Patent ID: 7110707

Claim:
A toner supply apparatus comprising: a first toner container for containing toner; a first feeding member for feeding toner in said first toner container to discharge the toner through a first discharge opening provided in said first toner container; a second toner container for receiving the toner discharged through said first discharge opening; a second feeding member for feeding toner in said second toner container to discharge the toner through a second discharge opening provided in said second toner container; a third toner container for receiving the toner discharged through said second discharge opening, wherein said third toner container is provided with a toner carrying member for carrying the toner to develop an electrostatic image on an image bearing member; first drive control means for controlling said first feeding member so as to discharge an amount of the toner to be supplied to said third toner container; and second drive control means for controlling said second feeding member so that toner discharged through said first discharge opening is substantially not left in said second toner container.