【特許請求の範囲】
【請求項１】
トナーとキャリアとからなる現像剤を用いて像担持体の現像を行う現像装置と、この現像装置から排出される現像剤を回収する現像剤回収器とを有し、上記現像装置が上記現像剤回収器へ現像剤を排出する排出口を有し、上記現像剤回収器が上記排出口から排出される現像剤を受け入れる受入口を有し、上記現像装置と上記現像剤回収器とのうち少なくとも上記現像剤回収器が画像形成装置本体に対して着脱可能な画像形成装置において、
上記現像装置と上記現像剤回収器とが画像形成装置本体に装着された状態で上記受入口が上記排出口の下方に位置することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項２】
トナーとキャリアとからなる現像剤を用いて像担持体の現像を行う現像装置と、この現像装置から排出される現像剤を回収する現像剤回収器とを有し、上記現像装置が上記現像剤回収器へ現像剤を排出する排出口を有し、上記現像剤回収器が上記排出口から排出される現像剤を受け入れる受入口を有し、上記現像装置と上記現像剤回収器とのうち少なくとも上記現像剤回収器が画像形成装置本体に対して着脱可能な画像形成装置において、
画像形成装置本体から上記現像剤回収器又は上記現像装置が離脱した状態で上記排出口を閉鎖する排出口シャッタ部材を有し、この排出口シャッタ部材が、上記排出口を、上記現像剤回収器の画像形成装置本体への着脱方向に非平行な方向に開閉することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項３】
請求項２記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像装置と上記現像剤回収器とが画像形成装置本体に装着された状態で上記受入口が上記排出口の下方に位置することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項４】
請求項２又は３の何れか１つに記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像装置が、上記排出口と、上記現像装置本体から上記排出口に向けて現像剤が通過する通過口とを有する現像剤排出部材を有することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項５】
請求項４記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像剤排出部材は、上記現像装置本体に突設された円筒状の部材であって、その周面に上記排出口と上記通過口とを有し、上記排出口シャッタ部材は、その周面に上記排出口と連通可能な第１の孔と上記通過口と連通可能な第２の孔とを有し、上記現像剤排出部材の内部に上記現像剤排出部材に対して回転自在に設けられた円筒状の部材であることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項６】
請求項５記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像剤排出部材はその周面に上記現像剤回収器の画像形成装置への着脱方向に非平行な方向に形成された第１の長孔を有し、上記排出口シャッタ部材はその周面に、第１の長孔に摺動可能であって上記現像剤排出部材の周面より突出した摺動部材を有し、上記現像剤回収器は、上記摺動部材と係合可能な第１の係合部材を有し、上記現像剤回収器を上記現像装置が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するとき、又は、上記現像装置を上記現像剤回収器が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するときに、上記摺動部材が第１の係合部材に係合し、上記排出口シャッタ部材が回転し、上記現像装置と上記現像剤回収器とが共に画像形成装置本体に装着された状態で、上記排出口と第１の孔とが連通し、上記通過口と第２の孔とが連通することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項７】
請求項６記載の画像形成装置において、第１の長孔は上記現像剤排出部材の周面に螺旋状に形成されていることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項８】
請求項６又は７記載の画像形成装置において、上記摺動部材は上記排出口シャッタ部材の周面に螺旋状に形成された突条であることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項９】
請求項５記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像剤排出部材はその周面に上記現像剤回収器の画像形成装置本体への着脱方向に非平行な方向に形成された第１の長孔を有し、上記排出口シャッタ部材はその周面に、第１の長孔に少なくとも一部が連通可能な係合孔を有し、上記現像剤回収器は、第１の長孔と連通した上記係合孔に係合可能な第１の係合部材を有し、上記現像剤回収器を上記現像装置が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するとき、又は、上記現像装置を上記現像剤回収器が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するときに、第１の係合部材が上記孔に係合し、上記排出口シャッタ部材が回転し、上記現像装置と上記現像剤回収器とが共に画像形成装置本体に装着された状態で、上記排出口と第１の孔とが連通し、上記通過口と第２の孔とが連通することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１０】
請求項９記載の画像形成装置において、第１の長孔は上記現像剤排出部材の周面に螺旋状に形成されていることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１１】
請求項４又は５記載の画像形成装置において、画像形成装置本体から上記現像剤回収器又は上記現像装置が離脱した状態で上記受入口を閉鎖する受入口シャッタ部材を有し、この受入口シャッタ部材が、上記受入口を、上記現像剤回収器の画像形成装置への着脱方向に非平行な方向に開閉することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１２】
請求項１１記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像剤排出部材はその周面に上記現像剤回収器の画像形成装置本体への着脱方向に非平行な方向に形成された長孔を有し、上記排出口シャッタ部材は、上記長孔に摺動可能であって上記現像剤排出部材の周面より突出した係合部材を有し、上記現像剤回収器を上記現像装置が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するとき、又は、上記現像装置を上記現像剤回収器が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するときに、上記係合部材が上記受入口シャッタ部材に係合し、上記現像装置と上記現像剤回収器とが共に画像形成装置本体に装着された状態で、上記排出口と上記受入口とが連通することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１３】
