Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first process unit, a second process unit, a first toner cartridge, and a second toner cartridge. The first toner cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a first shutter movable between a first closed position and a first open position. The cartridge housing includes one end portion and the other end portion. The cartridge housing is rotatable between a first position at which the first shutter is positioned at the first closed position and a second position at which the first shutter is positioned at the first open position. When the cartridge housing moves from the second position to the first position, the one end portion of the cartridge housing comes close to the second toner cartridge and the other end portion of the cartridge housing goes away from the second toner cartridge.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in an axis direction; a drum cleaner including a cleaning member cleaning a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning housing accommodating transfer residual toner removed from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum by the cleaning member; a first drum side plate supporting a first end portion of the photosensitive drum; a second drum side plate located distant from the first drum side plate in the axis direction and supporting a second end portion of the photosensitive drum; a pipe located between the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate in the axis direction and extending in the axis direction; and a conveyor device conveying the transfer residual toner from the cleaning housing to the pipe.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in an axis direction; a drum cleaner including a cleaning member cleaning a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning housing accommodating transfer residual toner removed from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum by the cleaning member; a first drum side plate supporting a first end portion of the photosensitive drum; a second drum side plate located distant from the first drum side plate in the axis direction and supporting a second end portion of the photosensitive drum; a pipe located between the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate in the axis direction and extending in the axis direction; and a conveyor device conveying the transfer residual toner from the cleaning housing to the pipe.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which the replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation member, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source. The apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; a process cartridge including a photoconductive drum and a developing roller; a toner cartridge containing toner; and a drawer movable between an inner position and an outer position. The process cartridge includes a lock member movable between a lock position at which the lock member locks the process cartridge to the drawer, and a release position at which a lock between the process cartridge and the drawer is released. The lock member is located at the lock position in a state in which the process cartridge is mounted to the drawer, and the toner cartridge is mounted to the process cartridge. The lock member is located at the release position in a state in which the process cartridge is mounted to the drawer, and the toner cartridge is removed from the process cartridge.

Abstract: A developer supply container is detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus including a developer receiving portion provided with a receiving opening for receiving a developer, and a portion-to-be-engaged 11b integrally displaceable with the developer receiving portion. The developer supply container includes a discharging portion provided with a shutter opening for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion. An operation portion 21 displaces the developer receiving portion to bring the receiving opening into communication with the shutter opening by engagement between the engaging portion 21d and the portion-to-be-engaged 11b by a predetermined operation executed after the developer supply container is mounted to a predetermined position of the developer receiving apparatus.

Abstract: A waste toner collecting device includes a waste toner container, a detector, and an auger. The waster toner container is to collect waste toner. The detector is to detect an amount of waste toner collected and accumulated in the waste toner container. The auger is to disperse the waste toner in the waste toner container. The auger includes a first blade to transport the waste toner in a first direction toward the detector in the waste toner container, and a second blade to transport the waste toner in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the waste toner container. The second blade includes a first blade section having a waste toner transport rate greater than a waste toner transport rate of the first blade.

Abstract: A printing device includes a door, a display, and a colorant supply. The printing device detects that the door has been opened. In response to detecting that the door has been opened, the printing device displays, on its display, current status information of the colorant supply within the printing device.

Abstract: A powder container includes a collection port to communicate with an outlet port of a body or removable component, and to receive and collect powder flowing out through the outlet port. There is a shutter to open and close the collection port, and a rotation portion to be engageable with an engagement portion which is to open and close a cartridge shutter to open and close the outlet port through which the powder flows out. An operation device is to rotate the rotation portion in conjunction with an operation of the operation device, and a contact portion is included in the rotation portion to contact a restriction member. The contact portion is to cancel the restriction member from restricting rotation of the engagement portion.

