JP4606792B2 - Collected toner classification device, process cartridge, toner supply device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a collected toner classification device, a process cartridge including the collected toner classification device, a toner supply device, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a combination of these. A collected toner classification device that separates collected toner collected after image forming processing of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a process cartridge including the collected toner classification device, a toner supply device, and a copying machine, The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multi-function machine such as a copier, which forms a toner image in a process of an electrophotographic method such as a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multi-function machine.

A rotary classifier for classifying an object to be classified introduced from an inlet by rotating a cylinder provided with a classification hole in a side peripheral portion, and inward of the cylinder, than the cylinder Coarse cylinders with coarse classification holes are polymerized at regular intervals, and can be rotated like the outer cylinders, so that it is compact, does not take up space, and has high efficiency. It is known that classification can be performed (see Patent Document 1).
In the electrophotographic system, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoconductor of an image carrier uniformly charged in a dark place by exposure, optical writing, or the like. The electrostatic latent image is, for example, a magnetic carrier and a toner. Using a two-component developer toner mixed with or a one-component developer that integrates the two or making a visible image and transferring the visible image to a transfer material to obtain a copy It is.
When an image is formed by removing coarse particles or paper powder in the toner through a screen at the final stage of the process for producing the toner used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, It is also known to prevent the occurrence of abnormal images such as sandy fog, vertical streaky irregularities, and transfer defects on the image (see Patent Document 2).
A collected toner discharging means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process, a filter means for storing the collected toner discharged from the collected toner discharging means, and a sieve part for separating the collected toner stored in the filter means; Consists of a reused toner scraping member that scrapes off and reuses the reused toner adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the sieve section. Even if there are fluctuations in environmental conditions and usage conditions, the collected toner is prevented from clogging or filtering out. A recovery toner classifying device or the like that prevents clogging due to adhesion of reused toner filtered out on the outer peripheral surface of the sieving portion of the filter means filtered out by the promoting means is also known (see Patent Document 3).
As described above, a method of reusing the collected toner of the residual toner after transfer has been widely proposed.

Also, a classifying mechanism configuration using a mesh that removes paper dust and the like mixed in the collected toner after transfer before reaching the developing device is widely disclosed.
The recovered toner after transfer is an aggregate of toner finely pulverized in the transfer process, and is a toner that easily aggregates compared to the new toner.
Therefore, when the amount of waste toner is large by continuing image formation under a high temperature and high humidity environment or toner image formation with a large image area, the mesh member is likely to be clogged. In this case, the classification rate (reusable recovered toner amount / waste toner total amount) is drastically reduced, so that the number of sheets that can be passed per predetermined amount of toner is considerably reduced even though the classification mechanism is installed. End up.
Furthermore, not only does the waste toner tank fill up quickly and the waste toner tank replacement cycle becomes faster, but in such a situation, the collected toner in the mesh may stay in the worst case. As a result, toner blocking may occur, resulting in destruction of the apparatus.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the collected toner (t) adhering to the opening 101a formed by the mesh member of the sieving part 101 for separating the collected toner (t) accommodated in the filter means is shown in FIG. The outer edge of the cross section as shown in the figure was scraped off by a circular scraping member 102.
The opening 101a formed by the mesh member of the sieving part 101 is often used with a diameter of about 50 μm to 100 μm, and the scraping member 102 having a circular outer edge of the line cross section is only about 15 μm even if it is thin. As shown in the figure, the collected toner (t) tends to be collected at the corner of the opening 101a.
Since the scraping member 102 whose outer edge of the line cross section is not in contact with the corner of the rectangular opening 101a formed by the mesh member of the sieve part 101 does not contact, the corner of the rectangular opening 101a formed by the mesh member of the sieve part 101 The collected toner (t) is likely to adhere to the toner, the amount of waste toner increases, and the rectangular opening 101a formed by the mesh member of the sieving portion 101 is likely to be clogged, and the classification rate (the amount of recovered toner that can be reused) / Total amount of waste toner) was extremely low.
Despite the fact that the classification mechanism is installed, the number of sheets that can be passed per predetermined amount of toner decreases, and the waste toner tank fills up quickly, resulting in a faster waste toner tank replacement cycle. In such a situation, in the worst case, the collected toner in the sieving part stays and causes toner blocking, which may result in destruction of the apparatus.
Therefore, the conventional recovered toner classifying device, the process cartridge including the recovered toner classifying device, the toner supplying device, and the image forming apparatus are configured to recover the collected toner at the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion. Not only does it cause sticking and clogging, but the amount of waste toner increases, the classification rate extremely decreases, the waste toner tank fills up quickly, and the waste toner tank replacement cycle not only becomes faster. The collected toner in the unit stays, causing toner blocking, resulting in a failure of the apparatus.
JP-A-5-57246 JP-A-5-293443 JP 2000-231318 A

In the conventional collected toner classification device, the process cartridge including the collected toner classification device, the toner supply device, and the image forming apparatus, the collected toner adheres to the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion. The amount of waste toner increases, the classification rate decreases extremely, the waste toner tank fills up quickly, and the waste toner tank replacement cycle not only becomes faster, The retention of the collected toner causes toner blocking, resulting in a problem that the apparatus is destroyed.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such problems. In other words, the sharpened portion prevents the collected toner from adhering and clogging at the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieving portion, improving the classification rate, and extending the waste toner tank replacement cycle. A collected toner classifying device that does not cause toner blocking or destruction of the apparatus due to retention of collected toner in the sieve section, a process cartridge including the collected toner classifying device, a toner supply device, and an image forming apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the recovered toner classifying device of the present invention is a recovering toner classifying device that separates the recovered toner recovered after the image forming process by the electrophotographic method, and recovers the recovered toner after the image forming process. Scraping to scrape off the collected toner adhering to a rectangular opening formed by a toner discharging means, a sieve portion for containing and separating the collected toner discharged from the collected toner discharging means, and a mesh member constituting the sieve portion and member taken, provided with said scraping member is a wire, the line cross-sectional shape, sharp convex piece outward radial direction, characterized in Rukoto such a pointed shape protruding.
In the recovered toner classifying device of the present invention, the sharp-shaped portion is a sharp-radiating shape portion in which sharp convex pieces radially protrude in the outer diameter direction.
The recovered toner classifying device of the present invention is further characterized in that the sharp shape portion is a sharp well shape portion having a well shape.
The recovered toner classifying device of the present invention is further characterized in that the sharp shape portion is a sharp flat shape portion having a sharp flat shape.
The recovered toner classifying device of the present invention is further characterized in that the sharp shape portion is a sharp polygon shape portion formed of a sharp polygon shape.
The recovered toner classifying device of the present invention is further characterized in that the maximum width of the line section of the sharp-shaped part is narrower than the width of the opening of the sieve part.
The recovered toner classification device of the present invention is further characterized in that the width of the sharpened portion of the sharpened shape portion is 5 μm or less.
The process cartridge of the present invention is characterized in that a said recovery toner classifier.
The toner supplying apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a said recovery toner classifier in the transport path of the collected toner.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising the recovery toner classifier, the process cartridge, or the toner supply device.

Since the present invention is configured as described below, according to the present invention , the collected toner adheres to and clogs at the corners of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion by the sharp-shaped portion. To provide a recovered toner classifying device that prevents an increase in classification rate, lengthens a replacement cycle of a waste toner tank, and does not cause toner blocking or destruction of the device due to retention of collected toner in a sieve portion Can be done.
According to the present invention , the sharpened radial shape portion of the sharpened shape portion prevents the collected toner from adhering and clogging at the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion, and the classification rate is improved. The replacement cycle of the waste toner tank has become longer, and it has become possible to provide a recovered toner classifying device that does not cause toner blocking or destruction of the device due to retention of the recovered toner in the sieve section.
According to the present invention , the sharpened well-shaped portion of the sharp-shaped portion prevents the collected toner from adhering to and clogging at the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion, thereby improving the classification rate. Accordingly, the replacement cycle of the waste toner tank becomes longer, and it is possible to provide a recovered toner classifying device that does not cause toner blocking or destruction of the device due to retention of the recovered toner in the sieve portion.

According to the present invention , the sharpened flat portion of the sharp shape portion prevents the collected toner from adhering and clogging at the corners of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion, and the classification rate is improved. The replacement cycle of the waste toner tank has become longer, and it has become possible to provide a recovered toner classifying device that does not cause toner blocking or destruction of the device due to retention of the recovered toner in the sieve section.
According to the present invention , the sharpened polygonal portion of the sharpened portion prevents the collected toner from adhering to and clogging at the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion, and the classification rate is improved. The replacement cycle of the waste toner tank has become longer, and it has become possible to provide a recovered toner classifying device that does not cause toner blocking or destruction of the device due to retention of the recovered toner in the sieve section.
According to the present invention , the collected toner adheres to and clogs the corners of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieving portion with the sharpened shape portion, further reliably preventing the classification rate, The replacement cycle of the waste toner tank has become longer, and it has become possible to provide a recovered toner classifying device that does not cause toner blocking or destruction of the device due to retention of the recovered toner in the sieve section.
According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent the collected toner from adhering to and clogging at the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieving portion by the sharpened shape portion, and the classification rate is improved. The replacement cycle of the waste toner tank has become longer, and it has become possible to provide a recovered toner classifying device that does not cause toner blocking or destruction of the device due to retention of the recovered toner in the sieve section.

According to the present invention , the collection toner is prevented from adhering and clogging at the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion by the sharp shape portion, the classification rate is improved, and the waste toner tank is replaced. A process cartridge that reduces the running cost by increasing the number of sheets that can be imaged per process cartridge without causing toner blocking or damage to the device due to longer cycles and retention of collected toner on the screen. It became possible to provide.
According to the present invention , the collection toner is prevented from adhering and clogging at the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion by the sharp shape portion, the classification rate is improved, and the waste toner tank is replaced. It is possible to provide a toner supply device that automates the effective use of the collected collected toner without causing toner blocking or destruction of the device due to a longer cycle and retention of collected toner in the sieve portion. became.
According to the present invention , the collection toner is prevented from adhering and clogging at the corner of the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion by the sharp shape portion, the classification rate is improved, and the waste toner tank is replaced. The cycle becomes longer, and the collected toner in the sieve portion stays, so that it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that forms a recorded image without causing toner blocking or destruction of the apparatus.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4, a collected toner classifying device 0 for separating collected toner (t) collected after the image forming process by the electrophotographic method is a collected toner discharging means for discharging the collected toner (t) after the image forming process. 1, a cylindrical filter unit 2 that stores the collected toner (t) discharged from the collected toner discharge unit 1, a sieve portion 2 a that separates the collected toner (t) stored in the filter unit 2, and a sieve A scraping member 3 made of a plurality of thin wire rods that scrapes collected toner (t) adhering to the opening 2a _{1 of the} portion 2a, and a sharp edge formed on the outer edge of the line section of the scraping member 3 as shown in FIG. such a shape pointed shape portion 4 made from (a consisting pointed radial shape portion 4a sharp radial shape) and, corner also collected toner of the opening 2a ₁ of rectangle formed by the mesh member sieve portion 2a of the (t) Adhesion and clogging Ri to prevent, improved classification rate, replacement cycle of the waste toner tank 5 becomes longer, the recovery toner phloem 2a (t) will not cause the destruction of toner blocking and apparatus according to the residence.
That is, the scraping member 3 which is a wire is composed of a sharp-shaped portion 4, and the sharp-shaped portion 4 is supported by a support plate 7a. The cross-sectional shape of each sharp-shaped portion 4 is, for example, a sea star as shown in FIG. In the shape, a plurality of sharp (pointed) convex pieces project radially.
The collected toner discharged from the collected toner discharging means 1 (residual toner removed and collected from the image forming unit such as the photoconductor and conveyed) is driven by the driving motor 6a and the driving gear 6b of the driving means 6. By the screw 6c, it is conveyed and accommodated in the inside from the inlet formed in the right end surface of the cylindrical filter means 2. FIG.

The filter means 2 and the transport screw 6c are connected by an internal shaft 6d that is rotationally driven by the drive gear 6b. When the drive gear 6b rotates, the filter means 2 and the transport screw 6c are rotationally driven together. .
After passing through the rectangular fine opening 2a ₁ formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion 2a of the filter means 2 and dropping downward, the toner transfer means 40 as reusable reusable toner (T) It is returned to the hopper of the developing means 76 and reused.
Collected toner (t) and carrier and paper紛等which has not passed through the opening 2a ₁ of the mesh member sieve portion 2a, after accumulated to some extent in the sieve portion 2a of the filter means 2, the filtering means 2 phloem 2a The toner falls from the left end discharge port, is separated as waste toner (tt), and is stored in the waste toner tank 5 and discarded.
A plurality of scraping members 3 made of wire are held in a support plate 7 a attached to the casing 7 and configured in a brush shape, and a sharp radial shape portion 4 a having a sharp radial shape that forms the scraping member 3. Are in contact with each other by forming a certain nip portion over the entire width in the longitudinal direction of the sieve portion 2a.
Further, since the sieve portion 2a rotates, the contact portion of the sharp radial shape portion 4a moves in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the sieve portion 2a.
Although not shown, the scraping member 3 can be held and moved by a support plate 7a attached to the casing 7 so that the filter means 2 can have a shape other than a cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sharpened radial shape portion 4 a having a sharpened radial shape subjected to the deforming process is a corner of a rectangular opening 2 a ₁ formed by a mesh member of the sieve portion 2 a shown in FIG. 4. Also at the corners of the portion, it is possible to easily prevent the collected toner (t) from adhering or clogging. It is possible to remove toner having sharply protruding pieces protruding radially and adhering to the corners.
The maximum width of the line cross-section of pointed radial shape portion 4a (X), since narrower than the sieve portion 2a of the mesh member formed rectangular opening 2a ₁ of the width (Y), the phloem 2a in the opening 2a ₁ of rectangle formed by the mesh member, certainly it becomes possible to enter a sharp radial shape portion 4a, a rectangular clogging of the opening 2a _1, further can be reliably prevented.
In general, the width (Y) of the rectangular opening 2a1 is generally about 50 μm to ₁₀₀ μm.
Even though the scraper member 3 has a thin line outer diameter of only about 15 μm, and the width (x) of the sharpened portion 4a is 3 μm or more and 5 μm or less, the rectangular opening 2a ₁ It is possible to reliably prevent the collected toner (t) having a volume average particle diameter of about 7 μm from adhering to and accumulating up to the corner of the corner.
In FIG. 5, a sharp well-shaped portion 4b having a well-shaped cross-section as the sharp-shaped portion 4 is a corner of a rectangular opening 2a ₁ formed by a mesh member of the sieve portion 2a shown in FIG. Also at the corners of the portion, it is possible to easily prevent the collected toner (t) from adhering or clogging.
Moreover, the maximum width (X) of the line cross section of the sharp well-shaped portion 4b having a well-shaped cross-sectional shape and eight thin protruding pieces projecting in all directions is a rectangular shape formed by the mesh member of the sieve portion 2a. since smaller than the width of the opening 2a ₁ (Y), in the opening 2a _1, securely, it is possible to enter a sharp well-shaped portion 4b profiled process is performed, the opening 2a ₁ Clogging can be prevented more reliably.
In general, the width (Y) of the rectangular opening 2a1 is generally about 50 μm to ₁₀₀ μm.
Even if the scraper member 3 has a thin line outer diameter of only about 15 μm, and the collected toner (t) accumulates in the corner of the opening 2a ₁ , the width of the sharpened portion 4b (x ) Is 3 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the collected toner (t) having a volume average particle diameter of about 7 μm from adhering and accumulating to the corner of the opening 2a _1. I can do it.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (end view) showing another embodiment of the scraping member, and the sharp flat shape portion 4c made of a sharp flat shape is formed of a mesh member of the sieve portion 2a shown in FIG. it can also easily prevent adhesion or clogging of the collected toner (t) in the corners of the rectangular corners of the opening 2a _1.
The maximum width of the line cross-section of pointed flat shape portion 4c (X), since narrower than the sieve portion 2a of the mesh member formed rectangular opening 2a ₁ of the width (Y), a rectangular opening 2a _The sharp flat-shaped portion 4c having a flat shape can be surely inserted into _{1 and} the clogging of the rectangular opening 2a ₁ can be further reliably prevented.
Rectangular opening 2a ₁ of the width (Y) is generally widely used it is of about 50μm et ～100Myuemu.
Even though the scraper member 3 has a thin line outer diameter, it is only about 15 μm, and the collected toner (t) accumulates in the corner of the opening 2a ₁ , but the width (x) of the sharp portion of the sharp flat shape portion 4c. Is 3 μm or more and 5 μm or less, so that the collected toner (t) having a volume average particle diameter of about 7 μm is reliably prevented from adhering and accumulating to the corner of the rectangular opening 2a _1. I can do it.

Figure 7 shows another configuration example of the pointed shape of the present invention, pointed polygonal portion 4d of the cross-sectional shape (edge shapes) consists polygonal triangular shape of the opening 2a ₁ of rectangles illustrated in FIG. 4 It is possible to easily prevent the collected toner (t) from adhering and clogging at the corners.
The maximum width of the line cross-section of the pointed polygonal section 4d formed of polygonal triangular (X), since smaller than the rectangular opening 2a ₁ of the width (Y), a rectangular opening 2a ₁ to reliably, it is possible to enter a sharp polygonal section 4d, a rectangular clogging of the opening 2a _1, further can be reliably prevented.
Rectangular opening 2a ₁ of the width (Y) is generally widely used it is of about 50μm et ～100Myuemu.
Even though the scraper member 3 has a thin outer diameter, it has only about 15 μm, and the collected toner (t) accumulates at the corner of the opening 2a ₁ , but the width (x) of the sharp portion of the sharp polygonal portion 4d. Is 3 μm or more and 5 μm or less, so that the collected toner (t) having a volume average particle diameter of about 7 μm is reliably prevented from adhering and accumulating to the corner of the rectangular opening 2a _1. I can do it.

8 and 9, the collected toner classification device 0 is provided in the conveyance path 8 of the collected toner (t) of the image forming apparatus 70, and the collected toner (t) collected from the cleaning unit 72 can be reused. The reusable toner (T) is separated from the reusable toner (T) and the waste toner (tt), and the reusable reusable toner (T) is returned to the hopper 76a of the developing means 76 by the toner transfer means 40 and reused.
On the other hand, the waste toner (tt) is collected in the waste toner tank 5.
As the toner transfer means 40, a screw pump called a conventionally known commonly known Mono pump is used.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the collected toner classification device 0 has a greatly improved classification rate (%) with respect to the increase in the number of sheets passing through the image forming apparatus 70 as compared with the conventional collected toner classification device 100.
The image forming process in the copying machine of the image forming apparatus 70 is basically the same as the conventional one, and the recorded image forming unit 71 is an image carrier that carries a toner image that is formed rotatably. 73 drum-shaped photosensitive drum, charging means 74 for uniformly charging the image carrier 73, and latent image formation for forming a latent image on the surface 73a of the image carrier 73 uniformly charged by the charging means 74 Means 75, developing means 76 for developing the latent image formed by latent image forming means 75 to form a toner image, and the toner image formed by developing means 76 on the recording paper of the recording medium (P) And a transfer means 77 for transferring and recording the toner image, and a high-quality toner image is formed at high speed on the recording paper of the recording medium (P) by an electrophotographic process.
A digital copying machine as the image forming apparatus 70 reads a document image of a document (O) placed on a document placing table 81, and performs image processing on a digital output signal sent from the document image reading device 80. Then, based on the image recording information, the recording image forming unit 71 for transferring the toner recording image onto the recording paper of the recording medium (P) and the recording image forming unit 71 are mounted and the recording of the recording medium (P) is performed. The recording medium feeding device 90 feeds a sheet.

The document image reading device 80 includes a lamp 82 that scans and illuminates the document (O) placed on the document placement table 81, for example, a halogen lamp, and the document (O) when illuminated by the lamp 82 is used. The reflected light enters the imaging lens 86 through the mirror 83, the mirror 84, and the mirror 85, and the original image light is imaged by the imaging lens 86 on the CCD 87, which is the original image information reading unit, and converted into a digital signal. Converted and output.
The drum-shaped photosensitive drum of the image carrier 73 is uniformly charged by the charging means 74 on the surface 73 a while rotating in the direction of the arrow (A) shown in the figure.
On the charging surface of the surface 73 a of the image carrier 73, the development pixel data such as a laser beam modulated to the development pixel data of the document (O) placed on the document placement table 81 of the document image reading device 80 is a latent image. An electrostatic latent image is formed by projection from the forming means 75.
When the electrostatic latent image formed by the latent image forming means 75 reaches the development site where the developing means 76 is arranged as the image carrier 73 rotates in the direction of the arrow (A) shown in the figure, the developing sleeve 76b. When a toner image is formed with the toner supplied from the toner and reaches the transfer means 77 disposed below the developing sleeve 76b of the drum-shaped photosensitive drum of the image carrier 73, the recording target is recorded in accordance with this timing. The recording paper of the recording medium (P) fed from the body feeding device 90 is supplied to the transfer site, and the toner image on the image carrier 73 side is transferred to the recording paper of the recording medium (P).
Thereafter, the recording sheet (P) is separated from the image carrier 73 and conveyed to a fixing device 78 where the toner image is heated and fixed, and then discharged onto a discharge tray 79 for storage. .
However, the toner remaining on the surface 73a of the image carrier 73 without contributing to the transfer at the time of transfer is scraped off and collected when reaching the position of the cleaning means 72.
Therefore, even in the corner of the rectangular opening 2a ₁ by preventing the adhesion and clogging of the recovery toner (t), improved classification rate, replacement cycle of the waste toner tank 5 becomes longer, the recovery toner phloem 2a It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus 70 that forms a recorded image without causing toner blocking or destruction of the apparatus due to the retention of (t).

In FIG. 10, the collected toner classification device 0 can be mounted on a process cartridge 50 including a cleaning unit 72, a waste toner tank 5, an image carrier 73, a developing unit 76, and the like.
Therefore, the recovery toner classifier 0, if mounted on the process cartridge 50, also in the corner of the rectangular opening 2a ₁ by preventing the adhesion and clogging of the recovery toner (t), the classification rate is improved, the waste toner The replacement cycle of the tank 5 becomes longer, and the collected toner (t) of the sieve portion 2a stays, so that toner blocking and apparatus destruction are not caused, and the number of images that can be formed per process cartridge 50 increases. As a result, it is possible to provide the process cartridge 50 with a reduced running cost.
In FIG. 11, the collected toner collected from the cleaning unit 72 via the conveyance path 8 may be sorted by the collected toner classifying device 0 and then sent to the toner supply device 60 mounted on the image forming apparatus 70.
The reused toner (T) sorted by the collected toner classifying device 0 is collected to the toner supply device 60 via the conveyance path 8.
On the other hand, a waste toner (tt) mixed with agglomerated toner lump or paper powder not suitable for reuse is collected in a waste toner tank 5.
In the toner supply device 60, the reused toner (T) separated and collected by the collected toner classification device 0 is mixed with the new toner (Tn) supplied from the replenishing toner bottle 61 mounted horizontally, and thereafter It is supplied to the hopper 76a of the developing means 76.
Therefore, to prevent adhesion and clogging of the recovery toner (t) to the corners of the rectangular opening 2a ₁ of the mesh, improved classification rate, replacement cycle of the waste toner tank 5 becomes longer, the phloem 2a The staying of the collected toner (t) does not cause toner blocking or damage to the apparatus, and it is possible to provide a toner supply device 60 in which effective use of the collected collected toner (t) is automated. It was.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a collected toner classification device showing an embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the (ZZ) line | wire of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a cross section illustrating the main part of the collected toner classifying apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view for explaining another main part of the collected toner classifying apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a cross section illustrating a main part of a collected toner classifying apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a cross section illustrating a main part of a collected toner classifying apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a cross section illustrating a main part of a collected toner classifying apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus including a collected toner classifying device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the characteristics of the number of sheets to be passed and the classification rate (%) in the main part of the image forming apparatus including the collected toner classifying apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process cartridge including a collected toner classification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a toner supply device including a collected toner classification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing explaining the state of the principal part of the conventional collection | recovery toner classification device. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a cross-sectional view illustrating another main part of a conventional collected toner classification device. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view for explaining another state of a main part of a conventional collected toner classifying device.

Explanation of symbols

0 Collected toner classification device 1 Collected toner discharge means 2 Filter means,
2a sieve part,
2a ₁ opening 3 scraping member 4 sharp-shaped part,
4a Sharp radial shape part,
4b Sharp well-shaped part,
4c sharp flat shape part,
4d sharp polygonal part 5 waste toner tank 6 driving means,
6a drive motor,
6b Drive gear,
6c conveying screw,
6d Internal shaft 7 Casing 7a Support plate 8 Transport path 40 Toner transfer means 50 Process cartridge 60 Toner supply device 61 Replenishment toner bottle 70 Image forming apparatus 71 Recorded image forming section 72 Cleaning means 73 Image carrier,
73a surface 74 charging means 75 latent image forming means 76 developing means,
76a hopper,
76b Development sleeve 77 Transfer means 78 Fixing device 79 Paper discharge tray 80 Document image reading device 81 Document placement table 82 Lamp 83 Mirror 84 Mirror 85 Mirror 86 Imaging lens 87 CCD
90 Recording medium feeding device 100 Collected toner classification device 101 Sieve portion,
101a opening 102 scraping member

Claims (10)

In a collected toner classification device for separating collected toner collected after image formation processing by electrophotography,
A collected toner discharging means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process;
A sieving section for containing and separating the collected toner discharged from the collected toner discharging means;
A scraping member for scraping off the collected toner adhering to the rectangular opening formed by the mesh member constituting the sieve portion;
With
The scraping member is a wire, the line cross section, the recovery toner classifier and wherein the sharp projecting pieces outward radial direction ing from pointed shape protruding. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 1,
The sharpened shape portion is a sharpened radial shape portion in which sharp convex pieces radially protrude in the outer diameter direction. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 1,
The sharpened-shaped portion is a sharpened well-shaped portion having a well-shaped shape. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 1,
The collected toner classifying device, wherein the sharp-shaped part is a sharp flat-shaped part having a sharp flat shape. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 1,
The sharpened-shaped portion is a sharpened polygonal portion made of a sharpened polygonal shape. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.
The recovered toner classification device, wherein the maximum width of the line section of the sharp-shaped portion is narrower than the width of the opening of the sieve portion. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
The width of the sharpened portion of the sharpened shape portion is 5 μm or less. A process cartridge comprising the recovered toner classifying device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. 8. A toner supply device comprising the recovered toner classifying device according to claim 1, wherein the recovered toner classifying device is provided in a transport path of the recovered toner. An image comprising the collected toner classification device according to claim 1, the process cartridge according to claim 8, or the toner supply device according to claim 9. Forming equipment.

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