JP6719924B2 - Packing material manufacturing method and cartridge packing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a packaging material used for a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus.

Here, examples of the image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like. Further, the cartridge is one that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. For example, a cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member which is an image carrier, a cartridge in which a developing unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member is formed into a cartridge, or , There is a cartridge that contains mainly the developer.

The packing material is a cardboard, a cushioning material, or the like for protecting the cartridge from external vibrations and shocks when the cartridge is transported.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a printer using an electrophotographic process uniformly charges an electrophotographic photosensitive member which is an image carrier and forms a latent image by selectively exposing the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Then, the latent image is developed with a developer and made visible as a developer image. Then, the developer image is transferred to a recording medium.

By applying heat or pressure to the transferred developer image, the developer image is fixed on the recording medium to record an image. Conventionally, such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has been accompanied by replenishment of developer and maintenance of various process means.

As a means for facilitating the developer replenishing work and maintenance, all or part of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the charging means, the developing means, the cleaning means and the like are collectively formed into a cartridge. Then, a cartridge system is adopted in which the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

According to this cartridge system, since the user himself/herself can perform maintenance of the apparatus in the form of replacing the cartridge, the operability can be significantly improved. In such a removable cartridge, the user replaces the cartridge. At this time, it is common to take out the cartridge from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and replace it with a new cartridge.

Here, a new cartridge shipped from a production factory is packed in a packing box having a cushioning material for protecting the cartridge from vibration and shock during transportation (Patent Document 1). Then, when a new cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the packaging box is unpacked, the cartridge is taken out from the packing material, and mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-123988

Information indicating the function and manufacturer of the cartridge is printed and displayed on a packing box (packing material) such as a cardboard for packing the cartridge so that the user does not erroneously mount the cartridge in the image forming apparatus. In particular, a cartridge corresponding to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that performs color printing may have substantially the same configuration except that the colors of the stored developers are different. In such a case, although the information on the manufacturer and the corresponding model is the same, but the color information of the developer is different, the user may mistakenly install a cartridge of a different color in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It was Therefore, in order to allow the user to intuitively recognize the color of the developer stored in the cartridge so as not to make a mistake, it is considered to improve the usability by providing an identification mark corresponding to the color of the developer. .. However, in this case, there is a problem that it is necessary to prepare a packaging material of a type corresponding to the color of the developer, which increases the manufacturing cost of the packaging material.

Therefore, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a packaging material with high usability that allows the user to identify the color of the developer housed in the cartridge without increasing the manufacturing cost of the packaging material.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to the present application is a method for manufacturing an image packaging material, which comprises a first concealing layer having a first color and a second color different from the first color. A step of forming a second hiding layer on the base material so that the first hiding layer and the second hiding layer are arranged side by side, and after step A, for the first hiding layer, A step B of irradiating a laser beam to remove the first hiding layer.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to the present application is a method for manufacturing a packaging material, which comprises a step A of forming a plurality of hiding layers partially formed on a base material, and a step A after the step A. A step F of forming a protective layer covering the base material and a part of the hiding layer, and a step of irradiating the hiding layer exposed from the protective layer with a laser beam to remove the hiding layer. B is included.
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to the present application is a method of packing a cartridge, wherein the cartridge stores a developer, and the packing method has a base material and a first mark color, and A first mark formed on the base material, a second mark color different from the first mark color, and formed on the base material so as to be aligned with the first mark. A packaging material having a second mark, a step of removing the second mark so that a portion covered by the second mark is exposed, and the cartridge having the packaging material. And a step of storing.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaging material manufacturing method with high usability that allows a user to identify the color of the developer housed in a cartridge without increasing the manufacturing cost of the packaging material.

It is the figure which showed the sheet member which comprises the packaging material which concerns on the Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge packed by the packing material according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state in which the cartridge was packed by the packing material which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the packaging material which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the laminated body which comprises the packaging material which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the laser processing given to the laminated body which comprises the packaging material which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a top view which shows the mark vicinity provided in the laminated body which comprises the packaging material which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a top view for explaining the mark provided in the layered product which constitutes the packing material concerning the example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a laser output and a scanning speed. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the language notation indicating the color of the toner provided on the laminated body constituting the packaging material according to the example of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the identifier vicinity provided in the laminated body which comprises the packaging material which concerns on the Example of this invention.

(Example 1)
An embodiment of a packaging material and a packaging material manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

In the following embodiments, a packing material in which a cartridge mounted in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is used as a packing target will be described. As the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, specifically, a case of a four-color full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) in which four cartridges can be attached and detached is illustrated. However, the number of cartridges mounted in the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. It is set appropriately as needed. In addition to this, the invention is not limited to the printer exemplified as the image forming apparatus, and for example, the packing of the cartridge for another image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine or the like, or another image forming apparatus such as a multi-function peripheral combining these functions. It may be used as a material.

≪Image forming device≫
FIG. 2 shows the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on the recording medium S. The image forming apparatus 1 is a process cartridge type, and a cartridge P (PY/PM/PC/PK) is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2 to form a color image on the recording medium S.

Examples of the recording medium S include recording paper, label paper, OHP sheet, cloth and the like. The apparatus main body 2 has an optical unit LB, a transfer unit, a fixing unit 11, a feeding unit for the recording medium S, and the like. Each of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) includes a photosensitive drum 4 (electrophotographic photosensitive member), a charging unit such as a charging roller 5, and a developing roller 6 (developer carrying member). And the like, and cleaning means such as the cleaning blade 7 (FIG. 3).

The surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 5 by applying a voltage from the apparatus main body 2. Then, the optical unit LB irradiates the charged photoconductor drum 4 with the laser beam L corresponding to the image information on the charged photoconductor drum 4 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 4 according to the image information. .. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner t (developer) by a developing device described later, and a developer image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The developer images formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 in each of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) are sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 3 and then transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 3. A color developer image is formed.

On the other hand, the recording medium S is separated and fed one by one in synchronization with the formation of the developer image. Then, the recording medium S is conveyed to the transfer roller 10 as a transfer unit. The transfer roller 10 is biased so as to come into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 3. Then, the recording medium S is passed through a nip portion formed by the intermediate transfer belt 3 and the transfer roller 10. At this time, by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the developer image to the transfer roller 10, the color developer image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 3 is transferred to the recording medium S.

The recording medium S onto which the developer image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 11. Then, heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium S by the fixing means 11, and the developer image transferred onto the recording medium S is fixed. As a result, an image is formed on the recording medium S. After that, the recording medium S is conveyed and ejected to the ejecting unit 12.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 4 after the transfer is cleaned by the cleaning blade 7, and the surface is uniformly charged again by the charging roller 5, so that the image can be formed.

<<Cartridge>>
Four cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), that is, a first cartridge PY, a second cartridge PM, a third cartridge PC, and a fourth cartridge PK are horizontally arranged in the apparatus main body 2. .. Each of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) has the same electrophotographic process mechanism and has different toner colors. Rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) from a drive output section (not shown) of the apparatus body 2. A bias voltage (charging bias, developing bias, etc.) is supplied from the apparatus main body 2 to each of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, each of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) of the present embodiment is provided with a photosensitive drum 4 and charging as a process means that acts on the photosensitive drum 4. It has a cleaning unit 8 equipped with means and cleaning means. Each of the first to fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) has a developing device 9 having a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4. The cleaning unit 8 and the developing device 9 are connected to each other.

The first cartridge PY contains yellow (Y) toner in the developing device frame 13 and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The second cartridge PM contains magenta (M) toner in the developing device frame 13 and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The third cartridge PC contains cyan (C) toner in the developing device frame 13, and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The fourth cartridge PK contains black (K) toner in the developing device frame 13 and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.

≪Cushioning material≫
The cartridge is packed in a box-shaped packing material with a cushioning material attached to protect it from vibrations and drops. FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the cartridge P and the packing material in a state of being packed in the packing material. A side pad type cushioning material 20 made of pulp is arranged between the cartridge P and the packing material, and when vibration or impact is applied by dropping or the like, the cushioning material 20 is deformed to protect the cartridge P. Have a role to play. It should be noted that although a side pad type cushioning material formed of pulp is described as an example of the cushioning material, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as the cushioning material, various cushioning materials such as waste paper such as pulp and corrugated board, and those formed of thin resin such as PET and PP can be used.

≪Packing materials≫
Next, the packing material 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the packing material 40 includes a base material 31 which is a structure, a base layer 32, a concealment layer 33 made of ink having a color different from that of the base layer 32 partially provided, and a transparent layer. The varnish layer 34 (protective layer) and the laminated body 30 are laminated in this order.

The packing material 40 has a role of protecting the object to be packed. Therefore, cardboard, cardboard, or other paperboard is used as the base material 31. In this embodiment, cardboard is used.

On the other hand, the packing material 40 has a role of displaying information about the cartridge to be packed. For this reason, characters, symbols, figures, etc. are printed on the surface of the paperboard that constitutes the packaging material 40. Specifically, a name notation 41 of the cartridge P, an illustration or a description 42 showing a method of using the cartridge P and precautions for use, an identifier 43 for product management, a mark 44 (identification mark) indicating a color of toner. A language notation 45 indicating the color of the toner is printed on the packing material 40. More specifically, the name notation 41, the illustrations and explanations 42 indicating the method of use and the precautions for use, the identifier 43, the mark 44, the language notation 45, and the like are provided on the base material 31 and the underlayer 32 and the hiding layer 33. Is printed and visualized. In addition, a varnish layer 34 (protective layer) is formed on the outermost surface of the laminated body 30 to protect the hiding layer 33 and the underlayer 32 formed on the base material 31. By forming the varnish layer 34 in this way, color fading and color transfer caused by rubbing the hiding layer 33 during transportation, for example, and the shape of characters and figures formed by the hiding layer 33. Can be prevented from collapsing.

In this embodiment, the packaging material 40 having the character string "ABC" as the name notation 41 of the cartridge P is illustrated in FIG. Further, in this embodiment, a bar code is used as the identifier 43. However, the identifier 43 is not limited to this, and a one-dimensional bar code, a two-dimensional code, or the like may be used. Further, the shape and size of the box shown in FIG. 5, and the printing positions of characters, symbols, and figures are not limited to those in this embodiment. For example, the packing material 40 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the cartridge P and the cushioning material 20 which are the objects to be packed from the side surface are taken in and out, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the packing material 40 becomes the objects to be packed, for example. The cartridge P and the cushioning material 20 may be configured to be taken in and out from the top surface. Also, the printing position may be changed according to the shape in the case of taking in and out from the top surface.

≪Packaging material manufacturing method≫
Below, the manufacturing method of the packaging material 40 is demonstrated using FIG. 1 and FIGS. In the following, the manufacturing method of the packaging material 40 having the mark 44M (first identification mark) for displaying the color of magenta will be described as an example. First, cardboard, cardboard, or the like is prepared as a paperboard to be the base material 31. Then, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a base layer 32 made of a white pigment (clay, calcium carbonate, titanium, etc.) is printed and laminated on the base material 31 (step C). After printing the base layer 31, the concealing layer 33 is printed with an ink containing a pigment, a resin, an oil component, an auxiliary agent, etc. and laminated (step A). As a result, a name notation 41, an illustration or description 42 indicating a method of use or precautions for use, an identifier 43, a mark 44, a language notation 45, etc. are formed. After forming the hiding layer 33, the varnish layer 34 is printed and laminated on the hiding layer 33 and the underlayer 32 exposed from the hiding layer 33 (step F). This prevents discoloration and color transfer caused by rubbing of the hiding layer 33 during transportation, and further prevents the characters and figures formed by the hiding layer 33 from collapsing and wear resistance. In addition to improving the light resistance, the light resistance can be improved. Although offset printing was used for printing each layer in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and, for example, gravure printing, flexo printing, or the like can also be used.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the underlayer 32 and the hiding layer 33 were exposed from the varnish layer 34 in the exposed region 35. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, after forming the underlayer 32, a yellow mark 44Y, a magenta mark 44M, a cyan mark 44C, and a black mark 44K are formed on the hiding layer 33. It is printed and formed so that four circular marks are aligned. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the mark 44 is circular and has a diameter A of about 10 mm. However, the shape is not limited to this. For example, any shape such as a triangle or a square is possible, and the size can be set to a desired size.

Further, around the mark 44, a ring-shaped line 46 surrounding the mark 44 is formed by the hiding layer 33. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner diameter B of the line 46 is set to be slightly larger than the diameter A of the mark 44 to form a region 47 in which the ring-shaped base layer 32 is exposed.
On the other hand, the varnish layer 34 suppresses the color fading of the hiding layer 33, the color transfer from the hiding layer 33, the collapse of the shape of the character or the figure formed in the hiding layer 33, and the like, and the effect of enhancing the wear resistance. Alternatively, the effect of increasing the light resistance can be obtained. In consideration of this point, the region without the varnish layer 34 is set as narrow as possible.

After the formation of the hiding layer 33, the varnish is removed except for the four marks 44Y, 44M, 44C and 44K and the exposed region 35 where the ring-shaped lines 46 (46Y, 46M, 46C and 46K) surrounding the respective marks are formed. The layer 34 is printed. That is, the four marks 44 and the ring-shaped line 46 surrounding each of the four marks are formed in the exposed region 35 where the varnish layer 34 is not formed while the varnish layer 34 covers a part of the hiding layer 33. Arranged configuration.

In this way, the yellow mark 44Y, the magenta mark 44M, the cyan mark 44C, and the black mark 44K are formed in the concealment layer 33 in the exposed region 35 where the varnish layer 34 is not formed in advance, and the layers are stacked. Form body 30.

Then, after forming the laminated body 30 in which the marks 44Y, 44M, 44C, and 44K are printed in the exposed region 35, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheet member 30A having the shape of the box-shaped developed view shown in FIG. It cuts so that it may become (process D).

Then, the sheet member 30A is laser-processed in accordance with the toner color of the cartridge P to be packed (step B) and processed into a box shape (step E). 20 is mounted and then stored, and the packing of the cartridge P is completed.

≪Laser processing method≫
In the present embodiment, in the exposed area 35, a laser processing is performed in advance on a part of the printing area to change the print content. Hereinafter, this laser processing step will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a layered state of layers when laser irradiation is performed and laser processing is performed, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a layered state of layers after laser processing. .. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing the vicinity of the mark before laser processing, and FIG. 7B is a plan view showing the vicinity of the mark after laser processing.

First, an exposed region in which a base material 31, a base layer 32, and a hiding layer 33 shown in FIG. 8A are sequentially stacked, and a part of the base layer 32 and the marks 44Y, 44M, 44C, and 44K are exposed from the varnish layer 34. 35 is set in a laser processing device so that a laser can be irradiated. Then, the laser light E is applied to the yellow mark 44Y other than the toner color (magenta) of the cartridge P to be packed, the cyan mark 44C, and the black mark 44K (second identification mark) (FIG. 7(a), step B). Thereby, the hiding layer 33 (ink) is sublimated by irradiating the laser beam E, the yellow mark 44Y, the cyan mark 44C, and the black mark 44K are removed, leaving only the magenta mark 44M. Processing was performed (FIG. 7(b)). As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the black mark 44K, the cyan mark 44C, and the yellow mark 44Y are removed by laser irradiation, and the removal portions 36K and 36C exposing the underlying layer 32, 36Y is formed. At this time, as the laser light E, in this embodiment, a CO 2 laser having a wavelength of 10.6 μm and an average output (output of laser oscillation tube alone) of 30 W was used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, a ring-shaped line 46 is provided around the mark 44 indicating the color of the toner, and a region 47 in which the underlayer 32 is exposed in a ring shape is provided. That is, the hiding layer 33 is not formed in a certain range from the marks 44Y, 44C, and 44K. As a result, the irradiation area of the laser light E can be made larger than that of the marks 44Y, 44C, 44K, and the marks 44Y, 44C, 44K can be reliably removed even when the irradiation position of the laser light E is displaced. can do. Although the present embodiment has been described using the ring-shaped line 46, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the hiding layer 33 may have a region 47 in which the underlying layer 32 having a diameter B is exposed. , Not limited to the ring shape.

In detail, due to the displacement during printing of the concealing layer 33 on the corrugated board by the plate, the displacement during die-cutting for forming the laminate 30, or the displacement during fixing the laminate 30 by the device during laser irradiation, Irradiation position deviation of the laser light E may occur. If the marks 44Y, 44C, and 44K are not irradiated with the laser beam E due to the deviation of the irradiation position of the laser beam E, the marks 44Y, 44C, and 44K may not be completely removed, and some marks may remain. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to more reliably remove the marks 44Y, 44C, 44K, the marks 44 (44M, 44Y, 44C, 44K) are ring-shaped lines 46 (46M, 46Y, 46C, 46K). It is configured to be placed inside the. In other words, in other words, the mark 44 (44M, 44Y, 44C, 44K) is surrounded by the region 47 (47M, 47Y, 47C, 47K) in which the underlying layer 32 is exposed and enclosed. Specifically, in this embodiment, since the mark 44 has a circular shape with a diameter A of about 10 mm, the inner diameter B of the ring-shaped wire 46, that is, the outer shape of the region 47 where the underlying layer 32 is exposed is set to about 13.5 mm. .. In this way, the irradiation area of the laser beam E is made larger than the size of the marks 44Y, 44C, 44K, and the marks 44Y, 44C, 44K are reliably removed. On the other hand, the region without the varnish layer 34 is set as narrow as possible in consideration of the effect of increasing the wear resistance and the light resistance obtained by the varnish layer 34.

In the present embodiment, like the mark 44, the laser processing is applied to the language notation 45 indicating the color of the toner and the identifier 43 for product management, the description of which needs to be changed according to the cartridge P to be packed. And formed.

FIG. 11A is a plan view showing a state before laser processing in which the language notation 45 is formed and a state in which the concealing layer 33 is solidly printed. FIG. 11B shows a state after laser printing, and is a plane portion showing a state in which characters are printed to form the language notation 45 by removing the concealing layer 33. As shown in FIG. 11A, similarly to the laser processing method for the mark 44, the laminated body 30 in which the exposed region 35 where the concealing layer 33 is exposed from the varnish layer 34 is formed is prepared. Then, the exposed region 35 is scanned with laser light in accordance with the shape of the language notation to be formed, and the concealing layer 33 is sublimated to form the language notation 45 as shown in FIG. 11B. In this way, the color of the hiding layer 33 and the underlying layer 32 are different from each other, and the hiding layer 33 is removed according to the printing content, whereby the notation 45 is formed. Therefore, the visibility of the color of the hiding layer 33 is higher than that of the underlying layer 32, the visibility is improved, the readability is enhanced, and the color is easily identified. In addition, although an example in which a plurality of languages indicating cyan is printed is shown as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. In the same manner, the print content can be changed appropriately depending on the color of the toner.

