Medium Filling Device And Method

Abstract

A medium filling device includes a container rotatably supported, to contain an image forming medium, a dispenser configured to receive a constant quantity of the image forming medium from the container by a turn of the container, and a discharger configured to discharge the image forming medium from the dispenser to a target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medium filling device, comprising:
 a container rotatably supported, to contain an image forming medium;   a dispenser configured to receive a constant quantity of the image forming medium from the container by a turn of the container; and   a discharger configured to discharge the image forming medium from the dispenser to a target.   
     
     
         2 . A medium filling device, comprising:
 a container rotatably supported, to contain an image forming medium;   a dispenser provided in a top part of the container and configured to receive a constant quantity of the image forming medium from the container when the container is turned to be inverted; and   a discharger provided in a bottom part of the container and configured to discharge the image forming medium from the dispenser to a target when the container is turned again to be erected.   
     
     
         3 . The medium filling device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the container comprises a tubular member to connect the dispenser and the discharger, through which the received image forming medium is conveyed from the dispenser to the discharger when the container becomes erected.   
     
     
         4 . The medium filling device according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an inflow hole between the container and the dispenser, through which the image forming medium is flowed into the dispenser; and   a check valve provided between the dispenser and the tubular member and configured to allow the image forming medium to be conveyed from the dispenser to the discharger when the container becomes erected.   
     
     
         5 . The medium filling device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the container comprises a cone-shaped top portion and is formed such that a bottom end of the inflow hole is located below a top surface of the cone-shaped top portion when the container becomes inverted.   
     
     
         6 . A medium filling device comprising:
 a container rotatably supported, to contain an image forming medium; and   a dispensing discharger configured to receive a constant quantity of the image forming medium from the container by a turn of the container and to be connected to a target to discharge the received image forming medium to the target when the container is turned to be inverted.   
     
     
         7 . The medium filling device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the dispensing discharger is rotatably attached to the container and is detachable from the container.   
     
     
         8 . The medium filling device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the dispensing discharger includes an inlet hole into which the image forming medium is flowed from the container and an outlet hole from which the image forming medium is flowed back to the container, and has a blocking function to block between an interior of the dispensing discharger and an interior of the container.   
     
     
         9 . The medium filling device according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the dispensing discharger includes an opening/closing mechanism for allowing or blocking a flow of the image forming medium.   
     
     
         10 . The medium filling device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the dispensing discharger comprises a filler detachably attached thereto, to fill the target with the received image forming medium.   
     
     
         11 . The medium filling device according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the container includes a cone-shaped top portion formed such that a bottom side of the inlet hole is flush with a top surface of the cone-shaped top portion when the container becomes inverted.   
     
     
         12 . The medium filling device according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a flexible hose attached to a tip end of the discharger for discharging the image forming medium to the target.   
     
     
         13 . The medium filling device according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the flexible hose comprises a rotatable coiled spring.   
     
     
         14 . The medium filling device according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the flexible hose is a bellows type hose.   
     
     
         15 . The medium filling device according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the flexible hose is formed to be transparent partially or entirely.   
     
     
         16 . The medium filling device according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the flexible hose comprises, at an end, a fixing bracket formed to be detachably attached to the tip end of the discharger or the dispensing discharger by use of a screw.   
     
     
         17 . The medium filling device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the container comprises a leg on a lateral side and rotatably supported by the leg.   
     
     
         18 . The medium filling device according to  claim 17 , wherein
 a rotation center of the container is positioned above a gravity center of the container while the container is erected.   
     
     
         19 . The medium filling device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the container comprises a holder on a lateral side to hold the container when the container becomes inverted.   
     
     
         20 . The medium filling device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the container comprises a carrying assistance member on a lateral side to allow an operator to carry the container on an operator's back.