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EP0431110A1 - Recipient de matiere particulaire. - Google Patents

Recipient de matiere particulaire.

Info

Publication number
EP0431110A1
EP0431110A1 EP90908909A EP90908909A EP0431110A1 EP 0431110 A1 EP0431110 A1 EP 0431110A1 EP 90908909 A EP90908909 A EP 90908909A EP 90908909 A EP90908909 A EP 90908909A EP 0431110 A1 EP0431110 A1 EP 0431110A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
cavity
toner
flange
opening
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP90908909A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0431110B1 (fr
Inventor
Frank C O Eastman Ko Hacknauer
Kenneth Dean C O Eastman Corby
Ronald Roy C O Eastman K Vacek
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US07/360,808 external-priority patent/US4997016A/en
Priority claimed from US07/360,811 external-priority patent/US4972887A/en
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Publication of EP0431110A1 publication Critical patent/EP0431110A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0431110B1 publication Critical patent/EP0431110B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0877—Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
    • G03G15/0881—Sealing of developer cartridges
    • G03G15/0886—Sealing of developer cartridges by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
    • G03G15/0849—Detection or control means for the developer concentration
    • G03G15/0855—Detection or control means for the developer concentration the concentration being measured by optical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/06—Developing structures, details
    • G03G2215/066—Toner cartridge or other attachable and detachable container for supplying developer material to replace the used material
    • G03G2215/0695—Toner cartridge or other attachable and detachable container for supplying developer material to replace the used material using identification means or means for storing process or use parameters

