Patent ID: 8036568

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming section for forming an image; and a toner cartridge for supplying a toner to the image forming section, the toner cartridge being detachably loaded into the image forming section; the toner cartridge including a toner discharging port for discharging the toner when the toner cartridge is loaded into the image forming section, and a seal member for sealing the toner discharging port until the toner cartridge is loaded into the image forming section, the seal member being bonded to a peripheral edge of the toner discharging port by electro-releasing adhesive, of which adhesive force decreases when a current is applied thereto; the image forming section including a first electrode and a second electrode that contact the peripheral edge of the toner discharging port and the seal member, respectively, when the toner cartridge is loaded into the image forming section, and a power supply for applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes; wherein, when a current is applied to the electro-releasing adhesive via the first and second electrodes, the adhesive force of the electro-releasing adhesive decreases, whereby the seal member is released from the toner discharging port.