JP7788340B2 - Outer box and outer device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an exterior box and an exterior device.

One of the components of an image forming device placed in the workplace is a paper feed cassette. Examples of paper feed cassettes include cassette modules and envelope cassettes. A paper feed cassette is a device that is attached to an image forming device and stores the paper and envelopes on which images are formed. For convenience, the following will simply refer to paper, including envelopes. A paper feed cassette has paper guides that position the paper.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-44780

Conventionally, paper feed cassette packaging consists of an outer box and cushioning material placed between the paper feed cassette and the outer box. Because the paper guide of the paper feed cassette is designed to be attached and detached from the inside, it is shipped in a state where it is secured in place at multiple locations on the outside using tape. However, because the paper guide is secured solely by the adhesive strength of the tape, vibrations and impacts during transport or the transport environment can cause the adhesive strength to weaken or the tape to lift or peel off, which can lead to the paper guide becoming dislodged or damaged.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an outer box and outer packaging device for transporting paper feed cassettes that reduces the risk of paper guides coming off or being damaged.

The outer box of this embodiment is attached to an image forming apparatus and packages a paper feed cassette having a pair of side guides that move closer and farther apart in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction to match the size of the paper. The outer box is assembled from a single sheet of material. The paper feed cassette is housed in the outer box with the opening for loading and unloading paper facing up. The outer box has a pair of bottom inner flaps and a pair of bottom outer flaps that form the bottom surface of the outer box, and a pair of upper inner flaps and a pair of upper outer flaps that form the top surface of the outer box. One of the pair of upper inner flaps has a lift-up prevention portion that is bent downward and contacts the bottom of the paper feed cassette to prevent it from lifting up, and a movement prevention portion that is positioned between the pair of side guides and prevents the pair of side guides from moving closer together.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a paper feed cassette and an exterior device before the paper feed cassette is packaged. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the sheet members before the outer box is assembled. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the bottom part of the outer box is closed. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which the upper inner flap is half-closed and the lift-up prevention portion and the movement prevention portion are folded. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the upper inner flap fully closed. FIG. 6 shows the relative positional relationship between the upper inside flap and the paper feed cassette corresponding to the state shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows the relative positional relationship between the upper inside flap and the paper feed cassette corresponding to the state shown in FIG.

The following describes an exemplary packaging device for packaging a paper cassette for an image forming device, with reference to the drawings. The image forming device is, for example, a multifunction peripheral (MFP). Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a paper cassette 50 and packaging device 1 before the paper cassette is packaged. The packaging device 1 includes an exterior box 10 assembled from a single sheet of material, and cushioning materials 61, 62, 63, and 64 positioned at the top and bottom corners of the exterior box 10 to hold the paper cassette 50.

First, we will explain the paper feed cassette 50. The paper feed cassette 50 is a device that is installed in the image forming device and stores paper on which an image is formed. The paper feed cassette 50 has paper guides that position the paper. The paper guides include a pair of side guides 51 that move closer and farther apart in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction in order to position the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 50 according to the paper size, and an end guide 55 that is installed at the rear end position of the paper in the paper feed direction.

As shown in Figure 1 and more specifically in Figures 6 and 7, the pair of side guides 51 have a pair of rear guide walls 52 and a pair of front guide walls 53. Here, rear and front refer to the positional relationship when the paper feed cassette 50 is installed in the image forming apparatus. The pair of rear guide walls 52 and the pair of front guide walls 53 are connected via a gear mechanism (not shown) to center the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 50 in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction. The gear mechanism is, for example, a mechanism that uses a rack and pinion. For example, a mechanism in which a pair of opposing racks engage via a pinion.

One of the pair of front guide walls 53 (the front guide wall 53 on the right side in Figure 1) is provided with an operating part 54 for adjusting the distance between the pair of side guides 51. By operating this operating part 54, the pair of rear guide walls 52 and the pair of front guide walls 53 are moved closer to or farther away from each other in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction.

On the other hand, the end guide 55 is, for example, fitted upright into a groove extending in the paper feed direction at the bottom of the paper feed cassette 50, and is positioned by a click mechanism. When packaging, the end guide 55 can be left attached to the paper feed cassette 50, or removed and taped to the paper feed cassette 50.

Because the end guide 55 has a simple structure, there is little risk of the end guide 55 being damaged during transportation of the paper feed cassette 50, even if the end guide 55 is packaged while still attached to the paper feed cassette 50.

However, the pair of side guides 51, and in particular the gear mechanism that connects the pair of side guides 51, are complex structures. For this reason, there is a concern that the pair of side guides 51 and the gear mechanism that connects the pair of side guides 51 may be damaged during transportation of the paper feed cassette 50.

The outer box 10 has four side portions 11, 12, 13, and 14 that form the side portions of the outer box 10. The outer box 10 also has a pair of bottom inner flaps 21 and 23 and bottom outer flaps 22 and 24 that form the bottom portion of the outer box 10. Because the bottom outer flaps 22 and 24 are not visible in Figure 1, the reference numerals for the bottom outer flaps 22 and 24 are not shown.

The paper feed cassette 50 is housed in the exterior box 10 together with cushioning materials 61-64, with the opening for loading and unloading paper facing up. The cushioning materials 61-64 hold the paper feed cassette 50 in a fixed position within the interior space of the exterior box 10.

The outer box 10 also has a pair of upper inner flaps 31, 33 and upper outer flaps 32, 34 that form the top surface of the outer box 10. The pair of bottom inner flaps 21, 23 and the pair of upper inner flaps 31, 33 are folded inward to sandwich the cushioning materials 61-64 from above and below, securing them in place.

One of the pair of upper inner flaps 31, 33 (the upper inner flap 31 on the right in Figure 1) has a lift-up prevention portion 41 and a movement prevention portion 42.

The lift prevention section 41 is bent downward and contacts the bottom of the paper feed cassette 50 where paper is placed, preventing the paper feed cassette 50 from lifting up. The movement prevention section 42 is continuous with the lift prevention section 41. The movement prevention section 42 is bent toward the center and positioned between the pair of side guides 51, preventing the pair of side guides 51 from moving closer together, i.e., inward.

Next, the structure of the sheet members before assembly of the outer box 10 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows the sheet members before assembly of the outer box 10, in other words, the sheet members of the unfolded outer box 10.

The sheet member of the exterior box 10 has four continuous side surfaces 11, 12, 13, and 14 that make up the side surface of the exterior box 10, and an adhesive portion 15. The adhesive portion 15 is continuous with the side surface 14 located at one end of the four side surfaces in the direction in which the four side surfaces 11 to 14 are arranged, and is adhered to the side surface 11 located at the other end of the four side surfaces in the direction in which the four side surfaces 11 to 14 are arranged.

The sheet member of the outer box 10 also has a pair of bottom inner flaps 21, 23 and a pair of bottom outer flaps 22, 24 that alternately connect to one side (bottom side) of the four side portions 11-14 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the four side portions 11-14. The pair of bottom inner flaps 21, 23 and the pair of bottom outer flaps 22, 24 are each spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction of the four side portions 11-14 by a narrow slit.

That is, the bottom inner flap 21 is continuous with the side portion 11, the bottom outer flap 22 is continuous with the side portion 12, the bottom inner flap 23 is continuous with the side portion 13, and the bottom outer flap 24 is continuous with the side portion 14. Furthermore, the bottom inner flap 21 and the bottom outer flap 22, the bottom outer flap 22 and the bottom inner flap 23, and the bottom inner flap 23 and the bottom outer flap 24 are each separated from one another by a narrow slit.

The sheet member of the outer box 10 also has a pair of upper inner flaps 31, 33 and a pair of upper outer flaps 32, 34 that alternately connect to the other sides (top edges) of the four side sections 11-14 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement of the four side sections 11-14. The pair of upper inner flaps 31, 33 and the pair of upper outer flaps 32, 34 are each spaced apart from each other in the arrangement of the four side sections 11-14 by a narrow slit.

That is, the upper inner flap 31 is continuous with the side portion 11, the upper outer flap 32 is continuous with the side portion 12, the upper inner flap 33 is continuous with the side portion 13, and the upper outer flap 34 is continuous with the side portion 14. Furthermore, the upper inner flap 31 and the upper outer flap 32, the upper outer flap 32 and the upper inner flaps 33, and the upper inner flaps 33 and the upper outer flaps 34 are each separated from one another by a narrow slit.

The sheet member of the outer box 10 also has a lower extension 16 that extends downward from the adhesive portion 15, and an upper extension 17 that extends upward from the adhesive portion 15. The lower extension 16 is separated from the bottom outer flap 24 by a narrow slit. The upper extension 17 is separated from the upper outer flap 34 by a narrow slit. The lower extension 16 and upper extension 17 are folded over without being glued.

The side surfaces 11-14, bottom inner flaps 21, 23, bottom outer flaps 22, 24, upper inner flaps 33, upper outer flaps 32, 34, adhesive portion 15, lower extension portion 16, and upper extension portion 17 are all rectangular. In contrast, the upper inner flap 31 is not rectangular because it has a lift-up prevention portion 41 and a movement prevention portion 42.

The lift-up prevention portion 41 and the movement prevention portion 42 are created by cutting out a portion of the upper inner flap 31 before the lift-up prevention portion 41 and the movement prevention portion 42 are created. More specifically, the upper inner flap 31 before the lift-up prevention portion 41 and the movement prevention portion 42 are created is rectangular, just like the upper inner flap 33. A pair of narrow slits are formed in this rectangular upper inner flap 31, and then both upper ends of the portion between the slits are cut out, thereby creating the lift-up prevention portion 41 and the movement prevention portion 42. As a result, the upper edge of the movement prevention portion 42 does not protrude above the upper edges of the upper inner flap 33 and the upper outer flaps 32 and 34.

To make it easier to fold the sheet material of the outer box 10, lead creases 25 are formed between the side portions 11-14 and the bottom inner flaps 21, 23 and bottom outer flaps 22, 24, and between the adhesive portion 15 and the lower extension 16. Lead creases 35 are also formed between the side portions 11-14 and the upper inner flaps 31, 33 and upper outer flaps 32, 34, and between the adhesive portion 15 and the upper extension 17. Lead creases 18 are also formed between the side portions 11-14. Lead creases 43 are also formed between the upper inner flap 31 and the lift-up prevention portion 41. Lead creases 44 are also formed between the lift-up prevention portion 41 and the movement prevention portion 42.

For example, the sheet material of the outer box 10 is a cardboard sheet. In Figure 2, as shown by an imaginary semicircular cutout of a portion of the sheet above the bottom outer flap 22, the grooves in the core of the cardboard sheet extend vertically.

Next, the assembly of the outer box 10 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the bottom of the outer box 10 is closed. In other words, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the paper feed cassette 50 is ready to be stored. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which the upper inner flap 31 is partially closed and the lift-up prevention portion 41 and movement prevention portion 42 are folded. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the state in which the upper inner flap 31 is completely closed.

For convenience, the paper feed cassette 50 is not shown in Figures 4 and 5. Furthermore, only the upper inner flap 31, the lift-up prevention portion 41, and the folds of the movement prevention portion 42 are shown.

The assembly process from the state shown in Figure 2 to the state shown in Figure 3 is as follows. First, the side portions 11-14 and adhesive portion 15 are folded along the lead crease 18. Next, the adhesive portion 15 is adhered to the inside of the end of the side portion 11. Next, the pair of bottom inner flaps 21, 23 are folded inward at approximately 90 degrees along the lead crease 25. Accordingly, the lower extension portion 16 is also folded inward at approximately 90 degrees. Furthermore, the pair of bottom outer flaps 22, 24 are folded inward at approximately 90 degrees along the lead crease 25, and the bottom outer flaps 22, 24 are adhered to the bottom inner flaps 21, 23. Next, the upper inner flaps 31, 33 and the upper outer flaps 32, 34 are folded outward at approximately 90 degrees along the lead crease 35 to form the outer box 10 with its bottom closed, as shown in Figure 3.

After placing the paper feed cassette 50 together with the cushioning materials 61-64 in the exterior box 10 shown in Figure 3, the upper inner flap 31 is folded inward as shown in Figure 4. In addition, the lift-up prevention portion 41 is folded downward, and the movement prevention portion 42 is folded toward the center. Figure 6 shows the relative positional relationship between the upper inner flap 31 and the paper feed cassette 50 in this state. In this state, the lift-up prevention portion 41 is not yet in contact with the bottom of the paper feed cassette 50.

From the state shown in Figure 4, the upper inner flap 31 is further folded inward, and finally folded inward approximately 90 degrees as shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 shows the relative positional relationship between the upper inner flap 31 and the paper feed cassette 50 corresponding to this state. In this state, the lift-up prevention portion 41 contacts the bottom of the paper feed cassette 50 and prevents the paper feed cassette 50 from lifting up. The movement prevention portion 42 is continuous with the lift-up prevention portion 41. The movement prevention portion 42 is folded toward the center and positioned between the pair of side guides 51, preventing the pair of side guides 51 from moving closer together, i.e., inward.

The lift-up prevention section 41 prevents the paper feed cassette 50 from lifting up, preventing the pair of side guides 51 from coming off the paper feed cassette 50.

When the outer box 10 is suddenly tilted during transport or placed on its side, the pair of side guides 51 tend to rapidly approach each other. This can easily lead to damage to the pair of side guides 51, and in particular to damage to the gear mechanism connecting the pair of side guides 51.

The pair of side guides 51 are packed in the outer box 10 with a distance between them close to the width of the movement prevention part 42. Furthermore, the movement prevention part 42 is positioned between the pair of side guides 51, preventing the pair of side guides 51 from moving closer together, i.e., inward, thereby preventing damage to the pair of side guides 51, and in particular damage to the gear mechanism connecting the pair of side guides 51.

It is possible that the pair of side guides 51 may move apart due to vibrations or shocks during transport, but this movement is gradual and the movement stroke of the side guides 51 is large. For this reason, it is unlikely that the pair of side guides 51 will move apart to their maximum extent, causing damage to the pair of side guides 51, and in particular to the gear mechanism connecting the pair of side guides 51.

In the embodiment, the exterior device 1 is described as having an exterior box 10 and cushioning materials 61-64, but the cushioning materials 61-64 are not necessarily required components. In other words, as long as the exterior box 10 is designed to fit the dimensions of the paper feed cassette 50 and the paper feed cassette 50 is held in a fixed position within the interior space of the exterior box 10, the cushioning materials 61-64 can be omitted.

As described above, the embodiment provides an outer box 10 and outer packaging device 1 for transporting paper feed cassettes that reduces the likelihood of the paper guides, particularly the side guides 51 (and gear mechanisms), becoming dislodged or becoming damaged.

The lift-up prevention portion 41 and the movement prevention portion 42 are created by cutting out one of the upper inner flaps (upper inner flap 31 in this embodiment) of the sheet material of a conventional outer box. Therefore, the lift-up prevention portion 41 and the movement prevention portion 42 can be formed without enlarging the unfolded dimensions of the sheet material of a conventional outer box.

The outer box 10 can be assembled by simply bending along the lead lines 18, 25, 35, 43, and 44. Furthermore, the outer box 10 can be easily unfolded flat and stacked when disposed of. Because the lift-prevention portion 41 and the movement-prevention portion 42 are formed on the upper inner flap 31, there are no restrictions on sealing, stacking, etc., for the outer box 10.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

1...exterior device, 10...exterior box, 11...side portion, 12...side portion, 13...side portion, 14...side portion, 15...adhesive portion, 16...lower extension portion, 17...upper extension portion, 18...lead crease, 21...bottom inner flap, 22...bottom outer flap, 23...bottom inner flap, 24...bottom outer flap, 25...lead crease, 31...upper inner flap, 32...upper outer flap, 33...upper inner flap, 34...upper outer flap, 35...lead crease, 41...prevention portion, 42...movement prevention portion, 43...lead crease, 44...lead crease, 50...paper feed cassette, 51...side guide, 52...rear guide wall, 53...front guide wall, 54...operation portion, 55...end guide, 61...cushioning material, 62...cushioning material, 63...cushioning material, 64...cushioning material.

Claims (4)

An outer box assembled from a single sheet member for packaging a paper feed cassette that is attached to an image forming apparatus and has a pair of side guides that move closer to and farther from each other in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction in accordance with the size of the paper stored therein,
The paper feed cassette is housed in the outer box with an opening for inserting and removing paper facing upward, and the outer box has a pair of bottom inner flaps and a pair of bottom outer flaps that form a bottom surface of the outer box, and a pair of upper inner flaps and a pair of upper outer flaps that form a top surface of the outer box,
one of the pair of upper inner flaps has a lift-up prevention portion that is bent downward to contact the bottom of the paper feed cassette and prevent the paper feed cassette from lifting up, and a movement prevention portion that is disposed between the pair of side guides and prevents the pair of side guides from approaching each other;
Outer box. The movement prevention portion is continuous with the lift-up prevention portion and is bent toward the center to be disposed between the pair of side guides.
The outer box according to claim 1 . The single sheet member has four consecutive side surfaces that constitute the side surfaces of the outer box, and an adhesive portion that is continuous with a side surface portion located at one end of the four side surfaces in the direction in which the four side surfaces are aligned and is adhered to a side surface portion located at the other end of the four side surfaces in the direction in which the four side surfaces are aligned, the pair of bottom inner flaps and the pair of bottom outer flaps each alternately continue with one side of the four side surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the four side surfaces are aligned and are spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the four side surfaces are aligned, and the pair of upper inner flaps and the pair of upper outer flaps each alternately continue with the other side of the four side surfaces in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the four side surfaces are aligned and are spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the four side surfaces are aligned.
The outer box according to claim 2. An outer box according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ;
cushioning materials arranged at four corners of the upper and lower portions of the exterior box to hold the paper feed cassette;
The pair of bottom inner flaps and the pair of upper inner flaps are folded inward to sandwich the cushioning material from above and below and fix the cushioning material.
Exterior equipment.