GB2600693A

GB2600693A - Device for modifying direction of media travel

Info

Publication number: GB2600693A
Application number: GB2017349.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: R Pryde James
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-02
Filing date: 2020-11-02
Publication date: 2022-05-11
Also published as: GB202017349D0

Abstract

The present application relates to a redirection device for modifying a transportation direction of a cut-sheet medium. The device comprises a first guide 11, configured to receive the cut-sheet medium from a first direction A, to overturn the cut-sheet medium, and to eject the cut-sheet medium in a second direction B; and a second guide 22 configured to receive the cut-sheet medium from the second direction, to overturn the cut-sheet medium, and to eject the cut-sheet medium in a third direction D. The device further includes a first conveyance device 5 such as a conveyor belt configured to transport the cut-sheet medium to the first guide; and a second conveyance 27 device configured to transport the cut-sheet medium away from the second guide, wherein the first direction is not parallel to the third direction. The device may comprise a reconfiguration means that selectively determines if the sheets are directed to or bypass the guides.

Description

TITLE

DEVICE FOR MODIFYING DIRECTION OF MEDIA TRAVEL

BACKGROUND

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a media redirection device and an image forming apparatus incorporating the media redirection device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The production print industry uses printing systems to form (print) images onto one or both sides of a flexible laminar medium such as paper or a plastics material. Printing systems handle the medium differently according to whether it is in continuous form (that is, of indeterminate length, e.g. supplied to the printing system as a roll, and intended to be cut into sections following the image formation), or whether it is a cut-sheet medium which is provided to the printing systems in shorter sheets of pre-known size shorter than the path of the cut-sheet medium through the printing system (e.g. in a standard paper size, such as A4 or A3) such that both forward and rear edges of each sheet are within the printing system at the same time.

Known cut-sheet medium printing systems may comprise a number of modules, with each module being capable of carrying out a different production process on a cut-sheet medium within the module, such as forming an image on one of the two surfaces of the cut-sheet medium. The modules are arranged in a sequence, such that each module but the last is arranged to feed cut-sheets after the module has processed them to the next module in the sequence. Modules of the printing system process respective cut-sheet media at the same time.

As the printing system is modular, a specifier (user) is able to form the printing system in a desired location from modules selected to meet the demands of the print job. Each print module may receive the cut-sheet medium travelling in a certain direction, and eject it travelling in the same direction. Typically, the cut-sheet medium lies in a horizontal plane as it is received by each module and as it is ejected, and its short edges are typically orthogonal to the travelling direction. Typically at these times it is at the same height above the floor supporting the modules. Such a printing system is typically configured with the various modules arranged in a linear configuration (i.e. with the modules along a straight line). However, many printing systems are too large to be arranged in this configuration in the desired location.

Additionally, each module generally operates in a 1:1 fashion with neighbouring modules, i.e. the modules are configured to receive a single medium at a given time at a single receiving section of the module, and to eject a single medium at any given time from a single ejection section of the module. For example, a media source may provide a single cut-sheet medium to a printer module, which performs a print operation on the cut-sheet medium, and passes the cut-sheet medium to a fusing module which cures the toner. The fusing module may in turn pass the cut-sheet medium to a collecting unit. Any differences between the respective periodicity with which each module receives and expels cut-sheet media will result in a production bottleneck and reduce productivity. For example, if a first module is arranged to receive and expel cut-sheet media at a rate of 4 media per second, and the successive module is arranged to receive and expel cut-sheet media at a rate of 2 media per second, there is a bottleneck which means that the processing power of the first module cannot be fully exploited.

Continuous form printing employs turn-bar devices (e.g. in U3201 1278390A1, US8684298B2 and JP2006-219226) which receive the continuous form medium from a first direction, and expel the continuous form medium travelling in a different direction. However, the operation of these devices relies on the medium being a continuous web which is drawn through the device across the turn-bar surfaces. Prior to printing, the leading edge of the medium must first be fed through the printing system. This is generally a difficult, time-consuming process, often performed manually and hindered by limited access to the turn-bar mechanism. It is therefore not practical for cut-sheet media where each piece would need to be manually routed through the device individually. EP1921036B1 proposes a printing system including a rotary table for rotating cut-sheet media about a vertical pivot axis.

SUMMARY

This disclosure aims to provide a new and useful device to change the direction of travel of a cut-sheet medium (that is, to re-direct the cut-sheet medium).

In particular, it aims to provide a device for modifying the direction of travel of a cut-sheet medium in a modular printing system, such that cut-sheet media are received from a source (an upstream module) travelling in a first transport direction, and ejected from the device in a second transport direction different to the first (to be received by a downstream module).

The media transport direction is modified in such a way that the top surface of a print medium faces the same direction when it is ejected as when it is received (typically vertically upwards when the redirection device is resting on a horizontal floor), and the bottom surface of a print medium faces the same direction (vertically downwards) when it is ejected as when it is received. This has the advantage that the redirection device can be included in a pre-existing modular printing system, at a location between two modules of the pre-existing printing system to form a new printing system. In the new printing system, the pre-existing modules are in the same sequence as in the pre-existing printing system, but due to the redirection device the orientation of the pre-existing module(s) after the redirection device is altered, within the horizontal plane, with respect to the pre-existing module(s) before the redirection device. For example, if in the pre-existing printing system the modules are in a straight line, the new printing system has an L-shaped configuration when viewed from above, with the redirection device at the bend of the [-shape.

