JP2016183052A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet feeding cassette allowing presence of a sheet to be securely confirmed in a simple structure.SOLUTION: A sheet feeding cassette 2 comprises: a storage area 10a storing sheets; a front surface part 12 disposed on a downstream side of a drawing direction with respect to the storage area 10a; and a bottom surface part 11 on which the sheets are placed. The front surface part 12 is provided with an opening part 12b to allow the storage area 10a to be visually checked. The bottom surface part 11 of the storage area 10a is formed in white or pale color. At least a part of a visible region in the storage area 10a to be visually checked through the opening part 12b is formed so that brightness determined by a Munsell value in at least a part of the visible region is different by 3 or more compared with brightness in a bright color area formed in white or pale color in the bottom surface part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feed cassette used for an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a laser printer, and an image forming apparatus including the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a paper feeding cassette that stores and stacks a plurality of sheet-like sheets and supplies sheets to an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus main body according to an image forming operation has been widely used.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a window is provided on the front surface of the paper cassette, a two-color LED is provided on the apparatus main body, and the two-color LED is confirmed from the window of the paper cassette when the paper cassette is attached to the apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus configured to be able to do so is disclosed. In this image forming apparatus, the two-color LED emits yellow when the paper is almost out, and emits red when the paper is almost out, so that the two-color LED is visible even when the paper cassette is mounted on the main body. By doing so, the presence or absence of the paper can be confirmed.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 can check the presence or absence of paper even when the paper feed tray is mounted on the apparatus body by providing a viewing window on the front surface of the paper feed tray (paper feed cassette). A possible image forming apparatus is disclosed.

JP-A-11-011743 JP 09-002672 A

  However, the paper feed cassette disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a two-color LED and a control unit that controls driving thereof, and thus has a problem that the structure and control are complicated. There is also a problem that when the apparatus main body is turned off, it is impossible to confirm the presence of paper from the outside.

  In addition, the paper feed tray disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that it is difficult to know the presence or absence of paper when both the paper feed tray and the paper are white.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding cassette capable of surely confirming the presence or absence of paper with a simple configuration and the same. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a paper feed cassette according to a first aspect of the present invention is a paper feed cassette that can be taken in and out of the apparatus main body, and includes a storage area for storing paper and a storage area. And a front surface portion that constitutes a part of the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus and a bottom surface portion on which the paper is placed, and the front surface portion has an opening through which the storage area can be visually recognized. The bottom surface of the storage area is formed in white or light color, and is disposed in at least a part of the visible area visible from the opening of the storage area, or in the visible area. At least a part of the visually recognizable member is formed such that the lightness in the Munsell value is 3 or more different from the light color portion formed in white or light color in the bottom surface portion.

  A paper feed cassette according to a second aspect of the present invention is a paper feed cassette that can be taken in and out of the apparatus main body, and is arranged on the downstream side in the pull-out direction with respect to the storage area for storing paper and the storage area. The image forming apparatus includes a front surface portion that forms part of the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus and a bottom surface portion on which the paper is placed. The front surface portion has an opening that allows the storage area to be visually recognized. The bottom surface portion of the region is formed in white or light color, and a through hole is formed in at least a part of the bottom surface portion of the visible region that is visible from the opening in the storage region.

  A paper feed cassette according to a third aspect of the present invention is a paper feed cassette that can be taken in and out of the apparatus main body, and is arranged on the downstream side in the pull-out direction with respect to the storage area for storing paper and the storage area. The image forming apparatus includes a front surface portion that forms part of the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus and a bottom surface portion on which the paper is placed. The front surface portion has an opening that allows the storage area to be visually recognized. The bottom surface portion of the region is formed in white or light color, and is formed on at least a part of the visible region visible from the opening in the storage region, or at least a part of the visible member arranged in the visible region. Has been subjected to graining or knurling.

