Patent ID: 6041212
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A toner replenishing device of an image forming machine comprising a photoconductor drum rotatably disposed in a machine housing, a developing device for applying toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum to develop it to a toner image, a cleaning device for removing remaining toner adhering to the circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum, recycle toner carrier means for carrying remaining toner removed by the cleaning device, and a toner cartridge accommodating toner to be fed to the developing device, said toner cartridge being adapted to be detachably mounted in the machine housing; whereinthe toner cartridge comprises a container body having a toner transport passage, and toner transporter means disposed in the toner transport passage for transporting toner from one end portion toward the other end portion of the toner transport passage while agitating the toner along the toner transport passage, and the container body has a toner discharge port provided at the other end portion of the toner transport passage, and a recycle toner entry port provided at the one end portion of the toner transport passage; andwhen the toner cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position, the toner discharge port is positioned opposite a toner feed port provided in the developing device, while the recycle toner entry port is positioned opposite a recycle toner drop port provided in the recycle toner carrier means, and whereina toner agitation passage parallel to the toner transport passage is formed in the container body of the toner cartridge, and toner agitator means for moving toner toward the toner transport passage while agitating it is disposed in the toner agitation passage.