JPH10142909A - Toner cartridge and image forming device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent new toner from flowing in a recovered toner housing chamber (tank) from a new toner housing chamber(tank) so as to prevent the clogging of a mesh filter by the new toner in a toner cartridge. SOLUTION: The new toner housing chamber 27 housing the new toner 29, the recovered toner housing chamber 28 housing the recovered toner carried from a recovered toner carrying device 21, the mesh filter 26 partitioning the chamber 27 from the chamber 28, and a shielding member 31 capable of being withdrawn and covering the surface of the filter 26 are provided on the toner cartridge 23 which can be attached/detached to/from an image forming device, so that the new toner 29 is prevented from flowing in the chamber 28 from the chamber 27 so as to prevent the clogging of the filter 26 by means of the new toner 29 when an operator stirs the toner cartridge 23 before the cartridge 23 is attached to the image forming device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which can be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer, and more particularly to a toner recycling apparatus which collects toner remaining on an image carrier, transports the toner to a developing device, and reuses the toner. The present invention relates to an apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, copiers and printers,
In electrophotographic devices used in facsimile machines and the like,
An electrophotography adopting a toner recycling method, in which after a toner image formed on a photoconductor is transferred to a receiving paper by a developing device, the toner remaining on the photoconductor is collected by a cleaning device and returned to the developing device for reuse. An apparatus has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-38418,
No. 3927).

In the case of the toner recycling method, the toner collected by the cleaning device includes paper powder transferred from the image receiving paper onto the image carrier, and toner coagulated matter formed by agglomerated toner particles. It is. When such foreign matters such as paper dust and toner coagulated material are conveyed into the developing device, the foreign matters bite into the gap between the developing roller and the toner layer regulating member that forms the toner layer on the developing roller, resulting in streak-like image defects. And a large-grained image defect is generated in a halftone or solid portion. For this reason,
It is necessary to separate reusable toner from foreign matter such as paper dust and toner coagulated material.

As means for selecting reusable toner and foreign matter, there is a method in which toner transmitted through a rotatable cage filter element is transported to a developing device and reused (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 59-104683). A method in which a plurality of meshes are passed through for sorting (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-116987), a method in which a plurality of meshes inclined in the longitudinal direction are provided with vibrating means (Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-30030), toner transfer A method using a mesh filter, such as a method in which a path is constituted by a net-like cylindrical body, and a coil-shaped spiral conveying member is installed inside the path to sort while conveying toner (Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-142691), is proposed. Have been.

[0005]

However, in the sorting method using a mesh filter, when the filter is used for a long time, clogging of the mesh filter due to toner particles or foreign matters and accumulation of foreign matters on the mesh filter occur. For this reason, not only does the mesh filter's performance of filtering the collected toner deteriorate, so that the utilization efficiency of the collected toner is reduced, but also the toner is clogged in the toner circulation path, and the toner is spilled into the main body. Had.

To solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
No. 0810 discloses a toner storage tank for storing toner collected from the surface of a photoreceptor by a cleaning device and a new toner storage tank for storing new toner to be supplied to a developing unit, and a mesh filter is provided between the two tanks. A configuration of the provided toner cartridge has been proposed. Thus, when replenishing new toner, the toner cartridge is replaced together with the mesh filter, so that the performance of filtering the collected toner by the mesh filter is maintained.

However, the above-described configuration has the following problems. That is, if an unused toner cartridge is left for a long period of time, new toner stored in the toner cartridge may aggregate. If the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus while the stored new toner is aggregated, it takes time to supply the new toner to the developing device because the fluidity of the new toner is reduced. When new toner is replenished into the developing device with poor fluidity, a drive transmission system such as a rotating member that rotates in the developing device such as a toner stirring device or a gear that transmits rotational drive from the motor to the rotating member. Overload and risk of breakage. For this reason, it is necessary to shake the toner cartridge several times to stir the new toner in the toner cartridge before mounting the toner cartridge in the image forming apparatus.

However, when the toner cartridge having the above configuration is shaken, new toner flows from the new toner storage tank to the collected toner storage tank through the mesh filter, and a large amount of new toner may accumulate in the collected toner storage tank. There is. If a large amount of toner is left in the collected toner storage tank, the toner is compressed by the weight of the entire toner, and the fluidity of the toner is reduced. Therefore, the mesh filter is clogged with the toner before the start of the toner recycling. As a result, toner recycling is started in a state where the toner filtration efficiency of the mesh filter is deteriorated, and there is a problem that the utilization efficiency of the collected toner is significantly reduced.

Further, when the toner filtration efficiency of the mesh filter is lowered, there is a possibility that the new toner flowing into the collected toner storage tank remains without being supplied to the developing device. For this reason, there is a problem that the supply amount of the new toner to the developing device decreases, and the toner cartridge is frequently replaced. In addition, the toner cartridge must be replaced while the new toner remains in the toner cartridge, and there is a problem that waste is increased.

In order to avoid such a problem, a method is conceivable in which a stirring device is provided in the collected toner storage tank to loosen the toner in the collected toner storage tank so that the toner can easily pass through the mesh filter. However, in this method, the device configuration becomes complicated, and the chance of stirring the toner external additive such as silica into the base of the toner particles increases due to the increased chance of stirring the toner, and the toner properties deteriorate. There is a problem that.

According to the present invention, in such a toner cartridge, it is possible to prevent the new toner from flowing from the new toner storage chamber (tank) into the collected toner storage chamber (tank), thereby preventing the mesh filter from being clogged by the new toner. With the goal.

[0012]

A toner cartridge according to the present invention is detachable from an image forming apparatus, supplies toner to a developing device of the image forming apparatus, and collects toner collected by a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus. A new toner storage chamber having a first opening through which new toner is stored and through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device; A second opening through which the collected toner passes when the collected toner is carried in from the cleaning device; a collected toner carry-in chamber into which the collected toner is carried in; the new toner storage chamber and the collected toner; A mesh filter for partitioning the carry-in chamber, and a mesh filter provided on the mesh filter surface, and disposed in front of the new toner storage chamber via the mesh filter. ; And a blocking member for blocking the inflow of new toner to the recovery toner loading chamber, said blocking member,
The image forming apparatus is configured to be pulled out after being mounted on the image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, the inflow of new toner from the new toner storage chamber to the collected toner storage chamber is prevented,
A toner cartridge in which clogging of the mesh filter with new toner is prevented is obtained.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, toner is supplied to a developing device of the image forming apparatus detachably from the image forming apparatus, and is collected by a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus. A new toner storage chamber having a first opening through which new toner is stored and through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device; and a new toner storage chamber. A second opening through which the collected toner passes when the collected toner is carried in from the cleaning device, a collected toner carry-in chamber into which the collected toner is carried, and the new toner storage chamber. A mesh filter for partitioning the collected toner carry-in chamber, and a mesh filter provided on a surface of the mesh filter, and collecting the collected toner from the new toner storage chamber through the mesh filter. And a blocking member for blocking inflow of new toner into the toner carrying chamber, wherein the blocking member is configured to be pulled out after being mounted on the image forming apparatus, Even if the operator shakes the toner cartridge before installing the toner cartridge in the apparatus, the flow of new toner from the new toner storage chamber to the collected toner storage chamber is prevented, and as a result, almost 10
0% of the new toner can be supplied to the developing device, and the clogging of the mesh filter by the new toner is prevented. Therefore, the life until the clogging of the mesh filter is prolonged, and the efficiency of recycling the collected toner is improved. It has the action of:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the toner is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, supplies toner to the developing device of the image forming apparatus, and carries in the collected toner collected by the cleaning device of the image forming apparatus. A cartridge containing a new toner, a new toner storage chamber having a first opening through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device, and a cartridge disposed above the new toner storage chamber; A second opening through which the collected toner passes when the collected toner is carried in from the cleaning device; a collected toner carrying chamber into which the collected toner is carried; the new toner storage chamber and the collected toner carrying chamber; A partitioning mesh filter, a first blocking member that covers the first opening and blocks outflow of the new toner from the first opening, and the mesh filter A second blocking member that is provided on the surface and blocks the inflow of the new toner from the new toner storage chamber into the collection toner carrying-in chamber via a mesh filter. The first blocking member and the second blocking The member is integrally formed, and is configured to be integrally pulled out after being attached to the image forming apparatus. The member is shielded only by a pulling-out operation of the integrated blocking member. The opened mesh filter and the first opening are opened, and as a result, the operation of attaching the toner cartridge to the image forming apparatus performed by the operator is simplified.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner which is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, supplies toner to a developing device of the image forming apparatus, and carries in the collected toner collected by a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus. A cartridge, in which new toner is stored and a first opening through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device, and a second opening through which the collected toner passes when the collected toner is carried in from the cleaning device. A toner storage chamber having two openings; and a toner storage chamber disposed in the toner storage chamber, wherein the new toner is stored in the toner storage chamber along an upper inner wall of the toner storage chamber, and provided in the image forming apparatus. After being installed and new toner is supplied into the developing device,
A mesh filter configured to partition between the first opening and the second opening, wherein an operator operates the toner cartridge before attaching the toner cartridge to the image forming apparatus. Even if the cartridge is shaken, there is no space for new toner to pass through the mesh filter and accumulate, so that toner does not accumulate on the mesh filter. As a result, the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained. Since the new toner storage chamber and the collected toner storage chamber, which are distinguished in claim 1, are used in the same space, the size of the toner cartridge can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier which rotates, a developing device for forming a toner image on the image carrier, and a toner image formed on the image carrier on a receiving paper. A transfer member for transferring, a cleaning device for collecting toner remaining on the image carrier after the transfer, a collected toner discharging device for discharging the collected toner collected by the cleaning device from the cleaning device, and the toner A toner cartridge which has a toner storage chamber in which the toner cartridge is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus, wherein the toner cartridge has a first opening through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device; New toner is stored in the second opening through which the recovered toner passes when the recovered toner is carried in from the recovered toner unloading device, and in the toner storage chamber. A mesh filter disposed between the first opening and the second opening so as to be divided into a standard toner storage chamber and a collected toner loading chamber into which the collected toner is loaded; Provided,
A blocking member configured to block the flow of new toner from the new toner storage chamber to the collection toner carrying-in chamber through the mesh filter, and to be pulled out after being mounted on the image forming apparatus. Even when the mesh filter provided in the toner cartridge is clogged, the collected toner is stored in the toner cartridge, so that the toner clogging from the cleaning device to the collected toner discharging device is suppressed. As a result, toner spillage from the connecting portion between the cleaning device and the collected toner unloading device can be suppressed. Further, by replacing the toner cartridge, new toner is supplied to the developing device, and at the same time, the closed toner circulation path is closed. Can return to the penetrated state before the image forming operation. Having.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier which rotates, a developing device for forming a toner image on the image carrier, and a toner image formed on the image carrier on a receiving paper. A transfer member for transferring, a cleaning device for collecting toner remaining on the image carrier after the transfer, a collected toner discharging device for discharging the collected toner collected by the cleaning device from the cleaning device, and the toner A toner cartridge which has a toner storage chamber in which the toner cartridge is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus, wherein the toner cartridge has a first opening through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device; New toner is stored in the second opening through which the recovered toner passes when the recovered toner is carried in from the recovered toner unloading device, and in the toner storage chamber. A mesh filter disposed between the first opening and the second opening so as to be divided into a standard toner storage chamber and a collected toner carrying chamber into which the collected toner is carried; A first blocking member that covers the mesh filter and blocks the outflow of new toner from the first opening; and a new toner that is provided on the surface of the mesh filter and that flows from the new toner storage chamber to the collection toner loading chamber via the mesh filter. And a second blocking member for blocking the inflow of is formed integrally, and after being mounted on the image forming apparatus,
And a blocking member configured to be pulled out. Even when the mesh filter provided in the toner cartridge is clogged, the collected toner is stored in the toner cartridge, so that cleaning is performed. The toner clogging from the device to the collected toner unloading device is suppressed, and as a result, toner spillage from the connecting portion of the cleaning device and the collected toner unloading device can be suppressed. At the same time as the toner is supplied to the apparatus, the closed toner circulation path can be returned to the penetrated state before the image forming operation.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier which rotates, a developing device for forming a toner image on the image carrier, and a toner image formed on the image carrier on a receiving paper. A transfer member for transferring, a cleaning device for collecting toner remaining on the image carrier after the transfer, a collected toner discharging device for discharging the collected toner collected by the cleaning device from the cleaning device, and the toner A toner cartridge which has a toner storage chamber in which the toner cartridge is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus, wherein the toner cartridge has a first opening through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device; A second opening through which the collected toner passes when the collected toner is carried in from the collected toner carrying-out device; and a second opening disposed in the toner storage chamber; In a state where the new toner is stored, the new toner is attached along the upper inner wall of the toner storage chamber, and is attached to the image forming apparatus, and after the new toner is supplied into the developing apparatus, the first opening is formed. A mesh filter configured to partition between the toner cartridge and the second opening. Even when the mesh filter provided in the toner cartridge is clogged, the mesh filter is provided in the toner cartridge. Since the collected toner is stored, toner clogging from the cleaning device to the collected toner unloading device is suppressed, and as a result, toner spillage from the connecting portion of the cleaning device and the collected toner unloading device can be suppressed. By replacing the toner, new toner is supplied to the developing device, and An effect that can be restored to the through state before the image forming operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is formed by applying an organic photoconductive film to a thickness of 20 μm on an aluminum substrate having a diameter of 30 mm and a thickness of 1 mm. Note that, other than the organic photoconductive film, zinc oxide, selenium, cadmium sulfide, amorphous silicon, or the like may be used.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a charging member, which has a roller shape and negatively charges the photosensitive drum 10 while being driven by the photosensitive drum 10. In addition, other than the roller-shaped charging member, any member that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 such as a corotron charger, a scorotron charger, and a fur brush charger may be used.

Reference numeral 12 denotes image signal light, which irradiates the photosensitive drum 10 to form an electrostatic latent image. Reference numeral 13 denotes a developing device for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 10;
3a and a stirrer 13b. In the present embodiment,
To a negatively chargeable non-magnetic toner having a 50% diameter of about 8 μm,
A carrier having a 50% diameter of about 60 μm is used in a weight ratio of 0.5 to 5 w
t. % Two-component developer is used. In the present invention, a magnetic one-component developing device or a non-magnetic one-component developing device may be used in addition to the two-component developing device.

In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 10
Is visualized under the voltage conditions of −700 V, an exposure potential of −100 V, and a developing voltage of −500 V.
Reference numeral 14 denotes an image receiving paper. Reference numeral 15 denotes a transfer roller.
A transfer area is formed in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 to the image receiving paper 14. The transfer roller 15 is constituted by a sponge roller having a conductive sponge provided on a metal shaft. The material of the conductive sponge used in the present embodiment is a material obtained by adding an ion conductive material of a lithium salt to polyurethane, and the hardness of the conductive sponge is 50 in JIS A scale.
° or less. Further, a grounded photosensitive drum 10 and a transfer roller 1 are attached to a metal shaft constituting the transfer roller 14.
A transfer power supply (not shown) for supplying a DC voltage is applied to apply a transfer voltage between the transfer power supply and the transfer power supply. During transfer by a transfer power supply, a DC voltage of +500 V is applied.

In addition, a constant current power supply may be used in addition to the DC constant voltage power supply. When using a constant current power supply,
Even if the type of the image receiving paper 14 changes or the volume resistance value of the transfer roller 15 changes due to environmental changes, a constant amount of electric charge can be supplied to the back of the image receiving paper 14, so that the transfer independent of the image receiving paper type and environment is performed. Can be performed. However, in the case of a constant current power supply,
If the area where the toner layer exists and the area where the toner layer does not exist are mixed in the transfer area, the transfer current concentrates on the area where the impedance component is small in the transfer area, that is, the area where the toner layer does not exist, and the overall transfer voltage drops. There is a problem of doing so.

The transfer means includes a transfer roller 15
Alternatively, a belt-shaped member, a corona charger, or the like may be used. Numeral 16 denotes a grounded metal image receiving paper neutralizing member. The image receiving paper discharging member 16 is arranged so that the electric charge supplied to the back surface of the image receiving paper 14 in the transfer area self-discharges toward the image receiving paper discharging member 16. This allows
The winding of the image receiving paper 14 around the photosensitive drum 10 due to the electrostatic force is prevented, and the image receiving paper 14 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a photosensitive drum 14 from the image receiving paper 14.
This is a cleaning device for collecting toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 after the transfer to the photosensitive drum 10 is completed. The cleaning device 17 includes a rubber blade 18 that contacts the surface of the photoconductor drum 10 to scrape off residual toner, a housing 19 that stores the toner collected from the photoconductor drum 10,
It comprises a film-shaped entrance seal (not shown) for preventing the collected toner from spilling out of the housing 19 by contacting the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 1
Although a rubber blade is used as a member for recovering toner from 0, a roller member, a brush member, or a magnetic brush member having a magnetic carrier carried on a roller may be used other than the rubber blade.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a collected toner discharging device for discharging the collected toner stored in the cleaning device 17 to the outside of the cleaning device 17. The collected toner unloading device 21 is provided with a toner unloading coil 22 and a driving device (not shown) for rotating the toner unloading coil 22.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a toner cartridge mounted on the developing device 13. When the toner in the developing device 13 is consumed and becomes small, the operator replaces the toner cartridge 23 with a new toner cartridge 23 and replenishes the developing device 13 with the new toner previously stored in the toner cartridge 23. The toner cartridge 23 is connected to the toner conveying device 21, and the collected toner in the cleaning device 17 is conveyed into the toner cartridge 23. 26 is a mesh filter arranged in the toner cartridge 23. The mesh filter 26 includes a new toner storage chamber 27 in which new toner is stored in advance and a collected toner storage chamber 28 into which collected toner is introduced from the cleaning device 17 via the toner conveying device 21. It is arranged to be divided into The mesh filter 26 preferably has a mesh of 100 to 400 mesh, and more preferably has a mesh of 150 to 300 mesh. If the opening of the mesh filter 26 is larger than the above range, foreign matter is also conveyed to the developing device 13 through the mesh filter 26. If a mesh filter having an opening smaller than the above range is used, the small holes of the mesh filter are likely to be clogged with toner, and even reusable toner cannot pass through the mesh filter. In the present embodiment, a 200 mesh metal mesh filter is used.

An image forming operation and a toner recycling operation according to the above configuration will be described. First, the toner cartridge 23 is mounted on the developing device 13, and the new toner previously stored in the new toner storage chamber 27 is transferred to the developing device 1.
It is replenished within 3.

The photosensitive drum 10 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by charging by the charging member 11 and exposure by the image signal light 12. When the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 passes through the developing device 13, the toner in the developing device 13 adheres to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed. The image receiving paper 14 is conveyed to the transfer area in synchronization with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10, and the toner image is transferred onto the image receiving paper 14 by the transfer voltage applied to the transfer roller 15. The image receiving paper 14 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device (not shown), and the toner image is fixed on the image receiving paper 14. After fixing, the image receiving paper 14 is discharged out of the apparatus.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 10 after the transfer process is completed.
On the upper side, in addition to the residual toner not transferred to the image receiving paper 14 side, a toner coagulated product in which toner particles are aggregated due to the pressing force of the transfer roller 15 and paper dust transferred from the image receiving paper 14 to the photosensitive drum 10 side Foreign matter such as is attached. These residual toner and foreign matter are conveyed to the cleaning device 17 and collected from the photosensitive drum 10 by the rubber blade 18. The collected toner collected by the cleaning device 17 is carried out of the cleaning device 17 by the rotation of the toner carrying-out coil 22 in the collected toner carrying-out device 21, and is conveyed to the collected toner storage chamber 28 in the toner cartridge 23.

