JP2001233551A - Sheet reversing device and image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize the body of an image processing device and reduce its cost and provide a simple and low cost sheet reversing mechanism capable of reversing sheets without curving them. SOLUTION: In order to satisfy the above requirement, a typical constitution of this sheet reversing device 2 and an image processing device 1 comprises a sheet holding and reversing means 31 for holding the sheet P discharged from the image processing device 1 for making a record on and reading out from the sheet P and reversing the sheet P around a rotary sheet 32 nearly parallel to the direction in which the sheet is discharged and a sheet sending back means 47 for sending back the sheet P to the image processing device 1. In this constitution, the sheet P discharged from the image processing device 1 passing through a primary carrying path is lead to the sheet holding and reversing means 31, and the sheet P is reversed by turning the sheet holding and reversing means 31 to be supplied to the image processing device 1 by the sheet sending back means 47 passing through a secondary carrying path.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet reversing apparatus for reversing a sheet in an image processing apparatus such as a printer or a scanner and performing image processing on both sides of the sheet, and an image processing apparatus having the same. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image processing apparatus having a sheet reversing device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a conventional example.
The image processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 stacks and holds sheets P as recording materials in a cassette 101, separates and feeds the sheets P one by one by a feed roller 102, and feeds the sheets to a recording unit 103. The recording unit 103 includes a pair of transport rollers 104 and 105, a platen 106, and a recording head 1.
07 is provided. The recording head 107 records an image on the sheet P conveyed intermittently in the sub-scanning direction by the pair of conveying rollers 104 and 105 while scanning in the main scanning direction by the guide shaft 108.

The sheet P on which recording has been performed passes through a conveyance path 120 by a flapper 109, is reversed by a reversing roller 121 and a pinch roller 122, and is conveyed again to the recording section 103 with its back side up through a conveyance path 123. You. Recording unit 103 again
The sheet P sent to the rear side is recorded on the back side while being conveyed in the opposite direction to the recording on the front side by the conveying roller pairs 104 and 105. In this way, the reversing operation of the sheet P and the automatic double-sided recording are performed. When an image is recorded only on the front surface, the image is guided to the discharge tray 124 by the flapper 109, discharged, and stacked.

[0004]

However, in the configuration of the above conventional example, the transport path 120, the reversing roller 121, the transport path
A closed (hairpin-shaped) conveyance path formed from 123 is required in the apparatus, and there has been a problem in reducing the size and cost of the entire image processing apparatus.

In the case of an ink jet system in which a recording head ejects ink droplets to form an image, when the recorded sheet P is relatively thin, wrinkles may be generated due to the moisture of the ink. When such a wrinkled sheet is conveyed while being curved along the hairpin-shaped conveyance path, there is a problem that the wrinkled portion is easily creased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the size and cost of an image processing apparatus main body and to provide a simple and low-cost sheet reversing mechanism capable of reversing a sheet without curving. .

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a typical configuration of a sheet reversing apparatus and an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sheet reversing device and an image processing apparatus for recording or reading a sheet. While holding the sheet,
A sheet reversing means for rotating the sheet about an axis substantially parallel to the sheet discharging direction and reversing the sheet, and a sheet reversing means for re-feeding the reversed sheet to the image processing apparatus; The sheet discharged from the image processing apparatus after passing through the primary conveyance path is guided to the sheet holding and reversing means, and the sheet is reversed by rotating the sheet holding and reversing means. The image is fed back to the image processing apparatus.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A first embodiment of a sheet reversing device and an image processing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a sheet reversing apparatus and an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image processing apparatus, FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the image processing apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating the driving mechanism of the apparatus, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sheet reversing device illustrating the operation of the sheet holding and reversing means, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are portions illustrating the joining means of the sheet reversing device and the image processing apparatus. FIGS. 8 to 18 are enlarged views illustrating the operation of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

An image processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an ink jet type printer, and has a sheet reversing device 2 detachably attached thereto. Hereinafter, the configuration of the image processing apparatus will be described first, and then the configuration of the sheet reversing apparatus 2 and their operations will be described.

