JPH0830079A - Toner cartridge package - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent toner remaining in a toner cartridge from being scattered on the surroundings at the time of pulling out the cartridge attached to a toner supplying part, for replenishing the toner. CONSTITUTION:When a case 10 for packing the cartridge is provided with a flap 3a capable of being abutted on the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 20 attached to the toner supplying part 21 and capturing the residual toner scattered from the cartridge 20, when it is housed in the case 10 from an unsealed part. On a top surface 1, a cartridge introducing opening 5 for leading the cartridge 20 into the case 10 from the part of a fold 13a is constituted of perforations capable of being cut.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner cartridge packaging box, and more particularly to a packaging box for packaging a replenishment toner cartridge mounted in a toner supply section of an image forming apparatus, which is used for replenishing toner. The present invention relates to a toner cartridge packaging box capable of capturing the residual toner in the scattered toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is pulled out from the toner supply section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a toner cartridge mounted in a toner supply section of an image forming apparatus, when the toner cartridge is pulled out from the toner supply section for replenishment of toner, residual toner in the cartridge scatters to the surroundings and stains the periphery of the apparatus. There is a drawback that. As a measure to prevent this, the actual development number is 59-4136.
In Japanese Patent No. 4 publication, a slide lid is provided so as to cover the mouth portion of the cartridge body to which a sealing material is adhered, and the mouth portion is covered with the slide lid when the empty cartridge body is removed to prevent scattering of residual toner. It is shown. Also,
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-128570 discloses a mechanism in which the opening is directed upward when attaching or detaching the toner cartridge in order to prevent the residual toner from scattering when the toner cartridge is pulled out. In this disclosed example, the toner cartridge is rotated after mounting and toner is supplied with the opening facing downward.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional measures for preventing the residual toner from scattering, if a slide lid is provided so as to cover the mouth portion of the cartridge body to which the sealing material is adhered, the structure and assembling work of the cartridge body can be performed. It gets complicated. Further, in the case where the toner cartridge is attached and detached with the opening facing upward, the mechanism for rotating the toner cartridge and the structure of the toner cartridge itself are complicated, the number of parts is increased, and the cost is increased.

An object of the present invention is to prevent the toner remaining in the cartridge from scattering around when the toner cartridge mounted in the toner supply portion is pulled out for replenishing the toner.

[0005]

A toner cartridge packaging box according to the present invention is a packaging box for packaging a toner cartridge mounted in a toner supply section of an image forming apparatus, and is formed continuously with an opening section. After opening, when the cartridge is housed in the box by contacting at least a part of the bottom surface of the toner cartridge mounted in the toner supply section, the toner supply section and the inside of the box are connected to capture the toner remaining in the cartridge. Has flaps to prevent splashing. The image forming apparatus in the present invention means a copying machine or a fax machine using a powder developer.

The term "packing box" as used herein means a folding box in which printed paperboard punched out by a punching machine is adhered by a sack pasting machine, transported in a flat folded state, formed into a box for use, and the contents are put therein. Or, it refers to an assembly box that is a paper container that is basically not glued and that is assembled by hand or machine when used with a paper container that has been punched while making creases. In addition, the unsealed portion here refers to a portion of a fold line that forms a flap between the bottom surface of the box and the flap. It is preferable that the packaging box has a notch capable of sealing corresponding to the flap when the toner cartridge mounted in the toner supply unit is accommodated in the box.

At least one main surface of the packaging box is preferably provided with a cartridge introducing opening for guiding the cartridge from the opening section into the box when the toner cartridge mounted in the toner supply section is stored in the box. . The cartridge introducing opening is preferably formed by a perforation capable of being cut. The cartridge introducing opening mentioned here is formed along the pull-out direction of the cartridge on the main surface constituting the top surface of the box when the flap is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the toner cartridge and the toner cartridge is housed in the box. It is preferable that the cartridge has an opening width that allows the cartridge to be grasped with fingers and guided into the box. It is preferable that the flap has a lock releasing function that abuts on a lock mechanism that locks the toner cartridge to the toner supply unit and releases the locked state between the toner cartridge and the toner supply unit.

