  151 A is shut off. Then, if the first storing container  210  is removed before the first discharge outlet  151 A is shut off, the waste toner is discharged from the first discharge outlet  151 A without the first storing container  210  being attached. As a result, the waste toner may possibly be accumulated on the first shutter member  153 A, and the waste toner accumulated on the first shutter member  153 A may possibly be scattered when the first storing container  210  is mounted later. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first shutter member  153 A is provided, but, in the case where the first shutter member  153 A is not provided, the waste toner may possibly be accumulated and scattered inside the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 6B , the processing performed by the controller  21  when the second storing container  220  has been filled up will be described. 
     While the waste toner is being transported to the second storing container  220  with the first discharge outlet  151 A being closed, upon detecting that the second storing container  220  is filled up (Step  201 ), the controller  21  drives the sixth motor M 6  to slide the third shutter member  153 C, thereby opening the first discharge outlet  151 A (Step  202 ). As a result, the waste toner having been received by the receiving port  151 C falls down from the first discharge outlet  151 A so as to be stored in the first storing container  210 . 
     Then, after a time T 2  passes from the detection that the second storing container  220  has been filled up in Step  201 , for example, the controller  21  causes the UI  23  to display information that the second storing container  220  has been filled up, and the like (Step  203 ). 
     Here, the information that the second storing container  220  has been filled up, and the like, may be displayed after the waste toner located between the first discharge outlet  151 A and the second discharge outlet  151 B is transported by the transporting member  152  and stored in the second storing container  220 . In other words, the time T 2  may be set so that the information that the second storing container  220  has been filled up, and the like, are displayed after the waste toner located between the first discharge outlet  151 A and the second discharge outlet  151 B is stored in the second storing container  220 . 
     If the information that the second storing container  220  has been filled up, and the like, are displayed immediately after the detection that the second storing container  220  has been filled up, the second storing container  220  may be removed early in some cases. If the second storing container  220  is removed early, the waste toner located between the first discharge outlet  151 A and the second discharge outlet  151 B is transported to the second discharge outlet  151 B without the second storing container  220  being attached. In this case as well, the waste toner is accumulated on the upper portion of the second shutter member  153 B. In addition, the toner having been accumulated thereon may possibly be scattered when the second storing container  220  is attached later. Moreover, since the waste toner is transported in a state where the transporting path for the waste toner is closed by the second shutter member  153 B, clogging of the waste toner or damage of the transporting member  152  may occur. Note that, in the present exemplary embodiment, the second storing container  220  is detected to have been filled up before completely filled up, in order that the waste toner having been located between the first discharge outlet  151 A and the second discharge outlet  151 B is allowed to be stored in the second storing container  220  even after the detection that the second storing container  220  has been filled up. 
     Next, the processing performed by the controller  21  when any one of the storing containers is removed from the sheet outputting unit  1 C (see  FIG. 1 ) will be described. 
     Each of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  shows the processing performed by the controller  21  when the storing container is removed. 
     First, with reference to  FIG. 7A , the processing performed by the controller  21  when the first storing container  210  is removed will be described. 
     Upon detecting that the first storing container  210  is removed while the waste toner is being transported to the first storing container  210  with the first discharge outlet  151 A being opened (Step  301 ), the controller  21  stops the driving of the fifth motor M 5  and starts the driving of the sixth motor M 6  so as to slide the third shutter member  153 C at the same time (Step  302 ). Then, after, for example, a time T 3  passes from the stop of the driving of the fifth motor M 5 , the controller  21  restarts the driving of the fifth motor M 5  (Step  303 ). Note that, the detection of the removal of the first storing container  210  is performed on the basis of the output from the first sensor S 1 . 
     With the above processing, the waste toner having been transported from the fourth transporting mechanism  140  is transported to the second discharge outlet  151 B without falling down from the first discharge outlet  151 A. Then, the waste toner having been transported to the second discharge outlet  151 B is stored in the second storing container  220 . 
     Note that, even when the third shutter member  153 C is caused to slide as in Step  302 , it is often difficult to immediately close the first discharge outlet  151 A. Accordingly, if the driving of the fifth motor M 5  is continued without being stopped, the waste toner may possibly be discharged from the first discharge outlet  151 A. Then, in this case, the waste toner may possibly be accumulated on the first shutter member  153 A and the like, as in the above-described case. For this reason, when the first storing container  210  is removed, the driving of the fifth motor M 5  is stopped in addition to the closing of the first discharge outlet  151 A. 
     The processing of closing the first discharge outlet  151 A is performed as described above also when the first storing container  210  has been filled up. However, in the processing performed when the first storing container  210  has been filled up, only the third shutter member  153 C is caused to slide without stopping the driving of the fifth motor M 5 . The driving of the fifth motor M 5  is not stopped when the first storing container  210  has been filled up because of the following reason. Specifically, since the first storing container  210  is located below the first discharge outlet  151 A, even when the waste toner is discharged from the first discharge outlet  151 A, the waste toner thus discharged is allowed to be stored in the first storing container  210 . 
     In this processing, the sixth motor M 6  is driven at the same time when the driving of the fifth motor M 5  is stopped in Step  302 . However, the present invention is not limited to such processing. For example, the driving of the sixth motor M 5  may be started after the driving of the fifth motor M 5  is stopped. Alternatively, the driving of the fifth motor M 5  may be stopped after the driving of the sixth motor M 6  is started. 
