JP2003270945A - Method for reusing developing device, the developing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for reusing a developing device by which the leakage of developer from the developing device is prevented, and to provide the developing device used in the method and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A used developing cartridge 24 is recovered once, and the used cartridge 24 is refilled with toner whose glass transition point is higher than that of toner used when the cartridge 24 was used previously or toner whose average particle diameter is larger than that of the toner used when the cartridge 24 is used previously and the refilled cartridge is used again. Furthermore, the cartridge 24 is refilled with toner having uniform heat characteristics instead of a capsule toner which was used when the cartridge 24 was used previously and whose outer shell and inner shell have different heat characteristics and the refilled cartridge is used again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for reusing a developing device used in a laser printer or the like, the developing device, and an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a developing cartridge filled with toner is detachably attached to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser printer.

Such a developing cartridge is divided into a filling chamber and a developing chamber. The filling chamber is provided with an agitator which is filled with toner and is driven to rotate.
The developing chamber is provided with a supply roller and a developing roller which are arranged in contact with each other so as to face each other, and a layer thickness regulating blade which is pressed against the surface of the developing roller.

The developing cartridge is mounted on the laser printer, and when the power from the laser printer is input by connecting gears or the like, the toner filled in the filling chamber is driven into the developing chamber by the rotational driving of the agitator. In the developing chamber, the toner is conveyed and the toner is supplied to the developing roller by the rotation of the supplying roller. At this time, the toner is frictionally charged between the supply roller and the developing roller. Further, the toner supplied onto the surface of the developing roller enters between the layer thickness regulating blade and the developing roller as the developing roller rotates, and forms a thin layer having a constant thickness on the surface of the developing roller. Carried.

And, such a developing cartridge is
In the laser printer, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are arranged so as to face each other. The toner carried as a thin layer on the surface of the developing roller, when facing the photosensitive drum, develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum to form a visible image. Then, the visible image is transferred onto the paper by the transfer roller, so that a predetermined image is formed on the paper.

Further, as described above, such a developing cartridge is used by being attached to the laser printer to use the toner in the filling chamber. Then, when the toner becomes empty, the laser printer displays the toner empty and prompts the user to replace the developing cartridge, so that the user removes the used developing cartridge and mounts a new developing cartridge. ing.

However, in recent years, in such replacement of the developing cartridge, from the viewpoint of recycling, the used developing cartridge is not discarded as it is, but the used developing cartridge is refilled with toner and re-used. It is becoming popular to use.

[0008]

However, if the used developing cartridge is refilled with toner, leakage from the developing cartridge may occur during reuse. That is, the developing cartridge is provided with seal members at both axial ends of the developing roller for preventing the toner from leaking between the developing roller and the housing of the developing cartridge by rubbing against the surface of the developing roller. It is provided. However, when this seal member is used before, it is worn by sliding friction with the rotationally driven developing roller, and the sealing performance deteriorates. Therefore, when reused, toner enters between the seal member and the developing roller. It will be easier. Then, the toner that has entered between the seal member and the developing roller is melted by the sliding friction caused by the rotation driving of the developing roller, and when it cools and solidifies when the developing roller stops, the next time the developing roller is rotationally driven. , The developing roller and the seal member were scraped off,
Toner may leak from the space between the seal member and the developing roller to the outside of the developing cartridge.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of reusing a developing device, which can prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device. A developing device and an image forming apparatus used in the method are provided.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 uses a developing device provided with a developer carrying member carrying a developer, and after the developer is used, A method of refilling the developing device with a developer and reusing the developing device, wherein the developing device to be reused has a higher glass transition point than the glass transition point of the used developer. It is characterized by refilling.

According to this method, when the developer is refilled, the developer having a higher glass transition point than the developer used before the developing device is refilled. , Even if the refilled developer enters between the developer carrying member and the seal member in contact with the developer carrying member, the developer is melted even by rubbing against the developer carrying member. Since it is difficult, the developer can be prevented from being solidified after melting and scraping off the developer carrying member or the seal member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is used a developing device including a developer carrying member carrying a developer,
A method of reusing a developing device after the developer is used by recharging the developing device with the developer, wherein the developing device to be reused has an average particle size larger than the average particle size of the used developer. The feature is that the developer having a large particle size is refilled.

According to such a method, when refilling the developer, the developer having a larger average particle size than the developer in use before the developing device is refilled. It is difficult for the refilled developer to enter between the developer carrying member and the seal member in contact with the developer carrying member, and even if it enters, the developer does not rub against the developer carrying member. It is difficult for the developer to be melted even by the above, and therefore the developer can be prevented from being solidified after melting and scraping off the developer carrying member or the seal member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device equipped with a developer carrying member carrying a developer, in which an outer shell and an inner shell have different thermal characteristics from each other after the capsule toner is used. A method of refilling the developing device with a developer and reusing the developer, characterized in that the developing device to be reused is refilled with toner having uniform thermal characteristics.

According to such a method, before the developing device is used, after the capsule toner having different thermal properties from the outer shell and the inner shell is used, the toner having uniform thermal properties is refilled. , At the time of reuse, even between the developer carrying member and the seal member contacting the developer carrying member,
Even if the refilled developer enters, the developer is less likely to be melted than the capsule toner even when it is rubbed against the developer carrier, so that the developer is solidified after melting, and thus the developer carrier or the seal member. It is possible to prevent scraping. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

The invention according to claim 4 is the same as claim 1
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the developing device includes a seal member that is rubbed against the developer carrying member to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device. After that, the inside of the developing device is cleaned without replacing the seal member, and then the developer is refilled and reused.

According to such a method, the inside of the developing device is simply cleaned without replacing the seal member, and the developer is refilled and reused. Therefore, the cost and labor for replacing the seal member are reduced. Thus, an efficient refilling operation can be achieved. Moreover, in this method, even if the sealing property of the seal member is deteriorated due to the use before the developing device, even when the developing device is reused, the developer carrier and the seal which comes into contact with the developer carrier Even if the refilled developer enters between the member and the member, it is possible to prevent the developer carrier or the seal member from being scraped off. Therefore, it is possible to easily refill the developer and at the time of reuse. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device comprising a developer carrying member carrying a developer, wherein the developer is refilled and reused after the developer is used. The developer having a higher glass transition point than the glass transition point of the used developer is refilled.

According to such a construction, the developing device which is used and reused once is refilled with the developer having a higher glass transition point than that of the developer used before. At the time of reuse, even if the refilled developer enters between the developer carrying member and the seal member in contact with the developer carrying member, the developer does not rub against the developer carrying member. It is difficult for the developer to be melted even by the above, and therefore the developer can be prevented from being solidified after melting and scraping off the developer carrying member or the seal member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device comprising a developer carrying member carrying a developer, wherein the developer is refilled and reused after the developer is used. The developer is characterized by being refilled with a developer having an average particle size larger than the average particle size of the used developer.

According to this structure, the developing device that is used and reused is refilled with the developer having an average particle size larger than that of the developer used before. At the time of reuse, the refilled developer does not easily enter between the developer carrying member and the seal member which is in contact with the developer carrying member. It is difficult for the developer to be melted even by rubbing against it, so that it is possible to prevent the developer from solidifying after melting and scraping off the developer carrying member or the seal member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is provided with a developer carrying member carrying a developer, and after the capsule toner having different thermal characteristics between the outer shell and the inner shell is used as the developer,
A developing device in which the developer is refilled and reused,
The toner is characterized by being refilled with toner having uniform thermal characteristics.

According to this structure, before the developing device is used, after the capsule toner having different thermal characteristics is used for the outer shell and the inner shell, the toner having uniform thermal characteristics is refilled. Therefore, at the time of reuse of the developing device, even if the refilled developer enters between the developer carrier and the seal member in contact with the developer carrier,
Since the developer is less likely to melt than the capsule toner even when it is rubbed against the developer carrier, it is possible to prevent the developer from solidifying after melting and scraping the developer carrier or the seal member. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7.
In the invention described in above, the capsule toner is formed by polymerizing an inner shell and then polymerizing an outer shell that is less soluble than the inner shell in a coating state on the surface of the inner shell. I am trying.

According to this structure, in the encapsulated toner, the melting of the inner shell with respect to the outer shell becomes remarkable, so that when the developing device is reused, the toner having uniform thermal characteristics can be used as the developer carrier and its development. Even when it enters between the seal member that comes in contact with the developer carrier, the developer is more melted by sliding friction with the developer carrier than by the capsule toner filled before the use of the developing device. Since it is difficult, it is possible to more effectively prevent the developer carrier from solidifying after melting and scraping off the developer carrying member or the seal member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

The invention described in claim 9 is the same as claim 5
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the developing device is equipped with a seal member that is rubbed against the developer carrying member to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device. After that, the inside of the developing device is cleaned without replacing the seal member, and then the developer is refilled and reused.

According to this structure, the developing device to be reused is refilled with the developer only by cleaning the inside of the developing device without replacing the sealing member. Cost and effort for
Efficient refilling work has been achieved. Moreover, in this configuration, even if the sealing property of the seal member is deteriorated due to the previous use of the developing device, even when the developing device is reused, the developer carrier and the seal that comes into contact with the developer carrier are reused. Even if the refilled developer enters between the member and the member, it is possible to prevent the developer carrier or the seal member from being scraped off. Therefore, it is possible to easily refill the developer and at the time of reuse. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device.

The invention described in claim 10 is characterized in that, in the invention described in any one of claims 5 to 9, the developer carrying member is replaced with a new developer carrying member. .

According to this structure, when the developing device is reused, the new developer carrying member carries the refilled developer, so that an image can be formed by good development.

According to the invention described in claim 11, in the invention according to claim 10, the amount per unit area is larger than the amount per unit area of the developer carrier provided when the developing device is used. For a developer carrier with a small carrying amount,
It is characterized by being exchanged.

According to this structure, when the developing device is reused, the amount of the developer carried per unit area of the developer carrying member is smaller than when the developing device is used before the developing device. The refilled developer can be further prevented from entering between the seal member and the seal member that contacts the developer carrier. Therefore, it is possible to prevent leakage of the developer from the developing device even when the developing device is reused.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifth to eleventh aspects, one side wall is provided on both side walls of the casing at both axial end portions of the developer carrying member. In addition, a drive mechanism for driving the developer carrying member is provided, and a lid for supplying and discharging the developer is provided on the other side wall side.

According to this structure, by opening and closing the lid provided on the side wall opposite to the drive mechanism,
The developer can be refilled. Therefore, good refilling is ensured without the drive mechanism being contaminated with the developer, so that the reliable operation of the developing device when the developing device is reused can be achieved.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifth to twelfth aspects, for supplying the developer to the filling chamber filled with the developer and the developer carrier. Supply means, a transport means for transporting the developer from the filling chamber to the supply means, and a pressure contact with the surface of the developer carrier to form a thin layer of the developer on the surface of the developer carrier. And a layer thickness regulating member for controlling the thickness.

According to this structure, the developer filled in the filling chamber is conveyed to the supplying means by the conveying means and is supplied from the supplying means to the developer carrier. And
The developer supplied to the developer carrier is carried as a thin layer on the developer carrier while being triboelectrically charged by the layer thickness regulating member. Therefore, the developer can be surely carried on the developer carrying member.

Further, the fourteenth aspect of the invention is an image forming apparatus, which is characterized by including the developing device according to any one of the fifth to thirteenth aspects.

By reusing such a developing device, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device to be reused, so that the inside of the image forming apparatus can be prevented from being contaminated.

[0038]

1 is a side sectional view of an essential part showing an embodiment of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus to which a developing cartridge as a developing device of the present invention is mounted. In FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 is configured as a laser printer that forms an image by an electrophotographic method, and a feeder unit 4 for feeding a sheet 3 in a main body casing 2 and a fed sheet. 3 is provided with an image forming section 5 for forming a predetermined image.

The feeder unit 4 includes a paper feed tray 6 which is detachably mounted on the bottom of the main body casing 2, a paper feed mechanism unit 7 provided at one end of the paper feed tray 6, and a paper feed tray. A paper pressing plate 8 provided inside 6 and a downstream side of the paper feed mechanism unit 7 in the conveyance direction of the paper 3 (hereinafter, the upstream side or the downstream side of the paper 3 in the conveyance direction is simply referred to as the upstream side or the downstream side). The first transport roller 9 and the second transport roller 10, and the registration roller 11 provided downstream of the first transport roller 9 and the second transport roller 10 in the transport direction of the sheet 3. Is equipped with.

The paper feed tray 6 has a box shape with an open upper surface for accommodating the sheets 3 in a laminated form, and is attachable to and detachable from the bottom of the main body casing 2 in the horizontal direction.

The paper feed mechanism section 7 is provided with a paper feed roller 12 and a separation pad 13 facing the paper feed roller 12, and a spring 13a is arranged on the back side of the separation pad 13 and the spring 13a. Separating pad 13 by the urging force of
Is pressed against the paper feed roller 12.

The sheet pressing plate 8 is capable of stacking the sheets 3 in a stacked manner, and is swingably supported at the end portion far from the sheet feeding roller 12, so that the near end portion is vertically moved. It is movable in any direction, and is biased upward from the back side by a spring (not shown). Therefore, as the stacking amount of the sheets 3 increases, the sheet pressing plate 8 uses the end farthest from the sheet feeding mechanism section 7 as a fulcrum,
It swings downward against the biasing force of the spring. The uppermost sheet 3 on the sheet pressing plate 8 is pressed from the back side of the sheet pressing plate 8 toward the sheet feeding roller 12 by a spring (not shown), and the sheet feeding roller 12 is rotated by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 12. After being sandwiched by the separating pad 13, the sheets are separated and fed one by one by their cooperation. The fed paper 3 has a first transport roller 9 and a second transport roller 1
0 is sent to the registration roller 11.

The registration roller 11 is composed of a pair of rollers, and is configured to send the sheet 3 to an image forming position after a predetermined registration. The image forming position is
It is a transfer position where the toner image on the photosensitive drum 23 is transferred onto the sheet 3, that is, a contact position between the photosensitive drum 23 and the transfer roller 25 in this embodiment.

Further, the feeder section 4 of the laser printer 1 further feeds the multi-purpose tray 14 on which sheets 3 of arbitrary size are stacked and the sheets 3 stacked on the multi-purpose tray 14. The multi-purpose sheet feeding mechanism section 15 and the multi-purpose conveying roller 16 are provided.

The multi-purpose paper feed mechanism section 15 includes a multi-purpose paper feed roller 15a and a multi-purpose separation pad 15 opposed to the multi-purpose paper feed roller 15a.
b, a spring 15c is arranged on the back side of the multi-purpose separating pad 15b, and the multi-purpose separating pad 15b is pressed against the multi-purpose paper feeding roller 15a by the urging force of the spring 15c.

Then, the uppermost sheet 3 stacked on the multi-purpose tray 14 is rotated by the multi-purpose sheet feeding roller 15a so that the multi-purpose sheet feeding roller 15a is rotated.
After being sandwiched by the multi-purpose separating pad 15b and the multi-purpose separating pad 15b, the sheets are separated one by one by the cooperation thereof and are fed toward the registration roller 11.

The image forming section 5 includes a scanner section 17, a process section 18, a fixing section 19 and the like.

The scanner unit 17 is provided in the upper portion of the main body casing 2, and has a laser emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror 20 which is driven to rotate, and lenses 21a and 21.
b, a reflecting mirror 22 and the like, and emits a laser beam based on predetermined image data emitted from the laser emitting section,
As indicated by the chain line, the polygon mirror 20 and the lens 21
A, the reflecting mirror 22, and the lens 21b are passed or reflected in this order, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 of the process unit 18 described later is irradiated with the light at high speed scanning.

The process section 18 is disposed below the scanner section 17 and is detachably attached to the main body casing 2. This process unit 18
Inside the drum cartridge 38, the photosensitive drum 23, the developing cartridge 24 as a developing device, and the transfer roller 25.
And a scorotron charger 37.

The developing cartridge 24 is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 38. The developing cartridge 24 can be attached to the drum cartridge 38 both when the drum cartridge 38 is detached from the main body casing 2 of the laser printer 1 and when it is attached. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, in the housing 24a of the developing cartridge 24, a filling chamber 26a filled with toner as a developer and a developing chamber 2 are provided.
6b and the toner supply port 39 are formed in the partition wall between them.

An agitator 40 is rotatably provided in the filling chamber 26a, and a positively charging non-magnetic one-component toner is filled therein. The agitator 40 includes a rotating shaft 40a rotatably supported in the center of the filling chamber 26a.
And a stirring blade 40 provided around the rotating shaft 40a.
b, and a film member 40c attached to the free end of the stirring blade 40b. Then, the rotary shaft 40a is rotationally driven by the power from a gear mechanism 59 described later, and the film member 40 is rotated by the rotation of the stirring blade 40b.
c scrapes up the toner in the filling chamber 26a, and the developing chamber 26b
It is configured to be transported to. A rotary shaft 40a of the agitator 40 is provided with a cleaner 63 on the opposite side of the stirring blade 40b for cleaning a window 62 described later.

In the developing chamber 26b, there are provided a developing roller 27 as a developer carrying member, a layer thickness regulating blade 28 and a supplying roller 29 as a supplying means.

The supply roller 29 is arranged below the toner supply port 39 so as to be rotatable in the arrow direction (clockwise direction). The supply roller 29 has a metal roller shaft covered with a roller made of a conductive sponge material.

The developing roller 27 is arranged beside the supply roller 29 so as to be rotatable in the arrow direction (clockwise direction). The developing roller 27 has a metal roller shaft,
A roller made of a conductive elastic material is coated, and more specifically, the roller of the developing roller 27 is made of conductive urethane rubber or silicone rubber containing carbon fine particles or the like, and the surface of the roller contains fluorine. The urethane rubber or silicone rubber coating layer is coated. In addition, the developing roller 27 includes the photosensitive drum 23.
On the other hand, a predetermined developing bias is applied. The supply roller 29 and the developing roller 27 are in contact with each other in such a state that they are compressed to some extent.

Further, a layer thickness regulating blade 28 is arranged near the developing roller 27. The layer thickness regulating blade 28 is arranged above the developing roller 27 so as to face each other along the axial direction of the developing roller 27.

The layer thickness regulating blade 28 is provided on the leaf spring member 28a and the tip of the leaf spring member 28a.
A pressing portion 28b having a semicircular cross section and made of insulating silicone rubber as a contact portion that contacts the developing roller 27.
A backup member 28c provided on the back surface of the leaf spring member 28a, and a support member 28d for supporting the rear end of the leaf spring member 28a on the housing 24a of the developing cartridge 24. Then, in the layer thickness regulating blade 28, in the state where the leaf spring member 28a is supported by the housing 24a by the support member 28d, the pressing portion 28b is
It is pressed against the developing roller 27 by the elastic force of the leaf spring member 28a pressed by the backup member 28c.

As described above, the layer thickness regulating blade 28
By forming the pressing portion 28b of silicone rubber with silicone rubber, the toner can be carried on the developing roller 27 in a state in which it is favorably charged.

The developing cartridge 24 is shown in FIG.
As also shown in FIG.
7 is opened, and both side walls 56 of the housing 24a are provided with support holes 57 for mounting and supporting the roller shaft of the developing roller 27 from the open side of the housing 24a. The support hole 57 is formed in a recessed groove shape continuous from the open side end portions of the both side walls 56.

Inside the side walls 56, side seals 58, which are adjacent to the side walls 56 and serve as seal members for preventing toner leakage at both axial ends of the developing roller 27, are attached. ing. The side seal 58 has a felt member adhered on a sponge member, and the both axial ends of the developing roller 27 are slidably mounted on the side seal 58. Further, like the side seal 58, a lower side seal 64 for preventing toner leakage is attached to the inner side adjacent to the side seal 58.

Although FIG. 3 shows only one end of the developing roller 27 in the axial direction, the other end of the developing roller 27 has the same structure.

The developing cartridge 24 is shown in FIG.
As also shown in FIG. 5, in the side walls 56 of the housing 24a, which support both ends of the developing roller 27 in the axial direction, the developing roller 27 and the agitator 4 are provided on one side wall 56a side.
A gear mechanism portion 59 as a drive mechanism for driving 0 is provided, and a toner cap 60 as a lid for opening and closing the filling chamber 26a is provided on the other side wall 56b side.
Is provided.

The gear mechanism 59 includes a holder plate 61 supported by the side wall 56a, a developing roller drive gear 59a connected to the roller shaft of the developing roller 27, and a supply roller 2.
Supply roller drive gear 59b connected to the roller shaft 9
The first intermediate gear 59c that meshes with the developing roller drive gear 59a and the supply roller drive gear 59b, the second intermediate gear 59d that meshes with the first intermediate gear 59c, and the second intermediate gear 59d that meshes with the rotary shaft 40a of the agitator 40. An agitator drive gear 59e connected to is rotatably supported. When the developing cartridge 24 is attached to the laser printer 1 and the power from a motor (not shown) provided in the laser printer 1 is input to the first intermediate gear 59c, the developing roller that meshes with the first intermediate gear 59c. The developing roller 27 and the supply roller 29 are rotationally driven via the drive gear 59a and the supply roller drive gear 59b, respectively, and the second intermediate gear 59c meshes with the second intermediate gear 59c.
The agitator 40 is rotationally driven via the agitator drive gear 59e that meshes with the intermediate gear 59d and the second intermediate gear 59d.

Further, the toner cap 60 opens and closes an opening formed on the other side wall 56b to refill the toner, which will be described later, with the toner used during the previous use of the developing cartridge 24 in the filling chamber 26a. It is used to supply the toner to be refilled to the filling chamber 26a.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the filling chamber 26a
The toner inside is agitated by the rotation of the agitator 40 in the arrow direction (counterclockwise direction), and is conveyed from the toner supply port 39 to the developing chamber 26b. The side wall 56 of the filling chamber 26a is provided with a window 62 for transmitting light from an optical sensor (not shown), and the window 62 is used as the agitator 4.
It is cleaned by the cleaner 63 supported by 0.
The window 62 is used to detect the remaining amount of toner, and when the filling chamber 26a is filled with toner,
When the light from the optical sensor does not pass through and the amount of toner remaining in the filling chamber 26a becomes low, the laser printer 1 allows the light from the optical sensor to pass through, and the toner empty appears on the operation panel (not shown) provided in the body casing 2. indicate.

Next, from the toner supply port 39 to the developing chamber 26
The toner conveyed to b is supplied to the developing roller 27 by the rotation of the supply roller 29. At this time, the supply roller 2
9 and the developing roller 27 are positively triboelectrically charged, and next,
The toner supplied onto the developing roller 27 is the developing roller 2
With the rotation of 7, the pressing portion 28 of the layer thickness regulating blade 28
It enters between b and the developing roller 27, and is surely carried on the developing roller 27 as a thin layer having a constant thickness.

The photosensitive drum 23, as shown in FIG. 1, is located at a side position of the developing roller 27.
It is arranged rotatably in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) so as to face the. The photosensitive drum 23 is configured such that the drum body is grounded and the surface portion is formed of a positively chargeable photosensitive layer made of polycarbonate or the like.

The scorotron type charger 37 is arranged above the photosensitive drum 23 with a predetermined interval so as not to contact the photosensitive drum 23. The scorotron type charger 37 is a scorotron type charger for positive charging that generates corona discharge from a charging wire such as tungsten, and is configured to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 to a positive polarity. ing.

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 is first uniformly positively charged by the scorotron charger 37 as the photosensitive drum 23 rotates, and then the scanner unit 1
The laser beam from 7 is exposed by high-speed scanning to form an electrostatic latent image based on predetermined image data.

Next, when the developing roller 27 rotates, the toner carried on the developing roller 27 and positively charged is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 when it comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 23 in an opposed manner. A latent image, that is, a surface of the photosensitive drum 23 that is uniformly positively charged, is supplied to an exposed portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 that is exposed by a laser beam and has a reduced potential, and is selectively carried to be visualized. And thus reversal development is achieved.

The transfer roller 25 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 23 so as to face the photosensitive drum 23, and is rotatably supported by the drum cartridge 38. The transfer roller 25 has a metal roller shaft covered with a roller made of a conductive rubber material, and a predetermined transfer bias is applied to the photosensitive drum 23 at the time of transfer. . Therefore, the visible image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 is transferred to the sheet 3 while the sheet 3 passes between the photosensitive drum 23 and the transfer roller 25. The paper 3 on which the visible image is transferred is conveyed by the conveyor belt 30.
It is conveyed to the fixing unit 19 via.

The fixing section 19 is disposed on the downstream side of the process section 18, and is provided on the heating roller 31, the pressing roller 32 for pressing the heating roller 31, and the downstream side of the heating roller 31 and the pressing roller 32. Conveyor roller 3
Equipped with 3.

The heating roller 31 is made of metal and is provided with a halogen lamp for heating, and the paper 3 heats the toner transferred onto the paper 3 in the process section 18.
1 is fixed by heat while passing between 1 and the pressing roller 32,
After that, the sheet 3 is conveyed by the conveying roller 33 of the fixing unit 19 to the conveying roller 34 and the sheet discharging roller 35 provided in the main body casing 2. The paper 3 sent to the transport roller 34 is then discharged to the paper discharge roller 35.
Then, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 36.

Further, in this laser printer 1, the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred after being transferred onto the sheet 3 by the transfer roller 25.
The residual toner remaining on the surface of No. 3 is collected by the developing roller 27, that is, the so-called cleanerless developing method. If the residual toner is collected by such a cleanerless developing method, a special member such as a blade for removing the residual toner and a waste toner storage portion are not required, and the apparatus configuration can be simplified.

