Abstract:
A releasing mechanism usable for a toner supply container includes a rotatable structure, a stationary structure engaged with the rotatable structure, and a pump movably connected to the stationary structure. The rotatable structure has a first magnetic member. The stationary structure has an opening for releasing toner and a second magnetic member. The pump has a pumping portion that is expandable. A first force drives the rotatable structure to rotate relative to the stationary structure, such that the first magnetic member is alternatively aligned and misaligned with the second magnetic member. When the first and second magnetic members are aligned, the pump is pushed away from the stationary structure by a repelling force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. When the first and second magnetic members are misaligned, the pump is pushed by a second force toward the stationary structure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to a toner supply container, and more particularly to a toner supply container that has a pump for pushing toner, and the pump is driven by a magnetic repulsive force. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present invention. The subject matter discussed in the background of the invention section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background of the invention section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background of the invention section or associated with the subject matter of the background of the invention section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background of the invention section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in the background of the invention section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention. 
     In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, fine particles toner is used as a developer. When the toner in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is used up, the toner is supplied into the main assembly of the image forming apparatus using a toner supply container (a toner accommodating container). 
     Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus which forms images on a recording material through an electrophotographic image formation type process. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, for example), a facsimile machine, word processor or the like. 
     Since the toner is very fine powder, it is known to place, upon toner supplying operation, a toner supply container inside the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and to gradually supply the toner through a small opening to avoid scattering of the toner. 
     Any one of the above-described toner supply containers receives a driving force from the main assembly of an image forming apparatus to drive the toner supply container to discharge the toner. Various drive transmission methods are proposed for driving the toner supply container. However, the conventional structures involve some problems. 
     Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention relates to a toner supply container for supply toner to an apparatus. In one embodiment, the toner supply container includes a container body and a releasing mechanism. 
     The container body has a first end and an opposite, second end defining an inner space therebetween for accommodating the toner. The releasing mechanism includes a gear, a first magnetic member, a releasing member, a second magnetic member, a pump, an elastic member, and a housing. The gear has a first end and an opposite, second end that is fixed to the first end of the container body. The first magnetic member is fixed to the gear. The releasing member has a first end and an opposite, second end, an opening in fluid communication with the inner space of the container body, and a sliding sheet slidable to cover or to expose the opening. The first end of the gear is rotatably fixed to the second end of the releasing member. The second magnetic member is fixed to the pump. The pump is movably connected to the first end of the releasing member. The elastic member urges against the pump. The housing accommodates a part of the gear, the first magnetic member, the releasing member, the second magnetic member, the pump, and the elastic member. 
     When a driving force from the apparatus drives the gear to rotate, the rotation of the gear causes the first magnetic member to rotate so that the first magnetic member is alternatively aligned and misaligned with the second magnetic member. 
     When the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are aligned at an aligned position, the pump is pushed away from the releasing member by a repelling force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. When the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are misaligned at a misaligned position, the pump is pushed toward the releasing member by the elastic member. 
     Alternatively, when the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are aligned at an aligned position, the pump is pulled toward the releasing member by an attracting force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. When the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are misaligned at a misaligned position, the pump is pulled away from the releasing member by the elastic member. 
     In one embodiment, when the first magnetic member rotates from the aligned position to the misaligned position relative to the second magnetic member, the pump pushes the toner located at the releasing member out to the apparatus through the opening. 
     In one embodiment, when the first magnetic member rotates from the misaligned position to the aligned position relative to the second magnetic member, the toner located at the container body is moved to the releasing member. 
     In one embodiment, when the toner supply container is detachably mounted to the apparatus, the sliding sheet is fixed to the apparatus, and the sliding sheet slides to expose the opening. 
     In one embodiment, the toner supply container further includes a first fixing member for fixing the second magnetic member and a second fixing member for fixing the elastic member. The pump has a first end in a plate shape, the first fixing member is disposed at one side of the first end of the pump, the second fixing member is disposed at the other side of the first end, and a protrusion hook of the second fixing member passes through a through hole of the pump and a through hole of the first fixing member, and fixes the first fixing member, the pump and the second fixing member together. 
     In one embodiment, the pump further has a second end opposite to the first end, the second end is fixed to the releasing member, such that the first fixing member, the pump and the second fixing member are fixed to the releasing member. 
     In one embodiment, the second fixing member further has a protrusion tube projected away from the pump, and engaging with a protrusion from the housing. The elastic member sleeves on the protrusion tube of the second fixing member and the protrusion of the housing. One end of the elastic member urges the second fixing member, and the other end of the elastic member urges the housing. 
