EP1220050B1 - Tonernachfüllvorrichtung und damit versehene Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung - Google Patents

Tonernachfüllvorrichtung und damit versehene Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1220050B1
EP1220050B1 EP20010130525 EP01130525A EP1220050B1 EP 1220050 B1 EP1220050 B1 EP 1220050B1 EP 20010130525 EP20010130525 EP 20010130525 EP 01130525 A EP01130525 A EP 01130525A EP 1220050 B1 EP1220050 B1 EP 1220050B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
toner
lower case
locking member
upper case
case
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
EP20010130525
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1220050A3 (de
EP1220050A2 (de
Inventor
Shuji Tanaka
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.)
Ricoh Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2001307850A external-priority patent/JP2002258595A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2001315096A external-priority patent/JP2002351205A/ja
Application filed by Ricoh Co Ltd filed Critical Ricoh Co Ltd
Publication of EP1220050A2 publication Critical patent/EP1220050A2/de
Publication of EP1220050A3 publication Critical patent/EP1220050A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1220050B1 publication Critical patent/EP1220050B1/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
    • G03G15/0894—Reconditioning of the developer unit, i.e. reusing or recycling parts of the unit, e.g. resealing of the unit before refilling with toner
    • 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
    • G03G15/087—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
    • 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
    • G03G2215/0665—Generally horizontally mounting of said toner cartridge 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
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/08—Details of powder developing device not concerning the development directly
    • G03G2215/0855—Materials and manufacturing of the developing device
    • G03G2215/0872—Housing of developing device

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a copier, facsimile apparatus, printer or similar image forming apparatus and more particularly to a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a developing device included in the image forming apparatus.
  • the toner cartridge stores fresh toner, or developer, to be replenished to a developing device included in the image forming apparatus.
  • the toner cartridge usually has a double-wall structure made up of a toner bottle or toner container storing toner and a case encasing the toner bottle.
  • the double-wall structure protects the toner from heat and moisture.
  • a toner cartridge with this configuration is disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication Nos. 6-194950 and 10-69160 .
  • the toner cartridge has a sophisticated configuration and is expensive and is therefore often reused or recycled when it runs out of toner.
  • the replacement of the toner cartridge should preferably be performed by an expert as distinguished from the user. If the user replaces the toner bottle, then it is likely that the body of the toner replenishing device is damaged due to inadequate assembling or that the toner flies about when the case of the toner cartridge is disassembled.
  • the toner cartridge is therefore configured on the assumption that the user does not replace the toner bottle; that is, the entire toner cartridge is replaced when the toner bottle runs out of toner.
  • the case formed with an opening for receiving the toner bottle and a cover for closing the opening are simply snap-fitted on each other and therefore easy to disassemble.
  • This configuration tempts the user to disassemble the case and replace only the toner bottle or to refill the empty toner bottle. It is therefore impossible to fully solve the problems discussed above.
  • the case and cover may be lightly snap-fitted on each other to facilitate disassembly. Light snap-fitting, however, obstructs the sure connection of the case and cover and is apt to cause the cover to be released from the case due to a shock or an impact during transport. In these circumstances, there is an increasing demand for a case realizing both of easy disassembly and sure connection and solving the problems ascribable to disassembly by the user.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • PE polyethylene
  • Laid-Open Publication Nos. 6-194950 and 10-69160 mentioned earlier disclose toner bottles configured to deform or break little when subjected to a shock or an impact.
  • the toner bottles each are of screw type and encased in a rectangular case.
  • the screw type toner bottle is rotated about its axis to discharge toner stored therein via a mouth.
  • a gear is mounted on the circumference of the toner bottle.
  • a drive gear mounted on the body of an image forming apparatus is brought into mesh with the above gear.
  • rotation transferred to the toner bottle via such a gear train is apt to cause the toner bottle to oscillate, resulting in unstable toner replenishment.
  • Another drive transmission system proposed in the past uses a drive member that engages with the bottom of the toner bottle and rotates coaxially with the toner bottle.
  • This drive transmission system causes the toner bottle to oscillate less than the drive transmission system that transfers rotation to the circumference of the toner bottle.
  • the drive member scheme directly applies the oscillation of a drive source to the toner bottle, failing to stabilize toner replenishment.
  • US-A-5,907,747 relates to a prefilled, presealed toner cartridge insert.
  • a toner cartridge insert for use in remanufactured toner cartridges and a method for remanufacturing toner cartridges.
  • the toner cartridge insert is hollow and conforms to the shape of the inside of the toner hopper.
  • the toner cartridge insert is presealed and prefilled with toner so that the toner hopper does not have to be cleaned, sealed, and refilled in order to remanufacture a toner cartridge.
  • US-A-5,937,238 relates to a slotted clip for use in the reassembly of printer toner cartridges.
  • Methods of recycling printer cartridges use special rail-type clips for reassembly of complementary halves of a printer cartridge, the clips comprising cutouts or gaps spaced along the length thereof which accommodate protrusions near the edges being joined.
  • the invention allows for recovering these cartridges and avoiding the cost of discarding a fairly costly machine element while additionally avoiding the processing costs for rendering the cartridge into inert, non-polluting waste.
  • an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention is shown and implemented as a copier by way of example.
  • the copier includes a photoconductive element or image carrier implemented as a drum 7.
  • the drum 7 has an OPC (Organic PhotoConductor) or similar photoconductive layer and rotates counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1 .
  • OPC Organic PhotoConductor
  • Arranged around the drum 7 are a charge roller or charging means 102, an optical writing unit or exposing means 103, a developing unit or developing means 1, an image transfer roller or image transferring means 110, a cleaning blade or cleaning means 105, and a discharge lamp or discharging means 106.
  • the charge roller 102 to which a high voltage is applied, uniformly charges the surface of the drum 7 to negative polarity.
  • An ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 120 is mounted on the top of a printer body 100.
  • a scanner 130 includes optics 131 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) array or similar image sensor 132.
  • the image sensor 132 reads image information out of the document via the optics 131.
  • the optical writing unit 103 scans the charged surface of the drum 7 with a laser beam L in accordance with image data output from the scanner 130, thereby forming a latent image on the drum 7.
  • the image data may alternatively be output from a personal computer, facsimile apparatus or similar image data outputting means not shown.
  • the developing unit 1 stores a developer made up of toner and carrier and includes a developing sleeve 5.
  • the developer is deposited on the developing sleeve 5 in the form of a magnet brush.
  • the developing sleeve 5 in rotation conveys the developer to a developing position where it faces the drum 7.
  • the drum 7 in rotation conveys the toner image to a nip or image transfer position where the drum 7 and image transfer roller 110 contact each other.
  • a sheet cassette 109 is positioned below the printer body 100 and loaded with a stack of sheets or recording media P.
  • a pickup roller 109a in rotation pays out the top sheet P from the sheet cassette 109 to a registration roller pair 107.
  • the registration roller pair 107 once stops the sheet P and then drives it at such a timing that the leading edge of the sheet meets the leading edge of the toner image formed on the drum 7 at the image transfer position.
  • a bias for image transfer is applied to the image transfer roller 110 before the leading edge of the sheet P enters the nip for image transfer.
  • the bias charges the roller 110 to polarity opposite to the polarity of the toner image for thereby forming an electric field at the nip.
  • the toner is transferred from the drum 7 to the sheet P under the action of the electric field and nip pressure.
  • Discharge needles are positioned downstream of the above nip in the direction of sheet conveyance and discharges the sheet P for allowing it to easily part from the drum 7.
  • the discharge needles are applied with a bias or connected to ground.
  • the sheet P parted from the drum 7 is conveyed to a fixing device 108 including a heat roller 108a and a press roller 108b.
  • the heat roller 108a which accommodates a heater, and press roller 108b are pressed against each other.
  • the heat roller 108a and press roller 108b nip the sheet P being conveyed to thereby fix the toner image on the sheet P with heat and pressure.
  • the cleaning blade 105 removes the toner left on the drum 7 after the image transfer.
  • a toner conveying device not shown, returns the toner removed from the drum 7 to the developing unit 1 and again used for development.
  • the discharge lamp 106 illuminates the entire surface of the drum 7 cleaned by the cleaning blade 105, thereby dissipating charge left on the drum 7. In this manner, the drum 7 is prepared for the next image formation.
  • a toner replenishing unit or device 200 embodying the present invention replenishes fresh toner to the developing unit 1 via a hole 2 formed in the casing of the developing unit 1.
  • the toner replenishing unit 200 will be described in detail later.
  • a first and a second screw 3 and 4 are disposed in the casing and convey the replenished toner toward the developing sleeve 5 while mixing it with magnetic carrier grains existing in the casing.
  • the developing sleeve 5 accommodates magnets, not shown, therein.
  • the magnets cause the carrier of the developer to form a magnet brush on the developing sleeve 5.
  • the toner conveyed toward the developing sleeve 5 and charged by the screws 3 and 4 electrostatically deposit on the carrier.
  • the developing sleeve 5 in rotation conveys the toner deposited on the magnet brush or carrier toward the drum 7.
  • a doctor blade 6 regulates to the toner to a preselected thickness.
  • the toner then deposits on the latent image formed on the drum 7 for thereby forming a toner image, as stated earlier.
  • a toner sensor 8 is positioned beneath the first screw 3 for monitoring the toner content of the developer existing in the developing unit 1.
  • the toner sensor 8 is implemented as, e.g., a magnetism sensor responsive to the permeability of the developer, which varies in accordance with the toner content of the developer 1.
  • the toner sensor 8 outputs a signal representative of such a condition.
  • a controller not shown, included in the copier body 100 sends a replenishment command to the toner replenishing unit 200.
  • the toner replenishing unit 200 replenishes toner to the casing of the developing unit 1 via the hole 2. It is to be noted that the toner sensor 8 senses a toner end condition and a toner near-end condition as well.
  • the toner replenishing unit 200 includes a casing 201 for storing a toner bottle 10 packed with fresh toner.
  • the casing 201 is generally made up of an upper case or case cover 11, a lower case or case body 12, and a locking member or locking means 13.
  • the lower case 12 plays the role of a case body for supporting the toner bottle 10 and is formed with an opening 12b for receiving the toner bottle 10.
  • the upper case 11 is mounted to the lower case 12 for closing the opening 12b.
  • the locking member 13 locks the upper case 11 mounted to the lower case 12 to the lower case 12.
  • the toner bottle 10 is formed with a spiral groove 10a in its circumferential wall.
  • the spiral groove 10a conveys the toner stored in the toner bottle 10 toward a mouth 10b.
  • the toner is driven out of the toner bottle 10 via the mouth 10b.
  • a cap 14 is removably fitted on the mouth 10b and received in the lower case 12 together with the toner bottle 10. More specifically, the cap 14 is received in a cap holder 15 formed integrally with the lower case 12.
  • the cap holder 15 is formed with a toner outlet 15a.
  • a toner guide member 16 is formed with a hole 16a and fitted on part of the cap holder 15 formed with the toner outlet 15a.
  • a plurality of Mylar sheets 17 are fitted on the toner outlet end of the cap 14 and extend in the radial direction of the cap 14.
  • a slider 18 is mounted on the toner guide member 16 for selectively opening or closing the hole 16a.
  • a spring not shown, constantly biases the slider 18 such that the slider 18 tends to block the hole 16a. More specifically, when the toner replenishing unit 200 is mounted to the copier body 100, the slider 18 automatically moves to the position where it unblocks the hole 16a.
  • the controller sends a replenishment command to the toner replenishing unit 200.
  • a driveline not shown, arranged in the copier body 100 causes the toner bottle 10 to rotate.
  • the driveline transfers rotation to the toner bottle 10 via a coupling that automatically couples when the toner replenishing unit 200 is mounted to the copier body 100.
  • the spiral groove 10a conveys the toner in the bottle 10 to the mouth 10b.
  • the toner is therefore delivered to the cap holder 15 via the mouth 10b, which is rotating integrally with the toner bottle 10.
  • the Mylar sheets 17 fitted on the cap 14 scoop up the toner with the result that the toner is introduced in the toner guide member 16 via the toner outlet 15a. Consequently, the toner is replenished to the developing unit 1 via the hole 16a of the toner guide member 16 and the previously mentioned hole 2 formed in the casing of the developing unit 1.
  • the upper case 11 is formed with a plurality of hooks 11a while the lower case 12 is formed with a plurality of lugs 12a.
  • the hooks 11a mate with the lugs 12a by light snap fitting, connecting the upper case 11 to the lower case 12. Subsequently, the locking member 13 locks the upper case 11 to the lower case 12.
  • the upper case 11 and lower case 12 are respectively formed with rail portions 22 and 23 extending in the lengthwise direction of the cases 11 and 12.
  • the locking member 13 is formed with a parallel channel portions 13a and 13b such that the channel portions 13a and 13b extend in the lengthwise direction of the cases 11 and 12.
  • the locking member 13 is slid onto the cases 11 and 12 from the end opposite to the toner replenishing end with the channel portions 13a and 13b respectively mating with the rail portions 22 and 23. In this condition, the locking member 13 surely locks the case 11 to the case 12.
  • the locking member 13 is formed with grooves 20 extending over the entire length of the member 13.
  • the grooves 20 allow the locking member 13 to be easily broken.
  • the grooves 20 therefore promote easy separation of the upper case 11 and lower case 12.
  • a new locking member 13 is used to again lock the upper case 11 to the lower case 12. In this manner, the casing 201 can have the two cases 11 and 12 surely locked to each other and easily separated from each other.
  • FIG. 6 shows another specific configuration of the locking member 13 that promotes easy disassembly of the casing 201.
  • the locking member 13 includes a thin wall 21 extending over the entire length of the member 13. In the event of disassembly, the thin wall 21 also allows the locking member 13 to easily break thereat.
  • the walls of the locking member 13 where the grooves 20 are formed or the thin wall 21 should preferably be 1 mm thick or below, more preferably 0.7 mm.
  • the walls with the grooves 20 or the thin wall 21 should preferably be formed of hard, fragile resin, e.g., polystyrol. In any case, the grooves 20 or the thin wall 21 reduces a period of time necessary for recycling the toner replenishing unit 200.
  • the rail portions 22 and 23 of the cases 11 and 12, respectively should preferably be sufficiently strong. Further, it is necessary to distinguish the recycled toner replenishing unit 200 from a new toner replenishing unit 200.
  • the locking member 13 of a particular color should preferably be used for each of the recycled casing 201 and new casing 201. This kind of scheme facilitates the distinction.
  • FIG. 8 shows the toner replenishing unit 200 in an assembled condition.
  • FIGS. 9 through 17 for describing a procedure for disassembling the toner replenishing unit 200 for the recycling purpose.
  • the locking member 13 is nipped by finger and then pushed in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the locking member 13 is slid onto the case 201.
  • the locking member 13 breaks off and causes the rail portions 23 of the lower case 12 to be released from the locking member 13.
  • the used toner bottle 10 is picked up from the lower case 12 together with the cap 14.
  • a coupling 30 intervening between the driveline of the copier body 100 and the toner bottle 10 is also removed.
  • the cap 14 is removed from the toner bottle 10.
  • the cap 14 removed from the toner bottle 10 and the lower case 12 are cleaned to remove the toner deposited thereon (see FIG. 14 ).
  • the locking member 13 and lower case 12 should preferably be formed with a catch 24 and a hole 25, respectively.
  • the locking member 13 is mounted to the case 201 with the catch 24 mating with the hole 25. This prevents the locking member 13 from being easily released from the case 201 when subjected to a shock or an impact during transport.
  • the locking member 13 may be locked to the upper case 11.
  • the locking member 13 may be formed with a catch 24 and lugs 26 while the upper case 11 may be formed with a hole 25 and catches 27. In such a configuration, the catch 24 mates with the hole 25 while the lugs 26 engage with the catches 27. In this condition, the locking member 13 is locked to the upper case 11.
  • the optical writing unit 103 is positioned below the toner replenishing unit 200, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • the writing unit 103 includes a shutter 40 pivotable about a shaft 41.
  • the shutter 40 is usually positioned to block the optical path of the laser beam L, as shown in FIG. 19 .
  • An arm 42 is also mounted on the shaft 41 and extends to a path along which the toner replenishing unit 200 is mounted and dismounted from the copier body 100.
  • the arm 42 is brought into contact with and caused to angularly move by the locking member 13 mounted on the casing 201. Therefore, only when the toner replenishing unit 200 is mounted to the copier body 100, the shutter 40 unblocks the optical path of the laser beam L.
  • the illustrative embodiment has various unprecedented advantages, as enumerated below.
  • FIG. 20 an image forming apparatus representative of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and also implemented as a copier. It is to be noted that the reference numerals used in this embodiment are independent of the reference numerals used in the previous embodiment and therefore do not always designate identical reference numerals.
  • the copier is generally made up of a scanner section 100 for reading a document, an image forming section 200 for forming an image on the sheet P, and a sheet feed section for feeding the sheet P to the image forming section 200.
  • a controller not shown, controls the various sections of the copier.
  • the image forming section 200 includes a laser writing unit 200A including a laser diode and a polygonal mirror although not shown specifically.
  • the scanner reads a document laid on a glass platen, not shown, with an image sensor 101 and delivers image data to the controller.
  • the controller controls a laser diode, a polygonal mirror and so forth included in the laser writing unit 200A in accordance with the image data.
  • the laser diode scans a photoconductive drum 1, which is included in a process cartridge 200B, in accordance with the image data.
  • a latent image corresponding to the document image is formed on the drum 1.
  • the latent image is transformed to a toner image by development.
  • the image forming section 200 additionally includes an image transferring device 200C, a fixing device 200D, a sheet discharging device 200E, doors 200F and 200G, and a toner replenishing device not shown.
  • the door 200F is openable about a shaft 214 in a direction indicated by an arrow G.
  • the door 200G is openable about a shaft 215 in the front-and-rear direction, i.e., the direction perpendicular to the sheet surface of FIG. 20 .
  • the sheet feed section 300 includes four sheet cassettes 301a, 301b, 301c and 301d, four pickup rollers 302a, 302b, 302c and 302d, and four roller pairs 303a, 303b, 303c and 303d.
  • the sheet cassettes 301a through 301d each are loaded with a sheet stack P of particular size and movable into and out of the copier body in the front-and-rear direction with respect to FIG. 2 .
  • the pickup rollers 302a through 302d are respectively assigned to the sheet cassettes 301a through 301d, and each pays out the top sheet P from the associated sheet cassette.
  • the sheet P is then conveyed via a sheet path on which the roller pairs 303a through 303d are arranged.
  • the controller drives one of the pickup rollers 302a through 302d while effecting laser writing and development in accordance with the image data to thereby form a toner image on the drum 1.
  • One of the pickup rollers 302a through 302d driven by the controller pays out the top sheet P from associated one of the sheet cassettes 301a through 301d.
  • the sheet P is then conveyed to an image transfer position between the process cartridge 200B and the image transferring device 200 via one or more of the roller pairs 303a through 303d.
  • the image transferring device 200 includes an image transfer roller, not shown, to which a bias is applied from bias applying means, not shown, at the time of image transfer.
  • the image transfer roller is pressed against the drum 1, forming a nip for image transfer.
  • the toner image formed on the drum 1 is brought into register with the sheet P entered the nip.
  • the toner image is transferred from the drum 1 to the sheet 1 under the action of an electric field formed by the bias and nip pressure acting between the drum 1 and the image transfer roller.
  • the sheet P with the toner image is conveyed to the fixing unit 200D.
  • the fixing unit 200D fixes the toner image on the sheet P with heat and pressure.
  • the sheet P coming out of the fixing unit 200D is driven out of the copier body via an outlet roller pair included in the sheet discharging device 200.
  • a developing unit included in the process cartridge 200B will be described specifically with reference to FIG. 21 .
  • toner is replenished into the developing unit via a hole A.
  • a first and a second screw 4 and 5 convey the replenished toner toward a developing sleeve 2 while mixing it with magnetic carrier grains existing in the developing unit.
  • the developing sleeve 2 accommodates magnets, not shown, therein.
  • the magnets cause the carrier of the developer to form a magnet brush on the developing sleeve 2.
  • the toner conveyed toward the developing sleeve 2 and charged by the screws 4 and 5 electrostatically deposits on the carrier.
  • the developing sleeve 2 in rotation conveys the toner deposited on the magnet brush or carrier toward the drum 1.
  • a doctor blade 3 regulates the toner to a preselected thickness.
  • the toner then deposits on the latent image formed on the drum 1 for thereby forming a toner image.
  • a toner sensor 6 is positioned beneath the first screw 4 for monitoring the toner content of the developer existing in the developing unit.
  • the toner sensor 6 outputs a signal representative of such a condition.
  • the controller outputs a replenishment command and thereby causes a toner bottle or toner container 10 (see FIG. 20 ) to rotate.
  • toner is replenished from the toner bottle 10 to the developing unit via the hole A.
  • the toner sensor 6 senses a toner end condition and a toner near-end condition as well.
  • a toner replenishing unit or device characterizing the illustrative embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 21 through 23 .
  • the controller sends a replenishment command to the toner replenishing unit.
  • the toner replenishing unit rotates the toner bottle 10.
  • a spiral screw formed in the circumferential wall of the toner bottle 10 drives the toner in the bottle 10 out of the bottle 10.
  • a cap 14 is rotated integrally with the toner bottle 10.
  • Mylar sheets 7 (see FIG. 22 ) fitted on the cap 14 scoop up the toner to a toner outlet 15a.
  • the toner is therefore replenished to the developing unit via the toner outlet 15a and a toner guide member 16.
  • a shutter is mounted on the toner guide member 16 and selectively opened or closed when the toner replenishing unit is mounted to or dismounted from, respectively, the copier body.
  • the toner replenishing unit additionally includes an upper case 11, a lower case 12, a locking member 13, and a relay plate 150.
  • the toner bottle 10, upper case 9 and relay plate 150 are set on the lower case 12, as shown in FIG. 23 .
  • the locking member 13 is mounted to the upper case 9 and lower case 12 to thereby lock them to each other.
  • a driven portion included in the relay plate 150 is exposed to the outside of the cases 12 and 11, which constitute the casing of the toner replenishing unit in combination.
  • the lower case 12 and upper case 11 encase the toner bottle 10, as stated above. Therefore, even when the major component of the toner bottle 10 is PET lower in mechanical strength than PE, the two cases 12 and 11 protect the bottle 10 from, e.g., the tip of a screwdriver; otherwise, a hole would be formed in the bottle 10 and cause the toner to leak. In addition, the cases 8 and 9 protect the toner bottle from deformation during transport. Moreover, PET is lower in cost than PE.
  • the locking means is configured to allow a locking of a releasable connection or locking between the upper case and lower case in particular such that the locking or connection cannot be released.
  • the upper case is connectable by the releasable connection or the releasable locking with the lower case and/or vice versa.
  • this releasable locking or connection is performed by actuating or operating at least one of the upper case and the lower case.
  • the upper case and the lower case comprise engaging members in order to allow for the releasable locking or connection.
  • the engaging members are integral with the upper case and the lower case, respectively.
  • the upper case and the lower case and/or the engaging members are configured such that a locking is achieved if the upper case and/or the lower case is operated or actuated in a predetermined direction.
  • the locking means is configured to fix or secure or lock the aforementioned releasable locking or connection or link of the upper case and the lower case such that a release of the locking or connection or link is blocked by the locking means.
  • this blocking may be made undone by actuating or operating the locking means.
  • this is performed by actuating or operating the locking means in a predetermined direction.
  • this predetermined direction is at a predetermined angle to the predetermined direction of actuating and operating the upper and/or lower case for connecting or locking the upper case and lower case.
  • this angle is 90° or in a range of 45° to 125° or close to 90° in order to decouple the movement of the releasable locking by means of the upper case and lower case or engaging members and the movement of the locking by means of the locking means.
  • the locking means is preferably configured to unblock the releasable connection or locking between the upper case and the lower case.
  • the locking means is provided for this purpose with a predetermined breaking and/or deforming portion, point or region.
  • this predetermined portion, point or region allows for a more easy braking or deforming as in remainder portions of the locking means.
  • this braking or deforming is at best achievable, if a force or pressure is applied in a predetermined direction which is at an angle to the direction of movement for locking the releasable locking or connection.
  • this angle is 90° or around 90° or at least in a range between 45° and 125°.
  • the locking or connection between the upper case and the lower case is a releasable formfit and/or snap connection.
  • both the upper case and the lower case extent parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing and/or a toner container.
  • the present invention is also directed to a casing which includes a toner container.
  • the line of transition between the upper case and the lower case extends at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing and/or toner container.
  • the lower case represents one part of the casing and the upper case represents another part of the casing.
  • the terms "lower” and "upper” in particular refer to the location of the cases in case of mounting the case in an image forming apparatus.
  • a casing is mounted horizontally, i.e. the axis of the casing extends in the horizontal direction, at least approximately.
  • the locking member in particular the undeformed and/or unbroken locking member is configured to unblock an operation of the toner replenishing means and/or image forming apparatus by properly mounting the casing in the toner replenishing device or the image forming apparatus and in particular by contacting or interacting engaging the locking member with an unblocking mechanism or unblocking device (e.g. comprising a locking member position sensor for sensing proper position and/or shape of the locking member and a controller for unblocking the image forming apparatus) during the mounting operation and/or when properly mounted.
  • an unblocking mechanism or unblocking device e.g. comprising a locking member position sensor for sensing proper position and/or shape of the locking member and a controller for unblocking the image forming apparatus
  • portions or elements engaging or mating with the locking member are provided in the toner replenishing device or image forming apparatus in order to achieve an unblocking of a formerly blocked image forming operation and/or toner replenishing operation.
  • the blocking of a laser beam is unblocked and/or the blocking of a toner replenishment opening is unblocked by providing an unblocking mechanism which interacts with the locking means or locking member when mounted to the toner replenishing device.
  • this unblocking is only performed in case the locking means or locking member is unbroken or undeformed, i.e. is in proper shape.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Claims (19)

  1. Gehäuse für die Aufnahme eines Tonerbehälters, das umfasst:
    einen unteren Kasten (12), der mit einer Öffnung (12b) für die Aufnahme des Tonerbehälters (10) ausgebildet ist;
    einen oberen Kasten (11), der konfiguriert ist, um an dem unteren Kasten (12) montiert zu werden, um dadurch die Öffnung (12b) des unteren Gehäuses (12) abzudecken; und
    ein Verriegelungselement (13), um den oberen Kasten (11), der die Öffnung (12b) verschließt, an dem unteren Gehäuse (12) zu verriegeln;
    wobei das Verriegelungselement (13) konfiguriert ist, um eine Verriegelungsfunktion des oberen Kastens (11) am unteren Kasten (12) zu lösen, wenn der obere Kasten (11) von dem unteren Kasten (12) entriegelt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verriegelungselement (13) mit Nuten (20) oder mit einer dünnen Wand (21), die sich über die gesamte Länge des Verriegelungselements (13) erstrecken, ausgebildet ist, wobei dann, wenn das Gehäuse (201) zerlegt werden soll, die Nuten (20) oder die dünne Wand (21) ermöglichen, dass das Verriegelungselement (13) einfach gebrochen wird, wobei das Verriegelungselement (13) konfiguriert ist, um die Verriegelungsfunktion des oberen Kastens (11) am unteren Kasten (12) zu lösen, wenn es einem Druck in einer Richtung senkrecht zu einer Richtung unterworfen wird, in der das Verriegelungselement (13) in Eingriff mit einem Eingriffabschnitt des unteren Gehäuses (12) gebracht wird.
  2. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 1, wobei der obere Kasten (11) und der untere Kasten (12) jeweils Elemente umfassen, die voneinander getrennt sind, und
    das Verriegelungselement (13) am oberen Kasten (11) oder am unteren Kasten (12) positioniert ist.
  3. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der obere Kasten (11) und der untere Kasten (12) jeweils Eingriffabschnitte (22, 23) aufweisen, die einander zugewandt sind, wenn der obere Kasten (11) die Öffnung (12b) des unteren Kastens (12) verschließt, und
    das Verriegelungselement (13) Eingriffabschnitte (13a, 13b) aufweist, die konfiguriert sind, um mit den Eingriffabschnitten (22, 23) des oberen Kastens (11) und/oder des unteren Kastens (12) in Eingriff zu gelangen, um den oberen Kasten (11) am unteren Kasten (12) zu verriegeln.
  4. Gehäuse nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei das Verriegelungselement (13) konfiguriert ist, um dann, wenn es den oberen Kasten (11) am unteren Kasten (12) verriegelt, die Eingriffabschnitte (22, 23) des oberen Kastens (11) und des unteren Kastens (12) zu verbergen.
  5. Gehäuse nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei der untere Kasten (11) einen Tonerauslass (15a) aufweist, um in dem Tonerbehälter (10) aufbewahrten Toner abzugeben, und
    die Eingriffabschnitte (22, 23) des oberen Kastens (11) und des unteren Kastens (12) entfernt von dem Tonerauslass (15a) angeordnet sind.
  6. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Eingriffabschnitte (22, 23) des oberen Kastens (11) und des unteren Kastens (12) einander parallel zugewandt sind, wenn der obere Kasten (11) die Öffnung (12b) des unteren Kastens (12) verschließt,
    die Eingriffabschnitte (13a, 13b) des Verriegelungselements (13) ausgehend von einem Ende in einer im Voraus gewählten Richtung auf die Eingriffabschnitte (22, 23) des oberen Kastens (11) und des unteren Kastens (12) geschoben werden, um dadurch den oberen Kasten (11) am unteren Kasten (12) zu verriegeln, und
    das Verriegelungselement (13) eine Klinke (24) aufweist, um dann, wenn die Eingriffabschnitte (13a, 13b) des Verriegelungselements (13) mit den Eingriffabschnitten (22, 23) des oberen Kastens (11) und des unteren Kastens (12) in Eingriff gelangt sind, zu verhindern, dass die Eingriffabschnitte (22, 23) des oberen Kastens (11) und des unteren Kastens (12) in einer Richtung entgegengesetzt zu der im Voraus gewählten Richtung gleiten.
  7. Gehäuse nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei
    eine Richtung, in der der obere Kasten (11) in Eingriff mit dem unteren Kasten (12) gebracht wird, und eine Richtung, in der das Verriegelungselement (13) in Eingriff mit dem oberen Kasten (11) und mit dem unteren Kasten (12) gebracht wird, zueinander senkrecht sind.
  8. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Verriegelungselement (13) eine Festigkeit hat, die zulässt, dass das Verriegelungselement (13) an einer Position zwischen einem Abschnitt, der mit dem Eingriffabschnitt (23) des unteren Kastens (12) in Eingriff gelangen kann, und einem Abschnitt, der mit einem Eingriffabschnitt (22) des oberen Kastens (11) in Eingriff gelangen kann, in wenigstens zwei Teile zerbrochen werden kann, wenn es einer Kraft oder einem Druck unterworfen wird.
  9. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 1 oder 8, wobei das Verriegelungselement (13) eine Wanddicke besitzt, die in einem Abschnitt, der zerbrechen kann, wenn er der Kraft oder dem Druck unterworfen wird, kleiner ist als im übrigen Bereich des Verriegelungselements (13).
  10. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Wanddicke des zerbrechbaren Abschnitts 1 mm oder weniger beträgt.
  11. Gehäuse nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 10, wobei wenigstens der zerbrechbare Abschnitt aus Polystyrol gebildet ist.
  12. Tonernachfüllvorrichtung zum Nachfüllen von Toner in einer Entwicklervorrichtung, um ein auf einem Bildträger (7) erzeugtes latentes Bild zu entwickeln, wobei die Tonernachfüllvorrichtung (200) umfasst:
    das Gehäuse (201) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11; und
    Tonernachfüllmittel, um den vom Tonerbehälter (10) zu der Entwicklervorrichtung (1) ausgegebenen Toner nachzufüllen.
  13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Tonernachfüllmittel einteilig mit dem unteren Kasten (12) konstruiert sind.
  14. Verfahren zum Recyceln einer Tonernachfüllvorrichtung, das umfasst:
    Vorsehen eines Gehäuses (201) insbesondere nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, das einen unteren Kasten (12), der mit einer Öffnung (12b) für die Aufnahme eines Tonerbehälters (10) ausgebildet ist, einen oberen Kasten (11) zum Abdecken der Öffnung (12b) des unteren Kastens (12) und ein Verriegelungselement (13) zum Verriegeln des oberen Kastens (11), der die Öffnung (12b) verschließt, am unteren Kasten (12); und
    Vorsehen eines Tonernachfüllmittels, um Toner, der von dem Tonerbehälter (10) zu einer Entwicklervorrichtung (1) ausgegeben worden ist, um dadurch ein auf einem Bildträger (7) erzeugtes latentes Bild zu entwickeln, nachzufüllen; wobei das Verriegelungselement (13) eine Verriegelungsfunktion des oberen Kastens (11) am unteren Kasten (12) löst, wenn der obere Kasten (11) von dem unteren Kasten (12) entriegelt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Nuten (20) oder eine dünne Wand (21) vorgesehen sind, die sich über die gesamte Länge des Verriegelungselements (13) erstrecken und zulassen, dass das Verriegelungselement (13) einfach zerbrochen wird, wenn das Gehäuse (201) zerlegt werden soll, wobei das Verriegelungselement (13) die Verriegelungsfunktion des oberen Kastens (11) am unteren Kasten (12) löst, wenn es einem Druck in einer Richtung senkrecht zu einer Richtung, in der das Verriegelungselement (13) in Eingriff mit einem Eingriffabschnitt des unteren Kastens (12) gebracht wird, unterworfen wird.
