Patent Description:
In an image forming apparatus in which a developing device using a powdery toner visualizes an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, the toner in the developing device is consumed with formation of images. Thus, conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been known which includes a toner supply device including a toner container as a powder container containing a toner, and configured to supply the developing device with the toner contained in the toner container.

In a toner supply device thus configured, an opening formed at an end of the toner container is closed by a plug member to prevent a toner in the toner container from spilling out during storage or transportation, and the plug member is removed when the toner supply device is mounted to a main body of an image forming apparatus. Such a toner container, and a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus which include the toner container are disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, for example. Document <CIT> discloses a powder material cartridge which includes a waste toner chamber that prevents the waste toner from spilling. A receiving section is provided in the chamber and includes a first opening therein through which the powder material is received into the chamber. A first shutter is rotatably received in the receiving section and includes a second opening formed therein. A second shutter is received in the first shutter and is slidable straight in the first shutter.

A toner container is replaced with a new one when the toner in the toner container is used up. In the case of a toner container having a plug member, once the plug member is removed, the toner still remaining in the toner container may spill or fly out of the opening during the replacement. In addition, since a toner container is longer in an axis line direction, an ideal and preferable storage condition for the toner container is that the toner container is stored with its axis line placed horizontal. In contrast, if the toner container is stored in a standing state with the opening facing downward, the toner clumps together due to its own weight around the opening. This phenomenon obstructs toner discharge from the toner container set in a device main body and easily causes unstable toner discharge or transport. Hence, there is a need for a new structure.

An object of the present invention is to provide a powder container having a new structure capable of stable discharge and transport of a powder contained in a container by enabling the powder to be reliably discharged to the outside of the package while preventing the powder from spilling and flying out of the container, and also to provide a powder supply device and an image forming apparatus.

The problem is solved by the subject matter of the appended claims.

According to the present invention, since a powder container includes: a nozzle receiver having a nozzle receiving hole arranged on the second end side of a container body and configured to allow a transport nozzle having a powder receiving inlet to be inserted therein, and a supply port arranged in at least a part of the nozzle receiver and configured to supply the powder in the container body to the powder receiving inlet; and an shutter supported by the nozzle receiver and configured to open and close the nozzle receiving hole by sliding in response to an insertion of the transport nozzle into the nozzle receiver. The nozzle receiving hole is closed until the transport nozzle is inserted, and any powder accumulated near the supply port is pushed away when the shutter slides. Consequently, a space is secured around the supply port, which enables reliable supply of the powder from the supply port to the powder receiving inlet. Thus, the powder container is capable of reliably discharging the powder contained in the container to the outside of the container while preventing the powder from spilling and flying out from the container.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments and modifications, constitutional elements such as members or components, which have the same function or shape, are assigned the same symbol as long as they can be distinguished, and any overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

First, an overall configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. As shown in <FIG>, four toner containers 38Y, <NUM>, 38C, <NUM>, which are powder containers for respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black), are detachably (replaceably) installed in a toner container housing section <NUM> which is located on the upper side of a body <NUM> of an image forming apparatus and serves as a powder container housing section. An intermediate transfer unit <NUM> is arranged below the toner container housing section <NUM>. Below an intermediate transfer belt <NUM> included in the intermediate transfer unit <NUM>, imaging sections 6Y, <NUM>, 6C, <NUM> for the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) are placed opposed to the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> and arranged in a belt travel direction. Here, in the embodiments, members for the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) are distinguished by assigning symbols of (Y, M, C, B).

The toner containers 38Y, <NUM>, 38C, <NUM> contain powdery toners of respective colors. When the toner containers 38Y, <NUM>, 38C, <NUM> are attached to the toner container housing section <NUM>, toner supply devices 160Y, <NUM>, 160C, <NUM>, which are powder supply devices facing the inside of the toner container housing section <NUM>, supply (refill) the toners of the colors to developing devices in the imaging sections 6Y, <NUM>, 6C, <NUM>, respectively.

In this embodiment, as the imaging sections, the toner containers, and the toner supply device have approximately an identical configuration except toner colors, one configuration representative of each of them will be described hereinafter.

As shown in <FIG>, the imaging section 6Y for yellow is configured as a process cartridge including a photoconductive drum 1Y serving as an image carrier, as well as an electrical-charged section 4Y, a developing device 5Y (developing section), a cleaning section 2Y, a diselectrification section and the like, which are arranged around the photoconductor drum 1Y, and made detachably attachable to the body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus (see <FIG>). Then, an imaging process (electrical-charging step, exposure step, development step, transfer step, and cleaning step) is performed to form a yellow image on the photoconductor drum 1Y.

In addition, other three imaging sections <NUM>, 6C, <NUM> also have an almost same configuration as the imaging section 6Y corresponding to yellow, except that a toner color to be used is different, and form images corresponding to respective toner colors.

In <FIG>, the photoconductor drum 1Y is rotationally driven by a drive motor in clockwise direction shown by arrow in <FIG>, and a surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y is uniformly charged at a position of the electrical-charged section 4Y (Electrical-charging step).

Then, on the surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y, laser beam L emitted from an exposure device <NUM> (see <FIG>) reaches an irradiation position where as a result of exposure scanning, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed (Exposure step). The surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches an opposed position (developing area) to the developing device 5Y, an electrostatic latent image at this position is developed, and an yellow toner image is formed (Development step).

The surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y after the development reaches a position opposed to the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> and a primary transfer bias roller 9Y where the toner image on the photoconductive drum 1Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> (Primary transfer step). Then, there remains untransferred toner, albeit only slightly, on the photoconductor drum 1Y.

The surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y after the primary transfer reaches a position opposed to a cleaning device <NUM>, where the untransferred toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 1Y is mechanically collected by a cleaning blade 2a (Cleaning step). The surface of the photoconductor drum 1Y reaches a position opposed to the diselectrification section, where any remaining potential on the photoconductor drum 1Y is removed. Now, a series of the imaging process performed on the photoconductor drum 1Y ends.

In addition, the imaging process described above is similarly performed to the yellow imaging section 6Y in other imaging sections <NUM>, 6C, <NUM> as well. More specifically, from the exposure device <NUM> arranged below the imaging section, laser beam L based on image information is emitted onto the photoconductor drums of the respective imaging sections <NUM>, 6C, <NUM>. Particularly, while emitting laser beam from a light source and scanning the laser beam L with a polygon mirror which is rotationally driven, the exposure device <NUM> irradiates it onto each photoconductive drum <NUM> via a plurality of optical elements. Then, a toner image of each color formed on each photoconductive drum after the development step is superposed on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> and transferred. Thus, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt.

The intermediate transfer unit comprises the intermediate transfer belt <NUM>, four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, <NUM>, 9C, <NUM>, a secondary transfer backup roller <NUM>, a plurality of tension rollers, and an intermediate transfer cleaning section and the like. The intermediate transfer belt is not only stretched/supported, but also endlessly moved in the arrow direction in <FIG> by rotational driving of the secondary transfer backup roller <NUM>.

The four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, <NUM>, 9C, and <NUM>, respectively sandwich the intermediate transfer belt with the photoconductor drums 1Y, <NUM>, 1C, <NUM>, and form primary transfer nips. To the primary transfer bias roller 9Y, <NUM>, 9C, <NUM> is applied transfer bias opposite to toner polarity.

The intermediate transfer belt <NUM> runs in the arrow direction, and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of each primary transfer bias roller. Thus, the toner images of respective colors on the photoconductor drums 1Y, <NUM>, 1C, <NUM> are superposed on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM>, and primarily transferred.

