초록

The toner supply unit is provided with a preventing unit for preventing toner contamination due to toner leakage from that sealing valve. A mouth ring of the toner container is provided with the sealing valve. This valve is opened/closed by removing/inserting a nozzle.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; and engagement openings located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, the enga

What is claimed is: 1. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; and engagement openings located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, the engagement openings being configured to engage with guide members at a setting portion where the container is to be mounted, the engagement openings indicating a type of the substance held by the container body, wherein a width of at least one of the engagement openings indicates a type of the substance held by the container body. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein: the substance is toner. 3. A container according to claim 2, further comprising: toner within the container. 4. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; and engagement openings located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, the engagement openings being configured to engage with guide members at a setting portion where the container is to be mounted, the engagement openings indicating a type of the substance held by the container body, wherein the engagement openings include two apertures configured to receive two of the guide members. 5. The container of claim 4, wherein the two apertures each include at least one curved edge. 6. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; and engagement openings located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, the engagement openings being configured to engage with guide members at a setting portion where the container is to be mounted, the engagement openings indicating a type of the substance held by the container body, wherein the engagement openings include two openings which are positioned on opposite sides of a central axis of the outlet. 7. The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising: a mouthpiece. 8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the mouthpiece includes the engagement openings. 9. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; and engagement openings located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, the engagement openings being configured to engage with guide members at a setting portion where the container is to be mounted, the engagement openings indicating a type of the substance held by the container body, wherein cross sections of the engagement openings are arc-shaped and widths along a radial direction of the cross sections or azimuthal positions of the engagement openings about the outlet indicate the type of the substance held by the container body. 10. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; engagement openings located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, the engagement openings being configured to engage with guide members at a setting portion where the container is to be mounted, the engagement openings indicating a type of the substance held by the container body; and a bag, internal to the container body, which stores the substance. 11. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; engagement openings located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, the engagement openings being configured to engage with guide members at a setting portion where the container is to be mounted, the engagement openings indicating a type of the substance held by the container body; and a valve configured to seal the substance from flowing through the outlet. 12. The container according to claim 11, wherein the valve comprises: a coil spring arranged to be compressed in a vertical direction, when the outlet is facing in a downward direction; and a sealing structure, urged by the coil spring towards the outlet, which seals the container. 13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the sealing structure has a circular cross-sectional shape. 14. The container according to claim 13, wherein the coil spring is urged at a top portion thereof, when the outlet faces downwardly, towards the outlet by a structure which is mounted at a bottom portion of the container. 15. The container according to claim 13, wherein the sealing structure comprises a valve body. 16. The container according to claim 15, further comprising: a valve seat which mates with the valve body when the outlet is sealed. 17. A container according to claim 1, wherein the engagement openings indicate a color of the substance. 18. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; and means for indicating, located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, a type of the substance held by the container body, wherein a width of the means for indicating indicates a type of the substance held by the container body. 19. A container according to claim 18, wherein: the substance is toner. 20. A container according to claim 19, further comprising: toner within the container. 21. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; and means for indicating, located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, a type of the substance held by the container body, wherein the means for indicating include two apertures configured to receive two guide members. 22. The container of claim 21, wherein the two apertures each include at least one curved edge. 23. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; and means for indicating, located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, a type of the substance held by the container body, wherein the means for indicating includes two openings which are positioned on opposite sides of a central axis of the outlet. 24. The toner container according to claim 18, further comprising: a mouthpiece. 25. The container according to claim 24, wherein the mouthpiece includes the means for indicating. 26. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; and means for indicating, located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, a type of the substance held by the container body, wherein cross sections of the means for indicating are arc-shaped and widths along a radial direction of the cross sections or azimuthal positions about the outlet indicate the type of the substance held by the container body. 27. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; means for indicating, located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, a type of the substance held by the container body; and a bag, internal to the container body, which stores the substance. 28. A container for use with an image forming device, comprising: a container body configured to hold a substance used to form an image; an outlet configured to discharge the substance; means for indicating, located at positions opposed to each other around the outlet, a type of the substance held by the container body; and a valve configured to seal the substance from flowing through the outlet. 29. The container according to claim 28, wherein the valve comprises: a coil spring arranged to be compressed in a vertical direction, when the outlet is facing in a downward direction; and a sealing structure, urged by the coil spring towards the outlet, which seals the container. 30. The container according to claim 29, wherein the sealing structure has a circular cross-sectional shape. 31. The container according to claim 30, wherein the coil spring is urged at a top portion thereof, when the outlet faces downwardly, towards the outlet by a structure which is mounted at a bottom portion of the container. 32. The container according to claim 30, wherein the sealing structure comprises a valve body. 33. The container according to claim 32, further comprising: a valve seat which mates with the valve body when the outlet is sealed. 34. A container according to claim 18, wherein the means for indicating indicates a color of the substance.