請求項６ないし１０の何れか１つに記載の画像形成装置において、画像形成装置本体から上記現像剤回収器又は上記現像装置が離脱した状態で上記受入口を閉鎖する受入口シャッタ部材を有し、この受入口シャッタ部材が、上記現像剤回収器の画像形成装置本体への着脱方向に非平行な方向に開閉することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１４】
請求項１３記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像剤排出部材はその周面に上記現像剤回収器の画像形成装置本体への着脱方向に非平行な方向に形成された第２の長孔を有し、上記排出口シャッタ部材は、第２の長孔に摺動可能であって上記現像剤排出部材の周面より突出した第２の係合部材を有し、上記現像剤回収器を上記現像装置が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するとき、又は、上記現像装置を上記現像剤回収器が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するときに、第２の係合部材が上記受入口シャッタ部材に係合し、上記現像装置と上記現像剤回収器とが共に画像形成装置本体に装着された状態で、上記排出口と上記受入口とが連通することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１５】
請求項１４記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像剤回収器を上記現像装置が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するとき、又は、上記現像装置を上記現像剤回収器が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するときに、上記受入口シャッタ部材が上記受入口を開口した後に、上記排出口と第１の孔とが連通し、上記通過口と第２の孔とが連通することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１６】
請求項１４又は１５記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像剤回収器を上記現像装置が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するとき、又は、上記現像装置を上記現像剤回収器が装着された状態の画像形成装置本体に装着するときに、上記排出口と第１の孔とが連通した後に、上記通過口と第２の孔とが連通することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１７】
請求項１４ないし１６の何れか１つに記載の画像形成装置において、第２の長孔が上記排出口であることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１８】
請求項６ないし１０の何れか１つ又は請求項１３ないし１７の何れか１つに記載の画像形成装置において、第１の係合部材は、上記受入口に関し、上記受入口に対して上記排出口が相対移動する側の反対側に配設されていることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項１９】
請求項１ないし１８の何れか１つに記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像装置に現像剤を供給する現像剤供給器を有し、上記現像装置は上記現像剤供給器から現像剤を供給される供給口を有し、この供給口は上記通過口より上位に配設されていることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項２０】
請求項１９記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像剤供給器と上記現像剤回収器とが一体であることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項２１】
請求項１ないし２０の何れか１つに記載の画像形成装置において、上記像担持体上に残留したトナーを除去するクリーニング装置と、このクリーニング装置によって除去されたトナーを回収するトナー回収器とを有し、このトナー回収器と上記現像剤回収器とが一体であることを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項２２】
請求項１ないし２１の何れか１つに記載の画像形成装置において、上記現像装置を複数有し、この各現像装置毎に異なる色のトナーを用いて複数色の画像形成を行うことを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項２３】
請求項２２記載の画像形成装置において、上記各現像装置毎に上記現像剤回収器を１つ有することを特徴とする画像形成装置。
【請求項２４】
画像形成装置に用いられる容器であって、トナーとキャリアとを有する現像剤を用いて像担持体の現像を行う現像装置から排出される現像剤と、トナー像の転写時に発生する転写残トナーとを収容することを特徴とする容器。
[Claims]
[Claim 1]
It has a developer that develops an image carrier using a developer composed of toner and a carrier, and a developer recoverer that collects the developer discharged from the developer. The developer is the developer. The developer has a discharge port for discharging the developer to the collector, the developer collector has a receiving port for receiving the developer discharged from the discharge port, and at least one of the developer and the developer recoverer. In an image forming apparatus in which the developer recoverer can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the receiving port is located below the discharging port in a state where the developing device and the developing agent collector are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus.
