Patent ID: 6226490
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A toner replenishing apparatus comprising:developing means for supplying toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor and developing the electrostatic latent image;a fresh toner container for containing fresh toner;recovering means for recovering toner residue on the photoconductor;a recovery toner container for containing recovery toner which is recovered by the recovering means;conveying means for conveying the recovery toner which is recovered by the recovering means, to the recovery toner container; andtoner replenishing means for replenishing fresh toner supplied from the fresh toner container and recovery toner supplied from the recovery toner container, to the developing means,wherein when an amount of the recovery toner contained in the recovery toner container exceeds a predetermined capacity of the recovery toner container, recovery toner is routed to the fresh toner container instead of the recovery toner container.