     In one embodiment, the pump has a first end away from the releasing member and an opposite, second end facing the releasing member and fixed to the releasing member, and a plurality of pumping portions located at the first end, the pumping portions are movable relative to the releasing member. 
     In one embodiment, the container body, the gear, the releasing member, and the pump are in fluid communication. 
     In one embodiment, the first magnetic member has two pairs of magnetic bars that are symmetrically disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the container body. 
     In one embodiment, the second magnetic member comprises two magnetic bars that are symmetrically disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the container body. 
     In another aspect, the present invention relates to a releasing mechanism usable for a toner supply container. The releasing mechanism includes a rotatable structure, a stationary structure, and a pump. The rotatable structure has a first magnetic member. The stationary structure is engaged with the rotatable member. The stationary structure has an opening for releasing toner. The pump is movably connected to the stationary structure, and has at least one pumping portion that is expandable. A second magnetic member is connected to the at least one pumping portion. 
     When driving by a first force, the rotatable structure rotates relative to the stationary structure, such that the first magnetic member is alternatively aligned and misaligned with the second magnetic member. 
     When the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are aligned, the pump is pushed away from the stationary structure by a repelling force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. When the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are misaligned, the pump is pushed by a second force toward the stationary structure. 
     Alternatively, when the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are aligned, the pump is pulled toward the stationary structure by an attracting force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. When the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are misaligned, the pump is pulled away from the stationary structure by the second force. 
     In one embodiment, when the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are misaligned, the pump is pushed by the second force toward the stationary structure, and the toner is pushed out from the opening of the stationary structure. 
     In one embodiment, the releasing mechanism further includes a housing configured to accommodate a part of the rotatable structure, the first magnetic member, the stationary structure, the second magnetic member, and the pump. The housing is fixed to the stationary structure, and the rotatable structure is rotatable relative to the housing. 
     In one embodiment, the second force is provided by an elastic member. One end of the elastic member urges the pump, and the other end of the elastic member urges the housing. 
     In one embodiment, an inner space of the container body, an inner space of the rotatable structure, and an inner space of the stationary structure are in fluid communication. 
     In one embodiment, the releasing mechanism further includes a sliding sheet slidably attached to the stationary structure. When the releasing mechanism is attached to an apparatus, the sliding sheet slides relative to the stationary structure to expose the opening, and the sliding sheet is fixed to the apparatus to positioning the stationary structure to the apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, the first magnetic member has two pairs of magnetic bars that are symmetrically disposed relative to an longitudinal axis of the rotatable structure. 
     In one embodiment, the second magnetic member has two magnetic bars that are symmetrically disposed relative to an longitudinal axis of the stationary structure. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for electrophotographic image forming. The apparatus has a toner supply container having the releasing mechanism as described above. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1  schematically shows a three-dimensional view of a toner supply container according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 2A-2F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a container body of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 2G-2J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the container body from different angles. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a first foam of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A-4F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a gear of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 4G-4J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the gear from different angles. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a magnetic bar of a first magnetic member of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a second foam of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A-7F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a releasing member of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 7G-7J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the releasing member from different angles. 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  schematically show top, bottom, and side views of a third foam of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 8D-8G  schematically show three-dimensional views of the third foam from different angles. 
         FIGS. 9A-9F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a sliding sheet of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 9G-9J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the sliding sheet from different angles. 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a magnetic bar of a second magnetic member of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11A-11F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a first fixing member for fixing the second magnetic member according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 11G-11J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the fixing member from different angles. 
         FIGS. 12A-12F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a pump of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 12G-12J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the pump from different angles. 
         FIGS. 13A-13C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a fourth foam of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 14A-14F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a second fixing member for fixing an elastic member according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 14G-14J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the second fixing member from different angles. 
         FIGS. 15A-15C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of the elastic member of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 16A-16F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a housing of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 16G-16J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the housing from different angles. 
         FIGS. 17A-17C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a chip label of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 18A-18F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a chip of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 18G-18J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the chip from different angles. 
         FIGS. 19A-19F  schematically show front, side, and four three-dimensional views of a screw according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 20A-20C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a housing label of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 21A-21F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a cap of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 21G-21J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the cap from different angles. 
         FIGS. 22A-22C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a fifth foam of the toner supply container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 23A-23D  schematically show the toner supply container when the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are not aligned, where  FIG. 23A  is a three dimensional sectional view with the toner supply container cut in half from top to bottom,  FIG. 23B  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 23A ,  FIG. 23C  is a three dimensional sectional view with the toner supply container cut in half from left to right, and  FIG. 23D  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 23C . 
