Abstract: A process cartridge toner supply arrangement used in a laser printer for controlling supply of toner is constructed to include a receiving member, the receiving member having toner receiving openings and a toner accommodating portion, a replaceable supplying member, the supplying member having a toner accommodating portion and toner supplying openings, and a blocking member provided between the receiving member and the supplying member and moved to close/open the toner passage between the toner receiving openings and the toner supplying openings.

Abstract: A foolproof device used in a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, where the process cartridge has a developing device and a toner container, includes female engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the toner container, projections formed in the toner container, and male engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the developing device and adapted for guiding correct installation of the toner container in the developing device and securing the toner container to the developing device.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is constructed to include a container for accommodating toner, the container having a filling hole portion disposed at one end for filling of toner into the container and a barrel with a discharging hole at an opposite end for output of toner to a toner-receiving container in the image forming system in which the toner cartridge is installed, a strippable seal attached to the barrel to seal the discharging hole, and a stopper coupled to the barrel and moved to close/open the discharging hole after removal of the seal from the barrel.

Abstract: A toner cartridge opening control arrangement is constructed to include a toner cartridge for accommodating toner, the toner cartridge having an opening for output of the toner into a toner receiving container, a removable sealing member adapted to close/open the opening of the toner cartridge, a force applying member for receiving an external pulling force to move the removable sealing member, a magnetism device for imparting an outward pressure to the force applying member, and a releasable locking device adapted to lock the force applying member.

Abstract: A foolproof device used in a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus formed of a developing device and a toner container is constructed to include female engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the toner container, and male engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the developing device and adapted for guiding correct installation of the toner container in the developing device and securing the toner container to the developing device positively.

Abstract: A process cartridge toner supply arrangement used in a laser printer for controlling supply of toner is constructed to include a receiving member, the receiving member having toner receiving openings and a toner accommodating portion, a replaceable supplying member, the supplying member having a toner accommodating portion and toner supplying openings, and a blocking member provided between the receiving member and the supplying member and moved to close/open the toner passage between the toner receiving openings and the toner supplying openings.

Abstract: A sliding cover device arrangement for controlling toner passage between a toner container and a developing device of an image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device has a plurality of toner receiving openings formed thereon, and the toner container is adapted for holding toner and supplying toner to the developing device, and has a plurality of toner supplying openings formed thereon corresponding to the plurality of toner receiving openings.

Abstract: A toner container used with a developing device in an image forming apparatus is disclosed having a toner accommodating portion adapted for accommodating toner; a stirring member adapted for stirring toner in the toner accommodating portion, toner supplying openings for output of toner from the toner container to the developing device, a sliding cover adapted for closing/opening the toner supplying openings, and projections respectively protruded from the sliding cover and adapted for engaging into toner receiving openings of the developing device for enabling the toner container to be moved relative to the sliding cover and the developing device to close/open the toner supplying openings.

Abstract: A process cartridge and developer container assembly is constructed to include a main cartridge holding an electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means, charging means, and cleaning means, a developer container holding developer and detachably secured to the main cartridge, and a coupling member for enabling the developer container to be detachably coupled to the main cartridge. The main cartridge has a plurality of developer receiving openings, and a first sliding cover, which opens the developer receiving openings upon installation of the developer container in the main cartridge, or closes the developer receiving openings after removal of the developer container.

Abstract: A toner supplying container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the toner supplying container includes a first container for receiving toner and a second container for accommodating toner and providing toner to the first container. The second container is releasably mounted to the first container at a predetermined position such that the first container and second container communicate to each other. The second container is replaceable when the toner accommodated in the second container is used up by a third container that is substantially identical to the second container but has toner therein.

Abstract: A developer container having a gear transmission mechanism coupled between a mixer, which is mounted inside the container body of the developer container to mix developer, and a propelling screw, which is mounted in a developer supply trough at a bottom side of the developer container and adapted to propel developer out of the developer container and the developer supply trough, for enabling the mixer to be rotated to mix developer upon rotary motion of the propelling screw to propel developer out of the developer supply trough.

Abstract: A developer container having a gear transmission mechanism coupled between a mixer, which is mounted inside the container body of the developer container to mix developer, and a propelling screw, which is mounted in a developer supply trough at a bottom side of the developer container and adapted to propel developer out of the developer container and the developer supply trough, for enabling the mixer to be rotated to mix developer upon rotary motion of the propelling screw to propel developer out of the developer supply trough.

Abstract: A developer container in which the container body has an inwardly protruded spiral guide flange spirally forwardly extended to a developer supply port and defining a spiral flow guide way adapted to guide developer from the inside of the container body to the outside of the container body through the developer supply port, the developer supply port having a recessed developer accumulation area and a through hole through the center of the recessed developer accumulation area, the spiral guide flange having a beveled guide face extended to the recessed developer accumulation area.

Abstract: A developer-replenishing container having a cylindrical container body holding a developer, a front bottleneck for output of the developer, a tubular front extension axially connected between the container body and the front bottleneck, smooth developer guide wall portions and oblique developer guide wall portions alternatively arranged in a spiral series inside the container body and the tubular front extension and adapted to guide the developer toward the front bottleneck without causing a laminar flow.