JPS6323183A - Toner recovering device - Google Patents

Toner recovering device

Info

Publication number
JPS6323183A
JPS6323183A JP353286A JP353286A JPS6323183A JP S6323183 A JPS6323183 A JP S6323183A JP 353286 A JP353286 A JP 353286A JP 353286 A JP353286 A JP 353286A JP S6323183 A JPS6323183 A JP S6323183A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
toner
section
space
container
arm
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP353286A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Fumio Asano
文夫 浅野
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Priority to JP353286A priority Critical patent/JPS6323183A/en
Publication of JPS6323183A publication Critical patent/JPS6323183A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Landscapes

  • Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always know the quantity of toner contained in a container in a large tolerance, by constituting the container of a larger space section which principally receives toner and smaller space section provided with a means for detecting presence of toner overflowed from the larger space. CONSTITUTION:The inside of a toner recovering container 1 is divided into a larger-space toner storing section 1a and a smaller-space detecting section 1b and, when the larger space storing section 1a is filled up with toner, overflowed toner successively enters into the smaller-space detecting section 1b. A toner detecting means composed of a microswitch 5 and arm 6 is provided in the recessed part 4a of a supporting section 4 and the free end of the arm 6 is protruded to the detecting section. When the toner on the arm 6 reaches a prescribed quantity, the microswitch 5 is actuated and causes the operator to know it.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 (1)発明の目的 (産業上の利用分野) この発明は電子写真複写機、同プリンタなど静電転写プ
ロセスを利用する画像形成装置、とくにそのトナー回収
容器に関するものである。
Detailed Description of the Invention (1) Purpose of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that utilizes an electrostatic transfer process, such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, and particularly to a toner collection container thereof. be.

(従来技術と解決すべき課題) 無端状に走行する像担持体表面に静電潜像を形成し、こ
れに粉体トナーを供給して可視トナー像とし、このトナ
ー像を紙などのシート状転写材に転写するとともに、こ
のとき転写に寄与せず像担持体に残るトナーをクリーニ
ング装置によって除去する工程をくり返す周知の画像形
成装置においては、クリーニング装置内に次第にトナー
が蓄積されるので、トナーが満杯になると、これがクリ
ーニングブレードなどのクリーニング手段に悪影響を及
ぼしてクリーニング不良をおこしたり、装置内に飛散し
て各部を汚染したりするので、たとえば、搬送スクリュ
ーなどの手段でトナーを順次外部に排出するように構成
しであるのが普通である。
(Prior art and issues to be solved) An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of an endlessly running image carrier, powder toner is supplied to this to form a visible toner image, and this toner image is printed on a sheet such as paper. In a well-known image forming apparatus that repeats the process of transferring toner to a transfer material and removing toner that does not contribute to the transfer and remains on the image carrier using a cleaning device, toner gradually accumulates in the cleaning device. When the toner is full, it may adversely affect the cleaning means such as the cleaning blade, resulting in poor cleaning, or it may scatter inside the device and contaminate various parts. It is usually constructed so that it can be discharged.

さらに、この排出されたトナーは、通常、紙粉、コロナ
生成物、塊状に固化したトナーなど各種の異物を含んで
いてそのままでは再使用に適さないので、クリーニング
装置外に配したトナー回収容器に収納し、これが満杯に
なるごとに廃棄するようにしであるのが普通である。
Furthermore, this discharged toner usually contains various foreign substances such as paper dust, corona products, and solidified toner, and is not suitable for reuse as it is, so it is stored in a toner collection container placed outside the cleaning device. Normally, it is stored and discarded every time it becomes full.

しかし容器が満杯になっているにかかわらず装置を作動
し続けたり、空の容器を設置しないで装置を作動させた
りすると、トナーが詰ってその排出が順調にゆかず、最
終的に前述のような不都合を生じたり、装置内を汚染し
たりすることを免れない。
However, if you continue to operate the device even though the container is full, or if you operate the device without installing an empty container, toner will clog and the toner will not drain smoothly, eventually resulting in the problem described above. This may cause serious inconvenience or contaminate the inside of the device.

このような事態を回避するために、たとえばフォトイン
タラプタなど、光センサを用いた満杯検知手段が従来か
ら用いられているが、この種のものはトナー容器に光が
通過するような透明部分を構成する必要があり、一方ト
ナーは微粒軽量であるために、容器内で飛散して前記透
明部分を曇らせてセンナの誤作動の原因になりやすく、
また容器自体も特定部分のみを透明材料で作らなければ
ならないのでコスト的にも好ましくない。
To avoid this situation, fullness detection means using optical sensors, such as photointerrupters, have been used in the past, but this type of device consists of a transparent part that allows light to pass through the toner container. On the other hand, since the toner is fine and lightweight, it easily scatters in the container and clouds the transparent part, causing the senna to malfunction.
Furthermore, since only specific parts of the container itself must be made of transparent material, this is not desirable in terms of cost.

本発明は、このような現状にかんがみてなされたもので
あって、トナー容器が満杯になったときそのトナーの一
部の重量を検知するように構成して、前述のような欠点
がなく、検知許容範囲を大きくし、高い信頼性の得られ
るようなトナー容器を提供することを目的とするもので
ある。
The present invention has been made in view of the current situation, and is configured to detect the weight of a portion of the toner when the toner container is full, and eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner container that has a wide detection tolerance and is highly reliable.

(2)発明の構成 (課題を解決する技術手段、その作用)上記の目的を達
成するために、本発明にあっては、トナー回収容器にお
いて、該容器を、トナーを主として受容する大スペース
部分と、該スペースから溢出するトナーの存在を検知す
る手段を配した小スペース部分とからなるように構成し
たものである。
(2) Structure of the invention (technical means for solving the problem and its operation) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a toner collection container in which the container is used as a large space portion that mainly receives toner. and a small space portion provided with means for detecting the presence of toner overflowing from the space.

このように構成することによって、前述のような欠点が
なく、つねに大きい許容範囲で容器内のトナー量を知る
ことができる。
With this configuration, the amount of toner in the container can always be known within a wide tolerance range without the above-mentioned drawbacks.

(実施例の説明) 第1図は本発明によるトナー回収容器の断面図を示すも
のであって、不図示の、複写機などの画像形成装置の像
担持体から除去されるトナーがクリーニング装W7内に
まず貯留されるものとし。
(Description of Embodiments) FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a toner collection container according to the present invention, in which toner is removed from an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine by a cleaning device W7 (not shown). It shall first be stored within the

ついでこのトナーが、クリーニング装置端部に取着され
ているチューブ2内まで延びている搬送スクリュー3に
よって排出される。
This toner is then discharged by a conveying screw 3 extending into a tube 2 attached to the end of the cleaning device.

前記チューブの端部には開口2aが形成されており、こ
の部分がトナー回収容器l内に没入している。該容器は
複写機内の不動部適所にもうけた容器支持部4に支持さ
れており、その内部は大スペースのトナー蓄積部1aと
、小スペースの検知部1bとに分割されていて、前記開
口2aは蓄積部1aにあって、複写機から排出されるト
ナーを受容する。
An opening 2a is formed at the end of the tube, and this part is submerged into the toner collection container l. The container is supported by a container support section 4 provided in a fixed position in the copying machine, and its interior is divided into a large space toner storage section 1a and a small space detection section 1b. is located in the storage section 1a and receives toner discharged from the copying machine.

前記大スペースの蓄積部1aがトナーで満杯になると、
以後供出するトナーは、順次小スペースの検知部1bに
入ってゆくことになる。
When the large space storage section 1a becomes full of toner,
The toner to be dispensed from now on will sequentially enter the detection section 1b in the small space.

図示の支持部4には凹所4aが形成してあり、該凹所に
は、マイクロスイッチ5と、前記凹所内適所に揺動自在
に取着されたアーム6とからなるトナー検知手段が配し
てあり、該アームの自由端は前記検知部内に突出してい
る。
A recess 4a is formed in the illustrated support portion 4, and a toner detection means consisting of a microswitch 5 and an arm 6 swingably attached to an appropriate position within the recess is arranged in the recess. The free end of the arm projects into the sensing portion.

このように構成しであるから、前述のトナー蓄積部1a
から溢出したトナーは順次小スペースの検知部1bに入
り、アーム6上にたまってゆき、該アーム6をたわませ
ることになる。
With this configuration, the toner storage section 1a described above
The toner overflowing from the toner gradually enters the detection section 1b in the small space and accumulates on the arm 6, causing the arm 6 to bend.

アーム6上のトナーが所定量になると、これによってマ
イクロスイッチ5が作動して容器の満杯を適宜の手段で
操作者に告知することになる。
When the toner on the arm 6 reaches a predetermined amount, the microswitch 5 is actuated to notify the operator that the container is full by an appropriate means.

この場合、可及的に少量のトナーでマイクロスイッチ5
が作動するように構成することにより、高感度の検知を
行なうことが可能である。
In this case, use the micro switch 5 with as little toner as possible.
By configuring the sensor to operate, it is possible to perform highly sensitive detection.

第2図は目視によってトナー貯留状態を知るようにした
応用例を示すものである。
FIG. 2 shows an application example in which the state of toner storage can be determined visually.

トナー回収容器の構成は基本的には第1図に示すものと
同様であって対応する部分には同一の符号を付して示し
てあり、それらについての説明は省略する。
The structure of the toner collection container is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

小スペースの検知部lb内に蓄積されてゆくトナーは、
容器壁面に形成してあり、満杯マークldをもうけた透
明部ICから看覗してトナーの蓄積状態を知ることがで
きる。複写機の開閉自在の外装パネル11に、前記透明
部1cと重畳する位置に孔11aを設けておくことによ
って外部から直接見るこ青ともできる。
The toner that accumulates in the small space of the detection part lb is
The state of toner accumulation can be known by looking through the transparent part IC, which is formed on the wall of the container and has a full mark ld. By providing a hole 11a in the openable and closable exterior panel 11 of the copying machine at a position overlapping with the transparent portion 1c, it is possible to see the image directly from the outside.

(3)発明の効果 本発明は、以上のような構成をそなえているから、容器
にトナー検知のために光束を透過させる透明部分を設け
る必要がないから、鎖部の汚染などによる誤動作のおそ
れがなく、極めて高感度の検知を容易に遂行することが
できる。
(3) Effects of the Invention Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, there is no need to provide the container with a transparent part that transmits the light flux for toner detection, so there is no risk of malfunction due to contamination of the chain part, etc. This makes it possible to easily perform extremely sensitive detection.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第1図は本発明によるトナー回収容器の実施態様を示す
断面図、 第2図は他の実施態様を示す断面図である。 1・φ・トナー回収容器、2・・・搬送チューブ、3・
・・搬送スクリュー、5Φ・・マイクロスイッチ、6・
・・アーム。 第1図 第2図 手続補正書(方式) %式% (1)  事件の表示 特願昭61−3532号 (2) 発明の名称 トナー回収装置 (3) 補正をする者 事件との関係   出願人 住所 名称     キャノン株式会社 (4) 代理人 (6) 補正により増加する発明の数   0(7) 
補正の対象   明細書の発明の名称の欄(8) 補正
の内容  明細書1頁3行目「トナー回収容器」を、「
トナー回収装置」
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the toner collection container according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another embodiment. 1・φ・toner collection container, 2・transport tube, 3・
・・Transport screw, 5Φ・・Micro switch, 6・
··arm. Figure 1 Figure 2 Procedural amendment (method) % formula % (1) Indication of the case Japanese Patent Application No. 1983-3532 (2) Name of the invention Toner recovery device (3) Person making the amendment Relationship to the case Applicant Address name Canon Co., Ltd. (4) Agent (6) Number of inventions increased by amendment 0 (7)
Target of amendment Column (8) of the title of the invention in the specification Contents of the amendment Changed “toner collection container” from line 3 on page 1 of the specification to “
"Toner collection device"

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 画像形成装置のクリーニング装置から排出されるトナー
を収容する回収容器内を大スペースのトナー蓄積部と小
スペースの検知部とに分割し、該検知部にトナー量を検
知する手段を配してなるトナー回収容器。
The inside of a collection container that accommodates toner discharged from a cleaning device of an image forming apparatus is divided into a large-space toner accumulation section and a small-space detection section, and the detection section is provided with means for detecting the amount of toner. Toner collection container.
JP353286A 1986-01-13 1986-01-13 Toner recovering device Pending JPS6323183A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP353286A JPS6323183A (en) 1986-01-13 1986-01-13 Toner recovering device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP353286A JPS6323183A (en) 1986-01-13 1986-01-13 Toner recovering device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPS6323183A true JPS6323183A (en) 1988-01-30

Family

ID=11560003

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP353286A Pending JPS6323183A (en) 1986-01-13 1986-01-13 Toner recovering device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS6323183A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS63174367U (en) * 1987-03-25 1988-11-11
FR2642863A1 (en) * 1989-02-09 1990-08-10 Canon Kk CLEANING APPARATUS, IN PARTICULAR FOR REMOVING THE RESIDUAL TONER IN AN IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM
CN102467064A (en) * 2010-11-12 2012-05-23 富士施乐株式会社 Storage container for developer and image forming apparatus
JP2013167839A (en) * 2012-02-17 2013-08-29 Canon Inc Toner collection container, and image forming apparatus

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS63174367U (en) * 1987-03-25 1988-11-11
FR2642863A1 (en) * 1989-02-09 1990-08-10 Canon Kk CLEANING APPARATUS, IN PARTICULAR FOR REMOVING THE RESIDUAL TONER IN AN IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM
EP0382471A2 (en) * 1989-02-09 1990-08-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Cleaning apparatus
US5138394A (en) * 1989-02-09 1992-08-11 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Cleaning apparatus with means to effectively use toner storage space
CN102467064A (en) * 2010-11-12 2012-05-23 富士施乐株式会社 Storage container for developer and image forming apparatus
JP2012103570A (en) * 2010-11-12 2012-05-31 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Developer storage container and image forming apparatus
US8824905B2 (en) 2010-11-12 2014-09-02 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Storage container for developer and image forming apparatus
CN102467064B (en) * 2010-11-12 2015-10-21 富士施乐株式会社 Developer storage case and image processing system
JP2013167839A (en) * 2012-02-17 2013-08-29 Canon Inc Toner collection container, and image forming apparatus

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN100590549C (en) Image forming apparatus
JPH04114057U (en) developing device
JPS6323183A (en) Toner recovering device
US5805952A (en) Imaging material detection in a magnetic window cleaning dispensing container
JP2004286790A (en) Waste toner processing apparatus and image forming apparatus having the apparatus
JP2004354524A (en) Developer presence/absence detection device
JPH10288931A (en) Toner recovering device for image forming device
JP2966266B2 (en) Developer presence detector
EP1055976A3 (en) Developping device, process cartidge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
JP3600116B2 (en) Toner supply device
JPS5854370A (en) Toner recovery device
US8369720B2 (en) Powder container apparatus and image forming apparatus
JP4425582B2 (en) Waste toner collection container, waste toner full detection device, and image forming apparatus
JP2510535Y2 (en) Image forming device
JP2010026187A (en) Waste toner collection device for electrophotographic printer
JPS6365475A (en) Waste toner detector
JPH0934328A (en) Image forming device
JPH09212052A (en) Waste-toner recovery device
JPH11133745A (en) Printer
JPH05224532A (en) Toner detecting device
JP2819837B2 (en) Detector for detecting the fullness of the toner recovery box of the photoconductor unit
JP2797680B2 (en) Full toner detector for residual toner collection box
JPS6024563A (en) Powder container provided with its volume detector
JPS6341882A (en) Waste toner detector
JPH11174812A (en) Developer quantity detection device