WO2019177126A1 - Packing member and package - Google Patents

Packing member and package Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019177126A1
WO2019177126A1 PCT/JP2019/010696 JP2019010696W WO2019177126A1 WO 2019177126 A1 WO2019177126 A1 WO 2019177126A1 JP 2019010696 W JP2019010696 W JP 2019010696W WO 2019177126 A1 WO2019177126 A1 WO 2019177126A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
packing member
cartridge
attached
end portion
holding
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2019/010696
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Taiji Watanabe
Hideto SAKAI
Kengo Sakai
Mitsuhiro Sato
Original Assignee
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Kabushiki Kaisha filed Critical Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Publication of WO2019177126A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019177126A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
    • G03G21/181—Manufacturing or assembling, recycling, reuse, transportation, packaging or storage
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17533—Storage or packaging of ink cartridges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17536—Protection of cartridges or parts thereof, e.g. tape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
    • B65D81/05—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
    • B65D81/053—Corner, edge or end protectors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/1807—Transport of supply parts, e.g. process cartridges

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packing member used when packing an object.
  • Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses that use electrophotographic processes include electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (such as laser beam printers, LED printers and the like), facsimile devices, word processors, and so on. These electrophotographic image forming apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as "image forming apparatus") form a latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member that is the image bearing member by uniformly charging and by selectively exposing the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
  • the latent image is developed with a developer and made visible as a developer image.
  • This developer image is then transferred onto a recording medium. Heat and pressure are applied to the transferred developer image to fix the developer image on the recording medium, to record the image.
  • the conventional practice with such image forming apparatuses involved replenishment of the developer and maintenance of various processing portion.
  • cartridges that contain all or some of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging portion, developing portion, cleaning portion and so on integrated in a frame.
  • process cartridge system that uses this process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as "cartridge”) has been adopted, wherein the process cartridge is detachably mounted to the apparatuses.
  • the process cartridge system can offer much improved user-friendliness because users themselves can perform maintenance on the apparatus in the form of replacement of the cartridge.
  • the cartridge Since the cartridge is removable and can be replaced by a user, it has been the common practice for a user to remove the cartridge from the main body of an image forming apparatus and replace it with a new cartridge.
  • a new cartridge that is shipped out is packed, as an object, with a packing member, for protecting the cartridge from vibration or shock during transportation.
  • the user removes the packing member from the cartridge before mounting it to the main body of the image forming apparatus.
  • packing members have been offered for protecting the cartridge from vibration or shock during transportation. For example, as shown in PTL 1, pulp-molded packing members are attached to both side faces of the cartridge such as to sandwich it, and packed in a packing box in this state. Packing members attached to both side faces of an object such as to sandwich it have been offered as shown in PTL 2 and PTL 3.
  • the conventional packing members attached to both side faces of an object such as to sandwich it need to be designed with a large fitting distance between the object and the packing member so as to prevent the packing members from separating from the object due to vibration or shock during transportation, and accordingly needed to be of a large size.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a packing member capable of preventing separation from an object during transportation without having a large fitting distance between the object and the packing member.
  • a packing member for packing an object including an engaged portion, the packing member comprising: a buffer portion configured to be deformable; a holding portion configured to hold an end portion of the object and attachable to the end portion by being moved in an attachment direction; and a restricting portion configured to engage with the engaged portion, the restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a first direction opposite from the attachment direction, while allowing movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein when the holding portion is attached to the end portion by being moved in the attachment direction, the restricting portion is deformed by the object so that attachment of the holding portion is allowed, and wherein the holding portion is removable from the end portion by being moved in the second direction relative to the end portion.
  • a package of the present invention comprising: an object including an engaged portion; and a packing member for packing the object and including a buffer portion configured to be deformable, a holding portion configured to hold an end portion of the object and attachable to the end portion by being moved in an attachment direction, and a restricting portion configured to engage with the engaged portion, the restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a first direction opposite from the attachment direction, while allowing movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein when the holding portion is attached to the end portion by being moved in the attachment direction, the restricting portion is deformed by the object so that attachment of the holding portion is allowed, and the holding portion is removable from the end portion by being moved in the second direction relative to the end portion.
  • the present invention can provide a packing member capable of preventing separation from an object during transportation without having a large fitting distance between the object and the packing member. Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
  • Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating how packing members Q are attached from directions opposing both of one end and the other end of the cartridge P that is the object.
  • Fig. 1B illustrates the cartridge P with the packing members Q attached thereto.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating one example of a main body of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating one example of a cartridge according to Embodiment 1.
  • Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the cartridge P as seen from the drive side.
  • Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the cartridge P as seen from the non-drive side.
  • Fig. 5A is a diagram of the packing member Q shown in Fig. 1A to 1B.
  • FIG. 5B is a diagram of the packing member as viewed in direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X of Fig. 5A from the opposite side from a buffer portion 110c.
  • Fig. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state of the packing member Q being attached to the cartridge P (not shown) in the longitudinal direction X.
  • Fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q being removed from the cartridge P (not shown) in a direction Y intersecting the longitudinal direction X.
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating one example of a developing apparatus according to Embodiment 1.
  • Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a packing member according to Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q2 being attached to the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X.
  • Fig. 9B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q2 being removed from the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y.
  • Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cartridge and a packing member according to Embodiment 3 in a packed state.
  • Fig. 11A is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q3 in permitting state where it arrows movement of the cartridge P.
  • Fig. 11B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q3 in restricting state where it restricts and prevents movement of the cartridge P.
  • a cartridge detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus is shown as one example of an object packed with the packing member.
  • image forming apparatus a full color electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "image forming apparatus") to which four cartridges can be detachably mounted is shown.
  • image forming apparatus a full color electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which four cartridges can be detachably mounted.
  • the number of cartridges mounted to the image forming apparatus is not limited thereto. The number of cartridges can be set suitably as required.
  • a printer is shown as one form of image forming apparatus.
  • a cartridge to which the packing member is attached i.e., an assembly of an object and a packing member
  • the package is an assembly suitable for transportation adopted when transporting a cartridge for example to prevent possible damage during transportation. Such an assembly configuration enables safe transportation of the cartridge that is the object.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 is a four-color, full-color laser printer that uses the electrophotographic process to form a color image on a recording medium S.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 has the process cartridge system, i.e., the cartridge is removably attached to a machine’s main body 2, to form a color image on the recording medium S.
  • one side of the image forming apparatus 1 where an open/close door 3 is provided shall be the front side (front surface), and the opposite side from the front shall be the back side (rear surface).
  • the right side as viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 1 will be referred to as the drive side, and the left side as the non-drive side.
  • Four cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), a first cartridge PY, a second cartridge PM, a third cartridge PC, and a fourth cartridge PK, are disposed horizontally in the machine’s main body 2.
  • the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) each include a similar electrophotographic processing mechanism, and contains developer (hereinafter referred to as "toner") with different colors, i.e., yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
  • cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK) will be referred to as cartridge P, as they each have a similar configuration.
  • a rotary drive force is transmitted to the cartridge P from a drive output unit (not shown) in the machine’s main body 2.
  • a bias voltage (such as a charging bias, a developing bias, etc.) is applied (not shown) to the cartridge P from the machine’s main body 2.
  • the cartridge P of this embodiment includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member 4 (hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum”), and a cleaning unit 8, which is a first frame body equipped with charging portion and cleaning portion as processing portions that act on the photosensitive drum 4.
  • the cartridge P also includes a developing apparatus 9 that is a second frame body having developing portion for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4.
  • the cleaning unit 8 and the developing apparatus 9 are coupled to each other.
  • a charging roller 5, a cleaning blade 7, and a developer carrying member 6 (hereinafter referred to as “developing roller”) are used as the charging portion, cleaning portion, and developing portion, respectively. More specific features of the cartridge configuration will be described later.
  • a laser scanner unit LB is provided as exposure portion above the cartridge P.
  • the laser scanner unit LB outputs a laser beam Z in accordance with image information.
  • the laser beam Z passes through an exposure window 10 in the cartridge P, scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.
  • An intermediate transfer belt unit 11 is provided as a transfer member below the cartridge P.
  • the intermediate transfer belt unit 11 includes a driver roller 13, a turn roller 14, and a tension roller 15, with a flexible transfer belt 12 passed over the rollers.
  • a lower surface of the photosensitive drum 4 of the cartridge P is in contact with an upper surface of the transfer belt 12.
  • the contacting portions constitute a primary transfer portion.
  • a primary transfer roller 16 is provided inside the transfer belt 12 and opposite the photosensitive drum 4.
  • a secondary transfer roller 17 is abutted on the turn roller 14 via the transfer belt 12.
  • the contacting portions of the transfer belt 12 and the secondary transfer roller 17 constitute a secondary transfer portion.
  • a paper feed unit 18 is provided below the intermediate transfer belt unit 11.
  • the paper feed unit 18 includes a paper feed tray 19 that contains a stack of recording media S, and a paper feed roller 20.
  • a fixing unit 21 and a discharge unit 22 are provided in a top left portion inside the machine’s main body 2 in Fig. 2.
  • the upper face of the machine’s main body 2 serves as a discharge tray 23. After a toner image is fixed thereon by fixing portion in the fixing unit 21, the recording medium S is discharged onto the discharge tray 23.
  • FIGs. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the cartridge P according to this embodiment viewed from different angles.
  • Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the cartridge P as seen from the drive side.
  • Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the cartridge P as seen from the non-drive side.
  • the cartridge P has a horizontally long, substantially cuboidal shape, with its longitudinal direction (direction X) oriented along the direction of the rotation axis b of the photosensitive drum 4.
  • the cartridge has a two-frame configuration, wherein a drive-side cover member 24 and a non-drive-side cover member 25, both secured to the cleaning unit 8, support the developing apparatus 9 such as to be rotatable around a pivoting center (one-dot chain line a in Fig. 4A).
  • the cleaning unit (drum unit) 8 is made up of the photosensitive drum 4, the charging roller 5, and a cleaning container 26 that has the cleaning blade 7.
  • the photosensitive drum 4 is rotatably supported by the drive-side cover member 24 and non-drive-side cover member 25, and driven to rotate by a drive force of the motor (not shown) in the machine’s main body 2 transmitted via a drum drive coupling 4a (in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 3).
  • the charging roller 5 is rotatably supported at both ends by a charging roller bearing 27 in the cleaning container 26.
  • a charging bias is applied, so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is charged.
  • both ends of the charging roller 5 are brought into pressure contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 by a charging roller pressure spring 28.
  • the cleaning blade 7 is fixed in the cleaning container 26, and has an elastic rubber portion at the tip abutted to the photosensitive drum 4 in a counter direction to the rotating direction (direction of arrow D in Fig. 3) of the photosensitive drum.
  • the cleaning blade scrapes off any remnant of transferred residual toner on the photosensitive drum 4 to clean the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.
  • the transferred residual toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 7 from the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is collected in a waste toner container 26a of the cleaning container 26 as waste toner.
  • the developing apparatus 9 is a transport member that transports the developer, and has a horizontally long shape with its length extending along the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 6 that is the developing portion.
  • the developing apparatus includes a developing frame 29, a developing blade 31, and a developer supply roller 33 (Fig. 7).
  • the developing frame 29 has a toner containing chamber 29c, with an opening 29b for discharging toner from the toner containing chamber 29c.
  • the developing roller 6 and developer supply roller 33 are disposed at the opening 29b of the developing frame 29.
  • both axial end portions (core 6a) of the developing roller 6 are rotatably supported by a drive-side bearing 38 and a non-drive-side bearing 39 attached to both side faces of the developing frame 29.
  • a developing roller gear 40 and a supply roller gear 41 are disposed at the drive-side end of the core 6a of the developing roller 6 and a core 33a of the developer supply roller 33, respectively, and mated with a developing drive input gear 42.
  • the developing drive input gear 42 includes a developing drive coupling 42a.
  • a drive output coupling (not shown) on the machine’s main body 2 mates with the developing drive input gear 42 to transmit the drive force of the drive motor (not shown) of the machine’s main body 2, so that the developing roller 6 and developer supply roller 33 are driven to rotate at predetermined speeds.
  • a free end in short-side direction of the developing blade 31 is abutted on the developing roller 6 in a counter direction to the rotating direction (direction of arrow E in Fig. 3) of the developing roller.
  • the developing apparatus (developing unit) 9 is always biased by a pressure spring (not shown) in a direction in which the developing roller 6 rotates around the pivoting center (axis a) shown in Fig. 4A to contact the photosensitive drum 4 (in the direction of arrow W1 in Fig. 3), so that the developing roller 6 stays in contact with the photosensitive drum 4.
  • the developer supply roller 33 and developing roller 6 rotate in sliding contact with each other, so that the toner inside the developing frame 29 is carried on the developing roller 6.
  • the developing blade 31 regulates the thickness of the toner layer formed on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 6, as well as applies a charge to the toner by frictional charging as it contacts and applies pressure to the developing roller 6.
  • the charged toner on the developing roller 6 in the contacting portions of the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4, and thus the latent image is developed.
  • FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating how packing members Q are attached from directions opposing both of one end and the other end of the cartridge P that is the object so as to protect the object from vibration or shock.
  • Fig. 1B illustrates the cartridge P with the packing members Q attached thereto.
  • a plastic bag (not shown) is covered over the cartridge P.
  • the bag may be positioned outside the cartridge P and the packing members Q, or between the cartridge P and the packing members Q.
  • the cartridge P with the packing members Q attached thereto is inserted into a packing box (not shown) such as a cardboard box.
  • a packing box such as a cardboard box.
  • Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q shown in Figs. 1A and 1B.
  • Fig. 5B is a diagram of the packing member as viewed in direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X of Fig. 5A from the opposite side from a buffer portion 110c.
  • the packing member Q is attached to each of one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction X of the cartridge P.
  • One packing member Q and the other have the same specifications. Namely, the packing member Q attached to one end has the same shape as that of the packing member Q attached to the other end. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, one of the packing members at one end or the other end will be described from now on and description of the other one will be omitted.
  • the packing member Q includes an object holding portion (holding portion) 100 that comes to contact with the cartridge P and buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d (Figs. 1A and 1B) that protect the cartridge P from external vibration or shock.
  • the buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d mitigate vibration or shock by deforming themselves.
  • the buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d form closed loops together with the wall surfaces that the buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d are attached to.
  • the buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d are bent such that a plurality of corrugations are formed along the circumferential direction of the closed loops.
  • the buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d are crushed when impacted during transportation, but are configured to be capable of restoring their original shape by their own resiliency.
  • the packing member Q is formed integrally from resin, and includes a plurality of engaging portions (restricting portions) 120a and 120b that engage with the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X of the cartridge P.
  • the engaging portions 120a and 120b are deformable due to the resiliency of the resin, and fit with engaged portions provided to the cartridge P as will be described later. While polypropylene is preferable, the material of the packing member Q is not limited to polypropylene.
  • the engaging portions 120a and 120b are provided with resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b as protruding portions.
  • the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b are each formed with a lightening portion (hole) so that they have an arch shape. The lightening portion extend through the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b in the longitudinal direction X.
  • Fig. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state of the packing member Q being attached to the cartridge P (not shown) in the longitudinal direction X.
  • "attaching the packing member Q to the cartridge P” means attaching the packing member Q to the cartridge P such that an end portion of the cartridge P will be received in the holding portion 100.
  • the attachment direction of the packing member Q coincides with the longitudinal direction X.
  • the plurality of engaging portions 120a and 120b contact and are pressed by the cartridge P. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 5B, the engaging portions 120a and 120b are provided with an inclined surface (taper) at the distal ends.
  • the taper is the force-receiving portion that receives the force to cause the engaging portions 120a and 120b to deform by making contact with the cartridge P.
  • the force is received near the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b.
  • the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b that are relatively weaker in strength and tapered along the longitudinal direction X undergo resilient deformation. Since this reduces the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 120a and 120b, the packing member Q can be attached to the cartridge P. After being attached, the engaging portions 120a and 120b fit in and mate with engaged portions 90a and 90b that are grooves in the cartridge P as shown in Fig. 1B.
  • any attempt to remove the packing member Q from the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X is hindered since there occurs no resilient deformation of the engaging portions 120a and 120b that will reduce the resistance between the cartridge P and the packing member Q, so that the packing member Q cannot be removed from the cartridge P.
  • the packing member Q is crashed due to vibration or shock, there are formed gaps between the packing box and the packing member Q.
  • the packing member Q is engaged with the cartridge P by the engaging portions 120a and 120b. Therefore, even if the packing member Q is crashed, the packing member Q stays attached to the cartridge P and moves therewith inside the packing box.
  • the engaging portions 120a and 120b mate with the grooves, or the engaged portions 90a and 90b, of the cartridge P.
  • movement in the attachment direction is allowed, as the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 120a and 120b is reduced by deformation of the lightening portion of the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b provided to the engaging portions 120a and 120b.
  • the holding portion 100 of the packing member Q is allowed to be attached to the end portion of the cartridge P.
  • Fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q being removed from the cartridge P (not shown) in a direction Y intersecting the longitudinal direction X (orthogonal in this embodiment).
  • the packing member Q includes an opening portion 150 for allowing removal of the cartridge P from the holding portion 100 in the orthogonal direction Y.
  • the cartridge P is moved in a second direction intersecting the first direction mentioned above (orthogonal direction Y in this embodiment) to be taken out of the opening portion 150.
  • the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b Figs. 5A and 5B
  • contact end portions of the engaged portions 90a and 90b of the cartridge P they undergo resilient deformation.
  • the engaging portions 120a and 120b can prevent the packing member Q from separating from the cartridge P, which may be caused by vibration or shock during transportation, without making the packing member Q large, or even when the fitting distance in the longitudinal direction X between the cartridge P and the packing member Q is small. Moreover, removal of the packing member Q from the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y is made easier.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the packing member according to this embodiment. Description of the features that are repetitions of the contents already described in Embodiment 1 will be omitted.
  • the packing member Q2 includes engaging portions 122a and 122b configured as restricting portions to engage in the longitudinal direction X with the cartridge P that is the object, the engaging portions 122a and 122b being engaging pieces that make engagement by resiliency of resin. As shown in Fig. 8, the engaging portions 122a and 122b have protruding portions 162a and 162b.
  • the protruding portions 162a and 162b are provided with tapers (second inclined surface) 132a, 132b, 142a, and 142b tapered in the orthogonal direction Y.
  • the protruding portions 162a and 162b are also provided with tapers in the longitudinal direction X (first inclined surface) 182a and 182b.
  • these tapers 132a, 132b, 142a, 142b, 182a and 182b together form the protruding portions 162a and 162b to the engaging portions.
  • FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q2 being attached to the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X.
  • the engaging portions 122a and 122b serving as restricting portions deflect when the tapers 182a and 182b that are equivalent of force-receiving portions contact and are pressed by the cartridge P.
  • Supporting portions 122a' and 122b' of the protruding portions 162a and 162b thus undergo resilient deformation.
  • the engaging portions 122a and 122b mate with the engaged portions 92a and 92b (grooves) of the cartridge P.
  • the supporting portions 122a' and 122b' of the protruding portions 162a and 162b deform, as the tapers 182a and 182b, which are part of the protruding portions provided to the engaging portions 122a and 122b, contact the cartridge P. This reduces the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 122a and 122b, and thus the holding part 100 of the packing member Q2 is allowed to be attached to the end portion of the cartridge P.
  • Fig. 9B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q2 being removed from the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y.
  • the operation of removing the packing member Q2 from the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y will be described.
  • the engaging portions 122a and 122b serving as restricting portions have tapers 142a and 142b (not shown) on their side faces. This makes it easy for them to ride over the step of the engaged portions 92a and 92b (not shown) of the cartridge P.
  • the tapers 142a and 142b abut on end portions of the engaged portions 92a and 92b and receive force.
  • the packing member Q includes engaging portions 120a and 120b (Figs. 5A and 5B) serving as restricting portions to engage with the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X.
  • the engaging portions 120a and 120b are engaging pieces that make engagement by resiliency of resin.
  • Fig. 10 shows that the grooves, or the engaged portions 192a, 192b (not shown), 193a, and 193b (not shown), of the cartridge P, do not restrict movements of the packing member Q in orthogonal directions Y.
  • the grooves in this embodiment are provided with open portions that open to a direction in which an attempt to remove the packing member Q from the cartridge P is made in Embodiment 1, i.e., downward, which is at least one of the second directions intersecting the first direction mentioned above. Therefore, when the packing member Q is removed from the cartridge P, the engaging portions 120a and 120b need not ride over the steps of the engaged portions 192a, 192b, 193a, and 193b of the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y. Accordingly, the work efficiency when removing the packing member Q from the cartridge P is improved. While the packing member of this embodiment is the same as the packing member Q of Embodiment 1, the packing member Q2 shown in Embodiment 2 may also be used.
  • the packing member Q3 is made up of an upper packing portion 204 and a lower packing portion 214, which are connected by a hinge 164 therebetween.
  • the upper packing portion 204 rotates around the hinge 164 and functions as a lid portion. Therefore, it can change between a closed state or restricting state where it restricts and prevents movement of the cartridge P as shown in Fig. 11B, and an open state or permitting state where it allows movement of the cartridge P as shown in Fig. 11A.
  • the packing member Q3 has an opening portion 154 having a shape recessed in the second direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X (orthogonal direction Y in this embodiment).
  • the engaging portions 124a and 124b serving as restricting portions contact and are pressed by the cartridge P, and tapers 144a and 144b equivalent of force-receiving portions receive force.
  • the movement afterward in the orthogonal direction Y that is the second direction intersecting the first direction mentioned above causes the supporting portions 124a' and 124b' of the protruding portions 163a and 163b to undergo resilient deformation.
  • the packing member Q3 and the cartridge P are disengaged from each other, and thus the movement in the second direction mentioned above is allowed. As a result, the packing member Q3 can be removed from the cartridge P.
  • the opening portion 154 is closed by the upper packing portion 204, so that the effect of protecting the cartridge P from vibration or shock is enhanced on the side of the upper packing portion 204.
  • the lower packing portion 214 of this embodiment has the same shape as that of the packing member Q2 shown in Embodiment 2, but may instead have the same shape as that of the packing member Q shown in Embodiment 1.
  • separation of the packing member from the object during transportation can be prevented without providing a large fitting distance between the object and the packing member.
  • the embodiments described above can be combined as required according to needs.

Abstract

A packing member for packing an object that has an engaged portion includes a buffer portion configured to be deformable, a holding portion configured to hold an end portion of the object and attachable to the end portion by being moved in an attachment direction; and a restricting portion configured to engage with the engaged portion and restrict movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a first direction opposite from the attachment direction, while allowing movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction. When the holding portion is attached to the end portion, the restricting portion is deformed by the object so that attachment of the holding portion is allowed, and that the holding portion is removable from the end portion by being moved in the second direction relative to the end portion.

Description

PACKING MEMBER AND PACKAGE
The present invention relates to a packing member used when packing an object.
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses that use electrophotographic processes include electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (such as laser beam printers, LED printers and the like), facsimile devices, word processors, and so on. These electrophotographic image forming apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as "image forming apparatus") form a latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member that is the image bearing member by uniformly charging and by selectively exposing the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The latent image is developed with a developer and made visible as a developer image. This developer image is then transferred onto a recording medium. Heat and pressure are applied to the transferred developer image to fix the developer image on the recording medium, to record the image. The conventional practice with such image forming apparatuses involved replenishment of the developer and maintenance of various processing portion.
As one means of facilitating these developer replenishment and maintenance operations, there have been used cartridges that contain all or some of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging portion, developing portion, cleaning portion and so on integrated in a frame. Thus the process cartridge system that uses this process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as "cartridge") has been adopted, wherein the process cartridge is detachably mounted to the apparatuses.
The process cartridge system can offer much improved user-friendliness because users themselves can perform maintenance on the apparatus in the form of replacement of the cartridge. Since the cartridge is removable and can be replaced by a user, it has been the common practice for a user to remove the cartridge from the main body of an image forming apparatus and replace it with a new cartridge.
A new cartridge that is shipped out is packed, as an object, with a packing member, for protecting the cartridge from vibration or shock during transportation. When the new cartridge is mounted to the main body of an image forming apparatus, the user removes the packing member from the cartridge before mounting it to the main body of the image forming apparatus.
Various types of packing members have been offered for protecting the cartridge from vibration or shock during transportation. For example, as shown in PTL 1, pulp-molded packing members are attached to both side faces of the cartridge such as to sandwich it, and packed in a packing box in this state.
Packing members attached to both side faces of an object such as to sandwich it have been offered as shown in PTL 2 and PTL 3.
[PTL 1] Japanese Patent No. 3507377
[PTL 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-180815
[PTL 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-030877
However, the configurations shown in the background art have the following problem.
The conventional packing members attached to both side faces of an object such as to sandwich it need to be designed with a large fitting distance between the object and the packing member so as to prevent the packing members from separating from the object due to vibration or shock during transportation, and accordingly needed to be of a large size.
An object of the present invention is to provide a packing member capable of preventing separation from an object during transportation without having a large fitting distance between the object and the packing member.
To achieve the above object, a packing member of the present invention
A packing member for packing an object including an engaged portion, the packing member comprising:
a buffer portion configured to be deformable;
a holding portion configured to hold an end portion of the object and attachable to the end portion by being moved in an attachment direction; and
a restricting portion configured to engage with the engaged portion, the restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a first direction opposite from the attachment direction, while allowing movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction,
wherein when the holding portion is attached to the end portion by being moved in the attachment direction, the restricting portion is deformed by the object so that attachment of the holding portion is allowed, and
wherein the holding portion is removable from the end portion by being moved in the second direction relative to the end portion.
To achieve the above object, a package of the present invention
A package comprising:
an object including an engaged portion; and
a packing member for packing the object and including
a buffer portion configured to be deformable,
a holding portion configured to hold an end portion of the object and attachable to the end portion by being moved in an attachment direction, and
a restricting portion configured to engage with the engaged portion, the restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a first direction opposite from the attachment direction, while allowing movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction,
wherein when the holding portion is attached to the end portion by being moved in the attachment direction, the restricting portion is deformed by the object so that attachment of the holding portion is allowed, and
the holding portion is removable from the end portion by being moved in the second direction relative to the end portion.
As described above, the present invention can provide a packing member capable of preventing separation from an object during transportation without having a large fitting distance between the object and the packing member.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating how packing members Q are attached from directions opposing both of one end and the other end of the cartridge P that is the object. Fig. 1B illustrates the cartridge P with the packing members Q attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating one example of a main body of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating one example of a cartridge according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the cartridge P as seen from the drive side. Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the cartridge P as seen from the non-drive side. Fig. 5A is a diagram of the packing member Q shown in Fig. 1A to 1B. Fig. 5B is a diagram of the packing member as viewed in direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X of Fig. 5A from the opposite side from a buffer portion 110c. Fig. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state of the packing member Q being attached to the cartridge P (not shown) in the longitudinal direction X. Fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q being removed from the cartridge P (not shown) in a direction Y intersecting the longitudinal direction X. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating one example of a developing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a packing member according to Embodiment 2. Fig. 9A is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q2 being attached to the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X. Fig. 9B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q2 being removed from the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y. Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cartridge and a packing member according to Embodiment 3 in a packed state. Fig. 11A is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q3 in permitting state where it arrows movement of the cartridge P. Fig. 11B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q3 in restricting state where it restricts and prevents movement of the cartridge P.
Hereinafter, a description will be given, with reference to the drawings, of embodiments (examples) of the present invention. However, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of constituents described in the embodiments may be appropriately changed according to the configurations, various conditions, or the like of apparatuses to which the invention is applied. Therefore, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of the constituents described in the embodiments do not intend to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)
One embodiment of a packing member according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B to Fig. 7 as Embodiment 1. In the following embodiments, a cartridge detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus is shown as one example of an object packed with the packing member. Here, as one example of image forming apparatus, a full color electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "image forming apparatus") to which four cartridges can be detachably mounted is shown. The number of cartridges mounted to the image forming apparatus is not limited thereto. The number of cartridges can be set suitably as required. In the embodiments described below, a printer is shown as one form of image forming apparatus.
In the embodiments, a cartridge to which the packing member is attached, i.e., an assembly of an object and a packing member, will be referred to as package. The package is an assembly suitable for transportation adopted when transporting a cartridge for example to prevent possible damage during transportation. Such an assembly configuration enables safe transportation of the cartridge that is the object.
There can be various specific configurations of package in accordance with the structures of apparatuses, and the package is not limited to the configurations shown in the embodiments.
<<Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus>>
First, a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus in this embodiment is shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is a four-color, full-color laser printer that uses the electrophotographic process to form a color image on a recording medium S. The image forming apparatus 1 has the process cartridge system, i.e., the cartridge is removably attached to a machine’s main body 2, to form a color image on the recording medium S. Here, one side of the image forming apparatus 1 where an open/close door 3 is provided shall be the front side (front surface), and the opposite side from the front shall be the back side (rear surface). The right side as viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 1 will be referred to as the drive side, and the left side as the non-drive side.
Four cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), a first cartridge PY, a second cartridge PM, a third cartridge PC, and a fourth cartridge PK, are disposed horizontally in the machine’s main body 2. The first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) each include a similar electrophotographic processing mechanism, and contains developer (hereinafter referred to as "toner") with different colors, i.e., yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
In the description from now on, the cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) will be referred to as cartridge P, as they each have a similar configuration. A rotary drive force is transmitted to the cartridge P from a drive output unit (not shown) in the machine’s main body 2. Also, a bias voltage (such as a charging bias, a developing bias, etc.) is applied (not shown) to the cartridge P from the machine’s main body 2.
<<Schematic configuration of cartridge>>
As shown in Fig. 3, the cartridge P of this embodiment includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member 4 (hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum"), and a cleaning unit 8, which is a first frame body equipped with charging portion and cleaning portion as processing portions that act on the photosensitive drum 4. The cartridge P also includes a developing apparatus 9 that is a second frame body having developing portion for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4. The cleaning unit 8 and the developing apparatus 9 are coupled to each other. A charging roller 5, a cleaning blade 7, and a developer carrying member 6 (hereinafter referred to as "developing roller") are used as the charging portion, cleaning portion, and developing portion, respectively. More specific features of the cartridge configuration will be described later.
As shown in Fig. 2, a laser scanner unit LB is provided as exposure portion above the cartridge P. The laser scanner unit LB outputs a laser beam Z in accordance with image information. The laser beam Z passes through an exposure window 10 in the cartridge P, scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. An intermediate transfer belt unit 11 is provided as a transfer member below the cartridge P. The intermediate transfer belt unit 11 includes a driver roller 13, a turn roller 14, and a tension roller 15, with a flexible transfer belt 12 passed over the rollers. A lower surface of the photosensitive drum 4 of the cartridge P is in contact with an upper surface of the transfer belt 12. The contacting portions constitute a primary transfer portion. A primary transfer roller 16 is provided inside the transfer belt 12 and opposite the photosensitive drum 4.
A secondary transfer roller 17 is abutted on the turn roller 14 via the transfer belt 12. The contacting portions of the transfer belt 12 and the secondary transfer roller 17 constitute a secondary transfer portion. A paper feed unit 18 is provided below the intermediate transfer belt unit 11. The paper feed unit 18 includes a paper feed tray 19 that contains a stack of recording media S, and a paper feed roller 20. A fixing unit 21 and a discharge unit 22 are provided in a top left portion inside the machine’s main body 2 in Fig. 2. The upper face of the machine’s main body 2 serves as a discharge tray 23. After a toner image is fixed thereon by fixing portion in the fixing unit 21, the recording medium S is discharged onto the discharge tray 23.
<<Cartridge configuration>>
Figs. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the cartridge P according to this embodiment viewed from different angles. Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the cartridge P as seen from the drive side. Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the cartridge P as seen from the non-drive side. The cartridge P has a horizontally long, substantially cuboidal shape, with its longitudinal direction (direction X) oriented along the direction of the rotation axis b of the photosensitive drum 4. The cartridge has a two-frame configuration, wherein a drive-side cover member 24 and a non-drive-side cover member 25, both secured to the cleaning unit 8, support the developing apparatus 9 such as to be rotatable around a pivoting center (one-dot chain line a in Fig. 4A).
As shown in Fig. 3, the cleaning unit (drum unit) 8 is made up of the photosensitive drum 4, the charging roller 5, and a cleaning container 26 that has the cleaning blade 7. As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the photosensitive drum 4 is rotatably supported by the drive-side cover member 24 and non-drive-side cover member 25, and driven to rotate by a drive force of the motor (not shown) in the machine’s main body 2 transmitted via a drum drive coupling 4a (in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. 3, the charging roller 5 is rotatably supported at both ends by a charging roller bearing 27 in the cleaning container 26. As the charging roller is driven to rotate by making surface contact with the photosensitive drum 4, a charging bias is applied, so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is charged. In order to charge the surface uniformly, both ends of the charging roller 5 are brought into pressure contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 by a charging roller pressure spring 28. The cleaning blade 7 is fixed in the cleaning container 26, and has an elastic rubber portion at the tip abutted to the photosensitive drum 4 in a counter direction to the rotating direction (direction of arrow D in Fig. 3) of the photosensitive drum. During image formation, the cleaning blade scrapes off any remnant of transferred residual toner on the photosensitive drum 4 to clean the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The transferred residual toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 7 from the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is collected in a waste toner container 26a of the cleaning container 26 as waste toner.
As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 7, the developing apparatus 9 is a transport member that transports the developer, and has a horizontally long shape with its length extending along the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 6 that is the developing portion. In addition to the developing roller 6, the developing apparatus includes a developing frame 29, a developing blade 31, and a developer supply roller 33 (Fig. 7). As shown in Fig. 3, the developing frame 29 has a toner containing chamber 29c, with an opening 29b for discharging toner from the toner containing chamber 29c. The developing roller 6 and developer supply roller 33 are disposed at the opening 29b of the developing frame 29.
As shown in Fig. 7, both axial end portions (core 6a) of the developing roller 6 are rotatably supported by a drive-side bearing 38 and a non-drive-side bearing 39 attached to both side faces of the developing frame 29. A developing roller gear 40 and a supply roller gear 41 are disposed at the drive-side end of the core 6a of the developing roller 6 and a core 33a of the developer supply roller 33, respectively, and mated with a developing drive input gear 42.
The developing drive input gear 42 includes a developing drive coupling 42a. A drive output coupling (not shown) on the machine’s main body 2 mates with the developing drive input gear 42 to transmit the drive force of the drive motor (not shown) of the machine’s main body 2, so that the developing roller 6 and developer supply roller 33 are driven to rotate at predetermined speeds. A free end in short-side direction of the developing blade 31 is abutted on the developing roller 6 in a counter direction to the rotating direction (direction of arrow E in Fig. 3) of the developing roller.
The developing apparatus (developing unit) 9 is always biased by a pressure spring (not shown) in a direction in which the developing roller 6 rotates around the pivoting center (axis a) shown in Fig. 4A to contact the photosensitive drum 4 (in the direction of arrow W1 in Fig. 3), so that the developing roller 6 stays in contact with the photosensitive drum 4. When driven during image formation, the developer supply roller 33 and developing roller 6 rotate in sliding contact with each other, so that the toner inside the developing frame 29 is carried on the developing roller 6. The developing blade 31 regulates the thickness of the toner layer formed on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 6, as well as applies a charge to the toner by frictional charging as it contacts and applies pressure to the developing roller 6. The charged toner on the developing roller 6 in the contacting portions of the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4, and thus the latent image is developed.
<<Packing member configuration>>
Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating how packing members Q are attached from directions opposing both of one end and the other end of the cartridge P that is the object so as to protect the object from vibration or shock. Fig. 1B illustrates the cartridge P with the packing members Q attached thereto. To protect the cartridge P from dust or the like, a plastic bag (not shown) is covered over the cartridge P. The bag may be positioned outside the cartridge P and the packing members Q, or between the cartridge P and the packing members Q. The cartridge P with the packing members Q attached thereto is inserted into a packing box (not shown) such as a cardboard box. For clarification, the example in Figs. 1A and 1B is illustrated in a reduced scale with the dimensions changed from the actual ones.
Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q shown in Figs. 1A and 1B. Fig. 5B is a diagram of the packing member as viewed in direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X of Fig. 5A from the opposite side from a buffer portion 110c. As noted above, in this embodiment, the packing member Q is attached to each of one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction X of the cartridge P. One packing member Q and the other have the same specifications. Namely, the packing member Q attached to one end has the same shape as that of the packing member Q attached to the other end. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, one of the packing members at one end or the other end will be described from now on and description of the other one will be omitted.
The packing member Q includes an object holding portion (holding portion) 100 that comes to contact with the cartridge P and buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d (Figs. 1A and 1B) that protect the cartridge P from external vibration or shock. The buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d mitigate vibration or shock by deforming themselves. The buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d form closed loops together with the wall surfaces that the buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d are attached to. The buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d are bent such that a plurality of corrugations are formed along the circumferential direction of the closed loops. The buffer portions 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d are crushed when impacted during transportation, but are configured to be capable of restoring their original shape by their own resiliency.
The packing member Q is formed integrally from resin, and includes a plurality of engaging portions (restricting portions) 120a and 120b that engage with the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X of the cartridge P. The engaging portions 120a and 120b are deformable due to the resiliency of the resin, and fit with engaged portions provided to the cartridge P as will be described later. While polypropylene is preferable, the material of the packing member Q is not limited to polypropylene. The engaging portions 120a and 120b are provided with resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b as protruding portions. The resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b are each formed with a lightening portion (hole) so that they have an arch shape. The lightening portion extend through the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b in the longitudinal direction X.
Fig. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state of the packing member Q being attached to the cartridge P (not shown) in the longitudinal direction X. Here, "attaching the packing member Q to the cartridge P" means attaching the packing member Q to the cartridge P such that an end portion of the cartridge P will be received in the holding portion 100. In this embodiment, the attachment direction of the packing member Q coincides with the longitudinal direction X. As the packing member Q is attached to the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X, the plurality of engaging portions 120a and 120b contact and are pressed by the cartridge P. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 5B, the engaging portions 120a and 120b are provided with an inclined surface (taper) at the distal ends. As the taper abuts on the cartridge P, the engaging portions 120a and 120b are deformed. In other words, the taper is the force-receiving portion that receives the force to cause the engaging portions 120a and 120b to deform by making contact with the cartridge P. In this embodiment, the force is received near the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b.
When the plurality of engaging portions 120a and 120b contact and are pressed by the cartridge P, the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b that are relatively weaker in strength and tapered along the longitudinal direction X undergo resilient deformation. Since this reduces the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 120a and 120b, the packing member Q can be attached to the cartridge P. After being attached, the engaging portions 120a and 120b fit in and mate with engaged portions 90a and 90b that are grooves in the cartridge P as shown in Fig. 1B. Any attempt to remove the packing member Q from the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X is hindered since there occurs no resilient deformation of the engaging portions 120a and 120b that will reduce the resistance between the cartridge P and the packing member Q, so that the packing member Q cannot be removed from the cartridge P. During transportation, when the packing member Q is crashed due to vibration or shock, there are formed gaps between the packing box and the packing member Q. In the configuration of this embodiment, the packing member Q is engaged with the cartridge P by the engaging portions 120a and 120b. Therefore, even if the packing member Q is crashed, the packing member Q stays attached to the cartridge P and moves therewith inside the packing box.
Namely, when attaching the packing member Q to the cartridge P, the engaging portions 120a and 120b mate with the grooves, or the engaged portions 90a and 90b, of the cartridge P. This restricts the holding portion 100 of the packing member Q from moving in a first direction, which is the opposite direction from the attachment direction, so that the holding portion 100 does not separate from the end portion of the cartridge P. On the other hand, movement in the attachment direction is allowed, as the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 120a and 120b is reduced by deformation of the lightening portion of the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b provided to the engaging portions 120a and 120b. Thus the holding portion 100 of the packing member Q is allowed to be attached to the end portion of the cartridge P.
Fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q being removed from the cartridge P (not shown) in a direction Y intersecting the longitudinal direction X (orthogonal in this embodiment). The packing member Q includes an opening portion 150 for allowing removal of the cartridge P from the holding portion 100 in the orthogonal direction Y. The cartridge P is moved in a second direction intersecting the first direction mentioned above (orthogonal direction Y in this embodiment) to be taken out of the opening portion 150. As the resilient deformation portions 170a and 170b (Figs. 5A and 5B) contact end portions of the engaged portions 90a and 90b of the cartridge P, they undergo resilient deformation. This reduces the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 120a and 120b, causing the packing member Q and the cartridge P to be disengaged from each other, and thus the movement in the second direction mentioned above is allowed. As a result, the packing member Q can be removed from the cartridge P.
Conventional packing members have an inside contour conforming to the outer shape of the object to secure a large fitting distance between the object and the packing member, so as to prevent the packing member from separating from the object when subjected to vibration or shock during transportation. According to this embodiment, the engaging portions 120a and 120b can prevent the packing member Q from separating from the cartridge P, which may be caused by vibration or shock during transportation, without making the packing member Q large, or even when the fitting distance in the longitudinal direction X between the cartridge P and the packing member Q is small. Moreover, removal of the packing member Q from the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y is made easier.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described as Embodiment 2 with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the packing member according to this embodiment. Description of the features that are repetitions of the contents already described in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. The packing member Q2 includes engaging portions 122a and 122b configured as restricting portions to engage in the longitudinal direction X with the cartridge P that is the object, the engaging portions 122a and 122b being engaging pieces that make engagement by resiliency of resin. As shown in Fig. 8, the engaging portions 122a and 122b have protruding portions 162a and 162b. The protruding portions 162a and 162b are provided with tapers (second inclined surface) 132a, 132b, 142a, and 142b tapered in the orthogonal direction Y. The protruding portions 162a and 162b are also provided with tapers in the longitudinal direction X (first inclined surface) 182a and 182b. In other words, these tapers 132a, 132b, 142a, 142b, 182a and 182b together form the protruding portions 162a and 162b to the engaging portions.
Attachment and removal of the packing member according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 9A and 9B. Fig. 9A is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q2 being attached to the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X. As the packing member Q2 is attached to the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X, the engaging portions 122a and 122b serving as restricting portions deflect when the tapers 182a and 182b that are equivalent of force-receiving portions contact and are pressed by the cartridge P. Supporting portions 122a' and 122b' of the protruding portions 162a and 162b thus undergo resilient deformation. This reduces the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 122a and 122b, so that the packing member Q2 can be attached to the cartridge P. After being attached, the engaging portions 122a and 122b fit in and mate with engaged portions 92a and 92b (not shown) that are grooves in the cartridge P. Any attempt to remove the packing member Q2 from the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X is hindered since there occurs no deflection of the engaging portions 122a and 122b that will reduce the resistance between the cartridge P and the packing member Q2, so that the packing member Q2 cannot be removed from the cartridge P. Namely, when the packing member Q2 is attached to the cartridge P, the engaging portions 122a and 122b mate with the engaged portions 92a and 92b (grooves) of the cartridge P. This restricts the holding portion 100 of the packing member Q2 from moving in the first direction, which is the opposite direction from the attachment direction, so that the holding portion 100 does not separate from the end portion of the cartridge P. On the other hand, when moved in the attachment direction, the supporting portions 122a' and 122b' of the protruding portions 162a and 162b deform, as the tapers 182a and 182b, which are part of the protruding portions provided to the engaging portions 122a and 122b, contact the cartridge P. This reduces the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 122a and 122b, and thus the holding part 100 of the packing member Q2 is allowed to be attached to the end portion of the cartridge P.
Fig. 9B is a diagram illustrating the packing member Q2 being removed from the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y. The operation of removing the packing member Q2 from the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y will be described. The engaging portions 122a and 122b serving as restricting portions have tapers 142a and 142b (not shown) on their side faces. This makes it easy for them to ride over the step of the engaged portions 92a and 92b (not shown) of the cartridge P. As the cartridge P is moved in the second direction intersecting the first direction mentioned above (orthogonal direction Y in this embodiment) toward the opening portion 150, the tapers 142a and 142b abut on end portions of the engaged portions 92a and 92b and receive force. This causes the supporting portions 122a' and 122b' of the protruding portions 162a and 162b to undergo resilient deformation. Since the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 122a and 122b is reduced at this time, the packing member Q2 and the cartridge P are disengaged from each other, and thus the movement in the second direction mentioned above is allowed. As a result, the packing member Q2 can be removed from the cartridge P. The work efficiency when removing the packing member Q2 from the cartridge P is improved in this way as described above.
(Embodiment 3)
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described as Embodiment 3 with reference to Fig. 10. Description of the features that are repetitions of the contents already described in other embodiments will be omitted. As already mentioned in Embodiment 1, the packing member Q includes engaging portions 120a and 120b (Figs. 5A and 5B) serving as restricting portions to engage with the cartridge P in the longitudinal direction X. The engaging portions 120a and 120b are engaging pieces that make engagement by resiliency of resin. Fig. 10 shows that the grooves, or the engaged portions 192a, 192b (not shown), 193a, and 193b (not shown), of the cartridge P, do not restrict movements of the packing member Q in orthogonal directions Y. Namely, the grooves in this embodiment are provided with open portions that open to a direction in which an attempt to remove the packing member Q from the cartridge P is made in Embodiment 1, i.e., downward, which is at least one of the second directions intersecting the first direction mentioned above. Therefore, when the packing member Q is removed from the cartridge P, the engaging portions 120a and 120b need not ride over the steps of the engaged portions 192a, 192b, 193a, and 193b of the cartridge P in the orthogonal direction Y. Accordingly, the work efficiency when removing the packing member Q from the cartridge P is improved. While the packing member of this embodiment is the same as the packing member Q of Embodiment 1, the packing member Q2 shown in Embodiment 2 may also be used.
(Embodiment 4)
Lastly, another embodiment of the present invention will be described as Embodiment 4 with reference to Figs. 11A and 11B. Description of the features that are repetitions of the contents already described in other embodiments will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 11A, the packing member Q3 is made up of an upper packing portion 204 and a lower packing portion 214, which are connected by a hinge 164 therebetween. The upper packing portion 204 rotates around the hinge 164 and functions as a lid portion. Therefore, it can change between a closed state or restricting state where it restricts and prevents movement of the cartridge P as shown in Fig. 11B, and an open state or permitting state where it allows movement of the cartridge P as shown in Fig. 11A. In the open state, the packing member Q3 has an opening portion 154 having a shape recessed in the second direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X (orthogonal direction Y in this embodiment).
When the end portion of the cartridge P moves toward the opening portion 154, the engaging portions 124a and 124b serving as restricting portions contact and are pressed by the cartridge P, and tapers 144a and 144b equivalent of force-receiving portions receive force. The movement afterward in the orthogonal direction Y that is the second direction intersecting the first direction mentioned above causes the supporting portions 124a' and 124b' of the protruding portions 163a and 163b to undergo resilient deformation. Since the resistance between the cartridge P and the engaging portions 124a and 124b is reduced at this time, the packing member Q3 and the cartridge P are disengaged from each other, and thus the movement in the second direction mentioned above is allowed. As a result, the packing member Q3 can be removed from the cartridge P.
In the closed state, the opening portion 154 is closed by the upper packing portion 204, so that the effect of protecting the cartridge P from vibration or shock is enhanced on the side of the upper packing portion 204. The lower packing portion 214 of this embodiment has the same shape as that of the packing member Q2 shown in Embodiment 2, but may instead have the same shape as that of the packing member Q shown in Embodiment 1.
As described above, according to the present invention, separation of the packing member from the object during transportation can be prevented without providing a large fitting distance between the object and the packing member. The embodiments described above can be combined as required according to needs.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-048588, filed on March 15, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Claims (20)

  1. A packing member for packing an object including an engaged portion, the packing member comprising:
    a buffer portion configured to be deformable;
    a holding portion configured to hold an end portion of the object and attachable to the end portion by being moved in an attachment direction; and
    a restricting portion configured to engage with the engaged portion, the restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a first direction opposite from the attachment direction, while allowing movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction,
    wherein when the holding portion is attached to the end portion by being moved in the attachment direction, the restricting portion is deformed by the object so that attachment of the holding portion is allowed, and
    wherein the holding portion is removable from the end portion by being moved in the second direction relative to the end portion.
  2. The packing member according to claim 1, wherein the restricting portion includes a protruding portion that engages with the engaged portion and a supporting portion that supports the protruding portion.
  3. The packing member according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion includes a force-receiving portion that receives a force that causes the restricting portion to deform from the object when the holding portion is attached to the end portion.
  4. The packing member according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protruding portion is configured to be deformable so that the holding portion is allowed to be attached to the end portion in the attachment direction.
  5. The packing member according to claim 3, wherein the protruding portion includes a lightening portion that is deformable so that the holding portion is allowed to be attached to the end portion in the attachment direction.
  6. The packing member according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the supporting portion is configured to be deformable so that the holding portion is allowed to be attached to the end portion in the attachment direction.
  7. The packing member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the holding portion has a recessed shape into which the end portion is inserted, the recessed shape having an open portion that opens toward the second direction, and
    the packing member includes a lid portion capable of closing the open portion and capable of being a restricting state where the lid portion restricts movement of the end portion inserted into the recessed shape in the second direction, and a permitting state where the lid portion allows movement of the end portion inserted into the recessed shape in the second direction.
  8. The packing member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the buffer portion is provided outside the holding portion, and
    the packing member is made of a resin material.
  9. The packing member according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the object is a cartridge detachably attached to an image forming apparatus.
  10. A package comprising:
    an object including an engaged portion; and
    a packing member for packing the object and including
    a buffer portion configured to be deformable,
    a holding portion configured to hold an end portion of the object and attachable to the end portion by being moved in an attachment direction, and
    a restricting portion configured to engage with the engaged portion, the restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a first direction opposite from the attachment direction, while allowing movement of the holding portion attached to the end portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction,
    wherein when the holding portion is attached to the end portion by being moved in the attachment direction, the restricting portion is deformed by the object so that attachment of the holding portion is allowed, and
    the holding portion is removable from the end portion by being moved in the second direction relative to the end portion.
  11. The package according to claim 10, wherein the engaged portion is a groove that engages with the restricting portion and includes an open portion that opens to at least one direction in the second direction.
  12. The package according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the restricting portion includes a protruding portion that engages with the engaged portion and a supporting portion that supports the protruding portion.
  13. The package according to claim 12, wherein the protruding portion includes a force-receiving portion that receives a force that causes the restricting portion to deform from the object when the holding portion is attached to the end portion.
  14. The package according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the protruding portion is configured to be deformable so that the holding portion is allowed to be attached to the end portion in the attachment direction.
  15. The package according to claim 12, wherein the protruding portion includes a lightening portion that is deformable so that the holding portion is allowed to be attached to the end portion in the attachment direction.
  16. The package according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the supporting portion is configured to be deformable so that the holding portion is allowed to be attached to the end portion in the attachment direction.
  17. The package according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the holding portion has a recessed shape into which the end portion is inserted in the first direction, the recessed shape having an open portion that opens toward the second direction, and
    the packing member includes a lid portion capable of closing the open portion and capable of being a restricting state where the lid portion restricts movement of the end portion inserted into the recessed shape in the second direction, and a permitting state where the lid portion allows movement of the end portion inserted into the recessed shape in the second direction.
  18. The package according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the buffer portion is provided outside the holding portion, and
    the packing member is made of a resin material.
  19. The package according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the object is a cartridge detachably attached to an image forming apparatus.
  20. The package according to claim 19, wherein the cartridge includes a transport member that rotates and transports a developer, and
    the package comprises the packing member attached to one end of the cartridge in a rotation axis direction of the transport member, and the packing member attached to the other end of the cartridge.
PCT/JP2019/010696 2018-03-15 2019-03-14 Packing member and package WO2019177126A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2018-048588 2018-03-15
JP2018048588A JP2019156471A (en) 2018-03-15 2018-03-15 Packaging member, and packaging body

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019177126A1 true WO2019177126A1 (en) 2019-09-19

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ID=66001286

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/JP2019/010696 WO2019177126A1 (en) 2018-03-15 2019-03-14 Packing member and package

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Country Link
JP (1) JP2019156471A (en)
WO (1) WO2019177126A1 (en)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS507377B1 (en) 1965-03-30 1975-03-25
JP2000199995A (en) * 1998-11-04 2000-07-18 Canon Inc Packing form for developer replenishing container
JP3402823B2 (en) * 1994-08-24 2003-05-06 キヤノン株式会社 Protective cap for liquid outflow opening of liquid holding member and liquid holding member having the same
WO2008087370A2 (en) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Thomas Murdoch Edge protector
EP2017183A1 (en) * 2007-07-17 2009-01-21 Sheng-Hsi Kuo Packaging buffer material
JP2012030877A (en) 2010-08-02 2012-02-16 Nikon Corp Buffer member
JP2013180815A (en) 2012-03-02 2013-09-12 The Pack Corp Packing buffer
JP2018048588A (en) 2016-09-21 2018-03-29 株式会社デンソー Electronic control device

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS507377B1 (en) 1965-03-30 1975-03-25
JP3402823B2 (en) * 1994-08-24 2003-05-06 キヤノン株式会社 Protective cap for liquid outflow opening of liquid holding member and liquid holding member having the same
JP2000199995A (en) * 1998-11-04 2000-07-18 Canon Inc Packing form for developer replenishing container
WO2008087370A2 (en) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Thomas Murdoch Edge protector
EP2017183A1 (en) * 2007-07-17 2009-01-21 Sheng-Hsi Kuo Packaging buffer material
JP2012030877A (en) 2010-08-02 2012-02-16 Nikon Corp Buffer member
JP2013180815A (en) 2012-03-02 2013-09-12 The Pack Corp Packing buffer
JP2018048588A (en) 2016-09-21 2018-03-29 株式会社デンソー Electronic control device

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