JP6897030B2 - Detachable loading aid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a removable loading assist device.

Patent Document 1 describes an additional discharge tray for installing on a discharge tray on which a recording medium discharged from a discharge port provided in an image recording device is loaded, a loading surface on which the recording medium is loaded, and a loading surface on which the recording medium is loaded. A loading unit having a first side extending in one direction and a second side extending in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the one direction, and a recording medium are loaded on the loading surface from the first side of the loading unit. To install the first wall portion erected in the loading direction, which is the direction, the second wall portion erected in the loading direction from the second side of the loading portion, and the output tray at a predetermined position. The configuration including the positioning portion of the above is described.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-94811

In order to prevent the paper from being misaligned in the discharge tray, a technology is used to make the paper straight (hereinafter referred to as corrugation) by bending the paper with a difference in outer diameter between the discharge roller pairs. There is.

However, the effect of corrugation decreases depending on the paper type, the density of the printed image, the environment, etc., and when ejecting paper that is particularly thin and weak, the ejected paper may vary in the left-right direction. Paper misalignment may occur due to the returning operation of the ejected paper. Further, when the paper having a strong stiffness is ejected, the transporting force becomes large and the paper may fly too much, resulting in paper misalignment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a detachable loading assist device capable of preventing misalignment of recording media.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a loading portion mounted on a loading surface of a discharge tray capable of ejecting a recording medium by changing the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction, and a recording medium loaded on the loading portion. A width direction regulating portion that can move independently in the width direction and regulates variation in the width direction of the recording medium, and a recording medium formed on both ends of the recording medium on the lower surface of the loading portion in the width direction. The convex portions have two R-shaped protrusions extending in the width direction of the discharge tray, and the convex portions are engaged with the two R-shaped concave portions extending in the width direction of the recording medium formed on the loading surface of the discharge tray. This is a detachable loading assist device that is detachably installed on the discharge tray.

The present invention according to claim 2 is the detachable loading assist device according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge direction regulating unit that regulates variations in the discharge direction of the recording medium loaded on the loading unit.

The present invention according to claim 3 is the detachable loading assist device according to claim 2, wherein the discharge direction regulating unit is movable in the discharge direction of the recording medium.

The present invention according to claim 4, wherein is removably installed in the discharge tray, wherein according to claim 1, further comprising an extension member that can extend the length of the discharge direction of the loading section of the recording medium detachable loading auxiliary device Is.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a detachable loading assist device capable of preventing misalignment of recording media as compared with the case where the present device is not used.

According to the present invention according to the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the invention according to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the variation in the discharge direction of the recording medium.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the invention according to the second aspect, it is possible to reduce the variation in the ejection direction of the recording medium according to the ejection position of the recording medium.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a case where a recording medium longer in the ejection direction of the recording medium is ejected as compared with the case where the apparatus is not used. In addition, the number of recording media loaded can be increased.

It is an overall block diagram of the image formation system 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view around the upper tray 32 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the side guide 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the lead guide 106 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the example which attached the side guide 100 and the lead guide 106 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention to the upper tray 32. It is a perspective view which shows the example which attached the side guide 100 and the extension member 112 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention to the upper tray 32.

Next, one embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The image forming system 1 includes an image forming device 10 and a post-processing device 20 including a recording medium loading device 30 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to the post-processing apparatus 20.

The image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a control device (not shown), a plurality of paper feeding devices 12A, 12B, 12C, an image forming unit (not shown), and the like.

The control device controls, for example, each configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 (image forming unit, feeding device 12A, 12B, 12C, etc.) and each configuration of the post-processing device 20 (processing unit, discharging device, etc.).

The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a recording medium in response to an operation from the operator. The recording medium on which the image is formed is sent to the post-processing device 20.

The post-processing device 20 includes a paper feed device 22 that feeds a recording medium that does not require image formation such as interleaving paper.

The post-processing device 20 has a plurality of processing units, and is used for a recording medium such as printing paper on which an image is formed by the image forming device 10 or paper that does not require image forming and is fed from the feeding device 22. And post-treatment.

Further, the post-processing device 20 is provided with a recording medium loading device 30 for loading a recording medium on the upper surface on the opposite side of the side connected to the image forming device 10. The recording medium loading device 30 discharges and loads the post-processed recording medium into the upper tray 32 as an discharge tray or the lower tray 34 provided below the upper tray 32.

Here, the post-processing is a process applied to a recording medium after image formation or a recording medium that does not require image formation, and is, for example, a staple process, a puncher process, a bookbinding process, a paper ejection process, or the like. Is.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the upper tray 32 of the recording medium loading device 30.

