JP3487535B2 - Roll paper unit and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a roll paper unit for accommodating roll paper in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on roll paper and an image forming apparatus equipped with this roll paper unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an output device of a computer or a workstation, an ink jet type image forming apparatus for ejecting ink to form an image on a print medium or an electrophotographic type image forming apparatus for forming an image on a print medium by using a developer or the like. Image forming apparatuses are known. Some of these types of image forming apparatuses are provided with a roll paper unit that accommodates roll paper. The roll paper accommodated in this roll paper unit is cut into a predetermined size by a cutter, and the image inside the apparatus is cut. The image is formed by being fed to the forming unit.

In forming an image on roll paper,
The leading edge of the roll paper may be skewed or uneven. Therefore, in order to prevent conveyance defects and image defects due to this, after the roll paper is replaced or a paper jam (jam) is processed, the leading end of the roll paper is usually cut and discharged, and the cut roll paper is It was necessary to adjust it to a predetermined position, and it was necessary to process the cut pieces of the cut roll paper.

[0004]

As described above, it is necessary to cut the roll paper to remove the unnecessary roll paper. Further, it was necessary to easily handle scraps of roll paper that became unnecessary.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a roll paper unit which has a simple structure and is easy to use.

[0006]

A roll paper unit of the present invention for achieving the above object is provided with an image forming portion for forming an image on a roll paper, and precuts for cutting the leading end of the roll paper. , The pre-cut front end is conveyed in a predetermined paper ejection direction and ejected, and the roll left unejected is ejected.
A roll paper unit in which the roll paper is accommodated in an image forming apparatus that conveys a roll paper in a paper feed direction different from the paper discharge direction and forms an image on the roll paper in the image forming unit, (1) (2) In a state of being taken out from the image forming apparatus, the roll paper is opened by opening the passage in the paper discharge direction and closing the passage in the paper feed direction. To guide the sheet in the paper discharge direction. (3) In the built-in state where the image forming apparatus is incorporated,
The switching member includes a switching member that opens the passage in the paper feed direction and closes the passage in the paper discharge direction so as to guide the roll paper in the paper feed direction. A guide plate that guides the roll paper in one of the paper discharge direction and the paper feed direction by rotating around (5), and (5) rotates in one direction around the rotation axis. By doing so, the guide plate is positioned so that the guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction, and the guide plate is rotated by rotating in the reverse direction opposite to the one direction. A second outlet guide plate that positions the guide plate so as to guide the roll paper in the paper feeding direction, and (6) is attached to the image forming apparatus in a take-out state taken out from the image forming apparatus. From the body guide plate that rotates with the second outlet guide plate By being,
The second outlet guide plate is rotated in the one direction to position the guide plate so that the guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction, and opens a passage in the paper discharge direction. It is characterized in that the passage in the sheet feeding direction is closed.

Here, (7) it is preferable that, when incorporated in the image forming apparatus, the front end portion of the roll paper on which the precut is performed is outside the image forming apparatus.

(8) When the roll paper unit is incorporated in the image forming apparatus, it is preferable to include a cutter that pre-cuts the roll paper when the roll paper is located in a predetermined paper discharge path.

Further, (9) the switching member rotates in a predetermined direction depending on which of the take-out state and the built-in state, whereby the surface for guiding the roll paper is the front surface and the back surface. It is preferable to provide a plate-shaped guide member that switches to any of the above.

