Patent ID: 6014541
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A device for recovering toner in an image-forming machine, comprising a cleaning mechanism for removing toner that remains on an image carrier after a toner image has been transferred, a toner conveyer mechanism for conveying toner removed by said cleaning mechanism, and a toner recovery container for containing toner conveyed by said toner conveyer mechanism, wherein:said toner conveyer mechanism includesa toner conveying pipe connected at its one end to said cleaning mechanism and having, at its other end, a toner discharge port that faces a toner reception port formed in said toner recovery container, anda toner conveying member in the form of a coil arranged in said toner conveying pipe, said coil being coupled at one end to a rotary member; and whereinsaid coil of said toner conveying member is arranged in a compressed state, and is supported at its other end by said other end of said toner conveying pipe by a support means having a low frictional resistance.