Patent ID: 8744321
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developer container configured to be detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body, the developer container comprising: a container body that includes a developer storing space configured to store developer, a discharge opening configured to discharge the developer inside the developer storing space, and a developer conveyance passage configured to guide the developer stored in the container body toward the discharge opening; a conveyor disposed inside the developer conveyance passage and configured to convey the developer to the discharge opening; an agitator disposed inside the developer storing space, and configured to agitate the developer; and a driving force transmitter configured to interlock the conveyor with the agitator, wherein, when the developer container is detached from the image forming apparatus main body, the driving force transmitter is configured to release interlocking between the conveyor and the agitator, wherein the developer container further includes a return opening configured to return the developer that is not discharged from the discharge opening from the developer conveyance passage to the developer storing space, and wherein the return opening is disposed in the developer conveyance passage upstream of a side surface at one side of the container body where the driving force transmitter is disposed and downstream of the discharge opening in a developer conveyance direction.