US 12,138,934 B2
Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and bottle
Daisuke Maeta, Nagoya (JP); Masahiko Hayakawa, Ama (JP); and Shougo Sato, Seto (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Jun. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/836,300.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-108173 (JP), filed on Jun. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0410580 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. G03G 15/08 (2006.01); B41J 2/175 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 2/17523 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0877 (2013.01); G03G 15/0879 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming system, comprising:
an image forming apparatus including:
an image forming unit including a first image former configured to form an image on a sheet by using a first consumable item and a second image former configured to form an image on the sheet by using a second consumable item, the image forming unit including a first accommodating portion capable of accommodating the first consumable item and a second accommodating portion capable of accommodating the second consumable item; and
a supplier including a first supply port though which the first consumable item is supplied to the first accommodating portion and a second supply port through which the second consumable item is supplied to the second accommodating portion, and a guide which is used when the first consumable item is supplied to the first accommodating portion, or the second consumable item is supplied to the second accommodating portion;
a first bottle including a first connector having (i) a first outlet port connectable to the first supply port of the supplier and through which the first consumable item is supplied and (ii) a first guided portion configured to be guided by the guide in a state in which the first connector is attached to the supplier, the first bottle being capable of accommodating the first consumable item, the first outlet port communicating with the first supply port in the state in which the first connector is connected to the supplier; and
a second bottle including a second connector having (i) a second outlet port connectable to the second supply port of the supplier and through which the second consumable item is supplied and (ii) a second guided portion configured to be guided by the guide in a state in which the second connector is attached to the supplier, the second bottle being capable of accommodating the second consumable item, the second outlet port communicating with the second supply port in the state in which the second connector is connected to the supplier,
wherein the supplier is one supplier by which the first consumable item and the second consumable item are respectively supplied to the first image former and the second image former, and the image forming apparatus include a first conveyor configured to convey the first consumable item from the one supplier to the first image former and a second conveyor configured to convey the second consumable item from the one supplier to the second image former,
wherein the first bottle and the second bottle are guided by the guide of the one supplier by turns, and
wherein the first supply port is located at a position different from a position of the second supply port in the one supplier in a direction intersecting a guide direction in which the guide guides each of the first bottle and the second bottle.