Method for recycling toner cartridge

Abstract

To efficiently recycle a toner cartridge and suppress toner in a non-genuine product from being mixed with toner in a recycled product.SOLUTION: A toner cartridge includes a memory for storing genuine product information and a first charge amount which is a charge amount of toner. A method for recycling a toner cartridge includes a first toner determining step (S13) and a first refilling step (S15). The first toner determining step (S13) is performed when the genuine product information indicates that the toner cartridge is a genuine product (S12, Yes). The first toner determining step (S13) determines whether a difference between the first charge amount and a second charge amount of new toner with which a housing is to be refilled is less than a first threshold value. The first refilling step (S15) is performed when it is determined that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is less than the first threshold value (S14, Yes). The first refilling step (S15) refills the housing with the new toner without discharging the toner housed in the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for recycling toner cartridges. [Background technology]

[0002] A method for recycling toner cartridges is known (see Patent Document 1). In this recycling method, the charge amount of the toner remaining in a used toner cartridge is compared with that of the toner to be newly filled, and if the charge amounts are the same, the toner cartridge is filled with new toner without cleaning. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-210304 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional toner cartridge recycling methods involve comparing the charge of the toner remaining in a used toner cartridge with that of a new one, and if the charge levels are different, the toner cannot be recycled, which has the problem of inefficient recycling. Also, since genuine toner cartridges are not distinguished from non-genuine toner cartridges, there is a risk that non-genuine toner may be mixed in with recycled products.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to efficiently recycle toner cartridges and to prevent non-genuine toner from being mixed into recycled products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A method for recycling toner cartridges to solve the above-mentioned problems is a method for recycling used toner cartridges. The toner cartridge has a housing and a memory. The housing is capable of containing toner. The memory stores genuine product information indicating that the toner is a genuine product and a first charge amount, which is the charge amount of the toner contained in the housing. The toner cartridge recycling method includes a first toner determination step and a first filling step. The first toner determination step is executed when the genuine product information stored in the memory indicates that the toner is genuine. The first toner determination step is a step of determining whether the difference between the first charge amount stored in the memory and the second charge amount, which is the charge amount of the toner to be newly filled into the housing, is less than a first threshold value. The first filling step is executed when it is determined that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is less than a first threshold value. The first filling step is a step of filling new toner into the housing without discharging the toner contained in the housing.

[0007] Even if the first charge amount and the second charge amount are not the same, as long as they are less than the first threshold, the toner contained in the housing is not discharged and new toner is filled into the housing, allowing the toner cartridge to be recycled efficiently. Also, because the first toner determination process is executed only if the toner cartridge is genuine, it is possible to prevent non-genuine toner from being mixed in with recycled products.

[0008] The toner cartridge recycling method may also include a reading step of reading the genuine product information and the first charge amount from the memory.

[0009] The toner cartridge recycling method may also include a genuine product determination step of determining whether the genuine product information indicates that the toner cartridge is a genuine product.

[0010] In the toner cartridge recycling method, the first filling step may involve filling the housing with new toner without cleaning the inside of the housing.

[0011] In the first filling step, the inside of the housing is not cleaned, which simplifies the recycling process.

[0012] In addition, the toner cartridge recycling method may include a second filling step of discharging the toner contained in the housing and then filling the housing with new toner if the genuine product information stored in the memory indicates that the product is not genuine.

[0013] When the genuine product information stored in the memory indicates that the toner cartridge is not genuine, the toner stored in the housing is discharged and then new toner is filled into the housing, thereby preventing non-genuine toner from being mixed in.

[0014] In the toner cartridge recycling method, in the second filling step, the inside of the housing may be cleaned and then new toner may be filled into the housing.

[0015] In the second filling step, the inside of the housing is cleaned, which prevents non-genuine toner from mixing with genuine toner.

[0016] The memory may further store the amount of toner remaining in the housing. The toner cartridge recycling method may further include a second toner determination step of determining whether the amount of toner remaining is less than a second threshold value if it is determined in the first toner determination step that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold value. The toner cartridge recycling method may also include a first filling step if it is determined in the second toner determination step that the amount of toner remaining is less than the second threshold value.

[0017] Even if the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold, if the remaining amount of toner is less than the second threshold, the toner contained in the housing is not discharged and new toner is filled, thereby allowing the toner cartridge to be recycled efficiently.

