Abstract: Disclosed is an ink tank coupling method for an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head, an ink supply needle, and a moving unit for moving the ink supply needle to a predetermined position, the recording apparatus being able to detachably mount an ink tank containing ink supplied to the recording head. The method includes a step of holding and fixing the ink tank to a predetermined position by releasing a movement preventing unit which prevents movement of the ink supply needle caused by the moving unit, and pressing the ink tank to abut a reference surface with an operation of attaching the ink tank to the recording apparatus, and a step of inserting the ink supply needle to the predetermined position in the ink tank by the moving unit after the holding and fixing step.

Abstract: An ink tank has a housing detachably mountable on a liquid jet recording apparatus, which is capable of retaining liquid directly in the interior thereof, a supply portion for supplying liquid retained in the housing to the recording apparatus and a communication portion with the air outside for communicating the interior of the housing with the air outside. For this ink tank, the supply portion and the communication portion with the air outside are integrally formed, and at the same time, a plate member is provided to make the interior of the housing a closed space by joining the plate member to the housing, and then, erroneous installation prevention portions are arranged for the plate member to prevent the installation on the position other than specifically designated for the liquid jet recording apparatus.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (c) a toner feeding member having a toner feeding portion for feeding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion toward the toner supply opening by rotation thereof and an extension extending from the toner feeding portion, wherein a center of rotation of the toner feeding member is in an opening region of the toner supply port as seen in the longitudinal direction of the toner feeding member and wherein the toner feeding member penetrates through the toner supply opening so that the extension is rotatably supported and driven.

Abstract: A toner accommodating container part usable with a toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply port for discharging the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion, wherein the toner supply port is positioned by the main assembly of the apparatus when the toner supply container is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus; (c) a positioning portion to be positioned by the main assembly of the apparatus when the toner supply container is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, wherein the positioning portion is provided at a lower surface of the toner accommodating container part when the toner supply container is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, and is disposed at a side opposite from a side having the toner supply port in a longitudinal direction of the toner accommodating container part.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion toward the toner supply opening; (d) a sealing member including: a sealing portion for openably sealing the toner supply opening; and a driving portion for driving the toner feeding member.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (c) a toner feeding portion for feeding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion toward the toner supply port; (d) a first driving force receiving portion for receiving driving force for driving the toner feeding portion from the main assembly of the apparatus; (e) a toner stirring portion for stirring the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (f) a second driving force receiving portion for receiving driving force for driving the toner stirring portion from the main assembly of the apparatus; wherein the first driving force receiving portion and the second driving force receiving portion is disposed outside the toner accommodating portion and at a free end portion in a direction of mounting the tone

Abstract: A toner supply mechanism includes a toner storing portion for storing toner, a receiving opening for receiving toner to be supplied to the toner storing portion, a shutter member for opening and closing the receiving opening, and a lock, provided at each longitudinal end of the receiving opening, for locking the shutter member. The lock releases the shutter member by setting the toner supply container.

Abstract: A toner supply container to be set to a supply portion having a hopper opening for a toner hopper, a hopper shutter member for opening and closing the hopper opening, and a lock for locking the hopper shutter member. The container includes a toner container body for accommodating toner and having a supply opening for supplying the toner, a seal member for sealing the supply opening, a releasing projection for releasing locking of a hopper shutter member by the lock, in response to setting operation to the supply portion; and an interrelating device for interrelating movement of the hopper shutter member and the seal member when the container is set to the supply portion.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container portion having an opening through which developer is supplied in or out; a shutter member for opening and closing the opening; a slide-guide for guiding the shutter member; a recess on a surface of the slide guide on which the shutter member slides.