JP4927373B2 - Waste toner collection device, image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a waste toner collecting apparatus that collects unnecessary waste toner generated in association with an image forming operation on a recording sheet, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the waste toner collecting apparatus.

  Conventionally, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member by performing an exposure operation based on predetermined image data on the photosensitive member whose surface is uniformly charged. An electrophotographic system in which a toner image is formed by developing with toner, and then the toner image is directly or indirectly transferred and fixed on a recording medium from a photosensitive drum to form an image on the recording medium. Image forming apparatuses are widely known.

  By the way, in this type of image forming apparatus, since the toner usually remains on the image carrier such as the photosensitive drum after the toner image transfer operation, the remaining unnecessary toner (hereinafter referred to as waste toner). ) Is removed, and a collection container for collecting the removed waste toner is detachably provided. The waste toner generated by the above-described removal operation is collected, and this collection container is further collected. When the waste toner becomes full, the image forming operation (printing operation) is prohibited.

On the other hand, there is Patent Document 1 below as a document related to the field of waste toner recovery technology. In Patent Document 1, waste toner is guided to the waste toner collection container when the waste toner collection container is attached, and waste toner is temporarily stored when the waste toner collection container is not attached. A configuration in which waste toner is guided to the toner reservoir space is disclosed.
JP-A-2005-37635

  However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a configuration for discharging waste toner accumulated in the toner reservoir space. Therefore, if the waste toner collection container is removed for a relatively long period of time or the removal operation of the waste toner collection container is performed many times, the toner reservoir space may be filled with waste toner. There is. When the waste toner storage space becomes full of waste toner in this way, the image forming operation cannot be executed even when the waste toner collection container is mounted again.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a waste toner collecting apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of collecting waste toner so as not to hinder the execution of an image forming operation as much as possible. .

The invention according to claim 1 is a waste toner collecting device for collecting unnecessary waste toner generated in association with an image forming operation on a recording paper, the introduction port for introducing the waste toner, A first storage space that is provided substantially immediately below the introduction port and is capable of temporarily storing waste toner introduced from the introduction port, and is provided at a position laterally separated from a position substantially directly below the introduction port. Temporary storage unit having a second storage space capable of temporarily storing the waste toner introduced from the mouth , and a third storage space provided between the first storage space and the second storage space A recovery container having a predetermined volume for recovering the waste toner introduced from the introduction port and configured to be detachable from the temporary storage unit ; and a waste toner full state in the recovery container First detecting means for detecting presence or absence, and the first And a first notifying means for performing a predetermined notification operation when the waste toner is detected to be a full state by the detecting means, when the collecting container is mounted on the temporary retention unit, the temporary holding The first storage space of the portion communicates with the space in the recovery container, and when the recovery container is removed from the temporary storage portion, the first storage space of the temporary storage portion is blocked from the external space. When the one communication mechanism is provided at a position substantially directly below the introduction port and the recovery container is mounted on the temporary storage unit, the second storage space of the temporary storage unit communicates with the space in the recovery container. When the recovery container is removed from the temporary storage unit, a second communication mechanism for blocking the second storage space of the temporary storage unit from the external space is provided at a position substantially directly below the second storage space, Guidance Dispersing means for dispersing waste toner deposited almost directly below the mouth toward the second communication mechanism is provided in the third storage space, and the dispersing means is disposed by the first detection means. When it is detected that the toner is full, the operation is started, and the waste toner accumulated at a position almost directly below the introduction port is dispersed toward the second communication mechanism .

According to the present invention, when the recovery container is attached to the temporary storage part, the first storage space of the temporary storage part and the space in the recovery container communicate with each other. The waste toner is collected in the collection container until the toner is almost full. On the other hand, when the collection container is removed from the temporary storage unit, the first storage space of the temporary storage unit is blocked from the external space, so that waste toner introduced from the introduction port is provided in the temporary storage unit. It accumulates in the first storage space.

When the collection container is attached to the temporary storage unit with waste toner accumulated in the storage space, the first storage space of the temporary storage unit communicates with the space in the recovery container . The waste toner accumulated in one storage space can be discharged.

