JPH05508035A - Color image forming device and toner container - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Color image forming device and toner container field of invention The present invention relates to electrostatic image development technology. The present invention provides a series of different colored toner images. Particularly useful for applying different colored toners to a series of electrostatic images to form be. The present invention also provides a method for supplying toner to an image forming apparatus that forms toner images of different colors. It also relates to a toner container for dispensing.

Background technology No. 4, issued May 22, 1990. 928゜146 Specification A series of electrostatic images carried on a photoconductive drum are differently developed at a single development location. A number of reference examples are shown in which development is performed with toners of different colors. A series of four development steps The sections move sequentially to the development position. Each station develops an image and When a station makes an indexing movement, it swaps with another station and moves another to the next image. Supply color toner. A series of stations are juxtaposed and run in a straight line through a location. In this position, the station to be used is aligned with the development position.

When or after such alignment occurs, the cam rotates to align the entire station. towards the development position and move that station in the direction of motion of the series of stations. whereas it is moved substantially transversely with respect to other stations.

This common method uses a single This provides the advantage of only needing to use a development position. This results in a relatively small A developer station of a size and number that precludes spaced arrangement around the photoconductive drum. enable the use of Therefore, the use of small photoconductive drums in multicolor imaging It also makes it possible to use Using smaller drums reduces equipment cost and increases size range and capacity. Various advantages are obtained, such as convenience of replacement in the cartridge type.

In the configuration shown for the prior art, there are two movements for each developer unit part. It becomes necessary. The four units are integrally moved linearly in one direction, and the development position is The unit facing the photoconductive drum is oriented in the direction of motion to bring it into operative relationship with the photoconductive drum. unit is moved in a transverse direction with respect to other units. In the second movement, Yu It is necessary to be able to wear the knit in a relatively movable state, and the overall Requires a separate movement mechanism that must be actuated sufficiently to move the unit. do.

U.S. Patent No. 07/621.681 filed on December 3, 1990 The document includes a movable applicator on the top of each unit that is movable with respect to the unit. A structure is described which solves some of the problems associated with the conventional structures mentioned above. has been done. A movable applicator allows you to move the base of the unit in relation to other units. The applicator can be fixed in place and only the applicator is moved for final positioning regarding the development position. All you have to do is do it. This U.S. patent application describes The supply chambers are shown and these supply chambers can be replaced from above the unit or Toner can be filled into the supply chamber from above the knit. Such rooms can accommodate a limited amount of The developing device must be completely removed to replenish toner. Ru. in four separate containers, such as when supplying toner to a color xerographic device. Can supply toner.

No. 4, issued March 22, 1988. 733゜269 Specification discloses a traditional container for supplying toner to an electrophotographic device. toner is contained in a plastic bottle, which has a substantially rectangular cross section. a base extending outwardly from each side of the base to form a slot in the receiving structure; That is, it has a flange inserted into the slot. With the flange held in the slot After positioning the toner bottle above the sump, pull the pull tab to release the paper seal. Remove, open the bottom and dump the toner into the sump. The sump contains everything in the container. The toner is not collected all at once, therefore the container remains at the top of the sump until empty. (Remove the toner container when it is empty and position a new toner container. The container thus forms part of the toner supply means of the device. The device has a capacity of about 2 liters. Position the container over the sump until it holds the container.

No. 4, issued February 13, 1990. 899゜690 Specification is similar to the toner pin disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,269. discloses a toner bottle, which toner bottle is designed for and is compatible with color devices; ! Now, four toner bottles are juxtaposed on the sump.

Packaging for toner accounts for a significant portion of the cost in toner supply . It is desirable that this packaging cost quadruples for a four-color image forming device. However, at the current technological stage, we are content with this.

Disclosure of invention The first object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of supplying color toner to a color image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner container that substantially reduces the amount of toner.

This primary purpose is to create a single toner container containing two or more toners of different colors. This is achieved by providing a container. According to this configuration, the color image forming apparatus Substantial packaging costs can be reduced when supplying color toner.

A typical example using black toner, cyan toner, magenta toner and yellow toner In most image forming devices, black toner is used in larger amounts than the other three color toners. Consume. However, the other three color toners are typically used in approximately equal amounts. Therefore, good According to a preferred embodiment, the container has three compartments for containing toner other than black toner. With compartments, black toner is larger and/or replaced more frequently Supplied into a separate container that can be used.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the first object is characterized in that at least two ( a single toner container having means for defining (preferably three or four) toner chambers; This is achieved by providing This toner container is loaded onto the toner receiving device. means for positioning the container and at least two separate openings in the bottom of the container; and the toner is transferred from these openings onto the toner receiving device (e.g., developer device). Both feed into two separate sumps arranged side by side.

A second object of the invention is to develop a type of developer having four movable stations next to each other. By providing an efficient and space-saving technique for supplying toner to the device. Ru.

The purpose of this is to move a series of electrostatic images (sometimes a series of different colors) through the development position. Different color tones are applied to a series of electrostatic images carried on an image member to form a color image. By providing an image forming apparatus equipped with a developing device for supplying toner, will be accomplished. The developing device is arranged in a juxtaposed relationship with the movable carriage and is attached to the carriage. Supported and moved by a cartridge in a nearly straight direction to align with the development position and a plurality of developing units. Each unit has an applicator This applicator is aligned with the development position and carried on the image member in that state. The developing position is movable toward the developing position so as to be in a colored relationship with the electrostatic image.

The carriage is mounted on the unit with the toner container means movable together with the carriage. It has means for receiving toner container means at the end. This means applies to each developing unit. receives toner from the received toner container means; - The container moves with the carriage in a substantially linear motion, but the applicator Do not move with the applicator when moving with respect to the carriage.

With this type of toner receiving device, the toner container is placed in the applicator position. The toner containers extend substantially upwardly and are substantially more uniform than if the toner containers were located within each unit. It can be used to hold a large amount of toner.

The feature that allows the applicator to move relative to the base of the unit is due to the design of the device. substantially contributes to simplification. The reason is that the applicator is positioned with respect to the image position. This is because there is no need to lift the toner container together with the developing unit when loading the toner container. child The features also contribute to the use of a single package for toner.

The reason is that the compartments of such a package should not be moved relative to each other ( But that's okay.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a color printer to which the present invention is particularly useful, showing the general relationship of various elements. In order to make the diagram clear, the supporting structure of the multi-layer structure is omitted. Figure 2 is a front view of a developing device that can be used with the printer shown in Figure 1 for clarity. Figure 3 is the right side of the bottom of the developing device shown in Figure 2. The side view and FIG. 4 are perspective views from behind of the developing device shown in FIG. The upper part of the receiving sump is shown separated, making it easier to place the toner container onto the sump. Figure 5 is a top view of the developing device shown in Figure 4; The sump and toner container are omitted for clarity; Figure 6 is shown in Figure 4. a sectional front view through the toner container, toner sump and support portion of the developer device; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the developing device shown in FIG. - a diagram showing the container in place on the developing device; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of a toner container also shown in FIG. 2.4.6.7; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a toner container according to a modification of the toner container shown in FIG. 8; Figures 10 and 11 are different versions of the toner container shown in Figure 8.9. 8.9 is a perspective view of a toner container means having some of the advantages of the toner container shown in FIG. 3 is a diagram of a toner container means that can also be used in the developing device shown in FIG. 2, although it is not shown in FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention may be used together with an image forming apparatus, such as an electrophotographic printer 1, as schematically shown in FIG. is particularly suitable for use as part of.

According to FIG. 1, a printer 1 has an image member, e.g. a photoconductive drum 2. As shown in FIG. de Ram 2 passes through a series of stations to form an electrostatic image on its cylindrical outer surface. You can rotate while In detail, the drum 2 is a charging device that uniformly charges its outer surface. Rotate through 4. The drum is image exposed by a laser 5 and a series of electrostatic form an image. For electrostatic images, a developing device 6 supplies toner of multiple different colors. The toner image is received and developed to form a series of different colored toner images. different color toner painting The images are sequentially transferred onto the surface of the transfer drum 10 in registered relation, and the images are transferred onto the surface of the transfer drum 10. Forms a multicolor image. The multicolor image is then sent to the receiver. Transfer onto a receiver sheet supplied from sheet supply source 45 to transfer station 21 be done. The receiver sheet is then sent to the fuser 23 to define the multicolor image. The receiver sheet is then turned over and finally placed on the output hopper. be discharged. A state in which another sheet 44 is present in the hopper is shown. Transfer drum 10 is cleaned by an articulated cleaning device 30, which cleans the drum 2. is continuously cleaned by a fixed cleaning device 12. Figure 1 shows Although not shown, the image member 2, charging device 4 and cleaning device 12 form a single image section. It may also be installed in the printer 1 as a material cartridge. The transfer drum 10 can be Driven by a stage (not shown), the drum 10 is driven through its operating cycle. can drive the drum 2.

To make the printer 1 smaller and to facilitate the installation of the image member 2 into the cartridge. , the image member 2 is extremely small. Has a single development location that can supply all toner It is possible to make the image member smaller by making the image member such that .

FIG. 2 shows the developing device 6. As shown in FIG. This developing device was filed on December 3, 1990. Similar to the developing device described in U.S. Patent No. 07/621゜681 are doing.

According to FIG. 2, the development device 6 comprises four separate development units 16.17.18.1. It has 9. Each development unit mixes two-component developer at the bottom of the development chamber (not shown). This type has a pair of auger bits 26 and 27. in the middle of the developing chamber The positioned paddle 28 raises the level of developer and transfers the developer to the magnetic applicator 2. 9 to the magnetically affected zone. The applicator 29 has a rapidly rotating core and a stationary shell. It has a le. As the core rotates, the two-component developer moves substantially counter to the direction of rotation of the core. Move around the outside of the shell in opposite directions. This effect is caused by a capacitor with high coercivity. This is made easier by using the rear. Similar developing units are available in U.S. Pat. No. 22,302, No. 4,884゜109, and No. 4,797,704 Further details are disclosed in the specifications.

The applicator 29 is positioned at a precise distance from the image member 2 by means of four small rollers 31. They are separated from each other. The roller 31 and applicator 29 are vertically slidable. It is supported by an applicator support 32 that can be opened. Each unit 16.17.1 8.19 is fixed to the carriage 50. The applicator support 32 is Vertical with respect to the carriage 50 by a pair of glue lids 35 located on both sides of the carriage 50. You can move to The lifter 35 may be fixed to its bottom or controlled by a foot pin 83. It will be done.

When a series of electrostatic images formed on the outer surface of image member 2 pass through development position 40 , the carriage 50 moves from the position shown on the right in FIG. is moved to a position consistent with that. During this movement, the pin 83 moves to the inclined part 90. (Figure 3). The pin 83 is compressed by engagement with the inclined portion 90 and becomes a lifter. It has a coil spring that presses 35 upward. The lifter 35 is connected to the image member 2. roller 31 engages image member 2 to accurately position applicator 29 Raise the applicator support 32 until the Electrostatic image inside unit 19 After the image is developed with the stored color toner, the carriage moves further to the right and the unit Align the knit 18 with the development position 40.

This operation is repeated for unit 17.16, resulting in four successive units. Each image is developed with a different color toner. The carriage 50 is tape driven on the rail 52 by a reversible motor 54 that drives the carriage 50 via a child 56. be forced to move.

In general, the above configuration provides accurate positioning of applicator 29 with respect to image member 2. This has the advantage that only a part of the developing unit needs to be moved in order to this Therefore, the stand of the developing device 6 can be fixed with respect to the carriage 50, thereby saving space. It is possible to reduce cost and weight. For further details on this configuration See the above-mentioned US patent application Ser. No. 07/621,681.

Another advantage of the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is that the toner supply container can be raised and lowered with the unit. This means that toner can be supplied using a substantial toner supply container.

Figure 4.5.6 shows this toner supply capacity expedient. Rear of carriage 50 The extension of carriage 50 extending from has a flat top surface 62. It is shown in Figure 5. The opening provided on the top surface 62 is the developing chamber of each developing unit 16, 17, 18, 19. exposing the extension of the auger bit 26,27 within the extended portion of the auger bit 26,27. top surface 62 The single sump assembly 70 located at the top has four separate toner sumps 71, 72. ．． It has 73.74. The top of the sump assembly 70 includes two toner containers 80.81. It has a slot for receiving it. These slots 75 and 76 are for toner container 80. is positioned to receive a pair of flanges 85 and 86 at both ends of the base 83. Ru.

Slots 77.78 accommodate a pair of flanges 87.88 on the base 84 of the toner container 82. positioned and shaped to receive.

The bottom of each sump 71.72.73.74 has a sloped wall terminating in an opening, within which A toner supply roller 90 (FIG. 6) is located at. Each toner supply roller 90 has one having flat portions spaced at angular intervals of 20 degrees and having elongated openings at the top and bottom It fits inside the snug bore. These toner supply rollers are supply toner. Each supply roller 90 has a set program, toner monitor Based on sensing by or monitoring of the use of its developer unit, Can be operated separately according to the needs of the image unit, all of which are known .

The toner container 80 is particularly advantageously constructed. The toner container is a piece of plastic It is formed of three chambers 92, 94, 96. Room 92.94.96 is based It terminates in openings 93, 95, 97 in space 83. These chambers contain different colored toners, For example, filled with white toner, magenta toner and yellow toner, full color At each location, these toners tend to be consumed in equal amounts. Instead, this These chambers contain toner of the color most commonly used for highlight imaging, such as red toner. , blue toner, brown toner, and yellow toner may be stored. single container 80 This not only reduces the number of containers produced, but also reduces the number of containers needed for packaging. It saves space and materials used for packaging. Figure 8.9 shows another embodiment of the container 80. According to FIG. 8, the container 80 has three chambers 92.9. 4.96 having a three-piece base 83 attached to a storage compartment 100 defining a . The base 83 is separated from the storage compartment 100 by three tabs 102, 104, 106. These tabs extend the paper seal for the bottom of the chambers 92, 94, 96. It is elongated and extends across the top of the aperture 93,95,97.

Alternatively, a single base 1 provided with openings 93, 95, 97 as shown in FIG. A single tab 102 may be fixed to the bottom of the 05.

Container 82 has a larger chamber than that of container 80 and includes a sump 74 for black toner. It is the same as a normal one except that it fits on top. Depending on the use in the device, Container 82 has a larger capacity than chambers 92, 94, 96, but is replaced more frequently. It may be necessary to replace it. For this reason, container 82 is separate from container 80. It is preferable to make it into individual pieces. However, instead, all four color toners are sent to printer 1. A single container may be configured to hold four chambers for feeding. expected Depending on the use, any of these chambers may be larger than others.

This feature of the three-chamber toner container is the type with a movable developing device as shown in Figure 2. device. Any arrangement where three sumps can be located in close proximity next to each other. This cost, space and packaging saving feature can be taken advantage of in arrays. deer However, the advantage of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is that the developing units 16-19 are not relatively movable. It is a good thing. This feature facilitates the use of containers with two or more chambers. Make it.

10 and 11 show a modification of the toner container for the developing device 6 shown in FIG. show. According to FIG. 10, three toner containers 112, 114, and 116 are shaped the same However, it has a separation wall. These toner containers are located adjacent to each other and are but if one container is used significantly more than the other , the container can be separated. These containers are made with breakable adhesive, paper pong, held together by a card or other means.

