Patent ID: 8229328
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developer supply mechanism, comprising: a developer supply path one end side of which is opened upward and which guides the developer in substantially a vertical direction; a convex portion that is formed on a wall surface of the developer supply path; a coil spring that is disposed in the developer supply path, stretchable and shrinkable in a longitudinal direction of the developer supply path, pressurized to the convex portion in a natural-length state, stretched toward one end side of the developer supply path when the convex portion is hooked on between pitches by a circumferential-direction rotation, and is given a horizontal-direction movement to leave the convex portion when coming off the convex portion; and a drive portion that is connected to the coil spring at the other end side of the developer supply path and rotates the coil spring in the circumferential direction of the coil spring.