Abstract: A toner cartridge is constructed from a container having a discharge opening in its bottom end surface, and a shutter mechanism mounted on the bottom end of the container. In a lower part of the container, at least one partition wall is disposed. The discharge opening of the container is present not entirely in the bottom end surface, but only partly in the surface. To the entire edge of the discharge opening, a wall extending upwardly at an inclination angle .alpha. of at least 45 degrees to the horizontal is connected.

Abstract: A toner device is constructed from a container having a discharge opening in its bottom end surface, and a shutter mechanism mounted on the bottom end of the container. In a lower part of the container, at least one partition wall is disposed with wall surfaces having edging defining the discharge opening(s). The discharge opening of the container thus forms a portion of the entire bottom end surface of the container. Also, the lower edging of the wall surfaces extend over the entire periphery of the one or more discharge openings, and each wall defining the discharge opening or openings extends upwardly at an inclination angle .alpha. of at least 45 degrees to the horizontal.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a container body having a toner transport passage, and a toner transporter disposed in the toner transport passage for transporting toner from one end portion toward the other end portion of the toner transport passage while agitating the toner along the toner transport passage. The container body has a toner discharge port provided at the other end portion of the toner transport passage, and a recycle toner entry port provided at the one end portion of the toner transport passage. When the toner cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position, the toner discharge port is positioned opposite a toner feed port provided in a developing device, while the recycle toner entry port is positioned opposite a recycle toner drop port provided in a recycle toner carrier.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device including a mounting base having a toner replenishment opening formed for replenishing a hopper with a toner, and a toner cartridge to be mountable on the mounting base at a replenishing position at which the toner can be replenished through the toner replenishment opening. The mounting base is provided with a replenishment opening shutter member, and locking means for inhibiting the turning of the replenishment opening shutter member. When the toner cartridge is mounted at the replenishing position, locking of the locking means is released, and when the container is turned, a through-hole of the toner cartridge and the toner replenishment opening open.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device of an image forming machine, including a toner cartridge receiving member disposed in a machine body and having a cartridge inserting position and a cartridge mounting position; and a toner cartridge having a container body with a toner discharge opening and mounted detachably on the toner cartridge receiving member; wherein a reference alignment mark is provided at a machine body wall portion positioned above the toner cartridge receiving member, a first alignment mark is provided on the container body of the toner cartridge at a position opposite the reference alignment mark at the cartridge inserting position, and a second alignment mark is provided on the container body of the toner cartridge at a position opposite the reference alignment mark at the cartridge mounting position. The cartridge is movable to the cartridge mounting position at right angles to the direction of insertion of the cartridge by using an operating lever.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is disclosed which includes a case having two toner discharge openings through the surface connected to a toner hopper, two sealing films, and a reeling shaft. The sealing films are removably adhered to the portion adjacent to the toner discharge openings, and seal the toner discharge opening. The reeling shaft is rotatably supported by the case, and allows the plurality of sealing films to be removed from the toner discharge openings during toner cartridge installation by reeling the sealing films around the reeling shaft. At least one of the plurality of sealing films is longer than the others, and is attached to the reeling shaft in a direction opposite that of the others. This arrangement allows the timing of removal of the sealing films to be shifted, thereby reducing the amount of torque required for their removal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of unsealing a toner cartridge automatically and suitably as the toner cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge. The image forming apparatus includes a developing device, and a toner supplying device for supplying toner to the developing device. The toner cartridge is removably mountable on the toner supplying device. Only when the toner cartridge is mounted, and the toner cartridge has not yet been unsealed, is an operation for unsealing the toner cartridge performed.

Abstract: In a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developing unit in a xerographic image forming apparatus, the casing containing toner has two toner discharge openings sealed prior to installation by a sealing film having a sealing portion peel-separably affixed to the casing around the toner discharge openings, as well as a peel-separating leader portion. The sealing film overlaps itself, having open opposite lateral edges. The toner cartridge is fitted with retaining elements affixed to the casing along opposite lateral edges of the toner discharge openings, for covering the open opposite lateral edges of the sealing film. An installation seat having a toner-disgorging opening corresponding to the toner discharge openings is fixed to the end of the toner cartridge casing. The installation seat includes pressing elements therein disposed over the retaining elements for maintaining external pressure on the retaining elements.

Abstract: A toner supply device in which a toner cartridge can smoothly be inserted and removed. The toner supply device includes a toner supply device main body capable of removably setting the toner cartridge to a setting position. The toner supply device main body includes a guide tray for guiding the toner cartridge along an insertion direction when the toner cartridge is inserted to and pulled out from the setting position. Thus, the toner cartridge can smoothly be inserted and removed. The guide tray can assume a guide posture for guiding the insertion and removal of the toner cartridge, and a retreat posture where the guide tray is being retreated to a retreat position. Various engagement members on the guide tray secure or release the toner cartridge to or from the guide tray.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes an inner tubular container having a toner discharge opening and accommodating a toner; an outer tubular case having a toner passage opening corresponding to the toner discharge opening, and being fitted around the inner tubular container relatively rotatably; and a seal member having a sealing portion for covering the toner discharge opening, the sealing portion being strippably bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular container, and an action portion formed as a continuum of the sealing portion and having a front end part secured to the outer tubular case. The sealing portion of the seal member has a longitudinal bond portion and a peripheral bond portion defined along the surroundings of the toner discharge opening, and a cut groove provided inwardly of the peripheral bond portion at the peel start side end part thereof.

Abstract: A discharge unit is provided on one side portion of the image-forming machine body to turn between an open position and a closed position. When the discharge unit is at the closed position, a discharge passage to the tray is defined over the discharge unit and a discharge passage to the sorter is defined under the discharge unit. When the discharge unit is turned to the open position, the lower portion of the discharge passage to the tray and the upper portion of the discharge passage to the sorter are opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of images comprising a transfer unit for transferring a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum onto a sheet of copy paper, a conveying unit for conveying the copy sheet in a given direction, and a shield for dividing the region below the conveying unit and transfer unit into the upper and lower portions and for shielding the photosensitive drum in the upper portion from the flow of air from the lower portion, thereby providing high quality images.