Abstract: A developer container for an image forming apparatus includes a housing configured to store developer, a developer conveying member disposed inside the housing and configured to rotate to convey the developer stored in the housing. The developer conveying member includes a rotary shaft, a rotary base member and a sheet-like main body. The main body has a base end portion fixed to the rotary base member and a free end portion configured to be pressed into contact with an inner wall of the housing. The rotary base member includes an urging member configured to urge the main body from an upstream side toward a downstream side in a direction of rotation thereof.

Abstract: An object is to smoothly convey toner from a developer containing chamber to a developing chamber even when an opening that provides communication between the developer containing chamber and the developing chamber has a connecting part for adding strength to the apparatus. A sheet member that conveys a developer from an opening to the outside of a developer containing chamber has an entering portion that is formed by a first slit extending from a free end of the sheet member and positioned to cross a connecting part as viewed in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of a shaft member. The entering portion is configured to enter the outside of the developer containing chamber from the inside of the developer containing chamber. The entering portion overlaps in position with the connecting part as viewed in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the shaft member.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case body, a cover, and a conveying member. The cover covers the outer surface of a wall at an end of the case body. The conveying member, including a first attaching assembly, a second attaching assembly and a linking assembly, is rotatably attached to the case body and feeds toner. The first attaching assembly is rotatably attached to the wall. The second attaching assembly is rotatably attached to a wall at the other end of the case body. One end and the other end of the linking assembly are respectively linked to the first attaching assembly and second attaching assembly. One end is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the conveying member. The linking assembly rotates together with the first and second attaching assemblies. The first attaching assembly engages the cover's inner surface, preventing the first attaching assembly from coming off the one-end wall.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container housing for storing developer, a cylinder section projecting from the container housing and including a developer discharge port, and a rotary member for conveying the developer to the discharge port. The rotary member includes a rotary shaft rotatably supported and having a first part located in the container housing and a second part located in the cylinder section, and a resilient member projecting from the second part of the rotary shaft in a radial direction of rotation of the rotary member and facing the developer discharge port. The resilient member includes a tip end operable to protrude radially outward out of the developer discharge port after rubbing an inner surface of the cylinder section as the rotary shaft of the rotary member makes rotation.

Abstract: A developer transport unit which includes an intra-vessel transporting device to transport developer in a developer storage vessel to an ejection unit. The developer storage vessel is detachably attached at one end to an ejection unit. There is a transport/supply device to transport the developer from the ejection unit to a sub-storage vessel, and an intermediate-developer amount detector to obtain an amount of developer present in the sub-storage vessel. Further, there is a control unit to control driving of the intra-vessel transporting device and the transport/supply device.

Abstract: A rotation transmission unit includes a driving unit that provides a rotational power; a rotation transmission member that is rotated due to reception of the rotational power transmitted from the driving unit; a rotation member that is rotated due to reception of a rotation of the rotation transmission member; a locking groove that is formed at one of the rotation transmission member and the rotation member; and a locking member that is arranged at the other of the rotation transmission member and the rotation member. A surface of the locking member on the locking groove side is flat.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner case, a driving mechanism and an installed part. The toner case includes a container main body, a rotating member and a transmission coupling. The container main body is provided with a discharge port configured to discharge a toner. The rotating member is installed into the container main body. The transmission coupling is connected with the rotating member. The driving mechanism includes a drive coupling and a drive unit. The drive coupling is detachably connected with the transmission coupling. The toner case has a lever supported onto the container main body. The driving mechanism has a movement mechanism which works in accordance with the operation of the lever, in a state of installing the toner case into the installed part, to move the drive coupling from a disconnecting position to a connecting position with the transmission coupling.

Abstract: A toner container according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a container body, a rotating member, a conveying member, a film member, and a stepped portion. Container body can store toner thereinside. Container body includes toner conveying path having supply opening through which toner is supplied to the outside. Rotating member is rotatably provided in container body. Rotating member rotates to scoop, into toner conveying path, toner stored in container body. Conveying member is rotatably provided in toner conveying path. Conveying member rotates to convey, toward the supply opening, toner in toner conveying path. Film member is mounted to an inner wall which extends from toner conveying path to an inner side of container body, and projects toward a region in which rotating member rotates. Stepped portion is provided in the inner wall. Stepped portion forms, between stepped portion and film member, a space having a predetermined height.

Abstract: A removable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a toner reservoir and a channel for accumulating toner. The removable unit further includes an auger for advancing toner within the channel. The auger has a rotational axis and a flight. An agitator is pivotally mounted within the toner reservoir. The agitator has at least one agitating member extending near the auger and a cam surface operatively connected to the at least one agitating member and positioned to engage the auger. When the auger rotates, the flight of the auger engages the cam surface causing pivotal movement of the agitator to move the at least one agitating member to agitate toner accumulated near the auger.

Abstract: An intermediate hopper has a toner reception tub; a partition for dividing an internal space of the toner reception tub; a first and a second toner conveyance path separated by the partition; a first toner conveyance screw being provided in the first toner conveyance path; a second toner conveyance screw being provided in the second toner conveyance path; a toner receiving port for receiving the toner; a toner communicating path for guiding the toner in the first toner conveyance path to the second toner conveyance path; and a toner discharge port for discharging the toner out of the toner reception tub, wherein the partition comprises a plurality of intermediate slits for guiding the toner contained in the first toner conveyance path to the second toner conveyance path.

Abstract: Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus are provided capable of reducing rotation torque on startup even if a toner is solidified. The toner cartridge includes a toner stirring member having a rotating shaft and a stirring blade; a toner discharge member having a spiral-shaped conveyance blade attached to a conveyance shaft; a second gear having a bearing projection protruding radially inwardly from an inner peripheral surface of an annular base part, which is rotatably supported in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft; an abutment member protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, against which the bearing projection abuts under rotation of the second gear; first and third gears for transmitting rotation of the second gear to the conveyance shaft; and a rotationally driving section for imparting a rotating force to the second gear.

Abstract: An agitating mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure is disposed in a toner container in which toner is stored. The agitating mechanism includes a rotation shaft member. The rotation shaft member is configured to support an agitating member that agitates the toner. The rotation shaft member is provided, together with the agitating member, in the toner container so as to be rotatable. The rotation shaft member has a through hole that passes through the rotation shaft member in a first direction orthogonal to a rotation axis direction.

Abstract: There is provided a developer transport member including a rotatable member, a main body configured to transport the developer by being rotated in accordance with rotation of the rotatable member, and a metal spring configured to bias the main body.

Abstract: A powder container includes a container body for storing powder, the container body having an introduction port from which the powder is introduced; a transport member having one end provided, in a rotatable manner, on a side wall of the container body, at a position below the introduction port, and the other end serving as a free end that is displaced upward as the amount of powder recovered in the container body increases, the transport member transporting the powder from the one end to the other end by being rotated; and guide portions provided on the container body to guide the transport member in directions intersecting a direction in which the other end of the transport member is displaced as the transport member is displaced upward.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner case and an attachment member. The toner case has a transmission coupling. The attachment member has a drive coupling, an advance/retreat member and a lever. The advance/retreat member advances and retreats between a first position and a second position being closer to the drive coupling than the first position. The lever is moved between a first operation position to move the advance/retreat member to the first position and a second operation position to move the advance/retreat member to the second position. When the toner case is attached to the attachment member, the toner case engages with the advance/retreat member. In this time, when the lever is moved from the first operation position to the second operation position, the toner case together with the advance/retreat member approaches to the drive coupling and the transmission coupling is connected to the drive coupling.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus includes a developer storage chamber partitioned into a first storage portion and a second storage portion and configured to store a developer, a replenishment opening disposed in the second storage portion, through which the developer passes from inside the developer storage chamber to outside the developer storage chamber, and a conveyance member disposed in the second storage portion and configured to convey the developer in a predetermined conveying direction, the conveyance member including a first conveyance portion located on an upstream side of the replenishment opening to convey the developer in the conveying direction, and a second conveyance portion located on a downstream side of the replenishment opening to convey an amount of a developer smaller than that of the developer conveyed by the first conveyance portion in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A development device includes a development casing, a developer bearer, a first developer conveyance member to supply developer to the developer bearer, a second developer conveyance member to transport developer axially, and a partition dividing an interior of the development casing into a supply channel and a collecting channel via which developer received from a downstream end portion of the supply channel is forwarded to an upstream end portion of the supply channel. The supply channel includes a conveyance area and a buffer area disposed adjacent to the conveyance area in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction to temporarily retain developer and midway in the developer conveyance direction inside the supply channel, and an upstream end face defining an upstream end of the buffer area is inclined relative to the axial direction to draw away from the conveyance area downstream in the developer conveyance direction.

