JP2000267415A - Toner housing container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent residual powder from falling when a used toner container is taken out. SOLUTION: A stopper 3 having duplex-tube structure is formed by engaging an inside cylindrical member 7 in the inside of an outside cylindrical member 4 fixed to the toner container. Then, the cylindrical member 7 is provided with a toner supply port 11. When the cylindrical member 7 is slid downward, the port 11 gets in the cylindrical member 4 so as to close the stopper. At a position shown in a figure, the port 11 is opened in the container so that toner can be supplied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner container used for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of image forming apparatuses, it is well known that a toner container such as a toner bottle or a toner cartridge is set in an image forming apparatus main body and toner is supplied from the container to a developing device. . In this type of image forming apparatus, since the toner is a consumable product, the storage container needs to be replaced when the toner is used over time.

Here, an example of a conventional toner container will be described with reference to FIGS. The toner container 31 shown in FIG.
Is a type in which the opening of the box-shaped case 32 is sealed with a sealing material 33, and the sealing material 33 attached to the case opening by heat sealing (welding) or the like is peeled off as shown in the figure.

[0004] The toner container 41 shown in FIG.
The opening of the toner bottle 42 is sealed with a cap 43, and the cap pushed or screwed into the opening of the bottle is removed. Reference numeral 44 denotes an outer cap.

[0005]

However, FIG.
As in the conventional example shown in FIG. 8, when the toner container is sealed with a heat seal or a cap, once the toner container is used, the container opening, that is, the toner supply port (to the developing device) is opened. The remaining toner is spilled when the toner container is taken out of the image forming apparatus main body after use. If the residual toner is spilled from the toner storage container, the toner scatters in the apparatus or stains the user's hands and clothes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional toner container and to provide a toner container in which the remaining toner does not spill when taken out after use.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a container for storing a toner, the container having an openable and closable plug, and the container being detached from the image forming apparatus when the toner container is removed from the image forming apparatus. The problem is solved by providing a plug sealing mechanism for closing the plug to prevent the toner from spilling out of the container.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a plug according to the present invention, wherein the plug has a double cylindrical structure, and an inner cylindrical member is slidably provided in the outer cylindrical member. It is proposed that the opening and closing of the plug is performed by movement.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that a seal member is provided on a sliding portion of the double cylinder. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes providing a plurality of toner supply ports on a side surface of the inner cylindrical member.

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a locking member provided on the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member so that the inner cylindrical member is held at a plug open position or a closed position when sliding. It is proposed to provide.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that the inner cylindrical member is slid by inserting and removing a nozzle of a toner supply unit inserted into a stopper of the toner storage container.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes that the inner end of the inner cylindrical member has a conical shape. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes to provide a top plate having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the outer cylindrical member at the inner end of the inner cylindrical member.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that a sealing member is mounted on a surface of the top plate facing the outer cylindrical member. Further, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a convex portion on a surface of the top plate portion facing the outer cylindrical member, and a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion on a container inner end surface of the outer cylindrical member, It is proposed that the projection fits into the recess when the plug is closed.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a through-passage penetrating into the inside of the cylinder in the concave portion, and when the nozzle of the pneumatic toner transfer means is inserted into the plug, the through-passage of the through-passage is provided. It is proposed that the end face opens opposite the air outlet of the nozzle.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a through-passage which is opened at the inner end face of the container of the outer cylindrical member and penetrates the inside of the cylinder, and a nozzle of a pneumatic toner transfer means is inserted into the plug. Then, it is proposed that the cylindrical inner end face of the through passage is opened facing the air outlet of the nozzle.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention proposes that the joint between the outer cylindrical member and the toner container is formed of the same material and is fixed by a sheet seal.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a toner storage container according to the present invention, and is a cross-sectional perspective view near a sealing portion of the container.

In the toner container 1 shown in FIG.
A plug 3 (connector) is attached to the opening of the bag-shaped container 2. The bag-like container 2 is formed in a bag-like shape by a sheet sealing portion 2a using a material such as vinyl chloride. The plug 3 is composed of an outer cylindrical member 4 and an inner cylindrical member 7 as described later.
Since the outer cylindrical member 4 is welded to the bag-like container 2 by heat sealing, it is preferable that the joint is made of the same material. , Rubber and the like can be used. In the prototype of the present inventors, polypropylene was used for both the plug 3 and the bag-like container 2.
Polypropylene is a preferable material in terms of environment and cost at the time of recycling.

FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of the plug 3 of the toner container. As shown in this figure, the plug 3 has a structure in which an inner cylindrical member 7 is inserted into an outer cylindrical member 4. The inner cylindrical member 7 is slidable inside the outer cylindrical member 4. The outer cylindrical member 4 is welded and fixed to the bag-shaped container 2 as described above. Therefore, in this figure, the lower part of the figure is the outside of the toner container 1, and the upper part of the figure is the inside of the toner container 1. On the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member 4, two recesses 5 and 6 having a triangular cross section are formed near the outside and inside of the toner container 1. On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member 7, a projection 12 having a triangular cross-sectional shape that fits into the recesses 5 and 6 is formed at one place. When the inner cylindrical member 7 is slid in the outer cylindrical member 4, the positioning of the inner cylindrical member 7 is performed by fitting the protrusion 12 into the recess 5 or the recess 6. The shapes of the recesses 5 and 6 and the protrusion 12 are not limited to a triangular cross section, but can be arbitrarily set, for example, a semicircle, and may be any shape that can realize the engagement between the two. Further, the projection 12 is formed on the inner cylindrical member 7.
It is not necessary to provide it on the entire outer periphery of the device, but it may be provided partially.

The inside of the inner cylindrical member 7 is a toner passage 10, and a plurality of openings (toner supply ports) 11 are provided in the side surface of the inner cylinder near the tip of the inner cylindrical member 7 (the tip on the inner side of the toner container). , 11 are provided. The tip of the inner cylindrical member 7 is a conical portion 8. A large-diameter portion 9 is formed at the other end of the inner cylindrical member 7, and the large-diameter portion 9 contacts the end surface of the outer cylindrical member 4 to prevent the inner cylindrical member 7 from falling into the toner storage container. In.

In the plug 3 configured as described above, in a state shown in which the protrusion 12 of the inner cylindrical member 7 is fitted into the recess 6, the toner supply port 11 of the inner cylindrical member 7 is located in the bag-like container 2. In an opened state (a state in which the plug 3 is opened), the toner in the bag-like container 2 can be supplied to the outside (the developing device) via the toner passage 10. By providing the plurality of toner supply ports 11 on the side surface of the inner cylindrical member 7, the toner supply performance can be improved.

When the inner cylindrical member 7 is slid and the projection 12 is fitted into the recess 5, the toner supply port 11 of the inner cylindrical member 7 is hidden in the outer cylindrical member 4, and the toner passage 10 is closed. It will be in a closed state. For this reason, the plug 3 is closed, and the toner in the bag-shaped container 2 cannot go outside.

That is, if the plug 3 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 2 when the toner container 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus, the toner in the container can be supplied (to the developing device), and the toner container 1 When removed from the forming apparatus, the projection 12 of the inner cylindrical member 7 of the plug 3 is
The toner in the container does not spill out of the container.

FIG. 3 shows a hole of the plug 3, that is, the toner passage 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a toner supply nozzle inserted into a nozzle. The toner supply nozzle communicates with the developing device. 3, the toner supply nozzle 20 has a double tube structure. The inner tube 21 is a toner suction passage, and the outer tube 23 is an air ejection passage. The outer pipe 23 has a pipe 2 communicating with an air transfer path of an air pump (not shown).
2 is connected, and air flows in from the pipe 22. Although the description of the toner transfer means by air pressure is omitted, the toner in the container can be fluidized by ejecting air into the container 2 through the air ejection passage 23, and the air pressure through the inner pipe 21 can be reduced. Can smoothly and reliably transfer the toner.

In the present embodiment, the fitting force between the outer cylindrical member 4 and the inner cylindrical member 7 of the plug 3 is the same as the fitting force when the toner supply nozzle 20 is inserted into the inner cylindrical member 7 of the plug 3. Recesses 5 of the outer cylindrical member 4 so that
6 and the projection 12 of the inner cylindrical member 7, the inner cylindrical member 7 of the plug 3 slides (in the outer cylindrical member 4) by the insertion and removal of the nozzle 20, and the nozzle 20
The plug 3 is closed and opened in accordance with the insertion and removal of the plug. Accordingly, when the toner container 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus and the nozzle 20 is inserted into the plug 3, toner can be supplied from the container (to the developing device), and the toner container 1 is removed from the image forming apparatus. When the nozzle 20 is pulled out from the plug 3, the plug 3 is automatically closed to prevent the toner in the container from spilling. Of course, the inner cylindrical member 7 can be manually slid, and the protrusion 12 can be fitted into the recess 5 to prevent the toner in the container from spilling.

The toner supply nozzle inserted into the toner storage container 1 is not limited to a double-pipe structure. However, when a pneumatic toner transfer means using the above-described nozzle 20 is adopted, The toner container of the present invention is optimal.

