Patent Publication Number: US-7720396-B2

Title: Toner cartridge having first protrusion that transmits sound by engaging second protrusion on image forming apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-139191, filed May 18, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a toner cartridge for supplying toner to an image forming apparatus. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   An image forming apparatus has a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the apparatus. The toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming apparatus in a removable manner. In addition, a filling opening is provided in the toner cartridge and the toner is supplied through the filling opening. In the toner cartridge, a mixer is rotated constantly so as to prevent the toner from solidifying inside the toner cartridge. 
   The toner cartridge is configured such that the user can exchange the toner cartridge himself or herself when toner in the toner cartridge is used up. 
   Jpn. Pat. Appln. Publication No. 2006-30569 discloses a configuration in which a supplying opening of a toner cartridge is open and closed by a hook provided in an image forming apparatus pressing a movable shutter provided at the supplying opening when the user mounts or removes the toner cartridge. 
   However the user has been unable to know whether mounting of a toner cartridge has been finished in a state where the supplying opening is fully open. 
   The present invention is invented in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge from which it can be judged that the toner cartridge has been inserted to the image forming apparatus. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge comprising: a toner cartridge main body which houses toner; a discharging opening which supplies the toner housed in the toner cartridge main body to the image forming apparatus; a shutter which opens the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in the image forming apparatus and closes the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is removed from the image forming apparatus; and a notifying member which includes a first protrusion provided in the toner cartridge main body, to show that the toner cartridge main body is set in the image forming apparatus by temporary engaging with a second protrusion provided in the image forming apparatus at the same time when the shutter completes the opening of the discharging opening, when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in the image forming apparatus. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed from upper front side thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view showing the toner cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed from above; 
       FIG. 4  is a transverse cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cartridge holding mechanism according to the embodiment as viewed from an upper front side thereof; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the cartridge holding mechanism and the toner cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed from upper front side thereof; 
       FIG. 8A  is a horizontal cross-sectional perspective view of the cartridge holding mechanism and the toner cartridge according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 8B  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the cartridge holding mechanism and the toner cartridge according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed from upper front side thereof; 
       FIG. 10A  is a plan view of a shutter according to the embodiment as viewed from above; 
       FIG. 10B  is a side view of the shutter according to the embodiment as viewed from a side; 
       FIG. 10C  is a rear view of the shutter according to the embodiment as viewed from a rear side; 
       FIG. 11A  is a perspective views of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed from below a front surface; 
       FIG. 11B  is a perspective views of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed from below a front surface; 
       FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the present embodiment viewed from below a rear surface; 
       FIG. 12B  is a perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the present embodiment viewed from below a rear surface; 
       FIG. 13A  is a plan view of a rib according to the embodiment as viewed from above; 
       FIG. 13B  is a side view of the rib according to the embodiment as viewed from a side; 
       FIG. 13C  is a rear view of the rib according to the embodiment as viewed from a rear side; 
       FIG. 14A  is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the shutter and a toner supplying opening according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 14B  is a cross-sectional view showing the shutter and the toner supplying opening according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 15A  is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the shutter and the toner supplying opening according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view showing the shutter and the toner supplying opening according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 16A  is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the shutter and the toner supplying opening according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 16B  is a cross-sectional view showing the shutter and the toner supplying opening according to the embodiment; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed from upper front side thereof; 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a cartridge holding mechanism according to the embodiment as viewed from upper front surface thereof; 
       FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the cartridge holding mechanism, the shutter, and the toner supplying opening according to the embodiment; and 
       FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the cartridge holding mechanism, the shutter, and the toner supplying opening according to the embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a schematic view showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus  1  is a color copier of a quadruple tandem system. The image forming apparatus  1  includes a copier main body  100 , a platen cover  200 , a control panel  300 , and a plurality of paper feeding cassettes  400 . 
   The copier main body  100  plays a major role in image forming, and has a cover provided on a front surface thereof in an openable and closable manner. When the cover  100   a  is opened, first to fourth toner cartridges  501  to  504  are found to be arranged in alignment on an upper portion side of the cover  100   a . The platen cover  200  is provided on the copier main body  100  in an rotatable manner with one side edge as a rotational center. The control panel  300  is an input unit for copy operation and is provided on a top surface of the copier main body  100 . The paper feeding cassette  400  is for containing paper and is provided on a lower side of the copier main body  100  in a removable manner. In addition, a paper delivering unit  600  is provided on top of a portion where the first to fourth toner cartridges  501  to  504  are provided. 
