Patent · US Expired

Toner replenishing device for a developing device

US5557382A · kind A · utility

81Cited by
3References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 1995
Grant dateSep 17, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 7, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S222/01
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In a developing device included in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a device for replenishing toner to the developing device has a toner container having a hollow cylindrical body. The body is formed with a toner outlet at the center of one end thereof. A holder arrangement holds the container such that the toner can be delivered to a toner inlet portion included in the developing device. A drive mechanism causes the container to rotate about its own axis. The holder arrangement is formed with an opening for feeding the toner flowing out via the toner outlet to the toner inlet portion. The opening is covered with an elastic member having a holed portion. The device is capable of replenishing a predetermined amount of toner to the developing device at all times.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.