JP2018128478A - Toner supply method and method for manufacturing toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for supplying toner with which toner can be appropriately supplied to a toner cartridge even when the toner cartridge is not provided with an opening for supplying toner before being recycled.SOLUTION: A method for supplying toner includes: a step of opening a hole (21a) in a housing (21) of a toner cartridge; a step of inserting toner storage containers (120, 220, 320) for recycling into the housing from the hole; and a step of arranging the ends of cord-like members (120b, 220b) that extend from the toner storage containers for recycling and are means for opening holes in the toner storage containers on the outside of the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of supplying recycled toner to a toner cartridge mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer or a copying machine, and a method of manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge thereby.

  Toner cartridges are used in image forming apparatuses such as laser printers, copiers, and facsimiles. The toner cartridge is recycled by supplying toner or replacing some parts. The process of recycling the toner cartridge includes cleaning, replacing damaged parts, replacing worn parts, and replenishing toner. In this recycling process, it is necessary to disassemble and reassemble the toner cartridge.

  To form an image, toner is stored in a toner container (toner hopper). In recycling, toner is normally supplied by being poured into a toner container from an opening (for example, a toner supply port of Patent Document 1). Then, after the replenishment, the opening is closed, thereby preventing leakage of toner before transportation and use.

JP 2014-153641 A

  However, depending on the type of toner cartridge, the opening is welded and closed, and the toner replenishing port cannot be used, and the toner cannot be replenished by the conventional methods.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toner replenishing method capable of appropriately replenishing toner even if the toner cartridge is not provided with an opening for replenishing toner before recycling. To do. In addition, a method for manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge is provided.

  The present invention will be described below. Here, for ease of understanding, a part of the reference numerals of the drawings are illustrated in parentheses as examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a method of supplying toner to the toner cartridge (10, 410), the process of making a hole (21a) in the housing (21) of the toner cut ridge, The process of inserting the toner storage container (120, 220, 320) into the casing, and the end of a string-like member (120b, 220b) that extends from the toner storage container for recycling and is a means for making a hole in the toner storage container A method of replenishing the toner cut ridge with toner including a step of disposing the portion outside the housing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method for replenishing toner to the toner cartridge according to the first aspect, the toner cartridge (120, 220, 320) for recycling is inserted into the housing (21) from the hole (21a). Before the insertion, it includes a process of removing the existing toner container (20) from the inside of the housing through the hole.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the method of replenishing toner to the toner cartridge according to the first or second aspect, the hole (21a) is closed by a lid (121) having a slit (121b), and the slit is a string. Members (120b, 220b) are passed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method for replenishing toner to the toner cartridge according to any one of the first to third aspects, the string-like members (120b, 220b) are arranged outside the casing (21). A handle (120c) is provided at the end of the formed string-like member.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the toner cartridge according to any one of the first to fourth aspects includes a method of replenishing the toner cartridge and includes a step of replenishing the toner. ) Manufacturing method.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method of manufacturing a toner cartridge by recycling according to the fifth aspect, the handle (120c) is set at the correct position of the image forming apparatus main body only when the string-like member is pulled out. Arrange it so that it protrudes from the housing (21) as much as possible.

  According to the present invention, even if the toner cartridge is not provided with an opening for supplying toner before recycling, the toner can be appropriately supplied.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a toner cut ridge 10 to be recycled. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing a scene of the toner replenishing method and the toner cartridge manufacturing method of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a recycled toner cartridge 110. It is the figure which planarly viewed the lid 121. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams showing one scene of a toner replenishing method and a toner cartridge manufacturing method according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a toner cartridge 210 by recycling. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a scene of the toner supply method and the toner cartridge manufacturing method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a toner cartridge 310 by recycling. FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing one scene of the toner supply method and the toner cartridge manufacturing method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a toner cut ridge 410 to be recycled.

  The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 10 immediately before recycling. As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge 10 includes a photosensitive drum 11, and includes a charging roller 12 that is adjacent to the photosensitive drum 11 and serves to charge the photosensitive drum. Further, a cleaning blade 13 is provided as means for cleaning the surface of the charging roller 11.
Further, a developing roller 14 as developing means is provided so as to face the photosensitive drum 11, and a developing blade 15 and a toner supply roller 16 are disposed so as to contact the developing roller. An agitator 17 is provided so as to contact the toner supply roller 16, and one end of the agitator 17 is connected to a rotating shaft 18 that rotates the agitator 17. A toner storage container 20 that stores toner is provided.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the toner cartridge 10 is held by each member surrounded by a first housing 21 and a second housing 22.
The first housing 21 is provided with the developing roller 14, the developing blade 15, the toner supply roller 16, the agitator 17, the rotating shaft 18, and the toner storage container 20. In particular, the toner container 20 is entirely contained in the housing 21.
In the second casing 22, the above-described photosensitive drum 11, charging roller 12, and cleaning blade 13 are disposed.

  The process in which an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 by the toner cartridge 10 is known.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 including the toner cartridge 10. According to this image forming apparatus 1, a recording medium such as paper moves as indicated by II in FIG. 2, and is sandwiched between a transfer roll 1a and a photosensitive drum 11 on which an image is formed. The image is transferred to a recording medium. Thereafter, the image is fixed on the recording medium by the fixing device 2 and discharged.

  Next, in the toner cartridge 10, a first embodiment of a method for supplying toner to the toner cartridge when the toner in the toner storage container 20 is used up and a method for manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge will be described. The figure for description was represented to FIGS. This will be described with reference to these drawings.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a hole 21 a is formed in at least a part of the wall surface of the housing 21 facing the toner storage container 20. The method for opening the hole 21a is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include punching, cutting with a drill, and melting.
When the hole 21a is formed, the toner container 20 is taken out from the hole 21a as shown by an arrow IIIa in FIG. 3A, and is in a state as shown in FIG. The means for taking out the toner container 20 from the housing 21 is not particularly limited, and a tool such as a finger or a tool for holding an object such as a pliers can be used.

After the toner container 20 is removed in this way, the toner container 120 for recycling is inserted into the inside of the housing 21 as shown in FIG. 4 through the hole 21a. At this time, toner to be supplied is contained inside the toner storage container 120. If the hole 21a cannot be sufficiently large, the toner container 120 for recycling is inserted through the hole 21a without toner, and then the toner container 120 for recycling is filled with the toner for recycling. Then you can seal it.
Here, the toner storage container 120 has a hole in its wall, and the hole is closed by the cover 120a. One end of a string-like cover peeling means 120b is attached to the cover 120a. That is, by pulling the other end side of the cover peeling means 120b and peeling the cover 120a from the toner storage container 120, the hole of the toner storage container 120 is opened so that the toner inside the toner storage container 120 comes out. It is configured. Note that a handle 120c is provided on the other end side of the cover peeling means 120b for easy pulling, and the convenience for the user is enhanced. Moreover, by providing this handle 120c, visibility can be improved and forgetting to pull the cover peeling means 120b can be prevented. Further, by arranging the handle 120c so that it protrudes from the toner cartridge, the handle 120c cannot be set at the correct position of the image forming apparatus main body unless the string-like cover peeling means 120b is pulled out. It can also prevent forgetting.
The cover 120a and the handle 120c are not particularly limited, but are preferably made of an antistatic material, and more preferably a film.

After the recycling toner storage container 120 is inserted inside the casing 21, the hole 21 a formed in the casing 21 is closed with the lid 121. A method for fixing the lid 121 to the housing 21 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include adhesion, adhesion, tape fixing, welding, and screwing.
Here, in this embodiment, the lid 121 has the following configuration. FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the lid 121. The lid 121 is provided with a slit 121b at least at a part thereof. Although at least the cover 120a and the cover peeling means 120b can pass through the slit 121b, it is preferable that the slit 121b is in close contact with the slit 121b so as not to leak toner. From this point of view, it is preferable to use a material having both flexibility and sealing properties, such as rubber, polyurethane, and sponge, for the portion 121a provided with the slit 121b.
In the posture in which the lid 121 closes the hole 21a in this way, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the cover peeling means 120b passes through the slit 121b, and the handle 120c side of the cover peeling means 120b is outside the casing 21. Be placed.

  Transportation and storage are performed in the posture shown in FIG. That is, the toner cartridge 110 recycled in the posture shown in FIG. 4 is provided to the user or the like.

A user who uses the toner cartridge 110 pulls the handle 120c as shown by an arrow VIa in FIG. 6A immediately after the toner cartridge 110 is attached to the image forming apparatus or immediately before being attached to the image forming apparatus. . As a result, the cover peeling means 120b is pulled, the cover 120a is peeled, and a hole 120d is formed in the recycling toner storage container 120 as shown in FIG. 6B. The toner is discharged from the hole 120d and can be used.
Meanwhile, the pulled cover peeling means 120b and the cover 120a are taken out through the slit 121b. Thereafter, the slit 121b is appropriately closed, and toner does not leak from here.

  According to the toner replenishing method and the recycled toner cartridge manufacturing method as described above, the toner can be properly replenished even if the toner cartridge does not have an opening for replenishing the toner before recycling. It is.

7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining a method for supplying toner to the toner cartridge of the second embodiment and a method for manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge. FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. Since the method up to FIG. 7 is as described above, the description is omitted here.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a recycling toner storage container 220 is applied instead of the recycling toner storage container 120. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The toner storage container 220 contains toner to be supplied on the inner side, like the toner storage container 120.
Here, the toner container 220 has a portion that is easily torn, and is configured to be torn when a predetermined tensile force is applied to this portion. It is preferable that the part which is easy to tear is opposite to the part where the container pulling means 220b described below is arranged. Although the specific structure for making it easy to tear is not specifically limited, Using the material which is easy to tear, or providing the broken line-like cut is mentioned.
One end of a string-like container pulling means 220b is attached to the toner container 220 on the side opposite to the portion that is easily torn. That is, by pulling the other end side of the container pulling means 220b and pulling up the toner storage container 220, the portion of the toner storage container 220 that has been easily torn is torn, and the toner comes out of the toner storage container 220 from here. It is configured. A handle 120c is provided on the other end side of the container pulling means 220b for easy pulling, and the convenience for the user is enhanced. Moreover, by providing this handle 120c, visibility can be improved and forgetting to pull the cover peeling means 120b can be prevented.

  In the same manner as described above, the lid 121 is disposed so as to close the hole 21a. At this time, the container pulling means 220 b passes through the slit 121 b of the lid 121, and the handle 120 c is configured to be outside the casing 21.

  Transport and storage are performed in the posture shown in FIG. In other words, the toner cartridge 210 recycled in the posture shown in FIG. 7 is provided to the user or the like.

A user who uses the toner cartridge 210 pulls the handle 120c as shown by an arrow VIIIa in FIG. 8A immediately after the toner cartridge 210 is attached to the image forming apparatus or just before being attached to the image forming apparatus. . As a result, the toner container 220 is pulled, and the easily torn portion of the toner container 220 is pulled, and a part of the toner container 220 is torn as shown in FIG. In this way, the toner is discharged from the avoided portion and can be used.
On the other hand, the pulled toner container 220 is taken out through the slit 121b. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8B, the slit 121b is appropriately closed, and toner does not leak from here.

  According to the toner replenishing method and the manufacturing method of the recycled toner cartridge as described above, the toner can be appropriately replenished even if the toner cartridge does not have an opening for replenishing the toner before recycling. is there.

9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining a method for supplying toner to the toner cartridge of the third embodiment and a method for manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge. FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. Since the method up to FIG. 9 is as described above, the description is omitted here.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a recycling toner storage container 320 is used instead of the recycling toner storage container 120.

