Recycling method for developing cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To suppress toner from spilling out of a developing cartridge when the recycled developing cartridge is used in an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A recycling method for a developing cartridge includes a step (S3) of newly filling toner into a used developing cartridge. The used developing cartridge includes a developing roller, a casing, and a memory. The casing is capable of accommodating toner. The memory stores a first charge amount being a charge amount of the toner that had been accommodated in the casing. The recycling method for the developing cartridge includes a developing roller rotation step (S7) of rotating the developing roller for a set first time after the new toner is filled into the casing. In the recycling method for the developing cartridge, the first time is made longer as the difference between the first charge amount stored in the memory and a second charge amount being the charge amount of the newly filled toner increases.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recycling method for a developer cartridge and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional method for recycling developer cartridges is known that utilizes the charge amount of toner stored in a developer information storage means of a used developer cartridge (see Patent Document 1). In this method, the charge amount of the toner stored in the developer information storage means is compared with the charge amount of the toner to be newly loaded, and if the charge amounts of the old and new toner are not the same, the developer cartridge is cleaned and then new toner is loaded into the used developer cartridge. If the charge amounts of the old and new toner are the same, cleaning is omitted and new toner is loaded into the used developer cartridge. [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, in conventional methods, for example, when cleaning is performed without disassembling the developer cartridge, old toner may remain in the corners of the frame, etc. If a developer cartridge with old toner remaining is filled with new toner to recycle the developer cartridge, when the recycled developer cartridge is used in an image forming device, the old toner and new toner may mix, resulting in toner with a low charge level that cannot be retained on the developing roller, and this may cause the problem of toner with a low charge level spilling out of the developer cartridge.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to prevent toner from spilling from a developer cartridge when a recycled developer cartridge is used in an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the recycling method for a developer cartridge according to the present disclosure is a recycling method for a developer cartridge that includes a step of refilling a used developer cartridge with new toner. A used developer cartridge includes a developer roller, a casing, and a memory. The casing is capable of containing toner. The memory stores a first charge amount, which is the charge amount of the toner contained in the casing. The recycling method for the developer cartridge includes a developing roller rotating step of rotating the developing roller for a set first time period after filling the casing with new toner. In the recycling method for the developer cartridge, the greater the difference between the first charge amount stored in the memory and the second charge amount, which is the charge amount of the newly filled toner, the longer the first time period is set.

[0007] Here, the amount of toner spilling from the developer cartridge when the developer roller rotates increases as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases. Therefore, by lengthening the first time as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases, toner with a low charge amount can be sufficiently discharged from the developer cartridge during the developer roller rotation process, and toner spilling from the developer cartridge can be suppressed when a recycled developer cartridge is used in an image forming device.

[0008] In the recycling method for the developer cartridge, the first time may be made longer as the second charge amount becomes smaller.

[0009] Here, the amount of toner spilling from the developer cartridge when the developer roller rotates increases as the second charge amount decreases. Therefore, by configuring the first time period to be longer as the second charge amount decreases, toner with a low charge amount can be sufficiently discharged from the developer cartridge during the developer roller rotation process, and toner spilling from the developer cartridge can be suppressed when a recycled developer cartridge is used in an image forming device.

[0010] The recycling method for the developer cartridge may further include a first storing step of storing the second charge amount in a memory.

[0011] The developing cartridge recycling method may further include a step of setting a second time, which is the time for performing a developing cartridge driving operation to rotate the developing roller in an image forming device, based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount, and a second storage step of storing the second time in memory.

[0012] In the method for recycling a developer cartridge, the second time period may be increased as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases.

[0013] If the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is large, there is a high possibility that toner with a charge amount slightly lower than the appropriate value is mixed in the developer cartridge after the developing roller rotation process. Therefore, by configuring the second time period to be longer as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is larger, it is possible to increase the charge amount of toner with a charge amount slightly lower than the appropriate value during the developer cartridge driving operation.

[0014] In the recycling method for the developer cartridge, the second time may be made longer as the second charge amount becomes smaller.

[0015] If the second charge amount is small, there is a high possibility that toner with a charge amount slightly lower than the appropriate value is mixed in the developer cartridge after the developing roller rotation process. Therefore, by configuring the second time to be longer as the second charge amount is smaller, it is possible to increase the charge amount of toner with a charge amount slightly lower than the appropriate value during the developer cartridge driving operation.

[0016] The second time period may be shorter than the first time period.

[0017] The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a main body housing and a control unit. The main body casing is detachably mountable to a developer cartridge in which the second charge amount is stored in memory by the above-described developer cartridge recycling method. The control section is capable of executing a developer cartridge driving operation that rotates the developer roller, and sets a second time period that is a time period during which the developer cartridge driving operation is executed, based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount.

[0018] The control unit may also set the second time period to be longer as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases.

[0019] By configuring the second time to be longer as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases, the charge amount of toner whose charge amount is slightly lower than the appropriate value can be increased during the development cartridge driving operation.

[0020] The control unit may also set the second time period longer as the second charge amount decreases.

[0021] By configuring the second time period to be longer as the second charge amount is smaller, it is possible to increase the charge amount of toner whose charge amount is slightly lower than the appropriate value during the development cartridge driving operation.

[0022] The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a main body housing and a control unit. The main body casing is detachably fitted with a developing cartridge, the second time of which is stored in the memory by the above-described recycling method for the developing cartridge. The control unit is capable of executing a developer cartridge driving operation that rotates the developer roller, and executes the developer cartridge driving operation for the second time period obtained from the memory.

[0023] The second time period may be shorter than the first time period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] When the recycled developer cartridge is used in an image forming apparatus, toner can be prevented from spilling from the developer cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a laser printer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart showing a recycling method. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a map for setting a first time period. [Figure 4] 1(a) to 1(c) are diagrams showing the steps of the recycling method. [Figure 5] 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing the steps of the recycling method. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a map for setting a second time period. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a recycling method according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control unit according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] [First embodiment] Next, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. 1, a laser printer 1, which is an example of an image forming apparatus, includes a main body housing 2, a supply unit 3, an exposure device 4, a process cartridge 5, a fixing device 8, and a control unit 100. The control unit 100 is configured to include, for example, a CPU, RAM, ROM, an input / output circuit, and the like.

[0027] The supply unit 3 is provided in the lower part of the main body housing 2, and includes a supply tray 31, a pressure plate 32, and a supply mechanism 33. The sheets S stored in the supply tray 31 are pulled upward by the pressure plate 32, and are supplied toward the process cartridge 5 by the supply mechanism 33.

[0028] The exposure device 4 is disposed in the upper part of the main body housing 2, and includes a laser emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror (denoted by reference numerals), a lens, a reflecting mirror, etc. The exposure device 4 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 to laser light emitted from the laser emitting unit.

[0029] The process cartridge 5 is disposed below the exposure device 4, and is configured to be detachably attached to the main body housing 2 through an opening formed when a front cover 21 provided on the main body housing 2 is opened. The process cartridge 5 has a drum cartridge 6 and a developing cartridge 7.

[0030] The drum cartridge 6 includes a photosensitive drum 61 , a charger 62 , and a transfer roller 63 .

[0031] The developing cartridge 7 is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 6. The developing cartridge 7 is detachably attached to the main body casing 2 via the drum cartridge 6. The developing cartridge 7 includes a developing roller 71, a supply roller 72, a layer thickness regulating blade 73, an agitator 74, a casing 75, and a memory 76.

[0032] The developing roller 71 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 61. The developing roller 71 has a metal shaft, a roller portion made of silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or the like that covers the periphery of the shaft, and a coating layer that covers the roller portion. The roller portion of the developing roller 71 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 61.

