JP3203072B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, a facsimile or a printer, capable of recording an image on an OHP sheet by an electrophotographic process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Overhead projector (OHP)
As a method of recording an image on an OHP sheet used for a copying machine, a copying machine, a facsimile,
Alternatively, a method using an image forming apparatus such as a printer is known. In this type of image forming apparatus,
When images are continuously recorded on a plurality of OHP sheets, usually, a backing sheet (insert sheet) is fed (inserted) between the OHP sheets after recording, and the recorded image ( The "toner image" of the toner image) on another OHP sheet is prevented. As a conventional image forming apparatus capable of feeding a backing sheet between the OHP sheets and related technologies,
OHP sheets and copy paper are alternately fed from the first paper supply unit and the second paper supply unit to perform copy processing, thereby reducing the time and effort required for organizing after copying and improving work efficiency. With the apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 22677/1990, copying of a document can be selected from front-side discharge and back-side discharge, and when copying on an OHP sheet, OH is performed regardless of the front-side discharge and back-side discharge.
An apparatus (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2-33063) in which the backing sheet is supplied to the back side of the P sheet has means for detecting the type of the sheet to be fed.
As in the case of plain paper, an apparatus capable of executing a continuous image forming process in the automatic continuous single sheet feed mode (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-293238), an OHP film and plain paper are stacked and integrated. An OHP sheet for copying (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-6058), which is characterized by being formed as described above, is known.

[0003]

By the way, in the conventional image forming apparatus, recording paper in which an OHP sheet and plain paper are alternately stacked is fed, an image is formed on the OHP sheet, and plain paper is blank. By selecting the OHP mode by discharging the paper as it is or by discharging the non-image paper (blank paper) on which no image is formed before and after the OHP sheet is fed, etc. It is configured to sandwich a blank sheet of paper. For this reason, in the conventional image forming apparatus, in any case, it is necessary to notify the image forming apparatus in advance that an image is to be formed on the OHP sheet, and change the setting conditions by mode switching or the like. When the OHP sheet is fed in the state of
The blank paper could not be automatically inserted between the HP sheets. The invention according to claim 1 has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to form an OHP sheet when forming an image on the OHP sheet without changing the setting conditions by mode switching or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of automatically inserting a blank sheet between them.

On the other hand, as an image forming apparatus in which a blank sheet is automatically inserted between OHP sheets discharged when an image is formed on the OHP sheet, the image has been fed so far. There is a device that detects the size of an OHP sheet and feeds a blank sheet (recording sheet) of the same size as the OHP sheet held inside the image forming apparatus without forming an image. However, in this image forming apparatus, if a recording sheet having a size corresponding to the size of the supplied OHP sheet is not held inside the apparatus, the OH
There is a problem that a blank sheet of a size different from the size of the P sheet is sandwiched or that a blank sheet is not sandwiched between OHP sheets. Further, in this image forming apparatus, OH
The size of the blank paper sandwiched between the P sheets is the same as the size of the supplied OHP sheet.
There is a problem in that the HP sheet and the blank paper form an accumulated paper mass, and the OHP sheet is difficult to peel off from the blank paper. The invention according to claim 2 has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and an object of the invention is to provide an OHP sheet irrespective of holding a recording sheet having a size corresponding to the size of the supplied OHP sheet. A blank sheet of a size corresponding to the size of the OHP sheet can be supplied between the sheets.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which can use unsatisfactory inexpensive recording paper and easily removes an OHP sheet from blank paper.

Here, as described above, the supplied OHP
In order to supply blank paper of a size corresponding to the size of the OHP sheet between OHP sheets, regardless of holding of recording paper of a size corresponding to the size of the sheet, the blank paper to be supplied between the OHP sheets is required. Then, the roll paper held inside the apparatus may be cut, and the roll paper may be cut into a size corresponding to the size of the supplied OHP sheet. However, in an image forming apparatus configured to cut and supply roll paper to a size corresponding to the size of the supplied OHP sheet,
Since the length (width) in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the cut and fed blank paper is determined by the width of the roll paper, the OH
The width of the P sheet may be different from the width of the blank sheet in some cases. The invention according to claim 3 has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to supply the supplied OH.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of supplying a blank sheet having the same width as the width of a P sheet.

As described above, in the case of an image forming apparatus in which the size of blank paper sandwiched between OHP sheets is the same as the size of the supplied OHP sheet, the discharged OH
There is a problem in that the P sheet and the blank paper form an accumulated paper mass, and the OHP sheet is difficult to peel off from the blank paper. In order to solve this problem, in the invention according to the second aspect, the blank paper supplied between the OHP sheets is a roll paper held inside the apparatus, and the roll paper is slightly smaller than the size of the supplied OHP sheet. Although the image forming apparatus is configured to cut the sheet longer, the image forming apparatus having this structure requires a new unit such as a detecting unit for detecting the size of the supplied OHP sheet and a unit for cutting the roll paper. The invention described in claim 4 is
It was made in view of the above points, and the purpose is
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a blank sheet of the same size as an OHP sheet is ejected while being shifted to a discharge position of the supplied OHP sheet, thereby easily separating the OHP sheet from the blank sheet.

In the above-described image forming apparatus,
When copying the OHP sheet continuously, when checking the contents of the image copied on the OHP sheet,
It is necessary to pull out a target OHP sheet from the HP sheet. However, it is extremely difficult to find a target OHP sheet from a large number of OHP sheets loaded in a short time. The invention according to claim 5 has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the invention is to provide a projecting portion of a blank sheet which does not overlap with an OHP sheet and which is formed to facilitate peeling of the OHP sheet from the blank sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of confirming the image content of an OHP sheet without directly looking at the OHP sheet by forming an index such as a character and a number representing the characteristics of the image formed on the OHP sheet. .

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming a target image on fed recording paper, an OHP sheet storage unit for storing an OHP sheet, and an OHP sheet storage unit OH stored in the unit
OHP sheet feeding means for feeding P sheets one by one;
A paper storage unit for storing paper, a paper feeding unit for feeding the paper stored in the paper storage unit one by one, and an imageless image for discharging the paper without forming an image on the fed recording paper Paper discharge means; recording paper identification means for detecting whether the recording paper when the recording paper is fed from the OHP sheet storage section is an OHP sheet, plain paper, or recycled paper;
A recording sheet feeding control means for temporarily stopping the feeding of the recording sheet from the P sheet storing section in the middle of the feeding path and simultaneously feeding the sheet from the sheet storing section; If the fed recording paper is an OHP sheet,
OHP sheet feeding from the OHP sheet storage unit is temporarily stopped in the middle of the feeding path, and at the same time, paper is fed from the paper storage unit. When the target image is formed on the stopped OHP sheet, and the recording paper fed from the OHP sheet storage unit is plain paper or recycled paper, the target image is formed on the fed recording paper. Is formed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming a target image on a fed recording sheet in which an OHP sheet is stored. OHP sheet storage unit, OHP sheet feeding means for feeding OHP sheets stored in the OHP sheet storage unit one by one, a roll paper storage unit for storing roll paper, and a roll from the roll paper storage unit. Roll paper feeding means for feeding paper, OHP sheet length detecting means for detecting the length of the OHP sheet to be fed in the transport direction, and the OHP sheet before forming an image on the OHP sheet.
A roll paper length cutting unit that cuts the roll paper to a size slightly longer than the length in the sheet conveyance direction, and an imageless paper discharge unit that discharges the fed and cut roll paper without forming an image. Configuration.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming a target image on a fed recording sheet in order to solve the above-mentioned problem. OHP sheet storage section, OHP sheet feeding means for feeding OHP sheets stored in the OHP sheet storage section one by one, and roll paper having a width equal to or larger than the maximum size of the OHP sheet that can be fed. Roll paper storage unit, a roll paper feeding means for feeding the roll paper from the roll paper storage unit, and an OHP for feeding
OHP sheet length detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet in the conveying direction, and the OHP sheet before forming an image on the OHP sheet.
Roll paper cutting and cutting means for cutting the roll paper to a size slightly longer than the length of the HP sheet in the transport direction, and an OHP for detecting the width of the fed OHP sheet in the transport direction
Sheet width detecting means; roll paper width cutting means for cutting the roll paper to the same width as the width in the transport direction of the OHP sheet before forming an image on the OHP sheet; A non-image paper discharging means for discharging without forming.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, to solve the above-mentioned problem, the size of the non-image paper discharged before an image is formed on the OHP sheet is the same as the size of the fed OHP sheet. The non-image paper is ejected to a position shifted from the OHP sheet ejection position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an OHP sheet is formed on a protruding portion of the non-image paper discharged before an image is formed on the OHP sheet so as not to overlap the OHP sheet. , An index such as a character and a number, which represents the characteristics of the image formed on the image.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the recording paper fed from the OHP sheet storage section is an OHP sheet, the feeding of the OHP sheet from the OHP sheet storage section is performed in a feeding path. At the same time, the paper is fed from the paper storage unit at the same time as the paper is discharged, and the paper is discharged without forming an image on the paper.
When the target image is formed on the P sheet and the recording paper fed from the OHP sheet storage unit is plain paper or recycled paper, the target image is formed on the fed recording paper. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the length of the roll paper fed from the roll paper storage unit for storing the roll paper by the roll paper feeding means is determined by the length of the OHP sheet fed in the transport direction. Before an image is formed on the OHP sheet based on the output of the OHP sheet length detecting means to be detected, the O
The roll paper is cut by the roll paper length cutting means to a size slightly longer than the length of the HP sheet in the transport direction, and the fed and cut roll paper is discharged between the OHP sheets without forming an image.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the roll paper fed by the roll paper feeding means from the roll paper storage unit for storing the roll paper having a width equal to or larger than the maximum size of the OHP sheet that can be fed. Before the image is formed on the OHP sheet based on the output of the OHP sheet length detecting means for detecting the length of the fed OHP sheet in the transport direction, the length of the OHP sheet may be slightly smaller than the length of the OHP sheet in the transport direction. The roll paper is cut into a long size by the roll paper cutting means, and an image is formed on the OHP sheet based on the output of the OHP sheet width detecting means for detecting the width of the fed OHP sheet in the transport direction. Before being formed, the roll paper is cut by the roll paper width cutting means to the same width as the width of the OHP sheet in the transport direction, and the fed and cut roll paper is subjected to image formation. It is discharged during the OHP sheet without.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the OHP
Non-image paper having the same size as the OHP sheet discharged before an image is formed on the sheet is discharged to a position shifted from the OHP sheet discharge position.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the OHP
Indexes, such as characters and numerals, representing the characteristics of the image formed on the OHP sheet are formed on protruding portions of the non-image paper discharged before the image is formed on the sheet, which do not overlap the OHP sheet.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configuration, operation, and the like within a range that can be clearly recalled from the description in this specification will be omitted or simplified in order to avoid complication of description.

First, the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sheet feed tray 1
Is configured to be able to feed OHP sheets 2 or recording paper in which OHP sheets 2 and blank papers are alternately stacked. The OHP sheets 2 stacked on the paper feed tray 1 are fed by a pickup roller 3. The OHP sheet 2 fed from the sheet feed tray 1 is temporarily stopped with its leading end reaching the registration roller 5 after being detected by the OHP sheet detecting device 4 arranged in the sheet feeding path. The OHP sheet detection device 4 is configured by, for example, a sensor that detects whether or not the recording paper fed is the OHP sheet 2 based on the light transmittance of the recording paper.

On the other hand, as described above, while the OHP sheet 2 is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 5, the plain paper 7 stacked on another paper feed tray 6 is fed by another pickup roller 8. You. The plain paper 7 fed from the paper feed tray 6 is transported by a transport roller 9, a transport guide 10,
The other transport roller 11 transports the paper 2 toward the transport roller 13 located downstream of the transport guide 12. The transport path after the transport roller 13 is OHP
It is a common transport path for the sheet 2 and the plain paper 7.

The OHP sheet 2 transported by the transport rollers 13 is transported by the transport guide 14 toward the peripheral surface of the photoconductor 15. As a result, the image forming means such as the charging charger 16 and the developing unit 17 form the photosensitive member 1.
The toner image of the document formed on the sheet 5 is transferred onto the OHP sheet 2 by the transfer charger 18. The OHP sheet 2 to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photoconductor 15 by the separation charger 19, conveyed along the separation guide 20, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing roller 21. The OHP sheet 2 on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed along a paper discharge guide 22 and is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 24 by a paper discharge roller 23. During this time, the photoconductor 15 is prepared for the next image formation by removing the remaining toner by the cleaning unit 25.

On the other hand, before the OHP sheet 2 is conveyed, the plain paper 7 conveyed by the conveying roller 13 is conveyed along the paper discharge guide 22 without transferring and fixing the toner image. Is discharged onto the discharge tray 24. As a result, the plain paper 7 is placed on the discharge tray 24.
Recording sheets are stacked and discharged alternately in the order of OHP sheet 2, plain paper, and so on.

In the present embodiment, OHP is
When only the sheet 2 is set, the operation is performed as follows. In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 2, a document is set, and a copy start button is pressed. Thus, the feeding of the OHP sheet 2 set in the sheet feeding tray 1 is started, and the conveyance of the OHP sheet 2 is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 5. During this time, the OHP sheet detecting device 4 detects whether or not the fed recording paper is the OHP sheet 2. Here, if the sensor detects the transmitted light from the recording paper even if a predetermined time has elapsed after the recording paper is fed, the OHP sheet detection device 4 detects the fed recording paper as the OHP sheet 2. If the sensor stops detecting the transmitted light from the recording paper after a predetermined time has passed after the recording paper is fed, it is determined that the fed recording paper is a blank paper. When the OHP sheet detection device 4 determines that the fed recording paper is the OHP sheet 2, the pickup roller 8 supplies the plain paper 7 having a size corresponding to the size of the OHP sheet 2. Paper is fed from the paper tray 6, passes through each of the transport rollers 9, 11, and 13, and is
The sheet is discharged as it is onto the sheet 24 without transferring and fixing the toner image. Next, an image of the set document is read, the read image is optically written on the photoconductor 15, and the conveyance of the OHP sheet 2, the conveyance of which has been stopped by the registration roller 5, is restarted. Thus, a desired image is formed. When the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 1 is the OHP sheet 2, the above operation is repeated, and the recording is performed in the order of plain paper 7, OHP sheet 2, plain paper,. The paper is discharged alternately, and blank plain paper is inserted into the back side of the OHP sheet 2.

Next, in this embodiment, the paper feed tray 1
When the recording paper on which the OHP sheet 2 and the blank paper are alternately stacked is set, the operation is performed as follows. When the first recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 1 is the OHP sheet 2, the copy paper held inside the image forming apparatus is discharged to the discharge tray 24 as in the above-described operation. Later, an image is formed on the OHP sheet 2. Next, set a new document, press the copy start button,
The blank paper sandwiched between the OHP sheets 2 is fed from the paper feed tray 1. Then, the fed white paper is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 5, and it is determined whether or not the recording paper fed by the OHP sheet detection device 4 is the OHP sheet 2. The roller 5 restarts the transportation of the blank sheet that has been temporarily stopped. When the blank paper is conveyed, the image of the original is not read, and the image formation on the blank paper is not performed. Then, a target image is formed on the OHP sheet 2 to be fed next, and the sheet is discharged.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the mechanism and control means for judging the type of fed recording paper and discharging blank paper between the OHP sheets are provided. An image can be formed on an OHP sheet and blank paper can be supplied between the OHP sheets without notifying the image forming apparatus of the image formation on the OHP sheet in advance. Further, according to the present embodiment, when a recording sheet in which an OHP sheet and a blank sheet are alternately stacked is set on the sheet feeding tray, the blank sheet can be discharged as it is after forming an image on the OHP sheet. When only the OHP sheet is set on the upper side, the plain paper held in the image forming apparatus can be discharged as a blank sheet between the OHP sheets, so that the setting condition of the image forming apparatus by changing the mode or the like is changed. Without the above, the above operation can be performed automatically.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the structure of another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
The operation will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the OHP sheet detecting device 4 determines that the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 1 is the OHP sheet 2, an image is printed on the OHP sheet 2. Before forming, the plain paper 7 fed from the paper feed tray 6 is fed by the pickup roller 26 for feeding the rear end so that the plain paper 7 advances to the rear end side opposite to the feeding direction by the pickup roller 8. Is done. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the plain paper 7 is fed by the pickup roller 26, and
Are the registration roller 5, the photoconductor 15, and the fixing roller 2.
The sheet is directly discharged as a blank sheet onto the sheet discharge tray 24 by the sheet discharge roller 23 through the respective transfer rollers 27 and 28 and the transfer guide 29 without passing through the image forming means such as 1. Accordingly, in this embodiment, when a document is set and the copy start button is pressed, the recording paper is fed from the paper feed tray 1, and when the recording paper is detected as the OHP sheet 2, Is read and an image is formed on the OHP sheet 2, and at the same time, the plain paper 7
Is fed by the pickup roller 26, and the plain paper 7 is discharged onto the discharge tray 24 before the OHP sheet 2 passes through the fixing roller 21.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the plain paper discharge path when plain paper is discharged as blank paper is formed independently of the image forming path for plain paper. When discharging blank plain paper, blank plain paper can be discharged without erasing the latent image and toner image formed on the photoconductor, and image formation on the OHP sheet can be performed on ordinary plain paper. It can be performed without any difference from the case of image formation.

Next, the configuration and operation of still another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example,
As shown in FIG. 4, the developing unit 17 is supported by a support 30 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction.
The developing roller 17a of the developing unit 17 is turned on / off by the solenoid 31 so that the levers 32 and 33 are turned on and off.
Is operated so as to come into contact with and separate from the photoconductor 15 via the. Here, the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 1 is OH
In the case of the P sheet 2, the plain paper 7 discharged onto the discharge tray 24 before the OHP sheet 2 is
In order to prevent an image from being formed on the plain paper 7 when passing through, the solenoid 31 is turned on based on the detection signal of the OHP sheet detecting device 4 and the developing roller 17a is retracted from the photoreceptor 15. Thus, the latent image of the document written on the photoconductor 15 is prevented from being visualized by the developing unit 17. When the plain paper 7 is discharged onto the discharge tray 24 as described above and the OHP sheet 2 temporarily stopped by the registration rollers 5 is fed again, the solenoid 31 is turned off and the photosensitive member is turned off. By bringing the developing roller 17a close to the developing roller 15, the latent image of the original written on the photoconductor 15 is visualized by the developing unit 17, and a target image is formed on the re-fed OHP sheet 2.

As described above, according to this embodiment, each OH
When supplying white paper between the P sheets, the developing roller of the developing unit is separated from the surface of the photoconductor to avoid image formation on plain paper, so that the latent image formed on the photoconductor is removed. The blank plain paper can be discharged without breaking.

Next, the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, this image forming apparatus converts blank paper ejected before the OHP sheet 2 on which a target image is formed, into a roll paper 34 of plain paper in the image forming apparatus. The OHP sheet length detection sensor 40 detects the length of the OHP sheet 2 fed from the paper feed tray 1, and is fed by a roll paper feed roller 35 along a roll paper feed guide 36. Roll paper 3
4 is cut by the roll paper length cutter 37 in accordance with the length of the OHP sheet 2 and discharged onto the discharge tray 24. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, when the recording paper is not fed, the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40 turns off the detection optical path 40c between the light emitting element 40a and the light receiving element 40b by being blocked by the actuator 40d. In this state, the actuator 40d is turned on by being swung by the fed recording paper and retracted from the detection optical path 40c. Thereby, this OH
The P sheet length detection sensor 40 detects the time from when it is turned on to when it is turned off, that is, when the recording paper
Depending on the time during which d is oscillating and the feeding speed of the recording paper,
The length of the fed recording paper can be obtained by calculation. Further, the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40 is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the detection optical path 40c is formed so as to transmit through the recording paper via a reflection member (mirror or prism) 40e. As described above, the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40 is configured to detect the length of the OHP sheet 2 in the feeding direction and to detect whether the fed recording paper is the OHP sheet 2 or not. ing.
Therefore, according to this image forming apparatus, the original is set, the copy start button is pressed, and the recording paper is conveyed from the paper feed tray 1 to determine whether the fed recording paper is the OHP sheet 2. Is detected by the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40, and when the OHP sheet 2 is fed, the set original is read, and
A desired image is formed on the OHP sheet 2 and the OHP sheet 2 is
0, the length of the OHP sheet 2 is detected, and the roll paper 34 sent out by the roll paper feeding roller 35 is adjusted to the length of the detected OHP sheet 2 by a roll paper length cutter. 37, the cut roll paper 34 is discharged onto the discharge tray 24 before the OHP sheet 2 on which the image is formed is discharged.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the length of the fed OHP sheet is detected, and the roll paper held in the image forming apparatus is cut in accordance with the length of the OHP sheet. Can be discharged between the OHP sheets, so that even if a blank sheet of the same size (length) as the fed OHP sheet is not held in the image forming apparatus, the blank sheet can be discharged between the OHP sheets. Low-cost white paper (roll paper) that is not satisfactory as image forming paper (copy paper) can be used efficiently.

Next, the configuration and operation of another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. This image forming apparatus, as shown in FIGS.
The size of the roll paper 34 after cutting is set to be slightly longer than the length of the fed OHP sheet 2, and before the OHP sheet 2 is discharged, the cut roll paper 34a is removed. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 24. As a result, the length of the roll paper 34a discharged onto the discharge tray 24 becomes longer than the length of the OHP sheet 2, so that the above-described discharge operation is repeated, as shown in FIG. Roll paper 34a inserted between OHP sheets
Are protruded from the end of the OHP sheet 2 and are stacked. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the stacked OHP sheets 2 are separated, the portion of the roll paper 34a protruding from the end of each OHP sheet 2 is turned over, whereby
The HP sheet 2 can be easily separated.

Next, referring to FIGS. 9 to 12,
The configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect will be described. In this image forming apparatus, the width (OH
The length perpendicular to the feeding direction of the P sheet 2) is OH
A mechanism that detects the width of the roll paper 34 discharged between the OHP sheets 2 by the P sheet width detection sensor 41 and cuts the width of the roll paper 34 to the same width as the width of the fed OHP sheet 2 by the roll paper width cutter 42. have. In addition, the roll paper 3
4 is cut by the roll paper length cutter 37 according to the length of the OHP sheet 2 detected by the OHP sheet length detection sensor 40 described above.

Here, the OHP sheet width detection sensor 41
As shown in FIG. 9, a strain gauge 4 is provided at an appropriate position on a stainless steel leaf spring 41b having one end fixed by a support shaft 41a.
The free end of the leaf spring 41b is arranged so as to lightly contact one side of the OHP sheet 2 which is fed so as to pass through the center of the registration roller 5. I have. In FIG. 9, the OHP sheet width detection sensor 41 has a magnitude of a distance y from the center in the width direction of the OHP sheet 2 to the contact portion of the leaf spring 41b, that is, O
The distortion amount of the leaf spring 41b corresponding to the width Y (Y = 2y) of the HP sheet 2 is converted into an electric signal by the strain gauge 41c and output. Therefore, the width Y of the OHP sheet 2 is detected by calculating the value of the distance y based on the output of the OHP sheet width detection sensor 41.

On the other hand, the roll paper width cutter 42 is
As shown in FIG. 11, the roll paper 34 is constituted by a pair of disk-shaped cutters, and is rotatably supported by a cutter support 43 disposed at a portion where the roll paper 34 is sent out. The leader portion 34b of the roll paper 34 is fed by a roll paper feed roller 35 through a space between a cutter control roller 44 that can be freely moved toward and away from the roll paper width cutter 42 and each roll paper width cutter 42. . Here, the cutter control roller 44 is connected to the cutter support 43.
When the roller moves and when it is not necessary to cut the roll paper 34, it retreats to a position (position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 10) separated from each roll paper width cutter 42, and when cutting the roll paper 34, In contact with the roll paper width cutter 42,
The cutter control roller 44 and each roll paper width cutter 4
The roll paper 34 is moved to a position where both sides of the roll paper 34 inserted between the roll paper 34 and the roll paper 34 are cut.

Each of the cutter supports 43 includes a rotatable cutter support drive shaft 46 having a spiral groove 45 into which the cutter supports 43 are movably fitted. Each is supported by a pair of cutter support guide stays 47 that regulate rotation. Here, the pair of cutter support guide stays 47 are fixed to immovable portions of the apparatus main body so as to be parallel to the cutter support driving shaft 46. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the cutter support drive shaft 46 is driven by a driven belt 51 which is stretched between a driven pulley 48 fixed to one end thereof and a drive motor 49 drive pulley 50. The motor 49 rotates in a predetermined direction.

In FIG. 11, the drive motor 49 outputs the OH detected by the OHP sheet width detection sensor 41 described above.
Based on the width Y of the P sheet 2 (FIG. 9), the roll sheet width cutter 42 is rotated until the separation distance Y ′ becomes equal to the detected value of the width Y of the OHP sheet 2. Thereby, the cutter support drive shaft 46 is rotated in a predetermined direction via the driven pulley 48 and the drive belt 51, and each cutter support 43 fitted into the spiral groove 45 of the cutter support drive shaft 46 is moved by the cutter. Support guide stay 47
, The roll paper width cutters 42 are moved to positions where their separation distance Y ′ is equal to the detected width Y of the OHP sheet 2. Here, as a method of controlling the moving position of each roll paper width cutter 42, the rotation of the drive motor 49 is such that the separation distance Y ′ of each roll paper width cutter 42 is equal to the detected width Y of the OHP sheet 2. The amount is calculated to control the rotation of the drive motor 49, or the value of the separation distance Y 'of each roll paper width cutter 42 and the detected width Y of the OHP sheet 2
May be calculated by calculating the rotation time of the drive motor 49 so as to make the value of the drive motor 49 equal, and supplying a current to the drive motor 49 for this time.

In this manner, each roll paper width cutter 4 is adjusted so as to be equal to the detected width Y of the OHP sheet 2.
2 with the roll paper width cutter 42
The roll paper 3 by the cutter control roller 44
4 by pressing and rotating the leader portion 34b,
The leader portion 34b pulled out from the roll paper 34 is cut into a width equal to the width of the OHP sheet 2 to be fed.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the roll paper 34a cut to the width equal to the width of the OHP sheet 2
4 is discharged toward the paper output tray 24 by the guide plate 52 that guides only the central portion of the roll paper 34, and the chip paper 34 c separated from both sides of the roll paper 34 a hangs down by its own weight, so that This guide plate 5 is provided by a guide plate 53 for guiding only the side portion.
3 is collected in a waste paper box arranged at the lower part of the apparatus.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the roll paper 34 held in the image forming apparatus is cut into the same size as the size of the OHP sheet 2 to be fed.
Since there is a means for discharging paper between HP sheets, even when an image is formed on an OHP sheet having a size different from the size of plain paper set in the image forming apparatus,
A blank sheet of a size corresponding to the size of the OHP sheet can be discharged.

Next, the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This image forming apparatus is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a paper discharge position regulating roller 55 that can control the paper discharge position of the recording paper (or blank paper) discharged onto the paper discharge tray 24 is provided, and an image is formed on the OHP sheet 2. In this case, the plain paper 7 of the same size as the OHP sheet 2 is discharged earlier than the OHP sheet 2, and the discharge position regulating roller 55 is used to determine the discharge position of the plain paper 7. , And the OHP sheet 2 are discharged onto the discharge tray 24 while being alternately shifted from each other. That is, the discharge position regulating roller 55
In FIG. 13, after the OHP sheet 2 is discharged,
The blank plain paper 7 is rotated in a completely discharged state, and
The plain paper 7 is moved to a position moved by 2 to 3 cm from the HP sheet 2 and stopped. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described image forming apparatus according to claim 1, a plurality of OHP sheets discharged on the paper discharge tray can be used.
It can be easily separated one by one.

Next, referring to FIG.
The configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the described invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 14, the image forming apparatus alternately shifts the discharge position of the plain white paper 7 and the discharge position of the OHP sheet 2 to the discharge tray 24.
It has a function of discharging the sheet upward, and a portion of the plain paper 7 that is discharged as a blank sheet is shifted from the OHP sheet 2.
It has a function of forming an index 56 such as a simple sentence, character, or number indicating the content of the OHP sheet 2 to be discharged next. Here, since the number of characters and the like formed as the index 56 is limited, the character string is input by an operation unit of the image forming apparatus (a simple method such as a tepler). As an input method of the index 56, a part of the image formed on the OHP sheet is
A part of this image may be copied to the leading end of a blank sheet inserted between the OHP sheets in the discharge direction. Further, as a method of inputting the index 56, the heading number of the OHP sheet is input using the numeric keypad of the operation unit, and the input heading number is copied to the leading end of the blank sheet inserted between the OHP sheets in the discharge direction. Is also good.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of OHP sheets discharged on the paper output tray can be easily separated one by one, and the content of the image formed on the OHP sheet can be easily viewed without directly viewing the OHP sheet. Can be confirmed.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for judging the type of recording paper fed and discharging a blank sheet between the OHP sheets, and a control means. An image can be formed on an OHP sheet and blank paper can be supplied between the OHP sheets without notifying the image forming apparatus of the image formation on the OHP sheet in advance. Further, according to the present invention, when a recording sheet in which OHP sheets and blank papers are alternately stacked is set on a paper feeding tray, blank paper can be discharged as it is after an image is formed on the OHP sheet. When only the OHP sheet is set in the image forming apparatus, the plain paper held in the image forming apparatus can be discharged as a blank sheet between the OHP sheets. Instead, the above operation can be performed automatically. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the length of the fed OHP sheet is detected, and the roll paper held in the image forming apparatus is cut in accordance with the length of the OHP sheet to cut out each OHP sheet. Even if a blank sheet of the same size (length) as the fed OHP sheet is not held in the image forming apparatus, each OH
Blank paper can be discharged between P sheets, and image forming paper (copy paper)
In this case, low-cost white paper (roll paper) that cannot be satisfied can be used efficiently.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the roll paper held in the image forming apparatus is cut into the same size as the size of the fed OHP sheet, and is discharged between the OHP sheets. Means for forming an image on an OHP sheet having a size different from the size of plain paper set in the image forming apparatus.
A blank sheet of a size corresponding to the sheet size can be discharged.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the plurality of OHP sheets discharged onto the paper discharge tray can be easily separated one by one. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of OHP sheets discharged onto the paper discharge tray can be easily separated one by one, and the OHP sheets formed on the OHP sheets can be easily viewed without being directly visually recognized. You can check the contents of the image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing a configuration of still another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of an OHP sheet length detection sensor in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing a discharge state of an OHP sheet and roll paper in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a discharge state of an OHP sheet and roll paper in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of an OHP sheet width detection sensor in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a roll paper cutting section of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a roll paper cutting unit of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a roll paper discharge unit of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing a discharge state of an OHP sheet and roll paper in the image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a discharge state of an OHP sheet and roll paper in the image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which an OHP sheet and roll paper are discharged in the image forming apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper feed tray 2 OHP sheet 3,8,26 Pickup roller 4 OHP sheet detection device 5 Registration roller 6 Paper feed tray 7 Plain paper 9,11,13,27,28 Transport roller 10,12,14,29 Transport guide 15 Photoconductor 16 Charger 17 Developing unit 18 Transfer charger 19 Separation charger 20 Transport separation guide 21 Fixing roller 22 Discharge guide 23 Discharge roller 24 Discharge tray 25 Cleaning unit 34 Roll paper 35 Roll paper feed roller 36 Roll paper feed Guide 37 Roll paper length cutter 40 OHP sheet length detection sensor 41 OHP sheet width detection sensor 42 Roll paper width cutter 43 Cutter support 44 Cutter control roller 45 Spiral groove 46 Cutter support drive shaft 47 Cutter support guide Tape 48 driven pulley 49 driving motor 50 driving pulley 51 driving a belt 52, 53 guide plate 54 wastepaper box 55 sheet discharging position restriction roller 56 Index

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-293238 (JP, A) JP-A-62-259971 (JP, A) JP-A-2-33063 (JP, A) JP-A-1- 203165 (JP, A) JP-A-58-62635 (JP, A) JP-A-50-11242 (JP, A) JP-A-63-191160 (JP, A) JP-A-56-1226853 (JP, A) JP-A-1-247343 (JP, A) JP-A-5-273822 (JP, A) JP-A-2-22677 (JP, A) JP-A-4-6058 (JP, A) (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 62-100959 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 63-132746 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 3/44

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming a target image on fed recording paper, comprising: an OHP sheet storing section for storing an OHP sheet; and an OHP sheet storing section for storing the OHP sheet. OHP sheet feeding means for feeding OHP sheets one by one, a paper storage unit for storing sheets, paper feeding means for feeding the sheets stored in the paper storage unit one by one, and feeding. A non-image paper discharging means for discharging the paper without forming an image on the formed recording paper, and the recording paper when the recording paper is fed from the OHP sheet storage unit is an OHP sheet, plain paper or recycled paper. Recording paper identification means for detecting the presence of paper, and recording paper feed control means for temporarily stopping the feeding of the recording paper from the OHP sheet storage section in the middle of the feeding path and simultaneously feeding the paper from the paper storage section And the above When the recording paper fed from the HP sheet storage unit is an OHP sheet, the feeding of the OHP sheet from the OHP sheet storage unit is temporarily stopped in the middle of the feeding path, and at the same time, the paper is fed from the paper storage unit. Feed,
After discharging the paper without forming an image on the paper, a target image is formed on the temporarily stopped OHP sheet, and the recording paper fed from the OHP sheet storage unit is plain paper or recycled paper. In some cases, an image forming apparatus forms a target image on a fed recording sheet. 2. An image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming a target image on a fed recording sheet, comprising: an OHP sheet storing section for storing an OHP sheet; OHP sheet feeding means for feeding OHP sheets one by one, a roll paper storage unit for storing roll paper, and roll paper feeding means for feeding roll paper from the roll paper storage unit. OHP sheet length detecting means for detecting the length of the OHP sheet in the transport direction, and the OHP sheet before forming an image on the OHP sheet.
A roll paper length cutting unit that cuts the roll paper to a size slightly longer than the length in the sheet conveyance direction, and an imageless paper discharge unit that discharges the fed and cut roll paper without forming an image. An image forming apparatus. 3. An image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming a target image on a fed recording sheet, comprising: an OHP sheet storage section for storing an OHP sheet; OHP sheet feeding means for feeding OHP sheets one by one, a roll paper storage unit for storing roll paper having a width equal to or larger than the maximum size of OHP sheets that can be fed, and Roll paper feeding means for feeding paper, and OHP for feeding
OHP sheet length detecting means for detecting the length of the sheet in the conveying direction, and the OHP sheet before forming an image on the OHP sheet.
Roll paper cutting and cutting means for cutting the roll paper to a size slightly longer than the length of the HP sheet in the transport direction, and an OHP for detecting the width of the fed OHP sheet in the transport direction
Sheet width detecting means; roll paper width cutting means for cutting the roll paper to the same width as the width in the transport direction of the OHP sheet before forming an image on the OHP sheet; An image forming apparatus comprising: a non-image paper discharging unit that discharges without forming. 4. The size of the non-image paper discharged before an image is formed on the OHP sheet is the same as the size of the fed OHP sheet. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-image paper is discharged. 5. A non-image sheet, which is discharged before an image is formed on the OHP sheet, is provided on a protruding portion of the non-image sheet which does not overlap with the OHP sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an index is formed.