JPH04271378A - Toner scattering prevention sheet and toner cartridge detaching method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent soiling of the interior and periphery of an electrophotograpic device due to scattering of toner when the toner cartridge is exchanged. CONSTITUTION:Double faced tape 11 provided on an edge part 7a on the open part 8 side of sheet material 7 which is one of the sheet materials 6 and 7 formed in a bag shape which becomes a fixing member is attached to a developing unit 2 mounting the toner cartridge 3. The open part 8 side of the sheet material 6 on the opposite side is made to cover at least one part of the toner cartridge 3 and the toner scattering when the toner cartridge 3 is extracted is prevented by enabling the toner cartridge 3 to be detached and wrapped into a bag part 5.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner scattering prevention sheet used when replacing a toner cartridge in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser printer, or a facsimile machine, and a method for removing the toner cartridge using the sheet.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In recording apparatuses using electrophotography, such as copying machines and laser printers, an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor is made into a visible image by applying toner to it using a developing device. Each time the toner is used, it decreases, so whenever the toner concentration decreases, toner is replenished into the developing tank by a replenishment roller from the toner cartridge, which is removably attached to the main body of the developing device. ing. When the toner in the toner cartridge runs out, it is replaced with a new toner cartridge filled with sufficient toner.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since toner is in the form of fine powder, it easily scatters when replacing the toner cartridge, and at that time, the inside of the device and its surroundings are often contaminated. there were. This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent the inside of the device and its surroundings from being contaminated by toner that scatters when replacing the toner cartridge.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention opens one side for wrapping the toner cartridge when replacing the toner cartridge of an electrophotographic device such as a copying machine, a laser printer, or a facsimile machine. A bag-shaped deformable sheet material and a bag-like deformable sheet material provided along the open edge of one side of the sheet material for removably fixing the sheet material to a developing device main body in which a toner cartridge is installed. The present invention provides a toner scattering prevention sheet constituted by a fixing member.

[0005] The toner scattering prevention sheet is made by extending one side of a bag-shaped sheet material with the open side extending longer than the other surface, or by extending the open side of the bag-shaped sheet material longer than the other surface, or by extending the open side of the bag-shaped sheet material longer than the other surface, or by extending the opening side of the bag-shaped sheet material longer than the other surface, or by extending the open side of the bag-shaped sheet material longer than the other surface. It is more effective if a hole is formed on the open side of the opposite side to engage with a handle formed on the toner cartridge. Moreover, double-sided tape can be used as a fixing member for fixing the sheet material to the main body of the developing device.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the toner scattering prevention sheet is used in an electrophotographic apparatus that uses a replaceable toner cartridge in a developing device.
After the open edge of one side of the sheet material is fixed to the developing device main body in which the toner cartridge is installed using the fixing member, the open end of the other side of the sheet material is fixed to at least a portion of the toner cartridge. This method uses a toner cartridge removal method in which the toner cartridge is removed from the main body of the developing device and wrapped in a bag-shaped portion of a sheet material.

[0007]

[Operation] According to the toner scattering prevention sheet configured as described above, one open side of the bag-shaped sheet material is attached to the developing device body in which the toner cartridge is installed by a fixing member, and the opposite side of the sheet material is attached to the main body of the developing device in which the toner cartridge is installed. The open side of the sheet material can be placed over at least a portion of the toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge can be removed and wrapped in the bag-like portion, so that the top of the sheet material can catch the toner that falls when the toner cartridge is removed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent toner from scattering to the surrounding area. According to such a toner cartridge removal method, the operator does not have to get his or her hands dirty.

[0008] Furthermore, if the toner scattering prevention sheet is made longer with the open side on one side of the sheet material than the other side, it will be easier to deform when it is placed over the toner cartridge, making it easier to use. If a hole is formed on the open side of the sheet material opposite to the side on which the fixing member is provided, the hole engages with the handle formed on the toner cartridge.
The toner cartridge can be removed by grasping the handle while inserting the hole into the handle, improving operability.

Furthermore, if double-sided tape is used as the fixing member, the toner scattering prevention sheet can be attached to the main body of the developing device in which the toner cartridge is installed using its adhesive properties by simply pressing the tape portion, thereby preventing toner scattering. The prevention sheet can be easily attached and detached.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a toner scattering prevention sheet according to the present invention attached to the rear surface of a developing unit, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the toner scattering prevention sheet in an expanded state.

The toner scattering prevention sheet 4 shown in FIG. 1 is used when replacing a toner cartridge 3 installed in a developing unit 2 of an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser printer, or a facsimile machine. In the same figure, one side of the upper side is opened to wrap the opening part 8.
The toner cartridge 3 is mounted along with the sheet material 7 along the open side edge (upper edge) 7a of the sheet material 7 on one side. The double-sided tape 11 is a fixing member provided for removably fixing to the rear surface 9 of the developing unit 2, which is the main body of the developing device.

The sheet materials 6 and 7 are formed of, for example, polyethylene, vinyl, etc. In this embodiment, one sheet material is folded at the bent part a as shown in the unfolded shape in FIG. Fold it in the direction of A and partially overlap it, heat weld the edges b and c on both sides of the overlapped part to form the bag part 5 (see Fig. 1), and in this state, attach the sheet material on the back side. 7 is made longer on the open part 8 side with respect to the sheet material 6 on the front side.

[0013] Note that this sheet material may be made by joining two sheets together by heat welding or the like with only one side open.

[0014] Then, the open part 8 of the sheet material 6 on the front side
A horizontally long hole 6a that can be engaged with a handle 12 formed protrudingly on the back surface 3a of the toner cartridge 3 as shown in FIG.
A double-sided tape 11 is adhered to the back surface of the sheet material 7 along the edge 7a over substantially the entire width direction of the sheet material 7.

Using this toner scattering prevention sheet 4, the toner cartridge 3 is assembled into the main body 1 of the electrophotographic apparatus shown in FIG.
1, first open the front cover 13 of the main body in the direction of arrow B, and remove toner from the upper part of the rear surface 9 of the developing unit 2, on which the toner cartridge 3 is installed, as shown in FIG. By pressing the portion of the double-sided tape 11 pasted near the edge 7a, the prevention sheet 4 is pasted over the entire width using the adhesiveness of the tape.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, lift the sheet material 6 on the front side of the toner scattering prevention sheet 4, and insert the protruding material into the hole 6a (shown in FIG. 1) of the sheet material 6 on the back surface 3a of the toner cartridge 3. Insert and engage the handle 12 protruding from the hole 6a, remove the toner cartridge 3 from the developing unit 2 as shown in FIG. Insert into.

Thereafter, the double-sided tape 11 is peeled off from the rear surface 9 of the developing unit 2, and the sheet material 7 to which the double-sided tape 11 is attached is attached to the developing unit 2 as shown in FIG.
The outside of the toner cartridge 3 which has been removed from the toner cartridge 3 and inserted into the bag part 5 is wrapped around it, and finally, a part of the double-sided tape 11 is folded inward and stuck to the surface of the sheet material 7 and fixed.

In this way, this toner scattering prevention sheet 4
If you use double-sided tape 11, attach the sheet material 7 side to the rear surface 9 of the developing unit 2 in which the toner cartridge 3 is installed.
After the opening part 8 of the front sheet material 6 is attached by
Since the toner cartridge 3 can be removed from the main body 1 of the electrophotographic apparatus while the toner cartridge 3 is removed and put into the bag 5, the toner attached to the toner cartridge 3 is removed when the toner cartridge 3 is removed. Even if it falls, the toner T falls onto the sheet material 7 without scattering as shown in FIG.
(Figure 3) There is no possibility of contaminating the inside or surrounding area.

As shown in FIG. 6, if the toner cartridge 3 is wrapped in the toner scattering prevention sheet 4 and disposed of, the toner cartridge 3 can be replaced without getting the hands dirty.

[0020]

As explained above, according to the present invention, the toner cartridge can be removed from the developing device main body while the sheet material is fixed to the developing device main body in which the toner cartridge is installed by the fixing member. In addition to being able to wrap the toner inside the bag-like part, the toner that falls when the toner cartridge is removed can be caught on the sheet material, thereby preventing the falling toner from staining the inside of the device and its surroundings. can.

[0021] This toner scattering prevention sheet is easy to use because if the open side of one side of the bag-shaped sheet material is made longer than the other side, it will be easier to deform when covering the toner cartridge. If a hole is formed on the open side of the sheet material opposite to the surface on which the fixing member is provided, the hole engages with the handle formed on the toner cartridge.
You can remove the toner cartridge by directly grasping the handle while inserting your hand into the hole, which improves work efficiency when replacing the toner cartridge, and prevents the covering sheet material from coming off during work. There is no need to get your hands dirty.

Furthermore, if the fixing member is double-sided tape,
You can attach the toner scatter prevention sheet by simply pressing the double-sided tape on the developing device body, making it easy to attach and remove the toner scatter prevention sheet, and wrap the removed toner cartridge with the sheet material. If you secure it with double-sided tape, the toner will not scatter even if you dispose of it as is.

According to the toner cartridge removal method according to the present invention, the toner that falls when the toner cartridge is removed is received on the sheet material, and the removed toner cartridge is wrapped in the bag, so that the inside of the device and its surroundings are protected. Not stained by toner.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a toner scattering prevention sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the rear surface of a developing device main body.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the developed state of the toner scattering prevention sheet.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front cover of the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus in which a toner cartridge is installed is opened.

4 is a side view showing a state in which the toner scattering prevention sheet of FIG. 1 is fixed to the developing unit and a part of the bag portion is engaged with the handle of the toner cartridge; FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge is removed from the developing unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the removed toner cartridge is wrapped in a toner scattering prevention sheet.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the toner scattering prevention sheet of FIG. 1 is used so that even if toner falls, the surrounding area is not contaminated.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main body
2 Developing unit (developing device main body) 3 Toner cartridge
4 Toner scattering prevention sheet 5 Bag part
6,7 Sheet material 6a hole
8 Opening part 11 Double-sided tape (fixing means) 12 Handle T Toner

Claims (5)

[Claims] Claim 1: A bag-shaped deformable sheet material with one side open for wrapping a toner cartridge in an electrophotographic device such as a copying machine, a laser printer, or a facsimile when the toner cartridge is replaced, and a bag-like deformable sheet material with one side open. A toner scattering prevention sheet comprising a fixing member provided along the open edge for removably fixing the sheet material to a developing device main body in which the toner cartridge is installed. 2. The toner scattering prevention sheet according to claim 1, wherein the bag-shaped sheet material has one surface with the open side extending longer than the other surface. Shatterproof sheet. 3. The toner scattering prevention sheet according to claim 1, wherein a toner scattering prevention sheet is formed on the toner cartridge on the open side of the surface opposite to one surface of the sheet material on which the fixing member is provided. A toner scattering prevention sheet characterized by forming a hole that engages with a handle. 4. The toner scattering prevention sheet according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is a double-sided tape. 5. In an electrophotographic apparatus using a replaceable toner cartridge in a developing device, the toner cartridge is mounted using the toner scattering prevention sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4. After fixing the open end edge of one side of the sheet material to the developing device body using the fixing member, the other open side of the sheet material is placed over at least a portion of the toner cartridge; A method for removing a toner cartridge, comprising removing the toner cartridge from the developing device main body and wrapping the toner cartridge in a bag-shaped portion of the sheet material.