The redirection device first inverts each cut-sheet medium so its top and bottom surfaces are exchanged, and then inverts the cut-sheet medium again so that the top and bottom surfaces return to facing in their original directions. The device employs a pair of guides to invert the media, wherein at least one of the guides is arranged to extend at an inclined angle relative to the transport direction, such that inverting the media also changes its direction of travel. Because the cut-sheet medium is inverted twice in the redirection device, adding the redirection device to the pre-existing printing system does not require reconfiguration of the pre-existing modules such that the surface of the cut-sheet medium which the pre-existing modules process is changed.

Conveniently, the redirection module may receive and eject the cut-sheet medium at the same heights (i.e. as measured from a floor on which the redirection device stands). This height may be variable, e.g. to match the height at which the preceding pre-existing module ejects cut-sheet media, and at which the succeeding pre-existing module receives cut-sheet media.

Additional redirection devices may be added to the pre-existing printer system to create further configurations (e.g. or 'Z' layouts). By eliminating the need to arrange the modules in a linear configuration, it is possible to site the system in shorter, smaller, or unusually-shaped 30 spaces.

Furthermore, to overcome bottlenecks, an embodiment of the present invention may also be configurable to allow the direction device to receive media from a selected one of multiple sources (upstream modules) which transmit the cut-sheet medium to the redirection device in respective first transport directions, and/or to eject the media from the redirection device in a selected one of multiple different second directions to be received by respective downstream modules, by selectively modifying the media transport path through the redirection device. Hence, integrating the device within a modular printing system allows multiple media paths to converge or diverge. By permitting this, it is possible for the new printing system to employ multiple modules which output cut-sheet media with a different respective periodicity, being supplied by a shared media source, or feeding a common destination module, therefore allowing process bottlenecks to be reduced or eliminated.

In this document, two directions are said to be "inclined" when the angle between them is not substantially equal to an integer multiple of 90 degrees. For example, the angle may be about 45 degrees or about 135 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting examples of the presently disclosed principles will now be described with reference to the following figures.

Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the redirection device for modifying a transportation direction of a cut-sheet medium.

Figure 1B shows a top view of the redirection device of Figure 1A.

Figure 2 shows a diagonal view of some components of the redirection device of Figure 1A.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the redirection device of Figure 1A with a top layer removed.

Figure 4 shows a side view of some components of the redirection device of Figure 1A.

Figure 5A shows a second perspective view of other components of the redirection device of Figure 1A, illustrating a conveyor belt configuration.

Figure 5B shows a top view of the components of Fig. 5A.

Figure 6 shows schematically a configuration of printer modules and corner units comprising the redirection device of Figure 1A.

Figure 7A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the redirection device comprising a reconfiguration mechanism in a configuration which directs a cut-sheet medium towards a first guide.

Figure 78 shows a side view of the redirection device of Figure 7A with the reconfiguration mechanism in the configuration which directs a cut-sheet medium towards the first guide.

Figure 8A shows a perspective view of the redirection device of Figure 7A with the reconfiguration mechanism configured to direct a cut-sheet medium towards a bypass conveyor belt.

Figure 8B shows a side view of the redirection device of Figure 7A with the reconfiguration mechanism configured to direct a cut-sheet medium towards a bypass conveyor belt.

Figure 9 shows a top view of the redirection device of Figure 7A.

Figure 10 shows a schematically a configuration of printer modules and a splitter unit which is the second embodiment of the redirection device.

Figure 11 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the redirection device comprising a second reconfiguration mechanism including a splitting element in a first position.

Figure 12 shows a side view of the redirection device of Figure 11 comprising the second reconfiguration mechanism including the splitting element in a second position.

Figure 13 shows schematically a configuration of printer modules and a splitter unit which is the third embodiment of the redirection device.

Figure 14 shows another configuration of the printer modules and a splitter unit which is a redirection device according to a fourth embodiment.

Corresponding elements of the four embodiments which have the same significance are labelled with the same reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment Figures 1A-5B illustrate a redirection device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention for altering the transport path of a cut-sheet medium 2. The cut-sheet medium 2 may be a cut-sheet medium such as a sheet of paper (e.g. having a standard size, e.g. according to the ISO 216 standard), OHP (overhead projector) transparencies, OHP film sheet, thread, fibre, fabric, leather, and/or plastic. The cut-sheet medium is not particularly limited, provided that the cut-sheet medium is sufficiently flexible to be overturned using a first guide 11 as described below. Figure 1A shows a perspective view of the redirection device 1, and Figure 1B shows a top view of the redirection device 1. The redirection device 1 comprises a first paper feed section 3 configured to receive a cut-sheet medium 2 in a first direction A, and to direct the cut-sheet medium 2 towards a first conveyance device 5 in the first direction A. The first paper feed section 3 is an inlet of the redirection device. Although the text above refers to the inlet as a first paper feed section 3, the first paper feed section 3 is not limited to receiving and directing paper, but may receive and direct any suitable cut-sheet medium. The first conveyance device 5 may be any device configured to transport a cut-sheet medium 2 through the redirection device 1. According to the present embodiment, the first conveyance device 5 is a conveyor belt 5 (henceforth referred to as the first conveyor belt 5). However, the first conveyance device 5 is not limited to a conveyor belt, and may be, for example, an air bed (low friction device), an air-suction conveying system, or a set of one or more rollers.

According to the present embodiment, the first conveyor belt 5 is driven by a motor (not shown) and a drive belt (not shown). The motor rotates a rotation element 6. The drive belt is configured to contact the rotation element 6, a belt wheel 7a, and a rotation axle 8a, so that when the rotation element 6 rotates, the drive belt travels around the system of the rotation element 6, the belt wheel 7a, and the rotation axle 8a in a cyclical manner. The motor rotates the rotation element 6, which causes the drive belt to turn the rotation axle 8a. The rotation axle 8a is connected to the first conveyor belt 5. The rotation of the rotation axle 8a drives the first conveyor belt 5. The cut-sheet medium 2 is guided along the first conveyor belt 5 using guide rollers 9 to ensure that the cut-sheet medium follows the first conveyor belt 5. The cut-sheet medium 2 may be guided from the first paper feed section 3 up an inclined surface 4 to reach a portion of the conveyor belt 5 which overlies a first planar surface 10. Alternatively, the first paper feed section 3 may be in the same plane as the first planar surface 10, and in such circumstances the inclined surface 4 may be omitted. The cut-sheet medium 2 is guided along the first planar surface 10 by the first conveyor belt 5 towards a first guide 11. The first guide 11 is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium 2, to overturn the cut-sheet medium 2, and to eject the cut-sheet medium in a second direction B, wherein the second direction B is not the first direction A. According the present embodiment, the second direction B is opposite to the first direction A. In other embodiments, the redirection device 1 may be configured so that the second direction B is orthogonal to the first direction A. Figure 2 shows the first guide 11 in greater detail. The first guide 11 comprises a first curved redirection surface 12 which is concave. The first curved redirection surface 12 has translational symmetry along a first axis (shown as C in Fig. 1A). The first axis C and the first direction A are both parallel to the first planar surface 10. The first guide 11 is positioned so that the first axis C is orthogonal to the first direction A. The first guide 11 curves around a turn roller 13 as can be seen in Figure 2. The first conveyor belt 5 is configured to rotate the turn roller 13. When the cut-sheet medium 2 is received by the first guide 11, the cut-sheet medium 2 is overturned around the turn roller 13, and is then ejected from the first guide 11. As a result of being overturned by the first guide 11, a surface of the cut-sheet medium 2 which was originally (i.e. when the cut-sheet medium was received by the redirection device 1) facing upwards now faces downwards, and a surface of the cut-sheet medium which was originally facing downwards faces upwards.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the redirection device 1 with the first paper feed section 3, the first conveyor belt 5, first planar surface 10, and the first guide 11 not shown. The cut-sheet medium 2 is ejected from the first guide 11 onto a second planar surface 20. Once the cut-sheet medium 2 is ejected from the first guide 11, the cut-sheet medium 2 is then directed towards a second guide 22 in the second direction B along the second planar surface 20. The cut-sheet medium 2 may be transported towards the second guide 22 by contacting the underside of the first conveyor belt 5, that is, the part of the first conveyor belt 5 that is travelling in the opposite direction to the first direction A. Alternatively or additionally, the cut-sheet medium 2 may be urged towards the second guide 22 due to a continued force, on a part of the cut-sheet medium 2 that is still positioned on the first planar surface 10 and has not passed through the first guide 11, from a top-side of the first conveyor belt 5, that is, the part of the first conveyor belt 5 moving in the first direction A. The second guide 22 is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium 2 from the second direction B, to overturn the cut-sheet medium 2, and to eject the cut-sheet medium 2 in a third direction D, wherein the third direction D is not the second direction B. According the present embodiment, the third direction D is orthogonal to the first direction A. As a result of being overturned by the second guide 2, the originally-top surface of the cut-sheet medium 2 is returned to facing upwards, and the originally-bottom surface of the cut-sheet medium 2 is returned to facing downwards.

The second guide 22 comprises a second curved redirection surface 24. The second curved redirection surface 24 comprises two surfaces each having translational symmetry along a second axis E (and spaced apart by an aperture 26, as described below). The second axis E and the second direction B are both parallel to the second planar surface 20. The third direction D is orthogonal to the second direction B The second guide 22 is positioned so that the second axis E is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees to the second direction B in the plane of the second planar surface 20.

The second curved redirection surface 24 comprises an aperture 26 to allow the first conveyor belt 5 to pass through as can be seen in Figure 4. Figure 5A shows a perspective view of the first conveyor belt 5 passing through the aperture 26.

The second guide 22 is configured to eject the cut-sheet medium 2 onto a conveyance device 27 which overlies a third planar surface 29. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then conveyed by the second conveyance device 27 in the third direction D towards a first paper exit section 30. The second conveyance device 27 may be any device configured to transport a cut-sheet medium 2 from the second guide 22 to the first paper exit section 30. According to the present embodiment, the second conveyance device 27 is a conveyor belt (henceforth referred to as the second conveyor belt 27). However, the second conveyance device 27 is not limited to a conveyor belt, and may be, for example, an air bed (low friction device), an air-suction conveying system, or a set of one or more rollers. The second conveyor belt is driven by the rotation axle 8b, which is turn is driven by the same drive belt (not shown) which drives the rotation axle 8a, and therefore ultimately by the motor which drives the rotation element 6. The drive belt is directed from the rotation element 6 to the rotation axle 8b by a belt wheel 7b. A third belt wheel 7c may be provided to guide the drive belt between the belt wheels 7a, 7b. According to the present embodiment, the second conveyor belt 27 is configured to transport the cut-sheet medium 2 in the third direction D along the third planar surface 29 (shown in Fig. 3). The cut-sheet medium 2 is guided along the second conveyor belt 27 towards a first paper exit section 30, using guide rollers 9 to ensure that the cut-sheet medium 2 follows the second conveyor belt 27. Figure 5B shows a top view of the configuration of the first conveyor belt 5 and a second conveyor belt 27. The first paper exit section 30 may be at the same height as the first paper feed section 3 (shown in Fig. 1A).

The redirection device 1 according to the first embodiment can be used as part of a modular printing system 40, as can be seen in Figure 6. The redirection device 1 forms part of a corner unit 42(a, b). The modular printing system 40 may comprise a plurality of printer modules 45(a, b, c). The plurality of printer modules may comprise any one or more of a printing module, a curing module, a stapling module, a laminating module, and a collecting module. The modular printing system 40 is not limited to these modules and may include any combination of modules that can be used in a modular printing arrangement. The corner units 42(a, b) each comprise the redirection device 1. This allows the direction of transport of a cut sheet-medium 2 through the modular printing system 40 to be altered twice. This in turn enables the modules 45(a, b, c) of the modular printing system 40 to be configured in a manner appropriate to the space in which they are being used.

Figure 6 shows an example of a modular printing system 40 using the redirection device 1 according to the first embodiment. Other configurations of a modular printing system may also be used in accordance with the first embodiment. In Figure 6, a cut-sheet medium is received by a first printer module 45a. The first printer module 45a is a printing module. The first printer module 45a performs a printing operation on the cut-sheet medium 2 by applying toner to the cut-sheet medium. According to other examples, the first printer module 45a may perform a printing operation using inkjet methods, or any other printing method. The cut sheet medium 2 is then transported to a first corner unit 42a. The first corner unit 42a comprises a redirection device 1 as described above. The first corner unit 42a is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium 2 from the first printer module in a direction corresponding to the first direction A of the redirection device 1 forming part of the first corner unit 42a. The redirection device 1 in the first corner unit 42a is configured to eject the cut-sheet medium 2 in a direction at an angle of 90 degrees (rotated clockwise as viewed from above) to the first direction A. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then transported to a second printer module 45b. The second printer module 45b is a curing module. The second printer module 45b performs a curing operation by curing the toner applied to the cut-sheet medium 2 by the first printer module 45a. The cut-sheet medium is then transported to a second corner unit 42b. The second corner unit 42b is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium 2. The redirection device 1 of the second corner unit 42b is configured to eject the cut-sheet medium 2 in a direction at an angle of 90 degrees (rotated anticlockwise as viewed from above) to the direction of reception. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then received by a third printer module 45c. The third printer module 45c is a stapling module. The third printer module 45c performs a stapling operation on the cut-sheet medium 2 and other cut-sheet media that have also passed through the modular printing system 40. The stapled cut-sheet media are then ejected to an ejection tray ready to be collected by a user.

According to variations of the first embodiment, the redirection device 1 may have an alternative configuration in which second direction B is orthogonal to the first direction A. If the second direction B is orthogonal to the first direction A, the first guide 11 is positioned so that the first axis C is offset at an angle of 45 degrees to the first direction A. The first guide 11 can be positioned appropriately if the second direction B is desired to be neither opposite not orthogonal to the first direction A. Additionally, the third direction D may be the opposite direction to the second direction B. If the third direction D is the opposite direction to the second direction B, the second guide 22 is positioned so that the second axis is orthogonal to the second direction B. The second guide 22 can be positioned appropriately if the third direction D is desired to be neither opposite nor orthogonal to the second direction B. According to another variation, the third direction D may not be orthogonal to the first direction A. Second Embodiment According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a redirection device as described in the first embodiment may optionally also comprise a first reconfiguration mechanism. The first reconfiguration mechanism is configured to allow a user or an automated control system to determine if a cut-sheet medium 2 that is received at the first paper feed section 3 should be redirected by both the first guide 11 and the second guide 22, or whether the cut-sheet medium 2 should bypass both the first guide 11 and the second guide 22.

Figure 7A shows a perspective view of an example of the redirection device 35 that comprises the first reconfiguration mechanism allowing a cut-sheet medium 2 to bypass the first guide 11 and the second guide 22. Fig. 7B shows a horizontal view of some components of the redirection device 35 comprising the first reconfiguration mechanism. The first paper feed section 3 comprises a bypassing element 50. The bypassing element 50 may be the shape of a triangular prism. The bypassing element 50 comprises a laminar portion (plate) which may be generally rectangular. The laminar portion has a first surface 53 (uppermost in Fig. 7A) and second surface (not shown) opposite the first surface 53 (i.e. facing downward). At each end of the laminar portion, the bypassing element includes a respective end element 54 (shown as a triangular flange) defining a respective pivot 56. The two pivots 56 allow the bypassing element 50 to pivot about a horizontal line. The first reconfiguration mechanism has a first configuration in which the bypassing element 50 is in a first position shown in Figs. 7A and 7B. When the cut-sheet medium 2 enters the paper-feed section 3, the cut-sheet medium 2 passes across (over) the first surface 53 of the bypassing element 50 and continues along the first conveyor belt 5 towards the first guide 11. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then transported through the redirection device 35 in the same way as in the first embodiment, and so further

description is omitted.

The bypassing element 50 can be reconfigured so as to be in a second position. Figure 8A shows a perspective view of the redirection device 35 when the bypassing element 50 is in the second position, and Figure 8B shows a horizontal view of the redirection device 35 when the bypassing element 50 is in the second position. When the bypassing element is in the second position, when the cut-sheet medium 2 enters the paper-feed section 3, the cut-sheet medium 2 impacts the second surface of the laminar portion of the bypassing element 50, and is redirected to passes across (under) the second surface of the laminar portion of the bypassing element 50. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then conveyed onto a third conveyance device 52. According to the present embodiment, the third conveyance device 52 is a conveyor belt (henceforth referred to as the third conveyor belt 52). However, the third conveyance device 52 is not limited to a conveyor belt, and may be, for example, an air bed (low friction device), an air-suction conveying system, or a set of one or more rollers. By being conveyed on the third conveyor belt 52, the cut-sheet medium 2 bypasses both the first guide 11 and the second guide 22. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then ejected from a second paper exit section 55 in the first direction A. Figure 9 shows a top-down view of the redirection device 35 according to the second embodiment. The positional relationship between the first paper feed section 3 and the second paper exit section 55 can be seen in Figure 9.

A user of the redirection device 35, or the control system, may change the position of the bypassing element 50 from the first position to the second position, or vice versa. The means for adjusting the position of the bypassing element 50 is not particularly limited. The position of the bypassing element 50 may be controlled electronically, and if so a user may input the preferred position of the bypassing element 50 into an input device that is configured to communicate with the redirection device 35. The position of the bypassing element 50 may be changed manually through mechanical means. For example, a user might pull a lever, or twist a knob that alters the position of the bypassing element 50. However, in most realisations the bypassing element 50 is controlled automatically by the control system during a printing operation, e.g. such that different ones of a sequence of cut-sheet media are redirected into different corresponding directions.

The redirection device 35 according to the second embodiment can be used as part of a modular printing system 60, as can be seen in Figure 10. The redirection device 35 forms part of a splitter unit 62. A modular printing system 60 may comprise a plurality of printer modules 65(a, b, c). The plurality of printer modules may comprise a printing module, a curing module, a stapling module, a laminating module, and a collecting module. The modular printing system 60 is not limited to these modules and may include any module that can be used in a modular printing arrangement. The splitter unit 62 comprises the redirection device 35. This allows the direction of transport of a cut sheet-medium 2 through the modular printing system 60 to either remain the same, or to be altered. This in turn enables the modules 65(a, b, c) of the modular printing system 60 to be configured in a manner appropriate to the space in which they are being used.

Figure 10 shows an example of a modular printing system 60 using the redirection device 35 according to the second embodiment. Other configurations of a modular printing system may also be used in accordance with the second embodiment.

In Figure 10, a cut-sheet medium 2 is received by a fourth printer module 65a. The first printer module 45a is a printing module. The fourth printer module 65a performs a printing operation on the cut-sheet medium 2 using an inkjet method. The fourth printer module may perform the printing operation using any other printing method. The cut sheet medium is then ejected from the fourth printer module 65a and transported to a splitter unit 62. The splitter unit 62 comprises the redirection device 35 as described in the second embodiment. The splitter unit 62 is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium 2 from the fourth printer module 65a in a direction corresponding to the first direction A of the redirection device 35 forming part of the splitter unit 62. The redirection device 35 in the splitter unit 62 is configured to either eject the cut-sheet medium 2 in a direction at an angle of 90 degrees (rotated clockwise as viewed from above) to the first direction A, or to eject the cut-sheet medium 2 in the first direction A. If the cut-sheet medium is ejected at an angle of 90 degrees to the first direction A, the cut-sheet medium 2 is then transported to a fifth printer module 65b. The fifth printer module 465b is a laminating module. The fifth printer module 65b performs a laminating operation on the cut-sheet medium 2. Once the laminating process has been completed, the cut-sheet medium 2 is ejected to a collection tray ready to be collected by a user. If the cut-sheet medium is ejected in the first direction A, the cut-sheet medium 2 is then transported to a sixth printer module 65c. The sixth printer module 65c is a stapling module. The sixth printer module 45c performs a stapling operation on the cut-sheet medium 2 and other cut-sheet media 2 that have also passed through the modular printing system 40. The stapled cut-sheet media are then ejected to a collection tray ready to be collected by a user.

Third Embodiment According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a redirection device may comprise a second reconfiguration mechanism. The second reconfiguration mechanism may be used concurrently with or as an alternative to the first reconfiguration mechanism. For the purposes of describing the invention according to the third embodiment, the redirection device 67 will be described comprising only the second reconfiguration mechanism, and not the first reconfiguration mechanism.

The second reconfiguration mechanism is configured to allow a user to determine if a cut-sheet medium 2 that is received at the first paper feed section 3 should be redirected by both the first guide 11 and the second guide 22, or whether the cut-sheet medium 2 should be redirected by the first guide 11 and a third guide.

As in the first embodiment, the cut-sheet medium 2 is received at the paper feed unit 3, and transported via a first conveyor belt 5 (or any other first conveying device 5) to the first guide 11. The first guide 11 is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium 2, to overturn the cut-sheet medium 2, and to eject the cut-sheet medium 2 in a second direction B, wherein the second direction B is an opposite direction to the first direction A. Between the first guide 11 and the edge of the second planar surface 20 is a splitting element 68, similar to the bypassing element 50 of the second embodiment. This can be seen in Figures 11 and Figure 12. The splitting element 68 comprises a laminar portion (e.g. a generally rectangular plate) having a first surface 77 and second surface (not shown). The splitting element 68 further comprises a respective end portion 78 (shown as a triangular flange) at either end of the laminar portion and defining a respective pivot, so that the splitting element 68 is rotatable about a horizontal line. The second reconfiguration mechanism has a first configuration in which the splitting element 68 is in a first position as shown in Figure 11.

When the cut-sheet medium 2 is ejected from the first guide 11, the cut-sheet medium 2 passes over the first surface 77 of the splitting element 68 and continues along the second planar surface 20 towards the second guide 22. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then transported through the rest of the redirection device 67 in the same way as in the first embodiment, and so further description is omitted.

The splitting element 68 can be reconfigured so as to be in a second position as is shown in Figure 12. When the splitting element 68 is in the second position, as the cut-sheet medium 2 is ejected from the first guide 11, the cut-sheet medium 2 impacts the second surface of the laminar portion of the splitting element 68 and is redirected to pass under the second surface of the laminar portion of the splitting element 68. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then conveyed onto a fourth planar surface 69 in a fourth direction. The fourth direction may be the same direction as the second direction B. The fourth planar surface may be positioned beneath the third planar surface 29.

The cut-sheet medium 2 is then directed towards a third guide (not shown) in the fourth direction along the fourth planar surface 69. The cut-sheet medium 2 may, for example, be urged towards the third guide due to a continued force on a part of the cut-sheet medium 2 that is still positioned on the first planar surface 10 and has not passed through the first guide 11, from a top-side of the first conveyor belt 5, that is, the part of the first conveyor belt 5 moving in the first direction A. The third guide is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium 2 from the fourth direction, to overturn the cut-sheet medium 2, and to eject the cut-sheet medium 2 in a fifth direction, wherein the fifth direction is not the fourth direction. According the present embodiment, the fifth direction is orthogonal to the first direction A. The fifth direction may also be the opposite direction to the third direction D. As a result of being overturned by the third guide, an original top surface of the cut-sheet medium 2 is returned to facing upwards, and an original bottom surface of the cut-sheet medium 2 returns to facing downwards.

The third guide comprises a third curved redirection surface. The third curved redirection surface has translational symmetry along a third axis. The third axis and the fourth direction are both parallel to the fourth planar surface. The fifth direction is orthogonal to the fourth direction, and so the third guide is positioned so that the third axis is offset at an angle of 45 degrees to the fourth direction in the plane of the fourth planar surface. Alternatively, the third guide can be positioned appropriately if the fifth direction is not desired to be orthogonal to the fourth direction.

The third guide is configured to eject the cut-sheet medium 2 onto a fifth planar surface. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then conveyed by a fourth conveyance device (not shown), in the fifth direction towards a third paper exit section (not shown). The fourth conveyance device may be any device configured to transport a cut-sheet medium 2 from the third guide to the third paper exit section. According to the present embodiment, the fourth conveyance device is a conveyor belt (henceforth referred to as the fourth conveyor belt). However, the fourth conveyance device is not limited to a conveyor belt, and may be, for example, an air bed (low friction device), an air-suction conveying system, or a set of one or more rollers. According to the present embodiment, the fourth conveyor belt is configured to transport the cut-sheet medium 2 in the fifth direction along the fifth planar surface. The fourth conveyor belt is driven by the motor and a drive belt in a similar manner to the driving of the first conveyor belt 5. The cut-sheet medium 2 is guided along the fourth conveyor belt towards the third paper exit section, using guide rollers to ensure that the cut-sheet medium 2 follows the fourth conveyor belt. The third paper exit section may be at the same height as the first paper feed section 3. Prior to being received at the third paper exit section, the cut-sheet medium 2 may be transported up an inclined surface by the fourth conveyor belt, so as to be on the same level as the third paper exit section.

