JP2001225996A - Transfer paper conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transfer paper conveyance system capable of automatically printing a plurality of document images on the same face of a transfer paper and printing images on both faces of the transfer paper while observing finish images every time. SOLUTION: This transfer paper conveyance system is constituted in such a way that when a transfer paper is transferred and is conveyed to a paper discharge means and a user takes out the transfer paper form the paper discharge means or inputs an input to prevent the transfer paper from being conveyed into a paper resupply roller again, the transfer paper is automatically conveyed to a steady condition from a paper feeding device, and in the case of the condition opposite to the above, the transferred transfer paper is conveyed to a transfer position of a photosensitive member from the paper discharge means again to obtain overlapped images and images printed on both faces of the transfer paper. The transfer paper on which picture image is transferred just before discharge is discharged on a paper discharge tray of the paper discharge means by facing upward.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to transfer paper between a paper feeding means for supplying a transfer paper, an image forming means for forming an image on the transfer paper, and a paper discharging means for discharging the transfer paper on which the image is formed. To transfer a plurality of original images on the same side of a transfer sheet, and to print images on both sides of the transfer sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a digital copying machine, when a plurality of original images are to be copied by superimposing them on one transfer sheet,
The user places the document on the platen and presses a copy start button.
Then, the transfer paper on which the copy image formed on the paper discharge tray is formed must be re-inserted into the paper supply tray. At that time, it is necessary to pay attention to the upper and lower sides of the transfer paper placed in the paper feed tray in consideration of the surface on which the copy image is to be formed, and even if it is, mistakes are likely to occur. Moreover, the transfer of the transfer paper from the paper discharge tray to the paper feed tray by the number of originals is required as a manual operation, which takes a great deal of time.

On the other hand, recently, a similar operation is performed using a memory, and a method is used in which a document is stored in a page memory each time a document is read and superimposed on the memory. That is, the original is placed on the original platen and the scanner is scanned by pressing the original reading button, the read original image data is stored in the page memory, the printer is not operated at that time, and a new original is further placed on the original platen. In the scanner, and the logical sum of the read original image data and the previous original image data is stored in the page memory, and finally, the copy formed on the page memory by pressing the copy start button. In some systems, a logical OR image of the original document is copied onto transfer paper.

[0004]

As described above, the copy start button is pressed to copy the original image onto the transfer paper, and each time the transferred transfer paper is manually transferred from the discharge tray to the paper feed tray. Thereafter, in the method of forming the superimposed copy image by transporting the transfer paper again, the user is troublesome and inefficient. On the other hand, a method of reading a document image by pressing a document reading button, forming a logical sum image of the document image on a memory each time, and pressing a single copy start button to copy the image onto transfer paper at a glance Although the efficiency is high, the state of the superimposed image cannot be known until the end, and even if the reading of the original image is erroneously mistaken on the way, it cannot be noticed until it is finally copied on the transfer paper.

According to the present invention, it is possible to save the user's labor, to automatically perform superposition copying of an original image while observing the state of the superimposed image, and to form an image on both sides of a transfer sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer paper transport system that can also perform the transfer.

[0006]

This object is achieved by any of the following technical means (A), (B) and (C).

(A) paper supply means for supplying transfer paper, a photosensitive member on which a latent image of a document image and its toner image are formed,
A transfer position for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor to the transfer paper, a paper discharge unit for discharging the transfer paper, and the paper discharge from the paper supply unit via the transfer position of the photoconductor and a fixing unit Transfer paper transport means for transporting the transfer paper to means,
A transfer paper transport system for an image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling each of the means to form an image on the transfer paper; and operation means for providing the control means with a user interface for activating a user operation. Wherein the paper discharge means has a selection means for selecting whether to completely discharge the transfer paper or to re-convey the transfer paper to the transfer position of the photoconductor, and the transfer paper is transferred from the paper discharge means to the transfer position. Transfer paper re-transporting means having a re-transport path for re-transporting the paper, joining means for connecting the transfer paper re-transport means to the transfer paper transport means, and transporting new transfer paper from the paper feeding means to the transfer position. Operating means for selecting whether to transfer the transferred transfer paper from the paper discharging means to the transfer position.

(B) The transfer paper re-transporting means forms the image on the same side as the transfer paper at the time of the previous image formation and conveys the transfer paper so that the image is formed upside down. The transfer paper transport system according to item (A), further comprising a switching means for switching between when the transfer paper is transported.

(C) The transfer sheet transporter according to (A) or (B), wherein the paper discharge means discharges the transfer paper with the surface on which the immediately preceding image is formed facing upward. system.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A transfer paper transport system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a digital copying machine employing the present transfer paper transport system. 1 is paper feed tray 1
A is a paper feeding unit including a paper feeding roller 2A, 3 is a photoconductor, 4 is a fixing roller, 8 is a paper discharging unit composed of a paper discharging roller 5, a paper discharging tray 6, and a paper re-feeding roller 7. , 11
Reference numeral 9 denotes a transfer sheet re-conveying unit including a re-conveying path 11A and its driving unit, 9 denotes a transfer sheet conveying unit including a conveying path 9A and its driving unit, 10 denotes an operating unit, and 13 denotes a switching unit.

The paper feed tray 1A is a place where the transfer paper is kept on standby. Transfer paper is used for copying the original image.
It waits here until the sheets are conveyed one by one. Paper tray 1A
There is a limit to the total number of transfer papers that can be put on standby in advance based on the size and strength. To replenish the transfer paper, the user pulls out the paper feed tray 1A, loads the stack of transfer papers stacked from above, sets the paper feed tray 1A back, and sets it.

The paper feed roller 2A is a roller for taking out the transfer paper one by one from the paper feed tray 1A and placing it on the transport path 9A of the transfer paper transport means 9, and the transfer paper in the paper feed tray 1A is in any state. Or, regardless of the situation, it is possible to take out one sheet at a time from a stack of transfer papers placed one on top of the other. As the transfer paper, various types of paper such as thick or thin paper, hard or soft paper, rough or smooth surface, and heavy or light paper are used. Immediately after the sheet is replenished to the paper feed tray 1A, the number of sheets is increased and the weight is heavy, and the weight gradually decreases as the transfer paper is taken out. As described above, the state of the transfer paper bundle placed on the paper feed tray 1A changes. The paper feed roller 2A is intended to take out the transfer paper one by one from the paper feed tray 1A and place it on the transport path 9A in accordance with all these states and situations.

A latent image and a toner image are formed on the photosensitive member 3 by converting an original image into an image signal by a laser beam.
The toner image is transferred to a transfer sheet.

The fixing roller 4 as a fixing means is a roller for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer paper. The toner adhering to the transfer paper is fused by applying heat. The toner on the transfer paper transferred from the transfer position 3A of the photoreceptor 3 is merely adhered, and thus easily peeled off when rubbed. By heating, the toner is fused to the transfer paper and the copy image is fixed on the transfer paper.

The paper discharging means 8 is composed of a paper discharging roller 5, a paper discharging tray 6, a re-feeding roller 7, and a drive control means therefor.

The paper discharge roller 5 is a roller for discharging the transfer paper on which the copy image is fixed to a paper discharge tray 6 provided outside the digital copying machine.

The paper discharge tray 6 is a place where the discharged transfer paper is temporarily placed. The user can see the entire surface of the transfer paper at once, which is sufficiently larger than the transfer paper.

The re-feed roller 7 takes in the transfer paper once discharged into the digital copying machine again, and
This is a roller for placing on the transfer paper 1A, but waits for an instruction with the transfer paper discharged by the paper discharge roller 5 interposed, and when there is a re-feed instruction, the transfer paper is placed on the re-conveying path 11A and again inside the digital copying machine. Conveyed toward. Further, when there is a final paper ejection command, the paper re-feed roller 7 has a function of rotating in the reverse direction and completely discharging the transfer paper to the paper ejection tray 6. in this way,
The paper discharge means 8 has a selection means for causing the re-feed roller 7 to select a conveyance direction by the drive control means.

The re-conveying path 11A may be a conveying path 81 in which the image forming surface of the transfer sheet is on the same side as the previous one, or
The transfer paper re-transporting means 11 is provided with a switching means 13 which can be used as a transporting path 82 for reversing the front and back sides.

Here, a switchback conveyer 70 is added to the transport path 81 to control the forward / reverse rotation thereof to enable switchback, so that the leading end and the trailing end of the transfer paper can be reversed. It is like that. A merging connector 85 is provided as merging means so as to merge with the transport path 9A of the transfer paper transport means 9 with the new leading end at the top. The transport path 82 is also provided with a junction connector 85 as a junction unit so that the transfer path can be joined to the transport path 9A without changing the leading end of the transfer sheet.

The transfer paper transporting means 9 transports the transfer paper from the paper feed tray 1A to the paper discharge tray 6 via the transfer position 3A of the photosensitive member 3, the fixing roller 4, the paper discharge roller 5, and the paper re-feed roller 7. This is a basic transport means. The transfer paper re-conveying means 11 joins the transfer path 9A of the transfer paper conveying means 9 via the re-feeding roller 7, the re-conveying path 11A and the conveying path 81 or 82 by the switching means 13, and re-exposes the photosensitive sheet. When the image reaches the transfer position 3A of the body 3 and the image is again transferred to the transfer sheet and is fixed, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 6 of the sheet discharge means 8.

The transfer paper is conveyed one by one by the transfer paper conveying means 9 or the transfer paper re-conveying means 11, and a copy image is superimposed on one side of the transfer paper as will be described later in detail. It can be formed on both surfaces.

The operation means 10 is an interface with a user having a copy start button and a message panel. When the copy start button is pressed, one sheet of transfer paper is placed on the transport path 9A of the transfer paper transport means 9 by the paper feed roller 2A from the paper feed tray 1A of the paper feed means 1. The message panel displays a message asking the user whether to transfer the transfer paper on the paper output tray 6 to the inside of the digital copying machine again. The user answers with a Yes or No button. When the Yes button is pressed, the transfer sheet almost placed on the discharge tray 6 is placed on the re-transport path 11A of the transfer sheet re-transport unit 11 by the re-feed roller 7. When the No button is pressed, the re-feed roller 7 completely removes the transfer paper sandwiched between the rollers on the discharge tray 6 and then releases the conveying force.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flow charts showing the operation in the case of copying an image of two originals on one side of a transfer sheet and copying the image separately on both sides. This will be described in comparison. First, the user places one document on the platen and presses a copy start button (F1). One sheet of transfer paper is placed on the transport path 9A of the transfer paper transport means 9 by the paper feed roller 2A from the bundle of transfer papers placed on the paper feed tray 1A (F2). The transfer sheet on the transfer path 9A of the transfer sheet transfer means 9 is transferred toward the transfer position 3A of the photoconductor 3 (F3). Photoconductor 3
A latent image of the image read from the document is formed on the surface of the image (F4). After the latent image is developed, it is transferred to a transfer sheet on the transfer path 9A of the transfer sheet transfer means 9 (F5). When the toner passes through the fixing roller 4 as a fixing unit, the toner on the transfer paper is fused and the image is fixed (F6). The transfer sheet on the transfer sheet conveying means 9 is discharged onto the discharge tray 6 by the discharge roller 5 (F7). At this time, the re-feed roller 7 provided in the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 6 is in a state where the rear end of the transfer paper that has been almost discharged is sandwiched.

Then, the user can watch the transfer paper on the discharge tray 6 with the surface on which the copy image is formed facing upward. By looking at the actual copied image, it is possible to know the desired density, whether the size and position are obtained, and the like. The user can continue copying in the future with reference to the actual copied image. The message panel of the operating means 10 displays a message asking whether the transfer paper on the paper output tray 6 is to be transported again into the digital copying machine, and a Yes or No button for inputting an answer thereto (F8).

The user places a new document on the platen and
Press the s button (F9). The transfer sheet on the discharge tray 6 is placed on the transfer sheet re-transporting means 11 having the re-transport path 11A by the re-feed roller 7 (F10). That is, the transfer paper is placed and transported on the re-transport path 11A of the transfer paper re-transport unit 11 (F11). In the re-transport path 11A, the transfer paper is selected to be left unchanged or upside down, and is switched to one of the transport paths 81 or 82 by the switching operation of the switching means 13 to be transported. It joins the transfer path 9A of the transfer paper transfer means 9.
(F12). The transfer paper in which the front and back sides are intact or inverted is joined to the transfer path 9A of the transfer paper transfer means 9 and is again transferred to the transfer position of the photoconductor 3 (F3).

In the former case, that is, when the front and back sides of the transfer paper are not changed, the transfer surface of the transfer paper comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 3 at the transfer position 3A again. As in the first (F5), the latent image on the photoconductor 3 is developed and then transferred to the transfer paper on the re-transport path 9A of the transfer paper transport means 9 (F5).
5). Thus, the images of the two originals are superimposed on the transfer paper. After passing through the fixing roller 4, the toner on the transfer paper is fused and the image is fixed (F6). The transfer sheet on the transfer path 9A of the transfer sheet transfer means 9 is discharged onto the discharge tray 6 by the discharge roller 5 (F7). However, when a further superimposed image is to be formed, the re-feeding roller 7 sandwiches the discharged transfer sheet again and the re-conveying process ((F5) to (F1) described above).
The image transfer according to 2)) is repeated.

In the latter case, that is, in the case of double-sided transfer, the transfer paper comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 3 at the transfer position 3A again on the opposite side to the first transfer. Photoconductor 3 as in the first time
The upper latent image is developed and then transferred to the back surface of the transfer sheet on the transfer path 9A of the transfer sheet transfer means 9 (F5). In this way, the images of the two originals are printed separately on the transfer paper. After passing through the fixing roller 4, the toner on the transfer paper is fused and the image is fixed (F6). The transfer sheet on the transfer path 9A of the transfer sheet transfer means 9 is discharged onto the discharge tray by the discharge roller 5 (F7).

In any case, the user can view the transfer paper on the discharge tray with the surface on which the copy image is formed facing up, corresponding to each original. On the message panel of the operating means 10, a message asking whether the transfer paper on the paper output tray 6 is to be transported again into the digital copying machine and a Yes or No button for inputting an answer thereto are displayed (F8). The user presses the No button (F1
3), the re-feed roller 7 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the sandwiched transfer sheet is finally completely discharged onto the discharge tray 6 (F1).
4). Then, it is selected whether to temporarily stop the operation of the digital copying machine or to continue and feed the next new transfer paper (F15).

In this manner, according to the present invention, a single image or a plurality of original images can be formed on one side of a transfer sheet, or such an image can be formed on both sides.
In addition, since the operation can be performed while observing the image formation status each time during the operation, reliable image synthesis can be efficiently and safely promoted.

[0031]

According to the present invention, the user can handle the transfer paper automatically, easily and reliably without manually transporting the transfer paper until the final superimposed image or double-sided image is obtained. The user simply designates that the transfer paper on the paper output tray 6 is to be transported inside again, and the transfer paper is automatically loaded on the transfer paper transport means 9 and transported to a path for forming an image, and the superimposed image is transferred. Alternatively, a double-sided image is formed. Further, each time an image is superimposed on a transfer paper, or in the case of a double-sided image, each time a single-sided image is formed, the transfer paper is temporarily discharged to the outside, so that the user can form a superimposed image. Can be sequentially observed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital copying machine mainly showing a transfer paper transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital copying machine sequentially illustrating a transport process of the transfer paper transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the transfer paper transport system of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 sheet feeding means 1A sheet feeding tray 2A sheet feeding roller 3 photoreceptor 3A transfer position 4 fixing roller 5 sheet discharging roller 6 sheet discharging tray 7 sheet re-feeding roller 8 sheet discharging means 9 transfer sheet conveying means 9A conveying Route 10 Operating means 11 Transfer paper re-transport means 11A Re-transport path 13 Switching means 70 Switchback conveyor 81, 82 Transport path 85 Merging connector

Claims (3)

[Claims] A feeder for supplying a transfer sheet; a photosensitive member on which a latent image of a document image and a toner image thereof are formed; and a transfer position for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive member to the transfer sheet. A paper discharging means for discharging the transfer paper, a transfer paper transporting means for transporting the transfer paper from the paper feeding means to the paper discharging means via a transfer position of the photoconductor and a fixing means, and the respective means. A transfer paper transport system for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls to form an image on the transfer paper; and an operation unit that provides a user interface for a user to start an operation to the control unit. The paper discharge means has a selection means for selecting whether to completely discharge the transfer paper or to re-transfer the transfer paper to the transfer position of the photoconductor, and re-transfers the transfer paper from the paper discharge means to the transfer position. Transfer paper with re-transport path Re-transporting means, joining means for connecting the transfer paper re-transporting means to the transfer paper transporting means, and transporting a new transfer paper from the paper feeding means to the transfer position or discharging the transferred transfer paper to the discharge sheet A transfer sheet transport system, wherein the operation means is capable of selecting whether to re-transport to the transfer position from a transfer unit. 2. The transfer sheet re-transporting means includes means for transferring the transfer sheet so that the image is formed on the same surface as the transfer sheet at the time of the previous image formation, and for forming the image upside down. 2. A transfer paper transport system according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for switching between when the transfer paper is transported. 3. The transfer sheet transport system according to claim 1, wherein the discharge unit discharges the transfer sheet with the surface on which the immediately preceding image is formed facing upward.