The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-095494, filed on May 17, 2018. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a cushion structure.
An image forming apparatus forms an image on a medium such as paper. The image forming apparatus is suitably used as a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral. The image forming apparatus is kept with a cushioning member inside packing during transportation or storage. The cushioning member cushions shock on the image forming apparatus even when the packing is impacted.
For example, a known package includes a packaging box, a restraining member, and an image forming apparatus and a developer cartridge that are packed in the packaging box and restrained by the restraining member. The packaging box of such a package has a recess for accommodating the developer cartridge. The developer cartridge in a wrapping bag is inserted in the recess and the restraining member is placed over the recess. The restraining member can cushion shock on the developer cartridge and prevent toner leakage from the developer cartridge even when the package is turned upside down.
A cushion structure according to an aspect of the present disclosure is accommodated in packing together with an image forming apparatus and a waste toner box. The cushion structure includes a cushioning member. The cushioning member surrounds the waste toner box and restricts a position of the waste toner box.
A cushion structure according to another aspect of the present disclosure is accommodated in a packing case together with a package item including a main apparatus and an accessory. The cushion structure includes cushioning members. The cushioning members cushion shock on the package item. The cushioning members include a planar main body and a restriction section. The planar main body is disposed on a top surface of the main apparatus. The restriction section is an opening in the main body. The restriction section restricts movement of the accessory supported on the top surface of the main apparatus by inserting the accessory into the opening.
The following describes an embodiment of a cushion structure according to the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that elements that are the same or equivalent are marked by the same reference signs in the drawings and description thereof is not repeated. The present specification may use X, Y, and Z directions, which are orthogonal to one another, to facilitate understanding of the disclosure. The X and Y directions are parallel to a horizontal direction, and the Z direction is parallel to a vertical direction.
The following describes a cushion structure 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to
The package 200 includes the cushion structure 100, an image forming apparatus 210, and packing 220. The packing 220 has a hollow box shape. The packing 220 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The packing 220 accommodates the cushion structure 100 and the image forming apparatus 210. The image forming apparatus 210 is packed in the packing 220. Note that the image forming apparatus 210 is an example of what may be referred to as a “main apparatus”. The image forming apparatus 210 is a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral.
The cushion structure 100 is packed in the packing 220 as well as the image forming apparatus 210. The cushion structure 100 in the present example is placed above the image forming apparatus 210. The cushion structure 100 is supported on a top surface of the image forming apparatus 210. The cushion structure 100 cushions shock on the image forming apparatus 210 even when the package 200 is impacted.
The cushion structure 100 includes a waste toner box 110 and a cushioning member 120. The waste toner box 110 is attached to the image forming apparatus 210 for use. Note that the image forming apparatus 210 may be accommodated in packing 220 together with the waste toner box 110.
The waste toner box 110 is made of a material that is softer than a material of a housing of the image forming apparatus 210. The waste toner box 110 is elastic. The waste toner box 110 therefore slightly deforms upon application of force by a human hand but returns to the original shape upon removal of the force. For example, the waste toner box 110 is made of polypropylene (PP). Alternatively, the waste toner box 110 may be made of polyethylene (PE). Note that the waste toner box 110 is an example of what may be referred to as an “accessory”.
The cushioning member 120 surrounds the waste toner box 110 and restricts the position of the waste toner box 110. The cushioning member 120 is made of a material that is softer than the material of the housing of the image forming apparatus 210. For example, the cushioning member 120 is made of cardboard. Alternatively, the cushioning member 120 may be made of foamed plastic. For example, the cushioning member 120 is made of foamed polystyrene.
The cushioning member 120 may be formed from a material that is softer than the material of the waste toner box 110. Alternatively, the waste toner box 110 may be formed from a material that is softer than the material of the cushioning member 120.
The cushioning member 120 has a planar main body 120a and a restriction section 120b. The restriction section 120b is an opening located approximately in the center of the main body 120a.
The waste toner box 110 is disposed in the restriction section 120b, and the restriction section 120b restricts the position of the waste toner box 110. The waste toner box 110 is disposed in a space defined by the restriction section 120b. The restriction section 120b is recessed in a thickness direction (Z direction) relative to a top surface of the main body 120a. A thickness (Z-direction length) of the restriction section 120b is smaller than a thickness (Z-direction length) of the main body 120a. That is, the restriction section 120b restricts movement of the waste toner box 110 supported on the top surface of the image forming apparatus 210 by inserting the waste toner box 110 into the opening.
