Image forming apparatus with provisions for supplying toner therein
US5909609A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0886
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a toner bank that is configured to hold a large-volume of toner that is ultimately used to develop a latent image formed on a latent image carrier. A developing apparatus develops the latent image into a visible image. The toner is supplied to the toner bank, which need not be located adjacent to the developing apparatus, using a mechanism that prevents the toner from becoming clogged while being transported to the developing apparatus from the toner bank. In the toner bank, more than one toner bottles are vertically set. The toner bottles are individually opened and closed at respective opening portions thereon with an opening/closing mechanism and are rotated so as to discharge toner therefrom. Toner discharged from the toner bottles is dropped into the toner bank and is supplied to a developing apparatus by a flexible toner delivering mechanism having a powder pump unit and a flexible toner supplying pipe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.