   Each of the first to fourth toner cartridges  501  to  504  is provided in a removable manner in a cartridge holding mechanism  505 . The first to fourth toner cartridges  501  to  504  are for supplying toner of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. 
   Next, a configuration of the first toner cartridge  501  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . Description of configurations of the second to fourth toner cartridges  502  to  504  will be omitted, since such configurations are almost same as the configuration of the first toner cartridge  501 . 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of the first toner cartridge  501  according to the present embodiment viewed from a front surface side. Here, a surface with a cap  501   n  of the first toner cartridge  501  is the front surface side, and a surface with a mixer gear  501   l  is a rear side. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first toner cartridge  501  includes a cartridge main body  501   a  working as a toner container for containing the toner. The cartridge main body  501   a  is configured with a container body  501   b  and a lid body  501   c . Also, first and second discriminating protrusion units  601  and  602  for discriminating toner information are provided on a rear side of the cartridge main body  501   a.    
   The container body  501   b  has a U-shaped cross section. The lid body  501   c  has a rectangular plate shape. On a front surface side of the container body  501   b , there is provided a discharging unit  501   g  which discharges the toner in the cartridge main body  501   a  and works as a toner supplying opening for supplying the toner in the image forming apparatus  1 . The discharging unit  501   g  projects downwardly from a bottom surface of the container body  501   b . On a bottom edge part of the discharging unit  501   g , there is provided a shutter  501   h  for opening and closing a discharging opening (shown in  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  12 A and  12 B) formed on the discharging unit  501   g.    
   At the inner bottom of the containing unit  501   b , there is provided a screw  501   i  working as a conveying member for conveying the toner in the cartridge main body  501   a  to the discharging unit  501   g . On an end part on a rear surface side of the screw  501   i , there is provided a coupling member  501   j  working as a driving member. The coupling member  501   j  is connected to a driving apparatus (not shown) provided in the copier main body  100 , and rotationally driven every time the toner is supplied. 
   Inside the cartridge main body  501   a , there is provided a mixer  501   k  for agitating the toner in the cartridge main body  501   a . At an end part on a rear surface of the mixer  501   k , there is provided a mixer gear  501   l . The mixer gear  501   l  meshes with the coupling member  501   j  working as a gear provided in the screw  501   i . When the screw  501   i  is rotated, the mixer gear  501   k  is configured to rotate in association therewith. 
   On a front surface side of the container body  501   b , there is formed a filling opening  501   m  used for filling the toner in the cartridge main body  501   a . The filling opening  501   m  has a circular shape, and is sealed with the cap  501   n.    
     FIG. 3  is a view of the first toner cartridge  501  viewed from above a top surface. In addition,  FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the first toner cartridge  501  cut along the line I-I in  FIG. 3 . The mixer  501   k  is fixed as described below. On a rear side surface of the first toner cartridge  501 , the mixer  501   k  connects with the mixer gear  501   l  with a coupling unit interposed therebetween. In addition, on a front surface side of the first toner cartridge  501 , the mixer  501   k  has a convex part  501   t  formed in a convex shape at an end part, and fits in a concave part  501   s  provided on a front surface side of the container body. 
   Here, an inner diameter of the concave part  501   s  is little larger than an outer diameter of the convex part  501   t . For this reason, when the mixer  501   k  rotates to agitate the toner, the toner enters into a little gap between the convex part  501   t  and the concave part  501   s . In this manner, friction between the convex part  501   t  and the concave part  501   s  is reduced, and the mixer  501   k  can rotate smoothly. 
     FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of the first toner cartridge  501  cut along the line II-II in  FIG. 3 . The lid body  501   c  has a lid body protrusion part  501   q . The lid body protrusion part  501   q  is provided at an upper edge of the container body  501   b  when the lid body  501   c  is inserted in the container body  501   b . The lid body protrusion part  501   q  is a protrusion having a cross-sectional triangle shape enclosed by a line a, a line b, and an oblique line c. The line a has a predetermined length in a width direction from a connection of the lid body  501   c  and the container body  501   b . The line b has a predetermined length from the connection of the lid body  501   c  and the container body  501   b  to the container body  501   b  and crosses the line a at a substantial right angle. The oblique line c is determined by the above two sides. 
   In addition, a surface enclosed by the line b having a predetermined length of the lid body protrusion part  501   q  and a longitudinal direction of the lid body  501   c  is formed such that the lid body  501   c  abuts the container body  501   b  without having any gap interposed therebetween when the lid body  501   c  is inserted in the container body  501   b.    
