Washing device

Abstract

To sufficiently and efficiently remove powder in a powder container.SOLUTION: A cleaning device is provided with a sucking device 2 including a sucking unit 2b that is detachably installed in an opening 50a of a toner container 50, with the opening 50a directed upward, and capable of sucking toner T in the toner container 50 together with air. In addition, the cleaning device is provided with an external air inflow pipe 5 that is inserted into the toner container 50 from the opening 50a via an insertion part 2b1 formed in the sucking unit 2b, and capable of introducing external air into the toner container 50 by suction force generated by the sucking device 2. Further, the cleaning device is provided with a moving device 8 capable of moving the external air inflow pipe 5 inserted into the toner container 50 upward and downward. While the sucking device 2 performs suction, the moving device 8 performs at least one reciprocating movement in which the external air inflow pipe 5 inserted in the toner container 50 is moved from a higher level to a lower level and then moved to a higher level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cleaning device for removing powder such as toner inside a powder container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for the purpose of recycling powder containers such as toner containers that are replaceably installed in copiers, printers, fax machines, etc., a cleaning device that air-cleans the powder remaining inside the recovered powder container is widely known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, as such a cleaning device, there is known one that sucks powder by a suction pipe inserted inside the powder container while injecting compressed air from a nozzle inserted inside the powder container (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Conventional cleaning devices have problems such as being unable to clean sufficiently when the amount of powder in the powder container is large, the cleaning time becoming long, and a large amount of energy consumption for cleaning.

[0004] This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cleaning device capable of sufficiently and efficiently removing the powder inside the powder container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The cleaning device of this invention is a cleaning device for removing powder from inside a powder container, comprising: a suction device that is detachably installed in the opening of the powder container with the opening facing upward, capable of sucking up the powder from inside the powder container along with air; an outside air inlet pipe that is inserted into the inside of the powder container from the opening through an insertion part formed in the suction part, and capable of allowing outside air to flow into the inside of the powder container by the suction force of the suction device; and a moving device that can move the outside air inlet pipe, which is inserted into the inside of the powder container, up and down while suction is performed by the suction device, and at least one reciprocating movement is performed by moving the outside air inlet pipe, which is inserted into the inside of the powder container, from top to bottom and then upward. No, when the outside air inlet pipe is first moved from top to bottom by the moving device, the distance between the exhaust port of the outside air inlet pipe and the uppermost surface of the powder remaining inside the powder container is kept constant. It is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a cleaning device can be provided that can sufficiently and efficiently remove powder from inside a powder container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram showing a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the process of cleaning the toner container using a cleaning device. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the tip of the outside air inlet pipe. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the outside air inlet pipe inserted into the insertion section of the suction section. [Figure 5] Modification 1 is shown as (A) a cross-sectional view showing the tip of the outside air inlet pipe, and (B) a cross-sectional view showing the circumferential arrangement of the through holes formed therein. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the tip of the outside air inlet pipe, representing an alternative configuration to that shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] (A) A diagram showing the state in which the outside air inlet pipe of Figure 5 is rotated, and a diagram showing the state in which the toner container through which the outside air inlet pipe of Figure 5 is inserted is rotated. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing an outside air inlet pipe, as a modified example (2). [Figure 9] This figure shows the main parts of the cleaning device as a modified example 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0009] First, we will explain the overall configuration and operation of the cleaning device 1 using Figure 1. The cleaning device 1 is a device for removing toner T as powder from the inside of the toner container 50, which is a powder container. More specifically, in order to recycle toner containers (powder containers) that are interchangeable and installed in copiers, printers, fax machines, etc., a cleaning process using a cleaning device 1 is performed as one step in the recycling process at the recycling plant. As shown in Figure 1, toner containers 50 collected from the market and brought to the recycling plant are set in the cleaning device 1. Then, the cleaning device 1 cleans (removes) the toner T remaining inside the toner containers 50.

[0010] Furthermore, the toner containers 50 collected at the recycling plant are not limited to those with only a small amount of toner T remaining inside (almost empty), but also include those with a large amount of toner T remaining inside, and those that have reached their expiration date with almost no toner T consumed, leaving almost all of it behind. As will be described later, the cleaning device 1 in this embodiment is capable of thorough and efficient cleaning regardless of the amount of residual toner. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the toner container 50 installed in the cleaning device 1 is a cylindrical toner bottle with an opening 50a (toner outlet) formed at its top.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the cleaning device 1 in this embodiment consists of a suction device 2, an outside air inlet pipe 5 (inlet pipe), a moving device 8, a toner recovery unit 10, a plug 3, an adapter 4, and the like. Although not shown in the figure, the cleaning device 1 is also provided with a base for placing the toner container 50 for cleaning.

[0012] The suction device 2 is configured to be able to suck up the toner T (powder) inside the toner container 50 (powder container) along with air. The suction device 2 consists of a suction pump 2a, a suction unit 2b, a suction tube 2c, a discharge tube 2d, and the like. As shown in Figure 1, the suction unit 2b is detachably installed in the opening 50a of the toner container 50 (powder container) when the opening 50a is facing upward. More specifically, the suction unit 2b is fixed by an adapter 4 so as to be in close contact with the opening 50a and communicate with the inside of the toner container 50. The suction unit 2b is a substantially cylindrical member and has a cavity for allowing the toner T (toner T mixed with air) sucked from the toner container 50 to flow toward the suction pipe 2c. The suction unit 2b also has an insertion part 2b1 (with a circular cross-section) through which the outside air inlet pipe 5 is inserted. The center of the insertion part 2b1 is formed so as to coincide with the central axis X of the toner container 50 and the outside air inlet pipe 5. The suction tube 2c is connected at one end to the side of the suction unit 2b and at the other end to the suction pump 2a. The suction force of the suction pump 2a (suction device 2) causes the toner T in the toner container 50 to flow into the suction pump 2a along with air via the suction unit 2b and suction tube 2c, and the toner T' is then collected from the suction pump 2a to the toner recovery unit 10 via the discharge pipe 2d. In this embodiment, a T-shaped pipe for sanitary piping with an outer diameter of approximately 38 mm (with an insertion section 2b having an inner diameter of approximately 16 mm) is used, in which the suction section 2b and a part of the suction pipe 2c are integrated. Furthermore, a dust collection pipe is connected to this T-shaped pipe as part of the suction pipe 2c, and suction is performed by a suction pump 2a at a static pressure of approximately 300 mmH2O. Furthermore, the toner collection unit 10 is equipped with a toner filter 10a for air venting, which discharges the air sucked in from the toner container 50.

[0013] The outside air inlet pipe 5 is configured to allow outside air to flow into the toner container 50 (powder container) by the suction force of the suction device 2. This outside air inlet pipe 5 is inserted into the toner container (powder container) through the opening 50a via the insertion part 2b1 formed in the suction part 2b. More specifically, the outside air inlet pipe 5 is inserted into the insertion part 2b1 of the suction part 2b via the plug 3, and its tip 5c (the part enclosed by the dashed line in Figures 1 and 2(A)) is located inside the toner container 50. When suction is performed by the suction device 2 in this state, outside air flows into the toner container 50 via the outside air inlet pipe 5 to counteract the resulting pressure reduction inside the toner container 50. Specifically, the outside air taken in from the intake port 5a of the outside air inlet pipe 5 (located outside the toner container 50) flows from top to bottom through the outside air inlet pipe 5 and is discharged into the toner container 50 from the exhaust port 5b of the tip 5c (located inside the toner container 50). Due to this mechanism, the amount of air flowing into the toner container 50 from the outside air inlet pipe 5 is the same as the amount of air sucked out of the toner container 50 by the suction part 2b (suction device 2). In this embodiment, the outside air inlet pipe 5 is a stainless steel pipe with an outer diameter of approximately 16 mm, an inner diameter of approximately 15 mm, and a length of approximately 600 mm.

[0014] Referring to Figure 1, the mobile device 8 is configured to allow the outside air inlet pipe 5, which is inserted inside the toner container 50 (powder container), to move up and down. More specifically, the moving device 8 is configured so that the holding part 8a, which holds the outside air inlet pipe 5, can move in the vertical direction in Figure 1 (the direction of the double arrows in Figure 1). As the outside air inlet pipe 5 moves up and down by the moving device 8, the position of the exhaust port 5b of the outside air inlet pipe 5 can be constantly moved (maintained) to the optimal position as the amount of toner in the toner container 50 gradually decreases as cleaning progresses. Incidentally, as the moving device 8, for example, an electric cylinder can be used. Further, even when the up-and-down movement by the moving device 8 is performed, the length in the vertical direction is set sufficiently so that the intake port 5a is always located outside the toner container 50 and the exhaust port 5b is always located inside the toner container 50. Also, the moving range by the moving device 8 is also set to a sufficient length. The outside air taken in from the intake port 5a (located outside the toner container 50) flows from above to below through the outside air inflow pipe 5 and is set to the exhaust port 5b (located inside the toner container 50) at the tip portion 5c.

[0015] Then, referring to FIGS. 2(A) to (D), the cleaning device 1 in the present embodiment performs at least one reciprocating movement of moving the outside air inflow pipe 5 inserted into the toner container 50 (powder container) from above to below and then moving upward while performing suction by the suction device 2.

[0016] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2(A), it is assumed that a large amount of toner T remains in the toner container 50 installed in the cleaning device 1. At this time, first, the moving device 8 moves the outside air inflow pipe 5 downward (in the direction of the hatched arrow) so that the exhaust port 5b faces the uppermost surface of the toner T in the toner container 50 with a gap H. Note that the suction by the suction device 2 (suction in the direction of the arrow in the figure) can be started at any time as long as the outside air inflow pipe 5 (tip portion 5c) is inserted into the toner container 50. Then, while performing suction by the suction device 2, as shown in FIG. 2(B), the moving device 8 gradually moves the outside air inflow pipe 5 downward in accordance with the progress of cleaning (removing) the toner T in the toner container 50 and the decrease in the amount of toner in the toner container 50. In the present embodiment, when the outside air inflow pipe 5 first moves from above to below, the speed at which the height of the uppermost surface (toner surface) of the toner T in the toner container 50 decreases is almost constant, so the moving speed of the outside air inflow pipe 5 is set to be constant. The downward movement of the outside air inlet pipe 5 by the moving device 8 is carried out until the exhaust port 5b approaches the bottom surface of the toner container 50, as shown in Figure 2(C). After the downward movement of the outside air inlet pipe 5 by the moving device 8 is completed, the outside air inlet pipe 5 is moved upward (in the direction of the hatched arrow) by the moving device 8, as shown in Figure 2(D). At this time, the upward movement of the outside air inlet pipe 5 is carried out until it reaches a height where the exhaust port 5b approaches the opening 50a. By performing this upward movement of the outside air inlet pipe 5, the toner T adhering to the inner wall surface (inner circumferential surface) of the toner container 50 is also removed and sucked up. Furthermore, by moving the outside air inlet pipe 5 up and down (back and forth) between the opening 50a and the bottom surface, any remaining small amount of toner T adhering to the inner wall surface of the toner container 50 will be further cleaned and sucked up.

[0017] Referring to Figures 2(A), (B), etc., the outside air flowing into the toner container 50 enters through the elongated outside air inlet pipe 5 and flows in with velocity and a vector. Therefore, the outside air discharged from the exhaust port 5b does not immediately diffuse in the vicinity of the exhaust port 5b, but travels a certain distance with a vector in a straight line downward (in the direction of the white arrow). In other words, if the exhaust port 5b is positioned facing the toner surface (top surface), the outside air will collide with the toner surface and proceed as if to penetrate it. Then, outside air flows towards the toner surface and hits it, causing the toner T to be stirred up upwards (in the direction of the black arrow). This stirred-up toner T, along with the air, is then sucked into the suction unit 2b (suction device 2). At this time, the airflow flowing towards the suction unit 2b contains a large amount of toner T, so it may appear that the cleaning of the toner container 50 is not progressing. However, the toner T that had accumulated and remained inside the toner container 50 is reliably discharged outside the toner container 50.

[0018] Then, as shown in Figure 2(C), when the outside air inlet pipe 5 (exhaust port 5b) moves to the vicinity of the bottom surface of the toner container 50, the outside air flowing in from the exhaust port 5b hits the bottom surface of the toner container 50 and bounces back. At this time, there is no (or very little) toner T remaining in the toner container 50, so the outside air that hits the bottom surface of the toner container 50 and bounces back flows upward (in the direction of the black arrow), scraping off the toner T adhering to the inner wall surface (inner circumferential surface) of the toner container 50, and flows into the suction section 2b along with the toner T. Then, as shown in Figure 2(D), by moving upward from near the bottom of the outside air inlet pipe 5 (exhaust port 5b), the toner T adhering to the inner wall surface of the toner container 50 is scraped off by the airflow in the direction of the black arrow and sucked into the suction section 2b.

[0019] As described above, the cleaning device 1 in this embodiment sucks up the toner T inside the toner container 50 while moving the outside air inlet pipe 5 up and down inside the toner container 50. Therefore, even when there is a large amount of toner in the toner container 50, the toner T can be thoroughly cleaned (removed). In addition, the cleaning time can be made relatively short, and the energy consumption required for cleaning can also be made relatively low. In other words, the toner T inside the toner container 50 can be removed sufficiently and efficiently.

[0020] In detail, in this embodiment, the cleaning device 1 has a suction unit 2b (suction device 2) attached to the opening 50a of the toner container 50, so the air inside the container generated by the suction device 2 ultimately flows toward the opening 50a. Also, since the outside air inlet pipe 5 is positioned opposite the toner T remaining inside the container, the outside air drawn in by the suction force of the suction device 2 flows toward the toner surface (top surface). Therefore, even toner T that has not been evaporated and is not fluidized is lifted up by the incoming air and flows toward the opening 50a (suction unit 2b) on the outside of the incoming airflow and discharged. Then, by moving the outside air inlet pipe 5 toward the bottom of the container, the residual toner T inside the container is sequentially stirred up from the surface and continuously discharged to the outside of the container. When the outside air inlet pipe 5 reaches near the bottom of the container, there is no more toner T to be stirred up, and only the continuously flowing outside air flows toward the opening 50a. This airflow of outside air flowing toward the opening 50a also scrapes off the toner T that has adhered to the inner wall surface of the container, and almost all of the toner T is discharged. Thus, in this embodiment, since outside air can be drawn in and the toner T inside the container can be discharged using only the suction force of the suction device 2, without installing a device to inject compressed air into the container, the energy consumption required for cleaning can be greatly reduced. Furthermore, since the toner T inside the container is continuously fluidized and discharged by the air flowing in from the outside air inlet pipe 5, the entire amount of toner can be discharged (cleaned) regardless of the amount of toner in the container.