[0008]

In the toner cartridge packaging box according to the present invention, the cartridge filled with the toner is put in the packaging box and transported. The packaging box is opened at the place where the image forming apparatus is installed, and the cartridge is taken out from the packaging box. The empty packaging box is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the cartridge attached to the toner supply section, and the cartridge is stored in the box from the toner supply section. At this time, since the flap formed continuously on the opening portion of the box connects the toner supply section and the inside of the box, the cartridge is guided into the box. Further, the flap captures the residual toner falling from the inside of the cartridge between the toner supply section and the inside of the box. Further, when the empty cartridge stored in the box is sealed, the toner captured by the flap is stored in the box together with the flap. Therefore, the residual toner is prevented from scattering, and the stain due to the residual toner does not reach the surroundings. The packaging box with the cartridge sealed is discarded.

If at least one main surface of the packaging box is provided with a cartridge introducing opening for guiding the cartridge into the inside of the box, when the toner cartridge mounted in the toner supply unit is stored in the box, the cartridge is opened. Can be pulled out easily. If the cartridge introducing opening is formed of perforated perforations, it is possible to ensure the airtightness of the toner cartridge packaging box during packaging and to easily form the cartridge introducing opening during cartridge replacement. If the flap has a lock release function that abuts the lock mechanism that locks the toner cartridge to the toner supply unit and releases the locked state between the toner cartridge and the toner supply unit, the empty packaging box becomes the lock mechanism. The cartridge can be detached from the toner supply section simply by bringing them into contact with each other.

[0010]

【Example】

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows a packaging box 10 for packaging a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. The box 10 is a folding box formed by die-cutting and bonding cardboard paperboard, and is configured as a seal end carton. As shown in the development view of FIG. 2, the box 10 has a top surface (1 surface) 1, a bottom surface (3 surfaces) 3,
It is formed by flaps 1a to 4a and 1b to 4b forming side surfaces (2, 4 surfaces) 2, 4 and toe surfaces (5, 6 surfaces). The top surface 1 is provided with cuttable perforations 11 for forming the cartridge introduction opening 5.
The perforations 11 are the fold lines 12 of the flap 1a extending from both ends of the fold line 6 formed on the top face 1 along the longitudinal direction of the top face 1.
And further extends to both ends of the flap 1a along the fold line 12. The cartridge introducing opening 5 constituted by such perforations 11 has an opening width that allows the toner cartridge to be grasped with a finger and guided into the box 10. In addition, a substantially V-shaped cut 1c is formed in the vicinity of the folding line 12.

The flap 3a on the bottom surface 3 is formed via a fold line 13a, and an extending flap 14 is formed via two parallel fold lines 13b and 13c formed outside (upward in the figure). ing. A tongue piece 15 that can be inserted into the cut 1c is formed at the tip of the extending flap 14 by a perforation 16 that can be cut. Fold line 1
A finger hole 17 for pulling out the flap 3a is formed substantially at the center of 3b and 13c.

The use of the box 10 described above will be described below. First, a new toner cartridge filled with toner is stored in the box 10. At this time, flaps 1b-4
After sealing b in advance using a sealing member and inserting the toner cartridge into the box 10, the flaps 1a to 4a are sealed. When sealing the flaps 1a to 4a, as shown in FIG. 3, after folding the flaps 2a and 4a, the flap 3 is folded.
a and the flap 1a are bent in this order. When folding the flap 3a, the extending flap 14 is folded along the inner (lower side in the drawing) fold line 13b, and then the flap 3a is folded along the fold line 13a. As a result, the flap 3a is covered with the flap 1a. The flap 3a and the flap 1a are sealed with a sealing member, that is, a paste or a sealing tape.

The box 10 is opened at the place where the image forming apparatus is installed, and a new toner cartridge is inserted into the box 1.
Taken from 0. Next, the opening / closing mechanism (not shown) of the image forming apparatus is operated to open the toner cartridge 20 mounted in the toner supply unit 21 to a replaceable state.
The toner cartridge 20 is mounted above the toner supply unit 21 as shown in FIG. The toner cartridge 20 has a grip 23 at the front (on the right side in the drawing) for mounting and withdrawing. At the top of the toner supply unit 21,
As shown in FIG. 5, a lock mechanism section 24 for locking the toner cartridge 20 to the toner supply section 21 is attached.

The lock mechanism portion 24 is mainly composed of a shaft 25 fixed to the toner supply portion 21 and a locking piece 26 pivotally supported by the shaft 25. The locking piece 26 is a substantially L-shaped member, and has a hook 28 that can be engaged with a recess 27 formed in the bottom of the toner cartridge 20 at one end and an engagement between the hook 28 and the cartridge recess 27 at the other end. It has an engagement release lever 29 for releasing the engagement. On the shaft 25, a hook 28 is stretched between the toner supply portion 21 and the locking piece 26.
A spring 30 is attached to bias the cartridge toward the cartridge recess 27. The slot 3 into which the above-mentioned flap 3a is inserted is provided in front of the lock mechanism section 24 (right side in the figure).
1 is formed. With this configuration, when the flap 3a is inserted into the slot 31, the engagement release lever 29 pressed by the flap 3a rotates about the shaft 25 as a fulcrum, and the hook 28 engages from the engagement position (solid line in the figure). It will move to the uncoupling position (two-dot chain line in the figure). A toner discharge port 20a is formed at the bottom of the cartridge 20. The discharge port 20a is open in the toner supply unit 21.

Next, the perforations 11 of the box 10 that has been emptied by taking out a new toner cartridge are cut and bent along the fold lines 6 to form the cartridge introduction opening 5 in the top surface 1 (FIG. 1). State). Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the flap 3a is inserted into the slot 31. When the flap 3a is inserted up to the fold line 13a (position in FIG. 7),
The tip of the extending flap 14 presses the engagement release lever 29, and the engagement between the hook 28 and the cartridge recess 27 is released. This allows the toner cartridge to be pulled out.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the bottom surface 3 of the box 10 is
The toner cartridge 20 is pulled out into the box 10 by holding the handle 23 with the fingers while supporting the. At this time, the toner supply unit 2
1 and the box 10 are connected by a flap 3a having an extending flap 14 inserted below the toner cartridge 20, so that the toner discharge port 20a formed at the bottom of the toner cartridge 20 moves on the flap 3a. To do. Therefore, the flap 3a captures the residual toner dropped from the toner discharge port 20a between the toner supply unit 21 and the opening portion (folding line 13a) of the box 10. Therefore, on the floor surface around the toner supply portion 21 located in the pull-out direction of the toner cartridge 20 or around the opening of the slot 31, the toner cartridge 2 is discharged from the toner discharge port.
It is possible to prevent the toner remaining inside 0 from falling and scattering around. The cartridge introduction opening 5 formed on the top surface 1 facilitates the withdrawal of the toner cartridge 20.

When the toner cartridge 20 is stored in the box 10 (the position shown in FIG. 9), the flaps 1a to 4a are closed. When sealing the flaps 1a to 4a, first, the perforation 16 of the extending flap 14 is cut off to form the tongue piece 15. Next, as shown in FIG.
After bending a, the flap 1a and the flap 3a are bent in this order. When the extension flap 14 is bent, it is bent along the outer fold line 13c. Thus, the flap 3a covers the flap 1a, and the tongue piece 15 can be inserted into the cut 1c. When the tongue piece 15 is inserted into the notch 1c, the sealing of the box 10 is completed. At this time, the toner captured by the flap 3a is stored in the box together with the flap 3a, so that the residual toner is prevented from scattering and the residual toner does not stain the surroundings. Sealed Box 10
Are discarded.

Embodiment 2 In the above-described Embodiment 1, the flap 3a is formed on the toe surface (5 surface or 6 surface) of the box 10, and the flap 3a is provided below the toner cartridge 20 attached to the toner supply portion 21. Although the configuration is such that the toner supply unit 21 is inserted and the box 10 is connected, the side surface 54 of the box 40 may be formed as a flap that connects the toner supply unit 21 and the box 10, as shown in FIG. 11. In this case, the box 40 has a top surface (1 surface) 51, a bottom surface (3 surfaces) 53, side surfaces (2, 4 surfaces) 52, 54 and a toe surface (5, 6 surfaces) as shown in the development view of FIG. ) Is formed by the flaps 51a to 54a and 51b to 54b. At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the side surface 54, the side surface 5
Two severable perforations 50 are formed to form the flap 4 into the flap to be inserted below the toner cartridge 20 attached to the toner supply portion 21. Side 54
An approximately V-shaped cut 54c is formed in the center of the.

On the other hand, an extended flap 44 is formed on the long side of the top surface 51 via a fold line 41a. A tongue piece 55 that can be inserted into the notch 54c is formed at the tip of the extending flap 44 by a perforation 56 that can be cut. At both ends of the top surface 51 in the longitudinal direction, two cuttable perforations 5 for forming a cartridge introduction opening are formed.
7 extend in parallel from both ends of the fold line 58. less than,
A method of using the toner cartridge packaging box 40 will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a box 40 containing a new toner cartridge filled with toner is prepared. At this time, the flaps 51a to 54a and the flaps 51b to 54b that form the toe surface are sealed.

Next, the perforation 57 of the box 40 which has been emptied by taking out a new toner cartridge is cut, and a cartridge introduction opening 59 is formed in the top surface 51 (FIG. 11).
State). Further, the perforations 50 are cut and the side surface 54 is bent in the direction of the arrow in FIG. As a result, the side surface 54
However, a flap that connects the toner supply unit 21 and the box 10 is formed, which corresponds to the flap 3a of the above-described embodiment. As another opening method of the box 40 for forming the flap, the extension flap 44 is firmly glued to the broken line circle portion of the side surface 54 on the back surface of the hatched portion in FIG. 11 in advance. Upon opening, the tongue 55 is held and the extension flap 44 is triggered. At this time, the perforation 56 is torn, and then the perforation 5
7 breaks. The shaded portion of the extended flap 44 shown in FIG. 11 remains on the side surface 54 and the tongue piece 55 is exposed. Therefore,
This method simplifies the work process of breaking the shaded portion separately. The top surface 51 is bent along the fold line 58. Next, as in FIG. 6, the side surface 54 which is a flap is inserted into the slot 31. When the side surface 54 is inserted up to the fold line 60 between the side surface 54 and the bottom surface 53, the end surface of the side surface 54 presses the engagement release lever 29, and the engagement between the hook 28 and the cartridge recess 27 is released. As a result, the toner cartridge 20 is ready to be pulled out.

Then, as in FIG. 8, the toner cartridge 20 is pulled out into the box 40 by the handle 23 while supporting the bottom surface 53 of the box 40. At this time, since the side surface 54 inserted below the toner cartridge 20 is connected to the toner supply unit 21 and the box 40 as a flap, the toner discharge port 20 formed at the bottom of the toner cartridge 20.
a moves on the side surface 54. Therefore, the side surface 54 captures the residual toner falling from the toner discharge port 20a between the toner supply portion 21 and the opening portion (folded line 60) of the box 40. Therefore, the toner remaining inside the toner cartridge 20 is prevented from dropping from the toner discharge port to the periphery of the toner supply portion 21 located in the direction of pulling out the toner cartridge 20 or the floor surface and scattering around. Therefore, the stain due to the residual toner does not adhere to the periphery of the toner supply unit 21. The cartridge introduction opening 59 formed on the top surface 51 facilitates the withdrawal of the toner cartridge 20.

When the toner cartridge 20 is stored in the box 40 (the position shown in FIG. 9), the box 40 is sealed. First, the perforation 56 of the extension flap 44 is cut off to remove the tongue piece 5.
5 (not required if the tongue 55 is already exposed). Next, when the tongue piece 55 is inserted into the notch 54c,
The sealing of the box 40 is completed. At this time, since the toner captured on the side surface 54 is stored in the box 40 together with the side surface 54, the residual toner is prevented from scattering and the residual toner does not stain the surrounding area. The sealed box 40 is discarded. In this embodiment, the direction of loading and unloading the box is 9
Since the difference is 0 °, the toner supply portion 21 also has the width of the slot 31 corresponding thereto. Also, the toner cartridge 2
The position and width of the handle 23 of 0 correspond to the above.

According to the configurations of the toner cartridge packaging boxes 10 and 40 of the respective embodiments described above, the flap 3a and the side surface 54 formed continuously with the opening portion of the packaging box for packaging the toner cartridge fall from the cartridge 20. Since the residual toner that remains is captured, the periphery of the image forming apparatus is not stained. If the cartridge introduction openings 5 and 59 are provided, the cartridge 20 is supported from the toner supply portion 21 to the boxes 10 and 40 while supporting the surface of the toner cartridge 20.
There is no need to perform the operation of sending it to the unsealing part. Further, since the handle 23 is attached to the toner cartridge 20, the cartridge 20 can be guided into the boxes 10 and 40 without touching the surface of the cartridge 20. Further, since the cartridge introduction openings 5 and 59 are formed by the perforated perforations 11 and 56 and 57, the box can be sealed tightly during transportation and storage.
Further, since the tongue pieces 15 and 55 and the notches 1c and 54c for locking the tongue pieces 15 and 55 are provided on the paper surface, the boxes 10 and 40 storing the used cartridge 20 can be easily sealed.

On the other hand, below the toner cartridge 20, since the flap 3a inserted and the engagement release lever 29 that is pressed against the side surface 54 and releases the engagement with the toner supply portion 21, the toner supply portion is provided. The lock of the cartridge 20 can be released without touching 21. Although the seal end carton is shown in the first and second embodiments, the folding box may have a tack end carton, a lock bottom carton or a sleeve type carton.

[0025]

According to the toner cartridge packaging box of the present invention, the flap formed continuously with the opening portion of the packaging box for packaging the toner cartridge mounted in the toner supply portion of the image forming apparatus is provided in the toner supply portion. And the inside of the box are communicated with each other, so that the residual toner falling from the cartridge is captured by the flap. Therefore, the periphery of the image forming apparatus is not soiled and a clean office environment can be maintained. Further, since the packaging box is used as the toner scattering prevention means, it is not necessary to add a new mechanism or member, and the complication of the means can be avoided.

If at least one main surface of the packaging box is provided with a cartridge introduction opening for guiding the cartridge into the box, the toner cartridge mounted in the toner supply portion can be easily pulled out. Therefore, it is not necessary to send the toner cartridge from the toner supply portion to the opening portion with a hand, and it is possible to prevent the operator's hands and clothes from being soiled. If the cartridge introducing opening is formed of perforated perforations, it is possible to ensure the airtightness of the toner cartridge packaging box during packaging and to easily form the cartridge introducing opening during cartridge replacement. Therefore, replacement of the toner cartridge becomes easy.

If the flap has a lock releasing function for releasing the locked state between the toner cartridge and the toner supplying portion by contacting the lock mechanism for locking the toner cartridge to the toner supplying portion, the empty packaging box Since the cartridge can be detached from the toner supply portion only by bringing it into contact with the lock mechanism, it is possible to prevent the operator's hand and clothes from being soiled when the lock is released. Therefore, high workability in exchanging the cartridge can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state of a toner cartridge packaging box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a development view of the packaging box of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a box in which the flap of the packaging box of FIG. 1 is in a sealed state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of a toner supply unit in which a toner cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a lock mechanism of a toner cartridge installed in a toner supply unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a procedure for pulling out a toner cartridge installed in a toner supply unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a procedure for pulling out a toner cartridge installed in a toner supply unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a procedure for pulling out a toner cartridge installed in a toner supply unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a procedure for pulling out a toner cartridge installed in a toner supply unit.

10 is a cross-sectional view of a box in which the flap of the packaging box of FIG. 1 is in a closed state.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state of a toner cartridge packaging box according to another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a development view of the packaging box of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3a Flap 5,59 Cartridge introduction opening 10,40 Packaging box 11,57 Perforation 20 Toner cartridge 21 Toner supply part 24 Lock mechanism part 29 Engagement release lever 16,56 Perforation (for forming tongue piece) 54 Side (flap) 13a, 60a Folded line (opening part)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A packaging box for packaging a toner cartridge mounted in a toner supply portion of an image forming apparatus, the bottom surface of the toner cartridge mounted in the toner supply portion after being continuously formed in the opening portion. When the cartridge is stored in the box by contacting at least a part of the cartridge, the toner has a flap that connects the toner supply unit and the box to capture the toner remaining in the cartridge and prevent the toner from scattering. Cartridge packaging box. 2. At least one main surface of the packaging box is provided with a cartridge introduction opening for guiding the cartridge from the opening section into the box when the toner cartridge mounted in the toner supply section is stored in the box. The toner cartridge packaging box according to claim 1, wherein 3. The toner cartridge packaging box according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge introduction opening is formed by a perforation that can be cut. 4. The toner cartridge packaging box according to claim 1, wherein the flap has a lock release function for releasing a locked state between the toner cartridge and the toner supply unit by contacting a lock mechanism that locks the toner cartridge with the toner supply unit.