Patent ID: 7409181
Filing Date: 2008-08-05
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developer supply system including a developer supply cartridge and a developer receiving cartridge which are detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus independently from each other substantially in the same direction, said system comprising: said developer receiving cartridge including; a developer receiving container for containing the developer received from said developer supply cartridge, first and second engaging members provided on said developer receiving container and disposed substantially in a line extending substantially in the direction, said developer supply cartridge including; a developer supply container for containing the developer, said developer supply container having a discharge opening for permitting discharge of the developer toward said developer receiving cartridge, a shutter member for opening and closing said discharge opening by rotation thereof, wherein said shutter member has a plurality of sets of an opening portion for opening said discharge opening and a closing portion for closing said discharge opening, said sets being disposed substantially circumferentially equidistantly such that opening portions and said closing portions are alternately disposed, and has engaging portions which are disposed between said opening portions and adjacent ones of said closing portions, respectively, and each of which is engageable with either one of the first and second engaging members to rotate said shutter member so as to open and close said discharge opening irrespective of rotational direction of said shutter member with relative movement between said developer receiving cartridge and said developer supply cartridge.