Image forming apparatus having rotary developing device
US5617198A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0177
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In an image forming apparatus, a rotary developing unit or revolver is loaded with a removable black developer container at the center thereof. The container is formed with a toner outlet. A receptacle assigned to black toner is provided at the end of the axis of the revolver and formed with a toner inlet. The receptacle constitutes a hopper portion. A supply roller is disposed in the receptacle. A screw conveyor extends out from a black developing chamber defined in the revolver into a communication chamber which communicates the receptacle to the developing chamber. A shutter is located at the loner inlet of the receptacle and rotatable due to its own weight while the revolver is in rotation. When more than a predetermined number of printings are produced by use of the black developing chamber, printing is interrupted. Then, the revolver is rotated to transfer the toner from the container to the hopper portion. The revolver may be rotated every time a single printing is produced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.