Sludge prevention apparatus of tube member and image forming apparatus having the same

摘要

Disclosed are a sludge prevention apparatus of a tube member and an image forming apparatus provided with such a sludge prevention apparatus. The sludge prevention apparatus comprises a sludge stirring member located in a tube member to be movable, so that the sludge stirring member stirs the developer sludge deposited or as being deposited in the tube member, the liquid developer being discharged from or flowing into a developer storage chamber through the tube member; and an operating member installed in the developer storage chamber to correspond to the sludge stirring member in such a manner that the operating member operates the sludge stirring member to stir the developer sludge. The sludge prevention apparatus and the image forming apparatus with the same can prevent the tube member from being blocked by the developer sludge deposited in the tube member. As a result, it is possible to substantially reduce poor feeding of developer caused by the blockage of the tube member and hence substantially reduce or eliminate poor printing and/or pollution of developer.