JPH0458629B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning device for removing toner on a receptor of a copying machine, a printer, a display, etc. using electrophotography.

Conventional Structures and Problems There is a conventional cleaning device for a copying machine that uses electrophotography, and there is a one-shot color method using a filter toner, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-49307. In the one-shot color method, an image is formed on a receptor using three types of toners that have red, green, and blue filter functions and colorless sublimable dyes of cyan, magenta, and yellow, which are complementary colors. Heat is applied to the toner on the body by a fixing device, and the sublimable dye inside the toner reacts with the color developer on the surface of the receptor, thereby developing color on the surface of the receptor. Therefore, in order to obtain a colored image, a cleaning device is required to remove the toner after coloring. However, this cleaning device uses a rotating brush to remove the toner on the receptor using the rotating friction force of the rotating brush, so if the receptor is curled significantly after fixing, the tip of the receptor and the rotating brush will come into contact with each other, causing the toner to fall off the receptor. There was a problem that the machine could not be transported.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the conventional problems and aims to provide a cleaning device that carries out highly reliable receptor transport and receptor cleaning.

Structure of the Invention The cleaning device of the present invention has a pair of rollers for conveying a receptor, one roller has a middle portion narrower than an end portion, the other roller has a cylindrical shape, and the middle portion of one roller is thinner than the end portion. The receivers are arranged so that they face each other, and when the receivers are transported, the receivers are arranged so that both ends of the receivers are placed over both ends of one of the rollers.

Alternatively, one roller of a pair of rollers is made thinner in the middle than the ends, and the other roller is made thicker in the middle than the ends to match the shape of the other roller, and the receptor is conveyed. In some cases, the receiver is arranged so that both ends of the receiver are placed over both ends of a pair of rollers.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a cleaning device according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment. In Figures 1 to 3, 1
2 is a toner, and 2 is a receptor such as zinc oxide paper or high-quality paper that supports the image formed with the toner 1. 3 and 4 are rollers made of metal, rubber, etc. that convey the receptor 2. Also, the roller 3 has both ends 3a as shown in FIGS.
The conveyance part 3b of the receptor 2 except for the diameter is the same, and both ends 3
The diameter of the portion a is larger than that of the conveying portion 3b. Further, the roller 4 is pressed against the conveyance section 3b, and has a length approximately equal to the length of the conveyance section 3b. Furthermore, the transport section 3
b. The length of the roller 4 is made shorter than the width of the receiving paper 2. 5 is a receptor 2 conveyed by rollers 3 and 4;
This is a transport plate for resin, metal, etc. that guides the material. Reference numeral 6 denotes a rotating brush, for example, 6a, on which bristles 6b of acrylic, rayon, or the like are implanted onto the paper tube. Mataki 6b
contacts the conveying plate 5, rotates, for example, in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the receptor 2, and is triboelectrically charged. 7 is a wire made of resin, metal, or the like. Further, the wire 7 is located between the conveyor plate 5 and the center of the rotating brush 6, and is opposed to the conveyor plate 5 with a certain gap therebetween.
Moreover, it is constructed in the direction in which the receptor 2 is transported.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a collection box that accommodates the toner 1. 9 is a doctor for resin, metal, etc. Further, the doctor 9 has one end in contact with the bristles 6b of the rotating brush 6, and the other end is fixed to the collection box 8. The collection means is composed of the collection box 8 and the doctor 9. 10 and 11 are conveyance rollers that convey the receptor 2.

The operation of the first embodiment configured as above will be explained below.

In FIG. 1, the one-shot color method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-49307 will be used to explain the operation in order to make it easier to understand. This fixing principle is based on the principle that heat is applied to sublimate the sublimable dye inside the toner, and the sublimable dye inside the toner is reacted with a color developer on the surface of the receptor to develop color on the surface of the receptor. Therefore, since the toner 1 is not thermally welded to the surface of the receptor 2, it can be easily removed from the surface of the receptor 2. Also, the receptor 2 that has passed through the fixing device
curls due to heat. When a fixed receptor 2 with a curled tip, for example, is conveyed by rollers 3 and 4, the conveyed receptor 2 will have the vicinity of both ends of the receptor 2 at both ends of the roller 3, as shown in FIGS. It is properly bent by the portion 3a to correct the curl of the receptor 2. As a result, the receptor 2 becomes stiffer in the conveying direction and is conveyed in the direction of the brush. Next, the straightened receptor 2 passes between the conveying plate 5 and the wire 7 and reaches the rotating brush 6. At this time, the tip of the receptor 2 is pressed by the wire 7, and both ends of the receptor 2 come into close contact with the conveying plate 5, so that the receptor can reach the rotating brush without getting jammed. Next, the receiver 2 passes between the rotating brush 6 and the conveying plate 5, and the toner 1 on the receiver 2 is removed by the rotational frictional force of the bristles 6b of the rotating brush 6. Next, the removed toner 1 electrostatically adheres to the frictionally charged bristles 6b. Next, by rotation of the rotating brush 6, the bristles 6b are
The toner 1 adhering to the toner 1 is removed by contact with the inertial force of the adhering toner 1 and the doctor 9, and is stored in the collection box 8. Next, the receptor 2 is transferred to the conveyor rollers 10,1.
The toner 1 conveyed by the toner 1 and placed on the receptor 2 is successively removed by the rotating brush 6, and the cleaning of the receptor 2 is completed. Therefore, highly reliable receptor transport and receptor cleaning can be performed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the invention. In the figure, 1 is toner, 2 is receptor, 1
2 and 13 are rollers made of metal, rubber, etc. that convey the receptor 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the roller 12 has the same diameter as the conveying portion 12b of the receptor 2 except for both ends 12a, and the both ends 12a are smaller than the conveying portion 12b. Further, the roller 13 has the same diameter as the conveying portion 13b of the receptor 2 except for both ends 13a, and the both ends 13a are larger than the conveying portion 13b. Also, roller 1
2 and 13 are provided in positions where the conveyance section 12b of the roller 12 is pressed against the conveyance section 13b of the roller 13, and both ends 12a of the roller 12 are close to and opposite the conveyance section 13b of the roller 13. Furthermore, roller 1
The lengths of the conveyance sections 12b and 13b of 2 and 13 are shorter than the width of the receiving paper 2. 14 is a roller 12,
This is a conveyance plate that guides the receptor 2 conveyed at 13. 15 and 16 are rotating brushes, for example, the base 15.
Hairs 15b, 16b made of acrylic, rayon, etc. are implanted on paper tubes a and 16a. Mataki 15
b, 16b are in contact with the conveyance plate 14 and rotate in the same direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the receptor 2, for example, the bristles 15b rotate in the opposite direction, and the bristles 16b rotate in the opposite direction to be frictionally charged. 17 is a wire,
The wire 17 is connected to the conveyor plate 14 and the two rotating brushes 1
5 and 16, facing the conveying plate 14 with a certain gap, and installed in the conveying direction of the receptor 2. 18 and 19 are toner 1
This is a collection box that accommodates. Reference numerals 20 and 21 are doctors, and the doctor 20 has one end in contact with the bristles 15b of the rotating brush 15, and the other end in contact with the collection box 18.
As for the doctor 21,
One end thereof is brought into contact with the bristles 16b of the rotating brush 16, and the other end is fixed to the collection box 19. Note that the collection means includes the collection boxes 18, 19 and the doctors 20, 2.
It consists of 1. 22, 23 are collection boxes 18,
This is a screw that conveys the toner 1 in the rotating brushes 15 and 16 in the axial direction of the rotating brushes 15 and 16. Reference numeral 24 denotes a storage box that is provided at a position facing the end faces of the screws in the axial direction of the screws 22 and 23, and stores the toner 1 conveyed by the screws 22 and 23. 25, 26
is a conveyance roller that conveys the receptor 2.

The operation of the second embodiment configured as above will be explained below.

