EP0793149B1 - Blasgeformte, mit Toner füllbare Kartusche und ein Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung - Google Patents

Blasgeformte, mit Toner füllbare Kartusche und ein Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0793149B1
EP0793149B1 EP19960107356 EP96107356A EP0793149B1 EP 0793149 B1 EP0793149 B1 EP 0793149B1 EP 19960107356 EP19960107356 EP 19960107356 EP 96107356 A EP96107356 A EP 96107356A EP 0793149 B1 EP0793149 B1 EP 0793149B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
toner
blow
molded resin
resin body
rib
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19960107356
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0793149A1 (de
Inventor
Kazumasa Makino
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.)
Brother Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Brother Industries Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/638,780 external-priority patent/US5771427A/en
Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
Publication of EP0793149A1 publication Critical patent/EP0793149A1/de
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Publication of EP0793149B1 publication Critical patent/EP0793149B1/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
    • 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
    • G03G15/0856—Detection or control means for the developer level
    • 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
    • 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
    • G03G15/0867—Arrangements for supplying new developer cylindrical developer cartridges, e.g. toner bottles for the developer replenishing opening
    • G03G15/0868—Toner cartridges fulfilling a continuous function within the electrographic apparatus during the use of the supplied developer material, e.g. toner discharge on demand, storing residual toner, acting as an active closure for the developer replenishing opening
    • 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
    • G03G15/0867—Arrangements for supplying new developer cylindrical developer cartridges, e.g. toner bottles for the developer replenishing opening
    • G03G15/087—Developer cartridges having a longitudinal rotational axis, around which at least one part is rotated when mounting or using the cartridge
    • G03G15/0872—Developer cartridges having a longitudinal rotational axis, around which at least one part is rotated when mounting or using the cartridge the developer cartridges being generally horizontally mounted parallel to its longitudinal rotational axis

Definitions

  • the present invetion relates to a blow-molded toner fillable cartridge which can be used with a developent device.
  • the invention also relates to a method for forming such a toner fillable cartridge using a blow-molding technique.
  • FIG. 1A and 1B show an image recording apparatus such as a printer 1 in the open condition in Figures 1A and 1B, and Figure 1C shows the printer 1 in an operative condition.
  • Figures 1A-1C show a developing device 10 constructed according to the present invention.
  • the printer 1 has a main frame 2 and a sheet cassette 3 provided detachably from an upper one side of the main frame 2.
  • the sheet cassette 3 is provided with a plate member 31 that is biased using a spring S toward a sheet supply roller 4 ( Figure 1C) provided for transporting individual sheets from the sheet stack held in the sheet cassette 3, which is then supplied along a paper path P in the printer 1.
  • a pair of sheet feed rollers 6 are disposed downstream of the sheet supply roller 4 for feeding each sheet P to a photosensitive unit 9.
  • the photosensitive unit 9 includes a photosensitive drum 7 and a transfer roller 8.
  • a developing device 10 is provided in the vicinity of the photosensitive unit 9 and at a position closer to the sheet cassette 3 than the photosensitive unit 9, whereas a fixing unit 13 is positioned opposite the developing device 10 with respect to the photosensitive unit 9.
  • the developing device 10 includes a developing case 27 fixed in the main frame 2, a toner box 200 provided detachably with respect to the developing case 27, and a developing sleeve 32 positioned in contact with the photosensitive drum 7.
  • the fixing unit 13 includes a heat roller 12a and a pressure roller 12.
  • the scanner unit 17 includes a laser emitting portion, a lens, and a plurality of reflection mirrors, etc.
  • a keyboard 22 having a plurality of operation buttons is provided on a cover member 21.
  • a charger 23 is provided for electrically charging the photosensitive drum 7.
  • a pair of discharge rollers 24 are provided downstream of the fixing unit 12, and a discharge tray 25 is provided downstream of the discharge rollers 24.
  • a toner sensor 58 is provided along a ramp 59 to detect the toner amount in the toner box 200.
  • the positioning of the toner sensor 58 on the ramp 59 is selected when the printer 1 is manufactured so as to optimize toner level detection as the toner level within the toner box 200 diminishes so that the amount of toner within the toner box can be continuously monitored to provide an accurate measurement of toner. In this way, an operator can monitor the toner level and order a replacement toner cartridge 200 when the toner is low.
  • This is a decided advantage over current toner level detector structures in which the toner detectors are fixed in one position without repositioning capability, which may not fully take into account manufacturing tolerances and may result in improper toner level detection.
  • the toner detector 58 makes an angle with respect to a vertical axis of about 33 degrees, as shown in Figure 1C.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the toner box 200 shown in the position where it is removed from the developing device 10.
  • the toner box 200 includes a blow-molded resin body 202 having a plurality of integrally molded projections described in more detail below.
  • the blow-molded resin body 202 can by made by any suitable blow-molding technique using any suitable resin that has good properties relating to flexibility, and which does not react with the toner or promote adherence between the toner and the inside surface of the toner box 200.
  • vinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resins can be used to produce the blow-molded resin body 202
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • polypropylene is one preferred resin, which also has excellent recyclability, in addition to being inexpensive.
  • the blow-molded resin body 202 includes a cap 500 and a toner box shielding member 204 that is structured to rotate with respect to the blow-molded resin body 202 to selectively open and close a toner exhaust port 206 which may include a plurality of dividing posts 208.
  • the toner box shielding member 204 includes an extension 210 having a recess 212 which cooperates with an integrally blow-molded locking projection 214 formed integrally with the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • the toner box shielding member 204 remains in a position covering the toner exhaust port 206 when the toner box 200 is in transport such that toner is prevented from escaping from the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • a toner absorbing member 216 is provided, i.e., adhered, adjacent and surrounding the toner exhaust port 206 to wipe toner from an inside surface of the toner box shielding member 204, and also to absorb any toner that escapes from the toner exhaust port 206.
  • the toner exhaust port 206 can be cut into the toner body 202 by inserting a cutting implement inside the toner body 202, and cutting the toner exhaust port 206 from the inside to the outside of the toner body 202.
  • the blow-molded resin body 202 includes a plurality of projections 218 that guide lateral edges 220 of the toner box shielding member 204, e.g., when the locking projection 214 is released from the recess 212 and the toner box shielding member 204 rotates with respect to the toner body 202 to expose the toner exhaust port 206.
  • a pair of projections 218 are formed on each lateral edge 220 of the toner box shielding member 204, and each of the pair of projections includes an inner surface 218c ( Figure 3) that faces the center of the blow-molded toner body 202.
  • a plurality of guiding ribs are formed on the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • a central rib 222 is provided to guide a central portion of the toner box shielding member 204 which is located on an opposite side of a blow-molded resin body 202 shown in Figure 2.
  • the opposite side of the toner box shielding member is shown in Figure 20.
  • a pair of lateral guiding ribs 224 are disposed just below the toner box shielding member 204 adjacent the projections 218.
  • the toner box shielding member 204 and cap 500 have been removed to facilitate understanding.
  • the center rib 222 and lateral ribs 224 ensure that a small space is maintained between the inner surface of the toner box shielding member 204 and a circumferential outer surface 226 of the blow-molded resin body 202 adjacent the center rib 222 and the lateral ribs 224.
  • the center rib 222 and the lateral ribs 224 also increase the resistance of the perimeter of toner exhaust port 206 to deform or radially shrink, which is advantageous because the toner box shielding member 204 cannot provide good toner retaining qualities if the toner exhaust port is overly deformed.
  • the height of the center rib is dimensioned to extend a distance that is less than a height that the toner absorbing member 216 extends away from the outer circumferential surface 226 of the blow-molded resin body 202 so that firm contact is maintained between the toner absorbing member 216 and the inside surface of the toner box shielding member 204.
  • the heights of the center rib 222 and the lateral ribs 224 are also dimensioned to prevent excessive deformation of the toner absorbing member 216.
  • the toner absorbing member 216 is shown to completely surround the toner exhaust port 206 to provide complete absorption of any toner that inadvertently escapes from the toner exhaust port 206.
  • the toner box shielding member 204 is a two-part assembly having first and second shell portions connected using resiliently releasable snap fittings located along dividing line 251 in Figure 20. In clam shell like fashion, the first and second shells are positioned over the central rib 222 and the lateral ribs 226, in addition to the toner exhaust port 206, between the projections 218.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toner box 200 showing the interior component of the blow-molded resin body 202 to include a shaft 300 and a central agitating blade 400 that are rotatably mounted within the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • the shaft 300 includes a bearing member 302 that rotatably engages an inner surface 228 of a matching bearing member 230 of the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • the shaft 300 includes an integrally molded flange 304 that is fixedly attached to the bearing member 302. The shaft 300 and the flange 304 rotate with respect to the blow-molded resin body 202 as the inner surface 228 frictionally engages and slides with respect to the circumferential surface of the bearing member 302.
  • the bearing member 230 has a thickness spanning the inner surface 228 and an outer surface 232 of the blow-molded toner body 202 which is thicker than remaining portion of the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • the thickness T of the bearing member 230 and the thickness t of the remaining portions of the blow-molded resin body 202 are shown in Figure 4.
  • the bearing member 230 also includes a transition portion 234 that is reinforced to provide a good connection between the bearing member 230 and the blow-molded resin shaped body 202.
  • the transition portion 234 forms an angle with the outer surface 232 of the bearing member 228 of approximately 135°.
  • a stepped portion 236 Formed adjacent the bearing member 230 is a stepped portion 236 that defines an annular region surrounding a portion of the bearing member 302 for supporting a compressible toner sealing member 306 disposed between the flange 304 and the bearing member 228.
