JPH09329951A - Toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the sticking of toner to the peripheral part of a toner discharge port, in executing an exchange of toner cartridges etc. more simply and inexpensively and the spilling of the toner from a used toner discharge port simply and efficiently. SOLUTION: As a seal member 4 for sealing the toner discharge port 2, one formed so that only a region part 4a corresponding to the toner discharge port is cut off for opening, at the time of using the toner cartridge is used. Further, the seal member 4 provided with a folded seal part 5 which is stuck to the periphery of a toner housing container 3 being the peripheral part of the toner discharge port 2, so as to seal the used toner discharge port 2 in a state where the seal part 5 is peeled and turned over is used. The folding work of the folded seal part 5 can be executed together with a rotary motion, at the time of removing the toner housing container 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a removable toner cartridge for supplying toner to a developing device incorporated in a copying machine, a printer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, various toner cartridges are put into practical use. Among them, as shown in FIG.
There is known a toner cartridge 100 of a type having a long-hole-shaped toner discharge port 102 opened along the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical toner storage container body 101. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 103 is a toner stirring member rotatably disposed inside the toner storage container 101, and 104 is a toner stirring member 103 connected to a rotation transmission means disposed on the developing device side when the cartridge is mounted. Reference numeral 105 denotes a gear that transmits rotation to the handle, and 105 denotes a handle.

Toner cartridge 1 of this type
00 is mainly used, for example, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that employs a developing device having the following toner supply form.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the developing device 20 is connected to the inside of the developing housing 21 via the toner supply port 22 on the back side of the device housing 21 (the side opposite to the side where the developing roll 24 is present). A developing device of a type in which a communicating toner cartridge mounting portion 23 is provided, and the toner T is directly supplied into the developing housing 21 through the toner supply port 22 from the toner cartridge 100 inserted and mounted in the toner cartridge mounting portion 23. In the image forming apparatus incorporating the above, it is generally necessary to supply the toner T substantially evenly in the widthwise direction (axial direction of the developing roll 24) in the developing housing 21, and therefore, as described above, A toner cartridge provided with a toner discharge port 102 in the shape of a long hole along the longitudinal direction of 101 is adopted. In FIG. 8, all the arrows indicate the rotation direction, reference numeral 25 is a toner agitating and supplying member that agitates the toner T supplied into the developing housing 21 and supplies it to the developing roll 24 side, and 26 is a toner layer regulating member. Two
Reference numeral 7 is an image bearing member such as a photosensitive drum. The developing device illustrated here is a one-component developing device.

And, this kind of toner cartridge 10
As shown in FIG. 10, since the seal member 106 for closing the toner discharge port 102 is attached to the toner discharge port and its peripheral portion (a in FIG. 10), the toner cartridge No. 0 is attached to the toner cartridge mounting portion 22. Is the seal member 10 with the toner discharge port 102 facing upward.
6 is peeled off, then the cartridge is pushed into the inside of the cartridge mounting portion 23 (direction of arrow X), and then the toner outlet 102 is rotated sideways or downward (direction of arrow P) to be mounted. Has become. On the other hand, when removing the toner from the toner cartridge mounting portion 23 when the toner to be supplied has been used up and has been used, the cartridge 100 is rotated in the opposite direction (direction of arrow Q) to the upward direction of the toner discharge port 102. After that, the cartridge can be pulled out from the inside of the cartridge mounting portion 23 (in the direction of the arrow Y).

However, in the toner cartridge 100 having such a long toner discharge port 102, the adhesion area of the seal member 106 for closing the toner discharge port with respect to the peripheral surface of the toner storage container body 101 becomes large. After the seal member 106 is peeled off, the adhesive remains (in the plastic container body 101) around the toner outlet 102 of the toner storage container body, or the surface layer portion is peeled (in the paper container body 101). As a result, toner is attached to the remaining adhesive portion or the exposed portion, and the adhered toner causes contamination by the toner when the cartridge is replaced. There is.

Moreover, this kind of toner cartridge is
If you tilt the toner storage container when removing it after it has been used, there is a problem that the toner remaining inside will easily spill from the toner outlet, and handle it carefully so that the toner does not stain the floor or clothes. It was necessary and cumbersome to handle.

Therefore, conventionally, the following techniques have been proposed in order to solve such problems.

For example, the cartridge has a double-cylinder structure composed of a covering cylinder having an opening and a toner storage cylinder rotatably incorporated therein (Actually opened 62-169).
No. 64), and a shutter type lid that is slidably provided in the toner discharge port (actual open flat 3-10).
No. 8255) has been proposed.

However, these toner cartridges are
Although all of them can solve the above-mentioned problems, the number of constituent parts is increased, and the cost is high for this kind of toner cartridge having a short life, which is unsuitable.

Further, a structure in which a seal member is wound by a winding shaft after mounting a toner cartridge (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-118247), or a structure in which the seal member is cut by a cutting line formed by a thin string (actually, Fair 6
No. 22850) has been proposed.

However, the former has a problem that an adhesive residue after the sealing member is wound up and the surface of the paper tube is roughened, and a complicated winding mechanism must be added. In the latter case, the toner supply may be partially hindered due to the presence of the cut seal member, resulting in non-uniformity, and the toner may be spilled from the toner outlet after use. There is a problem that it is limited to the cartridge used in the downward state.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned various problems of the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge that can prevent toner from adhering to the peripheral portion of the toner discharge port more easily and at low cost when the toner cartridge is replaced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge capable of easily preventing toner spillage from a used toner discharge port, and a toner cartridge capable of more efficiently taking measures for preventing toner spillage. To provide.

[0015]

The toner cartridge of the present invention comprises a cylindrical toner storage container body having a toner discharge port formed in a part of the peripheral surface thereof, and at least the toner discharge port and its periphery before use. In a toner cartridge to which a seal member for closing the toner discharge port is attached so as to cover the portion, the seal member is formed such that only a region portion corresponding to the toner discharge port is separated and opened when used. It is characterized by being present.

In this case, in the seal member, only the area corresponding to the toner discharge port is cut off, and the other area (the portion attached to the peripheral surface of the toner container) is not peeled from the toner container. Left as is.

Further, the toner cartridge of the present invention is used as a seal member in the toner cartridge, which is attached to the peripheral surface of the toner storage container which is the peripheral portion of the toner discharge port and peeled off and turned over. In this case, a fold-back seal part that is attached so as to close the toner discharge port is used.

Further, the toner cartridge of the present invention is
When the toner storage container body needs to be rotated about the center line in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shape at the time of attachment and detachment, a folding-back locking protrusion is provided inside the toner cartridge mounting portion, and As a seal member, the folding seal portion was left behind by the rotation operation when removing the toner storage container body, and the locking seal tip portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction was locked by the folding locking projection. In this state, the toner is gradually peeled off, and the toner discharge port is turned upside down and attached.

In this case, the toner discharge port of the used toner container is closed again by the folded seal portion of the seal member. Further, the folding back seal portion is folded back and attached so as to semi-automatically close the toner discharge port by the rotation operation when the toner cartridge is removed.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows an example of one embodiment of the toner cartridge of the present invention.
The main part is composed of a cylindrical toner storage container body 3 in which the toner discharge port 2 is opened, and a seal member 4 attached before use to close the toner discharge port 2.

The toner accommodating container body 3 is so constructed as to be detachably mountable to the toner cartridge mounting portion 22 of the developing device 20 as shown in FIG. Two toner discharge ports 2 having a rectangular opening shape are provided. As for the others, as described above, the rotating toner stirring member (103) is disposed inside the gear, and the gear (1
04) and a handle (1
05) is provided (see FIG. 7).

Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, the seal member 4 is positioned so as to be located in the peripheral portion of the toner discharge port 2 and the cut-off closing portion 4a formed in a size corresponding to the opening area of the toner discharge port 2. It is composed of a sticking part 4b formed in a desired shape and size, and the separating and closing part 4a and the sticking part 4b are integrated before the toner cartridge is used. Dressing part 4
It is designed to be separated from b. The sticking part 4b is
The seal base material has at least one adhesive layer on one surface. The structure for separating the cut-off blocking part 4a from the sticking part 4b is, for example, a process of cutting the cut-off part which can be easily cut along the contour of the blocking part 4a on the seal member, and manually cutting a part of the cut-off closing part 4a. It suffices if a protrusion that can be pinched is provided.

The separating structure is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and any structure may be used as long as the separating closing part 4a can be easily and accurately separated from the adhering part 4b. For example, as the seal member 4, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a sticking portion 4b whose central portion is cut out along the opening shape of the toner discharge port 2 and the sticking portion 4b.
It is possible to use one having a two-piece structure with a separation closing portion 4a that is attached so as to overlap a part of the upper surface of the above and is easily peeled off.

Before the toner cartridge 1 is used, a predetermined toner (a toner component of a one-component developer or a two-component developer) is stored in a toner storage container body 3 and a seal member 4 is provided. It is attached so as to cover the toner outlet 2 and its peripheral portion. In particular, the seal member 4
The sticking is performed by aligning the cut-off closing portion 4a so as to match the toner discharge port 1, and then sticking the sticking portion 4b on the peripheral surface of the container body 3.

When the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the toner cartridge mounting portion 23 of the developing device 20 as shown in FIG. 9, the separation / closure portion 4a of the seal member 4 is placed with the toner discharge port 2 facing upward. Is removed from the sticking portion 4b. At this time, the separation blocking part 4a can be peeled off by grasping a protrusion or the like provided on a part thereof by hand and pulling it toward the handle 105 provided at one end of the toner storage container body 3. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the sealing member 4 is cut off with the sticking portion 4b left on the peripheral surface of the container body 3, and only the closing portion 4a is cut off.
The area where a was present is opened (4c), and the toner discharge port 2 appears there.

Next, the toner cartridge 1 (container body 3) in which only the area portion (separation blocking portion 4a) corresponding to the toner opening portion 2 of the seal member 4 is separated and removed is shown in FIG.
After being inserted into the toner cartridge mounting portion 23 of the developing device 20 as shown in FIG.
As a result, the toner in the toner container 3 is supplied to the developing device side.

In this toner cartridge 1, as shown in FIG. 1c, when used, only the area portion (closed portion 4a) corresponding to the toner opening 2 of the seal member 4 is cut off and the other area portion (adhesion) is attached. Since the portion 4b) is left on the toner storage container body 3 side, the seal member is peeled off on the toner storage container body 3 which is the peripheral portion of the toner discharge port 2 regardless of the surface material of the toner storage container body 3. No adhesive residue or surface roughness will occur. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of the toner due to the adhesive residue or the surface roughness around the toner discharge port 2.

In the above example, the case where the separating and closing portions 4a are provided as the sealing member 4 in each of the two toner discharge ports 2 has been described, but the sealing member 4 is
As shown in FIG. 3, the two toner discharge ports 2 may be separated and closed by one closing portion 4a. As such a seal member 4, for example, a sticking portion 4b other than the cut-off closing portion 4a having a high adhesive strength is used to make the adhesive strength different between the closing portion 4a and the sticking portion 4b. You can use what you have done. Then, when such a seal member 4 is used, as shown in FIG. 3B, it is possible to separate and remove the separation blocking part 4a by one peeling operation. Needless to say, the structure for separating the separation closing portion 4a of the seal member 4 of this type and the structure (FIG. 1) subjected to the above-described cutting processing may be applied.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the toner cartridge of the present invention. This toner cartridge 1 is the same as the toner cartridge 1 except that the seal member 40 additionally having the folded back seal portion 5 is used. The toner cartridge has the same structure as the toner cartridge.

