JP2006171609A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a bottle used as a waste toner bottle once from being used as a toner replenishing bottle again when the toner replenishing bottle and the waste toner collecting bottle are designed in common. <P>SOLUTION: A small cover is put on the large cover of a toner bottle. Since toner is collectively replenished at the time of toner replenishing, a large opening is required and the large cover is opened in setting the toner bottle, and when the bottle is taken out during replacement, the large cover is automatically closed and locked. In using the bottle as the waste toner bottle, the small cover is opened in setting the bottle. When the bottle is taken out during replacement, the small cover also is automatically closed and locked. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet material, such as a copying machine or an LBP.

  FIG. 38 shows a conventional example of the present invention.

  Conventionally, a laser beam printer or the like is known as an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system. FIG. 38 shows a conventional example of a laser beam printer. Reference numeral 101 denotes a photosensitive drum, 102 denotes an exposure device, 103 denotes a developing device, 104 denotes a transfer member, 105 denotes a cleaning device, 106 denotes a charging member, 107 denotes a fixing device, C denotes a paper feeding cassette containing a transfer material to be supplied, and 108 denotes A sheet feeding device, P is a transfer material conveyance path, and L is a laser beam emitted from the exposure device 102.

  The exposure apparatus 102 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 charged to a desired potential by the charging member 106 by turning on / off the laser light L corresponding to the image information, and static electricity is removed by static electricity. A latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101.

  The developing device 103 includes a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner), a developing container, and a developing sleeve 109. Toner is supplied from the developing sleeve 109 according to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101. The toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred by the transfer member 104 to the transfer material fed from the paper feeding device 108. The unfixed toner image on the transfer material is permanently fixed to the transfer material by being heated and pressurized by the fixing device 107 and is discharged from the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, toner or paper dust remaining on the photosensitive drum 101 during transfer is removed by the cleaning device 105.

  As shown in FIG. 38, the toner bottle 110 for storing the replenishing toner has a lid 114 having a slider 114a in an opening 113 of the bottle 112, and the lid 114 is provided in a replenishing port (not shown) of a toner hopper of the developing device 103. By sliding, the slider 114a is slid, the opening 113 is opened, and the replenishment toner in the bottle 112 is replenished to a toner hopper (not shown). The toner bottle 110 that has become empty after the end of replenishment is either discarded or collected for recycling.

  On the other hand, the toner removed by the cleaning device 105 was collected in a waste toner box 116 as shown in FIG. When the waste toner detector detects that the waste toner box 116 is full, the waste toner box is replaced with a new waste toner box, and the waste toner box filled with the waste toner is taken out after being collected and further cleaned. It was reused.

  Conventionally, toner bottles that have been emptied after replenishment of replenished toner are simply collected while they are empty, but are disposed separately from toner bottles in order to store waste toner that is removed from the photoreceptor by the cleaning device. A waste toner bottle having a toner detector has to be provided, and the toner bottle is not effectively used. Furthermore, when collecting toner bottles or waste toner bottles for reuse, the recovery rate cannot be improved, and the toner bottles and waste toner bottles must be collected separately. There was also a problem that the reduction could not be achieved.

Therefore, as in Patent Document 1, an idea has been proposed in which an empty toner bottle after toner replenishment is used as a waste toner bottle to effectively use the empty toner bottle after toner replenishment, thereby reducing the collection work. Yes.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-223984

