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Developer storage body, developer collecting apparatus and image forming apparatus

  • US 8,983,358 B2
  • Filed: 03/19/2013
  • Issued: 03/17/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A developer storage body comprising:

  • a developer storage portion configured to store a developer and having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other;

    a developer receiving portion provided in the developer storage portion and located closer to the first end portion than to the second end portion, the developer receiving portion receiving the developer;

    a developer conveying unit provided below the developer receiving portion and extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, the developer conveying unit conveying the developer from the first end portion toward the second end portion;

    a developer detection unit including a detecting bar rotatably provided in the developer storage portion and provided above the developer conveying unit, the detection bar having a crank portion at a portion closer to the second end portion than to the first end portion,wherein the developer conveying unit includes a first developer pushing portion extending from a vicinity of the first end portion and a second developer pushing portion reaching a vicinity of the second end portion, the first developer pushing portion generating a larger conveying force than the second developer pushing portion,wherein the crank portion is located at a portion above the second developer pushing portion,wherein the detection bar has a first rotating operation caused by gravity due to a weight of the crank portion, and a second rotating operation caused by a power transmitted from the developer conveying unit, andwherein the developer detection unit detects an amount of the developer in the developer Storage portion based on a rotating operation of the detection bar.

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