2.
It has a developer that develops an image carrier using a developer composed of toner and a carrier, and a developer recoverer that collects the developer discharged from the developer. The developer is the developer. The developer has a discharge port for discharging the developer to the collector, the developer collector has a receiving port for receiving the developer discharged from the discharge port, and at least one of the developer and the developer recoverer. In an image forming apparatus in which the developer recoverer can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body,
The developer has a discharge port shutter member that closes the discharge port when the developer recovery device or the developer is detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and the discharge port shutter member sets the discharge port to the developer recovery device. Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus characterized in that it opens and closes in a direction non-parallel to the attachment / detachment direction to the main body.
3.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the receiving port is located below the discharging port in a state where the developing apparatus and the developing agent collector are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. apparatus.
4.
In the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 or 3, the developing apparatus has a discharging port and a passing port through which a developing agent passes from the developing device main body toward the discharging port. An image forming apparatus having an agent discharging member.
5.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, the developer discharging member is a cylindrical member projecting from the developing device main body, and has the discharging port and the passing port on the peripheral surface thereof. The discharge port shutter member has a first hole that can communicate with the discharge port and a second hole that can communicate with the passage port on its peripheral surface, and the developer inside the developer discharge member. An image forming apparatus characterized by being a cylindrical member rotatably provided with respect to a discharge member.
6.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, the developing agent discharging member has a first elongated hole formed on its peripheral surface in a direction non-parallel to the attachment / detachment direction of the developing agent recovery device to the image forming apparatus. The discharge port shutter member has a sliding member on its peripheral surface that is slidable in the first elongated hole and protrudes from the peripheral surface of the developer discharge member, and the developer collector is described in the above. When the developer collector is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus having the first engaging member that can be engaged with the sliding member and the developing apparatus is attached, or the developing apparatus is developed. When the agent recovery device is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the sliding member engages with the first engaging member, the discharge port shutter member rotates, and the developing apparatus and the developing apparatus are developed. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the discharge port and the first hole communicate with each other and the passing port and the second hole communicate with each other in a state where the agent recovery device is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. ..
7.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first elongated hole is spirally formed on the peripheral surface of the developer discharging member.
8.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sliding member is a ridge formed spirally on the peripheral surface of the outlet shutter member.
9.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, the developer discharging member has a first elongated hole formed on its peripheral surface in a direction non-parallel to the attachment / detachment direction of the developer recoverer to the image forming apparatus main body. However, the discharge port shutter member has an engaging hole on its peripheral surface at least partially communicable with the first elongated hole, and the developer collector has the above-mentioned engagement hole communicating with the first elongated hole. When the developer collector is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developer is mounted, or the developer is mounted on the developer, which has a first engaging member that can be engaged with the joint hole. When the collector is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the first engaging member engages with the hole, the discharge port shutter member rotates, and the developing device and the developing agent recoverer An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the discharge port and the first hole communicate with each other, and the passing port and the second hole communicate with each other in a state where both of them are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus.
10.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first elongated hole is spirally formed on the peripheral surface of the developer discharging member.
11.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising an entrance shutter member that closes the entrance in a state where the developer recovery device or the developing apparatus is detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and the entrance shutter member. However, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the receiving port is opened and closed in a direction non-parallel to the attachment / detachment direction of the developer collector to / from the image forming apparatus.
12.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 11, the developer discharging member has elongated holes formed on its peripheral surface in a direction non-parallel to the attachment / detachment direction of the developing agent collector to the image forming apparatus main body. The discharge port shutter member has an engaging member that is slidable in the elongated hole and protrudes from the peripheral surface of the developer discharge member, and an image of the developer collector mounted on the developer. When the developing device is attached to the main body of the forming apparatus, or when the developing apparatus is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus in which the developer collector is attached, the engaging member engages with the receiving / receiving shutter member. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the discharge port and the receiving port communicate with each other in a state where both the developing apparatus and the developing agent collector are mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus.
13.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10 includes an entrance shutter member that closes the entrance in a state where the developer recovery device or the developing device is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus, wherein the receiving / receiving shutter member opens and closes in a direction non-parallel to the attachment / detachment direction of the developer collector to / from the image forming apparatus main body.
14.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 13, the developer discharging member has a second elongated hole formed on the peripheral surface thereof in a direction non-parallel to the attachment / detachment direction of the developer recoverer to the image forming apparatus main body. The discharge port shutter member has a second engaging member that is slidable in the second elongated hole and protrudes from the peripheral surface of the developer discharge member, and the developer collector is developed. When the apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in which the apparatus is attached, or when the developing apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in which the developer recovery device is attached, the second engaging member is attached. An image characterized in that the discharge port and the reception port communicate with each other in a state where the developing device and the developing agent recovery device are both mounted on the image forming apparatus main body by engaging with the receiving / receiving shutter member. Forming device.
15.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 14, when the developing agent recovery device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in which the developing device is attached, or when the developing device is attached to the developing agent collecting device. After the inlet shutter member opens the inlet, the outlet and the first hole communicate with each other, and the passage port and the second hole communicate with each other when the image forming apparatus is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus characterized in that.
16.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, when the developing agent recovery device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing device is attached, or when the developing device is attached to the developer collecting device. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, when the image forming apparatus is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus in a closed state, the outlet and the first hole are communicated with each other, and then the passing port and the second hole are communicated with each other.
17.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the second elongated hole is the outlet.
18.
In the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10 or any one of claims 13 to 17, the first engaging member relates to the above-mentioned entrance and the above-mentioned exhaust with respect to the above-mentioned reception. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the outlet is arranged on the side opposite to the side where the relative movement is performed.
19.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18 has a developer supply device that supplies a developer to the developing device, and the developing device is supplied with a developing agent from the developing agent supply device. An image forming apparatus having a supply port, the supply port being arranged above the passage port.
20.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the developing agent supply device and the developing agent recovering device are integrated.
21.
In the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, a cleaning device for removing toner remaining on the image carrier and a toner recovery device for collecting toner removed by the cleaning device are provided. An image forming apparatus having the toner, wherein the toner recovery device and the developer recovery device are integrated.
22.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21 is characterized in that it has a plurality of the above-mentioned developing devices and forms a plurality of colors of images using toners of different colors for each developing device. Image forming device.
23.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein each of the developing devices has one developer recovery device.
24.
A container used in an image forming apparatus, which is a developer discharged from a developing apparatus that develops an image carrier using a developing agent having toner and a carrier, and transfer residual toner generated at the time of transferring a toner image. A container characterized by containing.
【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、現像剤回収機構を有する電子写真複写機、プリンター、ＦＡＸなどの画像形成装置及び該画像形成装置に用いられる容器に関する。
[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and a fax machine having a developing agent recovery mechanism, and a container used for the image forming apparatus .
請求項２３記載の発明は、請求項２２記載の画像形成装置において、上記各現像装置毎に上記現像剤回収器を１つ有することを特徴とする。
請求項２４記載の発明は、画像形成装置に用いられる容器であって、トナーとキャリアとを有する現像剤を用いて像担持体の現像を行う現像装置から排出される現像剤と、トナー像の転写時に発生する転写残トナーとを収容することを特徴とする。
The invention according to claim 23 is characterized in that, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 22, one developer recovery device is provided for each developing apparatus.
The invention according to claim 24 is a container used for an image forming apparatus, which comprises a developer discharged from a developing apparatus for developing an image carrier using a developing agent having a toner and a carrier, and a toner image. It is characterized by accommodating transfer residual toner generated during transfer.