  However, in the above conventional example, since the shape of the toner bottle and the waste toner bottle is the same, the bottle used as the waste toner bottle can be used again as the toner bottle. In this case, since the developing device is replenished with deteriorated toner in the waste toner bottle and paper dust collected together with the toner, not only image deterioration is caused but also the developing device and the photosensitive drum are destroyed. May cause.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, a developing device that contains a developer and develops an electrostatic image formed on an image carrier, and a developer supply container that replenishes the developing device with a developer A developer supply container mounting portion for detachably holding the developer supply container, a cleaning device for recovering the residual developer after transfer, and a developer recovery container for storing the residual developer recovered by the cleaning device And an image forming apparatus having a developer recovery container mounting portion that detachably holds the developer recovery container, wherein the developer supply container is detached from the developer supply container mounting portion and is attached to the developer recovery container mounting portion. When mounted, it can be used as a developer recovery container, and the developer supply container once mounted on the developer recovery container mounting portion cannot be mounted again on the developer supply container mounting portion.The developer supply container and the developer recovery container each have a first opening and a first lid member that shields the first opening, and the first lid member shields the second opening and the second opening. It is characterized by having a lid member. The developer supply container and the developer recovery container have a first lock member, a second lock member, a first lock release member, and a second lock release member. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, the developer used as a developer recovery container cannot be reused as a developer supply container, and image deterioration caused thereby can be prevented. In addition, since the stock of the developer collection container is not necessary, space can be saved. Further, the collection work for reuse only needs to collect the developer collection container containing the waste developer, and there is no need to collect both the empty developer supply container and the developer collection container as in the prior art. Reduction of work process and collection capacity can be achieved.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the description of the main body of the image forming apparatus has many overlapping parts with the conventional example, only the different parts will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developer recovery container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 37 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The developer supply container 1 has a developer inside and is sealed with a slidable lid 1a. The developer supply container 1 is slid and inserted from the insertion port 2a of the developer supply container mounting portion 2 of the main body of the image forming apparatus. When the developer supply container 1 is further pushed into the rear side, the lid 1a is opened, and the toner inside the developer supply container 1 is supplied to the supply port. The hopper or developing device is supplied from 2b. After the replenishment is completed and the developer replenishment container 1 is empty, when the developer replenishment container 1 is pulled out, the lid 1a is closed. Next, the developer supply container 1 is slide-inserted from the insertion port 3a of the developer collection container mounting portion 3 of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and further pushed inward to open the lid 1a, and the developer supply container 1 drops the waste toner. The waste toner falling from the port 3b is collected and stored. After the developer supply container 1 is full, when the developer supply container 1 is pulled out, the lid 1a is closed.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view of the developer supply container mounting portion and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the developer recovery container mounting portion and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a perspective view. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developer supply container of the present invention. 4 to 7 are sectional views of the developer supply container mounting portion and the developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 8 and 9 are sectional views of the developer supply container of the present invention. 10 to 14 are sectional views of the developer collection container mounting portion and the developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the developer supply container of the present invention. 16 and 17 are cross-sectional views of the developer collection container mounting portion and the developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  The container 1b has a locking member 1c composed of a leaf spring or the like at both ends, and locks the lid 1a to the container 1b. However, in the unused state where the user has not yet performed the replenishment operation, as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet-like stopper 1d presses the lock member 1c and is not locked.

  4 to 5, the user holds the handle 1f, slides the developer supply container 1 through the insertion port 2a of the developer supply container mounting portion 2, and supplies the developer supply container 1 to the developer. The container mounting portion 2 is set at the lid member closed position 2c. At this time, the engaging portion 1e of the lid 1a is engaged with the engaging portion 2e of the developer supply container mounting portion 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the container 1b is slid and set to the lid member open position 2d. At this time, since the lid 1a is engaged with the engaging portion 2e of the developer supply container mounting portion 2 and remains in the lid member closed position 2c, only the container 1b moves to the lid member open position 2d. Therefore, the lid 1a of the developer supply container 1 is opened, and the toner in the developer supply container 1 is supplied to the hopper or the developing device from the supply port 2b. Further, since the stopper 1d is removed, the lock member 1c is opened. After the replenishment is completed and the developer supply container 1 is empty, the user holds the handle 1f and slides the container 1b from the lid member open position 2d to the lid member closed position 2c as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the container 1b is resealed by the lid 1a. Further, since the stopper 1d is removed, the lock member 1c is opened, the lid 1a is locked to the container 1b, and the lid 1a cannot be slid again. Further, when the user pulls out the developer supply container 1, the developer supply container 1 is taken out.

  The lid 1a has a lock member 1h composed of a leaf spring or the like at both ends, and locks the lid 1g to the lid 1a. However, in the unused state where the user has not yet performed the operation of setting the developer supply container 1 in the developer supply container mounting portion 2, the sheet-like stopper 1j presses the lock member 1h as shown in FIG. And is not locked.

