JP3312774B2 - Transfer material discharge device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer material discharging device for an image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine and a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus that performs a large number of copies, not only the output copies, that is, transfer materials are stacked in the order of discharge, but also the output copies are folded into a designated size and sorted in designated sections. It is demanded that it be discharged. In order to meet this demand, a series of systems may be constructed by operatively connecting several paper processing apparatuses such as a folder and a sorter to the discharge section of the image forming apparatus. In order to enable the construction of such a system, a copy outlet is formed behind the image forming apparatus.

[0003]

On the other hand, A1 size, A
In a large-sized image forming apparatus that handles a large drawing such as a zero-sized drawing, if it is used as a single unit, a considerably large tray must be provided at the rear of the apparatus in order to receive an output copy. This requires a large space as a place for installing the apparatus, and also requires the operator to go to the rear of the apparatus to receive a copy, which causes problems such as poor work efficiency.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and when the apparatus is used alone, the above-described work efficiency is improved, and the apparatus is used in connection with a paper processing apparatus such as a folding machine or a sorter. In this case, a transfer material discharging device is provided which makes it easy to do so.

In order to solve the above problem, the transfer material discharging device according to the present invention has a discharge mechanism for guiding the transfer material discharged from the rear discharge port of the image forming apparatus main body to above the apparatus main body and discharging the transfer material onto the apparatus main body. The discharge mechanism is divided into multiple sections.
A first small transporter connected to the rear discharge port of the discharge mechanism is provided so as to be switchable between connection and release, and the first small transporter is discharged from the rear discharge port when the first small transporter is released. The transferred transfer material can be moved straight to the rear of the apparatus main body or the rear of the first small transporter.

[0006] In particular, the first small transporter is foldably provided so as to open the rear outlet.

[0007] Further, the small transport body is configured so that the discharge path can be opened along the transfer material discharge path so that the discharge path can be opened.

[0008]

According to the above construction, the first small transport body of the discharge mechanism is released from the rear discharge port of the image forming apparatus main body and folded, and the paper processing apparatus can be connected to the rear discharge port. Further, when a paper jam occurs in the discharge path, the small conveyance body in which the paper jam has occurred is opened along the discharge path to enable the transfer material to be removed.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of an image forming apparatus in which a transfer material discharging device according to the present invention is incorporated, and a roll paper feeding unit 1 disposed on the front side (right side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body, and disposed in the center. An image forming unit 2, a fixing unit 3 and a transfer material discharging device 4 disposed at the rear, and a document transport unit 5 and an optical projection unit 6 disposed at the top. As is well known, the document image conveyed by the document conveyance unit 5 is projected on the photosensitive drum 21 of the image forming unit 2 by the optical projection unit 6, and a toner image corresponding to the document is formed on the drum 21. This toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper supplied from the roll paper supply unit 1, fixed by the fixing unit 3, and then discharged from the rear discharge port 8 by the discharge roller 7.

A transfer material discharge device 4 is arranged to receive the transfer material discharged from the rear discharge port 8. Transfer material discharge device 4 as shown has a discharge mechanism extending upward so as to discharge onto the tray 11 disposed transfer material received from the discharge port 8 to an upper portion of the image forming apparatus . The discharge mechanism is constituted by small transporters 14 and 15 divided by nodes 12 and 13, and each small transporter 1
Reference numerals 4 and 15 are configured such that they can be opened at the right and left sides of the discharge passages 16 and 17 respectively. FIG. 3 shows a state where the small carrier 14 is opened, and FIG. 4 shows a state where the small carrier 15 is opened. As shown in the drawing, one of the pair of facing members 14a and 14b defining the discharge path 16 of the small transport member 14 has one end 14c pivotally connected to the other end of the other member 14a. It is configured to be openable to the body 14b. Similarly, the discharge path 17 of the small transport body 15
Is formed on one end 15c of the pair of facing members 15a and 15b, which is pivotally connected at one end 15c, and is configured to be openable with respect to the other member 15b. Each component 14a, 15a and 14b, 15
b has a pair of transport rollers 21 to 26 with the discharge paths 16 and 17 interposed therebetween, and the transfer material is transported through the discharge paths by driving these transport rollers. If the transfer material is jammed during the conveyance, the jammed transfer material can be removed by opening the components 14a and 15b and exposing the discharge paths 16 and 17 as described above.

The passage 40 formed across the discharge path 17 in the middle of the small conveying body 15
This is a passage for discharging the original conveyed by the printer to the rear part of the apparatus main body. In addition, the components 14a and 15 of the small transport body
a is held against the components 14b, 15b by suitable clamping means when closed. Further, reference numeral 40 denotes a pivot for pivotally connecting the entire transport mechanism. The transport mechanism can be lifted up about the pivot 41 to expose the rear surface of the apparatus main body.

In such a configuration, in order to connect the image forming apparatus to another paper processing apparatus, the first small transport body 14 of the transfer material discharging apparatus is provided so as to be foldable about the first joint 12. Have been. In order to allow this folding, the small carrier 14 is pivoted in its entirety. FIG.
Indicates a state in which the small transport body 14 is folded, whereby the connection with the rear discharge port 8 of the apparatus main body is released, that is, the rear discharge port 8 is opened to enable connection with another paper processing apparatus. Then, the transfer material goes straight to the rear of the apparatus main body and is carried into the paper processing apparatus. In order to hold the small transport body 14 at each of the connection position in FIG. 1 and the release position in FIG.
Suitable clamping devices are provided.

[0013]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the apparatus is used alone, the discharge transfer paper is discharged to the upper surface of the apparatus main body, so that the apparatus can be installed in a small space. When it is desired to separately connect with another paper processing apparatus, it can be performed by a simple operation of releasing the small transporter.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus incorporating a transfer material discharging device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where a first small transport body of the apparatus of FIG. 1 is released.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where a first small transport body of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is opened along a discharge path.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where a second small transport body of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is opened along a discharge path.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 transfer material discharger 8 rear discharge port 12, 13 section 14, 15 small transport body 21-26 transport roller

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-75564 (JP, A) JP-A-3-172271 (JP, A) JP-A-62-141767 (JP, U) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 29/60 B65H 29/20 G03G 15/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A transfer mechanism that guides a transfer material discharged from a rear discharge port of a main body of the image forming apparatus to a position above the apparatus main body and discharges the transfer material onto the apparatus main body, wherein the discharge mechanism is divided into a plurality of nodes. Small carrier
Made, each of said small carrier may open along the transfer material discharge channel
Together constituting urchin, provided first small carrier for coupling to the rear outlet of the discharge mechanism can be coupled / release switch, by the release of the first small carrier, discharged from the rear exhaust port Transfer material to the rear of the apparatus main body or the
A transfer material discharging device characterized by being able to go straight behind the small transporter. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first small transport body is provided with the rear outlet.
The transfer material discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer material discharging device is provided so as to be foldable so as to be openable . 3. The transfer material discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the small transport body is configured to be splittable along the transfer material discharge path so that the discharge path can be opened.