JP3673236B2 - Toner container - Google Patents

Toner container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP3673236B2
JP3673236B2 JP2002090991A JP2002090991A JP3673236B2 JP 3673236 B2 JP3673236 B2 JP 3673236B2 JP 2002090991 A JP2002090991 A JP 2002090991A JP 2002090991 A JP2002090991 A JP 2002090991A JP 3673236 B2 JP3673236 B2 JP 3673236B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
sheet member
light transmission
transmission window
cleaning sheet
toner
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
JP2002090991A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP2003287948A (en
Inventor
義正 大倉
浩一 津山
和由 山村
耕治 村田
努 芦刈
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Original Assignee
Kyocera Mita Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kyocera Mita Corp filed Critical Kyocera Mita Corp
Priority to JP2002090991A priority Critical patent/JP3673236B2/en
Publication of JP2003287948A publication Critical patent/JP2003287948A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP3673236B2 publication Critical patent/JP3673236B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、静電式複写機、レーザプリンタあるいは静電式ファクシミリなどの画像形成機に備えられる現像装置の現像ハウジングにトナーを補給するためのトナーコンテナ、更に詳しくは光透過窓及び反射板を備えかつそれらを清掃する清掃部材を備えているトナーコンテナに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
静電式複写機、レーザプリンタあるいは静電式ファクシミリなどの画像形成機においては、静電感光体上に静電潜像を形成し、次いで静電潜像をトナー像に現像する。静電潜像をトナー像に現像するための現像装置は、トナーのみからなるいわゆる一成分現像剤あるいはトナーとキャリア粒子とからなるいわゆる二成分現像剤を収容する現像ハウジング、現像ハウジング内に収容されている現像剤を現像域に搬送して静電感光体に適用する現像剤適用手段、及び現像ハウジングにトナーを補給するためのトナーコンテナを備えている。トナーコンテナの典型例は、トナー排出口が配設された底壁、それぞれ一対の側壁及び端壁を有する容器と、容器内に収容されたトナーを底壁に配設されたトナー排出口に向けて移送する移送機構と、容器内に収容されたトナーを撹拌するため容器内に回転自在に配設された撹拌機構とを備えている。容器の底壁には、シャッタ部材がトナー排出口を閉じる閉位置とトナー排出口を開く開位置との間を移動自在に装着されている。
【０００３】
上記移送機構及び撹拌機構の回転軸の一端部は容器の端壁を越えて容器外へ突出せしめられており、回転軸の各々の突出端には入力歯車が装着されている。トナーコンテナが現像ハウジングの所要位置又は画像形成機本体の所要位置に装着されると、シャッタ部材が閉位置から開位置に移動させられる。また、移送機構及び撹拌機構の回転軸に装着された入力歯車が伝動歯車列を介して電動モータに駆動連結される。現像ハウジング内に配設されたトナー濃度検出センサ（二成分現像剤の場合）又はトナー量検出センサ（一成分現像剤の場合）からの信号により電動モータが回転駆動されると、移送機構及び撹拌機構が回転駆動させられる。容器内に存在するトナーは、撹拌機構により撹拌され、同時に移送機構によりトナー排出口に向かって移送され、開放されているトナー排出口からトナーコンテナの下方に配置されている現像ハウジング内に直接排出（落下）させられ、あるいはトナー排出口からトナーコンテナの下方に配置されているトナーホッパ内に排出させられる。トナーホッパ内に排出されたトナーはトナーホッパ内に配設された他の移送機構を介して現像ハウジング内に移送される。このようにして、トナーコンテナから現像ハウジングにトナーが補給される。
【０００４】
上記画像形成機においてはまた、トナーコンテナの容器内に収容されたトナーの残量を検出するトナー残量検出装置を備えることが好ましい。トナー残量検出装置は、光透過窓が配設された該容器を含む該トナーコンテナと、容器の外部から光透過窓を通して容器の内部に光を照射しかつ該光を受光することによって容器内に収容されたトナーの残量を検出するトナー検出手段とにより構成することができる。トナー検出手段は発光部材と受光部材とから構成される。
【０００５】
トナー検出手段の一つの典型例として、これを光学式反射型センサにより構成することができる。この場合、容器内に反射板を配設する。そして反射板は、その反射面が光透過窓の内側面に対し間隔をおいて対向するよう配設される。トナー検出手段の発光部材から光透過窓を通して反射板に向けて照射された光が反射板により反射されると、該光は光透過窓を通して受光部材により受光されてトナーの残量が検出される。
【０００６】
トナー検出手段の他の典型例として、これを光学式透過型センサにより構成することができる。この場合、光透過窓が両側壁に相互に対向して配設される。トナー検出手段の発光部材から片方の光透過窓及び他方の光透過窓を通して受光部材に向けて照射された光が受光部材により受光されると、トナーの残量が検出される。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
光透過窓と反射板との間の空間を充填していたトナーが該光の通過を許容する程度に減少したときに、又は、相互に対向する光透過窓間の空間を充填していたトナーが該光の通過を許容する程度に減少したときに、はじめてトナーの残量が検出される。トナーの残量を正確に検出するためには、光透過窓の内面及び反射板の反射面、又は一対の光透過窓の各々の内面に付着するトナーの量ができるだけ少ないことが望まれる。光透過窓と反射板との間の空間を充填していたトナーが該光の通過を許容する程度に減少したとしても、又は、相互に対向する光透過窓間の空間を充填していたトナーが該光の通過を許容する程度に減少したとしても、光透過窓の内面と反射板の反射面とに多くのトナーが付着していた場合には、又は、相互に対向する光透過窓の各々の内面に多くのトナーが付着していた場合には、発光部材から反射板に向けて照射された光が十分に反射されず、又は発光部材から一対の光透過窓を通して受光部材に向けて照射された光が十分に受光されず、トナーの残量の検出が所要のとおりにできなくなるおそれがある。
【０００８】
本発明の目的は、相互に対向する光透過窓の内面及び反射板の反射面を効果的に清掃することを可能にし、その結果、トナーの残量を正確に検出することを可能にする、改良されたトナーコンテナを提供することである。
【０００９】
本発明の他の目的は、比較的簡単な構成及び低コストで、相互に対向する光透過窓の内面及び反射板の反射面を効果的に清掃することを可能にし、その結果、トナーの残量を正確に検出することを可能にする、改良されたトナーコンテナを提供することである。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明によれば、光透過窓が配設された容器を備え、容器内には反射板が配設され、反射板の反射面は光透過窓の内面に対し間隔をおいて対向する、トナーコンテナにおいて、
容器内にはトナーを撹拌するための撹拌機構が配設され、撹拌機構は、回転軸と、回転軸に配設された撹拌手段とを備え、撹拌手段には、光透過窓と反射板との間を周期的に通過する回転軌跡を有する支持片であって、該回転軌跡の接線方向にほぼ扁平に延在する横断面を有する支持片が配設され、支持片には清掃部材が配設され、撹拌機構が回転すると、清掃部材は、支持片と共に光透過窓と反射板との間を周期的に通過しかつ各々間を通過する毎に光透過窓の内面及び反射板の反射面に圧接されながら移動して該内面及び該反射面を清掃し、
清掃部材は、それぞれ弾性を有しかつ合成樹脂からなる光透過窓清掃用シート部材及び反射板清掃用シート部材からなり、光透過窓清掃用シート部材は、支持片から支持片の回転方向後方に向かって該回転軌跡の接線方向に延び出し、反射板清掃用シート部材は、支持片の回転方向後側において回転軸に近づく方向に延び出し、光透過窓清掃用シート部材及び反射板清掃用シート部材の各々が支持片と共に光透過窓と反射板との間を周期的に通過する毎に、光透過窓清掃用シート部材の先端は光透過窓の内面に圧接されながら移動して該内面を清掃し、反射板清掃用シート部材の先端は反射板の反射面に圧接されながら移動して該反射面を清掃し、
容器は、底壁と、それぞれ一対の側壁及び端壁を有し、光透過窓は、片方の端壁の近傍である、容器の一端領域における片方の側壁又は底壁に配設され、反射板は片方の端壁から他方の端壁に向かって延び出すよう片方の端壁に配設され、反射板の横断面における全周外方には空間が形成され、撹拌機構の該回転軸は両端壁間に回転自在に支持され、撹拌手段は、反射板と他方の端壁との間の領域に配置され、撹拌機構の該回転軸は、反射板に対し反射面の裏面側における容器内の空間を延在するよう配置され、撹拌手段は、該回転軸の軸方向に間隔をおいて該回転軸から半径方向外方に延びかつ、反射板に対し軸方向に近接して配置されたアームを備え、支持片は、該アームから片方の端壁に向かって突出しており、
光透過窓清掃用シート部材及び反射板清掃用シート部材は単一の清掃用シート部材から形成され、単一の清掃用シート部材は、所定の幅を有すると共に長手方向中間部が支持片の回転方向前側において回転方向後方に向かって折り返されることにより、支持片の回転方向前側の一側面及び半径方向内外面を覆いかつ該一側面及び該内外面に貼着され、そして支持片の回転方向後側の他側面の外側において実質的に半径方向に対向する面同士が相互に重合貼着され、相互に重合貼着された清掃用シート部材の二つの部分のうち、実質的に半径方向外側に位置する片方の部分は光透過窓清掃用シート部材をなし、また、実質的に半径方向内側に位置する他方の部分は反射板清掃用シート部材をなす、ことを特徴とするトナーコンテナが提供される。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に従って構成されたトナーコンテナの好適実施形態を添付図面を参照して、詳細に説明する。
【００１３】
図１及び図２を参照して、トナーコンテナ１００は容器１０を備えており、容器１０は、容器本体１０Ａと、ふた部材１０Ｂとから構成されている。適宜の合成樹脂、例えばＡＢＳから一体に形成することができる容器本体１０Ａは、上面が解放された箱形状であり、比較的細長い底壁１１と、底壁１１の幅方向両側に配設された一対の側壁１２及び１３と、底壁１１の長手方向両端に配設された一対の端壁１４及び１５とを備えている。容器本体１０Ａの上端には、側壁１２及び１３、並びに端壁１４及び１５の上端から外方に延び出す環状のフランジ１６が形成され、フランジ１６の上面は同一平面上に存在する。図５に明示されているように、容器本体１０Ａの底壁１１は、横断面図において並列配置されている二つの領域１１Ａと１１Ｂとからなる。片側の領域１１Ａは比較的小さい円弧形状をなし、他側の領域１１Ｂは比較的大きい円弧形状をなしている。適宜の合成樹脂、例えばＡＢＳから形成することができるふた部材１０Ｂは平板形状をなしている。ふた部材１０Ｂは、容器本体１０Ａのフランジ１６の上面に重合されて、例えば超音波溶着などの適宜の様式によって容器本体１０Ａに固定され、容器本体１０Ａの上面を閉じる。
【００１４】
図３〜図５を参照して、底壁１１の円弧形状をなす片側の領域１１Ａにはほぼ矩形をなす平坦部１１ａが形成されている。平坦部１１ａは、容器本体１０Ａを長手方向に見て、片側の領域１１Ａの円弧形状の最下端から、ほぼ、他側の領域１１Ｂの円弧形状の下端に向かって、他側の領域１１Ｂの下側である、片側の領域１１Ａとの境界近傍位置まで水平に延在している。平坦部１１ａには、ほぼ矩形をなすトナー排出口１７が形成されている。平坦部１１ａは、容器本体１０Ａの片方の端壁１４の近傍である、容器本体１０Ａの一端領域に形成されている。したがってトナー排出口１７は、容器本体１０Ａの片方の端壁１４の近傍である、容器本体１０Ａの一端領域における底壁１１に配設されている。トナー排出口１７の上端は、底壁１１の内面である平坦部１１ａの上面に開口し、トナー排出口１７の下端は、底壁１１の外面である平坦部１１ａの下面に開口している。
【００１５】
平坦部１１ａの下側には、シャッタ支持部１８が形成されている。シャッタ支持部１８は、平坦部１１ａの、トナー排出口１７を挟んだ両側から下方に延び出して底壁１１の長手方向に平行に延在する一対の案内壁１８ａと、案内壁１８ａの各々の下端から相互に接近する方向に延び出す支持壁１８ｂとを備えている。シャッタ支持部１８には、ほぼ矩形の平面形状を有するシャッタ部材１９が、トナー排出口１７を閉じる閉位置とトナー排出口１７を解放する開位置との間を滑動自在に装着されている。シャッタ部材１９それ自体は周知の構成を利用することでよく、また本発明の特徴をなすものではないので、詳細な説明は省略する。シャッタ部材１９が閉位置に位置付けられると、トナー排出口１７は平坦部１１ａの下面側においてシャッタ部材１９により閉塞され、シャッタ部材１９が開位置に位置付けられると、トナー排出口１７は下方に開かれる。
【００１６】
容器本体１０Ａ内には、容器本体１０Ａ内に収容されたトナーをトナー排出口１７に向けて移送する移送機構２０が、底壁１１の片側の領域１１Ａに沿って延在するよう配設されている。移送機構２０は、端壁１４及び１５の各々間に回転自在に支持された回転軸２２と、回転軸２２に形成された螺旋羽根２３、２４及び２５などを含む羽根手段とを備えている。回転軸２２の軸心は、底壁１１の片側の領域１１Ａの円弧形状の中心と一致している。移送機構２０の回転軸２２の一端部は、端壁１４に配設された盲孔１４ａに回転自在に支持され、回転軸２２の他端部は、端壁１５に配設された図示しない支持孔に回転自在に支持されると共に該支持孔を貫通して外部へ突出し、突出端には入力歯車（図示せず）が装着される。この入力歯車は、トナーコンテナ１００が図示しない現像装置の所要位置又は画像形成機本体の所要位置に装着されると、伝動歯車列（図示せず）を介して電動モータ（図示せず）に連結され、電動モータが付勢されると、回転軸２２は回転させられる。移送機構２０の構成は本発明の特徴をなすものではなく、したがって更なる詳細な説明は省略する。
【００１７】
容器本体１０Ａの上記一端領域における片方の側壁１２には光透過窓３０が配設されている。ほぼ矩形をなす光透過窓３０は、光を透過する透明な適宜の合成樹脂、例えば、ＧＰＰＳ（ｇｅｎｅｒａｌ ｐｕｒｐｏｓｅ ｐｏｌｙｓｔｙｒｅｎｅ）から構成することができ、側壁１２に形成された矩形状の取付孔に嵌合されて、例えば接着により固定される。光透過窓３０は、少なくとも光透過領域が一定の厚さを有する平板状をなしており、実施形態において、移送機構２０の羽根手段の回転軌跡よりも高い位置に配設されている。光透過窓３０はまた、その内面が、片方の側壁１２の内面と同一面上に配設されるか又は、片方の側壁１２の内面よりもわずかに内側に突出して配設されることが好ましいが、実施形態においては、片方の側壁１２の内面からわずかに内側に突出するよう配設されている。このような構成は、後述する光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの先端が圧接されながら回転方向に移動する際、光透過窓３０の内面に確実に圧接されることを保証し、清掃効果を確実なものにする。
【００１８】
容器本体１０Ａ内には反射板３２が配設されている。反射板３２の反射面は、光透過窓３０の内面に対し間隔をおいて対向するよう配設されている。更に具体的に説明すると、反射板３２は、容器本体１０Ａの端壁１４から端壁１５に向かってかつ光透過窓３０と平行に延び出すよう端壁１４と一体に形成されている反射板本体３２ａと、反射板本体３２ａに貼着された反射シート部材３２ｂとから構成されている。反射板本体３２ａは横断面が容器本体１０Ａの上下方向に長い矩形状をなしている。反射シート部材３２ｂは、少なくとも、反射板本体３２ａの、光透過窓３０の内面に対向する面と、一側面（実施形態においては上側面）と、光透過窓３０の内面に対向する面と反対側の裏面における該一側面近傍の領域とを覆うよう貼着される。反射シート部材３２ｂの一側面は、後述する反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端の移動方向に対抗する側の一側面である。このような構成は、反射板本体３２ａの表面に容易かつ低コストで反射面を形成することを可能にする。また、後述する反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端が圧接されながら回転方向に移動する際、円滑な相対移動を可能にして反射シート部材３２ｂの表面の清掃効果、したがって反射板３２の反射面の清掃効果を向上させる。また、反射シート部材３２ｂの剥離が防止される。更にはまた、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端の損傷及び反射シート部材３２ｂの損傷を防止して各々の耐久性を向上させる。すなわち、上記構成によれば、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの耐久性を確保しながら反射板３２の反射面の清掃効果を向上させることができる。反射シート部材３２ｂの一側面を曲面により形成すれば、上記効果を更に向上せることができる。特に、後述するようにして反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端に折曲部６４が形成されている場合には、反射板３２に対する圧接力がアップするので、上記のような構成は有効である。
【００１９】
反射シート部材３２ｂは、できるだけ反射率の高い部材から構成されることが望ましい。しかしながら、実用上は、反射率の他に、組付性、コストなどの条件をクリアする必要があるので、表面に、アルミニウムを真空蒸着することにより形成した反射膜を備えた合成樹脂製のフィルムから構成することが好ましい。実施形態において、反射部材３２ｂは、アルミ蒸着ＰＥＴフィルム（リンテック株式会社製の商品名「ＦＮＳツヤ５０」）からなる。反射板本体３２ａの基端部であって、光透過窓３０に対向する面と反対側の裏面には、上下方向に間隔をおいて容器本体１０Ａの長手方向に延在する補強リブ３２ｃが上下方向に間隔をおいて２個配設されている（図３において１個のみ図示されている）。図５に示されているように、反射板３２の横断面における全周外方には空間が形成されている。反射シート部材３２ｂの、光透過窓３０の内面に対向する面は、反射板３２における反射面をなす。なお、図３及び図５から容易に理解されるように、実施形態において、反射板本体３２ａは、容器本体１０Ａの幅方向の中央よりも片方の側壁１２に接近した位置において、光透過窓３０に対向するよう配置されている。
【００２０】
図３〜図６を参照して、容器本体１０Ａ内には、容器本体１０Ａ内に収容されたトナーを撹拌するための撹拌機構４０が回転自在に配設されている。撹拌機構４０は、端壁１４及び１５の各々間に回転自在に支持された回転軸４１と、回転軸４１に配設された撹拌手段とを備えている。撹拌手段は、回転軸４１の軸方向に間隔をおいて回転軸４１から半径方向外方に延びる複数のアーム４２を備えている。平板状をなすアーム４２の各々は、回転軸４１の直径よりも大きな幅を有しかつ回転軸４１に対し相互に同じ周方向向角度位置において半径方向外方に互いに反対方向に延び出すよう配設されている。複数のアーム４２の配列は、相互に軸方向間隔が比較的狭いアーム対４２Ａが、該軸方向間隔よりも広い軸方向間隔をおいて５対配設されることにより構成されている。
【００２１】
アーム対４２Ａを構成するアーム４２の半径方向の一端間はパドル４３により連結され、相互に軸方向に隣接するアーム対４２Ａの各々の該一端間は、相互に軸方向に対向するアーム４２の該一端から相互に接近する軸方向に延び出して相互に間隔をおいて軸方向に対向する一対のパドル４４の基部４６（図９参照）により連結されている。パドル４４の各対間には、他のパドル４５が上記基部４６を介して配設されている。パドル４３、４４及び４５の各々は、ほぼ板形状をなしかつ回転軸４１の接線方向に一定の幅を有すると共に、該接線方向の一端に（回転軸４１の回転方向の前側の一端）において軸方向に延在する上記基部４６により相互に一体に連結されている。パドル４３及び４５の各々の、基部４６を除く両側面の側外方及び下面の下方は空間となっている。パドル４４の各々は、相互に同じ軸方向長さを有すると共に、相互に同じ軸方向長さを有するパドル４３及び４５の各々の軸方向長さよりも長い。パドル４４の各々の上面は、回転軸４１と平行な同一平面上に存在し、パドル４３及び４５の各々の下面は、該平面と同一平面上に存在する。パドル４３の各々の下面には、該下面から下方に延び出す係止突起４３ａ（図９参照）が形成されている。アーム４２の各々の半径方向の他端間はパドル４７により連結されている。パドル４７の各々は、ほぼ板形状をなしかつ回転軸４１の接線方向に一定の幅を有している。
【００２２】
撹拌機構４０は更に、弾性を有する撹拌シート部材５０を備えている。なお、図３及び図４においては、図面の複雑化を避けるため、以下に説明する撹拌シート部材５０及び後述する清掃用シート部材６０の図示は省略してある。撹拌シート部材５０は、適宜の合成樹脂製シート部材、例えばＰＥＴから一体に形成された透明のフィルムにより構成されている。図６に示されているように、撹拌シート部材５０は、細長い矩形状の本体部５１と、本体部５１の一側から直角に直線状に延び出す折曲部５２とを備えている。平板状をなす本体部５１の幅方向中央部には、矩形状をなす孔５３が、長手方向に間隔をおいて複数個形成されている。本体部５１の他側部には、被係止孔５４が、長手方向に間隔をおいて５個形成されている。撹拌シート部材５０の全長は、回転軸４１の軸方向両端に配設されたアーム４２間の長さとほぼ同じである。以上のように構成された撹拌シート部材５０は、その他側部がパドル４４の各々の上面と、パドル４３及び４５の下面との間に挿入され、そして被係止孔５４の各々が、対応するパドル４３の下面に形成された係止突起４３ａに離脱自在に係止されることにより、パドル４３〜４５に装着される（図７及び図９参照）。撹拌シート部材５０は、アーム４２の各々の一端から、撹拌機構４０の回転方向の後側に向かって回転軸４１の接線方向に直線状に延び出している。撹拌シート部材５０の折曲部５２は、図９に示されているように、実質的に回転軸４１の半径方向外方に向かって延び出すよう配置される。
【００２３】
回転体である撹拌機構４０の撹拌手段には、支持部が配設され、支持部には清掃部材である清掃用シート部材６０が配設されている。更に具体的に説明すると、回転軸４１の最も一端寄りに配設されたアーム４２の一端には、該一端から回転軸４１の一端方向に、回転軸４１と平行に延び出す支持部、実施形態においては支持片４８が一体に形成されている。支持片４８は、回転軸４１における接線方向にほぼ偏平に延在する横断面を有している。図１０に明示されているように、支持片４８の、回転軸４１における半径方向の外面はゆるやかな曲面からなり、支持片４８の、該半径方向の内面は該接線方向に直線状に延在する平面からなる。支持片４８の上記外面の幅方向両端と、支持片４８の両側面とが交わる角部は曲面から形成されている。
【００２４】
単一の部材である清掃用シート部材６０は、弾性を有する適宜の合成樹脂製シート部材、例えばＰＥＴフィルムから構成することができる。図６に示されているように、清掃用シート部材６０は、一定の幅を有する矩形状の本体部６１と、本体部６１の長手方向の一端から片面側に直角にかつ直線状に延び出す折曲部６２と、本体部６１の長手方向の他端から同じ片面側に直角にかつ直線状に延び出す折曲部６３とを備えている。折曲部６３の先端には、該先端から、本体部６１の該一端方向に向かって直角にかつ直線状に比較的短く延び出す折曲部６４が形成されている。本体部６１の他面であって、本体部６１の他端と、本体部６１の長手方向中央よりも一端側に寄った位置との間の領域全面には、矩形状の両面接着テープ６５が貼着されている。なお、清掃用シート部材６０を後述するとおりにして折り返す際の折り返しを容易にするため、本体部６１の長手方向の中間部に存在する折返部（両面接着テープ６５が貼着されている領域における長手方向中央部）には、該長手方向に間隔をおいて幅方向に平行に延在する一対のスリット（図６において点線で示されている）が形成されている。
【００２５】
図７及び図１０を参照して、上記のように構成された清掃用シート部材６０は、長手方向中間部（折返部）が、支持片４８の回転方向前側（図１０において右側）において回転方向後側（図１０において左側）に向かって折り返されることにより、支持片４８の回転方向前側の一側面及び半径方向内外面を覆いかつ該一側面及び該内外面に両面接着テープ６５を介して貼着される。そして更に、支持片４８の回転方向後側の他側面の外側において実質的に半径方向に対向する面同士、すなわち両面接着テープ６５同士が相互に重合貼着される。相互に重合貼着された清掃用シート部材の二つの部分のうち、実質的に半径方向外側に位置する片方の部分は、支持片４８から支持片４８の回転方向後方に向かって支持片４８の回転軌跡の接線方向（すなわち回転軸４１の接線方向）に延び出して、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａを構成する。また、実質的に半径方向内側に位置する他方の部分は、支持片４８の回転方向後側において、回転軸４１に近づく方向、実施形態においては、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａに対し直角に、回転軸４１に近づく方向に延び出して、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａを構成する。
【００２６】
清掃用シート部材６０が支持片４８に貼着された状態で、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａは反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａよりも長い。また、清掃用シート部材６０の一端に形成された上記折曲部６２は、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの先端から実質的に半径方向外方に延び出すよう位置付けられる。更にはまた、清掃用シート部材６０の他端に形成された上記折曲部６３は、上記した如き反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａを構成する。更にはまた、上記折曲部６３の先端に形成された折曲部６４、したがって反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端に形成された折曲部６４は、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端から回転軸４１に近づく方向、実施形態においては、実質的に支持片４８の回転方向前側の該接線方向に延び出すよう位置付けられる。図１０から容易に理解されるように、回転軸４１の軸方向に見て、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの折曲部６２及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａは、回転軸４１の軸心と支持片４８の該接線方向（幅方向）の中心を通る半径方向の仮想直線に平行にかつ相互に反対方向に延在し、また反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの折曲部６４は、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａと共に該接線方向、したがって該仮想直線に直交する方向に延在する。清掃部材である清掃用シート部材６０は単一の部材からなるので、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａは単一の清掃用シート部材６０から形成されることになる。このような構成は、組付性を向上させ、部品点数を低減し、コストダウンを可能にする。もちろん、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａを、それぞれ別部材である、独立した清掃用シート部材から形成し、それぞれ適宜の固着手段、例えば接着により支持片４８に貼着してもよい。
【００２７】
図２〜図４を参照して、撹拌機構４０の回転軸４１の一端部は、端壁１４に配設された盲孔１４Ａに回転自在に支持され、回転軸４１の他端部は、端壁１５に配設された図示しない支持孔に回転自在に支持されると共に該支持孔を貫通して外部へ突出し、突出端には入力歯車（図示せず）が装着される。この入力歯車は、トナーコンテナ１００が図示しない現像装置の所要位置又は画像形成機本体の所要位置に装着されると、伝動歯車列（図示せず）を介して電動モータ（図示せず）に連結され、電動モータが付勢されると、回転軸４１は回転させられる。
【００２８】
なお、トナーコンテナ１００の片方の端壁１４には、容器１０内にトナーを充填するための図示しない開口が形成され、該開口は、容器１０内にトナーを充填した後にふたによって閉じられる。図１及び図２において、番号１４Ｂは、該ふたを示している。
【００２９】
撹拌機構４０が容器本体１０Ａ内に装着された状態において、撹拌機構４０の撹拌手段（実施形態においては、アーム４２の各々、パドル４３、４４、４５及び４７の各々、パドル４３、４４及び４５の基部４６、及び撹拌シート部材５０など）は、反射板３２と、容器本体１０Ａの他方の端壁１５との間の領域に配置される。また、撹拌機構４０の回転軸４１は、反射板３２に対し反射面の裏面側における容器本体１０Ａ内の空間を延在するよう配置される。このような配置によって、撹拌機構４０が撹拌手段と共に回転しても、撹拌手段が反射板３２に干渉することはない。
【００３０】
図５を参照して、撹拌機構４０が容器本体１０Ａ内に装着された状態において、支持片４８は、光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を周期的に通過する回転軌跡を有する。したがって、支持片４８に配設された清掃部材、実施形態においては、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａも、光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を周期的に通過する。なお、撹拌機構４０の回転方向は、図５において時計方向である。
【００３１】
上記のように構成されたトナーコンテナ１００は、典型的には、図示しない画像形成機の画像形成機本体に備えられた現像装置の現像ハウジングの上壁の所定位置に離脱自在に装着される。図示の実施形態において、トナーコンテナ１００は、画像形成機本体の前面から後方に向かって挿入することにより装着され、画像形成機本体の前面から引き出すことにより離脱される。トナーコンテナ１００の挿入方向は図１及び図２において右斜め上方（片方の端壁１４から他方の端壁１５に向かう方向）である。トナーコンテナ１００が現像ハウジングに装着されると、シャッタ部材１９が該装着動作に連動して開位置に摺動させられる。これにより、トナーコンテナ１００のトナー排出口１７が現像ハウジングの上壁に配設された図示しないトナー補給口に連通され、トナーコンテナ１００内に収容されたトナーの、現像ハウジング内への補給が可能となる。なお、トナーコンテナ１００が画像形成機本体の前面から引き出されると、シャッタ部材１９は該離脱動作に連動して閉位置に摺動させられる。このようなシャッタ部材１９の開閉機構は周知の構成を利用することでよく、またそれ自体は本発明の特徴をなすものではないので、説明は省略する。
【００３２】
トナーコンテナ１００が画像形成機本体の所要位置に装着されると、図示しないトナー検出手段が光透過窓３０の外側から光透過窓３０に対向して相対的に位置付けられる。トナー検出手段は、光学式反射型センサにより構成され、発光部材と受光部材とを備えている。発光部材は、例えば発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）からなる発光素子から構成され、また受光部材は、例えばフォトトランジスタからなる受光素子から構成される。トナー検出手段の発光部材から光透過窓３０を通して反射板３２に向けて照射された光が反射板３２により反射されると、該光は受光部材により受光されてトナーの残量が検出される。光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間の空間を充填していたトナーが該光の通過を許容する程度に減少したときに、はじめてトナーの残量が検出される。トナーの残量を正確に検出するためには、光透過窓３０の内面及び反射板３２の反射面に付着するトナーの量ができるだけ少ないことが望まれる。本発明においては、回転体である撹拌機構４０に清掃部材である光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａが配設され、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａは、光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を周期的に通過しかつ光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を通過する毎に光透過窓３０の内面及び反射板３２の反射面に圧接されながら移動して該内側面及び該反射面を清掃するよう構成されているので、光透過窓３０の内面及び反射板３２の反射面を効果的に清掃することを可能にし、その結果、トナーの残量を正確に検出することを可能にする。また構成が簡単で低コストで製造できる。以下、本発明の作用効果について更に具体的に説明する。
【００３３】
図２、図５及び図８を参照して、トナーコンテナ１００が図示しない画像形成機本体の所要位置に装着された状態において、現像ハウジング内に配設されたトナー濃度検出センサ（二成分現像剤の場合）又はトナー量検出センサ（一成分現像剤の場合）からの信号により電動モータが回転駆動されると、移送機構２０及び撹拌機構４０が図５及び図８において時計方向Ｄに回転駆動される。容器１０内に収容されたトナーが移送機構２０によりトナー排出口１７に向けて移送され、該トナーが現像ハウジング内へ補給される。撹拌機構４０の回転により、容器１０内に収容されたトナーは、上記撹拌手段によって撹拌される。同時に、撹拌機構４０の撹拌シート部材５０の折曲部５２の先端が、反射板３２と他方の端壁１５との間の領域における側壁１２及び１３の各々の内面、並びに底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂの内面に圧接（撹拌シート部材５０の弾性変形により圧接）されながら移動させられるので、これらの内面に付着したトナーが効果的に剥離され、ないしは掻き落とされ、これらの内面が効果的に清掃される。これにより、容器１０内に残留するトナー量が低減されるので、トナーの有効利用が促進される。撹拌シート部材５０の折曲部５２は、撹拌シート部材５０の先端部における剛性を高め、弾性変形による、上記各内面に対する圧接力を増大するので、上記効果は促進される。また容器１０内に収容されたトナーが底壁１１の片側の領域１１Ａに配設された移送機構２０に向けて強制されるので、移送機構２０によるトナーの搬送効果が促進され、容器１０内に残留するトナー量が低減されるので、トナーの有効利用が促進される。
【００３４】
上記したように、支持片４８は、光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を周期的に通過する回転軌跡を有し、したがって、支持片４８に配設された光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａは、光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を周期的に通過する（図８は、支持片４８が光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を通過する瞬間の状態を示している）。このような構成により、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａが光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を通過する毎に、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの先端は、片方の側壁１２の内面、光透過窓３０の内面、底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂの内面及び他方の側壁１３の内面に圧接（光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの弾性変形により圧接）されながら移動して該内面の各々を清掃する。また、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端は反射板３２の反射面に圧接（反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの弾性変形により圧接）されながら移動して該反射面を清掃する。その結果、片方の側壁１２の内面、光透過窓３０の内面、底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂの内面、他方の側壁１３の内面及び反射板３２の反射面に付着したトナーが効果的に剥離され、ないしは掻き落とされ、これらの内面が効果的に清掃される。光透過窓３０の内面及び反射板３２の反射面が効果的に清掃されると、光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間の空間を充填していたトナーが、光透過窓３０を介して、上記発光部材と反射板３２の反射面との間及び反射板３２の反射面と受光部材との間の光の通過を許容する程度に減少したとき、発光部材から反射板３２の反射面に向けて照射された光が十分に反射されて受光部材により受光されるので、トナーの残量の検出が正確に遂行される。片方の側壁１２の内面、底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂの内面及び他方の側壁１３の内面が効果的に清掃されると、容器１０内に残留するトナー量が低減されるので、トナーの有効利用が促進される。
【００３５】
光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端には、それぞれ折曲部６２及び６４が形成され、撹拌機構４０が回転すると、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａは、光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を周期的に通過しかつ各々間を通過する毎に、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの折曲部６２の先端が、片方の側壁１２の内面、光透過窓３０の内面、底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂの内面及び他方の側壁１３の内面に圧接（光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの弾性変形により圧接）されながら移動して該内面の各々を清掃する。また、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの折曲部６４の先端が、反射板３２の反射面に圧接されながら移動して該反射面を清掃する。折曲部６２及び折曲部６４は、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの各々の先端部における剛性を高め、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの各々及び各々の該先端部の弾性変形による、上記各内面に対する圧接力を増大するので、上記効果は促進される。なお、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端に折曲部６４を形成しない他の実施形態ももちろん可能であり、上記した効果を実用上、合格レベルで達成することは可能である。
【００３６】
光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの先端の回転半径は、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端の回転半径よりも大きい。この構成により、撹拌機構４０が回転すると、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの先端が、先に述べたように、他方の側壁１３の内面にも周期的に圧接しながら移動して該内面を清掃することが可能になる。その結果、光透過窓３０の内面及び底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂの内面のみならず、他方の側壁１３の内面に付着したトナーも効果的に剥離され、ないしは掻き落とされ、該内面が効果的に清掃される。この構成により、容器１０内に残留するトナー量が更に低減されるので、トナーの有効利用が更に促進される。
【００３７】
上記トナーコンテナ１００においては、撹拌機構４０に光透過窓３０と反射板３２との間を周期的に通過する回転軌跡を有する支持片４８が配設され、支持片４８に、清掃部材である光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａ及び反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａが配設されている。このような構成により、上記した作用効果の達成を可能にするので、構成が簡単で、既存の構成を利用して容易にかつ低コストで実用化でき、有用である。
【００３８】
上記トナーコンテナ１００においてはまた、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａは、支持片４８から支持片４８の回転方向後方に向かって支持片４８の回転軌跡の接線方向に延び出し、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａは、支持片４８の回転方向後側において回転軸４１に近づく方向に延び出すよう構成されている。このような構成により、支持片４８の回転に付随して、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの先端が光透過窓３０の内面に圧接されながら移動することを容易に可能にし、また、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端が反射板３２の反射面に圧接されながら移動することを容易に可能にし、上記した作用効果の達成を可能にするものである。また光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの折曲部６２は、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの先端から実質的に回転軸４１の半径方向外方に延び出し、また反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの折曲部６４は、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａの先端から回転軸４１に近づく方向に延び出しているので、上記清掃効果が更に向上する。
【００３９】
以上、添付図面を参照して本発明に従って構成されたトナーコンテナ１００の好適実施形態について説明したが、本発明は上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の範囲を逸脱することなく種々の変形ないし修正が可能である。例えば、上記実施形態において、光透過窓３０は片方の側壁１２に配設されているが、底壁１１、実施形態においては底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂに配設する他の実施形態もある。この場合、反射板３２は、容器本体１０Ａ内において光透過窓３０に間隔をおいて対向するよう片方の端壁１４に配設される。また光透過窓３０の内面は、底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂの内面と同一面上に配設されるか又は、該内面よりもわずかに内側に突出して配設されることが好ましい。また、上記トナーコンテナ１００はカートリッジ式に構成されているが、現像装置に一体化されたものであってもよい。
【００４０】
上記実施形態は、トナー検出手段が光学式反射型センサにより構成されることを前提にして構成されているが、本発明は、トナー検出手段が光学式透過型センサにより構成される他の実施形態であっても適用可能である。この他の実施形態を図５を参照して説明すると、光透過窓３０は両方の側壁１２及び１３に相互に対向して配設され、トナー検出手段の発光部材は、片方の光透過窓３０の外側に配置され、トナー検出手段の受光部材は、他方の光透過窓３０の外側に配置される。発光部材は光を片方の光透過窓３０及び他方の光透過窓３０を通して受光部材に向けて照射するよう配置され、受光部材は発光部材により照射された該光を受光しうるよう配置される。この場合、容器本体１０Ａ内における光透過窓３０の各々間であって、少なくとも発光部材から受光部材に向かう光線の通路の近傍領域には、不動の干渉物を存在させないことが必要である。したがって、図５に示されている実施形態においては、反射板３２は除去され、また、撹拌機構４０の回転軸４１は、上記光線の通路を干渉しない上方又は下方に配置される。更にはまた、反射板３２が除去されることに起因して、反射板清掃用シート部材６３Ａは除去され、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａのみが支持片４８に配設される。またトナー排出口１７及び光透過窓３０の各々は、容器１０の長手方向におけるいずれの位置に配置されていてもよい。
【００４１】
上記他の実施形態において、撹拌機構４０が回転すると、光透過窓清掃用シート部材６１Ａの先端、図示の実施形態においては折曲部６２の先端は、両方の側壁１２及び１３の内面、側壁１２及び１３の各々に相互に対向して配設された光透過窓３０の各々の内面及び底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂを周期的に圧接しながら移動して該内面の各々を、先の実施形態におけると同様にして清掃する。その結果、側壁１２及び１３の各々の内面、光透過窓３０の各々の内面及び底壁１１の他側の領域１１Ｂの内面に付着したトナーが効果的に剥離され、ないしは掻き落とされ、該内面の各々が効果的に清掃される。この他の実施形態においても、光透過窓３０の各々の内面が効果的に清掃されるので、トナーの残量を正確に検出することを可能にする。また、容器１０内に残留するトナー量が低減されるので、トナーの有効利用が更に促進される。
【００４２】
【発明の効果】
本発明によるトナーコンテナによれば、相互に対向する光透過窓の内面及び反射板の反射面を効果的に清掃することを可能にし、その結果、トナーの残量を正確に検出することを可能にする。また、比較的簡単な構成及び低コストで、相互に対向する光透過窓の内面及び反射板の反射面を効果的に清掃することを可能にし、その結果、トナーの残量を正確に検出することを可能にする。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に従って構成されたトナーコンテナの好適実施形態示す斜視図。
【図２】図１に示されているトナーコンテナを、ふた部材を取り除いて示す斜視図。
【図３】図２に示されているトナーコンテナの要部を示す上面拡大図であって、一部を省略して示す上面拡大図。
【図４】図３の一部を破断しかつ一部を省略して示す正面図。
【図５】図４のＡ−Ａ矢視断面図。
【図６】図２に示されているトナーコンテナの構成部材の一部を分解して示す斜視図。
【図７】図６に示す構成部材を組み立てた状態を示す透視図。
【図８】図５の他の作動態様を示す断面図。
【図９】図４のＢ−Ｂ矢視拡大断面図。
【図１０】図４のＣ−Ｃ矢視拡大断面図。
【符号の説明】
１０ 容器
１０Ａ 容器本体
１１ 底壁
１２、１３ 側壁
１４、１５ 端壁
２０ 移送機構
３０ 光透過窓
３２ 反射板
３２ａ 反射板本体
３２ｂ 反射シート部材
４０ 撹拌機構
４１ 回転軸
４２ アーム
４８ 支持片
５０ 撹拌シート部材
６０ 清掃用シート部材
６１Ａ 光透過窓清掃用シート部材
６２ 折曲部
６３Ａ 反射板清掃用シート部材
６４ 折曲部
１００ トナーコンテナ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toner container for supplying toner to a developing housing of a developing device provided in an image forming machine such as an electrostatic copying machine, a laser printer, or an electrostatic facsimile, and more specifically, a light transmission window and a reflecting plate. The present invention relates to a toner container provided with and a cleaning member for cleaning them.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an image forming machine such as an electrostatic copying machine, a laser printer, or an electrostatic facsimile, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an electrostatic photosensitive member, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image into a toner image is housed in a development housing that houses a so-called one-component developer composed of only toner or a so-called two-component developer composed of toner and carrier particles. And a developer container for supplying the developer to the developing area and applying it to the electrostatic photosensitive member, and a toner container for supplying toner to the developing housing. A typical toner container has a bottom wall provided with a toner discharge port, a container having a pair of side walls and an end wall, respectively, and the toner contained in the container is directed toward the toner discharge port provided on the bottom wall. A transfer mechanism for transferring the toner and a stirring mechanism rotatably disposed in the container for stirring the toner contained in the container. A shutter member is mounted on the bottom wall of the container so as to be movable between a closed position for closing the toner discharge port and an open position for opening the toner discharge port.
[0003]
One end of the rotation shaft of the transfer mechanism and the stirring mechanism is projected outside the container beyond the end wall of the container, and an input gear is mounted on each projecting end of the rotation shaft. When the toner container is mounted at a required position of the developing housing or a required position of the image forming machine main body, the shutter member is moved from the closed position to the open position. Further, an input gear mounted on the rotation shafts of the transfer mechanism and the stirring mechanism is drivingly connected to the electric motor via the transmission gear train. When the electric motor is driven to rotate by a signal from a toner concentration detection sensor (in the case of a two-component developer) or a toner amount detection sensor (in the case of a one-component developer) disposed in the developing housing, the transfer mechanism and the agitation The mechanism is driven to rotate. The toner present in the container is agitated by the agitating mechanism and simultaneously transferred toward the toner discharge port by the transfer mechanism, and directly discharged from the opened toner discharge port into the developing housing disposed below the toner container. (Dropped) or discharged from a toner discharge port into a toner hopper disposed below the toner container. The toner discharged into the toner hopper is transferred into the developing housing through another transfer mechanism provided in the toner hopper. In this way, toner is supplied from the toner container to the developing housing.
[0004]
The image forming machine preferably further includes a toner remaining amount detecting device that detects the remaining amount of toner stored in the container of the toner container. The toner remaining amount detection device includes: a toner container including the container provided with a light transmission window; and the inside of the container by irradiating light from the outside of the container through the light transmission window and receiving the light. And toner detection means for detecting the remaining amount of toner contained in the toner. The toner detection means is composed of a light emitting member and a light receiving member.