When the collected toner is transported to the collected toner storage chamber 28, it is filtered by the mesh filter 26,
It is separated into foreign matter such as paper dust and toner coagulated matter and reusable toner. Foreign matter mixed in the collected toner cannot pass through the small holes of the mesh filter 26 and remains on the mesh filter 26. In addition, the reusable toner passes through the small holes of the mesh filter 26, and enters the new toner storage chamber 27.
And falls into the developing device 13. The toner that has fallen into the developing device 13 is mixed and stirred with the toner contained in the developing device by the stirrer 13b, and
To be reused.

Next, the detailed configuration of the toner cartridge 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. FIG. 2, 3, and 4 are schematic cross-sectional views of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state before the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device, and FIG. 4 shows a state after the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device and the image forming operation is repeatedly performed. Shown respectively.

In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, reference numeral 29 denotes a new toner stored in the new toner storage chamber 27. Also,
Reference numeral 30 denotes a new toner discharge port for discharging the new toner 29 into the developing device 13.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a blocking seal for preventing the new toner 29 from flowing into the collected toner storage chamber 28 and spilling from the new toner outlet 30. The blocking seal 31 is a flexible resin film 31a that covers the surface of the mesh filter 26.
And a flexible resin film 3 for closing the new toner outlet 30
1b and a handle 31c provided at a connecting portion between the flexible resin films 31a and 31b. The flexible resin films 31a and 31b are folded back and adhered to the walls around the openings.

Reference numeral 32 denotes an insertion opening for inserting the collected toner discharge device 21 into the collected toner storage chamber 28, reference numeral 33 denotes an outlet shutter attached to the collected toner discharge device 21, and discharge shutter 33 corresponds to the collected toner discharge device 21. Is inserted into the collection toner storage chamber 28, and
It is configured to cover. 34 is a coil spring, 3
Reference numeral 5 denotes a toner discharge port for discharging the collected toner conveyed from the cleaning device 17 into the collected toner storage chamber 28, and the restoring force of the coil spring 34 when the toner discharge device 21 is removed from the collected toner storage chamber 28. As a result, the outlet shutter 33 slides so as to cover the toner outlet 32. Accordingly, even when the toner cartridge 23 is attached to and detached from the collected toner discharging device 21,
It is possible to prevent the toner from spilling from the toner discharge port 35.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a sponge provided inside the drawing opening of the blocking seal 31. When the blocking seal 31 is pulled out of the toner cartridge 23, the blocking seal 31
The sponge 36 held down by the operation returns to the original shape, and the opening of the blocking seal 31 is closed. This prevents toner from spilling out of the opening of the blocking seal 31.

The mounting operation of the toner cartridge 23 having the above-described configuration to the developing device 13 will be described. First, as shown in FIG.
Prepare 3 Since the new toner 29 stored in the toner cartridge 23 may be agglomerated, the operator shakes the toner cartridge 23 several times to agitate the new toner 29 in the toner cartridge 23. At this time, since the surface of the mesh filter 26 is blocked by the blocking seal 31, the new toner 29 in the new toner storage chamber 27 does not flow into the collected toner storage chamber 28. At the same time, the new toner outlet 30 is closed by the blocking seal 31, so that the new toner outlet 3
No toner spillage from 0 occurs.

Next, the toner cartridge 23 is mounted on the developing device 13 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. Further, in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG.
Into the insertion slot 32.

Thereafter, the operator grasps the handle 31c and
The blocking seal 31 is pulled in the direction of arrow C in FIG. Thereby, the flexible resin films 31a and 31b adhered to the walls around each opening are peeled off and removed from each opening. When each new toner outlet 30 is opened, the new toner 29 stored in the new toner storage chamber 27 falls into the developing device 13. At the same time, the collected toner storage chamber 28
And the new toner storage chamber 27 communicate with each other only through the mesh filter 26. With the above operation, as shown in FIG. 3, the new toner 29 does not flow into the collected toner storage chamber 28 and the toner cartridge 23 is
Is attached.

When the image forming operation is started, the collected toner collected from the photosensitive drum 10 by the cleaning device 17 is conveyed to the collected toner storage chamber 28 through the collected toner carry-out device 21 and the toner discharge port 35 is provided. And falls on the mesh filter 26. Of the collected toner that has fallen on the mesh filter 26, the toner smaller than the opening diameter of the mesh filter 26 passes through the mesh filter and falls into the developing device 13. In addition, the mesh filter 2 removes paper powder and toner coagulated material mixed in the collected toner.
The foreign matter 40 having a size larger than the mesh size of 6 cannot pass through the mesh filter 26 and remains on the mesh filter 26 as it is. By the above-described collected toner filtering step, the reusable collected toner and the foreign matter 40 that causes image defects are separated.

By repeating the image forming operation for a long period of time, as shown in FIG. 4, toner (new and collected mixed toner) 41 is consumed, and the amount of toner remaining in the developing device 13 is reduced. At the same time, the filtration of the collected toner is repeatedly performed, so that the foreign matter 40
Accumulates and clogging of the mesh filter 26 by the collected toner occurs. As a result, the filtration efficiency of the collected toner by the mesh filter 26 is reduced as compared with the initial stage of the toner recycling. The developing device 1 is detected by a remaining toner amount detection sensor (not shown) provided in the developing device 13.
When it is detected that the toner in 3 is below a predetermined amount,
A toner supply message is displayed on a control panel (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus. The operator removes the used toner cartridge 23 and replaces it with a new toner cartridge in order to supply new toner to the developing device 13. By this operation, at the same time when new toner is supplied, foreign matter accumulated in the toner circulation path is removed, and the mesh filter 26 is replaced.

As described above, even if the filtration efficiency of the mesh filter 26 is reduced due to accumulation of foreign substances or clogging of the toner during the long-term toner recycling, the toner cartridge 23 is replaced only by the operation of replacing the toner cartridge 23. It is possible to return the filtration efficiency to the initial stage of recycling.

Further, even when the filtration efficiency of the mesh filter 26 is significantly reduced and the collected toner cannot pass through the mesh filter 26, the collected toner is collected in the collected toner storage chamber 28. It is possible to prevent the toner circulation path from being blocked by the accumulation of the collected toner in the inside 21. As a result, toner spillage from the connecting portion of the cleaning device 17 and the collected toner carry-out device 21 due to toner clogging in the circulation path of the collected toner is suppressed, and toner contamination in the image forming apparatus is suppressed.

Further, by providing the blocking seal 31 on the surface of the mesh filter 26, when the operator shakes the toner cartridge 23, the inflow of the new toner 29 from the new toner storage chamber 27 to the collection toner storage chamber 28 is prevented. .
As a result, all the new toner 29 stored in the new toner storage chamber 27 is supplied to the developing device 13. As a result, utilization efficiency of the new toner close to 100% can be obtained. If a large amount of toner is left in the collected toner storage chamber 28, the new toner on the mesh filter 26 is compressed by the weight of the entire toner, and the mesh filter 26 is clogged with the new toner. However, the provision of the blocking seal 31 avoids the above problem. As a result, toner recycling is started with the original toner filter efficiency of the mesh filter. As a result, the reuse efficiency of the collected toner is improved, and toner spillage into the image forming apparatus main body due to toner clogging in the toner circulation path is suppressed.

Further, since the new toner carry-out port 30 and the mesh filter 26 are closed by one cut-off seal 31, the operator only has to pull out the cut-off seal once during the mounting operation of the toner cartridge 23. Therefore, the mounting operation of the toner cartridge can be easily performed.

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are schematic cross-sectional views of a toner cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention when viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5 illustrates a state before the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device, FIG. 6 illustrates a state after the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device, and FIG. 7 illustrates a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device and performs an image forming operation. The state after the repetition is shown. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the toner cartridge 2
In a state before the toner cartridge 3 is mounted on the developing device 13, the mesh filter 26 is provided along the upper inner wall of the toner cartridge 23. One end of the mesh filter 26 is fixed to a rotatable rotating shaft 37. Also, 38
Is a lid that forms an opening by being pushed into the toner cartridge 23. The mesh filter 26 is fixed inside the lid 38. Reference numeral 39 denotes a sliding bottom plate for closing the new toner outlet 30.

The mounting operation of the toner cartridge 23 having the above-described configuration to the developing device 13 will be described. First, as shown in FIG.
Prepare 3 Since the new toner 29 stored in the toner cartridge 23 may be agglomerated, the operator shakes the toner cartridge 23 several times to agitate the new toner 29 in the toner cartridge 23. At this time, since the new toner outlet 30 is closed by the bottom plate 39, toner does not spill from the new toner outlet 30.

Next, the toner cartridge 23 is mounted on the developing device 13 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. Thereafter, the bottom plate 39 is pulled out in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG.
As a result, the new toner outlet 30 is opened, and the new toner 29 falls into the developing device 13. Further, the lid 38
Is pushed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. Thus, the flexible mesh filter 26 is deformed from a convex shape as shown in FIG. 5 to a concave shape as shown in FIG. As a result, a space corresponding to the collected toner storage chamber 28 described in the first embodiment is formed above the mesh filter 26. When the lid 38 is pushed in, an opening corresponding to the insertion port 32 shown in the first embodiment is formed, and the collected toner carrying-out device 21 is inserted in a direction indicated by an arrow D in FIG.

By the above operation, the toner cartridge 23 is mounted on the developing device 13 in the state shown in FIG. 6, and the image forming operation is started. The subsequent toner recycling operation involving the foreign matter separation step is the same as in the first embodiment.

By repeating the image forming operation for a long time, the toner is consumed as shown in FIG.
The toner (new / collected mixed toner) 41 remaining in the toner cartridge 3 also becomes small. Simultaneously, the filtration of the collected toner is repeatedly performed, so that the foreign substances 40 accumulate on the mesh filter 26 and the mesh filter 2 formed by the collected toner.
Clogging of No. 6 occurs. As a result, the filtration efficiency of the collected toner by the mesh filter 26 is reduced as compared with the initial stage of the toner recycling. When the toner remaining amount detecting sensor (not shown) provided in the developing device 13 detects that the toner 41 in the developing device 13 is less than a predetermined amount,
A toner supply message is displayed on a control panel (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus. The operator removes the used toner cartridge 23 and replaces it with a new toner cartridge in order to supply new toner to the developing device 13. By this operation, new toner is replenished, and at the same time, foreign substances accumulated in the toner circulation path are removed, and the mesh filter is replaced.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the cut-off seal is provided on the surface of the mesh filter 26, whereas in the second embodiment, the mesh filter 26 is provided along the upper inner wall of the toner cartridge 23. In this respect, the configuration is different. However, in this embodiment, when the operator agitates the toner cartridge 23, there is no space corresponding to the collected toner storage chamber shown in the first embodiment, so that the new toner 29 passes through the mesh filter 26. Also collides with the inner wall of the toner cartridge 23 and is returned to the original space where the new toner 29 is stored. As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, the mesh filter 26
The toner recycling is started in a state where no toner is present above. As a result, the same effects as those of the first embodiment, such as improvement of the reuse efficiency of the collected toner, suppression of the toner spilling into the image forming apparatus main body due to the toner clogging in the toner circulation path, and improvement of the use efficiency of the new toner, are obtained. Will be obtained.

Further, in the second embodiment, the new toner 2
9 is also used as a space corresponding to the collected toner storage chamber 28. Therefore, the size of the toner cartridge 26 can be reduced.

In the second embodiment, the collected toner is filtered while the mesh filter 26 is curved in a concave shape. Therefore, reusable toner is supplied to the developing device 13 at the center in the longitudinal direction. The toner supplied to the center of the developing device 13 is diffused to the left and right of the developing device 13 by the agitator 13b. As a result, since there is no local concentration of toner in the developing device 13, variations in the amount of toner supply between the left and right developing rollers 13a are suppressed.

In the present invention, it is preferable to provide a vibration device for mechanically vibrating the mesh filter 26 during toner recycling.
It is desirable to provide a vibrating device that mechanically vibrates 3. By applying the mechanical vibration to the mesh filter 26, the toner particles transported on the mesh filter 26 roll on the mesh filter 26, and the fan particles between the toner particles or between the toner particles and the mesh filter are removed.
You can weaken the power of Del Waals. This allows
The toner can be loosened to easily pass through the small holes of the mesh filter 26, and clogging of the mesh filter 26 can be suppressed. Further, by applying mechanical vibration to the toner cartridge 23, the toner attached to the inner wall of the toner cartridge 23 is easily separated from the inner wall of the toner cartridge 23, and the efficiency of supplying the toner to the developing device 13 is increased.

[0059]

As described above, according to the toner cartridge of the present invention, even if the operator shakes the toner cartridge before attaching the toner cartridge to the image forming apparatus, the toner can be transferred from the new toner storage chamber to the collected toner storage chamber. Inflow of new toner is prevented, and as a result, almost 100% of new toner can be supplied to the developing device, and clogging of the mesh filter by the new toner is prevented. As a result, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the efficiency of recycling the recovered toner can be improved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even when the mesh filter provided in the toner cartridge is clogged, the collected toner is stored in the toner cartridge. Clogging of the toner is suppressed, and as a result, toner spillage from the connecting portion of the cleaning device and the collected toner unloading device can be suppressed. Further, by replacing the toner cartridge, new toner is supplied to the developing device. At the same time, there is an advantageous effect that the closed toner circulation path can be returned to the penetrated state before the image forming operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention before being mounted on a developing device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the toner cartridge after being mounted on a developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the toner cartridge after the image forming operation is repeatedly performed according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a toner cartridge before being mounted on a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a toner cartridge after being mounted on a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge after the image forming operation is repeatedly performed according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 photoconductor drum 11 charging member 12 image signal light 13 developing device 14 image receiving paper 15 transfer roller 16 image receiving paper discharging member 17 cleaning device 18 rubber blade 19 housing 21 collected toner unloading device 22 toner unloading coil 23 toner cartridge 26 mesh filter 27 New toner storage room 28 Collected toner storage room 29 New toner 30 New toner outlet 31 Shut-off seal 32 Insertion port 33 Outlet shutter 34 Coil spring 35 Toner outlet 36 Sponge 37 Rotation shaft 38 Cover 39 Bottom plate 40 Foreign matter 41 New / collected mixed toner

