JP3786655B2 - Toner supply container - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a toner replenishing container that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine and replenishes toner stored in a container body to a developing unit of the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A copier or facsimile using an electrophotographic method in which an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoconductive photosensitive member, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner as a developer, and the obtained toner image is transferred onto transfer paper. Image forming apparatuses such as printers are widely used.
[0003]
In the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic method, in order to enable continuous image formation, the developing unit is supplied with toner so that the toner in the developing unit is not interrupted.
[0004]
In recent years, as one method for supplying toner to the developing unit of an image forming apparatus, a toner supply container containing toner in a container body is installed in the image forming apparatus, and a rotating member provided in the container body There is known a method in which the toner accommodated by rotating is loosened, and the loosened toner is sent to the outside through a toner supply port of the container body.
[0005]
When image formation by the image forming apparatus is repeated and the toner in the container body is consumed and becomes empty, the empty toner supply container is removed from the image forming apparatus, and another toner supply container is newly attached to the image forming apparatus. Attach and resume image formation. On the other hand, many of the toner supply containers removed from the image forming apparatus are generally discarded.
[0006]
In recent years, it has been desired that the toner supply container removed from the image forming apparatus be recycled instead of being disposed of instead of being discarded.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-4-298774
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to recycle the toner supply container, it is necessary to wash away and remove residual toner and dirt adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the container body and accessory parts such as a rotating member provided in the container body. is there. However, due to the structure of such a toner replenishing container, it is impossible to sufficiently remove residual toner and dirt to the extent that they can be recycled, and as a result, satisfactory recycling has not been realized yet. is there.
[0009]
According to the investigation by the inventors of the present invention, there has been no proposal made for the purpose of recycling the toner replenishing container in which an accessory such as a rotating member is attached to the container body. For reference, an invention relating to a toner replenishing container for the purpose of recycling, in which an accessory such as a rotating member is not attached to the container body, is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
[0010]
In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, a rotating member is installed in the developing unit of the image forming apparatus, and a mouth of a large toner supply container is opened in the wall of the developing unit immediately above the rotating member. . The toner replenishing container has a box-type double structure, an outer structure made of a resin-like material and having a predetermined hardness, and an inner container made of paper or a thin flexible plastic material. Consists of. The inner container fits snugly into the outer structure so that the inner container is separable from the outer structure. After the toner is stored in the box-type toner supply container, the upper surface of the toner supply container is sealed.
[0011]
When in use, the seal is peeled off, and the toner supply container is attached to the opening opened in the developing unit. After toner consumption, the inner container is removed from the outer structure and incinerated, while the outer structure is recycled.
[0012]
However, this invention is not a complete recycling use in that it is disposed of after the inner container is removed, and it cannot be said that the present invention sufficiently satisfies the recent demands of society.
[0013]
Accordingly, the present invention can easily and almost completely remove residual toner and dirt adhering to a container body, in particular, its inner peripheral surface and accessory parts such as a rotating member provided in the container body. An object is to provide a toner supply container suitable for recycling.
[0014]
Furthermore, the present invention has high airtightness, and as a result, the toner filling performance and the toner replenishment performance to the developing portion of the image forming apparatus are good and suitable for recycling that can maintain the performance even during recycling. An object is to provide a toner supply container.
[0015]
A further object of the present invention is to provide a toner replenishing container having a novel structure containing toner.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the cap 34 that is a lid is constituted by a lid main body 35 and a bearing member 36 that is a bearing formed separately from the lid main body 35, and the opening of the container main body that stores toner. A cap 34 is attached to one side plate 9 of the container body 1, and an opening 12 is formed on the side plate 9. The agitator 2 is rotatably accommodated in the container body 1, and the agitator 2 is provided with a rotation center shaft 38 positioned at the rotation center of the agitator 2, and the rotation center shaft 38 is provided with the agitator 2. The rotation center shaft 38 is integrally formed with the support body 17, and a groove 40 for attaching a C ring 39 as a fixing member is formed. The rotation center shaft 38 is a lid body. 35 through holes 5C, the through hole 16C of the seal member 16 and the through hole 36C of the bearing member 36, and the lid body 35, the seal member 16, and the bearing member 36 are sandwiched between the support 17 and the C ring 39. The lid body 35 is formed of a fitting portion 35C and a flange portion 35b, the fitting portion 35a is fitted into the opening 12, the flange portion 35b is brought into contact with the outer edge of the opening 12, and the bearing member 36 is in contact with each other. The cylindrical walls 41, 42 are formed on both sides thereof, and concave portions 43, 44 are formed inside thereof. The seal member 16 is accommodated in one concave portion 43, and the groove 40 is attached to the other concave portion 44. A C-ring 39 is disposed, and the distal end side of the cylindrical wall 41 enters into a recessed portion 45 formed inside the fitting portion 35a of the lid body 35 to have a built-in structure. Two notches 46 is formed, a part of the cylindrical wall 42 has spring-like flexibility, a claw 47 is formed on the outer periphery of the tip of the flexible part, and a part of the cylindrical wall 42 is removed. The toner supply container in which the removed portion 49 is formed.
[0017]
That is, it is necessary to understand that the recyclable toner replenishing container according to the present invention is formed and embodied by a new idea that is not present in the prior art. It is to make the mechanism that can be separated and assembled from the components attached there.
[0018]
By adopting such a mechanism, first, after assembling the toner supply container by attaching parts such as a rotating member in the container body, the container body is filled with toner and mounted on the image forming apparatus by a conventional method. Then, image formation is repeated. The toner supply container that has become empty after the toner is used is not disposed of, but the container body and parts are separated, and the toner and contaminants attached to the separated container body and parts are removed. Once assembled, it can be reused.
[0019]
The toner replenishing container according to the present invention makes it possible to separate the container main body and the parts, and naturally, even if reassembled and used, the desired toner replenishing performance can be maintained without causing toner leakage. In addition, various ideas have been made.
[0020]
Regarding the points other than the features for achieving the object of the present invention, since elements of a normal toner supply container can be used, first, an outline of the toner supply container will be described.
[0021]
The shape and size of the container body vary depending on the type of image forming apparatus. For example, the size is 25 to 70 cm at both ends of the body having a length of about 15 to 30 cm. ² Many side plates are fixed.
[0022]
The container body is either separable from the toner container and lid, or integral from the separable, and some are made of metal, but are usually made by injection molding resin. There are many things.
[0023]
In addition, the container body is provided with two holding portions in which the two tip portions of the rotation center shaft are rotatably engaged, and at least one of the holding portions is a through hole, and the rotation held in the through hole Generally, the distal end portion of the central axis is connected to a drive source of the main body of the image forming apparatus.
[0024]
On the other hand, most of the rotating members have rotation center shafts at least at both ends, and the center portion has a function of loosening the toner in the container body and sending it out of the container body. The mechanism is connected to a drive source of the main body of the image forming apparatus via a power transmission member such as a gear fixed thereto, and serves as a mechanism for rotationally driving the rotating member.
[0025]
The specific shape and the like of the central portion of the rotating member are various, and in the present invention, the agitator type and the replenishing roller type will be described roughly according to the mechanism of the central portion of the rotating member.
[0026]
Examples of the agitator type include a ladder type shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 of an embodiment described later, a screw type provided with spiral blades (called an auger), a coil type, There is something with a simple wire, etc., but the point is that it is necessary to moderately loosen the toner contained by the rotation of the rotating member, transfer it to the toner supply port of the container body, and supply it to the developing part of the image forming apparatus moderately For this reason, the material, shape and physical strength constituting the central portion are devised.
[0027]
The replenishing roller type includes a so-called magnet roller that gives magnetism to the surface and holds magnetic toner by magnetic attraction, and a non-magnetic toner that holds nonmagnetic toner in the concave notch provided on the surface. It is installed in the vicinity of a slit-like toner replenishing port provided in the main body, and is configured to rotate the replenishing roller to drop the held toner and replenish this toner to the developing unit through the toner replenishing port.
[0028]
When a magnet roller is used, the held toner is dropped by a toner scraping plate (referred to as a scraper) arranged so that the end contacts the surface.
[0029]
There are no particular restrictions on the type and number of rotating members attached to the container body, but there are many cases in which only one agitator or one agitator and one replenishing roller are used together.
[0030]
Furthermore, various ideas have been made on the shape and the like depending on how the toner is filled in the container body. For example, in the method of filling the toner by the air suction method, the toner injection hole and the air vent hole are provided in the container body, and the toner is injected and filled from the toner inlet hole while the air is extracted from the air vent hole. It has been broken. After filling the toner, the toner injection hole and the air vent hole are closed with a stopper.
[0031]
Next, features of the toner supply container of the present invention will be described.
[0032]
In the toner supply container of the present invention, basically, the rotation center shaft of the rotating member is passed through the through hole provided in the lid body, and the removable lid body is attached and fixed to the opening provided in the container body. Is. The “lid body that opens and closes the opening” in the present invention means “a detachable lid body that mainly closes as the opening is fitted and opens as it is pulled out”.
[0033]
The first function required for the lid having a bearing used in the toner supply container of the present invention is that the opening can be easily opened and closed, and once attached to the opening, toner leakage does not occur during storage and operation. The same is true after recycling. A major problem caused by the occurrence of toner leakage is that when toner leaks from between the lid and the opening, the toner stains the inside of the image forming apparatus and adversely affects image formation. If the toner leaks from between the through hole of the lid and the rotation center shaft, the toner enters the bearing, and as a result, the center of the rotation center shaft is shifted, making it difficult to ensure the vertical accuracy of the bearing, and the rotating member is accurate. The toner will not rotate, and the toner supply will be hindered.
[0034]
The second function required for the lid is a bearing function for the rotation center axis of the rotating member, and since it is required to secure the vertical accuracy of the bearing while supporting the rotation center axis, at least the bearing portion of the lid is It is desirable to have a physical strength with less distortion, and it is desirable that the through hole of the lid and the rotation center axis be concentric.
[0035]
In the present invention, a lid body and a separate bearing member are prepared to use the lid body having the above two functions at the same time and to make both functions more effective. The first function and the bearing member may be used mainly with the second function. Therefore, the “lid having a bearing” in the present invention means that the lid itself has a bearing function. (Type A) means both a lid body and a member (Type B) composed of two members, a separate bearing member.
[0036]
However, since the material, size, shape, thickness, etc. can be selected in accordance with each function, the use of type B is far more preferable than the use of type A in terms of both the performance and recycling of the toner supply container. It can be said.
[0037]
The bearing member is provided with a through hole, and is used through the rotation center axis. It is desirable that the through hole and the rotation center axis are substantially concentric.
[0038]
The bearing member, like the bearing portion of the lid body, desirably has a physical strength with little distortion. From another viewpoint, the bearing member has a relatively small flexibility in order to sufficiently exert the bearing function, and It is preferable to increase the wear resistance. It can be said that the lid main body is preferably one that is easy to open and close and that is relatively flexible and elastic so as not to cause toner leakage. As materials used for both members, for example, materials such as polyethylene and polyacetal having a predetermined physical strength are selected.
[0039]
Furthermore, it is preferable that the length of the through hole that contacts the rotation center shaft is at least longer than that of the lid body of the bearing member so that the rotation center shaft does not run out. The length of the through hole of the bearing member that contacts the rotation center shaft is not limited, but is about 1 to 6 mm.
[0040]
In order to further prevent the occurrence of toner leakage and to ensure airtightness between the rotation center shaft, it is preferable to use a seal member, and at least it is effective to closely arrange the seal member adjacent to the lid. Furthermore, in order to further exert the sealing effect of the sealing member, a cylindrical wall is provided on the lid, the sealing member is fitted into the concave portion, and the sealing member is thicker than the depth of the concave portion. It is effective to use a compressed state. About the usage of this sealing member, either a type A or a type B lid is applicable. In addition, when the toner is filled in the container body by the air suction method, it is important to increase the airtightness of the seal member.
[0041]
The seal member has a through hole and is used through the rotation center axis. The seal member is preferably one having high airtightness and high elasticity, and a material such as felt, rubber, resin or the like is used, and two or more seal members may be used as necessary.
[0042]
Although there is no particular limitation on the positional relationship between the lid body, the bearing member, and the seal member, in order to prevent toner leakage and to fully exhibit the bearing function, it is preferable to use the seal member in the recess of the lid body, It is particularly preferable to dispose the lid body, the seal member, and the bearing member in this order from the inside of the container body. About this arrangement | positioning order, a sealing member is arrange | positioned inside a cover body.
[0043]
It is necessary that the lid body, the bearing member, and the seal member are in close contact with each other on the rotation center axis without causing any axial displacement, and therefore, either the lid body or the bearing member, or It is preferable to provide a cylindrical wall on both sides to form a recess, and integrate each other into a built-in structure.
[0044]
To prevent the lid main body, the bearing member, and the seal member from being displaced in the axial direction on the rotation center axis, a support body provided on the rotation center axis so as to be fixed substantially perpendicular to the rotation center axis. It is effective to hold the lid main body, the bearing member, and the seal member with a fixing member that is detachably attached to the rotation center shaft. The fixing member can also serve as a power transmission member such as a gear fixed to a rotation center shaft connected to a drive source. This holding can be similarly applied even when the bearing member is not used (type A).
[0045]
The support provided on the rotation center shaft is preferably formed integrally with the rotation center shaft by resin, and its size is preferably slightly larger than the supporting member.
[0046]
A cylindrical wall along the edge of the opening to securely fix the lid (type A) or lid body and bearing member (type B) to the container body to ensure rotation of the rotating member, or A cylindrical wall surrounding the opening is provided at a position away from the edge of the opening, and when a type A lid is used, the lid can be attached to the cylindrical wall. In the case of using a lid body made of a bearing member, the lid body can be attached to the opening and the bearing member can be attached to the cylindrical wall. The length of the cylindrical wall is not particularly limited, but in the case of the cylindrical wall provided at the edge of the opening, it is at most ½ or less of the opening diameter and is separated from the edge of the opening by a predetermined dimension. In the case of the cylindrical wall provided at the position, it is 1/3 or less of the opening diameter at the longest.
[0047]
In both cases of type A and type B lids, a screw mechanism or a hook mechanism can be provided between the lid or bearing member and the cylindrical wall to obtain a more rigid fixed state. For example, an engagement claw is formed on at least one of the lid main body and the bearing member, and a claw fixing portion is formed on a cylindrical wall formed surrounding the opening, or conversely, at least one of the lid main body and the bearing member. A hook mechanism can be formed by forming a claw fixing portion and forming an engagement claw on a cylindrical wall formed surrounding the opening. The claw fixing portion refers to a structure such as a protrusion, a depression, or a hole. A cylindrical wall provided on the lid main body or the bearing member or a part of the peripheral edge of the cylindrical wall can be cut out and used as a claw.
There is no particular limitation on the shape of the opening, the lid body, the bearing member, various cylindrical walls provided on them, and the shape of the support, but from the viewpoint of mounting the rotating member and recycling work, a substantially circular one is preferable. It is preferable to install it coaxially. Although there is no restriction | limiting also about a magnitude | size, For example, if it says about an opening, a diameter will be about 3 cm at maximum. Since the lid body needs to be firmly fixed to the opening, it is preferable to use an elastic material and be slightly larger than the opening. Furthermore, the through hole provided in each of the lid main body, the bearing member, and the seal member has a diameter that allows the rotation center shaft that passes through the through hole to smoothly rotate and contact the wall of the through hole. preferable.
[0048]
As for the lid main body and the bearing member, in addition to the substantially circular plate-shaped object, a thing composed of a fitting portion and a flange portion can be used, and the physical strength is also selected according to the intended function. . The material is not limited, but it is preferable to use a resin.
[0049]
Of the rotation center shafts provided on both sides of the rotating member, at least the side connected to the drive source is integrated with the central portion of the rotating member as provided in a conventional toner storage container. However, from the viewpoint of mounting and recycling work, a mechanism newly devised and detachable from the central portion is preferable. Although there is no restriction | limiting about the length of this rotation center axis | shaft which can be attached or detached, It is about 5 cm at long.
[0050]
As the rotating member, all of the agitator type and the replenishing roller type described above can be used, but those newly devised for the purpose of the present invention can also be applied. For example, as shown in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 6) in the embodiments described later, a sheet-like member may be attached to the outer peripheral portion of the ladder-type agitator. The expansion of the sheet-like member is larger than the opening diameter, but since the sheet-like member has flexibility, when the agitator is pushed in while being rotated, the sheet-like member is easily inserted into the container body from the opening, and It is a device that fits precisely.
[0051]
When an agitator with such a sheet-like member is used, when this is rotated within the container body, the sheet-like member also loosens the toner near the inner wall of the container body, and the toner is consumed efficiently. Therefore, the amount of toner remaining in the toner replenishing container can be reduced, and therefore the cleaning work for recycling can be reduced. And in view of the fact that there is no hindrance to attachment to the container body, it is a very effective method for recycling use, and it is much more effective than using an agitator without a sheet-like member. is there.
[0052]
Furthermore, in the present invention, as shown in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 6) in the embodiments described later, the side different from the end of the rotation center shaft on the side where the lid is disposed. It has been proposed to provide a guide member fixed substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation center axis in the vicinity of the end of the rotation center axis. Can be easily installed. This guide member is effective if it has a shape or size that slides on at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the container body, and even if it has a shape or size that is caught in the opening, it is applicable if it is somewhat flexible. Is possible.
[0053]
There is no specific method for assembling the toner replenishing container of the present invention, and the same applies when using recycled parts, but as described above, using one of the “lids having bearings” having various forms, Usually, after passing one rotation center axis of the rotating member through the through hole provided in the lid, it is inserted into the opening provided in the container body from the tip of the other rotation center axis, and the tip is inserted into the container body. The basic operation is to install the lid at a predetermined position and then fit the lid into the opening and fix it.
[0054]
In the case of using a lid body and a bearing member which is a separate body (type B) as a “lid body having a bearing”, and further using a seal member, first, on the rotation center axis, The plurality of members can be held through the rotation center shaft in the through hole so that the members are in close contact with each other in the axial direction, particularly when these members have a combined structure with each other. is necessary. Further, the same applies to the case where these members are held between a support body fixed on the rotation center axis and a detachable fixing member.
[0055]
Among the rotation center shafts located on both sides of the rotation member, the one on the side where the lid is attached can be separated from the central portion of the rotation member. It is preferable from the viewpoint of workability to prepare the one attached in close contact, and then fit the lid to the opening of the container body after being coupled with the central portion of the rotating member.
[0056]
As described above, when an agitator to which a flexible sheet-like member is attached is used, the agitator and the sheet-like member are inserted while being rotated inward from an opening provided in the container body. By doing so, since the sheet-like member is bent so as to be wound around the agitator, the agitator and the sheet-like member can be smoothly inserted into the container main body from the opening.
[0057]
Further, as described above, if the rotation member is provided on the inner side from the opening so that the guide member is provided on the rotation member and, in particular, the guide member is in sliding contact with at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the container body, the rotation member Can be attached more accurately at a predetermined position in the container body. This guide plate is particularly effective when used in combination with an agitator to which a sheet-like member is attached.
[0058]
The operation of fitting the lid or the lid body into the opening is often performed by applying pressure, and the pressure is preferably 1 to 10 kg.
[0059]
When removing the rotating members from the container body and separating them from each other, basically, the assembly procedure described above may be reversed.
[0060]
There are no particular restrictions on the method for removing toner and other deposits from the separated container body and rotating member, but a method of washing with water, particularly water containing a surfactant, a method of blowing off with compressed air, a method of sucking with vacuum, etc. There is.
[0061]
After removing the deposits in this way, it is reassembled and recycled. The number of recyclable toner supply containers of the present invention depends on the structure, size, and material, but at least 5 to 10 times according to a Ricoh Co., Ltd. facsimile machine; Has been confirmed to be possible.
[0062]
In addition, the container body, rotating member, lid, and other members that make up the toner replenishing container, which are separated from each other and from which deposits are removed, cannot be recycled. Needless to say.
[0063]
The toner accommodated in the toner replenishing container of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is used in an image forming process utilizing electrophotography, and for example, conventional one-component toner and two-component toner are applicable. These toners may be magnetic or nonmagnetic.
[0064]
The method for filling the toner supply container with toner is not particularly limited, and various conventional methods can be used. However, the air suction method described above is effective for high-density filling.
[0065]
The toner storage container of the present invention containing toner is usually mounted so that the toner supply port formed in the container body is positioned above the developing unit in the image forming apparatus, and the rotation provided in the toner supply container. A power transmission member fixed to the rotation center shaft of the member is connected to a drive source provided in the image forming apparatus, the rotating member rotates when the image forming apparatus is in operation, and the toner in the toner supply container is supplied to the toner supply port. Then, the toner is supplied to the developing unit, and the latent image on the photosensitive member is developed to form an image.
[0066]
Although there is no particular condition for the rotation of the rotating member during operation of the image forming apparatus, the rotational speed is preferably 10 to 40 rpm and the torque is preferably 0.05 to 1.0 N · m for the agitator type rotating member.
[0067]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 are side views showing the toner supply container, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal front views showing the toner supply container. The toner replenishing container is of a container main body 1 for storing magnetic toner, and a ladder-type agitator type for replenishment promotion that is rotatably mounted in the container main body 1 and feeds the toner in the container main body 1 to the outside. It has an agitator 2 as a rotating member and a magnet roller 3 as a replenishing roller type rotating member. The agitator 2 stirs and loosens the toner in the container body 1 and sends it to the magnet roller 3 side.
[0068]
The agitator 2 is provided with a flexible sheet-like member 4 on the outer peripheral portion thereof to enhance the function of stirring and loosening the toner. The material of the sheet-like member 4 is not particularly limited as long as it is flexible so that the agitator 2 can be inserted and removed from the opening in the manner described later. In this embodiment, a polyester sheet (mylar) is used. Use. The sheet-like member 4 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, the short side is a size that contacts the inner wall of the container body 1 when the agitator 2 is rotated, and the long side is a ladder-like portion along the rotation center of the agitator 2. Is almost the same as the length of In addition, a plurality of cuts may be made in the rectangular sheet-like member 4 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation center of the agitator 2, or the sheet-like member 4 may be divided into a plurality along the rotation center of the agitator 2.
[0069]
The magnet roller 3 carries the toner adsorbed by magnetic force to a position facing the slit-shaped toner supply port 5 formed in the container body 1, and scrapes the toner to interfere with the rib 6. The toner scraped off from the magnet roller 3 by interfering with the scraping rib 6 is discharged from the toner supply port 5 to the outside of the container body 1. The toner supply container is mounted above the developing unit in the image forming apparatus, and the toner discharged from the toner supply port 5 is supplied to the developing unit.
[0070]
The container body 1 is formed by a cylindrical body 7 and a pair of side plates 8 and 9 fixed to both ends of the body 7. The agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are provided with rotation center shafts 2a and 3a, respectively. The agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are disposed in the container body 1 so that the rotation center shafts 2a and 3a are parallel to each other. Stored and held.
