Toner container

Abstract

To remove a cap without damaging a container and disable reuse of the cap.SOLUTION: A toner container comprises: a container that is provided with a cylindrical filling port for filling the container with toner; and a cap 31 that closes the filling port and has flexibility. The cap 31 includes a cylindrical fitting part 32 that is fitted to an inner face of the filling port, a bottom part 33 that is provided on a depth side of the fitting part 32 in a mounting direction of the cap 31, and a flange part 34 that is provided on a near side of the fitting part 32 in the mounting direction of the cap 31 and contacts with an edge part of the filling port. The fitting part 32 includes cut-out parts 35 that are annularly cut out along a circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner container. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, from the viewpoint of resource conservation and environmental protection, recycling of used toner containers for electrophotographic image forming apparatuses has been required. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose techniques related to refilling used toner containers with toner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-96828 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-208837 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent documents 1 and 2 propose a configuration in which a part of the container is cut off together with the cap when the cap is removed from the container. In this case, there is a risk that fragments of the container may get inside the container. In addition, in the configuration of Patent document 1, the cylinder to which the cap is attached becomes shorter each time the cap is removed, so there is a limit to the number of times it can be recycled. In addition, in the configuration of Patent document 2, a cap with a different shape from the cap originally attached is used during recycling, which causes a problem of increased costs.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to remove a cap without damaging a container and to prevent the cap from being reused. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the toner container of the present invention comprises a container having a cylindrical filling port for filling with toner, and a flexible cap for closing the filling port, wherein the cap comprises a cylindrical fitting portion that fits into the inner surface of the filling port, a bottom portion provided on the rear side of the fitting portion in the cap mounting direction, and a flange portion provided on the front side of the fitting portion in the cap mounting direction and contacts the edge of the filling port, and the fitting portion has a ring-shaped missing portion that is missing along the circumferential direction of the fitting portion.

[0007] The cutout portion may include slits provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction and extending along the circumferential direction.

[0008] The toner container may include a protrusion that protrudes from an inner surface of the filling port and engages with the slit.

[0009] A thickness of a connecting portion provided between adjacent ones of the slits may be thinner than an average thickness of a portion of the fitting portion other than the missing portion.

[0010] A connecting portion provided between adjacent ones of the slits may be inclined with respect to the cap mounting direction. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The present invention allows the cap to be removed without damaging the container and also prevents the cap from being reused. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic internal configuration of a printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of a filling port side of a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of a main body portion on a filling port side according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a main body portion on the filling port side according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cap and a filling port according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cap and a filling port according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cap and a filling port according to a first modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cap and a filling port according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a cap according to a third modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] First, the overall configuration of the printer 1 (an example of an image forming apparatus) will be described. Fig. 1 is a front view that shows a schematic internal configuration of the printer 1. Below, the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 is the front side (front side) of the printer 1, and the left and right directions are described based on the direction when the printer 1 is viewed from the front. In each figure, U, Lo, L, R, Fr, and Rr respectively indicate up, down, left, right, front, and rear.

[0014] The printer 1 includes a rectangular parallelepiped main housing 3. A paper feed cassette 4 that stores sheets S and a paper feed roller 5 that sends sheets S from the paper feed cassette 4 to the right are provided at the bottom inside the main housing 3. An image creating device 6 that forms a toner image by electrophotography is provided above the paper feed cassette 4, and a fixing device 7 that fixes the toner image to the sheet S is provided to the upper right of the image creating device 6. A discharge roller 8 that discharges the sheet S on which the toner image has been fixed, and a discharge tray 9 on which the discharged sheets S are stacked are provided above the fixing device 7.

[0015] Inside the main body housing 3, a transport path 10 is provided that runs from the paper feed roller 5 through the imaging device 6 and the fixing device 7 to the discharge roller 8. The transport path 10 is mainly formed of plate-like members that face each other with a gap therebetween to allow the sheet S to pass through, and transport rollers 17 that hold and transport the sheet S are provided at multiple locations in the transport direction Y. A registration roller 18 is provided upstream of the imaging device 6 in the transport direction Y. To the right of the fixing device 7, a reversing transport path 10R is provided that branches off from the transport path 10 downstream of the fixing device 7 in the transport direction Y and joins the transport path 10 upstream of the registration roller 18 in the transport direction Y.

[0016] The image creating device 6 includes a photosensitive drum 11 whose potential changes when exposed to light, a charging device 12 which charges the photosensitive drum 11, an exposure device 13 which emits laser light according to image data, a developing device 14 which supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 11, an intermediate transfer unit 15 which transfers the toner image from the photosensitive drum 11 to a sheet S, and a cleaning device 16 which removes any toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11.

[0017] The intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 15B wound around a drive roller 15D and a driven roller 15N, a primary transfer roller 151 which faces the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15B at a position corresponding to the photosensitive drum 11 and generates a primary transfer bias, and a secondary transfer roller 152 which faces the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15B at a position corresponding to the drive roller 15D and generates a secondary transfer bias. A toner container 20 which supplies toner to the developing device 14 is connected to the developing device 14.

[0018] The image forming device 6 includes four sets of photoconductor drums 11, charging devices 12, exposure devices 13, developing devices 14, primary transfer rollers 151, cleaning devices 16, and toner containers 20, and forms a color image by superimposing four color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 15B. Note that the present invention may be applied to an image forming device that forms a color image with toners of three or less colors or five or more colors.

[0019] The control unit 2 includes a calculation unit and a storage unit. The calculation unit is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The calculation unit performs various processes by reading and executing a control program stored in the storage unit. The control unit 2 may be realized by only an integrated circuit without using software.

[0020] The basic image forming operation of the printer 1 is as follows. When a print job for single-sided printing is input to the printer 1 from an external computer or the like, the paper feed roller 5 feeds the sheet S from the paper feed cassette 4 to the transport path 10, the registration roller 18, whose rotation has been stopped, corrects the skew of the sheet S, and the registration roller 18 feeds the sheet S to the image forming device 6 at a predetermined timing. In the image forming device 6, the charging device 12 charges the photosensitive drum 11 to a predetermined potential, the exposure device 13 writes a latent image on the photosensitive drum 11, the developing device 14 develops the latent image using toner supplied from the toner container 20 to form a toner image, the primary transfer roller 151 transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 15B, and the secondary transfer roller 152 transfers the toner image to the sheet S. Next, the fixing device 7 melts the toner image while clamping and transporting the sheet S to fix the toner image to the sheet S, and the discharge roller 8 discharges the sheet S to the discharge tray 9. The cleaning device 16 removes toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 11. In the case of double-sided printing, the sheet S with a toner image fixed on its first surface is sent into the transport path 10 via the inverted transport path 10R, whereby the toner image is transferred to the second surface.

[0021] [Toner container] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the toner container 20 on the filling port 24 side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of the main body 22 on the filling port 24 side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the main body 22 on the filling port 24 side. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cap 31. FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views showing the cap 31 and the filling port 24. Of these, FIG. 6 shows a cross section at a position where the connecting portion 35C is not provided, and FIG. 7 shows a cross section at a position where the connecting portion 35C is provided. The toner container 20 includes a container 21 provided with a cylindrical filling port 24 for filling toner, and a flexible cap 31 that closes the filling port 24.

[0022] [container] The container 21 (see FIG. 2) is formed in an elongated shape in the front-rear direction. The container 21 includes a concave body portion 22 with an opening 22A at the top, and a lid portion 23 that closes the opening 22A. The lid portion 23 is bonded to the body portion 22. A filling port 24 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7) is provided at one end (e.g., the rear end) in the longitudinal direction of the body portion 22. The filling port 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding from the rear end of the body portion 22. A supply port (not shown) is provided at the other end (e.g., the front end) in the longitudinal direction of the body portion 22. The toner is supplied from the supply port to the developing device 14 through a pipe (not shown).

[0023] [cap] The filling port 24 is closed with a cap 31 (see Figs. 2, 5, 6, and 7). The cap 31 is formed of a flexible resin, such as LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene), silicone rubber, or the like. The cap 31 includes a cylindrical fitting portion 32 that fits into the inner surface of the filling port 24, a bottom portion 33 provided on the rear side of the fitting portion 32 in the mounting direction of the cap 31, and a flange portion 34 provided on the front side of the fitting portion 32 in the mounting direction of the cap 31 and in contact with an edge portion 24E of the filling port 24. The fitting portion 32 includes a cutout portion 35 that is cut out in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the fitting portion 32.

[0024] The fitting portion 32 (see Figs. 5, 6, and 7) is formed in a cylindrical shape. The cutout portion 35 includes slits 35S provided in a plurality of locations (six locations in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the fitting portion 32. A connecting portion 35C (see Figs. 5 and 7) is provided between adjacent slits 35S. Of the fitting portion 32, a portion closer to the bottom 33 than the cutout portion 35 is referred to as a bottom-side fitting portion 32B. Of the fitting portion 32, a portion closer to the flange portion 34 than the cutout portion 35 is referred to as a flange-side fitting portion 32F. The bottom-side fitting portion 32B and the flange-side fitting portion 32F are connected by a connecting portion 35C.

[0025] The thickness of the connecting portion 35C in the radial direction of the fitting portion 32 is equal to the average thickness of the portions of the fitting portion 32 other than the missing portion 35 (the bottom side fitting portion 32B, the flange side fitting portion 32F). For example, in this embodiment, the thicknesses of the bottom side fitting portion 32B and the flange side fitting portion 32F are equal, and the thickness of the connecting portion 35C is equal to the thicknesses of the bottom side fitting portion 32B and the flange side fitting portion 32F. The six connecting portions 35C have the same circumferential width. In addition, the six connecting portions 35C are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the six slits 35S have the same circumferential length.

[0026] The bottom side fitting portion 32B is provided with a large diameter portion 32L (see FIG. 5 (omitted in FIGS. 6 and 7)) whose outer circumferential surface has an enlarged diameter. The large diameter portion 32L smoothly bulges out from the bottom side fitting portion 32B. In this example, the large diameter portion 32L is provided at the bottommost portion of the bottom side fitting portion 32B, but the large diameter portion 32L may be provided anywhere on the bottom side fitting portion 32B.

[0027] An authenticity label 36 (see FIG. 2) is attached to the outer surface of the bottom 33 (the surface that is visible from the outside when the cap 31 is attached to the container 21). The authenticity label 36 lists, for example, the name of the manufacturer of the toner container 20. The authenticity label 36 makes it possible to identify the cap 31 that was attached by the legitimate manufacturer.

[0028] When the remaining amount of toner contained in the toner container 20 installed in the printer 1 falls below a specified value, the toner container 20 is replaced. Used toner containers 20 are collected by the manufacturer or a specialized company and recycled.

[0029] When recycling the toner container 20, first, the cap 31 is removed from the container 21. When an operator grabs the flange 34 of the cap 31 and pulls it out, the cap 31 breaks at the missing portion 35, making it impossible to reuse the cap 31. This makes it easy to distinguish non-genuine products with a different cap attached.

[0030] Furthermore, the portion of cap 31 on the bottom 33 side (the portion including bottom-side fitting portion 32B and bottom 33) remains in filling port 24, so that pieces of cap 31 do not fall into container 21. Bottom-side fitting portion 32B is provided with large diameter portion 32L, which prevents the portion on the bottom 33 side from falling into container 21. The portion on the bottom 33 side can be easily removed by, for example, pinching bottom-side fitting portion 32B.

[0031] In addition, there is no limit to the number of times the container 21 can be recycled because it is not necessary to cut off a part of the container 21 in order to remove the cap 31. In addition, the cost of the cap 31 can be reduced because the cap 31 used for recycling has the same specifications as the cap 31 that was originally attached.

[0032] After filling the toner through the filling port 24, a new cap 31 is attached. The cap 31 can be easily attached by simply pushing it into the filling port 24.

