JP2001092230A - Toner cartridge and toner replenishment method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner cartridge and a toner replenishment method by which toner can be supplied at high reliability, using a simple configuration and which is high in convenience on management. SOLUTION: This toner cartridge 10 for dry type toner replenishment that is adaptable for an image-forming device, such as a copying machine or a printer is provided with a cylindrical container 4 and a mechanism to uniformly move toner to an ejecting opening 16 for supplying the toner to a toner storing range of the image-forming device. When the container 4 is rotated around its lengthwise shaft, a member able to be slid 2 is rotated in relation with the container 4 or a rod with a screw that is not mobile, that is a master screw 3. The member able to be slid 2 is moved along the master screw 3 and the toner, that is the developer, is moved to the storing range of the image-forming device in the direction of the shaft.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner cartridge, and more particularly to a toner cartridge for supplying and replenishing dry toner used in an electronic image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An apparatus for replenishing an electrophotographic or dry toner type image forming apparatus with toner is well known in the art.
Generally, in such an image forming apparatus, dry toner is supplied from a storage area to an image forming drum or film, and subsequently transferred to and fused to an image carrier to form a permanent image. After the image is repeatedly formed, the supply of the toner is stopped, so that the toner needs to be replenished.

As a prior art, there are many examples of the type of apparatus currently used for replenishing dry toner in an image forming apparatus. For example, the toner supply replenishment may be a relatively simple type container having an outlet corresponding to the storage area of the image forming apparatus, or the toner may be caused to fall by gravity into the storage area.

[0004] US Patent 4,878 to Ikesue et al.
No. 603 describes an apparatus in which replenishment toner is supplied in a cylindrical cartridge and has an outlet at one end.
A removable gear was attached to the discharge end of the cylinder, which had teeth around it. By attaching the gear and cartridge set to the refill mechanism of the image forming apparatus, the teeth of the cartridge were able to mesh with the drive sprocket, and in operation the toner refill cartridge was rotated about its longitudinal axis. The spiral guide rib provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical cartridge has served to supply toner to the discharge end of the cartridge and the replenishment mechanism of the image forming apparatus.

[0005]

However, there is still a need for a new and good toner refilling toner cartridge. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a toner cartridge and a toner replenishing method which can supply toner with high reliability with a simple configuration and are convenient in terms of management. It is assumed that.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention of claim 1 provides a longitudinal container having a longitudinal axis, a wall, an open end and a closed end, and a relative rotational movement between the open end and the container. An end cap disposed so as to be capable of being mounted on the end cap; and a rod secured to the end cap and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis.
A diameter disposed on the rod to engage the rod and to fit the wall of the container, and arranged to be able to move circumferentially between the rod or the container wall. In the toner cartridge having the slidable member, the end cap and the longitudinal container are relatively rotated, so that the slidable member moves along the rod to reduce the internal volume of the container. It is characterized by being changed.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the elongated container is substantially cylindrical.

[0008] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the slidable member is substantially disk-shaped.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a drive gear attached to the elongated container.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the driving gear is attached to the outer periphery of the longitudinal container so as to be selectively detachable. .

A sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the drive gear is substantially annular.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, a grip material is further provided between the drive gear and the outer periphery of the longitudinal container.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a strip of an elastic material is provided around the slidable member and in contact with a wall of the container. .

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, the strip contains a foam material.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, the strip includes an elastomer material.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the rod is a rod provided with a thread.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the rod is wound by a spring.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a window is provided so that the position of the slidable member in the longitudinal container can be visually recognized.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the elongated container is formed by using a light transmissive material so that the position of the slidable member in the elongated container can be visually determined. It is characterized by having been done.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the wall of the container and the slidable member have an engagement surface, and are moved in the container by a circumferential movement therebetween. The slidable member can be moved in the axial direction.

[0021] The invention of claim 16 is directed to a longitudinal container containing an amount of toner and having a longitudinal axis, an open end and a closed end, and the open end closed and a relative rotational movement between the container and the container. An end cap having an opening, a lead screw secured to the end cap and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis, and disposed and screwed to the lead screw. A slidable wall having an outer diameter adapted to frictionally engage the container and disposed to avoid circumferential movement between the container and the container. The toner is between a possible wall and the end cap, and the relative rotation of the end cap and the elongate container causes the slidable wall to move along the lead screw so that Changing the internal volume of the container and Is obtained is characterized in that so as to supply the toner amount in the through the outlet of the cap.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the elongated container is substantially cylindrical.

The invention of claim 18 is the invention of claim 16, wherein the slidable wall is substantially disk-shaped.

According to a nineteenth aspect, in the sixteenth aspect, a driving gear is further included.

According to a twentieth aspect, in the nineteenth aspect, the driving gear is selectively detachably attached to the outer periphery of the longitudinal container.

According to a twenty-first aspect, in the nineteenth aspect, the driving gear is substantially annular.

The invention of claim 22 is the invention of claim 19, characterized by further comprising a grip material interposed between the drive gear and the outer periphery of the longitudinal container.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the sixteenth aspect, a strip of an elastic material is further provided around the slidable wall and in contact with the container wall. is there.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the sixteenth aspect, the strip contains a foam material.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the sixteenth aspect, the strip contains an elastomer material.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect, in the sixteenth aspect, the lead screw includes a threaded rod.

In a twenty-seventh aspect, in the sixteenth aspect, the lead screw includes a rod wound by a spring.

A twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixteenth aspect, there is provided a window arranged so that the position of the slidable wall in the longitudinal container can be determined.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect, in the sixteenth aspect, the elongated container is formed using a light-transmitting material so that the position of a slidable wall in the elongated container can be determined. It is characterized by having.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided (A) a longitudinal container which contains a certain amount of toner and has a longitudinal axis, an open end and a closed end, and the open end is closed and the container is relatively closed. An end cap having an opening, which is arranged to allow a proper rotational movement, a rod fixed to the end cap and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis, and disposed on and engaged with the rod. A slidable wall having an outer diameter adapted to engage with a wall of the container and arranged to allow circumferential movement between the rod and the outer wall. Providing a toner cartridge having:
(B) the slidable wall is guided to move along the rod to change the internal volume of the container and to supply the amount of toner via the opening of the end cap; Providing a relative rotation between the end cap and the elongated container.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the step of giving a relative rotation includes a step of rotating the elongated container and holding the end cap in a position where the end cap is not substantially moved. It is a characteristic.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, in the thirty-third aspect, the step of giving a relative rotation includes the step of holding the elongated container at a position where it is not substantially moved and rotating the end face cap. It is what it was.

A thirty-third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thirty-third aspect, the step of providing the toner cartridge further includes providing a drive gear.

A thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thirty-third aspect, providing the drive gear includes providing a selectively removable drive gear.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the thirty-third aspect, there is further provided a step of providing a container made of a light-transmitting material and capable of visually observing a position of a slidable wall inside the longitudinal container. It is characterized by the following.

[0041]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In an embodiment of the present invention, a toner cartridge 10 is a long cylindrical container 4 filled with toner.
Contains. The container 4 has a longitudinal axis, an open end and a closed end. The end cap 6 is arranged to close the open end of the container 4 and to allow a relative rotational movement between the longitudinal container and the end cap. Rod 3 with thread
The (lead screw) is fixed to the end face cap 6 and extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the container 4. The wall member or plate (slidable member) 2 is arranged to be screwed to the threaded rod 3, has a diameter that frictionally engages the cylindrical wall of the container 4, and has a circle therebetween. Circumference is avoided. Due to the relative rotation of the end cap 6 and the container 4, the plate or wall member 2 is guided to move along the threaded rod 3 and changes the internal volume of the container 4. When the cartridge is filled with toner, this structure enables uniform and accurate transfer of the replenished toner without waste from the cartridge to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a partial side sectional view showing an embodiment of the toner cartridge of the present invention for uniformly and accurately supplying a replenishing toner to an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a rear view. The toner cartridge 10 has a cylindrical container 4 separated by a smooth wall portion, which ends at one end with a closed side wall 12 and has an opposite end in the form of an opening. Is over. The container 4 has one or more annular rims 18 protruding radially outward near its open end. The container is typically formed of plastic. Preferably, a transparent plastic is used. Suitable plastic materials include, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutadiene, and the like.

The drive gear 5 is mounted on the outer circumference of the container and is preferably held along at least one of the annular rims 18 along the axial section of the container. Since the drive gear 5 is mounted in a general annular shape, both are engaged due to the relationship between the inner diameter of the ring of the drive gear 5 and the outer diameter of the container 4, and the drive gear 5 is driven. Then, the container 4 is rotated. The degree of attachment at the time of engagement is such that the container 4 can be rotated by the drive gear 5 without relative slip. The drive gear 5 is preferably fixed to the outer wall of the container 4, and is more preferably formed integrally with the container 4.

The end cap 6 is provided at the open end of the container 4 of the toner cartridge. One or more annular rings 19 provided on the wall of the container 4
To hold the end cap 6 in the container 4. The end face cap 6 has an opening 15 for discharging toner from inside the container 4 to the toner replenishing mechanism of the image forming apparatus when replenishing toner.

When the toner cartridge 10 is provided in the toner replenishing mechanism of the image forming apparatus, the end cap 6 of the toner cartridge 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the engaging portion 16 of the end cap engaged with the toner replenishing mechanism. Therefore, it is held so as not to move, the drive gear 5
It meshes with a replenishing mechanism or a powered sprocket of the image forming apparatus. With this configuration, the toner discharge opening 15 of the end cap 6 can be kept oriented in a certain direction, while the container 4 is rotated around the longitudinal axis by a powered sprocket. The end cap 6 may be made of any suitable material, but is preferably a plastic material. Any material that is useful for the toner cartridge 10 is also useful for the end face cap 6.

A seal is typically provided between the end cap 6 and the container 4. In one embodiment of the invention, a polyurethane or felt sealing layer 13 is mounted inside the end cap 6. When the end cap 6 is fitted with the container 4, the cylindrical wall of the container 4 abuts the seal. As the movable seal component, any other material that is well-known to those skilled in the art can be used for the seal. Alternatively, a cylindrical seal may be provided between the cylindrical wall of the container 4 and the end cap 6. For example, a rotary seal such as described in US Pat. No. 5,879,307 may be provided between the periphery of the container 4 and the end cap 6.

Attached to the end cap 6 is a lead screw 3 which extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge assembly and container 4. This screw 3
Since it is fixed to the end face cap 6, the end face cap 6
Has stopped working against. This lead screw can be made of a suitable metal or plastic material.

Provided on the lead screw 3 is a slidable wall member 2 having a disk shape, which is substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the container 4. The slidable wall member 2 is provided with a female screw, which meshes with the lead screw and moves along the longitudinal axis. The wall member 12 divides the container 4 into two and divides both sides of the wall member 2 into one room. Preferably, a strip 1 of elastic material is located on the circumference of the slidable wall member 2 and frictionally engages the inner surface of the container 4. The strip 1 provides a seal between the two chambers of the container 4. The strip 1 can be made of a foamed material, an elastomeric material, or other material that frictionally engages the toner cartridge wall and does not slip circumferentially therebetween.

In use, as the container 4 is rotated by the drive gear 5 through the operation of the powered sprocket of the image forming apparatus, frictional engagement between the strip 1 and the slidable wall member 2 causes the wall member to move. 2 proceeds longitudinally along the lead screw. Therefore, in connection with the end cap 6, the container 4
, The slidable wall member 2 is moved along the screw on the lead screw 3, and as a result, the slidable wall member 2 is moved.
Moves in the axial direction. When the container 4 is rotated in the appropriate direction and speed, the slidable wall member 2 moves toward the open end closed by the end cap 6 and through the opening 15 in the end cap 6 the image The contents of the container 4 are uniformly moved in the toner replenishing machine of the forming apparatus.

The container 4, the drive gear 5, the end cap 6, the slidable wall member 2 and the lead screw 3 can be made of a material having sufficient rigidity such as metal or plastic, and a strip. 1 is a material which is not sufficiently large to interfere with the axial movement of the slidable wall member 2 along the lead screw 3 and which can be sufficiently frictionally engaged with the inner surface of the container. It is understandable that it can be made.

The lead screw 3 has been described as a part of the structure of the embodiment of the present invention. However, even if the lead screw 3 is a pseudo threaded rod such as a center rod wound by a spring, a slidable wall member can be used. 2 can be used as a screw for moving laterally. On the other hand, rotation of the disc and consequent axial movement of the disc can be achieved by a suitable, for example, screwing the cylindrical wall of the cartridge with the circumference of the disc.

According to the present invention, preferably, the opaque container may be provided with a window or other transparent area so that it is possible to visually check whether or not the replenishment toner is completely supplied or is being supplied. . Preferably, the toner cartridge 10
Is only required to be able to transmit enough light to find the position of the slidable wall 2.

Although the above description refers to the supply of toner, the cartridge assembly of the present invention may be used for storage, transport, and supply of developer or other powdered chemicals or substances for various purposes. Can be. Further, it is apparent that the drive gear 5 may be provided with a high-friction gripping material such as rubber so as to be located between the ring of the drive gear 5 and the outer surface of the container 4. Furthermore, the end cap 6
It is also evident that may have an inclined surface extending into the container 4 and at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the container 4. In this way, as the slidable wall member 2 moves toward the end face cap 6, the toner flows and the aggregation of the toner can be eliminated.

In the above embodiment, the container 4 is described as having a cylindrical shape, but the container 4 may have various cross-sectional shapes. In fact, in containers with corners,
Due to its shape, rotational movement between the container and the slidable wall member can be avoided. On the other hand, if the rod is made square and the container 4 is made cylindrical, unnecessary rotational movement around the rod can be avoided.

In the above-described embodiment, the slidable wall member 2 described as a disk is provided. However, it is obvious that the slidable wall member 2 can use various shapes. is there. This is especially true when the container 4 has a cross-sectional shape other than circular. Finally, in the above-described embodiment, the lead screw is described as being fixed, but it can be rotated while the container is maintained in a fixed orientation, with similar results. Is also clear. The present invention
Although described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art can review various disclosures, including the drawings, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Can be changed, added, or omitted.

[0056]

As described above, according to the toner cartridge of the present invention, at the time of use, the current state of the remaining toner amount (when empty, the entire contents have been supplied) can be accurately displayed. It is possible. Further, according to the present invention, the toner cartridge can be easily attached to and detached from the toner replenishing mechanism of the image forming apparatus. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner cartridge and a toner replenishing method that have a simple configuration, are highly convenient in terms of user management, are easy to attach and detach, and have high reliability in toner supply.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a side.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the toner cartridge of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Strip, 2 ... Slidable member, 3 ... Lead screw, 4 ...
Container: 5: Drive gear, 6: End cap, 10: Toner cartridge, 12: Closed side wall, 13: Seal layer, 15
... opening, 16 ... engaging part, 18 ... annular rim, 19 ... annular ring.

Claims (35)