The intermediate transfer belt <NUM> on which the toner images of the respective colors are superposed and transferred to reach a position opposed to the secondary transfer roller <NUM>. At this position, a secondary transfer backup roller <NUM> sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> with the secondary transfer roller <NUM>, and forms secondary transfer nips. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> are transferred on a recording medium P such as transfer paper, etc. carried to positions of the secondary transfer nips. Then, there remains untransferred toner which was not transferred to the recording medium P. The intermediate transfer belt reaches a position of the intermediate transfer cleaning section, where the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> is collected. Thus, a series of the transfer process performed on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM> ends.

The recording medium P transferred to positions of the secondary transfer nips is that transferred from a paper feed section <NUM>, which is arranged in the lower part of the body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus, via a paper feed roller <NUM> or a pair of resist rollers <NUM> and the like. Particularly, multiple sheets of recording medium P such as transfer paper and the like are stacked and stored in the paper feed section <NUM>. Then, when the paper feed roller <NUM> is rotationally driven in anticlockwise direction in <FIG>, a top recording medium P is fed to an inter-roller space of the resist rollers <NUM>.

The recording medium P transferred to the pair of resist rollers once stops at a position of a roller nip of the pair of resist rollers which stopped the rotational drive. Then, the pair of resist rollers <NUM> is rotationally driven in line with timing of the color image on the intermediate transfer belt <NUM>, and the recording medium P is transported to the secondary transfer nips. Thus, a desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P. The recording medium P the color image of which was transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nips is transported to a position of a fixing section <NUM>. Then, at this position, due to heat and pressure of a fixing belt and a pressurization roller, the color image transferred onto the surface is fixed on the recording medium P.

The recording medium P after the fixing is discharged to outside of the device by way of the inter-roller space of a pair of paper ejection rollers <NUM>. The recording medium P ejected to outside of the device by the pair of paper ejection rollers <NUM> is sequentially stacked as output images on a stack section <NUM>. Then, a series of image forming process on the image forming apparatus completes.

Next, with reference to <FIG>, a configuration and operation of a developing device in an imaging section will be further described in detail. An imaging device 5Y comprises a developing roller 21Y opposed to a photoconductive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 22Y opposed to the developing roller 21Y, two transport screws 25Y arranged in developer containers 23Y and 24Y, a density detection sensor 26Y configured to detect density of a toner in a developer, and the like. The developing roller 21Y comprises a magnet fixedly installed therein and a sleeve turning around the magnet, and the like. The developer containers 23Y and 24Y contain a two-constituent developer YG consisting of a carrier and a toner. The developer container 24Y is in communication with a toner drop path 161Y via an opening formed in an upper part of the developer container.

The developing device thus configured operates in the following manner. The sleeve of the developing roller 21Y is turning in a direction of an arrow in <FIG>. Then, the developer YG carried on the developing roller 21Y due to a magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 21Y with rotation of the sleeve. The developer YG in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that a proportion of a toner in the developer (toner density) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, a toner contained in a toner container 38Y is supplied into the developer container 24Y from a toner supply device 160Y through the toner drop path 161Y, according to consumption of the toner in the developing device 5Y.

Then, the toner supplied into the developer container 24Y circulates in the two developer containers 23Y, 24Y, while being mixed and agitated by the two transport screws 25Y together with the developer YG (which is movement in a vertical direction on <FIG>). The toner in the developer YG adheres to the carrier due to frictional electrification with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 21Y with the carrier by magnetic force formed on the developing roller 21Y.

The developer YG carried on the developing roller 21Y is transported in the direction shown by the arrow in <FIG>, and reaches a position of the doctor plate 22Y. After the developer is adjusted to an adequate amount at this position, the developer YG on the developing roller 21Y is transported to a position (development area) opposed to the photoconductor drum 1Y. Then, a toner adheres to a latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 1Y, due to an electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer YG remaining on the developing roller 21Y reaches an upper area of the developer container 23Y with rotation of the sleeve, and leaves the developing roller 21Y in this position.

Now, toner supply devices 160Y, <NUM>, 160C, <NUM> and toner containers 38Y, <NUM>, 38C, <NUM> will be described. Respective toner supply devices and toner containers have an identical configuration, except a color of a toner in a toner container to be set. Thus, they will be described as a toner supply device <NUM> and a toner container <NUM> with no toner-color-identifying letter, Y, M, C, K, attached.

As shown in <FIG>, a toner container <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present invention is roughly divided into two types.

A toner container 38A shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes a container body <NUM> in which a toner is contained therein, a nozzle receiver <NUM> having a nozzle receiving hole (insertion section) <NUM> arranged on the second end side of the container body <NUM> and configured to allow a transport nozzle <NUM> having a powder receiving inlet <NUM> to be inserted therein, and a supply port 139b arranged in at least a part of the nozzle receiver and configured to supply a powdery toner in the container body <NUM>, to the powder receiving inlet <NUM>, and a shutter <NUM> which is an shutter supported by the nozzle receiver <NUM> and configured to open and close the nozzle receiving hole (insertion section) 139a by sliding in response to the insertion of the transport nozzle <NUM> into the nozzle receiver <NUM>, and is of a type wherein the nozzle receiver <NUM> fixed to the container body <NUM> rotates integrally therewith.

The tubular container body <NUM> has helical projections 138c, which protrude toward the inside of the container, formed from a first end side 138a to the second end side 138b on its circumferential surface, and is configured to transport a toner contained therein from the first end side 138a to the second end side 138b as the container body <NUM> rotates.

On an end face of the second end side <NUM> b of the container body <NUM> are formed an opening 138d into which the nozzle receiver <NUM> is inserted, lift-up sections 138e, 138f for lifting up any toner transported by the helical projection 138c and accumulating in a lower part of the second end side 138b or any toner which has accumulated in the lower part of the second end side 138b from the beginning, in the container because of rotation of the container body <NUM>, and a driving part, for example, a gear <NUM> to which a driving force for rotating the container body <NUM> is transmitted. In the embodiment, the lift-up sections 138e, 138f are such arranged that they are opposed to each other with their phases offset <NUM> degrees. Although there are multiple lift-up sections 138e, 138f in the embodiment, there may be any one of the lift-up sections 138e, 138f, which may be arranged as four lift-up sections with their phases offset <NUM> degrees. Alternatively, the lift-up sections may be increased to four or more, and may have a number and a shape which allow them to supply a toner to a supply port 139b and the powder receiving inlet <NUM>, to be described below, from above them.

The nozzle receiver <NUM> forms approximately a cylindrical shape extending in a longitudinal direction of the container body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, on one end of the nozzle receiver is formed the nozzle receiving hole (insertion section) 139a fitting to the opening 138d formed on the container body <NUM>. On an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle receiver <NUM> is formed a pair of slits 139c which extend in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle receiver <NUM> and are arranged to face each other. The nozzle receiver <NUM> has at an outer circumferential surface thereof a supply port 139b opened to extend in a longitudinal direction of the nozzle receiver <NUM>. The nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b are formed to be in communication in the nozzle receiver <NUM>. The supply port 139b is such formed that at least a part thereof is located in a moving range of the shutter <NUM>. A ring-shaped seal member <NUM> comprising a sponge member for preventing the toner from spilling is attached to the inside of the nozzle receiving hole 139a.

The shutter <NUM> is a tubular shape and inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> is movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle receiver <NUM>, as it supports a pin <NUM>, which diametrically penetrates, in each slit 139c of the nozzle receiver <NUM>. A coil spring <NUM> which is an urging member is interposed between the end face 139d of the nozzle receiver <NUM> located opposite to the nozzle receiving hole139a and the shutter <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> is urged by the coil spring <NUM> to a position to close the nozzle receiving hole 139a (closed position), as shown in <FIG>. The shutter <NUM> is configured to close a part of the supply port 139b as well as the nozzle receiving hole 139a when the closed position is closed. The shutter <NUM> is such configured that when the transport nozzle <NUM> is inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM>, the shutter <NUM> slides into the container from the closed position as shown in <FIG> to open the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b, and also moves to an open position as shown in <FIG> where the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b are in communication. In the embodiment, since the supply port 139b opens to an area adjacent to the nozzle receiving hole 139a, the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b are closed if the shutter <NUM> is in the closed position. However, if the supply port 139b is formed closer to the end face 139b, only the nozzle receiving hole139a is closed when the shutter <NUM> is in the closed position.