[0071]
On the inner peripheral surface of one of the side plates 8 are formed holding concavities 10 and 11 that are recessed in a substantially conical shape so that the tip ends of the rotation center shafts 2a and 3a are rotatably engaged. In the other side plate 9 which is the end surface portion of the container body 1, a circular opening 12 having a diameter of about 2.5 cm, which is slightly larger than the rotation diameter of the agitator 2, and a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the magnet roller 3. A large-diameter opening 13 is formed. The side plate 9 is formed with cylindrical walls 12 a and 13 a having a height of about 5 mm along the edges of the openings 12 and 13. The agitator 2 is provided detachably from the opening 12 along the axial direction of the rotation center shaft 2a, and the magnet roller 3 is provided detachably from the opening 13 along the axial direction of the rotation center shaft 3a. .
[0072]
On the cylindrical walls 12a and 13a, there are caps 14 and 15 which are resin lid bodies having cylindrical fitting portions 14a and 15a and flange portions 14b and 15b, and a circular seal member 16 made of felt. Installed. The caps 14 and 15 have through holes 14c and 15c formed in the center thereof, and the rotation center shafts 2a and 3a are rotatably passed through the through holes 14c and 15c. The inner peripheral portions of 15 c are bearing portions 14 d and 15 d which are bearings for the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3. The caps 14 and 15 are attached to the openings 12 and 13 by pressurization.
[0073]
The seal member 16 prevents toner from leaking out of the container body 1 from around the rotation center shafts 2a and 3a, and the rotation center shafts 2a and 3a are also passed through the central portion of the seal member 16. A through-hole 16c is formed. The seal member 16 on the agitator 2 side is housed in a recess 14e formed in the cap 14, and is held and fixed by an inner end surface of the recess 14e and a support body 17 formed integrally with the rotation center shaft 2a. Yes. The seal member 16 on the magnet roller 3 side is housed in a recess 15e formed in the cap 15, and is clamped and fixed by the end surface of the recess 15e and the end surface of the magnet roller 3. The sealing member 16 on the agitator 2 side may be fixed by being held between the inner end face of the recess 14 e and the end face of the agitator 2.
[0074]
A circular guide member 18 formed of a film having a certain hardness and flexibility is rotatably held at the tip of the rotation center shaft 2a. When the agitator 2 is inserted into the container body 1 from the opening 12 together with the guide member 18, the guide member 18 slides a part of the outer peripheral portion thereof on the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 7 to thereby rotate the rotation center shaft 2 a. The tip is guided to the holding recess 10. Although the diameter of the guide member 18 is slightly larger than the diameter of the opening 12, since it is flexible, it can be deformed and reduced in diameter to pass through the opening 12. A circular guide member 19 formed of the same film is also rotatably attached to the tip of the rotation center shaft 3a. When the magnet roller 3 is inserted into the container body 1 from the opening 13 together with the guide member 19, the guide member 19 makes a part of the outer peripheral portion thereof slidably contact the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 7 to rotate the central shaft 3 a. The tip of is guided to the holding recess 11.
[0075]
Gears 20 and 21 are fixed to the rotation center shafts 2a and 3a that pass through the through holes 14c and 15c of the caps 14 and 15 and extend to the outside of the side plate 9, as shown in FIG. , 21 is engaged with a transmission gear 22.
[0076]
In such a configuration, a toner replenishing container filled with toner in the container body 1 is mounted at a predetermined position of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and a normal image forming operation based on an electrophotographic process is performed. . As the image forming operation is performed, the driving force from the driving unit is transmitted to the gears 20 and 21, and the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 rotate around the rotation center shafts 2a and 3a. As the agitator 2 rotates, the toner in the container body 1 is agitated and loosened, and sent to the magnet roller 3 side. Due to the rotation of the magnet roller 3, the toner attracted to the magnet roller 3 by a magnetic force is carried to a position facing the toner supply port 5. The toner conveyed to a position facing the toner supply port 5 is scraped off from the magnet roller 3 by interfering with the scraping rib 6, discharged from the toner supply port 5, and supplied to the developing device of the image forming apparatus. .
[0077]
When such image formation is repeated, the toner in the container body 1 is eventually emptied. When the toner in the container main body 1 becomes empty, the empty toner supply container is removed from the image forming apparatus, and a new toner supply container is mounted at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus.
[0078]
The toner supply container removed from the image forming apparatus is washed for recycling. When performing this cleaning, first, the caps 14 and 15 are removed from the openings 12 and 13, and the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are moved from the openings 12 and 13 along the axial direction of the rotation center shafts 2 a and 3 a to the container body 1. Take it out. When taking out the agitator 2 from the opening 12, the outer diameter of the sheet-like member 4 is made smaller than the diameter of the opening 12 by taking out the agitator 2 while rotating it around the rotation center axis 2 a. Reduce diameter.
[0079]
After the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are taken out from the container body 1, the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1 and the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are washed with pure water. At the time of this cleaning, since the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are not present inside the container main body 1, the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 1 can be easily and thoroughly cleaned. Further, since the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are cleaned separately from the container body 1 outside the container body 1, they can be cleaned easily and cleanly.
[0080]
After cleaning the container body 1, the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3, the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are attached to the container body 1. When the agitator 2 is mounted in the container body 1, the agitator 2 having the guide member 18 attached to the tip end portion of the rotation center shaft 2 a is inserted from the opening 12. At this time, the agitator 2 is inserted while being rotated around the rotation center axis 2 a, and the sheet-like member 4 is reduced in diameter so that its outer diameter is smaller than the diameter of the opening 12. And the front-end | tip part of the rotation center axis | shaft 2a can be reliably engaged with the holding | maintenance recessed part 10 by inserting the outer peripheral part of the guide member 18 in sliding contact with the internal peripheral surface of the trunk | drum 7 of the container main body 1. FIG. . After the agitator 2 and the sheet-like member 4 are inserted into the container main body 1, the sheet-like member 4 is expanded by its own elasticity so that its outer diameter is larger than the diameter of the opening 12.
[0081]
The same applies to the case where the magnet roller 3 is mounted in the container body 1. The magnet roller 3 having the guide member 19 attached to the tip of the rotation center shaft 3 a is inserted from the opening 13, and the outer periphery of the guide member 19 is connected to the container body. The distal end portion of the rotation center shaft 3 a can be reliably engaged with the holding recess 11 by an operation of pushing in while making sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the one body portion 7. Therefore, by attaching the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 in the container body 1 using the guide members 18 and 19, the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 can be correctly attached at a predetermined mounting position, and recycled. The mounting position accuracy and rotational performance of the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 in the toner supply container to be used are maintained.
[0082]
After the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are inserted into the container body 1, the caps 14 and 15 are attached to the openings 12 and 13 with the seal member 16 interposed therebetween, so that the inner end face of the recess 14 e and the support body 17 Alternatively, the seal member 16 can be clamped and fixed between the inner end face of the recess 15e and the end face of the magnet roller 3.
[0083]
In the present embodiment, the caps 14 and 15 formed integrally with the bearing portions 14d and 15d have been described as examples. However, as shown in FIG. The lid main body 24 and a bearing member 25 which is a bearing formed separately may be used. The lid body 24 and the bearing member 25 are formed with through holes 24c and 25c through which the rotation center shaft 2a passes.
[0084]
Further, in the present embodiment, the toner supply container using the magnetic toner and using the magnet roller 3 and the ladder-type agitator 2 as the rotating member has been described as an example. The agitator 2 and the guide member 18 to which the sheet-like member 4 is attached can also be applied to the toner supply container.
[0085]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same part as the part demonstrated in FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 6 is shown with the same code | symbol (hereinafter the same). In this embodiment, instead of the circular guide members 18 and 19 described in the first embodiment, substantially fan-shaped guide members 26 and 27 are used. The guide members 26 and 27 are formed of a film made of the same material as the guide members 18 and 19 described above.
[0086]
In such a configuration, the guide member 26 is rotatably held on the rotation center shaft 2 a of the agitator 2, and when the guide member 26 is inserted into the container main body 1 from the opening 12 together with the agitator 2, the arc-shaped outer peripheral portion is formed in the body portion 7. The tip of the rotation center shaft 2a is guided to the holding recess 10 by sliding contact with the peripheral surface. The guide member 27 is rotatably held on the rotation center shaft 3 a of the magnet roller 3, and when the guide member 27 is inserted into the container body 1 through the opening 13 together with the magnet roller 3, the arc-shaped outer peripheral portion is slid onto the inner peripheral surface of the trunk portion 7. The tip of the rotation center shaft 3a is guided to the holding recess 11 by making contact.
[0087]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, a screw is cut on the inner periphery of the cylindrical wall 12a formed along the edge of the opening 12, and a screw is also cut on the outer peripheral portion of the fitting portion 28a of the cap 28, which is a lid body. The cap 28 is attached to the cylindrical wall 12a by engaging with a screw. As with the cap 14 described above, the cap 28 is formed with a flange 28b, a through hole 28c through which the rotation center shaft 2a passes, a bearing 28d as a bearing, and a recess 28e for housing the seal member 16. Yes. The cap attached to the cylindrical wall 13a formed at the edge of the opening 13 for inserting and removing the magnet roller 3 has the same structure.
[0088]
In such a configuration, by making the tightening direction of the cap 28 the same as the rotation direction of the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3, the cap 28 can be prevented from loosening and coming off during use. Further, the seal member 16 can be fixed by attaching the cap 28.
[0089]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the cap 29 as a lid is attached to the cylindrical wall 12a formed along the edge of the opening 12 by a claw method. An engagement claw 30 is formed on the cap 29, and a protrusion 31 with which the engagement claw 30 engages is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical wall 12a. When removing the cap 29 from the cylindrical wall 12a, the cap 29 is turned to a position where the engagement of the engagement claw 30 and the protrusion 31 is released, and the cap 29 is slid outward from the cylindrical wall 12a. Do. As with the caps 14 and 28 described above, the cap 29 is formed with a through hole 29c through which the rotation center shaft 2a is rotatably passed, a bearing 29d as a bearing, a recess 29e for housing the seal member 16, and the like. Yes. In addition, the cap attached to the cylindrical wall 13a formed in the edge of the opening 13 which inserts / extracts the magnet roller 3 is also the same structure.
[0090]
In such a configuration, according to the present embodiment, the cap 29 can be easily attached and detached, and workability for recycling can be improved. Further, the seal member 16 can be fixed by attaching the cap 29.
[0091]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the rotating member using the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 has been described as an example. However, when non-magnetic toner is used, only the agitator 2 is used. Further, an auger may be used as the rotating member, and the toner in the container body 1 may be sent out by rotating the auger.
[0092]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a cap 32 that is a lid is formed by pressing a thin plate-like resin member, and this cap 32 is attached to a cylindrical wall 12 a formed at the edge of the opening 12. ing. The cap 32 has a fitting portion 32a and a flange portion 32b, and a through hole 32c and a concave portion 32e through which the rotation center shaft 2a passes are formed in the center portion, and an inner peripheral portion of the through hole 32c in the cap 32 Is a bearing portion 32d which is a bearing. The seal member 16 is accommodated in the recess 32e, and the seal member 16 is clamped and fixed by an inner end face of the recess 32e and a support body 17 formed integrally with the rotation center shaft 2a. A gear 20 is fixed to the rotation center shaft 2a extending through the through hole 32c and extending outward from the side plate 9, and the gear 20 is rotated around the rotation center shaft by a claw 33 formed at the tip of the rotation center shaft 2a. It is fixed to 2a. In addition, the cap attached to the cylindrical wall 13a formed in the edge of the opening 13 which inserts / extracts the magnet roller 3 is also the same structure.
