Electrophotographic method and apparatus including a toner recycle feature
US5878317A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G21/105
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrophotographic method and apparatus includes a frame having a used toner inlet, a new toner inlet and a combined toner outlet. Opposing sides of the frame are positioned at predetermined angles with respect to a horizontal line extending from a bottom of the frame. The used toner inlet is positioned in an upper portion of the frame next on one of the sides positioned at a predetermined angle, while the new toner inlet is also positioned in the upper portion of the frame, but next to the other side. The predetermined angle of the frame's side that is next to the used toner inlet is at a greater angle than the other side so as to compensate for any degradation in the flow characteristic of the used toner as a result of the recycling process. The frame is configured to interface with a new toner bottle having an opening that cooperates with the new toner inlet. Accordingly, when the new toner supply is exhausted, the new toner bottle may easily be replaced without having to remove any other components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.