JP2012032698A - Toner storage container, image formation device and method for recycling toner storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner storage container that facilitates recycling while reducing a waste discharge amount.SOLUTION: The toner storage container comprises a cylindrical part 321 constituting a toner filling port to fill a toner cartridge 300 with toner, a cap 312 attached to the cylindrical part 321 after filling toner to close the cylindrical part 321, a conductive part (a first conductive member) 323 provided on a surface of the cylindrical part 321 opposed to the cap 312, and a conductive part (a second conductive member) 314 provided on a surface of the cap 312 opposed to the conductive part 323. The conductive part 323 and the conductive part 314 are adhered to each other using an electrically debonding adhesive 330.

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner container that contains toner used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus including the toner container, and a method for recycling the toner container.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, multifunction machines, and printers are known.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of an image carrier (photosensitive member), the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner supplied from a developing device, and the obtained toner image is converted into a toner image. It is designed to be transferred and fixed on a sheet such as paper. For this reason, when the remaining amount of toner, which is a consumable item, decreases, the toner storage container that stores the toner is replaced with one that is filled with the toner.

Also, in recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental measures, it has been required to reduce the amount of trash to reduce the amount of CO ₂ emitted by incineration of trash, and to reuse those that can be reused (recyclable). ing. The toner container (toner cartridge) used in the image forming apparatus is no exception and is required to be reused as much as possible.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a cap that is press-fitted into a toner filling port of a toner container is cut into a portion of the cap other than the fitting portion with the toner filling port, and is bent in the toner filling port. Thus, a method for disassembling the toner container is disclosed in which the cap is lowered in rigidity, the fitting state is released, and then the cap is removed.

JP 2000-137375 A (published May 16, 2000)

Taiyo Wire Mesh Co., Ltd., “Product Information Electrically Releaseable Adhesive Elect Release”, [Online], search on July 21, 2010, Internet <URL: http://www.twc-net.co.jp/catalog/ genre / g060 / 061 / post-13.html>

  However, although the technique of Patent Document 1 can reuse the toner container main body, there is a problem that the cap cannot be reused and the cap is discharged as dust.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toner container that can be easily recycled while suppressing the amount of discharged dust, and an image forming apparatus using the toner container. And a method for recycling the toner container.

  The toner storage container of the present invention is a toner storage container that stores toner, a toner filling port for filling the toner storage container with the toner, and the toner filling port that is attached to the toner filling port after the toner is filled. A cap for closing the mouth; a first conductive member provided on a surface of the toner filling port facing the cap; and a second conductive member provided on a surface of the cap facing the first conductive member. The first conductive member and the second conductive member are bonded to each other by an electrically-peeling adhesive that causes peeling between the first conductive member and the second conductive member by applying a voltage. It is characterized by being attached.

  According to the above configuration, the cap can be easily removed from the toner filling port simply by applying a voltage between the first conductive member and the second conductive member. There is no risk of damaging the filling port. Further, when the toner container and the cap are reused, they can be easily reused simply by adhering the first conductive member and the second conductive member with an electrically peelable adhesive after refilling the toner. Accordingly, both the toner container and the cap can be easily recycled, and the amount of dust generated can be reduced.

  Further, in a state where the cap is attached to the toner filling port, at least a part of the first conductive member or a conductive member electrically connected to the first conductive member, and the second conductive member or the above A part of the conductive member that is electrically connected to the second conductive member may be exposed to the outside.

  According to the above configuration, at least a part of the first conductive member or the conductive member electrically connected to the first conductive member, and the second conductive member or the second conductive member are electrically connected. Since a part of the conductive member is exposed, when removing the cap, the process of applying a voltage between the first conductive member and the second conductive member can be easily performed.

  The toner container has a substantially cylindrical container body, and the toner filling port is provided so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the container body in the axial direction of the container body. Cylindrical cylindrical protrusions that allow the interior and exterior of the housing main body to conduct, the cylindrical first conductive member provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusions, the cylindrical protrusions, and the above The first conductive member is in contact with the end of the first conductive member far from the container main body, the inner peripheral surface substantially coincides with the inner peripheral surface of the first conductive member, and the outer diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical protruding portion. A container side flange made of a large conductive member, wherein the first conductive member and the container side flange are integrally formed or electrically connected to each other, and the cap is cylindrical or A cylindrical main body and a circle provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body The second conductive member in the shape of a disk, and a disc-shaped cap side flange that is in contact with one end of the main body and the second conductive member, and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the main body, A part of the cap side collar is provided with a penetrating portion that penetrates from the surface on the main body portion side to the surface opposite to the main body portion, and the second conductive member is interposed through the penetrating portion. In addition, the cap side flange may include a protrusion exposed on the surface opposite to the main body, and the container side flange may have a larger outer diameter than the cap side flange. .

  According to the above configuration, in the state where the cap is attached to the toner filling port, the container side flange that is formed integrally with or electrically connected to the first conductive member, and the second conductive member And a protruding portion provided on the outside are exposed to the outside. For this reason, when removing a cap, the process which applies a voltage between a 1st conductive member and a 2nd conductive member can be easily performed using the protrusion part provided in the container side collar part and the cap. .

  The first conductive member and the second conductive member may be any one of brass, stainless steel, aluminum, and iron.

  According to the above configuration, the adhesion between the first conductive member and the second conductive member by the electrically peelable adhesive can be improved, and the cap is filled with toner by applying a voltage between the two conductive members. It can be easily removed from the mouth.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes any one of the above-described toner storage containers.

  According to the above configuration, both the toner container and the cap can be easily recycled, and the amount of dust generated can be reduced.

  In the method for recycling a toner container according to the present invention, a DC voltage is applied between the first conductive member and the second conductive member to separate the conductive peelable adhesive from the conductive members. Removing the cap from the toner filling port; refilling the toner into the toner container via the toner filling port; and refilling the toner, and then the second conductive material in the first conductive member. Applying a current-peeling adhesive to at least one of a surface facing the member and a surface facing the first conductive member in the second conductive member, the first conductive member and the second conductive member And a step of attaching the cap to the toner filling port by adhering to the toner filling port.

  According to the above method, the cap can be easily removed from the toner filling port simply by applying a voltage between the first conductive member and the second conductive member. There is no risk of damaging the filling port. In addition, the toner container and the cap can be easily reused simply by adhering the first conductive member and the second conductive member with the electrically peelable adhesive after refilling the toner. Accordingly, both the toner container and the cap can be easily recycled, and the amount of dust generated can be reduced.

  As described above, the toner container of the present invention includes a toner filling port for filling the toner in the toner container, a cap attached to the toner filling port after the toner is filled, and closing the toner filling port, A first conductive member provided on a surface of the toner filling port facing the cap; a second conductive member provided on a surface of the cap facing the first conductive member; and the first conductive member. The cap is attached to the toner filling port by adhering the second conductive member and the second conductive member with a current-peeling adhesive that peels off the object to be adhered by applying a voltage.

Therefore, both the toner container and the cap can be easily recycled, and the amount of dust generated can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the amount of CO ₂ emission at the time of garbage incineration and contribute to prevention of global warming.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a cap is attached to a toner filling port in the toner container according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including the toner container illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an appearance of a toner container illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a peripheral portion of a toner filling port in the toner storage container illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a cap attached to the toner container illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner filling port in the toner storage container illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a cap is attached to a toner filling port in the toner storage container illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a process for removing a cap from a toner filling port in the toner container shown in FIG. 1. (A)-(d) is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of the cap with which the toner storage container shown in FIG. 1 is mounted | worn.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to a color image forming apparatus.

(1-1. Overall Configuration of Multifunction Device 10)
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of the multifunction machine 10 including the image forming apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 10 includes a scanner 1 and an image forming apparatus 11.

  The scanner 1 reads a document and acquires the image data. A conventionally known scanner can be used as the scanner 1.

  The image forming apparatus 11 is image data obtained by reading a document with the scanner 1, image data received by a communication device (not shown) from an external device communicably connected via a network, or detachably mounted. An image corresponding to image data read from an external storage device (not shown) is formed on a recording material.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 11 includes an exposure unit 13, a developing device 15, a photosensitive drum 17, a charger 19, a cleaner unit 21, a fixing unit 23, a paper feed tray 25, a paper transport path 31, and a refeed. A paper conveyance path 83, a reverse conveyance path 99, a paper discharge tray 33, and the like are provided.

  Note that the paper transport path 31 passes from the paper feed tray 25 to the junction C (a connection point between the paper transport path 31 and the re-feed transport path 83), the image transfer unit 47, and the fixing processing unit 66, and the paper discharge tray 33. It is formed in the range to reach. The re-feed conveyance path 83 is a conveyance path that branches from a branch point T between the fixing unit 23 and the paper discharge tray 33 in the paper conveyance path 31, and is formed so as to reach the junction C from the branch point T. This is the transport path that is being used. The registration roller 29 is disposed on the upstream side of the image transfer unit 47 in the paper conveyance path 31.

  The charger 19 is a charging unit for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 to a predetermined potential. In the image forming apparatus 11 of FIG. 2, the charger type charger 19 is used, but a contact roller type charger or a brush type charger may be used.

