JP4860359B2 - Powder container, image forming apparatus using the same, powder container storage box for storing the powder container, method for manufacturing powder container, and method for regenerating powder container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder container, an image forming apparatus using the same, a powder container storage box for storing the powder container, a method for manufacturing the powder container, and a method for regenerating the powder container. Specifically, a powder container having a powder container and a powder discharge port with a reduced volume and discharging the powder to the outside when a negative pressure is applied, a toner replenishing device including the powder container, and an image The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

  This type of powder container is used in various technical fields. For example, in the field of image forming apparatuses, there is a powder container disclosed in Patent Document 1. This powder container is a toner container for storing toner for replenishing the developing device as powder. The toner container, which is a powder container of this toner container, is formed of a bag-like deformable flexible material, and the toner container is contracted by the negative pressure generated by the suction force of the screw pump to reduce the volume. Can be made. The toner container formed of a hard bottle such as a cartridge or a bottle does not deform the shape of the toner container and remains the same size as before use even when the toner container is used. On the other hand, the toner container disclosed in Patent Document 1 is deformable and is in a state of reduced volume after use than before use. Therefore, compared to a hard bottle toner container, the handling of the user is easier, and the cost for transporting the used container from the user to the manufacturer is lower when the used container is collected when the toner container is replaced. Can be suppressed.

When the toner in the above-described deformable toner container is sucked using a suction pump such as a screw pump, the suction pump sucks the toner together with the surrounding air. If the ratio of the toner to the air in the sealed toner container is too large, the amount of toner sucked becomes unstable or the amount of toner remaining increases when sucked using a suction pump. This is due to the following reason.
The suction pump sucks toner together with surrounding air. With such a configuration using a suction pump, when toner is replenished in a state where the ratio of the toner to the air in the toner containing portion is too large, and air is sucked together with the toner, almost no air is present between the toner particles in the toner containing portion. No state. When there is no air between the toner particles, the contact area between the toner particles becomes large, and the frictional force acting between the toner particles increases. As the frictional force increases, the force required to move the toner particles also increases, and even if the suction force is applied, the toner becomes difficult to move. In this state, if the suction is continued by the suction pump, air is removed earlier than the toner particles in the toner container, and only the toner remains even if the volume of the toner container is reduced, resulting in a state like a vacuum pack. End up. In such a state of a vacuum pack, the toner cannot be discharged from the toner container, and the toner container must be replaced even if the amount of remaining toner is large, and the remaining toner is wasted.

JP 2004-323062 A

For the reasons described above, it is necessary to enclose sufficient air in accordance with the amount of toner in the toner container. However, it has been found that the toner container whose volume is reduced when such toner is used can be deformed flexibly by the container itself and encloses air, so that the volume changes depending on the atmospheric pressure. Even if the toner container can be mounted on the image forming apparatus in a use environment with a low altitude, the air in the toner container expands in a use environment with a high altitude, and the volume of the toner container increases and the toner container is imaged. There was a problem that it could not be attached to the forming apparatus.
Further, such a problem is not limited to toner, and can be caused by any powder container that contains powder together with gas and includes a deformable powder container.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a powder container that is formed in a flexible and deformable manner and can be used even in an environment where the altitude is high, and an image forming apparatus using the same. It is another object of the present invention to provide a powder container storage box for storing a powder container, a method for manufacturing a powder container, and a method for regenerating a powder container.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a deformable powder container that contains powder therein, and a powder outlet that discharges the powder from the powder container to the outside. In the powder container, a gas is enclosed with the powder in the powder container, and the powder container is set according to a minimum value of an air pressure assumed in advance in an environment in which the powder container is used. The volume of the powder container in a state of containing the powder and the gas is adjusted to Vo, and the volume at 1 [atmospheric pressure] of the powder container in the state of containing the powder and the gas is set to V, and the upper limit of the volume of the powder container is set to V _lim , where Vt is the volume occupied by the powder, and P _mim is the minimum atmospheric pressure assumed in the environment in which the powder container is used, the volume Vo at 1 [atm] of the powder container is The following expression (1) is satisfied.
½ · V _lim ≦ Vo ≦ P _min · V _lim + (1−P _min ) Vt (1)
However, the upper limit value V _lim of the volume of the powder container is the volume of the powder container in a state where the powder container cannot perform its function when the volume of the powder container exceeds that value. .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a powder container comprising: a deformable powder container that contains powder therein; and a powder outlet that discharges the powder from the powder container to the outside. When the volume at 1 [atm] of the powder container in a state of containing gas with the powder is Vo, the upper limit value of the volume of the powder container is V _lim , and the volume occupied by the powder is Vt The volume Vo at 1 [atmospheric pressure] of the powder container satisfies the following expression (2).
1/2 · V _lim ≤ Vo ≤ 0.73 · V _lim + 0.27 Vt ··· (2)
However, the upper limit value V _lim of the volume of the powder container is the volume of the powder container in which the powder container cannot perform its function when the volume of the powder container exceeds that value.
The invention of claim 3 is the powder container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the powder container is attached to an image forming apparatus, and the upper limit value V _lim of the volume of the powder container is When the volume of the powder container exceeds the value, the powder container is a value that makes it impossible to attach the powder container to the image forming apparatus.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the powder container according to the first, second, or third aspect, the powder in the powder container is discharged to the outside by applying a negative pressure to the powder discharge port from the outside. The volume of the powder container is reduced.
In the powder container of claim 4, the volume Vo at 1 [atm] of the powder container and the volume Vt occupied by the powder satisfy the following expression (3). It is characterized by this.
2.3 Vt ≦ Vo ≦ 8.0 Vt (3)
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the powder container of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, the powder container is made of a resin film, and the resin film is formed by heat welding. It is characterized by being.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the powder container according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, the powder is a toner.
Further, the invention of claim 8 is provided with a latent image carrier and a developer container, and a developing device for developing a latent image on the latent image carrier using the developer in the developer container, 8. An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner container that contains toner used in a developing device; and a toner replenishing unit that supplies toner in the toner container to the developer containing portion. It is characterized by using a body container.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the toner replenishing means applies a negative pressure to the toner contained in the toner container and passes through the toner conveying means to the developer containing portion. It has a toner pump for replenishing toner.
The invention of claim 10 is the powder container storage box for storing the powder container of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the storage portion for storing the powder container is The powder container is configured such that it cannot be stored when the volume is larger than a desired volume at 1 [atmospheric pressure].
The invention of claim 11 is the method of manufacturing a powder container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the powder is filled in the powder container and then the powder. The volume of the powder container is adjusted from the outside of the powder container so as to adjust the amount of the gas sealed in the powder container according to the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance of the environment in which the container is used. After adjustment, the opening used for filling the powder is sealed.
Further, the invention of claim 12 is characterized in that, after consuming the powder in the powder container of the powder container of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, the powder is contained in the powder container. In a powder container recycling method for refilling a body to regenerate a powder container, a step of removing a sealing member for sealing the powder container from the powder container, and the powder after the sealing member is removed Refilling the powder into the container, and adjusting the amount of gas sealed in the powder container according to a minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance of the environment in which the powder container is used. The step of adjusting the volume of the powder container after refilling the powder and the step of attaching the sealing member to the powder container after adjusting the volume are performed. is there.
Further, the invention of claim 13 is characterized in that after the powder in the powder container of the powder container of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 is consumed, the powder is contained in the powder container. In a powder container recycling method for refilling a body to regenerate a powder container, a step of opening a hole in the powder container, a step of refilling the powder into the powder container through the hole, The powder container after refilling the powder so as to adjust the amount of gas sealed in the powder container according to the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance of the environment in which the powder container is used And a step of closing the hole of the powder container after adjusting the volume.

In the powder container having the configuration of claim 1, the amount of gas sealed in the powder container is adjusted according to the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance of the environment in which the powder container is used. Even if the volume of the powder container is increased in a use environment where the atmospheric pressure is low, the powder container can be used.
Further, in the powder container having the configuration of the second aspect , the volume at 1 [atmospheric pressure] of the powder container in the state of containing the gas together with the powder is Vo, and the upper limit value of the volume of the powder container is V _lim , when the volume occupied by the powder is Vt, if Vo is too small relative to V _lim , the powder container relative to the space where the powder container can be used at the beginning of use of the powder container Since Vo occupies less space and wastes space, Vo is preferably _½ · V _lim or more.
Further, by satisfying the relationship of Vo ≦ 0.73 · V _lim + 0.27 · Vt, even if the volume of the powder container is increased in a use environment where the atmospheric pressure is 0.73 [atmosphere] is low, the powder container _Does not exceed the upper limit V _lim of the volume of the powder container that can be used, so that the powder container can be used in a use environment where the atmospheric pressure is low.

  According to the first to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, since the powder container can be used even when the volume of the powder container is increased in a use environment where the atmospheric pressure is low, the use environment where the pressure is lower than the use environment where the altitude is low. There is also an excellent effect that a powder container can be used.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be clarified.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a color copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a printer 100) which is an example of an image forming apparatus. The printer 100 shown here has an image forming means 1 for forming a toner image on a recording medium.

  The image forming means 1 shown in FIG. 1 has image carriers 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K configured as drum-shaped photoconductors, and a yellow toner image, a cyan toner image, and a magenta on each of the image carriers. A toner image and a black toner image are respectively formed. An intermediate transfer belt 3 is disposed opposite to the image carriers 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K. The intermediate transfer belt 3 is wound around rollers 4, 5, and 6 and one of the rollers is driven (not shown). By being rotationally driven by the means, the vehicle is driven in the direction of arrow A.

  Since the operation of forming a toner image on each of the image carriers 2Y, 2C, 2M, and 2K is substantially the same, the toner image is formed on the image carrier 2Y that forms a yellow toner image. Only the configuration will be described. The image carrier 2Y is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, and at this time, the surface of the image carrier is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller. Next, the charged surface is irradiated with a light-modulated laser beam emitted from the laser writing unit 7. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the image carrier 2Y, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a yellow toner image by the developing device. A transfer roller (not shown) is disposed at a position substantially opposite to the image carrier 2Y with the intermediate transfer belt 3 interposed therebetween. The transfer roller has a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner on the image carrier 2Y. A voltage is applied, whereby the yellow toner image on the image carrier 2Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 3. The transfer residual toner that is not transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 3 and remains on the image carrier 2Y is removed by a cleaning device.

  Similarly, a cyan toner image, a magenta toner image, and a black toner image are respectively formed on the image carriers 2C, 2M, and 2K on which latent images of other colors are formed, and these toner images are formed as yellow toner images. The images are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the transferred intermediate transfer belt 3.

  On the other hand, a recording medium P made of, for example, transfer paper, a resin sheet, a resin film, or the like is fed from a paper supply unit 10 provided below the image forming unit 1, and the recording medium P is indicated by an arrow B as shown in FIG. Then, it is fed toward the roller 6 of the intermediate transfer belt 3. A secondary transfer roller 11 is disposed at a position substantially opposite to the roller 6 with the intermediate transfer belt 3 interposed therebetween, and the recording medium P is sent between the intermediate transfer belt 3 and the secondary transfer roller 11. A voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 11, whereby the superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 3 is transferred onto the recording medium P. The recording medium P after the transfer is discharged onto the discharge tray 13 after the toner is fixed by the fixing device 12.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of the toner replenishing device 200 included in the printer 100. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the toner bottle 20. Note that the symbol Tf in FIG. 2 indicates the flow of toner.
The printer 100, which is a tandem image forming apparatus, has a configuration in which toner bottles 20 as toner containers that store toner of each color as powder in a powder container are arranged side by side on the front of the machine. Each color toner bottle 20 is connected to a replenishment unit including a sub hopper 68 and a toner pump 60 via a toner replenishment tube 65 serving as a toner conveying means, and the developing unit including the developing device 14 is connected below the replenishment unit. ing. As the toner pump 60, a Mono pump which is a screw pump provided with a stator of an elastic member having a spiral groove inside and a rotor that moves the toner in the axial direction by rotating inside the stator is used. As the toner pump 60, those described in JP-A-2000-98721 can be used.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the toner bottle 20 includes a toner container 21 that is a powder container and a base member 30 that includes a toner discharge port 21c that is the only powder discharge port. . A specific configuration of the toner bottle 20 will be described in detail later.

  When the toner bottle 20 is attached to the main body of the printer 100, the tip of the nozzle 80 serving as a connecting member of the main body-side supply unit connected to the base member 30 is inserted into the toner bottle 20. Thereby, the toner discharge port 21c and the toner receiving port of the nozzle communicate with each other. The nozzle 80 has a tube connecting joint-shaped portion for connecting the toner supply tube 65. The toner supply tube 65 communicates with a toner pump 60 that is a Mono pump (screw pump) connected to the sub hopper 68, and the toner pump 60 communicates with the developing device 14. As described above, the toner bottle 20 is attached to the main body of the printer 100 and thus communicates with the developing device 14.

In the developing device 14, screws 15 and 16 having spiral fins called conveyance augers inside the casing rotate in the directions of arrows C and D, and a developer containing a mixture of toner and carrier is contained in this portion. Yes.
The transport auger is formed so that, for example, the screw 15 transports the developer from the front side to the back side in the figure, and the screw 16 transports the developer from the back side to the front side. By providing a portion without the partition 17, the developer is stirred while circulating. A part of the circulating developer is sucked and attracted by the magnetic force by the developing roller 19 and is uniformly regulated to a thickness by the doctor blade 18. Then, the developer is brought into contact with the image carrier 2 to come into contact with the static on the image carrier. The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner to form a toner image. Here, only the toner adheres to the image carrier 2, and development is performed while the toner in the toner bottle 20 is replenished little by little in order to keep the amount of toner in the circulating developer in the developing unit constant. Done.

  The toner pump 60 is called a suction type uniaxial eccentric screw pump, and includes two main parts, a rotor 61 and a stator 62. The rotor 61 is formed by spirally twisting a shaft-shaped member having a circular cross section, and is connected to a drive motor 66 via a universal joint 64. On the other hand, the stator 62 is made of a rubber-like flexible material, and has an oval cross section with a helically twisted hole. The helical pitch of the stator 62 is equal to the helical pitch of the rotor 61. It is formed twice as long. By fitting these two parts and rotating the rotor 61, the toner entering the space formed between the rotor 61 and the stator 62 can be transferred.

  In the toner pump 60 configured as described above, when the rotor 61 is driven to rotate, the toner in the toner bottle 20 enters the toner pump 60 from the toner suction port 63 and is sucked and conveyed from left to right in FIG. It is supplied from the port 67 to the lower developing device 14 through the sub hopper 68.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the toner bottle 20.
In FIG. 3, a toner container 21 that accommodates toner Tp in a toner bottle 20 is formed in a bag shape by welding a sheet-like resin having a thickness of about 50 to 300 [μm] called a soft wrapping material. As the sheet-like resin constituting the toner container 21, a single film is formed by laminating a plurality of resin films made of different materials. Specifically, it is composed of three layers: an inner layer when formed into a bag shape, a welded layer made of a material that is easy to weld, an airtight layer made of a material with excellent airtightness, and a rigid layer with excellent rigidity. .
Polyethylene, which is a material that melts at a relatively low temperature, is used for the weld layer, and the hermetic layer and rigid layer are suitable for the type of contents (solid, liquid, powder, etc.) and purpose (food, pharmaceuticals, etc.). PET, nylon, aluminum, paper, etc. are used.
The toner bottle 20 used in the printer 100 is composed of a composite material of three materials, polyethylene, nylon, and PET, from the inner side to the outer side of the toner container 21, and these are bonded by a laminate.

Here, each layer of the toner container 21 will be described in more detail.
By using a material that melts at a relatively low temperature as the welding layer that becomes the inner side when the toner container 21 is formed in a bag shape, the whole melts evenly when heat is applied, and the sheet-like member is pasted without gaps. Can be matched.
Further, when the toner Tp is exposed to the outside air during storage, the toner Tp may be deteriorated. Particularly in a high humidity environment, the toner Tp may aggregate and cause toner replenishment failure. In order to prevent this, the airtightness of the toner bottle 20 is enhanced by providing an airtight layer on the sheet-like member constituting the bag member.
Furthermore, since the user touches the toner bottle 20 directly, it is necessary to consider ease of holding. When a material having a relatively high rigidity is used for the sheet-like member constituting the bag member, the rigidity of the toner bottle 20 can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the material, so that the toner bottle 20 can have a desired rigidity.
A layer other than these three layers may be further provided.

The toner container 21 forms a bag by repeating the process of folding and welding the sheet-like member so that the welding layers face each other. As an example of the toner container 21 that is not welded, there is a sheet-like member bonded with an adhesive. (Example: paper bag-shaped bag member) In this case, since the container is folded to form a ridgeline, the strength of the ridgeline is the same as the other parts.
On the other hand, the toner container 21 has a welding allowance 21b on the ridge line, and two sheets are welded in the welding allowance 21b, so that the thickness of the sheet is double that of the other portions. For this reason, since the ridgeline of the container plays a role like a “pillar”, the rigidity of the entire container is increased. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the container from buckling due to vibration during transportation or impact during dropping, or the surface portion of the container near the toner discharge port 21c being deformed and closing the toner bottle 20 during toner supply. Can do.

  Since the toner container 21 is formed of a sheet as described above, the toner container 21 can be deformed according to the shape and amount of the contents. For example, the used toner bottle 20 can be collected in a small rounded shape. .

Since it is difficult to fix the toner container 21 to the toner replenishing device 200, the toner container 21 is attached to the base member 30 made of hard resin or the like so that the base member 30 and the toner replenishing device 200 are engaged with each other. When formed, the toner bottle 20 can be reliably attached to the toner supply device 200.
The base member 30 is smaller than the toner container 21 and is made of a rigid molding resin. If the inner layer of the toner container 21 and the base member 30 are made of polyethylene, they can be attached without gaps by welding. When a part of the base member 30 is inserted into the toner container 21 and a load is applied with a heated welding iron, the base member 30 and the toner container 21 can be welded.

  Further, the toner bottle 20 formed of a bag-like member is inferior in strength as compared with a toner bottle formed of a hard resin or the like. In particular, if the user tightens the toner when replacing the toner, the toner container 21 that is the bag portion may be crushed and a part of the toner in the toner container may remain. In order to prevent the toner container 21 from being crushed when the toner is replaced, a reinforcing member may be provided in the toner container 21.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the toner bottle 20 in which the toner container 21 is provided with a reinforcing plate 21a as a reinforcing member.
As shown in FIG. 4, a reinforcing plate 21 a made of polyethylene terephthalate, aluminum, or the like is fixed to the outside of the flat portion of the front surface and the back surface (front surface and back surface in the drawing) of the toner container 21. As shown in the figure, the reinforcing plate 21a is provided with eight holes. The operator can hook his / her finger into these holes when holding the toner container 21. Further, a fold line f is formed on the side surface in FIG. 4 between the surface on which the reinforcing plate 21a of the toner container 21 is provided and the surface facing the surface.
As described above, the surface provided with the reinforcing plate 21a is not easily deformed by the reinforcing plate 21a and the fold line f, and the surface provided with the fold line f is deformed along the fold line f, so that the volume is reduced while the desired shape is obtained. The remaining amount of toner can be reduced when the volume is reduced.

By providing the reinforcing plate 21a on the outer peripheral surface of the container, it is possible to prevent the toner container 21 from being crushed during toner replacement and buckling during transportation. Further, it is possible to prevent the toner container 21 from being closed due to the deformation of the surface portion in the vicinity of the toner discharge port 21c during toner replenishment.
The reinforcing plate 21a may be formed of a material that is thicker than the rigid layer in the case of the same material as the rigid layer of the film constituting the toner container 21, and is made of a material that is higher in rigidity than the rigid layer in the case of a thickness equal to or less than the rigid layer.
The toner bottle 20 shown in FIG. 4 uses a reinforcing plate 21a made of PET having a thickness of about 0.2 [mm] or PS having a thickness of about 0.2 to 0.3 [mm].

If there is a welding allowance 21b around the toner container 21 which is a bag-like member, there is an effect of increasing the rigidity of the entire toner bottle 20 as described above. Further, by installing the reinforcing plate 21a so as to overlap the welding allowance 21b, it plays the role of passing a “beam” between the “column” and the “column”, so that the rigidity of the entire toner bottle 20 is further increased. There is an increase effect. As a result, it is possible to prevent the toner bottle 20 from being closed due to the deformation of the surface portion in the vicinity of the toner discharge port 21c during toner replenishment.
In the toner bottle 20 shown in FIG. 4, the reinforcing plate 21 a is pasted up to about half of the welding allowance 21 b so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the toner container 21.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory sectional view of the vicinity of the cap member 30 in a state where the toner bottle 20 is mounted on the toner supply device 200.
As shown in FIG. 5, the base member 30 described above has three parts, that is, an upper member 31, an inner member 40, and an outer member 50. The toner container 21 is fixed to the upper member 31. Further, the outer member 50 is coupled. An O-ring 42 having a pentagonal cross section is engaged with the inner member 40. The inner member 40 is attached to the outer member 50, and the O-ring 42 is also held. A shutter hole for inserting the shutter member 25 as a cylindrical on-off valve is formed across the inner member 40 and the outer member 50. When the toner bottle 20 is not used, the toner bottle 20 is sealed with an O-ring 42 as a seal member that is in close contact with the outer periphery of the shutter member 25. Further, at the joint between the upper member 31 and the inner member 40, the airtightness of the upper member 31 and the inner member 40 is maintained by the O-ring-shaped seal member 43. The attachment member 36 of the base member 30 is a slit for preventing the wrong color toner bottle 20 from being attached (hereinafter referred to as “color incompatibility”), and has different shapes among the toner bottles 20 of the respective colors. is doing.

  In the toner bottle 20 including the flexible toner container 21 and the base member 30, the RF tag 22 as an information recording member is provided on the side surface of the base member 30. Here, the RF tag is an information medium that reads and writes data in a built-in memory in a non-contact manner using radio waves (electromagnetic waves). For example, the RF tag 22 records information such as the toner bottle 20 and the type of image forming apparatus suitable for the toner stored in the container, the color of the toner, the date of manufacture, and the remaining amount of toner. .

Next, a method for attaching the toner bottle 20 to the printer 100 main body will be described.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the entire apparatus of the printer 100.
As shown in the figure, container support holders 75Y, 75M, 75C, and 75K are provided on the front surface of the casing of the printer 100 as four bottle storage devices that can be rotated around a rotation shaft (not shown). . These components constitute a part of the corresponding color toner conveying device, and the corresponding color toner bottle 20 is housed and supported therein.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory side view of one of the four container support holders 75.
When the toner bottle 20 is mounted, the operator releases the lock 121 and opens the opening / closing door 103 from the support holder main body 101 of the container support holder 75 with the handle 120 of the opening door 103. Here, the open / close door 103 is configured to be openable / closable around the rotation shaft 102. Then, the toner container 21Y is grasped by hand from the opened opening of the open / close door 103 so that the cap member 30 is vertically downward, and the toner bottle 20Y is inserted into the container support holder 75 so as to drop. To do. Thereafter, the opening / closing door 103 of the container support holder 75 is closed to complete the mounting of the toner bottle 20Y to the printer 100 main body.

  When the toner in the toner container 21 is consumed by toner replenishment using the toner pump 60, when the toner pump 60 is driven, the air pressure in the toner pump 60 and the toner replenishment tube 65 is reduced, and the toner is in the surrounding air. At the same time, the toner bottle 20 is sucked from the toner container 21. In order to suck the toner using the toner pump 60, air is required around the toner. Therefore, when the toner is sealed in the toner container 21, the air is also sealed.

Since the toner container 21 of the toner bottle 20 can be deformed flexibly and encloses air, its volume changes depending on the atmospheric pressure. In the installation environment with a high altitude, the volume of the toner container 21 is large because the atmospheric pressure is lower than that in the installation environment with a low altitude. On the other hand, the support holder 75 which is a toner bottle storage device is not a deformable configuration. When the volume of the toner container 21 in the installation environment at a low altitude is such that the toner bottle 20 can be attached to the support holder 75, the volume of the toner container 21 becomes large in the installation environment at a high altitude. As a result, the toner bottle 20 does not enter the support holder 75 and cannot function as the toner bottle 20. Here, the last volume of the toner container 21 in which the toner bottle 20 can be attached to the support holder 75 is an upper limit value of the volume of the toner container 21 that is a powder container. Hereinafter, the upper limit value of the volume of the toner container 21 is expressed as a _stored volume upper limit value V _lim .

The toner bottle 20 of the present embodiment has a high altitude by adjusting the amount of gas sealed in the toner container 21 in an environment where the altitude is low according to the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance of the usage environment. That is, it can be mounted on the support holder 75 and used even in a use environment where the atmospheric pressure is low.
Specifically, the volume at the atmospheric pressure 1 [atm] on the flat surface of the toner container 21 in a state where the toner as powder and the air as gas are sealed is the flat space accommodation volume Vo, and the volume occupied by the toner (filled). (The toner weight divided by the toner density) is the toner volume Vt, and the minimum presumed pressure of the environment in which the toner bottle 20 is used is the high altitude pressure P _mim , the following equation (1) Enclose air to satisfy.
½ · V _lim ≦ Vo ≦ P _min · V _lim + (1−P _min ) Vt (1)

Here, the above equation (1) will be described.
The pressure of outside air at the time of filling is P1 (1 [atm]), the pressure of outside air at the highest altitude assumed to be used is P2 (P _min [atm]), and the volume of air in the container at the time of filling is V1 [ cm ³ ], the volume of air in the container when the atmospheric pressure is P2 is V2 [cm ³ ], and assuming that the ambient air pressure is P1 and P2 and the air temperature is the same, the following equation is established.
P1 ・ V1 = P2 ・ V2
Substituting atmospheric pressure into P1 and P2,
V1 = P _min · V2
It becomes.
Since the volume of the toner container 21 at the atmospheric pressure P _min may be equal to or less than the accommodation volume upper limit value V _lim ,
V2 ≦ V _lim −Vt
Just satisfy
V1 ≦ P _min · (V _lim −Vt)
It becomes.
That is, the volume V1 [cm ³ ] of air in the container at the time of filling is adjusted to P _min · (V _lim −Vt) or less.
Further, in order to adjust the volume V1 [cm ³ ] of the air in the container at the time of filling as described above, when considering the flat ground accommodation volume Vo, V1 = Vo−Vt,
Vo ≦ P _min · V _lim + (1−P _min ) Vt (3)
It becomes.
By adjusting the flat ground volume Vo to P _min · V _lim + (1−P _min ) Vt or less, the atmospheric pressure becomes P _min [atmospheric pressure], which is lower than 1 [atmospheric pressure] which is the flat ground pressure, and the air Can be stored in the container support holder 75 even if the volume of the toner container 21 increases.
If the flat land storage volume Vo is too small with respect to the storage volume upper limit value V _lim , the space occupied by the toner container 21 relative to the space that can be used by the toner container 21 at the beginning of use of the toner bottle 20 is small. Since space is wasted, Vo is preferably _½ · V _lim or more.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the toner bottle 20 and the printer 100 of the present embodiment have a configuration that can be used even at an altitude of 2500 [m]. This is because Mexico City has an altitude of 2240 [m] and can sufficiently cope with such high altitudes.
When the altitude use limit is set to 2500 [m], since the atmospheric pressure is 750 [hPa] at an altitude of 2500 [m], 740 [hPa] (≈0. 73 [atmospheric pressure]), the toner bottle 20 can be attached to the printer 100.
The upper limit of the flat-ground accommodation volume Vo is adjusted by _{setting the} high ground pressure P _mim = 0.73 [atmospheric pressure], which is the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance for the environment in which the toner bottle 20 is used.
From the above equation (3), Vo ≦ 0.73 · V _lim +0.27 Vt
By adjusting the flat ground volume Vo to 0.73 · V _lim +0.27 Vt or less, the atmospheric pressure becomes 0.73 [atmospheric pressure], which is lower than 1 [atmospheric pressure] which is the flat ground pressure. Even if the toner container 21 expands and the volume of the toner container 21 increases, it can be stored in the container support holder 75. Since the toner bottle 20 can be used even when the atmospheric pressure is 0.73 [atmospheric pressure] (≈740 [hPa]), even at an altitude of 2500 [m] where the atmospheric pressure is 750 [hPa]. The toner bottle 20 can be attached to the printer 100 and used.

Assuming that the maximum volume of the toner container 21 is the maximum storage volume value Vmax, the size of the storage volume upper limit V _lim with respect to the maximum storage volume value Vmax differs depending on each printer and toner bottle. In the toner bottle 20 of the present embodiment, the accommodation volume upper limit value V _{lim with} respect to the accommodation volume maximum value Vmax satisfies the following expression (4).
V _lim = 0.97 · Vmax (4)
Therefore, in this embodiment, the flat land accommodation volume Vo is
Vo ≦ 0.97 · P _min · Vmax + (1−P _min ) Vt is satisfied,
When it is possible to use at an altitude of 2500 [m],
It satisfies Vo ≦ 0.70 · Vmax + 0.27Vt.
The maximum storage volume value Vmax is the maximum value of the volume of water that can be filled in the toner storage body 21.

Here, details of the actual measurement method of each value will be described.
Flat land storage volume Vo: The toner bottle 20 is submerged in a glass container filled with toner on a flat ground and filled with a sealed toner bottle 20 and filled up to the point where water can be spilled. At this time, the cap member 30 which is a cap attached to the toner bottle 20 is not sunk, but only the toner container 21 which is a container portion is sunk. Since the toner bottle 20 tends to rise due to buoyancy, the toner bottle 20 is pressed by a stick made of metal or the like, and the toner container 21 is submerged in water. After submerging, the toner bottle 20 is slowly removed from the glass container. At this time, water droplets adhering to the toner bottle 20 are dropped into the glass container. The glass container from which the toner bottle 20 has been taken out is filled again with a graduated cylinder just before water is spilled, and the amount of water added is measured to obtain a flat-ground accommodation volume Vo.
Storage volume maximum value Vmax: The maximum volume of the toner bottle 20 is assumed to be equal to the maximum value of the volume of water that can be filled in the toner bottle 20. The base member 30 provided with the filling port of the toner bottle 20 is fixed, the toner container 21 is left in a free state, and the water measured in advance with a graduated cylinder is filled from the filling hole, and the toner container 21 is full. The amount of water at the time is measured, and this is set as the maximum storage volume value Vmax.
Toner volume Vt: First, the density of toner is calculated. The toner density is calculated according to the following procedure.
The toner 20 [g] is reduced in weight, and the weight of the graduated cylinder (50 [cm ³ ]) is measured. Next, the measured toner is put into the graduated cylinder so as not to apply vibration or shock to the graduated cylinder, and then left for 10 minutes while being careful not to apply vibration or impact to the graduated cylinder. After leaving for 10 minutes, the toner volume is measured from the scale of the graduated cylinder. Next, the weight of the toner + graduated cylinder is measured.
Using the value obtained here,
Toner density [g / cm ³ ] = {(toner + mass cylinder weight) − (mass cylinder weight)} ÷ (toner volume) is calculated and derived.
Using the toner density, a value obtained by dividing the weight of the toner filled in the toner container 21 by the toner density is defined as a toner volume Vt.
Note that Vo, Vmax, and Vt can be calculated by the same method even when the powder in the powder container is other than the toner.

Next, V _lim = 0.97 · Vmax in the present embodiment will be described.
The relationship between the maximum storage volume value Vmax of the toner container 21 and the volume that can be attached to the printer 100 was evaluated. A toner bottle 20 for color in which the container maximum volume of the toner container 21 is 1285 [cm ³ ] and a toner bottle 20 for black in which the container maximum volume of the toner container 21 is 2200 [cm ³ ] are used. A plurality of toner bottles 20 having different volumes of the container 21 were prepared for the color and black, respectively, and the mounting on the printer 100 was confirmed. It should be noted that whether or not the printer 100 can be mounted is confirmed by a normal mounting procedure (whether the printer 100 can be operated).
As a result of confirming the mounting, the color toner bottle 20 could be mounted on the printer 100 if the toner container 21 had a volume of 1240 [cm ³ ] or less. Further, in the toner bottle 20 for black, if the volume of the toner container 21 is 2130 [cm ³ ] or less, it can be mounted on the printer 100. From this attachment confirmation, it was confirmed that the toner container 21 can be attached to the printer 100 as long as the volume of the toner container 21 is 97% or less with respect to the maximum stored volume value Vmax of the toner container 21.
Since the magnitude of the accommodation volume upper limit value V _lim with respect to the accommodation volume maximum value Vmax differs depending on each printer and each toner bottle, it is necessary to measure in advance in each apparatus.

In order to suck toner using the toner pump 60 as in the present embodiment, air is required around the toner in the toner container 21.
When the air is in an appropriate amount with respect to the toner or in a state where there is a lot of air, the remaining amount of toner in a state where the toner has been consumed is almost eliminated, and it is possible to prevent the toner to be consumed from being wasted. On the other hand, if there is little air in the gaps between the toner particles, the friction between the toner particles increases, and the amount of toner sucked becomes unstable or the remaining amount of toner increases. Further, when the amount of air in the toner is further reduced, the frictional force between the toner particles exceeds the suction force of the mono pump, and the toner cannot be sucked.

It should be noted that the toner bottle 20 is always sealed, including during use, by an O-ring 42 as a seal installed on the outer periphery of the shutter member 25 that is an on-off valve and a seal member 43. For this reason, as the developing device 14 is replenished with toner, the toner container 21 of the toner bottle 20 is deflated.
If a sufficient amount of air is sealed in the toner container 21 when the toner is filled, the toner can be consumed without remaining. However, if the amount of air in the toner container 21 is insufficient when the toner filling is completed, the air disappears first in the middle of suction by the toner pump 60 and only the toner remains, which is a so-called “vacuum pack”. It will be in a state. Since the toner pump 60 sucks toner and air and cannot suck only toner, the toner remains in the toner container 21.
If the remaining amount of toner remaining in the toner container 21 is too large, there is a problem that the guaranteed number of images is not reached. Therefore, it is considered to avoid the remaining toner by setting the toner and air in the toner container 21 to an appropriate ratio.

In the toner bottle 20 of the present embodiment, air is sealed in the toner container 21 so that the flat ground container volume Vo satisfies Vo ≧ 2.3 · Vt as the lower limit of the volume of air in the toner container 21. Since the air volume V1 in the container at the time of filling is V1 = Vo−Vt, the lower limit value V1 _min of the air volume in the toner container 21 at the time of filling is 1.3 · Vt.

Here, Vo ≧ 2.3 · Vt in the present embodiment will be described.
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the amount of air in the toner container 21 of the toner bottle 20 and the toner replenishment property. The toner used was a toner used for a two-component developer, and the volume average particle diameter of the toner particles was 6.8 [μm].
In order to evaluate the relationship between the amount of air in the toner container 21 of the toner bottle 20 and the toner replenishment property, the toner container 21 is filled with a predetermined amount of toner having a density of 1.2 [g / cm ³ ], and the toner At the same time, by changing the amount of air to be sealed, nine types of toner bottles 20 having different volumes of the toner container 21 in black and color were prepared, and the toner replenishment property was evaluated. The evaluation of toner replenishability was performed using the toner replenishing device 200 provided with the toner pump 60 described above.
In this experiment, the weight of the toner filled in the black toner bottle 20 is 910 [g], and the weight of the toner filled in the color toner bottle 20 is 530 [g]. The toner volume Vt is 910 [g] /1.2 [g / cm ³ ] = 758 [cm ³ ] for the black toner, and 530 [g] /1.2 [g / cm] for the color toner. ³ ] = 442 [cm ³ ].

  Instead of the sub hopper 68 and the developing device 14 provided below the toner supply port 67 of the toner supply device 200 having the toner pump 60 shown in FIG. The collected toner is collected. When the toner pump 60 is driven, the toner pump 60 is stopped as drive accommodation when the toner is hardly discharged from the toner supply port 67. Thereafter, the weight of the toner collecting beaker is measured, and the weight of the beaker itself is subtracted from the measured value to calculate the weight of the collected toner collected in the toner collecting beaker. The remaining toner amount [g] remaining in the toner container 21 can be calculated by subtracting the weight of each collected toner from the toner weights 910 [g] and 530 [g] at the time of filling.

Regarding the evaluation of the toner replenishability, Tables 1 and 2 show the determination of the replenishability of each toner bottle having a different amount of air filled with the toner. Table 1 summarizes the experimental results of the toner bottle 20 for black toner, and Table 2 summarizes the experimental results of the toner bottle 20 for color.
The “multiple” in the table is the ratio of each toner container volume [cm ³ ] to each Vt [cm ³ ].
In the determination of the remaining amount of toner, “OK” was set when the remaining amount was 10 [g] or less, and “NG” was set when the remaining amount exceeded 10 [g]. In the toner replenishment determination, “OK” was determined as the toner that could be continuously replenished until it could not be replenished, and “NG” was defined as the toner that temporarily stopped replenishment before it could not be replenished.

From Table 1 and Table 2, if the ratio of the toner container volume to Vt [cm ³ ] is 2.3 or more, both the replenishability determination and the remaining amount determination are “OK”. Therefore, Vo ≧ 2.3 · Vt.

Regarding the black toner bottle 20, the accommodation volume upper limit value V _lim of the toner container 21 is 2130 [cm ³ ] and can be installed at an altitude of 2500 [m]. The flat land accommodation volume Vo satisfies the following equation (5).
Vo ≦ 0.73 (2130) +0.27 (758) (5)
From the above formula (5), the maximum value of the flat ground accommodation volume Vo of the toner container 21 of the black toner bottle 20 is 1760 [cm ³ ].
When Vo = 1760 [cm ³ ], Vo / Vt = 2.32 and Vo ≧ 2.3 Vt is satisfied. Therefore, as the black toner bottle 20 of this embodiment, the toner container 21 has a maximum storage volume value Vmax of 2200 [cm ³ ], a storage volume upper limit value V _lim of 2130 [cm ³ ], and a toner of 910 [g]. In which the flat ground volume Vo is 1760 [cm ³ ].

Regarding the color toner bottle 20, the storage volume upper limit value V _lim of the toner container 21 is 1240 [cm ³ ] and can be installed at an altitude of 2500 [m]. The flat land accommodation volume Vo satisfies the following equation (6).
Vo ≦ 0.73 · (1240) + 0.27 · (442) (6)
From the above equation (6), the maximum value of the flat ground storage volume Vo of the toner container 21 of the color toner bottle 20 is 1025 [cm ³ ].
When Vo = 1025 [cm ³ ], Vo / Vt = 2.32, which satisfies Vo ≧ 2.3 Vt. Therefore, as the color toner bottle 20 of the present embodiment, the toner container 21 has a maximum storage volume value Vmax of 1285 [cm ³ ], a storage volume upper limit value V _lim of 1240 [cm ³ ], and a toner of 530 [g]. In which the flat ground volume Vo is 1025 [cm ³ ] is used.
As a result of this toner replenishment evaluation, if the toner bottle 20 is filled and sealed by sealing air into the toner container 21 so that the flat ground volume Vo satisfies Vo ≧ 2.3 · Vt. It has become clear that the toner replenishment property is stable and the remaining amount of toner can be reduced.
Also, if the flat container volume Vo of the toner container relative to the toner volume Vt is too large, the amount of toner with respect to the space occupied by the toner container of the toner bottle is reduced and the efficiency is lowered. It is preferable that it is 0.0 Vt or less.

Next, a method for manufacturing the toner bottle 20 that is a powder container will be described.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state where the toner container 21 and the base member 30 constituting the toner bottle 20 are separated. An adapter 23 that can be connected in a sealed state to the base member 30 is fixed to the toner container 21, and the toner bottle 20 is sealed by connecting the toner container 21 and the base member 30 via the adapter 23. State.
When the toner is sealed in the toner bottle 20, the toner is filled from the toner discharge port 21c with the base member 30 removed from the toner container 21, as shown in FIG. After the toner is filled, the volume of the toner container 21 is adjusted so that the volume of the toner container 21 becomes a flat ground container volume Vo that satisfies Vo ≦ 0.73 · V _lim +0.27 Vt.

As a method of adjusting the volume of the toner container 21, the toner container 21 is installed in a device that sandwiches the toner container 21 from the front and back of the toner container 21 provided with the reinforcing plate 21a, and the toner shown in FIG. The container width W which is the width of the container 21 is adjusted. When the toner container 21 is filled with the toner, the toner contains a large amount of air. Therefore, the container width W after the toner filling is longer than the container width W in the state of the flat ground volume Vo. Yes. From this state, by adjusting the container width W to a predetermined width with a device that sandwiches the toner container 21, air escapes from the toner container 21, and the volume of the toner container 21 is Vo ≦ 073 · V _lim + 0.27Vt. It becomes the flat ground accommodation volume Vo that satisfies the above.
Since the toner container 21 of the present embodiment includes the reinforcing plate 21a, the toner container 21 is not easily deformed in the vertical and horizontal directions in the drawing, and is easily deformed in the container width W direction. The volume of the toner container 21 can be adjusted by adjusting the container width W, and the container width W at which the volume of the toner container 21 becomes the flat-ground container volume Vo is clarified in advance. The material of the width regulating member that presses the reinforcing plate 21a to sandwich the toner container 21 is preferably a material that does not deform, and is preferably a metal, such as stainless steel. By suppressing the entire front and back surfaces of the toner container 21 provided with the reinforcing plate 21a with such a width regulating member, the volume can be adjusted without variation.
A cap member 30 is connected to the toner container 21 whose volume has been adjusted via an adapter 23, and the toner discharge port 21c, which is an opening used for filling the toner, is sealed.

Next, a toner bottle storage box that is a powder storage box for storing the toner bottle 20 will be described.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a toner bottle storage box 220 that is a powder container storage box that stores the toner bottle 20 that is a powder container. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram for storing the toner bottle 20 in the toner bottle storage box 220, and FIG. 9B is a view in which the lid 220a of the toner bottle storage box 220 shown in FIG. 9A is closed. It is a side view of a state.
The storage portion for storing the toner bottle 20 of the toner bottle storage box 220 is configured so that it cannot be stored if the powder container has a volume larger than a desired volume at 1 [atmospheric pressure]. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the toner bottle storage box 220 is such that the side surface of the toner bottle 20 is pressed. This is a shape for preventing the toner bottle 20 from being deformed in the toner bottle storage box 220. When the volume of the toner bottle 20 becomes larger than a desired volume, the toner bottle storage box 220 may close the bulge lid 220a. become unable. By storing the toner bottle 20 in such a toner bottle storage box 220, it is possible to confirm that the toner bottle 20 can be attached to the printer 100 even when it is raised to an altitude of 2500 [m].

The toner bottle 20 can be reused after the toner is consumed.
Next, a method for recycling the toner bottle 20 will be described.
When the toner bottle 20 is regenerated, it is regenerated by performing the following steps (1) to (4).
(1) A step of removing the cap member 30, which is a sealing member that seals the toner container 21, from the toner container 21.
(2) A step of refilling the toner into the toner container 21 after the cap member 30 is removed.
(3) Even if the volume of the toner container 21 is increased at 0.73 [atm], which is the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance in the environment in which the toner bottle 20 is used, the air volume that is equal to or less than the upper limit value V _lim A step of adjusting the container width W of the toner container 21 after refilling with toner so as to adjust the volume, and adjusting the volume of the toner container 21.
(4) A step of attaching the cap member 30 to the toner container 21 after adjusting the volume.

Further, when the toner bottle 20 is regenerated, it may be regenerated by performing the following steps (I) to (IV).
(I) A step of making a hole in the toner container 21.
(II) A step of refilling the toner container 21 with toner through a hole formed in the toner container 21.
(III) Even if the volume of the toner container 21 is increased at 0.73 [atm], which is the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance in the environment in which the toner bottle 20 is used, the air volume that is equal to or less than the accommodation volume upper limit value V _lim A step of adjusting the container width W of the toner container 21 after refilling with toner so as to adjust the volume, and adjusting the volume of the toner container 21.
(IV) A step of closing the hole of the toner container 21 after adjusting the volume.

  In the present embodiment described above, the material of the powder container to which the present invention is applied and the characteristics of the powder are not limited thereto. The powder contained in the powder container may be a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier, or other powder.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the toner container 21 that is the powder container of the toner bottle 20 that is the powder container is set in accordance with the minimum value of the air pressure that is assumed in advance in the usage environment of the toner bottle 20. By adjusting the amount of gas sealed in the toner container 21 in an environment where the altitude is low, the printer 100 can be mounted and used even in an operating environment where the altitude is high, that is, the atmospheric pressure is low.
Further, the volume at 1 [atmospheric pressure] of the toner container 21 in a state where the toner Tp that is powder and the air that is gas is sealed is the flat-ground accommodation volume Vo, and the volume occupied by the toner (the weight of the toner to be filled). _Is divided by the toner density), and the minimum presumed atmospheric pressure of the environment in which the toner bottle 20 is used is the high altitude P _mi , 1/2 · V _lim ≦ Vo ≦ By enclosing air so as to satisfy P _min · V _lim + (1−P _min ) Vt, the atmospheric pressure becomes P _min [atmospheric pressure], which is lower than 1 [atmospheric pressure], which is a flat ground pressure, Even if the toner container 21 expands and the volume of the toner container 21 increases, it can be stored in the container support holder 75.
Further, by adjusting the flat-ground accommodation volume Vo to 0.73 · V _lim +0.27 Vt or less, the atmospheric pressure becomes 0.73 [atmospheric pressure], which is lower than 1 [atmospheric pressure] that is the flat ground pressure. Even if the toner container 21 expands and the volume of the toner container 21 increases, it can be stored in the container support holder 75. Thus, the toner bottle 20 can be mounted on the printer 100 and used even at an altitude of 2500 [m].
Further, a negative pressure is applied to the toner discharge port 21c which is a powder discharge port of the toner bottle 20 from the outside, so that the toner in the toner container 21 is discharged to the outside and the volume of the toner container 21 is reduced. With this configuration, the volume of the toner bottle 20 after the toner consumption is reduced, and the cost for transporting from the user to the manufacturer is reduced when the used toner bottle 20 is collected when the toner bottle 20 is replaced. Can do.
Further, when the flat-ground accommodation volume Vo and the toner volume Vt satisfy 2.3 · Vt ≦ Vo, the toner replenishment property is stabilized, and the remaining amount of toner can be suppressed to a low level.
Further, since the toner container 21 is made of a resin film and is formed by heat-welding the resin film, the toner bottle 20 is improved in hermeticity and more easily affected by atmospheric pressure. The effect of adjusting the accommodation volume Vo is great.
Further, by using the toner bottle 20 as a toner container of the printer 100 which is an image forming apparatus, the toner bottle 20 can be mounted on the printer 100 even at an altitude of 2500 [m]. it can.
A toner replenishing device 200 serving as a toner replenishing unit of the printer 100 applies a negative pressure to the toner contained in the toner bottle 20 and replenishes toner to the developing device 14 through a toner replenishing tube 65 serving as a toner conveying unit. By providing the pump 60, the degree of freedom in layout between the toner bottle 20 and the developing device 14 can be increased.
The toner bottle storage box of the toner bottle storage box, which is a powder container storage box for storing the toner bottle 20, is configured so that it cannot be stored when the volume of the toner container 21 is larger than the flat ground storage volume Vo. Therefore, when the toner bottle 20 is stored in the toner bottle storage box, the volume of the toner container 21 can be confirmed.
Further, when the toner bottle 20 is manufactured, the toner container 21 is filled with the toner, and then, according to 0.73 [atmospheric pressure], which is the minimum value of the air pressure assumed in advance in the environment in which the toner bottle 20 is used. Then, the volume of the toner container 21 is adjusted from the outside of the toner container 21 so as to adjust the amount of air sealed in the toner container 21, and then the toner discharge port 21c which is an opening used for filling the toner. The toner bottle 20 that can be used can be stably manufactured even at an altitude of 2500 [m].
Further, when the toner bottle 20 is regenerated, a step of removing the cap member 30 that is a sealing member for sealing the toner bottle 20 from the toner container 21, and a toner in the toner container 21 after the cap member 30 is removed. The toner is adjusted so that the amount of air sealed in the toner container 21 is adjusted according to the refilling step and 0.73 [atmospheric pressure] which is the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance in the environment where the toner bottle 20 is used. By performing the process of adjusting the volume of the toner container 21 after refilling and the process of attaching the base member 30 to the toner container 21 after the volume is adjusted, the altitude is 2500 m. However, the usable toner bottle 20 can be regenerated.
In addition, when the toner bottle 20 is regenerated, a process of opening a hole in the toner container 21, a process of refilling the toner into the toner container 21 through the hole, and an environment in which the toner bottle 20 is used are assumed in advance. Adjusting the volume of the toner container 21 after refilling the toner so as to adjust the amount of air sealed in the toner container 21 according to 0.73 [atmospheric pressure] which is the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure, By performing the step of closing the hole of the toner container 21 after adjusting the volume, the usable toner bottle 20 can be regenerated even at an altitude of 2500 [m].

