JPH0442179A - Toner supplementing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To release an operator from being stained with toner by storing plural small-capacity toner containers in the device as stand-by containers, unsealing a toner container automatically every time the toner of a toner container in use is all consumed, and providing a mechanism which reduces and stores the empty container. CONSTITUTION:When the toner 8 in a toner hopper 7 decreases in amount until a space corresponding to one toner container is formed, a toner sensor 11 operates. Its signal is received and toner container sequential sending levers 12, 13, and 14 rotate in order to send one of the toner containers 15 in a toner supplementation stage 16 which has a toner supplementation stage 16 which has a toner supplementation opening. The sent-in toner container has a slit cut lengthwise through the operation of an unsealing claw 17 and its toner is discharged into the toner hopper 7. Every time toner is consumed by a constant amount, this series of operations are repeated to secure a constant amount of toner in the toner hopper 7, thereby preventing the hands and clothes of the operator and the periphery of the machine from being stained with toner at the time of toner supplementation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a toner replenishment device which is a consumable item used in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimile mills.

[Prior art]

Conventionally proposed toner replenishment methods involve an operator replenishing toner in a toner container when the toner in a toner hopper of a developing device becomes low, and then collecting the empty toner container. Another method for replenishing toner is to replace the entire cartridge in which the developing device, toner hopper, etc. are all integrated when the toner in the developing device runs out.

[Problem that the invention is trying to solve] However,
These conventional examples have the following problems.

1. In the former replenishment method, it was not possible to prevent the operator and the machine from becoming dirty due to spilled toner, even if the toner container and toner replenishment port were joined together. Particularly, when collecting the toner container after toner replenishment, the toner scatters 9 and stains the operator and the machine with the toner.

2. With the latter replenishment method, there is no possibility of toner scattering outside the cartridge and contaminating the operator or the machine, considering the structure of the integrated cartridge, but expensive parts such as the developing device should be discarded once the toner runs out. It has the disadvantage that it is not suitable for medium- to high-speed machines due to the fact that the replacement cycle is very long (it cannot be done).

3. Even with the conventional replenishment methods of the former and the latter, it is necessary for the operator to perform operations frequently when the toner is low or empty. For this reason, always print (copy)
However, this method has the drawback of interrupting printing and requiring the operator to perform work.

[Means for solving problems]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a toner replenishing device that solves the above-mentioned drawbacks.

That is, the present invention provides a mechanism for storing a plurality of small amount of toner containers as spares in the device, automatically opening the toner containers each time the toner is consumed, and shrinking and storing the empty containers. This eliminates the need for an operator to intervene in opening and replenishing toner containers and collecting empty toner containers, thereby freeing the operator from being contaminated by toner. Furthermore, the toner container i has the advantage that the operator can replenish the empty space in the storage location at any time, allowing endless operation of the apparatus.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 shows an example of a toner replenishing device in a laser beam printer as a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a photosensitive drum, 2 is a paper feed cassette, 3 is a fixing device, 4 is a laser scanner, and 5 is a paper conveyance path. 6 is a developing device, and 7 is a toner hopper as a replenishment section. A storage 9 stores a plurality of unopened toner containers.

In normal use, a sufficient number of toner containers are stored in the storage 9. When a print is taken, the toner 8 in the toner hopper 7 decreases, and when a space larger than the toner container is created, the toner sensor 11 is activated. In response to this signal, the toner container forwarding levers 12, 13, and 14 rotate in sequence, and one of the toner containers 15 is sent to a toner replenishing stage 16 having a toner replenishing port. In the figure, 22 is a charger, 23 is a transfer charger, and 24 is a cleaner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fed toner container is slit in the longitudinal direction of the toner container by the movement of the opening die 17, and the toner is released into the toner hopper 7. still,
The toner container 15 is made of a cuttable material. The ejected toner is evenly distributed in the long direction of the developing machine.
Moreover, since the number of times is small, there is no need to stir the toner inside the developing machine. The empty container is pushed toward the waste port 19 by the compression waste plate 18, compressed and made smaller, and then dropped into the waste bucket 20. This series of operations is repeated every time a certain amount of toner is consumed, so that a certain amount of toner is always secured in the toner hopper 7. Storage 9
The toner container 15 can be replenished at any time through the replenishment window 21. Furthermore, the waste bucket 20 can be taken out all at once when the waste container is full, and can be left alone for a long period of time.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing device 6. The method of cutting open the toner container, dropping the toner into the hopper 7, and compressing the toner container is the same as in the first embodiment. A feature of the present embodiment is that ' is constructed integrally with the developing device 6.

That is, the waste bucket 20' is provided on the side of the developing device 6, and empty toner containers 15' are stored one after another in this bucket. The lifespan of the developing device 6 is determined by all the toner used, and the toner 2 for a predetermined number of toner containers is determined by 7.
When the i8i is used, the developing device 6 needs to be replaced because the functional parts such as the developing sleeve become rusty. If the capacity of the waste bucket 20' is set to accommodate the number of toner containers equivalent to this lifespan, general users will not have to dispose of toner containers at all, and service personnel will not have to dispose of the developing device 6. The used compressed toner container is automatically collected at the time of replacement. Because the capacity of the waste bucket 20' is too large due to the device design, it is desirable to compress the empty toner container 15' as compactly as possible. Preferably, it is constructed of a self-stretching material (e.g. a rubber membrane).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the toner replenishing device of the present invention can prevent (1) soiling the operator's hands, clothes, and the vicinity of the machine with toner when replenishing toner;

2. Regular replenishment of toner (container) is possible regardless of the amount of toner consumed.

3. In combination with regular toner replenishment, endless operation of the device is possible.

4. It is not necessary to collect the empty toner container every time after toner is replenished as in the conventional method, which saves time and effort.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of a laser beam printer embodying the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the opening operation of a toner container, and Fig. 3 is another example of a collecting section of a toner container. FIG. 7... Toner hopper 15... Toner container 17... Opening mold 18... Compression plate 20... Waste bucket

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Means for accommodating a plurality of toner containers storing toner; and means for detecting the amount of toner in the replenishing section to which toner is replenished, and replenishing the toner containers sequentially in the replenishing section. a means for moving the toner container toward the toner replenishment port; a means for opening the toner container that has been moved to the toner replenishment port and supplying the toner to the replenishment section; a means for compressing the empty toner container to a smaller size than its original size; A toner replenishing device comprising: means for collecting used toner containers; and a toner replenishing device.