[0021] To elaborate further, in order to suction and remove the toner T remaining in the toner container 50, it is first necessary to mix air with the toner T in the container to make it fluid, and then move the fluidized toner T to the suction port (suction section 2b) using the airflow. In this case, simply setting the suction device 2 at the opening 50a of the container will only create a vacuum inside the container, and no airflow will be generated inside the container, making it impossible to move the toner T. In contrast, in this embodiment, the outside air inlet pipe 5 is positioned opposite the toner T inside the container, and the outside air inlet pipe 5 is moved toward the bottom of the container and then moved upward (back and forth). As a result, outside air flows from the outside air inlet pipe 5 toward the toner surface into the container, which has been evacuated by suction, and collides with the toner T, mixing and becoming fluid. The air that flows into the container from the outside air inlet pipe 5 and mixes with the toner T forms an airflow that flows to the suction section 2b (opening 50a), and the fluidized toner T is carried by this airflow to the suction section 2b (opening 50a) and discharged outside the container. This method eliminates the need to either position the toner container with its opening facing downwards to allow some of the toner to be discharged by gravity before suctioning out the contents of the container. As a result, the toner container 50 can be thoroughly and efficiently cleaned in a relatively short time without soiling the surrounding area with toner.

[0022] In this instance, the inventor of the present invention conducted an experiment using the cleaning device 1 of this embodiment to confirm the effects described above. The cleaning time was 36 seconds, the amount of remaining toner after cleaning was 0.00g, and no remaining toner was visible to the naked eye, indicating a good cleaning condition. In this experiment, the toner container 50 used was made of transparent PET (polyethylene terephthalate) with an inner diameter of 44 mm at the opening 50a, an inner diameter of 68 mm at the body, and a length of 450 mm. The toner T inside the toner container 50 was black with an average particle size of 6 μm, and the toner quantity was 300 g. Furthermore, the movement of the outside air inlet pipe 5 by the moving device 8 was performed by moving it downwards at a speed of 50 mm / second, stopping at a position 10 mm from the bottom of the container, and then moving it upwards at a speed of 50 mm / second, repeating this reciprocal movement twice.

[0023] In this embodiment, referring to Figures 2(A) and (B), when the outside air inlet pipe 5 is first moved from top to bottom by the moving device 8 (when toner T is accumulated inside the container), it is moved such that the distance H between the exhaust port 5b of the outside air inlet pipe 5 and the uppermost surface of the toner T (powder) remaining inside the toner container 50 (powder container) is constant (including a state in which it is approximately constant). By doing this, the air pressure hitting the top surface of the toner from the exhaust port 5b, as explained earlier, becomes stable, the mixing of toner T and air becomes stable, and good toner discharge becomes possible. Furthermore, in order to maintain a constant distance H between the exhaust port 5b and the top surface of the toner, a sensor (for example, a distance measuring sensor) that detects the top surface of the toner can be installed near the exhaust port 5b. In such a case, the movement of the outside air inlet pipe 5 by the moving device 8 will not be performed at a constant speed, but will be performed based on the detection results of the aforementioned sensor.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the portion of the outside air inlet pipe 5 in which the intake port 5a for drawing in outside air is formed (the portion enclosed by the dashed line) has a funnel shape. More specifically, the outside air inlet pipe 5 is formed in a funnel shape (or a shape like the part of a trumpet that produces sound) such that its inner diameter gradually decreases from the intake port 5a to the vicinity of the downstream side. By making the portion of the outside air inlet pipe 5 where the air intake port 5a is formed funnel-shaped, the pressure loss in that portion can be reduced compared to when that portion is straight. Therefore, the amount of outside air inflow increases, improving cleaning performance.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, it is preferable to set the gap between the outer surface of the outside air inlet pipe 5 and the inner surface of the insertion portion 2b1 in the suction portion 2b to be 0.5 to 2 mm. In other words, when the outer diameter of the outside air inlet pipe 5 is D2 and the inner diameter of the insertion part 2b1 is D1, 0.5mm ≤ (D1 - D2) / 2 ≤ 2mm It is preferable to set it up so that the following relationship is established. The outside air inlet pipe 5, which is inserted into the container, comes into contact with the toner T floating inside the container, causing the toner T to adhere to its surface. When the outside air inlet pipe 5 in this state is pulled out of the container, the toner T attached to its surface may scatter into the surrounding area outside the container, potentially contaminating the surroundings. In contrast, by setting the gap (clearance) between the outside air inlet pipe 5 and the insertion part 2b1 to 0.5 to 2 mm, the suction force of the suction device 2 allows air to flow in through the gap, scraping off the thin layer of toner adhering to the surface of the outside air inlet pipe 5, thereby reducing toner scattering when the outside air inlet pipe 5 is pulled out of the container. If the gap between the outside air inlet pipe 5 and the insertion part 2b1 becomes larger than 2 mm, the amount of air flowing in through the gap becomes too large, which actually reduces the function of scraping off the toner adhering to the surface of the outside air inlet pipe 5, and also reduces the amount of air flowing into the container from the exhaust port 5b, thus reducing the cleaning function. Also, if the gap between the outside air inlet pipe 5 and the insertion part 2b1 becomes smaller than 0.5 mm, the amount of air flowing in through the gap becomes too small, and the function of scraping off the toner adhering to the surface of the outside air inlet pipe 5 is not performed. For these reasons, it is preferable to set the gap between the outside air inlet pipe 5 and the insertion part 2b1 to 0.5 to 2 mm (more preferably 1 to 1.5 mm). This makes it possible to reduce toner scattering when the outside air inlet pipe 5 is removed from the toner container 50 (suction part 2b) while maintaining the cleanability of the toner container 50.

[0026] <Example 1> As shown in Figure 5, in the cleaning device 1 of the modified example 1, the outside air inlet pipe 5 has at least one through hole 5d that communicates from the inner diameter to the outer diameter at the tip portion 5c that is inserted into the toner container 50 (powder container). More specifically, in Modification 1, eight through-holes 5d with an inner diameter of approximately 2 mm are evenly and radially formed on the circumferential surface (side surface) of the tip portion 5c of the outside air inlet pipe 5 (the exhaust port 5b has a diameter of approximately 10 mm). In this way, by providing a through hole 5d on the circumferential surface (side surface) of the tip portion 5c, outside air is not only blown out from the exhaust port 5b toward the toner surface inside the container, but also blown out from the through hole 5d toward the inner wall surface (inner circumferential surface) inside the container. As a result, the toner T adhering to the inner wall surface (inner circumferential surface) inside the container becomes even easier to remove. Specifically, the turbulent airflow created by the collision of the airflow from the outside air toward the inner wall surface (inner circumferential surface) inside the container from the through hole 5d and the airflow that hits the toner surface and bounces back from the exhaust port 5b (the airflow in the direction of the black arrow in Figure 1) causes the toner adhering to the inner wall surface to be cleanly peeled off. In particular, in Modification 1, since the tip 5c of the outside air inlet pipe 5 is formed in a funnel shape (the diameter is narrowed), back pressure is applied to the outside air discharged from the through hole 5d, which strengthens the airflow toward the inner wall surface (inner circumferential surface) of the container. Therefore, the removal of toner adhering to the inner wall surface of the container is improved. This configuration, which includes a through-hole 5d, is particularly useful for toner containers 50 that have irregularities on their inner wall surface, making toner adhesion likely (for example, those with spiral projections on their inner wall surface (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 5435380, etc.)). Here, the inventor of the present application used the cleaning device 1 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 to clean a toner container 50 having a spiral projection 5 mm high formed on its inner wall surface (all conditions other than the spiral projection on the container were the same as described above). The cleaning time was the same at 36 seconds, but the amount of remaining toner after cleaning was 0.03 g, and partial toner residue on the spiral projection was visually confirmed. In contrast, when cleaning was performed under the same conditions using the cleaning device 1 of this modified example 1 (in which a through hole 5d is formed in the outside air inlet pipe 5), the cleaning time was 36 seconds, the amount of remaining toner after cleaning was 0.00g, and no remaining toner was detected by visual inspection, indicating a good cleaning condition.

[0027] Here, as an alternative form of Modification 1, as shown in Figure 6(A), a through hole 5d can be formed in the funnel-shaped portion (the portion with a narrowed diameter) at the tip 5c of the outside air inlet pipe 5. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(B), a plug 5z can be attached to a straight-shaped outside air inlet pipe 5, which has a through hole 5d formed at its tip 5c, to narrow the diameter of the exhaust port 5b. Furthermore, even with this configuration, back pressure is applied to the outside air discharged from the through-hole 5d, which strengthens the airflow toward the inner wall (inner circumferential surface) of the container. Consequently, the removal of toner adhering to the inner wall surface of the container is improved.

