Image forming apparatus having an improved developer-supplying mechanism and method thereof
US6336020B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0177
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A developer container for use in 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 rotating movement of the developer container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.