JP6535219B2 - Image forming apparatus, toner cartridge and waste container used therefor, and method of using toner cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a toner cartridge and a waste container used therefor, and a method of using the toner cartridge, and more particularly to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a toner cartridge and a waste container used therefor, and a method of using the toner cartridge.

  Generally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a toner image is formed on a photosensitive drum and transferred and fixed onto a paper sheet as a recording medium via an intermediate transfer belt or the like, the toner image is transferred A part of the toner forming the toner image remains on the image carrier such as the photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer belt. The toner remaining on the image carrier (hereinafter referred to as "remaining toner") is collected by a cleaning device or the like, and the collected residual toner is discarded in a state of being accommodated in a toner collection container.

  Here, in recent image forming apparatuses, miniaturization and speeding up have progressed. As a result, the capacity of the toner collection container is reduced, and furthermore, the rate of generation of the remaining toner is increased, so that the toner collection container may be filled earlier than before. When the toner collection container is full, the toner collection container must be replaced. Therefore, the frequency of replacement of the toner collection container is increased, and the number of required toner collection containers is also increased, which causes a problem that the necessary cost is increased.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which both the toner supply container and the toner collection container can be attached to either the supply side or the collection side. In this technique, if sufficient residual toner is accumulated in a cartridge used as a toner collection container, the cartridge can be used as a new toner supply container, and the residual toner can be reused. Can be used effectively. In addition, since the same cartridge can be used not only as a toner supply container but also as a toner collection container, it is necessary to prepare a cartridge to be used exclusively for the toner collection container in addition to a cartridge used exclusively for the toner supply container. There is no

JP 2007-163878 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the toner supply container is mounted by mounting the toner cartridge used as the toner collection container by mounting the toner collection container at the mounting position of the toner collection container. In order to use the toner cartridge, it is necessary to turn the toner cartridge upside down. That is, when the toner cartridge is used as a toner collection container, the toner loading unit mounted on the top surface of the toner cartridge is used to supply the toner to the toner cartridge to collect the remaining toner falling from above at the lower side. When used as a container, in order to use it as a toner discharge unit mounted on the lower surface of the toner cartridge from the inside of the toner cartridge to supply the toner to the developing device located below the toner cartridge, You need to reverse it.

  When the toner cartridge is turned upside down, the residual toner accumulated on the bottom of the toner cartridge is moved to the ceiling so far, so it may fly due to the impact accompanying the movement, and further, There is also a risk that the cartridge may be opened due to the impact. For this reason, toner leakage is likely to occur, and when the toner leakage occurs, there is a possibility that the user or the periphery thereof may be stained. In particular, since the toner has fine particles, it is difficult to drop when it adheres to clothes, a floor, and the like.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of easily reusing the collected residual toner at low cost without causing toner leakage and the like, a toner cartridge and a waste container used therefor, and a method of using the toner cartridge Intended to provide.

According to the present invention, the cartridge main body for storing the toner and the toner cartridge main body from the toner collection portion when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner collection portion of the image forming apparatus and used as a toner collection container A receiving side opening used as a path for receiving toner inside, a receiving side shutter for opening and closing the receiving side opening, and the receiving side when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner recovery unit open the shutter, the toner di cartridge is the when it is removed from the toner collecting unit, and the receiving-side shutter mechanism for closing said receiving-side shutter, the toner supply container the toner cartridge is mounted to the developing unit of the image forming apparatus When it is used as the When the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit, a replenishing side opening used as a path for replenishing the developing unit with the toner, a replenishing side shutter for opening and closing the replenishing side opening, and the toner cartridge A replenishing side shutter mechanism for closing the replenishing side shutter when the replenishing side shutter is opened and the toner cartridge is removed from the developing unit, and a toner accommodated in the toner cartridge main body And a conveying means for conveying inside the main body.
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus corresponding to the above toner cartridge, which comprises a photosensitive drum, a charging unit for charging the photosensitive drum, and the photosensitive drum charged by the charging unit. An exposure unit for forming a latent image, a developing unit for developing the latent image formed by the exposure unit into a toner image on the photosensitive drum, and a toner image formed by the developing unit And a toner collection unit for collecting at least a part of the toner which has been transferred from the developing unit and has not been used for image formation. in the it can be attached to the toner cartridge, to the toner collecting unit, Ri can der be attached to the toner cartridge, the Tonaka to the developing unit When the supply side opening of the ridge is attached, means for enabling the supply side shutter to open by the supply side shutter mechanism, and the receiving opening of the toner cartridge is attached to the developing portion when it is, the image forming apparatus is provided to said means for enabling to open the receiving-side shutter, and further comprising said Rukoto the by the receiving-side shutter mechanism.
Further, according to the present invention, when the cartridge main body for storing the toner and the toner cartridge are attached to the toner collecting portion of the image forming apparatus and used as a toner collecting container, the toner from the toner collecting portion is used. The receiving side opening used as a path for receiving the toner inside the cartridge main body, the receiving side shutter for opening and closing the receiving side opening, and the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner collecting portion open the receiving-side shutter, the toner cartridge is, when removed from the toner collector, and the receiving-side shutter mechanism for closing said receiving-side shutter, the toner cartridge mounted to the developing unit of the image forming apparatus toner When used as a replenishment container, it is housed inside the toner cartridge main body A replenishing side opening used as a path for replenishing the developing toner to the developing unit, a replenishing side shutter for opening and closing the replenishing side opening, and the toner cartridge are attached to the developing unit At the same time, the replenishment side shutter is opened, and when the toner cartridge is removed from the developing unit, the replenishment side shutter mechanism for closing the replenishment side shutter, and the toner accommodated in the toner cartridge main body A toner cartridge including an auger screw for conveying inside the toner cartridge main body, the toner being received from the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner collection portion Received through the side opening, inside the toner cartridge body A process of inserting the toner cartridge, a process of removing the toner cartridge from the toner recovery unit, a process of attaching the toner cartridge to the developing unit, and a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit; And a step of supplying toner to the developing unit through the supply side opening. A method of using a toner cartridge is provided.
Further, according to the present invention, when the cartridge main body for storing the toner and the toner cartridge are attached to the toner collecting portion of the image forming apparatus and used as a toner collecting container, the toner from the toner collecting portion is used. The receiving side opening used as a path for receiving the toner inside the cartridge main body, the receiving side shutter for opening and closing the receiving side opening, and the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner collecting portion open the receiving-side shutter, the toner cartridge is, when removed from the toner collector, and the receiving-side shutter mechanism for closing said receiving-side shutter, the toner cartridge mounted to the developing unit of the image forming apparatus toner When used as a replenishment container, it is housed inside the toner cartridge main body A replenishing side opening used as a path for replenishing the developing toner to the developing unit, a replenishing side shutter for opening and closing the replenishing side opening, and the toner cartridge are attached to the developing unit At the same time, the replenishment side shutter is opened, and when the toner cartridge is removed from the developing unit, the replenishment side shutter mechanism for closing the replenishment side shutter, and the toner accommodated in the toner cartridge main body A toner cartridge including an auger screw for conveying the inside of the toner cartridge main body, wherein the toner is attached via the supply side opening when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing portion The process of replenishing the developing unit, and the toner cartridge And the step of attaching the toner cartridge to the toner recovery portion, and in the state where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner recovery portion, the toner passes from the image forming apparatus through the receiving side opening portion. And receiving the toner cartridge and receiving it inside the toner cartridge main body.

  According to the present invention, the collected residual toner can be easily reused at low cost without causing toner leakage and the like.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of a photosensitive drum mainly corresponding to black and the vicinity of an intermediate transfer belt cleaner of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a black toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a cyan toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a toner collection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional view showing typically the printer concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of a photosensitive drum mainly corresponding to black and the vicinity of an intermediate transfer belt cleaner of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 schematically shows a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view schematically showing a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction peripheral thereof, and in the following embodiments, an electrophotographic color laser beam printer (hereinafter simply referred to as an example of the image forming apparatus). This will be described using “printer”.

First Embodiment
A printer 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. First, a schematic configuration of the printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a printer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the vicinity of a photosensitive drum mainly corresponding to black in the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the printer 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 includes a sheet feeding unit 10 that feeds sheets, a manual feeding unit 20 that can manually feed sheets, and a sheet feeding unit 10 or a manual feeding unit 20. The image forming unit 30 that forms an image on a fed sheet, the sheet discharge unit 40 that discharges the sheet on which the image is formed out of the apparatus, and a control unit (control unit) 50 that controls these .

  In addition, a front door (not shown) capable of opening the inside is provided on the front of the printer 100, and the above-described image forming unit 30 and the like disposed inside can be exposed by opening the front door. It has become. Further, an operation panel 102 for performing various operations is provided above the front door, and the operation panel 102 has a display unit 103 for displaying various information, and an operation unit 104 having various input keys. , Is provided. The display unit 103 and the operation unit 104 may be integrated in the form of a touch panel or the like.

  The sheet feeding unit 10 includes a fed sheet stacking unit 11 for stacking and storing sheets, and a separation feeding unit 12 for separately feeding sheets stacked on the fed sheet stacking unit 11 one by one. . The feed sheet stacking unit 11 includes an intermediate plate 14 that rotates about a rotational shaft 13. The intermediate plate 14 is biased upward, and rotates when feeding a sheet. Lift the sheet upwards (in the two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 1). The separation feeding unit 12 includes a pickup roller 15 for feeding a sheet lifted by the middle plate 14 and a separation pad 16 in pressure contact with the pickup roller 15.

  The manual feeding unit 20 includes a manual feeding tray 21 capable of stacking sheets, and a separation feeding unit 22 capable of feeding the sheets stacked on the manual feeding tray 21 while separating sheets one by one. The manual feed tray 21 is rotatably supported by the printer housing 101, and when manually fed and fed, sheets can be stacked by turning (in a state of a two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 1). The separation feeding unit 22 includes a feeding roller 23 that feeds a sheet stacked on the manual feed tray 21 and a separation pad 24 that is in pressure contact with the feeding roller 23.

  The image forming unit 30 includes four process cartridges (image forming units) 31B to 31Y that form black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) images, and the photosensitive members included in these. An exposure device 32 for exposing the surface of the body drums 310B to 310Y, a transfer unit 33 for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y onto a sheet, and fixing an unfixed toner image transferred onto the sheet And a toner collection device (see FIG. 6) 400 for collecting the remaining toner. Note that alphabets (B, C, M, Y) added at the end of the code indicate the colors (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) of the respective toners. In the present invention, the toner collection device may be referred to as a toner collection unit.

  The process cartridges 31B to 31Y are configured to be attachable to and detachable from the printer housing 101, and are replaceable. The process cartridge 31B includes a photosensitive drum (image carrier) 310B on which a monochrome toner image is formed, a charging device 311B for charging the photosensitive drum 310B, and electrostatics formed by the exposure device 32 on the photosensitive drum 310B. The developing device 312B develops the latent image with black toner, and the cleaner unit 313B removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 310B after transferring the toner image obtained by development to the intermediate transfer belt. ing. In the present embodiment, when adjusting the color of the recycled toner contained in the toner collection container, in order to supply the toner of the amount necessary for color adjustment to the toner collection container, the photosensitive drum is provided. The toner image formed on 313B is removed from the photosensitive drum 313B by the cleaner unit 313B without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt, and is supplied to the toner collection container.

  The developing device 312B includes a developing device main body 314B that develops the electrostatic latent image with black toner, and a toner cartridge 315B that supplies the black toner to the developing device main body 314B. The toner cartridge 315B is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the developing device main body 314B, and is removed from the developing device main body 314B and can be replaced when the stored black toner is exhausted. Here, in the present invention, the developing device main body may be called a developing unit.

  Further, the toner cartridge 315B is not only configured to be attachable to and detachable from the developing device main body 314B, but is also configured to be attachable to and detachable from the toner collection device 400 according to the present invention. . That is, the toner cartridge 315B can be used not only as a toner supply container but also as a toner collection container 402 (see FIG. 6). When the toner cartridge 315B is attached to the developing device main body 314B, the toner cartridge 315B is used as a toner supply container for supplying the black toner to the developing device main body 314B. Then, when the stored black toner is exhausted, the toner recovery device 400 is replaced and used as a toner recovery container. Then, if the reuse toner is accumulated, it is replaced with the developing device main body 3014B and used as a toner replenishment container.

  Here, the toner cartridge 315B is connected to the imaging apparatus main body 314B via a replenishment side interface for connecting the toner cartridge and the toner replenishment container, and the toner cartridge 315B and the toner collection apparatus 400 It connects via the collection side interface for connecting with a collection-only container. Therefore, the toner cartridge 315B may have both the supply side interface and the collection side interface. Therefore, the specifications of the supply side interface and the collection side interface do not have to be the same, and they may conform to mutually different specifications. Further, the toner cartridge 315B only needs to satisfy the condition that the toner cartridge 315B is compatible with both the toner replenishment dedicated container and the toner collection dedicated container, so the shape of the toner cartridge 315B is not made the same as the shape of the toner replenishment dedicated container. The shape of the container may not be the same as the shape of the toner collection container. Therefore, the shape of the toner supply dedicated container and the shape of the toner collection dedicated container do not have to be the same. Therefore, the toner cartridge 315B according to the present invention can be used in a conventional image forming apparatus. Incidentally, in the case of the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, at least the specifications of the supply side interface and the collection side interface need to be the same.

  The process cartridges 31C to 31Y have the same configuration except that the colors of the images to be formed are different from each other. Therefore, here, the configuration of the process cartridge 31C for forming the cyan (C) image is representatively described. The description of the process cartridges 31M and 31Y is omitted.

  The process cartridge 31C includes a photosensitive drum (image carrier) 310C on which a cyan toner image (color toner image) is formed, a charging device 311C for charging the photosensitive drum 310C, and a static image formed on the photosensitive drum 310C. A developing device (color developing device) 312C for developing an electrostatic latent image with cyan toner and a residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 310C after transferring a toner image which is a developing on the photosensitive drum 310C to the intermediate transfer belt And a cleaner unit (toner collecting means) 313C for removing the toner.

  The developing device 312C includes a developing device main body 314C that develops the electrostatic latent image with cyan toner, and a toner cartridge 315C that supplies the cyan toner to the developing device main body 314C. The toner cartridge 315C is configured to be detachably mounted to the developing device main body 314C, and when the stored cyan toner runs out, the toner cartridge 315C is removed from the developing device main body 314C and replaced with another toner cartridge 315C. Is possible.

  Further, the toner cartridge 315C is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the toner collection device 400, and can be used as a waste toner container 403 described later when the stored cyan toner is exhausted. There is. The same applies to the toner cartridges 315M and 315Y.

  The exposure device 32 includes a light source 320 for emitting a laser beam, a plurality of mirrors 321 for guiding the laser beam to the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y, and the like.

  The transfer unit 33 has an intermediate transfer belt (image carrier) 330 carrying a toner image formed on the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y, and a toner image formed on the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y as a primary transfer belt on the intermediate transfer belt 330. Primary transfer rollers 331B to 331Y for transfer, a secondary transfer roller 332 for secondary transfer of a toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 330 onto a sheet, and a cleaner unit for removing residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 330 Means) 333 and. The intermediate transfer belt 330 is stretched around the driving roller 334 and the driven roller 335, and is pressed against the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y by the primary transfer rollers 331B to 331Y. The secondary transfer roller 332 nips (sandwiches) the intermediate transfer belt 330 between the secondary transfer roller 332 and the drive roller 334, and transfers the toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 330 at the nip portion N onto a sheet.

  The fixing unit 34 includes a heating roller 340 that heats the sheet, and a pressure roller 341 that is in pressure contact with the heating roller 340. The sheet discharge unit 40 is configured to include a discharge roller pair 41. The discharge roller pair 41 includes a discharge roller 42 capable of rotating in forward and reverse directions and a driven roller 43 that is driven to rotate by the discharge roller 42. .

  The toner collection device 400 classifies and collects remaining toners removed by the cleaner units 313B to 313Y and the cleaner unit 333 into waste toner and reuse toner. The toner collection device 400 includes a mechanism for conveying the remaining toner removed by the cleaner units 313B to 313Y and the cleaner unit 333 to the toner collection container 402. The toner collection device 400 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 50 includes a CPU 51 for driving and controlling the sheet feeding unit 10, the manual feeding unit 20, the image forming unit 30, and the sheet discharging unit 40, and a memory for storing various programs and various information. 52, and. The control unit 50 integrates and controls the operations of the sheet feeding unit 10, the manual feeding unit 20, the image forming unit 30, and the sheet discharging unit 40 using these, and, for example, input from the operation unit 104 of the operation panel 102 The image is formed on the sheet based on the issued user instruction.

  Further, the control unit 50 monitors the toner remaining amount of each toner cartridge 315B to 315Y based on the toner use history, and at which stage the toner remaining amount of each toner cartridge 315B to 315Y is present. It can be displayed on the display unit 103 of FIG. For example, the control unit 50 normally (remaining amount of toner: 100 to 25%, toner cartridge replacement unnecessary state), small (remaining toner amount: 25 to almost 0%, toner cartridge replacement unnecessary state), slight (toner remaining amount: The display unit 103 displays four levels of remaining toner amounts: almost 0%, toner cartridge replacement required state, and none (toner remaining amount: 0%, toner cartridge replacement required state). The toner use history is acquired from the toner cartridges 315B to 315Y, and information on the remaining toner amount (predetermined toner replenishment time, the number of rotations of the toner replenishment roller in the toner cartridges 315B to 315Y, the number of printed sheets, etc. Information).

  Further, the control unit 50 discharges the toner from the developing devices 312B to 312Y based on the color tone (color tone, in particular, the degree of separation from “black”) of the recycled toner collected by the toner collection device 400. Adjust the color of recycled toner. For example, if the toner stored in the toner collection container 402 connected to the toner collection device 400 or a reuse toner cartridge 315B 'described later is thinner than a predetermined color (ie, remaining control toner is used) When the color of black is separated from black by a predetermined allowable amount or more), the black toner is discharged from the developing device 312B, and the black toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 310B is not transferred to the transfer belt or recording medium. The color of the recycled toner is made darker by supplying the toner collection container 402 or a reuse toner cartridge 315B 'described later, which passes through the toner collection path. However, instead of or in addition to the black toner discharged from the developing device 312B, color toner discharged from the developing devices 312C to 312Y may be used. For example, the color toner discharged from the developing devices 312C to 312Y is adjusted so that the color complementary to the color detected by the detection sensor 318 can be obtained, and the adjusted color toner is used instead of or in addition to the black toner. The toner recovery container 402 or a reuse toner cartridge 315B 'described later is supplied. Further, even if it is intended to supply black toner, if the remaining amount of black toner is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the color toner discharged from the image devices 312C to 312Y is adjusted, and the black toner after adjustment is adjusted. May be replenished. This makes it possible to secure black quality when at least a part of the remaining toner is reused as black reuse toner.

  Next, an image forming operation (image forming control by the control unit 50) of the printer 100 configured as described above will be described. The present embodiment will be described using an image forming operation for forming an image on a sheet stacked on the fed sheet stacking unit 11 based on image information input from an external PC.

  When image information is input from an external PC to the printer 100, the exposure device 32 emits laser light toward the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y are charged in advance by the charging devices 311B to 311Y, and electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y by being irradiated with laser light.

  Thereafter, electrostatic latent images are developed (toner images) by the developing devices 312B to 312Y, and black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y) are formed on the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y. A toner image is formed. The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y are sequentially primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 330 rotating in the direction of arrow A by the primary transfer rollers 331B to 331Y, and the full-color toner images transferred on the primary are The sheet is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 332 by the intermediate transfer belt 330. The remaining toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y after the primary transfer onto the intermediate transfer belt 330 is removed by the cleaner units 313B to 313Y and collected by the toner collection device 400.

  In parallel with the above-described image forming operation, the sheets stacked on the fed sheet stacking unit 11 are fed one by one to the sheet conveyance path 105 by the separation feeding unit 12. The skew is corrected by the pair of registration rollers 106 downstream of the sheet conveyance path 105, and the sheet is conveyed to the nip N at a predetermined conveyance timing, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 330 is secondary at the nip N. Transcribed. The remaining toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 330 after the secondary transfer onto the sheet is removed by the cleaner unit 333 and collected by the toner collection device 400.

  The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is fused and fixed by the fixing unit 34, and the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 41. The sheet discharged to the outside of the apparatus is stacked on a discharged sheet stacking unit 107 provided on the upper surface of the printer housing 101.

  When an image is formed on both sides (first and second sides) of the sheet, the sheet on which the image is formed on the first side (front side) is discharged before being discharged to the discharged sheet stacking unit 107. The roller 42 is reversely rotated to be conveyed to the both-side conveyance path 108, and is re-conveyed to the image forming unit 30 via the both-side conveyance path 108. Then, similarly to the first surface, an image is formed on the second surface (back surface) and discharged out of the apparatus.

  Next, the toner cartridge 315B and the toner cartridge 315C described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. In the following description, the toner cartridge 315B that has become empty will be described as a reuse toner cartridge 315B ', and the toner cartridge 315C that is empty will be described as a reuse toner cartridge 315C'. That is, the reuse toner cartridge 315B 'is a toner cartridge 315B which is depleted of toner and is empty, and the reuse toner cartridge 315C' is a toner cartridge 315C which is depleted of toner and is empty.

  FIG. 4A is a perspective view schematically showing the black toner cartridge 315B according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVb-IVb 'of FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is a perspective view schematically showing a cyan toner cartridge 315C according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line Vb-Vb 'of FIG. 5A.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the toner cartridge 315B (reusable toner cartridge 315B ') is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a cartridge main body 316B in which toner is accommodated, and the accommodated toner. And a color detection sensor (color detection means) 318 for detecting the color of the toner inside.

The toner cartridge 315B includes a cartridge main body 316B for storing toner and the toner recovery device 400 from the toner recovery device 400 when the toner cartridge 315B is attached to the toner recovery device 400 of the image forming apparatus and used as a toner recovery container. A receiving side opening (not shown) used as a path for receiving toner inside the cartridge main body 316B, a receiving side shutter 319Bb for opening and closing the receiving side opening, and the toner cartridge 315B is a toner recovery device. When it is attached to 400, the receiving side shutter 319Bb is opened, and the receiving side shutter mechanism (not shown) for closing the receiving side shutter when the toner cartridge is removed from the toner recovery device, and the toner cartridge 315B is an image. Development equipment of the forming device When attached to the main body 314B and used as a toner supply container, a supply side opening (not shown) is used as a path for supplying the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body 316B to the developing device main body 314B. , The replenishment side shutter 319Ba for opening and closing the replenishment side opening, and when the toner cartridge 315B is attached to the developing device main body 314B, the replenishment side shutter 319Ba is opened, and the toner cartridge 315B is the developing device main body 314B. , The supply side shutter mechanism (not shown) for closing the supply side shutter 319Ba, and the auger screw 317B for conveying the toner contained inside the toner cartridge main body 316B inside the toner cartridge main body 316B. And .
The receiving side opening is in a position to be covered by the receiving side shutter 319Bb when it is closed. The supply side opening is at a position covered by the supply side shutter 319Ba when it is closed.

  The receiving side opening is in a position to be covered by the receiving side shutter 319Bb when it is closed. The supply side opening is at a position covered by the supply side shutter 319Ba when it is closed. As a shutter and a mechanism corresponding thereto, for example, a configuration as disclosed in JP-A-2015-7684 can be adopted. That is, an elastic body such as a biasing spring is provided in the supply side shutter mechanism so that the shutter is closed, and the shutter is opened when the toner cartridge 315B is attached to the attachment destination, and the toner cartridge 315B is out of the attachment destination. When it is turned on, components for closing the shutter are provided in the replenishment side shutter mechanism.

  In addition, if the toner recovery device 400 separately has a mechanism for transporting the remaining toner removed by the cleaner units 313B to 313Y and the cleaner unit 333 to the toner recovery container 402 separately for each cleaner unit, for example, the receiving side opening May be provided for each cleaner unit. In that case, the receiving side shutter 319Bb may be provided for each cleaner unit.

  When the toner cartridge 315B is attached to the toner collection device 400 of the image forming apparatus and the receiving side shutter 319Bb is opened, the toner collection device 400 and the toner cartridge main body 316B communicate with each other through the reception side opening. Similarly, when the toner cartridge 315B is attached to the developing device main body 314B of the image forming apparatus and the supply side shutter 319Bb is opened, the developing device main body 314B and the toner cartridge 316B communicate with each other through the supply side opening.

  Specifically, the auger screw 317B is disposed such that the rotation axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body 316B, and the toner contained in the cartridge body 316B and the accommodated toner are supplied Transport to 319 Ba while stirring. The replenishing side shutter 319Ba is provided at a position corresponding to the replenishing side opening provided on the lower surface 316Ba on the downstream side (downstream side in the longitudinal direction) of the mounting direction B of the cartridge body 316B. The supply side shutter 319Ba is opened when the cartridge main body 316B is mounted to the developing device main body 314B, and is closed when removed from the developing device main body 314B. That is, when the toner cartridge 315B is attached to the developing device main body 314B, the developing device main body 314B and the toner cartridge 315B communicate with each other, so that the developing device main body 314B can be replenished with toner, and the toner cartridge 315B When removed from the main body 314B, the toner cartridge 315B is returned to the sealed state.

  The receiving side shutter 319Bb is provided on the upper surface 316Bb on the upstream side (upstream side in the longitudinal direction) of the mounting direction B of the cartridge main body 316B, and is opened when attached to the toner recovery device 400 and closed when removed from the toner recovery device 400. It has become. That is, when the reuse toner cartridge 315B 'is attached to the toner collection device 400, the toner collection device 400 and the reuse toner cartridge 315B' communicate with each other through the receiving side shutter 319Bb, so that the toner can be stored in the reuse toner cartridge 315B '. Can be collected, and when the recycled toner cartridge 315B 'is removed from the toner collection device 400, the recycled toner cartridge 315B' is returned to the sealed state.

  The color detection sensor 318 is disposed in the vicinity of the receiving side opening of the upper surface 316Bb of the cartridge body 316B (ie, in the vicinity of the receiving side shutter 319Bb), and has just entered the cartridge body 316B via the receiving side opening. Since it is possible to detect the color of the toner, it is possible to immediately replenish the toner that has just entered the cartridge body 316B with an appropriate toner to correct the color. However, it is preferable to adjust the arrangement position of the color detection sensor 318 so as to detect the color of the toner stirred by the auger screw 317B. By doing this, it is possible to mix the supplied adjustment toner, and it becomes possible to perform feedback control of the color while looking at the color after mixing, so that the adjustment toner is supplied more than necessary. Can be avoided.

  In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 315C (reusable toner cartridge 315C ') is relatively smaller than the toner cartridge 315B (reusable toner cartridge 315B'). In other words, the toner cartridge 315B (reusable toner cartridge 315B ') has a configuration in which the toner storage capacity is larger than that of the toner cartridges 315C to 315Y (reusable toner cartridges 315C' to 315Y ').

  Next, the toner collection device 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing the toner collection device 400 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the toner collection device 400 is connected to the cleaner units 313B to 313Y of the process cartridges 31B to 31Y and the cleaner unit 333 of the transfer unit 33, and transports the remaining toner collected by these cleaner units. A residual toner conveying portion (conveying portion) 401, and a first screw 405 for conveying the residual toner collected by the residual toner conveying portion (conveying portion) 401 to the separation filter 404 in the horizontal direction to the right in the inside; And a separation filter (filter) 404 for separating the residual toner conveyed by the first screw 405 into the reuse toner and the waste toner inside the residual toner conveyance part (conveyance part) 401, and the waste toner in the waste toner container 403. Second screw (discharging means) 40 for conveying toward the right in the horizontal direction It has a, and.

  Also, a toner recovery container 402 for recovering recycled toner obtained by the separation by the separation filter 404 and a waste toner container 403 for recovery of the waste toner obtained by the separation by the separation filter 404 are respectively attached. It is connected to the toner collection device 400 at points 407 and 408.

  The remaining toner conveyance unit 401 includes conveyance paths 401 a to 401 d connected to the cleaner units 313 B to 313 Y, conveyance paths 401 e connected to the cleaner unit 333, conveyance paths 401 f to which the conveyance paths 401 a to 401 e are connected, and conveyance. A conveyance path 401g connecting the path 401f and the attachment point 407 of the toner collection container 402, and a conveyance path 401h connecting the conveyance path 401g and the attachment point 408 of the waste toner container 403 are provided.

  The conveying paths 401a to 401d are disposed substantially vertically, and the upper ends thereof are connected to the cleaner units 313Y, 313M, 313C and 313B, and the lower ends are connected to positions corresponding to the conveying paths 401f, respectively. As a result, the residual toner removed by the cleaner units 313Y, 313M, 313C, and 313B falls onto the conveyance path 401f. The conveyance path 401 e is disposed substantially vertically, the upper end thereof is connected to the cleaner unit 333, and the lower end thereof is connected to the conveyance path 401 f. As a result, the remaining toner removed by the cleaner unit 333 falls onto the conveyance path 401f. The conveyance path 401f is disposed substantially horizontally, and the first screw 405 is disposed inside the conveyance path 401f. The conveyance path 401 g is disposed substantially vertically, the upper end thereof is connected to the conveyance path 401 f, and the lower end thereof is connected to the attachment point 407. Further, a separation filter 404 is disposed in the conveyance path 401g. The conveyance path 401 h is branched from the conveyance path 401 g, one end is connected to the upper side of the separation filter 404 of the conveyance path 401 g, and the other end is connected to the attachment point 408. In addition, a second screw 406 is disposed inside the transport path 401 h.

  The toner collection container 402 is formed to be attachable to and detachable from the attachment portion 407. The toner recovery container 402 may be a dedicated toner recovery container as usual, but may be replaced with a toner cartridge 315B (reused toner cartridge 315B ') according to the present invention. The waste toner container 403 is formed to be attachable to and detachable from the attachment point 408. The waste toner container 403 has substantially the same shape as the toner cartridge 315C (reusable toner cartridge 315C '), and thus the above description is used and the description is omitted here.

  The separation filter 404 is formed in a mesh shape, and of the remaining toner conveyed to the conveyance path 401 g, drops only the reuse toner, and this is collected in the toner collection container 402. The separation filter 404 leaves waste toner such as aggregated toner, which is transported by the second screw 406 and then collected in the waste toner container 403.

  Next, the operation of collecting the remaining toner by the toner collection device 400 configured as described above will be described.

  The residual toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 310B to 310Y after the primary transfer onto the intermediate transfer belt 330 is removed by the cleaner units 313B to 313Y, and falls onto the conveying path 401f through the conveying paths 401a to 401d. Further, the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 330 after the secondary transfer to the sheet is removed by the cleaner unit 333 and falls toward the separation filter 404 in the conveyance path 401 g through the conveyance path 401 e.

  The remaining toner dropped to the conveyance path 401 f is conveyed to the conveyance path 401 g by the first screw 405. The remaining toner conveyed to the conveyance path 401 g falls toward the separation filter 404 from the inlet of the conveyance path 401 g. The remaining toner dropped toward the separation filter 404 is separated into the reuse toner and the waste toner by the separation filter 404, and only the reuse toner falls toward the toner collection container 402. The recycled toner dropped toward the toner collection container 402 is collected in the toner collection container 402.

  In the toner collection container 402 which has collected the reuse toner, the color detection sensor 318 detects the color of the reuse toner, and the color detection sensor 318 outputs a signal representing the detected color to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 discharges the black toner from the developing device 312B when the color of the recycled toner is separated from black by a predetermined allowable amount or more, and does not transfer the discharged black toner to the transfer belt or the recording medium. Further, by supplying the toner collection container 402 through the toner collection device 400, the color of the recycled toner approaches black. However, instead of or in addition to the black toner discharged from the developing device 312B, color toner discharged from the developing devices 312C to 312Y may be used. For example, the color toner discharged from the developing devices 312C to 312Y is adjusted so that the color complementary to the color detected by the detection sensor 318 can be obtained, and the adjusted color toner is used instead of or in addition to the black toner. , And supplies the toner collection container 402. If the remaining amount of black toner is equal to or less than a predetermined value, black toner obtained by mixing color toner instead of black toner discharged from the developing device 312B may be replenished. Also, instead of replenishing the toner in order to adjust the color when the color of the reuse toner is separated from black by a predetermined tolerance or more, the color according to the degree of separation of the reuse toner from the color black. An appropriate amount of toner may be supplied to adjust the amount of the toner, and, if necessary, the appropriately mixed toner may be supplied.

  Conventionally, when the dedicated toner collection container used as the toner collection container 402 becomes full, it is removed from the attachment point 407, and instead, another empty toner collection container is attached to the attachment point 407. Attach to According to the present invention, when the toner cartridge 315B used as the toner collection container 402 becomes full, it is removed from the attachment point 407 and, instead, another empty toner cartridge 315B is attached to the attachment point 407. . However, when the dedicated toner collection container used as the toner collection container 402 becomes full partially according to the present invention, it is removed from the mounting location 407, and instead, an empty toner cartridge 315B is installed If the toner cartridge 315B used as the toner collection container 402 becomes full according to the present invention, it may be attached to the attachment location 407 instead, instead Alternatively, an empty toner collecting container may be attached to the mounting portion 407.

  Also, conventionally, when the toner replenishing dedicated container used as the toner replenishing container becomes empty, it is removed from the developing device main body 314B, and instead, a container full of another toner replenishing dedicated container is developed It is attached to the device body 314B. According to the present invention, when the toner cartridge 315B used as the toner supply container becomes empty, it is removed from the developing device main body 314B, and instead, the developing device main body 314B is filled with another toner cartridge 315B. Attach. However, when the toner replenishing container used as a toner replenishing container is partially exhausted according to the present invention, it is removed from the developing device main body 314B, and instead, the full toner cartridge 315B is developed by the developing device The toner cartridge 315B may be attached to the main body 314B or, in the alternative, partially removed from the developing device main body 314B when the toner cartridge 315B used as a toner supply container becomes empty according to the present invention. Alternatively, a container full of toner replenishing containers may be attached to the developing device main body 314B.

  Conventionally, a waste toner container is used as the waste toner container 403, and when the waste toner container 403 is full, the waste toner container is removed from the attachment point 408. In addition, another waste toner dedicated container, which is full, is attached to the attachment point 408 where the waste toner dedicated container has been removed. According to the present invention, the reuse toner cartridge 314C, 314M or 314Y is used as the waste toner container 403, and when it is full, the reuse toner cartridge 314C, 314M or 314Y is removed from the attachment point 408. In addition, another reuse toner cartridge 314C, 314M or 314Y, which is full, is attached to the attachment point 408 where the reuse toner cartridge 314C, 314M or 314Y is removed. However, partially according to the present invention, the waste toner container is used as the waste toner container 403, and when it is full, the waste toner container is removed from the attachment point 408 and the waste toner container is removed. Reclaimed toner cartridges 314C, 314M, or 314Y may be attached to the attachment point 408, or may be fully loaded, or in another aspect partially reclaimed toner cartridges as waste toner containers 403 according to the present invention. 314C, 314M or 314Y is used, and when it is full, the reuse toner cartridge 314C, 314M or 314Y is removed from the attachment point 408 and the attachment point 408 from which the reuse toner cartridge 314C, 314M or 314Y is removed To the waste toner May be use container is attached.

  As described above, in the printer 100 according to the first embodiment, the toner cartridge 315B is configured to be attachable to the attachment portion 407 of the toner collection container 402. Therefore, when the toner collection container 402 is full, the reuse toner cartridge 315B 'can be attached to the attachment portion 407. This eliminates the need to newly purchase the toner collection container 402 or the like. As a result, it is possible to achieve a strike down.

  Also, in general, it is faster for the toner cartridge 315B to run out of toner than when the toner collection container 402 is full. That is, the empty reusable toner cartridge 315B 'can be secured before the toner collection container 402 is full. Therefore, for example, even if it is suddenly noticed that the toner collection container 402 is full by storing the empty reuse toner cartridge 315B ', the toner collection container 402 is immediately re-used. It can be replaced with the use toner cartridge 315B '.

  Further, the toner cartridge 315B and the toner collection container 402 are provided with a supply side shutter 319Ba for supplying the toner, and a reception side shutter 319Bb for collecting the toner. Therefore, for example, when the recycled toner cartridge 315B 'from which the recycled toner has been collected is attached to the developing device main body 314B, it can be attached in the same posture without being reversed or the like. As a result, toner leakage is prevented, and it is possible to prevent the user and the surroundings from becoming dirty.

  In addition, aggregated toner and the like are removed by the separation filter 404 from the recycled toner collected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a black core or the like in the image due to the aggregation toner contained in the residual toner. Furthermore, the recycled toner is guaranteed to have a tint by controlling the tint. Therefore, the quality of the formed image can be prevented from being degraded.

Second Embodiment
Next, a printer 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The printer 100A according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in a toner cartridge that can be used as a toner collection container. Therefore, the difference from the first embodiment, that is, the toner cartridge that can be used as a toner collection container will be mainly described here, and the other configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals as the first embodiment. I omit explanation.

  In the first embodiment, the toner cartridge 315B is compatible with the toner replenishment container attached to the developing device main body 314B, and is also compatible with the toner recovery container attached to the attachment portion 407 of the toner recovery device 400. Have. In addition, the toner cartridges 315C, 315M and 315Y are compatible with both the toner replenishment dedicated container attached to the developing device main bodies 314C, 314M and 314Y and the waste toner dedicated container attached to the attachment location 408 of the toner recovery device 400, respectively. Have.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus is not provided with the toner collection device 400 or that the toner collection device 400 is not used according to the present invention. The toner cartridge 415B is compatible with the toner replenishing container attached to the developing device main body 314B, and further, to the plurality of cleaning units 415B to 415Y and the intermediate transfer belt respectively corresponding to the plurality of process cartridges 431B to 431Y. It is compatible with any of the corresponding cleaning units 433 and the corresponding toner collection container.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming unit 30A includes four process cartridges 431B to 431Y for forming black (B), cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y) images, and an exposure device 32. , A transfer unit 33A, and a fixing unit 34.

  The process cartridges 431B to 431Y are configured to be attachable to and detachable from the printer housing 101, and are replaceable. Since the process cartridges 431B to 431Y have the same configuration except that the colors of the images to be formed are different from each other, the configuration of the process cartridge 431B for forming the black (B) image will be representatively described here. The description of the process cartridges 431C to 431Y will be omitted.

  The process cartridge 431 B includes a photosensitive drum (image carrier) 310 B, a charging device 311 B for charging the photosensitive drum 310 B, and an electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 32 on the photosensitive drum 310 B with black toner. And a cleaner unit (toner collecting means) 413B for removing the residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 310B.

  The developing device 412B includes a developing device main body 314B, and a toner cartridge 415B that supplies black toner to the developing device main body 314B. The toner cartridge 415B is configured to be detachably mounted to the developing device main body 314B, and when the stored black toner is exhausted, the toner cartridge 415B is removed from the developing device main body 314B and replaced with another toner cartridge 415B. Is possible.

  The toner cartridge 415B is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the cleaner units 413B, 413C and 413Y and the cleaner unit 433. When the stored black toner is exhausted, the cleaner units 413B, 413C and 413Y and the cleaner It can be used as a toner collection container 402A described later corresponding to any of the units 433. The toner cartridge 415B will be described in detail later. In the present invention, the cleaner units 413B, 413C and 413Y and the cleaner unit 433 may be referred to as a toner collection unit.

  In the cleaner unit 413B, the toner collection container 402A is detachably attached to a predetermined attachment location, and the toner collection container 402A stores the toner removed by the cleaner unit 413B.

  The transfer unit 33A is a cleaner unit (toner collecting unit) that removes the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt (image carrier) 330, the primary transfer rollers 331B to 331Y, the secondary transfer roller 332, and the intermediate transfer belt 330. And 433. The cleaner unit 433 is detachably attached to the toner collection container 402A at a predetermined attachment location, and the toner collection container 402A stores the toner removed by the cleaner unit 433.

  Next, the toner cartridge 415B described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the toner cartridge 415B that has become empty will be described as a reuse toner cartridge 415B '. In other words, the reuse toner cartridge 415B 'refers to the toner cartridge 415B which has run out of toner. 9A is a perspective view schematically showing a black toner cartridge 415B according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IXb-IXb 'of FIG. 9A.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the toner cartridge 415B (reusable toner cartridge 415B ′) is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a cartridge main body 416B for containing toner, and the reusable toner. An auger screw 417b for transporting, a separation filter 404A for separating remaining toner into reuse toner and waste toner, reuse toner before passing through the separation filter 404A, and a discard screw (discharge means) 406A for transporting waste toner , A color detection sensor 418. Further, a waste toner container 403 for containing waste toner is detachably mounted on the toner cartridge 415B.

  The toner cartridge 415B includes a cartridge main body 416B for containing toner and the toner cartridge 415B attached to the cleaner unit 413B, 413C, 413M, 413Y or 433 of the image forming apparatus to be used as a toner collection container. , A receiving side opening (not shown) used as a path for receiving toner from the cleaner unit 413B, 413C, 413M, 413Y or 433 into the toner cartridge main body 416B, and a receiving side for opening and closing the receiving side opening When the side shutter 419 Bb and the toner cartridge 415 B are attached to the cleaner unit 413 B, 413 C, 413 M, 413 Y or 433, the reception side shutter 419 Bb is opened, and the toner cartridge is a cleaner The receiving side shutter mechanism (not shown) for closing the receiving side shutter and the toner cartridge 415B are attached to the developing device main body 314B of the image forming apparatus when removed from the cartridge 413B, 413C, 413M, 413Y or 433. When used as a toner supply container, a supply side opening (not shown) used as a path for supplying the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body 416B to the developing device main body 314B, and the supply side When the replenishment side shutter 419Ba for opening and closing the opening and the toner cartridge 415B are attached to the developing device main body 314B, the replenishment side shutter 419Ba is opened, and the toner cartridge 415B is removed from the developing device main body 314B , For closing the supply side shutter 319Ba Comprising supply side shutter mechanism (not shown).

  Further, the toner cartridge 415B generates a vibration inside the filter that separates the toner received from the receiving side opening into the waste toner and the reuse toner to be supplied to the developing device main body from the supplying side opening, Vibration means for vibrating the filter or vibration generated externally, vibration means for vibrating the filter, and conveying means 317B for conveying recycled toner after separation by the filter to the replenishment side opening portion; Further comprising

  Further, a waste container 403A for collecting waste toner after separation by the filter can be attached to the toner cartridge 415B. The toner cartridge 415B includes a waste container side opening 325 for communicating the toner cartridge 415B with the waste container 403A, a waste container side shutter 419Bc for opening and closing the waste container side opening 325, and a toner cartridge 415B. When the 403A is attached, the waste container side shutter 419Bc is opened, and when the waste container 403A is removed from the toner cartridge 415B, the waste container side shutter mechanism for closing the waste container side shutter 419Bc and the waste toner cartridge main body 416B And a second transport means 406A for transporting to the waste container 403A attached to the

  The supply side shutter 419Ba is provided on the lower surface 416Ba on the downstream side (downstream side in the longitudinal direction) of the mounting direction B of the cartridge main body 416B, and opens when mounted on the developing device main body 314B and closes when removed from the developing device main body 314B. It has become. That is, when the toner cartridge 415 is attached to the developing device main body 314B, the developing device main body 314B and the toner cartridge 415BA communicate with each other through the supply side shutter 419B, whereby toner can be supplied to the developing device main body 314B. When the 415B is removed from the developing device main body 314B, the toner cartridge 415B is returned to the sealed state.

  The reception side shutter 419Bb is provided on the upper surface 416Bb on the upstream side in the mounting direction B of the cartridge main body 416B, and opens when mounted on the cleaner unit 413B, 413C, 413M, 413Y or 433. The cleaner unit 413B, 413C, 413M, 413Y or It is closed when removed from 433. That is, when the reuse toner cartridge 415B 'is attached to the cleaner unit 413B, 413C, 413M, 413Y or 433, the cleaner unit 413B, 413C, 413M, 413Y or 433 and the reuse toner cartridge 415B' are interposed via the receiving shutter 419Bb. Communicating with each other enables the remaining toner to be collected to the reuse toner cartridge 415B ', and when the reuse toner cartridge 415B' is removed from the cleaner unit 413B, 413C, 413M, 413Y or 433, the reuse toner cartridge 415B ' It is supposed to return to the sealed state.

  The separation filter 404A is formed in a mesh shape, and is disposed below the discarding screw 406A and above the auger screw 417b. In addition, the mesh of the separation filter 404A is fine enough to not pass toner that can not be reused as toner such as aggregation toner. The residual toner supplied from the receiving side shutter 419B is transported toward the waste toner container 403A by the waste screw 406A. Here, the toner finer than the mesh of the separation filter 404A among the residual toner transported while being stirred by the waste screw 406A passes through the separation filter 404A and falls downward when in contact with the separation filter 404A. The remaining toner which does not fall is transported to the waste toner container 403A as waste toner by the waste screw 406A. On the other hand, the toner dropped downward through the separation filter 404A is transported to the receiving shutter 419Ba as recycled toner when the auger screw 417B rotates.

  By removing the waste toner container 403A from the cartridge main body 416B, the waste toner collected in the waste toner container 403A can be discarded. When the waste toner container 403A is attached to the cartridge main body 316A, the waste toner container side opening 325 and the auxiliary opening 403Ab are provided in the cartridge main body 316A and the waste toner container 403A, respectively, to connect them. . The cartridge main body 316A is provided with a waste container side shutter 419Bc for opening and closing the waste container side opening 325 for communicating with the waste toner container 403A, and the waste container 403A is attached to the toner cartridge 415B. At the same time, when the waste container shutter 419Bc is opened and the waste container 403A is removed from the toner cartridge 415B, a waste container shutter mechanism is provided for closing the waste container shutter 419Bc.

  The waste container 403A is used when the waste container 403A is attached to the auxiliary opening 403Ab for communicating the same with the toner cartridge 415B, the auxiliary shutter 403Aa for opening and closing the auxiliary opening 403Ab, and the toner cartridge 415B. The shutter 403Aa is opened, and an auxiliary shutter mechanism (not shown) for closing the auxiliary shutter 403Aa when the waste container 403A is removed from the toner cartridge 415B.

