JPH0434476A - Toner replenishing container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently replenish toner into a developing device without making the toner adhere and remain on the inner surface of a replenishing container by disposing an electret having the same polarity as that of the toner on the inner surface of the toner replenishing container main body. CONSTITUTION:The toner replenishing container main body 1 is provided with an opening part 2 for filling the toner T so as to store and for replenishing the stored toner T into the developing device 3. And the electret E having the same polarity as that of the toner T is disposed on all over the inner surface 1a of the toner replenishing container. In this case, a repulsive force operates between the toner T and the electret E, so that the toner T is made not to adhere on the electret E. Thus, when the toner replenishing container main body 1 is turned upside down and the opening part 2 is attached to the developing device 3 so that the toner T in the main body may drop, the toner T can be efficiently replenished into the developing device 3 without making the toner T adhere and remain on the inner surface 1a of the toner replenishing container main body 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a toner replenishment container, and more specifically to a toner replenishment container for replenishing toner, which is a developer for image formation, to a developing device of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. It concerns supply containers.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a toner replenishment container used in an image forming apparatus stores toner, which is a powdered developer, in a sealed manner, and is attached to a developing device as needed to supply the toner inside the developing device. Toner replenishment containers are made of resin materials that are lightweight, easy to mold, and economical due to their low cost.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since toner tends to stick to resin materials due to static electricity, it may stick to the inner surface of the toner supply container, causing all the toner in the container to fall into the developing device. There is a problem in that the toner cannot be replenished and remains in the toner replenishment container, resulting in a decrease in replenishment efficiency.

Furthermore, if the toner adheres to the inner surface of the replenishment container, there is a problem in that the residual toner scatters during attachment/detachment operations and contaminates hands, clothing, and the like.

The present invention aims to solve such problems.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following toner supply container. That is, the present invention provides the image form 51!2
This is a toner replenishing container for replenishing toner to a developing device of an apparatus, and is characterized in that an electret having the same polarity as the toner is provided on the inner surface of the container.

[Operation] In the above configuration, the toner filled in the toner supply container is prevented from adhering to the inner surface of the toner supply container by receiving a repulsive force from the electret having the same polarity as the toner.

[Embodiments] With regard to embodiments of the present invention, how the configuration of the present invention is actually embodied will be explained below along with its operation using drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a main body of a toner supply container, and this main body 1 is filled with toner T for storage, and the stored toner is transferred to a developing device. It has an opening 2 for replenishment.

The inner surface 1a of this toner supply container is covered with toner T.
An electret E of the same polarity is provided.

To briefly explain the properties of this electret, it is a polymer material that can semi-permanently maintain an electrically polarized state at high voltage. Since it can maintain its own polarity, it is similar to a permanent magnet that can maintain its magnetic poles for a long period of time.

This is why magnets are said to have been named electrets.

Electrets have an extremely simple structure and can be made lightweight and compact, so as technology advances in the polymer field, electrets have recently become a material commonly used in ultra-small microphones, speakers, and other audio equipment.

By providing the inner surface 1a of the toner supply container 1 with the electret E having the same polarity as the toner T, a repulsive force acts between the toner T and the electret E, and the toner T does not adhere to the electret E. Become.

Therefore, the fluidity of the toner T with the inner surface 1a of the container body 1 increases significantly.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the usage state of the same embodiment, in which the toner supply container main body 1 is turned upside down, the opening 2 is attached to the developing device 3, and the toner T inside the main body is dropped. A state in which the developing device 3 is replenished is shown.

Since the toner T has a repulsive force with the electret E having the same polarity, the toner T does not stick to the inner surface 1a of the toner supply container body 1 when it falls, and is efficiently replenished into the developing device 3. Ru.

Furthermore, since no toner T remains in the container, there is no fear of toner scattering from the opening 2 when the toner supply container is removed.

As described above with respect to the embodiments, the present invention includes an electret having the same polarity as the toner on the inner surface of the toner supply container main body, and its repulsive force can prevent toner from adhering to the inner surface of the container. Therefore, toner fluidity between the container and the container is improved, toner does not stick to the inner surface of the container, improving toner replenishment efficiency, and the remaining toner does not scatter when the container is attached or removed, preventing contamination of the surrounding area. can do.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, since the electret having the same polarity as the toner is provided on the inner surface of the main body of the toner supply container, they have mutually repelling forces, and the toner does not adhere to and remain on the inner surface of the supply container. Since the fluidity is improved, toner can be efficiently replenished into the developing device.

Further, since the toner does not stick and remain in the container and therefore does not scatter when removing the toner supply container, it is possible to prevent the hands, clothes, and surroundings from being contaminated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the usage state of the embodiment. 1... Main body of toner supply container, 1a, inner surface of 1, 3... Developing device, Electred, T... Toner patent applicant Junya Tsuchi Suzuki, attorney for Sanda Kogyo Co., Ltd. Figure 112F! ! A

Claims (1)

[Claims] A toner replenishing container for replenishing toner to a developing device of an image forming apparatus, the toner replenishing container comprising an electret having the same polarity as the toner on the inner surface of the container.