EP0805379A1 - Cartouche de toneur muni de protubérances pouvant s'engager avec un obturateur d'un boîtier de développement - Google Patents

Cartouche de toneur muni de protubérances pouvant s'engager avec un obturateur d'un boîtier de développement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0805379A1
EP0805379A1 EP96107354A EP96107354A EP0805379A1 EP 0805379 A1 EP0805379 A1 EP 0805379A1 EP 96107354 A EP96107354 A EP 96107354A EP 96107354 A EP96107354 A EP 96107354A EP 0805379 A1 EP0805379 A1 EP 0805379A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
toner
shielding member
rib
cartridge
introduction port
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
EP96107354A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0805379B1 (fr
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
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
Priority claimed from US08/638,776 external-priority patent/US5630198A/en
Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
Publication of EP0805379A1 publication Critical patent/EP0805379A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0805379B1 publication Critical patent/EP0805379B1/fr
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
    • G03G15/0877—Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
    • G03G15/0881—Sealing of developer cartridges
    • G03G15/0886—Sealing of developer cartridges by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug
    • 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
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/06—Developing structures, details
    • G03G2215/066—Toner cartridge or other attachable and detachable container for supplying developer material to replace the used material
    • G03G2215/0663—Toner cartridge or other attachable and detachable container for supplying developer material to replace the used material having a longitudinal rotational axis, around which at least one part is rotated when mounting or using the cartridge
    • G03G2215/0675—Generally cylindrical container shape having two ends

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a toner fillable cartridge for use with a toner development device.
  • the invention relates to a toner cartridge attachable to a toner cartridge support of a developing unit having a toner introduction port, wherein rotation of the toner cartridge causes displacement of a case shutter on the developing unit to open and close the toner introduction port.
  • toner box structure which accommodates therein developing agent and/or toners.
  • the toner box is provided detachably from the developing case so as to supply the developing agents from the toner box to the developing case.
  • a toner exhaust port is formed in the toner box and a toner introduction port is formed in the developing case. These ports are aligned with each other when toner is transferred from the toner box to the developing case. Furthermore, it is known to provide a lid member to shut off the toner exhaust port and another lid member to shut off the toner introduction port. The toner exhaust port and the toner introduction port are communicated with each other for the toner supply if the two lid members are aligned with each other and pulled out.
  • the two lid members are pulled linearly in a direction to project out of the bodies of the toner box and the developing case.
  • the lid members protrude laterally from the toner box and the developing case, respectively, which may be bulky.
  • toner becomes attached to the inner surfaces of the lid members, and the protruding lid members may contaminate the ambient components of the developing unit.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a toner fillable cartridge for a development device which is capable of accurately engaging a case shutter shielding member.
  • rotation of the toner body causes each pair of protrusions to engage and displace the developing device shielding member to open and close the toner introduction port as the toner exhaust port rotates to align with the toner introduction port.
  • the toner box shielding member may include lateral bearing surfaces slidingly engageable with inner surfaces of each pair of protrusions.
  • the toner body may also include a main rib structure to rotatably and slidingly engage in arcuate projection on the development device, wherein the toner exhaust port is urged by camming action toward the toner introduction port of the development device as the main rib and the arcuate projection engage.
  • the toner box shielding member may also include an extension structured to engage a locking portion provided on the toner body, and the developing device may include a cam surface for biasing the extension out of engagement with the locking portion when the toner body is positioned for cooperation with the developing device.
  • the toner body has one end that may be provided with a bearing surface structured to cooperate with a matched bearing surface formed on a rotating shaft within the toner body.
  • a developing assembly for an image forming apparatus comprising a developing unit including a case having an outer wall with a toner introduction port defined therein and a toner cartridge support formed thereon, a developing sleeve exposed at one side of the case opposed to the toner introduction port, and a displaceable case shutter coupled to the case adjacent to the toner cartridge support and sealable over the toner introduction port, a toner cartridge attachable to the support, the toner cartridge having a toner body having first and second ends, a toner exhaust port located between the first and second ends of the toner body, the toner body being rotatable with respect to the development device, a toner box shielding member rotatable with respect to the toner body to open and close the toner exhaust port as the toner body is rotated, and a pair of protrusions formed on each side of the toner box shielding member, each set pair of protrusions being structured to engage and displace the case shutter upon rotation of the toner body.
  • the toner box shielding member may be a two-part assembly snap-fitted over the toner body, and the toner box shielding member may include a longitudinal guiding and positioning rib formed axially along the toner body, and the guiding and positioning rib may be positionable within a slot formed as a portion of the toner cartridge support to prevent relative rotation between the toner box shielding member and the developing unit.
  • a developing unit in an image forming apparatus for attachment with a removable toner cartridge comprising a case having a toner introduction port defined therein and a toner cartridge support formed thereon, a developing sleeve exposed at one side of the case opposed to the toner introduction port, and a rotatable toner cartridge attachable to the toner cartridge support.
  • 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 24 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 U.S. Patent No. 5,506,665, assigned in common herewith and incorporated herein by reference.
  • 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 recess 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 and incorporated herein by reference.
  • 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 include 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 512 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 insertion port 12.
  • 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.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
EP19960107354 1996-04-29 1996-05-09 Cartouche de toneur muni de protubérances pouvant s'engager avec un obturateur d'un boítier de développement Expired - Lifetime EP0805379B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US638776 1996-04-29
US08/638,776 US5630198A (en) 1995-12-28 1996-04-29 Toner fillable cartridge having protrusions engageable with a development case shutter

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0805379A1 true EP0805379A1 (fr) 1997-11-05
EP0805379B1 EP0805379B1 (fr) 1998-08-05

Family

ID=24561375

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19960107354 Expired - Lifetime EP0805379B1 (fr) 1996-04-29 1996-05-09 Cartouche de toneur muni de protubérances pouvant s'engager avec un obturateur d'un boítier de développement

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0805379B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP3931379B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE69600491T2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1721222A2 (fr) * 2004-03-05 2006-11-15 William D. Himes Cartouche de revelateur
US7738818B2 (en) 2005-05-18 2010-06-15 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Developer supply container
US7783234B2 (en) 2006-07-04 2010-08-24 Seiko Epson Corporation Developer cartridge, image forming apparatus, and shutter device
AU2013200139B2 (en) * 2012-02-21 2014-05-29 Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp. Powder container and image forming apparatus

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4693393B2 (ja) 2003-11-19 2011-06-01 キヤノン株式会社 現像剤補給装置
JP4652783B2 (ja) * 2003-12-10 2011-03-16 キヤノン株式会社 現像剤供給容器
US7450890B2 (en) 2004-11-12 2008-11-11 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Developer supply container having a shutter cleaning feature
JP4626502B2 (ja) * 2005-12-01 2011-02-09 ブラザー工業株式会社 画像形成装置およびトナーカートリッジ
CN102741761B (zh) * 2008-09-09 2015-06-03 株式会社理光 调色剂容器和成像设备
JP5170840B2 (ja) * 2008-09-29 2013-03-27 株式会社リコー トナー容器及び画像形成装置
PH12019502641B1 (en) 2014-08-01 2024-05-08 Canon Kk Toner cartridge, toner supply mechanism, and shutter

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0435596A2 (fr) * 1989-12-26 1991-07-03 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Mécanisme et méthode pour monter et enlever un rÀ©cipient de toneur d'un dispositif de développement
US5331382A (en) * 1991-03-18 1994-07-19 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Toner cartridge for image forming apparatus
EP0668546A2 (fr) * 1994-02-16 1995-08-23 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Unité de développement pour utilisation dans un appareil de formation d'images
EP0682297A2 (fr) * 1994-05-12 1995-11-15 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de développement, comprenant un réservoir de toner détachable, pour un appareil d'enregistrement d'images

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0435596A2 (fr) * 1989-12-26 1991-07-03 Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Mécanisme et méthode pour monter et enlever un rÀ©cipient de toneur d'un dispositif de développement
US5331382A (en) * 1991-03-18 1994-07-19 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Toner cartridge for image forming apparatus
EP0668546A2 (fr) * 1994-02-16 1995-08-23 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Unité de développement pour utilisation dans un appareil de formation d'images
EP0682297A2 (fr) * 1994-05-12 1995-11-15 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de développement, comprenant un réservoir de toner détachable, pour un appareil d'enregistrement d'images

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1721222A2 (fr) * 2004-03-05 2006-11-15 William D. Himes Cartouche de revelateur
EP1721222A4 (fr) * 2004-03-05 2013-11-13 William D Himes Cartouche de revelateur
US7738818B2 (en) 2005-05-18 2010-06-15 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Developer supply container
US7783234B2 (en) 2006-07-04 2010-08-24 Seiko Epson Corporation Developer cartridge, image forming apparatus, and shutter device
AU2013200139B2 (en) * 2012-02-21 2014-05-29 Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp. Powder container and image forming apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP3931379B2 (ja) 2007-06-13
JPH1055103A (ja) 1998-02-24
DE69600491T2 (de) 1999-01-28
DE69600491D1 (de) 1998-09-10
EP0805379B1 (fr) 1998-08-05

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