   When the amount of the toner in the toner cartridge main body  501   a  becomes little, a gap appears between an outer periphery of the mixer  501   k  and an inner wall of the container body  501   b . Therefore, the toner remaining in the gap cannot be conveyed by the mixer  501   k . However, in the present embodiment, the lid body protrusion part  501   q  fills the gap appearing in the connection of the container body  501   b  and the lid body  501   c . Therefore, the toner can be prevented from remaining in the gap. 
   Further, the lid body protrusion part  501   q  is provided with a surface having the oblique line c. Therefore, the toner adhered to the lid body protrusion part  501   q  easily flows down to an inside bottom of the container body  501   b , and adherence of the toner hardly occurs. 
   In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , a sweep sheet  5010  is fixed on a mounting surface  501   r  which is an outer periphery part of the mixer  501   k . In addition, a sweep part  501   p , which is a free end not fixed on the mounting surface  501   r  of the sweep sheet  501   o , projects in a further extended direction from an outer periphery part of the mixer  501   k . The mixer  501   k  rotates counterclockwise in  FIG. 5  which is a cross-sectional view of the first toner cartridge  501  viewed from a front surface side. For this reason, the sweep part  501   p  abuts the inner bottom of the container body  501   b.    
   Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , on the mounting surface  501   r  of the mixer  501   k , there is inserted the sweep sheet  5010  in a longitudinal direction. In addition, a plurality of cut parts  501   x  shown in  FIG. 2  are formed on the sweep sheet  5010  with predetermined intervals for an overall length in a width direction in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis. 
   When a driving force is transmitted from the driving apparatus (not shown) to rotationally drive the coupling member  501   j , the screw  501   i  is rotationally driven in an integrated manner, and the mixer  501   k  is rotationally driven via the mixer gear  501   l . In this manner, the mixer  501   k  agitates and sends out the toner to the screw  501   i  at the same time. The screw  501   i  conveys the sent-out toner to the discharging unit  501   g . Then, the toner is discharged from the discharging unit  501   g . When the first toner cartridge  501  just starts to be used, the toner amount in the container body  501   b  is large. Even when the mixer  501   k  and the sweep sheet  501   o  rotate in an integrated manner, the toner in contact with the sweep part  501   p  passes through the cut parts  501   x  and flows toward a rear direction of the sweep part  501   p . Therefore, the sweep sheet  5010  never interferes with the rotation of the mixer  501   k.    
   In addition, when the toner amount of the first toner cartridge  501  becomes small, a gap is formed between the outer periphery part of the mixer  501   k  and the inner wall of the container body  501   b . Therefore, the toner remaining in the gap cannot be conveyed by the mixer  501   k . However, the sweep sheet  5010  abuts the inner bottom of the container body  501   b . Therefore, the toner remaining in the gap can be sent out to the screw  501   i . In this way, an amount of the remaining toner in the first toner cartridge  501  can be reduced. 
   Next, a discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  and a toner supplying opening  800  in the image forming apparatus  1  at the time of mounting the first toner cartridge  501  will be described by using  FIGS. 6 to 8B . 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cartridge holding mechanism  505  viewed from an upper front side.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the cartridge holding mechanism  505  and the first toner cartridge  501  viewed from the upper front side when the first toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming apparatus  1 .  FIG. 8A  is a horizontal cross-sectional perspective view of an internal structure of the cartridge holding mechanism  505  and the first toner cartridge  501  viewed from the upper front side when the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted in the image forming apparatus  1 .  FIG. 8B  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an internal structure of the cartridge holding mechanism  505  and the first toner cartridge  501  when the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted in the image forming apparatus  1 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the cartridge holding mechanism  505  is provided on a front surface side of the image forming apparatus  1 . In addition, when the first toner cartridge  501  shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B  is inserted into the cartridge holding mechanism  505  along an arrow direction shown in the lid body  501   c , a cap  501   n  and a shutter  501   h  of the first toner cartridge  501  are on a front surface side with respect to the image forming apparatus  1  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   Each slot of the cartridge holding mechanism  505  is provided with the toner supplying opening  800 , a shutter holding mechanism  802 , and a holding protrusion unit  801  as a holding member (refer to  FIG. 6 ). As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the toner supplying opening  800  is provided at a position facing the discharging opening  501   z  when the shutter  501   h  releases the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  at the time of mounting of the first toner cartridge  501  is completed. For this reason, toner filled in the first toner cartridge  501  flows out from the discharging opening  501   z  to the toner supplying opening  800 . 
   In addition, the shutter holding mechanism  802  is provided so as to contact an exterior surface of the shutter  501   h . Further, the holding protrusion unit  801  is shaped like a plate spring and has elasticity, and engages with a part of the shutter  501   h  to stop the shutter  501   h.    
