Patent ID: 9563151
Date: 2017-02-07
CPC Classifications: G03G

Claim:
1. A packaging unit comprising: an image forming apparatus into which a cartridge accommodating developer therein is detachably mounted, the cartridge being formed with a first opening for allowing the developer to discharge outside from the cartridge when the cartridge is in a first posture, the cartridge being in the first posture when an image is formed; and a packaging member in which the image forming apparatus is packaged in such a posture that the cartridge is in a second posture where leakage of the developer from the first opening is unlikely to occur as compared with a posture of the image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is in the first posture, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes a main casing and a cover member, the main casing having an opening section through which the cartridge is inserted, the cover member being movable between a second open position and a second closed position, the cover member exposing the opening section when the cover member is in the second open position, the cover member covering the opening section when the cover member is in the second closed position, wherein the cartridge includes a shutter member movable between a first open position and a first closed position, the shutter member exposing the first opening and allowing the developer to pass through the first opening when the shutter member is in the first open position, the shutter member covering the first opening when the shutter member is in the first closed position, the shutter member moving from the first closed position to the first open position in conjunction with movement of the cover member from the second open position to the second closed position, the shutter member moving from the first open position to the first closed position in conjunction with movement of the cover member from the second closed position to the second open position, and wherein the packaging unit further comprises an interfering member configured to interrupt associative movements between the shutter member and the cover member so as to maintain the shutter member in the first closed position when the image forming apparatus is packaged in the packaging member.