Further, the laser printer 1 has a paper 3
Re-conveying unit 41 for forming images on both sides of The re-conveying unit 41 includes a reversing mechanism section 42.
And the re-conveying tray 43 are integrally formed, and the re-conveying tray 43 is inserted above the feeder section 4 while the reversing mechanism section 42 is externally attached from the rear side of the main body casing 2. In this state, it is detachably attached.

The reversing mechanism section 42 is externally attached to the rear wall of the main body casing 2, a casing 44 having a substantially rectangular cross section is provided with a reversing roller 46 and a re-conveying roller 47, and a reversing guide plate 48 is provided from the upper end. It is projected upward.

On the downstream side of the conveying roller 33, the sheet 3 having an image formed on one surface and conveyed by the conveying roller 33 is reversed with respect to the direction toward the conveying roller 34 (indicated by a solid line). A flapper 45 for selectively switching to the direction toward the roller 46 (state of virtual line)
Is provided. The flapper 45 is rotatably supported at the rear portion of the main body casing 2, is arranged in the vicinity of the downstream side of the transport roller 33, and an image is formed on one surface of the flapper 45 by the excitation or non-excitation of a solenoid (not shown). The sheet 3 conveyed by the rollers 33 is shaken so that the sheet 3 can be selectively switched between a direction toward the conveying roller 34 (state of a solid line) and a direction toward a reversing roller 46 (state of a virtual line) described later. It is movably installed.

The reversing roller 46 is arranged on the downstream side of the flapper 45 and above the casing 44, and is composed of a pair of rollers, and is configured so that the rotation can be switched between the forward and reverse directions. The reversing roller 46 is
First, the sheet 3 is rotated in the forward direction so that the sheet 3 is reversed to the guide plate 4.
8 and then rotate in the opposite direction to feed paper 3
Can be conveyed in the reverse direction.

The re-conveying roller 47 is on the downstream side of the reversing roller 46, and is the reversing roller 46 in the casing 44.
The sheet 3 which is arranged almost immediately below the sheet and which is composed of a pair of rollers and which is reversed by the reversing roller 46
It is configured so that it can be transported to the No. 3 station.

The reversing guide plate 48 is a plate-like member extending further upward from the upper end portion of the casing 44, and the paper 3 fed by the reversing roller 46.
Is configured to guide.

When images are to be formed on both sides of the paper 3, the flapper 45 is first switched in the reversing mechanism section 42 so that the paper 3 is directed to the reversing roller 46, and the reversing mechanism section 42 is turned on. Then, the sheet 3 having the image formed on one surface is received. After that, when the accepted sheet 3 is sent to the reversing roller 46,
The reversing roller 46 rotates normally with the paper 3 being sandwiched,
The sheet 3 is once conveyed upward and outward along the reversing guide plate 48, most of the sheet 3 is sent upward and upward, and when the rear end of the sheet 3 is nipped by the reversing roller 46,
Stop forward rotation. Next, the reversing roller 46 rotates in the reverse direction, and conveys the sheet 3 to the re-conveying roller 47 in a state in which the sheet 3 is reversed in the front-rear direction so as to face substantially right below. The timing for rotating the reverse roller 46 from the forward rotation to the reverse rotation is
A paper passage sensor 56 provided on the downstream side of the fixing unit 19.
However, it is controlled so that a predetermined time elapses after the trailing edge of the sheet 3 is detected. In addition, the flapper 45
When the conveyance of the sheet 3 to the reversing roller 46 is finished, the original state, that is, the sheet 3 sent from the conveying roller 33 is
Is switched to a state where it is sent to the transport roller 34.

Next, the sheet 3 conveyed in the opposite direction to the re-conveyance roller 47 is moved by the re-conveyance roller 47.
It is transported to the re-transport tray 43 described below.

The re-conveyance tray 43 includes a paper supply section 49 to which the paper 3 is supplied, a tray main body 50 and a skew roller 51.
Is equipped with.

The paper supply unit 49 is externally attached to the rear portion of the main body casing 2 below the reversing mechanism unit 42 and includes a curved paper guide member 52. This paper supply unit 4
In FIG. 9, the sheet 3 fed in the substantially vertical direction from the re-conveyance roller 47 of the reversing mechanism unit 42 is guided in the substantially horizontal direction by the sheet guide member 52 and is moved in the substantially horizontal direction toward the tray main body 50. I try to send it out.

The tray main body 50 has a substantially rectangular plate shape and is provided in a substantially horizontal direction above the paper feed tray 6. The upstream end of the tray main body 50 is connected to the paper guide member 52, and The downstream end is the second from the tray main body 50.
In order to guide the sheet 3 to the conveyance roller 10, its downstream side end is connected to the upstream side end of the re-conveyance path 53 which is connected in the middle of the paper feed conveyance path 65.

Further, in the middle of the tray body 50 in the conveying direction of the sheet 3, a skew roller 51 for conveying the sheet 3 while abutting against a reference plate (not shown) is provided with a predetermined interval in the sheet 3 conveying direction. Are separated by two.

The skew rollers 51 are arranged in the vicinity of a reference plate (not shown) provided at one end of the tray main body 50 in the width direction, and the skew lines are arranged in a direction whose axis is substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet 3. The drive roller 54 and the skew drive roller 54 face each other with the sheet 3 interposed therebetween, and the axis of the drive roller 54 is inclined from the direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet 3 toward the reference plane. And a slanted driven roller 55 arranged in the direction.

Then, the tray main body 5 is fed from the paper feeding section 49.
The sheet 3 sent to 0 is fed by the skew roller 51.
While one widthwise end edge of the sheet 3 is in contact with the reference plate,
Through the re-conveyance path 53, the sheet is conveyed toward the image forming position again with the front and back reversed. Then, the back surface of the sheet 3 conveyed to the image forming position is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 23 so that the visible image is transferred, and then the fixing unit 1
In the state where it is fixed in 9 and images are formed on both sides,
The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 36.

In the developing cartridge 24 mounted on the laser printer 1 as described above, the used developing cartridge 24 is not discarded as it is after the toner in the filling chamber 26a is used for image formation. Refill the developing cartridge 24 with toner,
I am trying to reuse it. Reuse means once
That is, after being used for development, it is used again for development.

Next, a method of reusing such a developing cartridge 24 will be described in detail.

First, when the developing cartridge 24 is used before, the developing cartridge 24 is not particularly limited.
The polymerized toner is filled in the filling chamber 26a.

