WASTE TONER-STORING CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

• US 20190243299A1
• Filed: 11/27/2018
• Published: 08/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Furukawa, Kimiaki
• Granted Patent: US 10,474,089 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0865 Arrangements for supplying new developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/105 Arrangements for conveying toner waste
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/12 Toner waste containers

Abstract

In accordance with an embodiment, a waste toner-storing container includes a container main body and a backflow-preventing member. A first storing chamber of the container main body includes a first storing space capable of storing an amount of waste toner discharged from a main body of an image forming apparatus, which is below a predetermined threshold. A second storing chamber of the container main body includes a second storing space that stores waste toner overflowing from the first storing space and discharged from the first storing chamber if the amount of waste toner exceeds the predetermined threshold. The backflow-preventing member prevents waste toner stored in the second storing space from moving into the first storing chamber.

Claims

1. A waste toner-storing container that stores waste toner discharged from an image forming apparatus, comprising:

a container main body that is removably attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus in a first posture;

a first storing chamber that is provided in the container main body, the first storing chamber including

an introduction port that receives waste toner discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus when the container main body is in the first posture, and

a first storing space capable of storing an amount of waste toner introduced through the introduction port, which is below a predetermined threshold;

a second storing chamber that is provided in the container main body, the second storing chamber including

an inner discharge port that discharges waste toner overflowing from the first storing space from the first storing chamber if the amount of waste toner introduced through the introduction port exceeds the predetermined threshold when the container main body is in the first posture, and

a second storing space that stores waste toner discharged from the inner discharge port; and

a backflow-preventing member that is provided between the inner discharge port and the second storing space and prevents waste toner stored in the second storing space from moving into the first storing chamber.

2. The waste toner-storing container according to claim 1, wherein

the second storing chamber includes a movement path through which waste toner is movable by its own weight, the movement path being provided in a space between an upper end of the second storing space and the inner discharge port.

3. The waste toner-storing container according to claim 2, wherein

the backflow-preventing member is provided in the movement path and prevents waste toner stored in the second storing space from moving into the first storing chamber through the movement path when the container main body is in a second posture different from the first posture.

4. The waste toner-storing container according to claim 3, wherein

the backflow-preventing member is moved to a position where the backflow-preventing member does not close the movement path when the container main body is in the first posture.

5. The waste toner-storing container according to claim 3, wherein

the backflow-preventing member is moved to a position where the backflow-preventing member closes the movement path when the container main body is in the second posture.

6. The waste toner-storing container according to claim 3, wherein

the backflow-preventing member is, by its own weight, moved to a position where the backflow-preventing member closes the movement path when the container main body is in the second posture.

7. The waste toner-storing container according to claim 6, wherein

the backflow-preventing member includes a closing member rotatable by its own weight inside the movement path, and

the closing member rotates to move between a position where the closing member closes the movement path and a position where the closing member does not close the movement path.

8. The waste toner-storing container according to claim 3, wherein

the backflow-preventing member includes

a closing member capable of closing the movement path,

an elastic member that applies biasing force on the closing member in a direction in which the closing member closes the movement path, and

a lever that is provided outside the container main body and is capable of moving the closing member in a direction in which the closing member does not close the movement path against the biasing force of the elastic member.

9. The waste toner-storing container according to claim 1, further comprising

a waste toner amount-detecting sensor that detects an amount of waste toner stored in the second storing chamber.

10. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a printer that forms an image with toner and discharges waste toner; and

a waste toner-storing container that stores waste toner discharged from the printer, the waste toner-storing container including

a container main body that is removably attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus in a first posture,

a first storing chamber that is provided in the container main body, the first storing chamber including

an introduction port that receives waste toner discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus when the container main body is in the first posture, and

a first storing space capable of storing an amount of waste toner introduced through the introduction port, which is below a predetermined threshold,

a second storing chamber that is provided in the container main body, the second storing chamber including

an inner discharge port that discharges waste toner overflowing from the first storing space from the first storing chamber if the amount of waste toner introduced through the introduction port exceeds the predetermined threshold when the container main body is in the first posture, and

a second storing space that stores waste toner discharged from the inner discharge port, and

a backflow-preventing member that is provided between the inner discharge port and the second storing space and prevents waste toner stored in the second storing space from moving into the first storing chamber.