JP2001013854A - Production of hermetically sealing material for developer housing part and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent developer from leaking and to effectively use the parts of a used process cartridge. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a belt-like base material 1 capable of being split which has a main surface 1a with an adhesive layer 11 formed, and a tape 2 capable of being split and opened which is stuck to the surface 1a, and whose width is smaller than that of the material 1. In the case of reproducing the process cartridge 32, the material 1 is stuck to the periphery of the aperture part 33a of a developer storing part 33 through the layer 11, the part 33 is hermetically sealed, the tape 2 is drawn in the case of using the cartridge 32 again, so that the material 1 is torn and the part 33 is opened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sealing material for sealing a developer, and more particularly to a sealing material for sealing an opening of a developer accommodating portion formed in a process cartridge, a method of manufacturing the same, and an apparatus for manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become a general trend to recycle resources and reduce costs in order to protect the natural environment. Process cartridges such as copiers and printers that form images by electrophotography are also generally implemented in consideration of reuse. When the process cartridge is reused, the used cartridge is collected and disassembled, and the toner adhered to the opening of the toner container, the remaining seal material, and the like are cleaned. Next, the usable parts are reused, and the developer (toner) container is filled with the toner again. To prevent the developer from leaking when transporting the process cartridge, attach a sealant with an adhesive on one side to the opening of the toner container by hand at the time of shipment, and close it again with a sealant. Peeled off.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-319362 discloses a method for remanufacturing a process cartridge which does not leak toner when reused. In this reproduction method, as shown in FIG. 13, a new toner frame (60) having a toner storage section (61) for storing toner and a developing roller (63) for supplying toner to a photosensitive drum (not shown). ) And a new developing frame (62) having a mounting portion. A new toner seal (54) is interposed between the two frames to prevent leakage of the toner in the toner storage section (61). FIG.
A state is shown in which a sheet film (51) is heated and pressed against a substrate (52) having an opening (52a) to form a toner seal (54). When the process cartridge (70) is reused, the sheet film (51) is heat-pressed to the substrate (52) in a peelable state to supply the toner in the toner frame (60) to the developing roller (63). . FIG. 13 shows a toner seal (54) interposed between the toner frame (60) and the developing frame (62). Dissolve the ribs (61e) surrounding the opening (61a) with ultrasonic waves,
Place the toner seal (54) on the flange (6) of the toner frame (60).
1b) to seal the opening (61a) of the toner frame (60). FIGS. 14 (a) and (b) show that the sheet film (51) is peeled from the base material (52) by pulling the free end (51a) of the sheet film (51) exposed to the outside from the slit (62c). (61a) is shown in a released state.

[0004]

In a method of manually attaching a sealant having an adhesive adhered to one side and closing the opening of the toner container, the sealant may not be completely adhered. Further, there is a case where the seal portion of the toner storage portion is not sufficiently removed and cleaned, and the seal member remains at the seal portion, and a new seal member is attached in a state where the toner adheres. In these cases, the toner may leak from the seal portion, and the toner leaks not only when the cartridge is transported but also when the printer is used, thereby contaminating the inside of the printer and adversely affecting the copy image quality.

In the method of using a new toner developing frame with a toner seal interposed therebetween in order to prevent leakage of toner stored in the toner storing section, the opening (61a) of the toner frame (60) is welded by ultrasonic welding. Ribs surrounding the (61
e) is melted, the substrate (52) is attached, and the developing frame (6
The toner frame (60) and the developing frame (62) are joined by melting the rib (62e) of (2). For this reason, the toner frame (60) and the developing frame (62) cannot be reused, and new ones must be used during reproduction. Therefore, although toner can be prevented from leaking from the toner frame (60), the used toner frame (60) and the developing frame (62) must be discarded, and effective resources can be used and costs can be reduced. Can not.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion, which reliably prevents leakage of a developer and effectively reuses a used process cartridge part, a method of manufacturing the same, and a manufacturing apparatus therefor. The purpose is to:

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion, comprising a main surface (1) on which an adhesive layer (11) is formed.
a) a cleavable and band-shaped base material (1) having a) and a main surface of the base material (1)
Rupture tape (2) fixed to (1a) and narrower than substrate (1)
And At the time of regeneration of the process cartridge (32), the base material (1) is adhered to the periphery of the opening (33a) of the developer accommodating portion (33) via the adhesive layer (11), so that the developer accommodating portion (33) is Seal and tear tape when reusing process cartridge (32)
By pulling (2) and tearing the substrate (1), the developer accommodating portion (33) can be easily opened. The base material (1) has an adhesive layer (11) on the main surface (1a), and a tear tape (2) narrower than the base material (1) is bonded to the base material (1). The adhesive layer (11) is exposed on the main surface (1a) of the substrate (1) to which the open tape (2) is not adhered. The exposed adhesive layer (11) is adhered to the developer accommodating section (33) so that the developer accommodating section (3
When the opening of 3) is closed, it is possible to adhere without any gap, and it is possible to completely prevent the leakage of the developer from around the opening (33a). Further, the main surface (1a) of the base material (1) has an adhesive layer (11), the adhesive layer (11)
Adheres the developer storage section to the base material (1), so that during reproduction, the used base material (1) is peeled off from the bonded portion and replaced with a sealant that seals the new developer storage section. The storage can be used repeatedly.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the tearing tape (2)
Is arranged in the center of the substrate (1) in the width direction in parallel with the length direction of the substrate (1), and the substrate (1) is heat-sealed or a binder (12).
To be fixed. Further, a notch (1b) is formed at an end of the base material (1) to easily cleave the base material (1).

The method for producing a sealant according to the present invention for hermetically sealing a developer accommodating portion includes a step of forming an adhesive layer (11) on a main surface (1a) of a cleavable and band-shaped base material (1); A step of attaching a tear tape (2) narrower than the material (1) to the main surface (1a) of the substrate (1) via an adhesive layer (11), and a bonded substrate (1) Adhesive layer (11) by heating and pressing the tearing tape (2) and
Curing and cleaving the cleavage tape (2) to the substrate (1). According to this production method, the developer accommodating portion sealing material can be continuously and efficiently produced. Tearing tape
The method may include a step of cutting (2) into a certain length.

An apparatus for manufacturing a sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating part according to the present invention comprises a machine base (25) and a reel rotatably mounted on the machine base (25) and wound with a tearing tape (2). (9),
A form (26) fixed to the machine base (25), an upper jig (3) attached to the form (26) movably in the vertical direction, and a lower part of the upper jig (3). Lower jig fixed to machine stand (25) facing
(4) and a ram (27) connected to the upper jig (3) and a formwork
A cylinder (8) fixed to (26) and a guide bar (29) for guiding the vertical movement of the upper jig (3) are provided. When operating the manufacturing apparatus, after disposing the tearing tape (2) supplied from the reel (9) in the groove (21) of the lower jig (4), the adhesive layer (11) was formed. A cleavable and band-shaped substrate (1) having a main surface (1a) is placed on a tearing tape (2), and an upper jig (3) is placed on the tearing tape (2).
By pressing upward, the tear tape (2) is adhered to the base material (1) via the adhesive layer (11). Upper jig (3) or lower jig (4)
May include a heater (5) for heating the upper jig (3) or the lower jig (4) and a temperature controller (6).

