Abstract: A copier includes an ADF that transports electronic paper and a paper medium to a read position. The ADF includes a medium type detector, a controller, a communication reader, and an optical reader. The medium type detector discriminates between electronic paper and a paper medium. The controller controls transport of electronic paper and a paper medium. The communication reader reads electronic data stored in the electronic paper at the read position. The optical reader optically reads an image on a paper medium at the read position to obtain electronic data.

Abstract: In a packing member that packs an ink cartridge, the packing member is constituted as an adhesive label, a perforation is provided on a portion of the label, an ink cartridge is packed by adhering the label on the cartridge, and the ink cartridge is unpacked by peeling off a central portion of the label along the perforation. A back sheet (release coated paper) of the label is adhered on the ink cartridge in a state in which a portion of the back sheet is left. Thus, unpacking (peeling-off of the label) is facilitated, and adhesive is prevented from remaining.

Abstract: A volume reducing apparatus that is capable of eliminating wastage of an item to be housed and is capable of reducing the volume of a storage portion with a simple structure and without dirtying the hands of a user by the item to be housed, and a toner supplying apparatus that uses this volume reducing apparatus, which comprise a housing portion in which toner is housed; a shutter member; a cylinder linked to the housing portion; a piston freely movable inside the cylinder; and an air supply opening of a pump (medium discharge portion) that links to the cylinder and discharges air into the cylinder; wherein a toner discharge opening (opening portion) is formed at the housing portion, a linking hole is formed at the cylinder, and the piston has an air hole that links to the linking hole at another end side inside the cylinder, and the piston moves from one end side to the other end side inside the cylinder when air is discharged from the air supply opening into the cylinder such that the air hole of the piston

Abstract: A part of a toner supply path is formed in a setting unit (100), and a nozzle (110) coupled to a toner container (20) is provided, wherein the fitting direction of the toner container (20) to the setting unit (100) and the coupling direction of the nozzle (110) to the toner container (20) are different.

Abstract: An inkjet recording device, includes a recording head configured to discharge a liquid drop of recording liquid in a horizontal direction or in a vertically lower direction than the horizontal direction; and a conveying part configured to convey a recording medium so that a recording surface faces the recording head when the recording medium passes a liquid drop discharge area of the recording head. The recording medium is discharged, after the recording medium is conveyed in a curved state so that the recording surface where the liquid drop discharged from the recording head is adhered faces in a vertically lower direction than the horizontal direction, by the conveying part. The conveying part includes a surface moving member configured to make a moving surface of the surface moving member come in contact with an external circumferential surface of a curved part of the recording medium so as to give a conveying force to the recording medium by a friction force.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a main body housing, an image reading block for reading a manuscript image, and an image forming block located below the image reading block and for forming an image on a recording sheet. Also included is an operation block located at a front side part of the image reading block, and a sheet discharge space provided between the image reading block and the image forming block, and for receiving a discharge recording sheet having the image formed by the image forming block. The sheet discharge space is opened at at least one side in a width-wise direction of the main body housing and at a front side so the at least one opened side communicates with the front side. Further, a front end portion of the image reading block is located above the sheet discharge space and is arranged at a position shifted toward a rear end side of the main body housing from a front outside wall surface of the main body housing.

Abstract: A notch (recess portion) is proved on a front face of an ink cartridge, and a holding portion is set between a corner portion of the recess portion and a projection portion provided on a cartridge upper face. A cartridge can be held securely by nipping the cartridge between two fingers at both ends thereof (the projection portion and the corner portion) of the holding portion, even if the cartridge is a thin type cartridge, so that attaching/detaching of the cartridge to a printer main unit can be performed easily and securely.

Abstract: A part of a toner supply path is formed in a setting unit, and a nozzle coupled to a toner container is provided, wherein the fitting direction of the toner container to the setting unit and the coupling direction of the nozzle to the toner container are different.

Abstract: The body member of a powder container of the present invention includes a bag-like powder storing body storing powder and formed with an opening at one end, and a base member affixed to the opening of the powder storing body. The base member allows an outlet member, which is formed with a passage configured to deliver the powder from the powder storing body to an outlet and has a shutter function for selectively blocking or unblocking the passage, to be connected to or disconnected from the base member.

Abstract: The body member of a powder container of the present invention includes a bag-like powder storing body storing powder and formed with an opening at one end, and a base member affixed to the opening of the powder storing body. The base member allows an outlet member, which is formed with a passage configured to deliver the powder from the powder storing body to an outlet and has a shutter function for selectively blocking or unblocking the passage, to be connected to or disconnected from the base member.

Abstract: A toner container includes a longitudinal container body, a held portion, and an electric component. The longitudinal container body has a first end and a second end distal to the first end in a length direction of the container body. The held portion is attached to the first end of the container body and configured to be detachably attached to the toner-container holder. The held portion includes a toner outlet for discharging the toner. The electric component electrically communicates with a component in the main body to detect whether the toner container is operatively set in the toner-container holder. The electric component is attached to the held portion such that when the held portion is attached to the toner-container holder the electric component is located above the toner outlet with respect to a vertical direction.

Abstract: A toner container includes a longitudinal container body and a held portion. The longitudinal container body has a first end and second end distal to the first end in a length direction of the container body and a gripper attached to the second end. The held portion is attached to the first end of the container body and is configured to be detachably attached to the toner-container holder. The held portion includes a toner outlet for discharging the toner contained in the container body, and an open/close member for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with an attachment/detachment operation to/from the toner-container holder.

Abstract: A toner container detachably attached to a toner-container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body that includes an opening, and discharges toner contained in the container body, from the opening; and a held portion that is held by the toner-container holder in a non-rotating manner. The held portion includes an open/close member for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with an attachment/detachment operation of the held portion to/from the toner-container holder.

Abstract: A toner container detachably attached to a toner-container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body that includes an opening, and discharges toner contained in the container body, from the opening; and a held portion that is held by the toner-container holder in a non-rotating manner. The held portion includes an open/close member for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with an attachment/detachment operation of the held portion to/from the toner-container holder.

Abstract: A toner container includes a longitudinal container body and a held portion. The longitudinal container body has a first end and a second end distal to the first end in a length direction of the container body. The container body includes a gear configured to engage with a drive gear provided in the main body. The held portion is attached to the first end of the container body and configured to be detachably attached to the toner-container holder. The held portion includes a toner outlet, is configured to be held by the toner-container holder in non-rotating manner, and is biased downwardly by a force applied from the drive gear to the gear when the drive gear rotates.