JP2002220141A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably hold a start end part of a recording paper mounted in a recording paper holder when mounting the recording paper holder in a housing of a device. SOLUTION: After the recording paper 31 pulled out from a condition in which it is wound like a roll is brought into pressure-contact with an image formed on a recording intermediate belt 15 moving peripherally and the image is transferred on the recording paper 31, the recording intermediate belt 15 and the recording paper 31 are peeled off to cut the recording paper 31 on which the image is transferred into a predetermined size in a recording paper cutting part. The recording paper 31 wound like the roll is mounted on the recording paper holder 30 detachable for the housing of the device so as to pull it out and wind it back, and a recording paper start end part holding mechanism 50 holding the start end part of the mounted recording paper is provided in the recording paper holder 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming a high-quality full-color image on recording paper, which is plain paper, at a high speed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming method capable of forming a high-quality image similar to a color photograph, there is a dye thermal transfer recording method. In particular, an offset dye thermal transfer recording method has attracted attention. In an image forming apparatus using this offset dye thermal transfer recording method, an endless recording intermediate belt is usually used in which each end of a belt-shaped belt body is connected to each other in a state where they are attached to each other. The recording intermediate belt is wound around a platen drum and is moved around at a predetermined speed. A dyeing layer is transferred to an outer peripheral surface of the recording intermediate belt, and a predetermined image forming area on the dyeing layer is formed. An image is formed on the image.

Around the platen drum, a plurality of image forming units for forming images of different colors are arranged along the periphery of the platen drum, and a recording head provided in each image forming unit includes By performing an image forming operation based on an image signal while being pressed against the dyeing layer in the image forming area, images of different colors are formed. Then, a full-color image is formed on the dyeing layer by the images of different colors formed in each image forming unit.

[0004] The full-color image formed on the dyeing layer of the recording intermediate belt is transferred together with the dyeing layer onto, for example, a recording paper pulled out from a state wound in a roll. The recording paper on which the full-color image has been transferred is separated from the recording intermediate belt, cut into a predetermined size by a cutting mechanism provided in the recording paper cutting unit, and discharged to the outside of the apparatus housing.

[0005]

In such an image forming apparatus, the recording paper wound in a roll shape is mounted on a recording paper holder so that the recording paper holder is attached to and detached from the apparatus housing. Has become. The recording paper holder
Usually, it is pulled out to the front side with respect to the device housing,
Removed from the device housing.

When the recording paper runs out of recording paper,
After being removed from the apparatus housing, the recording paper wound in a roll shape is mounted in the recording paper holder. Thereafter, the recording paper holder is mounted on the apparatus housing. When the recording paper holder is mounted on the apparatus housing, the recording paper mounted on the recording paper holder is driven forward and reverse, pulled out from the recording paper holder, and rewound.

When the recording paper holder is mounted on the apparatus housing, the recording paper mounted on the recording paper holder moves between a transfer head for transferring an image formed on a recording intermediate belt onto the recording paper and a transfer roller. It is necessary to pass both the intermediate belt. However, when the transfer head and the transfer roller are fixed to each other, there is a problem that it is not easy to pull out the starting end of the recording paper from the recording paper holder and pass the recording paper between the transfer head and the transfer roller.

Further, if the starting end of the recording paper passing between the transfer head and the transfer roller is set at an arbitrary position, the position of the paper end of the recording paper cannot be accurately grasped.
In the recording paper cutting section, there is a possibility that the recording paper cannot be cut at an accurate image position. If the starting end of the recording sheet is inclined with respect to the conveying direction of the recording intermediate belt, the recording sheet may not be normally conveyed.

The recording intermediate belt is rotated at a predetermined speed by a frictional force with an elastic body such as rubber provided on an outer peripheral surface of a platen drum, and transfers an image to recording paper. In this case, an image is transferred by pressing the transfer roller with the recording intermediate belt and the recording paper interposed between the transfer head and causing the transfer head to generate heat. As described above, at the time of image transfer, the recording intermediate belt is worn by the frictional force between the recording intermediate belt and the transfer head.
The worn recording intermediate belt needs to be replaced with a new recording intermediate belt.

In the orbiting area of the recording intermediate belt, the recording paper peeled from the recording intermediate belt is prevented from being transported together with the recording intermediate belt, and only the recording paper is transported to the recording paper cutting section. The recording paper guide member provided in the vicinity of the orbital movement area of the recording intermediate belt may hinder the replacement operation of the recording intermediate belt.

Further, the recording paper is separated from the recording intermediate belt by the auxiliary roller around which the recording intermediate belt is wound so that the circulating direction of the recording intermediate belt is changed. In this case, the recording paper can be reliably separated from the recording intermediate belt by providing a separation roller that is pressed against the auxiliary roller via the recording paper and the recording intermediate belt. When the position of the recording intermediate belt to be wound around the auxiliary roller is shifted from the auxiliary roller, one end of the auxiliary roller is moved up and down so as to be inclined, so that the recording intermediate belt is shifted from the auxiliary roller. Is to be eliminated.

In this case, when the auxiliary roller is inclined, the peeling roller pressed against the auxiliary roller is also inclined following the auxiliary roller. As previously mentioned,
In the vicinity of the auxiliary roller, a recording paper guide member that guides the recording paper separated from the recording intermediate belt to the recording paper cutting section is provided, but when the peeling roller follows the auxiliary roller and becomes inclined, The posture of the recording paper peeled from the recording intermediate belt changes with respect to the recording paper guide member, and the recording paper guide member accurately guides the recording paper peeled from the recording intermediate belt to the recording paper cutting section. May not be possible.

Further, the recording paper peeled from the recording intermediate belt is cut into a predetermined size by a recording paper cutting section. The recording paper cutting unit usually includes a rotary cutter unit as a first cutting mechanism that cuts the recording paper to be conveyed in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and each side edge of the recording paper to be conveyed. A slitter section as a second cutting mechanism for cutting along the recording paper transport direction is provided continuously in that order along the recording paper transport direction.

When a plurality of images formed on the recording intermediate belt are continuously transferred to recording paper, the recording paper passes through a rotary cutter section for a predetermined length, and is conveyed by the rotary cutter section. It is cut along a direction perpendicular to the direction. Before the recording paper passing through the rotary cutter unit is cut in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction in the rotary cutter unit, each side edge is cut by the slitter unit.

In this case, since the rotary cutter section and the slitter section are usually arranged at an appropriate interval, when the recording paper is cut by the rotary cutter section in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, Each side edge of the recording paper is not cut by the slitter to the cutting position by the rotary cutter. For this reason, when the recording paper is cut on the rotary cutter, each side edge of the recording paper remains in a state where it is not completely cut, and then the recording paper cut by the rotary cutter is cut. By transporting the paper, each side edge of the recording paper is completely cut.

Therefore, the cut pieces of each side edge portion of the recording paper are continuous from the rotary cutter section to the recording sheet discharge portion of the slitter section, and the continuous cut pieces of each side edge portion of the recording paper are formed by the apparatus. There is a problem that it is discharged to the outside of the housing.

If a recording paper jam occurs in the recording paper cutting section, the recording paper is not conveyed. In this case, since the recording intermediate belt is circling so that an image is formed, when the conveyance of the recording paper pressed against the recording intermediate belt is stopped, the recording intermediate belt has a large friction due to the recording paper. The force acts, and the recording intermediate belt may be damaged.

When the image forming operation is interrupted due to the paper jam of the recording paper, the image formed by the image forming unit has already been formed on the recording intermediate belt. If the image forming operation is started after the paper jam of the recording paper is resolved, the image formed on the recording intermediate belt may be transferred to the recording paper and discharged to the apparatus housing.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem. An object of the present invention is to stabilize the start end of the recording paper mounted in the recording paper holder when the recording paper holder is mounted on the apparatus housing. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can hold the recording paper at the same time, and can easily pass the paper end of the recording paper between the transfer head and the transfer roller.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reliably setting a paper end of a recording paper at a predetermined position in a predetermined state when the recording paper holder is mounted on the apparatus housing. Is to do.

Still another object of the present invention is to prevent a recording paper guide member for guiding a recording paper peeled from a recording intermediate belt to a recording paper cutting section from obstructing replacement of the recording intermediate belt. Even when the peeling roller provided at the position where the recording intermediate belt and the recording paper are peeled off is inclined, the recording paper guide member can stably convey the recording paper to the recording paper cutting section. An object of the present invention is to provide a forming apparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording paper cutting section for cutting a recording paper on which an image is formed into a predetermined size without a risk that cut pieces of the recording paper are discharged out of the apparatus housing. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing processing reliably in a housing.

Still another object of the present invention is to detect a paper jam quickly even if a paper jam occurs in a recording paper cutting section for cutting a recording paper on which an image is formed into a predetermined size. Therefore, there is no possibility that the recording intermediate belt is damaged by friction with the recording paper in a paper jam state, and unnecessary images formed on the recording intermediate belt at the time of paper jam are transferred to the recording paper. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which is not likely to be discharged outside the apparatus housing.

[0024]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides an image formed on an orbiting recording intermediate belt,
After the recording paper pulled out from the state wound in a roll is pressed and transferred, the recording intermediate belt and the recording paper are peeled off, and the recording paper on which the image has been transferred is cut into a predetermined size by a recording paper cutting unit. An image forming apparatus that cuts the recording paper into a recording paper, wherein the recording paper wound in a roll shape is detachably mounted on a recording paper holder that is detachable from an apparatus housing, and the recording paper is attached to the recording paper holder. The holder is provided with a recording paper start end holding mechanism for holding the start end of the loaded recording paper.

After the recording paper is rewound, the recording paper is rewound so that when the recording paper holder is mounted in the apparatus housing, the recording paper start end holding mechanism releases the holding of the start end of the recording paper. The paper is pulled out and conveyed to the recording paper cutting section, and the starting end of the recording paper is cut by the recording paper cutting section.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a recording sheet drawn from a rolled state is transferred by pressing to an image formed on a recording intermediate belt that moves around the recording intermediate belt. An image forming apparatus that separates the recording paper on which an image has been transferred by cutting the recording paper into a predetermined size at a recording paper cutting unit, wherein the recording paper wound in a roll shape is placed in an apparatus housing. A recording paper guide that is detachably mounted on a recording paper holder that is detachably attached to the recording paper holder and guides the recording paper peeled from the recording intermediate belt to the recording paper cutting unit. A member is provided.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the recording paper drawn from the rolled state is transferred to the image formed on the orbiting recording intermediate belt by pressing against the recording intermediate belt. An image forming apparatus that separates a recording sheet from a recording intermediate belt by changing a moving direction of the recording sheet with an auxiliary roller, and cuts the recording sheet on which an image has been transferred to a predetermined size by a recording sheet cutting unit, The auxiliary roller is inclined based on the position of the recording intermediate belt wound around the auxiliary roller. The auxiliary roller is pressed against the auxiliary roller via recording paper and a recording intermediate belt, and A peeling roller that moves following the roller is provided, and a recording paper guide member that guides the recording paper peeled from the recording intermediate belt to a recording paper cutting section is provided by the peeling roller. And it is provided integrally with.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after the recording paper pulled out from the state wound in a roll state is pressed against the image formed on the recording intermediate belt moving around and transferred by the transfer head, the recording is performed. An image forming apparatus that separates paper from a recording intermediate belt and cuts the recording paper on which an image has been transferred to a predetermined size at a recording paper cutting unit, wherein the recording paper wound in a roll shape is a device housing. A transfer roller, which is detachably attached to a recording paper holder detachably attached to the recording paper holder and presses the pulled out recording paper against a transfer head via a recording intermediate belt, is provided on the recording paper holder. The transfer head is provided so as to be able to approach and separate from the transfer head.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after the recording paper drawn from the state of being wound in a roll is transferred by pressing to the image formed on the recording intermediate belt moving around, the recording paper is recorded. An image forming apparatus which cuts a recording sheet on which an image has been transferred by peeling off from an intermediate belt to a predetermined size at a recording sheet cutting section, wherein the recording sheet cutting section is configured to cut the recording sheet in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction. A first cutting mechanism that cuts the recording paper along the transport section, and is disposed at a predetermined interval downstream of the first cutting mechanism in the transport direction and that cuts each side edge of the recording paper along the transport section. And a second cutting mechanism.
The cutting mechanism is disposed at a predetermined interval downstream of the first cutting mechanism in the transport direction, and causes the recording paper discharged from the first cutting mechanism to move at a position lower than the discharge position. , Wherein the recording paper is introduced therein.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording paper drawn out from the state wound in a roll is transferred by pressing to the image formed on the recording intermediate belt that moves in a circling manner. An image forming apparatus that separates a recording sheet on which an image has been transferred from a recording intermediate belt and is transferred to a predetermined size by a recording sheet cutting section, wherein the recording sheet cutting section is jammed inside. A predetermined space is provided so that the recording paper in a curved state is provided.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording paper drawn out of the state wound in a roll is transferred to the image formed on the recording intermediate belt which moves in a circumferential manner by pressing the recording paper in contact with the image. An image forming apparatus that cuts a recording sheet on which an image has been transferred by peeling off from a recording intermediate belt to a predetermined size at a recording sheet cutting section, wherein a paper jam occurs inside the recording sheet cutting section. The recording paper is conveyed in a curved state so that the recording paper bent in a predetermined direction.

The recording paper cutting section is provided with a paper jam detecting member which is moved in a predetermined direction by contacting the recording paper in a paper jam state and in a curved state.

The recording paper cutting section is provided with a paper jam sensor for detecting the movement of the paper jam detecting member.

When the paper jam is cleared after the paper jam sensor detects the paper jam, the recording paper on which the image remaining on the recording intermediate belt at the time of the paper jam is transferred is conveyed to the recording paper cutting section. Then, the recording paper is finely cut by the recording paper cutting unit.

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In this image forming apparatus, an endless recording intermediate belt 15 that rotates around the center of the apparatus housing 11 is used. In the recording intermediate belt 15, for example, end faces of a belt-shaped belt body made of a polyimide film of about 25 to 50 μm are abutted with each other to be endless.

At a substantially central portion in the apparatus housing 11, a diameter 200 around which the recording intermediate belt 15 is wound is provided.
A platen drum 12 having a large diameter of about mm is provided, and the platen drum 12 is accurately rotated and driven at a predetermined speed in a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 1 by a stepping motor. .

Rubber is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the platen drum 12, and the recording intermediate belt 15 in contact with the rubber is provided.
Is accurately circulated at a predetermined speed by a frictional force with rubber.

An auxiliary roller 14 around which a recording intermediate belt 15 is wound is disposed on the side of the platen drum 12. The recording intermediate belt 15 circulating from the auxiliary roller 14 toward the platen drum 12 includes: The tension is applied by the idle roller 13 and the tension roller 16. A tension roller 16 disposed close to the auxiliary roller 14 is a recording intermediate belt 15.
Are arranged so as to be able to approach and separate from the outer peripheral surface.

The auxiliary roller 14 is constituted by, for example, a torque limiter, is rotated in the same direction as the platen drum 12 with a predetermined constant torque, and moves the recording intermediate belt 15 around with a constant torque.

The auxiliary roller 14 has one end movable vertically by a roller inclining mechanism.
Recording intermediate belt 15 wound around the auxiliary roller 14
However, when the auxiliary roller 14 is displaced in the axial direction with respect to the auxiliary roller 14, the auxiliary roller 14 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that the end located on the opposite side to the displaced direction is on the upper side. Is done. Thereby, the displacement of the recording intermediate belt 15 with respect to the auxiliary roller 14 is eliminated.

Above the platen drum 12, a dye layer transfer section 24 for transferring a dye layer to the outer peripheral surface of the recording intermediate belt 15 wound around the platen drum 12 is arranged.

The dyeing layer transfer section 24 is provided with a dyeing layer transfer body roll 24a formed by winding a dyeing layer transfer body having a dyeing layer laminated on a substrate in a roll shape. When the dyed layer transfer body pulled out from the dyed layer transfer body roll 24a is opposed to the recording intermediate belt 15, the dyed layer of the dyed transfer body is moved by the dyeing layer transfer head 24b. The image is transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the belt 15. The dyeing layer is made of a resin having excellent dyeing properties. The substrate of the dye transfer body onto which the dye layer has been transferred is wound up by the winding roll 24c.

On the downstream side in the rotation direction of the platen drum 12 with respect to the dyeing layer transfer unit 24, a yellow image is formed on the dyeing layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the recording intermediate belt 15 by the dyeing layer transfer unit 24. A first image forming unit 21 to be formed is disposed, and a recording intermediate belt 15 is provided downstream of the first image forming unit 21 in the rotation direction of the platen drum 12.
A second image forming unit 22 for forming a magenta image on a dyeing layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the image forming apparatus is disposed. Further, a third image forming unit 23 that forms a cyan image on a dyeing layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the recording intermediate belt 15 downstream of the second image forming unit 22 in the rotation direction of the platen drum 12. Is arranged.

The first to third image forming units 21 to 23
Each of the dye transfer members 21a-2a wound in a roll shape
3a, and when the respective dye transfer bodies 21a to 23a face the dyeing layer of the recording intermediate belt 15, respectively, the respective dye transfer bodies 21a to 23a are respectively moved by the respective recording heads 21b to 23b. The recording intermediate belt 15 is pressed against the dyed layer. Then, the recording heads 21b to 23b
b performs the image forming operation based on the image signal, so that yellow in each of the dye transfer bodies 21a to 23a,
Magenta and cyan dyes are respectively transferred to the recording intermediate belt 15.

The recording heads 21b to 23b sequentially transfer the yellow, magenta and cyan dyes onto the dyeing layer of the recording intermediate belt 15, respectively, so that a full-color image is formed on the dyeing layer. Is done. The full-color image is formed in a predetermined image forming area of the recording intermediate belt 15. Then, a non-image forming area having an appropriate length is provided along the rotating direction of the recording intermediate belt 15 continuously to the image forming area where the full-color image is formed, and is continuously provided to the non-image forming area. Thus, a full-color image is formed.

A recording paper holder 30 for accommodating a recording paper 31 made of plain paper in a rolled state is provided downstream of the third image forming unit 23 in the direction in which the recording intermediate belt 15 rotates. Is provided detachably with respect to the housing 11. The recording paper 31 accommodated in the recording paper holder 30 was pulled out from the lower part on the side on the third image forming unit 23 side, and the upper region of the recording paper holder 30 was pressed against the recording intermediate belt 15. In this state, the sheet is conveyed together with the recording intermediate belt 15.

A transfer roller mechanism 4 is provided above the recording paper holder 30 and provided with a transfer roller 41 around which the recording paper 31 pulled out above the recording paper holder 30 is wound.
0 is provided. The transfer roller 41 of the transfer roller mechanism 40 is movable in the up and down direction, and by moving upward, the recording paper 31 wound around the transfer roller 41 is moved from the platen drum 12 to the auxiliary roller 1.
The recording intermediate belt 15 conveyed toward the recording medium 4 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface on which the full-color image is formed.

Above the transfer roller 41, the transfer head 17 that is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the recording intermediate belt 15 is provided so as to face the transfer roller 41. Transfer head 17
Is fixed so as to be pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the recording intermediate belt 15, and is in a state of being in contact with the recording intermediate belt 15 moving upward together with the recording paper 31 when the transfer roller 41 is moved upward. Become. And like this,
When the recording intermediate belt 15 is pressed against the transfer head 17 and the transfer head 17 is heated, the recording intermediate belt 1
The full-color image formed on the dyed layer 5 is transferred to the recording paper 31 wound around the transfer roller 41 together with the dyed layer. When the transfer roller 41 is moved downward, the recording intermediate belt 1 is moved relative to the transfer head 17.
No. 5 is in a separated state.

Recording paper 31 onto which a full-color image has been transferred
Is transported together with the recording intermediate belt 15 to the auxiliary roller 14, and the circulating movement direction of the recording intermediate belt 15 wound around the auxiliary roller 14 is changed upward along the auxiliary roller 14. On the other hand, the recording paper 31 on which the full-color image has been transferred is peeled off from the recording intermediate belt 15 and goes straight along the rotation direction of the recording intermediate belt 15 conveyed from the platen drum 12 to the auxiliary roller 14. I do.

A recording paper cutting section 70 for cutting the recording paper 31 to be conveyed is provided downstream of the auxiliary roller 14 in the direction in which the recording paper 31 travels in a straight line. The recording paper 31 on which the full-color image is transferred and travels straight passes through the recording-paper cutting unit 70, and is cut into a predetermined size by the recording-paper cutting unit 70 for each area where the full-color image is formed. The recording paper 31 cut for each image forming area is discharged into a discharge tray 18 provided outside the apparatus housing 11.

The recording paper 31 is located below the recording paper cutting section 70.
A cut piece storage box 19 is provided for storing a cut piece of the recording paper 31 generated when the paper is cut.

FIG. 2 shows a recording paper 31 wound in a roll shape.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the recording paper holder 30 in a state where the recording paper holder 30 is removed. The recording paper holder 30 is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape with one side surface opened, and has a bottom surface 32, a side surface 33 facing the open portion, a front end surface 34, and a rear end surface 35. are doing. The recording paper holder 30 is attached to the side 3
3 with the end faces 34 and 35 on the front side and the rear side arranged on the front side and the rear side of the apparatus housing 11, respectively,
By being inserted into the device housing 11, it is mounted at a predetermined position in the device housing 11.

The recording paper holder 3 is installed in the apparatus housing 11.
When the recording paper 31 is mounted, the recording paper 31 wound in a roll shape in the recording paper holder 30 is pulled out from the recording paper holder 30 and inserted between the transfer roller 41 and the transfer head 17 to be transferred. By being pressed against the recording intermediate belt 15 moving between the recording head 17 and the transfer head 17, the recording intermediate belt 15 moves together with the recording intermediate belt 15. Thereby, the recording paper 31 is pulled out from the recording paper holder 30.

The recording paper holder 30 mounted in the apparatus housing 11 is rotated in a direction in which the power of the apparatus housing 11 is transmitted and the recording paper pulled out from the recording paper holder 30 is rewound. ing.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the structure of the upper portion of the recording paper holder 30. A recording paper guide roller 36 around which the recording paper 31 is wound is provided in the upper part of the recording paper holder 30 near the side surface 34, and the recording intermediate belt 15 is conveyed to the recording paper guide roller 36. A transfer roller mechanism 40 having a transfer roller 41 is provided downstream in the direction. The transfer roller mechanism 40 is attached to the recording paper holder 30 so that the transfer roller 41 can move up and down. The transfer roller 41 has an outer peripheral surface made of rubber.
And are arranged in parallel.

The recording paper 31 mounted in a state of being wound in a roll shape in the recording paper holder 30 is attached to the recording paper holder 3.
0 is pulled out along the bottom surface 32 of the third image forming unit 2.
The recording paper guide roller 36 conveys the recording medium 30 upward along the side surface 33 adjacent to the recording intermediate belt 15 and moves along the recording intermediate belt 15 that moves around. The recording paper 31 wound around the recording paper guide roller 36 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the recording intermediate belt 15, and together with the recording intermediate belt 15, the transfer roller 41 and
It passes between the transfer head 17 disposed opposite the transfer roller 41. The transfer roller 41, which is movable in the vertical direction, is moved upward, so that the recording paper 31 is moved.
Is pressed through the intermediate recording belt 15 against the fixed transfer head 17.

In the recording paper holder 30, the transfer roller 4
1, the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording intermediate belt 15 with respect to
A recording paper start end holding mechanism 50 is provided.
The recording intermediate belt 15 is moved with respect to the recording paper start end holding mechanism 50.
A separation roller mechanism 60 having a separation roller 61 disposed opposite to the auxiliary roller 14 provided in the apparatus housing 11 is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

The transfer roller mechanism 40 and the peeling roller mechanism 6
0 when the recording paper holder 30 in which the recording paper 31 wound in a roll shape is mounted is mounted at a predetermined position in the apparatus housing 11. The recording paper 31 is held at the starting end of the recording paper 31 wound in a roll shape. The recording paper start end holding mechanism 50 is provided with a holding plate 51 disposed between the upper portions of the front and rear end surfaces 34 and 35 of the recording paper holder 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the holding plate 51 includes a recording sheet holding portion 51a formed in a long plate shape extending along the width direction of the recording intermediate belt 15, and a recording sheet holding portion 51a.
And a pair of guide portions 51b each extending to the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording intermediate belt 15 except for the central portion of the recording intermediate belt 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper holding portion 51a of the holding plate 51 is in a state of being stepped downward with respect to each guide portion 51b by about the thickness of each guide portion 51b. Flanges 51d formed in a downwardly bent state are provided at respective ends located outside the width direction of each guide portion 51bc.

Each of the flange portions 51 d is provided with the recording paper holder 3.
0 along the end surfaces 34 and 35 of the recording paper holder 30.
Each end of a support rod 52 erected substantially horizontally between the end surfaces 34 and 35 is inserted.
Each flange portion 51d is rotatably supported by the support rod 52.

Each end of the support rod 52 has a coil spring 5
3 are fitted respectively. One end of each of the winding springs 53 extends toward the recording paper holding portion 51a of the holding plate 51 and is locked to each of the flange portions 51d. The other end of each of the winding springs 53 extends farther from the recording paper holding portion 51a, and is mounted on a support plate 54 provided between the end surfaces 34 and 35 of the recording paper holder 30 below the holding plate 51. It is locked to. Each of the winding springs 53 urges the flange portion 51d of the holding plate 51 downward, so that the recording paper holding portion 51a is urged downward.

On the lower surface of the recording paper holding portion 51a of the holding plate 51 urged downward, a pad 56 is provided with a recording paper holding portion 51a.
a is provided along the longitudinal direction of a.
It is in contact with the upper surface of a holding block 55 provided on the support plate 54.

The recording paper holder 30 is connected to the apparatus housing 11.
When the recording paper holder 30 is mounted in the recording paper holder 30, the starting end of the roll-shaped recording paper 31 mounted in the recording paper holder 30 is pulled out along the bottom surface 32 and the side surface 33 of the recording paper holder 30, and Wrapped around,
The pad 56 and the holding block 5 provided on the recording paper holding portion 51a pass over the transfer roller 41 moved downward.
5 and held between them. Then, when the recording paper holder 30 was mounted on the apparatus housing 11, the recording paper 31 was rewound by an appropriate length, and the recording paper 31 was pulled out from between the holding plate 51 and the holding block 55. Later, following the conveyance of the recording intermediate belt 15, the recording paper 31
Is transported, the recording paper 31 passes above the holding plate 51.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the transfer roller mechanism 40 and the peeling roller mechanism 60. Each end of the transfer roller 41 is supported by a plate-like transfer roller support plate 42 slidably arranged in the vertical direction along each end surface 34 and 35 of the recording paper holder 30. Along the transfer roller support plates 42, flat cam follower plates 44, each of which is slidable in the vertical direction, are provided. Disc-shaped cams 43 are provided along the respective cam follower plates 44, and each of the cams 43 is configured to rotate integrally with a support shaft 45 inserted through the center of the cam.

A cam follower plate 4 is provided on the disc-shaped cam 43.
A cam groove 43a formed in an annular shape having a predetermined shape is provided on a surface facing 4. The cam groove 43a is provided so as to surround the center of the cam 43, and a position farthest from the center of the cam 43 and a position closest to the center of the cam 43 are respectively located on a diameter sandwiching the center of the cam 43. ing.

The cam follower plate 44 is provided with a cam follower pin 44a which is inserted into a cam groove 43a provided in the cam 43 and slides in the cam groove 43a. The cam follower pin 44a is integrated with the cam follower plate 44, and when the cam follower pin 44a slides in the cam groove 43a by the rotation of the cam 43, the entire cam follower plate 44 slides up and down.

The lower portion of the cam follower plate 44 extends below the lower portion of the transfer roller support plate 42, and a coil spring 46 is provided between the lower portion of the cam follower plate 44 and the lower portion of the transfer roller support plate 42. ing. Therefore,
When the cam follower 44 is slid in the vertical direction by the rotation of the cam 43, the transfer roller support plate 42 is moved by the biasing force of the coil spring 46 to the cam follower plate 44.
Is slid up and down. This allows
The transfer roller 41 supported between the upper portions of the respective transfer roller support plates 42 is slid vertically.

When the transfer roller 41 is slid upward, the transfer roller 41 is abutted against the transfer head 17 via the recording intermediate belt 15 and the recording paper 31. Thereafter, when the cam follower plate 44 is further slid upward, the coil spring 46 is compressed, and the urging force of the coil spring 46 causes the transfer roller 41 to apply a predetermined pressing force to the transfer head 17. Pressed.

On the surface of the cam 43 that does not face the cam follower plate 44, a pair of engagement pins 43b and 43c
Are provided at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction. One of the engaging pins 43b is a cam follower plate 44.
Is located above the cam 43 when it is slid to the lowermost position.
The cam follower plate 44 is located above the cam 43 when the cam follower plate 44 is slid slightly upward from the state of being slid most downward.

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the peeling roller mechanism 60 disposed below the auxiliary roller 14. 3 to 5
As shown in FIG. 5, the peeling roller mechanism 60 is provided between a slide plate 62 slidably arranged in the vertical direction along each end surface 34 and 35 of the recording paper holder 30 and an upper portion of each slide plate 62. And a recording paper guide plate 63.

Except for the upper part, each slide plate 62 has a constant width and extends linearly in the vertical direction, and the upper part is wider in the conveying direction of the recording intermediate belt 15. In the middle of each slide plate 62, a long hole 62a extending in the up-down direction is formed, and in each long hole 62a, each of the front and back end surfaces 34 and 35 of the recording paper holder 30 is formed. The respectively provided engagement pins 37a are slidably fitted to each other.

Elongated holes 62b extending in the vertical direction are also formed in the lower portion of each slide plate 62, and in each of the elongated holes 62b, the end faces 34 on the front side and the back side of the recording paper holder 30 and Engagement pins 37b provided on the respective 35 are slidably fitted.

As described above, each slide plate 62 has a pair of long holes 62 a and 62 b provided at appropriate intervals in the vertical direction, and has a pair of end surfaces 34 and 35 of the recording paper holder 30.
Are vertically slidable with respect to a pair of upper and lower engagement pins 37a and 37b respectively provided in
The recording paper holder 30 is supported on each end face 34 and 35.

The slide plate 62 has a pair of upper and lower long holes 62.
a and 62b, a spring locking pin 62c is provided. Between the spring locking pin 62c and the engaging pin 37a fitted in the elongated hole 62a on the upper side of the slide plate 62, A compression spring 64 is provided. The compression spring 64
The slide plate 62 is urged upward.

FIG. 6A is a plan view of the recording paper guide plate 63, FIG. 6B is a front view thereof, and FIG. 6C is a side view thereof. The recording paper guide plate 63 provided between the slide plates 62 is flat except for an introduction portion 63a on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording intermediate belt 15, and the introduction portion 63a on the upstream side in the transport direction is It is inclined downward on the upstream side. Downwardly bent flange portions 63c are provided on both sides of the recording paper guide plate 63 at an intermediate portion in the transport direction of the recording intermediate belt 15, and each flange portion 63c is provided with a slide plate. 62
And are integrally attached to each other in a state of being abutted against the upper end portions.

At an intermediate portion of the recording paper guide plate 63 in the transport direction, an opening 6 into which the upper part of the peeling roller 61 is fitted.
3b is provided, and the peeling roller 61 is fitted into the opening 63b such that the upper portion protrudes upward from the opening 63b. The peeling roller 61 is rotatably supported by each of the flange portions 63c.

The recording paper guide plate 63 is
Are respectively urged upward by the compression spring 64, and are urged upward integrally with the peeling roller 61, and the opening 63 b of the recording paper guide plate 63.
Roller 61 projecting upward from the auxiliary roller 14
To be pressed against.

The recording paper guide plate 63 extends to the downstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction with respect to the flange portions 63c provided on both sides, and the extension portion includes the auxiliary roller 14 and the peeling roller 61. A recording paper guide member 65 is provided to guide the recording paper 31 passing between the recording paper 31 and the recording paper cutting section 70. The recording paper guide member 65 is attached to the upper surface of the recording paper guide plate 63 at each side of the recording paper 31 to be conveyed.
Except for each side attached to the upper surface of the guide plate 63
Is spaced apart from the upper surface by a certain distance. The lower surface of the side edge portion located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording paper 31 is inclined such that the distance from the upper surface of the recording paper guide plate 63 increases toward the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording paper 31. 65a.

The recording paper 31 that has passed between the auxiliary roller 14 and the peeling roller 61 is conveyed along the recording paper guide plate 63 and, after passing between the auxiliary roller 14 and the peeling roller 61, It is guided by the guide portion 65a of the guide member 65 and is introduced into a gap formed between the guide member 65 and the recording paper guide plate 63.

The recording intermediate belt 15 and the recording paper 31
When the recording paper 31 passes between the auxiliary roller 14 and the peeling roller 61, the recording paper 31
At the pressure contact portion with the recording roller 1, the recording medium is separated from the recording intermediate belt 15 wound around the auxiliary roller 14. The recording paper 31 peeled off from the recording intermediate belt 15 is a recording paper guide plate 63.
In this case, the recording paper 31 may move following the recording paper recording intermediate belt 15. However, in this case, the recording intermediate belt 15
Is guided by the guide portion 65a of the recording paper guide member 65, and is introduced into a gap formed between the recording paper 31 and the recording paper guide plate 63. Then, the recording paper 31 introduced into the gap is conveyed to the recording paper cutting unit 70.

The auxiliary roller 14 can be tilted, and the peeling roller 61 is tilted following the auxiliary roller 14. In this case, the recording paper guide plate 63 is also peeled. The roller 61 is integrally inclined with the roller 61. Therefore, the recording paper guide member 65 provided on the recording paper guide plate 63 also moves integrally with the peeling roller 61.

Each slide plate 62 of the peeling roller mechanism 60
As shown in FIG. 4, the cam link lever 66
The transfer roller 41 provided in the transfer roller mechanism 40 is moved up and down in synchronization with the up and down movement. The cam link lever 66 is connected to each end surface 34 of the recording paper holder 30.
And 35 are provided substantially along the horizontal direction, and the middle thereof is attached to each of the end faces 34 and 35 by a rotation center pin 66a. The cam interlock lever 66 is configured to rotate along each of the end faces 34 and 35 around a rotation center pin 66a.

One end of the cam rotation lever 66 is engaged with a spring locking pin 62c provided at the middle of the slide plate 62 of the peeling roller mechanism 60 in the vertical direction. The other end of the cam link lever 66 has a transfer roller mechanism 4
The pair of engaging pins 43b and 43c provided on the 0 cam 43 are engaged with each other. When the cam 43 slides the cam follower plate 44 downward, the engaging pins 44b and 44c , Respectively, and the end of the cam interlocking lever 66 is slid upward. Thereby, the other end of the cam rotation lever 66 is rotated downward, and each slide plate 62 is slid downward.

The recording paper holder 30 holds the recording intermediate belt 1.
When the recording paper 5 is worn out and replaced, or when the recording paper 31 in the recording paper holder 30 runs out, the paper 5 is pulled out of the apparatus housing 11. In this case, the cam 43 of the transfer roller mechanism 40 is rotated to
As shown in (2), the portion of the cam groove 43a farthest from the support shaft 45 is located below the support shaft 45. As a result, the cam follower pin 44a is slid to the lowest position, the cam follower plate 44 is slid downward, and the transfer roller support plate 42 is pulled by the coil spring 46 and slid downward.
As a result, the transfer roller 41 provided between the upper ends of the transfer roller support plate 42 slides downward, and the transfer head 1
7 is retracted from the recording intermediate belt 15 that has come into contact with the recording belt 7.

In this case, one engagement pin 43b provided on the cam 43 is engaged with the end of the cam interlock lever 66, and pushes up the end of the cam interlock lever 66 upward. As a result, the other end of the cam link lever 66 is rotated downward, and the spring locking pin 62c of the slide plate 62 engaged with the end is slid downward. Locking pin 6
When 2c is slid downward, the slide plate 62 is slid downward, and the peeling roller 61 supported integrally with the slide plate 62 is slid downward. As a result, the peeling roller 61 is in a retracted state separated from the recording intermediate belt 15 wound around the auxiliary roller 14.

In this state, the recording paper holder 30
Is pulled out to the front side of the device housing 11. Recording paper holder 30 pulled out of device housing 11
Since the transfer roller 41 and the peeling roller 61 are in the retracted state in which they are slid downward, the recording roller can be easily pulled out of the apparatus housing 11 without applying a frictional force to the recording intermediate belt 15. .

The recording paper holder 3 from the apparatus housing 11
In the case where the recording intermediate belt 15 is exchanged by pulling out the printing belt 0, as shown in FIG. 8, the dyeing layer transfer head 24b of the dyeing layer transfer unit 24, the first to third image forming units 21 to 23, , The recording heads 21b to 23b and the transfer head 17 provided respectively are separated from the recording intermediate belt 15. The tension roller 16 is also separated from the recording intermediate belt 15, and the recording intermediate belt 15 is in a state where no tension is applied. Thereby, the recording intermediate belt 15 can be easily removed from the state wound around the platen drum 12 and the auxiliary roller 14.

Since the recording paper guide member 65 located near the auxiliary roller 14 is attached to the recording paper holder 30, the recording paper guide member 65 is pulled out of the apparatus housing 11 together with the recording paper holder 30. In this state, the recording intermediate belt 15 is detached from the housing 11.
And it can be easily removed from the auxiliary roller 14.

Similarly, a new recording intermediate belt 15 can be easily wound around the platen drum 12 and the auxiliary roller 14.

When the operator mounts the roll-shaped recording paper 31 on the recording paper holder 30 and mounts the recording paper holder 30 in the apparatus housing 11, first, the operator must first use the roll-shaped recording paper. The start end of the recording paper holder 31 is held by a recording paper start end holding mechanism 50 provided in the recording paper holder 30. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the operator, before mounting the recording paper holder 30 in the apparatus housing 11, removes the starting end of the roll-shaped recording paper 31 mounted on the recording paper holder 30. The bottom surface 32 of the recording paper holder 30
And pull out along the side surface 33. Then, it is wound around the recording paper guide roller 36 and passes above the transfer roller 41 in the retracted state.

In such a state, the operator moves to FIG.
As shown by a two-dot chain line, the recording paper holding portion 51 a of the holding plate 51 of the recording paper start end holding mechanism 50 provided on the recording paper holder 30 is pressed against the urging force of the winding spring 53,
Rotate upward. Then, the starting end of the recording paper 31 is positioned on the holding block 55. After that, the holding plate 51
Is rotated by the urging force of the winding spring 53, the recording paper holding portion 51 a of the holding plate 51 presses the start end of the recording paper 31 on the holding block 55 via the pad 56, The starting end of the recording paper 31 is held.

When the start end of the recording paper 31 is held by the recording paper start end holding mechanism 50, the recording paper holder 30 is held.
Is mounted in the device housing 11. In this case, the start end of the recording paper 31 is moved to the start end holding mechanism 50 of the recording paper.
Therefore, there is no possibility that the recording paper 31 is damaged by members in the apparatus housing 11.

The recording paper holder 30 is mounted on the apparatus housing 1.
When the recording paper 31 is mounted in the recording paper holder 1, the recording paper 31 is rotated so that the roll-shaped recording paper 31 mounted on the recording paper holder 30 is rewound. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the starting end of the recording paper 31 held by the recording paper starting end holding mechanism 50 is moved in the direction opposite to the recording paper transport direction, and The holding of the recording paper 31 is released.

In such a state, as shown in FIG. 4, the cam 43 of the transfer roller mechanism 40 is rotated so that the portion closest to the support shaft 45 in the cam groove 43a is located below the support shaft 45. It will be located. As a result, the cam follower pin 44a inserted into the cam groove 43a
Is slid to the uppermost position, the cam follower plate 44 is slid upward, and the transfer roller support plate 42 is slid upward by being pressed by the coil spring 46. As a result, the transfer roller support plate 4
The transfer roller 41 erected between the upper ends of the recording belts 2 is slid upward and comes into contact with the transfer head 17.
5 is pressed.

In this case, the engaging pins 43b and 43c provided on the cam 43 are not engaged with the end of the cam link lever 66, and the slide pin engaged with the other end of the cam link lever 66 is not engaged. Spring locking pin 62c of plate 62
Is slid upward by the urging force of the compression spring 64. Thereby, the slide plate 62 is slid upward, and the peeling roller 61 supported integrally with the slide plate 62 is slid upward. As a result, the peeling roller 61 is brought into pressure contact with the recording intermediate belt 15 wound around the auxiliary roller 14.

In this state, when the recording intermediate belt 15 rotates, the recording paper 31 also moves integrally with the recording intermediate belt 15, and the recording paper 31 is moved by the recording paper start end holding mechanism 50. Guided to the upper surface of the holding plate 51,
Further, the recording paper is conveyed to the recording paper cutting unit 70 over the recording paper guide plate 63 of the peeling roller mechanism 60. Then, in the recording paper cutting section 70, the starting end of the recording paper 31 is cut along the width direction.

As a result, when the recording paper holder 30 is mounted on the apparatus housing 11, the starting end of the recording paper 31 becomes
The recording paper is always cut by the recording paper cutting unit 70, and the position of the start end of the recording paper 31 can be accurately grasped. In addition, the recording paper cutting section 70 cuts the recording paper 31 along the width direction, so that the recording paper 3
The starting edge of 1 is always along the width direction.

Thereafter, when the transfer roller 41 is slid downward and the recording paper 31 is separated from the recording intermediate belt 15, an image forming operation on the recording intermediate belt 15 is performed. Then, when the portion of the recording intermediate belt 15 on which the image is formed is conveyed to a position facing the transfer head 17, the transfer roller 41 is moved upward and the recording paper 31 is pressed against the recording intermediate belt 15, and the image is recorded. It is transferred to paper 31.

Auxiliary roller 1 against which peeling roller 61 is pressed.
4, as described above, when the recording intermediate belt 15 is displaced in the axial direction with respect to the auxiliary roller 14, one end moves in the vertical direction to be inclined with respect to the horizontal, The shift of the recording intermediate belt 15 in the left-right direction with respect to the recording medium 14 is eliminated.

In this case, the peeling roller 61 pressed against the auxiliary roller 14 is inclined following the inclined state of the auxiliary roller 14. Since the peeling roller 61 is provided integrally with the guide plate 63, when the peeling roller 61 is inclined, the guide plate 63 is also inclined, and furthermore, provided integrally with the guide plate 63. The recording paper guide member 65 is also inclined with the guide plate 63.

Therefore, the recording paper 31 that has passed through the mutually inclined auxiliary roller 14 and the peeling roller 61 and has been peeled from the recording intermediate belt 15 has the same inclined state as the peeling roller 61. It is reliably introduced into the space formed between the recording paper guide member 65 and the guide plate 63,
The guide member 65 reliably conveys the recording paper to the recording paper cutting section 70.

FIG. 11 shows the recording paper holder 30
FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording paper cutting unit 70 disposed downstream of the recording paper 31 in the transport direction. Recording paper cutting unit 70
And a rotary cutter 72, which is a first cutting mechanism for cutting the recording paper 31 along a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and each widthwise side of the recording paper 31 along the transport direction. Unit 73 serving as a second cutting mechanism for cutting by cutting, and a cutting unit casing 71 in which the rotary cutter unit 72 and the slitter unit 73 are disposed.
And

The slitter section 73 is arranged downstream of the recording sheet 31 in the direction of conveyance of the recording paper 31 in the rectangular parallelepiped cutting section casing 71, and at an appropriate distance from the slitter section 73 on the upstream side of the slitter section 73. An open rotary cutter unit 72 is provided. Rotary cutter unit 72
Is disposed substantially at the center of the cutting section casing 71 in the recording paper transport direction.

