Powder transport device, powder container, powder supply device, and powder utilization apparatus

Abstract

A powder transport device includes a falling passage unit having an inclined surface that is inclined so as to narrow an interior space, through which powder falls, in a lower region of the interior space; a transport passage unit that is connected to a lower end of the falling passage unit and that has a passage space that extends in a direction in which the powder is transported; a transport member that rotates in the passage space of the transport passage unit to transport the powder in one direction, which is a transporting direction; and an elastic sheet that is disposed to cover a portion of the falling passage unit including the inclined surface, the elastic sheet including an upper end portion that is fixed and a lower end that serves as a free end and faces the transport member. The elastic sheet includes a projection that extends and projects from the lower end at a position near an upstream end of the lower end in the transporting direction in which the powder is transported by the transport member. The inclined surface has a protrusion that protrudes such that an upstream edge portion of the elastic sheet in the transporting direction is maintained separated from the inclined surface. A contact body is disposed in the passage space of the transport passage unit, the contact body repeating a movement of coming into contact with the projection to raise a portion of the elastic sheet and then moving away from the projection.