Abstract: A developing device comprises a first and a second developer conveyance path. A first conveyance member is provided in the first developer conveyance path in a freely rotatable manner and has a helical blade. A developing roller supplies the developer in the first developer conveyance path to a photoconductor drum. A developer collection path guides two-component developer left on a surface of the developing roller from the first developer conveyance path. A developer surface adjustment window comprises a predetermined level for allowing excess developer exceeding the level of the window to be guided from the first developer conveyance path to the developer collection path.

Abstract: A developer storage container includes a developer storage portion in which a developer is stored, the developer storage portion having a wall, a rotating body rotatably provided in the developer storage portion, and an agitating plate that engages the rotating body and agitates the developer at least in the vicinity of the wall.

Abstract: A nozzle is provided. The nozzle includes a gas injection unit, a sieve body, and a derivation unit. The gas injection unit is adapted to inject a gas into a powder container containing a powder. The sieve body includes a cylinder, a filter, and a blade. The cylinder has a communication aperture for communicating the cylinder with the powder container. The filter is disposed at a bottom of the cylinder. The blade is adapted to agitate the powder introduced into the cylinder from the powder container through the communication aperture upon injection of the gas into the powder container to allow the powder to pass through the filter. The blade is rotatable about a rotation axis that intersects with the filter in proximity to the filter. The derivation unit is adapted to derive the powder passed through the filter out of the powder container.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic device including a housing having a reservoir that is in fluid communication with an exit port. A first end wall has a recess on an inner surface thereof in fluid communication with the reservoir and the exit port. A partially threaded drive shaft has an end received in a second end wall. An exit paddle having a drive hub is detachably mounted on the drive shaft near an unthreaded portion. Arms on the drive hub are received in the recess. A drive hub axial extension is received in the first end wall. The housing rotatably supports the drive shaft and exit paddle. A translatable toner platform rotatably connects to the drive shaft. When the drive shaft rotates the toner platform translates, moving toner toward the exit port, and the exit paddle rotates, delivering toner from the exit port.

Abstract: A powder accommodation container includes an accommodation container body, a regulation member, and a transport member. The accommodation container body has a hole portion to outside and accommodates powder. The regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate a passage of the powder accommodated in the accommodation container body. The transport member is arranged in an inside of the accommodation container body to rotate about a rotating shaft and to transport the powder in the inside of the accommodation container body. The transport member has one end side in a short direction that is arranged on the rotating shaft and the other end side that is a free end, the free end includes a flexible member that is in contact with the accommodation container body to be flexed. The flexible member is locatable to face the hole portion.

Abstract: A powder accommodation container includes an accommodation container body, a regulation member, and a transport member. The accommodation container body has a hole portion to outside and accommodates powder. The regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate a passage of the powder accommodated in the accommodation container body. The transport member is arranged in an inside of the accommodation container body to rotate about a rotating shaft and to transport the powder in the inside of the accommodation container body. The transport member has one end side in a short direction that is arranged on the rotating shaft and the other end side that is a free end, the free end includes a flexible member that is in contact with the accommodation container body to be flexed. The flexible member is locatable to face the hole portion.

Abstract: A developer conveying device includes a housing, a developer conveyance path and a conveying member. The developer conveyance path extends between a pair of wall portions. The conveying member includes a spiral member, an inner wall portion and shaft portions. The spiral member is formed by connecting spiral pieces, each forming one spiral turn, in a conveying direction of the developer and includes a hollow interior formed by the connected spiral pieces. The inner wall portion includes a plurality of planar portions which define the hollow interior of the spiral member and are connected at predetermined angles in a circumferential direction of the rotation of the conveying member. The shaft portions are arranged at opposite end parts of the spiral member, rotatably supported on the wall portions and serve as a rotary shaft for the rotation of the conveying member.

