JP2001051505A - Toner seal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a toner seal capable of securing the tight closure of the seal, preventing the leakage of toner at transport, and which is easily pulled out and which is reusable. SOLUTION: The toner seal is constituted by melt-sticking the peripheral parts and the central parts 512 of a board formed of hard material 510 and a board formed of soft material 511 and including a seal part 501 with gas 520 enclosed in the non melt sticking part. One end part of a pressurizing part 502 is joined to one end of the seal part 501, and one end of a holding part 503 is joined to the other end of the pressurizing part 502, and the other end of the holding part 503 is provided with a projection for fixing the seal part 501.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner seal, and more particularly, to a toner seal used in a process cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer or a copying machine which employs an electrophotographic system or an electrostatic recording system. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, if the image forming apparatus is used for a long time, the photosensitive drum or the developing device as an image carrier is replaced or a developer (toner) is supplied, and a discharge wire of a charging device is connected. Maintenance work such as cleaning, replacement of a cleaning device full of waste toner, and adjustment and replacement of devices around the photosensitive drum are required.

[0003] However, such maintenance work requires specialized skills and knowledge, and ordinary users cannot easily perform maintenance.

Accordingly, process equipment such as a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a charging device, and a cleaning device are integrally assembled in a cartridge frame, and are removably provided as a process cartridge in a main body of the image forming apparatus. When the need arises, it has been proposed to replace the entire process cartridge to facilitate maintenance and has been put to practical use.

A conventional toner seal will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a sectional view and a partial perspective view showing a first conventional example. (For example, Patent No. 28
FIG. 7A shows the structure of the process cartridge. In the process cartridge, the cleaning device 13 and the developing device 11 are provided on both sides of the photosensitive drum 10 with the photosensitive drum 10 interposed therebetween.
The developing device 11 is configured by integrating the toner container 110 and the developing device main body 111.
A charging device 12 is provided above the photosensitive drum 10.

The cleaning device 13 cleans the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 10 and prepares the photosensitive drum 10 for the next image formation. The cleaning device 13 includes a cleaner container 13a for collecting waste toner and a photosensitive container 13a. A cleaning blade 131 that rubs the drum 10 to scrape off residual toner on the photosensitive drum 10; a squeeze sheet 132 that guides scraped waste toner into the cleaner container 13a; And a stirring member (not shown) that is transported into the container 13a.

On the other hand, the developing device 11 is
A toner is supplied to the upper electrostatic latent image to visualize the latent image, and the latent image is visualized by a developing container 11a constituting a developing chamber;
A developing sleeve 250 for supplying the toner, a developing blade 11b for charging the toner by rubbing against the developing sleeve 250 and simultaneously forming a toner layer having a constant thickness on the developing sleeve 250; and the toner container for accommodating the toner. 11
0.

Here, the details of the toner container 110 are shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The toner container 110 is formed separately from the developing device main body 111, and has a toner supply opening 109 formed therein. After the toner container 110 is filled with the toner t, the toner supply opening 109 is closed. By covering with toner seal member 112, toner t
Is sealed in the toner container 110.

The toner seal member 112 is folded back after uniformly covering the opening 109 as shown in FIG. 6, and one end of the toner seal member 112 extends long in the opening direction (arrow direction).

The toner container 110 is provided in the developing device main body 1.
11 is fixed to the developing device 11 by welding or the like.
After the process cartridge including the photosensitive drum 10 and the like is loaded into the image forming apparatus main body (not shown), the user holds the end of the toner seal member 112 exposed to the outside of the developing device 11 and pulls out the end in the direction of the arrow. For example, toner container 1
Ten openings 109 are opened, and the toner t is supplied to the developing device main body 111 side.

However, conventionally, once used up cartridges have to be discarded, environmental pollution and resource problems have been caused by the large amount of cartridges being discarded.

Therefore, it is conceivable to use the cartridge as a recycle and refill it with toner. In this case, since the toner seal member 112 is pulled out of the cartridge, vibrations and the like generated during distribution and the like are caused. As a result, the toner flows into the developing device main body 111 side,
There is a problem that toner leaks out of the cartridge through a gap between the developing sleeve 250 and the housing 107 of the developing device main body 111.

On the other hand, the developing device main body 111 and the toner container 1
10 is completely fixed to the developing device main body 11 by welding or the like.
1, the toner seal member 112 cannot be adhered to close the opening 109.

Therefore, in a process cartridge which includes a developing device in which a developer container and a developing device main body are integrated, and which is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body,
A detachable member is provided in the developing device so as to be freely inserted and removed, and a developer supply opening is formed in the detachable member to allow the developer container and the developing device main body to communicate with each other, and the opening is sealed by a peelable seal member. Stopping techniques have been proposed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a second conventional example.
(See, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2879982). A slit-shaped opening is formed near one end surface of the toner container with the developing device main body, and a small-width opening communicating with the opening is formed on the developing device main body side. An insertion / extraction plate 200 is slidably inserted into the developing device from the opening, and an end of the extraction / extraction plate 200 slightly protrudes outward from the opening. The insertion / removal plate 200 has a toner supply opening 109 formed therein.
The toner opening 109 is covered by a toner seal member 112. That is, the toner seal member 112 is adhered to the periphery of the toner opening 109 of the insertion / extraction plate 200, the non-adhered portion is folded back, and the end thereof extends outward from the opening. Although the insertion / extraction plate 200 is tightly attached to the toner container by packing, the lip of the packing sandwiches the upper and lower surfaces of the extraction / insertion plate 200, so that the extraction / insertion plate 200 has a high sealing property.

A stopper 21 is provided on the cartridge body side.
0 is provided, and the stopper is engaged with the end of the insertion / extraction plate 200.

Therefore, when using the cartridge,
As in the prior art, the user holds the portion extending to the outside of the opening of the toner seal member 112 and pulls the toner seal member 112 in the direction of arrow A, and the toner seal member 112 is sequentially peeled from the insertion / extraction plate 200 and the toner opening 109 is opened. It is gradually opened. At this time, the pull-out force of the toner seal member 112 acts on the insertion / removal plate 200, but the stopper 210 is engaged with the insertion / removal plate 200 as described above, and the sliding thereof is prevented. The plate 200 does not fall out of the developing device.

When the toner seal member 112 is removed, the toner opening 109 of the insertion / extraction plate 200 is opened, and the toner contained in the toner container is supplied to the developing container via the toner opening 109 and is used for development. . After the toner seal member 112 is removed, an opening remains as a gap. However, if this opening is closed with an elastic material such as a malt plane, toner leakage can be reliably prevented.

When the toner is consumed and the inside of the toner container becomes empty, the cartridge is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the toner container is newly filled with the toner, and the cartridge is reused. That is, the stopper 2
10 is held down, and the engagement with the insertion plate 200 is released, the insertion plate 200 is extracted from the cartridge, and the extracted and inserted extraction plate 200 is newly bonded with the toner seal member 112. Toner opening 10
9 is closed. Thereafter, if the insertion / extraction plate 200 is inserted into the original cartridge and the toner container is filled with new toner, the used cartridge can be reused as a new cartridge. When the insertion / extraction plate 200 is inserted, the extraction / extraction plate 200 is brought into close contact with the toner container by packing.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a third conventional example.
(See, for example, JP-A-08-305163)
In the sealing method shown in FIG. 1, a plate member is inserted from a slit between a toner frame and a developing frame to deform a shape memory member around the toner supply opening, and a gap generated by deformation of the shape memory member is removed. The supply opening is sealed by inserting an orientational seal member having a tearing property in the direction, restoring the shape of the shape memory member, and pressing the inserted seal member around the toner supply opening.

In the toner frame 412, a toner supply opening 412a for supplying the toner stored in the toner storage section to the developing roller 410d is formed. For an unused cartridge, the toner supply opening 412a is uniaxial. Cover film 41 made of a film having stretching orientation
9a and a tear tape 4 made of polyester or the like having a width to tear the cover film 419a and a length of at least twice the longitudinal length of the cover film 419a.
19b is sealed by a sealing member integrated with the sealing member 19b. This is to prevent the toner filled in the toner storage unit from leaking when the cartridge is shipped or transported. Therefore, when using a process cartridge,
When the handle is pulled out with a handle attached to the free end of the tear tape 419b, the cover film 419a is torn at the width of the integrated tear tape 419b and the toner supply opening is opened.

Here, the seal member is mounted on a mounting seat surface 412b formed around the toner supply opening. At this time, a shape memory member 420 is provided on the joint surface on the developing frame 413 side, and the shape memory member 420 presses the seal member against the mounting seat surface 412b to prevent toner leakage. Even if the shape memory member 420 is deformed, its shape is restored at a constant temperature. When attaching the shape memory member 420 to the developing frame 413, an auxiliary member 421 is interposed to ensure that the seal member is pressed.

The attachment of the seal member differs depending on whether the process cartridge is a new cartridge or a recycle cartridge.

