# US 2014/0153972 A1 · Powder container, developing unit, process unit, and image forming apparatus incorporating same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0153972 A1 - Document ID: US20140153972A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/079,812 - Filed: 2013-11-14 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04 - Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd. - Inventors: Shoh TSURITANI; YOSHIYUKI SHIMIZU; TOMOHIRO KUBOTA; MANABU HAMADA; MASATO TSUJI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153972A1 ## CPC - G03G 21/18: using a processing cartridge {, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit} - G03G 15/0886: {by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A powder container that includes a container body to contain powder for image formation, a discharge outlet formed in the container body to discharge 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. In a state in which the shutter is at the open position, a downstream end of the seal member in an opening direction in which the shutter moves to open the discharge outlet is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the shutter in the opening direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A powder container comprising: a container body to contain powder for image formation; 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The powder container according to claim 1, wherein, in the opening direction of the shutter, an upstream end of the seal member is positioned upstream from an upstream end of the shutter being at the open position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The powder container according to claim 1, wherein, in a direction perpendicular to the opening direction of the shutter, an end of the seal member projects outward beyond an end of the shutter being at the open position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the shutter is movable along an outer face of the container body between the open position and the closed position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An image forming apparatus comprising: a latent image bearer to bear a latent image; a developing device to supply powder for image formation to the latent image formed on the latent image bearer; and the powder container according to claim 1. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the powder container and the developing device are united together into a developing unit and replaceable together at a time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the powder container, the latent image bearer, and the developing device are united together into a process unit that is removably installable in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The developing unit according to claim 8, further comprising a connecting seal via which the discharge outlet of the powder container is connectable to a receiving opening formed in the developing device, wherein the shutter slidingly contacts the connecting seal when the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The developing unit according to claim 9, wherein a through hole is formed at a center position of the connecting seal to allow the powder to move from the discharge outlet to the receiving opening, and each corner on an inner circumference of the connecting seal enclosing the through hole has an angle of aperture greater than 90°. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The developing unit according to claim 9, wherein a through hole is formed at a center position of the connecting seal to allow the powder to move from the discharge outlet to the receiving opening, and each corner on an inner circumference of the connecting seal enclosing the through hole is curved. ### Claim 12 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.