(57) A toner container comprises a toner storage section for providing a developer unit
with a supply of toner, and a residual toner collect section integrally formed with
the toner storage section and adapted to collect residual toner after an image has
been developed. The present invention is intended to facilitate positioning, loading
and unloading of the toner container, and also enable the toner to be smoothly supplied
without being scattered from the toner container.
The toner storage section includes a longitudinally extending rotary shaft and a resiliently
deformable blade mounted to the rotary shaft. The toner storage section has a bottom,
a first side wall, and the other or second side wall. A portion of the blade at a
location corresponding to the first side wall is curved larger than a portion of the
blade at a location corresponding to the second side wall. Alternatively, a portion
of the blade at a location corresponding to the second side wall is curved gradually
larger toward a portion of the blade at a location corresponding to the bottom.
The toner storage section has an inclined side wall, and the residual toner collect
section has an inclined side wall The side walls of the toner storage section and
the residual toner collect section are substantially parallel to the direction in
which the toner container is loaded and unloaded.
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