[0033] The toner container 20 according to the present embodiment described above includes a container 21 provided with a cylindrical filling port 24 for filling toner, and a flexible cap 31 for closing the filling port 24, the cap 31 including a cylindrical fitting portion 32 that fits into the inner surface of the filling port 24, a bottom portion 33 provided on the rear side of the fitting portion 32 in the direction in which the cap 31 is attached, and a flange portion 34 provided on the front side of the fitting portion 32 in the direction in which the cap 31 is attached and in contact with the edge portion 24E of the filling port 24, the fitting portion 32 including a cutout portion 35 that is cut out in an annular shape along the circumferential direction. This configuration allows the cap 31 to be removed without damaging the container 21, and makes it impossible to reuse the cap 31.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the toner container 20 of this embodiment, the missing portion 35 includes slits 35S provided along the circumferential direction at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction. With this configuration, stress is concentrated on the connection portion 35C between the slits 35S, so that the cap 31 can be easily broken.

[0035] The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0036] [First Modification] 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the cap 31 and the filling port 24 according to the first modified example. This figure shows a cross section at a position where the connecting portion 35C is not provided. The toner container 20 according to this modified example has a protrusion 25 that protrudes from the inner surface of the filling port 24 and engages with the slit 35S. With this configuration, the cap 31 can be reliably fixed to the container 21.

[0037] [Second modified example] 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the cap 31 and the filling port 24 according to the second modification. The figure shows a cross section at the position where the connecting portion 35C is provided. In the toner container 20 according to this modification, the thickness of the connecting portion 35C provided between the adjacent slits 35S is thinner than the average thickness of the portions (bottom side fitting portion 32B, flange side fitting portion 32F) other than the missing portion 35 of the fitting portion 32. For example, in this modification, the bottom side fitting portion 32B and the flange side fitting portion 32F have the same thickness, and the thickness of the connecting portion 35C is thinner than the thicknesses of the bottom side fitting portion 32B and the flange side fitting portion 32F. According to this configuration, stress is more likely to concentrate on the connecting portion 35C than in the above embodiment, so that the cap 31 can be easily broken.

[0038] [Third Modification] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the cap 31 according to the third modified example. In the toner container 20 according to this modified example, the connecting portion 35C provided between the adjacent slits 35S is inclined with respect to the mounting direction of the cap 31. If the connecting portion 35C is provided along the mounting direction of the cap 31, when the cap 31 is pushed in while being rotated, a shear force acts on the connecting portion 35C, which may cause the connecting portion 35C to break off. In contrast, in this modified example, the cap 31 is rotated in a direction in which a compressive load is applied to the connecting portion 35C (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9), thereby reducing the shear force acting on the connecting portion 35C, and thus preventing the connecting portion 35C from breaking off. In addition, by rotating the cap 31 in this manner, it becomes easier to apply force to the cap 31, making it easier to mount the cap 31. It is preferable to indicate the rotation direction when mounting the cap 31 near the bottom 33 of the cap 31 or the filling port 24 of the container 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 20 Toner Container 21 Container 24 Filling port 24E Edge 25 Protrusion 31 Cap 32 Fitting part 33 Bottom 34 Flange 35 Defective part 35S Slit 35C connection part

Claims

1. a container provided with a cylindrical filling port for filling the toner; a flexible cap for closing the filling port, The cap is A cylindrical fitting portion that fits into the inner surface of the filling port; a bottom portion provided on a rear side of the fitting portion in a cap mounting direction; a flange portion provided on a front side of the fitting portion in the cap mounting direction and in contact with an edge portion of the filling port, The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the fitting portion has a recess that is annularly recessed along a circumferential direction of the fitting portion.

2. The toner container according to claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion includes slits provided at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction along the circumferential direction.

3. 3. The toner container according to claim 2, further comprising a protrusion protruding from an inner surface of the filling port and engaging with the slit.

4. 4. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of a connecting portion provided between adjacent ones of the slits is thinner than an average thickness of a portion of the fitting portion other than the defective portion.

5. 4. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein a connecting portion provided between adjacent ones of the slits is inclined with respect to a direction in which the cap is attached.

Images