WO2005093525A1 - Dispositif d'emboitement de tremie de toner, contenant de toner et kit de remplissage de toner - Google Patents

Dispositif d'emboitement de tremie de toner, contenant de toner et kit de remplissage de toner Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005093525A1
WO2005093525A1 PCT/US2004/003366 US2004003366W WO2005093525A1 WO 2005093525 A1 WO2005093525 A1 WO 2005093525A1 US 2004003366 W US2004003366 W US 2004003366W WO 2005093525 A1 WO2005093525 A1 WO 2005093525A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
toner
toner container
hopper
orifice
opening
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/003366
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Guerry L. Grune
Richard Irving Ii Stow
Original Assignee
Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc. filed Critical Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US2004/003366 priority Critical patent/WO2005093525A1/fr
Publication of WO2005093525A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005093525A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0894—Reconditioning of the developer unit, i.e. reusing or recycling parts of the unit, e.g. resealing of the unit before refilling with toner
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0877—Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0877—Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
    • G03G15/0881—Sealing of developer cartridges
    • G03G15/0882—Sealing of developer cartridges by a peelable sealing film

Definitions

  • the invention relates to devices for refilling image forming apparatuses with toner, and particularly to a toner hopper engagement device for engagement with a sliding cover type toner hopper so as to allow the refilling of such a toner hopper.
  • the invention also provides a toner container and a toner refill kit which can be utilized to more conveniently refill a sliding cover type toner hopper.
  • thermosetting image forming substance such as dry ink or what is commonly referred to as "toner”
  • image forming apparatuses are constructed with an array of devices related to refilling the toner reservoir included in the image forming apparatus.
  • a toner reservoir or "hopper” in an image forming apparatus may have a sliding lid that is opened by hand, thereby allowing toner to be poured into the reservoir, from a specialized toner refilling container.
  • FIGs 8-13 a refilling operation using a known refill container is shown.
  • an access panel 12 of image forming apparatus 10 is rotated downward to expose toner hopper release lever 14 and toner hopper 16.
  • toner hopper 16 can be pulled outwardly, in a direction of arrow 18, so as to expose engagement surface 20 of toner hopper 16.
  • Figures 8 and 9 depict a toner hopper that can be pulled outwardly from an image forming apparatus
  • hopper 16 may be fixed within image forming apparatus 10 whereby access is enabled through additional access panels.
  • Figures 10-13 illustrate a refilling operation of toner hopper 16.
  • toner hopper 16 includes engagement surface 20 which has various receptacles 22 for receiving corresponding protrusions 24 provided on an engagement plate 26 of toner refill cartridge 28.
  • Engagement surface 20 also includes lip 30 for engaging rear edge 32 of hopper refill cartridge 28.
  • Toner hopper 16 also includes handle 34 which allows a user to slide toner lid 36 to thereby open orifice 38 so as to allow hopper 16 to be refilled with toner.
  • a free end 40 of film 46 extends beyond an edge of plate 26, as shown in Figure 10.
  • toner hopper 28 is engaged with engagement surface 20 of toner hopper 16.
  • rear edge 32 of toner hopper 28 is engaged with lip 30 of surface 20.
  • protrusions 24 are engaged with receptacles 22.
  • toner refill cartridge 28 is filled with toner 42 and is sealed along its bottom surface 44 with film 46.
  • film 46 is bonded to surface 44 so as to provide a complete seal over the opening 48 of toner refill cartridge 28.
  • film 46 is approximately twice as long as toner refill cartridge 28.
  • a first length of film 46 covers opening 48 of cartridge 28.
  • a second length of film 46 is wrapped around first slide plate 50.
  • a user pulls handle 34 of hopper 16 in the direction of arrow 52.
  • hopper lid 36 is moved in the direction of arrow 52.
  • slide plates 50 and 54 are also moved in the direction of arrow 52 and film 46 is peeled away from surface 44 of cartridge 28.
  • toner 42 provided in cartridge 28 is thereby allowed to fall into hopper 16.
  • handle 34 can be returned to its initial position, and cartridge 28 can be removed.
  • cartridge 28 can be returned to the manufacturer for refilling. Since the film 46 is peeled away from cartridge 28 only after cartridge 28 has been engaged with surface 20 of hopper 16, accidental spillage and dispersal of toner 42 during a refilling operation is effectively prevented.
  • a shortcoming of the above-described toner refill arrangement is that specialized refill containers are complex and must be manufactured with strict tolerances due to the various couplings required for engaging and interacting with each specific toner hopper. As a result, expensive tooling costs are incurred in making the molds and other equipment used to manufacture the specialized containers, and even after the initial equipment costs, the manufacture and assembly of the specialized containers is costly.
  • the specialized containers can add significant overhead costs to operating and maintaining image forming apparatuses, hi addition, if a business has a number of different types of photocopiers, an inventory of different specialized toner refill containers must be maintained. Therefore, it is desirable to simplify and minimize the costs involved with refilling toner reservoirs of image forming apparatuses.
  • a base member is configured to engage a toner hopper of an image forming apparatus which has a sliding-type toner hopper lid.
  • a first orifice is provided on the base member and is configured to allow toner to pass through the base member into the hopper.
  • the present invention further provides a toner container.
  • a toner storage portion has an opening.
  • a sealing member is attached to the opening.
  • An adhesive portion is provided on the sealing member and has an adhesive on at least a portion of the adhesive portion which does not face an interior of the toner storage portion.
  • the present invention still further provides a toner refill kit.
  • a base member is configured to engage a toner hopper of an image forming apparatus which has a sliding-type toner hopper lid.
  • a toner container has a toner storage portion and an opening.
  • a first orifice is provided on the base member and is configured to allow toner to pass through the base member into the hopper, the first orifice being releasably engagable with the opening.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toner hopper engagement device according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a top view of a sealing film for a toner refill container.
  • Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sealing film shown in Figure 2 provided on a toner refill container.
  • Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the sealing film and toner refill container shown in Figure 3.
  • Figures 5-7 are side elevational views illustrating a refilling operation using the toner hopper engagement device shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the movement of an access panel of an image forming apparatus.
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus illustrating the movement of a hopper of the image forming apparatus.
  • Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of a hopper and a refill cartridge.
  • Figures 11-13 are cross-sectional views illustrating a refilling operation using the refill cartridge and hopper shown in Figure 10.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a toner hopper engagement device according to the present invention.
  • the toner hopper engagement device 100 includes base member 102 , and at least one orifice 104.
  • base member 102 is configured to engage with an engagement surface of a toner hopper, such as engagement surface 20 of toner hopper 16 shown in Figure 10.
  • base member 102 may be configured to engage with any known toner hopper.
  • base member 102 may include any combination of protrusions and/or receptacles, such as protrusions 106 which are configured to be received by receptacles provided on a toner hopper.
  • protrusions 106 maybe configured to be received by receptacles 22 of toner hopper 16 shown in Figure 10.
  • base member 102 may include tooth 108 for engaging lip 30 of toner hopper 16, for example.
  • Orifice 104 is configured to be releasably engagable with a toner container. Although orifice 104 may have any shape, orifice 104 and base member 102 are preferably configured to prevent inadvertent or accidental spillage or dispersal of toner.
  • orifice 104 may be in the form of a rectangular orifice 110 or an annular orifice 112.
  • orifice 110 is configured to allow toner to be poured into the toner hopper while preventing inadvertent or accidental spillage or dispersal of toner.
  • toner powder may float out of the toner hopper and through orifice 110.
  • orifice 110 should be constructed small enough so that dispersal of toner through the orifice is substantially prevented, while the remainder of base member 102 substantially forms a seal with a toner hopper, thereby preventing spillage or dispersal of toner during a refilling operation.
  • orifice 110 is located approximately at the end of base member 102 opposite from tooth 108.
  • orifice 100 maybe positioned at any position along the length of base member 102.
  • orifice 110 is configured to be releasably engagable with a toner container, so as to allow toner to be poured through orifice 110.
  • the base member 102 may be reused for refilling purposes without being burdened with the need to repurchase a device for mating a toner container with the toner hopper to be refilled, as compared to the toner cartridge 28 shown in Figure 10.
  • the remainder of base plate 102 is configured to substantially close the toner hopper, so as to prevent inadvertent spillage or dispersal of toner during a refill operation.
  • base member 102 may be configured to mate with the engagement surface of the toner hopper to be refilled, such as surface 20 of toner hopper 16 shown in Figure 10, for example.
  • orifice 104 is in the form of annular orifice 112, having an annular wall 114 with an outer surface 116 and an inner surface 118.
  • inner surface 118 is configured to provide an interference fit with an outlet of a toner container.
  • toner container 120 includes an opening portion 122.
  • outlet portion 122 is provided with threads 124 for threadably engaging with a cap (not shown).
  • outlet 122 may be provided with a smooth outer surface and/or at least one ridge for snap fitting with a corresponding cap (not shown), hi an embodiment where outlet 122 is provided with threads 124, inner surface 118 of orifice 112 may be provided with threads 126 which correspond to threads 124.
  • inner surface 118 may be provided with a plurality of contours, such as ridges, which are configured to snap fit with threads 124.
  • outlet 122 is provided with at least one ridge, inner surface 118 may also be provided with contours to provide a snap or slip fit with such a ridge.
  • interference fit is defined as including at least one of (1) threaded engagements such as between a bolt and a nut, (2) a slip fit such as that provided between two contacting surfaces, and (3) snap fitting where corresponding ridges interfere with each other upon insertion and withdrawal.
  • base member 102 is configured such that the overall height 111 of base member 102 is such that base member 102 does not interfere with other internal components in the image forming apparatus which includes the toner hopper to be refilled, such that base member 102 may be left mated to the toner hopper during operation of the image forming apparatus.
  • base member 102 may have a an overall height of approximately one inch, which may prevent base member 102 from interfering with other mechanisms in certain image forming apparatuses so that base member 102 may be left inside an image forming apparatus, engaged with its toner hopper during operation.
  • the maximum overall height of base member 100 will be dictated by the specific characteristics of the image forming apparatus. By constructing base member 102 as such, it is unlikely that base member 102 will be lost between uses.
  • engagement device 100 preferably includes a removable seal 128 provided on a toner container 120. Sealing member 128 maybe in the form of a foil or thin film that is bonded or adhered to opening 122 through partial melting or adhesive.
  • sealing member 128 preferably includes an adhesive portion 130 provided with adhesive on at least one side of adhesive portion 130.
  • adhesive portion 130 may be formed on an extension 132 of sealing member 128.
  • adhesive portion 130 is configured to engage with an outer surface of a toner hopper when toner container 120 is engaged with orifice 104 (discussed in detail below).
  • orifice 104 be configured to allow removable sealing member 128 to contact a slidable lid of a toner hopper when base member 102 is mated to the toner hopper, and when the toner container is engaged with orifice 104.
  • orifice 104 By constructing orifice 104 as such, a refilling operation using the engagement device 100 is further enhanced by allowing the toner container to be inserted into orifice 104 with sealing member 128 remaining attached to opening 122 of the toner container, and using the movement of the toner hopper lid to peel sealing member 128 from opening 122, discussed in detail below.
  • FIGs 5-7 a refilling operation using the engagement device according to the present invention will be described.
  • toner bottle 120 is engaged with orifice 104.
  • orifice 104 is in the form of annular orifice 112.
  • toner hopper lid 136 generally corresponds to a slidable lid such as lid 36 of toner hopper 16 as shown in Figure 10.
  • adhesive member 130 can be engaged with upper surface 134 of toner hopper lid 136.
  • inner surface 118 of orifice 112 is configured to provide an interference fit with toner container 120 with threads 126 which correspond to threads 124 provided on opening 122, or through contours configured to provide an interference fit with opening 122.
  • engagement device 100 preferably includes indica 142, as shown in Figure 1.
  • idica 142 may be in the form of any type of indica, such as an arrow or other mark.
  • indica 142 is positioned so as to correspond to an indica 144 provided on toner bottle 120, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, such that indica 142 and 144 are in alignment with each other when toner bottle 120 is properly positioned in orifice 112, so that sealing member 128 is peeled from opening 122 when adhesive portion 130 is engaged with lid 136 and lid 136 is slid along the direction of arrow 138.
  • base member 102 may include both orifice 112 and orifice 110.
  • orifice 110 is arranged to be on the same side of orifice 112 as the handle of the toner hopper lid. Therefore, when a toner hopper lid is pulled in the direction of arrow 138, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, and sealing member 128 is completely removed from lid 136, a user can retrieve sealing member 128 through orifice 110.
  • base member 102 prevents spillage and/or disbursement of toner during the refilling operation because toner hopper lid 136 overlaps orifice 110, thereby preventing the passage of toner upwards through orifice 110.
  • a further advantage is achieved in that the since adhesive portion 130 of sealing member 128 is repeatedly aligned with approximately the same portion of toner hopper lid 136, adhesive portion 130 maintains that portion of toner hopper lid 136 in a clean state, such that in subsequent refilling operations, toner hopper lid is not fouled with debris which may prevent adhesive portion 130 from adhering to toner hopper lid 136.
  • toner hopper engagement device 100 By constructing toner hopper engagement device 100 with an orifice that is releasably engagable with a toner container, the present invention avoids the need for an end-user to purchase a specially manufactured toner refilling device or container, which has specialized components for coupling with known hopper devices. Rather, an end-user may purchase a single engagement device and thereafter purchase generically-shaped toner containers to refill the toner hoppers of their image forming devices. Since specialized containers are often complicated and/or expensive to design, manufacture or maintain, an end-user can avoid the cost and inconvenience associated with buying a complicated toner refilling device by using the engagement device of the present invention.
  • the present invention allows a refilling operation to be performed while the toner reservoir of the toner hopper is substantially sealed off from the outer atmosphere so that inadvertent spillage or dispersion of toner is substantially prevented.
  • This is important because the refill toner market perceives that the average office worker who is assigned that task of refilling image forming apparatuses is typically between the ages of late teens and early 30s and wears at least some white clothing. Therefore, it is important that refilling devices for image forming apparatus be easy to use and prevent inadvertent spillage or dispersal of toner.
  • a toner container 120 as shown in Figures 2-4 is particularly useful for refilling toner hoppers of image forming apparatuses.
  • a toner container having adhesive portion 130 allows the toner hopper, such as toner hopper 16 shown in Figure 10 for example, to be refilled without the risk of toner being inadvertently spilled or dispersed during refilling.
  • adhesive portion 130 is formed on extension 132 of sealing member 128.
  • extension 132 has a length approximately equal to a diameter of opening 122.
  • adhesive portion 130 can be contained beneath a cap (not shown) used to protect sealing member 128 during transport and/or sale of toner container 120. Furthermore, with such a length, adhesive portion 130 can be engaged with a substantial portion of a toner hopper lid, such as lid 36 of toner hopper 16 shown in Figure 10, during a refilling operation. As illustrated in Figures 5-7, when toner container 120 is inserted into orifice 112, adhesive portion 130 engages toner hopper lid 136. As lid 136 is pulled in the direction of arrow 138, sealing member 128 is peeled from opening 12 of toner container 120. Thereafter, as lid 136 is moved clear of opening 122, toner 140 contained in contained 120 freely flows into the toner hopper (not shown).
  • a toner refilling kit may include a toner hopper engagement device 100 having at least one orifice, and a toner container 120 having a sealing member 128 removably attached to an opening 122 of toner container 120.
  • toner hopper engagement device 100 and toner container 120 maybe packaged in any known manner.
  • the refilling kit according to the present embodiment allows the user of photocopiers or image forming apparatuses to reduce the number of different specialized toner refill kits needed to refill different types of photocopiers or other image forming apparatuses they may operate.
  • toner bottle 120 is widely used for many different kinds of photocopiers and image forming apparatuses
  • the refilling kit according to the present embodiment is relatively simple to manufacture.
  • toner hopper engagement device 100 is specially designed and manufactured, toner container 120, excluding adhesive portion 130, is widely known and readily available. Therefore, the overall cost of design and manufacturing the refilling kit according to the present embodiment, is significantly reduced over that of the refilling cartridge of that shown in Figures 10-13.
  • the toner hopper engagement device 100 can be retained and the user may simply choose to purchase additional toner containers 120, separately from the engagement device 100, which is not an option for purchasers of the toner cartridges 28 shown in Figures 10-13.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif d'emboîtement de trémie comprenant un élément de base (120) présentant un orifice (104) s'emboîtant de manière amovible dans un contenant de toner (120). L'orifice (104) permet un emboîtement d'interférence avec une ouverture de contenant (120). Le dispositif d'emboîtement comprend un élément d'étanchéité (128) situé sur le contenant (120), l'élément d'étanchéité (128) comprenant une partie adhésive (130) conçue pour être en contact avec la surface d'un couvercle (136). Lorsque le couvercle (136) est ouvert, l'élément d'étanchéité (128) est décollé d'une ouverture du contenant (120). Un kit de remplissage de toner comprend un dispositif d'emboîtement de trémie présentant un orifice (104) et un contenant de trémie de toner présentant un élément d'étanchéité amovible (128) présentant une partie adhésive (130). La partie adhésive (130) est mise en contact avec une surface extérieure d'un couvercle de trémie, lorsque le contenant (120) s'emboîte dans le dispositif d'emboîtement de trémie. Un contenant de toner (120) comprend une ouverture et un élément d'étanchéité fixé à cette ouverture. Un kit de remplissage comprend un élément de base (102) présentant un orifice (104) et un contenant de toner (120).
PCT/US2004/003366 2004-02-27 2004-02-27 Dispositif d'emboitement de tremie de toner, contenant de toner et kit de remplissage de toner WO2005093525A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2004/003366 WO2005093525A1 (fr) 2004-02-27 2004-02-27 Dispositif d'emboitement de tremie de toner, contenant de toner et kit de remplissage de toner

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2004/003366 WO2005093525A1 (fr) 2004-02-27 2004-02-27 Dispositif d'emboitement de tremie de toner, contenant de toner et kit de remplissage de toner

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005093525A1 true WO2005093525A1 (fr) 2005-10-06

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4942432A (en) * 1989-06-28 1990-07-17 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for adding toner to an electrostatographic development station
US5089854A (en) * 1990-02-19 1992-02-18 Shozo Kaieda Apparatus for supplementing developing agent into image forming machine
US6421518B1 (en) * 2000-11-28 2002-07-16 Xerox Corporation Toner loading system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4942432A (en) * 1989-06-28 1990-07-17 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for adding toner to an electrostatographic development station
US5089854A (en) * 1990-02-19 1992-02-18 Shozo Kaieda Apparatus for supplementing developing agent into image forming machine
US6421518B1 (en) * 2000-11-28 2002-07-16 Xerox Corporation Toner loading system

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