Abstract: A developer storage container includes a container main body, a tubular portion projecting from the container main body and including a developer discharge opening, and a rotary member extending from the container main body to the tubular portion and having a function of conveying the developer in the container main body. The rotary member includes a first section located in the container main body and a second section located in the tubular portion. A first conveying member for conveying the developer from the tubular portion side toward the container main body side, a second conveying member for conveying the developer in an opposite direction, and a flexible member are mounted on the rotary shaft. The flexible member includes a fixed end portion fixed onto the circumferential surface of the rotary shaft and a free end portion arranged at a side radially outward of the second conveying member.

Abstract: A replenishing developer housing container according to the present invention includes: a container body housing a replenishing developer; a conveying portion; a pipe receiving port; and an uplifting portion, wherein the replenishing developer contains a toner and a carrier, wherein the container body includes a protruding portion protruding from a container body interior side of the container opening portion toward one end of the container body and a curving portion curving so as to conform to the protruding portion, wherein the uplifting portion includes an uplifting wall surface extending from an internal wall surface of the container body toward the protruding portion, wherein the protruding portion is provided such that when the replenishing developer housing container is mounted on the replenishing developer conveying device, the protruding portion is present between the curving portion and the replenishing developer receiving port of a conveying pipe being inserted.

Abstract: A toner housing container includes: container body; conveying portion; pipe receiving port; and uplifting portion. Container body includes; protruding portion protruding from container body interior side of container opening portion to one end of container body; and shutter member moving between closing and opening positions to close and open container opening portion. Uplifting portion includes: uplifting wall surface extending from container body internal wall surface toward protruding portion; and curving portion curving to conform to protruding portion. Shutter member moves from closing to opening position upon push by conveying pipe. When toner housing container is mounted on toner conveying device, protruding portion is present between curving portion and toner receiving port of conveying pipe inserted and extends along shutter member moving region. Toner has bulk density of ?0.399 g/cm3 when toner housing container is shaken up-and-down 10 times at 25° C.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a cartridge for use therewith are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a cartridge that stores a developer; a supporting member that receives the cartridge; and a side cover that covers the supporting member, where the supporting member is rotatably supported by the main body. The supporting member pivots between a reception position at which the cartridge is received into the main body and an exposure position at which the cartridge is exposed from the main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing apparatus and a toner container which replenishes the developing apparatus with toner. The developing apparatus includes a first conveyance member having a first rotational shaft and a toner replenishment port. The toner container includes a second conveyance member having a second rotational shaft and a toner discharge port. The developing apparatus and the toner container are assembled in such a manner that the first rotational shaft and the second rotational shaft are in mutually perpendicular directions, and the toner replenishment port and the toner discharge port are mutually overlapping in a vertical direction. The second conveyance member rotates in a direction whereby the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port to the toner replenishment port at a position on an upstream side of the toner replenishment port in terms of the toner conveyance direction.

Abstract: An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves rotating a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner. The approach also involves a causing a plurality of beads that include at least one material configured to be attracted to a magnetic strip that extends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of movement of the toner between a first end and a second end of the vessel. The plurality of beads, when attracted to the magnetic strip, cooperate with helical features of the vessel and the internal surface of a body section of the vessel to transport at least a portion of the toner in an axial direction from the first end of the vessel to the second end of the vessel as the vessel is rotated.

Abstract: Provided is a toner cartridge capable of preventing occurrence of toner discharge failure when a toner discharge section is below a toner storage section. A toner cartridge includes a toner storage container having a toner storage section and a toner discharge section, a toner stirring member provided in the toner storage section, and a toner discharge member provided in the toner discharge section. The toner stirring member includes a rotating shaft member rotatably supported by the toner storage section, a first blade portion having a first base end portion fixed to the rotating shaft member and a first free end portion coming into contact with an inner surface of the toner storage section, and a second blade portion having a second base end portion fixed to the rotating shaft member and a second free end portion not coming into contact with the inner surface of the toner storage section.

Abstract: A powder container which is mounted on an image-forming apparatus body, and houses a powder includes a container body configured to carry the powder housed inside thereof from a first end side to a second end side by rotating, and discharge the powder outside from the second end side, a gear formed in an outer circumference of the container body, and a cover which is mounted on the gear to cover at least a tooth section of the gear.