Further, (10) it is preferable that the plate-shaped guide member has a convex portion for guiding roll paper formed on at least one of the front surface and the back surface.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes (11) any one of the roll paper units described above, and (12) the roll paper unit has a roll paper cover that covers the roll paper unit. (13) It is preferable that a gap is formed between the outer cover of the image forming apparatus and the roll paper cover to discharge the precut roll paper leading end. Another roll paper unit that achieves the above object is provided with an image forming unit that forms an image on roll paper,
In a roll paper unit for accommodating the roll paper, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the roll paper in the image forming unit, (14) in a take-out state where the roll paper unit is taken out from the image forming apparatus. , A path to the image forming unit is closed, and roll paper is conveyed in a direction different from the paper feeding direction to the image forming unit. (15) The roll paper unit is incorporated in the image forming apparatus. In this state, the switching member is provided with a switching member that opens the passage in the image forming direction and closes the passages in the different directions so as to convey the roll paper in the feeding direction to the image forming unit. (16) A guide plate that guides the roll paper in either the paper discharge direction or the paper feed direction by rotating about a central axis, and (17) centering on the rotating axis. In one direction The guide plate is positioned so that the guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction by rotating, and the guide plate is rotated by rotating in the reverse direction opposite to the one direction. A second outlet guide plate for positioning the guide plate so as to guide the roll paper in the paper feeding direction, and (18) the image forming apparatus is provided with the second outlet guide plate in a taken-out state taken out from the image forming apparatus. By separating the second outlet guide plate from the body guide plate that is attached and rotates,
The second outlet guide plate is rotated in the one direction to position the guide plate so that the guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction, and opens a passage in the paper discharge direction. It is characterized in that the passage in the sheet feeding direction is closed. Here, (19) a cutter means for cutting the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit may be provided. (20) The cutter means may include cutter means for precutting the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit. An image forming apparatus that achieves the above object is
In an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on roll paper and a roll paper unit that supplies the roll paper to the image forming unit, (21) the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit is used as the image. A control means is provided for controlling so as to switch between the case of carrying in a direction different from the direction to the forming section and the case of carrying in the direction to the image forming section. A guide plate for guiding the roll paper in any one of the paper discharge direction and the paper feed direction by rotating in a single direction, and (23) rotating in one direction around the rotation axis. The guide plate is positioned so that the guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction, and the guide plate is rotated in the reverse direction opposite to the one direction so that the guide plate rolls. Guide in the paper feeding direction A second outlet guide plate for positioning the guide plate in such a manner that: (24) In the take-out state taken out from the image forming apparatus, the second main body guide plate attached to the image forming apparatus is rotated to the second By separating the outlet guide plate,
The second outlet guide plate is rotated in the one direction to position the guide plate so that the guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction, and opens a passage in the paper discharge direction. It is characterized in that the passage in the sheet feeding direction is closed. Here, (25) the control means may include a plurality of guide members. Further, (26) a configuration may further be provided in which a cutter means for cutting the roll paper is further provided, and the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit is pre-cut. Still another roll paper unit for achieving the above object is equipped with an image forming unit for forming an image on roll paper, and is incorporated in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on roll paper by the image forming unit. ,
(27) In a roll paper unit accommodating the roll paper, (27) the roll paper is conveyed in a direction different from a paper feeding direction to the image forming section, and the roll paper is sent to the image forming section. Switching means for switching so that the sheet is conveyed in the paper feeding direction. (28) The switching means rotates about a central axis to rotate in either the paper discharging direction or the paper feeding direction. A guide plate for guiding the roll paper, and (29) rotating the guide plate in one direction about a rotation axis so that the guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction. And a second outlet guide plate that positions the guide plate so that the guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper feeding direction by rotating the guide paper in the reverse direction opposite to the one direction. (30) The image picked up from the image forming apparatus. In the ejected state, the second outlet guide plate is separated from the main body guide plate that is attached to the image forming apparatus and rotates,
The second outlet guide plate is rotated in the one direction to position the guide plate so that the guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction, and opens a passage in the paper discharge direction. It is characterized in that the passage in the sheet feeding direction is closed. Here, (31) a cutter means for cutting the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit may be provided. Further, (32) the cutter means may include a cutter means for pre-cutting the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a roll paper unit of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a copying machine in which a roll paper unit of one embodiment is incorporated.

An original plate cover 12 which can be freely opened and closed is arranged on the top surface of a copying machine (which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention) 10. The original plate cover 12 sends an original document to the original plate. Also serves as a document feeder (DF).
An operation unit 14 for inputting the number of copies and the like is arranged on the front side of the top surface. This copying machine 10 can selectively form an image on both cut paper and roll paper, and four cassettes 1 each containing a plurality of cut papers.
6, 18, 20, and 22 are provided in the main body of the copying machine 10 so that they can be freely taken in and out. Further, a roll paper unit 70 for accommodating roll paper is incorporated in the main body of the copying machine 10 so as to be freely taken in and out. The copying machine 10 also includes a manual feed tray 23 on which small-sized recording sheets such as postcards can be placed. Further, a paper discharge tray 25 on which recording paper on which an image is formed is stacked is also provided.

A procedure for forming an image by the copying machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the outline of the internal structure of the copying machine 10.

Below the document table cover 12 (see FIG. 1),
A document glass 24 on which a document is placed is arranged. Below the document glass 24, an exposure optical system for irradiating a document to obtain an image signal carrying image information is arranged. This exposure optical system includes a light source 26, a lens 28, and mirrors 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40. The original placed on the original glass 24 is illuminated by the light from the light source 26, and the reflected light 42 from the original serves as an image signal, and the lens 28 and the mirrors 30, 32, 34, 3 are provided.
After passing through 6, 38, and 40, the photosensitive drum 44 arranged below the exposure optical system is irradiated. The photosensitive drum 44 is shown in FIG.
Has a rotary shaft 44a extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of
It is rotating in the direction of arrow A. The primary charger 4 that uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 44 is provided on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 44 from the irradiation position where the reflected light 42 from the original is irradiated.
6 are arranged. After the photosensitive drum 44 is uniformly charged by the primary charger 46 to form a charging surface,
The electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the charged surface with the reflected light 42 from the document.

A developing device 48 for developing the electrostatic latent image is arranged downstream of the irradiation position in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 44. An area where the photosensitive drum 44 and the developing device 48 face each other is a developing area where the electrostatic latent image is developed.
When the electrostatic latent image reaches the developing area by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 44, the developing device 48 develops the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image (developed image).

A transfer charger 5 for transferring a toner image onto a recording sheet is provided downstream of the developing area in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 44.
0 is placed. Photosensitive drum 44 and transfer charger 50
The area opposite to is a transfer area where the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper, and when the toner image reaches the transfer area due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 44, the toner image is transferred onto the recording paper conveyed to this transfer area. Transcribed.

Recording sheets are cassettes 16, 18, 20, 2
2 and the roll paper unit 70, and the like, and they are conveyed to the transfer area. When the recording paper is conveyed to the transfer area, for example, the cut paper 16a sent by the paper feed roller 16b from the cassette 16 or the like is made to stand by in a state where the leading end of the cut paper 16a abuts the registration roller 54 and forms a loop. Then, the recording paper is conveyed to the transfer area at the timing when the toner image reaches the transfer area.

The recording paper on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 44 by the separation charger 56, conveyed to the conveyor belt 58 which rotates in the direction of arrow B, and reaches the fixing device 60, where it is fixed. The toner image is fixed on the recording paper. After the toner image is fixed on the recording paper, the recording paper is ejected from the paper ejection port (not shown) to the paper ejection tray 25. In addition,
The residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 44 after the transfer is removed from the photosensitive drum 44 by the cleaning device 64. Further, the residual charge remaining on the photosensitive drum 44 is removed by a charge eliminating lamp (not shown). As a result, the photosensitive drum 44 is ready for the next image formation.

The roll paper unit 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the roll paper unit 70 taken out from the main body of the copying machine 10, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a roll paper unit 70 incorporated in the main body of the copying machine 10. In these figures, the same components as those of FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The roll paper 72 has a spool 74 on which the roll paper 72 is set.
It is housed in 0. As shown in FIG. 3, when the roll paper unit 70 is taken out from the main body of the copying machine 10 (which is an example of the take-out state in the present invention), the roll paper 72 is
Cutter lower blade guide 7 arranged above the roll paper 72
8, a surface 80a of a guide plate (which is an example of a plate-shaped guide member according to the present invention) 80 (see FIG. 6), and an upper stay 8
2 is guided in the paper discharge direction (direction of arrow C). In this state, the pressure roller 84 that conveys the roll paper 72 and the paper feed roller (driving roller) 86 are separated from each other. Further, in this state, the main body guide plate 66 is in an open state, and the cassettes 18, 20, 22 (in FIG. 3, the cassette 2
Cut sheets 18a accommodated in 0 and 22 (not shown)
Transport rollers 53a and 53b for transporting the like are separated from each other.

In order to set the roll paper 72 in the roll paper unit 70, first, the roll paper cover 106 is opened and the spool 74 on which the roll paper 72 is set is fixed to the spool holder 76. When the paper feed pressure lever 120 is pulled toward you, the pressure roller 84 moves upward and is released,
Since an insertion space into which the leading end of the roll paper 72 can be inserted is formed, the leading end of the roll paper 72 is inserted into this insertion space. When the insertion is continued, the tip is on the surface 80 of the guide plate 80.
Guided by a, it comes out above the upper stay 82. next,
The roll paper 72 is aligned to prevent skewing. Specifically, the front end of the roll paper 72 is pulled out by about 300 mm, and the left and right ends thereof are aligned with the left and right ends of the roll paper 72. After this alignment is completed, the paper feed pressure lever 120 is returned to its original position, and the pressure roller 84 presses the paper against the paper feed roller 86 to fix the position of the roll paper 72.

The front end of the roll paper pulled out for alignment is brought out, and the roll paper cover 106 is closed. At this time, forgetting to return the paper feeding pressure lever 120 to the original position, the pressure roller 84 and the paper feeding roller 86 make the roll paper 7
A projection 106e is formed on the roll paper cover 106 in order to prevent the paper 2 from being conveyed. Therefore, if the roll paper cover 106 is closed without returning the paper feed pressure lever 120 to the original position, the projection 106e comes into contact with the paper feed pressure lever 120 located at the front pulled position, and the paper feed pressure is applied. The lever 120 is returned to its original position.

In this way, the roll paper unit 70 with the roll paper cover 106 closed is incorporated into the main body of the copying machine 10. The thickness of the roll paper 72 is less than 0.5 mm, and therefore the roll paper cover 106 and the outer cover 1
If a gap of about 1 mm is opened between the roll paper 72 and 0a, the leading end of the roll paper 72 is discharged from this gap. Therefore, it is not necessary to specially form a new opening in order to discharge the leading end of the roll paper 72.

When the roll paper 72 located in the upper stay (which is an example of the paper discharge path according to the present invention) 82 is detected by the precut sensor 101 fixed to the stay 10b of the copying machine 10, the cutter drive motor ( (Not shown) is turned on, and the cutter 100 scans the roll paper 72 to cut the roll paper 72. Since the cut portion (precut paper) of the roll paper 72 is exposed to the outside from the main body of the copying machine 10 before cutting, the user can easily remove this precut paper. Therefore, the copying machine 10 does not need to have a special mechanism for discharging the precut paper.

Next, the movement and structure of the pressure roller 84 will be described.

In FIG. 5, the pressure roller 84 is the paper feed roller 86.
It is a perspective view which shows a mode that it leaves.

The paper feed roller 86 is the roll paper unit 70.
It is rotatably fixed to the main body and is driven by a motor (not shown). Further, the paper feed roller 86 is fixed so that a part thereof is exposed from an opening 110a of a guide plate 110 that guides the roll paper 72 conveyed from below in the lateral direction (toward the image forming portion).

On the other hand, the pressure roller 84 is rotatably supported by the leaf spring 114. The leaf spring 114 has the other end fixed to an upper guide plate 116 fixed above the cutter lower blade guide 78. Therefore, normally, the pressure roller 84 is pressed against the sheet feeding roller 86 by the leaf spring 114.

The leaf spring 114 is formed with a hook portion 114a extending upward from the upper surface thereof.
The tip of 4a is bent. Also, the upper guide plate 1
On the upper surface of 16, there is fixed a rotating plate 122 whose front end portion 122a is rotated in the vertical direction by operating the paper feed pressure lever 120. An opening 122b is formed in the tip portion 122a, and the leaf spring 114 is formed through the opening 122b.
The tip of the hooking portion 114a of the is protruding.

A plurality of claw-shaped projections 122c are formed on the rear end of the rotating plate 122, and a hole 116a into which the projection 122c is inserted is formed on the upper surface of the upper guide plate 116. When the protrusion 122c is inserted into the hole 116a, the rotating plate 122 can rotate around the rear end.

Further, the paper feeding pressure lever 120 is provided with the rotating shaft 12.
It is rotatably fixed to 0a. Paper feed pressure lever 12
Of the 0, a flat plate-shaped contact portion 120b is arranged in the vicinity of the rotating shaft 120a. This contact portion 120b
Is located on the lower rear side of the rotating plate 122. When the paper feeding pressure lever 120 is located at the position 120 'shown by the solid line, the rotating plate 122 is located at the position shown by the solid line by its own weight. In order to release the pressure roller 84, when the paper feeding pressure lever is rotated about the rotation shaft 120a to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line 120, the contact portion 120b is also rotated and the rotation plate 1 is rotated.
22 is rotated about the protrusion 122c at the rear end. When the rotating plate 122 is rotated and lifted, the rotating plate 12
The tip end portion 122a of the second spring is lifted, the hook portion 114a of the leaf spring 114 is hooked on the portion of the rotating plate 122 near the opening 122b, and the hook portion 114a is lifted.
When the hook portion 114a is lifted, the leaf spring 114 is also lifted and the pressure roller 84 is also lifted to the position of the pressure roller 84 'shown by the chain double-dashed line. As a result, the pressure roller 84 separates from the paper feed roller 86. As described above, the pressure roller 84 and the paper feed roller 86 can be easily separated from each other by rotating the paper feed pressure lever 120 with a simple structure. Good performance and low cost. Note that the chain double-dashed line C in FIG. 5 indicates the path through which the roll paper 72 is conveyed during precutting.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the roll paper unit 70 of FIG. 3 is pushed in the direction of arrow D to be incorporated in the main body of the copying machine 10 (which is an example of the assembled state in the present invention). Then, the main body guide plate 66 is rotated about the rotation shaft 66a in the direction of arrow E to be closed. This body guide plate 66
A first outlet guide plate 67 extending obliquely downward toward the outside is formed at the upper end of the.

As will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6, when the roll paper unit 70 is incorporated into the main body of the copying machine 10, the second outlet guide plate 92 contacts the first outlet guide plate 67 and rotates, Further, the guide plate 80 also rotates. This allows
The roll paper 72 has a cutter lower blade guide 78 and a back surface 80b of the guide plate 80 arranged above the roll paper 72 (see FIG. 6).
And the paper feed direction (arrow F
Direction), and is nipped by the pressing roller 88 and the curl removing roller (driving roller) 90. The pressing roller 88 is made of metal, and the curl removing roller 90 has a sponge wound on the outer peripheral surface. In this assembled state, the pressure roller 84 that conveys the roll paper 72 and the paper feed roller (driving roller) 86 are in contact with each other, and by rotating the paper feed roller 86 and the curl removing roller 90, the roll paper 7
2 is conveyed in the paper feed direction.

The movement and function of the guide plate 80 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic view showing a part of the roll paper unit 70. In this figure, the same components as those of FIGS. 3 and 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. There is. Further, since the respective constituent elements are schematically and enlargedly shown, there are some constituent elements that are the same as the constituent elements shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 but have slightly different shapes.

When the roll paper unit 70 is incorporated into the main body of the copying machine 10, the main body guide plate 66 is closed and
The first outlet guide plate 67 on the upper part of the main body guide plate 66 is
The outlet guide plate 92 abuts. As a result, the second outlet guide plate 92 at the position indicated by the solid line rotates in the direction of arrow G about the rotation shaft 92a, and moves to the position indicated by the alternate long and two short dashes line. The second outlet guide plate 92 pushes down the front end portion 80c of the guide plate 80 by the rear end portion 92b during its rotation, so that the guide plate 80 at the position of the solid line is in the direction of arrow H about the central axis 80d. Turn to and move to the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line. As a result, the passage in the arrow C direction is closed, the passage in the arrow F direction is opened, and the roll paper 72 is conveyed in the paper feed direction.

The second outlet guide plate 92 is urged by a torsion coil spring (not shown) so as to rotate in the counterclockwise direction toward the paper surface of FIG. The guide plate 80 is also biased by a torsion coil spring (not shown) so as to rotate clockwise toward the paper surface of FIG. Therefore, when the roll paper unit 70 is pulled out from the main body of the copying machine 10, the second exit guide plate 92 and the guide plate 80.
However, in the opposite direction to the above, the passage in the arrow F direction is closed, the passage in the arrow C direction is opened, and the roll paper 72 is conveyed in the discharge direction. Here, the switching member referred to in the present invention is constituted by the guide plate 80 and the second outlet guide plate 92. Further, in the state where the passage in the arrow F direction is open, the projection 92c of the second outlet guide plate 92 actually contacts the guide plate 80, but in FIG.
0 and the second outlet guide plate 92 to clearly show the movement,
The protrusion 92c is shown separated from the guide plate 80.

A cutter 100 for cutting the roll paper 72 is arranged slightly downstream of the cutter lower blade guide 78 in the roll paper conveyance direction. This cutter 100
Is usually located at a retracted position away from both ends of the roll paper 72 in the width direction, and is configured so as not to hinder the passage of the roll paper 72.

In the roll paper unit 70, the roll paper 72
When the roll paper unit 70 is incorporated into the copying machine 10 in a state where the roll paper unit 70 extends in the paper discharge direction (arrow C direction), the cutter 1
00 moves in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6 (width direction of the roll paper 72) to cut the roll paper 72. The position where the cutter 100 moves is the predetermined cutting position referred to in the present invention. In this way, the cutter 1
End portion 72a of the roll paper 72 cut by 00
Are removed through the outlet 102, as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 7, surface 80 of guide plate 80
The shape of a will be described.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the surface 80a of the guide plate 80.

On the surface 80a of the guide plate 80, a large number of convex portions 81 are formed at a predetermined interval from the central portion in the paper discharge direction to the tip (downstream side in the paper discharge direction). Therefore, the surface 80a of the guide plate 80 has a wavy shape. When the roll paper 72 is guided in the paper discharge direction by the guide plate 80, the roll paper 72 is guided to the top of the convex portion 81. Therefore, the conveyance direction of the roll paper 72 can be selectively switched between the paper discharge direction and the paper feed direction without increasing the rotation angle.
For this reason, the space can be reduced as the rotation angle of the guide plate 80 is smaller. Note that the guide plate 80 may be formed thick instead of the convex portion 81.

[0047]

As described above, according to the roll paper unit of the present invention, the roll paper is conveyed in the paper discharge direction or the paper feed direction depending on whether the roll paper unit is in the take-out state or the built-in state. The switching member is switched as shown in FIG. Therefore, since the transfer direction of the roll paper is switched by the switching member according to the state of the roll paper unit, the roll paper unit with a simple structure and good usability can be obtained.

Here, when the roll paper leading end that is to be precut when it is incorporated into the image forming apparatus is outside the image forming apparatus, the roll paper leading edge can be easily taken out after precutting. , A roll paper unit that is even easier to use can be obtained.

Further, when the roll paper unit is incorporated in the image forming apparatus and the roll paper is equipped with a cutter for pre-cutting the roll paper when the roll paper is positioned in the predetermined paper discharge path, the roll paper is automatically pre-cut. As a result, a roll paper unit that does not require any labor is obtained.

Further, when the switching member rotates in a predetermined direction depending on which of the take-out state and the built-in state, the surface for guiding the roll paper is switched to either the front surface or the back surface. In the case of the one provided with the plate-shaped guide member, the surface for guiding the roll paper is switched only by the rotation of the guide member, so that the structure is simple.

Furthermore, in the case where the plate-shaped guide member has a convex portion for guiding the roll paper formed on at least one of the front surface and the back surface, the thickness of the plate-shaped member can be reduced.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the roll paper unit described above, and the roll paper unit has a roll paper cover that covers the roll paper unit. If a gap for discharging the pre-cut roll paper front end is formed between the paper cover and the paper cover, a special discharge port need not be formed. Here, an image forming unit that forms an image on the roll paper is provided, and the image is formed on the roll paper by the image forming unit.
In a roll paper unit for accommodating the roll paper, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus for forming a sheet, in a take-out state in which the roll paper unit is taken out from the image forming apparatus , the passage to the image forming unit is closed. Image paper
In a built-in state in which the roll paper unit is conveyed in a direction different from the paper feeding direction to the forming section and is incorporated in the image forming apparatus, the path in the image forming direction is opened and the different direction is set.
The roll paper to the image forming unit by closing the passage in the direction
In the case of a roll paper unit equipped with a switching member that switches so that the roll paper is transported in the same direction, the roll paper transport direction can be switched by the switching member according to the state of the roll paper unit, so the roll paper unit has a simple structure and is easy to use. Is obtained. Further, an image forming unit for forming an image on roll paper, in an image forming apparatus having a roll paper unit for supplying the roll paper to the image forming section, the roll paper Yu
Roll paper supplied from the knit to the image forming unit
And the image forming direction
In the case of an image forming apparatus equipped with a control unit that controls so as to switch between the case of transporting in the direction of the roll paper and the direction of transport of the roll paper in accordance with the state of the roll paper unit, the structure is simple and convenient. A good image forming apparatus can be obtained. Further, in a roll paper unit for accommodating the roll paper, the roll paper unit including an image forming unit for forming an image on the roll paper and incorporated in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the roll paper by the image forming unit. , The roll paper as the image
Transported in a direction different from the sheet feeding direction of the forming unit, and the b
In the case of a roll paper unit equipped with a switching means for switching the roll paper to be conveyed in the paper feed direction to the image forming unit, the conveyance direction of the roll paper is switched by the switching means according to the state of the roll paper unit. Therefore, a roll paper unit having a simple structure and being easy to use can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a copying machine in which a roll paper unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of an internal structure of the copying machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a roll paper unit in a state where it is taken out from the main body of the copying machine shown in FIG.

4 is a schematic diagram showing a roll paper unit in a state of being incorporated in the main body of the copying machine of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a pressure roller is separated from a paper feed roller.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an enlarged part of a roll paper unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of an upper surface of a guide plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Copier 70 roll paper unit 72 roll paper 80 guide plate 80a Guide plate surface 80b Back side of guide plate 92 Second outlet guide plate 100 cutter

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming unit for forming an image on roll paper, comprising precutting for cutting the leading end of roll paper,
The pre-cut front end is conveyed in a predetermined paper ejection direction and ejected, and the roll paper left without being ejected is conveyed in a paper feeding direction different from the paper ejection direction and is conveyed by the image forming unit. In a roll paper unit for accommodating the roll paper in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on roll paper, the roll paper unit is incorporated into the image forming apparatus so that it can be taken in and out freely, and in the take-out state taken out from the image forming apparatus, The passage in the paper direction is opened and the passage in the paper feeding direction is closed, and the roll paper is switched so as to be guided in the paper ejection direction. A switching member that opens the passage in the direction and closes the passage in the sheet discharging direction to guide the roll paper in the sheet feeding direction, and the switching member rotates about the central axis. By doing Sharing, ABS feeding direction及
And guide the roll paper in any one of the paper feed direction.
By rotating the guide plate in one direction around the rotation axis,
The guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction.
Position the guide plate and reverse the direction opposite to the one direction.
The guide plate causes the roll paper to
Position the guide plate to guide it in the paper feed direction.
And a second outlet guide plate, wherein the fetch state taken out of the image forming apparatus, the main body guide that rotates attached to the image forming apparatus
When the second outlet guide plate is separated from the plate,
2 The outlet guide plate rotates in the one direction and the guide plate
The guide plate so as to guide the roll paper in the paper discharge direction.
Position to open the passage in the paper discharge direction and
It is characterized in that it closes the passage in the paper direction.
-Ru paper unit. 2. When incorporated in the image forming apparatus,
The roll paper unit according to claim 1, wherein a front end portion of the roll paper on which the precut is performed is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus. 3. When the roll paper unit is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, the roll paper unit is equipped with a cutter that pre-cuts the roll paper when the roll paper is positioned in a predetermined paper discharge path. The roll paper unit described in 2. 4. The switching member rotates in a predetermined direction depending on which of the take-out state and the built-in state, so that the surface for guiding the roll paper is either a front surface or a back surface. The roll paper unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plate-shaped guide member that is switched to. 5. The plate-shaped guide member has a convex portion for guiding roll paper formed on at least one of the front surface and the back surface.
The roll paper unit according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. A roll paper unit according to claim 1, wherein the roll paper unit has a roll paper cover that covers the roll paper unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein a gap for discharging the precut roll paper front end portion is formed between an outer cover of the image forming apparatus and the roll paper cover. 7. A roll paper unit for accommodating the roll paper, the roll paper unit comprising an image forming unit for forming an image on the roll paper, the roll paper unit being incorporated in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the roll paper by the image forming unit, When the roll paper unit is taken out from the image forming apparatus, the passage to the image forming unit is closed and the roll paper is conveyed in a direction different from the paper feeding direction to the image forming unit. When the unit is installed in the image forming apparatus, the roll paper is conveyed in the paper feeding direction to the image forming unit by opening the passage in the image forming direction and closing the passage in the different direction. And a switching member for switching in the paper discharge direction by rotating about a central axis.
And guide the roll paper in any one of the paper feed direction.
By rotating the guide plate in one direction around the rotation axis,
The guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction.
Position the guide plate and reverse the direction opposite to the one direction.
The guide plate causes the roll paper to
Position the guide plate to guide it in the paper feed direction.
And a second outlet guide plate, wherein the fetch state taken out of the image forming apparatus, the main body guide that rotates attached to the image forming apparatus
When the second outlet guide plate is separated from the plate,
2 The outlet guide plate rotates in the one direction and the guide plate
The guide plate so as to guide the roll paper in the paper discharge direction.
Position to open the passage in the paper discharge direction and
It is characterized in that it closes the passage in the paper direction.
-Ru paper unit. 8. The roll paper unit according to claim 7, further comprising cutter means for cutting the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit. 9. The roll paper unit according to claim 8, wherein the cutter unit includes a cutter unit that pre-cuts the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit. 10. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit for forming an image on roll paper and a roll paper unit for supplying the roll paper to the image forming unit, wherein the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit is A control unit is provided that controls so as to switch between a case of carrying in a direction different from the direction to the image forming unit and a case of carrying in a direction to the image forming unit, and the control unit is centered on a central axis. The rotation of the
And guide the roll paper in any one of the paper feed direction.
By rotating the guide plate in one direction around the rotation axis,
The guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction.
Position the guide plate and reverse the direction opposite to the one direction.
The guide plate causes the roll paper to
Position the guide plate to guide it in the paper feed direction.
And a second outlet guide plate, wherein the fetch state taken out of the image forming apparatus, the main body guide that rotates attached to the image forming apparatus
When the second outlet guide plate is separated from the plate,
2 The outlet guide plate rotates in the one direction and the guide plate
The guide plate so as to guide the roll paper in the paper discharge direction.
Position to open the passage in the paper discharge direction and
An image characterized by closing a passage in the paper direction
Image forming device. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit includes a plurality of guide members. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising cutter means for cutting the roll paper, and precutting the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit. 13. A roll paper unit for accommodating the roll paper, comprising an image forming unit for forming an image on the roll paper, and being incorporated in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on the roll paper by the image forming unit, b - conveying direction different from the sheet feeding direction of the roll paper to the image forming unit, and the b - comprises a switching means for switching so as to convey the roll paper in the paper feed direction to the image forming section, the The switching means is rotated about the central axis to change the paper ejection direction.
And guide the roll paper in any one of the paper feed direction.
By rotating the guide plate in one direction around the rotation axis,
The guide plate guides the roll paper in the paper discharge direction.
Position the guide plate and reverse the direction opposite to the one direction.
The guide plate causes the roll paper to
Position the guide plate to guide it in the paper feed direction.
And a second outlet guide plate, wherein the fetch state taken out of the image forming apparatus, the main body guide that rotates attached to the image forming apparatus
When the second outlet guide plate is separated from the plate,
2 The outlet guide plate rotates in the one direction and the guide plate
The guide plate so as to guide the roll paper in the paper discharge direction.
Position to open the passage in the paper discharge direction and
It is characterized in that it closes the passage in the paper direction.
-Ru paper unit. 14. The roll paper unit according to claim 13, further comprising cutter means for cutting the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit. 15. The roll paper unit according to claim 14, wherein the cutter means includes a cutter means for precutting the roll paper supplied from the roll paper unit.