Abstract: A toner cartridge employed in an electrophotographic printer and capable of attachment to or detachment from the electrophotographic printer. The toner cartridge includes a stirring member (4) which touches the inner wall of the cartridge (100) to reliably stir the toner contained in the cartridge (100). The stirring member (4) is rotatable and is interlocked with a gear (5) which is rotated by an external drive force.

Abstract: A toner residual amount detecting mechanism comprises a stirring device and a photosensor. The photosensor has a protrusion, and rotates together with a stirring shaft while the protrusion contacts with a pin planted on the stirring shaft. The stirring device rotates by its gravity when it reaches a top dead point thereof. The stirring device also includes a magnetic rotor attracted by a permanent magnet in a sensor lever to thereby turn the sensor lever about the fulcrum of the sensor lever to a predetermined position. The sensor lever is stopped by a stopper when the stirring device reaches the bottom dead point thereof. The photosensor cannot detect light when the sensor lever is positioned at the bottom dead point since the light is intercepted by the sensor lever but can detect the light when the sensor lever reaches the predetermined position. The mechanism can inform an operator of a toner supply time since the photosensor operates depending on the resistance of toner against the stirring device.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic printing apparatus which includes a photosensitive drum having a photoconductive layer on its surface, a primary charger for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum, a developing agent tank for containing powder developing agent, a developing system for supplying the powder developing agent supplied from the developing agent tank to the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a cleaner for removing the powder developing agent from the surface of the photosensitive drum. The photosenstivie drum, the primary charger, the developing system, a container for the developing agent tank, and the cleaner are integrally mounted to a support member to form an image-forming cartridge. This cartridge is removably mounted to a main body of the electrophotographic printing apparatus, and the developing agent tank is removably mounted in the container of the cartridge.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes restriction member disposed midway of a route through which developer is delivered from a hopper to a supply roller. The restriction member restricts the amount of the developer to be supplied to the supply roller. The amount of developer supplied from the supply roller to a developing roller is limited by the provision of the restriction member. The developer on the surface of the developing roller is thinned or doctored by a developing blade and develops an electrostatic latent image on a carrier.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting and removing a toner cartridge in a development device for use in an electrophotographic recording apparatus or a photocopier includes a rotating member for mounting a cartridge filled with toner for replenishing onto a main body at a set position and opening a toner opening. A cross-shaped projection on the main body and a cross-shaped groove on the cartridge are provided for preventing lifting of the cartridge when the rotating member is rotated in one direction. The rotating member is rotated from the set position in another opposite direction, and is subsequently returned to the set position to have the projection and the groove engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: A paper cassette which stores a number of types of media on a media load plate which is rotatable and the other end of the media load plate is rotated up and down by a reset arm and performs paper feed with the media pushed against a hopping roller by a spring which pushes the media load plate upwards. The paper cassette further includes an auxiliary resilient member which pushes the reset arm up, a sub-arm having one end which abuts against the auxiliary resilient member and rotates together with the auxiliary resilient member and a regulator provided in the range of rotation of the sub-arm for regulating the rotation of the sub-arm in accordance with the size of the media.

Abstract: An automatic paper feed device is formed to store multiple types of different sized media in a single paper cassette and performs paper-feeding. A media load plate is loaded with said multiple types of different sized media. A media back edge guide assembly is mounted to a media load plate on which is loaded multiple types of different-sized media, to position the media loaded on the media load plate.