In the case of a new cartridge, the toner frame 4
12 and before the developing frame 413 is welded, and since the two frames 412 and 413 are separated, the toner frame 41
The seal member 419 (a state in which the tear tape 419b is folded back in one longitudinal direction of the opening in a short direction), a shape memory member 420 as a pressing member, and an auxiliary member 421 are placed in this order on the seal mounting seat surface 412b of No. Frame 4
13 is heated to a predetermined temperature after welding, the shape memory member 420 returns to the restored state, and the seal member is attached to the mounting seat surface 4.
12b to seal the toner supply opening.

On the other hand, if the toner supply opening is sealed again to collect and recycle the used cartridge, the toner frame 412 and the developing frame 13 are welded and cannot be separated. Therefore, a gap-enlarging plate member is inserted from a slit between the toner frame body 412 and the developing frame body 13 (a draw-out opening of the tear tape 419b), and the shape memory member 420 is pushed away to widen the gap, and the remaining cover film is removed. Remove 419a. Next, easily removable parts such as the developing roller 410d are removed, and the toner frame 4 is removed.
Air is blown into the inside 12 and the like for cleaning.

Next, a new sealing member is inserted through the gap. The gap is enlarged because the shape memory member 420 is deformed while being pushed away, and the sealing member is easily inserted through the gap. I can do it. At the time of this insertion, a plate member or the like for an insertion guide may be used.

As described above, the seal member is attached to the mounting seat surface 4.
12b, the shape memory member 420
Is heated to a predetermined temperature. The heating temperature of the shape memory member 420 is about 50 ° C. to 80 ° C., and the entire process cartridge is put into, for example, a tunnel furnace or a batch type dryer, and is heated.
Heat it for about 10 minutes. Thereby, the shape memory member 42
Since the shape of 0 is deformed and the seal member is pressed against the seal mounting seat surface 412b, the toner supply opening is resealed.

Next, it is confirmed by an air leak test or the like that the seal is secured, and the toner is refilled in the toner storage section, and the filling port is covered with a cap. Then, the process roller is assembled again by attaching the developing roller 410d and the like.

Thus, a recycle cartridge having the same function as a new cartridge can be constructed.

[0031]

In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the sealing property of the toner case outlet and the easiness of opening and closing are required. However, in the bonding (welding) or shutter method, the toner inside the EP cartridge is used before the EP cartridge is used. To prevent leakage, a sheet-shaped toner seal is adhered to the outlet of the toner case by using a method such as heat welding or adhesion to hermetically seal. On the other hand, when the user uses the printer, it is necessary to peel off the toner seal from the EP cartridge so that the toner can be supplied to the developing section, and the user can easily remove the toner seal by using a light force and a simple method. It is necessary to open the opening surely (if the opening is insufficient, a malfunction such as density unevenness occurs due to insufficient toner supply). In addition, it is necessary to fill the used EP cartridge with the toner and to seal it again with the toner seal. However, in the case of the heat welding or the bonding method, unevenness occurs on the toner seal release surface at the outlet of the toner case.

Although the shutter system can be easily opened and closed by the shutter system, there is a problem that the airtightness is correspondingly impaired and toner leaks easily.

[0033]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner seal including a seal portion in which a plate made of a hard material and a plate made of a soft material are partially welded, and a non-welded portion is filled with a gas. You.

A toner seal according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a seal portion in which a peripheral portion and a central portion of a hard material plate and a soft material plate are fused and a non-welded portion is filled with gas. .

A toner seal according to a third aspect of the present invention, according to the first or second aspect, wherein one end of the pressing portion is joined to one end of the seal portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the toner seal of the third aspect, one end of a holding unit is joined to the other end of the pressing unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the toner seal of the fourth aspect, a protrusion for fixing the seal portion is provided at the other end of the holding portion.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the toner seal of the first or second aspect, a liquid is sealed in the non-welded portion.

[0039]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a), (b)
The toner seal shown in FIG.
The sealing portion 501 is formed by fusing a peripheral portion and a central portion 512 of the first plate and sealing a gas 520 in a non-welded portion. One end of the pressing part 502 is joined to one end of the seal part 501, one end of the holding part 503 is joined to the other end of the pressing part 502, and a protrusion for fixing the sealing part 501 is formed on the other end of the holding part 503. Have. A liquid may be sealed in the non-welded portion.

The seal portion 501 is made of a hard material 510 and a soft material 5
11 are bonded to form a bag, and a gas 520 or liquid such as water or air is sealed. Pressing section 502
The pressure for pressing the seal portion 501 acts on the surface of the seal portion 501 to expand it. By tightly contacting the toner case with the pressure, the outlet of the toner case is sealed.

FIG. 2 is a view showing E with the toner seal of the present invention attached.
It is sectional drawing of a P cartridge. A holding plate 508 is fixed to the opening 505. The sealing portion 501 is provided on the holding plate 5.
08 and the toner case 504 and is in close contact with them.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the direction of FIG. 2A. The seal portion 501 has a bag-like shape, in which gas or liquid is sealed. The pressing unit 502 presses the seal unit 501, and the holding unit 503 presses the pressing unit 502.

The state where the opening is closed by the seal will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a pressing portion 502 (preferably elastic rubber or a spring) fixed by a holding portion 503 (preferably a resin material such as ABS) is used as a seal portion 501 (a hard material 510 is a hard resin such as polycarbonate). The soft material 511 is preferably an elastic polymer sheet such as a polyethylene resin, and the sealing portion 501 is formed by bonding these components together) with a pressure F. The pressure is applied to the fluid (liquid) sealed in the sealing portion 501. The surface of the seal portion 501 is caused to expand at the pressure F by transmitting pressure of a gas or gas, such as water or air. As shown in FIG.
(Resin material such as PC is good) and the press plate 508 expand, so that they adhere closely at the portion B. At this time, the central portion 512 of the seal portion 501 is stuck to prevent the pressure from being lost at the opening portion 505 so as to prevent expansion. The pressure F of the pressurizing portion 502 works evenly with the force of F even if the portion B has some unevenness, so that the seal portion and the portion B are in close contact with each other, so that leakage of the toner 506 can be prevented.

Next, a case where the opening is opened will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken from the direction C in FIG. 2 and shows a state where the pressure F is removed from the toner seal of the present invention. Seal pull-out part 50
9 has a narrow gap D so that the toner does not leak after the seal is pulled out.

The seal portion 501 is apparently thicker than the gap D. However, when the seal portion 501 is pulled in the direction E, the inner pressure increases and the outer pressure decreases. With the pressure difference, the seal 5
When the fluid in 01 passes through the narrow gap D and in the G direction, the seal portion 501 becomes thinner to the thickness of the sheet,
It becomes possible to pull out.

FIG. 5 shows an EP without the toner seal of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing of a cartridge. The toner case 504 has an opening 505, and the toner 506 is supplied to the developing roller 507 and the like through the opening.

Next, a case where the toner seal is inserted and the opening is closed will be described. The seal portion 501 is formed by bonding a hard material and a soft material, and the rigid portion has a stiffness, so that the seal portion 501 can be pushed in from the seal pull-out portion 9. Then, the liquid inside passes through the gap D as thin as at the time of drawing, so that the seal portion 501 can pass through the gap D, and the toner seal can be inserted.

Further, the sealing portion 501 containing no fluid is provided.
After inserting the bag, there is a method in which the fluid is sealed from the mouth of the bag and closed. Finally, as shown in FIG. 6, the holding portion 503 is hooked on the hole,
Pressing the pressurizing section 502 and pressing the seal pull-out section 9 completes the process.

[0050]

According to the toner seal of the present invention, the thickness of the toner seal can be changed, the airtightness can be secured without thickening and bonding, and the toner leakage during transportation can be prevented. By reducing the thickness of the toner seal, the seal can be easily pulled out. Further, there is an effect that the opening can be closed again because no bonding is performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an EP cartridge to which a toner seal of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the direction A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view from the direction C in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the EP cartridge without the toner seal of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an example of use of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a cross-sectional view and a partial perspective view showing a first conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a second conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a third conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 501 Sealing part 502 Pressing part 503 Holding part 510 Hard material 511 Soft material 512 Central part 520 Gas

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A toner seal comprising a seal portion in which a plate of a hard material and a plate of a soft material are partially welded, and a non-welded portion includes a sealing portion in which gas is sealed. 2. A toner seal comprising: a sealing portion in which a peripheral portion and a central portion of a plate made of a hard material and a plate made of a soft material are fused, and a non-welded portion is filled with a gas. 3. The toner seal according to claim 1, wherein one end of the pressure unit is joined to one end of the seal unit. 4. The toner seal according to claim 3, wherein one end of a holding unit is joined to the other end of the pressing unit. 5. The toner seal according to claim 4, further comprising a projection at the other end of said holding portion for fixing said seal portion. 6. The toner seal according to claim 1, wherein a liquid is sealed in the non-welded portion.