EP0744670A1 - Tonerkassette für ein Bilderzeugungsgerät - Google Patents

Tonerkassette für ein Bilderzeugungsgerät Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0744670A1
EP0744670A1 EP96108099A EP96108099A EP0744670A1 EP 0744670 A1 EP0744670 A1 EP 0744670A1 EP 96108099 A EP96108099 A EP 96108099A EP 96108099 A EP96108099 A EP 96108099A EP 0744670 A1 EP0744670 A1 EP 0744670A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
side wall
stirring rod
toner
bearing portion
storage unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96108099A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0744670B1 (de
Inventor
Kazuo c/o Mita Industrial Co. Ltd. Johroku
Tsukasa c/o Mita Industrial Co. Ltd. Ichimaru
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Original Assignee
Mita Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mita Industrial Co Ltd filed Critical Mita Industrial Co Ltd
Publication of EP0744670A1 publication Critical patent/EP0744670A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0744670B1 publication Critical patent/EP0744670B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
    • G03G15/0875—Arrangements for supplying new developer cartridges having a box like shape
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
    • G03G15/0849—Detection or control means for the developer concentration
    • G03G15/0855—Detection or control means for the developer concentration the concentration being measured by optical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/08—Details of powder developing device not concerning the development directly
    • G03G2215/0802—Arrangements for agitating or circulating developer material
    • G03G2215/085—Stirring member in developer container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus for supplying toner to a developing device in the image forming apparatus.
  • an image of an original document is generally obtained by an exposure device, and an electrostatic latent image is then formed on the outer circumference of a photosensitive drum.
  • a developing device for forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum is disposed around the photosensitive drum.
  • the developing device includes a toner hopper for supplying toner, and a toner cartridge detachably connected to the toner hopper. When the toner in the toner cartridge is depleted, the toner cartridge can be replaced with a new one.
  • a toner cartridge generally includes a toner storage unit for storing toner, the toner storage unit having an opening in it that allows toner to be discharged into the toner hopper.
  • These types of toner cartridges may also include one or more stirring rods disposed inside the toner storage unit.
  • the stirring rod is often made longer than the length of the toner storage unit so as to allow at least one end of the stirring rod to extend outside the walls of the toner cartridge.
  • One end of the stirring rod is typically driven by a motor disposed outside of the toner cartridge.
  • This type of toner cartridge also includes a first and a second aperture for rotatably supporting the stirring rod, with the apertures extending through the walls of the toner storage unit.
  • the stirring rod is inserted into the toner storage unit, with the end portions of the stirring rod extending through the first and second apertures.
  • the apertures must be at least as wide as the widest portion of the stirring rod. Therefore in order to rotatably support the stirring rod and to prevent toner from leaking out of the toner cartridge, bearing portions must be fitted to each end of the stirring rod. Because at least one of these bearing portions is installed after the stirring rod is inserted into the toner cartridge, an additional assembly step is necessary, which complicates the assembly process and increases the possibility of defective construction. When defects do occur, the result is often a toner cartridge that leaks because of an ineffective seal between the stirring rod and the walls of the cartridge body.
  • a toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a toner storage unit, which includes a first side wall and a second side wall.
  • the first side wall includes at least one first bearing portion and the second side wall includes at least one second bearing portion.
  • the first bearing portion partially extends into said first side wall, and said second bearing portion extends through said second side wall.
  • At least one flexible stirring rod is disposed within the toner storage unit, which includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is rotatably supported by the first bearing portion, and the second end portion is rotatably supported by the second bearing portion and extends through the second side wall.
