Abstract: A toner cartridge according to the present invention ensures easy replacement thereof and assuredly prevents a user from failing to claim its toner fall aperture. When a shutter is located in a position where the toner fall aperture is closed, a claw of a lock portion does not project outward. When the toner cartridge is inserted in an insertion direction, a right holding portion of the shutter abuts against an engagement side wall of an engagement portion, and prohibits the shutter from moving in the direction of the insertion so that the toner fall aperture is opened. When the toner cartridge is withdrawn, the lock portion of the claw is locked to a return portion provided on a side wall thereby to prohibit the shutter from moving in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. Thus, the shutter is slid in the insertion direction with respect to a flange to close the toner fall aperture.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a toner storing unit having two flexible stirring rods disposed therein. Two tapered bearing portions disposed on a first side wall of the toner storage unit extend partially into the first side wall without piercing the first side wall, and two bearing portions on a second side wall extend completely through the second side wall. First ends of each of the stirring rods is tapered and fits into the tapered bearing portions on the first side wall of the toner storage unit. Second ends of the stirring rods extend through the bearing portions of the second side wall of the toner storage unit. Flange members are disposed on the second ends of the stirring rods, and a seal is interposed between each flange member and the second side wall. In another embodiment of the present invention, two of the bearing portions on the first side wall are generally square, and the first ends of the stirring rods have a generally spherical tip.

Abstract: A conveyer device includes a container containing a toner therein and having a bottom wall and two side walls, a toner discharge port formed in the bottom wall, and a conveyance mechanism for conveying the toner in the container toward the discharge port. The conveyance mechanism includes a rotary shaft that is supported across both side walls to rotate and is positioned to pass above the discharge port, and a pair of spiral vanes formed on the rotary shaft. The vanes have their spiral directions opposite to each other. The discharge port has a first side edge and a second side edge opposed to each other at a distance in the axial direction of the rotary shaft. One of the spiral vanes extends from the first side edge toward the second side edge of the discharge port, above the toner discharge port. The other spiral vane extends from the second side edge toward the first side edge of the discharge port.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device including a container having an acceptance opening for a toner, and a toner cartridge removably mounted on the container so as to traverse the acceptance opening along an upper surface portion extending at the upper end of the acceptance opening, and using a shutter member when the toner cartridge is removed from the container. An engaged hole is formed in one side part of the container. In one side part of the shutter member opposed to the one side part of the container, a hook portion is formed for being engaged with the engaged hole to allow the turn of the shutter member in the direction of insertion between the lower surface of the toner cartridge and the upper surface portion of the container, as well as in the reverse direction, and to regulate the position of the shutter member in the width direction relative to the container.

Abstract: A developing device includes a toner cartridge mounting portion, and a toner cartridge to be detachably mounted on the toner cartridge mounting portion. The toner cartridge mounting portion has a bottom wall having a toner acceptance opening formed therein, and a pair of supporting side walls disposed on the opposite side edges of the bottom wall, and an engaging means is disposed on the inner surface of one of the supporting side walls. The toner cartridge includes a generally cylindrical container having an unsealably sealed toner discharge opening formed in the peripheral wall of the container, and a toner accommodated in the container. An engaged means to be engaged with the engaging means is disposed in the outer surface of one side wall of the container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which facilitates replacement of a toner cartridge and collecting tank as a unit. The toner cartridge's exterior surface has an integrally formed collecting tank support portion having two opposing claws angled at an obtuse angle. The collecting tank has a support member for engaging the support portion of the toner cartridge for freely attaching/detaching the collecting tank to the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A discharge system for discharging copy sheets out of a copying machine body comprises a transport unit and a discharge unit. The transport unit transports copy sheets in a transverse direction of the machine. The interiorly-incorporated discharge unit acquires a sheet transported from the transport unit and actively transports the acquired sheet along a fore-and-aft direction of the apparatus toward the user-directed side of the copying machine in order to discharge it exteriorly. The overall occupied space of the copy machine is thus reduced; additionally, accuracy of copy sheet discharge is ensured.