Patent ID: 7321744
Filing Date: 2008-01-22
Classification: G03G,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A toner container configured to hold toner for use in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a main part detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, the main part having a longitudinal axis and being configured to be rotated about said axis in order to deliver the toner contained therein to the image forming apparatus; an outlet configured to discharge the toner from the toner container in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main part, the outlet being located on a portion of the toner container which is connected to the main part, said portion is rotatable relative to the main part such that when the main part is rotated about said axis in order to dispense toner, said portion having the outlet remains stationary; an input unit adjacent to the outlet, configured to rotate the toner container via engagement with a drive unit of the image forming apparatus; a small-diameter portion internal to the toner container and adjacent to the input unit, the small-diameter portion having a diameter which is smaller than an inside diameter of the main part; and a toner guiding unit configured to move the toner inside the toner container to the outlet beyond the small-diameter portion of the input unit by rotation of the toner container.