The toner container 38A such configured is attached by sliding it from the front side to the back side of the body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus so that the second end side 138b of the container body <NUM> is located in the back side of a toner container storage <NUM>.

The toner container 38B shown in <FIG> includes a container body <NUM> in which a toner is contained, a nozzle receiver <NUM>, a shutter <NUM>, and a gear <NUM>, and is configured such that the nozzle receiver <NUM> is supported to be rotatable with respect to the container body <NUM>. The container body <NUM> and the nozzle receiver <NUM> have the same configurations as in the toner container 38A shown in <FIG>. The toner container 38B differs from the toner container 38A in that an end of the shutter <NUM> has a different configuration and in that two members are added. Except for those differences, the configuration of a powder supply device including the toner container 38B is the same as in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the toner container 38B further includes a bearing member indicated by reference numeral <NUM> and a seal member indicated by reference numeral <NUM>. The ring-shaped bearing member <NUM> is interposed between an opening 138d of the container body <NUM> and a nozzle receiving hole 139a of the nozzle receiver <NUM>, and supports the nozzle receiver <NUM> rotatably with respect to the container body <NUM>. The seal member <NUM> is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle receiver <NUM> extending from the bearing member <NUM> toward the inside of the container body <NUM>. In the seal member <NUM>, an umbrella-like lip member 146a is inclined to and extends from a ring-shaped base continuously in a circumferential direction. The seal member <NUM> is made of a rubber or resin such that the seal member <NUM> can elastically deform and contact an inner circumferential surface of the opening 138d of the container body <NUM> when the nozzle receiver <NUM> is inserted into the container body <NUM>.

The toner container 38B such configured is attached by sliding it from the front side to the back side of the body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus so that the second end side 138b of the container body <NUM> is located in the back side of a toner container storage section <NUM>.

There are two types of supply devices <NUM>: One is used with the toner container 38A shown in <FIG> and the other with the toner container 38B shown in <FIG>. As they have a same configuration except for a connection section with the shutter <NUM>, their common configuration will be described here, and differences in the configuration will be described individually. <FIG> is an overall diagram of the tonner supply device <NUM>. The toner supply device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used with the toner container 38A shown in <FIG>.

Each of toner supply devices <NUM> has the toner container 38A, 38B, a toner nozzle <NUM>, and a transport path <NUM> connected to the transport nozzle <NUM> and a developing device <NUM> and transporting a toner supplied to the transport nozzle to the developing device <NUM>. The transport nozzle <NUM> is arranged in the back side of the toner container storage section <NUM> (the body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus) to be opposed to the shutter <NUM> which is inserted into the toner container storage section <NUM>. A sub hopper <NUM> for storing a toner to be transported by the transport nozzle <NUM> is provided between the transport nozzle <NUM> and the transport path <NUM>, and the toner is supplied to the transport path <NUM> via the sub hopper <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the transport path <NUM> includes a hose 161A, and a transport screw 161B arranged in the hose 161A and transporting the toner from the sub hopper <NUM> to the developing device <NUM> by rotating.

The transport nozzle <NUM> includes a tubular nozzle section <NUM> to be inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM> of the toner container 38A, 38B, a connection path <NUM> connecting the nozzle section <NUM> and the sub hopper <NUM>, a transport screw <NUM> arranged in the nozzle section <NUM> and transporting the toner supplied from the tonner containers 38A, 38B to the connection path <NUM>, a seal member <NUM> forming a seal surface by contacting the seal member <NUM> of the shutter <NUM>, and a coil spring <NUM> as an urging device.

The nozzle <NUM> extends in the longitudinal direction of the toner container, and its outer circumference can be inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM> from the nozzle receiving hole 139a. On the outer circumferential surface on the tip side of the nozzle section <NUM> is formed a powder receiving inlet <NUM> which receives a toner from the supply port 139b of the tonner container 38A, 38B and guides it to the transport screw <NUM>. A length of the nozzle section <NUM> is set so that the powder receiving inlet <NUM> can be opposed to the supply port 139b when the nozzle section is inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM>.

The connection path <NUM> is formed integrally with a base end of the nozzle section <NUM> located on the opposite side of the powder receiving inlet <NUM>, and in communication with the nozzle section <NUM>. The powder receiving inlet <NUM> is such formed that it is located on a top face of the nozzle section <NUM>.

A screw section 167a being formed from the tip of the nozzle section <NUM> to the connection path <NUM>, and the transport screw <NUM> is rotatably supported by the nozzle section <NUM>. The seal member <NUM>, formed of a sponge and shaped like a ring, is attached to a holder <NUM> supported movably in the longitudinal direction in the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle section <NUM>.

In the coil spring <NUM>, one end 169a is latched to the holder <NUM> held slidably on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle section <NUM> and rotatably about the axis center, and the other end 169b is latched to a spring receiving member <NUM> held on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle section <NUM>. In this state, the coil spring <NUM> urges the seal member <NUM> toward a seal member <NUM> (to a direction in which the holder <NUM> moves away from the spring receiving member <NUM>).

The powder receiving inlet <NUM> is formed to be opposed to the supply port 139b of the nozzle receiver <NUM>, when the nozzle section <NUM> is inserted into the container body <NUM> from the nozzle receiving hole 139a of the nozzle receiver <NUM>.

A drive device <NUM> of the toner supply device <NUM> will be described. As shown in <FIG>, the drive device <NUM> includes a drive motor <NUM> which is a drive source fixed to a frame <NUM>, a gear <NUM> fixed to an end of the transport screw <NUM>, a gear <NUM> to mesh with the gear <NUM> of the container body <NUM> when the toner container 38A, 38B is mounted to the toner container storage section <NUM> (see <FIG>), a gear <NUM> fixed to an end of the transport screw 161B shown in <FIG>, and a gear train meshing with the gears <NUM> to <NUM> and transmitting rotation of the drive motor <NUM> to each gear. The drive motor <NUM> is controlled by a control device so that the drive device will rotate for a certain period of time, when the control device detects a toner signal with the toner container 38A, 38B mounted to a toner container mount section <NUM>.

For the toner supply device <NUM> shown in <FIG> which engages with the toner container 38A shown in <FIG>, a circular recessed section 140b is formed on an end face 140a of the shutter <NUM> of the toner container 38A, a protrusion 165a insertable into the recessed section 140b is formed at a tip of the nozzle section <NUM>, and a contact face of the recessed section 140b and the protrusion 165a is made a sliding surface. In contrast, if the toner container 38B shown in <FIG> is used, a recessed section 140c is formed on the end face 140a of the shutter <NUM> of the toner container 38B, and a protrusion 165b may be formed at the tip of the nozzle section <NUM> so as to enter into the recessed section 140b and engage with the recessed section 140c, thereby fixing the shutter <NUM>.

In the toner supply device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, when the toner container 38A rotates, the shutter <NUM> held to the nozzle receiver <NUM> also rotates integrally. However, since the contact face of the recessed section 140b and the protrusion 165a is made the sliding surface, the rotation is not disturbed. In addition, in the toner container 38A, the nozzle receiver <NUM> is fixed to and integrated with the container body <NUM>. Once the nozzle receiver <NUM> is fixed, a positional relationship with the container body <NUM> is established. Thus, when the nozzle receiver <NUM> is fixed to the container body <NUM>, it is arranged so that at least the supply port 139b is opposed to the lift-up section 138e or the lift-up section 138f of the container body <NUM> and located at a position where a toner lifted by the lift-up sections drops.

