Toner feeding device and cartridge herefor

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EP 0 516 090 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	02.06.1993 Bulletin 1993/22

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	02.12.1992 Bulletin 1992/49

(21)	Application number: 92108962.9

(22)	Date of filing: 27.05.1992

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁵: G03G 15/08

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB IT

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Priority:

29.05.1991 JP 126041/91

(71)	Applicant: MITA INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD.
	Osaka-shi Osaka 540 (JP)

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Inventors:

Nakano, Kuniaki
Kitakatsuragi-gun, Nara (JP)
Nakai, Kunio
Osaka-shi, Osaka (JP)
Sako, Masahiro
Hirakata-shi, Osaka (JP)
Kurando, Shigeo
Takatsuki-shi, Osaka (JP)
Kishigami, Minoru
Osaka-shi, Osaka (JP)
Higashitani, Masahiro
Minamikawachi-gun, Osaka (JP)
Matsuo, Yasuhiro
Osaka-shi, Osaka (JP)
Nishimura, Toshinori
Hirakata-shi, Osaka (JP)
Nakanishi, Tsugio
Sennan-gun, Osaka (JP)
Hirai, Yasuyuki
Yao-shi, Osaka (JP)
Mori, Shingo
Sangou-sho, Ikoma-gun, Nara (JP)

(74)	Representative: Schwan, Gerhard, Dipl.-Ing.
	Elfenstrasse 32 81739 München 81739 München (DE)

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References cited: :

(54)	Toner feeding device and cartridge herefor

(57) It is a major object of the present invention to break down and level a heap-up of toner built in the hopper (3) through dropping from the cartridge when feeding toner into the hopper (3) and to prevent toner from leakage from the cartridge due to erroneous operation with a remarkably simple and cheap construction.
Namely, the leveling member (29) moves a plurality of number of times in line with engaging and disengaging operation of the cartridge for the hopper (3) and opening and closing operation of the cartridge in the same direction of the shutter, thereby causing a heap-up of toner built in the hopper housing of the hopper to be effectively broken down and leveled.
Furthermore, only when the shutter is in its closed status for the cartridge, the cartridge can be removed from the opening of the hopper (3).

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