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion, a method for producing the same, and an apparatus for producing the same according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, a sealing material according to the present invention
(10) is a strip-shaped base material (1), and a base material in the width direction center of the base material (1).
(1) a tearing tape (2) adhered to the main surface (1a) of the substrate (1) in parallel with the longitudinal direction. Substrate (1) is polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon,
It is formed of one or more resin materials of polyurethane and cellulose derivatives. The tearing tape (2) is formed of one or more resin materials of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene and nylon. Base material
Since the adhesive layer (11) is formed on the main surface (1a) of (1) and the width of the tearing tape (2) is smaller than that of the substrate (1), the substrate to which the tearing tape (2) is not adhered On the main surface (1a) of (1), an adhesive layer (11) is exposed on both sides of the tearing tape (2). The tear tape (2) is on the main surface
A binder (12) made of the same material as the adhesive layer (11) is attached to (2a), and the binder (12) of the tearing tape (2) and the main surface of the base material (1).
The adhesive layer (11) provided at the center of (1a) is fixed. Adhesive layer (11) and binder (12) are polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-isobutyl acrylate copolymer, polyamide, polyester, butyral, polyvinyl acetate, cellulose derivative, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl One or more kinds of hot-melt adhesives of ether, polyurethane and polycarbonate, or pressure-sensitive adhesives of rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesives or acrylic-based pressure-sensitive adhesives. As the rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, natural rubber, synthetic isoprene rubber or the like can be used, and as the acrylic-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, acrylic ester or the like can be used. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sealing material (10) is formed by attaching the binder (12) to the base material (1) using the same material as the adhesive layer (11). Alternatively, without using a binder (12), the adhesive tape (2) is fixed to the substrate (1) by heat fusion to melt itself, and then the adhesive layer (11) is cleaved. (2)
May be formed on the main surface (1a) of the base material (1) on both sides. Base material
(1) has tearability such that when the tearing tape (2) is pulled, the tearing tape (2) easily breaks along a cutting line (1c) parallel to a side edge of the tearing tape (2). A notch (1b) is provided at the end of the substrate (1) so that the substrate (1) is accurately torn along the cutting line (1c) and easily broken.
Is formed.

The sealing material (10) is manufactured by a sealing material manufacturing machine (20) shown in FIG. Seal material manufacturing machine (20)
(25), a reel (9) attached to the machine (25) and wound with the tearing tape (2), and a form (2) fixed to the machine (25).
6), an upper jig (3) attached to the formwork (26) movably in the vertical direction, and fixed to the machine base (25) below and opposite to the upper jig (3). A cylinder having a lower jig (4) and a ram (27) connected to the upper jig (3) and fixed to a formwork (26).
(8) and a guide bar (29) for guiding the vertical movement of the upper jig (3)
And

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the upper jig (3)
A flexible pad (7) formed by a silicon rubber plate attached to the bottom surface, and a temperature controller (6) for controlling the temperature of a heater (5) for heating the upper jig (3) are provided. . heater
(5) is a heating resistor that generates heat by electric resistance when energized, and the temperature controller (6) increases an electric resistance value of a current flowing through the heater (5) as the temperature of the upper jig (3) increases. This is a thermostat that cuts off the power supply to the thermistor or the heater (5). The center of the upper jig (3) is connected to the lower end of the ram (27) extending from the cylinder (8), and both ends of the upper jig (3) are
It is connected to the lower end of a guide bar (29) slidably disposed in a guide hole (28) of (26). Ram from cylinder (8)
The extension position of (27) is controlled by the fluid pressure supplied into the cylinder (8), and the fluid pressure is controlled by the control panel (15).
Is controlled by When the ram (27) is protruded from the cylinder (8) and the upper jig (3) is moved to the lowest position, the silicon rubber plate (7) fits into the groove (21) of the lower jig (4). Are combined. Fig. 8-
As shown in FIG. 10, the lower jig (4) includes a groove (21) and a clamp (22) provided near the end of the groove (21) on the side opposite to the reel (9). The tearing tape (2) supplied from the reel (9) is disposed in the groove (21), and the end of the tearing tape (2) is gripped by the clamp (22). Then the substrate
(1) Groove (21) on the tearing tape (2) facing the upper jig (3)
Is placed within. The end of the substrate (1) is gripped by the clamp (22).

[0015] The sealing material (1) is
When manufacturing (0), first, the tearing tape (2) supplied from the reel (9) is attached to the clamp (22) of the lower jig (4). Next, the tearing tape (2) is substantially aligned with the center line of the base material (1), and the base material (1) is parallel to the tearing tape (2). (2) By disposing the substrate (1) on the, the hot melt adhesive layer (1) provided on the substrate (1)
The main surface (1a) of the substrate (1) is adhered to the tearing tape (2) via 1). Then, lower the upper jig (4) by moving the upper jig (3) downward.
The silicon rubber plate (7) of the upper jig (3) is pressed into the groove (21). Since the upper jig (3) is heated to a predetermined temperature at which the hot melt adhesive is melted by heating of the heater (5), the silicon rubber plate (7) is pressed onto the substrate (1) to press the substrate (1). When 1) is pressed against the dehiscence tape (2) while heating, the base material (1) arranged in the groove (21) and the dehiscence tape (2) can be heat-pressed. After holding in the pressed state for a certain time, the upper jig
The sealing material (10) is obtained by moving (3) upward and cutting the tearing tape (2) into a predetermined size.

When the process cartridge (32) is regenerated, the main surface (1a) of the base material (1) of the manufactured sealing material (10) is brought into contact with the toner storage portion (33) via the adhesive layer (11). It is heat-pressed around the opening (33a) to seal the opening (33a) of the toner storage section (33). At the longitudinal end of the opening (33a), the tearing tape (2) itself is thermally fused to the periphery of the opening (33a).
When the process cartridge (32) is assembled and reused, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and (b), a tearing tape exposed from the sealing material outlet (34) to the outside of the process cartridge (32). By pulling the end (2b) of (2), the substrate (1)
Tears along the cutting line (1c) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 from the cut portion (1b), so that an opening (33a) is formed in the toner storage portion (33), and the toner storage portion (33) The arranged toner is supplied to the developing roller (63) through the opening (33a).

As described above, at the time of reproduction, the sealing material (10) adhered to the toner storage section (33) is peeled off, and the toner storage section (33) is removed.
Can be reused. When a hot melt adhesive is used as the adhesive layer (11), the opening (3
The used sealing material (10) remaining around 3a) can be easily peeled off by heating. Furthermore, when the sealing material (10) is heated and pressed around the opening (33a), the remaining toner melts together with the adhesive layer (11) by heating, and the toner itself also functions as an adhesive. Thereby, the toner storage section (33)
The opening (33a) can be hermetically sealed without any gap, and the leakage of toner from the bonded portion when the cartridge is transported and when the printer is used is completely prevented.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 9 mm wide polypropylene splitting tape having a polyethylene hot melt adhesive layer (12) on the main surface (2a)
(2) was pulled out from the reel (9), arranged in the groove (21) of the lower jig (4) of the sealing material manufacturing machine (20), and attached to the clamp (22). Next, a 22 mm wide, 297 mm long cleavable polyethylene base material (1) having a polyethylene hot melt adhesive layer (11) on the main surface (1a) is prepared, and the main surface of the base material (1) is prepared. The center of the substrate (1) in the width direction was attached to the tearing tape (2) with (1a) facing down, and attached to the clamp (22). Further, by driving the cylinder (8), the upper jig (3) on which the silicon rubber plate (9) having a width of 9 mm is attached is brought into contact with the lower jig (4), and is heated and pressure-bonded for 2 seconds. (2) and the substrate (1) were bonded. Thereafter, the tearing tape (2) was cut into a length of 644 mm with a cutter to produce a sealing material (10).

After removing and cleaning the sealing material before remaining around the opening (33a) of the toner storage section (33), the toner storage section (33) having a width of 22 mm and a length of 297 mm of the process cartridge (32).
The sealing material (10) produced in the opening (33a) was heated and pressed by a sealing machine to seal. Next, the process cartridge
(32) was sealed, air was blown in, and after confirming that there was no air leakage, 400 g of the toner was stored in the toner storage section (33). Using a reproduction process cartridge (32), a copy test of 6,000 sheets was performed with a printer, and as a result, there was no toner leakage and the image quality was good.

[0020]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking to the copying machine, to improve the image quality, and to save the environment and reduce the cost by utilizing the effective resources.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealant for sealing a developer container.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sealing material shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a developer accommodating section using the sealing material of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an apparatus for manufacturing a sealing material according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upper jig used in a sealing material manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the upper jig.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the upper jig.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lower jig used in a sealing material manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a lower jig.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the lower jig.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a state in which a sealing material is peeled off;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional sealing material manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional process cartridge.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a state in which a conventional sealing material is peeled off.

[Explanation of symbols]

(1) ・ ・ Base material, (1a) ・ ・ Main surface, (2) ・ ・ Tear tape,
(2a) ・ ・ Main surface, (3) ・ ・ Upper jig, (4) ・ ・ Lower jig,
(5) · heater, (6) · · temperature controller, (7) · · · flexible pad (silicone rubber plate), (8) · · cylinder,
(9) · · · reel, (10) · · · sealing material, (11) · · · adhesive layer (hot melt adhesive layer), (12) · · · binder,
(15) ・ ・ Control panel, (20) ・ ・ Seal material manufacturing machine, (21)
..Groove, (22) Clamp, (25) Machine stand, (26)
・ ・ Form, (27) ・ ・ Ram, (28) ・ ・ Guide hole, (2
9) Guide bar, (32) Process cartridge (3
3) ・ ・ Developer (toner) storage, (33a) ・ ・ Opening,

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H071 BA23 BA35 DA08 EA10 2H077 AA06 CA12 GA04

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge comprising: a cleavable strip-shaped substrate having a main surface on which an adhesive layer is formed; and a cleavage tape fixed to the main surface of the substrate and having a width smaller than the substrate. At the time of recycling, the base material is adhered to the periphery of the opening of the developer accommodating section via the adhesive layer, the developer accommodating section is sealed, and the tearing tape is pulled when the process cartridge is reused.
A sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion, wherein the developer accommodating portion can be opened by tearing a base material. 2. The sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion according to claim 1, wherein the tearing tape is arranged at the center in the width direction of the base material and parallel to the length direction of the base material. 3. The sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion according to claim 1, wherein the tearing tape is fixed to the substrate by heat fusion or a binder. 4. The adhesive layer and the binder are made of polyethylene,
Hot melt bonding of one or more of ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene / isobutyl acrylate copolymer, polyamide, polyester, butyral, polyvinyl acetate, cellulose derivative, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl ether, polyurethane and polycarbonate 4. A pressure-sensitive adhesive of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive or an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Item 7. A sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion according to Item 8. 5. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the base material is at least one of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, polyurethane, and cellulose derivatives. Wood. 6. The sealing material according to claim 1, wherein the tearing tape is one or more of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene and nylon. 7. The sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion according to claim 1, wherein a cut portion is formed at an end portion of the base material. 8. A step of forming an adhesive layer on a main surface of a cleavable and band-shaped substrate, and attaching a tearing tape narrower than the substrate to the main surface of the substrate via the adhesive layer. And a step of heating and pressing the bonded substrate and the tearing tape to cure the adhesive layer and press the tearing tape to the substrate. Manufacturing method of sealing material for part sealing. 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of cutting the tearing tape into a predetermined length. 10. A machine, a reel rotatably mounted on the machine and wound with a tear tape narrower than the base material, a form fixed to the machine, and vertically movable. An upper jig attached to the formwork, and a lower jig fixed to the machine base and having a groove below and opposite to the upper jig,
A cylinder having a ram connected to the upper jig and fixed to the formwork, and a guide bar for guiding the vertical movement of the upper jig, wherein the tear tape supplied from the reel is supplied to the groove of the lower jig. The adhesive layer is formed by arranging a cleavable and band-shaped substrate having a main surface on which an adhesive layer is formed on a tearing tape and pressing an upper jig onto the tearing tape. An apparatus for manufacturing a sealing material for hermetically sealing a developer accommodating section, wherein a tearing tape is adhered to a base material via a base. 11. The apparatus for manufacturing a sealing material for sealing a developer container according to claim 10, further comprising a heater for heating the upper jig or the lower jig. 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the upper jig or the lower jig includes a temperature controller.