STORAGE APPARATUS FOR STORING SHEET

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a storage apparatus for storing sheets.

Description of the Related Art

In image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimile machines, sheets are stored in sheet feed cassettes. Image forming apparatuses that can treat long sheets, not only common office standard-sized sheets such as A4, are widely known.

As a method of storing the long sheets, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2021-17335 discusses a sheet feed cassette that can be extended and connected, to treat the long sheets.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a cassette with a high workability.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a storage apparatus includes an apparatus main body, and a cassette for storing a sheet to be fed and configured to be pulled out from the apparatus main body and demounted from the apparatus main body. The cassette includes a first tray portion configured to support the sheet, a second tray portion configured to support the sheet, a connection portion configured to connect the first tray portion and the second tray portion, a first grip portion used when the cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body, and a second grip portion provided on the connection portion and used when the cassette is held in a state where the cassette is demounted from the apparatus main body.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-section diagram illustrating a color laser printer (image forming apparatus) to which the present disclosure is applicable.

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram illustrating a sheet feed cassette to which the present disclosure is applicable.

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where the sheet feed cassette is slid and extended.

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where the sheet feed cassette is separated.

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where the sheet feed cassette is separated when a third tray portion is to be added to the sheet feed cassette.

FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram illustrating the third tray portion.

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where the third tray portion is additionally connected.

FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where the third tray portion is additionally connected and a second grip portion is open.

FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where a third tray portion is additionally connected, according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where a third tray portion is additionally connected, according to a third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where a third tray portion is additionally added, according to a fourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where a second grip portion is stored, according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus

With reference to FIG. 1, an overall configuration of a color image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section diagram illustrating a color laser printer A serving as an example of a color image forming apparatus. The color laser printer A serving also as an example of a storage apparatus is provided with a sheet feed cassette 100 for storing sheets. The color laser printer (image forming apparatus) A is provided with a feed roller 14 for feeding a sheet S stored in the sheet feed cassette 100 disposed at a bottom position of the color laser printer A, into the color laser printer A. The sheet feed cassette 100 is supported so as to be slidably movable with respect to the main body of the color laser printer A (hereinbelow, referred to as an apparatus main body). The sheet feed cassette 100 can be pulled out in an X direction with respect to the apparatus main body from a sheet mounted position where the stored sheet S is feedable by the feed roller 14. The sheet feed cassette 100 can also be demounted from the apparatus main body.

At an upper right portion of the feed roller 14, a registration roller unit 16 for adjusting the registration of the sheet S to convey the sheet S is disposed. Above the feed roller 14, four process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk) are disposed. Over the process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk) including photosensitive drums 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2Bk), an intermediate transfer unit 70 is disposed so as to oppose the process cartridges 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk). A latent image on each of the photosensitive drums 2 is developed by a development unit (not illustrated). The intermediate transfer unit 70 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, and inside the intermediate transfer belt 8, further includes primary transfer rollers 5 (5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5Bk), a secondary transfer counter roller 10, a tension roller 11, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit (not illustrated). The intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer counter roller 10 form a transfer nip for nipping a sheet. On a right side of the intermediate transfer unit 70, a secondary transfer roller 12 is disposed so as to oppose the secondary transfer counter roller 10. The process cartridges 1, the intermediate transfer unit 70, the primary transfer rollers 5, and the secondary transfer counter roller 10 constitute an image forming portion for forming an image on a sheet. Over a secondary transfer portion, a fixing unit 20 is disposed. Above a left portion of the fixing unit 20, a sheet discharge roller pair 22, a two-sided conveyance portion 24, a reversing roller pair 23, and a double-sided flapper 21 serving as a branching unit are disposed.

A toner image corresponding to desired image data is formed on each of the photosensitive drums 2, and the toner image is primarily transferred from each of the photosensitive drums 2 onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. On the other hand, the sheet S stored in the sheet feed cassette 100 is fed by the feed roller 14. The sheet S fed by the feed roller 14 is conveyed by the registration roller unit 16 to the transfer nip. At the transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred on the sheet S. The sheet S with the toner image transferred thereon is conveyed to the fixing unit 20. The toner image transferred on the sheet is fixed onto the sheet by the fixing unit 20. The sheet S with the toner image fixed thereon by the fixing unit 20 is discharged onto the stacking portion 90 by the sheet discharge roller pair 22. In addition, in a case where images are to be formed on respective sides of the sheet, the sheet S is conveyed to the registration roller unit 16 again by the reversing roller pair 23.

Configuration of Sheet Feed Cassette

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the sheet feed cassette 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram illustrating the sheet feed cassette 100. FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating the sheet feed cassette 100 when it is slid to be extended. FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where the sheet feed cassette 100 is separated.

The sheet feed cassette 100 is configured of two tray portions. More specifically, the sheet feed cassette 100 is configured of a first tray portion 60 on which a first grip portion 65 to be used when the sheet feed cassette 100 is pulled out from the front side of the apparatus main body is provided, and a second tray portion 50 located at the back side of the apparatus main body. On a front side of the main body of the first tray portion 60, a cassette front cover 266 (see FIG. 4) is provided. At a part of the cassette front cover 266, the first grip portion 65 used when a user pulls out the sheet feed cassette 100 is provided. More specifically, the first grip portion 65 provided on the cassette front cover 266 is exposed for the user to be able to grip it in a state where the sheet feed cassette 100 is located at its mounted position.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, at respective right and left ends of the first tray portion 60, pillar portions 61 and 62 are provided, and at a center portion of the first tray portion 60, flange portions 63 and 64 are provided. On the second tray portion 50 serving as a movable member, a holding portion 51 including protrusions 51A and 51B at its upper portion, and a planar portion 51C at its lower portion are provided, and engaged with the opposing pillar portion 61 of the first tray portion 60 in a slidable manner. Although not illustrated, a similar holding portion is provided on the opposite side of the second tray portion 50, and engaged with another pillar portion 62 provided on the first tray portion 60 in a slidable manner. Further, at a center portion of the second tray portion 50, a groove 55 is provided, and at an upper portion of the groove 55, protrusions 53A, 53B, 54A, and 54B are provided. The flange portions 63 and 64, provided on the first tray portion 60, are insertable to the groove 55 and engaged by the groove 55 and the protrusions 53A, 53B, 54A, and 54B in a slidable manner. With the engagement at the right, left, and center, the first tray portion 60 and the second tray portion 50 are slidably engaged.

In a case where the second tray portion 50 is fully engaged with the first tray portion 60, the sheet feed cassette 100 becomes the smallest size that can store A4 size sheets (see FIG. 2). Further, in a case where the second tray portion 50 is slid and moved with respect to the first tray portion 60 to increase the size of the sheet feed cassette 100, the sheet feed cassette 100 becomes the maximum size that can store legal-size sheets (see FIG. 3). In this way, the sheet feed cassette 100 is extendable and retractable in two sizes. Although not illustrated, stoppers for holding the positions at the minimum and maximum states, and a release lever for releasing the holding are provided, to allow a user to arbitrarily change the size of the sheet feed cassette 100.

Third Tray Portion and Second Grip Portion

The sheet feed cassette 100 is normally configured of the first tray portion 60 and the second tray portion 50.

However, in a case where a user desires to set sheets longer than the legal-size sheet, a third tray portion 110 can be connected to the sheet feed cassette 100 so that the third tray portion 110 is added to the sheet feed cassette 100. By connecting the third tray portion 110, the size of sheets that can be stored in the sheet feed cassette 100 can be extended to a larger size.

With reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, a configuration of the third tray portion 110 serving as a connection unit will be described. FIG. 5 illustrates a state where the first tray portion 60, the second tray portion 50, and the third tray portion 110 are separated. FIG. 6 illustrates the third tray portion 110. Further, FIG. 7 illustrates a state where the third tray portion 110 is additionally connected, and FIG. 8 illustrates a state where second grip portions 150 and 153 are open.

The third tray portion 110 is provided with stacking surfaces 111A and 111B for stacking the sheets S thereon, and pillar portions 112 and 113 are respectively provided on the right and left sides at an end portion of the third tray portion 110. At a center portion of the third tray portion 110, a recessed portion 120 is provided. On a side, on which the pillar portions 112 and 113 are provided, of the end portions of the recessed portion 120, a flange portion 114 is provided. In a similar manner to the first tray portion 60, the pillar portion 112 of the third tray portion 110 engages with the holding portion 51 provided on the second tray portion 50. The pillar portion 113 on the opposite side engages with another holding portion (not illustrated) in a similar manner. The recessed portion 120 of the third tray portion 110 is insertable into the groove 55 provided in the second tray portion 50. The flange portion 114 of the third tray portion 110 engages with the second tray portion 50 by the protrusions 53B and 54B of the second tray portion 50 in a similar manner to the first tray portion 60. The second tray portion 50 is provided with pawl protrusions 255 and 56 and tap holes 57 and 58. The third tray portion 110 is provided with screw holes 116 and 118 and engagement holes 115 and 117. When the second tray portion 50 and the third tray portion 110 are engaged, the pawl protrusions 255 and 56 and the engagement holes 115 and 117 are respectively engaged, to match the positions of the screw holes 116 and 118 with the positions of the tap holes 57 and 58, and the second tray portion 50 and the third tray portion 110 can be fixed with screws.

On the other hand, on the side opposite to the side engaged with the second tray portion 50, holding portions 121 and 123 that form U shapes with the stacking surfaces 111A and 111B as lower surfaces are provided. Protrusions 122 (122A and 122B) and 124 (124A and 124B) are provided on the recessed portion 120. The pillar portion 61 provided on the first tray portion 60 engages with the holding portion 121 of the third tray portion 110, and the pillar portion 62 engages with the holding portion 123, in a similar manner to the second tray portion 50. The flange portions 63 and 64 provided on the first tray portion 60 are inserted into the recessed portion 120 of the third tray portion 110 to engage with each other by being pressed from above by the protrusions 122 and 124 of the third tray portion 110, in a similar manner to the second tray portion 50. Engaging holes 125 and 126 are provided in the stacking surfaces 111A and 111B of the third tray portion 110, protrusions (not illustrated) are provided on the back side of the first tray portion 60, and the engaging holes 125 and 126 engage with the protrusions. A screw hole 129 is provided in a side surface of the third tray portion 110, and a screw tap hole 66 is provided in a side surface of the first tray portion 60. When the first tray portion 60 and the third tray portion 110 engage with each other, the positions of the screw hole 129 and the screw tap hole 66 match to become able to be fixed with a screw. Although not illustrated, also the opposite side in the right-left direction of the sheet feed cassette 100 can be fixed with a screw.

A pair of the second grip portions 150 and 153 is provided approximately at a center portion of the third tray portion 110. The second grip portion 153 is provided with a hand grip 154 formed of a metal wire rod for a user to grip. The hand grip 154 is pivotally supported to be rotatable by bearings 155A and 155B. A hand grip 151 formed of a metal wire rod pivotally supported to be rotatable by bearings 152A and 152B in a similar configuration is provided in the second grip portion 150 located on the side opposite to the second grip portion 153. In the present exemplary embodiment, in a state where the sheet feed cassette 100 is located at a mounting position, the second grip portions 150 and 153 are covered by the apparatus main body, and a user cannot grip them.

The second grip portions 150 and 153 are respectively arranged on both sides of the sheet stacking area of the sheet feed cassette 100. More specifically, the second grip portion 150 from among the second grip portions 150 and 153 is arranged on one side of the sheet stacking area of the sheet feed cassette 100 in a sheet width direction, and the second grip portion 153 is arranged on the other side of the sheet stacking area. In this case, the sheet width direction is a direction orthogonal to the sheet feed direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, in the sheet width direction, the second grip portions 150 and 153 are arranged with the center of gravity of the sheets stacked on the sheet feed cassette 100 being therebetween.

The hand grips 151 and 154 are painted blue different from colors of the components located around the hand grips 151 and 154 so as to be easily recognizable by a user. FIG. 8 illustrates a state where the second grip portions 150 and 153 are to be held.

The hand grips 151 and 154 rotationally move upward to be able to be gripped, and a user can grip and hold the sheet feed cassette 100. Since the hand grips 151 and 154 are respectively arranged on external sides of the sheet storage portion (sheet stacking area), the sheet feed cassette 100 can be held even in a state where long sheets are fully stacked.

The hand grips 151 and 154 are arranged in such a manner that a user can grip them at a position above the sheet stacking surface of the sheet feed cassette 100. In particular, in the present exemplary embodiment, the hand grips 151 and 154 are arranged in such a manner that a user can grip them at a position above the sheets stacked on the sheet feed cassette 100.

The third tray portion 110 is arranged approximately at the center of the sheet feed cassette 100, and the second grip portions 150 and 153 are arranged approximately at the center of the third tray portion 110. Accordingly, since the second grip portions 150 and 153 are arranged approximately at the center of the sheet feed cassette 100, to be near the center of gravity of the sheet feed cassette 100, the sheet feed cassette 100 has a good weight balance and is easy to be held.

In addition, the third tray portion 110 is largest among the members constituting the sheet feed cassette 100, is made of metal, and thus, is highest in rigidity. Since long and heavy long sheets are held by the large and rigid third tray portion 110 as the center, even in a state where the sheets are fully stacked, the deformation of the sheet feed cassette 100 is little and the sheet feed cassette 100 can support the sheets stably.

Because of the configuration that can support the sheets in the full stacked state as described above, when long sheets are newly set, the long sheets can be set in a state where the sheet feed cassette 100 is demounted from the apparatus main body, i.e., there is no obstacle on the sheet storage portion. Since the long sheets are long and heavy, and sometimes soft depending on the sheets, the sheets are difficult to hold, and the setting property is bad compared with the office standard-sized sheets such as A4. According to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to set the long sheets with no obstacle around the sheet feed cassette 100, and even in a state where the long sheets are stacked, the sheet feed cassette 100 can be easily put back to the apparatus main body by holding the second grip portions 150 and 153. Accordingly, the work is easily done.

If the second grip portions 150 and 153 are not provided, there are no positions for the user to hold the sheet feed cassette 100 after storing the long sheets in the sheet feed cassette 100, and thus, the user has to once lift the sheet feed cassette 100 a little and place the user's hand under the bottom of the sheet feed cassette 100 to hold the sheet feed cassette 100. In this case, many actions are necessary, and since the user has to put the user's hand to an out of sight position, there is a risk that the user supports a functional portion or a weak portion in strength, which may impair the function and may be undesirable.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

Modification examples of the second grip portions will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a second exemplary embodiment. A pair of second grip portions 171 and 174 is respectively provided approximately at center portions of a third tray portion 170. The second grip portions 171 and 174 are respectively provided with hand grips 172 and 175 formed by externally bending and protruding from side surfaces of the third tray portion 170, and a user can grip the hand grips 172 and 175. In order to inform the user clearly that the hand grips 172 and 175 are holding portions, blue labels 173 and 176 different in color from the components around them are respectively attached. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9, the labels 173 and 176 are solid color labels, but characters or illustrations may be added thereto. Since the hand grips 172 and 175 are respectively arranged on external portions of the sheet storage portion, the user can hold the sheet feed cassette 100 with the long sheets fully stored.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third exemplary embodiment. A pair of second grip portions 181 and 185 is respectively provided approximately at center portions of a third tray portion 180. On the upper sides of walls 182 and 186 of the sheet storage portion, grip holes 183 and 187 and hand grips 184 and 188 are respectively provided. Since the grip holes 183 and 187 and the hand grips 184 and 188 are provided at positions higher than the top sheet surface of the fully stacked long sheets, a user can hold the sheet feed cassette 100 with the long sheets fully stored.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating a fourth exemplary embodiment. A third tray portion 190 is not provided with the second grip portion, and a second tray portion 200 is provided with one second grip portion 201. FIG. 11 illustrates a state where the second grip portion 201 is open to be holdable, and FIG. 12 illustrates a state where the second grip portion 201 is folded. The second grip portion 201 is provided on a side surface 210 of the second tray portion 200. The second grip portion 201 includes a hand grip 202 and a spring 203. The hand grip 202 is provided with a pair of rotation shafts 202a and 202b, and is pivotally supported to be rotatable by the side surface 210 of the second tray portion 200. The rotation shaft 202b is provided with the spring 203 and urged toward a direction in which the hand grip 202 opens. The hand grip 202 is formed in blue different from colors of the components around the hand grip 202. The hand grip 202 is prevented from opening, by a member in the apparatus main body when the sheet feed cassette 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body. When the sheet feed cassette 100 is pulled out from the apparatus main body, the hand grip 202 is opened by a spring urging force, and a user can hold the sheet feed cassette 100 by the user's hand placing on the hand grip 202. In addition, only one second grip portion 201 is provided on the sheet feed cassette 100, but when a user holds the sheet feed cassette 100, the user can hold the sheet feed cassette 100 by holding the first grip portion 65 with one hand and holding the second grip portion 201 with the other hand. The first grip portion 65 and the second grip portion 201 are desirably arranged diagonally as much as possible, and in the present exemplary embodiment, the first grip portion 65 is arranged on the left side surface on the front side of the sheet feed cassette 100, and the second grip portion 201 is arranged on the right side surface on the back side of the sheet feed cassette 100, in consideration of the balance when the user holds the sheet feed cassette 100. With this configuration, it is possible for a user to stably hold the sheet feed cassette 100 with the long sheets fully stacked and put the sheet feed cassette 100 back to the apparatus main body.

With any of the exemplary embodiments described above, in a state where the long sheets are stored, a user can stably hold the heavy sheet feed cassette 100 with the long sheets fully stacked thereon by providing two or more grip portions for holding the sheet feed cassette 100. Accordingly, the workability of setting the sheet feed cassette 100 into the apparatus main body is improved. Further, the workability of setting again the sheet feed cassette 100 demounted from the apparatus main body of the color laser printer (color image forming apparatus) A thereinto is improved. Thus, it is possible to recommend the work of setting the long sheets to the sheet feed cassette 100 in a state where the sheet feed cassette 100 is demounted from the color laser printer A. In addition, since the long and heavy long sheets difficult to hold can be set (stored) in the sheet feed cassette 100 in a wide space, the workability is good in this point. As the workability is good, when the long sheets are stored into the sheet feed cassette 100, the risk of damaging the long sheets can be easily avoided.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the electrophotographic image forming unit (color laser printer A) is exemplified, but the image forming unit may be an ink-jet method image forming unit.

The long sheet is heavier than sheets other than the long sheet. In a case where a user holds a sheet feed cassette with the long sheets stored therein in a state where the sheet feed cassette is demounted from the apparatus main body, when a user holds a weak portion in strength, there is a risk of damaging the sheet feed cassette. If a grip portion or grip portions are not provided on the sheet feed cassette, a user may touch the functionally important portion by mistake. In such a case, there may be a risk of impairing the function of the sheet feed cassette. In addition, it may be considered that a user sets the long sheets without demounting the sheet feed cassette from the apparatus main body, but in this case, since the sheets cannot be set in a manner to place the sheets down in the sheet feed cassette from directly above, the workability is not good and there is a risk of damaging the sheets. According to the exemplary embodiments described above, as the sheet feed cassette is provided with a grip portion or grip portions, the workability can be improved.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-037566, filed Mar. 11, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.