CN100520627C - Transferring method of powder toner for electrophotograph and transferring apparatus thereof, and filling method of powder toner and the filling apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a powder toner conveying method that fluidizes powder toner in a powder toner storage chamber with air supplied from an air supply unit, and sucks the fluidized toner with a suction unit. Toner and conveying the powder toner by discharging the toner into the powder toner filling container, wherein the suction unit uses a reciprocating pump to suck the powder toner. The present invention also provides a powder toner filling method including a powder toner transfer process.

Description

Powder toner conveying method and conveying device, filling method and filling device

field of invention

The present invention relates to a powder toner conveying method for electrophotography and a conveying device thereof, a powder toner filling method and a filling device thereof, wherein the powder toner is fluidized by gas for conveying.

Background technique

Conventionally, a screw filling device using mechanical rotation is used to fill powder toner for electrophotography.

External additives are generally adhered to the surface of toner for electrophotography to make fluidity higher. There are many cases in the conventional screw device that external additives adhering to the surface of the toner fall off, thereby causing quality problems. This problem has become more serious since toners having small particle diameters are recently used in order to obtain high-quality images compared with conventional toners.

Regarding toner materials, external additives including silica and titanium and antistatic additives are adhered on the surfaces of toner particles, thereby maintaining the fluidity and electrostatic properties of the toner. The strong stress applied to the toner strips the additive, which adversely affects the electrostatic properties during the imaging process.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. (JP-A) 2002-249101 discloses a screw-type powder filling device suitable for mass production with several items. As described above, a problem with such a powder filling device is that the device pressurizes the toner, and the external additive falls from the surface of the toner particles. Moreover, the size of the device is large, requiring a wide installation site and a 200V industrial power supply.

Japanese Patent (JP-B) No. 3549053 proposes a powder filling device which fluidizes powder by injecting gas. In this proposal, the powder is conveyed to the powder container and filled, while the tip of the transfer nozzle for conveying and discharging the powder fluidized by the gas in the powder storage chamber is surrounded by the powder in the powder storage chamber. This filling device exerts less stress on the toner than a screw-type device. However, the container must be pressurized and sealed due to the characteristics of the device, since force cannot be transmitted unless the pressure inside the toner storage chamber is 6 kPa or higher, which results in a time lag of about 5 seconds. In addition, there is a problem that the toner cannot be additionally charged because the storage compartment is sealed. Furthermore, there is also a problem that toner dust is easy to spread.

JP-A-H04-226672 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. (JP-B) H06-14960) describes delivery by means of bellows pumps (ie, collapsible pumps). The liquid can be transferred by means of the transfer method of this patent document. However, when the powder toner is transferred, the powder toner is caught in the bellows; therefore, it cannot be transferred. Although weirs and chokes in the bellows or flow path generally do not affect liquid transfer, the problem is that powder toner is difficult to transfer due to accumulation of powder toner at the weirs and chokes in the bellows or flow path.

JP-A-2005-67651 proposes a transfer method of fluidizing powder toner by supplying gas. However, the powder transfer efficiency of the present proposal is not high enough to obtain sufficient precision in the transfer volume.

In JP-A-2002-302169, the toner is conveyed by means of a so-called single-screw pump, however, this cannot solve the problem that external stress is applied to the toner.

With regard to filling efficiency, there is a contradiction in that high filling accuracy requires longer filling time and that shorter filling time reduces filling accuracy. In particular, low fill accuracy is not only a drawback to customers when the fill quantity is lower than the displayed sold quantity, but also creates a credit problem for companies that sell less than the advertised quantity. On the other hand, toner in excess of the specified amount is beneficial to the customer, however, the accumulated excess can put pressure on the company's bottom line.

Therefore, high filling accuracy and short filling time are always required as filling efficiency. As a specific method of solving this problem, JP-A-2005-67652 proposes a method of achieving rapid filling by degassing (ie, removing air from filled toner). However, this proposal has a problem in that the weight cannot be accurately measured because the toner is sucked around the degassing mechanism when filling and degassing are performed simultaneously.

Also, JP-A-2005-75372 proposes a method of filling a container of limited volume with toner at high density within a short period of time. Here, the top of the toner container has a funnel, and the toner container and the funnel are connected. A predetermined amount of toner overflows the attached container and the funnel is removed when filling is complete. However, with this proposed method, it takes a long time to stabilize the balance for weighing the toner because the funnel is bulky and high. Moreover, there is also a problem that when the filling of the unloading funnel is completed, the toner adhered to the inside of the funnel flows out, which soils the toner container and peripheral devices.

Also, a method of increasing the accuracy of toner filling and further reducing the filling time is proposed, in which the lower end of the toner discharge pipe is made porous with a three-layer pipe, for example, described in JP-A-2005-41501 The discharge pipe is degassed through the rear of the porous part; the toner is sucked to the surface of the porous part, thereby forming a "plug" to quickly retard the falling toner. However, this proposed method requires the formation of a strong "plug", since the transport needs to be stopped quickly without sacrificing the amount of toner transport in the toner discharge tube. Also, in the case of automatic filling machines performing a continuous filling operation, these "plugs" must be removed before starting to fill the next toner container. Therefore, a pneumatic pulse of about 3 MPa is supplied from the rear of the porous part for cleaning. For this reason, the "plug" is not blown into the toner container or the inside of the funnel, but the problem is that part of the blown toner goes outside the container and becomes a source of dust.

Contents of the invention

The present invention aims to provide: a powder toner conveying method and a powder toner conveying device for electrophotography, wherein the conveying method and the conveying device are capable of conveying the toner without prestressing and without Conveying under pressure or with minimal pressure, without causing clogging, being a portable conveying device for immediate use, and exhibiting high performance; and a powder toner filling method and a filling device using the method.

The present invention also aims to provide a powder toner filling method and a powder toner filling device capable of high-density filling of the powder toner in a flexible container.

The device that solves the above problems is as follows:

<1> A powder toner conveying method that fluidizes powder toner in a powder toner storage chamber with air supplied from an air supply unit, sucks the fluidized toner with a suction unit, and Conveying powder toner by discharging the toner into a powder toner filling container,

Wherein, the above-mentioned suction unit sucks the powder toner using a reciprocating pump.

<2> The powder toner conveying method according to <1>, wherein the powder toner supplied from the gas supply unit to the powder toner storage chamber which can be sealed and pressurized or not pressurized is conditioned and introduced into the powder toner storage chamber. Powder toner fluidization unit in the toner storage compartment, whereby the powder toner is fluidized in the powder toner storage compartment; the powder toner storage compartment is suctioned through the suction inlet of the suction unit , and conveying the fluidized powder toner; and discharging the toner into the toner filling container after straightening or promoting the pulsating flow for advection by the pulsating flow buffer unit disposed downstream of the suction unit.

<3> The powder toner conveying method according to any one of <1> to <2>, wherein the reciprocating pump is a bellows type pump.

<4> The powder toner conveying method according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein an outlet of the reciprocating pump is placed below a suction inlet of the pump.

<5> The powder toner conveying method according to <4>, wherein an inner diameter of a valve connected to an outlet of the reciprocating pump is equal to or larger than an inner diameter of a toner conveying pipe connected to the pump.

<6> The powder toner conveying method according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the suction unit sucks the powder toner without pressurization.

<7> The powder toner transport method according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the powder toner storage chamber is at a pressure of 4 kPa or less.

<8> The powder toner conveying method according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the powder toner is sucked in any one of intermittent and continuous states.

<9> The powder toner conveying method according to <8>, wherein the conveying amount of the toner is adjusted by controlling one of intermittent and continuous states.

<10> The powder toner conveying method according to any one of <4> to <9>, wherein the connection between the outlet of the reciprocating pump and the toner conveying pipe is smooth.

<11> The powder toner conveying method according to any one of <4> to <10>, wherein the pulsating flow damper is installed near an outlet of the reciprocating pump.

<12> The powder toner conveying method according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the gas supply unit includes an air generating unit, and a power supply of 24V to 220V is used to supply air from the air generating unit.

<13> The powder toner conveying method according to <12>, wherein the air generating unit is a compressor.

<14> The powder toner transport method according to any one of <1> to <12>, wherein the gas supply unit and the suction unit use one of solar power generation and wind power generation.

<15> The powder toner conveying method according to any one of <1> to <14>, wherein the gas supply unit includes a high-pressure air cylinder.

<16> A powder toner conveying device, comprising: a sealable, pressurized or non-pressurized powder toner storage chamber,

a gas supply unit that supplies conditioning gas to the powder toner storage compartment,

a powder toner fluidizing unit which is placed in the powder toner storage chamber and fluidizes the powder toner in the powder toner storage chamber by emitting distribution gas,

an intermittent suction unit that intermittently discharges the fluidized powder toner in the powder toner storage chamber by intermittently suctioning the powder toner storage chamber, and

A pulsating flow buffer unit placed downstream of the intermittent suction unit.

<17> The powder toner conveying device according to <16>, wherein the toner tank of the toner input device of the powder toner storage chamber is detachable; the powder toner in the powder toner storage chamber The toner fluidization unit and the gas supply unit are connected by a detachable gas supply line; the powder toner storage chamber and the intermittent suction unit are connected with a detachable suction line; and downstream of the pulsating flow buffer unit, the toner An outlet is placed at the end of the toner delivery tube.

<18> The powder toner conveying device according to any one of <16> to <17>, wherein the air supply pipe, the suction pipe, the pressure buffer pipe placed above the toner discharge pipe, and the toner input means At least two of the toner powder storage compartments are detachably integrated.

<19> The powder toner conveying device according to any one of <16> to <17>, wherein the air supply pipe, the pressure buffer pipe, and the suction pipe are detachably mounted on a fixing member mounted on the powder toner on other parts of the agent storage room except the cover.

<20> The powder toner conveying device according to any one of <16> to <19>, wherein the gas supply unit, the intermittent suction unit, and the pulsating flow buffer unit are detachably installed in the housing; The housing is portable, includes a handle, and includes on its surface one of a power connection to a 24V to 220V power supply for the gas supply unit and the powder suction unit, and one of a switching device.

<21> The powder toner conveying device according to <20>, wherein the housing further includes a pulsating flow buffer unit accommodating space for accommodating a pulsating flow buffer unit, a tubular member for accommodating a bundle of various tubular members Accommodating space, and power code (power code) accommodating space.

<22> The powder toner conveying device according to any one of <20> to <21>, wherein at least a part of the casing is transparent so that a part of the inside of the storage chamber can be visually observed, and at least a part of the powder toner is transparent. The toner storage compartment is transparent such that the presence of powdered toner inside the storage compartment can be observed, and the transparent portion of the housing and the transparent portion of the powder toner storage compartment overlap at least partially.

<23> The powder toner conveying device according to any one of <20> to <22>, wherein the housing includes a cover that can be opened and closed, and the cover is closed when the powder toner conveying device is in operation. Open.

<24> The powder toner conveying device according to any one of <16> to <23>, wherein the powder toner includes an external additive, and the volume average particle diameter of the toner is 2.5 μm to 15 μm, adjusted to The absolute specific gravity of the toner is 1.02 to 1.45, and the bulk density of the toner is 0.20 g/cm ³ to 0.90 g/cm ³ .

<25> The powder toner conveying device according to any one of <16> to <24>, wherein the volume of the powder toner in the powder toner storage chamber is increased by 1.2 to 15 times by means of gas .

<26> The powder toner conveying device according to any one of <16> to <25>, wherein the pulsating flow buffer unit includes an inlet pipe for fluidized toner, a toner discharge pipe, and a pressure buffer. pipe, wherein the toner discharge pipe intersects the inlet pipe at right angles and opens below the inlet pipe, the pressure buffer pipe is located above the toner discharge pipe; the upper end of the pressure buffer pipe is composed of a flexible material , there is no volume at shutdown; the buffer unit is composed of a pressure buffer tube, a fluidized toner inlet tube, and a toner discharge tube in descending order of the inner diameter of the tube.

<27> The powder toner conveying device according to any one of <18> to <26>, wherein the upper end of the pressure buffer tube extends to the inside of the powder toner storage chamber and is connected to a Toner storage chamber top fixed part, and can release the excess pressure generated in the storage chamber during toner transfer.

<28> A powder toner filling device including the powder toner conveying device according to any one of <16> to <27>.

<29> The powder toner filling device according to <28>, wherein the powder toner filling device includes a multiple toner conveying unit.

<30> The powder toner filling device according to <28> to <29>, wherein the powder toner filling device interlocks the number of rotations of a motor that weighs the discharged toner, the motor Control the pump.

<31> The powder toner filling device according to any one of claims <28> to <30>, comprising a toner discharge pipe installed outside the toner filling container and not in direct contact with the container and a degassing tube which is a detachable hollow tube with both ends sealed in the toner filling container and whose lower end is composed of a porous material and whose other end is connected to a vacuum system capable of filling the toner through the porous portion The air inside the container is removed.

Wherein, the fluidized toner is discharged by the drive of the bellows type pump; at the same time, when or after a predetermined amount is discharged, the air in the toner filling container is removed through the vent tube, and a predetermined mass of toner is filled into the supply container. A fixed volume of toner is filled in the container.

<32> The powder toner filling device according to any one of claims <28> to <31>, wherein the funnel is placed on the top of the powder toner filling container, and the opening thereof is connected to the powder toner filling container. The opening of the toner is concentric; the powder toner filling device includes a toner discharge pipe installed inside the funnel and not in direct contact with the funnel, and a degassing pipe that is detachable between the funnel and the toner filling container hollow tube, both ends are sealed, and the lower end is composed of a porous material, and the other end is connected to a vacuum system, which can remove the air inside the toner filling container through the porous part; the toner filling container that is not filled The toner overflows in the funnel, and by inserting a degassing tube after discharging a predetermined amount of toner, the toner is filled in the powder toner filling container.

<33> The powder toner filling device according to any one of claims <28> to <32>, wherein the toner discharge pipe is inserted near but not in contact with the bottom of the powder toner filling container; A predetermined mass of toner is discharged once or more than once, and a degassing operation is performed with a toner discharge pipe immersed in the toner in the middle; after reaching a certain quality, the toner discharge pipe is pulled up, Close to the inlet of the toner filling container; discharge continuously until the weight indication value reaches the set value, while the toner discharge pipe is not in contact with the toner powder and the powder toner cartridge.

<34> The powder toner filling device according to any one of claims <28> to <33>, wherein the degassing unit is concentric with the toner discharge pipe and placed outside the toner discharge pipe; using comprising a filling nozzle of a degassing unit, the toner discharge pipe of which has a lower end formed of a porous material, the toner filling nozzle is inserted close to but not in contact with the bottom of the powder toner filling container, and Discharges a predetermined mass of toner; pulls the filling nozzle up, close to the entrance of the toner filling container, while discharging or after alternately discharging and degassing, for additional discharge; when completion of filling has been indicated, degasses The unit is depressurized, so that the powdered toner in the toner discharge pipe is sucked to the inner wall of the deaeration unit, and a plug is formed to terminate filling.

<35> The powder toner filling device according to <34>, wherein the counter air pressure and the flow rate of air are independently controlled for preventing clogging of the deaeration unit and the plug forming unit.

<36> The powder toner filling device according to any one of claims <28> to <35>, wherein the pressure sensor is vertically installed on the bellows for sucking and discharging the fluidized toner On the discharge side of a pump or, when a toner transfer mechanism includes multiple bellows, in the assembled section of the bellows discharge; provides continuous measurement of toner discharge pressure; interrupts filling with warning if pressure rises above a certain level Or alert.

<37> A powder toner filling method comprising the powder toner transfer method according to any one of claims <1> to <15>.

<38> The powder toner filling method according to claim <37>, wherein the method utilizes a powder toner filling device including a toner installed outside the toner filling container and not in direct contact with the filling container. a toner discharge pipe; and a degassing pipe, which is a detachable hollow pipe with both ends sealed in the toner filling container, the lower end is composed of a porous material, and the other end is connected to a vacuum system, which can discharge the toner through the porous part. The air inside the toner filled container is removed,

Among them, the fluidized toner is discharged by driving the bellows type pump; while discharging, or after discharging a predetermined amount, the toner filling container is degassed through a vent pipe, and a predetermined mass of toner is filled in the supply A fixed volume of toner is filled in the container.

<39> The powder toner filling method according to any one of claims <37> to <38>, wherein the method utilizes a powder toner filling device including a hopper and a powder toner filling container, wherein the hopper is placed The top of the powder toner filling container, the opening of the funnel is concentric with the opening of the powder toner filling container; the powder toner filling method includes that the toner discharge pipe is installed inside the funnel and does not directly contact it, the degassing pipe Between the funnel and the toner filling container, is a detachable hollow tube, sealed at both ends, and its lower end is composed of a porous material, and the other end is connected to a vacuum system, which is able to fill the interior of the container with toner through the porous part The air is removed; the toner that cannot be filled in the powder toner filling container overflows in the funnel, and the toner is filled in the powder toner filling container by inserting a degassing tube after discharging a predetermined amount of toner .

<40> The powder toner filling method according to any one of claims <37> to <39>, wherein the method utilizes a powder toner including a toner discharge pipe and a powder toner filling container. A filling device in which a toner discharge pipe is inserted near the bottom of a powder toner filling container without contacting it; a predetermined mass of toner is discharged one or more times with a toner submerged in the toner in between Toner discharge pipe for degassing operation; after reaching a certain mass, pull up the toner discharge pipe to make it close to the inlet of the toner filling container; discharge continuously until the value of the weight indicator reaches the set value, and at the same time adjust The toner discharge tube does not come into contact with the toner powder and the powder toner cartridge.

<41> The powder toner filling method according to any one of claims <37> to <40>, wherein the degassing unit is concentric with the toner discharge pipe and placed outside the toner discharge pipe ; Using a filling nozzle including a degassing unit whose lower end of the toner discharge pipe is formed of a porous material, the toner filling nozzle is inserted near the bottom of the powder toner filling container without contacting it, and discharges a predetermined quality toner; when ejecting or after alternating ejection and degassing, pull up the filling nozzle close to the inlet of the toner fill container for additional ejection; The unit is depressurized so that the powdered toner in the toner discharge pipe is sucked onto the inner wall of the degassing unit and plugged, and the filling is terminated.

<42> The powder toner filling method according to <41>, wherein the counter air pressure and the flow rate of air are independently controlled for preventing clogging of the degassing unit and the plug forming unit.

<43> The powder toner filling method according to any one of claims <37> to <42>, wherein the pressure sensor is vertically installed on a bellows type for sucking and discharging the fluidized toner. Discharge side of the pump, or when a toner transport mechanism includes multiple bellows, in the assembled section of the bellows discharge; provides continuous measurement of toner discharge pressure; interrupts filling if pressure rises above a certain level, and issues a warning or alarm.

The powder toner conveying method and conveying device of the present invention exert an advantageous effect in that the toner quality is maintained since the powder toner is free from stress.

The device is reduced in size and weight and is portable because toner is prevented from spreading, and pressurization is not necessary; moreover, the device can be used with various types of power sources. Therefore, it can be used immediately in the office.

The conventional pneumatic conveying method (which presupposes pressurization) requires an air supply of approximately 15 L/min to avoid the toner being damaged by mechanical stress such as agitation and pressurization when using screw conveyors and mechanical pumping methods. Performance deteriorates. However, the delivery method of the present invention does not require pressurization, and the amount of suction gas is about one-fifth of that of pressurization. Thus, the conveying method of the present invention has the following advantages: reduced size and weight of the device, and portability; short rise time from device actuation to toner discharge; short degassing period and settling period avoids unwanted agitation of the toner; prevents quality deterioration; short toner transfer times and toner fill times; requires less space and power; virtually no idling or post-running; low cost.

The bulk density of the fluidized toner according to the invention is about 0.33 g/cc, which means a significant reduction in volume requirements. The difference lies primarily in the volume of gas supplied, ie the suction volume. Also, since there is no pressure applied during transport, the stress on the powder toner is reduced. In addition, the fluidized bed increases the transport performance by three to four times compared to the transport process with only gas supply.

Also, the toner conveyance in the powder toner filling device of the present invention is generally driven by a motor, and with respect to the filling amount, by changing the torque (amount of electric current supplied), especially the number of revolutions (for example, in inverter control The number of pulses and intervals in frequency and pulse control) to obtain accurate filling, wherein the filling amount is monitored and the obtained information is fed back to the control circuit in the motor and the control part of the power circuit. In addition, the filling nozzle is inserted near the bottom of the container, and the degassing effect can be combined with the control of the toner transport speed. This allows filling of small volume containers. Furthermore, with the addition of a "plug" structure inside the toner conveying tube, even filling of a flexible container can be accomplished in a short period of time without toner spreading.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram schematically showing a toner conveying device of the present invention;

2 is a photograph showing an example of the appearance of the portable toner filling device of the present invention on the left, and a photograph of a fluid tank on the right;

FIG. 3 shows a photograph of an internal view of the toner filling device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another exemplary diagram schematically showing the toner conveying device of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a chart briefly describing fill level control;

Fig. 6 is a graph showing the filling amount control results;

Fig. 7 shows the variation of the filling quantity of the conventional filling device pressurized with fluid;

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a high density filling method with a flexible container according to the present invention.

Detailed ways

(Powder Toner Conveying Method and Powder Toner Conveying Device)

The powder toner conveying method of the present invention fluidizes the powder toner by means of the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the powder toner storage chamber, sucks the fluidized powder toner by means of the suction unit and Conveying powder toner by discharging the toner into a toner storage container,

Among them, a reciprocating pump is used to drive the suction unit to suck the powder toner.

A preferred aspect in this example is as follows: the gas supplied to the sealable, pressurized or non-pressurized powder toner storage chamber by the gas supply unit is regulated and introduced into the powder toner in the powder toner storage chamber a toner fluidizing unit, thereby fluidizing the powder toner in the powder toner storage chamber; suctioning the powder toner storage chamber through a suction inlet of the suction unit, thereby conveying the fluidized powder toner; and After the pulsating flow is smoothed or promoted for advection by the pulsating flow buffer unit disposed downstream of the suction unit, the toner is discharged to the toner container.

The powder toner conveying device of the present invention comprises: a sealable toner storage chamber, which is pressurized or not pressurized,

a gas supply unit to supply conditioning gas to the powder toner storage chamber,

a powder toner fluidizing unit which is placed in the powder toner storage chamber and fluidizes the powder toner in the powder toner storage chamber by emitting a dispensing gas in the powder toner storage chamber,

an intermittent suction unit which intermittently sucks the powder toner storage chamber and intermittently discharges the fluidized powder toner in the powder toner storage chamber, and

a pulsating flow buffer unit placed downstream of the intermittent suction unit;

The powder toner conveying device may optionally include other devices.

The suction unit sucks the powder toner by means of a reciprocating pump. "Reciprocating pump" does not mean a reciprocating pump, which internally comprises a reciprocating member such as a rod, which transfers the powder by the reciprocating motion of a plunger or piston or by penetrating into the powder phase and agitating it, wherein, The plunger or piston is mechanically pressurized by reciprocating motion and pushes the powdered toner. A pump is thus not meant to be a "reciprocating pump", but is specifically expressed as a "reciprocating pump". Among such "reciprocating pumps", bellows pumps (collapsible pumps) are most preferred due to the ability of bellows pumps (the ends of which are not fixed) to handle low velocity discharges. In other words, the bellows pump discharges toner at a slow speed without applying stress to the toner, and it is excellent in energy efficiency.

By using a reciprocating pump for sucking powder toner, intermittent suction is easily performed, and powder clogging does not occur with this intermittent suction. Also, regarding the positional relationship between the suction port and the discharge port of the fluidized toner, the suction pipe is placed higher, and the toner is discharged through the pulsating flow buffer unit, both of which are important in preventing powdery toner from are interdependent in terms of diffusion.

Here, the intermittent regulation according to the invention means, for example, the adjustment of the delivery volume, the delivery cycle and the delivery time by controlling the stroke quantity, frequency and time. This smooths out the transmission and prevents transmission interruptions and fluctuations, or at least reduces reliance on the pulsating flow buffer unit.

Also, the powder toner conveying device of the present invention does not require pressurization during conveyance of the powder toner. Therefore, toner can be supplied during operation, and thus continuous operation is possible. In order to facilitate or facilitate the outflow of powder by suction from the powder toner storage compartment, it is recommended to employ an auxiliary gas supply (ie pressurization), preferably to the interior of the powder phase of the powder toner storage compartment. As a specific example, pressurization of 4 kPa or lower improves the outflow of toner.

Patent documents such as JP-A-H04-226672 (JP-B-H06-14960) and JP-A-2000-329068 disclose bellows type pumps (foldable pumps). The descriptions in these publications relate to liquid transfer, not powder transfer, however, it is still helpful to understand the construction of bellows pumps.

Specifically, the bellows pump pumps the transfer fluid in pulses by means of the expansion and contraction of the bellows (bellows diaphragm). In other words, expansion of the bellows under pressure opens the inlet valve and closes the outlet valve, drawing the transmission fluid inside the bellows at low pressure; the bellows under pressure closes the inlet valve and opens the outlet valve, and it thus discharges the transmission through the outlet valve of fluid.

Depending on the inner diameter of the bellows, the intermittent state of the intermittent suction pump is preferably 3 strokes per minute to 300 strokes per minute, more preferably 40 strokes per minute to 100 strokes per minute for small diameter bellows. Also, for large diameter bellows, preferably 6 strokes per minute to 70 strokes per minute, more preferably 40 strokes per minute to 60 strokes per minute. A higher suction performance can be achieved with a large capacity bellows; thus, a smaller number of strokes can be satisfied and the delivery volume is regulated by controlling the pump stroke and the number of strokes. However, it should be noted that in determining the capacity of the intermittent suction pump and the pulsating flow dampening unit, the bellows capacity and the number of strokes constrain the necessary damping capacity for the pulsating flow dampening unit. Suction takes place between the powder toner reservoir and the pump for toner fluidization. The suction effect according to the present invention is toner transport and prevention of toner scattering. The transfer from the pump to the cartridge is equivalent to the discharge, which is an intermittent operation. Accordingly, the fluidized toner moves at variable speeds according to the pump rotation on the pump and transport path, which creates an agitating effect on the toner and prevents the toner from settling in the channel. When the operation is not intermittent, there is no speed difference of the toner in the channel. The toner settles and deposits there, which leads to agglomeration of the toner. This results in poor transport of the toner in the channel and thus in imaging defective images, so-called black voids.

Typically, bellows pumps are used when pumping liquid from a lower location to an upper location. Due to their natural ability to transfer fluid by gravity from an upper position to a lower position, the bellows are generally used upwards (usually oriented), and thus, the bellows are placed below the inlet and outlet valves. By placing the bellows above the inlet and outlet valves (in the opposite orientation) when conveying powder toner, toner agglomeration within the bellows and clogging of powder toner can be improved. Toner discharge connecting the bellows pump and the pulsating flow buffer unit in the toner discharge pipe (connected to the outlet of the bellows pump, also called connector line or toner pipe in this specification) When the tube is equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the bellows pump, clogging of the powder toner is also improved.

In addition, the inlet and outlet valves adopt duckbill valves, forcing unidirectional flow, and reducing the pressure on the toner in the solid-air mixed flow, which includes toner and air in the pipeline .

By combining the duckbill valve and the bellows pump, the residual toner in the device is only in the gap between the outlet of the duckbill valve and the pump, which makes the cleaning operation of the device extremely easy.

In the case of intermittent operation by means of a bellows type pump, the suction of the powder toner is intermittently performed, and the discharge is also intermittently performed, which causes the toner to scatter. Therefore, in the present invention, in the case of using a pump with only one bellows, a pulsating flow buffer unit is employed. Installation of the pulsating flow buffer unit at the toner discharge portion (conveying portion) reduces pulsation, which prevents toner from spreading and reduces stress on the toner. Here, the buffer unit is the mechanism that releases the overpressure and temporarily holds the powder.

According to the present invention, the powder toner conveying device is not greatly pressurized; here, a power source of 24V to 220V is used. High pressure cylinders can be used for the gas supply; it can also use battery packs and natural energy such as solar and wind power.

Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing a powder toner conveying device of the present invention.

The powder toner conveying device is a conveying device roughly divided into a powder toner suction section (ie, suction unit) and a powder toner supply section (ie, supply unit) placed in the toner storage room 1 .

The powder toner suction section includes a bellows pump B as an intermittent suction pump and a pulsating flow buffer unit (pulsating flow buffer) 13 . An inlet valve 10 including a bellows pump B and an inlet portion or a suction source portion of the toner storage chamber 1 are connected to a toner suction pipe 7 (toner pipe 7 ). An outlet portion including an outlet valve 11 of a bellows pump B and a pulsating flow damper 13 is connected to a toner discharge pipe 12 (toner pipe 12 ). This exemplary device has a pulsating flow buffer 13, however, according to the invention, this is not mandatory (reference should be made to the smooth transmission shown in Figure 6).

Also, this example has a three-way valve 7 a installed in the toner tube 7 .

A toner discharge pipe 14 is placed at the outlet of the pulsating flow buffer 13, and its downstream end has a toner filling container 17 into which the conveyed toner is filled.

The toner filling container 17 is placed on a balance 16 mounted on an electromagnetic diaphragm (not shown). This diaphragm is a transducer which changes the output potential of the second coil depending on the degree of tension (stretch). The output signal from there is transmitted to the power control circuit through the signal line 16b.

The power control circuit 8a of the present exemplary toner conveying device includes a single-chip microcomputer including: a CPU; a ROM which stores a program for operation in a call-ready state and thereby distributes command signals and threshold value data; And RAM, which stores the supervisory signal information encoded by the encoder and immediately transmitted from the signal line 16b in a write-ready state. The comparison of the threshold value data extracted from the ROM with the supervisory signal information extracted from the RAM is repeatedly performed on the CPU until the difference becomes zero, and the operation result is stored in the RAM again in the call ready state. At this time, the control signal corresponding to the operation result is decoded and sent successively (more frequently towards the end of filling) to the controller of the power control circuit 8a. However, the control system of the present invention is not limited to the above, and any hitherto known control system may be employed.

The powder toner supply section includes: a compressor device 6 as a supply unit and a fluidized bed 2 as a unit for fluidizing the toner, wherein the fluidized bed 2 is contained in the powder toner storage room; The device 6 and the fluidized bed 2 are connected by a gas supply pipe 4 , and a flow meter 5 is installed in the middle of the gas supply pipe 4 .

The exemplary apparatus consists of: (i) a powder toner storage chamber 1 comprising a fluidized bed 2 as an example unit for fluidizing the powder; (ii) a compression unit as an example gas supply unit. (iii) a bellows pump B as an example intermittent suction pump; (iv) a pulsating flow buffer unit (pulsating flow buffer) 13; (v) a fixed unit placed at the inlet end of the gas introduction unit (vi) a gas supply adjustment unit (not shown); and (vii) a suction line 14 of a powder toner discharge unit as an example.

A bellows pump B is driven by a pump motor 8 and includes a bellows diaphragm 9 , an inlet valve 10 and an outlet valve 11 . In this example, the gas supply regulation unit is installed in the compressor 6, or more precisely in the power control circuit 8a for the motor of the compressor.

The flow meter 5 is mounted on the compressor unit 6 . The fluidized bed 2 and the gas supply unit in the powder toner storage room 1 are connected by a detachable gas supply pipe 4 as a supply line, and the powder toner storage room 1 and the bellows type pump B are connected with a detachable gas supply pipe 4 as a suction line. Disconnect the toner tube 7 connection. Downstream of the bellows pump B, a pulsating flow buffer unit 13 is installed on the toner pipe 12 as a toner transfer line. The toner conveying pipe extends downstream of the pulsating flow buffer unit 13 with the toner outlet 15 at its end. In this example, the suction line 7 extends deep inside the powder toner storage chamber 1 , 10 mm to 30 mm above the fluidized bed, via the toner suction pipe 3 .

In this example, the fixing unit 1 a is different from the cover member of the powder toner storage chamber 1 . The gas supply pipe 4, the suction pipe 7 and the ventilation pipe are detachably mounted on the fixed unit 1a; at least two of the gas supply pipe 4, the suction pipe 7 and the ventilation pipe are preferably integrated in a detachable state. The gas supply line 4, the suction line 7 and the vent tube can be made of the same material.

The fixing member 1 a of this example is a connecting member connected to the ceiling of the powder toner storage room 1 . A gas supply line is detachably attached to this part, and a suction line from the bellows type pump B which is an intermittent powder toner suction unit (intermittent suction pump) is detachably attached to this part superior. A small funnel as a unit for supplying powdered toner is detachably attached to a cover member to which nothing is connected; therefore, toner can be easily supplied through the cover member.

The use of such a toner reservoir is not an essential part of the invention, but is a preferred exemplary aspect. For example, when toner is supplied to powder toner storage chamber 1 for a short time during operation, it may be switched to another supply device having high supply performance, or another auxiliary device may be used in combination.

The powder toner conveying device of the present invention can be operated without pressurization; therefore, there is no problem in toner replenishment during operation, and it is also applicable to other structures. For example, the flow meter 5 attached to the middle of the gas supply line from the compressor device 6 comprising the flow meter 5 as an exemplary gas supply unit is not mandatory in the present invention. Any device capable of regulating the gas supply may be used, furthermore, the compressor device 6 itself is only one example of a gas supply unit. Therefore, instead of a compressor, a high-pressure cylinder can be used as a gas generating or gas supply mechanism.

A further explanation of an exemplary arrangement is as follows: The conditioned air in the powder toner storage chamber 1 is pumped through the fluidized bed 2 by means of the suction pipe 7 in cooperation with the conditioned gas from the compressor 6 and the auxiliary gas supplied from the compressor 6. The toner is fluidized. In other words, the pressurization for the gas supply in the present invention complements the suction through the suction tube 7 . The fluidized toner is then sucked from the inlet valve 10 by means of the expansion and contraction of the bellows in the pump unit; The outlet 15 of the transfer pipe 14 exits. A pulsating flow damper 13 is inserted in the middle for alleviating the pulsating flow of toner. The buffer 13 is used before discharge because toner scattering is liable to occur.

Furthermore, the pulsating flow originating from the bellows pump can also be considerably damped by lengthening the toner conveying channel after the bellows pump; the invention does not completely exclude this measure. However, the countermeasure of only increasing the length of the toner conveying channel to solve the pulsating flow increases the residence time from the start of the powder toner conveying device to the discharge of the toner, and also increases the friction in the toner conveying channel resistance; therefore, it is not the best solution to the problem.

The volume average particle diameter of the powder toner used in the present invention is preferably 2.5 μm to 15 μm, more preferably 3.0 μm to 12.0 μm, even more preferably 5.0 μm to 9.0 μm. The absolute specific gravity of the toner is preferably 1.02 to 1.45, more preferably 1.1 to 1.3. The bulk density of the toner is preferably 0.20 g/cm ³ to 0.90 g/cm ³ , more preferably 0.35 g/cm ³ to 0.85 g/cm ³ . Toners impregnated with external additives exhibit particularly important effects.

The amount of air from the compressor 6 increases the toner volume in the powder toner storage chamber 1 by 1.2 to 15 times, more preferably 1.5 to 5 times. It is not necessary to have an amount higher than that mentioned above. The bulk density of the toner decreased to 0.25 g/cm ³ directly after the transport due to gas introduction, which was about 0.47 g/cm ³ at the beginning. However, due to the superior ability of the bellows pump B in conveying powder compared to other types of pumps, it is not necessary to operate only at such a low density as long as the unit is in operation, avoiding toner in the conveying path. of the jam. More specifically, the toner can be delivered at a bulk density of up to about 0.35 g/cm ³ . The fluidized toner of the present invention has a bulk density of about 0.33 g/cm ³ , and the volume reduction is remarkable compared with the conventional method. This is mainly due to the difference in gas supply or gas intake. Also, since the toner is not pressurized during conveyance, the stress acting on the powder toner is reduced. In addition, the use of the fluidized bed increases the powder toner transport capability by three to four times compared to the case of gas supply alone.

Fig. 2 is a photograph showing a set of powder toner filling devices including the powder toner conveying device of the present invention stored in a portable case. In addition, FIG. 3 is a photograph showing an example of actual storage conditions. The housing is portable, includes a handle, and includes connection means on its surface to connect to a 24V to 220V power supply for the gas supply unit, the powder suction unit and the switching means. In this example the dimensions of the housing are 400mm long, 300mm wide and 160mm deep; all equipment such as the compressor 6, the bellows pump B, the pulsating flow dampening unit 13, the tubular parts connected thereto and the The electrical code is detachably stored or mounted. As shown in Figure 3, the tubular members are secured so that they do not become tangled with each other.

The portable case can be opened during the operation of the toner filling device, but since an observation window is provided, the inside of the case can be visually observed even when the case is closed, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . Also, the powder toner storage compartment in this exemplary device is transparent enough to visually observe the presence of powder toner inside, however, an observation window may be mounted on the powder toner storage compartment 1 . It has been proven that transparency can be maintained over a long period of time by applying a fluorinated anti-rust agent or a silicon anti-rust agent.

In the powder toner conveying device of the present invention, the resistance of the inner wall of the conveying passage is preferably low mainly from the standpoint of preventing deterioration of conveyed toner rather than lowering of conveying characteristics. Therefore, preferably, the inner wall of the transfer channel is smooth, more preferably, the fitting is as flat as possible. The level of flatness of the fitting is preferably comparable to the smoothness of the surface of a resin film (eg, the surface of a commercially available PET film) with which large amounts of inorganic filler particles are usually kneaded. In addition, as described above, when the inner diameter of the valve in the bellows type pump is equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the connecting line connecting the pulsating flow buffer unit, the toner suction pipe, the clogging of the powder toner can be improved. Connect to the toner discharge tube. A duckbill valve manufactured by Vemay Europa V.B. in the Netherlands is used as the valve in the powder toner delivery device, as shown in FIG. 1 .

Next, means for improving filling accuracy and efficiency are described.

A balance 16 is placed under the toner discharge port of the powder toner conveying device, as shown in FIG. 1 , and the balance is interlocked with the above-mentioned pump motor 8 . This makes the present invention provide finer control, the filling amount can be controlled to the accuracy of 0.1g, while in the traditional method of powder fluidization, according to JP-B-3549053, the filling amount can be controlled within the range of 0g to 10g. In other words, the present invention gives a hundred times more accuracy than conventional ones.

Conventional filling devices only control the amount of powder by sealing and pressurizing the powder; therefore, it is difficult to perform pressurization when there is a large change in conditions.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the powder does not need to be sealed, and the gas supply is only used for fluidization of the toner. Therefore, the toner powder is only controlled by the movement of the pump, which is facilitated by interlocking the pump with the balance. More specifically, stepping or non-stepping controls the rotational speed of the motor. Especially for pulse motor drives, the pulse motor is switched off before the fill level reaches the target. Compare the actual filling amount and the dispensed pulse amount, convert the difference between the target filling amount and the actual filling amount into a pulse signal, and send it to the pulse motor. Through this, high-accuracy filling and high-speed filling can be compatible.

Filling efficiency can be improved by installing a multiple toner ejection section composed of a pump motor. Instead of intermittently discharging toner by means of pressurization of fluidized toner, toner discharge, and stress relief, continuous filling can be performed from startup toner filling to shutdown by turning on and off the pump motor. This allows continuous automatic operation.

In traditional fluidized fill methods, only one fill is performed for one operation. However, in the present invention, multiple toner suction and discharge portions of toner are provided to allow filling operations from one toner storage chamber to a plurality of toner containers.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, by providing three bellows pumps B, the pulsation of the toner can be buffered. Therefore, the pulsating flow damper 13 as shown in FIG. 1 is no longer required and a higher accuracy filling can be obtained.

In FIG. 4, the device includes a pump controller 20 and an overall controller 21. Other components equivalent to those shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The dimensions and flow rates of a conveying device with a discharge capacity of 250 g/min are shown as a specific example.

The transfer unit has a compressor, powder pump, piping and instrumentation housed in an aluminum alloy box 40cm long, 30cm wide and 16cm deep; driven by a 100V power supply. Toner discharge starts about 2 minutes after the device is installed.

Increase discharge capacity by adding bellows and enlarging the diameter.

In the example of the conventional method, since the device is pressurized, the number of cartridges filled with toner from one toner storage chamber is limited.

On the other hand, in the present invention, since the device is not pressurized, powder can be added during operation. The present invention is also applicable to the addition of toners. Also, advantageously, since the toner discharge speed can be controlled by the rotation speed of the pump, toner scattering can be reduced.

(Powder toner filling device and powder toner filling method)

The powder toner filling device of the present invention includes the powder toner conveying device of the present invention, and optionally, other units when necessary.

In the powder toner filling method of the present invention, the toner fluidized by driving the bellows type pump is discharged into the toner cartridge; at the same time, when discharging or after a certain amount is discharged, the toner is discharged through the degassing pipe The air in the toner is removed, and therefore, a constant mass of toner can be filled in a toner cartridge of a given volume.

In the powder toner filling method of the present invention, the toner that cannot be filled in the powder toner cartridge overflows into the hopper. After a constant mass of toner is discharged, the toner is stored in the powder toner cartridge by inserting a degassing tube.

In the powder toner filling method, the toner discharge tube is inserted close to the bottom of the powder toner cartridge without contacting it, and a predetermined mass of The toner is discharged one or more times, during which a degassing operation is performed. After reaching a certain mass, pull up the toner discharge tube so that it is close to the inlet of the toner cartridge. The discharge continues until the value of the quality indicator reaches the set value, and at the same time, the toner discharge pipe is not in contact with the toner powder and the powder toner cartridge.

In the powder toner filling method, the degassing unit is concentric with the toner discharge pipe and placed outside the toner discharge pipe; using the filling nozzle that constitutes the degassing unit, the toner of the degassing unit is discharged The lower end of the tube is formed of a porous material, the toner filling nozzle is inserted near but not in contact with the bottom of the powder toner container, and a predetermined mass of toner is discharged; either at the time of discharge or after alternate discharge and degassing , pull up the filling nozzle and bring it close to the inlet of the toner container for additional discharge; once a signal of completion of filling is given, the degassing unit is depressurized, thereby discharging the powdered toner in the toner tube Suction is drawn to the inner wall of the degassing unit and a plug is formed, filling terminates.

In the powder toner filling method, reverse air pressure and air flow rate are individually controlled for preventing clogging of the degassing unit and the plugging unit.

In the powder toner filling method, the pressure sensor is installed vertically on the discharge side of the bellows type pump for sucking and discharging the fluidized toner, or when multiple bellows are included in one toner conveying mechanism , Installed in the bellows discharge pipe assembly; can continuously measure the toner discharge pressure; stop filling when the pressure is higher than a certain level, and issue a warning or alarm.

Here, a high-density filling method for a flexible container described in patent documents such as JP-A-2004-78252 is explained.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing one example of a high-density filling device for a flexible toner cartridge. The high-density filling device consists of the following four units: (1) the transfer unit, which fluidizes the toner and transfers it to the filling nozzle; (2) the air instrumentation unit, which controls the degassing mechanism and shut-off in the filling nozzle; Mechanism pressure; (3) filling and degassing nozzle unit; (4) integrated control unit.

(1) The conveying unit includes: the fluidized bed 113; the filling device 110, which conveys the fluidized toner; and the line pressure sensor 115, which measures the conveying pressure of the fluidized toner. These are connected with pipes or tubes.

(2) The filling and degassing nozzle 107 in the air instrument unit forms a multi-way tube including concentric inner, middle and outer tubes (not shown). The fluidized toner flows into the interior of the inner tube. As an air channel for degassing and closing the toner, the outer lower end of the outer tube for degassing and the inner lower end of the inner tube for closing are covered with porous materials such as stainless steel mesh, sintered material, and porous plastic, which It is possible to control the pressure in the space enclosed by the outer tube and the middle tube and by the middle tube and the inner tube, respectively. They are all connected to an air instrument consisting of several external solenoid valves.

(3) The filling nozzle unit includes: a height adjustment mechanism that controls the height of the filling and degassing nozzles based on the filling amount and height of the container; the holder 111 for the toner container; the force gauge 102 for toner a measuring sensor of the toner container and filling amount; and a nozzle cleaner 112 which is placed outside the filling nozzle without contacting it and performs vacuum cleaning of toner adhering to the outside of the filling nozzle.

(4) The integrated control unit includes: a weight indicator 103, which displays a signal from a load cell as weight; a DC motor driver 105, which controls the rotation speed of the filling device; a controller 106, which is used for the height adjustment mechanism; and A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) 104, which generally controls its controllers.

After the toner to be filled is placed in the fluidized bed and fluidized, an empty flexible container is placed on the container holder 101, and a filling start signal is issued. The lower end of the filling and degassing nozzle 107 is positioned proximate to but not touching the bottom of the flexible container by the filling nozzle height adjustment mechanism. Then, a signal of positioning completion is sent to PLC 104 . After the container is tared by the load cell 102 and weight indicator 103, the toner is transferred from the fluidized bed 113 to the filling and degassing nozzle 107 with the filling device 110 rotating at a preset rotational speed. Filling is interrupted (although the interruption is not necessarily followed) at such a weight that the conveyed toner does not overflow the container, degassing is performed for a certain period of time through the perforated plate outside the nozzle. After the degassing cycle is completed, the negative pressure for degassing is released, and the filling and degassing nozzle 107 is moved upward so that its lower end is positioned close to the top end of the toner container. Fill at this position at medium or low speed to fill the preset fill volume.

When the low-speed filling is completed or the mass of the filled toner is one or several grams less than the preset filling amount, the pressure between the inner tube and the middle tube is a negative pressure of about -5kPa. At this pressure, fluidized toner and air are drawn through the perforated plate inside the inner tube. Therefore, the toner is sucked to the tube wall of the inner wall, forming a plug to stop the flow. Because the flow rate inside the tube is reduced by setting the low rotation speed of the filling device 110, the toner flow can be stopped at a small negative pressure of about -5 kPa, and the so-called plug thus produced is not strong. At the beginning of the next filling operation, at a pressure of about 5 kPa, the plug is destroyed or flooded over time, so that no toner spreading occurs due to plug destruction, which is common with conventional devices. In addition, plugging of the toner is maintained by maintaining a negative pressure until the next filling operation, which prevents spilling of the toner.

In conventional devices, a funnel is placed at the bottom of a flexible container to expand the volume of the container. The toner overflows into the funnel, which is filled with toner by repeatedly degassing the container through a degassing rod inserted into the flexible container. However, the present invention is capable of filling the flexible container with toner with almost no volume tolerance without a funnel.

Flexible containers typically have smaller tolerances in the interior volume of the container compared to filling toner.

The filling step described above is not mandatory when the container has some tolerances. The toner is discharged by using the filling nozzle near the top of the container or by using the filling nozzle on the bottom part of the container, and by pulling up the filling nozzle, a certain weight of filling is completed without degassing.

In the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the toner can be discharged by inserting a filling nozzle, which includes a degassing mechanism at the periphery of the nozzle, as shown in FIG. 8, into the inside of the flexible container without contacting it.

In addition, degassing is performed when a certain amount of toner (ie, an amount that does not overflow the container) of toner is discharged. While delaying or continuing toner discharge, a degassing operation is performed. As a result, the installation and removal operations of the funnel (which are necessary in conventional methods) are no longer required. Therefore, the operating efficiency is improved by about 20% compared with the conventional one.

example

Hereinafter, the present invention is illustrated in more detail with the toner filling operation described below, however, it is not intended to limit the present invention.

A toner filling device including the toner conveying device shown in FIG. 4 is used. The toner conveying device of FIG. 4 has a balance of a powder toner container and a motor controllable by a controller. Fig. 5 shows the controllable rotation speed and the change of the discharge volume of the pump.

(1) The fluidized toner is discharged into the filling container using a bellows type pump developed especially for this device.

(2) Measure the discharge amount to control the rotation speed and delay time, and fill the container with a preset weight of toner. In this example, the target fill quantity is 451.0 g, and the results of 73 consecutive fill operations are shown in FIG. 6 . The vertical axis of the graph in FIG. 6 indicates the filling amount, and the horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 6 indicates the filling duration.

The toner used was IPSiO Magenta 8000 manufactured by Ricoh Company, Ltd. and had a bulk density of 0.47 g/cm3.

As a comparative example, the results of a filling operation performed by pressurization with a conventional toner filling device are shown in FIG. 7, which is described in JP-B-3549053. The target filling amount is 550.0 g. When the filling amount is controlled by the pressurized filling method, the transmission pressure decreases when the actual filling amount is close to the preset amount, and the above-mentioned "plug" is formed in the filling nozzle when the filling amount is equal to the preset value, thereby completing the filling operation. In order to form a "plug" without completely reducing the delivery pressure to zero to complete the filling operation within a certain period of time, the actual filling volume exceeds the preset value by a large margin. This excess is a loss to the producer.

The results in FIGS. 6 and 7 mean that the inventive toner filling device in FIG. 6 can greatly improve excess; that is, compared with the conventional toner filling device shown in FIG. The fill volume is greater than the preset fill volume.

Industrial Applicability

The powder toner conveying method and powder toner conveying device of the present invention are capable of conveying the powder toner without applying stress to the toner, and conveying with no or little pressurization. No clogging of powder toner occurs, and a portable transfer unit is used, which is lightweight and compact, and can be operated intermittently. Immediate use is possible due to the availability of all types of supply voltage. Therefore, it can be advantageously used in a filling method and a filling apparatus of powder toner for electrophotography.

Claims (42)

1. powder toner transmission method, its utilize from gas feed unit gas supplied make powder toner fluidization the powder toner storeroom, utilize pump unit to aspirate fluidised toner and transmit powder toner by toner is discharged in the powder toner filling containers

Wherein, utilize the to-and-fro movement pump to carry out by means of above-mentioned pump unit to the suction of powder toner.

2. powder toner transmission method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, supply to gas in salable and pressurization or the non-pressurized powder toner storeroom by the gas feed unit and be conditioned and introduce powder toner fluidization unit in the powder toner storeroom, make powder toner in this powder toner storeroom by fluidization; Suction by pump unit enters the mouth suction powder toner storeroom, so that transmit fluidised powder toner; And for advection by the pulsating flow buffer cell that places the pump unit downstream smooth or promote pulsating flow after, toner is discharged in the toner filling containers.

3. powder toner transmission method according to claim 1, wherein, described to-and-fro movement pump is a bellows pump.

4. powder toner transmission method according to claim 1, wherein, described to-and-fro movement delivery side of pump places under the suction inlet of pump.

5. powder toner transmission method according to claim 4, wherein, the internal diameter that connects the valve of described to-and-fro movement delivery side of pump is equal to or greater than the internal diameter of the toner transfer tube that is connected to described pump.

6. powder toner transmission method according to claim 1, wherein, described pump unit is the suction powder toner under the situation that does not have pressurization.

7. powder toner transmission method according to claim 1, wherein, described powder toner storeroom is under 4kPa or lower pressure.

8. powder toner transmission method according to claim 1, wherein, with interrupted and continuously in any state aspirate described powder toner.

9. powder toner transmission method according to claim 8 wherein, is regulated the transmission quantity of toner by controlling in interrupted and the continuous state any.

10. powder toner transmission method according to claim 4, wherein, being connected between described to-and-fro movement delivery side of pump and described toner transfer tube is level and smooth.

11. powder toner transmission method according to claim 4, wherein, described pulsating flow impact damper is installed near the described to-and-fro movement delivery side of pump.

12. powder toner transmission method according to claim 1, wherein, described gas feed unit comprises the air generating unit, and the power supply of 24V to 220V, this power supply are used for from air generating unit air supply.

13. powder toner transmission method according to claim 12, wherein, described air generating unit is a compressor.

14. powder toner transmission method according to claim 1, wherein, described gas feed unit and pump unit use one of solar electrical energy generation and wind-power electricity generation.

15. powder toner transmission method according to claim 1, wherein, described gas feed unit comprises high-pressure cylinder.

16. a powder toner transmitting device comprises:

Sealable, the pressurization or non-pressurized powder toner storeroom,

The gas feed unit, this gas feed unit is supplied with adjustments of gas to the powder toner storeroom,

Powder toner fluidization unit, this powder toner fluidization unit places the powder toner storeroom, and makes powder toner fluidization in the powder toner storeroom by emitting distributing gas,

Interrupted pump unit, this interrupted pump unit makes the fluidised powder toner in the powder toner storeroom discharge intermittently by suction powder toner storeroom intermittently, and

The pulsating flow buffer cell, this pulsating flow buffer cell places the downstream of described interrupted pump unit.

17. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 16, wherein, the toner groove of the toner input block of described powder toner storeroom is dismountable; The gentle object supply unit in powder toner fluidization unit in the described powder toner storeroom is connected by dismountable gas supply pipe; Described powder toner storeroom is connected with dismountable suction tube with described interrupted pump unit; And in the downstream of described pulsating flow buffer cell, the toner outlet places the end of described toner transfer tube.

18. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 17, wherein, air supply pipe, suction tube, place pressure buffer pipe on the toner vent pipe and at least two of toner input block removably to be integrated in the described toner powder storeroom.

19. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 18, wherein, air supply pipe, pressure buffer pipe and suction tube are removably mounted on the fixed part, and this fixed part is installed on any position except that lid of described powder toner storeroom.

20. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 16, wherein, described gas feed unit, interrupted pump unit and pulsating flow buffer cell are removably mounted in the housing; This housing is of portable form, and comprises handle, and this housing comprises one of the power supply connecting device of the power supply that is connected to 24V to 220V and switchgear in its surface, and this power supply is used for gas feed unit and powder pump unit.

21. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 20, wherein, at least a portion housing is transparent, the feasible part that can observe visually compartment interior, at least a portion powder toner storeroom is transparent, the feasible existence that can be observed the powder toner of compartment interior, and the transparent part of the transparent part of housing and powder toner storeroom is local at least overlapping.

22. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 20, wherein, described housing comprises the lid that can open and close, and at the powder toner transmitting device in the running, described lid is opened.

23. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 16, wherein, powder toner comprises external additive, and the volume averaging particle diameter of described toner is 2.5 μ m to 15 μ m, the absolute specific gravity of described toner is 1.02 to 1.45, and the volume density of described toner is 0.20g/cm ³To 0.90g/cm ³

24. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 16, wherein, described powder toner increases by 1.2 to 15 times by means of the volume of gas in the powder toner storeroom.

25. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 16, wherein, described pulsating flow buffer cell comprises induction pipe, toner vent pipe and the pressure buffer pipe of fluidization toner, wherein, this toner vent pipe intersects with right angle and induction pipe and opens under this induction pipe, and described pressure buffer pipe is positioned on the described toner vent pipe; The upper end of pressure buffer pipe is made up of flexible material, does not have volume when shutting down; According to the order of successively decreasing of ips, described buffer cell is made up of pressure buffer pipe, fluidization toner induction pipe and toner vent pipe.

26. powder toner transmitting device according to claim 18, wherein, the upper end of described pressure buffer pipe extends to the inside of powder toner storeroom, be connected on the fixed part that is positioned at powder toner storeroom top, make and the superpressure that produces in storeroom between the toner transmission period can be discharged.

27. a powder toner filling device, it comprises:

The powder toner transmitting device: this powder toner transmitting device comprises:

Sealable, the pressurization or non-pressurized powder toner storeroom,

The gas feed unit, this gas feed unit is supplied with adjustments of gas to the powder toner storeroom,

Powder toner fluidization unit, this powder toner fluidization unit places the powder toner storeroom, and makes powder toner fluidization in the powder toner storeroom by emitting distributing gas,

Interrupted pump unit, this interrupted pump unit makes the fluidised powder toner in the powder toner storeroom discharge intermittently by suction powder toner storeroom intermittently, and

The pulsating flow buffer cell, this pulsating flow buffer cell is positioned at the downstream of described interrupted pump unit.

28. powder toner filling device according to claim 27, wherein, the powder toner filling device comprises a plurality of powder toner transmission units.

29. powder toner filling device according to claim 27, wherein, described powder toner filling device will be used for the balance of the toner that weighing discharges and interlock with the revolution of motor, and described motor is used for control pump.

30. powder toner filling device according to claim 27, it comprises the toner vent pipe that is installed on the toner filling containers and does not directly contact with container; And deaeration pipe, this deaeration pipe is dismountable hollow tube, and is sealed at both ends in the toner filling containers, and its lower end is made up of porosint, and the other end is connected to vacuum system, and it can be removed the air of toner filling containers inside by porous part,

Wherein, discharge fluidised toner by the driving of bellows pump; When discharging scheduled volume or afterwards, remove air in the toner filling containers by snorkel, the toner of predetermined quality is filled in the toner filling containers to constant volume.

31. powder toner filling device according to claim 27, wherein, funnel places the top of powder toner filling containers, and the opening of this funnel is concentric with the opening of powder toner filling containers; The powder toner filling device comprises and is installed in the inboard and toner vent pipe that directly do not contact with funnel of funnel; And deaeration pipe, this deaeration pipe is dismountable hollow tube between funnel and toner filling containers, sealed at both ends, and the lower end is made up of porosint, the other end is connected to vacuum system, and it can be removed the air of toner filling containers inside by porous part; The toner that is not filled in the toner filling containers spills in the funnel, and by after the toner of discharging scheduled volume deaeration pipe being inserted, toner is filled in the powder toner filling containers.

32. powder toner filling device according to claim 27, wherein, the toner vent pipe inserts near the bottom of powder toner filling containers but not contact with it; The toner of predetermined quality is once or more than once discharging, and, in the centre with being immersed in the operation that outgases of toner vent pipe in the toner; After reaching certain mass, will draw on the toner vent pipe, near the inlet of toner filling containers; Discharge continuously, reach setting value up to the value of weight indicator, the toner vent pipe does not contact with the powder toner box with toner powder simultaneously.

33. powder toner filling device according to claim 27, wherein, degas module is concentric with the toner vent pipe, places the toner vent pipe outside; Use comprises the applying nozzle of degas module, the toner vent pipe of this degas module has the lower end that is formed by porosint, this toner applying nozzle inserts near the bottom of powder toner filling containers, but not contact with it, and the toner of discharge predetermined quality; When discharging or after alternately discharging and outgasing, will draw on the applying nozzle, near the inlet of toner filling containers, with the discharge that is used to add; Finish when filling indicating, to the degas module decompression, thereby the powder toner in the toner vent pipe is drawn into the inwall of degas module, and forms embolism, stop filling.

34. powder toner filling device according to claim 33 wherein, is controlled anti-air pressure and air mass flow independently, to be used to preventing that degas module and embolism from forming the obstruction of unit.

35. powder toner filling device according to claim 27, wherein, pressure transducer vertically is installed in the discharge side of the bellows pump that is used to aspirate and discharge the fluidization toner, perhaps when a toner transport sector comprises a plurality of bellows, be installed in the assembled part of bellows vent pipe; But continuous coverage toner discharge pressure; When pressure is higher than certain level, interrupt filling, and give a warning or alarm.

36. powder toner fill method, it comprises the powder toner transmission method, this powder toner transmission method utilization from gas feed unit gas supplied make powder toner fluidization the powder toner storeroom, utilize pump unit to aspirate fluidised toner and transmit powder toner by toner is discharged in the powder toner filling containers, wherein, utilize the to-and-fro movement pump to carry out by means of above-mentioned pump unit to the suction of powder toner.

37. powder toner fill method according to claim 36, wherein this method is utilized the powder toner filling device, and it comprises the toner vent pipe that is installed on the toner filling containers and does not directly contact with filling containers; And deaeration pipe, this deaeration pipe is dismountable hollow tube, and it is sealed at both ends that the lower end is made up of porosint in the toner filling containers, and the other end is connected to vacuum system, and it can be removed the air of toner filling containers inside by porous part,

Wherein, discharge fluidised toner by the driving of bellows pump; In discharging or after discharging scheduled volume, with the degassing of toner filling containers, the toner of predetermined quality is filled in the toner filling containers to constant volume by snorkel.

38. powder toner fill method according to claim 36, wherein, this method is used the powder toner filling device that comprises funnel and powder toner filling containers, wherein, described funnel places the top of powder toner filling containers, and the opening of this funnel is concentric with the opening of powder toner filling containers; This powder toner filling device comprises toner vent pipe and deaeration pipe, this toner vent pipe is installed in the inboard and not directly contact with it of funnel, this deaeration pipe is between funnel and toner filling containers, it is dismountable hollow tube, sealed at both ends, and its lower end is made up of porosint, and the other end is connected to vacuum system, and it can be removed the air of toner filling containers inside by porous part; The toner that can not be filled in the powder toner filling containers spills in the funnel, by insert deaeration pipe after the toner of discharging scheduled volume, toner is filled in the powder toner filling containers.

39. powder toner fill method according to claim 36, wherein, this method utilization comprises the powder toner filling device of toner vent pipe and powder toner filling containers, wherein, the powder toner vent pipe inserts near the bottom of powder toner filling containers but contact with it; The toner one or many of predetermined quality is discharged, and is middle with being immersed in the operation that outgases of toner vent pipe in the toner; After reaching certain mass, on draw the toner vent pipe, make it the inlet near the toner filling containers; Discharge continuously, reach setting value up to the value of weight indicator, the toner vent pipe does not contact with the powder toner box with toner powder simultaneously.

40. powder toner fill method according to claim 36, wherein, degas module is concentric with the toner vent pipe, and places this toner vent pipe outside; Use comprises the applying nozzle of degas module, and the lower end of the toner vent pipe of this degas module is formed by porosint, and the toner applying nozzle inserts near the bottom of powder toner filling containers but contact with it, discharges the toner of predetermined quality; When discharging or alternately discharge and the degassing after, on draw applying nozzle, make it inlet, with the discharging that is used to add near the toner filling containers; Finish when filling in indication,, thereby the powder toner in the toner vent pipe is drawn on the inwall of degas module and forms embolism, fill and stop the degas module decompression.

41. according to the powder toner fill method of claim 40, wherein, control anti-air pressure and air mass flow independently, to be used to preventing that degas module and embolism from forming the obstruction of unit.

42. powder toner fill method according to claim 36, wherein, pressure transducer vertically is installed in the discharge side of the bellows pump that is used to aspirate and discharge the fluidization toner, perhaps when a toner transport sector comprises a plurality of bellows, be installed in the assembled part of bellows vent pipe; But continuous coverage toner discharge pressure; When pressure is higher than certain level, interrupt filling, and give a warning or alarm.

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