         FIGS. 24A-24D  schematically show the toner supply container when the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are aligned, where  FIG. 24A  is a three dimensional sectional view with the toner supply container cut in half from top to bottom,  FIG. 24B  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 24A ,  FIG. 24C  is a three dimensional sectional view with the toner supply container cut in half from left to right, and  FIG. 24D  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 24C . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” to another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature. 
     The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control. 
     As used herein, “around”, “about”, “substantially” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the terms “around”, “about”, “substantially” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated. 
     As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprise” or “comprising”, “include” or “including”, “carry” or “carrying”, “has/have” or “having”, “contain” or “containing”, “involve” or “involving” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the invention. 
     Further, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top”, may be used herein to describe one element&#39;s relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on the “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of lower and upper, depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below. 
     The description will be made as to the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to a toner supply container. 
       FIG. 1  schematically shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the toner supply container  100  includes a container body  110 , a gear  130 , a first magnetic member  140 , a releasing member  150 , a sliding sheet  158 , a second magnetic member  160 , a pump  170 , an elastic member  178 , a housing  180 , and a cap  190 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A-2J , the container body  110  is basically in a shape of a cylinder, and has a first end  112 , and a second end  114  opposite to the first end  112 . In certain embodiments, the shape of the container body  110  may not be cylindrical as long as it can accommodate the toner and is rotatable relative to the housing  180 . The container body  110  has a rotational axis along the longitudinal direction, and an radial direction located at the circular sectional plane of the cylinder. A direction D1 is defined as the direction from the second end  114  toward the first end  112  along the rotational axis, and a direction D2 is defined as the direction from the first end  112  toward the second end  114  along the rotational axis. In certain embodiments, the D1 direction is also named front direction, and the D2 direction is also named back direction. The container body  110  defines an inner space between the first end  112  and the second end  114  for accommodating toner. In one embodiment, an outer surface of the container body  110  is concavely formed with a screw shaped groove  118  along the container body  110 . In other words, an inner surface of the container body  110  is protruded inward to form the structure  118 . When the container body  110  is rotated, the screw shaped groove  118  is configured to move the toner inside the container body  110  along the D1 direction. In one embodiment, the container body  110  further has a capping portion  116  extending from the second end  114  toward the D2 direction. A diameter of the capping portion  116  is smaller than a diameter of the main body portion of the container body  110 . A free end of the capping portion  116  is threaded at the outer surface, the cap  190  is threaded at the inner surface, such that the cap  190  is fixable to the capping portion  116  by screwing. In this embodiment, the cap  190  is screwed to the capping portion  116 . In other embodiments, the cap  190  may be fixable to the capping portion  116  by other means, for example, press fitting. 
       FIGS. 4A-4F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a gear  130  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 4G-4J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the gear  130  from different angles. As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4J , the gear  130  has a first end  132  and a second end  134  opposite to the first end  132 . The diameter of the second end  134  is greater than the diameter of the first end  132 . The second end  134  of the gear  130  is fixed to the first end  112  of the container body  110 . As shown in  FIG. 23B , the first end  112  of the container body  110  is inserted into the second end  134  of the gear  130 , and engages with inner side (the side facing the D2 direction) of the second end  134  of the gear  130 . The gear  130  is configured to receive a driving force from the apparatus to rotate. Since the container body  110  is fixed to the gear  130 , the container body  110  thus can also be rotated together with the gear  130 . The first end  132  of the gear  130  has at least one ring shaped structure  133  disposed at the outside surface, so as to be rotatably engaged with the releasing member  150 . In other words, when the toner supply container  100  is mounted to the apparatus, the releasing member  150  and the housing  180  are stationary relative to the apparatus, and the gear  130 , together with the container body  110 , are rotatable relative to the releasing member  150  and the housing  180 . As shown in  FIG. 4J , the gear  130  further includes at least one base portion  136  inside the first end  132 , and at least one pillar  138  protruded from the base portion  136  along the D1 direction. The pillar  138  is hollow and has one opening at its free end facing the D1 direction, and is configured to receive at least one of the magnetic bar  141  of the first magnetic member  140  to be inserted therein. The first end  112  of the container body  110  is configured to be inserted into the inside tubular space of the gear  130 , and engaged with the inner surface of the gear  130 , that is, engaged with the back surface of the base  136  facing the D2 direction. In certain embodiments, an outside surface of the second end  134  of the gear  130  has teeth that are configured to be engaged with a gear of the apparatus (not shown), and is drivable by the gear of the apparatus. When being driven by the apparatus, the gear  130  rotates, and the container body  110  which is fixed to the gear  130 , rotates as well with the gear  130 . 
     In certain embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , a first foam  135  is disposed between the first end  112  of the container body  110  and the second end  134  of the gear  130  to avoid leaking of the toner. In one embodiment, the first foam  135  has a shape of a ring. When the first end  112  of the container body  110  is inserted into the inside of the gear  130 , the first foam  135  is located between the first end  112  of the container body  110  and the back surface of the base  136  of the gear  130 . In one embodiment, the first foam  135  is made of cotton. The first end  112  of the container body  110  and the second end  134  of the gear  130  are in fluid communication with each other passing through the first foam  135 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a magnetic bar  141  of the first magnetic member  140  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The first magnetic member  140  has at least one solid cylindrical shaped magnetic bar  141 , and each magnetic bar  141  is configured to be received in the hollow pillar  138 . In certain embodiments, the number of the pillar  138  is two, and the number of the magnetic bar  141  of the first magnetic member  140  is four, such that two of the magnetic bars  141  are received in each of the two pillars  138 . The two magnetic bars  141  received in the same pillar  138  are aligned along the longitudinal direction, that is, along the D1/D2 direction, and are symmetrical relative to the rotational axis of the container body  110 . When the gear  130  is rotated, the first magnetic member  140  rotates with the gear  130 . The two pillars  138  are disposed symmetrically at two sides of the base  136 , such that the four magnetic bars  141  of the first magnetic member  140  are symmetrically disposed relative to the rotational axis of the toner supply container  100 . 
     In certain embodiments, a second foam  145  is disposed between the gear  130  and the releasing member  150  to avoid leaking of the toner. In certain embodiments, the second foam  145  is in a shape of a ring, and has a size that is larger than a size of the first foam  135 . The second foam  145  is basically located between the base  136  and the front surface (facing the D1 direction) of the first end  132  of the gear  130 . When the first end  132  of the gear  130  is inserted into the inside of the releasing member  150 , the second foam  145  also urges a structure of the releasing member  150  that is around the opening  156 , as shown in  FIG. 23B . In one embodiment, the second foam  145  is made of cotton. 
       FIGS. 7A-7F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of the releasing member  150  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 7G-7J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the releasing member  150  from different angles. As shown in  FIGS. 7A-7J , the releasing member  150  has a tubular portion  153  and a plate portion  155  disposed below the tubular portion  153 . The tubular portion  153  has a first end  152  and a second end  154 . The first end  152  has a smaller diameter, and the second end  154  has a larger diameter. An opening  156  is formed through the bottom wall of the tubular portion  153  and the plate portion  155 . The opening  156  is configured to release toner from the toner supply container  100  toward the apparatus. 
     A bottom of the plate portion  155 , at the position around the opening  156 , is concavely formed with an accommodating space. In one embodiment, the accommodating space is formed in a rectangular shape. When viewed from top or bottom, the opening  156  is located at the center of the rectangular accommodating space. In certain embodiments, a third foam  157  is disposed between the plate portion  155  and the sliding sheet  158 , received in the accommodating space, and corresponds to the opening  156 , so as to avoid leaking of the toner. As shown in  FIGS. 8A-8G , the third foam  157  is in a rectangular shape, and has a through hole located at the center of the rectangular shaped foam. An upper surface of the third foam  157  is attached with glue shown with shaded lines. The glue is used to attach the third foam  157  onto the bottom surface of the plate portion  155  of the releasing member  150 , at the location corresponding to the opening  156 . When the toner is supplied from the toner supply container  100  to the apparatus through the opening  156 , the third foam  157  can avoid leaking of the toner between the plate portion  155  and the sliding sheet  158 . 
     The sliding sheet  158  is disposed below the plate portion  155 , and is slidable relative to the plate portion  155 . The sliding sheet  158  has a through hole  158   a  corresponding to the opening  156 . Before the toner supply container  100  is mounted to the apparatus, the sliding sheet  158  is located below the plate portion  155  and blocks the opening  156 , so that the toner will not leak from the opening  156 . When the toner supply container  100  is mounted to the apparatus, the sliding sheet  158  slides relative to the plate portion  155 , and the through hole  158   a  on the sliding sheet  158  is configured to be aligned with the opening  156 , such that the toner can pass through the opening  156  and the through hole  158   a  to the apparatus for being used by the apparatus. The sliding sheet  158  further includes at least one hook portion  158   b  that is configured to be fixed to the apparatus, such that the toner supply container  100  is not easily retreat from the apparatus by itself during use. In one embodiment, the number of the hook portion  158   b  is two. 
     The first end  132  of the gear  130  is configured to be inserted inside the tubular space of the releasing member  150 , and is rotatably fixed to the releasing member  150 . In other words, the releasing member  150  is fixed to the housing  180  (or the apparatus), the housing  180  is fixable to the apparatus, such that the releasing member  150  and the housing  180  are stationary relative to the apparatus, while the gear  130  is rotatable relative to the toner releasing member  150 , the housing  180  and the apparatus. In certain embodiments, when being inserted to the toner releasing member  150 , part of the gear  130  such as the first end  132  of the gear  130  is limited by releasing member  150 , such that the gear  130  will not be loosed or separated from the releasing member  150 . In certain embodiments, for example, the releasing member  150  has a ring shaped groove formed in the inner side surface, and the protruded ring  133  at the outside surface of the first end  132  of the gear  130  is inserted into the ring shaped groove of the releasing member  150 . In this way, the gear  130  and the releasing member  150  are engaged with each other and prevented from separated from each other, and the gear  130  is rotatable in relative to the releasing member  150 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pump  170  is fixable to the first end  152  of the releasing member  150 . A first fixing member  162  is disposed between the pump  170  and the releasing member  150 , and the second magnetic member  160  is received in the first fixing member  162 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a magnetic bar  161  of the second magnetic member  160  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic bar  161  of the second magnetic member  160  is in a solid cylindrical shape, and is configured to be received in the first fixing member  162 . The structure of the magnetic bar  161  of the second magnetic member  160  is similar to the structure of the magnetic bar  141  of the first magnetic member  140 . In certain embodiments, the size of the second magnetic bar  161  is greater than the size of the first magnetic bar  141 . In one embodiment, the number of the second magnetic bar  161  is two. In certain embodiments, the number and the shape of the first magnetic bar  141  and the second magnetic bar  161  are not limited to the embodiments described as above, as long as the first magnetic member  140  is able to interact with the second magnetic member  160 . 
       FIGS. 11A-11F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of the first fixing member  162  for fixing the second magnetic member  160  according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 11G-11J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the first fixing member  162  from different angles. As shown in  FIG. 11B , the first fixing member  162  includes two hollow pillars  164 . Each of the hollow pillars  164  is configured to receive corresponding one magnetic bar  161  of the second magnetic member  160 . In certain embodiments, the two hollow pillars  164  are disposed symmetrically at two sides of the first fixing member  162 . The first fixing member  162  further has a through hole  166  formed along the longitudinal direction and through the center of the first fixing member  162 . 
       FIGS. 12A-12F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of the pump  170  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 12G-12J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the pump  170  from different angles. The pump  170  has a first end  172  away from the releasing member  150  (front end that faces the D1 direction) and an opposite, second end  174  facing the releasing member  150  (back end that faces the D2 direction). The first end  172  has an outer surface  172   a  facing the D1 direction and an inner surface  172   b  facing the D2 direction. The first end  172  includes two or more pumping portions  171 , each of the pumping portion  171  is in a ring shaped structure, and is expandable. In certain embodiments, the pump  170  is a pneumatic pump. The second end  174  has a screw shaped protrusion around the outside surface, configured to be fixed to the inside surface of the first end  152  of the releasing member  150 . When being assembled, the first fixing member  162 , together with the second magnetic member  160 , is attached to the inner surface  172   b  of the pump  170 . The pump  170  further has a through hole  173  formed along the longitudinal direction and through the center of the pump  170 . A positioning protrusion  175  protrudes from the outer surface  172   a  of the first end  172 . The positioning protrusion  175  is configured to be engaged with the second fixing member  177  for positioning the second fixing member  177  relative to the pump  170 . 
       FIGS. 13A-13C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a fourth foam  176  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The fourth foam  176  is disposed between the pump  170  and the second fixing member  177 . The fourth foam  176  is in a shape of a ring, and has a size that is much smaller than the size of the first foam  135  or the second foam  145 . 
