JP3833169B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on roll paper.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a wide-size sheet of, for example, a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A row No. 1 (referred to as “A1” hereinafter). Since wide-size paper is inconvenient to handle, some image forming apparatuses of this type are applicable to long belt-shaped paper (roll paper) wound in a roll shape ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
The roll paper is cut into a length corresponding to the selected paper size by a cutter mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus, for example, at the time of image formation. In some cases, the cut sheet after image formation is wound in a roll shape for the convenience of storage, and is sealed by attaching an adhesive tape or the like to the end of the sheet.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-6042
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when an adhesive tape is applied to the edge of the paper after image formation for sealing, there is a problem that when the adhesive tape is removed, the adhesive tape remains on the paper.
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of more suitable sealing.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus (1) capable of forming an image on roll paper (P), and is a paper cutting means (9, 9) for cutting roll paper. 91) and cutting the roll paper at a predetermined cutting position longer than the image forming range (A) to form the cut paper (PA) after image formation into a scroll shape and sealing the end portion. It includes a margin forming control means (101, T7) for forming a sealing margin (B) and a cutting position setting means (11, 101, T1) for setting the predetermined cutting position. An image forming apparatus.
[0007]
For example, the image forming apparatus includes a paper storage unit (42, 43) that stores roll paper, an image formation unit (5) that forms an image on the roll paper, and the paper storage unit to the image formation unit. And a paper transport path (7) for transporting the paper, and the paper cutting means (9, 91) is disposed in the middle of the paper transport path.
The alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
[0008]
According to this configuration, when the margin for sealing is formed on the sheet by the margin formation control means, the cut sheet after image formation becomes longer than the selected sheet size (image formation range), Sealing can be performed by making the paper into a scroll shape and attaching an adhesive tape or the like to the edge of the paper. In this case, even if the adhesive tape is peeled off, if the margin for sealing is cut off, it can be made into a paper of the size selected at the time of image formation, and the adhesive tape sticking trace does not remain on the edge of the paper, More suitable sealing is possible.
[0009]
Further, since the length of the sealing margin can be set by the cutting position setting means, the length of the sealing margin is longer than the outer periphery when the cut image-formed paper is wound in a roll shape. If so, the entire outer periphery of the paper wound in a roll shape up to the end is covered with the sealing blank. In this case, even if the adhesive tape is applied to the edge of the paper, the adhesive tape adheres only to the blank for sealing, so after peeling off the adhesive tape and separating the margin for sealing, the adhesive tape sticking trace Does not remain on the paper. Therefore, more suitable sealing is possible.
[0010]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the sealing blank (B) is formed by the blank formation control means (101, T7), a boundary line between the image forming range (A) and the sealing blank The image forming apparatus (1) according to claim 1, further comprising boundary line forming means (9, 92, 101, T6) for forming (for example, a dotted line or a cut line) on the paper (PA). .
According to this configuration, it is possible to easily form a sheet having a selected size by separating the margin portion for sealing along the boundary line, and thus more preferable sealing is possible.
[0011]
In this case, as in the invention described in claim 3, the boundary line forming means (9, 92, 101, T6) converts the cut paper (PA) after the image formation into the image formation range (A) and the above-mentioned image formation range (A). Image formation is possible as long as it includes a cut forming means for forming a cut for guiding so as to be separated into the sealing blank (B) at the boundary between the image forming range and the sealing blank. Since the portion of the margin for sealing with respect to the range can be easily cut off along the cut line to obtain a paper of a selected size, further suitable sealing is possible.
[0012]
The cut may be a cut (perforation L) that extends intermittently along the boundary, or a cut that extends continuously along the boundary (for example, along the boundary from one side in the paper width direction). Or a cut extending along the boundary from both sides in the paper width direction.
Further, the cut forming means may be arranged in the middle of the paper transport path.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mark for sealing which forms a mark (M) indicating a sealing position when sealing a cut paper (PA) after image formation in a roll shape and sealing the paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means (5, 101, T 8).
According to this configuration, by sticking the adhesive tape on the sealing mark formed at the end of the paper, the end of the paper in the form of a scroll can be easily sealed. Can be stopped.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the right side is assumed to be the front and the left side is assumed to be the rear.
The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a copy capable of performing image formation (printing) on wide-size paper up to A-line 0 of Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) (referred to as “A0” hereinafter). Machine. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 is partitioned by a housing 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a document reading unit 3 for reading an image of a document, and sheet storage units 41 and 42 for storing sheets to be used. 43, an image forming unit 5 for transferring a toner image based on an image of a document read by the document reading unit 3 to a conveyed sheet, a fixing device 6 for fixing the toner image transferred to the sheet, and the like. I have.
[0015]
The document reading unit 3 includes, for example, two document transport rollers 32 extending in parallel with each other along the left-right direction. On the upper surface of the housing 2, a placing table 21 for setting a document is provided, and the document is set on the placing table 21 so that an image thereof faces downward. An operation for an operator to start an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, the operation panel 11 disposed on the upper surface of the housing 2 (see FIG. 3)) with the document set on the mounting table 21. When the start key is pressed), the document set on the placing table 21 is conveyed from the front side to the rear side by the document conveying roller 32.
[0016]
The document passes over a transparent contact glass (not shown) in the process of being conveyed backward by the document conveying roller 32. A scanner 31 is disposed below the contact glass, and the scanner 31 can read an image of a document passing over the contact glass from below.
Further, above the scanner 31, for example, a presser roller 33 extending in the left-right direction is disposed so as to face the contact glass from above. The presser roller 33 is used to press the document passing over the contact glass so as not to float from the surface of the contact glass.
[0017]
The paper to be used can be stored in, for example, three paper storage portions (upper paper storage portion 41, middle paper storage portion 42, and lower paper storage portion 43) arranged side by side. For example, the upper paper storage unit 41 can store paper (cut paper) that has been cut into a predetermined size, and the middle and lower paper storage units 42 and 43 are wound in a roll shape. A long belt-like sheet (roll paper P) can be accommodated. The paper storage units 41 to 43 are provided with paper feed rollers 411, 421, and 431 for sending out the papers stored in the paper storage units 41 to 43, respectively.
[0018]
On the rear side of the paper storage units 41 to 43, for example, the paper fed from the paper storage units 41 to 43 by the paper feed rollers 411 to 421 is guided to the image forming unit 5 disposed in the upper part of the housing 2. A sheet conveyance path 7 for extending in the vertical direction. In the middle of the paper transport path 7, paper transport rollers 711 and 712 for transporting paper and a registration roller 72 for sending the paper toward the image forming unit 5 at a predetermined timing are arranged.
[0019]
The image forming unit 5 includes, for example, a main charger 52, an LED print head 53, a developing device 54, a transfer device 55, a cleaning device 56, and the like in addition to the substantially cylindrical photosensitive member 51 that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. It has.
At the time of image formation, first, the surface of the photoreceptor 51 is uniformly charged by the discharge of the main charger 52. The surface of the photosensitive member 51 is selectively exposed by irradiating the charged surface of the photosensitive member 51 with irradiation light based on the original image read by the scanner 31 from the LED print head 53. As a result, a so-called electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 51. Then, toner is attached to the surface of the photoreceptor 51 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by the developing device 54, and a toner image to be transferred to the paper is formed.
[0020]
At the time of image formation, the paper sent from one of the selected paper storage units 41 to 43 to the image forming unit 5 side through the paper conveyance path 7 is temporarily stopped when the leading edge reaches the registration roller 72. Is done. The timing at which the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 51 in the above-described manner comes to a position facing the transfer device 55 and the timing at which the paper reaches the transfer position (between the photoconductor 51 and the transfer device 55). The toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 51 is transferred to the sheet by restarting the rotation of the registration roller 72 so that the two match.
[0021]
The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is guided to the fixing device 6, subjected to a predetermined fixing process by the fixing device 6, and then discharged from the discharge roller 8 to the outside of the apparatus. Further, the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 51 after the toner image transfer is collected by the cleaning device 56.
A cutter mechanism 9 is disposed in the middle of the sheet conveyance path 7 between, for example, the sheet conveyance rollers 711 and 712. When the roll paper P is selected as the paper to be used, the roll paper P sent out from the middle or lower paper storage sections 42 and 43 toward the image forming section 5 is conveyed by the cutter mechanism 9 to the paper transport. In the course of being transported in the path 7, it is cut into a predetermined length.
[0022]
On the other hand, when a cut sheet is selected as a sheet to be used, the cutter mechanism 9 does not perform processing on the cut sheet sent from the upper sheet storage unit 41 toward the image forming unit 5.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a mode of processing by the cutter mechanism 9.
The cutter mechanism 9 includes, for example, a cutting cutter 91 (see FIG. 2A) for cutting the roll paper P, and a perforation cutter 92 for forming a cut (perforation) on the roll paper P. (See FIG. 2B).
[0023]
The cutting cutter 91 is, for example, a disk-shaped member having a peripheral edge formed in a blade shape, and is attached to the rotation shaft 911 so as to be rotatable. The cutting cutter 91 is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the paper transport direction (vertical direction). Then, when the rotation shaft 911 is displaced in the paper width direction (left-right direction), the cutting cutter 91 crosses the paper transport path 7, and thereby the roll paper P is cut.
[0024]
The perforation cutter 92 is, for example, a substantially disk-like member having a peripheral edge formed in a sawtooth shape, and is attached to the rotary shaft 921 so as to be rotatable. The perforation cutter 92 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction (vertical direction), and the sawtooth portion protrudes into the paper conveyance path 7. Then, when the rotary shaft 921 is displaced in the paper width direction (left-right direction), the perforation cutter 92 crosses the paper conveyance path 7, whereby the roll paper P has a serrated shape at the periphery of the perforation cutter 92. The perforation L (refer FIG. 7) is formed by the intermittent cut | interruption corresponding to the part formed in this.
[0025]
When processing the roll paper P by the cutter mechanism 9 (cutting or forming the perforation L), the driving of the paper transport rollers 711 and 712 is stopped for a certain time. This is because when the cutting cutter 91 or the perforation cutter 92 is displaced along the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction while the roll paper P is conveyed by the paper conveyance rollers 711 and 712, This is because the roll paper P is cut in the inclined direction or the perforation L is formed. By stopping the driving of the paper transport rollers 711 and 712 for a certain time (the time required for cutting or forming the perforation L) and performing the processing by the cutter mechanism 9, the roll paper P can be satisfactorily aligned along the paper width direction. Cutting or perforation L can be formed.
[0026]
On the other hand, since the image forming operation (rotation of the photoconductor 51) is continued even when the driving of the paper transport rollers 711 and 712 is stopped as described above, the roll paper P from the registration roller 72 to the image forming unit 5 is continued. Cannot be stopped. Therefore, in this embodiment, the roll paper P between the registration roller 72 and the paper transport roller 712 is bent in advance, and the paper transport rollers 711 and 712 are stopped when processing by the cutter mechanism 9 is performed. By continuing the rotation of the registration roller 72 in this state, the bent portion of the roll paper P can be conveyed toward the image forming unit 5. Thereby, the process for the roll paper P by the cutter mechanism 9 can be performed without stopping the image forming operation in the image forming unit 5.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 10 is configured by a microcomputer including a CPU 101 and a memory 102, for example.
The control unit 10 includes a document reading unit 3, an image forming unit 5, a fixing device 6, a cutter mechanism 9, and an operation panel 11, as well as various rollers (paper feed rollers 411 to 431, paper transport rollers 711 and 712, registration rollers 72. Etc.) and a paper sensor 73 for detecting the leading and trailing edges of the paper passing through the paper transport path 7 are electrically connected.
[0028]
On the operation panel 11, for example, a key input unit 111 for performing an input operation including a start key or the like, and a display unit 112 for displaying predetermined display contents (such as operation status and setting contents of the image forming apparatus 1). Is provided.
Further, the CPU 101 can detect the position of the paper being conveyed based on the time after the paper sensor 73 detects the leading edge or the trailing edge of the paper.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of control by the CPU 101 when image formation is performed using the roll paper P.
[0029]
The operator operates the operation panel 11 to make various settings (such as setting the paper size and type) before starting the image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, when the roll paper P is selected as the paper to be used, for example, a mode (normal mode) in which the roll paper P is cut at a length corresponding to the selected paper size and the selected paper size. A mode (sealing mode) for cutting the roll paper P at a long predetermined cutting position can be selected.
[0030]
When the sealing mode is selected, the cut paper PA after image formation is longer than the selected paper size (image forming range A), and a blank (sealing blank) is formed at the rear end of the paper PA. B) is formed (see FIG. 7). Therefore, sealing can be performed by making the cut paper PA after image formation into a scroll shape and attaching an adhesive tape or the like to the rear end of the paper. In this case, even when the adhesive tape is peeled off, if the portion of the blank B for sealing is cut off, it is possible to obtain a sheet of the size selected at the time of image formation, and the adhesive tape sticking mark does not remain at the rear end of the sheet Therefore, more suitable sealing is possible.
[0031]
The CPU 101 monitors whether or not the start key provided on the operation panel 11 is pressed (step S3), and when the sealing mode is selected before the start key is pressed ( In step S1, YES, a screen (margin setting screen) for setting the length of the blank space B for sealing is displayed on the display unit 112 of the operation panel 11 (step S2). When the operator wants to perform an image forming operation in the sealing mode, the operator selects the sealing mode, arbitrarily sets the length of the sealing margin B on the margin setting screen, and then presses the start key. Will be. On the other hand, when it is desired to perform the image forming operation in the normal mode, the operator presses the start key without selecting the sealing mode.
[0032]
When the start key is pressed (YES in step S3), the CPU 101 reads an image of the document by the document reading unit 3, stores the image data in the memory 102 (step S4), and then reads the read document. Based on the image data, the image forming operation by the image forming unit 5 is started (step S5).
When the sealing mode is selected (YES in step S6), the CPU 101 performs an image forming operation in the sealing mode (step S7), and when the sealing mode is not selected (step S7). (NO in S6), the image forming operation is performed in the normal mode (step S8).
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the CPU 101 in the sealing mode. In the sealing mode, the CPU 101 first sets the length of the sealing margin B set on the margin setting screen to the cutting position of the roll paper P during the image forming operation to a length corresponding to the selected paper size. The added length is set (step T1).
Thereafter, until the image forming operation ends (YES in step T5), the CPU 101 determines the boundary between the image forming range A and the sealing blank B (based on the detection signal from the paper sensor 73). Whether or not the position corresponding to the length of the paper size reaches the cutter mechanism 9 (step T2), and the cutting position of the roll paper P (the position sent by the length of the sealing margin B from the boundary). Whether or not the cutter mechanism 9 is reached (step T3), and the rear end of the cut sheet PA (position slightly shorter than the position fed by the length of the sealing margin B from the boundary) The image forming operation is performed while monitoring whether or not the unit 5 is reached (step T4).
[0034]
When the boundary between the image forming range A and the sealing margin B reaches the cutter mechanism 9 (YES in step T2), the CPU 101 drives the perforated cutter 92 of the cutter mechanism 9 to A perforation L is formed in (Step T6). When the cutting position of the roll paper P reaches the cutter mechanism 9 (YES in step T3), the CPU 101 drives the cutting cutter 91 of the cutter mechanism 9 to cut the roll paper P at the cutting position. (Step T7). When the cutter mechanism 9 cuts the roll paper P or forms the perforation L, as described above, the roll paper P between the registration roller 72 and the paper transport roller 712 is bent in advance, and then the paper With the transport rollers 711 and 712 stopped, the cutting cutter 91 or the perforation cutter 92 is driven.
[0035]
On the other hand, when the rear end portion of the cut paper PA reaches the image forming unit 5 (YES in step T4), the CPU 101 applies an adhesive tape when sealing the cut paper PA after the image formation. A mark (sealing mark M; refer to FIG. 7) indicating the position where the mark is attached is printed at a predetermined position at the rear end of the sheet (step T8).
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the CPU 101 in the normal mode. In the normal mode, the CPU 101 first sets the cutting position of the roll paper P during the image forming operation to a length corresponding to the selected paper size (step E1).
[0036]
Thereafter, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the cutting position of the roll paper P reaches the cutter mechanism 9 based on the detection signal from the paper sensor 73 until the image forming operation ends (YES in step E3) ( The image forming operation is performed while monitoring step E2).
When the cutting position of the roll paper P reaches the cutter mechanism 9 (YES in step T3), the CPU 101 drives the cutting cutter 91 of the cutter mechanism 9 to cut the roll paper P at the cutting position ( Step T7). At this time, as described above, after the roll paper P between the registration roller 72 and the paper transport roller 712 is bent in advance, the cutting cutter 91 is driven in a state where the paper transport rollers 711 and 712 are stopped. Is done.
[0037]
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an aspect of the paper PA after image formation when image formation is performed in the sealing mode.
As shown in FIG. 7, a perforation L extending in the paper width direction is formed at the boundary between the image forming range A and the sealing blank B on the paper PA after image formation (after cutting) in the sealing mode. The Therefore, when the sealed adhesive tape is peeled off, the portion of the margin B for sealing with respect to the image forming range A can be easily cut along the perforation L to obtain a paper of a selected size. Therefore, suitable sealing is possible.
[0038]
Also, for example, two sealing marks M are printed side by side in the width direction on the rear end of the cut paper PA after image formation. If an adhesive tape is affixed on these sealing marks M, the rear end portion of the paper PA made into a roll can be easily sealed, and thus more suitable sealing is possible.
In the margin setting screen, if the length of the sealing margin B is set to be longer than the outer periphery when the cut paper PA after image formation is wound in a scroll shape, the paper PA is wound in a scroll shape up to the rear end. The entire outer periphery of the sheet PA is covered with the sealing margin B. In this case, even if the adhesive tape is applied to the rear end of the paper, the adhesive tape adheres only to the sealing margin B. Therefore, after the adhesive tape is peeled off, the portion of the sealing margin B along the perforation L If it is cut off, the adhesive tape will not leave any marks on the paper. Therefore, more suitable sealing is possible.
[0039]
The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the configuration including the perforation formation control unit that forms the perforation L by the cutter mechanism 9 on the boundary between the image forming range A and the sealing blank B. It may be configured to include boundary line formation control means for forming a mark (such as a dotted line) representing the boundary line. In this case, after peeling off the adhesive tape, if the portion of the sealing margin B is cut along the boundary mark, the paper can be easily selected.
[0040]
The image forming unit includes both the perforation formation control unit and the boundary line formation control unit, and both the perforation and the boundary line mark are formed on the boundary between the image formation range A and the sealing margin B. It may be formed.
The document reading unit 3 may be provided with a sensor for detecting the size of the document. In this case, it may be configured to include a cutting position automatic setting means for cutting the roll paper P with a length corresponding to the size of the document detected by the sensor. In this case, even when an image of a non-standard size document is read, the image can be formed on the roll paper P.
[0041]
The sealing mark M is not limited to a configuration printed on the paper PA after being cut by the image forming unit 5, but is formed on the paper PA by other sealing mark forming means (for example, sealing is performed by the cutter mechanism 9. For example, a cut as a mark for use).
As an embodiment of the present invention, the copying machine 1 capable of forming an image on a wide sheet up to A0 size has been described. However, the present invention mainly applies an image to an A4 size sheet or a B5 size sheet. The present invention can also be applied to a general copying machine for forming.
[0042]
Further, the present invention is not limited to a copying machine that reads an image of a document and forms an image based on the image data, but other forms of image formation based on image data received from the outside, such as a printer or a facsimile. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a mode of processing by a cutter mechanism.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of control by a CPU when image formation is performed using roll paper.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a CPU in a sealing mode.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a CPU in a normal mode.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a form of a sheet after image formation when image formation is performed in a sealing mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 5 Image forming part 9 Cutter mechanism 91 Cutting cutter 92 Perforated cutter 10 Control part 101 CPU
11 Operation panel P Roll paper PA (After cutting) Paper A Image forming range B Sealing margin M Sealing mark L Perforation

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on roll paper,
Paper cutting means for cutting roll paper;
Blank formation control for forming sealing blanks for sealing the edges of the cut paper after image formation in a scroll shape by cutting the roll paper at a predetermined cutting position longer than the image forming range. Means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a cutting position setting unit for setting the predetermined cutting position. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a boundary line forming unit that forms a boundary line between the image forming range and the sealing blank when the margin forming control unit forms the sealing blank. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The boundary line forming unit is configured to provide a cut for guiding the cut image-formed paper so as to be separated into the image forming range and the sealing margin. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cut forming means formed at a boundary with the margin. 4. A sealing mark forming means for forming a mark indicating a sealing position at the end of the paper when sealing the cut image-formed paper in a scroll shape. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

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