  The waste toner container 403A is attached to the cartridge main body 416B, the waste container side shutter 419Bc and the auxiliary shutter are opened, and the waste toner container 403A and the cartridge main body 416B are in communication via the waste container side opening 325 and the auxiliary opening 403Ab. In the state, the waste toner transported to the waste toner container 403A by the waste screw 406A is accommodated in the waste toner container 403A. When the waste toner stored in the waste toner container 403A is collected, the waste toner container 403A is removed from the cartridge main body 416B, and at the same time, the waste container shutter 419Bc and the auxiliary shutter are closed. As a result, the waste toner container 403A can be collected in a state where the waste toner does not leak to the outside. In addition, the waste toner and the reuse toner are not leaked from the cartridge main body 416B. Thereafter, another waste toner container 403A is attached to the cartridge main body 416B.

  Next, a method of using the reusable toner cartridge 415B 'in which the toner cartridge 415B configured as described above is emptied will be described. Here, the case where the toner collection container 402A of the cleaner unit 413B is filled with the reuse toner will be described.

  In a normal case, the residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 310B after the primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 330 is removed by the cleaner unit 413B and collected in the toner collection container 402A mounted thereon. When the toner collection container 402A is filled with the residual toner, the toner collection container 402A is removed from the mounting location and discarded. Then, it is possible to attach another toner collection container 402A to the attachment point, but it is also possible to attach the reuse toner cartridge 415B 'of this embodiment.

  The reuse toner cartridge 415B 'attached to the attachment point of the cleaner unit 413B receives the remaining toner from the receiving shutter 419Bb, and the received remaining toner is separated into the reuse toner and the waste toner by the separation filter 404A. . Only recycled toner passes through the separation filter 404A and drops, and waste toner remains on the separation filter 404A.

  The recycled toner dropped from the separation filter 404A is conveyed to the replenishment side shutter 419Ba while being stirred by the auger screw 417b. On the other hand, the waste toner remaining on the separation filter 404A is transported toward the waste toner container 403A by the waste screw 406A, and is stored in the waste toner container 403A via the waste container side opening 325 and the auxiliary opening 403Ab.

  A color detection sensor 318 disposed under the separation filter 404A near the receiving side shutter 419Bb has a function of detecting the color of recycled toner and outputting the detected color to the control unit 50. When the reuse toner cartridge 415 is attached to the cleaner unit 413B, 413C, 413M, or 413Y, the toner received by the reuse toner cartridge 415 is of the color corresponding to the cleaner unit, so that the color of the reuse toner cartridge 415 is restored. If the use toner is accumulated, the reuse toner cartridge 415 can be reused as a toner supply container of that color. In this case, the function of color correction is not necessary. On the other hand, when the reuse toner cartridge 415 is attached to the cleaner unit 415 corresponding to the intermediate transfer belt 330, the toner received by the reuse toner cartridge 415 is of mixed color, and this mixed color is Since the color is close to black, the control unit 50 makes the color of the recycled toner received by the cleaner unit 415 more nearly black by using the function of the color detection sensor 318 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. It can be adjusted. Then, when the black reuse toner is accumulated, the reuse toner cartridge 415 can be reused as a black toner supply container.

  When the recycled toner cartridge 415B 'is full, it is removed from the mounting location and is attached to the developing device main body 314B, and the developing device main body 314B forms an image with the recycled toner replenished from the recycled toner cartridge 415B'.

  As described above, in the printer 100A according to the second embodiment, the toner cartridge 415 is configured to be attachable to the cleaner unit 413B, 413C, 413Y or to the place where the toner collection container 402A of the cleaner unit 433 can be attached. There is. Therefore, when the toner collection container 402A is full, the reuse toner cartridge 415B 'can be attached to the mounting location. This eliminates the need to newly purchase the toner collection container 402A. As a result, costs can be reduced.

  Also, in general, it is faster for the toner cartridge 415 to be depleted of toner than when the toner collection container 402A is full. That is, it is possible to secure the reuse toner cartridge 415 ′ before the toner collection container 402A is full. Therefore, even if it is suddenly noticed that the toner collection container 402A is full by storing the reuse toner cartridge 315 ', the toner collection container 402A is immediately used as the reuse toner cartridge 315'. It can be exchanged.

  The toner cartridge 415 further includes a replenishment side shutter 419Ba for replenishing the toner and a reception side shutter 419Bb for recovering the toner. Therefore, for example, when the recycled toner cartridge 415 from which the black recycled toner is collected in the cleaner unit 413B or 433 is attached to the developing device main body 314B, it can be attached in the same posture without being reversed. As a result, toner leakage is prevented, and it is possible to prevent the user and the surroundings from becoming dirty.

  In addition, aggregated toner and the like are removed by the separation filter 404 from the recycled toner collected. Therefore, even recycled toner does not adversely affect image formation. Furthermore, the reuse toner has its color controlled by control using the color detection sensor 318. Therefore, the formed image quality is not adversely affected.

  The waste toner container 403A may not be removable from the cartridge main body 416B, but may be integrated with it.

Third Embodiment
Next, a printer 100B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The printer 100B according to the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in a toner cartridge that can be used as a toner supply container and a toner collection container. Therefore, the difference from the second embodiment, that is, the toner cartridge will be mainly described, and the other configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals as the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 10 (a) is a perspective view schematically showing a black toner cartridge 515B according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Xb-Xb 'of FIG. 10 (a).

  The toner cartridge 515B is configured to be detachably mounted to the developing device main body 314B, and is removed from the developing device main body 314B and can be replaced when the stored black toner is exhausted. The toner cartridge 515B is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the cleaner unit 413B and the cleaner unit 433, and can be used as a toner collection container 402A described later of the cleaner unit 413B and the cleaner unit 433 when the stored black toner is exhausted. It has become.

  As apparent from comparison of FIGS. 10A and 10B with FIGS. 9A and 9B, the toner cartridge 515B according to the third embodiment is a toner cartridge 415B according to the second embodiment. And the only difference is that the vibration device 326 is added.

  Vibrator 326 includes an ultrasonic wave generator, which vibrates separation filter 404A by the generated ultrasonic waves, thereby facilitating separation of the remaining toner on separation filter 404A into reuse toner and waste toner. ing. In order to vibrate the separation filter 404A, a vibration device 326 is provided outside the toner cartridge 515B, and a mechanism for transmitting the ultrasonic wave generated by the vibration device 326 to the separation filter 404A is shown in FIG. It may be provided at the position where is arranged. In the present invention, a means for vibrating the separation filter 404A by an ultrasonic wave or the like is referred to as a vibration means, regardless of whether the vibration generator 326 is inside or outside the toner cartridge 515B. When the vibration means is not provided, a part of the toner which can be used as recycled toner but does not pass through the separation filter 404A as waste toner passes through the separation filter 404A by providing the vibration means, and is reused. Since the toner can be used as a toner, the provision of the vibration means can increase the efficiency of obtaining the reuse toner from the remaining toner as compared with the case where the vibration means is not provided.

  The method of using the toner cartridge 515B and the reuse toner cartridge 515B 'in which the toner cartridge 515B is empty is the same as that of the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. Further, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention only list the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects according to the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

  For example, in the first to third embodiments, the supply side shutters 319Ba, 319Ca and 419Ba are provided on the lower surface 316Ba, 316Ca and 416BAa, respectively, and the receiving side shutters 319Bb, 319Cb and 419Bb are respectively provided on the upper surface 316Bb and 316Cb. The toner cartridge 315B, 315C, 415B (or 515B) provided in 416Bb has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the toner cartridge, at least one of the supply side shutter and the receiving side shutter may be provided on another surface (for example, the side surface).

  In the first embodiment, the toner cartridges 315C to 315Y configured to be relatively small with respect to the toner cartridge 315B are used, and the toner cartridge 315B is compatible with the toner collection container, but the waste toner container Although the configuration has been described in which the toner cartridges 315C to 315Y are compatible with the waste toner container but not with the toner collection container, the present invention is not limited thereto. The toner cartridge 315B and the toner cartridges 315C to 315Y may have substantially the same shape, and may be compatible with both the toner collection container and the waste toner container.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the toner cartridge 315B and the toner collection container 402 are formed in substantially the same shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The toner cartridge 315B may be attached to the attachment portion 407 of the toner collection container 402. Similarly, in the first embodiment, the toner cartridges 315C to 315Y and the waste toner container are formed in substantially the same shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The toner cartridges 315 </ b> C to 315 </ b> Y may be attached to the attachment portion 408 of the waste toner container 403.

50 control unit (control means)
100 color laser beam printer (image forming device)
310B, 310C, 310M, 310Y photosensitive drum 312B developing device (monochrome developing device)
312C, 312M, 312Y developing device (color developing device)
313B Cleaner Unit (Toner Collection Unit)
313C, 313M, 313Y cleaner unit (toner collection unit)
314B Developing Device Body (Developing Unit)
314C, 314M, 314Y Developing device main unit (developing unit)
315B, 315C, 315M, 315Y toner cartridge 319Ba supply side shutter 319Bb reception side shutter 319Ca supply side shutter 319Cb reception side shutter 324 color detection sensor (color detection means)
330 Intermediate Transfer Belt (Image Carrier)
333 Cleaner unit (Toner collection unit)
400 Toner Collection Device (Toner Collection Unit)
402 Toner collection container 403 Waste toner container 407 Mounting location 408 Mounting location

Claims (15)

A cartridge body for containing toner;
When the toner cartridge is attached to a toner collection unit of an image forming apparatus and used as a toner collection container, a receiving side opening used as a path for receiving the toner from the toner collection unit into the inside of the toner cartridge main body When,
A receiving shutter for opening and closing the receiving opening;
A receiving-side shutter mechanism for opening the receiving-side shutter when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner recovery unit, and closing the receiving-side shutter when the toner cartridge is removed from the toner recovery unit;
When the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit of the image forming apparatus and used as a toner replenishing container, replenishment is used as a path for replenishing the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body to the developing unit. Side opening,
A replenishment side shutter for opening and closing the replenishment side opening;
A supply side shutter mechanism for opening the supply side shutter when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit, and closing the supply side shutter when the toner cartridge is removed from the developing unit;
Conveying means for conveying the toner contained inside the toner cartridge main body inside the toner cartridge main body;
A toner cartridge comprising: The toner cartridge according to claim 1,
The toner cartridge according to the present invention is characterized in that the supply side opening portion is at a position of a transfer destination of the toner by the transfer means when the toner cartridge is used as a toner supply container. The toner cartridge according to claim 1,
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the receiving side opening is at a position other than the position where the toner is transported by the transport unit when the toner cartridge is used as a toner recovery container. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a filter for separating the toner received from the receiving side opening into waste toner and recycled toner to be supplied from the supply side opening to the developing unit. The toner cartridge according to claim 4,
A toner cartridge characterized by further comprising vibration means for generating vibration internally, thereby vibrating the filter, or vibrating the filter by vibration generated externally; The toner cartridge according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit transports the recycled toner separated by the filter to the supply side opening. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein
A waste container for collecting waste toner after separation by the filter is attachable,
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: second conveying means for conveying the waste toner to the waste container. The toner cartridge according to claim 7, wherein
A waste container side opening for communicating the toner cartridge with the waste container;
A waste container side shutter for opening and closing the waste container side opening;
A waste container side shutter mechanism for opening the waste container side shutter when the waste container is attached to the toner cartridge, and closing the waste container side shutter when the waste container is removed from the toner cartridge; ,
A toner cartridge further comprising: The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein
A toner cartridge characterized in that the toner cartridge can be used as a container exclusively for collecting toner, and can also be used as a container exclusively for supplying toner. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein
A toner cartridge, further comprising color detection means for detecting a color of toner present at a predetermined position inside the toner cartridge and notifying the outside of the toner color. An image forming apparatus corresponding to the toner cartridge according to claim 10, wherein
Photosensitive drum,
A charging unit for charging the photosensitive drum;
An exposure unit for forming a latent image on the photosensitive drum charged by the charging unit;
The developing unit for developing the latent image formed by the exposing unit into a toner image on the photosensitive drum;
A transfer unit for transferring the toner image formed by the developing unit to a recording medium;
A toner collection unit for collecting at least a part of the toner which is discharged from the developing unit and is not used for image formation;
Equipped with
The toner cartridge can be attached to the developing unit,
The toner cartridge can also be attached to the toner recovery unit,
Color adjustment means for replenishing toner for bringing the color closer to black to the toner cartridge when the color detected by the color detection means provided to the toner cartridge attached to the collection unit is separated from black An image forming apparatus, further comprising:   A toner cartridge set comprising the toner cartridge according to claim 7 and a waste container attachable to the cartridge. 13. The toner cartridge set according to claim 12, wherein
The waste container is
An auxiliary opening for communicating the waste container with the toner cartridge;
An auxiliary shutter for opening and closing the auxiliary opening;
An auxiliary shutter mechanism for opening the auxiliary shutter when the waste container is attached to the toner cartridge and closing the auxiliary shutter when the waste container is removed from the toner cartridge;
A toner cartridge set comprising: A cartridge body for containing toner;
When the toner cartridge is attached to a toner collection unit of an image forming apparatus and used as a toner collection container, a receiving side opening used as a path for receiving the toner from the toner collection unit into the inside of the toner cartridge main body When,
A receiving shutter for opening and closing the receiving opening;
A receiving-side shutter mechanism for opening the receiving-side shutter when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner recovery unit, and closing the receiving-side shutter when the toner cartridge is removed from the toner recovery unit;
When the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit of the image forming apparatus and used as a toner replenishing container, replenishment is used as a path for replenishing the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body to the developing unit. Side opening,
A replenishment side shutter for opening and closing the replenishment side opening;
A supply side shutter mechanism for opening the supply side shutter when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit, and closing the supply side shutter when the toner cartridge is removed from the developing unit;
An auger screw for conveying the toner contained inside the toner cartridge main body inside the toner cartridge main body;
A method of using a toner cartridge comprising
A process in which toner is received from the image forming apparatus through the receiving side opening portion and accommodated in the toner cartridge main body in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner collection portion;
Removing the toner cartridge from the toner recovery unit;
Attaching the toner cartridge to the developing unit;
A process in which toner is supplied to the developing unit through the supply side opening when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit;
A method of using a toner cartridge, comprising: A cartridge body for containing toner;
When the toner cartridge is attached to a toner collection unit of an image forming apparatus and used as a toner collection container, a receiving side opening used as a path for receiving the toner from the toner collection unit into the inside of the toner cartridge main body When,
A receiving shutter for opening and closing the receiving opening;
A receiving side shutter mechanism for closing the receiving side shutter when the toner cartridge is attached to the toner collecting portion, and opening the receiving side shutter; and when the toner cartridge is removed from the toner collecting portion; ,
When the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit of the image forming apparatus and used as a toner replenishing container, replenishment is used as a path for replenishing the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body to the developing unit. Side opening,
A replenishment side shutter for opening and closing the replenishment side opening;
A supply side shutter mechanism for opening the supply side shutter when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit, and closing the supply side shutter when the toner cartridge is removed from the developing unit;
An auger screw for conveying the toner contained inside the toner cartridge main body inside the toner cartridge main body;
A method of using a toner cartridge comprising
A process in which toner is supplied to the developing unit through the supply side opening when the toner cartridge is attached to the developing unit;
Removing the toner cartridge from the developing unit;
The toner cartridge is attached to the toner recovery unit;
A process in which toner is received from the image forming apparatus through the receiving side opening portion and accommodated in the toner cartridge main body in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the toner collection portion;
A method of using a toner cartridge, comprising:

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