  According to the paper feed cassette according to the first aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the visible region visible from the opening of the storage region, or at least a part of the visible member arranged in the visible region. Is formed so that the lightness in the Munsell value is 3 or more different from the light color portion formed in white or light color in the bottom surface portion. Thereby, when the paper in the paper feeding cassette is exhausted, a portion with low brightness (at least part of the visible region or at least part of the visible member) can be seen from the opening. For this reason, even in a state where the paper feed cassette is mounted on the apparatus main body, the user can surely check the presence or absence of paper.

  According to the paper feed cassette according to the second aspect of the present invention, a through hole is formed in at least a part of the bottom surface portion of the visible region that is visible from the opening in the storage region. As a result, at least a part of the bottom surface portion of the viewable region (the portion where the through hole is formed) is darkened, so that when the paper in the paper feeding cassette runs out, the dark portion (the through hole is formed from the opening). Can be seen. For this reason, even in a state where the paper feed cassette is mounted on the apparatus main body, the user can surely check the presence or absence of paper.

  According to the paper feed cassette according to the third aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the visible region that is visible from the opening in the storage region, or at least a part of the visible member that is arranged in the visible region. Is subjected to graining or knurling. As a result, at least a part of the visible region or at least a part of the visible member (a portion subjected to the texture processing or the knurling processing) is darkened, so that when the paper in the paper feeding cassette runs out, the opening portion Dark parts (parts that have been subjected to graining or knurling) are visible. For this reason, even in a state where the paper feed cassette is mounted on the apparatus main body, the user can surely check the presence or absence of paper.

  Also, according to the paper feed cassette according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, unlike the above-described Patent Document 1, since the two-color LED and the control unit are not required, the presence or absence of paper can be ensured with a simple configuration. Can be confirmed. In addition, even when the image forming apparatus is powered off, the presence or absence of paper can be confirmed.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of an image forming apparatus including a paper feed cassette according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the paper feed cassette of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the structure of the paper feed cassette of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the paper feed cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the paper feed cassette as seen from a slightly upper front side in a state where paper is stored in the paper feed cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view of the paper feeding cassette as seen from a slightly upper front side in a state where the paper in the paper feeding cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention is exhausted. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a paper feed cassette according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the top view which showed the structure of the paper feed cassette of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the top view which showed the structure of the paper feed cassette of the modification of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the top view which showed the structure of the paper feed cassette of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a sheet feeding cassette according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. It is the top view which showed the structure of the paper feed cassette of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is the top view which showed the structure of the paper feed cassette of the modification of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the image forming apparatus provided with the paper feed cassette of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the paper feed cassette of 5th Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the image forming apparatus 1 provided with the paper feed cassette 2 by 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 3 having a substantially hexahedral structure. A front cover 4 that is openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body 3 and is opened to a front portion facing the user of the apparatus main body 3, and a paper feed cassette 2 that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 3 when opened. , Is provided. An upper portion of the apparatus main body 3 is provided with a discharge tray 6 for discharging sheets and an operation unit 7 including a plurality of buttons and the like.

  An image forming unit, a fixing unit, a paper conveyance path, and the like (not shown) are provided inside the apparatus main body 3. The image forming unit forms an image by transferring a toner image onto a supplied sheet based on image data captured from a terminal such as a personal computer. The image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum (image carrier) that carries an electrostatic latent image, a charging unit that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a document image on the surface of the photosensitive drum with a laser beam. An exposure unit formed by the above, a developing device that forms a toner image by attaching a developer to the formed electrostatic latent image, a transfer roller that transfers the toner image onto a sheet, and a cleaning that removes residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum Includes blades and the like. The fixing unit fixes the toner image on the paper by heating and pressurizing the paper on which the toner image is transferred.

  Next, the configuration of the paper feed cassette 2 will be described. The paper feed cassette 2 is attached and detached by engaging a rail portion (not shown) provided on the side surface of the cassette body 10 with a rail (not shown) inside the image forming apparatus 1 and sliding horizontally in the direction of arrow AA ′ shown in FIG. The

  The cassette body 10 is formed in a flat box shape with an upper surface opened, and stacks and accommodates sheets from the upper surface direction. The cassette body 10 includes a bottom surface portion 11 on which sheets are stacked, a front surface portion 12, a back surface portion 13 and a pair of side surface portions 14 erected on the four peripheral edges of the bottom surface portion 11. It is integrally molded with resin.

  Inside the image forming apparatus 1, a paper feeding device (not shown) is disposed above the back surface portion 13 located on the downstream side in the insertion direction of the cassette main body 10, and the paper is in the direction indicated by the arrow A shown in FIG. In the direction in which the paper feed cassette 2 is mounted). The front surface portion 12 is disposed on the arrow A ′ direction side (downward direction in the drawing direction), and is exposed to the outside to constitute a part of the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus 1. A handle portion 12 a is formed at the lower right side of the front surface portion 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a sheet stacking plate 20 on which sheets are stacked is provided on the bottom surface portion 11 of the cassette body 10. An urging member (not shown) such as a compression coil spring is disposed below the sheet stacking plate 20, and the sheet stacking plate 20 swings around the end on the arrow A 'direction side as a fulcrum to feed the sheet. The portion on the downstream side in the paper direction (arrow A direction side) is moved up and down. When the sheet stacking plate 20 is raised to a predetermined position, the uppermost sheet is fed by the sheet feeding device and conveyed to the image forming unit.

  Inside the cassette body 10, a pair of resin-made width regulation cursors 21 are provided which are erected along the paper feeding direction (arrow A direction). The width regulating cursor 21 abuts against the side surface of the sheet bundle from both sides in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, and positions the sheet in the width direction. The width restricting cursor 21 is movable along a width restricting cursor moving groove 11 a provided in the bottom surface portion 11 of the cassette body 10 and extending in the sheet width direction.

  A groove engaging portion (not shown) is provided below the width restricting cursor 21, and the groove engaging portion is engaged with a width restricting cursor moving groove 11 a formed on the bottom surface portion 11 of the cassette body 10. Thus, the width regulating cursor 21 is prevented from being detached from the cassette body 10. Note that when one of the pair of width regulating cursors 21 that are in contact with the side surface of the sheet bundle from both sides in the sheet width direction is moved by an interlocking mechanism (not shown) provided below them, the other is also moved in conjunction therewith. It is like that. At this time, the pair of width regulating cursors 21 moves symmetrically with respect to the center line in the width direction of the paper.

  A resin rear end regulating cursor 22 is provided on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction inside the cassette body 10. The trailing edge regulating cursor 22 abuts against the side surface of the sheet bundle from the upstream side in the paper feeding direction, and positions the paper in the paper feeding direction. The rear end regulating cursor 22 is movable along a rear end regulating cursor moving groove 11b provided in the bottom surface portion 11 of the cassette body 10 and extending in the paper feeding direction. Similarly to the width regulation cursor 21, the rear end regulation cursor 22 is engaged with a rear end regulation cursor movement groove 11b by a groove engaging portion (not shown) provided in the lower portion, so that the rear end regulation cursor 22 is moved to the cassette body 10. To prevent it from coming off.

  An opening 12 b is formed on one side (left side) of the front surface portion 12 of the cassette body 10. The opening 12b is provided at a position where the user can visually recognize the storage area 10a (see FIG. 3) in which the paper in the cassette body 10 is stored via the opening 12b. In the present embodiment, the region visually recognized from the opening 12b is the region R1 shown in FIG. 3 and does not include any region other than the storage region 10a. The region visually recognized from the opening 12b refers to a region that can be seen through the opening 12b when viewed from slightly above the front of the sheet feeding cassette 2.

  Further, the cassette body 10 (the bottom surface portion 11, the front surface portion 12, the back surface portion 13, and the pair of side surface portions 14) is formed in white or light color (cream color or the like) as a whole, and the lightness in the Munsell value is, for example, 9 or more.

