JPH09197791A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent operator's hands, fingers and clothes and the ambient parts from being soiled by leakage toner, by providing a recovering member for storing a developing cartridge in a process of pulling out the cartridge at pulling out the cartridge from an image forming device. SOLUTION: In the case of replacing a cartridge 3, a recovering member 2 whose size is suitable to store the cartridge and which is formed out of a comparatively soft material such as a corrugated cardboard etc., is put to the end part of the cartridge 3 to be replaced, then the operator inserts his arm from the opposite side and grasps a knob 15 formed at the end part of the cartridge, and then, he pulls out the cartridge from the image forming device side toward the recovering member 2 so as recover the cartridge by the recovering member. Besides, the following processing is executed by folding both end parts of the recovering member 2 inwards and applying a seal if necessary. By using such the recovering member 2, it is unnecessary for the operator to directly touch the cartridge 3 with the toner stuck, then the operator's hands, fingers and clothes are prevented form being soiled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Object of the invention]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using a powder developer such as toner in an electrostatic copying machine, a printer or the like, and more particularly to a processing means for a developer cartridge thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the known image forming apparatus as described above, a cartridge containing toner is removably attached to a developing device and the toner is sequentially used for image formation. Devices that can be replaced with new cartridges when they are lost are widely used.

In this type of apparatus, a developing device for applying toner to the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member, a cleaning device for removing residual toner on the image bearing member, etc., may be sealed to the outside. On the other hand, the toner image on the image carrier, the toner image immediately after being transferred to the transfer material, and the like are merely attached by electrostatic force, so that gravity and movable members are present inside the device. There is an unavoidable possibility that the toner will be scattered and suspended by the airflow generated as a result and contaminate each part in the apparatus.

In view of the present situation of such an image forming apparatus, the present invention contaminates a developing cartridge with toner discharged especially at a developing device portion, and therefore, toner attached to the developing cartridge when the cartridge is replaced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge processing means capable of preventing the fingers and clothes of an operator from being contaminated.

In the image forming apparatus, a predetermined gap is maintained between the image carrier and the developing sleeve arranged in the developing unit, a developing bias in which a direct current and an alternating current are superposed is applied between the two, and the toner is transferred between the two. In the case of so-called jumping development, in which the latent image on the image carrier is imparted while flying, the AC developing bias is applied and the toner adhesion to the developing sleeve is weakened, and the toner is scattered outside the developing device. In such a case, the present invention is particularly effective.

[0006]

Configuration of the Invention

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is to remove a developing cartridge, which is detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus, from the image forming apparatus while taking out the developing cartridge. An image forming apparatus (1) comprising a collecting member to be stored, or the image forming apparatus (2) according to the above (1), wherein the collecting member is a flexible bag-like member. ,
Alternatively, in the above (1), the recovery member is formed of a bellows-shaped member (3), or in the above (1), the recovery member takes out the developing cartridge. The image forming apparatus (4) characterized by comprising scraped hair arranged in the side opening and a tray for demanding scraped toner or the like, or in the above (1), wherein the collecting member is a developing cartridge. An image forming apparatus (5), characterized in that it is provided with a cover member for covering the above, and the cover member can be taken out as a unit when taking out the developing cartridge.
In the image forming apparatus (6), the collecting member is means for attaching an adhesive member to the developing cartridge and collecting and discarding only the adhesive member when the developing cartridge is replaced, or (1) above. In,
In the image forming apparatus (7), wherein the collecting member is a handle detachably attached to the developing cartridge, or in the above (7), the attaching / detaching means of the handle to the developing cartridge is a magnetic force. An image forming apparatus (8) characterized by the above.

With this configuration, in the image forming apparatus using the detachable developing cartridge in the apparatus main body, it is possible to effectively prevent the finger, clothes, and the surroundings from being contaminated by the leaked toner when the used developing cartridge is replaced. it can.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS "FIG. 1" is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and "FIG. 2" is a side view showing a processing method by a recovery member. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a used developing cartridge, which is, of course, mounted at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus during use, but the apparatus portion is omitted in the figure.

When replacing the cartridge 3,
A recovery member 2 made of a relatively soft material such as corrugated cardboard having a size such that it can be stored is applied to the end of the cartridge 3 to be replaced, and the operator inserts his / her arm from the opposite side to form it at the end of the cartridge. The handle 15 is gripped, the cartridge is pulled out from the image forming apparatus side to the collecting member 2 side, and the cartridge is collected therein.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the recovery member 2
Both ends should be bent inward, and if necessary, a seal should be applied for subsequent processing.

By using such a collecting member, the operator does not directly touch the cartridge to which the toner is attached, so that the fingers, clothes, etc. are not soiled.

3 to 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 20 is an outer wall of the image forming apparatus, and the cartridge 18 is mounted in an opening formed in the outer wall. On the outside of the opening of the outer wall 20, one end is attached to one of the bellows-shaped collecting members 17 by an adhesive member 21. The adhesive member 21 is firmly adhered to the collecting member 17 side, but is easily peeled off to the outer wall 20 side as needed.

When the cartridge 18 is taken out, the recovery member 17 is contracted as shown in FIG. 3, the handle 9 is pulled out, and when the cartridge 9 is slightly pulled out, as shown in FIG. 4, the recovery member 17 is pulled out. Is extended so that the end portion of the cartridge does not protrude from the recovery member 17, and the cartridge 18 is successively pulled out.

After the cartridge 18 is completely pulled out to the outside, the adhesive member 21 at the end of the recovery member 17 is peeled from the outer wall 20 of the main body, and as shown in FIG.
Bend and seal the utilization end of the inside.

It will be readily understood that such a structure has the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, since the unused collecting member is folded into a small size, its handling and processing are facilitated.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention. An opening 22 for replacing the cartridge is formed on the side wall of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and foreign matter scraping hairs 23 are densely planted inward in the opening radial direction. A tray 24 is arranged below the opening.

With such a structure, when the exchanged cartridge inside the apparatus is taken out from the opening 22, foreign matter such as toner adhered to the cartridge in the process is removed by the scraping hair 23. The foreign matter captured by the scraping hair 23 is received by the tray 24 by its own weight.
Will be collected.

With such a structure, it is possible to preferably prevent the operator from contaminating the fingers or clothes when replacing the cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a developing device of a color image forming apparatus, in which a developing device 30 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape,
It is assumed that four developing devices 27a to 27d each containing a toner of a different color are provided, and any one of the developing devices approaches the image carrier (not shown) to perform development. After the developing operation by one developing device is completed, the developing device 30 rotates 90 degrees and the next developing device takes the developing position close to the image carrier to perform the development. In this way, all the developing cartridges 27a to 27d complete the development.

In such an apparatus, in the illustrated apparatus, the developing cartridge 27 is covered with a cover member 28 for preventing toner contamination. Reference numeral 29
Is a sealing material. During development, the developing sleeve is exposed and faces the image carrier, so that the toner leaks and scatters as described above. With the above-described structure, the developing sleeve and the like are covered with the toner stain preventing member 28, and a sealing material is used, and the cover member 28 is provided.
It is possible to prevent toner and the like from entering the gap between the developing device main body 30 and the developing device main body 30.

With this apparatus, the operator of the image forming apparatus does not touch the replacement member that is contaminated with toner or the like, so that when the used cartridge is replaced, fingers and clothes are not soiled.

FIGS. 8 to 10 are schematic perspective views showing the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The developing cartridge 31 loaded with the developing sleeve 32 has a hole 3 for fixing at the end.
Adhesive members 33A and 33B made of double-sided tape or the like having 4A and 34B are attached.

On the apparatus body side, as shown in FIG.
Fixing pins 37A and 37B are provided, and spring members 36A and 36B are detachably attached to the fixing pins 37A and 37B, and holes 34A provided in the adhesive members 33A and 33B are provided at the tips thereof.
Pins 35A and 35B that engage with 34B are provided.
FIG. 10 is a view showing the developing cartridge 31 as viewed from the direction S.

To mount the developing cartridge 31 on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the outer side of the double-sided adhesive tape 33A, 33B is peeled off, and the holes 34A, 34B are engaged with the pins 35A, 35B of the spring members 36A, 36B. And put them in place.

The developing cartridge 31 that has been used up with toner
When replacing the cartridge 31 with a new one, the operator
Is pulled out from the apparatus main body in the direction of symbol S in FIG. As the spring members 36A and 36B are pulled out by their elasticity, the adhesive members 33A and 33B move toward the cartridge 3 as the cartridge 31 is pulled out.
While being peeled from 1, it is wound around the springs 36A and 36B.

After the cartridge 31 is taken out from the apparatus body side, the springs 36A and 36B and the adhesive members 33A and 33B wound around the springs 36A and 36B are removed from the apparatus body and discarded.

According to this structure, the operator does not touch the developing cartridge when inserting or removing it, so that fingers or clothes are not contaminated.

[FIG. 11] to [FIG. 13] are the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 38 is a casing of the image forming apparatus, and a developing cartridge 39 is detachably attached to a predetermined position inside the casing. An opening 42 for inserting and removing the cartridge 38 is formed on one side of the housing 38.

The opening 4 of the developing cartridge 39
A handle attachment member 40 and a handle 41 detachably attached to the handle attachment member 40 are provided at the end on the second side. When the developer cartridge 39 is taken out and replaced, the hand is inserted from the opening 42. It suffices to grasp the grip 41 and pull out the used developing cartridge in the T direction.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views showing the handle attaching means. As shown in "Figure 12",
On the side surface of the developing cartridge 39, handle attachment members 40 and 40 'are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center, and as shown in the drawing, opposite side surfaces are opened.

As shown in FIG. 13, the handle 41 is formed in a substantially U-shape, and a central portion thereof is a grip portion V that is held by hand, and both legs U are the mounting members on the side of the developing cartridge 39. It is a part that engages with 40, 40. The intervals of the engaging portions U are set so as to engage with the mounting members 40 and 40 ', respectively.

The grip 41 is connected to the developing cartridge 3
To attach to the attachment members 40, 40 'at the end of 9,
The grip portion V of the grip 41 is held by hand so that the engaging portion U does not collide with the mounting members 40, 40 'on the side of the developing cartridge at an angle as indicated by the one-dot chain line ("FIG. 12") in the drawing. The grip 41 is brought into contact with the end face, and then the grip 41 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A in the drawing to set the engaging portion U to the mounting member 4
If you enter these members from the open side of 0, 40 ',
The grip 41 is positioned substantially vertically in FIG. 12 and engages with the mounting members 40 and 40 'to move the developing cartridge 39.

FIG. 14 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. A mounting member 43 made of a magnetic material is attached to the side surface of the developing cartridge 39 mounted in the housing 38 of the image forming apparatus, and reference numeral 44 is a magnetic handle.

By inserting the grip 42 from the opening 42 formed on the side surface of the housing 38 and adsorbing the grip 42 to the magnetic mounting member 43, the cartridge 39 is mounted on the housing 38 in the Z direction in the drawing or on the opposite side. Can be moved relative to and removed from the housing.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Image forming apparatus body In an image forming apparatus that uses a removable developing cartridge in a predetermined part, remove a used developing cartridge from the machine and replace it with a new one, and replace fingers, clothes, etc. without contaminating leaked toner. It is possible to improve the workability of the image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an operation mode of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing sealing of the developing cartridge of the same as above.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the second embodiment of the present invention in which the collecting member of the developing cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body and the cartridge is taken out.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the same as the above, where the developing cartridge is housed in a collecting member.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a state where the developing cartridge is housed in a collecting member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an essential part of a collecting means showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a recovery device showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the operation of the above adhesive member.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the same cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the end surface of the cartridge.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a handle attached to the same cartridge.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Cartridge collecting member 3 Used developing cartridge 15 Grip 17 Bellows collecting member 18 Developing cartridge 21 Adhesive member 22 Opening 23 Scraping hair 24 Receiving tray 27 Developing cartridge 28 Cover member 29 Sealing member 30 Developing device 31 Developing cartridge 32 Sleeve 33 Adhesive member 34 fixing hole 35 fixing pin 36 spring 37 fixing pin 38 housing 39 developing cartridge 40, 43 mounting member 41, 44 grip 42 opening

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tomoaki Nakai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Masanori Ishizu 3-30 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Canon Inc.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a recovery member for accommodating the developing cartridge, which is detachably and replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus, when the developing cartridge is taken out from the image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recovery member is a flexible bag-shaped member. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collecting member is a bellows member. 4. The image according to claim 1, wherein the collecting member is composed of scraped hair arranged in an opening on the apparatus main body side for taking out the developing cartridge, and a tray for demanding scraped toner and the like. Forming equipment. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recovery member has a cover member for covering the developing cartridge, and the cover member can be taken out as a unit when the developing cartridge is taken out. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collecting member is a unit that attaches an adhesive member to the developing cartridge and collects and discards only the adhesive member when the developing cartridge is replaced. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collecting member is a handle detachably attached to the developing cartridge. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the means for attaching and detaching the handle to and from the developing cartridge is a magnetic force.