JP2002308511A - Sheet handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stack a large number of sheets on a second delivery sheet stacking means. SOLUTION: This sheet handling device 100 is provided with a sheet delivery space 4 formed by partitioning adjacent two sides among four sides at front, rear, left and right by walls W1 and W2 in an intermediate part of the device body 101 along a vertical direction and receiving a sheet delivered from a lower first sheet delivery roller pair 51 and a upper second sheet delivery roller pair 52 vertically arranged on the wall W1, a first deliver sheet stacking tray 41 provided in the sheet delivery space 4 for stacking the sheet delivered from the first sheet delivery roller pair 51, and a second delivery sheet stacking tray 42 provided in the sheet delivery space 4 for stacking the sheet delivered from the second sheet delivery roller pair 52. The second delivery sheet stacking tray 42 is supported by the two side walls W1 and W2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet handling apparatus for handling sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet handling apparatus for handling a sheet includes, for example, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, a sheet punching apparatus for punching a sheet, a sheet binding apparatus for binding a sheet bundle, and folding of a sheet. There is a sheet bending device and the like.

The image forming apparatus includes a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral thereof. Among these, there is an apparatus, such as a copying machine or a facsimile, provided with an image reading unit (hereinafter, referred to as a “scanner”) for reading a document at an upper portion of the apparatus main body.

[0004] In particular, most of the image forming apparatuses of the type that forms an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method used in offices are of this type. Examples of the sheet include plain paper, a thin sheet that is a substitute for plain paper, and paper for overprojectors.

[0005] In recent years, so-called multifunction peripherals having both a printer and a copier function and a facsimile function for the purpose of cost reduction and installation space for an image forming apparatus have been increasing. ing.

Further, an image forming section for forming an image on a sheet and a scanner are arranged separately, and a space for discharging the sheet is formed between the two, so that the discharge tray does not protrude from the side of the apparatus body. Therefore, the number of image forming apparatuses of a so-called sheet-in-body-discharge type in which the occupied area is reduced.

[0007]

The above-described image forming apparatus as a multifunction peripheral has not only a copy function but also a facsimile function or a printer function. Two or three output trays are required to sort for faxes and printers. Therefore, another sheet discharge unit is provided above the conventional sheet discharge unit, and another discharge sheet stacking tray is provided in the in-body sheet discharge space.

FIG. 18 shows a copier 18 in which another discharge sheet stacking tray 194 is provided in the in-body sheet discharge space A.
FIG. FIG. 19 shows the copying machine 18 of FIG.
0 is a schematic front sectional view of FIG. Body sheet discharge space A
Is partitioned by walls W1, W2, and W3 on three sides except the front side. Then, in the in-body sheet discharge space portion A and the first
A second discharge sheet stacking tray 194 is provided above the discharge sheet stacking tray 193 of FIG. A trailing end 194a of the discharged sheet of the second discharged sheet stacking tray 194 is attached to an inner wall of the in-body sheet discharge space A, and an opposite end thereof, that is, a discharged sheet front end 194b.
Is supported by a protrusion 195 protruding from the wall W3.

However, in the case of the copier 180, the visibility of the discharged sheet is poor because the three sides of the in-body sheet discharge space A are surrounded by the walls W1, W2, and W3.

FIG. 20 is a schematic front sectional view of another copying machine 181 provided with one discharge sheet stacking tray 192 in the in-body sheet discharge space B similarly to the copying machine 180 of FIG. The in-body sheet discharge space B has two sides, the left side and the back side.
Is separated by walls W1 and W2. Further, a second discharge sheet stacking tray 192 is provided above the first discharge sheet stacking tray 191. The second discharge sheet stacking tray 192 is fixed to the inner wall W2 of the in-body sheet discharge space B only at the rear end 192a of the discharge sheet.
It is provided on the left wall W2 in the same state as a so-called cantilever. For this reason, it is difficult for the copying machine 181 to stack a large number of sheets on the second discharge sheet stacking tray 192 in terms of strength.

The present invention provides a sheet handling apparatus capable of stacking a large number of sheets on a second sheet stacking means mounted in an in-body sheet discharge space sectioned by two walls. Aim.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a sheet handling apparatus according to the present invention is provided such that two adjacent four sides (front, rear, left and right) are partitioned by a wall at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the apparatus body. A sheet discharge space portion formed to receive sheets discharged from a lower first sheet discharge port and an upper second sheet discharge port arranged vertically in the one wall, and the sheet discharge space section A first discharge sheet stacking means provided on the first sheet discharge port for loading sheets discharged from the first sheet discharge port; and a first discharge sheet stacking means disposed in the sheet discharge space portion and discharged from the second sheet discharge port. And a second discharge sheet stacking unit on which sheets are stacked, wherein the second discharge sheet stacking unit is supported by the two walls.

The second discharged sheet stacking means of the sheet handling apparatus of the present invention is detachably provided on the two walls by detaching means.

The first discharged sheet stacking means of the sheet handling apparatus of the present invention is a bottom portion of the sheet discharge space.

[0015] The second discharged sheet stacking means of the sheet handling apparatus of the present invention has legs supported by the first discharged sheet stacking means.

[0016] The leg of the sheet handling apparatus of the present invention includes:
It is located outside the sheet passage area of the second discharge sheet stacking means.

A reinforcing rib is provided on the back side of the second discharged sheet stacking means of the sheet handling apparatus of the present invention.

The second discharge sheet stacking means of the sheet handling apparatus of the present invention has a sheet grip notch for gripping a sheet stacked on the second discharge sheet stacking means.

The sheet stacking surface of the second sheet stacking means of the sheet handling apparatus of the present invention is formed so that the upstream side in the sheet discharging direction is lower than the intermediate portion.

The sheet handling apparatus according to the present invention includes the first
And an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge port.

The sheet discharge space of the sheet handling apparatus of the present invention is located above the image forming means.

The sheet handling apparatus of the present invention has image reading means for reading an image of a document above the sheet discharge space, and forms an image read by the image reading means on a sheet by the image forming means. It is supposed to.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A copying machine, which is a kind of image forming apparatus of a sheet handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be applied not only to a copying machine but also to a sheet handling apparatus, and is not limited to a copying machine.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the configuration of the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are external perspective views of a copying machine.
FIG. 3 is a schematic front sectional view of the copying machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 when an automatic document feeder 102 is provided instead of the pressure plate 104.

The copying machine 100 includes an apparatus main body 101, a sheet supply table 103 optionally mounted below the apparatus main body 101, a pressure plate 104 mounted on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 101, or an optional Automatic Document Feeder (hereinafter ADF)
102).

The copying machine 100 has both the function of a copying machine and the function of a facsimile, and performs image formation by converting image information (optical signal) of a read document into an electric signal.
This is a so-called digital multifunction device.

The apparatus main body 101 has an image forming section 1 disposed substantially at the center thereof and a sheet supply section 2 disposed below the image forming section 1. In addition, a scanner unit 3 which is an image reading unit or an image reading unit is disposed at an uppermost portion of the apparatus main body 101. An in-body sheet discharge space 4 is formed between the scanner unit 3 and the image forming unit 1.

In the apparatus main body 101, the image forming section 1 is configured as a conventionally known electrophotographic print engine, and incorporates a laser writing device (not shown), an electrophotographic process section 150, a fixing device 151, and the like (FIG. 3). ). The sheet supply unit 2 includes a two-stage sheet supply cassette 2
1 to supply a sheet to the image forming unit 1. Each sheet supply cassette 21 is a front-loading type in which sheets are supplied to the front side of the apparatus to supply sheets, and has a pull-out handle 152 at the center of the front surface of the cassette.

The scanner unit 3 has a contact glass (not shown) disposed on the upper surface thereof, and a scanner unit (not shown) disposed below the contact glass. The in-body sheet discharge space portion 4 has two side surfaces except for the front surface and the right side surface formed of walls W1, W.
2, and further surrounded by the scanner unit 3 and the image forming unit 1.

The lowermost portion (bottom portion) of the in-body sheet discharge space 4
The first discharge sheet stacking tray (first discharge sheet stacking means) 41 provided in the image forming section 1 is provided above the image forming section 1. A second discharge sheet stacking tray (second discharge sheet stacking means) 42 is provided at the center of the in-body sheet discharge space 4 and above the first discharge sheet stacking tray 41.
Is provided. In FIG. 3, a sheet discharge path is provided in the optional sheet discharge unit 44 forming the left side wall W1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the option sheet discharge unit 44. The sheet can be received from the direction of the arrow F, and can be discharged in the directions of the arrow G and the arrow H.

The optional sheet discharging unit 44
A sheet discharge path is also provided below the image forming unit 1.
The sheet on which the image is formed is selected by selecting a sheet discharge place, and loading the second discharged sheet from the position in the height direction onto the first discharged sheet stacking tray 41 from the lower position in the height direction. It is discharged onto a tray 42. The optional sheet discharge unit 44 is provided on the apparatus main body 101 so as to be detachable.

A third discharge sheet stacking tray 43 can be provided on the left side of the in-body sheet discharge space portion 4 and on the left side of the apparatus main body 101 as desired by the user. The sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit 1 is discharged onto the third discharge sheet stacking tray 43 through another sheet discharge path in the optional sheet discharge unit 44. It should be noted that a finisher 46 can be mounted in place of the third discharge sheet stacking tray 43 as shown in FIG.

The ADF 102 is mounted on an upper part of the apparatus main body 101 by a hinge (not shown) provided on the back side of the apparatus, and is installed so as to cover the contact glass on the upper surface of the scanner unit 3 so that it can be opened and closed and can be closed. Have been. AD
The configuration and operation of F102 are the same as those of the conventional well-known device, and thus detailed description is omitted. The document bundle (not shown) set on the document table 71 is conveyed one by one from below onto the contact glass. The manuscript is in the scanner section 3
And the document is discharged onto the document discharge table 72.

For copying that does not rely on automatic document feeding, or for copying a book or notebook, the ADF 102 can be used as a pressure plate. When the optional ADF 102 is not mounted, the pressing plate 104 for pressing the original on the contact glass is provided on the upper surface of the scanner unit 3.
Are mounted as shown in FIG.

The sheet supply table 103 includes a main body 101.
Of the two-stage sheet supply cassette 2 as in the sheet supply section 2 of FIG.
1, 21. Therefore, the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment
The sheet supply unit 00 is a sheet supply cassette 2 having a total of four stages.
One.

Next, the configuration of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42. The front side of the center of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 is a sheet grip notch portion 42 which is largely cut.
a. The discharged sheet stacking surface 42d is inclined by the fact that the trailing end 42b of the discharged sheet is located lower than other portions. Thereby, it is possible to improve the ease of removal of the sheet discharged from the second discharged sheet stacking tray 42 by the user and the visibility of the sheet.

At the trailing end 42b of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42, the convex portions 31, 32 for holding the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 in the in-body sheet discharge space 4 are provided. 33 are provided. Convex parts 31, 32, 33
Are arranged at equal intervals on the trailing end side of the discharged sheet of the second discharged sheet stacking tray 42.

FIG. 8 is a view seen from the direction of arrow D in FIG. On the inner side of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42, on the left side in the sheet discharge direction, a second sheet discharge space 4 is provided.
Hook 34 for holding the discharge sheet stacking tray 42
Is provided at one place. The cross-sectional shape of the hook 34 is substantially U-shaped. A leg (leg) is provided near the hooking portion 34 on the back side of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42.
35 are provided. The leg 35 supports the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42. There may be a plurality of legs 35.

The legs 35 are, as shown in FIG.
Sheets that are formed integrally with the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 and that pass through the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 when the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 is mounted in the in-body sheet discharge space 4. Of the sheet passing area 37 (shaded area). The leg 35
May be formed separately from the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42. In that case, the leg 35 is fixed to the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 with screws or the like. Also,
When the leg 35 is attached to the main body, the user
00 and the second position in the posture of using the copying machine 100.
When the discharge sheet stacking tray 42 is viewed, the sheet is hidden by the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 and is not visible. A plurality of sheet passing ribs 36 are provided on the surface of the second discharged sheet stacking tray 42, that is, the sheet passing surface 42c.
Is formed.

FIG. 9 shows the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42.
FIG. On the back surface of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42, a lattice-shaped rib (reinforcement rib) 38 and a cross-shaped rib (reinforcement rib) are provided in order to impart strength to the tray.
39 are provided. In addition, the discharge sheet rear end side end 42
On the b side, a rib 40 is provided in a direction intersecting the sheet discharging direction.

