JP5370378B2 - Packaging form of image forming apparatus and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dehumidify toner provided in a process cartridge in a packaging form of an image forming device for packaging the process cartridge and a device body together. <P>SOLUTION: The process cartridge 9 includes a photoreceptor support cartridge 40 that supports a photoreceptor drum 31 at one end, and has a recessed toner cartridge housing 52 with opened upper face at the other end; and a toner cartridge 60 detachably mounted to the toner cartridge housing 52 and having a toner housing chamber 61 for housing the toner to be supplied to the photoreceptor 31. A desiccant 80 is housed between a front wall 45 erected at the other end of the photoreceptor support cartridge 40 and a front wall 62 erected at an end opposite to the photoreceptor of the toner cartridge 60. The image forming device is packaged under a state where the process cartridge 9 housing the desiccant 80 is inserted into the device body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

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

  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.

  Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to suppress the toner in the process cartridge from absorbing moisture in a state where the process cartridge is packed in the apparatus main body, a state where the process cartridge is transported, or a state where the image forming apparatus is used. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is capable of opening and closing an opening for inserting / removing a process cartridge containing image forming toner into / from the apparatus main body and the opening in the apparatus main body. In the packaging form of the image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge is packed in a state where the process cartridge is inserted, the process cartridge has a recess that supports the photosensitive member at one end and opens the upper surface at the other end. A photosensitive member support cartridge; and a toner cartridge that is removably attached to the concave portion provided in the photosensitive member support cartridge and has a toner storage chamber that stores the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive member. A first wall surface rising to the other end side of the photosensitive member support cartridge and a first wall surface rising to the end portion of the toner cartridge opposite to the photosensitive member. Wherein the drying agent between the wall surface of the are housed.

  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 is installed at a position spaced apart from the second wall surface.

  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 toner cartridge is a member other than the photosensitive member support cartridge from the second wall surface. It has an extension part extended toward an end side, and the extension part covers the upper surface of the space between the 1st wall surface and the 2nd wall surface which stores the desiccant. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the packaging form of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the desiccant is provided long along the axial direction of the photoconductor. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge containing image forming toner, which is detachably provided in a space in the apparatus main body, and supports the photosensitive member at one end and the upper surface at the other end. A photoreceptor support cartridge having an open recess; a toner cartridge having a toner storage chamber that is removably attached to the recess provided in the photoreceptor support cartridge and that stores the toner to be supplied to the photoreceptor; And a desiccant is contained between a first wall surface that rises on the other end side of the photosensitive member support cartridge and a second wall surface that rises on the opposite end of the toner cartridge from the photosensitive member. It is characterized by.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the fifth aspect, the desiccant is installed at a position spaced apart from the second wall surface.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the toner cartridge is directed from the second wall surface to the other end side of the photoreceptor support cartridge. The extending portion covers an upper surface of a space between the first wall surface that accommodates the desiccant and the second wall surface.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the desiccant is provided long along the axial direction of the photoconductor. To do.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the fifth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the desiccant is disposed on the second wall surface, and the toner cartridge The photosensitive member supporting cartridge can be integrally attached to and detached from the photosensitive member supporting cartridge.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the desiccant is disposed between the photosensitive member support cartridge of the process cartridge and the other end side of the toner cartridge, that is, the wall on the toner storage chamber side, which are packaged in the apparatus main body. Since the desiccant is installed near the toner in the process cartridge, the dehumidifying effect of the toner can be enhanced. Further, since the desiccant is accommodated at the end of the recess for accommodating the toner cartridge provided in the photosensitive member support cartridge, the image forming operation can be performed without removing the desiccant, and even during the operation. A dehumidifying effect of the toner can be obtained.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the desiccant is not in contact with the toner cartridge, the desiccant does not get in the way when the toner cartridge is attached to and detached from the photosensitive member support cartridge, and can be smoothly attached and detached. Can do.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the desiccant is surrounded by the first wall surface of the photosensitive member support cartridge, the second wall surface of the toner cartridge, and the extension portion of the toner cartridge. Even if the image forming apparatus is shaken, the desiccant can be prevented from jumping out of the photosensitive member support cartridge.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the desiccant is provided longitudinally in the axial direction of the photoconductor, the amount of the desiccant is increased even if the space between the first wall surface and the second wall surface is narrow. Therefore, the dehumidifying effect of the toner can be increased.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the desiccant is disposed between the photosensitive member support cartridge of the process cartridge and the other end side of the toner cartridge, that is, the wall on the toner storage chamber side. Since the desiccant is installed near the toner in the process cartridge, the dehumidifying effect of the toner can be enhanced. Further, the image forming operation can be performed without removing the desiccant, and the toner dehumidifying effect can be obtained during the operation.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the desiccant is not in contact with the toner cartridge, the desiccant does not get in the way when the toner cartridge is attached to and detached from the photosensitive member support cartridge, and can be smoothly attached and detached. Can do.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the desiccant is surrounded by the first wall surface of the photosensitive member support cartridge, the second wall surface of the toner cartridge, and the extension portion of the toner cartridge. Even if the process cartridge is shaken, the desiccant can be prevented from jumping out of the photosensitive member support cartridge.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the desiccant is provided longitudinally in the axial direction of the photoconductor, the amount of the desiccant is increased even if the space between the first wall surface and the second wall surface is narrow. Therefore, the dehumidifying effect of the toner can be increased.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the desiccant is installed on the second wall surface and can be attached to and detached from the photosensitive member support cartridge integrally with the toner cartridge, the toner cartridge is replaced by consumption of the toner. Sometimes, the desiccant can be exchanged together, and the dehumidifying effect of the toner can be increased.

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. FIG. 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 the sheet material, the desiccant, and the belt member for the 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. 10 is a central cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the second 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 device 15 and the fixing device 16 described later are provided may be referred to as an “device main body” hereinafter.

  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 device 15, and a fixing device 16.

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

  The process cartridge 9 is detachably inserted from the opening 7 between the exposure device 15 and the path constituting member 26 in a direction perpendicular 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 61, and the like arranged from the rear to the front. A scorotron-type charger 32, a photosensitive drum 61 is provided 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 61 is supplied to the developing roller 36 by the supply roller 37, and is triboelectrically charged 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 high speed of the laser beam (see arrow) from the exposure device 15 is obtained. 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 device 15 by the sheet discharge roller 19.

<Configuration of process cartridge>
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the process cartridge 9 includes a photoreceptor support cartridge 40 and a toner cartridge 60, and the above-described photoreceptor drum 31 and the rollers 36, 37, 33, etc. It is divided and supported.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the photosensitive member support 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 61, 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 front wall 45 of the photoconductor support cartridge 40 and the front wall 62 of the toner cartridge 60 in a state where the photoconductor support cartridge 40 is mounted are located at intervals in the front-rear direction, and will be described later between the both walls. A space for accommodating the desiccant 80 is formed. The toner cartridge 60 includes an extending portion 63 that extends forward from the front wall 62 so as to cover the upper surface of the space.

  The front wall 45 of the photosensitive member support cartridge 40 and the extending portion 63 of the toner cartridge 60 include gripping portions 53 and 63A that extend toward the opening 7, respectively. The gripping portions 53 and 63A attach the process cartridge 9 to the apparatus main body. It is gripped by the user when attaching to and detaching from.

<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 near 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.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the belt member 75 is connected near the front end of the sheet member 70, passes through the permissible space 29 and the opening 28, passes through the front end of the process cartridge 9, and then covers the cover recess 8 </ b> A and the process. It is provided so as to pass over the cartridge 9 and be exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 from between the front cover 8 and the housing 2.

  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 desiccant 80 is installed in a space between the frame front wall 45 and the toner container front wall 62 in the process cartridge 9. Preferably, the desiccant 80 is bonded and fixed to the inner surface of the front wall 45 of the frame, or is sandwiched and fixed between the front walls 45 and 62 or between the bottom wall 47 and the extending portion 63. Furthermore, it is desirable that the desiccant 80 be removable so that it can be replaced. Further, since the desiccant 80 is separated from the front wall 62 of the toner accommodating portion, the desiccant 80 comes into contact with the toner cartridge 60 when the toner cartridge 60 is attached / detached, thereby hindering the attachment / detachment. Suppressed.