The tip conical portion 8 of the inner cylindrical member 7 is
When the inner cylindrical member 7 is slid in the inward direction of the container, the inner cylindrical member 7 facilitates the movement. Further, the inner cylindrical member 7
Is formed in a conical shape, the toner does not stay on the front end of the inner cylindrical member 7, and the amount of toner remaining in the container can be reduced. The angle of the slope of the tip conical portion 8 is preferably set to an angle of 10 degrees or more from the horizontal.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the plug 3.
Spout 3 ₁ shown in this figure, composed of the outer cylindrical member 4 ₁ and the inner cylindrical member _71. Not dent the outer cylindrical member 4 ₁ is provided, the outer peripheral protrusions on the inner cylindrical member ₇₁ is not provided correspondingly. And, between the outer cylindrical member 4 ₁ and the inner cylindrical member _71, that is, that by interposing a sealing member 13 on the sliding portion between them. The rest is the same as the plug 3 of FIG. 2, except that a tip conical portion 8 and a toner supply port 11 are provided.

[0029] Similarly as the spout 3 of Figure 2, the inner cylindrical member ₇₁ of the spout _{3 1} is slid by insertion and removal of the nozzle 20,
Spout 3 ₁ is closed if the toner supply opening 11 is impenetrable in the outer cylindrical member 4 _1, (into the container 2) the toner supply port 11 from the outer cylindrical member 4 ₁ spout 3 ₁ If the ball lands is opened State.

Accordingly, the plug 3 is closed and opened in accordance with the insertion and removal of the nozzle 20, so that toner can be supplied when the toner container 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus, and spillage of residual toner in the container at the time of removal is performed. Is prevented.

[0031] As the outer cylindrical member 4 ₁ and the inner cylindrical member 7 sealing member 13 provided on the sliding portion of the _1, but soft polyurethane is preferred, it is also possible to use a material such as felt. In the spout 3 _1, by providing the sealing member 13 between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder of the spout, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the sliding portion.

FIG. 5 shows still another example of the plug 3. Spout 3 ₂ shown in this figure, the inner cylindrical member 7 ₂
Those that are configured to have a larger diameter than the body portion diameter of the inner cylindrical member 7 _{and second} distal conical portion 8 and the top plate portion 14 that follows. A seal member 15 is adhered below the top plate portion 14. Other configurations are basically the same as those of the plug 3 of FIG.

[0033] In the spout 3 _2, by which a large径天plate portion 14 provided at the distal end of the inner cylindrical member 7 _2, when closing the spout (toner supply opening 11 of the inner cylindrical member 7 ₂ outer when the inner cylindrical member 7 ₂ slide to penetrate into the cylindrical member 4), the large径天plate portion 14 the outer cylindrical member 4
Outer cylindrical member 4 in contact with the end face of the person ₁ and the inner cylindrical member 7
_{Since the first} sliding portion is covered, toner leakage from the _first sliding portion can be prevented. Further, the provision of the seal member 15 on the large-diameter top plate portion 14 can more reliably prevent toner leakage. An O-ring made of rubber can be used as the seal member 15.

FIG. 6 shows still another example of the plug 3. Spout 3 ₃ shown in this figure, the inner cylindrical member 7 ₃
A cylindrical convex portion 16 is provided on the lower surface (surface outside the container) of the large-diameter top plate portion 14 at the end of. Correspondingly, the recess 17 on the upper surface of the outer cylindrical member 4 ₃ (surface in the container direction) is provided. Since the convex portion 16 is provided in a cylindrical shape, the concave portion 17 is also provided in a circumferential shape. In the mouth plug _{3 3,}
When the plug is closed, the convex portion 16 fits into the concave portion 17, so that toner leakage from the sliding portion between the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member can be more reliably prevented. In addition, the convex part 16 and the concave part 17
It may be provided in a partial shape instead of a circumferential shape.

Furthermore, the outer cylindrical member 4 ₃ recess 17, air passages 18 extending through the cylindrical member is formed. The air passage 18 is opened so as to face the air ejection passage 23 when the nozzle 20 shown in FIG. As a result, the air from the air ejection path 23 is ejected from the recess 17, and the air ejection position becomes a position distant from the toner supply port 11 (toner suction port). Therefore, the ability to supply toner from the toner storage container 1 can be further improved. Further, since the air outlet is closed by the projection 16 of the top plate 14 when the plug 3 is closed, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the air outlet passage.

[0036]

As described above, according to the toner container of the present invention, since the stopper sealing mechanism is provided, when the toner container is removed from the image forming apparatus, the stopper is closed and the inside of the container is closed. Of the toner from the toner is prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the opening and closing of the plug is performed by the sliding movement of the inner cylindrical member, and the toner is prevented from spilling out of the container when the plug is closed. Since the seal member is provided on the sliding portion of the double cylinder, toner leakage from the sliding portion is prevented.

According to the configuration of claim 4, since a plurality of toner supply ports are provided on the side surface of the inner cylindrical member, the toner supply performance can be improved. According to the configuration of claim 5, the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member are provided with locking portions, and the inner cylindrical member is held at the plug open position or the closed position when the inner cylindrical member slides, so that the inner cylindrical member is reliably opened. It can stop in a position or a closed position.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the inner cylindrical member is slid by inserting and removing the nozzle of the toner supply means inserted into the plug of the toner container, so that the plug is automatically opened and closed by inserting and removing the nozzle. Is performed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the inner end of the inner cylindrical member is formed in a conical shape, the inner cylindrical member can be easily moved inside the container, and the accumulation of toner can be prevented.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the top plate having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the outer cylindrical member is provided at the inner end of the container of the inner cylindrical member. Toner leakage can be prevented.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the sealing member is mounted on the surface of the top plate facing the outer cylindrical member, it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage from the sliding portion between the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member. it can.

According to the tenth aspect, when the plug is closed, the convex portion of the top plate portion is fitted into the concave portion of the outer cylindrical member, so that toner leakage from the sliding portion between the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member is reduced. It can be reliably prevented.

According to the eleventh aspect, air is ejected from the concave portion of the outer cylindrical member, so that leakage of toner from the air ejection port when the plug is closed can be prevented.

According to the structure of the twelfth aspect, it is possible to improve the toner supply capability by separating the air ejection port and the toner supply port. According to the structure of the thirteenth aspect, the outer cylindrical member and the toner storage container can be easily joined, and toner leakage from that portion can be prevented. Further, the toner container can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing an example of a toner container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a structure of a plug of the toner storage container.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a toner supply nozzle inserted into the toner storage container.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of a plug.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another example of a plug.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another example of a plug.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a conventional toner storage container.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a conventional toner storage container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toner storage container 2 Bag-shaped container 3 Plug (connector) 4 Outer cylindrical member 5, 6 Depression (outer engagement part) 7 Inner cylindrical member 8 Tip cone part 10 Toner passage 11 Toner supply port 12 Convex part (inner engagement) Parts) 13, 15 seal member 14 top plate part 20 nozzle (toner supply nozzle)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2H077 AA02 AA05 FA22 3E084 AA06 AA12 AA24 AA25 AA26 AB07 BA02 CA01 CB02 CB04 CC03 CC04 CC05 DA01 DC03 DC04 DC05 EA03 EB02 EB03 EC03 EC04 EC05 FA09 FC07 GA08 GB12 GB17 LA14

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A container for storing toner, which has an openable and closable stopper, wherein when the toner container is removed from the image forming apparatus, the stopper is closed and toner spills from the container. A toner container, comprising: a plug sealing mechanism for preventing the toner from being stored. 2. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the plug has a double cylindrical structure, an inner cylindrical member is slidably provided in the outer cylindrical member, and the plug is opened and closed by sliding movement of the inner cylindrical member. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein 3. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein a seal member is provided on a sliding portion of the double cylinder. 4. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of toner supply ports are provided on a side surface of the inner cylindrical member. 5. The inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member are provided with locking portions so that the inner cylindrical member is held at a plug opening position or a closed position when the inner cylindrical member slides. 4. The toner storage container according to claim 1. 6. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein the inner cylindrical member is slid by inserting and removing a nozzle of a toner supply unit inserted into a stopper of the toner container. 7. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein the inner end of the inner cylindrical member has a conical shape. 8. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein a top plate having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the outer cylindrical member is provided at an inner end of the inner cylindrical member. 9. The toner container according to claim 6, wherein a seal member is attached to a surface of the top plate portion facing the outer cylindrical member. 10. A convex portion is provided on a surface of the top plate portion facing the outer cylindrical member, a concave portion corresponding to the convex portion is provided on an inner end surface of the outer cylindrical member, and the convex portion is closed when the plug is closed. The toner container according to claim 6, wherein the toner container is fitted in the recess. 11. A through-passage penetrating through the inside of the cylinder in the recess, and when the nozzle of the pneumatic toner transfer means is inserted into the plug, the end face of the through-passage faces the air ejection port of the nozzle. The toner container according to claim 6, wherein the toner container is open. 12. A penetrating passage which is opened at the inner end surface of the container of the outer cylindrical member and penetrates the inside of the cylinder. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein the toner container is opened to face an air ejection port of the nozzle. 13. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein a joint between the outer cylindrical member and the toner container is made of the same material and is fixed by a sheet seal.