JP2001013853A - Device and method for sticking sealing material for hermetically sealing developer housing part - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent developer leakage and to effectively refuse the parts of a used process cartridge. SOLUTION: Toner is prevented from leaking from the process cartridge by the sealing material 10 by a process where an adhesive layer is formed on the surface of the material 10, a process where the developer storing part 33 of the process cartridge is arranged on a sticking machine 20, a process where the material 10 is arranged on the periphery of the aperture part 33a of the part 33, so that the adhesive layer is opposed to the periphery of the part 33a, and a process where the adhesive layer of the material 10 is thermally press-fixed to the periphery of the part 33a so as to be thermally removed at the same time when a heated upper jig 3 in the machine 20 is pressed to the material 10, so that the adhesive layer of the material 10 is pressed to the periphery of the part 33a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sealing material bonding method and a bonding device for sealing an opening of a developer accommodating portion formed in a process cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become a general trend to recycle resources and reduce costs in order to protect the natural environment. Process cartridges such as copiers and printers that form images by electrophotography are also generally implemented in consideration of reuse. When the process cartridge is reused, the used cartridge is collected and disassembled, and the toner adhered to the opening of the toner container, the remaining seal material, and the like are cleaned. Next, the usable parts are reused, and the developer (toner) container is filled with the toner again. To prevent the developer from leaking when transporting the process cartridge, attach a sealant with an adhesive on one side to the opening of the toner container by hand at the time of shipment, and close it again with a sealant. Peeled off.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-319362 discloses a method for remanufacturing a process cartridge which does not leak toner when reused. In this reproduction method, as shown in FIG. 13, a new toner frame (60) having a toner storage section (61) for storing toner and a developing roller (63) for supplying toner to a photosensitive drum (not shown). ) And a new developing frame (62) having a mounting portion. A new toner seal (54) is interposed between the two frames to prevent leakage of the toner in the toner storage section (61). FIG.
This shows a state in which a sheet film (51) is heated and pressed to a base material (52) having an opening (52a) to form a toner seal (54).
When the process cartridge (70) is reused, the toner in the toner frame (60) is supplied to the developing roller (63).
The sheet film (51) is heat-pressed to the base material (52) in a peelable state. FIG. 13 shows a toner seal (54) interposed between the toner frame (60) and the developing frame (62).
The ribs (61e) surrounding the opening (61a) are melted by ultrasonic waves, and the toner seal (54) is fused to the flange (61) of the toner frame (61).
b) to seal the opening (61a) of the toner frame (61). FIGS. 14 (a) and (b) show that the sheet film (51) is peeled from the base material (52) by pulling the free end (51a) of the sheet film (51) exposed to the outside from the slit (62c). (61a) is shown in a released state.

[0004]

In a method of manually attaching a sealant having an adhesive adhered to one side and closing the opening of the toner container, the sealant may not be completely adhered. Further, there is a case where the seal portion of the toner storage section is not sufficiently removed and cleaned, and the seal member remains at the seal portion, and a new seal member is attached in a state where the toner adheres. In these cases, the toner may leak from the sealing portion, and the toner leaks not only when the cartridge is transported but also when the printer is used, thereby contaminating the inside of the printer and adversely affecting the copy image quality.

In the method of using a new toner developing frame with a toner seal interposed therebetween in order to prevent leakage of toner stored in the toner storing section, the opening (61a) of the toner frame (60) is welded by ultrasonic welding. Ribs surrounding the (61
e) is melted, the substrate (52) is attached, and the developing frame (6
The toner frame (60) and the developing frame (62) are joined by melting the rib (62e) of (2). For this reason, the toner frame (60) and the developing frame (62) cannot be reused, and new ones must be used during reproduction. Accordingly, although toner can be prevented from leaking from the toner frame (60), the used toner frame (61) and the developing frame (62) must be discarded, so that effective resources can be used and costs can be reduced. Can not.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for bonding a sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion, which reliably prevent leakage of a developer and effectively reuse parts of a used process cartridge. With the goal.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sealant bonding method for sealing a developer accommodating portion, comprising the steps of: forming an adhesive layer (11) on a surface of a sealant (10);
(32) arranging the developer accommodating section (33) on the bonding machine (20), and a sealing material around the opening (33a) of the developer accommodating section (33).
(10) is disposed, the adhesive layer (11) is opposed to the periphery of the opening (33a), and the heated upper jig (3) of the bonding machine (20) is pressed against the sealing material (10). And presses the adhesive layer (11) of the sealing material (10) around the opening (33a), and at the same time, removes the adhesive layer (11) of the sealing material (10) so that it can be removed by heating. Thermocompression bonding to the surroundings.

The sealing material (10) having the adhesive layer (11) is applied to the opening (33) of the developer accommodating portion (33) of the process cartridge (32).
When the opening of the developer accommodating section (33) is closed by heating and pressing around the area (a), it can be adhered without any gap, and leakage of the developer from the process cartridge (32) through the opening (33a) is prevented by the sealing material (10). Can be completely prevented. The sealing material (10) is an adhesive layer
Since it has (11), the used sealant (10) is used at the time of regeneration to replace the sealant (10) of the process cartridge (32).
From the periphery of the opening (33a), the developer accommodating section (33)
Can be used repeatedly without discarding.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a step of bonding a tearing tape (2) to a substrate (1), and a step of attaching the tearing tape (2) to an opening (3).
3a) heat-sealing the periphery. The bonding machine (2
(0) A step of holding the periphery of the opening (33a) substantially horizontally on the upper side, and a heated flexible pad (7) of the upper jig (3) on a sealing material (10) covering the opening (33a). And bonding the sealing material (10) around the opening (33a). The step of forming the adhesive layer (11) on the main surface (1a) of the cleavable and band-shaped base material (1), and the main surface of the base material (1) in a state where the central axis in the longitudinal direction coincides.
(1a) a step in which the tearing tape (2) having a width smaller than that of the base material (1) is opposed to the sealing material (10) by heating and pressing the base material (1) and the tearing tape (2). Manufacturing process. Heated jig
(3) is pressed against the sealing material (10), and the sealing material (10) is opened (33).
pressing around the periphery of a) and simultaneously heat-sealing the tear tape 2 removably around the opening 33a.

A sealing material bonding apparatus for sealing a developer accommodating portion according to the present invention includes a machine base (25), a mold (26) fixed to the machine (25), and a mold movably in a vertical direction. An upper jig (3) attached to (26), a lower jig (4) fixed to a machine base (25) below and opposite to the upper jig (3), and an upper jig A cylinder (8) having a ram (27) connected to (3) and fixed to a formwork (26), and a guide bar (2) for guiding the vertical movement of the upper jig (3).
9), and the developer accommodating section of the process cartridge (32).
(33) is placed on the lower jig (4), and the sealing material (10) on which the adhesive layer (11) is formed is placed around the opening (33a) of the developer accommodating section (33), and By pressing the jig (3) onto the sealing material (10), the sealing material (10) is opened via the adhesive layer (11) to the opening (33).
a) can be glued. The upper jig (3) may include a heater (5) for heating the upper jig (3) and a temperature controller (6).

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a sealing material bonding method and a bonding apparatus according to the present invention for sealing a developer accommodating portion will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In the sealing material bonding method according to the present invention, the sealing material (10) is moved by the bonding machine (20) shown in FIG.
Around the opening (33a). Bonding machine (20)
Is a machine base (25), a mold (26) fixed to the machine (25), and an upper jig attached to the mold (26) so as to be vertically movable.
(3) and the machine base (25) below and facing the upper jig (3)
And the ram connected to the upper jig (3)
(27) and a cylinder (8) fixed to the formwork (26),
A guide bar (29) for guiding the vertical movement of the upper jig (3).

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the upper jig (3)
A flexible pad (7) formed of a silicone rubber plate attached to the bottom surface, and a temperature controller (6) for controlling the temperature of a heater (5) for heating the upper jig (3). The heater (5) is a heating resistor that generates heat by electric resistance when energized,
The temperature controller (6) heats up as the temperature of the upper jig (3) rises.
This is a thermistor that increases the electric resistance of the current flowing through (5) or a thermostat that cuts off the current supply to the heater (5).
The ram (2) extending from the cylinder (8) is located at the center of the upper jig (3).
7), and both ends of the upper jig (3) are connected to the formwork (26).
The guide bar (2) slidably arranged in the guide hole (28)
9) is connected to the lower end. Ram (27) from cylinder (8)
The extension position of is controlled by the fluid pressure supplied into the cylinder (8), and this fluid pressure is controlled by the control panel (15). As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the lower jig (4)
It has a pair of stoppers (21) at one end in the width direction, and has a stopper (21) at one end in the length direction. Stopper (21, 2
2), the toner cartridge (3) of the process cartridge (32)
3) is positioned on the lower jig (4), and the toner storage portion (33) is prevented from being displaced at the time of thermocompression bonding.

When the sealing material (10) is bonded around the opening (33a) of the toner storage portion (33) using the bonding machine (20), the sealing material (10) is first manufactured. The sealing material (10) shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
The base material (1) is formed on the main surface (1a), and the base material (1) is opposed to the cleavage tape (2) having a width smaller than that of the main surface (1a) in a state where the central axes in the longitudinal direction coincide with each other. ) And the tearing tape (2) are produced by thermocompression bonding. The substrate (1) is formed of one or more resin materials of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, polyurethane and cellulose derivatives. The tearing tape (2) is formed of one or more resin materials of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene and nylon. Adhesive layer (11) on main surface (1a) of base material (1)
Is formed on the main surface (2a) of the tearing tape (2).
A binder (12) of the same material as 1) is applied. Tearing tape
Since (2) is narrower than the base material (1), the main surface (1a) of the base material (1) to which the tear tape (2) is not adhered has an adhesive layer on both sides of the tear tape (2). (11) is exposed. This exposed adhesive layer (11)
To the periphery of the opening (33a) of the toner storage section (33). The adhesive layer (11) is made of polyethylene, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene / isobutyl acrylate copolymer, polyamide, polyester, butyral, polyvinyl acetate, cellulose derivative, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl ether, polyurethane and polycarbonate. One or more hot-melt adhesives or rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesives or acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives. As the rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, natural rubber, synthetic isoprene rubber or the like can be used, and as the acrylic-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, acrylic ester or the like can be used.

The used toner cartridge (33) of the process cartridge (32) is positioned by the stoppers (21, 22) of the lower jig (4) and arranged on the lower jig (4). Toner storage section (33)
Is disposed with the opening (33a) facing upward, and the opening (33a)
If the previously used sealing material (10) remains around the
Remove this. When the sealing material (10) using the hot melt adhesive remains, it can be easily removed by heating.

Next, the sealing material (10) manufactured is placed around the opening (33a) of the developer accommodating portion (33) with the central axes in the longitudinal direction substantially coincident with each other. ) Is opposed to the periphery of the opening (33a). The sealing material (10) disposed around the opening (33a) of the toner storage section (33) is connected to the toner storage section (33) via a hot melt adhesive layer (11) provided on the base material (1). )
Is heat-pressed around the opening (33a). That is, the bonding machine
The heated upper jig (3) of (20) is moved downward, and the sealing material (10) is pressed by the silicon plate (7) of the upper jig (3).
Since the upper jig (3) is heated to a predetermined temperature at which the hot melt adhesive melts by the heating of the heater (5), the flexible pad (7) is pressed onto the sealing material (10) to (Ten)
Is pressed around the opening (33a) while heating, the periphery of the opening (33a) of the toner storage section (33) and the sealing material (10) arranged in the opening (33a) are fused. Also, the opening (33a)
The tearing tape (2) itself is heat-sealed removably to the outside in the length direction. As a result, the opening (3
3a) is completely sealed with a sealing material (10). The sealed toner storage section (33) is moved upward by the upper jig (3) and detached from the lower jig (4). Then, put the toner into the toner inlet (3
Inject the appropriate amount from 5) and further place the toner storage section (33) on the developing roller
By assembling with the other components such as (63), the process cartridge (32) is reproduced.

When using the regenerated process cartridge (32), as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and (b),
By pulling the end (2b) of the tearing tape (2) exposed to the outside of the process cartridge (32) from the sealing material outlet (34), the base material (1) of the sealing material (10) is And a cutting line (1c) parallel to the side edge of the tearing tape (2) from the cut (1b) shown in FIG.
Tears easily along. The base material (1) has an opening at the center in the width direction along the cutting line (1c), and has an opening (33) in the toner storage portion (33).
b) is formed. The toner disposed in the toner storage section (33) is supplied to the developing roller (63) through the opening (33a), and when the process cartridge (32) is disposed in the printer in this state, copying becomes possible.

As described above, in the present embodiment, at the time of reproduction, the sealing material (10) adhered to the toner storage portion (33) can be peeled off, and the toner storage portion (33) can be reused. When the hot melt adhesive is used as the adhesive layer (11), the used sealing material (10) remaining around the opening (33a) at the time of reproduction can be easily peeled off by heating. Furthermore, when the sealing material (10) is heat-pressed around the opening (33a), the toner remaining around the opening (33a) melts together with the adhesive layer (11) by heating, and the toner itself also serves as an adhesive. Works. Therefore, the opening (3) of the toner storage section (33)
3b) can be bonded without gaps, and the leakage of toner from the bonded portion when the cartridge is transported and when the printer is used is completely prevented.

[0019]

EXAMPLE A 9 mm wide polypropylene tearing tape (2) having a polyethylene hot melt adhesive as a binder (12) on a main surface (2a), and a polyethylene hot melt adhesive layer (11) on a main surface (1a). ) With a cleavable polyethylene base material (1) having a width of 22 mm and a length of 297 mm, affixing the center of the base material (1) in the width direction to the tearing tape (2), and thermocompression bonding for 2 seconds And the tear tape (2) and the substrate (1) are adhered to each other.
(2) Cut to length of 644mm with cutter and seal material
(10) was produced.

After removing and cleaning the sealing material (10) before remaining around the opening (33a) of the toner storage section (33), the EP-B process cartridge (32) stores toner of 22 mm in width and 297 mm in length. The part (33) is disposed on the lower jig (4) of the bonding machine (20), and the manufactured sealing material (10) is opened (33a) of the toner storage part (33).
Around. Next, the upper jig (3) of the bonding machine (20) is moved downward, and the sealing material (10) disposed around the opening (33a) is melted to a predetermined temperature at which the hot melt adhesive layer (11) melts. Press with the upper jig (3) heated to the temperature, and press
The opening (33b) was sealed. Sealed toner compartment (3
3) Remove the adhesive from the bonding machine (20), blow air into the toner container (33)
00g was stored. This regeneration process cartridge (32)
As a result of performing a copy test of 6,000 sheets with an EP-B printer using the above, no toner leakage and good image quality were obtained.

[0021]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking to the copying machine, to improve the image quality, and to save the environment and reduce the cost by utilizing the effective resources.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a sealing material bonding apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developer container sealing member.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sealing material shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the back surface.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a developer accommodating section using the sealing material of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upper jig used in the sealing material bonding apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the upper jig.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the upper jig.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lower jig used in the sealing material bonding apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a lower jig.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the lower jig.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a state in which a sealing material is peeled off;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional sealing material manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional toner developing frame.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a state in which a conventional sealing material is peeled off.

[Explanation of symbols]

(1) ・ ・ Base material, (1a) ・ ・ Main surface, (2) ・ ・ Tear tape,
(2a) ・ ・ Main surface, (3) ・ ・ Upper jig, (4) ・ ・ Lower jig,
(5) · heater, (6) · · temperature controller, (7) · · · flexible pad (silicone rubber plate), (8) · · cylinder,
(10) ・ ・ Seal material, (11) ・ ・ Adhesive layer (hot melt adhesive layer), (12) ・ ・ Binder, (15) ・ ・ Control panel,
(20) ・ ・ Gluing machine, (21, 22) ・ ・ Stopper, (25) ・
・ Base, (26) ・ ・ Form, (27) ・ ・ Ram, (28) ・ ・ Guide hole, (29) ・ ・ Guide bar, (32) ・ ・ Process cartridge, (33) ・ ・ Developer (Toner) compartment, (33
a) ・ ・ Opening,

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Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A step of forming an adhesive layer on a surface of a seal material, a step of arranging a developer accommodating portion of a process cartridge on a bonding machine, and arranging a seal material around an opening of the developer accommodating portion. A step of making the adhesive layer face the periphery of the opening, and pressing the upper jig of the heated bonding machine against the sealing material to press the adhesive layer of the sealing material around the opening, and at the same time, heating and removing the adhesive layer. And heat-pressing an adhesive layer of the seal material around the opening as much as possible. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: adhering a tearing tape to the substrate; and heat-sealing the tearing tape around the opening. Law. 3. A step of holding the periphery of the opening substantially horizontally on a bonding machine, and pressing the heated flexible pad of the upper jig against the sealing material covering the opening to apply the sealing material to the opening. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: adhering to the periphery. 4. A step of forming an adhesive layer on a main surface of a cleavable and strip-shaped base material, and a cleaving tape having a width narrower than the main surface of the base material in a state where central axes in a longitudinal direction are coincident with each other. The seal for sealing a developer accommodating part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a step of facing the substrate and a step of heating and pressing the substrate and the tearing tape to produce a sealing material. Method of bonding materials. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of pressing the heated upper jig against the sealing material to press the sealing material around the opening and, at the same time, heat-sealing the tearing tape removably around the opening. Item 5. The method according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating portion is bonded. 6. The adhesive layer is made of polyethylene, ethylene.
Vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene / isobutyl acrylate copolymer, polyamide, polyester, butyral,
One or more hot melt adhesives of polyvinyl acetate, cellulose derivative, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl ether, polyurethane and polycarbonate, or a rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive or an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive. A method for bonding a sealing material for sealing a developer accommodating part according to claim 1. 7. A machine base, a mold fixed to the machine, an upper jig movably attached to the mold, and a machine base below and opposed to the upper jig. A jig fixed to the upper jig, a cylinder having a ram connected to the upper jig and fixed to a mold, and a guide bar for guiding the vertical movement of the upper jig, The storage portion is disposed on the lower jig, the seal material on which the adhesive layer is formed is disposed around the opening of the developer storage portion, and the upper jig is pressed onto the seal material, thereby interposing the adhesive layer. A sealant for sealing a developer accommodating portion, wherein the sealant can be adhered to the opening portion by means of a sealant. 8. The sealing material bonding apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a heater for heating the upper jig. 9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the upper jig includes a temperature controller.