[0028] Furthermore, as another form of modification 1, as shown in Figure 7, the cleaning device 1, When suction is performed by the suction device 2 and the outside air inlet pipe 5 is moved back and forth (up and down) by the moving device 8, the outside air inlet pipe 5 can also be rotated relative to the toner container 50 around the central axis X of the outside air inlet pipe 5 (and the toner container 50) by a rotation mechanism (not shown). Specifically, in Figure 7(A), the toner container 50 is held in a non-rotating position, and the outside air inlet pipe 5, which has a through hole 5d formed in it, is moved up and down while rotating in the direction of the arrow to clean the inside of the container. In contrast, in Figure 7(B), the toner container 50 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and the outside air inlet pipe 5, which has a through hole 5d formed in it, is moved up and down without rotating to clean the inside of the container. By rotating the air inlet pipe 5, which has the through-hole 5d formed in this manner, relative to the container, the outside air ejected from the through-hole 5d is blown onto the inner wall surface of the toner container 50 in a circumferential direction, thereby evenly removing the toner adhering to the inner wall surface in a circumferential direction. For example, a gear drive mechanism or a turntable mechanism can be used as the rotating mechanism for rotating the outside air inlet pipe 5 or the toner container 50. Furthermore, the rotation mechanism for rotating the outside air inlet pipe 5 or the toner container 50 is not limited to one that rotates the outside air inlet pipe 5 or the toner container 50 in a predetermined rotational direction (for example, clockwise when viewed from above), as long as outside air ejected from the through holes 5d is blown onto the inner wall surface of the toner container 50 in the circumferential direction. For example, the outside air inlet pipe 5 or the toner container 50 may be rotated alternately in the forward and reverse directions. As a specific example, if eight through holes 5d are formed radially and evenly (at 45° intervals) in the outside air inlet pipe 5, then by reciprocating (oscillating) the outside air inlet pipe 5 or the toner container 50 in forward and reverse directions within a range of 45° or more, outside air ejected from the through holes 5d will be blown onto the inner wall surface of the toner container 50 in the circumferential direction.

[0029] <Modification 2> As shown in Figure 8, in the cleaning device 1 of the modified example 2, the outside air inlet pipe 5 is integrally formed with an outer pipe 6 that covers the outside air inlet pipe 5 as an inner pipe. The outer pipe 6 has at least one through hole 6a that communicates from the inner diameter portion to the outer diameter portion, and is configured to allow compressed air to be injected from the through hole 6a. More specifically, the outer tube 6, which covers the outside air inlet tube 5 (inner tube), is connected (in communication with) the compressor 20 at its upper end, and eight through-holes 6a with a diameter of approximately 1 mm are evenly formed radially at its tip (near the exhaust port 5b). In this configuration, the outside air inlet tube 5 (inner tube) functions in the same way as described earlier using Figures 1 to 4, and the outer tube 6 sprays compressed air (approximately 0.6 MPa) from the through-holes 6a toward the inner wall surface (inner circumferential surface) inside the container to remove the toner T adhering to the inner wall surface. In other words, in Modification 2, the two functions of the outside air inlet tube 5 in Modification 1 (the function of forming an airflow from the exhaust port 5b toward the toner surface, and the function of forming an airflow from the through-hole toward the inner wall surface) are divided between the inner tube and the outer tube. In Modification 2, the outer tube 6 and the compressor 20 move up and down together with the outside air inlet tube 5 by the moving device 8. By configuring it in this way, the balance between the two functions mentioned above is not disrupted (neither function affects the other), and the cleaning performance of the container is improved.

[0030] In the modified example 2, it is preferable that the injection of compressed air from the through-hole 6a of the outer tube 6 does not occur when the outside air inlet pipe 5 (and the outer tube 6) is first moved from top to bottom by the moving device 8. Specifically, it is preferable that the compressor 20 does not operate between Figures 2(A) and 2(C), and that the compressor 20 starts operating in conjunction with the timing when the outside air inlet pipe 5 (and the outer tube 6) begins to move upward from near the bottom surface of the container. This is because, when the outside air inlet pipe 5 is first moved from top to bottom, the toner T remaining in the container is fluidized by the outside air flowing in from the exhaust port 5b, and an airflow containing a high concentration of toner flows toward the suction section 2b. Therefore, even if compressed air is injected from the outer pipe 6 toward the inner wall surface to remove the toner adhering to the inner wall surface during this time, the airflow toward the suction section 2b described above will contaminate the inner wall surface again, potentially making the system less efficient. For this reason, compressed air is not injected from the outer pipe 6 toward the inner wall surface while toner T is accumulating in the container, and the injection of compressed air is started only after the accumulated toner T in the container has been removed. This reduces the consumption of compressed air. Here, the inventor of the present application used the cleaning device 1 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 to clean a toner container 50 having spiral projections 5 mm high formed on its inner wall surface (except for the addition of spiral projections to the container and the change in the vertical movement speed of the moving device 8 to 100 mm / second, all other conditions were the same as described above). The cleaning time was 18 seconds, the amount of remaining toner after cleaning was 1.5 g, and the remaining toner was visually confirmed to be present on the entire inner wall surface. In contrast, when cleaning was performed under the same conditions using the cleaning device 1 of the modified example 2 (which uses a double pipe consisting of an outside air inlet pipe 5 (inner pipe) and an outer pipe 6, and does not spray compressed air during the initial descent), the cleaning time was 18 seconds, the amount of remaining toner after cleaning was 0.00g, and no remaining toner was visually confirmed, indicating a good cleaning condition.

[0031] Furthermore, in the modified example 2, as explained earlier using Figure 7, when the suction device 2 performs suction and the moving device 8 performs reciprocating movement (up and down movement) of the outside air inlet pipe 5 (and outer pipe 6), a rotation mechanism (not shown) can be used to rotate the outside air inlet pipe 5 (and outer pipe 6) relative to the toner container 50 around the central axis X of the outside air inlet pipe 5. Then, by rotating the outer tube 6, which has the through-holes 6a formed in this way, relative to the container, outside air ejected from the through-holes 6a is blown onto the inner wall surface of the toner container 50 in the circumferential direction, so that the toner adhering to the inner wall surface is removed evenly in the circumferential direction. Here, the inventor of the present application used the cleaning device 1 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 to clean a toner container 50 having spiral projections 5 mm high formed on its inner wall surface (except for the addition of spiral projections to the container and the change in the vertical movement speed of the moving device 8 to 150 mm / second, all other conditions were the same as described above). The cleaning time was 12 seconds, the amount of remaining toner after cleaning was 0.5 g, and thin layers of toner in the shape of vertical stripes were visually confirmed on the inner wall surface. In contrast, when cleaning was performed under the same conditions using the cleaning device 1 of the modified example 2 (which uses a double pipe consisting of an outside air inlet pipe 5 (inner pipe) and an outer pipe 6, and does not spray compressed air during the initial descent, but cleans the toner container 50 while rotating it at a rotational speed of 60 rpm), the cleaning time was 12 seconds, the amount of remaining toner after cleaning was 0.00g, and no remaining toner was visually confirmed, indicating a good cleaning condition.

[0032] <Variation 3> Referring to Figure 9, in the modified example 3, the cleaning device 1 uses ionized outside air that flows into the toner container 50 (powder container) through the outside air inlet pipe 5. More specifically, as shown in Figure 9, an ion generator 30 is installed at the intake port 5a of the outside air inlet pipe 5. This ion generator 30 ionizes the outside air taken into the device in the direction of the white arrow, and the ionized outside air flows into the outside air inlet pipe 5 from the intake port 5a in the direction of the hatched arrow. In modification 3, the ion generator 30 moves up and down together with the outside air inlet pipe 5 by the moving device 8. In this way, by introducing ionized outside air into the container during cleaning, the electrostatic charge of the toner T is reduced as the toner T flows inside the toner container 50 due to the airflow. In particular, when the fluidized toner is initially discharged outside the container, the adhesion of toner to the inner wall surface due to static charge is reduced, making it easier to remove the toner that has adhered to the inner wall surface thereafter. Furthermore, it is preferable that the ion generator 30 that ionizes the outside air negatively charges the outside air when the toner T inside the container tends to be positively charged, and positively charges the outside air when the toner T inside the container tends to be negatively charged. This neutralizes the toner inside the container with the outside air, suppressing static electricity buildup.

[0033] As described above, the cleaning device 1 in this embodiment is a cleaning device for removing toner T (powder) from inside a toner container 50 (powder container), and is equipped with a suction unit 2b that is detachably installed in the opening 50a of the toner container 50 when the opening 50a of the toner container 50 is facing upward, and is provided with a suction device 2 that can suck up the toner T from inside the toner container 50 along with air. In addition, an outside air inlet pipe 5 is provided that is inserted into the inside of the toner container 50 from the opening 50a via an insertion part 2b1 formed in the suction unit 2b, and is capable of drawing outside air into the inside of the toner container 50 by the suction force of the suction device 2. Furthermore, a moving device 8 is provided that can move the outside air inlet pipe 5, which is inserted into the inside of the toner container 50, up and down. Then, while suction is performed by the suction device 2, the outside air inlet pipe 5, which is inserted into the inside of the toner container 50, is moved from top to bottom and then back up at least once by the moving device 8. This allows for the thorough and efficient removal of toner T (powder) from inside the toner container 50 (powder container).

[0034] In this embodiment, the present invention was applied to a cleaning device 1 for cleaning a toner container 50, which is a powder container that holds toner (one-component developer) in powder form. However, the cleaning device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to any cleaning device that cleans a powder container that holds a two-component developer (a developer consisting of toner and a carrier) in powder form, a cleaning device that cleans a powder container that holds food powders such as wheat flour or potato starch, or a cleaning device that cleans a powder container that holds household powders such as powdered soap or cosmetic powder. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the insertion portion 2b1 of the suction portion 2b is formed by a circumferential wall. That is, the outside air inlet pipe 5 is completely isolated by the wall within the suction portion 2b. Alternatively, holes for inserting the outside air inlet pipe 5 can be provided in the top and bottom portions of the suction portion 2b, respectively, so that the outside air inlet pipe 5 is inserted within the suction portion 2b without passing through the wall. In such a case as well, an insertion portion for inserting the outside air inlet pipe 5 is formed in the suction portion 2b. Furthermore, even in such cases, it is possible to obtain effects that are almost the same as those of this embodiment.

[0035] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, this embodiment can be modified as appropriate in ways other than those suggested here. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the above-mentioned components are not limited to this embodiment, and can be set to a number, position, shape, etc. that is suitable for carrying out the present invention.

[0036] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention can also be, for example, combinations of the following appendices 1 to 9. (Note 1) A cleaning device for removing powder from inside a powder container, A suction device comprising a suction unit detachably installed in the opening of the powder container with the opening facing upward, capable of sucking up the powder inside the powder container along with air, An outside air inlet pipe is inserted into the interior of the powder container through the opening via an insertion portion formed in the suction portion, and is capable of drawing outside air into the interior of the powder container by the suction force of the suction device, A movable device that allows the outside air inlet pipe, which is inserted inside the powder container, to move up and down, Equipped with, A cleaning apparatus characterized by performing suction by the suction device, while moving the outside air inlet pipe, which is inserted inside the powder container, from top to bottom and then upward at least once using the moving device. (Note 2) The cleaning apparatus according to Appendix 1, characterized in that when the outside air inlet pipe is first moved from above to below by the moving device, the distance between the exhaust port of the outside air inlet pipe and the uppermost surface of the powder remaining inside the powder container is kept constant. (Note 3) The cleaning device according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, characterized in that the portion of the outside air inlet pipe in which an air intake port for drawing in outside air is formed is funnel-shaped. (Note 4) The cleaning device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that the outside air inlet pipe has at least one through hole formed at its tip, which is inserted into the inside of the powder container, communicating from the inner diameter portion to the outer diameter portion. (Note 5) The aforementioned outside air inlet pipe has an outer pipe integrally formed to cover it as an inner pipe. The cleaning device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer tube has at least one through hole formed therein that communicates from the inner diameter portion to the outer diameter portion, and is configured to allow compressed air to be injected from the through hole. (Note 6) The cleaning device according to Appendix 5, characterized in that the injection of compressed air from the through-hole of the outer pipe is not performed when the outside air inlet pipe is first moved from above to below by the moving device. (Note 7) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of the appendices 4 to 6, characterized in that, when suction is performed by the suction device and the moving device moves the outside air inlet pipe back and forth, the outside air inlet pipe is rotated relative to the powder container with respect to its central axis. (Note 8) The cleaning device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 7, characterized in that the gap between the outer surface of the outside air inlet pipe and the inner surface of the insertion portion in the suction portion is 0.5 to 2 mm. (Note 9) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of the appendices 1 to 8, characterized in that the outside air flowing into the inside of the powder container through the outside air inlet pipe is ionized. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1. Washing device, 2 suction device, 2a Suction pump, 2b Suction part, 2b1 Insertion part, 5. Outdoor air inlet pipe, 5a Intake port, 5b Exhaust vent, 5c tip, 5d through hole, 6 outer tube, 6a Through hole, 8. Mobile device, 10. Toner collection unit, 20 compressors, 30 Ion generators, 50 toner containers (powder containers), 50a opening, T Toner (powder). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0038] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-79506

Claims

1. A cleaning device for removing powder from inside a powder container, A suction device comprising a suction unit detachably installed in the opening of the powder container with the opening facing upward, capable of sucking up the powder inside the powder container along with air, An outside air inlet pipe is inserted into the interior of the powder container through the opening via an insertion portion formed in the suction portion, and is capable of drawing outside air into the interior of the powder container by the suction force of the suction device, A movable device that allows the outside air inlet pipe, which is inserted inside the powder container, to move up and down, Equipped with, While suction is performed by the suction device, the outside air inlet pipe, which is inserted into the powder container, is moved from top to bottom by the moving device, and then moved upward at least once in a reciprocating motion. A cleaning apparatus characterized in that, when the outside air inlet pipe is first moved from above to below by the moving device, the distance between the exhaust port of the outside air inlet pipe and the uppermost surface of the powder remaining inside the powder container is kept constant.

2. The cleaning device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the portion of the outside air inlet pipe in which an air intake port for drawing in outside air is formed is funnel-shaped.

3. The cleaning device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outside air inlet pipe has at least one through hole formed at the tip portion inserted into the powder container, communicating from the inner diameter portion to the outer diameter portion.

4. The outside air inlet pipe is integrally formed with an outer pipe that covers the outside air inlet pipe as an inner pipe, The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer tube has at least one through hole formed therein that communicates from the inner diameter portion to the outer diameter portion, and is configured to allow compressed air to be injected from the through hole.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized in that the injection of compressed air from the through hole of the outer pipe is not performed when the outside air inlet pipe is first moved from above to below by the moving device.

6. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that when the outside air inlet pipe is moved back and forth by the moving device while suction is performed by the suction device, the outside air inlet pipe is rotated relative to the powder container with respect to the central axis of the outside air inlet pipe.

7. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the gap between the outer surface of the outside air inlet pipe and the inner surface of the insertion portion in the suction portion is 0.5 to 2 mm.

8. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the outside air that flows into the inside of the powder container through the outside air inlet pipe is ionized.

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