Image forming apparatus including a toner recycling mechanism
US5987298A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0822
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a toner recycling mechanism, a collected toner conveying device is free from troubles particular to a conventional device using a screw pump and an air pump and conveying toner and air mixture via an elastic tubing, i.e., the wear of a stator due to aging and a decrease in the delivery pressure of the pump ascribable to the wear. A control device controls, based on the cumulative operation time, an operation of the screw pump and an operation of the air pump. This provides the toner conveying device with durability, reliability and simple construction while insuring toner conveyance and reducing cost.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.