JPH11212348A - Toner bank and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a toner bank which has good detachability of a toner container, is safe and can prevent toner scattering, and an image forming apparatus having the toner bank to form an image. SOLUTION: In a toner bank for supplying a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier 10 in an electrophotographic system from a position away from a developing position,
The toner container 1 for storing the toner T therein is inserted into the main body front 20a
, A toner container holding means 3 for detachably holding the toner container 1 inserted from the toner container insertion part 2, and a toner container held by the toner container holding means 3. An opening 4 for discharging the toner t from 1 and a gas flow transfer means 5 for mixing and transferring the toner discharged from the opening 4 to a flowing gas.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same, and more particularly, to a toner for forming a toner image by developing or developing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system. A toner bank supplied from a position distant from the developing position, and a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system having the same is supplied from a position distant from the developing position to form an image. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine for forming the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of toner cartridges provided in a toner server provided adjacent to a toner tank of a developing device are rotated so as to be automatically converted a plurality of times, so that the toner cartridge can be automatically converted by an operator. A toner replenishing mechanism for reducing the replacement frequency is known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-277083). A small developing device which supplies toner from a toner storing means provided separately from the developing device by using a mono pump to improve operability at the time of maintenance is also known (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-219329). See). A technique is also known in which a toner cartridge accommodating section in which two toner cartridges can be individually mounted is provided, and toner is supplied to the developing device via a toner transfer pipe having two branch pipes and a main pipe. Kaihei 8-1372
No. 27). Further, a technique of forming an image by conveying toner from a toner bank provided with a plurality of toner containers provided at positions apart from a developing position to a developing device has been proposed by the same applicant. However, in a conventional toner server or toner bank having a toner container of a plurality of toner cartridges, the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container is poor, and the exposed parts of the rotating toner bank are dangerous. There has been a problem that toner scatters.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional toner bank and the image forming apparatus having the same, the operability of attaching and detaching the toner container is poor, and even if the exposed parts of the rotating toner bank are dangerous. There is a problem that toner scatters from the insertion portion of the toner bank. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional technology and to provide a toner bank which has a structure in which the toner container can be easily attached and detached, has good operability in attaching and detaching, is safe, and can prevent toner scattering. To provide an image forming apparatus for forming an image.

[0004]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier with toner; In a toner bank that supplies toner from a position distant from the developing position, a toner container insertion portion for inserting a toner container for storing toner inside from the front of the main body, and the toner container inserted from the toner container insertion portion are detachably attached. A toner container holding means for holding the toner, an opening for discharging the toner from the toner container held by the toner container holding means, and a gas for moving the toner discharged from the opening as a mixture of fluidized gas The most important feature is that the toner bank is composed of a flow transfer means. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the toner bank according to claim 1, the toner container insertion portion is a toner bank into which a plurality of toner containers are inserted from the front of the main body. A third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the toner bank according to the first or second aspect, the toner container insertion portion is a toner bank that is opened and closed by a shielding means. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the toner bank according to the third aspect, the shielding means is a toner bank that opens and closes for each toner container insertion portion. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the toner bank according to the third or fourth aspect, the shielding means regulates opening and closing of the toner container insertion portion when toner is discharged from the toner container held by the toner container holding means. The main feature is that the toner bank has means. Also,
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the toner bank according to the fifth aspect, the regulating means is a toner bank for regulating opening and closing of a shielding means of a toner container insertion portion corresponding to a toner container during toner discharge. And According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the toner bank according to the sixth aspect, the regulating means releases the regulation of the opening and closing of the shielding means of the plurality of toner container insertion portions corresponding to the toner containers in which the toner discharge is stopped. The main feature is that it is a toner bank. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image by supplying toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position apart from a developing position. 8. A mixture transport path comprising: the toner bank according to claim 1; an elastic pipe configured to transport a mixture of toner and gas transported by the toner bank; A developing unit to which toner is conveyed and supplied by a pneumatic conveying path, an image carrier for carrying a toner image obtained by visualizing an electrostatic latent image by the developing unit, and a toner image formed on the image carrier The most main feature of the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus including a transfer unit for transferring the image to a transfer target. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the toner container insertion portion of the toner bank is an image forming apparatus in which a toner container is inserted from the front of the main body. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the toner bank is arranged at a position avoiding a front cover where the image forming operation is stopped by the opening and closing operation. Main features.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the toner container storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means. Then, the toner discharged from the toner container to the opening is moved as a mixture with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transfer means, so that the toner container is easily attached and detached and has good operability. To be able to provide a toner bank. Also,
According to the second aspect, a plurality of toner containers for storing toner therein are inserted into a toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, and are detachably held by toner container holding means. The ejected toner is moved as a mixture with the gas to be fluidized by the gas flow transfer means, so that the toner container is easily attached and detached, has a good attachment / detachment operability, and has a large toner supply amount. Be able to provide. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a toner container for storing toner therein is inserted into a toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, detachably held by toner container holding means, and discharged from the toner container to an opening. The toner container is moved as a mixture with the gas to be fluidized by the gas flow transfer unit, and the toner container insertion part is opened and closed by the shielding unit. It is possible to provide a toner bank which is good, safe, and prevents toner scattering. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion inserted from the front of the main body, detachably held by the toner container holding means, and discharged from the toner container to the opening. The toner container is moved as a mixture with the gas to be fluidized by the gas flow transfer unit, and the toner container is opened and closed by the shielding unit for each of the toner container insertion portions. It is possible to provide a toner bank which has good performance, is safe, prevents scattering of toner, and can replace the toner container even during transfer of toner. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, detachably held by the toner container holding means, and discharged from the toner container to the opening. The toner container is moved by the gas flow transfer means as a gas mixture with the fluidized gas, and when the toner is discharged from the toner container held by the toner container holding means, the toner container insertion part is opened and closed by the shielding means. And a toner bank that has a simple structure for attaching and detaching the toner container, has good operability for attachment and detachment, is safe, and reliably prevents toner from scattering. . According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a toner container for storing toner therein is inserted into a toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, detachably held by toner container holding means, and discharged from the toner container to an opening. The supplied toner is moved as a gas mixture with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transfer means, and the restricting means regulates the opening and closing of the shielding means of the toner container insertion portion corresponding to the toner container during toner discharge. In addition, it is possible to provide a toner bank that has a structure that allows easy attachment / detachment of the toner container, has good attachment / detachment operability, and is safe and secure for each of the toner container insertion portions and that reliably prevents toner from scattering. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a toner container for storing toner therein is inserted into a toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, detachably held by toner container holding means, and discharged from the toner container to an opening. Regulating the opening and closing of the shielding means of the toner container insertion portion corresponding to the toner container in which the toner discharge is stopped by moving the discharged toner as a gas mixture with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transfer means and stopping the toner discharge by the regulating means. The structure is such that the attachment and detachment of the toner container is easy, the attachment and detachment operability is good, and the toner container insertion section is securely and securely prevented from scattering toner. It is possible to provide a toner bank in which a toner container can be replaced even while toner is being transferred. Claim 8
A mixture of toner and gas transported by the toner bank according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is transported and supplied to the developing means by a mixture transport path comprising an elastic tube. Then, the toner image formed on the image carrier that carries the toner image obtained by visualizing the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit is transferred to the transfer target by the transfer unit, so that the toner container can be attached and detached. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that forms an image with a simple structure and good operability. Further, in claim 9, the above-mentioned claim 1
8. A mixture of toner and gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of claims 7 to 7, which is transported and supplied to the developing means by a mixture transport path comprising an elastic tube, and is supplied by the developing means. The toner image formed on the image carrier that carries the toner image obtained by visualizing the electrostatic latent image is transferred to the transfer target by the transfer unit, and the toner container insertion portion of the toner bank inserts the toner container from the front of the main body. Thus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that forms an image with a structure that allows easy attachment and detachment of the toner container and that has better operability. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a mixture of toner and gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is developed by a mixture transport path comprising an elastic tube. The toner image formed on the image carrier that carries the toner image obtained by visualizing the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit is transferred to the transfer target by the transfer unit, and is opened and closed by the opening and closing operation. The toner bank is arranged at a position avoiding the cover before the image forming operation is stopped. The structure for easily attaching and detaching the toner container is excellent in operability, and the toner container can be replaced even during the image forming operation. And an image forming apparatus for forming the image.

[0006]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a toner bank showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus having the same. The image forming apparatus 100 incorporates an image carrier 10 and a developing unit 9 inside the upper half right side thereof, and is located at a position away from a developing position by the developing unit 9.
That is, in this example, the toner bank 20 is provided at the lower left corner of the image forming apparatus 100. The toner bank 20 contains toner (T), which is a developer for forming a toner image by developing, that is, developing a latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 10 in the electrophotographic system by a developing unit 9. Two cylindrical toner containers 1 stored inside can be mounted from the front 20a of the toner bank main body. That is, the toner bank 20 is provided with two upper and lower toner container insertion portions 2 for receiving the toner container 1, and an insertion opening 2a is opened in the front surface 20a of the toner bank main body so that the toner container 1 can be easily attached and detached. Have been. The toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3 by being mounted in the direction of arrow A shown in the figure. In a state where the toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3, the toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 is provided at one end in the axial direction (the end in the insertion direction) of the toner container 1. The toner is discharged from the opening 1 a into an opening 4 formed at the back of the toner container insertion section 2. Then, the mixture is transferred by being mixed with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transfer unit 5, and is transferred and supplied to the developing unit 9 of the image forming apparatus 100 via the mixed gas transfer path 8. The image forming apparatus 100 transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier 10 that carries the toner image obtained by visualizing the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit 9 to the transfer target (P) by the transfer unit 11. It is designed to transfer. The toner bank 20 is provided with a rotating door type cover 6 as a shielding means to cover the entire front surface 20a of the toner bank main body including the toner container insertion section 2. The cover 6 serves as a front cover 100b (which stops the image forming operation when the front cover 100b is open) for blocking the front opening of the storage section of the image forming apparatus 100 or the like of the image forming apparatus 100. Arrow C
It is supported in a cantilevered state so that it can be opened and closed in the direction, and the opening and closing are regulated or released by the magnet catch 7a of the regulating means 7. Since the toner bank 20 is configured as described above, the attachment / detachment of the toner container 1 can be performed by the main body front surface 20a of the toner bank 20.
Alternatively, the main body front 100a of the image forming apparatus 100
Since it can be carried out from the beginning, the detachability can be improved with a simple structure. In addition, since the rotating exposed portion of the toner container 1 is covered with the cover 6 serving as the shielding means, the safety can be improved and the toner (T) can be prevented from scattering.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same, showing another embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 incorporates an image carrier 10 and a developing unit 9 inside the upper half right side thereof,
The toner bank 30 is provided at a position distant from the developing position by the developing means 9, that is, at the lower left corner in this example. The toner bank 30 develops a latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 10 in the electrophotographic system by developing means 9, that is, develops a toner (T) which is a developing material for forming a toner image. Three cylindrical toner containers 1 stored inside can be mounted side by side up and down from the front 30a of the toner bank main body. That is, the toner bank 30 is provided with three stages of toner container insertion portions 2 for receiving the toner containers 1, and the toner container insertion portions 2 (2-1, 2-2, 2-2, 2-2) are provided so that the toner container 1 can be easily attached and detached. 2,
The insertion port 2a of 2-3) is opened in the front face 30a of the toner bank main body. The toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3 by being mounted in the direction of arrow A shown in the figure. In a state where the toner container 1 is held by the toner container holding means 3, the toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 is provided at one end in the axial direction (the end in the insertion direction) of the toner container 1. The toner is discharged from the opening 1 a into an opening 4 formed at the back of the toner container insertion section 2. Then, the developing means 9 of the image forming apparatus 100 is mixed with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transferring means 5 and transferred, and passes through the mixed gas transport path 8.
Transported and supplied.

The image forming apparatus 100 transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier 10 carrying the toner image obtained by visualizing the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit 9 to the transfer unit 1.
1 transfers the image to the object to be transferred (P).
Each of the toner container insertion sections 2 is provided in the toner bank 30.
For each of -1, 2-2, and 2-3, a rotating door type cover 6a, 6b, 6c as a shielding means is provided correspondingly. These covers 6a, 6b, 6c serve as a front cover 100b that covers a front opening of a housing portion such as the image carrier 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 (an image forming operation is performed when the front cover 100b is open). Stop) is avoided and the arrow C shown in the figure is used.
They are supported in a cantilevered state so that they can be opened and closed in the directions, and the opening and closing are regulated or released by the magnet catch 7a of the regulating means 7. Since the toner bank 30 is configured as described above, the attachment / detachment of the toner container 1 can be performed with the main body front 3 of the toner bank 30 attached.
0a or the main body front 10 of the image forming apparatus 100
Since it can be performed from 0a, the detachability can be improved with a simple structure. Further, each of the toner container insertion portions 2-
Exposure portions and the like of the rotatable toner container 1 mounted on 1, 2, 2-3 are covers 6a, 6 serving as the shielding means.
Since it is covered with b and 6c, respectively, it is possible to enhance the safety and prevent the toner (T) from scattering.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the toner banks 20, 3 respectively.
FIG. 2 is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a zero. As shown in the figure, the cover 6 as the shielding means in the toner bank 20 and the covers 6a, 6b and 6c as the shielding means in the toner bank 30 are provided by the regulating means 7 provided respectively. The opening and closing are regulated or the regulation is released by the lock mechanism 7b. The lock mechanism 7b is connected to the toner bank 20.
, The cover members 6b, 6b, and 6c provided in the cover 6a, 6b, and 6c as the shield means in the toner bank 30; the toner bank 20 and the toner bank; A key 7b3, etc., which meshes with or does not mesh with the groove member 7b1 by the rotational operation of a motor 7b2 provided on the main body side of the motor 30. While the toner (T) stored in the cylindrical shape of the toner container 1 is being discharged from the opening 1a to the opening 4, the control unit 1
2 by the rotation of the motor 7b2, the groove member 7b1 of the lock mechanism 7b and the key 7b3
Are engaged with each other, and the cover 6, 6a, 6b, or 6c
Are locked so as not to open and are regulated (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, when the toner (T) stored in the cylindrical shape of the toner container 1 is not discharged from the opening 1a to the opening 4, the control unit 12
By the rotation of the motor 7b2, the engagement between the groove member 7b1 of the lock mechanism 7b and the key 7b3 is released, and the cover 6, 6a, 6b, or 6
The lock is released and the restriction is released so that c is opened in the direction of arrow C shown in the figure (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 shows a flow of a control operation performed by the control unit 12. The control unit 12 controls the toner bank insertion unit 2 in the toner bank 20 and the control unit 12 controls the toner bank 30 in the toner bank 30. Toner container insertion part 2
It is determined whether or not the toner container 1 is inserted into and attached to -1, 2-2, and 2-3 (step 1). If the toner container 1 is not installed (No in step 1), Applicable toner container insertion section 2, 2-1, 2
-2, or 2-3 of the cover 6, 6a, 6b, or 6
(c) The lock of the restricting means 7 by the lock mechanism 7b is released. Thus, the covers 6, 6a, 6a, 6 serving as shielding means for the toner container insertion portions 2, 2a, 2b, or 2c to which the toner container 1 is not mounted.
The lock is released so that b or 6c is opened, and the regulation is released (step 2). If the result of the determination in step 1 is that the toner container 1 is attached (Yes in step S1), the toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 is transferred from the opening 1a to the opening 4a. Is determined (step 3), and if toner (T) is not being discharged (No in step S3),
The lock mechanism 7b of the regulating means 7 of the cover 6, 6a, 6b, or 6c of the toner container insertion portion 2, 2-1 2-2, or 2-3 in which the corresponding toner container 1 is mounted. To release the lock. Thus, the cover 6, 6a, 6a, 6b, or 6c, which is a shielding means for the toner container insertion portion 2, 2a, 2b, or 2c, to which the toner container 1 from which the toner (T) has not been discharged is mounted. The lock is released so that is opened, and the regulation is released (step 2). If the result of determination in step 3 is that toner (T) has been discharged (Yes in step S3), the toner container insertion section 2, 2-1 or 2-2 in which the corresponding toner container 1 is mounted. Or 2-3 of the above cover 6,
In order to prevent 6a, 6b or 6c from opening, the regulating means 7
Is locked by the lock mechanism 7b, and opening / closing is regulated (step S4).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 2 in more detail. This image forming apparatus 10
Reference numeral 0 denotes an example of a copying machine. The toner bank 30, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 110, and an exposure unit 120, an image forming unit 130, A groove is formed from the paper section 140 and the like. The exposure unit 120 is provided with the automatic document feeder (ADF) 11
A light source 121 for irradiating the original (D) placed on the contact glass 111 with zero or manual light,
The exposure optical system includes a mirror group 122 and a lens 123 for exposing the reflected light image from the document (D) onto the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 of the image forming unit 130. The image forming section 130 includes a charging unit 13, a developing unit 9, a registration roller 14, a transfer unit 11, a cleaning unit 15, and a fixing unit 1.
6, a paper discharge roller 17, a transfer paper reversing and conveying section 18 for double-sided copying, a paper discharge tray 19, and the like. Further, the paper supply section 140 is provided with a plurality of paper supply cassettes containing transfer papers (P) of various sizes.

