JP3580882B2 - Pre-recording method for long paper recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that uses a long recording sheet, and more particularly to a pre-processing method that is performed on a recording sheet maintained in a standby state before starting recording.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, recording paper used in a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or the like expands and contracts due to environmental changes such as humidity, and when used as it is, wrinkles or lack of a printed portion may occur. In particular, long paper represented by roll paper wound in a roll shape has a greater effect. In addition, many types of long paper have a wide width as well as a length, and the influence of expansion and contraction is further increased.
[0003]
The expansion and contraction of the recording paper will be described by taking an electrostatic plotter as an example of an apparatus using such a long paper. Since the general structure of this electrostatic plotter is well known, a description thereof will be omitted.
[0004]
This electrostatic plotter has an image forming unit for performing recording and development, a recording paper transporting unit for transporting long paper, a recording unit, and a recording paper discharging unit for cutting and discharging margins and the like. The recording paper transport unit strongly holds the recording paper between transport rollers in order to transport the recording paper against the load of the working unit applied to the recording paper.
[0005]
In this state, if the recording paper undergoes expansion and contraction due to the environment, the recording paper will be deformed. FIG. 9 shows a typical example of the modification.
[0006]
As shown in FIG. 9A, usually, the recording paper is strongly pressed by a conveyance roller formed of a material such as an elastic material such as rubber which is hard to slip and a pinch roller of a hard material, and the recording paper is hardly slipped. The part is held in a deformed state.
[0007]
The deformation of the recording paper causes the following inconvenience.
The deformation state as shown in FIG. 9B generally occurs when the recording paper stretches at high humidity. In this case, if the deformed portion of the recording paper hangs over the image forming portion, the image formed portion floats from the recording portion, so that the electric charge does not partially remain and the image of the deformed portion disappears. In addition, since the deformed portion does not adhere to the developing solution in the developing section, an image may be partially missing.
[0008]
Further, the developer may not circulate normally due to the deformed portion. This will be described with reference to the schematic configuration of the developing device shown in FIG. FIG. 10A shows that, when the recording paper is in a normal state, the paper surface of the recording paper and the developing device are in close contact with each other. Is sucked up, and the premises are filled with the developer.
[0009]
However, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the recording paper is deformed, the paper surface of the recording paper does not come into close contact with the developing device, and air enters the groove from the deformed portion, and the pump is operated. Also, the negative pressure is broken, the developer does not fill the groove, and the image on the recording paper is not developed. On the other hand, the deformed state shown in FIG. 9C often occurs when the recording paper dries and shrinks, and the same problem as the deformed state shown in FIG. cause.
[0010]
Particularly in recent high-performance color plotters, in order to enable long recording, the mainstream has an intermediate take-up section, but this intermediate take-up section automatically winds the leading end of long paper on rollers. Because it is a structure that can be used, it is difficult to wind up with deformed recording paper.
[0011]
For this reason, the recording paper deformed as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C easily causes a paper jam at the intermediate winding portion. However, as compared with the intermediate take-up section, the recording paper discharge system only discharges the recording paper straight, so that a paper jam is less likely to occur.
[0012]
Conventionally, two typical examples of techniques that have been taken to eliminate the adverse effects of these deformations will be described.
[0013]
The first technical example is provided with a humidifier and a dehumidifier for the purpose of controlling the humidity in the device. With these humidifiers and dehumidifiers, the humidity inside the device is properly maintained.
[0014]
The second technical example is to improve the paper feeding system to prevent the above-described deformation of the recording paper. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.
[0015]
In general, the transport roller has a function (correction action) of pulling the recording paper toward both outer sides and extending wrinkles when feeding the recording paper.
[0016]
Then, the standby time from the end of recording of the recording apparatus to the next recording start time is compared with a predetermined time T (step S1). If the standby time exceeds the time T (YES), recording is performed. Before the start of the operation, the recording paper is fed back and forth by a predetermined amount several times by the transport unit (step S3), and the resulting deformation is corrected so as to be reduced, and then the process returns to the normal recording operation. If the standby time is equal to or shorter than the time T in step S1 (YES), the process returns to the normal recording operation.
[0017]
The correction of the deformation of the recording paper in step S3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0018]
First, before the start of recording, the recording paper is advanced by a predetermined amount L (for example, 150 mm) (step S4), the deformed portion is hung on the conveying roller, the predetermined amount L is further retracted (step S5), and the deformed portion is conveyed again. Hang on the roller. These pre- and post-transport operations are performed a predetermined number of times N (for example, eight times) (step S6). Thus, the deformation of the recording paper is corrected using the recording paper correcting ability of the transport roller.
[0019]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the first conventional example described above has little effect on humidity control, particularly on humidification performed during drying. One of the reasons is that the plotter and the printer are provided with an opening for discharging the recording paper, so that air flows in and out of this opening, and the effect of humidification is reduced. In addition, the effect is also reduced in dehumidification. Another reason is that if the inside of the device is humidified, dew condensation may occur on the inside due to changes in the outside air temperature, and there are many inconveniences such as the formation of rust due to the dew condensation. Only minimal humidification is possible, reducing effectiveness.
[0020]
Moreover, this humidity control can be expected to have a great effect on the deformation of the recording paper as shown in FIG. 9B, but has little effect on the deformation of the recording paper as shown in FIG. 9C. This is because the deformation as shown in FIG. 9B is a temporary deformation due to the elongation of the recording paper, and this deformation is easily eliminated by pulling the recording paper to both outer sides. Deformation as in c), when the recording paper shrinks due to drying, only the part strongly pressed by the pinch roller does not shrink, the periphery shrinks, and this difference causes plastic deformation that has occurred in the recording paper itself, A slight pull will not help.
[0021]
Further, even if the deformation as shown in FIG. 9C is a deformation of only a small area of the leading end of the recording paper, the paper jam is likely to occur because it is the leading end of the recording paper.
[0022]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording pre-processing method for a long paper recording apparatus for solving a problem based on deformation of recording paper caused by holding a standby state.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention firstly uses a long recording paper, includes a recording paper discharge unit including a cutting mechanism, and holds the recording paper in a recording standby state in the apparatus. In the recording apparatus, the time during which the recording sheet is held in the recording standby state from the end of recording is integrated as a standby time, and the standby time is set to the recording standby state before the recording apparatus starts new recording. A standby time determining step of determining whether or not a predetermined time period during which the paper is not deformed is exceeded; and a humidity determining step of determining whether the humidity in the recording apparatus is higher than a predetermined humidity. When the standby time exceeds a predetermined time and the humidity in the recording apparatus is determined to be higher than a predetermined humidity, the portion including the deformation of the recording paper is moved forward in the recording paper transport direction, and Orthodontist who corrects deformation by moving backward To provide a recording pretreatment method long paper recording apparatus having and.
[0024]
Secondly, in the pre-recording method for the long paper recording device, after the humidity in the recording device is determined to be lower than a predetermined humidity in the humidity determination step, the humidity in the recording device is reduced to the predetermined value. A second humidity determining step of determining whether the humidity is further lower than a second predetermined humidity lower than the predetermined humidity, and the standby time exceeds a predetermined time, and the second humidity determining step And a discharge step of cutting and discharging the portion including the deformation of the recording paper by a cutting mechanism when it is determined that the humidity in the recording apparatus is lower than the second predetermined humidity.
Further, in the recording pre-processing method of the continuous paper recording apparatus, the method further includes a humidity input step of inputting humidity data via an operation panel. In the correction step, the standby time exceeds a predetermined time, and the input humidity is The correction is performed when it is determined that the data is not lower than the predetermined humidity.
[0025]
[Action]
According to the pre-recording processing method of the long paper recording apparatus described above, when the standby state exceeds a predetermined time period in which the recording paper is not deformed, the recording held before the next recording is started. The deformed portion generated in the paper is corrected by moving forward and backward in the recording paper transport direction.
[0026]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
A schematic configuration of a color electrostatic plotter as an example of a recording apparatus for performing the recording preprocessing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. For this color electrostatic plotter, a long electrostatic recording paper (hereinafter, referred to as recording paper) 1 wound in a roll shape is used.
[0027]
In the color electrostatic plotter, a guide roller 2 for sending out the recording paper 1 is disposed near the mounting position of the recording paper 1, and a transport roller 3 is disposed downstream of the guide roller 2. An end of the paper 1 is guided through a guide roller 2 to a transport roller 3 which is rotated by, for example, a pulse motor. Generally, the outer peripheral portion of the transport roller 3 is made of rubber or the like in order to obtain a predetermined frictional force with the recording paper 1.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2, a pinch roller 4 which is sufficiently pressed against the peripheral surface of the transport roller 3 with a spring or the like is disposed on the transport roller 3 in order to resist a load applied to the recording paper in the image forming unit. Is established. This pinch roller 4 is usually made of hard plastic or metal. The recording paper 1 is nipped by the pinch roller 4 and the transport roller 3, and the recording paper 1 is fed by the rotation of the transport roller 3.
[0029]
A recording unit 5 composed of, for example, a multi-stylus electrostatic recording head and four developing heads 6, 7, 8 arranged in the paper feeding direction are provided between the guide roller 2 and the transport roller 3. , 9 are provided. These developing heads 6 to 9 are supplied with, for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow liquid developers as recording colors.
[0030]
On the downstream side of the transport roller 3, an intermediate take-up unit 10 for temporarily taking up the recording paper to repeatedly perform development, and for cutting the recording paper after the recording of all colors is completed. A recording paper discharge unit 11 having a cutter is provided. Further, a humidity sensor 12 for measuring humidity in the apparatus is provided.
[0031]
Such a color electrostatic plotter performs recording and development on recording paper for each color, and is temporarily taken up by an intermediate take-up unit. After this recording and development is performed once to several times, the recording paper 1 is cut into a predetermined size from the recording paper discharge unit 11 and discharged.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a pre-recording processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the deformation of the recording paper is determined based on the standby time from the end of recording to the start of the next recording.
[0033]
First, the standby time from the end of recording by the recording apparatus to the start of the next recording instructed by the host computer (not shown) is counted (step S11). The standby time is compared with a predetermined time T (for example, one hour) (step S12). If the standby time is less than the time T (NO), the process returns to the normal recording operation. However, if the standby time exceeds the time T (YES), the leading end including the deformed portion of the recording paper is cut by a predetermined amount before the start of the recording operation, and the leading end is discharged out of the apparatus (step S13). ).
[0034]
The above-described cut of the leading end of the recording sheet by the predetermined amount in step S13 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the leading end of the recording paper is sent to the recording paper discharge section (step S14), and cut by a predetermined amount W (for example, 210 mm) at the recording paper discharge section and discharged outside the apparatus (step S15). After the paper is ejected, the recording paper is retracted so that a new leading end comes to a predetermined standby position (step S16). As a result, there is no deformed portion in the portion used for recording on the recording paper.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a recording pre-processing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the above-described reference example 1, if the standby time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the leading end portion including the deformed portion of the recording paper is cut and removed. However, in practice, when the humidity in the recording apparatus is low, the possibility that the recording paper is deformed is extremely low, and in the processing as in Reference Example 1, the recording paper that is not deformed is also cut and discharged. There is a risk of waste, and waste may increase. Therefore, in the second embodiment, humidity is considered in addition to the standby time as a criterion of the cut of the recording paper.
[0036]
First, similarly to FIG. 3, the standby time from the end of recording to the start time of the next recording is counted (step S21).
[0037]
The standby time is compared with a predetermined time T (for example, one hour) (step S22). If the standby time is equal to or shorter than the time T (NO), the process returns to the normal recording operation. However, if the standby time exceeds the time T (YES), it is determined whether the humidity of a humidity sensor (not shown) is equal to or higher than a predetermined level H (for example, 30% RH) (step S23).
[0038]
In this determination, if the measured humidity is equal to or higher than the level H (YES), that is, if the humidity is equal to or higher than 30% RH, it is determined that the recording paper is not deformed, and the routine returns. Move to If the measured humidity is equal to or lower than the level H (NO), the leading end of the recording paper is cut and discharged in the same manner as in Reference Example 1 (step S24), and thereafter, the process returns to the normal recording operation. I do.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a pre-recording processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0040]
In the above-described Reference Example 2, if the standby time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time and the humidity in the recording apparatus is low, the leading end portion including the deformed portion of the recording paper is cut and removed. There is a risk of cutting and discharging, which may increase waste. In the first embodiment, when it is determined that the deformation of the recording paper can be corrected based on the humidity in the apparatus, the correction of the deformation is performed without cutting the recording paper.
[0041]
First, similarly to FIG. 3, the standby time from the end of recording by the recording apparatus to the start time of the next recording is counted (step S31).
[0042]
The standby time is compared with a predetermined time T (for example, one hour) (step S32). If the standby time is equal to or less than the time T (NO), the process returns to the normal recording operation. However, if the standby time exceeds the time T (YES), it is determined whether the humidity of a humidity sensor (not shown) is equal to or higher than a predetermined first level H1 (for example, 70% RH) (step S33).
[0043]
In this determination, if the measured humidity is equal to or higher than the first level H1 (YES), as shown in FIG. 11, the recording paper is fed back and forth by a predetermined amount several times before the start of the recording operation. The wrinkles are stretched and corrected (step S34), and thereafter, the process returns to the normal recording operation. By this processing, the deformation as shown in FIG. 9B is corrected. However, if the measured humidity is equal to or lower than the first level H1 (NO), it is next determined whether the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined second level H2 (for example, 30% RH) (step S35).
[0044]
If it is equal to or lower than the second level H2 (YES), the leading end of the recording sheet is cut and ejected (step S36), and the process returns to the normal recording operation as in the first embodiment. If it is equal to or higher than the second level H2 (NO), that is, it is determined that the humidity is in the range of 30% RH to 70% RH and the recording paper is not deformed, and the routine returns to normal recording. Move to operation.
[0045]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a pre-recording processing method according to a second embodiment. In the above-described first embodiment, the humidity determination using the humidity sensor is used. In the second embodiment, the humidity determination is performed based on humidity data input from outside, for example, a SELECT input (not shown).
[0046]
First, similarly to FIG. 3, the standby time from the end of recording of the recording apparatus to the start time of the next recording is counted (step S41). The standby time is compared with a predetermined time T (for example, one hour) (step S42). If the standby time is less than the time T (NO), the process returns to the normal recording operation. However, if the standby time exceeds the time T (YES), it is determined whether or not the input from the humidity SELECT is a predetermined humidity (low humidity) (step S43), and if the humidity is not low (NO), FIG. As shown in (1), before the start of the recording operation, the recording sheet is fed back and forth by a predetermined amount several times in the transport unit, the wrinkles are straightened and corrected (step S44), and then the process returns to the normal recording operation.
[0047]
If it is determined in step S43 that the humidity is low (YES), the leading end of the recording paper is cut by a predetermined amount as shown in FIG. 4 (step S45), and the process returns to the normal recording operation.
[0048]
As a SELECT input method, there is a known method such as an input from a panel (not shown). For example, in a Tokyo area, if a low humidity is input in winter, a practically sufficient effect can be obtained.
[0049]
Next, FIG. 8 shows and describes a flowchart of a recording preprocessing method as a third embodiment. Generally, there are two types of electrostatic recording paper, one based on paper and one based on resin. Recording papers based on resins are less likely to expand and contract due to changes in temperature and humidity, and are used for specific applications. However, recording paper based on resin is more expensive than paper-based recording paper.
[0050]
Therefore, with the same criterion as that of the paper-based recording paper, the leading end of the recording paper may be removed, even if the deformation does not actually occur or the deformation has no problem. In the third embodiment, a resin-based determination criterion different from the paper-based recording paper determination criterion is provided. Here, the humidity determination reference levels are H1 and H2 for the paper base and H3 and H4 for the resin base. In this embodiment, the humidity of the humidity sensor is, for example, 70% RH for H1, 30% RH for H2, 80% RH for H3, and 25% RH for H4.
[0051]
First, the standby time from the end of recording of the recording apparatus to the start of the next recording is counted (step S51). The standby time is compared with a predetermined time T (for example, one hour) (step S52). If the standby time is equal to or less than the time T (NO), the process returns to the normal recording operation. However, if the standby time exceeds the time T (YES), it is determined whether the “paper SELECT” is a paper base or a resin base (step S53).
[0052]
If the determination is based on paper, it is first determined whether the humidity of the humidity sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined first level H1 (step S54). If the determination is H1 or more (YES), the correction is performed as shown in FIG. 12 (step S55), and the process returns to the normal recording operation. However, if it is not more than H1 (NO), it is determined whether or not the humidity is not more than H2 (step S56).
[0053]
If the determination is H2 or less (YES), the leading end of the recording paper is cut and discharged as shown in FIG. 4 (step S57), and if the humidity is H2 or more, the process returns to the normal printing operation. Transition.
[0054]
Further, if the recording paper is resin-based in the determination in step S53, it is determined whether or not the humidity of the humidity sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined H3 (step S58). If the result of this determination is H3 or more (YES), the feed is corrected by applying the feed in step S45, and thereafter, the process returns to the normal recording operation. However, if it is equal to or lower than H3 (NO), it is determined whether the humidity is equal to or lower than H4 (step S59).
[0055]
If the determination is H4 or less (YES), the leading end of the recording sheet is cut and discharged in step S57. However, if the humidity is equal to or higher than H4 (NO), the process returns to the normal recording operation.
[0056]
In this case, the recording paper is cut at the leading end of a relatively expensive resin-based recording paper. Waste is reduced.
[0057]
As described above, when the standby state has elapsed for a predetermined time or more, the deformation of the recording paper caused by the lapse of this time is automatically canceled or the deformed portion is automatically discharged out of the apparatus to record the recording paper. Since the portion used for the normal operation is brought into a normal state, it is possible to prevent image omission, paper jam, and the like caused by this deformation.
[0058]
Further, in this embodiment, the case where both the standby time and the humidity exceed the predetermined ranges has been described. However, the effect of the invention is not impaired even if the process is simply performed using only one of them as a criterion.
[0059]
Further, the recording pre-processing method according to the present invention has been described in the example applied to a color electrostatic plotter having an intermediate take-up portion. As long as the recording device uses shaku paper, it may be other than a color electrostatic plotter. It goes without saying that the effects can be improved by applying the present invention.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, there is provided a pre-recording processing method for a long paper recording apparatus that suitably corrects a deformation of a recording sheet caused by holding a standby state before starting recording according to the deformed state. can do.
Therefore, the deformed portion of the leading end of the recording paper caused by the holding of the recording paper in the standby state due to humidity is removed and discharged or corrected before recording, and the paper jam and the missing of the printed image caused by the deformation of the recording paper are surely prevented. Can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a color electrostatic plotter as an example of a recording apparatus for performing a recording preprocessing method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a recording sheet in a standby state is sandwiched between a conveyance roller and a pinch roller in the conveyance system illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a recording preprocessing method as Reference Example 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a predetermined amount cut of the leading end of the recording paper in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a recording preprocessing method as Reference Example 2 according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a recording pre-processing method as a first embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a recording preprocessing method as a second embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a recording preprocessing method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
9A is a diagram illustrating a state in which a recording sheet is nipped by a conveyance roller and a pinch roller, and FIGS. 9B and 9C are diagrams illustrating an example of deformation of the recording sheet. .
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a developing device (recording unit).
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a conventional correction of deformation of recording paper based on a standby time.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for correcting deformation of a recording sheet.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Long electrostatic recording paper (recording paper), 2 ... Guiding roller, 3 ... Conveying roller, 4 ... Pinch roller 5 ... Recording part, 6, 7, 8, 9 ... Developing head, 10 ... Intermediate winding Section, 11: recording paper discharge section,
12 ... humidity sensor.

Claims (5)

In a recording apparatus that uses a long recording paper and includes a recording paper discharge unit including a cutting mechanism and holds the recording paper in a recording standby state in the apparatus,
The time during which the recording paper is held in the recording standby state from the end of recording is integrated as the standby time, and the standby time is changed to the recording paper in the recording standby state before the recording apparatus starts new recording. A standby time determining step of determining whether or not a predetermined time that is not to occur is exceeded;
A humidity determination step of determining whether the humidity in the recording device is higher than a predetermined humidity,
When it is determined that the standby time exceeds a predetermined time and the humidity in the recording apparatus is higher than a predetermined humidity, the portion including the deformation of the recording paper is moved forward and backward in the recording paper conveyance direction. A correction process to correct the deformation by
A recording pre-processing method for a long paper recording apparatus, comprising: After it is determined in the humidity determination step that the humidity in the recording device is lower than the predetermined humidity, the humidity in the recording device is further reduced to a second predetermined humidity lower than the predetermined humidity. A second humidity determination step of determining whether or not there is;
If the standby time exceeds a predetermined time and the humidity in the recording device is determined to be lower than the second predetermined humidity in the second humidity determination step, the portion including the deformation of the recording paper A discharging step of cutting and discharging the material by a cutting mechanism,
2. The pre-recording method for a long paper recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Furthermore, it has a humidity input step of inputting humidity data via the operation panel,
2. The long paper according to claim 1, wherein in the straightening step, the straightening is performed when it is determined that the standby time exceeds a predetermined time and the input humidity data is not lower than the predetermined humidity. 3. A recording pre-processing method for a recording device. Further, when the standby time exceeds a predetermined time and the input humidity data is determined to be lower than the predetermined humidity, a discharging step of cutting and discharging the portion including the deformation of the recording paper by a cutting mechanism is performed. 4. A pre-recording method for a long paper recording device according to claim 3, wherein 5. The pre-recording method according to claim 1, wherein the value of the predetermined humidity is changed according to a type of recording paper to be used.

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