JPS638674A - Toner hopper for electronic copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively prevent toner from being dropped or scattered by fitting a band-like member so as to cover the outer periphery of a toner hopper constituted so as to be attached/detached to/from an electronic copying machine to store toner. CONSTITUTION:At the time of no use of the toner hopper 33, the outer periphery including an aperture 35 is covered with the band-like member 37 and the other end 37' of the member 37 is sealed on a joint layer 39 by an adhering tape or a locking tape. In order to remove the toner hopper 33 from a copying machine, the band-like member 33 is lifted in the arrow A direction and the toner hopper 33 is removed while covering the hopper aperture 35. Since the toner dropped or scattered from the aperture 35 is received by the band-like member 37, the toner can be effectively prevented from being scattered to the periphery.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an improvement of a toner hopper in an electronic copying machine, and more specifically, it is easy to handle without contamination due to toner scattering, and is easy to handle. The present invention relates to a toner hopper in an electronic copying machine that can prevent deterioration due to moisture absorption.

(Prior Art) In an electronic copying machine, a toner hopper that replenishes toner to a developing device is usually configured as a removable cartridge type, and can be installed and removed for each copy when replenishing or replacing toner, or changing toner color. It is used.

A typical conventional toner hopper of this type is shown in a side view in FIG.

That is, the toner hopper 33 shown in FIG. 7 has a substantially triangular cross section with an opening 35 at the bottom, the diameter of which decreases downward, and the toner T is filled inside.

When the conventional toner hopper 33 is not in use, a tape 36 is attached to the lower opening 35.
After peeling off this tape 36, the copying machine is installed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Present Invention) However, in the conventional toner hopper described above, when it is removed from the copying machine, the area around the opening 35 is contaminated with toner, and moreover, the toner falls and scatters from the opening 35. This could pollute the inside of the aircraft and cause discomfort and annoyance to the operators.

Furthermore, if the toner hopper removed from the copier is left as it is, the toner will absorb moisture and deteriorate, making it necessary to reapply the adhesive 736 to the opening 35, which will also stain the operator's hands and surroundings. There's a problem.

The present invention was achieved as a result of studies aimed at improving the drawbacks of the conventional toner hopper described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a toner hopper for an electronic copying machine that is easy to handle without causing contamination due to toner falling or scattering, and which effectively prevents toner from deteriorating due to moisture absorption.

[Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving Problems)] That is, the present invention provides a toner hopper that stores toner and is configured to be removably attached to an electronic copying machine. It is characterized by having a member attached.

The above band-shaped member is made of polyethylene or polypropylene.

It is preferable that the film or tape is made of a synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polyester, or polyamide, and the film or tape material is transparent and/or colored in the same color as the toner contained therein. , which is desirable because the toner color in the toner hopper can be easily distinguished.

<Function> When using the above toner hopper, peel off the band member so that at least the opening of the hopper is exposed, and then attach it to the copying machine, and when taking out the toner hopper of the present invention from the copying machine. By applying the strip member to the opening of the hopper, it is possible to effectively prevent toner from falling and scattering.

Furthermore, by covering the outer periphery of the toner hopper that has been removed from the copying machine again with a band-like member and storing it, moisture absorption and deterioration of the toner can be effectively prevented.

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the toner hopper of the present invention will be described according to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of an electronic copying machine equipped with a toner hopper of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the developing device in Fig. FIG. 4(a) is a side view explanatory view showing the first embodiment of the toner hopper, FIG. 4(b) is a partially cutaway front view of the same, and FIG.
C) is a side view explanatory view showing the same as above in an unused state, (d) is a side view explanatory view showing the above in a used state, Figure 5 (a) (b)
6A and 6B are perspective explanatory views showing a second embodiment of the toner hopper, respectively, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective explanatory views showing a third embodiment of the toner hopper, respectively.

First, we will explain the outline of the configuration and functions of electronic copying machines.
This will be explained with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, a document placing table 12 is provided on the top surface of a copying machine main body 11 and moves back and forth in accordance with the copying process. A photoreceptor 13 serving as a drum-shaped developing portion that rotates is pivotally supported.

A lamp 13 is provided between the photoreceptor 13 and the original table 12.
．． Lens 14. An exposure device 16 consisting of a mirror 15 and the like is provided, and is configured to irradiate the document placed on the document table 12 and guide the reflected light onto the photoreceptor 13 to form an image of the document.

Further, around the photoreceptor 13, from this image formation position, the photoreceptor 1
3, the developing device 17 and the transfer device 1
8. Peeling bag M19. Static eliminator 20° cleaning equipment W21. A static eliminating lamp 22 and a charging device 23 are arranged.

Further, a transfer path 24 for transfer paper P passing between the photoreceptor 13, the transfer device 18, and the peeling device 19 is provided in the main body 11, and the base end thereof is connected to a manual feed guide 25 provided on one side of the main body 11. Alternatively, a paper feed device 27 that independently feeds paper from the paper feed cassette 26 has its end facing a paper discharge tray 29 via a fixing device 28 .

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body 11 can be separated into an upper unit 30 and a lower unit 31 with the transfer path 24 as a boundary. One end of the upper unit 30 is rotatably supported by the lower unit 31, so that the upper unit 30 can be opened and closed.

First, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original is formed on the photoreceptor 13 by the charging device 23 and the exposure device 16.

Next, this electrostatic latent image is developed by being applied with a -component magnetic developer by the developing device 17, thereby forming a developer image on the photoreceptor 13.

This developer image is transferred to the transfer paper P fed by the paper feeding device 27.
The transfer paper P on which the developer image has been transferred is peeled off from the photoreceptor 13 by the peeling device 19, the developer image is fixed by the fixing device 28, and the developer image is transferred onto the paper discharge tray 29. It is papered.

On the other hand, the developer remaining on the photoreceptor 13 without being transferred onto the transfer paper P is neutralized by the static eliminator 20 and then removed by the cleaning device 21. The static electricity is removed and the next process begins.

As shown in FIG. 3, the developing device 17 includes a magnetic roller 32 for conveying the toner T to the photoreceptor.
．． A toner hopper 33 stores toner T for replenishing the magnetic roller 32 and a doctor blade 34 for regulating the layer thickness of the toner T.
It is composed of etc.

↓ The toner hopper 33 is of a cartridge type that is replaced when the toner runs out in the electronic copying machine, and one end of the band member 37 having a length that covers at least the outer periphery of the toner hopper 33 is attached to the outside of the hopper. It is attached to the side surface via a joint 38.

When the toner hopper 33 of the first embodiment is not in use, as shown in FIG.
is a bonding layer 3 made of, for example, adhesive tape or locking tape.
The end is stopped by 9.

When installing this toner hopper 33 in a copying machine, as shown in FIG. It is fixed to a part 11' of the machine body.

When removing the toner hopper 33 from the copying machine, pull up the strip member 37 in the six directions of the arrows as shown in FIG. Since the band member 37 receives the toner that falls and scatters from the section 35,
It is possible to effectively prevent toner from scattering around.

Furthermore, when storing the cartridge-type toner hopper 33 that has been removed from the copying machine, the entire outer periphery of the cartridge-type toner hopper 33 is again covered with the strip member 37 in the state shown in FIG.
If the other end 37' of the strip member is fixed at the end, the opening 35 can be secured to the strip member 37 without applying the sealing tape 36 again.
It is completely sealed, effectively preventing moisture absorption and deterioration of the internal toner.

The second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has the same structure as the first embodiment described above, but is different in that a bonding layer 39 made of adhesive tape is provided over the entire periphery of the strip member 37.

That is, in this second embodiment, one end of the strip member 37 is connected to the joint 3 around the opening 35 of the toner hopper 33.
8, and a bonding layer 39 made of adhesive tape is also provided on the peripheral edge of the strip member 37.
With the strip member 37 covering the opening 35, the strip member 3
Toner does not leak from the n end of the cover 7, and the bonding strength of the cover is further reinforced.

When using this toner hopper 33, as shown in FIG. After peeling off the sealing tape 36 from the opening 35, it is installed in the copying machine.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a bonding layer 39 made of adhesive tape is provided at two places on both edges and in the width direction of the strip member 37, and a locking layer 39 is further provided near the other end 37 of the strip member 37. This embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments described above in that a junction ff39A consisting of the following is provided.

That is, in this third embodiment, one end of the strip member 37 is connected to the joint 3 around the opening 35 of the toner hopper 33.
8, and a bonding layer 39 made of adhesive tape is provided on the entire both edges of the strip member 37 and at two locations in the width direction.
Also, a bonding layer 3 made of a locking tape is provided near the other end 37'.
9A is further provided with a locking tape locking portion 39B on a part of the outer periphery of the toner hopper 33, so that the second
Not only can the bonding strength of the cover be stronger than in the embodiment, but also the action of the locking tapes 39A and 39B makes it extremely easy to repeatedly attach and detach the strip member 37 to the toner hopper 33.

In addition, in the first to third embodiments described above, the strip member 37
It is desirable that the toner hopper be transparent and/or colored in a similar color to the toner contained in the toner hopper so that the toner color and type within the toner hopper can be easily distinguished.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is constructed as described above, by covering the toner hopper with a band-shaped member, it is possible to prevent toner from falling and scattering, thereby eliminating contamination of the surrounding area. Since the toner can be stored covered with water, moisture absorption and deterioration of the toner can be effectively prevented.

Therefore, the toner hopper of the present invention is extremely easy to handle, does not contaminate the inside or surroundings of the copying machine, or the operator's hands, and has the advantage of ensuring a long lifespan of the toner.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of an electronic copying machine equipped with the toner hopper of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a partially cutaway enlarged view of the developing device part in Fig. FIG. 4(a) is a side view explanatory view showing the first embodiment of the toner hopper, FIG. 4(b) is a partially cutaway front view of the same, and FIG.
C) is a side view explanatory view showing the same as above in an unused state, (D) is a side view explanatory view showing the same in a used state, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views showing the second embodiment of the toner hopper, respectively. 11
... Copying machine main body 17 ... Developing device 33 ... Toner hopper 35 ... Opening 37 ... Strip member 38 ... Joining section 39 ... Joining layer representative Patent attorney Yasuo Miyoshi No. 1 Figure 3 Figure 5 (a) 6r (b) Chest 6 (a)

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A toner hopper for an electronic copying machine, which stores toner and is removable from the electronic copying machine, and is characterized in that a band-like member is wrapped around at least the outer peripheral surface of the toner hopper. (2) A patent characterized in that the toner hopper is a cartridge type that can be replaced when the toner runs out in the electronic copying machine, and that one end of a band-like member is attached to the outer surface of the toner hopper. Claim No. (1)
A toner hopper in an electronic copying machine as described in Section 1. (3) Claim No. 1 (1) characterized in that the band-like member covers the outer peripheral surface of the toner hopper in an unused state.
) The toner hopper in the electronic copying machine described in item 2. (4) A toner hopper in an electronic copying machine as set forth in claim (1), wherein the band-shaped member has a bonding layer at least on its peripheral edge. (5) The cartridge-type toner hopper according to claim (1), wherein the band member is made of a material that is transparent and/or colored in the same color as the toner contained therein.