PACKING MEMBER

Abstract

A packing member packs a fixing device which is detachable from and attachable to an image forming apparatus. The packing member allows a user to grip the fixing device by being interposed between the fixing unit mounted on the image forming apparatus and the user. The packing member includes a cover part covering the fixing device, and a left gripping part and a right gripping part which are provided as a pair in the left and right of the cover part and grip a gripped part formed in the fixing device. The left gripping part and the right gripping part have a heat insulator insulating heat between an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is attached to the gripped part under pressure by applying pressing force to the outer surface.

Claims

1. A packing member packing a fixing device that is detachable from and attachable to an image forming apparatus, wherein the packing member is interposed between the fixing device mounted on the image forming apparatus and a user and allows the user to grip the fixing device.

2. The packing member according to claim 1 comprising: a cover part configured to cover the fixing device; and a gripping part provided in at least a part of the cover part and configured to grip a gripped part formed in the fixing device.

3. The packing member according to claim 2, wherein the gripping part has an inner surface and an outer surface, the gripping part includes a heat insulator insulating heat between the inner surface and the outer surface, and the inner surface is attached to the gripped part under pressure by applying pressing force to the outer surface.

4. The packing member according to claim 3, wherein the heat insulator has a thermal conductivity [W/m.Math.K] of less than 2.0.

5. The packing member according to claim 4, wherein the thermal conductivity [W/m.Math.K] of the heat insulator is less than 1.0.

6. The packing member according to claim 3, wherein the heat insulator has a thermal conductivity [W/m.Math.K] of less than 0.06.

7. The packing member according to claim 3, wherein the heat insulator is made of a pulp mold.

8. The packing member according to claim 3, wherein a dimension between the inner surface of the gripping part and an outer wall of the gripped part is set to be smaller than a dimension between an inner surface of the cover part and an outer wall of the fixing device.

9. The packing member according to claim 3, wherein a thickness dimension between the inner surface and the outer surface of the gripping part is set to be greater than a thickness dimension between an inner surface and an outer surface of the cover part.

10. The packing member according to claim 2, wherein the gripping part comprises a pair of gripping parts spaced apart from each other, and the cover part integrally connects between gripping parts.

11. The packing member according to claim 2, wherein the gripping part comprises a pair of gripping parts spaced apart from each other and the cover part provided around one of gripping parts extends toward the other one of the gripping parts.

12. The packing member according to claim 2, wherein the gripping part has a mark to be distinguished from other constituent parts.

13. The packing member according to claim 12, wherein the mark is a finger placing recess section in a concave shape.

14. The packing member according to claim 11, wherein the mark is a window section formed by cutting out a part of the cover part located outside the finger placing recess section.

15. The packing member according to claim 12, wherein the mark is different in color, texture or material from another parts.

16. The packing member according to claim 2 comprising a first packing member to cover half or more of the fixing device in an attachment direction of the fixing device, and another member being separated from the first packing member in the attachment direction of the fixing device and configured to cover a smaller part of the fixing device than the first packing member, wherein the first packing member includes the grip portion at an intermediate position in the attachment direction of the fixing device.

17. The packing member according to claim 4, wherein the heat insulator is made of a pulp mold.

18. The packing member according to claim 5, wherein the heat insulator is made of a pulp mold.

19. The packing member according to claim 6, wherein the heat insulator is made of a pulp mold.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating how a fixing device in a heated state is detached from an image forming apparatus by using the packing member according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a state in which the fixing device is gripped using the packing member.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining a state in which the fixing device covered with the packing member are taken out from the box.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a side view of packing member combined in an attachment direction to cover a fixing device.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the fixing device is wrapped with a packing member.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part illustrating a mark of a packing member.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packing member that wraps the fixing device.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the position of the fixing device wrapped in the packing member, which is taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the position of the fixing device wrapped in a packing member, and is a cross-sectional view at a position taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7.

[0034] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a portion X in FIG. 9, illustrating an arrangement in which the fixing device and a part of the packing member are close to each other.

[0035] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating replacement work of the embodiment 1 and illustrating a state of removing a first packing member.

[0036] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a user covers a fixing device of the image forming apparatus with the first packing member.

[0037] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a user covers the fixing device of the image forming apparatus with the first packing member and grips the fixing device covered with the first packing member.

[0038] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a user grips and removes the fixing device from over the first packing member.

[0039] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the fixing device in the removed first packing member is covered with a second packing member.

[0040] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the fixing device removed together with a packing member is accommodated in a box.

[0041] FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a new fixing device is attached to the image forming apparatus.

[0042] FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a packing member according to the embodiment 2 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the respective drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which the fixing device 5 is replaced using the packing member 10 in a state in which a side surface of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is opened. Note that in the embodiment, for easier understanding, an attachment direction F is defined such that a direction in which the fixing device 5 is attached to a side when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from front is front and a direction in which the fixing device 5 is detached is defined as rear. Further, in the embodiment, a height direction of the image forming apparatus 1 is defined as an up-down direction H. In the embodiment, a longitudinal direction of the fixing device 5, which is a depth direction of the image forming apparatus 1 orthogonal to the attachment direction F and the up-down direction H, is defined as a right-left direction D.

Image Forming Apparatus

[0044] The image forming apparatus 1 adopts an intermediate transfer method utilizing an electrophotographic process technology. The image forming apparatus 1 mainly includes an image reading section 2 that reads an image from an object to be copied such as a document, an operation panel 3 and a controller (not shown). The controller includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The CPU reads a program relating to processing contents from the ROM and develops the program in the RAM. The CPU controls each section of the image forming apparatus 1 by cooperating the developed program and various data stored in a storage section such as a storage.

[0045] The image forming apparatus 1 forms a toner image from input image data read or input by the image reading section 2. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a fixing device 5 that pressurizes and heats the toner image placed on the conveyed recording media P to fix the toner image. Furthermore, a maintenance opening 1a is formed at a side part of the image forming apparatus 1. The maintenance opening 1a is provided with a cover body that is openable and closable. Inside the maintenance opening 1a, an attachment part 4 to which the fixing device 5 is installed as detachable and attachable is provided.

Fixing Device

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing device 5 includes a housing 5a having a hollow and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 5a includes a roller 6 and a heater 7 therein. The roller 6 is disposed in the axial direction or in a right-left direction (longitudinal direction) D of the housing 5a. The roller 6 is supported rotatably about the axis by hosing 5a. The fixing device 5 of the embodiment includes a heater 7 inside the roller 6. The heater 7 is energized to increase in temperature to heat the pressure surface of the roller 6, which is in contact with the recording media P. Next, the toner placed on the recording media P is pressed and heated by a pressure surface of the roller 6 that rolls, and is fixed as a toner image on the sheet surface. Note that a heater 7 may be provided outside the roller 6 so that the pressure surface of the roller 6 or the like is heated from the outside.

[0047] Furthermore, in the housing 5a of the fixing device 5, an attachment surface 5b is formed at a front end portion in the attachment direction F so as to face the attachment part 4. The attachment part 4 is provided inside the image forming apparatus 1. The attachment part 4 allows the fixing device 5 to be attached to and detached from the side in an attachment direction F in a state where a cover body provided in a side part of the image forming apparatus 1 is opened. For example, when a maintenance work is performed, the used fixing device 5 is removed from the image forming apparatus 1 and replaced with a new fixing device 5. When maintenance work is performed, the fixing device 5 attached to the attachment part 4 may be removed toward the rear in the attachment direction F by releasing an engagement of the attachment surface 5b to the attachment part 4.

[0048] Next, a new fixing device 5 to be replaced is oriented toward the front in the attachment direction F and the attachment surface 5b is engaged with the attachment part 4. Thus, the new fixing device 5 is attached to the inside of the image forming apparatus 1. The fixing device 5 is configured to be electrically connected to the controller when the connecting part of the attachment surface 5b is connected and attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a pair of gripped parts 5c is formed at the right and the left of a housing 5a of the fixing device 5. The gripped parts 5c are provided at the right and the left of end portions, respectively, in a right-left direction D. On upper and lower surfaces of outer walls of the gripped parts 5c, an upper surface part 5d and a lower surface part 5e are formed so as to be paired in the up-down direction H. Each of the upper surface part 5d and the lower surface part 5e of the embodiment 1 has an uneven non-slip shape alternately in the mounting direction F. The upper side surface part 5d and the lower surface part 5e of the gripped part 5c are formed at equal intervals with their out-of-plane directions being directed in the up-down direction H. Thus, when each of the gripped portion 5c is directly or indirectly held between fingers from above and below by a worker performing replacement work, the gripped part 5c is reliably gripped without slipping off.

Packing Member

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the packing member 10 includes an outer box 30 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a first packing member 11 and a second packing member 12 that pack the fixing device 5 and store the fixing device 5 inside the outer box 30. The packing member 10 of the embodiment 1 includes a first packing member 11 and a second packing member 12 as another member. Among these, the first packing member 11 is configured to cover more than half of the fixing device 5 toward the front in the attachment direction F of the fixing device 5 (see FIG. 2). The second packing member 12 is formed of a member different from the first packing member 11. Thus, the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12 are separable in the attachment direction F of the fixing device 5. The first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12 are abutted and combined with each other in the attachment direction F. Thus, an internal space for accommodating the fixing device 5 is formed inside the packing member 10 by the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the first packing member 11 of these includes a cover part 11a which covers the fixing device 5 in a state of being combined in the attachment direction F. The cover part 11a is formed in a bag shape which is convex rearward in the attachment direction F and is opened in a concave shape which is concave toward the second packing member 12. Then, the rear sections of the fixing device 5 is inserted into the cover part 11a through the opening in the attachment direction F (see FIG. 2). Thus, the fixing device 5 is accommodated in the internal space of the packing member 11 with half or more of the fixing device 5 covered with the cover part 11a in the attachment direction F.

[0052] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first packing member 11 has flange part 11b which are provided around the cover part 11a and comes into contact with the inner side 31 of the outer box 30. Furthermore, the first packing member 11 has a left gripping part 14 and a right gripping part 15 provided in the vicinity of right end portion and left end portion of the cover part 11a respectively.

[0053] The cover part 11a of the embodiment 1 integrally connects the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 to each other while separating them from each other. That is, the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 are formed of the heat insulator having the same pulp mold as the cover part 11a. The pulp mold is a molded product molded a paper material, such as corrugated cardboard or waste paper of newspaper, as a main raw material. Therefore, in a manufacturing process when the first packing member 11 is manufactured by molding, the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 are integrally provided in the vicinity of right and left end portions of a cover section 11a respectively. Thus, the cover part 11a, the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 may be molded simultaneously in the step of molding the first packing member 11. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 is simplified.

[0054] Then, the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 are elastically deformed when a pressing force is applied in a direction in which the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 are compressed in the up-down direction H. The left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 are pressed against respective outer walls of the left and right gripped parts 5c formed in the fixing device 5. Thus, a worker grips the respective gripped parts 5c via the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 without directly touching the gripped part 5c. In the embodiment 1, half or more of the fixing device 5 is inserted into the cover part 11a in the attachment direction F (refer to FIG. 2). The left gripping part 14 or the right gripping part 15 faces at an intermediate position of the fixing device 5 accommodated in the cover part 11a in the attachment direction F. Therefore, the upper surface part 5d and the lower surface part 5e of the gripped part 5c provided at the intermediate position are sandwiched in the up-down direction H by the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15, respectively. Thus, the fixing device 5 is gripped at a well-balanced position in the attachment direction F.

[0055] Further, the flange part 11b has a vertical wall surface 11e and a flange surface 11f (see FIG. 2). Then, the front edge of the cover part 11a is connected to the flange surface 11f via the vertical wall surface 11e. The flange surface 11f is provided in a state of being separated from the periphery of the cover part 11a and comes in contact with the inner side 31 of the outer box 30. As a result, the flange part 11b is formed in a substantially horizontal U-shape which opens rearward in a cross-sectional shape in the attachment direction F.

[0056] The second packing member 12 further includes a cover part 12a for covering a smaller part of the fixing device 5 as compared with the first packing member 11, and a flange part 12b provided around the cover part 12a and contacting the inner side 31 of the outer box 30. The cover part 12a is formed in a bag shape that is convex forward in the attachment direction F. Thus, the cover part 12a of the second packing member 12 covers a part of the fixing device 5 toward the rear in the attachment direction F, that is, the remaining part that is not covered with the first packing member 11.

[0057] In the packing member 10 of the embodiment 1, the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12 are combined together in the attachment direction F. Thus, an inner space for accommodating the fixing device 5 is formed inside the cover section 11a and the cover section 12a. The inner space of the embodiment has a dimension in the longitudinal direction similar to the dimension of the fixing device 5 in the left-right direction D. Then, the fixing device 5 is packed in a state where each surface of the outer walls of the fixing device 5 is covered with the cover part 11a of the first packing member 11 and the cover part 12a of the second packing member 12.

[0058] When the fixing device 5 is stored or transported, the fixing device 5 is covered with the cover part 11a and the cover part 12a and is put inside of the inner side 31 of the outer box 30 together with the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12 (refer to FIG. 3). In a state where the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12 are put in the outer box 30, the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12 are interposed between an inner side 31 of the outer box 30 and respective outer walls of the housing 5a of the fixing device 5. Thus, the packing member 10 supports the fixing device 5 in a state in which the fixing device 5 is separated from the inner side 31 of the outer box 30, and functions as a buffer material for the fixing device 5. Therefore, the fixing device 5 is protected from external force such as a shock by the packing member 10 during transportation or storage.

[0059] The heat insulator constituting the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12 has a thermal conductivity [W/m.Math.K] of less than 2.0. The first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12 of the embodiment 1 are composed of pulp mold as a heat insulator. The thermal conductivity of the pulp mold is about the same as the thermal conductivity of 1.3 of the paper material, that is, of 1.2 to 1.4. Furthermore, the pulp mold used for the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 has recesses and projections like wrinkles formed on at least one of the surfaces. In this case, the thermal conductivity of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 may be further reduced.

[0060] Preferably, the heat insulator is made of ceramic (including earthenware or porcelain), and may be used only for the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 to ensure desired deformability. Ceramic has a thermal conductivity of 1.0 to 1.6. Therefore. the thermal conductivity of the heat insulator can be less than 2.0.

[0061] Further, preferably, the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulator may be less than 1.0. For example, the heat insulator may be made of rubber, plastic, or the like. Rubber has a thermal conductivity of 0.13 to 0.20. The resin has a thermal conductivity of 0.13 to 0.67 (e.g., Bakelite (phenol resin) which is a thermosetting resin). Therefore. the thermal conductivity of the heat insulator may be set to less than 1.0. In the case where rubber or resin is used as the heat insulator, a material which is not melted by the heat of the fixing device 5, for example, another additive may be mixed with the rubber or resin.

[0062] More preferably, the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulator may be less than 0.06. For example, the heat insulator may be formed of a cloth material such as cotton or a paper material. Cotton has a thermal conductivity of 0.059. Further, regarding the paper material, the thermal conductivity of the heat insulator may be further reduced by containing a gas such as air having a further lower thermal conductivity . Therefore, by using a cloth material such as cotton, a paper material, or the like for at least part of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15. it is possible to easily set the heat conductivity to less than 0.06.

[0063] FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of the right gripping part 15 of the first packing member 11. The left gripping part 14 of the first packing member 11 has a bilaterally symmetrical shape relative to a right gripping part 15. Therefore, the configuration of the right gripping part 15 will be mainly described herein, and a description on the left gripping section 14 will be omitted.

[0064] The left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 respectively has a mark 19. The mark 19 of the embodiment 1 includes a finger placing recess section 19a which has a concave shape and a window section 19b formed by cutting out a part of a flange part 11b located outside the finger placing recess section 19b. Note that the mark 19 may be any one of the finger placing recess section 19a and the window section 19b. Further, the mark 19 may be configured to be different in color, texture, or material from the other parts except for the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 of the first packing member 11. Furthermore, the mark 19 may be formed by a combination of the finger placing recess section 19a or the window section 19b and different parts thereof.

[0065] The left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 are distinguished from other constituent parts by these marks 19, and a position can be easily identified as to which part of the first packing member 11a worker should grip when performing maintenance work. As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the embodiment 1, the marks 19 are formed only on the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 of the first packing member 11. Therefore, a worker can more easily recognize that replacement work of the fixing device 5 is to be performed using the first packing member 11.

[0066] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 8, regarding the right gripping part 15, a dimension between the inner \surface 11c of the cover part 11a and the upper surface part 5d of the outer wall of the fixing device 5 is set to be a dimension H1. The dimension H2 between the inner surface 15c of the right gripping part 15 and the outer wall 5f of the gripped part 5c is set to be smaller than the dimension H2(H1>H2).

[0067] Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the left gripping part 14, a space between the inner surface 11c of the cover part 11a and the upper surface part 5d of the fixing device 5 is set to be a dimension H3. A dimension H4 between the inner surface 14c of the left gripping part 14 and the outer wall 5f of the gripped part 5c is set to be smaller than the dimension H3(H3>H4).

[0068] Further, in the embodiment 1, a dimension H1 is set between the fixing device 5 and a part of the cover part 11a that locates around where the right gripping part 15 is integrally provided. The dimension H1 is set to be equal size to the dimension H3 between the fixing device 5 and the cover part 11a that locates around where the left gripping part 14 is integrally provided. Furthermore, a dimension H2 between the right gripping part 15 and the fixing device 5 is set to be equal size to a dimension H4 between the left gripping part 14 and the fixing device 5. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, at least one of the dimensions H1 and H3 and at least one of the dimensions H2 and H4 may be set to be different.

[0069] Further, in the embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 10, the thickness dimension W2 is set between the inner surface 11c and the outer surface 11d of the cover part 11a, and a thickness dimension W3 is set on the vertical wall surface 11e of the flange part 11b. The thickness dimension W1 between the inner surface 14c and the outer surface 14d of the left gripping part 14 is set to be greater than at least one of the thickness dimension W2 and W3 (W2<W1, W3<W1). The thickness dimension between the inner surface and the outer surface of the right gripping part 15 is set in the same manner as the left gripping part 14.

[0070] As a result, the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 are insulated by the heat insulator having the desired thickness dimension W1, so that heat from the fixing device 5 is hardly transmitted to the worker who grips them. Further, even if the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 include the heat insulator having the desired thickness dimension W1 to insulate heat between the inner surface 11c and the outer surface 11d, the surrounding cover part 11a and flange part 11b are easily bent by the pressing force of the outer surface 11d. Therefore, with a small stroke (e.g., (H1>H2) illustrated in FIG. 8 and (H3>H4) illustrated in FIG. 9), the inner surfaces 14c and 15c respectively may come in contact and stick with pressure to gripped part 5c.

[0071] FIGS. 11 to 17 illustrate maintenance work for replacing the fixing device 5 of the image forming apparatus 1 using the packing member 10 according to the embodiment 1. First, as shown in FIG. 11, the worker takes out the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12 packing the new fixing device 5 from the outer box 30 of the packing member 10. Next, the first packing member 11 is separated from the second packing member 12 and the fixing device 5.

[0072] At this time, the worker distinguishes the positions of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 from other constituent parts by the marks 19 (FIG. 6). Therefore, the worker can easily identify which part is to be gripped.

[0073] FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which a cover body provided in the side part of the image forming apparatus 1 is opened. First, with respect to the used fixing device 5 mounted inside, a worker brings the first packing member 11 close to the maintenance opening 1a in the direction of the attachment direction F and inserts the first packing member 11 from the maintenance opening 1a. The replacement work may be started even in a state where the temperature of the fixing device 5 is still high, such as during continuous printing or immediately after the end of printing. Then, inside the maintenance opening 1a, the cover part 11a is put on the fixing device 5 attached to the attachment part 4. Note that the first packing member 11 was used for packing a new fixing device 5 having the same shape as the used fixing device 5. For this reason, the cover part 11a of the first packing member 11 covers half or more of the fixing device 5 from the rear to the front in the attachment direction F in conformity with the shape of the fixing device 5.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 13, a worker grips the used fixing device 5 from above the first packing member 11. The worker grips the left and right gripped part respectively from above and below in the up-down direction H by interposing the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 of the first packing member 11. At this time, the finger placing recess sections 19a (refer to FIG. 6) serving as the marks 19 of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 are formed in a concave shape. Therefore, the worker can adjust his/her fingers to the finger placing recess sections 19a and, further, transmit the gripping force to the gripped parts 5c of the fixing device 5 from the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 efficiently.

[0075] In addition, the finger placing recess section 19a in a concave shape formed as the mark 19 is projectingly disposed on the gripped part 5c. Therefore, the dimensions H2 and H4 that are the dimensions between the inner surface 14c, 15c of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 and the outer wall 5f of the gripped part 5c are further reduced as compared with the case where the finger placing recess section 19a is not formed. Thus, the innersurfaces 15c of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 come in contact with the outer wall 5f of the gripped part 5c more easily by deformation. Therefore, the fixing device 5 is more reliably gripped from the outer surface 15d of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15.

[0076] Furthermore, the heat of the fixing device 5 is blocked by the pulp molds constituting the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 and is not easily transmitted to fingers and hands of the worker. In the embodiment 1, furthermore, a thickness dimension W1 that is between the inner surface 14c and the outer surface 14d of the left gripping part 14 or the like is set to be greater than those of other parts. Therefore, heat is less likely to be transmitted to the finger. Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, the worker can easily grip the gripped part 5c positioned right and the gripped part 5c positioned left by using the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15, even when the temperature of the fixing device 5 is not sufficiently lowered.

[0077] In the embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 10, the thickness dimension W1 of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 is set to greater than the thickness dimension W2 of the cover part 11a or the thickness dimension W3 of flange part 11b (W2<W1, W3<W1). Therefore, the heat of the fixing device 5 is more effectively blocked by the pulp mold and is hardly transmitted to fingers or hands of the worker. In addition, the cover part 11a prevents the fixing device 5 from coming into direct contact with hands or clothes of the worker. Therefore, heat to the body of the worker other than the hand is blocked. Further, there is no possibility that the toner of the fixing device 5 adheres to the clothes of the worker. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability in replacing the fixing device 5.

[0078] Further, the thickness dimension W2 of the cover part 11a or the thickness dimension W3 of the flange part 11b is smaller than the thickness dimension W1 of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15. Therefore, the area around the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 are easily deformed. Thus, regarding the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 facing the gripped part 5c, the inner surface 14c having a flat surface comes in contact with uneven slip stoppers of the gripped part 5c in a wide range. Therefore, replacement works are easily performed so that the fixing device 5 does not slip down. Therefore, workers can take the fixing device 5 out from the attachment part 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 by releasing the engagement of the attachment surface 5b of the fixing device 5 even in the middle of continuous printing or immediately after the end of printing.

[0079] At this time, an area between the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 is integrally connected by the cover section 11a formed of the same pulp mold as the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15. Therefore, the fixing device 5 does not directly contact the worker. Thus, it is possible to safely remove the fixing device 5 having residual heat whose temperature has not been sufficiently lowered from the image forming apparatus 1. Further, there is no possibility that the toner of the fixing device 5 adheres to hands or clothes of the worker to stain the hands or clothes.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 15, a worker covers the used fixing device 5 gripped from above the first packing member 11 with the second packing member 12 taken out from the outer box 30 in the attachment direction F. The used fixing device 5 is sandwiched between the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12, and covered with the cover part 11a and the cover part 12a. At this time, the worker can perform a packing operation without directly contacting the fixing device 5 by holding the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12. Therefore, even if residual heat remains in the fixing device 5, the fixing device 5 is accommodated in the internal space formed between the cover part 11a and the cover part 12a.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 16, the used fixing device 5 is put into the inner side 31 of the outer box 30 while being covered with the first packing member 11 and the second packing member 12. The upper opening of the outer box 30 is closed, and the outer box 30 is stored or transported until it is recycled or disposed.

[0082] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 17, a new fixing device 5 is attached to the attachment part 4 of the image forming apparatus 1. The new fixing device 5 is not heated and does not have heat. Therefore, a worker can directly grip the gripped part 5c, 5c of the fixing device 5 to attach the fixing device 5 to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0083] FIG. 18 shows a packing member 50 according to the embodiment 2 of the present invention. Here, the description will be focused on the points of difference from the packing member 10 of the embodiment 1, and the same or equivalent portions will be denoted by the same reference signs, without description. In the packing member 50 according to the embodiment 2, a first packing member 21 includes a left first packing member 22 and a right first packing member 23 which are divided into two by the intermediate portion in the right-left direction D. The left first packing member 22 and the right first packing member 23 are provided with a left gripping part 14 and a right gripping part 15 so as to be integrated with a left cover part 24 and a right cover part 25, respectively. Among these, in the left cover part 24 and the right cover part 25 divided into two, a pair of a left gripping part 14 and a right gripping part 15 is provided in a state of separation from each other in the right-left direction D. From the area around left gripping part 14 and the area around the right gripping part 15, the left cover part 24 and the right cover part 25 which are formed of the same pulp mold as the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 extend toward the other of the right gripping part 15 and the left gripping part 14. The left first packing member 22 and the right first packing member 23 come in contact with each other at their ends facing each other in the divided portion.

[0084] The packing member 50 of the embodiment 2 thus configured has the left first packing member 22 and the right first packing member 23, which are obtained by dividing the first packing member 21 into two at the intermediate portion in the right-left direction D. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the packing member 10 of the embodiment 1, the packing member 50 of the embodiment 2 covers the fixing device 5 with the left first packing member 22 and the right first packing member 23 individually. Therefore, the workability in performing maintenance of the fixing device 5 is further improved.

[0085] The left first packing member 22 and the right first packing member 23 are also divided into two in the right-left direction D. The left cover part 24 extends from the area around the left gripping part 14 toward the right gripping part 15 located the other side. The right cover part 25 extends from the area around the right gripping part 15 toward the left gripping part 14 located the other side. Thus, when a worker takes the fixing device 5 out from the attachment part 4 while holding the left gripping part 14 with the left hand and the right gripping part 15 with the right hand, the worker does not directly contact the fixing device 5 in a heated state. The other configuration and operational effects are the same as those of the packing member 10 of the embodiment 1, and therefore, the description is omitted.

[0086] As described above, the packing member of the embodiments includes the cover part 11a for covering the fixing device 5. Further, the packing member includes a left gripping part 14 and a right gripping part 15 which are provided on both left and right sides of the cover part 11a and which grip a gripped part 5c formed in the fixing device 5. The packing members 10 and 50 configured as described above increase the utility value and improve the workability in replacing the fixing device 5.

[0087] That is, even when the temperature of the fixing device 5 is still high, for example, during continuous printing or immediately after the end of printing, a replacement of the used fixing device 5 with a new fixing device 5 and a quick restart of the next printing are allowed. Further, even a worker unfamiliar with the replacement work does not contact the fixing device 5. Therefore, there is no possibility that the toner of the fixing device 5 adheres to hands or the clothes and stains them.

[0088] In addition, the packing member packing the new fixing device can be used as it is to pack and transport the used fixing device. Therefore, the packing member that has become empty due to removal of a new fixing device is reused without being discarded, thereby improving the value of use. Therefore, the packing members 10 and 50 of the embodiments 1 and 2 exhibit good workability in replacement.

[0089] Further, in the packing member 10 of the embodiment 1, the thickness dimension W2 of the cover part 11a or the thickness dimension W3 of the flange part 11b is set smaller than the thickness dimension W1 of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15. Thus, the weight of the packing member 10 may be reduced as compared with a case where the packing member 10 is entirely constituted of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 and the same thickness dimension W1. In addition, the amount of a material as a main raw material is reduced, which is a practically beneficial effect.

[0090] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can take other various embodiments, and furthermore, various changes such as omission and substitution can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and spirit of the invention described in the present specification and the like, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

[0091] For example, although the embodiment has been described with reference to the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15 provided in the vicinity of the left and right end portions, respectively, of the side of the cover part 11a, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, at least one gripping part may be provided at any part of the first packing member 11. In addition, the intermediate position may not be the center position at which the first packing member 11 is divided into two as long as it is between the right and left end portions of the first packing member 11. That is, the gripping part may be formed continuously with the cover part 11a. As described above, the shape, quantity, material, and formed position of the gripping part are not limited by the embodiment.

[0092] In addition, the mark 19 in the embodiments has a finger placing recess section 19a in a concave shape in each of the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part and a window section 19b which is formed by cutting out a part of the flange part 11b located outside the finger placing recess section 19a. Furthermore, it has been described that the mark 19 may have a different color, texture, or material. However, the mark 19 is not particularly limited thereto. For example, one of the finger placing recess section 19a and the window section 19b may be provided. Furthermore, no mark 19 may be provided on the left gripping part 14 and the right gripping part 15. That is, the shape, quantity, material, color, and the like of the mark 19 are not limited to those in the embodiment.

[0093] Further, in the embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, compared with at least one of the thickness dimension W2 between the inner surface 11c and the outer surface 11d of the cover part 11a and the thickness dimension W3 of the vertical wall surface 11e of the flange part 11b, the thickness dimension W1 between the inner surface 14c and the outer surface 14d of the left gripping part 14 is set to be greater (W2<W1, W3<W1). However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, all the thickness dimension may be set to be the same (W1=W2, W3). That is, the sizes and positions of thickness dimension W1 to W3 may be set in any manner and are not limited to those described in the present embodiment.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail, the disclosed embodiments are made for purposes of illustration and example only and not limitation. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted by terms of the appended claims.