Patent Publication Number: US-6339689-B1

Title: Toner collection device with displaceable partition

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to image forming devices such as printers, and more particularly to a collection device capable of collecting used and waste toner. The present invention is suitable for a toner cartridge and a print unit for use with a color printer. 
     Toner (or a mixture of toner and carrier) developed on a photosensitive drum is mostly transferred on a printing paper by a transfer part in a printer, but a little remains on the photosensitive drum. This remaining toner is collected by a cleaner part and put in a collection container for disposal purposes. Many recent printers have integrated these functions into one unit, and this integration has disadvantageously made a complex and bulky structure. Especially, a waste toner collection device needs to allow a large capacity margin for an excessively large amount of waste toner that would be unusually used. 
     Toner comprises high-viscosity particulates. Waste toner disadvantageously accumulates in a heap when poured into the container through its upper opening and chokes the opening despite enough empty space remaining in it, preventing a full use of the container&#39;s capacity. For size reduction and effective use of the capacity for waste toner, it has been suggested to provide an agitator and a toner mechanism that levels off the waste toner. Prior art structures, however, have been complex and expensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful toner cartridge, print unit and printer in which the above disadvantages are eliminated. 
     More specifically, another exemplified object of the present invention is to provide a toner collection device that may utilize container&#39;s space for waste toner effectively, easily and inexpensively. 
     In order to achieve the above objects, a toner cartridge of the present invention comprises 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 the partition by contacting the partition. According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the agitator, which feeds toner to the external device, may displace the partition. 
     According to a toner cartridge of the present invention, the partition may be made of a sheet material that may vibrate elastically. Vibration in the partition would unpile a waste toner heap in contact with the partition. According to a toner cartridge of the present invention, the second space may be arranged above the first space. As the first and second spaces are divided by the partition, this configuration allows waste toner to be placed on the partition using gravity. According to a toner cartridge of the present invention, the partition may have a hinge structure. This hinge structure has a simple structure and may displace the partition. 
     According to a toner cartridge of the present invention, the partition may displace in accordance with an amount of the waste toner, and contact the agitator when the second space stores more than a predetermined amount of the waste toner. The fruitless energy for displacing the partition may thereby be saved where little waste toner exists in the second space. 
     According to a toner cartridge of the present invention, the partition may have a rigid portion that contacts the agitator. When a portion that contacts that agitator is made rigid, it has high endurance and may reduce an abrasion and breakage due to the contact. According to a toner cartridge of the present invention, the partition has a projection that contacts the agitator. As the partition contacts the agitator at its projection, only the projection is efficiently made durable so as to prevent an abrasion and breakage due to the contact. According to a toner cartridge of the present invention, the second space may be as large as or larger than the first space. This structure prevents the second space from overflowing even when collecting all the toner in the first space. For example, the toner cartridge may be replaced when no toner remains in the first space, and the toner in the first space is effectively utilized. 
     According to a toner cartridge of the present invention, the 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, the first and second openings being arranged almost symmetrically with respect to the partition. This arrangement is convenient because the displacement of the partition heated at the border between the first and second spaces might easily eliminate a waste toner heap in the second space. 
     A print unit of the present invention comprises 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 the partition by contacting the partition, a photosensitive body, and a development part which forms a predetermined toner image on the photosensitive body. According to the print unit, the agitator, which feeds toner to the external device, may displace the partition. 
     According to a print unit of the present invention, the partition may be made of a sheet material that may vibrate elastically. Vibration in the partition would unpile a waste toner heap in contact with the partition. According to a print unit of the present invention, the second space may be arranged above the first space. As the first and second spaces are divided by the partition, this configuration allows waste toner to be placed on the partition using gravity. According to a print unit of the present invention, the partition may have a hinge structure. This hinge structure ha a simple structure and may displace the partition. 
     According to a print unit of the present invention, the partition may displace in accordance with an amount of the waste toner, and contact the agitator when the second space stores more than a predetermined amount of the waste toner. The fruitless energy for displacing the partition may thereby be saved where little waste toner exists in the second space. According to a print unit of the present invention, the partition may have a rigid portion that contacts the agitator. When a portion that contacts the agitator is made rigid, it has high endurance and may reduce an abrasion and breakage due to the contact. According to a print unit of the present invention, the partition has a projection that contacts the agitator. As the partition contacts the agitator at is projection, only the projection is efficiently made durable so as to prevent an abrasion and breakage due to the contact. 
     According to a print unit of the present invention, the second space may be as large as or larger than the first space. This structure prevents the second space from overflowing even when collecting all the toner in the first space. For example, the toner cartridge may be replaced when no toner remains in the first space, and the toner in the first space is effectively utilized. 
     A storage device of the present invention comprises a wall that defines as 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 the processing member contact the partition and displace said partition. According to the storage device, the power supplied to the processing member may displace the partition via the processing device or other members, and the processing member may perform a predetermined process. The power originally to the processing device also serves to displace the partition. 
     A method of manufacturing a storage container of the present invention comprises 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. This method manufactures the storage container forming and adhering three layers. This adhesion may use ultrasound and/or heat. 
     A printer of the present invention comprises 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 the partition by contacting the partition, a photosensitive body, a development part which forms a predetermined toner image on the photosensitive body, and a transfer device which transfers the toner image on a printing paper. According to this printer, the agitator, which feeds toner to the development part, may displace the partition. 
     Other objects and further features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a principal longitudinal section for explaining a structure of a toner cartridge of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 1 inserted but not loaded into a print unit. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the state shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge loaded into the print unit. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the state shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a variation of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section for explaining a variation of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart that illustrates a manufacturing method of the toner cartridge of this invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a principal longitudinal section that illustrates a structure of the print unit of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the print unit shown in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing an image-forming device with a top cover located at a slightly open position of an embodiment according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a view of the image-forming device with the top cover located at a fully open position. 
     FIG. 14 is a view showing one print assembly. 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view of the image-forming device with a top cover located at a closed position. 
     FIG. 16 is a side view of the image-forming device shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 17 is a partial section for explaining waste toner collection. 
     FIG. 18 is a partial section of FIG. 17 viewed from direction A. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A description will now be given to a toner cartridge  100  of the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5. Those elements in each drawing which are designated by the same reference numeral denote the same elements, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted. Those elements designated by the same reference numeral with a variety of alphabetical letters generally denote variations, and a reference numeral having no alphabetical letter generalizes all the corresponding reference numerals having alphabetical letters unless otherwise specified. Hereupon, FIG. 1 is a principal longitudinal sectional view of the toner cartridge  100 . The toner cartridge  100  serves to store and feed development toner and collect waste toner. Optionally, was toner may possibly be mixed with development toner for recycle, but the present embodiment disposes of the waste toner to prevent deterioration in printing quality by reusing the toner worse than development toner. 
     The toner cartridge  100 , which is a separate body from and loaded into a print unit  200 , comprises a storage space  110  for development toner, a storage space  120  for waste toner, a partition sheet  130 , walls  142  and  146 , and an agitator  150 . The wall  142  and partition sheet  130  define the storage space  110 , while the wall  144  and partition sheet  130  define the storage space  120 . The storage space  110  is connected with a development-toner inlet  112 , whereas the storage space  120  has a waste-toner outlet  122 . The inlet  112  and outlet  122  are both made open when the toner cartridge  100  is loaded into the print unit  200 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, a description will be given to a loading of the toner cartridge  100  into the print unit  200 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 1 inserted but not loaded into a print unit. FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the state shown in FIG.  2 . FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge loaded into the print unit by rotating the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 2 in the arrow direction. FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the state shown in FIG.  4 . The toner cartridge  100  is thus inserted into an opening  202 , rotated there, and loaded in the print unit  200 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the storage space  110  contains development toner. The development toner may consist of a single component (i.e., toner only), or a plurality of components (e.g., a mixture of toner and carrier). However, in the following description, “toner” generally denotes both of them for description convenience. It is to be understood that the development toner is not limited to black toner but applicable to multi-color toner (yellow, cyan and magenta). 
     The storage space  120  is characteristically provided above the storage space  110 . If the storage spaces  110  and  120  are aligned with each other in direction L and divided by a partition in FIG. 4, only a displacement of the partition would not level waste toner stored in the space  120  as will be described later. Accordingly, it is preferable to place the storage space  120  above the storage space  110 . 
     The agitator  150  is provided in the storage space  110 , and serves to facilitate, as seen in a conventional device, toner in the storage space  110  to be supplied to a development part  210  in the print unit  200  which will be described later. The present embodiment is designed to make the most of the storage space  120  using this conventional member as it is, to displace the partition sheet  130  and level waste toner in the storage space  120 . This embodiment thus needs no additional agitator in the storage space  120 , simplifying its structure. Referring to FIG. 6, the agitator  150  has a helical rotary arm  152 . FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing the structure of the toner cartridge  100 . As seen in FIG. 6, upper and lower rotary arms  152  are staggered. However, any structure known in the art is applicable to the agitator  150 . 
     The partition sheet  130  serves to partition the storage spaces  110  and  120 . The storage space  120  is designed to be as large as or larger than the storage space  110 . Accordingly, if all toner in the storage space  110  were disposed of, the storage space  120  would store it. 
     The partition sheet  130  may have some variations in structure and arrangement. The partition sheet  130  shown in FIG. 1 is made of resin (e.g., polyester or polyethylene) having a uniform thickness of 0.1 mm through 0.3 mm. The partition sheet  130  may use any material as far as it is predetermined elasticity. Moreover, the partition  130  in FIG. 1 is so positioned that it may intermittently contact the rotary arm  152  in the agitator  150 ; therefore, the partition sheet  130  is positioned inside the lower wall  142 . On the other hand, as will be explained later, the partition sheet  130  may be positioned on the border between the lower and upper walls  142  and  146 , or inside the upper wall  146 . The partition sheet  130  vibrates by its elasticity whenever it contacts the rotary arm  152  in the agitator  150 . The agitation, as will be described later, would level waste (or disposal) toner collected and supplied through the outlet  122 . 
     Alternatively, the partition sheet  130  may be replaced with a partition sheet  130   a.  The partition sheet  130   a  does not contact the agitator  150  at an initial state as shown by a broken line in FIGS. 6 and 7, whereas it bends down when receiving a predetermined amount (weight) of toner and contacts the agitator  150  as shown by a solid line in FIG.  7 . Referring to FIG. 6, the offset arrangement of the upper and lower rotary arms  152  would prevent only one part of the partition sheet  130  from contacting the agitator  150  and being worn out or otherwise. The partition sheet  130   a  in FIG. 6 may have a weight  132   a  at its center and incline from the periphery to the center. This configuration facilitates toner injected from the outlet  122  to the sheet  130  to move to the center of the sheet, preventing the toner from accumulating in a heap below the outlet  122 . As shown in FIG. 7, the partition sheet  130   a  is provided on the border between the walls  142  and  146 , and sandwiched between their gaskets  144  and  148 . The storage space  110   a  is broader than the storage space  110  shown in FIG.  1 . 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the partition sheet  130  may be replaced with a partition sheet  130   b  that has a hinged structure comprising a plurality of hinges H 1  through H 5 . In FIG. 8 similar to FIG. 7, the partition sheet  130   b  is provided on the border between the walls  142  and  146 , and sandwiched between their gaskets  144  and  148 . The partition sheet  130   b  may be placed so that it does not contact the agitator  150  at an initial state as shown by a broken line in FIG. 8, whereas it moves down when receiving a predetermined amount (weight) of toner and contacts the agitator  150  as shown by a solid line in FIG.  8 . The hinge H 3  may have a projection (which is made, for instance, of a tubular rigid member) for connection with the agitator  150 . This configuration efficiently enables only the enhanced endurance in the hinge H 3  to prevent an abrasion and breakage of the partition sheet  130   b  through contact with the agitator  150  instead of enhancing endurance in the entire partition sheet  130 . 
     Each hinge H 1  through H 5  may be exemplarily configured as a tubular rigid member extending in the longitudinal direction, and the partition sheet  130   b  may be configured by rotatably inserting these tubular rigid members between two polyester sheets. Alternatively, connection members between hinges H 1  through H 5  may be configured as a rigid member, because the partition sheet  130   b  is displaceable by the hinge structure without a need of elastic deformation. For example, a rigid member may be set between hinges H 2  and H 3  or between hinges H 3  and H 4 , or adhered to a polyester sheet. The enhanced endurance in the partition sheet  130   b  using a rigid member would prevent an abrasion and breakage caused by a contact with the agitator  150 . Affixing a rigid member to the center of the partition sheet  130   b  would make the center heavier and effectively prevent toner from accumulating in a heap just below the outlet  122 . 
     The toner cartridge  100  is made by vertically connecting two walls  142  and  146  made of plastics, etc., to each other using the gaskets  144  and  148 . Any connection method known in the art such as screwing, bonding, etc. is applicable to the connection at the gaskets  144  and  148 , and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     The agitator  150  is conventionally provided in the toner cartridge  100 , geared at an end portion  154  shown in FIG. 6, and powered by the print unit  200 . Thus, a detailed description on the structure and functions of the agitator  150  will be omitted here. The agitator  150  originally serves to assist toner in the storage space  110  in being supplied to the development part  210  in the print unit  200 . This embodiment, however, uses this conventionally provided agitator  150  to vibrate the partition sheet  130 , and thereby level the toner in the storage space  120 . Although the agitator  150  directly contacts the partition sheet  130  in this embodiment, this invention covers those which vibrate the partition sheet  130  utilizing power conventionally supplied to the toner cartridge  100 . For instance, the agitator  150  may be equipped with another rotary member that rotates coaxial with the rotary arm  152  and vibrates the partition sheet  130 . 
     The print unit  200  comprises the development part  210 , a photosensitive drum  220 , pre-charger device  230  and a cleaning portion  260 . The photosensitive drum  220  when loaded into a printer which will be explained later would face a transfer unit  250 . Similarly, an optical system  240  which can irradiate an exposure laser beam would face the photosensitive drum  220 . Any structure known to those skilled in the art is applicable to these elements, and a detailed description of each element will be omitted. An entire print operation and toner collection will be discussed later. 
     Referring next to FIG. 9, a description will be given of an attachment method of the partition sheet  130 . In the following description, the partition sheet  130  generalizes partition sheets  130   a,    130   b,  etc. First, the partition sheet  130 , two walls  142  and  146 , and agitator  150  are formed (step  1002 ). The partition sheet  130  may vary in size according to its attachment position. Next, the agitator  150  is attached to a predetermined position inside the lower wall  142  and other required mechanisms are also installed (step  1004 ). 
     The partition sheet  130  and walls  142  and  146  are aligned with one another (step  1006 ). In an attempt to place the partition sheet  130  on the border between the walls  142  and  146 , the partition sheet  130  is located at the gaskets  144  and  148 . In an attempt to place the partition sheet  130  inside the lower wall  142 , the partition sheet  130  may be located between the two parts into which the lower wall  142  is divided further. 
     The partition sheet  130  and walls  142  and  146  are then bonded (step  1008 ). This step may utilize screws or adhesives, or ultrasound and/or thermal adhesion of the partition sheet to the wall  142  and/or  146 . If necessary, the partition sheet  130  and wall  142  and/or  146  are then sealed. 
     A description will now be given of the print unit  300  of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section for explaining a structure of the print unit  300 , whereas FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the print unit  300 . The print unit  300  undetachably integrates the toner cartridge  100  and print unit  200  and is also called a print cartridge. An internal structure of the print unit  300  is similar to that of the print unit  300  loading the toner cartridge  100  shown in FIG.  1 . However differently, the print unit  300  has only one agitator  350 , whereas the structure shown in FIG. 1 provides the toner cartridge  100  with the agitator  150  and the print unit  200  with the generator  212 . 
     The print unit  300  comprises a storage space  310  for development toner, a storage space  320  for waste toner, a partition sheet  330 , walls  342  and  346 , and an agitator  350 . The agitator  350  corresponds to the agitator  150 , and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The walls  342  and  346  are, for example, cut off at a position where the partition sheet  330  is located, and sandwiched the partition sheet  330 . The structure in FIG. 10 may be manufactured by the same steps as explained with reference to FIG.  9 . The structure and arrangement of the partition sheet  330  may change it structure and arrangement as the partition sheet  130 . 
     A description will next be given of a toner collection operation when the print unit  200  loads the toner cartridge  100  and/or the print unit  300  is loaded into a printer  10 , with reference to FIGS. 12 through 18. 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 are each a view showing an image forming device  10  of one embodiment according to the present invention. This image-forming device  10  is configured as a full color printer. The image-forming device  10  includes a frame  12 , and the frame  12  includes a top cover  14  and a rear cover  16 . The rear cover  16  is omitted in FIGS. 12 and 13 but shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the top cover  14  opens slightly with respect to the frame  12 . FIG. 13 illustrates a state in which the top cover  14  opens fully with respect to the frame  12 . Opening the top cover  14  and/or rear cover  16  would provide an access to members in the image-forming device  10 . 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view of the image-forming device  10  with the top cover  14  closed with respect to the frame  12 . FIG. 16 is a side view of the image-forming device  10  shown in FIG.  15 . The image-forming device  10  includes an operation panel PL at a right end in FIG.  15 . In the drawings, the right end having the operation panel PL is a front side, and the left end portion is a rear side. On the front side of the device are provided an unlock button  17  for the top cover  14 . The rear cover  16  is provided on an end opposite to the operation panel PL. 
     In FIGS. 12 and 13, the image-forming device  10  has four print units  20 B,  20 C,  20 M and  20 Y placed in series, and the aforementioned print unit  200  provided with the toner cartridge  100  and the print unit  300  are applicable to each of these units. A free-end paper conveyer belt  22  is provided to these four print units  20 B,  20 C,  20 M and  20 Y. The paper conveyer belt  22 , which is made of suitable synthetic resin, is looped around four rollers  24   a,    24   b,    24   c  and  24   d.  The roller  24   a  is a drive roller and also serves as an AC discharge roller that removes electric charges from the paper conveyer belt  22 . The roller  24   b  is a subroutine roller and also serves as a charge roller that charges the paper conveyer belt  22 . Each of the rollers  24   c  and  24   d  is a guide roller. The roller  24   d  is a tension roller that generates a proper tension to the paper conveyer belt  22 . 
     Below the paper conveyer belt  22  is provided a hopper  26 . A batch of paper P is accumulated in the hopper  26 . Each sheet of paper is picked by a pick roller  28  and conveyed to the paper conveyer belt  22  by paper feed rollers  30 . A sheet of paper P is conveyed by the paper conveyer belt  22  to the print units  20 B,  20 C,  20 M and  20 Y, and printed or recorded. The recorded paper is conveyed to a fixer  32  and ejected through a proper guide roller (not shown) to a stacker at the top of the top cover  14 . 
     The paper conveyer belt  22  is charged by the subordinate roller  24   b;  when the paper P is fed from the subordinate roller  24   b  to the paper conveyer belt  22 , the paper P is electrostatically adhered to the paper conveyer belt  22 . Accordingly, the paper P is kept in place relative to the paper conveyer belt  22 . As the drive roller  24   a  serves as a discharge roller, the paper P is discharged when passing through the driver roller  24   a,  and easily separated from the paper conveyer belt  22  without tangling with a lower transport portion in the paper conveyer belt  22  while being ejected from the drive roller  24   a.    
     The four print units  20 Y,  20 M,  20 C and  20 B have the same structures and store developing agents having respectively yellow, magenta, cyan and black toner components. Accordingly, these print units  20 Y,  20 M,  20 C and  20 B respectively print yellow, magenta, cyan and black toner images on the moving paper P that is held on the paper conveyer belt  22 , thereby forming a full-color image on it. 
     FIG. 14 shows one print unit  20 Y. The print unit  20 Y comprises a photosensitive drum  36  corresponding to the photosensitive drum  220  shown in FIG.  1  and rotatable in the arrow direction in FIG. 13, a pre-charger device  38  corresponding to the pre-charger device  230  shown in FIG. 1, an optical head (LED beam scanner)  40  corresponding to the optical system  240  system in FIG. 1, a development device  42  corresponding to the development part  240  shown in FIG. 1, a transfer roller  44  which is a part of the transfer unit  250  shown in FIG. 1 and a toner cleaner  46  corresponding to the cleaning portion  260  shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The pre-charger device  38  is configured for example as a brush charger, roller charger or corona charger, and the photosensitive body  36  is sequentially charged on its surface with uniform electric charges by the pre-charger device  38 . The optical head  40  is arranged subsequent to the pre-charger device  38  and writes an electrostatic latent image on a charged area of the photosensitive body  36  using an LED beam. The LED beam is flashed based on image data obtained from a computer and word processor, etc. so that the electrostatic latent image is written down as a dot image. 
     The electrostatic latent image written down on the photosensitive drum  36  is electrostatically developed as a charged toner image using predetermined color toner from the development device  42 . Then, the charged toner image is electrostatically transferred on the paper P by transfer element  44  under the photosensitive body  36 . The transfer element  44  is formed as a conductive transfer roller made of a porous member (sponge). The transfer element  44  is pressed by the paper conveyer belt  22  against the photosensitive body  36 , and applies an electric charge having a polarity reverse to the charged toner to the paper P conveyed by the paper conveyer belt  22 , thereby the charged toner image on the photosensitive body  36  is electrostatically transferred on the paper P. 
     The paper P on which the charged toner image is transferred is released from the paper conveyer belt  22  and moves to the fixer  32 . Untransferred toner remains on a surface of the photosensitive body  36  that completes a transfer onto the paper P. The toner cleaner  46  removes this remaining toner. The removed toner is returned to the above storage space  120  or  320  by a feed screw  47  and hose  48  (FIG.  17 ). 
     The development part  42  installed in the unit would face a surface of the development roller  52 , namely a carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum  36 . A developing agent reservoir exists at the bottom of the print unit  20 Y and includes a reset roller  54 . The reset roller  54  rotates in the arrow direction in the drawing when the development part  42  operates. The reset roller  54  collects the developing agent that has not been fed to the photosensitive drum  36  and remained on the development roller  52 . 
     The developing agent is conveyed by a rotation of the development roller  52  to an area opposite to the photosensitive drum  36 , namely the development area. In order to restrict an amount of the developing agent to a predetermined amount, a developing agent regulation blade (not shown) is provided opposite to the development roller  52 . 
     When toner is, for example, negatively charged on the development part  42  the pre-charger device  38  has formed a uniform negative charged area on the rotary surface of the photosensitive drum or body  36 . An LED beam irradiated on to the charged area on the photosensitive body  36  from the optical head  40  would release negative charges and create a potential difference. An electrostatic latent image is written down as a potential difference onto the charged area of the photosensitive drum  36 . For example, when the charged area of the photosensitive drum  36  has a potential of −600 volts, a potential of the electrostatic latent image reduces down to about −50 volts. A negative development bias voltage, for example, of −400 volts is applied to the development roller  52 , and an electric field is created between the development roller  52  and photosensitive drum  36 . The negatively charged toner is moved to the photosensitive drum  36  by the electric field between the development roller  52  and photosensitive drum  36 , and adhered and developed onto the photosensitive drum  36 . 
     According, four-color toner images overlap each other and form a full color image on the paper P when it moves as shown in FIG. 12, from the subordinate roller  24   b  of the paper conveyer belt  22  and sequentially passes through the print units  20 Y,  20 M,  20 C and  20 B. Subsequently, the paper P is fed from a side of the driver roller  24   a  to the heat roller-type fixer  32 , where the full color image is thermally fixed on the paper P. 
     The optical head  40  is attached to the top cover  14 . The paper conveyor belt  22  and roller  24   a  through  24   d  are integrated into one belt unit, to which the transfer element is attached. 
     Further, the present invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments, but various variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the agitator may feed toner to an external device and displace the partition. This simple structure displaces the partition without an additional member. According to the toner cartridges of the present invention, the vibration in the partition may unpile a waste toner heap in contact with it and level the waste toner by a simple structure. This effectively utilizes the second space and facilitates a small toner cartridge. According to the toner cartridge of present invention, a displacement of the partition would level the waste toner placed on it. This effectively utilizes the second space and facilitates a small toner cartridge. According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, a simple hinge structure may displace the partition. According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the partition is not displaced when there is little waste toner in the second space, preventing an energy loss. 
     According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the partition that contacts the agitator is made rigid and endurable, reducing an abrasion and breakage. According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, partition&#39;s projection that contacts the agitator is enhanced in endurance, reducing an abrasion and breakage. According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, even if all toner in the first space is collected by the second space, the second space would never overflow and enables the toner cartridge to be replaced when all the toner is drained from the first space. According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the displacement of the partition would easily prevent a waste toner heap in the second space. 
     According to the print unit of the present invention, the agitator may feed toner to an external device and displace the partition. This simple structure displaces the partition without an additional member. According to the print unit of the present invention, the vibration in the partition may unpile a waste toner heap in contact with it and level the waste toner by a simple structure. This effectively utilizes the second space and facilitates a small toner cartridge. According to the print unit of the present invention, a displacement of the partition would level the waste toner placed on it. This effectively utilizes the second space and facilitates small toner cartridge. According to the print unit of the present invention, a simple hinge structure may displace the partition. According to the print unit of the present invention, the partition is not displaced when there is little waste toner in the second space, preventing an energy loss. 
     According to the print unit of the present invention, the partition that contacts the agitator is made rigid and endurable, reducing an abrasion and breakage. According to the print unit of the present invention, partition&#39;s projection that contacts the agitator is enhanced in endurance, reducing an abrasion and breakage. According to the print unit of the present invention, even if all toner in the first space is collected by the second space, the second space would never overflow and enables the toner cartridge to be replaced when all the toner is drained from the first space. 
     According to the storage device of the present invention, as a power supply to a processing device is originally provided for it, the partition is displaceable without a new power supply structure. According to the method of manufacturing the storage container of the present invention, the storage container can be manufactured using a simple three-layer partition placed in the wall. In addition, the manufacturing method may use ultrasound and/or heat, and thus its cost becomes relatively inexpensive. According to the printer of the present invention, the agitator may feed toner to the development part and displace the partition. This simple structure displaces the partition without an additional member.