JP7736503B2 - Paper ejection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a paper discharge device.

A printing system in which multiple printing devices are connected in series is known (see Patent Document 1).

Such printing systems are required to achieve a variety of functions in addition to faster printing speeds. To meet this demand, multiple optional devices such as image inspection devices and paper output devices can be connected.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-130755

In printing systems that include the optional devices mentioned above, the system becomes larger and the paper transport path becomes longer. As a result, when a paper jam occurs and the paper transport operation stops, a large amount of paper remains in the transport path, making it more difficult to remove the paper.

In particular, if a jam occurs in the paper output device located at the most downstream position in the paper transport direction, paper remains in all devices upstream from that device, resulting in a large amount of paper remaining and a heavy workload for removing the paper.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a paper discharge device that can reduce the work required to remove paper remaining in a printing system when a jam occurs.

To achieve the above objective, the paper discharge device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a storage unit that stores paper, a transport unit that transports paper and discharges it to the storage unit, a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of paper jams in the storage unit and the state of the jam, and a control unit that controls the transport unit to continue paper discharge when the detection unit detects a jam that allows paper discharge.

The paper discharge device of the present invention can reduce the work required to remove paper remaining in the printing system when a jam occurs.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the printing system shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a paper discharge device of the printing system shown in FIG. 1 . 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system when a paper discharge jam occurs in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system when a paper discharge jam occurs in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a paper discharge device according to a third embodiment. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a printing system according to a third embodiment when a paper discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the paper discharge destination is an upstream stacker. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the discharge transport unit when a discharge jam occurs due to a paper jam that cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking unit in the third embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Identical or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings.

The embodiments described below are examples of devices and the like that embody the technical concept of this invention, and the technical concept of this invention does not limit the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of each component to those described below. The technical concept of this invention may be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[First embodiment]
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system provided with a paper discharge device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a control block diagram of the printing system shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the paper discharge device of the printing system shown in Fig. 1. In the following description, the top, bottom, left, and right directions on the paper surface in Fig. 1 are defined as the top, bottom, left, and right directions.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a paper feeder 2, an upstream printing device 3, a reversing device 4, a downstream printing device 5, an image inspection device 6, and a paper discharge device 7.

The paper feeder 2 feeds paper P to the upstream printing device 3. The paper feeder 2 includes an upper paper feed section 11, a lower paper feed section 12, a paper feed transport section 13, and a control section 14.

The upper paper feed unit 11 sends paper P to the upper paper feed path 21, which will be described later. The upper paper feed unit 11 includes an upper paper feed tray 16 and upper paper feed rollers 17.

The upper paper feed tray 16 is where the paper P used for printing is loaded. The upper paper feed tray 16 is configured to be able to move up and down.

The upper paper feed roller 17 picks up paper P from the upper paper feed tray 16 and sends it to the upper paper feed path 21.

The lower paper feed unit 12 sends paper P to the lower paper feed path 22, which will be described later. The lower paper feed unit 12 includes a lower paper feed tray 18 and lower paper feed rollers 19.

The lower paper feed tray 18 is where the paper P used for printing is loaded. The lower paper feed tray 18 is configured to be able to move up and down. The lower paper feed tray 18 is located below the upper paper feed tray 16.

The lower paper feed roller 19 picks up paper P from the lower paper feed tray 18 and sends it to the lower paper feed path 22.

The paper feed transport unit 13 transports paper P removed from the upper paper feed tray 16 and paper P removed from the lower paper feed tray 18 to the upstream printing device 3. The paper feed transport unit 13 includes an upper paper feed path 21, a lower paper feed path 22, a common paper feed path 23, and multiple transport rollers 24.

The upper paper feed path 21 is a transport path for transporting paper P from the upper paper feed tray 16 to the common paper feed path 23.

The lower paper feed path 22 is a transport path for transporting paper P from the lower paper feed tray 18 to the common paper feed path 23.

The common paper feed path 23 is a transport path for transporting paper P transported along the upper paper feed path 21 and paper P transported along the lower paper feed path 22 to the upstream printing device 3. The common paper feed path 23 is connected to the downstream end of the upper paper feed path 21 and the downstream end of the lower paper feed path 22 in the transport direction of the paper P.

Multiple transport rollers 24 are arranged along the upper paper feed path 21, the lower paper feed path 22, and the common paper feed path 23, and transport paper P toward the upstream printing device 3.

The control unit 14 controls the operation of each part of the paper feeder 2. The control unit 14 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 14 is capable of communicating with the control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, the control unit 44 of the inverting device 4, the control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5, the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6, and the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7, which will be described later.

The upstream printing device 3 transports the paper P fed by the paper feeder 2 and prints on one side of the paper P. The upstream printing device 3 includes a print transport unit 31, a printing unit 32, and a control unit 33.

The print transport unit 31 receives and transports paper P from the paper feed device 2. The print transport unit 31 includes a print transport path 36, multiple transport rollers 37, and a belt platen unit 38.

The print transport path 36 is a transport path for transporting paper P below the printing unit 32. The upstream end of the print transport path 36 is connected to the downstream end of the common paper feed path 23.

Some of the multiple transport rollers 37 are arranged along the print transport path 36 upstream of the belt platen unit 38 and transport the paper P toward the belt platen unit 38. The remaining transport rollers 37 are arranged along the print transport path 36 downstream of the belt platen unit 38 and transport the paper P toward the reversing device 4.

The belt platen unit 38 adsorbs and holds the paper P on the belt and transports it. The belt platen unit 38 is positioned below and opposite the printing unit 32.

The printing unit 32 has an inkjet head (not shown) and prints by ejecting ink from the inkjet head onto paper P transported by the belt platen unit 38.

The control unit 33 controls the operation of each unit of the upstream printing device 3. The control unit 33 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 33 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 44 of the inverting device 4 (described below), the control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5, the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6, and the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7.

The reversing device 4 reverses the paper P transported from the upstream printing device 3 and transports it to the downstream printing device 5. The reversing device 4 includes a reversing upstream transport section 41, a switchback transport section 42, a reversing downstream transport section 43, and a control section 44.

The reverse upstream transport section 41 transports the paper P to the switchback transport section 42. The reverse upstream transport section 41 includes a reverse upstream path 46 and multiple transport rollers 47.

The reverse upstream path 46 is a transport path for transporting paper P from the upstream printing device 3 to the switchback transport section 42. The upstream end of the reverse upstream path 46 is connected to the downstream end of the print transport path 36 of the upstream printing device 3, and the downstream end of the reverse upstream path 46 is connected to one end (upper end) of the switchback path 51 described below.

Multiple transport rollers 47 are arranged along the reversing upstream path 46 and transport the paper P toward the switchback transport section 42.

The switchback transport section 42 switches back the paper P transported from the reversing upstream transport section 41 and transports it to the reversing downstream transport section 43. The switchback transport section 42 includes a switchback path 51 and switchback rollers 52.

The switchback path 51 is a transport path for switching back the paper P. One end (upper end) of the switchback path 51 is connected to the downstream end of the reversing upstream path 46 and the upstream end of the reversing downstream path 56 described below.

The switchback roller 52 is a roller that switches back the paper P. The switchback roller 52 is configured to be able to rotate forward and backward in order to switch back the paper P.

The reverse downstream transport unit 43 transports the paper P switched back by the switchback transport unit 42 to the downstream printing device 5. The reverse downstream transport unit 43 includes a reverse downstream path 56 and multiple transport rollers 57.

The reverse downstream path 56 is a transport path for transporting paper P from the switchback transport section 42 to the downstream printing device 5. The upstream end of the reverse downstream path 56 is connected to one end (upper end) of the switchback path 51.

Multiple transport rollers 57 are arranged along the downstream reverse path 56 and transport the paper P toward the downstream printing device 5.

The control unit 44 controls the operation of each part of the inverting device 4. The control unit 44 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 44 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, the control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5 (described below), the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6, and the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7.

The downstream printing device 5 transports the paper P that has been inverted by the inverting device 4 and prints on the other side of the paper P. The downstream printing device 5 includes a print transport unit 61, a printing unit 62, and a control unit 63.

The print transport unit 61 receives and transports paper P from the reversing device 4. The print transport unit 61 includes a print transport path 66, multiple transport rollers 67, and a belt platen unit 68.

The print transport path 66 is a transport path for transporting paper P below the printing unit 62. The upstream end of the print transport path 66 is connected to the downstream end of the reverse downstream path 56.

Some of the multiple transport rollers 67 are arranged along the print transport path 66 upstream of the belt platen unit 68 and transport the paper P toward the belt platen unit 68. The remaining transport rollers 67 are arranged along the print transport path 66 downstream of the belt platen unit 68 and transport the paper P toward the image inspection device 6.

The belt platen unit 68 adsorbs and holds the paper P on the belt and transports it. The belt platen unit 68 is positioned below and opposite the printing unit 62.

The printing unit 62 has an inkjet head (not shown) and prints by ejecting ink from the inkjet head onto paper P transported by the belt platen unit 68.

The control unit 63 controls the operation of each part of the downstream printing device 5. The control unit 63 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 63 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, the control unit 44 of the inverting device 4, the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6 (described below), and the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7.

The image inspection device 6 inspects the images printed on both sides of the paper P by the upstream printing device 3 and the downstream printing device 5. The image inspection device 6 includes an inspection transport unit 71, inspection units 72 and 73, and a control unit 74.

The inspection transport unit 71 receives and transports paper P from the downstream printing device 5. The inspection transport unit 71 includes an inspection transport path 76 and belt platen units 77 and 78.

The inspection transport path 76 is a transport path for transporting paper P so that it passes through the reading areas of the inspection units 72 and 73. The upstream end of the inspection transport path 76 is connected to the downstream end of the print transport path 66.

The belt platen unit 77 adsorbs and holds the paper P transported by the downstream printing device 5 onto the belt and transports it. The belt platen unit 77 is installed with the transport surface that adsorbs and holds the paper P facing upward.

The belt platen unit 78 receives the paper P from the belt platen unit 77 and transports it. The belt platen unit 78 is installed with its transport surface facing downward, and transports the paper P by suction and holding it on the downward-facing transport surface.

The inspection unit 72 reads an image of the upward facing surface of the paper P being transported by the belt platen unit 77 for inspection purposes. The inspection unit 73 reads an image of the downward facing surface of the paper P being transported by the belt platen unit 78 for inspection purposes.

The control unit 74 controls the operation of each part of the image inspection device 6. The control unit 74 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 74 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, the control unit 44 of the inverting device 4, the control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5, and the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7, which will be described later.

The paper discharge device 7 discharges paper P printed by the upstream printing device 3 and downstream printing device 5. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the paper discharge device 7 includes a paper discharge transport section (equivalent to the transport section) 81, an upstream stacking section (equivalent to the stacking section) 82, an upstream paper discharge jam detection section (equivalent to the detection section) 83, a downstream lower stacking section (equivalent to the stacking section) 84, a downstream paper discharge jam detection section (equivalent to the detection section) 85, a downstream upper stacking section (equivalent to the stacking section) 86, and a control section 87. The upstream stacking section 82, the downstream lower stacking section 84, and the downstream upper stacking section 86 form a storage section that stores paper P.

The paper discharge transport unit 81 receives and transports paper P that has been transported from the paper feed device 2 via the upstream printing device 3, the inverter 4, the downstream printing device 5, and the image inspection device 6, and selectively discharges the paper to the upstream stacking unit 82, the downstream lower stacking unit 84, or the downstream upper stacking unit 86. The paper discharge transport unit 81 includes a common paper discharge path 91, an upstream paper discharge path 92, a downstream common paper discharge path 93, a downstream lower paper discharge path 94, a downstream upper paper discharge path 95, switching units 96 and 97, and multiple transport rollers 98.

The common paper discharge path 91 is a transport path common to paper P transported to the upstream stacking section 82, downstream lower stacking section 84, and downstream upper stacking section 86 in the paper discharge transport section 81. The upstream end of the common paper discharge path 91 is connected to the downstream end of the inspection transport path 76.

The upstream discharge path 92 is a transport path for transporting and discharging paper P to the upstream stacking section 82. The upstream end of the upstream discharge path 92 is connected to the downstream end of the common discharge path 91.

The downstream common paper discharge path 93 is a transport path common to paper P transported to the downstream lower stacking section 84 and the downstream upper stacking section 86. The upstream end of the downstream common paper discharge path 93 is connected to the downstream end of the common paper discharge path 91.

The downstream lower paper discharge path 94 is a transport path for transporting and discharging paper P to the downstream lower stacking section 84. The upstream end of the downstream lower paper discharge path 94 is connected to the downstream end of the downstream common paper discharge path 93.

The downstream upper paper discharge path 95 is a transport path for transporting and discharging paper P to the downstream upper stacking section 86. The upstream end of the downstream upper paper discharge path 95 is connected to the downstream end of the downstream common paper discharge path 93.

The switching unit 96 switches the destination of paper P transported downstream from the common paper discharge path 91 between the upstream paper discharge path 92 and the downstream common paper discharge path 93. The switching unit 97 switches the destination of paper P transported downstream from the downstream common paper discharge path 93 between the downstream lower paper discharge path 94 and the downstream upper paper discharge path 95. The switching units 96 and 97 enable the paper discharge transport unit 81 to switch the destination of paper among the upstream stacking unit 82, the downstream lower stacking unit 84, and the downstream upper stacking unit 86.

Multiple transport rollers 98 are arranged along the common paper discharge path 91, the upstream paper discharge path 92, the downstream common paper discharge path 93, the downstream lower paper discharge path 94, and the downstream upper paper discharge path 95, and transport the paper P to be discharged by the paper discharge device 7.

The upstream stacking section 82 stores paper P discharged from the upstream paper discharge path 92. The upstream stacking section 82 includes a paper discharge tray 101, an end fence 102, an offset guide 103, and a pair of side fences 104.

The paper output tray 101 is where the paper P discharged to the upstream stacking section 82 is stacked. The paper output tray 101 is configured to be able to move up and down.

The end fence 102 regulates the position of the leading edge (downstream end) of the paper P discharged onto the paper discharge tray 101. The end fence 102 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction.

The offset guide 103 regulates the position of the rear end (upstream end) of the paper P discharged onto the paper discharge tray 101. The offset guide 103 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction.

A pair of side fences 104 regulates the widthwise position of the paper P discharged onto the paper discharge tray 101. The side fences 104 are configured to be movable in the widthwise direction of the paper P.

The upstream paper discharge jam detection unit 83 detects the presence or absence of a paper discharge jam, i.e., a jam of paper P, in the upstream stacking unit 82, and the state of the paper discharge jam.

Here, paper discharge jams in the upstream stacking section 82 include paper P being stuck as it is transported from the upstream paper discharge path 92 to the upstream stacking section 82, paper P leaning against the end fence 102 or offset guide 103, and paper discharge misalignment, where the paper P is not aligned on the paper discharge tray 101.

The paper discharge jam state indicates whether or not the paper can be discharged. Among the aforementioned stuck paper P, those that will be discharged within a specified time if the transport operation continues, those with leaning paper P, and those with misaligned paper are dischargeable paper jams.

The upstream paper discharge jam detection unit 83 is equipped with a paper discharge sensor 106, a leaning detection sensor 107, and a paper discharge misalignment detection sensor 108.

The paper discharge sensor 106 detects paper P being discharged from the upstream paper discharge path 92 to the upstream stacker 82. The paper discharge sensor 106 is located near the upstream side of the transport roller 98, which is located at the downstream end of the upstream paper discharge path 92. The paper discharge sensor 106 is used to detect the aforementioned accumulation of paper P.

The leaning detection sensor 107 detects the presence or absence of paper P at a predetermined leaning detection position. The leaning detection position is located higher than the lower end of the end fence 102 and the lower end of the offset guide 103. The leaning detection sensor 107 has a light-emitting element 107a and a light-receiving element 107b.

The light-emitting unit 107a and the light-receiving unit 107b are arranged opposite each other and spaced apart in the left-right direction, sandwiching the end fence 102 and the offset guide 103. The light-emitting unit 107a emits light toward the light-receiving unit 107b. The light-receiving unit 107b receives light from the light-emitting unit 107a when there is no paper P between it and the light-emitting unit 107a, and does not receive light when the light from the light-emitting unit 107a is blocked by the paper P. As a result, the leaning detection sensor 107 detects the leaning of the paper P described above when the light-receiving unit 107b does not receive light from the light-emitting unit 107a.

The misalignment detection sensor 108 detects paper P that has protruded downstream (to the right) from the end fence 102. The misalignment detection sensor 108 is used to detect the misalignment of discharged paper described above.

The downstream lower stacking section 84 stores paper P discharged from the downstream lower paper discharge path 94. The downstream lower stacking section 84 includes a paper discharge tray 111, an end fence 112, an offset guide 113, and a pair of side fences 114.

The paper output tray 111, end fence 112, offset guide 113, and pair of side fences 114 are configured similarly to the paper output tray 101, end fence 102, offset guide 103, and pair of side fences 104 of the upstream stacking section 82 described above.

The downstream paper discharge jam detection unit 85 detects the presence or absence of a paper discharge jam and the state of the paper discharge jam in the downstream lower stacking unit 84. Here, paper discharge jams in the downstream lower stacking unit 84, similar to paper discharge jams in the upstream stacking unit 82, include paper P being stuck in the downstream lower paper discharge path 94 as it is transported to the downstream lower stacking unit 84, paper P leaning against the end fence 112 or offset guide 113, and improper paper discharge alignment on the paper discharge tray 111.

The downstream paper discharge jam detection unit 85 is equipped with a paper discharge sensor 116, a leaning detection sensor 117, and a paper discharge misalignment detection sensor 118.

The paper discharge sensor 116 detects paper P being discharged from the downstream lower paper discharge path 94 to the downstream lower stacking section 84. The paper discharge sensor 116 is located near the upstream side of the transport roller 98, which is located at the downstream end of the downstream lower paper discharge path 94. The paper discharge sensor 116 is used to detect the aforementioned accumulation of paper P.

The leaning detection sensor 117 has the same configuration as the leaning detection sensor 107 of the upstream paper discharge jam detection unit 83 described above, and has a light-emitting element 117a and a light-receiving element 117b.

The misalignment detection sensor 118 has the same configuration as the misalignment detection sensor 108 of the upstream paper jam detection unit 83 described above.

The downstream upper stacking section 86 stores paper P discharged from the downstream upper paper discharge path 95. The downstream upper stacking section 86 includes an end fence 121 and a pair of side fences 122.

The end fence 121 regulates the position of the leading edge (downstream end) of the paper P discharged into the downstream upper stacking section 86. The end fence 121 is configured to be movable left and right.

A pair of side fences 122 regulates the widthwise position of the paper P discharged into the downstream upper stacking section 86. The side fences 122 are configured to be movable in the widthwise direction of the paper P.

The control unit 87 controls the operation of each part of the paper discharge device 7. The control unit 87 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 87 is capable of communicating with the control unit 14 of the paper feeder 2, the control unit 33 of the upstream printing device 3, the control unit 44 of the inverting device 4, the control unit 63 of the downstream printing device 5, and the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6.

Next, we will explain the operation of printing system 1.

When printing is performed in the printing system 1, the paper feed device 2 retrieves paper P from the upper paper feed section 11 or the lower paper feed section 12 and feeds the paper P to the upstream printing device 3. The upstream printing device 3 transports the paper P while printing on one side of the paper P using the printing section 32.

The reversing device 4 reverses the paper P, which has been printed on one side by the upstream printing device 3, using the switchback transport unit 42, and transports it to the downstream printing device 5 with the other side (unprinted side) facing up. While transporting the paper P, the downstream printing device 5 uses the printing unit 62 to print on the other side of the paper P. This allows images to be printed on both sides of the paper P.

The image inspection device 6 inspects the image on the paper P printed on both sides and transports the paper P to the paper discharge device 7. The paper discharge device 7 discharges the printed paper P to the upstream stacking section 82 or the downstream lower stacking section 84.

When paper P is discharged to the upstream stacking section 82, the paper discharge tray 101 is controlled to descend as the amount of paper P loaded increases so that the height position of the top surface of the paper stack loaded on the paper discharge tray 101 is maintained at a predetermined position. The paper discharge tray 111 is controlled in the same way when paper P is discharged to the downstream lower stacking section 84.

In this embodiment, the upstream stacking section 82 or the downstream lower stacking section 84 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing operations. The downstream upper stacking section 86 is used in the event of a paper discharge jam, as described below.

Next, we will explain the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam occurs during the above-mentioned printing operation.

Here, when the upstream stacking unit 82 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing operations, if the upstream paper discharge jam detection unit 83 detects at least one of the above-mentioned paper P jamming, paper P leaning, and paper discharge misalignment, the control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7 determines that a paper discharge jam has occurred.

Specifically, the control unit 87 determines that a paper P has become stuck if the timing at which the rear end of the paper P is detected by the paper discharge sensor 106 is delayed from the theoretical value by a predetermined threshold or more.

In addition, the control unit 87 determines that leaning of paper P has occurred when the number of discharged sheets reaches a predetermined number while the leaning detection sensor 107 is in an on state detecting paper P (when the light receiving unit 107b is receiving light from the light emitting unit 107a).

In addition, if the paper discharge misalignment detection sensor 108 detects paper P protruding downstream (to the right) from the end fence 102, the control unit 87 determines that paper discharge misalignment has occurred.

The control unit 87 then determines that a paper discharge jam has occurred if it determines that at least one of the following has occurred: paper P is stuck, paper P is leaning, or paper discharge alignment is incorrect.

Similarly, when the downstream lower stacking section 84 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing, if the downstream paper discharge jam detection section 85 detects at least one of the following: paper P stuck, paper P leaning against one another, and paper discharge misalignment, the control section 87 determines that a paper discharge jam has occurred.

Figure 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam occurs. Here, the explanation is for the case where the upstream stacking unit 82 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing operations, but the operation is similar when the downstream lower stacking unit 84 is set.

If it is determined that a paper discharge jam has occurred, in step S1 of Figure 4, the control unit 87 determines whether the paper discharge jam that has occurred is a paper discharge jam in a state where paper can be discharged.

Here, if the paper discharge jam that has occurred is due to at least one of the paper P leaning over and misalignment of the paper discharged, and the paper P is not stuck, the control unit 87 determines that the paper discharge jam is in a state where the paper can be discharged.

In addition, even if paper P becomes stuck, the control unit 87 continues the transport operation of the paper discharge transport unit 81, and if the stuck paper P is discharged and the jam is resolved within a predetermined time after it is determined that paper P has become stuck, it determines that the paper is in a state where it can be discharged. Here, the fact that the stuck paper P has been discharged is detected when the paper discharge sensor 106 changes from on (a state in which paper P is detected) to off (a state in which paper P is not detected).

If it is determined that the paper discharge jam is in a state where paper discharge is possible (step S1: YES), in step S2, the control unit 87 causes the paper P that was being discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82 when the paper discharge jam occurred to be discharged back to the upstream stacking unit 82. That is, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge transport unit 81 to continue paper discharge. Here, the paper P that is being discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82 when the paper discharge jam occurred is paper P whose leading edge had already entered the upstream paper discharge path 92 when the paper discharge jam occurred.

Next, in step S3, the control unit 87 controls the discharge transport unit 81 to switch the discharge destination of the paper P that was being discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82 when the discharge jam occurred to the downstream upper stacking unit 86 after discharge. As a result, after the paper P that was being discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82 when the discharge jam occurred is discharged to the upstream stacking unit 82, the paper P is discharged to the downstream upper stacking unit 86.

Here, in the printing system 1, when a paper discharge jam is detected, the upper paper feed unit 11 and the lower paper feed unit 12 stop feeding paper P at that point, and printing by the printing unit 32 of the upstream printing device 3 and the printing unit 62 of the downstream printing device 5 also stops.

In this way, because printing is stopped when a paper discharge jam is detected, there is a possibility that printing has not been completed normally on the paper P that is discharged after the paper discharge jam occurs. In response to this, by switching the paper discharge destination in step S3 described above, paper P that may not have been printed normally is discharged to the downstream upper stacking section 86, which is different from the upstream stacking section 82 that has been set as the paper discharge destination.

Next, in step S4, the control unit 87 determines whether paper ejection is complete. Paper ejection is complete when all of the paper P being transported by the printing system 1 at the time the paper ejection jam was detected has been ejected. If it is determined that paper ejection is not complete (step S4: NO), the control unit 87 repeats step S4.

If the control unit 87 determines that paper discharge has been completed (Step S4: YES), the series of operations ends. At this time, the operations of the paper feed transport unit 13, print transport unit 31, reverse upstream transport unit 41, switchback transport unit 42, reverse downstream transport unit 43, print transport unit 61, inspection transport unit 71, and paper discharge transport unit 81 are stopped.

If the control unit 87 determines in step S1 that the paper is not jammed and ready for ejection (step S1: NO), in step S5, the control units 14, 33, 44, 63, 74, and 87 stop the transport of paper P by the paper feed transport unit 13, print transport unit 31, reverse upstream transport unit 41, switchback transport unit 42, reverse downstream transport unit 43, print transport unit 61, inspection transport unit 71, and eject paper transport unit 81, respectively. This completes the series of operations.

When the transport of paper P is stopped in step S5, any paper P remaining in each device of the printing system 1 is removed by the user.

As explained above, in the paper discharge device 7, if a paper discharge jam is detected when paper discharge is possible, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge transport unit 81 to continue paper discharge. This reduces the likelihood of a large amount of paper P remaining in the printing system 1 due to a paper discharge jam. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of work required to remove paper P remaining in the printing system 1 when a jam occurs.

In addition, in the paper discharge device 7, if the discharge destination is set to the upstream stacking section 82, when a paper discharge jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged, the control section 87 controls the discharge transport section 81 to switch the discharge destination of paper P being discharged to the upstream stacking section 82 to the downstream upper stacking section 86 after discharge. This makes it possible to discharge paper P that is likely to have been printed successfully and paper P that may not have been printed successfully to separate discharge destinations.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described, which is a modification of the operation when a paper discharge jam occurs in the first embodiment.

Figure 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam occurs in the second embodiment. Here, as in the first embodiment, the explanation is given for the case where the upstream stacking unit 82 is set as the paper discharge destination during printing operations, but the operation is similar when the downstream lower stacking unit 84 is set.

The processing in steps S11 and S12 in Figure 5 is similar to the processing in steps S1 and S2 in Figure 4 described above.

Next, in step S13, the control unit 87 determines whether the next sheet P (the next sheet P to be ejected) is a sheet P that has been printed on normally.

Here, the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6 inspects whether the paper P has been properly printed by the upstream printing device 3 and the downstream printing device 5, based on the read data obtained by the inspection units 72 and 73 reading the image printed on the paper P transported from the downstream printing device 5. The control unit 74 determines that the paper P has not been properly printed if, for example, printing of the image on at least one side of the paper P has not been completed, or if the image on the front and back of the paper P do not match.

The control unit 87 of the paper discharge device 7 obtains the inspection results for each sheet P from the control unit 74 of the image inspection device 6, and based on those inspection results, determines whether each sheet P has been printed correctly.

If it is determined that the next sheet P is a sheet P that has been printed normally (step S13: YES), in step S14, the control unit 87 controls the sheet discharge transport unit 81 to discharge the sheet P to the upstream stacking unit 82.

Next, in step S15, the control unit 87 determines whether there is a next sheet of paper P. If it determines that there is a next sheet of paper P (step S15: YES), the control unit 87 returns to step S13.

If the control unit 87 determines that there is no next sheet P (step S15: NO), the series of operations ends. At this time, the operations of the paper feed transport unit 13, print transport unit 31, reverse upstream transport unit 41, switchback transport unit 42, reverse downstream transport unit 43, print transport unit 61, inspection transport unit 71, and discharge transport unit 81 are stopped.

If, in step S13, the control unit 87 determines that the next sheet P is not a sheet P that has been printed normally (step S13: NO), in step S16, the control unit 87 controls the discharge conveyance unit 81 to discharge the sheet P to the downstream upper stacking unit 86. After this, processing proceeds to step S15.

If the control unit 87 determines in step S11 that the paper jam is not in a state where paper can be discharged (step S11: NO), processing proceeds to step S17. The processing in step S17 is the same as the processing in step S5 in Figure 4 described above. When the transport of paper P is stopped in step S17, the series of operations ends.

As explained above, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if a paper discharge jam is detected in a state where paper discharge is possible, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge transport unit 81 to continue paper discharge. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the work required to remove paper P remaining in the printing system 1 when a jam occurs.

In addition, in the second embodiment, when the paper discharge destination is set to the upstream stacking section 82, the control section 87 controls the discharge transport section 81 to switch the paper discharge destination between the upstream stacking section 82 and the downstream upper stacking section 86 for paper P discharged after paper P being discharged to the upstream stacking section 82 as a paper discharge destination when a paper discharge jam occurs in an ejection-ready state, depending on whether the paper P has been successfully printed by the upstream printing device 3 and the downstream printing device 5. This allows paper P for which printing has been completed successfully and paper P for which printing has not been completed successfully to be discharged to separate paper discharge destinations.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described, in which the paper discharge device and the operation when a paper discharge jam occurs in the first embodiment are partially modified. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the paper discharge device in the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the paper discharge device 7A in the third embodiment has a configuration in which the paper discharge conveying section 81 of the paper discharge device 7 in the first embodiment described above is replaced with a paper discharge conveying section 81A.

The discharged paper conveying section 81A is configured by adding a discharged paper reversing section 131 and paper sensors 132 and 133 to the discharged paper conveying section 81 of the discharge device 7 shown in Figure 3.

The discharged paper reversing unit 131 reverses the paper P transported from the image inspection device 6 to the discharged paper conveying unit 81A. The discharged paper reversing unit 131 includes a discharged paper reversing path (corresponding to a branch path) 136, switching units 137 and 138, multiple conveying rollers 139, and a switchback roller 140.

The discharge/reversal path 136 is a transport path for reversing the paper P by switching it back and forth. The discharge/reversal path 136 is connected midway to the common discharge path 91 (corresponding to the common path). The discharge/reversal path 136 includes an upstream discharge/reversal path 146, a switchback path 147, and a downstream discharge/reversal path 148.

The upstream discharge/reversal path 146 is a transport path for transporting paper P from midway along the common discharge path 91 to the switchback roller 140. The upstream end of the upstream discharge/reversal path 146 is connected to the common discharge path 91 near the downstream side of the most upstream transport roller 98, and the downstream end of the upstream discharge/reversal path 146 is connected to one end (upper end) of the switchback path 147.

The switchback path 147 is a transport path for switching back the paper P. One end (upper end) of the switchback path 147 is connected to the downstream end of the paper discharge/reversal upstream path 146 and the upstream end of the paper discharge/reversal downstream path 148.

The downstream discharge/reversal path 148 is a transport path for returning the paper P switched back by the switchback roller 140 to the common discharge path 91. The upstream end of the downstream discharge/reversal path 148 is connected to one end (upper end) of the switchback path 147, and the downstream end of the downstream discharge/reversal path 148 is connected to the common discharge path 91 near the upstream side of the third transport roller 98 from the upstream side.

The switching unit 137 switches the transport path of the paper P between the common paper discharge path 91 and the paper discharge inversion upstream path 146 near the downstream side of the most upstream transport roller 98. The switching unit 138 guides the paper P before switchback from the paper discharge inversion upstream path 146 to the switchback path 147, and guides the paper P switched back by the switchback roller 140 from the switchback path 147 to the paper discharge inversion downstream path 148.

Multiple transport rollers 139 are arranged along the upstream paper discharge/reversal path 146 and the downstream paper discharge/reversal path 148 to transport paper P before and after the switchback.

The switchback roller 140 is a roller that switches back the paper P. The switchback roller 140 is configured to be rotatable forward and reverse in order to switch back the paper P. The switchback roller 140 is located at the upper end of the switchback path 147.

Paper sensors 132 and 133 detect paper P transported along the common paper discharge path 91. Paper sensor 132 is located near the downstream side of the transport roller 98 between the connection point between the common paper discharge path 91 and the upstream paper discharge inversion path 146 and the connection point between the common paper discharge path 91 and the downstream paper discharge inversion path 148. Paper sensor 133 is located at the downstream end of the common paper discharge path 91, downstream of the connection point between the common paper discharge path 91 and the downstream paper discharge inversion path 148.

Next, the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam occurs due to paper P being stuck in a state where it cannot be discharged when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking section 82 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7.

The processing in the flowchart of Figure 7 begins when a paper discharge jam occurs due to a blockage of paper P when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking section 82, and it is determined that the paper discharge jam is not a paper discharge jam in a state where paper discharge is possible (a paper discharge jam in a state where paper discharge is not possible).

Here, it is assumed that at the point in time when it is determined that the stuck paper discharge jam is not a paper discharge jam in a state where paper can be discharged, the next paper P after the stuck paper P that caused the stuck paper discharge jam has entered the upstream paper discharge path 92 (equivalent to the loading path).

The paper discharge transport section 81A may be set to either invert the paper P discharged therefrom or not invert the paper P.

Here, in the third embodiment, when the discharge destination is the upstream stacking section 82 and a discharge jam occurs due to the accumulation of paper P, even if it is determined that the discharge jam is not a discharge jam in a state where the paper can be discharged, transport will not be stopped at that point.

Furthermore, as in the first and second embodiments, when a paper discharge jam due to a retention of paper P is detected, the upper paper feed unit 11 and the lower paper feed unit 12 stop feeding paper P at that point, and printing by the printing unit 32 of the upstream printing device 3 and the printing unit 62 of the downstream printing device 5 also stops.

In step S21 of FIG. 7, the control unit 87 determines whether the trailing edge of the next sheet P after the retained sheet has reached the downstream side of the reverse exit within a predetermined time after determining that the retained paper discharge jam is not a paper discharge jam in a state where the paper can be discharged. Here, the reverse exit is the connection point between the common paper discharge path 91 and the downstream paper discharge reverse path 148.

If it is determined that the rear end of the next sheet P of the retained paper has reached the downstream side of the reversal exit within the specified time (step S21: YES), in step S22, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge transport unit 81A to reverse transport the next sheet P of the retained paper along the downstream paper discharge reversal path 148 until its leading edge (the leading edge of the sheet P in the transport direction at the time of discharge) reaches the upstream side of the reversal exit. The control unit 87 also controls the paper discharge transport unit 81A to stop the next sheet P of the retained paper near the upstream side of the reversal exit on the common paper discharge path 91.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 87 first stops sheet P2, which is the sheet P following sheet P1, when the rear end of sheet P2 reaches the downstream side of the reverse exit. Note that, as shown in FIG. 8, sheet P1, which is the retained sheet, is sheet P that has retained at the exit (downstream end) of the upstream discharge path 92.

In addition, the control units 14, 33, 44, and 63 stop the transport of paper P by the paper feed transport unit 13, print transport unit 31, reverse upstream transport unit 41, switchback transport unit 42, reverse downstream transport unit 43, and print transport unit 61, respectively. The transport of paper P by the inspection transport unit 71 continues.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge transport unit 81A to transport paper P2 from the downstream side in the transport direction at the time of paper discharge to the paper discharge reverse downstream path 148. Here, the connection point (reverse exit) between the common paper discharge path 91 and the paper discharge reverse downstream path 148 is structured so that paper P transported along the common paper discharge path 91 from the downstream side in the transport direction at the time of paper discharge in the opposite direction to the time of paper discharge enters the paper discharge reverse downstream path 148.

