Image forming apparatus having a toner recycling mechanism
US5499090A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G21/105
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus has a toner recycling mechanism for effecting toner recycling. The image forming apparatus includes a developing unit accommodating developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photosensitive member, a cleaning unit for recovering developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member after development, and a toner recycling assembly. The toner recycling assembly includes a developer conveyor pipe through which the developer recovered by the cleaning unit is conveyed to the developing unit for recycling of toner contained in the developer, and also includes a developer supply or transport pipe for supplying the developer accommodated in the developing unit to either the developer conveyor pipe or the cleaning unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.