A powder transport apparatus includes a first transport path disposed in the first transport path, a second transport path connected to the first transport path through a first connection port and a junction port, a third transport path connected to the second transport path through a second connection port, a second transport member that is disposed in the second transport path and includes a first shaft provided with a first spiral blade that transports powder toward the first connection port, a second spiral blade that is provided in a portion of the first shaft between the first connection port and the junction port and that has a transport force smaller than a transport force of the first spiral blade in the one direction, and a third transport member disposed in the third transport path. The third transport member transports the powder toward the second connection port.

A cartridge includes a shutter that opens and closes when the cartridge is attached and detached to a developing unit or image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a casing having a chamber with a first opening at one end portion allowing toner to flow out of the casing. The cartridge includes a cover that covers the first opening, movable with the casing and having a second opening allowing toner to flow out of the cover. The shutter is located at the one end portion and has a protrusion further from the one end portion than the cover. The developing unit supports the protrusion when the cartridge is mounted thereon, and the casing pivots with the cover relative to the developing unit between a first position where the shutter closes the second opening and a second position where a third opening of the shutter overlaps the second opening.

A powder container is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus or a removable component in the image forming apparatus. The powder container includes an operation device and a rotation portion to rotate with operation of the operation device. The rotation portion is configured to contact a wall of the image forming apparatus or the removable component in a state in which the rotation portion maintains a posture in a direction of attachment of the powder container to the image forming apparatus or the removable component and is rotatable together with an engagement portion, which is opposed to the wall, of the image forming apparatus or the removable component while engaging the engagement portion, without hindering the powder container from moving in the direction of attachment, to restrain the powder container from moving in a direction of detachment from the image forming apparatus or the removable component.

A stirring device includes a stirrer configured to stir a stirred object, at least another component of the stirring device, and a coating layer. The coating layer is disposed on at least one of a contact part of the stirrer that contacts the at least another component and a contacted part of the at least another component contacted by the stirrer.

A cartridge includes a shutter that opens and closes when the cartridge is attached and detached to a developing unit or image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a casing having a chamber with a first opening at one end portion allowing toner to flow out of the casing. The cartridge includes a cover that covers the first opening, movable with the casing and having a second opening allowing toner to flow out of the cover. The shutter is located at the one end portion and has a protrusion further from the one end portion than the cover. The developing unit supports the protrusion when the cartridge is mounted thereon, and the casing pivots with the cover relative to the developing unit between a first position where the shutter closes the second opening and a second position where a third opening of the shutter overlaps the second opening.

Providing a toner cartridge capable of restraining toner from leaking through an opening, and improving labor efficiency for assembling the cartridge. The toner cartridge (process cartridge 1) includes a developing frame having a storage chamber configured to store therein toner and formed with an opening to discharge the toner out of the storage chamber, a shaft rotatably supported to the developing frame; and an agitation sheet positioned in the storage chamber and having a base end portion supported to the shaft, the agitation sheet being rotationally movable along with rotation of the shaft. The developing frame includes a first wall formed with the opening, and a second wall configured to support the agitation sheet by nipping the agitation sheet positioned to close the opening between the first wall and the second wall, the second wall permitting the agitation sheet to contact with the first wall and contacting with the agitation sheet through an elastic member.

A powder container is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus or a removable component in the image forming apparatus. The powder container includes an operation device and a rotation portion to rotate with operation of the operation device. The rotation portion is configured to contact a wall of the image forming apparatus or the removable component in a state in which the rotation portion maintains a posture in a direction of attachment of the powder container to the image forming apparatus or the removable component and is rotatable together with an engagement portion, which is opposed to the wall, of the image forming apparatus or the removable component while engaging the engagement portion, without hindering the powder container from moving in the direction of attachment, to restrain the powder container from moving in a direction of detachment from the image forming apparatus or the removable component.

A developer container includes a body, an agitating bar, and an agitating film. The body includes a bottom plate; a first side wall; a second side wall facing the first side wall; a developer chamber defined by the bottom plate, the first side wall, and the second side wall, the developer chamber storing developer; and an opening formed in the bottom plate to allow the developer chamber to communicate with an outside of the developer chamber and allow the developer to be supplied from the developer chamber to the outside of the developer chamber. The agitating bar is configured to rotate to agitate the developer stored in the developer chamber. The agitating film is attached to the agitating bar and configured to, when rotation of the agitating bar stops, stop in a state where the agitating film abuts the first side wall and the second side wall.

A cartridge includes a shutter that opens and closes when the cartridge is attached and detached to a developing unit or image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a casing having a chamber with a first opening at one end portion allowing toner to flow out of the casing. The cartridge includes a cover that covers the first opening, movable with the casing and having a second opening allowing toner to flow out of the cover. The shutter is located at the one end portion and has a protrusion further from the one end portion than the cover. The developing unit supports the protrusion when the cartridge is mounted thereon, and the casing pivots with the cover relative to the developing unit between a first position where the shutter closes the second opening and a second position where a third opening of the shutter overlaps the second opening.

The present disclosure provides a developer container including a developer supplying box and a developer containing box. A first gear is rotatably connected to the developer supplying box, and a rotating shaft is inserted into the first gear; first stirring blades are fixed to two sides of the rotating shaft, and a second stirring blade is fixed at the rotating shaft; a first sliding cover is sleeved on the developer supplying box, and a sliding cover powder outlet is disposed on the first sliding cover; a supply box powder outlet is disposed on the developer supplying box; the first gear is engaged with a second gear, the second gear is engaged with a third gear, the third gear is engaged with a fourth gear, and the fourth gear is engaged with a fifth gear; and a screw feeding rod is inserting into the fifth gear.