JPH04305673A - Developer container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save resources and to lessen the influence that the post treatment after use exerts on environment by forming an external part of paper, an internal part of an attachable and detachable thin layer of plastic and a opening/ closing part for discharge of a plastic molding. CONSTITUTION:The opening/closing part 1 for discharging a developer consists of a shutter structural part and an internal engaging part 05. A shutter 01 and shutter guide member 02 constituting the shutter structural part and the internal engaging part 05 are plastic injection moldings. The internal part 06 consists of a polyethylene(PE) film and is joined to the internal engaging part 05 by a hot melt material. The external part 07 of a container part is formed of a corrugated fiber board. The PE film of the internal part 06 is spotted by the hot melt 08 on the inner side of the corrugated fiberboard. A tear tape 14 is wound and provided in the part near the shutter guide member 02 of the external part 07 of the corrugated fiberboard. The outer periphery of the corrugated fiberboard can be separated if this tear tape 14 is pulled.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer container for supplying powder developer to dry type electrophotographic copying machines and printers.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the body of a developer supply container was molded using an injection molding machine, and a sealing film was heat-sealed to the developer discharge opening. When replenishing the developer to the image forming apparatus, the seal film is peeled off and opened. Alternatively, there is one in which a developer opening is provided in a paper tube or extruded tube, and the film is heat-sealed therein.

Furthermore, in order to allow the user to replenish developer without touching the developer, some devices have a cap over the opening and a shutter attached.

0004

However, in the conventional example described above, the injection-molded container body is made of plastic, and after replenishing the developer, it must be discarded. When the production volume was small, the importance of the problem was not noticed among others, but as the production volume increased, the problem became more obvious.

[0005] Waste disposal is a worldwide problem, and ways to deal with it include reuse, recycling, resource conservation (source reduction), landfilling, and incineration (heat utilization). From the standpoint of effective resource utilization, reuse, recycling, and resource conservation (source reduction) are important, and the design must take into account the advantages and disadvantages of each.

[0006] In the case of the conventional example, traces of heat sealing the opening of the injection-molded container body remain in a random uneven shape, so that the container cannot be reused as it is. Therefore, it must be discarded or recycled and reused. In addition, since the structure is originally designed with considerable strength in mind, the material is thick and contains a large amount of resin. Even if it is recycled and reused, it is difficult to collect it, and since the amount of resin is large, problems will arise sooner or later if it is disposed of. In addition, in the case of paper tubes, both ends are plugged with resin flanges, so the amount of resin that can be disposed of, reused, or recycled is small, and once paper tubes are disposed of, they will eventually return to nature. be.

[0007] However, the above-mentioned conventional device has a problem in that when the user peels off the sticker, toner powder gets on the user's hands and clothes. Regarding this issue, there are devices that put the seal back on after the toner is discharged without tearing it off, and devices that roll up the seal, but these are not sufficient from the point of view of resource utilization. Ta.

[0008] In other words, there was a lack of consideration from the viewpoints of both the user and the protection of the natural environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a developer container that is easy for users to use, causes no problems, saves resources, and has less impact on the environment during post-processing after use.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, in a developer container whose main structural parts are a developer container portion and a developer discharge opening/closing portion, the exterior portion of the container portion is made of paper. Ori,
Further, the interior part is made of a thin layer of removable plastic, and the developer discharge opening/closing part is made of a plastic molded material, and the container part is joined to the developer discharge opening/closing part. This is a developer container characterized by the following.

[0011] There are two methods for joining the paper on the exterior of the container and the thin plastic layer on the interior: directly laminating the paper on the exterior, coating the paper, etc.
This is excellent from the point of view of saving materials. However, when separating the paper and resin layer, it is not possible to simply peel off the resin layer, but requires a method of soaking it in water or a chemical solution. Next, possible methods include dotting the film on the inside of the paper on the exterior of the container using a non-stick adhesive or hot melt material, or using a non-stick adhesive when laminating the film. Glue through layers. It has also been considered, for example, to apply a heat-seal sealant to the film and heat each corner of the inside of the paper in the exterior of the container to dot the sealant.

Regarding the connection between the developer container and the discharge opening/closing part, a hot melt material may be applied and welded to the inside of the developer container or the outside of the discharge opening, or a sheet of hot melt material may be used as described above. One possible method is to attach it to the relevant area and heat weld it.

[0013] Methods for separating the paper from the exterior of the container include a method in which perforations are placed in the paper container in advance, and a method in which a tear tape is attached.

[0014] All of the above examples are countermeasures that focus on the disposal of containers after use.

