JPH04116583A - Waste toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the careless dropping and scattering of waste toner at the time of exchanging the cartridge by providing a shutter means closing a waste toner taking in port. CONSTITUTION:When the waste toner cartridge 6 is exchanged a lever 10 is rotated clockwise centering a shaft 11, and the top end part of the shutter means 12 passes through the lower part of a blade 9 to be locked on a recessed part 13. The waster toner taking-in port 8 is closed by the shutter means 12 in this state. Therefore, when the waster toner cartridge 6 is removed from a st position, the waste toner inside the waste toner cartridge 6 is prevented from flowing out outside. Thus, the waste toner taking-in port can be closed by the shutter means at the time of exchanging the cartridge and the careless dropping and scattering of the waste toner can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a discharge toner cartridge installed in a recording apparatus using an electrophotographic process, such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer.

(Prior Art) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional laser printer, in which 1 is a laser unit, 2 is a polygon mirror, and 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional laser printer.
is a reflecting mirror, 4 is a belt-shaped photoreceptor, 5 is a developing device, 6 is a
is a discharge toner cartridge that is removably installed independently of the photoreceptor 4.

In the figure, a laser beam 7 emitted from a laser unit 1 whose emission is controlled in response to an image signal is deflected by a polygon mirror 2 and a reflecting mirror 3, and exposes the surface of a photoreceptor 4, exposing the surface of the photoreceptor 4 to light. Form an image. The surface of the photoreceptor 4 is then developed with toner by a developing device 5, and this toner image is transferred to a transfer machine (not shown). The toner remaining on the photoreceptor 4 after the transfer is collected as waste toner by a waste toner cartridge 6.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional discharge toner cartridge.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a waste toner intake port formed in a portion of the waste toner cartridge 6, and 9 a blade that contacts the surface of the photoreceptor 4, which is disposed so that a portion thereof enters the waste toner intake port 8.

In the figure, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 4 after transfer is
The toner toner is peeled off from the photoreceptor 4 by the blade 9, enters the waste toner cartridge 6 through the waste toner intake port 8, and is collected.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In the conventional discharge toner cartridge 6 described above, the discharge toner intake port 8 is always open, so when replacing the discharge toner cartridge 6, the discharge toner intake port 8 must be opened. When the discharge toner is pointed toward the discharge toner cartridge 6
There was a problem in that they fell from inside and were scattered, contaminating the equipment or the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a discharged toner cartridge that can prevent discharged toner from being accidentally dropped or scattered during replacement.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, a first means of the present invention is to provide a shutter for closing a discharge toner intake port in a discharge toner cartridge installed independently with respect to a photoreceptor. It is characterized by having a means.

The second means includes, in a discharged toner cartridge installed independently of the photoreceptor, a peeling means for peeling the discharged toner from the photoreceptor, a shutter means for closing the discharged toner intake port, and a shutter means for closing the discharged toner intake port. It is characterized by comprising an interlocking means for interlocking the retracting operation of the peeling means and the closing operation of the shutter means.

Further, the third means is installed independently with respect to the photoreceptor,
and a discharge toner cartridge whose vicinity is covered with a cover body that can be opened and closed, a shutter means for closing the discharge toner intake port, and an interlocking means for interlocking the closing operation of the shutter means and the opening operation of the cover body. It is characterized by having the following.

Furthermore, a fourth means is characterized in that the shutter means in the first means and the third means, and at least one of the shutter means or the stripping means in the third means are formed of a magnetic material. .

(Function) According to the first means, the shutter means closes the waste toner intake port when replacing the waste toner cartridge, thereby preventing the waste toner from falling and scattering.

Further, according to the second means, the retracting operation of the peeling means from the waste toner intake port and the closing operation of the waste toner intake port by the shutter means are linked, so that the waste toner intake port is closed when replacing the waste toner cartridge. is done smoothly.

According to the third means, when the cover body is opened when replacing the waste toner cartridge, the waste toner intake port is closed by the shutter means, and the waste toner intake port is reliably closed.

According to the fourth means, the waste toner is attracted by the magnetic force of the shutter means or the peeling means, and the fall and scattering of the waste toner can be more reliably prevented.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention,
10 is a lever rotatably provided on one side of the discharge toner cartridge 6 by a shaft 11; 12 is a plate-shaped shutter means with one end rotatably provided at the lower end of the lever 10 by a support shaft 10a; The end of the waste toner cartridge 6 can pass through the lower part of a blade 9, which is a peeling means installed at the waste toner intake port 8 of the wandering toner cartridge 6. 13 more
is a recess provided in the discharged toner cartridge 6, and receives the tip of the shutter means 12 which passes under the blade 9 and closes the discharged toner intake port 8.

In the figure, the discharge toner cartridge 6 is installed so that a part of the belt-shaped photoconductor 4 enters the discharge toner intake port 8, and is installed so that it can be attached to and removed from the photoconductor 4. It is installed independently.

The toner remaining on the photoreceptor 4 is peeled off from the photoreceptor 4 by the blade 9, enters the waste toner cartridge 6 through the waste toner intake port 8, and is collected.

When replacing the discharged toner cartridge 6, the lever 10 is rotated clockwise about the shaft 11, and the tip of the shutter means 12 is passed through the lower part of the blade 9 into the recess 1.
Lock it at 3. In this state, the discharged toner intake port 8 is closed by the shutter means 12.

Therefore, when removing the waste toner cartridge 6 from the installed position, the waste toner inside the waste toner cartridge 6 is prevented from coming out.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention,
Reference numeral 14 designates an operation lever which is an inverted Y-shaped interlocking means that is rotatably supported on the discharge toner cartridge 6 by a shaft 15, and one end of the blade 9 is fixed to the right side 14a of the lower two-pronged portion. One end of shutter means 16 made of a curved plate is fixed to the left side 14b of the prong. 17 more
is a recess for receiving the tip of the shutter means 16.

In the figure, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 4 is peeled off from the photoreceptor 4 by a blade 9, enters the waste toner cartridge 6 through the waste toner intake port 8, and is collected.

When replacing the discharge toner cartridge 6, the operating lever 14 is rotated counterclockwise about the shaft 15, as shown in FIG. Then, the blade 9 retreats from the waste toner intake port 8 to the inside of the waste toner cartridge 6, and at the same time, the shutter means 16 moves to close the waste toner intake port 8, and its leading end is locked in the recess 17. Therefore,
When removing the discharge toner cartridge 6 from the installation position,
The discharged toner inside the discharged toner cartridge 6 is prevented from coming out. Furthermore, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, when the tip of the shutter means 12 passes under the blade 9, the blade 9 and the photoreceptor 4 are in contact with each other for the purpose of removing the discharged toner. However, in this second embodiment, the shutter means 16 can close the waste toner intake port 8 without coming into contact with the photoreceptor 4.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention,
The configuration of the discharge toner cartridge 6 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the difference from the first embodiment is that the lever 1
A first end rotatably supports by a shaft 20 one end of a horizontally moving rod 19 that moves laterally guided by a guide bin +8a and a guide groove 18b at the upper end of 0, and further abuts the other end of the horizontally moving rod 19. The protrusion 21a and the foot portion 2 of the cover body 23, which is supported by the shaft 22 near the discharge toner cartridge 6 and is openable and closable.
3a and a second protrusion 21b in contact with the actuating body 2.
1 is rotatably provided on a shaft 24, and a first tension spring 25 is provided on the discharge toner cartridge 6, which applies a biasing force to rotate the lever 10 clockwise.
The second tension spring 26 is provided in the case 27 to apply a biasing force to rotate the shutter in the counterclockwise direction. It constitutes an interlocking means in the discharge toner cartridge 6 for interlocking the closing operation and the opening operation of the cover body 23.

In the same figure, during normal use, the cover body 23 is closed, and the foot portion 23a of the cover body 23 comes into contact with the second protrusion 21b of the actuating body 21, causing the actuating body 21 to close to the second tension spring 26. It is in such a state that it is rotated clockwise around the shaft 24 against the force. In this state, the first protrusion 21a of the actuating body 21 presses the lateral movement rod 19 to the left, and this lateral movement rod J
9, the lever 10 is rotated counterclockwise about the shaft 11 against the force of the first tension spring 25, thereby maintaining the stationary state of each member.

In the above state, since the lever IO and the shutter means I2 are at a predetermined position to the right of the discharged toner intake port 8, the blade 9 comes into contact with the photoreceptor 4 and peels off the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 4. The waste toner is taken into the waste toner cartridge 6 through the waste toner intake port 8.

When replacing the discharge toner cartridge 6, remove the cover body 2.
Open 3. Due to this opening operation, the foot portion 23a of the cover body 23 rises and the actuating body 21
is released from contact with the second protrusion 21b, and the actuating body 21 receives the force of the second tension spring 26 and rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 24. Due to this rotation, the pressure of the first protrusion 21a of the actuating body 21 on the lateral movement rod 19 is released, and the lever 10 and the lateral movement rod 19 are in a free state, so that the lever lO is moved by the force of the first tension spring 25. It rotates clockwise around the shaft 11 in response to this.

Therefore, the tip of the shutter means 12 passes under the lower part of the blade 9 and is locked in the recess 13, thereby closing the discharged toner intake port 8. In this state, the waste toner cartridge 6 can be removed from the installation position, and the waste toner inside the waste toner cartridge 6 is prevented from coming out when removed.

It is also conceivable that both or one of the shutter means 12, 16 and the blade 9 in each of the above-described embodiments be made of a magnetic material. This makes it difficult for waste toner to remain on the outside of the shutter means 12.16 after closing, and the waste toner remaining on the outside of the shutter means 12.16 is also attracted to the outer surface of the shutter means 12.16 by magnetic force. When replacing the discharged toner cartridge 6, spillage of discharged toner can be more reliably prevented.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the first to fourth means of the present invention, the discharged toner intake port can be closed by the shutter means at the time of replacement, and the discharged toner can be prevented from falling or scattering. According to the second means, the operations of the shutter means and the discharged toner peeling means are interlocked, and according to the third means, the shutter means and the cover body provided near the discharged toner cartridge are interlocked. By interlocking the operation with the shutter means, the closing operation of the shutter means can be performed reliably and smoothly.Furthermore, according to the fourth means, the shutter means or the peeling means attracts the waste toner by magnetic force, so that the closing operation of the shutter means can be performed more reliably and smoothly. It is possible to provide a discharged toner cartridge that can prevent discharged toner from falling and scattering.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing a first embodiment of a discharge toner cartridge according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a partial sectional view showing the operation of the main parts of the second embodiment, FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional laser printer, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional discharge toner cartridge. 4...Photoreceptor, 6...Discharge toner cartridge,
8... Exhaust toner intake port, 9... Peeling means,
10.14.19... Interlocking means, 12, 16...
shutter means, 23... cover body;

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A discharge toner cartridge installed independently with respect to a photoconductor, characterized in that the discharge toner cartridge is equipped with a shutter means for closing a discharge toner intake port. (2) In a discharged toner cartridge installed independently of the photoreceptor, a peeling means for peeling the discharged toner from the photoreceptor, a shutter means for closing the discharged toner intake port, and a retracting operation of the peeling means. and an interlocking means for interlocking the closing operation of the shutter means. (3) in a discharge toner cartridge that is installed independently of the photoreceptor and whose vicinity is covered with a cover body that can be opened and closed, a shutter means for closing the discharge toner intake port;
A discharge toner cartridge characterized by comprising an interlocking means for interlocking the closing operation of the shutter means and the opening operation of the cover body. (4) the shutter means according to claims (1) and (3);
The discharge toner cartridge according to claim (1), (2) or (3), wherein at least one of the shutter means or the peeling means according to claim (2) is formed of a magnetic material.