[0005]
As a typical example of the toner detecting means, it can be constituted by an optical reflection type sensor. In this case, a reflecting plate is provided in the container. The reflecting plate is disposed such that the reflecting surface thereof is opposed to the inner surface of the light transmission window with a space therebetween. When the light emitted from the light emitting member of the toner detecting means toward the reflecting plate through the light transmitting window is reflected by the reflecting plate, the light is received by the light receiving member through the light transmitting window and the remaining amount of toner is detected. .
[0006]
As another typical example of the toner detecting means, it can be constituted by an optical transmission type sensor. In this case, the light transmission windows are disposed on both side walls so as to face each other. When the light emitted from the light emitting member of the toner detecting unit to the light receiving member through one light transmitting window and the other light transmitting window is received by the light receiving member, the remaining amount of toner is detected.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Toner filling the space between the light transmission window and the reflector when the toner filling the space between the light transmission window and the reflecting plate decreases to an extent that allows the light to pass therethrough or The toner remaining amount is detected for the first time when the amount of toner has decreased to an extent that allows the passage of the light. In order to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner, it is desirable that the amount of toner adhering to the inner surface of the light transmitting window and the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate or the inner surfaces of each of the pair of light transmitting windows is as small as possible. Even if the toner filling the space between the light transmission window and the reflecting plate is reduced to the extent that the light is allowed to pass, or the toner filling the space between the light transmission windows facing each other. However, if a large amount of toner adheres to the inner surface of the light transmission window and the reflection surface of the reflection plate, or the light transmission window of the opposite light transmission window When a large amount of toner adheres to each inner surface, the light irradiated from the light emitting member toward the reflecting plate is not sufficiently reflected, or from the light emitting member toward the light receiving member through the pair of light transmission windows. There is a possibility that the irradiated light is not sufficiently received and the remaining amount of toner cannot be detected as required.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to enable effective cleaning of the inner surface of the light transmission window and the reflection surface of the reflector that face each other, and as a result, to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner. It is to provide an improved toner container.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is to enable effective cleaning of the inner surface of the light transmission window and the reflection surface of the reflector, which are opposed to each other, with a relatively simple structure and low cost. An object is to provide an improved toner container that allows the amount to be accurately detected.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a toner is provided that includes a container in which a light transmission window is disposed, a reflection plate is disposed in the container, and the reflection surface of the reflection plate faces the inner surface of the light transmission window with a space therebetween. In the container
An agitating mechanism for agitating the toner is disposed in the container, and the agitating mechanism includes a rotation shaft and a stirring unit disposed on the rotation shaft, and the stirring unit includes a light transmission window, a reflection plate, and the like. A support piece having a rotation trajectory periodically passing between the support pieces and having a cross section extending substantially flat in a tangential direction of the rotation trace is disposed, and a cleaning member is disposed on the support piece. When the stirring mechanism rotates, the cleaning member periodically passes between the light transmission window and the reflection plate together with the support piece, and each time it passes between the inner surface of the light transmission window and the reflection surface of the reflection plate. Moving while being pressed against the inner surface and cleaning the inner surface and the reflecting surface,
The cleaning member is composed of a light transmission window cleaning sheet member and a reflection plate cleaning sheet member each having elasticity and made of synthetic resin, and the light transmission window cleaning sheet member is located behind the support piece in the rotation direction of the support piece. The reflection plate cleaning sheet member extends in a direction approaching the rotation axis on the rear side in the rotation direction of the support piece, and the light transmission window cleaning sheet member and the reflection plate cleaning sheet. Each time each of the members periodically passes between the light transmission window and the reflection plate together with the support piece, the tip of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member moves while being pressed against the inner surface of the light transmission window. Clean and clean the reflective surface by moving the tip of the reflective plate cleaning sheet member in pressure contact with the reflective surface of the reflective plate.And
YongThe container has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls and end walls, respectively, and the light transmission window is disposed on one side wall or the bottom wall in one end region of the container, in the vicinity of the one end wall. Is arranged on one end wall so as to extend from one end wall toward the other end wall, and a space is formed outside the entire circumference in the cross section of the reflector, and the rotation shaft of the stirring mechanism is between the both end walls. The stirring means is disposed in a region between the reflecting plate and the other end wall, and the rotation shaft of the stirring mechanism defines the space in the container on the back side of the reflecting surface with respect to the reflecting plate. The stirring means includes an arm that extends radially outward from the rotating shaft at an interval in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and is disposed close to the reflecting plate in the axial direction. The support piece protrudes from the arm toward one end wall,
The light transmissive window cleaning sheet member and the reflector cleaning sheet member are formed from a single cleaning sheet member, and the single cleaning sheet member has a predetermined width and the longitudinal intermediate portion rotates the support piece. By folding back toward the rear in the rotational direction on the front side in the direction, the support piece covers one side surface on the front side in the rotation direction and the inner and outer surfaces in the radial direction, and is adhered to the one side surface and the inner and outer surfaces. The surfaces facing each other in the radial direction on the outer side of the other side of the side are superposed on each other, and the two parts of the cleaning sheet member superposed on each other are substantially radially outward. One portion positioned is a light transmission window cleaning sheet member, and the other portion positioned substantially radially inward is a reflector cleaning sheet member.A toner container is provided.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a toner container constructed according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0013]
1 and 2, the toner container 100 includes a container 10, and the container 10 includes a container body 10A and a lid member 10B. A container body 10A that can be integrally formed from an appropriate synthetic resin, for example, ABS, has a box shape with an open upper surface, and is disposed on both sides of the bottom wall 11 in the width direction of the relatively thin bottom wall 11. A pair of side walls 12 and 13 and a pair of end walls 14 and 15 disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 11 are provided. An annular flange 16 extending outward from the upper ends of the side walls 12 and 13 and the end walls 14 and 15 is formed at the upper end of the container body 10A, and the upper surface of the flange 16 exists on the same plane. As clearly shown in FIG. 5, the bottom wall 11 of the container main body 10 </ b> A includes two regions 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B arranged in parallel in the cross-sectional view. The region 11A on one side has a relatively small arc shape, and the region 11B on the other side has a relatively large arc shape. The lid member 10B, which can be formed from an appropriate synthetic resin, for example, ABS, has a flat plate shape. The lid member 10B is polymerized on the upper surface of the flange 16 of the container body 10A, and is fixed to the container body 10A by an appropriate manner such as ultrasonic welding, and closes the upper surface of the container body 10A.
[0014]
3 to 5, a flat portion 11a having a substantially rectangular shape is formed in a region 11A on one side of the bottom wall 11 having an arc shape. When the container body 10A is viewed in the longitudinal direction, the flat portion 11a extends from the bottom end of the arc shape of the region 11A on one side to the bottom end of the arc shape of the region 11B on the other side, and below the region 11B on the other side. It extends horizontally to the vicinity of the boundary with the region 11A on one side. A toner discharge port 17 having a substantially rectangular shape is formed in the flat portion 11a. The flat portion 11a is formed in one end region of the container body 10A, which is in the vicinity of one end wall 14 of the container body 10A. Therefore, the toner discharge port 17 is disposed on the bottom wall 11 in the one end region of the container main body 10A, which is in the vicinity of one end wall 14 of the container main body 10A. The upper end of the toner discharge port 17 opens to the upper surface of the flat portion 11 a that is the inner surface of the bottom wall 11, and the lower end of the toner discharge port 17 opens to the lower surface of the flat portion 11 a that is the outer surface of the bottom wall 11.
[0015]
A shutter support portion 18 is formed below the flat portion 11a. The shutter support portion 18 includes a pair of guide walls 18a extending downward from both sides of the flat portion 11a across the toner discharge port 17 and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 11, and each of the guide walls 18a. And a support wall 18b extending from the lower end in a direction approaching each other. A shutter member 19 having a substantially rectangular planar shape is mounted on the shutter support portion 18 so as to be slidable between a closed position for closing the toner discharge port 17 and an open position for releasing the toner discharge port 17. Since the shutter member 19 itself may use a well-known configuration and does not form a feature of the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted. When the shutter member 19 is positioned at the closed position, the toner discharge port 17 is closed by the shutter member 19 on the lower surface side of the flat portion 11a, and when the shutter member 19 is positioned at the open position, the toner discharge port 17 is opened downward. .
[0016]
In the container main body 10A, a transfer mechanism 20 for transferring the toner contained in the container main body 10A toward the toner discharge port 17 is disposed so as to extend along the region 11A on one side of the bottom wall 11. Yes. The transfer mechanism 20 includes a rotation shaft 22 rotatably supported between the end walls 14 and 15, and blade means including spiral blades 23, 24, and 25 formed on the rotation shaft 22. The axis of the rotating shaft 22 coincides with the center of the arc shape of the region 11 </ b> A on one side of the bottom wall 11. One end portion of the rotation shaft 22 of the transfer mechanism 20 is rotatably supported in a blind hole 14 a disposed in the end wall 14, and the other end portion of the rotation shaft 22 is supported on the end wall 15 (not shown). It is rotatably supported by the hole, penetrates through the support hole and protrudes to the outside, and an input gear (not shown) is attached to the protruding end. This input gear is connected to an electric motor (not shown) via a transmission gear train (not shown) when the toner container 100 is mounted at a required position of a developing device (not shown) or a required position of the image forming machine main body. When the electric motor is energized, the rotating shaft 22 is rotated. The configuration of the transfer mechanism 20 does not form a feature of the present invention, and therefore, further detailed description is omitted.
