JP2005075371A - Controlling adhesion of toner to deaerator used for filling toner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for filling a toner which prevents the scattering of the toner and requires no time for cleaning the surroundings of a filling hole before the container is sealed, no wide place for a toner filling work, no load for carrying an empty container before the toner is filled, or no large storing place. <P>SOLUTION: A toner filling apparatus comprises a means for introducing a gas into a powder toner to increase fluidity of the toner, a toner filling means for introducing the toner into a toner storing container, a deaerator for removing the gas from the toner introduced into the toner storing container, a deaerator holding means for holding the deaerator under a forward and backward movable condition in the toner storing container, and a toner adhesion suppressing means for suppressing adhesion of the toner onto the deaerator to solve clogging of a filter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for efficiently filling a powder container containing powder such as toner and powder developer for copying machines, printers and facsimiles with high density.

  Attempts to improve the fluidity by introducing a gas such as air into the powder toner, and to make it easy to carry in and out of various handling devices and storage devices including metering devices are being studied. It has been proposed to remove unnecessary gas from the powder and to reduce the volume of the powder toner after or while carrying out various processes such as transportation in the pipe and in the pneumatic system.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses that a gas is uniformly introduced into a powder to obtain a flow state of the powder controlled with a minimum amount of gas, and the depth or bottom of a small-diameter filling container or a complicated-shaped filling container is obtained. As a method and device for fluidizing powder, it is compact and portable, easy to operate, degassed after filling, and filled with high density and no dust. Sealable container-shaped storage powder fluidizing means having a gas introduction opening for introducing gas in the upstream portion, a filling nozzle having a gas discharge opening for discharging the gas in the downstream portion, and the storage powder The fluidizing means and the filling nozzle are connected to each other, and the fluidizing powder path to be discharged is provided. The filling nozzle is a fine powder using the powder filling means capable of sealing the mouth of the filling container. A gas introduction opening upstream of the stored powder fluidizing means and a filling nozzle; By providing a powder-gas separation sieve that allows gas to pass through but does not allow powder to pass through the downstream gas discharge opening, fluidized powder is stored in the storage powder fluidizer and for filling. By enclosing between the containers and setting the opening area of the gas discharge opening of the stored powder fluidizer to be 1.002 times or more the opening area of the gas discharge opening of the filling nozzle, the gas discharge opening The gas flow velocity of the gas is made higher than the gas flow velocity of the gas discharge opening, and the fluidized powder is transferred from the stored powder fluidizer through the fluidized powder path and the filling nozzle. The technology for filling fine powder is disclosed that is naturally discharged.

  In Patent Document 2, the filling rate of the powder into the powder container is increased, and further, the powder flows smoothly from the powder supply body into the powder container at the time of filling. In order to prevent the powder from being clogged, a powder filling device for detachably connecting the powder supply body to the powder inlet of the powder container and filling the powder into the powder container from the powder supply body An air suction pipe having an air separation portion formed on the other end side, which is connected to one end side and is detachably inserted into the powder container, and further connected to a pressurized air source. In addition, there is disclosed an apparatus provided with an air blowing section for blowing air in a direction substantially perpendicular to the powder flowing down in the powder supply body.

  In Patent Document 3, in a method and apparatus for filling powder into a powder container from a hopper, at least one hopper containing powder inside and having a discharge port at the bottom is used, and an inner wall surface of the hopper is used. By blowing air into the powder from the air-permeable inner wall provided, when filling powder such as toner into the powder container, the bulk density of the toner staying in the hopper or funnel and flowing down is made uniform, It has been disclosed to improve the measurement accuracy by increasing the fluidity of the powder and speeding up the filling operation, and in particular by smoothing the flow in the measurement part.

  In Patent Document 4, a hopper that contains magnetic powder inside and has a discharge port at the bottom is used, and a magnet rod provided inside the hopper is moved in the direction of the central axis of the hopper, or near the discharge port. Disclosed is a method and apparatus for controlling the flow rate of magnetic powder flowing down from the discharge port and controlling the flow rate of magnetic powder accurately and quickly by controlling the flow rate of the magnetic powder flowing down from the discharge port. Yes.

  In Patent Document 5, gas is uniformly introduced into a powder to obtain a flow state of the powder controlled with a minimum amount of gas, and flows into the back or bottom of a small-diameter filling container or a complicated-shaped filling container. The powder flows in, is small and portable, is easy to operate, and is degassed from the powder after filling by a layer of powder between the filling nozzle and the container opening in the container, and it is easily high-density and dust-free. In addition, it is a technology that can be filled, and anyone can fill the container with powder as a filling technology that is portable and easy to operate so that it can be filled with powder such as toner without any dirt in any place. As a method, the tip of a filling nozzle which is inserted into a powder filling container and discharges and fills the powder fluidized by gas into the container is surrounded by the powder staying in the container. In this state, a powder filling method for filling the container with the powder is opened. It is.

  However, as compared with the conventional toner filling method (auger type filling), the fluidized toner filling method contains a large amount of air in the toner, and therefore becomes bulky in the processing apparatus during filling and pneumatic transport operations. For example, since the toner is simultaneously filled with air in the container at the time of filling, it takes time to settle the toner powder surface. Even if the air in the toner is removed, it takes time and the toner filling tact time increases. Further, since the toner contained in a large amount, toner scattering occurred, and it took time to clean the periphery of the filling port before sealing the container. In particular, since powders such as toner are often produced by pulverizing and classifying colored resin materials, the toner particles have a particle size distribution in the particle size, and therefore, the powder from the powder such as toner is gas Regardless of the size of the mesh of the filter means for extracting the particles, it is inevitable to encounter toner particles having a particle size range corresponding to the size of the mesh. During continuous work to remove unnecessary gas from the powder and reduce the volume of the powder toner to its original volume after or while performing various treatments of the powdered toner using the pneumatic system It was an obstacle.

JP 2002-293301 A JP-A-7-125701 JP-A-8-198202 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-198454 JP 2002-337801 A

  Therefore, in view of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to use a filter means for extracting gas from a powder such as toner, and to fill the toner in a toner storage container that has become fluidized and bulky by introducing gas. To provide a toner processing technique that can continue the operation of degassing (solid-gas separation) from the toner for a long time, and clogging when using a filter means for extracting gas from powder such as toner Does not reduce the suction and deaeration capability due to the toner, the toner filling tact is not high, the toner does not scatter, and it does not take time to clean the area around the filling port before sealing the container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner filling method that does not require a load for transporting an empty container before toner filling and does not require a large storage space.

The above-described problems are solved by (1) “fluidizing means for introducing gas into powdered toner to increase the fluidity of the toner, toner filling means for introducing the toner into the toner container, A deaeration device for removing gas from the toner introduced into the toner storage container, and a deaeration device holding means for holding the deaeration device in the toner storage container in a state of being able to advance and retreat. A toner filling device characterized by having toner adhesion suppressing means for suppressing toner adhesion to the deaeration device and eliminating clogging of the filter ”;
(2) “The toner adhesion suppressing means applies ultrasonic vibration with a frequency of 10 to 50 Hz to the deaeration device to suppress toner adhesion to the deaeration device and prevent a decrease in the amount of suction air. The toner filling device according to item (1), wherein:
(3) The item (1), wherein the toner adhesion suppressing unit is a deaerator charging unit that electrostatically repels the toner by charging the deaerator to the same polarity as the toner. A toner filling device according to claim 1;
(4) The above-mentioned toner adhesion suppressing means is characterized in that the toner adhering to the mesh is peeled off by centrifugal force by rotating the deaeration device at a high speed of 100 to 20000 rpm. The toner deaerator according to item (1);
(5) “The toner adhesion suppressing means is configured to suppress toner adhesion by reciprocating the deaeration device up and down (by a cam drive in order to make the device cheaper). This is achieved by the “toner deaerator” described in the item 1).

  As described above, as is clear from the detailed and specific description, according to the present invention, by suppressing the adhesion of toner to the deaeration unit, air suction in the toner can always be performed in a state close to a new deaeration unit. Therefore, measures against toner scattering during filling and reduction of toner filling time are realized, and an extremely excellent effect is exhibited in that deaeration can be performed within a filling time without lowering the air suction amount for a long period of time and overflow does not occur.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these descriptions are for the purpose of easily and sufficiently understanding the contents of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. .
1 to 6 and FIGS. 7 to 9 are used in the present invention, “means for introducing gas into powdered toner to increase the fluidity of the toner, and for introducing the toner into the toner storage container”. 1 shows an example of a “toner filling method having a toner filling means and a deaeration device for removing gas from the toner introduced into the toner storage container”. The first example of FIG. Fluidizing means (15), (21), (33) for introducing the toner into the powder toner to increase the fluidity of the toner, and toner filling means (30a) for introducing the toner into the toner container And a deaeration device (70) for removing gas from the toner in the toner storage container (40). Degassing device holding means for holding the degassing device (70) in a toner storage container in a state where it can advance and retreat, and toner for preventing the filter from being clogged by suppressing toner adhesion to the degassing device The adhesion suppressing means is not shown in FIG. These deaerator holding means (75) and toner adhesion suppressing means (71) (72) (73) (74) are shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 described in relation to FIG.

  In FIG. 1 showing the first example of the filling device, the fine powder toner in the large container (10) is filled into the toner container (40) through the measuring tank (30). The large container (10) and the measuring tank (30) communicate with each other through a connecting pipe (20) between the toner discharge port (11) of the large container (10) and the toner inlet of the measuring tank (30). The tank (30) is a filling amount regulating means for opening and closing the discharge opening (31) and filling the toner container (40) by a predetermined amount to the toner discharge discharge opening (31). (32)

  The large container (10) has an inner wall portion (12) that is slanted to such an extent that it does not prevent the toner contained therein from slipping, and the slanted inner wall portion (12) allows fine powder toner contained therein to be contained. The discharge to the toner discharge port (11) is facilitated. In the apparatus of this example, the inclined inner wall portion (12) is a part of the hopper-like structural portion (13) below the large container (10).

  In the apparatus of this example, the hopper-like structural part (13) of the large container (10) is formed with a substantially triangular side plate (13b) (13c) inclined inward on both sides of one vertical substrate (13a), and vertically. The back plate (13d) is formed of a substantially triangular back plate (13d) (13e) inclined inward and facing the substrate (13a), and has a reverse cone trapezoidal downward slope. The valley portion (14) joined to (13e) has the smallest gradient, and the valley portion (14) having a small gradient has a fluidity for promoting sliding of the fine powder toner. Three toner fluidizing means (15) are provided. The third gas introduction pipe (15a) for the third toner fluidizing means (15) is branched into a total of three parts, that is, the bottom part and both wall parts of the valley part (14), and each one introduction pipe ( Each of 15a) is provided with an air supply control valve (15b).

  In the case of the first toner fluidizing means (33) provided in the measuring tank (30), the same applies to the case of the second toner fluidizing means (21) provided in the connecting pipe (20). In the apparatus of the example, such toner fluidizing means can prevent interruption of toner outflow, or conversely, dripping of the toner, and the amount of air supplied to such toner fluidizing means is adjusted. Therefore, the amount of toner outflow can be adjusted, and the size of the toner cloud (cloud-like toner suspended matter formed by mixing the toner and gas) formed by mixing with the supplied gas is adjusted. can do.

  The large container (10) and the measurement tank (30) are also connected by an upper communication pipe (16) provided on the upper part of the connection pipe (20). The upper communication pipe (16) is connected to the measurement tank (30). ) To the large container (10). The upper communication pipe (16) has a role of keeping the pressure in the measuring tank (30) equal to the pressure in the large container (10), and also the amount of gas ejected from the first toner fluidizing means (33). If a toner cloud larger than desired is formed in the measuring tank (30) for some reason, such as too much, excessive gas is drawn into the large container (10) by the upper communication pipe (16). By leaving and tilting upward, the accompanying toner particles can be returned to the metering tank (30).

  The toner powder discharged from the toner discharge port (11) at the bottom of the large container (10) moves to the measurement tank (30) through the connecting pipe (20). At least a bottom surface portion of the connecting pipe (20) is provided with a porous plate air slider, that is, a second toner fluidizing means (21) through which the introduced gas blows out over almost the entire length direction. The gas blown from the toner fluidizing means (21) fluidizes the toner moved from the connecting pipe (20) to the metering tank (30). The connecting pipe (20) is inclined downward toward the measuring tank (30), and the sliding of the fluidized toner into the measuring tank (30) is also assisted by this.

  The toner powder discharged from the toner discharge port (11) is sent to the measuring tank (30) through the connecting pipe (20). The metering tank (30) in the filling device of this example has a filling amount regulating means (32) for accurate and smooth filling of only a desired amount of toner in the discharge opening (31). The “desired amount” can be reset as appropriate.

  The filling amount regulating means (32) in the filling device of this example includes an elastic ring (32a) having a discharge opening (31) and a discharge control means (32b) for controlling the discharge of toner from the discharge opening (31). The discharge control means (32b) includes a discharge control member (32d) mounted on a discharge control rod (32c) that moves up and down in the measuring tank (30), and the discharge control member (32d) It is a conical member that opens and closes the discharge opening (31) by being inserted and removed from the opening (31). The opening and closing of the discharge opening (31) is determined according to the measuring tank (30) of the discharge control rod (32c). The conical discharge control member (32d), which depends on the degree of ascent and descent, is adjusted by the degree of insertion and fitting of the elastic ring (32a) into the opening (31).

  When the cone tip of the small radius of the discharge control member (32d) is lifted until it is completely removed from the opening (31), the discharge control member (32d) is fully open (free discharge of the filled toner), and the large radius of the discharge control member (32d). When it is lowered and inserted so as to be completely fitted into the opening (31) to the end of the cone, it is in a fully closed state (toner discharge stop), and a state in the middle thereof, that is, the discharge control member (32d) is in the opening. (31) is not completely removed from and is not completely lowered and there is a gap between the opening portion (31) and the medium-sized cone radius portion of the discharge control member (32d). When it is inserted to the extent that it is held, it is in a half-open state (partial toner ejection) according to the insertion level. Although this filling amount regulating means (32) is auxiliary, it also has a deaeration function in the apparatus. In the figure, a filling cap (flexible covering member) indicated by reference numeral (37) is provided on a sleeve (30a) as toner filling means below the discharge opening (31). The cap (37) can be a flexible covering member.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic ring (32a) has a wedge-shaped cross section whose thickness decreases from the outer peripheral edge toward the inner discharge opening (31). The inner side, which must contact when 32d) is fully inserted, is more flexible. In the present invention, when the elastic ring (32a) having such a structure is used, even if the elastic ring (32a) is in contact with the discharge control member (32d), the surface of the elastic ring (32a) or the discharge control member (32d) is not affected by the toner. It has been found that no filming occurs. Even if the elastic ring (32a) comes into contact with the discharge control member (32d), it is considered that the toner inevitably remaining between the two is hardly stressed.

  However, in the filling device of this example, the filling amount regulating means of the discharge opening (31) of the measuring tank (30) is not limited to this exemplified one, for example, the discharge opening (31) is made of an elastic material. It can be formed in an appropriate shape, and the opening degree restricting member can be a plate-like member that slides or moves back and forth by a predetermined distance in the surface direction adjacent to the discharge opening, and has an opening that matches the discharge opening. The degree of opening can be adjusted by the relative positional relationship between the two openings due to the movement of the member.

  And the raising / lowering of such a discharge control rod (32c) is performed by the drive device (39) driven by the drive source (39b) controlled by the drive control device (39a). The drive device (39) for raising and lowering the discharge control rod (32c) can be performed by appropriate means such as an air pressure cylinder, a motor, a hydraulic cylinder, etc. In this example device, an air pressure cylinder is used. Yes. As a result, the first toner fluidizing means (33), the second toner fluidizing means (21), and the third toner fluidizing means (15) are branched from the original compressed air piping for air. Can be used as a drive source.

  The first toner fluidizing means (33) in this example has a large number of fine holes for ejecting gas, and each fine hole sends pressurized gas to a porous body communicating with each other inside. A first gas introduction pipe (33a) to be introduced is included. Similarly, the second toner fluidizing means (21) has a large number of fine holes for ejecting gas, and each fine hole introduces pressurized gas into a porous body communicating with each other inside. It has a second gas introduction pipe (21a), and the third toner fluidizing means (15) has a large number of fine holes for ejecting gas, and the fine holes communicate with each other inside. A third gas introduction pipe (15a) for introducing a pressurized gas into the porous body. In the apparatus of this example, a porous sintered body having a smooth surface is used. Although not shown in the drawings, in order to prevent dust explosion of the fluidized toner, the toner filling device of this example is provided with a static eliminating means for eliminating static electricity generated.

  In the toner filling apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the first toner fluidizing means (33) is provided in the vicinity of the discharge opening (31) of the measuring tank (30) in order to obtain a required high toner discharge capability. Therefore, it is found that this is different from the case of the large-sized container (10) in which the third toner fluidizing means (15) having a thin strip shape is provided only in part. Karu. The amount of movement of the toner powder has a range proportional to the amount of blown air, and the amount of movement can be made almost constant by adjusting the amount of supplied gas, but each toner fluidizing means (33) (21) (15 ), Therefore, when a similar gas ejection material is used, the number of holes is related to the amount of gas that can be supplied. In particular, in the measuring tank (30) having a structure in which the cross section becomes narrower toward the discharge opening (31), several stages of gas outlets are continuously provided along the circumferential surface in order to prevent the cross-linking phenomenon due to the toner. Or it can be set as the blowing structure which gas blows off in the spiral direction.

  The first gas introduction pipe (33a) has a first air supply control valve (33c) that stops air supply, starts air supply, and adjusts the air supply amount. Similarly, the second gas introduction pipe (33a) The pipe (21a) has a second air supply control valve (21b) that stops air supply, starts air supply, and adjusts the air supply amount, and the third gas introduction pipe (15a) stops air supply. In the toner filling method of the present invention, the first to third gas introduction pipes (33a), (21a) ( At least one of 15a) may have such an air supply control valve.

  Further, in this filling device, the weighing tank (30) can be provided with pressure adjusting means for increasing or decreasing the internal atmospheric pressure, and such pressure adjusting means is provided in the large container (10) instead, or in a large size. The container (10) can also be provided. Such pressure adjusting means adjusts the pressure state and toner cloud state in the large container (10) and / or the measuring tank (30) in a state where gas is supplied from the first to third toner fluidizing means. Contribute to

Furthermore, the filling device of the present invention can be configured not only for the device itself but also for inserting the suction tube into the small toner container in order to suck the air in the small toner container filled with the toner. it can.
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a filter mesh (69) that allows only gas in the toner to pass through is attached to the surface via a spacer (not shown) so as to maintain a gap for the gas flow path. The trachea (70) is fitted into the filling cap (37), inserted into a small toner container (40), and the air in the toner container (40) is not shown in the drawing from its tip. Suction is performed by suction means attached to the end.

  On the other hand, the toner filling device of this example preferably has a filling toner weight management means for managing the amount of powder toner charged into the toner container (40), although it is not indispensable. The filled toner weight management means (60) has a load cell (61) for placing the toner container (40) thereon and measuring the filled toner weight. The load cell (61) is provided on a lifter (61a) for raising and lowering the load cell (61) to appropriately change the interval between the measuring tank (30) and the toner container (40). The load cell (61) is provided with monitor means (63) for displaying the measured weight of the filled powder toner.

  As such a monitoring means, an electromotive force is directly changed based on a voltage signal from a pressure receiving detection means that detects a voltage changed according to the degree of elastic deformation due to weight or pressure, or directly according to the pressure received. A known display means that can display the measured weight can be used based on a signal generated from a pressure detecting element such as a piezoelectric element to be used, and the toner filling amount can be confirmed by checking the weight displayed on the monitor means (63). However, the filling can be performed or terminated.

  Further, although not indispensable, the filling toner weight management means (60) in the toner filling apparatus of this example is filled with, for example, empty weight and toner of the toner container (40) whose volume can be changed at the time of filling in the load cell (61). And an arithmetic processing unit (62) for calculating the weight of the filled toner from the total weight of the toner container (40) whose volume can be changed at the time of filling.

  The arithmetic processing unit (62) includes an input unit (64), and the input unit (64) is configured to input the expected toner filling weight while viewing the weight displayed on the monitor unit (63), for example. And the input filling weight can be changed. The arithmetic processing device (62) transmits a drive command signal from the communication line (67) to the drive control device (39a) for the drive source (39b) of the drive device (39) based on the calculation result, The drive control device (39a) raises and lowers the discharge control rod (32c) based on it. As the arithmetic processing unit (62), various devices are used from a simple analog voltage comparator to various CPUs including a microcomputer chip (in the case of an analog voltage comparator, of course, depending on a predetermined potential difference). For example, an AD converter for converting to a pulse signal can be attached).

  As explained before, when the discharge control rod (32c) is moved up and down and the tip of the small radius cone of the discharge control member (32d) is lifted up completely from the opening (31), the discharge control rod (32c) is fully open. When the control member (32d) is lowered and inserted into the opening (31) to the end of the large radius cone, it is in a fully closed state, that is, the discharge control member (32d) is in the middle. Between the opening (31) and the medium-sized conical radius portion of the discharge control member (32d) that is not completely removed from the opening (31) and is not completely lowered and lowered. When it is inserted to such an extent that the gap is maintained, it is in a half-open state according to the insertion level, and can therefore be adjusted to any level. In the example of the toner filling device shown in FIG. 3 gas introduction pipes (33 ) (21a) Since the filling can be adjusted also by adjusting the amount of air supplied to (15a), the elevation of the discharge control rod (32c) is in the fully closed state, the fully open state, and the half open state between them. It is said.

  The input means (64) in this example is a button / rotary knob of a digital switch as a code generator (binary code), but if the arithmetic processing unit (62) is a CPU, it can be a keyboard. In that case, of course, various data including the weight are stored in a rewritable manner (based on the result of the operation and / or the result of the input signal from the input means) (that is, sequentially called by the CPU, calculated, and calculated) RAM for storing results again sequentially), and ROM for storing various programs including a processing program for arithmetic processing of the various data and various command information transmission programs can be attached, and arithmetic processing On the basis of the calculation result, the device (62) transmits a switching command signal for the first to third air supply control valves (33c), (21b), (15b), for example. It can be configured to have a program.

  FIG. 3 shows a toner for preventing the filter from being clogged by suppressing the adhesion of the toner to the tubular or rod-like deaeration device (70) which can be advanced and retracted in the toner storage container (40) shown in FIG. In the case where the adhesion suppressing means is an ultrasonic transmitter (71) that applies ultrasonic vibration of a frequency of 10 to 50 Hz to the deaeration device to suppress toner adhesion to the deaeration device and prevent a reduction in the amount of suction air. FIG. 4 shows an example, and FIG. 4 shows a case where the toner adhesion suppressing means is a deaeration device charging unit (72) that charges the deaeration device with the same polarity as the toner to electrostatically repel the toner. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 respectively show a screw in which the toner adhesion suppressing means suppresses toner adhesion by rapidly reciprocating up and down by a cam drive in order to make the deaeration device a cheaper device. Gear device (73) and cam machine Shows a case where (74). In the drawing, reference numeral (75) denotes a deaeration device holding means for holding the deaeration device in a toner container so as to be able to advance and retreat.

  Next, FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 show the outline of the second and third examples of the toner filling method used in the present invention. The toner filling device (101) of this example includes a normally filled toner storage device (110) and a connecting flange (112) that is detachably coupled to a lower flange (111) of the toner storage device (110). ) In the upper part, and air perforated plate (103) (sintered metal plate, sintered resin plate, fine wire mesh, etc.) for forming a fluidized layer of toner is removably stored and compressed air An air header (102) as a fluidizing means for introducing and fluidizing a gas in which a pipe (114) is detachably fitted and attached, a toner inlet with a closing valve (104), and for releasing and sealing an internal pressure. A pressure relief valve (105), a pressure regulation valve (106) for fine pressure regulation, a stainless steel pipe as a fluid toner transport pipe (107), and a mounting path as a transfer path for fluidized toner to the filling nozzle A freely connected urethane tube (113), a stainless steel filling tube (108) as a toner filling means detachably connected to the urethane tube (113), and a gas from the toner in the toner container (109) And a degassing device (130) for removing water, and although not shown in FIG. 7, these are described in detail in FIG. 9 illustrating the features of the present invention in connection with FIG. And a deaeration device holding unit and a toner adhesion suppressing unit.

  The air header (102) as the fluidizing means has a slight pressure resistance so that the pressure inside the filling toner storage device (110) can be increased, and the air header (102) includes a third pressure gauge ( p103) is provided. In order, the compressed air pipe (114) connected to the air header (102) is provided with a first pressure reducing valve (119), a second pressure reducing valve (118), and an air flow meter (120), and the first pressure reducing valve (119). ) And the second pressure reducing valve (118), a first pressure gauge (p101), and a second pressure gauge (p102) between the second pressure reducing valve (118) and the air flow meter (120), respectively. It has been. Further, as the toner filling container (109) in the toner filling apparatus of this example, a 500 ml measuring cylinder was used for the measurement. Of course, however, actually, for example, a container such as another resin toner container is used. It can be preferably used.

  In the apparatus of this example, the toner to be filled is introduced into the filling toner storage device (110) from the toner inlet (104) with a closing valve, and the pressure relief valve (105) for releasing and sealing the internal pressure. Keep open. On the other hand, the operation of the pressure adjustment valve (106) for fine pressure adjustment may be automated by human power or an electromagnetic valve. Thereafter, the pressure safety valve (105) of the toner inlet (104) is closed, and gas is introduced into the air header (102) which is a pressurized air reservoir as a gas introduction means. This gas inflow may be adjusted by a first pressure reducing valve (119) and a second pressure reducing valve (118) as a pressure adjusting valve and a flow rate adjusting valve, and the inflow continues while the apparatus is in operation.

  The introduced gas is uniformly dispersed in the toner by the perforated porous plate (103) to fluidize the toner. The tip of the filling tube (108) as the toner filling means connected to the toner transport tube (113) provided with an oblique or partial protrusion so that the tip does not adhere to the bottom surface of the toner container is placed inside the toner filling container (109). When the pressure safety valve (105) is closed and the pressure is closed, the toner is pushed out from the filling toner storage device (110) into the toner transport pipe (113) by the pressure of the gas used for fluidization, and the tip is pushed to the toner filling container ( 109) and is discharged into the toner filling container (109) from the tip of a filling tube (108) serving as a toner filling means.

  In the apparatus of this example, at the beginning of filling, particularly when the inside of the toner filling container (109) is completely empty, the pressure regulating valve (106) of the filling toner storage device (110) is first turned on. The degree of opening and closing is moderated, the toner transfer speed from the filling toner storage device (110) is conserved, and the charged fluid toner is prevented from being ablated and diffused inside the toner filling container (109). Then, after the amount of the fine powder cloud staying in the container (109) is increased to such an extent that the fluidized powder flow discharged from the tip of the filling tube (108) as the toner filling means can be substantially surrounded, the pressure is adjusted. The valve (106) can be opened further to continue the filling operation.

  A filling tube (108) as a toner filling means is placed above the filling port of the toner filling container (109), and is automatically inserted into the toner filling container (109) after the toner filling container (109) is set. Or it may be inserted manually. Then, by opening the pressure relief valve (105), the internal pressure in the filling toner storage device (110), which has been a transportation force, is eliminated, and the discharge of toner can be stopped.

  In order to quickly increase the internal pressure of the filling toner storage device (110), which is a driving force for transporting toner, the filling toner storage device (110) has a compressed air inlet different from the compressed air inlet for flow. May be provided at a position above the powder level of the fluidized toner. The filling tube (108) as a toner filling means in the toner filling container (109) is a simple pipe or a part of the outer wall as a double pipe is ventilated with a fine metal screen or sintered plastic plate of 3000 mesh or more. It is possible to further increase the toner density by reducing the pressure between the inner and outer walls by the air ink injection effect, thereby removing the gas in the toner filled through the ventilation structure of the outer wall of the double tube.