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a container for particulate material, and more particularly, to a container for supplying toner and other material to a receiving device therefor in a copier, printer, or other such apparatus.
  • This structure has been used extensively commercially and has successfully accomplished its mission of supplying toner in a clean environment.
  • the slide and cover protrude substantially from the sump.
  • the commercial use of this structure positions the slide parallel to the door, so that the container's movement is substantially parallel to that front door of the apparatus. This requires substantial room on one side of the receiving apparatus in the copier, which in fact has been available.
  • a black only model of the same product line may use a different toner usable with a different fusing apparatus which toner may have other attributes but would not be usable with the fusing apparatus usable with the color toners.
  • two similar apparatus would require the use of two different toners, in this case the black toners.
  • the wrong toner in a particular machine may well damage the machine or, at the least, not give good results.
  • U.S. Patent 4,538,651 issued to Lykins on September 3, 1985 suggests essentially the same container for two different types of toner. Insertion of either container in the wrong apparatus is prevented by a container that is symmetrical side to side and front to back except for the relative sizes of flanges on opposite sides. The container must be inserted one direction for one toner and the opposite for the other. The Katusha container could not be adapted to this approach, because of lack of such symmetry.
  • a toner container having a containing portion with an opening at its bottom and a cover movable relative to said containing portion between positions covering and uncovering said opening substantially as in the prior art.
  • the cover has a hinge around which a portion of the cover can be moved to an unprotruding position when in its uncovering position.
  • the toner container can be slid off the cover and onto the sump cavity by movement in a direction perpendicular to the front door of the apparatus and then the cover bent to a position out of the way permitting closing the door.
  • a receiving apparatus generally of the type described but which has means for guiding the flange of a received container as it moves from a position beside the cavity to position over the cavity along a path in which at least the leading portion of the flange is separated from the receiving surface adjoining the cavity.
  • This same guide means permits the flange to move on the surface adjoining the cavity as it returns to its position beside the cavity.
  • the means for guiding the flange includes at least one elongated insert positioned along a side of the cavity.
  • One end of the insert has a first cam surface forcing the flange to move along the top of the insert as the containing portion moves to its position over the toner cavity.
  • the other end of the insert has a second cam surface forcing the flange to move below the insert as it moves back to its position beside the cavity.
  • a container for supplying toner to a toner receiving apparatus as described above.
  • the container includes a containing portion having an opening in its bottom.
  • a flange is disposed on opposite sides of the opening. Means associated with the flange cooperate with the guide means of the receiving apparatus to guide the flange as it moves along a path separated from the receiving surface of the apparatus as the container moves to a position with its opening over the cavity.
  • the means cooperating with the guide means are extensions of the flange away from the opening.
  • the extensions are at the leading end of the flange.
  • These extensions ride on top of the guide means as the container is moved to its position with its opening over the cavity, forcing the leading part of the flange through a path separated from the receiving surface, greatly reducing the tendency of that movement to skive toner into the workings of the apparatus.
  • These extensions then ride under the guide means when the container is removed forcing the flange through a lower path skiving toner into the cavity or the container and removing toner from the higher path of the flange of the next container to be positioned over the cavity.
  • a toner container having a containing portion having an opening at its bottom.
  • the containing portion includes an interface portion surrounding the opening having opposite sides running generally parallel to the direction of intended movement of the toner container in its movement to a position over a sump cavity.
  • Protrusions from the opposite sides of the interface portion are positioned to mate with interfering means in the receiving apparatus to prevent an incorrect toner container being inserted in a particular receiving apparatus.
  • One of said protrusions is removed so that the container can be received by a receiving apparatus on which the interfering means positioned to interfere with the remaining container protrusion has been removed.
  • This latter object is also accomplished by receiving apparatus with interfering means positioned to mate with a protrusion on an incorrect container to prevent its receipt by the apparatus.
  • identical receiving apparatus and toner containers can be made for both machines having protrusions on both walls of the containers and interfering receiving means on the apparatus that would mate with both protrusions.
  • One of the protrusions on the toner container is removed in the factory according to which toner is placed in that container.
  • the appropriate interfering means in the apparatus can be removed in the factory or by the installing person in the field to determine the type of toner that receiving apparatus can receive.
  • identical manufacturing processes can be used for both models of apparatus and both models of toner container.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a toner container and a receiving apparatus constructed according to the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a top section of a portion of a toner container with its cover in a removed position with a few portions of a toner sump shown.
  • Fig. 3 is a front view of the bottom portion of the toner container and cover shown in Fig. 2 with a few portions of the toner sump shown.
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the toner container and cover shown in Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 5 is a top view of a toner sump, portions of which are shown in in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.
  • Figs. 6 and 7 are top and front simplified views of a toner container--receiving apparatus interface illustrating the use of toner identification tabs for a first toner.
  • Figs. 8 and 9 are top and front schematic views similar to Figs. 6 and 7 illustrating the use of toner identification tabs for a second toner.
  • BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1 a toner sump 1 is positioned to receive a toner container 2. In Fig. 1 the toner container 2 is shown without a cover, which cover is shown in Figs. 2-5 and described below.
  • the toner container 2 has a containing portion 3 for holding a supply of toner.
  • the toner may include carrier particles for use in a two component process or include only toner for either a one or two component process.
  • a bottom, interface portion 4 of the container portion 3 surrounds an opening 9 in the containing portion 3.
  • Interface portion 4 includes an insert flange 5, a handle 6, and a protrusion from
  • Toner sump 1 includes a receiving surface 15 0 (see also Fig. 5) for receiving and guiding the bottom surface of insert flange 5 as the toner container 2 is moved to a position on the sump 1.
  • the sump 1 includes a toner or sump cavity 20 for receiving toner from the container where it is mixed 5 with carrier particles and fed to a development mechanism all by means well-known in the art and not shown herein.
  • a rigid plastic 5 cover 25 is held on flange 5 by angled side rails
  • cover 25 includes a first portion 27 which has indents 28 or other suitable detent means and a 0 second portion 11.
  • Indents 28 allow the first portion 27 of the cover to be positioned behind protrusions 30 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) on ingress surface 16.
  • the indents 28 cooperate with the protrusions 30 to prevent cover 25 from moving, with lange 5 as the 5 container 2 is moved by the operator rearward to a position with opening 9 over the sump cavity 20 as guided in part by receiving surface 15, side guides 21 and the inner surfaces of protrusions 30.
  • the containing portion 3 of container 2 is slid away from cover 25 when the containing portion is moved over cavity 20.
  • the cover 25 extends substantially to the left from the interface portion 4 of the container 2.
  • the toner supply system shown herein is designed for apparatus with a number of development stations placed side-by-side. With such an arrangement it is not structurally possible to move the toner container according to the prior art, because it will be restricted by the toner container next to it.
  • the toner container shown in Fig. 1 is designed to be inserted directly from the front of the machine toward the back of the machine leaving the cover 25 in a position in which it can interfere with closing the front door of the apparatus.
  • the cover 25 itself includes a hinge 35 across the direction of movement of the containing portion 3 about which the second portion 11 may be rotated to a position shown in phantom in Fig. 4, where it is out of the way and not restricting of the rest of the apparatus, i.e., it allows the front door of the apparatus to be closed.
  • the hinge can be a conventional thinning of the plastic cover.
  • FIG. 5 shows a gate 50 which can be swung open to permit access to the sump for the container 2. After the containing portion 3 has been moved over the sump cavity 20 and the cover 25 has been 0 bent about hinge 35 to its raised position, the gate 50 is closed and lodged behind a detent 51 where it holds the cover in its raised position. The gate 50 also pushes the cover into container 2 assuring that container 2 is completely inserted over sump cavity 5 20.
  • the toner container 2 in combination with the sump 1 contains a system for discriminating between two different types of toner.
  • tabs 7 and 17 are also shown in Fig. 1. Both tabs 7 and 17 are also shown in Fig. 3 for illustration, although, in fact, both would not be present in any one use.
  • Tabs 7 and 17 5 are shown as molded protrusions from opposite side walls of interface portion 4, which side walls are generally parallel to the direction of movement of the container as it moves over sump cavity 20. However, they can be any removable protrusions from 0 opposite sides of the lower part of the container. For example, they could be protrusions upward from insert flange 5.
  • the toner container shown in Figs. 6 and 7 contains a first toner and has tab 7 eliminated leaving only tab 17 on the left side of the toner container.
  • the toner container shown in Figs. 8 and 9 contains a second toner and has tab 17 eliminated leaving only tab 7 on the right side.
  • the toner sump 1 also has removable interfering means, for example, sump tabs 8 or 18, either of which can be eliminated in the field by a service person or in the factory. Both sump tabs 8 and 18 are shown in Figs. 1 and 3 for illustration, although at least one would be eliminated in actual use. They are made to be removable by hand, i.e., merely by bending off.
  • the tab 8 is allowed to remain and the tab 18 is eliminated (Figs. 6 and 7).
  • the tab 18 remains while the tab 8 has been eliminated. If an operator attempts to put a container containing a second toner into a sump adapted for a first toner, sump tab 8 will interfere with container tab 7 and prevent insertion of the toner container to its position above the sump. Similarly, if an operator attempts to put a toner container with a second toner onto a sump adapted for the first toner, tab 18 will interfere with tab 17 to prevent that insertion. The correct toner is permitted, as shown best in Figs. 7 and 9.
  • any of the four tabs can be easily eliminated manually. Therefore, all containers and sumps may be machine manufactured identically using the same molds. The adjustment for the type of toner made is then a manual or machine severing process, i.e., it is cut off.
  • This feature is very useful in the manufacture of designs of closely related models of a copier or printer which use different materials.
  • a color model may be designed to take one type of toner, for example, a toner compatible with a fuser using other color toners, while another model receives a toner adapted for a black only machine which may not be compatible with a fuset for the color toners, but may have other advantages.
  • the system can also be used for a single apparatus that receives two colors of toner in development sumps which are identical except for tabs, for example, a black station and a red or other color station. It can also be used in a single apparatus that takes a magnetic black toner and a non-magnetic black toner in essentially identical sumps.
  • skis 40 affe inserts loosely held to side guides Q 21 by tabs 41 ' and 42.
  • a first end (leftmost in Fig. 1) of each ski has a cam surface, for example, a ramp 43 which guides extensions 10 and therefore the leading part of insert flange 5 to the top of skis 40.
  • a cam surface for example, a ramp 43 which guides extensions 10 and therefore the leading part of insert flange 5 to the top of skis 40.
  • the extensions 10 move beyond the ramped end 45 and settle down on top of surface 44.
  • the flange extensions 10 engage the bottom of ramped end 45 which is a cam surface forcing the extensions and hence the flange to slide on surface 44 underneath skis 40 (which are moved upward).
  • the containing portion moves toward the left until it has re-combined with cover 25 and can be removed.
  • the ski-shaped inserts 40 are a means for guiding the leading portion of flange 5 through a "high" path, a path separated from surface 44, as the containing portion is moved over the cavity 20 and along a low path, for example, a path in contact with surface 44 as the containing portion returns to its position beside the cavity 20.
  • containing portion 3 moves to the left (as shown in Fig. 1)
  • the inside edge of the now trailing inside vertical wall of interface portion 4 skives toner also toward the left.
  • the toner When it reaches the left most edge defining sump cavity 20 the toner must either go down into the cavity or into the toner container above the cover 25. It is not free to soil the operator's person or damage the operation of the equipment.
  • the flange extensions 10 force the containing portion through a higher path than the path left by the skiving empty containing portion that had just been removed. Because of the skiving action at a lower position in the removal process, little, if any toner is in a position to be skived by the higher path taken by the leading edge of flange 5 during toner container insertion. Thus, the effect of toner being skived into the workings of the machine is greatly reduced or eliminated. This advantage is the same even if flange 5 does not extend forward of the rest of the containing portion 4, since a vertical front wall of the interface portion would also have the problematic skiving effect.
  • the receiving surface 15 including surface portion 44 surrounding sump cavity 20 can be covered by a cloth, felt, fiber or other compressible material to assist in a leakproof fit between the container 2 and the sump 1, as is well-known in the art.
  • the skis 40 guide the leading edge of the flange 5 to a position over its final inserted position and then down on the cloth or fiber material on surface 44.
  • the cloth or fiber also prevents looseness as--. lange 5 is held in place by overhangs 22 despite room being provided between overhangs 22 and surface 44 for the two paths of flange 5.
  • a paper seal can be employed over the bottom of container 2.
  • Such seals are common in the industry.
  • the seal can be adhesively affixed to the bottom of flange 5 to seal the container.
  • the seal would be attached beginning with an edge of the seal at the trailing (during insertion) or handle edge of flange 5 and running across the container opening to the leading edge adjacent flange extensions 10.
  • the seal is folded and doubled back upon itself to an accessible end extending from between flange 5 and cover 25. The end is accessible in the vicinity of handle 6.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

Un récipient (2) d'alimentation en toner d'un appareil de réception (1) d'un copieur ou d'une imprimante, comprend un contenant (3) doté d'un orifice (9) situé au niveau de sa partie inférieure, un couvercle (25) destiné à l'orifice (9) coulisse entre des positions couvrant et découvrant ledit orifice. Ledit couvercle comprend une charnière (35) permettant de mettre en rotation une grande partie (11) dudit couvercle, jusqu'à une position non saillante, lorsque ledit couvercle ne couvre pas ledit orifice. Ledit appareil de réception (1) destiné audit récipient de toner, comporte une cavité de toner (20), sur laquelle glisse le contenant du récipient. Afin d'éviter que du toner ne s'échappe sur les mécanismes de la machine, un moyen de guidage (40) force au moins la partie avant du contenant à passer par un chemin plus élevé par rapport à ladite cavité, à mesure qu'il se déplace sur cette dernière, que le chemin qu'il emprunte lorsqu'il revient à une position située à côté de ladite cavité. Ledit récipient de toner comprend des prolongements (10) situés au niveau des bords avant des rebords (5), sur les côtés opposés de l'orifice du récipient, destinés à coopérer avec ledit moyen de guidage de l'appareil. Deux toners différents sont acheminés dans le même type de récipient. Une des deux saillies (7, 17) provenant des côtés opposés dudit récipient, est retirée selon la quantité de toner contenu dans ce dernier. Ledit appareil de réception (1) destiné audit récipient, comporte un moyen d'arrêt (8, 18) positionné pour s'adapter à chaque saillie. On retire la structure d'arrêt appropriée, afin d'adapter l'appareil de réception au récipient correct.
EP90908909A 1989-06-02 1990-05-30 Recipient de matiere particulaire Expired - Lifetime EP0431110B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US36081089A 1989-06-02 1989-06-02
US360808 1989-06-02
US07/360,808 US4997016A (en) 1989-06-02 1989-06-02 Receiving apparatus for a toner container and toner container therefor
US360811 1989-06-02
US07/360,811 US4972887A (en) 1989-06-02 1989-06-02 Container for particulate material
US360810 1999-07-26

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0431110A1 true EP0431110A1 (fr) 1991-06-12
EP0431110B1 EP0431110B1 (fr) 1993-12-22

Family

ID=27408480

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90908909A Expired - Lifetime EP0431110B1 (fr) 1989-06-02 1990-05-30 Recipient de matiere particulaire

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0431110B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2927947B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE69005425T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1990015366A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69309880T2 (de) * 1992-12-03 1997-10-16 Eastman Kodak Co Tonerbehälter und dafür vorgesehene Aufnahmevorrichtung
DE19913168A1 (de) * 1998-03-31 1999-10-07 Eastman Kodak Co Verschiebbarer Deckel für eine Markierungspartikel aufweisende Aufnahmevorrichtung
GB2417950A (en) * 2004-09-14 2006-03-15 Nigel Mark Eaton Dispensing container

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4062385A (en) * 1975-03-14 1977-12-13 Eastman Kodak Company Toner handling apparatus
EP0102002B1 (fr) * 1982-08-23 1987-11-04 Konica Corporation Dispositif distributeur de toner
US4611899A (en) * 1983-01-08 1986-09-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Developing apparatus
DE3434563A1 (de) * 1983-09-22 1985-04-11 Ricoh Co., Ltd., Tokio/Tokyo Entwicklungseinrichtung

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9015366A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH04500283A (ja) 1992-01-16
EP0431110B1 (fr) 1993-12-22
WO1990015366A1 (fr) 1990-12-13
JP2927947B2 (ja) 1999-07-28
DE69005425T2 (de) 1994-07-07
DE69005425D1 (de) 1994-02-03

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