[0017]
A light transmission window 30 is disposed on one side wall 12 in the one end region of the container body 10A. The light transmission window 30 having a substantially rectangular shape can be made of a transparent appropriate synthetic resin that transmits light, for example, GPPS (general purpose polystyrene), and is fitted into a rectangular mounting hole formed in the side wall 12. For example, it is fixed by adhesion. The light transmission window 30 has a flat plate shape in which at least the light transmission region has a certain thickness, and is disposed at a position higher than the rotation trajectory of the blade means of the transfer mechanism 20 in the embodiment. The light transmission window 30 is also preferably arranged so that its inner surface is flush with the inner surface of the one side wall 12 or projects slightly inward from the inner surface of the one side wall 12. However, in the embodiment, it is disposed so as to protrude slightly inward from the inner surface of one side wall 12. Such a configuration ensures that when the distal end of a light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A, which will be described later, moves in the rotational direction while being pressed, it is reliably pressed against the inner surface of the light transmission window 30, and the cleaning effect is ensured. Make things.
[0018]
A reflector 32 is disposed in the container body 10A. The reflection surface of the reflection plate 32 is disposed so as to face the inner surface of the light transmission window 30 with a gap. More specifically, the reflector 32 is formed integrally with the end wall 14 so as to extend from the end wall 14 of the container body 10A toward the end wall 15 and in parallel with the light transmission window 30. It is comprised from 32a and the reflective sheet member 32b stuck on the reflecting plate main body 32a. The reflector main body 32a has a rectangular shape whose cross section is long in the vertical direction of the container main body 10A. The reflection sheet member 32 b is opposite to at least the surface of the reflection plate body 32 a that faces the inner surface of the light transmission window 30, one side surface (the upper surface in the embodiment), and the surface that faces the inner surface of the light transmission window 30. It sticks so that the area | region of this one side surface vicinity in the back surface of a side may be covered. One side surface of the reflection sheet member 32b is one side surface that opposes the moving direction of the front end of a later-described reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A. Such a configuration makes it possible to easily and inexpensively form a reflecting surface on the surface of the reflecting plate body 32a. Further, when the front end of a reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A, which will be described later, moves in the rotational direction while being pressed, it enables a smooth relative movement, thereby cleaning the surface of the reflection sheet member 32b, and thus the reflection surface of the reflection plate 32. Improve the cleaning effect. Moreover, peeling of the reflection sheet member 32b is prevented. Furthermore, the end of the reflecting plate cleaning sheet member 63A and the reflecting sheet member 32b are prevented from being damaged to improve the durability of each. That is, according to the said structure, the cleaning effect of the reflective surface of the reflecting plate 32 can be improved, ensuring the durability of the reflecting plate cleaning sheet member 63A. If one side surface of the reflection sheet member 32b is formed by a curved surface, the above effect can be further improved. In particular, when the bent portion 64 is formed at the tip of the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A as will be described later, the pressure contact force against the reflection plate 32 is increased, and thus the above configuration is effective. .
[0019]
The reflection sheet member 32b is preferably composed of a member having as high a reflectance as possible. However, in practice, it is necessary to clear conditions such as assembling property and cost in addition to reflectivity, so a film made of a synthetic resin provided with a reflective film formed by vacuum-depositing aluminum on the surface It is preferable to comprise from. In the embodiment, the reflecting member 32b is made of an aluminum vapor-deposited PET film (trade name “FNS gloss 50” manufactured by Lintec Corporation). Reinforcing ribs 32c extending in the longitudinal direction of the container body 10A are vertically spaced on the back surface opposite to the surface facing the light transmission window 30 at the base end of the reflector main body 32a. Two pieces are arranged at intervals in the direction (only one is shown in FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 5, a space is formed outside the entire circumference in the cross section of the reflecting plate 32. A surface of the reflection sheet member 32 b that faces the inner surface of the light transmission window 30 forms a reflection surface of the reflection plate 32. As can be easily understood from FIGS. 3 and 5, in the embodiment, the reflector main body 32 a is closer to the one side wall 12 than the center in the width direction of the container main body 10 </ b> A. It arrange | positions so that it may oppose.
[0020]
Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, a stirring mechanism 40 for stirring toner stored in the container main body 10 </ b> A is rotatably disposed in the container main body 10 </ b> A. The stirring mechanism 40 includes a rotating shaft 41 that is rotatably supported between each of the end walls 14 and 15, and stirring means disposed on the rotating shaft 41. The agitation means includes a plurality of arms 42 extending radially outward from the rotation shaft 41 at intervals in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 41. Each of the flat arms 42 has a width larger than the diameter of the rotating shaft 41 and is arranged so as to extend radially outward in opposite directions at the same circumferential direction angle position with respect to the rotating shaft 41. It is installed. The arrangement of the plurality of arms 42 is configured by arranging five pairs of arms 42A having relatively narrow axial intervals with an axial interval wider than the axial interval.
[0021]
One end in the radial direction of the arm 42 constituting the arm pair 42A is connected by a paddle 43, and the one end of each of the arm pairs 42A adjacent in the axial direction is the one of the arms 42 facing each other in the axial direction. They are connected by base portions 46 (see FIG. 9) of a pair of paddles 44 that extend from one end in the axial direction approaching each other and are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. Between each pair of paddles 44, another paddle 45 is disposed via the base 46. Each of the paddles 43, 44, and 45 has a substantially plate shape and has a constant width in the tangential direction of the rotating shaft 41, and has a shaft at one end in the tangential direction (one end on the front side in the rotating direction of the rotating shaft 41). The base portions 46 extending in the direction are integrally connected to each other. Each of the paddles 43 and 45 has a space on the outer side and on the lower side of both side surfaces excluding the base 46. Each of the paddles 44 has the same axial length as each other and is longer than the axial length of each of the paddles 43 and 45 having the same axial length. The upper surface of each paddle 44 exists on the same plane parallel to the rotation axis 41, and the lower surface of each paddle 43 and 45 exists on the same plane as the plane. Locking projections 43a (see FIG. 9) extending downward from the lower surface are formed on the lower surface of each paddle 43. The other end of each arm 42 in the radial direction is connected by a paddle 47. Each of the paddles 47 has a substantially plate shape and has a certain width in the tangential direction of the rotating shaft 41.
[0022]
The stirring mechanism 40 further includes a stirring sheet member 50 having elasticity. 3 and 4, illustration of a stirring sheet member 50 described below and a cleaning sheet member 60 described later is omitted in order to avoid complication of the drawings. The stirring sheet member 50 is made of a transparent film integrally formed from an appropriate synthetic resin sheet member, for example, PET. As shown in FIG. 6, the stirring sheet member 50 includes an elongated rectangular main body 51 and a bent portion 52 that linearly extends from one side of the main body 51 at a right angle. A plurality of rectangular holes 53 are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction at the central portion in the width direction of the flat main body 51. On the other side of the main body 51, five locked holes 54 are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction. The total length of the stirring sheet member 50 is substantially the same as the length between the arms 42 disposed at both axial ends of the rotating shaft 41. The other side portion of the stirring sheet member 50 configured as described above is inserted between the upper surface of each of the paddles 44 and the lower surfaces of the paddles 43 and 45, and each of the locked holes 54 corresponds. The paddle 43 is attached to the paddles 43 to 45 by being detachably locked to a locking projection 43a formed on the lower surface of the paddle 43 (see FIGS. 7 and 9). The stirring sheet member 50 extends linearly from one end of each arm 42 in the tangential direction of the rotation shaft 41 toward the rear side in the rotation direction of the stirring mechanism 40. As shown in FIG. 9, the bent portion 52 of the stirring sheet member 50 is arranged to extend substantially outward in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 41.
[0023]
The stirring unit of the stirring mechanism 40 that is a rotating body is provided with a support portion, and a cleaning sheet member 60 that is a cleaning member is provided on the support portion. More specifically, at one end of the arm 42 disposed closest to one end of the rotating shaft 41, a support portion extending in parallel with the rotating shaft 41 from the one end toward the one end of the rotating shaft 41, the embodiment The support piece 48 is integrally formed. The support piece 48 has a cross section that extends substantially flat in the tangential direction of the rotating shaft 41. As clearly shown in FIG. 10, the radial outer surface of the support piece 48 on the rotation shaft 41 is a gently curved surface, and the radial inner surface of the support piece 48 extends linearly in the tangential direction. It consists of a flat surface. The corners at which both ends in the width direction of the outer surface of the support piece 48 intersect with both side surfaces of the support piece 48 are formed from curved surfaces.
[0024]
The cleaning sheet member 60, which is a single member, can be composed of an appropriate synthetic resin sheet member having elasticity, for example, a PET film. As shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning sheet member 60 has a rectangular main body portion 61 having a certain width, and extends linearly from one end in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 61 at a right angle to one side. A bent portion 62 and a bent portion 63 that extends from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 61 to the same one surface side at right angles and linearly are provided. A bent portion 64 is formed at the tip of the bent portion 63 so as to extend from the tip at a right angle toward the one end direction of the main body 61 and in a relatively short line. A rectangular double-sided adhesive tape 65 is provided on the other surface of the main body 61 between the other end of the main body 61 and a position closer to one end than the longitudinal center of the main body 61. It is stuck. In order to facilitate folding when the cleaning sheet member 60 is folded as will be described later, the folded portion (in the region where the double-sided adhesive tape 65 is attached) is present in the middle portion of the main body portion 61 in the longitudinal direction. A pair of slits (shown by dotted lines in FIG. 6) are formed in the central portion in the longitudinal direction, extending in parallel to the width direction at intervals in the longitudinal direction.
[0025]
With reference to FIGS. 7 and 10, the cleaning sheet member 60 configured as described above has a longitudinal intermediate portion (folded portion) in the rotational direction on the front side in the rotational direction of the support piece 48 (right side in FIG. 10). By folding back toward the rear side (left side in FIG. 10), one side surface of the support piece 48 in the front direction of rotation and the inner and outer surfaces in the radial direction are covered, and the one side surface and the inner and outer surfaces are pasted via a double-sided adhesive tape 65. Worn. Further, the surfaces that are substantially opposed to each other in the radial direction outside the other side surface on the rear side in the rotational direction of the support piece 48, that is, the double-sided adhesive tapes 65 are superposed and adhered to each other. Of the two portions of the cleaning sheet member superposed on each other, one portion that is located substantially radially outward is located on the support piece 48 from the support piece 48 toward the rear in the rotational direction of the support piece 48. The light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61 </ b> A is configured to extend in the tangential direction of the rotation locus (that is, the tangential direction of the rotation shaft 41). In addition, the other portion located substantially inward in the radial direction is in a direction approaching the rotation shaft 41 on the rear side in the rotation direction of the support piece 48, in the embodiment, at a right angle to the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A. The reflecting plate cleaning sheet member 63 </ b> A extends in a direction approaching the rotating shaft 41.
[0026]
In a state where the cleaning sheet member 60 is adhered to the support piece 48, the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A is longer than the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A. Further, the bent portion 62 formed at one end of the cleaning sheet member 60 is positioned so as to extend substantially outward in the radial direction from the tip of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A. Furthermore, the bent portion 63 formed at the other end of the cleaning sheet member 60 constitutes the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A as described above. Furthermore, the bent portion 64 formed at the tip of the bent portion 63, and hence the bent portion 64 formed at the tip of the reflecting plate cleaning sheet member 63A, extends from the tip of the reflecting plate cleaning sheet member 63A. In the embodiment, it is positioned so as to extend in the tangential direction on the front side in the rotation direction of the support piece 48 in the direction approaching the rotation shaft 41. As can be easily understood from FIG. 10, the bent portion 62 of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61 </ b> A and the reflector cleaning sheet member 63 </ b> A are seen from the axial direction of the rotation shaft 41. Extending in parallel and opposite to each other in a radial imaginary straight line passing through the center of the tangential direction (width direction) of the support piece 48, and the bent portion 64 of the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A The transmissive window cleaning sheet member 61 </ b> A extends in the tangential direction, and thus in the direction orthogonal to the imaginary straight line. Since the cleaning sheet member 60, which is a cleaning member, is composed of a single member, the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A are formed from a single cleaning sheet member 60. . Such a configuration improves assemblability, reduces the number of parts, and enables cost reduction. Of course, the light transmissive window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A are formed from independent cleaning sheet members, which are separate members, and are respectively attached to the support piece 48 by appropriate fixing means, for example, adhesion. You may wear it.
[0027]
2 to 4, one end portion of the rotating shaft 41 of the stirring mechanism 40 is rotatably supported by a blind hole 14 </ b> A disposed in the end wall 14, and the other end portion of the rotating shaft 41 is an end portion. It is rotatably supported by a support hole (not shown) provided on the wall 15 and protrudes outside through the support hole, and an input gear (not shown) is attached to the protruding end. This input gear is connected to an electric motor (not shown) via a transmission gear train (not shown) when the toner container 100 is mounted at a required position of a developing device (not shown) or a required position of the image forming machine main body. When the electric motor is energized, the rotating shaft 41 is rotated.
[0028]
An opening (not shown) for filling the container 10 with toner is formed in one end wall 14 of the toner container 100, and the opening is closed by a lid after the toner is filled in the container 10. 1 and 2, reference numeral 14 </ b> B indicates the lid.
[0029]
In a state where the stirring mechanism 40 is mounted in the container main body 10A, the stirring means of the stirring mechanism 40 (in the embodiment, each of the arm 42, each of the paddles 43, 44, 45 and 47, each of the paddles 43, 44 and 45) The base 46 and the stirring sheet member 50 are disposed in a region between the reflecting plate 32 and the other end wall 15 of the container main body 10A. The rotating shaft 41 of the stirring mechanism 40 is arranged so as to extend in the space in the container body 10 </ b> A on the back surface side of the reflecting surface with respect to the reflecting plate 32. With such an arrangement, even if the stirring mechanism 40 rotates together with the stirring unit, the stirring unit does not interfere with the reflection plate 32.
[0030]
Referring to FIG. 5, in a state where stirring mechanism 40 is mounted in container body 10 </ b> A, support piece 48 has a rotation locus that periodically passes between light transmission window 30 and reflection plate 32. Therefore, the cleaning member disposed on the support piece 48, in the embodiment, the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A are also periodically formed between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32. To pass through. In addition, the rotation direction of the stirring mechanism 40 is clockwise in FIG.
[0031]
The toner container 100 configured as described above is typically detachably mounted at a predetermined position on the upper wall of a developing housing of a developing device provided in an image forming machine main body of an image forming machine (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the toner container 100 is mounted by being inserted backward from the front surface of the image forming machine main body, and is detached by being pulled out from the front surface of the image forming machine main body. The insertion direction of the toner container 100 is diagonally upward to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 (the direction from one end wall 14 toward the other end wall 15). When the toner container 100 is mounted on the developing housing, the shutter member 19 is slid to the open position in conjunction with the mounting operation. As a result, the toner discharge port 17 of the toner container 100 communicates with a toner supply port (not shown) provided on the upper wall of the development housing, so that the toner accommodated in the toner container 100 can be supplied into the development housing. It becomes. When the toner container 100 is pulled out from the front surface of the image forming machine main body, the shutter member 19 is slid to the closed position in conjunction with the detachment operation. Such an opening / closing mechanism of the shutter member 19 may use a well-known configuration and does not itself constitute a feature of the present invention.
[0032]
When the toner container 100 is mounted at a required position of the main body of the image forming machine, a toner detection unit (not shown) is relatively positioned facing the light transmission window 30 from the outside of the light transmission window 30. The toner detection means is composed of an optical reflective sensor, and includes a light emitting member and a light receiving member. The light emitting member is composed of a light emitting element composed of, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), and the light receiving member is composed of a light receiving element composed of, for example, a phototransistor. When the light emitted from the light emitting member of the toner detecting means toward the reflecting plate 32 through the light transmitting window 30 is reflected by the reflecting plate 32, the light is received by the light receiving member and the remaining amount of toner is detected. The toner remaining amount is detected only when the toner filling the space between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32 is reduced to an extent that allows the light to pass therethrough. In order to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner, it is desirable that the amount of toner adhering to the inner surface of the light transmission window 30 and the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 32 is as small as possible. In the present invention, the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A, which are cleaning members, are disposed in the stirring mechanism 40, which is a rotating body, and the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflection plate cleaning are provided. Each time the sheet member 63A passes between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32 and passes between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32, the inner surface of the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32 are provided. The inner surface and the reflecting surface are moved while being in pressure contact with the reflecting surface, and the inner surface of the light transmitting window 30 and the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 32 can be effectively cleaned. As a result, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner. Moreover, the structure is simple and can be manufactured at low cost. Hereinafter, the function and effect of the present invention will be described more specifically.
[0033]
2, 5, and 8, the toner concentration detection sensor (two-component developer) disposed in the developing housing in a state where the toner container 100 is mounted at a required position of the image forming machine main body (not shown). When the electric motor is rotated by a signal from the toner amount detection sensor (in the case of a one-component developer), the transfer mechanism 20 and the stirring mechanism 40 are rotated in the clockwise direction D in FIGS. The The toner accommodated in the container 10 is transferred toward the toner discharge port 17 by the transfer mechanism 20, and the toner is replenished into the developing housing. By the rotation of the stirring mechanism 40, the toner stored in the container 10 is stirred by the stirring means. At the same time, the tip of the bent portion 52 of the stirring sheet member 50 of the stirring mechanism 40 is connected to the inner surface of each of the side walls 12 and 13 and the other side of the bottom wall 11 in the region between the reflecting plate 32 and the other end wall 15. Since the toner 11 is moved while being pressed against the inner surface of the region 11B (pressed by elastic deformation of the stirring sheet member 50), the toner adhering to the inner surface is effectively peeled off or scraped off. To be cleaned. As a result, the amount of toner remaining in the container 10 is reduced, so that effective use of toner is promoted. The bent portion 52 of the stirring sheet member 50 increases the rigidity at the distal end portion of the stirring sheet member 50 and increases the pressure contact force with respect to each inner surface due to elastic deformation, so that the above effect is promoted. Further, since the toner stored in the container 10 is forced toward the transfer mechanism 20 disposed in the region 11A on one side of the bottom wall 11, the toner transfer effect by the transfer mechanism 20 is promoted, and the toner is contained in the container 10. Since the amount of remaining toner is reduced, effective use of toner is promoted.
[0034]
