Abstract: In a developer cartridge, a base portion may be fixed to a surface of one side of a frame, and extend from one end thereof to another end thereof in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A first portion may extend from one end thereof to another end thereof in the first direction. The one end of the first portion is connected to the other end of the base portion. A second portion may extend from one end thereof to another end thereof in a direction opposite to the second direction. The one end of the second portion is connected to the other end of the first portion. An electrode for the cartridge is deformable such that a distance between the base portion and the second portion can be decreased.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging forming device having a retainer for holding a circuit board having processing circuitry with a plurality of contacts. A reference datum point in the retainer aligns the circuit board with the retainer while an alignment device aligns the retainer with respect to the supply item that is inserted into a frame within the image forming device having an electrical connector with a plurality of connecting pins. When the retainer and circuit board are mounted on the supply item and the supply item is inserted into the frame, a pair of cam surfaces and a corresponding pair of supports spaced apart and extending from an outer surface of the housing, align the connector with the retainer with the retainer aligning the connecting pins of the connector with corresponding contacts of the circuit board for electrical interconnection therebetween.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a development device configured to form a visualized image with a developer, a powder supplier configured to supply the developer from a powder container to the development device and a housing in which the powder supplier and the development device are housed, a loading preparation position which allows the powder container to be placed from an outside of the housing and a loading position which enables the developer to be supplied to the development device from the powder container are set in the powder supplier, and the powder supplier includes a loading drive mechanism configured to move the powder container in a central axis line direction between the loading preparation position and the loading position while rotating the powder container about the central axis line of the powder container.

Abstract: A toner container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the toner container including: a cylindrical container which accommodates a toner; a cap portion which holds the cylindrical container such that the cylindrical container can rotate in a circular direction, with an end of the cylindrical container inserted in the cap portion; and a sealing member lying between the end and an inner surface of the cap portion, wherein the toner in the cylindrical container is discharged to an inside of the cap portion through an opening provided in the end and the toner in the cap portion is discharged to an outside through a toner discharge port provided in the cap portion, as the cylindrical container rotates, and wherein the cylindrical container is provided with a seal receiving surface for fixing the sealing member, and the sealing member is fixed to the seal receiving surface.

Abstract: A system with a container including a protrusion, and a receiver to receive the container. The receiver includes a slide block that is movable relative to a body of the receiver, the slide block including two surfaces, a first surface, initially contacted by the protrusion of the container during insertion of the container into the receiver, having a first slope to resist movement of the container towards the receiver, and a second surface, subsequently contacted by the protrusion of the container during the insertion of the container into the receiver, having a second slope to interact with the protrusion of the container to assist movement of the container towards the receiver. This construction provides the user with a changing insertion force to indicate proper mounting of the container.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for 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 on a front of the housing in fluid communication with the reservoir. A first leg and a second leg each project from a bottom of the housing and extend primarily along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. A first alignment guide is positioned on a first side of the housing and a second alignment guide is positioned on a second side of the housing. Each alignment guide extends primarily along the front-to-rear dimension of the housing. The first alignment guide includes a pair of rounded contact points and the second alignment guide includes a rounded contact point. The rounded contact points of the first and second alignment control the vertical position of the toner cartridge in the image forming device.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic device including a housing having a reservoir that is in fluid communication with an exit port. A first end wall has a recess on an inner surface thereof in fluid communication with the reservoir and the exit port. A partially threaded drive shaft has an end received in a second end wall. An exit paddle having a drive hub is detachably mounted on the drive shaft near an unthreaded portion. Arms on the drive hub are received in the recess. A drive hub axial extension is received in the first end wall. The housing rotatably supports the drive shaft and exit paddle. A translatable toner platform rotatably connects to the drive shaft. When the drive shaft rotates the toner platform translates, moving toner toward the exit port, and the exit paddle rotates, delivering toner from the exit port.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including: a control unit; an image forming unit; a storing unit; and a job reception unit, wherein in case that the control unit identifies that the print job received while the job reception unit receives the print job group is another print job received from another external device in accordance with the identification information, the control unit controls the storing unit so as to hold the another print job until the image forming unit completes the image forming in accordance with the print job group, and after the image forming unit completes the image forming in accordance with the print job group, the control unit controls the image forming unit so as to start the image forming in accordance with the another print job.

Abstract: A development device having: a main unit having formed therein a first space and a second space extending in a first direction perpendicular to a vertical direction, a first communicating portion and a second communicating portion that allow the first space and the second space to communicate with each other at both ends in the first direction; a first stirring member that extends in the first direction within the first space; a second stirring member that is positioned within the first space between the first stirring member and the second space and extends in the first direction; a conveyance member that extends in the first direction within the second space; and a developer support member that extends in the first direction within the second space.

Abstract: A module installable in an electrostatographic printing apparatus includes a first housing suitable for retaining marking material, and extending substantially a width of a rotatable charge receptor. The first housing includes an input port and an output port. The module includes a second housing external to the first housing, the second housing forms a conduit between the output port and the input port. The second housing contains a quantity of marking material, the quantity being suitable as at least part of an initial fill of marking material for the first housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided including a housing having a first opening and a second opening which are directed in a same direction; a plurality of developing units which are disposed in parallel with each other in the housing along an oblique direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the developing units which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing along the oblique direction through the first opening; and a plurality of developer cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units, each of the developer cartridges being disposed in parallel with each other in the housing to be opposite to an end of a respective one of the developing units along a substantially horizontal direction in a longitudinal direction of the developing units, the developer cartridges which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing through the second opening.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container body having an inner space capable of containing a developer and an opening communicating with the inner space; an opening and closing portion that is disposed on the container body and that opens and closes the opening; and a pair of restraining portions that are disposed on the opening and closing portion and that each restrain the opening and closing portion from being moved from a closed position to an open position. The opening and closing portion is permitted to be moved to the open position if the restraint on the movement of the opening and closing portion by each of the pair of restraining portions is independently removed.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging device having a housing having a toner reservoir and an exit port in fluid communication with the toner reservoir. A drive shaft rotatably mounts within the toner reservoir. A toner platform is movably coupled to the drive shaft and is nonrotatable but slidable relative to the housing. A resilient arm is positioned within the reservoir and biased toward an initial position in the path of the toner platform. When the drive shaft rotates, the toner platform translates toward the exit port. When the toner platform contacts the resilient arm, the resilient arm moves to permit the toner platform to pass and when the toner platform moves further toward the exit port the resilient arm returns to the initial position. The resilient arm may mount on the inner surface, the toner to platform or the drive shaft.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging apparatus having a housing including two opposed end walls and an elongated body therebetween and an exit port. An inner surface of the body defines a toner reservoir that is in communication with the exit port. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. A translatable toner platform is provided in slidable contact with the inner surface of the body and is nonrotatable relative to the housing. A toner platform stop is also provided. A detachable drive shaft coupling couples the toner platform to the drive shaft and upon the toner platform hitting the stop, the coupling detaches from the platform. The detachable coupling may be provided in a frangible portion of the toner platform or be frictionally engaged with a recess therein. Rotation of the drive shaft translates the toner platform toward the exit port and rotates an exit paddle.

Abstract: A powder accommodation container includes an accommodation container body, a regulation member, and a transport member. The accommodation container body has a hole portion to outside and accommodates powder. The regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate a passage of the powder accommodated in the accommodation container body. The transport member is arranged in an inside of the accommodation container body to rotate about a rotating shaft and to transport the powder in the inside of the accommodation container body. The transport member has one end side in a short direction that is arranged on the rotating shaft and the other end side that is a free end, the free end includes a flexible member that is in contact with the accommodation container body to be flexed. The flexible member is locatable to face the hole portion.

Abstract: A powder supplying device includes a powder container frame, a powder container detachably installable in the powder container frame horizontally and including a container body in which a discharge port through which powder is discharged from the container body is formed, a shutter member attached to the container body to open and close the discharge port by moving along the container body in a direction in which the powder container is installed, and at least one shutter control member movably attached to the powder container frame. The shutter control member opens and closes the shutter member by moving together with the powder container as the powder container is fitted into and pulled out from the powder container frame.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. The toner cartridge includes a first vent having an inlet opening positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening. A check valve limits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

Abstract: A first developer container delivers developer to a second developer container, the first developer container including a first opening to be engaged with the second developer container and to deliver the developer; and a conveyor to convey the developer and to deliver the developer through the first opening.

Abstract: A developer cartridge is detachably mounted to a main apparatus, and includes a storage portion storing a developer, an ejection opening for ejecting the developer from the storage portion, and a first opening-and-closing member for opening and closing the ejection opening. The first opening-and-closing member is able to take a first position where the first opening-and-closing member opens the ejection opening and causes the developer cartridge to be fixed to the main apparatus, a second position where the first opening-and-closing member closes the ejection opening and makes the developer cartridge detachable from the main apparatus, and a third position where the first opening-and-closing member closes the ejection opening and causes the developer cartridge to be fixed to the main apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a container storage that is installed on a toner container and stores first information relating to a use amount of a toner in the toner container and stores second information relating to a use amount of an image holding portion, which is a component not including the toner container and including at least an image holding body from among components installed in a cartridge; a housing storage that stores at least the second information and remains in the housing when the cartridge is removed from a housing; and an information write unit that writes the second information stored in the housing storage into the container storage if the first information stored in the container storage indicates that the toner in the toner container is unused and the second information stored in the container storage indicates that the image holding portion is used.

Abstract: A toner container which includes a main body for storing toner, an opening for dispensing toner, and a mechanism for sealing the opening. The mechanism for sealing the opening includes a slidable shutter which includes a cover and an extension, connected to the cover part, including a pushing surface and a blocking surface. The mechanism for sealing further includes a restriction which contacts the blocking surface to prevent the slidable shutter from sliding.

Abstract: A developer container includes: a container body that stores a developer and includes a filling port for the developer; and a container terminal that is attachable to and detachable from the container body. The container body is provided with an identifier that engages with the container terminal and is caused to change own form that can be identified from an outside, by an external force that is applied to detach the container terminal from the container body. The container body is provided with a flow preparation part that separates an inside and outside of the container body before changing the form of the identifier and that allows the air to flow between the inside and outside of the container body after changing the form of the identifier.

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: Toner housing container includes: container body mountable on toner conveying device and housing toner supplied into toner conveying device; conveying portion provided in container body and conveying toner from longer direction one end of container body to other end at which container opening portion is provided; pipe receiving port provided at container opening portion and receiving conveying pipe fixed to toner conveying device; and uplifting portion to move toner conveyed by conveying portion toward toner receiving port of conveying pipe. Toner has loose apparent density of 0.28 g/cm3 to 0.53 g/cm3. Container body includes protruding portion protruding from container body interior side of container opening portion toward one end. Uplifting portion includes uplifting wall surface extending from internal wall surface of container body toward protruding portion, and curving portion curving to conform to protruding portion.

Abstract: A toner housing container includes: a container body housing a toner; a conveying portion; a pipe receiving port; and an uplifting portion. Flow rate index of the toner measured by powder rheometer and represented by “flow rate index=(total energy at a rotation speed of 10 mm/s)/(total energy at a rotation speed of 100 mm/s)” is in a range of “1.8?flow rate index?6.5”. Container body includes protruding portion protruding from container body interior side of container opening portion toward one end of container body. Uplifting portion includes: uplifting wall surface extending from container body internal wall surface toward protruding portion; and curving portion curving to conform to protruding portion. When the toner housing container is mounted on the toner conveying device, the protruding portion is present between the curving portion and the toner receiving port of the conveying pipe being inserted.

