| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely discharge a developer in a developing device to the outside of the developing device by suppressing the staying of the developer in the replacement of the developer, etc., in the developing device of such a type that a stirring part is provided outside a developing part and the developer quantitatively discharged from a rotary feeder is conveyed to the developing part by using air pressure. <P>SOLUTION: The developer after development is conveyed from the developing part, not shown by the figure, to the stirring part 51 through a circulation path 55 and mixed and stirred with toner replenished from a toner cartridge, not shown by the figure, to the stirring part 51. The stirred developer is quantitatively discharged from the rotary feeder 53 and conveyed to the developing part through a circulation path 56 by the air pressure by an air pump 54. Shutter means 80 opening and closing the circulation path 55 is provided in the vicinity of the stirring part on the circulation path 55 and when the amount of developer is smaller and the sealing property of the rotary feeder 53 is reduced, the shutter means 80 is closed to suppress air from leaking to the side of the stirring part 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT |
