Abstract:
A photocopier includes a toner bottle that discharges toner from an opening by a rotation, a motor that rotates said toner bottle and a contacting section provided at a position through which a protrusion of the toner bottle passes when the protrusion comes down by the rotation of the toner bottle. When the weight of the toner bottle is more than or equal to a predetermined value, the contacting section descends by the weight of the toner bottle when the protrusion passes through the contacting section, and the contacting section ascend when the protrusion passes away from the contacting section. When the weight of the toner bottle is less than a predetermined value, the contacting section doesn&#39;t descend by the weight of the toner bottle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to a photocopier and multifunction printer of a type able to record data using toner media supplied from a toner bottle.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    In recent years, multifunction printers which includes both facsimile and printing functions have been introduced. Conventionally, toner replenishment is required in cases where photocopiers equipped with multifunction printers employ a toner-based photoelectric image recording method. Toner replenishment is conducted through a toner-containing bottle attached to the photocopier. When toner within the toner bottle is completely consumed, the depleted toner is replenished through the installation of a new bottle of toner.  
           [0005]    The toner bottle incorporates an orifice at one extremity, and a spiral rib formed on the internal wall. Rotation of the toner bottle causes the spiral rib to transport toner to the extremity orifice from where toner falls into the printing apparatus to replenish the toner supply.  
           [0006]    This conventional technology, however, exhibits the following shortcomings.  
           [0007]    The length and weight of the toner bottle increase when the bottle is made larger for the purpose of holding a larger volume of toner. The increased length of the toner bottle, however, makes it more difficult to discharge all of the toner from the bottle.  
           [0008]    As shown in the cross sectional view of toner bottle  1200  in FIG. 12, an attempt has been made to solve the problem by incorporating protruding shock rib  1201  on the external circumference of toner bottle  1200 , and providing flange  1202  on the photocopier side to make opposing contact with shock rib  1201 . The purpose of flange  1202  is to aid in the transport of toner within toner bottle  1200  by applying a shock to the toner bottle during each rotation.  
           [0009]    This structure forces shock rib  1201  to ride up onto and over flange  1202  with each rotation of toner bottle  1200  with the result that toner bottle  1200  is pushed off of its rotational axis. While this eccentric rotation has no adverse effect at times when toner bottle  1200  is of relatively light weight, in cases where toner bottle  1200  is heavier, the action whereby shock rib rises on flange  1202  increases the load on the motor that powers the rotation of toner bottle  1200 . This additional load can lead to, at worst, motor stoppage and/or breakdown of the drive mechanism.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention addresses the shortcoming described above through a photocopier equipped with a multifunction printer that uses a toner bottle apparatus structured to minimize the amount of toner remaining in the bottle at depletion, to reduce the load applied to the motor that provides power for toner bottle rotation, and to prevent breakdown of the toner bottle drive mechanism, regardless of the length and weight of the toner bottle or the amount of toner contained therein.  
           [0011]    The present invention specifies a protruding member formed on the external circumference of a rotating toner bottle of a type able to discharge, through an orifice, toner contained therein, and a contacting part able to move downward when in opposing contact with the passing protruding member, and conversely able to maintain a fixed position when in opposing contact with the protruding member.  
           [0012]    This mechanism makes it possible for the contacting part to be depressed downward when in opposing contact with the protruding member, thus allowing the protruding member to pass over the depressed contacting part as means of avoiding the application of vibration to the toner bottle. Conversely, this mechanism also makes it possible for the contacting part to maintain a fixed position when in opposing contact with the protruding member, thus forcing the protruding member to ride up onto and then off of the contacting part as means of applying vibration to the toner bottle.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout several views of the drawings, and wherein:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an outline view cross section of a photocopier equipped with a toner bottle holding apparatus as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section of the toner bottle holding apparatus installed to a photocopier as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of the peripheral region of the toner bottle installed to a photocopier as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a top view of the peripheral region of the toner bottle installed to a photocopier as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 provides various detail views of the toner bottle support stand equipped to the photocopier as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 provides detail cross sections describing the relationship between the roller and spring components of the support stand of the photocopier as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a side view of the peripheral region of the toner bottle installed to the photocopier as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a side view of the peripheral region of the toner bottle installed to the photocopier as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a radial cross section of the toner bottle installed to the photocopier as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a side view cross section of the peripheral region of the toner bottle installed to the photocopier as prescribed by the invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a side view cross section of the peripheral region of the toner bottle installed to the photocopier as prescribed by the invention; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a radial cross section view of a toner bottle installed to a conventional photocopier. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]    An embodiment of the present photocopier invention is explained in the following in reference to the above-described drawings.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 describes a cross sectioned outline view of an embodiment of photocopier  100 .  
         [0028]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper portion of photocopier  100  is equipped with document reader  101  for the purpose of reading out documents placed thereon. A laser scanning unit, comprised of a laser generator, polygon mirror and other components, forms an electrostatic image on photosensitive drum  103  based on the image data read out by document reader  101 .  
         [0029]    Developer unit  104  is installed adjacent to photosensitive drum  103 . Photosensitive drum  103  is maintained in contact with developer roller  105  which is installed to developer unit  104 . Developer unit  104  is installed beneath toner bottle holding apparatus  106  which includes a toner bottle and toner contained therein, and receives toner supplied by toner bottle holding apparatus  106 .  
         [0030]    Developer roller  105  applies toner to photosensitive drum  103 , on which an electrostatic image has been formed by a laser scanning unit, after which photosensitive drum  103  transfers the adhered toner to the surface of a piece of paper transported from large volume paper cassette  108  or paper cassette  107 , both of which are located beneath photosensitive drum  103  within the photocopier  100 .  
         [0031]    In cases where an image is to be formed on both sides of the transported sheet of paper, a sheet of paper with an image already formed on one side is placed in a dual-side recording unit known as an ADU (auto document unit) identified as component  109 . The sheet of paper is turned over within ADU  109  and fed back to the image transfer area where an image is formed on the other side of the sheet. Once the image is transferred to the paper it is fixed at fixing unit  102 , then the paper is ejected from photocopier  100 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of toner bottle holding apparatus  106  and the adjacent area. FIG. 2 illustrates toner bottle holding apparatus  106 , developer unit  104 , and photosensitive drum  103  in a condition in which these components have been removed from the photocopier.  
         [0033]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, toner bottle holding apparatus  106  is structured from three components in the form of toner bottle  201 , bottle holder  202 , and hopper frame  203 . Toner bottle  201  is replaced and disposed of when the toner contained therein has been depleted. Toner bottle  201  incorporates spiral rib  204  formed on the internal wall, and extremity orifice  205  through which toner is discharged as a result of the advancing movement of spiral rib  204 . The rotation of toner bottle  201  results in the advancing movement of rib  204  that transports and discharges toner to the external region through extremity orifice  205 .  
         [0034]    Toner bottle  201  is detachably connected to bottle holder  202 . A gear formed on the external circumference of bottle holder  202  engages with drive gear  206  which is supported by a supply roller shaft within hopper frame  203 , to rotate. Toner bottle  201  rotates concurrently with bottle holder  202  as a result of being joined thereto, thus forming a mechanism through which the toner contained within toner bottle  201  can be transported in the direction of extremity orifice  205 .  
         [0035]    With toner bottle  201  joined to bottle holder  202 , orifice  207  is in a position corresponding to that of extremity orifice  205  of toner bottle  201 , thus allowing toner discharged from toner bottle  201  to be supplied to hopper frame  203  by way of orifice  207 .  
         [0036]    Bottle holder  202  is installed to hopper frame  203 . Hopper frame  203  incorporates supply roller  208  which supplies developer unit  104 , located at the lower portion of hopper frame  203 , with toner, and provides for temporary storage of toner from toner bottle  201  before that toner is supplied to developer unit  104 . Supply roller  208  is supported by shaft  210  to which drive gear  209  is attached to one extremity thereon. Motor  211  applies torque to drive gear  209  to rotate supply roller  208 .  
         [0037]    Drive gear  206 , which is supported at the extremity of shaft  210  opposite drive gear  209 , engages with a gear provided on the external circumference of bottle holder  202 . Drive gear  206  is installed to shaft  210  through a one-way clutch, thereby allowing bottle holder  202  to be rotated when torque is applied in a direction opposite to that of supply roller  208 .  
         [0038]    Residual toner sensor  212  is installed on a wall of hopper frame  203  as means of monitoring the amount of toner remaining within hopper frame  203 . Motor  211  is instructed to rotate bottle holder  202  when sensor  212  detects the point at which the residual toner within hopper fame  203  falls below a specific level. This mechanism thus provides means of maintaining the amount of toner supplied by toner bottle  201  at a uniform volume within hopper frame  203 .  
         [0039]    Agitation coil  213  and agitation roller  214  are installed to developer unit  104  and operate to both agitate the toner supplied by hopper frame  203  and to transport toner toward developer roller  105 . The transported toner adheres to the surface of developer roller  105  which in turn transfers toner to photosensitive drum  103  on which the latent electrostatic image has been formed.  
         [0040]    Toner bottle holding apparatus  106  incorporates seals located between toner bottle  201  and bottle holder  202 , and between bottle older  202  and hopper frame  203  in order to seal the passage through which toner would otherwise leak to the external environment. Toner bottle holding apparatus  106  also incorporates vent holes to allow the escape of air to the external environment when toner bottle  201  is installed to bottle holder  202 .  
         [0041]    First seal  215 , which is installed between toner bottle  201  and bottle holder  202 , seals a passage through which toner discharged from orifice  205  of toner bottle  201  would otherwise leak to the external environment. First seal  215  is located in the vicinity of the front extremity of toner bottle  201 , and is sandwiched between flange  216 , which is located opposite the facial surface of bottle holder  202 , and the facial surface of bottle holder  202 .  
         [0042]    Second seal  217  is installed between bottle holder  202  and hopper frame  203  as a method of sealing the passage from which toner discharged from orifice  207  of bottle holder  202  would otherwise leak to the external environment. Second seal  217  is sandwiched between facial surfaces of bottle holder  202  and hopper frame  203 .  
         [0043]    Orifice  218  is provided in the facial surface of bottle holder  202  at a location external to first seal  215  and second seal  217 . Orifice  218  provides an escape path to the external environment for air that becomes pressurized within the space formed between bottle holder  202  and hopper frame  203  when toner bottle  201  is joined to bottle holder  202 .  
         [0044]    In this embodiment, photocopier  100  is equipped with an access cover located on the front of the photocopier that, when opened, allows toner bottle holding apparatus  106  to be pulled outward in order to replace toner bottle  201 , or to gain access to the mechanisms located behind toner bottle  201  for maintenance purposes.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the region peripheral to toner bottle  201  mounted to toner bottle holding apparatus  106 . FIG. 3 illustrates toner bottle  201  as it exists when fully installed within photocopier  100 , that is, when the toner bottle has not been pulled outward from the internal area of photocopier  100 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 4 provides a top view of toner bottle  201  and adjacent structures. FIG. 4 illustrates toner bottle  201  in a condition removed from photocopier  100 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 4 illustrates a structure in which one side of toner bottle holding apparatus  106  is supported by a pivot shaft that allows the left end of toner bottle  201  (the bottom end of the toner bottle as viewed in FIG. 4) to swing out toward the front of photocopier  100 , thus allowing removal of toner bottle  201 .  
         [0048]    With toner bottle  201  installed to photocopier  100  as shown in FIG. 3, support pedestal  301  is provided to support toner bottle  201  at a point slightly to the rear of center.  
         [0049]    A protruding member, hereafter referred to as striker block  302 , extends outward a small amount from the external circumferential of toner bottle  201  at locations opposite to support pedestal  301 . As toner bottle  201  rotates, striker block  302  passes over a specific position of support pedestal  301 .  
         [0050]    A contacting part, hereafter referred to as contact roller  303 , is installed at the upper side of support pedestal  301  at a position that permits opposing contact with striker block  302  of toner bottle  201  as striker block  302  passes. In order to prevent toner from remaining in the toner bottle, contact roller  303  applies vibration to toner bottle  201  by maintaining a fixed position when in opposing contact with striker block  302 .  
         [0051]    In addition to contact roller  303 , idler rollers  304  are provided to maintain contact with the outer circumference of the rearward part of toner bottle  201 , and are driven by the rotation of toner bottle  201 . Idler rollers  304  provide support at a point toward the rear of toner bottle  201  to prevent the inclination of a toner bottle of greater length and increased weight.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 5 provides enlarged views of support pedestal  301  that supports toner bottle  201 . View  5   a  is a front perspective view,  5   b  is a view from above, and  5   c  is a view of the underside of support pedestal  301 .  
         [0053]    As shown in FIG. 5 a,  first concave surface  501  is formed on the upper surface of support pedestal  301  in an arc that follows the external contour of toner bottle  201 , and is located on the side of support pedestal  301  where idler rollers  304 A and  304 B are installed.  
         [0054]    The shafts on which idler rollers  304 A and  304 B rotate are supported by support pedestal  301  at the upwardly curving ends of first concave surface  501 , and are located so as to allow idler rollers  304 A and  304 B to extend a small amount above the curved surface.  
         [0055]    The external circumference of toner bottle  201  is supported by idler rollers  304 A and  304 B when toner bottle  201  is installed to photocopier  100 . Even in cases where toner bottle  201  is of significant weight, the support provided by idler roller  304 A and  304 B prevents the downward inclination of the rear portion of toner bottle  201  and the additional load that such inclination would place on the rotation of toner bottle  201 . Moreover, the rotational load on toner bottle  201  is further reduced as a result of idler rollers  304 A and  304 B providing rotational support.  
         [0056]    Support pedestal  301  also incorporates second concave surface  502  which is formed at a level lower than that of first concave surface  501 . Bearing  503 , which is formed within a protruding boss extending upward from concave surface  502 , supports a shaft on which contact roller  303  is able to rotate.  
         [0057]    Contact roller  303 , as illustrated in FIG. 5 b,  is installed adjacent to and directly between idler rollers  304 A and  304 B. As a result, when toner bottle  201  is supported by support pedestal  301 , contact roller  303  is located at a point where it will contact toner bottle  201  directly below the rotational axis of the toner bottle..  
         [0058]    As shown in FIG. 5 c,  shafts  504 , which support idler rollers  304 A and  304 B, are secured to the curved concave surface of support pedestal  301 . Contact roller shaft  505  is supported from beneath, within bearing  503 , by the upper side of spring  506 .  
         [0059]    As shown in FIG. 5, spring  506  is comprised of bent metal rods. The underside of one end of spring  506  is supported by anchor  507 , and the underside of the bent end of spring  506  is supported by anchor  508 . Contact roller shaft  505  is supported by the upper side of spring  506 .  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the structure comprised of contact roller  303 , contact roller shaft  505 , and spring  506 . FIG. 6 a  is a cross sectional view taken from broken line ‘A’ in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 5 b,  and FIG. 6 b  is a cross sectional view taken from broken line ‘B’ in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 5 b.  The cross sectioned surfaces in FIG. 6 are indicated by the crosshatched lines.  
         [0061]    As illustrated in both FIG. 6 views, contact roller shaft  505  is supported from below by spring  506 , and is held up in the pocket of bearing  503  through pressure applied by spring  506 . Maintained in this position, contact roller  303  extends outward from second concave surface  502  as can be seen in FIG. 5 a.    
         [0062]    When pressure is applied in a direction against the upward pressure of spring  506 , that applied pressure is transferred to spring  506  through contact roller shaft  505 , thus causing spring  506  to flex in the downward direction. This downward flex results in contact roller shaft  505  moving downward into support pedestal  301  along with contact roller  303 .  
         [0063]    The strength of spring  506  is established at a level that prevents contact roller  303  from falling downward into support pedestal  301  at the time when striker block  302  is in opposing contact with contact roller  303  when the weight of toner bottle  201 , that is, the weight of the toner within toner bottle  201 , falls below a predetermined weight.  
