JP2003104301A - Device and method for filling powder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a powder filling device which is compact, inexpensive and easy to handle, and a powder filling method in which no empty powder filling vessel and the vessel refilled with powder need not be carried, the recycling ratio is improved, the global resources can be saved, the price of commodities can be reduced, and the customer service can be improved. SOLUTION: The powder filling device to fill powder in the vessel 14 for filling powder comprises an accommodating means to accommodate the powder in a sealed manner, gas introducing means 11 and 12 to introduce the gas in the accommodating means 10 to fluidize the powder, filling means 13, 15, 16, 17 and 21 to discharge the fluidized powder from the accommodating means 10 and fill the fluidized powder in the powder filling vessel 14, a metering means to meter the quantity of the powder filled in the powder filling vessel 14, and a recording means to record the quantity of the powder metered by the metering means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a powder filling device and a powder filling method, and more particularly to a powder filling device and a powder filling method for filling powder into a powder filling container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as a powder developer for an image forming apparatus, there is a one-component dry developer using a toner having a particle diameter of 13 μm or less, or a two-component dry developer mixed with a carrier. A certain amount of powder developer is installed in a powder filling container that is installed in the developing unit of the image forming apparatus and forms a part of the developing unit or a powder filling container for storing and transporting the powder developer at the factory. Are filled and supplied to customers.

A toner container and a toner bottle (hereinafter collectively referred to as a toner container) as an example of a powder filling container are
It has a small filling port. Since the structure of the toner container detachably built in or mounted in the image forming apparatus is downsized and complicated with the downsizing of the image forming apparatus, it is the current situation that the filling port for filling the toner cannot be enlarged.

As described above, the toner container filled with toner is built in or mounted in the image forming apparatus, and when the toner is used up, it is detached from the image forming apparatus and collected as an empty toner container. The collected empty toner container is assembled as a recycled product after cleaning and replacement of a worn product. The toner container assembled as a recycled product is
Toner is refilled at the factory and goes back into the distribution channel.

[0005]

Although the toner container is manufactured in consideration of the recyclability, scratches, stains, mixed toner with different toner containers and different toner occur during the recycling process. The empty toner container collected by the recycling process had to be sorted and washed before refilling with toner.

Therefore, it is difficult to shorten the recycling time and the recycling route, but from the viewpoint of improving the recycling rate, preserving the earth's resources, reducing the product price and improving the customer service, the recycling time and the recycling route can be established. It is desirable to make it as short as possible.

For example, if the customer can refill the toner container with toner, it becomes unnecessary to collect an empty toner container and carry the toner container refilled with toner, thereby improving the recycling rate, saving global resources, It is possible to reduce prices and improve customer service.

However, in order to allow the customer or a service person to fill the toner container with the toner at the customer's side, a powder filling device which is easy to handle, small in size, and inexpensive is required.

Conventionally, a simplified and downsized auger type powder filling method has been proposed, but it takes time to fill a toner container having a small filling port with a simple powder filling device. There was a problem that it took. In addition, the powder filling device having a high filling speed has a problem that the structure becomes complicated and expensive, and it is difficult to reduce the product price and improve the recycling rate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method which are easy to handle, small in size, and inexpensive.

Further, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to collect an empty powder filling container and to carry a powder filling container which is refilled with powder, which improves the recycling rate, saves global resources, and reduces the price of goods. It is an object of the present invention to provide a powder filling device and a powder filling method capable of reducing the number of charges and improving customer service.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a powder filling apparatus for filling powder into a powder filling container, in which the powder is hermetically stored. Storage means, gas introduction means for introducing gas into the storage means to fluidize the powder, and filling for discharging the fluidized powder from the storage means to fill the powder filling container Means, means for measuring the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container, and recording means for recording the amount of powder measured by the measuring means.

In such a powder filling device, since the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container can be measured and the measured amount of powder can be recorded, the powder of the customer can be weighed. It becomes possible to sell. As a result, it is no longer necessary to collect empty powder filling containers and to transport powder filling containers that have been refilled with powder, improving the recycling rate, preserving global resources, reducing product prices and improving customer service. Is possible.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising connecting means for connecting to a computer, and supplying the amount of powder recorded in the recording means to the computer.

In such a powder filling apparatus, the recording means for recording the amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container can supply the powder to the computer. Therefore, the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container can be controlled by the computer.

Further, in the present invention, the measuring means reduces the amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container by the amount of the powder stored in the storing means, and the powder discharged by the filling means. And at least one of the amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container.

In such a powder filling device, the amount of powder stored in the storing means, the amount of powder discharged by the filling means, and the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container are determined. The amount of powder filled in the powder filling container can be measured.

The present invention also provides a powder filling method for filling powder into a powder filling container, comprising a storing step of sealingly storing the powder in a storing means, and a gas in the storing means. Introducing a gas to fluidize the powder, and discharging the fluidized powder from the storing means to fill the powder filling container and the powder filling container. The present invention is characterized by including a powder filling and measuring step for measuring the amount of powder and a recording step for recording the measured amount of powder in a recording means.

In such a powder filling method, the amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container can be measured and the measured amount of the powder can be recorded. It becomes possible to sell. As a result, it is no longer necessary to collect empty powder filling containers and to transport powder filling containers that have been refilled with powder, improving the recycling rate, preserving global resources, reducing product prices and improving customer service. Is possible.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising a supplying step of supplying the amount of powder recorded in the recording means to a computer.

In such a powder filling method, the amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container can be supplied to the computer from the recording means. Therefore, the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container can be controlled by the computer.

Further, in the present invention, the amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container is defined as the reduction amount of the powder stored in the storing means, the amount of the powder discharged by the filling means, It is characterized in that the weighing is performed based on at least one of the amounts of the powder filled in the powder filling container.

In such a powder filling method, the amount of powder stored in the storage means is reduced, the amount of powder discharged by the filling means, and the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container are adjusted. The amount of powder filled in the powder filling container can be measured.

The powder filling apparatus and the powder filling method of the present invention are, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2 filed previously by the present applicant.
It can be realized by using the powder filling method and powder filling device described in Japanese Patent Application No. 001-71152 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-102264. Therefore, it is possible to provide a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method which are easy to handle, small in size, and inexpensive.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the toner is taken out from the filling powder accommodating device in which the powder developer (toner) which can be sold by weight is stored by natural dropping or pneumatic (Pneumatic) take-out means to form a tubular toner. By filling the toner into the powder filling container without or via the transfer means, the hands and clothes of a toner filling worker such as a service person are prevented from being soiled.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the powder filling apparatus of the present invention. The powder filling device shown in FIG. 1 includes a filling powder storage device 10, an air header 11, a ventilation porous plate 12, a powder outlet pipe 13, a powder filling container 14, a filling nozzle 15, a soft packing 16, and a ventilation porous. Plate 17, pressure release valve 18, powder flow rate control valve 19, powder input port 20, fluid powder transport pipe 2
1, first pressure gauge 22, second pressure gauge 23, third pressure gauge 2
4, fourth pressure gauge 25, first pressure reducing valve 26, second pressure reducing valve 2
7, an air flow meter 28, an introduction gas control valve 29, a compressed air pipe 30, and scales 32 and 33.

The filling powder accommodating device 10 includes the filling powder 3
1 is usually sealed and stored. The air header 11 as a gas introducing means has a connection flange at the upper part that is attached to the lower flange of the filling powder storage device 10 and is detachably coupled thereto, and forms a fluidized bed of the filling powder 31. Air vent perforated plate 12 is detachably housed and compressed air piping 3
0 is inserted and removed freely. The ventilation porous plate 12 is a sieve that separates gas and powder, and is composed of a sintered metal plate, a sintered resin plate, a fine mesh, or the like.

The powder charging port 20 with the closing valve is a charging port for the filling powder 31 to be stored in the filling powder storing device 10. The pressure release valve 18 is for releasing or sealing the internal pressure in the filling powder container 10. The powder flow rate adjusting valve 19 finely adjusts the internal pressure in the filling powder container 10. The compressed air pipe 30 is made of, for example, a stainless pipe.

The fluidized powder transport pipe 21 is a transport path for transporting the fluidized filling powder 31 to the filling nozzle 15, and is detachably connected to the filling nozzle 15. The fluid powder transport pipe 21 is composed of a urethane tube or the like. The filling nozzle 15 is removably connected to the fluid powder transport pipe 21 and is composed of, for example, a stainless steel filling pipe.

