Electrophotographic recording apparatus having magazine unit for storing developer

U.S. Patent Number: 5268720

Abstract: A recording apparatus which includes a photosensitive member and an image forming unit for forming a latent image on the photosensitive member. A developing unit develops this latent image by supplying toner to the photosensitive member so that a visible image corresponding to the latent image is formed on the photosensitive member. A transfer unit transfers the visible image from the photosensitive member to a recording sheet. A magazine unit having a first chamber for storing toner and a second chamber for storing scrap toner obtained by scraping residual toner from the photosensitive member is also provided. The magazine unit is detachably mounted to a housing of the recording apparatus. A supply mechanism supplies toner from the first chamber of the magazine unit to the developing unit. A detector detects whether an amount of toner in the developing unit is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and a controller activates the supply mechanism when the detector detects that the amount of toner is equal to or less than the predetermined amount. The supply mechanism features a gutter with a groove for accommodating developer and a rotation mechanism for rotating the gutter at an appropriate timing to deposit the developer in the gutter into the developing unit. A shutter which is opened when the magazine unit is mounted in the housing of the recording apparatus and which is closed when the magazine unit is removed from the housing may also be provided.

Inventors: Saitoh; Hiroshi (Ayase, JP), Kondoh; Shiroh (Atsugi, JP), Yoshimura; Masanori (Isebara, JP), Matsuura; Yozo (Machida, JP)

Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)

Application Number: 07/824,092

Issued: 1993-12-07

Expired: 2005-12-07

Classes: 399/110 ; 399/119; 399/123; 399/258; 399/360

Field of search: 355/246,260,298,245

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