(Image Processing Apparatus) The printer shown in FIG.
The printer has a top cover 10 pivotally supported on the upper surface of the printer main body 1 so that the user can exchange recording heads disposed inside the apparatus and perform jam clearance. A front cover 11 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus so as to be openable and closable, and functions as a discharge tray for stacking and holding sheets P discharged from the printer main body 1 when opened. An automatic sheet feeding means 12 is integrally provided at the rear of the apparatus. A sheet stacking plate 13 for stacking and holding the sheets P, and a side guide 14 slidable with respect to the sheet stacking plate 13 in a lateral direction.
And an auxiliary guide 15 slidable with respect to the sheet stacking plate 13 in the vertical direction. Side guide is loaded sheet P
The auxiliary guide 15 holds the large-sized sheet P protruding from the sheet stacking plate. The automatic sheet feeding means 12 separates and feeds only the uppermost one of the stacked sheets P to the printer main body 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, a carriage 16 is provided inside the apparatus, and has a recording head 16a having an ink tank and ink discharge ports. The carriage 16 has a guide shaft 17 penetrating through a bearing (not shown) and a spur holding stay 25.
Is configured to be slidable along a carriage guide portion 25a provided in the control unit. The guide shaft 17 is supported by a metal chassis 18. The chassis 18 is provided with a carriage drive motor and a pulley (not shown) for driving the carriage 16. A timing belt is stretched between the carriage driving motor and the pulley. The carriage 16 is fixed at a predetermined position of the timing belt, and the carriage 16 reciprocates by driving the carriage driving motor. An electric board (not shown) for controlling the operation of the printer is attached to the rear surface of the chassis 18, and the electric board and the carriage 16 are connected by a flexible cable for transmitting electric signals and the like.

A platen 19 for regulating the downward position of the sheet P is provided at a position of the carriage 16 facing the recording head 16a, and a main transport roller (not shown below the pinch roller 21) is provided upstream thereof. ), And a sub-transport roller 23 (see FIG. 6) is provided on the downstream side.
A plurality of pinch rollers 21 are arranged in the axial direction of the main transport roller so as to face the main transport roller, and are rotatably supported by a pinch roller holder 22. The pinch roller 21 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the main transport roller at a predetermined pressure by a spring or the like (not shown), is rotated by the rotation of the main transport roller, and pinches and transports the sheet fed between the main transport roller.

The sub-transport roller 23 is rotatably supported by the chassis 18 so as to rotate by a predetermined amount with respect to the rotation amount of the main transport roller. Also a sub-transport roller
A plurality of spurs 24 are arranged in the axial direction of 23, and are rotatably supported by a spur holding stay 25. The spur 24 is urged by a sub-conveying roller 23 at a predetermined pressure by urging means such as a spring, and is driven to rotate by the spur 24, and pinches and conveys the sheet fed between the sub-conveying roller 23 and discharges the sheet out of the apparatus. I do.

An image forming operation of the image processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described. In response to an image processing start command from a host computer or the like, the uppermost sheet of the sheets P stacked on the automatic sheet feeding means 12 is separated and fed one by one and sent between the main conveyance roller and the pinch roller 21. (See FIG. 8). The sheet P sent between the main conveyance roller and the pinch roller 21 is conveyed to the recording start position and stopped. The carriage prints an image on the stopped sheet P while moving in the main scanning direction, and when an image for one line is printed, the main conveyance roller conveys the sheet P by one line in the sub-scanning direction and stops again. By repeating the intermittent conveyance and the reciprocal scanning of the carriage 16, images are sequentially formed in a predetermined range. As the transport by the main transport roller progresses,
The leading edge of the sheet P is sent between the sub-conveying roller 23 and the spur 24. After the sheet P further advances and the rear end of the sheet P passes through the main transport roller, the sheet P is transported to the outside of the apparatus by the secondary transport roller 23 and discharged.

(Sheet Inverting Apparatus) Next, the structure of the sheet inverting apparatus 2 which is attached to and detached from the printer to enable automatic double-sided image processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 13. Here, the sheet reversing device 2 described below is a postcard reversing device dedicated to postcards for convenience.

The sheet reversing device 2 shown in FIG. 1 holds each component inside a housing 30 also serving as an exterior, and has a postcard reversing case 31 as a sheet holding and reversing means. The postcard reversing case 31 has a rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the sheet discharging direction.
It is rotatably supported at 32, and about 180 ° around this
It is pivotable. Further, a secondary discharge postcard holding guide 38, which will be described later, is provided on a side of the rotating shaft 32 opposite to the postcard reversing case 31.

As shown in FIG. 4, the postcard reversing case 31 has a postcard entry slit 31a through which the postcard enters the printer body 1, and large holes 31b on the upper and lower surfaces except for a portion for guiding the end of the postcard. It is open. This large hole 31b has the effects of improving the confirmability of whether there is a postcard in the case, checking the state of recording on the postcard, improving the drying property, and reducing the sliding surface with the postcard. ing.

As shown in FIG. 13, a reversing case rotating mechanism for rotating the sheet holding reversing means is provided in front of the housing 30.
33 is fixed. The reversing case rotating mechanism 33 includes a reversing drive motor 34 as reversing driving means, a motor gear 35 integrally fixed to the reversing driving motor 34, a parent-child gear 36 as reversing drive transmitting means, and a reversing case rotating gear 37. I have. The inversion drive motor 34 is electrically connected to an electric board (not shown) provided in the housing 30.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 30 is integrally provided with a joining arm 39 as joining means, and has an electric contact 40 on a side surface thereof. Therefore, when the sheet reversing device 2 is fixedly joined to the printer main body 1 by the joining arm 39, an electric signal or power can be supplied from the printer main body 1 through the electric contact 40.

The housing 30 is provided with a postcard pull-out mechanism 41 as a sheet discharge auxiliary means for surely guiding the postcard discharged from the printer main body 1 to the sheet reversing device 2. The postcard pull-out mechanism 41 includes a pull-out roller 42 for contacting and pulling out the postcard, a discharge auxiliary drive motor 43 as a discharge drive unit, a worm gear 44 integrally fixed to the discharge auxiliary drive motor 43, and an auxiliary drive transmission unit. It comprises a certain idle gear 45 and a roller holding arm 46 that holds the drawer roller 42 and uses the idle gear 45 as the center of rotation.

The discharge assist drive motor 43 is fixed to the housing 30 and is electrically connected to the electric board. The idle gear 45 is rotatably supported by the housing 30 and is composed of a gear portion 45a that is engaged with the worm gear 44 to transmit the drive, and a drive transmission portion 45b that transmits the drive to the pull-out roller 42. I have. The pull-out roller 42 is rotatably supported by a roller holding arm 46, and includes a core portion and a transport portion 42a provided on the outer periphery thereof. The pull-out roller 42 comes into contact with the drive transmission portion 45b to be transmitted the drive by sliding, and the transport portion 42a actually comes into contact with the postcard by the rotation of the roller holding arm 46.

The roller holding arm 46 is attached to a rotating shaft of the idle gear 45, and has a predetermined load and
It is biased to 45 and rotates in the same direction as the idle gear rotates. As a result, the pull-out roller 42 can rotate around the idle gear 45.

A postcard reversing mechanism 47 is provided on the opposite side of the housing 30 from the postcard extracting mechanism 41 as a sheet reversing means for re-feeding the reversed sheet to the printer body 1. The postcard reversing mechanism 47 is the same as the postcard pull-out mechanism 41, and includes a reversing roller 48 for contacting the postcard and sending it out toward the printer body 1, a reversing driving motor 49 serving as reversing driving means, and a reversing driving motor. A worm gear 50 integrally fixed to 49, an idle gear 51 serving as a reverse feed drive transmission means,
It comprises a roller holding arm 52 that holds the reverse feed roller 48 and uses the idle gear 51 as the center of rotation. The details of the configuration are the same as those of the postcard pull-out mechanism 41, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet reversing device 2 is mounted on a sheet outlet from the front cover 11 of the printer body 1. As shown in FIG. 6, a guide 26 for positioning and locking the joining arm 39 and an electric contact 27 provided at a position corresponding to the electric contact 40 are provided inside the front cover 11 of the apparatus main body. ing. The electric contact 27 is connected to an electric board (not shown) of the printer main body 1. The guide 26 includes a joint arm upper guide 26a also having a lock mechanism, a joint arm lower guide 26b, and a joint arm lateral guide 26c.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the sheet reversing device 2 is mounted on the printer main body 1 from a separated state, the joining arm upper guide 26a is lifted by the joining arm 39a.
Upon further entry, the upper joint arm guide 26a is restored to its original position by the force of a spring or the like, and is locked as shown in FIG. 7 to complete the mounting. Here, a similar lock mechanism exists in the joint arm 39b on the opposite side, but the description is omitted. The shape of the lock mechanism and the shape of the guide can be appropriately determined according to the form of the apparatus, and are not limited to the shapes and mechanisms shown in the drawings.