In addition to the above, in the present invention, as a consideration for the user, the developer discharge opening/closing section is devised so that developer powder does not get on the user's hands or clothes when replenishing the developer. That is, after the developer container is installed in the main body, the user does not have to touch the developer powder until the developer is completely replenished and the container is removed.

According to the present invention, in the developer container, the exterior part of the developer container is made of paper, and the developer discharge opening/closing part is composed of a film and a shutter, and the interior part is made of paper. It is made of a thin film of plastic that can be easily removed, and the paper of the exterior part can be easily removed from the discharge opening/closing part. The thin film has a structure in which a tear tape is wound near the discharge opening, and by holding the free end and pulling it in the opposite direction, it is torn off.
This problem could be solved by creating a structure with a cut so that it can be separated from the discharge opening/closing part. Further, at this time, the cutting force was set to at least 2 kg/15 mm so that the user could separate the outer paper box and the inner film with an appropriate force.

When the developer dislikes moisture, it is also effective to provide a film made of vinylidene chloride, which has excellent moisture resistance, as one of the composite layers.

According to the present invention, in a developer container in which the exterior part of the developer container is made of paper and the developer discharge opening/closing part is composed of a film and a shutter, the interior part is easily connected to the discharge opening/closing part. The thin plastic film on the inner part is laminated to the inside of the paper container on the outer part, and a tear tape is attached near the discharge opening/closing part so that it can be separated from the discharge opening/closing part. is attached, and the plastic thin film on the interior part is a multi-layer laminate of vinylidene chloride and polyethylene, and is designed so that the tear tape tear strength (from the opposite direction of 180 degrees) is 2 kg/15 mm width equivalent or less. This solved the problem in this case. Based on the above, a specific example will be described below.

[0019]

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

``Embodiment 1'' FIG. 1 shows an assembly diagram of a developer container that best represents the features of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the container section, and FIG. 3 shows where the interior section and the discharge opening/closing section are joined.

FIG. 4 shows the interior and exterior parts marked. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view perpendicular to FIG. 4.

The discharge opening/closing part 1 has a shutter structure part 2 (shutter 01, shutter guide member 02, seal film 03, seal film handle part 04) and an interior engaging part 0.
5, and the shutter 01, shutter guide member 02, and interior engaging portion 05 are HIPS injection molded products. The interior engaging portion 05 is a rectangular joint portion 4 into which the interior portion 06 is fitted.
An outer flange 3 is provided on the holder, and an opening 6 through which the developer passes is provided inside. The shutter structure 2 includes a shutter 01 and a shutter guide member 02, and the shutter 01 is provided with a guide 7 of the shutter guide member 02.
It fits perfectly. The guide 7 is in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and in the left-right direction in FIG. The shutter 01 is provided with a seal film handle 04 outside the guide 7. The opening 8 of the shutter guide member 02 overlaps the opening 6 of the interior engaging portion 05. The shutter guide member 02 and the interior engaging portion 05 are in contact with each other at the outer flange 3, and a hinge portion 12 provided on the shutter guide member 02 is fitted and fixed around the flange 3. The entire circumference of the edge of the opening 6 of the interior engaging portion 05 in contact with the shutter guide member 02 is a sealing portion 13, and the sealing film 03 covering the opening 6 has a total length equal to the length of the left and right openings 6 in FIG. The seal part 13 is heat-sealed around the entire circumference, and is folded back and stacked on the back side, and the end is covered with a shutter 0.
The shutter 01 is glued or welded so that it can be peeled off by passing through a long hole 9 provided in FIG.

The interior portion 06 is made of polyethylene film and is joined to the interior engaging portion 05 using a hot melt material. Further, the exterior part 07 of the container part is made of cardboard, and the polyethylene film of the interior part is dotted with hot melt 08 on the inside of the cardboard so that it forms the shape of the container. The exterior part 07 is the joint part 4 of the interior engaging part 05
The inner part 06 is fitted into the inner part 06, and the two parts are bonded by adhesion. The developer is stored in the polyethylene film of the interior part 06, and the opening 6 for discharge is heat-sealed by the seal film 03 at the seal part 13 on the outer end surface of the interior engaging part 05 that protrudes inside the shutter guide member 02. be done. Therefore, when discharging the developer, the seal film 03 can be removed by grasping the seal film handle 04 and pulling out the seal film 03 and the shutter 01.
The end of the opening 6 of the interior engaging member 05 is exposed by peeling off the end from the shutter 01 and pulling it.
The opening 8 of the shutter guide member 02 is opened in communication and serves as a discharge port. After the discharge of the developer is completed, by returning the shutter 01 to its original position, the user can complete the replenishment of the developer without getting his hands dirty.

Furthermore, a tear tape 14 is provided surrounding a portion of the corrugated cardboard exterior portion 07 near the shutter guide member 02, so that the outer periphery of the corrugated cardboard can be separated by pulling it. The removed cardboard boxes can be collected and recycled.

The plastic interior portion 06 side containing the developer can be reduced together with the discharge opening/closing portion 1 and disposed of, or sent to the recovery/recycling market. In this case, since the dirty portion does not appear outside, there is an advantage that processing can be carried out without scattering of developer powder.

``Example 2'' The difference from Example 1 is as follows. Instead of a tear tape, perforations 10 are cut in the cardboard exterior part 07 so that the outer periphery of the cardboard can be separated by peeling off the tape (FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0027] This is a form often used in sweets containers (boxes), and by pulling the end of the perforation 10, the joint can be removed in the form of a band.

Regarding the situation of disposal, recycling, etc., see Example 1.
It is similar to

Embodiment 3 This is the same as in Embodiment 1, but as shown in FIG. At the same time, a notch is made in the edge of the cardboard of the exterior part 07 to form an exterior box removal part 11. After replenishment of developer is completed, all of the cardboard in the exterior part 07 can be easily removed.

In Examples 1 and 2, the discharge opening/closing part 1 and the exterior part 07 are separated by applying tape or perforations to the box of the exterior part 07 in advance. The difference is that it is provided at the joint with the (Fig. 8).

"Comparative Example" This is an example having the same appearance as Example 1, but without the interior film section.

In this case, if the container is removed at the cut-off portion, the developer adhering to the wall of the container will scatter and scatter dust, which is not appropriate. This task is particularly inappropriate in an office setting.

``Embodiment 4'' This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment with respect to the separation of the exterior part 07, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. In the part of the cardboard exterior part 07 near the shutter guide member 02, the polyethylene film of the interior part 06 and the inside of the cardboard exterior part are joined (thermal welded) via a tear tape 14, and when the tear tape 14 is pulled, the cardboard is removed. The outer periphery can be separated (Figure 9).

[0034] At this time, if the strength required to pull the tear tape 14 and separate the cardboard box is greater than necessary, it means that the thickness of the cardboard is too thick or the strength of the material itself is high, and the user must properly separate the cardboard box. I can't do that.

[0035] If the tear strength is less than 2 kg/15 mm width, it can be separated without any problem.

``Example 5'' The difference from Example 4 is as follows. At the position of the interior engaging part 05 of the discharge opening/closing part 1, there is a perforation 10 surrounding the cardboard exterior part 07 instead of the tear tape.
Make a cut and peel off the cardboard part 07 into a tape shape.
The outer periphery can be separated, and a tear tape 15 is joined to the inside or outside of the polyethylene film of the interior part 06, and its free end is joined to the free end of the strip at the perforation 10 of the corrugated cardboard exterior part 07. , if you pull the tear tape 15,
The cardboard exterior part 07 is also separated at the same time (FIGS. 10 and 11).

This is more advantageous than the fourth embodiment because it is the same as the case where the cardboard box is pre-slit. In this case as well, it is sufficient if the tear strength is 2 kg/15 mm width or less.

``Comparative Example'' The appearance is similar to that of Example 4 (FIG. 9), but this is an example in which no devising of separation was carried out (FIG. 12).

In this case, the separation strength far exceeded 2 kg, the shape of the separated portions was random, and the developer was badly scattered.

``Example 6'' As shown in FIG.
The film No. 6 is laminated on the exterior part 07 cardboard. The polyethylene film is laminated inside the exterior part 07 to form an interior part 06. The interior portion 06 film laminated to the cardboard exterior portion 07 was attached to a portion close to the shutter guide member 02. The cardboard can be separated by pulling the tear tape 08.

In this case, by setting the separation strength to 2 kg/15 mm width or less, the developer can be processed without unnecessary scattering during disposal or recycling.

``Example 7'' The difference from Example 6 is as follows. The interior portion 06 is made of a multilayer laminate film of polyethylene film 16 and vinylidene chloride 17 (Fig. 14).
.

Although the scattering of the developer and the effort required to separate it are the same as in Example 6, it is advantageous in protecting the developer from changes in humidity during storage.

``Comparative Example'' This is an example which has the same appearance as Example 6, but without any devising of separation (FIG. 12).

In this case, the peel strength is also high and it is not effective against humidity.

