Cleaning unit for an image-forming machine having a toner conveying mechanism

An imaging unit applied to an image-forming machine, comprising

• a frame means,
• an image-carrying means mounted on said frame means, for forming a toner image thereon for transference to a transfer member, and
• a cleaning means mounted on said frame means, for removing toner remaining on said image-carrying means after a toner image has been transferred to a transfer member, said cleaning means including
• a toner conveying pipe member defining a passage for conveying the toner removed from said image-carrying means, the toner conveying pipe member defining a toner discharge opening at a side surface thereof,
• a toner conveying means for conveying the toner through said toner conveying pipe member,
• a toner-recovering container detachably combinable to said toner conveying pipe member, the toner-recovering container defining a toner receiving opening therein for communication with said toner discharge opening when said toner-recovering container is combined to said toner conveying pipe member;
• a shutter member capable of moving between a close position for closing the toner discharge opening and an open position for opening the toner discharge opening, the shutter member being disposed on said frame means,
• a sealing member being disposed so as to be compressed between the side surface of said toner conveying pipe member and an inner surface of said shutter member when said shutter member is brought to the close position, and
• a guide means being disposed to limit the moving passage of said shutter member between said close position and said open position, said guide means guiding said shutter member to move along said toner conveying pipe member and to move in a direction to separate away from, or approach, the side surface of said toner conveying pipe member.