JP2000326588A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image recorder in which a sheet can be seen immediately after recording by providing means for discharging and holding a sheet recorded with an image substantially in the vertical direction while directing the recorded face outward, and an invisible or see-through means for supporting the sheet not to buckle. SOLUTION: A recording means 10 is operated while clamping the forward end of a sheet S by means of a first pair of discharge rollers 11 and the forward end of the sheet S is projected from a second pair of discharge rollers 12 to advance into a discharge tray 3 as recording progresses. Spurs 14 are provided, while shifted from each other, above the second pair of discharge rollers 12 in order to bend the discharged part of the sheet S thus imparting stiffness to the sheet S. Furthermore, a fan 15 is disposed in front of the lower section of the discharge tray 3 and invisible gas flow 16 is blown from a gas inlet 15a to the sheet S on the discharge tray 3 thus discharging and holding the sheet S substantially in the vertical direction while directing the recorded face outward.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet, and more particularly to an ejection means for supporting a recorded sheet so that the sheet can be visually recognized from a remote place.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet such as paper, cloth, nonwoven fabric, OHP sheet, etc., can obtain a high quality image, has low noise, constant running cost, downsizing and colorization. Is easy, etc.
It is widely used in office equipment such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines, and in mass production equipment. Also, in today's day when computers and digital cameras are becoming popular in courses, they are increasingly used not only as office equipment but also as home printers.

In such a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, a discharge tray is generally provided in a horizontal direction so that a sheet discharged after recording is not scattered or bent.

[0004]

However, some of the above-mentioned conventional general recording apparatuses require an installation area for the discharge tray in addition to the apparatus main body. Therefore, when using the apparatus on a desk, it is necessary to secure a space. There was a problem that was difficult.

When the apparatus main body is installed at a remote place, the recording result cannot be confirmed because the apparatus is discharged horizontally. Therefore, when used in a living room at home, for example, it is necessary to go to the place of the apparatus and look at the recorded sample. Similarly, if the user wants to decorate the recorded sample, the user must take the ejected sheet and then install it again for display.

In order to solve these problems, it is conceivable that the feeding and discharging are performed in a substantially vertical direction, and the recorded and discharged sheet is supported substantially in a vertical direction. On the other hand, a conventional image recording apparatus that discharges in a substantially vertical direction is proposed in, for example, JP-A-7-61089. As shown in FIG. 14, a printer device 101 disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-61089 is attached to a wall surface 106 by a wall hanging plate 102, and has a table 103 and a guide portion 104 provided below the device. Then, the continuous paper that is folded and stacked, that is, the fan hold paper 105, is placed on the table 103, fed to the printer device 101 from below to record an image, and then discharged upward.

However, even in the above-mentioned configuration, there is no disclosure in an image recording apparatus that uses a non-continuous paper, for example, a fixed cut paper. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that reduces the installation area and supports the sheet immediately after recording so that the sheet can be seen.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a typical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet, and a sheet after recording in a substantially vertical direction. In addition, there is provided discharge means for discharging and holding the recording surface outward, and support means for supporting the sheet so as not to buckle, wherein the support means is invisible or transparent.

[0009]

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the entire image forming apparatus, FIG. 3 is a top view of a discharge tray, and FIG. 4 shows an operation of stacking sheets on the discharge tray. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of supporting a sheet on a discharge tray, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a sequence for determining the strength of airflow.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording apparatus has a feed tray 2 at an upper rear portion of an apparatus main body 1 and a discharge tray 3 at an upper front portion. The discharge tray 3 supports the sheet S in a substantially vertical direction. A lid 2 a is provided on the upper portion of the feeding tray 2, and is opened and closed when the sheet S is supplied to the feeding tray 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet S inserted from the feeding port 4 is stacked on the feeding tray 2 and is guided by a guide member 2b.
Supported by The stacked sheets S are contacted by the pickup roller 5 and fed from the uppermost sheet S by a frictional force. The pickup roller 5 is formed in a sector shape in which a part of a circular arc is cut out to improve the stackability of the sheet S on the feeding tray 2.

A movable bank 2c made of an elastic material is provided at the leading end of the sheet set on the feeding tray 2. When a propulsive force is applied to the uppermost sheet, it is elastically warped, and the sheet is separated. Is performed. The separated sheet S is sent from top to bottom by the rotation of the pickup roller 5, and
The sheet is transported by the transport roller pair 7 after passing through the guide 6,
It reaches the turn roller 8. The sheet S is reversed in the conveying direction by the U-turn roller 8 and the guide 9, and is conveyed from bottom to top.