The identifier 43 can be similarly formed. FIG. 12A is a plan view showing a state before the laser processing in which the identifier 43 is formed and a state in which the hiding layer 33 is solidly printed. As shown in FIG. 12A, a laminated body 30 having an exposed region 35 in which the hiding layer 33 is exposed from the varnish layer 34 is prepared. Then, the exposed region 35 is scanned with laser light according to the shape of the identifier to be formed, and the concealing layer 33 is sublimated to form the identifier 43 as shown in FIG. 12B. As described above, not only the mark 44 indicating the color of the toner but also the portion of the cartridge P where the print content changes depending on the toner color can be formed by a single device by printing using laser processing, and can be manufactured. Tact can be shortened, which is more preferable.

<<Effect>>
As described above, in the present embodiment, the laminated body 30 in which the marks 44Y, 44M, 44C, and 44K are formed with the concealing layer 33 in the exposed region 35 where the varnish layer 34 is not formed in advance is prepared, and the laminate 30 is prepared according to the cartridge P. Process to remove unnecessary marks. As a result, the packing material 40 of the cartridge P having the same information such as the name notation 41, the illustrations and the explanations 42 indicating the usage method and the precautions, and the toner color information different from each other is provided only in the type corresponding to the toner color. Eliminates the need for inventory. Further, since one kind of packing material can be used for packing the cartridges P of a plurality of colors, a plate, a seal, and a label for making the packing material of the cartridge P are not required for each color of ink, and the packing material Manufacturing costs can be reduced. On the other hand, since the color mark 44 corresponding to the toner color of the cartridge P can be attached to the packing material 40, the color of the toner stored in the cartridge can be perceptually recognized, and the usability is improved. You can

In addition, in this embodiment, the laser treatment is applied to the region where the varnish layer 34 is not provided. In other words, the varnish layer 34 is not formed in the exposed region 35 to which the laser processing is applied. As a result, when the output of the laser light E is constant as shown in FIG. 10A, the scanning speed of the laser light E is increased and the irradiation time is shortened as compared with the case where the varnish layer 34 is provided. be able to. As a result, it is possible to shorten the manufacturing tact in the laser processing step and improve the manufacturing efficiency. In the experiment shown in FIG. 10( a ), the varnish layer 34 was used under the condition of the slowest scanning speed at which the yellow ink solidly printed by the offset printing can be sublimated by the laser light of a constant output without any color remaining. , Without varnish layer 34. In this experiment, when the scanning speed [mm/sec] with the varnish layer 34 was 1, it was 1.2 without the varnish layer. Thus, in the case without the varnish layer 34, the ink could be sublimated in a shorter time than in the case with the varnish layer 34.

On the other hand, when the scanning speed is the same as shown in FIG. 10B, the output of laser light can be set low, and the energy for laser irradiation can be saved. In the experiment shown in FIG. 10(b), the weakest laser output [W] condition that can sublimate the yellow ink solidly printed by the offset printing without any color remaining at a constant scanning speed "mm/sec" is set. , With the varnish layer 34 and without the varnish layer 34. In this experiment, when the output [W] with the varnish layer 34 is set to 1, the output without the varnish layer 34 is 0.8. Thus, in the case without the varnish layer 34, the ink could be sublimated with a weaker output than in the case with the varnish layer 34.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified as appropriate. For example, in the above embodiment, the base layer 32 having a color different from that of the cover layer 33 was provided between the base material 31 and the cover layer 33, but the base layer 32 is not necessarily provided. In the above embodiment, the base layer 32 was a white coat layer and was used to improve smoothness and design, but it may be omitted. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, after the sheet member 30A is subjected to the laser treatment, the sheet member 30A is assembled into a box shape to form the packing material 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sheet member 30A may be assembled into a box shape, the packaging material 40 may be formed, and then the laser treatment may be performed. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the packing material for the cartridge P in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. For example, it can be applied to a packaging material for an ink cartridge of a color inkjet printer, and the same effect can be obtained.

P cartridge 41 Cartridge name 42 Illustrations and explanations showing the usage and precautions of the cartridge 44M Mark indicating the color of toner 45 Language indicating the color of toner 43 Identifier 20 Buffer material 40 Packing material 31 Base layer 32 Underlayer 33 Concealment layer 34 Varnish layer 44 Mark showing toner color 36 Removal area A Mark diameter B Diameter of the area where the varnish layer is not provided

Claims (16)

A method of manufacturing packaging material,
A first hiding layer made of a first color and a second hiding layer made of a second color different from the first color are provided on a substrate, and the first hiding layer and the second hiding layer are provided. Step A of forming the hiding layers of
After the step A, a step B of irradiating the first hiding layer with laser light to remove the first hiding layer,
A method of manufacturing a packaging material, comprising: In the step A, a first identification mark is formed on the first hiding layer and a second identification mark is formed on the second hiding layer on a substrate,
The method for producing a packaging material according to claim 1, wherein in the step B, the first identification mark is removed by laser light. Prior to the step A, the method further comprises a step C of forming an underlayer of a color different from the first color and the second color on a base material. The manufacturing method of the packaging material described in. After the step A, a step D of cutting a laminate formed by sequentially stacking at least the first hiding layer and the second hiding layer on the base material is performed,
After the step D, the step B and the step E of assembling the cut laminated body into a box shape are performed, and the manufacturing of the packaging material according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Method. After the step A, the method further comprises a step F of forming a protective layer covering the base material,
In the step B, after the step F, of the first concealment layer and the second concealment layer exposed from the protective layer, the first concealment layer is irradiated with a laser beam and removed. The method for manufacturing a packaging material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the method is a step of performing. A method of manufacturing packaging material,
Step A of forming a plurality of hiding layers partially formed on the substrate,
After the step A, a step F of forming a protective layer covering the base material and a part of the hiding layer,
A step B of irradiating the hiding layer exposed from the protective layer with a laser beam to remove the hiding layer;
A method of manufacturing a packaging material, comprising: Prior to the step A, a step C of forming an underlayer of a color different from the color of the hiding layer on the substrate,
The packaging material manufacturing method according to claim 6, further comprising: After sequentially performing the step A and the step F, a step D of cutting a laminate formed by sequentially stacking at least the hiding layer and the protective layer on the base material is performed,
8. The method for manufacturing a packaging material according to claim 6, wherein after step D, step B and step E of assembling the cut laminated body into a box shape are performed. A method of packing a cartridge,
The cartridge contains developer,
The packing method is
A base material, a first mark color, a first mark formed on the base material, a second mark color different from the first mark color, and the base material Preparing a packaging material having a second mark formed on the top of the first mark and aligned with the first mark,
Removing the second mark so that the portion covered by the second mark is exposed ;
And storing the cartridge in front Symbol packaging,
A method for packing a cartridge, which comprises: 10. The method of packaging a cartridge according to claim 9, wherein in the step of removing the second mark, the second mark is removed by irradiating the second mark with laser light. The packaging material has a protective layer that covers a part of the base material,
The cartridge packing method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first mark and the second mark are arranged at positions where the protective layer is not formed. The packaging material has a base layer formed on the base material,
12. The cartridge packing method according to claim 9, wherein the base layer is exposed so as to surround the first mark and the second mark, respectively. The developer has a first developer color,
13. The cartridge packing method according to claim 9, wherein the first mark color corresponds to the first developer color. 14. The cartridge packing method according to claim 13, wherein the first mark color is the same as the first developer color. The cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus for forming a color image,
The apparatus main body is attachable/detachable to/from the cartridge and another color cartridge containing another color developer having a second developer color different from the first developer color,
15. The method of packing a cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the second mark color corresponds to the second developer color. The method of packaging a cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the second mark color is the same as the second developer color.

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