  • first side wall of the toner cartridge includes two first bearing portions, and the second side wall includes two second bearing portions.
  • the toner cartridge further includes a first stirring rod and a second stirring rod.
  • the stirring rod includes a rotatable rod and a spiral-shaped member fixed around the outer circumference thereof.
  • the stirring rod further includes a rotatable rod and a paddle member fixed thereto.
  • the stirring rod is composed of a resilient material.
  • the stirring rod further includes a flange member attached to the second end portion thereof.
  • a seal member is disposed between said flange member and said second side wall.
  • the first end portion of the stirring rod is tapered to an angle ⁇ 2
  • interior walls of the first bearing portion are tapered to an angle of ⁇ 1 , with the angle ⁇ 2 being greater than said angle ⁇ 1 .
  • the stirring rods and the seals can be easily inserted into the toner storage unit in one step. As a result, the possibility of mistakes during assembly is reduced, thereby reducing the possibility of toner leakage.
  • a copying machine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1.
  • a control panel 23 is provided on the upper side of copying machine 1 and includes an input key section and display section.
  • the upper portion of copying machine 1 includes an optical exposure system 5 for obtaining an image from an original document placed in an exposure area 2.
  • the optical ensure system 5 includes a light source (not shown), mirrors 3 and at least one lens 4.
  • Located in the central portion of the copying machine 1 is an image processor 6 for forming an toner image of the original document on a blank sheet of paper.
  • Image processor 6 includes photosensitive drum 7, on the outer circumference of which an electrostatic latent image is formed.
  • a main charger 8 for charging the photosensitive drum 7 with a predetermined level off electric charge
  • a developing device 9 for developing the electrostatic latent image
  • a transfer and detaching device 10 for transferring a toner image to a sheet of paper and detaching the sheet from the photosensitive drum 7, and a cleaning device 11 for removing excess toner from the photosensitive drum 7.
  • a paper supply unit 12 is located in the bottom portion of the copying machine 1.
  • This paper supply unit 12 includes a bypass table 13, three paper cassettes 14, 15 and 16 arranged perpendicular to the bottom portion of copying machine 1, an oversized paper cassette 17, and a paper transporting device 18 for transferring the sheets stored in the bypass table 13 or paper cassettes 14-17 to the image processor 6.
  • the sheet After a toner image has been transferred to a sheet of paper, the sheet is transferred to a paper discharge bolt 19, and then to a fixing device 20 for fusing and fixing toner images onto the sheet, and finally to discharging rollers 21 which discharges the sheet into a copy tray 22.
  • a toner hopper 24 for supplying toner to the image processor 6 is attached to a developing device 9.
  • a toner cartridge 25 is detachably connected to the toner hopper 24.
  • One embodiment of the toner cartridge 25 is shown in Figs. 2-7.
  • the toner cartridge 25 includes a generally rectangular toner storage unit 30 for storing toner therein.
  • a toner discharge chute 31 is formed on the toner storage unit 30, and allows the toner to be discharged downward into the toner hopper 24.
  • the toner discharge chute 31 includes a toner discharge opening 32 which extends into the toner storage unit 30, and shutter guides 33.
  • a shutter member (not shown) is slidably attached to shutter guides 33, and allows the toner discharge opening 32 to be selectively opened to the toner hopper 24.
  • the toner storage unit 30 further includes a first side wall 34 and a second side wall 35.
  • Figs. 2-4 and 6-7 show a first bearing portion 36 and a second bearing portion 37 disposed on the first side wall 34.
  • the first bearing portion 36 includes an first aperture 38 and the second bearing portion 37 includes a second aperture 39, both apertures partially extending through the first side wall 34.
  • third bearing portion 40 and fourth bearing portion 41 are formed in the second side wall 35, and respectively oppose first and second bearing portions 36 and 37 on first side wall 34.
  • Third bearing portion 40 include a third aperture 42
  • fourth bearing portion 41 includes a fourth aperture 43. Both third and fourth apertures 42 and 43 extend completely through the second side wall 35.