       FIGS. 14A-14F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a second fixing member  177  for fixing the elastic member  178  according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 14G-14J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the second fixing member  177  from different angles. The second fixing member  177  has a circular plate portion  177   a . The circular plate portion  177   a  has a front surface  177   a   1  facing the D1 direction, and a back surface  177   a   2  facing the D2 direction. Two flanging portions  177   b  extend respectively from left and right sides of the circular plate portion  177   a . A protrusion tube  177   c  projected from the center of the circular plate portion  177   a  from the front surface  177   a   1 , and a protrusion hook  177   d  projected from the center of the back surface  177   a   2 . The second fixing member  177  further has a top hole  177   e  formed at the top portion of the circular plate portion  177   a  and configured to receive the positioning protrusion  175  of the pump  170 . The elastic member  178  is configured to be sleeved on the protrusion tube  177   c . At the front side of the second fixing member  177 , a protrusion from the housing  180  is configured to be inserted into the protrusion tube  177   c ; at the back side of the second fixing member  177 , the second fixing member  177  urges the pump  170 , the positioning protrusion  175  of the pump  170  is received in the top hole  177   e  of the second fixing member  177 , and the protrusion hook  177   d  passes through the fourth foam  176  and the through hole  173  of the pump  170  and hooks the pump  170 , such that the second fixing member  177  is fixed between the housing  180  and the pump  170 . 
       FIGS. 15A-15C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of the elastic member  178  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the elastic member  178  may be a spring. As described above, during assembly, the elastic member  178  is sleeved on the protrusion tube  177   c  of the second fixing member  177 . Thus, one end of the elastic member  178  urges the inside surface of the housing  180 , and the other side of the elastic member  178  urges the front surface  177   a   1  of the second fixing member  177 , such that the elastic member  178  is confined between the inside surface of the housing  180  and the second fixing member  177 . 
       FIGS. 16A-16F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a housing  180  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 16G-16J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the housing  180  from different angles. The housing  180  has a first side  182   a  (front side facing the D1 direction), a second side  182   b  (back side facing the D2 direction), a third side  184   a  (left side), a fourth side  184   b  (right side), a fifth side  186   a  (top side), and a sixth side  186   b  (bottom side). The first side  182   a  is away from the container body  110 , and the elastic member  178  urges the inner surface of the first side  182   a.    
     In this embodiment, the second side  182   b  does not exist and are actually an open space defined by one end of the third side  184   a , the fourth side  184   b , and the fifth side  186   a . The opening of the second side  182   b  is configured to receive the elastic member  178 , the second fixing member  177 , the fourth foam  176 , the pump  170 , the first fixing member  162 , the second magnetic member  160 , the releasing member  150 , the second foam  145 , the first magnetic member  140 , and part of the gear  130 . The outer surface of the gear  130  is rotatably fixed to the inner surface of the housing  180 . 
     In this embodiment, the sixth side  186   b  does not exist and are actually an opening space defined by one end of the first side  182   a , the third side  184   a , and the fourth side  184   b . After the housing  180  receives the elastic member  178 , the second fixing member  177 , the fourth foam  176 , the pump  170 , the first fixing member  162 , the second magnetic member  160 , the releasing member  150 , the second foam  145 , the first magnetic member  140 , and part of the gear  130 , the sixth side  186   b  has the structure of the plate portion  155  of the releasing member  150 , and the sliding sheet  158 . 
       FIGS. 18A-18F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a chip  185  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 18G-18J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the chip  185  from different angles. The chip  185  may be used to store information of the toner supply container  100 , and the stored information is retrievable by a chip reader of the apparatus or other reading device, which may aid in how to operate the toner supply container  100 . 
       FIGS. 17A-17C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a chip label  183  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 19A-19F  schematically show front, side, and four three-dimensional views of a screw  187  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The number of the screw may be two or more. In certain embodiments, the chip label  183  is attached to a surface of the chip  185  to show model number or other information related to the chip  185 . The chip  185  may be fixed to the outer surface of the first side  182   a  of the housing  180  by the screw  187 . In other embodiments, the chip  185  may be fixed to the housing by gluing, soldering or any other appropriate method. 
       FIGS. 20A-20C  schematically show three-dimensional, front, and side views of a housing label  189  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The housing label  189  may be attached to the fourth side  184   b  of the housing  180 , and include information of the housing  180 , or the toner supply container  100 . 
       FIGS. 21A-21F  schematically show front, back, left, right, top, and bottom views of a cap  190  of the toner supply container  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 21G-21J  schematically show three-dimensional views of the cap  190  from different angles. The cap  190  is configured to seal the second end  114  of the toner supply container  100 . In certain embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 22A-22C , a fifth foam  192  is provided between the second end  114  and the cap  190 , so as to avoid leaking of the toner. 
     In certain embodiments, the first foam  135 , the second foam  145 , and the fourth foam  176  has the shape of ring. The sectional view of the ring may be a rectangular. The size of the second foam  145  is large, so that it can be sleeved on the gear  130  and seals between the gear  130  and the releasing member  150 . The first foam  135  is smaller than the second foam  145 . The first foam  135  is inserted in the gear  130  and seals the interface between the gear  130  and the first end surface at the first end  112  of the container  110 . The fourth foam  176  is much smaller than the first foam  135  and the second foam  145 . The fourth foam  176  seals the interface between the pump  170  and the second fixing member  177 . 
     The components as shown in  FIG. 1  are assembled to form the toner supply container  100 . As shown in  FIG. 23B  and  FIG. 24B , the first end  112  of the container body  110  is inserted into the second end  134  of the gear  130 , and the first end  112  urges the gear  130  through the first foam  135 . The first end  132  of the gear  130  is rotatably sleeved into the second end  154  of the releasing member  150 . The base portion  136  and the pillar  138  of the gear  130  and the first magnetic member  140  received in the pillar  138  are disposed within the releasing member  150  toward the D1 direction, such that the first magnetic member  140  is located within the pump  170 . 
     The pump  170  is fixed to the first end  152  of the releasing member  150 . The second end  174  of the pump  170  is located within the first end  152  of the releasing member  150 , and outer surface of the second end  174  of the pump  170  is fixed to the inner surface of the first end  152  of the releasing member  150 . The first end  172  of the pump  170  is located outside the first end  152  of the releasing member  150 . 
     The first fixing member  162  is located within the pump  170 . The front side of the first fixing member  162  urges the back surface of the first end  172  of the pump  170 , the back side of the first fixing member  162  faces the pillar  138 . The second magnetic member  160  is fixed to the first fixing member  162 . 
     The second fixing member  177  is located next to the pump  170 . By the elastic force provided by the elastic member  178 , the second fixing member  177  urges the front surface of the pump  170 . The second fixing member  177  has the top hole  177   e  to receive the positioning protrusion  175  of the pump  170 . The protrusion hook  177   d  of the second fixing member  177  passes through the fourth foam  176 , the through hole  173  of the pump  170 , the through hole  166  of the first fixing member  162 , and hooks on the back surface of the first fixing member  162 , such that the first fixing member  162  is fixed to the second fixing member  177  with the front side of the pump  170  disposed between the first fixing member  162  and the second fixing member  177 . 
     The second fixing member  177  is located next to the pump  170 . By the elastic force provided by the elastic member  178 , the second fixing member  177  urges the front surface of the pump  170 . The second fixing member  177  has the top hole  177   e  to receive the positioning protrusion  175  of the pump  170 . The protrusion hook  177   d  of the second fixing member  177  passes through the fourth foam  176 , the central hole of the pump  170 , the central hole of the first fixing member  162 , and hooks on the back surface of the first fixing member  162 , such that the first fixing member  162  is fixed to the second fixing member  177  with the front side of the pump  170  disposed between the first fixing member  162  and the second fixing member  177 . 
     The elastic member  178  is sleeved on the protrusion tube  177   c  of the second fixing member  177 , and located between the inner surface of the housing  180  and the front surface of the second fixing member  177 . 
     The housing  180  is fixable to the apparatus by engagement of a fixing structure disposed on the housing  180  and a corresponding fixing structure disposed on the apparatus. When the toner supply container  100  is mounted to the apparatus, the housing  180 , together with the elastic member  178 , the second fixing member  177 , the pump  170 , the first fixing member  162 , the second magnetic member  160 , the releasing member  150 , are fixed to the apparatus. At the same time, by rotatable fixing of the gear  130  to the releasing member  150 , the gear  130 , together with the first magnetic member  140  and the container body  110 , are rotatable relative to the housing  180 , or relative to the apparatus. 
       FIGS. 23A-23D  schematically show the toner supply container  100  when the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  are not aligned, where  FIG. 23A  is a three dimensional sectional view with the toner supply container  100  cut in half from top to bottom,  FIG. 23B  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 23A ,  FIG. 23C  is a three dimensional sectional view with the toner supply container  100  cut in half from left to right, and  FIG. 23D  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 23C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23B , the first magnetic member  140  is substantially disposed along the sectional surface when the toner supply container  100  is cut in half from top to bottom. As shown in  FIG. 23D , the second magnetic member  160  is substantially disposed along the sectional surface when the toner supply container  100  is cut in half from left to right. When viewing from the D1/D2 direction, a line linking the magnetic bars  141  of the first magnetic member  140  located symmetrically at two sides and a line linking the magnetic bars  161  of the second magnetic member  160  located symmetrically at two sides are perpendicular to each other. Accordingly, the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  are away from each other and have weak interacting force toward each other. Under this situation, the elastic member  178  pushes the second fixing member  177  toward the D2 direction, and the second fixing member  177  pushes the pump  170  toward the D2 direction. Specifically, the second fixing member  177  pushes the first end  172  of the pump  170 . Since the second end  174  of the pump  170  is fixed to the releasing member  150 , the pumping portions  171  at the first end  172  of the pump  170  is compressed, and the space at the right side of the pump  170  is made smaller. 
       FIGS. 24A-24D  schematically show the toner supply container  100  when the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  are aligned, where  FIG. 24A  is a three dimensional sectional view with the toner supply container  100  cut in half from top to bottom,  FIG. 24B  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 24A ,  FIG. 24C  is a three dimensional sectional view with the toner supply container  100  cut in half from left to right, and  FIG. 24D  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 24C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23D , the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  are substantially disposed along the sectional surface when the toner supply container  100  is cut in half from left to right, and the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  are aligned with each other. Each of the magnetic bars  141  of the first magnetic member  140  forms a straight line with the corresponding second magnetic bar of the second magnetic member  160 . The straight line is parallel to the rotational axis of the container body  110 . When viewing from the D1/D2 direction, the line linking the magnetic bars  141  of the first magnetic member  140  and the line linking the magnetic bars  161  of the second magnetic member  160  overlaps with each other. The first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  are configured to have the same polarity. For example, the magnetic bars  141  of the first magnetic member  140  has S and N poles, and the S pole of each magnetic bars  141  is located at the end away from the gear  130 , and facing the D1 direction. The magnetic bars  161  of the second magnetic member  160  has S and N poles, and the S pole of each magnetic bars  161  is located at the end away from the pump  170 , and facing the D2 direction. In other examples, the S and N may be switched. When the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  are aligned, the S pole of each first magnetic bar  141  is close the S pole of the corresponding magnetic bar  161 . Therefore, a strong repulsive force exists between the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160 . In one embodiment, the repulsive force between the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  is the largest when they aligned perfectly as shown in  FIG. 24D . Under this situation, the strong repulsive force pushes the second magnetic member  160  toward the D1 direction, the first fixing member  162  pushed the inner side surface of the pump  170 , and the pumping portions  171  thus are expanded toward D1 direction. The pump  170  pushes the second fixing member  177  toward the D1 direction, and the second fixing member  177  compress the elastic member  178 . During the push operation, the elastic force of the elastic member  178  toward the second fixing member  177  increases, the elastic force of the pump  170  toward the D2 direction increases, and the repulsive force between the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  decreases. The expansion of the pump  170  stops when the elastic force of the elastic member  178  and the pump  170  equal to the repulsive force between the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160 . 
     When the apparatus does not have sufficient toner for printing, the driving force from the apparatus is activated. In other embodiments, the driving force may be active at a predetermined time. The activated driving force drives the gear member  130  to rotate. The container  110  rotates together with the gear member  130 , and pushes the toner within the container body  110  toward the D1 direction. A space from the container body  110  to the inner side surface of the first end  172  of the pump  170  is in fluid communication. Thus, the toner is movable within this space. 
     The rotating of the gear member  130  makes the first magnetic member  140  to rotate as well, such that the first magnetic member  140  moves relative to the static second magnetic member  160 . The first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  thus switches from un-aligned position to aligned position, and from the aligned position to the un-aligned position. In certain embodiments, the rotation of the first magnetic member  140  is a continuous operation, the movement of the first magnetic member  140  relative to the second magnetic member  160  is a continuous action, and the repulsive force between the first magnetic member  140  and the second magnetic member  160  changes continuously from the un-aligned position to the aligned position, and from the aligned position to the un-aligned position. 
     By the rotation of the first magnetic member  140  relative to the second magnetic member  160 , the pump  170  is expanded, compressed, and expanded again. Therefore, a reciprocal expanding/compressing operation of the pump  170  is achieved. 
     The opening  156  is located at the bottom of the releasing member  150 , and is in fluid communication with the space described above. The toner is releasable from the opening  156  toward the apparatus. The reciprocal operation of the pump  170  not only create a pressure difference during the reciprocal operation to push the toner through the opening  156  outward, but also can disperse the toner around the opening  156 , to aid the feeding of the toner to the apparatus through the opening  156 . 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims as well as the invention including drawings. 
     Some references, which may include patents, patent applications, and various publications, may be cited and discussed in the description of this invention. The citation and/or discussion of such references, if any, is provided merely to clarify the description of the present invention and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art” to the invention described herein. All references listed, cited and/or discussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as if each reference was individually incorporated by reference.