The restriction section 120b may be a through hole formed in the cushioning member 120, and the waste toner box 110 may be disposed in the through hole. In such a configuration, the waste toner box 110 is supported on a supporting surface 210a that supports the cushioning member 120. The supporting surface 210a is the top surface of the image forming apparatus 210. Alternatively, the restriction section 120b may be a depression, and the waste toner box 110 may be disposed on a bottom surface of the depression defining the restriction section 120b.
The restriction section 120b has a shape corresponding to a shape of the waste toner box 110. For example, the restriction section 120b has a length and a width that are substantially equal to or longer than a length and a width, respectively, of the waste toner box 110. When the waste toner box 110 is in the restriction section 120b of the cushioning member 120, the main body 120a of the cushioning member 120 surrounds the waste toner box 110, and thus the cushioning member 120 restricts horizontal movement of the waste toner box 110.
The cushioning member 120 may fix the waste toner box 110. For example, an X-direction length of the restriction section 120b of the cushioning member 120 may be substantially equal to an X-direction length of the waste toner box 110, and a Y-direction length of the restriction section 120b of the cushioning member 120 may be substantially equal to a Y-direction length of the waste toner box 110. In such a configuration, the waste toner box 110 is fixed by being press fitted into the cushioning member 120.
Alternatively, the X-direction length and the Y-direction length of the restriction section 120b of the cushioning member 120 may be slightly longer than the X-direction length and the Y-direction length, respectively, of the waste toner box 110, and the waste toner box 110 may be fixed to the cushioning member 120 using for example adhesive tape. Alternatively, the waste toner box 110 is not fixed to the cushioning member 120.
Note that an item other than the waste toner box 110 may be packed in the packing 220. For example, documents such as an instruction manual and a warranty of the image forming apparatus may be packed between any of inner surfaces of the packing 220 and the image forming apparatus 210.
A longitudinal direction of the waste toner box 110 is parallel to the X direction. That is, an X-direction length L1 of the waste toner box 110 is longer than a Y-direction length W1 of the waste toner box 110. Furthermore, a Z-direction length T1 of the waste toner box 110 is shorter than the Y-direction length W1 of the waste toner box 110.
The outline of an edge of the opening serving as the restriction section 120b has substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the waste toner box 110. An X-direction length L2 of the restriction section 120b is longer than a Y-direction length W2 of the restriction section 120b. A Z-direction length T2 of the restriction section 120b is shorter than a Y-direction length W2 of the restriction section 120b.
A thickness T2 of inner surfaces defining the opening serving as the restriction section 120b is slightly longer than a thickness T1 of the waste toner box 110. The length L2 and the length W2 of the restriction section 120b are respectively longer than the length L1 and the length W2 of the waste toner box 110.
For example, a difference between the length L2 of the restriction section 120b and the length L1 of the waste toner box 110 is from 1 mm to 50 mm. Preferably, the difference between the length L2 and the length L1 is from 3 mm to 30 mm. A difference between the length W2 of the restriction section 120b and the length W1 of the waste toner box 110 is from 1 mm to 50 mm. Preferably, the difference between the length W2 and the length W1 is from 3 mm to 30 mm.
The cushioning member 120 in the present example has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and outer surfaces of the cushioning member 120 are substantially flat. The cushioning member 120 has a through hole in the center thereof, and sides defining the through hole form the restriction section 120b.
The cushioning member 120 is disposed on the top surface of the image forming apparatus 210. The top surface of the image forming apparatus 210 supports the cushioning member 120. The cushioning member 120 surrounds the waste toner box 110 and restricts the position of the waste toner box 110. The waste toner box 110 is disposed in the restriction section 120b of the cushioning member 120. As described above, the restriction section 120b restricts movement of the waste toner box 110 supported on the top surface of the image forming apparatus 210 by inserting the waste toner box 110 into the opening.
The cushioning member 120 cushions not only shock on the top surface of the image forming apparatus 210 but also shock on the waste toner box 110. Furthermore, since the waste toner box 110 is made of a material that is softer than the material of the housing of the image forming apparatus 210, the waste toner box 110 itself cushions shock on the top surface of the image forming apparatus 210.
In the description given above with reference to
The first protector 132 and the second protector 134 are made of a material that is softer than the material of the housing of the image forming apparatus 210 (
The cushioning member 120 has extensions 120c in addition to the main body 120a and the restriction section 120b. The restriction section 120b is located approximately in the center of the cushioning member 120, and the main body 120a surrounds the restriction section 120b. In the present example, the cushioning member 120 has a through hole in the center thereof, and the through hole serves as the restriction section 120b.
The main body 120a has an upper face 122a, four side faces 122b, 122c, 122d, and 122e, and a lower face 122f. The upper face 122a of the cushioning member 120 faces in a +Z direction, and the lower face 122f of the cushioning member 120 faces in a −Z direction. The side faces 122b, 122c, 122d, and 122e of the cushioning member 120 respectively face a −Y direction, a +X direction, a +Y direction, and a −X direction.
The side faces 122b and 122d extend in the X direction, and the side faces 122c and 122e extend in the Y direction. The side faces 122c and 122e have the extensions 120c. Two extensions 120c extend in the +X direction from the side face 122c, and two extensions 120c extend in the −X direction from the side face 122e. A thickness (Z-direction length) of the extensions 120c is substantially equal to the thickness (Z-direction length) of the main body 120a.
The first protector 132 is located opposite to the side face 122c of the cushioning member 120. A height (Z-direction length) of the first protector 132 is substantially equal to a height (Z-direction length) of the inside of the packing 220 (see
The first protector 132 has a projection 132a, recesses 132b, and a main body 132c. The main body 132c has a rectangular shape having substantially the same size as a side face of the inside of the packing 220. The projection 132a projects in the −X direction from the main body 132c, and the recesses 132b are recessed relative to the projection 132a. The first protector 132 in the present example has one projection 132a and two recesses 132b recessed in the +X direction.
The shape and the size of the recesses 132b of the first protector 132 correspond to the extensions 120c on the side face 122c of the cushioning member 120. The extensions 120c on the side face 122c are fitted into the respective recesses 132b of the first protector 132. The first protector 132 may be in contact with the cushioning member 120 or out of contact with the cushioning member 120 in an arrangement in which the first protector 132 is located opposite to the side face 122c of the cushioning member 120.
The second protector 134 is located opposite to the side face 122e of the cushioning member 120. A height (Z-direction length) of the second protector 134 is substantially equal to the height (Z-direction length) of the inside of the packing 220 (see
The second protector 134 has a projection 134a, recesses 134b, and a main body 134c. The main body 134c has a rectangular shape having substantially the same size as a side face of the inside of the packing 220. The projection 134a projects in the +X direction from the main body 134c and the recesses 134b are recessed relative to the projection 134a. The second protector 134 in the present example has one projection 134a and two recesses 134b recessed in the −X direction.
The shape and the size of the recesses 134b of the second protector 134 correspond to the extensions 120c on the side face 122e of the cushioning member 120. The extensions 120c on the side face 122e are fitted into the respective recesses 134b of the second protector 134. The second protector 134 may be in contact with the cushioning member 120 or out of contact with the cushioning member 120 in an arrangement in which the second protector 134 is located opposite to the side face 122e of the cushioning member 120.
In the cushion structure 100 illustrated in
In the description given above with reference to
The thickness (Z-direction length) of the extensions 120c is greater than the thickness (Z-direction length) of the main body 120a. The thickness (Z-direction length) of the projection 132a in an upper portion of the first protector 132 is substantially equal to the thickness (Z-direction length) of the extensions 120c and is greater than the thickness (Z-direction length) of the main body 120a. Likewise, the thickness (Z-direction length) of the projection 134a in an upper portion of the second protector 134 is substantially equal to the thickness (Z-direction length) of the extensions 120c and is greater than the thickness (Z-direction length) of the main body 120a.
In the cushion structure 100 illustrated in
The waste toner box 110 in the present example is hollow. The waste toner box 110 has a shoe-like outer shape. The waste toner box 110 is made of a resin material such as polypropylene. For example, the waste toner box 110 is formed using a metallic mold.
The waste toner box 110 collects toner used in the image forming apparatus 210 (
The waste toner box 110 includes a tank 111, a receiving section 112, a hinge 113, and a cap 114. The tank 111 accommodates the toner used in the inside of the image forming apparatus 210 (
The receiving section 112 has a cylindrical shape protruding upward from a rear end portion of the tank 111. The receiving section 112 includes an inlet (intake) 112a and a collar 112b. The inlet 112a is an opening formed in an upper end portion of the receiving section 112. The used toner to be collected flows into the tank 111 through the inlet 112a. The collar 112b surrounds the circumference of the inlet 112a and protrudes outward from the inlet 112a.
The cap 114 engages with the receiving section 112 to hermetically close the inlet 112a. The hinge 113 connects the receiving section 112 with the cap 114. The hinge 113 enables the cap 114 to pivot with respect to the tank 111. Through pivoting, the cap 114 can change its state between a first state (
The waste toner box 110 illustrated in
The following describes the cushion structure 100 with the waste toner box 110 fixed to the cushioning member 120 with reference to
As illustrated in
The fixing section 120d extends in a direction intersecting with the main body 120a. For example, the fixing section 120d extends in a direction (Z direction) orthogonal to the main body 120a. The fixing section 120d in the present example is erected from the main body 120a.
The fixing section 120d corresponds to a portion of the restriction section 120b. A −Y-direction end of the fixing section 120d connects to the main body 120a. A +X-direction end and a −X-direction end of the fixing section 120d do not connect to the main body 120a.
The fixing section 120d includes a fixing piece 120f and a notch portion 120g. The fixing piece 120f stands on an edge of the restriction section 120b. The notch portion 120g is provided on the fixing piece 120f so as to hold a part of the waste toner box 110. The notch portion 120g supports the part of the waste toner box 110. The fixing section 120d has a through hole penetrating the fixing section 120d in the Y direction. The through hole of the fixing section 120d connects to the notch portion 120g in an upper portion of the fixing section 120d. In the fixing section 120d, an X-direction length of a side face of the notch portion 120g is shorter than an X-direction length of a side face of the through hole. The fixing section 120d further has protrusions at the notch portion 120g.
The fixing section 120d of the cushioning member 120 fixes the waste toner box 110 as illustrated in
Since the fixing section 120d of the cushioning member 120 fixes the waste toner box 110, the cushioning member 120 cushions not only shock on the top surface of the image forming apparatus 210 (
In the description given above with reference to
The following describes another cushion structure 100 with the waste toner box 110 fixed by a cushioning member 120 with reference to
As illustrated in FIG.8A, the cushioning member 120 includes the main body 120a, the restriction section 120b, the fixing section 120d, and a connection section 120e. The restriction section 120b is located approximately in the center of the cushioning member 120. The main body 120a has a substantially constant thickness and surrounds the restriction section 120b. The main body 120a extends in the X and Y directions.
The connection section 120e connects the main body 120a with the fixing section 120d. A −Y-direction end of the connection section 120e connects to the main body 120a, and a +Y-direction end of the connection section 120e connects to the fixing section 120d. A +X-direction end and a −X-direction end of the connection section 120e do not connect to the main body 120a. The connection section 120e is pivotable in the +Z direction or the −Z direction about the −Y-direction end thereof, which connects to the main body 120a.
The connection section 120e is inclined in the −Z direction relative to the main body 120a, and the fixing section 120d is erected in the +Z direction from the connection section 120e. Accordingly, a border between the fixing section 120d and the connection section 120e is a valley fold relative to an upper surface (+Z-direction surface) of the main body 120a.
The fixing section 120d extends in a direction intersecting with the main body 120a. For example, the fixing section 120d extends in a direction (Z direction) orthogonal to the main body 120a. The fixing section 120d in the present example is erected from the main body 120a with the connection section 120e therebetween. The fixing section 120d has a through hole penetrating the fixing section 120d in the Y direction. The through hole of the fixing section 120d connects to the notch portion 120g in an upper portion of the fixing section 120d.
The fixing section 120d of the cushioning member 120 fixes the waste toner box 110 as illustrated in
An embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the drawings (
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2018-095494 | May 2018 | JP | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
7992715 | Kwon | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8186512 | Bertken | May 2012 | B2 |
20060086635 | Kari | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20070187283 | Otsuka | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20120097569 | Murano | Apr 2012 | A1 |
20140305838 | Kawata | Oct 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2014102402 | Jun 2014 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20190352073 A1 | Nov 2019 | US |