Abstract: A process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, a developing roller, and a developing device. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and is located on a side of the developing roller opposite to the photosensitive drum in an attaching direction. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner container to store the toner conveyed through the conveyer tube and a toner container to store the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner container communicates with a developing chamber in the developing device and is located at least partly between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. The conveyer tube extends in the attaching direction and is arranged to overlap the photosensitive drum, the toner container, and the waste toner container in a view along an axial direction.

Abstract: An example toner refill cartridge includes a body, a plunger, a weight part, and a weight part container. The body includes a toner chamber to contain toner and a toner discharging portion having an entrance connected to one end of the toner chamber in a length direction and an exit to discharge toner. The plunger includes a piston that is movably inserted into the toner chamber in the length direction and a packing member located at an end of the piston to push the toner toward the toner discharging portion. The weight part is movably accommodated in the toner chamber and has a shape that prevents the weight part from passing through the entrance. The weight part container is provided in the one end of the toner chamber in the length direction such that the weight part can be accommodated therein.

Abstract: A recovery container includes a container body that is removably attached to an attachment target and that is capable of recovering powder; a projection provided at the container body in a direction intersecting with an attachment direction of the container body and having a slip-off preventing portion that is formed at a portion on a side opposite to an attachment direction side and that is engaged with an engaging part provided at the attachment target; an operation part that is provided at the container body, that has the projection on a surface on a side opposite to a container body side, and that urges the projection away from the container body; and a pushing part that is provided at the container body, that is movable from a first position to a second position located farther from the container body than the first position, and that is capable of pushing the operation part to be away from the container body when moving to the second position.

Abstract: In a moving unit, a shutter member is provided with a first contact portion configured to receive a force in a predetermined direction when the shutter member comes into contact with the apparatus main body, and a second contact portion configured to receive a force in a direction different from the predetermined direction when the shutter member comes into contact with the apparatus main body. When the moving unit is moved from the second position to the first position along the first direction, the first and second contact portions sequentially come into contact with the apparatus main body, the shutter member moves relative to the delivery member in the order of a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the first direction, and the opening changes from the closed state to the open state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive unit provided with a discharge opening, a pair of frame members, a developer receiving portion connected to the discharge opening, and a developer feeding portion connected to the developer receiving portion. The developer receiving portion is provided inside a space sandwiched between the frame members. The developer feeding portion is provided outside the space.

Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.

Abstract: A process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, a developing roller, and a developing device. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and is located on a side of the developing roller opposite to the photosensitive drum in an attaching direction. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner container to store the toner conveyed through the conveyer tube and a toner container to store the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner container communicates with a developing chamber in the developing device and is located at least partly between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. The conveyer tube extends in the attaching direction and is arranged to overlap the photosensitive drum, the toner container, and the waste toner container in a view along an axial direction.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge detachably mountable to a receiving device, the toner cartridge comprising a container including a accommodating portion for accommodating the toner and a discharge opening for discharging the toner from the accommodating portion into the receiving device; and an open/close member including a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and an engaging portion movable relative to the closing portion, the open/close member being rotatable relative to the container between (a) an opening position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closing position for causing the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the engaging portion is movable relative to the closing portion between (c) a engaging position for engagement with the receiving device to receive a force for moving the open/close member from the opening position to the closing position when the toner cartridge is d

Abstract: A liquid storage device includes a tank, a shaft, an agitator blade, and a sealing member. The tank is configured to store ink to be supplied to an inkjet head. The shaft is configured to be inserted inside the tank via an insertion hole provided in the tank. The agitator blade is disposed inside the tank and is connected to the shaft. The sealing member is configured to block a space between the shaft and the insertion hole for a period during which the agitator blade is not rotating and is configured to open the space between the shaft and the insertion hole for at least a part of a period during which the agitator blade is rotating.

Abstract: A developer container includes a body, an agitating bar, and an agitating film. The body includes a bottom plate; a first side wall; a second side wall facing the first side wall; a developer chamber defined by the bottom plate, the first side wall, and the second side wall, the developer chamber storing developer; and an opening formed in the bottom plate to allow the developer chamber to communicate with an outside of the developer chamber and allow the developer to be supplied from the developer chamber to the outside of the developer chamber. The agitating bar is configured to rotate to agitate the developer stored in the developer chamber. The agitating film is attached to the agitating bar and configured to, when rotation of the agitating bar stops, stop in a state where the agitating film abuts the first side wall and the second side wall.

