JP3965458B2 - Cylindrical toner container and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Cylindrical toner container and manufacturing method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
JP3965458B2
JP3965458B2 JP2001256840A JP2001256840A JP3965458B2 JP 3965458 B2 JP3965458 B2 JP 3965458B2 JP 2001256840 A JP2001256840 A JP 2001256840A JP 2001256840 A JP2001256840 A JP 2001256840A JP 3965458 B2 JP3965458 B2 JP 3965458B2
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cylindrical
concave
toner container
semi
shape
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JP2003066702A (en
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正則 尾間
謙 中川
幸生 大田
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SATO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
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SATO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/54—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
    • B29C66/547—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles, e.g. endless tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/124—Tongue and groove joints
    • B29C66/1244—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the male part, i.e. the part comprising the tongue
    • B29C66/12443—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the male part, i.e. the part comprising the tongue having the tongue substantially in the middle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/124—Tongue and groove joints
    • B29C66/1246—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove
    • B29C66/12463—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove being tapered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/124—Tongue and groove joints
    • B29C66/1246—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove
    • B29C66/12469—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove being asymmetric
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/302—Particular design of joint configurations the area to be joined comprising melt initiators
    • B29C66/3022—Particular design of joint configurations the area to be joined comprising melt initiators said melt initiators being integral with at least one of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/30223—Particular design of joint configurations the area to be joined comprising melt initiators said melt initiators being integral with at least one of the parts to be joined said melt initiators being rib-like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は内部にトナーを収容するための円筒トナー容器およびその製造方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
複写機、ファクシミリ、プリンター等の現像装置にトナー容器が取り付けられて、容器に収容されているトナーを現像装置の現像部へ補給している。
従来の円筒トナー容器を図５に示す。図５は従来の円筒トナー容器を示す斜視図である。
従来の円筒トナー容器５は、一方の端部６ｂが閉塞された円筒部材６と、この円筒部材６の他端６ａを閉塞する閉塞部材７とから構成され、閉塞部材７が円筒部材６の開放端６ａに機械的に圧入、接着剤または超音波等で接着固着されている。
閉塞部材７と円筒部材６とを超音波溶着する場合の接合個所断面の一例を図６に示す。超音波溶着は、閉塞部材７または円筒部材６の一方を受け台８として、他方の表面に三角リブ９を形成して、三角リブ９に超音波振動を加えながら圧着することにより行なわれている。１０はトナーシールである。
【０００３】
一方、写真用ロールフィルムを遮光状態に収納するために用いられる合成樹脂製のカートリッジを、上パーツと下パーツとに別個に成形し、上パーツと下パーツにおけるスリット部の凸凹形状の継手構造を利用して上下パーツの接合位置決めを行ない、次いで、両バーツにおける円筒形部分の接合面に超音波振動を伝達して溶着を行ない、カートリッジ本体の合体接合を行なう方法が開示されている（特開平０６−９５３０１）。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、従来の円筒トナー容器は、次のような問題があった。
（１）円筒トナー容器の精度を維持し、生産性を向上させるために、円筒部材は射出成形により製造されているが、トナー容器のような大型長尺物になると、射出成形時の型抜きが困難になる。例えば、開放端６ａは、閉塞された他端６ｂの径より大きくしないと金型から型抜きできない。このため、両端が同径の円筒トナー容器が得られないという問題がある。
（２）射出成形金型の問題としては、中子等を用いて円筒形状を射出成形するため、金型が複雑になり、金型費用が増加したり、金型の耐久性が低下したりする。
（３）写真用ロールフィルムのカートリッジと異なり、大型長尺のトナー容器の場合、単純な凸凹形状の接合構造のみでは、超音波溶着が十分に行なわれず、円筒トナー容器の気密性が保たれなかったり、超音波溶着部の溶着強度が低下したりするという問題がある。
（４）上記（３）の問題のため、大型長尺のトナー容器の場合、超音波溶着部の接合構造として図６に示す構造が用いられるが、この場合においても、突起部の平行度や肉厚度の変動により溶着強度が低下したり、超音波エネルギーが分散しやすいため必要以外の個所が溶着したり、バリが発生しやすくなったりするという問題がある。
【０００５】
本発明は、このような問題に対処するためになされたもので、比較的大きな容器であっても射出成形が容易で、かつ超音波溶着後の気密性および溶着強度に優れた円筒トナー容器およびその製造方法の提供を目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の円筒トナー容器は、内部にトナーを収容するために、両端が閉塞された円筒トナー容器であって、該円筒トナー容器は、円筒方向に２分割された半円筒部分同士の接合体であり、該接合体の接合部が超音波溶着されてなり、この接合部の断面は、一方が凸形状で、他方が上記凸形状の凸部に嵌合できる凹形状で、かつ上記凸形状の凸部先端幅が上記凹形状の凹部底面幅よりも大きい形状であり、上記凹形状の凹部内側面の一方の側面に凹部底面幅を凹部上面幅よりも狭くする方向の傾斜面を有し、他方の側面が上記凸凹形状の嵌合上下方向に垂直方向であることを特徴とする。
また、上記半円筒部分の一方が閉塞された両端部を有する半円筒部分であり、他方が開放端を有する半円筒部分であることを特徴とする。
【０００７】
超音波溶着される接合部の断面として、一方が凸形状で、他方がその凸形状の凸部に嵌合できる凹形状で、かつ凸形状の凸部先端幅が凹形状の凹部底面幅よりも大きい形状で嵌合されつつ超音波溶着されてなることにより、凹部内側面と凸部外側面とが発熱して溶融し、相互に超音波溶着する。このため、溶着面が単なる突合せ面よりも大きくなり、円筒トナー容器は、円筒方向に２分割された分割体を接合した円筒部材であっても、超音波溶着後の気密性および溶着強度に優れる。
【０００８】
本発明の円筒トナー容器の製造方法は、半円筒部分を射出成形する工程と、上記半円筒部分の接合部を超音波溶着する工程とを備えてなリ、上記超音波溶着する工程は、上記接合部の断面が、一方が凸形状で、他方がその凸形状の凸部に嵌合できる凹形状で、かつ嵌合時に凸形状の凸部先端幅が凹形状の凹部底面幅よりも大きく、上記凹形状の凹部内側面の一方の側面に凹部底面幅を凹部上面幅よりも狭くする方向の傾斜面を有し、他方の側面が上記凸凹形状の嵌合上下方向に垂直方向である形状を用いて、凹部内側面にて超音波溶着する工程であることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
半円筒部分の接合部を超音波溶着することにより、半円筒部分の射出成形金型でよくなるため、金型が簡易になり、その耐久性が向上する。また、成形体はバリの発生が少なくなり射出成形性に優れる。
超音波溶着が嵌合時に凸形状の凸部先端幅が凹形状の凹部底面幅よりも大きい形状を用いて、凹部内側面にて超音波溶着する工程であることにより、一回の超音波溶着で気密性および溶着強度に優れた円筒トナー容器が得られ、円筒トナー容器の生産性が向上する。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の円筒トナー容器の一例を図１および図２に示す。図１は円筒トナー容器の分解斜視図であリ、図２は組み立てられた円筒トナー容器の斜視図である。円筒トナー容器１は、閉塞された両端部を有する半円筒部分２と開放端を有する半円筒部分３とから構成され、半円筒部分２および３の接合部４、４ａ、４ｂが超音波溶着される。半円筒部分２は半円筒状部分２ａと、端部の閉塞部２ｂ、２ｃとが一体成形され、半円筒部分３は開放端を有する半円筒部分として成形される。半円筒部分２には、図示を省略した撹拌棒や撹拌羽根等が閉塞部２ｂ、２ｃに支持され、半円筒部分３と合体して円筒トナー容器１となる。また、円筒トナー容器１外周面にはトナーシール等が取り付けられる。
なお、半円筒部分２および３は、相互に嵌合することで円筒トナー容器を形成できる形状であればよい。具体的な形状としては、図１および図２に示す分割形状の他に次のような分割形状を例示できる。
（１）一方の端部が閉塞部を形成する閉塞端部で、他方が開放端を有する半円筒部分を２個準備し、閉塞端と開放端が接合できるように組み立てて円筒トナー容器とする。
（２）閉塞部を形成する半円状の両端部を有する半円筒部分を２個準備し、半円状の両端部が接合できるように組み立てて円筒トナー容器とする。
（３）一方の端部が閉塞部を形成する半円状の端部を有し、他方の端部が容器に同心円状の凸状閉塞部端部を有する半円筒部分と、一方の端部が閉塞部を形成する半円状の端部を有し、他方の端部が上記凸状閉塞部端部に嵌合できる凹状閉塞部端部を有する半円筒部分とを組み立てて円筒トナー容器とする。
また、トナーを充填するための充填孔は半円筒状部分、あるいは両端の閉塞部分等に設けることができる。
【００１１】
円筒トナー容器１の接合部を図３により説明する。図３（ａ）は図２における接合部のＡ−Ａ拡大断面図であリ、図３（ｂ）は超音波溶着前の接合部のＣ部拡大断面図である。
超音波溶着される接合部４の断面は、半円筒部分２の接合部断面が凸形状２ｄで、半円筒部分３の接合部断面が凹形状３ａであリ、相互に嵌合できる形状をしており、かつ凸部先端幅Ｄが凹形状の凹部底面幅ｄ2よりも大きい形状である。具体的には、半円筒部分３の凹形状３ａが、内側面３ｂおよび３ｃと、凹部底面３ｄとから構成され、内側面３ｂに凹部の上部内幅ｄ1を狭くする方向の傾斜面３ｅを有している。傾斜面３ｅを有する凹形状３ａに凸形状２ｄを嵌合して超音波振動を印加することにより、接触部における変形歪の発熱が内側面３ｂおよび３ｃと凸形状２ｄの側面２ｅとで発生する。
その結果、半円筒部分２と３とは、凸形状２ｄと凹形状３ａとの両側面で超音波溶着されることになり、溶着面積が増大し、円筒トナー容器の気密性および超音波溶着部の溶着強度が向上する。
【００１２】
傾斜面３ｅの形状としては、凹部の内幅ｄ1が底面３ｄ方向に向かって狭くなる形状で、かつ超音波溶着時の加圧により半円筒部分２と半円筒部分３との接合面から余剰溶融物が溢れでることなく、相互に隙間なく嵌合できる突起または傾斜面であればよい。このため、凸部先端幅Ｄを凹部の上部内幅ｄ1よりも余剰溶融物が溢れでない程度に狭くすることが好ましい。
また、傾斜面３ｅは内側面３ｂまたは内側面３ｃの片側面、あるいは内側面３ｂおよび内側面３ｃの両側面にあってもよい。
【００１３】
半円筒部分２と３との超音波溶着は、半円筒部分２と半円筒部分３のとの端部接合部４ａおよび４ｂにおいても行なわれる。図４は、図２における接合部のＢ−Ｂ拡大断面図である。半円筒部分２の凸形状部と半円筒部分３の凹形状とは上記図３（ｂ）にて説明した形状とできる。
【００１４】
次に本発明の円筒トナー容器の製造方法について上記各図を参照して説明する。
（１）合成樹脂組成物を用いて半円筒部分２および半円筒部分３をそれぞれ射出成形する。半円筒部分として射出成形することにより、射出成形金型が中子等を用いる必要がなくなり、また型抜きが容易になり、金型の耐久性が向上する。半円筒部分２および半円筒部分３の接合部は図３または図４に示す凹凸形状を設けておく。
（２）半円筒部分２の凸形状部と半円筒部分３の凹形状とを嵌合させ、超音波振動を発生させながら加圧して、相互に圧入する。この工程により、凹形状の凹部両側面で超音波溶着する。
超音波溶着条件は、合成樹脂材料、凹凸形状等によって異なるが、超音波振動ホーンの振幅は、凹凸形状の嵌合上下方向に 25〜50μm 、周波数は、15〜20 kHz で行なうのが溶着強度および気密度を高めるので好ましい。
【００１５】
上記本発明の超音波溶着方法を用いることにより、得られた円筒トナー容器は、バリが発生せず、溶着強度、気密度が向上するので、複写機、ファクシミリ、プリンター等の現像装置にトナー容器として好適である。
【００１６】
【発明の効果】
本発明の円筒トナー容器は、半円筒部分同士の接合体であり、該接合体の接合部が超音波溶着されてなるので、大型の円筒トナー容器が容易に得られる。
特に、半円筒部分の一方が閉塞された両端部を有する半円筒部分であり、他方が開放端を有する半円筒部分であるので、気密性を有する大型の円筒トナー容器が容易に得られる。
【００１７】
さらに本発明の円筒トナー容器は、超音波溶着される接合部の断面は、一方が凸形状で、他方がその凸形状の凸部に嵌合できる凹形状で、かつ凸形状の凸部先端幅が凹形状の凹部底面幅よりも大きい形状で嵌合されつつ超音波溶着されるので、特に上記凹形状の凹部内側面の一方の側面に凹部底面幅を凹部上面幅よりも狭くする方向の傾斜面を有して超音波溶着されるので、接合面積が増加し、溶着強度が向上し、気密性を有する大型の円筒トナー容器となる。
【００１８】
本発明の円筒トナー容器の製造方法は、半円筒部分を射出成形する工程と、接合部の断面が、一方が凸形状で、他方がその凸形状の凸部に嵌合できる凹形状で、かつ嵌合時に凸形状の凸部先端幅が凹形状の凹部底面幅よりも大きい形状を用いて、凹部内側面にて超音波溶着する工程とを備えるので、金型が簡易になり、その耐久性が向上する。また、バリの発生が少なくなり射出成形性に優れ、生産性が向上する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】円筒トナー容器の分解斜視図である。
【図２】組み立てられた円筒トナー容器の斜視図である。
【図３】円筒トナー容器の接合部の断面図である。
【図４】開放端部における接合部の断面図である。
【図５】従来の円筒トナー容器を示す斜視図である。
【図６】従来の超音波溶着する場合の接合個所断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 円筒トナー容器
２ 両端部を有する半円筒部分
３ 開放端を有する半円筒部分
４ 接合部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cylindrical toner container for containing toner therein and a manufacturing method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A toner container is attached to a developing device such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer, and the toner contained in the container is supplied to the developing unit of the developing device.
A conventional cylindrical toner container is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional cylindrical toner container.
The conventional cylindrical toner container 5 includes a cylindrical member 6 with one end 6 b closed and a closing member 7 that closes the other end 6 a of the cylindrical member 6, and the closing member 7 opens the cylindrical member 6. The end 6a is mechanically press-fitted and adhered and fixed by an adhesive or ultrasonic waves.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a cross-section of the joining portion when the closing member 7 and the cylindrical member 6 are ultrasonically welded. The ultrasonic welding is performed by forming one of the closing member 7 or the cylindrical member 6 as a receiving base 8 and forming a triangular rib 9 on the other surface, and crimping the triangular rib 9 while applying ultrasonic vibration. . Reference numeral 10 denotes a toner seal.
[0003]