Further , when the collection container is attached to the temporary storage unit, the second storage space of the temporary storage unit communicates with the space in the collection container, and the collection container is removed from the temporary storage unit. In some cases, the second communication mechanism for blocking the second storage space of the temporary storage unit from the external space is provided at a position substantially immediately below the second storage space, so that waste toner has accumulated in the second storage space. When the collection container is attached to the temporary storage unit, the waste toner accumulated in the second storage space can be discharged to the collection container.

In addition , since the third storage space is provided with the dispersion means for dispersing the waste toner deposited almost directly below the introduction port toward the second communication mechanism, a part of the first and second storage spaces is provided. For example, it is possible to prevent the execution of the image forming operation from being interrupted as much as possible due to the occurrence of a state where waste toner accumulates in a concentrated manner, and the capacity of the first and second storage spaces can be maximized.

Further , when it is detected that the waste toner is full in the collection container, a predetermined notification operation is performed, so that the user can be prompted to replace the collection container.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the waste toner collecting device according to claim 1, and a second detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the full state of the waste toner in said temporary retention unit, by the second detecting means And a second notification unit that performs a predetermined notification operation when it is detected that the waste toner is full.

According to the present invention, since the predetermined notification operation is performed when it is detected that the waste toner is full in the temporary storage unit , it is possible to prompt the user to attach or replace the collection container. .

The invention according to claim 3, claim 1 or 2 for recovering an image forming means for performing image forming operation on the recording paper with toner, unnecessary waste toner generated in connection with the image forming operation by the image forming means An image forming apparatus including the waste toner collecting apparatus described in the above.

According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus that performs the image forming operation on the recording paper with the toner includes the waste toner collecting device according to the first or second aspect , thereby obtaining the above-described actions.

According to the present invention, when the recovery container is attached to the temporary storage unit, the waste toner is stored in the recovery container until the recovery container is full of waste toner, and the recovery container is removed from the temporary storage unit. In this case, the waste toner introduced from the introduction port is configured to accumulate in the first and second storage spaces provided in the temporary storage unit, so that even when the recovery container is full of waste toner, The image forming operation can be performed until the waste toner is full in the first and second storage spaces.

In addition, when the collection container is attached to the temporary storage unit in a state where the waste toner is accumulated in the first storage space, the waste toner falls toward the collection container and is accumulated in the first storage space. since There was configured to be discharged, it is possible to prevent a state in which the waste toner can not image forming operation performed by the full in the temporary storage portion occurs as much as possible.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes an image forming unit 2, an input operation unit 3, a waste toner collecting mechanism 4, and a control unit 5.

  Although not shown in detail, the image forming unit 2 outputs, for example, a laser beam based on image data transmitted from a personal computer (not shown) to expose the photosensitive drum, and toner on the photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a developing unit that forms an image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum to a sheet, and a fixing unit that heats the recording sheet to which the toner image is transferred and fixes the toner image on the recording sheet. The transfer unit is provided with a cleaner for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  The input operation unit 3 is equipped with a start key for a user to input a print execution instruction, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies to be printed, a stop key for stopping a printing (image forming) operation being performed, and a printer. A function switching key for switching various functions is provided. Further, the input operation unit 3 includes a display unit 31 that displays operation guide information and the like for various copying operations and includes a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function for inputting various settings.

  The waste toner collection mechanism 4 is for collecting unnecessary toner (hereinafter referred to as waste toner) generated by the removal operation by the cleaner. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the waste toner collecting mechanism 4. Note that the top, bottom, left and right in FIG. 2 are the top, bottom, left and right of the waste toner collecting mechanism 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the waste toner collecting mechanism 4 includes a collecting main body 41 and a collecting container 42 that can be attached to and detached from the collecting main body 41 at a lower portion thereof. The collection main body 41 is an example of a temporary storage unit. When the collection container 42 is removed from the collection main body 41 or when the waste toner is full in the collection container 42, the collection container 42 is empty. It functions as a temporary storage of waste toner until 42 is newly installed.

  The collection main body 41 includes a case 411, a rotating shaft 412, a screw 413, a first full sensor 414, opening / closing mechanisms 415 and 417, and a wing member 416.

  The case 411 is a housing that forms the first to fourth spaces A to D in order from the right side to the left side in FIG. In a portion where the first space A is formed, an introduction port 411a into which the waste toner generated in the image forming unit 2 is introduced is formed at an upper portion thereof, and a recovery container is provided at a position almost directly below the introduction port 411a. A first discharge port 411 b is provided for discharging waste toner introduced from the introduction port 411 a to the collection container 42 when 42 is attached to the collection main body 41. The first discharge port 411b is provided with an opening / closing mechanism 415 that opens and closes the discharge port according to the mounting state of the recovery container 42. The open / close mechanism 415 is mounted on the recovery main body 41. If the recovery container 42 is removed from the recovery body 41, the first discharge port 411b is closed when the first discharge port 411b is opened. .

  The rotating shaft 412 is installed so as to extend across the left and right ends of the case 411, and is connected to a driving shaft of a motor (not shown) at one end. The rotational drive of this motor is controlled by the control unit 5.

  The screw 413 is for dispersing the waste toner accumulated in the first space A and the second space B toward the third space C and the fourth space D, and the third space of the rotation shaft 412. It is attached to the part located in C.

  The wing member 416 is for removing waste toner accumulated in the second space B from the space B, and is a flat member having light transmittance. The wing member 416 has substantially the same length as the height L of the second space B, and the rotating shaft 412 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 412 as shown in FIG. The waste toner accumulated in the second space B is removed from the space B when the rotary shaft 412 is driven to rotate.

  The first full sensor 414 is for detecting whether or not the waste toner has become full in the collection main body 41, and the first full sensor 414 is located at a position on the outer wall side of the part forming the second space B in the case 411. The projector includes a light projector 414a and a light receiver 414b arranged to face each other across the two spaces B. The first full sensor 414 outputs a full detection signal indicating that the waste toner is full in the collection main body 41 when the light between the projector 414a and the light receiver 414b is blocked.

  If the wing member 416 is not provided, as shown in FIG. 4, if waste toner is present on the optical path between the projector 414 a and the light receiver 414 b, a space for storing the waste toner in the collection main body 41. In spite of the remaining toner, the first full sensor 414 detects that the waste toner has become full in the collection main body 41, and the waste toner storage capacity of the collection main body 41 cannot be effectively utilized. It will be.

  In the present embodiment, the first to fourth spaces A to D have a predetermined amount so that the recovery main body 41 can temporarily store waste toner even when the recovery container 42 is removed from the recovery main body 41. The first and second spaces A can be stored by the screw 413 so that the waste toner can be accumulated in the third and fourth spaces C and D far from the introduction port 411a. , B is dispersed, and the waste toner starts to accumulate in the second space B only when the first, third, fourth spaces A, C, D are almost full. As shown in FIG. 5, the blade member 416 is configured to remove waste toner that has entered the second space B from the space B.

  When the accumulation of the waste toner in the second space B starts, the light between the light projector 414a and the light receiver 414b is blocked. At this time, the waste toner is collected in the collection main body 41 by the first full sensor 414. Detected when full.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the case 411 that forms the fourth space D is a lower portion in which the collection container 42 is mounted on the collection main body 41 with waste toner accumulated in the collection main body 41. In this case, a second discharge port 411c for discharging the waste toner to the collection container 42 is provided.

  Similarly to the first discharge port 411b, the second discharge port 411c is provided with an opening / closing mechanism 417 that opens and closes the second discharge port 411c according to the mounting state of the collection container 42. When the collection container 42 is mounted on the collection main body 41, the second discharge port 411c is opened. On the other hand, when the collection container 42 is detached from the collection main body 41, the second discharge port 411c is opened. Configured to close.

  The case 411 is configured such that the bottom surface of the part forming the second space B is higher than the bottom surface of the part forming the first space A, and forms the second to fourth spaces B to D. The portion to be configured is configured such that the height of the bottom surface decreases from the second space B toward the fourth space D.

  On the other hand, the collection container 42 is a container having a predetermined volume that can be connected to the first and second discharge ports 411b and 411c formed in the lower part of the collection main body 41. The collection container 42 has first and second projecting portions 421 and 422 projecting upward. The first projecting portion 421 is connected to the first discharge port 411b, and the second projecting portion 422 is connected to the second discharge port 411c. It is configured to be possible.

  The second full sensor 423 is for detecting whether or not the waste toner is full in the collection container 42, and includes a light projector 423a and a light receiver 423b arranged to face each other with the first protrusion 421 interposed therebetween. Configured. The second full sensor 423 outputs a full detection signal indicating that the waste toner is full in the collection container 42 when the light between the light projector 423a and the light receiver 423b is blocked.

  In the waste toner collecting mechanism 4 having the above-described configuration, when the collection container 42 is mounted on the collection main body 41, the waste toner introduced from the introduction port 411a is the first as shown in FIG. It passes through the first space A and is discharged from the first discharge port 411b to the recovery container 42 without being deposited in the recovery main body 41. As a result, waste toner accumulates in the collection container 42.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the waste toner is accumulated up to the detection position (detection height) of the second full sensor 423 in the first protrusion 421, a full detection signal is output by the second full sensor 423. . At this time, as will be described later, the display 31 displays a message to that effect and prompts the user to replace the collection container 42.

  When the collection container 42 is removed from the collection main body 41 by the user, the first and second discharge ports 411b and 411c are closed, so that the collection container 42 in which waste toner is empty or nearly empty is newly attached. Until it is done, waste toner accumulates in the collection main body 41.

  Further, when a full detection signal is output from the second full sensor 423, the wing member 416 and the screw 413 are operated so that a space other than the second space B (first, third, and fourth spaces A, C) as much as possible. , D) to deposit waste toner. When the first full sensor 414 detects that the waste main body 41 is full of waste toner, the display unit 31 prompts prompt replacement or mounting of the collection container 42 as described later. Display is performed.

  Thereafter, when the collection container 42 in which the waste toner is empty or nearly empty is newly attached to the collection main body 41, the first and second discharge ports 411b and 411c are opened, and as shown in FIG. The waste toner accumulated in the fourth space D falls from the second discharge port 411c and is discharged to the collection container 42, and the waste toner introduced from the introduction port 411a is collected through the first space A. The liquid drops from the first discharge port 411 b without being deposited in the main body 41 and is discharged to the collection container 42.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 5 is composed of a microcomputer having an unillustrated storage unit including, for example, a ROM that stores a control program and a RAM that temporarily stores data, and controls operation of the entire printer 1. Is. The control unit 5 also performs display processing and image formation processing based on the full detection signals of the first and second full sensors 414 and 423, and drive processing of the screw 413 and the wing member 416 according to the mounting state of the collection container 42. Functionally, a notification unit 51, a drive control unit 52, and an image formation control unit 53 are functionally provided.

  The notification unit 51 causes the display unit 31 to perform a predetermined notification operation based on detection signals of the first and second full sensors 414 and 423. In the present embodiment, when the detection signal indicating that the collection container 42 is full of waste toner is output from the second full sensor 423, the notification unit 51, for example, as shown in FIG. Replace the container. ”Is displayed on the display 31 to prompt the replacement of the collection container 42, and the first full sensor 414 indicates that the collection main body 41 is full of waste toner. When the full detection signal is output, as shown in FIG. 9B, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the printing container 42 such as “Printing operation cannot be performed. Please install or replace the collection container immediately.” The display unit 31 is caused to display a message that prompts replacement.

  When the full detection signal is output from the second full sensor 423, the drive control unit 52 accumulates the waste toner in the collection main body 41. Therefore, in order to disperse the accumulated waste toner throughout the collection main body 41, When the motor that rotates the screw 413 and the blade member 416 via the rotating shaft 412 is driven while the new collection container 42 is mounted on the collection main body 41 and the second full sensor 423 does not output the full detection signal, Stop the motor drive.

  The image forming control unit 53 causes the image forming unit 2 to perform an image forming operation until the full detection signal is output from the first full sensor 414, and while the full detection signal is output from the first full sensor 414. The image forming operation by the image forming unit 2 is prohibited.

  Next, processing related to the waste toner collecting operation in the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing this processing.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the printer 1 is powered on (YES in step # 1), the control unit 5 determines whether or not a full detection signal is output from the second full sensor 423 (step #). 2) When a full detection signal is output from the second full sensor 423 (YES in step # 2), for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a recovery container such as “Please replace the recovery container”. The display 31 is prompted to exchange 42 (step # 3), and the motor is driven to rotate the screw 413 and the blade member 416 (step # 4). In step # 2, when the full detection signal is not output from the second full sensor 423 (NO in step # 2), the process of step # 2 is performed for a predetermined period until the full detection signal is output. Repeatedly.

  Then, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the recovery container 42 is newly attached (step # 5). If the recovery container 42 is not attached (NO in step # 5), the first full sensor It is determined whether a full detection signal is output from 414 (step # 6).

  As a result, when the full detection signal is not output from the first full sensor 414 (NO in step # 6), the control unit 5 returns to the process of step # 3 while detecting full from the first full sensor 414. When the signal is output (YES in step # 6), for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the collection container 42 such as “Printing operation cannot be executed. Please install the collection container immediately”. Is displayed on the display unit 31 (step # 7), the image forming operation by the image forming unit 2 is prohibited (step # 8), and the process of step # 5 is executed again.

  When the collection container 42 is newly attached in step # 5, the waste toner in the collection main body 41 is discharged to the collection container 42, and the full detection signal is not output from the first full sensor 414 (step #). The control unit 5 stops driving the motor (step # 9) and cancels the prohibition of the image forming operation (step # 10).

  Control unit 5 repeatedly executes the processes of steps # 2 to # 11 until the printer 1 is turned off (NO in step # 11), and when the power is turned off (YES in step # 11). Then, a series of processing is completed.

  As described above, the recovery main body 41 that can store (temporarily store) the waste toner to some extent even when the recovery container 42 is detached from the recovery main body 41 is configured. Even if the toner is full, the image forming operation can be performed until the waste toner in the collection main body 41 is full.

  In addition, since the first discharge port 411b is provided almost immediately below the introduction port 411a, the waste toner introduced from the introduction port 411a is collected when there is a collection space when the collection container 42 is attached. It falls into the collection container 42 without accumulating in the main body 41. As a result, the collection container 42 is prioritized over the collection main body 41 as a place where the waste toner accumulates. Therefore, when the collection container 42 is attached, the waste toner can be collected as much as possible.

  Further, since the screw 413 is provided, the third and third are caused by a state in which waste toner accumulates in a part of the collection main body 41, particularly in the first and second spaces A and B. The first full sensor 414 outputs a full detection signal without waste toner being deposited in the four spaces C and B as much as possible to prevent the image forming operation from being prohibited as much as possible, and the space of the collection main body 41 is utilized to the maximum. be able to.

  Further, since the second discharge port 411c is provided in addition to the first discharge port 411b, when the collection container 42 is attached to the collection main body 41 in a state where waste toner is accumulated on the collection main body 41, the collection main body 41 Most of the waste toner accumulated inside can be discharged into the collection container 42. As a result, it is possible to reduce as much as possible the occurrence of a state where the waste toner is full in the collection main body 41 and the image forming operation is prohibited.

  Further, when the collection container 42 in which the waste toner is empty or nearly empty is newly attached to the collection main body 41, the waste toner accumulated in the collection main body 41 falls and is discharged to the collection container 42. Therefore, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the occurrence of a state in which the image forming operation cannot be performed due to the waste toner filling the collection main body 41.

  Further, first and second full sensors 414 and 423 for detecting a full state of waste toner are installed in each of the collection container 42 and the collection main body 41, and full detection signals are output by these sensors 414 and 423. Then, since a predetermined notification operation is performed, the user can be prompted to replace the collection container.

  Note that this case includes modifications described in the following [1] to [4] in addition to or in place of the embodiment.

  [1] The number of outlets provided in the recovery main body is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

  [2] The timing for starting and stopping the motor is not limited to the timing described above (when the full detection signal is output from the second full sensor 423 and when the collection container 42 is mounted), and the timing for driving and stopping is more finely defined. Alternatively, the motor may be always driven while the printer 1 is powered on.

  [3] The notification mode for prompting replacement of the collection container is not limited to the visual one as described above, and a mode of outputting sound can also be adopted.

  [4] Although a printer has been described as an example of an image forming apparatus, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a copier, a multifunction machine, or the like may be used.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printer that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a waste toner collection | recovery mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows the mounting state of a wing | blade member. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state of accumulation of waste toner in a collection main body when no wing member is provided. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a state of accumulation of waste toner in a collection main body when a wing member is provided. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a waste toner accumulation state when a collection container is attached to a collection main body. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state when waste toner is full in a collection container. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state of accumulation of waste toner when a collection container is newly mounted in a state where waste toner is accumulated on the collection main body. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the display part which concerns on alerting | reporting operation | movement. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a waste toner collecting operation in the printer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Image formation part 3 Input operation part 31 Display part 4 Waste toner collection | recovery mechanism 41 Collection | recovery main-body part 411 Case 411a Introduction port 411b 1st discharge port 411c 2nd discharge port 413 Screw 414 1st full sensor 414a Light projector 414b Light receiver 415 , 417 Opening / closing mechanism 416 Wing member 42 Collection container 421 Protruding part 422 Protruding part 423 Second full sensor 423a Projector 423b Light receiver 5 Control part 51 Informing part 52 Drive control part 53 Image formation control part

Claims (3)

A waste toner collecting device for collecting unnecessary waste toner generated in connection with an image forming operation on a recording paper,
An introduction port for introducing the waste toner, a first storage space provided at a position substantially directly below the introduction port and capable of temporarily storing the waste toner introduced from the introduction port, and substantially directly below the introduction port. A second storage space provided at a position other than the position and capable of temporarily storing the waste toner introduced from the introduction port; and a first storage space provided between the first storage space and the second storage space. A temporary storage section having three storage spaces ;
A collection container having a predetermined volume for collecting waste toner introduced from the introduction port, and configured to be detachable from a lower portion of the temporary storage unit ;
First detection means for detecting whether or not the waste toner is full in the recovery container;
First notifying means for performing a predetermined notifying operation when the first detecting means detects that the waste toner is full ,
When the recovery container is attached to the temporary storage unit, the first storage space of the temporary storage unit communicates with the space in the recovery container, and when the recovery container is removed from the temporary storage unit, A first communication mechanism for blocking the first storage space of the temporary storage unit from an external space is provided at a position substantially directly below the inlet ;
When the recovery container is attached to the temporary storage unit, the second storage space of the temporary storage unit communicates with the space in the recovery container, and when the recovery container is removed from the temporary storage unit, A second communication mechanism for blocking the second storage space of the temporary storage unit from an external space is provided at a position substantially directly below the second storage space;
Dispersing means for dispersing the waste toner accumulated at a position almost directly below the introduction port toward the second communication mechanism is provided in the third storage space;
The dispersing means starts operating when the first detecting means detects that the waste toner is full, and the waste communication toner accumulated at a position substantially immediately below the inlet is provided in the second communication mechanism. A waste toner collecting device that disperses toward the surface. Second detection means for detecting whether or not the waste toner is full in the temporary storage unit;
2. The waste toner collection according to claim 1, further comprising: a second notification unit that performs a predetermined notification operation when the second detection unit detects that the waste toner is full. apparatus. Image forming means for performing an image forming operation on recording paper with toner;
An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a waste toner collecting device according to claim 1 or 2 for recovering unwanted waste toner generated in connection with the image forming operation by the image forming means.

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