Patent Description:
There is known a technology of a toner container having a shutter that is pushed and opened by a toner supply part of a main body of an apparatus upon insertion of the toner container into the main body and is automatically closed by an elastic force of a spring when the toner container is pulled out (e.g., <CIT>).

<CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> disclose background art to the invention.

In conventional shutter mechanisms, two claws that are line-symmetric with respect to the line of action of the elastic force of the spring are used as one of the shutter holding mechanisms so that the shutter does not pop out due to the elastic force of the spring when the shutter is closed.

The claws open and close in the direction perpendicular to the elastic force of the spring, and functions as a holding mechanism when the claws are opened.

The elastic force of the spring presses the open claws against a holder component that fixes the shutter in the same direction as the elastic force, thus preventing the shutter from popping out.

However, if the shutter deteriorates due to long-term use and an impact such as dropping is applied to the shutter, the claws may be closed due to the combination of the impact and the elastic force of the spring. Accordingly, there is a problem that the shutter may pop out.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a shutter mechanism that prevents a shutter component from coming off due to an impact or the like.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a shutter mechanism that includes a shutter, a shutter support, and an elastic member. The shutter moves in one direction to close an opening. The shutter support supports the shutter. The elastic member biases the shutter and the shutter support in opposite directions. The shutter includes an abutting portion to hook on the shutter support with the abutting portion being biased by the elastic member. At least one of the abutting portion and the shutter support has a hook strengthening structure to strengthen hooking of the shutter on the shutter support.

According to the present disclosure, a shutter mechanism that prevents a shutter component from coming off due to an impact or the like can be provided.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings for illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure, elements or components identical or similar in function or shape are given identical reference numerals as far as distinguishable, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

First, an image forming apparatus to which a toner container to which a shutter mechanism according to an embodiment is applied (hereinafter, also appropriately referred to as "the toner container according to an embodiment") can be attached and detached is described.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A configuration example of a copier <NUM> as an example of the image forming apparatus is described in <FIG>. The copier <NUM> includes a main body (hereinafter referred to as "printer unit <NUM>"), a sheet feeding table (hereinafter referred to as "sheet feeder <NUM>"), and a scanner disposed above the printer unit <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as "scanner unit <NUM>").

A toner container mount <NUM> is disposed in an upper portion of the printer unit <NUM>. Four detachable (replaceable) toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> as powder containers (also collectively referred to as "toner containers <NUM>") to contain yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners, respectively, are disposed in the toner container mount <NUM>. An intermediate transfer unit <NUM> is disposed below the toner container mount <NUM>.

An intermediate transfer unit <NUM> includes an intermediate transfer belt <NUM> (serving as an intermediate transferor), four primary transfer rollers 49Y, <NUM>, 49C, and <NUM>, a secondary transfer backup roller <NUM>, a plurality of tension rollers, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaner. The intermediate transfer belt <NUM> is stretched and supported by the above-described multiple rollers and is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow in <FIG> as the secondary transfer backup roller <NUM> of the multiple rollers rotates.

In the printer unit <NUM>, four image forming units 46Y, <NUM>, 46C, and <NUM> (also collectively referred to as "image forming units <NUM>") are arranged in parallel, facing the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> to form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images, respectively. Four toner supply devices 60Y, <NUM>, 60C, and <NUM> (also collectively referred to as "toner supply devices <NUM>") are disposed below the corresponding four toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM>, respectively. The toner supply devices 60Y, <NUM>, 60C, and <NUM> supply toners (serving as powder) contained in the corresponding toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> to developing devices <NUM> (see developing device 50Y in <FIG>) of the corresponding image forming units 46Y, <NUM>, 46C, and <NUM>, respectively.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the printer unit <NUM> further includes an exposure device <NUM> as a latent image forming device below the four image forming units <NUM>. The exposure device <NUM> irradiates and scans surfaces of photoconductors 41Y, <NUM>, 41C, and <NUM> based on image data read by the scanner unit <NUM>, and forms latent images on the surfaces of the photoconductors 41Y, <NUM>, 41C, and <NUM>. The image data may be either that read by the scanner unit <NUM> or that input from an external device such as a personal computer connected to the copier <NUM>.

Detailed descriptions of the image forming process by, e.g., the image forming units 46Y, <NUM>, 46C, and <NUM>, the photoconductors 41Y, <NUM>, 41C, and <NUM>, the exposure device <NUM>, and the developing devices are omitted. For example, substantially the same description as the description of the image forming process with reference to <FIG> in <CIT> can be applied.

The sheet feeder <NUM> conveys a recording medium P from a sheet feeding tray <NUM> disposed below the printer unit <NUM> to the image forming process via, e.g., a feed roller <NUM> and a registration roller pair <NUM>. The recording medium P onto which multicolor toner images are transferred in the image forming process is conveyed to a fixing device <NUM>. The fixing device <NUM> fixes the multicolor toner images on the recording medium P. After passing through the fixing device <NUM>, the recording medium P is ejected by an output roller pair <NUM> to the outside of the printer unit <NUM>. The recording medium P is sequentially stacked on a stack tray <NUM> as output images. The above description is an outline of the printer unit <NUM> of the copier <NUM>.

Next, the toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> and the toner supply devices 60Y, <NUM>, 60C, and <NUM> are described in further detail. <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner supply device 60Y. <FIG> is a perspective diagram illustrating a state in which the four toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> are attached in the toner container mount <NUM>.

The respective color toners contained in the toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> attached in the toner container mount <NUM> of the printer unit <NUM> are supplied into the corresponding developing devices <NUM> of the image forming units 46Y, <NUM>, 46C, and <NUM> according to the amount of toner consumption in the developing devices <NUM>. Toner concentration sensors 56Y, <NUM>, 56C, and <NUM> detect concentrations of the toners in the developing devices 50Y, <NUM>, 50C, and <NUM>, respectively. The toner supply devices 60Y, <NUM>, 60C, and <NUM> supply the respective color toners from the toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> to the corresponding developing devices 50Y, <NUM>, 50C, and <NUM>, respectively. The four toner supply devices 60Y, <NUM>, 60C, and <NUM> have a similar configuration except the color of the toner used in the image forming processes. The toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> have a similar configuration except the color of the toner used in the image forming processes. Therefore, the toner supply device 60Y and the toner container 32Y for yellow are described below as representatives. Descriptions of the toner supply devices <NUM>, 60C, and <NUM> and the toner containers <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> for the three other colors may be omitted.

The toner supply devices 60Y, <NUM>, 60C, and <NUM> include the toner container mount <NUM>, conveyance nozzles 611Y, <NUM>, 611C, and <NUM> as conveyance tubes, conveyance screws 614Y, <NUM>, 614C, and <NUM> as conveyors, toner downward conveyance passages 64Y, <NUM>, 64C, and <NUM>, and drive units 91Y, <NUM>, 91C, and <NUM> to rotate the toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM>, respectively. For convenience of explanation, one end of a container body <NUM>, which is described later, on which a container opening portion 33a is disposed is referred to as "front end of the toner container" with respect to the direction of attachment of the toner container 32Y to the toner supply device 60Y. An opposite end of the container body <NUM> on which a handle <NUM>, which is described later, is disposed is referred to as the "rear end of the toner container". In conjunction with insertion of the toner container 32Y into the toner container mount <NUM> of the printer unit <NUM> in the direction indicated by arrow Q illustrated in <FIG>, the conveyance nozzle 611Y of the toner supply device 60Y is inserted into the toner container 32Y from the front end side of the toner container 32Y. With this action, the interior of the toner container 32Y communicates with the interior of the conveyance nozzle 611Y.

The toner container 32Y is, for example, a substantially cylindrical toner bottle, as a form of the toner container. The toner container 32Y includes a container front-end cover 34Y irrotationally held by the toner container mount <NUM> and the container body 33Y (serving as a toner storage member) formed together with a container gear 301Y. The container body 33Y is held to be rotatable relative to the container front-end cover 34Y.

The toner container mount <NUM> mainly includes a container-cover receiver <NUM>, a container receiver <NUM>, and an insertion port part <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The container-cover receiver <NUM> holds the container front-end cover 34Y of the toner container 32Y. The container receiver <NUM> holds the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y. The insertion port part <NUM>, together with the container receiver <NUM>, defines an insertion port into which the toner container 32Y is attached. Note that a socket 608Y illustrated in <FIG> is a portion of the container-cover receiver <NUM> of the toner container mount <NUM>.

Herein, the longitudinal length of the container receiver <NUM> is almost equal to the longitudinal length of the container body 33Y. The container-cover receiver <NUM> is disposed at one end of the container receiver <NUM> on which the front-end of the toner container 32Y is disposed in the longitudinal direction (the direction of attachment) of the container receiver <NUM>. The insertion port part <NUM> is disposed at another end of the container receiver <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the container receiver <NUM>. In <FIG>, directly below the four toner containers <NUM>, grooves are disposed that extend from the insertion port part <NUM> to the container-cover receiver <NUM>, and the long side of the grooves coincides with the axial direction of the container body <NUM>.

Next, the toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are described below in further detail. As described above, the toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> have substantially identical configurations, except differing in the color of toner employed. Accordingly, in the descriptions below, the suffixes Y, M, C, and K indicating the color of the toner are omitted below.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the toner container <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, an identification (ID) tag <NUM> (e.g., an ID chip) is disposed on the container front-end cover <NUM>, to record data such as usage conditions of the toner container <NUM>. In attachment of the toner container <NUM>, as a slide guide <NUM> engages a slide rail of the container receiver <NUM>, the posture of the container front-end cover <NUM> on the toner supply device <NUM> is determined.

In a state in which the container front-end cover 34Y is attached to the container-cover receiver <NUM>, the rotation driving force is input from the drive unit 91Y to the container gear 301Y of the container body 33Y (see <FIG>) via a container drive gear. With this driving force, the container body 33Y is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow A illustrated in <FIG> (hereinafter "rotation direction A"). When the container body 33Y rotates, a spiral projection 302Y (serving as a rotating conveyor) formed spirally on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33Y also rotates. The toner contained inside the container body 33Y is conveyed from one end (on which the handle 303Y is disposed) located on the left side in <FIG> to the other end (on which the container opening portion 33a is disposed) located on the right side along the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y. Accordingly, the toner is supplied from the container front-end cover 34Y disposed on the other end into the conveyance nozzle 611Y.

The toner containers 32Y, <NUM>, 32C, and <NUM> are replaced with new ones when the respective service lives thereof have expired, that is, when almost all toner contained in the toner container <NUM> has been depleted. The handle 303Y is disposed at the end of the toner container 32Y opposite the container front-end cover 34Y. Users can grasp the handle 303Y to remove the toner container 32Y from the copier <NUM> in replacement, respectively.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the toner supply device <NUM> and the front end of the toner container <NUM> attached to the toner supply device <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective diagram illustrating a state in which the container front-end cover <NUM> is detached from the toner container <NUM> from the state illustrated in <FIG>.

As described above, the toner container <NUM> includes the container body <NUM> and the container front-end cover <NUM>. In a center area of a front-end face of the toner container <NUM>, a nozzle receiving port <NUM> is disposed that serves as a nozzle insertion port for receiving the insertion of the conveyance nozzle <NUM> when the toner container <NUM> is attached. A container shutter <NUM> serving as an opening and closing member is disposed to close the nozzle receiving port <NUM> when the toner container <NUM> is not attached. The toner container <NUM> in the present disclosure is not limited to a configuration mainly including the container body <NUM> and the container front-end cover <NUM>. For example, when the container front-end cover <NUM> does not include functions such as the slide guide <NUM> and the ID tag <NUM>, the toner container <NUM> may be used as a toner container without the container front-end cover <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, by providing the toner container with functions such as the slide guide <NUM> and the ID tag <NUM> a toner container without a container front-end cover can be obtained.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the toner container <NUM> in a state where the nozzle receiver <NUM> serving as a tube insertion member is removed from the container body <NUM> from the state of <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the toner container <NUM> in the state where the nozzle receiver <NUM> is removed from the container body <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the toner container <NUM> (the toner container <NUM> in the state where the container front-end cover <NUM> is removed as in <FIG>) in the state where the nozzle receiver <NUM> is attached to the container body <NUM> from the state of <FIG>.

The container body <NUM> is substantially cylindrical and rotatable around a center axis of the cylindrical shape (i.e., the axis of rotation) as illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the axis of rotation is referred to as "axial direction". Note that the longitudinal direction of the toner container <NUM> is the axial direction thereof, and the axial direction is kept horizontal when the toner container <NUM> is attached in the toner supply device <NUM>. A portion (i.e., a large diameter portion) of the container body <NUM> closer to the container rear end than (in other words, upstream in the attachment direction Q from) the container gear <NUM> is larger in external diameter than the front end of the container body <NUM>, and a spiral rib <NUM> is disposed on the inner surface of the large diameter portion. As the container body <NUM> rotates in the direction A illustrated in <FIG>, the spiral rib <NUM> gives a conveyance force to the toner in the container body <NUM> in the direction from one end (the container rear end) to the other end (the container front end) in the axial direction. That is, a spiral projection as a conveyance portion is disposed inside the container body.

The inner wall in the container front end of the container body <NUM> includes a scooping portion <NUM> to lift (scoop) the toner being conveyed to the front end of the toner container <NUM> by the spiral rib <NUM> as the container body <NUM> rotates in the direction A in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the scooping portion <NUM> includes a convex portion <NUM> and a scooping wall surface 304f. The convex portion <NUM> is a portion (raised portion) that is raised inside the container body <NUM> so as to form a ridge of mountain toward the rotation center of the container body <NUM> while forming a spiral. The scooping wall surface 304f is a wall surface on the downstream side of the wall surface continuous from the convex portion <NUM> to the inner wall surface of the peripheral surface of the container body <NUM> when viewed from the rotation direction of the toner container <NUM> with the convex portion <NUM> interposed therebetween.

When the scooping wall surface 304f is downward, the toner that has entered the internal space facing the scooping portion <NUM> due to the conveyance force of the spiral projection <NUM> is scooped upward by the scooping wall surface 304f in accordance with the rotation of the container body <NUM>. Accordingly, the toner can be lifted higher than the conveyance nozzle <NUM> inserted into the container body <NUM>. That is, the toner is lifted upward from below. As the rotation proceeds, the toner scooped by the scooping wall surface 304f follows gravity and slides down from the scooping wall surface 304f, or collapses and falls down. Since there is the conveyance nozzle <NUM> serving as a conveyance tube on the main body, which is described later, the toner is moved toward a nozzle opening of the conveyance tube.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view along line E-E in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the convex portion <NUM> has a gentle mountain-shape due to an effect that the container body <NUM> is formed by blow molding. In <FIG>, e.g., the convex portion <NUM> is represented by a curved line for convenience of distinguishing the scooping portion <NUM>. The scooping wall surface 304f is an area represented by a grid in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the area is a pair of slopes that connect the convex portion <NUM> and the inner peripheral surface of the container body <NUM> with the rotation axis of the container body <NUM> being as a reference point of point symmetry. The convex portion <NUM> is continuously disposed so as to extend from an inner wall surface of the container starting to rise toward an inner wall surface on the opposite side facing the inner wall surface and in the direction of the opening portion. At the position of the cross-section along line E-E as illustrated in <FIG>, the cutting direction of the cross-section along line E-E in <FIG> is substantially the same as the extending direction of the wall surface on the upstream side in the container rotation direction among the inner wall surfaces divided by the convex portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the wall has a large thickness as illustrated in <FIG>. The convex portion <NUM> is also at a position at which the convex portion <NUM> appears to have a large thickness.

Since the toner need to be conveyed toward the container opening portion 33a, as illustrated in <FIG>, the scooping wall surface 304f tilts so as to be farther away from the longitudinal axis (indicated by one-dot chain line illustrated in <FIG>) of the container body <NUM>, from the convex portion <NUM> toward the container opening portion 33a. With such a configuration, when the scooping wall surface 304f scoops the toner and rotates, the scooping wall surface 304f tilts toward the opening portion (in other words, the direction from the convex portion to the opening portion is tilted downward from the horizontal direction, more specifically, tilted outward in the radial direction of the container with respect to the longitudinal axis). Accordingly, the toner can be easily conveyed in the direction of the container opening portion.

The container gear <NUM> is disposed at a position closer to the front end of the toner container <NUM> than the scooping portion <NUM> in the container body <NUM>. The container front-end cover <NUM> is partially cut away, providing a gear exposing opening 34a, to partially expose the container gear <NUM> (on the back side in <FIG>) in a state in which the container front-end cover <NUM> is attached to the container body <NUM>. When the toner container <NUM> is attached in the toner supply device <NUM>, the container gear <NUM> exposed through the gear exposing opening 34a meshes with the container drive gear of the toner supply device <NUM>.

The cylindrical container opening portion 33a is disposed at a position closer to the front end of the toner container <NUM> than the container gear <NUM> in the container body <NUM>. A receiver fixing portion <NUM> of the nozzle receiver <NUM> is press-fitted in the container opening portion 33a to secure the nozzle receiver <NUM> to the container body <NUM>. The method of securing the nozzle receiver <NUM> is not limited to press fitting. Alternatively, the nozzle receiver <NUM> may be glued or screwed to the container body <NUM>, for example. After the toner is replenished from the container opening portion 33a into the container body <NUM>, the nozzle receiver <NUM> is secured to the container opening portion 33a of the container body <NUM>.

A cover-hook catch <NUM> is disposed at an end of the container opening portion 33a of the container body <NUM> closer to the container gear <NUM>. The container front-end cover <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) is attached from the front side of the toner container <NUM> (on the lower left side in <FIG>) to the toner container <NUM> (the container body <NUM>) being in the state illustrated in <FIG>. The container body <NUM> penetrates the container front-end cover <NUM> in the axial direction, and a cover hook <NUM> disposed in an upper portion of the container front-end cover <NUM> is hooked to the cover-hook catch <NUM>. The cover-hook catch <NUM> extends over the entire circumference of the container opening portion 33a. With the cover hook <NUM> hooked by the cover-hook catch <NUM>, the container body <NUM> can rotate relative to the container front-end cover <NUM>.

The container body <NUM> is manufactured through biaxial stretch blow molding. Typically, biaxial stretch blow molding includes two steps of preform molding and stretch blow molding. In the preform molding step, resin is injected into a preform shaped like a test tube. During the step of injection molding, the container opening portion 33a, the cover-hook catch <NUM>, and the container gear <NUM> are formed at a mouth portion of the test-tube-shaped preform. After the step of preform molding, the preform is cooled, removed from the mold, and heated (softened). Then, blow molding and stretch of the softened preform are executed (stretch blow molding).

The portion of the container body <NUM> closer to the rear end of the toner container <NUM> than the container gear <NUM> is formed in the step of stretch blow molding. That is, the scooping portion <NUM>, the portion where the spiral rib <NUM> is formed, and the handle <NUM> are formed by stretch blow molding. The shape of the front end portion of the container body <NUM> including the container gear <NUM> and portions, such as the container opening portion 33a and the cover-hook catch <NUM>, positioned closer to the front end of the toner container <NUM> than the container gear <NUM> is not changed from the preform produced by injection molding. Accordingly, dimensional accuracy can be high. One the other hand, the scooping portion <NUM>, the portion including the spiral rib <NUM>, and the handle <NUM>, which are formed by stretch blow molding after injection molding, may be lower in dimensional accuracy than the preform portion.

Next, the nozzle receiver <NUM> secured to the container body <NUM> is described below. <FIG> is a perspective view of the nozzle receiver <NUM> as viewed from the front side of the toner container <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the nozzle receiver <NUM> as viewed from the rear side of the toner container. <FIG> is an upper cross-sectional view of the nozzle receiver <NUM> in the state illustrated in <FIG> as viewed from above. <FIG> is a lateral cross-sectional view of the nozzle receiver <NUM> in the state illustrated in <FIG> (back side in <FIG>). <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the nozzle receiver <NUM>.

The nozzle receiver <NUM> includes a container shutter support <NUM> (serving as a support), the container shutter <NUM>, a container seal <NUM> (serving as a seal member), a container shutter spring <NUM> (serving as a biasing member), and the receiver fixing portion <NUM>. The container shutter support <NUM> includes a rear end support <NUM> (serving as a rear end portion), a pair of shutter side supports 335a (serving as side portions), and shutter support openings 335b and the receiver fixing portion <NUM> (serving as side opening). The container shutter spring <NUM> is, for example, a coil spring.

The shutter side support 335a and the shutter support opening 335b of the container shutter support <NUM> are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of rotation of the toner container <NUM>. The two shutter side supports 335a facing each other form a part of the cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape is largely cut out at the portions (two places) of the shutter support openings 335b. Such a shape can guide the container shutter <NUM> to move, in the cylindrical space S1 (see <FIG>) inside the cylindrical shape, along the insertion direction of the conveyance nozzle <NUM>, in other words, move toward an opening position where the nozzle receiving port <NUM> is opened and a closing position where the nozzle receiving port <NUM> is closed. That is, the container body has a projection shape that projects from a portion of the container opening portion inside the container body toward the rear end of the toner container.

The nozzle receiver <NUM> secured to the container body <NUM> rotates with the container body <NUM> as the container body <NUM> rotates. At this time, the shutter side supports 335a of the nozzle receiver <NUM> rotate around the conveyance nozzle <NUM> of the toner supply device <NUM>. The shutter side supports 335a and the shutter support openings 335b alternately pass a space just above the nozzle hole <NUM> formed in the upper portion of the conveyance nozzle <NUM>. If the toner momentarily accumulates above the nozzle hole <NUM>, the shutter side supports 335a cross and break the accumulation of toner. This structure restrains aggregation of toner while the apparatus is left unused and restrains poor conveyance of toner at restart of the apparatus. On the other hand, when the shutter side supports 335a are positioned on the lateral sides of the conveyance nozzle <NUM> and the nozzle hole <NUM> faces the shutter support opening 335b, the toner is supplied from the container body <NUM> through the shutter support opening 335b to the conveyance nozzle <NUM> as indicated by arrow β illustrated in <FIG>.

The container shutter <NUM> includes a cylindrical end part 332c (serving as a closing portion), a sliding portion 332d, a guide rod 332e, and a pair of shutter retaining hooks 332a. The cylindrical end part 332c is a part disposed on the front end of the toner container <NUM> to tightly contact a cylindrical opening (the nozzle receiving port <NUM>) of the container seal <NUM>. The sliding portion 332d is closer to the rear end of the toner container <NUM> than the cylindrical end part 332c and slightly larger in diameter than the cylindrical end part 332c. The slide portion 332d is a cylindrical portion that slides on an inner circumferential face of the pair of shutter side supports 335a. The guide rod 332e is a rod standing from the inside of the cylinder of the cylindrical end part 332c toward the rear end of the toner container <NUM>, and is a rod inserted into the coil of the container shutter spring <NUM> to guide the container shutter spring <NUM> not to buckle. The guide rod 332e includes a guide rod sliding portion <NUM> in an area closer to the rear end of the toner container <NUM>. The guide rod sliding portion <NUM> is a pair of flat surfaces formed on both sides of the cylindrical guide rod 332e from the middle of the column-shaped guide rod 332e across the central axis of the guide rod 332e. The guide rod sliding portion <NUM> is bifurcated at a position closer to the rear end of the toner container <NUM> to form a pair of cantilevers 332f. Each one of the pair of shutter retaining hooks 332a is disposed at an end of the cantilever 332f opposite the rooted end of the guide rod 332e. The pair of shutter retaining hooks 332a is a pair of nail portions to prevent the container shutter <NUM> from slipping off the container shutter support <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a front-end portion of the container shutter spring <NUM> contacts an inner wall face of the container shutter <NUM>, and a rear-end portion of the container shutter spring <NUM> contacts a wall face of the rear end support <NUM>. Since the container shutter spring <NUM> is in a compressed state, the container shutter <NUM> is biased in a direction away from the rear end support <NUM> (in the right direction of <FIG>, and in a direction of the front end of the toner container <NUM>). However, the shutter retaining hooks 332a at the rear end of the container shutter <NUM> are hooked on an outer wall of the rear end support <NUM>. Thus, the container shutter <NUM> is prevented from moving away from the rear end support <NUM> as compared with the state illustrated in <FIG>. Positioning is performed by the hook of the shutter retaining hooks 332a on the shutter rear end support <NUM> and the biasing force of the container shutter spring <NUM>. Specifically, the cylindrical end part 332c, which prevents leak of toner from the container shutter <NUM>, and the container seal <NUM> are positioned in the axial direction relative to the container shutter support <NUM>. Accordingly, the cylindrical end part 332c and the container seal <NUM> are positioned in close contact with each other, thus preventing leakage of toner.

The receiver fixing portion <NUM> has a tubular shape in which the diameters of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface gradually decrease toward the rear end of the toner container <NUM>. The diameters decrease when viewed from the front end of the toner container <NUM> toward the rear end of the toner container <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the outer peripheral surface has two outer diameter portions (outer peripheral surfaces AA and BB in order from the front end of the toner container). The inner peripheral surface has five inner diameter portions (inner peripheral surfaces CC, DD, EE, FF, and GG in order from the front end of the toner container. The boundary between the outer peripheral surface AA and the outer peripheral surface BB is continuous via a tapered surface. The boundary between the fourth inner peripheral surface FF and the fifth inner peripheral surface GG on the inner peripheral surface is also continuous via a tapered surface. The inner peripheral surface FF and a tapered surface continuous to the inner peripheral surface FF correspond to a seal entrainment prevention space 337b described later. The ridges of the inner peripheral surface FF and the tapered surface correspond to the sides of the pentagonal cross section described later.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the pair of shutter side supports 335a, which face each other in an area closer to the rear end of the toner container <NUM> than the receiver fixing portion <NUM> and have a cylindrical shape cut in the axial direction, project from the receiver fixing portion <NUM>. Ends of the two shutter side supports 335a on the rear side of the toner container <NUM> are coupled to the rear end support <NUM> having a cup shape and a bottom with an oval hole. As the two shutter side supports 335a face each other, a columnar space S1 is defined by the cylindrical inner faces of the shutter side supports 335a and a virtual cylindrical face extending therefrom. The receiver fixing portion <NUM> has a fifth inner peripheral surface GG from the tip as a cylindrical inner peripheral surface having an inner diameter of the same size as the diameter of the columnar space S1. The sliding portion 332d of the container shutter <NUM> slidingly moves in the columnar space S1 and on the inner peripheral surface GG. The third inner peripheral surface EE of the receiver fixing portion <NUM> is a virtual circumferential surface passing through the longitudinal tops of the nozzle-shutter abutting ribs 337a arranged at equal intervals of <NUM> degrees distribution. The cylindrical (circular and tubular) container seal <NUM> having a quadrangular cross section (cross section of the cross-sectional views in <FIG>) is arranged corresponding to the inner peripheral surface EE. The container seal <NUM> is fixed to a vertical surface connecting from the third inner peripheral surface EE to the fifth inner peripheral surface FF with an adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like. The exposed surface on the side opposite to the attachment of the container seal <NUM> (right side in <FIG>) forms the inner bottom of the cylindrical opening of the cylindrical receiver fixing portion <NUM> (container opening portion).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the seal entrainment prevention space 337b (pinching prevention space) is formed corresponding to the inner peripheral surface FF of the receiver fixing portion <NUM> and the tapered surface continuous to the inner peripheral surface FF. The seal entrainment prevention space 337b is a ring-shaped sealed space surrounded by three different members. That is, the inner peripheral surface of the receiver fixing portion <NUM> (the fourth inner peripheral surface FF and the tapered surface continuous to the fourth inner peripheral surface FF), the vertical surface on the sticking side of the container seal <NUM>, and a ring-shaped space surrounded by the outer peripheral surface from the cylindrical end part 332c of the container shutter <NUM> to the sliding portion 332d. The cross section of this ring-shaped space (cross section in the cross sections of <FIG>) has a pentagonal shape. Bothe of an angle formed by the inner peripheral surface of the receiver fixing portion <NUM> and the end face of the container seal <NUM> and an angle formed by the outer peripheral surface of the container shutter <NUM> and the end face of the container seal <NUM> are <NUM> degrees.

Even in the above-described configurations, the shutter retaining hooks 332a formed at the end of the container shutter <NUM> closer to the rear side of the toner container <NUM> may not be hooked and may be disconnected from the outer wall surface of the shutter rear end support <NUM> when a stronger impact than expected is applied from the outside. For example, the failure described above may occur when the container shutter <NUM> deteriorates. In such a case, the container shutter <NUM> may pop out from the nozzle receiver <NUM>.

Here, the popping out of the container shutter <NUM> is described. <FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating the popping out of a deteriorated shutter of the container. In <FIG>, claws <NUM>, two shafts <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, and a spring <NUM> are illustrated as follows in association with the toner container <NUM> described above. The claws <NUM> represent the shutter retaining hooks 332a of the container shutter <NUM> described above. The two shafts <NUM> represent the cantilevers 332f. The holder <NUM> represent the shutter rear end support <NUM>. The spring <NUM> represent the container shutter spring <NUM>.

The popping out of the deteriorated container shutter <NUM> is caused by the fact that when the two claws <NUM> are slightly and simultaneously closed due to an impact, the elastic force of the spring <NUM> further applies a force in the closing direction of the claws <NUM>. <FIG> include enlarged views of the portion, surrounded by a circle, where one claw <NUM> is hooked on the holder <NUM> indicated with an arrow. <FIG> illustrates a state where the claw <NUM> is hooked on the holder <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a state where the spring <NUM> deforms in the direction in which the two shafts <NUM> approach to each other and the amount of the claw <NUM> hooked on the holder <NUM> is reduced. In the state on <FIG>, a force is applied to the shaft <NUM> by the spring <NUM> in the direction indicated by arrow F0, so that the claw <NUM> disconnects from the holder <NUM>.

Therefore, shutter mechanisms according to the following embodiments are provided for the purpose of preventing a failure that the claw <NUM> (shutter retaining hooks 332a) is not hooked on and disconnects from the outer wall surface of the holder <NUM> (shutter rear end support <NUM>), even when a stronger impact than expected is applied from the outside. According to each of the following embodiments, closing the two claws <NUM> at the same time due to an impact or decreasing in holding force when the two claws <NUM> are slightly closed are prevented.

In each of the embodiments described below, the shutter mechanism of an embodiment includes at least a shutter, a shutter support, and an elastic member. The shutter moves in one direction and closes. Specifically, the shutter is a member that moves along one direction to open and close the entrance (opening), moves in one direction to close, and moves in the other direction to open. One direction is a direction (direction along the above-described axial direction) along the line of action of the elastic force of the elastic member (for example, the spring <NUM>). As the shutter, a material that the holding function does not deteriorate due to the deterioration of each member or the action of the impact force may preferably be used.

The shutter has an abutting portion and a beam. The abutting portion is hooked on the shutter support while being biased by the elastic member. The abutting portion automatically closes the shutter with the elastic member, and acts as a holding mechanism to fix the shutter in the closing position. The beam enables the abutting portion in the direction intersecting with one direction. The shutter support is a member that supports the shutter. The elastic member is a member that biases the shutter and the shutter support in opposite directions.

The shutter mechanism according to each of the following embodiments is characterized that the hooking amount or contact area between the abutting portion and the shutter support is larger after an elastic deformation of the beam due to the biasing force of the elastic member than before the elastic deformation. The hooking amount refers to the distance from the edge of the support to the farthest position of the contact points between the abutting portion and the support. The distance of reference numeral L is indicated in the circle on the left side in <FIG> as an example of the hooking amount. Each of the following embodiments is described using the configuration example of the claws, the shafts, the holder, and the spring illustrated in <FIG>. The shutter mechanism according to one embodiment uses these configurations as claws (serving as the abutting portion), two shafts (serving as the beam), a holder (serving as a part of the shutter support), and a spring (serving as the elastic member).

When the shutter mechanism according to one embodiment is applied to the toner container <NUM> described above, the shutter mechanism includes, for example, the container shutter <NUM> (serving as the shutter), the shutter retaining hook 332a (serving as the abutting portion), and the cantilever 332f (serving as the beam), the shutter rear end support <NUM> or the container shutter support <NUM> having the shutter rear end support <NUM> (serving as the shutter support), and the container shutter spring <NUM> (serving as the elastic member). That is, the shutter mechanism according to one embodiment includes the container seal <NUM>, e.g., in the container shutter <NUM> described above. The description thereof is omitted in each of the following embodiments. Some features of each embodiment are described below.

A first embodiment is characterized that the abutting portion has an elastic function and is elastically deformed in a direction away from the beam by a force in a direction in which the elastic member biases. In such a configuration, the hooking amount by which the abutting portion hooks the shutter support is larger after elastic deformation than before elastic deformation. The hooking amount may be the contact area where the abutting portion contacts the shutter support, or the amount by which the abutting portion and the shutter support overlap (for example, the length from the edge of the opening through which the beam of the shutter support passes to the end of the abutting portion).

In the first embodiment, the beam moves the abutting portion in the direction intersecting with one direction by an elastic deformation. The beam is elastically deformable so that, for example, the abutting portion moves in a direction orthogonal to one direction. In the shutter, the abutting portion and the beam may be formed of an integrated single member.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating a main section of a shutter mechanism according to the first embodiment. The shutter mechanism includes at least claws <NUM>, shafts <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, and a spring <NUM>. <FIG> include enlarged views of the portion, surrounded by a circle, where one claw <NUM> is hooked on the holder <NUM> indicated with an arrow, similar to <FIG>.

In the first embodiment, the claw <NUM> (serving as the abutting portion) has a structure having an elastic function. With this structure, the elastic force of the claw <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> provided with the claw <NUM> is increased. The claw <NUM> is less likely to close even if an impact is applied. In addition, even if the shaft <NUM> is slightly closed, the elastic force of the spring <NUM> acts in the direction in which the claw <NUM> opens. Specifically, when a force is applied in the direction in which the shaft <NUM> is closed by the elastic force of the spring <NUM>, the claw <NUM> is stretched by the elastic function, so that the force applied in the direction of arrow F1 in <FIG> acts. As a result, the popping out of the shutter is prevented even if an impact is applied.

As described above, the shutter is made of a single member in which the claws <NUM> (abutting portion) as the holding mechanism and the two shafts <NUM> (beam) are integrated. The shutter has a plurality of elastic functions as follows. The claw <NUM> is elastically deformable in a direction intersecting with one direction (for example, a direction orthogonal to each other). Further, the claw <NUM> has a structure having an elastic function (extending function). With such a configuration, when the shutter receives an impact force, a force that the shutter returns to the closing position acts due to an elastic force. Thus, a holding function does not decrease even if an impact is applied.

A second embodiment is characterized that the abutting portion is formed at an acute angle in one direction. With such a configuration, the hooking amount by which the abutting portion hooks the shutter support is larger after elastic deformation than before elastic deformation. In the second embodiment, the beam has the same configuration as in the first embodiment. The abutting portion and the beam may be formed of an integrated single member.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating a main section of a shutter mechanism according to the second embodiment. The shutter mechanism includes at least claws <NUM>, shafts <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, and a spring <NUM>. <FIG> include enlarged views of the portion, surrounded by a circle, where one claw <NUM> is hooked on the holder <NUM> indicated with an arrow, similar to <FIG>.

In the second embodiment, the angle between the tips of the two claws <NUM> is acute. With this structure, when the shaft <NUM> provided with the claw <NUM> is slightly closed by the impact, the claw <NUM> and the holder <NUM> contact with each other on a surface. Thus, even if the claw <NUM> is slightly closed, the elastic force of the spring <NUM> acts in the direction in which the claw <NUM> pushes the holder <NUM>. Specifically, a force applied in the direction of arrow F2 in <FIG> acts. As a result, the popping out of the shutter is prevented.

As described above, the claw <NUM> (abutting portion) as the holding mechanism of the shutter contacts the surface perpendicular to the line of action of the elastic force by the holder <NUM> and the spring <NUM> (elastic member) at the closed position with a point or a line. The shape of the claw <NUM> is such that the claw <NUM> contacts with a surface when an impact force is applied. When the claw <NUM> receives an impact force, the area that receives the force is large, so that the holding function does not decrease due to the action of the impact force.

A third embodiment is characterized that a shutter has an abutting portion that is hooked on a shutter support in a state of being biased by an elastic member. The shutter support has an opening portion through which the shutter penetrates at the contact surface with the abutting portion. The opening portion has a shape that does not contact the abutting portion at a specified position. <FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating a main section of a shutter mechanism according to the third embodiment. The shutter mechanism includes at least claws <NUM>, a beam <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, and a spring <NUM>. Further, the shutter mechanism may include a rotation regulator <NUM>. In <FIG>, an enlarged perspective view of the claws <NUM>, the holder <NUM>, and so forth surrounded by a rectangle is indicated with an arrow. <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an end face as seen from arrow A1 illustrated in <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the holder <NUM> alone before assembly of the beam <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the holder <NUM> assembled with the beam <NUM> in which the rib 35c is not illustrated. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the holder <NUM> assembled with the beam <NUM> in which the rib 35c is illustrated.

In the third embodiment, the shutter has a structure in which the claws <NUM> serve as a holding mechanism that functions by rotation. The position of the shutter is fixed by pressing the claws <NUM> against the holder <NUM> by the elastic force of the spring <NUM>. By adding the rotation regulator <NUM>, the shutter does not pop out if the shutter does not rotate after moving to a position where the rotation regulator does not act. Accordingly, the shutter withstands the impact force that causes a strong load in a short time.