   Here, three dimensional directions are discriminated by an AB direction, a CD direction, and an EF direction shown in  FIG. 9 . The AB direction is an inserting/removing direction of the first toner cartridge  501 , and a side (A side) having the cap  501   n  sealing the filling opening  501   m  of the first toner cartridge  501  is considered as a front surface side. Description will be made below as a side (B side) having the mixer gear  501   l  of the first toner cartridge  501 . In addition, description will be made based on that, when viewed from the front surface side to the rear surface side, a right hand direction (D side) is a right side and a left hand direction (C side) is a left side. Description will be made below based on that, in a perpendicular direction with respect to a plane including two straight lines of the AB direction and the CD direction, an upper portion (E side) is an upper side and an lower portion (F side) is a lower side. 
   The holding protrusion unit  801  extends in a direction from an inserting opening of the first toner cartridge  501  of the cartridge holding mechanism  505  toward the inside of the apparatus so as to engage with a shutter concave part  903  of a first shutter side surface part  902  provided on a right side (refer to  FIG. 9 ) of the shutter  501   h . Also, the holding protrusion unit  801  is configured to be movable in a direction (CD direction) perpendicular to an inserting direction of the first toner cartridge  501  corresponding to movement of the first toner cartridge  501  at the time of the mounting and removing of the first toner cartridge  501  utilizing elasticity. That is, the holding protrusion unit  801  is configured to be shaped like a plate spring which has a base part on a front surface side of the cartridge holding mechanism  505  and provided along a direction from a front surface side to a rear surface side. Also, the holding protrusion unit  801  has a protrusion having a shape which engages with the shutter concave part  903  at an edge part on a free end side of the holding protrusion unit  801 . In addition, the holding protrusion unit  801  is shaped to bend with the base part of the holding protrusion unit  801  as an axis, and has elasticity. A shape of the shutter  501   h  and a relationship between the holding protrusion unit  801  and the shutter  501   h  at the time of mounting and removing of the first toner cartridge  501  with respect to the image forming apparatus  1  are important points according to the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, these points will be described later in detail. 
   The shape of the shutter  501   h  which is an important part of the present embodiment and an arrangement of the shutter  501   h  in the first toner cartridge  501  will be described by using  FIGS. 9 to 12B . 
     FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of the first toner cartridge  501  viewed from an upper front side, showing the first toner cartridge  501  in a state where the shutter  501   h  is pulled out from the first toner cartridge  501 . Normally, the shutter  501   h  is combined with a guide member  501   e.    
     FIG. 10A  is a plan view of the shutter  501   h  viewed from above.  FIG. 10B  is a side view of the shutter  501   h  viewed from a right side.  FIG. 10C  is a rear view of the shutter  501   h  viewed from a rear surface side.  FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a state where the shutter  501   h  blocks the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  viewed from a lower front side.  FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of a state where the shutter  501   h  opens the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  viewed from the lower front side.  FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a state where the shutter  501   h  blocks the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  viewed from a lower back side.  FIG. 12B  is a perspective view of a state where the shutter  501   h  opens the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  viewed from the lower back side. 
   The shape of the shutter  501   h  will be described by using  FIGS. 9 ,  10 A,  10 B and  10 C. The shutter  501   h  includes a shutter bottom surface part  901 , a first shutter side surface part  902 , and a second shutter side surface part  904 . The first shutter side surface part  902  contacts an edge of a right side of the shutter bottom surface part  901  in a perpendicular relationship, and has a predetermined height from a lower side toward an upper side. The second shutter side surface part  904  contacts an edge of the C side of the shutter bottom surface part  901  in a perpendicular relationship, and has the same height as the first shutter side surface part  902  from the F side toward the E side. 
   A first hooking part  905  is provided for a predetermined length along a longitudinal direction at an edge part of the first shutter side surface part  902  in a height direction. In addition, a second hooking part  906  is provided for a predetermined length along a longitudinal direction at an edge part of the second shutter side surface part  904  in a height direction. In addition, the first shutter side surface part  902  is provided with the shutter concave part  903  at a predetermined position. 
   In addition, a plurality of slide supporting members  907  are provided on an outer edge of a left side of the shutter bottom surface part  901 .  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C shows an example where two of the slide supporting members  907  are provided. 
   When mounting and removing the first toner cartridge  501  in and from the image forming apparatus  1 , the shutter  501   h  is positioned close to the shutter holding mechanism  802  of the cartridge holding mechanism  505  shown in  FIG. 6 . A plurality of slide supporting members  907  are used for the shutter  501   h  to slide with respect to the shutter holding mechanism  802  positioned close to a left side of the shutter  501   h . For this reason, a shape of the slide supporting member  907  is desirably one that is hard to cause friction with respect to the shutter holding mechanism  802 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 10A , the shape of the slide supporting member  907  may be semicircular. 