In contrast, if the toner container 38B shown in <FIG> is used, the shutter <NUM> and the container body <NUM> rotate relatively because rotation of the shutter <NUM> is disturbed by engagement of the recessed section 140c and the protrusion 165b, and thus rotation of the nozzle receiver <NUM> is also disturbed, although the shutter <NUM> held to the nozzle receiver <NUM> of the toner container 38B is rotatably supported to the container body <NUM>. In addition, when the toner container 38B shown in <FIG> is used, specifying a positional relationship of the supply port 139b and the lift-up sections 138e, 138f of the container body <NUM> is difficult because in a state before the toner container 38B is mounted to the toner container storage section <NUM>, the nozzle receiver <NUM> and the container body <NUM> are supported so that they can relatively rotate. Thus, the recessed section 140c and the protrusion 165c can be configured as positioning means of the supply port 139b and the powder receiving inlet <NUM> so that positions of the supply port 139b and the powder receiving inlet <NUM> provided in the nozzle part <NUM> are aligned when the recessed section 140c engages with the protrusion 165b.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the powder receiving inlet <NUM> is formed on the top face of the nozzle member <NUM>, and its orientation remains unchanged when the toner container 38A, 38B rotates. This is thus preferable since a toner in the toner container can be reliably supplied to the powder receiving inlet <NUM>, if the recessed section 140c and the protrusion 165b are formed so that the supply port 139b faces the top face when each toner container is mounted to the toner container storage section <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, operation of the toner supply device <NUM> thus configured will be described. While the toner container 38A, 38B is transported or stored before being mounted to the toner container storage section <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the nozzle receiving hole 139a is closed by the shutter <NUM> urged by the coil spring <NUM>. That is to say, the toner container is in an almost sealed state as communication between the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b is blocked. From this state, as shown in <FIG>, the toner container 38A, 38B is horizontally inserted into the toner container storage section <NUM> with the opening 138d side as a tip side. As the insertion proceeds, the tip of the nozzle section <NUM> comes into contact with the end face 140a of the shutter <NUM>. Then, in the case of the toner supply device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, not only the protrusion 165a at the tip of the nozzle section <NUM> is inserted into the recessed section 140b of the shutter <NUM>, but also the seal member <NUM> contacts the seal member <NUM>. If the toner container 38B shown in <FIG> is used, the protrusion 165b of the nozzle section <NUM> engages with the recessed section 140c of the shutter section <NUM>, and as a result of the engagement of both of them, the shutter <NUM> is fixed and positioned.

When the toner container 38A, 38B is further moved to the back side, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the shutter <NUM> is pushed into the container body 138b by the nozzle section <NUM> against an urging force of the coil spring <NUM>. In addition, with the movement of the toner container 38A, 38B, the seal member <NUM> is also pushed into the back side by the toner container 38A, 38B against urging force of the coil spring <NUM>. Thus, the seal member <NUM> and the seal member <NUM> are in a state in which they are pressed against each other, and sealing of the nozzle receiving hole 139a is thus ensured. The toner container 38A, 38B stops moving when they are totally housed in the toner container section <NUM> and the first end side 138b of the container body <NUM> is rotatably supported by a support, and occupies a mounted position. The shutter <NUM> is further slid into the container by the nozzle section <NUM> until the toner container 38A, 38B occupies the mounted position. By the toner container 38A, 38B occupying the mounted position, the shutter <NUM> stops sliding and occupies an open position as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Then, not only the nozzle receiver 139a but also the supply port 139b are opened, and as shown in <FIG>, the powder receiving inlet <NUM> is formed in the nozzle receiver <NUM> and opposed to the supply port 139b located above, and thus communicates with the inside of the toner container.

With the toner container 38A, 38B such configured, as the toner container 38A, 38B has the nozzle receiver <NUM> arranged on the second end side 138b of the container body <NUM> and configured to allow the nozzle section <NUM> of the transport nozzle <NUM> having the powder receiving inlet <NUM> to be inserted therein and supply the toner in the container body <NUM> to the powder receiving inlet <NUM>, and the shutter <NUM> supported by the nozzle receiver <NUM> to be able to open and close the nozzle receiving hole 139a and sliding in response to an insertion of the nozzle section <NUM> into the nozzle receiver <NUM> to open and close at least the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b leading to the nozzle receiving hole 139a in the embodiment, the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b are kept in a closed state until the nozzle section <NUM> is inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM>. When the shutter <NUM> slides in response to the insertion of the nozzle section <NUM> into the nozzle receiver <NUM>, the nozzle receiving hole 139a is opened and the shutter <NUM> pushes away any toner accumulated around the supply port 139b into the container. Consequently, a space is secured around the supply port 139b, which enables reliable supply of toner T to the powder receiving inlet <NUM>. Thus, the toner contained in the container can be reliably discharged to the outside of the container, while preventing the toner T from spilling and flying.

When the image forming apparatus is actuated with the toner container 38A, 38B located at the mounted position, and when a toner supply signal is outputted from the control device, the drive motor shown in <FIG> is rotationally driven. When the drive motor <NUM> is rotationally driven, its drive force is transmitted to the gear <NUM> via the gear <NUM>, thus rotating the toner container 38A, 38B. The drive force of the drive motor <NUM> is also transmitted to the transport screw <NUM> in the nozzle section <NUM>, and the transport screw <NUM> rotates in a direction to transport the toner to the connection path <NUM>. In addition, the drive force of the drive motor <NUM> is also transmitted to the transport screw 161B in the connection path <NUM> via the gear <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and the transport screw 161B rotates in a direction to transport the toner to the developing device <NUM>.

When the toner container 38A, 38B rotates, the toner contained in the container is transported to the second end side 138b by an action of a helical groove 138c and also the transported toner T is mixed with a toner accumulated in the lower part of the second end side 138b.

The supply port 139b formed in the nozzle receiver <NUM> and the lift-up section 138f of the container are in a fixed positional relationship. Thus, as shown in <FIG>, when the toner container 38A rotates, due to the rotation, the toner T accumulated in the lower part of the container is lifted up in the container by the lift-up section 138f and drops on the way. As shown in <FIG>, the toner T is supplied into the nozzle section <NUM> via the powder receiving inlet <NUM> when the powder receiving inlet <NUM> of the nozzle section <NUM> almost matches in position the supply port 139b which moves circumferentially due to the rotation.

The powder receiving inlet <NUM> provided in the nozzle section <NUM> and the supply port 139b formed in the nozzle receiver <NUM> are in a fixed positional relationship. Thus, as shown in <FIG>, when the toner container 38A rotates, due to the rotation, the toner T accumulated in the lower part of the container is lifted up in the container alternately by the lift-up section 138e, 138f, during which, as shown in <FIG>, the toner T drops and is supplied into the nozzle section <NUM> via the supply port 139b and the powder receiving inlet <NUM>.

That is to say, in the case of the toner container 38A, the toner T in the container is supplied into the nozzle section <NUM> only while the powder receiving inlet <NUM> of the nozzle section <NUM> and the supply port 139b of the nozzle receiver <NUM> overlap in one turn of the container. In the case of the toner container 38B, the toner T in the container is supplied into the nozzle section <NUM> every time the lift-up sections 138e, 138f pass over the powder receiving inlet <NUM> of the nozzle section <NUM> and the supply port 139b provided in the nozzle receiver <NUM>, positions of which match, in one turn of the container.

The toner T supplied into the nozzle section <NUM> is transported by the transport screw <NUM> toward the connection path <NUM>, and drops on the connection path <NUM>. The dropped toner T is fed into the transport path <NUM> via the sub hopper <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and transported and supplied to the developing device <NUM> by rotation action of the transport screw 161B.

A toner container 38C, 38D, as a powder container, is made by adding a loosening member <NUM> for breaking down the toner accumulated near the supply port 139b to the toner container 38A, 38B as shown in <FIG>. As a configuration of the toner container 38C, 38D is same as the toner container 38A, 38B, except for the loosening member <NUM>, a configuration of the loosening member <NUM> and action thereby will be mainly described now.

As shown in <FIG>, the loosening member <NUM> is a ring member at the center of which a through-hole 190a is formed, and in which a groove 190c for fitting to a pin <NUM> which penetrates a shutter <NUM> is formed in one lateral face 190b. As shown in <FIG>, an outer circumferential surface of a nozzle receiver <NUM> is inserted into the through-hole 190a. The pin <NUM> of the shutter <NUM> housed inside the nozzle receiver <NUM> is fitted to the groove 190c from the lateral face 190b side. With this structure, the loosening member <NUM> is made movable integrally with the shutter <NUM> while protruding from the nozzle receiver <NUM> toward the inside of the toner container.

In summary, the loosening member <NUM> is a member protruding from the nozzle receiver <NUM> toward the inside of the container body <NUM> and configured to be movable in the moving direction of the shutter <NUM> in conjunction with opening and closing operations of the shutter <NUM>.

The loosening member <NUM> is mounted to the shutter <NUM> so as to be arranged on the inner end 140d side of the shutter <NUM>. When the shutter <NUM> occupies the closed position as shown in <FIG>, the loosening member <NUM> occupies a first position between the second end side 138b of the container body <NUM> and the end of the supply port 139b. When the shutter <NUM> occupies the open position as shown in <FIG>, the loosening member occupies a second position between the first end side 138a of the container body <NUM> and the supply port 139b. Specifically, the loosening member <NUM> moves to and from the first and second positions with movement of the shutter <NUM>.

With the configuration provided with such a loosening member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, a space can be secured more easily around the supply port 139b, by the action of pushing away any toner accumulated near the supply port 139b as a result of sliding of the shutter <NUM>, breaking down any toner accumulated near the supply port 139b as a result of movement of the loosening member <NUM>, and rubbing through the toner accumulated near the supply port 139b,more specifically, on the nozzle receiver <NUM>. This enables reliable supply of the toner from the supply port 1139b to the powder receiving inlet <NUM>. Thus, powder contained in the toner container 38C, 38D can be reliably discharged to the outside of the container, while preventing the powder from spilling and flying from the container.

Since the loosening member <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is a ring member, it is expected that sliding resistance when the loosening member rubs through a toner increases, if it slides in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle receiver <NUM> as the shutter <NUM> moves. Thus, as shown in <FIG>, for example, the loosening member may be a loosening member 190A having an opening 190d which penetrates in its own moving direction. In this case, the number and area of the opening 190d may vary depending on the sliding resistance. For example, if sliding resistance while the shutter <NUM> moves is large, the opening area may be increased. If the sliding resistance is small, no opening 190d may be formed or the opening area may be reduced. As shown in <FIG>, as means for adjusting the opening area, multiple openings 190d may be formed or adjustment may be made by changing size of the opening 190d.

A form of the loosening member shall not be limited to a ring shape. For example, it may be a loosening member 190B, as shown in <FIG>, configured to have multiple vane members <NUM> spaced in a circumferential direction, a loosening member 190C, as shown in <FIG>, configured to have the pin <NUM> protruded toward the inside of the container from the surface of the nozzle receiver <NUM> by extending total length of the pin <NUM>, or a loosening member 190D, as shown in <FIG>, configured by one or more pin <NUM> which protrudes from the surface of the shutter <NUM> more into the container than to the surface of the nozzle receiver <NUM>. The form of the loosening members may be selected and defined as appropriate, depending on the sliding resistance while the shutter <NUM> slides, the inside shape of the toner container, or toner flow characteristics.

Now, toner supply devices 160Y, <NUM>, 160C, <NUM> and toner containers 38Y, <NUM>, 38C, <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter. As the toner supply devices and toner containers have an identical configuration, except a color of a toner in a toner container to be set, they will be described as a toner supply device <NUM> and a toner container <NUM> with no toner-color-identifying letter, Y, M, C, K, attached.

The toner container 38A shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes a container body <NUM> in which a toner is contained therein, a nozzle receiver <NUM> having a nozzle receiving hole (insertion section) 139a arranged on the second end side of the container body and configured to allow a transport nozzle <NUM> having a powder receiving inlet <NUM> to be inserted therein, and a supply port 139b configured to supply a powdery toner in the container body <NUM> to the powder receiving inlet <NUM>, and a shutter <NUM> which is an shutter movable in a direction to open and close the nozzle receiving hole 139a. Now, the nozzle receiver <NUM> having the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the container body <NUM> rotate relatively. In the figures (also including subsequent figures), illustration of bearing members, seal members and the like on a connection with the nozzle receiver <NUM> and the container body <NUM> is omitted. Then, in the toner container <NUM>, the nozzle receiving hole 139a is arranged inside the outer circumference of the container body <NUM>, and the center of the nozzle receiving hole 139a O1 is offset from the center of rotation of the container body <NUM> as shown by letter O.

The tubular container body <NUM> has helical projections <NUM>, which protrude toward the inside of the container, formed from the first end side 138a to the second end side 138b on its circumferential surface, and is configured to transport a toner contained therein from the first end side 138a to the second end side 138b as the container body <NUM> rotates.

An end face of the second end side <NUM> b of the container body <NUM> is provided with an opening 138d into which the nozzle receiver <NUM> is inserted, lift-up sections 138e, 138f, and a gear <NUM> to which driving force for rotating the container body <NUM> is transmitted. A toner transported by the helical projection 138c and accumulated in a lower part of the second end side 138b or a toner accumulated in the lower part of the second end side 138b from the beginning is lifted up by the lift-up sections 138e, 138f with the rotation of the container body <NUM>. In the embodiment, the lift-up sections 138e, 138f are arranged opposed to each other with their phases offset by <NUM> degrees. Although there are plural lift-up sections 138e, 138f in the embodiment, there may be any one of the lift-up sections 138e, 138f, or may be four lift-up sections arranged as with their phases offset by <NUM> degrees. Alternatively, four or more lift-up sections may be provided. The lift-up sections may have any number and any shape as long as the number and the shape allow a toner to be supplied from above to a supply port 139b and the powder receiving inlet <NUM> to be described below.

The nozzle receiver <NUM> includes a main body tubular section 139c formed as an almost cylindrical shape extending in a longitudinal direction of the container body <NUM>, a ring-shaped bottomed mount section 139d formed on one end of the main body tubular section 139c and configured to be mounted to the container body <NUM>, and the nozzle receiving hole (insertion section) 139a which is in communication with the main body tubular section 138c and into which the transport nozzle is inserted. Then, the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the main body tubular section 139c are arranged on a coaxial line, and formed so that the center of the mount section 139d corresponds to the center of rotation O of the container body <NUM>. The nozzle receiving hole 139a and the main body tubular section 139c are formed so that the central part thereof is offset downward with respect to the center of the mount section 139d (the center of rotation O of the container body <NUM>). The supply port 139b communicating with the nozzle receiving hole 139a via the main body tubular section 139c opens and is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the main body tubular section 139c.

In the embodiment, the central part of the nozzle receiving hole 139a is arranged at the lowest position on the upstream side of the rotation direction of the container body <NUM>. In the embodiment, the container body <NUM> rotates in an anti-clockwise direction in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The supply port 139b is such formed that at least a part thereof is located in the moving range of the shutter <NUM>. A ring-shaped seal member formed of a sponge member for preventing a toner from spilling is mounted between the nozzle receiver 139a and the container body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the shutter <NUM> and a coil spring <NUM>, urging means, are inserted into the main body tubular section 139c. The coil spring <NUM> is inserted between a bottom 139e of the main body tubular section <NUM> and a bottom 140b of the shutter <NUM> located in the main body tubular section 139c, and urges the shutter <NUM> toward a position (closed position) to close the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b, as shown in <FIG>.

The main body tubular section 139c is located in an internal space where at least the supply port 139b is opposed to the lift-up sections 138e, 13f when the nozzle receiver <NUM> is mounted to the container body <NUM>, and formed to length whereby the supply port 139b can ensure a stroke of the shutter <NUM> when the opening shutter <NUM> occupies an open position shown in <FIG>. That is to say, the supply port 139b is provided so that it is opposed to the lift-up sections 138e, 138f in the container body <NUM>.

The shutter <NUM> is a tubular member and configured to not only close the nozzle receiving hole 139a but also block a communication state of the supply port 139b when it occupies the closed position. The shutter <NUM> is mounted to the main body tubular section 139c via a stopper member, and prevented from jumping out of the main body tubular section 139c when it occupies the closed position. The shutter <NUM> is configured to slide into the container body from the closed position as shown in <FIG> when the transport nozzle <NUM> is inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM>, and to move to the open position as shown in <FIG> where it not only opens the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b but also puts the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b into the communication state. That is to say, the shutter <NUM> functions to open the nozzle receiving hole 139a in response to insertion of the transport nozzle <NUM> into the nozzle receiving hole 139a, and to close the nozzle receiving hole 139a in response to disengagement of the transport nozzle <NUM> from the nozzle receiving hole 139a.

The toner container <NUM> such configured is mounted by being slid from the front side to the back side of a main body of an image forming apparatus main body <NUM>, so that the second end side 138b of the container body <NUM> is located in the back side of a toner container storage section <NUM>. This direction shall be a mounting direction.

<FIG> is an overall view of a toner supply device <NUM>. The toner supply device <NUM> has a transport nozzle <NUM> inserted into each toner container to receive supply of a toner, and a transport path <NUM> connected to the transport nozzle <NUM> and a developing device <NUM> and transporting the toner supplied to the transport nozzle <NUM> to the developing device <NUM>. The transport nozzle <NUM> is arranged in the back side of a toner container storage section <NUM> (the body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus) so that it is opposed to a shutter <NUM> of the toner container to be inserted into the toner container storage section <NUM>. A sub hopper <NUM> for storing the toner to be transported by the transport nozzle <NUM> is provided between the transport nozzle <NUM> and the transport path <NUM>, and the toner is supplied to the transport path <NUM> via the sub hopper <NUM>.

The transport path <NUM> includes a hose 161A, and a transport screw 161B arranged in the hose 161A and transporting the toner from the sub hopper <NUM> to the developing device <NUM> by rotating.

The transport nozzle <NUM> includes a tubular nozzle section <NUM> to be inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM> of the toner containers <NUM>, a connection path connecting the nozzle section <NUM> and the sub hopper <NUM>, a transport screw <NUM> arranged in the nozzle section <NUM> and transporting the toner supplied from the tonner container <NUM> to the connection path <NUM>, and a seal member.

The nozzle <NUM> extends in the longitudinal direction of the toner container, and its outer circumference can be inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM> from the nozzle receiving hole 139a. On the outer circumferential surface on the tip side of the nozzle section <NUM> is formed a powder receiving inlet <NUM> which receives a toner from the supply port 139b of the tonner container <NUM> and guides it to the transport screw <NUM>. A length of the nozzle section <NUM> is set so that the powder receiving inlet <NUM> can be opposed to the supply port 139b when the nozzle section is inserted into the nozzle receiver <NUM>. A convex section 165a is formed at the tip of the nozzle section <NUM> so that it enters into a recessed section 140b of the shutter <NUM>.

The connection path <NUM> is formed integrally with a base end of the nozzle section <NUM> located on the opposite side of the powder receiving inlet <NUM>, and in communication with the nozzle section <NUM>. The powder receiving inlet <NUM> is such formed that it is located on a top face of the nozzle section <NUM>. The transport screw <NUM> has a screw section 167a formed from the tip side of the nozzle section <NUM> to the connection path <NUM>, and is rotatably supported by the nozzle section <NUM>.

The powder receiving inlet <NUM> is formed so that it is opposed to the supply port 139b of the nozzle receiver <NUM>, when the nozzle section <NUM> is inserted into the container body <NUM> from the nozzle receiving hole 139a of the nozzle receiver <NUM>.

A description of the drive device <NUM> of the toner supply device <NUM> will be omitted as it is identical to the first embodiment.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, operation of the toner supply device <NUM> thus configured will be described. While the toner container <NUM> is transported or stored before being mounted to the toner container storage section <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the nozzle receiving hole 139a is closed by the shutter <NUM>. That is to say, the toner container is generally a sealed state as communication between the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b is blocked. From this state, as shown in <FIG>, with the opening 138d side as a tip side, the toner container <NUM> is moved in a mounting direction and horizontally inserted into the toner container storage section <NUM>. When the insertion proceeds, the convex section 165a of the nozzle section <NUM> is inserted into and engages with the recessed section 140b of the shutter <NUM>, and thus the shutter <NUM> is integrated with the transport nozzle side <NUM>.

When the toner container <NUM> is further moved to the mounting direction, as shown in <FIG>, the shutter <NUM> is pushed into the container body <NUM> by the nozzle section <NUM> against an urging force of the coil spring <NUM>. The toner container <NUM> stops moving when they are totally housed in the toner container storage section <NUM> and the first end side 138a of the container body <NUM> is rotatably held by a support, and occupies a mounted position. The shutter <NUM> is further slid into the container body by the nozzle section <NUM> until the toner container <NUM> occupies the mounted position. By the toner container <NUM> occupying the mounted position, the shutter <NUM> stops sliding and occupies an open position. Then, not only the nozzle receiver 139a but also the supply port 139b are opened, and as shown in <FIG>, the powder receiving inlet <NUM> is formed in the nozzle receiver <NUM> and opposed to the supply port 139b located above, and thus communicates with the inside of the toner container.

With the toner container <NUM> such configured, as the toner container <NUM> has the nozzle receiver <NUM> arranged on the second end side 138b of the container body <NUM> and having a supply port 139b configured to allow the nozzle section <NUM> of the transport nozzle <NUM> having the powder receiving inlet <NUM> to be inserted therein and to supply the toner in the container body <NUM> to the powder receiving inlet <NUM>, and the shutter <NUM> supported by the nozzle receiver <NUM> to be able to open and close the nozzle receiving hole 139a and sliding in response to insertion of the nozzle section <NUM> of the transport nozzle <NUM> into the nozzle receiving hole 139a of the nozzle receiver <NUM> to open at least the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b connected to the nozzle receiving hole 139a in the embodiment, and to close the nozzle receiving hole 139a in response to disengagement of the nozzle section <NUM> from the nozzle receiving hole 139a, the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port 139b are kept in a closed state until the nozzle section <NUM> is inserted into the nozzle receiving hole 139a of the nozzle receiver <NUM>. Thus, when the nozzle section <NUM> of the transport nozzle <NUM> is disengaged from the nozzle receiving hole 139a to replace the toner container <NUM>, any spilling or flying of the powder can be prevented as the nozzle receiving hole 139a and the supply port <NUM> are kept in the closed state by the shutter <NUM>.

When the container body <NUM> rotates, not only the toner contained in the container body <NUM> is transported to the second end side 138b by action of a helical groove 138c but also the transported toner T is mixed with a toner T accumulated in the lower part of the second end side 138b.

As shown in <FIG>, when the toner container <NUM> rotates, due to the rotation, the toner T accumulated in the lower part of the container is lifted up in the container alternately by the lift-up section 138e, 138f, during which, as shown in <FIG>, the toner T drops and is supplied into the nozzle section <NUM> via the supply port 139b and the powder receiving inlet <NUM>. That is to say, in the case of this toner container <NUM>, the toner T in the container body <NUM> is supplied into the nozzle section <NUM> every time the lift-up sections 138e, 138f pass over the powder receiving inlet <NUM> of the nozzle section <NUM> and the supply port 139b provided in the nozzle receiver <NUM>, positions of which match, in one turn of the container.