[Claims] 1. A longitudinal container having a longitudinal axis, a wall, an open end and a closed end, an end cap closing the open end and arranged for relative rotational movement between the container and the container. A rod secured to the end cap and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis, and having a diameter disposed on the rod to engage the rod and fit the wall of the container; In a toner cartridge having a slidable member arranged so as to be able to move in a circumferential direction between the container and the container wall, the end cap and the long container are rotated relative to each other so that the sliding is performed. A toner cartridge, wherein a possible member moves along the rod to change the internal volume of the container. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said elongated container is substantially cylindrical. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the slidable member has a substantially disk shape. 4. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a drive gear attached to said elongated container. 5. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the drive gear is selectively detachably attached to an outer periphery of the longitudinal container. 6. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said drive gear is substantially annular. 7. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising a grip material interposed between the drive gear and an outer periphery of the longitudinal container. 8. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a strip of elastic material located around the slidable member and in contact with a wall of the container. 9. The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the strip includes a foam material. 10. The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the strip includes an elastomer material. 11. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the rod is a rod provided with a thread. 12. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the rod is wound by a spring. 13. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a window arranged so that the position of the slidable member in the elongated container can be visually recognized. 14. The elongated container of claim 1, wherein the elongated container is formed of a light transmissive material so that the position of the slidable member within the elongated container can be visually determined. The toner cartridge as described in the above. 15. The container wall and the slidable member have an engagement surface, and circumferential movement therebetween causes axial movement of the slidable member within the container. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is enabled. 16. The method according to claim 16, wherein the toner contains an amount of toner and has a longitudinal axis;
An elongate container having an open end and a closed end, an end cap having an opening, wherein the end cap is disposed to close the open end and allow relative rotational movement between the container and the end surface; A lead screw secured to the cap and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis; and a lead screw disposed and threaded with the lead screw and having an outer diameter adapted to frictionally engage the container. A toner cartridge having a slidable wall disposed to avoid circumferential movement between the slidable wall and the end cap, wherein toner is present between the slidable wall and the end face cap;
By the relative rotation of the end cap and the longitudinal container,
The slidable wall moves along the lead screw to change the internal volume of the container and to supply the amount of toner through the outlet of the end cap. A toner cartridge characterized in that: 17. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, wherein said elongated container is substantially cylindrical. 18. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the slidable wall has a substantially disk shape. 19. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, further comprising a driving gear. 20. The toner cartridge according to claim 19, wherein the drive gear is selectively detachably attached to an outer periphery of the longitudinal container. 21. The toner cartridge according to claim 19, wherein said drive gear is substantially annular. 22. The toner cartridge according to claim 19, further comprising a grip material interposed between the drive gear and an outer periphery of the longitudinal container. 23. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, further comprising a strip of elastic material located around the slidable wall and in contact with the container wall. 24. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the strip includes a foam material. 25. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, wherein said strip comprises an elastomeric material. 26. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the lead screw includes a threaded rod. 27. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the lead screw includes a rod wound by a spring. 28. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, further comprising a window arranged so that the position of the slidable wall in the longitudinal container can be determined. 29. The elongate container of claim 16, wherein the elongate container is formed of a light transmissive material so that the position of a slidable wall in the elongate container can be determined. Toner cartridge. 30. (A) A longitudinal container containing an amount of toner and having a longitudinal axis, an open end and a closed end, and the open end closed, allowing relative rotational movement between the container and the container. An end cap having an opening, a rod secured to the end cap and extending substantially along the longitudinal axis, and disposed on and engaged with the rod to form the end cap of the container. A slidable wall having an outer diameter adapted to engage a wall and being arranged to allow circumferential movement between said rod and said outer wall. (B) the slidable wall is guided to move along the rod to change the interior volume of the container and through the opening of the end cap, So that the toner on the end face can be supplied. Toner replenishing method for an image forming apparatus which comprises the steps of: providing relative rotation between flop and the longitudinal container. 31. The step of providing a relative rotation comprises:
31. The toner replenishing method according to claim 30, further comprising rotating the elongated container and holding the end cap at a position where the end cap is substantially stationary. 32. The step of providing a relative rotation comprises:
31. The toner replenishing method according to claim 30, further comprising a step of holding the elongated container at a position where it is substantially immobile and rotating an end face cap. 33. The method of claim 30, wherein providing the toner cartridge further comprises providing a drive gear. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein providing the drive gear comprises providing a selectively removable drive gear. 35. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of providing a container made of a light transmissive material, wherein the position of the slidable wall inside the elongated container can be visually observed.
0. The toner replenishment method according to 0.