  10-11, the user holds the handle 1m, slides the developer supply container 1 through the insertion port 3a of the developer collection container mounting portion 3, and collects the developer supply container 1 with the developer collection. Set in the lid member closed position 3c of the container mounting portion 3. At this time, the engaging portion 1k of the lid 1g is engaged with the engaging portion 3e of the developer recovery container mounting portion 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the container 1b is slid and set to the lid member open position 3d. At this time, since the lid 1g is engaged with the engaging portion 3e of the developer collecting container mounting portion 3 and remains in the lid member closed position 3c, only the container 1b and the lid 1a move to the lid member open position 3d. Therefore, the lid 1g of the developer supply container 1 is opened, and the developer supply container 1 can collect and store the waste toner falling from the waste toner dropping port 3b. Further, since the stopper 1j is released, the lock member 1h is opened. After the developer supply container 1 is full, the user holds the handle 1m and slides the container 1b and the lid 1a from the lid member open position 3d to the lid member closed position 3c as shown in FIGS. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the container 1b and the lid 1a are resealed by the lid 1g. Further, since the stopper 1j is removed, the lock member 1h is opened, the lid 1g is locked to the lid 1a, and the lid 1g cannot be slid again. Further, when the user pulls out the developer supply container 1, the developer supply container 1 filled with waste toner is taken out.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the developer supply container 1 once used as the developer recovery container is set again in the developer supply container mounting portion 2. At this time, since the lid 1a is locked to the container 1b and the lid 1a cannot be slid open, the container 1b cannot be slid to the lid member open position 2d.

  As a result, a bottle used as a waste toner bottle can no longer be used as a toner bottle again, image deterioration caused by the bottle can be prevented, and the development device and the photosensitive drum can be prevented from being discharged. It is possible to effectively use the toner bottle, eliminate waste of resources, and reduce waste capacity. Further, in the office, the waste toner box stock is not necessary, and space is saved. Furthermore, the collection work for reuse only needs to collect the developer storage container containing the waste toner, and there is no need to collect both the empty toner bottle and the waste toner box as in the conventional case, reducing the work work. In addition, the recovery capacity can be reduced.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views of the developer supply container mounting portion and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIGS. 20 to 24 are the developer recovery container mounting portion of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of a developer supply container. 25 to 28 are perspective views of the developer collection container mounting portion and the developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the developer supply container mounting portion and the developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 30 to 33 are cross-sectional views of the developer collection container mounting portion and the developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the developer supply container mounting portion and the developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the developer collection container mounting portion and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the developer supply container mounting portion and the developer supply container of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the container 4b has bosses 4c at both ends. The developer supply container mounting portion 5 has a shutter 5f, and both ends of the shutter 5f are supported by the guide grooves 5g of the developer supply container mounting portion 2 so as to be slidable. Further, the shutter 5f has inclined ribs 5h corresponding to the bosses 4c of the container 4b.

  20 to 21, the user holds the handle 4f, slides the developer supply container 4 through the insertion port 5a of the developer supply container mounting portion 5, and supplies the developer supply container 4 to the developer. Set in the lid member closed position 5c of the container mounting portion 5. At this time, the engaging portion 4e of the lid 4a is engaged with the engaging portion 5e of the developer supply container mounting portion 5. At that time, as shown in FIG. 21, the shutter 5f is lifted upward by pressing the inclined rib 5h against the boss 4c of the container 4b. Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the container 4b is slid and set to the lid member open position 5d. At this time, since the lid 4a is engaged with the engaging portion 5e of the developer supply container mounting portion 5 and remains at the lid member closed position 5c, only the container 4b moves to the lid member open position 5d. Therefore, the lid 4a of the developer supply container 4 is opened, and the toner in the developer supply container 4 is supplied to the hopper or the developing device from the supply port 5b. Further, as shown in FIG. 28, the boss 4c of the container 4b is bent by the wall surface 5j of the developer supply container mounting portion 5 shown in FIGS. Further, since the shutter 5f is supported in contact with the upper surface of the container 4b, the shutter 5f is maintained in a state of moving upward. After the replenishment is completed and the developer supply container 4 is emptied, the user holds the handle 4f and slides the container 4b from the lid member open position 5d to the lid member closed position 5c as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 23, the container 4b is resealed by the lid 4a. At this time, since the shutter 5f is detached from the upper surface of the container 4b, it falls to the initial position. Further, when the user pulls out the developer supply container 4, the developer supply container 4 is taken out.

  29 and 30, the user holds the handle 4f, slides the developer supply container 4 through the insertion port 6a of the developer collection container mounting portion 6, and collects the developer supply container 4 with the developer collection. The container mounting portion 6 is set at the lid member closed position 6c. At this time, the engaging portion 4e of the lid 4a is engaged with the engaging portion 6e of the developer recovery container mounting portion 6. Further, as shown in FIG. 31, the container 4b is slid and set to the lid member open position 6d. At this time, since the lid 4f is engaged with the engaging portion 6e of the developer collecting container mounting portion 6 and remains in the lid member closed position 6c, only the container 4b moves to the lid member open position 6d. Therefore, the lid 4a of the developer supply container 4 is opened, and the developer supply container 1 can collect and store the waste toner falling from the waste toner dropping port 6b. After the developer supply container 1 is full, the user holds the handle 1f and slides the container 4b from the lid member open position 6d to the lid member closed position 6c as shown in FIGS. At this time, as shown in FIG. 32, the container 4b is resealed by the lid 4a. Further, when the user pulls out the developer supply container 4, the developer supply container 4 filled with waste toner is taken out as shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 34 to 36, the developer supply container 4 once used as the developer recovery container is set again in the developer supply container mounting portion 5. At this time, since the boss 4c of the container 4b is broken, the shutter 5f is not pushed by the inclined rib 5h without being pressed by the container boss 4c, and the shutter 5f cannot be slid open. 4b cannot be slid to the lid member open position 5d.

