Patent ID: 7024135
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developer container that is detachably mounted on an image forming apparatus, comprising: a container main body for accommodating developer used for image formation, formed into a cylindrical shape, a concavity sinking inward in the radial direction being formed in an outer circumferential portion of the container main body, a discharge hole for discharging developer being formed in the container main body, the developer accommodated in the container main body being conveyed to the discharge hole when the container main body is rotated round its axis; a supporting member for covering a portion including at least the concavity and the discharge hole from the outside in the radial direction all over the circumference, for supporting the container main body so that the container main body can be freely rotated round its axis, the supporting member being formed facing a moving passage of the concavity by the rotation of the container main body, a leading through hole for guiding the developer discharged from the discharge hole of the container main body to the outside being provided in the supporting member; and a container side guide portion for guiding the developer from between the outer circumferential portion of the container main body and the inner circumferential portion of the supporting member into the concavity by the rotation of the container main body, the container side guide portion elastically coming into contact with the inner circumferential portion of the supporting member, the container side guide portion being arranged in a neighborhood of the concavity on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the outer circumferential portion of the container main body.