Toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrographic image forming apparatus and a sealing member usable with the toner supply container

Abstract

A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion toward the toner supply opening; (d) a sealing member including: a sealing portion for openably sealing the toner supply opening; and a driving portion for driving the toner feeding member.

1. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;  
 (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;  
 (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening; and  
 (d) a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member.  
 
 
     
     
       2. A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said sealing member has driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion. 
     
     
       3. A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said sealing member has an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus. 
     
     
       4. A container according to  claim 3 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end. 
     
     
       5. A container according to  claim 4 , wherein said sealing member further includes a seal for preventing the entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof. 
     
     
       6. A container according to  claim 3 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made or resin material and is integrally molded. 
     
     
       7. A container according to  claim 4 , wherein the hollow portion has a cross-section of a polygonal shape. 
     
     
       8. A container according to  claim 2 , wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       9. A container according to  claim 8 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of 180°. 
     
     
       10. A container according to  claim 8 , wherein the rib has a height of 0.5 mm-0.3 mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       11. A container according to  claim 1 , wherein when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, said toner supply container supplies the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion into the main assembly of said apparatus through said toner supply opening by said toner feeding member in accordance with consumption of the toner in the main assembly of said apparatus. 
     
     
       12. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;  
 (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;  
 (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening; and  
 (d) a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for operably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member;  
 wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion;  
 wherein said sealing member has an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus; and  
 wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end.  
 
 
     
     
       13. A container according to  claim 12 , wherein said sealing member further includes a seal for preventing the entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof. 
     
     
       14. A container according to  claim 13 , wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded. 
     
     
       15. A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the hollow portion has a cross-section of a polygonal shape. 
     
     
       16. A container according to  claim 12 , wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       17. A container according to  claim 16 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of 180°. 
     
     
       18. A container according to  claim 16 , wherein the rib has a height of 0.5 mm-3 mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       19. A container according to  claim 12 , wherein when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, said toner supply container supplies the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion into the main assembly of said apparatus through said toner supply opening by said toner feeding member in accordance with consumption of the toner in the main assembly of said apparatus. 
     
     
       20. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;  
 (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;  
 (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening; and  
 (d) a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for operably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member;  
 wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member;  
 wherein said sealing member has an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus; and  
 wherein said sealing member further includes a seal, provided at said one end, for preventing entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof; and  
 wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, wherein a hollow portion has a cross-section of a polygonal shape, and wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded; and  
 wherein when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, toner supply container supplies the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion into the main assembly of said apparatus through said toner supply opening by said toner feeding member in accordance with consumption of the toner in the main assembly of said apparatus.  
 
 
     
     
       21. A container according to  claim 20 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of 180°. 
     
     
       22. A container according to  claim 20 , wherein the rib has a height of 0.5 mm-3 mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       23. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner, a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion, and a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening, said sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 (b) a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member.  
 
     
     
       24. A sealing member according to  claim 23 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion. 
     
     
       25. A sealing member according to  claim 23 , wherein said sealing member has an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus. 
     
     
       26. A sealing member according to  claim 25 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said sealing member has had sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end. 
     
     
       27. A sealing member according to  claim 26 , wherein said sealing member further includes a seal for preventing the entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof. 
     
     
       28. A sealing member according to  claim 25 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded. 
     
     
       29. A sealing member according to  claim 26 , wherein the hollow portion has a cross-section of a polygonal shape. 
     
     
       30. A sealing member according to  claim 24 , wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       31. A sealing member according to  claim 30  wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of 180°. 
     
     
       32. A sealing member according to  claim 30 , wherein the rib has a height of 0.5 mm-3 mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       33. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner, a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion and a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening, said sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing and said toner supply opening; and  
 (b) a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member;  
 (c) a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion; and  
 (d) an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus;  
 wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end.  
 
     
     
       34. A sealing member according to  claim 33 , wherein said sealing member further includes a seal for preventing the entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof. 
     
     
       35. A sealing member according to  claim 34 , wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded. 
     
     
       36. A sealing member according to  claim 33 , wherein the hollow portion has a cross-sectional of a polygonal shape. 
     
     
       37. A sealing member according to  claim 33 , wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       38. A sealing member according to  claim 37 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of 180°. 
     
     
       39. A sealing member according to  claim 37 , wherein the rib has a height of 0.5 mm-3 mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       40. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner, a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion and a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening, said sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening;  
 (b) a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member;  
 (c) a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member;  
 (d) an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus: and  
 (e) a seal, provided at one end, for preventing the entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof,  
 wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, wherein the hollow portion has a square cross-section, and wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded.  
 
     
     
       41. A sealing member according to  claim 40 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of 180°. 
     
     
       42. A sealing member according to  claim 40 , wherein the rib has a height of 0.5 mm-3 mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       43. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner and a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion, said sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing the toner supply opening;  
 (b) a driving force receiving portion for receiving driving force from the main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus; and  
 (c) a toner feeding portion for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening by a driving force received from the main assembly of said apparatus.  
 
     
     
       44. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;  
 (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion; and  
 (c) a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening;  
 a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for the main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus; and  
 a toner feeding portion for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening by a driving force received from the main assembly of said apparatus.  
 
 
     
     
       45. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;  
 (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;  
 (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening; and  
 (d) a driving member including: 
 a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating said toner feeding member from the main assembly of said apparatus;  
 a driving portion for rotating said toner feeding member by the driving force received from the main assembly of said apparatus by said driving force receiving portion; and  
 an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to position the driving member relative to the main assembly of said apparatus in a longitudinal direction of said toner supply container when said toner supply container is mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus.  
 
 
     
     
       46. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:
 (a) mounting means for detachably mounting a toner supply container, said toner supply container including: 
 a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;  
 a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;  
 a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening;  
 a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member; said apparatus further comprising:  
 
 
 (b) a main assembly side driving portion for supplying a driving force to a driving force receiving portion of said sealing member when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to a main assembly of said apparatus by said mounting means.  
 
     
     
       47. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner, a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion and a toner feeding portion for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening, said sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 (b) a driving portion for driving said toner feeding portion.  
 
     
     
       48. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;    (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;    (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accomodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening; and    (d) a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member. 
   
     
     
       49. A container according to  claim 48 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion. 
     
     
       50. A container according to  claim 48 , wherein said sealing member has an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus. 
     
     
       51. A container according to  claim 50 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end. 
     
     
       52. A container according to  claim 51 , wherein said sealing member further includes a seal for preventing the entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof. 
     
     
       53. A container according to  claim 50 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded. 
     
     
       54. A container according to  claim 51 , wherein the hollow portion has a cross-section of a polygonal shape. 
     
     
       55. A container according to  claim 49 , wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       56. A container according to  claim 55 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of  180 °. 
     
     
       57. A container according to  claim 55 , wherein the rib has a height of  0 . 5  mm- 3  mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       58. A container according to  claim 48 , wherein when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, said toner supply container supplies the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion into the main assembly of said apparatus through said toner supply opening by said toner feeding member in accordance with consumption of the toner in the main assembly of said apparatus. 
     
     
       59. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;    (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;    (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening; and    (d) a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member;  
   wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion;    wherein said sealing member has an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus; and    wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order form one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end.   
     
     
       60. A container according to  claim 59 , wherein said sealing member further includes a seal for preventing the entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof. 
     
     
       61. A container according to  claim 60 , wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded. 
     
     
       62. A container according to  claim 59 , wherein the hollow portion has a cross-section of a polygonal shape. 
     
     
       63. A container according to  claim 59 , wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       64. A container according to  claim 63 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of  180 °. 
     
     
       65. A container according to  claim 63 , wherein the rib has a height of  0 . 5  mm- 3  mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       66. A container according to  claim 59 , wherein when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, said toner supply container supplies the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion into the main assembly of said apparatus through said toner supply opening by said toner feeding member in accordance with consumption of the toner in the main assembly of said apparatus. 
     
     
       67. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;    (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;    (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening; and    (d) a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for operably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member;  
   wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member;     wherein said sealing member has an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus; and    wherein said sealing member further includes a seal, provided at one said one end, for preventing entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof; and    wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, wherein a hollow portion has a cross-section of a polygonal shape, and wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded; and    wherein when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, toner supply container supplies the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion into the main assembly of said apparatus through said toner supply opening by said toner feeding member in accordance with consumption of the toner in the main assembly of said apparatus.   
     
     
       68. A container according to  claim 67 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of  180 °. 
     
     
       69. A container according to  claim 67 , wherein the rib has a height of  0 . 5  mm- 3  mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       70. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner, a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion, and a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening, said sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and    (b) a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member.   
     