As described above, the support piece 48 has a rotational trajectory that periodically passes between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32, and thus the light transmission window cleaning sheet member disposed on the support piece 48. 61A and the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A periodically pass between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32 (in FIG. 8, the support piece 48 passes between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32). Shows the state of the moment to do). With such a configuration, each time the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A pass between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32, the front end of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A. Is in pressure contact with the inner surface of one side wall 12, the inner surface of the light transmission window 30, the inner surface of the region 11B on the other side of the bottom wall 11 and the inner surface of the other side wall 13 (pressure contact by elastic deformation of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A). ) To clean each of the inner surfaces. Further, the tip of the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A moves while being pressed against the reflection surface of the reflection plate 32 (pressure contact by the elastic deformation of the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A) to clean the reflection surface. As a result, the toner adhered to the inner surface of one side wall 12, the inner surface of the light transmission window 30, the inner surface of the region 11 </ b> B on the other side of the bottom wall 11, the inner surface of the other side wall 13, and the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 32 is effective. They are peeled off or scraped off and their inner surfaces are effectively cleaned. When the inner surface of the light transmission window 30 and the reflection surface of the reflection plate 32 are effectively cleaned, the toner filling the space between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32 passes through the light transmission window 30. When the light-emitting member is reduced to the light-reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 32, the light-emitting member is reflected to the light-reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 32 when the light-emitting member is reduced to allow light to pass between the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 32 Since the light emitted toward the head is sufficiently reflected and received by the light receiving member, the remaining amount of toner is accurately detected. When the inner surface of one side wall 12, the inner surface of the region 11 </ b> B on the other side of the bottom wall 11, and the inner surface of the other side wall 13 are effectively cleaned, the amount of toner remaining in the container 10 is reduced. Effective use is promoted.
[0035]
Bent portions 62 and 64 are formed at the ends of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A, respectively, and when the stirring mechanism 40 rotates, the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflection plate are formed. When the cleaning sheet member 63A periodically passes between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32 and passes between each, the tip of the bent portion 62 of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A The inner surface of one side wall 12, the inner surface of the light transmission window 30, the inner surface of the region 11 </ b> B on the other side of the bottom wall 11, and the inner surface of the other side wall 13 are pressed against each other (pressure contact by elastic deformation of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61 </ b> A). Move to clean each of the inner surfaces. The tip of the bent portion 64 of the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63 </ b> A moves while being pressed against the reflection surface of the reflection plate 32 to clean the reflection surface. The bent portion 62 and the bent portion 64 increase the rigidity at the tip of each of the light transmissive window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A, and the light transmissive window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflector cleaning plate. Since the pressure contact force with respect to each inner surface due to the elastic deformation of each of the sheet members 63A and each of the front end portions thereof is increased, the above effect is promoted. Of course, other embodiments in which the bent portion 64 is not formed at the tips of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A and the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A are possible, and the above-described effects are achieved at a pass level practically. It is possible.
[0036]
The rotation radius of the tip of the light transmissive window cleaning sheet member 61A is larger than the rotation radius of the tip of the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A. With this configuration, when the agitating mechanism 40 rotates, the tip of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A moves while periodically contacting the inner surface of the other side wall 13 as described above. It becomes possible to clean. As a result, not only the inner surface of the light transmission window 30 and the inner surface of the region 11B on the other side of the bottom wall 11 but also the toner adhering to the inner surface of the other side wall 13 is effectively peeled off or scraped off. Effectively cleaned. With this configuration, since the amount of toner remaining in the container 10 is further reduced, the effective use of toner is further promoted.
[0037]
In the toner container 100, a support piece 48 having a rotation locus that periodically passes between the light transmission window 30 and the reflection plate 32 is disposed in the stirring mechanism 40, and the support piece 48 has a light serving as a cleaning member. A transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A and a reflector cleaning sheet member 63A are provided. Such a configuration makes it possible to achieve the above-described effects, so that the configuration is simple and can be put into practical use easily and at low cost by using an existing configuration, which is useful.
[0038]
In the toner container 100, the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61 </ b> A extends from the support piece 48 toward the rear in the rotation direction of the support piece 48 in the tangential direction of the rotation trajectory of the support piece 48. The member 63A is configured to extend in a direction approaching the rotation shaft 41 on the rear side of the support piece 48 in the rotation direction. With such a configuration, the front end of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61 </ b> A can be easily moved while being pressed against the inner surface of the light transmission window 30 along with the rotation of the support piece 48. The tip of the cleaning sheet member 63A can be easily moved while being pressed against the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate 32, and the above-described effects can be achieved. The bent portion 62 of the light transmissive window cleaning sheet member 61A extends substantially outward in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 41 from the tip of the light transmissive window cleaning sheet member 61A, and the reflector cleaning sheet member 63A. Since the bent portion 64 extends from the front end of the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A in the direction approaching the rotation shaft 41, the cleaning effect is further improved.
[0039]
The preferred embodiment of the toner container 100 configured according to the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be modified or modified. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the light transmission window 30 is disposed on one side wall 12, but other embodiments may be disposed in the bottom wall 11, in the embodiment, the region 11 </ b> B on the other side of the bottom wall 11. is there. In this case, the reflection plate 32 is disposed on one end wall 14 so as to face the light transmission window 30 with a space in the container body 10A. Moreover, it is preferable that the inner surface of the light transmission window 30 is disposed on the same plane as the inner surface of the region 11B on the other side of the bottom wall 11 or slightly protrudes inward from the inner surface. Further, although the toner container 100 is configured as a cartridge type, the toner container 100 may be integrated with a developing device.
[0040]
The above embodiment is configured on the assumption that the toner detection unit is configured by an optical reflective sensor, but the present invention is another embodiment in which the toner detection unit is configured by an optical transmission type sensor. Even so, it is applicable. The other embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The light transmission window 30 is disposed on both side walls 12 and 13 so as to face each other, and the light emitting member of the toner detection means is one light transmission window 30. The light receiving member of the toner detection means is disposed outside the other light transmission window 30. The light emitting member is arranged to irradiate light toward the light receiving member through one light transmitting window 30 and the other light transmitting window 30, and the light receiving member is arranged to receive the light irradiated by the light emitting member. In this case, it is necessary that there is no immovable interference between the light transmitting windows 30 in the container main body 10A and at least in the vicinity of the light path from the light emitting member to the light receiving member. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the reflecting plate 32 is removed, and the rotating shaft 41 of the stirring mechanism 40 is disposed above or below so as not to interfere with the path of the light beam. Furthermore, due to the removal of the reflection plate 32, the reflection plate cleaning sheet member 63A is removed, and only the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A is disposed on the support piece 48. Each of the toner discharge port 17 and the light transmission window 30 may be disposed at any position in the longitudinal direction of the container 10.
[0041]
In the other embodiment, when the stirring mechanism 40 is rotated, the tip of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member 61A, in the illustrated embodiment, the tip of the bent portion 62 is the inner surface of both the side walls 12 and 13, the side wall 12. And 13 are moved while periodically pressing the inner surface 11B of the light transmitting window 30 and the region 11B on the other side of the bottom wall 11 disposed opposite to each other. Cleaning is performed in the same manner as in the embodiment. As a result, the toner adhering to the inner surface of each of the side walls 12 and 13, the inner surface of each of the light transmission windows 30 and the inner surface of the region 11B on the other side of the bottom wall 11 is effectively peeled off or scraped off. Each is effectively cleaned. Also in this other embodiment, since the inner surface of each of the light transmission windows 30 is effectively cleaned, the remaining amount of toner can be accurately detected. Further, since the amount of toner remaining in the container 10 is reduced, effective use of the toner is further promoted.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the toner container of the present invention, it is possible to effectively clean the inner surface of the light transmission window and the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate facing each other, and as a result, the remaining amount of toner can be accurately detected. To. Further, it is possible to effectively clean the inner surfaces of the light transmitting windows and the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate facing each other with a relatively simple configuration and low cost, and as a result, the remaining amount of toner can be accurately detected. Make it possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a toner container constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the toner container shown in FIG. 1 with a lid member removed.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view showing a main part of the toner container shown in FIG. 2, with a part omitted;
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a part of FIG. 3 with a part broken away and a part omitted.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4;
6 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the constituent members of the toner container shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the constituent members shown in FIG. 6 are assembled. FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing another operation mode of FIG. 5;
9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.
10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 containers
10A container body
11 Bottom wall
12, 13 side wall
14, 15 End wall
20 Transfer mechanism
30 Light transmission window
32 reflector
32a Reflector body
32b Reflective sheet member
40 Stirring mechanism
41 Rotating shaft
42 arms
48 Support piece
50 Stirring sheet member
60 Sheet member for cleaning
61A Light transmissive window cleaning sheet member
62 Folding part
63A Reflector cleaning sheet member
64 Folding part
100 toner container

Claims (1)

光透過窓が配設された容器を備え、容器内には反射板が配設され、反射板の反射面は光透過窓の内面に対し間隔をおいて対向する、トナーコンテナにおいて、
容器内にはトナーを撹拌するための撹拌機構が配設され、撹拌機構は、回転軸と、回転軸に配設された撹拌手段とを備え、撹拌手段には、光透過窓と反射板との間を周期的に通過する回転軌跡を有する支持片であって、該回転軌跡の接線方向にほぼ扁平に延在する横断面を有する支持片が配設され、支持片には清掃部材が配設され、撹拌機構が回転すると、清掃部材は、支持片と共に光透過窓と反射板との間を周期的に通過しかつ各々間を通過する毎に光透過窓の内面及び反射板の反射面に圧接されながら移動して該内面及び該反射面を清掃し、
清掃部材は、それぞれ弾性を有しかつ合成樹脂からなる光透過窓清掃用シート部材及び反射板清掃用シート部材からなり、光透過窓清掃用シート部材は、支持片から支持片の回転方向後方に向かって該回転軌跡の接線方向に延び出し、反射板清掃用シート部材は、支持片の回転方向後側において回転軸に近づく方向に延び出し、光透過窓清掃用シート部材及び反射板清掃用シート部材の各々が支持片と共に光透過窓と反射板との間を周期的に通過する毎に、光透過窓清掃用シート部材の先端は光透過窓の内面に圧接されながら移動して該内面を清掃し、反射板清掃用シート部材の先端は反射板の反射面に圧接されながら移動して該反射面を清掃し、
容器は、底壁と、それぞれ一対の側壁及び端壁を有し、光透過窓は、片方の端壁の近傍である、容器の一端領域における片方の側壁又は底壁に配設され、反射板は片方の端壁から他方の端壁に向かって延び出すよう片方の端壁に配設され、反射板の横断面における全周外方には空間が形成され、撹拌機構の該回転軸は両端壁間に回転自在に支持され、撹拌手段は、反射板と他方の端壁との間の領域に配置され、撹拌機構の該回転軸は、反射板に対し反射面の裏面側における容器内の空間を延在するよう配置され、撹拌手段は、該回転軸の軸方向に間隔をおいて該回転軸から半径方向外方に延びかつ、反射板に対し軸方向に近接して配置されたアームを備え、支持片は、該アームから片方の端壁に向かって突出しており、
光透過窓清掃用シート部材及び反射板清掃用シート部材は単一の清掃用シート部材から形成され、単一の清掃用シート部材は、所定の幅を有すると共に長手方向中間部が支持片の回転方向前側において回転方向後方に向かって折り返されることにより、支持片の回転方向前側の一側面及び半径方向内外面を覆いかつ該一側面及び該内外面に貼着され、そして支持片の回転方向後側の他側面の外側において実質的に半径方向に対向する面同士が相互に重合貼着され、相互に重合貼着された清掃用シート部材の二つの部分のうち、実質的に半径方向外側に位置する片方の部分は光透過窓清掃用シート部材をなし、また、実質的に半径方向内側に位置する他方の部分は反射板清掃用シート部材をなす、ことを特徴とするトナーコンテナ。 In a toner container comprising a container provided with a light transmission window, a reflection plate is provided in the container, and the reflection surface of the reflection plate is opposed to the inner surface of the light transmission window with a space therebetween.
An agitating mechanism for agitating the toner is disposed in the container, and the agitating mechanism includes a rotation shaft and a stirring unit disposed on the rotation shaft, and the stirring unit includes a light transmission window, a reflection plate, and the like. A support piece having a rotation trajectory periodically passing between the support pieces and having a cross section extending substantially flat in a tangential direction of the rotation trace is disposed, and a cleaning member is disposed on the support piece. When the stirring mechanism rotates, the cleaning member periodically passes between the light transmission window and the reflection plate together with the support piece, and each time it passes between the inner surface of the light transmission window and the reflection surface of the reflection plate. Moving while being pressed against the inner surface and cleaning the inner surface and the reflecting surface ,
The cleaning member is composed of a light transmission window cleaning sheet member and a reflection plate cleaning sheet member each having elasticity and made of synthetic resin, and the light transmission window cleaning sheet member is located behind the support piece in the rotation direction of the support piece. The reflection plate cleaning sheet member extends in a direction approaching the rotation axis on the rear side in the rotation direction of the support piece, and the light transmission window cleaning sheet member and the reflection plate cleaning sheet. Each time each of the members periodically passes between the light transmission window and the reflection plate together with the support piece, the tip of the light transmission window cleaning sheet member moves while being pressed against the inner surface of the light transmission window. Cleaning, the tip of the sheet member for reflecting plate cleaning moves while being pressed against the reflecting surface of the reflecting plate to clean the reflecting surface,
The container has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls and an end wall, respectively, and the light transmission window is disposed on one side wall or the bottom wall in the one end region of the container, in the vicinity of the one end wall. Is arranged on one end wall so as to extend from one end wall toward the other end wall, and a space is formed outside the entire circumference in the cross section of the reflector, and the rotation shaft of the stirring mechanism is between the both end walls. The stirring means is disposed in a region between the reflecting plate and the other end wall, and the rotation shaft of the stirring mechanism defines the space in the container on the back side of the reflecting surface with respect to the reflecting plate. The stirring means includes an arm that extends radially outward from the rotating shaft at an interval in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and is disposed close to the reflecting plate in the axial direction. The support piece protrudes from the arm toward one end wall,
The light transmissive window cleaning sheet member and the reflector cleaning sheet member are formed from a single cleaning sheet member, and the single cleaning sheet member has a predetermined width and the longitudinal intermediate portion rotates the support piece. By folding back toward the rear in the rotational direction on the front side in the direction, the support piece covers one side surface on the front side in the rotation direction and the inner and outer surfaces in the radial direction, and is adhered to the one side surface and the inner and outer surfaces. The surfaces facing each other in the radial direction on the outer side of the other side of the side are superposed on each other, and the two parts of the cleaning sheet member superposed on each other are substantially radially outward. 1. A toner container, wherein one portion located is a light transmission window cleaning sheet member, and the other portion located substantially radially inward is a reflector cleaning sheet member.
JP2002090991A 2002-03-28 2002-03-28 Toner container Expired - Fee Related JP3673236B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002090991A JP3673236B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2002-03-28 Toner container

