Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for making discriminations between cartridges for housing toners to be equipped on image forming apparatus such as electrostatic copiers, laser beam printers, facsimiles, etc. in which while a cartridge indicating means is provided on a part of a toner housing cartridge, an indication detecting means for detecting the aforementioned cartridge indicating means is provided on the image forming apparatus proper side, so that the suitability of the type or position of the cartridge inserted is detected by detecting the cartridge indicating means by the aforementioned detecting means, when the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge inserting part of the image forming apparatus proper.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying machine developer vessel includes a vessel proper having a closed top, a barrel and a tapered inclined portion continuous to the barrel. The developer vessel also includes a receiving plate removably attachable to the vessel proper, the receiving plate having a substantially flat supporting surface, substantially straight two side edges for attachment to the developing device and an opening communicating with the vessel proper. An opening tab composed of a film which covers the opening of the receiving plate is peelably bonded to the flat supporting surface thereof. A shutter is provided which includes a plate having, on both the sides thereof, engagement portions to be engaged with both the side edges of the receiving plate. The shutter may engage the receiving plate of the developer vessel such that when the developer vessel is removed from a copying machine, the presence of the shutter thereunder prevents scattering of developer in the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for making discriminations between cartridges for housing toners to be equipped on image forming apparatus such as electrostatic copiers, laser beam printers, facsimiles, etc. in which while a cartridge indicating means is provided on a part of a toner housing cartridge, an indication detecting means for detecting the aforementioned cartridge indicating means is provided on the image forming apparatus proper side, so that the suitability of the type or position of the cartridge inserted is detected by detecting the cartridge indicating means by the aforementioned detecting means, when the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge inserting part of the image forming apparatus proper.