[0093]
In such a configuration, when the toner supply container is recycled, the cap 32 is removed from the cylindrical wall 12a to open the opening 12, and the agitator 2 is taken out from the opening 12. Further, a cap having the same structure is removed from the cylindrical wall 13 a to open the opening 13, and the magnet roller 3 is taken out from the opening 13. Then, the container main body 1, the agitator 2, the magnet roller 3 and the like are cleaned, and after cleaning, the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are mounted in the container main body 1, and the container main body 1 is filled with toner, whereby the toner supply container Can be recycled.
[0094]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a cap 34 that is a lid is constituted by a lid main body 35 and a bearing member 36 that is a bearing formed separately from the lid main body 35. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal front view showing a state in which the cap 34 is attached to the opening 12 of the container body 1. An opening 12 is formed in one side plate 9 of the container body 1, and a cylindrical wall 37 is formed on the outer surface of the side plate 9 so as to surround the opening 12 at a position away from the edge of the opening 12 by a predetermined dimension. ing.
[0095]
A ladder-type agitator 2 is rotatably accommodated in the container body 1, and a flexible sheet-like member 4 is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the agitator 2. The sheet-like member 4 is provided with a plurality of cuts 4 a in a direction perpendicular to the rotation center of the agitator 2. The agitator 2 is provided with a rotation center shaft 38 positioned at the rotation center of the agitator 2, and the rotation center shaft 38 can be separated from the agitator 2. Further, the support body 17 is integrally formed on the rotation center shaft 38, and a groove 40 for attaching a C ring 39 as a fixing member is formed. The rotation center shaft 38 passes through the through hole 35c of the lid body 35, the through hole 16c of the seal member 16, and the through hole 36c of the bearing member 36. The lid body 35, the seal member 16, and the bearing member 36 are The support 17 and the C ring 39 are sandwiched between and closely attached to each other.
[0096]
The lid body 35 includes a fitting portion 35 a and a flange portion 35 b, the fitting portion 35 a is fitted into the opening 12, and the flange portion 35 b is in contact with the outer edge portion of the opening 12. The bearing member 36 has cylindrical walls 41 and 42 formed on both sides thereof, and recesses 43 and 44 formed on the inside thereof. The seal member 16 is accommodated in one recess 43, and a C ring 39 attached to the groove 40 is disposed in the other recess 44.
[0097]
The distal end side of the cylindrical wall 41 enters a recess 45 formed on the inner side of the fitting portion 35a in the lid main body 35 and has a built-in structure. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the cylindrical wall 42 is formed with two notches 46, and a part of the cylindrical wall 42 has a spring-like flexibility. A claw 47 is formed on the outer peripheral portion on the front end side. The cylindrical wall 37 is formed with an engagement hole 48 in which the claw 47 is elastically engaged. The cylindrical wall 42 is formed with a removal portion 49 from which a part of the cylindrical wall 42 is removed in order to facilitate the attachment of the C ring 39 to the groove 40.
[0098]
Here, the bearing member 36 is fitted into the cylindrical wall 37, and the cylindrical wall 42 of the bearing member 36 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 37, so that the bearing member 36 is stably supported.
[0099]
Regarding the dimensions of each part, the length of the rotation center shaft 38 is about 2.5 cm, the outer diameter of the bearing member 36 is about 2.5 cm, the diameter of the opening 12 is about 1.8 cm, and the lid with which the rotation center shaft 38 contacts. The length dimension of the through hole 35c of the main body 35 is about 1 mm, and the length dimension of the through hole 36c of the bearing member 36 with which the rotation center shaft 38 contacts is about 3 mm.
[0100]
In such a configuration, when the toner replenishing container is recycled, the lid body 35, the seal member 16, and the bearing member 36 are removed from the cylindrical wall 37 together with the rotation center shaft 38 to open the opening 12, and this opening is opened. 12, the agitator 2 is taken out. Then, the container body 1, the agitator 2 and the like are washed, and after washing, the agitator 2 is mounted in the container body 1, the lid body 35 and the bearing member 36 are mounted, and the container body 1 is filled with toner. Can recycle supply containers.
[0101]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition to the agitator 2 and the cap 34 described in the sixth embodiment, the toner supply container according to the present embodiment includes a magnet roller 3 and a cap 50 that is a lid for opening and closing the opening 13 through which the magnet roller 3 is inserted and removed. It has. The container main body 1 of the toner supply container includes a toner storage portion 1a and a lid portion 1b. The toner storage portion 1a and the lid portion 1b are connected by a claw (not shown). An opening through which the agitator 2 is put in and out of the container main body 1 and an opening 13 through which the magnet roller 3 is put in and out of the container main body 1 are formed in the side plate 9 of the toner containing portion 1a.
[0102]
A flat surface portion 3b is formed at the end of the rotation center shaft 3a of the magnet roller 3, and a plastic disk-like support 17a is fixed to the flat surface portion 3b. Further, the seal member 16 and the cap 50 are attached to the rotation center shaft 3a. The cap 50 is formed with a through hole 50c through which the rotation center shaft 3a passes, and an inner peripheral portion of the through hole 50c is a bearing portion 50d which is a bearing. A cylindrical wall 51 is formed in the cap 50, and the sealing member 16 is accommodated in a recess (not shown) formed in the cylindrical wall 51.
[0103]
The outer dimension of the cylindrical wall 51 is formed substantially the same as the inner diameter of the opening 13, and the cylindrical wall 51 is fitted into the opening 13 when the opening 13 is closed by the cap 50. The cap 50 is formed with a pair of claws 52 which are engaged with holes 53 formed in the toner accommodating portion 1a when the cap 13 closes the opening 13.
[0104]
A scraper 54 is installed in the toner container 1a so as to come into contact with the surface of the magnet roller 3, and the toner held by the magnet roller 3 is scraped off by the scraper 54, and the scraped toner is stored in the toner container. The toner is discharged from the toner supply port 5 formed in the portion 1a. The toner supply container is mounted above the developing unit in the image forming apparatus, and the toner discharged from the toner supply port 5 is supplied to the developing unit.
[0105]
In such a configuration, when the toner replenishing container is recycled, the lid body 35, the seal member 16, and the bearing member 36 are removed from the cylindrical wall 37 together with the rotation center shaft 38 to open the opening 12, and this opening is opened. 12, the agitator 2 is taken out. Further, the cap 50 and the seal member 16 are removed from the opening 13 to open the opening 13, and the magnet roller 3 is taken out from the opening 13. Then, the container body 1, the agitator 2, the magnet roller 3 and the like are cleaned, and after cleaning, the agitator 2 and the magnet roller 3 are mounted in the container body 1 and the caps 34 and 50 are mounted, and the container body 1 is filled with toner. By doing so, the toner supply container can be recycled.
[0106]
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the cap 55 that is a lid is configured by a lid main body 56 and a bearing member 57 that is a bearing formed separately from the lid main body 56. A bearing member 57 is attached to the opening 12, and a lid main body 56 is attached to the cylindrical wall 37. The rotation center shaft 2 a of the agitator 2 is passed through the through hole 16 c of the seal member 16, the through hole 57 a of the bearing member 57, and the through hole 56 a of the lid body 56, and the bearing member 57 is centered on the rotation via the seal member 16. It is supported by a support 17 formed integrally with the shaft 2a. Even if there is a gap between the rotation center shaft 2 a and the through hole 57 a of the bearing member 57, the toner stored in the container main body 1 is prevented from leaking from the gap by the seal member 16.
[0107]
In such a configuration, when the toner replenishing container is recycled, the lid body 56 is removed from the cylindrical wall 37, the bearing member 57 is taken out from the opening 12, and the agitator 2 is taken out from the opened opening 12. Then, the container body 1, the agitator 2 and the like are cleaned, and after cleaning, the agitator 2 is mounted in the container body 1, the bearing member 57 and the lid body 56 are mounted, and the container body 1 is filled with toner. Can recycle supply containers.
[0108]
【The invention's effect】
According to the toner replenishing container of the first aspect of the present invention, when the toner in the container body runs out, the lid is removed to open the opening, and the rotating member is removed from the opening to remove the inside of the container body. The cleaning of the peripheral surface and the rotating member can be easily performed, and after cleaning, the toner replenishing container can be recycled by inserting the rotating member into the container body from the opening and mounting it. The claw formed on the bearing member is elastically engaged with the engagement hole formed in the cylindrical wall of the container body, and the lid body and the bearing member constituting the lid body are used as the rotation center axis. Since it is attached in close contact between the formed support and the fixing member attached to the rotation center shaft, each part can be easily disassembled and assembled, and the parts constituting the toner supply container can be easily recycled. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state where a power transmission gear is removed from a toner supply container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical front view of a toner supply container showing an agitator attached state.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal front view of a toner supply container showing a magnet roller attached state;
FIG. 4 is a side view of a toner replenishing container showing an attached state of a power transmission gear.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the guide member is attached to the agitator.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the container body and the guide member.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal front view showing a cap formed of two parts of a lid main body and a bearing member.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing the shape of the guide member and the positional relationship between the container body and the guide member in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal front view showing a mounting state by a screw mechanism of a cap in a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal front view showing a mounting state of a cap by a hook mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal front view showing a structure and an attachment state of a cap according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a structure and a mounting state of a cap according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure for attaching a cap to a rotation center shaft.
FIG. 14 is a side view showing a bearing member.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a toner supply container according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure for attaching a cap to a rotation center shaft.
FIG. 17 is a longitudinal front view showing a structure and an attachment state of a cap according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Container body
2 Rotating member
12 Opening
17 Support
34 Lid
35 Lid body
36 Bearing members
37 cylindrical wall
38 Center of rotation
39 Fixing member
47 claw
48 engagement hole

Claims (1)

A cap 34 which is a lid is constituted by a lid main body 35 and a bearing member 36 which is a bearing formed separately from the lid main body 35, and the cap 34 is attached to the opening of the container main body for storing toner. One side plate 9 is formed with an opening 12, and a cylindrical wall 37 is formed on the outer surface of the side plate 9 so as to surround the closing port 12 at a position away from the edge of the opening 12. The agitator 2 is rotatably housed in the inner 1, and the agitator 2 is provided with a rotation center shaft 38 positioned at the rotation center of the agitator 2, and the rotation center shaft 38 can be separated from the agitator 2. The support 17 is formed integrally with the rotation center shaft 38, and further, a groove 40 for attaching a C ring 39 as a fixing member is formed. The rotation center shaft 38 is connected to the through hole 35C of the lid body 35 and the seal member. 16 The cover body 35, the seal member 16, and the bearing member 36 are sandwiched between the support body 17 and the C ring 39 so as to be in close contact with each other, and pass through the through hole 16 C and the through hole 36 C of the bearing member 36. The main body 35 includes a fitting portion 35C and a flange portion 35b. The fitting portion 35a is fitted into the opening 12, and the flange portion 35b is brought into contact with the outer edge portion of the opening 12. Walls 41 and 42 are formed, and recesses 43 and 44 are formed on the inside thereof. The seal member 16 is accommodated in one recess 43, and a C-ring 39 attached to the groove 40 is disposed in the other recess 44. The cylindrical wall 41 has a built-in structure in which the distal end side of the cylindrical wall 41 enters a recess 45 formed inside the fitting portion 35a of the lid body 35, and the cylindrical wall 42 has two notches 46. Formed and cylindrical A part of 42 has spring-like flexibility, a claw 47 is formed on the outer periphery of the tip of the flexible part, and a removal part 49 is formed by removing a part of the cylindrical wall 42. A toner replenishing container.

Images