The first to fourth pressure gauges 22 to 25 measure the pressure of a predetermined portion. First and second pressure reducing valve 2
Reference numerals 6 and 27 are valves for decompressing a predetermined portion. The air flow meter 28 measures the flow rate of air flowing into the air header 11. The introduction gas control valve 29 controls the amount of gas flowing into the air header 11.

The powder filling device of FIG. 1 fluidizes the filling powder 31 in the filling powder storage device 10, and the powder discharging pipe 1
3, the powder filling container 14 is filled with the filling powder 31 that has been fluidized through the fluidized powder transport pipe 21, the ventilation porous plate 17, and the filling nozzle 15.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the powder filling apparatus of the present invention. The powder filling device of FIG. 2 includes a filling powder storage device 10, an air header 11, a ventilation porous plate 12, a powder outlet pipe 13, a powder filling container 14, a filling nozzle 15,
Soft packing 16, ventilated porous plate 17, pressure release valve 18,
Powder flow rate control valve 19, powder input port 20, fourth pressure gauge 2
5, introduction gas control valve 29, power plug 40, motor 4
1, holding frame 42, pump 43, check valve 44, ventilation pipe 4
5, the gas distribution plate 46, the conduit 47, and the balances 48 and 49.

The filling powder storage device 10 is provided with the filling powder 3
1 is usually sealed and stored. Filling powder storage device 10
Is made of, for example, a flexible material. Air header 11
Has a connecting flange at the upper part that is attached to the lower flange of the filling powder storage device 10 and is detachably coupled thereto, and removes the air-permeable porous plate 12 for forming a fluidized bed of the filling powder 31. It is freely stored and the ventilation pipe 45 is fitted so as to be freely attached and detached.

The powder charging port 20 with a shutoff valve is a charging port for the filling powder 31 to be stored in the filling powder storing device 10. The pressure release valve 18 is for releasing or sealing the internal pressure in the filling powder container 10. The powder flow rate adjusting valve 19 finely adjusts the internal pressure in the filling powder container 10.

The conduit 47 contains the fluidized filling powder 31.
Is a transportation path for transporting the liquid to the filling nozzle 15 and is detachably connected to the filling nozzle 15. Conduit 47
Is a urethane tube or the like. Filling nozzle 1
5 is detachably connected to the conduit 47 and is composed of, for example, a filling tube made of stainless steel. Filling nozzle 15
At the base of the air-permeable porous plate 1 having a shape wrapped around a soft packing 16 made of, for example, a frustoconical polypropylene ring having a size that fits into the mouth of the powder filling container 14.
7 is provided.

The fourth pressure gauge 25 measures the pressure of the filling powder container 10. The introduction gas control valve 29 controls the amount of gas flowing into the air header 11.

Motor 41 to which power plug 40 is connected
Expands and contracts the pump 43 having a bellows structure. The pump 43 is detachably fixed to the holding frame 42, and by expansion and contraction sends air to the air header 11 via the check valve 44 and the ventilation pipe 45. Further, due to the expansion and contraction of the pump 43, the filling powder container 10 vibrates via the holding frame 42 to fluidize the filling powder 31 in the filling powder container 10.

The powder filling device of FIG. 2 fluidizes the filling powder 31 in the filling powder storage device 10, and the powder discharging pipe 1
3, the powder filling container 31 which is fluidized through the conduit 47, the ventilation porous plate 17, and the filling nozzle 15
To fill.

The details of the components constituting FIGS. 1 and 2 are described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-71152 or Japanese Patent Application No. 2001.
No. 102264, the description is omitted.

In the powder filling device of the present invention, the amount of the powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14 is reduced by the amount of the powder developer stored in the filling powder storing device 10 for filling. The amount is measured based on the amount of the powder developer discharged from the powder container 10 to the fluid powder transport pipe 21 or the conduit 47 and the amount of the powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14.