  • the toner sealing member 306 does not rotate with respect to the flange 304 to enhance the sealing effect.
  • a thin anti-friction film 308 can be provided between the flange 304 and the sealing member 306.
  • the thin anti-friction film 308 has a diameter greater than that of the flange 304.
  • Disposed at the opposite end of the bearing member 302 is a bearing pin 310 that is rotatably supported within the cap 500, as described below.
  • the shaft 300 also includes a pair of lateral agitating blades disposed on each end of the shaft 300.
  • the shaft 300 in Figure 5 is rotated 90° in relation to the shaft 300 shown in Figure 4.
  • Each lateral agitating blade 312 is integrally molded to the shaft 300 using at least one connecting portion 314.
  • three connecting portions 314, for example, are used to connect each lateral agitating blade 312 to the shaft 300.
  • the lateral agitating blades 312 are formed such that edges thereof, preferably along the entire length thereof, extend into close contact with the interior surface of the blow-molded resin body 202 to scrape toner therefrom.
  • Each lateral agitating blade 312 is flexibly deformed against the interior surface of the blow-molded resin body 202, and the slightly helical shape of each of the blades 312 is formed such that the flared ends 316 are shifted in phase as compared to the center portion of the lateral blades 312, where the toner exhaust port 206 is located, as shown in Figure 4.
  • the arrangement of the blades 312 is generally V-shaped, and the flared ends 316 are phase shifted slightly ahead of the portions of the blades 312 closest to the toner discharge port 206 as the shaft 300 is rotated. See the initially mentioned U.S. Patent No. 5,506,665, assigned in common herewith.
  • toner flow is promoted from the ends of the toner box 200 towards the center portion of the toner box 200 where the toner exhaust port 206 is positioned.
  • Figure 5 illustrates that the connecting portions 314 increase in size toward the center of the toner box 200, thus providing more flexibility to allow the center portions of the lateral blades to move out a phase with respect to the flared ends 316.
  • Figure 5A shows the right end view of the shaft 300 shown in Figure 5. Adjacent the bearing pin 310 are provided a plurality of blade members 357 separated by 120° intervals.
  • the central agitating blade 400 includes a thin film material that is secured to the shaft using a plurality of clips 318 integrally molded onto the shaft 300 which are engageable with a series of recesses 402 cut into the central agitating blade 400.
  • Two clips 318 are integrally formed on a planar support 320 which is integrally molded onto the shaft 300.
  • the central agitating blade 400 is fixed to the shaft 300 such that individual blade members 406 extend outside the blow-molded toner body 202.
  • the central agitating blade 400 is made from a thin material having a high flexibility such that the blade members 406 scrap along the inside circumferential surface of the blow-molded toner body 202 such that they are deformed against the inner circumferential surface thereby storing potential energy in the central agitating blade 400.
  • the shaft 300 is rotated until the blade members 406 of the central agitating blade 400 are released from the inner circumferential surface of the toner box 200 to extend through the toner exhaust port 204 and outside the toner box 200, thereby releasing the stored potential energy and flicking toner from inside the toner box 200 into a developing case 27 of the developing device 10.
  • the flicking of the toner is advantageous to spread toner more evenly, thereby avoiding pooling or accumulation of toner inside the developing case 27.
  • the dividing posts 208 shown in Figure 2 also contribute to the even spreading of toner, in addition to providing a measure against deformation, e.g., radial contraction of the toner exhaust port 206 during blow-molding of the blow-molded toner body 202.
  • the shaft member 300 also includes a radial extension 322 opposite the planar support 320 where yet another clip 318 is provided.
  • the radial extension 322 provides a support surface for a cleaning blade 410 that is integrally formed with the blade members 406 on the thin material. Both the cleaning blade and the blade members 406 have a thickness in the range of about 0.075 to 0.15 millimeters and preferably have a thickness of about 0.125 millimeters.
  • the cleaning blade 410 is disposed to rotate within a toner fillable aperture 240 ( Figure 4A) that is integrally blow-molded with the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • Adjacent each side of the toner fillable aperture 240 is a toner detecting portion 242, each of which are adapted to receive a portion of the detector 58 shown in Figure 1.
  • the purpose of the cleaning blade 410 is to wipe residual toner from the interior side surfaces 270 of the toner fillable aperture so that the detector 58 can make an accurate reading of the amount of toner filling the toner fillable aperture 410. See U.S. Patent No. 5,499,077, assigned in common herewith.
  • the toner box 200 is formed using a blow-molding technique, e.g., a preform is blow-molded with biaxial orientation deformation to create the blow-molded resin body including its plurality of projections, it is difficult to produce a toner fillable aperture that has a uniform cross section, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,499,077.
  • the toner fillable aperture 240 includes a U-shaped or a V-shaped member in which the cross-sectional width thereof is non-uniform.
  • the cleaning blade 410 is provided with at least one slit, e.g., two slits 422, such that the cleaning blade 410 can conform to the shape of the toner fillable aperture 410, which may sometimes take on a bulb-like shape.
  • the slits 422 are about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm in length, and allow variable deformation of the cleaning blade 410, e.g., an outer radial portion of the cleaning blade 410 can expand the same or a greater, less or different amount than the inner radial portion of the cleaning blade 410.
  • the cleaning blade 410 is shown in the uncompressed state in Figure 6, whereas Figure 4 shows a compressed state of the cleaning blade 410.
  • the tapered shape of the toner fillable aperture 240 has a distinct advantage of its own.
  • typical toner fillable apertures have a rectangular cross-sectional width including sharp transitions that produce corners that are hard to reach using a cleaning blade, which is subject to deformation during use.
  • the distal and lateral end portions of cleaning blades cannot adequately clean toner from the corners, to which toner adheres, and a false signal can be produced indicating that the toner level is high, when in fact it is low.
  • the smooth shape of the toner fillable aperture 240 eliminates sharp corners, which can help avoid erroneous toner level indications because the tapered cleaning blade 410 can adequately clean the inside surfaces 270 of the toner fillable aperture 240.
  • the blow-molded resin body 202 is made, for example, of a resin material such as, for example, polypropylene, which can be blow-molded to be semi-transparent, thus allowing toner level detection of the toner fillable aperture to be carried out accurately.
  • the semi-transparent nature or property of this resin material is also advantageous from the standpoint of attenuating, eliminating and/or absorbing unwanted latent light, which may be produced as a result of light reflected from the light emitter of the toner sensor 58 to the connecting wall between the toner detecting portions 242, which connecting wall also forms the bottom wall of the toner fillable aperture. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,499,077.
  • the blow-molded resin body 202 is formed of a semi-transparent material, e.g., polypropylene, that allows an adequate amount of light to pass therethrough for toner level detection thereof, while at the same time absorbing any latent light beams that may be inadvertently reflected from ambient structure.
  • a semi-transparent material e.g., polypropylene
  • the central agitating blade 400 also includes a plurality of slits 430 which define sections that align with the dividing posts 208 shown in Figure 2.
  • the sections between the paired slits 430 remain inside the toner box 200 as the central agitating blade 400 rotates past the toner exhaust port 206, which also helps promote agitation and toner spreading.
  • the central agitating blade 400 has a length that extends through the toner exhaust port 204 in the range of 0.1 to 10 millimeters.
  • the connecting members 314 are flexible U-shaped support elements (Figure 4B) that are increasingly deflectable towards the center of the toner box 200 such that a central portion of each lateral or side blade adjacent the toner exhaust port 204 can deflect more than an end portion 316 of each side blade 312 further from the toner discharge port 206.
  • Each lateral or side blade 312 includes a slightly helical shape which, in part, defines the flared ends 316, and assists in urging toner toward the center of the toner box 200 as the shaft 300 rotates within the blow-molded toner body 202.
  • the shaft 300 without the central agitating blade/cleaning blade 400/410 is shown in Figure 5.
  • the cap 500 is provided on an end of the toner box 200 to sealably close the blow-molded resin body 202. Details of the cap are shown in Figures 7-11, and Figure 12 shows the connection between the cap 500 and the shaft 300.
  • the cap 500 includes an end wall 502 that is dimensioned to sealably mate with an end of the blow-molded toner body 202.
  • the diameter of the blow-molded resin body 202 is dimensioned such that it fits within the interior of the cap 500.
  • the cap 500 further includes a peripheral wall 504 defining a peripheral surface that is structured to slide over the blow-molded toner body 202.
  • the knob 506 is connected to and extends radially away from the peripheral wall 504.
  • the peripheral wall 504 includes circumferentially spaced recesses 508, 510 that are dimensioned slightly differently from one another so that they can be matched only in one predetermined orientation with respect to the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • the blow-molded resin body 202 includes a pair of integrally blow-molded protrusions 245, only one of which is shown in Figure 3, which meet with respective ones of the recesses 508 and 510.
  • the cap 500 is positively locked against rotation with respect to the blow-molded resin body 202 such that manipulation of the knob 506 in concert with the blow-molded resin body 202 provides communication between the development device 10 ( Figure 1) and the toner box 200, as described in more detail below.
  • the knob 506 can be provided with an extension or engagement surface 512 as shown in Figures 1 and 10.
  • the engagement surface 512 is dimensioned to engage with a projection 11 of the developing device 10, as schematically shown in Figure 1. This engagement causes communication between the developing device 10 and the toner box 200 upon installation of toner box 200 within the developing device 10.
  • the engagement surface has an end that contacts the projection 11 to cause counterclockwise rotation as shown in Figure 1 of the toner box 200 over an angular extent of about 90°. Absent the extension 512 and the projection 11, the knob 506 can be manipulated to rotate the toner box 200 within the developing device 10.
  • rotation is regulated using an engagement stop 514 of the cap 500 disposed on the peripheral wall 504 adjacent the knob 506.
  • the engagement stop 514 contacts an abutment of a lower portion 27a of the developing case 27 when the toner box 200 has been rotated to the proper toner dispensing position. In this position, the toner sensor 58 becomes properly aligned with the toner detecting portions 242 shown in Figure 4.
  • a bearing support 516 mounted on an inner surface 518 of the inner wall 502 facing the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • the bearing support 516 has an inner wall 520 defining a V-shaped groove that guides the bearing pin 310 of the shaft 300 as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 12.
  • the bearing support 516 also includes an outer cylindrical wall 522 adapted to mount a foam seal (not shown) positioned along the end wall 502 for sealingly engaging the end of the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • the developing device 10 is shown in a position in which the developing device is connected to the toner box 200.
  • the cap 500 is visible in Figure 13.
  • the end of the toner box 200 having the bearing member 230, as shown in Figure 2 is first inserted in a direction I within the developing device 10 until the outside surface of the end cap 500 is substantially flush with the outside of the developing device 10.
  • the knob 506 is rotated in a direction causing the engagement stop 514 to rotate towards the end wall 27a of the developing case 27.
  • Figure 15 shows a position of the toner box 200 in which the engagement stop 514 has engaged with the end wall 27a of the developing case 27.
  • the toner exhaust port 206 aligns with the toner introduction port 612 formed in a wall of the developing case 27.
  • the blow-molded resin body 202 is provided with a main rib 250 and a supplemental rib 260.
  • the main rib 250 is positioned on one side of the toner box shielding member 204 and toner exhaust port 206, and the supplemental rib 260 is provided on the opposite side of the toner exhaust port 206 furthest away from the cap 500.
  • Both the main rib 250 and the supplemental rib 260 are C-shaped members, with the main rib 250 protruding a distance away from the outside circumferential surface 226 of the blow-molded resin body 202 that is greater than the distance the supplemental rib 260 extends away from the outside circumferential surface of the blow-molded resin body 202.
  • the cap member 500 includes a flange 530 that is disposed to be substantially aligned with the open end portion of the C-shaped main rib 250 and the supplemental rib 260. The open end or space of the C-shaped members 250 and 260 allow the toner box 200 to be slid into place without interference when inserted into the development device 10 in insertion direction I as shown in Figure 13.
  • insertion along direction I in Figure 13 causes the extension 210 of the toner box shielding member 204 to engage a lock releasing projection 600 to bend the extension 210 away from the outside surface of the blow-molded resin body 202, thus releasing engagement between the locking projection 214 and the recess 212.
  • the toner box 200 can be rotated with respect to the toner box shielding member 204 upon manipulation of the knob 506 of the cap 500.
  • the developing case 27 includes a toner introduction port 612.
  • the development device 10 includes upper and lower housing members, only the bottom housing is shown in Figure 17 for clarity.
  • the bottom housing includes insertion ports 630 for receiving mating protrusions of the upper housing.
  • the toner introduction port 612 is also sealable using a case shielding member 614 that is movable as indicated by the arrow A to open and close the toner introduction port 612.
  • the case shielding member 614 is displaceable along an arcuate path defined by a pair of grooved flanges (not shown for clarity) that support each end 614e of the shielding member 614.
  • a support 610 for housing a gear assembly (not shown) that is insertable into the bearing surface 310 ( Figure 5) of the shaft 300 to provide rotational power to the shaft 300.
  • the toner box 200 is inserted along direction I until the end wall 502 of the cap 500 is substantially flush with the end of the development device 10.
  • the supplemental rib 260 engages with an arcuate supplemental projection 616 which is mounted on the wall of the developing case 610.
  • the engagement between the supplemental rib 260 and the supplemental arcuate projection 616 maintains the toner box 200 in the proper orientation such that it does not interfere with the developing case 610 upon insertion into the developing unit 10.
  • the C-shape of both the main rib 250 and the supplemental rib 260 provides a space in the open end of the C-shape that also enhances ease of insertion of the toner box 200 into the developing device 10.
  • the main rib 250 engages with an arcuate rib 650 mounted on an inside surface of the developing device 10.
  • the open end of the C-shape of the supplemental rib 260 departs from engagement with the supplemental arcuate projection 616.
  • the supplemental arcuate projection 616 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced members, one of which is formed on the top part of the developing device 10, which is shown in Figures 18 and 19, but not in Figure 17.
  • the supplemental rib 260 upon departure from the supplemental arcuate projection 616, engages yet another circumferentially spaced portion such that piece-wise continuous contact is made between circumferentially spaced portions of the supplemental arcuate projection 616 and the supplemental rib 260.
  • the spaces between the spaced portions of the supplemental rib also provide room to insert the toner box 200 into the developing device 10 to prevent interference between the protuberances of the toner box 200 and the inside wall of the developing case 27.
