Toner container, developer replenishing device, and image forming apparatus

A toner container to be detachably installed into an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus for replenishing a developing device provided in the apparatus main body with toner, comprising:

• a container for containing toner, and including a first side wall and a second side wall opposed to each other, the container comprising:
• a container main body having an opening in a top thereof, and a cover for closing the top opening of the container;
• a handle to be held when the container is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body;
• and
• a retaining portion provided on the first side wall and to be engaged with a portion of the apparatus main body when the container is installed in the apparatus main body;
• the cover includes one side surface which is generally in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the container and an edge opposing to the side surface;
• and
• the handle is formed into a concave shape by recessing the one side surface in the direction to the edge and is provided at a position shifted to the second side wall from a center of the container in the longitudinal direction of the container.

A toner container to be detachable installed into an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus for replenishing a developing device provided in the apparatus main body with a toner, comprising:

• a container for containing the toner, and including a first side wall and a second side wall opposed to each other, the container extending longitudinally between the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein
• the container includes
• a handle to be held when the container is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body;
• and
• a retaining portion having elasticity, provided on the first side wall, and be engaged with a portion of the apparatus main body when the container is installed in the apparatus main body, wherein
• the handle is provided at a position shifted to the second side wall from a center of the container in a longitudinal direction of the container.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image carrier for carrying a toner image;
• a developing device for supplying toner to the image carrier;
• a toner container for replenishing the developing device with toner;
• and
• an apparatus main body for accommodating the image carrier, the developing device, and the toner container, and including a first retaining portion at a position corresponding to an installation position of the toner container;
• wherein the toner container comprises:
• a container for containing toner, and including a first side wall and a second side wall opposed to each other, the container extending longitudinally between the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein
• the container includes
• a container main body for containing the toner and having an opening in a top thereof;
• a cover for closing the opening in the top of the container main body;
• a handle to be held when the container is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body;
• and
• a retaining portion provided on the first side wall and to be engaged with a portion of the apparatus main body when the container is installed in the apparatus main body, wherein
• the cover has a pair of side surfaces opposed to each other and generally in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the container, and
• the handle is provided at a position shifted to the second side wall from a center of the container in the longitudinal direction of the container, and is formed into a concave shape by recessing the pair of side surfaces in opposite directions.