Toner supply cartridge having a shutter equipped to cooperate with a stopper element and a returner element of a guide to close the shutter automatically, and toner supplying apparatus with such cartridge

摘要

A toner cartridge according to the present invention ensures easy replacement thereof and assuredly prevents a user from failing to claim its toner fall aperture. When a shutter is located in a position where the toner fall aperture is closed, a claw of a lock portion does not project outward. When the toner cartridge is inserted in an insertion direction, a right holding portion of the shutter abuts against an engagement side wall of an engagement portion, and prohibits the shutter from moving in the direction of the insertion so that the toner fall aperture is opened. When the toner cartridge is withdrawn, the lock portion of the claw is locked to a return portion provided on a side wall thereby to prohibit the shutter from moving in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. Thus, the shutter is slid in the insertion direction with respect to a flange to close the toner fall aperture.