[0046]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention has the following effects. By adopting the structure as in the first invention, 1) the paper (cardboard) in the recyclable outer part can be separated relatively easily, and 2) the inner part can be made with a thin layer of plastic (moisture-proof, non-odor adsorbent, etc.). (In order to improve this, it is also possible to use a composite film structure.) By doing so, it was possible to prevent the paper (cardboard) of the outer packaging from being affected by moisture when it becomes wet. 3) Furthermore, by separating the plastic (HIPS) of the discharge opening/closing part from the interior part, it can be recycled separately, and it is also possible to reuse it if conditions such as cost and quality are met. 4) The inside of the interior is dirty with developer, but it is HIP.
Like S, it can be recycled, and even if it is disposed of or incinerated, only a small amount is needed, contributing to resource conservation.

[0047] Since the second invention is equipped with a shutter, the user does not come into contact with developer powder even after the developer container is installed in the main body of the apparatus where the developer is replenished and removed after the developer supply is completed. Since it has a good structure, it does not pollute the office environment.

[0048] In the third invention, since the tear tape is wrapped around the exterior part or the interior part, it is extremely easy to separate the exterior part or the interior part.

[0049] In the fourth aspect of the invention, since cuts are made in the exterior part, the exterior part can be easily separated.

[0050] In the fifth aspect of the invention, the cutting strength of the cut in the exterior part is set to 2 kg/15 mm or less, making it extremely easy to separate the exterior box.

[0051] In the sixth aspect of the invention, the plastic thin film of the inner part is attached to the inside of the paper container of the outer part, and a tear tape is attached so that it can be separated from the discharge opening/closing part, so that the inner and outer parts can be easily separated. The discharge opening/closing part can be separated.

[0052] In a seventh aspect of the invention, the plastic thin film of the interior portion is made of a composite laminate of vinylidene chloride and polyethylene, so that it is easily torn when separated.

[0053] In the eighth invention, in the sixth and seventh inventions, the separation strength is set to 2 kg/15 mm equivalent or less, so that it can be separated by hand very easily.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the exterior part.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, showing an example.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, showing an example.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view perpendicular to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially cross-sectional front view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partially cross-sectional front view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a partially cross-sectional front view of the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partially cross-sectional front view of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a partially sectional front view of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a partially sectional front view of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a comparative example.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the interior and exterior parts of the seventh embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

01...Shutter 02...Shutter guide member 03...Seal film 04...Seal film handle part 05...Interior engaging part 06...Interior part 0
7. Exterior part 08. Hot melt 1. Discharge opening/closing part 2. Shutter structure part 3. Outer flange
4. Joint 6. Opening 7. Guide 8
・・Opening 9・・Long hole 10・・Perforation 1
1.Removal part 12.Hinge part 13.Seal part 14.Tear tape 15.Tear tape 1
6. Polyethylene film 17. Vinylidene chloride.

Claims (8)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A developer container whose main structural parts are a developer container part and a developer discharge opening/closing part, in which the exterior part of the container part is made of paper, and the interior part is removable. A developer characterized in that the developer is made of a thin layer of plastic, the developer discharge opening/closing part is made of a plastic molded material, and the container part is joined to the developer discharge opening/closing part. container. [Claim 2] A developer container in which the exterior part of the developer container is made of paper and the developer discharge opening/closing part consists of a film and a shutter, and the interior part is easily detachable from the discharge opening/closing part. A developer container made of a thin plastic film, and characterized in that the paper of the exterior part can be easily removed from the discharge opening/closing part. [Claim 3] The cardboard of the exterior part or the plastic thin film of the interior part has a structure in which a tear tape is wrapped near the discharge opening and closing part, and the structure is such that the tear tape can be separated by holding the free end and pulling in the opposite direction. The developer container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: 4. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the paper of the exterior part has a cut in the vicinity of the discharge opening/closing part so as to be separable from the discharge opening/closing part. 5. The developer container according to claim 3, wherein the developer container has a separation strength of 2 kg/15 mm width or less in a 180-degree reverse direction. [Claim 6] The plastic thin film of the inner part is laminated to the inside of the paper container of the outer part, and a tear tape is attached near the discharge opening/closing part so that it can be separated from the discharge opening/closing part. The developer container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: 7. The developer container according to claim 6, wherein the plastic thin film of the interior portion is a multilayer laminate of vinylidene chloride and polyethylene. 8. The developer container according to claim 6, wherein the developer container has a peeling strength from a 180-degree reverse direction of 2 kg/15 mm width or less.