JP2002274740A - Paper delivery device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably align the paper corresponding to various kind of paper. SOLUTION: This paper delivery device for loading the fed-out printing paper P on a loading face 50a of a paper delivery space 50, is provided with an angle variable means 60 for varying an angle of the loading face 50a. The angle variable means 60 is composed of a paper feed-out space supporting part 61 mounted at a paper delivery space 50 side and having a locking pin 65 and a supporting pin 66, and an angle variable part 62 mounted at a device side, and having locking recessed parts 68a, 68b, and a supporting grooved hole 69. The supporting pin 66 is inserted into the supporting grooved hole 69, and the locking pin 65 is locked in the desired locking recessed part 68a. Whereby the paper delivery space 50 (loading face 50a) is supported in a state that its downstream end part is downwardly inclined. When the angle of the loading face 50a is varied, the locking pin 65 is locked in the desired locking recessed part 68b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a paper discharge device for stacking discharged paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus as an image forming apparatus has a sheet discharging device for receiving sheets discharged after printing. This type of paper discharge device includes a paper discharge tray, a pair of side fences for regulating the position of the paper in the width direction on the paper discharge tray, and a position in the paper discharge direction provided downstream of the paper discharge tray. Equipped with regulating end fences.

[0003] The distance between the pair of side fences is adjustable in accordance with the width of the sheet to be received. The end fence receives the leading end of the sheet discharged from the printing apparatus and drops the sheet on a sheet discharge table. Then, the sheets are stacked on the sheet discharge table within the range of the side fence and the end fence.

[0004] In a recent printing apparatus, a printed sheet is flying and discharged at a high speed toward a sheet discharging apparatus with an increase in printing speed. For this reason, the ejected paper has a strong propulsion force, so that the impact cannot be completely absorbed by the end fence, and it is difficult to stabilize the loading position that has fallen on the sheet ejection table.

[0005] To solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-
No. 20,468 discloses a “paper discharge storage device”. In this paper discharge storage device, as shown in FIG.
In the end fence 101 erected from the upper side, a thin plate elastic member 102 is provided which is bent from its upper end to the lower end of the surface facing the paper discharge direction O and is bent by its own weight so as to be inclined toward the discharge direction O. As a result, the discharged paper collides with the thin plate elastic member 102 to absorb the impact.

Another conventional paper discharging device is disclosed in
There is “Structure of paper discharge end fence” disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-217151. In the structure of the paper discharge fence, as shown in FIG. 8, a paper discharge stopper is provided at the end fence 101 erected on the paper discharge table 100 from the upper end to the lower end of the paper discharge receiving surface side facing the paper discharge direction O. The sponge body 103 is attached with a space between the sponge body and the surface. The upper end of the sponge body 103 is vertically displaceable, and the lower end is fixed to a paper discharge receiving surface. This causes the discharged paper to collide with the sponge body 103,
Trying to absorb that shock.

[0007] In each conventional paper discharge device, the paper discharge table 10
0 is inclined at a predetermined angle so that the downstream side where the end fence 101 is provided is lower than the upstream side. As a result, the sheet that has collided with the end fence 101 is
The paper is aligned so that the leading end portion abuts on the surface on the 01 side.

[0008]

The paper discharged from the image forming apparatus includes relatively large paper such as A3 to B5 size, and relatively small paper such as postcard and business card. Further, even if the paper size is the same, there are differences in thickness, tension (stiffness), and warpage. As described above, when the various types of paper are different, the discharge state of the paper discharged and discharged from the image forming apparatus changes. For this reason, in each of the above-mentioned conventional paper discharge devices, the thin plate elastic member 102 and the sponge body 103 of the end fence 101 cannot absorb elements having different paper sizes and thicknesses, and the falling posture after the collision is different from that of various papers. Each will be different. For example, a large paper and a small paper have different angles at which they fall with respect to the surface of the paper discharge tray 100.

As described above, in the case where the falling angle of the different sheets with respect to the surface of the sheet ejection table 100 is different, the case where the sheet falls in parallel with the surface of the sheet ejection table 100 is good. If the paper falls without being parallel to the surface of the table 100, the paper is aligned such that the lower surface of the paper that has fallen later rubs against the upper surface of the paper in the paper discharge table 100 first. . For this reason, especially in the printing apparatus, there is a problem that the printed image surface is rubbed and stained by the rubbing between the papers.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge device capable of stably improving the alignment of paper corresponding to various types of paper.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet discharging apparatus for stacking sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus on a mounting surface of a sheet discharging table. The apparatus may further include an angle changing unit that changes an angle of the placement surface in the sheet discharge direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sheet discharging apparatus according to the first aspect, the angle varying means moves the sheet discharging table itself.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper discharge device according to the first aspect, the angle varying means stores and draws a part of the mounting surface of the paper discharging table on the mounting surface. It is characterized by being movable as much as possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper discharge device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the angle changing means is configured to adjust the angle of the mounting surface or a part of the mounting surface. Is provided with a lock mechanism for holding at a predetermined angle.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of an image forming apparatus provided with a paper discharge device of the present invention. In addition,
In the embodiment described below, a stencil printing apparatus will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus including a paper discharge device. Note that the image forming apparatus includes another printing apparatus or copying apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stencil printing apparatus includes a document reading unit (not shown), a stencil making unit 1, a printing unit 2, a paper feeding unit 3, a paper discharging unit 4, and a stencil discharging unit 5. have.

The document reading section reads a document as an electric signal. The read information can be processed based on a predetermined command (enlargement, reduction, etc.).

The plate making section 1 has a base paper storage section 7, a guide feed roller 8, a thermal head 9, and a platen roller 10. The base paper accommodating section 7 accommodates a long stencil sheet M wound in a roll shape. The guide feed roller 8 is disposed downstream of the stencil container 7 in the conveying direction of the stencil sheet M. The thermal head 9 is arranged downstream of the guide feed roller 8 in the transport. The platen roller 10 is arranged at a position facing the thermal head 9 and is rotated by a driving force of a light pulse motor (not shown).

The plate making section 1 has a pair of stencil feed rollers 11 disposed between a platen roller 10 and a thermal head 9 and a plate cylinder 13 described later. The stencil feed roller 11 is rotated in synchronization with the platen roller 10 by the driving force of the light pulse motor. Further, the plate making section 1 has a pair of base paper feed rollers 11 and a base paper cutter (not shown) arranged between the platen roller 10 and the thermal head 9.

The stencil making section 1 feeds the stencil sheet M pulled out of the stencil sheet accommodating section 7 between the heat-sensitive head 9 and the platen roller 10 by the rotation of the platen roller 10. The information of the original read by the original reading unit is input to the thermal head 9. The thermal head 9 performs thermal perforation stencil making in the form of a dot matrix on the stencil sheet M according to this information. The stencil feed roller 11 transfers the stencil stencil M that has been made into a plate cylinder 13.
Send to the side. The stencil sheet M that has been made is cut into one plate by a stencil cutter.

The printing section 2 has a plate cylinder 13 and a paper cylinder 14 having substantially the same diameter. The plate cylinder 13 and the paper cylinder 14 are arranged such that a part of the outer peripheral surface of each of them is substantially close to each other. The plate cylinder 13 and the paper cylinder 14 are configured to rotate synchronously in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 by a driving force of a main motor (not shown).

The plate cylinder 13 has a pair of disk-shaped flanges (not shown) provided to face each other. A base paper clamp 15 is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of each flange. The stencil clamping unit 15 can clamp the leading end of the stencil sheet M made by the stencil making unit 1. A flexible screen 16 that forms the cylindrical peripheral wall of the plate cylinder 13 is stretched on the outer peripheral surface of the flange other than the base paper clamp portion 15. The screen 16 is configured to allow ink to pass through at least in the printing area when a printing pressure is applied.
Inside the screen 16 of the plate cylinder 13,
7 are provided. The pressing roller 17 presses the screen 16 to the outer peripheral side (the state shown in FIG. 1).
Is shifted between the standby positions that retreat inside the screen 16. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate press roll 17 is configured to be supplied with ink. That is, the intermediate press roll 17 applies printing pressure from the inner peripheral surface side of the screen 16 and supplies ink from the inner peripheral surface of the screen 16.

At a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the paper cylinder 14, a paper clamp portion 18 is provided. Paper clamp unit 18
Can clamp the leading end of the printing paper (paper) P.

The paper supply unit 3 includes a paper supply table 20 and a scraper 2.
1, pick-up roll 22, and sabaki roll 23
, A guide roll 24, a timing roll 25, a stop finger 26, and a sheet detection sensor 27. The paper feed table 20 holds the printing paper P. The scraper 21 is provided at the uppermost position of the printing paper P
Press against The pickup roll 22 and the sabaki roll 23 are arranged downstream of the scraper 21 and are positioned substantially in proximity to each other. The guide roll 24 and the timing roll 25 are arranged on the downstream side of the pickup roll 22 and the sabaki roll 23, and are positioned substantially in proximity to each other. Further, the guide roll 24 can move between a pressure contact position where the guide roll 24 is pressed against the timing roll 25 and a separation position where the guide roll 24 is separated from the timing roll 25. The stop finger 26 regulates the leading end of the printing paper P at the position of the timing roll 25. Paper detection sensor 27
Are the positions of the pickup roll 22 and the sabaki roll 23, and the guide roll 24 and the timing roll 25.
The detection position is defined as the position between the positions. Paper detection sensor 27
Consists of, for example, a light emitting element 27a and a light receiving element 27b, and detects the leading end of the conveyed printing paper P.

The paper supply unit 3 is provided with a printing paper P
Is moved in the transport direction by the rotation of the scraper 21. The moved printing paper P is picked up by the pickup roll 22.
And only the uppermost printing paper P is allowed to be transported by the sabaki roll 23. The leading end of the permitted one sheet of printing paper P is regulated by the stop finger 26 between the guide roll 24 and the timing roll 25 at the separated position. Thereafter, the printing paper P is conveyed to the paper cylinder 14 side in synchronization with the rotation of the paper cylinder 14 by the rotation of the guide roll 24 and the timing roll 25 at the press contact position.

The paper discharge section 4 has a paper delivery mechanism 29 and a paper transport mechanism 30. The paper delivery mechanism 29
The plate cylinder 13 and the paper cylinder 14 are provided at positions that are close to each other so as to face substantially adjacent outer peripheral surfaces. The paper transfer mechanism 29 has a plate cylinder side regulating guide portion 31 on the upper side thereof,
On the lower side, a paper cylinder side regulating guide portion 32 is provided. The paper transfer mechanism 29 is provided between the respective guide portions 31 and 32,
4 and receives the leading end of the printing paper P in the paper transport mechanism 30.
Hand over to the side. The paper transport mechanism 30 includes a drive roll 33 rotated by a drive motor (not shown), and a drive roll 33.
, And a driven roll 34 that comes into pressure contact with the driven roller 34 above. The printing paper P delivered to the paper transport mechanism 30 by the paper delivery mechanism 29 is transported while being pressed against the driven roll 34 by the rotation of the drive roll 33. The printing paper P transported by the paper transport mechanism 30 is discharged from a paper discharge port 35 to a paper discharge table 50 described later.

The drive roll 33 is formed in a longitudinal shape along the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the printing paper P. The driven rolls 34 are arranged so as to be in sliding contact only with margins (non-print margins) on both sides of the printing paper P. As a result, the ink transferred to the printing paper P does not appear on the driven roll 34. Further, the driven roll 34 is positioned in accordance with the size of the printing paper P set on the paper feed table 20 so as to slide only on both side margins of the printing paper P regardless of the width dimension of the printing paper P. Is automatically adjusted.
The size of the printing paper P is detected by a paper size detection unit (not shown) arranged on the paper feed table 20.

