Image formation device and agent supplying device including absorber conveying by negative pressure

• US 6,826,381 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2002
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Hattori, Yoshio, Sudo, Kazuhisa, Kimura, Hideki, Matsumoto, Junichi, Muramatsu, Satoshi, Yoshizawa, Hideo
• Primary Examiner(s): Brase, Sandra L.
• Application Number:
  US10/329,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20030235435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 399/119, 399/252, 399/258, 399/259, 399/260, 399/262, 399/263, 399/292
• US Class Current: 399/260
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0808 characterised by the developer supplying means, e.g. structure of developer supply roller
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0874 non-rigid containers, e.g. foldable cartridges, bags
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0877 Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0879 for dispensing developer from a developer cartridge not directly attached to the development unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0886 by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0869 Supplying member

Abstract

A toner container contains a powdery toner. A powder pump conveys the toner in the toner container to a substantially closed, certain location using negative pressure. A toner conveyance tube conveys the toner from the container to the powder pump. An air pump supplies air into the toner container. An on/off valve opens and closes the toner conveyance tube.

Claims

1. An image formation device comprising:

a container configured to contain a developer;

an absorber configured to convey the developer to a predetermined location by negative pressure;

a conduit disposed between the container and the absorber; and

a unit positionable from a first position to a second position to decrease a diameter of the conduit.

2. An image formation device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain powdery agents;

an absorber configured to convey the agents contained in the agent container to a substantially-closed, predetermined location by negative pressure;

an agent conveyance conduit forming an agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

an open/close unit configured to open and to close the agent conveyance conduit,

wherein the open/close unit comprises an on/off valve located in the agent conveyance conduit.

3. An image formation device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain powdery agents;

an absorber configured to convey the agents contained in the agent container to a substantially-closed, predetermined location by negative pressure;

an agent conveyance conduit forming an agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

an open/close unit configured to open and to close the agent conveyance conduit,

wherein the agent conveyance conduit comprises a flexible tube, and the open/close unit comprising a presser configured to be moved between a location to press-close the tube from an external position and a location to release the closed tube.

4. An image formation device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain powdery agents;

an absorber configured to convey the agents contained in the agent container to a substantially-closed, predetermined location by negative pressure;

an agent conveyance conduit forming an agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

a positive pressure generator configured to generate positive pressure in the agent conveyance conduit when the air supplier supplies the air.

5. The image formation device according to claim 4, wherein the absorber comprises a single-axial eccentric screw pump including a normally/inversely rotatable rotor configured to generate negative pressure when the rotor rotates normally, and the positive pressure generator comprises the single-axial eccentric screw pump when the rotor is configured to be driven to rotate inversely.

6. The image formation device according to claim 5, wherein the positive pressure generator is configured to generate positive pressure of pressure resistance or above that of the air supplier.

7. The image formation device according to claim 4, wherein the positive pressure generator is configured to generate positive pressure of pressure resistance or above that of the air supplier.

8. An image formation device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain toner;

an absorber configured to convey the toner contained in the agent container to a predetermined location by negative pressure;

a substantially-closed, agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

a controller configured to control operation of the air supplier and the absorber, the controller configured to actuate the air supplier when it is determined that a toner supplement amount by the absorber reaches a predetermined amount of at least 0.5 g.

9. The image formation device according to claim 8, wherein the absorber comprises a single-axial eccentric screw pump configured to absorbingly convey the toner by negative pressure.

10. The image formation device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined amount is at most 10 g.

11. An image formation device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain toner;

an absorber configured to convey the toner contained in the agent container to a predetermined location by negative pressure;

a substantially-closed, agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

a controller configured to control operation of the air supplier and the absorber, the controller configured to actuate the air supplier when it is determined that a toner supplement amount by the absorber reaches a predetermined amount based on the toner contained in the agent container.

12. The image formation device according to claim 11, wherein the absorber comprises a single-axial eccentric screw pump configured to absorbingly convey the toner by negative pressure.

13. An image formation device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain toner;

an absorber configured to convey the toner contained in the agent container to a predetermined location by negative pressure;

a substantially-closed, agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

a controller configured to control operation of the air supplier and the absorber, the controller configured to actuate the air supplier when it is determined that a toner supplement amount by the absorber reaches a predetermined amount,

wherein the controller is configured to vary the predetermined amount based on an amount contained in the agent container.

14. The image formation device according to claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the predetermined amount as the amount contained in the agent container is reduced.

15. The image formation device according to claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to set an initial value of the predetermined amount based on an initial weight of the agent container.

16. The image formation device according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined amount is between 0.5 g and 100 g.

17. The image formation device according to claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to set an initial value of the predetermined amount based on an initial weight of the agent container.

18. The image formation device according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined amount is between 0.5 g and 100 g.

19. An agent supplying device comprising:

a container configured to contain a developer;

an absorber configured to convey the developer to a predetermined location by negative pressure;

a conduit disposed between the container and the absorber; and

a unit positionable from a first position to a second position to decrease a diameter of the conduit.

20. An agent supplying device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain powdery agents;

an absorber configured to convey the agents contained in the agent container to a substantially-closed, predetermined location by negative pressure;

an agent conveyance conduit forming an agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

a positive pressure generator configured to generate positive pressure in the agent conveyance conduit when the air supplier supplies the air.

21. An agent supplying device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain powdery agents;

an absorber configured to convey the agents contained in the agent container to a predetermined location by negative pressure;

a substantially-closed, agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

a controller configured to control operations of the air supplier and the absorber, the controller configured to actuate the air supplier when it is determined that an agent supplement amount by the absorber reaches a predetermined amount of at least 0.5 g.

22. The agent supplying device according to claim 21, wherein the absorber comprises a single-axial eccentric screw pump configured to absorbingly convey the agents by negative pressure.

23. The agent supplying device according to claim 21, wherein the predetermined amount is at most 10 g.

24. An agent supplying device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain powdery agents;

an absorber configured to convey the agents contained in the agent container to a predetermined location by negative pressure;

a substantially-closed, agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

a controller configured to control operation of the air supplier and the absorber, the controller configured to actuate the air supplier when it is determined that an agent supplement amount by the absorber reaches a predetermined amount based on an amount contained in the agent container.

25. The agent supplying device according to claim 24, wherein the absorber comprises a single-axial eccentric screw pump configured to absorbingly convey the agents by negative pressure.

26. An agent supplying device comprising:

an agent container configured to contain powdery agents;

an absorber configured to convey the agents contained in the agent container to a predetermined location by negative pressure;

a substantially-closed, agent conveyance path between the agent container and the absorber;

an air supplier configured to supply air into the agent container; and

a controller configured to control operation of the air supplier and the absorber, the controller configured to actuate the air supplier when it is determined that an agent supplement amount by the absorber reaches a predetermined amount based on an amount contained in the agent container.

27. The agent supplying device according to claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the predetermined amount as the amount contained in the agent container decreases.

28. The agent supplying device according to claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to set an initial value of the predetermined amount based on an initial weight of the agent container.

29. The agent supplying device according to claim 28, wherein the predetermined amount is between 0.5 g and 100 g.

30. The agent supplying device according to claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to set an initial value of the predetermined amount based on an initial weight of the agent container.

31. The agent supplying device according to claim 30, wherein the predetermined amount is between 0.5 g and 100 g.