Image forming apparatus having an improved developer-supplying mechanism and method thereof
US6104900A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0177
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus including a supporting member rotating around a rotation shaft thereof. A plurality of developing devices are arranged on the supporting member, each developing device including a developer supplying device. A plurality of cylindrically-shaped developer containers containing developer are provided, each developer container having an opening and a guide, and each developer container being detachably mounted on the developer supplying device. A container rotating device rotates the developer container, in which the guide is arranged that when one of the developing devices needs to be filled with the developer, the container rotating device rotates the developer container to transfer the developer in the developer container to the opening in accordance with a rotation movement of the developer container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.