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 shutter is positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The shutter is biased toward the closed position. A linkage is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by a first engagement feature in the image forming device. An interlock is operatively engaged with the linkage and biased toward a locked position preventing the linkage from opening the shutter. The interlock is movable to an unlocked position that is disengaged with the linkage when the interlock is actuated by a second engagement feature in the image forming device permitting the linkage to open the shutter.

Abstract: A toner bottle includes a toner accommodating container, an inner lid including an inner discharge port, a measurement shutter member movable between an accumulation position where toner is accumulated in space formed between the measurement shutter member and the inner discharge port, and a discharge position where the toner accumulated in the space is discharged, an inner discharge port sealing member, and an outer lid for rotatably supporting the toner accommodating container in a state that the outer lid surrounds the inner discharge port. The outer lid has a shutter opening and closing inner peripheral surface where a restraint portion for restraining the measurement shutter member at the accumulation position, and a non-restraint portion capable of moving the measurement shutter member to the discharge position so that an outer surface of the measurement shutter member is abutted with the non-restraint portion are arranged in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus including: a toner cartridge storing toner; a developer; a hopper temporarily storing toner supplied from the toner cartridge and supplying the developer with the toner; a magnetic sensor including a magnet and a reed switch that determines whether the magnet is within a detection area thereof, one of which is fixed to a predetermined position, and the other of which is configured to move downwards as a surface level of toner stored in a toner storage of the hopper decreases and thus serves as a surface level detector for detecting the surface level; a lifter configured to periodically lift the surface level detector above the surface level such that the magnet goes out of the detection area; and an ON-edge detector configured to detect ON-edges each indicating a point in time when the magnet has entered the detection area.

Abstract: A developer accommodating unit includes: a flexible container, provided with an opening for permitting discharge of a developer, for accommodating the developer; a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer discharged from the flexible container; and an urging member, provided inside the frame, for urging the flexible container to deform the flexible container. The flexible container has a plurality of sides including an opening-containing side and another side having stiffness lower than that of the opening-containing side.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a flexible container, provide with an opening, for accommodating the developer; a frame for accommodating the container; an urging member, rotatably provided inside the frame, for urging the container by rotation thereof to deform the container; and a developer carrying member for carrying the developer on its surface to feed the developer. A distance X from a rotation center of the urging member to the surface of the developer carrying member and a length T from the rotation center of the urging member to a free end thereof for urging the container satisfy a relationship of X<T. A shielding member for preventing contact of the urging member with the developer carrying member is provided between the rotation center of the urging member and the surface of the developer carrying member or in a neighborhood thereof.

Abstract: A developer replenishment container accommodating apparatus in which a developer replenishment container is removably put in a main body of the accommodating apparatus, which replenishes a developer while rotating the developer replenishment container, the accommodating apparatus including: a holding portion provided on the main body of the accommodating apparatus and configured to hold the developer replenishment container put in the main body in a replenishment position for replenishing the developer; and a pressing portion configured to press the developer replenishment container put in the main body toward an upstream side in a push-in direction in which the developer replenishment container is pushed in the main body, wherein, when the developer replenishment container is put in the main body, the developer replenishment container is secured while being biased and pressed against the holding portion by the pressing portion.

Abstract: An image forming agent storage unit includes a body portion and a pair of a protrusion portion. The body portion extends in an insertion direction in which the image forming agent storage unit is inserted into an image forming apparatus. The pair of a protrusion portion is disposed on an outer face of the body portion and extends along the insertion direction. An approximate geometrical center of gravity of a cross-sectional shape of the body portion is disposed between the pair of the protrusion portion. One of the protrusion portions is disposed on an upper right angle position between an upper portion of the body portion and a right portion of the body portion and the other of the protrusion portions is disposed on a lower left angle position between a lower portion of the body portion and a left portion of the body portion.

Abstract: The present application discloses a developing mechanism including a developing device for developing electrostatic latent images and a container containing developer. The developing device includes a carrier carrying and supplying the developer to the electrostatic latent images; a first housing having a feed port through which the developer is fed; a first conveyance member conveying the developer along a first direction away from the feed port; and a first shutter mechanism selectively opening and closing the feed port. The container includes a second housing having a supply port from which the developer is supplied through the feed port to the developing device; a second shutter mechanism selectively opening and closing the supply port; and a second conveyance member conveying the developer along a second direction across the first direction for developer discharge through the supply port. The feed port is opened earlier than the supply port is opened.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a developing device, a support frame, a developer case, and an intermediate hopper. The support frame selectively positions the developing device to a detachment position and a developing position. The intermediate hopper includes a first hopper, a second hopper, and a third hopper. The first hopper receives developer from the developer case through a developer inlet port. The second hopper has a developer outlet port, through which the developer is supplied to the developing device. The upper and lower end portions of the third hopper are respectively connected to the first and second hoppers. Parts where the first to third hoppers are connected one another are rotatable in directions that allow the support frame to move.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer introduction port, a developer conveyance portion, a first conveyance ability suppressing portion, and a connecting conveyance portion. The conveyance ability suppressing portion is disposed on a downstream side of the developer introduction port in a first direction in which the developer is conveyed in order to partially suppress a developer conveyance ability of the developer conveyance portion such that a developer accumulation portion is formed in a position opposing the developer introduction port. A first direction downstream side of the first conveyance ability suppressing portion opposes a first connecting passage in a third direction that intersects the first direction. The connecting conveyance portion is joined to the first direction downstream side of the conveyance ability suppressing portion and opposes the first connecting passage in the third direction in order to pass the developer from a first conveyance passage to a second conveyance passage.

Abstract: In a developing device, a rotation shaft is provided with a developer feeding member, a cleaning member, and a receiving portion. The receiving portion is provided downstream of the developer feeding member and upstream of a light transmitting member, provided to a wall surface of a developer accommodating chamber of the developing device, with respect to a rotational direction of the rotation shaft when the cleaning member has passed through the light transmitting member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus including first and second developing devices to develop electrostatic latent images formed on first and second photosensitive bodies, each of the first and second developing devices comprise a first toner containing unit to contain a toner, the second developing device further including a second toner containing unit that is connected to the first toner containing unit by a connecting unit.

Abstract: A developer transporting device includes a transporting device body having an inlet, an inlet cover member that opens and closes the inlet, a container having an outlet, an outlet cover member that opens and closes the outlet, a restraining member that restrains an opening movement of the inlet cover member, and a releasing member that is capable of releasing the inlet cover member from the state in which the opening movement is restrained. The restraining member restrains the opening movement of the inlet cover member when the outlet cover member is closed. The releasing member releases the inlet cover member from the state in which the opening movement is restrained when the outlet cover member is open.

Abstract: A developer transporting device includes a transporting device body including a transporting portion having an inlet, a developer container including a container portion having an outlet connected to the inlet and a cover member that is movable between positions for opening and closing the outlet, a first contact portion supported by the cover member, a guide portion including a passage portion and an inclined portion that is connected to the passage portion and that comes into contact with the first contact portion to move the cover member, and a second contact portion that is provided on the passage portion and extends toward the position for closing the outlet. The second contact portion comes into contact with the first contact portion and moves the cover member toward the position for closing the outlet when the first contact portion passes the second contact portion.

Abstract: A color image forming machine is provided having a plurality of xerographic marking engines, each forming associated color separations that are combined to produce a color print image. Each marking engine includes a dual replenisher assembly having first and second reservoirs containing respective toners of different gloss levels. The reservoirs each include one or more augers separately and independently controlled for dispensing the respective toners into a developer to continuously vary the gloss level of the toner in the developer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing device, a toner container, a container support member, a toner supply unit, a transfer device, a fixing device, and a restricting mechanism. The toner container includes a container housing having a container opening, a sealing member having a hole that communicates with the container opening, and a shutter member. The shutter member is slidable between a closed position and an open position at which a front end portion of the shutter member in an attachment direction at least partially overlaps with the sealing member. When the shutter member is at the open position, the front end portion is pressed in a direction away from the toner container by the sealing member, and the restricting mechanism restricts a position of a back end portion of the shutter member, the back end portion is opposed to the front end portion.

Abstract: A developer case has a main body, a cylindrical portion, and a rotating unit. The main body has a bottom wall. The cylindrical portion has a discharge port. The rotating unit is located so as to extend across the main body and the cylindrical portion, transports developer in the main body, and has a rotating shaft, a first transport member, a second transport member, and dispersing members. The rotating shaft has a first portion located in the main body and a second portion located in the cylindrical portion. The first transport member transports developer in a first transport direction from the cylindrical portion to the main body. The second transport member transports developer in a second transport direction from the main body to the cylindrical portion. The dispersing members move developer in the radial direction.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing units respectively including developer inlets, the developing units are arranged side by side in a first direction, a plurality of developer containers to contain developers to be supplied to the plurality of developing units and respectively including developer outlets, the developer units are arranged side by side in the first direction to face the plurality of developing units, and a plurality of developer supplying paths respectively to connect the developer inlets to the developer outlets, wherein the plurality of developer containers include first and second developer containers, and a position of the developer outlet of the second developer container is different from position of the developer outlet of the first developer container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a cylindrically-shaped feed portion that is fed with toner from above; a transport path including an inlet through which the toner transported from the feed portion enters and transporting the toner therethrough; and a transporting member including a rotary shaft provided to extend from the feed portion to the transport path, the rotary shaft being provided with a small-diameter portion on an upstream side thereof and a large-diameter portion on a downstream side thereof in the toner transport direction, and transports the toner along the transport path, the large-diameter portion being provided inside the transport path, the large-diameter portion having an end portion on the upstream side thereof in the toner transport direction to be connected to the small-diameter portion, the end portion being provided on a side of the feed portion of the inlet of the transport path in the toner transport direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a feed portion that is fed with toner from above; a transport path that includes an inlet through which the toner fed to the feed portion enters, that allows the toner to be transported therethrough, and that is in a cylindrical shape; and a transporting member including: a rotary shaft provided to extend in the feed portion and the transport path; and a moving portion pressing toner with rotation of the rotary shaft to move the toner, and that transports along the transport path the toner fed to the feed portion, a part of the rotary shaft of the transporting member located in the transport path having a larger diameter than a part of the rotary shaft located in the feed portion.

Abstract: A developer storage container includes a container main body, an outflow port, an open/closed member and a turn stop part. The outflow port from which a developer flows out is formed in the container main body storing the developer. The open/closed member is supported to the container main body and, moves relative to the container main body based on a rotation of the container main body. The open/closed member opens and closes the outflow port. The turn stop part is formed on a wall face of the container main body, and has a circular arc shape being concentric with a rotation direction of the container main body. The turn stop part engages with a convex part which is provided in the attachment section and is formed at a different position in response to the image forming apparatus body.

Abstract: A developer case includes a main body, a first transportation portion, a first transportation member, a supply member, a discharge port, and a second transportation portion. The main body contains developer. The first transportation portion has a first region that receives developer from the main body and a second region that extends from the first region in a first direction. The first transportation member transports developer in the first direction. The supply member supplies developer to the first region. Developer is discharged through the discharge port. The second transportation portion has an inlet port communicating with the second region. Developer that has not been discharged through the discharge port is supplied to the second transportation portion through the inlet port. The second transportation portion transports developer in a second direction.

Abstract: A developer conveyance apparatus for an image forming apparatus includes a developer storage portion configured to store developer, a developer conveyance portion arranged inside the developer storage portion and configured to convey the developer through rotation, a drive input portion configured to input a drive force to the developer conveyance portion, and a clutch arranged inside the developer storage portion and configured to transmit the drive force from the drive input portion to the developer conveyance portion, the clutch stopping or decelerating a rotation of the developer conveyance portion when a requisite torque for rotating the developer conveyance portion exceeds a predetermined magnitude, wherein the clutch is arranged inside the developer storage portion and includes at least one clutch side conveyance portion which, when receiving the drive force from the drive input portion, conveys the developer in a developer conveyance direction in which the developer conveyance portion conveys the deve

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes: a toner container; a toner feed port for supplying toner to a developing device; a toner feeding blade structure for feeding the toner from the toner container to the developing device; and a recording chip for recording history information on the toner container. The toner container includes a toner feed motor for rotationally driving the toner feeding blade structure. The recording chip includes a supplied toner quantity totalizer for summing the amounts of toner supplied and a residual toner quantity display controller for displaying the residual toner quantity in the toner container on a display portion of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device having a toner supply sensor, a toner supply device supplying toner to the developing device, a toner supply controller controlling toner supply from the toner supply device to the developing device based on predetermined conditions, a toner empty determiner determining whether toner is present inside the toner supply device. In the image forming apparatus, the toner supply device includes a storage for recording multiple measured values of toner supply detected by the toner supply sensor, and the toner supply controller corrects the amount of toner supply, based on the moving average of multiple measured values of the amount of toner supply.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of developing units disposed in parallel with each other, a developer cartridge being detachably attached to each of the plurality of developing units, each of the plurality of developing units forming a developer image with a developer agent in the developer cartridge; a first cover covering at least one specified developer cartridge of a plurality of developer cartridges attached to the plurality of developing units, the first cover being openable to allow the at least one specified developer cartridge to be attached and detached; and a second cover covering at least one developer cartridge other than the at least one specified developer cartridge of the plurality of developer cartridges, the second cover being openable to allow the at least one developer cartridge other than the at least one specified developer cartridge to be attached and detached.

Abstract: A multifunctional ink powder filling device for a regenerated powder cartridge box, which includes a bottle body, a powder-leakage prevention bottle plug, a powder filling nozzle and a bottle cover serving as a measuring cup at the same time, wherein the bottle plug is tightly matched and arranged on a bottle mouth of the bottle body and is externally provided with the powder filling nozzle, the inner and the outer peripheries of the pedestal of the powder filling nozzle are respectively provided with inner threads matched with the outer threads of the bottle mouth and outer threads matched with the inner threads on the mouth part of the bottle cover, and the upper end of the powder filling nozzle is provided with a diminishing heavy-caliber powder filling hopper.

Abstract: A developer container is provided with a container body. An opening is formed through the container body. An opening/closing lid closes the opening. A lid holding frame holds the opening/closing lid in such a manner that the opening/closing lid can move between an open position and a closed position. A stopper stops the opening/closing lid and thereby preventing it from moving toward the open position in a state that the opening/closing lid is located at the closed position. A contact portion comes into contact with a hook portion provided in a container receiving portion when the developer container is inserted into the container receiving portion. A deformable portion deforms the stopper to such an extent that the stopping of the opening/closing lid by the stopper is canceled when the developer container is inserted into the container receiving portion and the contact portion comes into contact with the hook portion.

Abstract: A powder storage device that stores powder to be supplied or recovered powder, includes: a storage container that is extractably mounted on a container receiver, and in which powder to be supplied or recovered powder is stored; an opening/closing door that opens and closes the container receiver; and an opening/closing restricting mechanism that restricts a closing operation of the opening/closing door, and the opening/closing restricting mechanism includes: a restricting member as defined herein; and a restricted member as defined herein.

Abstract: A developer supply apparatus includes an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer; a discharge opening for discharging developer from the accommodating portion; a first feeding member, provided in the accommodating portion, for feeding the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion from one end of the accommodating portion toward the other end; and second feeding member, provided at a position remoter from the discharge opening than the first feeding member, for feeding the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion from the one end of the accommodating portion toward the other end; wherein a feeding power of the second feeding member per unit drive time is higher than that of the first feeding member.

Abstract: In a single-body type imaging unit including a toner bottle provided with a drive shaft, and a print unit provided with a drive shaft, the toner bottle and the print unit are coupled to each other via an elastic member.