   In addition, by the shutter concave part  903  engaging with the holding protrusion unit  801  provided in the cartridge holding mechanism  505 , the first toner cartridge  501  can be inserted in and removed from the image forming apparatus  1 . For this reason, a force is applied to an engaging position between the shutter concave part  903  and the holding protrusion unit  801  when the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted and removed. Then, the shutter  501   h  is to be rotated around the engaging position. Here, the plurality of slide supporting members  907  are provided on a left side which is opposite to the right side where the shutter concave part  903  is provided, as shown in  FIG. 10A . Therefore, by providing the plurality of slide supporting members  907 , the rotational movement around the engaging position between the shutter concave part  903  and the holding protrusion unit  801  can be prevented. Other than the above, by providing the plurality of slide supporting members  907 , rattle of the shutter  501   h  at the time of mounting and removing the first toner cartridge  501  can be prevented. 
   Further, a sealing member  900  is provided on a rear surface side of the shutter  501   h  which is a surface of the shutter bottom surface part  901  facing above. The sealing member  900  is provided at a position facing the discharging opening  501   z  such that the toner does not leak in a state where the shutter  501   h  blocks the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501 . The sealing member  900  is an elastic body. Silicon rubber, urethane, and sponge can be used as a material of the sealing member  900 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  11 B, and  12 B, a guide member  501   e  is formed such that an outer edge part of the discharging opening  501   z  provided in a discharging unit  501   g  is included in a bottom surface of the guide member  501   e . The bottom surface of the guide member  501   e  is in a parallel relationship with the lid body  501   c  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). The first hooking part  905  and the second hooking part  906  of the shutter  501   h  are hooked on an outer edge of the guide member  501   e  in a longitudinal direction. From the above configuration, the shutter  501   h  slides along a longitudinal direction of the guide member  501   e  as shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  (or  FIGS. 12A and 12B ). The sealing member  900  can open or close the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501 . 
   In addition, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a rib  501   f , which is a protrusion, is provided on the discharging unit  501   g  in an outward direction. In addition, the rib  501   f  is provided at a position where the rib  501   f  does not contact the first shutter side surface part  902  of the shutter  501   h  when the shutter  501   h  slides in a direction to block the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501 . 
     FIGS. 13A ,  13 B and  13 C show a shape of the rib  501   f .  FIG. 13A  is a plan view of the rib  501   f  viewed from above (from upper side).  FIG. 13B  is a side view of the rib  501   f  viewed from a side surface (from right side).  FIG. 13C  is a rear view of the rib  501   f  viewed from a rear surface (from rear surface side). Definition of the front surface side, the rear surface side, the left side, the right side, above, and below shown in  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B and  13 C is similar to  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C. On an exterior surface of the left side of the rib  501   f , the discharging unit  501   g  of the first toner cartridge  501  is positioned. 
   In addition, the rib  501   f  has a rib inclination part  920  inclining along a direction from a front surface side toward a rear surface side. The rib inclination part  920  is an inclination in which width of the rib (CD direction) becomes wider as it goes from the front surface side toward the rear surface side. The rib  501   f  is used for separating the holding protrusion unit  801  engaging with the shutter concave part  903  of the shutter  501   h  from the shutter concave part  903  by utilizing an inclination of the rib inclination part  920  of the rib  501   f  when the first toner cartridge  501  is removed from the image forming apparatus  1 . 
   A state in which the shutter  501   h  opens the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  when the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted or in which the shutter  501   h  blocks the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  when the first toner cartridge  501  is removed will be described by using  FIGS. 14A to 16B . Further, a relationship between the holding protrusion unit  801  and the shutter  501   h  will be described in detail. 
     FIGS. 14A ,  15 A, and  16 A are a perspective view of a cross section of the shutter  501   h  and the toner supplying opening  800  cut along the line III-III shown in  FIG. 7  viewed from an upper front side of the first toner cartridge  501 .  FIGS. 14B ,  15 B, and  16 B are a plan view of a cross section of the shutter  501   h  and the toner supplying opening  800  cut along the line III-III shown in  FIG. 7  viewed from above the first toner cartridge  501 . 