         [0064]    The following describes the movement of toner bottle  201  in regard to photocopier  100 . FIGS. 7 a  and  8   a  are side views of toner bottle  201  and the adjacent areas. FIGS. 7 b  and  8   b  are enlarged side views of support pedestal  301  and adjacent areas corresponding to FIGS. 7 a  and  8   a.  FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a condition in which the weight of toner bottle  201  is less than the predetermined weight that would otherwise press contact roller  303  downward. 1    
         [0065]    As shown in FIG. 7 a,  when striker block  302  is not in the vicinity of support pedestal  301 , toner bottle  201  is supported by contact roller  303  as well as idler rollers  204 A and  304 B.  
         [0066]    At this time, contact roller  303  rotates against the external surface of toner bottle  201 , and as shown in FIG. 7 b,  supports the rotation of toner bottle  201  in the same manner as idler rollers  304 .  
         [0067]    When striker block  302  comes into the vicinity of support pedestal  301 , as shown in FIG. 8 a,  contact roller  303  does not move downward as a result of coming into opposing contact with striker block  302 . Instead, striker block  302  rides up and over contact roller  303  as a result of the weight of toner bottle  201  being below the predetermined weight that would otherwise press contact roller  303  downward. This mechanism results in toner bottle  201  rising only a distance equal to the thickness of striker block  302 .  
         [0068]    Striker block  302  rides up onto contact roller  303  after which toner bottle  201  drops a distance equal to the thickness of striker block  302 , thus allowing the external circumference of toner bottle  201  to again come into opposing contact with and be supported by contact roller  303  as well as idler rollers  304 A and  304 B.  
         [0069]    This type of vertical agitation of toner bottle  201  applies a specific vibration capable of breaking up lumps of toner within toner bottle  201 , thus preventing toner from agglutinating within bottle  201  and aiding toner transport therein.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of toner bottle  201  at the position where contact roller  303  is in opposing contact with striker block  302 . As FIG. 9 illustrates, contact roller  303  is located directly beneath the rotating axis of toner bottle  201  with the toner bottle supported by support pedestal  301 . As a result, it becomes possible for contact roller  303  to apply vibration to toner bottle  201  in a specific vertical direction.  
         [0071]    Accordingly, the space within which toner bottle  201  is agitated, as resulting from the applied vibration, can be maintained on a fixed axis in order to minimize the space that must be provided for agitation.  
         [0072]    The following will explain the movement of contact roller  303  in relation to the weight of toner bottle  201 . Figures  10   a  and  11   a  are cross sectional views of toner bottle  201  and the adjacent area. Figures  10   b  and  11   b  are enlarged views of support pedestal  301  and the adjacent area.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 10 illustrates a condition in which the weight of toner bottle  201  is below the predetermined weight, and FIG. 11 illustrates a condition in which the weight of toner bottle  201  exceeds that predetermined weight.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 10 illustrates, as previously explained by the descriptions relating to FIG. 7, that contact roller  303  is able to maintain a fixed position when in opposing contact with striker block  302  as a result of the weight of toner bottle  201  being less than the predetermined weight. As a result, striker block  302  rides up and onto, and then falls off of contact roller  303 , thus providing a mechanism through which a specific vibration can be applied to toner bottle  201 .  
         [0075]    In other words, when the weight of toner bottle  201  decreases below the predetermined weight as shown in FIG. 10 b,  the downward pressure on contact roller  303  is not able to overcome the upward pressure applied by spring  506 . As a result, spring  506  is able to maintain the position of contact roller shaft  505  in bearing  503 , thus preventing contact roller  303  from moving downward into support pedestal  301 .  
         [0076]    Conversely, when the weight of toner bottle  201  is greater than the predetermined weight, the pressure applied to contact roller  303  by striker block  302  is sufficient to press contact roller  303  downward into support pedestal  301 . When the weight of toner bottle  201  is greater than the predetermined weight, no vibration is applied to toner bottle  201  because contact roller  303  retracts upon opposing contact with striker block  302 .  
         [0077]    In other words, when the weight of toner bottle  201  is greater than the predetermined weight, as shown in FIG. 11 b,  the pressure applied in the downward direction through contact roller  303  overcomes the upward pressure of spring  506 . Spring  506  thus moves downward, thereby causing roller  303  to fall downward into the internal area of support pedestal  301 .  
         [0078]    Photocopier  100 , as structured in this embodiment, incorporates striker block  302  formed on the external circumference of toner bottle  201 , and contact roller  303  that moves downward when in opposing contact with passing striker block  302 . Under specific conditions however, contact roller  303  is also able to maintain a fixed position when in opposing contact with striker block  302 .  
         [0079]    In a case where contact roller  303  moves downward as a result of opposing contact with striker block  302 , striker block  302  rides over depressed contact roller  303  as means of avoiding the application of vibration to toner bottle  201 . As a result, the displacement of toner bottle  202  from the rotating axis is reduced and the load on the motor is significantly decreased, thus minimizing the possibility of drive system malfunction.  
         [0080]    Conversely, contact roller  303  is also able to maintain a fixed position when in opposing contact with striker block  302 , thus forcing striker block  302  to ride up onto and then fall off of contact roller  303  as means of applying vibration to toner bottle  202 . This mechanism aids the transport of toner within toner bottle  201  and prevents toner from remaining therein.  
         [0081]    This embodiment describes a structure in which the part that comes into opposing contact with striker block  302  is provided in the form of striker roller  303 . The use of a roller mechanism eliminates friction against striker block  302 , thus allowing appropriate vibration to be applied to toner bottle  202  in a way that does not interfere with the rotation of toner bottle  202 .  
         [0082]    Moreover, contact roller shaft  505  is supported by upper side of spring  506  which allows contact roller  303  to simply move downward when in opposing contact with striker block  302 , thus providing for a contacting part of simple structure.  
         [0083]    Furthermore, the strength of spring  506 , which is located beneath contact roller  303 , is established at a level that prevents contact roller  303  from moving downward into support pedestal  301  when in opposing contact with striker block  302  at a time when the weight of toner bottle  202  is less than a predetermined weight.  
         [0084]    When there is a large amount of toner contained within toner bottle  201 , a sufficient amount of toner will discharge from the extremity orifice of the toner bottle without the application of vibration. The application of vibration to toner bottle  201  at this time would place an additional and unnecessary load on the motor. Conversely, if vibration is not applied to toner bottle  202  when there is a small amount of toner contained therein, an insufficient amount of toner will be discharged from the extremity orifice. The application of vibration to toner bottle  202  at this time will result in only a minimal load being placed on the motor.  
         [0085]    In this embodiment, the strength of spring  506  is set at a level capable of maintaining contact roller  303  in fixed position in opposition to striker block  302  when the weight of toner bottle  201  is less than the predetermined weight. Accordingly, when toner bottle  201  is heavier as a result of a large amount of toner contained therein, contact roller  303  will be pressed downward when in opposing contact with striker block  302 , thereby avoiding the application of vibration to toner bottle  201  when vibration is not required to insure a sufficient toner supply, and thereby preventing an additional load from being placed on the motor.  
         [0086]    Conversely, when there is a small amount of toner within toner bottle  201 , contact roller  303  will not be depressed by opposing contact with striker block  302 , thereby allowing a vibration to be applied toner bottle  201  as means of maintaining sufficient toner replenishment. Because the weight of toner bottle  301  is relatively light at this time as a result of the reduced amount of toner, there is little additional load placed on the motor.  
         [0087]    Furthermore, while this embodiment has been described in the form of photocopier  100 , it is by no means limited to this specific use and may be embodied in other types of devices that offer a computer printing function, copying function, facsimile function, or a combination of two or more of these functions. The printing function is the function for printing image data which is transmitted from the PC connected to the apparatus. The copying function is the function for printing image data obtained by the scanner. The facsimile function is the function for printing image data received from a calling facsimile via a communication network, and for transmitting image data scanned by the scanner, via the communication network. A machine which is provided with two functions among these functions is named as a multifunction printer.  
         [0088]    It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular structures, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.  
         [0089]    This application is based on the Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-041384 filed on Feb. 19, 2002, entire content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.