JPH02183272A - Electrophotographic device equipped with information adding function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To imprint additional information additionally by providing a means which forms an additional information image on a form material on the downstream side of a main image fixing means about a form material conveying direction. CONSTITUTION:The additional image forming mean 3 which imprints the additional information on the form material 13 is provided on the downstream side of the main image fixing mean 2 about the form material conveying direction. For example, the additional image forming means 3 is equipped with a thermal transfer head 23, a thermal transfer ribbon 24 and a pinch roller 25, the thermal transfer head 23 is driven by a CPU 26, and the additional information is stored in a RAM previously and indicated by the CPU 26 according to an operator's choice. Consequently, the additional information can be imprinted in different color on the form material without making the mechanical structure nor a control circuit complex.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electrophotographic devices such as copying machines, facsimile machines, printers, etc. In particular, an electrophotographic device that prints a main image such as a manuscript image, as well as additional information such as date, page, letter ``R Secret 1'', company name, department name, letter ``Copy 1'', etc. on materials such as copy paper and print paper. Regarding.

[1] The following methods have been proposed as a method for copying additional information in addition to the main image onto a material such as glued copy paper.

For example, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-116839, 1
Both an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the main image (main image latent image) and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to additional information (additional latent image) are formed on two photoreceptors, and these latent images are developed by a developing device. An apparatus is shown in which the toner images, which are visual images, are transferred onto a material, and the toner images are further fixed onto the material by a fixing device.

Generally, in this type of apparatus, the wavelength of exposure light for creating a main latent image is different from the wavelength of exposure light for creating an additional latent image. The sensitivity characteristics of the photoreceptor can be compared to two different wavelengths.
It is very difficult to match both exposure lights. If the exposure light is matched to either one of the exposure lights, there is a risk that the portion of the photoreceptor exposed to the other exposure light will be significantly fatigued.

Also, there is a strong demand for additional information such as the secret A character to be printed in a different color from the main image.In order to meet this demand with the above device, toners of different colors are placed around one photoreceptor. It is necessary to prepare two developing devices containing the photoreceptor. Then, the photoreceptor is rotated twice, and the main latent image is developed in the first rotation.
Complex control such as developing an additional latent image during the second rotation is required.

According to Utility Model Publication No. 49-126857, manuscripts can be submitted for $!
An apparatus is disclosed in which a liquid crystal display element for displaying additional information is disposed on a transparent original placing table for placing an original, and the additional information image is simultaneously exposed onto a photoreceptor along with the original image.

According to this apparatus, since the wavelength of the light that exposes the photoreceptor is determined to be one, the above-mentioned problem of photoreceptor fatigue does not occur. However, problems still remain in that when the main image and additional images are to be printed in different colors, the structure around the photoreceptor becomes complicated and furthermore, the developing operation must be repeated twice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic device that can print additional information in different colors on a material without complicating the mechanical structure and control circuit of the main image forming means. shall be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus that can add additional information to the toner image formed on the material by the main image forming means without disturbing the toner image.

− for The above problem is solved by the following electrophotographic device.

In an electrophotographic device that projects additional information on a material in addition to the main image, there is a material transport path that transports the material, and a main image formation system that forms a toner image corresponding to the main image on the material that is transported along the material transport path. a fixing means arranged downstream of the main image forming means with respect to the material transport direction and fixing the toner image onto the material; and a fixing means arranged downstream of the fixing means with respect to the material transport direction and imprinting additional information onto the material. This is an electrophotographic apparatus characterized by having an additional image forming means.

In the above configuration, the main image is an image, such as a manuscript image, that is primarily desired to be printed on a material such as copy paper. Additional information refers to information such as date, etc., that is desired to be displayed along with the main image as needed.

The main image forming means forms a toner image corresponding to the main image on the material. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the photoreceptor 4 and the charger 5. Exposure device6.
Developing device7. The transfer charger 8 corresponds to this.

Various image forming means can be used as the additional image forming means. In addition to the image forming means of a thermal transfer printer as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to use so-called dot printers using type wheels. Thermal transfer printers, inkjet printers, dot printers, etc. are image forming means that do not use a photoreceptor, but image forming means using a Carlson process method using a photoreceptor, that is, the same as the main image forming means 1 in FIG. 1, are used. You can also do that.

Arrival-1 Materials are transported along a material conveyance path. While the material is being conveyed, a toner image corresponding to the main image is formed on the material by the main image forming means. This toner image is fixed onto the material by a fixing means.

After this fixing is completed, additional information is added onto the material by the additional image forming means.

