DEVELOPER DISCHARGE MECHANISM FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an operator and the periphery of an electrophotographic device from being soiled by preventing the spilling of developer from a developer recovery container in exchanging the developer by the conventional technology in a developer discharge mechanism for the electrophotographic device. SOLUTION: A shutter constituted of a spring member and opened/closed by the gravity of the developer is provided at the edge of a developer discharge duct. When the developer is discharged, the shutter is opened by the weight of the discharged developer and the developer drops to a developer recovery container. When the developer does not exist in the duct, the shutter is pressed against the duct by the force of the spring member, and the edge of the duct is closed. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO