JP3993939B2 - Agent storage container - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, toner used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in which about the accommodating container for accommodating a developer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the image forming apparatus of the above type, the toner density is detected and the toner is supplied so that the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier in the developing device is kept constant, and the image density is controlled. For this reason, a toner container such as a toner bottle or a cartridge is arranged in or near the unit having the developing device, and the amount of toner consumed by use from the toner containing container directly or via the toner hopper is supplied to the developing device. It is configured to do. In this case, the transfer and replenishment of toner from the toner storage unit to the developing device is performed by a mechanical auger means such as a screw or a paddle.
[0003]
However, when the toner is replenished by the above-described mechanical auger means, the toner storage unit and the toner replenishing device have to be installed at a position that is integral with or very close to the developing device because the screw is arranged almost linearly. It was. This complicates the configuration of the toner replenishing device, hinders high costs, low productivity, and machine maintenance, makes it difficult to protect and maintain the toner quality characteristics, and makes it easy for the user to replace the toner container. There was also difficulty.
[0004]
Further, since conventional toner storage containers are made of hard bottles such as cartridges and bottles, there has been a big problem in disposal of used containers accompanying replacement of toner storage containers. In other words, the used toner storage container is collected from the user by the manufacturer, and is recycled, reused, and incinerated. However, the container has a large capacity and requires a high distribution cost until it is recovered.
[0005]
Further, when the collected toner storage container is to be reused, it is difficult to clean the container, the toner filling efficiency is also difficult, and the cost required for reusing the toner storage container is high.
In the past, there has been a proposal that can reduce the volume of the toner container.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when a toner storage container whose volume can be reduced is supplied from the container using a toner supply device, the supply performance cannot be stably maintained. It has also been proposed to use a container whose volume can be reduced only during transportation, but in this case as well, problems such as contamination caused by toner scattering are solved when transferring toner to a hard bottle or toner hopper. The current situation is that it has not been put into practical use.
[0007]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and can stably maintain the replenishment performance even in a toner storage container whose volume can be reduced, and the replenishment agent can be directly replenished from the container to the developing device. An object is to provide a possible agent storage container .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention accommodates a toner or a developer obtained by mixing a toner and a carrier and responds to an air discharge operation by an air pump and a suction operation by a suction screw pump. In the agent storage container that is discharged while controlling the discharge amount of the toner or developer, the toner or developer stored in communication with the screw pump is attached to one end of the flexible agent storage container main body having a sealed structure. An agent discharge base member for discharging is provided, and an air supply base member to which air is supplied by the air pump is provided at the other end of the container body, and the air pump discharges. The agent discharge base member is discharged so that the toner or developer is fluidized by air and transferred to the vicinity of the agent discharge base member. It proposes a dosage container, characterized in that the hole and the hole for air discharge covered by filters are provided.
[0009]
In addition, this invention is effective when the valve which regulates agent discharge | emission or air inflow is provided in at least one of the said base member for agent discharge, and the base member for air supply .
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an agent replenishing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a part of a developing device.
[0014]
In FIG. 1, the agent replenishing device of this embodiment replenishes toner to the developing device 10, and develops the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating container 20 as the agent accommodating container that accommodates the toner, and the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating means. And a toner transfer means 40 as an agent transfer means for transferring to the apparatus 10.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the developing device 10 includes a developing sleeve 11 disposed opposite to the photosensitive member 1 as an image carrier, a first stirring screw 12, and a second stirring screw 13. Yes. The developer in the developing device 10 is circulated so as to be conveyed from the left to the right in FIG. 2 by the first agitating screw 12 and from the right to the left by the second agitating screw 13. During this circulation, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member 1 is developed by the developer toner transferred to the developing sleeve 11 in the middle of the conveying path.
[0016]
As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 10 is provided with a toner receiving port 14 at a position corresponding to the first stirring screw 12 at the front end of the device, and a connecting member 15 is provided in the toner receiving port 14. A tube 16 as a transfer member is detachably connected to the connection member 15. An air filter 17 is provided in a part of the connection member 15, and only the air in the mixture of the toner and the air flow is degassed from the developing device, and toner scattering from the connection member 15 and the developing device 10 during toner replenishment is prevented. It is preventing.
[0017]
The toner container 20 is configured as a separate unit from the developing device 10 and is disposed at an appropriate position in the image forming apparatus main body. The toner transfer means 40 is provided between the toner storage container 20 and the developing device 10, and the toner transfer means 40 and the development device 10 are connected by the tube 16. Between the transfer means 40, it connects with the tube 19 as a transfer part.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toner transfer means 40, and this toner transfer means 40 uses a suction type uniaxial eccentric screw pump 41, which is known as a commonly known Mono pump. The structure of the screw pump 41 is a rotor 42 made of an eccentric screw made of a rigid material such as metal and a double screw made of an elastic body such as rubber, and is fixedly installed. And a holder 44 made of a resin material that encloses these and forms a powder conveyance path. The rotor 42 is rotationally driven via a gear 45 and a shaft joint 46 that are drivingly connected to a driving source (not shown). Due to the rotation of the rotor 42, a strong self-priming force is generated in the pump, and the toner can be sucked from the suction portion at the tip of the holder 44, and the sucked toner can be sent out from the discharge portion in the vicinity of the shaft joint 46. In addition, air is supplied to the toner transfer means 40 from an air pump (not shown) through a pipe 48, fluidization of the toner sent out by the air is promoted, and toner transfer by the screw pump 41 is ensured. The suction-type screw pump 41 is actuated by transmitting its drive to the gear 45 via a dedicated motor or a main motor in the image forming apparatus and a clutch (not shown), and the drive is controlled.
[0019]
The single-shaft eccentric screw pump 41 configured in this way is known to be capable of continuous quantitative transfer at a high solid-gas ratio and to obtain an accurate toner transfer amount proportional to the rotational speed of the rotor 42. ing. Therefore, the toner transfer amount may be controlled by controlling the driving time of the screw pump. The tube 16 connected to the discharge part of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 41 and the tube 19 connected to the suction part are flexible tubes having a diameter of 4 to 10 mm, for example, and are rubber materials having excellent toner resistance (for example, polyurethane, It is extremely effective to use a material made of nitrile, EPDM, silicon, etc., and if a flexible tube is used, the toner can be freely transferred in a high position or in any direction of up, down, left and right. Moreover, the screw pump 41 does not apply unnecessary stress to the toner to be transferred, and is extremely advantageous for transferring the toner to be used in the future.
[0020]
The toner transfer means 40 is advantageously unitized, and the unitized toner transfer means 40 facilitates production and machine maintenance.
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing an embodiment of the agent storage container according to the present invention.
[0021]
In FIG. 4, the toner storage container 20 has a bag body 21 as a container body formed in a bag shape, and a toner discharge part 22 and an air supply part 30 are provided on the upper part. A toner guide base member 23 is welded to the toner discharge portion 22 of the toner storage container 21 and an air supply base member 31 is welded to the air supply portion 30 by ultrasonic waves or the like, and are integrally coupled. Furthermore, the bag body 21 is made of a resin such as polyethylene or nylon, and is made of a flexible sheet having a thickness of about 80 to 120 μm and having a single-layer or multi-layer structure. The peripheral part is welded by such as to form a sealed structure. In addition, it is effective for static electricity countermeasures to carry out aluminum vapor deposition processing on the surface of the sheet | seat which comprises the bag body 21. FIG. Further, the toner guide base member 23 and the air supply base member 31 can also be made of a resin such as polyethylene or nylon, and if set to the same material as the bag body 21, it is convenient for recycling. The bag body 21 is provided with a partition member 24 between the toner discharge portion 22 and the air supply portion 30 at the upper portion thereof. The partition member 24 extends downward from the upper portion and reaches the lower portion of the bag body 21. Forming two chambers. An open portion from the lower end of the partition member 24 to the bottom of the bag body 21 is a communication portion 26 that connects the two chambers.
[0022]
The toner guide cap member 23 is provided with a toner discharge port 25 formed in a pipe shape. A lid member 50 is attached to the upper portion of the toner discharge port 25 and the toner discharge port is closed. Further, a screw portion 27 is formed in the toner guide base member 23, and a cap 28 is screwed to the screw portion 27. The cap 28 is for sealing the toner discharge port 25 and is attached at the time of shipment from the factory, and serves to prevent toner scattering and alteration. The cap 28 is attached so as to completely cover the lid member 50, so that even if the user accidentally falls the bag body 21 after removing the cap 28, the lid member 50 There is no risk of toner scattering. The toner guide cap member 23 is provided with an air discharge port 29 in the vicinity of the toner discharge port 25. The air discharge port 29 is covered with a filter 39 that allows air to pass but does not allow toner to pass.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the lid member 50 is formed in a cap shape with a slight step in the middle, a projection 51 is formed on the head, and the portion having a slightly larger diameter. An opening 52 having substantially the same diameter as a toner suction port 68 described later is formed on the peripheral surface.
[0024]
An air inlet 32 is formed in the air supply base member 31, and this air inlet 32 is closed by a valve 33 provided at a lower portion of the air supply base member 31, that is, on the inner side of the bag body 21. Yes. The valve 33 is integrally attached to the air supply base member 31 and has a spring property that is constantly biased in a direction to close the air inlet 32. Therefore, the air inlet 32 is normally sealed by the valve 33, and there is no possibility that the toner is scattered from the air inlet 32.
[0025]
Next, an operation mode at the time of toner replenishment in the toner container 20 configured as described above will be described.
As described above, when the toner supply is started, the toner discharge port 25 is closed by the lid member 50 even if the cap 28 is removed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an external operation member 60 that moves the lid member 50 by an external operation and allows the toner discharge port 25 to communicate with the toner suction port 68 is provided. The external operation member 60 is attached by being screwed to the screw portion 27 from which the cap 28 is removed.
[0026]
The external operation member 60 is a holder 61 attached to the toner guide cap member 23, a slider 62 and a chuck 64 slidably fitted in the holder 61, and a compression that urges a downward elastic force to the slider 62. A grip portion 65 is provided integrally with the spring 63 and the chuck 64. A toner suction port 68 is provided on the side of the holder 61.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 6, the toner storage container 20 initially has a lid member 50 that closes the toner discharge port 25. When the handle 65 is pulled upward, the chuck is fixed integrally with the handle 65. 64 and the slider 62 engaged with the chuck 64 also move. At the same time, the slider 62 is pressed downward by the compression spring 63 to close the chuck 64, grip the protrusion 51 of the lid member 50, and lift the lid member 50. further. When the handle 65 is pulled up and twisted by 90 degrees, the locking pin 66 provided integrally with the handle 65 is locked to the upper end portion 67 of the holder 61, whereby the lid member 50 is lifted upward as shown in FIG. Held in position. When the lid member 50 is lifted, an opening 52 provided in a part of the side wall thereof coincides with the toner suction port 68, and the toner suction port 68 and the toner discharge port 25 communicate with each other.
[0028]
As described above, since the lid member 50 can be moved to the open position by an external operation, it is possible to prevent the toner from being scattered when the toner is replenished or when the toner container 20 is replaced. Reference numeral 53 denotes a sealing member such as an O-ring.
[0029]
A connector 70 is attached to the air inlet 32 of the air supply base member 31. This connector 70 includes a hollow air introduction path 71 inside, a seal member 72 such as an O-ring on the outer periphery of the end, and a nozzle portion 73 inserted into the air inlet 32, and the opposite end of the nozzle portion 73. A tube 34 is connected to the air, and air is introduced through an air pump (not shown) through the tube 34. When this nozzle part 73 is inserted into the air inlet 32, the nozzle part 73 pushes down the valve 33 to open the valve.
[0030]
The replenishing device using the toner container 20 configured as described above detects a change in the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier based on a conventionally known magnetic permeability detector (not shown) provided in a part of the developing device 10. If the detected value is less than a predetermined value, toner supply is started. At the time of toner replenishment, the toner container 20 is first supplied with air through a tube 34 from an unillustrated work pump. The air passes through the air introduction path 71 and is ejected from the nozzle portion 73 into the toner storage container 20. Further, the screw pump 41 and the air pump of the toner transfer means 40 are also turned on at the same time as the air pump or with a slight time lag, whereby the toner in the toner storage container 20 is transferred to the developing device 10. That is, the toner in the toner container 20 reaches the screw pump 41 via the toner discharge port 25, the opening 52 of the lid member 50, the toner suction port 68 and the tube 19, and from the screw pump 41 via the tube 16. The toner is sent to the toner receiving port 14 of the developing device 10. Air blown into the toner container 20 is transferred to the screw pump 41 together with the toner, and surplus air is discharged from the air discharge port 29 through the filter 39 to the outside.
[0031]
Thus, by ejecting air from the air supply cap member 31 side, the toner layer in the toner storage container 20 is diffused, and the fluidization of the toner is promoted. Therefore, the electrophotographic toner having very poor fluidity is also fluidized by air, so that the occurrence of the crosslinking phenomenon is prevented and the toner can be moved more reliably. Furthermore, since toner aggregation does not occur, the toner physical properties are always stable, and high-quality development quality can be obtained.
[0032]
In addition, in this embodiment, the partition member 24 is provided in the bag body 21 and the space of the bag body 21 is divided into an air discharge side and an air discharge side. Therefore, as clearly shown in FIG. In addition, the toner can be smoothly moved in the direction of the arrow by the discharge pressure of air and the suction pressure of the screw pump 41.
[0033]
Further, since the bag body 21 is flexible, the volume of the bag body 21 is reduced as the suction of the toner proceeds, but the toner is clogged due to local deformation at the time of volume reduction of the bag body 21 due to the inflowing air. Further, since the air discharge port 29 is provided in the vicinity of the toner discharge port 25, the toner in the bag body 21 is further transferred to the vicinity of the toner discharge port 25. The suction efficiency is increased, and the stored toner can be discharged without remaining in the bag. Furthermore, since the toner in the bag 21 is not mechanically stressed and is fluidized by air, the toner physical property can be stabilized and maintained without occurrence of toner blocking or the like.
[0034]
In this way, stable toner transfer is possible regardless of the amount of toner stored in the bag-shaped toner storage member 20. In addition, restrictions on the mounting direction of the bag-shaped toner storage member 20 (vertical placement, stacking, oblique placement, etc.) are reduced, and the user can replenish toner without restricting the location of the toner replenishing device in the image forming apparatus. An effect such as simplification can be expected.
[0035]
The toner discharge port 25 serves as a suction port for sucking the toner stored in the bag body 21, but can also serve as a filling port for toner filling in a factory. Similarly, toner can be filled from the air supply cap member 31. Furthermore, in order to increase the toner filling efficiency, it is possible to use either port for air venting at the time of toner filling.
[0036]
Furthermore, when the toner storage container 20 collected from the user is reused, it is necessary to clean the inside of the toner storage container 20 before the toner refilling process. Cleaning can be easily performed by supplying cleaning air from one of the air inlets 32 of the air supply base member 31 and extracting this air from the other port. Therefore, the toner storage container 20 can be reused at low cost.
[0037]
Note that when the external operation member is removed from the toner storage container 20, the above-described operation process is performed in reverse. That is, when the handle 65 is twisted 90 degrees, the slider 61, the handle 65, and the chuck 64 are moved by the compression spring 63, and the state returns to the state shown in FIG.
[0038]
In the toner replenishment control described above, it is also possible to detect the density of a toner image formed on a conventionally known photosensitive drum instead of the magnetic permeability detector. FIG. 8 shows a modification of FIG. 7. In this example, the external operation member 60 is not used, and a toner discharge connector 80 is attached to the toner guide base member 23 instead of the holder 61. The connector 80 is configured in substantially the same manner as the connector 70, and includes a hollow toner passage 81 inside, a seal member 82 such as an O-ring and a nozzle portion 83 inserted into the toner discharge port 25 at the outer periphery of the end portion. It has. The toner guide cap member 23 is provided with a valve 84 for closing the toner discharge port 25 on the inner side of the bag body 21.
[0039]
The tube 19 is connected to the toner discharge connector 80, and the valve 84 is opened by inserting the nozzle portion 83 into the toner discharge port 25, so that toner can be supplied.
According to this method, the configuration is simple, and the cost can be further reduced.
[0040]
FIG. 9 shows a modified example of the toner storage container. The toner storage container 20 of this example is formed in an elongated rectangular shape, a toner discharge portion 22 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction, and air is supplied on the other end side. A portion 30 is provided. The toner discharge unit 22 and the air supply unit 30 use a base member, a connector and the like configured in the same manner as in the example of FIG. 8, and the same reference numerals are given to the same members for these members.
[0041]
In this method, the installation place of the toner storage container 20 is very narrow, and it can be said that it is very effective for a case where the toner storage container 20 has to be attached to an elongated place.
According to the present invention, since the toner storage container 20 is provided with the valves 33 and 83 and the lid member 50 that can be used repeatedly so that the container can be sealed, not only when the toner storage container 20 is replaced, Even if the toner container 20 is removed before the toner is used up, toner scattering does not occur. Further, the toner storage container 20 in use can be used again as it is. Further, the toner storage container 20 that has been used has a very small hard base, so that the container can be arbitrarily rounded or folded, which is very efficient in terms of collection and transportation, and can be achieved at low logistics costs. .
[0042]
The toner replenishing device is driven and controlled by a power outlet (not shown), a power source, a switch (not shown), and a control circuit for driving and controlling a drive motor and an air pump. For these, a conventionally known technique may be used.
[0043]
Also, in order to ensure the reliability of toner transfer at the time of toner replenishment, the timing of driving the pump and supplying air by the pump is important. It is important to do it even better. This prevents the toner from remaining in the transfer member (tube or the like) and ensures stable toner supply.
[0044]
The air supply into the toner storage container may be the same as the supply timing to the pump, but may be synchronized with the toner supply signal or intermittent supply thereof.
By the way, it is known that toner used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus usually has very poor fluidity and is difficult to transport.
[0045]
Originally, when transferring toner, it is not desirable to apply great mechanical stress to the toner. When abnormal stress is applied to the toner, toner blocking (coagulation due to heat fusion, etc.), crushing, etc. occur, and not only the toner characteristics change or transfer becomes impossible, but also the transfer member (coil, screw, pipe, etc.), drive Cause damage to the member. Therefore, when performing toner transfer, it is important to devise a technique that prevents abnormal mechanical stress from being applied to the toner as much as possible.
In the conventional toner replenishing device, since the auger and the pipe are used for the transfer as described above, the mechanical stress due to the auger and the mechanical stress due to the friction generated between the auger and the pipe must be very large. There wasn't. In this case, the longer the transfer distance is, the more the displacement is changed. Further, the required torque for driving the auger is very large, and the cost of the driving member and the increase in power consumption cannot be ignored.
[0046]
For these reasons, when it is desired to increase the transfer distance or to change the transfer direction, it has been necessary to perform multi-stage transfer using a plurality of augers and pipes. This resulted in further changes in toner characteristics, an increase in the number of parts, an increase in cost, a decrease in reliability, a decrease in device maintenance and productivity, an increase in the installation volume of the toner replenishing device, and a decrease in operability. .
[0047]
This toner replenishing device only needs to connect a flexible toner transfer pipe to the developing device 10 of the image forming apparatus, and since there is no scattering of toner, there is no dust problem and it is safe. In addition, since there is no restriction on the installation position and location of the toner replenishing device with respect to the developing device, it is possible to provide the toner replenishing device at a place where the operability when the user replaces the toner storage (replenishment) container is most easily performed.
[0048]
Since the toner storage container 20 is flexible, the container is not bulky as compared with conventional hard bottles such as cartridges and bottles, and is easy to handle during transportation and storage, and does not take up storage space. Furthermore, the used toner storage means is collected from the user to the manufacturer, where it is recycled, reused, or incinerated. This toner storage container is a flexible bag that can be folded and transported. The ease of handling at the time of storage is good, and the advantage of not taking up storage space during transportation and storage is further enhanced, and it is possible to greatly reduce the cost of recovered logistics from the user to the manufacturer.
[0049]
As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Various modifications can be made.
For example, the agent storage container is not limited to toner, and may store a developer, and the developer may be supplied to the developing device. Further, the configuration of the developing device to which the toner is replenished may be arbitrary, and can be applied to an apparatus using a one-component developer that is not a two-component developer as in the above-described embodiment.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the agent can be reliably transferred from the container containing the toner and developer without scattering, and the container can be easily replaced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner receiving portion of the developing device.
FIG. 3 is a central sectional view of the toner transfer means of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toner storage container of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cap and a lid member.
6A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lid member of the toner storage container of the present invention is closed, and FIG. 6B is a plan view thereof.
7A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lid member of the toner container of the present invention is opened, and FIG. 7B is a plan view thereof.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a modification of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing another modification of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 10 Developing apparatus 11 Developing sleeve 20 Toner storage container 21 Bag body 22 Toner discharge part 25 Toner discharge port 30 Air supply parts 33 and 83 Valve 40 Toner transfer means

Claims (2)

The developer containing toner or toner and carrier is stored , and the discharge amount of the toner or developer is controlled according to the air discharge operation by the air pump and the suction operation by the suction type screw pump. In the agent storage container discharged while
At one end of a flexible agent storage container main body having a sealed structure, an agent discharge base member for discharging toner or developer stored in communication with the screw pump is provided,
The other end of the container body is provided with an air supply base member to which air is supplied by the air pump ,
The agent discharge base member is covered with a agent discharge hole and a filter so that the toner or developer is transferred to the vicinity of the agent discharge base member while the toner or developer is fluidized by the air discharged from the air pump. An agent storage container provided with an air exhaust hole . 2. The agent storage container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the agent discharge base member and the air supply base member is provided with a valve for restricting agent discharge or air inflow. 3. container.

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