Abstract: A liquid storage device includes a tank, a shaft, an agitator blade, a first tube, a second tube, and a fixing member. The tank is configured to store ink to be supplied to an inkjet head. The shaft is configured to be inserted inside the tank via an insertion hole provided in the tank. The agitator blade is disposed inside the tank and is connected to the shaft. The first tube is configured to supply the ink to the inkjet head. The second tube is configured to return the ink to the tank. The fixing member is disposed in a position higher than the agitator blade, and is configured to fix the first tube and the second tube.

Abstract: A process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, a developing roller, and a developing device. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and is located on a side of the developing roller opposite to the photosensitive drum in an attaching direction. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner container to store the toner conveyed through the conveyer tube and a toner container to store the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner container communicates with a developing chamber in the developing device and is located at least partly between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. The conveyer tube extends in the attaching direction and is arranged to overlap the photosensitive drum, the toner container, and the waste toner container in a view along an axial direction.

Abstract: A process cartridge including a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a waste toner container, is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive layer and a rotation axis extending in an axial direction, a drum cleaner arranged to contact the photosensitive drum, a cleaner frame configured to accommodate the drum cleaner therein, and a waste toner conveyer tube connected with the cleaner frame. The developing cartridge is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge and includes a developer roller. The waste toner container is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. When the developing cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to the drum cartridge, the waste toner container is connected with the waste toner conveyer tube and is located on an opposite side of the developing cartridge to the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A process cartridge including a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a waste toner container, is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive layer and a rotation axis extending in an axial direction, a drum cleaner arranged to contact the photosensitive drum, a cleaner frame configured to accommodate the drum cleaner therein, and a waste toner conveyer tube connected with the cleaner frame. The developing cartridge is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge and includes a developer roller. The waste toner container is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. When the developing cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to the drum cartridge, the waste toner container is connected with the waste toner conveyer tube and is located on an opposite side of the developing cartridge to the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A toner conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance coil and a regulation member. The conveyance coil includes a coil portion, an extended portion, a first engaging portion and a connecting portion. The regulation member includes a second engaging portion, a space portion and an opening portion. The connecting portion includes a first end portion that is connected to the extended portion and a second end portion that is connected to the first engaging portion, the first end portion being arranged further on the other end side than the second end portion. The second engaging portion includes a diameter reduction area whose distance in a radial distance from the rotational axis is reduced gradually toward the other end side such that the connecting portion and the regulation member are not in contact with each other when the conveyance coil is driven.

Abstract: A process unit has an image carrying unit having an image carrying member configured to be rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and a developing agent removing member, a developing unit having a developing agent carrying member configured to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a waste developing agent collecting unit configured to collect the developing agent removed by the removing member from the image carrying member. The waste developing agent collecting unit is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the developing unit such that the waste developing agent collecting unit faces the developing unit, and the developing unit is connected to the waste developing agent collecting unit such that the developing unit being movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the waste developing agent collecting unit.

Abstract: A process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, a developing roller, and a developing device. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and is located on a side of the developing roller opposite to the photosensitive drum in an attaching direction. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner container to store the toner conveyed through the conveyer tube and a toner container to store the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner container communicates with a developing chamber in the developing device and is located at least partly between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. The conveyer tube extends in the attaching direction and is arranged to overlap the photosensitive drum, the toner container, and the waste toner container in a view along an axial direction.

Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus, the developer supply container includes an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer; a discharge opening for discharging the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion from the developer supply container; a developer feeding portion for feeding the developer in the accommodating portion toward the discharge opening; a rotatable drive receiving portion for receiving a rotational force; a drive transmitting portion for transmitting the rotational force received by the drive receiving portion to the feeding portion; a portion-to-be-detected for detecting rotation of the drive receiving portion; a contact surface for contacting a rotatable member provided in the developer receiving apparatus; wherein the drive receiving portion, the portion-to-be-detected and the contact are formed integrally.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for accommodating toners includes a barrel, a transmission member and a toner conveying shaft. The barrel is adapted for accommodating toners and provided at an end thereof with an opening. The transmission member is rotatably disposed at the end of the barrel. The toner conveying shaft is rotatably disposed inside the barrel and provided with a shaft portion and at least one scoop portion extending from the shaft portion in a way that the scoop portion conveys the toners from the barrel to the transmission member when the toner conveying shaft rotates relative to the barrel. As a result, the toners inside the barrel can be continuously discharged out via the scoop portion.

Abstract: A drum cleaner in a drum unit removes toner from a photosensitive drum. A waste-toner conveyance pipe has a waste-toner discharge port and conveys toner removed from the photosensitive drum by the drum cleaner. A toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner to be supplied to a developing roller. A waste-toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner removed from the photosensitive drum. A toner cartridge rotatably moves relative to the drum unit between: a first position at which a waste-toner receiving port is separated from the waste-toner discharge port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit; and a second position at which an internal space of the waste-toner accommodation chamber is in communication with an internal space of the waste-toner conveyance pipe through the waste-toner discharge port and the waste-toner receiving port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit.

Abstract: A process cartridge, comprising: a drum cartridge; and a waste toner case, the drum cartridge comprising: a development roller; a first side wall to support one end of a shaft of the development roller; a second wall to support the other end of the shaft; a photosensitive drum; a cleaner; and a conveying tube, the conveying tube comprising: a first part disposed on an opposite side of the second side wall with respect to the first side wall in an axis direction, the first part being connected to the cleaner; a second part disposed closer to the second side wall relative to the first part and connected to the waste toner case; and a third part connecting the first part with the second part, wherein a direction in which the waste toner case is attached is equal to a direction in which the second part extends.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of liquids, in particular colorants for paints, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, defining a plurality of positions and a plurality of containers holding a liquid, mounted on the support at the positions, and provided with a pump and/or a valve for dispensing the liquid from the container. At least some of the containers form, together with a respective liquid and pump and/or valve, a cartridge, which cartridge is releasably mounted in the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner replenishing portion, a waste toner collecting portion, and a toner container. The toner container is attachable to the toner replenishing portion and the waste toner collecting portion. The toner container includes a first lever switchable between first and second positions, and a second lever switchable between third and fourth positions. The toner replenishing portion includes a first actuating portion configured to, while the toner container is being attached to the toner replenishing portion, prohibit an attachment of the toner container, and a second actuating portion configured to switch the second lever to the fourth position. The waste toner collecting portion includes a third actuating portion configured to, while the toner container is being attached to the waste toner collecting portion, prohibit an attachment of the toner container, and a fourth actuating portion configured to switch the first lever to the second position.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a shutter that opens and closes when the cartridge is attached and detached to a developing unit or image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a casing having a chamber with a first opening at one end portion allowing toner to flow out of the casing. The cartridge includes a cover that covers the first opening, movable with the casing and having a second opening allowing toner to flow out of the cover. The shutter is located at the one end portion and has a protrusion further from the one end portion than the cover. The developing unit supports the protrusion when the cartridge is mounted thereon, and the casing pivots with the cover relative to the developing unit between a first position where the shutter closes the second opening and a second position where a third opening of the shutter overlaps the second opening.

Abstract: A powder sensing device includes: a housing formed of a transparent member and having powder housed therein; and a light transmission-type sensor capable of sensing that powder is housed in the housing, the light transmission-type sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, the light transmission-type sensor being provided such that at least a part of the housing is disposed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. The housing has a light incident surface, a light emission surface and an adjacent surface provided adjacent to the light emission surface. The adjacent surface extends so as to be farther away from an optical axis that connects the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit as the adjacent surface is closer to the light emission surface in a direction of the optical axis that connects the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a casing, a toner cartridge, and a process cartridge, is provided. The toner cartridge detachably attached to the casing stores toner therein. The process cartridge detachably attached to the casing includes a developing unit and a drum unit. The developing unit includes a developer roller and a toner conveyer tube. The toner conveyer tube has a first opening, through which the toner from the toner cartridge is acceptable into the toner conveyer tube while the toner cartridge and the process cartridge are attached to the casing. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum supporting the toner conveyer tube by contacting a circumferential surface of the toner conveyer tube. The developing unit is pivotable with respect to the drum unit with the toner conveyer tube and the drum unit being slidable on each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a developer storage container including a container body and a shutter. The container body has a developer discharge port and is capable of being changed in posture. The shutter is configured to sealingly close or open the developer discharge port, and includes a shutter body, a swingable member and a shaft displacement restriction portion. The shutter body has a sealing surface for sealingly closing the developer discharge port, and a pair of bearing portions. The swingable member has a pair of shaft portions each pivotally supported by a respective one of the pair of bearing portions. The swingable member is swingable between a restriction position where it restricts a sliding movement of the shutter, and a permission position where it permits the sliding movement of the shutter. The shaft displacement restriction portion is configured to restrict an axial movement of the pair of shaft portions.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body, a cover, and a coil spring. The case main body is rotatable and has a toner containing space in which a toner is contained and an opening through which the toner is discharged from the toner containing space. The cover keeps a rotation stop state when the case main body rotates and has a communication space which communicates with the toner containing space via the opening. The coil spring is fixed to the cover so that at least a part of the coil spring is arranged in the communication space. The coil spring vibrates as the case main body rotates.

Abstract: A toner container installed in an image forming apparatus includes a toner container main body having a predetermined length and in which toner is accommodated, a discharge port through which the toner is discharged from the toner container main body, a shutter which opens and closes the discharge port, a handle provided on the toner container main body, and a pressed portion provided on the toner container main body and which is pressed by the image forming apparatus to project the handle out from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developing container containing a developer and a stirring-conveying screw configured to feed the developer. The stirring-conveying screw includes a first feeding screw portion to feed the developer in a first direction, a second feeding screw portion to feed the developer in an opposite direction, and a third feeding screw portion. A first feeding passageway accommodates parts of the feeding screw portions, and a second feeding passageway is provided in fluid communication with the first feeding passageway. A bottom surface portion is disposed proximate to the communication opening and has a first portion provided at a position higher than a bottom surface of the second feeding screw and a second portion provided at a position lower than a bottom-most portion of the communication opening. The bottom surface portion is located downstream of the second feeding screw and faces the third feeding screw.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body, a housing frame, a communicating port, a conveying rib, and a conveying screw. The case main body is capable of containing a waste toner. The housing frame is configured to communicate with an inside of the case main body and to rotatably support the case main body. The communicating port is opened on a circumferential face of the housing frame and connected with an image forming part. The conveying rib rotates integrally with the case main body in a first direction so as to convey the waste toner along a direction of introducing the waste toner into the case main body. The conveying screw rotates integrally with the case main body in the first direction so as to convey the waste toner introduced into the housing frame via the communicating port toward the inside of the case main body.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body, a supplying port, a collecting port, a supplying shutter, and a collecting shutter. The supplying shutter opens the supplying port in accordance with attachment of the case main body to a supplying attachment part, closes the supplying port in accordance with detachment of the case main body from the supplying attachment part, and closes the supplying port in a state that the case main body is attached to a collecting attachment part. The collecting shutter opens the collecting port in accordance with attachment of the case main body to the collecting attachment part, closes the collecting port in accordance with detachment of the case main body from the collecting attachment part, and closes the collecting port in a state that the case main body is attached to the supplying attachment part.

