Powder transport apparatus

A powder transport apparatus comprising:

• a housing comprising a first transport path and a second transport path that are separated by a partition wall extending in one direction, the first transport path and the second transport path being connected to each other by a first connection port and a second connection port, the first connection port and the second connection port being separated in the one direction with the partition wall interposed therebetween;
• a first transport member provided in the first transport path, the first transport member being configured to transport powder in a direction extending from the first connection port towards the second connection port;
• and
• a second transport member provided in the second transport path, the second transport member being configured to transport the powder in a direction extending from the second connection port towards the first connection port, wherein
• a transport force of the second transport member at a portion of the second transport member where the second transport member faces the first connection port is smaller than a transport force of the second transport member at a portion of the second transport member where the second transport member faces the second connection port,
• wherein the powder transport apparatus is configured to supply powder to a roller which uses the powder, and the first transport path is disposed closer to a side of the powder transport apparatus configured to be adjacent the roller than the second transport path.

A powder transport apparatus comprising:

• a housing comprising a first transport path and a second transport path that are separated by a partition wall extending in one direction, the first transport path and the second transport path being connected to each other by a first connection port and a second connection port, the first connection port and the second connection port being separated in the one direction with the partition wall interposed therebetween;
• first transport means provided in the first transport path, the first transport means for transporting powder in a direction extending from the first connection port towards the second connection port;
• and
• second transport means provided in the second transport path, the second transport means for transporting the powder in a direction extending from the second connection port towards the first connection port, wherein
• a transport force of the second transport means at a portion of the second transport means where the second transport means faces the first connection port is smaller than a transport force of the second transport means at a portion of the second transport means where the second transport means faces the partition wall,
• wherein the powder transport apparatus is configured to supply powder to a roller which uses the powder, and the first transport path is disposed closer to a side of the powder transport apparatus configured to be adjacent the roller than the second transport path.