Patent ID: 6418288
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A carrier collection device for collecting a carrier from a developer, including a toner and the carrier, after being used for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photo-conductor, said device comprising:an absorption belt which is arranged adjacent to said photo-conductor, and rotated in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of said photo-conductor, so as to absorb the carrier; a heat source which heats said absorption belt, and generates a carrier vapor from said absorption belt; a vapor collection tube which surrounds said absorption belt and has a vent for the carrier vapor; an absorption device which absorbs the carrier vapor from the vent of said vapor collection tube; and a condenser which is arranged between said vapor collection tube and said absorption device, stores, in advance, a coolant carrier, includes a foaming member for foaming a carrier included in the carrier vapor, on the coolant carrier, receives the carrier vapor from said vapor collection tube, condenses the received carrier vapor through the coolant carrier and the foaming member, and stores the condensed carrier together with the coolant carrier.