JP7732186B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a feed tray capable of accommodating a roll.

Image forming devices equipped with a feed tray capable of accommodating rolls of sheet-like media such as paper, cloth, and labels are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a roll paper feeder (image forming device) equipped with a feed tray that accommodates roll paper (rolls) and a housing that detachably holds the feed tray.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-263348

In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the roll body is exposed to the outside when the feed tray is pulled out from the housing, etc. This can cause problems such as foreign matter adhering to the roll body.

The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the roll from being exposed to the outside when, for example, the feed tray is pulled out from the housing.

The image forming device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a housing, a feed tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet media, and a cover that is attached to the feed tray and can selectively take a cover position that covers the first storage section from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage section to the outside.

According to the present invention, when the feed tray is pulled out from the housing, the cover can be placed in the cover position to prevent the roll from being exposed to the outside.

1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the paper feed tray of the printer of FIG. 1 in a state where a roll body has been removed and cut sheets are stored therein; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover attached to a paper feed tray of the printer of FIG. 1 is placed in a cover position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover attached to a paper feed tray of the printer of FIG. 1 is placed in an uncover position. FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover attached to the paper feed tray of the printer of FIG. 1 is placed in an uncover position, illustrating engagement between the concave and convex portions of the cover and the path member. 2 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a cover attached to a paper feed tray of the printer of FIG. 1 is placed in an uncover position. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a paper feed tray and a cover of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is placed in a cover position. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a paper feed tray and a cover of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is positioned at an uncovered position. 10 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the roll paper is pulled downstream in the transport direction during transport or jam clearance, causing the path member to swing in a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a paper feed tray and a cover of a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

First Embodiment
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a printer (image forming apparatus) 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 100a, a paper feed tray 1, a conveying mechanism 3, a cutter mechanism 4, a head 5, a paper output tray 6, and a control unit 10.

The paper output tray 6 is formed on the front side wall of the upper part of the housing 100a and can be opened and closed relative to the housing 100a.

The paper feed tray 1 corresponds to the "feed tray" of the present invention, has a box shape that opens upward, and is detachable from the bottom of the housing 100a. The paper feed tray 1 is pulled out of the housing 100a by moving it from the rear to the front relative to the housing 100a, and is attached to the housing 100a by moving it from the front to the rear relative to the housing 100a.

The paper feed tray 1 can be selectively positioned between a storage position (see Figures 1 and 2) in which it is stored within the housing 100a, and a drawn-out position (see Figures 3 to 6) in which it is drawn out of the housing 100a. When the paper feed tray 1 is in the storage position, the entire paper feed tray 1 may be stored within the housing 100a, or part of the paper feed tray 1 (for example, part of the roll body storage section 11 or cover 20, described below) may be located outside the housing 100a. When the paper feed tray 1 is in the drawn-out position, the entire paper feed tray 1 may be separated from the housing 100a, or part of the paper feed tray 1 (for example, part of the guide 7 or path member 30, described below) may be located inside the housing 100a.

The paper feed tray 1 is provided with a roll storage section 11 that can store a roll R (see Figure 1) and a cut paper storage section 12 that can store cut paper Pc (see Figure 2). The roll storage section 11 corresponds to the "first storage section" of the present invention, and the cut paper storage section 12 corresponds to the "second storage section" of the present invention.

In addition, a cover 20 and a path member 30 are attached to the paper feed tray 1.

The cover 20 is rotatable around a pivot 20a extending in the left-right direction, and can be selectively placed between a covered position (see Figures 1 to 3) that covers the roll storage section 11 from the outside, and an uncovered position (see Figures 4 to 6) that opens the roll storage section 11 to the outside. When in the uncovered position, the cover 20 overlaps the cut paper storage section 12 in the vertical direction. The pivot 20a is supported by the left and right side walls of the paper feed tray 1, and the cover 20 is supported by the paper feed tray 1 in both the covered and uncovered positions.

The path member 30 is a flat member arranged along the bottom wall of the paper feed tray 1, with its upper surface forming the cut paper storage section 12 and its lower surface defining the transport path Cr for the roll paper Pr unwound from the roll R. The transport path Cr is formed between the lower surface of the path member 30 and the upper surface of the bottom wall of the paper feed tray 1. One end of the path member 30 on the roll storage section 11 side engages with the uneven portion 20b at the bottom end of the cover 20.

The roll R (see Figure 1) is a roll of roll paper Pr (sheet-like medium) wound around the outer surface of a cylindrical core member Rc, and corresponds to the "roll" of this invention. The roll R is stored in the roll storage section 11 with its rotation axis Rx (the central axis of the core member Rc) aligned in the left-right direction.

Two roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 that make up the transport mechanism 3 are provided at the bottom of the roll storage section 11. The two roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 are rotatable around axes 14a, 15a that extend in the left-right direction, respectively. When the roll R is stored in the roll storage section 11, the outer peripheral surface of its lower portion is supported by the two roll paper feed rollers 14, 15.

Cut paper Pc (see Figure 2) is paper whose length in the transport direction A is shorter than that of the roll paper Pr that constitutes the roll body R. The cut paper storage unit 12 can store multiple cut paper Pc stacked vertically.

When using roll paper Pr in the printer 100, cut paper Pc is removed from the cut paper storage section 12 (see Figure 1), and when using cut paper Pc, roll R is removed from the roll storage section 11 (see Figure 2).

The transport mechanism 3 is configured to transport roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc in transport direction A along transport path C, and includes roll paper feed rollers 14, 15, cut paper feed roller 3a, intermediate roller pair 3b, transport roller pair 3c, discharge roller pair 3d, path member 30, and guides 7, 9. Transport path C includes transport path Cr for roll paper Pr and transport path Cc for cut paper Pc formed within paper feed tray 1, and transport path Ca formed in the portion of housing 100a outside paper feed tray 1.

As described above, the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15 are located at the bottom of the roll storage unit 11. The cut paper feed roller 3a is located above the cut paper storage unit 12 and is positioned on the transport path C between the roll storage unit 11 and the head 5. The intermediate roller pair 3b is positioned on the transport path C between the cut paper feed roller 3a and the head 5. The transport roller pair 3c is positioned on the transport path C between the intermediate roller pair 3b and the head 5. The paper discharge roller pair 3d is positioned on the transport path C between the head 5 and the paper discharge tray 6.

The cut paper feed roller 3a is journaled at the tip of an arm 3y. The arm 3y is rotatably supported on a support shaft 3x. The control unit 10 drives an arm drive motor (not shown), causing the arm 3y to rotate about the support shaft 3x, allowing the cut paper feed roller 3a to selectively take up either the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 or the feed position shown in FIG. 2. When the cut paper feed roller 3a is in the feed position shown in FIG. 2, it is biased so as to approach the top surface of the path member 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the roll R is stored in the roll storage compartment 11 and the cut paper feed roller 3a is in the retracted position, the control unit 10 drives the paper feed motor (not shown), rotating the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15. This causes the roll R to rotate in the direction of arrow B, and roll paper Pr unwound from the roll R is fed along the transport path Cr. The transport path Cr runs from the front to the rear of the roll R, passing below the roll R (below the roll paper feed rollers 14 and 15), below the pivot shaft 20a of the cover 20 and below the path member 30, and then upward along the guide 7. On the transport path Cr, the path member 30 guides the roll paper Pr to the guide 7 while preventing it from curling.

As shown in FIG. 2, when cut sheets Pc are stored in the cut sheet storage section 12 and the cut sheet feed roller 3a is in the feed position, the control section 10 drives the feed motor (not shown) and rotates the cut sheet feed roller 3a, causing the uppermost cut sheet Pc of the multiple cut sheets Pc stored in the cut sheet storage section 12 to be fed along the transport path Cc. The transport path Cc runs from front to rear along the top surface of the path member 30, and then upward along the guide 7.

The intermediate roller pair 3b, the conveying roller pair 3c, and the paper discharge roller pair 3d each consist of a drive roller that rotates when driven by a conveying motor (not shown), and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. The conveying motor (not shown) is driven under the control of the control unit 10, and the intermediate roller pair 3b, the conveying roller pair 3c, and the paper discharge roller pair 3d rotate while clamping the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc, thereby conveying the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc along the conveying path C.

The guide 7 is positioned on the transport path C between the cut paper feed roller 3a and the intermediate roller pair 3b, and guides the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc fed by the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 or the cut paper feed roller 3a to the intermediate roller pair 3b. The guide 7 is formed from the rear side wall of the paper feed tray 1 and is inclined so that it is positioned higher from front to rear.

The guide 9 is positioned between the intermediate roller pair 3b and the transport roller pair 3c on the transport path C, and guides the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc transported by the intermediate roller pair 3b to the transport roller pair 3c. The guide 9 is composed of a pair of path members 9a, 9b arranged on either side of the transport path C.

The cutter mechanism 4 is configured to cut the roll paper Pr between the guide 7 and the pair of intermediate rollers 3b on the transport path C, and includes a pair of rotary blades arranged to sandwich the transport path C. When a cutting motor (not shown) is driven under the control of the control unit 10 and the pair of rotary blades rotate, the roll paper Pr is cut in the left-right direction (the width direction of the roll paper Pr).

The head 5 is positioned between the pair of transport rollers 3c and the pair of discharge rollers 3d on the transport path C. The head 5 includes multiple nozzles (not shown) formed on its underside and a driver IC (not shown). When the driver IC is driven under the control of the control unit 10, ink is ejected from the nozzles, and an image is formed on the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc transported by the transport mechanism 3 as it passes a position facing the underside of the head 5. The head 5 may be either a line type, in which ink is ejected from nozzles while remaining in a fixed position, or a serial type, in which ink is ejected from nozzles while moving left and right (in the width direction of the roll paper Pr or cut paper Pc).

The paper P on which the image is formed by the head 5 is received in the paper output tray 6, which is open relative to the housing 100a.

The control unit 10 is connected to the paper feed motor, transport motor, cutting motor, and driver IC via an internal bus (not shown). The control unit 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores programs and data that the CPU uses to perform various controls. The RAM temporarily stores data used by the CPU when executing programs.

Next, we will explain in detail how the cover 20 opens and closes.

When the cover 20 is in the cover position (see Figures 1 to 3), the roll R cannot be stored in the roll storage section 11 from outside, and the roll R cannot be removed from the roll storage section 11 to the outside. When the cover 20 is in the uncover position (see Figures 4 to 6), the roll R can be stored in the roll storage section 11 from outside, and the roll R can be removed from the roll storage section 11 to the outside.

When the paper feed tray 1 is in the storage position, the cover 20 is in the cover position. For example, when a user replaces the roll R, they move the paper feed tray 1 from the storage position to the extended position, and then, while the paper feed tray 1 is in the extended position, move the cover 20 from the cover position to the uncover position. Then, with the cover 20 in the uncover position, the user replaces the roll R (i.e., removes the old roll R from the roll storage section 11 and stores a new roll R in the roll storage section 11), unwinds the roll paper Pr from the roll R, and sets it along the transport path Cr. After that, the user moves the cover 20 from the uncover position to the cover position, and then moves the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the storage position. Alternatively, with the cover 20 in the uncover position, the user rotates the cover 20 about the pivot shaft 20a to move it from the uncover position to the cover position in conjunction with the operation of moving the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the storage position.

When the cover 20 is in the uncovered position, the uneven portion 20b of the cover 20 and the uneven portion 30b of the path member 30 mesh together, thereby closing a path Cr' (a path in which the roll paper Pr does not pass below the roll R (below the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15), but passes above the roll paper feed rollers 14, 15 and extends laterally from the circumferential surface of the roll R) which is separate from the transport path Cr (see FIGS. 5 and 6). This prevents the roll paper Pr from being set incorrectly along path Cr'.

Furthermore, the height H2 of the cover 20 when in the uncovered position (see Figure 6) is higher than the height H1 of the cover 20 when in the covered position (see Figure 1). Here, the height of the cover 20 refers to the height of the top end of the cover 20, and in Figures 1 and 6, heights H1 and H2 are the vertical distances from the top surface of the bottom wall of the paper feed tray 1 to the top end of the cover 20 (the part of the cover 20 that is furthest above the top surface). By making height H2 higher than height H1, it is possible to prevent the roll paper Pr from being mistakenly set along a path Cr" other than the transport path Cr shown in Figure 6 (a path in which roll paper Pr unwound from the roll R passes over the cover 20).

Paths Cr' and Cr" are both paths formed on the paper feed tray 1 when the cover 20 is not attached to the paper feed tray 1.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the cover 20 is attached to the paper feed tray 1 and can be selectively placed in a covered position (see Figures 1 to 3) that covers the roll accommodating section 11 from the outside, and an uncovered position (see Figures 4 to 6) that exposes the roll accommodating section 11 to the outside. This means that even when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a, the cover 20 can be placed in the covered position to prevent the roll R from being exposed to the outside (see Figures 1 to 3).

The cover 20 is supported by the paper feed tray 1 in both the covered and uncovered positions (see Figures 1 to 6). In this case, moving the cover is easier than in a configuration where the cover 20 is attached and detached from the paper feed tray 1 when moving the cover 20 between the covered and uncovered positions.

The cover 20 is attached to the paper feed tray 1 so that it can rotate around a rotation axis 20a (see Figures 1 and 6). In this case, the mechanism for moving the cover 20 can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the cover 20 is attached to the paper feed tray 1 so that it can slide.

The direction in which the pivot shaft 20a extends (left-right direction) is perpendicular to the direction in which the paper feed tray 1 is attached to and detached from the housing 100a (front-rear direction) (see Figures 1 and 6). In this case, when the cover 20 is in the uncovered position, moving the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the retracted position rotates the cover 20 about the pivot shaft 20a, moving it from the uncovered position to the covered position. In other words, moving the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the retracted position also moves the cover 20 from the uncovered position to the covered position. This makes the cover movement easy. Furthermore, when moving the cover 20 from the uncovered position to the covered position and then moving the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the retracted position, the cover 20 may not be properly positioned at the covered position. However, with this configuration, moving the paper feed tray 1 from the extended position to the retracted position allows the cover 20 to be properly positioned at the covered position.

The height H2 of the cover 20 when in the uncovered position (see Figure 6) is higher than the height H1 of the cover 20 when in the covered position (see Figure 1). In this case, roll paper Pr is prevented from being mistakenly set along a path Cr" that is different from the transport path Cr as shown in Figure 6. If roll paper Pr is set along path Cr", recording may be performed on the side opposite the recording surface, or the roll paper Pr may become pinched by the cover 20 when the cover 20 is moved to the covered position. This configuration prevents these problems.

When the cover 20 is in the uncovered position, it closes the path Cr' shown in Figure 6. In this case, it prevents the roll paper Pr from being mistakenly set along a path Cr' that is different from the transport path Cr.

The transport path Cr passes below the roll R stored in the roll storage unit 11 (see FIG. 6). If the roll paper Pr were set along paths Cr', Cr" that extend laterally from the circumferential surface of the roll R, rather than along a path that passes below the roll R, problems could arise such as the roll R easily falling out of the roll storage unit 11 due to the tensile force acting on the roll paper Pr during transport, recording being performed on the side opposite the recording surface, or the roll paper Pr getting pinched by the cover 20 when the cover 20 is in the cover position. This configuration can prevent these problems.

The transport path Cr passes below the pivot shaft 20a of the cover 20 (see Figure 6). In this case, when the roll paper Pr is set along the transport path Cr, the pivot shaft 20a is prevented from interfering with the setting. Furthermore, if the transport path Cr passes above the pivot shaft 20a of the cover, one way to prevent the pivot shaft 20a from interfering with the setting would be to increase the left-right length of the cover 20 and provide the pivot shaft 20a at both left-right ends of the cover 20 (outside the range through which the roll paper Pr passes). However, this would increase the left-right length of the cover 20. This configuration can mitigate this problem.

The cover 20 has a concave-convex portion 20b, and when in the uncovered position, the concave-convex portion 20b engages with the path member 30 to close the other path C r ' (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In this case, the cover 20 can be prevented from interfering with the path member 30 when closing the other path C r '.

The paper feed tray 1 includes not only a roll storage section 11 that can store a roll R (see Figure 1), but also a cut paper storage section 12 that can store cut paper Pc (see Figure 2). In this case, roll paper Pr and cut paper Pc can be used selectively.

When in the uncovered position, the cover 20 overlaps the cut paper storage compartment 12 in the vertical direction (see Figure 6). In this case, if cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage compartment 12 when storing the roll R in the roll storage compartment 11, it is difficult to place the cover 20 in the uncovered position, so the user can be prompted to remove the cut paper Pc. Furthermore, by vertically overlapping the rotation path of the cover 20 with the cut paper storage compartment 12, space can be used effectively, allowing the overall size of the printer 100 to be reduced.

The surface (upper surface) of the path member 30 opposite the surface (lower surface) that defines the transport path Cr forms the cut sheet storage unit 12 (see Figures 1 and 2). In this case, there is no need to provide a dedicated member for the cut sheet storage unit 12.

Second Embodiment
Next, a printer (image forming apparatus) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the path members, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the path member 230 can swing around a swing shaft 230a extending in the left-right direction. The swing shaft 230a is supported on the left and right side walls of the paper feed tray 1 and can move up and down within holes 1x formed in the side walls.

When the cover 20 moves from the cover position (see FIG. 7) to the uncover position (see FIG. 8), the end 230b of the path member 230 on the roll body accommodating section 11 side abuts against the boss 20c provided at the lower end of the cover 20 and rises as the boss 20c rises. Furthermore, when the cover 20 moves from the uncover position (see FIG. 8) to the cover position (see FIG. 7), the end 230b descends as the boss 20c descends. In other words, the end 230b can rise and fall in response to the rotation of the cover 20. As the end 230b rises and falls, the swing shaft 230a moves up and down, and the path member 230 swings around the swing shaft 230a.

When the cover 20 moves from the cover position (see Figure 7) to the uncover position (see Figure 8), the one end 230b rises, increasing the vertical length of the transport path Cr formed by the one end 230b (i.e., the vertical length of the insertion opening into the lower part of the path member 230 in the transport path Cr for the roll paper Pr unwound from the roll R).

As described above, this embodiment provides the following advantages in addition to the advantages of the same configuration as the first embodiment.

When the cover 20 is in the uncovered position (see Figure 8), the vertical length L2 of the transport path Cr formed by one end 230b is longer than the length L1 when the cover 20 is in the covered position (see Figure 7) (L2 > L1). This makes it easier to set the roll paper Pr along the transport path C.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, when the roll paper Pr is pulled downstream in the transport direction A during transport or jam clearance, the other end 230c of the path member 30 on the guide 7 side is lifted by the roll paper Pr, causing the path member 230 to swing around the swing shaft 230a. This prevents excessive load from being applied to the roll paper Pr (and thus damage to the roll paper Pr).

Third Embodiment
Next, a printer (image forming apparatus) according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the cover movement mechanism, but is otherwise the same as the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the cover 20 can selectively take either the covered position (see Figure 1) or the uncovered position (see Figure 6) by rotating around the rotation axis 20a. However, in this embodiment, the cover 20 can selectively take either the covered position (see the solid line in Figure 10) or the uncovered position (see the dashed dotted line in Figure 10) by translating along the rotational trajectory of the link mechanism 320. Translational movement is movement in which the posture of the cover 20 does not change during that movement.

The link mechanism 320 is supported by the paper feed tray 1, and the cover 20 is supported by the paper feed tray 1 in both the covered and uncovered positions. The height H2 of the cover 20 when in the uncovered position is higher than the height H1 of the cover 20 when in the covered position. When in the uncovered position, the cover 20 overlaps the cut paper storage section 12 in the vertical direction.

As described above, this embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, and provides the following advantages:

A cover 20 is attached to the paper feed tray 1 and can be selectively placed in a covered position (see solid lines in Figure 10) that covers the roll storage section 11 from the outside, and an uncovered position (see dashed lines in Figure 10) that opens the roll storage section 11 to the outside. This means that even when the paper feed tray 1 is pulled out from the housing 100a, the cover 20 can be placed in the covered position to prevent the roll R from being exposed to the outside.

The cover 20 is supported by the paper feed tray 1 in both the covered and uncovered positions (see Figure 10). In this case, moving the cover is easier than in a configuration where the cover 20 is attached and detached from the paper feed tray 1 when moving the cover 20 between the covered and uncovered positions.

The height H2 of the cover 20 when in the uncovered position is higher than the height H1 of the cover 20 when in the covered position (see Figure 10). In this case, roll paper Pr is prevented from being mistakenly set along a path Cr" that is different from the transport path Cr as shown in Figure 6. If roll paper Pr is set along path Cr", recording may be performed on the side opposite the recording surface, or the roll paper Pr may become pinched by the cover 20 when the cover 20 is moved to the covered position. This configuration prevents these problems.

The transport path Cr passes below the roll R stored in the roll storage unit 11 (see FIG. 10). If the roll paper Pr were set along paths Cr', Cr" (see FIG. 6) that extend laterally from the circumferential surface of the roll R, rather than along a path that passes below the roll R, problems could arise such as the roll R easily falling out of the roll storage unit 11 due to the tensile force acting on the roll paper Pr during transport, recording being performed on the side opposite the recording surface, or the roll paper Pr getting pinched by the cover 20 when the cover 20 is in the cover position. This configuration can prevent these problems.

The paper feed tray 1 includes not only a roll storage section 11 that can store a roll R, but also a cut paper storage section 12 that can store cut paper Pc (see Figure 2). In this case, roll paper Pr and cut paper Pc can be used selectively.

When in the uncovered position, the cover 20 overlaps the cut paper storage compartment 12 in the vertical direction (see Figure 10). In this case, if cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage compartment 12 when storing the roll R in the roll storage compartment 11, it is difficult to place the cover 20 in the uncovered position, so the user can be prompted to remove the cut paper Pc. Furthermore, by vertically overlapping the rotation path of the cover 20 with the cut paper storage compartment 12, space can be used effectively, allowing the overall size of the printer 100 to be reduced.

The surface (upper surface) of the path member 30 opposite the surface (lower surface) that defines the transport path Cr forms the cut sheet storage unit 12 (see Figures 10 and 2). In this case, there is no need to provide a dedicated member for the cut sheet storage unit 12.

<Modification>
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

The roll storage compartment does not necessarily have to be sealed when the cover is in the cover position. For example, a slit may be formed in the cover. Also, for example, an opening may be formed in the portion that defines the roll storage compartment 11 in the front side wall or left and right side walls of the paper feed tray 1 shown in FIG. 1. In this case, when the cover is in the cover position, it may be possible to load or unload a roll into or from the roll storage compartment through the opening.

The transport path for sheet media unwound from the roll may pass above the cover's pivot axis.

The direction in which the cover's pivot axis extends may be the same as the direction in which the paper feed tray is attached to and detached from the housing.

The cover may be attached so that it can slide relative to the feed tray (e.g., in the front-to-back, left-to-right, or up-to-down directions).

The height of the cover when in the uncovered position may be the same as or lower than the height of the cover when in the covered position.

The cover may be configured to be attached and detached from the feed tray when moving the cover between the cover position and the uncover position (a configuration in which the cover is not supported by the feed tray in the uncover position).

The feed tray may have a first storage section but not a second storage section.

The sheet-like medium is not limited to paper, but may also be, for example, cloth, resin material, etc.

Image formation on sheet media may also be performed by ejecting a liquid other than ink (for example, a treatment liquid that aggregates or precipitates components in the ink). Furthermore, image formation is not limited to liquid ejection methods, and may also be performed using laser methods, thermal transfer methods, etc.

The present invention is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to facsimiles, copiers, multifunction devices, etc.

1 Paper feed tray (feed tray)
11 Roll body storage section (first storage section)
12 Cut paper storage section (second storage section)
20 Cover 20a Rotating shaft 20b Concave and concave portion 30; 230 Path member 100 Printer (image forming apparatus)
100a Housing Cr Roll paper transport path (transport path)
Cr', Cr" Separate path Pc Cut paper (sheet media)
Pr Roll paper (sheet media)
R Roll body

Claims (15)

The housing and
a feeding tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media;
a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside,
the cover is attached to the feed tray so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is located downstream of the first storage unit in a direction in which the sheet medium is unwound from the roll body. The housing and
a feeding tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media;
a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside,
the cover is attached to the feed tray so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft is located below a position where an outer peripheral surface of a lower portion of the roll body accommodated in the first accommodating section is supported . The housing and
a feed tray that is detachable from the housing and that can selectively take a storage position stored in the housing and a pulled-out position pulled out to the outside of the housing by moving in a direction of attachment/detachment relative to the housing, the feed tray having a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media;
a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside,
the cover is attached to the feed tray so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis;
the rotation axis extends in a direction perpendicular to the attachment/detachment direction,
an image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the cover is in the uncover position and the feed tray moves from the pulled-out position to the stored position, the cover rotates about the pivot shaft and moves from the uncover position to the covered position; The housing and
a feeding tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media;
a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside,
a feed roller for supporting the roll body is provided at a bottom of the first storage section,
a conveying path is formed in the feed tray, through which the sheet medium unwound from the roll passes below the feed roller and is conveyed;
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the cover is in the uncover position, it closes a path other than the transport path that is formed on the feed tray when the cover is not attached to the feed tray, and that passes above the feed roller. The housing and
a feeding tray that is detachable from the housing and has a first storage section that can store a roll of sheet-like media;
a cover attached to the sheet tray, the cover being capable of selectively taking a cover position that covers the first storage portion from the outside and an uncover position that opens the first storage portion to the outside,
the feed tray further includes a second storage section capable of storing a plurality of stacked sheet media;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover overlaps the second storage section in the vertical direction when the cover is in the uncover position. An image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the cover is supported by the feed tray in both the covered position and the uncovered position. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein the cover is attached to the feed tray so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, 2, or 7, wherein the direction in which the rotation shaft extends is perpendicular to the direction in which the feed tray is attached to and detached from the housing. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 7 or 8, wherein the height of the cover when in the uncovered position is higher than the height of the cover when in the covered position. a feed roller for supporting the roll body is provided at a bottom of the first storage section,
a conveying path is formed in the feed tray, through which the sheet medium unwound from the roll passes below the feed roller and is conveyed;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 9, characterized in that, when the cover is in the uncover position, it closes another path that is formed on the feed tray when the cover is not attached to the feed tray, which is different from the transport path and passes above the feed roller. Further provided is a path member that defines the transport path,
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cover has a concave-convex portion, and when the cover is in the uncover position, the concave-convex portion engages with the path member to close the other path. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein the feed tray further has a second storage section capable of storing multiple stacked sheet media. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the cover overlaps the second storage section in the vertical direction when in the uncovered position. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 12 or 13, wherein the surface of the path member opposite the surface defining the transport path constitutes the second storage section. At least one end of the pathway member on the first housing portion side can be raised and lowered in response to rotation of the cover,
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the vertical length of the conveying path formed by the one end of the path member is longer when the cover is in the uncover position than when the cover is in the cover position.