Package and packaging member

Abstract

To provide a package and a packaging member capable of suppressing damage to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum.SOLUTION: A package (100) includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (11) and a protective sheet (13). The electrophotographic photosensitive drum (11) is formed in a cylindrical shape. The protective sheet (13) covers at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (11) with a center position (C2) in an axial direction (D) aligned with a center position (C1) in the axial direction (D) of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (11). When the length of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (11) in the axial direction (D) is defined as L1 (mm) and the length of the protective sheet (13) in the axial direction (D) is defined as L2 (mm), the following relationship is satisfied: L2<L1 (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a package and a packaging member. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrophotographic photoreceptor to be mounted in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cylindrical electrophotographic photoreceptor is packaged in a rectangular protective sheet. The length of one side of the protective sheet is longer than the outer periphery of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and the length of the other side of the protective sheet is set to be equal to or longer than the axial length of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-031890 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The electrophotographic photoreceptor packaged in the protective sheet is housed in a container and transported as a packaging member. During transportation of the packaging member, the edge of the protective sheet may come into contact with the container and bend. If the edge of the protective sheet is folded inward, the folded portion may damage the photosensitive layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor packaged in the protective sheet. If the edge of the protective sheet is folded outward, the folded portion may damage the photosensitive layer of an adjacent electrophotographic photoreceptor.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a package and a packaging member that can suppress damage to an electrophotographic photosensitive member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a packaged item includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a protective sheet. The electrophotographic photosensitive member is formed in a cylindrical shape. The protective sheet covers at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, with its axial center aligned with the axial center of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. When the axial length of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is L1 (mm) and the axial length of the protective sheet is L2 (mm), the relationship expressed by the following formula (1) is satisfied: L2 <L1 …(1)

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a packaging member includes a plurality of packaged items and a storage container. The plurality of packaged items are as described in any one of claims 1 to 4. The storage container stores the plurality of packaged items so that their axes are aligned in parallel. The packaged items have connecting portions at axial ends thereof that can be assembled to an electrophotographic device. The storage container has support portions that support the axial ends of the plurality of packaged items. The support portions support the connecting portions or the space between the axial end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the axial end of the protective sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the package and packaging member of the present invention, damage to the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a photosensitive drum according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an electrophotographic photoreceptor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a package according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a protective sheet is being wrapped around an electrophotographic photosensitive member. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a packaging member. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of another packaging member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] First, an image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 equipped with an electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a photosensitive drum 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a sheet P using toner. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has a first toner container 2, a second toner container 3, a third toner container 4, and a fourth toner container 5. In this embodiment, the first toner container 2 contains yellow toner. The second toner container 3 contains cyan toner. The third toner container 4 contains magenta toner. The fourth toner container 5 contains black toner.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 includes, for example, a photosensitive drum 10, a charging device 20, an exposure device 30, a developing device 40, a transfer device 50, a cleaning device (not shown), a discharge device (not shown), a fixing unit 60, and a control unit 70.

[0014] The photosensitive drum 10 forms an electrostatic latent image on its outer peripheral surface. As shown in FIG.

[0015] The electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 has a photosensitive layer on its outer peripheral surface. As shown in Fig. 3, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The length of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 in the axial direction D is, for example, length L1. The electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 is, for example, a selenium drum or an OPC (organic photoconductor).

[0016] The connecting portion 12 connects the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 to the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the connecting portion 12 is assembled to the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2 , the connecting portion 12 is rotationally driven by a drive portion (not shown) to rotate the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 around the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. The connecting portions 12 are attached to one end and the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 in the axial direction D.

[0017] 1, the charging device 20 charges the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor drum 10 to a predetermined potential. An example of the charging device 20 is a corona discharger.

[0018] The exposure device 30 irradiates and exposes the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 10 with laser light. The exposure device 30 exposes the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 10 based on image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10. An example of the exposure device 30 is an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0019] The developing device 40 contains, for example, a two-component developer containing toner and a carrier made of a magnetic material. The developing device 40 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 with the toner to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 10. The toner images formed include a yellow toner image, a cyan toner image, a magenta toner image, and a black toner image.

[0020] The transfer device 50 transfers each toner image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 10 onto a sheet P. The transfer device 50 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51, a primary transfer roller 52, and a secondary transfer roller 53.

[0021] The primary transfer rollers 52 are disposed opposite each photosensitive drum 10 via the intermediate transfer belt 51 and are pressed against each photosensitive drum 10. The photosensitive drums 10 rotate about their axes via the connecting portions 12. As a result, the toner images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 10 are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51. A transfer nip is formed between the secondary transfer roller 53 and the drive roller 54. When the sheet P passes through the transfer nip, the layered toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is transferred to the sheet P. The sheet P with the layered toner image transferred thereto is transported by the transport portion 80 toward the fixing portion 60.

[0022] The cleaning device removes residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 after transfer. The static eliminator eliminates static electricity from the photosensitive drum 10.

[0023] The fixing unit 60 applies heat and pressure to the toner image developed on the sheet P, thereby fixing the toner image to the sheet P. The fixing unit 60 has, for example, a fixing roller 61, a heater (not shown), and a press roller 62.

[0024] The fixing roller 61 is a hollow cylindrical roller. The fixing roller 61 is pressed against the press roller 62. The press roller 62 and the fixing roller 61 form a nip portion. The press roller 62 is driven to rotate by a drive unit (not shown). The press roller 62 rotates the fixing roller 61.

[0025] The heater receives power from a power source (not shown) and heats the fixing roller 61. The heater is disposed close to the inner circumferential surface of the fixing roller 61. The sheet P conveyed to the fixing section is heated by the heater as it passes through the nip section, and the toner image is fixed.

[0026] Next, a package 100 including an electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the package 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in the middle of wrapping a protective sheet 13 around the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11.

[0027] The electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 has a photosensitive layer containing an inorganic or organic photoconductive material formed on the outer peripheral surface of a conductive substrate such as an aluminum alloy. Therefore, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 is susceptible to pressure and contamination on the outer peripheral surface. Therefore, during storage or transportation, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 is handled as a package 100. As shown in FIG. 4 , the package 100 includes the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11, a connecting portion 12, and a protective sheet 13.

[0028] The protective sheet 13 covers at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. The protective sheet 13 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 5, the protective sheet 13 is disposed so that a center position C2 in the axial direction D (see FIG. 4) of the protective sheet 13 overlaps with a center position C1 in the axial direction D of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. Therefore, the protective sheet 13 covers the central region of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 in the axial direction D.

[0029] The length of the side of the protective sheet 13 along the direction perpendicular to the axial direction D is equal to or greater than the outer periphery of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. When the length of the side of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 along the axial direction D is L1 (mm) and the length of the side of the protective sheet 13 along the axial direction D is L2 (mm), the relationship expressed by the following formula (1) is satisfied. L2 <L1 …(1) This can prevent damage to the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11. Specifically, when the connecting portion 12 is attached to the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11, the end of the protective sheet 13 is spaced apart from the connecting portion 12, thereby preventing the end of the protective sheet 13 from coming into contact with the connecting portion 12 during transport. When the connecting portion 12 is detached from the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11, the end of the protective sheet 13 is spaced apart from the wall of the container that contains the package 100, thereby preventing the end of the protective sheet 13 from coming into contact with the container during transport. This can prevent the end of the protective sheet 13 from bending during transport. In other words, it can prevent the end of the protective sheet 13 from coming into contact with the photosensitive layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11.

[0030] The protective sheet 13 can be made of black light-shielding paper, opaque synthetic resin film, film made of high-quality paper coated with synthetic resin, paper made by pressing the surface of opaque kraft paper, etc. Black light-shielding paper is particularly preferable. Black light-shielding paper can suppress deterioration of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11. Specifically, black light-shielding paper improves the conductivity of the protective sheet 13. Therefore, black light-shielding paper can suppress the generation of static electricity in the protective sheet 13, and can suppress deterioration of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 due to static electricity.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the package 100 has adhesive tape 14. The adhesive tape 14 secures the circumferential end of the protective sheet 13 wrapped around the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 to the middle of the protective sheet 13 at the center of the axial direction D of the protective sheet 13. This allows the protective sheet 13 to be secured with a small amount of adhesive tape 14. The adhesive tape 14 may be disposed at a position other than the center of the axial direction D of the protective sheet 13. The adhesive tape 14 may also be disposed over the entire circumferential area of ​​the protective sheet 13, or only part of it.

[0032] To further prevent bending of the edges of protective sheet 13 during transport, it is preferable that the relationship of the following formula (2) be satisfied. 0.0300≦(L1-L2) / L1 …(2) This makes it possible to further prevent damage to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11.

[0033] The photosensitive drum 10 is a consumable part. The photosensitive drum 10 is stored in a container in the form of package 100 and transported. When replacing the photosensitive drum 10, the worker grasps the package 100 and performs the replacement work. To improve the ease of storing the package 100 and the ease of replacing the photosensitive drum 10, it is preferable to satisfy the relationship of the following formula (3). 100 <L2 …(3) This improves manufacturability, which includes ease of packing the package 100 into the image forming apparatus 1 and ease of replacing the photosensitive drum 10. [Example]

[0034] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a packaging member 300A. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of another packaging member 300B. Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 will be described below.

[0035] [Example 1] As shown in Fig. 3, an electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 was prepared, which was an organic photoreceptor having a length L1 in the axial direction D of 245 mm and an outer diameter of 30.2 mm. As shown in Fig. 5, an electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 having a length L2 in the axial direction D (see Fig. 3) of 236 mm, a length in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction D of 150 mm, and a basis weight of 80 g / m 2 A protective sheet 13 made of rectangular black paper was prepared. The protective sheet 13 was wrapped around the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 without slack, with the center position C2 of the protective sheet 13 in the axial direction D aligned with the center position C1 of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 in the axial direction D. A 1 cm × 6 cm adhesive tape 14 (see FIG. 4) was attached to the center of the protective sheet 13 in the axial direction D, thereby fixing the protective sheet 13 to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. As shown in FIG. 4, connecting portions 12 were attached to one end and the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 in the axial direction D, thereby obtaining a packaged item 100 of Example 1. The packaged item 100 was transported in the state of the packaging member 300A.

[0036] 6, the packaging member 300A includes an item to be packed 100 and a storage container 200A. Hereinafter, when the item to be packed 100 is stored in the storage container 200A, the direction along the axial direction D (see FIG. 4) of the item to be packed 100 will be referred to as the left-right direction X, the direction parallel to the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the left-right direction X will be referred to as the front-back direction Y, and the direction perpendicular to the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y will be referred to as the up-down direction Z.

[0037] The storage container 200A stores a plurality of items 100 to be packed. The storage container 200A is configured in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The storage container 200A is made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET) and stores ten items 100 to be packed. This ensures that the storage container 200A is cold-resistant, water-resistant, and electrically insulating. The storage container 200A has a container portion 210A and a lid portion 220A.

[0038] The container portion 210A accommodates a plurality of items 100 to be packed entirely along the front-to-rear direction Y. Specifically, the container portion 210A accommodates a plurality of items 100 to be packed entirely inside so that the items 100 are aligned in parallel. The container portion 210A has a support portion 211A, a bottom wall 212A, a front wall 213A, a rear wall 214A, a left wall 215A, and a right wall 216A. The shorter of the front, rear, left, and right walls may be referred to as the front wall 213A and the rear wall 214A. When standing facing the rear wall 214A, the left wall may be referred to as the left wall 215A.

[0039] The bottom wall 212A faces the lid portion 220A and is a substantially rectangular wall portion perpendicular to the up-down direction Z. The front wall 213A extends upward from one end of the bottom wall 212A in the front-to-rear direction Y and is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction Y. The rear wall 214A extends upward from the other end of the bottom wall 212A in the front-to-rear direction Y and faces the front wall 213A. The left wall 215A extends upward from one end of the bottom wall 212A in the left-to-right direction X and is perpendicular to the left-to-right direction X. The right wall 216A extends upward from the other end of the bottom wall 212A in the left-to-right direction X and faces the left wall 215A.

[0040] The support portions 211A support the ends of the item to be packed 100 in the left-right direction X. The left support portion 211A is arranged on the right wall 216A side of the left wall 215A, and the right support portion 211A is arranged on the left wall 215A side of the right wall 216A. The left support portion 211A and the right support portion 211A support one connecting portion 12 and the other connecting portion 12 of the item to be packed 100, respectively. This makes it possible to prevent bending of the ends of the protective sheet 13 in the packaging member 300A that stores multiple items to be packed 100.

[0041] The left support portion 211A has an upper surface portion with a generally arc-shaped cross section that can come into surface contact with the lower portion of the connecting portion 12. The left support portion 211A protrudes from the left wall 215A toward the right wall 216A. The length of the left support portion 211A protruding toward the right wall 216A in the left-right direction X is shorter than the length of the connecting portion 12 in the left-right direction X. This further prevents the end portion of the protective sheet 13 from bending. The right support portion 211A is similar to the left support portion 211A.

[0042] The lid portion 220A closes the opening of the container portion 210A. The plate-shaped lid portion 220A closes the opening of the container portion 210A, which contains ten items 100 to be packed of Example 1. In this way, the packaging member 300A of Example 1 was obtained.

[0043] [Example 2] In Example 2, a packaging member 300A similar to Example 1 was obtained, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 234 mm.

[0044] [Example 3] In Example 3, a packaging member 300A similar to Example 1 was obtained, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 232 mm.

[0045] [Example 4] In Example 4, a packaging member 300A was obtained that was similar to Example 1, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 230 mm.

[0046] [Example 5] In Example 5, a packaging member 300A was obtained that was similar to Example 1, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 200 mm.

[0047] [Example 6] In Example 6, a packaging member 300A was obtained that was similar to Example 1, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 150 mm.

[0048] [Example 7] In Example 7, a packaging member 300A was obtained that was similar to Example 1, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 125 mm.

[0049] [Example 8] As shown in Fig. 3, an electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 was prepared, which was an organic photoreceptor having a length L1 in the axial direction D of 343 mm and an outer diameter of 30.2 mm. As shown in Fig. 5, an electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 having a length L2 in the axial direction D (see Fig. 3) of 332 mm, a length in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction D of 150 mm, and a basis weight of 80 g / m 2 A rectangular protective sheet 13 made of black paper was prepared. The protective sheet 13 was tightly wrapped around the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11, with the center position C2 of the protective sheet 13 in the axial direction D aligned with the center position C1 of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 in the axial direction D. A 1 cm × 6 cm adhesive tape 14 (see FIG. 4 ) was attached to the center of the protective sheet 13 in the axial direction D to secure the protective sheet 13 to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. As shown in FIG. 4 , connecting portions 12 were attached to one end and the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 in the axial direction D, thereby obtaining a packaged item 100 of Example 8. The packaged item 100 was transported in the state of a packaged item 300B. Hereinafter, the packaged item 300A and the packaged item 300B may be collectively referred to as packaged item 300.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the packing member 300B includes an item to be packed 100 and a container 200B.

[0051] The storage container 200B stores a plurality of items to be packed 100. The storage container 200B is made of, for example, polypropylene resin (PP) and stores 10 items to be packed 100. This ensures that the storage container 200B is inexpensive yet has heat resistance and chemical resistance. The storage container 200B has a container portion 210B and a lid portion 220B.

[0052] The container portion 210B accommodates the lower halves of multiple items to be packed 100. Specifically, the container portion 210B accommodates the lower halves of multiple items to be packed 100 so that the multiple items to be packed 100 are aligned in parallel in the front-rear direction Y. The container portion 210B has a support portion 211B, a front wall 213B, a rear wall 214B, a left wall 215B, and a right wall 216B.

[0053] The support portion 211B supports the end portion of the item to be packed 100 in the left-right direction X. The support portion 211B is configured to have a wave-shaped cross section. The support portion 211B has an upper surface portion with a substantially arc-shaped cross section that can come into surface contact with the lower portion of the connecting portion 12.

[0054] The front wall 213B extends upward from one end of the support portion 211B in the front-rear direction Y and is perpendicular to the front-rear direction Y. The rear wall 214B extends upward from the other end of the support portion 211B in the front-rear direction Y and faces the front wall 213B. The left wall 215B extends upward from one end of the support portion 211B in the left-right direction X and is perpendicular to the left-right direction X. The right wall 216B extends upward from the other end of the support portion 211B in the left-right direction X and faces the left wall 215B.

[0055] The lid portion 220B accommodates the upper halves of the multiple items to be packed 100. Specifically, the lid portion 220B accommodates the upper halves of the multiple items to be packed 100 so that the multiple items to be packed 100 are aligned in parallel in the front-rear direction Y. By combining the container portion 210B and the lid portion 220B, the storage container 200B accommodates the multiple items to be packed 100 inside. In this way, the packaging member 300B of Example 8 was obtained.

[0056] [Example 9] In Example 9, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was similar to Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 330 mm.

[0057] [Example 10] In Example 10, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was the same as in Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 328 mm.

[0058] [Example 11] In Example 11, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was the same as in Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 326 mm.

[0059] [Example 12] In Example 12, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was the same as in Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 300 mm.

[0060] [Example 13] In Example 13, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was the same as in Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 250 mm.

[0061] [Example 14] In Example 14, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was similar to Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 175 mm.

[0062] [Example 15] In Example 15, a packaging member 300A was obtained that was similar to Example 1, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 238 mm.

[0063] [Example 16] In Example 16, a packaging member 300A was obtained that was similar to Example 1, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 50 mm.

[0064] [Example 17] In Example 17, a packaging member 300A was obtained that was similar to Example 1, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 100 mm.

[0065] [Example 18] In Example 18, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was the same as in Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 335 mm.

[0066] [Example 19] In Example 19, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was similar to Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 50 mm.

[0067] [Example 20] In Example 20, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was the same as in Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 100 mm.

[0068] [Comparative Example 1] In Comparative Example 1, a packaging member 300A was obtained that was the same as in Example 1, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 236 mm to 245 mm.

[0069] Comparative Example 2 In Comparative Example 2, a packaging member 300B was obtained that was the same as in Example 8, except that the length L2 of the protection sheet 13 in the axial direction D was changed from 332 mm to 343 mm.

[0070] [Light-shielding paper edge evaluation] The packaging members 300 of Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were fixed to a sine wave sweep vibration tester under the following conditions: frequency: 5 Hz to 100 Hz, sweep time: 1 minute sweep, and vibration acceleration: 1 G. The packaging members 300 were then vibrated for 30 minutes in each of the left-right direction X, the front-back direction Y, and the up-down direction Z. After that, the edges of the protective sheets 13 of all 10 packages 100 were observed, and the number of pieces with bent light-shielding paper edges was confirmed. The light-shielding paper edges were evaluated according to the following criteria. The results and evaluation are shown in Table 1. ◯: No folding of the light-shielding paper edge occurs. △: The incidence of folds at the edge of the light-shielding paper is 2 or less out of 10 pieces. ×: The rate of occurrence of creases at the edge of the light-shielding paper is 3 or more out of 10.

[0071] [Manufacturability evaluation] The packages 100 of Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were removed from their respective packaging materials 300, and a test was conducted to determine whether they could be installed in the image forming apparatus 1 without touching the photosensitive layer on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11. The condition was that when removing the packaged item 100 from the packaging material 300, the portion wrapped with the protective sheet 13 was grasped from the outside, and the packaged item 100 was stably supported. Manufacturability evaluation was performed according to the following criteria. The obtained results and evaluation are shown in Table 1. ◯: When assembling, the worker's hands do not touch the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. ×: When assembling, the worker's hand touches the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11.

[0072] [Table 1]

[0073] As shown in Table 1, in the packages 100 of Examples 1 to 20, i.e., the packages 100 satisfying formula (1), no folding occurred at the end of the light-shielding paper, or if folding occurred, it occurred in less than 2 out of 10 packages. In the packages 100 not satisfying formula (1), folding at the end of the light-shielding paper occurred with a probability of 50% or more. In the packages 100 satisfying formula (2), no folding at the end of the light-shielding paper occurred. In the packages 100 satisfying formula (3), contact with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 occurred when the package 100 was installed in the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, according to the present invention, damage to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 can be suppressed.

[0074] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially depart from the effects of the present invention.

[0075] (1) As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 , in the present embodiment, the package 100 includes the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11, the pair of connecting portions 12, and the protective sheet 13. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The same effect can be achieved even if the pair of connecting portions 12 are omitted and the package 100 includes only the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 and the protective sheet 13. In this case, the length of the left support portion 211A in the left-right direction X is made shorter than the distance between the left end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 and the left end of the protective sheet 13. In other words, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is placed on the upper surface of the support portion 211A.

[0076] (2) In the present embodiment, ten items 100 are accommodated in a single packing member 300, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The packing member 300 may accommodate at least two items 100, and may accommodate eleven or more items 100.

[0077] (3) In the present embodiment, the protective sheet 13 is wrapped around the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11, and then the protective sheet 13 is fixed with a single adhesive tape 14. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The adhesive tape 14 may be provided in two or more locations. Furthermore, the adhesive tape 14 may be provided around the entire outer periphery of the protective sheet 13, or may be provided around a portion of the outer periphery of the protective sheet 13. [Industrial Applicability]

[0078] The present invention can be used for a package and a packing material.The package and packing material according to the present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1: Image forming device 11: Electrophotographic photoreceptor 12:Connection part 13: Protective sheet 100: Packaging 200A: Storage container 200B: Storage container 211A: Support part 211B: Support part 300: Packaging materials 300A: Packaging materials 300B: Packaging materials C1: Center position C2: Center position D: Axial direction

Claims

1. a cylindrically formed electrophotographic photoreceptor; a protective sheet whose center position in the axial direction is aligned with the center position in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and covers at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member; Equipped with When the length of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the axial direction is L1 (mm) and the length of the protective sheet in the axial direction is L2 (mm), the package satisfies the relationship of the following formula (1): L2<L1 ... (1)

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the relationship is expressed by the following formula (2): 0.0300≦(L1-L2) / L1...(2)

3. The package according to claim 2, wherein the relationship is expressed by the following formula (3). 100<L2...(3)

4. 2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the protective sheet is a black light-blocking paper.

5. A plurality of packages according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a container that contains the plurality of packages so that the plurality of packages are aligned in parallel; Equipped with the package has a connecting portion at an end in an axial direction of the package that can be attached to an image forming apparatus, The container has a support portion that supports axial ends of the plurality of packages, The support portion supports the connecting portion or the portion between the end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the axial direction and the end of the protective sheet in the axial direction.

6. The packaging member according to claim 5 , wherein the container is made of polyethylene terephthalate resin or polypropylene resin.

Images