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A toner cartridge which is detachable from an image forming apparatus, supplies toner to a developing device of the image forming apparatus, and carries in collected toner collected by a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus. Is stored, and a new toner storage chamber having a first opening through which toner passes when toner is supplied to the developing device; and a new toner storage chamber disposed above the new toner storage chamber, wherein the collected toner is removed from the cleaning device. A second opening through which the collected toner passes when being carried in, a collected toner carrying chamber into which the collected toner is carried, a mesh filter for partitioning the new toner storage chamber and the collected toner carrying chamber, and the mesh A filter is provided on the surface of the filter, and blocks the flow of new toner from the new toner storage chamber into the recovery toner loading chamber via a mesh filter. ; And a blocking member, said blocking member after being attached to the image forming apparatus,
A toner cartridge configured to be pulled out. 2. A toner cartridge which is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, supplies toner to a developing device of the image forming apparatus, and carries in collected toner collected by a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus. Is stored, and a new toner storage chamber having a first opening through which toner passes when toner is supplied to the developing device; and a new toner storage chamber disposed above the new toner storage chamber, wherein the collected toner is removed from the cleaning device. A second opening through which the collected toner passes when the toner is carried in, a collected toner carry-in chamber into which the collected toner is carried, a mesh filter that partitions the new toner storage chamber and the collected toner carry-in chamber, A first blocking member that covers the opening and blocks outflow of the new toner from the first opening; A second blocking member for blocking the flow of the new toner from the new toner storage chamber to the collection toner carrying-in chamber via a new filter, wherein the first blocking member and the second blocking member are integrated. Wherein the toner cartridge is configured to be integrally pulled out after being attached to the image forming apparatus. 3. A toner cartridge which is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, supplies toner to a developing device of the image forming apparatus, and carries in collected toner collected by a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus. And a second opening through which the collected toner passes when the collected toner is carried in from the cleaning device and a first opening through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device. And in the toner storage chamber, in which the new toner is stored in the toner storage chamber, the new toner is attached along the upper inner wall of the toner storage chamber, and is mounted on the image forming apparatus. After being supplied into the developing device,
A toner cartridge, comprising: a mesh filter configured to partition between the first opening and the second opening. 4. An image carrier that rotates, a developing device that forms a toner image on the image carrier, a transfer member that transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier onto an image receiving paper, and a transfer device. A cleaning device that collects toner remaining on the image carrier; a collected toner unloading device that unloads the collected toner collected by the cleaning device from the cleaning device; and a toner storage chamber that stores the toner. A toner cartridge detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge comprising: a first opening through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device; and a collected toner unloading device. A second opening through which the collected toner passes when the collected toner is carried in from the printer; and a new toner storage chamber for storing new toner in the toner storage chamber. And a mesh filter disposed between the first opening and the second opening so as to be divided into a collected toner loading chamber into which the collected toner is loaded. A blocking member configured to block inflow of new toner from the new toner storage chamber to the collection toner carrying-in chamber via a mesh filter, and to be pulled out after being mounted on the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus. 5. An image carrier that rotates, a developing device that forms a toner image on the image carrier, a transfer member that transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier onto an image receiving paper, and transfer. A cleaning device that collects toner remaining on the image carrier; a collected toner unloading device that unloads the collected toner collected by the cleaning device from the cleaning device; and a toner storage chamber that stores the toner. A toner cartridge detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge comprising: a first opening through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device; and a collected toner unloading device. A second opening through which the collected toner passes when the collected toner is carried in from the printer; and a new toner storage chamber for storing new toner in the toner storage chamber. A mesh filter disposed between the first opening and the second opening so as to be divided into a collected toner carrying chamber into which the collected toner is carried, and a mesh filter that covers the first opening. A first blocking member configured to block outflow of new toner from the opening; and a first blocking member provided on a surface of the mesh filter and blocking inflow of new toner from the new toner storage chamber to the collection toner loading chamber via the mesh filter. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises: a second blocking member integrally formed with the image forming apparatus; 6. A rotating image carrier, a developing device for forming a toner image on the image carrier, a transfer member for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier onto an image receiving paper, and a transfer device A cleaning device that collects toner remaining on the image carrier; a collected toner unloading device that unloads the collected toner collected by the cleaning device from the cleaning device; and a toner storage chamber that stores the toner. A toner cartridge detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge comprising: a first opening through which the toner passes when the toner is supplied to the developing device; and a collected toner unloading device. A second opening through which the collected toner passes when the collected toner is carried in from the printer; and a second opening disposed in the toner storage chamber for collecting new toner in the toner storage chamber. In the stored state, it is attached along the upper inner wall of the toner storage chamber, and is attached to the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a mesh filter configured to partition between the first opening and the second opening after new toner is supplied into the developing device.