The seal member 40 is provided in the peripheral portion of the toner discharge port 2 in addition to the seal main body composed of the cut-off closing portion (4a) and the sticking portion (4b) as in the above-mentioned example. A folded back seal portion 5 is formed which is attached to the peripheral surface of the storage container body 3 and is attached so as to close the used toner discharge port 2 in a state of being peeled off and turned over. The folded-back seal portion 5 is provided in a state where an adhesive layer that is easily peeled off is scattered on the surface side of the seal base material which is in contact with the container body 3, and the adhesive layer (this is the toner discharge port 2) on the opposite surface side. Is formed so as to come into contact with the peripheral portion of the sheet) and the release paper 6 is stuck on the adhesive layer.

When using the toner cartridge 1, the seal member 4 is used in the same manner as in the above-mentioned example.
After disconnecting and removing only the disconnection blocking portion 4a of 0,
It is mounted on the mounting portion 23 of the developing device. When the closing part 4a is separated, the folding back seal part 5 is left as it is on the container body 3 side together with the attaching part 4b.

Next, the used toner cartridge 1 is used.
1 is removed from the mounting portion 23 of the developing device.
As shown by 0, the toner discharge port 2 is turned upward by rotating it in the direction opposite to the mounting direction (direction of arrow Q), and then pulled out. Next, as shown in FIG. 4b, the folded back seal portion 5 is peeled off from the toner storage container body 3 and folded back as indicated by an arrow, and the adhesive surface of the folded back seal portion 5 is superposed on the sticking portion 4b of the seal body portion. Attach together. By the folding back of the folding back seal portion 5, the used toner discharge port 2 is closed (FIG. 3c).

According to this toner cartridge 1, it is possible to prevent the toner from adhering to the peripheral portion of the toner discharge port 2 due to the adhesive residue and the surface roughness, and the used toner discharge port 2 is folded and sealed by the seal member 4. Since the portion 5 can be easily closed, it is possible to reliably prevent toner spillage from the toner discharge port 2 after use. In particular, since the folding back seal portion 5 is attached to the smooth surface portion of the attachment portion 4b which is still attached to the peripheral portion of the toner discharge port 2, even if the toner storage container body 3 is made of paper. Adhered well.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the toner cartridge of the present invention. In this toner cartridge 1, the seal member 40 is rotated by the rotating operation when the used cartridge (container body 3) is removed. The toner cartridge has the same structure as that of the toner cartridge described above except that the fold-back seal part 5 is semi-automatically foldable.

In the above-described example, the folded seal portion 5 of the seal member 40 is manually folded back and the used toner discharge port 2 is used.
However, when the toner storage container body 3 needs to be rotated about the center line in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical shape when the toner storage container body 3 is attached or detached, as shown in FIG. Attach the part 5 to the toner outlet 2 on the upstream side in the rotation direction (direction of arrow Q) when removing the toner storage container body 3,
A folded collar 7 is provided at the upstream end. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 6, inside the toner cartridge mounting portion 23 of the developing device 20, there is provided a folding-back locking projection 8 with which the folding collar 7 is locked when the cartridge 1 is mounted. In particular, the folding collar 7 does not impose a load on the rotating operation of the cartridge even if it passes under the locking projection 8 when the cartridge is mounted and rotated. It is designed to be locked securely. In this case, the material, shape, etc. of the folded-back seal portion 5, the folded-back collar 7, the folded-back locking projection 8 and the like are appropriately selected.

When the cartridge is taken out, the release paper 6 attached to the front side of the fold-back seal portion 5 can be peeled off by pulling the end of the release paper from the gap between the cartridge and its mounting portion toward the handle 105. You can do it. An example of such a peelable release sheet that can be peeled off is a release sheet that is folded in two, and is attached to the folding seal part 5 so that the folded portion is located on the side opposite to the handle 105, and is attached to the handle 105 side. It is possible to use, but not limited to, the one in which the upper end of the release paper, which is a certain free end, is pulled toward you.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the removing operation state of the toner cartridge 1 after use will be described.

After the release paper 6 is peeled off, when the used toner container 3 is rotated in the direction of removal (direction of arrow Q), the folding collar 7 of the folding seal portion 5 is locked by the locking projection 8. (Fig. 7a). Then, by continuing the rotation, the folding collar 7 is locked by the locking projection 8 and is left behind, while the folding seal part 5 is gradually peeled from the container body 3 (FIG. 7b). Then, by continuing this state, the folding back seal portion 5 is turned over so as to be superposed on the toner discharge port 2 (at this time, the sticking portion 4b has a higher adhesive strength than the folding back seal portion 5). It is not peeled off because it is in a high state), and it is affixed at the same time when it is completely overlapped on the toner outlet 2 (FIGS. 7c and 4c).

According to such a toner cartridge 1, it is possible to close the used toner discharge port 2 by folding back the folding seal portion 5 without touching the used toner storage container body 3. This makes it possible to easily remove the used toner cartridge without soiling the hands or clothes with the toner.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The seal member that closes the toner discharge port separates and removes only the area corresponding to the toner discharge port, and the other area is left on the toner storage container side. It is possible to easily and surely prevent the toner from adhering to the peripheral portion of the toner discharge port due to the peeling of the member. Moreover, such a prevention effect can be realized at low cost because no special component is required.

Further, when the return seal portion is provided on the seal member, the used toner outlet can be closed only by peeling the return seal portion and returning it to the toner outlet side. It is possible to prevent toner spillage from the toner easily and at low cost.

Further, when the folding-back operation of the folding-back seal portion is performed together with the rotation operation for removing the used cartridge, the used toner discharge port can be more easily closed by the folding-back seal portion. In addition, the used toner cartridge can be removed without soiling hands or clothes with the toner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a toner cartridge of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view showing a state before use,
(B) is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of use, (c) is the CC sectional view taken on the line of (b).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a modified example of the structure for separating the seal member (separation block part).

FIG. 3 shows a modified example of the seal member (separation closed part), (a) is a front view showing a state before use, (b)
[Fig. 4] is a front view showing a state during use.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the toner cartridge of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view showing a state before use,
(B) is a perspective view showing a state after use, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing a closing function of the folded back seal portion.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the toner cartridge of the present invention.

6 is a sectional view showing a developing device (toner cartridge mounting portion) to which the toner cartridge of FIG. 4 is applied.

7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation state when the toner cartridge of FIG. 4 is removed from the developing device (toner cartridge mounting portion) of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a toner cartridge of the present invention and a conventional toner cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a developing device to which the present invention or a conventional toner cartridge is applied.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation content and state when the toner cartridge of the present invention or the conventional toner cartridge is attached to or detached from the developing device (toner cartridge mounting portion), and FIG. And (b) shows the one at the time of setting or releasing the setting in the toner cartridge mounting portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Toner cartridge, 2 ... Toner discharge port, 3 ... Toner storage container body, 4 ... Seal member, 4a ... Area part (separation block part) corresponding to the toner discharge port, 5 ... Folding seal part, 7 ... Upstream direction of rotation Side locking seal tip (folding collar), 8 ... Folding locking protrusion.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A toner container having a cylindrical shape with a toner discharge opening formed on a part of its peripheral surface, and before use, the toner discharge opening is closed so as to cover at least the toner discharge opening and its peripheral portion. A toner cartridge to which a seal member is attached, wherein the seal member is formed such that when used, only a region corresponding to the toner discharge port is separated and opened. 2. The seal member is attached to the peripheral surface of the toner storage container, which is the peripheral portion of the toner outlet, and is attached so as to close the used toner outlet in a state of being peeled off and turned upside down. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a folded back seal portion is formed. 3. When the toner storage container body is required to rotate about its cylindrical center line in the longitudinal direction at the time of attachment / detachment, a folding projection is provided inside the toner cartridge mounting portion. The folding seal portion of the sealing member is left behind by the rotation operation when removing the toner storage container body so that the locking seal tip portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction is locked by the folding locking projection. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the toner cartridge is gradually peeled off in the state of being set, and is turned over and attached to the toner discharge port.