     
       71. A sealing member according to  claim 70 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion.  
     
     
       72. A sealing member according to  claim 70 , wherein said sealing member has an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force a unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus. 
     
     
       73. A sealing member according to  claim 72 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end. 
     
     
       74. A sealing member according to  claim 73 , wherein said sealing member further includes a seal for preventing the entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof. 
     
     
       75. A sealing member according to  claim 72 , wherein said sealing member has a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded. 
     
     
       76. A sealing member according to  claim 73 , wherein the hollow portion has a cross-section of a polygonal shape. 
     
     
       77. A sealing member according to  claim 71 , wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       78. A sealing member according to  claim 77 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of  180 °. 
     
     
       79. A sealing member according to  claim 77 , wherein the rib has a height of  0 . 5  mm- 3  mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       80. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner, a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion and a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening, and sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and    (b) a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member;    (c) a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion; and    (d) an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus;    wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end.   
     
     
       81. A sealing member according to  claim 80 , wherein said sealing member further includes a seal preventing the entering of the toner of said driving portion at said one end thereof. 
     
     
       82. A sealing member according to  claim 81 , wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded. 
     
     
       83. A sealing member according to  claim 80 , wherein the hollow portion has a cross-section of a polygonal shape. 
     
     
       84. A sealing member according to  claim 80 , wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       85. A sealing member according to  claim 84 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of  180 °. 
     
     
       86. A sealing member according to  claim 84 , wherein the rib has a height of  0 . 5  mm- 3  mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       87. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner, a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion and a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening, said sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening;    (b) a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member;    (c) a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from a main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus, wherein said toner feeding member is rotated by the driving force received by said driving force receiving portion, wherein said driving force receiving portion is in the form of a rib provided on an outer surface of said sealing member;    (d) an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to receive a force for unsealing the toner supply opening sealed by said sealing portion when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus; and    (e) a seal, provided at one end, for preventing the entering of the toner to said driving portion at said one end thereof,    wherein said sealing member has said sealing portion, said driving force receiving portion, and said engaging portion on an outside thereof in this order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, and wherein said sealing member has a hollow portion extending in a direction from the one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end, wherein the hollow portion has a square cross-section, and wherein said sealing member having the sealing portion, the driving force receiving portion, the driving portion, and the engaging portion is made of resin material and is integrally molded.   
     
     
       88. A sealing member according to  claim 87 , wherein two of such ribs are provided at intervals of  180 °. 
     
     
       89. A sealing member according to  claim 87 , wherein the rib has a height of  0 . 5  mm- 3  mm from an outer surface of said sealing member. 
     
     
       90. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner and a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion, said sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing the toner supply opening;    (b) a driving force receiving portion for receiving driving force from the main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus; and    (c) a toner feeding portion for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening by a driving force received from the main assembly of said apparatus.   
     
     
       91. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;    (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion; and    (c) a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening;  
 a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for the main assembly of said apparatus when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus; and  
 a toner feeding portion for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening by a driving force received from the main assembly of said apparatus. 
   
     
     
       92. A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;    (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;    (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening; and    (d) a driving member including: 
 a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating said toner feeding member from the main assembly of said apparatus;  
 a driving portion for rotating said toner feeding member by the driving force received from the main assembly of said apparatus by said driving force receiving portion; and  
 an engaging portion engageable with the main assembly of said apparatus to position the driving member relative to the main assembly of said apparatus in a longitudinal direction of said toner supply container when said toner supply container is mounted to the main assembly of said apparatus. 
   
     
     
       93. An image apparatus for forming an image on a recording material comprising:
 (a) mounting means for detachably mounting a toner supply container, said toner supply container including: 
 a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner;  
 a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion;  
 a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening;  
 a sealing member including: 
 a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and  
 a driving portion for driving said toner feeding member; said apparatus further comprising:  
 
   (b) a main assembly side driving portion for supplying a driving force to a driving force receiving portion of said sealing member when said toner supply container is detachably mounted to a main assembly of said apparatus by said mounting means.   
     
     
       94. A sealing member usable with a toner supply container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus and which includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner, a toner supply opening for discharging the toner accommodated in said toner accommodating portion and a toner feeding portion for feeding the toner accomodated in said toner accommodating portion toward said toner supply opening, said sealing member comprising:
 (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing said toner supply opening; and    (b) a driving portion for driving said toner feeding portion.