JP2012093569A - Packaging method of developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for packaging a developing device including a casing having an elongate opening, a developing roller part of which is exposed from the opening, and a developer with which the casing is filled, without leakage of the developer from the developing device and creep deformation of the casing, etc.SOLUTION: In a packaging method of a developing device, the developing device 1 is stored in a packaging box 3 in a state where an opening 12 is covered by a cover member 2, and pressing members 4a and 4b are interposed between the cover member 2 and the packaging box 3. In addition, protrusions 21 of the cover member 2 are in an engaged state with concavities 43 of the pressing members 4a and 4b. When impact is applied from the outside, the developing device 1 moves, and the protrusions 21 of the cover member 2 run on side ends of the pressing members 4. Therefore, the cover member 2 is pressed in a direction of the developing device 1 and surely seals the opening 12 of a casing 11, thereby preventing leakage of a developer from the developing device 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device packaging method, and more particularly to a developing device packaging method in which an exposed portion of a developing roller is covered with a cover member for packaging.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a printer, a copying machine, and a multifunction machine having these functions, after an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of an electrostatic latent image carrier such as a photosensitive drum, The toner is supplied from the developing device to visualize the electrostatic latent image. The toner image is transferred to a recording medium such as paper, and then heated and pressurized to be melted and fixed on the recording medium.

  The developing device includes a developing roller that is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum, and a developer is carried on the surface of the developing roller to supply toner to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The development method is roughly divided into a one-component development method and a two-component development method. The one-component development method is a method in which only toner is used as a developer, the toner is carried on a developing roller, and the toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. In the two-component development method, a developer composed of a carrier and a toner is used, and a magnetic brush having carrier particles arranged in a spike shape is formed on the surface of the developing roller, and the magnetic brush is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum to form a magnetic brush surface. In this method, the toner adhering to the toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image.

  When transporting and storing such a developing device, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the opening 12 where the developing roller 13 is exposed is covered with a cover member 2 ′, and foamed polystyrene or the like is provided at both longitudinal ends of the developing device 1. The shock-absorbing members 5a and 5b were fitted and stored in the packing box 3.

  However, when a large impact is applied to the packaging box 1 such as when the packaging box 1 is accidentally dropped during transportation, the developer may leak from the developing device 1.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, for example, the casing is pressed by an elastic member by a wound belt-like body to suppress rattling of the lower jaw portion of the casing so that no gap is generated between the developing roller and the recovery film. Thus, a technique for preventing developer leakage has been proposed.

JP 2009-47918

  However, in the proposed technique, since a pressing force is always applied to the casing regardless of the presence or absence of external impact, the casing may creep.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device packaging method in which a developer does not leak from a developing device even when an external impact is applied, and a casing and a cover member do not undergo creep deformation.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a developing device packaging method comprising a casing having an elongated opening, a developing roller partially exposed from the opening, and a developer filled in the casing. The cover part is covered with a cover member, and is stored in the packing box, a pressing member is interposed between the packing box and the cover member, and a recess is formed in one of the cover member and the pressing member. A developing device packaging method is provided in which a convex portion is formed on the two and the two are engaged with each other.

  From the viewpoint of making the leakage of the developer from the developing device more effective, it is preferable that the interposed position of the pressing member is at least both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cover member.

  Also, from the viewpoint of applying a pressing force to the cover member by the pressing member only when an external impact is applied, the shape of the convex portion is a shape in which the cross-sectional area continuously decreases toward the tip. Is preferred. More specifically, the shape of the convex portion is preferably a quadrangular pyramid or a truncated cone. Furthermore, it is preferable to use a member having elasticity as the pressing member.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the pressing member is fixed to the inner surface of the packaging box.

  According to the developing device packaging method of the present invention, normally, no force is applied to the cover member, and the force in the direction of sealing the opening of the casing is applied to the cover member only when an impact is applied from the outside. Therefore, the developer does not leak from the cover, and the cover member and the casing do not creep.

It is a perspective view which shows the packing procedure of a developing device. It is a perspective view of the press member used for the packing method of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the packaging state of the developing device in a packaging box. It is a figure which shows the engagement state of a convex part and a recessed part. It is a figure which shows the movement of a developing device when an external impact is added to a packaging box, and the engagement state of a convex part and a recessed part. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of a shape of a convex part. It is a figure which shows the other packing method of a developing device. It is a perspective view of the press member used for the packing method of FIG. It is a figure which shows the engagement state of a convex part and a recessed part when an external impact is added to the packaging box. It is a perspective view which shows the packing procedure of the conventional developing device.

  Hereinafter, the developing device packaging method according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a procedure for packing the developing device. The developing device 1 includes a casing 11 having an elongated opening 12, a rotatable developing roller 13 partially exposed from the opening 12, and a developer (not shown) filled in the casing 11. The cover member 2 that is mounted so as to cover the entire opening 12 of the casing 11 has four convex portions 21a, 21b, which are substantially triangular in a top view in two upper and lower stages, at two positions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the outer surface. 21c and 21d (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as “convex portion 21”). The convex portion 21 may be formed in the longitudinal direction in the longitudinal direction of the cover member 2 as well as in the central portion, but it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the developing device 1. From this viewpoint, it is recommended that the cover member 2 be formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction. In addition, when the cover member 2 is attached to the developing device 1, the convex portion 21 is formed between the convex portion 21 a and the convex portion 21 b and the convex portion 21 c and the convex portion 21 d when the cover member 2 is attached to the developing device 1. It is preferable that the rotation axis of the developing roller 13 be positioned between the two. The packaging box 3 has a slightly larger volume than the developing device 1, and when the developing device 1 is stored, two pressing members 4 a and 4 b (hereinafter collectively referred to as “opposing portions”) are provided at positions facing the convex portions 21 of the cover member 2. May be referred to as “pressing member 4”).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing member 4 includes a base portion 41 and extending portions 42 a and 42 b extending from opposite end portions of the base portion 41, and has a substantially U shape in a side view. In addition, substantially triangular concave portions 43a and 43b (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as “concave portions 43”) are formed in a substantially central portion of the distal end sides of the extending portions 42a and 42b in a top view. Yes. The material of the pressing member 4 is not particularly limited. As will be described later, after the external impact is applied and the engagement between the convex portion 21 and the concave portion 43 is released, the convex portion 21 and the concave portion 43 return to the original state. From the viewpoint of facilitating, it is desirable to use an elastic material such as a rubber material.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the developing device 1 is stored in the packing box 3, the cover member 2 is attached to the opening 12 of the casing 11. Then, after the cushioning members 5a and 5b made of foamed polystyrene are fitted into both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the developing device 1, the developing device 1 is positioned so that the convex portion 21 of the cover member 2 is positioned immediately above the concave portion 43 of the pressing member 4. And the developing device 1 is moved downward and stored in the packing box 3. As the buffer members 5a and 5b, conventionally known materials such as cardboard can be used in addition to the foamed polystyrene.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developing device 1 is stored in the packing box 3. In this figure, the packing box 3 is omitted for easy understanding of the configuration of the present invention. When the developing device 1 is stored in the packing box 3, the convex portion 21 of the cover member 2 engages with the concave portion 43 of the pressing member 4. FIG. 4 shows a state diagram in which the convex portion 21 of the cover member 2 and the concave portion 43 of the pressing member 4 are engaged. The convex portion 21 and the concave portion 43 are engaged with each other with a slight gap or light contact. Therefore, a large force is not applied from the pressing member 4 to the cover member 2, and the cover member 2 is not likely to undergo creep deformation. The angles θ1 and θ2 of the inclined surfaces of the concave portion 43 and the convex portion 21 are preferably in the range of 15 ° to 30 °. Moreover, the depth d1 of the recessed part 43 and the protrusion amount d2 of the convex part 21 have the preferable range of 5 mm-10 mm.

  The state of the developing device 1 when an external impact is applied to the packaging box 3 containing the developing device 1 as described above will be described. FIG. 5A shows a normal packaging box in which the convex portion 21 of the cover member 2 and the concave portion 43 of the pressing member 4 are engaged as described above. As shown in FIG. 5B, when an impact is applied to the packaging box 3 from the left direction, the developing device 1 moves leftward in the packaging box 3 and the buffer member 5b is deformed. At the same time, when the developing device 1 moves, the convex portion 21 of the cover member 2 moves along the inclined surface of the concave portion 43 of the pressing member 4 and is placed on the side end portion of the pressing member 4. Is pressed in the direction of the developing device 1. As a result, the cover member 2 and the developing device 1 come into strong contact with each other, and the cover member 2 reliably seals the opening 12 of the casing 11 to prevent leakage of the developer from the developing device 1. The pressing force of the cover member 2 by the pressing member 4 can be adjusted by the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the concave portion 43 and the convex portion 21, the depth d1 of the concave portion 43, and the protrusion amount d2 of the convex portion 21, and the preferred range is as described above. It is as follows.

  After an impact from the outside, as shown in FIG. 5C, the buffer member 5b returns to its original state by the elastic force, and the convex portion 21 of the cover member 2 and the concave portion 43 of the pressing member 4 Return to the engaged state again. Thereby, the pressing of the cover member 2 by the pressing member 4 in the direction of the developing device 1 is released, and deformation of the cover member 2 due to being pressed for a long time is avoided. At this time, it is preferable that the pressing member 4 has elasticity because it easily returns to the state in which the convex portion 21 and the concave portion 43 are engaged again.

  The shape of the convex portion formed on the cover member 2 is preferably a shape whose cross-sectional area continuously decreases toward the tip, that is, a shape having a surface inclined toward the tip. More specifically, a shape in which an inclined surface is formed in a direction in which an impact may be applied is preferable. For example, when there is a possibility that an impact is applied from two directions, the convex portion 21 having a triangular shape in the top view may be used as in the above embodiment. In addition, when the direction in which the impact is applied cannot be specified, it is preferable to have a shape having an inclined surface in each direction. For example, a square frustum 22 as shown in FIG. 6A or a truncated cone 23 as shown in FIG. The preferable range of the angle of the inclined surface of these convex portions and the protruding amount is the same as described above. In addition, the shape of the recessed part 43 formed in the press member 4 is made into the shape matched with the shape of the convex part.

  FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the packing method according to the present invention. The developing device packaging method shown in this figure is different from the packaging method of the above-described embodiment in that the concave portion 24 is formed in the cover member 2 and the convex portion 63 is formed in the pressing member 6. Since other configurations are the same as the packing method of the above-described embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The concave portion 24 of the cover member 2 is formed in two upper and lower stages at both end portions in the longitudinal direction, as in the above embodiment. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressing member 6 includes a base portion 61 and extending portions 62 a and 62 b extending from opposite end portions of the base portion 61, and has a substantially U shape in a side view. In addition, substantially triangular convex portions 63a and 63b are formed in a substantially central portion of the distal end sides of the extending portions 62a and 62b in a top view. Although there is no limitation in particular in the material of the press member 6, what has elasticity, such as a rubber material, is desirable.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when an impact is applied to such a packing box 3 in which the developing device 1 is packed, the developing device 1 moves in the packing box 3, and the concave portion 24 and the pressing member of the cover member 2 are moved. 6 is released, the convex portion 63 of the pressing member 6 comes into contact with the cover member 2, and the cover member 2 is pressed toward the developing device 1. As a result, as in the above-described embodiment, the cover member 2 and the developing device 1 are in strong contact with each other, and the cover member 2 reliably seals the opening 12 of the casing 11 so that the developer leaks from the developing device 1. Is prevented. The pressing force of the cover member 2 by the pressing member 6 can be adjusted by the inclination angle of the concave portion 24 and the convex portion 63, the depth of the concave portion 24, and the protruding amount of the convex portion 63, as in the above embodiment.

  According to the developing device packaging method of the present invention, the developer does not leak from the developing device, and the cover member and the casing are useful without being creep-deformed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Developing apparatus 2 Cover member 3 Packing box 4 Press member 6 Press member 11 Casing 12 Opening part 13 Developing roller 21, 22, 23 Convex part 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d Convex part 24 Concave part 43, 43a, 43b Concave part 63, 63a 63b recess

Claims (6)

A developing device packaging method comprising a casing having an elongated opening, a developing roller partially exposed from the opening, and a developer filled in the casing,
The opening is covered with a cover member and stored in a packing box, a pressing member is interposed between the packing box and the cover member, and a recess is formed in one of the cover member and the pressing member. A method for packing a developing device, wherein a convex portion is formed on the other side and both are engaged with each other.   The developing device packaging method according to claim 1, wherein the position where the pressing member is interposed is at least both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cover member.   The developing device packing method according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the convex portion is a shape in which a cross-sectional area continuously decreases toward the tip.   The developing device packaging method according to claim 3, wherein the convex portion is a quadrangular frustum or a truncated cone.   The developing device packaging method according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member is used as the pressing member.   The developing device packaging method according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is fixed to an inner surface of the packaging box.