Electrophotographic toner, toner container containing the toner, image forming apparatus using the toner container and method for supplying the toner from the toner container

摘要

A toner with a volume average particle diameter not less than 6.0 mum and a particle distribution such that toner particles having a particle diameter not greater than one half of the number average particle diameter of the toner are present in an amount not greater than 10% by number, and toner particles having a particle diameter not less than 1.5 times the volume average particle diameter of the toner are present in an amount not greater than 15% by volume. The toner is preferably contained in a cylindrical toner container having at least an opening, and a spiral groove formed on the internal surface thereof. The toner container is horizontally set in an image forming apparatus for rotation around the center axis thereof to discharge the toner to a developing device of the image forming apparatus through the opening. A toner supplying method includes providing the toner in the cylindrical container and rotating the container, while horizontally set, around its center axis to discharge the toner from the opening.