JP2000010447A - Recovered toner classification device and image forming apparatus provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] A mesh having a small variation in mesh shape and size, a relatively thin mesh can be selected, the separation of collected toner is stable, and the separation rate of collected toner is high. Provided is a collected toner classifying apparatus that forms a high-quality image even when the collected toner is used, and an image forming apparatus including the same. SOLUTION: In a collected toner classification device for separating collected toner after image forming processing, collected toner discharging means 1 for discharging collected toner (t) after image forming processing, and collecting toner ( t), a sieve 3 for separating the collected toner (t) discharged into the filter 2, and a sieve 3
Has a shape in which a plurality of holes 3b are provided in the plate member 3a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recovered toner classifying apparatus and an image forming apparatus provided with the same, and more particularly, to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine thereof. The present invention relates to a collected toner classification device that separates collected toner collected after an image forming process, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic copying system, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a uniformly charged photosensitive member as an image carrier by exposure, optical writing, or the like, and the electrostatic latent image is formed, for example, by A visualization process is performed by using a two-component developer in which a magnetic carrier and a toner are mixed, or a one-component developer in which the two are integrated, and the visible image is transferred to a material to be transferred. A copy is to be obtained. In the production of such toner for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, coarse particles and the like in the toner are removed through a screen at the final stage of the production process, so that when an image is formed, sand is formed on the image. A technique for preventing occurrence of abnormal images such as fog, vertical streak-like unevenness, transfer failure, and the like is known (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H5-
293443). 2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, a cleaning device is provided for removing a toner remaining on an image carrier such as a photoconductor or an intermediate transfer body after transferring a visible image. In other image forming parts, such as a transfer belt and a transfer device for transferring a transfer material having a transferred visible image to a fixing device, toner that has not been finally used for image formation remains. A cleaning device is also provided. Conventionally, these cleaned residual toners have been processed so as to be collected in a waste bottle or the like and discarded. However, in recent years, effective use of resources has been required, and it has been required to reuse the removed toner. Therefore, many mechanisms for transferring the toner collected by the cleaning device to a developing device or a toner replenishing device have been proposed. However, when the toner is actually reused, the recovered toner contains paper dust, or the toner aggregates, and there are not a few toner aggregates larger than an appropriate size. For this reason, when such collected toner is returned to the developing device as it is, an abnormal image often occurs, such as white spots and black spots due to the paper dust and toner aggregates, and the quality of the formed image is reduced. In order to remove such paper dust and toner agglomerates, a technique using a mesh filter made of non-magnetic stainless steel wire, non-magnetic brass wire or nylon fiber is also known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-77906). reference). But
The sieve portion of the mesh filter of the collected toner classifying apparatus and the image forming apparatus having the same that separates the collected toner after the conventional image forming process is a nonmagnetic stainless steel wire, a resin made of a nonmagnetic brass wire or a nylon fiber, or Since the mesh of metal wire is used, it is difficult to make the shape and size of the mesh uniform, and even if the shape and size of the mesh can be made to some extent immediately after the creation of the mesh, The crossing between magnetic stainless steel wire, non-magnetic brass wire and nylon fiber is displaced, the shape and size of the mesh vary, and the mesh thickness is twice the diameter of non-magnetic stainless wire, non-magnetic brass wire and nylon fiber. Due to the restrictions, the separation of the collected toner becomes unstable, the separation rate of the collected toner is reduced, and the image quality of forming an image using the collected toner is deteriorated.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned conventional collected toner classifying apparatus for separating the collected toner after the image forming process and the sieve portion of the mesh filter of the image forming apparatus having the same are made of a non-magnetic stainless steel wire, Due to the use of non-magnetic brass wire or resin made of nylon fiber, or metal wire mesh, it is difficult to make the mesh shape and size uniform,
Even if the shape and size of the mesh could be adjusted to some extent immediately after the creation of the mesh, non-magnetic stainless steel wire,
Intersections between non-magnetic brass wires and nylon fibers are shifted, the shape and size of the mesh vary, and the stitch thickness is limited by twice the diameter of non-magnetic stainless steel wires, non-magnetic brass wires and nylon fibers. For this reason, there has been a problem that the separation of the collected toner becomes unstable, the separation rate of the collected toner decreases, and the image quality of forming an image using the collected toner also deteriorates. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such a problem. That is, the variation in the shape and size of the mesh is small and uniform, the thickness of the mesh can be selected relatively thin, the separation of the collected toner is stable, the separation rate of the collected toner is high, and the Another object of the present invention is to provide a collected toner classifying apparatus for forming a high quality image and an image forming apparatus having the same.