BACKGROUND
Devices such as imaging systems typically include trays to hold print media such as paper. The print media can be fed from the tray into an image forming portion of the imaging system. In many such systems, the tray can be removed by sliding it out of the body of the imaging systems. Removal of the tray may be needed to, for example, add more paper or change the type of paper (e.g., letter size, A4, or the like).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of various examples, reference is now made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an example apparatus with a tray and a receiving body;
FIG. 2 illustrates another example apparatus with a tray and a receiving body;
FIG. 3 illustrates an example imaging system; and
FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of an example apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various examples described herein relate to systems, such as printers or other imaging systems, which have removable trays. For example, various printers or multi-function systems have one or more trays to hold paper to be fed into the printer. In accordance with examples described herein, the body of the system is provided with a recessed portion in the front end. The recessed portion allows a gap between a tray positioned in the system and the outer edge of the system. In this regard, the system can be placed against a surface, such as a wall or another device and, nevertheless, allow a user to access the side of the tray for removal. Further, handles on the front of the tray, which may be aesthetically undesirable, may be rendered unnecessary.
Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example apparatus with a tray and a receiving body. The example apparatus of FIG. 1 may be a portion of a larger system, such as a printer or other imaging system. Thus, the larger system may include additional components not illustrated in FIG. 1.
The example apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 includes a main body 110. The main body 110 of the example apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 may be the framework of an imaging system, for example. In this regard, the main body 110 may have any dimensions (e.g., width, height, etc.) suitable for the particular imaging system, for example. Further, the main body 110 may be formed of any of a variety of materials such as sheet metal, aluminum, steel, plastic, or a combination thereof.
The main body 110 of the example apparatus 100 includes a first wall 120, a second wall 130, and a connecting portion 140. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 140 may form the back of the main body 110. In other examples, the connecting portion 140 may form a top or bottom or other portion of the main body 110. Together, the first wall 120, the second wall 130 and the connecting portion 140 form a cavity 150. The thickness of each of the first wall 120, the second wall 130 and the connecting portion 140 may be selected as desired for a particular application, for example. Further, in the example system 100 of FIG. 1, the shape of the outer surface of each of the first wall, the second wall 130 and the connecting portion 140 is planar. In other examples, the shape of those surfaces may be contoured for aesthetic purposes, for example.
The example system 100 of FIG. 1 further includes a tray 170. In various devices, the tray 170 may be provided to hold print media such as paper to be supplied into an image forming portion (not shown in FIG. 1). In this regard, the tray 170 is sized to be received within the cavity 150. The tray 170 can be slidably inserted into or removed from the cavity 150. In this regard, the tray 170 can be removed from the cavity 150 by pulling it away from the main body 110, in the downward direction in FIG. 1. The tray 170 may further be sized to hold therein a variety of paper sizes including, but not limited to, letter, A4, legal, etc.
The first wall 120 of the main body 110 includes a recessed portion 160 formed at the front end 122 of the first wall 120. The recessed portion 160 is recessed from an outer plane 162 of the first wall 120. Further, the tray 170 includes an edge portion 172 that may be received within the recessed portion 160. When the tray 170 is inserted into the cavity 150, the edge portion 172 of the tray 170 is received into the recessed portion 160 and forms a gap 180 between the outer plane 162 of the first wall 120 and the edge portion 172.
In various example, the example apparatus 100 may be positioned such that the first wall 120 is positioned against a structure, such as a wall. The recessed portion 160 allows a user to remove the tray 170 from the main body 110 even when the apparatus is situated in this manner. For example, with the tray 170 inserted into the cavity 150, the gap 180 allows a user to reach therein with a hand or finger, for example, and grasp the edge portion 172 to pull the tray 170 out of the cavity 150. In this regard, the recessed portion 160 and the edge portion 172 of the tray are sized such that the gap 180 is sufficiently large to allow a user to reach therein with, for example, a finger or a hand.
In the example apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, the main body 110 is provided with a recessed portion 160 on one side (the first wall 120). In other examples, the example apparatus 100 may be provided with a recessed portion 160 on both sides (the first wall 120 and the second wall 130).
Referring now to FIG. 2, another example apparatus with a tray and a receiving body is schematically illustrated. The example apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 is similar to the example apparatus 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1. Accordingly, the example apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 includes a main body 210 and a tray 270. The main body 210 of the example apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 includes a first wall 220, a second wall 230, and a connecting portion 240. Together, the first wall 220, the second wall 230 and the connecting portion 240 form a cavity 250.
Similar to the example apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, the example apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 includes a recessed portion 260 formed at the front end 222 of the first wall 220 of the main body 210. The recessed portion 260 is recessed from an outer plane 262 of the first wall 220. In the example apparatus 200 of FIG. 2, the recessed portion 260 includes a tapered portion 264. Of course, in other examples, the recessed portion 260 may include various other shapes.
The tray 270 of the example apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 includes an edge portion 272. When the tray 270 is inserted into the cavity 250, the edge portion 272 of the tray 270 is received into the recessed portion 260 and forms a gap 280 between the outer plane 262 of the first wall 220 and the edge portion 272.
The recessed portion 260 allows a user to remove the tray 270 from the main body 210 when the example apparatus 200 is positioned against a wall, for example. The recessed portion 260 and the edge portion 272 of the tray 270 are sized such that the gap 280 is sufficiently large to allow a user to reach therein with, for example, a finger or a hand. Further, the example tray 270 of FIG. 2 is provided with an edge portion 272 which includes a gripping portion 274. The gripping portion 274 facilitates grasping of the edge portion 272 by a user and facilitates sliding of the tray 270 away from the main body 210. In this regard, the gripping portion 274 allows a user to exert a force in a direction parallel to the direction of the sliding of the tray 270.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an example imaging system is illustrated. The example imaging system 300 may be any of a variety of imaging systems, such as a printer, copier, or a multi-function device. In various examples, the imaging system 300 may be laser printer or a three-dimensional (3D) printer. The example imaging system 300 includes various portions including an imaging portion 310 and a tray receiving cavity 320. In various examples, the imaging portion 310 may include components to form an image. For example, the imaging portion 310 may include a media intake portion and an image forming portion. The image forming portion may include, for example, printheads for depositing ink onto a print media. Further, the imaging portion 310 is coupled to the tray receiving portion 320. For example, the media intake portion of the imaging portion 310 is positioned to receive print media from a tray inserted into the tray receiving cavity 320.
In various examples, the example imaging system 300 may be a desktop device or a larger system which includes various other components. For example, the example imaging system 300 may include various components such as post-processing portions to staple a stack of print media.
The tray receiving cavity 320 of the example imaging system 300 of FIG. 3 may be similar to the cavity 150, 250 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In this regard, the tray receiving cavity 320 of the example imaging system 300 is formed by a first wall 330 and a second wall 340. In various examples, the tray receiving cavity 320 may have other components surrounding it. For example, in the example imaging system 300 of FIG. 3, the tray receiving cavity 320 further includes a back wall 350 and a platform 360. The platform 360 may separate the tray receiving cavity 320 from the imaging portion 310.
The example imaging system 300 may rest on the ground or atop a desktop or another component. In this regard, the example imaging system 300 rests on the first wall 330 and the second wall 340. Thus, the first wall 330, the second wall 340 and the platform 360 form a pontoon structure.
The example imaging system 300 of FIG. 3 is provided with features to facilitate removal of a tray (not shown in FIG. 3). In this regard, the example imaging system 300 is provided with a recessed portion 370 formed at the front end 332 of the first wall 330. The recessed portion 370 may be similar to the recessed portions 160, 260 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the recessed portion 370 is recessed from an outer plane of the first wall 330.
The tray receiving cavity 320 of the example imaging system 300 may slidably receive a tray therein. A tray within the tray receiving cavity 320 is accessible by the imaging portion 310, allowing the imaging portion 310 to retrieve print media, such as paper, stored in the tray. The tray receiving cavity 320 may receive trays similar to the trays 170, 270 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For examples, the tray receiving cavity 320 may receive a tray having an edge portion that may be received in the recessed portion 370 and forms a gap between the outer plane of the first wall and the edge portion.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of an example apparatus is illustrated. The example apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 may be part of a larger system, such as an imaging system, for example. The example apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 is formed with an inner frame 410 and an outer cover 450. In various examples, the inner frame 410 may be formed to provide structural support and/or rigidity for the example apparatus 400, as well as the larger system. In this regard, the inner frame 410 may be formed of a metal, such as sheet metal, aluminum, or steel, for example. The outer cover 450 is positioned on the outer surface of the inner frame 410 and may be provided for aesthetic purposes. In various examples, the outer cover 450 may provide structural support in addition to aesthetic appeal. The outer cover 450 may be formed of a plastic, such as molded plastic, for example.
In the example apparatus 400, the inner frame 410 includes a first wall 420 and a second wall 430. The first wall 420 and the second wall 430 form a cavity 440, similar to the cavity 150, 250 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As described above, the outer cover 450 is positioned on the outer surface of the inner frame 410. In this regard, the outer cover 450 is positioned on the outer surfaces 422, 432 of each of the first wall 420 and the second wall 430, respectively.
The example apparatus 400 is provided with recessed portions 460 formed on the front end. In the example apparatus 400 illustrated in FIG. 4, recessed portions 460 are provided on each side of the example apparatus 400. Of course, as described above, in various examples, a recessed portion 460 may be provided on only one side. The recessed portion 460 on the left side of FIG. 4 is formed by the first wall 420 of the inner frame 410 and a corresponding portion of the outer cover 450. As described with reference to the various examples described above, the recessed portion 460 is recessed from an outer plane 452 of the outer cover 450.
The example apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 further includes a tray 470 which may slidably engage the cavity 440 of the inner frame 410. As described above, the tray 470 may be provided to store print media, such as paper, therein. The tray 470 includes an edge portion 472 which is received into the recessed portion 460 and forms a gap 480 between the outer plane 452 of the outer cover 450 and the edge portion 472. As described above, the gap 480 is sufficient to allow a user to reach therein with, for example, a finger or a hand.
Further, the tray 470 of the example apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 includes a gripping portion 474 formed on the edge portion 472. The gripping portion 474 facilitates grasping of the edge portion 472 by a user and facilitates sliding of the tray 470 away from the cavity 440 formed by the inner frame 410. In this regard, the gripping portion 474 allows a user to exert a force in a direction parallel to the direction of the sliding of the tray 470 away from the cavity 440.
Thus, various examples described herein facilitate removing of a tray from a device, such as an imaging system. Providing a recess on the side allows removal of the tray even if the device is positioned against a surface such as a wall.
The foregoing description of various examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the examples disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various examples. The examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various examples of the present disclosure and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present disclosure in various examples and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The features of the examples described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, and computer program products.
It is also noted herein that while the above describes examples, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope as defined in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20180257882
