JP2005092051A - Toner leakage prevention seal member for toner cartridge and its sticking method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the mixing of adhesive from a toner leakage prevention seal member into a developing device, the seal member stuck to a toner cartridge when the toner cartridge as a product is transported. <P>SOLUTION: In a method for sticking the seal member 50 to a toner collection port 56, the seal members 50 are stuck to two faces of a main sticking face of the toner cartridge 28 and a side (seal member-side sticking face) of the main sticking face in a tear-off direction of the seal member 50. A material of the seal member 50 may be the same as a conventional seal member. A size in a length direction of the seal member 50 may be the same as the conventional seal member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge and a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge, and in particular, in an image forming unit such as a printer apparatus, a copying apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, etc. The present invention relates to a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge and a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge, which are improved so as not to cause toner leakage from a toner supply device for replenishment.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a facsimile machine, an original is irradiated with light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive member by reflected light from the original. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is printed on the recording paper as a visible image, or an electric signal representing an image from the outside is printed on the recording paper as a visible image.

  To prevent toner leakage from the toner replenishing port and the toner collecting port, the toner cartridge prevents toner leakage from the toner replenishing port and the toner collecting port until it reaches the user's hand after shipment from the factory. A seal member (hereinafter abbreviated as “seal member”) is attached. This seal member is removed by the user before using the toner cartridge (for example, refer to the prior art in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). Note that Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a seal member between a developing frame and a toner frame that is a component of a process cartridge.

  FIG. 9 shows a combined structure of a toner leakage prevention seal member and a toner cartridge of a toner cartridge employed in a conventional image forming apparatus.

  9A shows the configuration of the toner replenishing port sealing member, FIG. 9B shows the configuration of the toner recovery port sealing member, and FIG. 9C shows the state after the sealing material is peeled off from the toner cartridge. Indicates.

  In the figure, a seal member 50 of a toner cartridge used in a conventional image forming apparatus includes a flexible material 50a such as a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film and a two-layer adhesive 50d. Moreover, the adhesive 50d includes a strong adhesive layer 50b attached to the flexible material 50a side and a weak adhesive layer 50c attached to the lower layer of the strong adhesive layer 50b.

  The seal member 50 is affixed with a two-layer adhesive 50d so that the weak adhesive layer 50c is in contact with the toner supply tank 27 or the canopy 59 side of the toner cartridge. In this structure, when the seal member 50 is peeled off (immediately before use), the adhesive 50d is formed on the flexible material 50a side due to the difference in adhesive force between the strong adhesive layer 50b and the weak adhesive layer 50c of the adhesive 50d. As a result, the toner cartridge 28 can be used.

  However, conventionally, since the adhesive is an elastic material, the adhesive 50d may protrude from the end face of the adhesive portion when the seal member 50 is attached to the toner supply tank 27.

  In addition, as described above, the seal member 50 is attached to the conventional toner cartridge before use, and the attachment method is the toner replenishment tank 27 or the canopy 59 which is the end surface of the adhesive 50d and the main attachment surface. It is pasted so as to overlap the edge. For this reason, when the seal member 50 is peeled off from the toner cartridge, the adhesive 50d protrudes from the end surface of the seal member 50, and a load concentrates on the edge portion of the adhesive portion. May remain on the main sticking surface of the cartridge. FIG. 9C shows a state where the adhesive remains in the rear edge portion, the central edge portion, and the front edge portion in the conventional seal member.

  If the structure of the adhesive portion between the toner cartridge and the seal member 50 is as shown in FIG. 9, as described above, the image quality of the image is deteriorated due to the mixing of the adhesive 50d to the developing device, and When there is a shutter member for toner collection or the like as a component of the image forming apparatus, a malfunction of the shutter member occurs due to the adhesion of the shutter member and the toner cartridge 28. Further, there may be problems such as a defect due to the toner cartridge 28 entering the image forming apparatus, an increase in the amount of toner scattered from the toner collection port, and a toner leakage when the used toner cartridge 28 is returned. .

  FIG. 10 is a perspective plan view showing a configuration of a seal member of a toner cartridge employed in a conventional image forming apparatus.

In the figure, a seal member 50 of a toner cartridge employed by a conventional image forming apparatus includes a flexible material 50a and an adhesive 50d attached to the lower layer of the flexible material 50a. The shape of the adhesive hole (opening where only the adhesive does not exist) is rectangular. In other words, the adhesive material of the seal member 50 is not present at the position where it is in contact with the toner supply port or the toner recovery port, and the flexible material 50a is configured to have a hole shape. This is to prevent the toner cartridge periphery from being contaminated with toner after being peeled off due to the toner adhering to the adhesive of the seal member 50.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-20666 JP 2000-19841 A

  By the way, in the conventional image forming apparatus, as described above, the toner cartridge from the toner supply port and the toner recovery port is prevented from leaking when the toner cartridge before use attached to the toner supply unit is transported. For this purpose, seal members are attached to the toner supply port and the toner recovery port. Further, the seal member is removed by the user after the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, but the sticking out of the adhesive is particularly noticeable on the end face of the seal member adhesive. For this reason, as described above, the pressure-sensitive adhesive remaining in the toner cartridge may be mixed into the developing device, and there is a possibility that an image defect may occur.

  More specifically, when there is a shutter member for toner collection or the like as a component of the image forming apparatus, malfunction of the shutter member due to adhesion between the shutter member and the toner cartridge, or malfunction of the shutter (shutter does not close) may occur. When the toner cartridge is returned after use, problems such as causing toner leakage and contaminating the formed image occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and it is possible to prevent the residual adhesive from being mixed into the toner cartridge caused by peeling off the toner leakage prevention seal member when the toner cartridge is transported. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner leakage prevention seal member for a toner cartridge capable of preventing the residual adhesive from being mixed into the toner cartridge caused by peeling of the toner leakage prevention seal member during transportation of the toner cartridge. There is.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to the present invention is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, and a toner cartridge that supplies toner to a developing tank as necessary. In the method for affixing the toner leakage prevention seal member, the toner leakage prevention seal member is affixed to the main affixing surface of the toner cartridge, and also on the side surface of the main affixing surface located in the peeling direction of the toner leakage prevention seal member. A step of continuously sticking the toner leakage preventing seal member is provided.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of residual adhesive on the toner cartridge main application surface due to the adhesive sticking out to the rear end edge part (sealing member peeling direction side) of the adhesive. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of image defects due to the adhesive mixture in the developing device. In addition, when there is a shutter member, it prevents a malfunction of the shutter member due to adhesion of the shutter member and the toner cartridge, and a toner leakage when the toner cartridge is returned after use due to a malfunction of the shutter operation (shutter does not close). be able to.

  By comprising in this way, the protrusion of the adhesive in the edge part of the adhesive front-end | tip (opposite side to the sealing member peeling direction) is lose | eliminated, and the above-mentioned effect can be exhibited more reliably.

  In addition, the method for attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present invention can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing tank as necessary. In the affixing method, the toner leakage prevention seal member is affixed to the main affixing surface of the toner cartridge, and the toner leakage prevention seal member is also disposed on the side of the main affixing surface located in the peeling direction of the toner leakage prevention seal member. And a step of continuously sticking, and a step of bending the adhesive of the seal member for preventing leakage of toner in the peeling direction of the sealing member to extend in the peeling direction of the sealing member.

  By comprising in this way, an adhesive sticking out in the edge part of the above-mentioned adhesive tip will also disappear, and the above-mentioned effect can be exhibited more certainly.

  In addition, the method for attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge uses the toner leakage prevention seal member in which a pointed shape is added to the outer shape of the adhesive portion of the seal member peeling start portion. Is possible.

  With this configuration, there is no sudden change in the peeling force to the seal member, no residual adhesive that adheres to the toner cartridge due to the adhesive sticking, and the adhesive sticking out at the edge of the adhesive tip Since the remaining adhesive of the toner cartridge can be suppressed as much as possible, the above-described effects can be more reliably exhibited.

  Also, the toner leakage prevention seal member affixing method of the toner cartridge can use the toner leakage prevention seal member having a curvature added to the outer shape of the adhesive portion of the seal member peeling start portion. It is.

  With this configuration, there is no sudden change in the peeling force on the seal member, and there is no residual adhesive adhering to the toner cartridge due to the adhesive sticking, and the adhesive at the edge of the adhesive protrudes. As a result, it is possible to suppress the residual adhesive of the toner cartridge as much as possible.

  Further, as a method for attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge, it is possible to use a toner leakage prevention seal member in which a curvature is added to the edge portion of the adhesive hole.

  With this configuration, there is no sudden change in the peeling force on the seal member, and there is no residual adhesive adhering to the toner cartridge due to the adhesive sticking, and the adhesive at the edge of the adhesive protrudes. As a result, it is possible to suppress the residual adhesive of the toner cartridge as much as possible.

  Further, as a method for attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge, it is possible to use a toner leakage prevention seal member in which the shape of the adhesive hole is a boat shape.

  With this configuration, there is no sudden change in the peeling force on the seal member, and there is no residual adhesive adhering to the toner cartridge due to the adhesive sticking, and the adhesive at the edge of the adhesive protrudes. As a result, it is possible to suppress the residual adhesive of the toner cartridge as much as possible.

  The toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present invention can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. In the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing tank as needed, the seal member pulling is performed. A pointed shape is added to the outer shape of the pressure-sensitive adhesive part at the start of peeling.

  With this configuration, there is no sudden change in the peeling force to the seal member, no residual adhesive that adheres to the toner cartridge due to the adhesive sticking, and the adhesive sticking out at the edge of the adhesive tip It is possible to realize a seal member that can suppress the remaining adhesive of the toner cartridge as much as possible.

  The toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present invention can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. In the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing tank as needed, the seal member pulling is performed. A curvature is added to the outer shape of the pressure-sensitive adhesive portion at the peeling start portion.

  With this configuration, there is no sudden change in the peeling force on the seal member, and there is no residual adhesive adhering to the toner cartridge due to the adhesive sticking, and the adhesive at the edge of the adhesive protrudes. Therefore, it is possible to realize a seal member that can suppress the remaining adhesive of the toner cartridge as much as possible.

  The toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present invention can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, and the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing tank as necessary. In the shape of the adhesive hole, a curvature is added to the edge part of the adhesive hole.

  With this configuration, there is no sudden change in the peeling force on the seal member, and there is no residual adhesive adhering to the toner cartridge due to the adhesive sticking, and the adhesive at the edge of the adhesive protrudes. Therefore, it is possible to realize a seal member that can suppress the remaining adhesive of the toner cartridge as much as possible.

  Further, the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present invention is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing tank as necessary. The adhesive hole has a boat shape.

  With this configuration, there is no sudden change in the peeling force on the seal member, and there is no residual adhesive adhering to the toner cartridge due to the adhesive sticking, and the adhesive at the edge of the adhesive protrudes. Therefore, it is possible to realize a seal member that can suppress the remaining adhesive of the toner cartridge as much as possible.

  As described above, according to the method of attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge of the present invention, the toner of the toner cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and supplies toner to the developing tank as necessary. In the method for attaching the leakage prevention seal member, the toner leakage prevention seal member is attached to the main attachment surface of the toner cartridge, and the toner is also applied to the side surface of the main attachment surface located in the peeling direction of the toner leakage prevention seal member. By providing the step of continuously sticking the leak-proof seal member, the remaining adhesive on the toner cartridge main sticking surface due to the sticking of the adhesive to the rear edge (the seal member peeling direction side) of the adhesive is provided. Can prevent the occurrence of image defects due to the adhering of adhesive to the developing device. Gukoto there is an effect that can.

  In addition, when there is a shutter member, it prevents a malfunction of the shutter member due to adhesion of the shutter member and the toner cartridge, and a toner leakage when the toner cartridge is returned after use due to a malfunction of the shutter operation (shutter does not close). It is possible to provide a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge.

  In addition, the method for attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present invention can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing tank as necessary. In the affixing method, the toner leakage prevention seal member is affixed to the main affixing surface of the toner cartridge, and the toner leakage prevention seal member is also disposed on the side of the main affixing surface located in the peeling direction of the toner leakage prevention seal member. And a step of forming the portion where the toner leakage prevention seal member is first peeled off in the use of the toner cartridge in a tack shape. The protruding part of the adhesive at the edge part on the opposite side is eliminated. Paste method of the toner leakage preventing seal member of the toner cartridge can be more reliably exhibit the results can be provided.

  In addition, the method for attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present invention can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing tank as necessary. In the affixing method, the toner leakage prevention seal member is affixed to the main affixing surface of the toner cartridge, and the toner leakage prevention seal member is also disposed on the side of the main affixing surface located in the peeling direction of the toner leakage prevention seal member. A step of continuously applying the adhesive, and a step of bending the adhesive of the toner leakage prevention seal member in the peeling direction of the seal member and extending the seal member in the peeling direction of the seal member. The adhesive sticks out at the edge and eliminates the above effects. Paste method of the toner leakage preventing seal member of the toner cartridge that may be capable of providing.

  In addition, the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge may be attached by adding a pointed shape to the outer shape of the adhesive portion of the seal member peeling start portion as the toner leakage prevention seal member. At least one of the one with curvature added to the outer shape of the adhesive part at the start of peeling, the one with curvature added to the edge part of the adhesive hole, and the one with the adhesive hole shaped as a boat shape can be used As a result, the residual adhesive that adheres to the toner cartridge is eliminated due to the adhesive sticking, and the residual adhesive of the toner cartridge due to the adhesive sticking out at the edge of the adhesive can be suppressed as much as possible. Can provide a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge that can be applied to .

  Further, according to the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge of the present invention, the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body and supplies toner to the developing tank as required. Add a pointed shape to the outer shape of the adhesive part of the seal member peeling start part, add a curvature to the outer shape of the adhesive part of the seal member peeling start part, and curvature at the edge part of the adhesive hole In addition, at least one of the shape of the pressure-sensitive adhesive hole and the boat-shaped shape can be applied, so that the residual pressure-sensitive adhesive adhering to the toner cartridge is eliminated by the pressure of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. It is possible to provide a seal member that can suppress as much as possible the remaining adhesive of the toner cartridge due to the protruding adhesive at the edge portion.

  Hereinafter, a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge and a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings in the order of [first embodiment] to [third embodiment]. Before describing in detail, a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to the present invention and an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge is applied will be described. This image forming apparatus is common to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus (in this case, a printer) to which a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied is an apparatus for forming an image by a well-known electrophotographic method. The configuration includes an exposure scanning unit 10, an image forming unit 20, and a control unit 30.

  The printer is connected to an external host computer (not shown). When the control unit 30 receives an image signal sent from the external host computer, the control unit 30 performs necessary processing to generate image data. A drive signal is output to the exposure scanning unit 10.

  The exposure scanning unit 10 irradiates the photosensitive drum 21 with the image data output from the control unit 30 as laser light. The exposure scanning unit 10 includes a laser diode 11, a collimating lens 12, a polygon motor 13, a polygon mirror 14, an fθ lens 15, and a folding mirror 16.

  The laser diode 11 receives the drive signal output from the control unit 30 and emits laser light. The collimating lens 12 passes this laser light and makes it parallel light. The polygon motor 13 rotates the polygon mirror 14 at a constant speed. The polygon mirror 14 includes a mirror surface, and reflects and deflects the laser beam on the mirror surface. The deflected laser light passes through the fθ lens 15. The folding mirror 16 reflects the laser beam that has passed through the fθ lens 15 and scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by exposure.

  The image forming unit 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21, a cleaner 22, an eraser lamp 23, a charging charger 24, a developing device 25, a toner cartridge 28, a conveying belt 29, a transfer charger 31, a fixing device 32, a discharge roller pair 33, and a paper discharge. A tray 34 is provided.

  A photoconductor is provided on the surface of the photoconductor drum 21. The cleaner 22 removes residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor before the exposure scanning. The residual toner is returned to the toner cartridge 28 by the collected toner conveyance pipe 1 and reused.

  The eraser lamp 23 irradiates the photosensitive drum 21 with light, thereby neutralizing the surface of the photosensitive member. The charging charger 24 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor. When the exposure scanning unit 10 receives exposure in such a uniformly charged state, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

  The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 25, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

  The developing device 25 includes a developing device including a developing roller and a stirring device (not shown), and a toner cartridge 28 that is set on the developing device and replenishes toner appropriately in the developing device. The toner cartridge 28 can be easily removed from the image forming apparatus so that even a general user can easily replace it. The detailed configuration of the developing device 25 will be described later.

  In synchronism with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 21, transfer paper (not shown) is set in the paper cassette. The transfer sheet is fed to a transfer position below the photosensitive drum 21 by a feed roller, a timing roller pair, and a conveyance belt 29. At this transfer position, the transfer charger 31 is installed on the back side of the conveyor belt 29, and transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by the charge onto the transfer paper.

  Since the toner image transferred to the transfer paper is in an unstable state where it is peeled off immediately, the toner image is conveyed to the fixing device 32 by the conveyor belt 29 in order to fix it. The fixing device 32 presses the transfer paper at a high temperature to fix the toner. Thereafter, the transfer paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 34 by the discharge roller pair 33.

  The exposure scanning unit 10 has a structure that opens upward with a hinge as a fulcrum (clamshell structure), so that the toner cartridge 28 can be replaced, or a paper jam occurring inside the printer can be handled. .

  FIG. 2 is an external view showing the configuration of the developing device of the image forming apparatus to which the toner leakage preventing seal member attaching method of the toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied.

  The toner concentration control system 60 includes a toner concentration sensor (permeability sensor) 41, a reference voltage generation unit 62, a comparator 63, a toner supply roller driving unit 64, a toner supply motor 65, a toner supply motor 65, a ROM, a RAM, and a control. It consists of CPU61.

  The developing device 25 shown in the figure is a dry two-component magnetic brush developing type developing device using a developer in which toner and carrier are mixed, and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 21. It has a function to make a visible image.

  The toner cartridge 28 contains toner and is replenished to the developer in the developing unit 46 as necessary. The toner supply roller 47 supplies the toner in the toner cartridge 28 to the lower developing device 46. The agitating roller 45 agitates the developer (carrier and toner) in the developing unit 46 to frictionally charge the toner and the carrier. The developing roller 44 supplies the mixed and stirred developer to the photosensitive drum 21.

  The developing roller 44 has a magnet roller in which a plurality of magnet bodies for generating a magnetic field are fixed in a hollow cylindrical developing sleeve made of non-magnetic metal such as aluminum alloy, brass, SUS304 stainless steel or the like. Further, as the developing roller 44, a roller that rotates and rotates only the developing sleeve and magnetically attracts the developer to the surface and conveys and supplies the developer to the developing unit in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 can be used.

  The stirring roller 45 and the developing roller 44 are driven to rotate by a driving device (not shown) in response to an instruction from the control CPU 61.

  The toner concentration sensor 41 is installed at the lower right of the developing device (mixing and stirring chamber) 46 of the developing device 25, and the detection surface 41a detects the toner concentration of the developer of the developing device 46, and the voltage (concentration detection voltage). Detect as.

  The reference voltage generator 62 generates a reference voltage to be compared with the concentration detection voltage. This reference voltage is for indicating the reference concentration of the developer in the developing device 46. The comparator 63 compares the density detection voltage with the reference voltage, and outputs a drive signal to the toner supply roller drive unit 64 when the toner density in the developing device is low. The toner supply roller driving unit 64 drives a toner supply motor 65 that is a rotational drive source of the toner supply roller 47 while receiving this drive signal.

  The RAM is a memory for temporarily storing the read output voltage of the toner density sensor 41 and the like. Further, the ROM stores a program for performing toner density control and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing the configuration of the toner cartridge to which the toner leakage prevention seal member is attached by the method of attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present invention.

  In the figure, a toner cartridge 28 to which the toner leakage prevention seal member affixing method of the toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied includes a toner supply tank 27 containing toner 54 therein, and the toner supply tank 27 is connected to a shaft 57a. A toner supply roller for supplying toner to a developing tank (not shown). The toner supply roller includes a stirring member 57 that stirs the toner by rotating around the center, and a conveyance sheet 58 made of PET or the like provided at one end of the stirring member 57. 47, a toner replenishing port 55 serving as a toner replenishing port when toner is replenished by the toner replenishing roller 47, and an openable / closable canopy 59 for replenishing the toner replenishing tank 27 from the outside.

  The agitating member 57 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing to agitate the toner, and the conveying sheet 58 pumps up the toner 54 accordingly. Since the conveyance sheet 58 is flexible, after the toner 54 is pumped up, the conveyance sheet 58 advances in the rotation direction while contacting the canopy 59 and undergoing deformation. Then, when separating from the canopy 59, the original shape is restored by its own elastic force, and at the same time, the held toner is supplied to the toner supply roller 47. The canopy 59 includes a toner collection port 56 and a toner collection shutter 53 at a position facing the toner collection port 56. The toner collection port 56 is installed to collect toner that has not been transferred to the paper after printing from a photoconductor (not shown) by a cleaner (not shown), and return it to the toner cartridge 28 by the recovery toner pipe 1 (FIG. 1) for recycling. Has been.

  Further, when the toner collection shutter 53 is in an open state, a shutter toner collection port 56 a is provided at a position facing the toner collection port 56.

  When the toner cartridge 28 is transported before use, a seal member 50 is affixed to the canopy 59 to prevent toner leakage from the toner collection port 56, and to prevent toner leakage from the toner supply port 55. Similarly, the seal member 50 is attached to the toner supply tank 27.

  Hereinafter, a method for attaching a seal member in a toner cartridge of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing a combined structure of a toner cartridge and a toner leakage prevention seal member for explaining a method of attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. . In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 9 (conventional example) are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  The method of attaching the seal member 50 of the toner cartridge according to this embodiment has an effect of preventing the residual adhesive from being generated at the portion d (see FIG. 9C) of the canopy 59 by the adhesive 50.

  4A shows a state where the seal member 50 is attached to the toner collection port 56, and FIG. 4B shows a relationship between the state after the seal member 50 is peeled from the toner collection port 56 and the toner collection shutter 53. FIG. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, as an embodiment in which the seal member 50 is attached to the toner recovery port 56, the seal member 50, the main attachment surface of the toner cartridge 28, and the seal member are used. Affixed over two surfaces, the side surface of the main application surface in the 50 peeling direction (the seal member side surface application surface shown in FIG. 4). By such an affixing method, the end face of the adhesive 50d and the edge of the canopy 59, which is the main affixing surface, do not overlap, the adhesive 50d on the main affixing surface does not remain, and the d portion malfunction does not occur. ing. The material of the seal member 50 may be the same as that of the conventional seal member. Further, the size of the seal member 50 in the length direction or the like may be the same as that of the conventional seal member.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, even when the sealing member attaching method of the embodiment is performed, a part of the adhesive 50d is applied to the end portion (side surface) of the canopy 59 after the flexible material 50a is peeled off. The pressure-sensitive adhesive remains. However, this residual adhesive does not enter the developing device from the toner recovery port 56. In addition, when there is a shutter member (here, the toner collection shutter 53), the adhesive does not remain in the portion where the shutter member and the toner cartridge 28 are bonded, so the shutter member does not operate properly and the toner cartridge 28 is not inserted into the image forming apparatus. In addition, problems such as increased toner scattering from the toner collection port and toner leakage when returning the used toner cartridge 28 do not occur.

  As an example of the present embodiment, the sealing member 50 is attached to the toner cartridge 28 by the above-described method, and left for 120 hours in an environment of 50 ° C., then the sealing member 50 is peeled off, and then the trailing edge of the toner cartridge 28 It was confirmed that there was no residual pressure-sensitive adhesive when the remaining pressure-sensitive adhesive was confirmed.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating a combined structure of a toner cartridge and a toner leakage prevention seal member for explaining a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. .

  The method for attaching the seal member 50 of the toner cartridge according to this embodiment has an effect of preventing the residual adhesive from being generated in the portion a (see FIG. 9C) of the canopy 59 by the adhesive 50.

  As shown in the figure, in the seal member in the toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, a tack shape is added in the peeling start direction of the seal member (the side opposite to the seal member peeling direction).

  In this structure, since the tack shape is added to the seal member 50 in the peeling start direction of the seal member 50 (on the side opposite to the seal member peeling direction), the end surface of the seal member 50 may come into contact with the main pasting surface. Therefore, there is no possibility that the residual adhesive adheres to the toner cartridge 28 due to the protrusion of the adhesive 50d.

  FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing another combination structure of a toner cartridge and a toner leakage prevention seal member for explaining a method of attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is.

  In the sticking method of the seal member 50 shown in the figure, the adhesive 50d of the seal member in the seal member peeling start direction (on the opposite side to the seal member peeling direction) is bent and stuck in the seal member peeling direction. .

  In this affixing method, the adhesive 50d of the seal member 50 in the peeling start direction of the seal member 50 (on the side opposite to the peel direction of the seal member 50) is bent in the peel direction of the seal member 50. The end face of 50 does not come into contact with the main sticking surface, and therefore, there is no possibility that the residual adhesive adheres to the toner cartridge 28 due to the protrusion of the adhesive 50d.

  As an example of this embodiment, a seal member with a tack shape added to the tip of the seal member and a seal member in which the adhesive at the tip of the seal member is bent are attached to a toner cartridge and left in a 50 ° C. environment for 120 hours. Thereafter, the seal member is peeled off, and the adhesive remaining at the leading edge portion of the toner cartridge is confirmed. As a result, it is confirmed that the adhesive remaining at the leading edge portion of the toner cartridge disappears.

  It should be noted that the rear end portion of the above-described seal member can be pasted over the two surfaces of the toner cartridge main pasting surface and the side surface.

[Third Embodiment]
7 to 8 are plan perspective views showing the structure of the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, the upper part is the peeling start part, and the lower part is the peeling direction.

  The sealing member 50 of the toner cartridge shown in this embodiment has an effect of preventing the generation of residual adhesive at the portions b and c of the canopy 59 (see FIG. 9C) due to the adhesive 50.

  FIG. 7A shows a seal member obtained by adding a pointed shape to the seal member adhesive outer shape in the seal member peeling start direction (opposite to the seal member peeling direction), and FIG. The seal member with an R shape added to the outer shape of the seal member pressure-sensitive adhesive in the starting direction of peeling of the seal member (opposite to the seal member peeling direction) is shown in FIG. 8C. The seal member which added the pointed shape and R shape to the seal member adhesive external shape of a starting direction (opposite side to a seal member peeling direction) is shown. Further, FIG. 8D shows a seal member in which the shape of the seal member pressure-sensitive adhesive hole is a ship shape, and FIG. 8E shows a seal member in which an R shape is added to the shape of the seal member pressure-sensitive adhesive hole.

  When the seal member of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a seal member having a structure shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8C, the seal member peeling start direction (seal member) A pointed shape is added to the outer shape of the seal member pressure-sensitive adhesive on the side opposite to the peeling direction. By adopting the structure with the R shape added in this way, the affixing area gradually increases as the peeling operation of the sealing member 50 progresses, and therefore, the peeling force to the sealing member 50 suddenly increases. Therefore, there is no possibility that the residual adhesive of the adhesive 50d adheres to the toner cartridge 28 by peeling off the seal member 50.

  Further, in the case of the seal member shown in FIGS. 8D and 8E, the seal member 50 is peeled off by making the seal member adhesive hole shape into a boat shape or adding an R shape. As a result, there is no sudden change in the peeling force, and there is no adhesive remaining in the central portion of the toner cartridge 28 due to the tearing caused by the peeling operation of the seal member 50.

  As an example of the seal member of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the seal member as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8C, that is, the seal member tip portion adhesive. A seal member with a pointed shape added to the shape, a seal member with an R shape added to the seal member tip adhesive shape, and a seal member with a point shape and an R shape added to the seal member tip adhesive shape Each of the toner cartridges was affixed to the toner cartridge, left in a 50 ° C. environment for 120 hours, and after the seal member was peeled off, the remaining adhesive at the tip of the toner cartridge was checked. It has been confirmed that there is no adhesive remaining at the tip of the cartridge.

Further, as another example of the method of attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present embodiment, a seal member as shown in FIGS. 8D and 8E, that is, a seal member adhesive. The seal member with the hole shape in the agent hole and the seal member with the R shape added to the toner cartridge as separate cases, left in a 50 ° C. environment for 120 hours, and then peeled off to remove the seal member. When the remaining adhesive was confirmed, it was confirmed that there was no remaining adhesive in the center of the toner cartridge.
The sealing member 50 according to the present embodiment can be attached to the toner cartridge by the attaching method shown in the first and second embodiments.

1 is an external view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied. 1 is an external view showing a configuration of a developing device of an image forming apparatus to which a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge to which a toner leakage prevention seal member is attached by a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating a combination structure of a toner cartridge and a toner leakage prevention seal member for explaining a method of attaching the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing a combined structure of a toner cartridge and a toner leakage prevention seal member for explaining a method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view showing another combination structure of a toner cartridge and a toner leakage prevention seal member for explaining a method of attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective plan view illustrating a structure of a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective plan view illustrating a structure of a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This is a combination structure of a toner leakage prevention seal member and a toner cartridge of a toner cartridge adopted by a conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a seal member of a toner cartridge employed by a conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

27 Toner supply tank 28 Toner cartridge 50 Seal member 50a Flexible material 50b Strong adhesive layer 50c Weak adhesive layer 50d Adhesive 53 Toner recovery shutter 55 Toner supply port 56 Toner recovery port 56a Shutter toner recovery port 59 Canopy

Claims (11)

In a method of attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge that is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body and supplies toner to a developing tank as required.
The toner leakage prevention seal member is affixed to the main affixing surface of the toner cartridge, and the toner leakage prevention seal member is also affixed to the side of the main affixing surface located in the peeling direction of the toner leakage prevention seal member. A method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge, comprising: a step. In a method of attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge that is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body and supplies toner to a developing tank as required.
The toner leakage prevention seal member is affixed to the main affixing surface of the toner cartridge, and the toner leakage prevention seal member is also affixed to the side of the main affixing surface located in the peeling direction of the toner leakage prevention seal member. Steps,
Forming a portion where the toner leakage prevention seal member is first peeled off when using the toner cartridge into a tack shape;
A method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge, comprising: In a method of attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge that is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body and supplies toner to a developing tank as required.
The toner leakage prevention seal member is affixed to the main affixing surface of the toner cartridge, and the toner leakage prevention seal member is also affixed to the side of the main affixing surface located in the peeling direction of the toner leakage prevention seal member. Steps,
Folding the adhesive of the toner leakage prevention seal member in the seal member peeling direction to extend in the seal member peeling direction;
A method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a toner cartridge, comprising:   4. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner leakage prevention seal member is formed by adding a pointed shape to an outer shape of an adhesive portion at a seal member peeling start portion. 5. A method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member of a cartridge.   4. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner leakage prevention seal member is obtained by adding a curvature to an outer shape of an adhesive portion of a seal member peeling start portion. 5. A method for attaching a toner leakage prevention seal member.   The toner leakage prevention seal member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the toner leakage prevention seal member has a curvature added to an edge portion of an adhesive hole. Attaching method.   The toner leakage prevention seal member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the toner leakage prevention seal member has a boat-shaped adhesive hole shape. Attaching method. In the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and supplies toner to the developing tank as required.
A seal member, characterized in that a pointed shape is added to the outer shape of the pressure-sensitive adhesive portion of the seal member peeling start portion. In the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and supplies toner to the developing tank as required.
A sealing member characterized in that a curvature is added to the outer shape of the adhesive part of the seal member peeling start portion. In the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and supplies toner to the developing tank as required.
A seal member, wherein a curvature is added to an edge portion of the adhesive hole in the shape of the adhesive hole of the seal member. In the toner leakage prevention seal member of the toner cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body and supplies toner to the developing tank as required.
A seal member, wherein the shape of the adhesive hole of the seal member is a boat shape.

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