Recording paper 31 in cutting section casing 71
A pair of upper and lower introduction rollers 74a and 74b for introducing the recording paper 31 peeled from the recording intermediate belt 15 into the cutting portion casing 71 is provided on the side surface on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium. And the recording paper 31 having passed between 74b is introduced into the cutting section casing 71.

The recording paper 31 introduced into the cutting section casing 71 is conveyed to the rotary cutter section 72 by the recording paper guide plate 75 provided in the casing 71. The recording paper guide plate 75 has an upstream inclined portion 75a that is inclined so that the upstream portion in the recording paper conveyance direction is sequentially positioned upward as the distance from the introduction rollers 74a and 74b increases.
The downstream inclined portion 75a is provided with a downstream inclined portion 75c which is inclined so as to be sequentially located downward as it goes downstream in the recording paper conveyance direction. Therefore, the upstream inclined portion 75a and the downstream inclined portion 75c
And a curved portion 75 curved to protrude upward.
b is provided.

The downstream inclined portion 75c has a horizontal guide portion 75 extending horizontally toward the rotary cutter portion 72.
d is provided. The end of the horizontal guide portion 75d on the downstream side in the recording paper transport direction enters the inside of the rotary cutter portion 72.

Above the horizontal guide portion 75d of the recording paper guide plate 75 adjacent to the rotary cutter portion 72, an upper guide plate 76 is provided at a fixed interval from the horizontal guide portion 75d. . FIG.
3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an upper guide plate 76. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the upper guide plate 76 has a substantially horizontal horizontal guide portion 76a in the vicinity of the rotary cutter portion 72, and is located upstream of the horizontal guide portion 76a in the recording paper transport direction. Are continuously provided with inclined guide portions 76b which are inclined so as to be sequentially positioned upward toward the upstream side.

The inclined guide portion 76b has a cut-and-raised portion 76c which is cut and raised along the width direction of the recording paper 31 at the center in the width direction except for both sides in the recording paper transport direction. A support shaft 76e is arranged in a horizontal state along the width direction of the recording paper 31 on the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction in the portion 76c. Each end of the support shaft 76e is rotatably supported by the inclined guide portion 76b of the upper guide plate 76, respectively. A paper jam detecting member 77 for detecting that the recording paper 31 has jammed is rotatably supported by the support shaft 76e.

The paper jam detecting member 77 includes a pair of leg portions 77 rotatably supported at respective ends of the support shaft 76e.
d, a support portion 77a extending in parallel with the support shaft 76e between the legs 77d, and a recording paper contact portion 77b extending from the lower portion of the support portion 77a toward the upstream side in the recording paper transport direction. Have. The recording paper contact portions 77b are arranged along the width direction of the recording paper 31, and extend to each side of the support portion 77a.

One end of a coil spring 77c fitted to each end of the support shaft 76e is locked to each leg 77d of the paper jam detecting member 77, respectively. The other end of each of the coil springs 77c is locked to a horizontal guide portion 76a of the upper guide plate 76, and each leg 77
d is urged downward by each winding spring 77c. As a result, the support portion 77a of the paper jam detection member 77 is urged downward.

The support portion 77a urged downward by each of the winding springs 77c is connected to the inclined guide portion 7 of the upper guide plate 76.
6b, and in a state where the support portions 77a are pressed against the inclined guide portions 77b, the flat recording paper contact portions 77b provided on the respective support portions 77a extend along the inclined guide portions 76b. In the inclined state, it extends from the inclined portion 76b to the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction.

The recording paper 31 introduced into the cutting section casing 71 is conveyed along a recording paper guide plate 75 which is curved so as to protrude upward. Therefore, the recording paper 31
After being conveyed along the upstream inclined portion 75a of the recording paper guide plate 75 and curved by the inclined guide portion 76b of the upper guide plate 76 so that the conveying direction is directed downward,
It is transported along the inclined guide portion 76b of the upper guide plate 76. Therefore, the recording paper 31 is conveyed along the recording paper guide plate 75 in a state of being curved so as to protrude upward.

As described above, the recording paper 31 conveyed in a curved state is in a paper jam state when it is introduced into the rotary cutter 72, and if the recording paper 31 is continuously conveyed from the upstream side. Thus, the curved portion along the recording paper guide plate 75 is pushed upward.

The cutting portion casing 71 has a curved portion of the recording paper 31 in a paper jam state above the upstream inclined portion 75a and the curved portion 75b of the recording paper guide plate 75 located on the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction. Is formed in the space 71a for accommodating therein. This space 71 a is formed in the upper part of the cutting section casing 71.

The recording paper 31 curved so as to protrude upward in the space 71a has a curved portion extending from the inclined guide portion 76b of the upper guide plate 76 to the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction. It comes into contact with the recording paper contact portion 77b of the detection unit 77, and pushes up the recording paper contact portion 77b. As a result, the recording paper contact portion 77b is
Against the biasing force of 7c, it turns upward around the support shaft 76e.

On one side of the recording paper contact portion 77b in the width direction of the recording paper, a middle part in the vertical direction of a sensor arm 77e extending in an arc along the rotation direction of the recording paper contact portion 77b is attached. The recording paper 31 is turned upward integrally with the recording paper contact portion 77b pushed upward by the recording paper 31 in a paper jam state.

When the recording paper contact portion 77b is rotated upward by the paper jammed recording paper 31 on the inner surface of the cut portion casing 71 along the movement area of the sensor arm 77e, the recording paper contact is made. A paper jam sensor 77f for detecting a sensor arm 77e pivoted upward integrally with the contact portion 77b is provided. This paper jam sensor 7
Numeral 7f is constituted by a light transmission type sensor, and as shown in FIG. 13, is moved upward integrally with a recording paper contact portion 77b rotated upward by the recording paper 31 in a paper jam state. The sensor arm 77e is detected. Thereby, it is detected that a paper jam has occurred in the cutting section casing 71.

FIG. 14 is a schematic front view of the rotary cutter 72 disposed downstream of the recording paper guide plate 75 in the recording paper transport direction. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the rotary cutter unit 72 includes a cutter case 7.
2a, a fixed blade 72b disposed along a direction orthogonal to the recording paper 31 conveyance direction, and a rotary blade 7 disposed above the fixed blade 72b with the conveyance area of the recording paper 31 interposed therebetween.
2c. The rotary blade 72c is formed in a columnar shape, and is rotatably disposed along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper 31 is conveyed. A spiral blade 72d is provided on the peripheral surface of the rotary blade 72c.

As shown in FIG. 14, a rotary blade 72c is provided with a motor 72 provided on an outer surface of a cutter case 72a.
e, it is configured to be rotated in a predetermined direction,
When the recording paper 31 is carried into the cutter case 72a and passes over a predetermined length between the fixed blade 72b and the rotary blade 72c, the motor 72e is driven to rotate and the rotary blade 72c is rotated. . Then, the recording paper 31 is cut along the width direction by the shearing force between the spiral blade portion 72d of the rotating rotary blade 72c and the fixed blade 72b. Then, the cut recording paper 31 is discharged to the outside of the cutter case 72a from a discharge port 72f (see FIG. 16) provided in the cutter case 72a.

As described above, the recording intermediate belt 15 is provided with a non-image forming area having an appropriate length in the circling direction next to the area where the image is formed, and is continuous with the non-image forming area. Image is formed. Therefore, on the recording intermediate belt 15, an image forming area having a predetermined length and a non-image forming area having an appropriate length shorter than the length of the image forming area are alternately formed.

On the recording paper 31 to which the image of the recording intermediate belt is transferred while being transferred integrally with the recording intermediate belt 15, the image of the recording intermediate belt 15 has an interval of a length corresponding to the non-image forming area. , The images are sequentially transferred.

When the recording paper 31 on which the image has been transferred is conveyed over the length of the image forming area along the recording paper conveyance direction, the rotary cutter 72 rotates the recording paper 31 in the conveyance direction. Then, when the recording paper 31 is transported over the length of the non-image forming area in the same direction, the rotary cutter unit 72 cuts the recording paper 31 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording paper 31. Cut along. Accordingly, the rotary cutter unit 72 cuts the recording paper 31 alternately into a length corresponding to the image forming area and a length corresponding to the non-image forming area.

The slitter 73 provided on the downstream side of the rotary cutter 72 in the recording paper conveyance direction is provided with a slitter 73 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, it has a slitter case 73a. A lower guide plate 73b and an upper guide plate 73c for introducing the recording paper 31 cut by the rotary cutter unit 72 into the slitter case 73a are provided on a side surface of the slitter case 73a on the rotary cutter unit 72 side.

The lower guide plate 73b extends horizontally from the slitter case 73a of the slitter portion 73 toward the rotary guide portion 72, and the upper guide plate 73c faces upward on the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction. It extends in an inclined state. Lower introduction guide plate 73b
Is the cutter case 72a of the rotary cutter section 72.
Is slightly lower than the paper discharge port 72f from which the recording paper 31 is discharged.

The tip of the lower guide plate 73b, which is close to the rotary cutter 72, is spaced horizontally from the outlet 72f of the recording paper 31 in the cutter case 72a of the rotary cutter 72 by an appropriate distance. It is arranged open. The interval between the lower introduction guide plate 73b and the cutter case 72a of the rotary cutter unit 72 is such that when the images are sequentially formed on the recording intermediate belt 15, the interval between the image forming areas where the images are formed is smaller. The length is slightly longer than the length of the non-image forming area provided over an appropriate length in the transport direction.

As described above, since the rotary cutter section 72 and the slitter section 73 are arranged at intervals slightly longer than the length of the non-image forming area of the recording intermediate belt 15, as shown in FIG. When the recording paper 31 is cut by the rotary cutter 72 over a length corresponding to the non-image forming area, the non-image forming area cut piece 31a is discharged from the paper discharge port 72f of the rotary cutter 72. The cutter case 72a of the rotary cutter 72 and the slitter 73 do not reach the lower guide plate 73 of the slitter 73.
Falls within a space provided between the lower guide plate 73 and the lower guide plate 73.

An opening (not shown) is provided on the lower surface of the cutting section casing 71 in the recording paper cutting section 70, and a cut piece storage box 19 (see FIG. 1) is arranged below this opening. Have been. Therefore, the cutter case 72a of the rotary cutter unit 72 and the slitter unit 73
Paper 31 falling between the lower guide plate 73
Is stored in the cut piece storage box 19 (see FIG. 1) through the opening of the cut section casing 71.

On the other hand, the recording paper 31 on which the image in the image forming area is transferred and cut by the rotary cutter 72 to a length corresponding to the length of the image forming area is transferred to the rotary cutter 72. After being carried out of the cutter case 72a, it is supported on the lower introduction guide plate 73b, passes between the lower introduction guide plate 73b and the upper introduction guide plate 73c, and is introduced into the slitter case 73a.

FIG. 15 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the slitter 73 in the slitter case 73a.
In the slitter case 73a, there is a slitter case 73.
A pair of upper and lower pinch rollers 73m and 73d for holding the recording paper 31 to be introduced into a are provided. Each of the lower pinch rollers 73d and each of the upper pinch rollers 73m face each other. The pair of lower pinch rollers 73d are respectively attached to one roller shaft 73e, and frusto-conical lower cutters 73f are respectively attached near the respective ends of the roller shaft 73e. Each of the lower cutters 73f has a blade portion provided on an end surface having a large diameter, and each blade portion is located outside.

Above each end of the roller shaft 73e, a disc-shaped upper cutter 73g is vertically set so that the lower portion thereof is in sliding contact with the upper end of the blade portion of each lower cutter 73f. Is provided.

The recording paper 31 introduced into the slitter case 73a is conveyed while being nipped by a pair of lower pinch rollers 73d and an upper pinch roller 73m. Then, the recording paper 3 conveyed in the slitter case 73a
In 1, each side edge of the recording paper 31 is cut along the transport direction by the respective shearing force between the pair of the lower cutter 73 f and the upper cutter 73 g.

As shown in FIG. 11, the recording paper 31 with each side edge cut off is provided downstream of the slitter 73 in the slitter case 73a in the recording paper conveyance direction.
A pair of upper and lower paper discharge rollers 73k for discharging to the outside of the slitter case 73a is provided. The recording paper 31 whose respective side edges are cut is nipped by the respective discharge rollers 31k and discharged from a discharge port 73p (see FIG. 16) provided in the slitter case 73a. Recording paper 31 discharged from discharge port 73p of slitter case 73a
Are discharged onto a discharge tray 18 arranged outside the housing 11 as shown in FIG.

[0135] Also, on the outer side of each upper cutter 73g, each side edge cut piece 31b of the cut recording paper 31 is provided.
Guide plate 73h for guiding each piece downward.
Are provided respectively. Each cut piece guide plate 73h
As shown in FIG. 11, on the side of each upper cutter 73g, a substantially horizontal state along the recording paper transport direction is provided. It extends in an inclined state toward the upper side on the upstream side. Further, each cut piece guide plate 73h is provided with a discharge roller 73.
At a position close to k, it is curved downward and hangs substantially vertically.

Each lower cutter 73f of the slitter section 73
And the recording paper 3 cut by the upper cutter 73g
As shown in FIG. 16, each side edge cut piece 31b is guided along the lower surface of each cut piece guide plate 73h, and is conveyed downward by the curved portion of each cut piece guide plate 73h. You.

On the lower surface of the slitter case 73a of the slitter section 73, there is provided a paper discharge port 73n for discharging each side edge cut piece 31b curved downward by each cut piece guide plate 73h downward. The cut piece discharged downward from the paper discharge port 73n is stored in the cut piece storage box 19 through an opening provided on the lower surface of the cut section casing 71 in the recording paper cutting section 70.

As described above, in the recording paper cutting section 73, after the recording paper 31 is cut by the rotary cutter section 72 according to the length of the image forming area, the recording paper 31 corresponds to the length of the non-image forming area. The non-image forming area cut piece 31a is stored in the cut piece storage box 19 below without being supplied to the slitter section 73. Therefore, only the recording paper 31 cut to the length of the image forming area is conveyed to the slitter section 73, and each side edge of the recording paper 31 is cut at the slitter section 73.

As described above, in the slitter section 73, since the recording paper 31 is cut into the predetermined length, the processing in the slitter section 73 is facilitated.
In addition, since the slitter section 73 cuts the recording paper 31 cut to a predetermined length, the recording paper 31 remaining in the apparatus housing 11 is rewound after an image is formed on a predetermined number of recording papers 31. However, there is no fear that a trace of cutting by the slitter 73 is formed at the leading end of the recording paper 31.

Each side edge cut piece 31b cut in the slitter section 73 is connected to each cut piece guide plate 73h.
Is discharged to the cut piece storage box 19 below. Therefore, each side edge cut piece 31b cut by the slitter section 73 does not remain in the rotary cutter section 72, and there is no risk of being discharged from the apparatus housing 11 to the outside. As a result, only the recording paper 31 on which an image has been formed and which has been cut into a predetermined size is discharged to the discharge tray 18 provided outside the apparatus housing 11.

When the recording paper 31 is jammed inside the cutting section casing 71 of the recording paper cutting section 70, the recording paper contact portion 77b of the paper jam detecting member 77 rotates upward as described above. And the sensor arm 77e
Is detected by the paper jam sensor 77f. In this state, the conveyance of the recording intermediate belt 15 and the conveyance of the recording paper 31 are stopped, and the transfer operation of the dyed layer by the dyed layer transfer unit 24 and the image formation by the image forming units 21 to 23 are performed. Operation is stopped. Then, the paper jam of the recording paper 31 inside the cutting section casing 71 is eliminated by the operator.

When the paper jam of the recording paper 31 is eliminated, the recording paper 3 wound in a roll in the recording paper holder 30 is released.
1 is rewound once over the appropriate length. Thereafter, the recording paper 31 is conveyed into the cutting section casing 71 of the recording paper cutting section 70.

In this case, the image formed on the recording intermediate belt 15 is transferred to the recording paper 31 by the transfer head 17 at the time when the recording paper 31 is jammed, and the recording paper 31 on which the image is transferred is formed. Is the recording paper cutting unit 70
Transported to

In the recording paper cutting section 70, the rotary blade 72c of the rotary cutter section 72 is in a rotated state. When the recording paper 31 is conveyed into the rotary cutter section 72, as shown in FIG. The recording paper 31 conveyed into the rotary cutter unit 72 is finely cut into an appropriate size, and is cut from an opening (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the cutter casing 72 a in the rotary cutter unit 72. The cut piece is discharged to the box 19.

As a result, there is no possibility that an unnecessary image remains on the recording intermediate belt 15, and there is no possibility that the subsequent image forming operation will be hindered. Moreover, the recording paper 31 on which the image of the recording intermediate belt 15 has been transferred is finely cut by the rotary cutter 72, and is not discharged onto the paper discharge tray 18 provided outside the apparatus housing 11, so that the cut piece is cut. It is discharged into the storage box 19. Therefore, there is no fear that the image formed before the paper jam of the recording paper 31 occurs is particularly known.

[0146]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
When the recording paper holder is mounted on the apparatus housing, the starting end of the recording paper mounted in the recording paper holder can be stably held, and the paper end of the recording paper can be transferred to the transfer head and the transfer roller. Can be easily passed through.

Further, when the recording paper holder is mounted on the apparatus housing, the starting end of the recording paper can be reliably brought into a predetermined state at a predetermined position.

Further, a recording paper guide member for guiding the recording paper peeled from the recording intermediate belt to a recording paper cutting section is provided.
There is no risk of interfering with the replacement of the recording intermediate belt.
Further, even if the peeling roller provided at the position where the recording intermediate belt and the recording paper are peeled off is inclined, the recording paper guide member can stably transport the recording paper to the recording paper cutting section. .

Further, in the recording paper cutting section for cutting the recording paper on which the image is formed into a predetermined size, there is no possibility that the cut piece of the recording paper is discharged out of the apparatus housing.
Processing can be reliably performed in the device housing. In the slitter section of the recording paper cutting section, the processing in the slitter section is facilitated because the recording paper is cut into recording paper cut to a predetermined length. In addition, since the slitter 73 cuts the recording paper cut to a predetermined length, even after the recording paper remaining in the apparatus housing is rewound after an image has been formed on a predetermined number of recording papers, the recording paper can be cut. There is no possibility that a trace of cutting by the slitter is formed at the leading end of the paper.

In addition, even if the recording paper is cut in the recording paper cutting section for cutting the recording paper on which the image is formed into a predetermined size, the paper jam can be detected quickly, and therefore, the recording intermediate paper can be detected. There is no risk of the belt being damaged by friction with the recording paper in a paper jam state, and unnecessary images formed on the recording intermediate belt at the time of paper jam are discharged to the outside of the apparatus housing transferred to the recording paper. There is no danger.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording paper holder provided in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an upper portion of the recording paper holder and a peripheral portion thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an upper part of the recording paper holder.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of an upper part of the recording paper holder.

6A is a plan view of a recording paper guide plate provided on the recording paper holder, FIG. 6B is a front view thereof, and FIG.
Is a side view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view for explaining the operation of the upper part of the recording paper holder.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus with the recording paper holder removed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view for explaining the operation at the upper part of the recording paper holder.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view for explaining the operation at the upper part of the recording paper holder.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a recording paper cutting section provided in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of the recording paper cutting section.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged side view of a main part for explaining the operation of the recording paper cutting unit.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a rotary cutter unit provided in the recording paper cutting unit.

FIG. 15 is a front sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a slitter section provided in the recording paper cutting section.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the operation of the recording paper cutting unit.

FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining the operation of the recording paper cutting unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Device housing 12 Platen drum 13 Sub drum 14 Auxiliary roller 15 Recording intermediate belt 16 Tension roller 17 Transfer head 18 Paper discharge tray 19 Cut piece storage box 21-23 Image forming part 24 Dyeing layer transfer part 30 Recording paper holder 31 Recording paper 36 Recording paper guide roller 40 Transfer roller mechanism 41 Transfer roller 42 Transfer roller support plate 43 Cam 44 Cam follower plate 45 Support shaft 46 Coil spring 50 Recording paper start end holding mechanism 51 Holding plate 52 Support rod 53 Winding spring 54 Support plate 60 Peeling roller mechanism 61 Peeling roller 62 Slide plate 63 Recording paper guide plate 65 Recording paper guide member 66 Cam interlock lever 70 Recording paper cutting part 71 Cutting part casing 72 Rotary cutter part 72a Cutter case 72b Fixed blade 72c Utateha 72d blade section 73 slitter unit 73a slitter case 73b upper introduction guide plate 73c lower introduction guide plate 73f lower cutter 73g upper cutter 73h cut piece guide plate 75 paper guide plate 76 the upper guide plate 77 jams detecting member

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B65H 16/06 B65H 16/06 Z 3F104 23/28 23/28 29/54 29/54 35/08 35 / 08 43/04 43/04 // B26D 1/24 B26D 1/24 C 1/38 1/38 A (72) Inventor Hironori Ono 1006 Oazadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture F-term in Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. ) 2C058 AB15 AB22 AC06 AC12 AC16 AD01 AE04 AE12 AF06 AF18 AF38 AF51 LA03 LA18 LA24 LA36 LB07 LB10 LB19 LB20 LB35 LC23 2C060 BA04 BC02 BC03 BC04 BC12 BC35 BC42 BC48 BC91 BC98 3F048 AA02 AB14 CC01 DA05 BA01 DC01 EA11 EB22 EB39 3F052 AA01 AB05 AB06 AB07 BA02 DA01 DA15 3F053 AA10 LA02 LA05 LA07 LB01 LB08 3F104 AA01 BA13 FA08 KA05

Claims (11)

[Claims] An image formed on an orbiting recording intermediate belt is transferred by pressing a recording sheet drawn from a rolled state onto the image, and then the recording intermediate belt and the recording sheet are peeled off. An image forming apparatus for cutting a recording sheet on which an image has been transferred to a predetermined size at a recording sheet cutting unit, wherein the recording paper wound in a roll shape is detachable from an apparatus housing. The recording paper holder is attached to the paper holder so that it can be pulled out and rewound.
An image forming apparatus comprising a recording paper start end holding mechanism for holding a start end of a loaded recording paper. 2. After the recording paper has been rewound so that the recording paper starting end holding mechanism is no longer held by the recording paper starting end holding mechanism when the recording paper holder is mounted in the apparatus housing. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording paper is pulled out and conveyed to the recording paper cutting section, and a starting end of the recording paper is cut by the recording paper cutting section. 3. An image formed on an orbiting recording intermediate belt is transferred by pressing a recording paper drawn from a rolled state onto the image formed on the recording intermediate belt, and then the recording intermediate belt and the recording paper are peeled off. An image forming apparatus for cutting a recording sheet on which an image has been transferred to a predetermined size at a recording sheet cutting unit, wherein the recording paper wound in a roll shape is detachable from an apparatus housing. The recording paper holder is attached to the paper holder so that it can be pulled out and rewound.
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a recording paper guide member for guiding recording paper separated from a recording intermediate belt to the recording paper cutting section. 4. A recording sheet drawn from a rolled state is pressed against an image formed on a recording intermediate belt that moves around and transferred to the image, and then the moving direction of the recording intermediate belt is changed by an auxiliary roller. An image forming apparatus that separates the recording paper from the recording intermediate belt by cutting the recording paper and cuts the recording paper onto which the image has been transferred to a predetermined size at a recording paper cutting unit, wherein the auxiliary roller is an auxiliary roller The recording sheet is inclined based on the position of the recording intermediate belt wound around the recording medium, and is separated from the auxiliary roller by being pressed against the auxiliary roller via the recording paper and the recording intermediate belt and following the auxiliary roller. A roller is provided, and a recording paper guide member for guiding the recording paper separated from the recording intermediate belt to the recording paper cutting section is provided integrally with the separation roller. An image forming apparatus comprising. 5. A recording sheet pulled out from a state wound in a roll shape is pressed against an image formed on a recording intermediate belt that moves around and transferred by a transfer head, and then the recording sheet is separated from the recording intermediate belt. An image forming apparatus that cuts the recording paper on which the image has been transferred to a predetermined size at a recording paper cutting unit, wherein the recording paper wound in a roll shape is detachable from the apparatus housing. The recording paper holder is attached to the recording paper holder so that it can be pulled out and rewound.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a transfer roller for pressing a pulled-out recording sheet to a transfer head via a recording intermediate belt is provided so as to be able to approach and separate from the transfer head. 6. An image formed on an orbiting recording intermediate belt is transferred by pressing a recording sheet drawn from a rolled state onto the image formed on the recording intermediate belt, and then peeling off the recording sheet from the recording intermediate belt. An image forming apparatus for cutting a recording sheet on which an image has been transferred to a predetermined size by a recording sheet cutting unit, wherein the recording sheet cutting unit cuts the recording sheet along a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction. And a second cutting mechanism, which is disposed at a predetermined interval downstream of the first cutting mechanism in the conveying direction with a predetermined interval and cuts each side edge of the recording paper along the conveying section. The second cutting mechanism is arranged at a predetermined interval downstream of the first cutting mechanism in the transport direction at a predetermined interval, and discharges the recording paper discharged from the first cutting mechanism. It is configured to introduce recording paper inside at a position lower than the position An image forming apparatus comprising and. 7. A recording sheet pulled out from a state wound in a roll shape is pressed onto an image formed on a recording intermediate belt that moves around and rolled, and then transferred, and then the recording sheet is peeled off from the recording intermediate belt. An image forming apparatus for cutting a recording sheet on which an image has been transferred to a predetermined size by a recording sheet cutting unit, wherein the recording sheet cutting unit is in a state in which a recording paper that has been jammed inside is curved. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a predetermined space is provided. 8. A recording sheet drawn from a rolled state is transferred to the image formed on the orbiting recording intermediate belt by pressure contact with the image, and then the recording sheet is peeled off from the recording intermediate belt. An image forming apparatus for cutting a recording sheet on which an image has been transferred into a predetermined size at a recording sheet cutting section, wherein a recording sheet which has become jammed inside the recording sheet cutting section has a predetermined size. An image forming apparatus configured to convey a recording sheet in a curved state so as to bend in a direction. 9. A paper jam detecting member which is moved in a predetermined direction by contacting a recording paper which has been in a paper jam state and is in a curved state, is provided at the recording paper cutting section.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a paper jam sensor for detecting movement of the paper jam detection member is provided at the recording paper cutting unit. 11. When the paper jam is cleared after the paper jam is detected by the paper jam sensor, the recording paper on which the image remaining on the recording intermediate belt at the time of the paper jam is transferred to the recording paper cutting section. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the recording paper is conveyed, and the recording paper is finely cut by a recording paper cutting unit.