The amount of the powder developing material can be measured by a weight measuring means or a measuring means using an optical sensor. That is, the amount of the powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14 can be measured by providing the powder filling device shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, scales 32 and 33 are provided to measure the amount of powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14. Further, in FIG. 2, by providing scales 48 and 49, the amount of the powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14 is measured. The amount of the powder developer measured by the scales 32, 33, 48 and 49 is automatically recorded in the recording means (not shown) in the powder filling device.

The powder filling device shown in FIG. 1 or 2 has a connecting means such as a USB connectable to a computer, and the powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14 recorded in the recording means. Can be supplied to the computer.

Therefore, a toner filling worker such as a sales person or a service person stores the amount of the powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14 in the storage device (for example, hard disk) of the computer carried by the toner filling worker. Since it can be stored, the amount of the powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14, in other words, the sales amount of the powder developer can be managed as management data as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of management data. The management data shown in FIG. 3 has, as data items, a bottle identification symbol, shipping, a mounting machine number, filling 1 to n, and maintenance work. Data item "bottle identification symbol"
Is for identifying the powder filling container 14. The data item “shipment” represents the shipping date of the powder filling container 14. The data item "equipment number" is
This is for identifying the image forming apparatus in which the powder filling container 14 is mounted.

The data items "filling 1 to n" represent history data when the powder filling container 14 is filled with the powder developer. The data item “maintenance work” refers to maintenance work such as repair of a defective portion of the image forming apparatus, replacement of parts and elements, which is also performed when the powder developer is filled in the powder filling container 14. To represent.

Since the amount of the powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14 can be controlled by the computer, the toner filling operator can manage the powder developing container 14 and the powder developing agent for each customer or department. The sales volume can be easily managed.

Further, since the toner filling operator can take in the amount of the powder developer filled in the powder filling container 14 into the computer carried by the toner filling worker, the customer can sell the powder developer. Can be issued in the form of a delivery note.
The delivery note is issued in the present invention by, for example, a computer carried by a toner filling operator and a printer controlled by the computer.

The printer may be a simple type printer carried by a toner filling worker, but may also be an image forming apparatus for the object that the toner filling worker works on the customer's side. Considering that an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is equipped with a print server capable of requesting printing of digital information using a dedicated command from a computer or a dedicated tool, a toner filling worker performs work at the customer's site. It is desirable to print by connecting a computer to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the printing system according to the present invention. The printing system shown in FIG. 4 includes a copying machine 50, which is an object that a toner filling worker works at a customer's site,
And a computer 51 carried by a toner filling operator.

The copying machine 50 is provided with a printer 54 that actually performs printing processing, a print server 52 that performs processing such as reception of print information, and a monitor 53 such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information. The print server 52 is
A CPU 55, a ROM 56 for storing various systems (programs) and the like, a RAM 57 for storing information such as various data, a non-volatile memory 58 for storing print information, a timer 59, an input / output interface unit 60.
And are connected to each other via a bus.

The input / output interface unit 60 is connected to the USB jack 61, and the computer 51 is connected via the USB cable 62 connected to the USB jack 61.
Connected to. The computer 51 has a CPU 63, RA
An M64, a ROM 65, and an input / output interface 66 are provided. The input / output interface 66 includes a keyboard 6
7, a monitor 68, a printer 69, etc. are connected.

The delivery note issuing process of the printing system as shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery note issuing process according to the present invention.

In FIG. 5, the computer 51 carried by the toner filling operator is the application 70, GDI.
71, a print control unit 72, and a PC control unit 73 are provided. GDI71 is one type of graphical device interface function of the system for spool file creation.

If the printer server 52 is provided with the equivalent of the application 70, the GDI 71, the print control unit 72, and the PC control unit 73, the printer server 52 side can be used.

Hereinafter, a case where the printer server 52 of the copying machine 50 is not provided with ones corresponding to the application 70, the GDI 71, the print control unit 72, and the PC control unit 73 will be described.

In a state where the computer 51 and the printer server 52 are connected via the USB cable 62, when the toner filling worker issues a print instruction of the delivery note from the computer 51 to the printer driver 82, the computer 51 is The application 80 executes a print command to the GDI 81. GDI81 is application 8
When the print command from 0 is executed, the printer driver 8
The necessary information is acquired from the item 2 and the spool file 83 is created in the computer 51.