As shown in <FIG>, the toner T supplied into the nozzle section <NUM> is transported by the transport screw <NUM> toward the connection path <NUM>, and drops on the connection path <NUM>. The dropped toner T is fed into the transport path <NUM> via the sub hopper <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and transported and supplied to the developing device <NUM> by rotation action of the transport screw 161B.

In the embodiment, as the nozzle receiving hole 139a is arranged inside the outer circumference of the container body <NUM>, and the center of the nozzle receiving hole 139a O1 is offset from the center of rotation O of the container body <NUM>, the transport nozzle can be freely arranged. Thus, such free layout of the transport nozzle <NUM> enables downsizing and cost reduction of the device main body. In addition, if a central part O1 of the nozzle receiving hole 139a is offset from the center of rotation O of the container body, the supply port 139b can efficiently collect any toner dropping from the inner wall of the contain main body <NUM> because the nozzle receiving hole 139a is located closer to the vicinity of the inner wall of the contain main body than when the it is arranged at the center of rotation O of the container body <NUM>.

As the device main body can be downsized, the container body <NUM> may be more easily made larger. Thus, as volume of filled toner can be increased, a replacement cycle of the toner container <NUM> can be extended.

As the supply port 139b is provided in the nozzle receiver <NUM> so that it is opposed to the lift-up sections 138e, 138f in the container body <NUM>, the supply port 139b can efficiently collect the toner T which is stirred up by the lift-up sections 138e, 138f and drops due to its weight.

On the one hand, when the toner container <NUM> is disengaged from the toner container storage section <NUM>, the toner container <NUM> is moved to the front side from the mounted position as shown in <FIG>. Then, with the movement of the toner container <NUM>, the transport nozzle <NUM> comes off from the container body <NUM>, and the shutter <NUM> is pushed back by the urging force of the coil spring <NUM> from the open position to the closed position. Consequently, the supply port 139b and the nozzle receiving hole 139a are closed by the shutter <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the embodiment, a loosening member <NUM> for breaking down a toner accumulated near the supply port 139b is provided in the shutter <NUM> described above. As shown in <FIG>, the loosening member <NUM> is configured by a pin protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shutter <NUM>, further penetrating a hole <NUM> formed in the main body tubular section 139c of the nozzle receiver <NUM>, and protruding into the container body <NUM>. That is to say, the loosening member <NUM> is a member protruding to the inside of the container body <NUM> from the nozzle receiver <NUM> and configured to be able to move in a moving direction of the shutter <NUM> in conjunction with an opening and closing operation of the shutter <NUM>.

The loosening member <NUM> occupies a first position where it occupies the second end side 138b of the container body <NUM> rather than the end of the supply port 139b when the shutter <NUM> occupies the closed position. It occupies a second position where it occupies the first end side 138a of the container body <NUM> rather than the supply port 139b when the shutter occupies the open position of the container body <NUM>. Specifically, the loosening member <NUM> moves to the first position and the second position as the shutter <NUM> moves.

With the configuration including such a loosening member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, when the shutter <NUM> slides, the loosening member <NUM> also moves. This makes it easier to securely acquire a space around the supply port 139b. Thus, a toner can be reliably discharged to the outside of the container while the toner contained in the toner container <NUM> is prevented from spilling or flying out of the container. Although the loosening member is configured by one pin here, it may be such configured that multiple pins protrude from the main body tubular section 138c. The protrusion of the pin does not have to be a fixed amount, and long and short pins may be alternately provided to form a concavo-convex shape.

A loosening member shall not be limited to a pin, and may be a ring member <NUM> having a through-hole 291a formed at the center, as shown in <FIG>, for example. In this case, the main body tubular section 139c is inserted into the through-hole 291a of the ring member <NUM> and slidably supported by the main body tubular section 139c. In addition, by forming a groove section 291c on one lateral face <NUM> of the ring member <NUM> to fit into a pin <NUM> penetrating the shutter <NUM>, and fitting the pin <NUM> into the groove section <NUM>, the pin <NUM> can move integrally with the shutter <NUM> and break down the toner T accumulated near the supply port 139b through the movement of the shutter <NUM>.

In each embodiment, although the central part O1 of the nozzle receiving hole 139a is arranged at the lowest position on the upstream side of the rotation direction of the container body <NUM>, with respect to the center of rotation O of the toner container <NUM> (container body <NUM>), arrangement of the nozzle receiving hole 139a is not limited to this position, and as shown in <FIG>, may be arranged between the lowest position and the highest position on the upstream side of the rotation direction of the container body <NUM>, specifically, on the mounting section 139d located in the range from the center of the lift-up section 183e to the center of the lift-up section 138f when the lift-up section 138e is positioned above.

Such an arrangement of the nozzle receiving hole 139a enables efficient collection of the toner stirred up by the lift-up section 138e or 138f as a result of rotation of the container body <NUM>.

In each mode described above, the toner container <NUM> is a recessed helical groove 138c formed in the container body <NUM>, and configured to transport a toner in the container body <NUM> from the first end side 138a of the container to the second end side 138b into which the nozzle section <NUM> of the transport nozzle <NUM> is inserted. However, a powder container to which the present invention applies shall not be limited to this configuration. For example, a well-known agitator for transporting toner by rotating in the container body <NUM> may be arranged as an additional member in the container body <NUM>. Or, in place of the above-mentioned helical groove 138c whose outer side is concave and whose inner side is convex, a helical convex section having a convex inner side and without making the outer side concave may be provided in the container body <NUM> to transport the toner.

The powder container to be used in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a container body for transporting powder contained therein from the first end side to the second end side thereof by self-rotating; a nozzle receiver having a nozzle receiving hole rotatably arranged on the second end side of the contain main body and configured to allow a transport nozzle having a powder receiving inlet to be inserted therein, and a supply port arranged in at least a part of the nozzle receiver and configured to supply the powder in the container body to the powder receiving inlet; and an shutter which is movable in a direction to open and close the nozzle receiving hole, and configured to open the nozzle receiving hole in response to insertion of the transport nozzle into the nozzle receiving hole and to close the nozzle receiving hole in response to disengagement of the transport nozzle from the nozzle receiving hole, wherein the nozzle receiving hole is arranged inside the outer circumference of the container body, and a central part of the nozzle receiving hole is offset from the center of rotation of the container body.

In addition, the nozzle receiver <NUM> is rotatably supported to the container body <NUM>, and the central part O1 of the nozzle receiving hole 139a is offset from the center of rotation O of the toner container <NUM> (container body <NUM>). In this case, the transport nozzle <NUM> and the nozzle receiving hole 139a may be displaced from each other in a circumferential direction when the toner container <NUM> is mounted to the toner container <NUM> (the image forming apparatus main body <NUM>).

To avoid this, in the embodiment, the toner container <NUM> is provided with a structure to align the nozzle receiving hole 139a with the position of the transport nozzle <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, an inclined surface <NUM> inclined from the transport nozzle <NUM> side toward the inside of the container body <NUM> is formed on an end face 139f of the nozzle receiver <NUM> opposed to the nozzle section <NUM> of the transport nozzle <NUM>, and the nozzle receiving hole 139a is arranged in the deepest section 390b in the inclined surface <NUM> toward the container body <NUM>. The inclined surface <NUM> has first end side forming the highest section 390a located on the transport nozzle <NUM> side and the second end side forming the deepest section 390b.

