PURPOSE: To prevent the occurrence of toner bridge and to always supply toner in a vessel until it is used up by molding the vessel, which contains toner, with an elastic, deformable member, and applying from outside a force which vibrates the vessel.
CONSTITUTION: The toner vessel 6 is molded with he elastic member such as rubber; a magnetic metal plate 8 is fixed to the exterior surface of the inclined part 6b of the toner vessel 6, and an electromagnet 9 is provided in a position facing this. When a current flows in the coil 9a of the electromagnet 9, the magnetic metal plate 8 is attracted in the direction (c) by means of the magnetic force of the electromagnet 9. When the coil 9a is controlled so that a current of constant on/off frequency flows in the coil 9a, the magnetic metal plate 8 is alternately attracted and separated, and the toner vessel 6 is vibrated; consequently, toner 6a drops to be supplied to a developing part 21. Thus, the occurrence of the toner bridge phenomenon is prevented, and the toner is always supplied near a developing sleeve smoothly.
OTSUKA MASATO
YAGI TADASHI
KATAOKA HIROMI
AZETA TAKAHIRO
KIMURA TADASHI
KOBAYASHI HIROO