The upper tray 32 is loaded with recording media discharged from a pair of discharge rolls (not shown). A wall 38 is provided at the upstream end of the upper tray 32 in the discharge direction of the recording medium.

The discharge roll pair has an outer diameter difference, and the recording medium P is bent by the rotation of the discharge roll pair to give straightness, so that the recording medium or the paper feeding device in which an image is formed through the discharge port 40 is formed. The recording medium on which the image is not formed is discharged from the 22. The discharged recording medium is loaded on the upper tray 32.

The wall 38 forms the lower part of the discharge port 40 and is provided so as to intersect the discharge direction of the recording medium. The wall 38 has a function of aligning the rear ends of the recording medium P loaded on the upper tray 32.

A recess 32a extending in the discharge direction of the recording medium is formed at substantially the center of the loading surface of the upper tray 32 in the width direction of the recording medium. Further, a plurality of ribs 32b extending in the discharge direction of the recording medium are formed on the loading surface of the upper tray 32. Further, two recesses 32c extending in the width direction of the recording medium are formed at both ends of the loading surface of the upper tray 32 at substantially the center in the discharge direction of the recording medium. Further, four grooves 32d are formed on the side surface of the upper tray 32 on the downstream side in the discharge direction of the recording medium.

A loading assist device (side guide, lead guide, etc.), which will be described later, is detachably installed on the loading surface of the upper tray 32.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the side guide 100 as a width direction regulating unit which is a loading assist device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lead guide 106 as a discharge direction regulating unit which is a loading assist device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example in which the side guide 100 and the lead guide 106 are mounted on the upper tray 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, the side guide 100 includes a loading portion 102 and a pair of left and right regulating members 104.

The loading unit 102 is placed on the loading surface of the upper tray 32 and loads the recording medium discharged from the discharge port 40. The loading unit 102 is formed with two grooves 102a in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction of the recording medium. Further, two convex portions 102b that are engaged with two concave portions 32c formed in the upper tray 32 are formed at both ends of the loading portion 102 in the width direction of the recording medium, and as shown in FIG. When mounted on the upper tray 32, the two convex portions 102b are engaged with the two concave portions 32c of the upper tray 32, respectively. Further, on the upstream side (discharge port 40 side) of the recording medium of the loading unit 102 in the discharge direction, two projecting portions 102c protruding toward the discharge port 40 side are continuously formed on the loading surface of the loading unit 102. A step is formed between the upper surface of the loading unit 102 and the loading surface of the upper tray 32, and the step makes it easier for the operator to take out the loaded recording medium.

The regulating member 104 has an L-shape and has a flat surface portion 104a that slides on the loading surface of the loading unit 102 in the width direction of the recording medium and an elevational portion that is erected substantially perpendicular to the flat surface portion 104a. It is composed of 104b.

The regulating member 104 has two engaging portions 104c that are engaged with the groove 102a and the side surface of the loading portion 102 on the downstream side in the discharge direction in a state where the elevation portion 104b is erected with respect to the loading portion 102. Is formed, and the two engaging portions 104c are moved by being engaged with the groove 102a and the side surface of the loading portion 102 on the downstream side in the discharge direction of the recording medium, whereby the pair of regulating members 104 is moved by engaging the loading portion 102. On the other hand, they are independently moved in the width direction of the recording medium.

That is, the pair of regulatory members 104 can be moved in the width direction of the recording medium along the discharge direction of the recording medium according to the size and the discharge position of the recording medium, and the position can be adjusted. .. That is, the side guide 100 guides the discharged recording medium P in the discharge direction, regulates variations in the width direction of the recording medium, and prevents misalignment of the recording media.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lead guide 106 includes a positioning member 108 that determines the upper end of the recording medium in the discharge direction, and a guide member 110 that guides the positioning member 108 in the discharge direction of the recording medium.

The positioning member 108 is used as a gripping portion that is gripped and operated by the operator. Further, the positioning member 108 is formed with two engaging portions 108a that engage with the guide member 110 in an upright state.

The guide member 110 is a metal rod-shaped member that is bent a plurality of times in substantially parallel manner, and the end portions 110a on both sides are inserted into the two grooves 32d formed in the upper tray 32, respectively, and the bent portion becomes the other end. 110b is fixed to the lower surface (back surface) of the loading portion 102. The guide member 110 is installed on the upper tray 32 in parallel with the discharge direction of the recording medium.

