Electrophotographic recording apparatus having magazine unit for storing developer
US5268720A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0879
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A recording apparatus which includes a photosensitive member and an image forming unit for forming a latent image on the photosensitive member. A developing unit develops this latent image by supplying toner to the photosensitive member so that a visible image corresponding to the latent image is formed on the photosensitive member. A transfer unit transfers the visible image from the photosensitive member to a recording sheet. A magazine unit having a first chamber for storing toner and a second chamber for storing scrap toner obtained by scraping residual toner from the photosensitive member is also provided. The magazine unit is detachably mounted to a housing of the recording apparatus. A supply mechanism supplies toner from the first chamber of the magazine unit to the developing unit. A detector detects whether an amount of toner in the developing unit is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and a controller activates the supply mechanism when the detector detects that the amount of toner is equal to or less than the predetermined amount. The supply mechanism features a gutter with a groove for accommodating developer and a rotation mechanism for rotating the gutter a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.