  • the toner storage unit 30 further includes a first stirring rod 44 and a second stirring rod 45.
  • the first stirring rod 44 includes a first rotating axis 46 and a paddle 47 extending from the rotating axis 46.
  • the first stirring rod 44 is flexible, and may be composed of any resilient material, such as synthetic plastic or metal.
  • a first end portion 48 of first stirring rod 44 is rotatably supported by the first bearing portion 36.
  • a second end portion 49 of the first stirring rod 44 is rotatably supported by and extends through the third bearing portion 40.
  • a first flange 50 is disposed on the second end portion 49 of first stirring rod 44, the diameter of the first flange 50 being greater than the diameter of the third aperture 42.
  • a first seal 51 is disposed between the first flange 50 and the second side wall 35 to prevent toner from leaking from the third aperture 42.
  • the second stirring rod 45 includes a second rotating axis 53 and a helical-shaped member 54 disposed around the outer circumference thereof.
  • the second stirring rod 45 is flexible, and may be composed of any resilient material, such as synthetic plastic or metal.
  • a first end portion 55 of the second stirring rod 45 is rotatably supported by the second bearing portion 37.
  • a second end portion 56 of the second stirring rod 45 is rotatably supported by and extends through the fourth bearing portion 41.
  • a second flange 57 is disposed on the second end portion 56 of second stirring rod 45.
  • a second seal 58 is disposed between the second flange 57 and the second side wall 35 to prevent toner leaking from the fourth aperture 43.
  • first bearing portion 36 and the first end portion 48 of stirring rod 44 The relationship between the first bearing portion 36 and the first end portion 48 of stirring rod 44 is shown in Fig. 7.
  • the sides of first aperture 38 are tapered to an angle of ⁇ 1 relative to a bottom portion 52.
  • the first end portion 48 of stirring rod 44 is tapered to an angle of ⁇ 2 .
  • the taper angles of the first aperture 38 and second aperture 39 are not identical to the taper angles on the first ends of the first stirring rod 44 and the second stirring rod 45, the amount of friction between the first ends of the first and second stirring rods 44 and 45 and their respective apertures is reduced. This allows the first and second stirring rods 44 and 45 to be rotated with a reduced amount of torque.
  • the first seal 51 is placed around the second end portion 49 and the first end portion 48 is then inserted into the first aperture 38 of first bearing portion 36. Because the length of the first stirring rod 44 is longer than the length of the toner storage unit 30, during installation the stirring rod 44 must be flexed so that the second end portion 49 may be inserted through the second aperture 42 of second bearing portion 40.
  • the first flange 50 is fixed to the second stirring rod 44 such that the first seal 51 is securely held between the first flange 50 and the second side wall 35, thereby effectively sealing the third aperture 42.
  • the second stirring rod 45 is installed into the toner storage unit 30 in the same manner as with the first stirring rod 44. Because the length of the second stirring rod 45 is the same as the first stirring rod 44, the second flange 57 and the second seal 58 are disposed in the same relative position as on the first stirring rod 44 and therefore the same sealing effect is provided on fourth aperture 43.
  • an upper cap 59 (shown in Fig. 5) is attached to the top of the toner storage unit 30 by heat sealing, adhesives or by any other appropriate means.
  • the developing device 9, the cleaning device 11, and the toner hopper 24 can include one or more of the first stirring rods 44 or the second stirring 45 within their respective structures, or include another type of stirring rod different in shape but similar in flexibility.
  • the developing device 9, the cleaning device 11 and the toner hopper 24 can all act as a toner storing device during their operation, they can leak toner just like the toner cartridge 25 if not assembled in the manner outlined above. Therefore it is preferable that the developing device 9, the cleaning device 11, and the toner hopper 24 are assembled in a manner similar to the toner cartridge 25 when one or more stirring rods are incorporated therein.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
EP96108099A 1995-05-23 1996-05-21 Tonerkassette für ein Bilderzeugungsgerät Expired - Lifetime EP0744670B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP123477/95 1995-05-23
JP12347795 1995-05-23
JP7123477A JPH08314250A (ja) 1995-05-23 1995-05-23 画像形成装置のトナーカートリッジ

