Patent ID: 6553189
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An optical guide to be used for detecting a remaining amount of developer contained in a developer containing portion, said optical guide comprising:a blocking portion for blocking an opening formed in the developer containing portion when said optical guide is fitted to the developer containing portion; an optical guide portion for guiding light, said optical guide portion being formed on a side to be positioned on an outside of the developer containing portion with respect to said blocking portion when said optical guide is fitted to the developer containing portion; an outside inclining surface portion inclining toward the side, on which said optical guide portion is formed, with respect to said blocking portion, said outside inclining surface portion being formed at an end portion of said optical guide portion on a blocking-portion side in a lengthwise direction of said optical guide portion; and an inside inclining surface portion inclining toward a direction intersecting the lengthwise direction of said optical guide portion, said inside inclining surface portion being formed on a side to be positioned on an inside of said developer containing portion with respect to said blocking portion when said optical guide is fitted to said developer containing portion, wherein said optical guide is formed into one united body with a light-transmissive material.