   As to a flow of mounting the first toner cartridge  501  into the image forming apparatus  1 ,  FIG. 14A  (or  FIG. 14B ) shows a state at the start of the mounting,  FIG. 15A  (or  FIG. 15B ) shows a state in the middle of the mounting, and  FIG. 16A  (or  FIG. 16B ) shows a state at the completion of the mounting. In addition, as to a flow of removing the first toner cartridge  501  from the image forming apparatus  1 ,  FIG. 16A  (or  FIG. 16B ) shows a state at the start of the removing,  FIG. 15A  (or  FIG. 15B ) shows a state in the middle of the removing, and  FIG. 14A  (or  FIG. 14B ) shows a state at the completion of the removing. Here, an exterior surface of the shutter holding mechanism  802  contacting the shutter bottom surface part  901  of the shutter  501   h  is set as a reference surface. Then, a height direction is a direction perpendicular to an exterior surface of the shutter holding mechanism  802 , that is, a perpendicular direction along a lower side to an upper side shown in  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C or  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B and  13 C. 
   Here, when an exterior surface of the shutter holding mechanism  802  is set as a reference surface, the guide member  501   e  is formed such that a position of the bottom surface of the guide member  501   e  including an outer edge part of the discharging opening  501   z  is at the same position as the highest position of an outer edge part of the toner supplying opening  800 . In addition, since the sealing member  900  is formed to block the discharging opening  501   z , the position of the bottom surface of the guide member  501   e  including the outer edge part of the discharging opening  501   z  is at the same position as the top surface of the sealing member  900 . For this reason, the sealing member  900  is formed such that the position of the top surface of the sealing member  900  is at the same position as the highest position of the outer edge part of the toner supplying opening  800  or higher. A protrusion at a front edge of the holding protrusion unit  801  is formed in a positional relationship to engage with the shutter concave part  903  of the shutter  501   h . In addition, a position of the rib  501   f  provided on a side surface of the discharging unit  501   g  is the highest position in the height direction of the shutter  501   h  or higher, such that the rib  501   f  never contacts the shutter  501   h  when the shutter  501   h  is hooked on the guide member  501   e . Further, the protrusion at the front edge of the holding protrusion unit  801  which is formed in the positional relationship where it engages with the shutter concave part  903  of the shutter  501   h  is formed to extend in the height direction to a position abutting the rib  501   f.    
   First, a flow of mounting the first toner cartridge  501  into the image forming apparatus  1  (in the order of  FIGS. 14A ,  15 A and  16 A) will be described. As shown in  FIG. 11A  or  FIG. 12A , the first hooking part  905  and the second hooking part  906  of the shutter  501   h  are hooked on an outside edge of the guide member  501   e  in a longitudinal direction. Before the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted into the image forming apparatus  1 , the shutter  501   h  is in a state of blocking the discharging opening  501   z  provided on an exterior surface of the discharging unit  501   g  ( FIGS. 11A and 12A ). 
   As shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted into the image forming apparatus  1  along a direction from a front surface side to a rear surface side. The shutter holding mechanism  802  is provided so as to contact a bottom surface of the lower side of the shutter  501   h.    
   As shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted into the image forming apparatus  1  along a direction from a position shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  and further from a front surface side toward a rear surface side.  FIGS. 15A and 15B  shows a state in which an exterior surface on a rear surface side of the shutter  501   h  contacts and faces an exterior surface part  800   a  which is an exterior surface of the toner supplying opening  800  and is orientated toward a front surface side. In this state, the shutter  501  blocks the discharging opening  501   z . The exterior surface part  800   a  may be substituted by a locking part regulating further movement of the shutter  501   h . In addition, the shutter  501   h  only needs to have a knocking part which knocks on the locking part. 
   In addition, when an exterior surface on a rear surface side of the shutter  501   h  contacts the exterior surface part  800   a  which is oriented to a front surface side on an exterior surface of the toner supplying opening  800 , the rib  501   f  provided on a side surface of the discharging unit  501   g  presses the protrusion at the front edge of the holding protrusion unit  801 . Then, the holding protrusion unit  801  bends from a left side to a right side. 
   Next, as shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted into the image forming apparatus  1  to the position where the mounting is completed from a position shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B  further to a direction from a front surface side to a rear surface side. While the guide member  501   e  slides deep into the image forming apparatus  1 , the rib  501   f  also moves deep inside the image forming apparatus  1 . Then, in a state shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the protrusion at the front edge of the holding protrusion unit  801  is pressed. When the insertion of the first toner cartridge  501  is completed as shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the rib  501   f  bending the holding protrusion unit  801  from a left side to a right side moves to a position where the rib  501   f  does not abut the holding protrusion unit  801 . Thereby, the protrusion at the front edge of the holding protrusion unit  801  returns to the original position in a manner from a right side to a left side, and fits into the shutter concave part  903  provided on a side surface of the shutter  501   h . When the state in  FIGS. 15A and 15B  moves to the state in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the discharging opening  501   z  and the toner supplying opening  800  start to overlap each other gradually, and match with each other at last. 