[0018] The memory may further store the amount of toner remaining in the housing. The toner cartridge recycling method may further include a second toner determination step of determining whether the amount of toner remaining is less than a second threshold value if it is determined in the first toner determination step that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold value. The toner cartridge recycling method may also include a second filling step of executing a second toner filling step if it is determined in the second toner determination step that the amount of toner remaining is not less than the second threshold value.

[0019] If the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold value, and if it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is not less than the second threshold value, the toner contained in the housing is discharged and then new toner is filled into the housing, thereby preventing the mixing of non-genuine toner and genuine toner.

[0020] The memory may also store an initial charge amount indicating the charge amount of the toner when the toner is filled into the housing, and usage history information indicating the usage history of the toner cartridge.

[0021] If the initial charge amount and the usage history information are stored in the memory, the first charge amount of the toner can be calculated.

[0022] The toner cartridge may further include a developing roller, and the usage history information may include at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller, the cumulative dot count of pixels formed by the toner cartridge, and the cumulative number of pages printed by the toner cartridge.

[0023] The first charge amount may be a value calculated based on the initial charge amount and at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller, the cumulative dot count, and the cumulative number of printed sheets.

[0024] A method for recycling toner cartridges to solve the above-mentioned problems is a method for recycling used toner cartridges. The toner cartridge has a housing and a memory. The housing is capable of containing toner. The memory stores genuine product information indicating that the toner is a genuine product and a first charge amount, which is the charge amount of the toner contained in the housing. The toner cartridge recycling method includes a selection step and a first filling step. The selection step is executed when the genuine product information stored in the memory indicates that the toner is a genuine product. The selection step is a step of selecting, from among the multiple types of toner, a toner having a charge amount closest to the first charge amount. The first filling step is a step of filling the housing with new toner selected in the selection step without discharging the toner contained in the housing.

[0025] In the selection process, the toner with the charge amount closest to the first charge amount is selected from among multiple types of toner, allowing for efficient recycling of toner cartridges. In addition, since the selection process is performed only when the toner cartridge is genuine, it is possible to prevent non-genuine toner from being mixed in with recycled products. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently recycle toner cartridges and prevent non-genuine toner from being mixed in with recycled products. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating information stored in a memory. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for recycling a toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a method for recycling a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The toner cartridge is used in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, etc. The toner cartridge 60 is detachably mountable to, for example, the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the toner cartridge 60 includes a housing 61, an agitator 62, a developing roller 63, a supply roller 64, and a memory 65.

[0030] The housing 61 can accommodate toner therein. The agitator 62 agitates the toner inside the housing 61. The developing roller 63 and the supply roller 64 are rotatably supported by the housing 61. The supply roller 64 supplies the toner in the housing 61 to the developing roller 63.

[0031] 2, the memory 65 is located on the outer surface of the housing 61. The memory 65 is, for example, an IC chip. The memory 65 is capable of storing information about the toner cartridge 60.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the information relating to the toner cartridge 60 includes product information 65A of the toner cartridge 60, usage history information 65B, and toner information 65C.

[0033] Product information 65A includes a serial number, genuine product information, initial toner capacity, and initial charge amount. The serial number is a unique number for toner cartridge 60. Genuine product information is information that indicates that toner cartridge 60 is a genuine product. The initial toner capacity is the initial capacity of toner filled in toner cartridge 60. The initial charge amount is the initial charge amount of toner. The initial charge amount is measured in advance for each toner filled in housing 61. Note that if the genuine product information, initial toner capacity, and initial charge amount can be determined from the serial number, it is not necessary to include the genuine product information, initial toner capacity, and initial charge amount in product information 65A.

[0034] The usage history information 65B is information that indicates the usage history of the toner cartridge 60. The usage history information 65B includes at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the development roller 63, the cumulative dot count of pixels formed by the toner cartridge 60, and the cumulative number of pages printed by the toner cartridge 60.

[0035] The toner information 65C includes the remaining amount of toner and the first charge amount.

[0036] The remaining toner amount is the amount of toner currently contained in the housing 61. The current remaining toner amount can be calculated from the initial capacity of the toner and the usage history information 65B. Therefore, the remaining toner amount may be stored in the memory 65 each time an image is formed, or may be calculated when necessary without storing the remaining toner amount in the memory 65. In other words, the remaining toner amount may be a value calculated based on the initial capacity of the toner and at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 63, the cumulative dot count, and the cumulative number of printed sheets.

[0037] The first charge amount is the current charge amount of the toner in the housing 61. The current first charge amount can be calculated from the initial charge amount and the usage history information 65B. Therefore, the first charge amount may be calculated and stored in the memory 65 each time an image is formed, or the first charge amount may be calculated when necessary without being stored in the memory 65. In other words, the first charge amount may be a value calculated based on the initial charge amount and at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller 63, the cumulative dot count, and the cumulative number of printed sheets.

[0038] Next, we will explain how to recycle the toner cartridges 60. The collected toner cartridges 60 are collected at a recycling factory and recycled at the recycling factory.

[0039] The recycling method for toner cartridge 60 is a method for recycling used toner cartridge 60. The recycling method for toner cartridge 60 includes a reading step, a genuine product determination step, a first toner determination step, a second toner determination step, a first filling step, a second filling step, and a writing step.

[0040] The reading step is a step of reading the genuine product information and the first charge amount from the memory 65. The reading step is performed by reading the memory 65 of the collected toner cartridge 60 with a dedicated reading device.

[0041] The genuine product determination step is a step of determining whether or not the genuine product information stored in memory 65 indicates that the product is genuine. To determine whether or not the product is genuine, for example, it can be determined by checking whether the serial number and the genuine product information correspond to the shipping records from the factory.

[0042] If the genuine product information stored in memory 65 indicates that the product is not genuine, a second filling process is executed. The second filling process is a process in which the toner contained in the housing 61 is discharged and then new toner is filled into the housing 61. In this embodiment, in the second filling process, the inside of the housing 61 is cleaned and then new toner is filled into the housing 61. The method for cleaning the inside of the housing 61 is not particularly limited, but examples include a method of blowing away the toner inside the housing 61 with compressed air, or a method of washing out the toner inside the housing 61 with liquid and then drying the liquid.

[0043] If the genuine product information stored in memory 65 indicates that the toner is genuine, a first toner determination step is executed. The first toner determination step is a step of determining whether the difference between the first charge amount stored in memory 65 and the second charge amount, which is the charge amount of the toner to be newly filled into the housing 61, is less than a first threshold value. As an example, the first threshold value can be set to 5 μC. For example, if the first charge amount is 36 μC and the second charge amount is 40 μC, the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is 4 μC. In this case, it is determined that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is smaller than the first threshold value.

[0044] If it is determined in the first toner determination process that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is less than the first threshold, a first filling process is executed. The first filling process is a process of filling new toner into the housing 61 without discharging the toner contained in the housing 61. That is, in the first filling process, new toner is filled into the housing 61 without cleaning the inside of the housing 61. In other words, when the first filling process is executed, the residual toner remaining in the housing 61 and the new toner to be filled into the housing 61 are mixed.

[0045] If it is determined in the first toner determination step that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold, a second toner determination step is executed. The second toner determination step is a step for determining whether the remaining toner amount is less than the second threshold. In other words, if it is determined that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold, the second toner determination step is not executed.

[0046] If the second toner determination step determines that the remaining toner amount is less than the second threshold, the first filling step is executed. On the other hand, if the second toner determination step determines that the remaining toner amount is not less than the second threshold, the second filling step is executed.

[0047] After the first or second filling step is performed, the writing step is performed. The writing step is a step of writing information about the new toner filling into the memory 65. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a new serial number, a new initial toner capacity, and a new first charge amount are written. The usage history information 65B is reset.

[0048] Next, a method for recycling the toner cartridge 60 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, when recycling a used toner cartridge 60, first, in a reading step, the genuineness information and the first charge amount are read from the memory 65 (S11).

[0050] After step S11, as a genuine product determination step, it is determined whether the toner cartridge 60 is a genuine product (S12).

[0051] In step S12, if it is determined that the toner cartridge 60 is not a genuine product (S12, No), as a second filling step, the toner in the housing 61 is discharged, the inside of the housing 61 is cleaned, and new toner is filled (S16).

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the toner cartridge 60 is genuine (S12, Yes), then as a first toner determination step, it is determined whether the difference between the first charge amount of the toner in the used toner cartridge 60 and the second charge amount of the toner to be newly filled is less than a first threshold value (S13).

[0053] In step S13, if it is determined that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is less than the first threshold value (S13, Yes), as a first filling process, new toner is filled without discharging the toner from the housing 61 (S15).

[0054] On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S13 that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is less than the first threshold value (S13, No), it is determined whether the remaining toner amount is less than a second threshold value (S14).

[0055] In step S14, if it is not determined that the remaining amount of toner is less than the second threshold (S14, No), as a second filling process, the toner in the housing 61 is discharged, the inside of the housing 61 is cleaned, and new toner is filled (S16).

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the remaining amount of toner is less than the second threshold (S14, Yes), as a first filling step, new toner is filled without discharging the toner from the housing 61 (S15).

[0057] In step S15 or step S16, after new toner is filled, information that new toner has been filled is written in memory 65 as a writing step (S17).

[0058] As described above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment. According to the recycling method for toner cartridge 60 in the first embodiment, even if the first charge amount and the second charge amount are not the same, as long as they are below the first threshold, new toner is filled into housing 61 without discharging the toner contained in housing 61. Therefore, as long as the charge amount of used toner is within a certain range, toner cartridge 60 can be recycled efficiently even if it is not the same as the charge amount of new toner. In addition, since there is no need to discard the remaining toner in housing 61, it is environmentally friendly. Furthermore, because the first toner determination process is performed only if the toner cartridge 60 is genuine, it is possible to prevent non-genuine toner from being mixed with recycled products. If the toner in a non-genuine toner cartridge 60 were to be mixed with the toner in a genuine toner cartridge 60, the quality of the toner could not be guaranteed. On the other hand, if the toner in a non-genuine toner cartridge 60 does not mix with the toner in a genuine toner cartridge 60, the quality can be guaranteed.

[0059] Furthermore, in the first filling step, the inside of the housing 61 is not cleaned, which simplifies the recycling process and is also environmentally friendly.

[0060] Furthermore, if the genuine product information stored in memory 65 indicates that the toner is not genuine, the toner contained in housing 61 is discharged and then new toner is filled into housing 61. This makes it possible to prevent non-genuine toner from being mixed in with recycled products.

[0061] Furthermore, in the second filling step, the inside of the housing 61 is cleaned, which makes it possible to prevent non-genuine toner from being mixed with recycled products.

[0062] Furthermore, even if the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold, if the remaining toner amount is less than the second threshold, new toner is refilled without discharging the toner contained in the housing 61. In other words, if the remaining toner in the housing 61 is small, even if the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the impact on the toner as a whole is small, so new toner is refilled without discharging the toner contained in the housing 61. This allows the toner cartridge 60 to be recycled efficiently. Furthermore, since there is no need to discard the remaining toner in the housing 61, it is environmentally friendly.

[0063] Furthermore, if the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold value, and if it is determined that the remaining amount of toner is not less than the second threshold value, the toner contained in the housing 61 is discharged and then new toner is filled into the housing 61. This makes it possible to prevent non-genuine toner from being mixed in with recycled products.

[0064] Furthermore, the first charge amount of the toner can be calculated if the initial charge amount and usage history information are stored in the memory 65. Therefore, it is not necessary to write the first charge amount to the memory 65 every time an image is formed.

[0065] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of toners with different charge amounts are prepared for new toner to be filled.

[0066] Specifically, the recycling method for toner cartridge 60 of the second embodiment includes a reading process, a genuine product determination process, a selection process, a first filling process, a second filling process, and a writing process. The reading process, genuine product determination process, second filling process, and writing process are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0067] The selection process is executed when the genuine product information stored in memory 65 indicates that the product is genuine. The selection process is a process of selecting, from multiple types of toner, the toner with the charge amount closest to the first charge amount. For example, in a recycling factory, three types of toner, 35 μC, 38 μC, and 41 μC, are prepared, and if the charge amount of toner in a used toner cartridge is 37 μC, the toner with the closest charge amount, 38 μC, is selected.

[0068] The first filling step is a step of filling the housing 61 with new toner selected in the selection step without discharging the toner contained in the housing 61.

[0069] Next, a method for recycling the toner cartridge 60 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. Here too, steps that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and a description of common steps will be omitted.

[0070] In step S12, if it is determined that the toner cartridge 60 is a genuine product (S12, Yes), the toner having the charge amount closest to the first charge amount is selected as a selection step (S23).

[0071] After step S23, it is determined whether the difference between the first charge amount and the charge amount of the selected toner is less than a first threshold value (S24).

[0072] In step S24, if it is determined that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is less than the first threshold value (S24, Yes), as a first filling process, new toner is filled without discharging the toner from the housing 61 (S15).

[0073] In step S24, if it is not determined that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is less than the first threshold value (S24, No), as a second filling process, the toner in the housing 61 is discharged and then new toner is filled (S16).

[0074] According to the recycling method for toner cartridge 60 in the second embodiment described above, in the selection process, toner having a charge amount closest to the first charge amount is selected from multiple types of toner, so that the toner cartridge 60 can be recycled efficiently even if there is variation in the charge amount of toner in used toner cartridge 60. Furthermore, because the selection process is performed only if the toner cartridge 60 is a genuine product, it is possible to prevent non-genuine toner from being mixed in with the recycled product.

[0075] Although an embodiment of the method for recycling the toner cartridge 60 has been described above, the specific configuration can be modified as appropriate.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the toner cartridge has a developing roller, but it does not have to have a developing roller. In this case, the memory stores at least one of the cumulative dot count of pixels formed by the toner cartridge and the cumulative number of pages printed by the toner cartridge as usage history information.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, in the second filling step, the inside of the housing 61 is cleaned and then new toner is filled into the housing 61, but cleaning may be omitted.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the memory 65 is an IC chip, but the memory can be selected arbitrarily as long as it is a medium capable of storing information.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the toner cartridge is mounted in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, but the toner cartridge may also be mounted in a copying machine, a multifunction machine, or the like.

[0080] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples can also be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] S11 Reading process S12 Genuine product determination process S13: First toner determination step S14: Second toner determination step S15 1st filling process S16 2nd filling process S17 Writing process

Claims

1. A method for recycling a used toner cartridge having a housing capable of containing toner, and a memory for storing genuine product information indicating that the toner is a genuine product and a first charge amount that is the charge amount of the toner contained in the housing, comprising: a first toner determination step that is executed when the genuine product information stored in the memory indicates that the toner is a genuine product, the first toner determination step determining whether or not a difference between the first charge amount stored in the memory and a second charge amount that is a charge amount of toner to be newly filled into the housing is less than a first threshold value; A toner cartridge recycling method characterized by comprising: a first filling process that is executed when it is determined that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is less than the first threshold value, and the first filling process fills new toner into the housing without discharging the toner contained in the housing.

2. 2. The method for recycling a toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a reading step of reading the genuine product information and the first charge amount from the memory.

3. 3. The toner cartridge recycling method according to claim 2, further comprising a genuine product determining step of determining whether the genuine product information indicates that the toner cartridge is a genuine product.

4. 2. The method for recycling a toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein in the first filling step, new toner is filled into the housing without cleaning the inside of the housing.

5. A toner cartridge recycling method as described in claim 1, characterized in that it includes a second filling process that is executed when the genuine product information stored in the memory indicates that the product is not genuine, and that includes a second filling process that discharges the toner contained in the housing and then fills the housing with new toner.

6. 6. The method for recycling a toner cartridge according to claim 5, wherein in the second filling step, the inside of the housing is cleaned and then new toner is filled into the housing.

7. the memory further stores the amount of remaining toner contained in the housing; a second toner determination step that is executed when it is determined in the first toner determination step that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold value, and that determines whether the remaining toner amount is less than a second threshold value; 2. The toner cartridge recycling method according to claim 1, wherein the first filling step is carried out when it is determined in the second toner determination step that the remaining amount of toner is less than a second threshold value.

8. the memory further stores the amount of remaining toner contained in the housing; a second toner determination step that is executed when it is determined in the first toner determination step that the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is not less than the first threshold value, and that determines whether the remaining toner amount is less than a second threshold value; 6. The toner cartridge recycling method according to claim 5, wherein the second filling step is executed when it is determined in the second toner determination step that the remaining amount of toner is not less than the second threshold value.

9. The toner cartridge recycling method according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory stores an initial charge amount indicating the charge amount of the toner when the toner is filled into the housing, and usage history information indicating the usage history of the toner cartridge.

10. The toner cartridge further includes a developing roller, The usage history information is the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller; a cumulative dot count of pixels formed by the toner cartridge; 10. The method for recycling a toner cartridge according to claim 9, further comprising at least one of: a cumulative number of pages printed using the toner cartridge;

11. 11. The toner cartridge recycling method according to claim 10, wherein the first charge amount is a value calculated based on the initial charge amount and at least one of the cumulative number of rotations of the developing roller, the cumulative dot count, and the cumulative number of printed pages.

12. A method for recycling a used toner cartridge having a housing capable of containing toner, a memory that stores genuine product information indicating that the toner is a genuine product, and a first charge amount that is the charge amount of the toner contained in the housing, a selection step, which is executed when the genuine product information stored in the memory indicates that the toner is a genuine product, for selecting, from a plurality of types of toner, a toner having a charge amount closest to the first charge amount; a first filling step of filling the housing with new toner selected in the selection step without discharging the toner contained in the housing.

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