  15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei das Verriegelungselement (13) eine andere Farbe hat als ein Verriegelungselement (13), das an dem Tonerbehälter (10) angebracht ist, der durch den neuen Tonerbehälter (10) ersetzt wird.
  16. Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung, die umfasst:
    einen Bildträger (7), der konfiguriert ist, um darauf ein Tonerbild zu erzeugen;
    Mittel zum Erzeugen eines latenten Bildes, um auf dem Bildträger (7) ein latentes Bild zu erzeugen;
    Entwicklermittel, um das latente Bild zu entwickeln; und
    die Tonernachfüllvorrichtung (200) nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 13, um Toner zu den Entwicklermitteln zum Entwickeln des latenten Bildes nachzufüllen.
  17. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 16, wobei die Tonernachfüllvorrichtung (200) an einem Körper (100) der Vorrichtung lösbar montiert ist und ferner ein Loch (16a), um den Toner zu den Entwicklermitteln mit den Tonernachfüllmitteln nachzufüllen, und einen Gleiter (18), um das Loch (16a) zu versperren oder freizugeben, umfasst, und
    der Körper der Vorrichtung Bewegungsmittel umfasst, um dann, wenn die Tonernachfüllvorrichtung (200) am Körper montiert ist, den Gleiter in eine Freigabeposition zu bewegen, oder um dann, wenn die Tonernachfüllvorrichtung (200) von dem Körper abmontiert ist, den Gleiter in eine Sperrposition zu bewegen.
  18. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 16 oder 17, die ferner umfasst:
    Mittel zum Schreiben eines latenten Bildes, um das latente Bild auf den Bildträger (7) mittels eines Lichtstrahlenbündels zu schreiben; und einen Verschluss (40), um einen optischen Weg des Lichtstrahlenbündels, das von den Mitteln zum Schreiben des latenten Bildes stammt, wahlweise zu blockieren;
    wobei die Verriegelungsmittel konfiguriert sind, um den Verschluss (40) in eine Freigabeposition zu bewegen, wenn die Tonernachfüllvorrichtung (200) am Körper (100) der Vorrichtung montiert ist, oder um den Verschluss (40) in eine Sperrposition zu bewegen, wenn die Tonernachfüllvorrichtung (200) vom Körper (100) abmontiert ist.
  19. Tonernachfüllvorrichtung nach Anspruch 12 oder 13,
    wobei der Tonerbehälter (10) eine verschraubbare Tonerflasche umfasst, die konfiguriert ist, um gedreht zu werden, wenn die Tonernachfüllvorrichtung (200) an einem Körper (100) einer Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung montiert wird, indem die Drehung von dem Körper (100) übertragen wird, um dadurch den Toner an die Tonernachfüllmittel auszugeben.
EP20010130525 2000-12-25 2001-12-21 Tonernachfüllvorrichtung und damit versehene Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP1220050B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000391984 2000-12-25
JP2000391984 2000-12-25
JP2001084554 2001-03-23
JP2001084554 2001-03-23
JP2001307850 2001-10-03
JP2001307850A JP2002258595A (ja) 2000-12-25 2001-10-03 画像形成装置、現像剤供給装置、現像剤補給装置の再生方法、現像剤容器の収納筺体、現像剤容器の収納方法、係止部材
JP2001315096A JP2002351205A (ja) 2001-03-23 2001-10-12 トナー補給装置及び該装置を用いた画像形成装置
JP2001315096 2001-10-12

Publications (3)

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EP1220050A2 EP1220050A2 (de) 2002-07-03
EP1220050A3 EP1220050A3 (de) 2003-01-02
EP1220050B1 true EP1220050B1 (de) 2010-01-20

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CN (2) CN100390676C (de)
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JP5487934B2 (ja) * 2009-12-15 2014-05-14 富士ゼロックス株式会社 トナーカートリッジ及びこれを用いた画像形成装置
CN110116863B (zh) * 2019-03-14 2024-04-12 南京工程学院 一种可补充按压式牙膏
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Publication number Publication date
CN100390676C (zh) 2008-05-28
DE60141113D1 (de) 2010-03-11
EP1220050A3 (de) 2003-01-02
TWI269946B (en) 2007-01-01
CN1241073C (zh) 2006-02-08
CN1567100A (zh) 2005-01-19
CN1365030A (zh) 2002-08-21
EP1220050A2 (de) 2002-07-03

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