  Further, the desiccant 80 is formed horizontally in the left-right direction (the axial direction of the photoconductive drum 31) along the frame front wall 45, and between the urging members 51 provided on the left and right sides of the photoconductive support cartridge 40. Is provided.

  As a result, the desiccant 80 is prevented from jumping out of the photoreceptor support cartridge 40 even if it is shaken during transportation.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 including the desiccant 80 and the sheet material 70 as described above is almost entirely wrapped in a flexible packaging bag 91 such as vinyl chloride, and the outside thereof is further corrugated. It is covered with a packaging box 92 such as a box. In the case of the present embodiment, the packaging bag 91 is preferably one having low air permeability, whereby the drying effect in the apparatus main body by the desiccant 80 can be enhanced.

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

  In the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 1 in which the process cartridge 9 is packed while being mounted on the apparatus main body, the desiccant 80 is disposed near the front end of the photosensitive member support cartridge 40, that is, adjacent to the toner storage chamber 61 of the toner cartridge 60. It is installed. When the apparatus main body and the process cartridge 9 are packaged and transported, moisture absorption of the toner in the process cartridge 9 has become a problem. By adopting this configuration, the desiccant 80 is installed at a position close to the toner. Therefore, the toner can be sufficiently dried.

  Further, when the process cartridge is transported for replenishment, it is possible to sufficiently exhibit the effect of the desiccant and maintain the toner in a dry state by wrapping the process cartridge alone in a packaging bag having low air permeability as described above. Image formation can be performed without removing the desiccant 80, and the toner can be dried during image formation.

  Further, the desiccant 80 is provided so that the desiccant 80 does not contact the front wall 62 of the toner storage unit. Accordingly, when the toner cartridge 60 is removed from the photosensitive member support cartridge 40, the desiccant 80 can be smoothly attached and detached without being in the way.

  Further, a front frame wall 45 and a toner containing front wall 62 are provided before and after the desiccant 80, and an extending portion 63 is provided at the upper part. As a result, the desiccant 80 is installed in the process cartridge 9 so as to be covered, so that the desiccant 80 jumps out of the photosensitive member support cartridge 40 even if the image forming apparatus 1 or the process cartridge 9 is shaken during transportation. Can be prevented.

  Further, the desiccant 80 is installed long along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 31. Therefore, even if the space between the frame front wall 45 and the toner containing front wall 62 is narrow, the desiccant 80 can be installed in the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1, so that a sufficient dehumidifying effect can be obtained.

  Furthermore, since the belt member 75 is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to alert the user that the sheet material 70 must be taken out before using the image forming apparatus 1. The desiccant 80 and the sheet material 70 may be connected through a gap between the two gripping portions 53 and 63A.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the desiccant 81 is installed on the front surface (surface on the front wall 45 side) of the front wall 62 in the toner cartridge 60. Desirably, the desiccant 81 is bonded and fixed to the inner surface of the front wall 62 or sandwiched and fixed by a rib-like wall provided on the front wall 62. Furthermore, it is desirable that the desiccant 81 can be removed so that it can be replaced. In the present embodiment, the desiccant 80 can be attached to and detached from the photoreceptor support cartridge 40 integrally with the toner cartridge 60, and the desiccant 81 is also replaced when the toner cartridge 60 is replaced as the toner is consumed. be able to.

<Other embodiments>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the process cartridge 9 is attached / detached substantially in parallel with the alignment direction of the photosensitive drum 31 and the toner storage chamber 61, that is, the paper transport direction, but is attached / detached in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper transport direction. You can also

  In each of the above embodiments, the desiccant is exemplified by a granular silica gel in a bag, but a silica alumina gel, a calcium chloride processed product, quick lime or the like in a bag may be used. good. Further, a sheet-like desiccant having a thin plate shape may be used as the desiccant.

  In each of the above embodiments, the toner cartridge 60 is supported by the developing roller 36 and the supply roller 37. However, the photosensitive member support cartridge 40 supports the developing roller 36 and the supply roller 37, and the toner cartridge 60 substantially contains toner. It can also be configured to have only the chamber 61.

