| 摘要 |
<p>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress aggregation of powder with a simpler configuration.SOLUTION: A tube inserting member 330 is provided to a powder storage container used in an image forming apparatus, and includes a tube insertion port 331 through which a conveyance tube conveying powder supplied from the powder storage container is inserted in the image forming apparatus. The tube inserting member 330 includes: an opening/closing member 33 that is moved to an opening position to open the tube insertion port by a pressing force at the insertion of the conveying tube, and is moved to a closing position to close the tube insertion port by detachment of the conveying tube; a support member 340 that supports the opening/closing member to guide the movement to the opening position and the closing position; and an urging member 336 that is provided to the support member to urge the opening/closing member toward the closing position. When a rotation conveying unit 302 provided inside the powder storage container is rotated to supply powder inside the powder storage container to the conveyance tube inserted into the tube insertion port, the support member is rotated in association with the rotation of the rotation conveying unit, and the opening/closing member is rotated in association with the rotation of the support member. The opening/closing member also includes aggregation suppressing means for suppressing aggregation of powder occurring due to the rotation of the opening/closing member.</p> |
