Powder container, developing unit, process unit, and image forming apparatus incorporating same

A developing unit comprising:

• a developing device to supply powder for image formation to a latent image formed on a latent image bearer;
• and
• a powder container including:
• a container body to contain the powder;
• a discharge outlet formed in the container body to discharge the powder therefrom;
• a shutter movable between an open position to open the discharge outlet and a closed position to close the discharge outlet;
• and
• a seal member to be interposed between the container body and the shutter when the shutter is at the open position,
• wherein, in an opening direction of the shutter in which the shutter moves to open the discharge outlet, a downstream end of the seal member is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the shutter being at the open position.

A process unit removably installable in an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, the process unit comprising:

• a latent image bearer to bear a latent image;
• a developing device to supply powder for image formation to the latent image;
• and
• a powder container including:
• a container body to contain the powder;
• a discharge outlet formed in the container body to discharge the powder therefrom;
• a shutter movable between an open position to open the discharge outlet and a closed position to close the discharge outlet;
• and
• a seal member seal member to be interposed between the container body when the shutter is at the open position,
• wherein, in an opening direction of the shutter in which the shutter moves to open the discharge outlet, a downstream end of the seal member is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the shutter being at the open position.