Patent ID: 7194230

Claim:
A developer discharging unit that discharges developer into a developer receiving unit, comprising: an opening through which the developer is discharged into the developer receiving unit; an opening-and-closing member movable relative to said opening to open and close said opening; a first urging member that urges said opening-and-closing member in such a direction as to close said opening-and-closing member; and an engagement portion that receives a drive force from the developer receiving unit when said engagement portion engages the developer receiving unit, the drive force acting on said engagement portion in such a way that said opening-and-closing member causes said opening-and-closing member to open; wherein said engagement portion causes said opening-and-closing member to open said opening only after the developer discharging unit moves into sealed engagement with the developer receiving unit so that the developer discharging unit communicates with the developer receiving unit through said opening.