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collected toner classifying apparatus for separating collected toner after an image forming process, wherein the collected toner after the image forming process is discharged. Collecting toner discharging means, a filtering means for discharging the collected toner from the collecting toner discharging means, a sieve for separating the collected toner discharged into the filtering means, and a plurality of holes formed in the plate member by the sieve. The most important feature is that it is a collected toner classification device having a shape provided with. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recovered toner classification device according to the first aspect, the plate member is a recovered toner classification device that is a metal plate.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the collected toner classification device according to the second aspect, the metal plate is a collected toner classification device that is a rust-preventive metal plate for preventing rust. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recovered toner classification device according to the second or third aspect, wherein the metal plate is a recovered toner classification device made of a non-magnetic material. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recovered toner classification device according to the first aspect, the plate member is a recovered toner classification device that is a resin plate. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the recovered toner classifying apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, wherein the holes are regular polygon shaped holes. The invention of claim 7 is
The collected toner classification device according to claim 6, wherein the regular polygonal hole is a collected toner classification device having a hexagonal hole. An eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the recovered toner classification device according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, the hole is a recovered toner classification device having a round hole. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which forms an image by using a collected toner after an image forming process on a toner for forming a toner image by visualizing a latent image of an image carrier in an electrophotographic system, 9. The collected toner classification device according to claim 1, a developing unit to which the reused toner separated by the collected toner classification device is supplied, and an electrostatic latent image developed by the developing unit. The most main feature of the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus including an image carrier for carrying an imaged toner image and a transfer unit for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to a transfer target.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recovered toner classifying apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the same.
A plurality of holes are provided in a plate member of a sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means from which the collected toner after the image forming process is discharged from the collected toner discharging means, so that the collected toner is separated. The variation in the shape and size of the toner is minimized, and the thickness of the mesh can be selected to be relatively thin. The separation of the collected toner is stable, the separation rate of the collected toner is high, and the collected toner forms a high-quality image. It is possible to provide a collected toner classification device that separates toner. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of holes are provided in a metal plate of a plate member of a sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means. Selects toner so that it has sufficient strength even if it comes in contact with the separation promotion auxiliary brush or stroller, has a small variation in mesh shape and size, and has a relatively small mesh thickness. This makes it possible to provide a collected toner classifying apparatus that separates collected toner in a stable manner, has a high separation rate of collected toner, and separates collected toner to form a high-quality image. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of holes are provided in a rust-preventive metal plate of a plate member of a sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means. In order to separate the collected toner, it has sufficient strength even when a brush or a moving element for assisting separation is in contact with it, and the variation in the shape and size of the mesh is uniform, and the thickness of the mesh is relatively small. It is possible to provide a collected toner classifying apparatus that can select a thinner toner, stabilize the separation of the collected toner, increase the separation rate of the collected toner, and further separate the collected toner to form a high-quality image. . According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of holes are formed in a metal plate of a non-magnetic material of a plate member of a sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means. Is provided to separate the collected toner, and has sufficient strength even when the brush or the agitator for assisting separation is in contact with the toner. Relatively thin selection is possible, the separation of collected toner is stable, the separation rate of collected toner is high, and the separation of collected toner that forms a high-quality image is prevented from being clogged or hindered. To provide a collected toner classifying apparatus. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of holes are provided in a resin plate of a plate member of a sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means from which the collected toner after the image forming process is discharged from the collected toner discharging means. By separating the toner, the cost is low, the variation in mesh shape and size is uniform, the thickness of the mesh can be selected to be relatively small, the separation of the collected toner is stabilized, and the collected toner can be separated. It is possible to provide a collected toner classifying apparatus that separates collected toner that forms a high-quality image with a high separation rate. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of regular polygonal holes are provided in a plate member of a sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means. By separating the toner, the variation in the shape and size of the mesh is reduced and aligned, and the thickness of the mesh can be selected to be relatively small, so that the separation of the collected toner is stabilized and the separation rate of the collected toner is further increased. It is possible to provide a collected toner classification device that separates collected toner that forms a high-quality image.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the plate member of the sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means is provided.
By forming a square hole to separate collected toner, the strength of the plate member is improved, the shape is less likely to be distorted, the shape of the reused toner is more regulated, and the shape and size of the mesh are less dispersed. As a result, the thickness of the mesh can be selected to be relatively small, the separation of the collected toner is stable, the separation ratio of the collected toner is higher, and the collected toner classification device for separating the collected toner to form a high-quality image. Can be provided. In claim 8, a plurality of round holes are provided in a plate member of a sieve for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means. In this way, the variation in the shape and size of the mesh is reduced, and the thickness of the mesh can be selected to be relatively small. The separation of the collected toner is stabilized, and the separation rate of the collected toner is further increased. In addition, it is possible to provide a collected toner classification device that separates collected toner that forms a higher quality image. According to a ninth aspect, a toner image in which an electrostatic latent image is visualized by a developing unit to which the reused toner separated by the collected toner classification device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is supplied is provided. By transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to be transferred onto the transfer target body by the transfer means to form an image, variations in the shape and size of the mesh are reduced, and the thickness of the mesh is relatively small. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of selecting a thin toner, stably separating collected toner, having a high separation rate of collected toner, and forming a high-quality image even when the collected toner is used.

[0006]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus using the recovered toner classification device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of a recovered toner discharging device and a filter unit, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the filter means. In FIG. 1, a collected toner classification device 0 of the present invention is connected to a collected toner transport path 104 of an image forming apparatus 100,
After being collected from the cleaning unit 105 and the transfer unit 103, the collected toner (t) discharged from the discharge port 1a of the collected toner discharge unit 1 and conveyed into the cylindrical filter unit 2 has a thickness equal to the thickness of the sieve unit 3. Is 0.12 mm to 0.20
0.11 mm inside diameter provided on the thin plate member 3a
The reusable collected toner (TT) and the waste toner (tt) are separated by the small hole 3b of about 0.18 mm, and the reusable collected toner (TT) is reused in the reusable toner container 4.
And the waste toner (tt) is collected in the waste toner container 5. The image forming process in the copying machine of the image forming apparatus 100 is basically the same as the conventional one, and
06, the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 102 is uniformly charged, and then image information of a document (not shown) placed on the
09, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 102 by the lens 110. This latent image is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 101. On the other hand, the transfer paper (P) is conveyed to the transfer means 103 via the registration rollers 112 by the paper supply means 111,
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 102 is transferred by the transfer unit 103 and sent to the fixing unit 113 by the transfer belt 103a. In the fixing means 113, the toner is fixed to the transfer paper (P), and the transfer paper (P) to which the toner is fixed is discharged.
14, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 115 and stored. The residual toner that has not been transferred onto the transfer paper (P) and adhered to the photosensitive drum of the image carrier 102 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 105 a of the cleaning unit 105, and
16, through the collected toner transport path 104,
The recovery collected toner discharged from the discharge port 1a ₁ of the discharge port 1a of the collected toner discharging means 1 to the toner classifier in 0 (t) is separated. Further, the surface of the transfer belt 103a of the transfer unit 103 is also
2 is soiled by toner (T) on the photosensitive drum and paper dust from the transfer paper (P), but is scraped off by the cleaning blade of the transfer cleaning means 103b, and is conveyed by the conveying screw 117 via the collected toner conveying path 104. the collected toner is discharged from the discharge port 1a ₂ recovery the discharge port 1a of the collected toner discharging means 1 to toe classifier in 0 (t) is adapted to be fractionated.

In FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the discharge port 1a _{1 of the} discharge port 1a connected to the transport screw 116 is provided.
Collected toner discharged from the (t) is sent to the filter means in the second stowed tubular into the case 0a via path 1a _11. Further, the collected toner discharged from the discharge port 1a ₂ of the discharge port 1a connected to the conveying screw 117 (t) is the filter means of the cylindrical shape housed in the case 0a via path 1a ₂₁ 2 Sent inside. These are collected and a plurality of the outlets 1a are collected.
₁ and collected toner discharged from the discharge port 1a ₂ (t)
Is transported into the filter means 2 by the route 1a ₁₁
And by a driving source transporting screw 6a incorporated in the pipe fixing member 6 which communicates with the path 1a ₂₁ is not shown, via a drive gear 6b, it is done by rotating by receiving a driving force. The filter means 2 for separating the collected toner (t) has one end 2a and the other end 2b fitted to the pipe of the fixing member 6 fixedly held by a support means 7, and the filter means 2 receives the toner from the transport screw 6a. It is designed to rotate in response to rotational driving. That is, one end of the transport screw 6a is integrated with the other end 2b of the filter means 2 via the support means 7, so that the integrated members 6a, 7, 2 rotate relative to the fixed member 6. . One end 8a of the separation promoting auxiliary means 8 is fixedly attached to a pipe portion of the fixing member 6 fitted into the cylindrical plate member 3a of the sieve portion 3 of the filter means 2. . On the other hand, the other free end 8b of the separation promoting means 8 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface inside the cylindrical shape of the plate member 3a of the sieve portion 3 so that the collected toner (t) is removed. The sieve portion 3 is sandwiched between the plate member 3a and the inner peripheral surface inside the cylindrical shape of the plate member 3a and pressed to facilitate passage through the hole 3b and pushed out to prevent clogging. The separation promotion assisting means 8 is a flexible member,
It is effective to use a brush-shaped member such as bristles or a film-shaped member of a PET film piece. That is, one end of the separation promoting means is fixed to the fixed-side pipe 6, and its free end 8b is brought into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface inside the cylindrical shape of the plate member 3a of the sieve portion 3 which rotates relatively. Has become.

The toner is collected from the cleaning means 105 or the transfer cleaning means 103b (not shown),
And the discharge port 1a ₁ of the discharge port 1a connected to the conveying screw 116, or collected toner discharged from the discharge port 1a ₂ of the discharge port 1a connected to the conveying screw 117 (t) is the path 1a ₁₁ Alternatively, the case 0 is connected via the path 1a ₂₁ and the transfer screw 6a.
The reusable toner (TT) sent into the cylindrical filter means 2 accommodated in the filter member 2 and passing through the hole 3b provided in the plate member 3a of the sieve portion 3 is indicated by an arrow A in the figure. Drop on the collection coil 9 in the direction
Reused toner transport path 4a and recovery port 4b leading to
Is collected in the reusable toner container 4 via the on the other hand,
The waste toner (tt) that cannot pass through the hole 3b provided in the plate member 3a of the sieve portion 3 is indicated by an arrow B in the drawing.
Drop on the collection coil 10 in the direction
The waste toner is collected in the waste toner container 5 via the waste toner transport path 5a and the recovery port 5b that lead to the waste toner container 5.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the filter means of another embodiment, and shows the cylindrical plate member 3a of the sieve section 3. As shown in FIG.
Can hold the quadrangular prism-shaped movable element 11 so as to freely move and roll with respect to the inner peripheral surface having the projection 3c provided inside. Accordingly, the rotation of the cylindrical plate member 3a of the sieve portion 3 causes the internal prismatic mover 11 inside to move and roll, thereby further increasing the stirring effect and the crushing effect on the recovered toner (t) by its rotation. ,
Even if the fluidity is poor at high temperatures, the recovered toner (t)
Without passing through the hole 3b without agglomeration.
To the separation position D in the direction, and abuts against the inner peripheral surface inside the cylindrical shape of the plate member 3a of the sieve portion 3 and is extruded to the outer peripheral surface. As we perform separation promotion assistance to take out and prevent clogging,
The separation efficiency can be further improved. FIG. 6 is another configuration example of an image forming apparatus using the classification device of the present invention.
The collected toner (t) collected from the cleaning unit 105 and the transfer cleaning unit 103b via the collected toner conveying path 104 is separated by the collected toner classifier 0, and then supplied to the toner supply unit mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. The information may be sent to the device 50. The reused toner (TT) separated by the collected toner classification device 0 is
The toner is collected by the toner supply device 50 from the collection port 51 via the reused toner transport path 4a. Agglomerated toner lumps, paper dust, and the like that are not suitable for reuse are recovered from the recovery port 5b to the exhaust toner container 5 through the waste toner transport path 5a. The toner supply device 50
Then, the collected reused toner (TT) is mixed with the new toner (T) supplied from the replenishment toner container 52 mounted horizontally, and then supplied to the developing unit 101. The developing means 101 and the toner supply device 50 are connected by a flexible mixture transport path 53, and the new toner (T) and the reusable toner supplied to the developing means 101 via the mixture transport path 53. (TT)
Is carried out by the powder pump unit 54. It is very effective that the air-fuel mixture conveyance path 53 is made of a flexible and excellent toner-resistant material such as nylon and Teflon (trade name). Therefore, the effective use of the collected reusable toner (TT) can be automated.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of a powder pump. As the powder pump unit 54, a conventionally known screw pump called a mono pump is used, and a rotor 54a, a stator 54b, and a holder 54c are used.
And so on. The rotor 54a is engaged with a drive motor of a drive source (not shown) via a drive shaft of a lateral transport screw 54d, and the rotor 54a is rotationally driven by rotation of the drive motor of the drive source. That is, the powder pump unit 54 is made of an elastic material such as a rubber material, and the rotor 54a connected to a drive motor of a drive source (not shown) via a drive shaft of the horizontal transport screw 54d. The toner supply device 50 includes the stator 54b fixed surrounding the stator 54a, the holder 54c holding the stator 54b, and the like.
The new toner (T) or the reused toner (TT) at the lower part of the horizontal transport screw 54d is introduced from the drive shaft of the horizontal transport screw 54d, and is transported toward the toner passage 54e by the rotation of the rotor 54a. Side surface of the stator 54b and the holder 54
c, for example, a gap 54 of about 1 mm
f, which communicates with the toner passage 54e. A gas supply port 54g for supplying gaseous air is provided so as to blow into the toner passage 54e from the gap 54f. That is, the gas supply port 54g are communicated with the toner passage 54e, and communicates via the gas discharge port 54h ₁ and the gas supply pipe 54h ₂ provided in the gas pump 54h. When the gas pump 54h is operated, the new toner (T) or re-use toner (TT) in the toner passage 54e through the gas supply pipe 54h ₂ and the gas supply port 54 g, for example, 0.5 to 1 0.0 liter /
Gas air is blown in at a rate of about one minute, and the toner passage 54 of the powder pump unit 54 is
e, new toner (T) or reused toner (TT)
Is promoted to be fluidized, and is discharged to the mixed gas transport path 53 in a mixed state with gaseous air and sent to the toner hopper 101a of the developing unit 101.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged views showing examples of the plate member of the sieve portion constituting the filter means. In FIGS. 8 to 10, the plate member of the sieve portion 3 is shown. 3a of the metal plate 3a ₁ the resin plate 3a ₂ thickness, 0.1
The shape of the hole 3b is as thin as 2 mm to 0.20 mm, the inner diameter or the inner diameter of a regular polygonal inscribed circle is 0.11 mm to 0.18 mm, and the aperture ratio is as small as 41%. Used toner (TT) amount (gf) / reused toner (TT) amount (gf) + waste toner (tt) amount (gf) = Square square which is advantageous in improving the separation rate (%) of collected toner (TT) Regular polygonal hole 3b ₁ (see FIG. 8) or fractionation rate (%)
A hexagonal hole 3b ₂ (see FIG. 9) that is not only advantageous for improving the strength of the plate member 3a, but also is less likely to be deformed and restricts the shape of the reused toner (TT).
The aggregate diameter of the collected toner (t) is changed to an inner diameter that is equal to or larger than the particle diameter of the spherically reused toner (TT) and smaller than twice the particle diameter of the reused toner (TT). A round hole 3b ₃ (see FIG. 10), which is disassembled into units and forms a high-quality image even when reused toner (TT) is used, is used. The hole 3b of the metal plate 3a _1, either performs press working on thin sheet material, such as by etching,
0.11mm length of inner diameter or inscribed circle of regular polygon
The opening ratio in ~0.18mm the positive square at 41% above regular polygon hole 3b ₁ (see Figure 8), or, the hexagonal 3b ₂ (see FIG. 9), or the round shape Hole 3b ₂
(See FIG. 10) is formed.

[0012] Also, the metal plate 3a _1, in consideration of preventing the occurrence of rust, for example. Non-magnetic materials such as stainless steel and phosphor bronze are suitable, but preferably, in terms of strength and non-magnetic properties, austenitic stainless steel “SUS”
301-CSP "," SUS304-CSP ", or phosphor bronze C5212P may be etched. When the metal plate 3a ₁ to the non-magnetic material, iron, a magnetic material having a magnetism at room temperature, such as flight stainless or martensitic stainless steel, may take on magnetic stress or the like of the processing, the The magnetic force prevents the carrier of the two-component developer, the one-component toner, and the like from being adsorbed and clogging, thereby preventing the separation from being hindered. The hole 3b of the resin plate 3a _2, upon molding, or by pressing the sheet material, the length of the inner diameter of the inscribed circle of the inner diameter or regular polygon, the aperture ratio 0.11mm~0.18mm the 41
%, The regular polygonal hole 3b ₁ (see FIG. 8), the hexagonal shape 3b ₂ (see FIG. 9), or the circular hole 3b ₂ (see FIG. 10). It is formed.

[0013] As the sheet material of the resin plate 3a ₂ is
In consideration of strength and toughness, for example, PBT, PA, PC,
PET or the like is suitable and the regular polygonal hole 3b ₁ (see FIG. 8) or the hexagonal shape 3b ₂ (see FIG. 9) of the small hole 3b at the time of sheet molding, or the circle When the shape hole 3b ₃ (see FIG. 10) is formed at the same time, a material having good fluidity is selected. The size of the hole 3b formed on the metal plate 3a ₁ The above resin plate 3a ₂ of the plate member 3a of the phloem 3 may be maximized within the allowable range, too large reuse toner If the (TT) block is allowed to pass, an abnormal image will be generated at the time of reuse, so that the optimal size is selected. The plate member 3a of the sieve section 3
The metal plate 3a ₁ The above hole 3b on the resin plate 3a ₂ of
It is sufficient to maximize the aperture ratio of the number of the holes 3b per unit area within an allowable range.
Too narrow the interval b, the strength of the metal plate 3a ₁ The above resin plate 3a ₂ of the plate member 3a is reduced, although not shown broken stress such as vibration of the inductor 11. Therefore, the metal plate 3a ₁ of the plate member 3a of the sieve portion 3
The thickness of the resin plate 3a ₂ may be minimized within an allowable range. However, if the thickness is too small, the strength is reduced, and the resin plate 3a ₂ is damaged by stress such as vibration of the inductor 11 (not shown). However, the thickness is much smaller than in the conventional case, and the amount of reused toner (TT) (gf) / the amount of reused toner (TT) (gf) + the amount of waste toner (tt) (gf) = collected toner It has become possible to improve the fractionation rate (%) of (TT). Further, the regular polygonal hole 3b ₁ (see FIG. 8) of the regular square of the hole 3b or the hexagonal shape 3b ₂
(See FIG. 9) Or, the above-mentioned plate 3a provided with the above-mentioned round hole 3b ₃ (see FIG. 10) is cut into a predetermined size, rounded into a cylindrical shape, and a rib-shaped housing whose periphery is not shown. If it is held by, it is much easier to suppress the variation in the shape and size of the hole 3b than in the conventional case,
Stable separation of the recovered toner (t) has been performed.

[0014]

According to the present invention, as described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the collected toner after image forming processing is discharged from the collected toner discharging means into the filter means for discharging the collected toner. A plurality of holes are provided in the plate member of the sieve portion for separating the collected toner, and the collected toner is separated. Therefore, the variation in the shape and size of the mesh is reduced and the thickness of the mesh is relatively thin. This makes it possible to provide a collected toner classifying apparatus that separates collected toner in a stable manner, has a high separation rate of collected toner, and separates collected toner to form a high-quality image. The holes are formed by punching, etching, etc. in the cylindrical member instead of using a mesh body in which the wire is knitted in a mesh shape as in the prior art, so the stability of the hole shape is secured. It becomes possible. According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of holes are formed in the metal plate of the plate member of the sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means. It is provided to separate the collected toner, so that it has sufficient strength even if the brush or the mover of the separation promoting auxiliary means abuts, and the variation in the shape and size of the mesh is reduced and the thickness of the mesh is adjusted. Can be selected relatively thin, the separation of collected toner is stable, the separation rate of collected toner is high,
It has become possible to provide a collected toner classification device for separating collected toner that forms a high-quality image. According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of rust-preventive metal plates of a plate member of a sieve for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter unit from which the collected toner after the image forming process is discharged from the collected toner discharge unit. Since the holes are provided to separate the collected toner, the toner has sufficient strength even when the separation assisting brush or the abutment comes into contact, and the mesh shape and size variation are small and uniform. It is possible to select a relatively thin thickness, to stabilize the separation of the collected toner, to increase the separation rate of the collected toner, and to provide a collected toner classification device that separates the collected toner to form a high-quality image. I can do it. According to the invention of claim 4, the non-magnetic material metal plate of the plate member of the sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means is discharged. Since a plurality of holes are provided to separate the collected toner, the toner has sufficient strength even when the brush or the moving element of the separation promoting auxiliary means abuts, and the variation in mesh shape and size is uniform. The thickness of the mesh can be selected to be relatively small, and the separation of the collected toner is stable, the separation rate of the collected toner is high, and the clogging and separation of the collected toner that forms a high-quality image is hindered. Thus, it is possible to provide a device for classifying the collected toner without performing any operation. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of holes are formed in the resin plate of the plate member of the sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means. The collected toner is separated so that the cost is low, the variation in mesh shape and size is uniform, the mesh thickness can be selected relatively thin, and the separation of collected toner is stable. ,
The separation rate of the collected toner is high, and it is possible to provide a collected toner classification device that separates the collected toner that forms a high-quality image. According to the invention of claim 6, a plurality of regular polygonal holes are formed in the plate member of the sieve section for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means. Since it is provided to separate the collected toner, variations in the shape and size of the mesh are small and uniform, and the thickness of the mesh can be selected to be relatively small. It is possible to provide a collected toner classifying apparatus that separates collected toner that forms a high-quality image with a higher separation rate. According to the invention of claim 7,
A plurality of hexagonal holes are provided in a plate member of a sieve for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means from which the collected toner after the image forming process is discharged from the collected toner discharging means so that the collected toner is separated. Therefore, the strength of the plate member is improved, the shape is less likely to be distorted, the shape of the reused toner is more regulated, the variation in the shape and size of the mesh is reduced and the mesh thickness is selected to be relatively thin. Becomes possible,
It has become possible to provide a collected toner classifying apparatus for separating collected toner that forms a high-quality image by stably collecting collected toner and increasing the separation rate of collected toner. According to the invention of claim 8, a plurality of round holes are provided in the plate member of the sieve portion for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means for discharging the collected toner after the image forming process from the collected toner discharging means. As the collected toner is separated, the variation in the shape and size of the mesh is made uniform and the mesh thickness can be selected to be relatively thin, so that the collected toner can be separated stably and the collected toner can be separated. Thus, it is possible to provide a collected toner classifying apparatus that separates collected toner that forms higher quality images. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing means to which the reused toner separated by the collected toner classifying apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is supplied. Since the toner image formed on the image carrier that carries the toner image is transferred to the transfer target body by the transfer unit to form the image, variations in the shape and size of the mesh are reduced, and the mesh is aligned. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can select a relatively small thickness, stably separate collected toner, has a high separation rate of collected toner, and forms a high-quality image even when the collected toner is used. Became.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a collected toner classifying apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a collected toner classification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another main part of the collected toner classification device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part of a collected toner classification device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view schematically illustrating a collected toner classifying apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of an image forming apparatus provided with a collected toner classification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view for explaining another main part of the collected toner classification device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view illustrating a main part of a collected toner classification device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating a main part of a collected toner classification device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

0 Collected toner classification device, 0a case 1 Collected toner discharge means, 1a discharge port, 1a ₁ discharge port, 1a ₁₁ path, 1a ₂ discharge port, 1a ₂₁ path 2 filter means, 2a one end, 2b other end 3 sieve , 3a plate member, 3a ₁ metal plate, 3a ₂ resin plate, 3b hole, 3b ₁ regular polygon hole, 3b ₂ 6 triangular shape hole, 3b ₃ rounded holes, 3c projections 4 reusable toner container, 4a reuse toner Transport route,
4b Collection port 5 Waste toner container, 5a Waste toner transport path,
5b Collection port 6 Fixing member, 6a Conveyor screw, 6b Driving gear 7 Supporting means, 8 Separation promoting auxiliary means, 8a end, 8b free end 9 Collection coil, 10 Collection coil, 11 mover, 5
0 toner supply device, 51 collection port, 52 replenishment toner container, 53 mixture air conveyance path, 54 powder pump unit, 54a rotor, 54b stator, 54c holder, 54d horizontal conveyance screw, 54e toner passage, 54f gap, 54g gas supply Port, 54h gas pump, 54h ₁ gas discharge port, 54h ₂ gas supply pipe 100 image forming apparatus 101 developing means, 101a toner hopper 102 image carrier 103 transfer means, 103a transfer belt, 103b
Transfer cleaning means 104 Collected toner transport path 105 Cleaning means, 105a Cleaning blade 106 Charging means, 107 Contact glass, 108
Lamp, 109 mirror group, 110 lens, 111
Paper feeding means, 112 registration roller, 113 fixing means, 114 paper discharge roller, 115 paper discharge tray, 116
Transport screw, 117 Transport screw

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Fumi Ito 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Tsutomu Kato 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Share F-term in Ricoh Company (reference) 2H034 CB02 2H077 AA37 AC16 CA01 4D021 AA15 AB01 AC01 AC10 CA11 DB12 EA10

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A collected toner classifying apparatus for separating collected toner after image forming processing, a collected toner discharging means for discharging collected toner after image forming processing, and a filter for discharging collected toner from the collected toner discharging means. And a sieve section for separating the collected toner discharged into the filter means, wherein the sieve section has a shape provided with a plurality of holes in a plate member. 2. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 1, wherein the plate member is a metal plate. 3. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 2, wherein the metal plate is a rust-preventive metal plate for preventing generation of rust. 4. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 2, wherein the metal plate is made of a non-magnetic material. 5. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 1, wherein the plate member is a resin plate. 6. The collected toner classification device according to claim 1, wherein the holes are regular polygonal holes. 7. The recovered toner classification device according to claim 6, wherein the regular polygonal hole is a hexagonal hole. 8. The collected toner classification device according to claim 1, wherein the holes are round holes. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the latent image on the image bearing member is visualized in an electrophotographic system to form an image by using the collected toner after the image forming process as the toner for forming the toner image. 9. The collected toner classifying apparatus according to any one of the above items 8 to 8, a developing unit to which the reused toner separated by the collected toner classifying apparatus is supplied, and an electrostatic latent image visualized by the developing unit. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image carrier for carrying a toner image; and a transfer unit for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to a body to be transferred.