JP2005075370A - Container for storing toner developing agent and method for filling it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for filling a toner in which a toner filling tact is not high, and scattering of the toner is not generated, and which does not require a time for cleaning the surroundings of a filling hole before a container is sealed, does not require a wide place for a toner filling work, does not require a load for carrying an empty container before the toner is filled, and does not require a large storing place. <P>SOLUTION: A fluidizing method for filling the toner comprises steps of introducing a gas for fluidizing the toner into the powder toner, and deaerating the gas from the fluidized toner introduced into a toner container while at least a part of the fluidized toner is introduced into the toner container by a filling means being a tubular part, or after it is introduced thereinto. The method comprises a step of making the inner volume of the toner storing container when filled with the toner larger than the inner volume of the container before filling. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner developer storage container used for developing an electrostatic charge latent image, a toner filling method and a filling apparatus using the same.

Attempts to improve the fluidity by introducing a gas such as air into the powder toner, and to make it easy to carry in and out of various handling devices and storage devices including metering devices are being studied. It has been proposed to remove unnecessary gas from the powder and to reduce the volume of the powder toner after or while carrying out various processes such as transportation in the pipe and in the pneumatic system.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses that a gas is uniformly introduced into a powder to obtain a flow state of the powder controlled with a minimum amount of gas, and the depth or bottom of a small-diameter filling container or a complicated-shaped filling container is obtained. As a method and device for fluidizing powder, it is compact and portable, easy to operate, degassed after filling, and filled with high density and no dust. Sealable container-shaped storage powder fluidizing means having a gas introduction opening for introducing gas in the upstream portion, a filling nozzle having a gas discharge opening for discharging the gas in the downstream portion, and the storage powder The fluidizing means and the filling nozzle are connected to each other, and the fluidizing powder path to be discharged is provided. The filling nozzle is a fine powder using the powder filling means capable of sealing the mouth of the filling container. A gas introduction opening upstream of the stored powder fluidizing means and a filling nozzle; By providing a powder-gas separation sieve that allows gas to pass through but does not allow powder to pass through the downstream gas discharge opening, fluidized powder is stored in the storage powder fluidizer and for filling. By enclosing between the containers and setting the opening area of the gas discharge opening of the stored powder fluidizer to be 1.002 times or more the opening area of the gas discharge opening of the filling nozzle, the gas discharge opening The gas flow velocity of the gas is made higher than the gas flow velocity of the gas discharge opening, and the fluidized powder is transferred from the stored powder fluidizer through the fluidized powder path and the filling nozzle. The technology for filling fine powder with the content of being naturally discharged is disclosed.
In Patent Document 2, the filling rate of the powder into the powder container is increased, and further, the powder flows smoothly from the powder supply body into the powder container at the time of filling. In order to prevent the powder from being clogged, a powder filling device for detachably connecting the powder supply body to the powder inlet of the powder container and filling the powder into the powder container from the powder supply body An air suction pipe having an air separation portion formed on the other end side, which is connected to one end side and is detachably inserted into the powder container, and further connected to a pressurized air source. And an air blowing unit that blows out air in a direction substantially perpendicular to the powder flowing down in the powder supply body is disclosed,
In Patent Document 3, in a method and apparatus for filling powder into a powder container from a hopper, at least one hopper containing powder inside and having a discharge port at the bottom is used, and an inner wall surface of the hopper is used. By blowing air into the powder from the air-permeable inner wall provided, when filling powder such as toner into the powder container, the bulk density of the toner staying in the hopper or funnel and flowing down is made uniform, It has been disclosed to improve the measurement accuracy by increasing the fluidity of the powder and speeding up the filling operation, and in particular by smoothing the flow in the measurement part,
In Patent Document 4, a hopper that contains magnetic powder inside and has a discharge port at the bottom is used, and a magnet rod provided inside the hopper is moved in the direction of the central axis of the hopper, or near the discharge port. Disclosed is a method and apparatus for controlling the flow rate of magnetic powder flowing down from the discharge port and controlling the flow rate of magnetic powder accurately and quickly by controlling the flow rate of the magnetic powder flowing down from the discharge port. And
In Patent Document 5, gas is uniformly introduced into a powder to obtain a flow state of the powder controlled with a minimum amount of gas, and flows into the back or bottom of a small-diameter filling container or a complicated-shaped filling container. The powder flows in, is small and portable, is easy to operate, and is degassed from the powder after filling by a layer of powder between the filling nozzle and the container opening in the container, and it is easily high-density and dust-free. In addition, it is a technology that can be filled, and anyone can fill the container with powder as a filling technology that is portable and easy to operate so that it can be filled with powder such as toner without any dirt in any place. As a method, the tip of a filling nozzle that is inserted into a powder filling container and discharges and fills the powder fluidized by gas into the container is surrounded by the powder that stays in the container. In the state, the powder is filled in the container, Introduce gas uniformly and obtain a controlled flow state of powder with the minimum amount of gas. Flowing powder flows into the back or bottom of a small-diameter filling container or a complicated-shaped filling container, making it compact and portable. Provided is a method and apparatus that can be easily operated, degassed from the powder after filling by a layer of powder between the filling nozzle and the container opening in the container, and can be easily filled with high density and no dust A powder filling method is disclosed that provides a compact, portable and easy-to-operate filling machine so that anyone can fill powders such as toner without any work contamination.

  However, since the fluid toner filling method includes a large amount of air in the toner as compared with the conventional toner filling method (auger filling), the container is filled with air simultaneously with the toner at the time of filling. For this reason, it takes time for the toner powder surface to settle, and even if the air in the toner is removed, it takes time and the toner filling tact time increases. Further, since the toner contained in a large amount, toner scattering occurred, and it took time to clean the periphery of the filling port before sealing the container.

JP 2002-293301 A JP-A-7-125701 JP-A-8-198202 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-198454 JP 2002-337801 A

  Therefore, in view of the above prior art, the problem of the present invention is that the toner filling tact is not high, toner scattering does not occur, and it is not necessary to clean the periphery of the filling port before sealing the container. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toner filling method that does not require a large space, does not require a load for transporting an empty container before toner filling, and does not require a large storage space.

The above-mentioned problem is (1) “introducing a gas for toner fluidization into a powder toner, and introducing the fluidized toner into a toner container by a filling means at least part of which is a tubular portion. A fluid toner filling method including a step of degassing the fluid toner introduced into the toner container after or after being introduced, wherein the container inner volume of the toner storage container during toner filling is reduced. A toner filling method comprising a step of increasing the volume of the container before filling,
(2) “Toner filling method according to item (1), wherein the toner storage container has a variable volume in the container”;
(3) “Toner according to item (1), wherein the toner container is a bottle made of PET material, and the bottle side surface is deformed and the deformation is released during filling. Filling method ";
(4) “The toner storage container is a flexible deformable bag-like container that is in a closed volume reduction state before being filled with toner, and is filled with toner to return to its original volume. The toner filling method according to item (1), characterized in that;
(5) “Toner filling method according to item (1), wherein the toner storage container is of a gusset type, and the folded portion is made of a thinner material than the side surface portion”;
(6) “Toner filling method according to item (1) above, wherein the toner container is of a standing pouch type, and the folding portion is made of a material thinner than the side surface portion”;
(7) “Toner filling according to item (4), wherein the toner storage container is provided with a fold portion at an end portion of the gusset container, and the fold portion is made of a thinner material than the side surface portion. Method";
(8) “Toner filling method according to item (4), wherein the toner container is forcibly pulled on the side surface during filling”;
(9) The toner according to (3), wherein the toner is filled while degassing the gas in the container by a degassing nozzle formed coaxially with the filling port of the toner storage container. Achieved by "filling method".

  As described above, as is clear from the detailed and specific description, according to the present invention, measures against toner scattering during filling and reduction of toner filling time are provided, toner suction pressure is generated during filling, and air replacement during filling is performed. The amount of toner can be reduced, toner scattering can be prevented, and the container can be expanded by itself during filling, so that the toner suction pressure is generated and toner scattering can be prevented.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the description is intended to facilitate and fully understand the contents of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention.
1 and 2 of the present invention, “a gas for toner fluidization is introduced into a powder toner, and the fluidized toner is introduced into a toner container by a filling means at least part of which is a tubular portion. FIG. 1 shows an example of a “fluid toner filling method including a step of degassing gas from the fluid toner introduced into the toner container after or after introduction”. The fine powder toner in the large container (10) is filled into the toner container (40) whose volume can be changed at the time of filling through the measuring tank (30). The large container (10) and the measuring tank (30) communicate with each other through a connecting pipe (20) between the toner discharge port (11) of the large container (10) and the toner inlet of the measuring tank (30). The tank (30) opens and closes the discharge opening (31) for toner discharge to be filled, and fills the toner container (40) whose volume can be changed at the time of filling with a predetermined amount. A filling amount regulating means (32).

  The large container (10) has an inner wall portion (12) that is slanted to such an extent that it does not prevent the toner contained therein from slipping, and the slanted inner wall portion (12) allows fine powder toner contained therein to be contained. The discharge to the toner discharge port (11) is facilitated. In the apparatus of this example, the inclined inner wall portion (12) is a part of the hopper-like structural portion (13) below the large container (10).

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the apparatus of this example, the hopper-like structural portion (13) of the large container (10) has a substantially triangular side plate (inwardly inclined on both sides of one vertical substrate (13a)). 13b) (13c), and a substantially triangular back plate (13d) (13e) with an inner slope facing the vertical substrate (13a), and the cross section is a truncated cone having an inverted trapezoidal downward slope. The valley portions (14) where the back plates (13d) and (13e) are joined have the smallest gradient. A third toner fluidizing means (15) is provided for promoting fluidization. The third gas introduction pipe (15a) for the third toner fluidizing means (15) is branched into a total of three parts, that is, the bottom part and both wall parts of the valley part (14), and each one introduction pipe ( Each of 15a) is provided with an air supply control valve (15b).

  In the case of the first toner fluidizing means (33) provided in the measuring tank (30), the same applies to the case of the second toner fluidizing means (21) provided in the connecting pipe (20). In the apparatus of the example, such toner fluidizing means can prevent interruption of toner outflow, or conversely, dripping of the toner, and the amount of air supplied to such toner fluidizing means is adjusted. Therefore, the amount of toner outflow can be adjusted, and the size of the toner cloud (cloud-like toner suspended matter formed by mixing the toner and gas) formed by mixing with the supplied gas is adjusted. can do.

  The large container (10) and the measurement tank (30) are also connected by an upper communication pipe (50) provided on the upper part of the connection pipe (20). The upper communication pipe (50) is connected to the measurement tank (30). ) To the large container (10). The upper communication pipe (50) has a role of keeping the pressure in the measuring tank (30) equal to the pressure in the large container (10), and also the amount of gas ejected from the first toner fluidizing means (33). When a toner cloud larger than desired is formed in the measuring tank (30) for some reason such as too much, excess gas is drawn into the large container (10) by the upper communication pipe (50). By leaving and tilting upward, the accompanying toner particles can be returned to the metering tank (30).

  The toner powder discharged from the toner discharge port (11) at the bottom of the large container (10) moves to the measurement tank (30) through the connecting pipe (20). At least a bottom surface portion of the connecting pipe (20) is provided with a porous plate air slider, that is, a second toner fluidizing means (21) through which the introduced gas blows out over almost the entire length direction. The gas blown from the toner fluidizing means (21) fluidizes the toner moved from the connecting pipe (20) to the metering tank (30). The connecting pipe (20) is inclined downward toward the measuring tank (30), and the sliding of the fluidized toner into the measuring tank (30) is also assisted by this.

  The toner powder discharged from the toner discharge port (11) is sent to the measuring tank (30) through the connecting pipe (20). The metering tank (30) in the filling device of this example has a filling amount regulating means (32) for accurate and smooth filling of only a desired amount of toner in the discharge opening (31). The “desired amount” can be reset as appropriate.

  The filling amount regulating means (32) in the filling device of this example includes an elastic ring (32a) having a discharge opening (31) and a discharge control means (32b) for controlling the discharge of toner from the discharge opening (31). The discharge control means (32b) includes a discharge control member (32d) mounted on a discharge control rod (32c) that moves up and down in the measuring tank (30), and the discharge control member (32d) It is a conical member that opens and closes the discharge opening (31) by being inserted and removed from the opening (31). The opening and closing of the discharge opening (31) is determined according to the measuring tank (30) of the discharge control rod (32c). The conical discharge control member (32d), which depends on the degree of ascent and descent, is adjusted by the degree of insertion and fitting of the elastic ring (32a) into the opening (31).

  When the cone tip of the small radius of the discharge control member (32d) is lifted until it is completely removed from the opening (31), the discharge control member (32d) is fully open (free discharge of the filled toner), and the large radius of the discharge control member (32d). When it is lowered and inserted so as to be completely fitted into the opening (31) to the end of the cone, it is in a fully closed state (toner discharge stop), and a state in the middle thereof, that is, the discharge control member (32d) is in the opening. (31) is not completely removed from and is not completely lowered and there is a gap between the opening portion (31) and the medium-sized cone radius portion of the discharge control member (32d). When it is inserted to the extent that it is held, it is in a half-open state (partial toner ejection) according to the insertion level. In the figure, a filling cap (flexible covering member) indicated by reference numeral (37) is provided on the sleeve (30a) under the discharge opening (31). This filling cap (37) Can be a flexible covering member.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic ring (32a) has a wedge-shaped cross section whose thickness decreases from the outer peripheral edge toward the inner discharge opening (31). The inner side, which must contact when 32d) is fully inserted, is more flexible. In the present invention, when the elastic ring (32a) having such a structure is used, even if the elastic ring (32a) is in contact with the discharge control member (32d), the surface of the elastic ring (32a) or the discharge control member (32d) is not affected by the toner. It has been found that no filming occurs. Even if the elastic ring (32a) comes into contact with the discharge control member (32d), it is considered that the toner inevitably remaining between the two is hardly stressed.

  However, in the filling device of this example, the filling amount regulating means of the discharge opening (31) of the measuring tank (30) is not limited to this exemplified one, for example, the discharge opening (31) is made of an elastic material. It can be formed in an appropriate shape, and the opening degree restricting member can be a plate-like member that slides or moves back and forth by a predetermined distance in the surface direction adjacent to the discharge opening, and has an opening that matches the discharge opening. The degree of opening can be adjusted by the relative positional relationship between the two openings due to the movement of the member.

  And the raising / lowering of such a discharge control rod (32c) is performed by the drive device (39) driven by the drive source (39b) controlled by the drive control device (39a). The drive device (39) for raising and lowering the discharge control rod (32c) can be performed by appropriate means such as an air pressure cylinder, a motor, a hydraulic cylinder, etc. In this example device, an air pressure cylinder is used. Yes. As a result, the first toner fluidizing means (33), the second toner fluidizing means (21), and the third toner fluidizing means (15) are branched from the original compressed air piping for air. Can be used as a drive source.

  The first toner fluidizing means (33) in this example has a large number of fine holes for ejecting gas, and each fine hole sends pressurized gas to a porous body communicating with each other inside. A first gas introduction pipe (33a) to be introduced is included. Similarly, the second toner fluidizing means (21) has a large number of fine holes for ejecting gas, and each fine hole introduces pressurized gas into a porous body communicating with each other inside. It has a second gas introduction pipe (21a), and the third toner fluidizing means (15) has a large number of fine holes for ejecting gas, and the fine holes communicate with each other inside. A third gas introduction pipe (15a) for introducing a pressurized gas into the porous body. In the apparatus of this example, a porous sintered body having a smooth surface is used. Although not shown in the drawings, in order to prevent dust explosion of the fluidized toner, the toner filling device of this example is provided with a static eliminating means for eliminating static electricity generated.

  In the toner filling apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the first toner fluidizing means (33) is provided in the vicinity of the discharge opening (31) of the measuring tank (30) in order to obtain a required high toner discharge capability. Therefore, it is found that this is different from the case of the large-sized container (10) in which the third toner fluidizing means (15) having a thin strip shape is provided only in part. Karu. The amount of movement of the toner powder has a range proportional to the amount of blown air, and the amount of movement can be made almost constant by adjusting the amount of supplied gas, but each toner fluidizing means (33) (21) (15 ), Therefore, when a similar gas ejection material is used, the number of holes is related to the amount of gas that can be supplied. In particular, in the measuring tank (30) having a structure in which the cross section becomes narrower toward the discharge opening (31), several stages of gas outlets are continuously provided along the circumferential surface in order to prevent the cross-linking phenomenon due to the toner. Or it can be set as the blowing structure which gas blows off in the spiral direction.

  The first gas introduction pipe (33a) has a first air supply control valve (33b) that stops air supply, starts air supply, and adjusts the air supply amount. Similarly, the second gas introduction pipe (33a) The pipe (21a) has a second air supply control valve (21b) that stops air supply, starts air supply, and adjusts the air supply amount, and the third gas introduction pipe (15a) stops air supply. In the toner filling method of the present invention, the first to third gas introduction pipes (33a) (21a) ( At least one of 15a) may have such an air supply control valve.

  Further, in this filling device, the weighing tank (30) can be provided with pressure adjusting means for increasing or decreasing the internal atmospheric pressure, and such pressure adjusting means is provided in the large container (10) instead, or in a large size. The container (10) can also be provided. Such pressure adjusting means adjusts the pressure state and toner cloud state in the large container (10) and / or the measuring tank (30) in a state where gas is supplied from the first to third toner fluidizing means. Contribute to

Furthermore, the filling device of the present invention can be configured not only for the device itself but also for inserting the suction tube into the small toner container in order to suck the air in the small toner container filled with the toner. it can.
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a filter mesh (69) that allows only gas in the powder to pass through is mounted on the surface via a spacer (not shown) so as to maintain a gap for the gas flow path. Although the deaeration pipe (70) is fitted to the filling cap (37), it is inserted into a small toner container (40), and air in the toner container (40) is not shown from its tip. Suction is performed by suction means attached to the other end.

  On the other hand, the toner filling apparatus of this example preferably has, but is not essential, a filling toner weight management means for managing the amount of powder powder toner in the toner container (40) whose volume can be changed during filling. The filled toner weight management means (60) in the apparatus of this example has a load cell (61) for placing thereon a toner container (40) whose volume can be changed during filling and measuring the filled toner weight. The load cell (61) is provided on a lifter (61 a) for raising and lowering the load cell and appropriately changing the distance between the measuring tank (30) and the toner container (40) whose volume can be changed during filling. The load cell (61) is provided with monitor means (63) for displaying the measured weight of the filled powder toner.

  As such a monitoring means, an electromotive force is directly changed based on a voltage signal from a pressure receiving detection means that detects a voltage changed according to the degree of elastic deformation due to weight or pressure, or directly according to the pressure received. A known display means that can display the measured weight can be used based on a signal generated from a pressure detecting element such as a piezoelectric element to be used, and the toner filling amount can be confirmed by checking the weight displayed on the monitor means (63). However, the filling can be performed or terminated.

  Further, although not indispensable, the filling toner weight management means (60) in the toner filling apparatus of this example is filled with, for example, empty weight and toner of the toner container (40) whose volume can be changed at the time of filling in the load cell (61). And an arithmetic processing unit (62) for calculating the weight of the filled toner from the total weight of the toner container (40) whose volume can be changed at the time of filling.

  The arithmetic processing unit (62) includes an input unit (64), and the input unit (64) is configured to input the expected toner filling weight while viewing the weight displayed on the monitor unit (63), for example. And the input filling weight can be changed. The arithmetic processing device (62) transmits a drive command signal from the communication line (67) to the drive control device (39a) for the drive source (39b) of the drive device (39) based on the calculation result, The drive control device (39a) raises and lowers the discharge control rod (32c) based on it. As the arithmetic processing unit (62), various devices are used from a simple analog voltage comparator to various CPUs including a microcomputer chip (in the case of an analog voltage comparator, of course, depending on a predetermined potential difference). For example, an AD converter for converting to a pulse signal can be attached).

  As explained before, when the discharge control rod (32c) is moved up and down and the tip of the small radius cone of the discharge control member (32d) is lifted up completely from the opening (31), the discharge control rod (32c) is fully open. When the control member (32d) is lowered and inserted into the opening (31) to the end of the large radius cone, it is in a fully closed state, that is, the discharge control member (32d) is in the middle. Between the opening (31) and the medium-sized conical radius portion of the discharge control member (32d) that is not completely removed from the opening (31) and is not completely lowered and lowered. When it is inserted to such an extent that the gap is maintained, it is in a half-open state according to the insertion level, and can therefore be adjusted to any level. In the example of the toner filling device shown in FIG. 3 gas introduction pipes (33 ) (21a) Since the filling can be adjusted also by adjusting the amount of air supplied to (15a), the elevation of the discharge control rod (32c) is in the fully closed state, the fully open state, and the half open state between them. It is said.

  The input means (64) in this example is a button / rotary knob of a digital switch as a code generator (binary code), but if the arithmetic processing unit (62) is a CPU, it can be a keyboard. In that case, of course, various data including the weight are stored in a rewritable manner (based on the result of the operation and / or the result of the input signal from the input means) (that is, sequentially called by the CPU, calculated, and calculated) RAM for storing results again sequentially), and ROM for storing various programs including a processing program for arithmetic processing of the various data and various command information transmission programs can be attached, and arithmetic processing On the basis of the calculation result, the device (62) transmits a switching command signal for the first to third air supply control valves (33b), (21b), (15b), for example. It can be configured to have a program. Of course, in the present invention, the toner container is not limited to the apparatus of this example, and a toner container is provided by a filling means in which a gas for toner fluidization is introduced into the powder toner, and the fluidized toner is at least partially a tubular portion. Any other known filling method may be used as long as it is a fluid type toner filling device including a step of degassing the fluid toner introduced into the toner container while being introduced into the toner container. it can.

3 to 7 show an example of the “toner storage container in which the internal volume of the container before filling the toner is smaller than the internal volume of the container after filling” in the present invention.
3 and 4, the toner container (101) of this example is formed in a hexahedron with each surface being a flat surface. That is, the toner container (101) is configured in a sealed hexahedral box shape having a front surface (102), an upper surface (103), a bottom surface (104), left and right side surfaces (105), (106), and a back surface (107). Has been. In this toner storage container (101), the front surface (102) and the back surface (107) are the same size and shape, and are formed in a trapezoid shape whose width becomes narrower toward the bottom, and is larger than the other four surfaces. It has an area. Further, the front surface (102) and the back surface (107) are parallel to each other by setting the upper surface (103), the bottom surface (104), and the left and right side surfaces (105) and (106) to have substantially the same width. Yes. Note that a toner discharge hole (110) as a toner discharge portion is provided on the bottom surface (104) of the toner container (101), and the toner discharge hole (110) has a seal piece (111) as shown in FIG. ).

The toner container (101) configured in this way has a front surface (102) and a rear surface (107) which are flat surfaces parallel to each other, and can be stacked and stored as shown in FIG. . In addition, since the front surface (102) and the back surface (107) have a larger area than the other four surfaces, they can be stored in a stable state without falling down, and this is, for example, the state shown in FIG. The weight per unit area received by the toner on the lower side is smaller than in the case where the toner is placed vertically, and toner aggregation that tends to occur due to long-term storage or the like can be reduced. The toner storage container (101) of the present invention may be of any shape as long as it has a three-dimensional shape having two relatively large areas such as the front surface (102) and the back surface (107). good. Therefore, the toner storage container (101) may be a polyhedron, or a solid that combines a curved surface and a flat surface.

  By the way, the toner storage container of the present embodiment has a front surface (102) and a back surface (107) of the toner storage container (101) formed in a trapezoidal shape. And cut along a straight line inclined toward the opposite side. The quadrilateral in this case is defined as a rectangle having a standardized size such as A4 size or A5 size, and the trapezoidal area obtained at this time is defined to be ½ of the rectangular area. Two trapezoids of the same shape and the same area can be obtained from the rectangle of the size. Therefore, the combined shape of the two toner storage containers (101) becomes a standard size rectangle as shown in FIG. 6, and the same size paper and packing box can be shared. In this case, commercially available A4 size PPC paper or the like is generally accommodated in a packing box made of corrugated cardboard, with 500 sheets as one set. Therefore, when two toner storage containers (101) are combined, for example, an A4 size is obtained, and the widths of the top surface (103), bottom surface (104), left and right side surfaces (105), (106) corresponding to the thickness of the toner storage container (101) If the dimensions are almost the same as 500, the packaging box can be shared more easily. In addition, when the two toner storage containers (101) are combined so as to have a standard size, the size of the paper is unified, so that both of them can be stored in the same place at the same time, Delivery and shipment of a toner storage container (101) and a bundle of sheets are also possible. The toner storage container (101) is a combination of two trapezoids having an A5 size, and when this is stored in an A4 size packing box, the four toner storage containers (101) may be arranged in an A4 size.

  The toner container (101) is made of a flexible material such as paper, a plastic film such as polyethylene or PET, an aluminum foil, and a composite material thereof. In this way, the toner storage container (101) made of a flexible material can relatively easily perform volume reduction such as folding or folding the container after use. It becomes very efficient and is possible at low logistics costs. Further, when the toner container (101) is made of paper, its manufacturing cost is lower than that of a conventional hard bottle container, and it can be recycled into recycled paper after use. Further, the toner container (101) can be made from recycled paper.

  By the way, if the toner storage container (101) is made of paper or plastic film having a waist strength similar to that of, for example, a milk pack, the folding and folding tend to be somewhat inconvenient.

  Therefore, in the toner storage container (101) made of a material that is flexible but has a certain level of stiffness, the toner storage container 101 is shown in FIG. The top surface (103), bottom surface (104) and left and right side surfaces (105), (106) of the container (101) are folded (112) (the bottom surface (104) and the right side surface (106) are folded. Not shown). By attaching the fold (112) in advance, the used toner storage container (101) is reduced in the direction in which the front surface (102) and the back surface (107) approach each other, and when folded, FIG. It can be easily picked by hand as shown in. The portion of the fold (112) can be made thinner than other portions by processing such as providing a shallow V-shaped groove-like cut.

FIGS. 8 to 19 show another example of the “toner storage container in which the internal volume of the container before filling the toner is smaller than the internal volume of the container after filling” in the present invention.
The toner storage container of this example stores a deformable inner bag body (220) (hereinafter referred to as a toner bag) for storing toner and the toner bag (220), which is more rigid than the toner bag (220). It is configured as a back-in-box type having a large outer container body (250) (hereinafter referred to as an outer box).

  In FIG. 8, a toner bag (220) is formed by a blow molding method or the like, and a base part (221) made of a resin or the like provided with a toner discharge part is provided with a resin such as polyethylene or nylon of about 80 to 200 μm. A bag portion (222) made of a single sheet or multiple layers of a flexible sheet made of paper or paper is fixed. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the base part (221) is provided with a through hole (224) as a toner discharge part penetrating in the vertical direction, and is substantially rectangular on the outer periphery of the intermediate region of the through hole (224). A slide plate (225) configured as a connection convex portion of the formed connection means is fixed or integrally formed. Furthermore, the base part (221) is provided with a fixing part (226) formed in a boat shape to which the bag part (222) is fixed above the slide plate (225), and on the lower side of the slide plate (225). Is provided with a discharge portion (227) formed in a cylindrical shape for forming the through hole (224). The discharge part (227) is provided with a sealing valve (223) made of an elastic body as a self-closing valve, preferably a foamed sponge or the like. Further, a cap piece (228) for closing the discharge portion (227) is integrally provided on the base portion (221) via a connecting portion (229), and the discharge portion (227) is provided on the cap piece (228). ), A circular recess (228a) is formed.

  Next, the outer box (250) of the toner storage container (202) will be described. The outer box (250) of this example is an octahedron having face plates denoted by reference numerals (250a) to (250h), and FIGS. 11 and 12 show an inner surface of an example in which the outer box (250) is developed on a flat plate. And shows the outer surface. Each of the face plates (250a) to (250h) has a straight side as a connecting side where the face plates are connected to each other and a separation side where the face plates are separated from each other, and each face plate has at least one connecting side. Therefore, the outer box (250) can be developed into a single plate shape having various shapes by appropriately selecting the connecting sides and separating sides of the face plates (250a) to (250h). Therefore, a face plate that completely separates at the time of deployment does not occur.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a V-shaped groove (251) for restricting the bending angle is formed on the inner side of the connecting sides of the face plates (250a) to (250h). The part is thinner than the other parts, and it is easy to bend along the V-shaped groove as planned. The V-shaped groove (251) sets the angle of the V-groove according to the angle at which the connecting side is bent. In other words, if the angle of V is approximately 90 degrees, the face plate connected through the V groove (251) is restricted to an angle of approximately 90 degrees when bent in the direction in which the surface forming V abuts. Can do. On the contrary, when the surface forming the V is bent in a direction away from the surface, there is no restriction, so that the surface plates are bent to a position where they overlap each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a locking projection (252) is provided on one face plate and a locking hole (253) is provided on the other face plate at the separation side of each face plate (250 a) to (250 h). The face plates can be locked together. Therefore, a tool or the like can be used if the inner surface side is bent in an appropriate order from the state in which the face plate is spread in a single plate shape, and the locking protrusion (252) is locked in the locking hole (253). The outer box (250) is completed.

  Further, the outer box (250) is unfolded with the outer surface facing upward as shown in FIG. 15, and when folded into two so that the face plate (250c) overlaps the face plate (250f) as shown in FIG. The length in the width direction is halved, and as shown in FIG. 17, if the face plate (250 g) protruding downward is folded and overlapped with this double folded body, the area is small and the thickness is not so thick. Therefore, the outer box (250) folded in this way can be stored in an appropriately sized envelope (259). In addition, since the face plate (250g) bent last is piled up on the laminated body of face plates, if it is a V-groove (251), the overlap allowance is insufficient. Therefore, only this face plate (250g) has a W-shaped groove (254) formed at the connecting side as shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a slide plate (225) of the base part (221) slides on the face plate (250d) on which the base part (221) of the toner bag (220) is mounted on the outer box (250). A guide receiving portion (258) as a connecting concave portion to be mounted is integrally provided.

  When the toner bag (220) is attached to the outer box (250), the outer box (250) is box-shaped with the other face plate with only the face plates (250a) and (250b) opened as shown in FIG. Assemble. On the other hand, in the toner bag (220) containing the toner, the discharge part (227) is closed with the cap piece (228) as shown by the chain line in FIG. The slide plate (225) of the cap part (221) of the bag (220) is slide-mounted along the guide receiving part (258). With this attachment, the toner bag (220) easily fits in the outer box (250), then the face plates (250a) and (250b) are closed, and the locking projections (252) between the face plate (250h) described above. Is locked in the locking hole (253), and the toner container (202) is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the completed toner container (202) is locked when the entire circumference corresponding to the side surface is fixed by winding a winding seal (260) as a winding member, for example, a heat shrink seal. It is possible to prevent the face plates (250a) and (250b) having the protrusions (252) locked in the locking holes (253) from being easily opened. In addition, if the shrink wrap (261) is provided in the winding seal (260), the outer box (250) can be easily disassembled. Further, instead of the wrapping seal (260), the face plates (250a) and (250b) can be simplified by attaching an adhesive seal across the face plates (250a) and (250b) and the face plate (250h) that are closed at the end. Can be prevented.

  Further, when the toner container (202) is used, the cap piece (228) is removed from the discharge portion (227), and the removed cap piece (228) is set in the main body of the image forming apparatus as shown by the solid line in FIG. When doing so, it can be fitted to the holding portion (255) formed on the face plate (250a) so as not to get in the way.

  In the toner storage container (202) configured as described above, when the toner stored by use becomes almost empty, the toner bag is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and then the seal or the like is removed to empty the outer bag (250). (220) can be easily taken out and, like the new state before toner filling, the outer box (250) taken out can be folded small as described above, so that it is easy to handle during transportation, toner filling and storage. In addition, the advantage of not taking up storage space during transportation, toner filling and storage can be further increased, and the recovered logistics cost can be greatly reduced from the user to the manufacturer. Moreover, if the outer box (250) is made of a material having a certain degree of durability, it can be used repeatedly a plurality of times, and a significant cost reduction is expected.

  On the other hand, the toner bag (220) is separated and collected for reuse, or incinerated, but the flexible bag portion (222) is empty, so that it is transported for collection in the same manner as the outer box (250). Costs are greatly reduced.

  By the way, there are many toners having different colors and properties, and if used incorrectly, in the worst case, the developing device must be replaced. In particular, full-car image forming apparatuses generally use three-color toner and black toner. Black toner, which consumes a large amount of toner, often uses a container with a larger capacity than color toner. Since all three colors have the same amount and the same size, the color toner may be set incorrectly.

  In order to eliminate such a setting error, there is already a configuration in which an engaging unit having a different shape for each color is provided in the set unit of the image forming apparatus main body and the toner storage container so that the wrong toner storage container cannot be set in the set unit. Has been done.

  The toner container (202) in this example has the same mechanism, but in this example, an engaging means as a toner identifying means for preventing a setting error is provided on the toner bag (220) side instead of the outer box (250). ing. Specifically, an arcuate engagement recess (257) is provided in the slide plate (225) of the base part (221). The engaging concave portion (257) engages with an engaging convex portion (not shown) provided in the set portion of the image forming apparatus main body, but its position is changed for each color.

  As described above, if the engaging means for preventing the setting error is provided in the toner bag (220) instead of the outer box (250), the outer box (250) that can be used repeatedly can be used. This is very advantageous because it is not necessary to make different colors.

  The same type of image forming apparatus is used all over the world. In this case, the toner storage container (202) to be used can be used in common in each country. However, since the manufacturing cost of the toner storage container varies depending on the economic circumstances, for example, toner with low manufacturing cost is used in a country with high manufacturing cost. Then, distribution order cannot be maintained. Therefore, in the toner-filled container of this example, the outer box (250) of the toner container (202) is provided with a recess (256) as a used model identifying means for restricting the mounting for each model. In this case, a convex portion (not shown) that engages the concave portion (256) is displaced in the image forming apparatus main body for each model that prevents compatibility of the toner container (202).

In carrying out the present invention using the toner filling device and the toner storage container as described above, the volume of the toner storage container is first reduced, and when the toner is charged, the volume reduction state is released. In this operation, a suction pressure is generated from the toner filling port to the toner container, and the toner is filled during that time.
At this time, since the deaeration time of air corresponding to the container volume can be reduced from the container at the time of toner filling, the deaeration time (filling time) can be shortened. Further, since toner is sucked into the container, occurrence of toner scattering can be suppressed.

  As an application example, the filling method of the present invention is not limited to toner, but also applies to other powders such as magnetic powders, photoconductive powders, toner fluidity improver powders, developer control charge control agent powders, etc. can do.

It is a figure which shows an example of the fluid type | formula toner filling apparatus and filling method of this invention. It is a figure which shows the toner tank in the fluid type | formula toner filling apparatus and filling method of FIG. It is a perspective view showing an example of a toner storage container used in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a development view of the toner storage container. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a folded state of the toner storage container. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toner storage container aggregate. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the toner storage container in a folded state in stages. It is a perspective view of another toner storage container used in the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a base portion of the toner storage container. It is a perspective view of the nozzle | cap | die part. FIG. 4 is a development view of an inner surface side of an outer box of the toner storage container. FIG. 4 is a development view of an outer surface side of an outer box of the toner storage container. It is sectional drawing of a part of this outer box. It is a perspective view of a part different from FIG. 13 of the outer box. It is explanatory drawing which shows the initial state in the procedure of the overlap folding of this outer box. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the 2nd step in the procedure of the overlap folding of this outer box. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the last stage in the procedure of the overlap folding of this outer box. It is sectional drawing of a part different from FIG.13 and FIG.14 of this outer box. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an outer box of the toner storage container and a cap portion of the toner bag. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a finished product of the toner storage container.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Large container 11 Toner discharge port 12 Inner wall part 13 Hopper-like structure part 13a Vertical board 13b Side board 13c Side board 13d Back board 13e Back board 14 Valley part 15 Third toner fluidization means 15a Third gas introduction pipe 15b 3 Air supply control valve 20 Connecting pipe 21 Second toner fluidizing means 21a Second gas introduction pipe 21b Second air supply control valve 30 Metering tank 30a Sleeve 31 Discharge opening 32 Fill amount regulating means 32a Elastic ring 32b Discharge Control means 32c Discharge control rod 32d Discharge control member 33 First toner fluidizing means 33a First gas introduction pipe 33b First air supply control valve 37 Filling cap 39 Drive device 39a Drive control device 39b Drive source 40 Toner container 50 Upper communication pipe 60 Filled toner weight management means 61 Load cell 61a Lifter 62 Arithmetic processing device 63 Monitoring means 4 Input means 65 Communication line 66 Communication line 67 Communication line 101 Toner storage container 102 Container front surface 103 Container upper surface 104 Container bottom surface 105 Container left and right side surface 106 Container left and right side surface 107 Container rear surface 110 Toner discharge hole 111 Sealing piece 112 Folding 124 Nozzle 202 Toner Storage container 220 inner bag (toner bag)
221 Base part 222 Bag part 223 Seal valve 224 Through hole 225 Slide plate 226 Fixing part 227 Discharge part 228 Cap piece 228a Depression 229 Connection part 250 Outer container body (outer box)
250a to 250h Face plate 251 V-shaped groove 252 Locking protrusion 253 Locking hole 254 W-shaped groove 255 Holding part 256 Recessed part 257 Engaging recessed part 258 Guide receiving part 259 Envelope 260 Winding seal 261 Shrink wrap

Claims (9)

Gas for toner fluidization is introduced into the powder toner, and the fluidized toner is introduced into the toner container while or after being introduced into the toner container by a filling means at least part of which is a tubular portion. A fluid toner filling method including a step of degassing the fluid toner introduced into the toner, wherein the container internal volume of the toner storage container at the time of toner filling is larger than the container internal volume before filling A toner filling method comprising: The toner filling method according to claim 1, wherein the toner container has a variable volume in the container. The toner filling method according to claim 1, wherein the toner storage container is a bottle made of a PET material, and deforms a side surface of the bottle to release the deformation during filling. The toner storage container is a bag container that can be deformed flexibly, is in a closed volume reduction state before toner filling, and is filled with toner to return to its original volume. Item 2. The toner filling method according to Item 1. The toner filling method according to claim 1, wherein the toner storage container is of a gusset type, and the folded portion is made of a thinner material than the side surface portion. The toner filling method according to claim 1, wherein the toner container is of a standing pouch type, and the folded portion is made of a material thinner than the side surface portion. 5. The toner filling method according to claim 4, wherein the toner storage container is provided with a fold portion at an end portion of the gusset container, and the fold portion is made of a material thinner than a side portion. The toner filling method according to claim 4, wherein a side surface of the toner container is forcibly pulled during filling. 4. The toner filling method according to claim 3, wherein the toner is filled while degassing the gas in the container by a degassing nozzle formed coaxially with the filling port of the toner storage container.

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