# US 7,412,191 B2 · Toner container and image forming apparatus using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,412,191 B2 - Document ID: US7412191B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/695,847 - Filed: 2007-04-03 - Published: 2007-10-18 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2001-01-31 - Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd. - Inventors: Kazuhisa Sudo; Yoshio Hattori - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7412191B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/0886: {by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug} - G03G 15/0855: {the concentration being measured by optical means} - G03G 15/0865: {Arrangements for supplying new developer} - G03G 15/0874: {non-rigid containers, e.g. foldable cartridges, bags} - G03G 15/0877: {Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit} - G03G 15/0879: {for dispensing developer from a developer cartridge not directly attached to the development unit} - G03G 2215/0682: Bag-type non-rigid container - G03G 2215/0692: using a slidable sealing member, e.g. shutter - Y10S 222/01: Xerography - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A toner container of the present invention stores powdery toner to be replenished via a toner outlet thereof and includes a container body. A shutter device is positioned in the toner outlet for selectively opening or closing the toner outlet. The shutter device includes an opening/closing member, a resilient member constantly biasing the opening/closing member from the inside toward the outside of the container body, and a support member supporting the resilient member and opening/closing member. The toner container is simple and-easy to mount and dismount from an image forming apparatus while surely preventing the toner from leaking. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a body; a holding compartment within the body configured to accommodate a toner container; a toner receiving device configured to receive toner discharged from the toner container; and a retainer configured to selectively retain the toner container in the holding compartment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the retainer is movable in a horizontal direction and is configured to mate with the toner container to prevent the toner container from being removed from the holding compartment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the retainer is configured to prevent the toner container from moving upwardly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the retainer is configured to move away from the container when the container is inserted into the holding compartment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: the retainer has an angled surface which contacts the container during insertion of the container, the angled surface arranged to urge the retainer away from the container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: the retainer is flexibly connected to a container holder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the container holder is connected to the holding compartment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the container holder is connected to the holding compartment by a plastic material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the container holder is connected to the holding compartment by a metal material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the retainer is configured to engage with a flat portion on the toner container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: the retainer is configured to engage with the flat portion of the toner container which is located at a top surface of the toner container. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the retainer is configured to engage with a recess of the toner container. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the retainer is configured to engage with a recess of the toner container which is at a top surface of the toner container. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: the retainer is configured to prevent the toner container from moving upward when the retainer is engaged with a recess of the toner container. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: the retainer is configured to engage with a flat portion of the toner container which is located at a top surface of the toner container. ### Claim 16 A method of using a powder container, comprising: moving a powder container in a downward direction so that the powder container contacts a portion of an image forming apparatus; moving a portion of the image forming apparatus in a horizontal direction; removing powder from the powder container in a downward direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, wherein: the moving of the powder container moves the powder container such that a position of an opening of the powder container corresponds to a position of powder receiving port of the image forming apparatus. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, wherein the moving of the powder container comprises: moving the powder container downwardly such that a sponge member on a bottom of the powder container contacts a portion of the image forming apparatus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, further comprising: moving a shutter of the powder container to open a lower portion of the powder container. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A method according to claim 19, wherein: the moving the shutter moves the shutter which resists movement due to a force imposed by a spring. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A method according to claim 19, wherein: the moving of the shutter moves the shutter in a vertical direction. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, wherein: the moving of the portion of the image forming apparatus moves a stop which retains the powder container from moving upwardly. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, wherein: the moving of the powder container moves a nozzle of the image forming apparatus into the powder container. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A method according to claim 23, wherein: the moving of the nozzle into the powder container causes a piston of the powder container to contact the nozzle and move upwardly. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, wherein: the removing of powder removes powder through a nozzle. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, further comprising: moving a shutter of the powder container to open a lower portion of the powder container. ### Claim 27 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, further comprising: injecting air into the powder container in order to remove toner from the powder container.