In order to print clear additional information by the additional image forming means, the conveyance speed of the material in the additional image forming means is
The speed may be lower than the transport speed of the material in the fixing means. If a curved portion is formed in the material transport path from the fixing means to the additional image forming means, the bending direction of the material is always determined in a constant direction by this curved portion.

Among the guide plates corresponding to the curved portions of the materials conveyance path, if the guide plates in the direction in which the materials are deflected can be opened and closed, the materials can be bent easily. Since the material begins to bend after it leaves the fixing means and reaches the additional image forming means, the guide plate is opened after the material reaches the additional image forming means.

and 11. Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an electrophotographic apparatus according to an embodiment. This electrophotographic apparatus is broadly divided into main image forming means 1, fixing means 2, and additional image forming means 3.

The main image forming means 1 includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor 4 that rotates clockwise, a charger 5, an exposure device 6, a developing device 7, and a transfer charger 8.

The exposure device 6 includes a transparent original table 9, a lamp 10,
It is equipped with six mirrors m1 to m6 and a lens 11. A document (not shown) placed on document table 9 is illuminated by lamp 10 . The reflected light from the original is reflected by mirrors ml, m2m3, and lens 11. And mirror m4. m
The image is formed on the photoreceptor 4 through a distance of 5°m6.

The photoreceptor 4 is moved in the axial direction (
Then, the exposure device 6
By the light irradiation, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image (main image) of the original on the original placing table 9 is formed on the photoreceptor 4.

This latent image is developed by the developing device 7 into a visible toner image. This toner image is conveyed to a transfer position, which is a discharge area of a transfer charger 8, as the photoreceptor 4 rotates.

A paper feed tray 12 is arranged at the lower right position in FIG.

A stack of copy paper 13 as a material is stored in the paper feed tray 12 . One sheet from this bundle of copy sheets is sent out toward register rollers 16 by sheet feed rollers 14 and conveyance rollers 15. The register roller 16 is
Copy paper 13 is sent toward photoreceptor #4 at an appropriate timing so as to overlap the toner image on photoreceptor 4.

The toner image on the photoreceptor 4 and the copy paper 13 overlap each other at the above transfer position. At this time, the toner image is transferred onto the copy paper by the discharge of the transfer charger 8. After the transfer is completed, the copy paper is separated from the photoreceptor 4 by the separation claw 18 under the discharge of the separation charger 17 and sent to the fixing means 2. After the transfer is completed, the photoreceptor 4 is cleaned by one cleaning device.

In this embodiment, the fixing means 2 includes a heated fixing roller 20 and a pressure roller 21 that contacts the fixing roller 20 with a predetermined pressure.

The copy sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is heated and pressed while passing between the fixing roller 20 and the pressure roller 21 . This fixes the toner image onto the copy paper.

After the fixing is completed, the copy paper is sent to the additional image forming means 3 via the conveyance roller 22.

In this embodiment, a so-called thermal transfer printer is used as the additional image forming step 3. That is, the additional image forming means 3 includes a thermal transfer head 23 and a thermal transfer ribbon 24.
and a pinch roller 25. Thermal transfer head 2
3 is driven by the CPU 26 at appropriate times. Additionally, the additional information printed by the thermal transfer head 23 is printed in advance by the RA.
M etc., and the CP is stored according to the operator's selection.
Directed by U26. Specifically, additional information such as the date, page, letters ``r'', company name, department name, and ``copy j'' may be considered.

When the copy paper fed into the thermal transfer printer 3 passes between the thermal transfer head 23 and the pinch roller 25, additional information is printed, ie, copied, on the copy paper by the head 23 at an appropriate timing. ``When printing secret letters, it is desirable to print them in a color different from that of the main image, so it is better to use a ribbon 24 of a color different from that of the main image.

The copy sheet that has passed through the thermal transfer printer 3 and on which both the main image and additional information have been printed is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 28 by a paper discharge roller 27 .

In order to prevent abnormal tension from being applied to the copy paper exiting the fixing means 2, the conveyance speed of the copy paper in the thermal transfer printer 3 is preferably slower than the speed in the fixing means.

Furthermore, in order to print clear additional information, it is better to use the thermal transfer printer 3 at a slower speed. If there is a difference in conveyance speed between the thermal transfer printer 3 and the fixing means 2 in this way, the copy paper 13 will bend as shown in FIG.

In this case, a curved portion Q is formed upward on the lower guide plate 29 that forms the conveyance path for the copy paper. Due to the presence of this curved portion Q, the copy sheet 13 is always bent upward, and as a result, it is not distorted in a so-called accordion shape.

A microswitch 31 is fixed to the upper guide plate 30 corresponding to the curved portion Q. The actuator 31a of the microswitch 31 protrudes in an area where the sagging copy paper 13 swells upward.

The upper guide plate 30 is normally positioned below the solid line and reliably conveys copy paper, especially curled copy paper. When the leading edge of the copy paper reaches between the head 23 and the pinch roller 25, it begins to bend in response to the speed difference. When the upper end of the bent copy paper presses the actuator 31a of the microswitch 31, a drive device (not shown) is activated and the upper guide plate 30 is lifted in the <-h direction as shown by the chain line.
The copy paper conveyance path is opened. This allows the copy paper to be bent significantly as shown by the chain line.

The upper guide plate 30 is lifted upward when the copy paper begins to bend, that is, when the leading edge of the copy paper enters the thermal transfer printer 3, so the means for determining this timing is not the microswitch 31, but It is also possible to use a paper detection sensor (reflection type optical sensor, etc.) 32 arranged in the immediate vicinity of the heave 23.

Note that when there is no need to print additional information, the space between the head 23 and the pinch roller 25 is widened, and the paper is transported at the transport speed of the fixing means 2. In this case, the upper guide plate 3
0 is always at the lower position (solid line in FIG. 2).

FIG. 3 shows a ribbon cartridge 33. This cartridge 33 includes a thermal transfer ribbon 24a.

This cartridge 33 is installed in an electrophotographic apparatus in place of the cartridge 33a shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When installing, use the old cartridge 33
Remove cartridge a from the electrophotographic device and insert a new cartridge 3.
Insert 3 in the direction of the arrow. By replacing this cartridge, the color of the additional information can be easily changed.

Cartridge 33 is an IC card or CPU board 3
It is convenient to have 4. This IC card etc. 34 stores additional information data, and by replacing the cartridge, it becomes possible to print desired additional information.

The terminal 35 of the tC card etc. 34 is connected to the CPU 2 when the cartridge 33 is set in a predetermined position in the electrophotographic device.
6 (Fig. 1).

FIGS. 4 and 5 show other embodiments of the copy paper conveyance path. The same auxiliary materials as in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this example, the paper nipping point between the thermal transfer head 23 and the pinch roller 25 is arranged slightly above the fixing means 2, and the copy paper 13 is conveyed slightly upward.

The curved portion Q of the conveyance path is set at a position close to the head 23. Further, a microswitch 36 is provided at that position to detect when copy paper enters the thermal transfer printer 3. The upper guide plate 40 corresponding to the curved portion Q is rotatable around the bin 37 on the side closer to the thermal transfer printer 3.

When the leading edge of the copy paper is detected by the microswitch 36, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper guide plate 40 is rotated upward by a driving device such as a gillenoid (not shown) to create a space for the copy paper to bend. Ru.

FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the copy paper conveyance path. In this example, the curved portion Q is formed by greatly curving the upper guide plate 50 and the lower guide plate 49.

The upper guide plate 50 rotates around the bin 47.

9-1 According to the present invention, since the additional information is projected onto the material by an image forming means different from the main image forming means, the mechanical structure and control circuit of the main image forming means are not complicated. , it becomes possible to project additional information in different colors onto the material.

Further, since the additional image forming means is disposed in a process subsequent to the fixing means, additional information can be added without disturbing the main image once formed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of essential parts of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the additional image forming means.
4 and 5 are side views showing the main parts of another embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the main parts of still another embodiment. 13... Copy paper (material). 29.49...Lower guide plate (material conveyance path), 30.4
0', 50... Upper guide (paper conveyance path), 1... Main image forming means, 2... Fixing means, 3... Additional image forming means, Q... Curved section Fig. 6

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an electrophotographic device that projects additional information on a material in addition to the main image, a toner image corresponding to the main image is formed on a material transport path that transports the material and on the material that is transported along the material transport path. a main image forming means; a fixing means arranged downstream of the main image forming means with respect to the material transport direction and fixing the toner image onto the material; a fixing means arranged downstream of the fixing means with respect to the material transport direction and fixing the toner image onto the material; An electrophotographic apparatus comprising an additional image forming means for projecting information. (2) The conveying speed of the material in the additional image forming means is lower than the conveying speed of the material in the fixing means, and a curved portion is formed in the material conveying path from the fixing means to the additional image forming means, 2. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material is bent at the portion where the material is bent. (3) The material conveyance path from the fixing means to the additional image forming means is formed by mutually opposing guide plates, and among the guide plates corresponding to the curved portions of the material conveyance path, the guide plate is located in the direction in which the material bends. 3. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide plate is openable and closable, and the guide plate is opened in the direction of deflection of the material after the material reaches the additional image forming means.