Patent ID: 6654566
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developer agitating system for agitating a developer, comprising:(a) a cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said cartridge including a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer containing portion for containing the developer used for development of the electrostatic latent image by said developing member, a plurality of agitating members for agitating and carrying the developer contained in said developer containing portion, and a memory for storing information indicating that the cartridge is a fresh cartridge; and (b) detecting means for detecting said information stored in said memory after power to said main body is turned on and after an openable and closable member provided on said main body to be opened for mounting and detaching of said cartridge is closed, wherein said system operates in a first mode in which, when said information detected by said detecting means indicates that said cartridge is the fresh cartridge, said plurality of agitating members agitates and carries the developer for a predetermined period of time, and wherein said system operates in a second mode in which, when said detecting means detects that said cartridge is not the fresh cartridge, said plurality of agitating members agitates and carries the developer for a period of time shorter than said predetermined period of time.