Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha

Shoji Kashiwagi

Tsuneo Kitagawa

Tetsuo Matsushita

Hiromitsu Saijo

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a developing unit which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image holding body. The image forming apparatus comprises a measuring device for measuring toner concentration in the developing unit, a toner container for storing toner, a first supply unit for supplying a predetermined amount of toner from the toner container to the developing unit when it is determined that the toner concentration measured by the measuring device is lower than a first predetermined concentration, a second supply unit for supplying from the toner container to the developing unit toner of a larger amount than the first supply unit, a storage device for storing predetermined information related to concentration when it is determined that the toner concentration measured by said measuring device is below a second predetermined concentration lower than the first predetermined one, and an actuating device for actuating the second supply unit if the predetermined information has been stored in said storage device when power is turned on.

Image forming apparatus improved in toner supply operation

An image forming apparatus is provided with a developing unit for making a visible image out of an electrostatic latent image with use of developer. The apparatus has a determination unit for making a determination as to whether the developer is stored or not in the developing unit, a supply unit for supplying the developer from a bottle detachably provided to body of the apparatus to the developing unit, and a control unit for actuating supply operation by the supply unit when it is determined by the determination unit that no developer is stored in the developing unit.

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Okazaki, Japan

Shoji Kashiwagi