   An exterior surface on a rear surface side of the shutter  501   h  faces and contacts the exterior surface part  800   a  which is an exterior surface of the toner supplying opening  800  and oriented to a front surface side. In this way, the shutter  501   h  is restricted from moving further to the rear surface side. In addition, since the protrusion at the front edge of the holding protrusion unit  801  fits in the shatter concave part  903  provided in the shutter  501   h , movement of the shutter  501   h  is restricted. At this time, a force is applied to an engaging position between the shutter concave part  903  and the holding protrusion part  801  when the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted, and the shutter  501   h  is to be rotated around the engaging position. The slide supporting member  907  provided on an opposite side of the engaging position between the shutter concave part  903  of the shutter  501   h  and the holding protrusion unit  801  can prevent the rotational movement around the engaging position between the shutter concave part  903  and the holding protrusion unit  801 . Other than the above, the slide supporting member  907  can prevent rattle of the shutter  501   h  at the time of mounting the first toner cartridge  501 . 
   Further, since the guide member  501   e  is formed such that a position of a bottom surface of the guide member  501   e  including an outer edge part of the discharging opening  501   z  is at the same position as the highest position of an outer edge part of the toner supplying opening  800 , the toner supplying opening  800  never interferes with movement of the guide member  501   e . For this reason, when the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted into the image forming apparatus  1  along a direction from a front surface side to a rear surface side, the guide member  501   e  on which the first hooking part  905  and the second hooking part  906  of the shutter  501   h  hook slides, and the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted deep into the image forming apparatus  1 . 
   Then, the first toner cartridge  501  can be inserted to a position where the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  and the toner supplying opening  800  provided in the image forming apparatus  1  face and match with each other. In this way, the insertion of the first toner cartridge  501  is completed. Therefore, the toner filled in the first toner cartridge  501  can be supplied to the image forming apparatus  1 . 
   Next, a flow (in the order of  FIGS. 16A ,  15 A and  14 A) of removing the first toner cartridge  501  from the image forming apparatus  1  will be described. 
   At the start of removing as shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the discharging opening  501   z  of the first toner cartridge  501  and the toner supplying opening  800  provided in the image forming apparatus  1  are at positions where the openings face and match with each other. In addition, the protrusion at the front edge of the holding protrusion unit  801  fits into the shutter concave part  903  provided on a side surface of the shutter  501   h . At this time, a force is applied to an engaging position between the shutter concave part  903  and the holding protrusion unit  801  when the first toner cartridge  501  is removed, and the shutter  501   h  is to be rotated around the engaging position. The slide supporting member  907  provided on an opposite side of the engaging position between the shutter concave part  903  of the shutter  501   h  and the holding protrusion unit  801  can prevent the rotational movement around the engaging position between the shutter concave part  903  and the holding protrusion unit  801 . Other than the above, the slide supporting member  907  can prevent rattle of the shutter  501   h  at the time of removing the first toner cartridge  501 . 
     FIGS. 15A and 15B  show a state in the middle of removing the first toner cartridge  501  from the image forming apparatus  1  from a rear surface side along a front surface side after a state shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B . Since the shutter  501   h  engages with the shutter concave part  903  provided on a side surface of the shutter  501   h , the shutter  501   h  does not move in association with the removing of the first toner cartridge  501  and temporary stays at the same position. For this reason, the guide member  501   e  on which the first hooking part  905  and the second hooking part  906  of the shutter  501   h  hook slides, and the first toner cartridge  501  is in a movable state in a direction of being removed from the image forming apparatus  1  from a rear surface side to a front surface side. The guide member  501   e  slides to a position where the shutter  501   h  completely blocks the discharging opening  501   z . At this time, an edge part on a front surface side of the rib inclination part  920  of the rib  501   f  shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  13 B and  13 C is positioned close to the protrusion of the front edge of the holding protrusion unit  801 . 
   Further, when the first toner cartridge  501  is removed from the image forming apparatus  1  along a direction from a rear surface side to a front surface side from a state shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B  to a state shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the rib  501   f  presses the holding protrusion unit  801  from a left side to a right side along an inclination of the rib inclination part  920 . Then, the protrusion of the front edge of the holding protrusion unit  801  which engages with the shutter concave part  903  of the shutter  501   h  is disengaged from the shutter concave part  903 . For this reason, the shutter  501   h  hooks on the guide member  501   e  and blocks the toner discharging opening  5 , and the shutter  501   h  is in a state of being integrated with the guide member  501   e . Then, the first toner cartridge  501  can completely be removed from the image forming apparatus  1 . For this reason, when the first toner cartridge  501  is removed from the image forming apparatus  1 , the toner can be prevented from falling from the discharging opening  501   z  provided in the first toner cartridge  501 . 
