The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 14, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 11, 1997
Moriyuki Kouroku, Higashimurayama, JP;
Tatsumi Shimanari, Fussa, JP;
Takao Yorifuji, Higashiyamato, JP;
Noriki Ono, Higashiyamato, JP;
Yoshiharu Abe, Tokyo, JP;
Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Casio Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A toner collector includes a tube having at least one opening in an intermediate portion between both end portions, one of the both end portions being closed, a toner collecting bag covering the tube, and connected to the tube at the both end portions of the tube, and a waste toner transfer member, connected to the other of the both end portions of the tube, for transferring toner to the other of the both end portions from an outer side of the tube. An image forming unit, which is combined with an image carrier on which an image to be developed by toner is formed, and a cleaner for removing unnecessary toner from the image carrier to make an image forming apparatus so that the image on the image carrier is developed by toner, includes a developing unit for developing the image on the image carrier by toner, a toner hopper having a toner containing space, for supplying toner to the developing unit, a tube provided in the toner containing space of the toner hopper, having at least one opening in an intermediate area between the both end portions, one of the both end portions being closed, a toner collecting bag covering the tube and connected to the tube at the both end portions of the tube, and a waste toner transfer member, connected to the other of the both end portions, for transferring unnecessary toner to the other of the both end portions of the tube from the cleaner.