Thus, as shown in <FIG>, even when the nozzle section <NUM> and the nozzle receiving hole 139a are displaced from each other in the circumferential direction, the tip of the nozzle section <NUM> contacts the inclined surface <NUM> with the toner container <NUM> moved in the mount direction. If the toner container <NUM> is further moved in the mount direction, the nozzle receiving hole <NUM> rotates by being pushed by the nozzle section <NUM>. Thus, the tip of the nozzle section <NUM> moves along the inclined surface <NUM> of the nozzle receiver <NUM> and the deepest section 390b is opposed to the nozzle section <NUM>. Specifically, in conjunction with the movement of the toner container <NUM> in the mount direction, the nozzle receiving hole 139a rotates and moves to the position which matches the position of the tip of the transport nozzle <NUM>. Thus, the toner container <NUM> can be mounted to the toner container storage section <NUM> (the imaging device main body <NUM>) without caring about the orientation thereof, and thereby the toner container <NUM> can be set more easily.

In the embodiment, the inclined surface <NUM> is formed in the nozzle receiver <NUM>, and the nozzle receiver <NUM> is rotated with the inclined surface <NUM> being in contact with the nozzle section <NUM> to automatically align the nozzle receiving hole 139a with the nozzle section <NUM>. However, the method of changing the position of the nozzle receiving hole 139a is not limited to this. For example, a convex section may be provided to the nozzle receiver <NUM> to be attached to the container body <NUM> and a recessed section which has a wider receiving port and gradually narrows inside may be provided to the body <NUM> of the image forming apparatus. Then, the nozzle section <NUM> and the nozzle receiving hole 139a can be set in the proper positions by using these convex and recessed sections. In addition, in the case where the nozzle section <NUM> is arranged opposed to the lowest position in the end face 139f of the nozzle receiver <NUM>, the nozzle receiver <NUM> may be configured to have its own center of gravity at the nozzle receiving hole 139a, and the nozzle receiving hole 139a of the nozzle receiver <NUM> can be always set in the lowest position by utilizing the weight (gravity) of the nozzle receiving hole 139a.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, in the embodiment, a mini hopper <NUM> communicating with the supply port 139b and serving as a powder storage section for collecting the toner in the container body <NUM> is provided in the nozzle receiver and rotatably mounted to the container body <NUM>. A numeral <NUM> is assigned to the nozzle receiver according to the embodiment.

A configuration of the nozzle receiver <NUM> is same as the nozzle receiver <NUM>, except for the mini hopper <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the mini hopper <NUM> has a box shape formed like a fan protruding from the tubular main body 139c, with the lower part of the mini hopper in communication with the supply port 139b and the upper part being an opening 240a wider than opening area of the supply port 139b.

As shown in <FIG>, the mini hopper <NUM> is formed at a position opposed to the lift-up sections 138e, 138f in the container body 138b when the nozzle receiver <NUM> is mounted to the container body <NUM>.

When the toner container <NUM> having the nozzle receiver such configured is pushed into the mount position as shown in <FIG>, the nozzle section <NUM> is inserted into the nozzle receiving hole 139a of the nozzle receiver <NUM>, the shutter <NUM> moves to the open position, and the supply port 139b is in communication with the powder receiving inlet <NUM>.

As such, if the container body <NUM> includes the nozzle receiver <NUM>, an area for receiving the toner stirred up by the lift-up sections 138e, 138f and dropping by its own weight when the container body <NUM> rotates increases, thereby being able to collect the toner more efficiently and store the collected toner in the mini hopper <NUM>. Consequently, the amount of toner to be transported by the transport screw <NUM> from the supply port 139b via the powder receiving inlet <NUM> can be stabilized.

As described above, the powder supply device according to the second embodiment has a powder container, a transport nozzle inserted into the powder container, and configured to have a powder receiving inlet to which powdery tonner is supplied from a supply port of the powder container, and a transport path connected to the transport nozzle and a developing device and configured to transport the toner supplied to the transport nozzle to the developing device, wherein the above-mentioned nozzle receiver is rotatably supported to the container body as a powder container, a central part of the nozzle receiving hole is offset from the center of rotation of the container body, and the supply port is arranged to be located within the container body.

The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment includes the above-mentioned powder supply device.

According to the second embodiment, since the nozzle receiving hole is arranged inside the outer circumference of the container body, and the central part of the nozzle receiving hole is offset from the center of rotation of the container body, the transport nozzle can be freely arranged, thus enabling downsizing or cost reduction of the device main body through free layout or freeing of the transport nozzle. In addition, if the central part of the nozzle receiving hole is offset from the center of rotation of the container body, the supply port can efficiently collect any toner dropping from the inner wall of the container body because the nozzle receiving hole is located closer to the vicinity of the inner wall of the contain main body than when the it is arranged at the center of rotation of the container body.

As described above, with the invention according to the first embodiment of this case and the invention according to the second embodiment, as the toner container has a nozzle receiver having a nozzle receiving hole arranged on the second end side of the container body and configured to allow a transport nozzle having a powder receiving inlet to be inserted therein or removed therefrom, and a supply port arranged in at least a part of the nozzle receiver and configured to supply the powder in the container body to the powder receiving inlet; and an shutter being movable in a direction to open and close the nozzle receiving hole and configured to open the nozzle receiving hole in response to insertion of the transport nozzle into the nozzle receiving hole and to close the nozzle receiving hole in response to disengagement of the transport nozzle from the nozzle receiving hole, the toner container can prevent any spilling or flying of the powder when the toner container is replaced, because the nozzle receiving hole is closed by the shutter when the transport nozzle is disengaged from the nozzle receiving hole for replacement.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it should be noted that the powder receiving inlet of the transport nozzle is communicated with the supply port at a position toward the container body over the gear in an axial direction of the container body. In a conventional toner bottle including at one end thereof an opening and a driven gear mounted on the end where the opening is provided. So, it is necessary to attach to and remove the toner bottle from an apparatus, and engage the driven gear with a driving gear provided in the apparatus. Therefore, the bottle is provided with a step that a diameter of the end of the bottle on which the driven gear is disposed must be set to be smaller than that of the other portion of the bottle. This results in the opening having a small diameter. Consequently, in the conventional toner bottle, when a toner is discharged from the bottle through the opening, because the opening has a small diameter, the toner is difficult to be incorporated in the bottle. In the embodiments according to the present invention, because the toner is contained in the container through the transport nozzle, it can be accomplished easily to discharge the toner from the container without requiring any complex procedure.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments.

Claim 1:
A powder container (<NUM>) configured to contain powder to be used in an image forming apparatus, the powder container (<NUM>) comprising:
a first end (138a) and a second end (138b), the second end (138b) being disposed in a side opposite to the first end (138a), wherein the second end (138b) has an opening (138d);
a gear (<NUM>) provided on the second end (138b) and receiving a driving force to rotate the container (<NUM>);
a nozzle receiver (<NUM>) including a nozzle receiving hole (139a) arranged on the second end side of the container (<NUM>) and configured to allow a transport nozzle (<NUM>) having a powder receiving inlet (<NUM>) to be inserted therein, and a supply port (139b) arranged in at least a part of the nozzle receiver (<NUM>) and configured to supply the powder in the container (<NUM>) to the powder receiving inlet (<NUM>); and
a shutter (<NUM>) supported by the nozzle receiver (<NUM>) and configured to open and close the nozzle receiving hole (139a) by sliding in response to insertion of the transport nozzle (<NUM>) into the nozzle receiver (<NUM>),
wherein the powder receiving inlet (<NUM>) of the transport nozzle (<NUM>) is configured to communicate with the supply port (139b) at a position toward the container (<NUM>) over the gear (<NUM>) in an axial direction of the container, wherein an inner diameter of the container (<NUM>) where the gear (<NUM>) is disposed is smaller than an inner diameter of the container (<NUM>) at the center in the longitudinal direction of the container (<NUM>) which is between the second end (138b) and the first end (138a),
wherein
the container (<NUM>) includes on an end face of the second end (138b) at least one lift-up section (138e, 138f) for lifting up powder, wherein
the at least one lift-up section (138e, 138f) is arranged at a position facing the powder receiving inlet (<NUM>) when inserting the transport nozzle (<NUM>).