[0033] The supply roller 72 supplies toner to the developing roller 71. The supply roller 72 has a metal shaft and a roller portion made of sponge that covers the periphery of the shaft. The roller portion of the supply roller 72 comes into contact with the developing roller 71.

[0034] The layer thickness regulating blade 73 regulates the thickness of toner on the developing roller 71. The layer thickness regulating blade 73 has a metal plate and a rubber portion attached to the end of the metal plate. The rubber portion is made of silicone rubber, urethane rubber, fluorine-containing rubber, or the like. The rubber portion of the layer thickness regulating blade 73 comes into contact with the roller portion of the developing roller 71.

[0035] The agitator 74 agitates the toner inside the casing 75. The agitator 74 transports the toner toward the supply roller 72.

[0036] The developing roller 71, the supply roller 72, and the agitator 74 are connected to a coupling (not shown) by gears. A driving force is transmitted to the coupling from a motor provided in the main body housing 2. When the coupling rotates, the developing roller 71, the supply roller 72, and the agitator 74 rotate.

[0037] The casing 75 is capable of containing toner and rotatably supports the developing roller 71, the supply roller 72, and the agitator 74. The casing 75 has a filling hole 75A.

[0038] The filling hole 75A is a hole for filling with toner. A cap CP is detachably attached to the filling hole 75A. The cap CP closes the filling hole 75A.

[0039] The memory 76 stores a first charge amount. The first charge amount is the charge amount of the toner filled in the developer cartridge 7 at the production factory. Therefore, when a new developer cartridge 7 is recycled, the first charge amount becomes the charge amount of the toner contained in the casing 75.

[0040] The first charge amount is the charge amount of new toner filled into a new casing, and is determined for each lot. The charge amount of new toner varies from lot to lot. Therefore, for example, the first charge amount stored in the memory 76 of a specific developer cartridge 7 may differ from the first charge amount stored in the memory 76 of another developer cartridge 7.

[0041] When printing is performed, the charger 62 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. The exposure device 4 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61. The toner in the casing 75 is supplied to the developing roller 71 via the agitator 74 and the supply roller 72.

[0042] The developing roller 71 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61. As a result, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 61. Thereafter, the sheet S is transported between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63, whereby the toner image on the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred to the sheet S.

[0043] The fixing device 8 is located behind the process cartridge 5. The fixing device 8 includes a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82. The toner image transferred onto the sheet S is thermally fixed to the sheet S as it passes through the fixing device 8. The sheet S with the thermally fixed toner image is discharged onto the discharge tray 22 by conveying rollers 23 and 24.

[0044] Next, a method for recycling the developing cartridge 7 will be described. 2, in the recycling method of the present embodiment, first, an operator collects a used developer cartridge 7 (collection step S1). As shown in FIG. 4(a), toner T1 remains in the casing 75 of the collected developer cartridge 7.

[0045] 2 and 4(b), after the collection step S1, the worker removes the cap CP of the collected developer cartridge 7 and discharges the toner T1 remaining in the casing 75 through the filling hole 75A (discharge step S2). In the discharge step S2, the developer cartridge 7 is not disassembled, but the filling hole 75A is simply turned downward to discharge the toner T1, so the toner T1 remains in a corner of the casing 75.

[0046] 2 and 4(c), after the discharging step S2, the worker fills new toner T2 into the casing 75 of the used developer cartridge 7 through the filling hole 75A (filling step S3). After the filling step S3, the worker attaches a cap CP to the filling hole 75A, and then sets the developer cartridge 7 in the developing roller rotating device 200 shown in FIG. 5(a) (setting step S4).

[0047] Here, the developing roller rotating device 200 is a device that rotates the developing roller 71 for a set first time period. The developing roller rotating device 200 includes a motor that supplies driving force to the coupling of the developing cartridge 7, and a second control unit 210. The second control unit 210 is configured to include, for example, a CPU, RAM, ROM, input / output circuits, etc.

[0048] After the setting step S4, the worker stores the second charge amount, which is the charge amount of new toner T2, in the memory 76 of the developing cartridge 7 (first storage step S5). The second charge amount is determined for each lot and varies from lot to lot. Note that, as a method for storing the second charge amount in the memory 76, for example, the worker may input the second charge amount from the operation panel of the developing roller rotating device 200, and the second control unit 210 may write the second charge amount in the memory 76.

[0049] Alternatively, the second charge amount may be stored by an operator using a dedicated input device for writing information to memory 76. In this case, the operator may store the second charge amount in memory 76 before setting step S4.

[0050] After the first storage step S5, when a start command to start rotation of the developing roller 71 by the developing roller rotating device 200 is input to the second control unit 210, for example by an operator operating the operation panel, the second control unit 210 reads the first charge amount and the second charge amount from the memory 76. Thereafter, the second control unit 210 sets the first time based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount (first setting step S6).

[0051] Specifically, the second control unit 210 sets the first time period based on the map shown in Fig. 3. More specifically, the second control unit 210 lengthens the first time period as the difference |AB| between the first charge amount A and the second charge amount B increases. Furthermore, the second control unit 210 lengthens the first time period as the second charge amount B decreases.

[0052] For example, when the second charge amount B is 20 [μC / g]≦B<30 [μC / g], the second control unit 210 sets the first time to a value that increases in the order of 120 seconds, 180 seconds, 240 seconds, 300 seconds, and 360 seconds as the difference |AB| increases. Also, when the difference |AB| is 20 [μC / g]≦|AB|<30 [μC / g], the second control unit 210 sets the first time to a value that increases in the order of 60 seconds, 120 seconds, 180 seconds, 240 seconds, 300 seconds, and 360 seconds as the second charge amount B decreases.

[0053] After the first setting step S6, the second control unit 210 rotates the developing roller 71 for the set first time (developing roller rotating step S7). When the developing roller rotating step S7 is performed, as shown in FIG. 5(b), old toner T1 and new toner T2 mix together and rub against each other between the developing roller 71 and the supply roller 72 or between the developing roller 71 and the layer thickness regulating blade 73, which may result in toner whose charge has decreased to the point where it cannot be held on the developing roller 71 (hereinafter also referred to as "degraded toner T3"). In more detail, when the developing roller 71 rotates with old toner T1 and new toner T2 mixed together, some toner may gradually increase in charge, while some toner may gradually decrease in charge, resulting in the generation of degraded toner T3.

[0054] However, while the developing roller 71 is rotating, the deteriorated toner T3 falls from the developing cartridge 7 due to the rotation of the developing roller 71, and is therefore removed from the developing cartridge 7.

[0055] Here, the amount of deteriorated toner T3 generated increases as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases, and increases as the second charge amount decreases. Therefore, by rotating the developing roller 71 for the first time period, which is set to be longer as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases and longer as the second charge amount decreases, a sufficient amount of deteriorated toner T3 can be discharged.

[0056] The spilled deteriorated toner T3 can be collected in a waste toner box (not shown) and then discarded. In this embodiment, after executing the developing roller rotating step S7, the second control unit 210 stores in the memory 76 recycling information indicating that the developing cartridge 7 has been recycled and new product information indicating that the developing cartridge 7 is new.

[0057] Instead of storing the new product information in the memory 76, the developing cartridge 7 may be returned to a new product state by the operator resetting the new product detection mechanism for detecting whether the developing cartridge 7 is new or not to its initial state.

[0058] 2, after the developing roller rotating step S7, the worker removes the developing cartridge 7 from the developing roller rotating device 200 and performs a quality inspection of the developing cartridge 7 (inspection step S8). After the inspection step, the worker packages and ships the developing cartridge 7 (S9).

[0059] Next, the operation of the control unit 100 when a new, recycled developer cartridge 7 is installed in the main body housing 2 of the laser printer 1 will be described. The control unit 100 can execute a developer cartridge driving operation that rotates the development roller 71 for a set second time period. When the control unit 100 determines that the developer cartridge 7 has been installed in the main body housing 2, it executes the processing of FIG. 6.

[0060] 6, the control unit 100 first reads new product information from the memory 76 and determines whether the developer cartridge 7 attached to the main body housing 2 is new based on the new product information (S20). If it is determined in step S20 that the developer cartridge 7 is not new (No), the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S25, which will be described later.

[0061] If it is determined in step S20 that the developer cartridge 7 is new (Yes), the control unit 100 reads the recycling information from the memory 76 and determines whether the developer cartridge 7 attached to the main body housing 2 is recycled or not based on the recycling information (S21). If it is determined in step S21 that the developer cartridge 7 is not recycled (No), the control unit 100 proceeds to the processing of step S24, which will be described later.

[0062] If it is determined in step S21 that the developer cartridge 7 is recycled (Yes), the control unit 100 reads the first charge amount and the second charge amount from the memory 76 and sets the second time based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount (S22).

[0063] Specifically, the control unit 100 sets the second time period based on the map shown in Fig. 7. More specifically, the control unit 100 lengthens the second time period as the difference |AB| between the first charge amount A and the second charge amount B increases. Furthermore, the control unit 100 lengthens the second time period as the second charge amount B decreases.

[0064] For example, when the second charge amount B is 20 [μC / g]≦B<30 [μC / g], the control unit 100 sets the second time to a value that increases in the order of 60 seconds, 90 seconds, 120 seconds, 150 seconds, and 180 seconds as the difference |AB| increases. Also, when the difference |AB| is 20 [μC / g]≦|AB|<30 [μC / g], the control unit 100 sets the second time to a value that increases in the order of 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, 120 seconds, 150 seconds, and 180 seconds as the second charge amount B decreases.

[0065] The second time period is set to a time period shorter than the first time period. More specifically, when 20 μC / g≦B<30 μC / g and 20 μC / g≦|AB|<30 μC / g, the first time period is set to 240 seconds according to the map in FIG. 3, whereas the second time period is set to 120 seconds, which is shorter than the first time period, according to the map in FIG. 7. The values ​​in the maps in FIGS. 3 and 7 can be set by experiments, simulations, etc.

[0066] After step S22, the control unit 100 executes a developer cartridge driving operation to rotate the developer roller 71 for the second time period set in step S22 (S23). When the developer cartridge driving operation is performed, the toner in the developer cartridge 7 rubs against each other between the developer roller 71 and the supply roller 72, or between the developer roller 71 and the layer thickness regulating blade 73, thereby increasing the charge amount of the entire toner.

[0067] Here, after the developing roller rotation process during recycling, toner with a charge amount slightly lower than the appropriate value (hereinafter also referred to as "undercharged toner") may be mixed inside the developing cartridge 7. The charge amount of the undercharged toner decreases as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases, and decreases as the second charge amount decreases. Therefore, by rotating the developing roller 71 for the second time period, which is set to be longer as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases and longer as the second charge amount decreases, the charge amount of the undercharged toner can be increased to a charge amount appropriate for printing.

[0068] After step S23, the control unit 100 executes various correction operations such as density correction (S24). After step S24, the control unit 100 transitions to a standby state (S25) and ends this process.

[0069] Next, a series of steps from recycling a used developer cartridge 7 to using the recycled developer cartridge 7 in the laser printer 1 for the first time will be briefly summarized and explained. When recycling a used developer cartridge 7, as shown in Figure 4(a), the worker collects the used developer cartridge 7, and then, as shown in Figure 4(b), removes the cap CP of the developer cartridge 7 and discards the toner T1 remaining in the developer cartridge 7 from the filling hole 75A.

[0070] Next, as shown in Fig. 4(c), the worker fills new toner T2 into the developing cartridge 7. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the worker fits the cap CP into the filling hole 75A, and then sets the developing cartridge 7 in the developing roller rotating device 200.

[0071] Next, the operator inputs the second charge amount, which is the charge amount of new toner T2, using the operation panel of the developing roller rotating device 200, thereby storing the second charge amount in the memory 76. After that, when the operator inputs a start command into the operation panel, the second control unit 210 sets the first time based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount stored in the memory 76.

[0072] Next, the second control unit 210 rotates the developing roller 71 for a first time, as shown in Fig. 5(b). As the developing roller 71 rotates, old toner T1 and new toner T2 mix together, resulting in toner whose charge gradually increases and toner whose charge gradually decreases. When degraded toner T3, whose charge has decreased to the point where it can no longer be retained on the developing roller 71, is produced, the degraded toner T3 is discharged from the developing cartridge 7 by the rotation of the developing roller 71.

[0073] After the first time period has elapsed, the second control unit 210 stops the rotation of the developing roller 71. Here, by setting the first time period based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount, after the developing roller rotation step has been performed, most of the deteriorated toner T3 generated in the developing cartridge 7 has been discharged from the developing cartridge 7. As a result, toner whose charge amount does not decrease with subsequent rotation of the developing roller 71 and whose charge amount gradually increases remains in the developing cartridge 7.

[0074] Thereafter, the worker removes the developing cartridge 7 from the developing roller rotating device 200. Next, the worker inspects the quality of the developing cartridge 7, and then packages and ships the developing cartridge 7.

[0075] When a user who has purchased a recycled developer cartridge 7 installs the developer cartridge 7 in the main body housing 2 shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 100 reads the first charge amount, the second charge amount, recycling information, and new product information from the memory 76. If new product information is stored in the memory 76, the control unit 100 determines Yes in step S20. After determining Yes in step S20, the control unit 100 determines Yes in step S21, sets a second time period based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount, and rotates the developing roller 71 for the set second time period.

[0076] As the developing roller 71 rotates, the charge amount of the toner in the developing cartridge 7 gradually increases. After the second time period has elapsed, the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the developing roller 71. Here, the second time period is set based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount, so that the charge amount of almost all of the toner in the developing cartridge 7 is increased to a charge amount suitable for printing.

[0077] Thereafter, the control unit 100 executes various correction operations and then transitions to a standby state.

[0078] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. By configuring the first time period to be longer as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is larger, and the first time period to be longer as the second charge amount is smaller, it is possible to sufficiently discharge deteriorated toner T3 from the developer cartridge 7 during the developing roller rotation process. Therefore, when a recycled developer cartridge 7 is used in the laser printer 1, it is possible to prevent toner from spilling from the developer cartridge 7.

[0079] By configuring the second time to be longer as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount is larger, and the second time to be longer as the second charge amount is smaller, it is possible to increase the charge amount of toner whose charge amount is slightly lower than the appropriate value during the development cartridge driving operation.

[0080] [Second embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the operation of the control unit 100 and the second control unit 210 according to the first embodiment, and therefore the same components and processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 8, the recycling method according to the second embodiment includes a new second setting step S41 and a second storage step S42 instead of the first storage step S5 and the first setting step S6 in the recycling method of Fig. 2. The other steps (S1 to S3, S7 to S9) of the recycling method according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0082] After the setting step S4, when the operator inputs the second charge amount from the operation panel of the developing roller rotating device 200, the second control unit 210 acquires the second charge amount. The second control unit 210 sets the first time and the second time based on the acquired second charge amount, the first charge amount stored in the memory 76, and the maps shown in Figures 3 and 7 (second setting step S41).

[0083] In the second setting step S41, the second control unit 210, as in the first embodiment, lengthens the first time as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases, and lengthens the first time as the second charge amount decreases. Also, as in the first embodiment, the second control unit 210 lengthens the second time as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases, and lengthens the second time as the second charge amount decreases.

[0084] After the second setting step S41, the second control unit 210 stores the second time in the memory 76 (second storage step S42). Note that the second time is set to be shorter than the first time, similar to the first embodiment.

[0085] The control unit 100 according to the second embodiment executes the process of FIG. The process in Fig. 9 includes new steps S61 and S62 instead of steps S22 and S23 in the process in Fig. 6. The other steps (S20, S21, S24, S25) in the process in Fig. 9 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0086] If the control unit 100 determines "Yes" in both steps S20 and S21, it acquires a second time from the memory 76 (S61). After step S61, the control unit 100 rotates the developing roller 71 for the second time acquired in step S61 (S62). After step S62, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S24.

[0087] As described above, in the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. Since there is no need for the control unit 100 of the laser printer 1 to calculate the second time, it is possible to shorten the time required for the operation of the control unit 100 after a new recycled developer cartridge 7 is installed.

[0088] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be used in various forms as exemplified below. In the above embodiment, the developing roller rotating device 200 is used in the developing roller rotating step, but for example, an image forming device may be used in the developing roller rotating step. Furthermore, the setting of the first time is not limited to being performed by the control unit of a device that rotates a developing roller, such as a developing roller rotating device or an image forming device, but may also be performed by the control unit of a device other than a device that rotates a developing roller.

[0089] The second charge amount and the second time period do not have to be stored in the memory. In other words, it is sufficient that at least the first charge amount is stored in the memory. Even in this case, the first time period can be set based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount during recycling.

[0090] The first time period may be set based only on the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount. The second time period may be set based only on the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount.

[0091] In the above embodiment, some of the tasks in the recycling method are performed by workers, but they may also be performed by machines. For example, the entire series of steps may be automated, or only some of the steps may be performed by machines.

[0092] The image forming apparatus is not limited to the monochrome laser printer 1, but may be any other image forming apparatus, such as a color printer, a copying machine, or a multifunction machine.

[0093] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 7 Developer cartridge 71 Developing roller 75 Casing 76 memory

Claims

1. A method for recycling a developer cartridge, comprising a step of refilling a used developer cartridge with new toner, the developer cartridge having a developing roller, a casing capable of containing toner, and a memory for storing a first charge amount, which is the charge amount of the toner contained in the casing, a developing roller rotating step of rotating the developing roller for a set first time period after the casing is filled with new toner; A method for recycling a developer cartridge, characterized in that the greater the difference between the first charge amount stored in the memory and the second charge amount, which is the charge amount of newly filled toner, the longer the first time.

2. 2. The method for recycling a developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first time period is increased as the second charge amount decreases.

3. 2. The method for recycling a developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a first storing step of storing the second charge amount in the memory.

4. setting a second time period, which is a time period during which a developing cartridge driving operation for rotating the developing roller is performed in an image forming apparatus, based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount; 2. The method for recycling a developer cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a second storing step of storing the second time in the memory.

5. 5. The method for recycling a developer cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the second time period is lengthened as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases.

6. 6. The method for recycling a developing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the second time period is increased as the second charge amount decreases.

7. 5. The method for recycling a developing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the second time is shorter than the first time.

8. a main body housing to which the developer cartridge recycled by the method of recycling the developer cartridge according to claim 3 can be detachably attached; An image forming apparatus including a control unit, The control unit A developing cartridge driving operation for rotating the developing roller can be performed, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that a second time period during which the developing cartridge driving operation is performed is set based on the first charge amount and the second charge amount.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit extends the second time period as the difference between the first charge amount and the second charge amount increases.

10. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control section increases the second time period as the second charge amount decreases.

11. a main body housing to which the developer cartridge recycled by the method of recycling the developer cartridge according to claim 4 can be detachably attached; An image forming apparatus including a control unit, The control unit A developing cartridge driving operation for rotating the developing roller can be performed, an image forming apparatus that performs the developing cartridge driving operation for the second time period acquired from the memory;

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second time period is shorter than the first time period.

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