Patent ID: 6347207
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developing unit equipped with a toner replenishing device having a toner reserve container for replenishing toner to a developing hopper as required and a replenishing portion for supplying toner stored in the toner reserve container to the developing hopper, comprising:an agitator fixed to a rotary shaft having shorter and longer portions with a flexible conveying sheet attached to the shorter portion thereof incorporated in the toner reserve container so as to be rotatable for agitating stored toner; and the conveying sheet of a flexible material arranged so as to become closer to the rotary shaft of the agitator, for scooping up the stored toner and conveying it to the replenishing portion, wherein the distal end of the conveying sheet on contact with a top plate of the toner reserve container assumes a curved shape along substantially its total length with an inner surface of the curved shape facing the rotary shaft.