JP3617640B2 - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper feeding device including a paper container that accommodates paper and is stored in a storage space inside a housing so as to be put in and out.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Image forming apparatuses such as facsimiles, copiers, and printers generally have a configuration in which a paper feeding device is provided at the bottom of the main body so that paper is appropriately supplied to an image forming unit in which image formation is performed. In various types of paper feeders, a configuration is adopted in which paper is accommodated separately according to the paper size and orientation, and a paper cassette that can be taken in and out of the storage space so that the paper can be easily replenished. .
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to check the remaining amount of paper stored in the paper cassette in order to prepare paper in preparation for running out of paper, the paper cassette must be pulled out one by one. It is very troublesome work and cannot be done easily. On the other hand, in a general image forming apparatus, the paper out of the paper cassette is displayed on the display panel. However, since it is necessary to provide a new sensor to display the remaining amount of paper, the cost is increased. A configuration that is bulky and can easily check the remaining amount of paper is desired.
[0004]
The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is to store paper that is stored in a storage space inside the housing so that it can be taken in and out. An object of the present invention is to configure a sheet feeding device including a body so that the remaining amount of sheets stored in a sheet container can be easily checked.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above objects, in the present invention, as shown in claim 1, is out can store houses a paper storage space inside the enclosure, at the time of storage without protruding from said housing said In a paper feeder equipped with a paper container that fits completely inside the housing , the paper container is formed in a flat plate shape so that the paper stacked on the upper surface can be seen from the front side, and is used as a storage space inside the housing. The shelves are arranged in multiple stages, and the front opening for taking in and out the paper containers arranged in multiple stages in the storage space is totally closed so that the paper stored in the paper containers can be visually recognized. An open / close door with a transparent window was provided . According to this, it is possible to visually check the sheet while being stored in the storage space without pulling out the sheet container, and it is possible to check the remaining amount of the sheet on each sheet storage panel at a glance.
[0007]
In the sheet feeding device, as shown in claim 2 , the sheet container includes a handle for taking in and out in front of the sheet stacking unit on which the sheet is placed, and a finger is placed between the handle and the sheet stacking unit. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a hole through which the sheet passes is opened on the bottom surface of the sheet container . According to this, it is not necessary to project the handle greatly toward the upper surface side of the paper container, and the handle does not interfere with the visual inspection of the paper.
[0008]
According to the present invention, as described in claim 3 , in the paper feeding device including the paper container that accommodates the paper and is stored so as to be able to be put in and out of the storage space inside the housing, In the storage space, the received paper is arranged in multiple stages so as to be visible from the front side, and a light guide window that guides light incident from above to the lower paper container without being closed by the paper, and the paper container A sheet regulating member formed of a transparent material that abuts the edge of the accommodated sheet and regulates the sheet at a predetermined position; and a front edge that is lower than the height of both side edges of the sheet container. It was assumed. According to this, Ri light from the luminaire name as well strike the sheets accommodated in the lower paper container through the light guide window, and also the edges before a loading and unloading opening of the sheet regulating member and the paper container before for unobstructed view from the inside of the paper is easy to see from the front side, the remaining amount confirmation sheet is facilitated.
[0009]
In the paper feeding device, as shown in claim 4 , the paper container can be configured to be horizontally mounted between a pair of side wall surfaces facing each other in the storage space. According to this, since it is not necessary to provide a partition between the upper and lower paper containers, the passage of light is improved and the visibility of the paper from the front side is improved.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. The copying machine includes a plurality of paper containers 3 that store paper A and are stored in a storage space 2 in the housing 1 so as to be put in and out. The paper containers 3 are stacked on the upper surface. A is formed in a flat plate shape so that it can be seen from the front side, and is arranged in multiple stages in the storage space 2 in the form of a shelf, and a front opening for taking in and out the paper container 3 in the storage space 2 The door is totally closed by the opening / closing door 4. An image forming unit 5 is disposed above the storage space 2.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing in detail the sheet container 3 shown in FIG. The sheet container 3 is provided with a sheet stacking unit 6 on which sheets A are stacked at the center in the front-rear direction. The sheet container 3 is brought into contact with the edges of a plurality of sheets A stacked thereon to place the sheet A in a predetermined position. First, second, and third paper restricting members 7, 8, and 9 are provided, and these paper restricting members 7, 8, and 9 are formed of a transparent material. As a result, the portion of the paper A located on the back side of the paper regulating members 7, 8, 9 can be seen through, and the remaining amount of the paper A can be easily confirmed.
[0014]
The first and second paper restricting members 7 and 8 define the position in the depth direction, and are movable according to the size of the paper A to be accommodated, and interlocked so that the paper A can be positioned at the center position. Thus, the interval can be enlarged or reduced. The third sheet regulating member 9 defines the position in the width direction, and the mounting position can be changed stepwise according to the size of the sheet A to be accommodated. One end side of the sheet A is brought into contact with a reference surface 10 formed at the edge portion to regulate the other end side of the sheet A. Here, it corresponds to each size and arrangement direction of A4 portrait, A4 landscape, B4 landscape, and A3 landscape.
[0015]
A handle 12 for inserting and removing the paper container 3 is provided in front of the paper stacking unit 6, and a finger insertion hole 13 through which a finger passes is formed between the handle 12 and the paper stacking unit 6. Yes. As a result, the handle 12 does not have to protrude greatly to the upper surface side of the sheet container 3, and the handle 12 does not interfere with the viewing of the sheet.
[0016]
The paper container 3 is provided with a light guide window hole 15 that guides light incident from above to the lower paper container 3. The light guide window hole 15 is formed in an area other than the arrangement area of the minimum size paper in the paper stacking unit 6. Further, a lightening hole 17 opened in the vicinity of the front edge portion 16 provided with the handle 12 also functions as a light guide window. In addition, a lightening hole has been opened in place to reduce weight.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a main part of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1, and shows a cross section by dividing only the sheet container 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 cut along the depth direction. Here, the short sheet A is stored in the upper sheet container 3 and the long sheet A is stored in the lower sheet container 3, and the light guide window hole 15 is not closed by the sheet. Since the light hits the paper A stored in the paper container 3, the internal paper A can be easily seen from the front side, and the remaining amount of the paper can be easily checked.
[0018]
The sheet container 3 is horizontally laid between a pair of side wall surfaces 19 a and 19 b facing each other in the storage space 2. The side wall surfaces 19a and 19b are provided with guide portions 20a and 20b that engage with the left and right side ends of the paper container 3 to support the paper container 3 so that it can be inserted and removed freely. As a result, the paper container 3 is supported at both the left and right ends, and there is no need to provide a partition between the upper and lower paper containers 3, so that the passage of light is improved and the visibility from the front side is improved.
[0019]
The storage space 2 is provided with a pickup roller 22 that draws the sheets A stored in the sheet container 3 one by one. The paper A stored in the paper container 3 is pressed against the pickup roller 22 by a push-up member (not shown) in the storage state of the paper container 3. The paper A drawn by the pickup roller 22 is sent to the image forming unit 5 by a conveying roller (not shown), and after a required image forming process is performed, the paper A is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 23.
[0020]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door 4 shown in FIG. 1 is closed. The opening / closing door 4 is provided with a transparent window 24 through which the paper A stored in the paper container 3 can be visually recognized, and external light enters through the transparent window 24. Thereby, the paper A accommodated through the transparent window 24 can be visually observed without opening the door 4, and the remaining amount of the paper A can be confirmed at a glance. The transparent window 24 is formed by assembling a window member made of a transparent material to a constituent member of the open / close door 4.
[0021]
Further, the transparent window 24 extends over almost the entire height of the housing 1, and the toner remaining amount display portion 25 provided on the toner cartridge can be visually observed through the transparent window 24 so that the toner remaining amount can be grasped at a glance. can do. Further, it is possible to visually check the paper jam display unit 26 that displays a paper jam at a required position on the paper transport path most recently, so that the paper jam location can be recognized at a glance. As shown in FIG. 1, the paper jam display unit 26 is exposed on the front surface of the housing 1, and the opening / closing door 4 is opened to remove the paper jammed according to the display of the paper jam display unit 26. Just do it.
[0022]
In the present embodiment, a hole is formed as the light guide window and the weight is reduced. However, a structure formed of a transparent material is also possible. In addition, the partition is not provided between the upper and lower paper containers. However, in the configuration in which the partition is provided, a hole may be opened at a position corresponding to the light guide window, or a structure formed of a transparent material may be used. . Furthermore, although a transparent window is provided on the open / close door, even if the transparent window is not provided, the paper stored in the paper container can be seen at a glance without pulling out the paper container as long as the open / close door is opened. A corresponding advantage is obtained.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to visually check the paper while being stored in the storage space without pulling out the paper container, and to confirm the remaining amount of the paper stored in the paper container at a glance. can do. Further, through the light guide window provided in the sheet container Ri per light from above the sheets accommodated in the sheet accommodation of the lower and front a loading and unloading opening of the sheet regulating member and the paper container edge However, since the view from the front is not obstructed, it is easy to see the internal sheet from the front side, and the remaining amount of the sheet can be easily confirmed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing in detail a sheet container shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a main part of the copying machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 cut along the depth direction. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door shown in FIG. 1 is closed.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing | casing 2 Storage space 3 Paper container 4 Opening / closing door 6 Paper stacking part 7, 8, 9 Paper control member 10 Reference surface 12 Handle 13 Finger insertion hole 15 Light guide window hole (light guide window)
17 Wall removal holes 19a and 19b Side wall surfaces 20a and 20b Guide portion 24 Transparent window A Paper

Claims (4)

A paper feeding device including a paper container that accommodates paper and is stored in a storage space inside the housing so that the paper can be taken in and out, and does not protrude from the housing when stored .
The paper container is formed in a flat plate shape so that the paper stacked on the upper surface can be seen from the front side, and is arranged in multiple stages in a shelf shape in the storage space inside the housing,
An open / close door provided with a transparent window that totally closes a front opening portion for loading and unloading the paper containers arranged in multiple stages in the storage space, and allows the paper stored in the paper containers to be visually recognized. A paper feeding device characterized by that. The paper container has a handle for loading and unloading before a paper stacking unit on which paper is placed, and a hole through which a finger passes between the handle and the paper stacking unit is formed in the bottom surface of the paper container The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein A paper feeding device including a paper container that accommodates paper and is stored in a storage space inside the housing so as to be put in and out.
The paper containers are arranged in multiple stages in the storage space so that the paper stored therein can be seen from the front side, and light incident from above is guided to the lower paper container without being closed by the paper. A light guide window , a paper regulating member formed of a transparent material that contacts the edge of the paper contained in the paper container and restricts the paper to a predetermined position, and both side edges of the paper container. A paper feeding device comprising a front edge portion lower than a height . The paper container is, the sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 3, characterized in that it is laterally placed between the pair of side wall surfaces facing each other of the storage space.

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