JPH0465265A - Multiple color image printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform jammed paper removal process by an external operation and deliver the printed image receiving paper either in face-up or face-down state by a method wherein the image receiving paper is repeatedly reciprocated within a space formed between first and second paper guides. CONSTITUTION:When a sheet of image receiving paper 10 is reciprocated to form a multiple color image on it after the image receiving paper 10 is once put in the image forming position between a platen roller 25 and a head, the front and rear ends of the image receiving paper 10 are moved within a space formed by first and second paper guides 34 and 36. Therefore, in the case a jam occurs while the image receiving paper 10 is in reciprocation motion, that is, while colors are superimposed, the image receiving paper 10 is discharged from an outlet by turning the platen roller 25 forward or backward, so that the jammed paper can be easily removed. After image forming is completed, the printed image receiving paper 10 can be delivered either in face-up or face down state by selecting the turning direction of the platen roller 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a multicolor image forming apparatus that is extremely suitable for so-called video printers and the like.

[Prior Art] In general, ink sheet cartridges and image receiving paper packs, which are consumable supplies for video printers, are manufactured so that the number of screens for each is one-to-one. Therefore, the user would open the image-receiving paper bag, take out the image-receiving paper, and use it by putting it in the cassette that is an accessory. In addition to standard paper, special papers such as OHP paper, sticker paper, and poster cards are also used as image-receiving paper, and when these papers are used, pairs of dedicated ink sheet cartridges are used. Additionally, video printers are generally designed to be small and inexpensive. For this reason, video printers are usually provided with one paper feed section into which a single paper feed cassette is loaded. Therefore, for example, if you want to use OHP paper while using standard paper, it is necessary to remove the standard paper from the paper feed cassette and load OHP paper instead.

At the same time, it is also necessary to replace the ink sheet cartridge from one for standard paper to one exclusively for OHP paper. If a user makes a mistake in the combination of an ink sheet cartridge and image-receiving paper, the countermeasure is to detect each type separately and compare them with each other.

In devices that have a function to detect the remaining amount of ink sheet, the remaining amount is detected only when the ink sheet cartridge is used without being removed.

Therefore, once the ink sheet cartridge is pulled out, it will be reset.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] The above-mentioned conventional technology has the following drawbacks.

(1) When taking out the image receiving paper from the image receiving pack and loading it into the printer, the image receiving surface of the image receiving paper may be touched directly with the hand. For this reason, some people were tempted to stain the receiving paper. In particular, with the image receiving paper of a sublimation video printer, if you touch the image receiving surface before printing, fingerprint marks will appear on the printing surface. Thus, there was a drawback that it was difficult to record high-quality images.

(2) When it becomes necessary to replenish the ink sheet cartridge and image receiving paper, which are consumables, it is necessary to load the ink sheet cartridge and the image receiving paper separately. For this reason, the consumables replenishment operation is complicated and it takes a long time to restart the printer.

(3) When using a different type of image-receiving paper, it is necessary to replace the image-receiving paper in the cassette. Therefore, the replacement work is complicated. Moreover, in this case, the disadvantage pointed out in (1), that is, the possibility that the image receiving paper will be soiled with fingerprints or the like increases.

(4) Since the image-receiving paper and the ink sheet are set separately, when using different types of image-receiving paper, it is easy to make an operational error such as replacing only the image-receiving paper or only the ink sheet cartridge.

(5) In order to eliminate the operational error mentioned in (4) above, a detection means for detecting the types of both the ink sheet and image receiving paper is required, and a means for determining whether the two are compatible or not is required. Become. Moreover, it takes a considerable amount of time to make the above determination.

(6) Since the receiver paper and ink sheet are set separately, only the ink sheet is sent first,
There is a possibility that the number of screens cannot be matched with the receiving paper, or conversely, only the receiving paper is sent first, which may damage the receiving paper or cause it to become jammed inside the machine.

(7) As the types of usable image receiving paper increase, it becomes difficult to know which type of image receiving paper and ink sheet cartridge are loaded.

(8) If you frequently use different types of receiving paper, the remaining amount storage memory will disappear and you will not know the remaining amount.

(9) Since the image receiving paper cassette and ink sheet cartridge are loaded independently into the main body of the device, it is possible for the image receiving paper to get caught in the paper feed section, platen, etc. and cause a jam. In this case, it is inconvenient that it cannot be easily eliminated.

(10) There is no place to store unused types of image-receiving paper, and there is no environment in which anyone can use it immediately.

(11) If a jam occurs while the image-receiving paper is being conveyed by the platen roller in the image forming area, when attempting to remove the image-receiving paper from the image forming area by rotating the platen roller forward or reverse, the leading and trailing edges Since the paper is located in a different part, when the roller is rotated in a certain direction, the image receiving paper is pushed out into a narrow space, making it difficult to remove it from the main body.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these various circumstances, and its main purpose is to eliminate the problem by external operation even if a jam occurs while the receiving paper is being conveyed by the platen roller. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multicolor image forming apparatus that can easily remove jammed paper and discharge printed receiving paper face up or face down.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the objectives, the present invention takes the following measures.

(1) In a multicolor image forming apparatus that sequentially forms images of different colors on the same image forming area while reciprocating an image receiving paper having a predetermined size by a platen roller, the platen roller portion is moved during forward movement. a first paper guide that guides a leading end of the image receiving paper that has passed in the forward direction into a predetermined space of the apparatus main body; and a rear end of the image receiving paper that has passed the platen roller portion in the opposite direction during backward movement; a second paper guide that guides the image receiving paper into the predetermined space, and the reciprocating movement of the image receiving paper is repeated within one space formed by the first paper guide and the second paper guide. I made it possible to do so.

(2) The image receiving paper is discharged from the main body of the apparatus through a single outlet connected to the two spaces.

[Effects] As a result of taking the above measures, the following effects occur. Once the image-receiving paper enters the image forming area between the platen roller and the head, when the image-receiving paper moves back and forth to form a multicolor image, the leading and trailing edges of the image-receiving paper are guided by a first paper guide and a second paper guide, respectively. The paper is transported through a space formed by a paper guide. Therefore, if the paper jams during reciprocation, that is, when superimposing colors, the platen roller can be rotated forward or backward, and the paper can be ejected from one outlet. That is, even if the roller is rotated in either direction, the receiving paper is ejected from the same location.

Therefore, jammed paper can be easily removed.

Note that if you turn the platen roller to the left or right from the state where the front end and rear end of the image receiving paper are in one space formed by the upper surface of the first paper guide and the lower surface of the second paper guide, The image-receiving paper emerges from between the image-receiving paper transport roller and the pinch roller with both sides reversed from the leading edge or the trailing edge.

Therefore, after image formation, by selecting the rotational direction of the platen roller, it is possible to eject the printed image-receiving paper face-up or face-down.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 23 are diagrams showing an embodiment (including some modified examples) of the present invention.

First, the most characteristic part of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b).

As shown in the figure, this apparatus is a multicolor image forming apparatus in which images of different colors are sequentially formed on the same image forming area while reciprocally moving an image receiving paper 10 having a predetermined size by a platen roller 25. At times, a first guide guides the leading end of the image receiving paper 10 that has passed through the platen roller 25 portion in the forward direction into a predetermined space 37 of the apparatus main body 20.
paper guide 34, and the platen roller 25 during backward movement.
a second paper guide 36 that guides the rear end of the image receiving paper 1o that has passed through the section in the opposite direction into the predetermined space 37; In one space 37 formed by
The round-trip movement is now reversed.

Further, the image receiving paper 10 is discharged out of the apparatus main body 2o from a single outlet 87 connected to the two spaces 37.

According to this apparatus, once the image receiving paper 10 is transferred to the platen roller 25
When the image-receiving paper 1o reciprocates to form a multicolor image after entering the image forming area between the image-receiving paper 10 and the head 30, the front and rear ends of the image-receiving paper 10 are moved by the first paper guide 34. The paper is conveyed within one space 37 formed by the second paper guide 36.

Therefore, if a jam occurs while the image receiving paper 10 is moving back and forth, that is, when superimposing colors, the platen roller 10
5 is rotated forward or backward, the image receiving paper 1o is discharged from one exit. That is, regardless of which direction the roller 25 is rotated, the image receiving paper 10 is ejected from the same location. Therefore, jammed paper can be easily removed.

Note that when the front end and the rear end of the image receiving paper 10 are in one space formed by the upper surface of the first paper guide 34 and the lower surface of the second paper guide 36, the platen roller 2
5 to either the left or right, the image receiving paper 10 is reversed from the leading edge side or the trailing edge side, and is transferred to the image receiving paper conveying roller 3.
1 and the pinch roller 35. Therefore, by selecting the rotational direction of the platen roller 25 after image formation, the printed receiver paper 10 can be discharged face-up or face-down.

Next, the configuration of the entire device including the above feature points will be explained in detail and specifically. Note that the features of the overall configuration of the apparatus described below are as follows.

(1) A paper feed cassette and an ink sheet cartridge are configured to be integrated, and the manufacturer packs the receiving paper and ink sheet and delivers it to the user. This integrated product is called a process cartridge 3. In order to easily load the process cartridge 3 into the apparatus main body 20, a thick hole extending from the paper feed section to the platen section is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 20.

(2) The process cartridge 3 is filled with an image receiving paper 10 and a dedicated ink sheet 4 corresponding thereto, and means for detecting the type of the process cartridge 3 is provided on the apparatus main body 20 side. . The system performs various controls as shown below.

1) Adjustment of printing energy (heat amount) suitable for the receiver paper 10 ■) Display of the receiver paper type on the monitor ■) Switching of operation mode when the receiver paper is sticker paper with division cuts ■) Each cartridge Display of the remaining amount value of the remaining amount memory corresponding to the type (3) A part of the process cartridge 3 is used as a paper guide so that the process cartridge 3 can be pulled out and a Jam processing operation can be performed once.

(4) A part of the process cartridge 3 is also used as a part of the paper discharge tray, so that a jam processing operation can be performed by pulling out the process cartridge 3.

(5) The front end and rear end of the reciprocating image receiving paper 10 are arranged in one space constituted by two paper guides. Further, the platen roller 25 is provided with a knob for operation.

(6) Create a rack 100 that can accommodate unused process cartridges 3, and combine this rack 100 with the device main body 20.
It is now possible to load .

A detailed explanation follows. 2 and 3 are side views showing the structure of the process cartridge 3, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views showing the structure of the process cartridge 3. FIG. Furthermore, FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are an end view and a top view showing the structure of the process cartridge 3. FIG. 7(a) and 7(b) are side views showing the structure of the process cartridge 3 disassembled into the first housing 1 and the second housing 2, and FIG. 8 is a side view showing the structure of the process cartridge 3. It is a side view seen from the rear side.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are connected to each other in such a manner that they can be opened and closed and cannot be separated. and constitutes a single process cartridge 3. The first housing 1 rotatably holds a delivery reel 5 on which an unused ink sheet film 4 is wound and a take-up reel 6 on which a used ink sheet film 4 is wound.

The ink sheet film 4 is stretched between two glue rules 5 and 6 with a predetermined tension. Furthermore, holes 1a and lb for positioning during loading are provided at both ends of the front side wall of the first housing 1. The first housing 1 has an extension part 1r on the side of the delivery reel 5, and its tip ends on the front side (the front side in Figures 2 and 3) and the rear side (the back side in Figures 2 and 3). side) protrude parallel to each other in the shape of an arm. The extension part 1r is provided with a beam 7 extending between both arms from the front side to the rear side.
A presser member 8 is attached on top of the .

This pressing member 8 is made of a highly elastic foam material or the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, a hole IC is provided in the center of the back portion of the first housing 1 so that a print head 30, which will be described later, can come into contact with the ink sheet film 4.

As shown in FIG. 7(b), bosses 1d and 18 each protrude inward from the arm-shaped extension 1r.

The explanation will be moved to FIGS. 4 and 5. The second housing 2 that holds the image-receiving paper 10 is box-shaped, and an intermediate plate 11 on which the image-receiving paper 10 is directly placed is placed on the bottom of the second housing 2 . As shown in FIG. 11, which will be described later, this middle plate 11 is inserted so that its right end can rotate up and down about the left end in the figure.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, No. 271 Uzing 2
A hole 2a is provided at the bottom of the box so that the middle plate 11 can be pushed up from the outside. The image-receiving paper 10 is placed face down with the image-receiving surface facing the middle plate 11, with the rear end facing the wall surface 2b.
, the tip is regulated by the wall surface 2C1, and both side surfaces are regulated by the wall surfaces 2d and 2e, respectively.

Further, the image receiving paper 10 is surrounded by a cartridge cover 12 at its upper portion. As shown in FIG. 5, a paper feed port 2f is provided at the upper right end of the second housing 2 in the figure, into which a portion of a receiving paper transport roller 31 (to be described later) enters to feed paper. The height of the walls 2d and 2e that regulate the sides of the image-receiving paper is from the bottom of the second housing 2 to the vicinity of the cartridge cover 12, that is, the height is greater than the maximum stacked thickness dimension of the image-receiving paper to be loaded. It is set. However, it is slightly lower near the paper feed port 2f. In other words, a notch G is provided in this area.
In the vicinity of the paper feed port 2f of the housing 2, bosses 2g shown in FIG. 7(a) are provided on the front side and the rear side.

The central portion of this boss 2g has a through hole shape. boss 2
A pair of locking members 2 are located at opposing positions on the coaxial circumference of g.
h and 2i are provided facing each other.

The boss 1d of the first housing 1 and the boss 2g of the 271st housing 2 are fitted into each other on the front side and the rear side, respectively,
It is integrated as a process cartridge 3.

As shown in FIG. 6(b), the axis XX connecting the two bosses 1d on the front side and the rear side is the leading edge of the receiving paper 10, the axis Y-Y of the delivery reel 5, and the axis Axis Z-Z
It is almost parallel to . First housing 1 and second housing 2
is rotatable around the axis X-X. Boss 1e protruding from extension part 1r of first housing 1
is on the same axial circumference as the boss 1d. Thus, one end or the other end of the boss 1e of the first housing 1 engages with the locking member 2h or 21 of the second housing 2, thereby regulating the rotation angle between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. That is, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are in a state in which 1d and 2g are rotatably fitted, and 1
When one end of e and 2h engage with a click feeling,
Maintain the closed or first configuration as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. On the other hand, when the other end 1e and 21 are engaged with each other with a click feeling, the open state shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, that is, the second mode is maintained.

In the closed state, that is, in the first mode, as shown in FIG. to intervene in a part. and the first
The bottom portion (upper part in the figure) lz of the housing 1 and the bottom portion 2z of the second housing 2 are approximately parallel to each other. At this time, the pressing member 8 presses the back surface (the upper surface in the figure) of the image receiving paper 10 with its elastic force. Even when the amount of image-receiving paper 10 is small, since it enters the second housing 2 through the holding member 8 or the paper feed port 2f, the image-receiving paper 10 is prevented from escaping to the outside from the paper feed port 2f. .

As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 8, bosses 2j and 21 are provided on the rear side of the second housing 2 to indicate the type of cartridge 3. As shown in FIGS. These multiple bosses 2j, 2, 2I! The main body 2 of the device corresponds to
A sensor is provided on the 0 side and detects the type based on the combination of the presence or absence of each boss. As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the delivery reel 51 and the take-up reel 6 are connected to the first housing 1 so as to engage with the drive system on the 2° side of the main body of the apparatus.
It protrudes slightly from the sides. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a display sticker 13 is pasted on the front side of the second housing 2 so that the operator can see at a glance what type of cartridge it is. There is. Further, a handle 2m is provided on the front side wall of the second housing 2 for easy operation when attaching and detaching the process cartridge 3 to the apparatus main body 20.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the state in which the process cartridge 3 is loaded into the apparatus main body 20, and FIG. 10(a) is a side view of the apparatus main body 20.
FIG. 10(b) is a side view showing a state in which the process cartridge 3 is loaded into the apparatus main body 20 and then the cover 28 is placed on top.

As shown in FIG. 9, there is a hole 2 in the front frame 21 on the component loading side of the apparatus main body 20, which also serves as an insertion port for the process cartridge 3 and an ejection port for the printed receiving paper 10.
2 is provided. Furthermore, positioning pins 23a and 23b are provided at predetermined locations on the surface of the front frame 21 so as to protrude toward the front side. More hole 2
A guide groove 24 is provided at a location located at the lower left in FIG. 2, extending from the front side to the rear side of the device main body 20. Thus, when loading the process cartridge 3 into the apparatus main body 20, the flange-shaped protrusion 2n provided at the lower left in the figure of the process cartridge 3 is guided by the guide groove 24 for insertion. Then, positioning is performed by engaging the positioning hole 1a of the first housing 1 with the positioning pin 23a, and similarly engaging the hole 1b with the pin 23b.

As shown in FIGS. 10(a) and (b), the front cover 2
8 is provided with a window 28a for taking out the printed receiving paper and a window 28b for viewing the display sticker. Thus, even when the process cartridge 3 is completely loaded into the apparatus main body 20 and the front cover 28 is closed, the display sticker 13 of the process cartridge 3 can be seen through the window 28b of the front cover 28. It becomes possible to clearly identify the type of cartridge 3 loaded from the outside.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the apparatus main body 20 with the process cartridge 3 loaded. As shown in the figure, pinch rollers 26 and 27 are in pressure contact with the platen roller 25. Also, the shaft 29
A print head 30 is provided so as to rotate toward and away from the center.

The print head 30 enters and exits through a hole 1c (not shown in this figure) provided in the first housing 1 of the process cartridge 3, and presses the ink sheet 4 against the circumferential surface of the platen roller 25.

An image receiving paper transport roller 31 is provided at the upper center of the paper feed port 2f. A tongue 32 is provided below the image-receiving paper transport roller 31 and at a position facing the hole 2a in the bottom of the process cartridge 3, so as to be rotatable about a shaft 33. A torsion coil spring 34 is interposed between the shaft 33 and the tongue 32. When the shaft 33 is rotated in this manner, the tongue 32 rotates about the shaft 33 via the torsion coil spring 34 and pushes up the bottom surface of the middle plate 11-. As a result, the back surface of the image-receiving paper 10 is pressed against the lower peripheral surface of the image-receiving paper transport roller 31 with a predetermined pressure. Between the receiving paper conveyance roller 31 and the platen roller 25,
A paper feeding path is formed by the lower surface of the first guide 34 provided on the side of the apparatus main body 20 and the upper surface of a part of the process cartridge 3, that is, the reel accommodating portion 1g of the first housing l. One end 34a of the first guide 34 is located on the side farther away from the platen roller 25 than the nip tangent between the platen roller 25 and the pinch roller 26.

A pinch roller 35 is in pressure contact with the circumferential surface of the receiving paper transport roller 31 on the side opposite to the side facing the paper feed port 2f, that is, on the upper side. This pinch roller 35 and platen roller 2
5, there is a gap between the upper surface of the first guide 34 and the device main body 2.
A paper discharge path space 37 is formed by the lower surface of the second guide 36 provided in the upper part of the paper discharge path space 37 .

A third guide 38 is provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main body 20 facing the cartridge cover 12 . A storage space 39 is formed between the third guide 38 and the cartridge cover 12 for storing ejected paper (printed image receiving paper).

On the upper surface of the cartridge cover 12, which is a component of the storage space 39, as shown in FIGS. Ribs 12C are provided. Also, on the right end of the cover 12 in the drawings, there is a
), the projections 12d and 12e are provided. A portion of the protrusions 12d and 12e extends to a position where they overlap the cross section of the receiving paper transport roller 31 when viewed from the front side. Thus, these protrusions 12d, 12e
serves to prevent the ejected paper that has passed the upper surface of the image-receiving paper transport roller 31 from being caught up in the image-receiving paper transport roller 31 again.

A reflective sensor 41 for detecting the presence or absence of image receiving paper is installed near the paper feed port 2f, facing the back surface of the image receiving paper 10. Further, a reflective sensor 42 for determining whether an ink sheet is used or not is installed near the platen roller 25.

The A torque limiter 50 and the B torque limiter 60 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are drive systems that engage with the ink sheet delivery reel 5 and take-up reel 6 of the cartridge 3, respectively, and transport the ink sheet. . The torque limiter 50 has a shaft 51 coupled to the delivery portion 5, and a gear portion 52 is locked by a ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet pawl 53, a spring 54, and the like. The B torque limiter 60 also has an output shaft 61 coupled to the take-up reel 6, and a gear 62 connected to a reduction mechanism 63. It is rotatably driven by a drive source consisting of a motor 64. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a black and white pattern 66 is provided on the side surface 65 of the gear 62. A reflective sensor 67 is provided opposite the black and white pattern 66 as shown in FIG.

The above-mentioned black and white pattern 66 shows the rotational state of the take-up reel 6 and 1
It corresponds to 1:1. Therefore, by determining the output of the reflective sensor 67, it can be determined whether the take-up reel 6 is rotating or not.
Furthermore, it is possible to determine the rotation speed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the structure of the ink sheet film 4. As shown in the figure, the ink sheet film 4 has three color ink layers of yellow Y, magenta M, and cyan C connected in order to form an ink sheet for one screen.

In front of the yellow Y, there is a black band B for separating the ink application area for each screen. While winding up the ink sheet film 4 on the take-up reel 6 side, the reflective sensor 42 shown in FIG. 11 detects the black band B, and then the actual printing operation begins. In an unused process cartridge 3, there is a length of 91 times until the black band B on the first screen is detected for the first time. On the other hand, in the case of the process cartridge 3 that has been used once, the amount of feed until the black belt B is first detected is 112. The relationship is N1:12. Therefore, the amount of feed of the ink sheet film 4 from the print command until the black band B of the ink sheet film 4 is first detected is counted by the number of detection pulses of the reflective sensor 67 for detecting the black and white pattern, If the determining means determines whether Nl and fI2 are equal to or greater than the specified values, it can be determined whether or not it is unused. Note that the determination can also be made by detecting the length of the winding time.

The printed image-receiving paper 10 has a window 2 on the front cover 28.
Unlike 8a, the paper is ejected towards the back of the machine, making it difficult to remove. Therefore, measures have been taken to bring the image receiving paper 10 closer to the opening 28a of the front cover 28. There are two methods.

FIGS. 17(a), 17(b), and 17(c) are diagrams showing the first means.

The first arm 71. is attached to the axis of the pinch roller 35 with an opening angle of approximately 90 degrees. A drive element 70 having a second arm 72 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft cylinder is rotatably attached. Note that when there is no printed image-receiving paper 10, the tip of the first arm 71 is in a position to block the paper discharge port formed by the image-receiving paper transport roller 31 and the pinch roller 35. Also, the first arm 72
The other end is in contact with an arm portion 74 of a passive element 73, which will be described next.

A paddle shaft 75 is rotatably supported on the upper surface of the third guide 38 . One end of this paddle shaft 75 (Fig. 17 (
The passive element 73 is fitted and fixed to the right end (a), that is, the portion perpendicular to the axis of the pinch roller 35. Paddles 76°77.78 made of plate-shaped elastic bodies are fixed at three positions on the paddle shaft 75 at the same angle.

A spring 79 is fitted into the paddle shaft 75, and the force of this spring always moves the paddles 76, 77, and 78 as shown in FIG.
) is pressed so that it is at the PZ position. The paddle shaft 75 is located within the width of the image receiving paper 10. paddle 76
．． Part of the length of 77.78 is the cartridge cover 12.
The length should be such that it flexes when it comes into contact with the top surface. Furthermore, the tips of the paddles 76 and 78 are designed to fit into grooves 12a and 12b provided in the cartridge cover 12.

When the printed image-receiving paper 10 is nipped by the pinch rollers 35 and begins to be ejected, the first arm 71 of the driver 70 is pushed forward by the rigidity of the printed image-receiving paper 10.

As a result, the drive element 70 rotates, and the second arm 72 pushes up the arm 74 of the passive element 73 against the force of the spring 79. Therefore, the paddle shaft 75 rotates, and the paddles 76, 77 .
78 is from the position Pz in the discharge paper storage space 39.
Evacuate to position X. When the paddles 76, 77, 78 are in the PX position, the paddles 76, 77, 78 do not interfere with the ejection of the printed receiving paper 10. Even if the rear end of the printed paper leaves the nip portion of the pinch roller 35, the printed receiver paper 10 is transferred to the receiver paper transport roller by the rotational return force of the driver 70 due to the force of the spring 79, that is, by the pressing force of the first arm 71. Since the state of being pressed onto 31 is maintained, it is continued to be conveyed. When the rear edge of the printed image-receiving paper 10 comes off the tip of the first arm 71, the printed image-receiving paper 10 falls onto the cartridge cover 12. At the same time, the driver 7° returns to its original position, and the paddles 76, 77, and 78 rotate to the PZ position by the force of the spring 79, and the 10 printed receiving sheets are placed in the window 28a of the front cover 28. Push it towards you. The front cover 28 has a window 28b for checking the type of process cartridge 3. Therefore, it is possible to easily take out the printed receiver paper 10 by inserting a finger into this window 28b.

FIGS. 18(a), 18(b), and 18(C) are diagrams showing the second means. The difference from the first means is that the paddle shaft 75 is driven to rotate continuously by a sheet discharge drive source.

A pulley 80 is fixed to the shaft 31a of the receiving paper transport roller 31. The paddle shaft 75 is perpendicular to the shaft 31a and
A pulley 82 is fixed to one end of a shaft 81 disposed parallel to. A belt 83 is twisted by 90 inches and is hung between this pulley 82 and the pulley 8.0. Another pulley 84 is fixed to the other end of the shaft 81. This pulley 84 and the paddle A belt 86 is placed between the shaft 75 and a pulley 85 fixed to one end thereof.

Therefore, when the receiving paper transport roller 31 rotates, the belt 83 pulls the pulley 82. Axis 81. The pulley 84 rotates, and the belt 86 causes the pulley 85 and paddle shaft 75 to rotate. The paddle 76.77.78 protrudes from the hole 38a of the third guide 38 into the discharged paper storage space 39, and when the paddle 76.77.78 is rotated to retreat from the discharged paper storage space 39, as shown in FIG. As shown in (b), the paddles 76, 77, and 78 are in a bent state as they are restricted by the holes 38a.

When the printed receiving paper 10 is nipped by the pinch roller 35 and the receiving paper transport roller 31 and is being ejected, the paddles 76, 77, 78 move the printed receiving paper 1
Rotate while touching the surface of 0 many times. However, compared to the stiffness of the printed receiving paper 10, the paddle 76.77.7
Since the rigidity of the paper 8 is made low, the printed receiver paper 10 will not be bent or pushed out toward the front cover 28 side. However, -1 printed receiver paper 1
When the rear end of 0 falls off the nip and falls onto the process cartridge 3, the force of the paddles 76,77°78 causes the
It is pushed out toward the window 28a of the front cover 28. Paddles 76, 77. for holes 38a of third guide 38.
78 passes through due to flexure, so printed receiver paper 1
0 or was caught between the paddle 76, 77, 78 and the third guide 38 and was injured (this will not happen).

In this apparatus, a plurality of process cartridges 3 can be attached to and removed from the printer to print images in various formats on various types of receiving paper.

As shown in FIG. 19, unused process cartridges 3 are placed in the cartridge rack 100 in the first state, that is, in the closed state. This cartridge rack 100 is provided with housing sections 101 to 104 into which process cartridges 3 are placed on the operation side of the apparatus, and the floor area thereof is set to be approximately equal to the floor area of the apparatus main body 29. Cartridge rack 100 and device main body 2
It is designed to be able to load 0 and 0 above and below. Further, the cartridge rack 100 itself is provided so that a plurality of cartridges can be loaded, and the cartridge rack 100 can be added according to the number of types of process cartridges 3. Note that the device main body 20 includes an operation panel 90 as shown in the figure.
is attached. Since the process cartridge rack 100 is installed near the apparatus main body 20 in this way,
Anyone can easily obtain an image created in a desired format on a desired type of image-receiving paper at any time and as needed.

Next, a modification of the image receiving paper regulating means in the process cartridge 3 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 20, an image receiving paper]0 is housed inside the cartridge 3. The image-receiving paper regulating member] 21 is provided so as to be swingable about a support shaft 122 provided on the inner wall surface of the cartridge 3. A hole 2P is provided in the side regulating wall 2d of the image-receiving paper 10, and the end portion 121a of the image-receiving paper regulating member 121 enters into the image-receiving paper storage section through the hole 2P. The tip portion 121a is biased in the direction of arrow A by a spring (not shown) and presses the back surface of the image-receiving paper 10. Side wall surface 1 of the device main body at a position corresponding to the hole 2Q of the first housing 1 in the process cartridge 3
A restriction release protrusion 112 is provided on 10 in a protruding manner. When the process cartridge 3 is loaded into the apparatus main body 20, the restriction release protrusion 112 enters the inside of the cartridge through the hole 2Q and pushes up the image-receiving paper restriction member 121 against the biasing force of the spring. The process cartridge 3 is connected to the device main body 20
When the image receiving paper 10 is completely housed in the regulating member 1
21 is the image receiving paper 10 as shown on the left side of FIG.
It will be a little far away from.

Thus, according to this example, when the process cartridge 3 is not loaded into the apparatus main body 20, the receiving paper regulating member 1
21 holds down the image-receiving paper 10, the image-receiving paper 10 will not fall out of the cartridge 3, regardless of the form of the process cartridge 3, even if the process cartridge 3 is carried around or turned upside down. On the other hand, when the process cartridge 3 is loaded into the apparatus main body 20, the receiving paper regulating member 121 is retracted from the receiving paper 10, so there is no possibility that it will interfere with paper feeding.

Next, the printing means of the printer will be explained mainly with reference to the drawings from FIG. 21 onwards. The printer can be connected externally, for example via a video interface.

Image data is captured into the device memory via a digital interface or the like. And after adding image processing,
The image output means sends data to the print head 30 in the printing mechanism to form an image. The image processing functions at this time include the following functions.

A...Enlarge or reduce manually generated data and print.

B: Trim and print a part of the input data.

C: Capture multiple screens at the same time and print them out on − sheets of receiving paper.

D: Add other data to the input data and print.

By combining A-D, it is possible to obtain various images. For example, one screen, two screens in a sheet of receiving paper.
It is possible to create formatted images such as screen, 4 screen, 9 screen, 25 screen, etc.

As shown in FIG. 19, the operation panel 90 is provided with a key 98 for selecting a slide creation mode. When the above mode is selected, an image of the size of a 35 mm slide film is formed on the memory by means of enlarging or reducing the input screen to the size of a 35 mm slide film. , a frame is created outside the image, and information regarding the image is created inside the second frame and in the non-image area.

FIG. 22(h) shows the state in which the image thus created on the memory is printed out on OHP image receiving paper as images 141, 142, etc. The information includes date, order, etc.

Slides can be easily created by cutting the OHP receiver paper printed out in this way according to its framework and placing it in a slide holder. The frame is one that matches the shape and size of the slide holder, and may be a broken line, a solid line, etc. In short, it is sufficient as long as the frame allows the cutting position to be known.

Next, types of usable image receiving paper will be explained with reference to FIG. 22. The types of image-receiving paper can be roughly divided into opaque image-receiving paper called standard paper shown in FIG. 22(a), transparent image-receiving paper called OHP paper shown in FIG.
) There is an adhesive-coated image-receiving paper with a backing called sticker paper.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of video recordings of color images, which are then printed out for viewing and storing. In addition, the use of printing out stickers and pasting them in notebooks or as indexes for video cassettes is also increasing. Furthermore, OHP paper is used for presentations at conferences.

Depending on the type of image receiving paper 10, there may be formats that cause problems when used or formats that are meaningless to use. Usable formats are set as shown in Table 1, for example. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of screen mode selection operation based on Table 1.

This format can be set by the operator using an operation panel 90 provided on the exterior of the device or a remote control switch, as shown in FIG. In order to prevent erroneous operations, the apparatus main body 20 selects a mechanism that can be used with the process cartridge 3. For example, when using the process cartridge 3 containing the seal E in Table 1, the image mode is automatically set so that only 25 screens can be used. Further, when using the process force trisody 3 containing the seal B, the screen mode is automatically set so that only two screens can be used. Even if the slide print mechanism is selected, the process cartridge 3 does not receive anything other than when OHP paper is loaded.

As an experimental example, a printer was equipped with formatting functions such as a multi-screen function and a slide creation function, and image-receiving paper as shown in Table 1 was created as a corresponding paper. In this case, new image-receiving paper was created, mainly consisting of sticker paper with cuts corresponding to the multi-screen on the printer side. For example, you can create "Seal E" as a sticker paper for a printer's 25-screen mode format, and "Seal D" as a sticker paper for a 9-screen mode format.
”. Since the sticker paper has pre-cuts, it saves you the trouble of cutting it later with scissors.

Next, printing conditions will be explained. Different printing conditions are required for different types of image-receiving paper 10 as described above. This is because the surface condition and hardness of the image receiving paper 10 differ depending on the material. Therefore, it is necessary to combine the types of ink sheet film 4 that are most suitable for each type of image receiving paper 10. Then, it is necessary to form an image under the optimum printing conditions for that type. - In terms of standard paper, sticker paper < OHP paper,
The energy required for printing increases.

A good image can only be obtained when three of the following three conditions are optimized: ``type of image receiving paper,'' ``type of ink sheet film,'' and ``printing conditions.'' As mentioned above, when there are many types of image receiving paper 10, it is not easy for the operator to match the types of image receiving paper 10 and the types of ink sheet film 4.
The probability of incorrect operation increases. Furthermore, even if this erroneous operation is detected and dealt with on the device main body 20 side, the determination cannot be made instantaneously, which can become one of the causes of failure. Furthermore, if the image-receiving paper 10 is inserted into and removed from a single cassette, fingerprints may be left on the image-receiving surface. In order to eliminate such problems and complications, in this embodiment, the image receiving paper 10 and the ink sheet film 4 are optimally combined in the process cartridge 3 based on the combination model shown in Table 2. It is set in advance. By detecting the type of process cartridge 3 in this manner, printing can be performed under optimal printing conditions.

Performance-9 In Table-2 above, Hl is standard paper No., 15H2 is standard paper No., 2.11 is sticker paper No. 1, I2 is sticker paper No. 2, Jl is OHP paper No. 1 ．． J2
is OHP paper No. 2, SX is ink sheet No. 1,
SY is ink sheet No. 2, SZ is ink sheet No.
,3. Also, ■～■ are six types of energy table numbers, yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C.
For example, the amount of energy to be applied to each of 256 gradations is defined for each color of 1.

The usable format is set as soon as the process cartridge 3 is loaded into the apparatus main body 20, and is cleared as soon as the cartridge 3 is removed from the apparatus. In this way, it is possible to easily change the type of image receiving paper for each process cartridge. As a result, it is rare that one process cartridge 3 remains inside the apparatus main body 20 at all times.

Particularly when a single device is used by a plurality of operators, it is necessary to be able to clearly determine what type of process cartridge 3 is loaded at the time of use. There are two means for determining the type of cartridge 3.

The first determination means is by adding a display sticker to the process cartridge 3. That is, a display sticker 13 indicating the type of process cartridge 3 is added to the front side surface of the process cartridge 3. As mentioned above, even if the process cartridge 3 is completely loaded into the apparatus main body 20 and the front cover 28 is closed, the type of the cartridge 3 can be clearly identified from the outside, as shown in FIG. As shown in the above, the display sticker 13 of the front cover 28
A window 28a is formed at a position corresponding to .

The second discrimination means is an automatic discrimination means using a sensor. That is, the process cartridge 3 is provided with projections 2j and 2(l) as shown in FIG. Select the signal corresponding to that type, call it up, and display it on the monitor.

Next, the means for detecting the remaining amount of the image receiving paper 1 or the ink sheet film 4 in the process cartridge 3 will be explained. The number of image receiving papers 10 in one process cartridge 3 and the number of screens on the ink sheet film 4 are made to match. By counting how many sheets have been printed, it is possible to know the remaining amount in the process cartridge 3. This device makes it possible to detect the remaining amount of a plurality of types of process cartridges 3 that are easy to attach and detach. For example, if n types of cartridges 3 can be used, a means is provided on the printer side for storing the remaining amount of each type of process cartridge, and means for selecting and recalling the memory contents of the detected type of process cartridge 3; Each time a sheet is printed, it is subtracted and rewritten, and the content is displayed on the remaining amount display window 91. Even if you replace the process cartridge 3 with a different type during printing, the remaining amount of the previous process cartridge 3 is still memorized, and the memory contents of the new type are subtracted in the same way every time you print one sheet. . The following three types of reset means are provided as means for resetting the remaining amount.

Remaining amount reset means (1) Detects that the image receiving paper 10 or ink sheet film 4 in the process cartridge 3 is used up and resets the remaining amount. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the presence or absence of the image-receiving paper 10 is detected by a reflective sensor 41 provided near the paper feed port 2f of the apparatus main body 20, facing the back surface of the image-receiving paper 10.

Regarding the ink sheet, the remaining amount is detected using the A torque limiter 50 and the B torque limiter 60 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

That is, when the ink sheet runs out, if the terminal end of the ink sheet film 4 is fixed to the delivery reel 5, the output of the reflective sensor 67 disappears.

Further, when the end of the ink sheet film 4 is free, the end is wound onto the winding wheel 6, and the load on the A torque limiter 50 is eliminated.

Therefore, the take-up reel 6 rotates at a much higher rotational speed than when the ink sheet film 4 is present. Therefore, the output of the reflective sensor 67 becomes higher than the normal frequency. From this, it can be determined that the ink sheet is out. The signals from the reflective sensor 67 and the sensor 41 are judged by the discrimination means, and if it is judged that one of them is absent, the remaining memory contents corresponding to the type of process cartridge 3 are changed by the rewriting means. Forcibly reset to “0” information. Further, the remaining amount display means displays the content that the remaining amount of the process cartridge 3 is "0". Further, the process cartridge error lamp 99 on the operation panel 90 is turned on or blinks.

Remaining Amount Resetting Means (2) Immediately after loading a new process cartridge 3 into the apparatus, the operator manually presses the reset key 92 provided on the operation panel 90. By doing this, the remaining amount display is reset. Whether or not the process cartridge 3 is present in the apparatus main body is detected by a process cartridge type sensor on the apparatus side at the same time as the type is detected. When the device control unit detects that the process cartridge is "absent", it turns on the flag. Next, the flag is kept ON until the presence of the process cartridge is detected and a print command is received. When this flag is ON, when a signal from the reset key 92 is input to the control section, the remaining amount memory contents corresponding to the type of process cartridge 3 are rewritten to unused contents by the remaining amount rewriting means. At the same time, the unused content is displayed on the remaining amount display section, and the flag is turned off. Only when the flag is ON,
Reset key 92 is accepted.

Remaining amount reset means (3) Reset the remaining amount by detecting a new process cartridge. That is, the feed amount of the ink sheet film 4 from when a print command is given until the black band B of the ink sheet film 4 is first detected is counted by the number of detection pulses of the reflective sensor 67 for detecting the black and white pattern. do.

Then, the determining means determines whether Nl, j12 are equal to or greater than the prescribed values, and if they are equal to or greater than the prescribed values, it is determined that the process cartridge 3 is unused, that is, new.

