Toner supplying device, method and image forming apparatus using the same toner supplying device or method
US6151471A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0879
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A toner supplying device for supplying toner contained in a toner container to a developing device of an image forming apparatus includes a toner container insertion part configured to receive at least two inserted toner containers from a front side of the toner supplying device. A toner container holder detachably holds the toner containers inserted into the toner container insertion part. A toner container selection control device selects an arbitrary toner container from among the at least two toner containers held by the toner container holder and causes the selected toner container to discharge toner from an opening thereof while stopping a discharge of toner from an opening of the other toner containers. Toner discharged from the opening of the toner container held by the toner container holder is exhausted to a toner conveying path, and a toner/air mixture delivery device delivers the toner exhausted to the toner conveying path to the developing device of the image forming apparatus by mixing the toner with air.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.