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer that uses a toner container according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the toner supply device. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a toner bottle. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a toner bottle including a reinforcing plate. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing of a cap member vicinity. The perspective view of the whole apparatus of the printer. Side surface explanatory drawing of one container support holder. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a toner bottle in which a toner container and a base member are separated. Explanatory drawing of a toner bottle storage box, (a) is explanatory drawing which accommodates a toner bottle in a toner bottle storage box, (b) is a side view of the state which closed the lid | cover of the toner bottle storage box.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming means 2 Image carrier 3 Intermediate transfer belt 7 Laser writing unit 10 Paper feed part 11 Secondary transfer roller 12 Fixing device 13 Paper discharge tray 14 Developing device 17 Central partition 18 Doctor blade 19 Developing roller 20 Toner bottle 21 Toner Container 21a Reinforcing plate 21b Welding allowance 21c Toner discharge port 22 RF tag 25 Shutter member 30 Cap member 31 Upper member 40 Inner member 42 O-ring 43 Seal member 50 Outer member 60 Toner pump 61 Rotor 62 Stator 63 Toner suction port 64 Universal joint 65 Toner Supply Tube 66 Drive Motor 67 Toner Supply Port 68 Sub Hopper 80 Nozzle 100 Printer 200 Toner Supply Device

Claims (13)

A deformable powder container containing powder inside;
In a powder container having a powder discharge port for discharging the powder from the powder container to the outside,
Gas is enclosed with the powder in the powder container,
Adjusting the amount of the gas sealed in the powder container according to the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance of the environment in which the powder container is used ;
The volume at 1 [atmospheric pressure] of the powder container in a state of containing the powder and the gas is Vo, the upper limit value of the volume of the powder container is V _lim , and the volume occupied by the powder is Vt, When the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance of the environment in which the powder container is used is P _mim ,
A powder container in which a volume Vo at 1 [atmospheric pressure] of the powder container satisfies the following expression (1).
½ · V _lim ≦ Vo ≦ P _min · V _lim + (1−P _min ) Vt (1)
However, the upper limit value V _lim of the volume of the powder container is the volume of the powder container in a state where the powder container cannot perform its function when the volume of the powder container exceeds that value. . A deformable powder container containing powder inside;
In a powder container having a powder discharge port for discharging the powder from the powder container to the outside,
When the volume at 1 [atm] of the powder container in a state of containing gas with the powder is Vo, the upper limit value of the volume of the powder container is V _lim , and the volume occupied by the powder is Vt,
A powder container in which a volume Vo at 1 [atm] of the powder container satisfies the following expression (2).
1/2 · V _lim ≤ Vo ≤ 0.73 · V _lim + 0.27 Vt ··· (2)
However, the upper limit value V _lim of the volume of the powder container is the volume of the powder container in which the powder container cannot perform its function when the volume of the powder container exceeds that value. The powder container according to claim 1 or 2,
The powder container is attached to an image forming apparatus and has an upper limit value V for the volume of the powder container. _lim Is a value that makes it impossible to attach the powder container to the image forming apparatus when the volume of the powder container exceeds that value. The powder container according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
A powder characterized in that the powder in the powder container is discharged to the outside by applying a negative pressure from the outside to the powder discharge port, and the volume of the powder container is reduced. Body container. The powder container of claim 4,
A powder container in which a volume Vo at 1 [atmospheric pressure] of the powder container and a volume Vt occupied by the powder satisfy the following expression (3).
2.3 Vt ≦ Vo ≦ 8.0 Vt (3) The powder container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
The powder container is made of a resin film, and is formed by thermally welding the resin film. The powder container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6,
A powder container, wherein the powder is toner. A latent image carrier;
A developing device that includes a developer container, and develops the latent image on the latent image carrier using the developer in the developer container;
A toner container for containing toner used in the developing device;
An image forming apparatus having toner replenishing means for supplying toner in the toner container to the developer accommodating portion;
An image forming apparatus using the powder container according to claim 7 as the toner container. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner replenishing unit includes a toner pump that applies a negative pressure to the toner accommodated in the toner container and replenishes the toner to the developer accommodating unit through the toner conveying unit. In the powder container storage box for storing the powder container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,
The powder container storage box, wherein the storage unit for storing the powder container is configured so as not to be stored when the powder container has a volume larger than a desired volume at 1 [atmospheric pressure]. In the manufacturing method of the powder container of Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,
After the powder is filled in the powder container, the amount of the gas sealed in the powder container is adjusted according to the minimum value of the presumed atmospheric pressure of the environment in which the powder container is used. And adjusting the volume of the powder container from the outside of the powder container, and then sealing the opening used for filling the powder. 8. The powder container after the powder in the powder container of the powder container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 is consumed and then refilled with powder. In the powder container recycling method for recycling
Removing a sealing member for sealing the powder container from the powder container;
Refilling the powder into the powder container after removing the sealing member;
The powder container after refilling the powder so as to adjust the amount of gas sealed in the powder container according to the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance of the environment in which the powder container is used Adjusting the volume of
And a step of attaching the sealing member to the powder container after adjusting the volume. 8. The powder container after the powder in the powder container of the powder container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 is consumed and then refilled with powder. In the powder container recycling method for recycling
Opening a hole in the powder container;
Refilling the powder into the powder container through the hole;
The powder container after refilling the powder so as to adjust the amount of gas sealed in the powder container according to the minimum value of the atmospheric pressure assumed in advance of the environment in which the powder container is used Adjusting the volume of
And a step of closing the hole of the powder container after adjusting the volume.

Images