JP2009139523A - Powder conveying device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of powder blocking by preventing the stagnation of powder and eliminating powder clogging in a powder delivery section from a first powder conveying path to a second powder conveying path without entailing size increase in the device. <P>SOLUTION: The first powder conveying path 41 and the second powder conveying path 44 are provided to be orthogonal to the powder delivery section U, and the first powder conveying path includes a first powder conveying member 35 such as a toner conveying screw, and the second powder conveying path is equipped with a second powder conveying member 45 such as a toner conveying coil. Toner (powder) conveyed by the first powder conveying member is put in the second powder conveying path through an opening section 42 of the powder delivery section, and continuously conveyed by the second powder conveying member. In such a powder conveying device 40, an upstream end of the second powder conveying member is formed in the shape of a shaft-less coil, the outside diameter D2 thereof is made larger than the diameter d of the opening section of the powder delivery section, and a pushing section 45a to be pushed on the opening section of the powder delivery section is provided at the upstream end of the second powder conveying member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a toner image formed on an image carrier is transferred directly or indirectly via an intermediate transfer member, and an image is recorded on a recording medium such as a sheet or a resin film. In such an image forming apparatus, the image carrier is integrated with some of the process means such as charging, developing, transferring, and cleaning that are arranged around the surface and form a toner image on the surface. The present invention relates to a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a main body at once. In an image forming apparatus or the like, powder such as toner conveyed by the first powder conveyance member is put into the second powder conveyance path through the mouth of the powder delivery unit, The present invention relates to a powder conveying apparatus that is continuously conveyed.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses using an electrophotographic system have been colorized and increased in speed, and a quadruple tandem system has become mainstream. However, in the quadruple tandem type image forming apparatus, four image forming stations including a photoconductor, a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device are arranged side by side in a tandem manner, and in the case of indirect transfer, a toner image is once supported. In the case of direct transfer, a transfer belt for transporting a recording medium is required. Therefore, it is a big problem to increase the size, to save space, and to reduce the size. .

  Further, in such a four-tandem image forming apparatus, waste toner is generated from an intermediate transfer belt, a conveyance belt, etc. in addition to the four image forming stations. The amount of waste toner also increases and the installation space for the waste toner container becomes large. From this point of view, it is a big problem to increase the size, to save space and to reduce the size.

  By the way, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, after transferring a toner image onto a recording medium, the toner remaining on the photosensitive member or intermediate transfer member as an image carrier is removed by a cleaning device, and the surface of the image carrier is neutralized. However, the image carrier is prepared for carrying the image again. On the other hand, the residual toner removed by the cleaning device is transported from the cleaning device by a powder transport device and collected in a waste toner container for disposal or returned to a developing device for recycling.

  Therefore, in conventional machines, conveying members such as a conveying screw and a conveying coil are provided in every conveying path to prevent toner from staying. However, in these methods, the toner is not sufficiently stirred in the powder delivery section, and in the case of a toner with poor fluidity or in a high temperature and high humidity environment, toner stays in the powder delivery section, and the toner The occurrence of problems such as blocking was not sufficiently prevented. In particular, when a toner conveying coil is used as the toner conveying member, the toner conveying coil is stretched or contracted by sliding resistance when rotating, and the coil length is not stable. In some cases, the toner cannot be brought close to the toner, and toner stays in the powder delivery section.

  In order to solve such problems, some conventional toner conveying devices include a first powder conveying path 1 and a second powder conveying path 2 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example. Are provided perpendicular to each other at the powder delivery section 3, and a conveying screw 4 that is a first powder conveying member is provided in the first powder conveying path 1 and a second powder conveying member is provided in the second powder conveying path 2. A powder which is provided with a certain transfer coil 5 and is transferred by the transfer screw 4 is put into the second powder transfer path 2 through the mouth 6 of the powder delivery unit 3 and is subsequently transferred by the transfer coil 5 There is.

JP 2006-195349 A

  However, in the toner conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 5 as well, when the toner is transferred from the conveying screw 4 to the conveying coil 5, when the toner conveying coil 5 rotates, the coil length increases due to sliding resistance or the like. If the elongation becomes large, the leading end of the transfer coil 5 may come into contact with the transfer screw 4 to cause winding or the like, and the coil length is stabilized due to variations in coil free length and coil elongation due to variations in coil rotation resistance. In particular, the tip of the transfer coil 5 cannot be brought close enough to the transfer screw 4, and toner retention or toner blocking occurs especially when toner with poor fluidity is transferred or in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment. There was a problem to make.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent the powder from clogging by preventing the powder from staying in the powder delivery section from the first powder conveyance path to the second powder conveyance path without causing an increase in the size of the apparatus. It is to prevent the occurrence of powder blocking.

  In order to achieve such an object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first powder conveyance path and the second powder conveyance path are provided orthogonally at the powder delivery section, and the first powder conveyance path is provided. A first powder conveying member such as a toner conveying screw is provided in the path, and a second powder conveying member such as a toner conveying coil is provided in the second powder conveying path, and is conveyed by the first powder conveying member. In the powder conveying apparatus in which the powder is put into the second powder conveying path through the mouth of the powder delivery unit and is subsequently conveyed by the second powder conveying member, the second powder conveying member The upstream end is formed into a coil shape without a shaft, and the outer diameter thereof is made larger than the size of the mouth portion of the powder delivery portion, and the mouth of the powder delivery portion is formed at the upstream end of the second powder transport member. A pressing portion that presses against the portion is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the powder conveyance device according to the first aspect, the mouth of the powder delivery unit is protruded from the pressing portion at the upstream end of the second powder conveyance member. A free end portion having a diameter smaller than that of the main body portion of the second powder conveying member passing through the first powder conveying path is formed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the powder conveying apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein toner is used as the powder, and image formation for a printer, a copy, a facsimile, or the like Device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the powder conveying apparatus according to the third aspect, waste toner collected from an image forming unit, an image transfer unit, or the like is used as the powder. .

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the powder conveying device according to the third aspect, a polymerized toner is used as the powder.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, a lubricant is applied to an image carrier to which toner is attached.

  The invention according to claim 7 is provided in the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, and includes an image carrier such as a drum-like or belt-like photoconductor, and the periphery of the image carrier. A process cartridge comprising a plurality of process means such as charging, developing, transferring, and cleaning that are arranged to form a toner image on the surface, and is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body. It is.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the upstream end of the second powder conveying member is formed into a coil shape without a shaft, and the outer diameter thereof is made larger than the size of the mouth portion of the powder delivery portion. Since the pressing part that presses against the mouth of the powder delivery part is provided at the upstream end of the two-powder conveying member, the second powder is kept pressed against the mouth of the powder delivery part. Even if the conveying member rotates and the coil-shaped second powder conveying member tries to extend due to the sliding resistance, it does not come into contact with the first powder conveying member through the mouth of the powder delivery unit. However, the upstream end of the second powder conveying member can be made sufficiently close to the first powder conveying member, and the second powder conveying path can be made without increasing the size of the apparatus. Especially when using powder with poor fluidity or at high temperature and high humidity Even under eliminate the powder clogging preventing residence of the powder, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the powder blocking.

  According to invention of Claim 2, it is a small diameter which protrudes from the pressing part at the upstream end of the 2nd powder conveyance member, passes through the opening | mouth part of a powder delivery part, and enters into the 1st powder conveyance path. Since the free end portion of the second powder conveying member is formed, the free end portion of the second powder conveying member rotates while swinging without contacting the surrounding members, and is conveyed by the first powder conveying member. The powder can be continuously conveyed while being agitated greatly. In addition, the occurrence of abnormal noise can be prevented by making the coil tip and the inner wall of the conveyance path non-contact.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes the powder conveyance device according to the first or second aspect and uses toner as the powder. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus provided with a powder conveyance device having the above-described effects of the present invention.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even if waste toner having poor toner fluidity is used as the powder, the waste toner is transported without delay, toner retention is prevented and toner clogging is eliminated, and toner blocking is achieved. Can be prevented.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the polymerized toner is used as the powder, in the image forming apparatus, the development characteristics and transferability are improved, the image quality is improved, and the toner is retained. Thus, toner clogging can be eliminated and toner blocking can be prevented.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the lubricant is applied to the image carrier to which the toner is adhered, in the image forming apparatus in which the toner fluidity is further deteriorated, the toner is conveyed without stagnation and the toner stays. Thus, toner clogging can be eliminated and toner blocking can be prevented.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to sixth aspects is provided, and the toner image is formed on the surface by being arranged around the image carrier and the image carrier. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 3 to 6, having some of the process means integrated therein, is detachably provided to the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is possible to provide a process cartridge which is provided in an image forming apparatus and can be miniaturized to improve the positional accuracy between the image carrier and the process means, and can be set and maintained easily.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an internal mechanism in a tandem type full-color image forming apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an image forming apparatus main body, and 200 denotes an image reading apparatus mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100.

  In the image forming apparatus main body 100, four image forming stations 10c, 10m, 10y, and 10b of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are arranged in a tandem manner. Each image forming station includes photoconductors 11c, 11m, 11y, and 11b as drum-shaped image carriers.

  Then, along with the clockwise rotation in the figure, first, a bias voltage is applied by each of the charging devices 12c, 12m, 12y, and 12b to uniformly charge the surface. Next, writing is performed by irradiating laser beams Lc, Lm, Ly, and Lb from the common writing device 13 based on the reading signal from the image reading device 200, respectively, and electrostatic is applied on the photoreceptors 11c, 11m, 11y, and 11b. A latent image is formed. After that, each developing device 14c, 14m, 14y, 14b attaches powder toner and visualizes the electrostatic latent image, and each color is monochromatic on the photoreceptors 11c, 11m, 11y, 11b. Form an image.

  Further, the endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 15 is moved counterclockwise in the drawing in contact with the photoreceptors 11c, 11m, 11y, and 11b, and the photoreceptors 11c, 11m are driven by the primary transfer devices 16c, 16m, 16y, and 16b. , 11y, and 11b, primary images are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 15 in order from cyan, and the transferred images are superimposed to form a full-color image on the intermediate transfer member 15.

  On the other hand, based on the operator's panel operation or a print signal from the host, one of the feed rollers 20 is selectively rotated at an appropriate timing, and the recording medium is fed from the corresponding paper feed cassette 21 in the image forming apparatus main body 100. P is fed out, conveyed through the recording medium conveying path 23, and abutted between the pair of registration rollers 24 and stopped. Then, the pair of registration rollers 24 are rotated in synchronization with the full color image on the intermediate transfer body 15, and the full color image is secondarily transferred to the recording medium P by the secondary transfer device 25. After that, the recording medium P after full-color image transfer is conveyed further upward as it is through the recording medium conveying path 23, and the unfixed transfer toner is fixed to the recording medium P when passing through the fixing nip of the fixing device 22, and the discharge roller The paper is discharged at 26 and stacked on the paper discharge stack device 27 on the image forming apparatus main body 100.

  The photoreceptors 11c, 11m, 11y, and 11b after the completion of the primary transfer are cleaned by the primary cleaning devices 17c, 17m, 17y, and 17b to remove residual toner. The intermediate transfer member 15 after the secondary transfer is finished is cleaned by the secondary cleaning device 18 to remove the remaining toner.

  Reference numerals 28c, 28m, 28y, and 28b in the drawing denote color toner bottles that replenish toner to the color developing devices 14c, 14m, 14y, and 14b, respectively, using a powder conveyance device (not shown).

  Now, when images are recorded on both the front and back sides of the recording medium P by the illustrated image forming apparatus, the recording medium P that has been recorded on one side that has passed through the fixing device 22 is switched by a switching claw (not shown) from the image forming apparatus main body 100 to both sides. It is inserted into the unit 92, switched back by the switchback path 93, turned upside down, and then re-entered into the image forming apparatus main body 100 through the refeed path 94, re-fed to the secondary transfer position, and separately transferred to the intermediate transfer body 15. After the image formed above is transferred and the image is recorded on the back side, the image is discharged to the paper discharge stack device 27 by the discharge roller 26.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, process means such as a charging device 12, a developing device 14, a cleaning device 17, and a static elimination device (not shown) are assembled in one cartridge case 31 together with the photoreceptor 11. The process cartridge 30 is formed by integrating them. Then, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is detachable in a lump. As a result, the overall size is reduced, the position accuracy of each process means with respect to the photoreceptor 11 is improved, and defects such as individual parts can be dealt with by repairing or replacing the process cartridge 30 so that it can be easily attached and detached. To improve maintainability. In each of the image forming stations 10c, 10m, 10y, and 10b, the process cartridge 30 having the same configuration is used only by using different color toners.

  Here, the process cartridge 30 does not need to be integrally provided with all the process means such as the charging device 12, the developing device 14, the cleaning device 17, and the static eliminator (not shown) together with the photosensitive member 11, and the process according to the present invention. In the cartridge, several process means may be provided integrally with the photoreceptor 11.

  Each process unit such as the charging device 12, the developing device 14, and the cleaning device 17 can be modularized and replaced together with the process cartridge 30, and the process cartridge 30 can be replaced on a module basis with the process cartridge 30 removed from the image forming apparatus body 100. You may do it. In this way, it is easy to use and it is possible to prevent wasteful use of resources due to disposal of usable process means along with the life of the process cartridge 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 17 in the illustrated example attaches a blade holder 32 to the cartridge case 31 of the process cartridge 30, supports the proximal end of the cleaning blade 33 with the blade holder 32, and supports the tip of the cleaning blade 33. Press against the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 11. The base end of a resin film 34 such as Mylar (registered trademark) film is attached to the cartridge case 31 and the front end is lightly pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 11. A collected toner storage space 36 is formed in the cartridge case 31. A first powder transport member 35 is rotatably provided in the collected toner storage space 36.

  Then, along with the rotation of the photoconductor 11, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 11 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 33, and the scraped toner is removed while the resin film 34 prevents the scraped toner from scattering. It is stored in the collected toner storage space 36. The toner stored in the collected toner storage space 36 is transported by a powder transport device 40, which will be described in detail later, collected on one side of the cleaning device 17 by the first powder transport member 35, and discharged from the cartridge case 31 from there. In this example, the toner is transported to a lower waste toner container 37 shown in FIG. If there is no fear of color mixing, it may be returned to the developing device 14 for recycling.

  3A and 3B show a powder conveying device 40 that conveys the toner collected by the cleaning device 17 to the waste toner container 37 in the full-color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. ) Shows the arrangement configuration of the first powder conveying member 35 and the second powder conveying member 45 used in the powder conveying device 40, and FIG. A schematic configuration of the powder delivery unit U from the path 41 to the second powder conveyance path 44 is shown.

  In the cartridge case 31 of the process cartridge 30, a first powder conveyance path 41 is formed in the collected toner storage space 36 to convey the toner collected by the cleaning device 17 and collect it on one side of the cleaning device 17. The first powder conveyance path 41 is connected to the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery unit U opened in the cartridge case 31. The mouth portion 42 may be a circular opening as illustrated, or may be a rectangular or other opening. The first powder transport path 41 is provided with a straight screw-shaped first powder transport member 35 that is supported by the cartridge case 31.

  One end of the pipe member 43 is connected to the position of the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery unit U. The inner diameter D1 of the pipe member 43 is made larger than the diameter d of the mouth portion 42, and the periphery of the mouth portion 42 projects inward from the inner periphery of the pipe member 43. A curved second powder conveyance path 44 is formed in the pipe member 43 and communicates with the first powder conveyance path 41 via the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery section U. The path 41 and the second powder transport path 44 are provided orthogonally at the powder delivery unit U.

  In such a second powder conveyance path 44, a second powder conveyance member 45 is provided. The second powder conveying member 45 has a coil shape without an axis, and has an outer diameter D2 larger than the diameter d of the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery unit U, and the upstream end of the second powder conveying member 45 In addition, a pressing portion 45a for pressing the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery portion U is provided. The upstream end axis L2 is provided perpendicularly downward to the downstream end axis L1 of the first powder conveying member 35 in the vertical direction.

  As a result, in the illustrated powder conveyance device 40, the first powder conveyance member 35 and the second powder conveyance member 45 are respectively rotated, and the toner stored in the collected toner storage space 36 is first supplied to the first powder conveyance member 35. Then, it is conveyed in the direction of the arrow through the first powder conveying path 41, collected on one side of the cleaning device 17, and spontaneously falls from the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery unit U of the cartridge case 31 based on gravity, thereby conveying the second powder. Pass to Road 44. Then, the toner transported by the first powder transport member 35 is continuously transported in the direction of the arrow while stirring, and from the discharge port (not shown) of the pipe member 43 to the waste toner tank 37 below shown in FIG. Discharge.

  Accordingly, the second powder conveying member 45 rotates in a state where the pressing portion 45a is pressed against the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery portion U, and the coil-shaped second powder conveying member 45 extends due to the sliding resistance. However, the powder does not enter from the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery unit U and come into contact with the first powder conveying member 35, but the upstream end of the second powder conveying member 45 is conveyed to the first powder conveying member. In the powder transfer section U from the first powder conveyance path 41 to the second powder conveyance path 44 without causing an increase in the size of the apparatus, the member 45 can be made sufficiently close to the member 45. Even when a bad toner is used or in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, the toner can be prevented from staying and the toner can be prevented from being clogged, and toner blocking can be prevented.

  4A and 4B show another example of the powder conveying device 40 that conveys the toner collected by the cleaning device 17 to the waste toner container 37 in the full-color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4A shows the arrangement configuration of the first powder conveying member 35 and the second powder conveying member 45 used in the powder conveying device 40, and FIG. The schematic structure of the powder delivery part U from the powder conveyance path 41 to the 2nd powder conveyance path 44 is shown.

  In this example, unlike the example shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the pipe member 43 on the side of the powder delivery portion U is formed with a narrow neck portion 42, and the pipe member 43 has a neck portion 42 facing downward. The step portion i is formed. And the pressing part 45a currently formed in the front-end | tip part of the coil-shaped 2nd powder conveyance member 45 is pressed by the step part i of the opening part 42. FIG. Similarly, the second powder conveying member 45 has a tip-less coil shape, and the second powder conveying member 45 has a larger diameter than the diameter of the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery unit U. An outer diameter pressing portion 45a is provided. However, in this example, a small-diameter free end portion 45b protrudes from the pressing portion 45a and does not contact the inner surface of the pipe member 43, and passes through the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery portion U for the first conveyance. It enters into the road 41.

  Thus, as the second powder conveying member 45 rotates, the free end 45b does not come into contact with the surrounding members and rotates while shaking, greatly agitating the toner conveyed by the first powder conveying member 35. It is possible to continue transporting. Further, since the coil tip and the inner wall of the transfer path are not in contact with each other, no abnormal noise is generated.

  Therefore, also in this example, the second powder conveying member 45 rotates in a state where the pressing portion 45a is pressed against the step portion i of the mouth portion 42 of the powder delivery portion U, and the coil-shaped second powder conveying member. Even if 45 tends to stretch due to sliding resistance, it cannot stretch, and the free end 45b is not stretched because it is provided in contact with the surrounding members. There is no contact with the conveying member 35. And since the coil length can be stabilized in the same manner, the upstream end of the second powder conveying member 45 can be made sufficiently close to the first powder conveying member 45 without causing an increase in the size of the apparatus. In the powder delivery unit U from the first powder conveyance path 41 to the second powder conveyance path 44, the toner stays even when using toner having poor fluidity or in a high temperature and high humidity environment. This prevents toner clogging and prevents toner blocking.

  By the way, when a polymerized toner is used as the toner that is powder, in the image forming apparatus, development characteristics and transferability are improved, image quality is improved, toner retention is prevented, and toner clogging is eliminated. The occurrence of toner blocking can be prevented.

  Also, in an image forming apparatus in which a lubricant is applied to an image carrier to which toner is attached and the toner fluidity is further deteriorated, when the present invention is applied, the toner is transported without stagnation and toner retention is prevented. And toner blocking can be prevented.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an internal mechanism in a tandem type full-color image forming apparatus. 2 is a configuration diagram of a process cartridge included in the image forming apparatus. FIG. (A) and (B) show a powder conveyance device for conveying the toner collected by the cleaning device to a waste toner container in the full-color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and (A) shows the powder conveyance. (B) shows the arrangement of the first powder conveying member and the second powder conveying member used in the apparatus, and shows the powder delivery from the first powder conveying path to the second powder conveying path in the powder conveying apparatus. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a part. (A) and (B) show another example of a powder conveying device for conveying the toner collected by the cleaning device to a waste toner container in the full-color image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The arrangement configuration of the first powder conveying member and the second powder conveying member used in the powder conveying device is shown in (B), from the first powder conveying path to the second powder conveying path in the powder conveying device. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a powder delivery part. (A) and (B) show a powder conveyance device that conveys toner collected by a cleaning device to a waste toner container in a conventional full-color image forming apparatus, and (A) shows the powder conveyance device. The arrangement configuration of the first powder conveying member and the second powder conveying member to be used is shown in (B) of the powder delivery section from the first powder conveying path to the second powder conveying path in the powder conveying apparatus. It is a figure which shows schematic structure.

Explanation of symbols

11 Photoconductor 12 Charging device (process means)
14 Developing device (process means)
17 Cleaning device (process means)
30 Process Cartridge 35 First Powder Conveying Member 40 Powder Conveying Device 41 First Powder Conveying Path 42 Mouth Portion of Powder Delivery Part 43 Pipe Member 44 Second Powder Conveying Path 45 Second Powder Conveying Member 45a Second Powder conveying member pressing portion 45b Free end portion 100 of second powder conveying member Image forming apparatus body L1 Axis of downstream end of first powder conveying member L2 Axis of upstream end of second powder conveying member U Powder Body delivery part d Diameter of mouth part D1 Inner diameter of pipe member D2 Outer diameter of second powder conveying member i Step part of mouth part

Claims (7)

The first powder conveyance path and the second powder conveyance path are provided orthogonally at the powder delivery section, and the first powder conveyance member is disposed in the first powder conveyance path. A second powder conveying member is provided, and the powder conveyed by the first powder conveying member is put into the second powder conveying path through the mouth of the powder delivery part, and the second powder In the powder conveying device that is continuously conveyed by the body conveying member,
The upstream end of the second powder transport member is formed in a coil shape without a shaft, and the outer diameter thereof is made larger than the size of the mouth of the powder delivery portion. And a pressing portion that presses against the mouth of the powder delivery portion.   A small free end that protrudes from the pressing portion at the upstream end of the second powder conveying member and passes through the mouth of the powder delivery portion and enters the first powder conveying path is formed. The powder conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   An image forming apparatus comprising the powder conveying device according to claim 1, wherein toner is used as the powder.   The powder conveying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein waste toner is used as the powder.   The powder conveying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a polymerized toner is used as the powder.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a lubricant is applied to the image carrier to which the toner is attached.   An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein an image carrier and a plurality of process means for forming a toner image on a surface disposed around the image carrier are integrated, A process cartridge which is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body.

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