JP2005335914A - Sheet feed device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet feed device allowing a user to easily set a roll sheet with ease comparatively without using a solely devoted roll sheet setting device. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet feed device is equipped with a first supporting part 10 capable of supporting the first end part 31 of the roll sheet 30, a second supporting part 20 capable of supporting the second end part 32 of the roll sheet 30, a support unit 40 to support the first 10 and second supporting parts 20, and a shaft 2 to support the support unit 40 rotatably between approximately the vertical attitude and horizontal attitude. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that supplies a sheet to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, and in particular, easily sets a roll sheet in which a continuous long sheet is wound around a core tube. In particular, the present invention relates to a paper feeding device capable of handling the above.

  Depending on the image forming apparatus, when an image forming process such as printing or copying is performed, a roll sheet composed of continuous sheets may be used in addition to plain paper previously cut to a standard size. The roll sheet is obtained by winding a continuous long sheet around a core tube in a predetermined direction, and is used after being cut to a desired length by a cutting mechanism provided inside the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus using such a roll sheet is mainly used for business use using a large size sheet such as A0 size.

Conventionally, when such a large size roll sheet is used, the roll sheet is set in the sheet feeding device by the user first attaching flanges to both ends of the roll sheet, and then lifting the sheet with both hands. This was done by mounting the device at a predetermined position. Alternatively, a dedicated mounting device is used, and a roll sheet with a flange attached is conveyed to a paper feeding device.
JP 2002-240996 A

  However, a roll sheet having a large size has a large outer diameter and is heavy, so that it is very difficult for a user to handle. The task of setting a roll sheet on a paper feeder is a heavy labor for an adult man alone, and it is difficult for a woman or an elderly person to set a roll sheet alone. It was.

  On the other hand, when the dedicated mounting device described in Patent Document 1 is used, it is freed from heavy labor for setting a roll sheet. However, it is not practical to use such a dedicated mounting device because it is very expensive. Even if the mounting device is introduced, the size of the mounting device itself is large, so that there is a problem that a considerable work space is required in addition to the installation space for the image forming apparatus and the paper feeding device.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and paper feeding that enables a user to set a roll sheet relatively easily and easily without using a dedicated paper feeding device. The object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a first support portion that supports a first end portion of a roll sheet, a second support portion that supports a second end portion of the roll sheet, A support unit that supports the first support portion and the second support portion, and a support shaft that rotatably supports the support unit between a substantially vertical posture and a substantially horizontal posture. Is.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device according to the first aspect, when the roll sheet is supported by the first support portion and the second support portion, the support unit rotates in a substantially horizontal posture. And when the said roll sheet is not supported by the 1st support part and the 2nd support part, the said support unit rotates to a substantially vertical attitude | position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device according to the first or second aspect, the second support portion has a tapered inclined surface that is thinner toward a tip end side that supports the second end portion of the roll sheet. And an urging member for urging the inclined surface portion toward the distal end side.

  According to the structure of this invention, the 1st support part which supports the 1st edge part of a roll sheet, the 2nd support part which supports the 2nd edge part of the said roll sheet, the said 1st support part, and the said 2nd By providing a support unit that supports the support portion and a support shaft that rotatably supports the support unit between a substantially vertical posture and a substantially horizontal posture, the support unit is placed in a vertical state. Since the roll sheet can be inserted from above and engaged with the first support portion, the user can relatively easily attach the roll sheet to the support unit.

  Then, by simply rotating the support unit supporting the roll sheet around the support shaft and changing the state from a substantially vertical posture to a substantially horizontal posture, the support unit can be easily moved to a predetermined position of the paper feeding device. It becomes possible to set.

  In the present invention, when the roll sheet is supported by the first support portion and the second support portion, the support unit rotates in a substantially horizontal posture, and the roll sheet is rotated by the first support portion and the second support portion. When the roll sheet is set on the support unit, the support unit naturally changes to a substantially horizontal posture. Roll sheets can be set easily and easily.

  Further, in the present invention, the second support portion includes a slope portion having a tapered shape that is narrower toward a distal end side that supports the second end portion of the roll sheet, and a biasing member that biases the slope portion toward the distal end side. By providing, after engaging the first end portion of the roll sheet and the first support portion, just urging the second end portion of the roll sheet in the direction of the second support portion, Since the tapered slope portion of the second support portion is automatically fitted into the second end portion of the roll sheet, the user can set the roll sheet relatively easily and easily.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention in a simplified manner. This image forming apparatus is capable of copying a document of a large size such as A0 size. The document is transported, and the document surface is illuminated and scanned by a fixedly arranged optical system. An image is formed.

  The image forming apparatus 50 includes a paper feeding device 51 for accommodating the roll sheet 30, a transport mechanism 52 for supplying paper to the image forming apparatus, an optical system 53 for reading a document, and light provided from the optical system. An image forming mechanism 54 for forming an image on the basis of the image and transferring the image onto a sheet, a fixing device 55 for fixing the image transferred on the sheet, and the like.

  The paper feeding device 51 has, for example, two paper feeding devices 51a and 51b in the vertical direction, and wide papers such as A0 and A1 are rolled into a cylindrical shape on each paper feeding device 51a and 51b. A roll sheet is accommodated. The roll sheet 30 can be set and replaced by pulling out the paper feeding devices 51a and 51b in the direction of arrow A (the front side of the machine).

  A paper transport path 56 extends straight up and down in the transport mechanism 52, and the paper fed from the paper feeding device 51 is transported from below to above along the paper transport path 56. The vicinity of the most downstream side of the sheet conveyance path 56 is curved toward the front side, and the sheet is fed from the conveyance mechanism 52 to the image forming mechanism 54 in a substantially horizontal direction. A pair of pre-transfer rollers 57 for conveying the sheet to the image forming mechanism 54 at a predetermined timing is provided in a curved portion near the most downstream side of the sheet conveyance path 56. The pre-transfer roller 57 feeds the conveyed paper in synchronism with the toner image forming operation in the image forming mechanism 54.

  The image forming mechanism 54 includes a photosensitive drum 58 that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. The photosensitive drum 58 has a photosensitive layer on its outer peripheral surface, and is uniformly charged by the discharge of the main charger 59 and then exposed by a laser beam emitted from the optical system 53. As a result, a so-called electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 58. A toner image is developed by the developing device 60 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 58 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. When the photosensitive drum 58 is further rotated, the toner image formed on the surface is transferred to the roll sheet 30. Is done. The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 58 after the toner image is transferred is collected by the cleaning device 61.

  The roll sheet 30 to which the toner image is transferred as described above is guided to the fixing device 55. The fixing device 55 is provided with a pair of fixing rollers 62. Of the pair of fixing rollers 62, the upper roller 62a is a heat roller that is heated to a predetermined fixing temperature by, for example, a heater and melts and fixes the toner adhering to the roll sheet 30. The lower roller 62b is, for example, a pressure roller that is in pressure contact with a heat roller at a predetermined fixing pressure. The roll sheet 30 conveyed to the fixing device 55 is conveyed between the heat roller and the pressure roller. At this time, the toner on the roll sheet 30 is melted by a heat roller, and the melted toner is fixed to the paper by pressure. The toner after the fixing process is sent out from the fixing device 55 by the discharge roller 63 and discharged to the outside.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram before the roll sheet is mounted on the paper feeding device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view when the engaging portion of the second support portion of the sheet feeding device according to the present invention is released. FIG. 4 is a schematic view when a roll sheet is mounted on the first support portion and the second support portion of the sheet feeding device according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view when the support unit is in a substantially horizontal posture after the roll sheet is set in the paper feeding device according to the present invention.

  The sheet feeding device 51 of the present embodiment includes a support unit 40 in the case 1, and a first support portion 10 and a second support portion 20 are provided at both ends of the support unit 40, respectively. The case 1 is formed in a size that can accommodate the roll sheet 30. The first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20 are configured to be engageable with the first end portion 31 and the second end portion 32 of the roll sheet 30, respectively.

  Further, the support unit 40 is pivotally supported around a support shaft 2 provided in the case 1 so as to be rotatable between a substantially horizontal posture and a substantially vertical posture. Before the roll sheet 30 is mounted, the support unit 40 is substantially vertical. After turning to the posture and mounting the roll sheet, it turns to a substantially horizontal posture. This is because the position of the support shaft 2 provided in the case 1 is provided at a position close to the first support portion 10 side of the support unit 40, and therefore the weight of the roll sheet 30 after the roll sheet 30 is mounted. Is biased toward the second support portion 20 and rotates in a substantially horizontal posture. Further, before the roll sheet 30 is mounted, even if the support shaft 2 provided in the case 1 is provided at a position close to the first support part 10 side of the support unit 40, the first support part 10. Since the weight of itself is heavier than the weight of the second support portion 20, it rotates in a substantially vertical posture. Even when the sheet of the roll sheet 30 is lost and only the core is formed, the support unit 40 rotates in a substantially horizontal direction with the weight of the core only.

  Next, the operation when the roll sheet 30 is set in the paper feeding device 51 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the sheet feeding device 51 is pulled out from the main body 70 of the image forming apparatus 50 in the direction of arrow A (front side of the machine). When the roll sheet 30 is not set, the support unit 40 provided in the case 1 of the paper feeding device 51 rotates in a substantially vertical posture as described above. The user inserts the first flange 80 into the first end portion 31 of the roll sheet 30 and the second flange 85 into the second end portion 32 of the roll sheet 30 in advance. In this state, the first flange 80 inserted into the first end portion 31 of the roll sheet 30 is inserted into the engaging portion 11 of the first support portion 10 obliquely from above.

  Next, the engagement portion 21 of the second support portion 20 is once removed upward, and the roll sheet 30 is attached so as to be parallel to the support unit 40 with the engagement portion 11 of the first support portion 10 as a fulcrum. And the engaging part 21 of the 2nd support part 20 is inserted in the 2nd support part 20 as it is, and the roll sheet 30 is fixed to the support unit 40. FIG.

  When the roll unit 30 is fixed to the support unit 40, as described above, the position of the support shaft 2 provided in the case 1 is provided at a position close to the first support portion 10 side of the support unit 40. The weight of the seat 30 is biased toward the second support portion 20, and the support unit 40 rotates in a substantially horizontal posture around the support shaft. When the support unit 40 rotates in a substantially horizontal posture, the support unit 40 is fixed by the lock mechanism 5 provided in the case 1. Thereafter, the sheet feeding device 51 is returned to the main body 70 of the image forming apparatus 50, whereby the setting operation of the roll sheet 30 is completed.

  Moreover, when the sheet of the roll sheet 30 is lost, the core of the roll sheet 30 may be removed and a new roll sheet 30 may be set by a method reverse to the procedure described above.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of the second support portion 20 in the paper feeding device 51 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the sheet feeding device 51 according to the present embodiment, the engaging portion 21 of the second support portion 20 has a tapered inclined surface that is thinner toward the tip end side that engages with the second flange 85 inserted into the second end portion 32 of the roll sheet 30. A portion 211 and a biasing member 212 that biases the inclined surface portion 211 toward the tip end side are provided, but the other configurations are the same as those of the sheet feeding device 51 of the first embodiment.

  Next, the setting operation of the roll sheet 30 by the paper feeding device 51 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams illustrating a procedure for setting the roll sheet 30 in the sheet feeding device 51 in the present embodiment. Note that the direction indicated by the symbol X is the upper side of the sheet feeding device, and the operation of attaching the roll sheet 30 to the first support unit 10 can be performed in the same procedure as described in the first embodiment.

  First, the first flange 80 inserted into the first end portion 31 of the roll sheet 30 is attached to the engaging portion 11 of the first support portion 10 from obliquely above. Thereafter, when the second end portion 32 of the roll sheet 30 is continuously pushed in the direction of the second support portion 20 so that the roll sheet 30 is parallel to the support unit 40, the roll sheet 30 is provided in the engagement portion 21 of the second support portion 20. Since the slope portion 211 is tapered, the slope portion 211 is pushed out in the direction of the arrow P against the biasing force of the biasing member 212. When the roll sheet 30 reaches a position parallel to the support unit 40, the inclined surface portion 211 protrudes again toward the roll sheet 30 by the urging force of the urging member 212 (moves in the arrow Q direction), and the The second flange 85 inserted into the two end portions 32 is engaged with the engagement portion 21 of the second support portion 20.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first flange 80 inserted into the first end portion 31 of the roll sheet 30 and the engaging portion 11 of the first support portion 10 are engaged, and the roll sheet 30 is supported by the support unit. The tapered inclined surface portion 211 is inserted into the second end portion 32 of the roll sheet 30 only by continuously pressing the second end portion 32 of the roll sheet 30 in the direction of the second support portion 20 so as to be parallel to 40. Since the second flange 85 is automatically fitted, the user can set the roll sheet 30 relatively easily and easily.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The schematic diagram before mounting | wearing a roll sheet with the paper feeder which concerns on this invention. The schematic diagram when the engaging part of the 2nd support part of the paper feeder which concerns on this invention is cancelled | released. The schematic diagram when a roll sheet is mounted on the first support part and the second support part of the paper feeder according to the present invention. The schematic diagram when a support unit will be in a substantially horizontal posture after setting a roll sheet to the paper feeder concerning the present invention. The perspective view which showed especially the part of the 2nd support part among the paper feeder of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for setting a roll sheet on a sheet feeding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Support shaft 5 Lock mechanism 10 1st support part 11 Engagement part 20 2nd support part 21 Engagement part 30 Roll sheet 31 1st edge part 32 2nd edge part 40 Support unit 50 Image forming apparatus 51 Paper feeding apparatus 80 First flange 85 Second flange 211 Slope portion 212 Biasing member

Claims (3)

  A first support part for supporting the first end of the roll sheet; a second support part for supporting the second end part of the roll sheet; and a support unit for supporting the first support part and the second support part. A paper feeding device comprising: a support shaft that rotatably supports the support unit between a substantially vertical posture and a substantially horizontal posture.   When the roll sheet is supported by the first support part and the second support part, the support unit rotates in a substantially horizontal posture, and the roll sheet is not supported by the first support part and the second support part. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the support unit rotates in a substantially vertical posture.   The second support portion includes a sloped portion having a tapered shape that is narrower toward a distal end side that supports the second end portion of the roll sheet, and a biasing member that biases the sloped portion toward the distal end side. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images