FIG. 11 shows four separate containers similar to those shown in FIG. can be packaged separately or as a unit.

All configurations shown in FIGS. 8-11 can be used in the apparatus shown in FIG. However, the first The single configuration shown in Figure 8.9 has cost advantages over a single container. 8th ．． The configuration shown in Figure 10, similar to that in Figure 9, allows for savings in packaging. do.

FIG. 7 shows a slightly different embodiment from that of FIG. 4, in which: Sump assembly 70 is located on top of the top surface of carriage 50. This example is Also shown is the carriage 50 and the relationship between the toner container and the image member 2 during operation.

That is, the carriage 50 is moved so as to align the developing unit with the developing position 40. When moving, the toner container extends upwards through the rear of the drum 2 ( (also shown in Figure 2).

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention has been described above and as defined in the claims. It goes without saying that various modifications and modifications can be made within the spirit of the invention.

Special table Hei 5-508035 (6) FIG. 6 Special table Hei 5-508035 (7) abstract The toner container (80) has three chambers (92, 94, 9) holding toner of three different colors. 6). The container has a pair of pairs for receiving flanges on the bottom thereof. It is received by a receiving structure comprising facing slots (75, 76). child The receiving structure of is part of a developing device (6), which developing device includes a movable carriage (6). 50), and the carriage has a plurality of developing units (16, 17, 18, 19) to align it with the development position (40). Part of each developing unit, example If the applicator (29) is movable relative to other parts of the unit, It is adapted to be brought into colored relationship with the image member (2) at the development position.

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A series of electrostatic images carried on the image member (2) are moved through a development position (40). When printing, a different color is applied to each electrostatic image to form a series of different colored toner images. A developing device for supplying toner, comprising a movable carriage (50) and a parallel toner. arranged in a positional relationship, supported by said carriage, and driven forward by said carriage. A plurality of developing units (16, 17) are passed through with the developing position aligned with the developing position. , 18, 19). Each of the units has an applicator (29), and the applicator The applicator is in a colored relationship with the electrostatic image carried on the member. It is possible to move toward the developing position in the state where it is at the developing position; A device is supported on said carriage and carries toner container means therewith. movably receiving said toner container means at an end of said unit; receiving means (75, 76, 77, 78) for each unit; means (71, 72) for receiving toner from said toner container means; , 73, 74), the toner container means moving together with the carriage. However, when the applicator moves toward the developing position, the applicator A developing device characterized in that it does not move together with the data. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means comprises a plurality of chambers. means for receiving a single container each containing a plurality of toners (75; 76). 3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving means is opened at the top. a plurality of toner sump having openings and arranged in aligned juxtaposition; The step is arranged so that each of the chambers is positioned above the corresponding opening, and the step is placed above the opening. A developing device characterized in that it has means for receiving a single container. 4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means includes a plurality of means defining a registered toner sump; a top surface adjacent the sump; and a top surface adjacent the sump; means defining facing slots facing each other with a number of toner sumps therebetween; and the slot is located above the plurality of sump flanges of a single toner container. A developing device characterized in that it is positioned to receive a strip of paper. 5. In the toner container, at least one cartridge located adjacent to each other and each containing a first color toner and a second color toner; means for also defining first and second chambers (92, 94, 96); means (93, 9) defining first and second openings to the chamber at the bottom of the chamber; 5, 97) and A toner container comprising means (102, 104, 106) for closing the opening. 6. The toner container according to claim 6, further comprising a base (83). a base of which defines said at least first and second apertures; a pair of opposed flanges (85, 86) A toner container having: 7. In the toner container, first, second and third matched chambers exhibiting a rectangular cross section and having a rectangular opening at the bottom; an integral container housing defining an opening; and operable means for closing said opening. Includes a toner container. 8. In the toner container according to claim 7, the means for closing the opening is multiple. It has several web seals, each of which requires an operator to remove it. The pelleter has grippable tabs and separate web seals are provided for each of said openings. Toner container.