EP1842110A1

EP1842110A1 - Positioning member and system for a cartridge

Info

Publication number: EP1842110A1
Application number: EP06704785A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Samuel Room 404 TSUI; Robin Huang
Original assignee: GCC IP Pty Ltd
Current assignee: GCC IP Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-01-25
Filing date: 2006-01-25
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Also published as: EP1842110A4; WO2006079170A1

Abstract

A positioning member end plate (102) for a cartridge (108) having a grip (104) integrally formed therewith, the end plate (102) having a cut-away portion (116) of substantially the same shape as the grip (104) such that, when the end plate (102) is connected to the cartridge (108), the grip (104) is received within the cut-away portion (116) and the remainder of the end plate (102) encapsulates the grip (104).

Description

"POSITIONING MEMBER AND SYSTEM FOR A CARTRIDGE" FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a positioning member and system for a cartridge. In particular, the invention relates to a positioning member that facilitates the correct positioning of S the cartridge within an image forming apparatus.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The following discussion of the background of the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to 0 was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.

A prior art process cartridge 10 is shown in Figure 1. The prior art process cartridge 10 has an end plate 12. The end plate 12 has two grip holes 14 provided therein and two locating pins 16 extending therefrom. The locating pins 16 extend away from the end 5 plate 12 back along the length of the process cartridge 10.

The end plate 12 is connected to the remainder of the process cartridge 10 by way of a screw (not shown), As this connection allows for rotational movement of the end plate 12 about the screw, a small restrictor pin (also not shown) is integrally formed with the end plate 12. The restrictor pin extends from the end plate 12 in the same direction as 0 the locating pins 16. When the end plate 12 is connected to the remainder of the process cartridge 10, the restrictor pin is contained between two ribs. The containment of the small restrictor pin thereby limits the overall rotational movement of the end-plate 12.

To insert the process cartridge 10 into an image forming apparatus 24, a user (not 5 shown) inserts a finger into each grip hole 14. Using the engagement between the fingers and the grip holes 14 to maintain a firm hold on the process cartridge 10, the user may then install the process cartridge 10 into the image forming apparatus 24. The direction of installation is marked A. As the process cartridge 10 is installed in the direction of installation A₁ resistance is met prior to full installation. On meeting resistance, the user is to stop applying force to the process cartridge 10, thus leaving the process cartridge partially installed.

To complete installation, and allow use of the image forming apparatus 24 to recommence, the user shuts an access door 26 of the image forming apparatus 24.

The access door 26 has a protuberance 28 extending therefrom in the direction of closure. This protuberance 28 is positioned such that it contacts with a portion of the end-plate 12 in the partially installed state. This contact then forces the process cartridge 10 to the fully installed position. In the fully installed position, the process cartridge 10 is retained in place by way of locating pins 16 being received within retaining guides 30.

The problem with this configuration is that the locating pins 16 require a limited degree of movement to allow for correction of an incorrect partial installation of the process cartridge 10 by a user. The use of a small restrictor pin 20 as a means of providing this limited movement is serviceable during proper operation of the process cartridge 10 and image forming apparatus 24, but otherwise prone to breakage. Once broken, the broken portion of the small restrictor pin 20 may cause further damage to the process cartridge 10 or the image forming apparatus 24. Additionally, the greater degree of rotational movement of the end-plate 12 may result in the incorrect positioning of the grip holes 14 and thereby prevent easy removal of the process cartridge 10 from the image forming apparatus 24.

It is an object of the present invention Io provide a positioning member that overcomes, or at least ameliorates in part, one or more of the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms "comprising", "consisting of, and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning "including, but not limited to".

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is a positioning member end plate for a cartridge having a grip integrally formed therewith, the end plate having a cut-away portion of substantially the same shape as the grip such that, when the end platβ is connected to the cartridge, the grip is received within the cut-away portion and the remainder of the end plate encapsulates the grip. Ideally, the end plate is substantially similar in shape to an end profile of the process cartridge.

The end plate may be connected to the cartridge by a screw adapted to be received within a threaded recess. The end plate may also include a locating pin for securely retaining the cartridge in a predetermined position within an image forming apparatus and for restricting rotational movement of the end plate in the event of disconnection of the end plate from the cartridge.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for positioning a cartridge comprising: a grip integrally formed with the cartridge; and a positioning member end plate according to any preceding claim, where, the end plate is adapted to receive the grip within the cut-away portion when the end plate is connected to the cartridge, the remainder of the end plate adapted to encapsulate the grip.

Ideally, the grip has a flange portion adapted to receive a positioning force from a protrusion extending from an access door of an image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is to be installed. In the event of disconnection of the end plate from the cartridge, rotational movement of the end plate relative to the cartridge is restricted by the abutment of the grip against interior walls of the cut-away portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a prior art process cartridge partially installed into an image forming apparatus.

Figure 2 is a first isometric view of a process cartridge incorporating a positioning member of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a first retaining portion of the positioning member shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the positioning member shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the process cartridge as installed in the image forming apparatus shown in Figure 1.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention there is a positioning member 100. The positioning member 100 includes an end plate 102 and a grip 104. The end plate 102 encapsulates the grip 104.

The end plate 102 is substantially similar in profile to the end profile 106 of the process cartridge 108 at the position of attachment. Formal attachment of the end piate 102 to the process cartridge 108 is provided by a screw 110 which threads into a recess 112 provided in the end profile 106.

The end plate 102 also has a locating pin 114 at one end thereof. The locating pin 114 extend out from the same side of the end plate 102 as faces the process cartridge 108 when the end plate 102 is attached thereto, A first cut-away portion 116 is provided for in the end plate 102. The first cut-away portion 116 is shaped like a tear drop, in an orientation parallel to that of the process cartridge 108 (when the end plate 102 is so attached).

A second cut-away portion 118 is provided for in the end plate 102. The role of the second cut-away portion 113 will be described in more detail below. The grip 104 comprises a circular hole 120 and a flange 122. The grip 104 is integrally formed with the process cartridge 108. The grip 104 is also shaped like a tear drop, but of smaller size than the first cut-away portion 116. In this manner, the grip 104 is adapted to be received within the first cut-away portion 116 when the end plate 102 is attached to the process cartridge 108 - the remainder of the end plate 102 encapsulating the grip 104.

The advantages of the present invention will now be described in the context of its intended use.

As has been noted above, the end plate 102 is connected to the process cartridge 108 by way of threading the screw 110 into recess 112. The connection of the end plate -S-

102 to the process cartridge 108 allows for rotational movement of the end plate 102.

However, the rotational movement is constrained in a first direction by the locating pin 114 abutting the side of the process cartridge 108 and the interior wall 124 of the first cut-away portion 116 abutting the circular hole 120 portion of the grip 104. Rotational movement in a second direction, opposite the first, is constrained by the abutment of the interior wall 124 of the first cut-away portion 116 with the flange 122 portion of the grip 104.

In this manner the use of the grip 104 as the means to constrain the rotational movement of. the end plate 102 provides significant structural advantages in comparison to the prior art.

Also, as mentioned above in respect of the prior art, the process cartridge 108 is adapted to be installed in an image forming apparatus 24 until resistance is met. In order to complete the installation, the user closes the access door 26 of the image forming apparatus 24. As the access door 26 is closed, the protuberance 28 extending from the access door 26 makes contact with the flange 122 portion of the grip 104. Once in contact, force applied to the access door 26 in an effort to close the access door 26, is transferred to the flange 122 and forces the process cartridge 108 into its fully installed position.

The advantage of this adaptation for use with an image forming apparatus 24 is two- fold. Firstly, if the end plate 102 breaks or is otherwise disconnected from the process cartridge 108, the grip 104 remains in a position where the user can still install or remove the process cartridge 108 from the printer machine relatively easily. Secondly, the flange 122, being an integral part of the process cartridge 108, allows for greater transfer of force from the access door 26. It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the above invention is not limited to the embodiment described. In particular, the following modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention:

• The screw 110 and threaded recess 112 connection mentioned above can be replaced with other connection configurations as would be known to the person skilled in the art. For example, a nut and bolt configuration or a split pin or surclip system. • The above system could be used in respect of cartridges other than process cartridges. For example, the system could easily be used in connection with a developer cartridge.

It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the features described in one embodiment, where not mutually exclusive or alternatives, may be combined with features described in other embodiments to create yet further embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A positioning member end plate for a cartridge having a grip integrally formed therewith, the end plate having a cut-away portion of substantially the same shape as the grip such that, when the end plate is connected to the cartridge, the grip is received within the cut-away portion and the remainder of the end plate encapsulates the grip..

2. A positioning member end plate for a cartridge according to claim 1, where the end plate is substantially similar in shape to an end profile of the cartridge.

3. A positioning member end plate for a cartridge according to any preceding claim, where the end plate is connected to (he cartridge by a screw adapted to be received within a threaded recess.

4. A positioning member end plate for a cartridge according to any preceding claim, where the end plate includes a locating pin for securely retaining the cartridge in a predetermined position within an image forming apparatus and for restricting rotational movement of the end plate in the event of disconnection of the end plate from the cartridge.

5. A system for positioning a cartridge comprising: a grip integrally formed with the cartridge; and a positioning member end plate according to any preceding claim, where, the end plate is adapted to receive the grip within the cut-away portion when the end plate is connected to the cartridge, the remainder of the end plate adapted to encapsulate the grip.

6. A system for positioning a cartridge according to claim 5, where the grip has a flange portion adapted to receive a positioning force from a protrusion extending from an access door of an image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is to be installed.

7. A system for positioning a cartridge according to claim 5 or claim 6 where, in the event of disconnection of the end plate from the cartridge, rotational movement of the end plate relative to th© cartridge is restricted by the abutment of the grip against interior walls of the cut-away portion.

8. A system for positioning a cartridge according to any one of claims 5 to 7, where the cartridge is a process cartridge.

9. A positioning member end plate for a cartridge substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

10. A system for positioning a cartridge substantially as described herein wfth reference to Figures 2 to 5.