JP2002060064A - Image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent wrinkling and jamming of paper sheets even if stored paper sheets are used. SOLUTION: A dividing member 12 for dividing a paper feed cassette into the paper output side and the opposite side is provided in the paper feed cassette 7 in such a manner as to be movable along a guide 17 according to paper size; when paper sheets of the maximum size that can be stored are to be stored, the dividing member 12 is moved to a position where it regulates the rear ends of the paper sheets; when paper sheets of half the maximum size are to be stored, the dividing member 12 is moved to a dividing position where it divides the interior of the cassette 7 into two, and a storage space 13 on the opposite side to the paper output side within the cassette 7 divided by the dividing member 12 is used as a paper storage space. Moisture-proofing means storage portions 21 and 22 are formed within the cassette 7 and a desiccant 23 is inserted therein.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet fed from a sheet cassette containing sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile apparatus, a toner image is recorded on a sheet supplied from a sheet cassette by an image forming section, and the toner image is heated and fixed by a fixing device. After that, the paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray or the like. As a sheet cassette for storing such sheets, for example, a sheet cassette used for a small model or the like can store 250 sheets.

[0003]

However, in the case of such a paper feed cassette capable of storing 250 sheets, when the paper is to be stored therein, for example, 50 sheets are required.
Opening and replenishing the sheets in one package with zero sheets makes it impossible to set half of the 250 sheets, so the remaining sheets may be stored in an incomplete package.

If the paper is stored in such a state, for example, if the humid condition continues during the rainy season or the like, the paper absorbs moisture and becomes rich in water. In some cases, a problem easily occurs when an image is recorded.

That is, when a sheet containing a large amount of water is fed to form a toner image on the sheet, and then the sheet is conveyed to a fixing device, where heat is suddenly applied to fix the sheet by heating.
The paper was often wrinkled.
Further, when the paper is curled, there is also a problem that the paper is easily caught by a transport guide or the like in the course of transport and is likely to be jammed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is intended to prevent wrinkles or jams from occurring in the stored paper even when the paper is used. Aim.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet fed from a sheet cassette in which sheets are stored. A partition member that divides into two at the partition position on the side and the opposite side is provided so as to be movable according to the paper size, and the maximum size when storing the maximum size paper that can be stored in the paper feed cassette is provided. Is moved to a position where the rear end of the sheet is regulated, and when storing a sheet of half the size of the maximum size sheet, the sheet is moved to the above-mentioned partitioning position to feed the sheet in the sheet feeding cassette partitioned by the partitioning member. The storage space on the opposite side can be used as a storage storage space that does not move with respect to the paper feed cassette.

[0008] The maximum size paper is preferably A3 size. Further, in the above-mentioned image recording apparatus, it is effective to provide a moisture-proof means for moisture-proofing the paper stored in the storage space on the opposite side of the paper feeding side in the paper feed cassette. Then, the moisture-proof means may be a desiccant or a dehumidifier, and a moisture-proof means accommodating portion for accommodating the desiccant or the dehumidifier may be provided in the sheet cassette.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a sheet cassette included in an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which A3-size sheets are stored in the sheet cassette. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing the configuration of an image recording apparatus provided with the paper feed cassette.

In the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3, a photoconductor unit 2 including a photoconductor drum 3 and a shaft supporting the photoconductor drum 3 in an apparatus main body 1 and a charged surface of the photoconductor drum 3 are exposed to light. An optical writing unit 4 for forming an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit 5 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 by the optical writing unit 4 to form a toner image, and a sheet P A paper feed unit 6 for feeding paper from a paper feed cassette 7, a fixing unit (fixing device) 8 for heating and fixing the toner image transferred from the photoconductive drum 3 onto the paper P, and a photoconductive drum 3 after transferring the toner image And a cleaning unit 9 for cleaning the surface of the cleaning device. And
An image reading unit 10 is provided on an upper part of the apparatus main body 1.

Next, the paper feed cassette 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the paper feed cassette 7, a guide 17 is integrally formed on an inner bottom surface 7a thereof in the direction of arrow A, which is the paper feed direction, and the paper feed side on the left side in FIG. Partitioning member 12 that divides into two at the partitioning position
Are movably engaged in the direction indicated by the arrow A and the direction opposite thereto in accordance with the sheet size.