  The exposure unit 13 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser irradiation unit 35 and a reflection mirror 37 as shown in FIG. 2, but is not limited to LSU. For example, the light emitting elements are arranged in an array. The exposure unit may be an EL or LED writing head.

  The LSU may be either a one-beam LSU, a two-beam LSU for high-speed printing, or a four-beam LSU. In this embodiment, two lasers are used as shown in FIG. A two-beam LSU in which the irradiation units 35 and 35 are configured is employed.

  The exposure unit 13 exposes the photosensitive drum 17 uniformly charged by the charger 19 according to the image data, whereby an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 17.

  The developing unit 15 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 17 by developing it with toner.

  A toner replenishing device 30 for replenishing toner to the developing device 15 is provided in the vicinity of the developing device 15. The toner replenishing device 30 temporarily stores a toner cartridge (toner storage container) 300 that stores toner and the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 300, and is necessary when the amount of toner in the developing device 15 decreases. Accordingly, a toner hopper 30a for supplying the stored toner to the developing device 15 is provided. The toner cartridge 300 is detachable from the multifunction machine 10 so that the toner cartridge 300 can be replaced when the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge 300 decreases. Details of the toner cartridge 300 will be described later.

  The toner image (image) visualized on the photosensitive drum 17 is transferred onto the paper in the image transfer unit 47. The cleaner unit 21 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 after development and image transfer.

  The transfer belt unit 39 is for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 17 to a sheet in the image transfer unit 47. The transfer belt unit 39 is applied with an electric field having a polarity opposite to that of the charge on the toner on the photosensitive drum 17, and the toner on the photosensitive drum 17 is transferred onto the sheet by the electric field. For example, when the toner on the photosensitive drum 17 has a negative polarity charge, the polarity of the electric field applied to the transfer belt unit 39 becomes a positive polarity.

  The transfer belt unit 39 includes a drive roller 41, a driven roller 43, an elastic conductive roller 49, a roller 96, and a transfer belt 45 that spans these rollers 41, 43, 49, and 96.

The transfer belt 45 is a belt member having a volume resistance value in a range of 1 × 10 ⁹ Ω · cm to 1 × 10 ¹³ Ω · cm.

  An elastic conductive roller 49 for applying a transfer electric field is disposed in the vicinity of the image transfer portion 47, which is a region where the photosensitive drum 17 and the transfer belt 45 are in contact with each other. The elastic conductive roller 49 has elasticity. As a result, the photosensitive drum 17 and the transfer belt 45 are not in line contact but in surface contact with each other with a predetermined width (referred to as a transfer nip). As a result, the transfer efficiency of the toner image onto the conveyed paper is improved.

  Further, on the downstream side of the image transfer section 47 of the transfer belt 45, a charge eliminating roller is used to neutralize the sheet charged by the voltage applied when passing through the image transfer section 47 and smoothly carry it to the next process. 51 is arranged. The neutralizing roller 51 is disposed on the back surface of the transfer belt 45.

  Further, the transfer belt unit 39 is provided with a cleaning unit 53 that removes toner stains on the transfer belt 45 and a static elimination mechanism 55 that neutralizes the transfer belt 45. As a charge removal method by the charge removal mechanism 55, there is a method in which the transfer belt 45 is grounded through an apparatus, or a method in which an electric field having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the transfer electric field is positively applied to the transfer belt 45. The sheet on which the toner image (image) is transferred by the transfer belt unit 39 is conveyed to the fixing unit 23.

  The fixing unit 23 includes a heating roller 57 and a pressure roller 59, and a sheet peeling claw 61, a thermistor 63 (roller surface temperature detection member), and a roller surface cleaning member 65 are disposed on the outer periphery of the heating roller 57. . A heat source 67 for heating the surface of the roller to a predetermined temperature (fixing set temperature: approximately 160 to 200 ° C.) is disposed inside the heating roller 57.

  At both ends of the pressure roller 59, a mechanism such as a load spring is configured, and the pressure roller 59 is pressed against the heating roller 57 with a predetermined load by this mechanism. Further, similarly to the outer periphery of the heating roller 57, a sheet peeling claw and a roller surface cleaning member are disposed on the outer periphery of the pressure roller 59.

  The fixing unit 23 has a fixing processing unit (also referred to as a fixing nip unit) 66 that is a pressure contact portion between the heating roller 57 and the pressure roller 59. The unfixed toner image is thermally fixed on the paper.

