| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner supply device capable of preventing image failure by stably supplying toner to a developing unit, capable of preventing scatter, leak, and the like of toner even if a toner container is replaced earlier than expected time, and capable of preventing a large quantity of toner from being wastefully disposed of, and to provide an image forming apparatus having the toner supply device. <P>SOLUTION: The toner supply device includes the toner container and a conveying means for guiding toner to the developing device or a second toner container. The conveying means has a rotating means switchable in rotating direction and disposed almost horizontally in its axial direction. The conveying means communicates with the toner container via a discharge port formed in the lower part of the toner container. The conveying means also communicates with the developing unit via a toner supply port formed in the upper part of the developing unit and at one end of the rotating means in the axial direction. A second toner container is disposed at the other end of the rotating means in the axial direction. An axial part of the rotating means is located immediately below the discharging port. The rotating means guides the toner to the toner supply port by rotating forwardlly, and to the second container by rotating in the reverse direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
