Method and apparatus for reducing residual toner in a rotating container

摘要

An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves rotating a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner. The rotatable vessel includes a body section having a substantially round cross-section, a first end at one axial end of the body section, a second end axially distal the first end, and helical features on an internal surface of the body section configured to transport the toner in an axial direction between the first end and the second end as the vessel is rotated. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, at least a portion of the toner to be agitated by an insert configured to tumble and rotate within an inside portion of the rotatable vessel as the rotatable vessel rotates.

主权项

1. An apparatus useful in printing comprising:
a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner, the rotatable vessel comprising a body section having a substantially round cross-section, a first end at one axial end of the body section, a second end axially distal the first end, and helical features on an internal surface of the body section configured to transport at least a portion of the toner in an axial direction between the first end and the second end as the rotatable vessel is rotated; and an insert configured to tumble and rotate within an inside portion of the rotatable vessel and agitate the toner as the rotatable vessel rotates, the insert comprising a coiled wire-form portion that comprises a right-hand wound portion, wherein the insert has a length greater than a distance between the first end of the body section and the second end of the body section.