When the spool system of the operating system issues a print instruction for the delivery note, it causes the print queue section 85 of the printer spool system 84 to start the despool process. By this despool processing, a print control signal is supplied to the printer processor 86, and data to be printed as a delivery note is supplied.

Data to be printed as a delivery note is output to the printer 87 through a parallel port driver (not shown). The data to be printed may be price display based on the amount of the powder developer filled, but if the contract is such that only the unit price of the work of the toner filling worker is counted as the price, the work fee of the toner filling worker is Price display based only on may be used.

Further, the price display based on one or more combinations of the amount of the powder developer filled, the parts cost, the component cost, and the work fee of the toner filling operator can be used as the data to be printed.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container can be measured and the measured amount of powder can be recorded. It becomes possible to sell the body by scale. As a result, it is no longer necessary to collect empty powder filling containers and to transport powder filling containers that have been refilled with powder, improving the recycling rate, preserving global resources, reducing product prices and improving customer service. Is possible.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to supply the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container to the computer from the recording means. Therefore, the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container can be controlled by the computer.

According to the present invention, the amount of powder stored in the storage means is reduced, the amount of powder discharged by the filling means, and the amount of powder filled in the powder filling container are adjusted. The amount of powder filled in the powder filling container can be measured.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method which are easy to handle, small and inexpensive.

[0066]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a powder filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the powder filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of management data.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an example of a printing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery note issuing process according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Filling powder storage device 11 air headers 12,17 Vent perforated plate 13 Powder discharge tube 14 Powder filling container 15 Filling nozzle 16 Soft packing 18 Pressure release valve 19 Powder flow rate control valve 20 Powder input port 21 Fluid Powder Transport Pipe 22 1st pressure gauge 23 Second pressure gauge 24 Third pressure gauge 25 4th pressure gauge 26 First pressure reducing valve 27 Second pressure reducing valve 28 Air flow meter 29 Inlet gas control valve 30 compressed air piping 31 Filling powder 32, 33, 48, 49 scales 40 power plug 41 motor 42 holding frame 43 pumps 44 Check valve 45 Vent pipe 46 Gas distribution plate 47 conduits 50 copiers 51 computer 52 Printer Server 53,68 monitor 54,69,78,87 Printer 55, 63 CPU 56,65 ROM 57, 64 RAM 58 non-volatile memory 59 timer 60,66 I / O interface 61 USB jack 62 USB cable 67 keyboard 70,80 applications 71,76,81 GDI 72,74 Print control unit 73 PC control unit 75 Server control unit 77 Printer control unit 82 Printer driver 83 spool file 84 Printer spool system 85 Print queue section 86 Printer Processor

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takamichi Enomoto             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stocks             Company Ricoh F term (reference) 3E118 AA02 AB03 BB15 CA02 DA02                       DA03 EA07 FA03 FA07

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A powder filling device for filling powder into a powder filling container, comprising a storage means for hermetically storing the powder, and introducing gas into the storage means to supply the powder. A gas introducing unit for fluidizing, a filling unit for discharging the fluidized powder from the storing unit to fill the powder filling container, and an amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container. A powder filling apparatus comprising: a weighing unit for weighing and a recording unit for recording the amount of powder weighed by the weighing unit. 2. The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising connecting means for connecting to a computer, and supplying the amount of powder recorded in the recording means to the computer. 3. The measuring means, the amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container, the reduction amount of the powder stored in the storing means, the amount of the powder discharged by the filling means, The powder filling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the powder is measured based on at least one of the amounts of the powder filled in the powder filling container. 4. A powder filling method for filling powder into a powder filling container, comprising a storing step of sealingly storing the powder in a storing means, and introducing a gas into the storing means. A gas introduction step of fluidizing the powder, and discharging the fluidized powder from the storing means to fill the powder filling container and the amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container. And a recording step of recording the measured amount of powder in a recording means. 5. The powder filling method according to claim 4, further comprising a supplying step of supplying an amount of the powder recorded in the recording means to a computer. 6. The amount of the powder filled in the powder filling container, the reduced amount of the powder stored in the storing means, the amount of the powder discharged by the filling means, the powder filling The powder filling method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the weighing is performed based on at least one of the amounts of the powder filled in the container.