As the polymerized toner, for example, a suspension polymerized toner or an emulsion polymerized toner is used. Examples of the suspension-polymerized toner include styrene-based monomers such as styrene and polymerizable monomers such as acrylic acid, alkyl (C1 to C4) acrylate, and alkyl (C1 to C4) methacrylate. Polymer, a polymerization initiator, a colorant such as carbon black, if necessary, a crosslinking agent,
It is obtained by dissolving or dispersing in a polymerization medium together with a charge control agent and other additives, and then subjecting this to suspension polymerization while stirring and dispersing it in an aqueous phase, in a substantially spherical shape, Used as a toner having good fluidity.

In such a suspension-polymerized toner, in order to improve the fluidity, external additives such as silica, titanium oxide, and aluminum oxide are applied to the toner mother particles so that the coverage is 60 to 1.
It is added at 20%. Further, the average particle diameter of the suspension-polymerized toner is about 6 to 10 μm, and its flow characteristics are
About 90 or more is used.

The flow characteristic is a tester PTR type manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd., and it has three stages of sieves with different openings (first stage: opening 150 μm, second stage: opening 75 μm).
m, third step: opening 45 μm). More specifically, the value is the toner 4 in the tester.
After adding g and applying constant vibration for a fixed time (15 seconds),
The weight of the toner remaining on the screen of each stage can be measured and calculated by the following formula.

X1 = 1st-stage sieve toner weight / 4 g × 100 X2 = second-stage sieve toner weight / 4 g × 100 × 3/5 X3 = third-stage sieve toner weight / 4 g × 100 × 1/5 Flowability = 100− (X1 + X2 + X3) Further, as the emulsion polymerization toner, for example, the above-mentioned polymerizable monomer, polymerization initiator, colorant, and, if necessary, a crosslinking agent, a charge control agent, and other additives. , Dissolved or dispersed in a polymerization medium, and then obtained by emulsion polymerization while stirring and emulsifying this in an aqueous phase in which a surfactant is blended, to obtain a substantially spherical shape to an indefinite shape. It is used as a toner of any shape.

Further, in the emulsion-polymerized toner as described above, the above-mentioned external additive is added to the toner mother particles at a coverage of 60 to 120% in order to improve the fluidity, as described above. . The average particle size of the emulsion-polymerized toner is about 6 to
It is about 10 μm and has a flow characteristic of 70 to 85.

Depending on the use, the developing cartridge 26
The filling chamber 26a may be filled with pulverized toner that has not been spheronized or pulverized toner that has been spheroidized.

The pulverized toner is obtained by dispersing and kneading a colorant such as carbon black in a binder resin made of a natural resin or a synthetic resin, pulverizing and classifying the pulverized toner, and spheroidizing the pulverized toner. Is a toner obtained by spheroidizing the above-mentioned pulverized toner by a mechanofusion AMS type manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd., which has an indefinite shape, but has better fluidity than the pulverized toner which has not been spheronized. Used as toner. The pulverized toner thus spheroidized has an average particle size of about 6 to 10 μm and a flow characteristic of 60.
~ 70 is used. The pulverized toner obtained by pulverizing and classifying the pulverized toner by heat treatment has an average particle size of about 6 to 10 μm.
The flow characteristic is 60 to 80.

When the toner is displayed and the toner empty is displayed, the user replaces the developing cartridge 24.

In this replacement, according to this method, the used developing cartridge 24 detached from the laser printer 1 is once collected and used in the used developing cartridge 24 before the developing cartridge 24 is used. The toner having a higher glass transition point or the toner having a larger average particle diameter than the above toner is refilled.

For the toner having a higher glass transition point than the toner used before the developing cartridge 24 is used, for example, the glass transition point of the toner used before the developing cartridge 24 is used is 63 ° C. In some cases, the glass transition point of the toner is 65 ° C. or higher to refill the toner.

A toner having an average particle size larger than that of the toner used before the developing cartridge 24 is used, for example, the average particle size of the toner used before the developing cartridge 24 is 8 to 8. When it is 11 μm, preferably 9 to 10 μm, the average particle size is 11
˜14 μm, preferably 11 to 12 μm is used.

The toner to be refilled is not particularly limited as long as it has a higher glass transition point or a larger average particle size than the toner used when the developing cartridge 24 was used before. The above-described polymerized toner such as suspension polymerized toner and emulsion polymerized toner, pulverized toner that has been spheroidized, and pulverized toner can be refilled.

To refill such toner, first, the toner cap 60 of the collected developing cartridge 24 is removed, and the remaining amount of the toner used during the previous use of the developing cartridge 24 is filled in the filling chamber 26a. By pulling out the toner cap 60 from the removed opening, the inside of the developing cartridge 24 is easily cleaned. In the cleaning by the removal, the remaining amount of the toner used during the previous use of the developing cartridge 24 is removed until the remaining amount is, for example, 0.7 g / cm or less per the axial length of the developing roller 27 of the developing cartridge 24. To do so. By extracting the toner used during the previous use up to this amount, even if the toner used during the previous use remains, even if the toner is refilled, the image of the image is formed during the reuse. It is possible to prevent fogging.

After that, the above-mentioned toner is refilled from the opening from which the toner cap 60 has been removed, and then the toner cap 60 is attached to the opening to close the opening and the refilling work is completed. .

When the toner is refilled in this manner, the inside of the developing cartridge 24 is simply cleaned without replacing the side seal 58, so that the cost and labor for replacing the side seal 58 are reduced. And an efficient refilling operation can be achieved.

Moreover, in this developing cartridge 24,
Since the toner cap 60 provided on the side wall 56a on the side where the gear mechanism 59 is provided in the housing 24a and the side wall 56b on the opposite side are opened and closed, even if the developer cartridge 24 is shaken or sucked. Even when the toner used during the previous use of the developing cartridge 24 is taken out, good refilling can be ensured without contaminating the gear mechanism portion 59 with the toner.
It is possible to achieve reliable operation of the developing roller 27, the supply roller 29, and the agitator 40 when the sheet is reused.

When refilling the toner as described above,
The developing roller 27, which can be easily replaced, may be replaced with a new developing roller 27. To replace the developing roller 27, the roller shaft of the previously used developing roller 27 is removed from each support hole 57, and then the roller shaft of the new developing roller 27 is again supported by each support hole 57, and the developing roller 27 is replaced. The roller may be placed on the side seal 58.

If the developing roller 27 is replaced with a new one in this way, when the developing cartridge 24 is reused,
By carrying the refilled toner on the new developing roller 27, it is possible to achieve image formation with excellent image quality by favorable development.