Abstract: A developing unit comprises a developing portion, a first developer storage portion and a partitioning wall. The developing portion includes a rotatable developer carrier, a rotatable supply member configured to supply the developer to the developer carrier, a regulating member contacting with the developer carrier to regulate the thickness of the developer on the developer carrier, and a developer feeding member arranged below the regulating member and configured to feed the developer. The partitioning wall is configured to partition between the developing portion and the first developer storage portion. The partitioning wall has a supply port for supplying the developer from the first developer storage portion to the developing portion. The regulating member is contacting with the developer carrier at a contact position located above an upper level of the developer in the developing portion.

Abstract: A developing device can supply sufficient amount of developing agent into a developing chamber regardless of residual amount of developing agent in a developing agent chamber. The developing chamber has a developing roller and a supply roller. The developing agent chamber is positioned below the developing chamber. A wall portion is positioned below and extending along a lower portion of the supply roller. A vertical conveyer is configured to convey the developing agent from the lower portion of the developing agent chamber to a position above the supply roller. The developing chamber has a reservoir positioned above the supply roller and configured to accumulate the developing agent conveyed by the vertical conveyer.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner container to store toner and two rotary agitation members to rotate to agitate toner in the toner container. The toner container has two arc-shaped portions adjacent to each other at an inner bottom wall of the toner container. The two rotary agitation members has edges to rotate along the two arc-shaped portions with rotation phases thereof shifted from each other. The two rotary agitation members are placed with rotation trajectories thereof partially overlapping each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotation restricting member that includes, a shaft that is inserted into a shaft insertion hole with a predetermined angle relationship, and a plurality of rotation restriction portions, each of which is formed at a different position around the shaft insertion hole and performs a rotation restriction function of the shaft by engaging with an external portion, where the shaft insertion hole is set to have a shape of the shaft and is formed around the shaft with a different angle corresponding to the shape of the shaft to allow any of the plurality of rotation restriction portions to engage with the external portion.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A shutter positioned at the exit port is movable between an open position and a closed position. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is positioned near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device for opening and closing the shutter. A forward facing slot is positioned near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device for locking and unlocking the shutter.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a toner image, a developing device for supplying toner to a circumferential surface of the image bearing member, a toner container for supplying the toner to the developing device, a sheet conveyance path for conveying a sheet, and a housing. The housing accommodates the image bearing member, the developing device and the toner container. The housing has a first surface and a second surface different from the first surface. The toner container is taken out from the interior of the housing to the outside of the housing through the first surface. The developing device is taken out from the interior of the housing to the outside of the housing through the second surface.

Abstract: In a transport pipe having a first opening portion through which toner is fed in from a toner hopper and a second opening portion through which the toner is discharged to a development device, a transport screw in which a helical blade is formed on a rotational shaft is rotatably provided. The width of the first opening portion in the direction of the rotational shaft is greater than the pitch (L0) of the blade at the first opening portion, and, at the downstream end of the first opening portion in the transport direction, the pitch of the blade is switched from the pitch (L0) to a pitch (L1) which is narrower than the pitch (L0). In this way, the amount of transport of the toner from the toner hopper to the development device with the transport screw is stabilized.

Abstract: A development device includes a development casing, a developer bearer, a first developer conveyance member to supply developer to the developer bearer, a second developer conveyance member to transport developer axially, and a partition dividing an interior of the development casing into a supply channel and a collecting channel via which developer received from a downstream end portion of the supply channel is forwarded to an upstream end portion of the supply channel. The supply channel includes a conveyance area and a buffer area disposed adjacent to the conveyance area in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction to temporarily retain developer and midway in the developer conveyance direction inside the supply channel, and an upstream end face defining an upstream end of the buffer area is inclined relative to the axial direction to draw away from the conveyance area downstream in the developer conveyance direction.