The toner storage container 320 contains toner to be supplied on the inner side, like the toner storage container 120.
Here, the toner storage container 320 has a hole in its wall, and the hole is closed by the cover 320a. The cover 320a is fixed to the inside of the housing 21. The fixing of the cover 320a to the inside of the casing 21 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include adhesion and adhesion.
On the other hand, one end of a string-like container pulling means 220b is attached to the toner storage container 320 at a portion other than the cover 320a. That is, when the toner storage container 320 is pulled by pulling the other end side of the container pulling means 220b, the cover 320a is separated so that the cover 320a remains in the casing 21, the hole of the toner storage container 320 is opened, and the middle The toner is discharged from the toner container 320. A handle 120c is provided on the other end side of the container pulling means 220b for easy pulling, and the convenience for the user is enhanced. Moreover, by providing this handle 120c, visibility can be improved and forgetting to pull the cover peeling means 120b can be prevented.
The cover 320a is not particularly limited, but is preferably made of an antistatic material, and more preferably a film.

  In the same manner as described above, the lid 121 is disposed so as to close the hole 21a. At this time, the container pulling means 220 b passes through the slit 121 b of the lid 121, and the handle 120 c is configured to be outside the casing 21.

  Transport and storage are performed in the posture shown in FIG. That is, it is provided to the user or the like as the recycled toner cartridge 310 in the posture shown in FIG.

A user who uses the toner cartridge 310 pulls the handle 120c as shown by an arrow Xa in FIG. 10A immediately after the toner cartridge 310 is attached to the image forming apparatus or immediately before being attached to the image forming apparatus. . As a result, the toner storage container 320 is pulled, and on the other hand, the cover 320a is fixed to the inside of the casing 21, so that the cover 320a is separated into the toner storage container 320 as shown in FIG. An opening is formed. The toner is discharged from the opening and can be used.
On the other hand, the pulled toner container 320 passes through the slit 121b and is taken out to the outside. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10B, the slit 121b is appropriately closed, and toner does not leak from here.

  According to the toner replenishing method and the manufacturing method of the recycled toner cartridge as described above, the toner can be appropriately replenished even if the toner cartridge does not have an opening for replenishing the toner before recycling. is there.

  FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a method for supplying toner to the toner cartridge of the fourth embodiment and a method for manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge. FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. This embodiment is an example in which a toner cartridge 410 is applied instead of the toner cartridge 10, unlike a toner cartridge to be recycled, which is different from the first to third embodiments.

  The toner cartridge 410 is a type of toner cartridge that does not use the toner storage container 20, and the toner is stored in the toner storage space 420 partitioned by the housing 21. For such a toner cartridge, the same effect can be obtained by applying the above-described method for supplying toner to the toner cartridge of each form and the method for manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge in the toner storage space 420.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Toner cartridge 11 Photoconductor drum 12 Charging roller 13 Cleaning blade 14 Developing roller 15 Developing blade 16 Supply roller 17 Agitator 18 Rotating shaft 20 Toner storage container 21, 22 Housing 110, 210, 310 Recycled toner cartridge 120, 220, 320 Toner storage container for recycling 121 Cover 410 Toner cartridge

Claims (6)

A method for supplying toner to a toner cartridge, comprising:
Opening a hole in the toner cut ridge housing;
Inserting a toner container for recycling into the housing from the hole;
Replenishing the toner cut ridge with a step of arranging an end of a string-like member extending from the recycling toner storage container, which is a means for making a hole in the toner storage container, outside the housing how to.   The method of replenishing toner cartridges according to claim 1, including a step of taking out an existing toner storage container from the housing through the hole before inserting the recycling toner cartridge into the housing from the hole. .   The method for replenishing toner in the toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the hole is closed by a lid having a slit, and the string-like member is passed through the slit.   4. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a handle is provided at the end portion of the string-like member disposed outside the casing among the string-like members. 5. How to replenish.   A method for manufacturing a toner cartridge by recycling, comprising the step of supplying toner to the toner cartridge according to claim 1, comprising a step of supplying toner.   6. The method of manufacturing a toner cartridge by recycling according to claim 5, wherein the handle is disposed so as to protrude from the housing so that the handle can be set at a correct position of the image forming apparatus main body only when the string-like member is pulled out. .

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