초록 ▼

A toner supply device includes a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes a cylindrical container having a spiral protruding portion therein, and a cap having a toner discharging hole. The toner supply device also includes a drive unit for supplying a toner from the toner discharging hole while

A toner supply device includes a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes a cylindrical container having a spiral protruding portion therein, and a cap having a toner discharging hole. The toner supply device also includes a drive unit for supplying a toner from the toner discharging hole while gripping and rotating the cap of the toner cartridge. A positioning portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end side of the cylindrical container, and a recessed portion engaging the positioning portion is formed in an inlet holder. The drive unit includes a holder and a holder cover, which are disassembled vertically, a cup-shaped holder guide, rotatably provided in the holder and holder cover, for gripping the cap at a position, at which the holder guide is communicated with the toner discharging hole, a motor for applying torque to the holder guide, and a drive gear for transmitting torque of the motor to the holder guide.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A toner supply device comprising:a toner cartridge including a spiral protruding portion spirally protruding from at least an inner peripheral surface thereof, a filling positioning portion provided in a peripheral surface thereof in the vicinity of a base end portion o

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A toner supply device comprising:a toner cartridge including a spiral protruding portion spirally protruding from at least an inner peripheral surface thereof, a filling positioning portion provided in a peripheral surface thereof in the vicinity of a base end portion of closed both end portions, and a toner discharging hole formed in the periphery thereof in the vicinity of a tip end portion of the both end portions;a cartridge supporting portion, provided on a body, for horizontally supporting thereon said toner cartridge while allowing rotation of said toner cartridge;an inlet holder provided on one end of an insertion side of said cartridge supporting portion, said inlet holder including a body-side positioning portion, which engages said filling positioning portion so that said toner discharging hole always faces upwards when said toner cartridge is attached and detached, and a biasing member for continuing to bias said base end portion of said toner cartridge toward said tip end portion by a predetermined biasing force after said toner cartridge is attached; anda drive unit including a cup-shaped gripping portion for covering a peripheral surface of said one end including said toner discharging hole of said toner cartridge and for gripping said toner cartridge while a position of a toner supply hole corresponding to said toner discharging hole of said toner cartridge is coincident with said toner discharging hole so as to always face upwards when said toner cartridge is attached, a drive gear comprising a gear set including a gear provided on a bottom of said gripping portion and a gear meshing therewith, and rotation driving means for applying a torque to said gripping portion and said toner cartridge gripped by said gripping portion via said drive gear.