Patent ID: 6587648
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developer supply device comprising:a loading unit configured to load a supply container containing a developer for supply; a detection mechanism configured to detect whether there is a projection to display that the developer is a regular product on an outer peripheral surface of the supply container loaded in the loading unit or not; and a driving mechanism configured to rotate the loaded supply container and supply the developer to a device to be supplied on the basis of detection of the projection by the detection mechanism; wherein the detection mechanism including: a detecting element to detect existence of the projection by making contact with the projection of the rotating developer supply container; a contactor to make constant contact with the outer peripheral surface of the supply container when the supply container is loaded in the loading unit; a mounting member to mount the contactor and the detecting element; and a pressing member to elastically press the mounting member to allow the contactor to elastically make contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container, and form a fixed interval between the outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container and the detecting element.