On the other hand, a synthetic resin cartridge used to store a photographic roll film in a light-shielded state is molded separately into an upper part and a lower part, and a joint structure with an uneven shape of the slit portion in the upper part and the lower part is formed. A method is disclosed in which the upper and lower parts are joined and positioned, and then ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the joining surfaces of the cylindrical portions of both bahts to perform welding to perform unitary joining of the cartridge bodies (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei. 06-95301).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional cylindrical toner container has the following problems.
(1) In order to maintain the accuracy of the cylindrical toner container and improve the productivity, the cylindrical member is manufactured by injection molding. However, when a large and long object such as a toner container is formed, die cutting at the time of injection molding is performed. Becomes difficult. For example, the open end 6a cannot be removed from the mold unless it is larger than the diameter of the closed other end 6b. For this reason, there is a problem that a cylindrical toner container having the same diameter at both ends cannot be obtained.
(2) As a problem of injection molds, the cylindrical shape is injection-molded using a core or the like, so the mold becomes complicated, the mold cost increases, and the mold durability decreases. To do.
(3) Unlike a photographic roll film cartridge, in the case of a large and long toner container, ultrasonic welding cannot be performed sufficiently with only a simple uneven structure, and the airtightness of the cylindrical toner container cannot be maintained. There is a problem that the welding strength of the ultrasonic welded portion is reduced.
(4) Due to the problem of (3) above, in the case of a large and long toner container, the structure shown in FIG. 6 is used as the joining structure of the ultrasonic welding part. There is a problem that the welding strength is reduced due to the variation in the wall thickness, and ultrasonic energy is easily dispersed, so that portions other than necessary are welded or burrs are easily generated.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in order to cope with such a problem, and a cylindrical toner container which is easy to injection-mold even in a relatively large container and has excellent airtightness and welding strength after ultrasonic welding. It aims at providing the manufacturing method.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The cylindrical toner container of the present invention is a cylindrical toner container closed at both ends in order to store toner therein, and the cylindrical toner container is a joined body of semi-cylindrical parts divided into two in the cylindrical direction. There, Ri Na junction the conjugate is ultrasonic welding, the cross-section of the joint, one is a convex shape, with a concave shape and the other can be fitted in the convex portion of the convex shape and the convex shape The convex portion tip width is larger than the concave concave bottom surface width, and has an inclined surface in a direction in which the concave bottom surface width is narrower than the concave top surface width on one side surface of the concave concave inner surface. the other side surface and said vertical der Rukoto the fitting vertical direction of the uneven shape.
Further, one of the semicylindrical portions is a semicylindrical portion having both ends closed, and the other is a semicylindrical portion having an open end.
[0007]
As a cross-section of the welded portion to be ultrasonically welded, one is a convex shape, the other is a concave shape that can be fitted into the convex shape convex portion, and the convex shape leading end width is larger than the concave bottom surface width of the concave shape By being ultrasonically welded while being fitted in a large shape, the inner surface of the concave portion and the outer surface of the convex portion are heated and melted, and are ultrasonically welded to each other. For this reason, the welding surface is larger than a simple butting surface, and the cylindrical toner container is excellent in hermeticity and welding strength after ultrasonic welding even when the cylindrical toner container is a cylindrical member joined by two divided parts in the cylindrical direction. .
[0008]
The method for manufacturing a cylindrical toner container according to the present invention includes a step of injection-molding a semi-cylindrical portion and a step of ultrasonically welding a joint portion of the semi-cylindrical portion. the cross section of the joint, one is a convex shape, much larger than the other recess bottom width projection end width concave convex in a concave shape, and when fitted can be fitted to the convex portion of the convex shape A shape having an inclined surface in a direction in which the bottom surface width of the recess is narrower than the width of the top surface of the recess on one side surface of the inner surface of the concave portion, and the other side surface is perpendicular to the fitting vertical direction of the concave shape It is the process of carrying out ultrasonic welding on the inner surface of a recessed part using.
[0009]
By ultrasonically welding the joint portion of the semi-cylindrical portion, an injection mold for the semi-cylindrical portion is sufficient, so that the die becomes simple and its durability is improved. Further, the molded body is less likely to generate burrs and has excellent injection moldability.
Ultrasonic welding is a process of ultrasonic welding on the inner surface of the concave portion using a shape in which the convex tip width of the convex portion is larger than the concave bottom surface width of the concave portion at the time of fitting. Thus, a cylindrical toner container excellent in airtightness and welding strength is obtained, and the productivity of the cylindrical toner container is improved.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An example of the cylindrical toner container of the present invention is shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cylindrical toner container, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled cylindrical toner container. The cylindrical toner container 1 includes a semi-cylindrical portion 2 having closed ends and a semi-cylindrical portion 3 having an open end, and the joint portions 4, 4a, and 4b of the semi-cylindrical portions 2 and 3 are ultrasonically welded. The The semi-cylindrical portion 2 is formed by integrally forming a semi-cylindrical portion 2a and end closing portions 2b and 2c, and the semi-cylindrical portion 3 is formed as a semi-cylindrical portion having an open end. In the semi-cylindrical portion 2, a stirring rod, a stirring blade, etc. (not shown) are supported by the closed portions 2 b and 2 c, and united with the semi-cylindrical portion 3 to form a cylindrical toner container 1. A toner seal or the like is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical toner container 1.
The semi-cylindrical portions 2 and 3 may have any shape that can form a cylindrical toner container by being fitted to each other. As specific shapes, the following divided shapes can be exemplified in addition to the divided shapes shown in FIGS.
(1) Two semi-cylindrical portions having one closed end forming a closed portion and the other open end are prepared and assembled so that the closed end and the open end can be joined to form a cylindrical toner container. .
(2) Two semi-cylindrical portions having semi-circular ends that form a closed portion are prepared, and assembled so that both semi-circular ends can be joined to form a cylindrical toner container.
(3) a semi-cylindrical portion in which one end portion has a semicircular end portion forming a closed portion and the other end portion has a concentric convex closed portion end portion in the container, and one end portion A cylindrical toner container comprising a semi-cylindrical portion having a semi-cylindrical end portion that forms a closed portion and the other end portion having a concave closed-end portion that can be fitted to the convex closed-end portion. To do.
Further, the filling hole for filling the toner can be provided in a semi-cylindrical portion or a closed portion at both ends.
[0011]
A joint portion of the cylindrical toner container 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3A is an AA enlarged cross-sectional view of the joint portion in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the C portion of the joint portion before ultrasonic welding.
The cross section of the joint 4 to be ultrasonically welded has a shape in which the cross section of the semicylindrical portion 2 is a convex shape 2d and the cross section of the semicylindrical portion 3 is a concave shape 3a. And the convex portion tip width D is larger than the concave concave bottom surface width d 2 . Specifically, concave 3a semicylindrical portion 3, and the inner side surface 3b and 3c, is composed of a bottom surface of the recess 3d, the direction of the inclined surface 3e to narrow the upper inner width d 1 of the concave portion on the inner surface 3b Have. By fitting the convex shape 2d to the concave shape 3a having the inclined surface 3e and applying ultrasonic vibration, heat generation of deformation strain at the contact portion occurs on the inner side surfaces 3b and 3c and the side surface 2e of the convex shape 2d. .
As a result, the semi-cylindrical portions 2 and 3 are ultrasonically welded on both side surfaces of the convex shape 2d and the concave shape 3a, the welding area is increased, and the airtightness and ultrasonic welding portion of the cylindrical toner container are increased. This improves the welding strength.
[0012]
The shape of the inclined surface 3e, the excess from the joint plane in the narrower shaped inner width d 1 of the recess toward the bottom surface 3d direction and by pressure during the ultrasonic welding semicylindrical portion 2 semicylindrical portion 3 Any protrusions or inclined surfaces that can be fitted to each other without a gap without overflowing the melt may be used. For this reason, it is preferable to make the front end width D of the convex part narrower than the upper inner width d 1 of the concave part to the extent that the excess melt does not overflow.
Further, the inclined surface 3e may be on one side surface of the inner side surface 3b or the inner side surface 3c, or on both side surfaces of the inner side surface 3b and the inner side surface 3c.
[0013]
The ultrasonic welding of the semicylindrical portions 2 and 3 is also performed at the end joints 4 a and 4 b between the semicylindrical portion 2 and the semicylindrical portion 3. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of the joint in FIG. The convex shape portion of the semi-cylindrical portion 2 and the concave shape of the semi-cylindrical portion 3 can be the shapes described in FIG.
[0014]
Next, the manufacturing method of the cylindrical toner container of the present invention will be described with reference to the above drawings.
(1) The semi-cylindrical part 2 and the semi-cylindrical part 3 are each injection-molded using the synthetic resin composition. By injection molding as a semi-cylindrical portion, it is not necessary for the injection mold to use a core or the like, and the mold can be easily removed, and the durability of the mold is improved. The joint part of the semi-cylindrical part 2 and the semi-cylindrical part 3 is provided with an uneven shape as shown in FIG.
(2) The convex portion of the semi-cylindrical portion 2 and the concave shape of the semi-cylindrical portion 3 are fitted together, pressurized while generating ultrasonic vibrations, and pressed into each other. By this step, ultrasonic welding is performed on both side surfaces of the concave concave portion.
The ultrasonic welding conditions vary depending on the synthetic resin material, concave and convex shape, etc., but the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration horn is 25 to 50 μm in the vertical direction of the concave and convex shape, and the frequency is 15 to 20 kHz. Further, it is preferable because it increases airtightness.
[0015]
By using the ultrasonic welding method of the present invention, the obtained cylindrical toner container does not generate burrs and improves the welding strength and air density. Therefore, the toner container can be used in a developing device such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer. It is suitable as.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
The cylindrical toner container of the present invention is a joined body of semi-cylindrical parts, and the joined portion of the joined body is ultrasonically welded, so that a large cylindrical toner container can be easily obtained.
In particular, since one of the semi-cylindrical portions is a semi-cylindrical portion having both ends closed and the other is a semi-cylindrical portion having an open end, a large cylindrical toner container having airtightness can be easily obtained.
[0017]
Furthermore, in the cylindrical toner container of the present invention, one of the cross sections of the joining portion to be ultrasonically welded is a convex shape, the other is a concave shape that can be fitted to the convex shape of the convex shape, and the tip width of the convex portion of the convex portion Is welded in a shape larger than the concave bottom surface of the concave shape, and is ultrasonically welded, so that the concave bottom surface width is made narrower than the concave top surface width, particularly on one side surface of the concave inner surface of the concave shape. Since the ultrasonic welding is performed with the surface, the joining area is increased, the welding strength is improved, and a large cylindrical toner container having airtightness is obtained.
[0018]
The cylindrical toner container manufacturing method of the present invention includes a step of injection-molding a semi-cylindrical portion, a cross section of the joint portion having one convex shape and the other having a concave shape that can be fitted to the convex shape convex portion, and It has a process of ultrasonic welding on the inner surface of the concave portion using a shape in which the convex tip width of the convex shape is larger than the concave bottom surface width of the concave portion at the time of fitting, so that the mold becomes simple and its durability Will improve. In addition, the generation of burrs is reduced, the injection moldability is excellent, and the productivity is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cylindrical toner container.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled cylindrical toner container.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a joint portion of a cylindrical toner container.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a joint portion at an open end portion.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional cylindrical toner container.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a joining portion in the case of conventional ultrasonic welding.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cylindrical toner container 2 Semi-cylindrical part 3 which has both ends Both semi-cylindrical parts 4 which have an open end

Claims (3)

内部にトナーを収容するために、両端が閉塞された円筒トナー容器であって、
該円筒トナー容器は、円筒方向に２分割された半円筒部分同士の接合体であり、該接合体の接合部が超音波溶着されてなり、前記接合部の断面は、一方が凸形状で、他方が前記凸形状の凸部に嵌合できる凹形状で、かつ前記凸形状の凸部先端幅が前記凹形状の凹部底面幅よりも大きい形状であり、前記凹形状の凹部内側面の一方の側面に凹部底面幅を凹部上面幅よりも狭くする方向の傾斜面を有し、他方の側面が前記凸凹形状の嵌合上下方向に垂直方向であることを特徴とする円筒トナー容器。A cylindrical toner container closed at both ends for containing toner therein,
Cylindrical toner containers are conjugate semicylindrical portions between which is divided into two cylindrical direction, Ri Na junction the conjugate is ultrasonic welding, the cross-section of the joint, one is a convex shape , The other is a concave shape that can be fitted into the convex convex portion, and the convex top end width of the convex shape is larger than the concave bottom surface width of the concave shape, and one of the concave concave inner side surfaces side recess bottom width having an inclined surface in a direction narrower than the recess top width, a cylindrical toner container that the other side, characterized in the vertical direction der Rukoto the fitting vertical direction of the uneven shape. 前記半円筒部分の一方が閉塞された両端部を有する半円筒部分であり、他方が開放端を有する半円筒部分であることを特徴とする請求項１記載の円筒トナー容器。  2. The cylindrical toner container according to claim 1, wherein one of the semi-cylindrical portions is a semi-cylindrical portion having closed end portions, and the other is a semi-cylindrical portion having an open end. 半円筒部分を射出成形する工程と、
前記半円筒部分の接合部を超音波溶着する工程とを備えてなる円筒トナー容器の製造方法であって、
前記超音波溶着する工程は、前記接合部の断面が、一方が凸形状で、他方が前記凸形状の凸部に嵌合できる凹形状で、かつ嵌合時に前記凸形状の凸部先端幅が前記凹形状の凹部底面幅よりも大きく、前記凹形状の凹部内側面の一方の側面に凹部底面幅を凹部上面幅よりも狭くする方向の傾斜面を有し、他方の側面が前記凸凹形状の嵌合上下方向に垂直方向である形状を用いて、前記凹部内側面にて超音波溶着する工程であることを特徴とする円筒トナー容器の製造方法。A step of injection molding the semi-cylindrical portion;
A method of manufacturing a cylindrical toner container comprising a step of ultrasonically welding a joint portion of the semi-cylindrical portion,
In the ultrasonic welding step, one of the cross sections of the joint portion is a convex shape, and the other is a concave shape that can be fitted to the convex shape of the convex shape. the much larger than the concave bottom surface of the recess width, the concave one of the bottom surface of the recess width to the side of the recess inner surface has an inclined surface in a direction narrower than the recess top width, the other side the uneven shape A method of manufacturing a cylindrical toner container, characterized in that it is a step of ultrasonic welding on the inner side surface of the recess using a shape that is perpendicular to the fitting vertical direction .
JP2001256840A 2001-08-27 2001-08-27 Cylindrical toner container and manufacturing method thereof Expired - Fee Related JP3965458B2 (en)

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