DE102004064015B4 - Container for receiving consumables, in particular for printing or copying devices - Google Patents

Abstract

When the container is provided as a closure means (16) for opening or closing its outlet opening a cover plate (16) which is mounted in a plate guide (17) in the container (11), such that it is displaceable for opening or closing. The cover plate (16) can be locked in the plate guide in the container (11) to prevent their unwanted displacement.

Description

The filling of consumables from a container in a receiving means is particularly important in electrographic printing or copying. In this application, it is necessary to constantly introduce toner as a consumable material into at least one developer station as a receiving means. The function of such a printing or copying device is eg off WO 2000/019278 A1 known. There is also the replenishment of toner in the developer station described on WO 2000/019278 A1 is therefore expressly pointed out and its content is added to the revelation. It is described how a container of toner can be connected to a developer station to charge new toner into the developer station. In addition, it is described how the contents of the container for the toner z. B. can be held in a transponder to ensure that in the developer station only the right toner is filled.

Out US 6,463,243 B1 Also, an arrangement for conveying toner into a toner receiving container is known. The toner receptacle has an opening that can be opened or closed by a drawer. A container for new toner contains a funnel-shaped device, which can be closed by a slide. The drawer can be coupled to the slider so that both can be opened together to load new toner into the toner container.

Other arrangements for conveying toner into a toner receptacle are out DE 196 06 097 A1 and DE 44 37 070 A1 known. DE 196 06 097 A1 describes an arrangement in which a spring-loaded closure member closes the filling opening for the toner in the toner receiving container. By sliding the closure member along a guide rail, the closure member rotates and releases the filling opening so that toner can be filled into the toner receiving container. Out DE 44 37 070 A1 There is an arrangement in which a cylindrical toner reservoir is placed on a closure part of the toner storage container and thereby a connection between the toner reservoir and the toner receiving container is made. By rotating the toner reservoir, the toner receiving container closing member and the toner reservoir are simultaneously opened so that toner can flow into the toner accommodating container. By turning back the toner reservoir, the connection between this and the toner receptacle is released while the two containers are closed.

The invention is based on the problem to provide a container which is particularly suitable for cooperation with a receiving means. This problem is solved according to the features of claim 1.

Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

• – sie aufeinander gesetzt werden können;
• – aneinander arretiert werden können;
• – gemeinsam bewegt werden können.

In order to convey the consumable material from the container into the receiving means, a container for the consumable is proposed according to the invention with a cover plate as a closure means for the outlet opening, which is adapted to the closure means of the receiving means, so that they can form an operative connection such that

• - they can be placed on top of each other;
• - can be locked together;
• - can be moved together.

If the cover plate is stored in a plate guide in the container, it can be moved to open or close the container. It may have a straight or curved shape and be adapted to the shape of the closure means of the receiving means.

In order to avoid leakage of consumable material from the container during transport, the cover plate may be covered with a film, which is withdrawn before placing the container on the receiving means.

• – eine gerade, in keiner Richtung vorgebogene Abdeckplatte, wenn sie in die gewölbte Plattenführung geschoben wird;
• – eine Abdeckplatte mit einer anderen Wölbung als die Plattenführung.

The container can be placed on the receiving means for refilling consumables. If the closure means for the receiving means has a curved shape, also the cover plate on the surface, where it is placed on the closure means of the receiving means, may have a curved executed shape. This can then be performed in a likewise curved plate guide in the container. To prevent accidental slipping out of the cover plate from the container, it can be held by clips, grooves and springs, other connectors or foam. Other connectors can z. For example:

• - A straight, not bent in any direction cover plate when it is pushed into the curved plate guide;
• - A cover plate with a different curvature than the plate guide.

The cover plate may be fixed so that, while it is protected against accidental opening, but with a reasonable degree of force can still be pushed by the container.

In order to prevent the container leakage of consumables, sealing elements may be inserted in the plate guide. As sealing elements z. As felts, foam or pieces of carpet can be used.

In an advantageous embodiment of a seal at the container, a sealing element can be arranged around the outlet opening of the container, which projects beyond the container a few millimeters. When the cover plate is pushed onto the container, this pushes the sealing element together, whereby a complete seal is achieved. In order to reduce the resistance in pushing the cover plate into the plate guide, it is advantageous to make the plate guide tapered and to make the engaging means of the cover plate, which cooperate with the plate guide, inverse to the plate guide. Then the sealing element is initially not compressed when pushing, this takes place only at the end of Aufschiebevorganges when the cover reaches its closed position. In this way, the sealing element is also protected. The disk guide can z. B. have a round shape with permanently increasing or decreasing radius.

If the support surface of the cover plate facing the closure means for the receiving means comprises elastic material, it can be achieved that it rests elastically on the closure means. This prevents that consumable material can accumulate between the cover plate and closure means.

If the container should contain as much consumable material, it is expedient that this has cuboid shape. In order to achieve a trouble-free filling of consumables in the receiving means, side walls can be arranged in the container so that an obstacle free tiles of the consumable material is ensured in the container. The side walls may be chamfered or curved or have a different design. If no cuboidal shape is provided for the container, the outer walls can already be designed so that the consumables can flow smoothly. However, static considerations should always be considered when designing the container.

With reference to an embodiment, which is illustrated in the figures, the invention will be further explained. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of the receiving means with attached container;

2 a representation of the container;

3 an illustration of the fixing means for the cover plate in the container;

4 a representation of the locking between the cover plate and a closure means for the receiving means;

5 a further illustration of container and receiving means with special design of the container;

6 a perspective view of the container and cover plate when the outlet opening is surrounded by a sealing element;

7 a first embodiment of the cover plate;

8th a second embodiment of the cover plate.

The invention is described in the figures with reference to an arrangement AO, in which from a container consumable material in a receiving means z. B. in a toner box in the developer station of an electrographic printing or copying new toner is to be filled. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. It can be used wherever consumables are to be transferred from a container into a receptacle without the environment being polluted or a user being allowed to come in contact with the consumable.

The new toner is in a container 11 delivered. To remove the toner from the container 11 in the receiving means for the consumable, in the following Tonerbox 12 called to promote, becomes a system of the toner box 12 and the container 11 used. The toner box 12 can as a closure means a lid 10 for opening and closing, the container 11 as closure means a cover plate 16 , For example, the lid as a lock 10 will be realized. Other implementations of the closure means of the toner box 12 or the container 11 are also possible. In the following, however, is spoken in the explanation of the invention of a lock, without limiting the invention thereto.

In 1 the arrangement AO is shown schematically in front view. The toner box 12 has as a closure means the lock 10 on, which is rotatable and with which the filling opening of the toner box 12 can be closed. On the toner box 12 should the container 11 for toner can be put on to the toner in the toner box 12 fill. The container 11 has as a closure means the cover plate 16 on, with its outlet opening can be closed. In 1 is the container 11 on the toner box 12 placed so that between cover plate 16 and lock 10 an operative connection exists so that both can be moved together. This active compound consists z. B. from a web 21 on the lock 10 and a groove 22 in the cover plate 16 ,

The container 11 indicates the area where he is on the lock 10 the toner box 12 is set, as a closure a cover plate 16 on, the shape of the lock 10 can be adjusted. With a cylindrical shape of the lock 10 It is expedient, the cover plate 16 to perform arched. This realization is the 2 refer to. Here is the container 11 with the in a plate guide 17 mounted cover plate 16 shown. The cover plate 16 is then in a likewise curved plate guide 17 stored. To prevent accidental slipping out of the cover plate 16 from the plate guide 17 It can be prevented by clips 18 ( 3a ), Tongue and groove 19 ( 3c ) in the plate guide 17 being held. The plate guide 17 can also rejuvenate in the end ( 3b ). In this rejuvenation 20 can then the cover plate 16 be fixed. Other fixatives are also possible: z. B., the cover plate 16 in one of the curvature of the plate guide 17 to be bent in the opposite direction ( 3e ), so that the cover plate 16 when in the plate guide 17 of the container 11 is inserted, outwards to the plate guide 17 presses. A just in any direction vorgebogene cover plate 16 can achieve the same effect when placed in a curved plate guide 17 is pushed. The cover plate 16 But it should be fixed so that it is protected against accidental opening, but with a reasonable amount of force can still be pushed from the container.

To the cover plate 16 in the plate guide 17 seal, sealing elements, such as. B. felts or tapers of the disk guide 17 be attached so that the cover plate 16 especially firm or tight in the plate guide 17 is arranged.

In 6 is a container 11 and an associated cover plate 16 shown in perspective. Around the outlet opening 29 is an elastic density element 51 , z. B. plastic, arranged a few millimeters above the surface 53 of the container 11 protrudes. On the container 11 Now the cover plate 16 deferred, causing the density element 51 is compressed and a complete seal is achieved. To facilitate pushing, the plate guide 17 designed to be tapered in the sliding direction, has z. B. a round shape with permanently decreasing or decreasing radius. The with the plate guide 17 cooperating engagement means 52 the cover plate 16 are adjusted accordingly or inversely executed. If the cover plate 16 on the container 11 is pushed, grab the first intervention means 52 without resistance in the plate guide 17 one. Only at the end of the sliding path creates a great resistance, because then the sealing element 51 is depressed. The consequence is that an increased force for pushing the cover plate 16 only for a short time must be spent and that the sealing element 51 is depressed just before reaching the shutter position and is thus spared. Would the cover plate 16 already depressing the sealing element at the beginning of the sliding process, a continuously increasing force would have to be applied from the beginning.

The 7 and 8th show two possible implementations of cover plate 16 and plate guide 17 , where at 7 the plate guide 17 arched (arched shape 54 ) is executed, in 8th Beveled (bevelled shape 55 ).

In the 6 - 8th are cover plate 16 and plate guide 17 just executed in order to show the principle of the seal clearer. cover 16 and plate guide 17 can be adapted to the lock 10 also be curved.

To refill the toner box 12 with toner becomes the container 11 on the lock 10 set ( 1 ), with the cover plate 16 of the container 11 on the lock 10 can engage, ie it is an operative connection according to the lock principle between cover plate 16 and lock 10 produced. This can z. B. after 1 or 4 on a surface section 15 the lock 10 a footbridge 21 and on the cover plate 16 a corresponding groove 22 (in 4 is the groove 22 just hinted, as they only in the cover plate 16 should be arranged) are arranged. When placing the container 11 on the lock 10 the bridge attacks 21 in the groove 22 one. The locking means 21 . 22 are to be chosen such that the force F _D in the direction of rotation 23 the lock 10 can be big, in the direction 24 to release the connector, the force F _AB, however, is low. By moving the lock 10 then becomes the cover plate 16 taken from the container 11 pushed away and with the lock 10 transported. Then the container 11 and also the lock 10 opened so that toner from the container 11 in the toner box 12 can flow.

The connector can also be realized in other ways, eg. B. as Velcro.

After the container 11 empty is the lock 10 with the cover plate 16 moved back and the toner box 12 and the container 11 closed. These are containers 11 and toner box 12 independently closed and the container 11 can from the toner box 12 be removed. The toner box 12 is through the lock 10 closed and the container 11 through the pushed back cover plate 16 , returning to the fixative after 3 locks.

• – Die Abdeckplatte 16 wird in einer bzw. in zwei Plattenführungen 17 des Behälters 11 fixiert gehalten.
• – Die Abdeckplatte 16 ist entsprechend der Plattenführung 17 geformt.
• – Wird die Abdeckplatte 16 von derselben Seite wieder auf den Behälter 11 aufgeschoben, von der sie weggeschoben wurde, kann eine Seite der Plattenführung 17 geschlossen sein, 3e. Damit ist eine Stelle 25 abgedichtet, aus der Toner aus dem Behälter 11 austreten könnte.
• – Die Abdeckplatte 16 kann mittels Klipsen, Nut und Feder oder anderen Befestigungsmöglichkeiten an der Schleuse 10 befestigt werden, um beim Drehen der Schleuse 10 von dieser mitgenommen zu werden. In 4 ist eine Befestigungsmöglichkeit prinzipiell dargestellt. Hier ist die Befestigung so gewählt worden, dass in Drehrichtung 23 der Schleuse 10 hohe Kräfte F_D aufgewendet werden können, ohne die Verbindung zu lösen. In anderer Richtung 24, z. B. senkrecht zur Drehrichtung 23 der Schleuse 10, kann die Befestigung aber relativ leicht gelöst werden (kleine Kraft F_AB).
• – Die Steckverbindung zwischen Schleuse 10 und Abdeckplatte 16 kann so gewählt werden, dass bei Nut und Feder (Steg) als Verbindung sich die Nut 22 an der Abdeckplatte 16 und die Feder 21 an der Schleuse 10 befindet (4). Würde sich die Feder an der Abdeckplatte 16 befinden, könnte man evtl. durch manuelles Anziehen an der Feder den Behälter 11 öffnen.
• – Alternativ zum Aufstecken besteht auch die Möglichkeit, den Behälter 11 auf die Schleuse 10 aufzuschieben. Diese Verbindung ist dann fester als die nach 5, aber auch aufwendiger.
• – Die Abdeckplatte 16 kann aus Gründen der Sauberkeit mit einer Folie verschlossen werden, die kurz vor dem Aufsetzen auf die Schleuse 10 abgezogen wird.

For the construction of the container 11 In summary, the following features are important:
cover 16 in the container 11 :

• - The cover plate 16 is in one or two plate guides 17 of the container 11 kept fixed.
• - The cover plate 16 is according to the plate guide 17 shaped.
• - Will the cover plate 16 from the same side back to the container 11 postponed, from which it was pushed, one side of the plate guide 17 be closed 3e , This is a job 25 sealed, from the toner from the container 11 could escape.
• - The cover plate 16 can by means of clips, tongue and groove or other fastening options on the lock 10 be attached to when turning the lock 10 to be taken away by this. In 4 a mounting option is shown in principle. Here, the attachment has been chosen so that in the direction of rotation 23 the lock 10 high forces F _D can be spent without loosening the connection. In other direction 24 , z. B. perpendicular to the direction of rotation 23 the lock 10 However, the attachment can be solved relatively easily (small force F _AB ).
• - The plug connection between the lock 10 and cover plate 16 can be chosen so that at tongue and groove (bridge) as a compound, the groove 22 on the cover plate 16 and the spring 21 at the lock 10 located ( 4 ). Would the spring on the cover plate 16 You could possibly, by manual tightening on the spring the container 11 to open.
• - Alternatively, it is also possible to attach the container 11 on the lock 10 postpone. This connection is stronger then the one after 5 but also more elaborate.
• - The cover plate 16 For reasons of cleanliness, it can be closed with a foil just before it is put on the lock 10 is deducted.

• – Ist der Behälter 11 auf die Schleuse 10 aufgesetzt worden, ist die Verbindung zwischen Schleuse 10 und Behälter 11 so dicht, dass kein Toner entweichen kann.
• – Der Behälter 11 wird beim Aufsetzen so geführt, dass er sicher in die Befestigung Abdeckplatte – Schleuse einrastet.
• – Die eingerastete Abdeckplatte 16 auf der Schleuse 10 wird von dieser mitgenommen und öffnet dabei den Behälter 11.
• – Die eingerastete Abdeckplatte 16 auf der Schleuse 10 wird von dieser mitgenommen und mit der Schleuse 10 verschoben.
• – Zur weiteren Verhinderung von Verschmutzungen können Reinigungselemente (z. B. teppichartiger Stoff, Filze) z. B. in der Schleusenführung 13 so angeordnet werden, dass sie beim Drehen die Schleuse 10 und die Abdeckplatte 16 reinigen.
• – Um die Verschmutzung möglichst gering zu halten, ist es weiterhin sinnvoll, beim Einrasten der Abdeckplatte 16 auf der Schleuse 10 die Abdeckplatte 16 direkt auf der Schleuse 10 anzuordnen, so dass keine Lücke zwischen der Abdeckplatte 16 und der Schleuse 10 besteht, um dem Toner keine Möglichkeit zu bieten, sich in diesem Zwischenraum ungewollt anzusammeln.
• – Die Auflagefläche von Abdeckplatte 16 und/oder Schleuse 10 kann ganz oder teilweise aus einem elastischen Material bestehen. Dann gibt die elastisch ausgeführte Fläche beim Aufsetzen leicht nach und dichtet die Auflagefläche ab.

Particular advantages of the container can be seen in the following features:

• - Is the container 11 on the lock 10 has been put on, is the connection between lock 10 and containers 11 so tight that no toner can escape.
• - The container 11 is guided during placement in such a way that it snaps securely into the fastening cover plate lock.
• - The locked cover plate 16 on the lock 10 is taken away by this, thereby opening the container 11 ,
• - The locked cover plate 16 on the lock 10 is taken by this and with the lock 10 postponed.
• - To further prevent contamination cleaning elements (eg carpet-like fabric, felts) z. B. in the lock guide 13 be arranged so that when turning the lock 10 and the cover plate 16 clean.
• - To keep the contamination as low as possible, it is still useful when snapping the cover plate 16 on the lock 10 the cover plate 16 directly on the lock 10 Arrange so that there is no gap between the cover plate 16 and the lock 10 There is no way for the toner to accumulate in this space unintentionally.
• - The bearing surface of cover plate 16 and / or lock 10 may be wholly or partly made of an elastic material. Then the elastically running surface gives slightly when placed on and seals the support surface.

• – Der Behälter 11 sollte möglichst viel Toner aufnehmen können. Mit dieser Vorgabe liegt eine Quaderform des Behälters 11 nahe, allerdings sind je nach Anwendungsfall auch andere Formen des Behälters möglich.
• – An eine von z. B. sechs Seiten des Behälters 11 kann ein Transponder 27 angeordnet werden, der auf bekannte Weise Daten über den Inhalt des Behälters 11 enthält (s. WO 2000/019278 A1 ).
• – Die Innenflächen 28 des Behälters 11 sind so gestaltet, dass beim Öffnen der Abdeckplatte 16 eine Auslassöffnung 29 für den Toner entsteht, über den der Toner ungehindert über die Schleuse 10 in die Tonerbox 12 fallen kann. Da die Auslassöffnung 29 nicht über die gesamte Breite des Behälters 11 verläuft, sind die Wände 28 im Inneren des Behälters 11 so geformt, dass der Toner nicht in Ecken liegen bleibt, sondern vollständig durch die Auslassöffnung 29 rutscht (5). Die Innenwände 28 können z. B. schräg zur Auslassöffnung 29 führen bzw. gewölbt in Richtung zur Auslassöffnung 29 gestaltet sein.
• – Um nicht einen Behälter 11 mit zusätzlichen Innenwänden 28 zu haben, kann der Behälter 11 auch so geformt sein, dass die zur Auslassöffnung 29 hinführenden Wände 28 zugleich die Außenwände darstellen.
• – Ist aber eine breite Form des Behälters 11, z. B. eine Quaderform, nötig (z. B. wegen der Stabilität beim Aufsetzen), so kann eine Kombination eines quaderförmigen Behälters 11 mit steil zur Auslassöffnung 29 abfallenden Innenwänden 28 zum Einsatz kommen (5).