Abstract: Toner housing container includes: container body housing a toner; conveying portion conveying the toner from longer direction one end of container body to its other end at which container opening portion is provided; pipe receiving port receiving a conveying pipe fixed to toner conveying device; and uplifting portion moving the toner toward toner receiving port of conveying pipe. Toner has molecular weight distribution having a peak in a range of 103 to 104, and has C/R of from 0.03 to 0.55 between peak height C attributed to crystalline polyester resin and R attributed to non-crystalline resin when measured by FT-IR after stored at 45° C. for 12 hours. Container body includes protruding portion protruding from container body interior side toward the one end. Uplifting portion includes uplifting wall surface extending from container body internal wall surface toward protruding portion. Protruding portion is present between uplifting wall surface and toner receiving port.

Abstract: A toner case is directly or indirectly connected to a housing 31 that contains toner at a first connection portion 43 and a second connection portion 44, and includes: a bracket portion 33 that is formed so as to link the first connection portion 43 and the second connection portion 44; protrusions 51 and 52 that are formed on the bracket portion 33, allow for attachment of the housing 31 to an apparatus body of a specific model, and do not allow for attachment of the housing 31 to the apparatus body of other models except for the specific model; and a functional member 55 that is installed on the bracket portion 33 and that fulfills a predetermined function.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing apparatus and a toner container which replenishes the developing apparatus with toner. The developing apparatus includes a first conveyance member having a first rotational shaft and a toner replenishment port. The toner container includes a second conveyance member having a second rotational shaft and a toner discharge port. The developing apparatus and the toner container are assembled in such a manner that the first rotational shaft and the second rotational shaft are in mutually perpendicular directions, and the toner replenishment port and the toner discharge port are mutually overlapping in a vertical direction. The second conveyance member rotates in a direction whereby the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port to the toner replenishment port at a position on an upstream side of the toner replenishment port in terms of the toner conveyance direction.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing. The housing has an elongated shape extending from the first side to the second side. The housing defines a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port on the front of the housing is in fluid communication with the reservoir. A port surface surrounding the exit port is positioned to seal against a corresponding surface when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device. The port surface is angled upward with respect to the bottom of the housing and faces generally downward.

Abstract: A substrate mounting structure includes: a substrate member including a substrate portion, the substrate portion having first and second surfaces opposite to each other in a thickness direction of the substrate portion, first to fourth edges, and a predetermined thickness in the thickness direction; a first mounting member on which the substrate member is placed; and a second mounting member attached to the first mounting member to hold the substrate member on the first mounting member. The first mounting member includes first, second, and third restricting portions abutting on the first edge, the second edge, and the second surface to restrict movement of the substrate member, respectively. The second mounting member includes fourth, fifth, and sixth restricting portions abutting on the third edge, the fourth edge, and the first surface to restrict movement of the substrate member.

Abstract: An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves rotating a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner. The approach also involves a causing a plurality of beads that include at least one material configured to be attracted to a magnetic strip that extends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of movement of the toner between a first end and a second end of the vessel. The plurality of beads, when attracted to the magnetic strip, cooperate with helical features of the vessel and the internal surface of a body section of the vessel to transport at least a portion of the toner in an axial direction from the first end of the vessel to the second end of the vessel as the vessel is rotated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an insertion entrance through which a toner container is inserted, and an entrance peripheral wall surrounding the insertion entrance and including an upper wall and a projecting bottom wall projecting beyond the upper wall to an upstream side in an insertion direction in which the toner container is inserted. The toner container includes a toner outlet in a substantially center portion of a bottom of the toner container in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and a shutter to open and close the toner outlet. A recess recessed in the insertion direction is provided in a center portion of the projecting bottom wall in the width direction, and the recess in the projecting bottom wall is longer than the shutter in the width direction.

Abstract: A developing cartridge that maintains a pressing condition to press a developer carrier against the image carrier is described. The developing cartridge may include a coil spring that presses the developer carrier against the image carrier. The coil spring may include a handle that transmits a pressing force to the coil spring via the contacting member. By doing so, every time the developing cartridge is replaced, a new coil spring and handle can be provided for the color laser printer with the developing cartridge attached. Therefore, a constant pressure by the coil spring can be continuously maintained. Thus, a preferable pressure condition of the developer carrier against the image carrier can be continuously maintained.

Abstract: A powder container which is mounted on an image-forming apparatus body, and houses a powder includes a container body configured to carry the powder housed inside thereof from a first end side to a second end side by rotating, and discharge the powder outside from the second end side, a gear formed in an outer circumference of the container body, and a cover which is mounted on the gear to cover at least a tooth section of the gear.

Abstract: A toner cartridge, a main casing accommodates therein toner and is formed with an opening which provides communication between an interior and an exterior of the main casing. A shutter is movable along the main casing by an external driving force applied in a force direction between a closed position at which the shutter closes the opening and an open position at which the shutter opens the opening. A toner seal is formed with a seal opening opposing the opening of the main casing, and interposed between the main casing and the shutter when the shutter is positioned at the closed position. A guide portion is configured to guide a movement of the shutter in an inclined direction inclined with respect to the force direction.

Abstract: A developer container includes a developer containing member that contains developer; an opening part through which the developer is externally supplied, and a pressure absorbing mechanism that is provided on an external portion of the developer containing member. The pressure absorbing mechanism is configured to deform in an inward direction toward the developer container when an external force is applied to the developer container.

Abstract: To provide a toner comprising: a binder resin, a colorant, and a releasing agent, wherein the toner has a core shell structure, and wherein the core contains at least one resin selected from the group consisting of a hybrid resin and a polyester resin, where the hybrid resin is a resin in which a polyester resin and a vinyl resin are chemically bonded to each other, and the shell contains a resin prepared by polymerizing at least a styrene monomer and an ester monomer represented by the following General Formula (1): where, ‘n’ is 2 or 3, ‘X’ is any of 0 to 9, R1 is a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group, and R2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a phenyl group.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A shutter positioned at the exit port is movable between an open position and a closed position. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is positioned near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device for opening and closing the shutter. A forward facing slot is positioned near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device for locking and unlocking the shutter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toner cartridge, which comprises a case, a toner outlet and a gate that can slide to close the toner outlet. The inside of the gate has a bump which can be resisted by the opening mechanism to open the toner outlet. The outside of the gate has an elastic buckle which can be resisted by the closing mechanism to close the toner outlet. The outside of the toner feeding compartment has a notch; the bottom surface of the notch is connected with the outside of the toner feeding compartment through the guiding slope. When the gate is in the closing position, the elastic buckle and the notch coordinate; when the gate is in the opening position the elastic buckle separates from the notch and is put on the outside surface of the toner feeding compartment.

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 to permit toner from the reservoir to pass out of the housing. A first leg and a second leg each project from a bottom portion of the housing to limit the side-to-side travel of the toner cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. Wing guides are positioned on opposite side surfaces of the housing. A stop extends from each wing guide to limit the forward travel of the toner cartridge in the image forming device. Rounded projections extending from the bottom surfaces of the wing guides define contact points to control the vertical position of the toner cartridge in the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a developer container removably connected thereto, a developer feeding mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a torque limiter. The developer container includes a cylindrical container body having a developer discharge port, and a shutter fitted to be rotatable to open and close the developer discharge port. When the drive mechanism rotates the developer container in the developer feeding direction, while the torque limiter keeps the shutter stationary, the container body rotates through a predetermined angle to open the developer discharge port, and as the developer container continues to be rotated, the developer is fed through the developer discharge port. When the developer container is rotated in the direction reverse to the developer feeding direction, while the torque limiter keeps the shutter stationary, the container body rotates through a predetermined angle in the reverse direction to close the developer discharge port.

