Toner supplying device, toner supplying process, image forming apparatus, and image forming process
US7283772B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 2005 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0678
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides toner supplying devices, toner supplying processes, and the like that control bulk density of a mixture of toner and gas efficiently thereby enhancing the fluidity of the mixture, and maintaining the high fluidity for a long period. The invention includes a toner supplying device that has a toner containing portion configured to store a toner, a toner outlet configured to discharge the toner from the toner containing portion, a conveying pipe configured to convey the toner, and a gas feeding unit configured to feed a gas. The toner supplying device supplies the toner from the toner containing portion to an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus. A porous member is disposed near the toner outlet, and the gas is fed into the toner containing portion through the porous member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.