When realizing the shape of the container 11 the following features are an advantage:

• - The container 11 should be able to absorb as much toner as possible. With this specification is a cuboid shape of the container 11 close, however, depending on the application, other forms of container are possible.
• - To one of z. B. six sides of the container 11 can a transponder 27 be arranged, which in known manner data about the contents of the container 11 contains (s. WO 2000/019278 A1 ).
• - The inner surfaces 28 of the container 11 are designed so that when you open the cover plate 16 an outlet opening 29 for the toner, over which the toner passes unhindered over the lock 10 in the toner box 12 can fall. Because the outlet opening 29 not over the entire width of the container 11 runs are the walls 28 inside the container 11 shaped so that the toner does not remain in corners, but completely through the outlet opening 29 slips ( 5 ). The interior walls 28 can z. B. obliquely to the outlet opening 29 lead or arched towards the outlet opening 29 be designed.
• - Not a container 11 with additional interior walls 28 the container can be 11 also be shaped so that the outlet opening 29 leading walls 28 at the same time represent the outer walls.
• - But is a wide shape of the container 11 , z. B. a cuboid shape, necessary (eg., Because of the stability during placement), so may a combination of a cuboid container 11 with steep to the outlet opening 29 sloping interior walls 28 to be used ( 5 ).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

AO

arrangement

10

Cover or lock

11

container

12

Recording medium or toner box

16

cover

17

plate guide

18

Clips = fixative

19

Tongue and groove = fixing agent

20

Rejuvenation of the plate guide

21

web

22

Groove (cover plate)

23

Direction of rotation of the lock

24

Direction perpendicular to 23

25

closed side of the plate guide

28

Wall of the container

29

Outlet of the container

51

sealing element

52

Engaging means of the cover plate

53

Surface of the container

54

arched shape of the plate guide

55

beveled shape of the plate guide

Claims (10)

Container for receiving consumables for printing or copying devices, - in which as a closure means ( 16 ) for opening or closing an outlet opening ( 29 ) of the container ( 11 ) a cover plate ( 16 ) provided in a plate guide which is open at least on one side ( 17 ) in the container ( 11 ) is slidably mounted, wherein the cover plate ( 16 ) for closing the outlet opening ( 29 ) of the container ( 11 ) from the open side of the disk guide ( 17 ) in the plate guide ( 17 ) on the container ( 11 ) and for opening the container ( 11 ) in the opposite direction in the disk guide ( 17 ) from the container ( 11 ) can be pushed off and - in which the cover plate ( 16 ) in the disk guide ( 17 ) in the container ( 11 ) is locked in the pushed state to prevent accidental displacement of the cover plate ( 16 ) to prevent. Container according to Claim 1, in which the cover plate ( 16 ) is shaped such that in the disk guide ( 17 ) is resiliently applied. Container according to Claim 2, in which the cover plate ( 16 ) one for plate guide ( 17 ) has different curvature. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plate guide ( 17 ) is tapered at one end, so that the cover plate ( 16 ) in the rejuvenated area ( 20 ) arrested. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet opening ( 29 ) of the container ( 11 ) an elastic sealing element ( 51 ), which is the surface ( 54 ) of the container ( 11 ) surmounted and that after pushing the cover plate ( 16 ) is depressed by this. Container according to claim 5, - in which the plate guide ( 17 ) in Aufschieberichtung the cover plate ( 17 ) is tapered in height, - in which the with the plate guide ( 17 ) cooperating intervention means ( 52 ) of the cover plate ( 16 ) one for plate guide ( 17 ) inverse shape, so that when pushing the cover plate ( 16 ) on the container ( 11 ) first a small resistance and only at the end of Einschiebevorganges by depressing the sealing element ( 51 ) conditional large resistance is overcome. Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover plate ( 16 ) is designed such that it has an operative connection with a filling opening of a receiving means ( 12 ) closing means for the consumable material ( 10 ), such that with the displacement of the closure means ( 10 ) and the cover plate ( 16 ) the other closure means is also displaced. Container according to claim 7, in which in the cover plate ( 16 ) a groove ( 22 ) arranged with a web ( 21 ) of the closure means ( 10 ) for the receiving means ( 12 ) can enter into the active compound. Container according to claim 8, in which the cover plate ( 16 ) in the container ( 11 ) is guided in such a way that it is parallel to the closure means ( 10 ) of the reception means ( 12 ) is displaceable. Container according to Claim 9, in which the cover plate ( 16 ) in shape to the outer shape of the closure means ( 10 ) for the receiving means ( 12 ) is adjusted.

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