JP2011022372A - Packing structure of cartridge, and cover member - Google Patents

Abstract

Even if an impact is received from the outside, the impact is reduced and the force acting on the cartridge is reduced.
A cover member mounted on a cartridge so as to cover a photosensitive drum in a state where the cartridge is detached from the apparatus main body, and a packing body for packing the cartridge on which the cover member is mounted. The cartridge 12 is provided with a flat portion 40 extending in the horizontal direction in a state in which the cartridge 12 is packed in the buffer member, and the packing body is opposed to the flat portion 40 with a space therebetween. The cover member 31 is provided with elastic members 64 and 65 that are elastically deformed between the flat surface portion 40 and the facing portion.
[Selection] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge packing structure that is detachable from an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a cartridge in which a photosensitive drum is integrated is detachably attached to an apparatus main body.
When the cartridge is stored or transported, a cover that covers the photosensitive drum is attached to the cartridge so as not to damage the photosensitive drum (see Patent Document 1).

In addition, this type of cartridge is housed in a packaging box made of cardboard or the like for transportation and storage. When the cartridge is accommodated in the packing box, a shock absorbing member is disposed in the packing box in order to prevent the cartridge from being damaged due to the shock, and the shock applied to the cartridge is mitigated by the shock absorbing member.
JP 2001-282079 A

  However, since the shock absorbing capacity of the buffer member is reduced due to the downsizing of the cushioning material accompanying the downsizing of the packing box, the photosensitive drum may be damaged by an external impact. In addition, since the cartridge has been reduced in weight by the downsizing of the cartridge, there is a problem that even if the buffer member is attached, when the cartridge is accidentally dropped, a load is applied to the cartridge and the cartridge frame is easily damaged.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the force acting on the cartridge by reducing the impact even when an impact is applied from the outside.

In order to achieve this object, the cartridge packaging structure according to claim 1 is a cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a cover member mounted on the cartridge so as to cover the photosensitive drum, and the cover member mounted. In a cartridge packing structure comprising a packing body for packing the cartridge in a state where the cartridge is packed,
The cover member is in contact with the packing body, and an elastic portion that is in contact with the cartridge and elastically deformed between the contact section and the cartridge in the opposing direction of the cartridge and the packing body. It is characterized by having.

  3. The cartridge packing structure according to claim 2, wherein the elastic portion has a part of the contact portion as a base end and extends from the contact portion toward the cartridge to contact the cartridge. Is an elastic piece having a free end.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cartridge packing structure according to the first or second aspect, wherein the cartridge bridges a pair of side plates that support both ends of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction and the pair of side plates. With a cross-linked plate,
The elastic portion is in contact with both end portions in the axial direction in the vicinity of the pair of side plates in the bridging plate of the cartridge.

5. The cartridge packing structure according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cover member mounted on the cartridge so as to cover the photosensitive drum, and the cartridge is packed in a state where the cover member is mounted. In the packing structure of the cartridge provided with the packing body to
The cover member is in contact with the cartridge, and is in contact with the packing body, and elastically deformed in the opposing direction of the cartridge and the packing body between the contact portion and the packing body. Part.

  The cartridge packing structure according to claim 5 is the cartridge packing structure according to claim 4, wherein the elastic portion has a part of the contact portion as a base end and extends from the contact portion toward the package body. The contact portion is an elastic piece that is a free end.

  The cartridge packing structure according to claim 6 is the cartridge packing structure according to claim 5, wherein the elastic piece includes a first elastic piece extending from one side to the other side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum and a second extending from the other side to the one side. An elastic piece is provided.

A cartridge packing structure according to a seventh aspect is the cartridge packaging structure according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein the cartridge includes a pair of side plates that support both ends of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction, and the pair of side plates. A cross-linking plate that cross-links between the side plates,
The contact portion is in contact with both axial end portions in the vicinity of the pair of side plates of the bridging plate of the cartridge.

The cartridge packing structure according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the cartridge packing structure according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the cartridge communicates a charging device that charges the photosensitive drum, and an interior and an exterior of the charging device. A film member extending outward from the proximity position of the charging opening to be
The cover member is formed with a film cover portion that covers the film member.

The cover member according to claim 9 is a cover member attached to the cartridge so as to cover the photosensitive drum when the cartridge including the photosensitive drum is packed in a packing body.
A contact portion that contacts the packing body; and an elastic portion that contacts the cartridge and elastically deforms between the contact portion and the packing body in a direction opposite to the cartridge and the packing body. It is characterized by.

  A cover member according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the cover member according to the ninth aspect, wherein the elastic portion has a part of the abutting portion as a base end, and a portion extending from the abutting portion toward the cartridge is in contact with the cartridge. It is the elastic piece which is an end, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

The cover member according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the cover member according to the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein the cartridge includes a frame that accommodates the photosensitive drum, and the frame supports a pair of axial ends of the photosensitive drum. A side plate and a cross-linking plate that cross-links between the pair of side plates,
The elastic portion is in contact with both axial end portions in the vicinity of the pair of side plates in the bridge plate of the frame.

The cover member according to claim 12 is a cartridge packed in a packing body.
In a cover member attached to the cartridge so as to cover the photosensitive drum when the cartridge including the photosensitive drum is packed in a package,
A contact portion that contacts the cartridge; and an elastic portion that contacts the package and elastically deforms between the contact portion and the cartridge in the opposing direction of the cartridge and the package. Features.

  A cover member according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the cover member according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the elastic portion has a part of the abutting portion as a base end and extends from the abutting portion toward the packing body and contacts the packing body. Is an elastic piece having a free end.

  The cover member according to claim 14 is the cover member according to claim 13, wherein the elastic piece includes a first elastic piece extending from one side to the other side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum and a second elastic piece extending from the other side to the one side. It is characterized by having.

A cover member according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the cover member according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, wherein the cartridge includes a frame that accommodates the photosensitive drum, and the frame includes both ends in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. A pair of side plates that support the portion, and a bridge plate that bridges between the pair of side plates,
The contact portion is in contact with both axial end portions of the bridge plate in the vicinity of the pair of side plates.

The cover member according to claim 16 is the cover member according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the cartridge is a charging device that charges the photosensitive drum, and charging that connects the inside and the outside of the charging device. And a film member extending outward from the proximity position of the opening,
A film cover portion covering the film member is provided.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the cartridge packing structure according to claim 1 and the cover member according to claim 9, the cartridge is dropped with the photosensitive drum facing downward during transportation or storage of the cartridge. Even then, since the cover member is provided with the elastic piece, the elastic portion is elastically deformed between the contact portion and the cartridge to absorb the impact force. Therefore, the force transmitted to the cartridge can be reduced, and damage to the cartridge can be prevented.

  According to the packaging structure of the cartridge according to claim 2 and the cover member according to claim 10, the elastic member is extended from a part of the contact portion to form an elastic piece, thereby easily integrating the cover member that absorbs the impact force. Can be formed.

  According to the cartridge packing structure according to claim 3 and the cover member according to claim 11, the elastic portion is brought into contact with the rigid portion of the cartridge (frame) without causing the cartridge (frame) to bend. Can absorb the shock.

  According to the cartridge packing structure according to claim 4 and the cover member according to claim 12, even if the cartridge is dropped with the photosensitive drum facing downward during transportation or storage of the cartridge, the elastic piece is applied to the cover member. Since it is provided, the elastic portion can be elastically deformed between the contact portion and the package to absorb the impact force. Therefore, the force transmitted to the cartridge can be reduced, and damage to the cartridge can be prevented.

  According to the cartridge packing structure of claim 5 and the cover member of claim 13, the cover member that absorbs the impact force is easily integrated by extending the elastic part from a part of the contact part to form an elastic piece. Can be formed.

  According to the cartridge packing structure according to claim 6 and the cover member according to claim 14, the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece are provided by providing two elastic pieces, the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece. It is possible to disperse the impact force on the surface and to improve the absorption force against the impact.

  According to the cartridge packing structure according to claim 7 and the cover member according to claim 15, the cartridge (frame) is elastic without being bent by abutting the abutting portion against a highly rigid portion of the cartridge (frame). The shock can be absorbed by the part.

  According to the cartridge packing structure of the eighth aspect and the cover member of the sixteenth aspect, the film member can be prevented from being damaged due to interference with other members when the cartridge is transported.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of a color printer. FIG. 4 is a left side view of a photosensitive cartridge as a cartridge. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the photoconductor cartridge with a cover member attached. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the photoreceptor cartridge. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the photoconductor cartridge with a cover member attached. It is the perspective view which looked at the cover member from the lower side. It is the perspective view which looked at the cover member from the upper side. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing how a cover member is attached to and detached from a photosensitive cartridge. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing how a cover member is attached to and detached from a photosensitive cartridge. It is sectional drawing of the state which packed the photoreceptor cartridge in the package. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a state where a photosensitive cartridge is packed in a packing body. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the photoconductor cartridge which attached the cover member is accommodated in a packing bag. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that a packing body is mounted | worn with the photoconductor cartridge to which the cover member was attached. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a photosensitive cartridge mounted with a cover member according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a third embodiment, and showing a state where a photosensitive cartridge with a cover member attached is attached to a package. FIG. 3 is a perspective view in which the cover member of the first embodiment is attached to a process cartridge. It is the perspective view which attached the cover member of 2nd Embodiment to the process cartridge.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
First, the overall configuration of the color printer will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, the left side toward the paper surface is “front side”, the right side toward the paper surface is “rear side”, the back side toward the paper surface is “left side”, and the front side toward the paper surface is “right side”. In addition, the vertical direction toward the page is defined as the “vertical direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer 1 includes an image forming unit 2 in which a paper feeding unit 3 that supplies paper P, an image forming unit 4 that forms an image on the fed paper P, and an image are formed. And a paper discharge unit 5 for discharging the paper P.

  The paper feed unit 3 is provided in the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, and a paper feed tray 6 that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2, and a paper supply for conveying the paper P from the paper feed tray 6 to the image forming unit 4. The mechanism 7 is mainly provided. In the paper feeding unit 3, the paper P in the paper feeding tray 6 is separated one by one by the paper feeding mechanism 7 and supplied to the image forming unit 4.

  The image forming unit 4 mainly includes four LED heads 8, four process cartridges 9, a transfer unit 10, and a fixing unit 11.

  The LED head 8 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a line in the left-right direction. The process cartridge 9 is arranged above the paper feed unit 3 in the front-rear direction. Each process cartridge 9 contains toner of four colors, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

The process cartridge 9 includes a photoreceptor cartridge 12 that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2 and a developing cartridge 27 that is detachably attached to the photoreceptor cartridge 12.
The photosensitive cartridge 12 includes a photosensitive drum 13 and a charging device 14, and the developing cartridge 27 includes a developing roller 16 and a supply roller 17, and a toner storage chamber 24 that stores toner.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer unit 10 mainly includes a drive roller 18, a driven roller 19, a conveyance belt 20, and a transfer roller 21. Further, the fixing unit 11 includes a heating roller 22 and a pressure roller 23 that is disposed to face the heating roller 22 and presses the heating roller 22.

  In the image forming unit 4 configured as described above, first, the surface of each photosensitive drum 13 is uniformly charged positively by the charging device 14 and then exposed to light emitted from each LED head 8. . As a result, the potential of the exposed portion is lowered, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on each photosensitive drum 13.

  The toner T in the toner storage chamber 24 is supplied to the developing roller 16 by the rotation of the supply roller 17 and is carried on the developing roller 16 as a thin layer having a constant thickness. Here, the toner T carried on the developing roller 16 is frictionally charged positively between the supply roller 17 and the developing roller 16.

  The toner T carried on the developing roller 16 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 13. As a result, the toner T is selectively carried on the photosensitive drum 13 to visualize the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed by reversal development.

  Then, the paper P supplied on the conveyor belt 20 passes between each photosensitive drum 13 and each transfer roller 21, so that the toner image formed on each photosensitive drum 13 is transferred onto the paper P. Is done. When the paper P passes between the heating roller 22 and the pressure roller 23, the toner image transferred onto the paper P is thermally fixed.

  The paper discharge unit 5 mainly includes a plurality of transport rollers 25 that transport the paper P. The sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred and heat-fixed is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 2 by the transport roller 25 and accumulated in the paper discharge tray 26.

Next, the photosensitive member cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the following description, the front, rear, left, right, top and bottom are defined with reference to a state (see FIG. 11) in which the photosensitive cartridge 12 is packed in a buffer member 32 as a packing body to be described later, and the left side in FIG. The right side is “lower”, the back side toward the paper surface is “right side”, and the front side toward the paper surface is “left side”. Further, the vertical direction toward the paper surface is defined as the “front-rear direction”.

The photosensitive cartridge 12 is mounted on the color printer 1 with the developing cartridge 27 mounted on the frame 33.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the frame 33 of the photosensitive cartridge 12 includes a rear side plate 39 and a pair of left and right side plates 35 and 36 provided at both ends in the left and right direction of the rear side plate 39. . A bridging plate 88 extending in the left-right direction is installed under the pair of left and right side plates 35, 36 (see FIG. 8). The frame 33 is integrally formed of synthetic resin.

A pair of rectangular flat portions 40 extending in a substantially horizontal direction (substantially front-rear direction) are formed on both ends in the left-right direction of the bridge plate 88 (see FIG. 8). Between the pair of flat portions 40 of the bridging plate 88, a recessed portion 83 that is recessed upward from the flat portion 40 is formed (see FIG. 8). Since the bridge plate 88 spans the left and right side plates 35 and 36, the rigidity of the bridge plate 88 in the vertical direction is low. Since the flat surface portion 40 is disposed close to the left and right side plates 35 and 36, the vertical rigidity is higher than that of the recessed portion 83.
In the present embodiment, a pair of flat portions 40 are formed on both sides of the accommodating portion 41 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 13, but extend in the axial direction (left and right direction) of the photosensitive drum 13 and are integrated with the left and right sides. May be.

  The photosensitive drum 13 is rotatably supported on the lower side of the frame 33, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is exposed through an opening 89 surrounded by the bridge plate 88 and the left and right side plates 35 and 36 ( FIG. 2 and FIG. 8). Both end portions of the shaft 34 of the photosensitive drum 13 protrude from the left and right side plates 35 and 36 of the frame 33. The shaft 34 protruding from the left side plate 35 is used for positioning the process cartridge 9 with respect to the apparatus main body 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical main body positioning portion 37 is provided on the right side plate 36 so as to protrude outward. The main body positioning portion 37 can rotate the right end of the photosensitive drum 13. I support it. The main body positioning unit 37 is used for positioning the process cartridge 9 with respect to the apparatus main body 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the left side plate 35 is provided with a cylindrical support portion 38 having a protruding height smaller than that of the main body positioning portion 37 at a position corresponding to the main body positioning portion 37 in the left-right direction. The support portion 38 rotatably supports the left end portion of the photosensitive drum 13.
A concave portion of the frame 33 formed by the rear side plate 39 and the left and right side plates 35 and 36 is an accommodating portion 28 for accommodating the developing cartridge.

  In the frame 33, the charging device 14 is accommodated on the upper rear side (front side in FIGS. 2 to 5) facing the photosensitive drum 13 in FIG. The charging device 14 is a scorotron charger provided with a charging wire 42 and a grid 43, and forms an electrostatic latent image by charging the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 33 has a charging opening 44 for taking in air around the charging wire 42 from outside the frame 33 on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 13 with the charging wire 42 interposed therebetween. Yes. A film member 47 extending outward is provided on the lower frame 33 adjacent to the charging opening 44.
The front end of the film member 47 is in contact with the adjacent process cartridge 9 in a state where the process cartridge 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, and the air flow flowing from above between the adjacent process cartridges 9 is caused by the film member 47. Damming. In this way, the film member 47 is configured to block the air flow from above, so that the air flows from the charging opening 44 and the like to the charging wire 42.

  The cleaning mechanism 15 is accommodated in the frame 33 below the photosensitive drum 13. The cleaning mechanism 15 removes foreign matters on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 13 before being uniformly charged by the charging device 14.

Next, the cover member 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
The cover member 31 includes a main body portion 45, a contact portion 46, a right elastic piece 64 and a left elastic piece 65 as a pair of elastic portions, a pair of left side plate portion 49 and right side plate portion 50, and an extension portion 57. And a film cover 58. The cover member 31 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin without a seam.

  The main body 45 extends in the left-right direction so as to cover the exposed portion of the photoconductive drum 13 with a predetermined distance from the photoconductive drum 13 when the cover member 31 is attached to the photoconductive cartridge 12. The main body portion 45 is formed in a substantially arc shape in cross section, and protects the photosensitive drum 13 so that it cannot directly contact the photosensitive drum 13 from the outside.

  When the cover member 31 is attached to the photosensitive cartridge 12, the abutting portion 46 is spaced apart from the planar portion 40 and the recessed portion 83 of the photosensitive cartridge 12 by a predetermined distance. Is formed extending in the left-right direction so as to cover. The contact portion 46 is formed in a U shape in a sectional view and is connected to the main body portion 45 at the upper end on the rear side. The surface of the contact portion 46 opposite to the surface facing the flat portion 40 is in contact with the buffer member 32 via a packing bag 29 described later. In the contact portion 46, a substantially rectangular long hole 84 extending in the left-right direction is formed at a position facing the flat portion 40 of the photosensitive cartridge 12. The right edge of the right slot 84 is at the right end of the abutting portion 46, and the left edge of the left slot 84 is at the same position as the left end of the abutting portion 46, respectively. Is formed.

  The right elastic piece 64 has a tab shape extending in the left-right direction, and extends from the side edge of the elongated hole 84 of the contact portion 46 toward the flat surface portion 40 of the photoconductor cartridge 12. The right end of the right elastic piece 64 is connected to the right end edge of the elongated hole 84 as a fixed end. The left end of the right elastic piece 64 is in contact with the flat surface portion 40 of the photoconductor cartridge 12 in a state where the cover member 31 is mounted on the photoconductor cartridge 12, and serves as a free end in the vertical direction (the photoconductor cartridge 12 and the cover member 31). It is elastically configured in the opposite direction). The left elastic piece 65 has the same configuration as the right elastic piece 64 except that the left and right directions are opposite. The length in the left-right direction of the right elastic piece 64 and the left elastic piece 65 is substantially the same as the length in the left-right direction of the elongated hole 84 of the contact portion 46.

As shown in FIG. 3, the left side plate portion 49 is formed to extend upward from the left end portions of the main body portion 45 and the contact portion 46 so as to cover the support portion 38. Further, a slit portion 68 that holds the left end portion of the shaft 34 is formed at a position of the left plate portion 49 that faces the shaft 34 of the photosensitive drum 13. The lower end edge of the slit portion 68 is positioned at the connection portion with the main body portion 45 and is held in contact with the upper end edge of the slit portion 68.
From the edge from the upper end part of a slit part 68 to a rear side edge part, the 1st protection part 51 protrudes toward the left direction (refer FIG. 3). The first protection part 51 includes a covering part 90 that protrudes in the vertical direction from the left end part, and this covering part 90 covers and protects the left end of the shaft 34 of the photosensitive drum 13.
A tab-shaped grip 52 is formed on the left side plate 49 and is gripped when the cover member 31 is detached from the frame 33.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the left side plate portion 49 is formed with a tongue-like bent piece 53 that is bent in the left-right direction on the rear side of the slit portion 68. A first slit 54 and a second slit 55 extending in the vertical direction are formed on the front and rear of the bending piece 53.
In this way, by providing the cover member 31 with the bending piece 53, when the photosensitive cartridge 12 with the cover member 31 attached is accommodated in the packaging bag 29 described later and attached to the buffer member 32, the packaging bag 29 is bent. Even if it is pulled near 53, the pulling force acting on the packing bag 29 can be reduced by the bending piece 53 being bent. Therefore, damage to the packaging bag 29 can be prevented.
Further, the upper edge of the bending piece 53 has an arc shape, and is not easily broken even when the packaging bag 29 contacts.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the right side plate portion 50 has a shape along a part of the cylindrical outer shape of the main body positioning portion 37, and a rib-like second protection portion 56 that protrudes outward. Is formed. The second protection part 56 protects the main body positioning part 37 from the outside.

The extending portion 57 extends upward from the upper front end portion of the contact portion 46. The length of the extending portion 57 in the left-right direction is shorter than the length of the contact portion 46 in the left-right direction.
The film cover portion 58 extends forward from the upper end of the extending portion 57 and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in side view. The central portion in the left-right direction of the film cover portion 58 is recessed below the front end portion and the left and right end portions so that the front end of the film member 47 enters the portion in a state where the cover member 31 is mounted. Is formed.

Next, the packing structure of the photosensitive member cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS.
The photoconductor cartridge 12 is detached from the apparatus main body 2 of the color printer 1, is attached with a cover member 31, is stored in a packaging bag 29 (see FIG. 13), and is then fitted with a buffer member 32 as a packaging body. And stored in a packing box (not shown). 10 and 11, the packing bag 29 is omitted for explanation.
Note that the state of being removed from the color printer apparatus main body includes a state in which the color printer is not installed, that is, the photoconductor cartridge is new and has never been installed in the color printer apparatus main body.

  The buffer member 32 includes a base portion 62 that is rectangular in a side view and leg portions 63 that extend in the left-right direction from the four corners of the base portion. A concave portion 59 that is recessed in the left-right direction is formed at the center of the base portion 62, and the left and right side portions of the photoreceptor cartridge 12 are accommodated in the concave portion 59. The recess 59 has a shape along the outer shape of the photosensitive cartridge 12 in order to accommodate the photosensitive cartridge 12 without rattling. In the recessed portion 59, the photosensitive cartridge 12 with the cover member 31 mounted is packed, and the opposing portion 60 having a planar shape in the shape along the contact portion 46 of the cover member 31 and the main body portion 45 are provided. A circular arc portion 61 having a shape is formed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, an operation when handling the photosensitive cartridge 12 of the present embodiment (particularly mounting the cover member 31 on the frame 33) will be described.
Immediately after manufacturing the photosensitive cartridge 12 or immediately after removing the photosensitive cartridge 12 from the main body 2 of the color printer 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cover member 31 is attached to the frame 33. Not in a state. In this state, it is necessary to quickly attach the cover member 31 to the frame 33 in order to protect the exposed surface of the photosensitive drum 42 that is easily damaged from external impact and contact.

  When the cover member 31 is attached to the frame 33, first, as shown in FIG. 8, the second protection part 56 is hooked on the lower part of the main body positioning part 37. Subsequently, the left side plate portion 49 side of the cover member 31 moves toward the frame 33, and the shaft 34 of the photosensitive drum 13 is accommodated in the slit portion 68. At this time, the shaft 34 protruding from the frame 33 abuts on the inner side surface of the grip portion 52, so that the left side plate portion 49 is elastically deformed so as to be easily bent outward (left side).

  The cover member 31 of the photoconductor cartridge 12 is removed from the frame 33 before the developing cartridge 27 is attached and attached to the apparatus main body 2 of the color printer 1. This detachment can be performed very easily by gripping the grip portion 52 and performing an operation opposite to that at the time of mounting. Then, the photosensitive member cartridge 12 (process cartridge 9) with the developing cartridge 27 attached is attached to the apparatus main body 2.

Next, the mounting operation of the buffer member will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 13, for the sake of explanation, the packing bag that stores the photosensitive cartridge is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, the photosensitive cartridge 12 to which the cover member 31 is attached is stored in a packing bag 29, and the buffer member 32 is mounted in a state of being stored in the packing bag 29.
As shown in FIG. 13, the buffer member 32 is mounted on the photosensitive cartridge 12 from both the left and right sides in a posture in which the photosensitive drum 13 is disposed below and the flat surface portion 40 is directed downward. When the photosensitive cartridge 12 with the cover member 31 mounted is mounted in the recess 59, the facing portion 60 is disposed to face the contact portion 46 of the cover member 31 and the arc portion 61 is disposed to face the main body portion 45. Fit from the left and right sides.
In a state where the buffer member 32 is mounted on the photoconductor cartridge 12, it is further accommodated in a packing box (not shown) and transported / shipped.

Next, the operation and effect of the packaging structure of this embodiment will be described.
When the photosensitive cartridge 12 is stored or transported, if an operator accidentally drops the packing box with the bridging plate 88 having low rigidity facing downward, the impact force is applied via the facing portion 60 of the buffer member 32. Is transmitted to the contact portion 46 of the cover member 31. However, since the elastic pieces 64 and 65 are provided on the cover member 31, the elastic pieces 64 and 65 can be elastically deformed between the contact portion 46 and the photosensitive member cartridge 12 to absorb the impact force. Thus, even when the photosensitive member cartridge 12 is dropped with the bridge plate 88 having low rigidity facing downward, the force transmitted to the photosensitive member cartridge 12 can be reduced. Damage to the frame 33 can be prevented.

  By extending a part of the contact portion 46 and providing the elastic pieces 64 and 65, the cover member 31 that absorbs the impact force can be easily formed integrally.

  In addition, since the elastic pieces 64 and 65 are brought into contact with the flat surface portion 40 having higher rigidity than the recessed portion 83 (the bridging plate 88), the flat surface portion 40 is not bent even when an impact force is applied. The pieces 64 and 65 can be elastically deformed to absorb the impact force.

  Further, by providing the cover member 31 with the film cover portion 58, the film member 47 can be prevented from being damaged by interference with other members.

FIG. 14 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the configuration of the cover member is different from that of the first embodiment, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
In the cover member of the present embodiment, the contact portion 46 is in contact with the flat portion 40 provided on the photosensitive cartridge 12. Further, in the left-right direction, a pair of elongated holes 85 are formed on the center side of the position facing the flat surface portion 40 of the photosensitive cartridge 12, and a right elastic portion 69 and a left elastic portion 70 are provided in the elongated holes 85, respectively. It has been.

The right elastic portion 69 includes a first right elastic piece 71 whose right end is connected to the contact portion 46 as a fixed end and whose left end is elastically configured in the vertical direction as a free end. Further, the right elastic portion 69 includes a second right elastic piece 72 whose left end is connected to the contact portion 46 as a fixed end and whose right end is elastically configured in the vertical direction as a free end. The first right elastic piece 71 and the second right elastic piece 72 are opposed to the left end and the right end.
The left elastic portion 70 has the same configuration as the right elastic portion 69 and includes a first left elastic piece 73 and a second left elastic piece 74.

The left side portions 75 and 77 of the first right side elastic piece 71 and the first left side elastic piece 73 and the right side portions 76 and 78 of the second right side elastic piece 72 and the second left side elastic piece 74 are in a state where the buffer member 32 is mounted. The elastic member is pressed against the opposing portion 60 of the buffer member 32 and elastically deformed.
Further, the left and right elastic portions 69 and 70 are arranged on the center side of the position facing the flat portion 40, so that the abutting portion 46 reliably contacts the flat portion 40 of the photosensitive cartridge 12. ing. It should be noted that the recess 59 of the buffer member 32 attached to the photoreceptor cartridge 12 of this embodiment has a greater depth in the left-right direction than the recess 59 of the first embodiment, and the left and right elastic portions 69 and 70 are the buffer member 32. It is comprised so that it may contact | abut.

Next, functions and effects of this embodiment will be described.
Further, when the photosensitive cartridge 12 is stored or transported, even if an operator accidentally drops the packaging box with the photosensitive drum 13 facing down, the left elastic portion 70 and the right elastic portion are attached to the cover member 31. 69 is provided, the left elastic part 70 and the right elastic part 69 can be elastically deformed between the abutting part 46 and the opposing part 60 of the buffer member 32 to absorb the impact force. Therefore, the force transmitted to the photoconductor cartridge 12 can be reduced, and damage to the photoconductor drum 13 and the frame 33 can be prevented.

  Further, by extending the elastic portion from a part of the contact portion 46 to form the right elastic portion 69 and the left elastic portion 70, the cover member 31 that absorbs the impact force can be easily formed integrally.

  Further, two elastic pieces (a first right elastic piece 71 and a second right elastic piece 72, a first left elastic piece 73 and a second left elastic piece 74) are provided in each of the left elastic part 70 and the right elastic part 69. Thus, the impact force can be distributed to the two elastic pieces, and the absorption force against the impact can be improved.

  Further, since the abutting portion 46 of the cover member 31 is abutted against the flat surface portion 40 having higher rigidity than the recessed portion 83, the flat surface portion 40 does not bend even when an impact force is applied, and the left elastic portion 70 and the right elastic part 69 can be elastically deformed to absorb the impact force.

FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating a state where the photosensitive member cartridge having the cover member according to the second embodiment is attached to the buffer member.
The buffer member of this embodiment is mounted on the four photosensitive cartridges 12 at a time.

  The buffer member of the present embodiment includes a first buffer member 79 mounted on the lower portion of the photoreceptor cartridge 12 and a second buffer member 80 mounted on the upper portion. Four first recesses 81 are formed in the first buffer member 79, and a facing portion 86 and an arc portion 87 similar to those of the first embodiment are formed in the first recess 81. Four second recesses 82 are formed in the second buffer member 80 so as to face each photoconductor cartridge 12 along the outer shape of the upper portion of the photoconductor cartridge 12.

  The photoconductor cartridge 12 is sandwiched between the first buffer member 79 and the second buffer member 80 from above and below in a posture in which the photoconductor drum 13 is disposed below and the flat surface portion 40 is directed downward. Installed.

16 is a perspective view in which the cover member of the first embodiment is attached to the process cartridge 9 including the developing cartridge 27. FIG. 17 is a perspective view in which the cover member of the second embodiment is attached to the process cartridge 9 including the developing cartridge 27. FIG.
In the first and second embodiments, the cover member is mounted on the photosensitive cartridge 12 and the buffer member 32 is further mounted. However, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the process cartridge 9 mounted with the developing cartridge 27 is used. You may attach a cover member to.

1 Color printer (image forming device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Apparatus main body 9 Process cartridge 12 Photosensitive cartridge 14 Charging apparatus 30 Packing body 31 Cover member 32 Buffer member 33 Frame 40 Plane part 44 Charging opening part 46 Contact part 47 Film member 53 Deflection piece 58 Film cover part 60 Opposite part 64 Right side Elastic piece (elastic member)
65 Left elastic piece (elastic member)
71 First right elastic piece 72 Second right elastic piece 73 First left elastic piece 74 Second left elastic piece

Claims (16)

A cartridge packaging structure comprising: a cartridge provided with a photosensitive drum; a cover member attached to the cartridge so as to cover the photosensitive drum; and a packaging body for packaging the cartridge in a state where the cover member is attached. In
The cover member is in contact with the packing body, and an elastic portion that is in contact with the cartridge and elastically deformed between the contact section and the cartridge in the opposing direction of the cartridge and the packing body. A cartridge packing structure characterized by comprising:   The elastic part is an elastic piece having a part of the contact part as a base end and a part extending from the contact part toward the cartridge and contacting the cartridge as a free end. The cartridge packing structure according to 1. The cartridge includes a pair of side plates that support both ends of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction, and a bridging plate that bridges the pair of side plates.
3. The cartridge packing structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is in contact with both end portions in the axial direction in the vicinity of the pair of side plates of the bridging plate of the cartridge. A cartridge packaging structure comprising: a cartridge provided with a photosensitive drum; a cover member attached to the cartridge so as to cover the photosensitive drum; and a packaging body for packaging the cartridge in a state where the cover member is attached. In
The cover member is in contact with the cartridge, and is in contact with the packing body, and elastically deformed in the opposing direction of the cartridge and the packing body between the contact portion and the packing body. And a cartridge packing structure.   The elastic part is an elastic piece having a part of the abutting part as a base end and a part extending from the abutting part toward the packing body and abutting on the packing body as a free end. The cartridge packing structure according to claim 4.   6. The elastic piece includes a first elastic piece extending from one side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum to the other side and a second elastic piece extending from the other side to the one side. The cartridge packing structure described. The cartridge includes a pair of side plates that support both ends of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction, and a bridging plate that bridges the pair of side plates.
The cartridge packing according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the abutting portion abuts on both axial end portions of the bridging plate of the cartridge in the vicinity of the pair of side plates. Construction. The cartridge includes a charging device that charges the photosensitive drum, and a film member that extends outward from a proximity position of a charging opening that communicates the inside and outside of the charging device.
8. The cartridge packaging structure according to claim 1, wherein a film cover portion that covers the film member is formed on the cover member. 9. In a cover member attached to the cartridge so as to cover the photosensitive drum when the cartridge including the photosensitive drum is packed in a package,
A contact portion that contacts the packing body; and an elastic portion that contacts the cartridge and elastically deforms between the contact portion and the cartridge in the opposing direction of the cartridge and the packing body. A characteristic cover member.   The elastic part is an elastic piece having a part of the contact part as a base end and a part extending from the contact part toward the cartridge and contacting the cartridge as a free end. The cover member according to 9. The cartridge includes a frame that accommodates the photosensitive drum, and the frame includes a pair of side plates that support both ends in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and a bridging plate that bridges the pair of side plates.
11. The cover member according to claim 9, wherein the elastic portion is in contact with both end portions in the axial direction in the vicinity of the pair of side plates in the bridging plate of the frame. In a cover member attached to the cartridge so as to cover the photosensitive drum when the cartridge including the photosensitive drum is packed in a package,
A contact portion that contacts the cartridge; and an elastic portion that contacts the packing body and elastically deforms between the contact portion and the packing body in a direction opposite to the cartridge and the packing body. A cover member.   The elastic part is an elastic piece having a part of the abutting part as a base end and a part extending from the abutting part toward the packing body and abutting on the packing body as a free end. The cover member according to claim 12.   14. The elastic piece includes a first elastic piece extending from one side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum to the other side and a second elastic piece extending from the other side to the one side. The cover member as described. The cartridge includes a frame that accommodates the photosensitive drum, and the frame includes a pair of side plates that support both ends in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and a bridging plate that bridges the pair of side plates.
The cover member according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the contact portion is in contact with both end portions in the axial direction in the vicinity of the pair of side plates in the bridge plate of the frame. The cartridge includes a charging device that charges the photosensitive drum, and a film member that extends outward from a proximity position of a charging opening that communicates the inside and outside of the charging device.
The cover member according to claim 9, further comprising a film cover portion that covers the film member.