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 causing a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner to be rotated by way of a drive train. 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 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. The approach also involves causing the drive train to impart a periodic pulse to the rotatable vessel. The periodic pulse causes at least a portion of the toner contained by the rotatable vessel to be agitated.

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 a drive train configured to cause the rotatable vessel to rotate, the drive train further being configured to impart a periodic pulse to the rotatable vessel, the periodic pulse causing, at least in part, at least a portion of the toner contained by the rotatable vessel to be agitated.