The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 08, 1995
Filed:
Apr. 07, 1993
Hideaki Hagihara, Nara, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
In an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention, carrier is gradually supplied to a developing device and a developer is gradually discharged from the developing device through a developer discharge opening. The upper body of a copying machine is free to move upward round a supporting point. The developer discharge opening is formed in a portion of the developing device remotest from the supporting point. This arrangement prevents the developer from spilling from the developer discharge opening when the upper body of the copying machine is opened. Moreover, the developer discharge opening is provided with a shutter device which closes the developer discharge opening (1) when opening the upper body of the copying machine, (2) when removing the developing device from the copying machine, (3) when removing a waste container from the developing device, or (4) for a predetermined period during a copying operation. Consequently, there is no need to concern about spilling the developer from the developer discharge opening, and the developer is easily maintained and handled.