JP2009198718A - Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer container, uniformly mixing toner and carrier, and an image forming apparatus including the same. <P>SOLUTION: This developer container 34 storing a developer formed of toner and carrier is supported to rotate around the central axis C in the image forming apparatus. A side surface 41 surrounds the central axis C. A projecting part P protrudes toward the central axis C in the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 41, and formed in a spiral shape around the central axis C. A projection part 45 is a plate-like member protruding toward the central axis C in the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 41 and extending in the direction of the central axis C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container and an image forming apparatus including the developer container, and more particularly to a developer container storing toner and a carrier and an image forming apparatus including the developer container.

  In an image forming apparatus using a conventional two-component developer, only toner is stored in a cylindrical toner bottle. In such a toner bottle, a protrusion is provided inside. Then, when the toner bottle is rotated in a predetermined direction, the toner is conveyed to one end of the toner bottle by the protrusion, and the toner is supplied to the developing device from the discharge port. On the other hand, the carrier has been stored in the developing device and repeatedly used (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in recent years, an image forming apparatus using a two-component developer has started to adopt a developing method called a trickle developing method. In the conventional development method, only toner is supplied to the developing device, whereas in the trickle development method, toner and carrier are supplied to the developing device. Thereby, carrier deterioration is suppressed.

In the trickle development method, the developer container may contain toner and a carrier. When the toner and the carrier are stored in a mixed state in the developer container as described above, the toner and the carrier may be separated due to vibration during transportation or long-term storage. When toner and carrier are replenished from the developer container to the developing device in a state where the toner and the carrier are separated as described above, the toner concentration in the developing device changes. As a result, variations in print quality occur in the image forming apparatus.
JP 2003-345114 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a developer container capable of uniformly mixing toner and carrier and an image forming apparatus provided with the developer container.

  The present invention relates to a developer container that contains a developer composed of toner and a carrier and is supported by an image forming apparatus so as to be rotatable about a central axis, and is formed on a side surface surrounding the central axis and the side surface. And a conveying unit that conveys the developer by rotation and a stirring unit that is formed on the side surface and agitates the developer by rotation.

  According to the present invention, since the stirring means is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface, the stirring ability of the developer can be improved. As a result, the present invention can uniformly mix the toner and the carrier.

  In the present invention, the stirring means may be a plate-like protrusion that protrudes toward the central axis on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface and extends in the direction of the central axis.

  In the present invention, the conveying means protrudes toward the central axis side on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface, and is a protruding portion formed in a spiral shape around the central axis. When viewed in plan from a direction perpendicular to the central axis, one may be provided between the adjacent protrusions.

  In the present invention, the protrusion may have a height of 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

  In the present invention, the stirring means may be a recess that is recessed in a direction away from the central axis on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface.

  In the present invention, the conveying means protrudes toward the central axis on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface, and is a protruding portion formed in a spiral shape around the central axis, and the concave portion is the center When viewed in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the axis, one may be provided between the adjacent protrusions.

  In the present invention, the concave portion may have a depth of 1 mm or more and 6 mm or less.

  The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus including the developer container. More specifically, in the image forming apparatus, the present invention includes the developer container, a developing unit that performs development using the developer discharged from the developer container, and the developer container. Rotating means for rotating about a central axis, and control means for controlling the direction in which the rotating means rotates the developer container.

  In the present invention, when the developer is transported to the discharge portion, the control means rotates the developer container in a first direction around the central axis, and causes the developer to move to the second direction. In the case of transporting to this area, the developer container may be rotated in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction around the central axis.

  In the present invention, when the developer container is replaced, the control means may rotate the developer container in the second direction for a predetermined time.

  In the present invention, the control means may rotate the developer container in the second direction for a predetermined time before rotating the developer container in the first direction.

  In the present invention, the control means may be configured to rotate the developer container before rotating the developer container in the first direction when a certain period of time has elapsed since the developer container was rotated in the second direction. You may rotate in the 2nd direction.

  Hereinafter, a developer container and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
First, the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the image forming unit, particularly the image forming unit.

  An image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a photosensitive drum 12, a charging charger 14, an exposure device 16, a developing device 18, a transfer / separation charger 20, a cleaning device 22 and a charge eliminating device 24, a developer container 34, a motor 36, and a control. A unit 38 and an operation panel 40 are provided. The image forming apparatus 10 may be an apparatus composed of any combination of monochrome or color, analog or digital, PPC / printer / fax, or multifunction peripheral.

  The charging charger 14 charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12. The exposure device 16 irradiates the photosensitive drum 12 with a laser under the control of the control unit 38. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12.

  The developing device 18 includes a developing device main body 25, a developer roller 26, a stirring and conveying member 28, a sensor 29, and a replenishing device 30. The developing device 18 serves as a developing unit that performs development using the developer discharged from the developer container 34. More specifically, the developing device 18 applies toner to the photosensitive drum 12 to form a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12. This will be described in detail below.

  The developing device main body 25 is a container for storing a developer composed of toner and a carrier. The developer roller 26 is rotatably supported by the developing device main body 25 and is disposed at a predetermined distance from the photosensitive drum 12. The agitating / conveying member 28 agitates the developer in the developing device body 25 and conveys the developer to the developer roller 26. The developer is held on the circumferential surface of the developer roller 26 by the magnetic force of a magnet provided inside the developer roller 26. In the developer held on the developer roller 26, only the toner has the potential of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 at a position where the developer roller 26 and the photosensitive drum 12 face each other. It is pulled and moved to the photosensitive drum 12. As a result, a toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 12.

  The transfer / separation charger 20 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 to a sheet. More specifically, the sheet is conveyed from a sheet feeding device (not shown) and passes between the photosensitive drum 12 and the transfer / separation charger 20. When the paper passes between the photosensitive drum 12 and the transfer / separation charger 20, the transfer / separation charger 20 applies a voltage to the paper to transfer the toner image onto the paper.

  The cleaning device 22 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 12 after the toner image is transferred. The neutralization device 24 neutralizes the residual potential remaining on the photosensitive drum 12 after the toner image is transferred.

  The developer container 34 stores therein a replenishment developer composed of toner and a carrier, and is supported by the image forming apparatus 10 so as to be rotatable about a predetermined central axis. The replenishing device 30 includes a replenishing device main body 31 and a sensor 32, and supplies the developer to the developing device main body 25 based on control of the control unit 38. The replenishing device main body 31 is connected to the discharge port of the developer container 34 and temporarily stores the developer discharged from the developer container 34. The control unit 38 rotates the motor 36 when the sensor 29 detects that the amount of the developer in the developing device main body 25 has become a predetermined amount or less. As a result, the developer container 34 rotates about a predetermined axis, and the developer in the developer container 34 is discharged to the replenishing device main body 31. The replenishing device 30 discharges the discharged developer to the developing device main body 25. As a result, the developer is supplied to the developing device 18.

  Further, when the sensor 32 detects that the amount of the developer in the replenishing device main body 31 has become a predetermined amount or less, the control unit 38 displays on the operation panel 40 that the developer has been exhausted.

(Configuration of developer container)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the developer container 34 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional structure diagram including the central axis C of the developer container 34.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developer container 34 is a container that stores a replenishment developer, and includes a container body 41 and a cap 44. The developer container 34 is a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 10. The container body 41 is a hollow cylinder having a substantially cylindrical shape, and includes a side surface 42 and a bottom surface 43. An opening O is formed at one end of the container body 41. A bottom surface 43 is formed at the other end of the container body 41. Hereinafter, an axis parallel to the central axis C and extending from the bottom surface 43 toward the opening O is defined as an x-axis.

  The side surface 42 is formed so as to surround the central axis C, and has a substantially circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis C. A bottom surface 43 is formed at the end of the side surface 42 in the negative x-axis direction. An engaging portion 43 a is formed on the bottom surface 43. The engaging portion 43 a is a protrusion formed so as to protrude outward from the bottom surface 43. The engaging portion 43 a engages with an engaging portion 52 provided in the motor 36. A motor 36 is connected to the engaging portion 52. The motor 36 can rotate the container body 41 in the two directions of the first rotation direction α and the second rotation direction β under the control of the control unit 38. Note that the first rotation direction α is counterclockwise when viewed in the positive direction of the x axis, and the second rotation direction β is the direction opposite to the first rotation direction α ( (Clockwise).

  The cap 44 is attached to the container main body 41 so as to be rotatable about the central axis C so as to close the opening O, and includes a discharge port 44 a, a shutter 48, and a seal member 50. The cap 44 functions as a lid so that the developer does not leak from the developer container 34. A ring-shaped seal member 46 is provided between the cap 44 and the side surface 42. The seal member 46 serves to prevent the developer from leaking from the gap between the joint portion of the cap 44 and the side surface 42.

  In the vicinity of the positive end of the developer container 34 in the x-axis direction, a discharge port 44a as a discharge portion is formed. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the discharge port 44 a is an opening formed on the side surface of the cap 44 and formed to discharge the developer to the supply device 30. The shutter 48 covers the discharge port 44a. The shutter 48 can slide along the side surface of the cap 44. Thus, when the developer container 34 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10, the shutter 48 slides to expose the discharge port 44a, and the developer container 34 and the replenishing device 30 are as shown in FIG. Connected. On the other hand, when the developer container 34 is removed from the image forming apparatus 10, the discharge port 44 a is covered with the shutter 48. The seal member 50 plays a role of preventing the developer from leaking from the gap at the joint between the cap 44 and the shutter 48.

  Here, the shape of the side surface 42 will be described in more detail. A protruding portion P that protrudes toward the central axis C is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 42. The protrusion P functions as a transport unit that transports the developer in the positive direction or the negative direction in the x-axis direction by the rotation of the container body 41, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the first slope 42a and the second slope 42b. The 1st slope 42a is formed so that it may be located in the discharge port 44a side rather than the 2nd slope 42b. The second slope 42b is formed so as to be located on the opposite side of the discharge port 44a when viewed from the first slope 42a. The height h1 from the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 42 to the tip on the central axis C side of the protrusion P is set to 4 mm to 6 mm.

  Further, the peak 42c formed by the intersection of the first inclined surface 42a and the second inclined surface 42b is formed continuously from the opening O to the bottom surface 43, and is formed in a spiral shape with the central axis C as the center. Will be. The peak 42c is formed so as to advance in the positive direction of the x axis while rotating clockwise when viewed in the positive direction of the x axis. That is, the spiral of the peak 42c is formed to rotate in the direction opposite to the first rotation direction α. As a result, when the developer container 34 is rotated in the first rotation direction α, the developer is conveyed in the positive direction of the x-axis by the first inclined surface 42a.

  Furthermore, the side surface 42 includes a first region E1 and a second region E2, as shown in FIG. The first region E1 is located closer to the discharge port 44a than the second region E2. The protrusion P is formed such that the developer carrying capability in the first region E1 is higher than the developer carrying capability in the second region E2. More specifically, the interval L1 between the protrusions P adjacent in the central axis C direction in the first region E1 is smaller than the interval L2 between the protrusions P adjacent in the central axis C direction in the second region E2. Yes. In the developer container 34 shown in FIG. 2, one spiral protrusion P is formed in the second region E2, and a plurality of (two in FIG. 2) spirals are formed in the first region E1. Projecting portions P are formed in parallel.

  Further, the inner peripheral surfaces of the side surfaces 42 of the first region E1 and the second region E2 protrude perpendicularly to the side surface 42 toward the central axis C and extend in the central axis C direction. A plate-like protrusion 45 is provided. The protrusion 45 functions as a stirring unit that stirs the developer by the rotation of the container main body 41, and the developer 45 is swept up and stirred by the rotation of the container main body 41. One protrusion 45 is provided between adjacent protrusions P over the entire length of the side surface 42 when viewed in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the central axis C. The height h2 from the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 42 to the tip on the central axis C side of the protrusion 45 is set within a range of 1 mm to 10 mm so that the stirring ability of the developer is increased. For example, when the ratio of the carrier to the developer is 50%, the height h2 is set to 10 mm. Further, the height h2 is set to be lower as the ratio of the carrier to the developer becomes higher or lower than 50%. In FIG. 2, the protrusion 45 is not in contact with the protrusion P. However, both ends of the protrusion 45 in the central axis C direction may be in contact with the protrusion P.

  Next, the operation of the developer container 34 will be described with reference to the drawings. The developer container 34 stores a developer composed of toner and carrier. The developer composed of toner and carrier may be separated due to vibration during transportation or long-term storage. Thus, if the developer is supplied to the developing device 18 in a state where the toner and the carrier are separated, the toner concentration in the developing device 18 changes. As a result, the print quality of the image forming apparatus 10 varies.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 and the developer container 34 according to the present embodiment, the first rotation operation for conveying the developer to the discharge port 44a and the second rotation for conveying the developer to the second region E2. Rotating operation. Specifically, in the first rotation operation, the control unit 38 causes the motor 36 to rotate the container body 41 in the first rotation direction α as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the second rotation operation, the controller 38 causes the motor 36 to rotate the container body 41 in the second rotation direction β as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, each of the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is a top view of the first slope 42a and the second slope 42b during the first rotation operation. FIG. 3B is a top view of the first slope 42a and the second slope 42b during the second rotation operation.

  In the first rotation operation, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the container body 41 is rotated in the first rotation direction α, the first slope 42a and the second slope 42b are indicated by dotted lines. Next, it moves in the positive direction of the x-axis. This is because the spiral of the peak 42c is formed to rotate in the direction opposite to the first rotation direction α. As a result, the developer T is pushed out in the positive direction of the x-axis by the first inclined surface 42a as shown by the dotted line. That is, the developer T is transported to the discharge port 44a side.

  In the second rotation operation, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the container body 41 is rotated in the second rotation direction β, the first inclined surface 42a and the second inclined surface 42b are indicated by dotted lines. And move in the negative direction of the x-axis. This is because the spiral of the peak 42c is formed to rotate in the same direction as the second rotation direction β. As a result, the developer T is pushed out by the first inclined surface 42a in the negative direction of the x-axis as indicated by the dotted line. That is, the developer T is transported to the second area E2.

(Operation timing)
The operation timing of the image forming apparatus 10 and the developer container 34 configured as described above will be described below. As examples of the operation timing, the first to fourth operation examples will be described below.

  First, a first operation example will be described. In the first operation example, the control unit 38 performs only the first rotation operation when supplying the developer to the replenishing device 30. That is, the control unit 38 rotates the container body 41 in the first rotation direction α by the motor 36. As a result, the developer is conveyed to the discharge port 44a side. Here, the developer transport capability is lower in the second region E2 than in the first region E1. Therefore, the developer present in the second region E2 is transported more slowly than the developer present in the first region E1. Therefore, the developer present in the second region E2 is stirred for a sufficient time by the protrusion 45 until it reaches the first region E1. As a result, a developer having a uniform mixing ratio of toner and carrier is discharged to the replenishing device 30.

  Next, a second operation example will be described. In the second operation example, the control unit 38 performs the second rotation operation when the developer container 34 is replaced. More specifically, the control unit 38 rotates the container body 41 in the second rotation direction β by the motor 36 for a predetermined time. As a result, the developer in the container main body 41 is transported to the second region E2. In the second region E2, since the protrusion 45 is formed larger than in the first region E1, the stirring ability of the developer is relatively high. Therefore, the developer in the developer container 34 is sufficiently stirred in the second region E2. Further, according to the second operation, even if the developer is dispersed in the container main body 41 in a state where the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier is not uniform, the developer in the container main body 41 is in the second region. Since the toner is collected in E2 and stirred, the mixing ratio of the developer toner and the carrier in the container main body 41 can be made uniform. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined time is set to such a time that most of the developer is transported to the second region E2.

  Next, a third operation example will be described. The third operation example is an operation example obtained by improving the first operation example. Specifically, in the third operation example, the control unit 38 performs the second rotation operation before the first rotation operation. More specifically, before the container body 41 is rotated in the first rotation direction α by the motor 36, the container body 41 is rotated in the second rotation direction β by the motor 36 for a predetermined time. As a result, similarly to the second operation example, the mixing ratio of the developer toner and the carrier in the container main body 41 can be made uniform.

  Finally, a fourth operation example will be described. In the fourth operation example, the control unit 38 moves the container body 41 in the first rotation direction α when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the container body 41 was rotated in the second rotation direction β last time. Rotate in the second rotation direction β before rotating. If the developer is not stirred for a predetermined time or more, the developer may be separated into a toner and a carrier. Therefore, when the developer has not been stirred for a certain time or longer, the developer is stirred in the second region E2 before the developer is discharged to the replenishing device 30. As a result, the stirred developer is discharged to the replenishing device 30. At this time, the container body 41 may be alternately rotated in the first rotation direction α and the second rotation direction β.

  As described above, according to the developer container 34, since the protrusion 45 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 42, the stirring ability of the developer can be improved.

(Modification)
The developer container 34 and the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention configured as described above are not limited to those shown in the embodiment. Accordingly, the developer container 34 and the image forming apparatus 10 may be appropriately changed. Hereinafter, a developer container 34 ′ according to a modification will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional structure diagram including the central axis C of the developer container 34 ′ according to the modification. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals. Differences between the developer container 34 and the developer container 34 'will be described.

  The developer container 34 ′ shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a recess 45 ′ as a stirring means instead of the protrusion 45. The concave portion 45 ′ is formed in a state of being recessed in a direction away from the central axis C on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 42, and the adjacent protruding portion P when viewed in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the central axis C. One is provided between each. According to such a recess 45 ', the developer enters the recess 45' when the opening of the recess 45 'faces upward. Then, when the container main body 41 rotates and the opening of the recess 45 ′ faces downward, the developer falls from the recess 45 ′. Thereby, the developer in the container body 41 is agitated.

  Here, the depth h3 from the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 42 to the tip on the central axis C side of the recess 45 ′ is set within a range of 4 mm to 6 mm so that the stirring ability of the developer is increased. For example, when the ratio of the carrier to the developer is 50%, the depth h3 is set to 6 mm. Further, the depth h3 is set to be lower as the ratio of the carrier to the developer becomes higher or lower than 50%.

  Since the other configuration of the developer container 34 ′ is the same as that of the developer container 34, description thereof is omitted. Also in the developer container 34 ′ having the above-described configuration, it is possible to improve the developer conveying capability, similarly to the developer container 34.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the developing device 18 may be configured integrally with the replenishing device 30 or may be configured to be separable from the replenishing device 30.

  The control unit 38 is configured so that the rotation speed when rotating the container body 41 in the first rotation direction α is faster than the rotation speed when rotating the container body 41 in the second rotation direction β. The motor 36 may be controlled. Further, the control unit 38 is configured so that the rotation speed when rotating the container body 41 in the first rotation direction α is slower than the rotation speed when rotating the container body 41 in the second rotation direction β. The motor 36 may be controlled.

  The developer container 34 may be configured such that the shutter 48 closes the discharge port 44a when the container body 41 rotates in the second rotation direction β. This prevents leakage from the developer container 34 during stirring of the developer.

  The discharge port 44a is formed near the end of the developer container 34 in the positive direction of the x axis, but the position of the discharge port 44a is not limited to this. For example, the discharge port 44 a may be formed in the central portion of the developer container 34.

  Note that a further first region may be provided on the negative side of the x axis with respect to the second region E2.

  In addition, the protrusion part P is not restricted to the continuous spiral shape shown in FIG. The protrusion P may be formed discontinuously in a spiral shape, for example. Further, in order to make the transport capability in the first region E1 higher than the transport capability in the second region E2, the pitch of the protrusions P in the first region E1 is set to the pitch of the protrusions P in the second region E2. It may be smaller.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional structure diagram including a central axis of a developer container according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a top view of the first slope and the second slope during the first rotation operation. FIG. 3B is a top view of the first slope and the second slope during the second rotation operation. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional structure diagram including a central axis of a developer container according to a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Photosensitive drum 18 Developing apparatus 25 Developing apparatus main body 30 Replenishing apparatus 31 Replenishing apparatus main body 34, 34 'Developer container 36 Motor 38 Control part 41 Container main body 42 Side surface 42a 1st slope 42b 2nd slope 42c Peak 43 Bottom 44 Cap 44a Discharge port 45 Protrusion 45 'Concavity C Central axis E1 First region E2 Second region O Opening P Protrusion T Developer

Claims (12)

In a developer container that contains a developer composed of toner and carrier and is supported by the image forming apparatus so as to be rotatable about a central axis.
A side surface surrounding the central axis;
A conveying means that is formed on the side surface and conveys the developer by rotation;
Agitating means formed on the side surface and agitating the developer by rotation;
Providing
A developer container. The stirring means is a plate-like protrusion that protrudes toward the central axis on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface and extends in the direction of the central axis.
The developer container according to claim 1. The conveying means protrudes toward the central axis side on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface, and is a protruding portion formed in a spiral shape around the central axis,
The protrusions are provided one by one between the adjacent protrusions when seen in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the central axis,
The developer container according to claim 2. The protrusion has a height of 1 mm to 10 mm;
The developer container according to any one of claims 2 and 3. The stirring means is a recess recessed in a direction away from the central axis on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface;
The developer container according to claim 1. The conveying means protrudes toward the central axis side on the inner peripheral surface of the side surface, and is a protruding portion formed in a spiral shape around the central axis,
The recesses are provided one by one between the adjacent protrusions when viewed in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the central axis;
The developer container according to claim 5. The recess has a depth of 1 mm to 6 mm;
The developer container according to claim 5, wherein the developer container is a developer container. The developer container according to claim 7;
Developing means for performing development using the developer discharged from the developer container;
A rotating means for rotating the developer container around the central axis;
Control means for controlling the direction in which the rotating means rotates the developer container;
An image forming apparatus comprising: When the developer is transported to the discharge unit, the control unit rotates the developer container in the first direction around the central axis, and the developer is moved to the second region. When transporting, the developer container is rotated in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction around the central axis;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The control means rotates the developer container in the second direction for a predetermined time when the developer container is replaced;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9. The controller rotates the developer container in the second direction for a predetermined time before rotating the developer container in the first direction;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The control means, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after rotating the developer container in the second direction, before rotating the developer container in the first direction. Rotating to the
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

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