| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and device to replenish a developer in which cost is reduced, no maldetection is made for toner end, and toner end detection is surely made. <P>SOLUTION: The developer supplying device is provided with a developer container 40 which stores the developer, is made of a soft sheet member and has a hole within a portion of the container to eject the developer, a developer sucking means which sucks developer located in the vicinity of the ejection hole and a pipe which joins the ejection hole and the developer sucking means. In the developer supplying method which is used to transport the developer in the developer container to the external, an optical sensor 59 which emits light and receives light, is provided on the container wall side surface in the vicinity of the ejection hole and an end of the developer is detected at the prescribed position by the sensor through the presence or the absence of the container wall. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI |
