| 摘要 |
<p>An image forming apparatus (100) has a developer container (5) removably connected thereto, a developer feeding mechanism (6), a drive mechanism (33, 35), and a torque limiter (65). The developer container (5) includes a cylindrical container body (55) having a developer discharge port (57), and a shutter (58) fitted to be rotatable to open and close the developer discharge port (57). When the drive mechanism (33, 35) rotates the developer container (5) in the developer feeding direction, while the torque limiter (65) keeps the shutter (58) stationary, the container body (55) rotates through a predetermined angle to open the developer discharge port (57), and as the developer container (5) continues to be rotated, the developer is fed through the developer discharge port (57). When the developer container (5) is rotated in the direction reverse to the developer feeding direction, while the torque limiter (65) keeps the shutter (58) stationary, the container body (55) rotates through a predetermined angle in the reverse direction to close the developer discharge port (57).</p> |