A user or control system of the redirection device 67 may change the position of the splitting element 68 from a first position to a second position, or vice versa. The means for adjusting the position of the splitting element 68 is not particularly limited. The position of the splitting element 68 may be controlled electronically, and a user may input the preferred position of the splitting element 68 into an input device that is configured to communicate with the redirection device 67. The position of the splitting element 68 may be changed manually through mechanical means. For example, a user might pull a lever, or twist a knob that alters the position of the splitting element 68. However, in most realisations the splitting element 68 will be controlled automatically by the control system during a printing operation, e.g. such that different ones of a sequence of cut-sheet media are redirected into different corresponding directions The redirection device 67 according to the third embodiment can be used as part of a modular printing system 80, as can be seen in Figure 13. The redirection device 67 forms part of a splitter unit 62. The modules described in Figure 13 are the same as those described in Figure 10. However, they are not limited to these modules, and could be any modules capable of being part of a modular printing system 80.

The splitter unit 62 comprises the redirection device 67 according to the third embodiment. This allows the direction of transport of a cut sheet-medium 2 through the modular printing system 80 to be altered, so that the cut-sheet medium 2 is either rotated 90 degrees clockwise when it is ejected from the splitter unit 62, or is rotated 90 degrees anticlockwise when it is ejected from the splitter unit 2. This in turn enables the modules 65(a, b, c) of the modular printing system 80 to be configured in a manner appropriate to the space in which they are being used.

Figure 13 shows an example of a modular printing system 80 using the redirection device 67 according to the third embodiment. Other configurations of a modular printing system may also be used in accordance with the third embodiment.

In Figure 13, a cut-sheet medium 2 is received by a fourth printer module 65a. The fourth printer module 65a is a printing module. The fourth printer module 65a performs a printing operation on the cut-sheet medium 2 using an inkjet method. The fourth printer module 65a may perform the printing operation using any other printing method. The cut sheet medium 2 is then ejected from the fourth printer module 65a and transported to a splitter unit 62. The splitter unit 62 comprises a redirection device 67 according to the third embodiment. The splitter unit 62 is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium 2 from the fourth printer module 6a in a direction corresponding to the first direction A of the redirection device 67 forming part of the splitter unit 62. The redirection device 67 in the splitter unit 62 is configured to either eject the cut-sheet medium 2 in a direction at an angle of 90 degrees (rotated clockwise as viewed from above) to the first direction A, or to eject the cut-sheet medium 2 in another direction at an angle of 90 degrees (rotated anticlockwise as seen from above) to the first direction A. If the cut-sheet medium 2 is ejected at an angle of 90 degrees rotated clockwise to the first direction A, the cut-sheet medium 2 is then transported to a fifth printer module 65b.

The fifth printer module 65b is a laminating module. The fifth printer module 65b performs a laminating operation on the cut-sheet medium 2. The cut-sheet medium 2 is then ejected to a collection tray ready to be collected by a user. If the cut-sheet medium 2 is ejected at an angle of 90 degrees rotated anticlockwise to the first direction A, the cut-sheet medium 2 is then transported to a sixth printer module 65c. The sixth printer module 65c is a stapling module.

The sixth printer module 65c performs a stapling operation on the cut-sheet medium 2 and other cut-sheet media that have also passed through the modular printing system 80. The stapled cut-sheet media are then ejected to a collection tray ready to be collected by a user.

Fourth Embodiment The invention will now be described according to a fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, a redirection device according to the first embodiment also comprises a second paper feed section. The second paper feed section is an inlet of the redirection device. The remaining features of the redirection device according to the first embodiment remain the same, and so their description is omitted. According to the present embodiment, the second paper feed section is positioned at an angle perpendicular to the first paper feed section.

However, the second paper feed section may be positioned at another angle with respect to the first paper feed section. The second paper feed section is configured to receive a cut-sheet medium, and to direct the cut-sheet medium 2 onto a fifth conveyance device in the third direction D. Although the description refers to a second paper feed section, the second paper feed section is not limited to receiving and directing paper, but may receive and direct any suitable cut-sheet medium. The fifth conveyance device may be any device configured to transport a cut-sheet medium through the redirection device. According to the present embodiment, the fifth conveyance device is a conveyor belt (henceforth referred to as the fifth conveyor belt). However, the fifth conveyance device is not limited to a conveyor belt, and may be, for example, an air bed (low friction device), an air-suction conveying system, or a set of one or more rollers. According to the present embodiment, the fifth conveyor belt is driven by a motor and a drive belt in a similar manner to the driving of the first conveyor belt 5.

The fifth conveyor belt is configured to pass either over or under the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt. The fifth conveyor belt transports the cut-sheet medium to the first paper exit section. At the first paper exit section, sheets from both the second conveyor belt and the fifth conveyor belt are ejected from the redirection device.

The redirection device according to the fourth embodiment can be used as part of a modular printing system 90, as can be seen in Figure 14. The redirection device forms part of a splitter unit 72.

The splitter unit 72 comprises the redirection device according to the fourth embodiment. This allows the two different cut-sheet media to be received from two different directions, but to be ejected in the same direction.

Figure 14 shows an example of a modular printing system 90 using the redirection device according to the fourth embodiment. Other configurations of a modular printing system may also be used in accordance with the fourth embodiment.

In Figure 14, a cut-sheet medium is received by either a seventh printer module 75a or an eighth printer module 75b. The seventh printer module 75a is a black and white printing module. The seventh printer module 75a performs a black and white printing operation on the cut-sheet medium 2 using an inkjet method. The seventh printer module 75a alternatively may perform the printing operation using any other printing method. The cut-sheet medium is then ejected from the seventh printer module 75a and transported to a first paper-feed section of the splitter unit 72. The splitter unit 72 comprises a redirection device according to the fourth embodiment. The splitter unit 72 is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium from the seventh printer module 75a in a direction corresponding to the first direction A of the redirection device forming part of the splitter unit 72. The redirection device in the splitter unit 72 is configured to eject the cut-sheet medium at an angle of 90 degrees (rotated clockwise as viewed from above) to the first direction A. The cut-sheet medium is ejected via the paper ejection section.

The eighth printer module 75b is a colour printing module. The eighth printer module performs a colour printing operation on the cut-sheet medium using an inkjet method. The eighth printer module 75b alternatively may perform the printing operation using any other printing method.

The cut sheet medium is then ejected from the eighth printer module 75b and transported to a second paper-feed section of the splitter unit 72 in the third direction D. The redirection device in the splitter unit 72 is configured to eject the cut-sheet medium from the paper-ejection section in the third direction D. The cut-sheet medium is then received by the ninth printer module 75c. The ninth printer module 75c is a stapling module. The ninth printer module 75c performs a stapling operation on cut-sheet media 2 that have been ejected from the seventh printer module 75a, the eighth printer module 75b, or both. The stapled cut-sheet media are then ejected to a paper collection tray ready to be collected by a user.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is: 1. A redirection device for modifying a transportation direction of a cut-sheet medium, the device comprising: a first guide configured to receive the cut-sheet medium from a first direction, to overturn the cut-sheet medium, and to eject the cut-sheet medium in a second direction; a second guide configured to receive the cut-sheet medium from the second direction, to overturn the cut-sheet medium, and to eject the cut-sheet medium in a third direction; a first conveyance device configured to transport the cut-sheet medium to the first guide; and a second conveyance device configured to transport the cut-sheet medium away from the second guide as it is ejected from the second guide, wherein the first direction is not parallel to the third direction.
2. The redirection device according to claim 1, wherein the first guide is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium lying in a first plane, and comprises a first curved redirection surface with translational symmetry along a first axis, the first axis and first direction both being parallel to the first plane.
3. The redirection device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second guide is configured to receive the cut-sheet medium lying in a second plane, and comprises a second curved redirection surface with translational symmetry along a second axis, the second axis and second direction both being parallel to the second plane.
4. The redirection device according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which either the first and second directions are parallel, or the second and third directions are parallel, and in which the first and third directions are orthogonal.
5. The redirection device according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first axis is orthogonal to the first direction, and the second axis is inclined to the second direction.
6. The redirection device according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first axis is inclined to the first direction, and the second axis is orthogonal to the second direction.
7. The redirection device according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising at least one guide roller to guide the cut-sheet medium as it is transported.
8. The redirection device according to any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a reconfiguration mechanism for selectively modifying a relationship between a direction in which the redirection device receives the cut-sheet medium at a first inlet of the redirection device, and a direction in which the redirection device expels the cut-sheet medium.
9. The redirection device according to claim 8 in which the reconfiguration mechanism selectively determines whether a flow path of the cut-sheet medium received at the inlet either contacts both the first and second guides, or contacts at most one of the first and second guides.
10. The redirection device according to claim 9 in which the reconfiguration mechanism comprises a bypassing element having opposed surfaces, the bypassing element being movable between a first position in which the cut-sheet medium passes across a first of the opposed surfaces to the first guide, and a second position in which the cut-sheet medium passes across a second of the opposed surfaces to bypass the first and second guides, the bypassing element being configured in at least one of the two positions to intercept the cut-sheet medium and modify a path of the cut-sheet medium.
11. The redirection device according to any of claims 8 to 10, in which the reconfiguration mechanism comprises a splitting element having opposed surfaces, the splitting element being movable between a first position in which the cut-sheet medium passes across a first of the opposed surfaces to the second guide, and a second position in which the cut-sheet medium passes across a second of the opposed surfaces to bypass the second guide, the splitting element being configured in at least one of the two positions to intercept the cut-sheet medium and modify a path of the cut-sheet medium.
12. The redirection device according to any of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a second inlet of the redirection device, the second inlet being configured to receive a cut-sheet medium from a direction other than the first direction, wherein when the cut-sheet medium is received by the second inlet, the redirection device is configured to expel the cut-sheet medium in the third direction.
13. The redirection device according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which at least one of the first and second conveyance devices is a conveyor belt.
14. An image-forming apparatus comprising the redirection device according to any of claims 1 to 13 and further comprising a first printing module for applying an image to a first face of the cut-sheet medium.
15. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 14 in which the redirection device is not configured to apply an image to the cut-sheet medium.
16. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15, comprising a second printing module for applying an image to a second face of the cut-sheet medium different from the first face of the cut-sheet medium, the redirection device being arranged to receive each cut-sheet medium from the first printing module and transmit the cut-sheet module to the second printing module.
17. The image-forming apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 16, comprising a collation module for accumulating cut-sheet media, the redirection device being arranged to receive the cut-sheet medium from the first printing module and transmit the cut-sheet medium to the collation module.