Next, the copying operation in the copying machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 by taking as an example the case where the ADF 102 is used in place of the pressure plate 104.

First, a user places a document on a contact glass (not shown) on the upper surface of the scanner section 3. ADF1
After closing 02, the number of copies and the like are designated by the operation unit 60 and the start button is pressed. Then, the scanner unit starts reading the document. The read image information of the document is digitized by photoelectric conversion and subjected to image processing.

The laser writing device of the image forming section 1 is driven based on the processed signal, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum (image forming means) 45. The latent image is visualized as a toner image, and is transferred to the sheet supplied from the sheet supply unit 2 of the apparatus main body 101 or the sheet supply cassette 21 of the sheet supply table 103. The toner image transferred onto the sheet is fixed by the fixing device 151 and sent to the sheet discharge unit. The sheet sent to the sheet discharge unit is normally discharged onto the first discharge sheet stacking tray 41 by the first sheet discharge roller pair (first sheet discharge port) 51. The sheet sent to the sheet discharge unit is sent to the second sheet discharge roller pair (second sheet discharge port) 52 by switching the flapper 55 and discharged to the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42. You.

Next, a method of mounting the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 on the apparatus main body 101 will be described.

First, the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42
Is mounted on the apparatus main body 101, as shown in FIG. The protrusions 31, 32, 33 of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 are respectively replaced with the notches 61, 62, 63 of the optional sheet discharge unit 44 forming the left wall surface of the in-body sheet discharge space 4. Insert to the corresponding position (FIG. 11). FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the order of insertion. The protrusion 33 (32, 31) is inserted into the notch 63 (62, 61). Then, the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 is connected to the optional sheet discharge unit 4.
4, the rib 40 abuts against the wall surface 65 of the optional sheet discharge unit 44. Thus, the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 is supported by the option sheet discharge unit 44. That is, the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 is supported by the wall W1. FIG.
5 is a perspective view showing a state where the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 is mounted on the option sheet discharge unit 44. FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG.
4 is inserted into an opening 64 provided in the inner wall surface of the in-body sheet discharge space 4 as shown by the arrow E. FIG. 14 shows a sectional view thereof. The hooks 34 are provided between the protrusions 33, 32, 31 and the notches 63, 62, 61.
There is a gap required to hook the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 to the wall W2, which is necessary for hooking the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 into the opening 64.

Thus, the mounting of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 on the apparatus main body 101 is completed. FIG. 15 is a front view showing a state in which the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 is mounted in the in-body sheet discharge space portion 4. In this state, leg 3
5 is supported by a first discharge sheet stacking tray 41, and even when a long sheet S is stacked on the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42, the leg 35 is supported.
Supports the load of the seat. In addition, with such a configuration, the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42
Approximately 300 small-size sheets and 150 large-size sheets are stacked.

In the copying machine 100, notches 61, 62, and notches of the apparatus main body 101 are provided in a second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 which is mounted in the in-body sheet discharge space portion 4 partitioned by walls W1 and W2. Protrusions 31, 32, and 33 that engage with the main body 63 are provided on the rear end side end 42b of the discharged sheet.
1 to the opening 64 of the copier 1.
Since it is provided on the back side when it is mounted on the apparatus main body 101 of FIG. 1, and is further positioned on the back side, and the legs 35 are provided on the back side of the tray, the configuration of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 is complicated. When the sheets are stacked on the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 without performing, the strength of the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 can be maintained, and the sheets are stacked on the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42. You can now increase the number. Further, the second discharge sheet stacking tray 42 can be easily mounted on the walls W1 and W2.

[0050]

According to the sheet handling apparatus of the present invention, the second discharge sheet stacking means is supported by two walls, so that the structure of the second discharge sheet stacking means is not complicated. In addition, the strength of the discharged sheet stacking unit when sheets are stacked on the discharged sheet stacking unit can be maintained, and the number of sheets stacked on the second discharged sheet stacking unit can be increased. Further, the second discharge sheet stacking means can be easily attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a copying machine (sheet handling apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a copying machine (sheet handling device) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front sectional view of the copying machine in which an automatic document feeder is provided instead of the pressure plate in the copying machine of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an optional sheet discharging unit.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the copying machine when a finisher is mounted on the copying machine of FIG. 3 instead of a third discharge sheet stacking tray.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second discharge sheet stacking tray.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a second discharge sheet stacking tray.

8 is a view of the second discharge sheet stacking tray of FIG. 6 as viewed from the direction of arrow D.

9 is a view of the second discharge sheet stacking tray of FIG. 6 as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a mounting operation when a second discharge sheet stacking tray is mounted in a sheet discharge space in the body of the copying machine;

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a mounting operation when a convex portion of a second discharge sheet stacking tray is inserted into a notch of an optional sheet discharge unit.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a mounting operation when a convex portion of a second discharge sheet stacking tray is inserted into a notch of an optional sheet discharge unit. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view before inserting a convex portion of a second discharge sheet stacking tray into a notch of an optional sheet discharge unit. (B) It is sectional drawing when the convex part of a 2nd discharge sheet loading tray is inserted in the notch of an option sheet discharge unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a mounting operation when a hook portion of a second discharge sheet stacking tray is inserted into an opening of a wall.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a mounting operation when a hook portion of a second discharge sheet stacking tray is inserted into an opening of a wall. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view before a hook portion of a second discharge sheet stacking tray is inserted into an opening of a wall. (B) It is sectional drawing when the hook part of a 2nd discharge sheet loading tray is inserted in the opening part of a wall.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a state in which a second discharge sheet stacking tray is mounted in an in-body sheet discharge space.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which a second discharge sheet stacking tray is mounted on an optional sheet discharge unit.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a second discharge sheet stacking tray.

FIG. 18 is an external perspective view of a conventional copying machine.

FIG. 19 is a schematic front sectional view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an external perspective view of another conventional copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

W1, W2 Wall 4 Sheet discharge space 35 Leg (leg) 37 Sheet passage area 38 Grid-shaped rib (reinforcement rib) 39 Cross rib (reinforcement rib) 41 First discharge sheet stacking tray (first discharge sheet stacking means) 42) second discharge sheet stacking tray (second discharge sheet stacking means) 42a sheet grip notch portion 42d discharge sheet stacking surface 45 photosensitive drum (image forming means) 51 first sheet discharge roller pair (second sheet) Discharge port) 52 Second sheet discharge roller pair (first sheet discharge port) 100 Copier (sheet handling apparatus) 101 Main body

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An adjoining two of four front, rear, left, and right sides is formed by partitioning a wall at an intermediate portion in a vertical direction of an apparatus main body.
A sheet discharge space for receiving sheets discharged from a lower first sheet discharge opening and an upper second sheet discharge opening arranged vertically in the one wall; and a sheet discharge space provided in the sheet discharge space. First discharge sheet stacking means on which sheets discharged from the first sheet discharge port are stacked; and the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge port provided in the sheet discharge space portion is stacked. A second discharge sheet stacking means, wherein the second discharge sheet stacking means is supported by the two walls. 2. The sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second discharge sheet stacking means is detachably provided on the two walls by attaching and detaching means. 3. The sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first discharge sheet stacking means is a bottom of the sheet discharge space. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second discharge sheet stacking means has a leg supported by said first discharge sheet stacking means. A sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The sheet handling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the leg is located outside a sheet passage area of the second discharged sheet stacking unit. 6. The sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcing rib is provided on the back side of the second discharge sheet stacking means. . 7. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the second discharge sheet stacking means has a sheet grip notch for gripping a sheet stacked on the second discharge sheet stacking means. The sheet handling apparatus according to any one of 1, 2, 4, and 6. 8. The sheet stacking surface of the second sheet stacking means, wherein an upstream side in a sheet discharging direction is formed lower than an intermediate portion.
The sheet handling apparatus according to any one of Items 6 and 7. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet discharged from the first sheet discharge port and the second sheet discharge port. The sheet handling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sheet discharge space is disposed above the image forming unit.
A sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1. 11. An image reading device for reading an image of a document above the sheet discharge space, wherein the image read by the image reading device is formed on a sheet by the image forming device. Item 11. The sheet handling device according to item 10.