  The paper feed tray 25 is a tray for storing sheets (recording materials) used for printing. In the image forming apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment, the paper feed tray 25 includes a photosensitive drum 17 and a transfer belt unit 39. It is provided below the image forming unit and in the vicinity of the side wall of the apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, a plurality of paper feed trays 25 capable of storing 500 to 1500 fixed-size sheets are arranged to enable continuous printing on a large amount of sheets. Further, on the side of the apparatus, there is a large-capacity paper feed cassette 73 that can store a plurality of different types of paper in large quantities, and a manual feed tray 75 that is mainly used for printing on irregular-size paper. Has been placed.

  The paper discharge tray 33 is disposed on the side of the apparatus opposite to the manual feed tray 75. However, the paper discharge tray 33 is removed, and a post-processing device (stapling, punching, etc.) of discharged paper or a multi-stage paper discharge is performed. The tray can be arranged as an option.

  Next, a paper conveyance path when printing processing is performed in the image forming apparatus 11 will be described.

  When a print request (print request command) is input to the image forming apparatus 11, the paper is supplied to the paper transport path 31 by the pickup roller 70 from the paper feed tray 25 in which the paper conforming to the print request is stored. The Then, the sheet is conveyed to the registration roller 29 disposed upstream of the image transfer unit 47 in the sheet conveyance path 31 via the junction C, and is temporarily stopped.

  Further, the registration roller 29 is rotated again at a timing such that the leading edge of the sheet coincides with the leading edge of the toner image (image) on the photosensitive drum 17 in the image transfer unit 47, and the sheet is conveyed to the image transfer unit 47. As a result, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 17 is transferred to the surface (front surface) of the sheet in the image transfer unit 47, and the sheet is guided to the fixing unit 23 and transferred to the sheet in the fixing unit 23. The toner is fixed (thermally fixed) on the paper.

  Thereafter, the paper transport path is switched according to the single-sided printing mode / double-sided mode. Specifically, in the single-sided printing mode, the gate of the transport path switching mechanism 80 in FIG. 2 is turned so that the front and back of the paper discharged from the fixing unit 23 are reversed and then the paper is guided to the paper discharge tray 33. The direction is switched. In the double-sided printing mode, the direction of the gate of the transport path switching mechanism 80 is switched so that the paper discharged from the fixing unit 23 is turned upside down and then the paper is sent to the refeed transport path 83. . Then, the sheet sent to the sheet refeed conveyance path 83 passes through the sheet refeed conveyance path 83 and is sent again to the sheet conveyance path 31 via the junction C. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed again to the image transfer unit 47, and the image transfer unit 47 transfers the image to the back surface. Thereafter, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 33 through the fixing unit 23.

(1-2. Configuration of Toner Cartridge 300)
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the toner cartridge 300. As shown in this figure, the toner cartridge 300 includes a substantially cylindrical container main body 310 and a support member 350 provided so as to cover a part of the circumferential surface of the container main body 310 in the entire circumferential direction. Yes.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion on one bottom surface 318 side (the bottom surface side arranged on the depth direction side in FIG. 2) of the container main body 310 of the toner cartridge 300.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottom surface 318 is provided with a cylindrical portion 321 that functions as a toner filling port, and a cap 312 that is attached to the cylindrical portion 321 and closes the toner filling port. The cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 321 is concentric with the cross section of the container main body 310 perpendicular to the axial direction. Further, both bottom surfaces of the cylindrical portion 321 are open, and the container main body 310 is filled with toner through the inside of the cylindrical portion 321. After the toner filling, the opening on the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 321 far from the container main body 310 is closed by the cap 312. That is, the toner filling port is closed by the cap 312. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the cap 312 is attached to the cylindrical portion 321 with an electrically peelable adhesive.

  Further, around the cylindrical portion 321 on the bottom surface 318 of the container main body 310, the container main body 310 is connected to a connecting portion (none of which is shown) provided in the rotation driving means provided in the multifunction machine 10. Four fitting protrusions 311 are provided. Each of the fitting projections 311 is arranged on the radiation passing through the axis of the cylindrical portion 321 so that the two fitting projections 311 are positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to the axis. By connecting these fitting convex portions 311 to a connecting portion (coupling) provided in the rotation driving means of the multifunction machine 10, the container body 310 is centered on the cylindrical axis line by the driving force transmitted from the rotation driving means. It is supposed to rotate as.

  In addition, a plurality of groove portions 331 a and groove portions 331 b that are recessed toward the inner surface side of the container body 310 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the container body 310. Thereby, the position corresponding to each groove part 331a * 331b in the internal peripheral surface of the container main body 310 is the protrusion part which protrudes toward the cylindrical-axis direction of the container main body 310. As shown in FIG.

