JPH0684218B2 - Copy paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a copy paper feeding apparatus applied to an electrostatic copying machine or the like.

<Prior Art> Generally, a copying machine such as an electrostatic copying machine is provided with a copy paper supply device that supplies a copy paper to a predetermined processing area (for example, a transfer area for transferring a toner image onto the copy paper) for each copying process. Equipped. Such a copy paper feeding device is a copy paper feeding mechanism for feeding a copy paper, and a copy paper feeding mechanism for feeding the copy paper fed by the action of the copy paper feeding means to a predetermined processing area. , A copy paper detector for detecting copy paper, and an operation control means for controlling the feeding of copy paper, and includes a copy paper conveyance roller pair whose operation is controlled by the copy paper conveyance mechanism. In the above-mentioned copy paper feeding device, the copy paper sent by the action of the copy paper feeding means is first carried to the pair of copy paper carrying rollers, and the copy paper detector detects it to send the copy paper. The feeding means is deactivated. Next, a copy paper supply signal is generated in association with the start of the exposure process, and the copy paper feed roller pair is activated based on the copy paper supply signal.
Thus, the copy paper is conveyed to a predetermined processing area as required. Then, in the case of continuous copying, the above-described operation is repeatedly performed with the start of the next copying process.

As described above, the conventionally used copying machine is of a form in which one copy sheet is conveyed to a predetermined processing area for each copy process, and one or two original images are copied. It is a copy on a sheet of copy paper.

However, if the image of one original can be divided and copied on two copy sheets, the utility value of the copying machine increases.

For example, when copying a book or the like, copying one side (one side of the page) is complicated because the number of times of copying is large and both sides (both pages) are copied at one time. There is a problem that the copy is soiled due to the occurrence of a portion. This is because the binding margin of the book cannot be brought into close contact with the transparent plate, so that the reflectance of the original irradiation light at this portion is reduced and the image is copied on the copy paper.

<Objects of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and two copy sheets are conveyed to a predetermined processing area for each copy step, so that one original image can be printed. An object of the present invention is to provide a copy paper supply device capable of dividing and copying on a single copy paper.

<Summary of the Invention> According to the present invention, it includes a copy paper feeding means for feeding the copy paper and a copy paper feeding / conveying means for feeding the copy paper sent by the copy paper feeding means. Copy paper transport including a copy paper feed mechanism and at least one copy paper transport means that defines a copy paper transport path for guiding the copy paper fed from the copy paper feed mechanism to a predetermined processing area. A mechanism, a first copy paper detecting means disposed between the copy paper feeding and conveying means and the copy paper conveying means in the copy paper conveying path, the first copy paper detecting means and the copy Second disposed between the paper transporting means
Copy paper detection means, a normal mode for transporting one copy paper to the predetermined processing area for each copying process, and a continuous mode for transporting two copy papers to the predetermined processing area for each copying process. It comprises a paper feed mode switching means that is selectively switched, and an operation control means that controls the operation of the copy paper feeding mechanism and the copy paper transporting means. When the continuous mode is selected, the copy paper feeding mechanism is deactivated after the first predetermined time (t ₁ ) has elapsed after the first copy paper detecting means detected the front edge of the previous copy paper. Then, the copy paper feeding mechanism and the copy paper conveying means are activated based on the copy paper supply start signal, and then the first copy paper detecting means detects the front edge of the subsequent copy paper. Deactivate the copy paper feeding means and then detect the second copy paper. Detects the trailing edge of the subsequent copy sheet, deactivates the copy sheet feeding / conveying means, and then the first copy sheet detecting means detects the trailing edge of the previous copy sheet and then sets the preset time (t). )
After a lapse of time, the copying paper feeding and conveying means is brought into an operating state,
A copy paper supply device is provided.

<Preferred Specific Examples of the Invention> Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred specific examples of a copy sheet feeding apparatus configured according to the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 1, which schematically shows a part of an electrostatic copying machine, a copying paper feeding device 2 equipped in the electrostatic copying machine includes a copying paper loading section 4. The copy paper loading unit 4 has a cassette receiving member 6, and a copy paper cassette 8 accommodating the sheet-like copy papers P in a stacked state is detachably attached to the cassette receiving member 6. The copy paper cassette 8 has a cassette body 10 and a mounting plate 12 rotatably mounted in the cassette body 10, and the copy paper P in a stacked state is placed on the mounting plate 12. In the illustrated copying paper cassette 8, a spring member 14 is interposed between the cassette body 10 and the mounting plate 12.

A copy paper feeding mechanism 16 is arranged in the copy paper loading section 4. The illustrated copy paper feeding mechanism 16 includes a copy paper feeding means 17, and this copy paper feeding means 17 has a shaft member 18 rotatably mounted and a feed roller 20 mounted on the shaft member 18. ing. The shaft member 18 is a first clutch means such as an electromagnetic clutch.
It is drivingly connected to a drive source (not shown) such as an electric motor via C ₁ (FIG. 2). Therefore, when the first clutch means C ₁ is in the connected state and the feeding roller 20 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 22, the action of the feeding roller 20 causes
The uppermost copy sheet of the sheet-like copy sheets P stacked in the copy sheet cassette 8 is delivered from the copy sheet cassette 8. The copy paper feeding mechanism 16 further includes a pair of feed / conveyance roller pairs 24 and 26 which constitute copy paper feeding / conveying means. One roller 24 of the pair of feeding / conveying roller pairs is drivingly connected to the drive source (not shown) via a second clutch means C ₂ (FIG. 2) such as an electromagnetic clutch. The pair of feeding / conveying rollers 24 and 26 are arranged on the downstream side in the copying paper conveying direction with respect to the arrangement position of the copying paper feeding means 17, and when the second clutch means C ₂ is in the connected state, the copying paper is fed. The copy paper delivered by the action of the feeding means 17 is further transported to the downstream side. A guide plate 28 for guiding the copy sheet is provided between the pair of feed / conveyance rollers 24 and 26 and the copy sheet feeding means 17.
And 30 are provided.

On the downstream side of the copy paper feeding mechanism 16 in the copy paper transporting direction, a copy paper transporting mechanism 32 that defines a copy paper transporting path for guiding the copy paper to a transfer area T that is a predetermined processing area is provided. . The copy paper transport mechanism 32 shown in the figure is a pair of transport rollers 34 and 36 that constitute copy paper transport means, and the transport roller pairs 34 and 36.
Guide plates 38 and 40 arranged upstream of the arrangement position in the copy paper conveyance direction, and guide plates 42 and 44 arranged downstream of the arrangement position in the copy paper conveyance direction. ing. One roller 34 of the pair of conveying rollers is drivingly connected to the drive source (not shown) via a _third clutch means C ₃ (FIG. 2) such as an electromagnetic clutch. Therefore, the third
When the clutch means C ₃ of the
And 36 convey the copy paper to the transfer area T through the guide plates 42 and 44. In the transfer area T, a toner image formed on the surface of a rotary drum 48 (a photoconductor is disposed on the peripheral surface of the rotary drum 48) is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 46 (not shown). (Not formed by means known per se) are transferred as required onto the copy paper conveyed as described above.

The copy paper supply device 2 described above further includes copy paper detection means 50 for detecting the copy paper conveyed through the copy paper conveyance path.
And an operation control means 52 (FIG. 2) for controlling the operation of the first clutch means C ₁ , the second clutch means C ₂ and the third clutch means C ₃ based on the signal from the copy paper detecting means 50. Contains. The illustrated copy paper detecting means 50 is composed of a first copy paper detector 54 and a second copy paper detector 56 which are composed of a combination of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. As shown in FIG.
The first copy paper detector 54 is located downstream of the position where the feed / transport roller pairs 24 and 26 are disposed in the copy paper transport direction, and the transport roller pair.
The second copy paper detector 56 is arranged upstream of the arrangement positions of 34 and 36 in the copy paper conveyance direction, and the second copy paper detector 56 and the conveyance roller pair 34 and 36 are arranged at the first copy paper detector 54. It is arranged between the arrangement position and. The output signals from the first copy sheet detector 54 and the second copy sheet detector 56 are the operation control means.
It is sent to 52 (Fig. 2). Referring to FIG. 2, the operation control means 52 composed of, for example, a microprocessor,
It includes timer means 58, 60, 62, 64 and 66. The timer means 58 generates a signal after a lapse of a predetermined time (t ₀ ) after being set. This predetermined time (t ₀ ) corresponds to the time required for the front end of the copy sheet to be delivered from the copy sheet cassette 8 by the action of the feed roller 20 and to reach the feed / convey roller pair 24 and 26. The timer means 60 generates a signal after a lapse of a predetermined time (t ₁ ) (the predetermined time (t ₁ ) is a first predetermined time) after being set. During this predetermined time (t ₁ ), the front end of the copy paper is firstly moved by the action of the feeding / conveying roller pair 24 and 26.
This time corresponds to the time required to carry from the copy paper detector 54 to the carrying roller pair 34 and 36. The timer means 62 generates a signal after a predetermined time (t ₂ ) (the predetermined time (t ₂ ) is the second predetermined time) has elapsed after being set. During this predetermined time (t ₂ ), the copy paper is conveyed by the action of the conveyance roller pairs 34 and 36, and the trailing edge of the copy paper passes through the first copy paper detector 54. It corresponds to the time until the feeding of the next copy paper is started by the action (hence, the interval of the copy paper is kept at the predetermined interval by this predetermined time (t ₂ )). Further, the timer means 64 has a predetermined time (t ₃ ) after being set (the predetermined time (t ₃ ) is a third predetermined time).
Generate a signal after a lapse of time. This predetermined time (t ₃ ) is the time required for the trailing edge of the copy sheet to be conveyed from the first copy sheet detector 54 over the conveyance roller pairs 34 and 36 by the action of the conveyance roller pairs 34 and 36. Corresponding to. Furthermore, the timer means 66 generates a signal after a set time (t) has elapsed after being set. This set time (t) can be set as appropriate, and after the trailing edge of the preceding copy sheet has passed the first copy sheet detector 54 by the action of the pair of transport rollers 34 and 36, the feed roller is provided. Corresponding to the time until the feeding of the subsequent copy paper is started by the action of the pairs 24 and 26 (hence, the set copy time (t) allows the front copy paper and the rear copy paper to be predetermined. The positional relationship is maintained, and the positional relationship between the two can be appropriately changed by changing the set time (t). Signals from the paper feed mode switching means 67, the copy paper supply start switch 68, and the copy process start switch 70 are also sent to the operation control means 52 as described above. Further, the signal generated by the operation control means 52 is a first clutch means C ₁ for controlling the operation of the feeding roller 20, and a second clutch means C ₂ for controlling the operation of the pair of feeding / conveying rollers 24 and 26. And transport roller pair
It is fed to a _third clutch means C ₃ which controls the operation of 34 and 36.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3-A to 3-C showing the flow chart of the control by the operation control means 52, the operation and effect of the above-mentioned copy paper feeding device will be described.

In FIG. 3-A, when the copying process start switch 70 is closed (ON) after the power is turned on, the process moves from step n-1 to step n-2, and the paper feed mode switching means 67 is in the normal mode or continuous. It is determined whether the mode is the mode. The paper feed mode switching means 67 can be composed of a switching switch that is selectively switched between the normal mode and the continuous mode.

When the paper feed mode switching means 67 is in the normal mode, the routine proceeds to step n-3, where the first clutch means C ₁ is activated and the timer means 58 is set. As a result, the first clutch means C ₁ is brought into the connected state, the feeding roller 20 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 22, and the feeding of the copy paper in the copy paper cassette 8 is started. At this time, the copy number setting counter (not shown) is decremented by 1, and the number of remaining copy numbers is decreased by 1. Then, step n-4
Then, it is judged whether or not the timer means 58 has timed out (in other words, whether or not a predetermined time (t ₀ ) has elapsed after the rotation of the feeding roller 20 has started). The front end is conveyed to a pair of feeding / conveying rollers 24 and 26. Then, in step n-5, it is judged whether or not the remaining number of copies is zero (in other words, whether or not the next copying step is continuously performed), and when the number of remaining copies is zero, step n-5 is executed. Moving to n-6, the first clutch means C ₁ is deactivated and becomes in the uncoupled state, and then to step n-7. On the other hand, if the remaining number of copies is not zero at step n-5, the process directly goes to step n-7. In step n-7 is a consolidated state are actuated second clutch means C ₂ is thus copy paper delivered by the action of the feed rollers 20 further downstream Te feeding conveying roller pair 24 and 26 Niyotsu Be transported. At this time, when the remaining number of copies is not zero, the feeding roller 20 continues to be rotated, and therefore, if the length of the fed copy paper is short, the next copy paper (at the time of the next copying step to be started) A part of the copy paper (on which the toner image is transferred) is sent out. When the copy paper is conveyed and the first copy paper detector 54 detects the front end of the copy paper, the process moves from step n-8 to step n-9, and the timer means 60 is set. After the setting, the process proceeds to step n-10 to check whether the timer means 60 has timed out (in other words, the first copy paper detector).
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (t ₁ ) has passed after 54 detected the front end of the copy paper, and when the time is up, the front end of the copy paper is conveyed to conveyance roller pairs 34 and 36. Then, in step n-11, the first clutch means C ₁ and the second clutch means C ₂ are deactivated and brought into the disconnection state,
Thus, the feeding of the copy paper is temporarily stopped, and the copy paper is positioned at the copy paper supply start position. When the number of remaining copy sheets is zero, the first clutch means in step n-6.
Since C ₁ is inactive, the inactive state is maintained until step n-11. As described above, in the case of single copy in the normal mode, the feeding roller 20 is deactivated when the front end of the copy paper reaches the feeding and feeding roller pair 24 and 26.
Although the feeding of the next copy sheet is stopped, in the case of continuous copying in the normal mode (when the next copying step is continuously performed), the front end of the copy sheet is conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 34 and 36. The feeding roller 20 is kept in the operating state until the sheet is conveyed to the sheet, and the copy sheet is fed out.

After the copy paper is conveyed to the conveyance roller pairs 34 and 36, the copy paper supply start switch 68 is closed (ON) in association with the start of the exposure process.
Then step n-12 to step n-13,
The second clutch means C ₂ and the third clutch means C ₃ are activated. When operated in this manner, the supply of copy paper is started by the action of the pair of feed / transport rollers 24 and 26 and the pair of transport rollers 34 and 36, and the copy paper is transported toward the transfer area T. Next, in Step n-14, it is judged whether or not the number of remaining copies is zero (in other words, whether or not the next copy is continuously performed), and when the number of remaining copies is zero (in other words, (For the single copy in normal mode and the last copy in the case of continuous copy in normal mode)
Then go to step n-15. When the copy sheet is conveyed as described above and the first copy sheet detector 54 detects the trailing edge of the copy sheet, the process proceeds to step n-16, and the timer means 64 is set. After the setting, the process proceeds to step n-17, and whether or not the timer means 64 has timed up (in other words,
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (t ₃ ) has elapsed after the first copy sheet detector 54 detected the trailing edge of the copy sheet. When the timer means 64 is Taimuatsupu, the rear end of copy paper passes through the conveying roller pair 34 and 36, actuated thereafter step n-18 to the transfer connexion second clutch means C ₂ and the third clutch means C ₃ non It becomes a state. Thus, after the copy paper is conveyed toward the transfer area T as required, the pair of feed / conveyance rollers 24 and 26 are provided.
In addition, the transport roller pairs 34 and 36 are deactivated.

On the other hand, if the remaining number of copies is not zero at step n-14, the process proceeds to step n-19. Referring to FIG. 3-B, in step n-19, the first clutch means C ₁
Is activated and the feeding roller 20 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 22. Therefore, in the case of continuous copying (continuous copying means that the next copying step is continuously carried out subsequently, the last copy during continuous copying is not included in this continuous copying),
Simultaneously with the start of the conveyance of the copy sheet, the feeding roller 20 rotates, and along with this, the feeding of the next copy sheet is started. Feed roller
When the first copy sheet detector 54 detects the leading edge of the next copy sheet by the action of the pair of rollers 20 and the feeding / conveying rollers 24 and 26, the first copy sheet detector 54 moves from step n-20 to step n-21, The clutch means C ₁ and the second clutch means C ₂ are deactivated. As a result, the feeding roller 20 and the feeding / conveying roller pair 24 and 26 are deactivated, and the conveyance of the next copy sheet is stopped and held at that position. At this time, since the next copy sheet is sent from the copy sheet cassette 8, the copy number setting counter (not shown) is decremented by 1, and the number of remaining copy numbers is decreased by 1. Next, the conveying roller pair 34 and
When the first copy paper detector 54 detects the trailing edge of the copy paper being conveyed by 36, steps n-22 to n-
Moving to 23, timer means 62 and 64 are set. After being set, the timer means 62 is first set in step n-24.
Whether or not the time is up (in other words, a predetermined time (t ₂ ) after the first copy paper detector 54 detects the trailing edge of the copy paper)
When the time is up, the trailing edge of the copy sheet conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 34 and 36 and the front edge of the next copy sheet become a predetermined distance. Next, in step n-25, the second clutch means C ₂ is operated to start the conveyance of the next copy sheet (thus, the copy sheet and the next copy sheet are conveyed at a predetermined interval). Be done). Also,
Simultaneously with the activation of the clutch means C _2, the timer means 60 is set. Then, the process proceeds to step n-26, and it is judged whether or not the number of remaining copies is zero, and when the number of remaining copies is zero (in other words, at the last copy in continuous copying), the step n-28 is executed. Move. On the other hand, when the remaining number of copies is not zero (in other words, when the next copying step is continuously performed), the process proceeds to step n-27, where
The clutch means C ₁ is operated, the feeding roller 20 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 22, and then the process proceeds to step n-28. Therefore, when the next copying process is not performed, the next copying paper is not fed, but when the copying process is performed subsequently, the feeding roller 20 is rotated to feed the copying paper (thus feeding the copying paper). If the length of the copy paper is short, a part of the next copy paper will be slightly sent out). At step n-28, it is determined whether or not the timer means 64 has timed out (in other words, whether or not a predetermined time (t ₃ ) has elapsed after the first copy sheet detector 54 detected the trailing edge of the copy sheet). If it is determined and timed up, the trailing edge of the copy sheet passes the pair of transport rollers 34 and 36. Next, in step n-29, the third clutch means C ₃ is deactivated and the conveying roller pair
34 and 36 are deactivated. After the third clutch means C ₃ is inoperative, the process returns to step n-10 and the timer means
It is judged whether or not 60 has timed up, and when timed up, the routine proceeds to step n-11, where the first clutch means C ₁ and the second clutch means C ₂ are deactivated. Thus, the next copy sheet is conveyed to the conveyance roller pairs 34 and 36 after a lapse of a predetermined period after the trailing edge of the copy sheet conveyed toward the transfer area has passed the conveyance roller pairs 34 and 36, and the next copy sheet is copied. It is positioned at a predetermined copy paper supply start position before the process is started. In the case of continuous copying, the above-mentioned operation is repeatedly performed, and at the final copying, the process moves from step n-14 to step n-15 and the supply of copy paper is stopped. As described above, in the normal mode, the pair of transport rollers
By the operations of 24 and 26, substantially one copy sheet is conveyed to a transfer area which is a predetermined processing area for each copying process.

Next, referring to FIG. 3-C, the paper feed mode switching means 67
Will be described in the continuous mode. When it is determined that the normal mode is not set in step n-2, that is, the continuous mode is set, the process proceeds to step n-30,
The first clutch means C ₁ and the second clutch means C ₂ are activated. As a result, the copy paper is delivered from the copy paper cassette 8 by the action of the feed roller 20, and the delivered copy paper is fed by the feed roller 20 and the feed / transport roller pair 24.
And 26 to be conveyed toward the conveying roller pairs 34 and 36. When the sheet is thus conveyed and the first copy sheet detector 54 detects the front edge of the copy sheet (this copy sheet is the previous copy sheet as described later), the process moves from step n-31 to step n-32 and the timer is started. Means 60 are set. After this setting, the process moves to step n-33 to determine whether the timer means 60 has timed out (in other words, a predetermined time (t ₁ ) after the first copy paper detector 54 detects the front edge of the previous copy paper). It is determined whether or not the time has elapsed, and when the time is up, the front end of the previous copy paper is conveyed to the conveyance roller pair 34 and 36. Next, in step n-34, the first clutch means C ₁ and the second clutch means C ₂ are deactivated, the feeding of the copy paper is temporarily stopped, and the previous copy paper is moved to the copy paper supply start position. Positioned. In this continuous mode, the feeding roller 20 is kept in the operating state until the front end of the previous copy sheet is conveyed to the pair of conveying rollers 34 and 36, so that the length of the copy sheet to be fed is short. A part of the next copy sheet (for the sake of explanation, the first copy sheet sent out is called the previous copy sheet, and this next copy sheet is called the later copy sheet) is slightly sent out.

When the copy paper supply start switch 68 is closed (ON) in association with the start of the post-exposure step after the previous copy paper is conveyed to the conveying roller pairs 34 and 36, the process moves from step n-35 to step n-36. The first clutch means C ₁ , the second clutch means C ₂ and the third clutch means C ₃ are activated. Thus, the feeding of the preceding copying paper is started by the action of the feeding and feeding roller pair 24 and 26 and the feeding roller pair 34 and 36, and the preceding copying paper is fed toward the transfer area and fed. roller
Along with the rotation of 20, the subsequent copy paper is also sent from the copy paper cassette 8 and sent toward the pair of transport rollers 34 and 36 (at this time, the subsequent copy paper is below the previous copy paper). Will be located and will be sent). When the first copy paper detector 54 detects the leading edge of the subsequent copy paper after being fed as described above, the process moves from step n-37 to step n-38, and the first clutch means C ₁ is deactivated. . As a result, the feeding roller 20 is deactivated, and the feeding of the copying paper after that (as will be understood from the description below, this copying paper is conveyed to the transfer area T in the next copying step) is stopped. To be done. Then, when the second copy paper detector 56 detects the leading edge of the subsequent copy paper, step n
-39 to step n-40, the second clutch means C ₂
Becomes inactive. Thus, the pair of feeding / conveying rollers 24 and 26
Is deactivated, and the feeding of copy paper after that is stopped.
When the first copy sheet detector 54 detects the trailing edge of the copy sheet before being conveyed by the action of the pair of conveying rollers 34 and 36, the process moves from step n-41 to step n-42 and the timer is started. Means 66 are set. After the setting, the process proceeds to step n-43 to determine whether the timer means 66 has timed out (in other words, the set time (t) has elapsed after the first copy sheet detector 54 detected the previous copy sheet). Or not) is determined. When the timer means 66 times up, as is easily understood, the front copy paper and the rear copy paper are held in a predetermined positional relationship. More specifically, the set time (t) is a predetermined set time (the time required for the trailing edge of the preceding copy sheet to be conveyed from the first copy sheet detector 54 to the second copy sheet detector 56). When set to, the front copy sheet and the rear copy sheet are held in a positional relationship in which the rear edge of the front copy sheet and the front edge of the rear copy sheet substantially come into contact with each other. Further, when the set time (t) is shorter than the predetermined set time, the front end portion of the front copy sheet and the rear end portion of the rear copy sheet slightly overlap with each other. When the set time (t) is longer than the predetermined set time, the front copy paper and the back copy paper are the trailing edge of the front copy paper and the back copy paper. The positional relationship is maintained such that there is a slight distance from the front end of the. Timer means 66
There When Taimuatsupu proceeds to the step n-44, the second clutch means C ₂ is actuated. As a result, the pair of feeding / conveying rollers 24 and 26 are activated, the feeding of the subsequent copying paper is started, and the preceding copying paper and the succeeding copying paper are held in a predetermined positional relationship and directed toward the transfer area T. Be transported. When the first copy paper detector 54 detects the trailing edge of the subsequent copy paper after being conveyed, the process moves from step n-45 to step n-46,
The timer means 64 is set. After the setting, the process proceeds to step n-47, and it is determined whether or not the timer means 64 has timed up (in other words, a predetermined time (t ₃ When the timer means 64 times up, the trailing edge of the succeeding copy sheet passes through the pair of conveying rollers 34 and 36. After that, the process proceeds to step n-48, and the second clutch means C ₂
Also, the third clutch means C ₃ becomes inoperative, and the supply of copy paper is stopped. As described above, in the case of the continuous mode, the front copy sheet and the rear copy sheet (that is, substantially two copy sheets) held in a predetermined positional relationship are transferred in each transfer step. The image of the original is divided and copied on the two copy sheets while being conveyed toward T. Thus, when the set time (t) is set to the predetermined set time, the image of the original can be divided and copied as required, and when the set time (t) is set shorter than the predetermined set time, The image of the original can be substantially divided and copied, and a margin portion (which can be used as, for example, a binding margin in binding a copy) can be formed at the front end portion of the copy paper afterward (front). When making the above margin on the copy paper of,
If the position of the original is shifted or the supply start time of copy paper is slightly advanced), or if the set time (t) is set longer than a predetermined set time, the image of the original is substantially divided and copied. In addition to the above, it is possible to remove the so-called lizard portion that occurs when copying a book or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the first copy paper detector 54 and the second copy paper detector 56 are composed of a combination of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and therefore, the change of the transmittance of the light from the light receiving element. It will be understood that the leading edge and the trailing edge of the copy sheet conveyed based on

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a part of an electrostatic copying machine provided with a copying paper feeding device constructed according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing a control system of a copy paper feeding apparatus constructed according to the present invention. 3A to 3C are flowcharts showing the control by the operation control means of the copy sheet feeding device, respectively. 2 ... Copy paper feeding device 16 ... Copy paper feeding mechanism 17 ... Copy paper feeding means 24 and 26 ... Feeding / conveying roller 32 ... Copy paper feeding mechanism 34 and 36 ... Conveying roller 48 ... Rotating drum 50 ... Copy paper detecting means 52 ... Operation control means 54 ... First copy paper detector 56 ... Second copy paper detector P ... Stacked copy paper T ... Transfer area

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A copy sheet feeding mechanism including a copy sheet feeding means for feeding a copy sheet and a copy sheet feeding / conveying means for feeding the copy sheet sent by the copy sheet feeding means. A copy paper transport mechanism including at least one copy paper transport means for defining a copy paper transport path for guiding the copy paper fed from the copy paper feed mechanism to a predetermined processing area; First copy paper detecting means disposed between the copy paper feeding and conveying means and the copy paper conveying means on the conveying path, and between the first copy paper detecting means and the copy paper conveying means Second copy paper detection means, a normal mode for transporting one copy paper to the predetermined processing area for each copying process, and two copy papers for the predetermined processing area for each copying process. Paper feed mode switching means for selectively switching to a continuous mode for transporting to another, the copy paper feeding mechanism, and the copy paper transport An operation control means for controlling the operation of the stage, wherein the operation control means, when the continuous mode is selected by the paper feed mode switching means, the first copy paper detection means causes the front edge of the previous copy paper. After a lapse of a _first predetermined time (t ₁ ) after the detection, the copy paper feeding mechanism is deactivated, and then the copy paper feeding mechanism and the copy paper are fed based on the copy paper feeding start signal. When the first copy paper detecting means detects the leading edge of the subsequent copy paper, the copy paper feeding means is made inactive, and then the second copy paper detector is operated. When the front edge of the copy sheet is detected, the copy sheet feeding / conveying means is inactivated, and then the first copy sheet detecting means detects the rear edge of the previous copy sheet, and then the set time (t) is reached.
After a lapse of time, the copying paper feeding and conveying means is brought into an operating state,
A copy paper supply device characterized in that 2. The copying paper supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set time (t) can be set appropriately. 3. The first copy paper detecting means and the second copy paper detecting means include a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and based on a change in the transmittance of light from the light receiving element, the front end of the copy paper and The copy paper feeding apparatus according to claim 1, which detects a trailing edge.