Patent ID: 6597882
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developing apparatus comprising:a developer case comprising a transfer mixer for mixing and stirring toner and carrier and transferring a toner-and-carrier mixture, a developing roller for supplying the toner transferred by the transfer mixer to an object to be developed, and a developer case having a toner supply inlet for introducing the toner; a toner supply cartridge detachably attached to the developer case and having a toner supply outlet for supplying toner, toner being supplied from the toner supply outlet to the developer case through the toner supply inlet; a toner supply auger slidably attached within the developer case along a shaft for transferring the toner supplied from the toner supply inlet along the shaft and sent to the transfer mixer; an open-and-shut device for opening and closing the toner supply outlet and the toner supply inlet in accordance with loading and unloading of the toner supply cartridge; and tension-applying device which moves the toner supply auger in an unloading direction of the toner supply cartridge when the toner supply cartridge is unloaded, thereby changing a site of the toner supply auger facing the toner supply inlet to another site of the toner supply auger close to its back end.