Image forming apparatus for transporting collected toner and new toner with reduced clogging

摘要

An image forming apparatus includes an image holding body, a developing device, a transfer device, a collection device, a container, and a transport member. The image holding body includes a surface on which a latent image is formed. The developing device develops the latent image into a visual image with developer. The transfer device transfers the visual image onto a transfer medium. The collection device collects the developer remaining on the surface of the image holding body after the visual image has been transferred. The container contains new developer supplied to the developing device. The image forming apparatus has a channel that has a first sub-channel and a second sub-channel. The developer flows into the first sub-channel from one of the collection device and the container and the second sub-channel from the other of the collection device and the container.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
an image holding body that includes a surface on which a latent image may be formed; a developing device configured to develop the latent image into a visual image with developer; a transfer device configured to transfer the visual image onto a transfer medium; a collection device configured to collect the developer remaining on the surface of the image holding body after the visual image has been transferred; a container configured to contain new developer to be supplied to the developing device; and a transport member that includes:
a shaft; anda transport blade supported by the shaft, wherein the transport blade has a helical shape, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises a channel that comprises a first sub-channel connected to the developing device and a second sub-channel merged with the first sub-channel, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured such that the developer flows into the first sub-channel from one of the collection device and the container, and the developer flows into the second sub-channel from the other of the collection device and the container, wherein the transport member is disposed in the second sub-channel so as to transport the developer, and part of the transport member extends into the first sub-channel, wherein the first sub-channel comprises an inlet portion through which the developer flows into the first sub-channel from the one of the collection device and the container, wherein the second sub-channel comprises an outlet portion through which the developer flows out of the second sub-channel and into the first sub-channel, and wherein the inlet portion of the first sub-channel is positioned above the outlet portion of the second sub-channel.