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002090991A JP3673236B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2002-03-28 Toner container

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2003287948A JP2003287948A (en) 2003-10-10
JP3673236B2 true JP3673236B2 (en) 2005-07-20

Family

ID=29236186

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2002090991A Expired - Fee Related JP3673236B2 (en) 2002-03-28 2002-03-28 Toner container

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP3673236B2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105843011A (en) * 2015-01-30 2016-08-10 兄弟工业株式会社 Developing cartridge

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ATE505750T1 (en) 2005-04-26 2011-04-15 Brother Ind Ltd DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE FOR AN IMAGE PRODUCING APPARATUS
JP5332336B2 (en) * 2008-06-20 2013-11-06 株式会社リコー Toner supply device and image forming apparatus
US8666292B2 (en) 2011-04-15 2014-03-04 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Developer case and image forming apparatus to which developer case is applied
JP5740324B2 (en) 2011-04-15 2015-06-24 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Developer container and image forming apparatus to which the container is applied
JP6170887B2 (en) * 2014-08-08 2017-07-26 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Image forming apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105843011A (en) * 2015-01-30 2016-08-10 兄弟工业株式会社 Developing cartridge
CN105843011B (en) * 2015-01-30 2020-09-15 兄弟工业株式会社 Developing box

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2003287948A (en) 2003-10-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP4919124B2 (en) cartridge
JP5182402B2 (en) cartridge
JP5803218B2 (en) cartridge
JP4857739B2 (en) Image forming apparatus and developing cartridge
JP3403132B2 (en) Toner stirring blade and toner supply container
US9581938B2 (en) Toner cartridge
JP5115607B2 (en) Caps and cartridges
JP5045855B2 (en) cartridge
US11822266B2 (en) Toner cartridge
US5890034A (en) Developing device for image forming apparatus and toner cartridge for use in the developing device
JPH10240008A (en) Image forming device, developing device therefor, and toner cartridge used for the developing device
CN105137735A (en) Cartridge Provided With Pivotable Member for New Product Detection
JPH10171232A (en) Developing cartridge and electrophotographic image forming device
JPH11102109A (en) Toner replenishing container and electrophotographic image forming device
JP3198002B2 (en) Developing device, process cartridge and image forming device
JP3673236B2 (en) Toner container
US7391981B2 (en) Developer supply container and image forming apparatus
JP2003287949A (en) Toner container
JP3472061B2 (en) Developing device in image forming apparatus, toner cartridge or process cartridge used in this developing device
JP5305851B2 (en) Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
JP2891871B2 (en) Developer presence detecting device and developing unit
JPH11338240A (en) Developer container and image forming device using the container
JPH09258545A (en) Device for detecting amount of remaining toner
JP2003280352A (en) Toner residual amount detecting device
JP2002351207A (en) Image forming device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A977 Report on retrieval

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007

Effective date: 20040430

A131 Notification of reasons for refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131

Effective date: 20040601

A521 Written amendment

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20040802

A02 Decision of refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A02

Effective date: 20041124

A521 Written amendment

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20041222

A911 Transfer of reconsideration by examiner before appeal (zenchi)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A911

Effective date: 20050209

TRDD Decision of grant or rejection written
A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

Effective date: 20050419

A61 First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61

Effective date: 20050421

R150 Certificate of patent or registration of utility model

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20080428

Year of fee payment: 3

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20090428

Year of fee payment: 4

LAPS Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees