EP1076271A1 - Tonerkartusche - Google Patents

Tonerkartusche Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1076271A1
EP1076271A1 EP00116799A EP00116799A EP1076271A1 EP 1076271 A1 EP1076271 A1 EP 1076271A1 EP 00116799 A EP00116799 A EP 00116799A EP 00116799 A EP00116799 A EP 00116799A EP 1076271 A1 EP1076271 A1 EP 1076271A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
end cap
wall
toner
slidable
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00116799A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
David Greenlaw
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.)
Nashua Corp
Original Assignee
Nashua Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nashua Corp filed Critical Nashua Corp
Publication of EP1076271A1 publication Critical patent/EP1076271A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • G03G15/0865—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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrophotographic imaging machines in general, and specifically to a cartridge for the delivery and replenishment of dry powder toner to be used by such an imaging machine.
  • the replenishing supply of toner can be in the form of a relatively simple container having a spout which mates to a storage region of the imaging device, and the toner might be dumped by gravity into the storage region.
  • U.S. Patent 4,878,603 to Ikesue et al. describes an arrangement wherein replenishing toner is supplied in a cylindrical cartridge, one end of which contained a discharge opening.
  • a removable gear was attached to the discharge end of the cylinder, the gear having teeth about its periphery.
  • the gear teeth of the cartridge was matable with a drive sprocket, which when activated rotated the toner replenishment cartridge about its longitudinal axis.
  • a spiral guide rib raised on the inside surface of the cylindrical cartridge aided to feed the powder toward the discharge end of the cartridge and into the replenishment mechanism of the imaging device.
  • the present invention provides a toner cartridge comprising an elongated container having a longitudinal axis, an open end and a closed end.
  • An end cap is adapted and arranged to close the open end of the container and to accommodate relative rotational motion between the elongated container and the end cap.
  • a rod is fixedly attached to the end cap and extends substantially along the longitudinal axis.
  • a slidable member is engaged with the rod and has a diameter adapted to engage the longitudinal wall of the container to provide circumferential movement between one of the rod or the longitudinal wall resulting in axial movement of the slidable member.
  • the slidable member travels along said rod to translate the interior volume of the container.
  • the cartridge comprises an elongated cylindrical container filled with toner.
  • the container has a longitudinal axis, an open end and a closed end.
  • An end cap is adapted and arranged to close the open end and to accommodate relative rotational motion between the container and the end cap.
  • a threaded rod is fixedly attached to the end cap and extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the container.
  • a wall member or plate is positioned on and threadedly engaged with the threaded rod and has a diameter to frictionally engage the cylindrical wall of the container to avoid circumferential movement therebetween. Upon relative rotation of the end cap and the elongated container, the plate or wall member is induced to travel longitudinally along the threaded rod to translate the interior volume of said container.
  • toner cartridge that in use provides a positive indication of the present status of the amount of toner remaining and, when empty, that its contents have been fully dispensed.
  • the invention further provides a toner cartridge that is easily mounted to and detached from a toner replenishment mechanism of an image forming machine.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention formed of a cartridge for uniformly and positively delivering replenishment toner to an image-forming device.
  • the toner cartridge 10 is comprised of a cylindrical container 4 defined by a smooth walled body portion which terminates at one end in a closed transverse wall 12 and terminates at an opposite end in an open mouthed configuration.
  • Container 4 near its open end includes one or more radially outward projecting annular rims.
  • the container is typically formed of plastic.
  • a clear plastic is used. Suitable plastic materials include, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutadiene, and the like, etc.
  • a drive gear 5 is attached to the outside surface of the container, preferably retained along the axial dimension by at least one of the annular rims.
  • the drive gear takes the general form of an annulus and is mounted so that an inside diameter of the gear annulus engages the container's outside diameter to rotate the container when the gear is driven. When engaged, the fit should allow rotation of container by the drive gear without any relative slippage.
  • the gear is fixedly attached to the container wall. More preferable, the gear is formed integrally with the container wall.
  • End cap 6 is mounted on the open end of the cartridge container 4.
  • One or more annular rings on the container wall engage with the end cap to hold the end cap to the container.
  • the end cap has an opening for the discharge of toner from the interior of the container 4 to the toner replenishment mechanism of an image-forming machine when in use to replenish toner.
  • the end cap 6 of the toner cartridge of the exemplary embodiment of the instant invention is held stationary due to engagement of portion 16 of the end cap with the toner replenishment mechanism, and the drive gear 5 is matingly received by a powered sprocket of the replenishment mechanism or of the image forming apparatus.
  • This arrangement allows for the discharge opening of the end cap (6) to remain fixedly oriented, while the container is rotated about its longitudinal axis by the powered sprocket.
  • the end cap can be made of any suitable material, but preferably is made of a plastic material. Materials useful for the cartridge are also useful for the end cap.
  • a seal is typically provided between the end cap and the container.
  • a layer 13 of a polyurethane foam or a felt is attached to the inside of the end cap.
  • the cylindrical wall of the container abuts the seal.
  • Other materials suitable for sealing can also be used, as is well known to those skilled in the art of sealing moving components.
  • a cylindrical seal can be provided between the cylindrical wall of the container and the cylindrical portion of the end cap.
  • a rotary seal can be provided between the periphery of the container and the end cap, as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,879,307.
  • a lead screw 3 which extends substantially down the longitudinal axis of the cartridge assembly and the container 4.
  • the lead screw 3 is fixedly secured to the end cap 6 such that it remains stationary with the end cap 6.
  • the screw can be made of a suitable metal or plastic material.
  • a disk-shaped slidable wall member 2 which is of substantially the same diameter as that of the inside of the container 4.
  • the slidable wall member 2 has an internal thread that mates with the lead screw for translational movement along the longitudinal axis.
  • the wall member divides the container into two chambers, one on either side of the slidable wall.
  • a resilient strip of material 1 is positioned on the circumference of the slidable wall member to frictionally engage the inside surface of the container wall.
  • the strip 1 creates a seal between the two chambers formed in the container 4.
  • the strip can be made of foam, an elastomeric material, or any material that frictionally engages the cartridge wall to avoid circumferential slipping motion therebetween.
  • the frictional engagement between the strip 1 and the slidable wall member 2 will not rotate but will advance longitudinally along the lead screw.
  • rotation of the container relative to the end cap will force the slidable wall 2 to move along the threads on the lead screw 3, resulting in the axial translation of the slidable wall 2.
  • the slidable wall will translate toward the open end closed by the end cap 6, uniformly displacing the contents of the container 3 through the opening 15 in the end cap 6 and into the toner replenishment mechanism of the image forming machine.
  • any material of sufficient rigidity such as metal or plastic, can be used to form the container, gear, end cap, slidable wall member and lead screw, and that the strip may be formed of any material allowing sufficient frictional engagement with the inside surface of the container to allow the wall member to rotate along with the container, but not so much friction as to interfere with the axial translation of the slidable wall along the lead screw.
  • a simulated threaded rod such as a center rod wrapped with a spring may be used to provide the threads for the slidable wall to traverse.
  • rotation of the disk and resulting axial movement thereof can be achieved by suitable, e.g., threaded, engagement of the periphery of the disk with the cylindrical wall of the cartridge.
  • a window or other transparent region can be provided in an opaque container to allow visual confirmation of complete or progressing dispensation of replenishing toner.
  • the cartridge wall transmits enough light to locate the position of the slidable wall.
  • cartridge assembly of the present invention could be used to store, transport and dispense developer or other pulverulent chemicals or substances for various purposes.
  • the drive gear 5 can comprise a high friction gripping material, such as rubber, located between the gear ring and the outside surface of the container.
  • the end cap can contain a sloping surface extending into the interior of the container and defining an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container to aid toner flow and possibly avoid compaction of the toner as the slidable wall translates toward the end cap.
  • the exemplary embodiment is described as being cylindrical, it is appreciated that different cross-sectional shapes for the container can be employed. Indeed, containers having corners can avoid rotational movement between the container and slidable wall member due to geometry. Alternatively, the rod can be square and the container cylindrical to avoid rotational movement about the rod.
  • the exemplary embodiment comprises a slidable wall which is described as being disk-shaped, it is foreseen that different shapes for the slidable wall can be employed, especially in the case where a cross section other than circular describes the container.
  • the exemplary embodiment describes the lead screw as stationary, it is foreseen that it can be rotated while the container is maintained in a stationary orientation to accomplish a similar result.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
EP00116799A 1999-08-10 2000-08-03 Tonerkartusche Withdrawn EP1076271A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
1999-05-06
US37110999A 1999-08-10 1999-08-10
US371109 1999-08-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1076271A1 true EP1076271A1 (de) 2001-02-14

Family

ID=23462518

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00116799A Withdrawn EP1076271A1 (de) 1999-08-10 2000-08-03 Tonerkartusche

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1076271A1 (de)
JP (1) JP2001092230A (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104749921A (zh) * 2013-12-27 2015-07-01 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 显影剂收容容器及具备该显影剂收容容器的图像形成装置
US9261819B1 (en) 2014-07-25 2016-02-16 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer supply device and image forming apparatus provided with same
US9383679B2 (en) 2013-12-27 2016-07-05 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same
US9395650B2 (en) 2013-12-27 2016-07-19 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same
US9395651B2 (en) 2013-12-27 2016-07-19 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same
US9465316B2 (en) 2015-01-30 2016-10-11 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same
US9513579B2 (en) 2015-01-28 2016-12-06 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer replenishing apparatus including container having moving wall
JPWO2016017312A1 (ja) * 2014-07-30 2017-04-27 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
CN108323188A (zh) * 2017-07-07 2018-07-24 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 显影剂收容容器以及具备该显影剂收容容器的图像形成装置
US11397390B2 (en) 2019-08-20 2022-07-26 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Toner refill cartridge with a spiral portion to move a plunger

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5919254B2 (ja) * 2013-12-27 2016-05-18 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP6134642B2 (ja) * 2013-12-27 2017-05-24 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 画像形成装置
JP5814427B2 (ja) * 2014-06-09 2015-11-17 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP5814426B2 (ja) * 2014-06-09 2015-11-17 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP5814428B2 (ja) * 2014-06-09 2015-11-17 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP6204291B2 (ja) * 2014-07-30 2017-09-27 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP6186317B2 (ja) * 2014-07-30 2017-08-23 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP6204290B2 (ja) * 2014-07-30 2017-09-27 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP6199829B2 (ja) * 2014-08-18 2017-09-20 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 画像形成装置
JP6199830B2 (ja) * 2014-08-18 2017-09-20 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP6233243B2 (ja) 2014-08-27 2017-11-22 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
JP6213490B2 (ja) * 2015-01-30 2017-10-18 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、および、これを備えた画像形成装置
JP6287884B2 (ja) * 2015-02-17 2018-03-07 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3973699A (en) * 1973-12-21 1976-08-10 Xerox Corporation Liquid dispensing apparatus utilizing double acting piston
JPH0427961A (ja) * 1990-05-23 1992-01-30 Ricoh Co Ltd 画像形成装置
US5208637A (en) * 1990-08-22 1993-05-04 Spectrum Sciences B.V. Liquid toner replenishment system
JPH07314833A (ja) * 1994-05-26 1995-12-05 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 熱転写プリンタ
JPH0876570A (ja) * 1994-09-01 1996-03-22 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd 現像剤カ−トリッジ

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3973699A (en) * 1973-12-21 1976-08-10 Xerox Corporation Liquid dispensing apparatus utilizing double acting piston
JPH0427961A (ja) * 1990-05-23 1992-01-30 Ricoh Co Ltd 画像形成装置
US5208637A (en) * 1990-08-22 1993-05-04 Spectrum Sciences B.V. Liquid toner replenishment system
JPH07314833A (ja) * 1994-05-26 1995-12-05 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 熱転写プリンタ
JPH0876570A (ja) * 1994-09-01 1996-03-22 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd 現像剤カ−トリッジ

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 013, no. 322 (P - 902) 20 July 1989 (1989-07-20) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 016, no. 193 (P - 1349) 11 May 1992 (1992-05-11) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1996, no. 04 30 April 1996 (1996-04-30) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1996, no. 07 31 July 1996 (1996-07-31) *

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2960721A4 (de) * 2013-12-27 2016-08-24 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc Entwicklungsmittelbehälter sowie bildformungsvorrichtung damit
CN104749921A (zh) * 2013-12-27 2015-07-01 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 显影剂收容容器及具备该显影剂收容容器的图像形成装置
CN104749921B (zh) * 2013-12-27 2019-06-14 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 显影剂收容容器及具备该显影剂收容容器的图像形成装置
US9383679B2 (en) 2013-12-27 2016-07-05 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same
US9395650B2 (en) 2013-12-27 2016-07-19 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same
US9395651B2 (en) 2013-12-27 2016-07-19 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same
US9229366B2 (en) 2013-12-27 2016-01-05 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer storage container and image forming apparatus provided with same
US9261819B1 (en) 2014-07-25 2016-02-16 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer supply device and image forming apparatus provided with same
JPWO2016017312A1 (ja) * 2014-07-30 2017-04-27 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 現像剤収容容器、およびこれを備えた画像形成装置
US9513579B2 (en) 2015-01-28 2016-12-06 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer replenishing apparatus including container having moving wall
US9465316B2 (en) 2015-01-30 2016-10-11 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same
CN108323188A (zh) * 2017-07-07 2018-07-24 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 显影剂收容容器以及具备该显影剂收容容器的图像形成装置
CN108323188B (zh) * 2017-07-07 2021-04-09 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 显影剂收容容器以及具备该显影剂收容容器的图像形成装置
US11397390B2 (en) 2019-08-20 2022-07-26 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Toner refill cartridge with a spiral portion to move a plunger

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