  Here, at least a part of the visible region (region R1) visually recognized from the opening 12b in the storage region 10a is a light color portion formed in white or light color in the bottom surface portion 11 of the storage region 10a. In comparison, the lightness in the Munsell value is formed to be different (lower) by 3 or more. In the present embodiment, the entire region R1 (region R2 in FIG. 4 in the bottom surface portion 11) visually recognized from the opening 12b is dark (for example, black, dark gray) such that the lightness in the Munsell value is 6 or less. , Dark blue, dark green, dark red, dark brown), the light color portion of the bottom surface portion 11 which is white or light color (cream color, etc.) (regions other than the region R2 in the bottom surface portion 11, brightness) Is 3 or more different (lower) in the Munsell value.

  For this reason, when white paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 2, the paper can be seen through the opening 12b and the inside of the opening 12b looks whitish as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the paper in the paper cassette 2 is exhausted, as shown in FIG. 6, a low-lightness portion (region R2) can be seen through the opening 12b, and the inside of the opening 12b looks dark (dark). . Thereby, the user can confirm the presence or absence of paper reliably. In FIGS. 4 and 6 and FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 to be described later, hatched areas are colored so that the brightness is 6 or less.

  As a method of forming only a part (region R2) of the bottom surface part 11 so as to have a different brightness compared to other parts, for example, another member made of resin or paper is attached (fitted and fitted) to the bottom surface part 11. The cassette body 10 may be formed by two-color molding using different two-color resins.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the visibility region (region R1) that is visible from the opening 12b of the front surface portion 12 of the storage region 10a is lighter in the Munsell value than the light color portion of the bottom surface portion 11. Are different (lower) by 3 or more. As a result, when the paper in the paper cassette 2 runs out, a portion (region R2) with low brightness can be seen from the opening 12b. For this reason, even in a state where the paper feed cassette 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 3, the user can surely check the presence or absence of paper.

  In addition, unlike the above-described Patent Document 1, since the two-color LED and the control unit are not required, it is possible to reliably check the presence or absence of paper with a simple configuration. In addition, even when the image forming apparatus 1 is powered off, the presence or absence of paper can be confirmed.

  As a modification of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a region R <b> 2 having a Munsell value lightness of 3 or more smaller than that of the light-colored portion of the bottom surface portion 11 is formed to be smaller than the visible region ) May be different (lower) in brightness by 3 or more in the Munsell value as compared to the light color portion of the bottom surface portion 11.

  With this configuration, when the paper in the paper feed cassette 2 runs out, both the bright color portion and the dark color portion (region R2) can be seen from the opening 12b, and in the viewable region (region R1). Color contrast can be increased between a part (right part) and another part (left part). For this reason, the user can confirm the presence or absence of paper more reliably.

  Next, a confirmation experiment performed to confirm the effect of the present embodiment will be described. This confirmation experiment was conducted for Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 corresponding to the above embodiment.

Example 1
A paper feeding cassette 2 that is entirely white was prepared, and a paper having a Munsell value that is 3.5 different (lower) in the Munsell value than the bottom surface portion 11 was attached to the region R2 of the storage region 10a. The other configuration of Example 1 was the same as that of the above embodiment.

(Example 2)
A paper having a Munsell value of 3.0 different (lower) in the Munsell value as compared with the bottom surface portion 11 was attached to the region R2 of the storage region 10a. The other configuration of Example 2 was the same as that of Example 1.

(Comparative Example 1)
Paper having a Munsell value that is 2.6 different (lower) in the Munsell value than the bottom surface portion 11 was pasted on the region R2 of the storage region 10a. The other configuration of Comparative Example 1 was the same as that of Example 1.

(Comparative Example 2)
Paper having a Munsell value that is 2.1 different (low) in the Munsell value as compared to the bottom surface portion 11 was attached to the region R2 of the storage region 10a. Other configurations of Comparative Example 2 were the same as those of Example 1.

(Comparative Example 3)
Paper having a Munsell value lightness of 1.7 different (lower) than that of the bottom surface portion 11 was attached to the region R2 of the storage region 10a. Other configurations of Comparative Example 3 were the same as those of Example 1.

  And about Example 1, 2 and Comparative Examples 1-3, the presence or absence of the paper was confirmed. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is installed at a location of about 500 lux, which is a general office brightness, and white paper having a lightness of 9 in the Munsell value is stored in the paper feed cassette 2. When the paper stored in the storage cassette 2 was removed from that state, it was examined for a plurality of subjects whether or not the presence of paper could be recognized through the opening 12b. Then, the recognition rate (number of people whose recognition was correct / number of subjects) was calculated and evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1 below. The case where the recognition rate was 90% or more was marked with ◯, the case where the recognition rate was less than 90% and 70% or more, Δ, and the case where the recognition rate was less than 70%, ×.

  Referring to Table 1, when the visible region is formed so that the lightness in the Munsell value is 3.0 or more different (lower) compared to the bottom surface portion 11 which is white or light color, the user can confirm whether or not there is paper. It was found that it can be confirmed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the paper feed cassette 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, the rear end regulating cursor (viewable member, cursor) 22 has a main body portion 22 a that contacts the rear end of the paper, and extends from the main body portion 22 a to the bottom surface portion 11. And an extending portion 22b extending toward the visually recognizable region (region R1) side. The region R3 of the extending portion 22b is formed so as to include a region R1 that is visible from the opening 12b. Further, the region R3 of the extended portion 22b is colored in a dark color so that the lightness in the Munsell value is 6 or less, and the light-colored portion of the bottom surface portion 11 (the entire bottom surface portion 11, the lightness is 9 or more regions). The brightness in the Munsell value is 3 or more different (lower).

  Other structures of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, a part of the rear end regulating cursor 22 is formed so that the brightness is lower than that of the bottom surface portion 11 that is white or light in color, so that it can be visually recognized from the opening portion 12b of the front surface portion 12. The visually recognizable region (region R <b> 1) can be easily formed so that the brightness is lower than that of the bright color portion of the bottom surface portion 11.

  It should be noted that the same effect can be obtained even if the entire rear end regulating cursor 22 is formed so that the lightness is lower than that of the light-colored portion of the bottom surface portion 11.

  In addition, as described above, the rear end regulating cursor 22 is provided with the extended portion 22b extending from the main body portion 22a toward the visible region (region R1), and the extended portion 22b is used as a light-colored portion of the bottom surface portion 11. It is formed so that the brightness is lower than that. Thus, even when the opening 12b is formed at a position far from (distant from) the main body portion 22a of the rear end regulating cursor 22, the extending portion 22b is extended and arranged in the visible region (region R1). Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the position where the opening 12b and the rear end regulating cursor 22 are provided can be improved.

  Other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As a modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a region R <b> 3 that is colored so that the lightness of the extended portion 22 b is 6 or less is formed to be a small region (region R <b> 1). ) May differ (become low) in brightness by 3 or more compared to the light color portion of the bottom surface portion 11.

  With this configuration, when the paper in the paper cassette 2 runs out, both the bottom surface portion 11 that is white or light and the region R3 of the extended portion 22b that is dark can be visually recognized from the opening 12b. In the visible region (region R1), the color contrast can be increased between a part (right side portion) and another portion (left side portion). For this reason, the user can confirm the presence or absence of paper more reliably.

(Third embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a paper feed cassette 2 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In 3rd Embodiment of this invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the through-hole 11c is formed in the bottom face part 11 of the visual recognition area | region visually recognized from the opening part 12b of the storage area | region 10a. The through hole 11c is formed so as to include the region R1. Note that a portion where the through-hole 11c is formed has a level difference by a distance to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus 1, so that it is difficult for light to reach and a shadow is formed. For this reason, the inside of the through hole 11 c looks darker than other portions of the bottom surface portion 11.

  Other structures of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the through hole 11c is formed in the bottom surface portion 11 of the visible region that is visually recognized from the opening 12b of the front surface portion 12. As a result, the portion in which the through hole 11c is formed becomes dark, so that when the paper in the paper feed cassette 2 runs out, a dark portion (portion in which the through hole 11c is formed) can be seen from the opening 12b. For this reason, even in a state where the paper feed cassette 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 3, the user can surely check the presence or absence of paper.

  Other effects of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As a modification of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the through hole 11 c may be formed small and the through hole 11 c may be formed in a part of the bottom surface portion 11 of the visible region (region R <b> 1). Good.

  With this configuration, when the paper in the paper feed cassette 2 runs out, both the bottom surface portion 11 that is white or light color and the dark portion (the portion where the through hole 11c is formed) are visible from the opening 12b. It is possible to increase the color contrast between a part (right side part) and another part (left side part) in the visible region (region R1). For this reason, the user can confirm the presence or absence of paper more reliably.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a paper feed cassette 2 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, the entire visible region (region R4 in FIG. 12 of the bottom surface portion 11) visually recognized from the opening 12b is subjected to a texture or knurling. The surface has minute irregularities. For this reason, the textured or knurled region R4 is different in light reflection method from other portions that are smooth surfaces of the bottom surface portion 11, and is darker than other portions of the bottom surface portion 11. appear.

  The other structure of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the visible region (region R1) that is visually recognized from the opening 12b of the front surface portion 12 is subjected to graining or knurling. As a result, the area R4 that has been subjected to the graining or knurling process becomes dark, so that when the sheet in the paper feed cassette 2 runs out, the dark part (the area R4 that has undergone the graining or knurling process) from the opening 12b. ) Is visible. For this reason, even in a state where the paper feed cassette 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 3, the user can surely check the presence or absence of paper.

  Similar to the second embodiment, not only the bottom surface portion 11 but part (or the whole) of the rear end regulating cursor 22 may be subjected to embossing or knurling.

  Other effects of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As a modification of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the region R4 to be subjected to the texture or knurling is made small, and the part of the visible region (region R1) is subjected to the texture or knurling. May be.

  With this configuration, when the paper in the paper feed cassette 2 runs out, the bright portion (the portion other than the region R4 of the bottom surface portion 11) and the dark portion (texture processing or knurling processing) are performed from the opening 12b. And the region R4) can be visually recognized, and the color contrast can be increased between a part (right side portion) and another portion (left side portion) in the visible region (region R1). For this reason, the user can confirm the presence or absence of paper more reliably.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, an image forming apparatus 1 provided with a paper feed cassette 2 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, a space S is provided in the upper part of the paper feed cassette 2 at the front portion of the apparatus body 3 facing the user.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the paper feed cassette 2 is provided with a cassette cover (cover member) 23 that covers the upper portion of the cassette body 10. The cassette cover 23 is formed with a daylighting window 23a through which light enters the opening 12b (the storage area 10a). Thereby, light can be incident on the inside of the opening 12b through the daylighting window 23a even during the image forming operation.

  Other structures of the fifth embodiment are the same as those of the second to fourth embodiments.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the cassette cover 23 is provided with the daylighting window 23a for allowing light to enter the inside of the opening 12b. Thus, when paper is present in the paper feed cassette 2, it is possible to prevent the paper viewed through the opening 12b from appearing black. If there is not, it can suppress that a user misunderstands.

  Other effects of the fifth embodiment are the same as those of the second to fourth embodiments.

  As a modification of the fifth embodiment, the cover member 23 may be formed of a transparent member or a semi-transparent member without providing the daylighting window 23a in the cover member 23.