     Further, the driving of the fifth motor M 5  is stopped in Step  302 . Alternatively, for example, the speed of the fifth motor M 5  may be reduced so that the rotational speed of the transporting member  152  is reduced (the output of the transporting member  152  is reduced). Moreover, the time T 3  that determines the timing to restart the driving of the fifth motor M 5  may be set to be not less than a time required for the first discharge outlet  151 A to be closed. In other words, the driving of the fifth motor M 5  may be restarted after the first discharge outlet  151 A is closed by the third shutter member  153 C. 
     In addition to the stop of the driving of the fifth motor M 5 , the driving of the fourth motor M 4  (the fourth transporting mechanism  140 ) may be stopped. 
     While the driving of the fourth motor M 4  is stopped, the waste toner is successively transported by the second transporting mechanism  120  (see  FIG. 2 ) that is located upstream in the transporting direction. The waste toner transported by the second transporting mechanism  120  is successively accumulated inside the tubular member  131  (see  FIG. 2 ) in the third transporting mechanism  130 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the amount of the waste toner to be transported per unit time in the fourth transporting mechanism  140  is set to be not less than the amount of the waste toner to be transported per unit time in the second transporting mechanism  120 . Accordingly, during the normal operation, the waste toner is basically not accumulated inside the tubular member  131 . In other words, during the normal operation, the tubular member  131  has enough space for the accumulation of the waste toner. Then, once the driving of the fourth motor M 4  is stopped as described above, the waste toner coming from the upstream side in the transporting direction is accumulated inside the tubular member  131 . 
     Subsequently, with reference to  FIG. 7B , the processing performed by the controller  21  when the second storing container  220  is removed will be described. 
     Upon detecting that the second storing container  220  is removed while the waste toner is being transported to the second storing container  220  with the first discharge outlet  151 A being closed (Step  401 ), the controller  21  stops the driving of the fifth motor M 5  (Step  402 ). Thereafter, the controller  21  slides the third shutter member  153 C so as to open the first discharge outlet  151 A, and also, stops the driving of the fourth motor M 4  in the fourth transporting mechanism  140  (Step  403 ). Note that, the first discharge outlet  151 A may be opened after the driving of the fourth motor M 4  is stopped. 
     After that, the controller  21  rotates the fifth motor M 5  in the reverse direction so as to switch the transporting direction of the waste toner by the transporting member  152  (Step  404 ). With this operation, the waste toner located between the first discharge outlet  151 A and the second discharge outlet  151 B is transported toward the first discharge outlet  151 A so as to be stored in the first storing container  210  through the first discharge outlet  151 A. 
     Then, after a predetermined time T 4  passes from the start of the reverse rotation of the fifth motor M 5 , the controller  21  rotates the fifth motor M 5  in the normal direction (Step  405 ). Moreover, the controller  21  restarts the driving of the fourth motor M 4  (Step  406 ). The waste toner is thus transported from the fourth transporting mechanism  140 , and the waste toner having been transported from the fourth transporting mechanism  140  is stored in the first storing container  210  through the first discharge outlet  151 A. 
     Here, suppose a case where the fifth motor M 5  is not rotated in the reverse direction. In this case, even if the first discharge outlet  151 A is opened, the waste toner having been located between the first discharge outlet  151 A and the second discharge outlet  151 B is transported toward the second discharge outlet  151 B. In this case, the accumulating or the like of the waste toner thus transported on top of the second shutter member  153 B occurs as in the above-described case. In addition, if the second shutter member  153 B is not provided, the scattering or the like of such waste toner inside the image forming apparatus  1  occurs. Moreover, if a member, like the second shutter member  153 B, that restricts the movement of the waste toner is provided, the waste toner is concentrated on the second shutter member  153 B or on the second discharge outlet  151 B, which may possibly lead to the agglomeration of the waste toner, the damage of the transporting member  152 , and the like. 
     In addition, in the above processing, the driving of the fourth motor M 4  in the fourth transporting mechanism  140  is stopped in Step  403 . If the driving of the fourth motor M 4  is continued without being stopped, the waste toner having been transported by the fourth transporting mechanism  140  and the waste toner having been transported in accordance with the reverse rotation of the fifth motor M 5  are united at a lower part of the receiving port  151 C, so that concentration of the waste toner at the lower part of the receiving port  151 C or the like occurs. As a result, the clogging or the like of the waste toner may possibly occur at the position below the receiving port  151 C or the like. Although the driving of the fourth motor M 4  is stopped in the above processing, the speed of the fourth motor M 4  may alternatively be reduced (the rotational speed or output of the fourth motor M 4  may be reduced), for example. 
     In addition, in the above processing, after the predetermined time T 4  passes from the start of the reverse rotation of the fifth motor M 5 , the normal rotation of the fifth motor M 5  and the restart of the driving of the fourth motor M 4  are performed, as described in Steps  405  and  406 . Here, the time T 4  may be set to be not less than a time required for the waste toner located between the first discharge outlet  151 A and the second discharge outlet  151 B to be stored in the first storing container  210  with the first discharge outlet  151 A being opened. In other words, the normal rotation of the fifth motor M 5  and the restart of the driving of the fourth motor M 4  may be performed after the waste toner having been located between the first discharge outlet  151 A and the second discharge outlet  151 B is stored in the first storing container  210 . 
     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 exemplary 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.