The exposure section 120 is an example of an analog exposure optical system. The exposure section 120 uses a laser scanning optical system using a laser light source and a deflector as the exposure section 120. If a method is used in which optical writing is performed on the photosensitive drum of the carrier 10, it can function as a laser printer, and further, the automatic document feeder (ADF)
If a document reading device is installed between the exposure unit 110 and the exposure unit 120, a digital copying machine or a facsimile machine is obtained.
When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 is charged by the charging unit 13, and the original image from the exposure unit 120 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the two-component developer or the one-component developer of the developing unit 9 to be visualized, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 is supplied from the paper supply unit 140, and is transferred to the image carrier 1 of the transfer unit 11 via the registration roller 14.
0 photosensitive drum and transfer belt 11 of transfer means 11
is transferred to the transfer paper (P) fed to the nib with
The transfer paper (P) to which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the transfer unit 11.
Is transported to the fixing means 16 by the transfer belt 11a, and the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper (P) by the fixing means 16.

The transfer paper (P) after fixing is transferred to the discharge roller 1 described above.
The paper is discharged and stored on the paper discharge tray 19 through the tray 7. On the other hand, the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 after the transfer of the toner image onto the transfer paper (P) is cleaned by the cleaning means 15 to remove and collect the residual toner and foreign matter of the paper dust brush. Be prepared for. or,
The transfer belt 11a of the transfer unit 11 after the transfer of the transfer paper (P) is also cleaned by the cleaning unit 11b.
Foreign matter such as residual toner and paper dust is removed and collected. In the following description, an example in which a two-component magnetic brush developing method using toner (T) and a carrier is used as the developing means 9 will be described. The toner bank 30, which is located at a position distant from the developing position of the developing unit 9 of the image forming apparatus 100, is a mixture of toner (T) and a gas formed of a flexible pipe member of the mixture transport path 8. The toner (T) stored in the toner container 1 mounted on the main body front surface 30a of the toner bank 0, which is connected to the developing means 9 by a supply pipe and is also the main body front surface 100a of the image forming apparatus 100. ) Is supplied to the developing means 9 by a powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5 via a toner supply pipe formed of a flexible pipe member of the gaseous mixture transporting path 8, by a powder pump unit also called a mono pump. The mixture is transferred and supplied as a mixture.

The toner bank 30 contains the three toner containers 1 by an operator.
0, the toner bank 3 which is also the main body front 100a.
0, the toner container insertion portion 2-1 of the toner container insertion portion 2 and the toner container insertion portion 2-2 of the toner container insertion portion 2 on the front side substantially in the vertical direction with the opening portion 1a measured from the front of the main body 30a.
When the toner bank 3 is inserted into the toner container insertion section 2-3 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.
The opening and closing of the door cover of the shielding means 6 is regulated or released by the regulating means 7.

The mixture gas supply pipe of the mixture gas transport path 8 with the toner (T) and the gas is a tube material that is flexible and has excellent toner resistance. For example, nylon, Teflon, or the like is used. It is effective for Therefore, since the connection between the toner bank 30 and the developing means 9 is flexible, there is no restriction on the installation of each, and not only the layout can be effectively used, but also the toner bank 30 can be effectively used.
In this case, three toner containers 1 allow the operator to measure the toner container 1 from the main body front surface 30a of the toner bank 30, which is also the main body front surface 100a of the image forming apparatus 100, by the operator. And the toner container insertion portion 2 of the toner container insertion portion 2 on the front side in a substantially vertical direction.
1, since the toner container 1 is inserted from the toner container insertion section 2-2 and the toner container insertion section 2-3, and is mounted and held, the attachment / detachment operability of the toner container 1 is simple, the operability is good, and the The toner bank 30 without toner scattering
And image forming apparatus 10 having the same and forming an image
0 can now be provided.

In FIG. 7, the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5 is called a conventionally known mono pump, and includes a rotor 5a, a stator 5b, a holder 5c, and the like. The toner (T) discharged from the section 1a to the opening 4 and stored in the hopper 5k is transferred in a mixed state with gaseous air. The rotor 5a is connected to a driving source (not shown) via a horizontal conveying screw 5d and is driven to rotate.
The stator 5b is made of an elastic body such as a rubber material and surrounds the rotor 5a. The above holder 5c
Holds the stator 5b. Stay Stay 5
A gap 5e of about 1 mm is provided between the side surface of the holder b and the inner side surface of the holder 5c, and communicates with the toner passage 5f.
A gas supply port 5g is provided so as to blow into the toner passage 5f from the gap 5e. The gas supply port 5g communicates with the toner passage 5f, and communicates with a gas discharge port 5i provided in an air pump of the gas supply means 5h via a gas supply pipe 5j. When the air pump of the gas supply means 5h operates, the gas supply port 5g
, Gas air is blown into the toner (T) at a rate of about 0.5 to 1.0 liter / minute. As a result, the toner (T) exiting from the toner passage 5f of the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5 is:
Fluidization is promoted, and in a mixed state of gas and air, the current means 9 is supplied to the current means 9 through a mixture gas supply pipe of toner and gas formed of a flexible pipe member of the mixture gas transport path 8.
Since the mixture is supplied by being transferred as a mixture of gas and air, the transfer of the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5 is more reliable.

In FIG. 8, toner is supplied from the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30 to the developing means 9 by a toner remaining amount detecting means 9a provided in the developing means 9. That is, the toner remaining amount detecting means 9
When the detected toner amount is less than a predetermined value, the powder pump unit of the gas flow transfer means 5 is driven to supply the toner (T) to the toner replenishing unit 9b of the developing means 9.
Supply is started. When the amount of toner in the toner replenishing section 9b becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the toner remaining amount detecting means 9a detects the amount and stops the toner supply.
By these controls, a predetermined amount of toner is always stored in the toner replenishing section 9b, and a stable developing process is guaranteed. Further, the toner remaining amount detecting means 9a detects that the toner amount is less than a predetermined value, and when the toner amount exceeds a predetermined number of times, time, etc., the toner amount in the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30 is set. It determines that there is no toner, and issues a warning to the operator on an operation unit or display unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. Thus, by replacing the toner container 1 with the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30, the toner can be replenished at an appropriate time. The toner supply section 9 of the developing means 9
b, a toner replenishing opening 9d is formed at one axial end of a stirring member 9c provided in the toner replenishing portion 9b, and a toner collecting means 9e is detachable from the toner replenishing opening 9d. It is to be installed in.

In FIG. 9, the toner collecting means 9e
Is a unit structure formed separately from the developing means 9, and includes the toner bank 2 which is a toner (T) supply source.
0 or the toner mixture path from the toner bank 30
The toner transported in a mixed state of gas and air through a gas / air mixture pipe of toner and gas composed of a flexible pipe member is separated and collected from air, and the toner replenishing section of the developing means 9 is collected. It is used to replenish when the replenishment toner stored in 9b is reduced. The toner collecting means 9e has a funnel-shaped toner separating portion 9e1 whose longitudinal direction is set in the longitudinal direction. The toner separation unit 9
e1 separates the toner (T) and the air which are pressure-fed from the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30 as a toner supply source by gaseous air, drops only the toner (T) by gravity, and 9 is constituted by a hopper that can be introduced into the toner supply section 9b. For this reason, at the upper position of the toner separating section 9e1, the air-fuel mixture transport path 8 forming one of the toner transferring means is provided.
One end of a mixture gas supply pipe of toner and gas composed of a flexible pipe member is connected, and an opening 9e connectable to the toner replenishing portion 9b of the developing means 9 is provided at a lower position.
2 are formed. As a result, the mixture of the air and the toner (T) sent from the mixture supply pipe of the mixture of the toner and the gas, which is formed of the flexible pipe member of the mixture transport path 8, is transferred to the inner peripheral wall of the toner separation section 9e1. When the collision occurs, the toner separation unit 9e1 descends with a spiral motion due to the shape of the toner separation unit 9e and the discharge position of the toner and gas from the air-fuel mixture supply pipe formed of the flexible pipe member of the air-fuel mixture transport path 8, and has a low specific gravity. While the gaseous air rises, only the toner (T) having a large specific gravity falls, so that the gaseous air and the toner are separated. A filter 9e3 for discharging only air is provided on an upper surface of the toner separating portion 9e1, and an opening / closing member 9e4 for opening and closing the opening 9e2 is provided on a lower surface.

In FIG. 10, the developing means 9 comprises the toner supply section 9b and the developing container section 9f. The developing container section 9f is held rotatably in the direction of arrow B shown in the figure. The toner replenishing unit 9b is disposed near the photosensitive drum as the image carrier 10, and is mounted on the developing container unit 9f. The developing container section 9
f, a stirring roller 9g and a paddle wheel 9h
The two-component developer composed of a magnetic or non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier, which are agitated and mixed by the agitation roller 9g and frictionally charged to opposite polarities, is pumped up by the paddle wheel 9h. It has become. When the density of the toner (T) supplied to the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 decreases, the toner replenishing unit 9b directs the toner (T) to the stirring roller 9g by rotating the toner replenishing roller 9b1. It is designed to run out. At a position where the developer is pumped up by the paddle wheel 9h, a plurality of developing rollers 9i and a developing roller 9j are provided in proximity to the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10. The developing roller 9i and the developing roller 9j are those located on the upstream side along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 10 as the first developing roller 9i and located on the downstream side. Are the second developing rollers 9j. The first developing roller 9i and the second developing roller 9j are mainly composed of a sleeve rotatable in a counterclockwise direction by a driving unit (not shown) and a mag roller fixed inside the sleeve. Have. The sleeve is made of a non-magnetic material of aluminum or stainless steel, and the mag roller is made of a ferrite magnet or rubber magnet, or a plastic magnet molded by kneading nylon powder and ferrite powder. And a plurality of such arrangements.