   In addition, at an outer edge of the guide member  501   e  in a width direction, there is not a stationary part which interferes with the insertion and removal of the shutter  501   h  into and from the guide member  501   e . Therefore, the shutter  501   h  can easily be removed from the guide member  501   e . Although needless to point out, a plastic material is desirably recycled in view of an environmental aspect. The shutter  501   h  of the present embodiment can easily be removed from the guide member  501   e  of the first toner cartridge  501 . Therefore, the shutter  501   h  can easily be removed and reused after the sealing member  900  is removed. Therefore, the shutter  501   h  has good recycling efficiency. 
     FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of the first toner cartridge  501  according to the embodiment as viewed from a front surface side. As shown in  FIG. 17 , a toner protrusion part  930  as a protrusion is formed on a side surface on the left side of the first toner cartridge  501  and on a front surface side of the first toner cartridge  501 . In the present embodiment, the toner protrusion part  930  is provided along a height direction (direction along a lower side to an upper side) of the first toner cartridge  501 . 
     FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the cartridge holding mechanism  505  as viewed from upper front side thereof. A holding mechanism protrusion  803  as a protrusion is formed on a side surface on the left side of the cartridge holding mechanism  505 . The holding mechanism protrusion  803  is positioned and has a size so as to face the toner protrusion part  930  formed in the first toner cartridge  501  when the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted into the cartridge holding mechanism  505 . In the present embodiment, the holding mechanism protrusion  803  is formed along a height direction (direction along a lower side to an upper side) of the cartridge holding mechanism  505 . In addition, the holding mechanism protrusion  803  is made of a flexible member. For this reason, the holding mechanism protrusion  803  does not interfere with the approach by abutting the toner protrusion part  930  when the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted into the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     FIGS. 19 and 20  are cross-sectional perspective views of the first toner cartridge  501  cut along the line IV-IV shown in  FIG. 5  as viewed from upper front side.  FIG. 19  shows a state before completing insertion of the first toner cartridge  501  into the image forming apparatus  1 .  FIG. 20  shows a state when the insertion of the first toner cartridge  501  into the image forming apparatus  1  is completed. 
   As shown in  FIG. 19 , the toner protrusion part  930  of the first toner cartridge  501  is positioned on a front surface side of the image forming apparatus  1  with respect to the holding mechanism protrusion  803  immediately before the first toner cartridge  501  is completely inserted into the image forming apparatus  1 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the discharging opening  501   z  provided in the discharging unit  501   g  of the first toner cartridge  501  and the toner supplying opening  800  in the image forming apparatus  1  do not face and match with each other completely at this stage. 
   Further, when the first toner cartridge  501  is further inserted into the image forming apparatus  1  from the state in  FIG. 19 , the toner protrusion part  930  of the first toner cartridge  501  abuts and presses the holding mechanism protrusion  803  and is moved to a position on a rear surface side of the image forming apparatus  1  further than the holding mechanism  803 . This state is shown in  FIG. 20 . 
   At this time, the holding mechanism protrusion  803  abutted and pressed by the toner protrusion part  930  in a direction from a front surface side to a rear surface side of the image forming apparatus  1  bends, in reaction, toward a direction from a rear surface side to a front surface side of the image forming apparatus  1 . For this reason, the user can sense the bending of the holding mechanism protrusion  803  as a little resistance when the first toner cartridge  501  is inserted. Thereafter, the first toner cartridge  501  is in a state of being completely inserted. For this reason, the holding mechanism protrusion  803  is made of a flexible member. 
   In addition, for example, both the holding mechanism protrusion  803  and the toner protrusion part  930  may be made by mixing plastic or a rigid body such as metal or combination thereof to generate friction sound by friction between each other. Thereby, the user can recognize that the first toner cartridge  501  is in a state of being completely inserted. 
   For this reason, the user can understand whether the first toner cartridge  501  is successfully inserted into the image forming apparatus  1  completely. Therefore, toner leakage due to a shift between the discharging opening  501   z  provided in the discharging unit  501   g  of the first toner cartridge  501  and the toner supplying opening  800  in the image forming apparatus  1  can be prevented when the user activates the image forming apparatus  1  while the first toner cartridge  501  is not completely inserted in the image forming apparatus  1 . 
   Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.