Electrophotography – Cleaning of imaging surface – Having handling of removed material
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-27
2001-07-24
Grimley, Arthur T. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Cleaning of imaging surface
Having handling of removed material
C222SDIG001, C399S360000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266511
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrophotographic apparatus such as a conventional electrophotographic printer, and more particularly to a waste toner transporting mechanism that transports residual toner collected after transfer operation.
2. Description of the Related Art
With a conventional electrophotographic recording apparatus, a small amount of toner is left on a photoconductive drum after transfer operation. The residual toner on the photoconductive drum is removed by a cleaning blade or the like and is transported into a substantially horizontal waste toner-transporting path. A first screw conveyor in a first waste toner transport path rotates to push the waste toner to a first exit. The first exit communicates with a vertical duct so that the waste toner falls through the first exit into the vertical duct. There is provided a second waste toner transport path at the lower end of the vertical duct. The second waste toner transport path extends substantially horizontal. A second screw conveyor in the second waste toner transport path rotates to push the waste toner to a second exit that communicates with a waste toner reservoir. The waste toner falls due to its weight through the second exit into the waste toner reservoir. A movable member is provided at the second exit and formed with a hole therein and is movable between a closing position and an opening position. The movable member is urged by an urging member toward the closing position.
When a side door of the apparatus is closed, a projection formed on the side door pushes the movable member to the opening position so that the hole becomes aligned with the second exit. Thus, the second exit is opened by the movable member. When the side door is opened, the projection moves out of engagement with the movable member so that the movable member moves to the closing position. Thus, the second exit is completely closed by the movable member.
With the aforementioned conventional construction, the toner falls down through the vertical duct by its weight. The waste toner has lost its fluidity, and may adhere to the inner walls of the vertical portion of the duct and cause clogging of the vertical portion.
Another problem with the aforementioned conventional construction is that there is a limitation on the space in which the urging means is accommodated. This creates design constraints.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned problems.
An object of the invention is to provide a waste toner transporting construction that is simple and free from clogging.
An image forming apparatus has a waste toner transporting path that includes a substantially vertical first path and a second path. The waste toner falls due to its weight through the first into the second path. A spiral member in the form of, for example, a coil spring or screw conveyor, axially extends in the second path and rotates to transport the waste toner along the second path. A resilient agitator is mounted on an inner wall of the first path. The agitator is generally in the shape of a rectangle and has a resilient main body with a first end portion, a second end portion, and an agitating strap that resiliently extends away from the main body. The first end portion is fixedly attached to the inner wall of the first path.
When the spiral member rotates, the spiral member slidingly engages the second end portion to cause the second end portion to move along the second path so that the second end portion finally snaps out of engagement with the spiral member.
After the second end portion snaps out of engagement with the spiral member, the second end portion resiliently returns to its original position so that the spiral member again slidingly engages the second end portion as the spiral member rotates. Thus, the second end portion repeats the aforementioned swinging motion as long as the spiral member continues to rotate.
The agitator may be a substantially rectangular synthetic film and has an incision to define the agitating strap that flexes away from the main body. The agitator may have a pair of flaps instead of the agitating strap, the flaps extending at an angle with the main body and waving as the second end portion snaps out of engagement with the spiral member. The agitator may have a friction member attached to the second end portion. When the shaft rotates, the spiral member slidingly engages the friction member so that the friction between the friction member and the spiral member causes vibration of the agitating strap.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5130756 (1992-07-01), Taniyama
patent: 5270785 (1993-12-01), Kita et al.
patent: 6055405 (2000-04-01), Knott et al.
patent: 6085062 (2000-07-01), Mizuishi et al.
Kikuchi Ken
Murakami Shinichi
Yoshida Fumiaki
Grimley Arthur T.
Oki Data Corporation
Rabin & Champagne, P.C.
Tran Hoan
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