Importance

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Abstract

A developing agent supply apparatus capable of preventing a developing agent from staining hands and/or clothes of an operator, the apparatus and around the same by gushing out as dusty smoke when the operator pulls out an empty developing agent container from the apparatus. A developing agent container used in the developing agent supply apparatus includes a projection portion formed in an outer surface thereof which includes a first surface and a second surface. The developing agent supply apparatus includes a first engagement portion formed in an inner peripheral surface of a coupling into which the container is detachable mounted, and a second engagement portion formed in a support portion for guiding the container into or out from the coupling. According to the developing agent supply apparatus, when the coupling is rotated in a predetermined direction with the container mounted to the coupling, the first engagement portion abuts and pushes the first surface of the projection portion so that the container is rotated in the predetermined direction, and when the container is pulled out from the coupling, the second surface of the projection portion abuts the second engagement portion, thereby movement of the container is temporarily restricted before the container is completely pulled out from the coupling.

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First Claim