Replaceable unit for use in image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus into which replaceable units are detachably attached

• US 20060018671A1
• Filed: 07/21/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Suzuki, Masashi, Kamimura, Naoya, Hattori, Tomoaki, Matsuno, Takuji, Fukuta, Kazushi, Doi, Yoshimitsu
• Granted Patent: US 7,406,273 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/13
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1896 mechanical or optical identification means, e.g. protrusions, bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1654 Locks and means for positioning or alignment

Abstract

A replaceable unit is detachably attached into an image forming apparatus. The replaceable unit includes: a first cover member provided with a through hole that indicates a direction of the attachment and the detachment of the replaceable unit with respect to the image forming apparatus; and a second cover member having a color different from a color of the first cover member, and being formed to block the through hole from inner side of the replaceable unit when the first cover member is attached to the second cover member.

Claims

1. A replaceable unit that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, the replaceable unit comprising:

a first cover member provided with a through hole that indicates a direction of the attachment and the detachment of the replaceable unit with respect to the image forming apparatus; and

a second cover member having a color different from a color of the first cover member, and being formed to block the through hole from inner side of the replaceable unit when the first cover member is attached to the second cover member.

2. The replaceable unit according to claim 1, wherein at least part of a portion of the second cover member with which blocks the through hole is provided as a protrusion that protrudes from an abutting surface of the second cover member abutting on the first cover member.

3. The replaceable unit according to claim 2, wherein the through hole has a front end portion that is expanded from a base portion, and

wherein the protrusion engages with the front end portion of the through hole when the second cover member is attached to the first cover member.

4. The replaceable unit according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion engages with the through hole to prevent the replaceable unit from dropping out of the image forming apparatus.

5. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a storage portion; and

a replaceable unit that is detachably attached into the storage portion, the replaceable unit having;

a first cover member provided with a through hole that indicates a direction of the attachment and the detachment of the replaceable unit with respect to the image forming apparatus; and

a second cover member having a color different from a color of the first cover member, and being formed to block the through hole from inner side of the replaceable unit when the first cover member is attached to the second cover member,

wherein at least part of a portion of the second cover member with which blocks the through hole is provided as a protrusion that protrudes from an abutting surface of the second cover member abutting on the first cover member,

wherein the through hole has a front end portion that is expanded from a base portion,

wherein the protrusion engages with the front end portion of the through hole when the second cover member is attached to the first cover member, and

wherein the replaceable member is detachably attached into the storage portion in a direction that the front end portion is formed in the through hole.

6. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a storage portion; and

a replaceable unit that is detachably attached to the storage portion, the replaceable unit having;

a first cover member provided with a through hole that indicates a direction of the attachment and the detachment of the replaceable unit with respect to the image forming apparatus; and

a second cover member having a color different from a color of the first cover member, and being formed to block the through hole from inner side of the replaceable unit when the first cover member is attached to the second cover member,

wherein the storage portion is formed so that the through hole of the replaceable unit cannot be visually recognized when the replaceable unit is stored in the storage portion.

7. A replaceable unit that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, the replaceable unit comprising a picture split provided on the replaceable unit that forms a finished picture with a corresponding picture split provided on the image forming apparatus when the replaceable unit is attached to the image forming apparatus,

wherein the picture split of the replaceable unit is provided at a portion that is visually recognizable when the replaceable unit is attached to the image forming apparatus.

8. The replaceable unit according to claim 7, wherein the picture split is provided so as not to form the finished picture when the replaceable unit is attached to the image forming apparatus in a direction different from an original attachment direction.

9. The replaceable unit according to claim 7, wherein the picture split is provided so as not to form the finished picture when the replaceable unit is attached to the image forming apparatus in a position different from a original attachment position.

10. The replaceable unit according to claim 7, wherein the picture split is provided as concave and convex portions formed on the replaceable unit.

11. The replaceable unit according to claim 7, wherein the picture split is provided as a sticker placed on the replaceable unit.

12. The replaceable unit according to claim 11 further comprising a cover member provided with at least part of the picture split on a portion that is visually recognizable when the replaceable unit is attached to the image forming apparatus.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a main body that is provided with a storage portion; and

a replaceable unit that is detachably attached to the storage portion and is provided with a first picture split,

wherein the main body is further provided with a second picture split that forms a finished picture with the first picture split when the replaceable unit is attached to the storage portion,

wherein the second picture split is provided at a portion that is visually recognizable when the replaceable unit is attached into the image forming apparatus.

14. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a storage portion that stores a replaceable unit that is detachably attached to the storage portion; and

a light emitting portion that is provided in a wall surface of the storage portion, and indicates a position to attach the replaceable unit.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the light emitting portion is provided with an array of point light sources arranged along a direction of the attachment of the replaceable unit.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each of the point light sources is made of an LED.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising a first control unit that controls the point light sources to turn on sequentially from a front side toward a rear side with respect to the direction of the attachment of the replaceable unit.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising a door that covers the storage portion,

wherein the first control unit controls the point light sources to blink on and off when the door is opened.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each of the light emitting portions is provided with:

a light transmissive member formed in a wall surface of the storage portion and being formed in an arrow shape indicating a position and direction to attach the replaceable unit; and

an illumination member that illuminates the light transmissive member from backside.

20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising:

a door that covers the storage portion; and

a second control unit that controls the illumination member to blink on and off when the door is opened.