WO2016204242A1

WO2016204242A1 - Toner supply method, method for manufacturing toner cartridge, and toner cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2016204242A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/067973
Authority: WO
Inventors: 正志水野; 大和田　毅
Original assignee: 三菱化学株式会社
Priority date: 2015-06-19
Filing date: 2016-06-16
Publication date: 2016-12-22

Abstract

This method for supplying toner to a toner cartridge (10) comprises: a step of disengaging a part (21b) of a housing (21) for a toner cartridge; a step of removing an existing toner storage container (20) disposed in the housing; and a step of joining a new toner storage container (120) made of an inflexible material to the disengaged part of the housing.

Description

Toner replenishing method, toner cartridge manufacturing method, and toner cartridge

The present invention relates to a method of supplying recycled toner to a toner cartridge mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer or a copying machine, a method of manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge, and a toner cartridge.

The toner cartridge is used in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a copying machine, or a facsimile machine, and forms an image on a recording medium such as paper using toner as is well known. Here, when all of the toner contained in the toner cartridge is consumed, it is collected as a used toner cartridge, and recycled by supplying toner to the collected toner cartridge or replacing some parts. Is made. The recycled toner cartridge is used again by being mounted on the image forming apparatus as a recycled toner cartridge.
The process of recycling the toner cartridge includes cleaning, replacing damaged parts, replacing worn parts, and replenishing toner. In this recycling process, the toner cartridge is disassembled and reassembled.

The toner is stored in a toner container (toner hopper) to form an image. In recycling, the toner is normally replenished by being poured into a toner container from the provided opening (for example, a toner replenishing port of Patent Document 1). Then, after the replenishment, the opening is closed, thereby preventing leakage of toner before transportation and use.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-153641

However, depending on the type of toner cartridge, the opening is closed by welding or the like, and the toner replenishing port cannot be used, and the toner cannot be replenished by the conventional methods. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toner replenishing method capable of appropriately replenishing toner even if the toner cartridge is not provided with an opening for replenishing toner before recycling. To do. In addition, a method for manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge and a toner cartridge are provided.

The present invention relates to a method for supplying toner to a toner cartridge, the process of removing a part of the housing of the toner cartridge, the process of removing an existing toner storage container disposed in the housing, and the process And a step of joining a new toner container made of a non-flexible material to a part of the casing.

As one aspect of the method of replenishing toner to the toner cartridge of the present invention, for example, a process of forming a hole penetrating a part of a housing and a new toner storage container, and a recycling for not being put in the container from the hole A process of adding toner.

As one aspect of the method for supplying toner to the toner cartridge of the present invention, for example, a new toner storage container is prefilled with toner.

As one aspect of the method for replenishing toner to the toner cartridge of the present invention, for example, the hole also penetrates the joint formed by the joining process.

As one aspect of the method of replenishing toner to the toner cartridge of the present invention, for example, the agitator and the rotating shaft of the agitator are also excluded from the casing.

The method of manufacturing a toner cartridge by recycling according to the present invention supplies toner to the housing by a method of supplying toner to the toner cartridge, and closes a hole penetrating a part of the housing and a new toner storage container with a lid. A method of manufacturing a toner cartridge by recycling, including a process.

The present invention relates to a recycled toner cartridge, which includes a toner storage container made of an inflexible material containing toner, and a housing containing the toner storage container, the toner storage container and the housing Is a toner cartridge joined by a joining portion.

As an aspect of the toner cartridge of the present invention, for example, the toner cartridge further includes a hole that penetrates the toner storage container and the housing, and a lid that closes the hole.

The present invention is a method for supplying toner to a toner cartridge, and includes a toner storage container having an opening for discharging the stored toner, and a toner storage container storage for storing the toner storage container. A process of removing a part of the cartridge housing, a process of removing the toner container from the toner container container, and a process of arranging a toner container made of an inflexible material in the toner container container And including.

According to the present invention, even if the toner cartridge is not provided with a hole for replenishing the toner before recycling, the toner can be appropriately replenished.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a toner cartridge 10 to be recycled. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one scene of a toner supply method and a toner cartridge manufacturing method according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one scene of one form of toner supply method and toner cartridge manufacturing method. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one scene of a toner supply method and a toner cartridge manufacturing method according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating one scene of one form of toner supply method and a method of manufacturing a toner cartridge. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the toner cartridge 110 by recycling. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a scene of another embodiment of the toner replenishing method and the toner cartridge manufacturing method. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the form of the lid 231. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a scene of another embodiment of a toner replenishing method and a toner cartridge manufacturing method. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a scene of another embodiment of the toner supply method and the toner cartridge manufacturing method. FIG. 12 is a view showing another form of the new toner storage container after recycling. FIG. 12A shows an example in which perforations and a peeling area are formed, and FIG. 12B shows a slit. An example in which a film that is formed and closes the slit is attached is shown.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 10 before recycling. As shown in FIG. 1, the toner cartridge 10 includes a photosensitive drum 11, and includes a charging roller 12 that is adjacent to the photosensitive drum 11 and serves as a means for charging the photosensitive drum 11. Further, a cleaning blade 13 is provided as means for cleaning the surface of the charging roller 12.

Further, a developing roller 14 as developing means is provided so as to face the photosensitive drum 11, and a developing blade 15 and a toner supply roller 16 are disposed so as to contact the developing roller 14. An agitator 17 is provided so as to contact the toner supply roller 16, and one end of the agitator 17 is connected to a rotating shaft 18 that rotates the agitator 17. Further, a toner storage container 20 for storing toner is provided. Here, the rotation of the agitator 17 makes contact with not only the toner supply roller 16 but also the toner storage container 20, so that the toner storage container 20 is impacted, and the flow of toner disposed in the toner storage container 20 is made to flow. And has a function of facilitating the discharge of the toner from the toner container 20. Therefore, the toner storage container 20 is a flexible container.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the toner cartridge 10 is held by the first casing 21 and the second casing 22 (the casings 21 and 22) surrounded by each member. More specifically, the first housing 21 is provided with the developing roller 14, the developing blade 15, the toner supply roller 16, the agitator 17, the rotating shaft 18, and the toner storage container 20. In particular, the toner storage container 20 is stored in a toner storage container storage section 24 defined inside the first casing 21 so that the entire container is contained in the first casing 21. The toner storage container 20 is held by the first casing 21 by the holding metal fitting 19 disposed inside the housing.

In this embodiment, the first casing 21 is a box formed by combining and bonding two

casing members

21a and 21b (first casing member 21a and second casing member 21b). It is in the shape of a casing. In particular, the housing member 21b is a member that covers a portion where the toner storage container 20 is disposed. The joint portion between the housing member 21a and the housing member 21b is not particularly limited in terms of welding, adhesion, and the like. On the other hand, the above-described photosensitive drum 11, charging roller 12, and cleaning blade 13 are disposed in the second housing 22.

The process in which an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 by the toner cartridge 10 is known. That is, it is as follows.

FIG. 2 shows a conceptual diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 including the toner cartridge 10. According to this image forming apparatus 1, a recording medium such as paper moves as indicated by II in FIG. 2, and is sandwiched between a transfer roll 1a and a photosensitive drum 11 on which an image is formed. The image is transferred to a recording medium. Thereafter, the image is fixed on the recording medium by the fixing device 2 and discharged.

Next, in the toner cartridge 10, one embodiment of a method for supplying toner to the toner cartridge when the toner in the toner container 20 is used up and a method for manufacturing a recycled toner cartridge will be described. FIGS. 3 to 7 show diagrams for explanation. This will be described with reference to these drawings.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing member 21b facing the toner storage container 20 in the first housing 21 is separated from the housing member 21a. The means for separating is not particularly limited, and can be performed by peeling off, cutting, or melting the bonded portion. The use of the tool is not particularly limited. The position at which the housing member 21b is separated from the housing member 21a is not particularly limited. However, it is preferable to separate at the joining position of the original plurality of members in the first casing 21 before recycling. The original member is joined by an adhesive or the like. At this joining position, it is easy to put a tool such as a metal plate, and the housing member 21a and the housing member 21b can be separated relatively easily. That's why.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, from the opening formed by separating the casing member 21a, the holding metal fitting 19, the toner storage container 20, and the agitator 17 arranged in the first casing 21. , And the rotating shaft 18 are excluded. In some cases, cutting or destruction is necessary for exclusion. In particular, when the toner storage container 20 is made of a flexible material, the toner adheres to the toner storage container 20, so that the toner before and after recycling is mixed and the image quality is lowered, or the toner after recycling is stored in the toner. A situation may occur in which the toner consumption limit amount decreases due to adhesion to the container 20. Therefore, by excluding the toner storage container 20 from the toner storage container storage section 24 (see FIG. 1) of the first housing 21, such a situation can be prevented.

Next, a new toner container 120 is prepared, and a part of the outer peripheral surface is joined to the housing member 21b as shown in FIG. At this time, the toner storage container 120 is joined to a surface of the housing member 21b that is inside the first housing 21. A method for forming the joint portion 30, that is, a method for joining, is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include adhesion, adhesion, welding, and welding.

Here, the new toner container 120 is made of a material that does not have flexibility and is difficult to deform. The shape may be a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape or a shape adapted to the shape of the toner storage container storage unit 24. An opening 120a through which toner can be discharged is provided in a part of the opening 120a. The material constituting the new toner container 120 is not particularly limited as long as it does not have flexibility as described above and is not easily deformed. For example, a polystyrene-based material or an acrylonitrile-based material having an appropriate thickness. Examples thereof include resin such as cardboard and paper such as cardboard.

In this embodiment, since an agitator is not required, the agitator 17 and the rotating shaft 18 are removed, so that space can be used for that amount, and the toner container 120 having a larger capacity than the toner container 20 is used. It is also possible.

Next, the housing member 21b and the toner container 120 joined in this way are joined again so as to have the same shape as the first housing 21. That is, the housing member 21b is joined to the housing member 21a. At this time, the toner storage container 120 is disposed so as to be stored in the toner storage container storage section 24 (see FIG. 6) defined inside the first casing 21, particularly inside the first casing 21.

As shown in FIG. 6, a hole 21c is formed in at least a part of the housing member 21b and the toner storage container 120 for the first housing 21 reassembled in this manner. The method for opening the hole 21c is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include punching, cutting with a drill, and melting. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the hole 21 c may be provided so as to penetrate the joint portion 30 described above, or may be a portion that is not the joint portion 30. Further, the position, shape, number, etc. of the holes 21c are not particularly limited.

5 and 6, the hole 21c is formed after the housing member 21b is joined to the housing member 21a, but the timing for forming the hole 21c is not particularly limited. For example, after forming the hole 21c in the housing member 21b, the housing member 21b can be joined to the housing member 21a. Alternatively, holes may be formed in advance in each of the housing member 21b and the toner storage container 120, and the holes 21c may be formed by combining these holes.

After the hole 21c is formed in this way, as shown by the arrow VI in FIG. 6, the toner for recycling is supplied to the inside of the toner container 120 through the hole 21c.

After the toner for recycling is supplied into the toner container 120, the hole 21c formed in the housing member 21b of the first housing 21 is closed with the lid 31, as shown in FIG. A method for fixing the lid 31 to the first housing 21 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include adhesion, adhesion, tape fixing, welding, and screwing. The material of the lid is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent leakage of toner. Examples thereof include rubber, polyurethane, sponge and the like.

And it is transported and stored in the posture shown in FIG. That is, the toner cartridge 110 recycled in the posture shown in FIG. 7 is provided to the user or the like. The user can use the provided toner cartridge 110 as soon as it is installed in the image forming apparatus.

According to the toner replenishing method and the manufacturing method of the recycled toner cartridge as described above, the toner can be appropriately replenished even if the toner cartridge does not have a hole for replenishing the toner before recycling. It is. Further, the toner for recycling can be further supplied by removing the lid 31 and reopening the hole 21c.

At this time, since a non-flexible container is used as a new toner storage container to be recycled, toner can be easily supplied, and drilling and sealing are facilitated. In addition, since it is difficult to break, contamination by foreign matters due to partial breakage can be prevented, and image defects can be suppressed.

Figures 8 to 11 show diagrams for explaining other forms. As shown in FIG. 4, from the opening formed by separating the casing member 21a, the holding metal fitting 19, the toner storage container 20, the agitator 17, and the rotation arranged in the first casing 21 The axis 18 is excluded.

Next, a new toner container 220 is prepared, and a part of the outer peripheral surface is joined to the housing member 21b as shown in FIG. At this time, the toner container 220 is joined to the surface of the housing member 21b that is inside the first housing 21. The joint part 30 is the same as that described above.

Here, the new toner container 220 is made of a material that does not have flexibility and is difficult to deform. An opening 220a through which toner can flow out is provided in a part of the opening 220a. And this opening part is obstruct | occluded with the film-like sealing member 220b. In this embodiment, the toner is filled in advance. The seal member 220b prevents the toner from flowing out.

Further, one end of a string-like seal peeling means 220c is attached to the seal member 220b. That is, by pulling the other end side of the seal peeling means 220 c and peeling the seal member 220 b from the toner storage container 220, the opening 220 a of the toner storage container 220 is opened, and the toner inside the toner storage container 220 is removed. Is configured to exit. In addition, a handle 220d is provided on the other end side of the seal peeling means 220c so that it can be easily pulled, and convenience for the user is enhanced. Further, by providing the handle 220d, the visibility can be improved and forgetting to pull the seal peeling means 220c can be prevented.

On the other hand, a hole 221c is opened in the housing member 21b, and a lid 231 is disposed here to close the hole 221c. A method for fixing the lid 231 to the housing member 21b is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include adhesion, adhesion, tape fixing, welding, and screwing.

Here, the lid 231 of this embodiment has the following configuration. FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the lid 231. The lid 231 is provided with a slit 231b in at least a part thereof. The slit 231b is configured so that at least the seal member 220b and the seal peeling means 220c can pass through, but it is preferable that the slit 231b is in close contact with the slit 231b so as not to leak toner. From this point of view, it is preferable to use a material having both flexibility and sealing properties, such as rubber, polyurethane, and sponge, for the portion 231a provided with the slit 231b. Of course, the slit 231b may be closed with a member such as a tape.

In the posture in which the lid 231 closes the hole 221c in this way, as can be seen from FIG. 8, the seal peeling means 220c passes through the slit 231b, and the handle 220d and the handle 220d side of the seal peeling means 220c are the housing. It arrange | positions out of the body member 21b.

Next, the housing member 21b and the toner container 220 joined in this manner are joined again so as to have the same shape as that of the first housing 21 as shown in FIG. That is, the housing member 21b is joined to the housing member 21a. At this time, the toner storage container 220 is disposed so as to be inside the first casing 21.

By pulling the handle 220d and pulling the seal peeling means 220c as shown in FIG. 11 with respect to the first casing 21 reassembled in this manner, the seal member 220 is peeled and the opening 220a is peeled off. Is released. As a result, the toner can flow out of the toner container 220. The pulled-off seal peeling means 220c and the seal member 220b are taken out through the slit 231b of the lid 231.

FIG. 12 is a view showing another embodiment of a new toner storage container stored in the recycled toner cartridge. In FIG. 12A, a perforation 322 is formed in advance in the toner storage container 320, and a peeling area 323 is defined by the perforation 322. The perforation 322 is formed in a size that prevents the toner from leaking. Further, one end of a string-like or tape-like tear string (peeling means) 321 is connected to one end of the peeling region 323. The tear string 321 passes through the slit 231b, and the handle 324 and the handle 324 side of the tear string 321 are disposed outside the housing member 21b.

By pulling the handle 324 side of the tear string 321, tearing the perforation 32 around the tear area 323, and tearing the tear area 323 from the toner container 320, the tear area 323 becomes an opening. The toner inside the unit is configured to come out of the toner storage container 320.

In FIG. 12B, a plurality of slits 422 are formed in advance in the toner storage container 420, and a film 423 is attached so as to cover the slits 422. One end of the film 423 is connected to one end of a string-like or tape-like tear-off string (peeling means) 421. The tear string 421 passes through the slit 231b, and the handle 424 and the handle 424 side of the tear string 421 are disposed outside the housing member 21b.

By pulling the handle 424 side of the peeling string 421 and peeling the film 423 from the toner storage container 420, the exposed slit 422 becomes an opening, and the toner inside the opening comes out of the toner storage container 420. It is configured as follows.

According to the toner replenishing method and the manufacturing method of the recycled toner cartridge as described above, the toner can be appropriately replenished even if the toner cartridge does not have a hole for replenishing the toner before recycling. is there. Further, after that, holes can be made in the housing member 21b and the joint portion 30, and the recycling toner can be further supplied as described above.

This application is based on US Patent Provisional Application No. 62 / 181,997 filed Jun. 19, 2015, Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-040388 filed Mar. 2, 2016, the contents of which are here Incorporated as a reference.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Toner cartridge 11 Photoconductor drum 12 Charging roller 13 Cleaning blade 14 Developing roller 15 Developing blade 16 Toner supply roller 17 Agitator 18 Rotating shaft 20 Toner storage container 21 First casing
22 Second housing (housing)
24 Toner storage container storage unit 31 Cover 110 Recycled toner cartridge 120 Toner storage container (non-flexible)

Claims

A method for supplying toner to a toner cartridge, comprising:
Removing a part of the housing of the toner cartridge;
Removing the existing toner container disposed in the housing;
Joining a new toner container made of an inflexible material to a part of the detached casing, and replenishing the toner cartridge with toner.
Forming a hole penetrating a part of the casing and the new toner container;
The method of replenishing toner cartridges according to claim 1, comprising the step of adding toner for recycling that is not contained in a container through the holes.
The method of replenishing toner in the toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the new toner container is prefilled with toner.
Forming a hole penetrating a part of the casing and the new toner container;
The method of replenishing a toner cartridge according to claim 3, further comprising a step of adding toner for recycling that is not put in a container from the hole.
5. The method of replenishing toner to a toner cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the hole also penetrates a joining portion formed by the joining process.
6. A method for replenishing toner in a toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the agitator and the rotating shaft of the agitator are also excluded from the casing.
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner is replenished to the housing, and a hole penetrating a part of the housing and a new toner container is opened. A method for producing a toner cartridge by recycling, including the step of closing by the step of:
A recycled toner cartridge,
A toner container made of a non-flexible material containing toner;
A housing containing the toner storage container,
The toner storage container and the housing are joined by a joining portion;
Toner cartridge.
And a hole penetrating the toner storage container and the housing.
The toner cartridge according to claim 8, further comprising a lid that closes the hole.
A method for supplying toner to a toner cartridge, comprising:
Removing a part of a toner cartridge housing having a toner storage container having an opening for discharging the stored toner, and a toner storage container storage for storing the toner storage container;
Removing the toner container from the toner container container;
And a step of disposing a toner container made of an inflexible material in the toner container container.