The partition member 12 also has a function as a back fence for regulating the rear end position of the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 7, and is formed, for example, entirely of resin, and has a fixing release lever. 12a is integrally formed by molding. When the fixing release lever 12a is tilted leftward in FIG. 1 by grasping it, the fixing of the partition member 12 to the guide 17 is released. When the release lever 12a is released, the release lever 12a returns to its original position by the elastic force of the material itself, and the partition member 12 is fixed to the guide 17.

The partitioning member 12 is provided by the arrow A in FIG.
The present invention is not limited to the one that moves (slides) in the opposite direction, and may be configured to be detachable from the inner bottom surface 7a of the sheet cassette 7.

When a sheet of the maximum size that can be stored in the sheet cassette 7 is stored, the partition member 12 is moved to a position for regulating the rear end of the sheet of the maximum size (see FIG. 2). When storing half-size paper of the maximum size, the paper is moved to the partitioning position shown in FIG. 1 and the storage space 13 in the paper feed cassette 7 separated by the partitioning member 12 is opposite to the paper feeding side. Can be used as a storage space that does not move with respect to the paper feed cassette 7.

In this embodiment, the maximum size paper that can be stored in the paper cassette 7 is A3 size. Therefore, when half of the A4 size paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 7 in a laterally transported posture (a posture in which the longitudinal edge is orthogonal to the paper feed direction), the partition member 12 shown in FIG. By moving to the position
A4 size paper P for storage can be stored in the storage space 13 on the opposite side of the paper sending side partitioned by the partition member 12.

The paper cassette 7 also has a pair of side fences 14 and 15 that can be approached and separated from each other in accordance with the size of the paper to be stored. The side fences 14 and 15 are symmetrical to each other, and are guided by side fence guides (not shown) formed along the up-down direction in FIG. It can be moved.

The side fences 14 and 15 are provided with levers 14a and 15a, respectively, for releasing the fixing. When the levers are pressed, the fixing of the side fences 14 and 15 to the side fence guides is released, and the side fences 14 and 15 approach and separate from each other. It is possible. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 denotes a bottom plate, which is provided on the sheet sending side (left side in FIG. 1) with respect to the partition member 12 at the partition position as shown.

Further, both ends on the rear side (right side in FIG. 1) of the side fences 14 and 15 in the paper feed cassette 7 are provided.
A4 for storage stored horizontally in storage space 13
A desiccant (a dehumidifier may be used) which is a moisture-proof means for preventing moisture of the paper P stored in the storage space 13 by forming the moisture-proof means storage sections 21 and 22 so as not to interfere with the size of the paper P. ) 23 are respectively inserted. In addition,
The desiccant 23 is stored in the moisture-proof means storage unit
If the sheet cassette 7 is fixed to the main body 1 or 22, it is possible to prevent the paper cassette 7 from being spilled when being attached to or detached from the apparatus main body.

As described above, since the image recording apparatus includes the sheet cassette 7 having the above-described configuration, for example, A3, which is the maximum size usable in the image recording apparatus, is used.
Fig. 2
As shown in (1), by gripping the fixing release lever 12a of the partition member 12, the fixing of the partition member 12 to the guide 17 is released. Then, in that state, the partition member 12
Is stored in the paper cassette 7 and A3 size paper P ₃
2 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 2 which regulates the rear end edge of the partition member 12 by releasing the grip of the fixing release lever 12a.
Is fixed to the guide 17.

When the A3 size paper is set in the paper cassette 7 in the vertical position, the width in the paper feeding direction is the same as the width of the A4 size paper on the longitudinal side. The position of fences 14 and 15 is A4
Since the size is the same as when a sheet of paper is laid horizontally, the position is not changed. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 2, A3 size paper P ₃ is stored in the paper feed cassette 7.
Can be stored.

Next, half of the A3 size paper, A4
When using paper of a size, the partitioning member 12 is moved to the illustrated partitioning position and fixed as shown in FIG. 1, and the paper feeding side (in FIG. A4 size paper P for paper feeding on the left side)
₄ is stored. Further, the partition member 12 in the paper feed cassette 7
Storage space 13 on the right side in FIG. 1 partitioned because born as a storage housing space of the sheet by, for accommodating the sheet P ₄ A4 size for replenishment therein.

[0022] Thus, if receiving the A4-size paper P ₄ of the refill to be used when it becomes a piece of paper in the housing space 13 in the sheet feeding cassette 7, in a high humidity condition, for example, as rainy season even paper P ₄ of A4 size for the replenishment may moisture because the apparatus machine. And
In this image recording apparatus, as described above,
The moisture-proof means accommodating portions 21 and 22 are formed therein, and the desiccant 23 is put therein, so that the moisture-proof effect is large.

[0023] Thus, after the A4-size paper P ₄ of the paper delivery side in the sheet feeding cassette 7 is all fed, the A4-size paper P ₄ of for replenishment stored therein in the storage space 13 even resume feeding after setting, since the sheet P ₄ to be fed is scarcely contains water, it is also wrinkles occur rapidly heat is applied by the fixing unit 8 shown in FIG. 3 Do not do. Moreover, large since nor as to curl, the sheet P ₄ that no such or become jammed caught by the conveying guide or the like on the way transport.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the desiccant (or may be a dehumidifier) 23 is used as the moisture-proof means so that the space can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a moisture proof unit that performs moisture proof by forcibly blowing hot air or natural air into the paper feed cassette 7 shown in FIG. 3 with a fan or the like may be used.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. In general, when paper is stored in a living room or the like in a humid condition while naked, if paper containing the moisture is set and used in the device, wrinkles will occur when heat is suddenly applied to the fixing unit. The paper is likely to be jammed by being caught on a conveyance guide or the like during the conveyance of the paper due to curling. However, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, when the partition member is moved to the partition position when storing half the size of the maximum size paper that can be stored in the sheet cassette, the partition member moves the partition member to the partition position. There is a paper storage space in the storage space on the opposite side of the paper feed side in the paper feed cassette.
If the paper is stored there, moisture can be prevented, so that a change in the characteristics of the paper can be suppressed as much as possible, so that wrinkles and jams can be prevented even when the paper is used.

Further, if the storage location of the spare paper to be replenished is not specified, even when the apparatus is out of paper and the paper has to be replenished, the storage location is not known, so that In some cases, the operation of the apparatus cannot be resumed. However, if the storage space on the opposite side of the paper feed side in the paper feed cassette is known in advance as the paper storage space, the paper can be refilled immediately. .

According to the image recording apparatus of the second aspect, the maximum size paper that can be stored in the paper cassette is A
Since it is 3 sizes, there is no problem in recording documents and the like usually used in offices and the like, and A
Four-size paper is particularly convenient because it is half of A3-size paper.

According to the image recording apparatus of the third aspect,
Since the moisture proof means prevents the paper stored in the storage space on the opposite side of the paper feeding side in the paper feed cassette, even if the apparatus is placed in a high-humidity environment, the paper stored in the storage space will be moisture-proof. By means of forced moisture proofing by means, it is possible to minimize the change in paper characteristics,
Further, wrinkles are not easily formed on the sheet, and jam is hardly generated.

According to the image recording apparatus of the fourth aspect,
Since the paper stored in the storage space is dehumidified by the desiccant or dehumidifying agent stored in the dehumidifying means storage part provided in the paper feed cassette, the space can be reduced in space and at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a sheet cassette provided in an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where A3-size sheets are stored in the sheet cassette.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing the configuration of an image recording apparatus provided with the sheet cassette.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7: Paper feed cassette 12: Partition member 13: Storage space 21: Moisture-proof means storage section 23: Desiccant (moisture-proof means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet fed from a sheet cassette containing sheets, wherein the partition member divides the inside of the sheet cassette into a sheet sending side and an opposite side at a partitioning position. Is provided so as to be movable according to the paper size, and when storing the largest size paper that can be stored in the paper cassette, the partition member is moved to a position where the rear end of the largest size paper is regulated, When storing half-sized paper, the paper is moved to the partitioning position and the storage space on the opposite side of the paper feeding side in the paper feeding cassette partitioned by the partitioning member is stored in the paper feeding cassette. An image recording apparatus characterized in that it can be used as a storage space that does not move. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum size sheet is A3 size. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising moisture-proof means for moisture-proofing the paper stored in a storage space on the opposite side of the paper feeding side in the paper feed cassette. Image recording device. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said moisture-proof means is a desiccant or a dehumidifier, and a moisture-proof means accommodating portion for accommodating said desiccant or dehumidifier is provided in said sheet cassette. apparatus.