  This reduces the cost of consumable toner bottles and prevents the bottles used as waste toner bottles from being reused as toner bottles. This prevents image degradation and damage to the developing device and photosensitive drum. In addition, it is possible to effectively use empty toner bottles after replenishing toner, thereby eliminating waste of resources and reducing waste capacity. Further, in the office, the waste toner box stock is not necessary, and space is saved. Furthermore, the collection work for reuse only needs to collect the developer storage container containing the waste toner, and there is no need to collect both the empty toner bottle and the waste toner box as in the conventional case, reducing the work work. In addition, the recovery capacity can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a developer collection container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer supply container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer supply container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer supply container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer supply container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer collection container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a developer collection container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a perspective view of a developer collection container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a developer collection container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a developer collection container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a developer collection container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the developer collection container mounting part and developer supply container of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a developer supply container mounting portion and a developer supply container of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st and 2nd Example of this invention Sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the prior art example of this invention The perspective view of the developer supply container which concerns on the prior art example of this invention 1 is a perspective view of a developer recovery container according to a conventional example of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Developer supply container 2 Developer supply container mounting part 3 Developer collection container mounting part 4 Developer supply container 5 Developer supply container mounting part 6 Developer recovery container mounting part

Claims (11)

A developing device that contains the developer and develops the electrostatic image formed on the image carrier, a developer replenishing container that replenishes the developer to the developing device, and a development that removably holds the developer replenishing container A developer supply container mounting portion, a cleaning device that collects the residual developer after transfer, a developer recovery container that stores the residual developer recovered by the cleaning device, and the developer recovery container that is detachably held. In the image forming apparatus having a developer recovery container mounting portion, the developer supply container can be used as a developer recovery container when the developer supply container mounting portion is detached from the developer supply container mounting portion and mounted in the developer recovery container mounting portion.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container once mounted on the developer collection container mounting portion cannot be mounted again on the developer supply container mounting portion.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container and the developer recovery container have a first opening and a first lid member that shields the first opening, and the first lid member is a first lid member. An image forming apparatus having two openings and a second lid member that shields the two openings.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container and the developer recovery container include a first lock member, a second lock member, a first lock release member, and a second lock. An image forming apparatus having an unlocking member.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the developer supply container is mounted on the developer supply container mounting portion, a second lid member is opened and the second lock member is opened. An image is characterized in that the release member is detached, the second lid member is closed when the developer supply container is removed from the developer supply container mounting portion, and the second lock member locks the second cover member. Forming equipment.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, and claim 4, wherein when the developer supply container is mounted on the developer recovery container mounting portion, the first lid member opens, and the first cover member opens. 1 unlocking member is disengaged, the first lid member is closed when the developer collection container is removed from the developer collection container mounting portion, and the first lock member locks the first lid member. An image forming apparatus.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, and claim 5, wherein a container mounting opening of the developer supply container mounting portion is a container of the developer recovery container mounting portion. An image forming apparatus having a size smaller than a mounting opening.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container and the developer collection container have an opening, a lid member that shields the opening, and a pair of protrusions. .   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container mounting portion includes a shutter member, and an operation lever of the shutter member corresponds to the pair of protrusions. apparatus.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 7, and 8, wherein the developer supply container is mounted on the developer supply container mounting portion in two positions: a lid member open position and a lid member closed position. An image forming apparatus having a position.   10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the developer supply container is mounted on the developer supply container mounting portion, the shutter is mounted when the cover member is mounted at a closed position. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pair of protrusions are folded when the member is opened and then the developer supply container is mounted at the lid member open position.   11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 7, 7, 8, and 10, wherein a developer supply container in which the pair of protrusions are folded is mounted on the developer supply container mounting portion. The image forming apparatus, wherein the shutter member does not open even when the lid member is mounted at the closed position, and the developer supply container cannot be mounted at the lid member open position.

Images