Abstract: A developer storage body includes a developer storage portion storing a developer and having an elongated shape, an outlet opening provided at a substantially center portion of the developer storage portion in a longitudinal direction of the developer storage portion, inclined portions provided on both end portions of the developer storage portion in the longitudinal direction, a rotation member rotatably provided in the developer storage portion, and a film member provided on the rotation member. The film member is brought into contact with the inclined portions when the rotation member rotates.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body and an agitating member. The case main body contains a toner. The agitating member agitates the toner contained in the case main body by rotating along an inner surface of the case main body. A rib is protruded on the inner surface of the case main body along a rotation direction of the agitating member. The agitating member is provided with a slit extending along the rotation direction and located at a position corresponding to the rib.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container body in which a developer containing chamber and a discharge outlet are formed, a developer conveyance member disposed inside the developer containing chamber and including a first conveyance portion and a second conveyance portion downstream from the first conveyance portion in a developer conveyance director, a canopy disposed inside the container body and facing the discharge outlet, a developer conveyance chamber defined by the canopy and an inner face of the container body in which the discharge outlet is formed, and a return opening formed in the canopy downstream from the discharge outlet. A developer conveyance velocity (Q2) of the second conveyance portion of the developer conveyance member to transports the developer toward the return opening is slower than a developer conveyance velocity (Q1) of the first conveyance portion of the developer conveyance member.

Abstract: A developer storage body includes a storage portion in which a developer is stored, a supplying opening through which the developer is ejected, and a conveying member provided in the storage portion. The conveying member is rotatable about a rotation axis so as to convey the developer to the supplying opening. The supplying opening is provided with a plurality of slits extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the conveying member.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developing roller and a feed roller accommodated in a developing chamber of a developing frame, a first agitating member accommodated in a storing chamber of the developing frame for agitating the developer by rotating in a prescribed rotational direction while moving the developer in the rotational direction, a second agitating member accommodated in a developer accommodation chamber of a developer cartridge, a wall portion provided between the storing chamber and the developer accommodation chamber and formed with an opening for circulating the developer between the storing chamber and the developer accommodation chamber to face the storing chamber on a position above the upper end portion of the feed roller, and a conveyance member arranged between the opening of the wall portion and the developer accommodation chamber for conveying the developer in an axial direction of the developing roller.

Abstract: A toner delivery system for a shake-free toner cartridge comprises a toner paddle assembly having a plurality of scrapers. A main scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces and directs toner from a first region of the toner reservoir into the opening in a first portion of the front of the housing. A secondary scraper positioned adjacent with the main scraper scrapes and directs toner from a second region of the toner reservoir into the first region. A side scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces of respective side walls of the housing.

Abstract: A rotary-type toner supply device includes a toner container and a scraping member. The toner container has a peripheral wall section which is shaped so as to surround a side face of an imaginary column K1 along the side face and has a toner discharge port formed therein, and contains toner in space surrounded by the peripheral wall. The scraping member is contained in the space so as to freely rotate around a central axis S of the imaginary column K1, and has first and second curved parts, each of the first and second curved parts extending along a portion of a half cycle or more of a spiral on the side face of the imaginary column K1.

Abstract: A toner container includes container main body, conveying screws and container gear. A developing device includes developer housing including container mounting portion, gear holder including output gear which rotates upon receiving rotational drive force from motor and displaceable to engaged position where the output gear is engaged with the container gear and retracted position retracted outward from the engaged position, and biasing spring. The container main body includes a second pressing plate and the gear holder includes a contact portion with which the second pressing plate comes into contact. The second pressing plate and the contact portion displace the gear holder from the engaged position to the retracted position as the toner container moves in a mounting process. When the toner container reaches a predetermined assembled position, the gear holder is returned to the engaged position by a biasing force of the biasing spring.

Abstract: A movable member installed in a bottom portion of a housing is configured such that, if the amount of a toner existing within the housing is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, the movable member lies down in a lying-down position where the movable member extends along an inner wall surface of the bottom portion of the housing and, if the amount of the toner existing within the housing is less than the predetermined amount, the movable member moves from the lying-down position to a protruding position where at least a portion of the movable member protrudes from the inner wall surface of the bottom portion of the housing. A stirring sheet is configured such that, if the stirring sheet moves in a state that an engaging portion engages with the movable member, the base end portion of the stirring sheet is detached from the shaft.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A cover is mounted on an exterior portion of the housing that is pivotable between a closed position blocking the exit port and an open position unblocking the exit port. The cover is biased toward the closed position. The cover has a projection extending therefrom such that a force on the projection causes the cover to move toward the open position.