Containment device

Abstract

To solve a problem that workability of storing long sheets of paper in a paper feed cassette and workability of setting the paper feed cassette in a device main body are poor.SOLUTION: There is provided a cassette that contains sheets to be fed, the cassette including: a first handle used when the cassette that can be pulled out from a device main body and can be removed from the device main body is pulled out from the device main body; and a second handle used for holding the cassette in a state in which the cassette is removed from the device main body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device having a cassette for storing sheets. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming devices such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, sheets are stored in a paper feed cassette. Products that can handle not only standard office paper such as A4 but also long paper are widely known.

[0003] As a means for storing long sheets, a paper feed cassette that can be extended and connected to accommodate long sheets has been proposed, as described in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-17335 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Long paper is heavier than non-long sheets. When holding a paper feed cassette containing long paper that has been removed from the main unit, if the user holds a part that is not strong enough, the paper feed cassette may be damaged. If the user accidentally touches a functionally important part, the function of the paper feed cassette may be impaired. It is also possible to load long paper without removing the paper feed cassette from the main unit of the image forming device, but in this case, the sheet cannot be loaded by lowering it directly into the paper feed cassette, which makes it difficult to load and may damage the sheet.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to propose a cassette with high workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The storage device of the present invention comprises an apparatus main body and a cassette for storing sheets to be fed, the cassette being capable of being pulled out from the apparatus main body and being detached from the apparatus main body, and the cassette is characterized in having a first handle used when pulling out the cassette from the apparatus main body and a second handle used when holding the cassette when it is detached from the apparatus main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, workability can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a color laser printer to which the present invention can be applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paper feed cassette to which the present invention can be applied. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the paper feed cassette is slidably extended. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the paper feed cassette in a detached state when a third tray unit is added to the paper feed cassette. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a third tray unit is additionally connected. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state in which the third tray section is additionally connected and the second handle is open. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment in which a third tray portion is additionally connected. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment in which a third tray portion is additionally connected. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment in which a third tray portion is additionally connected. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment in a state where the second handle is housed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [Overall configuration of image forming device] The overall configuration of a color image forming apparatus will be outlined with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a color laser printer A, which is one embodiment of a color image forming apparatus. A paper feed cassette 100 for storing sheets is disposed in the color laser printer A, which is an example of a storage device. A feed roller 14 is disposed at the bottom of the color laser printer A for transporting sheets S stored in the paper feed cassette 100 into the image forming apparatus. The paper feed cassette 100 is supported so as to be slidable in the image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body). The paper feed cassette 100 can be pulled out in the X direction relative to the apparatus main body from an installation position where the stored sheets can be fed by the feed roller 14. The paper feed cassette 100 can also be removed from the apparatus main body.

[0012] A registration roller unit 16 that registers and conveys the sheet S is located above the upper right of the feed roller 14. Four process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk) are located above the feed roller 14. An intermediate transfer unit 70 is located above the process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk) that include photosensitive drums 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk) so as to face the process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk). The photosensitive drums 2 are developed by a developing device (not shown). The intermediate transfer unit 70 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, and inside the intermediate transfer belt 8, primary transfer rollers 5 (5Y, 5M, 5C, 5Bk), secondary transfer opposing rollers 10, a tension roller 11, and intermediate transfer belt cleaning means. The intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer opposing rollers 10 form a transfer nip that nip the sheet. A secondary transfer roller 12 is provided on the right side of the intermediate transfer unit 70 so as to face the secondary transfer opposing roller 10. The process cartridge 1, intermediate transfer unit 70, primary transfer roller 5, and secondary transfer opposing roller 10 constitute an image forming section that forms an image on a sheet. A fixing unit 20 is disposed above the secondary transfer section. At the upper left of the fixing unit 20, there are provided a paper discharge roller pair 22, a double-sided conveying section 24, a reversing roller pair 23, and a double-sided flapper 21 that serves as a branching means.

[0013] A toner image corresponding to desired image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The toner image is primarily transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 8. Meanwhile, a sheet stored in a paper feed cassette 100 is fed by a feed roller 14. The sheet fed by the feed roller 14 is transported to the transfer nip by a registration roller unit 16. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to the transfer nip. The sheet with the toner image transferred is transported to a fixing unit 20. The toner image transferred to the sheet is fixed to the sheet by the fixing unit 20. The sheet with the toner image fixed by the fixing unit 20 is discharged by a pair of discharge rollers 22. When images are to be formed on both sides of the sheet, the sheet is transported again to the registration roller unit 16 by a pair of reversing rollers 23.

[0014] [Paper cassette configuration] The paper feed cassette 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the paper feed cassette 100. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the paper feed cassette 100 when slid out and extended. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the paper feed cassette 100 when separated.

[0015] The sheet cassette 100 is composed of two tray sections. That is, the sheet cassette 100 is composed of a first tray section 60 on the front side of the device, which has a first handle 65 used when pulling the sheet cassette 100 out of the main body device, and a second tray section 50 on the rear side of the device. A cassette front cover 266 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the front side of the first tray section 60. A first handle 65 used by the user when pulling out the sheet cassette 100 is provided on a part of the cassette front cover 266. That is, the first handle 65 provided on the cassette front cover 266 is exposed so that the user can grip it when the sheet cassette 100 is in the installed position.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4 , pillars 61 and 62 are provided on the left and right ends of the first tray unit 60, and flanges 63 and 64 are provided in the center. The second tray unit 50, which serves as a movable unit, is provided with a retaining portion 51 consisting of protrusions 51A and 51B on the upper side and a flat portion 51C on the lower side, which slidably engages with the pillar 61 of the opposing first tray unit. Although not shown, a similar retaining portion is provided on the opposite side of the second tray unit 50, which slidably engages with the other pillar 62 provided on the first tray unit 60. In addition, a groove 55 is provided in the center of the second tray unit 50, and protrusions 53A, 53B, 54A, and 54B are provided above the groove 55. The flanges 63 and 64 provided on the first tray unit 60 can be inserted into the groove 55 and are slidably engaged by the groove 55 and the protrusions 53A, 53B, 54A, and 54B. By these left, right and center engagements, the first tray section 60 and the second tray section 50 are slidably engaged with each other.

[0017] When the second tray unit 50 is fully engaged with the first tray unit 60, the paper feed cassette 100 is in its minimum state, capable of accommodating A4-sized sheets (see FIG. 2). When the second tray unit 50 is slid open relative to the first tray unit 60, the paper feed cassette 100 is in its maximum state, capable of accommodating legal-sized sheets (see FIG. 3). In this way, the paper feed cassette 100 can be extended to two different sizes. Although not shown, stoppers that hold the paper feed cassette 100 in the minimum and maximum positions and a release lever that releases the stoppers are provided, allowing the user to freely change the size of the paper feed cassette 100.

[0018] [Third tray section and second handle] Sheet cassette 100 is normally composed of first tray unit 60 and second tray unit 50. However, if it is desired to load paper longer than legal size, third tray unit 110 can be connected to sheet cassette 100 so that third tray unit 110 is added to sheet cassette 100. By connecting third tray unit 110, the size of sheets that can be accommodated in sheet cassette 100 can be expanded to a larger size.

[0019] The configuration of the third tray unit 110 as a connecting unit will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 shows the first tray unit 60, the second tray unit 50, and the third tray unit 110 in a separated state. Figure 6 shows the third tray unit 110. Figure 7 shows the state in which the third tray unit 110 has been added and connected, and Figure 8 shows the state in which the second handles 150, 154 are open.

[0020] The third tray unit 110 has stacking surfaces 111A and 111B on which sheets S are placed, and has pillars 112 and 113 on the left and right sides of one end. A recess 120 is provided in the center of the third tray unit 110, and a flange 114 is provided on one end of the recess 120 on the side where the pillars 112 and 113 are provided. The pillar 112 of the third tray unit 110 engages with the holding portion 51 provided on the second tray unit 50, just as with the first tray unit 60. The pillar 113 on the opposite side engages in the same way. The recess 120 of the third tray unit 110 can be inserted into a groove 55 provided on the second tray unit 50. The flange 114 of the third tray unit 110 engages with protrusions 53B and 54B of the second tray unit 50, just as with the first tray unit 60. The second tray part 50 is provided with claw protrusions 255, 56 and screw tap holes 57, 58, and the third tray part 110 is provided with screw holes 116, 118 and engagement holes 115, 117. When the second tray part 50 and the third tray part 110 are engaged with each other, the claw protrusions 255, 56 engage with the engagement holes 115, 117, and the screw tap holes 57, 58 match with the screw holes 116, 118, enabling screw fixation.

[0021] Meanwhile, on the side opposite to the side that engages with the second tray portion 50, there are provided holding portions 121, 123 that form a U-shape with loading surfaces 111A, 111B facing downwards. Protrusions 122, 124 are provided on the upper part of the recess 120. The pillar portion 61 provided on the first tray portion 60 engages with the holding portion 121 of the third tray portion 110, and the pillar portion 62 engages with the holding portion 123, similar to the second tray portion 50. The flange portions 63, 64 provided on the first tray portion 60 are inserted into the recess 120 of the third tray portion 110 and are pressed from above by the protrusions 122, 124 of the third tray portion 110, thereby engaging in the same manner as the second tray portion 50. Engagement holes 125, 126 are provided on the loading surfaces 111A, 111B of the third tray section 110, and although not shown, protrusions are provided on the back side of the first tray section 60, which engage with the engagement holes 125, 126. Screw holes 129 are provided on the side of the third tray section 110, and screw tap holes 66 are provided on the side of the first tray section 60, and when the first tray section 60 and the third tray section are engaged, the screw holes 129 and the screw tap holes 66 match, allowing for screw fastening. Although not shown, the opposite side in the left-right direction of the product can also be screw fastened in the same way.

[0022] A pair of second handles 150, 153 are provided in the approximate center of the third tray unit 110. The second handle 153 is provided with a handle portion 154 formed of a metal wire rod on which the user places their hands. The handle portion 154 is rotatably supported by bearing portions 155A, 155B. The second handle 150 on the opposite side is also provided with a rotatable handle portion 151 formed of a wire rod in a similar configuration. In this embodiment, when the paper feed cassette 100 is in the installed position, the second handles 150, 153 are covered by the device body and cannot be grasped by the user.

[0023] The second handles 150 and 153 are arranged on both sides of the sheet stacking area in the sheet cassette 100. That is, one of the second handles 150 and 153 is arranged on one side of the sheet stacking area in the sheet cassette 100 in the sheet width direction, and the other handle 153 is arranged on the other side of the sheet stacking area. Here, the sheet width direction is a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction. In this embodiment, the second handles 150 and 153 are arranged so as to sandwich the center of gravity of the sheets stacked in the sheet cassette 100 in the sheet width direction. The handles 151 and 154 are painted blue, a different color from the surrounding parts, to make them easy for users to understand. Figure 8 shows the state when holding the second handles 150 and 153.

[0024] The handles 151 and 154 rotate upward to allow the user to grasp and hold the cassette 100. The handles 151 and 154 are located outside the sheet storage area (sheet stacking area), so the cassette 100 can be held even when it is fully loaded with long sheets of paper.

[0025] The handholds 151 and 154 are arranged so that the user can place his / her hands above the sheet placement surface of the sheet cassette 100. In particular, in this embodiment, the handholds 151 and 154 are arranged so that the user can place his / her hands above the sheets loaded in the sheet cassette 100.

[0026] The third tray unit 110 is disposed approximately in the center of the paper feed cassette 100, and the second handles 150, 153 are disposed approximately in the center of the third tray unit 110. Therefore, the second handles 150, 153 are disposed approximately in the center of the paper feed cassette 100, and are disposed in positions close to the center of gravity of the paper feed cassette 100, which provides good weight balance and makes it easy to hold.

[0027] Furthermore, the third tray section 110 is the largest and most rigid of the components that make up the paper feed cassette 100. Since long and heavy long sheets of paper are held at the center of the large and rigid third tray section 110, the paper feed cassette 100 can be held stably with little deformation even when fully loaded.

[0028] Because this configuration allows for stable holding even when fully loaded, new long sheets can be loaded with the paper feed cassette 100 removed from the device body, i.e., with no obstacles in the sheet storage section. Long sheets are long and heavy, but some are soft and difficult to hold, making them less user-friendly than standard office paper such as A4. According to this embodiment, long sheets can be loaded without any obstacles around them, and even with long sheets loaded, the paper feed cassette 100 can be easily returned to the device body by holding the second handles 150 and 153. This makes the process easier.

[0029] If second handles 150, 153 were not present, there would be no place for the user to hold paper feed cassette 100 after loading long sheets into it, and so the user would have to lift paper feed cassette 100 slightly and place their hands on the bottom to hold it. This involves a lot of movement and requires the user to reach places that are not visible to the user, which could lead to the user holding functional parts or parts that lack strength and impairing functionality, which is undesirable.

[0030] [Other embodiments] Modifications of the second handle are described below. Figure 9 shows a second embodiment. A pair of second handles 171, 174 are provided in the approximate center of the third tray section 170. The second handles 171, 170 are formed with handles 172, 175 bent from the wall surface of the third tray section, and these handles 172, 175 can be held by hand. To clearly indicate that the handles 172, 175 are holders, blue labels 173, 176, which are a different color from the surrounding components, are attached. In the embodiment of Figure 9, the labels are blank, but they may also have text or illustrations printed on them. The handles 172, 175 are located outside the sheet storage section, so they can hold long sheets even when fully loaded.

[0031] 10 is a diagram of the third embodiment. A pair of second handles 181, 185 are provided in the approximate center of third tray section 180. Handle holes 183, 187 and handle portions 184, 188 are provided above walls 182, 186 of the sheet storage section. Handle holes 183, 187 and handle portions 184, 188 are located higher than the paper surface when the tray is fully loaded with long sheets of paper, so that the tray can hold the long sheets even when fully loaded.

[0032] 11 and 12 are views of the fourth embodiment. The third tray portion 190 is not provided with a second handle, but the second tray portion 200 is provided with one second handle 201. FIG. 11 shows the second handle 201 in an open, holdable state, and FIG. 12 shows the second handle 201 in a folded state. The second handle 201 is provided on the side surface 210 of the second tray portion 200. The second handle 201 is composed of a handle portion 202 and a spring 203. The handle portion 202 is provided with a pair of rotation shafts 202a, 202b, which are rotatably supported on the side surface 210 of the second tray portion 200. The rotation shaft 202b is provided with a spring 203, which biases the handle portion 202 in the opening direction. The handle portion 202 is molded in a blue color that is different from the surrounding parts. When the paper feed cassette 100 is inside the device, a component inside the device prevents the handle portion 202 from opening. When the paper feed cassette 100 is pulled out from the device body, the handle portion 202 opens due to the biasing force of a spring, and the user can hold the paper feed cassette 100 by placing their hands on the handle portion 202. Although only one second handle 201 is provided, the paper feed cassette 100 can be held by holding the first handle 65 with one hand and the second handle 201 with the other. It is desirable that the first handle 65 and the second handle 201 be positioned diagonally, and in this embodiment, the first handle 65 is positioned on the left side of the front of the product, and the second handle 201 is positioned on the right side of the rear of the product, taking into consideration balance when holding the product. This makes it possible to stably hold the sheet feed cassette 100 even when it is fully loaded with long sheets of paper and return the sheet feed cassette 100 to the apparatus main body.

[0033] In any of the embodiments described above, by providing two or more handles that can hold the paper feed cassette when long paper is loaded, it is possible to stably hold a heavy paper feed cassette loaded with long paper. This also simplifies the process of installing the paper feed cassette 100 in the device body. It also facilitates the process of reinstalling a removed paper feed cassette in the image forming device body. This makes it recommended that long paper be installed in the paper feed cassette after it has been removed from the image forming device. Furthermore, long paper, which is heavy and long and difficult to hold, can be installed (stored) in the paper feed cassette in a large space, providing excellent workability. This excellent workability also helps to avoid the risk of damaging long paper when loading sheets into the paper feed cassette.

[0034] In the above embodiment, an electrophotographic image forming unit is exemplified, but an inkjet image forming unit may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 50 Second tray section 60 First tray section 65 First Handle 100 Paper Cassette 110 Third Tray Section 150, 153 Second handle 151, 154 Handle A color laser printer S seat

Claims

1. A device body, a cassette that stores sheets to be fed, the cassette being capable of being pulled out and removed from the device body; The cassette comprises: a first handle used when pulling out the device from the device body; a second handle that is used to hold the cassette when the cassette is removed from the device body.

2. the cassette includes a first tray portion and a second tray portion removable from the first tray portion; the cassette is arranged between the first tray portion and the second tray portion so that the size of the sheets that can be accommodated can be expanded, and a connecting portion that connects the first tray portion and the second tray portion can be connected; 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second handle is provided on the connecting portion.

3. The cassette can be extended and retracted by the movement of a movable part, The container device according to claim 1 , wherein the second handle is provided on the movable portion.

4. The second handle is provided in plurality, 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second handles are provided so as to be able to hold the cassette in a state where only the second handles are held.

5. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second handles are arranged on both sides of a sheet stacking area of ​​the cassette.

6. At least two second handles are provided, The storage device described in claim 1, characterized in that one of the two second handles is arranged on one side of the sheet stacking area in the cassette in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the feeding direction in which the sheets are fed, and the other of the two second handles is arranged on the other side of the sheet stacking area.

7. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second handle is disposed above a sheet placement surface of the cassette so that a user can place his / her hand on the second handle.

8. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second handle is disposed above the sheets stacked in the cassette so that a user can place his / her hand on the second handle.

9. the cassette is composed of a plurality of tray sections, 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second handle is provided on the largest tray portion of the plurality of tray portions that constitute the cassette.

10. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein when the cassette is positioned at an installation position where the stored sheets can be fed by a feeding means, the first handle is exposed and the second handle is covered by the device main body and cannot be gripped.

11. an apparatus main body including an image forming means; a cassette that stores sheets and that can be pulled out and removed from the device body; a feeding means for feeding the sheets stored in the cassette to the image forming means; and The cassette comprises: a first handle used when pulling out the device from the device body; a second handle that is used to hold the cassette when the cassette is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images