TWI238300B - Process cartridge, process cartridge recycling method and process cartridge recycling device - Google Patents

Abstract

A process cartridge recycling method which includes a water washing step, which washes a used process cartridge using water. In this step, so as not to cause deterioration of a working environment of washing, a casing of members which structure the process cartridge is extracted, and water is sprayed at the casing for washing. Also, a process cartridge recycled by this method, and a process cartridge recycling device which implements this method.

Description

1238300

Explanation of the Fen and Fen Ming (The description of the invention should state: the technical field to which the invention belongs, the prior art, the content, the embodiments, and the simple description of the drawings) FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a recycling process box method, which Forming) components can be freely joined and separated, with regard to the processing cassette and components recycled from the processing cassette. Prior Art In view of maintainability and serviceability, a freely detachable unit called a 'processing box' was used in an image forming element. This process cartridge incorporates a photosensitive body such as an electrostatic module, a developing element, a cleaning element and the like, and accommodates these in a cover or a case. Traditionally, when the process cartridge is recovered, a washing process is performed by blowing air, sucking air (vacuum cleaning) and wiping with a solvent, such as alcohol or the like. Since it is difficult to completely clean with air blow and air suction, the residual dirt, such as alcohol, must be wiped with a solvent. In such washing, there is a problem that the working environment is deteriorated, which can easily be caused by air blowing or scattering of air sucked toner. In addition, there is a problem that the environment is deteriorated by wiping with a solvent such as alcohol. Therefore, improvement is urgently needed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to solve the problems occurring in the prior art, and to achieve the following objectives. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a processing cassette recycling method capable of recycling processing cassettes without deteriorating a working environment during washing, and to provide a processing cassette and a processing cassette 1238300 which can be recycled by the method. ⑺ Recycled components. The above objective can be achieved by the following steps. First, a first aspect of the present invention is a method for recycling a used processing box, which includes a water washing step of washing the processing box with water. In this process cartridge recovery method, in the water washing step, the process cartridge may be washed together with the attached toner. In this process box recovery method, the temperature of the water is from 30 ° C to 65 ° C. In this process box recovery method, in the water washing step, water can be sprayed in the process E and water pressure is used for washing. In this process cartridge recovery method, a sprayed water pressure is in a range of approximately 196 kPa (Pa) to 980 kPa. In this process box recovery method, the water washing step may further include: a toner separation step for separating water and toner from the used water. In this process box recovery method, in the toner separation step, water and toner can be separated by collecting water floating on the surface after washing with water. In this process cartridge recovery method, in the toner separation step, the water separated by the toner separation step can be recovered and reused in the water washing step. The process box recovery method may further include, after the water washing step, a drying step for drying the process box. In this process box recovery method, in this drying step, the process box may be blown dry by an air pressure of about 196 kPa to 882 kPa. During this drying step, the temperature of a blow dry air may be about 40 ° C to 90 ° C. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Continued on page 1238300 ⑺ In the processing box recovery method, the processing box may include at least one photoelectric photosensitive body, and the processing box recovery method may include, before the water washing step, a method for recovering at least the photosensitive Disassembly steps to remove the sex body from the processing box. In the processing box recycling method, the processing box may include a casing with plastic as a main component, and the processing box recycling method may include disassembling a component whose main component is plastic is removed from the processing box. step

Step. In this case, the main component is a plastic housing which can be combined with at least one developing component provided near the periphery of the photoelectric photosensitive material. In the process cartridge recycling method, the process cartridge may include a toner bottle in which toner is retained. In this process box recycling method, at least one of the plurality of structural elements of the process box has a substantially hydrophobic thermoplastic resin as a main component.

A second aspect of the present invention is to include a processing case having plastic as a main component, a case to which carbon powder has been attached, and having been recovered by washing the case with water at least about 30 ° c. This process box is substantially washed by spraying water on the housing and applying a water pressure of about 196 kPa to 980 kPa. The temperature of the water used for the processing box can be from about 30 ° C to 65 ° C, so that the casing recovered by water washing will not be deformed by the water heat. A label is affixed to the exterior surface of the process cartridge housing, and there is no 1238300 (6) Description of the Invention The continuation sheet is limited to this. The photoelectric photosensitive body can be used for a photosensitive drum system, a photosensitive belt system or the like, but is not limited thereto. The following are specific examples of the structure of the processing cassette: (a) — a developing cartridge incorporating a photoelectric photosensitive body, an electrostatic member, and a cleaning member from a single housing; (b) — a developing image incorporating the following components Cassette: a housing that integrates a photoelectric photosensitive body, an electrostatic member and a cleaning member, and a developing housing, the developing housing integrates a toner storage portion and a developing roll; (c) a combination of the following components Development Kuang: a photoelectric photosensitive body, an electrostatic member and a cleaning member, a toner storage case (toner bottle) containing a toner storage portion, and a developing case containing a developing roll; (d) integration A toner storage container and a developing cartridge in a single casing in a single housing; and (e) a toner bottle in which toner is stored and does not include a developing cartridge. An example of a typical structure of a process cartridge includes a process cartridge described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 2001-242692, one of which includes an image carrier unit (photosensitive body), and one including a developing unit ( Developing unit) and a developing device carrier (toner bottle) that can be combined / detached from the developing unit. Generally, in the recycling method of the processing box of the present invention, a disassembly process is implemented before the water washing process, which is used to remove the body that is not washed from the processing box (that is, the washing target). If a photo-sensitive body is included, then at least the photo-sensitive body is removed from the processing box during the disassembly process. It is preferable that the different components are integrated into a whole as described above, and the components other than the housing are removed. That is, in the case of a process cartridge, the housing may be the only component being washed. The above description of the invention description Continuation page 1238300 ⑺ In the composition imaging E, the casing includes: a casing portion, which is separated from the casing portion: a photoelectric photosensitive body, an electrostatic member, a developing unit, a cleaning member And the like; a toner storage case (toner bottle); a developing case; and the like. These housings together with plastic constitute a major component. Even if these cases retain the sponge type and metal type of each part, the washing effect will not be reduced. Therefore, it is appropriate that such sea, cotton, and metal are not disposed of during dismantling.

The washing process is then carried out on the treatment cassette with water; it is not necessary to wash the project and it is removed by a disassembly procedure. The water used for the washing treatment is not limited, and these examples include: tap water, groundwater, ion-exchanged water, pure water, and high-purity water. To improve the washing effect, an appropriate amount of a solvent, such as a detergent, alcohol or the like, may be added to the water.

The water used for the water washing treatment can be used once and discharged. Alternatively, in order to reduce the amount of water used and the amount of water discharged, the water can be recovered, recycled, and used again in the washing process. Because the toner is removed from the processing box and is contained in the water that has been used for washing treatment, it is beneficial to achieve a separation process to separate the washed water and toner, both of which are drained and re-used. Use case. Since the toner is constituted together with the hydrophobic thermoplastic plastic resin as a main component (usually, a combined resin component), it is easy to separate the toner from water. Water and toner can be separated by removing the floating part of the recovered water, and this toner can be easily collected from the water. Furthermore, filtering to remove toner and other foreign objects can be achieved in a filter. Further -12-1238300 ⑻ In other words, unlike detergents, the outflow of water is easy to handle. As a result, water is environmentally friendly and has low disposal costs. The temperature of the water used for the water washing treatment is in a range from about 0 ° C to 70 ° C. When the water temperature is low, the washing effect is reduced. If the water temperature is too high, components that are mainly plastic will be easily changed. Therefore, the water temperature is substantially in a range from about 16 ° C to 65 ° C. Water temperature can range from approximately 30 ° C to 65 ° C, or approximately 40 ° C to 65 ° C.

The washing treatment of a washing step is not particularly limited, but a washing treatment by spraying water, an ultrasonic washing treatment, a surfactant treatment and the like are available. In view of the washing efficiency, the simplification of a component and the like, the washing treatment by spraying water is better. The water pressure is not particularly limited if a washing treatment by spraying water is applied, but in view of the washing effect, the water pressure will be substantially from about 196 kPa to 980 kPa (about 2 kgf / cm2 to 10 kgf). / Cm2). Water pressure can range from approximately 294 kPa to 784 kPa (approximately 3 kgf / cm2 to 8 kgf / cm2), or 392 kPa to 588 kPa (approximately 4 kgf / cm2 to 6 kg) Force / cm2). Water is usually released from a spray nozzle. As long as the aforementioned water pressure is maintained, the release shape is not restricted; water can be sprayed straight or radially. From the viewpoint of a large single nozzle spraying the surface area, a large amount of water is sprayed on mainly plastic members, and the spraying may have a radial shape. In addition, from the standpoint of washing effectiveness, water spraying can be performed when the main plastic member is transported by a transport element unidirectionally or reciprocally. The washing period of the water washing treatment is appropriately selected according to water temperature, water pressure (if spraying -13-1238300 Invention Description Continued (9) water washing treatment is applied) and the like. The washing period is approximately 30 seconds to 30 minutes.

In the processing method of the present invention, it is necessary to remove the water already attached to the processing box after the water washing process is completed. Therefore, a drying process is usually performed. This drying process is not particularly limited. The process box can be allowed to dry naturally, or it can be dried by any of the following methods: air-drying system, high-temperature drying, low-humidity drying or the like. Because of the short duration of drying, an air blow drying system can be used in the drying process. The wind pressure of the blowing air is not particularly limited, but will be in a range from about 196 kPa to 882 kPa (approximately 2 kgf / cm2 to 9 kgf / cm2). The wind pressure can range from approximately 490 kPa to 686 kPa (approximately 5 kgf / cm2 to 7 kgf / cm2). The temperature of the blowing air is not particularly limited, but ordinary air can be used, and high-temperature air can be used. If high temperature air is used, this drying period can be shortened. However, when high-temperature air is used, the air-drying temperature range is substantially at most 100 ° C. This range is from about 40 ° C to 90 ° C. The air-blowing drying process can be repeated many times, and the post-processing air blowing can be performed by spraying air in part. In the recycling method of the treatment craftsman of the present invention, before the water washing treatment is performed, from the viewpoint of improving the washing effect, the toner adhered to the treatment box can be naturally dropped, and the air is blown dry and / or air evacuated. Suction can be implemented. Further, after the water washing treatment has been performed, the supplemental solvent washing may be performed by a solvent such as alcohol or the like. Even if these -14-1238300 (10) air-drying and / or suction treatment and solvent washing are implemented, compared with the case where a water washing treatment is not implemented, the deterioration of the working environment caused by toner and solvent will be greatly reduce. In the method for recycling a processing box according to the present invention, mainly plastic components undergo different washing steps including a washing process, and are once again assembled for use in other component recovery processing boxes.

In the process cartridge recovery method of the present invention, from the viewpoint of washing effect, water washing can be performed at a water temperature of 30 ° C or higher. Furthermore, in order to avoid thermal deformation of the process cartridge (especially the casing), the upper limit of the water temperature may be about 65 ° C. When the water temperature of the washing water is 30 ° C or higher, we expect that the low-molecular-weight components in the resin for binding toner will be easily liquefied and the toner will be deformed. Here, if water is applied to the strip washer system described above at a water pressure ranging from about 196 kPa to 980 kPa, it is expected that the toner will be deformed by this water pressure. In addition, I think that if the water temperature is 30 ° C or above, and the molecular motion of water is adequate, then the bonding resin of the toner will become larger due to heat, and the bonding resin will be closer to a glass transition temperature . Therefore, the molecular movement of the binding resin will be sufficient. This is one of the factors that makes the attached toner easier to remove. Also, if the toner is made by a pulverizing method, the washing water penetrates into the fine cracks of the toner. Furthermore, when heat is applied with washing water at a water temperature of 30 ° C or above, I think that water penetration will be promoted in the portion where the low-molecular components of the toner-bonded resin have been liquefied and deformed, and this is to make the A factor that makes the attached toner easier to remove. -15-

1238300 (ii)

In the present invention, particularly when water is sprayed at the above-mentioned water temperature and pressure, the attached toner can be removed from the processing tank by heating without deforming the processing tank (especially the casing). A label indicating a time limit of use, a warning, and the like is usually attached to an outer surface of the processing case structure. The used process cartridge is not just the inside being stained with toner; when the process of disassembling the process cartridge is performed before the washing process, and when, as described above, the toner adhered to the process cartridge naturally falls, Also, when the air-drying and / or air suction is performed, the toner adheres to the outer surface in a large amount, and will also adhere to the label. Even if the toner is thus adhered to the label, the toner is removed and no toner remains on it in the present invention. '' No toner residue '' means that the toner will not stick to a finger that touches the label.

An example of the water washing treatment of the recycling method of the processing box of the present invention will now be explained with reference to a recycling element (the element recycled by the processing box of the present invention) which can be advantageously used, and the present invention is not limited to this example. The feature of having substantially the same function is that each drawing is explained with the same reference number, and its explanation can be omitted. Fig. 1 is a schematic view for explaining an example of a process cartridge recovery device used in a washing process of the process cartridge recovery method of the present invention. The recovery device shown in Fig. 1 has a nozzle 14 (water washing nozzle), a tank 20, a pump 22 (water pressure control device), and a heater 28 (water temperature adjustment device). The nozzle 14 releases water 16 to the washing chamber 12 to spray a casing 10. The tank 20 recovers the washed water 16. The pump 22 circulates the recovered water 16 so that the water 16 can be released from the nozzle 14 again, and controls the water pressure discharged from the nozzle 14 -16-1238300 Description of the invention continued. Page (12). The heater 28 adjusts the water temperature of the water 16 discharged from the nozzle 14.

In the recycling device shown in Fig. 1, first, the casing 10 mainly composed of plastic is separated from the used processing box (disassembly processing) and the casing 10 is put into the washing chamber 12. Then, water 16 is released from the nozzle 14 and water is sprayed on the casing 10. Therefore, water washing is performed (washing process). Water 16 is released from the nozzle and is sprayed on the casing 10 in a radial pattern. When water is sprayed, the casing 10 is moved back and forth by a conveyor belt 18, as shown by the arrows. Therefore, the effect of washing is increased. Here, the water pressure is controlled in the appropriate range described by the pump 22 before, and the water temperature is controlled in the appropriate range described by the heater 28 before this. The sprayed water 16 is recovered at In the tank 20, the part floating on the surface is taken away and then filtered at the filter. Therefore, toner and the like are removed. Water 16 passes pump 2 2 and is used again.

Then, drying of the casing 10 which has been washed with water is carried out by using a blower system in the same washing chamber 12 or another tank or the like (drying treatment). Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an apparatus for recovering the process cartridge used in the washing process of the process for recovering the process cartridge of the present invention. The recovery device shown in FIG. 2 has a nozzle 14 (water washing nozzle), a blower device 24, a pump 22 (water pressure control device), and a heater 28 (water temperature adjustment device). The nozzles 14 release water 16 into the washing chamber 12 to spray the casing 10. The blowing device 24 is arranged side by side with the nozzle 14. The pump 22 controls the water pressure of the water 16 released from the nozzle 14. The heater 28 adjusts the -17-1238300 release from the nozzle 14 (13) The water temperature of the water 16.

In the recycling device shown in FIG. 2, first, the casing 10 mainly composed of plastic is separated from the used processing box (disassembly processing), and the casing 10 is transported to the washing chamber 12 by a conveying belt 18. The water washing (water washing treatment) is performed as described in FIG. 1 except that the water washing treatment is performed in a case where the casing 10 is moved only in the direction of the conveyance of the conveyor belt. Then, according to the transportation of the casing 10, water washing is completed, and then the casing 10 is sprayed with air 26 by a blowing device 24. Therefore, drying is performed (drying treatment). Thereafter, the casing 10 is sent out from the washing room according to the transport direction. In Figs. 1 and 2, the nozzle 14 for releasing water is arranged above the housing 10 for pure reasons. The main component of the nozzle is plastic. However, the nozzle 14 need not be restricted to the upward portion of the casing 10. The nozzles 14 may be arranged above the casing 10, spraying water from the side part, and the structure of the visual element, from the lower part. Examples

Hereinafter, examples are provided to explain the present invention more clearly. The present invention is not limited by these examples. Example 1 incorporated therein: a photosensitive magnetic drum (photosensitive body), an electrostatic discharge tube (electrostatic component) and a cleaning blade (cleaning component) processing box were recovered, and the box has been used in a In the FUJI XEROX DOCUCENTRE 705 including a copying machine function and a list machine function, metal components, sponges, and the like, such as photosensitive drums, electrostatic discharge tubes, cleaning blades and the like, were removed, Furthermore, a plastic case (mainly -18-1238300 invention key sheet continuation sheet (14) is a plastic member) was separated. The toner remaining in the plastic case, which can be easily removed by suction, is removed.

Then, the plastic case to which the toner has been attached was placed in a water washing device and sprayed with warm water at a temperature of 55 ° C for 1 minute. Water was sprayed from six upper nozzles and six lower nozzles at a pressure of 588 kPa (6 kgf / cm2). Thereafter, the plastic casing was blown by air from six upper nozzles, six lower nozzles, three right nozzles and three left nozzles at a pressure of 686 kPa (7 kgf / cm²) and room temperature. The case lasts a minute. Then, the plastic case was taken out of the washing device, and the plastic case was further sprayed at a pressure of 686 kPa (7 kgf / cm2) and room temperature air for one minute. As a result, regional residual water was removed. During these operations, no toner is scattered and the working environment for washing is favorable.

The total length of the washed and dried plastic case is measured and is the same as before washing in water. The plastic case is then sent to a processing cassette assembly for processing. The process cartridge is assembled and an erosion degree of the cleaning blade is measured. This is the same degree of erosion as the new case. In addition, a copy of the sample was from FUJI XEROX DOCUCENTRE 705; moreover, the image quality evaluation results, such as the image density and the state and similarity of the non-image parts, are exactly the same as the brand-new products. Example 2 An integrated processing box with a casing and a developing casing was recovered, and the cassette has been previously used to include a copier function, a list machine function, and -19-1238300 Invention Description Continued (15) A fax function FUJI XEROX DOCUCENTRE 400 FS. The case is integrated with a photosensitive body, an electrostatic component, and a cleaning member, and the developing case includes a toner storage portion. The housing with the cleaning member is separate from the developing housing, and a photosensitive drum, an electrostatic roll, a cleaning blade, a developing roll, a developing blade, a photosensitive body cover and the like are removed from the different housings. By. The screw-on cover was removed and a plastic casing (a predominantly plastic component) was separated. The sponge part and the metal part are still attached to the plastic case part, the case is reversed, and the toner remaining inside is naturally poured out. Then, a plastic casing on a conveyor belt is introduced into the water washing element, which includes a water washing process and an air blowing process, respectively. The plastic case is transported past the washing element and sprayed with warm water at 40 ° C for two minutes. The spraying water was implemented in the following manner: from the upper eight nozzles, eight lower nozzles, two nozzles on the right and two nozzles on the left, at a pressure of 392 kPa (4 kgf / cm2). The plastic housing was then transported through the washing element to be sprayed at room temperature for two minutes at a pressure of 490 kPa (5 kgf / cm²). Thereafter, the plastic case was removed from the washing element and air-dried to further spray the plastic case with warm air at a temperature of 70 ° C at a pressure of 490 kPa (5 kgf / cm2). Minutes long. Therefore, regionally residual water is removed. During these operations, no toner is scattered and the working environment for washing is favorable. The total length of the finished plastic case during washing and drying is measured, the same as that of water -20-1238300 _instruction continued (16) before washing. The plastic housing is then lifted out of the processing cassette assembly. The process cartridge is assembled and an erosion degree of the cleaning blade is measured. This is the same degree of erosion as a new shell. In addition, a copy of the sample was obtained from FUJI XEROX DOCUCENTRE 400 FS, and the image quality evaluation results, such as the image density and non-image distribution status, and similar, are exactly the same as the new product.

According to the present invention described above, a processing cassette recycling method can recycle a processing cassette without causing deterioration of a washing work environment, and a processing cassette recovered in this way and components for processing cassette recycling can be provided. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram explaining a processing cassette recovery element used in a washing step of a processing cassette recovery method of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of a recovery element of a processing box, which is used in a washing step of the processing box recovery method of the present invention. Component symbol description

10 Housing 20 Tank 12 Washing chamber 22 Pump 14 Nozzle 24 Air dryer 16 Water 26 Air 18 Conveyor belt 28 Heater -21-

Claims (1)

1238300 Patent Application No. 091133016 Chinese Application for Patent Scope Replacement (April 1994 i Θ) Pick-up and Application for Patent Scope 1. A method for recovering a used processing box, including a water washing step of washing the processing box, the The temperature of the water is from 30 ° C to 65 ° C; wherein the water washing step includes washing the attached processing box of carbon powder, spraying water on the treatment E and applying water pressure to wash, and further includes, After the water washing step, a drying step for drying the processing case; wherein the processing case includes a case body, and the method further includes a step for removing components other than the case body of the processing case. Disassembly steps. 2. The method for recovering a processing cartridge according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, further comprising a toner separation step for separating the water and the carbon powder that have been used in the water washing step. 3. The method for recovering a processing cartridge according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein at least one of the structural components of the processing cartridge includes a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin as a main component, and the carbon powder includes a Plastic resin is a major component. 4. The method for recovering a processing cartridge according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the processing cartridge includes a toner bottle with toner remaining therein. 5. For the recycling method of the treatment box in the first item of the patent application scope, one of the spraying water pressure is from 196 kPa to 980 kPa. 6. The method for recovering a processing cassette according to item 1 of the patent application range, wherein the drying step includes a drying step of drying by air pressure from 196 kPa to 8 2 kPa. 7. The method for recovering the processing cassette according to the scope of patent application item 1, wherein the outside The 1238300 case body includes plastic as a major component. 8. The method for recovering a processing cartridge according to item 2 of the application, wherein the carbon powder separation step includes separating the carbon powder and the water by collecting a part floating on the water surface after the water washing step. 9. The method for recovering a processing cartridge according to item 2 of the scope of patent application, further comprising recovering the water separated in the toner separation step, and using the water in the water washing step again. 10. The method for recovering a process cartridge according to item 5 of the scope of patent application, further comprising a toner separation step of separating the water and the toner that have been used in the water washing step. 11. The method for recovering a processing cassette according to item 1 of the patent application range, wherein the drying step includes a drying step of drying by air blowing from an air pressure of 196 kPa to 882 kPa. 12. The method for recycling a processing cassette according to item 6 of the patent application, wherein the processing cassette includes at least one photosensitive body of photoelectricity, and the method further includes, before the water washing step, a method for converting at least the photosensitive photosensitive body Disassembly steps for removing the sex body from the processing box. 13. The method for recycling a processing cartridge according to item 7 of the patent application, wherein the casing body including plastic as a main component includes a casing of at least one developing component coupled to a periphery of a photosensitive body of a photovoltaic body. 14. The method for recovering a processing cartridge according to item 11 of the scope of patent application, wherein, in the drying step, the temperature of a blow drying air is from 40 ° C to 90 ° C. 15. — A component recovered from the processing box, which is used to clean the attached toner with water. 1238300 processing box and removing toner to recover the processing box, the component includes: a water washing nozzle spraying water on the processing box; a water pressure control device for controlling the water pressure of the water washing nozzle; and a water spraying nozzle for controlling the water washing nozzle Warm water temperature adjustment device. 16. The component recovered by the processing box according to item 15 of the patent application scope, wherein the water pressure control device controls the water pressure from 196 kPa to 980 kPa, and the water temperature adjustment device adjusts the water temperature to 30 ° C to 60 ° C.