Image forming apparatus
US5398098A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1853
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a waste-toner transport unit that is installed separately from a photoreceptor drum cartridge. The waste-toner transport unit is pivoted so that the photoreceptor drum cartridge is easily removed from a machine main body. This arrangement makes it possible to miniaturize the photoreceptor drum cartridge and to use the waste-toner transport unit repeatedly. In another image forming apparatus of the present invention, a developer-supplying container, a waste-toner container, and a waste-developer container for receiving excessive developer that has been overflown from the developer tank are integrally formed into a container unit. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the volumes of the containers in accordance with the respective supplying quantities of developer. Further, a pressing mechanism is provided so that upon replacing the container unit, the developer tank is brought apart from and close to the photoreceptor drum simultaneously with the pivotal movement of the container unit. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the number of steps that are taken in the replacing operation as well as to prevent m…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.