In the developing container section 9f, the developer is pumped up by centrifugal force generated when the paddle wheel 9h rotates, and is discharged toward the first current roller 9i. Part of the discharged developer is directly supplied to the first developing roller # 9i and carried on the surface of the first developing roller 9i. When the remaining part of the discharged developer is repelled by hitting the second developing roller 9j, it is held on the surface of the first developing roller 9i by the magnetic force of the first developing roller 9i. . In order to supply the developer to the first developing roller 9i also from the second roller 9j side, it is necessary to increase the amount of bounce from the second developing roller 9j. It is necessary to relatively increase the rotation speed of the paddle wheel 9h and increase the centrifugal force. First developing roller 9
The developer carried by i moves on the roller surface with the rotation of the developing sleeve, the layer thickness of which is regulated by the doctor blade 9k, and the photosensitive layer of the first developing roller 9i and the image carrier 10 is exposed. The first developing area (DI) facing the body drum is reached. When the developer that has reached the developing area (DI) moves to a position where the action of the magnetic force on the first developing roller 9i side is weakened, the developer on the second developing roller 9j side and the magnetic force from the mag roller cause the developer to move as shown in FIG. As indicated by the dashed line, the second developing roller 9j and the image carrier 10
To the second developing area (D2) with the photosensitive drum. Then, at the position where the magnetic force of the second developing roller 9j stops acting, it falls to the bottom of the developing container portion 9f and is again stirred by the paddle wheel 9h.

The developer scraped off by the doctor blade 9k is guided by the separator 9l toward the transport screw 9m located at the other end in the extension direction, and is dropped by the transport screw 9m onto the stirring roller 9g. It has become. For this reason, the separator 9
A slit for dropping the developer is formed at the other end in the extension direction 1 at a position facing the stirring roller 9g. The mag roller provided on the first developing roller 9i and the second developing roller 9j is located between the closest positions between the first developing cola 9i and the second developing roller 9j. The arrangement of the magnetic poles that can form a repulsive magnetic field by the poles is set, and the direction of transport of the developer is forcibly set in the direction toward the second developing roller 9j. Thus, the developer is transferred to the second developing roller 9j by the magnetic force of the magnetic pole on the second developing cola 9j side. In the vicinity of the stirring roller 9g in the developing container section 9f, a toner density sensor serving as a toner density detecting means 9n for detecting a mixing ratio between the toner and the carrier is arranged. The toner density sensor of the toner density detecting means 9n employs, as an example, a method of detecting the toner density from the toner content in the developer by using a change in inductance of a coil located in the developer.

FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) are structural views of the vicinity of the opening 1a of an example of the toner container.
The shoulder 101 is formed on the container end surface 102 which supports a. Further, spiral grooves, projections and the like are formed inside the container toward the opening 1a.
The toner in the container moves along the spiral groove or the like while rotating in the opening direction through the shoulder 101.
a. FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the toner is reliably discharged from the opening 1a by the action of the shoulder portion 101 in the process of rotating the toner container 1. In FIG. 12, the toner container 1 has an openable and closable toner container body 1b for discharging the stored toner at one axial end of a cylindrical main body 1b of the toner container 1 for storing the toner (T) therein. The opening 1a having a diameter smaller than the diameter is formed. Further, the toner container 1
A part of the inner surface of the shoulder portion 101 of the end surface 102 where the opening 1a is formed is moved from the shoulder inner surface portion to the opening 1a.
To form an extruding portion 1c for lifting the toner (T). FIGS. 5A to 5D show the manner in which the toner (T) is guided by the squeezing section 1c and the opening squeezing section 1d. Figure (a1),
(B1), (c1), and (d1) are front views, and corresponding partial views (a2), (b2), (c2),
(D2) is a right side view. The toner container 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow D shown in the figure by 90 degrees from the diagram (a) in the order of diagram (b), diagram (c), and diagram (d).
It is. In the state shown in FIG. 5A, the maximum diameter portion of the shoulder portion 101 is located vertically below, and the toner (T) is guided to the lower part of the peripheral wall of the maximum diameter portion of the head of the toner container 1 by the guide groove 1e. ing. The state shown in the drawing (b) is a fushi bear rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of arrow D from the state shown in the drawing (a), and the boundary between the maximum diameter portion of the shoulder portion 101 and the protruding portion 1c. Is located vertically below, and a part of the toner (T) guided by the guide groove 1e is
It is listed in