The beam <NUM> is provided with the claw <NUM> as the abutting portion at the tip portion of the shaft 35a. The holder <NUM> has an opening portion 36b having such a size that the claw <NUM> of the shutter penetrates from the front side of the toner container <NUM> toward the rear side of the toner container <NUM> together with a part of the shaft 35a on the contact surface 36a with which the claw <NUM> abuts. The opening portion 36b has a shape in which the claw <NUM> does not return toward the front side of the toner container <NUM> when rotated after passing through the contact surface 36a from the front side of the toner container <NUM> toward the rear side of the toner container <NUM>. <FIG> are illustrating a state in which the claws <NUM> are hooked on the contact surface 36a. The claws <NUM> are hooked on the contact surface 36a in the state in which the shutter is biased by the spring <NUM>. In addition, on a portion of the shaft 35a closer to the rear side than the opening portion (a position away from the front end where the abutting portion is located), a rib 35c that passes through the opening portion in the above-described hooked state is disposed. This is a restraining structure that restrains the rotation of the shaft 35a from the state of being hooked by the shaft 35a when opening and closing the shutter. The rib 35c may be omitted when there is little concern that a force is normally applied in the rotation direction or when there is another restraining structure.

As described above, the claws <NUM> (abutting portion) as the holding mechanism of the shutter have a structure that functions in the direction of action of the elastic force by the elastic member and the direction of rotation around the line of action. Since the holding force does not decrease unless multiple forces act in stages, the holding function does not decrease due to the action of the impact force.

A fourth embodiment is characterized that the plurality of abutting portions are disposed at different positions in the above-described one direction. In the fourth embodiment, the beam has the same configuration as in the first embodiment. The abutting portion and the beam may be formed of an integrated single member.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams illustrating a main section of a shutter mechanism according to the fourth embodiment. The shutter mechanism includes at least claws <NUM>, shafts <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, and a spring <NUM>. <FIG> include enlarged views of the portion, surrounded by a circle, where the claws <NUM> are hooked on the holder <NUM> indicated with an arrow, similar to <FIG>.

In the fourth embodiment, the shafts <NUM> of the two claws <NUM> have different lengths. Specifically, the lengths of the shafts <NUM> of the two claws <NUM> are different so that the two claws <NUM> are at different positions (arranged at different positions in one direction) along the line of action of the elastic force. As a result, the two claws <NUM> do not close at the same time when an impact force is applied, thus preventing the popping out of the shutter. For example, the upper claw <NUM> contacts the holder <NUM>, and the lower claw <NUM> does not contact the holder <NUM>, on the left side of <FIG>. When the shaft <NUM> is elastically deformed from this state, the shaft <NUM> is in the state of <FIG>. At this time, a force in the direction indicated by arrow F4 acts on the lower shaft <NUM> in which the claw <NUM> does not contact the holder <NUM>. Accordingly, a failure that the claw <NUM> comes off from the holder <NUM> is prevented.

As described above, the claws <NUM> (abutting portion) as the holding mechanism of the shutter do not have symmetry with respect to the line of action of the elastic force by the spring <NUM> (elastic member). The claw <NUM> has a shape that supports the impact force at one point with respect to the holder <NUM>. With such a configuration, the impact force received by the shutter is dispersed in a direction different from the elastic force of the elastic member, so that the holding function does not decrease due to the action of the impact force.

A fifth embodiment is characterized that an abutting portion of a shutter has a protruding portion protruding toward a shutter support. The shutter support has a concave in which the protruding portion (projecting portion) is accommodated. In the fifth embodiment, the beam has the same configuration as in the first embodiment. The abutting portion, the beam, and the projecting portion may be formed of an integrated single member.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a main section of a shutter mechanism according to the fifth embodiment. The shutter mechanism includes at least claws <NUM>, shafts <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, a spring <NUM>, and protruding portions <NUM>. <FIG> includes an enlarged view of the portion, surrounded by a circle, where one claw <NUM> is hooked on the holder <NUM> indicated with an arrow.

In the fifth embodiment, the protruding portion <NUM> is disposed at the tip of the claw <NUM>. The holder <NUM> has a concave in which the protruding portion <NUM> is accommodated. With this structure, the protruding portion <NUM> contacts the inner wall of the concave when an impact force is applied so that the claw <NUM> closes. Accordingly, the claw <NUM> does not close, thus preventing the popping out of the shutter.

The toner container <NUM> having the shutter mechanism according to any of the embodiments described above is used as a toner cartridge filled with toner. The toner container <NUM> having the shutter mechanism according to any of the above embodiments can be detachably attached to the image forming apparatus described above.

The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present disclosure. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A shutter mechanism comprising:
a shutter configured to move in one direction to close an opening,
a shutter support (<NUM>) supporting the shutter; and
an elastic member (<NUM>) configured to bias the shutter and the shutter support (<NUM>) in opposite directions,
wherein the shutter includes:
at least one abutting portion (<NUM>) configured to hook on the shutter support (<NUM>) with the at least one abutting portion (<NUM>) being biased by the elastic member (<NUM>); and
a beam (<NUM>) configured to be elastically deformable such that the at least one abutting portion (<NUM>) deforms in a direction intersecting the one direction,
characterized in that the at least one abutting portion (<NUM>) has an elastic function and is configured to deform in a direction away from the beam (<NUM>) by a force in a direction in which the elastic member (<NUM>) biases or a force having a same direction with the biasing force.