JP2012150201A - Packaging form of image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dehumidify developer provided in a process cartridge in a packaging form of an image forming device for packaging the process cartridge and the device together.SOLUTION: A device body of the image forming device 1 includes an opening through which the process cartridge 9 storing image forming toner is inserted to and detached from the device body; and a front cover 8 for opening/closing the opening. The image forming device is packaged under a state where the process cartridge 9 is inserted into the device body. In the packaging form, a desiccant 80 is set between a photoreceptor 31 of the process cartridge 9 and an exposure device 15 for exposing the photoreceptor with light.

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging form of an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is bundled.

  As a physical distribution form of the image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge, the process cartridge is imaged in order to pack the image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge in one box in order to reduce the packing material for transport and improve the transport efficiency. It has been proposed to pack in a state of being mounted in the forming apparatus main body. For example, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the process cartridge is packed in the apparatus body (hereinafter referred to as “bundling”), and the charging roller and the developing roller are separated from the photosensitive drum in the packed state. An image forming apparatus configured to do so is described. This is to prevent the photosensitive drum from being damaged due to vibration generated during transportation of the photosensitive drum in contact with the developing roller or the charging roller and rubbing.

JP 2006-259448 A

  In general, the toner inserted in the process cartridge deteriorates due to moisture absorption, leading to a decrease in image quality during image formation. Therefore, when the process cartridge is packed, a device is devised so that the toner is stored in a dry state such as being put in a sealed bag. However, when the apparatus main body and the process cartridge are bundled, it is difficult to put the process cartridge in a sealed bag, and it is difficult to store the toner in a dry state. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to suppress the toner in the process cartridge from absorbing moisture in the packing form of the image forming apparatus that is packed with the process cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an opening for inserting / removing a process cartridge containing image forming toner into / from the apparatus main body and the opening thereof can be opened and closed In an image forming apparatus packing form having a transparent cover and packed with the process cartridge inserted, the image forming apparatus has an exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member by irradiating the photosensitive member with light. In the state where the process cartridge is inserted into the apparatus main body, a desiccant is installed between the process cartridge and the exposure apparatus at a position where light from the exposure apparatus to the photoconductor is blocked. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the packaging form of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the desiccant or a part of the member connected to the desiccant is the image forming apparatus and the cover. Is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the packaging form of the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the desiccant is provided on the process cartridge. To do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the packaging form of the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the desiccant is provided in a toner storage chamber that stores the toner provided in the process cartridge. It is characterized by being.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the packaging form of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the desiccant is installed along the axial direction of the photoconductor. All the light from the exposure device to the photoconductor is blocked.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the packaging form of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the plurality of process cartridges provided side by side in the image forming apparatus are provided. The desiccant is constructed over the plurality of process cartridges.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the packing form of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the plurality of process cartridges provided side by side in the image forming apparatus are provided. The plurality of desiccants are provided on the plurality of process cartridges, and the plurality of desiccants are connected to each other.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the desiccant is installed between the exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating light and the photosensitive member. Since the desiccant is installed between the photoconductor and the exposure apparatus, an image cannot be formed on at least a part of the paper unless the desiccant is removed. Accordingly, since it is possible to urge the removal of the desiccant before using the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the desiccant while performing drying in the image forming apparatus with the desiccant.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the desiccant or the member connected to the desiccant is exposed from the image forming apparatus, forgetting to remove the desiccant can be prevented.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the desiccant can be taken out by attaching and detaching the process cartridge, the convenience for the user can be improved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by installing the desiccant in the upper part of the toner storage chamber, the desiccant can be installed at a position close to the toner, and the dehumidifying effect of the toner can be enhanced.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the desiccant is provided along the axial direction of the photoconductor, and is provided so as to block all light from the exposure device to the photoconductor. As a result, images cannot be formed at all positions in the paper width direction, and the user can be more easily informed that the desiccant must be removed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having a plurality of process cartridges, it is possible to enhance the dehumidifying effect of the toner of each process cartridge by installing the desiccant on the process cartridge. Further, since there is one desiccant for a plurality of process cartridges, removal is easy.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having a plurality of process cartridges, by installing a plurality of desiccants on the plurality of process cartridges, it is possible to enhance the toner dehumidifying effect of the process cartridges. it can. In addition, since a plurality of desiccants are connected to each other, forgetting to remove the desiccant can be aroused.

1 is a central sectional view of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a central sectional view of the image forming apparatus when a process cartridge is attached / detached. It is a perspective view of a process cartridge. FIG. 6 is a perspective view when the toner cartridge is attached / detached. FIG. 3 is a central cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment when packed. It is a perspective view explaining the relationship between a sheet material, a desiccant, and a belt member with respect to a process cartridge. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view seen from the front direction when the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is packed. FIG. 6 is a central sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a central cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment with a front cover opened. FIG. 10 is a central cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment when packed. FIG. 10 is a central cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment when packed.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

<Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 2 in which a paper feeding unit 3 for feeding paper S, an image forming unit 4 for forming an image on the paper S, and a pre-image forming unit. A paper feed tray 5 for storing the paper S and a paper discharge tray 6 for stacking the paper S after image formation are mainly provided.

  Here, in the description of the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, the direction will be described with reference to a user who uses the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the front cover 8 side in FIG. 1 is “front”, the opposite side is “rear”, the front side of the paper is “left”, and the back side of the paper is “right”. Also, the vertical direction in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 is provided with an opening 7 to which a process cartridge 9 described later can be attached and detached, and a front cover 8 that can open and close the opening 7 is rotatably provided. The front cover 8 is provided with a manual feed opening 10 through which the paper S can be fed to the image forming unit 4 in the front-rear direction. The manual feed opening 10 may be provided on the front surface of the housing 2 instead of the front cover 8. Further, the front cover 8 is provided with a concave cover concave portion 8 </ b> A that opens toward the inner side of the housing 2 between the upper wall of the front cover 8 and the manual feed opening 10. The cover recess 8 </ b> A extends long in the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Main internal components such as the image forming unit 4 including the process cartridge 9 are supported by a pair of left and right body frames 11 as mainly shown in FIG. Note that the housing 2 in a state in which various devices other than the process cartridge 9 such as the main body frame 11, the paper feeding unit 3, the exposure unit 15 and the fixing device 16 described later are provided may be hereinafter referred to as an “device main body”.

  Next, the conveyance of the paper S and the image forming operation will be described in detail.

  The paper feed unit 3 includes a pickup roller 12, a separation roller 13A, a separation pad 13B, and a conveyance roller pair 14, and separates the sheets S stored in the paper feed tray 5 one by one to form an image. Transport to part 4.

  The paper feed tray 5 is installed below the process cartridge 9, and the sheet S is reversed from the paper feed tray 5 through the first transport path 20 and the second transport path 25 into a substantially U shape in side view and below the process cartridge 9. It is conveyed to. A guide member 21 is installed outside the curved portion of the substantially U shape, and at least a part of the first transport path 20 is configured by the lower surface 21A of the guide member 21.

  A guide member upper surface 21 </ b> B provided in the guide member 21 is positioned adjacent to the inner end of the manual feed opening 10 and guides the paper S inserted from the manual feed opening 10 to the image forming unit 4.

  The second conveyance path 25 is located downstream of the first conveyance path 20 in the sheet conveyance direction between the sheet conveyance surface 48 formed by the lower surface of the process cartridge 9 and the path constituting member 26 facing the sheet conveyance surface 48. It is formed continuously and connected to the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 33. A registration roller pair 22 is provided in the middle of the second conveyance path 25. The registration roller pair 22 includes a main body side registration roller 23 provided on the path constituting member 26 and a process side registration roller 34 provided on the lower surface of the process cartridge 9. As shown in FIG. 7, the path component 26 is formed so as to bridge between the pair of left and right main body frames 11. As will be described later, since the process cartridge 9 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, the second transport path 25 is formed with the process cartridge 9 mounted on the apparatus main body, and the registration rollers 23 and 34 contact each other. Touch. When the process cartridge 9 is mounted on the apparatus main body, the process side registration rollers 34 are in contact with the main body side registration rollers 23 at a predetermined pressure by springs 24 provided on the main body frame 11 at both left and right ends.

  Between the guide member 21 and the sheet conveying surface 48, an opening portion 28 opened toward the opening portion 7 side is provided. The opening portion 28 enables the paper S inserted from the manual feed opening 10 to be supplied to the second transport path 25.

  Further, the sheet conveying surface 48 has a concave shape that is recessed upward, and an allowable space 29 for deflecting the sheet S that is aligned at the tip by the registration roller pair 22 between the sheet conveying surface 48 and the path constituting member 26. Is formed.

  The image forming unit 4 includes a process cartridge 9, an exposure unit 15, and a fixing device 16.

  The exposure unit 15 is disposed on the top of the housing 2. The exposure unit 15 irradiates the photosensitive drum 31 with light (laser beam indicated by an arrow) based on the image data.

  The process cartridge 9 is detachably inserted from the opening 7 between the exposure unit 15 and the path constituting member 26 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 31 described later, and a positioning portion (not shown) of the main body frame 11 is shown. Is attached at a predetermined position. The process cartridge 9 is provided with a photosensitive drum 31, a developing roller 36, a supply roller 37, a toner storage chamber 39, and the like arranged from the rear to the front. A scorotron-type charger 32, a photosensitive drum is disposed on the rear upper side of the photosensitive drum 31. A transfer roller 33 is provided below the body drum 31. The photosensitive drum 31 and the rollers 36, 37, 33 are each rotatable around an axis that is long in the left-right direction and extends in the left-right direction.

  At the time of image formation, the toner in the toner storage chamber 39 is supplied to the developing roller 36 by the supply roller 37, and is frictionally charged to the positive polarity between the supply roller 37 and the developing roller 36.

  The toner supplied to the developing roller 36 is regulated in thickness (layer thickness) by the layer thickness regulating member as the developing roller 36 rotates, and the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the developing roller 36 as a thin layer having a constant thickness. It is carried on.

  On the other hand, the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the photosensitive drum 31 is uniformly positively charged by the charger 32 as the photosensitive drum 31 rotates, and then the laser beam (see arrow) from the exposure unit 15 is high-speed. It is exposed by scanning. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image to be formed on the paper S is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

  The toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 36 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 is visualized, and a toner image by reversal development is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

  When the sheet S conveyed to the image forming unit 4 passes between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 33 as indicated by a broken line, the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 31 is Transferred onto the paper S.

  The fixing device 16 is disposed behind the process cartridge 9 and includes a heating roller 17 and a pressure roller 18 facing the heating roller 17. In the process cartridge 9, the toner image transferred onto the paper S is heat-fixed on the paper S by being heated and pressed while the paper S passes between the heating roller 17 and the pressure roller 18. .

  The sheet S on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed toward the sheet discharge roller 19 and is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 6 provided above the exposure unit 15 by the sheet discharge roller 19.

<Configuration of process cartridge>
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the process cartridge 9 includes a drum cartridge 40 and a toner cartridge 60, and the photosensitive drum 31 and the rollers 36, 37, and 33 are divided into both cartridges 40 and 60. To support.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the drum cartridge 40 includes a frame 43 having a generally box shape. The frame 43 is positioned on the side of the opening 7 when the process cartridge 9 is mounted in the apparatus main body, a pair of frame side walls 44 that rise up with a gap between the left and right ends of the frame lower wall 47, and the process cartridge 9. A frame front wall 45 and a frame rear wall 46 located on the opposite side of the frame front wall 45 are provided. The pair of frame side walls 44, the frame front wall 45, and the frame rear wall 46 are continuous in a frame shape in plan view.

  The pair of frame side walls 44 rotatably support the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 33 at the cartridge rear portion 42 adjacent to the frame rear wall 46. The upper end of the frame rear wall 46 extends forward so as to cover the top of the photosensitive drum 31.

  The cartridge front portion 41 located in front of the front extension end of the frame rear wall 46 is a concave toner cartridge housing portion 52 in which a portion surrounded by the pair of frame side walls 44 and the frame front wall 45 is opened upward. The toner cartridge 60 can be accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toner cartridge 60 has an upper wall, a lower wall, a pair of side walls 64 and a front wall 62 that surround the toner storage chamber 39, and is formed in a box shape with the rear side open. The developing roller 36 and the supply roller 37 are rotatably supported by a pair of side walls 64, and a part of the developing roller 36 is exposed from a position where the rear end is opened.

  In the toner cartridge 60, the photosensitive member is urged by the urging member 51 in a state where the shaft protruding from the left and right of the developing roller 36 is inserted into the positioning portion 49 cut out so as to be close to the photosensitive drum 31 on the frame side wall 44. Pressed toward the drum 31. Accordingly, the developing roller 36 is positioned in a state where the outer periphery of the developing roller 36 is close to the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 31. The toner cartridge 60 is held when the lock lever 50 is engaged with the protrusion 65 of the toner cartridge side wall 64 in a state where the toner cartridge 60 is fitted in the toner cartridge housing 52. When the lock lever 50 is released from the protrusion 65, the toner cartridge 60 can be removed from the toner cartridge housing portion 52.

  Note that the above-described sheet conveyance surface 48 on the process cartridge 9 side is formed on the back surface of the frame lower wall 47. The process side registration roller 34 is rotatably supported by the frame lower wall 47 with a part thereof exposed from the back surface.

  The drum cartridge 40 and the toner cartridge 60 include grip portions 53 and 63 that extend toward the opening 7 on the front walls 45 and 62, respectively. The grip portions 53 and 63 attach and detach the process cartridge 9 to and from the apparatus main body. And is gripped by the user.

<Packing configuration>
In the present embodiment, the process cartridge is packaged and transported while being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, thereby reducing the packaging material for transportation and improving the transportation efficiency.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge 9, the sheet material 70, and the desiccant 80 are inserted into the apparatus main body at the time of packing.

  The sheet material 70 is a resin sheet made of a resin material, and is a member that holds the registration roller pair 22 in a state in which the pressure for separating or contacting each other is lowered when the image forming apparatus 1 is packed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the process side registration roller 34 is a rod having a uniform diameter and the main body side registration roller 23 is partially present in the axial direction, the positions near the left and right ends of the process side registration roller 34, The sheet material 70 is inserted between the path constituent member 26 or the notch portion of the main body frame 11 continuing to the path constituent member 26. Specifically, the process cartridge 9 is mounted on the sheet material 70. Alternatively, the sheet material 70 may be disposed between the path forming member 26 and the sheet conveyance surface 48 of the process cartridge 9, avoiding the portion where the process side registration roller 34 and the main body side registration roller 23 abut. The sheet material 70 is preferably formed in a U-shape in plan view, with a pair of portions arranged at positions close to the left and right ends of the process side registration roller 34 and a portion connecting the pair of portions on the opening 7 side. ing.

  As a result, even when the packaging side is left in a high temperature environment for a long time, the pressure that biases the process side registration roller 34 toward the main body side registration roller 23 is applied to the main body frame 11 or the path constituting member 26 in the vicinity of the main body frame 11. Since it can be received, problems such as deformation of the contact portions of the registration rollers 23 and 34 and deformation of the path constituting member 26 are suppressed.

  The desiccant 80 is formed into a bag shape by placing a large number of granular silica gels in a breathable bag body. The silica gel contained in the bag can move freely within the bag, and the desiccant 80 can be deformed.

  The width of the desiccant 80 in the left-right direction is substantially equal to the length of the process cartridge 9 in the left-right direction. Further, the desiccant 80 is provided on the toner storage chamber 39 provided in the process cartridge 9, and is exposed through a gap between the frame front wall 45 and the toner cartridge 60 from the laser light irradiation portion of the exposure device 15. A desiccant 80 is disposed in the optical path of the laser light applied to the body drum 31 so as to block the laser light.

  Since the desiccant 80 is provided at a position where the exposure device 15 blocks the laser beam, when the image forming operation is performed without removing the desiccant 80, no image is formed on the paper S. Can be urged to remove.

  The sheet material 70 and the desiccant 80 are connected by belt members 75 and 76.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the belt member 75 is connected to the vicinity of the front end of the sheet material 70, passes through the permissible space 29 and the opening 28, and passes over the cover recess 8 </ b> A and the process cartridge 9. The front cover 8 and the housing 2 are provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body.

  The belt member 76 is connected to the front of the desiccant 80 and is connected to the belt member 75 passing above the process cartridge 9 and the process cartridge 9.

  Since the belt member 75 in which the sheet material 70 and the belt member 76 connected to the desiccant 80 are connected is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body, the user is prompted to remove the sheet material 70 and the desiccant 80. Can do.

<Operational effects of this embodiment>
According to the packaging form of the image forming apparatus described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the desiccant 80 is located above the toner storage chamber 39 provided in the process cartridge 9 and at a position where the laser beam from the exposure device 15 to the photosensitive drum 31 is blocked. Was provided. With this configuration, since the desiccant 80 is installed at a position close to the toner storage chamber 39, the toner dehumidifying effect can be enhanced.

  Further, since the laser beam irradiated from the exposure device 15 is blocked, when the image forming operation is performed without removing the desiccant 80, an image is not formed on the paper S. Therefore, the desiccant 80 is not removed. It is possible to alert the user that it is not allowed. Preferably, since the length of the process cartridge in the left-right direction and the length of the desiccant 80 in the left-right direction are substantially equal, the laser beam is blocked over the entire width of the photosensitive drum 31, so that the user can more easily understand the desiccant 80. Can trigger removal.

  Further, since the belt member 75 connected to the desiccant 80 is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 from between the housing 2 and the front cover 8, the user may remove the desiccant 80 before use. Can be aroused.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 having only one process cartridge 9 has been described. As the second embodiment, an image forming apparatus 100 having a plurality of process cartridges 109 will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows a central sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 shows a central sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment with the front cover 108 opened.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of process cartridges 109, and mainly includes a housing 102, a paper feed unit 103, an image forming unit 104, a paper feed tray 105, and a paper discharge tray 106. Yes. An opening 107 through which a plurality of process cartridges 109 can be pulled out as a unit is provided in front of the housing 102, and a front cover 108 is provided so that the opening 107 can be opened and closed.

  Next, the conveyance of the paper S and the image forming operation will be described. Note that description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment is omitted.

  The paper feed unit 103 is provided in the lower part of the housing 102 and feeds the paper S stored in the paper feed tray 105 to the image forming unit 104.

  The image forming unit 104 mainly includes an exposure device 115, four process cartridges 109, a transfer unit 190, and a fixing device 116.

  The exposure apparatus 115 is provided in the upper part of the apparatus main body and includes a laser light source (not shown). Laser light emitted from the laser light source based on the image data is scanned at high speed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 131.

  The process cartridge 109 is arranged side by side under the exposure device 115 in a packed state, and mainly includes a photosensitive drum 131, a charger 132, a developing roller 136, a supply roller 137, a toner storage chamber 139, and the like. ing. Each process cartridge 109 is different in only the color of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 139, and the configuration is substantially the same.

  The transfer unit 190 is provided between the paper feed tray 105 and the process cartridge 109, and includes an endless conveyance belt 193 stretched between a driving roller 191 and a driven roller 192, and four transfer rollers 133. Mainly prepared. The outer surface of the transport belt 193 is in contact with each photosensitive drum 131, and the transfer rollers 133 are disposed inside the transport belt 193 so as to sandwich the transport belt 193 with the respective photosensitive drums 131.

  The fixing device 116 is a device that thermally fixes the toner image transferred onto the paper S, and is provided behind the process cartridge 109.

  In the image forming unit 104, the surface of the photosensitive drum 131 is uniformly charged by the charger 132 and then exposed by the laser beam from the exposure device 115, so that the photosensitive drum 131 is based on the image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed. Then, the toner in the toner storage chamber 139 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131 via the supply roller 137 and the developing roller 136, so that the electrostatic latent image is visualized and the photosensitive member. A toner image is formed on the drum 131.

  Thereafter, the sheet S supplied from the sheet feeding unit 103 to the image forming unit 104 is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 131 and the conveying belt 193 (transfer roller 133), and thus formed on each photosensitive drum 131. The transferred toner images are sequentially superimposed on the paper S and transferred. Then, the sheet S is conveyed between the fixing devices 116, whereby the toner image transferred onto the sheet S is thermally fixed, and an image is formed on the sheet S.

<Installation position of desiccant>
As shown in FIG. 10, the desiccant 180 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped bag shape, and spans all the process cartridges 109 on the four process cartridges 109. From the exposure device 115 to the four photosensitive drums 131. Are provided so as to block each of the laser beams. Since the four laser beams are blocked, an image forming operation cannot be performed on the blocked portions, so that the desiccant 180 is removed by the user by discharging the paper S on which the image is not formed. Can be aroused.

  A belt member 175 is connected to the front end of the desiccant 180. The belt member 175 passes through the front of the exposure device 115 from the front end of the desiccant 180 and is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body from between the front cover 108 and the housing 102. Thus, since the belt member 175 is exposed from the image forming apparatus 100 before the user uses the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to urge the user to take out the desiccant 180.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, an embodiment in which a plurality of desiccants 181 are provided will be described. Since the image forming apparatus 100 is the same as the second embodiment except for the installation position of the desiccant, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 11 shows a central sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment.

  The desiccant 181 is provided with desiccants 181 </ b> A to 181 </ b> D from the front on each process cartridge 109. The desiccants 181A to 181D are provided between the exposure device 115 and the photosensitive drum 131, respectively, and are installed on the optical path of the laser beam. Since the desiccants 181 </ b> A to 181 </ b> D block the laser beam, an image forming operation cannot be performed on the blocked portion, and the user can be prompted to take out the desiccant 181.

  Adjacent desiccants 181 are connected to each other by belt members 176B to 176D, and a belt member 176A is connected in front of the desiccant 181A provided at the forefront. The belt member 176A passes through the front of the exposure device 115 from the front end of the desiccant 181A and is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 from between the front cover 108 and the housing 102. Accordingly, since the belt member 176A is exposed from the image forming apparatus 100 before the user uses the image forming apparatus 100, the user can be prompted to take out the desiccant 181.

<Other embodiments>
In the first embodiment, the process cartridge 9 is exemplified by the drum cartridge 40 and the toner cartridge 60 being separated. However, the drum cartridge 40 and the toner cartridge 60 may be integrated. Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 in which the main body has the photosensitive drum 31, only the toner cartridge 60 may be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 1.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment-3rd Embodiment, although the silica gel on a grain was illustrated as a desiccant in the bag body, as a desiccant, a silica alumina gel, a calcium chloride processed product, quick lime, etc. You may use what put it in the bag. Further, a sheet-like desiccant having a thin plate shape may be used as the desiccant.

  In the first to third embodiments, the process cartridge and the desiccant are substantially equal in length in the left-right direction so that all the laser light from the exposure apparatus is blocked. Alternatively, the length of the desiccant in the left-right direction may be shortened so that the desiccant blocks a part of the laser beam. In this way, when an image is formed on the sheet S, a part of the sheet S in the width direction is not formed, so the user can be prompted to remove the desiccant. Furthermore, the shape of the desiccant may be any shape as long as it can block the laser beam of the exposure apparatus.

  In the second embodiment, an example in which the toner image is directly transferred from the photosensitive member 131 to the paper S is illustrated. However, the toner image of each color is transferred to the belt of the transfer unit 190 and then transferred from the belt to the paper S. You may use this structure for the image forming apparatus which transfers a toner image.

  In the second embodiment, the desiccant 180 is installed on all the plurality of process cartridges 109. However, the desiccant 180 is installed on at least two process cartridges, and the at least one photosensitive member 131 is attached. You may install the desiccant 180 in the position which shields the laser beam irradiated. As a result, since at least one color cannot be normally imaged, the user can be prompted to remove the desiccant by looking at the discharged paper S.

  In the third embodiment, the desiccant 181 is installed on all of the plurality of process cartridges 109. However, the desiccant 181 is installed on each of at least two process cartridges 109, and the desiccant 181 is connected. Anyway. Thereby, since the image of several colors is not formed, removal of the desiccant 181 can be alerted to a user.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Case 3 Paper feed part 4 Image forming part 5 Paper feed tray 6 Paper discharge tray 8 Front cover 8A Cover recessed part 9 Process cartridge 10 Manual feed tray 15 Exposure apparatus 16 Fixing device 20 First conveyance path 21 Guide member 22 Registration roller pair 23 Main body side registration roller 25 Second conveyance path 26 Path component member 28 Opening portion 29 Allowable space 31 Photosensitive drum 34 Process side registration roller 36 Development roller 39 Toner storage chamber 40 Drum cartridge 45 Frame front wall 48 Paper conveyance surface 49 Positioning part 53 Grasping part 60 Toner cartridge 70 Sheet material 75, 76 Belt member 80 Desiccant

Claims (7)

The apparatus main body has an opening for inserting and removing the process cartridge containing the image forming toner into the apparatus main body and a cover capable of opening and closing the opening, and the process cartridge is packed in the inserted state. In the packaging form of the image forming apparatus,
An exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member by irradiating the photosensitive member with light;
In a state where the process cartridge is inserted into the apparatus main body, a desiccant is installed between the process cartridge and the exposure apparatus at a position where light from the exposure apparatus to the photoconductor is blocked. A packaging form of the image forming apparatus characterized by the above.   2. The desiccant or a part of a member connected to the desiccant is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus through a gap between the image forming apparatus and the cover. Packaging form of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the desiccant is provided on the process cartridge.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the desiccant is provided in a toner storage chamber that stores the toner provided in the process cartridge.   5. The drying agent according to claim 1, wherein the desiccant is disposed along an axial direction of the photoconductor, and blocks all light from the exposure device to the photoconductor. 6. Packaging form of the image forming apparatus. A plurality of the process cartridges arranged side by side in the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the desiccant is installed over the plurality of process cartridges. A plurality of the process cartridges arranged side by side in the image forming apparatus;
6. The image forming apparatus packaging according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the desiccants are provided on the plurality of process cartridges, and the plurality of desiccants are connected to each other. Form.

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