| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To detect the rest of toner definitely during supplementation by providing an elastic member which operates in such a direction that a developer is discharged from an opening part and detecting the rest of an internal developer from the operation position of the elastic member. CONSTITUTION:The developer container 3 which is full of toner T is mounted on a developer hopper 1 and then a lid covering the opening part 4a is detached. Then the pressurized toner T in the elastic container 5 flows out of the opening part 4a to fall and is deposited on a screw 2 for toner conveyance and sent successively to a developing device through the rotation of the screw. The elastic container 5, on the other hand, shrinks according to the outflow of the toner T, so the amount of remaining toner T is known indirectly from the height of the peak 5a of toner which is observed through a window 6. Further, the screw 2 for toner conveyance is arranged right below the opening part 4a, so a large amount of toner T does not flow out at a time and the peak part 5a moves down gradually, so the observation is easy. Consequently, the rest of the toner during supplementation is displayed by an extremely simple device with high reliability. |
