JP2021138519A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of improving removability of recording paper from a loading tray regardless of curl quantity of the recording paper.SOLUTION: An information processor includes: a printing unit; a paper discharge part for discharging printed recording paper; a loading tray 32 arranged downward and on the front side of the paper discharging part; and a ramp part 50 which is provided downward of the paper discharging part and has a down grade inclined toward a front side. A front wall 320 of the loading tray 32 is formed to extend from backward of a virtual line formed by drawing the ramp part 50 downward to a part ahead of the virtual line and to become an up grade toward the front face side, and an upper end part of the front wall 320 has a larger inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction than a lower end part of the front wall 320.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device, and more particularly to a printing device in which a loading tray on which a printed recording paper on which an image is printed is loaded is arranged on the front side and the lower side of the recording paper ejection unit.

An example of this kind of background technique is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The image processing device of the background technology includes a device main body in which a sublimation printer is arranged inside and a lid body that is pivotally supported on the front surface of the device main body and is provided so as to be openable and closable. A coin return port to be returned and a recording paper ejection port (recording paper outlet) for taking out the printed recording paper printed by the sublimation printer and discharged to the paper ejection tray (loading tray) are provided. Be done.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-234058

In a printing unit (so-called roll paper printer) that prints an image on a recording paper drawn from a roll paper as in the background technology, the amount of curl of the printed recording paper increases as it approaches the core of the roll paper. It has the characteristic of becoming. Further, the larger the length of the recording paper in the roll direction, the larger the curl amount. Therefore, the printed recording paper includes one having a large curl amount and one having a small curl amount.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, the upper end of the recording paper having a large curl amount warps on the opposite side of the loading surface (loading surface) of the loading tray. Therefore, the direction C in which the finger is inserted to take out the recording paper having a large curl amount is higher than the direction NC in which the finger is inserted to take out the recording paper that is not curled or has a small curl amount, and the recording paper is taken out. There is a problem that it becomes difficult.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a novel printing apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of improving the ejectability of the recording paper from the loading tray regardless of the curl amount of the recording paper.

The first invention is a printing apparatus including a printing unit, a paper ejection unit, a loading tray, and an inclined portion. The printing unit prints an image on the chart paper. The paper ejection unit is formed on the front surface of the printing unit and ejects the printed recording paper. The loading tray is arranged below the paper ejection portion and on the front side of the paper ejection portion. The inclined portion is provided below the paper ejection portion and has a downward slope toward the front side. The front wall of the loading tray is formed so as to extend from the rear of the virtual line having an inclined portion downward to the front of the virtual line and to have an upward slope toward the front side, and at least one of the front sides of the front wall. The portion has a larger inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction than the other portions.

The second invention is a printing apparatus subordinate to the first invention, in which the front wall is arranged on a first inclined surface that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction and above the first inclined surface. The second inclined surface includes the second inclined surface having a larger inclination angle in the horizontal direction than the first inclined surface, and the second inclined surface is located on the front side of the virtual line.

A third invention is a printing apparatus subordinate to the second invention, which is provided on a front wall and further includes a protruding portion protruding upward from the first inclined surface, and the second inclined surface is projected. It is formed on the inclined portion side of the portion.

The fourth invention is a printing apparatus dependent on the third invention, in which the protrusion is formed in a part of the front wall in the width direction of the recording paper, and the protrusion is formed on the first inclined surface. It extends to the front edge of the front wall, except for the area to be covered.

The fifth invention is a printing apparatus subordinate to the third or fourth invention, which is provided between the paper ejection portion and the inclined portion and guides the recording paper discharged from the paper ejection portion to the loading tray. Further provided with a paper ejection guide, the loading trays are arranged at different positions in the left-right direction with respect to the paper ejection portion, and the paper ejection guide has left and right side walls of the paper ejection guide that guide the end portion in the width direction of the recording paper. Including, the protruding portion extends beyond the predetermined position from the first side wall side of the left and right side walls, which is far from the loading tray, from the first side wall side separated by the length in the width direction of the recording paper. It is formed up to the opposite side of the first side wall.

The sixth invention is a printing apparatus subordinate to any of the second to fifth inventions, and the distance from the upper end portion of the second inclined surface to the rear end portion of the front wall is the paper ejection portion. It is shorter than the length of the minimum recording paper ejected from the paper in the ejection direction.

A seventh invention is a printing apparatus subordinate to the first invention, in which the front wall is curved so that the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction increases toward the front surface side.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the ease of taking out the recording paper from the loading tray regardless of the curl amount of the recording paper.

The above-mentioned object, other object, feature and advantage of the present invention will be further clarified from the detailed description of the following examples made with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing an external configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an external configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the configurations of a paper ejection unit, a paper ejection guide, and a money processing unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the paper ejection guide. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the paper ejection unit and the paper ejection guide. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing the configurations of the paper ejection unit and the paper ejection guide. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the paper ejection guide and the loading tray. FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the print outlet and the loading tray. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the paper ejection guide and the loading tray. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a curl accommodating space formed in the loading tray. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the dimensions and shape of the loading tray. FIG. 12 is a front view showing the dimensions and shape of the loading tray. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the recording paper is loaded on the loading tray. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the recording paper is loaded on the loading tray. FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the loading tray in the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the loading tray of the prior art.

[First Example]
With reference to FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an information processing device 10 and an image forming device 70.

The information processing device 10 is a multimedia kiosk (MMK) terminal arranged in a store such as a supermarket, a restaurant or a convenience store, and a public facility such as a station, a bus terminal, an airport, a government office or a library. The information processing device 10 provides a user (user) with various information or a predetermined product or service according to the place where the information processing device 10 is arranged. For example, the information processing device 10 can provide a service for printing a photograph or the like to a user. Therefore, it can be said that the information processing device 10 is a printing device (printer). Further, as will be described in detail later, the information processing device 10 can also provide a predetermined service such as copying, faxing, scanning, and printing to the user in cooperation with the image forming device 70.

In this specification, the surface facing the user's standing position, that is, the surface on the side where the display surface of the display 14 described later is provided is set as the front surface (front surface), and the information processing device 10 and its constituent members are in the front-rear direction (depth direction). ), And the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the information processing device 10 and its constituent members is defined based on the state in which the user sees the information processing device 10. These things are the same for the image forming apparatus 70.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a display 14 with a touch panel 12, which is an operation unit, a storage medium connection unit 16, a paper piece printer 18, a code reading unit 20, a short-range communication unit 22, and money. A device main body 28 including a processing unit 24 and a photo printing unit 26 is provided. Further, a front door (front door) 30 is provided on the front surface of the device main body 28. For example, the front door 30 is attached to the apparatus main body 28 so as to be openable and closable by using a hinge or the like.

The display 14 with the touch panel 12 is provided on the upper panel 28a forming the upper surface of the device main body 28 (information processing device 10). However, the upper surface of the upper panel 28a (upper surface of the device main body 28) is an inclined surface having a downward slope from the rear (rear side of the information processing device 10) to the front (front side of the information processing device 10). The display 14 with the touch panel 12 is rotatably provided at substantially the center of the upper panel 28a in the front-rear direction.

The touch panel 12 is a general-purpose touch panel, and any type such as a capacitance method, an electromagnetic induction method, a resistance film method, and an infrared method can be used. In this first embodiment, a capacitive touch panel is used as the touch panel 12, and the touch panel 12 is provided on the display surface of the display 14. However, a touch panel display in which the touch panel 12 and the display 14 are integrally formed may be used. As the display 14, for example, an LCD or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display can be used.

The storage medium connection unit 16 includes a mounting unit for mounting various storage media. The storage medium that can be connected to the storage medium connection unit 16 is an optical disk (for example, CD-R, DVD-R, BD-R, etc.) and a portable non-volatile memory (for example, USB memory, SD memory card, and memory stick). Flash memory) and so on. In this embodiment, the storage medium connection unit 16 includes an optical disk connection unit (optical drive) and a memory connection unit (memory slot unit), the optical disk is mounted on the optical disk connection unit, and the portable non-volatile memory is a memory. Attached to the connection.

The paper piece printer 18 is, for example, a thermal printer (thermal printer) or a dot impact printer, and issues a piece of paper on which an image such as a receipt, a journal, or a coupon ticket is printed. Specifically, the paper piece printer 18 prints various character strings, images, code patterns (bar codes, etc.) on the roll paper, and discharges the printed paper pieces from the paper ejection unit (emission port) 18a ( Eject paper).

The code reading unit 20 includes, for example, a laser scanner or a camera, and can read a code attached to a product, product packaging, a card, a receipt, or the like, or a code displayed on the screen of a user terminal (mobile terminal). .. The code that can be read by the code reading unit 20 includes a bar code (one-dimensional bar code) or a two-dimensional code (for example, QR code (registered trademark), micro QR code, DataMATRIX, MaxiCODE, VeriCODE, etc.).

The short-range communication unit 22 performs wireless non-contact data communication with a communication target in accordance with a communication standard (so-called NFC (Near Field Communication)) such as ISO / IEC18092, for example. For example, the short-range communication unit 22 communicates with an IC card, a mobile terminal (feature phone, smartphone, tablet PC, etc.), an ID card, a membership card, an employee ID card, or the like in accordance with a communication standard such as FeliCa (registered trademark). Wireless non-contact data communication is performed between them. The communicable distance of the short-range communication unit 22 is about several cm to several m. For example, the short-range communication unit 22 transmits a signal (reading instruction) instructing the communication target to read the data stored in the communication target. The communication target transmits data to the short-range communication unit 22 as a response to the read command. Further, the short-range communication unit 22 transmits a signal (writing command) instructing writing together with data (writing data) to be written to the communication target. The communication target writes (stores) the received write data in the storage unit according to the write command.

Further, the communication target for which the short-range communication unit 22 performs data communication includes a so-called electronic money medium. The electronic money medium is an IC card, a mobile terminal, or the like, and stores data (electronic money data) related to payment by electronic money (electronic payment) including data on at least the balance of electronic money (electronic money balance). A medium provided with a storage unit. In this case, the short-range communication unit 22 transmits a read command instructing the electronic money medium to read the electronic money data stored in the electronic money medium. The electronic money medium transmits electronic money data to the short-range communication unit 22 as a response to the read instruction. Further, the short-range communication unit 22 transmits a writing command instructing writing together with the writing data to be written in the electronic money medium. The electronic commerce medium stores the received write data in the storage unit according to the write command. In this way, the short-range communication unit 22 also functions as an electronic money reading unit.

The money processing unit (change machine) 24 includes a money input unit 24a and a coin return port 24b. The components of the coin processing unit 24 including the coin insertion unit 24a and the coin return port 24b are attached to the front door 30. The coin slot 24a includes a coin slot, a bill slot, a change return lever, and the like, and is arranged at the upper end of the front door 30. On the other hand, the coin return port 24b is below the coin insertion section 24a and is arranged at a predetermined interval with respect to the coin insertion section 24a.

The coins inserted from the coin slot and the bills inserted from the bill slot are classified according to type and stored in the change machine main body. Specifically, it is housed in a money storage unit provided in the main body of the change machine. The money storage unit includes a storage unit for coins and a storage unit for banknotes. When coins or banknotes are inserted, the amount to be inserted is calculated according to the type and number of coins stored in the coin storage unit and the type and number of banknotes stored in the banknote storage unit. .. When a predetermined service or the like is executed in the information processing device 10, the cost (charge related to the provision of the service or the like) according to the content of the service or the like is deducted from the input amount, and the remaining amount after deducting the charge from the input amount. (Balance) is calculated. When the change return lever is operated, coins or banknotes are returned according to the balance. However, the coins are returned from the coin return port 24b, and the banknotes are returned from the banknote slot.

However, electronic payment may be performed in place of or in addition to the payment in money by the money processing unit 24. For example, after a service or the like is selected, a plurality of electronic money brands (types) are displayed on the display 14 of the information processing device 10, the user is made to select the electronic money for payment, and the electronic money for payment is used. The payment is made, and the service is provided when the payment is completed.

Further, in electronic payment, when an electronic money medium corresponding to electronic money that can be used in the information processing device 10 is held over the short-range communication unit 22, the short-range communication unit 22 reads the electronic money data included in the electronic money medium. Be done. At this time, the electronic commerce balance included in the electronic commerce data is read. Then, the cost according to the content of the provided service or the like is subtracted from the electronic money balance.

The photo printing unit 26 is, for example, a sublimation type printer or an inkjet printer (particularly an inkjet printer using dye ink), and is formed on photographic paper (photo paper) such as glossy paper or label / seal paper (seal paper). Print the image. In the sticker paper, an adhesive layer coated with an adhesive (glue) is formed on the back surface of the surface (printing surface) on which the image is printed, and the release paper (mounting paper or backing paper) that can be easily peeled off is formed on the back surface. Is glued.

Further, the photo printing unit 26 includes a first printing unit 260 and a second printing unit 262 stacked in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first printing unit 260 is arranged on the lower side (lower stage), and the second printing unit 262 is arranged on the upper side (upper stage). Further, in this embodiment, the first printing unit 260 is a so-called photographic printer that prints an image on photographic paper, and the second printing unit 262 is a so-called sticker printer that prints an image on a sticker paper.

Further, in the first printing unit 260 and the second printing unit 262, a state in which photo paper or sticker paper (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “recording paper”) is wound in a roll shape (so-called roll paper state). ) Is set. In the first printing unit 260 and the second printing unit 262, a part of the recording paper of the roll unwound by the recording paper supply device (not shown) is cut to an arbitrary size, and an image is printed on the cut recording paper. (It is formed.

Here, as the image data for forming an image on the recording paper by the photo printing unit 26, the image data stored in the storage medium connected to the storage medium connecting unit 16 or transmitted from an external computer such as a server. Image data etc. are used. The size of the recording paper printed by the photo printing unit 26 is an L size (89 mm × 127 mm), a square size (127 mm × 127 mm), a 2 L size (178 mm × 127 mm), or the like.

The recording paper printed by the photo printing unit 26 (first printing unit 260 or second printing unit 262) is loaded into a loading tray (photograph) through a paper ejection passage R formed inside the apparatus main body 28 (front door 30). Paper discharge tray for paper) 32 (see FIGS. 3 to 7, etc.). The front door 30 is provided with a loading tray 32 and a print outlet 26a for taking out the recording paper loaded on the loading tray 32, and the print outlet 26a is provided with a lid 26b that can be opened and closed. The specific configurations of the paper ejection passage R and the loading tray 32 will be described later.

Returning to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus (corresponding to the first image forming apparatus) 70 is a multifunction device (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) having a printing (printing) function, a copying function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like.

The image forming apparatus 70 includes an apparatus main body 80 including an image reading unit 72, an image forming unit 74, a paper feeding unit 76, and a paper ejection tray 78. However, the image forming apparatus 70 is installed in the vicinity of the information processing apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 70 is provided adjacent to the right side of the information processing apparatus 10.

The image reading unit 72 includes a document mounting table made of a transparent material, and is built in the apparatus main body 80. A document holding cover 72a can be opened and closed above the document mounting table via a hinge or the like.

Further, the image reading unit 72 includes a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, and the like. The image reading unit 72 exposes the surface of the document with a light source, and guides the reflected light reflected from the surface of the document to the imaging lens by a plurality of mirrors. Then, the reflected light is imaged on the light receiving element of the line sensor by the imaging lens. The line sensor detects the brightness or chromaticity of the reflected light imaged on the light receiving element, and generates scanned image data based on the image on the surface of the document. As the line sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), or the like is used.

The image forming unit 74 is built in the apparatus main body 80 and is provided below the image reading unit 72. The image forming unit 74 is an electrophotographic image forming unit including a photoconductor drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like. Further, the image forming unit 74 has a color printing function, and for each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black), a photoconductor drum, a charging device, a developing device, etc. An image forming station including the above is configured. For example, the image forming unit 74 forms an image on a predetermined recording medium (paper) conveyed from the paper feeding unit 76 or the like by an electrophotographic method, and forms the image-formed paper on the image reading unit 72 and the image forming unit 74. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 78 provided between the two.

However, as the printed image data for forming an image on the paper, the scanned image data read by the image reading unit 72, the image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10, the image data transmitted from the external computer, and the like are used. It will be used. The image forming unit 74 is not limited to the electrophotographic image forming unit. For example, the image forming unit 74 may be, for example, an inkjet type image forming unit.

Although not shown, the device main body 28 of the information processing device 10 includes a control unit, a main storage unit, a communication module, and the like. Further, the device main body 80 of the image forming apparatus 70 also has a built-in control unit, main storage unit, communication module, and the like. Each of the control unit of the information processing device 10 and the control unit of the image forming apparatus 70 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like. The control unit of the information processing apparatus 10 transmits a control signal to each part of the information processing apparatus 10, causes the information processing apparatus 10 to execute various operations, and the control unit of the image forming apparatus 70 is a control unit of the image forming apparatus 70. A control signal is transmitted to the site to cause the image forming apparatus 70 to perform various operations. However, in this embodiment, the control unit of the information processing device 10 functions as the main control unit of the image forming system 100, and the control unit of the image forming device 70 functions as the sub control unit of the image forming system 100. That is, the information processing device 10 including the main control unit functions as the main control device (master device) of the image forming system 100.

Further, each of the main storage unit of the information processing device 10 and the main storage unit of the image forming apparatus 70 includes a ROM, an HDD, and the like, and each of the control unit of the information processing apparatus 10 and the control unit of the image forming apparatus 70 forms an image. A control program for controlling the operation of each part of the system 100, default values for various information, display image data for various screens, and the like are appropriately stored. Each of the communication module of the information processing apparatus 10 and the communication module of the image forming apparatus 70 includes a communication circuit for connecting to a network such as the Internet. This communication circuit is a wired communication circuit or a wireless communication circuit, and communicates with an external computer (external terminal) via a network according to an instruction from a control unit. The information processing device 10 and the image forming device 70 can communicate with each other via their respective communication modules.

Next, the configurations of the photo printing unit 26, the loading tray 32, and the paper ejection passage R will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first printing unit 260 has a first paper ejection unit 260a on the side surface for discharging the printed recording paper (first recording paper). Similarly, the second printing unit 262 also has a second paper ejection portion 262a on the side surface portion for ejecting the printed recording paper (second recording paper). The first paper ejection portion 260a and the second paper ejection portion 262a are formed in a horizontally long rectangular frame shape and are arranged so as to face the same direction. In this embodiment, the first paper ejection unit 260a and the second paper ejection unit 262a are respectively arranged in front of the first printing unit 260 and the second printing unit 262, respectively.

Next, the position of the loading tray 32 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the loading tray 32 receives and loads the recording papers (first recording paper and second recording paper) discharged from the first paper ejection unit 260a and the second paper ejection unit 262a (the first recording paper and the second recording paper). It is a part to be stored), and is provided below the first paper ejection portion 260a and the second paper ejection portion 262a. Further, the upper space of the loading tray 32 communicates with the print outlet 26a arranged side by side on the right side of the coin return port 24b, and the recording paper loaded on the loading tray 32 passes through this upper space. It can be taken out from the print outlet 26a. By arranging the print outlet 26a side by side with the coin return port 24b in this way, it is possible to reduce forgetting to remove the recording paper as compared with arranging the print outlet 26a under the coin return port 24b. can. Further, the distance L1 (see FIG. 5) from the floor on which the information processing apparatus 10 is placed to the print outlet 26a can be increased so that the print outlet 26a can be arranged as high as possible, so that the user can sit down. The amount of bending is reduced, and the recording paper can be easily taken out (the ease of taking out the recording paper is improved).

However, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the loading tray 32 is located in the left-right direction with respect to the first paper ejection unit 260a and the second paper ejection unit 262a (the first paper ejection unit 260a and the second paper ejection unit 262a). In the direction orthogonal to the paper ejection direction, in other words, in the width direction of the recording paper ejected from the first paper ejection portion 260a and the second paper ejection portion 262a and dropped) and in the front-rear direction (thickness direction of the recording paper when dropped). Placed in different (offset) positions. The width direction of the recording paper can also be said to intersect the moving direction of the recording paper guided by the paper ejection passage R.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the loading tray 32 is arranged on the front side (front position) of the first paper ejection portion 260a and the second paper ejection portion 262a in the front-rear direction. In this way, the first printing unit 260 and the second printing unit 262 have a predetermined distance from the front side to the back side of the front door 30 by the thickness of the money processing unit 24 in the front-rear direction in order to avoid the money processing unit 24. The loading tray 32 must be placed apart, while the loading tray 32 should be as far forward as possible (close to the front of the front door 30) to facilitate removal of the chart paper loaded on the loading tray 32. This is because it needs to be placed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the loading tray 32 is arranged on the right side (position to the right) of the first paper ejection unit 260a and the second paper ejection unit 262a in the left-right direction. The first printing unit 260 and the second printing unit 262 are arranged substantially in the center of the apparatus main body 28 (front door 30) in the left-right direction, and the center positions of the first printing unit 260 and the second printing unit 262 in the left-right direction. The PC is substantially the same as the center position of the apparatus main body 28 in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the center position TC of the loading tray 32 in the left-right direction is located on the right side of the center position PC of the printing unit (device main body 28). In this way, since the coin processing unit 24 and the photo printing unit 26 are arranged so as to overlap (overlap) in the left-right direction, the loading tray 32 is placed at a position avoiding the structure of the money processing unit 24. This is because, in addition to being required to be arranged, the print outlet 26a and the coin return port 24b corresponding to the loading tray 32 are arranged side by side.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, a paper ejection guide 34 formed in a rectangular cylinder shape with upper and lower openings is provided above the loading tray 32. The paper ejection guide 34 forms a paper ejection passage (guide path) R for guiding (guide) the recording paper discharged from the first paper ejection unit 260a and the second paper ejection unit 262a to the loading tray 32. be. The lower end (lower opening) of the paper ejection guide 34 communicates with the upper opening of the loading tray 32, and the recording paper ejected from the first paper ejection unit 260a or the second paper ejection unit 262a is the paper ejection guide 34. The paper ejection passage R formed inside is guided to the loading tray 32 by falling and moving in an upright posture.

The paper ejection guide 34 has a first side wall 40 and a second side wall 42 that guide the widthwise end portions (left and right end portions) of the recording paper so as to sandwich the widthwise side edge of the recording paper that falls down the paper ejection passage R. The first guide wall 44 and the second guide wall 46 that guide the front surface or the back surface of the recording paper so as to sandwich the front and back surfaces of the recording paper that falls down the paper ejection passage R are provided.

The first side wall 40 constitutes the left wall of the paper ejection guide 34, and the second side wall 42 constitutes the right wall of the paper ejection guide 34. Therefore, the first side wall 40 guides the left end portion of the recording paper, and the second side wall 42 guides the right end portion of the recording paper. As described above, since the loading tray 32 is arranged on the right side (to the right) of the first paper ejection portion 260a and the second paper ejection portion 262a in the left-right direction, the first side wall 40 is the loading tray in the left-right direction. It is a side wall on the side far from the loading tray 32 (opposite side of the loading tray 32), and the second side wall 42 is a side wall on the side closer to the loading tray 32 (loading tray 32 side) in the left-right direction.

The first guide wall 44 constitutes the rear wall of the paper ejection guide 34, and is provided so as to face the first paper ejection portion 260a and the second paper ejection portion 262a and extend in the vertical direction. The second guide wall 46 constitutes the front wall of the paper ejection guide 34. Here, the first guide wall 44 is provided so as to face the second guide wall 46 at a predetermined interval L2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and the first paper discharge portion 260a and the first paper discharge portion 260a and the second guide wall 44 are provided so as to face each other at a predetermined interval L2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). 2 It is arranged on the paper ejection portion 262a side. On the paper guide surface of the second guide wall 46, a plurality of guide ribs (protrusions) that are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction (that is, the width direction of the recording paper) and extend in the vertical direction are formed. These guide ribs may be provided on the first guide wall 44.

The distance between the first guide wall 44 and the second guide wall 46 (that is, the size of the discharge passage R in the thickness direction of the recording paper) L2 is the maximum size recording paper (for example, 2L) applied to the photographic printing unit 26. The size is set so that it can pass even if the maximum amount of curl is applied. On the other hand, if the distance L2 between the first guide wall 44 and the second guide wall 46 is made too large, there is a problem that the information processing device 10 (device main body 28) becomes large in the front-rear direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the distance L2 between the first guide wall 44 and the second guide wall 46 allows a 2 L size recording paper having a maximum expected curl amount to pass through, and the information processing device 10 allows the information processing device 10 to pass through. The size is set so as not to be larger than necessary, for example, 80 mm.

Further, the first guide wall 44 is formed with a horizontally long rectangular opening at a position facing the first paper ejection portion 260a, and this opening receives the recording paper ejected from the first paper ejection portion 260a. It becomes 1 entrance 36. Further, the upper opening of the paper ejection guide 34 serves as a second receiving port 38 for receiving the recording paper ejected from the second paper ejection unit 262a.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the paper ejection passage (guide path) R, the recording paper is placed on the loading tray 32 offset with respect to the first paper ejection portion 260a and the second paper ejection portion 262a. A first inclined portion 48, a second inclined portion 50, an opposed inclined portion 54, and an enlarged inclined portion 56 are provided to smoothly guide the paper. Each of the first inclined portion 48, the second inclined portion 50, the opposed inclined portion 54, and the extended inclined portion 56 is provided at least below the first receiving port 36.

The first inclined portion 48 is provided below the first side wall 40, and is closer to the loading tray 32 side (center TC side of the loading tray 32) or the second side wall 42 side as it goes downward, that is, the loading tray 32 side. Slope so that it becomes a downward slope toward. In this embodiment, the first inclined portion 48 inclines downward to the right so as to move downward toward the right side. However, the first inclined portion 48 is not inclined in the front-rear direction. The inclination angle of the first inclined portion 48 is 60 ° to 70 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.

The facing inclined portion 54 is provided below the second inclined portion 42, and is directed toward the opposite side of the first side wall 40 (first inclined portion 48) as it goes downward so as to maintain a distance from the first inclined portion 48. (In the same inclination direction as the first inclined portion 48). That is, the facing inclined portion 54 is inclined downward to the right so as to be closer to the right side as it goes downward. The facing inclined portion 54 is not inclined in the front-rear direction. Here, the distance between the first inclined portion 48 and the opposed inclined portion 54 is set to be larger than the length PW (155 mm) of the diagonal line of the L size by a predetermined distance (see FIG. 12). That is, a predetermined gap is set between the first inclined portion 48 and the opposed inclined portion 54 in addition to the L-size diagonal length PW. When the inclination angle of the first inclined portion 48 is 65 ° with respect to the horizontal direction, the dimension of the gap added to the diagonal length PW of the L size is 4.6 mm on the loading tray 32 side (the first) for every 10 mm decrease. Since it projects toward the two side walls (42 side), it is set to less than half of that (for example, 2.1 mm). By providing the opposed inclined portion 54, it is possible to suppress or prevent the recording paper from being jammed in the portion where the first inclined portion 48 protrudes toward the second side wall 42 side (right side).

The second inclined portion 50 is provided below the first guide wall 44, and is inclined so as to approach the loading tray 32 side as it goes downward, that is, to have a downward slope toward the loading tray 32 side. In this embodiment, the second inclined portion 50 is provided between the first paper ejection portion 260a and the second paper ejection portion 262a and the loading tray 32, and is inclined forward downward so as to approach the front side as it goes downward. do. However, the second inclined portion 50 is not inclined in the left-right direction. The inclination angle of the second inclined portion 50 is 60 ° to 70 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.

The enlarged inclined portion 56 is provided on the second inclined portion 46, and tends toward the opposite side of the second guide wall 46 (second inclined portion 50) as it goes downward so as to maintain a distance from the second inclined portion 50. (See FIG. 9). That is, the enlarged inclined portion 56 inclines forward downward so as to approach the front side as it goes downward. The distance between the second inclined portion 50 and the enlarged inclined portion 56 is at least the first guide wall 44 and the second guide wall 46 so that the maximum size recording paper to be applied can pass even when the maximum amount of curled paper is curled. The interval is set so as not to be narrower than the interval L2 (preferably to be larger than L2). Therefore, it is possible to prevent or prevent the recording paper from being jammed in the portion where the second inclined portion 50 protrudes toward the second guide wall 46 side (front side).

As described above, the paper discharge passage R for guiding the recording paper to the loading tray 32 is bent by the first inclined portion 48 and the facing inclined portion 54 toward the right side, that is, toward the center (TC) of the loading tray 32. There is. Further, the paper discharge passage R is bent toward the front side, that is, toward the loading tray 32 by the second inclined portion 50 and the expanded inclined portion 56.

Next, a specific configuration of the loading tray 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the loading tray 32 is formed in a bottomed rectangular cylinder having an upper space open on the upper side.

The loading tray 32 includes a front wall 320 and a rear wall 322 provided so as to sandwich the front and back surfaces of the recording paper, and a left side wall 324 and a right side wall 326 provided so as to sandwich the widthwise side edge of the recording paper. The recording paper is loaded in the (defined) space (loading space) surrounded by the front wall 320, the rear wall 322, the left side wall 324, and the right side wall 326.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the left side wall 324 and the right side wall 326 are provided so as to extend in the vertical direction, respectively. Specifically, the left side wall 324 and the right side wall 326 are substantially vertical planes, and the left side wall 324 and the right side wall 326 are substantially parallel.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the rear wall 322 is provided below the second inclined portion 50, and is inclined so as to approach the back side toward the lower side, that is, to have a downward slope toward the back side. .. That is, the lower end portion of the rear wall 322 enters the back surface side of the upper end portion of the rear wall 322. As described above, the rear wall 322 is inclined in the front-rear direction in the opposite direction to the second inclined portion 50. In this embodiment, the rear wall 322 is provided so as to be continuous with the second inclined portion 50. Therefore, in the portion where the second inclined portion 50 and the rear wall 322 are continuous (intersecting portion), the shape is such that the second inclined portion 50 and the rear wall 322 are bent when viewed from the side surface.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the front wall 320 is provided so as to incline forward as it goes upward. That is, the front wall 320 is inclined so as to have an upward slope toward the front surface side. The inclination direction of the front wall 320 is the same as the inclination direction of the rear wall 322. Therefore, the loading tray 32 as a whole has a shape that approaches the front side (print outlet 26a) toward the upper side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the front wall 320 extends from the rear of the virtual line VL extending the second inclined portion 50 downward to the front of the virtual line VL. The front of the virtual line VL is the front of the intersection of the virtual line VL and the front wall 320, and the rear of the virtual line VL is the portion where the virtual line VL and the front wall 320 intersect. It is behind. That is, the rear end portion of the front wall 320 (the bottom portion of the loading tray 32 where the front wall 320 and the rear wall 322 intersect) 320a is located on the back side (rear side) of the virtual line VL, and is the front end portion of the front wall 320. (Front end of the loading tray 32) 320b is located on the front side (front) of the virtual line VL. That is, it can be said that the front wall 320 extends to the front side from the bottom of the loading tray 32 to a position that straddles (exceeds) the virtual line VL. In other words, the front wall 320 of the loading tray 32 is formed so as to intersect the imaginary line VL extending downward from the second inclined portion 50, and is inclined so as to have an ascending slope toward the front side.

Further, at least a part of the upper side (front side) of the front wall 320 has a larger inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction than other parts, for example, a lower part (back side) of the front wall 320. That is, at least a part of the upper side of the front wall 320 has a steeper uphill angle than the other parts. However, the upper side (front side) of the front wall 320 is a portion above the virtual line VL (front side), and the lower side (back side) of the front wall 320 is below the virtual line VL. It is the part on the side (back side). That is, the inner surface of the front wall 320 has a shape that bends upward at a predetermined position on the front side of the virtual line VL.

In this embodiment, a part of the upper side of the front wall 320 has a larger inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction than the other part including the lower end portion. Specifically, the front wall 320 (inner surface, that is, the side surface of the recording paper to be loaded) is arranged above the first inclined surface 320c and the first inclined surface 320c which are inclined at a predetermined inclination angle α1 with respect to the horizontal direction. A second inclined surface 328a that is inclined at an inclined angle α2 having a larger inclined angle with respect to the horizontal direction than the first inclined surface 320c (inclination angle α1) is included. For example, the inclination angle α1 of the first inclined surface 320c is 20 ° to 40 ° with respect to the horizontal direction, and the inclination angle α2 of the second inclined surface 328a is 70 ° to 85 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.

Here, the second inclined surface 328a is located on the front side of the virtual line VL. More specifically, the front wall 320 is provided with a protruding portion 328 protruding upward from the first inclined surface 320c, and the second inclined surface 328a is formed on the rear wall 322 side of the protruding portion 328. That is, the projecting portion 328 is located on the front side of the virtual line VL, and has a second inclined surface 328a on the back surface side (the surface on the rear wall 322 side) of the projecting portion 328, in other words, on the second inclined portion 50 side. Therefore, the inclination angle of the front wall 320 changes at the portion where the first inclined surface 320c and the second inclined surface 328a intersect (the front wall 320 has a bent portion).

Therefore, the inner surface of the front wall 320 is formed so as to be recessed downward with respect to the virtual plane defined by the upper end portion 328b of the protruding portion 328 (second inclined surface 328a) and the rear end portion 320a of the front wall 320. The shape is such that a recess having a substantially V-shaped cross section extending in the left-right direction is formed. Therefore, a first space CA recessed downward is formed between the upper end portion 328b of the protruding portion 328 and the rear end portion 320a of the front wall 320 (see FIG. 10).

Further, the distance (shortest distance) L3 from the upper end portion 328b of the protruding portion 328 to the rear end portion 320a of the front wall 320 (first inclined surface 320c) is the minimum ejection of the recording paper printed by the photo printing unit 26. It is set to be smaller than the length in the paper direction. In this embodiment, since the smallest recording paper printed by the photo printing unit 26 is L size, the distance L3 from the upper end portion 328b of the protruding portion 328 to the rear end portion 320a of the front wall 320 is less than 89 mm. Is set to be.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the protrusion 328 is formed in a part of the front wall 320 in the left-right direction (width direction of the recording paper). Specifically, the protruding portion 328 is formed at the central portion in the left-right direction of the front wall 320. The first inclined surface 320c extends to at least the front surface side of the upper end portion 328b of the protruding portion 328, except for the region where the protruding portion 328 is formed. For example, the first inclined surface 320c extends to the front end 320b of the front wall 320, except for the region where the protrusion 328 is formed. Therefore, a step is generated between the region where the protrusion 328 is formed and the region where the protrusion 328 is not formed (the region on the right side of the protrusion 328 and the region on the left side of the protrusion 328).

Further, the protruding portion 328 has a length PW in the width direction of the recording paper S from the first side wall 40 on the side farther from the loading tray 32 in the left-right direction among the first side wall 40 and the second side wall 42 of the paper ejection guide 34. It is formed from the side of the first side wall 40 (left side) with respect to the predetermined position P1 separated by the amount of the above to the opposite side (right side) of the first side wall 40 beyond the predetermined position P1.

Specifically, the distance L4 in the width direction of the recording paper S between the end portion (left end portion) 328c on the first side wall 40 side of the protruding portion 328 and the first side wall 40 is the length in the width direction of the recording paper S. Shorter than PW. Further, since the first inclined portion 48 is inclined downward to the right as it goes downward, the distance L5 in the width direction of the recording paper S between the lower end portion 48b of the first inclined portion 48 and the left end portion 328c of the protruding portion 328 is , The length of the recording paper S in the width direction is shorter than the PW, and even shorter than the distance L4.

The protruding portion 328 is a portion of the front wall 320 excluding the first side wall 40 side (the side closer to the first paper ejection portion 260a and the second paper ejection portion 262a, the left side in this embodiment), that is, the predetermined position P1. It may be formed from the side of the first side wall 40 to the side wall (right side wall 326) on the opposite side of the first side wall 40.

13 and 14 show a state in which the recording paper is loaded on the loading tray 32. The recording paper discharged from the first paper ejection unit 260a or the second paper ejection unit 262a falls downward in the paper ejection passage R and reaches the loading tray 32. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the recording paper that has reached the loading tray 32 is loaded downward so that the surface (printing surface) leans against the upper surface (inner surface) of the front wall 320. However, the surface of the recording paper is the outer surface in the state of roll paper. Therefore, when the recording paper is curled, the recording paper has a shape in which the central portion of the photo printing unit 26 in the paper ejection direction (in the front-rear direction when loaded on the loading tray 32) bulges downward.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the recording paper is loaded on the loading tray 32, the leading end of the recording paper (the leading portion in the recording paper guide direction in the paper ejection guide 34) is the front wall regardless of the presence or absence of curl. It is supported by the rear end portion 320a of the 320 (the rear end portion of the first inclined surface 320c), and the rear end portion of the recording paper is supported by the upper end portion 328b of the protrusion 328. That is, the recording paper is supported at two points in the front and rear by the rear end portion 320a of the front wall 320 and the upper end portion 328b of the protrusion 328.

However, as described above, the distance L3 from the upper end portion 328b of the protruding portion 328 to the rear end portion 320a of the front wall 320 is larger than the length of the minimum recording paper printed by the photo printing unit 26 in the ejection direction. Since the size is reduced, even if the smallest recording paper is loaded, the upper end portion (front end portion) of the recording paper is in a state of protruding from the upper end portion 328b of the protruding portion 328.

Further, the central portion of the recording paper in the front-rear direction is separated (floating) from the front wall 320 regardless of the presence or absence of curl. As described above, the front wall 320 has a shape portion recessed forward and downward, and the resulting first space CA has the shape of a curled recording paper (the central portion in the front-rear direction faces downward). It is formed along the bulging shape). Therefore, when the curled recording paper is loaded on the loading tray 32, the central portion of the recording paper that bulges downward is in a state of entering the first space CA. That is, the first space CA functions as a curl absorption space that absorbs the curled portion of the recording paper.

Therefore, even when the curled recording paper is loaded on the loading tray 32, the curled portion of the recording paper is absorbed by the first space CA formed on the inner surface of the front wall 320, so that the curled recording paper is curled. Therefore, the amount of the recording paper approaching the rear wall 322 can be suppressed, and the number of sheets that can be loaded on the loading tray 32 can be prevented from decreasing. Further, regardless of the presence or absence of curling of the recording paper and the curling amount when curled, the direction C in which the finger is inserted to take out the recording paper having a large curl amount and the recording paper which is not curled or has a small curl amount are taken out. The direction NC in which the finger is inserted is almost the same. That is, the direction in which the finger is inserted is constant (same) regardless of the presence or absence of curling of the recording paper and the amount of curling when curled, so that the retrievability of the recording paper from the loading tray 32 can be improved.

Further, the upper end side of the recording paper (the rear side of the paper ejection guide 34 in the recording paper guide direction) is supported by the upper end portion 328b of the protruding portion 328 located above the first inclined surface 320c. That is, the upper end side of the recording paper is supported by the protruding portion 328 that protrudes upward from the first inclined surface 320c. Therefore, the second space 60 is formed in the region where the protrusion 328 is not formed (between the first inclined surface 320c and the recording paper). By inserting a finger into the second space 60, the recording paper can be easily taken out. (See FIGS. 7 and 14)
As described above, between the region where the protruding portion 328 of the front wall 320 is formed and the region where the protruding portion 328 is not formed (the region on the right side of the protruding portion 328 and the region on the left side of the protruding portion 328). When a second space 60 is formed between the recording paper loaded on the loading tray 32 and the first inclined surface 320c by the step provided in the above, that is, the step between the protruding portion 328 and the first inclined surface 320c. Can grasp both sides of the recording paper by inserting a thumb into the second space 60, so that from the upper end portion 328b of the protruding portion 328 (second inclined surface 328a) to the front wall 320 (first inclined surface 320c). The distance (shortest distance) L3 to the rear end portion 320a may be longer than the length of the minimum recording paper printed by the photo printing unit 26 in the ejection direction. Further, the upper end portion 328b of the second inclined surface 328a, that is, the end portion of the protruding portion 328 on the second inclined portion 50 side is a place where the printed recording paper comes into contact with the printed recording paper, so that the printed recording paper is not damaged. Therefore, it is desirable that the end portion has a curved surface shape (R shape).

With the information processing device 10 of the first embodiment, as described above, it is possible to improve the retrievability of the recording paper from the loading tray 32 regardless of the curl amount of the recording paper.
[Second Example]
Since the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the shape of the front wall 320 is partially different, the contents different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and the duplicated description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the second embodiment, the inner surface of the front wall 320 is curved (upward) so that the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction increases toward the front surface side. Specifically, the inner surface of the front wall 320 is formed so as to be recessed downward with respect to the virtual plane defined by the upper end portion of the front wall 320 and the rear end portion 320a of the front wall 320, and has a substantially circular cross section extending in the left-right direction. The shape is such that an arc-shaped recess is formed. That is, since the inner surface of the front wall 320 is recessed downward, it is formed so as to follow the shape of the curled recording paper (the shape in which the central portion in the front-rear direction bulges downward).

Therefore, the curved portion of the inner surface of the front wall 320 functions as a curl absorption space that absorbs the curled portion of the recording paper. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the amount of the recording paper approaching the rear wall 322 by curling, and prevent the number of sheets that can be loaded on the loading tray 32 from decreasing. In addition, the ease of taking out the recording paper from the loading tray 32 can be improved.

The specific configuration and the like given in the above-described embodiment are examples, and can be appropriately changed according to the actual product.

100 ... Image forming system 10 ... Information processing device 28 ... Housing 30 ... Front door 32 ... Loading tray 320 ... Front wall 320c ... First inclined surface 328 ... Protruding part 328a ... Second inclined surface 34 ... Paper ejection guide 40 ... No. 1 side wall 42 ... 2nd side wall 44 ... 1st guide wall 46 ... 2nd guide wall 50 ... 2nd inclined portion R ... Paper ejection passage

Claims (7)

A printing unit that prints images on chart paper,
A paper ejection unit formed on the front surface of the printing unit and ejecting printed recording paper.
It is provided with a loading tray that is below the paper ejection portion and is arranged on the front side of the paper ejection portion, and an inclined portion that is provided below the paper ejection portion and has a downward slope toward the front side.
The front wall of the loading tray is formed so as to have an upward slope toward the front side from the rear of the virtual line extending the inclined portion downward to the front of the virtual line.
A printing device in which at least a part of the front surface side of the front wall has a larger inclination angle with respect to a horizontal direction than other parts. The front wall has a first inclined surface that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction, and a second inclined surface that is arranged above the first inclined surface and has a larger inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction than the first inclined surface. Including faces
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second inclined surface is located on the front side of the virtual line. A protrusion provided on the front wall and projecting upward from the first inclined surface is further provided.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second inclined surface is formed on the inclined portion side of the protruding portion. The protrusion is formed in a part of the front wall in the width direction of the recording paper.
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first inclined surface extends to a front end portion of the front wall except for a region where the protruding portion is formed. A paper ejection guide provided between the paper ejection portion and the inclined portion and guiding the recording paper ejected from the paper ejection portion to the loading tray is further provided.
The loading trays are arranged at different positions in the left-right direction with respect to the paper ejection portion.
The paper ejection guide includes left and right side walls of the paper ejection guide that guide the widthwise end of the recording paper.
The protruding portion exceeds the predetermined position from the first side wall side of the left and right side walls, which is separated from the first side wall on the side farther from the loading tray by the length in the width direction of the recording paper. The printing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, which is formed up to the opposite side of the first side wall. Claims 2 to 5 that the distance from the upper end portion of the second inclined surface to the rear end portion of the front wall is shorter than the length of the minimum recording paper ejected from the ejection portion in the ejection direction. The printing apparatus according to any one of. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front wall is curved so that the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction increases toward the front side.

Images