Abstract: An image formation unit includes a developer container containing developer therein, an image formation device configured to form a developer image using the developer, a first engagement part provided at the image formation device, a second engagement part movably provided at the developer container, and a regulation member. The second engagement part is movable between an unengaged position and an engaged position with respect to the first engagement part. The regulation member regulates movement of the second engagement part in the state where the second engagement part is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A drive transmission structure includes a driven shaft, a drive shaft, and a bearing member. The driven shaft has a drive receiving gear attached thereto and a first shaft portion near the drive receiving gear, to which a rotational force is transmitted. The drive shaft has a drive transmitting gear attached thereto and a second shaft portion near the drive transmitting gear. The drive transmitting gear is engaged with the drive receiving gear so as to transmit the rotational force. The bearing member has a first bearing and a second bearing, which respectively support the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion. In the drive transmission structure, the axis of the drive shaft does not intersect and is non-parallel to the axis of the driven shaft, and the first and second bearings are integrally formed with the bearing member.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprising: a reading unit; a feeding unit; a carriage; a motor-side transmission gear for transmitting power from a motor; a feeding unit-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the feeding unit in a feeding reading of reading an image of the document fed by the feeding unit; a carriage-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the carriage in a moving reading of reading an image of the document while moving the carriage; a switching gear configured to be switched between a feeding unit-side position and a carriage-side position; a sensor; and a control device configured to, when it is determined that the jam has occurred, drive the motor in a direction of releasing a meshed state between the feeding unit-side transmission gear and the switching gear.

Abstract: A developer storage body includes a developer storage portion storing a developer and having an elongated shape, an outlet opening provided at a substantially center portion of the developer storage portion in a longitudinal direction of the developer storage portion, inclined portions provided on both end portions of the developer storage portion in the longitudinal direction, a rotation member rotatably provided in the developer storage portion, and a film member provided on the rotation member. The film member is brought into contact with the inclined portions when the rotation member rotates.

Abstract: A toner cartridge having a pressure equalization system for equalizing a pressure differential between a toner reservoir in the toner cartridge and a toner sump developer unit containing ingested air utilizing a ducted shutter that opens and closes an exit port on the housing of the toner cartridge in combination with a passageway in fluid communication with the ducted shutter and the toner reservoir wherein, when the toner cartridge is mated with a developer unit of the imaging apparatus and the shutter is in the open position, exiting toner leaves the cartridge through the exit port and enters the developer unit while air entrained within the developer unit enters the toner reservoir via the exit port, the duct and the passageway equalizing pressure between the toner cartridge and the to developer unit.

Abstract: A powder conveying apparatus includes a powder containing unit that contains powder and at least a portion of which is deformable; a discharging unit that discharges the powder from the powder housing unit to an outside; a delivery member that moves toward the discharging unit side while pushing the deformable portion of the powder containing unit inward to thereby convey the powder to the discharging unit; and an oscillation applying unit that applies oscillation to the discharging unit. Driving of the oscillation applying unit is controlled in response to an operation of the delivery member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner case, an apparatus main body, and a cover. The toner case includes a case main body, a shutter, and an operation part. The case main body has a discharge port discharging a toner. The shutter opens/closes the discharge port. The operation part is connected to the shutter. The operation part is movable between a port closing position where the operation part makes the shutter close the discharge port and interferes with the cover and an port opening position where the operation part makes the shutter open the discharge port and permits the cover to be closed. When the cover is closed in the state in which the operation part is located at the port closing position, the cover presses the operation part and the operation part moves from the port closing position to the port opening position.

Abstract: A powder container includes a body and a pair of walls that blocks one longitudinal end of the body and the other longitudinal end of the body. Powder is accommodated within the powder container which is mounted to an apparatus using the powder in a posture where a longitudinal direction of the body is a transverse direction of the apparatus. The powder container has an opening, through which the powder is supplied to the apparatus, formed in a lower position of the body in a posture where the powder container is mounted to the apparatus. The powder container includes a shutter and a shield. The shutter is, prior to mounting the powder container to the apparatus, in a closed location to block the opening and, when the powder container is mounted, is moved along an outer peripheral surface of the body to an opened location to open the opening.

Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.