Abstract: A developer unit for an image forming apparatus is provided. The developer unit includes a developer device with a developer agent carrier and a developer agent supplier, and a developer agent container, which contains the developer agent and is arranged in a lower position with respect to the developer device. The developer agent container is formed to have a fitting wall, which is curved inward at a position to be adjacent to the developer device. The fitting wall is formed to have a feeding opening and a collecting opening. The developer unit is further provided with a first conveyer, which is rotated about a rotation axis to sweep an inner surface of the developer agent container and convey the developer agent toward the feeding opening, and a second conveyer, which is arranged along the developer agent supplier and conveys the developer agent toward the collecting opening.

Abstract: An alignment member is externally disposed on a toner cartridge for alignment with a developer unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment member includes a first portion to properly align the developer unit relative to the toner cartridge and a second portion to maintain the proper alignment of the developer unit. The alignment ensures proper installation of the toner cartridge into the image forming device and prevents undesirable spill of toner.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a first developer container, a second developer container having a capacity larger than that of the first developer container, and an image forming main unit having a structure configured to allow one developer container selected from the group including the first and second developer containers to be removably installed therein. Each of the first and second developer containers includes a housing configured to form a developer storage chamber in which developer is storable, and a developer agitating member. The agitating member of the first developer container has a construction equivalent to that of the second developer container. Lower portions of the housings are equally positioned relative to the corresponding agitating member and have equally shaped inner surfaces, while portions other than the lower portions of the housings are shaped differently from each other.

Abstract: A toner supply device including a casing and a shutter member. The casing includes a toner container for containing toner, a discharge aperture for discharging the toner from the toner container, and an aperture. The shutter member includes an elastic part having at least one bending portion and the elastic part is elastically deformable. The shutter member is insertable into the casing through the aperture to be movable between a closed position at which the discharge aperture is closed and an opened position at which the discharge aperture is opened while the elastic part is kept elastically deformed.

Abstract: A powder supply device including a powder storage, a powder discharge part, and an air suction part. The powder storage stores a powder. The powder discharge part is adapted to discharge the powder from the powder storage to a powder container. The powder discharge part is communicatable with the powder storage and connectable to the powder container. The air suction part is adapted to suck an air from the powder container to generate an air current flowing from the powder storage to the powder container.

Abstract: A mounting structure of a removable member includes a body; a removable member mounted to and dismounted from the body; a functional member provided at the removable member and having a determined function; a first gear provided at the removable member and transmitting power to the functional member; a second gear provided at the body, and engaging the first gear and transmitting the power to the first gear when the removable member is mounted to the body; and a covering member provided at the body. The covering member moves to an engageable position where the first and second gears are engageable with each other when the removable member is mounted to the body. The covering member covers at least a portion of the second gear from an engagement side of the first gear by moving from the engageable position when the removable member is dismounted from the body.