Note that the determination can also be made by detecting the length of the winding time. Then, the contents of the remaining amount memory corresponding to the type of the process cartridge 3 are rewritten by the remaining amount rewriting means, and at the same time, the contents of the unused process cartridge 3 are displayed on the remaining amount display section.

The reason why the above-described remaining amount reset means (1) detects that either the ink sheet film 4 or the receiver paper 5 is running out and forcibly changes the remaining amount display to "No remaining amount" is as follows. This is because in the unlikely event of a paper jam or the like, the number of screens on the ink sheet film 4 and the number of sheets of image receiving paper 10 may not match.Remaining amount reset means (2);
For (3), it is sufficient to have either one of them.

Next, the operation during printing will be explained. First, take out the process cartridge 3 from the packaging box. At this time, the cartridge 3 is in the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, that is, in the first mode. As long as the user is carried in this state, his or her fingers will not directly touch the image receiving surface of the image receiving paper 10. Also, receiver paper 10
Since the paper is held down by the holding member 8, it will not fall from the paper feed port 2f or shake inside the process cartridge 3. Open the process cartridge 3 and remove the boss 1.
One end of e is engaged with the locking member 21 to lock it.

The front cover 28 of the device main body 20 is opened to expose the hole 22 of the front frame 21. Load the process cartridge 3 into the apparatus main body 20 by holding the handle 2m. Next, the front cover 28 is closed and a print command is given. Then, the ink sheet film 4 is first wound up on the winding wheel 6. And black belt B with sensor 42
When detected, winding stops. Based on the length of the winding amount at this time, it is determined whether the process cartridge 3 is new or not. Next, the tongue 32 is rotated about the shaft 33 by a drive source (not shown). Then, one end of the middle plate 11 is lifted and the image receiving paper 10 is transferred to the image receiving paper conveying roller 31.
press against.

As the image-receiving paper transport roller 31 rotates, the uppermost image-receiving paper 10 is fed first. The leading edge of the fed image receiving paper 10 is
It is guided by the lower surface of the first guide 34 and the upper surface of the reel accommodating portion 1g of the process cartridge 3 and reaches the nip portion between the platen roller 25 and the pinch roller 26. The print head 30 rotates around a shaft 29 to press the ink sheet film 4 against the platen roller 25. When the platen roller 25 rotates, the image receiving paper 10 is transferred to the platen roller 2.
5 while being guided by the ink sheet film 4 and print head 30, and advances to the nip between the pinch roller 27 and the platen roller 25. While the leading edge of the receiving paper advances from the pinch rollers 26 to 27, the tongue 32 retreats to its original position, that is, to the bottom position of the process cartridge 3. At this point, the receiving paper conveying roller 31 stops rotating. After this, printing of yellow Y, which is a negative color, begins, but at least before printing begins, the receiving paper
0 is at a position where the wall surfaces 2d and 2e for restricting movement in the width direction do not guide the image receiving paper 10, that is, at a position where there is no notch G. Therefore, the following effects can be expected.

To make the process cartridge 3 more compact and, in turn, the apparatus main body 20,
If the distance between the image receiving paper 1 and the platen roller 25 is shortened, the image receiving paper 1
When the leading end of the image receiving paper 10 reaches the platen roller 25, the trailing end of the image receiving paper 10 may not yet be detached from the paper feed port 2f of the process cartridge 3. And in the normal case,
There is some mounting error between the conveyance direction of the platen roller 25 and the orientation of the process cartridge 3. Therefore, when the front end of the image-receiving paper 10 is conveyed by the platen roller 25 with its rear end regulated by the regulating walls 2d and 2e, the side edges of the image-receiving paper 10 are brought into contact with the wall surfaces 2d and 2e.
d and 2e may be scratched by strong rubbing. Furthermore, if the rear end of the image receiving paper comes off the regulating walls 2d, 2e after printing has started, the recorded image will be affected by the vibration.

However, in this embodiment, the length of the portion of the receiving paper regulated by the regulating walls 2d and 2e while being conveyed by the platen roller 25 is set to 1/3 or less of the conveying length of the receiving paper. In other words, the positional relationship is such that the rear end of the image receiving paper is out of the regulating area of the regulating walls 2d and 2e of the process cartridge 3 at least before printing begins. In this way, damage to the image receiving paper 10 or adverse effects on image recording due to vibration can be avoided.

In this way, the platen roller 25 and the pinch roller 26.
The conveyance of the image-receiving paper 10 by 27 and the formation of a color image are performed. The rear end of this image receiving paper 10 is connected to the first guide 34
from the end 34a of the pinch roller 26 and toward the tangential direction of the nip portion of the pinch roller 26. At this time, the leading edge of the image receiving paper is
4 and the second guide 36 are located between the receiving paper conveying roller 31 and the pinch roller 35 through an enclosed space 37. The pinch roller 35 has a very light contact force, e.g.
It is in pressure contact with the receiving paper transport roller 31 at about 0 gf. Therefore, regardless of whether the rotation of the receiving paper transport roller 31 is stopped, the leading edge of the receiving paper remains between the receiving paper transport roller 31 and the pinch roller 35.
It is possible to enter the nip with the paper only by the rigidity of the paper. - When the color image formation is completed, the platen roller 25 starts rotating in reverse. At this time, the rear end of the image-receiving paper 10 does not go toward the paper feed port 2f of the process cartridge 3, but enters a space 37 formed by the upper surface of the first guide 34 and the lower surface of the second guide 36. Then, the receiving paper is nipped between the conveying roller 31 and the pinch roller 35. Similarly, Nishikiguchi,
The printed receiver paper 10 on which the third color image has been formed is moved between the lower surface of the third guide 38 and the upper surface of the process cartridge 3 (more specifically, the second housing 2) by the receiver paper transport roller 31 and the pinch roller 35. The paper is discharged to the discharge paper storage space 39 that is formed. The leading edge of the printed receiver paper 10 is connected to the rib 12 on the top surface of the cartridge cover 12.
(The paper 10 discharged to the paper storage space 39 is conveyed with less contact resistance.
Figures (a) (b) (c) or Figure 18 (a) (b) (c)
) The front cup 1 is
-28 in the direction of the window 28a. Therefore, the printed receiver paper 10 can be taken out of the machine through this window 28a.

In the manner described above, it is possible to easily perform printout with the process cartridge 3 loaded.

By the way, if you want to print out on OHP paper, for example, replace the process cartridge 3 with one for OHP and load it. Then, 2j, 2 and 2g indicating the type of process cartridge 3 are read by the sensor of the apparatus main body 20. In this way, on the device main body side, it is OHP.
It recognizes that the paper is for OHP use and outputs on the monitor that it is for image receiving paper 10 or OHP use. At the same time, the remaining amount data for that OHP or the last time it was used is read from the memory and the remaining amount is displayed on the display window 91. When the OHP version is used for the first time, the initial setting value of the number of full sheets is displayed as the remaining amount since there is no previous remaining amount data. 01 (It is known that in the case of P paper, even when combined with the dedicated ink sheet film 4, more than 20% more printing energy is required than that of standard receiver paper. For OHP use. is detected, an OHP-specific applied energy control table is called from the ROM data, and the applied energy is controlled according to the control table.The above example was explained for OHP paper, but it does not apply to any type of process cartridge 3. A similar sequence and control is automatically selected for each type of image receiving paper 10, and optimum energy control is always achieved with the ink sheet film 4 adapted to the type of image receiving paper 10.

Next, we will explain how to deal with the occurrence of a paper jam (vapor jam). In conventional printers, the highest probability of vapor jam occurs between the paper feed section and the platen roller 25. Moreover, it was very difficult to remove the jammed paper located between them.

In this embodiment, a large hole 22 extending from the paper feed section to the platen roller 25 is provided in the front frame 21, and one of the paper guides from the paper feed section to the platen roller 25 is connected to the process cartridge. A portion of 1 g of Cartridge 3 was used for both purposes. In this way, when the process cartridge 3 is removed from the apparatus main body 20, the jammed paper can be removed at the same time.

Even if the platen roller 25 and pinch rollers 26 and 27 jam during conveyance, the platen roller 25
A knob (not shown) attached to the front end of the
By turning , the rear end of the image-receiving paper comes out of the process cartridge 3. Therefore, the process cartridge 3 can be pulled out. Alternatively, by turning the knob, the leading edge of the image receiving paper 10 comes out from between the pinch roller 35 and the image receiving paper transport roller 31. Therefore, it becomes possible to pull out the process cartridge 3 and remove the jammed paper.

Further, during the reciprocating operation for sequentially overlapping different colors, the leading end and trailing end of the image receiving paper 10 are in one space 37 formed by the upper surface of the first guide 34 and the lower surface of the second guide 36. It is in. Therefore, by turning the knob of the platen roller 25 to either the left or right, the image receiving paper 10 comes out from between the pinch roller 35 and the image receiving paper transport roller 31, and the process cartridge 3 can be pulled out to remove the jammed paper. It becomes possible.

Also, the cartridge cover 12 of the process cartridge 3
Since a part of the paper directly serves as a part of the paper discharge tray, when the process cartridge 3 is pulled out, the paper discharge storage space 39 and the process cartridge storage space are communicated with each other and become one large space. Since the front frame 21 is also provided with a corresponding large hole 22, paper jams near the paper discharge area can be easily removed.

Note that the front end and rear end of the image receiving paper 10 are connected to the first guide 34.
When the platen roller 25 is turned to the left or right from within a space 37 formed by the upper surface and the lower surface of the second guide 36, the image-receiving paper 10 is rotated from the leading edge side or the trailing edge side. In the reverse direction, the paper comes out from between the receiving paper transport roller 31 and the pinch roller 35. Therefore, by selecting the rotational direction of the platen roller 25 after image formation, the printed receiver paper 10 can be discharged face-up or face-down.

According to this embodiment described above, the following effects can be expected.

(1) Since the image-receiving paper 10 and the ink sheet film 4 are made into a cartridge, the user no longer has to worry about loading the image-receiving paper 10 into a paper feed cassette. Furthermore, there is no risk of accidentally touching the image receiving surface and staining it with fingerprints or sweat.

(2) Since the image receiving paper 10 and the ink sheet film 4 can be loaded into the main body of the apparatus at the same time, the complexity of loading work is reduced. Also, when using different types of image receiving paper 10,
Since the process cartridge 3 can be replaced in units, it is possible to easily use a plurality of types of process cartridges.

(3) When using multiple types of image-receiving paper 10, since the image-receiving paper 10 and the ink sheet film 4 suitable for the image-receiving paper 10 are set in advance in one process cartridge 3, the image-receiving paper 10 There is no mistake in the combination of the ink sheet film 4 and the ink sheet film 4. Accordingly, the number of image receiving papers 10 and the number of screens of the ink sheet film 4 are as follows.
Since a one-to-one correspondence is always maintained, the above-mentioned correspondence will not be disturbed due to an operational error.

(4) The process cartridge 3 is provided with 2Il on the unevenness 2j, 2 indicating its type, and the apparatus main body 20 is provided with a sensor on the unevenness 2j, 2 for detecting the type of the process cartridge 3 from the situation 21. Therefore, the type of process cartridge 3 can be determined at the same time as it is loaded. Therefore, compared to the conventional case where the compatibility between the image receiving paper 10 and the ink sheet film 4 is determined after paper is fed, time loss is reduced.

(5) A means is provided to detect the type of process cartridge 3 and display it on the monitor, so even when multiple types of process cartridges are used, it is possible to determine which type of process cartridge 3 is currently in the main body of the apparatus. You can tell at a glance if it is. Therefore, by mistake, a different type of image receiving paper 10 is used.
You can prevent operational errors such as printing on

(6) An indicator sticker 13 indicating the type of process cartridge 3 is added to the operation side of the process cartridge 3 so that it can be seen from outside the device body, making it easy to identify which process cartridge 3 is inside the device. Identifiable.

(7) Remaining amount memory corresponding to various process cartridges 3 is provided, and even if the process cartridge 3 is replaced, the remaining amount data corresponding to the process cartridge 3 is retrieved from the memory and displayed. Even if you replace the battery, you can immediately know the remaining amount, which is very convenient.

(8) Since either the ink sheet film is out or the image receiving paper is out is detected and the remaining amount is displayed as "0", the remaining amount of the ink sheet film 4 and image receiving paper 10 can be detected in case of a paper jam etc. Even if the process cartridges 3 and 3 do not match, it is possible to accurately notify the user that the process cartridge 3 is no longer usable.

(9) The ink sheet film 4 is provided with partition marks B for partitioning the ink application area of each screen layer, and the feed length from the start position to the partition mark B for the first screen is a certain screen. The feed length is set longer than the feed length from the ink application area of 1 minute to the partition mark B of the next screen. Then, it is determined whether the length from the start of transport of the ink sheet film 4 to the first partition mark B is longer than a specified value, and if it is longer than the specified value, the process cartridge 3 is the one that has not been used , and the remaining amount is automatically reset to an unused value. Therefore, an unused process cartridge 3 can be automatically detected, and a corresponding remaining amount can be displayed. In addition, the reset is performed using the process cartridge 3.
Since the process is performed only for the types of process cartridges 3, it is possible to perform the process while the remaining amounts of process cartridges 3 of other types are stored and held.

(10) Create image receiving paper 10 that corresponds to the screen configuration that can be output by printer main body 20, and process cartridge 3.
By selecting the process cartridge 3 that matches the screen configuration, the user can perform post-processing after printing (
Processing such as cutting out the necessary parts and pasting them as stickers is no longer necessary.

(11) When a process cartridge 3 containing a certain type of image receiving paper 10 is used for the apparatus main body 20 capable of outputting a plurality of screen configurations, a screen configuration suitable for the image receiving paper 10 is automatically selected. This simplifies the user's operating procedure and prevents mistakes in the image receiving paper 10 and screen configuration.

(12) A slide creation mode is provided, and simply by selecting that mode, a slide-sized screen is output with cutoff lines, so it is possible to create slides extremely easily.

(13) When a process cartridge 3 other than the process cartridge 3 with OHP paper is loaded,
Since the slide creation mode is set to a sequence in which no reception is accepted, it is possible to prevent misprinting in the slide mode on receiving paper other than OHP paper.

(14) Since the remaining amount reset switch 92 is provided on the operation panel 90, the remaining amount can be reliably detected by pressing the reset switch 92 when an unused process cartridge 3 is inserted. Further, the reset switch 92 is configured to accept the process cartridge only once after detecting the process cartridge "absent" to "present" process cartridge, so that unnecessary erroneous operations can be prevented.

(15) Since the process cartridge 3 can be opened and closed, the space required for transportation and storage can be reduced.

(16) Since the process cartridge 3 can be opened and closed freely and has a click-holding function, it is easy to carry the process cartridge 3 while it is closed and to maintain the posture of the process cartridge 3 when loading it into the apparatus main body 20. .

(17) Since the process cartridge 3 is provided with a handle 2m, it can be easily attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 20.

(18) In the process cartridge 3 in the closed state, the external shapes are intertwined with each other, making it compact and easy to transport and carry.

(19) When the process cartridge 3 is closed, the image-receiving paper 10 is pressed by the presser member 8 that enters the image-receiving paper storage section from the paper feed port 2f. No. 10 can prevent gagging inside the process cartridge. Therefore, stable transportation is possible. Furthermore, when the process cartridge 3 containing the remaining used image receiving paper 10 is carried or stored, it is possible to prevent the image receiving paper 10 from falling out from the paper feed port 2f.

(20) By using the outer surface of the housing of the process cartridge 3 as a part of the paper guide from the paper feed section to the platen roller 25, the number of paper guide members can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Also, in the event of a paper jam,
Since a large space can be obtained by pulling out the process cartridge 3, jam processing is easy.

(21) At least before printing starts, the rear end of the image-receiving paper is set to the wall surfaces 2d and 2e for restricting movement in the width direction of the image-receiving paper storage portion of the process cartridge 3, so that the rear end of the image-receiving paper is
2e, even if the distance from the platen roller 25 is shortened to make it more compact, the image receiving paper 10 being conveyed will not come into contact with the walls 2d and 2e. It can prevent damage caused by rubbing.

Further, since the vibration that occurs when the rear end of the image-receiving paper deviates from the restrictions of the walls 2d and 2e does not occur after printing has started, it does not adversely affect the recorded image.

(22) A large hole 22 for inserting the process cartridge 3 is provided in the front frame 21.

This hole 22 communicates from the paper feed section to the platen roller 25 as one hole, which is convenient when processing jam paper.

(23) Since a part of the process cartridge 3 is configured to also serve as a paper discharge tray, there is no need to newly provide a paper discharge tray. This simplifies the configuration of the device and allows it to be manufactured inexpensively and compactly. Further, when the process cartridge 3 is pulled out, the storage space for the process cartridge 3 and the ejected paper storage space become one and the space is enlarged, so that jam processing at the paper ejection section can be easily performed.

(24) The image receiving paper 10 is attached to a part of the process cartridge 3.
Since a recess is provided to avoid a part of the pressing means for pressing the image receiving paper transport roller 31, the printer main body 20
can be configured compactly.

(25) Since projections 12d and 12e are provided at the end of the portion of the process cartridge 3 that also serves as a paper ejection tray, the projections 12d and 12e are shaped so that the ejected paper does not get caught up in the receiving paper transport roller 31. It is possible to prevent the ejected paper from being caught in the roller 31 without adding any additional material.

(26) During printing, the leading and trailing ends of the image-receiving paper 10 pass through the circumferential surface of the platen roller 25 and then reciprocate within the same space 37 surrounded by the first guide 34 and the second guide 36 Therefore, even if a paper jam should occur in this state, the jammed paper can be easily ejected from the paper ejection section by turning the knob coaxial with the platen roller 25 in either the left or right direction. Further, since there is no risk that the front end and rear end of the image receiving paper 10 will collide with the constituent members of the image receiving paper transport path during the reciprocating movement, there is no risk of the image receiving paper 10 being damaged no matter how many times the reciprocating movement is repeated. .

(27) Since the image-receiving paper transport roller 31 has both the image-receiving paper transport roller function and the paper ejection roller function, the paper transport path is simplified and the image-receiving paper transport roller 31 is
The structure is simplified and can be manufactured inexpensively and compactly.

(28) Elastic paddle 76 for pushing out the ejected paper, that is, the printed receiver paper 10 toward the front side of the apparatus main body 20
．． Since the image-receiving paper retrieval means equipped with the receiver paper 77 and 78 is driven by a forward force utilizing the rigidity of the ejected paper itself, it can be driven without a new drive source, and the device configuration is simplified.

(29) Receiving paper pushing member 76.7 consisting of an elastic paddle
The driving force for the receiving paper take-out means equipped with 7.78 is taken from the paper ejection drive source to continuously rotate the extrusion members 76, 77, and 78, so that the ejected paper can be taken out quickly and accurately. Ru.

(30) Since the grooves 12a and 12b are provided in the cartridge cover 12 of the process cartridge 3, and the receiving paper pushing members 76 and 78 are provided at corresponding positions, the pushing operation of the printed receiving paper 10 is performed reliably. Therefore, the printed receiver paper 10 can be taken out properly.

(31) Detect the type of process cartridge 3, select the optimal energy control table according to the type (that is, the type of image receiving paper 10 and ink sheet film 4 loaded in the cartridge 3), and record the image. Since this is done, good images can always be obtained no matter what type of process cartridge 3 is inserted.

(32) Since the cartridge rack 100 for storing unused process cartridges 3 is used as a pedestal under the printer main body 20, the process cartridges 3 can always be kept near the printer main body 20. A required process cartridge 3 can be easily replaced at any time.

(33) Since the width of the cartridge rack 100 is made approximately equal to the width of the printer main body 20 and multiple racks can be stacked on top of each other, the number of racks can be increased or decreased depending on the number of process cartridges 3 to be used. is possible.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, in a multicolor image forming apparatus that sequentially overlays and forms images of different colors on the same image forming area while reciprocating an image receiving paper having a predetermined size using a platen roller, Since the front and back image-receiving paper is repeatedly moved back and forth within one space formed by the first paper guide and the second paper guide, when the image-receiving paper is being conveyed by the platen roller, Even if a paper jam occurs, the jammed paper can be easily removed by externally operating the platen roller. Also, from a state where the leading edge and trailing edge of the image-receiving paper are in one space formed by the upper surface of the first paper guide and the lower surface of the second paper guide, turn the platen roller to the left or right. Then, the image-receiving paper comes out from between the image-receiving paper conveyance roller and the pinch roller with both sides reversed from the front end side or the rear end side. Therefore, after image formation, by selecting the rotational direction of the platen roller, it is possible to eject the printed image-receiving paper face-up or face-down. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multicolor image forming apparatus that exhibits various special effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 23 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention (including some modified examples), and Figures 1 (a), (b), and (c) show the most characteristic parts of the present invention. In the diagrams showing the configuration, (a) is a side view showing the cartridge in a closed state (first mode);
(b) is a side view showing the cartridge in an open state (second mode), and (c) is a side view showing the state in which the cartridge is loaded into the main body of the apparatus. Figures 2 and 3 show the cartridge in the closed state (first
FIGS. 4 and 5 are side views showing the detailed configuration of the cartridge in the closed state (first embodiment) and the open state (second embodiment).
6(a) and 6(b) are views showing the end surface and top surface of the cartridge, and FIG. 7(a) and (b) are views showing the cartridge in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the housing and the second housing disassembled, and FIG. 8 is a side view of the cartridge from the rear side. Figure 9 is a side view showing the details of the cartridge loaded into the main body of the apparatus, Figure 10 (a) is a sectional view of the front cover of the main body of the apparatus, and Figure 10 (b) is the apparatus with the front cover covered. A side view showing the main body, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing details of a state in which a cartridge is loaded into the main body of the apparatus. Figures 12 and 13 are top views and partial perspective views showing the structure of the ink sheet winding drive unit, and Figures 14 and 15 are for counting the amount of ink sheet used, which is attached to a part of the ink sheet winding drive unit. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the structure of the ink sheet. FIGS. 17(a), (b), and (c) are views showing a means (first means) for taking out the printed image-receiving paper with a part of the apparatus main body cut away, and FIGS. 18(a), (b), and (C) ) is a partially cutaway view of the apparatus main body to show the means (second means) for taking out the printed receiver paper, FIG. 19 is a front view showing an example in which the cartridge rack and the apparatus main body are arranged in a stacked manner, and FIG. The figure is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the receiving paper regulating means (pressing means). Figure 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system, Figure 22 (
a) to (h) are diagrams showing examples of usable receiver paper, No. 23
The figure is a flowchart for explaining the type of receiving paper and the format selectable table in the main body of the apparatus. 1...First housing la, lb...Positioning hole 2...Second housing 3...Cartridge 4...Ink sheet 8...Press member 10...Receiving paper 20...・Device body 21...
・Front cover 23a, 23b...Positioning pins

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a multicolor image forming apparatus that sequentially forms images of different colors on the same image forming area while reciprocating image receiving paper having a predetermined size using a platen roller, when the image receiving paper moves forward, the platen roller portion a first paper guide that guides the leading edge of the image-receiving paper that has passed in the forward direction into a predetermined space of the apparatus main body; and a rear end of the image-receiving paper that has passed the platen roller portion in the opposite direction during the backward movement. a second paper guide that guides the image receiving paper into the predetermined space, wherein the reciprocating movement of the image receiving paper is performed within a space formed by the first paper guide and the second paper guide. A multicolor image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is designed to repeat. (2) The multicolor image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image-receiving paper is discharged from the apparatus main body through a single outlet connected to the one space.