Method and device for conveying waste toner in an image forming device

A device to move waste toner within a waste toner reservoir having an inlet and a first section positioned vertically above the inlet, the device comprising:

• a supply mechanism extending into the inlet to move toner through the inlet and into an interior of the waste toner reservoir;
• a guide member positioned within the waste toner reservoir and having a first end attached to the supply mechanism and a second end that extends to a point above the inlet;
• and
• a wire auger positioned within the waste toner reservoir and having a helical configuration that wraps around the guide member, the wire auger having a first wire auger end attached to the supply mechanism with rotation of the supply mechanism causing rotation of the wire auger to move toner from the inlet towards the second end.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a waste toner reservoir having an inlet and a first section vertically above the inlet;
• a supply mechanism that extends within a cartridge and moves the waste toner from the cartridge and into the waste toner reservoir;
• a guide member having a first guide member end attached to the supply mechanism and a second guide member end terminating within the first section;
• and
• a wire auger having a helical configuration that wraps around the guide member, the wire auger having a first wire auger end attached to the supply mechanism with rotation of the supply mechanism causing rotation of the wire auger to move toner from the inlet towards the first section.

A method of moving waste toner within an image forming device, the method comprising the steps of:

• rotating a supply mechanism and moving the waste toner into a waste toner reservoir;
• maintaining a guide member that is connected to the supply mechanism relatively stationary during rotation of the supply mechanism;
• and
• rotating the supply mechanism and causing rotation of a wire auger within the waste toner reservoir and vertically moving the waste toner from the inlet towards a point vertically above the inlet.