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0744670A1 true EP0744670A1 (de) 1996-11-27
EP0744670B1 EP0744670B1 (de) 2002-01-30

Family

ID=14861605

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96108099A Expired - Lifetime EP0744670B1 (de) 1995-05-23 1996-05-21 Tonerkassette für ein Bilderzeugungsgerät

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0744670B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH08314250A (de)
KR (1) KR960042265A (de)
CN (1) CN1159615A (de)
AU (1) AU5237796A (de)
CA (1) CA2177107A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69618851T2 (de)
TW (1) TW523124U (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9256160B2 (en) 2014-01-23 2016-02-09 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer storage container having rotary cylinder portion inside a main body and image forming apparatus provided with same
EP3276425A4 (de) * 2015-08-26 2018-06-06 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Entwicklerbehälter und damit ausgestattete bilderzeugungsvorrichtung

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20100130558A (ko) * 2009-06-03 2010-12-13 가부시끼가이샤 도시바 토너 카트리지, 화상 형성 장치
JP5595976B2 (ja) * 2011-05-27 2014-09-24 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 トナー容器及び画像形成装置
JP5850994B2 (ja) * 2014-08-01 2016-02-03 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 トナー容器及び画像形成装置
JP5853064B2 (ja) * 2014-08-04 2016-02-09 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 トナー容器及び画像形成装置
JP5850995B2 (ja) * 2014-08-04 2016-02-03 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 トナー容器及び画像形成装置

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3596807A (en) * 1969-02-06 1971-08-03 Xerox Corp Dispensing apparatus
JPS60222878A (ja) * 1984-04-20 1985-11-07 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd トナ−補給装置
EP0496602A1 (de) * 1991-01-22 1992-07-29 Compaq Computer Corporation Elektrophotographisches Drucksystem
US5143017A (en) * 1990-01-29 1992-09-01 Konica Corporation Developing device having a baffle plate between plural augers which cleans the developing rollers
US5166731A (en) * 1990-02-14 1992-11-24 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Developing unit having a rotation shaft and sealing member
EP0514874A2 (de) * 1991-05-20 1992-11-25 Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. Tonerfördervorrichtung
EP0676675A2 (de) * 1994-04-08 1995-10-11 Ricoh Company, Ltd Tonernachfüllvorrichtung für eine Entwicklervorrichtung in einem bilderzeugenden Gerät
EP0682297A2 (de) * 1994-05-12 1995-11-15 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Entwicklungsvorrichtung mit abnehmbarem Tonerbehälter zur Verwendung in einem Bildaufzeichnungsgerät

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3596807A (en) * 1969-02-06 1971-08-03 Xerox Corp Dispensing apparatus
JPS60222878A (ja) * 1984-04-20 1985-11-07 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd トナ−補給装置
US5143017A (en) * 1990-01-29 1992-09-01 Konica Corporation Developing device having a baffle plate between plural augers which cleans the developing rollers
US5166731A (en) * 1990-02-14 1992-11-24 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Developing unit having a rotation shaft and sealing member
EP0496602A1 (de) * 1991-01-22 1992-07-29 Compaq Computer Corporation Elektrophotographisches Drucksystem
EP0514874A2 (de) * 1991-05-20 1992-11-25 Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. Tonerfördervorrichtung
EP0676675A2 (de) * 1994-04-08 1995-10-11 Ricoh Company, Ltd Tonernachfüllvorrichtung für eine Entwicklervorrichtung in einem bilderzeugenden Gerät
EP0682297A2 (de) * 1994-05-12 1995-11-15 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Entwicklungsvorrichtung mit abnehmbarem Tonerbehälter zur Verwendung in einem Bildaufzeichnungsgerät

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 010, no. 086 (P - 443) 4 April 1986 (1986-04-04) *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9256160B2 (en) 2014-01-23 2016-02-09 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer storage container having rotary cylinder portion inside a main body and image forming apparatus provided with same
EP3276425A4 (de) * 2015-08-26 2018-06-06 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Entwicklerbehälter und damit ausgestattete bilderzeugungsvorrichtung
US10234792B2 (en) 2015-08-26 2019-03-19 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer container and image forming device equipped with same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW523124U (en) 2003-03-01
DE69618851D1 (de) 2002-03-14
JPH08314250A (ja) 1996-11-29
DE69618851T2 (de) 2002-11-28
AU5237796A (en) 1997-01-16
KR960042265A (ko) 1996-12-21
CN1159615A (zh) 1997-09-17
EP0744670B1 (de) 2002-01-30
CA2177107A1 (en) 1996-11-24

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