(Reversal Operation) Next, the reversal operation and the automatic double-sided image processing operation will be described. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the transport path on which the image processing is performed on the front surface (first surface) of the postcard P fed from the automatic sheet feeding means 12 is the primary transport path, and the image processing performed at that time is the primary transport path. A transport path in which image processing is performed on the back surface (second surface) after the reversing operation as shown in FIG. 14 is referred to as a secondary transport path, and an image processing performed at that time is referred to as secondary image processing. .

When the sheet reversing device 2 is mounted on the printer body 1 and the power of the printer body 1 is turned on, the power is also supplied to the sheet reversing device 2. Then, the sheet reversing device 2 moves the postcard reversing case 31 to the primary transport path side as an initial operation. In order to perform this initial operation, a detecting means for detecting the position of the postcard reversing case 31 is provided by the sheet reversing device 2.
It is preferable that the initial operation is performed only when the postcard reversal case 31 is not on the primary transport path side.
However, even when the detecting means is not provided, a drive transmission mechanism or the like by friction is provided between the motor gear 35 of the reversing case rotating mechanism 33 and the reversing case rotating gear 37 to drive the reversing drive motor 34 for a predetermined time. May be. As a result, even if the postcard reversing case 31 is located in the primary transport path from the beginning, the initial operation can be completed without overloading the reversing drive motor 34 because the post-rotation case 31 idles at the portion of the drive transmission mechanism due to friction.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, sheets P are stacked on the automatic sheet feeding means 12, and primary image processing is performed. The sheet P on which the image is recorded is discharged to the sheet reversing device 2 by the sub-conveying roller 23 as described above. However, as shown in FIG. 9, even after the primary image processing (recording) is completed and the sheet P is ejected from the printer main body 1, the rear end of the sheet P is under the spur holding stay 25, and the postcard reversing case 31 is rotated as it is. Therefore, the seat P must be pulled out to a position where it does not interfere with the spur holding stay 25.

Here, the drawer roller 42 is normally retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the postcard entry slit 31a as shown in FIG. 10, but upon receiving a primary image processing completion signal from the printer body 1, the discharge auxiliary drive motor 43 To drive the idle gear 45. This allows the roller holding arm 46
Is rotated, and the pull-out roller 42 is also lifted while rotating as shown in FIG. Lifted drawer roller 42
Sandwiches the sheet between the abutting portion 31c and the sheet P
Can be conveyed so as to draw out. The discharge assist drive motor 43 is driven for a predetermined period of time, and as shown in FIG.
When the rear end is completely pulled out of the printer body 1,
The operation shifts to the inversion operation. Instead of driving for a predetermined period of time, the discharge assist drive motor 43 may be stopped by providing a sheet position detection sensor and monitoring it.

The reversal of the sheet P is extremely simple, and FIG.
As shown in (5), the inversion drive motor 34 is driven for a predetermined time (or until it is detected by the detection means in the same manner as described above), and the postcard inversion case 31 is simply rotated by about 180 ° about the rotation shaft 32. When the rotation of the postcard reversing case 31 is started and the postcard reversing case 31 and the draw-out roller 42 come to a position where they do not interfere with each other, the discharge auxiliary drive motor 43 is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction at the time of the draw-out, and the draw-out roller 42 is rotated. Return to the original retracted position (from the position in FIG. 11 to the position in FIG. 10).

When the reversal is completed as shown in FIG. 14, the operation proceeds to the reverse feeding operation for returning the sheet P to the image processing section of the printer body 1 again. The reverse feeding roller 48 carries the paper with the postcard sandwiched between the abutting portions 31d. However, the reverse feeding operation by the postcard reversing mechanism 47 is the same as the operation of the postcard pull-out mechanism 41, and therefore the description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 15, the conveyance of the sheet P by the postcard reverse feed mechanism 47 is necessary at least until the sheet P is sandwiched between the sub-transport roller 23 and the spur 24. When the reverse feeding of the sheet P is completed and the sheet P is completely retracted from the postcard reversing case 31, the postcard reversing case 31 is side-reversed and returned to the initial position as shown in FIG. Also, the reverse feed roller 48 is returned to the original retracted position. Also,
The sheet P re-fed into the printer main body 1 drives the sub-transport roller 23 and the main transport roller to be transported to the upstream side of the carriage 16.

When the sheet P is completely returned to the printer main body 1, the automatic sheet feeding means 12 is driven to feed the next sheet P2 to be subjected to image processing on the front surface. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, image processing is simultaneously performed on the back surface and the front surface, respectively, while simultaneously conveying the preceding sheet P and the succeeding sheet P2. Of course, here, in one scan of the carriage 16,
The front side image processing (primary image processing) is performed on the sheet P2, and the back side image processing (secondary image processing) is performed on the inverted sheet P.

Since such control can be performed by software processing on the host computer side, the printer main body 1 does not undergo any significant change as compared with a conventional printer. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the width L between the outer end of the sheet conveyed on the primary conveyance path and the outer end of the sheet conveyed on the secondary conveyance path can be processed by the printer body 1. Since the sheet is configured to be equal to or less than the width of the sheet having the maximum width, the size of the printer main body 1 does not need to be larger than that of the conventional printer.

When the image processing on the sheets P and P2 proceeds, the sheet P2 enters the postcard entry slit 31a of the postcard reversal case 31 in the same manner as described above. On the other hand, the sheet P on which the image processing is performed on the back surface is discharged such that the end portion thereof is placed on a secondary discharge postcard holding guide 38 as an auxiliary guide portion provided on the opposite side of the postcard reversing case 31 of the rotating shaft 32. . As a result, the leading end of the discharged sheet P hangs down, and the sheet P
The rear end can be prevented from rubbing against the recording head 16a.

Further, since the secondary ejection postcard holding guide 38 rotates downward during the reversing operation of the sheet P2, the sheet P is reliably dropped and stacked on the front cover 11. Thus, the automatic double-sided image processing on the sheet P is completed, and the sheet P2
And the primary image processing for the next sheet is repeated.

In this embodiment, the sheet reversing device is a device dedicated to postcards.
By providing a guide member similar to the side guide 14 on the base 31, it is possible to cope with a sheet having a smaller size.

Although the postcard extracting mechanism 41 and the postcard reversing mechanism 47 are separately provided, for example, by incorporating a conveying mechanism on the postcard reversing case 31, the sheet P can be pulled out and fed back by one conveying mechanism. It can be carried out. Further, the drawer and reverse feed mechanism has been described as being constituted by rollers, but any means capable of conveying a sheet can be applied to the sheet reversing device according to the present invention.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device according to the present invention will be described. 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 first embodiment described above, the sheet reversing device 2 is provided with the post-drawing pull-out mechanism 41, the discharge auxiliary driving motor 43 and the reverse feeding driving motor 49, which are the driving means of the post-card reversing mechanism 47. By configuring so that the driving force is transmitted from the sub-transport roller 23 via the joining arm 39 by gear connection, the cost can be further reduced.

In this case, the configuration other than the ejection assist drive motor 43 of the postcard drawer mechanism 41 is the same, and the idle gear 45 and the sub-transport roller 23 are connected by a gear train or the like. At this time, the draw-out roller 42 always lifts up while the sub-conveying roller 23 rotates in the direction of discharging the sheet,
It is configured to rotate in the direction in which the sheet is pulled out in synchronization with the sub-transport roller 23. Further, by configuring the conveyance section 42a of the pull-out roller with a material having a relatively small friction coefficient, even if the sheet P being subjected to the primary image processing is pinched by the
After being discharged from 23, the sheet can be configured to be pulled out. Similarly, a postcard reversing mechanism 47 can also be configured, which is configured to be in a transport state when the sub-transport roller 23 rotates in a direction to draw the sheet from the sheet reversing device 2 to the secondary transport path.

[0041]

As described above, the sheet reversing apparatus and the image processing apparatus according to the present invention are provided with the sheet holding reversing means for reversing the sheet by rotating about the axis substantially parallel to the sheet discharging direction. As a result, the sheet can be inverted without curving, and even when the sheet is wrinkled in the ink jet recording apparatus, the sheet can be inverted without making a fold.

Further, since the sheet reversing device is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, there is no need for a closed conveyance path inside the image processing apparatus, and the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost. Is possible.

Since the sheet reversing device itself has a simple structure, it can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a sheet reversing device and an image processing device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a driving mechanism of the sheet reversing device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sheet reversing device for explaining the operation of the sheet holding and reversing means.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a joining unit of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a joining unit of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating operations of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating operations of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operations of a sheet reversing device and an image processing device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating operations of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating operations of a sheet reversing device and an image processing device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating operations of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating operations of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating operations of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating operations of a sheet reversing device and an image processing device.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating operations of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating operations of the sheet reversing device and the image processing device.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P ... Sheet 1 ... Printer body 2 ... Sheet reversing device 10 ... Top cover 11 ... Front cover 12 ... Automatic sheet feeding means 13 ... Sheet loading plate 14 ... Side guide 15 ... Auxiliary guide 16 ... Carriage 16a ... Recording head 17 ... Guide Shaft 18 Chassis 19 Platen 21 Pinch roller 22 Pinch roller holder 23 Sub-conveying roller 24 Spur 25 Spur holding stay 25a Carriage guide 26 Guide 26a Joint arm upper guide 26b Joint arm lower guide 26c … Joint arm lateral guide 27… Electrical contact 30… Case 31… Postcard reversal case 31a… Postcard entry slit 31b… Hole 31c… Bump 31d… Bump 32… Rotating shaft 33… Reversing case rotation mechanism 34… Reversing drive Motor 35… Motor gear 36… Parent and child gear 37… Reversing case rotating gear 38… Secondary discharge postcard holding guide 39… Joint arm 4 0 ... electrical contact 41 ... postcard pull-out mechanism 42 ... pull-out roller 42a ... transport section 43 ... discharge assist drive motor 44 ... worm gear 45 ... idle gear 45a ... gear section 45b ... drive transmission section 46 ... roller holding arm 47 ... postcard reverse feed mechanism 48… Reverse feed roller 49… Reverse feed drive motor 50… Warm gear 51… Idle gear 52… Roller holding arm

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuji Kurata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kazuya Iwata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo 2C056 EA23 EA24 FA10 HA27 2C062 RA06 3F100 AA02 CA15 CA17 3F102 AA11 AA14 AB02 BA11 BB15 CA00 CB01 EB02 EC01 5C062 AA05 AB22 AB29 AB30 AB35 AC04 AC10 AC11

Claims (13)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus for recording or reading a sheet holds a sheet discharged from the image processing apparatus.
A sheet holding and reversing means for rotating the sheet about an axis substantially parallel to the sheet discharging direction and reversing the sheet, and a sheet reversing means for re-feeding the reversed sheet to the image processing apparatus; The sheet discharged from the image processing apparatus after passing through the primary conveyance path is guided to the sheet holding and reversing means, and the sheet is reversed by rotating the sheet holding and reversing means. A sheet reversing device for re-feeding the sheet to the image processing apparatus. 2. The sheet reversing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a joining unit configured to be separate from the image processing apparatus and detachably attached to a sheet discharge unit of the image processing apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the joining unit has an electric contact for receiving at least one of an electric signal from the image processing unit and a power supply used in the sheet reversing device. 3. The sheet reversing device according to 2. 4. The sheet reversing device according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet discharge assisting unit that reliably guides the sheet discharged from the image processing apparatus to the sheet holding and reversing unit. 5. The sheet holding and reversing means includes a distance between an outer end of a sheet passing on the primary transport path before reversing and an outer end of a sheet passing on the secondary transport path after reversing. 2. The sheet reversing device according to claim 1, wherein the width of the sheet is equal to or less than the maximum width of the sheet that can be processed by the image processing apparatus. 6. The sheet reversing device according to claim 1, wherein the primary transport path and the secondary transport path are substantially on the same plane. 7. The sheet reversing device according to claim 1, wherein the primary transport path and the secondary transport path have a positional relationship such that sheets passing through the primary transport path and the secondary transport path do not interfere in the width direction. 8. The sheet reversing device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet holding and reversing means has an auxiliary guide section for guiding a sheet discharged from the secondary conveyance path. 9. The sheet reversing device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet holding and reversing means has a reversing drive means for rotating the sheet holding reversal means and a reversal drive transmitting means for transmitting a driving force. 10. The sheet reversing device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet reversing means has a reversing driving means for driving the sheet reversing means and a reversing drive transmitting means for transmitting a driving force. . 11. The sheet reversing device according to claim 4, wherein the sheet discharge assisting means has a discharge driving means for driving the sheet discharging auxiliary means and an auxiliary drive transmitting means for transmitting a driving force. 12. An image processing means for recording or reading a sheet, and a sheet conveying means for conveying the sheet, wherein the sheet having one side subjected to the image processing is passed through a primary conveying path. Item 1. The sheet is discharged to the sheet reversing device according to Item 1, and the sheet re-fed from the sheet reversing device through a secondary conveyance path is conveyed to the image processing unit, and further, the other surface is subjected to image processing. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 13. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a primary image processing for performing image processing on one surface of the sheet and a secondary image processing for performing image processing on the other surface can be simultaneously performed. Image processing device.