Abstract: Provided is a powder recovery device including a recovery container that includes a powder collection chamber therein, recovers used powder transported from a powder processing section that performs a process using powder, and collects the recovered powder in the powder collection chamber, and a transport member that is provided within the recovery container along the longitudinal direction of the recovery container, and evenly transports powder collected in the powder collection chamber, wherein plural recovery ports are provided at positions located higher than a highest location in the recovery container at which powder is collected, and plural air vent ports are at least separately provided at regions with a center of the recovery container in the longitudinal direction of the recovery container interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A powder transport member includes a rotary member that rotates around an axis inside a container in which powder is contained, a contact member that has one end secured to the rotary member and another end that is a free end, the contact member flexing upon contact of the other end with an inner wall of the container, the contact member having multiple cuts provided in an axial direction of the rotary member, the cuts extending from the other end obliquely with respect to the rotary member, and multiple projections that are provided on the rotary member in the axial direction, the projections projecting from the rotary member toward the inner wall of the container, the projections having a distal end portion that is located at a different position from a starting edge of the cuts with respect to the axial direction.

Abstract: A developer collection container includes a connecting part removably connected to a discharge structure by moving relative to the discharge structure, the connecting part having a receiving opening to receive developer discharged from a discharge opening of the discharge structure, a storage part for storing the discharged developer, an opening and closing member provided in an area of the connecting part where the receiving opening is provided, the opening and closing member moving parallel to the area in conjunction with relative movement of the connecting part for displacement between close and open positions to close and open the receiving opening and having a covering part, and a sealing member provided around the receiving opening in the area, the sealing member sealing a gap formed between the covering part and the area and sealing at least a gap formed between the surrounding part of the discharge opening and the area.

Abstract: A toner supply device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a toner case configured to contain toner; and a mounting member on which the toner case is detachably mounted. The mounting member includes: a toner receiving portion configured to receive the toner discharged from the toner case; and a toner holding portion configured to hold the toner received by the toner receiving portion. The toner holding portion includes a movable portion disposed below the toner receiving portion. The movable portion is provided so as to be able to lift and lower relative to the toner receiving portion.

Abstract: Provided is a powder container having a new structure capable of stable discharge and transport of a powder contained in a container by enabling the powder to be reliably discharged to the outside of the package while preventing the powder from spilling and flying out of the container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a first guide portion, a developing portion, and a second guide portion. The first guide portion forms a first flow path in which toner removed from the image carrier is flowed downward with respect to a horizontal direction. The developing portion visualizes an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of the image carrier, with developer including at least toner and carrier. The second guide portion forms a second flow path in which the developer in the developing portion is flowed diagonally downward with respect to the horizontal direction and guided to the first flow path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a body with an aperture, a processing unit movable between an inside position and an outside position, and a transfer unit, is provided. The processing unit includes first and second drum cleaners to remove waste toner from first and second photosensitive drums respectively; and a waste toner conveyer including a conveyer tube longitudinally extending in a movable direction of the processing unit, a port, a conveyer screw located inside the conveyer tube, and a shutter movable between an opening position and a closed position to open and close the port. The transfer unit includes a belt unit with a belt arranged to contact the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum, and a belt cleaner including a container with an opening which communicates with the port of the conveyer tube when the processing unit is in the inside position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet conveyance section capable of conveying a long sheet; an electrophotographic image forming section; and a control section configured to control a toner refreshing operation. The toner refreshing operation includes a first toner refreshing operation and a second toner refreshing operation. In the first toner refreshing operation, an ejection toner image is formed on the image bearing member and removed by a cleaning section for the image bearing member, and in the second toner refreshing operation, an ejection toner image is formed on the image bearing member and the ejection toner image thus formed is transferred and fixed to the long sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance section. When the toner refreshing operation is required, the control section executes the first toner refreshing operation or the second toner refreshing operation during an interval between jobs.

Abstract: A developer holding apparatus includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a communication port, and a shutter. The first chamber holds a developer material therein. The second chamber is adjacent the first chamber, and holds the developer material therein. The first chamber communicates with the second chamber through the communication port. The shutter opens and closes the communication port.