Patent ID: 6603949
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:recovered toner housing means for temporarily storing therein a recovered toner; a connecting/conveying device for conveying said recovered toner from a cleaner part to said recovered toner housing means; recovered toner supply means for supplying said recovered toner, which is housed in said recovered toner housing means, to a developing device; new toner housing means for housing therein a new toner; new toner supply means for supplying said new toner, which is stored in said new toner housing means, to said developing device; toner concentration ratio detecting means for detecting a toner concentration ratio in said developing device; and control means for controlling said recovered toner supply means and said new toner supply means, in accordance with the contents detected by said toner concentration ratio detecting means, to supply said recovered toner and new toner to said developing device, wherein said control means causes the amount of said recovered toner to be supplied to be less than the amount of said recovered toner during a usual operation, which is determined in accordance with the contents detected by said toner concentration ratio detecting means, or stops the supply of said recovered toner, while a predetermined period condition is satisfied after the occurrence of a predetermined event in which the amount of said recovered toner stored in said recovered toner housing means is temporarily excessive, and wherein said control means recognizes a period of time required to cause the amount of said recovered toner to be supplied to be less than the amount of said recovered toner to be supplied during the usual operation or to stop the supply of said recovered toner, on the basis of the number of image forming operations after the occurrence of said predetermined event.