JP3868458B2 - Developer container reuse system and developer container reuse method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer. More specifically, the present invention relates to quality assurance and management of the number of reuses of a developer container and a process cartridge that are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is.

In an electrophotographic copying machine having a developing device that visualizes an electrostatic latent image using toner, the toner in the developing device is consumed as the image is formed. Need to replenish. As a toner replenishment method, a toner cartridge is mounted in the machine body, the seal that has blocked the toner discharge port of the toner cartridge is peeled off, and all the accommodated toner is replenished once in a period. Various methods are known, such as a method of rotating a toner cartridge to replenish a predetermined amount into a developing device from a toner discharge port.
As the toner cartridge particularly suitable for the former toner replenishing method, for example, the box type cartridges disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Nos. 59-41365, 64-59265, 61-117170, etc. are used. Yes. Further, as a toner cartridge particularly suitable for the latter toner replenishing method, for example, a cylindrical cartridge having a drive galling on the peripheral surface disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-188678, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-146265, etc. Is used. In addition to these, various toner cartridges have been proposed.

  Such a toner cartridge itself has a specific shape determined by the structure of the main body of a copying machine or the like, and can only be properly attached to the main body unless the cartridge has this specific shape. This is because the toner used in the photoconductor and the development process is strictly defined in the image forming process of a copying machine or the like, so that a toner cartridge containing a predetermined toner is securely mounted. It is. The use of the predetermined toner in this way is also a precondition for the copy machine manufacturer and seller to guarantee the copy quality over a long period of time.

  Also, in the case of using a plurality of toner cartridges of the same shape containing toners of different colors, simultaneously or selectively mounted on the copying machine main body, in order to prevent erroneous mounting of the toner cartridges, The cartridge is provided with identification members having different formation positions and shapes, and the copying machine is provided with detection means for detecting the identification member and notification means for notifying the detection contents by the detection means, and is mounted by the notification means. It has also been proposed to display the toner color in the toner cartridge and to notify an erroneous mounting with an alarm sound (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 61-41159 and 61-292168).

The image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine has at least one of image forming apparatuses such as a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device, or at least one of the image forming apparatuses and a latent image carrier. There is known a printer that uses a process cartridge configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.
In order to automatically adjust the image forming conditions related to the process cartridge when the process cartridge is replaced, it is also proposed to provide the process cartridge itself with a storage means such as a ROM storing adjustment data. (For example, JP-A-3-289672).

By the way, a non-genuine toner cartridge (hereinafter referred to as an imitation toner cartridge) that imitates the shape of a genuine toner cartridge and contains toner manufactured uniquely may be on the market. It is difficult for users to determine whether such toner cartridges are genuine, and non-genuine toner cartridges are generally cheaper than genuine ones. May be purchased and used by aircraft users. The toner of such a counterfeit toner cartridge does not significantly change the copy quality temporarily, but deteriorates the copy quality with time. For this reason, the copy quality of the copy machine is poor from the user to the seller of the copier because it is caused by the machine. The seller who has received the complaint will investigate the cause of copy quality deterioration and take measures to restore copy quality.
In this way, even if the cause of the copy quality deterioration is not the genuine toner designated by the copier manufacturer but the toner from the counterfeit toner cartridge is used, the person who manufactured and sold the counterfeit toner cartridge is usually No compensation is provided, and the cost of repairing this is borne by the copier sellers and others.
Accordingly, if the copy quality deteriorates frequently due to such a counterfeit cartridge, the manufacture and sale of the copying machine cannot be established as a business, and the credibility of the manufacturer may be significantly impaired in terms of quality. For this reason, immediate countermeasures against imitation cartridges are required.

As countermeasures against such counterfeit cartridges, the following countermeasures are considered and proposed, but each has drawbacks.
(1) The shape of the toner cartridge is changed for each type of copying machine. This increases the manufacturing cost and leads to an increase in the purchase price of the user. Moreover, no legal restrictions can be imposed on counterfeiters.
(2) The shape of the toner cartridge is made a special shape that can be protected by patent rights or design rights. In many cases, the life of the product is exhausted before the patent right or design right is established, and it is not possible to impose effective legal restrictions on counterfeiters.
(3) Obtaining trademark rights for the toner contained in the toner cartridge and the product name of the copier to be used, restraining the display of the toner type and applicable model name on the imitation toner cartridge, making it difficult to sell the imitation toner cartridge To do. This is because the trademark right is not effective and is not perfect when the imitator displays the toner type and the application model name by a method commonly used as a display of quality or usage.
(4) A special mark such as a manufacturer's logo or a barcode that can identify the toner quality is attached to a part of the toner cartridge, and a means for detecting this mark is provided on the copying machine, and the predetermined mark is not attached. The toner cartridge is prevented from being mounted (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 63-82491, 63-82493, and 62-173482). This is inadequate as a countermeasure because when a counterfeiter discovers such a special mark, a similar mark can be easily created and attached to the toner cartridge.

  Recently, the necessity of reusing copier parts has increased from the viewpoint of effective use of resources and environmental protection, and it is considered to reuse toner cartridges as much as possible. The toner cartridge can be reused by collecting the empty toner cartridge container from the user and refilling it with toner at the factory. However, since the container also has a lifetime, if it is reused beyond this, a problem occurs when it is used in a copying machine. Therefore, there is a demand for a method that can easily determine whether or not the container can be reused based on the shape of the container.

  There are many types of copiers, such as black and white copiers, two-color copiers, full-color copiers, and copiers capable of color exchange with a single color. Among these, for example, in a case where a plurality of toner cartridges having different toner colors are mounted in predetermined positions in a copying machine set in advance, such as a two-color copying machine or a full-color copying machine, the wrong place It is necessary to prevent the toner cartridge from being attached to the printer. In addition to the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 61-41159 and 61-292168, as a method for preventing such a wrong mounting of the toner cartridge, the surface of the toner cartridge or the vicinity of the mounting position of the main body is simply used. In addition, it may be possible to display the mounting location and the mounting cartridge to the user by attaching a predetermined label. According to these, since the internal mechanism of the toner cartridge container and the main body mounting portion can be made common to each color, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the toner cartridge and the copying machine main body can be minimized. However, there is a possibility that erroneous mounting due to misidentification of the user cannot be prevented only by such display or notification to the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, purpose of that can record number of reuses of the current image storing container, a determination whether or not there can Ru developer accommodating reused at the time of recovery A container reuse system and a developer container reuse method are provided.

The invention of claim 1 is a developer container reuse system for reusing a developer container for containing a developer , comprising the container, an image forming apparatus having the container, and a reuse determination device. The container is a developer container that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, is collected from the user after use, is filled with the developer, and is reused. And an electrically readable / writable storage means is attached, and the main body of the image forming apparatus stores the number of uses in the storage means when all of the developer in the container is replenished. those having a means for writing, re-use determining unit, which is characterized in that those having a reading means for reading said use count for which is stored in the storage means when recovered from the user after use of the container In .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the developer container recycling system according to the first aspect, the main body has a means for detecting the toner end of the container, and the inside of the container is detected using a signal when the toner end is detected. It is characterized in that it is discriminated that all the developer is replenished.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer container reusing method for reusing a developer container for containing a developer, wherein the container is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the developer is collected from the user after use and the developer is collected. A developer container that is filled and reused, has a storage unit for the number of times it is used at the time of collection, and is attached with storage means that can be electrically read and written, when the developer in the container is replenished all the step of Ru times said use is written in Ri該 storage means by the image forming apparatus, a developer container that number said use is written after the use of container and recovering, reads the collected number of times of use stored in the storage means of the vessel, is characterized in that a step of determining whether to re-use.

According to the first to third aspects of the invention, the number of times the developer container is used can be recorded, and it can be determined whether or not to reuse the developer container.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) which is an image forming apparatus will be described.
In this embodiment, a storage means is provided in a toner cartridge as a developer container.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an example. In the toner cartridge 1 in this example, toner is stored in a cylindrical container body 2. A gear 3 for rotating the container main body 2 is provided on the outer periphery of the container. The gear 3 may be formed integrally with the container main body 2 or a separate member may be fixed to the outer periphery of the container. One end of the container body 2 is opened to form a toner discharge port 4. A mouthpiece 5 is attached to the discharge port 4. The mouthpiece 5 has four openings 6, and a storage means 8 is attached to the center portion 7. The storage means 8 is constituted by a ROM or the like, and has a terminal for electrical connection with the copying machine main body side. The mouthpiece 5 is rotatably attached to the inner wall of the container body 2.
When the toner cartridge 1 is transported, the mouthpiece 5 is covered with a cap (not shown) so that the toner does not leak. When the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on a copying machine body (not shown), the cap is removed with the toner cartridge 1 standing upright so that the mouthpiece 5 portion is up, and the toner cartridge 1 is lifted to the cartridge holder of the copying machine body (not shown). set. The arrow in the figure indicates the moving direction of the cartridge 1 at the time of attachment / detachment. After the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the cartridge holder, the cartridge holder is swung so that the toner cartridge 1 is in a horizontal posture so that the toner can be discharged from the opening 6. As a configuration of such a cartridge holder or the like, for example, a configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-188678 can be adopted.

  When the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the main body, the mouthpiece 5 is electrically engaged with a data reading device provided on the main body side. The gear 3 is also engaged with a drive gear (not shown) on the main body side and is driven to rotate. When the container body 2 is rotated, the toner in the container is moved to the left, the toner is discharged from the discharge port 4, and the developing device in the apparatus is replenished with toner. Even if the container main body 2 rotates, the mouthpiece 5 does not rotate because it is connected to the data reading device on the main body side.

FIG. 1B shows a modification of the toner cartridge 1.
In the toner cartridge of this example, a cap 22 is rotatably attached to the container main body 21 on the outer periphery of the container main body 21 near the toner discharge port 4. When attached to the main body, the cap 21 is electrically and physically engaged with the reading device on the main body side. Accordingly, the cap 21 is fixed, but the container body 21 is rotationally driven. A storage means 23 is attached to the tip of the cap 22. Instead of this, the storage means 24 may be attached to the outer periphery of the cap 22.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge 31 according to another example. The toner cartridge 31 of this example is a well-known box type, and the lower part in the figure is open, and is sealed with a seal after filling with toner. Then, it is inserted into a copying machine main body (not shown) in the direction shown by an arrow and is mounted on the hopper portion of the developing device, and the seal is removed to replenish toner in the hopper. This type of toner cartridge 1 is also well known in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Nos. 59-41365, 64-59265, 61-117170, and the like. In this embodiment, the storage means 33 is attached to the front end side 32 of the toner cartridge 31 in the mounting direction.

The following programs and data are stored in the storage means 8, 23, 24, 33 (hereinafter referred to as storage means 8).
This program has a program for instructing the main body of the copying machine to read out data stored in the ROM of the storage means 8. A code such as the company name of the toner manufacturer is written at the beginning of the program or at a predetermined position. The code data of the company name is read by the control device of the copying machine main body as will be described later, and is used to enable the copying machine only when the existence of the name is confirmed. This is a measure for preventing the copier from causing unexpected damage using toner produced by a third party other than the manufacturer.
In addition, there is a change in toner prescription etc. I want to make various image forming conditions (charging conditions, exposure conditions, development conditions (bias, toner density, etc.), transfer conditions, etc.) of the copier proper to the toner. In this case, a program for changing the image forming program in the machine or an image forming program for rewriting may be stored in advance.

As the data, data indicating the type and characteristics of the toner stored in the toner cartridge 1 is recorded.
The type of toner (which is also a kind of characteristic) is a type of developer such as a one-component toner or a two-component developer composed of a carrier and a toner, or the color of the toner, that is, a black toner or a red toner. If this data is stored, for example, in the case of a color copying machine in which the toner cartridge must be mounted in a place corresponding to the developing device of the correct color, the data from the storage means 8 is read and the operator makes an error. Even when it is worn, it is possible to notify the user of any mistakes in advance using a display, etc. The toner characteristics are data indicating the characteristic values at the time of toner production. Even if the manufacturing conditions are slightly different, if the conditions are related to the influence on the image creation at that time, they are written in the data. If this data is stored, the data from the storage means 8 can be read and control can be performed, for example, to correct the image forming conditions of the copying machine, and an excellent image can be obtained.

Further, in order to manage the number of reuses of the toner cartridge 1, a storage area for the number of times of use may be provided in the ROM 41 of the storage means.
Recently, the reuse of toner cartridges has been recommended as part of environmental protection. However, there are limits to repeated use. For example, in the case of the toner cartridge as shown in FIG. 1A, the gear 3 may be worn out, so that a limit is necessary. Therefore, the number of times of use is stored in the storage means of the toner cartridge 1, and this is used for managing the number of times the toner cartridge 1 is reused. If this data is stored, for example, when the toner cartridge 1 is collected and returned to the factory, it is possible to know the total number of uses by reading the information in the ROM 41 of the cartridge 1. If it exceeds the limit, the reuse can be stopped, and if it is within the limit, the toner can be filled and reused.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit in the copying machine.
The copying machine main body is provided with a data read / write control circuit 42, an internal memory 43, a display control circuit 44, a display device 45, a copy control circuit 46, a copy condition setting means 47, and the like.
The data read / write control circuit 42 is connected to the ROM 41 of the toner cartridge via a connector and a storage means terminal (not shown), and reads the program in the ROM 41 and executes the contents of the program. Yes. The internal memory 43 stores data corresponding to the message “GENUINE RICOH TONER CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED.” Corresponding to a company code such as “RICOH”, a program for controlling copy control, and the like. The display control circuit 44 controls the display device 45 (display panel 34). The copy control circuit 46 controls the copy condition setting means 47 so that, for example, the developing bias voltage is changed when the toner conditions are different.

FIG. 5 shows an example of control executed by the data read / write control circuit 42 based on a program recorded in the ROM 41 of the toner cartridge 1.
First, the program and data in the storage device ROM 41 attached to the toner cartridge are read by the read / write control circuit 42. A company code such as the manufacturer's company name is written in a predetermined part of the program in the ROM 41, and when the data read / write control circuit 42 reads this code, a predetermined data table in the internal memory 43 is searched. (Step 1).
Here, when the read company code, for example, “RICOH” is a code previously set in this data table, message data corresponding to this code, for example, “GENUINE RICOH TONER CARTRIDGE IS” as shown in FIG. The data corresponding to the message “INSTALLED.” (Ricoh's genuine toner cartridge is installed) is read from the internal memory 43, and the message is displayed on the display device 45 via the display control circuit 44 (step 2).
Next, data relating to the toner recorded in the ROM 41 is read, and the toner data is displayed on the display device 45 via the display control circuit 44 (step 3).
Next, data relating to the past number of times of use of the toner cartridge 1 recorded in the ROM 41 is read, and the number of times is displayed on the display device 45 via the display control circuit 44 (step 4).
Next, the change data is searched for the image forming program in the ROM 41 recorded when there is a change in toner prescription, etc., and the presence / absence data recorded in the change data is read. The image forming program for controlling copy control in the memory 43 is rewritten by the read / write control circuit 42 in accordance with a program for changing the image forming program (step 5). As a result, the copy control circuit 46 controls the copy condition setting means 47 so that, for example, the developing bias voltage is changed when the toner conditions are different.
Next, the copying execution (copying possible) state is set (step 6), and the process returns.

  On the other hand, when a toner cartridge that is not a regular toner cartridge is loaded, the reading / writing control circuit 42 does not read a specific company code or encryption code, so that it is understood that there is no registered code even if the internal memory 43 is updated. (Step 1). In such a case, the copy control circuit 46 prohibits copying or cannot execute copying, and the display control circuit 44 displays a message “Inappropriate cartridge has been loaded” on the display circuit 45 to prohibit copying ( The copy is disabled state (steps 7 and 8), and the process returns.

  In the above control example, the toner type and the number of times of use of the toner cartridge 1 are uniformly displayed. However, the display is displayed on the display board 34 only when the operator performs a certain key operation at an appropriate time. You may do it.

  FIG. 6A shows the number of times of use 1 by the read / write control circuit 42 when the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the copying machine main body and all of the toner is replenished in the machine for managing the number of times of use of the toner cartridge 1. An example of the control for writing the times to the ROM 41 is shown. To determine whether toner replenishment is complete in step 1, as shown in FIG. 1, when toner is replenished little by little according to the toner density detection result after being mounted on the copying machine, the toner in the well-known toner cartridge 1 is used. This can be performed using a toner end detection signal in the end detection. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the case where all the toner is replenished at one time after being installed in the copying machine, it can be performed using, for example, a signal for detection of peeling off of the seal or detection of an increase in toner concentration after installation. .

  FIG. 6B shows an example of control for reading the information in the ROM 41 of the cartridge 1 and determining whether to reuse it when the toner cartridge 1 is collected and returned to the factory. This is executed by a control unit of a reuse determination device (not shown). Of course, the reuse determination device includes a connector connected to a terminal of the storage unit 8 of the toner cartridge 1. In this example, when the use number n read from the ROM 41 is smaller than the reusable number N, a reusable signal is output. In other cases, a reusable signal is output. These signals may be used to display a message corresponding to each signal on the display means attached to the determination device, or may be used as a control signal for the toner filling device of the toner cartridge 1.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment. (B) is a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to a modification. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to another embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation unit of the copying machine according to the embodiment. The block diagram of the electrical equipment part of the copier. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the copier. 9A is a flowchart illustrating an example of toner cartridge usage count management control. 9B is a flowchart illustrating an example of toner cartridge reusability determination control.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toner cartridge 2 Container body 3 Gear 5 Mouthpiece 6 Opening 8 Storage means 21 Container body 22 Cap 23 Storage means 24 Storage means 31 Toner cartridge 33 Storage means

Claims (3)

In a developer container reuse system for reusing a developer container that contains a developer,
The container, an image forming apparatus having the container, and a reuse determination device,
The container is a developer container that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, is collected from the user after use, is filled with the developer, and is reused. And an electrically readable / writable storage means attached,
The main body of the image forming apparatus, when the developer in the container is replenished all those having a means for writing said use count for in the storage means,
Reuse determination apparatus, vessel developer container recycling system, characterized in that those having a reading means for reading said use count for which is stored in the storage means when recovered from the user after use. The developer container recycling system according to claim 1,
The main body has means for detecting the toner end of the container, and uses a signal when the toner end is detected to determine that all the developer in the container has been replenished. Usage system. In a developer container reusing method for reusing a developer container for containing a developer,
The container is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and is a developer container that is collected from the user after use and is filled with the developer and reused, and has a storage unit for the number of times to be used at the time of collection, and, which electrically read write is attached a storage means capable, when the developer in the container is replenished all said use count for the Ri該 storage means by the image forming apparatus is written The process of collecting the developer container in which the number of times of use has been written after use of the container , and the number of times of use stored in the storage means of the collected container is read and reused And a developer container reusing method.

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