The control unit 87 then controls the paper discharge transport unit 81A to stop paper P2 when the leading edge of paper P2 (the trailing edge of paper P when it is transported in the reverse direction) reaches the upstream side of the reversing exit, as shown in FIG. 10. Here, the control unit 87 can determine that the leading edge of paper P2 has reached the upstream side of the reversing exit based on the elapsed time since the leading edge of paper P2 was detected by the paper sensor 133.

At this time, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the control unit 87 controls the discharge conveyance unit 81A to stop sheet P3, which is the sheet P after the retained sheet (sheet P after sheet P2) conveyed from the inspection conveyance unit 71, near the upstream side of the reversing exit on the common discharge path 91. The control unit 74 also stops the operation of the inspection conveyance unit 71. Here, the control unit 87 can determine that sheet P3 has reached the upstream side of the reversing exit on the common discharge path 91 by detecting the leading edge of sheet P3 with the sheet sensor 132.

Returning to FIG. 7, in step S23, the control unit 87 controls the discharge conveyance unit 81A to switch the discharge destination to the downstream upper stacking unit 86 (corresponding to the other stacking unit) and discharge the paper there.

Specifically, the control unit 87 controls the switching unit 96 so that the destination of paper P transported downstream from the common paper discharge path 91 is the downstream common paper discharge path 93. The control unit 87 also controls the switching unit 97 so that the destination of paper P transported downstream from the downstream common paper discharge path 93 is the downstream upper paper discharge path 95.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge transport unit 81A to discharge the paper P2 from the downstream paper discharge and reversal path 148. As shown in FIG. 12, the paper P2 discharged from the downstream paper discharge and reversal path 148 is guided from the common paper discharge path 91 to the downstream common paper discharge path 93.

After the rear end of sheet P2 passes through the reversing exit, the control unit 87 resumes the transport of sheet P3, as shown in Figure 13. Sheet P3 is also guided from the common sheet discharge path 91 to the downstream common sheet discharge path 93.

Furthermore, after the transport of paper P3 is resumed, the control units 14, 33, 44, 63, and 74 respectively cause the paper feed transport unit 13, print transport unit 31, reverse upstream transport unit 41, switchback transport unit 42, reverse downstream transport unit 43, print transport unit 61, and inspection transport unit 71 to resume transport of paper P.

As a result, sheets P2, P3, and the sheet P following sheet P3 pass through the downstream common discharge path 93 and the downstream upper discharge path 95 and are discharged to the downstream upper stacker 86. Note that the transport path consisting of the downstream common discharge path 93 and the downstream upper discharge path 95 corresponds to the other stacking path.

Returning to FIG. 7, in step S24, the control unit 87 determines whether paper discharge is complete. Paper discharge is complete when all of the paper P being transported by the printing system 1 at the time the paper discharge jam caused by the retention of paper P is detected has been discharged. If it is determined that paper discharge is not complete (step S24: NO), the control unit 87 repeats step S24.

If the control unit 87 determines that paper discharge has been completed (step S24: YES), the series of operations ends. At this time, the operation of the paper feed transport unit 13, print transport unit 31, reverse upstream transport unit 41, switchback transport unit 42, reverse downstream transport unit 43, print transport unit 61, inspection transport unit 71, and paper discharge transport unit 81A is stopped.

If, in step S21, the control unit 87 determines that the rear end of the next sheet P of retained paper has not reached the downstream side of the reversing exit within the specified time (step S21: NO), in step S25, the control units 14, 33, 44, 63, 74, and 87 stop the transport of the sheet P by the paper feed transport unit 13, printing transport unit 31, reversing upstream transport unit 41, switchback transport unit 42, reversing downstream transport unit 43, printing transport unit 61, inspection transport unit 71, and discharge transport unit 81A, respectively. This completes the series of operations.

If the next sheet P after the retained sheet is stuck because it bumps into another retained sheet, the rear end of the next sheet P after the retained sheet may not reach the downstream side of the reversing exit within the specified time. In this case, transport will be stopped (emergency stop) in step S25 as described above.

When the transport of paper P is stopped in step S25, any paper P remaining in each device of the printing system 1 is removed by the user.

In addition, if the next sheet P of the retained paper has not yet entered the upstream paper discharge path 92 at the point in time when it is determined that the retained paper discharge jam is not a paper discharge jam that can be discharged, the control unit 87 controls the discharge conveyance unit 81A to switch the discharge destination of the next sheet P of the retained paper to the downstream upper stacking unit 86 and discharge it.

As described above, in the third embodiment, when a paper discharge jam is detected in which paper stuck at the exit of the upstream paper discharge path 92 cannot be discharged, and the next paper P after the stuck paper is entering the upstream paper discharge path 92 at the time the paper discharge jam is detected, the control unit 87 controls the paper discharge transport unit 81A to transport the next paper P after the stuck paper from the downstream side in the transport direction at the time of discharge into the paper discharge reversal path 136, and then transport the next paper P after the stuck paper from the paper discharge reversal path 136 and transport (discharge) it to the downstream upper stacking unit 86 via the downstream common paper discharge path 93 and the downstream upper paper discharge path 95, and to transport (discharge) the paper P following the next paper P after the stuck paper to the downstream upper stacking unit 86.

This reduces the likelihood of a large amount of paper P remaining in the printing system 1, even in the event of a paper jam where paper is stuck and cannot be discharged. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of work required to remove paper P remaining in the printing system 1 when a jam occurs.

In the third embodiment, the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam is detected in a state where paper can be discharged is the same as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the operation of the printing system 1 when a paper discharge jam is detected in a state where paper can be discharged may be the same in the third embodiment as in the second embodiment.

In addition, in the third embodiment described above, the next sheet P after the retained sheet was transported (discharged) to the downstream upper stacking section 86, but the sheets may also be transported (discharged) to the downstream lower stacking section 84 via the downstream common sheet discharge path 93 and the downstream lower sheet discharge path 94.

In the third embodiment described above, the discharge reversal path 136 is connected to the common discharge path 91, and the next sheet P of the retained sheet that has been reversely transported is transported into the discharge reversal path 136. However, the transport path connected to the common discharge path 91 into which the next sheet P of the retained sheet that has been reversely transported is transported may not involve reversing the sheet P.

[Other embodiments]
As described above, the present invention has been described by the first to third embodiments, but the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

In the first embodiment described above, when a paper jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged, the paper discharge destination is switched after the paper P being discharged is discharged. Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, for paper P discharged after a paper P being discharged in a state where paper can be discharged, the paper discharge destination is switched depending on whether the paper P has been printed correctly. However, this is not a limitation, and if the detected paper jam is a paper jam in a state where paper can be discharged, it is sufficient that paper discharge continue even after the paper jam occurs.

In the first embodiment described above, the case where the paper discharge destination is switched from the upstream stacking section 82 to the downstream upper stacking section 86 was described. However, this is not limited to this, and the paper discharge destination after switching may be, for example, the downstream lower stacking section 84. It is sufficient if the paper discharge destination after discharge of paper being discharged when a jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged is switched to a stacking section different from the previous one.

In the second embodiment described above, when switching the paper discharge destination depending on whether the paper P has been printed correctly, the case was described in which switching was performed between the upstream stacking section 82 and the downstream upper stacking section 86. However, this is not limited to this, and the paper discharge destination may also be switched, for example, between the upstream stacking section 82 and the downstream lower stacking section 84. It is sufficient that the stacking section that serves as the paper discharge destination is switched depending on whether the paper has been printed correctly.

As such, the present invention naturally encompasses various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined solely by the invention-specific matters relating to the claims that are appropriate from the above description.

[Note]
The present application discloses the following inventions.

(Appendix 1)
a storage section for storing paper;
a conveying section that conveys the paper and discharges it into the storage section;
a detection unit that detects whether or not a paper jam has occurred in the storage unit and the state of the jam;
a control unit that controls the transport unit to continue paper discharge when the detection unit detects a jam that allows paper discharge.

(Appendix 2)
the storage section has a plurality of stacking sections for storing paper sheets,
the conveying unit is capable of switching the sheet discharge destination among the plurality of stacking units,
The paper discharge device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the control unit controls the conveying unit to switch the discharge destination of paper being discharged to a different stacking unit after discharge when a jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged.

(Appendix 3)
the storage section has a plurality of stacking sections for storing paper sheets,
the transport unit transports paper that has been transported via a printing device, and is capable of switching the paper discharge destination among the plurality of stacking units;
The paper discharge device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that when a jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged, the control unit controls the conveying unit to switch the stacking unit that will be the discharge destination for paper that is discharged after paper being discharged to the stacking unit as the discharge destination, depending on whether the paper has been printed normally by the printing device.

(Appendix 4)
the storage unit has a stacking unit for storing paper sheets and another stacking unit;
the transport unit has a common path, a branch path connected midway along the common path, a loading path extending from a downstream end of the common path in a paper transport direction toward the loading unit, and another loading path extending from a downstream end of the common path toward the other loading unit,
The paper jam in the storage section includes a jam in which paper discharged to the stacking section is retained at an outlet of the stacking path,
The control unit is characterized in that, when the detection unit detects a jam in which paper stuck at the exit of the loading path cannot be discharged, and when the next sheet of paper to the stuck paper is entering the loading path at the time the jam is detected, the control unit controls the transport unit to transport the next sheet of paper from the downstream side in the transport direction into the branch path, then transport the next sheet of paper from the branch path and transport it to the other loading section via the other loading path, and to transport any sheets following the next sheet of paper to the other loading section.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Printing system 2 Paper feed device 3 Upstream printing device 4 Reversing device 5 Downstream printing device 6 Image inspection device 7, 7A Paper discharge device 81, 81A Paper discharge transport section 82 Upstream stacking section 83 Upstream paper discharge jam detection section 84 Downstream lower stacking section 85 Downstream paper discharge jam detection section 86 Downstream upper stacking section 87 Control section 91 Common paper discharge path 92 Upstream paper discharge path 93 Downstream common paper discharge path 94 Downstream lower paper discharge path 95 Downstream upper paper discharge path 131 Paper discharge reversing section 136 Paper discharge reversing path

Claims (2)

a storage section for storing paper;
a conveying section that conveys the paper and discharges it into the storage section;
a detection unit that detects whether or not a paper jam has occurred in the storage unit and the state of the jam;
a control unit that controls the conveyance unit to continue paper discharge when the detection unit detects a jam that allows paper discharge;
the storage section has a plurality of stacking sections for storing paper sheets,
the transport unit transports paper that has been transported via a printing device, and is capable of switching the paper discharge destination among the plurality of stacking units;
The control unit controls the conveying unit to switch the stacking unit that will be the destination for paper that is to be discharged after paper that is being discharged to the stacking unit when a jam occurs in a state where paper can be discharged, depending on whether the paper has been printed normally by the printing device. a storage section for storing paper;
a conveying section that conveys the paper and discharges it into the storage section;
a detection unit that detects whether or not a paper jam has occurred in the storage unit and the state of the jam;
a control unit that controls the conveyance unit to continue paper discharge when the detection unit detects a jam that allows paper discharge;
the storage unit has a stacking unit for storing paper sheets and another stacking unit;
the transport unit has a common path, a branch path connected midway along the common path, a loading path extending from a downstream end of the common path in a paper transport direction toward the loading unit, and another loading path extending from a downstream end of the common path toward the other loading unit,
The paper jam in the storage section includes a jam in which paper discharged to the stacking section is retained at an outlet of the stacking path,
The control unit is a paper discharge device characterized in that, when the detection unit detects a jam in which paper that is stuck at the exit of the loading path cannot be discharged, and when the jam state is detected and the next sheet of paper after the stuck paper is entering the loading path, the control unit controls the transport unit to transport the next sheet of paper from the downstream side in the transport direction into the branch path, then transport the next sheet of paper from the branch path and transport it to the other loading section via the other loading path, and to transport the sheets following the next sheet of paper to the other loading section.