Further, in such replacement of the developing roller 27, the amount of developer per unit area (M / A) of the developing agent per unit area of the developing roller 27 used at the time of previous use is more than the amount of the developer per unit area. It is preferable to replace the developing roller 27 with a smaller carrying amount (M / A). If the developing roller 27 is replaced, the carrying amount (M / A) of the toner carried on the developing roller 27 per unit area becomes smaller when the developing cartridge 24 is reused than when it was used before. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking to the outside of the developing cartridge 24 from between the side seal 58 and the developing roller 27 when the developing cartridge 24 is reused.

More specifically, the amount of the developer carried per unit area of the developing roller 27 used during the previous use (M /
In order to reduce the carried amount (M / A) of the developer per unit area of the developing roller 27 at the time of reuse, the surface roughness of the developing roller 27 used at the time of previous use may be smaller than that of A). , The developing roller 27 having a smaller surface roughness, or the developing roller 27 used in the previous use.
The developing roller 27 having a hardness higher than that of No.

When the developing roller 27 whose surface roughness is smaller than the surface roughness of the developing roller 27 used in the previous use is replaced, for example, the surface roughness of the developing roller 27 used in the previous use is changed. (10-point average roughness Rz) is 5 to
In the case of 7 μm, for example, the developing roller 27 having a surface roughness (10-point average roughness Rz) of 2 to 3 μm is used.

When replacing the developing roller 27 having a hardness higher than that of the developing roller 27 used in the previous use, for example, the hardness of the developing roller 27 used in the previous use (JIS A ) Is 30 to 50 degrees, the hardness (JIS A) is replaced with a developing roller 27 having a hardness of 50 degrees or more.

Further, the developing roller 27 may have a larger outer diameter than the outer diameter of the developing roller 27 used in the previous use. If the developing roller 27 is replaced, the developing roller 27 and the side seal 5 can be reused.
8 and the pressing force of the layer thickness regulating blade 28 with the pressing portion 28b are increased. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking to the side seal 58, and the developing roller 2 is pressed by the pressing portion 28b of the layer thickness regulating blade 28.
Amount of toner carried per unit area in 7 (M / A)
Can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to favorably prevent the toner from leaking to the outside of the developing cartridge 24 during reuse. More specifically, for example,
The outer diameter of the developing roller 27 used in the previous use is 20
In the case of mm, for example, the outer diameter is 20.2 to 2
Replace with a developing roller 27 of 0.4 mm.

Then, the developing cartridge 24 thus refilled with the toner is mounted again on the laser printer 1 and reused.

When the developing cartridge 24 is reused, the side seal 58 is worn by sliding friction with the rotationally driven developing roller 27 during use before the developing cartridge 24, and the sealing performance is deteriorated. It becomes easy for toner to enter between the side seal 58 whose sealability has deteriorated and the developing roller 27. Then,
For example, the toner that has entered between the side seal 58 and the developing roller 27 is melted by the sliding friction caused by the rotation of the developing roller 27, and when the toner cools and solidifies when the developing roller 27 is stopped, the developing roller 27 is then removed. When driven to rotate, the developing roller 27 or the side seal 58 may be scraped off, and toner may leak from between the side seal 58 and the developing roller 27 to the outside of the developing cartridge 24.

According to this method, however, when the developing cartridge 24 is reused, the toner has a glass transition point higher than that of the toner used before the developing cartridge 24, or the toner has a larger average particle size. Is refilled, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking from the developing cartridge 24 when the developing cartridge 24 is reused, even if it is not replaced with a new side seal 58 at the time of refilling. Imaging can be achieved.

More specifically, for example, when the toner having a glass transition point higher than that of the toner used before the developing cartridge 24 is refilled, even when the developing cartridge 24 is reused, Even if the refilled toner enters between the side seal 58 and the developing roller 27, the toner is difficult to melt even by sliding friction with the developing roller 27. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the side seal 58 from being scraped. Therefore, the developing cartridge 24 can be favorably reused while preventing toner leakage.

Further, for example, when the toner having a larger average particle diameter than the toner used in the previous use of the developing cartridge 24 is refilled, the side seal 58 and the developing roller are reused in the reuse of the developing cartridge 24. 27
It is difficult for the refilled toner to enter between the developing roller 2 and the toner.
It is difficult for the toner to melt even by rubbing against the toner 7, so that it is possible to prevent the toner from solidifying after melting and scraping off the developing roller 27 or the side seal 58. Therefore, the developing cartridge 24 can be favorably reused while preventing toner leakage.

Then, in the laser printer 1 in which the developing cartridge 24 to be reused in this way is mounted,
To prevent toner from leaking from the developing cartridge 24,
Since good image formation can be achieved, while reducing the cost for replacing the developing cartridge 24,
Good image formation can be achieved.

Further, in the above method, after the capsule cartridge having different thermal characteristics from the outer shell and the inner shell is used before the developing cartridge 24 is used, the toner having uniform thermal characteristics is refilled with the toner. May be filled.

The capsule toner has at least a double-shell structure of an inner shell and an outer shell, and by raising the melting point of the outer shell while lowering the melting point of the inner shell, a polymerization which exhibits excellent low-temperature fixability is obtained. A toner, for example, a type obtained by polymerizing an inner shell and then successively polymerizing an outer shell that is less soluble than the inner shell on the surface of the inner shell in a coating state, or an inner shell and an outer shell. A type obtained by polymerizing and in a batch is used.

In this method, after such capsule toner is used, the toner having uniform thermal characteristics is refilled.

The toner having uniform thermal characteristics is not particularly limited as long as it is a toner other than the above-mentioned capsule toner and has uniform thermal characteristics, and examples thereof include the suspension polymerization toner and emulsion polymerization toner described above. Polymerized toner such as, spheronized pulverized toner, pulverized toner, and the like are used.

Then, in this way, the developing cartridge 2
4 is used, after the encapsulated toner having different thermal properties is used for the outer shell and the inner shell, if toner having uniform thermal properties is refilled, even when the developing cartridge 24 is reused, Side seal 58 and developing roller 27
Even if the refilled toner enters between the developing roller 27 and the side of the developing roller 27, the toner is less likely to be melted than the capsule toner even when it is rubbed against the developing roller 27. It is possible to prevent the seal 58 from being scraped. Therefore, the developing cartridge 24 can be favorably reused while preventing toner leakage.

In this method, the capsule toner is of a type obtained by polymerizing the inner shell and then successively polymerizing the outer shell, which is less soluble than the inner shell, on the surface of the inner shell in a coating state. Is preferably used.

