Cartridge receiving case

Provided is a cartridge receiving case including a case section in which a cartridge is inserted and disposed, a lid section configured to be opened and closed with respect to the case section and to cover the cartridge disposed in the case section upon closing, and a rear plate section configured to connect the case section and the lid section. The case section, the lid section, and the rear plate section are integrally formed. A pair of parallel thin hinges are formed as curved portions when the lid section is opened and closed with respect to the case section. One of the thin hinges is formed at a position deviated with respect to a continuous portion between the rear plate section and the case section. The other thin hinge is formed at a position deviated with respect to a continuous portion between the rear plate section and the lid section.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2012-250101 filed Nov. 14, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present technology relates to a technical field of a cartridge receiving case, and more particularly, to a technical field of a cartridge receiving case, in which a cartridge is received, having a pair of thin hinges pivoted as a fulcrum to perform opening and closing operations.

For example, a plurality of disk-shaped recording media are configured to be received in a cartridge in parallel in an axial direction of a central shaft. Such a cartridge is used in, for example, a disk reproducing apparatus for reproducing music, in which a desired disk-shaped recording medium is extracted by an extraction mechanism to reproduce music data recorded on the disk-shaped recording medium.

In addition, in recent times, a recording capacity of the disk-shaped recording medium has remarkably increased, and necessity of the cartridge used in a data center or the like, in which the plurality of disk-shaped recording media having a large recording capacity are configured to be received in parallel in the axial direction of the central shaft, has also increased.

The above-mentioned cartridge is accommodated and held in, for example, a cartridge receiving case.

Such a cartridge receiving case has a case section in which a cartridge is inserted and disposed, a lid section configured to be opened and closed with respect to the case section and configured to cover the cartridge disposed in the case section upon closing, and a rear plate section configured to connect the case section and the lid section, which are integrally formed with each other (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-238882).

In the cartridge receiving case disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-238882, the case section (a case main body) and the lid section (a lid body) are connected to the rear plate section (a rear plate piece) via a pair of thin hinges (hinge sections), the rear plate section is pivotable with respect to the case section via one thin hinge, and the lid section is pivotable with respect to the rear plate section via the other thin hinge.

In the cartridge receiving case, in a state in which the cartridge is inserted and disposed in the case section, as the rear plate section is pivoted with respect to the case section to pivot the lid section with respect to the rear plate section to cover the cartridge by the lid section, the cartridge can be received therein.

SUMMARY

However, in the cartridge receiving case disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-238882, the one thin hinge is installed at a continuous portion (a ridgeline) between the case section and the rear plate section, the other thin hinge is installed at a continuous portion (a ridgeline) between the lid section and the rear plate section, and the respective thin hinges are disposed at corners.

Accordingly, the thin hinge installed at the corner may easily collide with a droppage surface when the cartridge receiving case is dropped, and a large shock may be applied to the thin hinge to easily generate damage or rupture on the thin hinge, decreasing shock resistance.

Here, it is desirable to provide the cartridge receiving case that suppresses generation of the damage or the rupture on the thin hinge to improve the shock resistance.

Firstly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge receiving case including a case section in which a cartridge is inserted and disposed, a lid section configured to be opened and closed with respect to the case section and to cover the cartridge disposed in the case section upon closing, and a rear plate section configured to connect the case section and the lid section. The case section, the lid section, and the rear plate section are integrally formed, a pair of parallel thin hinges are formed as curved portions when the lid section is opened and closed with respect to the case section, one of the thin hinges is formed at a position deviated with respect to a continuous portion between the rear plate section and the case section, and the other thin hinge is formed at a position deviated with respect to a continuous portion between the rear plate section and the lid section.

Accordingly, in the cartridge receiving case, it is difficult for the thin hinge to collide with the droppage surface upon droppage.

Secondly, as for the cartridge receiving case described above, it is preferable that the pair of thin hinges are formed at the rear plate section.

As the pair of thin hinges are formed at the rear plate section, the thin hinge does not come in contact with the placing surface.

Thirdly, as for the cartridge receiving case described above, it is preferable that reinforcement protrusions protruding outward are formed at both end sections of an outer surface of the rear plate section in directions in which the pair of thin hinges extend.

The reinforcement protrusions protruding outward may be formed at both end sections of the outer surface of the rear plate section in the direction in which the pair of thin hinges extend.

As the reinforcement protrusions protruding outward may be formed at both end sections of the outer surface of the rear plate section in the direction in which the pair of thin hinges extend, it is difficult for the thin hinges to collide with the droppage surface.

Fourthly, as for the cartridge receiving case described above, it is preferable that cutout sections disposed on the extension lines of the thin hinges are formed at both end sections of the rear plate section in directions in which the pair of thin hinges extend.

As the cutout sections disposed on extension lines of the thin hinges are formed at both end sections of the rear plate section in the direction in which the pair of thin hinges extend, even when both ends of the rear plate section collide with the droppage surface, the thin hinges do not collide with the droppage surface.

Fifthly, as for the cartridge receiving case described above, it is preferable that a base plate section, a standing wall section protruding from at least a portion around an outer circumference of the base plate section, and a rib section protruding from a portion of an outer circumferential section of the base plate section in a same direction as the standing wall section are formed at the case section; a closed surface section disposed opposite to the base plate section upon the closing and an enclosing wall section protruding from at least a portion of an outer circumferential section of the closed surface section are formed at the lid section; and the enclosing wall section is fitted between the standing wall section and the rib section upon the closing.

As the enclosing wall section is fitted between the standing wall section and the rib section upon the closing, stiffness of the cartridge receiving case is increased.

Sixthly, as for the cartridge receiving case described above, it is preferable that a lock piece section having an engaging protrusion or an engaging concave section is formed at one of the case section and the lid section, and an engaging concave section or an engaging protrusion with which the engaging protrusion or the engaging concave section is engaged upon the closing may be formed at the other of the case section and the lid section.

As the lock piece section having the engaging protrusion or the engaging concave section is installed at one of the case section and the lid section, and the engaging concave section or the engaging protrusion with which the engaging protrusion or the engaging concave section is engaged is installed at the other of the case section and the lid section, the lid section is locked to the case section by the lock piece section.

Seventhly, as for the cartridge receiving case described above, it is preferable that an elastic deformation section configured to press the cartridge in an elastically deformed state is formed at the case section.

As the elastic deformation section configured to press the cartridge in an elastically deformed state is installed at the case section, the elastic deformation section is elastically deformed to be pressed against the case body.

Eighthly, as for the cartridge receiving case described above, it is preferable that at least three elastic deformation sections are formed, and surfaces of an outer circumferential surface of the cartridge in different directions are configured to be pressed by the respective elastic deformation sections.

As the at least three elastic deformation sections are installed and the surface of the cartridge directed in a direction different from the outer circumferential surface is pressed by each of the elastic deformation sections, the at least three elastic deformation sections are elastically deformed to be pressed against the case body.

Ninthly, as for the cartridge receiving case described above, it is preferable that a base plate section, a standing wall section protruding from at least a portion around an outer circumference of the base plate section, and a pressing surface section connected to the standing wall section and opposite to the base plate section are formed at the case section, and the cartridge is configured to be pressed toward the base plate section by the pressing surface section.

As the standing wall section protruding from at least the portion of the outer circumference of the base plate section and base plate section and the pressing surface section connected to the standing wall section and opposite to the base plate section are installed at the case section and the cartridge is pressed toward the base plate section by the pressing surface section, the cartridge is disposed in the case section in a stable state.

Tenthly, as for the cartridge receiving case described above, it is preferable that a base plate section is formed at the case section, a closed surface section disposed opposite to the base plate section upon the closing is formed at the lid section, and a pressing protrusion configured to press the cartridge upon the closing is formed at the closed surface section.

As the base plate section is installed at the case section, the closed surface section disposed opposite to the base plate section upon the closing is installed at the lid section, and the pressing protrusion configured to press the cartridge upon the closing is installed at the closed surface section, the cartridge is disposed in the case section in a stable state.

The cartridge receiving case according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a case section in which a cartridge is inserted and disposed, a lid section configured to be opened and closed with respect to the case section and to cover the cartridge disposed in the case section upon closing, and a rear plate section configured to connect the case section and the lid section. The case section, the lid section, and the rear plate section are integrally formed, a pair of parallel thin hinges are formed as curved portions when the lid section is opened and closed with respect to the case section, one of the thin hinges is formed at a position deviated with respect to a continuous portion between the rear plate section and the case section, and the other thin hinge is formed at a position deviated with respect to a continuous portion between the rear plate section and the lid section.

Accordingly, since it is difficult for the thin hinge to collide with the droppage surface and it is difficult to apply the shock to the thin hinge, it is difficult to generate the damage or the rupture on the thin hinge and the shock resistance can be improved.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, the pair of thin hinges may be formed at the rear plate section.

Accordingly, the thin hinge does not come in contact with the placing surface, the shock is unlikely to be applied to the thin hinge to that extent, the damage or the rupture on the thin hinge is unlikely to be generated, and in particular, the shock resistance can be improved.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, reinforcement protrusions protruding outward may be formed at both end sections of an outer surface of the rear plate section in directions in which the pair of thin hinges extend.

Accordingly, it is difficult for the thin hinge to collide with the droppage surface, and generation of the damage or the rupture on the thin hinge can be suppressed.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, cutout sections disposed on the extension lines of the thin hinges may be formed at both end sections of the rear plate section in directions in which the pair of thin hinges extend.

Accordingly, even when both ends of the rear plate section collide with the droppage surface upon droppage of the cartridge receiving case, the thin hinge does not collide with the droppage surface, and generation of the damage or the rupture on the thin hinge can be suppressed.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, a base plate section, a standing wall section protruding from at least a portion around an outer circumference of the base plate section and a rib section protruding from a portion of an outer circumferential section of the base plate section in a same direction as the standing wall section may be formed at the case section, a closed surface section disposed opposite to the base plate section upon the closing and an enclosing wall section protruding from at least a portion of an outer circumferential section of the closed surface section may be formed at the lid section, and the enclosing wall section may be fitted between the standing wall section and the rib section upon the closing.

Accordingly, since the appropriate closed state of the lid section with respect to the case section is secured and the enclosing wall section of the lid section comes in contact with the standing wall section of the case section in the thickness direction, stiffness of the cartridge receiving case can be increased, and deformation due to the shock when the shock is applied to the cartridge receiving case can be suppressed to improve the shock resistance.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, a lock piece section having an engaging protrusion or an engaging concave section may be formed at one of the case section and the lid section, and an engaging concave section or an engaging protrusion with which the engaging protrusion or the engaging concave section is engaged upon the closing may be formed at the other of the case section and the lid section.

Accordingly, since the lid section is locked to the case section by the lock piece section, the lid section is not easily opened by a shock from dropping or the like, and the shock resistance of the cartridge receiving case can be improved.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, an elastic deformation section configured to press the cartridge in an elastically deformed state may be formed at the case section.

Accordingly, the cartridge can be disposed in the case section in a stable state without shaking, displacement of the cartridge in the cartridge receiving case is suppressed, the vibrations or shocks are unlikely to be applied to the case section from the cartridge, and the damage or destruction to the cartridge receiving case can be prevented.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, at least three elastic deformation sections may be formed, and surfaces of an outer circumferential surface of the cartridge in different directions may be configured to be pressed by the respective elastic deformation sections.

Accordingly, displacement of the cartridge in the cartridge receiving case can be suppressed, the vibration or shock is unlikely to be applied to the case section from the cartridge, and the damage or destruction to the cartridge receiving case can be prevented.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, a base plate section, a standing wall section protruding from at least a portion around an outer circumference of the base plate section, and a pressing surface section connected to the standing wall section and opposite to the base plate section may be formed at the case section, and the cartridge may be configured to be pressed toward the base plate section by the pressing surface section.

Accordingly, the cartridge can be disposed in the case section in a stable state, displacement of the cartridge in the cartridge receiving case can be suppressed, and the damage or destruction to the cartridge receiving case can be prevented.

According to an embodiment of the present technology, a base plate section may be formed at the case section, a closed surface section disposed opposite to the base plate section upon the closing may be formed at the lid section, and a pressing protrusion configured to press the cartridge upon the closing may be formed at the closed surface section.

Accordingly, the cartridge can be disposed in the case section in a stable state, displacement of the cartridge in the cartridge receiving case can be suppressed, and the damage or destruction to the cartridge receiving case can be prevented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

In addition, while the cartridge receiving case has a case section in which a cartridge is inserted and disposed and a lid section opened and closed with respect to the case section, in the following description, a direction in a state in which the lid section is opened and the case section is disposed on a placing surface of a desk or the like is shown. In a state in which the lid section is open, a direction in which the lid section and the case section are in parallel is referred to as leftward and rightward directions, and a direction in which the cartridge is inserted and discharged with respect to the case section is referred to as forward and rearward directions.

Further, the following forward, rearward, upward, downward, leftward and rightward directions are described for the purpose of convenience, and the description of the present technology is not limited to these directions.

First, a configuration of a cartridge50received in the cartridge receiving case will be described (seeFIG. 1).

The cartridge50is constituted by disposing necessary parts in a case body51. A plurality of disk-shaped recording media100,100. . . are able to be received in the case body51in upward and downward directions at equal intervals.

The case body51is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a width H1in the forward and rearward directions is slightly larger than a width H2in the leftward and rightward directions, and a width (a thickness) H3in the upward and downward directions is smaller than the width H1and the width H2. Grip sections52and52opened downward and sideward (outward) are formed at positions of rear ends of the case body51.

While the cartridge50is mounted on a recording and reproducing apparatus (not shown), the grip sections52and52are gripped by an arm of the recording and reproducing apparatus when mounted on the recording and reproducing apparatus to be conveyed and held at a predetermined position. When the cartridge50is mounted on the recording and reproducing apparatus, the disk-shaped recording medium100received in the case body51, which is open, is extracted by the extraction mechanism, and recording and reproduction of the information signal with respect to the extracted disk-shaped recording medium100are performed.

[Configuration of Cartridge Receiving Case]

Next, a configuration of the cartridge receiving case1will be described (seeFIGS. 2 to 9).

A cartridge receiving case1is constituted by integrally forming a case section2, a lid section3and a rear plate section4, which are formed of a resin material (seeFIGS. 2 to 4). For example, a transparent resin material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or the like, may be used as a material of the cartridge receiving case1. As the cartridge receiving case1is formed of a transparent material, in a state in which the cartridge50is received in the cartridge receiving case1, a state of the cartridge50, a label attached to the cartridge50, or the like, can be visually confirmed from the outside of the cartridge receiving case1.

In addition, an opaque material or a combination of the transparent material and the opaque material may be used as a material of the cartridge receiving case1, and only a portion corresponding to the label or the like attached to the cartridge50can be formed of a transparent material.

Further, when a translucent material is used as a material of the cartridge receiving case1, only the portion corresponding to the label or the like attached to the cartridge50can be reduced in thickness to increase visual confirmation of the label or the like from the outside.

In the cartridge receiving case1, the lid section3and the case section2in the closed state are coupled in a vertically overlapping state (seeFIGS. 2 and 3), and the lid section3and the case section2in the open state are laterally disposed in parallel (seeFIG. 4).

The case section2has a base plate section5formed in a substantially rectangular shape in the upward and downward directions, a standing wall section6protruding upward from a portion around an outer circumference of an upper surface of the base plate section5, and a lock piece section7protruding rightward from a right side edge of the base plate section5.

A rib section5aprotruding upward is formed at a right end section of the upper surface of the base plate section5, and the rib section5ais installed at a central section in the forward and rearward directions. A shallow insertion concave section5bopened upward is formed in the outer circumferential section of the base plate section5. The insertion concave section5bis formed at the outer circumferential side of the standing wall section6, and a portion thereof is disposed between the standing wall section6and the rib section5a.

The standing wall section6is formed in a frame shape by a front sidewall section8, a rear sidewall section9, a left sidewall section10and a right sidewall section11(seeFIGS. 4 and 5).

A first elastic deformation section12protruding substantially upward is formed at a central section in the leftward and rightward directions of the front sidewall section8. The first elastic deformation section12is slightly inclined rearward, and has a receiving section12aof a convex portion disposed in the rear of the upper end section. The first elastic deformation section12is elastically deformable such that the receiving section12ais displaced in the forward and rearward directions. A distance L1between the receiving section12aand the rear sidewall section9of the first elastic deformation section12is slightly smaller than the width H1(seeFIG. 1) in the forward and rearward directions of the case body51of the cartridge50.

The left sidewall section10and the right sidewall section11have central sections in the forward and rearward directions formed as swelling sections10aand11a, respectively, disposed outside farther than the other portions (seeFIGS. 4 and 5). Misinsertion prevention protrusions10band11bare formed at positions around rear ends of the left sidewall section10and the right sidewall section11, respectively. The misinsertion prevention protrusions10band11bprotrude in a direction approaching each other to be disposed at lower end sides of the left sidewall section10and the right sidewall section11, respectively.

Locking concave sections11cand11copened rightward are formed at positions around both front and rear ends of the right sidewall section11.

Second elastic deformation sections13and13are formed at upper sides of the left sidewall section10and the right sidewall section11. The second elastic deformation sections13and13extend in substantially the forward and rearward directions to be formed in a gentle arc shape of a convex portion in a direction approaching each other, and both front and rear end sections are connected to the swelling sections10aand11aof the left sidewall section10and the right sidewall section11, respectively. Receiving sections13aand13aof the convex portion are formed at central sections in the forward and rearward directions of the second elastic deformation sections13and13in a direction approaching each other. The second elastic deformation sections13and13are elastically deformable such that the receiving sections13aand13aare displaced in the leftward and rightward directions.

A distance L2between the receiving sections13aand13aof the second elastic deformation sections13and13is slightly smaller than the width H2(seeFIG. 1) in the leftward and rightward directions of the case body51of the cartridge50.

Upright sections14and14protruding upward are formed at left and right corners disposed at a front side of the standing wall section6(seeFIGS. 4 and 5). The upright sections14and14are formed at a portion extending from a left end section of the front sidewall section8to a front end section of the left sidewall section10and a portion extending from a right end section of the front sidewall section8to a front end section of the right sidewall section11.

Pressing surface sections15and15are formed at upper sides of the upright sections14and14. The pressing surface section15is installed to cross over both end sections of the upper end section of the upright section14.

The lock piece section7protrudes rightward from a central section in the forward and rearward directions of the right side edge of the base plate section5. The lock piece section7is connected to the base plate section5by a hinge section16extending forward and rearward, and is pivotable with respect to the base plate section5using the hinge section16as a fulcrum. The hinge section16is a thin hinge.

The lock piece section7has a base surface section17having a flat plate shape, and a reinforcement rib18formed at one surface of the base surface section17, i.e., a surface directed upward upon opening of the cartridge receiving case1. An engaging protrusion19is formed at one surface of the base surface section17of the lock piece section7to be continuous to a portion of the reinforcement rib18. The engaging protrusion19is formed to extend forward and rearward. A concave section opened toward one side is formed between the engaging protrusion19and the base surface section17, and the concave section is formed as an engaging concave section19a(seeFIG. 6).

The lid section3has a closed surface section20directed in the upward and downward directions and an enclosing wall section21protruding upward from a portion around the outer circumference of the closed surface section20(seeFIG. 4).

Pressing protrusions20aand20aspaced leftward and rightward from each other are formed at an inner surface of the closed surface section20, i.e., an upper surface in a state in which the lid section3is opened. The pressing protrusions20aand20aare formed at positions around rear ends of the closed surface section20.

The enclosing wall section21is constituted by a front surface section22, a rear surface section23and a side surface section24to form substantially a “C” shape. The side surface section24protrudes from a portion around an end section of the closed surface section20opposite to the rear plate section4.

The side surface section24is formed as concave shaped sections25and25having both of front and rear side portions disposed inside more than the other portion, and a portion between the concave shaped sections25and25is formed as a protrusion shaped section26disposed further outside than the concave shaped sections25and25. Locking protrusions25aand25aare formed at inner surfaces of the concave shaped sections25and25. An engaging protrusion27is formed at an outer surface of the protrusion shaped section26. The engaging protrusion27is formed to extend forward and rearward. A concave section opened toward one side is formed between the engaging protrusion27and the protrusion shaped section26, and the concave section is formed as an engaging concave section27a(seeFIG. 7).

The rear plate section4is formed in a substantially longitudinal direction elongated forward and rearward, and both end sections in a short side direction (the leftward and rightward directions) are connected to the base plate section5of the case section2and the closed surface section20of the lid section3(seeFIGS. 4 and 8).

In the rear plate section4, a portion excluding both end sections in the short side direction is formed as a flat plate section28, and both end sections in the short side direction are formed as coupling sections29and29.

Shallow insertion concave sections28aand28aextending in the short side direction are formed both of front and rear end sections of the inner surface of the flat plate section28. Reinforcement protrusions28band28bslightly protruding outward are formed at both of front and rear end sections of the outer surface of the flat plate section28(seeFIG. 3). The flat plate section28has a portion, at which the reinforcement protrusions28band28bare formed, having a thickness slightly larger than the other portions.

The coupling sections29and29are connected to one end section of the base plate section5and one end section of the closed surface section20to extend in directions perpendicular to the base plate section5and the closed surface section20(seeFIG. 8). Outer surfaces of the coupling sections29and29are formed as curved surface sections29aand29ahaving an arc-shaped surface.

Since the coupling sections29and29protrude in the directions perpendicular to the base plate section5and the closed surface section20, the flat plate section28of the rear plate section4is not disposed on the same plane as the base plate section5and the closed surface section20but disposed at positions displaced from the base plate section5and the closed surface section20.

In the rear plate section4, the flat plate section28and the coupling sections29and29are coupled by thin hinges30and30. Accordingly, the thin hinges30and30are disposed at positions around both ends in the short side direction of the rear plate section4, the one thin hinge30is formed at a position deviated in parallel with respect to a continuous portion (a ridgeline) between the rear plate section4and the coupling section29connected to one end section of the base plate section5of the case section2, and the other thin hinge30is formed at a position deviated in parallel with respect to a continuous portion (a ridgeline) between the rear plate section4and the coupling section29connected to one end section of the closed surface section20of the lid section3. Thus, the thin hinges30and30are not in the same plane as that of the base plate section5or the closed surface section20in the open state (seeFIG. 8). In addition, the thin hinges30and30may not be formed at positions deviated with respect to the continuous portion but may be deviated in parallel.

In the rear plate section4, the flat plate section28and the coupling sections29and29are relatively pivotable using the thin hinges30and30as a fulcrum (seeFIG. 9).

Cutout sections4a,4a. . . opened forward or rearward are formed at both of front and rear end sections of the rear plate section4on extension lines of the thin hinges30and30(seeFIGS. 4 and 5).

[Receiving Operation with Respect to Cartridge Receiving Case of Cartridge]

Next, the receiving operation of the cartridge50with respect to the cartridge receiving case1will be described (seeFIGS. 10 to 15).

First, for example, the cartridge receiving case1is disposed on a placing surface of a frame or the like or opened in a state gripped by a hand (seeFIG. 10). In the open state, the case section2, the rear plate section4and the lid section3are sequentially disposed in parallel in the leftward and rightward directions.

Next, in a state in which the cartridge receiving case1is open, the cartridge50is inserted and disposed in the case section2from slightly over a rear side of the case section2(seeFIGS. 11 and 12). Here, it is determined that the misinsertion prevention protrusions10band11bformed at the case section2are inserted into the grip sections52and52formed at the cartridge50, and the cartridge50is inserted into the case section2in a proper direction.

In addition, upon insertion of the cartridge50into the case section2, when the misinsertion prevention protrusions10band11bare inserted into the grip sections52and52, it is determined that the cartridge50is inserted into the case section2in an improper direction, and as a direction of the cartridge50is changed and the cartridge50is inserted again, the cartridge50can be disposed in the case section2in a proper direction.

In a state in which the cartridge50is disposed in the case section2, as described above, since the distance L1between the receiving section12aand the rear sidewall section9of the first elastic deformation section12is slightly smaller than the width H1in the forward and rearward directions of the case body51, the first elastic deformation section12is elastically deformed so that the receiving section12ais pressed against a front surface51aof the case body51, and a rear surface51bof the case body51is pressed against the rear sidewall section9of the case section2(seeFIG. 13).

Accordingly, the cartridge50is disposed in the case section2in the forward and rearward directions in a stable state without shaking, displacement of the cartridge50in the cartridge receiving case1can be suppressed, the vibrations or shocks are unlikely to be applied from the cartridge50to the standing wall section6of the case section2, and the damage or destruction on the cartridge receiving case1can be prevented.

In addition, in a state in which the cartridge50is disposed in the case section2, as described above, since the distance L2between the receiving sections13aand13aof the second elastic deformation sections13and13is slightly smaller than the width H2in the leftward and rightward directions of the case body51, the second elastic deformation sections13and13are elastically deformed so that the receiving sections13aand13aare pressed against side surfaces51cand51cof the case body51(seeFIG. 14).

Accordingly, the cartridge50can be disposed in the case section2in the leftward and rightward directions in a stable state without shaking, displacement of the cartridge50in the cartridge receiving case1can be suppressed, the vibrations or shocks are unlikely to be applied from the cartridge50to the standing wall section6of the case section2, and the damage or destruction to the cartridge receiving case1can be prevented.

In addition, since the cartridge50is pressed from the forward and rearward directions by the first elastic deformation section12and pressed from the leftward and rightward directions by the second elastic deformation sections13and13, the cartridge50can be disposed in the case section2in the forward and rearward directions and the leftward and rightward directions in a more stable state without shaking. Accordingly, displacement of the cartridge50in the cartridge receiving case1can be suppressed, the vibrations or shocks are unlikely to be applied from the cartridge50to the standing wall section6of the case section2, and the damage or destruction to the cartridge receiving case1can be prevented.

Further, in a state in which the cartridge50is disposed in the case section2, in the cartridge50, both of left and right end sections of a front end section of an upper surface51dare pressed from an upper side by the pressing surface sections15and15.

Accordingly, since the cartridge50is pressed against the case section2in the upward and downward directions, the cartridge50can be disposed in the case section2in a stable state, displacement of the cartridge50in the cartridge receiving case1can be suppressed, and the damage or destruction to the cartridge receiving case1can be prevented.

Next, in a state in which the cartridge50is disposed in the case section2as described above, as the rear plate section4is pivoted with respect to the case section2using the one thin hinge30as a fulcrum and the lid section3is pivoted with respect to the rear plate section4using the other thin hinge30as a fulcrum, the cartridge50is closed by the lid section3(seeFIGS. 15 and 16).

In a state in which the cartridge50is closed by the lid section3, a tip section of the enclosing wall section21of the lid section3is inserted into the insertion concave section5bformed in an outer circumferential section of the case section2and the insertion concave sections28aand28aformed in the rear plate section4. Here, a portion of the tip section of the enclosing wall section21is inserted and fitted between the swelling section11aof the right sidewall section11and the rib section5aof the base plate section5(seeFIG. 16).

Accordingly, since an appropriate closed state of the lid section3with respect to the case section2is secured and the side surface section24of the lid section3comes in contact with the right sidewall section11of the case section2in the thickness direction, stiffness of the cartridge receiving case1can be increased, and deformation by the shock can be suppressed to improve the shock resistance when the shock is applied to the cartridge receiving case1.

In addition, in a state in which the cartridge50is closed by the lid section3, the locking protrusions25aand25aformed at the side surface section24of the lid section3are locked to the locking concave sections11cand11cformed at the right sidewall section11of the case section2. Simultaneously, in the cartridge50, portions around the rear ends of the upper surface51dare pressed by the pressing protrusions20aand20aof the lid section3from an upper side.

Accordingly, since the cartridge50is pressed against the case section2in the upward and downward directions, the cartridge50can be disposed in the case section2in a stable state, displacement of the cartridge50in the cartridge receiving case1can be suppressed, and the damage or destruction to the cartridge receiving case1can be prevented.

Finally, as the lock piece section7is pivoted with respect to the base plate section5using the hinge section16as a fulcrum, the engaging protrusion19of the lock piece section7is engaged with the engaging concave section27aof the lid section3and the lid section3is locked to the case section2(seeFIG. 17).

In the above-mentioned cartridge receiving case1, since the lid section3is locked to the case section2by the lock piece section7, the lid section3is not easily opened by a dropping shock or the like, and the shock resistance of the cartridge receiving case1can be improved.

In a state in which the lid section3is locked to the case section2, the engaging protrusion19of the lock piece section7is engaged with the engaging concave section27aof the lid section3and the engaging protrusion27of the lid section3is engaged with the engaging concave section19aof the lock piece section7.

Extraction of the cartridge50received in the cartridge receiving case1to the outside pivots the lock piece section7using the hinge section16as a fulcrum to release engagement of the engaging protrusion19with respect to the engaging concave section27a, then the lid section3and the rear plate section4are pivoted using the thin hinges30and30as a fulcrum to open the cartridge50, and the cartridge50can be extracted from the case section2to slightly above a rear side.

[Other Examples of Cartridge Receiving Case]

While the above description is of an example in which the thin hinges30and30are formed at the rear plate section4, the thin hinges30and30may be formed at end sections of the case section2and the lid section3adjacent to the rear plate section4(seeFIG. 18). Accordingly, the one thin hinge30is formed at a position deviated with respect to the continuous portion (the ridgeline) between the rear plate section4and the base plate section5of the case section2, and the other thin hinge30is formed at a position deviated with respect to the continuous portion (the ridgeline) between the rear plate section4and the closed surface section20of the lid section3. In addition, the thin hinges30and30may not be formed at positions deviated with respect to the continuous portion but may be disposed in parallel.

In addition, in the cartridge receiving case1, the one thin hinge30may be formed at the rear plate section4, and the other thin hinge30may be formed at the case section2or the lid section3.

Further, in the cartridge receiving case1, the lid section3and the rear plate section4are coupled, i.e., the enclosing wall section21and the rear plate section4are coupled to be integrally formed (seeFIG. 19).

In this case, the one thin hinge30may be formed at the rear plate section4or the case section2, and the thin hinge30is disposed at a position around one end of the rear plate section4near the case section2or a position around one end of the case section2near the rear plate section4.

In addition, while the above description is of an example in which the lock piece section7having the engaging protrusion19is formed at the case section2and the engaging concave section27aengaged with the engaging protrusion19is formed at the lid section3, the lock piece section having the engaging protrusion may be formed at the lid section and the engaging concave section engaged with the engaging protrusion of the lock piece section may be formed at the case section.

[Shock Resistance of Cartridge Receiving Case]

In the cartridge receiving case1configured as described above, while the shock may be applied to the cartridge receiving case1due to droppage or the like, when the cartridge receiving case1is dropped, a corner which is a continuous portion between the case section2and the rear plate section4, or a corner which is a continuous portion between the lid section3and the rear plate section4is likely to collide with a droppage surface200(seeFIG. 20).

Accordingly, since the thin hinges30and30are unlikely to collide with the droppage surface200and the shock is unlikely to be applied to the thin hinges30and30, the damage or rupture of the thin hinges30and30is unlikely to occur, and the shock resistance can be improved.

In addition, since the reinforcement protrusions28band28bare formed at both of front and rear end sections in the outer surface of the rear plate section4of the cartridge receiving case1, the thin hinges30and30are unlikely to collide with the droppage surface200, and generation of the damage or rupture on the thin hinges30and30can be suppressed.

Further, the cutout sections4a,4a. . . are formed at the cartridge receiving case1on extension lines of the thin hinges30and30of the rear plate section4. Accordingly, even when both of front and rear ends (a ridgeline) of the rear plate section4collide with the droppage surface200upon droppage of the cartridge receiving case1(seeFIG. 21), the thin hinges30and30do not collide with the droppage surface200, and the damage or rupture of the thin hinges30and30can be suppressed from occurring.

In addition, as described above, while the thin hinges30and30may be formed at either of the case section2, the lid section3or the rear plate section4, the rear plate section4does not come in contact with the placing surface of the frame or the like in either of the open state and the closed state.

Accordingly, when the thin hinges30and30are formed at the rear plate section4, the thin hinges30and30do not come in contact with the placing surface, the shock is unlikely to be applied to the thin hinges30and30to that extent, the damage or rupture to the thin hinges30and30does not easily occur, and in particular, the shock resistance can be improved.

A cartridge receiving case including:a case section in which a cartridge is inserted and disposed;a lid section configured to be opened and closed with respect to the case section and to cover the cartridge disposed in the case section upon closing; anda rear plate section configured to connect the case section and the lid section,wherein the case section, the lid section and the rear plate section are integrally formed,wherein a pair of parallel thin hinges are formed as curved portions when the opening and closing operations of the lid section with respect to the case section are performed,wherein one of the thin hinges is formed at a position deviated with respect to a continuous portion between the rear plate section and the case section, andwherein the other thin hinge is formed at a position deviated with respect to a continuous portion between the rear plate section and the lid section.
(2)

The cartridge receiving case according to (1),wherein the pair of thin hinges are formed at the rear plate section.
(3)

The cartridge receiving case according to (2),wherein reinforcement protrusions protruding outward are formed at both end sections of an outer surface of the rear plate section in directions in which the pair of thin hinges extend.
(4)

The cartridge receiving case according to (2) or (3),wherein cutout sections disposed on the extension lines of the thin hinges are formed at both end sections of the rear plate section in directions in which the pair of thin hinges extend.
(5)

The cartridge receiving case according to any one of (1) to (4),wherein a base plate section, a standing wall section protruding from at least a portion around an outer circumference of the base plate section, and a rib section protruding from a portion of an outer circumferential section of the base plate section in a same direction as the standing wall section are formed at the case section,wherein a closed surface section disposed opposite to the base plate section upon the closing and an enclosing wall section protruding from at least a portion of an outer circumferential section of the closed surface section are formed at the lid section, andwherein the enclosing wall section is fitted between the standing wall section and the rib section upon the closing.
(6)

The cartridge receiving case according to any one of (1) to (5),wherein a lock piece section having an engaging protrusion or an engaging concave section is formed at one of the case section and the lid section, andwherein an engaging concave section or an engaging protrusion with which the engaging protrusion or the engaging concave section is engaged upon the closing is formed at the other of the case section and the lid section.
(7)

The cartridge receiving case according to any one of (1) to (6),wherein an elastic deformation section configured to press the cartridge in an elastically deformed state is formed at the case section.
(8)

The cartridge receiving case according to (1),wherein at least three elastic deformation sections are formed, andwherein surfaces of an outer circumferential surface of the cartridge in different directions are configured to be pressed by the respective elastic deformation sections.
(9)

The cartridge receiving case according to any one of (1) to (8),wherein a base plate section, a standing wall section protruding from at least a portion around an outer circumference of the base plate section, and a pressing surface section connected to the standing wall section and opposite to the base plate section are formed at the case section, andwherein the cartridge is configured to be pressed toward the base plate section by the pressing surface section.
(10)

The cartridge receiving case according to any one of (1) to (9),wherein a base plate section is formed at the case section,wherein a closed surface section disposed opposite to the base plate section upon the closing is formed at the lid section, andwherein a pressing protrusion configured to press the cartridge upon the closing is formed at the closed surface section.