| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner feeding device which solves such trouble as toner clogging or the like due to the aggregation or deposition of residual toner by removing the residual toner in a feeding path after completing a toner feeding operation. <P>SOLUTION: In the toner feeding device, the quantity of toner remaining in the feeding path is decreased by operating an air flow generating means (air pump) for a specified period of time when the toner feeding operation is completed, and only the air pump is actuated for a specified period of time when starting image forming operation. Thus, even in the case that the residual toner exists in the feeding path because it is not completely removed when the toner feeding operation is completed, the residual toner is removed as much as possible by generating an air flow in the feeding path for the specified period of time when the image forming operation is started, thereby preventing the toner clogging in a toner feeding path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI |
