Patent ID: 7792470
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A toner container for replenishing a developing device with toner, comprising: a container for containing toner, and having a toner discharge hole; a toner conveyance screw for conveying the toner within the container to the toner discharge hole; and a shutter cylinder including a peripheral wall formed with a toner discharge opening at a position corresponding to the toner discharge hole; a cylindrical receiving portion provided on a side wall of the container and formed with the toner discharge hole, the cylindrical receiving portion for receiving the shutter cylinder in a rotation free manner; wherein one end of the toner conveyance screw is supported by a bearing in the shutter cylinder; the shutter cylinder is mounted to the side wall of the container in a rotation free manner; a portion of the peripheral wall of the shutter cylinder that is upstream of the toner discharge opening in a toner conveyance direction is formed with a spill hole for spilling out into the container the toner that has been conveyed into the shutter cylinder by driving the toner conveyance screw; the shutter cylinder is provided with an engaging claw; and the container is provided with an engagement portion engageable with the engaging claw when the shutter cylinder is inserted into the cylindrical receiving portion.