  Each of the groove portions 331a and 331b extends with an inclination to the side slightly away from the support member 350 with respect to the circumferential direction of the container main body 310 than the rotation direction of the container main body 310, and the groove portions 331a and the groove portions 331b are It is formed so as to extend in a substantially parallel direction. That is, the protrusions on the back side of the grooves 331 a and 331 b on the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 310 are linearly formed on the inner peripheral surface of the container main body 310. Further, a discharge port (not shown) for discharging the toner contained in the container main body 310 to the toner hopper 30a is provided at a position covered by the support member 350 in the container main body 310. The discharge port is closed by a sealing member such as a seal member or a shutter member before the toner cartridge 300 is mounted on the multifunction device 10, and the sealing member is used when the toner cartridge 300 is mounted on the multifunction device 10. The obstruction due to is released and is opened. The container body 310 having such a shape can be formed by molding a resin material such as HDPE (high density polyethylene) resin.

  The support member 350 rotatably supports the container main body 310 and is mounted on the multifunction machine 10 by fitting the toner cartridge 300 with the toner hopper 30a. Further, the support member 350 is a part of the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 310 and covers a region including the discharge port provided in the container main body 310 over the entire area in the circumferential direction. Both ends of the container body 310 in the extending direction are sealed by seal members (not shown) in order to prevent toner from leaking between the support member 350 and the container body 310. An opening 300a is provided at the bottom of the support member 350, and the toner discharged from the discharge portion of the container body 310 is supplied to the toner hopper 30a through the opening 300a.

  Accordingly, when the container main body 310 rotates, the toner stored in the container main body 310 is conveyed so as to be guided to the support member 350 side by the protrusions on the back side of the groove portions 331a and 331b. Then, the toner that has reached the discharge port provided at the position covered by the support member 350 is discharged from the container main body 310 into the support member 350 through the discharge port, and is then provided at the bottom of the support member 350. Then, the toner is supplied from the opening 300a to the toner hopper 30a.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the cap 312. As shown in this figure, the cap 312 has a cap body 313 and a conductive portion (second conductive member) 314.

  The cap main body 313 includes a cylindrical main body portion 313a having an outer diameter of 50 mm, an inner diameter of 47 mm, and a height of 30 mm, and a cylindrical flange portion 313b having a diameter of 53 mm and a thickness of 1.5 mm attached to one bottom surface of the main body portion 313a. And. In addition, a penetrating portion 313c penetrating from one surface of the flange portion 313b to the other surface is provided in the peripheral edge portion of the flange portion 313b. The material of the cap body 313 is not particularly limited, and for example, a resin material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and ABS can be used. The cap body 313 is not necessarily cylindrical, and may be a solid columnar shape. Further, the main body portion 313a and the flange portion 313b may be integrally formed. Further, the shape of the penetrating portion 313c is not limited to a rectangular shape, and when pressed into the conductive portion 314 as will be described later, the protruding portion 314b provided in the conductive portion 314 penetrates the flange portion 313b and is exposed to the outside. Any shape can be used.

  The conductive portion 314 includes a cylindrical portion 314a having an inner diameter of 50 mm, a wall thickness of 1 mm, an outer diameter of 52 mm, and a height of 27 mm, and a protruding portion 314b that is provided on one end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 314a and protrudes in the axial direction. Yes. The protruding portion 314b has a shape corresponding to the through portion 313c of the cap body 313. The material of the conductive portion 314 is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity and can be adhered by an electrically-peelable adhesive described later. For example, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, surface treatment (no electric field) Nickel-plated, unichrome-plated, chrome-plated, or the like can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cap 312 is formed by press-fitting the main body portion 313 a of the cap main body 313 into the cylindrical portion 314 a of the conductive portion 314. When the main body portion 313a of the cap body 313 is press-fitted into the cylindrical portion 314a of the conductive portion 314, a part of the protruding portion 314b of the conductive portion 314 is on the upper surface side of the flange portion 313b via the through portion 313c of the cap main body 313. It is exposed on the side opposite to the side where the cylindrical portion 314a of the conductive portion 314 is disposed.

  Although the thickness of the conductive portion 314 is not limited to 1 mm, it has a strength that prevents the cap body 313 from being crushed or damaged by press-fitting the cap body 313, and the above strength is ensured in order to reduce costs. It is preferable to make it as thin as possible. For example, when any of the above-described metal materials is used, the thickness of the conductive portion 314 is preferably 0.5 mm or greater and 2.0 mm or less.

  Further, the height of the protruding portion 314b is such that the upper surface of the protruding portion 314b is flush with the upper surface of the flange portion 313b (the side opposite to the side on which the cylindrical portion 314a is disposed) or protrudes from the flange portion 313b. That's fine. However, when the upper surface of the protruding portion 314b is further protruded from the flange portion 313b, when the toner cartridge 300 is attached to the multifunction device 10, the protruding portion 314b is connected to the rotation driving means provided in the multifunction device 10. It is preferable that the height be set so as not to interfere with the part.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the cylindrical portion 321 in the container main body 310. As shown in this figure, the cylindrical portion 321 includes a protruding portion (cylindrical protruding portion) 322 provided so as to protrude from the bottom surface 318 of the container main body 310 in the axial direction of the container main body 310, and a protruding portion 322. And a conductive portion (first conductive member) 323 that is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface. Note that both ends of the cylindrical portion 321 are open so as to function as a toner filling port 322a.

  The projecting portion 322 is made of the same material as the container body 310 and is provided integrally with the container body 310. The wall thickness of the protrusion part 322 and the container main body 310 is 1.5 mm. Moreover, the internal diameter of the protrusion part 322 is 54.5 mm, and height is 25 mm.

  The conductive portion 323 has an outer diameter of 54.5 mm, a wall thickness of 1 mm, an inner diameter of 52.5 mm, a height of 25 mm, a cylindrical portion 323a, and an inner diameter of 52.5 mm, a wall thickness of 1 mm, an outer diameter formed on one end side of the cylindrical portion 323a. 60.5 mm collar 323b. The material of the conductive portion 323 is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity and can be adhered by an electrically peelable adhesive described later. For example, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, surface treatment (nothing Iron subjected to electric field nickel plating, UNIQLO plating, chrome plating, or the like can be used.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a process of attaching the cap 312 to the cylindrical portion 321, and FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the cap 312 is attached to the cylindrical portion 321.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when attaching the cap 312 to the cylindrical portion 321, the conductive portion 314 of the cap 312 faces the conductive portion 323 of the cylindrical portion 321 and the cap 312 of the cylindrical portion 321 in the conductive portion 323. The cap 312 is bonded to the cylindrical portion 321 by applying the electrically peelable adhesive 330 to at least one of the surfaces facing the conductive portion 314 and then inserting the cap 312 into the cylindrical portion 321.

  Since the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 314a of the conductive portion 314 provided in the cap 312 is 52 mm and the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 323a of the conductive portion 323 provided in the cylindrical portion 321 is 52.5 mm, the cylindrical portion 314a and the cylindrical portion 323a A layer of electrically peelable adhesive 330 having an average thickness of 0.25 mm is formed therebetween.

The electrically peelable adhesive is an adhesive having such a property that the adhesive strength is lowered by passing an electric current and the interface between the adherend (adhered object) and the adhesive is peeled off. In the present embodiment, Elect Release E4 (see Non-Patent Document 1) manufactured by Taiyo Wire Mesh Co., Ltd. was used as the electrically peelable adhesive. When a DC voltage of 5 V to 50 V is applied between the first adherend and the second adherend bonded via the adhesive for about 10 seconds to several minutes, An electrochemical reaction occurs at the interface between the adherend and the adhesive to reduce the adhesive strength, and the interface between the adherend and the adhesive on the anode side peels off. At this time, the current flowing between the first adherend and the second adherend is about 1 mA / cm ^{2 in a} few seconds from the state of 5 mA / cm ² or more immediately after the start of voltage application in a room temperature environment. After a few minutes, it decreases to about 0.1 mA / cm ² and becomes substantially constant. In addition, by switching the polarity of the voltage applied to both adherends and performing the same process, both sides of the adhesive, that is, the interface between the first adherend and the adhesive, and the second adherend and the adhesive, Both of the interfaces can be peeled off. Further, the adhesive layer does not remain on the surface of the base material after peeling, and there is a property that gas generation or heat generation at the time of peeling does not occur.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state when the cap 312 is removed from the cylindrical portion 321. As shown in this figure, when removing the cap 312 from the used toner cartridge 300, the protruding portion 314b of the conductive portion 314 provided in the cap 312 and the flange portion 323b of the conductive portion 323 provided in the cylindrical portion 321 are used. A DC voltage is applied between the conductive portion 314 of the cap 312 and the conductive portion 323 of the cylindrical portion 321 by bringing the plus terminal 401 and the minus terminal 402 of the DC power supply 400 into contact with each other. Thereby, peeling arises between the electrically conductive part which made the plus terminal 401 contact, and the electrically-peeling adhesive. Thereafter, the conductive portion that makes contact with the positive terminal 401 and the conductive portion that makes contact with the negative terminal 402 are interchanged, and the same process is performed, so that the interface between the conductive portion 314 and the conductive peelable adhesive and the conductive portion 323 and the conductive portion are energized. Both interfaces with the peelable adhesive can be peeled off.

  The DC power supply 400 is not particularly limited as long as it can stably supply a DC voltage of 5V to 50V. For example, a wide range DC power supply PWR400L manufactured by Kikusui Electronics Co., Ltd. is used. Can do. For example, by applying a potential of +5 V to +50 V to the plus terminal 401 and connecting the minus terminal 402 to the ground potential, the electrically peelable adhesive 330 can be peeled off.

  As described above, in the toner cartridge 300 according to the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 321 that forms the toner filling port 322a and the cap 312 that closes the toner filling port 322a are bonded using the electrically peelable adhesive.

  This makes it possible to easily peel the cylindrical portion 321 and the cap 312 by reducing the adhesive strength simply by energizing the bonding surfaces of the cylindrical portion 321 and the cap 312. Need not be used.

  Further, the cap 312 can be removed without breaking the cap 312 and the cylindrical portion 321, and the adhesive layer does not remain on the cap 312 and the cylindrical portion 321, so that the toner cartridge 300 and the cap 312 can be easily removed. Can be reused. That is, when the toner cartridge 300 is refilled with toner and the toner cartridge is reused, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 321 (the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 323a in the conductive portion 323) of the toner cartridge 300 after toner refilling. ), And the toner adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the cap 312 (the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 314a of the conductive portion 314), and applying the electrically-peeling adhesive 330 to at least one of these surfaces to The cap 312 can be easily attached to the toner cartridge 300 and reused simply by being attached to the part 321.

  In the present embodiment, in a state where the cap 312 is attached to the cylindrical portion 321, a part of the conductive portion 323 (electrically connected to the cylindrical portion 323 a or integrally formed with the cylindrical portion 323 a is used. A flange 323b made of a material and a part of the conductive part 313a (a protruding part 314b provided on a part of the conductive part 313a) are exposed to the outside.

  Specifically, the cylindrical portion 321 is provided so as to protrude from the bottom surface of the container main body 310 in the extending direction of the container main body 310, and the cylindrical protrusion 322 that conducts between the inside and the outside of the container main body 310; The cylindrical conductive portion 323a provided on the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion 322, and the end of the protrusion 322 and the conductive portion 323a on the side far from the container main body 310 are in contact, and the inner peripheral surface is the inner periphery of the conductive portion 323a. And a flange portion 323b made of a conductive member that substantially matches the surface and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the protruding portion 322. The conductive portion 323a and the flange portion 323b are formed integrally or electrically with each other. The cap 312 includes a cylindrical or columnar main body 313a, a cylindrical conductive portion 314a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 313a, and the main body 313a and the conductive portion 314a. A disc-shaped flange portion 313b that is in contact with one end portion and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the main body portion 313a, and a part of the flange portion 313b has a main body portion 313a from a surface on the main body portion 313a side. A penetrating portion 313c that penetrates the surface opposite to the main body 313a is provided through the penetrating portion 313c, and a protruding portion 314b that is exposed to the surface opposite to the main body portion 313a is provided through the penetrating portion 313c. The outer diameter of the flange 323b is larger than the outer diameter of the flange 313b.

  For this reason, in the state where the cap 312 is attached to the cylindrical portion 321, the flange portion 323b and the protruding portion 314b are exposed to the outside, so that when the cap 312 is removed, a voltage is applied between the conductive portion 323a and the conductive portion 313a. The process to apply can be easily performed using the collar part 323b and the protrusion part 314b.

  In the present embodiment, only one penetrating part 313c and one protruding part 314b are provided. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the penetrating part 313c and the protruding part 314b are arranged along the circumferential direction of the circle formed by the flange part 313b. You may provide in multiple places. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), protrusions 314b and penetrations 313c may be provided at a total of two locations every 180 degrees along the circumferential direction with respect to the center of the circle formed by the flange 313b. 9 (b), protrusions 314b and penetrating parts 313c may be provided at a total of three positions every 120 degrees, and protrusions 314b and 314b may be provided at a total of four positions every 90 degrees as shown in FIG. The penetration part 313c may be provided, and as shown in FIG.9 (d), you may provide the protrusion part 314b and the penetration part 313c in a total of eight places for every 45 degree | times. Further, a larger number of protruding portions 314b and through portions 313c may be provided.

  By providing the projecting portion 314b and the through-portion 313c at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction of the flange portion 313b, when removing the cap 312, by applying a voltage through each of the projecting portions 314b, the current peeling property An electric current for reliably peeling the entire area of the cap 312 in the circumferential direction can be applied to the adhesive 330.

  That is, as described above, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 314a of the conductive portion 314 included in the cap 312 is 52 mm, and the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 323a of the conductive portion 323 included in the cylindrical portion 321 is 52.5 mm. A layer of electrically peelable adhesive 330 having an average thickness of 0.25 mm is formed between 314a and cylindrical portion 323a. However, since it is difficult to precisely match the center of the cylindrical portion 314a and the center of the cylindrical portion 323a when the cap 312 is attached, the film thickness of the electrically peelable adhesive 330 varies along the circumferential direction. May occur. For this reason, depending on the relative position with respect to the protrusion 314b and the distribution state of the film thickness of the electrically detachable adhesive 330, there is a possibility that a part where the electricity detachment hardly occurs or a time taken for the progress of the electricity detachment occurs. . On the other hand, by providing the protrusion 314b and the penetration part 313c at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction of the flange part 313b, the protrusion part to which the voltage is applied can be appropriately changed as necessary. It is possible to cause energization peeling over the entire circumferential direction.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a toner container that contains toner used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus that includes the toner container.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Multifunction machine 11 Image forming apparatus 30 Toner replenishing apparatus 30a Toner hopper 300 Toner cartridge (toner container)
300a Opening 310 Container body (container body)
311 Fitting convex part 312 Cap 313 Cap main body 313a Main body part 313b Eave part (cap side eaves part)
313c penetrating part 314 conductive part (second conductive member)
314a Cylindrical part (second conductive member)
314b Projection (second conductive member)
318 Bottom surface 321 Cylindrical portion (toner filling port)
322 Protrusion (cylindrical protrusion)
322a Toner filling port 323 Conductive portion (first conductive member)
323a Cylindrical part (first conductive member)
323b collar (container side collar)
330 Current-releasable adhesive 350 Support member 400 DC power supply 401 Positive terminal 402 Negative terminal

Claims (6)

A toner storage container for storing toner,
A toner filling port for filling the toner container with toner;
A cap that is attached to the toner filling port after toner filling and closes the toner filling port;
A first conductive member provided on a surface of the toner filling port facing the cap;
A second conductive member provided on a surface of the cap facing the first conductive member;
The cap is attached to the toner filling port by bonding the first conductive member and the second conductive member with a current-peeling adhesive that causes peeling between the first conductive member and the second conductive member by applying a voltage. A toner storage container.   In a state where the cap is attached to the toner filling port, at least a part of the first conductive member or a conductive member electrically connected to the first conductive member, the second conductive member or the second conductive member. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein a part of the conductive member electrically connected to the conductive member is exposed to the outside. The toner container has a substantially cylindrical container body,
The toner filling port is
A cylindrical projecting portion that is provided so as to project from the bottom surface of the container main body portion in the axial direction of the container main body portion, and that electrically connects the inside and the outside of the housing main body portion;
The cylindrical first conductive member provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion,
The cylindrical protrusion and the first conductive member are in contact with the end of the first conductive member far from the container main body, the inner peripheral surface substantially coincides with the inner peripheral surface of the first conductive member, and the outer diameter is the cylindrical shape. A container side flange made of a conductive member larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion,
The first conductive member and the container side flange are integrally formed or electrically connected to each other,
The cap is
A cylindrical or columnar body,
The cylindrical second conductive member provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body,
A disc-shaped cap side flange that contacts one end of the main body and the second conductive member and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the main body;
A part of the cap side collar portion is provided with a penetrating portion that penetrates from the surface on the main body portion side to the surface opposite to the main body portion,
The second conductive member includes a protruding portion that is exposed to a surface opposite to the main body portion in the cap side collar portion through the penetrating portion,
The toner storage container according to claim 2, wherein an outer diameter of the container side flange is larger than an outer diameter of the cap side flange.   4. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive member and the second conductive member are any one of brass, stainless steel, aluminum, and iron. 5.   An image forming apparatus comprising the toner container according to claim 1. A method for recycling a toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Applying a direct current voltage between the first conductive member and the second conductive member to separate the conductive peelable adhesive from the conductive members and removing the cap from the toner filling port; ,
Refilling the toner into the toner container through the toner filling port;
After the toner is refilled, the electrically conductive peelable adhesive is attached to at least one of the surface of the first conductive member facing the second conductive member and the surface of the second conductive member facing the first conductive member. Applying the agent;
A method for recycling a toner container, comprising: attaching the cap to the toner filling port by adhering the first conductive member and the second conductive member with the current-peeling adhesive.

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