  Also in this case, light can be incident on the inside of the opening 12b, and when there is a sheet in the sheet feeding cassette 2, it is possible to prevent the sheet visually recognized from the opening 12b from appearing black. Although there is a sheet in the sheet feeding cassette 2, it is possible to prevent the user from mistaking that there is no sheet.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method has been illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus to which another image forming method such as an ink jet method or a thermal transfer method is applied. Furthermore, the present invention can be widely applied to an apparatus that simply conveys a sheet, an apparatus that post-processes an image-formed sheet, and the like.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the area | region R1 visually recognized from the opening part 12b showed about the example which does not contain area | regions other than the storage area 10a, area | region R1 visually recognized from the opening part 12b is the storage area 10a and other area | regions. Area (peripheral area of the storage area 10a) may be included.

  Further, for example, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which the regions (regions R2 and R3) whose brightness in the Munsell value differs by 3 or more compared to the bright color portion of the bottom surface portion 11 is rectangular is shown. The invention is not limited to this. For example, you may color so that it may look like a character, a symbol, or a striped pattern.

  In the fifth embodiment, for example, the cover member (cassette cover 23) that covers the upper portion of the cassette body 10 of the paper feed cassette 2 is shown as a part of the paper feed cassette 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Not limited to. A cover member that covers the upper side of the paper feed cassette 2 may be provided integrally with the apparatus main body 3. In this case, for example, in the apparatus main body 3 of the first embodiment, a daylighting window may be provided on a sheet conveyance surface (not shown) provided inside the front cover 4. When the daylighting window is provided on the paper conveyance surface, the daylighting window may be provided outside the paper conveyance area. Further, the sheet conveying surface provided inside the front cover 4 may be formed of a transparent member or a semi-transparent member.

  Further, a configuration obtained by appropriately combining the configurations of the above-described embodiment and modification examples is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Paper feed cassette 3 Apparatus main body 10a Storage area 11 Bottom surface part 11c Through hole 12 Front surface part 12b Opening part 22 Rear end regulation cursor (viewable member, cursor)
22a body portion 22b extending portion 23 cassette cover (cover member)
23a Daylighting window

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed cassette that can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body; and a cover member that covers an upper portion of the paper feed cassette,
The paper feed cassette is provided with a storage area in which paper is stored, a front surface portion that is disposed on the downstream side in the pulling direction with respect to the storage area, and forms a part of the exterior surface of the image forming apparatus, and the paper is placed on the cassette. Including a bottom surface portion,
The front part is formed with an opening through which the storage area can be visually recognized.
The bottom portion of the storage area is formed in white or light color,
At least a part of the visible region visible from the opening in the storage region, or at least a part of the visible member arranged in the visible region is formed in white or light color in the bottom surface. It is formed so that the lightness in the Munsell value differs by 3 or more compared to the light color part made,
The cover member has a daylighting window for allowing light to enter the inside of the opening, or is formed of a transparent member or a translucent member,
The opening and the daylighting window or the transparent member or the translucent member are arranged at substantially the same position in the left-right direction when viewed from the downstream side in the pull-out direction of the paper feed cassette,
A space is formed in the upper part of the cover member on the downstream side in the pull-out direction of the apparatus main body,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that light can be incident on the inside of the opening through the daylighting window, the transparent member, or the translucent member during an image forming operation.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the bottom surface portion of the visible region is formed so that a lightness in a Munsell value is three or more different from that of the light color portion. The visually recognizable member is a cursor for aligning the position of the edge of the paper,
The at least part of the portion of the cursor arranged in the viewable region is formed so that the lightness in the Munsell value is three or more different from that of the bright color portion. The image forming apparatus described. The cursor has a main body that contacts an end of the paper, and an extending portion that extends from the main body toward the visible region,
The at least part of the portion of the extended portion arranged in the visible region is formed so that the lightness in the Munsell value is three or more different from that of the bright color portion. The image forming apparatus according to 3.   The part of the visible region or the part of the visible member is formed so that the lightness in the Munsell value is 3 or more different from that of the bright color part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front portion and the bottom portion are integrally molded.

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