Transfer device, image forming apparatus, and waste toner container

An image forming apparatus that includes a transfer device, comprising:

• a transfer member that transfers a toner image onto a transfer-receiving member;
• a cleaning unit that removes waste toner remaining on the transfer-receiving member;
• a waste toner container that is detachable, and includes an intake opening through which the waste toner is collected therein;
• a connecting member that includes a discharge opening, and is configured to connect between the cleaning unit and the waste toner container to convey the waste toner from the cleaning unit and discharge the waste toner from the discharge opening into the waste toner container through the intake opening, the discharge opening being brought into engagement with the intake opening when the waste toner container is moved toward the connecting member and separating from the intake opening when the waste toner container is moved away from the connecting member;
• and
• a regulating unit that regulates a position of the waste toner container in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the waste toner container before the discharge opening comes in contact with the intake opening while the waste toner container is moving toward the connecting member,
• the regulating unit includes:
• a regulating member that is arranged on the waste toner container;
• a first guide member that guides the regulating member, and is arranged
• on any one of a main body of the image forming apparatus and the transfer unit;
• a positioning member that is arranged on the waste toner container;
• and
• a second guide member that engages with the positioning member,
• wherein the positioning member determines the position of the waste toner container in the moving direction after the regulating unit starts regulating the position of the waste toner container, and
• wherein the regulating unit stops regulating the position of the waste toner container when the positioning member completes positioning of the waste toner container.

A waste toner container that is configured to be detachably attached to an image forming apparatus that includes a transfer member that transfers a toner image onto a transfer-receiving member, a cleaning unit that removes waste toner remaining on the transfer-receiving member, and a connecting member that includes a discharge opening and conveys the waste toner from the cleaning unit, the waste toner container comprising:

• an intake opening that is configured to engage the discharge opening for collecting the waste toner conveyed through the connecting member and discharged from the discharge opening, the intake opening being brought into engagement with the discharge opening when the waste toner container is moved toward the connecting member and separating from the discharge opening when the waste toner container is moved away from the connecting member;
• and
• a regulating unit that regulates a position of the waste toner container with respect to the image forming apparatus in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the waste toner container before the discharge opening comes in contact with the intake opening while the waste toner container is moving toward the connecting member,
• the regulating unit includes:
• a regulating member that is arranged on the waste toner container;
• a first guide member that guides the regulating member, and is arranged on any one of a main body of the image forming apparatus and the transfer unit;
• a positioning member that is arranged on the waste toner container;
• and
• a second guide member that engages with the positioning member,
• wherein the positioning member determines the position of the waste toner container in the moving direction after the regulating unit starts regulating the position of the waste toner container, and
• wherein the regulating unit stops regulating the position of the waste toner container when the positioning member completes positioning of the waste toner container.