Patent ID: 6615007
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A toner container holding device that engages with a toner container storing toner and supplying the toner from a first opening provided at an end of the toner container, the toner container holding device comprising:a container holder that detachably holds the toner container and has a second opening at a position coinciding with the first opening; a hopper frame that stores the toner received from the toner container; a first seal member provided between the toner container and the container holder when the toner container is engaged with the container holder, the first seal member sealing a space between the toner container and the container holder so as not to scatter the toner from the first opening, via the space between the toner container and the container holder to the exterior; a second seal member provided between the container holder and the hopper frame, the second seal member sealing the space between the container holder and the hopper frame so as not to scatter the toner from the first opening, via the space between the container holder and the hopper frame to the exterior when the toner container is engaged with the container holder; and the container holder having an opening portion outside of the place where the first and second seal members are provided, the opening portion providing a path so that an air pressure generated in the container holder when the toner container is being engaged with the container holder, is released via the space between the container holder and the hopper frame.