Next, the leading end of the sheet S is the first discharge roller pair 11
Then, the recording means 10 starts operating, and recording is started. As recording progresses, the leading end of the sheet S is
It protrudes from 12 and proceeds to the discharge tray 3. In this discharging operation, it is necessary that the sheet S does not fall to the front side of the apparatus, and it is necessary to discharge the sheet S to the front side than the sheet S stacked on the discharge tray 3.

In the present embodiment, first, as a configuration for preventing the sheet S from falling down to the front side of the apparatus, as shown in FIG.
a to 14c are provided. As a result, the portion of the sheet S where the sheet S is discharged is curved, and the sheet S becomes stiff and hardly falls down.

Further, a fan 15 as a blowing means is provided in front of a lower portion of the discharge tray 3, and an air flow from an outlet 15a is provided.
16 is sprayed on the sheet S on the discharge tray 3. Thus, the sheet S is supported in a substantially vertical direction without falling down to the front side. Note that the mounting angle of the outlet 15a is set so that the airflow hits the upper part of the sheet S.

Next, a discharge stage 13 is provided as a structure for discharging to the front side of the already stacked sheets S. In the discharge stage 13, the sheet S is the first discharge roller pair 11
2 and 4 (a), the sheet S is rotated and retracted in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 (a). When the rear end of the sheet S passes through the first discharge roller pair 11, the sheet S is rotated in the direction of arrow B. The sheet S is moved to abut on the trailing edge of the sheet, and while supporting the sheet S, ascends in the direction of arrow C and is placed on the discharge tray 3.

The discharge stage 13 is formed in a comb-like shape having a continuous gap 13a as shown in FIG. 4 (b), and the bottom surface 3a of the discharge tray 3 is also formed in a comb-like shape corresponding to this. Are configured to intersect without collision. The discharge stage 13 is configured so as not to interfere with the second discharge roller pair 12 and the spurs 14a to 14c by the gap 13a.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the discharge stage 13 moved above the bottom surface 3a of the discharge tray 3 includes the sheet S0 already stacked on the discharge tray 3 and the lower end of the newly discharged sheet S1. On the same side. Thereafter, the discharge stage 13 rotates in the direction of arrow A, and the already stacked sheets
The sheet S0 and the newly discharged sheet S1 are stacked on the discharge tray 3. When the above operation is completed, the discharge stage 13 moves down in the direction of arrow D to prepare for discharging the next sheet.

With the above configuration, the sheets S0 already stacked on the discharge tray 3 are not scattered,
The newly discharged sheet S1 is reliably discharged to the front side without interference.

When the sheets S are stacked on the discharge tray 3 as shown in FIG. 5 (a), as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the sheets are discharged until the sheets stand vertically in order to more easily support the recording surface. The tray 3 is rotated about the shaft 3b. At this time, since the air flow 16 is continuously blown from the discharge operation, the sheet S does not buckle and does not fall to the front. With such a configuration, a user who is away from the main body can check the recorded sample immediately after discharging. Also, when samples such as photographs and paintings are recorded, they can be exhibited without taking them out of the discharge tray.

At this time, the strength of the airflow 16 needs to be adjusted according to the number, type and environment (particularly humidity) of the discharged sheets S. The basic concept will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the number of recorded sheets is measured (S1), and then it is determined whether or not the type of the sheet S is easily buckled by moisture absorption (S1).
2). Generally, plain paper and coated paper for inkjet are easily buckled, and films and cardboard are hardly buckled.

If the sheet S is easily buckled, the fan 15 needs to be strengthened. Therefore, weighting is performed based on the environmental humidity (S3), and further weighting is performed based on the sheet type (S4). Is issued (S5), and the fan rotation speed is determined (S6). On the other hand, if the sheet S does not easily buckle, the total number of measurements is obtained without weighting according to the environment (S5), and the fan rotation speed is determined (S6).

Upon receiving a command to perform the next image recording, the discharge tray 3 is again inclined as shown in FIG. 5A to prepare for the next discharge.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is an overall perspective view of the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the entire image forming apparatus, FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the operation of the discharge tray, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for taking out a sheet from the discharge tray. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7, a transparent plate 17 which can be seen through is provided on the front surface of the discharge tray 3. The material of the transparent plate 17 may be a glass plate, an acrylic plate, or the like.
The transparent plate 17 is a lid for taking in and out the sheet S discharged from the discharge tray 3. The transparent plate 17 has hinges (not shown) at both ends of the apparatus, and is configured to open and close on both sides. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured to be opened in a slide type or a one-sided type.

In FIG. 8, sheet feeding and image recording are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 3. At this time, the discharge tray 3 is slightly inclined.
When the discharge stage 13 completely discharges the sheet S to the discharge tray 3, the sheet S is protruded toward the transparent plate 17 by a bottom 18 urging means 18a provided at the bottom of the discharge tray 3 as shown in FIG. The held sheet S is held between the transparent plate 17.

By sandwiching the sheet S between the transparent plate 17 and the bottom 18 in this manner, the sheet S can be displayed without buckling. Therefore, a user who is away from the main body can visually recognize the recorded sample immediately after discharging, and when recording a sample such as a photograph or a picture, the sample can be displayed without being taken out of the discharging tray.

In the discharging operation, it is necessary that the sheet S does not fall down to the transparent plate 17 side, and that it is necessary not to press the transparent plate 17 immediately after recording since the ink is not fixed. Further, it is necessary to discharge the finally discharged sheet S to the transparent plate 17 side more than the already stacked sheets.

First, as a structure for preventing the sheet S from falling down to the front side of the apparatus, similar to the first embodiment, the spurs 14a to 14c
This prevents this by forming a curvature in the sheet. As a result, the sheet S draws an arc protruding from the transparent plate 17 and can be prevented from rubbing against the transparent plate 17 during discharging. Further, the second discharge roller pair 12 and the spurs 14a to 14c are configured to be discharged to the discharge tray 3 at a slightly inclined angle so that the leading end of the sheet S does not contact the transparent plate 17. This can prevent the discharged sheet S from rubbing against the transparent plate 17.

Next, as a configuration for preventing the sheet S from being pressed against the transparent plate 17 immediately after recording, it is necessary to wait until the recording surface is dried. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of recording dots is counted when the recording information is transmitted, and the number of dots and the temperature and humidity of the use environment are used as parameters to determine the time at which the bottom 18 protrudes. As a result, the sheet S can be sandwiched between the transparent plate 17 and the bottom 18 after the surface of the recording surface has dried, and there is no possibility that the image will be disturbed.

Next, as a structure for discharging the sheet S to the front side from the already stacked sheets S, the discharge stage 13 surely places the sheet S on the discharge tray 3 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The newly discharged sheet S can be guided to the transparent plate 17 side without scattering the discharged sheet.

When a series of recording operations is completed and there is no sheet S to be recorded next, the recording sample is held more easily. As described above with reference to FIG. 9A, when the image recording is completed, the bottom 18 protrudes, and the sheet S is sandwiched and held by the transparent plate 17. Then, as shown in FIG.
The transparent plate 17 rotates together with the transparent plate 17 to support the sheet after recording in a substantially vertical direction. This makes it possible for the user to view the recorded sample remotely.

When the apparatus receives a command to record the next image, the discharge tray 3 and the transparent plate 17 are inclined again as shown in FIG. 9C, and the bottom 18 is retracted to the discharge tray 3 side. To prepare for sheet discharge.

The operation for taking out the sheets stacked on the discharge tray 3 will be described with reference to FIG. First, Fig. 9 (c)
As shown in (2), the discharge tray 3 is inclined and the bottom 18 is retracted (S7). With such inclination, the sheet is not scattered at the next operation.

Next, the transparent plate 17 is opened (S8), and the sheet inside is taken out by hand. The configuration for opening the transparent plate 17 may be manual, but may be automated as a series of operations in S7.
Although the opening and closing structure of the transparent plate 17 is a so-called double door,
Other configurations may be used. Then, the sheet is taken out by hand (S9), and the transparent plate 17 is closed manually or automatically (S10).

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the entire image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in the first or second embodiment, and the description is omitted.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 11 has both the fan 15 shown in the first embodiment and the transparent plate 17 shown in the second embodiment. With such a configuration, the sheet S discharged to the discharge tray 3 can be blown by the fan 15 to support the sheet S and promote drying of the recording surface. Therefore, as shown in the second embodiment, the time until the bottom 18 is raised can be reduced. When the bottom 18 is lifted, the fan 15 is stopped, and the support of the sheet S by the airflow 16 is stopped.

As described above, also in the configuration according to the present embodiment, a user who is away from the main body can confirm the recorded sample immediately after the ejection. When a sample such as a photograph or a picture is recorded, it can be exhibited without taking it out of the discharge tray.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus. Is omitted. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is mounted on a wall surface 19 and has a discharge section 21 at a lower portion of the apparatus main body 20.

The sheets S inserted from the feeding port 4 of the apparatus main body 20 are stacked on the feeding tray 2, and are separated and fed one by one from the uppermost sheet S by the pickup roller 5 and the movable bank 2c. The fed sheet passes through the guide 6 and is transported by a transport roller pair 22 and a discharge roller pair 23. When the leading end of the sheet S reaches the discharge roller pair 23, the recording means 10 starts operating, and recording is started. As the recording proceeds, the sheet is discharged to the discharge section 21 by the discharge roller pair 23 and is placed on the bottom 18 of the discharge tray 3.

When a series of recording operations is completed, the bottom portion 18 protrudes, and the sheet S is pressed against the transparent plate 17 to be pinched and held without buckling. Here, the transparent plate 17 is a lid when the sheet in the discharge tray 3 is taken out by opening and closing. When the sheet S is sandwiched, the transparent plate 17 and the discharge tray 3 both rotate about the bottom surface 3a, and hold the sheet S in a substantially vertical direction.

By adopting such a configuration, similarly to the above-described embodiments, a user who is away from the main body can visually recognize the recorded sample immediately after discharging. In addition, when samples such as photographs and paintings are printed, they will be exhibited without taking them out of the discharge tray.

In the discharging operation, the sheet S is discharged during discharging.
It is necessary to prevent the sheet S from being pressed against the transparent plate 17 immediately after recording because the recording surface is not dried immediately after recording. Further, it is necessary to discharge the last discharged sheet S to the transparent plate 17 side from the already stacked sheets.

In the present embodiment, as a configuration for preventing the sheet S from falling to the transparent plate 17 side, the discharge tray 3 is slightly inclined to the bottom side during discharge. This inclination occurs before the trailing edge of the sheet S comes out of the discharge roller pair 23.
The leading end of the sheet S is set so as to contact the bottom portion 18 or the already stacked sheets S. This prevents the sheet S from dropping vigorously due to gravity and coming into contact with the transparent plate 17.

As a configuration for preventing the sheet S from being pressed against the transparent plate 17 immediately after recording, the number of recording dots is counted when recording information is sent, and the number of dots and the temperature and humidity of the use environment are used as parameters. , Determine the time at which the bottom 18 protrudes. As a result, the sheet S can be sandwiched between the transparent plate 17 and the bottom 18 after the surface of the recording surface has dried, and there is no possibility that the image will be disturbed.

Next, as a configuration for discharging the sheet S on the front side from the already stacked sheets S, the operation is performed by the operation of the bottom 18. That is, when the sheet S is completely discharged to the discharge tray 3, the discharge tray 3 and the transparent plate 17 are rotated around the shaft 3b until the recording sample stands vertically. Then, when the next recording command comes, the discharge tray 3 and the transparent plate 17 are again rotated and tilted, and the bottom 18 is moved backward.

By operating as described above, the sheet S to be discharged next can be reliably discharged to the top of the already stacked sheets S, and the sheet S discharged lastly is always output.
Comes to the transparent plate 17 side.

[0048]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, by performing feeding and discharging in a substantially vertical direction, an apparatus having an extremely small installation area can be obtained. Further, by supporting the sheet substantially vertically without being buckled by the invisible or see-through support means, it is possible to visually recognize the recording sample immediately after recording from a distance.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an apparatus which can be easily installed on a desk, and an apparatus in which a recorded sample discharged in a living room of a home is displayed as it is and used as an interior.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the entire image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a discharge tray.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of stacking sheets on a discharge tray.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of supporting a sheet on a discharge tray.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a sequence for determining the strength of airflow.

FIG. 7 is an overall perspective view of an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the entire image forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a discharge tray.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for taking out a sheet from a discharge tray.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the entire image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S ... sheet 1 ... apparatus main body 2 ... feed tray 2a ... lid 2b ... guide member 2c ... movable bank 3 ... discharge tray 3a ... bottom surface 3b ... shaft 4 ... feed port 5 ... pickup roller 6 ... guide 7 ... transport roller pair 8 U-turn roller 9 Guide 10 Recording means 11 First discharge roller pair 12 Second discharge roller pair 13 Discharge stage 13a Clearance 14a to 14c Spur 15 Fan 15a Blow-out port 16 Air flow 17 Transparent plate 18 Bottom 18a Urging means 19 Wall 20 Device body 21 Discharge unit 22 Conveyor roller pair 23 Discharge roller pair

Claims (5)

[Claims] Recording means for recording an image on a sheet; discharging means for discharging and holding the printed sheet in a substantially vertical direction and with a recording surface facing outward; and supporting means for supporting the sheet so as not to buckle. Wherein the support means is invisible or transparent. 2. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said discharge means is configured to be rotatable by a predetermined angle including a substantially vertical direction. 3. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support means is a blowing means for blowing an air current onto a recording surface of the discharged sheet. 4. The supporting means comprises a sheet moving means provided in the discharging means, and a transparent plate-like member arranged on a front surface of the discharging means, wherein the sheet moving means and the plate-like member are provided. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus supports a sheet discharged by being sandwiched between the sheet and the sheet. 5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support means comprises the air blowing means according to claim 3, and the sheet moving means and the plate-like member according to claim 4. apparatus.