JP2013220659A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of printing an identification mark on a paper sheet when a plurality of copies are printed to identify a paper sheet grouped corresponding to each of the copy groups.SOLUTION: An image forming device includes: a printer section that can print image information on a paper sheet and prints an identification mark for identifying a group on a margin part at a peripheral edge part of the paper sheet grouped in units of groups when a plurality of copy groups of a plurality of sheets of documents are printed; and a carrying section that carries the paper sheet to the printer section and carries the paper sheet printed by the printer section to a paper discharge portion.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image forming apparatus that can identify a grouped sheet for each group when a plurality of copies are printed.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, a plurality of pages of a document may be printed by a plurality of copies and discharged. However, in order to sort and discharge a sheet for each copy, an external finisher is attached to the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, a mechanism for sorting (sorting) the sheets to the front side and the rear side when discharging the sheets is necessary.

  However, since it is necessary to install an optional device such as a finisher, there is a disadvantage that an investment cost is required and an installation space for mounting the optional device is required.

JP-A-5-139610

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can identify a grouped sheet for each number of copies by printing an identification mark on the sheet when a plurality of copies are printed. There is.

  The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment is capable of printing image information on a sheet, and when printing a plurality of copies of a plurality of originals, in a margin part of the periphery of the sheet that is grouped for each number of copies, A printer unit that prints an identification mark for identifying the group; and a transport unit that transports the paper to the printer unit and transports the paper printed by the printer unit to a paper discharge unit.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a printing of the identification mark in one Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd printing example of the identification mark in one Embodiment. The top view and front view which show arrangement | positioning of the peeling nail | claw of the fixing device 40 in one Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the position of the peeling nail | claw in one Embodiment, and the printing position of an identification mark. Explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd printing example of the identification mark in one Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the 4th printing example of the identification mark in one Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the 5th printing example of the identification mark in one Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the 6th printing example of the identification mark in one Embodiment.

  Embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same location.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, an MFP (Multi-Function Peripherals), a printer, a copying machine, or the like, which is a multifunction peripheral. In the following description, an MFP will be described as an example. There is a document table on the upper part of the main body 11 of the MFP 10, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 12 is provided on the document table so as to be opened and closed. An operation panel 13 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 11. The operation panel 13 includes an operation panel 14 composed of various keys and a touch panel type display unit 15.

  A scanner unit 16 is provided below the ADF 12 in the main body 11. The scanner unit 16 reads a document sent by the ADF 12 or a document placed on a document table and generates image data. Further, a printer unit 17 is provided at the center of the main body 11, and a plurality of cassettes 18 for storing various sizes of paper are provided at the bottom of the main body 11. The printer unit 17 includes a photosensitive drum, a laser, and the like. The printer unit 17 processes image data read by the scanner unit 16 or image data created by a PC (Personal Computer) or the like to fix an image on a sheet as a recording medium. . The paper on which the image is fixed by the printer unit 17 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 38.

  The printer unit 17 is, for example, a tandem color laser printer, which scans a photosensitive member with a laser beam from a laser exposure device 19 to generate an image. The printer unit 17 generates black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M ) And cyan (C) image forming units 20K, 20Y, 20M, and 20C. The image forming units 20K, 20Y, 20M, and 20C are arranged below the transfer belt 21 in parallel from upstream to downstream.

  Since the image forming units 20K, 20Y, 20M, and 20C have the same configuration, the image forming unit 20K will be described as a representative. The image forming unit 20K includes a photosensitive drum 22K, and a charging charger 23K, a developing device 24K, a transfer roller 25K, a cleaner 26K, and the like are disposed around the photosensitive drum 22K. A toner cartridge 28 that supplies toner to the developing devices 24K, 24Y, 24M, and 24C is provided above the image forming units 20K, 20Y, 20M, and 20C. The toner cartridge 28 is adjacent to toner cartridges 28K, 28Y, 28M, and 28C for each color of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).

  The intermediate transfer belt 21 moves cyclically, and for example, semiconductive polyimide is used from the viewpoint of heat resistance and wear resistance. The intermediate transfer belt 21 is stretched around a driving roller 29 and driven rollers 30, 31 and 32. The intermediate transfer belt 21 can be opposed to and contact the photosensitive drum 22K. A primary transfer voltage is applied to the position of the intermediate transfer belt 21 facing the photosensitive drum 22K by the transfer roller 25K, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 22K is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  Further, a secondary transfer roller 33 is disposed opposite to the drive roller 29 that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 21. When the sheet S passes between the driving roller 29 and the secondary transfer roller 33, a secondary transfer voltage is applied by the secondary transfer roller 33, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred to the sheet S. . A belt cleaner 34 is provided near the driven roller 32 of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  The exposure position of the photosensitive drum 22K is irradiated with a black laser beam from the laser exposure device 19 to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 22K. The charging charger 23K uniformly charges the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 22K. The developing device 24K supplies a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier of each color to the photosensitive drum 22K by a developing roller. The cleaner 26K removes residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22K using a blade.

  The laser exposure device 19 scans the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser element in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 22K, and includes a polygon mirror 19A, an imaging lens system 19B, a mirror 19C, and the like.

  Further, a separation roller 35, a transport roller 36, and a registration roller 37 for taking out the paper S in the paper feed cassette 18 are provided between the paper feed cassette 18 and the secondary transfer roller 33. A fixing device 40 is provided downstream. A paper discharge roller 39 is provided downstream of the fixing device 40 to discharge the paper S to the paper discharge unit 38. The transport roller 36, the registration roller 37, and the paper discharge roller 39 constitute a transport unit that transports the paper S to the printer unit 17 and transports the paper printed by the printer unit 17 to the paper discharge unit 38.

  A reverse conveyance path 41 is also provided. The reverse conveyance path 41 has a plurality of rollers 42 and reverses the paper S and guides it in the direction of the secondary transfer roller 33, and is used when performing duplex printing. The paper S that has passed through the fixing device 40 is guided to the paper discharge unit 38 or the reverse conveyance path 41 by the sorting gate 43.

  The operation of the image forming unit 10 will be briefly described. When image information is input from the scanner unit 16 or a personal computer terminal (PC), the toner images of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are input by the image forming units 20K to 20C. Are formed, and black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toner images are multiple-transferred at the same position where the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is formed, and a full-color toner image is formed. can get.

  The full color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S by the secondary transfer roller 31 at once. The sheet S is fed from the sheet feeding unit 18 to the position of the secondary transfer roller 33. The sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is sent to the fixing device 40, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet S. On the other hand, the intermediate transfer belt 21 is cleaned of residual toner by the belt cleaner 32 after the completion of the secondary transfer. The photosensitive drum 22 primarily transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 21, and then the residual toner is removed by the cleaner 26, so that the next image can be formed.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of the fixing device 40. The fixing device 40 includes a press roller 51, a fixing roller 52, a heat roller 53, a fixing belt 54 (fixing member), a peeling claw 55, and a peeling plate 56. The press roller 51 faces the fixing roller 52, a fixing belt 54 is placed between the fixing roller 52 and the heat roller 53, and the fixing belt 54 is heated by a heater 531 inside the heat roller 53.

  For example, when the press roller 51 is rotated clockwise and the heat roller 53 is rotated counterclockwise, the paper S is sandwiched between the fixing belt 54 and the press roller 51 and conveyed in the direction of arrow A. The fixing belt 54 presses the sheet S against the press roller 51 while rotating and heats the sheet S to fix the toner image on the sheet S to the sheet S.

  The peeling claw 55 comes into contact with the press roller 51 with a tip portion contacting the press roller 51 or is opposed to the press roller 51 through a slight gap, and peels off the paper S to be attached to the press roller 51 from the press roller 51. Functions toward the paper discharge roller 39. A plurality of peeling claws 55 are arranged along the axial direction of the press roller 51. The release plate 56 is plate-shaped and is disposed with a slight gap between the front end of the release plate 56 and the fixing belt 54. The release plate 56 removes a sheet attached to the fixing belt 54. Peel from.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus (MFP) 10 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the MFP 10 includes a main control unit 100, an operation panel 13, a scanner unit 16, and a printer unit 17. The control system of the MFP 10 includes a plurality of CPUs including a main CPU 101 in the main control unit 100, a panel CPU 130 of the operation panel 13, a scanner CPU 160 of the scanner unit 16, and a printer CPU 170 of the printer unit 17. I do.

  The main control unit 100 includes a main CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an image processing unit 104, a storage unit 105 such as an HDD, and the like. The main CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the MFP 10 and controls the ADF 12. The ROM 102 stores a control program and the like. The RAM 103 temporarily stores data. Further, the RAM 103 stores position information of the peeling claw 55.

  The image processing unit 104 processes image data read by the scanner unit 16, image data from a PC, and the like, and performs various image processing, for example, image conversion processing such as image enlargement / reduction.

  The storage unit 105 compresses and stores image data read by the scanner unit 16 and image data (document data, drawing image data, etc.) from the PC. The image data stored in the storage unit 105 is input to the image processing unit 104, subjected to various image processing, and printed on paper by the printer unit 17. In addition, the printer unit 17 can print an identification mark (described later) on the margin of the periphery of the paper S.

  The operation panel 13 includes a panel CPU 130 connected to the main CPU 101, a display unit 15 including various operation keys 14 and liquid crystal, and the operation key 14 includes a numeric keypad for instructing the number of copies to be printed. The display unit 15 has a touch panel function, and inputs various instructions such as paper size, printing magnification, single-sided printing, double-sided printing, and identification mark printing.

  The scanner unit 16 includes a CCD driver that drives an image sensor. The CCD driver drives the image sensor to read an image of a document and converts it into image data. When there are a plurality of originals and a plurality of copies are printed, the originals read one by one are converted into image data, and a plurality of copies are printed by the printer unit 17.

  The printer unit 17 includes a printer CPU 170, a laser driver 171 that drives the laser of the laser exposure device 19, a conveyance control unit 172 that controls conveyance of the paper P, a control unit 173 that controls a charger, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and the like. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device control unit 174 that controls the fixing device 40 and performs printing on a sheet in cooperation with the main control unit 100. The fixing device controller 174 controls the rotation of the press roller 51, the fixing roller 52 and the heat roller 53, and controls the temperature of the heater 531 of the heat roller 53.

  Next, an identification mark printing process according to the embodiment will be described. For example, when printing a plurality of copies of a plurality of documents read by the scanner unit 16 or printing a plurality of copies of a plurality of image data (documents) from a PC, pages 1 to m of the document are respectively displayed. A plurality of copies are printed, and each group is divided into groups to be discharged.

  However, if the printed paper S is discharged as it is to the paper discharge unit 38, the first, second,. In sort printing, each copy can be classified by shifting to the front side or the rear side and discharging, but a mechanism for sorting and discharging to the front side and the rear side is required.

  Therefore, in the embodiment, when printing a plurality of copies, a mark for identifying a group is printed on a margin part of the peripheral edge of the paper grouped for each number of copies and discharged to the paper discharge unit 38. . The identification mark is generated by the image processing unit 104 under the control of the main CPU 101 and printed by the printer unit 17. The printing position of the identification mark may be set by a program stored in the ROM 102 in advance or may be determined according to a user instruction. Information about the shape and color of the identification mark is stored in the RAM 103 so that an arbitrary identification mark can be selected in accordance with a user instruction.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a print example of identification marks when a plurality of copies are printed. For example, when a plurality of (m) originals are printed in a plurality of copies (n copies), an identification mark is printed on a margin portion of the peripheral edge of the paper. 4 shows an example in which the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are printed on the first, second, third,... N-th sheet groups S1, S2, S3. In the following description, the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are collectively referred to as an identification mark 60.

  The identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are printed, for example, on the trailing edge of the margin (outside the dotted line 71) at the peripheral edge of the paper, and the identification marks 61, 62, 63. The first, second, third,... N-th print position is shifted. In FIG. 3, the paper groups S1, S2, S3,... Sn divided into the first, second, third,. Although the state is shown, the sheets are actually stacked on the sheet discharge unit 38 and discharged.

  Sheet groups S1, S2, S3... Sn are sheets on which m pages have been printed from the first page of the document. Identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are printed on the sheets discharged to the paper discharge unit 38 at different positions (positions shifted by the distance L1) for each group (paper groups S1, S2, S3. The

  As shown in FIG. 5, the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are printed, for example, on the rear side of the paper margin (outside the dotted line 71) in the transport direction, and the groups (paper groups S1, S2, S2). It is also possible to print at different positions (positions shifted by the distance L2) for each of S3. In FIG. 5, the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are printed on the rear side in the transport direction in the margin of the paper (outside the dotted line 71), but can also be printed on the front side.

  The printing of the identification mark 60 is performed when the user operates the operation panel 13 to instruct the printing of the identification mark, and the identification mark is printed at the printing position of the paper 60 (rear edge or front side of the paper S). ) Can be selected by the user by operating the operation panel 13.

  As described above, the concept of the embodiment is to print the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n for each group, and several printing examples of the identification marks 60 will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the press roller 51, the fixing roller 52, and the peeling claw 55 of the fixing device 40. FIG. 6A is a plan view, and FIG. 6B is a front view. The peeling claw 55 has a tip portion facing the press roller 51 and peels off the paper S to be attached to the press roller 51. The peeling claw 55 is a press roller as shown in FIG. A plurality are arranged along the axial direction of 51.

  Therefore, when the identification mark 60 is printed on the paper as shown in FIG. 4, the identification mark is printed avoiding the position corresponding to the peeling claw 55. Further, when the identification mark 60 is printed on the front end portion of the paper, the paper is difficult to peel off from the press roller 51, and therefore, printing is performed on the rear end portion in the transport direction A of the paper S. Since the position of the peeling claw 55 is stored in the RAM 103, it is easy to avoid the position corresponding to the peeling claw 55 when the identification mark 60 is printed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the printing position of the separation claw 55 and the identification mark 60 on the paper S. FIG. In FIG. 7, the conveyance direction of the paper S is indicated by A, and identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are printed on the rear end portions in the conveyance direction. The identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are printed at positions shifted for each group, but the identification marks 60 are not printed at positions corresponding to the peeling claws 55.

  That is, when the fixing unit 40 has the peeling claw 55, by performing printing of a large number of sheets, the fixing belt and the press roller portion having the same phase as the identification mark are easily stained, and as a result, the tip of the peeling claw is easily stained. For this reason, there is a possibility that the peeling performance deteriorates, or the stain at the tip of the peeling claw falls on the image and stains the paper. Therefore, it is preferable not to print the identification mark at a position corresponding to the peeling claw 55. Thus, by avoiding the position of the peeling claw 55 and printing the identification mark 60 on the rear end of the paper, the peelability can be improved and the paper can be prevented from being soiled.

  Note that when the separation claw 55 is provided at the rear side or front side end of the paper S, the corner of the front end of the paper S is easily caught by the separation claw 55. It is not provided at a position corresponding to the side or front end. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, when the identification mark is printed on the rear side (or front side) margin of the paper S, the peeling claw 55 does not correspond, so printing can be performed at any position.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another print example of the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n. 8 is an example in which the visual characteristics of the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are changed for each group, and for example, the color of the identification marks 61, 62, 63. By changing the colors of the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n, the group can be identified more easily.

  In the case of a color machine, the color of the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n can be changed by having the function of adjusting the color and density. Further, the identification mark 60 can be made conspicuous by increasing the color density. On the contrary, when the identification mark 60 of printed matter is worrisome, it can be made inconspicuous by printing the identification mark 60 in a pale color such as yellow. Therefore, it is preferable that the user can select a density and color that can be identified. Further, in addition to changing the color of the identification mark 60, monochrome printing may be performed, and the density may be changed to print in black, gray, white, or the like.

  FIG. 9 shows an example in which the colors of the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are changed, but the positions of the identification marks 61, 62, 63. . Since the group can be identified by color, the printing position may be the same.

  10 is an example in which the positions of the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are shifted and the visual characteristics of the identification marks 61, 62, 63. This is an example in which the shapes of 62, 63... 6n are changed. By changing the shape to a trapezoid, triangle, square, etc., the group can be identified by the shape.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of printing the identification mark 60 when the number of copies is large. If the number of printed copies is large, the positions of the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6n are sequentially shifted, so that they protrude from the paper, so that the identification marks 6n1. In this case, the positions of the first and second identification marks 61 and 6n1 may be shifted. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the positions of the identification marks 61 and 6n1 in the first and second rounds are shifted by a distance L0.

  8 to 11, the example in which the identification marks 61, 62, 63... 6 n are printed on the rear end portion of the paper S has been described, but the examples of FIGS. The invention can also be applied to the case where the identification marks 61, 62, 63.

  Further, when a plurality of copies are printed, the identification mark 60 may be printed from the next page without printing the identification mark 60 on the cover (first page) of each group. Since the identification mark is not printed on the cover of each group, the cover can be displayed beautifully.

  Furthermore, when performing double-sided printing, the identification mark 60 may be printed only on one side (front side or back side) of the paper. By printing the identification mark 60 only on one side, unnecessary printing can be avoided.

  According to the embodiment described above, when a plurality of copies are printed, the paper group of each group can be identified by the identification mark. Therefore, an optional device such as a sort mechanism or a finisher is not required, and the group can be created. Can be identified. Further, the group can be further identified by changing the visual characteristics (color and shape) of the identification mark for each group.

  In addition, although several embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof as well as included in the scope and gist of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 13 ... Operation panel 16 ... Scanner part 17 ... Printer part 38 ... Paper discharge part 39 ... Discharge roller 40 ... Fixing device 51 ... Press roller 52 ... Fixing roller 55 ... Separation claw 61-6n ... Identification mark

Claims (5)

Image information can be printed on paper, and when printing a plurality of copies of a plurality of originals, an identification mark for identifying the group is printed on the margin of the periphery of the paper that is grouped for each number of copies. A printer unit to
A transport unit that transports the paper to the printer unit and transports the paper printed by the printer unit to a paper discharge unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer unit performs printing by shifting a position of the identification mark for each group on a peripheral portion other than a front end portion in a conveyance direction of the paper. Between the printer unit and the paper discharge unit, there is a fixing device including a pair of rollers for fixing the toner image printed by the printer unit on the paper, and a peeling claw for peeling the paper from the roller. And when printing the identification mark at the rear end of the paper transport direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer unit prints the identification mark while avoiding a position corresponding to the peeling claw.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer unit performs printing by changing a visual characteristic of the identification mark for each group.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer unit prints an identification mark for identifying the group on one side of the sheet when a plurality of originals are printed on both sides.

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