The state shown in the diagram (c) is a state in which the state is further rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of arrow D from the state shown in the diagram (b) until the state shown in the diagram (c) becomes 90 degrees. During rotation,
The protruding portion 1c lifts the toner (T) up to the edge of the opening portion 1a like a spoon. Diagram (d)
Is a state in which the state is further rotated by 90 degrees in the direction of arrow D from the state of the diagram (c), and before and after the state of FIG. (T) partially moves to the opening protruding portion 1d, and the opening 1a is tilted by the opening protruding portion 1d.
, And can be ejected. Here, in the example shown in the drawing, the protruding portion 1c itself has a concave shape like a scooping portion of a spoon, as often appears in the diagram (c). Accordingly, if the container is formed in the vicinity of the opening 1a, the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is discharged and dropped from the opening 1a with the toner (T) powder as a whole. There is no dust in the hopper (not shown), and the toner (T) powder is gradually discharged. In addition, the toner stored in the toner container 1 can be used up almost completely without being left. Further, when the toner container 1 rotates, excess toner is removed, so that only one spoonful of toner is scooped up and lifted to the opening portion 1a, so that the amount of toner discharged from the opening portion 1a is constant. Become.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a mechanism for automatically opening a stopper for closing the opening of the toner container. In this embodiment, the toner container 1 is provided with the toner bank 20 or the main body of the toner bank 30. Front 20a or body front 30
a is inserted in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 2A, and is set in a detachable manner on the holder portion 3a of the toner container holding means 3 integrated with the toner bank 20 or the toner bank 30. The holder part 3a is provided with an inner holder 3c rotatably supported in the holder 3b, and the inner holder 3c is rotated by a rotation driving means (not shown).
It can rotate through c1. The toner container 1 has irregularities (not shown) so that it can rotate in synchronization with the inner holder 3c. The inner holder 3c has a seal 3d so that the toner does not scatter from between the toner container 1 and the receiving portion of the inner holder 3c when the toner (T) is discharged. A slider 3e and a chuck 3f are slidably supported in the holder 3b. The slider 3e is always plug 3g.
Is pressed by the spring 3h in the direction of pressing the toner (T). When the chuck 3f is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow F in this state, the knob 3 of the stopper 3g is moved.
i is grasped by the claw 3f1 of the chuck 3f and the stopper 3g
Is pulled out of the toner container 1.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining the operation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 13, wherein the stopper 3g is pulled out of the toner container 1 and
When the gear 3c1 is rotated by the gear of the rotation driving means 3j, the inner holder 3c is rotated. When the toner container 1 is rotated in synchronization with the inner holder 3c, the toner (T) in the toner container 1 is discharged. It is discharged from the opening 1a. When the toner (T) in the toner container 1 runs out,
The toner remaining amount detecting means 9a of the developing means 9 warns that there is no toner (T), and the moving means 3k moves the chuck 3f in the direction of arrow G shown in FIG. It can be closed. FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of the moving means. The moving means 3k includes a drive motor 3k1, a worm gear 3k2, a worm wheel (or a helical gear) 3k.
k3, a pinion 3k4, and a rack 3k5. The chuck 3f can be moved left and right in the direction of arrow H shown in the figure by rotating the drive motor 3k1 clockwise and counterclockwise. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of closing the stopper. In this embodiment, the stopper 3l is supported by the holder 3b by the step screw 3m and the spring 3n, and the stopper 3g has a force to close the stopper 3g. Are pressed by the spring 3n so as not to rotate in the direction of the arrow I in the drawing and lift up to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. Therefore, when the stopper 3g is closed in the toner container 1, the toner container 1 does not escape. However, when replacing the toner container 1,
The toner container 1 can be easily replaced by pulling out the toner container 1 more strongly or retracting the stopper 3l manually or by retracting the stopper 3l to the position of the two-point iron wire shown by adding a lever or the like (not shown). I have.

[0026]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion which is inserted from the front of the main body. Since the toner ejected from the toner container to the opening is detachably held by the toner container holding means and moved as a mixture with the gas fluidized by the gas flow transfer means, the toner container It is possible to provide a toner bank having a structure that allows easy attachment / detachment and good attachment / detachment operability. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of toner containers for storing toner therein are inserted into the toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, and are detachably held by the toner container holding means. Since the toner discharged to the opening is moved as a mixture with the gas to be fluidized by the gas flow transfer means, the toner container is easily attached and detached with a simple structure, so that the attaching / detaching operability is good and the toner replenishing amount is reduced. Many toner banks can be provided. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the toner container storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means. The ejected toner is moved as a mixture with the gas to be fluidized by the gas flow transfer means, and the toner container insertion portion is opened and closed by the shielding means. It has become possible to provide a toner bank which has good operability, is safe, and prevents toner scattering. According to the invention of claim 4,
The toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner discharged from the toner container to the opening is transferred by the gas flow. The toner container is moved as a mixture with a fluidized gas by means, and is opened and closed by each of the toner container insertion portions by the shielding means. In addition, it is possible to provide a toner bank which prevents the toner from scattering and further allows the toner container to be replaced while the toner is being transferred. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means. The ejected toner is moved as a mixture with the gas to be fluidized by the gas flow transfer means, and the toner container insertion portion is closed by the shielding means when the toner is ejected from the toner container held by the toner container holding means. Since the opening and closing of the toner container are regulated by the regulating means, it is possible to provide a toner bank that has a structure that allows easy attachment and detachment of the toner container, has good attachment / detachment operability, is safe and secure, and reliably prevents toner scattering. It became so. According to the invention of claim 6, the toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means. The discharged toner is moved as a gas mixture with the fluidized gas by the gas flow transfer means, and the restricting means restricts the opening and closing of the shielding means of the toner container insertion portion corresponding to the toner container during toner discharge. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toner bank which has a structure in which the toner container can be easily attached and detached, has good attachment / detachment operability, and is safe and secure for each of the toner container insertion portions and which reliably prevents toner from scattering. became. According to the invention of claim 7,
The toner container for storing the toner therein is inserted into the toner container insertion portion to be inserted from the front of the main body, and is detachably held by the toner container holding means, and the toner discharged from the toner container to the opening is transferred by the gas flow. The opening / closing control of the shielding means of the toner container insertion portion corresponding to the toner container whose toner discharge has been stopped by the regulating means is moved as a mixture with the fluidized gas by the means. The structure for easily attaching and detaching the toner container has good attachment / detachment operability, as well as secure and reliable prevention of toner scattering at each toner container insertion portion, and even during transfer of toner to the toner container other than during toner discharge. It is now possible to provide a replaceable toner bank. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the mixture of the toner and the gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is developed by the mixture transport path including an elastic tube. The toner image formed on the image carrier that carries the toner image in which the electrostatic latent image has been visualized by the developing unit is transferred to the transfer target by the transfer unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that forms an image with a structure in which the toner container can be easily attached and detached and has good operability in attaching and detaching. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the mixture of the toner and the gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is provided.
The toner image formed on the image carrier that carries the toner image in which the electrostatic latent image has been visualized by the developing device is transported and supplied to the developing unit by a mixed gas transport path including an elastic tube. Since the toner container is inserted into the toner container insertion portion of the toner bank from the front of the main body at the same time as the image is transferred to the transfer target body by the transfer means, the toner container can be easily attached and detached to form an image with good detachability and good operability. An image forming apparatus can be provided. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the mixture of the toner and the gas transferred by the toner bank according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is developed by the mixture transport path comprising an elastic tube. The toner image formed on the image carrier that carries the toner image in which the electrostatic latent image has been visualized by the developing means is transferred to the transferring means and transferred to the transfer target body by the transfer means, and the opening and closing operation is performed. The toner bank is located at a position avoiding the cover before the image forming operation is stopped, so the toner container can be easily attached and detached with good attachment and detachment operability, and the toner container can be replaced even during the image forming operation. Thus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus for forming an image by using the image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a main part of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another state of a main part of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a main part of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus having the same.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus having the same.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus having the toner bank.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus having the same.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are an external view of a main part and a cross-sectional view showing an example of a toner container used in the present invention.

FIG. 12 (a1) (a2) (b1) (b2) (c1)
(C2), (d1), and (d2) are explanatory views illustrating states of main parts of the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus having the same.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating a state of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another main part of a toner bank and an image forming apparatus having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a toner bank according to an embodiment of the present invention and another main part of an image forming apparatus having the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 toner container, 1a opening, 1b body, 1c
Protruding part, 1d Opening protruding part, 1e Guide groove, 2
Toner container insertion section, 2-1 Toner container insertion section, 2
-2 toner container insertion section, 2-3 toner container insertion section,
3 toner container holding means, 3a holder portion, 3b holder, 3c inner holder, 3c1 gear, 3d seal,
3e slider, 3f chuck, 3f1 nail, 3g
Stopper, 3h spring, 3i knob, 3j rotation driving means, 3k moving means, 3k1 driving motor, 3k2
Worm gear, 3k3 worm wheel (or helical gear), 3k4 pinion, 3k5 rack, 3l stopper, 3m step armature, 3n spring, 4 opening, 5 gas flow transfer means, 5a rotor, 5b stator, 5c holder, 5d horizontal conveying screw, 5e gap, 5f toner passage, 5g gas supply port, 5h gas supply means, 5i gas discharge port, 5j gas supply pipe, 5k
Hopper, 6 shielding means, 6a shielding means, 6b
Shielding means, 6c shielding means, 7 regulating means, 7a magnet catch, 7b locking mechanism, 7b1 groove member,
7b2 motor, 7b3 key, 8 mixture passage, 9 developing means, 9a toner remaining amount detecting means, 9b toner replenishing section, 9b1 toner replenishing roller, 9c stirring member, 9d toner replenishing opening, 9e toner collecting means,
9e1 Toner separation unit, 9e2 opening, 9e3 filter, 9e4 opening / closing member, 9f developing container unit, 9g stirring roller, 9h paddle wheel, 9i developing roller, 9
j developing roller, 9k doctor blade, 9l separator, 9m transport screw, 9n toner density detecting means, 10 image carrier, 11 transfer means, 11a transfer belt, 11b cleaning means, 12 control section,
13 charging means, 14 registration roller, 15
Cleaning means, 16 fixing means, 17 paper discharge rollers, 18 transfer paper reversing and conveying section for double-sided copying, 19
Discharge tray, 20 toner bank, 20a front of main body, 30 toner bank, 30a front of main body, 100
Image forming apparatus, 100a main body front, 100b front cover, 110 automatic document feeder (ADF), 111 contact glass, 120 exposure unit, 121 light source, 1
22 mirror group, 123 lens, 130 image forming unit, 140 paper feeding unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A toner bank for supplying a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position distant from a developing position. A toner container insertion part provided to be inserted from the front, a toner container holding means for detachably holding the toner container inserted from the toner container insertion part, and the toner container held by the toner container holding means And a gas flow transferring means for moving the toner discharged from the opening as a mixture of a fluidizing gas and the toner discharged from the opening. 2. The toner bank according to claim 1, wherein
The toner bank, wherein the toner container insertion portion is configured to allow a plurality of toner containers to be inserted from the front of the main body. 3. The toner bank according to claim 1, wherein the toner container insertion portion is opened and closed by a shielding means. 4. The toner bank according to claim 3, wherein
A toner bank, wherein the shielding means is opened and closed for each toner container insertion portion. 5. The toner bank according to claim 3, wherein the shielding unit has a regulating unit that regulates opening and closing of the toner container insertion portion when toner is discharged from the toner container held by the toner container holding unit. A toner bank characterized by the following. 6. The toner bank according to claim 5, wherein
A toner bank, wherein the regulating means regulates opening and closing of a shielding means of a toner container insertion portion corresponding to the toner container during toner discharge. 7. The toner bank according to claim 6, wherein
The toner bank, wherein the regulating means releases the regulation of the opening and closing of the shielding means of the plurality of toner container insertion portions corresponding to the toner containers in which the toner discharge is stopped. 8. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by supplying toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image on an image carrier in an electrophotographic system from a position distant from a developing position. 8. A mixture transport path comprising a toner bank according to any one of 1 to 7, an elastic tube for transporting a mixture of toner and gas transported by the toner bank, and the mixture transport path. A developing unit to which the toner is conveyed and supplied; an image carrier for carrying a toner image obtained by visualizing the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit; and a transfer member for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier An image forming apparatus, comprising: a transfer unit that transfers the image to the image forming apparatus. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
An image forming apparatus, wherein a toner container insertion portion of a toner bank inserts a toner container from the front of a main body. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the toner bank is arranged at a position avoiding a front cover where the image forming operation is stopped by opening and closing operations.