In the case of such a type of capsule toner, the melting of the inner shell with respect to the outer shell becomes remarkable, and therefore, when the developing cartridge 24 is reused, the toner having uniform thermal characteristics is formed on the side seal 58 and the developing roller 27. Even if it gets in the gap, the toner is more rubbed against the developing roller 27 than the capsule toner used in the previous use.
Since the toner becomes more difficult to melt, it is possible to more effectively prevent the toner from solidifying after melting and scraping off the developing roller 27 or the side seal 58. Therefore, the developing cartridge 24 can be favorably reused while preventing toner leakage.

[0127]

As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, the developer is reused by refilling it with a developer having a glass transition point higher than that of the developer before use in the developing device. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the developer is refilled, the developer having a larger average particle size than the developer in use before the developing device is refilled so that the developer can be reused. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the capsule toner having different thermal properties is used for the outer shell and the inner shell before the developing device is used, the toner having the uniform thermal properties is regenerated. By filling, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, cost and labor for replacing the seal member can be reduced, and efficient refilling work can be achieved. Moreover, with this method, it is possible to prevent the developer carrier or the seal member from being scraped off even if the refilled developer enters when the developing device is reused, so that the developer can be easily refilled. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

According to the invention described in claim 5, since the developer having a higher glass transition point than the developer in use before the developing device is refilled, the development from the developing device in reuse is performed. It is possible to prevent the agent from leaking.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when refilling the developer, the developer having an average particle size larger than that of the developer in use before the developing device is refilled. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device.

According to the invention described in claim 7, in the use before the developing device, after the capsule toner having different thermal characteristics in the outer shell and the inner shell is used, the toner having uniform thermal characteristics is regenerated. By being filled, the developer can be prevented from leaking from the developing device during reuse.

According to the invention described in claim 8, the capsule toner is formed by polymerizing the inner shell and then polymerizing the outer shell, which is less soluble than the inner shell, on the surface of the inner shell in a coating state. After the toner is used, the toner having the uniform thermal characteristics is refilled, so that the leakage of the developer from the developing device during the reuse can be prevented.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, cost and labor for replacing the seal member can be reduced, and efficient refilling work can be achieved. Moreover, even when the refilled developer enters when the developing device is reused, it is possible to prevent the developer carrier or the seal member from being scraped, so that the developer can be easily refilled and refilled. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device during use.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, it is possible to achieve image formation by favorable development.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent leakage of the developer from the developing device during reuse even better.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the drive mechanism is ensured to be refilled well without being contaminated with the developer, the reliable operation of the developing device during reuse can be achieved. .

According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the developer can be surely carried on the developer carrying member.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent stains in the image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an essential part showing an embodiment of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an essential part showing a developing cartridge of the laser printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an essential part showing the vicinity of a side seal at an axial end portion of the developing roller in the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 2 (however, the developing roller is not attached).

FIG. 4 is a plan view, (b) is a right side view, and (c) is a left side view showing the developing cartridge shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 laser printer 24 developer cartridge 24a housing 26a Filling chamber 27 developing roller 28 Layer Thickness Control Blade 29 Supply roller 40 agitator 56 Side wall 58 Side seal 59 Gear mechanism 60 toner cap

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03G 15/08 505 G03G 9/08 9/08 311 311 15/00 550 9/087 15/08 507Z 15 / 00 550 507E 9/08 384 (72) Inventor Mitsuru Horino 15-1 Naeiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi Brother Industrial Co., Ltd. In-house F-term (reference) 2H005 AA11 AA12 AA13 AB07 EA03 EA05 EA10 2H077 AA12 AA14 AA20 AB02 AB13 AB15 AC03 AC04 AD02 AD06 AD13 AD17 BA08 CA12 GA01 2H171 FA04 GA19 JA06 JA14 JA34 LA01 QB35 QB38 WA07 WA12 WA17

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A method of using a developing device comprising a developer carrying member carrying a developer, and reusing the developing device after replenishing the developing device with the developing device. Then, the developing device to be reused is refilled with a developer having a glass transition point higher than the glass transition point of the used developer. 2. A method of using a developing device comprising a developer carrying member carrying a developer, and reusing the developing device after replenishing the developing device with the developing device. A method of reusing a developing device, characterized in that the developing device to be reused is refilled with a developer having an average particle size larger than the average particle size of the used developer. 3. A developing device provided with a developer carrying member carrying a developer is used, and after a capsule toner having different thermal characteristics between the outer shell and the inner shell is used as the developer, development is performed on the developing device. A method for reusing a developing device by refilling a developing agent, wherein the developing device to be reused is refilled with toner having uniform thermal characteristics. 4. The developing device includes a seal member that is rubbed against the developer carrying member to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device, and the seal member is provided after the use of the developing device. 4. The inside of the developing device is cleaned without replacement, and then the developer is refilled and reused.
The method for reusing the developing device according to any one of 1. 5. A developer carrying member carrying a developer is provided,
A developing device in which a developer is refilled and reused after the developer is used, and the developer having a glass transition point higher than the glass transition point of the used developer is refilled. A developing device characterized by the above. 6. A developer carrying member carrying a developer,
A developing device in which a developer is refilled and reused after the developer is used, and the developer having a larger average particle size than the average particle size of the used developer is refilled. A developing device characterized by the above. 7. A developer carrying member carrying a developer,
A developing device in which an encapsulated toner having different thermal properties is used as a developer, and then the developer is refilled and reused, and a toner having uniform thermal properties is refilled. A developing device characterized in that 8. The capsule toner is formed by polymerizing an inner shell and then polymerizing an outer shell, which is less soluble than the inner shell, on the surface of the inner shell in a coating state. The developing device according to claim 7. 9. The developing device includes a seal member that is rubbed against the developer carrying member to prevent leakage of the developer from the developing device, and the seal member is provided after the use of the developing device. 9. The developing device according to claim 5, wherein the inside of the developing device is cleaned without being replaced, and then the developer is refilled and reused. 10. The developer carrying member is replaced with a new developer carrying member.
The developing device according to any one of 1. 11. The developer carrying member is replaced with a developer carrying member having a smaller carrying amount per unit area than the carrying amount per unit area of the developer carrying member provided at the time of use. Item 10. The developing device according to item 10. 12. A drive mechanism for driving the developer carrying member is provided on one side wall of both side walls of the housing at both axial ends of the developer carrying member, and the other side wall side thereof is provided. The developing device according to any one of claims 5 to 11, further comprising a lid for supplying and discharging the developer. 13. A filling chamber filled with the developer, a supply unit for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member, and a conveying unit for conveying the developer from the filling chamber to the supplying unit. 13. A layer thickness regulating member which is pressed against the surface of the developer carrier and forms a thin layer of the developer on the surface of the developer carrier. The developing device according to any one of 1. 14. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to any one of claims 5 to 13.