| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deterioration of an image due to the insufficiency of remaining toner and instability of the operation of an image forming device by replenishing a toner storage means with toner by a toner life extension means. SOLUTION: A buffer 1 has the form of a box with an opening 1a at the top. Its height, length and width are considerably smaller compared to that of a hopper 42, and it is disposed in close contact with the lower part of a hopper side wall on the side of a toner bottle 30. Even when the hopper 42 and buffer 1 are replenished with toner from the freshly attached toner bottle 30 and an amount of remaining toner becomes small, the toner which has flowed into the buffer 1 is kept as it is in the buffer 1. Then, a partition plate 2 is opened and toner stored in the buffer 1 is supplied into the hopper 42, as shown by the arrow B, so as to be transported by a screw 43. Thus, the bottle can be replaced before the time that is expected, and image deterioration, instability of the operation of an image forming device, etc., which are caused during that period can be prevented. |