  FIG. 8 shows an apparatus as a third example of the filling apparatus used in the present invention. In the toner filling device (101) of this example, the filling toner storage device (110) made of a flexible material such as soft plastic is attached to and detached from the lower flange (111) of the filling toner storage device (110). An air vent perforated plate (103) (sintered metal plate, sintered resin plate, fine wire mesh, etc.) for forming a fluidized layer of toner having a connecting member (112) that can be freely coupled ), The compressed air pipe (114) is detachably fitted, and an air header (102) as means for fluidizing by introducing gas, a toner inlet with a shut-off valve (104), the inside Pressure relief valve (105) for releasing and sealing pressure, pressure regulating valve (106) for fine pressure regulation, stainless steel pipe as fluid toner transport pipe (107), said fluidized toner A urethane tube (113) detachably connected as a transfer path to the filling nozzle, and a stainless nozzle filling tube (108) as a toner filling means detachably connected to the urethane tube (113). .

  However, unlike the apparatus of the second example, as a gas introducing means, a pump having a bellows structure that has a check valve (122) at the gas outlet and expands and contracts by a small electric motor (M) to send air to the air header (102). (121). The pump (121) is detachably fixed in the holding frame (124), and when the pump (121) is expanded and contracted by the small electric motor (M), the filling toner storage device (110) is passed through the holding frame (124). ) Is vibrated, and the toner in the filling toner storage device (110) is fluidized with gas by this vibration.

  In the apparatus of this example, neither the filling toner storage device (110) nor the air header (102) need to be made of a thick material peculiar to the pressurized container, and the overall weight and size of the apparatus can be further promoted. The power line plug (125) for the small electric motor (M) can be operated simply by being inserted into an outlet provided in the copying machine, for example.

  FIG. 9 shows the structure of the deaeration device (130) in the devices of the second and third examples. The deaeration device (130) is inserted into the filling port of the powder toner filling container (109), and is automatically or manually inserted into the toner filling container (109) after the toner filling container (109) is set. In general, it is difficult to efficiently degas in the toner storage container (109) filled with toner, and in the toner container (109), the toner concentration in the gas-toner mixture is a place in the container, for example, It differs between the vicinity of the filling port and the other side away from it, and in particular, it often differs depending on the depth level. Therefore, there is a large proportion of ultrafine toner that is unlikely to cause clogging, which is advantageous from the viewpoint of preventing clogging of the filter of the deaeration device (130) and not applying excessive mechanical stress to the toner. Thus, if the suction position of the deaeration device (130) is changed in the container (109), the deaeration can be performed efficiently.

  In order to fill the container with the toner amount within a predetermined time, it is preferable to stop the deaeration when changing the deaeration tube position. When the toner is blocked at the mouth and the toner cannot be supplied to the container, the deaeration tube is fixed to the bottom and the air is degassed. The toner is solidified at the bottom, and the upper part of the container is filled with toner containing a large amount of air. The time to complete filling is greatly extended. In addition, in order to protect the toner quality and prevent the container from lifting, backwash air for releasing clogging must be put in the deaeration pipe to change the position of the deaeration pipe, which reduces the tact per bottle and increases productivity. There is a limit.

In addition, it is one of the causes of unintentionally polluting the surrounding environment by backwash air. Therefore, in the present invention, the deaeration device (130) has a structure or the like as long as it can suck and remove air, ultrafine powder toner, and ultrafine dust generated together with the air inside the toner storage container when the toner is charged. There are no other restrictions. Therefore, as one example of the deaeration device (130), the two diameters are formed by covering a stainless pipe perforated so that holes of a predetermined diameter are provided at a predetermined density with a mesh of a certain diameter. For example, the one degassed by the above, or the one in which different meshes are provided by way of a spacer, for example, can be used.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the central portion of a long stainless steel tube (131) having an outer diameter of 5 mm and an inner diameter of 4 mm is housed in a long stainless steel tube (132) having an outer diameter of 7 mm and an inner diameter of 6 mm. Is in a double tube state. The inner tube (131) has its tip closed by a cap (133), and is surrounded by toner staying in the toner storage container (109) as a gas separation means. Among the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image of 20 μm, a plurality of holes having a diameter of several μm having a diameter that prevents toner having a specific particle size distribution from being filled in the toner container (109) ( 131a) is provided, and a gas suction port (131b) connected to a decompression means (not shown) is provided at the rear end.

  The outer tube (132) has its tip closed against the inner tube (131) and is located above the gas separation means (131a) where ultrafine dust particles to be sucked and removed tend to gather. As a means for separating such ultra fine dust particles, a plurality of holes (132a) having a predetermined diameter of several μm so as to block the toner to be filled are provided, and the rear end is connected to a decompression device (not shown). A gas suction port (132b) is provided.

  The degassing device holding means (75) for holding the degassing device (130) in a state in which the degassing device can be advanced and retracted, and the toner adhering to the degassing device are suppressed to clog the filter. The toner adhesion suppressing means (71), (72), (73), and (74) for eliminating are the same as those in FIGS. 2 to 5 described in relation to FIG. These toner adhesion suppressing means (71), (72), (73), and (74) can be provided in the deaerator holding means (75), or can also provide the function of the deaerator holding means (75). it can.

  Of course, in the present invention, the toner container is not limited to the apparatus of this example, and a toner container is provided by a filling means in which a gas for toner fluidization is introduced into the powder toner, and the fluidized toner is at least partially a tubular portion. Any other known filling method may be used as long as it is a fluid type toner filling device including a step of degassing the fluid toner introduced into the toner container while being introduced into the toner container. it can.

  The filling method of the present invention is applicable to other powders such as magnetic powder, photoconductive powder, fluidity improver powder for toner, charge control agent powder for adding developer, etc. can do.

It is a figure which shows an example of the fluid-type toner filling apparatus and filling method of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the large sized container in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the toner adhesion suppression means for suppressing the toner adhesion to the deaeration apparatus in the fluid toner filling apparatus and the filling method of the present invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the toner adhesion suppression means for suppressing the toner adhesion to the deaeration apparatus in the fluid type toner filling apparatus and filling method of the present invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the toner adhesion suppression means for suppressing the toner adhesion to the deaeration apparatus in the fluid type toner filling apparatus and the filling method of the present invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the toner adhesion suppression means for suppressing the toner adhesion to the deaeration apparatus in the fluid type toner filling apparatus and the filling method of the present invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the fluid type | formula toner filling apparatus and filling method of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the fluid type | formula toner filling apparatus and filling method of this invention. It is a figure which shows one example of the deaeration apparatus in the fluid-type toner filling apparatus and filling method of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Large container 11 Toner discharge port 12 Inner wall part 13 Hopper-like structure part 13a Vertical board 13b Side board 13c Side board 13d Back board 13e Back board 14 Valley part 15 Third toner fluidization means 15a Third gas introduction pipe 15b Air control valve 16 Upper communication pipe 20 Connection pipe 21 Second toner fluidizing means 21a Second gas introduction pipe 21b Second air supply control valve 30 Metering tank 30a Toner filling means 31 Discharge opening 32 Filling amount regulating means 32a Elasticity Body ring 32b Discharge control means 32c Discharge control rod 32d Discharge control member 33 First toner fluidizing means 33a First gas introduction pipe 33c First air supply control valve 37 Filling cap (flexible covering member)
39 drive device 39a drive control device 39b drive source 40 toner container 60 filled toner weight management means 61 load cell 61a lifter 62 arithmetic processing device 63 monitor means 64 input means 69 filter mesh 70 deaeration device 71 ultrasonic transmitter 72 deaeration device charging Means 73 Screw gear device 74 Cam mechanism 75 Deaeration device holding means 101 Toner filling device 102 Air header 103 Perforated porous plate 104 Toner inlet 105 Pressure safety valve 106 Pressure control valve 107 Fluid toner transport pipe 108 Filling pipe 109 Toner storage container 110 Toner storage device 111 Lower flange 112 Connecting flange (connecting member)
113 Urethane tube 114 Compressed air piping 130 Degassing device 118 Second pressure reducing valve 119 First pressure reducing valve 120 Air flow meter 121 Pump 124 Holding frame 125 Power line plug 130 Degassing device 131 Stainless steel tube 131a A plurality of holes (gas separating means) )
131b Gas suction port 132 Stainless steel tube 132a Multiple holes 132b Gas suction port 133 Cap p101 First pressure gauge p102 Second pressure gauge p103 Third pressure gauge

Claims (5)

Means for increasing the fluidity of the toner by introducing gas into the powder toner, toner filling means for introducing the toner into the toner storage container, and removing the gas from the toner introduced into the toner storage container And a deaerator holding means for holding the deaerator in a state where it can advance and retreat in the toner storage container, and the toner adhering to the deaerator is suppressed and the filter is clogged. A toner filling apparatus comprising: a toner adhesion suppressing unit for eliminating the toner. The toner adhesion suppressing means applies ultrasonic vibration with a frequency of 10 to 50 Hz to the deaeration device to suppress toner adhesion to the deaeration device, thereby preventing a decrease in the amount of suction air. The toner filling device according to claim 1. The toner filling device according to claim 1, wherein the toner adhesion suppression unit is a deaeration device charging unit that electrostatically repels the toner by charging the deaeration device with the same polarity as the toner. 2. The toner adhesion suppressing means is configured to cause the toner adhering to the mesh to be peeled off by centrifugal force by rotating the deaeration device at a high speed of 100 to 20000 rpm. Toner deaerator. 2. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner adhesion suppressing unit is configured to reciprocate the deaeration device up and down (by a cam drive in order to make the device cheaper) to suppress toner adhesion. Deaeration device.

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