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 40 Photosensitive element support cartridge 45 Frame front wall 48 Paper conveyance surface 49 Positioning Part 53 Grasping part 60 Toner cartridge 61 Toner storage chamber 62 Front wall of toner storage chamber 63 Extension part 70 Sheet material 75 Belt member 80, 81 Desiccant

Claims (9)

The apparatus main body has an opening for inserting / removing a process cartridge containing image forming toner into / from the apparatus main body and a cover capable of opening / closing the opening, and the process cartridge is inserted into the box with the process cartridge inserted . In the packing form of the image forming apparatus to be packed,
The process cartridge is
A photosensitive member supporting cartridge having a concave portion that supports the photosensitive member at one end and the upper surface is opened at the other end;
A toner cartridge that is detachably mounted in the recess provided in the photosensitive member support cartridge and has a toner storage chamber for storing the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive member;
A desiccant is accommodated between a first wall surface that rises on the other end side of the photoconductor support cartridge and a second wall surface that rises on an end portion of the toner cartridge opposite to the photoconductor ,
The image forming apparatus packaging form , wherein the desiccant is installed at a position spaced apart from the second wall surface . The toner cartridge has an extending portion extending from the second wall surface toward the other end side of the photoreceptor support cartridge;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the extending portion covers an upper surface of a space between the first wall surface and the second wall surface that accommodates the desiccant.   The apparatus main body has an opening for inserting / removing a process cartridge containing image forming toner into / from the apparatus main body and a cover capable of opening / closing the opening, and the process cartridge is inserted into the box with the process cartridge inserted. In the packing form of the image forming apparatus to be packed,
  The process cartridge is
  A photosensitive member supporting cartridge having a concave portion that supports the photosensitive member at one end and the upper surface is opened at the other end;
  A toner cartridge that is detachably mounted in the recess provided in the photosensitive member support cartridge and has a toner storage chamber for storing the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive member;
  A desiccant is accommodated between a first wall surface that rises on the other end side of the photoconductor support cartridge and a second wall surface that rises on an end portion of the toner cartridge opposite to the photoconductor,
  The toner cartridge has an extending portion extending from the second wall surface toward the other end side of the photoreceptor support cartridge;
The extending portion covers an upper surface of a space between the first wall surface and the second wall surface that accommodates the desiccant, and is a packaging form of an image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the desiccant is provided long along the axial direction of the photoconductor. A process cartridge containing image forming toner, which is detachably provided in a space in the apparatus body,
A photosensitive member supporting cartridge having a concave portion that supports the photosensitive member at one end and the upper surface is opened at the other end;
A toner cartridge that is detachably mounted in the recess provided in the photosensitive member support cartridge and has a toner storage chamber for storing the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive member;
A desiccant is accommodated between a first wall surface that rises on the other end side of the photoconductor support cartridge and a second wall surface that rises on an end portion of the toner cartridge opposite to the photoconductor ,
The process cartridge , wherein the desiccant is installed at a position separated from the second wall surface . The toner cartridge has an extending portion extending from the second wall surface toward the other end side of the photoreceptor support cartridge;
The process cartridge according to claim 5 , wherein the extending portion covers an upper surface of a space between the first wall surface and the second wall surface that accommodates the desiccant. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the desiccant is provided long along the axial direction of the photoconductor.   A process cartridge containing image forming toner, which is detachably provided in a space in the apparatus body,
  A photosensitive member supporting cartridge having a concave portion that supports the photosensitive member at one end and the upper surface is opened at the other end;
  A toner cartridge that is detachably mounted in the recess provided in the photosensitive member support cartridge and has a toner storage chamber for storing the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive member;
  A desiccant is accommodated between a first wall surface that rises on the other end side of the photoconductor support cartridge and a second wall surface that rises on an end portion of the toner cartridge opposite to the photoconductor,
  The toner cartridge has an extending portion extending from the second wall surface toward the other end side of the photoreceptor support cartridge;
  The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the extending portion covers an upper surface of a space between the first wall surface and the second wall surface that accommodates the desiccant. 9. The process cartridge according to claim 8 , wherein the desiccant is installed on the second wall surface and is detachable from the photosensitive member support cartridge integrally with the toner cartridge.

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