The positioning member 108 can be moved in the discharge direction of the recording medium at substantially the center of the upper tray 32 according to the size and the discharge position of the recording medium in a state of being engaged with the guide member 110, and the position can be adjusted. It is possible. That is, the lead guide 106 regulates variations in the ejection direction of the recording medium to prevent misalignment of the recording media.

An example in which the side guide 100 and the lead guide 106 described above are mounted on the upper tray 32 is shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, for example, one recording medium is ejected in advance in a state where the pair of regulating members 104 and the positioning member 108 are each expanded to the maximum width, and the end of the ejected recording medium and the pair of regulating members 104 are combined. A gap of about 10 mm is provided between them, and a gap of about 10 mm is provided between the end of the discharged recording medium and the positioning member 108, and then continuous discharge is performed.

Here, when discharging a recording medium P having a weak stiffness such as thin paper, the upper tray 32 is tilted at a smaller angle with respect to the horizontal direction, and the side guide 100 is mounted on the upper tray 32 to form a simple configuration. Therefore, the variation in the width direction of the recording medium is reduced. Further, by attaching the lead guide 106, variations in the ejection direction of the recording medium can be reduced with a simple configuration. That is, the number of recording media loaded on the upper tray 32 can be increased without any problem as compared with the case where the present apparatus is not used. At this time, by accelerating the discharge speed to twice the normal speed and discharging, the reduction of variation is further improved and the number of loaded sheets can be increased.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example in which the side guide 100 and the extension member 112, which is a loading assist device, are mounted on the upper tray 32. In the present embodiment, for example, it is used when a recording medium having a size exceeding 488 mm is loaded.

The extension member 112 is composed of a metal rod-shaped member bent into a U shape, and the end portions of the extension member 112 are inserted into the two groove portions 32d of the upper tray 32, respectively.

The length of the extension member 112 is, for example, about 480 mm, and when a recording medium having a length exceeding 488 mm is loaded, it can be used as an extension tray by mounting it on the upper tray 32.

Here, when the paper having a length exceeding 488 mm is ejected, if the extension member 112 is not attached, the number of sheets to be loaded is several (the number of sheets to be loaded without causing problems such as hanging or dropping of the paper). It was about a single digit).
On the other hand, when the extension member 112 is attached, the number of sheets to be loaded can be increased to about 100 even when the paper having a feed length of 729 mm is ejected.

That is, by mounting the extension member 112 together with the side guide 100 on the upper tray 32, the variation in the width direction of the recording medium is reduced, unevenness is prevented, and even a recording medium long in the discharge direction is recorded. It is possible to prevent the medium from hanging or falling and reducing the number of loaded sheets.

Further, the extension member 112 is removable and can be removed and stored in the main body of the post-processing device 20.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the side guide 100 and the lead guide 106 are mounted on the upper tray 32 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be used separately.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the lead guide 106 is mounted on the side guide 100 and the upper tray 32 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the lead guide 106 may be mounted only on the side guide 100 or only on the upper tray 32.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the side guide 100 and the extension member 112 are mounted on the upper tray 32 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be used separately.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case of mounting on the upper tray 32 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the case of mounting on the lower tray 34 is also applied.

Further, in the present embodiment, the post-processing device 20 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any loading device for loading a recording medium may be used, for example, an image forming device such as a copier, a printer, or a facsimile machine. It can also be used for.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

1 ... Image forming system 10 ... Image forming device 20 ... Post-processing device 30 ... Recording medium loading device 32 ... Upper tray (discharge tray)
34 ... Lower tray (discharge tray)
38 ... Wall 100 ... Side guide 106 ... Lead guide 112 ... Extension member (extension tray)

Claims (4)

A loading section that is placed on the loading surface of an ejection tray that can eject the recording medium by changing the tilt angle with respect to the horizontal direction,
A width direction regulating unit that can move independently in the width direction of the recording medium loaded on the loading unit and regulates variation in the width direction of the recording medium.
It has two R-shaped convex portions formed on both ends of the lower surface of the loading portion in the width direction of the recording medium and extending in the width direction of the recording medium.
Detachable loading aid that is detachably installed on the discharge tray by engaging the convex portions with the two R-shaped recesses formed on the loading surface of the discharge tray and extending in the width direction of the recording medium. apparatus. The detachable loading assist device according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge direction regulating unit that regulates variations in the discharge direction of the recording medium loaded on the loading unit. The detachable loading assist device according to claim 2, wherein the discharge direction regulating unit is movable in the discharge direction of the recording medium. The detachable loading assist device according to claim 1, further comprising an extension member that is detachably installed on the ejection tray and can extend the length of the recording medium of the loading portion in the ejection direction.

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