  • the supplemental rib 616 and its circumferentially spaced portions ensure that the toner box 200 is maintained in proper orientation and positioned with respect to the development case 610 upon rotation of the toner box 200 with respect to the development case.
  • Engagement between the main rib 250 and the arcuate projection 650 causes a biasing or camming action that causes the toner exhaust port 206 to move closer to toner introduction port 612 as the toner box 200 is rotated. Therefore, less space is provided between the toner box 200 and the development chamber, thus decreasing the likelihood of toner escaping along undesirable portions of the developing device 10.
  • the above-described camming action causes the projections 218 of the blow-molded resin body 202 to move closer to the surface of the developing device 10 where the case shield 614 is slidably mounted. Therefore, opposed portions 218a and 218b of each pair of projections 218 firmly engages a lateral edge 614a and 614b, respectively, of the case shutter 614.
  • the projections 218 slide along the lateral edges 614a and 614b of the case shutter 614.
  • the extension 210 of the toner box 200 slides along a planar surface 643 along the bottom of the developing case 27 ( Figure 17) until the extension 210 reaches the lock release projection 600.
  • the projections 218 are caused to move closer to the case shutter 614 while simultaneously engaging and displacing the case shutter 614 in the direction B.
  • the above operation is reversed, i.e., the toner box is rotated from the position shown in Figure 15 to the position shown in Figure 14, thus displacing the case shutter 614 back to the position where it closes the toner introduction port 612, and the toner box 200 is then longitudinally slid along a direction opposite of that from the direction I shown in Figures 13 and 17.
  • the toner exhaust port 206 is rotated along with the blow-molded resin body 202 from a position below the toner introduction port 612 to a position substantially aligned with the toner introduction port 612. Therefore, when the toner box is rotated to the position shown in Figure 15, the toner exhaust port is aligned with toner introduction port 612. Furthermore, the toner box shielding member 204 is stationary with respect to the developing device 10, so that rotation of the toner box 200 causes the blow-molded resin body 202 to rotate with respect to the toner box shielding member 206, thereby uncovering the toner exhaust port 204.
  • the toner exhaust port 206 and the toner introduction port 612 are aligned and in open communication such that rotation of the shaft 300 causes the blade 400 to forcibly insert toner into the development case 27.
  • the toner box shielding member 204 is provided with a longitudinal rib 270 ( Figures 18 and 19) disposed within a slot 620 formed between the top and bottom portions of the development case 27 such that the toner box shielding member 204 is prevented from rotating with respect to the developing device 10.
  • the rib 270 is also shown in Figure 19 in which the toner box shielding member 204 is shown to be in a position uncovering the toner exhaust port 206.
  • Figures 21 and 22 disclose a cross section through a middle portion of the toner box 200 where the toner level detecting portions 242 are located.
  • Figures 21 and 22 correspond to the positions of the rotatable toner box 200 shown in Figures 14 and 15, respectively.
  • the toner detecting portions 242 are rotated to a position substantially along the bottom half of the toner box such that each half of the toner detector 58 ( Figure 1) can be inserted on either side of the toner fillable aperture 240.
  • Each toner detecting portion 242 includes a groove-like portion 243 that allows the toner box to rotate while preventing improper engagement between the toner detector 58 and the toner detecting portions 242.
  • Each toner detecting portion 242 also includes a second surface 245 below which the toner detector 58 is positioned when the toner box 200 reaches the position shown in Figures 1A and 22.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette zur Benutzung mit einer Entwicklervorrichtung (10), mit:
    einem blasgeformten Harzgehäuse (202) und
    einem Tonerkastenabschirmteil (204), das drehbar in Bezug auf das blasgeformte Harzgehäuse (202) ist zum selektiven Abdichten einer Tonerauslaßöffnung (206),
    gekennzeichnet durch:
    mindestens einen Vorsprung (218), der einstückig auf dem blasgeformten Harzgehäuse (202) gebildet ist,
    wobei das Tonerkastenabschirmteil (204) mindestens eine seitliche Lageroberfläche (220) aufweist, die gleitend mit dem mindestens einen Vorsprung (218), der einstückig auf dem blasgeformten Harzgehäuse (202) gebildet ist, in Eingriff bringbar ist.
  2. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach Anspruch 1,
    bei der der mindestens eine Vorsprung (218) zwei Vorsprünge (218) aufweist und die mindestens eine seitliche Lageroberfläche (220) zwei seitliche Lageroberflächen (220) aufweist und bei der jeder Vorsprung (218) so angeordnet ist, daß er an eine passende seitliche Lageroberfläche (220) auf jeder Seite des Tonerkastenabschirmteiles (204) angreift und/oder der mindestens eine Vorsprung (218) so bemessen und so aufgebaut ist, daß er an ein Abschirmteil (614) angreift und es versetzt, wobei das Abschirmteil zwischen Positionen bewegbar ist, an denen eine Tonereinlaßöffnung (612) der Entwicklervorrichtung (10) abgedichtet oder freigelegt wird.
  3. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
    bei der das blasgeformte Harzgehäuse (202) eine einstückig angeformte Hauptrippe (250) aufweist, die sich mindestens teilweise um einen Umfang des blasgeformten Harzgehäuses (202) erstreckt, wobei die Hauptrippe (250) so aufgebaut ist, daß sie drehend und gleitend an einen bogenförmigen Vorsprung (650) auf der Entwicklervorrichtung (10) angreift, und bei der die Tonerauslaßöffnung (206) des blasgeformten Harzgehäuses (202) zu einer Tonereinlaßöffnung (612) der Entwicklervorrichtung (10) gedrückt wird, wenn die Hauptrippe (250) und der bogenförmige Vorsprung (650) in Eingriff stehen, und/oder eine Hilfsrippe (260) aufweist, die an einer gegenüberliegenden Seite der Tonerauslaßöffnung (206) im Vergleich zu der Position der Hauptrippe (250) positioniert ist, bei der die Hilfsrippe (260) drehend und gleitend in Eingriff mit einem bogenförmigen Hilfsvorsprung (616) auf der Entwicklungsvorrichtung (10) kommt,
    wobei mindestens eine der Hauptrippe (250) und der Hilfsrippe (260) bevorzugt ein C-förmiges Teil ist, das einen Raum aufweist, der dem blasgeformten Harzgehäuse (202) ermöglicht, in Position in einer vorbestimmten Orientierung ohne Störung durch die Entwicklervorrichtung (10) zu gleiten.
  4. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach Anspruch 3,
    bei der das blasgeformte Harzgehäuse (202) ein offenes Ende aufweist, das unter Benutzung einer Kappe (500) abdichtbar ist, die zum Drehen des blasgeformten Harzgehäuses (202) betätigbar ist,
    und bei der die Hauptrippe (250) näher zu der Kappe (500) als die Hilfsrippe (260) positioniert ist.
  5. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4,
    bei der das Tonerkastenabschirmteil (204) eine Verlängerung (210) aufweist, die so aufgebaut ist, daß sie mit einem einstückig blasgeformten Verriegelungsabschnitt (214) in Eingriff kommt, der auf den blasgeformten Harzgehäuse (202) angebracht ist, und/oder
    die Tonerauslaßöffnung (206) einen einstückig geformten verstärkten Harzumfang aufweist,
    wobei die Tonerauslaßöffnung (206) bevorzugt mindestens einen einstückig blasgeformten und verstärkten Unterteilungspfeiler (208) aufweist.
  6. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5,
    bei der das blasgeformte Harzgehäuse (202) ein Ende aufweist, das mit einem einstückig geformten Lagerteil (230) versehen ist, das eine innere Lageroberfläche (228) aufweist, die so aufgebaut ist, daß sie mit einer dazu passenden Lageroberfläche einer drehbaren Welle (300) zusammenwirkt, die in dem blasgeformten Harzgehäuse (202) gebildet ist;
    wobei das einstückig gebildete Lagerteil (230) bevorzugt eine äußere Oberfläche (232) aufweist und eine Dicke (T), die die innere und äußere Lageroberfläche (228, 232) überspannt,
    größer als eine Dicke (t) des Hauptkörpers des blasgeformten Harzgehäuses (202) ist,
    und wobei der Hauptkörper und das einstückig gebildete Lagerteil (230), das mit einem verstärkten Abschnitt (234) verbunden ist, einen Winkel von ungefähr 135° in Bezug auf die äußere Lageroberfläche (232) bilden.
  7. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach Anspruch 6,
    weiter mit einer gestuften inneren Oberfläche (236), die benachbart zu dem einstückig gebildeten Lagerteil (230) gebildet ist, wobei die gestufte innere Oberfläche (236) einen ringförmigen Raum innerhalb des blasgeformten Harzgehäuses (202) definiert, der geeignet ist zum Lagern von mindestens einem von einem Reibungsverhinderungsteil (308) und einem Tonerabdichtteil (306), die von der passenden Lageroberfläche der Welle (300) getragen sind.
  8. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7,
    bei der das blasgeformte Harzgehäuse (202) mindestens eine einstückig gebildete Tragrippe (222, 224) aufweist, die das Tonerkastenabschirmteil (204) nach der Relativdrehung trägt, wobei die mindestens eine einstückig geformte Tragrippe bevorzugt eine mittlere Rippe (222) und eine seitliche Rippe (224) auf jeder Seite der mittleren Rippe (222) zum Tragen jeder Seite des Tonerkastenabschirmteiles (204) aufweist,
    und jede seitliche Rippe (224) benachbart zu dem mindestens einen Vorsprung (218) angeordnet ist.
  9. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach Anspruch 8,
    bei der das blasgeformte Harzgehäuse (202) einen einstückig gebildeten ersten und zweiten Tonerniveauerfassungsabschnitt (242) aufweist, die durch eine einstückig gebildete mit Toner füllbare Öffnung (240) getrennt sind, und
    bei der die mittlere Rippe (222) im wesentlichen mit der mit Toner füllbaren Öffnung (240) ausgerichtet ist und/oder die Entwicklervorrichtung (10) einen Tonerniveaudetektor (58) zum Erfassen des Tonerniveaus in der mit Toner füllbaren Öffnung (240) aufweist,
    bei der der erste und zweite Tonerniveauerfassungsabschnitt (242) mit dem blasgeformten Harzgehäuse (202) für eine richtige Ausrichtung mit dem Tonerniveaudetektor (58) gedreht werden,
    wobei die mit Toner füllbare Öffnung (240) bevorzugt ein im wesentlichen V-förmiges Teil ist.
  10. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach einem der Ansprüche 8 oder 9,
    bei der die Tonerauslaßöffnung (206) von einem Tonerabsorbierteil (216) zum Abwischen überflüssigen Toners von dem Abschirmteil (204) umgeben ist, und
    bei der die einstückig gebildete mittlere Rippe (222) sich radial von dem blasgeformten Harzgehäuse (202) um einen Abstand geringer als der des Tonerabsorbierteiles (216) derart erstreckt, daß ein Raum zwischen einer Umfangsoberfläche des blasgeformten Harzgehäuses (202) und einer inneren Oberfläche des Tonerkastenabschirmteiles (204) gebildet ist.
  11. Mit Toner füllbare Kassette nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10,
    bei der das blasgeformte Harzgehäuse (202) ein blasgeformtes Polypropylenharz aufweist.
  12. Verfahren zum Bilden einer mit Toner füllbaren Kassette mit:
    Blasformen eines Tonerharzgehäuses (202), das abdichtbar an jedem Ende ist und eine Tonerauslaßöffnung (206) aufweist, die zwischen den zwei Enden gebildet ist;
    gekennzeichnet durch:
    Vorsehen von mindestens einem einstückig blasgeformten Vorsprung (218) auf dem Tonerharzgehäuse (202), der so aufgebaut ist, daß er gleitend an eine Seitenoberfläche (220) eines Tonerkastenabschirmteiles (204) angreift und die Seitenoberfläche führt, wobei das Tonerkastenabschirmteil in Bezug auf das Harzgehäuse (202) drehbar ist.
  13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, weiter mit
    Bemessen des mindestens einen Vorsprunges (218) so, daß er an ein Abschirmteil (614) angreift und es versetzt, wobei es zwischen Positionen bewegbar ist, in denen eine Tonereinlaßöffnung (612) eine Entwicklervorrichtung (10) abdichtet und freilegt und/oder
    Schneiden einer Tonerauslaßöffnung (206) in das blasgeformte Tonerharzgehäuse (202), wobei das Schneiden das Einsetzen eines Schneidewerkzeuges in das Innere des blasgeformten Tonerharzgehäuses und Durchführen des Schneidens von einer Innenoberfläche zu einer Außenoberfläche des blasgeformten Tonerharzgehäuses (202) aufweist.
EP19960107356 1996-04-29 1996-05-09 Blasgeformte, mit Toner füllbare Kartusche und ein Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung Expired - Lifetime EP0793149B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/638,780 US5771427A (en) 1995-12-28 1996-04-29 Blow-moled toner fillable cartridge and a method for forming same
US638780 1996-04-29

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0793149A1 EP0793149A1 (de) 1997-09-03
EP0793149B1 true EP0793149B1 (de) 1997-09-10

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5890034A (en) * 1997-02-28 1999-03-30 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Developing device for image forming apparatus and toner cartridge for use in the developing device
JP4701830B2 (ja) 2005-05-11 2011-06-15 ブラザー工業株式会社 プロセスカートリッジ及び画像形成装置
EP2273319B1 (de) 2005-09-21 2013-11-06 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tonerkassette und Entwicklungseinheit
US7783234B2 (en) 2006-07-04 2010-08-24 Seiko Epson Corporation Developer cartridge, image forming apparatus, and shutter device

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6244780A (ja) * 1985-08-23 1987-02-26 Toshiba Corp 画像形成装置
US5506665A (en) * 1994-05-12 1996-04-09 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Developing device having detachable toner box for use in image recording apparatus
JP3263533B2 (ja) * 1994-05-17 2002-03-04 ブラザー工業株式会社 トナー残量検出装置及びそのトナー収納装置
US5424816A (en) * 1994-06-27 1995-06-13 Xerox Corporation Toner cartridge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE29608446U1 (de) 1996-09-19
EP0793149A1 (de) 1997-09-03
DE69600064T2 (de) 1998-02-05
DE69600064D1 (de) 1997-11-13

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