4 to 6, the one-shot color method will be used in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When the fixed receptor 2, for example, which has a curled tip, is conveyed by the rollers 12 and 13, the conveyed receptor 2 is properly bent near both side ends of the receptor 2, as shown in FIG. straighten the curls. Next, the straightened receptor 2 passes between the conveying plate 14 and the wire 17 and reaches the rotating brush 15. Next, the receptor 2 passes between the rotating brushes 15, 16 and the conveying plate 14, and the toner 1 on the receptor 2 is removed by the rotational frictional force of the bristles 15b, 16b of the rotating brushes 15, 16. At that time, the tip of the receptor 2 is pressed by the wire 17, and the receptor 2
Since both end portions of the receiver are in close contact with the conveying plate 14, the receiver can pass through the rotating brushes 15 and 16 without clogging. Next, the removed toner 1 electrostatically adheres to the frictionally charged bristles 15b and 16b. Next, by rotating the rotating brushes 15 and 16, the bristles 15b and 1
The toner 1 adhering to 6b comes into contact with the inertial force of the adhering toner 1 and the doctors 20 and 21, and is removed.
They are stored in collection boxes 18 and 19. Next, the stored toner 1 is transported by the screws 22 and 23 and stored in the storage box 24. Next, the receptor 2 is conveyed by the conveyor rollers 25 and 26, and the toner on the receptor 2 is successively removed by the rotating brushes 15 and 16, and cleaning of the receptor 2 is completed. Therefore, highly reliable receptor transport and receptor cleaning can be performed. Also, the second embodiment is
Since the two rotating brushes perform cleaning, the cleaning ability is high, and since the toner collected in the collection box is immediately stored in the storage box, the toner collection ability is high. Further, in this embodiment, the toner in the collection box is stored in the storage box using a screw, but a suction device used in a vacuum cleaner or the like may be used instead of the screw. Furthermore, the cleaning device of the present invention reliably removes toner on the receptor even when the fixing device fails, for example, when no heat is applied. It does not stain the body and can be reused.

Effects of the Invention In addition to the effects that the cleaning device of the present invention can reliably clean the receptor using a rotating brush, and can transport the receptor with high reliability by suppressing the tip of the receptor with a wire,
Furthermore, by using a roller whose end diameter is larger than the diameter of the middle part, the receptor is transported with both ends bent, so it is possible to straighten the curl of the receptor after fixing. The receptor can be transported more reliably than when it is suppressed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of the cleaning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views of the roller section of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the cleaning device in the embodiment, FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the cleaning device in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is the second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a side view of the roller part of an Example. 1... Toner, 2... Receptor, 3, 4, 12,
13... Roller, 5, 14... Conveyance plate, 6, 1
5, 16... Rotating brush, 7, 17... Wire.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A receptor that supports toner, at least one pair of rollers that conveys the receptor in one direction with the receptor sandwiched between them, a conveyance plate that guides the receptor, and a distal end comprising:
a rotating brush that contacts the conveying plate and rotates so as to move in the same direction or in the opposite direction to the direction in which the receptor is conveyed; a collecting means that collects the toner; and a space between the conveying plate and the rotating brush. a wire arranged at a distance from the transport plate and stretched parallel to the direction in which the receptor is transported,
Furthermore, the pair of rollers includes a first roller that is substantially cylindrical and has a small diameter portion whose length is slightly shorter than the width of the receptor in the axial direction, and a large diameter portion at the end thereof; A cleaning device comprising a second roller having a constant diameter and approximately the same length as the small diameter portion in the direction, the second roller facing the small diameter portion of the first roller. 2. A receptor that supports toner, at least one pair of rollers that conveys the receptor in one direction with the receptor sandwiched between them, a conveyance plate that guides the receptor, and a tip that
a rotating brush that contacts the conveying plate and rotates so as to move in the same direction or in the opposite direction to the direction in which the receptor is conveyed; a collecting means that collects the toner; and a space between the conveying plate and the rotating brush. a wire arranged at a distance from the transport plate and stretched parallel to the direction in which the receptor is transported,
Further, the pair of rollers includes a first roller that is substantially cylindrical and has a small diameter portion whose length is slightly shorter than the width of the receiver in the axial direction, and a large diameter portion at the end thereof; and a second roller consisting of a large diameter part whose length is slightly shorter than the width of the receptor in the axial direction and a small diameter part at the end thereof, and the large diameter part of the second roller is the same as the small diameter of the first roller. Cleaning device facing the section. 3. The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the wires are arranged in the axial direction of the rotating brush. 4. Claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of rotating brushes are arranged in the conveying direction of the receptor,
The cleaning device according to item 2 or 3.