Patent ID: 7400848

Claim:
A toner cartridge configured to be removably set in a predetermined setting position of a main unit of a toner supply apparatus in a predetermined insertion direction alonga guide member which is engageable with the main unit of the toner supply apparatus, said toner cartridge comprising: a rotary transport mechanism that contains a toner therein, has a toner pouring opening, and is configured to transport the toner contained therein to the toner pouring opening; a toner cartridge body having a flange portion; a shutter member provided on said toner cartridge body, and configured to freely slide between a close position in which said toner pouring opening is closed and an open position in which said toner pouring opening is opened; a first engagement member that engages with this shutter member and, when said toner cartridge is inserted into apredetermined setting position of the main unit of said toner supply apparatus, restricts the movement of said shutter member in the direction opposite the insertion direction in relation to the main unit of said toner supply apparatus and engages with a predetermined member of the main unit of said toner supply apparatus; a second engagement member that engages with said toner cartridge body and/or said shutter member, and restricts said shutter member to the close position when said toner cartridgeis replaced from the predetermined setting position of the main unit of said toner supply apparatus; and an engagement release mechanism that, when said toner cartridge is replaced, engages with the predetermined member of the main unit of said toner supply apparatus in order to release the engagement of said first engagement member, and restricts said shutter member to the close position by slidingsaid toner cartridge body in the removal direction and engaging said toner cartridge body with said second engagement member.