Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
Method and apparatus for image forming capable of effectively transporting toner
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a cleaning device, and a toner transporting device. The photoconductor has a toner image formed thereon. The cleaning device removes toner remaining on the photoconductor. The toner transporting device transports the toner removed by the cleaning device. The toner transporting device includes a first toner transport path forming member, a first toner transporting member, and a length control member. The first toner transporting member is partly provided in the first toner transport path forming member, expands and contracts in a length direction thereof, and transports the toner through the first toner transport path forming member. The length control member is provided at a downstream end of the first toner transport path forming member, and is pressed against the first toner transporting member to keep a constant length of the first toner transporting member. An image forming method is also described.
Ricoh Co., Ltd.
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inventional additional additional
Takeo Yutaka Yoshio Shinichi Keiichi
Suda Takahashi Hattori Kawahara Yoshida