The plate discharging section 5 has a windmill-like member 36, a guide belt 37, a pair of upper and lower plate discharging conveyor belts 38, a plate discharging box 39, and a plate discharging compression member 40. The windmill member 36 guides the leading end of the stencil sheet M released from the stencil clamp section 15 of the plate cylinder 13. Guide belt 37
Transmits the rotational force to the windmill-like member 36 and assists the conveyance of the stencil sheet M. The stencil transport belt 38 transports the stencil sheet M transported by the windmill 36 and the guide belt 37 to the stencil box 39. Windmill-like member 3
6. The guide belt 37 and the stencil delivery belt 38 bring the windmill-like member 36 closer to the plate cylinder 13 when the stencil clamp 15 releases the leading end of the stencil sheet M. This allows
The stencil sheet M released from the stencil clamping section 15 of the plate cylinder 13 is conveyed by the guide belt 37 and the stencil conveyance belt while being guided by the windmill-like member 36. The stencil discharge box 39 stores the stencil sheet M conveyed by the stencil conveyance belt 38. Discharge plate compression member 4
No. 0 pushes the stencil sheet M deep into the stencil discharge box 39.

In the stencil printing machine described above, when printing,
The clamp of the stencil sheet M by the stencil clamp unit 15 is released and the plate cylinder 13 is rotated, and the stencil sheet M used previously is peeled off from the plate cylinder 13 by the windmill-like member 36, the guide belt 37, and the plate discharge conveyance belt 38. It is stored in the plate discharge box 39. Thereafter, a series of printing operations are performed. That is, the stencil sheet M for one plate made in the plate making section 1
Is conveyed to the plate cylinder 13 side. Then, the leading end of the conveyed stencil sheet M is clamped by the stencil clamping section 15, and the stencil sheet M is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall by the rotation of the plate cylinder 13. Next, one sheet of the printing paper P on the paper feed table 20 is taken out, and the leading end is regulated by the stop finger 26 between the guide roll 24 and the timing roll 25 at the separated position. Next, by rotating the guide roll 24 and the timing roll 25 at the pressing position, the printing paper P is held at a predetermined timing by the paper clamping unit 18 of the paper cylinder 14.
To the paper biting position. Next, the plate cylinder 13 and the paper cylinder 14 are rotated synchronously, and the peripheral wall is swelled and deformed with the intermediate press roll 17 in the pressed position, whereby the stencil sheet M wound around the plate cylinder 13 and the paper cylinder 14 are clamped. The pressed printing paper P is pressed. Thereby, the ink that has passed through the perforated portion of the stencil sheet M is transferred to the surface (one surface) of the printing paper P, and printing is performed. Next, with the rotation of the paper cylinder 14, the paper clamp unit 18 releases the clamp of the printing paper P, and discharges the printing paper P toward the paper output table 50 by the paper delivery mechanism 29 and the paper transport mechanism 30.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the paper discharge device provided in the stencil printing apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the paper discharge device of the present invention. The paper discharge device mainly includes the paper discharge table 50. An end fence 52 and a side fence 53 are provided on the paper discharge tray 50.

The discharge tray 50 has a substantially flat mounting surface 50a on the upper surface so as to load the printing paper P discharged in the discharge direction O from the discharge portion 5 of the stencil printing apparatus. It is formed in a plate shape. The discharge tray 50 has an end on the upstream side in the discharge direction O of the printing paper P attached to the stencil printing apparatus and extends.

The end fence 52 is formed in a plate shape.
In the discharge direction O of the printing paper P, it is provided upright at the downstream end which is the extended front portion of the paper discharge base 46. The end fence 52 has a plate surface facing the discharge direction O of the printing paper P as a collision surface 54. This collision surface 54 is
It is not perpendicular to 0a but inclined at 90 ° or less. Further, the collision surface 54 may be configured by a shock absorbing member (not shown).

The lower end of the end fence 52 is
Fixed to. The support 56 is provided with the end fence 52.
Are supported such that the collision surface 54 is as described above.
The support 56 is disposed in a concave rail 57 that is concave along the discharge direction O on the mounting surface 50a. The support 56 is provided slidably in the discharge direction O along the concave rail 57. The support 56 is used when the end fence 52 is not used or when the loaded printing paper P
When the sheet is removed, the end fence 52 is folded down along the discharge direction O of the printing paper P to be folded.

The side fence 53 is formed in a plate shape.
The sheet discharge tables 50 are erected in pairs in the left and right width directions. The side fences 53 are arranged such that the plate surfaces are opposed to each other, and the opposed plate surfaces are substantially orthogonal to the mounting surface 50a and the collision surface 54.

The lower ends of the side fences 53 are fixed to the support bases 58 in the upright state. Each support base 58 is disposed in each of the concave rails 59 that are recessed on the mounting surface 50a perpendicularly to the discharge direction O. Also,
Each support base 58 is provided so as to be slidable perpendicular to the discharge direction O along the concave rail 59. That is, each side fence 53 has a plate surface opposed to the mounting surface 50a and the collision surface 54 via the support base 58, and is opposed to the discharge direction O at right angles in that state. It can be moved so as to enlarge or reduce the interval between the plate surfaces. The support base 58 is used when the side fence 53 is not used,
When the loaded printing paper P is removed, the side fence 53 is configured to be folded down by folding the side fence 53 along the left and right width direction (the direction facing each other) of the discharge tray 50.

The paper discharge table 50 is provided for the stencil printing apparatus.
It is attached via angle changing means 60. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the angle varying means. As shown in FIG.
The angle varying means 60 has a paper ejection tray support 61 and an angle varying unit 62.

The discharge tray support 61 is provided at the upstream end in the discharge direction O, which is the end at which the discharge tray 50 is attached to the stencil printing apparatus. The paper ejection tray support 61 has support arms 63 that stand substantially perpendicular to the placement surface 50a on both left and right sides at the upstream end of the paper ejection tray 50, respectively. Each of the support arms 63 is formed as a pair by bending a sheet metal on a fixing portion 64 along the left and right side surfaces and the bottom surface of the sheet discharge table 50. Each support arm 63 is attached to the paper discharge table 50 by fixing the fixing portion 64 to the paper discharge table 50 side with a screw or the like.

A locking pin 65 is provided at the upper end of each of the support arms 63 erected. Each locking pin 65 protrudes outside of each support arm 63.
At the lower end of each support arm 63, a support pin 66 is provided. Each support pin 66 protrudes outside each support arm 63.

The angle variable section 62 is provided on the stencil printing machine side. The angle variable section 62 is provided with the support arms 63 described above.
Are provided on the left and right, respectively. The angle variable portion 62 is formed by bending a sheet metal, and has upper and lower ends,
Each of the stencil printing apparatuses has a fixing piece 67 fixed with a screw or the like. In addition, the angle variable portion 62 includes a plurality (two in FIG. 3) of locking recesses 68 a for receiving the locking pin 65.
68b, and a support slot 69 through which the support pin 66 is inserted.

In the angle varying means 60 described above, FIG.
As shown in (a), the support pin 66 inserted into the support slot 69 is moved along the support slot 69, and the locking pin 65 is moved.
Is locked in the desired locking recess 68a. This allows
The support pin 6 is formed by the support slot 69 and the locking recess 68a.
6 and the locking pin 65 are locked, and the paper discharge tray 50 is supported with the downstream end facing downward. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the paper discharge tray 50 (the mounting surface 50a) is inclined by α ≒ 10 ° with respect to the horizontal.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the locking pin 65 is locked in a desired locking recess 68b. As a result, the support pin 66 and the lock pin 65 are locked by the support slot 69 and the lock recess 68a, and the sheet discharge table 50 is inclined and supported with the downstream end facing downward. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the sheet discharge tray 50 (the mounting surface 50) is used.
a) is inclined by α ≒ 15 ° with respect to the horizontal.

As described above, the angle varying means 60 selectively locks the locking pin 65 in the locking recesses 68a and 68b, and thereby supports the support pin 66 in the support slot 69 so that the sheet discharge table 50 is supported. Is provided with a lock mechanism that varies and holds the angle. In the angle varying means 60 described above,
Although this example is configured to have two locking recesses 68a and 68b, it is possible to maintain two or more angles by having two or more locking recesses.

Further, the angle varying means 60 in the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 5, the support slot 69 of the angle varying section 62
However, it has a locking portion 69a at an end extending longitudinally in the discharge direction O of the printing paper P outside the operating range of the support pin 66 shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). In addition, the angle changing means 6
Reference numeral 0 has a support concave portion 70 which is located below the locking portion 69a in the horizontal direction and can support the locking pin 65. As shown in FIG. 5, the support pin 6 guided by the support slot 69 is formed by the locking portion 69a and the support recess 70.
6 is locked to the locking portion 69a, and the locking pin 65 is inserted into the insertion recess 70. As a result, the sheet discharge table 50 is lifted upside down to the stencil printing apparatus side and is inverted, and is stored in the stencil printing apparatus side.

The operation of the paper discharging device having the above configuration will be described. First, before the printing operation of the stencil printing apparatus starts, the end fence 52 and the side fence 53 are moved in accordance with the size of the printing paper P used for printing. A paper size scale (not shown) along the concave rail 57 and the concave rail 59 is written on the mounting surface 50a. Each position can be set by adjusting the plate surface of the end fence 52 and the opposing plate surface of each side fence 53 to the paper size scale corresponding to the size of the printing paper P to be used.

After setting the positions of the end fence 52 and the side fence 53, the angle of the sheet discharge tray 50 is set.
The angle of the paper discharge tray 50 is set by the angle varying means 60 described above. For example, if the printing paper P used for printing is A
If it is relatively large such as 3-B5 size, FIG.
As shown in (2), the paper discharge table 50 (placement surface 50a) is inclined by α ≒ 10 ° with respect to the horizontal. Further, if the printing paper P is relatively small, such as a postcard or a business card size, as shown in FIG.
≒ 15 ° tilt.

Thereafter, a start key (not shown) of the stencil printing apparatus is pressed. Thus, the above-described printing operation is started, and the printed printing paper P is discharged toward the paper discharge tray 50. The discharged printing paper P collides with the collision surface 54 of the end fence 52 so that the leading end portion is guided between the opposed plate surfaces of each side fence 53.

When the large printing paper P is discharged, the printing paper P collides with the collision surface 54 of the end fence 52, and then the collision surface 54 is 90 ° with respect to the mounting surface 50 a of the paper discharge table 50. The mounting surface 50a is tilted below so that the tip colliding with the end fence 52 is tilted downward.
It will fall toward. The inclination (α ≒ 10 °) of the mounting surface 50a shown in FIG. 4A is set in parallel with the inclination of the large-sized printing paper P. As a result, the large printing paper P falls in a posture parallel to the mounting surface 50a.

When the small printing paper P is discharged, the small printing paper P has a strong propulsion force.
The leading end colliding with the end fence 52 than the large printing paper P falls further downward and inclines toward the mounting surface 50a. The inclination (α ≒ 15 °) of the mounting surface 50a shown in FIG. 4B is set parallel to the inclination of the small printing paper P. Thus, the small printing paper P falls in a posture parallel to the mounting surface 50a.

The printing paper P has a different posture after colliding with the end fence 52 depending on the size thereof. However, the thickness (weight), tension (stiffness), warpage, or warpage of the printing paper P is different. The posture after colliding with the end fence 52 also differs depending on the difference in the discharge speed. Therefore, the inclination of the discharge tray 50 (the mounting surface 50a) may be changed by the angle changing means 60 in accordance with the difference between the various types of printing paper P.

Therefore, in the above-described paper discharging device, the inclination of the mounting surface 50a of the paper discharging board 50 is adjusted to the various types of printing paper P, and the printing paper P is collided with the end fence 52 and falls parallel to the printing paper P. I am trying to receive it. Accordingly, the lower surface of the printing paper P that has fallen later does not rub against the upper surface of the printing paper P that is on the paper discharge tray 50 first, and the print image surfaces do not rub and become dirty due to the rubbing between the printing papers P. As described above, the above-described paper discharge device can stably improve the paper alignment corresponding to various types of printing paper P.

Incidentally, in the above-described paper discharge device, the angle of the paper discharge table 50 itself is varied by the angle varying means 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as in another embodiment described below, a part of the placing surface 50a of the sheet discharge tray 50 is moved so that the inclination of the placing surface 50a matches the inclination of the printing paper P. You may.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another angle varying means. As shown in FIG. 6, the angle varying unit 72 is configured to
The mounting portion 74 is provided on a part of the mounting surface 50 a of the “0” and the storage portion 74 can be stored and pulled out in the concave portion 73. The mounting portion 74 has a flat upper surface 74a. The placement section 74 is pivotally attached to the concave portion 73 on the downstream side in the discharge direction O of the printing paper P, and when pulled out from the concave portion 73, the upstream side in the discharge direction O is lifted upward and the upper surface 74a is inclined. Also, the mounting section 74
In the state of being stored in the concave portion 73, the upper surface 74a is substantially flush with the mounting surface 50a. The shape of the upper surface 74a of the mounting portion 74 corresponds to the size of a business card that is the minimum printing paper P in the present embodiment. Further, the placing section 74 is provided in the sheet discharging direction O.
Has a plurality of unevennesses 74b on the upstream side of the upper surface 74a. The unevenness 74b is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) in the concave portion 73 to maintain the inclination angle of the upper surface 74a at a predetermined angle. A lock mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle is provided.

The operation of the paper discharging device having the above configuration will be described. First, before the printing operation of the stencil printing apparatus starts, the end fence 52 and the side fence 53 are moved in accordance with the size of the printing paper P used for printing. A paper size scale (not shown) along the concave rail 57 and the concave rail 59 is written on the mounting surface 50a. Each position can be set by adjusting the plate surface of the end fence 52 and the opposing plate surface of each side fence 53 to the paper size scale corresponding to the size of the printing paper P to be used.

The printing paper P used for printing is A3-
In the case of a relatively large size such as B5 size, the placing portion 74 is stored in the concave portion 73 and the upper surface 74a is placed on the placing surface 5 of the sheet discharge tray 50.
It is flush with 0a. If the printing paper P is relatively small, such as a postcard or a business card size, the mounting portion 74 is pulled out from the concave portion 73, and the upper surface 74a is inclined at a predetermined angle. The placing section 74 includes the end fence 52 and the side fences 5 that have been moved according to the size of the small printing paper P.
3 will be enclosed.

Thereafter, a start key (not shown) of the stencil printing apparatus is pressed. Thus, the above-described printing operation is started, and the printed printing paper P is discharged toward the paper discharge tray 50. The discharged printing paper P collides with the collision surface 54 of the end fence 52 so that the leading end portion is guided between the opposed plate surfaces of each side fence 53.

When the large printing paper P is discharged, the printing paper P collides with the collision surface 54 of the end fence 52, and then the collision surface 54 is 90 ° with respect to the mounting surface 50 a of the paper output table 50. The mounting surface 50a is tilted below so that the tip colliding with the end fence 52 is tilted downward.
It will fall toward. At this time, since the inclination of the mounting surface 50a of the sheet discharge table 50 is set parallel to the inclination of the large printing paper P, the large printing paper P is placed on the mounting surface 50a.
Fall in a posture parallel to.

When the small printing paper P is ejected, the small printing paper P has a strong propulsion force.
The leading end colliding with the end fence 52 than the large printing paper P falls further downward and inclines toward the mounting surface 50a. At this time, since the upper surface 74a of the mounting portion 74 pulled out from the concave portion 73 is set parallel to the inclination of the small printing paper P, the small printing paper P
Falls in a posture parallel to the upper surface 74a.

Therefore, in the above-described paper discharge device, the mounting portion 74 is pulled out from the mounting surface 50a of the paper discharge base 50 and tilted to a predetermined angle for the small printing paper P, and the end fence 5
2 and is received in a state parallel to the small printing paper P falling. In addition, corresponding to the large-sized printing paper P, the mounting portion 74 is stored on the mounting surface 50a, and is received in a state parallel to the large-sized printing paper P that collides with the end fence 52 and falls. As a result, the delivery table 5
0, the printing paper P dropped later on the upper surface of the printing paper P
Is not rubbed, and the printed image surface is not rubbed and stained by rubbing between the printing papers P. As described above, even in the paper ejection device according to another embodiment, it is possible to stably improve the paper alignment corresponding to various types of printing paper P.

[0059]

As described above, the sheet discharging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has the angle changing means for changing the angle of the mounting surface of the sheet discharging table in the sheet discharging direction. Then, by changing the angle of the mounting surface corresponding to various types of paper and making the mounting surface parallel to the posture of the falling paper, the mounting surface is first dropped on the upper surface of the paper on the paper output tray and then dropped. The paper is not rubbed, and the printed image surface is not rubbed and stained by the rubbing between the papers, so that the paper alignment can be stably improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sheet discharging apparatus, the angle varying means moves the sheet discharging table itself. Accordingly, the placement surface can be made parallel to the posture of the falling sheet in accordance with various kinds of paper having different sheet sizes and sheet thicknesses, so that the sheet alignment can be stably improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sheet discharging device, the angle varying means stores a part of the placing surface of the sheet discharging table on the placing surface.
Move it so that it can be pulled out. This makes it possible to make a part of the mounting surface parallel to the posture of the small paper sheet falling down, especially for a small paper sheet whose falling posture is unstable, so that the paper alignment can be stably improved. Further, by storing the mounting surface, it is possible to stably improve the alignment of paper other than the small-sized paper.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet discharging apparatus, the angle changing means includes a lock mechanism for holding the mounting surface or a part of the mounting surface at a predetermined angle. Thus, the set predetermined angle can be maintained even when the paper stacking weight increases.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of an image forming apparatus provided with a paper discharge device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a paper discharge tray.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an angle changing unit.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views showing the operation of the angle varying means.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing another operation of the angle varying means.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another angle varying means.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a conventional sheet discharging device.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing another conventional sheet discharging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 50: paper discharge table, 50a: mounting surface, 60, 72: angle variable means, 61: paper discharge table support part, 62: angle variable part, 63 ...
Support arm, 64: fixed portion, 65: locking pin, 66: support pin, 68a, 68b: locking recess, 69: support slot,
73: recess, 74: mounting portion, 74a: upper surface, P: printing paper (paper).

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 22, 2001 (2001.3.2)
2)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0045

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

After setting the positions of the end fence 52 and the side fence 53, the angle of the sheet discharge tray 50 is set.
The angle of the paper discharge tray 50 is set by the angle varying means 60 described above. For example, if the printing paper P used for printing is A
If it is relatively large such as 3-B5 size, FIG.
As shown in (2), the paper discharge table 50 (placement surface 50a) is inclined α ≒ 10 ° with respect to the horizontal. Further, if the printing paper P is relatively small, such as a postcard or a business card size, as shown in FIG.
≒ 15 ° tilt.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takao Kawabe 2-20-15 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo R-Science Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3F054 AA01 AC01 BA03 BD04 BG11 BH13

Claims (4)

[Claims] A sheet discharging device for stacking sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus on a mounting surface of a sheet discharging table, wherein an angle changing means for changing an angle of the mounting surface in the sheet discharging direction is provided. A paper ejection device, comprising: 2. The sheet discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the angle changing means moves the sheet discharging table itself. 3. The paper ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the angle changing means moves a part of the installation surface of the paper ejection table so as to be able to be stored and pulled out of the installation surface. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle changing means includes a lock mechanism for holding the mounting surface or a part of the mounting surface at a predetermined angle. A paper ejection device according to any one of the above.