Abstract: A developer accommodating container is provided with a first accommodating portion in which a first feeding member is arranged, a second accommodating portion in which a second feeding member is arranged, a first communication portion communicating the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion in their one end sides, a second communication portion and a third communication portion communicating the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion at two positions in the other end sides so as to be shifted their positions in a feeding direction of the developer, a discharge portion arranged between the second communication portion and the third communication portion in the second accommodating portion, and provided for discharging the developer, and a replenishing portion arranged in a downstream side in the feeding direction of the developer than the third communication portion in the first accommodating portion, and provided for replenishing the developer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a medium container is installed includes a main body, an image forming unit, a medium container a container body at least partially formed of a deformable material, a drawer to hold the medium container thereon and movable between a first position and a second position, a medium transport unit including a medium outlet port provided on a distal end of the medium container, and a medium receiving unit disposed at the second position of the drawer and connected to the medium transport unit provided on the medium container, and a medium transport facilitator mounted on the drawer to contact the medium container set in the drawer from below to move the medium contained in the medium container toward the medium transport unit at the second position.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a movable holding member, a plurality of operation members and a plurality of developer cartridges detachably mountable on the holding member. The holding member has a plurality of photosensitive members and developing devices. Each operation members is disposed on the holding member in correspondence with each developing device. Each of the photosensitive member, the operation member and the developer cartridge extends in a first direction. Each developer cartridge is formed with an opening and has a shutter member linearly movable between an open position and a closed position in the first direction. The shutter member opens the opening at the open position to allow developer to flow and closes the opening at the closed position to prevent developer from flowing. Each operation member is linearly movable in the first direction to move the shutter member between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A toner container system includes a reservoir for containing toner having a rotatable member positioned within an opening through the reservoir and a skiving seal for blocking toner from entering a gap between the opening and the rotatable member. The skiving seal is positioned along the length of the rotatable member and is adhesively affixed adjacent to the rotatable member along the gap in the skiving direction of rotation of the rotatable member. The skiving seal includes a flexible sheet having a length corresponding to the length of the gap and a tubular portion adjacent to the gap formed by folding the flexible sheet over itself from an edge extending along the length of the flexible sheet, without creasing the fold, and adhering a portion of the folded portion of the flexible sheet to the surface of the flexible sheet along the length of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: With a structure in which gear trains 5, 6 of a developer supply container 1 are locked by a locking member 7, and the gear trains 5, 6 receive a drive from a gear 12 of a developer receiving apparatus 10, thus accomplishing automatic setting rotation of developer supply container 1, when the developer supply container 1 is once dismounted and then remounted, the locking member 7 is in a non-locking position, and therefore, the setting rotation of the developer supply container 1 cannot be effected automatically. With inserting operation of the developer supply container 1, an inducing portion 7c of the locking member 7 is pushed and raised by a guide portion 10j provided in a groove portion of the developer receiving apparatus 10, so that locking member 7 effects its locking operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of informing user just after developer in an accommodating section is exhausted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an accommodation portion accommodating a tubular powder container containing a powder; and a guide portion guiding a guided portion provided to the powder container. The guided portion includes: a base portion provided with one end portion at downstream side in an insertion direction of the powder container and the other end portion at upstream side, and a part of the one end portion provided along the axial direction and protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the powder container toward a radial direction; a first facing portion provided along the axial direction, protruding from the base portion in one direction and arranged to face the outer circumferential surface with a gap; and a second facing portion provided along the axial direction, protruding from the base portion in a direction opposite to the one direction and arranged to face the outer circumferential surface with a gap.

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 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: An image forming device includes: a main casing; a holder unit; a plurality of image bearing members; a plurality of developing units; a plurality of toner boxes; a first acting portion; a second acting portion; and an abutment member. The holder unit is configured to be movable in a moving direction between an accommodated position and a pull-out position. The plurality of image bearing members are held by the holder unit and are juxtaposedly arrayed in the moving direction with intervals between neighboring image bearing members. The plurality of developing units are held by the holder unit in one to one correspondence with the plurality of image bearing members. The plurality of toner boxes are detachably attachable to the holder unit in one to one correspondence with the plurality of developing units. Each toner box is detachably attachable to the holder unit at the pull-out position.

Abstract: To provide an image forming method, containing: a charging step, a latent electrostatic image forming step, a developing step, a transferring step, and a fixing step, wherein the developing step is developing the latent electrostatic image formed on the latent electrostatic image bearing member with a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier by a developing element to form a visible image, where the developing contains: stirring the toner and the carrier to prepare the two-component developer to have a flow energy amount of 30 mJ to 70 mJ; and periodically discharging and transporting the stirred two-component to the developer unit by air pressure to thereby supply the two-component developer for the developing.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device includes a toner conveying portion, a conveying member, a toner loosening member and a swinging member. The toner conveying portion has a vertical conveying portion for vertically conveying toner, and a horizontal conveying portion for horizontally conveying the toner. The conveying member is disposed in the horizontal conveying portion, and has a shaft member and a projecting portion formed around the shaft member. The toner loosening member is disposed in the vertical conveying portion to be swingable up and down. The swinging member is contactable with the conveying member and the toner loosening member. The swinging member swings up and down by a change in a contact portion with respect to the conveying member between the shaft member and the projecting portion, as the conveying member rotates. The toner loosening member swings up and down as the swinging member swings.