| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a powder transporting apparatus that is capable of transporting the powder while minimizing thermal stress to be given to the powder which is an object to be transported. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a developer feed device 35. The developer feed device 35 includes a toner container 40 containing therein toner, a transportation tank 41, a conveying screw 42, and a suction pump 43. The transportation tank 41 includes an inlet 49 for supplying the toner from the toner container 40, an outlet 50 which is away from the inlet 49 and used for discharging toner to an outside, and a suction port 51. The suction port 51 is away from both the inlet 49 and the outlet 50. The conveying screw 42 is disposed in the transportation tank 41 and rotated around an axis to thereby transport the toner from the inlet 49 to the outlet 50. The suction pump 43 sucks gas in the transportation tank 41 through the suction port 51 and sucks toner in the toner container 40 into the transportation tank 41. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT |
