RESIN COMPONENT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Abstract

A biodegradable plastic of a screw-fastened portion which remains on a metal component can be decomposed and dissolved by immersing in a degradative enzyme while being joined with the metal component. Further, since the amount of the biodegradable plastic is small and a shape such as a groove is provided which can increase a contact area with the degradative enzyme, decomposition can be completed in a short time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing an example image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example configuration in which a metal frame and a cover are joined together according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example state in which a cover is being separated from a metal frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example state after a cover has been separated from a metal frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a detail diagram showing an example screw-fastened portion of a cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detail diagram showing an example screw-fastened portion provided with a notch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing the screw-fastened portion of a cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another configuration in which a metal frame and a duct are joined together according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example box-type cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a detailed diagram showing an example attaching portion of a box-type cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a detail diagram showing an example attaching surface side of a screw-fastened portion according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example screw-fastened portion provided with grooves on an attaching surface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing an example disassembling process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example metal frame provided with holes around a screw-fastened portion according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fastening assembly for a device comprising: a first component made of a biodegradable plastic material;a second component made of a non-biodegradable material securely joined to the first component; anda guide portion, provided on at least one of the first component or the second component, disposed proximate an interface between the first and second component to guide a degradation liquid for degrading the biodegradable plastic.

2. The fastening assembly for a device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion includes a groove formed on the first component proximate the interface, wherein the groove connects to an exposed outside region of the interface.

3. The fastening assembly for a device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion has a plurality of holes passing through toward the interface between the first and second component.

4. The fastening assembly for a device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is provided on the first component.

5. The fastening assembly for a device according to claim 1, wherein the first component has a groove that is formed continuously and linearly to surround the interface.

6. The fastening assembly for a device according to claim 5, wherein the first component has a notch provided on at least one of a starting point and an end point of the groove.

7. The fastening assembly for a device according to claim 1, wherein the first component comprises an exterior cover of an image forming apparatus.

8. The fastening assembly for a device according to claim 1, wherein the first component comprises an airflow duct adapted to deliver air from an inside to an outside of an image forming apparatus.

9. A fastening assembly comprising: a plastic first component having an upperside and an underside and at least one mounting region at least partially circumscribed by a first groove disposed in the upperside or underside of the first component;a second component made from a rigid material; anda fastener adapted to securely hold the first and second components together,wherein when the first component is pulled away from the second component during a disassembly recycling process, the first component is adapted to tear along the first groove such that the at least one mounting region remains attached to the second component via the fastener while a remaining portion of the first component entirely separates from the fastening interface.

10. The fastening assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first component is biodegradable.

11. The fastening assembly according to claim 9, wherein the underside of the mounting region includes a plurality of second grooves formed therein.

12. The fastening assembly according to claim 9, wherein the at least one mounting region further includes a standoff portion which elevates the first component above the second component.

13. A method for disassembling and recycling components from devices having at least one fastening interface optimized for expedient disassembly, the at least one fastening interface including a biodegradable plastic first component having an upperside and an underside and at least one mounting region at least partially circumscribed by a first groove disposed in the upperside or underside of the first component; a second component made from a rigid non-biodegradable material; and a fastener adapted to securely hold the first and second components together, wherein the first component is adapted to tear along the first groove such that the at least one mounting region remains attached to the second component via the fastener while a remaining portion of the first component entirely separates from the fastening interface, the method comprising: pulling away the first component from the second component such that the first component separates entirely from the second component; andimmersing the second component into a degradative enzyme liquid component.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising treating the first component separately from the second component.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the underside of the mounting region includes a plurality of second grooves formed therein.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one mounting region further includes a standoff portion which elevates the first component above the second component.