Image forming method and apparatus including an easy-to-handle large capacity toner container
First Claim
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- a development mechanism configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member into a visual image;
a toner storage detachably installed in the apparatus and configured to store toner therein; and
a toner transportation mechanism configured to transport the toner from the toner storage to the development mechanism, the toner transportation mechanism including a tube device connected to the toner storage for transporting the toner, the tube device comprising a plurality of tube sections. wherein the toner storage is movable together with at least one of the plurality of tube sections between a normal position in which the toner storage containing toner is stowed inside the apparatus and an exchange position in which the toner storage is moved at least partially out of the apparatus for exchange with a new toner storage.
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Abstract
An image forming apparatus and associated method is provided and includes a development mechanism, a toner storage, and a toner transportation mechanism. The development mechanism develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member into a visual image. The toner storage is detachably installed in the apparatus and stores toner. The toner transportation mechanism transports the toner from the toner storage to the development mechanism. The toner storage is movable together with a part of the toner transportation mechanism between a closed position which is a normal position of the toner storage containing toner and a tilt position at which the toner storage is exchanged with a new toner storage.
95 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
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a development mechanism configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member into a visual image;
a toner storage detachably installed in the apparatus and configured to store toner therein; and
a toner transportation mechanism configured to transport the toner from the toner storage to the development mechanism, the toner transportation mechanism including a tube device connected to the toner storage for transporting the toner, the tube device comprising a plurality of tube sections. wherein the toner storage is movable together with at least one of the plurality of tube sections between a normal position in which the toner storage containing toner is stowed inside the apparatus and an exchange position in which the toner storage is moved at least partially out of the apparatus for exchange with a new toner storage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
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developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member into a visual image;
storing means for storing toner; and
a toner transporting mechanism configured to transport the toner from the storing means to the developing means, the toner transporting mechanism including a tube device connected to the storing means for transporting the toner, the tube device comprising a plurality of tube sections. wherein the storing means is movable together with at least one of the plurality of tube sections between a normal position in which the storing means containing toner is stowed inside the apparatus and an exchange position in which the storing means is moved at least partially out of the apparatus for exchange with a new storing means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An image forming method, comprising the steps of:
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providing a toner transportation mechanism configured to transport toner from a detachable toner storage to a development mechanism, the toner transportation mechanism including a tube device connected to the detachable toner storage for transporting the toner, the tube device comprising a plurality of tube sections; and
transporting the toner with the toner transportation mechanism from the detachable toner storage to the development mechanism, wherein the detachable toner storage is movable together with at least one of the plurality of tube sections between a normal position in which the detachable toner storage containing toner is stowed inside the apparatus and an exchange position in which the detachable toner storage is moved at least partially out of the apparatus for exchange with a new detachable toner storage. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification