Toner collection device with displaceable partition

• US 6,339,689 B1
• Filed: 11/22/1999
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Peripherals Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Sugiura, Yuzuru
• Primary Examiner(s): Royer, William J.
• Application Number:
  US09/444,505
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 399/120, 399/360, 399/358, 399/359, 399/262
• US Class Current: 399/120
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0855 the concentration being measured by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0865 Arrangements for supplying new developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0875 cartridges having a box like shape
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/12 Toner waste containers

Abstract

An exemplified object of the present invention is to provide a toner collection device that may effectively, easily and inexpensively utilize a storage space for waste toner. The toner collection device is provided with a displaceable partition in the storage space, and the partition may contact an agitator that may displace the partition.

Claims

1. A toner cartridge comprising:

a wall that defines an internal space;

a displaceable partition that divides the internal space into a first space that may store unused toner, and a second space that may store waste toner; and

an agitator that agitates the toner in the first space and may displace said partition by contacting said partition.

2. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said partition is made of a sheet material that may vibrate elastically.

3. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second space is arranged above the first space.

4. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said partition has a hinge structure.

5. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said partition may displace in accordance with an amount of the waste toner, and contact said agitator when the second space stores more than a predetermined amount of the waste toner.

6. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said partition has a rigid portion which contacts said agitator.

7. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said partition has a projection which contacts said agitator.

8. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second space is as large as or larger than the first space.

9. A toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said wall includes:

a first opening which is connectable to the first space and openable; and

a second opening which is connectable to the second space and openable, said first and second openings being arranged almost symmetrically with respect to said partition.

10. A print unit comprising:

a wall that defines an internal space;

a displaceable partition that divides the internal space into a first space that may store unused toner, and a second space that may store waste toner;

an agitator that agitates the toner in the first space and may displace said partition contacting said partition;

a photosensitive body; and

a development part which forms a predetermined toner image on said photosensitive body.

11. A print unit according to claim 10, wherein said partition is made of a sheet material that may vibrate elastically.

12. A print unit according to claim 10, wherein the second space is arranged above the first space.

13. A print unit according to claim 10, wherein said partition has a hinge structure.

14. A print unit according to claim 10, wherein said partition may displace in accordance with an amount of the waste toner, and contact said agitator when the second space stores more than a predetermined amount of the waste toner.

15. A print unit according to claim 10, wherein said partition has a rigid portion which contacts said agitator.

16. A print unit according to claim 10, wherein said partition has a projection which contacts said agitator.

17. A print unit according to claim 10, wherein the second space is as large as or larger than the first space.

18. A storage device comprising:

a wall that defines an internal space;

a displaceable partition that divides the internal space into first and second spaces; and

a processing member which performs a predetermined process in the first space, wherein power supplied to said processing member is partially utilized to make said processing member contact said partition and displace said partition.

19. A method of manufacturing a storage container comprising the steps of:

forming a processing member, first and second walls, and a displaceable partition;

aligning the first and second walls and partition with one another while storing the processing member in the first wall; and

adhering the first wall, second wall and partition around the partition, wherein the processing member performs a predetermined process in a space defined by the first wall and partition and power supplied to the processing member is partially utilized to make the processing member contact the partition and displace the partition.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said adhering step adheres the partition using ultrasound.

21. A method according to claim 19, wherein said adhering step adheres the partition using heat.

22. A printer comprising:

a wall that defines an internal space;

a displaceable partition that divides the internal space into a first space that may store unused toner, and a second space that may store waste toner;

an agitator that agitates the toner in the first space and may displace said partition agitator by contacting said partition;

a photosensitive body;

a development part which forms a predetermined toner image on said photosensitive body; and

a transfer device which transfer the toner image on a printing paper.